Most, though not all, S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) bank stocks offer passive income atop potential share price gains.
And most, though not all, of the dividends paid by the ASX 200 banks come with full franking credits. It's worth keeping an eye on those franking credits, as they can make a material difference to the amount of passive income you get to hold onto come tax time.
Below we look not just at the big four Aussie banks, but also two other ASX 200 bank stocks that pay twice-yearly dividends to eligible shareholders.
Keep in mind that many of the yields we're looking at are trailing yields. Future yields may be higher or lower depending on a range of macroeconomic and company-specific factors.
With that said, there's still time to grab the latest batch of dividends from one of the banks that recently reported results.
Here's what you need to know.
Which ASX 200 bank stock should I buy for passive income?
First, we have Australia's biggest bank and the biggest stock listed on the ASX, Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA).
Over the past year, CBA has paid out $4.75 in fully franked dividends. At Friday's closing price of $167.04 a share, CBA trades on a dividend yield of 2.8%.
While that's on the lower end of the passive income scale, keep in mind that the CBA share price is up 43% in 12 months.
Next, we turn to ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ).
ANZ has paid out (or shortly will) $1.66 a share in dividends over the last year, franked at 70%. If you want to bank the interim dividend of 83 cents a share, there's still time. You'll need to own ANZ stock at market close on Monday, May 12.
At Friday's closing price of $28.98 a share, ANZ trades on a dividend yield of 5.7%. The ANZ share price is up 1% in 12 months.
Moving on to National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB), the bank has paid (or shortly will) $1.70 in fully franked dividends over the last year. NAB trades ex-dividend on Monday, so it's a bit late to grab the latest passive income payout.
At Friday's closing price of $36.53 a share, NAB trades on a dividend yield of 4.6%. The NAB share price is up 9% in a year.
So how about Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC)?
Well, Westpac has paid (or shortly will, though it's gone ex-dividend already too) $1.52 a share in fully franked dividends over the year. At Friday's closing price of $31.21 a share, Westpac trades on a dividend yield of 4.9%. The Westpac share price is up 19% in a year.
Looking for passive income outside of the big four, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN) has paid 63 cents a share in fully franked dividends over the year. At Friday's closing price of $11.72, Bendigo Bank trades on a dividend yield of 5.4%. The Bendigo Bank share price is up 19% in 12 months.
And last, but not least, we have Bank of Queensland Ltd (ASX: BOQ).
Bank of Queensland has paid (or shortly will, though it's gone ex-dividend too) 35 cents a share in dividends over the past year. At Friday's closing price of $7.56, the ASX 200 bank stock trades on a dividend yield of 4.6%. The Bank of Queensland share price is up 28% in a year.
Which ASX 200 bank tops the dividend list?
Well, the best ASX 200 bank stock to buy for passive income, based on the trailing yields, is ANZ, which trades on a dividend yield of 5.7%.
Though bear in mind that ANZ's dividends are currently only franked at 70%, compared to the full franking credits offered by the other banks.
With Bendigo Bank shares up 19% over 12 months, yielding 5.4% and offering 100% franking credits, the bank also looks like an appealing passive income play.
