The ECB stress test is conducted on a regular basis, typically every two years, and is mandatory for banks that are directly supervised by the ECB. The results of the stress test are used to identify any weaknesses or vulnerabilities in the bank's balance sheets and to ensure that they are adequately capitalized to withstand financial shocks. The results are also used by regulators to determine any necessary supervisory actions or capital requirements. The Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review CCAR is an annual exercise by the Federal Reserve in the US to assess whether the largest bank holding companies operating in the United States have sufficient capital to continue operations through times of economic and financial stress, and that they have robust forward-looking capital planning processes that account for their unique risks. As part of this exercise, the Federal Reserve evaluates institution's capital adequacy, internal capital adequacy assessment processes, and their individual plans to make capital distributions such as dividend payments or stock repurchases Dodd-Frank Act, stress testing, or DFAST. A complimentary exercise to CCAR is a forward looking component conducted by the Federal Reserve and Financial Company, supervised by the Federal Reserve to help assess whether institutions have sufficient capital to absorb losses and support operations during adverse economic conditions. While DFAST is complimentary to CCAR, both efforts are distinct testing exercises that rely on similar processes, data, supervisory exercises and requirements. The Federal Reserve coordinates these processes to reduce duplicative requirements and to minimize regulatory burden. The requirements, expectations and activities relating to DFAST and CCAR do not apply to any banking organizations with assets of $10 billion or less. The core part of the stress testing program assesses whether bank holding companies possess adequate capital. The capital structure is stable given various stress test scenarios and planned capital distributions such as dividends and share repurchases are viable and acceptable in relation to regulatory minimum capital requirements. Each scenario includes 28 variables, such as gross domestic product, unemployment rate, stock market prices, interest rates, and more encompassing domestic and international economic activity. Along with the variables, the board publishes a narrative that describes the general economic conditions in the scenarios and changes in the scenarios from the previous year.