How to invest in bank stocks

Ready to invest in the banking industry? Consider these 15 stocks.

How to invest in bank stocks Step-by-step instructions
Best performing UK bank stocks See list
★★★★★
1,100+ customer reviews
March 2023 has been a wobbly time for the banking sector, following the collapse and rescue of Silicon Valley Bank in the US. Even major global brands such as Credit Suisse have seen their share price bounce. The best bank stocks depend on your portfolio and investment goals — while volatility can work for day traders, long-term investors will want to look to stocks with steadier gains over time.

How to invest in bank stocks

  1. Choose a platform. If you’re a beginner, our share-dealing table below can help you choose.
  2. Open your account. You’ll need your ID, bank details and national insurance number.
  3. Confirm your payment details. You’ll need to fund your account with a bank transfer, debit card or credit card.
  4. Search the platform for corn stock codes.
  5. Research the shares you want to buy. The platform should provide the latest information available.
  6. Buy your shares. It’s that simple.

Best for 0% commission stocks

Finder Award
Go to site
Capital at risk. Fees apply.
Copy picks from top traders
  • Commission-free trades
  • Fractional shares
  • Get dividend payments

Best for fractional shares

Go to site
Capital at risk. T&Cs apply.
Earn 5.2% on uninvested funds
  • Commission-free trades
  • Fractional shares
  • 5,400+ stocks/ETFs

Best for customer satisfaction

Finder Award
Go to site
Capital at risk. T&Cs apply.
97% would recommend
  • Free fund trading
  • Expert insights
  • Wide range of accounts

All investing should be regarded as longer term. The value of your investments can go up and down, and you may get back less than you invest. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. If you’re not sure which investments are right for you, please seek out a financial adviser. Capital at risk.

15 bank stocks to watch

We rounded up a selection of stocks in or related to the banking sector, weighting the list more heavily towards popular UK and US stocks.

  1. Barclays (BARC)
  2. Lloyds (LLOY)
  3. HSBC (HSBA)
  4. Natwest (NWG)
  5. Standard Chartered (STAN)
  6. Santander (BNC)
  7. Credit Suisse (CS)
  8. BNP Paribas (BNP)
  9. First Republic Bank (FRC)
  10. Bank of America (BAC)
  11. Citigroup (C)
  12. JPMorgan Chase-and-Co (JPM)
  13. Wells Fargo (WFC)
  14. Citizens Financial Group (CFG)
  15. Signature Bank (SBNY)

Take a deeper dive into banks stocks

If you're interested in investing in the banks industry, take a closer look at what companies in this industry do and how the stocks have historically performed. Keep in mind that positive past performance doesn't guarantee that a stock will continue to rise in the future.

1. Barclays (BARC)

Barclays PLC provides various financial services in the United Kingdom, Europe, the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The company operates through Barclays UK and Barclays International division segments. It offers financial services, such as retail banking, credit cards, wholesale banking, investment banking, wealth management, and investment management services.

Barclays stock opened the day at 227.20p after a previous close of 228.55p. The latest price was 220.85p (25-minute delay). Barclays is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE), has a trailing 12-month revenue of around 23.3 billion and employs 92,400 staff. All prices are listed in pence sterling.

  • Market capitalization: $33,289,967,616
  • P/E ratio: 8.7365
  • PEG ratio: 1.3355

Back to top


2. Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY)

Lloyds Banking Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides a range of banking and financial services in the United Kingdom and internationally. It operates in three segments: Retail; Commercial Banking; and Insurance, Pensions and Investments. The Retail segment offers a range of financial service products, including current accounts, savings, mortgages, motor finance, unsecured loans, leasing solutions, and credit cards to personal customers.

Lloyds Banking Group stock opened the day at 57.52p after a previous close of 57.58p. The latest price was 56.42p (25-minute delay). Lloyds Banking Group is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE), has a trailing 12-month revenue of around £18.5 billion and employs 62,569 staff. All prices are listed in pence sterling.

