In this article, we will be looking at the 11 Best American Bank Stocks to Buy According to Wall Street Analysts.
On March 20, Reuters reported that most major central banks in developed markets decided to keep interest rates unchanged during the week. However, they made it clear that they are ready to take action if inflation rises due to higher energy prices caused by the ongoing conflict involving US and Israeli strikes on Iran.
Since the start of the conflict, traders have reduced their bets on interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve this year. At the same time, they are now expecting rate increases in other regions, including from the European Central Bank and the Bank of England. Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of Australia, which was already increasing rates, raised them again this week.
In the US, the Federal Reserve kept its rates steady in the 3.50% to 3.75% range. However, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s hawkish tone led traders to delay their expectations for rate cuts until 2027. The Fed last reduced rates in December. Before the conflict, markets were expecting two 25-basis-point rate cuts in 2026. Now, those expectations have almost completely disappeared.
The Federal Reserve has maintained its earlier forecast of one rate cut in 2026 but now forecasts higher inflation this year than previously expected. Powell pointed out that lowering inflation will be difficult because of ongoing tariff-driven price jumps and Iran war-driven energy price hikes.
With this background in mind, let’s take a look at the 11 best American bank stocks to buy according to Wall Street analysts.
Our Methodology
To compile our list of the 11 best American bank stocks to buy according to Wall Street analysts, we used the Finviz stock screener to look for American bank stocks. We sorted our results based on market capitalization and picked the top 40 stocks. Next, we focused on the stocks that analysts believe have the most potential for growth. Finally, we ranked the 11 best American bank stocks to buy based on their average price target upside potential according to analysts as of March 23, 2026. These stocks are also popular among elite hedge funds.
Why do we care about what hedge funds do? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 498.7% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 303 percentage points (see more details here).
11 Best American Bank Stocks to Buy According to Wall Street Analysts
11. Fifth Third Bancorp (NASDAQ:FITB)
Fifth Third Bancorp (NASDAQ:FITB) is one of the best American bank stocks to buy according to Wall Street analysts. On March 17, Fifth Third Bancorp announced that it is introducing new capabilities within its mobile app to help customers better understand and manage their finances. The new features will allow users to have a clearer view of their finances and set financial goals without leaving the banking app.
According to the report by Fifth Third Bancorp, users can track cash flows and spending habits through simple visual summaries, including top spending categories, largest transactions, and average daily spending. The app will also allow users to set savings goals and automate them, making it easier to stay on track. In addition, users will get insights and projected savings opportunities to help them make informed financial decisions. Fifth Third Bancorp said that it continues to invest in digital-first innovations to improve customer experiences.
In other news, on March 13, Truist lowered its price target on Fifth Third Bancorp from $60 to $53 and kept its Buy rating on the stock. This update comes as the research firm adjusts its models following conference discussions.
Fifth Third Bancorp is a bank holding company for Fifth Third Bank, offering a wide range of financial services to individuals, families, and businesses.
10. East West Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:EWBC)
East West Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:EWBC) is one of the best American bank stocks to buy according to Wall Street analysts. On March 3, Bank of America named its top picks in the banking sector, which included East West Bancorp, Inc..
Bank of America also set price targets for nine financial institutions based on expected earnings for fiscal year 2026 and tangible book value estimates. For East West Bancorp, Inc., it has a price target of $140, based on a valuation of 14 times its projected fiscal 2026 earnings and 2 times tangible book value by the end of 2026. This valuation is lower than pre-pandemic medians because of increased uncertainty around earnings and returns.
In other news, on March 2, Morgan Stanley increased its price target on East West Bancorp, Inc. from $126 to $141 and kept its Equal Weight rating on the stock.
The research firm raised its price targets for mid-cap banks by a median of 8%. Morgan Stanley pointed out that recent strong performance means “the bar is higher from here.” The research firm said it remains positive about the sector, pointing to tailwinds from loan growth, net interest margins, and capital returns.
