Banking 500 - World's Top Banking Brands
A review of the top financial service brands in the world - the Top 16 to 20 Banking Brands in 2008 are below. Download Full Top 500 Global Banking Brands (PDF).
Our previous ranking used reported financial information through 31/12/05. To ensure this year's brand ranking included the effects of the sub-prime crisis, we have used IBES (Institutional Brokers Estimate System) consensus forecast data to estimate 2007 results, and our ranking compares brand value with market capitalisation as at 31/12/07.
16. Industrial & Commercial Bank of China (2005 ranking: n/a)
Brand Value: $8,427m (2005: n/a)
Brand Rating: A- (2005: n/a)
Country: China
Founded in 1984, ICBC is one of China's “Big Four” state-owned commercial banks. In 2005 ICBC purchased the Hong Kong subsidiary of Fortis Bank and rebranded it as ICBC Asia, and then in October 2007 it acquired 20% of Standard Bank of South Africa for $5.5 billion, representing the biggest foreign acquisition by a Chinese commercial bank. Earlier that year ICBC overtook Citigroup as the world’s most valuable bank, with a market capitalisation of $254 billion.
17. BBVA (2005 ranking: 19)
Brand Value: $8,411m (2005: $7,553m)
Brand Rating: AA- (2005: A+)
Country: Spain
BBV and Argentaria merged in 1999 to form BBVA Group, a global banking group with origins in Spain. In 2000 a single brand "BBVA" was launched to generate a strong image and unique identity for the group. The bank is a key player in the Spanish market and has a leading role in Latin America.
18. China Construction Bank (2005 ranking: n/a)
Brand Value: $7,786m (2005: n/a)
Brand Rating: A- (2005: n/a)
Country: China
China Construction Bank (CCB) is the second newly listed bank to make it into the top 20 most valuable banking brands. In late 2005 CCB made an initial public offering on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Then in 2007, it made China's second-largest initial public offering of $7.6 billion on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. Its brand value of $7,786 million means that this year two Chinese banks have entered into the list of top brands.
19. Intesa Sanpaolo (2005 ranking: n/a)
Brand Value: $7,779m (2005: n/a)
Brand Rating: A+ (2005: n/a)
Country: Italy
Intesa Sanpaolo is the result of the merger between Banca Intesa and Sanpaolo IMI effective January 2007, making it the largest retail bank in Italy at the time of merger, with $700 billion in assets. Its international presence is focussed on Central-Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean basin.
20. NatWest (2005 ranking: 24)
Brand Value: $7,259m (2005: $5,705m)
Brand Rating: A (2005: A)
Country: Great Britain
National Westminster Bank (NatWest), a commercial bank operating in Great Britain, was established in 1968 from the merger of National Provincial Bank and Westminster Bank. In 2000 the bank was acquired by the Royal Bank of Scotland in the biggest takeover in British history.