  • Market capitalization: $34,803,298,304
  • P/E ratio: 8.06
  • PEG ratio: 1.7147

Back to top


3. HSBC (HSBA)

HSBC Holdings plc provides banking and financial services worldwide. The company operates through Wealth and Personal Banking, Commercial Banking, and Global Banking and Markets segments. The Wealth and Personal Banking segment offers retail banking and wealth products, including current and savings accounts, mortgages and personal loans, credit and debit cards, and local and international payment services; and wealth management services comprising insurance and investment products, global asset management services, investment management, and private wealth solutions.

HSBC stock opened the day at 658.50p after a previous close of 660.90p. The latest price was 648.80p (25-minute delay). HSBC is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE), has a trailing 12-month revenue of around £58.6 billion and employs 213,978 staff. All prices are listed in pence sterling.

  • Market capitalization: $122,429,046,784
  • P/E ratio: 7.567
  • PEG ratio: 4.9209

Back to top


4. NatWest Group (NWG)

NatWest Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides banking and financial products and services to personal, commercial, corporate, and institutional customers in the United Kingdom and internationally. It operates through Retail Banking, Private Banking, and Commercial & Institutional segments. The Retail Banking segment offers a range of banking products and related financial services, such as current accounts, mortgages, personal unsecured lending, and personal deposits, as well as mobile and online banking services.

NatWest Group stock opened the day at 336.60p after a previous close of 339.20p. The latest price was 328.40p (25-minute delay). NatWest Group is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE), has a trailing 12-month revenue of around £13.8 billion and employs 60,600 staff. All prices are listed in pence sterling.

  • Market capitalization: $28,743,424,000
  • P/E ratio: 7.5043
  • PEG ratio: 0.4624

Back to top


5. Standard Chartered (STAN)

Standard Chartered PLC, together with its subsidiaries, provides various banking products and services in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas. The company operates in three segments: Corporate, Commercial & Institutional Banking; Consumer, Private & Business Banking; and Ventures. It offers retail products, such as deposits, mortgages, credit cards, and personal loans; wealth management products and services that include investments, portfolio management, insurance, and wealth advice; and transaction banking services, such as cash management, working capital, and trade financing products.

Standard Chartered stock opened the day at 762.40p after a previous close of 763.60p. The latest price was 750.20p (25-minute delay). Standard Chartered is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE), has a trailing 12-month revenue of around £17.2 billion and employs 83,446 staff. All prices are listed in pence sterling.

  • Market capitalization: $19,463,178,240
  • P/E ratio: 9.0628
  • PEG ratio: 0.8921

Back to top


6. Banco Santander S-A (BNC)

Banco Santander, S. A. provides various financial services worldwide. The company operates through Retail Banking, Santander Corporate & Investment Banking, Wealth Management & Insurance, and PagoNxt segments.

Banco Santander S-A stock opened the day at 368.50p after a previous close of 361.50p. The latest price was 363.50p (25-minute delay). Banco Santander S-A is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE), has a trailing 12-month revenue of around £47.2 billion and employs 209,553 staff. All prices are listed in pence sterling.

  • Market capitalization: $58,340,491,264
  • P/E ratio: 6.1667
  • PEG ratio: 2.1553

Back to top


7. Credit Suisse Group (CS)

Credit Suisse Group AG, together with its subsidiaries, provides various financial services in Switzerland, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, and Asia Pacific. The company offers wealth management solutions, including investment advice and discretionary asset management services; risk management solutions, such as managed investment products; and wealth and succession planning. It also provides financing and lending solutions, including consumer credit and real estate mortgage lending, real asset lending relating to ship, and aviation financing for UHNWI; standard and structured hedging, and lombard lending solutions, as well as collateral trading services; and investment banking solutions, such as global securities sales, trading and execution, capital raising, and advisory services.

Credit Suisse Group is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD£28.4 billion and employs 48,150 staff.

