Regulatory bank "stress tests" will help determine whether the biggest U.S. financial institutions need to raise capital or sell assets, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp said Thursday.

"The FDIC views the stress assessments as a necessary step in the process of proactively assuring the strength and stability of our banking system over the next few years," FDIC spokesman Andrew Gray said.

"These assessments should guide institutions in whether they should raise capital or sell assets to promote a more vibrant, strong banking system," Gray said.