It has become something of a cliché that China's banks are the biggest and beefiest in Asia, dominating the top 25 Asian banks ranking in recent years. Perhaps more interesting, however, is the Asian ranking without China's heavyweights.
In the normal Asia ranking, which includes China but excludes Japan, Australia has traditionally been the second strongest country, with 17.9% of the Tier 1 capital aggregate of the top 25 Asian banks. When China is removed from the ranking, Australia naturally shuffles to the top, taking the top four spots. Similarly, South Korea, also a strong performer in the Asian ranking in recent years, rises on a relative basis too.
