BEST BANK
Siam Commercial Bank
BEST EQUITY HOUSE
Phatra Securities
BEST DEBT HOUSE
Standard Chartered Bank
BEST M&A HOUSE
JPMorgan
Thailand's banking sector has improved considerably since the dark days after the devaluation of the Thai baht in 1997. One of the most impressive financial performances has come from Thailand's oldest bank, Siam Commercial Bank (SCB), winner of this year's best bank in Thailand award.
A full-service bank, serving retail and corporate customers alike, SCB offers corporate and personal lending, retail and wholesale banking, foreign currency operations, international trade financing, cash management, custodial services, credit and charge card services, as well as investment banking services.
By total assets, SCB is Thailand's eighth-largest bank but its second most profitable in absolute terms, demonstrating the fact that SCB's management is adept at making its bank's assets work much harder than most others. This fact is reflected in SCB's return on average assets for the financial year ended 2004, which, at around 2.5%, is some way ahead of the competition. Return on average equity was 23.5% for the same period.
Phatra Securities again wins the award for best equity house in Thailand.