Top 12 Safest Banks in the World 2026

Can a bank have a gorgeous credit rating and still be a poor place for your money? Absolutely. It may serve foreigners in a handful of countries or take no retail deposits at all. Or it may be financially strong, but its deposit guarantee would cover only a tiny fraction of the amount you are planning to deposit.

You may encounter many lists of the world’s safest banks that will have the same problem: they choose institutions that look strong on paper, but stop when practical moves are needed.

That’s where looking beyond credit ratings may be important. What about capital strength and liquidity? And even if the bank willingly accepts your money, how much of the amount would it actually protect?

A completely risk-free bank is a myth. It would be more useful to explore which financially strong institutions offer protections and account options that will be a good fit for a person or business that holds the money.

What Makes a Bank Safe?

A famous name alone doesn’t make the bank safe: it may be unable to absorb losses or meet withdrawals. But the main question is this: Can it continue operations if financial conditions suddenly become difficult?

That’s where regulatory capital is important to cover unexpected losses. Look at CET1, or Common Equity Tier 1. This is a ratio that shows how much high-quality capital a bank has compared with the risks on its balance sheet.

There’s a different story here. Suppose a bank owns a lot of valuable assets, but does it mean these can be turned into cash quickly enough? The Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) shows how much short-term breathing room the bank has.

The bank’s capital figures may still look comfortable, but it can be weakened substantially by a growing number of bad loans. A glance at non-performing loans and profit stability can tell you much more than an impressive presentation.

These figures alone don’t show much, though. You should look at all of them and then add credit ratings and deposit protection. This may help you say whether this bank is as safe as you need.

How We Selected the Safest Banks in This Guide

Comparing just numbers would lead us nowhere, so we looked far beyond.

There are banks with truly outstanding credit ratings, but keeping money there is unrealistic if you are an ordinary client. KfW is a good example: it’s very strong if we look at the financial side, but it does not accept deposits from ordinary customers. We thought it would be reasonable to separate such institutions from banks that actually offer accounts to private or corporate clients.

Then we compared basic indicators that everyone takes into account, such as credit ratings or liquidity. We did pay attention to details, such as loan quality and deposit protection.

Numbers are fine, but what about the legal entity itself? The matter is that a rating assigned to a banking group may be high, while the bank that will actually accept your deposit has nothing to boast about (and the reverse may be true, too). Our comparison would be misleading if we mixed them.

Safest Banks Comparison Table

We don’t arrange banks in the table from the safest to the least safe simply because they operate under different rules. The same number may have a different meaning from one country to another. What we do is simply put the main facts side by side.

Financial strength

Deposit protection and account access

Safest Banks in Europe

Zürcher Kantonalbank

Zürcher Kantonalbank has something that sets it apart from most banks on this list: the Canton of Zurich stands behind it. It is legally liable for the bank’s non-subordinated obligations if its resources are insufficient at some point. This is a powerful state guarantee, and it has never been used!

You may think that the bank looks strong just because Zurich stands behind it, but it has quite a good capital position: CET1 equaled 21.2% at the end of 2025, and its LCR was 134% six months later.

Deposit insurance in Switzerland is another layer: if your deposit is eligible, it is protected up to CHF 100,000 per client and bank. And the good news is that this protection is separate from the cantonal guarantee.

ZKB is a universal bank that offers retail and private banking; still, not every foreign client can open an account there. Its public information shows that services are available to Swiss nationals who live abroad, and this includes accounts without a minimum fund requirement. Other clients from abroad may be served depending on their profile.

Svenska Handelsbanken

Despite the absence of a cantonal guarantee, Handelsbanken stands strong. Would you like to be the client of a bank where the credit loss ratio amounted to just 0.00% in Q2 2026? That’s Handelsbanken.

Its ratings are just as excellent: AA- from S&P, Aa2 from Moody’s and AA+ from Fitch, all with stable outlooks. 

Depositors have an extra safety net to rely on: the state deposit guarantee covers up to SEK 1.15 million per person and institution (took effect in January 2026). It can be even higher in special cases: for instance, if your money was received from selling a private home.

Don’t worry if you don’t have a Swedish personal identity number: you can use a foreign passport or national ID for identification. You may need a residence permit if you are not an EU/EEA citizen, though. Be prepared to answer the bank’s questions related to the purpose of the account and the source of funds.

Things become much less straightforward if you live abroad. Handelsbanken expressly turns down residents of some countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom. This is a real retail bank where some foreign customers can open an account, but this is not a universal solution.

Safest Banks in North America

Royal Bank of Canada

The Royal Bank of Canada is very strong even without state protection. 

Canada takes care of its depositors’ safety: eligible deposits are protected up to C$100,000 per insured category, per member institution. Why is this so important? Each category is insured separately, and the total amount that may be paid could exceed C$100,000 if you split your money across categories that qualify.

