That bullshit thing known as "TARP" - which really ended up being about the gov't "buying into" the banks for "preferred shares" has "recapitalized the banks"....so, now they look like they have reserves - total bullshit! They have taxpayer money that they now call their own reserves. The "TARP" and the alphabet soup that the Fed has out there now to prop up failed banks is what is driving this number up. At least that is the way it looks to me - I could be wrong.
-gastropod