Here are three stocks with buy rank and strong income characteristics for investors to consider today, March 24th:

Valley National Bancorp (VLY Quick QuoteVLY - Free Report) : This holding company for Valley National Bank has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 5.6% over the last 60 days.

Valley National Bancorp Price and Consensus

Valley National Bancorp price-consensus-chart | Valley National Bancorp Quote

This Zacks Rank #1 company has a dividend yield of nearly 5%, compared with the industry average of 2.9%.

Valley National Bancorp Dividend Yield (TTM)

Valley National Bancorp dividend-yield-ttm | Valley National Bancorp Quote

NN Group N.V. (NNGRY Quick QuoteNNGRY - Free Report) : This financial services company has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 7.1% over the last 60 days.

NN Group NV Unsponsored ADR Price and Consensus

NN Group NV Unsponsored ADR price-consensus-chart | NN Group NV Unsponsored ADR Quote

This Zacks Rank #1 company has a dividend yield of 4.1%, compared with the industry average of 1.5%.

NN Group NV Unsponsored ADR Dividend Yield (TTM)

NN Group NV Unsponsored ADR dividend-yield-ttm | NN Group NV Unsponsored ADR Quote

Heritage Financial Corporation (HFWA Quick QuoteHFWA - Free Report) : This bank holding company for Heritage Bank has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 5.7% over the last 60 days.

Heritage Financial Corporation Price and Consensus

Heritage Financial Corporation price-consensus-chart | Heritage Financial Corporation Quote

This Zacks Rank #1 company has a dividend yield of 4%, compared with the industry average of 3%.

Heritage Financial Corporation Dividend Yield (TTM)

Heritage Financial Corporation dividend-yield-ttm | Heritage Financial Corporation Quote

See the full list of top ranked stocks here.

Find more top income stocks with some of our great premium screens.