M&As have further cut the number of rankable entries in our listing, which remains dominated by Panama.

South Africa’s ‘big five’ lead The Banker’s Top 100 African banks listing while the impact of Nigeria’s new regulations on bank capitalisation has yet to filter through.

Yet again, Saudi Arabia’s banks dominate The Banker’s Top 100 Arab banks listing but, as Stephen Timewell reports, there is good news across the region.

Independents stay ahead of the pack, acquisitions continue apace and rationalisation is under way.

Despite the massive market correction earlier in the year, there is no sign of Gulf banks’ growth abating as they continue to reap the benefits of the region’s oil-fuelled bonanza. 

Panama’s dominance of the Top 100 has grown and the country is proving attractive for group headquarters.

South African banks head our league table again, with the top five slots and a hefty chunk of Tier 1 capital.

Efforts to overcome the turbulence of 2004 have resulted in a growing economy and a positive outlook.

Runaway profits at Arab financial institutions show no signs of slowing down, as this year’s Top 100 proves.

China usurps Australia for first time as the continent’s principal contributor to aggregate banking profits.