10 Best European Bank Stocks to Buy Now

5. Barclays PLC (NYSE:BCS)

Market Capitalization: $78.33 billion

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 28

Barclays PLC (NYSE:BCS) is one of the best European bank stocks to buy now. On November 7, Barclays PLC (NYSE:BCS) made public a 3.62% stake in Dalata Hotel Group PLC. The interest consists of direct holdings in ordinary shares and additional positions acquired via cash-settled derivatives. This stake gives Barclays influence over future corporate actions involving Dalata.

The move comes less than two weeks after the lender acquired Best Egg Inc. (on October 28), a US-based personal loan platform, for $800 million. The stated objective for the move was for Barclays to expand and diversify its US consumer banking operations. The transaction is still a work in progress and should close in Q2 2026, pending regulatory approvals and customary conditions.

If completed, Barclays will retain Best Egg’s leadership team and operational model. This includes the firm’s technology-driven, capital-light origination and servicing platform. Barclays will also keep a fraction of new originations on its own balance sheet, while Best Egg’s alternative asset manager partners fund the remainder via securitizations and forward flow arrangements.

Barclays PLC (NYSE:BCS) is a British multinational bank headquartered in London, operating through Barclays UK and Barclays International. Its businesses span retail banking, corporate banking, wealth management, and investment banking.