The picture changes noticeably when we start talking about access. If you are moving to Canada, you can open a pre-arrival account here. Some clients from abroad fall into another category: they can use a private banking service. Eligibility depends on the client and jurisdiction.

Toronto-Dominion Bank

TD is a very strong bank whose history is far from ideal: in 2024, its US business faced serious failures in anti-money-laundering controls. It’s 2026, and the bank is still dealing with the consequences.

Why do we include such a bank in this guide then? Its current ratings remain strong, and so is its capital position. A bank that withstands the turbulence with its head kept high surely deserves our attention.

TD is a CDIC member, which means that Canadian deposits enjoy familiar protection: up to C$100,000 per category. 

What about access? Unfortunately, it is limited: newcomers to Canada can open an account here, including some people who are still planning their move, but we can’t say this is a universal option for non-residents.

Safest Banks in Asia-Pacific

DBS Bank

DBS is a nonresident-friendly bank: you don’t have to live in Singapore to be its client. It has an international wealth platform that allows some foreigners to open accounts in Singapore or Hong Kong remotely. You may need to submit certified documents, and your eligibility will still depend on your profile.

The institution is financially strong: its non-performing loan ratio was 1.0% this year. Profits and deposits continued to grow.

Deposit protection differs depending on the currency. Eligible deposits are covered up to S$100,000 only if they are made in Singapore dollars.

DBS looks more practical for non-residents than the Canadian banks above, but we cannot say it is accessible to everyone and no conditions apply. It may be more relevant to wealthy clients and Asian market-based businesses.

OCBC Bank

OCBC has very few problem loans. The non-performing loan ratio is 0.9%, and deposits are growing. The capital buffer it keeps is substantial.

If you are a foreign client, be prepared to face specific rules. Some people who are going to move to Singapore can open an account with OCBC remotely, but this is not a worldwide offer. Online account opening is possible for holders of biometric passports from Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia and mainland China if they intend to work, study or live in Singapore. 

If you are a foreigner and you have an Employment Pass, S Pass or Student Pass, you can still open certain accounts in a branch. There are parameters like minimum balance or initial deposit requirements that you should check before opening.

Deposit protection we described earlier for DBS also applies here: if your account is eligible, the coverage is up to S$100,000. Deposits in foreign currency are outside the scheme.

UOB

UOB can hardly be called the simplest Singapore bank: if you are new to the bank (and you are a foreigner), you will need to visit a branch in person and show your passport and proof of address.

But pay attention to one interesting exception: UOB offers a Global Currency Account. Its rules directly mention non-residents who need an introducer to apply. The account’s minimum balance requirements depend on the currency. 

Problem loans make up a small part of the bank’s portfolio (1.6%), which testifies to the bank’s strength.

Deposit insurance follows the same logic: up to S$100,000 for deposits in Singapore dollars.

Some international clients may find UOB interesting, but we cannot talk about easy access. 

ICBC

ICBC is huge, but the size alone doesn’t guarantee safety. Let’s look at how it is built and who stands behind it. Its two largest shareholders are Central Huijin Investment and China’s Ministry of Finance; both are state entities. More than half of the bank’s ordinary shares belong to them.

The good news is that ICBC doesn’t exclude foreigners from ordinary banking: they can use a passport or permanent residence card as identification. 

The Chinese deposit insurance system covers deposits in local and foreign currency. You can get up to RMB 500,000 per depositor at one insured institution. 

Local branches may apply their own rules, and the bank expressly warns about it. And this is a point where a huge giant suddenly becomes weak. Be prepared for a situation where the same documents or procedure may not work the same way at every branch.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia

Not an Australian citizen or resident? Australia is still ready to protect your deposit if it’s eligible! The country offers A$250,000 per account holder at one bank under the Financial Claims Scheme. It applies to deposits in Australian dollars, and the institution must be among those covered.

Commonwealth Bank is one of those covered by the scheme. Its latest annual report also shows a solid capital position.

If you are moving to Australia, you can apply for an account shortly before arrival. You will still need to visit a branch to show identification and provide tax-residency details. Right now, you can apply 14 days before the move. 

Not every person abroad can use this option. A visitor visa doesn’t qualify for this route, for instance. So if you simply want to open an Australian account without actually moving there, you will have far fewer options. 

Safest Banks in the Middle East

National Bank of Kuwait

If you are looking for an unusual way to protect bank deposits, you will find one in Kuwait. The country doesn’t set a relatively small insurance limit; it guarantees the principal amount of deposits held with local banks instead. This applies to current and savings accounts, as well as other deposit types. 

NBK is a bank that continues to grow actively, with KD27 billion in client deposits in the first half of this year. Net profits are on the rise compared to previous periods. 

If Kuwait is a part of your life, opening an ordinary NBK account is easy. The same is true if you are an expat with a valid Civil ID. There are even accounts where no minimum salary is required and no minimum balance requirement is set.

