Latest articles from Best-performing banks

A financial oasis in a credit desert

November 3, 2008

In sharia financing, the concept of risk sharing replaces the traditional western model of debt-based finance, offering a potential way of reducing world credit problems in the future. By Joseph DiVanna.

Invention, innovation and implementation

November 3, 2008

Islamic finance is gaining ground as a viable alternative source of finance to Muslim and non-Muslim businesses and consumers, with innovation at the heart of this growing trend. By Joseph DiVanna.

Arab banks prosper from wary approach

November 3, 2008

Despite the volatility of the oil markets, it looks likely that Arab banks’ conservative strategies will insulate them from the worst effects of the global downturn. Writer Stephen Timewell.

Brazilian banks dominate Latin listings

November 3, 2008

In terms of aggregates, the key Latin American banks have grown significantly this year and Brazil is remaining at the forefront with impressive pre-tax profits. Writer Stephen Timewell.

Asia banks increase global role

October 6, 2008

Asian banks have avoided the worst of the credit crunch and shown steady economic growth. China is predictably the big winner, accounting for 41 of the Top 200 and dwarfing India’s aggregate sum. Writer Stephen Timewell.

Success sullied by risk of exposure

October 6, 2008

Total assets among Russia’s banks have posted robust growth in excess of 50% and there have been some structural improvements, but banks remain vulnerable to sudden changes in the health of the national economy and are looking decidedly over concentrated. Writer Stephen Timewell.

UK players maintain sizeable advantage

September 1, 2008

UK banks may have taken significant hits on their profit and loss accounts as a result of the subprime crisis, but they have also strengthened their capital and balance sheets significantly.

The Top 1OOO: how we did it

July 1, 2008

The Top 1000 is a ranking of the world’s commercial banks. Wherever possible, consolidated figures have been taken for the banking group. However, in the case of bancassurance groups, where possible the figures reflect the banking business only.

Emerging economies improve cost/income ratio as the developed world slips back

July 1, 2008

The Banker collects cost/income ratio data from banks as a measure of efficiency among banks across the globe.

African Bank jumps to top of NPL list

July 1, 2008

South Africa’s African Bank, which achieved the highest return on capital among sub-Saharan banks in 2007, at 68.4%, also had the highest disclosed level of non-performing loans (NPLs), at 28.64%.

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