Some banks can increase dividends and take other capital actions if they pass "stress tests," said Friday the U.S. Federal Reserve in a statement.

The U.S. Fed said that it had finished those tests for the 19 largest banks, including Citigroup Inc., Bank of America Corp., JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Wells Fargo & Co. As a result of the tests, some firms are expected to increase or restart dividend payments, buy back shares, or repay government capital, added the Fed.

However, the Fed did not reveal either the names or number of banks that were expected to do so.

The Fed's actions on capital distributions come after significant improvement in both economic conditions and the capital positions of financial institutions. From the end of 2008 through 2010, common equity increased by more than 300 billion dollars at the 19 largest U.S. bank holding companies, according to the Fed.

U.S. regulators barred banks from increasing dividends without obtaining approval during the financial crisis.

After the Fed released the statement, JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. all announced plans to boost dividends or buy back stocks.