The Bank atlas was compiled by Moody’s Investors Service from commercial banks’ annual reports and financial statements for 2007 and 2006. Within the Global Top 250, the most senior reporting entity only was included (e.g. HSBC Holdings, not HSBC Bank plc). The largest subsidiaries of global banking groups are included in the regional rankings.
Taiwan, Japan, Malaysia and India have fiscal years ending at March 2007, so when available, data is reported at end-March 2007 (and similarly 2006 figures are reported at end-March 2006).
Moody’s ratings: Ratings as of October 2008 on long-term deposits, short-term deposits, and financial strength respectively. Where there is no deposit rating on the group, the rating refers to the major bank within the group.
Shareholder equity: the sum of issued common stock, capital surplus/premium, statutory reserve, legal reserve, revaluation reserve, contingency reserves (including EU “fund for general banking risk”), retained earnings, net profit for the year and minority interest. Where consolidated data are used, shareholder equity includes group equity attributable to minorities.
Total assets: as reported in financial statements.
Net income: as reported in financial statements before appropriation.
Return on equity: net income as a percentage of period end shareholders equity.