RBC Capital Markets has released its latest ranking of leading US bank stocks, highlighting the top 5 banks.
RBC Capital Markets has released its latest ranking of top U.S. bank stocks, highlighting institutions demonstrating strong financial performance, strategic positioning, and growth potential in the current economic environment.
U.S. Bancorp ranks No. 1 on RBC's list, positioned, according to analysts, at a "turning point" where previous headwinds are turning into tailwinds. With a market cap of $77.3 billion and trading at 11.3x projected 2025 earnings, USB offers an attractive dividend yield of 4.3%.
The bank has consistently ranked among the best commercial banks in the U.S. for the past 10-20 years. New CEO Gunjan Kedia, who took over in April 2025, maintained the company's financial goals, including achieving operating leverage of over 200 basis points. USB's balanced revenue structure (58% net interest income, 42% fee income) has been key to its best-in-class return on equity.
U.S. Bancorp reported second-quarter 2025 earnings per share of $1.11, up 13% year-over-year, and announced a reduction in its prime lending rate to 7.25%. Additionally, Truist Securities raised its price target on the company's shares, noting upside potential.
Wells Fargo & Company ranks second with a market cap of $265.6 billion and trades at 14.0x 2025 projected earnings. A significant catalyst for WFC was the Federal Reserve's lifting of the asset growth cap imposed in 2018, allowing the bank to pursue growth plans after years of restrictions.
Under CEO Charlie Scharf, Wells Fargo improved its efficiency ratio from 79% in Q4 2019 to 65% in Q2 2025. The bank maintains strong capital levels with a CET1 ratio of 11.1%. In recent developments, Wells Fargo & Company announced a cut to its benchmark rate to 7.25 percent. The company also received an affirmed "Overweight" rating from Piper Sandler, which noted its long-term growth potential.
American Express ranks third with a market cap of $233.8 billion. Trading at 22.0x projected 2025 earnings, AXP offers a dividend yield of 1.0%. RBC highlights the company's status as a "preferred choice" for premium consumers, which has driven robust revenue growth despite the industry-wide slowdown in spending.
The company's high-quality portfolio has demonstrated remarkable stability against losses and delinquencies, consistently outperforming peers even amid increased consumer pressure.
American Express reported second-quarter 2025 earnings per share of $4.08 and announced a multi-year agreement to become the Official Payment Partner of Hard Rock Stadium.
The company also received a price target increase from Wells Fargo, though Freedom Capital Markets downgraded its rating to Sell.
Huntington Bancshares Incorporated ranks fourth with a market cap of $25.7 billion and an attractive dividend yield of 3.6%. Trading at 12.1x projected 2025 earnings, Huntington has emerged as a consistently high-performing bank with a balanced risk/reward profile.
Management targets PPNR growth of 6-9% over the medium term, supported by strategic investments in specialized commercial verticals and market expansion into the Carolinas and Texas.
Huntington Bancshares reported second-quarter 2025 core earnings per share of $0.38 and lowered its target rate to 7.25%. Analyst estimates were mixed: BofA Securities raised its price target, while TD Cowen lowered it.
Wintrust Financial Corporation rounds out the top five with a market cap of $9.0 billion and trades at 12.1x 2025 projected earnings. The bank offers a 1.5% dividend yield and holds a dominant market share in the Chicago area.
Wintrust has maintained stable loan growth in the mid- to high-single digits in recent years, outperforming many peers while maintaining high asset quality and effectively protecting its margins.
Wintrust Financial Corporation reported strong second-quarter 2025 results with earnings per share of $2.78 and revenue of $670.78 million, both beating estimates. Following the results, both Citi and Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price targets for the company's shares. All five institutions face similar risk factors, primarily related to potential economic downturns that could worsen loan quality and increase loan loss provisions.