  • Market capitalization: $3,561,810,688
  • PEG ratio: 2.8914

Back to top


8. BNP Paribas (BNP)

BNP Paribas SA provides various banking and financial products and services in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, and the Asia Pacific. It operates through three divisions: Corporate & Institutional Banking; Commercial, Personal Banking & Services; and Investment & Protection Services. The Corporate & Institutional Banking division offers capital market, securities, investment banking, financing, risk management, cash management, and financial advisory services for corporate clients and institutional investors.

BNP Paribas stock opened the day at €63.29 after a previous close of €62.18. The latest price was €62.18 (25-minute delay). BNP Paribas is listed on the PA, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around EUR$44.1 billion and employs 183,000 staff. All prices are listed in Euros.

  • Market capitalization: $70,539,657,216
  • P/E ratio: 7.6041
  • PEG ratio: 1.6805

Back to top


9. FIRST REP BK SAN FRANCISCO CALIF N (FRC)

First Republic Bank does not have significant operations. Previously, it provided private banking, private business banking, and private wealth management services to clients in metropolitan areas in the United States. The company was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California. . . . .

FIRST REP BK SAN FRANCISCO CALIF N is listed on the NYSE and employs 7,213 staff.

    Back to top


    10. Bank of America (BAC)

    Bank of America Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides banking and financial products and services for individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses, institutional investors, large corporations, and governments worldwide. It operates in four segments: Consumer Banking, Global Wealth & Investment Management (GWIM), Global Banking, and Global Markets. The Consumer Banking segment offers traditional and money market savings accounts, certificates of deposit and IRAs, non-interest and interest-bearing checking accounts, and investment accounts and products; credit and debit cards; residential mortgages, and home equity loans; and direct and indirect loans, such as automotive, recreational vehicle, and consumer personal loans.

    Bank of America stock opened the day at $39.77 after a previous close of $39.88. The latest price was $38.76 (25-minute delay). Bank of America is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$93.2 billion and employs 212,000 staff.

    • Market capitalization: $311,469,539,328
    • P/E ratio: 13.6
    • PEG ratio: 1.8279

    Back to top


    11. Citigroup (C)

    Citigroup Inc. , a diversified financial service holding company, provides various financial product and services to consumers, corporations, governments, and institutions worldwide. It operates through five segments: Services, Markets, Banking, U. S.

    Citigroup stock opened the day at $60.70 after a previous close of $60.63. The latest price was $59.09 (25-minute delay). Citigroup is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$69.8 billion and employs 229,000 staff.

    • Market capitalization: $119,504,592,896
    • P/E ratio: 17.3039
    • PEG ratio: 0.8903

    Back to top


    12. JPMorgan Chase-and-Co (JPM)

    JPMorgan Chase & Co. operates as a financial services company worldwide. It operates through four segments: Consumer & Community Banking (CCB), Corporate & Investment Bank (CIB), Commercial Banking (CB), and Asset & Wealth Management (AWM).

    JPMorgan Chase-and-Co stock opened the day at $217.60 after a previous close of $217.63. The latest price was $212.46 (25-minute delay). JPMorgan Chase-and-Co is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$161.3 billion and employs 313,206 staff.

    • Market capitalization: $619,193,434,112
    • P/E ratio: 11.8494
    • PEG ratio: 4.2673

    Back to top


    13. Wells Fargo-and-Company (WFC)

    Wells Fargo & Company, a financial services company, provides diversified banking, investment, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through four segments: Consumer Banking and Lending; Commercial Banking; Corporate and Investment Banking; and Wealth and Investment Management. The Consumer Banking and Lending segment offers diversified financial products and services for consumers and small businesses.

    Wells Fargo-and-Company stock opened the day at $56.68 after a previous close of $56.86. The latest price was $54.00 (25-minute delay). Wells Fargo-and-Company is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$78.2 billion and employs 222,544 staff.

    • Market capitalization: $193,538,162,688
    • P/E ratio: 11.0656
    • PEG ratio: 2.5406

    Back to top


    14. Citizens Financial Group (CFG)

    Citizens Financial Group, Inc. operates as the bank holding company that provides retail and commercial banking products and services to individuals, small businesses, middle-market companies, corporations, and institutions in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Consumer Banking and Commercial Banking.

