Hmmm, they must know something.... and I always love your picks... but C too risky for me.
If I were going to buy a bank stock, I'd buy JPM. They have had positive earnings for 8 consecutive quarters, a modest PE, solid cash flow and good ROE. Very safe bet.
If I were going to take more risk (and I did), I'd buy HCBK, which has some of the best financials in the industry: top earnings growth, ROE and oodles of cash. Plus they pay a 4+% dividend - nice for current income. HCBK is such an attractive small bank, that I would not be surprised in some big bank buys it - when they have the cash !