How to invest in bank stocks

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.

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.

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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 two segments, Barclays UK and Barclays International divisions. It offers financial services, such as retail banking, credit cards, wholesale banking, investment banking, wealth management, and investment management services.

The latest price was 157.32p (25-minute delay). Barclays is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE), has a trailing 12-month revenue of around 24.1 billion and employs 87,400 staff. All prices are listed in pence sterling.

• Market capitalization: $24,409,919,488
• P/E ratio: 4.757
• PEG ratio: 0.2071

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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. It operates through 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 and small business customers.

The latest price was 45.51p (25-minute delay). Lloyds Banking Group is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE), has a trailing 12-month revenue of around £18 billion and employs 59,354 staff. All prices are listed in pence sterling.

• Market capitalization: $30,621,489,152
• P/E ratio: 5.8456
• PEG ratio: 0.173

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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.

The latest price was 610.80p (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 221,656 staff. All prices are listed in pence sterling.

• Market capitalization: $121,035,620,352
• P/E ratio: 6.6637
• PEG ratio: 0.5769

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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 269.30p after a previous close of 268.30p. The latest price was 267.50p (25-minute delay). NatWest Group is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE), has a trailing 12-month revenue of around £13.7 billion and employs 61,800 staff. All prices are listed in pence sterling.

• Market capitalization: $25,351,350,272
• P/E ratio: 6.369
• PEG ratio: 0.6202

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5. Standard Chartered (STAN)

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

The latest price was 649.40p (25-minute delay). Standard Chartered is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE), has a trailing 12-month revenue of around £15.6 billion and employs 82,319 staff. All prices are listed in pence sterling.

• Market capitalization: $18,306,260,992
• P/E ratio: 8.8959
• PEG ratio: 0.5782

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6. Banco Santander (BNC)

Banco Santander, S. A. provides various retail and commercial banking products and services to individuals, small and medium-sized enterprises, and large companies worldwide. The company operates through Retail Banking, Santander Corporate & Investment Banking, Wealth Management & Insurance, and PagoNxt segments.

The latest price was 276.50p (25-minute delay). Banco Santander is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE), has a trailing 12-month revenue of around £41.7 billion and employs 210,169 staff. All prices are listed in pence sterling.

• Market capitalization: $44,751,028,224
• P/E ratio: 5.7292
• PEG ratio: 13.162

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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 stock opened the day at $0.86 after a previous close of $0.87. The latest price was $0.87 (25-minute delay). 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: $3,441,974,784
• PEG ratio: 2.8914

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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 €56.47 after a previous close of €56.18. The latest price was €56.31 (25-minute delay). BNP Paribas is listed on the PA, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around EUR$44.8 billion and employs 190,000 staff. All prices are listed in Euros.

• Market capitalization: $69,590,728,704
• P/E ratio: 8.0487
• PEG ratio: 1.2632

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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 stock opened the day at $0.29 after a previous close of $0.36. The latest price was $0.30 (25-minute delay). FIRST REP BK SAN FRANCISCO CALIF N is listed on the N/A and employs 7,213 staff.

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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. Its Consumer Banking segment offers traditional and money market savings accounts, certificates of deposit and IRAs, noninterest-and interest-bearing checking accounts, and investment accounts and products; and credit and debit cards, residential mortgages, and home equity loans, as well as direct and indirect loans, such as automotive, recreational vehicle, and consumer personal loans. The company's Global Wealth & Investment Management segment offers investment management, brokerage, banking, and trust and retirement products and services; and wealth management solutions, as well as customized solutions, including specialty asset management services.

Bank of America stock opened the day at $28.20 after a previous close of $28.17. The latest price was $28.31 (25-minute delay). Bank of America is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$94.5 billion and employs 217,000 staff.

• Market capitalization: $223,933,120,512
• P/E ratio: 8.4384
• PEG ratio: 87.4797

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11. Citigroup (C)

Citigroup Inc. , a diversified financial services holding company, provides various financial products and services to consumers, corporations, governments, and institutions in North America, Latin America, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. It operates through three segments: Institutional Clients Group (ICG), Personal Banking and Wealth Management (PBWM), and Legacy Franchises.

Citigroup stock opened the day at $44.46 after a previous close of $44.23. The latest price was $44.60 (25-minute delay). Citigroup is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$71.4 billion and employs 240,000 staff.

• Market capitalization: $86,104,752,128
• P/E ratio: 6.0755
• PEG ratio: 0.7174

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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 $136.11 after a previous close of $135.67. The latest price was $136.94 (25-minute delay). JPMorgan Chase-and-Co is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$129.1 billion and employs 296,877 staff.

• Market capitalization: $399,155,560,448
• P/E ratio: 10.0804
• PEG ratio: 1.1661

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13. Wells Fargo-and-Company (WFC)

Wells Fargo & Company, a diversified financial services company, provides banking, investment, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services in the United States and internationally. It 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 $40.90 after a previous close of $40.90. The latest price was $41.23 (25-minute delay). Wells Fargo-and-Company is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$73.3 billion and employs 235,591 staff.

• Market capitalization: $153,353,224,192
• P/E ratio: 11.8121
• PEG ratio: 0.17

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14. Citizens Financial Group (CFG)

Citizens Financial Group, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Citizens Bank, National Association 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 $26.85 after a previous close of $26.85. The latest price was $27.01 (25-minute delay). Citizens Financial Group is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$7.9 billion and employs 18,547 staff.

• Market capitalization: $12,883,761,152
• P/E ratio: 6.3837
• PEG ratio: 0.2626

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15. Signature Bank (SBNY)

Signature Bank provides digital assets banking business and comprises 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 $0.13 after a previous close of $0.13. The latest price was $0.13 (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: $8,224,404
• P/E ratio: 0.0063
• PEG ratio: 0.1956

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Top 10 largest banks in the UK

Logo	Name	1 year performance (to March 2023)	5-year performance	Link to invest
	HSBC	5.53%	-20.97%	Invest with FreetradeCapital at risk
	Lloyds	1.07%	-29.41%	Invest with FreetradeCapital at risk
	NatWest	-3.06%	-6.4%	Invest with FreetradeCapital at risk
	Barclays	-12.85%	-31.94%	Invest with FreetradeCapital at risk
	Standard Chartered	1.62%	-15.22%	Invest with FreetradeCapital at risk
	Santander	15.24%	-37.17%	Invest with FreetradeCapital at risk
	Nationwide	-29.06%	-17%	Invest with FreetradeCapital at risk
	Schroders	1.89%	-33.72%	Invest with FreetradeCapital at risk
	Close Brothers	-18.21%	-36.36%	Invest with FreetradeCapital at risk
	Metro Bank	-7.29%	-96.79%	Invest with FreetradeCapital at risk

Compare platforms to buy bank stocks

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.