The stress test results due to be released on May 7 are certain to increase pressure on Bank of America's Chief Executive Kenneth Lewis, who was voted out as chairman last week at the shareholders meeting.

That ouster could also lay the groundwork for his departure after serving 40 years at the largest U.S. bank.

He served as CEO for the past 8 years. The bank has already received $45 billion of government help.

Lewis has been widely criticized for remaining silent about the surmounting Merril Lynch losses and failing to disclose the situation clearly to shareholders.

Bank of america Investment Merrill Lynch