Best Banks & Financial Rankings

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.

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

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

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.

Koba Gvenetadze, governor of the National Bank of Georgia, talks about Georgia’s impressive growth and its exposure to emerging-market risks and Turkey’s troubles.

Piyush Gupta, CEO of DBS talks about the value in being a trusted brand, the benefits of developing technology in-house, and why Singapore makes a great home base.

Juan José Echavarría, Governor of the Central Bank of Colombia, talks about consumption, contagion and the outlook for regional economies through next year.

Sultan Al Habsi Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Oman talks to Global Finance about special economic zones, foreign investment, and state-of-the-art logistics.