The debacles of 2023 clearly illustrated that a bank’s financial stability must never be taken for granted.
Overall performance of eurozone banks has been solid this year as generally well-capitalized institutions have reported sustained profitability. With the IMF forecasting GDP growth of only 0.9% for 2023 and 1.5% next year for the region, many institutions are aggressively boosting loan-loss reserves. Western Europe’s strength is reflected in our global rankings, the region claiming nine of the top 10 spots and 42 entries in the top 100 overall. France leads the region with nine.
Notable shifts include UBS falling 11 places to No. 48 following its takeover of Credit Suisse. Caisse des Depots et Consignations fell one place thanks to a Fitch downgrade while Deutsche Apotheker- und Aerztebank fell 17 spots to No. 52 thanks to Moody withdrawing its ratings. Others enjoyed happier ratings results. SFIL benefitted from a Moody’s upgrade, raising it six places from its rank last year.
The Asia-Pacific region is well-represented with 26 names among the World’s 100 Safest Banks. Singapore leads with three big banks—DBS, Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. and United Overseas Bank. Australasia placed six with Kiwibank benefitting from a Fitch upgrade rising to No. 44.
In North America, Canada tops the region with RBC at No. 10, and a total of seven banks among the 100 safest. In the United States, the Federal Farm Credit banks fell up to eight places each following Fitch’s August downgrade of the US sovereign rating. Still, they remain the highest-ranking institutions in the US, which has 10 banks on the list, the most of any one country.
Institutions in the bottom half of the top 100 show increased regional representation. These banks upped the tally for the Asia-Pacific region adding 18 banks, largely from China and South Korea, for an overall total of 26 institutions in the top 100, and reflects four additional UAE domiciled banks for a total of five overall.
It also includes banks in new regions notably in Central and Eastern Europe with Komercni Banka of the Czech Republic and ING Bank Slaski in Poland, and in Latin America with Scotiabank Chile.
Methodology: Behind the Rankings
Global Finance ranks the world’s largest 500 banks by asset size, calculated based on long-term foreign currency ratings issued by Fitch Ratings, Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s Investors Service. Where possible, ratings on holding companies rather than operating companies are used, and banks that are wholly owned by other banks are omitted. Within each rank set, banks are organized according to asset size based on data for the most recent annual reporting period provided by Fitch Solutions and Moody’s.
