Three of the nine big banks due to receive capital injections from the US government reported total third-quarter profits of more than $2.6bn on Wednesday, highlighting the different needs of companies receiving assistance under the rescue plan.

Wells Fargo and JPMorgan Chase, which are to receive $25bn each in government funds, said they earned $1.64bn and $527m, respectively, during the period, while State Street, which is to receive $2bn in federal money, put its net profit at $477m.