10 Best European Bank Stocks to Buy According to Analysts

3. Banco Santander, S.A. (NYSE:SAN)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 15

Stock Upside Potential as of January 24: 19.01%

Banco Santander, S.A. (NYSE:SAN) is one of the largest banks in Spain, specializing in providing various financial services, including time deposits, mutual funds, and current and savings accounts mortgages. It is one of the best European bank stocks to buy as it is reaping the rewards of digitization in a bid to enhance customer experience. It’s also benefiting from improved automation, making banking simpler and accessible to the masses.

Likewise, it logged solid third-quarter results characterized by a 2% growth in profit to €3.3 billion. The increase came as Banco Santander, S.A. (NYSE:SAN) continued to expand its customer base, adding 5 million new customers last year. In addition, it is benefiting from an aggressive expansion plan that has seen it strengthen its prospects in Europe and the US.

With a 41% year-over-year increase in revenue in the United States, the company’s Corporate & Investment Banking (CIB) segment is expanding. All things considered, Banco Santander, S.A. (NYSE:SAN) is growing its clientele and operations in every area. Backed by a solid balance sheet, Banco Santander continues to return value to shareholders by its 4.47% dividend yield.