Ratings are reproduced with permission from the three rating agencies, with all rights reserved. A ranking is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold a security, and it does not comment on market price or suitability for a particular investor. All ratings in the tables were valid as of August 18, 2023.
Global Top 50 | |||||||||||
Rank | Name | Domicile | Fitch Rating | Fitch Score | Moody’s Rating | Moody’s Score | S&P Rating | S&P Score | Total Score | Total Assets (USD million) |
Report Date |
1 | KfW | Germany | AAA | 10 | Aaa | 10 | AAA | 10 | 30 | 591,565.97 | 12/31/22 |
2 | Zuercher Kantonalbank | Switzerland | AAA | 10 | Aaa | 10 | AAA | 10 | 30 | 214,759.75 | 12/31/22 |
3 | BNG Bank | Netherlands | AAA | 10 | Aaa | 10 | AAA | 10 | 30 | 135,520.06 | 12/31/22 |
4 | Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank | Germany | AAA | 10 | Aaa | 10 | AAA | 10 | 30 | 103,749.31 | 12/31/22 |
5 | L-Bank | Germany | AAA | 10 | Aaa | 10 | AA+ | 9 | 29 | 99,421.48 | 12/31/22 |
6 | Nederlandse Waterschapsbank | Netherlands | NR | 9 | Aaa | 10 | AAA | 10 | 29 | 89,068.91 | 12/31/22 |
7 | Kommunalbanken | Norway | NR | 9 | Aaa | 10 | AAA | 10 | 29 | 46,080.60 | 12/31/22 |
8 | NRW.BANK | Germany | AAA | 10 | Aa1 | 9 | AA | 8 | 27 | 168,359.64 | 12/31/22 |
9 | Swedish Export Credit Corporation | Sweden | NR | 8 | Aa1 | 9 | AA+ | 9 | 26 | 34,166.71 | 12/31/22 |
10 | Royal Bank of Canada | Canada | AA- | 7 | Aa1 | 9 | AA- | 7 | 23 | 1,359,411.00 | 1/31/23 |
11 | Caisse des Depots et Consignations | France | AA- | 7 | Aa2 | 8 | AA | 8 | 23 | 1,117,393.00 | 12/31/22 |
12 | DBS Bank | Singapore | AA- | 7 | Aa1 | 9 | AA- | 7 | 23 | 552,854.38 | 12/31/22 |
13 | Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp | Singapore | AA- | 7 | Aa1 | 9 | AA- | 7 | 23 | 417,503.73 | 12/31/22 |
14 | United Overseas Bank | Singapore | AA- | 7 | Aa1 | 9 | AA- | 7 | 23 | 375,026.03 | 12/31/22 |
15 | Svenska Handelsbanken | Sweden | AA | 8 | Aa2 | 8 | AA- | 7 | 23 | 331,218.63 | 12/31/22 |
16 | Korea Development Bank | South Korea | AA- | 7 | Aa2 | 8 | AA | 8 | 23 | 277,505.76 | 12/31/22 |
17 | Export-Import Bank of Korea | South Korea | AA- | 7 | Aa2 | 8 | AA | 8 | 23 | 96,523.71 | 12/31/22 |
18 | SFIL | France | NR | 7 | Aa2 | 8 | AA | 8 | 23 | 68,478.77 | 12/31/22 |
19 | Banque Cantonale Vaudoise | Switzerland | NR | 7 | Aa2 | 8 | AA | 8 | 23 | 64,203.00 | 12/31/22 |
20 | Banque et Caisse d’Epargne de l’Etat | Luxembourg | NR | 7 | Aa3 | 7 | AA+ | 9 | 23 | 61,261.00 | 12/31/22 |
21 | Toronto-Dominion Bank | Canada | AA- | 7 | Aa2 | 8 | AA- | 7 | 22 | 1,382,500.84 | 1/31/23 |
22 | Industrial Bank of Korea | South Korea | AA- | 7 | Aa2 | 8 | AA- | 7 | 22 | 338,515.56 | 12/31/22 |
23 | DNB Bank | Norway | NR | 6.5 | Aa2 | 8 | AA- | 7 | 21.5 | 290,199.27 | 9/30/22 |
24 | Bank of Taiwan | Taiwan | NR | 6.5 | Aa3 | 7 | AA | 8 | 21.5 | 201,017.82 | 12/31/22 |
25 | Banque Pictet & Cie | Switzerland | AA- | 7 | Aa2 | 8 | NR | 6.5 | 21.5 | 48,513.00 | 12/31/22 |
