UK's 4 biggest lenders pass central bank stress tests

London

BRITAIN'S four biggest lenders have passed the Bank of England's (BOE) stress tests, which are designed to show their ability to withstand a new economic crisis, the central bank said on Tuesday.

Barclays, HSBC, Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and Lloyds Banking Group, are strong enough to cope with a painful downturn that would see house prices plunge by 35 per cent, inflation surge and unemployment soar, it said in a statement.