The situation is a bit harder if you live abroad: a standard retail account with NBK is not a simple product for non-residents. The bank does have international banking within its group. But the National Bank of Kuwait (International) PLC is a separate UK legal entity. This is not the Kuwaiti bank we are discussing here. If you want to open a current account there, you will need at least £100,000; what is more, you will be required to live in or have a direct link with the group’s core countries. 

Qatar National Bank

In Qatar, there is no official insurance scheme used in the country’s commercial banks, and this is expressly stated in QNB’s banking documentation. Such a system is under discussion, but depositors cannot count on receiving a fixed insured amount.

However, QNB remains financially strong, with problem loans making up just 2.5% of gross loans. The bank’s capital and liquidity levels are well above regulatory minimums. 

QNB doesn’t reject non-residents, but they are treated as a separate category. Applicants are asked to contact the bank directly, so this differs a bit from a standard online route. If you want to open a corporate account, you also need to contact the bank directly.

Much like in other banks, there’s a pre-arrival procedure for those who are going to live in Qatar. You can only use the temporary account after you arrive, and transfers into it are limited to QAR50,000. The bank will also ask you to provide documents connected with your move, including a passport, job offer and Qatar visa. 

First Abu Dhabi Bank

FAB is a bank that directly mentions non-resident services. If you don’t live in the UAE, you can still open a personal savings or call account here. Fixed deposits are also available to non-residents, but a minimum of AED 5,000 or USD 1,500 is required.

The bank offers its services to businesses as well: non-resident SMEs can open a Business Call Account with FAB. The minimum balance is AED 10,000 or the equivalent in another currency.

The bank’s non-performing loan ratio has improved to 2.2%, and deposits are growing. The bank has a solid financial position.

FAB is definitely worth your attention, but not every foreigner will be eligible. The decision depends on the product and documents you provide.

Highly Rated Institutions That Are Not Standard Retail Banking Options

Institutions may look really safe if you look at figures, but they are not friendly to private customers in practice.

There is a major German bank that looks impressive until you find out that it has no branches and does not hold customer deposits: KfW. Its business is financed mainly through the capital markets instead. 

BNG mainly works with Dutch public-sector institutions, and its shareholders are public authorities as well. It’s not a retail option for private customers as it simply doesn’t accept deposits from them.

We kept both institutions outside the main list. Their financial strength may be comparable, but they are not good retail options.

How Much of Your Deposit is Actually Protected?

What if a financially strong bank is covered by a EUR 100,000 deposit guarantee? 

That’s where we look at two types of safety: the bank’s ability to survive losses and stress and your right to legal protection if the bank fails. 

The size of your deposit is just as important. A modest savings account may be fully covered, while a wealthy client’s deposit may be almost unprotected. This is where using more than one bank may reduce concentration risk.

Let’s separate three different things as well: a state-owned bank, a state guarantee, and a statutory deposit insurance scheme. They are not substitutes for one another.

Which Safe Bank Fits Your Situation?

A bank may work well for one client and be almost useless for another. Your country of residence can matter a lot, as well as the amount of money you deposit.

Is the bank easy to access? This is the first question that you should ask if you are an ordinary depositor. If you can become a bank client, the second question is what to expect if it fails. Sometimes a local bank with a clear deposit protection may be more practical, even if it’s lower-rated than some well-known international institution.

The problem a wealthy client faces is different: the amount of deposit insurance may be negligible compared to the amount in the account. That’s where ratings and diversification between banks start playing an important role. Minimum asset requirements are another possible barrier: for instance, Pictet North America Advisors generally expects about USD 5 million for an advisory or discretionary account.

A company usually looks beyond retail features and is interested in reliable payments and a wide correspondent network. This is the case when compliance may take longer: the bank will ask about the company structure and its business partners.

If you live abroad, you first of all look at access. The bank that looks fine on paper and rejects clients from your country is useless. The documents you can provide and your tax status may decide the outcome. In some cases, your visit to the branch is the decisive factor.

Risks Even the Safest Banks Cannot Eliminate

A strong bank can’t protect you from every problem. The trouble may come from a change in the currency exchange rate, which can make your savings shrink. But this is not the bank’s fault.

Sometimes things go wrong in the country where the bank is located. New regulations or political instability cannot be controlled by the bank, but they still affect its activity. That’s the reason why the same institution may look very different if you are a local resident and if you live abroad.

Risks inside the banking system include cyberattacks or fraud, and these can restrict or even block access to money. This may become critical if you keep most of your money in one institution.

Conclusion

You don’t need to look for the highest rating alone. You need a bank that will accept you and provide the protection you want.

Your residence or the amount you are going to deposit can make a highly rated bank unavailable to you.

Professional advice may save time in this case. It will help you avoid applying to banks that will not accept you anyway and concentrate on those where you can realistically open an account. We can also help with the documents.

FAQ