26 | Bank of Nova Scotia | Canada | AA- | 7 | Aa2 | 8 | A+ | 6 | 21 | 992,680.33 | 1/31/23 |
27 | Bank of Montreal | Canada | AA- | 7 | Aa2 | 8 | A+ | 6 | 21 | 829,719.22 | 1/31/23 |
28 | Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce | Canada | AA- | 7 | Aa2 | 8 | A+ | 6 | 21 | 666,428.44 | 1/31/23 |
29 | DZ BANK | Germany | AA- | 7 | Aa2 | 8 | A+ | 6 | 21 | 665,986.42 | 12/31/22 |
30 | Nordea Bank | Finland | AA- | 7 | Aa3 | 7 | AA- | 7 | 21 | 634,460.34 | 12/31/22 |
31 | First Abu Dhabi Bank | Uae | AA- | 7 | Aa3 | 7 | AA- | 7 | 21 | 302,249.36 | 12/31/22 |
32 | Hang Seng Bank | Hong Kong | AA- | 7 | Aa3 | 7 | AA- | 7 | 21 | 242,546.75 | 12/31/22 |
33 | Federation des Caisses Desjardins du Quebec | Canada | AA- | 7 | Aa2 | 8 | A+ | 6 | 21 | 147,768.45 | 12/31/20 |
34 | Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe | Germany | A+ | 6 | Aa2 | 8 | NR | 6 | 20 | 1,755,652.50 | 12/31/21 |
35 | Commonwealth Bank of Australia | Australia | A+ | 6 | Aa3 | 7 | AA- | 7 | 20 | 817,006.50 | 12/31/22 |
36 | ANZ Group | Australia | A+ | 6 | Aa3 | 7 | AA- | 7 | 20 | 744,502.00 | 3/31/23 |
37 | National Australia Bank | Australia | A+ | 6 | Aa3 | 7 | AA- | 7 | 20 | 702,098.00 | 3/31/23 |
38 | Westpac | Australia | A+ | 6 | Aa3 | 7 | AA- | 7 | 20 | 682,555.00 | 3/31/23 |
39 | Rabobank | Netherlands | A+ | 6 | Aa2 | 8 | A+ | 6 | 20 | 670,371.68 | 12/31/22 |
40 | SEB | Sweden | AA- | 7 | Aa3 | 7 | A+ | 6 | 20 | 339,057.54 | 12/31/22 |
41 | Swedbank | Sweden | AA- | 7 | Aa3 | 7 | A+ | 6 | 20 | 273,788.61 | 12/31/22 |
42 | AgriBank | United States | A+ | 6 | Aa3 | 7 | AA- | 7 | 20 | 156,463.00 | 12/31/22 |
43 | OP Corporate Bank | Finland | NR | 6 | Aa3 | 7 | AA- | 7 | 20 | 100,532.56 | 12/31/22 |
44 | Kiwibank | New Zealand | AA | 8 | A1 | 6 | NR | 6 | 20 | 21,103.63 | 12/31/22 |
45 | Agence France Locale | France | NR | 6 | Aa3 | 7 | AA- | 7 | 20 | 8,550.57 | 12/31/22 |
46 | BNP Paribas | France | A+ | 6 | Aa3 | 7 | A+ | 6 | 19 | 2,843,955.42 | 12/31/22 |
47 | Credit Agricole | France | A+ | 6 | Aa3 | 7 | A+ | 6 | 19 | 2,537,568.30 | 12/31/22 |
48 | UBS | Switzerland | A+ | 6 | Aa3 | 7 | A+ | 6 | 19 | 1,105,436.00 | 12/31/22 |
49 | Banque Federative du Credit Mutuel | France | A+ | 6 | Aa3 | 7 | A+ | 6 | 19 | 735,487.58 | 12/31/22 |
50 | HSBC Continental Europe | France | AA- | 7 | A1 | 6 | A+ | 6 | 19 | 298,310.83 | 12/31/22 |
WORLD’S SAFEST BANKS 2023—TOP 10 BY REGION
North America | |||||||||||
Rank | Name | Domicile | Fitch Rating | Fitch Score | Moody’s Rating | Moody’s Score | S&P Rating | S&P Score | Total Score | Total Assets (USD million) |
Report Date |
1 | Royal Bank of Canada | Canada | AA- | 7 | Aa1 | 9 | AA- | 7 | 23 | 1,445,641 | 4/30/22 |
2 | Toronto-Dominion Bank | Canada | AA- | 7 | Aa2 | 8 | AA- | 7 | 22 | 1,427,441 | 4/30/22 |
3 | Bank of Nova Scotia | Canada | AA- | 7 | Aa2 | 8 | A+ | 6 | 21 | 1,007,647 | 4/30/22 |
