In order to find success in the Bank of the Year awards, banks need to demonstrate not only resilience in their balance sheet and finances, but also trail-blazing achievements in areas such as overall strategy, success in multi-channel banking and financial inclusion. This year, we made awards in 141 countries. The global and regional winners are profiled here.

The best banks in 2017 from western Europe.

The best banks of the past 12 months from central and eastern Europe.

The best banks of the past 12 months from the Asia-Pacific region.

The leading banks over the past 12 months from the Americas.

The cream of the crop for 2017 from the Middle East.

Africa's top lenders from 2017.

Those banks which were able to articulate the strategy that drove their financial performance and how they overcame regulatory, competitive and economic ​hurdles were most like to impress the judges in this year's Bank of the Year awards. This year, we made awards in 149 countries. The global and regional winners are profiled here.

The best banks in 2016 from western Europe.

The best banks of the past 12 months from central and eastern Europe.