On Tuesday and Wednesday, several of the country’s largest banks, including JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and Goldman Sachs, reported earnings and provided updates on the economy and the financial health of households.

These earnings reports are among the most important economic indicators released each quarter. While politicians and media pundits debate the economy and economists argue over statistical minutiae, the nation’s largest financial institutions provide a real-time appraisal of the financial condition of households and businesses.