East West Bancorp, Inc. is an American bank holding company. East West Bank, the company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, is the largest independent bank headquartered in Southern California, operating more than 110 locations in the US and Asia.
9. Glacier Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE:GBCI)
Glacier Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE:GBCI) is one of the best American bank stocks to buy according to Wall Street analysts. On February 11, Piper Sandler reiterated its Overweight rating on Glacier Bancorp, Inc. with a price target of $59 on the stock after hosting investor meetings with the company’s leadership, including CEO Randy Chesler, CFO Ron Copher, and Treasurer Byron Pollan.
Piper Sandler said it is positive about several factors supporting the bank’s growth, pointing to net interest margin expansion, opportunities for organic growth, operating leverage, and potential for mergers and acquisitions.
The research firm noted that Glacier Bancorp, Inc. is trading at a discount to its historical price-to-earnings premium. Piper Sandler said that Glacier Bancorp, Inc. is its “top pick for 2026” while also highlighting the company’s steady earnings, dynamic markets, solid deposit profile and “unique ability to use disciplined bank M&A to enhance EPS over time.”
Meanwhile, on February 10, Brean Capital downgraded its rating on Glacier Bancorp, Inc. from Buy to Neutral and set a fair value estimate of $55 as it resumed coverage.
The research firm noted that the company’s CFO, Ron Copher, plans to retire once a replacement is found. However, Brean Capital does not expect this to affect the company’s acquisition strategy. The firm pointed out that Glacier Bancorp, Inc. has “a solid executive team with long-term bankers leading key verticals.”
Glacier Bancorp, Inc. is a regional bank holding company. As the parent company for Glacier Bank and its bank divisions, it provides a wide range of banking products and services, including transaction and savings deposits, commercial, consumer, and real estate loans, and mortgage origination services.
8. Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC)
Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) is one of the best American bank stocks to buy according to Wall Street analysts. On March 23, Goldman Sachs reduced its price target on Bank of America Corporation from $67 to $57 and kept its Buy rating on the stock.
The research firm said proposals from US regulators to revise the Basel III Endgame, adjust the G-SIB buffer, and update the Standardized Approach appear positive for large-cap banks. According to Goldman Sachs, these changes are expected to keep risk-weighted assets (RWAs) mostly unchanged, while reducing CET1 capital requirements by around $50 billion, slightly easing capital constraints.
In other news, on March 16, Reuters reported that Bank of America Corporation has settled a civil lawsuit filed by women who accused the bank of enabling their abuse by Jeffrey Epstein, according to court records.
The lawsuit filed in October by a woman using the pseudonym Jane Doe claimed that Bank of America Corporation ignored suspicious financial transactions linked to Epstein despite having significant information about his crimes as it prioritized profits over protecting victims.
According to the report by Reuters, Bank of America Corporation has said that it only provided standard banking services to individuals who were not known at the time to be connected to Epstein. The bank denied any deeper involvement in the matter.
Bank of America Corporation is one of the world’s largest financial institutions. It serves individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses, and large corporations with a wide range of banking, investing, asset management, and other financial and risk management products and services.
7. Wintrust Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:WTFC)
Wintrust Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:WTFC) is one of the best American bank stocks to buy according to Wall Street analysts. On March 10, Wintrust Financial Corporation presented at the 2026 RBC Capital Markets Global Financial Institutions Conference, where it shared a strategic overview of its business strategy and outlook.
The company is currently focused on strategic growth, disciplined underwriting, and keeping its net interest margin stable. Wintrust Financial Corporation is targeting mid- to high-single-digit loan growth, which is supported by growth in core deposits.
Additionally, Wintrust Financial Corporation highlighted its capital position, with a current CET1 ratio of 10.20%. The company expects this to rise to around 10.50 to 11% later this year.
The company is working on improving efficiency, including the use of AI, to help control costs and improve operating leverage. Wintrust Financial Corporation is also considering ways to return capital to shareholders, such as share buybacks.
