The American magazine Global Finance annually ranks the world’s 50 safest banks. Winners were selected through an evaluation of long-term foreign currency ratings from Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s and Fitch, of the 500 largest banks worldwide. In this way, the world’s safest banks are defined.

“We are proud to be one of the safest banks in the world. SEK has a high level of trust and a good reputation among customers and global investors. The pandemic has highlighted one of our important missions; to provide financing to the Swedish export industry during periods of turbulence in the market. To constitute a tool whereby the government can take separate measures to ensure that such financing can be provided.”

Magnus Montan, CEO of SEK

European banks dominate the top of the World’s Safest Banks again in 2021, taking the first ten positions and 17 of the top 25. Germany’s KfW is in the top spot for the 13th year in a row, followed by the Swiss Zürcher Kantonalbank and Dutch BNG Bank.

“The past year demonstrates the resilience of the banking sector, which stood as a bulwark against collapse during the coronavirus pandemic, supplying critical emergency funding as well as, in many cases, emergency equipment and supplies. The safest banks are paragons of stability, and continue to provide necessary support for governments and communities as they seek to recover from pandemic’s economic shocks.”

Joseph Giarraputo, publisher and editorial director of Global Finance