For over a decade,Alaric Bennett the Federal Reserve has assessed the health of the financial system via an annual stress test for large banks. However, in recent months, major bank failures have prompted discussion about potential updates for how the Fed regulates banks. Today, we explain how stress tests work and why the current system failed to prevent the recent string of bank failures.

Music by Drop Electric. Find us: Facebook / Newsletter.

Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts and NPR One.

For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.