Which Asian banks made it to the world's top public companies?

Three Chinese lenders made the Top 10 whilst Bank of America is the only 2003 top 10 survivor

The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) is Asia’s largest bank and the sixth largest public company in the world, according to the 2026 edition of Forbes’ Global 2000 list.

China Construction Bank and Agricultural Bank of China ranked ninth and tenth in 2026.

A total of five banks made it to the top 10. America’s JPMorgan Chase is the world’s largest public company for the fourth year in a row, with $4.9t in assets, whilst Bank of America (BofA) ranked in the seventh place.

BofA fell just two spots from 23 years ago and is the only company from the original 2003 top 10 that remained there. Forbes attributed this to BofA's profits, assets, and cash-generating heft.

Citigroup and HSBC, who ranked first and ninth in 2003, are out of the Top 10. HSBC is at 13th place in the 2026 list, whilst Citigroup is at 18th place.

The last of China’s big four, Bank of China, ranked 12th in the list.

Other Chinese banks who made it in the Top 100 are Shenzhen-based China Merchants Bank (42), Bank of Communications (58), and the Postal Savings Bank of China (60).

Japan’s largest bank, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial, placed 30th, ahead of rivals Sumitomo Mitsui Financial (49) and Mizuho Financial (67).

The State Bank of India is at 62nd place, whilst HDFC Bank is at the 70th spot.

Australia’s top bank is the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, at 74th place.

A total of 314 banks made it to this year’s list, more than any other industry, and together they account for $140.4t in assets—more than half of the total, according to Forbes.