Top Banks in the World

Banks play an essential role in our private lives; commerce and in any nation’s economy. Without banks corporations, private individuals and coutnries would not be able to borrow; save; lend or invest. To help us gauge which are the top financial institutions S&P Global Market Intelligence publishes an annual report ranking the largest banks worldwide based on their total assets. U.S. banks topped the list for many years but recently Chinese financial institutions have taken four of the top 15 places in the list of the largest banks in the world. Six of the top 15 are based in Asia and only two are based in the U.S. The banks are ranked according to their total assets and not their market capitalization.

Which are Europe’s Largest Banks?

S&P Global Market Intelligence published their 2018 list of the largest banks in Europe based on their total assets. From this list we can see that the top three banks in Europe have remained British multinational bank HSBC; French BNP Paribas and Credit Agricole, which is also the world’s largest cooperative financial institution. These three European banks come out on top of a total of 6,250 banks operating across Europe at the end of 2017. The results of the S& P Global Market Intelligence report was not adjusted according to the different accounting treatments at these banks but rather it was based solely on the assets as reported. Read more on European banks

Largest Banks in the World

1. China Construction Bank Corporation.

One of the “Big Four” state-owned banks in China with over 13,600 domestic branches; an overseas network in 13 countries; personal loan centers; wealth management centers and self-service banks. They provide a comprehensive range of corporate and personal banking services.

2. Agricultural Bank of China.

Agbank or ABC is another of China’s “Big Four” commercial banks with branches spread across the globe. In addition to the full range of personal banking and corporate banking services, ABC also deals strongly in agro-related business. Established in 1951 as an agricultural cooperative bank it evolved into a state-owned commercial bank in the 1970s and restructured into a joint stock LTD in 2009/10 when it was listed on the Shanghai and Hong Kong Stock Exchanges.

3. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (Mitsubishi)

This Japanese global holding/financial services group was established in 1880 and with the help of several merges has grown into the country’s largest and strongest financial institution. MUFG operates in over 50 countries and regions.

4. Bank of China.

This is one of China’s “Big Four” state-owned financial institutions that operates an integrated service platform through corporate and personal banking plus treasury business. They also deal in insurance, securities, funds, investments, the aircraft leasing business, and other operations. It is considered China’s most globalized bank with offices in 57 countries.

5. P. Morgan Chase.

This American multinational investment bank and financial services institute is the largest in the U.S. and one of the oldest. They are a leading international firm operating in over 100 markets for clients large and small. JP Morgan Chase offers investments, financial service for small businesses, commercial banking, transactions, asset management and more.

6. HSBC Holdings PLC.

HSBC is a British multinational financial services/holding bank offering a comprehensive range of financial services to commercial and private clients. They have 39 million customers worldwide and deal in retail banking; wealth management; investments; loans; mortgages; insurance; markets and global private and commercial banking in over 66 countries.

7. BNP Paribas.

This French bank operates in 72 countries and prides itself on being a bank for a changing world focused on responsible banking. The two main areas of BNP Paribas are retail banking and services plus corporate institutional banking.

8. Bank of America (BAC)

This well-known U.S. bank services individuals, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations. They offer the full range of banking services including investing, asset management and risk management. They offer their 66 million clients convenience through their retail financial centers, lending centers, award-winning mobile services, financial advice centers, and business centers.

Largest Banks in the U.K.

1. HSBC.
2. The British multinational financial services/holding bank of HSBC offers services that include retail banking; wealth management; investments; loans; mortgages; insurance; markets and global private and commercial banking. HSBC has 39 million customers worldwide in over 66 countries.
3. Royal Bank of Scotland.

RBS provides its financial products and services to private and commercial clients big and small across the globe through several well-known banking brands. Although operating internationally RBS has its roots firmly in the U.K. with about 700 branches in Scotland and large cities in England and Wales as well as mobile banking branches that travel to rural areas.

4. Lloyds Banking Group.

The Lloyds Banking Group includes household names like Lloyds Bank and Halifax. This financial giant deals in a wide range of financial services including wealth management, retail banking, insurance, mobile banking, corporate banking, private banking, mortgages, and loans. Lloyds main brands have over 2,000 branches across the U.K.

5. Barclays.

Barclays is a multinational investment bank/ financial services company organized into four main operating areas – personal banking; wealth management; corporate banking and investment management.

6. NatWest.

National Westminster bank is a retail and commercial bank and part of the Royal Bank of Scotland Group. NatWest deals in innovative banking always staying up-to-date with the latest banking technology. They deal in the areas of investment; online banking; securities; merchant banking; mobile branches in rural areas; loans and they have small business centers.