The best banking stocks to buy as profits surge

['Rupert Hargreaves', 'Contributor', 'Former Deputy Digital Editor Of Moneyweek', 'Layer Van-Ds .Vds-Author Font-Size Var --Text-Base', 'Font-Size Var --Vds-Author-Font-Size', 'Var --Text-Base', 'Line-Height Var --Text-Base--Line-Height', 'Line-Height Var --Vds-Author-Line-Height', 'Var --Text-Base--Line-Height', 'Letter-Spacing Var --Tracking-Normal'] Latest from MoneyWeek 2026-08-03 09:00:00

This was a landmark not only for the company, but also for the wider global banking sector. Big banking stocks get a lift from tailwindsDeutsche Bank isn't the only global lender that has reported a surge in profitability over the past couple of years. The global bank net interest margin was 1.65% in 2024 and 1.63% in 2025, according to McKinsey's 2026 Global Banking Annual Review. The most promising global banking playersOne of the more interesting global opportunities is Santander (LSE: BNC). This lender has a presence in the US, Europe, the UK and Southern and Central America, making it one of the few genuine global banking opportunities.