Slow but steady growth seems to be the order of the day for banks in the Middle East, with most countries in the region having something to cheer.

Asset quality in Greece deteriorated sharply, while remaining weak in Spain, Ireland and Slovenia. By contrast, non-performing loans are falling steadily in the US.

China's banking dominance has extended into the net interest income rankings, though the trading income tables have a more old-world feel to them.

Little has changed among the leading western European banks over the course of the past year, despite the best efforts of the region's authorities.

The global trend for loan-to-deposit ratios was one of decline in 2012, though Latin America did experience a notable growth in this field.

South Africa's lenders still dominate Africa's banking landscape, but their sluggish 2012 means that the rest are making up ground.

On first glance, the Asia-Pacific top 25 excluding China and Japan has a familiar look to it, with Australian banks dominating. However, closer examination shows growth stories from across the whole region.

Home to the largest bank in the world by Tier 1 capital – Industrial and Commercial Bank of China – and three other members of the top 10, China's dominance at the top of the global banking scene is now there for all to see.

The sluggish growth that has existed in Japan's banking sector in recent years shows little sign of ending.

Soundness levels among the world's banks are showing a slight sign of improvement, though familiar names still feature at the top of the rankings.