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As global banks have pulled personnel back from CEE over the past decade, a divide has opened up between the big regional lenders and the bulge-bracket groups.

The bank has integrated its North America and global operations to bring more focus – and better results.

It is perhaps obvious that Erste Bank is leading the charge to help the unbanked and underbanked across central and eastern Europe – it was part of its mission when it was established in 1819 after all. And some 200 years later, financial inclusion is still just as pressing in the countries it operates.

The partial withdrawal of international firms from African banking has been a big theme on the continent for several years. Whether it is Barclays’ decision to exit Africa just 11 years after it bought Absa or Old Mutual’s separation from South Africa’s Nedbank, the trend has been towards a paring down of perceived African risk.

Mutual banks and publicly owned savings banks continue to dominate much of Europe’s SME banking sector. What makes Crédit Agricole stand out is not just its deep presence in this market but also its success plugging regional businesses into specialized product factories at the centre. Crédit Agricole is France’s biggest bank brand for SMEs, but unlike other big operators in this sector such as BPCE, the Crédit Mutual network or Germany’s Sparkasse, it has the benefit of better integration between the group’s components.

If there is one bank in North America that is shoring up the financial system, moving finance into a modern era and willing to do what it takes to create a healthy, safe and prosperous society for employees, clients and communities, it is Citi, North America’s best bank for corporate responsibility.

Morgan Stanley was an early adopter in using technology to better serve its wealth management clients – and to improve revenues. The bank’s wealth management unit notched a record $1.16 billion in profits during the first three months of this year, up 1% from the fourth quarter and up 19% from a year earlier. Client assets grew 8% from a year earlier to $2.4 trillion, earning it the award for North America’s best bank for wealth management.

The rising economic fortunes of the largest countries lifted nearly all investment banking boats. Local investment banking franchises continued to notch up strong deal flow and fees, but last year was noticeable for the improvement in the fortunes of the international banks.

Decisive action and a renewal of its commitment to the region allowed Raiffeisen Bank International to keep its central and eastern European network intact.

Latin America’s best bank

July 2018: An Awards for Excellence special

Citi wins the region’s best bank for financing award. The investment banking team, led by Chris Gilfond, head of capital markets origination at Citi Latin America, has enjoyed greater focus from management as the bank pulled out of all but one of the region’s retail markets. After a string of disposals in recent years, it has been reinvesting.