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.
Latest articles from Best-performing banks
Invention, innovation and implementation
November 3, 2008Islamic 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, 2008Despite 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, 2008In 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, 2008Asian 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, 2008Total 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, 2008UK 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, 2008The 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, 2008The 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, 2008South 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%.