Bank stocks: How to invest

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

How to invest in bank stocks Step-by-step instructions
Popular banks to invest in See list

March 2023 has been a turbulent time for the banking sector, with the collapse and rescue of Silicon Valley Bank in the US, and Credit Suisse. 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 bank 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
eToro Free Stocks logo
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4.3 ★★★★★
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Fractional shares
Get dividend payments
Best for fractional shares
XTB logo
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Capital at risk. T&Cs apply.
Earn 5% on uninvested funds
4.4 ★★★★★
Commission-free trades
Fractional shares
5,400+ stocks/ETFs
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Hargreaves Lansdown Fund and Share Account logo
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Capital at risk. T&Cs apply.
97% would recommend
4.2 ★★★★★
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)

Compare platforms to buy bank stocks

Name Product UKFST Finder Score Min. initial deposit Price per trade Frequent trader rate Platform fees Offer Link
Trading212
4.7
★★★★★
£1
0%
£0
£0
Get free fractional shares worth up to £100 when you sign up with Finder's link. T&Cs apply. Capital at risk.
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Capital at risk

Platform details
Trading212 Invest
4.7
★★★★★
£1
£0
N/A
£0
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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.
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Capital at risk

Platform details
XTB
4.4
★★★★★
£0
£0
£0
£0
Earn up to 5% interest on uninvested cash.
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Capital at risk

Platform details
OFFER
Freetrade
4.4
★★★★★
£1
£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.
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Capital at risk

Platform details
SaxoInvestor Share Dealing Account
4.3
★★★★★
£0
£3
N/A
0.12% per year
Limited time offer: Zero commission on 100 US stocks for new customers. T&Cs apply.
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Capital at risk

Platform details
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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.

Finder survey: If a pension or other investment performed well but included companies in the following industries or countries, which would cause you to feel guilty?

ResponseFemaleMale
A Russian company45.11%37%
A company still operating in Russia39.82%30.94%
Weapons manufacturing39.82%24.56%
I wouldn't feel guilty18.59%26.41%
Tobacco25.83%25.49%
Cannabis23.29%20.04%
Meat farming17.42%9.76%
Oil12.33%12.33%
None of the above11.84%7.19%
Banks5.97%8.84%
Vaccine production7.05%6.89%
Source: Finder survey by Censuswide of 1995 Brits, April 2022

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