Levels of foreign ownership vary widely among the banks of the eastern Black Sea countries. While foreign-owned banks went too far, too fast before the crisis, they may be more resilient than locally owned players in a downturn.
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Australia dominates 'other' Asia-Pacific ranking
April 2, 2012While the Asia-Pacific region's growth story over the past few decades has been powered by Japan and then China, at least as far as banking is concerned, when these two countries are removed from The Banker's Asia-Pacific rankings, it is Australia's banks that come to the fore.
Domestic players make mark in Central American ranking
March 1, 2012International banking groups have traditionally been the main players in Central America but as markets begin to grow, in nearby Colombia in particular, local lenders are increasing their profits, acquiring foreign-owned subsidiaries and establishing a greater presence in the market.
Top 500 Banking Brands 2012
February 1, 2012As a large number of banks across the globe see the value of their brand slip for a second consecutive year, many financial institutions are seeing both positive and negative results of being associated with their country of origin, something that has worked out particularly well for Canadian banks.
Russia's market structure begins to thaw
February 1, 2012The largest state-owned banks still dominate the top of Russia’s banking system, but high returns, specialisation and consolidation in the private sector are creating signs of change.
Africa on the brink of the big time
January 3, 2012African banks have grown substantially in the past few years. Those from South Africa are still the biggest, but they are far from being the most profitable.
Asian growth story evades Japanese banks
December 1, 2011Japan's banks recorded unremarkable increases in profitability and returns over the past year, yet the country's big players have maintained their prominence within the global rankings, suggesting that their disappointing performance is part of a wider global trend. But with the data from the months following the disasters of March 2011 yet to be revealed, the performance of Japan's banks could yet take a further hit.
High profits in East African frontier markets
November 24, 2011Four of Africa’s top five most profitable banking markets are in east Africa, with oil producing Ghana from west Africa completing the set.
Top 150 Latin American banks
November 1, 2011While Brazil's banks predictably take the top spots in The Banker's Top 150 Latin American Banks ranking, a stellar year for Argentina's banks saw them posting impressive return-on-asset ratios.
Eastern Europe grows while the west stagnates
September 1, 2011Newer EU member countries in central and eastern Europe are notable for their performance in terms of returns and growth, as The Banker's Top 200 EU Banks ranking shows.