More new blood from China

摘要

Last year, China ended the annual tussle between the US and Germany to bring the highest number of entrants to the Top 1000, contributing seven new arrivals to the list. This year, China managed to outdo even itself, increasing its number of new entrants to 14 and bringing the total number of Chinese banks in the list to 45, up from 31 in 2007. Moreover, China Everbright Bank (CEB) is the highest new entrant coming in at 195 in the ranking, with Tier 1 capital of $3.3bn. If CEB has only this year entered the Top 1000 because it is the first time that it has provided data, then that, in itself, is a sign of progress. It is a clear indication of the difficulties besetting the US banking system that there is not a single new arrival to The Banker's Top 1000 from the US this year. In fact, US dominance of the Top 1000 is on the wane; the total number of US banks in the listing continues to drop: from 185 in 2007 to 169 this year. Two years ago, the US had 215 banks in the Top 1000.