Investment Banks in the Spotlight

In today's financial news, Credit Suisse (NYSE: CS  ) reported a 63% year-over-year drop in quarterly profit, but accounting adjustments aside, the bank's pre-tax profit actually came in at $1.3 billion. Compared to last year's small loss in pre-tax profits, and with numbers up 15% over the first nine months of this year, it appears that the bank's focus on cost-saving initiatives is paying off.

With trading results and advisory services both up in 2012, the investment banking division, as a whole, seems to have emerged as the big winner. Fool.com analyst Matt Koppenheffer delivers the full story in the video below, including earnings-report coverage of boutique investment banks Lazard (NYSE: LAZ  ) and Evercore (NYSE: EVR  ) . Matt takes a look at how their bottom lines fared, and then notes an interesting trend for investors in search of yield.

Investment banking has had more than its fair share of ups and downs, causing many investors to avoid this arena altogether. But, in a sea of mismanaged and dangerous peers, there is one stock that stands out in this sector as The Only Big Bank Built To Last. You're invited to uncover this top pick that both we at the Motley Fool and Warren Buffet love -- simply click here now for instant access to our free premium report.