4 | Bank of Montreal | Canada | AA- | 7 | Aa2 | 8 | A+ | 6 | 21 | 814,536 | 4/30/22 |
5 | Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce | Canada | AA- | 7 | Aa2 | 8 | A+ | 6 | 21 | 699,251 | 4/30/22 |
6 | Federation des Caisses Desjardins du Quebec | Canada | AA- | 7 | Aa2 | 8 | A+ | 6 | 21 | 151,736 | 12/31/20 |
7 | AgriBank | United States | AA- | 7 | Aa3 | 7 | AA- | 7 | 21 | 142,417 | 12/31/21 |
8 | CoBank | United States | AA- | 7 | NR | 6 | AA- | 7 | 20 | 170,306 | 12/31/21 |
9 | AgFirst | United States | AA- | 7 | Aa3 | 7 | NR | 6 | 20 | 39,275 | 12/31/21 |
10 | Farm Credit Bank of Texa s | United States | AA- | 7 | Aa3 | 7 | NR | 6 | 20 | 33,093 | 12/31/21 |
Latin America | |||||||||||
Rank | Name | Domicile | Fitch Rating | Fitch Score | Moody’s Rating | Moody’s Score | S&P Rating | S&P Score | Total Score | Total Assets (USD million) |
Report Date |
1 | Scotiabank Chile | Chile | A+ | 6 | NR | 4.5 | A | 5 | 15.5 | 53,587 | 12/31/22 |
2 | Banco del Estado de Chile | Chile | NR | 4 | A2 | 5 | A | 5 | 14 | 67,012 | 12/31/22 |
3 | Banco de Chile | Chile | NR | 4 | A2 | 5 | A | 5 | 14 | 64,858 | 12/31/22 |
4 | Banco de Credito e Inversiones | Chile | A- | 4 | A2 | 5 | A- | 4 | 13 | 91,612 | 12/31/22 |
5 | Banco Santander-Chile | Chile | NR | 3.5 | A2 | 5 | A- | 4 | 12.5 | 80,010 | 12/31/22 |
6 | Banco Itau Chile | Chile | NR | 2.5 | A3 | 4 | BBB+ | 3 | 9.5 | 47,543 | 12/31/22 |
7 | Banco Santander Mexico | Mexico | BBB+ | 3 | Baa1 | 3 | NR | 2 | 8 | 94,635 | 12/31/22 |
8 | Scotiabank Perú | Peru | BBB+ | 3 | Baa1 | 3 | BBB | 2 | 8 | 19,834 | 12/31/22 |
9 | Banco BICE | Chile | BBB+ | 3 | NR | 2 | BBB+ | 3 | 8 | 12,295 | 12/31/22 |
10 | Banco de Credito del Peru | Peru | BBB | 2 | Baa1 | 3 | BBB | 2 | 7 | 50,106 | 12/31/22 |
Western Europe | |||||||||||
Rank | Name | Domicile | Fitch Rating | Fitch Score | Moody’s Rating | Moody’s Score | S&P Rating | S&P Score | Total Score | Total Assets (USD million) |
Report Date |
1 | KfW | Germany | AAA | 10 | Aaa | 10 | AAA | 10 | 30 | 591,566 | 12/31/22 |
2 | Zuercher Kantonalbank | Switzerland | AAA | 10 | Aaa | 10 | AAA | 10 | 30 | 214,760 | 12/31/22 |
3 | BNG Bank | Netherlands | AAA | 10 | Aaa | 10 | AAA | 10 | 30 | 135,520 | 12/31/22 |
4 | Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank | Germany | AAA | 10 | Aaa | 10 | AAA | 10 | 30 | 103,749 | 12/31/22 |
5 | L-Bank | Germany | AAA | 10 | Aaa | 10 | AA+ | 9 | 29 | 99,421 | 12/31/22 |
6 | Nederlandse Waterschapsbank | Netherlands | NR | 9 | Aaa | 10 | AAA | 10 | 29 | 89,069 | 12/31/22 |
7 | Kommunalbanken | Norway | NR | 9 | Aaa | 10 | AAA | 10 | 29 | 46,081 | 12/31/22 |
8 | NRW.BANK | Germany | AAA | 10 | Aa1 | 9 | AA | 8 | 27 | 168,360 | 12/31/22 |
9 | Swedish Export Credit Corporation | Sweden | NR | 8 | Aa1 | 9 | AA+ | 9 | 26 | 34,167 | 12/31/22 |
10 | Caisse des Depots et Consignations | France | AA- | 7 | Aa2 | 8 | AA | 8 | 23 | 1,117,393 | 12/31/22 |
