The total brand value of the world’s 500 most valuable banking brands has surged by 13% year-on-year to reach USD1.6 trillion, marking the first double-digit increase in four years, according to the latest report by Brand Finance, the world’s leading brand valuation consultancy. This follows two years of sluggish 2% brand value growth and reflects the banking sector’s ability to sustain momentum despite market volatility.

Among top 20 global banking brands, 8 from US, 6 from China.

China’s banking brands saw a 6% year-on-year increase in total brand value, with the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) maintaining its position as the world’s most valuable for the ninth consecutive year, on a list released by Brand Finance.

ICBC’s brand value went up 10% to $79.1b as of 2025.

China Construction Bank, with its brand value climbing 19% to $78.4b during the year.

ABC saw its brand value rise 16% to $70.2b, whilst Bank of China’s brand value edged up 26% to $63.8b.

China Merchants Bank ranked 10th globally, with its brand value rising 6% to $28.3b.

Brand Finance is a London-headquartered brand valuation consultancy company. It reportedly conducts over 6,000 brand valuations each year.

Brand valuation is computed by estimating likely future revenues attributed to a brand by calculating a royalty rate that would be charged for its use. The method is compliant with ISO 10668, Brand Finance said.

“Four out of the top five Chinese banking brands benefit from strong state support, allowing them to expand aggressively and align with national economic priorities such as infrastructure projects, Belt and Road Initiative investments, and real estate development,” said Scott Chen, managing director at Brand Finance China.

“Flexible regulatory policies further enable these banks to sustain high growth despite economic uncertainties,” he added.

Other banks in the top 10 were from the US: Bank of America (5), Chase (6), Wells Fargo (7), Citi (8) and JP Morgan (9).

The top 20 also included banks from the UK, Singapore and Canada: HSBC (UK), Capital One (US), Postal Savings (China), Santander (Spain), Goldman Sachs (US), TD (Canada), DBS (Singapore), Barclays (UK), CITIC (China) and RBC (Canada).