The Federal Reserve and other regulators will release the results of bank stress-test on the 19 biggest U.S. banks on May 4, a central bank official said.

Procedures for releasing information on specific firms, including whether the banks themselves or the supervisors will release the results, are still under discussion.

The May 4 results will include plans for boosting capital for those who need financial help if unemployment raise even higher or other economic conditions deteriorated.

The goal of publishing the stress-test is to bolster credibility of the assessments. The results will expose weaker banks and may boost confidence in stronger ones.

The economy had worsened since the Treasury first announced the tests in February. The public worried that the large bank may not be strong enough to cope with a deepening recession.

The U.S. top treasury officials aren't participating in the reviews in order to maintain the independence of the regulators.