Still, some differences do stand out, such as how they feel about their jobs and the economy and how stress impacts their physical health.

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Fed Chairman Bernanke sought to allay lawmakers' concerns about U.S. taxpayers having to bail Europe out of its crisis, insisting that financial stress in the region has recently abated.

WSJ: What's News

The solid earnings reported by many European banks in the first half should ease jitters in credit markets about their solvency and underscore their ability to earn their way out of trouble something the stress tests modelled, but in a way few investors found believable.

ECONOMIST: Europe��s banks are making money hand over fist. How odd