Global Finance is proud to announce its selections for the World’s Best Banks 2026, including its honoree for the World’s Best Bank, revealed here for the first time. The 2026 World’s Best Bank is Santander.
“Serving 180 million customers worldwide, Santander combines the reach of one of the world’s largest banks with the agility of a digital-first challenger. Its ONE Transformation programme has reshaped how the bank operates, embedding AI, shared technology platforms and data-driven decision-making across its five global businesses: Retail, Openbank, CIB, Wealth and Payments. With a disciplined strategy, a differentiated product range and an unrelenting focus on efficiency and customer value, Santander has earned its place at the top of global banking,” said Joseph Giarraputo, founder and editorial director of Global Finance. “For more than three decades, corporate and banking leaders have trusted Global Finance’s Best Bank Awards to identify financial partners that deliver superior capabilities, differentiated solutions and deep sector knowledge.”
Also being revealed here for the first time are the following global honorees: World’s Best Consumer Bank – State Bank of India; World’s Best Corporate Bank – DBS Bank; World’s Best Emerging Markets Bank – BBVA; and World’s Best Frontier Markets Bank – Ecobank.
Editorial Coverage of Banco Santander
The full World’s Best Bank report will be featured in Global Finance’s October print and digital editions, as well as online on GFMag.com.
Winners were selected based on performance over the past year and other criteria including reputation and management excellence. Global Finance’s editorial board made the selections with input from corporate financial executives, analysts and bankers throughout the world.
Global Finance will honour the World’s Best Banks 2026 on the morning of October 17th at the annual World’s Best Bank Awards Ceremony in Dusit Thani, Bangkok during the IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings.
Banco Santander Recognitions throughout 2026
