China’s retail banking sector faces regulatory and macroeconomic pressures that are lowering revenues and profits, with banks turning to AI and technology to boost growth and customer engagement

While asset growth of world’s 1000 largest banks remained stable, loan and deposit growth slowed

North America and Asia Pacific banks maintain overall balance sheet strength over those in other regions, with the Middle East showing some improvements. Profitability among all 1000 banks improved, driven by higher interest rates, while asset quality indicators stayed stable.

The Middle East and Africa lead in bank profitability, benefiting from considerable non-interest-bearing deposits and elevated oil prices in the Middle East, along with high interest rates and foreign exchange gains in Africa, according to the TAB Global 1000 Strongest Banks Ranking.