This year’s ranking of the top 50 biggest banks in Japan shows few changes from last year, though continuing consolidation will result in the formation of at least four major banking groups. In the meantime, profitability remains dismal – blame continued lending to ailing companies in construction, property and retail; low interest-rates; disintermediation; and falling revenue from equity and bond portfolios. By Andrew Newby, tables from Moody’s
December 01, 2000