Global Banking Shake-Up: New Champions and Rising Stars in 2025 Rankings
The global banking landscape has seen significant changes, with S&P upgrading Mongolian banks Golomt Bank and Development Bank of Mongolia to the same level. Meanwhile, in Saudi Arabia, National Commercial Bank (NCB) was crowned the best bank in 2025. Cyprus' Bank of Cyprus also secured rating upgrades, solidifying its position as the largest domestic bank.
This year's winners include twelve new entrants and two new countries. In Indonesia, Bank Danamon took the lead due to Moody's more favorable view of its fundamentals over Bank Mandiri. Georgia's Bank of Georgia reclaimed the top spot with a slightly larger asset base than TBC Bank. The recognition spans 113 countries, territories, and districts, with winners chosen based on safety and size.
To qualify, banks must rank among the world's largest 1,000 by assets and carry at least one long-term foreign currency deposit or debt rating from a major agency. In Argentina, Banco Santander Argentina replaced Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires as the new winner following Moody's upgrades. Kyrgyzstan's Aiyl Bank became the new champion after S&P initiated coverage with a B+ rating. Bosnia and Herzegovina entered the ranking with S&P assigning a new rating on Nasa Banka, a small universal bank with approximately $180 million in assets.
The 2025 safest banks recognition highlights the diversity and strength of the global banking sector, with new entrants and returning champions demonstrating resilience and growth.
