Record growth and record profits have characterised the financial community over the past year or more but while the economic outlook is broadly positive, there are significant political and economic uncertainties at work as well.
The Banker’s sixth Bank of the Year Awards – sponsored by global IT and networking services company BT – reflect the success and overall achievements of the world’s top financial institutions.
Our 177 Bracken winners from 138 countries represent the cream of the global banking community and the best achievers in the industry.
The Banker has been a trusted source of global financial intelligence since 1926 and this month’s Bank of the Year Awards listing, like our Top 1000 World Banks listing in July, has become not only essential reading but also a key indicator of financial performance. This year, our sixth awards listing covers a record 138 countries (five more than last year) and eight regional awards, including Global Bank of the Year. Our investment banking categories have been expanded to 25, including Investment Bank of the Year, and we have six cash management and securities services awards and two corporate social responsibility commendations. Together they represent the best banking performances across the globe.
The criteria for the assessment of the Bank of the Year Awards vary depending on the type of award. For our country assessments, our global editorial team reflects not only on the latest results, growth and banking data (including a detailed questionnaire provided by the bank) but also technology and strategic developments. The award for a single bank in each country is for the best overall performance in the previous period, incorporating both performance criteria and qualitative achievements.
Questionnaires are a key part of our process and this year a record 510 were received back from commercial banks in a record 138 countries. In the investment banking section, 122 entries were received – almost double last year’s – and 18 entries were received in the cash management and securities services sections.
BRACKEN WINNERS
Winners in The Banker Awards will receive a prestigious Bracken award, named after Brendan Bracken, the founding editor of The Banker in 1926 and the chairman of the modern-day Financial Times from 1945 to 1958. Brendan Bracken epitomises the global spirit, vision and integrity of The Banker and the FT Group, and the winning of a Bracken is a fitting accolade for the performances of the world’s top financial institutions.
