Top Bank Stocks To Invest In 2014

Like Frankenstein, too-big-to-fail banks didn't pop out of nowhere. We created them -- or, more specifically, financial lobbyists and our purported representatives in Washington did (to read about how this happened, read this article).

But aside from the sheer size of the nation's largest banks, one of the most startling facts is how quickly they consolidated power over the nation's financial assets. The chart below depicts just that. As you can see, starting in 1994 (the same year that Congress removed restrictions on interstate banking), the market share of big banks began an aggressive ascent that continues today, going from roughly 35% of industry assets to more than 80% at the end of last year.�

Lest there be any doubt, this is what the too-big-to-fail debate is all about. Do we want only a handful of lenders -- in this case, JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: JPM  ) , Bank of America (NYSE: BAC  ) , Citigroup (NYSE: C  ) , and Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC  ) -- to control the narrows, if you will, of American finance? Is that a threat to our savings? Our economy? Or even our financial freedom? Chime in on these questions in the comment section below.

Top Bank Stocks To Invest In 2014: Augusta Resource Corp (AZC.TO)

Augusta Resource Corporation, a development stage company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of natural mineral resource properties in North America. Its principal asset includes the 100% owned Rosemont project, a copper mining project with copper/molybdenum/silver skarn deposits, as well as other exploration targets comprising approximately 17,500 acres (7,080 hectares) of patented and unpatented claims, and fee land and surface grazing rights located in Pima County, Arizona. The company was formerly known as Hol-Lac Gold Mines, Limited and changed its name to Augusta Resource Corporation in July 1997. Augusta Resource Corporation was founded in 1937 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

Top Bank Stocks To Invest In 2014: Kenexa Corporation(KNXA)

Kenexa Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides software-as-a-service solutions that enable organizations to recruit, retain, and develop employees. The company offers talent acquisition solutions, such as recruitment technology systems that locates and tracks talented candidates; onboarding solutions, which provide form management for legal documents, workflow, and electronic signatures; employee assessments that help organizations to select and retain top performers; and skills tests, which enable organizations to identify and select talented candidates. Its talent acquisition solutions also include Kenexa Interview Builder system that provides an online structured interview reference library of approximately 3,000 questions; employment branding solutions; and recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) solutions, which offer global recruitment services. The company also provides talent retention solutions comprising performance management solutions that integrate performance management, compensation management, career development, goal alignment, and succession planning; employee surveys; learning management solutions, which enable organizations to deliver and track employee learning; leadership solutions, including leadership audit, leadership assessments, and leadership development solutions; CompAnalyst suite of compensation management solutions; and consumer solutions that provide compensation-focused tools and content. It serves financial services and banking, manufacturing, government, life sciences, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, retail, healthcare, hospitality, call centers, and education industries. Kenexa Corporation operates primarily in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, China, and other European countries. The company was formerly known as TalentPoint, Inc. and changed its name to Kenexa Corporation in November 2000. Kenexa Corporation was founded in 1987 and is headquartered in Wayne, Pennsylvania.

Top High Tech Stocks To Invest In 2014: Reed Elsevier(REL.L)

Reed Elsevier PLC provides professional information solutions worldwide. The company?s Elsevier segment offers scientific, technical, and medical information solutions. This segment publishes science and technology research articles and book titles; and abstract and citation database of research literature, as well as offers information and workflow tools that help researchers generate insights in the advancement of scientific discovery. The Elsevier segment also provides medical journals, books, reference works, databases, and online information tools to medical researchers, doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, students, hospitals, research institutions, health insurers, managed healthcare organizations, and pharmaceutical companies. Its LexisNexis Risk Solutions segment offers data and analytics for the insurance industry; risk management, identity verification, fraud detection, credit risk management, and compliance solutions for financial institutions; invest igative solutions; and employment-related, resident and volunteer screening services. The company?s Lexisnexis Legal and Professional segment provides legal, tax, regulatory, and business information solutions. Its Reed Exhibitions segment organizes exhibitions and conferences for the broadcasting, TV, music, and entertainment; building and construction; electronics and electrical engineering; alternative energy, oil, and gas; engineering, manufacturing, and processing; gifts; interior design; IT and telecoms; jewelry; life sciences and pharmaceuticals; marketing; property and real estate; sports and recreation; and travel sectors. The company?s Reed Business Information segment provides data services, information, and marketing solutions to business professionals; produces industry critical data services, lead generation tools, and online community and job sites; and publishes business magazines. Reed Elsevier PLC was founded in 1894 and is based in London, the United Kin gdom.