In Chicago, which Wintrust Financial Corporation sees as a key market, it holds a deposit share of about 8.5% to 9%. The company plans to grow this share over time. Wintrust Financial Corporation is also looking to grow its specialized business areas, including insurance finance.
Wintrust Financial Corporation is an American financial holding company that operates through 16 community bank subsidiaries with over 200 locations in the greater Chicago, southern Wisconsin, west Michigan, northwest Indiana, and southwest Florida market areas.
6. SouthState Bank Corporation (NYSE:SSB)
SouthState Bank Corporation (NYSE:SSB) is one of the best American bank stocks to buy according to Wall Street analysts. On March 19, Hovde Group upgraded its rating on SouthState Bank Corporation from Market Perform to Outperform with a price target of $110 on the stock.
In the fourth quarter of 2025, SouthState Bank Corporation reported strong growth in loans and deposits, which reached an annualized rate of 8%. The company reported diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $2.46, marking a 32% increase year-over-year. Adjusted diluted EPS was $2.47 for the quarter, an increase of 28% compared to the same period last year.
SouthState Bank Corporation Chief Executive Officer, John C. Corbett, highlighted the company’s strong returns and noted that it repurchased 2 million shares during the fourth quarter of 2025. Corbett also pointed out that the board has approved a new share repurchase plan for 5.56 million shares.
Corbett added that heading into 2026, SouthState Bank Corporation has “full” pipelines and the company is expected to continue on its growth trajectory.
SouthState Bank Corporation is a prominent regional bank holding company in the Southeastern US. It offers consumer/commercial banking, mortgage lending, and wealth management across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.
5. Axos Financial, Inc. (NYSE:AX)
Axos Financial, Inc. (NYSE:AX) is one of the best American bank stocks to buy according to Wall Street analysts. On March 9, DA Davidson reaffirmed its Buy rating on Axos Financial, Inc. with a price target of $112 on the stock.
DA Davidson noted that the company is an internet-based bank with a mix of business lines, including commercial lending, mass market and specialty deposits, and an expanding securities segment. The research firm pointed out that Axos Financial, Inc.’s branchless structure helps it stay nimble and profitable.
According to DA Davidson, this model gives the company a cost advantage over other institutions, helping Axos Financial, Inc. to offer higher rates to deposit customers. The company has also built streamlined processes within its operations and continues to work on its in-house digital platform to improve integration across business lines.
The research firm also noted that Axos Financial, Inc. is not held back by legacy structures in most of its business areas. DA Davidson pointed to the company’s forward-thinking management as a factor that supports its long-term outlook.
Axos Financial, Inc. is an American bank holding company for Axos Bank, Axos Clearing LLC, and Axos Invest, Inc. It provides a comprehensive suite of digital-first consumer and commercial banking, securities clearing, and investment services.
4. UMB Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:UMBF)
UMB Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:UMBF) is one of the best American bank stocks to buy according to Wall Street analysts. On March 23, Truist Securities analyst Brian Foran reduced the firm’s price target on UMB Financial Corporation from $150 to $130 while maintaining a Buy rating on the stock.
This update comes as part of a broader research note on the financial sector. Brian Foran told investors in a research note that Truist Securities is updating its models to reflect a higher cost of equity, which has led to lower valuation multiples compared to historical levels.
However, earlier, on March 2, Morgan Stanley increased its price target on UMB Financial Corporation from $154 to $156 and kept its Overweight rating on the stock.
Morgan Stanley said that it is raising price targets by a median of 8% across mid-cap banks. The research firm highlighted the recent outperformance by the group and noted that “the bar is higher from here.” Despite this, Morgan Stanley is staying optimistic on mid-cap banks, pointing to tailwinds from loan growth, net interest margins, and capital returns.
