What bank stocks to buy now

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Investing in bank stocks can be lucrative, especially if you have the right information. With careful research and creative investment strategies, many investors have earned good money from financial stocks. Many investors have also hit rock bottom while investing in financial stocks. This may be due to wrong information, miscalculation, or ineffective strategies. You can agree that while investing in financial stock is lucrative, it can also be destructive.

This article focuses on ensuring you invest in the right stock, as it covers the best bank stocks to buy in 2023. Because there are many bank stocks, it might be difficult to determine the best bank stock to invest in. Read on to discover the 10 best bank stocks to buy in 2023.

What are the best bank stocks to invest in?

When selecting a bank stock to invest in, a few criteria exist. First, look at the bank’s track record of profitability and growth. You want to invest in a bank with a history of generating consistent profits and the potential to grow in the future. Second, look at the bank’s dividend yield. A higher dividend yield is generally better, indicating that the bank pays out a larger portion of its profits to shareholders. Finally, take a look at the bank’s balance sheet. You want to ensure that the bank is financially sound and not over-leveraged.

Top 10 financial stocks to buy right now

1. JP Morgan (JPM)

JP Morgan is a well-known global bank with impressive assets valued at $3.78 trillion. The company functions in more than 60 countries and is one of the world’s largest financial firms today. Its operation cuts across different segments, such as consumer and community banking, corporate and investment banking, Asset and wealth management, and commercial banking. JP Morgan stock is on this list because it has proved substantial and reliable. Though the company’s revenue was hit during the COVID-19 pandemic, the shares lost much less than the other financial stock. This is because the company has a balance sheet and a diverse revenue stream. Another reason why JP Morgan Chase is the best financial stock is that they hold some of the best profitability metrics in the industry and have a vast operation in consumer and investment banking.

2. Bank of America Corp (BAC)

Bank of America Corporation is a multinational American Investment bank and financial service holding company. This bank has the prestige as the second-largest banking institution in the United States. It serves the second-highest percentage of American bank deposits, directly competing with JP Morgan Chase and Citigroup. Their services primarily revolve around wealth management, commercial, and investment banking.

This bank is a good pick for financial investment because of its impressive performance. Bank of America is known to be among the top-performing bank stocks in the second half of 2022. The bank is also estimated to have impressive interest rate hikes; the company is expecting loan growth in 2023. This, alongside the rising interest rate, will lead to a boost in net interest this year. Bank of America also has the second-lowest deposit cost in the third quarter. This interprets to higher net interest income.

3. Citigroup (C)

Citigroup Inc. is a multinational service holding and investment bank. They specialize in asset management, banking, investment, mortgage loans, wealth management, risk management, and many other financial services. They have an operating income of US$18.8 million and a revenue of US$75.3 billion. The bank is considered a systematically important bank by the financial stability board. Citigroup is a good choice for bank stock investment because it holds a leading market share in treasury and trace solutions. It is also known as the second-largest share in fixed-home and equity markets.

4. Wells Fargo (WFC)

Wells Fargo is one of the United States’ largest banks and is a great option for investors looking for a stable, long-term investment. The bank has quite a strong track record of profitability and has been around for over 160 years. Wells Fargo is a diversified commercial service company offering various products and services, including retail banking, commercial banking, investment banking, mortgage banking, and more. The bank pays a dividend of 1.11% and has a current stock price of around $51.

5. Goldman Sachs

Goldman Sachs is one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious investment banks. The company offers various services, including investment banking, wealth management, and trading. It is also known as the world’s second-largest bank in revenue. Goldman Sachs has a current stock price of around $197 and offers a 2.4% dividend yield. It’s a good bank stock to buy because of its strong brand and adaptation to new industry opportunities.

6. Morgan Stanley

Morgan Stanley is another leading investment bank with a long history of success. The company provides various services, including investment banking, asset management, and trading. Morgan Stanley has a current stock price of around $96 and pays a dividend of 0.89%. This bank stock is a good pick because the financial growth shows its potential to outperform the market. It also has a strong balance sheet and sustainable capital deployment.

7. Citizens Financial Group

Citizens Financial Group is a regional bank with a strong presence in the northeastern part of the United States. The bank offers various banking services, including retail banking, commercial banking, and wealth management. Citizens Financial Group has a current stock price of around $43 and pays a dividend of 1.40%.

