CaixaBank has by far the biggest share of Spanish banking today, but technology is bringing rapid change and new competitors. Chief executive Gonzalo Gortázar tells Euromoney how it is reimagining its sales channels to attract new business and breed loyalty.

JPMorgan Chase’s huge tech spending is renowned in banking. Euromoney speaks to the firm’s chief data and analytics officer Teresa Heitsenrether about how the bank is using large language models differently from other banks, and what the future holds for generative AI.

First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) boasts arguably the Middle East’s most robust global real estate franchise. The bank has an established international presence across both MENA and mature global markets and acts as an aggregator of Middle Eastern liquidity outside the region.

First Abu Dhabi Bank's (FAB) real estate team has been involved in many of the UAE’s most prominent real estate financings over the review period. Providing a comprehensive range of banking services, FAB is a singular solution for its clients' requirements in the region.

Citi’s US $25 billion direct lending programme with Apollo has turned heads for its size and scope. It’s a major part of Citi’s new push to grow ancillary earnings such as cash management, in an era when regulators are curtailing banks’ ability to deploy risk in areas like leveraged finance. As big banks everywhere seek new ways to work with private credit, Euromoney reveals how this landmark tie-up will work in practice.

Stanbic IBTC has a strong commitment to financing large-scale real estate projects and providing innovative solutions across diverse sectors. Over the review period, the bank structured three medium-term loans totalling US$155 million, showcasing its dedication to supporting substantial real estate developments. In addition, it facilitated a US$1 million development loan, demonstrating its commitment to a broad range of real estate needs, from large projects to smaller, sector-specific developments.

Stanbic Kenya Bank Limited has innovative financial solutions and commitment to supporting the country's real estate sector. One of Stanbic’s offerings is its structured term and development facilities, designed to provide real estate developers with the flexibility needed for rapid project execution. These facilities enable more efficient expansion and completion of real estate developments. In addition, Stanbic’s dual currency facility structures help clients manage currency volatility and rental risks, offering financial stability in a fluctuating economic environment.

Vinhomes wins Vietnam’s best residential developer this year after demonstrating relentless efforts to launch new projects and lead residential development.

BTG Pactual Asset Management demonstrated its leadership in the Brazilian real estate financial sector with strong results over the review period. As one of the country’s largest investment banks, BTG Pactual offers a broad range of services, including market making, brokerage, derivatives trading, insurance, and reinsurance.

In a proactive year of transactional activity, EFG Hermes was involved in some of the most prominent real estate advisory mandates in Egypt.

Over the review period, Banque Misr expanded its already strong footprint in the Egyptian real estate market, thanks to its focus on digitalization and inclusivity.

Strong capitalization, profitability, good capability in complex transactions and sustainable development make DBS Hong Kong's best bank for real estate.

National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) has solidified its position in the Kuwait real estate finance space following a successful year marked by strategic growth and innovation. Its commercial real estate portfolio has experienced a year-on-year growth of 12%, reflecting a strategic focus on core plus assets.

DBS has been spearheading several significant transactions over the review period. The firm successfully navigates both onshore and offshore markets under complex market conditions, while addressing client needs with precision.

Standard Bank offers different options of financing solutions, broad sector coverage and strong commitment to sustainability. Its real estate finance (REF SA) loan book grew by 10% to $5 billion in December 2023, from $4.6 billion in December 2022. The bank completed $1.9 billion in transactional activities over the year, with 57% allocated to refinancing and 43% to new business, showcasing its balance between nurturing existing relationships and pursuing growth opportunities.

With a robust capital base, DBS has a strong ability and deep lending capacity for the capital-intensive real estate industry and has successfully completed significant transactions in the market to meet clients' needs while proving its strength in complex transactions during the research period.

Mashreq Bank has continued to finance some of Bahrain’s most prominent real estate projects.

One of the largest banks in Latin America, BTG Pactual had a very strong year under the review period, with the bank supporting Brazil's real estate industry’s growth by providing essential credit to large and mid-sized companies. The bank also provides sectoral research and economic analysis throughout Brazil and Latin America.

With strong strategic initiatives and remarkable deals, the real estate income of DBS has been growing despite market challenges.

DBS has demonstrated significant progress through its global connectivity strategy focusing on strategically selected gateway cities. By establishing local real estate teams in these key locations, DBS effectively supported clients as they expanded and diversified their operations. This targeted approach has been instrumental in driving the bank’s compound annual growth rate.

Bank of America (BofA) continues to be a key player in North America’s commercial real estate (CRE) landscape, closing out 2023 with $86.57 billion in CRE loans, a notable 11.4% year-over-year increase. Representing 8.2% of its total loan portfolio, these loans support a variety of real estate ventures that foster urban development, economic growth and housing accessibility.

BNP Paribas showcased meaningful growth in real estate, especially in its CEE operations.

Standard Bank’s exceptional performance in financing, client engagement, and innovative solutions across the continent’s real estate sector earns it the award for Africa’s best bank for real estate. The bank also showcased strong growth in new facilities and in refinances which enables them to maintain the market leader role in the region.

BTG Pactual Asset Management produced a strong set of results over the review period to show its leadership in the Latin American real estate financial industry, demonstrating strength across a wide range of services and products. As one of the largest investment banks in the region, BTG Pactual offers comprehensive market solutions, including market making, brokerage, derivatives trading, insurance and reinsurance services.

BTG Pactual achieved strong financial performance in the latest fiscal year, with total revenues reaching R$6.0 billion, reflecting a robust 10% year-on-year growth. Adjusted net income rose to R$2.9 billion, a 15% increase year-on-year, underscoring BTG's continued financial health and growth trajectory. This success highlights BTG Pactual’s position as a leading bank in Latin America’s high-growth real estate sector.

The success of e-CNY, despite its retail characteristics, could be attributed to a strong government push, effective collaboration with banks and e-platforms, and, most importantly, a win-win mentality that inspired the two-tier channel design.

US banks will get a trading and dealmaking boost from Trump’s re-election, but rising Treasury yields could pose challenges.

In an exclusive interview with Euromoney, Mahesh Kini discusses recent changes in the business and increased demand of corporate treasurers for multiple solutions, especially visibility.

Capital markets are crucial in helping firms to navigate the turbulent geopolitical climate, acting as both a catalyst for growth and a long-term stabiliser to effectively handle challenges such as currency risk, interest-rate fluctuations and the increasing cost of capital. In the first of our Euromoney Market Voices series, the CEO of Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets explains how markets are adapting to the challenges of the new normal – and how banks and corporates can take advantage.

US and Canadian banks may have had a head start in generative AI, but some European banks are trying to close the gap. Those in charge of harnessing the technology at big banks in Europe say they are gaining confidence in its use: adapting marketing shots to certain client profiles, helping sales managers to sift through product policies and much more.