The world's largest bank is China's Industrial and Commercial Bank

When we look at the list of the best banks in the world, China is at the forefront. Whether it is a central bank or a commercial bank, Chinese banks have been making a strong presence in both sectors for decades.

China's central bank, the People's Bank of China, is known today as the world's largest central bank. The story of how the central bank, which is responsible for everything from monetary policy formulation to the regulation of financial institutions, became the world's largest is interesting. Since July 2017, this bank is considered to be the central bank with the largest financial assets in the world.

If we look at the history of the People's Bank, it was established on December 1, 1948 by merging the Wabei Bank, Beihai Bank, and Xibai Farmer Bank. Initially, the head office was located in Hebei, Shijiazhuang. However, in 1949, the office was moved to Beijing. Since then, it has played a decisive role in China's economic structure.

When talking about the world's largest bank, the first name that comes to mind is Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited (ICBC). This institution has established an unprecedented dominance not only in China but also in the world's banking sector. ICBC is not only large in size, but also leads in its total assets, deposits, loan flow, number of customers and number of employees. It is not only affecting China's financial structure, but also in the global market.

The journey of this bank, owned by the Chinese government, began on January 1, 1984. Established in Beijing as a local government bank, this institution has gained the status of China's economic engine in a short period of time. In terms of assets, ICBC's height is amazing. As of December 2017, its total assets had reached 40.09 trillion US dollars. This number has continued to rise over time, and by June 2025, the bank's assets had reached 7.303 trillion US dollars. It is not just a Chinese bank, but has become the epitome of a global banking power. It has surpassed others in size, wealth, and influence.