South African banks kept the top three regional places, with Nigerian and Egyptian banks making an impression.
Australia’s banks continue to dominate the regional table, excluding China and Japan, while South Korea and Vietnam also make an impressive showing.
Latin American banks have had mixed fortunes in 2020, largely dependent on their pre-pandemic situation. While some have seen growth, persistent lockdown measures could threaten this in 2021.
Europe’s banks survived the pandemic, even extending support for their respective economies. But there is still scope for improved profitability and consolidation in future.
Saudi Investment Bank showed the country’s larger lenders the way on asset quality and return on risk, to take the laurels for best performance.
Investec topped the South Africa performance rankings and climbed up 63 places in the overall Top 1000 ranking. Its ‘Big Four’ peers fared less well.
Nigeria’s banks have had a tough year, as the economy hit a two-decade low.
Indonesia’s biggest banks have slipped down the Top 1000 ranking, though some have grown their Tier 1 capital.
Japan’s banks held on in a volatile environment but saw little capital growth.
South Korea’s banks have had a good year for Tier 1 capital growth, which has helped several move up the Top 1000 ranking.
The conversion from a mutual to a publicly traded holding company helped Eastern Bank boost its financial strength during an uncertain environment for the banking industry.
China fields the largest number of new entrants in 2021, led by Mengshang Bank, but low M&A activity means far fewer banks have joined the ranking overall.
China’s biggest banks dominate the global rankings once more, with strong increases in their Tier 1 capital.
BTG Pactual showed good profitability, as Brazil dealt with its worst year in decades
French banks went into the crisis well prepared, as their performance shows.
Hamburg Commercial Bank is Germany’s best-performer, leading a field that did well under tough conditions.
Banco de Bogotá outperformed its peers and has grown at a faster rate than the leader, Bancolombia.
Morgan Stanley takes the lead, but on its heels are two more traditional lenders.
Pre-Covid cost-cutting and digitisation programmes helped Russian banks put in an impressive performance in this year’s rankings.
Toronto Dominion Bank claims the top slot for best overall performance among Canada’s banks, while dominant lender RBC is the most profitable.