Soundest: Highly capitalised banks are envied for their soundness, but too much capital may not necessarily be well used except in a specific business model.

France’s Electro Banque is just such a specialist, which has topped the soundness ranking for the sixth year in a row with a ratio of 85.71%. US-based East West Bancorp comes in second on 83.94%, with new Islamic institution, Bank of London and the Middle East, third at 59.9%.

Best profit on capital: Two banks achieved extraordinary returns on capital this year, with China Minsheng Banking Corp and Japan’s Chuo Mitsui Trust Holdings reaching 215.6% and 154.6% respectively. The Top 25 come from 17 countries, with Brazil providing four, led by Banco BMG (51.0%), and the US providing four, led by American Express Centurion Bank (75.0%).

Best profit on assets: This profitability measure produces some similar names with the US’s United National Corporation (22.65%) and South Africa’s African Bank (22.4%) leading the Top 25 with banks coming from 13 countries. Russia provides eight banks, led by Natsionainyy Reservnyy Bank (20.6%), and the US five banks. Newcomers include Russia’s Gazprombank (5.3%) and the Czech Republic’s GE Money Bank (5.2%).

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