JPMorgan (JPM) is one the largest and most diversified bank in the U.S., and offers services such as retail banking, commercial banking, asset management, investment banking, consumer lending and credit cards. Its main competitors include Bank of America (BAC), Wells Fargo (WFC), Goldman Sachs (GS), Deutsche Bank (DB) and Morgan Stanley (MS).

JPMorgan has benefited from a decline in provisions for credit losses that raised operating margins for its retail banking business. However, a weak economic recovery has resulted in a decline in average interest earning deposits and presents a potential concern for the multinational bank.

UBS (UBS), which is the biggest bank in Switzerland, has had a long road to recovery. But according to its fourth-quarter report, it looks like the firm is finally getting back on its feet. Net income increased by 7.1% to $1.35 billion. Actually, the firm was profitable for all of 2010, which was the first time since 2006.

There were some headwinds in the quarter, though. One was the strength of the Swiss franc. Also, UBS had to make some adjustments because of the changes in the fixed income market.

This post is one in a series in which more than 60 newsletter advisors share their Top Stock Picks for 2011. This special report is courtesy of TheStockAdvisors.com.

"After two years of economic declines, even the small uptick in growth we are starting to see should be a tonic for America's battered banks," says Jim Powell.

The editor of Global Changes & Opportunities Report explains, "Of the major U.S. banks, I think Citigroup (C) offers investors the most promise; as such, I am selecting the stock as my top pick for 2011.

The general feeling of investors right now is that we are at a potential turning point in the economy. The final piece of the economic puzzle is for the jobs market to start showing strong gains and the final piece of the puzzle for the stock market is for financial stocks to stage a big and sustainable rally. We might be right on the precipice of both of those things happening. Investors still have an opportunity, however, to get in on the ground floor in a number of names.

The most compelling name in this space could be Morgan Stanley (MS), which has found itself on the back burner this year, particularly compared to Goldman Sachs (GS). While both stocks have struggled in 2010, GS is going to finish the year on a high note. In the last six months, the shares have risen nearly 21% compared to a gain for MS of under 1%.

Patience appears to be paying off with the Bank of New York Mellon (BK), which I first wrote about on April 6, 2009, at a price of $28.16.

Moreover, the Bank of New York, a premier bank and wealth manager, is a good stock to be patient with. BK's 30% summer swoon found support, as forecast, near $23, and the stock has since moved back above $27 and the key, 50-day moving average.

Typically, a stock that nose-dives 23% in three months would be cause for alarm, but not when the stock is The Bank of New York Mellon (BK), which I first wrote about on April 6, 2009 at a price of $28.16.

Just view BK's over-correction as a chance to scoop-up shares of a premiere bank and wealth manager.

Look for BK's 2010 revenue to rise about 7-10%, then about 10-12% in 2011, on higher fees and improving margins. Asset management fees in its equities and fixed income business should record solid increases, on price gains in those markets and due to increased client deposits. New business wins add to the positive mix.

"This month we are beefing up our Northern exposure with a Canadian bank: Toronto-Dominion (TD)," says growth and income specialist Stephen Leeb.

The editor of The Complete Investor explains, "Financial institutions offer leveraged exposure to the entire economic system. With Canada's upside greater than most, adding another bank makes good sense. By total assets, market cap, and adjusted net income, Toronto-Dominion is Canada's second-largest bank.

"And it's not only a force to reckon with in Canada, it has a large and growing presence in the U.S., where it ranks among the top 15 banking companies. It also has the distinction of being one of only three Aaa-rated banks on the NYSE and was the rare bank to not cut its dividend during the financial crisis.

The financial sector has been a strange double-edged sword in portfolios over the past two years or so. In the wake of the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy, billions of wealth was erased in what were long thought of as conservative stocks. Then the resurgence of some banks since the lows of last year made other investors a fortune, with Citigroup (C) and Bank of America (BAC) both soaring about 300% since historic lows on March 9, 2009.

