Banks
calendar iconMay 11, 2021
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The best banks in the world in 2021 according to Global Finance

16 banks became leaders in the "The World’s Best Banks 2021" rating from Global Finance. The magazine’s experts evaluated the quality of banks in more than 160 countries around the world and chose the best in 18 categories.

We will tell you which banks have become the most reliable in terms of financial performance and quality of service.

Vladlena Baranova
Vladlena Baranova

Lawyer, AML Compliance officer, certified CAMS specialist

Best banks in the world in 2021

The best banks in the world in 2021 according to Global Finance

The American magazine Global Finance was founded in 1987 and is read in 191 countries around the world. The magazine’s audience includes CEOs and CFOs who make investment and strategic decisions every day in multinational companies and financial institutions.

The Global Finance website contains analytical reviews and articles. The editorial office of the magazine is located in New York, and correspondents — around the world.

Global Finance ranks banks and ranks the best for 28 consecutive years. In 2021, the magazine took into account the role of banks in the recovery of national economies during and after the pandemic.

Banks are evaluated by both objective and subjective parameters. The editors of the magazine studied the attitude of banks to customers in difficult situations, the level of service, work in difficult markets, such as border markets, and also interviewed experts and analysts involved in banking.

The best international banks in the world in 2021

Category

Winner

Best Bank in The World

Best Corporate Bank

Best Consumer Bank

Best Emerging Markets Bank

Best Frontier Markets Bank

Best Global Transaction Bank

Best Sub-custodian Bank

Best Bank For Sustainable Finance

Best Investment Bank

Best Private Bank

All nominations on Global Finance website

J.P. Morgan — an American multinational corporation and the largest bank in the world headquartered in New York. J.P. Morgan won in three categories of the rating: became the "best bank in the world in 2021", "best private bank" and "best investment bank".

Bank branches operate in more than 100 countries around the world. Global Finance noted J.P. Morgan for its large audience, the bank’s digital strategy and commitment to sustainability.

BBVA or Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, became the leader among consumer banks. BBVA is a Spanish bank headquartered in the old quarter of Bilbao. The bank opened for the Spaniards in 1857, and in 1902 began to provide services to foreign citizens.

Customers receive a large package of digital banking services. The bank improves online services and creates new products every year. Therefore, in 2020, three applications were launched:

  • Global NetCash — provides electronic access to account information and helps to do business in Europe, the USA and South America;

  • BBVA Empresas — allows small and medium-sized companies and the self-employed to manage their business from mobile phones;

  • Banco de Barrio — an application of the Mexican branch of the bank aimed at promoting services and digitalization among Latin American customers.

Royal Bank of Canada — is the largest Canadian bank and 12th in the world by market capitalization. It was founded in 1864 in Halifax. The Bank is a financial corporation: it includes private and commercial banking, wealth management, insurance, investment and custody services.

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China or ICBC — is the largest Chinese commercial bank. It is included in the "Big Four" state-owned banks in the country. The bank was opened in 1984. ICBC provides services to corporate clients of private and public companies, as well as individuals.

Societe Generale — French financial conglomerate, one of the leaders of the banking sector in the country and the world. The bank was founded in 1864 and is headquartered in the business district of La Defense in the suburbs of Paris. Societe Generale serves both citizens of France and other EU countries, as well as foreigners. The bank provides a wide range of services: from opening a personal account to consulting and financing other banks.

BNP Paribas has won the nomination of the best bank for global transactions. The bank was founded in France and is considered the European leader in the global financial services market. Standard & Poor’s agency also names it one of the 10 strongest banks in the world.

The best banks in the world by region

The most technologically advanced banks became the leaders of the regions. It was the pandemic that pushed customers to actively use online services. The leading banks confirmed their financial stability, reliability and high asset quality. We talked about the best regional banks in the material of “9 most reliable banks in the region in 2021”.

The most reliable banks in the world by region in 2021

Region

Bank

African

Asia-Pacific

Caribbean

Central America

Central and Eastern Europe

Latin America

Middle East

Northern America

Eastern Europe

The best banks in Europe in countries with investment programs

Global Finance separately assessed European banks. For the analysis, the same indicators were used as when choosing the best banks in the world.

The cost of services is determined by the bank. It is more difficult for foreigners to become clients of European banks. For the citizens of the country, the conditions are usually more favorable, and the attitude towards them is more loyal. Therefore, investors receive a residence permit or citizenship in order to conduct business settlements and keep savings on more favorable terms.

Leading banks in European countries with investment programs

mt-flag Malta also offers to foreigners to acquire a citizenship through naturalization by direct investment for exceptional services. The minimum investment amount is 690,000 €. First the investor receives a residence permit for one or three years, and then they can apply for citizenship.

Residence permit and second citizenship help to forget about visa restrictions and create an alternative place of residence. They also make it possible to use not only banking services, but also receive medical care in the country, apply the child to a kindergarten or school.

Residence permit in Europe for investment: in which countries you can get it

Together with investors, a residence permit or citizenship can be obtained by his family. The composition of participants depends on the specific country, for example, Portugal allows you to add a spouse, children under 26 years old and parents to the application for a residence permit

Immigrant Invest — a licensed agent who helps to obtain a residence permit or a second citizenship by investment. If you want to become a resident or citizen of a European country, please contact our investment program experts for advice.