“BBVA has created a rare combination of scale, profitability and innovation in its emerging markets. Its reach extends to more than 25 countries, and it has developed clear leadership among small businesses – a key customer base in emerging markets. Additionally, the bank’s AI roadmap, payments innovation and smart customer experiences demonstrate how a bank can leverage technology responsibly,” said Joseph Giarraputo, founder and editorial director of Global Finance. “For more than three decades, corporate and banking leaders have relied on Global Finance’s Best Banks Awards to identify financial partners who deliver superior capabilities, differentiated solutions and deep sector knowledge.”

The following global honors are also being revealed for the first time: World’s Best Bank – Spain santander; World’s Best Corporate Bank – Singapore DBS Bank; World’s Best Consumer Bank – state Bank of India; World’s Best Frontier Market Bank – Togo ecobank; And the world’s best sub-custodian bank – Canada CIBC Mellon.

The winners were selected based on past year’s performance and other criteria including reputation and management excellence. Global Finance’s editorial board made the selection based on input from corporate financial executives, analysts and bankers around the world.

Global Finance will honor the World’s Best Banks 2026 at the annual World’s Best Banks Awards ceremony in Dusit Thani, Bangkok during the IMF/World Bank annual meetings on the morning of 17 October.