The Asia-Pacific region retains its global dominance, with the most banks in the Top 1000 and the biggest share of Tier 1 capital.
Latest articles from Brian Caplen
US banks top banking brands ranking 2013
February 12, 2013The brand value of US banks has reached a new high, with four of the top five banks in The Banker's Top 500 Banking Brands ranking domiciled in the country.
Europe issues hang heavy over Sweden's finance minister
February 1, 2013It may not be part of the struggling eurozone but Sweden is suffering its very own Europe-related problems. Its finance minister, Anders Borg, tells The Banker why he does not want the UK to leave the EU, what difficulties could be posed by the formation of a banking union and where the responsibility for bailing out banks should lie.
The Top 500 Banking Brands 2013
February 1, 2013The brand value of US banks has reached a new high, while emerging economies such as Brazil and China also stand out in this year’s Top 500 Banking Brands ranking.
Luxembourg finance minister: Europe’s need for integration
January 2, 2013Luxembourg’s finance minister, Luc Frieden, talks to Brian Caplen about solving Greece’s financial problems, the prospects for a European banking union and the need to find a balance in financial regulation.
Emilio Botín: the secret of Santander's success
January 2, 2013Emilio Botín, the chairman of Banco Santander, explains how the bank's geographical diversification and philosophy of operating standalone subsidiaries has helped it thrive during the worst years of the crisis, and stand it in good stead for the future.
Germany's template for reform in Europe
January 2, 2013Former German chancellor Gerhard Schröder thinks that the rest of Europe needs to follow the reform programme he pioneered for Germany. This, coupled with the establishment of a true political union, will help Europe's damaged economy to recover and rebuild itself.
Austrian banks bear the brunt of government's strict measures
September 3, 2012Austria's government, driven an agenda to ensure that tax-payers do not pay for the financial crisis, which has seen it implement strict measures to fast-track compliance with Basel III rules, appears to show no sign of relenting in its dealings with the country's embattled banks.
Banking must be a risky business
July 24, 2012Regulators are keen to make the banking sector more stable and reliable, but by eliminating risk they are stripping banks of their most useful function.
Mixed returns for Europe's savings banks
July 10, 2012While Spanish savings banks have recorded negative returns, the same sector in both Germany and Italy is not only showing positive return on assets but also better performance than the rest of the industry.