8. East West Bank Corp

East West Bank Corp is a regional bank focusing on the Asian-American community. The bank offers various banking services, including retail banking, commercial banking, and wealth management. East West Bank Corp has a current stock price of around $37 and pays a dividend of 1.41%. Their efficient capital deployment indicates a solid balance sheet and liquidity position. Considering the price performance, East West Bank has gained 53.9% growth. This is quite an impressive growth compared to other companies in the industry.

9. Visa

When you think of credit cards, debit cards, and prepaid cards, Visa is one of the first top three companies to come to mind. This multinational financial service corporation is known as one of the world’s most valuable companies today. With a revenue of about US$ 29.31 billion and a net income of US$14.96 billion, this company stands out as a good investment for financial stocks. In 2022, Visa experienced an increase in revenue by 22%. The stock has a price-to-earnings multiple of about 30, so it could be an excellent investment to buy right now. They run an excellent business and offer a budget-friendly stock. Visa has been displaying defensive fortitude lately and has a pretty good stock compared to the market in general.

Visa (V) stock forecast 2024, 2025, 2030

10. PayPal (PYPL)

PayPal Holdings Inc. is another good bank to invest in today. The bank has an impressive reputation as one of the best financial technology companies in the world today. They operate a reliable online payment system in different countries supporting online transactions. The company is quite popular and has gained even more popularity as financial online engagement increases. The company allows for a safer and easier way to pay and get paid during online transactions. PayPal is now a global leader in online payments, boasting over 325 million accounts worldwide. PayPal is the best bank store to buy now because of its dominance in electronic finances. The company is one of the largest online merchants in Europe and North America. Last year, the shares had a major hit and thus have proven a good opportunity for potential buyers.

PayPal (PYPL) stock forecast for 2024, 2025, 2030

Is investing in banking shares a good idea?

Investing in banking shares may require a lot of hard work, research, and even money. You’ll need to research and employ effective strategies that fit your goals as an investor. Considering this workload, is investing in banking shares a good idea? The answer is yes. The banking sector is very lucrative, especially for value investors. The banking sector offers dividends to investors, which provides investors with impressive profits. More so, investors can gain capital from selling the bank share for more than they paid. There are also some shareholder benefits financial companies offer to investors. So, if you are wondering if you should go into investment banking stocks, the answer is yes!

How to invest in bank stocks – tips for beginners

If you are new to investing in bank stocks, there are a few tips to keep in mind. These are:

1. Buy Stocks with Long term Perspectives

Buying a stock with long-term perspectives entails holding that investment for more than a full year. Though this might require discipline and patience, it can be really beneficial in the end. Long-term stocks also cut down on costs and allow the investor to compound any returns received from the dividend.

2. Buy Shares of Banks that Pay Dividends

Dividends refer to payments companies give to their shareholders as a reward for holding on to their stock. This reward can be in cash, stock, or some other benefits. As an investor, it is essential to buy shares from banks that pay a dividend. You can earn a lot from the dividend. A dividend allows you to earn an additional return for your investment.

3. Diversify Portfolio

When dealing with bank stocks, it is vital to create a diversified portfolio. This requires that you invest in different stocks. You can invest in many financial industries or purchase stocks from other industries. A diversified portfolio will also help improve overall returns. In contrast, investing in just one stock is similar to putting your eggs in one basket. When it crashes, you lose everything.

4. Investing according to the 60/40 principle (60% stocks, 40% bonds)

This principle involves investing in 60% stocks and 40% bonds. The primary purpose of this principle is to reduce risk, at the same time, produce returns. The disadvantage is that it won’t likely produce as many returns as all equity portfolios. But it is a great idea if you want to minimize risk.

10 Best stocks to buy now

Risks of investing in bank shares

Investing in banking shares is profitable. But it is also true that the stock market always comes with high risk. The risk trade-off theory follows the principle of “the higher the possible return, the higher the risk.” So, when investing, it is essential to understand the risk associated with your investment. Unlike other cash-secured savings, investing in stock has more risks. Here are some of the essential common risks of Investing in banking shares:

Economic slowdown

Economic slowdown refers to when a state experience declines in growth, including a decline in economic activities. This decline generally results in decreased employment, income, business transaction, etc. An economic slowdown is one of the most prevalent risks of investing in financial stocks. Banks are typical examples of cyclical businesses. This means that banks are quite sensitive to recessions or economic instability. In times of recession, fewer people tend to make expenses on cars and houses and use their credit cards. As a result, banks make less profit. More so, in a recession, debtors find it hard to pay back their debts, and as such, banks run losses.

