BB&T Corp. (BBT)

(A Top Pick Oct 1/15. Up 13.93%.) This is a super regional bank out of North Carolina. Most of its operations are on the US East Coast, but have bought some banks inland as well. A superbly managed bank, mostly retail. A big beneficiary of a rising yield curve, so when rates do go up in the US, it will be a big beneficiary. Dividend yield of 3.1%.

Had a high of around $42 in 2014, and got to as low as $30 early this year. It is now bounced back up to around $38. Looks like it is now starting to roll over. If it breaks below $36, it is probably going to go a little bit lower to the $32-$34 range. He would look to buy this on weakness, or a break out above $42.

A regional bank, mostly on the east coast of the US. They weren’t allowed to pay a dividend during the financial crisis, but as soon as they were allowed to, they did and have been increasing the dividend on a regular basis.

(A Top Pick Jan 12/15. Down 10.51%.) A regional bank, mostly on the east coast of the US. Very well-run. Bought this to participate in the recovery of the US economy as well as the higher interest rates that banks earn on their spreads. In the mean time it is not working because the yield curve is flattening in the US. He still likes the outlook for the growing US economy.

(A Top Pick Dec 18/15. Down 14.96%.) Was looking for it to get into the $40 area, but it failed and has broken down. It is oversold like a lot of stuff right now, and he is looking for an exit in the next little while.

(A Top Pick Dec 4/14. Up 3.43%.) An east coast consumer bank in North Carolina, one of the biggest in the US. It benefits from improving real estate markets and improving loan growth. A beneficiary of the rising interest rates that are coming in the US.

This is a US regional bank, and regional banks are one of the better places to look. Expecting this to get into the $40 range, and will be selling it when it does that. US banks tend to move in the 1^st part of the year.

He likes the regional bank space. This was a company that purchased 2 of the regional banks that he had been holding. Regional banks are a good way to play the US consumer. This is a great name. Its balance sheet is strong and it is well capitalized. They have been spending money like crazy to do acquisitions, and there will be a period where they need to digest these acquisitions. Feels the dividend is safe. Upside will be limited because it takes time to become accretive to earnings.

(A Top Pick Sept 30/15. Up 9.02%.) He trades this one in a trading range, so it is a relatively short-term trade. Expects the stock to get to $40, when he will get out.

(Top Pick Sep 30/15, Up 7.33%) It stood out amongst the regionals because it was in a trading range. There is so much resistance on this stock you have to trade it.

Atlantic and South East. Largely a consumer bank. More than 60% of earnings are from straight lending where they work on a spread. They have better earnings growth than Canadian banks.

This is a trade. Buy at $35 and sell at $40 or so. The fundamentals check out okay.

This looks a lot like the US part of the Toronto Dominion (TD-T), retail, eastern sea board, well-managed. Had always liked it, but found it a bit expensive. It is now down to a little under 12X earnings with a 2.95% yield. This is a growthy bank. Just did a recent acquisition in Pennsylvania. Spreads will widen as US rates go higher.

He has owned it for quite a while. They are in the Florida area. They have a good risk management culture. Also, they benefit from a stronger US economy and rising interest rates.

(A Top Pick March 6/14. Up 2.29%.) The big story for the banks is going to be when interest rates rise. The markets have been disappointed that interest rates have not risen. With the issues around oil, there is a view that interest rate hikes will be pushed out a little further. Eventually there will be higher interest rates and all the banks will rise higher on that.