After sliding over the two years prior, global pre-tax profits jumped 15.6% to reach $1112bn in 2017. 

Dogged by non-performing loans and the lingering effects of the eurozone crisis, Italy, Greece and Portugal have long-been Europe’s underperformers. But in the 2018 rankings their fortunes improved, resolutely led by their biggest banks.

A bank formed by a mega-merger in 2017 has moved the Middle East’s centre of gravity to the UAE. James King reports. 

Profitability is resurgent among western European landers, and there are strong showings from Asia-Pacific and North America. Stefanie Linhardt reports.

Western European institutions have seen a distinct improvement on their poor 2017 figures, with most top banks increasing their capitalisation. HSBC remains local leader but has ceded a place on the global ranking. Stefanie Linhardt reports.

Australian banks held on to the top Asia-Pacific rankings (excluding China and Japan) again, though Singapore’s DBS Bank moved up into the top five. Adrienne Klasa reports.

Japan’s banking behemoths have retained their dominance in the country rankings, with leader Mitsubishi UFJ Finanical Group also jumping a place in the global rankings, as Adrienne Klasa reports.