For the second year in a row, US community bank United National tops the league tables for this profitability metric.
Top 1000 World Banks - Results and Summary

It has been another turbulent year for the global economy and the banking sector. Yet both have remained remarkably resilient, in no small part due to government and central bank fiscal support programmes.
Global aggregate Tier 1 capital and assets have continued their onward march upwards. Global pre-tax profits have also bounced back from their slump last year. But the aggregate figures mask some significant regional, and country-specific variations. China remains strong, the US has bounced back, for Europe challenges remain. Marie Kemplay takes a deep dive into the data.
TOP 1000 WORLD BANKS - RANKINGS BY BANK | TOP 1000 WORLD BANKS - RANKINGS BY COUNTRY | |
Regions and Best-performing Banks by Country
REGIONS BY TIER 1 CAPITAL |
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Asia-Pacific |
Africa |
Europe |
LatAm |
Middle East |
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BEST-PERFORMING BANKS BY COUNTRY |
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Brazil |
Canada |
China |
Colombia |
France |
Germany |
Indonesia |
Italy |
Japan |
Mexico |
Nigeria |
Poland |
Saudi Arabia |
South Africa |
Spain |
South Korea |
Taiwan |
Turkey |
UK |
US |
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Highest movers - Welcome back and new arrivals - Return on Assets
US banks make up almost half of newcomers
July 4, 2022Banks from the US dominate the new entrants to the Top 1000 World Banks ranking, which saw 21 first-timers this year.
Swedish lenders top highest movers
July 4, 2022Swedish banks Nordax and Klarna top the highest movers list, which is still dominated by banks from the Americas and Asia-Pacific.
Top 1000 World Banks 2022 - Latest Articles
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Top 1000 World Banks 2022
July 4, 2022It has been another turbulent year for the global economy and the banking sector. How is the health of the sector looking as we enter the next economic phase?
Mixed fortunes for European banks’ capital positions
July 4, 2022It was a mixed picture for European banks’ capital positions in 2021, with almost every lender in the top 10 table for central and eastern Europe seeing a rise in their Tier 1 capital, yet the opposite was true for western Europe.
Société Générale crowned best-performing French lender
July 4, 2022France’s largest banks are well positioned to absorb the blows from risks stemming from exposure to Russia, after rebounding from the Covid-19 pandemic in impressive fashion.
German banks in good health but face increasing competition
July 4, 2022Germany’s biggest lenders have remained stable during the past few years, but one of the major issues the country’s banks face is increased competition from peers in the eurozone.
Mediolanum tops performance ranking for Italian banks
July 4, 2022Italian lenders are on track for a good recovery after being hit hard by Covid-19, but they still face several risks.
Polish banks benefit from rising rates
July 4, 2022A rapid economic recovery has given a boost to Poland’s banks, but a slowdown from high inflation is on the way, driving up the cost of risk for banks.
Bankinter shines brightest among Spain’s banks
July 4, 2022Spain’s banking sector is on a steady course in its recovery, but improving profitability is the biggest challenge facing Spanish lenders.
Isbank best performer in Turkey amid challenges
July 4, 2022The country’s banks have coped well during the pandemic, but big challenges still lie ahead.
Lloyds Bank delivers strong performance
July 4, 2022The UK banking sector had a strong year in 2021, as the economy rebounded with impressive growth. Burhan Khadbai reports.
CommBank tops Asia-Pacific table
July 4, 2022In the Asia-Pacific excluding China and Japan table, Australia has enjoyed another successful year, with South Korea also making a strong appearance.
China’s big four remain at top of ranking
July 4, 2022There is little change at the top of the Top 1000 World Banks ranking, as Chinese megalenders keep a tight grip on the top four places.
Indonesia’s banks stage solid recovery
July 4, 2022After a difficult year in the 2021 Top 1000 ranking, many Indonesian banks have improved their positions in 2022.
Japan’s banks feel the strain, but MUFG remains on top
July 4, 2022Japan’s banks have struggled during the past year, with declines in Tier 1 capital seeing them slide down the 2022 ranking.
Digital banks make inroads in South Korea
July 4, 2022The emerging digital banking sector in South Korea, led by KakaoBank, is racing ahead of the incumbents.
Taiwan’s banks hold steady in their ranking
July 4, 2022Taiwan’s banks, backed by the country’s solid GDP results, have maintained their overall positions in the Top 1000 ranking.
Latin American banks rebound but face challenges
July 4, 2022Brazilian banks top the regional table once again, led by Itaú Unibanco.
BTG Pactual keeps performance crown, while Itaú gains ground in Brazil
July 4, 2022While Itaú Unibanco remains the largest Brazilian bank, it is the smaller BTG Pactual that outperforms its peers.
RBC crowned best performer in solid year for Canada’s banks
July 4, 2022Canada’s biggest bank has topped the table in profitability and overall performance.
Bancolombia outperforms rivals
July 4, 2022The Colombian banking sector outperformed analysts' expectations in 2021, with improved profitability and higher Tier 1 capital.
Inbursa keeps best-performing crown in Mexico
July 4, 2022Mexico's banks have proved their resiliency, improving asset quality and profitability metrics.
Profitability bounces back at US banks
July 4, 2022Following a profit squeeze last year, the US banks benefitted from a more resilient economy than expected.
SNB crowned as Middle East’s biggest bank
July 4, 2022Saudi’s new megabank has displaced Qatar National Bank at the top of this year’s regional table.
Mortgage boom lifts Saudi lenders
July 4, 2022Saudi lenders continue to advance thanks to economic improvements and government housing initiatives.
Standard Bank’s reign continues as African lenders catch a break
July 4, 2022African lenders regained ground in 2022’s rankings, even as challenges mount in key markets.
Nigeria’s lenders bounce back from challenges
July 4, 2022Zenith Bank held off strong gains by Access Bank to retain its position as Nigeria’s top lender.
South Africa’s big winners: Standard Bank and Investec
July 4, 2022Standard Bank retains its status as Africa’s biggest bank, even as rival FirstRand closes in.