The drama continues in the financial sector even now with the endless see-saw of mortgage default news and the continued worries over sovereign debt in the eurozone. Any investor jumping into financial stocks right now is really taking the tiger by the tail -- but if you do your homework, there a number of opportunities in the sector become clear -- particularly among financials in Latin America.

Typically, a bank stock that meanders for the better part of a year would raise a caution flag in these circles. But not so when that bank is The Bank of New York Mellon (BK), which I first wrote about on April 6, 2009, at a price of $28.16.

Look for BK's 2010 revenue to rise about 7% to 10%, on higher fees and improving margins. Asset management fees in its equities and fixed income businesses should record solid increases, on price gains in those markets and due to increased client deposits. New business wins add to the positive mix.

The Bank Of New York Mellon's (BK) stock has meandered since the April 6, 2009 buy call at a price of $28.16. With most other stocks, that would be a concern, but given the bank's track record, I'm obviously reiterating my buy rating.

Founded by Alexander Hamilton, The Bank of New York provides services that enable institutions and individuals to move and manage their financial assets in more than 100 markets globally. The core of BK's business, custodial services, is doing just fine, with more than $16 trillion in assets under custody.

"Banks had taken a brutal beating over the last two years was brutal; the S&P Sector SPDR Financials dropped 72.0% from its high last September to its low in March," notes Brandon Clay.

In his Invest with an Edge, he explains, "One bank in particular is exerting itself again as a dominant player: Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC)." Here's his review.

"The painful declines in bank stocks appear to have stopped for now, as bank stocks have exploded off the March lows. As we've observed, financials have 'friends in high places.'

"Banks in general are showing promise as credit becomes easier. There's still a long way to go for complete recovery, but the trend is pointing up.

"Citigroup (NYSE: C) used to be the world's #1 bank; it is now ranked #15 after the financial crisis," points out long-standing investing and trading expert Mark Skousen.

Yet, in his premium Hedge Fund Trader service, the leading advisor ranks the bank as a speculative buy. Here's his review.

"The stock fell to $1 a share from $40 a share two years ago. But now Citigroup is showing some breathing room after selling Smith Barney to Morgan Stanley for $6.7 billion and pushing revenues up to $34 billion.

Are financial stocks a buy now? Jeffrey Palma, a strategist for UBS says yes. He is recommending a modest "overweight" for this sector. He goes on to say that financials had the biggest gains among 10 industry groups in the MSCI World Index in the second quarter.

Let's be clear here. Mr. Palma is referring to the second quarter. The second quarter is done, finished. The real question is whether or not, going forward, the rally will continue.

What is the real condition of our banks? Well depends on which glass you are looking at. Is it half full or half empty? Let's look at the good news first:

• Profits for the bans are up.
• Bank stocks are surging.
• The U.S. government gave 10 banks permission to pay back $70 billion of TARP monies.
• Since January, banks have raised $200 billion and sold $75 billion in debt.
• Stress tests showed that 19 of the biggest banks needed only $75 billion to withstand a tougher than expected recession.
• In a press conference, U.S. Treasury Geithner said, "these are early signs of repair and improvement."

"Hudson City Bancorp (NASDAQ: HCBK) is a fortress of safety with plenty of upside potential," says value investor Nathan Slaughter.

In his Half-Priced Stocks, he explains, "The 140-year old bank is a classic example of the tortoise and hare fable. Its slower, measured approach has paid off handsomely and keptit at arms length from the problems plaguing other banks."

"Hudson City manages a network of 130 bank branches spread throughout affluent regions of New Jersey, New York and Connecticut. At last count, the firm had over $20 billion in deposits and approximately $56 billion in total assets.

"According to an independent study, this tight-knit institution has been rated one of the nation's three strictest mortgage underwriters. So when most other banks relaxed their standards in recent years to attract riskier clientele, Hudson City stuck to its conservative roots and refused to budge.