Longtime investor and dealer Jim Lebenthal mentioned he is favoring massive banks over small lenders heading into the earnings season. « The massive banks ought to have been beneficiaries of what went on final month with Silicon Valley Financial institution and Signature Financial institution, which means they acquired deposit inflows from the smaller banks, » Lebenthal mentioned. « I feel we must always favor the massive banks over the smaller banks simply due to their total energy. » See the video above for Lebenthal’s full view of the sector and his favourite picks. The primary-quarter earnings season kicks off on Friday with JPMorgan , Citigroup , Wells Fargo and PNC Monetary reporting quarterly numbers. From these studies, Lebenthal mentioned he shall be assessing the well being of the banking system in addition to the macroeconomic well being of the buyer. He’s a companion at Cerity Companions, managing U.S. fairness portfolios for purchasers and advises them on asset allocation. « I would like to listen to from each the massive banks and PNC … how they’re all feeling concerning the well being of the banking system, » Lebenthal mentioned. « Is there additional stress on steadiness sheets? Are there additional deposit outflows not simply from small banks to massive banks, however from all banks to cash market funds? » The collapses of Silicon Valley Financial institution and Signature Financial institution final month — the second- and third-largest financial institution failures in U.S. historical past, respectively — made traders involved concerning the total well being of the banking programs and if extra establishments are in danger. Lebenthal mentioned there may be one ignored silver lining for the banking sector, which is declining bond yields. Decrease charges would improve the worth of Treasury securities on the financial institution’s steadiness sheets, Lebenthal mentioned. The investor referred to as JPMorgan the « creme de la creme » within the banking system and mentioned he owns Citigroup as a price and turnaround play. He mentioned he does not have any particular person inventory publicity to regional banks however he does personal a small place within the SPDR S & P Regional Banking ETF.