Stock price when the opinion was issued
Best European bank? European banking is difficult, given negative interest rates. Best in class is Barclay's for its investing banking business or Lloyd's Banking. There should be more consolidation here, but it's difficult in Europe (look at ATD'B trying to buy Carrefour this month).
UK banking sits somewhere between the Swedish/Canadian model and the US model. Fewer players, strong and well-protected balance sheets, growing organically. It's OK, but you are exposed to the UK and its pressures on consumers, housing, and the economy. Valuation is OK. He'd prefer a Canadian pick. Yield is 2.9%.
Heavily investment banking related and mostly on the fixed income side, which is a tough environment for fixed income. If he were going to buy a bank in the UK, he would be looking to buy Lloyds (LYG-N), a much more retail oriented bank. Retail in the UK will do fine.