    Citizens Financial Group stock opened the day at $41.60 after a previous close of $41.60. The latest price was $40.69 (25-minute delay). Citizens Financial Group is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$7.2 billion and employs 17,510 staff.

    • Market capitalization: $19,299,313,664
    • P/E ratio: 16.2453
    • PEG ratio: 0.2626

    Back to top


    15. Signature Bank (SBNY)

    As of March 12, 2023, Signature Bank went out of business. Previously, the company provided digital assets banking services and comprised of certain loan portfolios. The company was incorporated in 2000 and is based in New York, New York.

    Signature Bank stock opened the day at $1.74 after a previous close of $1.88. The latest price was $1.85 (25-minute delay). Signature Bank is listed on the PINK, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$2.6 billion and employs 2,243 staff.

    • Market capitalization: $119,650,600
    • P/E ratio: 0.0915
    • PEG ratio: 0.1956

    Back to top

    Top 10 largest banks in the UK

    LogoName5-year performanceLink to invest
    apple iconHSBC-20.97%Invest with XTBCapital at risk
    microsoft iconLloyds-29.41%Invest with XTBCapital at risk
    amazon iconNatWest-6.4%Invest with XTBCapital at risk
    tesla iconBarclays-31.94%Invest with XTBCapital at risk
    google iconStandard Chartered-15.22%Invest with XTBCapital at risk
    nvidia iconSantander-37.17%Invest with XTBCapital at risk
    berkshire iconNationwide-17%Invest with XTBCapital at risk
    visa iconSchroders-33.72%Invest with XTBCapital at risk
    unitedhealth iconClose Brothers-36.36%Invest with XTBCapital at risk
    exxon iconMetro Bank-96.79%Invest with XTBCapital at risk

    Compare platforms to buy bank stocks

    Name Product Finder Score Min. initial deposit Price per trade Frequent trader rate Platform fees Offer Link
    CMC Invest share dealing account
    4.4
    ★★★★★
    £0
    £0
    N/A
    £0
    Go to site

    Capital at risk

    Platform details
    XTB
    4.4
    ★★★★★
    £0
    £0
    £0
    £0
    Earn up to 5.2% interest on uninvested cash.
    Go to site

    Capital at risk

    Platform details
    OFFER
    Freetrade
    4.4
    ★★★★★
    £0
    £0
    N/A
    £0
    Get a free share worth up to £100 when you sign up and deposit at least £50. T&Cs apply. Capital at risk.
    Go to site

    Capital at risk

    Platform details
    InvestEngine
    4.4
    ★★★★★
    £100
    £0
    N/A
    0% - 0.25%
    Get a Welcome Bonus of up to £50 when you invest at least £100 with InvestEngine. T&Cs apply.
    Go to site

    Capital at risk

    Platform details
    Saxo Share Dealing Account
    4.3
    ★★★★★
    £0
    £3
    N/A
    0.12% per year
    Get up to £200 back in online trading fees during your first 3 months. T&Cs apply.
    Go to site

    Capital at risk

    Platform details
    Finder Award
    FREE TRADES
    eToro Free Stocks
    4.3
    ★★★★★
    $100
    £0 on stocks
    N/A
    £0
    Go to site

    Capital at risk. Fees apply.

    Platform details
    loading

    All investing should be regarded as longer term. The value of your investments can go up and down, and you may get back less than you invest. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. If you’re not sure which investments are right for you, please seek out a financial adviser. Capital at risk.

    Bottom line

    While it’s possible to turn a profit investing in bank stocks, keep in mind that — like any investment — bank stocks can be risky. These stocks are subject to fluctuating conditions — both in the market generally and in the banking industry, so carefully vet your picks before you invest. And if you’re new to investing, or if it’s been a while since you’ve taken a critical look at your investing accounts, compare brokers to make sure you’re getting the best features in your trading account.

    More guides on Finder

    Go to site