Emerging market banks have put in an impressive performance in this year’s cost-to-income ratio ranking, which highlights how efficient they have been. China dominates with Russian and Brazilian names following closely, while the US is conspicuous by its absence. Silvia Pavoni reports.
Latest articles from Top 1000 World Banks

Top 1000 World Banks 2017
July 2, 2017With capital levels now under control, The Banker's Top 1000 World Banks ranking shows that the global banking sector’s biggest problem is profitability. Emerging market lenders have proven resilient to the commodity crunch and their national crises, but their European rivals are struggling, and there is more than interest rates to blame. By Danielle Myles.
Top 1000 World Banks - Mexico retains ROA laurels while CEE improves
July 2, 2017The return-on-assets ratio reveals how efficiently assets are being used to make a profit, and so is closely watched by bank management. This year’s winner is Mexico’s Banco Compartamos.
Top 1000 World Banks - Europe continues to grapple with NPLs
July 2, 2017Western Europe continues to suffer from bad loans, with Greece and Cyprus among the worst affected. Meanwhile, Iran suffered the lowest capital ratio result and Japan’s capital adequacy is deteriorating.
Top 1000 World Banks - LTDs continue on downward trajectory
July 2, 2017Loan-to-deposit ratios are generally on a downward trend, apart from in Asia Pacific, North America and the Middle East, with most of the world’s biggest banks in the 75% to 100% bracket.
Top 1000 World Banks - Global soundness improves but weaknesses persists in Europe
July 2, 2017While in general the Top 1000 banks present a better picture with regards to capital adequacy, western Europe is lagging the trend. Joy Macknight reports.
Top 1000 World Banks - Japan's strength fails to translate into global gains
July 2, 2017While the domestic performance of Japan’s banks has been generally positive, the global ranking sees more of them losing ground or remaining static rather than improving on last year’s positions. Stefania Palma reports.
Top 1000 World Banks - US and Russia take highest mover honours
July 2, 2017The US has knocked China off top slot in the highest movers league, despite having the same number of banks in the ranking as last year. Meanwhile, Russian banks have made an impressive return to the top 25, after several years’ absence. Joy Macknight reports.
Top 1000 World Banks - JPMorgan takes trading crown from Goldman Sachs
July 2, 2017After four years at the top of the trading income table, Goldman Sachs has been relegated to second place, as JPMorgan posts a 12% increase. Joy Macknight reports.
Top 1000 World Banks - Citizens Bank leads list of newcomers
July 2, 2017Banks new to the Top 1000 hail from a greater variety of regions this year, with the US leading the pack. Meanwhile, Chinese and Russian banks lead the chase back into the rankings. James King reports.