UMB Financial Corporation is a financial services company, offering commercial banking, personal banking, and institutional banking products and services. The company serves business clients nationwide in the US and institutional clients in several countries.
3. Huntington Bancshares Incorporated (NASDAQ:HBAN)
Huntington Bancshares Incorporated (NASDAQ:HBAN) is one of the best American bank stocks to buy according to Wall Street analysts. On March 9, Huntington Bancshares Incorporated received a “Fresh Pick” designation from Baird. The research firm maintained its Outperform rating with a $20 price target on the stock.
According to Baird, the recent weakness in bank stocks has created better risk and reward opportunities for investors. The firm sees a “margin of safety” in many regional banks at current prices. Baird pointed to strong capital positions and solid credit trends. The research firm said that this is a good time for investors to start or increase their positions in regional bank stocks.
In other news, on March 2, Huntington Bancshares Incorporated announced the opening of a new full-service, flagship branch of the Huntington National Bank in Winston-Salem. This marks another step in the company’s expansion across North Carolina and South Carolina.
This new branch is part of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated’s previously announced plan to open around 55 locations in the two states. With this latest addition, the bank now operates six full-service branches across five markets across North Carolina and South Carolina.
Huntington Bancshares Incorporated is a regional bank holding company. The Huntington National Bank and its affiliates provide consumers, small and middle-market businesses, corporations, municipalities, and other organizations with a comprehensive suite of banking, payments, wealth management, and risk management products and services.
2. Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. (NYSE:PNFP)
Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. (NYSE:PNFP) is one of the best American bank stocks to buy according to Wall Street analysts. On March 19, Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. reported that it is expanding its Jacksonville team by adding eight financial professionals. This includes two former statewide banking leaders, along with experienced commercial and retail bankers, a mortgage advisor, and a financial advisor assistant.
Together, this group will bring decades of combined experience and expertise in commercial banking, small business lending, mortgage services, and client support. The new hires also have experience leading teams and managing complex client relationships. Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. said these new additions support its strategy of bringing in experienced revenue producers who already have strong client relationships and deep knowledge of local markets.
The report also mentions that Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. now has over $119 billion in assets following its merger with Synovus, which puts it in a good position to serve clients with more sophisticated needs.
In other news, on March 18, Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. announced the opening of its first full-service office in Mobile, Alabama. This marks an important step in the company’s expansion in South Alabama.
The new office offers a wide range of services, including everyday banking, commercial banking, and other financial services, with a focus on providing a strong, community-centered customer experience.
Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. is a bank holding company that provides a full range of banking, investment, trust, mortgage, and insurance products and services to commercial and consumer clients.
1. Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE:WAL)
Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE:WAL) is one of the best American bank stocks to buy according to Wall Street analysts. On March 9, Wells Fargo upgraded its rating on Western Alliance Bancorporation from Underweight to Equal Weight but reduced its price target from $83 to $79 on the stock.
Analyst Chris Spahr pointed to the company’s new chief financial officer, who has been in the role for about two months. Spahr believes the CFO is showing a strong understanding of the bank’s financials and has brought valuable experience from two decades at JPMorgan Chase & Co.. The analyst also noted that the CFO has given reassurance about Western Alliance Bancorporation’s current reserves for asset-based loan exposures that recently caused some losses.
Despite the upgrade, Wells Fargo expressed some concerns about $3 billion of private credit loans compared to $7 billion in tangible common equity. The firm also noted that the bank recently faced an unexpected loss, which Western Alliance Bancorporation said is the reason it continues to hold extra capital.
The research firm noted that Western Alliance Bancorporation is working to “contain” the impact on earnings by taking actions in asset-liability management, such as a securities sale, cutting costs to improve efficiency, and focusing on new growth initiatives. Wells Fargo pointed out that the company “seems to be managing for outcomes, possibly at the expense of economic value.”
Western Alliance Bancorporation is an American banking company with Western Alliance Bank as its primary subsidiary. The bank is known for its tailored business banking solutions and consumer products.
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