We recently published a list of 15 Best Bank Stocks to Buy According to Billionaires. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) stands against other best bank stocks to invest in.

As 2025 kicks off, bank executives are facing a mix of optimism and uncertainty. Inflation is easing, and interest rates are coming down, but challenges like slow economic growth, geopolitical instability, and shifting regulations are keeping industry leaders on edge. According to Deloitte, while the US economy outperformed expectations in 2024 with a 2.7% GDP growth rate, things are expected to slow in 2025, with projections around 1.5%. Rising unemployment, weaker business investment, and high consumer debt, which now stands at a record $17.7 trillion, could put additional pressure on the financial system.

For banks, a big challenge will be maintaining growth despite these economic headwinds. With interest rates dropping, net interest income is expected to decline, and deposit costs may stay high as banks compete to retain customers. Mortgage loan demand is likely to pick up, but credit card and auto loans could see slower growth as consumers tighten their wallets. Meanwhile, corporate borrowing should remain steady, with potential growth in debt issuance and M&A if economic and political uncertainty settles down.

According to Morningstar DBRS, the US banking sector is expected to remain stable in 2025, with banks benefiting from a better operating environment, an improved yield curve, and steady economic growth. Loan demand should pick up, and banks have managed to maintain strong liquidity, capital levels, and profitability, putting them in a good position for the year ahead. While credit ratings for banks are not expected to change significantly, some could see positive adjustments if current trends continue. However, if interest rates stay high for longer than expected, it could put pressure on consumers and businesses. Trade conflicts or geopolitical tensions could also slow down economic growth. On the bright side, higher loan demand and a steeper yield curve could boost banks’ earnings, with many predicting record net interest income (NII) in 2025.

Billionaires Backing the Banking Sector

As the banking industry braces for these shifts, billionaires are paying close attention. Over the past ten years, billionaires have gotten much richer, growing their wealth faster than the stock market. From 2015 to 2024, their total fortune more than doubled, going from $6.3 trillion to $14 trillion. In comparison, the MSCI World Index only grew by 73%. The number of billionaires also increased, from 1,757 in 2015 to 2,682 in 2024. However, since 2020, this growth has slowed to just 1% per year, mainly because wealthy people in China have been losing money. Meanwhile, billionaires in the US, Europe, and India are still seeing their wealth grow. Tech billionaires have gained the most, with their total wealth tripling from $789 billion to $2.4 trillion.

In Europe, billionaire investors are making their presence felt in the banking sector. Italy’s banking sector is going through a major change, and two billionaire families, Del Vecchio and Caltagirone, are making big moves to stay in control. They have built up significant stakes in Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena (Paschi), positioning themselves to influence the mergers and acquisitions wave that is picking up speed. The government wants to turn Paschi into the country’s third major bank, while other lenders are scrambling to strike their own deals. Caltagirone and Del Vecchio have only tightened their grip, buying more Paschi shares to ensure a say in its future. While they are focused on financial gains, they also align with the government’s vision for a stronger banking system. Caltagirone, who’s close to the Meloni administration, sees Paschi as the foundation for Italy’s next banking giant.

Meanwhile, in the US, Warren Buffett remains a dominant force in the financial sector. Known for his long-term investment strategy, Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway has a history of outperforming the market, delivering an average annual return of 12.1% over the past two decades, slightly ahead of the broader market’s 11.5%. He has long favored financial stocks for their steady profits and reliable dividends, particularly those with strong management teams. However, his recent decision to sell nearly $1 billion in shares of a major US bank, along with stakes in other financial institutions, signals a potential shift in strategy. This move could reflect concerns about the banking sector or a search for better opportunities elsewhere. Despite the sell-off, Buffett remains deeply invested in the bank he trimmed his position in, still holding a massive $30 billion stake.

A panoramic view of a financial institution, representing the number of corporations who trust the company's services.

Our Methodology 

We analyzed Insider Monkey’s exclusive database of billionaire stock holdings to compile our list of the best bank stocks to invest in according to billionaires. We picked 15 best bank stocks to buy based on the highest number of billionaire investors, updated as of Q4 2024. These billionaires are founders or managers of some of the world’s leading hedge funds and companies.

Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).

Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS)

Number of Billionaire Investors: 13

Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) is a global financial company that provides investment banking, wealth management, and trading services. It offers advisory, brokerage, lending, and asset management solutions for individuals, businesses, and governments.

On March 14, Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners (MSIP) announced that it has secured $4.1 billion for its latest fund, North Haven Infrastructure Partners IV, backed by top institutional investors like pension funds and sovereign wealth funds. MSIP has been operational for nearly 20 years and it invests in essential infrastructure like transportation, digital networks, energy transition, and utilities, aiming for long-term value and steady, inflation-linked returns.

Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) finished last year with record revenue in Q4 and its highest earnings per share in over 15 years. The firm reported full-year earnings of $7.95 per share and a 19% return on tangible equity. It also strengthened its capital position by accreting $5.5 billion to CET1 while continuing to reward shareholders through dividends and stock buybacks. Morgan Stanley has raised its quarterly dividend for three years straight, now at $0.925 per share, which was paid out on February 14.

On March 17, Erste Group analysts downgraded Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) from Buy to Hold, raising concerns about its future growth. While the company posted a solid 14.71% revenue increase over the past year, its investment banking division faces uncertainty due to US tariffs and a slowing economy. Analysts also expect loan loss provisions to rise in its interest-based income segment.

Overall, MS ranks 15th on our list of the best bank stocks to buy according to billionaires. While we acknowledge the potential of MS to grow, our conviction lies in the belief that certain AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than MS but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks To Buy Now and 30 Best Stocks to Buy Now According to Billionaires.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.