Financial crisis

A financial crisis materializes when there is a decline in the value of assets, and businesses and consumers cannot pay debts. During this period, investors tend to sell off assets, and financial institutions experience a great decline. A financial crisis can make banks lose money on mortgage defaults, cause interbank lending to cease, and cause credit to customers to freeze. If the financial crisis persists, it can affect the bank sector by introducing unfavorable new banking policies. A good illustration is a financial turbulence during the COVID-19 Breakout in 2020. During this turbulence, financial stocks declined continuously. Other financial crises that act as a risk to banking stocks are stock market crashes, currency crises, financial bubbles, etc.

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Poor financial reports

Financial reporting involves communicating financial data to internal and external stakeholders. Through this information, an investor can evaluate financial health and creditworthiness. Poor Financial reports are generally informed by misinformation or poor financial analysis. Financial statements contain important information that helps investors make critical investment decisions. As such, it should be accurate. However, when an inaccurate report is provided, it can drastically impact the stakeholder’s investment.

Weak forecast

Forecasting involves using historical data to make informed estimations, which predict the direction of potential stocks. Forecasting helps investors determine how to allocate their budgets, what stock to invest in, or how best to manage their stock. The weak forecast only results in an unsure investment. Since the future remains uncertain, the stock forecast must be regularly revised. If this is not done, one might meet unfavorable results.

Monetary policy of the central bank

Central banks initiate and adjust monetary policy to manage economic fluctuations. Financial institutions are affected by these changes, which can be negative or positive. Investors need to understand monetary policies well, as this can impact investment results and net worth. The direct impact is when the level and direction of interest rates, while the indirect effect is through expectations of the direction of inflation.

Other risk factors to keep in mind are:

Banks are subject to market fluctuations, so it is essential to understand the risks associated with investing in bank stocks.

Banks are also subject to government regulations, so it is essential to keep an eye on any changes in regulations that could affect the bank’s operations.

It is crucial to consider the bank’s competitive position in the marketplace and ensure that it is well-positioned to succeed in the future.

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Best brokers to buy bank stocks

When selecting a broker to buy bank stocks, there are a few crucial factors to consider:

1

Look for a broker that offers low commissions and fees.

2

Make sure that the broker offers a wide selection of bank stocks to choose from.

3

The broker should offer research tools and analysis to help you decide which bank stocks to buy.

Some of the best brokers to buy bank stocks include:

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Summary

Investing in bank stocks is a great way to increase your portfolio’s returns and reduce risk. Different types of bank stocks offer different levels of risk and rewards, so it is essential to research and ensure you understand the risks associated with them before investing. When selecting a bank stock to invest in, it is essential to consider its track record of profitability, dividend yield, and balance sheet. Additionally, it is vital to use a broker or financial advisor to assist you in making informed decisions about which bank stocks to invest in and to analyze the stock using the key metrics outlined in this blog post. By following the guide above, you can unlock the profits of investing in bank stocks.

FAQs

What is the best bank stock to buy?

Right now, the best financial stock to buy is Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, Capital one financial bank, Goldman Sachs Group, etc.

Is bank stock a good investment?

Bank stocks are a good investment because they can serve as an excellent long-term investment.

Which banking stock is best for the long term?

The best bank stock for the long term is the HDFC Bank.

Which bank pays the highest dividend?

People’s United Financial pays the highest, with a dividend of 4.8%

Team that worked on the article

Ivan Andriyenko
Author at Traders Union

Ivan is a financial expert and analyst specializing in Forex, crypto, and stock trading. He prefers conservative trading strategies with low and medium risks, as well as medium-term and long-term investments. He has been working with financial markets for 8 years. Ivan prepares text materials for novice traders. He specializes in reviews and assessment of brokers, analyzing their reliability, trading conditions, and features.

Dr. BJ Johnson
Dr. BJ Johnson
Developmental English Editor

Dr. BJ Johnson is a PhD in English Language and an editor with over 15 years of experience. He earned his degree in English Language in the U.S and the UK. In 2020, Dr. Johnson joined the Traders Union team. Since then, he has created over 100 exclusive articles and edited over 300 articles of other authors.

The topics he covers include trading signals, cryptocurrencies, Forex brokers, stock brokers, expert advisors, binary options. He has also worked on the ratings of brokers and many other materials.

Dr. BJ Johnson’s motto: It always seems impossible until it’s done. You can do it.