Banks Expected to Dole Out Dividends Again

America’s top banks are expected to report yet another quarter of profits, putting them in prime position to start paying dividends again, analysts tell the New York Times. JPMorgan got things rolling today by reporting a 47% increase in profits, notes the Wall Street Journal. It will be followed by Bank of America, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, and Wells Fargo next week. Analysts expect their combined 2010 profits to come in at around $70 billion, up from $12.5 billion in 2009.

This week, the Fed began another round of “stress tests” on the banks. If the results are good, regulators will give banks the OK to reinstate dividends, putting money back in the pockets of investors, pension funds, and retirees. “It’s a significant milestone,” said one analyst. “The return of dividends signals the banks are back, and the Federal Reserve wants to inspire confidence in the marketplace so that banks lend more.” (More dividend stories.)