Imagine you are the Head of Risk Management at a bank. Your bank holds a diversified portfolio consisting of corporate loans, retail mortgages, and credit card receivables. The current macroeconomic environment is challenging, marked by rising inflation, persistently high interest rates, and downside risks emerging in the real estate market and specific manufacturing sectors.
Design a comprehensive stress testing program to assess the potential impact of these adverse scenarios on the bank's loan portfolio and capital adequacy. In your answer, outline the key steps of the stress test, the main assumptions you would make, the key metrics you would use, and the potential challenges you might encounter.