Best Banks & Financial Rankings

From new technologies come practical financial applications, which are transforming supply chains—and putting pressure on banks.

Digitization is revolutionizing age-old processes at trade finance banks.

Global Finance honors the companies that set the standard for FX hedging across regions and industries.

Global Finance selects the best foreign exchange banks in 113 countries.

With direct investment retreating from the US and the UK, a crop of smaller countries, topped by Singapore, were the biggest winners in the FDI horse race. Global Finance offers a new analysis and ranking.

Paloma Piqueras leads Global Wealth and Asset Management at BBVA, Global Finance’s pick this year as the World’s Best Private Bank for Clients with Net Worth Under $1 Million. She speaks about technology, how BBVA structures wealth management and the value of the nonfinancial components of its client service.

With the world as their oyster but more competition from other oyster hunters, private banks are focusing products and services in an effort to grow without sacrificing profits.

Islamic finance is expanding, though its strength is built in the Gulf.

The key factor shaking up the rankings this year is the tightening of regulatory oversight worldwide.

The world’s biggest banks are even bigger than last year. China has the biggest; Europe has the most.

For China’s banks, growth is easier than reducing debt and bad loans.

Regulatory strictures have forced European banks to shape up, with positive results for many.

China has the world’s biggest banks, so it’s no surprise that it leads the emerging markets rankings. The rest of the BRICs are well represented, too.

Almost one in four countries experienced a change of their Safest Bank in 2018, as winners were rewarded for improved financial profiles, higher ratings and asset growth.

Rating-agency reappraisals shake up this year’s ranking of the world’s safest banks.

Emerging markets are more vulnerable to external shocks of all kinds; the safest banks provide stability in volatile markets.

Middle East banks are generally strong, but will need to grow their books of quality loans to improve profitability.

Governor of the Central Bank of Chile, Mario Marcel Cullell speaks about the country's growth prospects and how flexible foreign exchange can act as a shock absorber.

Saddek Elkaber, Governor of the Central Bank of Libya, talks about oil dependence, conflict and Libya’s role in promoting regional stability.

Juan Alcaraz, general manager of CaixaBank, winner of World’s Best Consumer Bank, talks about deep customer profiling, technology benefits, and responsible stewardship.