Central and Eastern Europe and Former Soviet Union | |||||||||||
Rank | Name | Domicile | Fitch Rating | Fitch Score | Moody’s Rating | Moody’s Score | S&P Rating | S&P Score | Total Score | Total Assets (USD million) |
Report Date |
1 | Komercni Banka | Czech Republic | A | 5 | A1 | 6 | A | 5 | 16 | 57,661 | 12/31/22 |
2 | ING Bank Slaski | Poland | A+ | 6 | A2 | 5 | NR | 4.5 | 15.5 | 49,358 | 12/31/22 |
3 | Santander Bank Polska | Poland | BBB+ | 3 | A2 | 5 | NR | 3 | 11 | 58,878 | 12/31/22 |
4 | Bank Pekao | Poland | BBB | 2 | A2 | 5 | BBB+ | 3 | 10 | 63,869 | 12/31/22 |
5 | Nova Ljubljanska banka | Slovenia | NR | 2 | A3 | 4 | BBB | 2 | 8 | 25,718 | 12/31/22 |
6 | Banca Comerciala Romana | Romania | BBB+ | 3 | Baa1 | 3 | NR | 2 | 8 | 21,329 | 12/31/22 |
7 | BRD – Groupe Societe Generale | Romania | BBB+ | 3 | Baa1 | 3 | NR | 2 | 8 | 15,933 | 12/31/22 |
8 | mBank | Poland | BBB- | 1 | Baa1 | 3 | BBB | 2 | 6 | 47,852 | 12/31/22 |
9 | Development Bank of Kazakhstan | Kazakhstan | BBB | 2 | Baa2 | 2 | BBB- | 1 | 5 | 8,522 | 12/31/22 |
10 | MFB Hungarian Development Bank | Hungary | BBB | 2 | Baa2 | 2 | NR | 1 | 5 | 7,969 | 12/31/22 |
Asia | |||||||||||
Rank | Name | Domicile | Fitch Rating | Fitch Score | Moody’s Rating | Moody’s Score | S&P Rating | S&P Score | Total Score | Total Assets (USD million) |
Report Date |
1 | DBS Bank | Singapore | AA- | 7 | Aa1 | 9 | AA- | 7 | 23 | 552,854 | 12/31/22 |
2 | Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp | Singapore | AA- | 7 | Aa1 | 9 | AA- | 7 | 23 | 417,504 | 12/31/22 |
3 | United Overseas Bank | Singapore | AA- | 7 | Aa1 | 9 | AA- | 7 | 23 | 375,026 | 12/31/22 |
4 | Korea Development Bank | South Korea | AA- | 7 | Aa2 | 8 | AA | 8 | 23 | 277,506 | 12/31/22 |
5 | Export-Import Bank of Korea | South Korea | AA- | 7 | Aa2 | 8 | AA | 8 | 23 | 96,524 | 12/31/22 |
6 | Industrial Bank of Korea | South Korea | AA- | 7 | Aa2 | 8 | AA- | 7 | 22 | 338,516 | 12/31/22 |
7 | Bank of Taiwan | Taiwan | NR | 6.5 | Aa3 | 7 | AA | 8 | 21.5 | 201,018 | 12/31/22 |
8 | Hang Seng Bank | Hong Kong | AA- | 7 | Aa3 | 7 | AA- | 7 | 21 | 242,547 | 12/31/22 |
9 | China Development Bank | China | A+ | 6 | A1 | 6 | A+ | 6 | 18 | 2,611,377 | 12/31/22 |
10 | Agricultural Development Bank of China | China | A+ | 6 | A1 | 6 | A+ | 6 | 18 | 1,300,658 | 12/31/22 |
Middle East | |||||||||||
Rank | Name | Domicile | Fitch Rating | Fitch Score | Moody’s Rating | Moody’s Score | S&P Rating | S&P Score | Total Score | Total Assets (USD million) | Report Date |
1 | First Abu Dhabi Bank | United Arab Emirates | AA- | 7 | Aa3 | 7 | AA- | 7 | 21 | 302,249 | 12/31/22 |
2 | Qatar National Bank | Qatar | A | 5 | Aa3 | 7 | A+ | 6 | 18 | 326,552 | 12/31/22 |
3 | Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank | United Arab Emirates | A+ | 6 | A1 | 6 | A | 5 | 17 | 135,554 | 12/31/22 |
4 | National Bank of Kuwait | Kuwait | A+ | 6 | A1 | 6 | A | 5 | 17 | 118,733 | 12/31/22 |
