Global Finance Names the World’s 50 Safest Banks in Emerging Markets

SafestEmergingMarketsBanks13

New York, November 5, 2013 - As developing nations struggle with a slow-down in once booming economies, the financial institutions in those countries are facing a moment of truth. With their local economies suddenly contracting, only the strongest banks will thrive. And because of that, potential corporate customers will be extremely careful in choosing the banks they do business with. In short, it’s safety first.

It’s against this backdrop that Global Finance announces it’s third annual ranking of the Safest Banks in Emerging Markets. For the ranking, Global Finance used the same criteria as is applied to the Annual World’s Safest Banks ranking, which appeared in the October issue—a recognized and trusted standard of creditworthiness for the financial world, now in its 22nd year.

We evaluate the ratings and total assets of the main players in developing economies to create the rankings—providing an overview of the key banks in each region and which financial institutions offer the greatest security. Winners were selected through an evaluation of long-term credit ratings—from Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s and Fitch Ratings—and total assets of the 500 largest banks in emerging markets.

The National Bank of Abu Dhabi takes the top spot for 2013, reflecting a recent upgrade by S&P. Banks from the Gulf and the Middle East dominate the list this year, with 22 out of the top 50 ranked banks. Korea, with 10 banks, and China, with 8, are the other large groups on the list, followed by Taiwan and Chile with 4 each and 2 from Czech Republic.

In addition there are a number of institutions making the list for the first time this year: Export-Import Bank of China, Export-Import Bank of Korea, Korea Development Bank, HSBC Oman (HSBC merged its Muscat Branch with Oman International Bank and renamed the bank earlier this year, resulting in a big upgrade) - and Bank of Communications, which was upgraded by Fitch earlier this year.

“For companies looking to expand into new markets, choosing the right banking partner is critical,” says Global Finance publisher Joseph D. Giarraputo. “This ranking is an invaluable tool for companies to evaluate institutional strength in fast-growing emerging markets.”

This exclusive ranking will be published in the December issue of Global Finance .

WORLD'S 50 SAFEST EMERGING MARKETS BANKS 2013
Rank Group Name Country
1 National Bank Of Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates
2 China Development Bank China
3 Agricultural Development Bank of China China
4 Export-Import Bank of China China
5 Industrial Bank of Korea South Korea
6 Korea Finance Corporation South Korea
7 National Bank of Kuwait Kuwait
8 Export-Import Bank of Korea South Korea
9 BancoEstado Chile
10 Korea Development Bank South Korea
11 Qatar National Bank Qatar
12 Samba Financial Group Saudi Arabia
13 Bank of Taiwan Taiwan
14 Banco de Chile Chile
15 National Commercial Bank Saudi Arabia
16 Al Rajhi Bank Saudi Arabia
17 Banco Santander Chile Chile
18 Riyad Bank Saudi Arabia
19 Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank United Arab Emirates
20 Banque Saudi Fransi Saudi Arabia
21 SABB Saudi Arabia
22 Union National Bank United Arab Emirates
23 Industrial and Commercial Bank of China China
24 China Construction Bank China
25 Agricultural Bank of China China
26 Bank of China China
27 KB Kookmin Bank South Korea
28 Shinhan Bank South Korea
29 NongHyup Bank South Korea
30 Kuwait Finance House Kuwait
31 Arab National Bank Saudi Arabia
32 Hana Bank South Korea
33 Land Bank of Taiwan Taiwan
34 First Gulf Bank United Arab Emirates
35 Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank United Arab Emirates
36 Mega International Commercial Bank Taiwan
37 CTBC Bank Taiwan
38 Česká spořitelna Czech Republic
39 Banco de Credito e Inversiones Chile
40 Commercial Bank of Qatar Qatar
41 Woori Bank South Korea
42 Korea Exchange Bank South Korea
43 Komerční banka Czech Republic
44 Bank Muscat Oman
45 Saudi Hollandi Bank Saudi Arabia
46 Doha Bank Qatar
47 Commercial Bank of Kuwait Kuwait
48 HSBC Bank Oman Oman
49 Bank of Communications China
50 Saudi Investment Bank Saudi Arabia