Banking

It seems incredible that the 8th biggest bank in the world is now Westpac as all the big US, UK, Japanese and EU banks have got into difficulties through stupid lending. How the Royal Bank of Scotland who used to have the most conservative policies have struck trouble is beyond me.

The top banks are now
1. Canada 2. Sweden 3. Luxembourg 4. Australia 5. Denmark 6. Netherlands
7. Belgium 8. New Zealand 9. Ireland 10. Malta

I don't see how we could rate lower than Australia as ours are all Australian owned except for Kiwibank, which is state owned and the TSB which is very small and has a Government Guarantee anyway. US banks rate 40th just ahead of the UK. Although how Ireland rates so high makes me wonder. I have never liked the US system of Banking with small operations in amongst the giants preferring a multi branch British style.