I just noticed that choosing bank stocks is still an important topic for many Thai investors, especially those looking for stability and consistent dividends—so I gathered information on some good options both in Thailand and abroad to share with you.

Let’s start with the real stars in Thailand. When it comes to bank stocks favored by analysts, BBL (Bangkok Bank) stands out for its strong financial foundation and wide international network. KBANK (Kasikornbank) is strong in Digital Banking through K PLUS, which has a large user base, although you should be mindful of NPL risks from large SME loans.

Another interesting option is KTB (Krungthai Bank), a state-owned bank that benefits from government projects and the “Pao Tang” app, which has a large user base. SCB has undergone restructuring into SCBX, which is expected to form a fintech group—exciting, but also with some uncertainty. TTB (TMBThanachart Bank) is currently building Synergy from its merger, and BAY (Krungsri Ayudhya) is supported by Japan’s MUFG group.

If we look at global bank stocks, JPMorgan Chase remains a key player in the U.S. thanks to its large scale and diversified business. Bank of America is also a good choice for those looking to enter the U.S. market. HSBC is important in Asia, especially Hong Kong and China. DBS (Singapore) leads in Digital Banking in the region. ICBC (China) has the largest asset base in the world, but you need to watch out for its unique risks. MUFG (Japan) could benefit if the Bank of Japan adjusts its interest-rate policy.

Why are bank stocks interesting right now? The first point is interest rates. Even though the strong upward cycle has already passed, today’s interest rates are still higher than during COVID, which helps keep net interest margin (NIM) healthy. The second point is dividends. Large banks often pay steady dividends and increase money for share buybacks, which is beneficial for long-term investors.

If the global and Thai economies recover continuously (global GDP expected to grow 3.1% and Thai GDP expected to grow 2.7%), it will help increase demand for loans. In addition, the valuation of some bank stocks is still not expensive compared with their P/E ratio relative to historical averages.

An interesting new trend is building banking ecosystems through applications. Banks are no longer limited to taking deposits and issuing loans; they’re becoming platforms that connect different services together—ranging from shopping and insurance to investments—through K PLUS, SCB EASY, Pao Tang, and more.

For Thai people who want to invest in bank stocks, it’s easy: just open an account with a broker, deposit funds, and send buy orders via the Settrade app or the broker’s own app. For foreign bank stocks, you can invest through Thai brokers offering such services, or try CFDs if you want to speculate in the short term and are willing to accept higher risk.

In summary, bank stocks are still worth considering for long-term investing, thanks to dividends, stability, and their shift toward digital. No matter which one you choose, it’s important to study information thoroughly so that your investments can build wealth effectively.