Here are three stocks with buy rank and strong income characteristics for investors to consider today, September 2nd:

Provident Financial Services, Inc. (PFS Quick QuotePFS - Free Report) : This bank holding company for Provident Bank has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 3.2% over the last 60 days.

Provident Financial Services, Inc Price and Consensus

This Zacks Rank #1 company has a dividend yield of 4.1%, compared with the industry average of 2.7%.

Provident Financial Services, Inc Dividend Yield (TTM)

Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. (CFR Quick QuoteCFR - Free Report) : This bank holding company for Frost Bank has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 6.3% over the last 60 days.

CullenFrost Bankers, Inc. Price and Consensus

This Zacks Rank #1 company has a dividend yield of 2.7%, compared with the industry average of 1.4%.

CullenFrost Bankers, Inc. Dividend Yield (TTM)

Mercantile Bank Corporation (MBWM Quick QuoteMBWM - Free Report) : This bank holding company for Mercantile Bank of Michigan has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 10.5% over the last 60 days.

Mercantile Bank Corporation Price and Consensus

This Zacks Rank #1 company has a dividend yield of 3.8%, compared with the industry average of 2.8%.

Mercantile Bank Corporation Dividend Yield (TTM)

See the full list of top ranked stocks here.

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