Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Which Banks Could Bump Up Their Dividends the Most?

By David Hanson and Matt Koppenheffer – Mar 26, 2014 at 8:32AM

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

The results of the Fed's CCAR round of bank stress tests come out today, the results of which determine which banks get the go-ahead to bump up dividends and share repurchases. So which banks could see the biggest increases?

Today, the Federal Reserve will release the results of the Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review, or CCAR, round of bank stress tests this year, which will determine whether or not banks will be permitted to increase their dividends, or initiate share repurchase programs. American Express, Wells Fargo, U.S. Bancorp, and Fifth Third are excepted to see big bumps.

In this segment of Wednesday's Where the Money Is, Motley Fool banking analysts Matt Koppenheffer and David Hanson play a round of Rank It. They've each poured through the banking sector to find five stocks, ranked 1 through 5, for which banks they think could increase distributions to shareholders the most, including both dividend increases and share buybacks, normalized as a percentage of their book value. Will the banks in your portfolio make the list?

David Hanson owns shares of American Express, BB&T;, and PNC Financial Services. Matt Koppenheffer owns shares of PNC Financial Services. The Motley Fool recommends American Express and Wells Fargo. The Motley Fool owns shares of Fifth Third Bancorp, PNC Financial Services, and Wells Fargo. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Premium Investing Services

Invest better with The Motley Fool. Get stock recommendations, portfolio guidance, and more from The Motley Fool's premium services.