Class of 2021: Performing Through The Pandemic
At the end of each year, Euromoney takes a close look at the performance of 25 key institutions that we cover. Speaking to senior executives at these firms, we assess what went right and what didn’t, together with what might lie ahead.
This year, we have also examined the views of those at the top on two important factors for 2022: their own and others’ asset quality, and the disruptive threat of China. Their observations are discussed in the two features below, followed by our reports for 2021 on the Euromoney 25.
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Covid barely dented the strength of the banking system and most banks have been steadily releasing the provisions they took. Euromoney talks to the leaders of our 25 reviewed banks and others about the challenges they face as the world normalizes. -
It is more important than ever that banks get China right. Senior executives from the Euromoney 25 discuss what to expect in 2022 as the world’s second-largest economy enters a period of more stable growth.
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Bank of America: Ready to break out at last?
Chief executive Brian Moynihan will be hoping that a management reshuffle has set the bank on track to finally make good on the promise of its sprawling reach. -
Barclays: Two steps forward, one step back
Losing your chief executive in messy circumstances is never a good look, but Barclays does at least have momentum in its investment bank as it looks for a fresh start in 2022. -
BNP Paribas: Will freed up capital just go on buybacks and bolt-ons?
Greater regulatory clarity, and perhaps a sale of Bank of the West, leave the French bank with the happy dilemma of what to do with excess capital. -
CCB steadies the ship
China Construction Bank enjoyed a strong year, benefiting from sharply higher trading income and better asset quality. -
Citi should benefit from regulators forcing a risk fix
Consent orders provide a perfect excuse to shareholders for spending on the better risk management and controls that Citi’s businesses need. -
Crédit Agricole: Building resilience in retail
Being France’s biggest retail bank might not sound as appealing as it once was. But Crédit Agricole’s management is focused on the growing number of additional products it is plugging into the network. -
Credit Suisse: A year of living chaotically
Credit Suisse’s hopes for 2021 were dashed by March, thanks to Greensill’s collapse and Archegos’s implosion. It really needs 2022 to go well. -
DBS emerges stronger from the pandemic
Piyush Gupta thinks the worst is behind us and now is the time for the bank to start looking at China. -
Ratings upgrades set Deutsche Bank up for its measurement year
Now back at single-A with both leading rating agencies, Deutsche hopes to win more business and improve margins as investors await their share of the returns. -
First Abu Dhabi Bank: FAB is working to its strengths
Investment banking underpinned a strong year for First Abu Dhabi Bank, as the UAE-based lender benefited from its long-standing investment in digital and led the way on a host of big-ticket capital market transactions. -
Goldman Sachs: Growing like it promised
After setting ambitious targets in its 2020 investor day, Goldman Sachs has been making good on its promises across all areas of the firm. -
HSBC: Quinn makes progress on redirection under China shadow
It might have the wind in its sails, but the bank will need to be nimble and smart if it is to find success in its three principle aims. -
ICBC faces up to challenges of capital and identity
The bank had a good year, keeping profits high and bad loans low. But the big challenges of the 2020s start now. -
Itaú’s new management goes back to basics
The CEO and CFO aren’t about to abandon the physical in the chase for digital business. -
JPMorgan buys disruptors while its core businesses thrive
The bank hopes to profit from the normalization it expected in 2021, if borrowing picks up and rates rise in 2022. -
Macquarie Group: Dry powder at the ready
Macquarie has emerged from the pandemic cashed-up and ready to spend. -
Morgan Stanley takes share in investment banking boom
The firm’s old businesses shone in 2021, but what was once the ballast to stabilize their volatile earnings is now the growth story. -
MUFG identifies five areas to fuel growth
MUFG reaps benefits from releases and Morgan Stanley but needs do the same from its core businesses. -
RBC: A good year, with more to come
Royal Bank of Canada reckons it is in a good position to capitalize on opportunities in a rising rate environment – and has room to grow in investment banking. -
Santander: UK and US banks power a rebound
After years when the UK and the US banks were Santander’s problem children, those markets are now leading its recovery. -
Rising rates help Sber regain its sparkle
A year ago, Sber’s stellar profitability looked to be under threat. This year, it has defied the doubters and has just unveiled record net profit for the first nine months of the year. -
Standard Chartered: Ready for the bounce in a diverse footprint
StanChart had more to lose than most from the disruption of Covid – and more to gain as the markets where it operates recover. -
UBS: Hamers’ quiet revolution
Ralph Hamers is quietly imposing his vision on UBS, axing senior titles to simplify the structure and eyeing a new US digital bank for affluent customers. -
UniCredit: Orcel lays the ground for a strategic refresh
Beyond the headline-grabbing talks on buying Banca Monte dei Paschi, the new chief executive has radically reshaped the bank as he seeks to better harness its potential. -
Wells Fargo: Not out of the woods yet
More than five years after succumbing to one of the biggest consumer abuse scandals in history, Wells Fargo still faces significant regulatory challenges.
Class of 2020
Class of 2019
Class of 2018
Class of 2017
