Top 10 Biggest Banks in World

10. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group – $1.818 trillion

Our fist stop takes us to the land of the rising sun – Japan – and the globally renowned Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group. As the crucial part of Mitsubishi Group and the biggest bank in Japan, this financial giant holds total assets of over $1.8 trillion. Although dating way back to 1880, MUFG was officially founded in 2005 and now employs 80,000 people, serving a wide array of global clients. Based in the capital of Tokyo, it is also the second biggest bank holding company in the world.

9. UBS – $2.019 trillion

You might have expected that the biggest bank in the world would come from Switzerland, a global symbol of neutrality and banking, but Swiss representative UBS managed to reach only No. 9 on our list with slightly over $2 trillion assets. Founded in 1854 in Zurich, UBS operates in over 50 countries, employing a number of over 60,000 people worldwide. With a rich tradition stretching in three centuries, it is also the world’s biggest holder of private wealth assets.

8. Citibank – $2.188 trillion

The biggest bank in the US, Citibank, lands at our No. 8 position. Once again, you might have expected a higher ranking, but it would seem that another continent is dominating the banking industry. As for the Citibank, it was founded in 1812 as the City Bank of New York and was officially renamed to its current name in 1976.

The bank definitely came a long way, as it is now the third biggest bank holding company in the United States. With operations based in over 160 countries, Citibank successfully handles the business of millions of users.

7. Credit Agricole – $2.268 trillion

This brings us to the first French representative, the Credit Agricole bank. Officially founded in 2000, it is ranked among the younger banks on our list, but this hasn’t prevented the CA from becoming the biggest French retail banking group. With an impressive figure of over 160,000 employees, Credit Agricole is located in the capital of Paris. With over 21 million clients, this French titan is present in more than 60 countries around the globe.

6. HSBC – $2.354 trillion

Marking the arrival of the British on our list, HSBC takes the No. 6 position with total assets of more than $2.3 trillion. Originating in 19th century Hong Kong, the bank was officially founded in London in 1991. With 7,200 offices in 85 countries around the world, it serves a total of almost 90 million clients.

A larger portion of $2.354 company assets is located in Europe, Middle East and Africa, while the rest is equally distributed in Asia-Pacific region on one side and North and South America on the other. As a highly successful company, a number of over 260,000 truly speaks for itself.

5. Barclays – $2.459 trillion

We are still in the UK, we are even still in London. As the oldest bank on our list, Barclays was founded way back in the 17th century, in the year of 1690 to be precise. Although it operates in 50 countries with a total client number of 48 million, both of which are drastically smaller than the HSBC numbers, it actually has higher assets of almost $2.5 trillion.

With a long tradition of over 3 centuries, it now employs about 150,000 people in various areas. Some of you might have heard of Barclays through their various sport events sponsorship including the Premiere League sponsorship lasting from 2001 or the more recent ATP World Tour finals sponsorship started in 2009.

4. BNB Paribas – $2,494 trillion

We are gradually getting to the top, but before the big 3, we will make another stop in France, once again in the capital city of Paris. Founded in 2000, it takes the title of the biggest bank in France with total assets of almost $2.5 trillion. With 200,000 employees, it is present in 87 countries around the world. BNB Paribas is also known for controversial investments in the nuclear sector, with over $13 billion invested so far. This has caused various protests, including a large Greenpeace protest that took place in 24 French cities in October of 2011.

3. Industrial and Commercial Bank of China – $2.501 trillion

Cracking the top 3 is the biggest bank in Asia – the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, the biggest employer on our list with a staggering number of over 405,000 employees. Founded in Beijing in 1984, it is among younger banks, but has grew quickly ever since and is now ranked as the 7th biggest public company in the world on Forbes Global 2000 list.

It is also the biggest bank in the world in terms of profit and market capitalization. With 18,000 outlets around the planet, it certainly proves itself as a banking giant. It also has the world’s biggest IPO and total assets of just over $2.5 trillion, rightfully earning it the place in the big league.

2. Deutsche Bank – $2.974 trillion

Finally, the Germans have arrived, and they arrive in style, going straight for the No. 2 position. The biggest bank in Germany, Deutsche Bank, goes in favor of the nation’s hard working, productive reputation. With 4 times less employees than the previously listed Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, the Germans have scored assets of almost $3 trillion.

Operating from the skyscraper center in Frankfurt, Deutsche Bank is active in over 70 countries, serving millions of clients with its 100,000 employees. Founded in 1870, it is rich with tradition and success, but just hasn’t managed to reach the great No. 1.

1. Royal Bank of Scotland – $3.808 trillion

With almost an entire trillion dollars more in assets than the previous company, The Royal Bank of Scotland triumphantly tops our list with whopping total assets of over $3.8 trillion, making it without a doubt the biggest bank in the world. Founded in 1727 in Edinburgh, it has about 700 branches, mostly located in Scotland, employing a total of over 140,000 people.

With a long tradition and rich history, the RBS is mostly owned by the UK government, which bought 82 percent of the company shares for a price of £42 billion ($65 billion). As the seventh European bank on our list and the third one from the UK, it just confirms the complete domination of the European companies in the banking business.

Source : biggeststuff.com