Eight Regional Bank Stocks on a Roll

Here's a quick look at eight dividend-paying regional bank stocks that are up year to date and trading near their 52-week highs. 1st Source SRCE: This Indiana-company reported strong second-quarter results back in July, which it attributed in part to attracting new customers. Its provision for loan losses was also down from the previous year. Its dividend yield is 2.7% and the market cap is $558.8 million. The share price is about 26% higher than a year ago. The stock has outperformed competitor Fifth Third Bancorp FITB and the industry average in that time. Bank of Marin BMRC: With locations in and around San Francisco and a market cap of $205.3 million, this lender posted strong earnings for the quarter in which in integrated failed Charter Oak Bank. It has a dividend yield of 1.6% and a long-term EPS growth forecast of 10.0%. Shares are trading more than 11% higher than a year ago. The stock has outperformed larger competitor Wells Fargo WFC year to date. Bank of the Ozarks OZRK: A string of FDIC-brokered acquisitions has expanded this Little Rock, Arkansas, bank's reach, and it declared a two-for-one stock split in July. The company has a return on equity of 21.5%, as well as a 2.7% dividend yield. The P/E ratio is 8.9. The share price is up almost 40% from a year ago to near a multiyear high. In that time, the stock has outperformed the industry average and the broader markets. Hingham Institution for Savings HIFS: Strong second-quarter and first-half earnings results were the story for this Massachusetts-chartered savings bank as well. Its market cap is $116.8 million and the return on equity is 14.8%. The share price has risen about 50% over the past year and shares are trading near a multiyear high. Year to date, the stock has outperformed larger competitor Bank of America BAC, as well as the regional bank industry average. Lakeland Financial LKFN: Based in Indiana and sporting a market cap of $376.9 million, it reported a record profit in the second quarter as the number of loans grew and its provision for loan losses fell. The company has a 2.7% dividend yield and a long-term EPS growth forecast of 10.0%. The consensus recommendation of analysts is to buy the stock, and the share price is up more than 12% from a year ago. Oritani Financial ORIT: In July, the New Jersey-based lender reported record second-quarter earnings, and in June announced share buybacks. Insiders bought nearly 40,000 shares in June. Oritani has a market cap of $730.1 million and a dividend yield of 2.9%. The consensus recommendation of analysts is to buy ORIT. The share price has grown nearly 30% in the past year, outperforming the broader markets. Territorial Bancorp TBNK: Originally chartered in 1921, this holding company is headquartered in Honolulu. Back in May, the company raised its quarterly dividend from 7 cents to 9 cents per share. This $251.1 million market cap company has a dividend yield of 1.4%. Analysts, on average, recommend buying the stock. The share price is more than 16% higher year to date. In that time, the stock has outperformed competitor Bank Hawaii BOH. West Bancorp WTBA: This Iowa-based lender posted better-than-expected second-quarter earnings, due in part to loan portfolio growth and exiting the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). It has a dividend yield of 0.5% and a market cap of $171.8 million. The share price is more than 49% higher year over year. The stock has outperformed its industry average and the broader markets over that period. Action Items: Bullish: Traders interested in regional bank exchange traded funds might want to consider the following trades:

• SPDR KBW Regional Banking ETF KRE: up about 2% in the past year
• iShares Dow Jones U.S. Regional Banks Index Fund IAT: down about 6% in the past year
• Regional Bank HOLDRS Trust RKH: down about 5% from a year ago

Bearish: Traders looking for contrarian options may want to consider these alternate positions:

• ProShares Short KBW Regional Banking KRS : up about 3% year to date
• ProShares Short Financials SEF: up almost 5% year to date

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