5 | Emirates NBD Bank | United Arab Emirates | A+ | 6 | A2 | 5 | NR | 4.5 | 15.5 | 202,023 | 12/31/22 |
6 | Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank | United Arab Emirates | A+ | 6 | A2 | 5 | NR | 4.5 | 15.5 | 45,884 | 12/31/22 |
7 | Bank Leumi | Israel | A | 5 | A2 | 5 | A | 5 | 15 | 198,148 | 12/31/22 |
8 | Bank Hapoalim | Israel | A | 5 | A2 | 5 | A | 5 | 15 | 188,565 | 12/31/22 |
9 | Boubyan Bank | Kuwait | A | 5 | A2 | 5 | A | 5 | 15 | 25,750 | 12/31/22 |
10 | Saudi National Bank | Saudi Arabia | A- | 4 | A1 | 6 | A- | 4 | 14 | 251,596 | 12/31/22 |
Australasia | |||||||||||
Rank | Name | Domicile | Fitch Rating | Fitch Score | Moody’s Rating | Moody’s Score | S&P Rating | S&P Score | Total Score | Total Assets (USD million) |
Report Date |
1 | Commonwealth Bank of Australia | Australia | A+ | 6 | Aa3 | 7 | AA- | 7 | 20 | 817,007 | 12/31/22 |
2 | Australia and New Zealand Banking Group | Australia | A+ | 6 | Aa3 | 7 | AA- | 7 | 20 | 744,234 | 3/31/23 |
3 | National Australia Bank | Australia | A+ | 6 | Aa3 | 7 | AA- | 7 | 20 | 702,098 | 3/31/23 |
4 | Westpac | Australia | A+ | 6 | Aa3 | 7 | AA- | 7 | 20 | 682,555 | 3/31/23 |
5 | Kiwibank | New Zealand | AA | 8 | A1 | 6 | NR | 6 | 20 | 21,104 | 12/31/22 |
6 | Suncorp-Metway | Australia | A | 5 | A1 | 6 | A+ | 6 | 17 | 54,129 | 12/31/22 |
7 | Macquarie Group | Australia | A | 5 | A2 | 5 | BBB+ | 3 | 13 | 260,340 | 3/31/23 |
8 | Bank of Queensland | Australia | A- | 4 | A3 | 4 | BBB+ | 3 | 11 | 70,829 | 2/28/23 |
9 | Bendigo and Adelaide Bank | Australia | A- | 4 | A3 | 4 | BBB+ | 3 | 11 | 65,541 | 12/31/22 |
10 | Newcastle Greater Mutual Group | Australia | NR | 2 | A3 | 4 | BBB | 2 | 8 | 13,498 | 6/30/23 |
Africa | |||||||||||
Rank | Name | Domicile | Fitch Rating | Fitch Score | Moody’s Rating | Moody’s Score | S&P Rating | S&P Score | Total Score | Total Assets (USD million) |
Report Date |
1 | Attijariwafa Bank | Morocco | BB | -2 | Ba1 | -1 | BB | -2 | -5 | 60,948 | 12/31/22 |
2 | Groupe Banque Centrale Populaire | Morocco | NR | -2.5 | Ba1 | -1 | BB | -2 | -5.5 | 47,873 | 12/31/22 |
3 | Bank of Africa | Morocco | BB | -2 | Ba1 | -1 | NR | -2.5 | -5.5 | 36,673 | 12/31/22 |
4 | FirstRand Bank | South Africa | BB- | -3 | Ba2 | -2 | BB- | -3 | -8 | 90,118 | 12/31/22 |
5 | Nedbank | South Africa | BB- | -3 | Ba2 | -2 | BB- | -3 | -8 | 73,213 | 12/31/22 |
6 | Investec Bank | South Africa | BB- | -3 | Ba2 | -2 | BB- | -3 | -8 | 33,523 | 3/31/23 |
7 | Standard Bank Group | South Africa | BB- | -3 | Ba3 | -3 | NR | -4 | -10 | 168,508 | 12/31/22 |
8 | Absa Group | South Africa | BB- | -3 | Ba3 | -3 | NR | -4 | -10 | 104,780 | 12/31/22 |
9 | National Bank of Egypt | Egypt | B | -5 | B3 | -6 | B | -5 | -16 | 176,376 | 12/31/22 |
10 | Banque Misr | Egypt | B | -5 | B3 | -6 | B | -5 | -16 | 104,129 | 12/31/22 |
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