Cambodia Investment Review
ABA Bank has been named Cambodia’s highest-ranked bank in Forbes’ inaugural World’s Top Performing Banks 2026 ranking, placing 31st worldwide within the Lower Mid-Size Banks category.
ACLEDA Bank was the only other Cambodian financial institution included in the ranking, placing 107th in its respective peer group.
The recognition provides an international benchmark for the strength, resilience and quality of ABA Bank’s financial performance, while the inclusion of two Cambodian banks highlights the country’s growing presence within the global banking sector.
ABA Ranked Among Lower Mid-Size Banks
Produced by Forbes in partnership with market research company Statista, the ranking assessed banks using objective financial data across four dimensions:
- Profitability;
- Growth and earnings quality;
- Capital and funding resilience; and
- Asset quality and efficiency.
Profitability carried a 30% weighting, while capital and funding resilience and asset quality and efficiency were each weighted at 25%. Growth and earnings quality accounted for the remaining 20%.
Eligible institutions were divided into six tiers based on total assets, allowing banks to be compared against peers of a similar size.
ABA Bank was placed in the Lower Mid-Size Banks tier, covering institutions with between $10 billion and $20 billion in total assets. It ranked 31st among banks in that category and was the highest-ranked Cambodian institution.
ACLEDA Bank, meanwhile, placed 107th within its applicable asset category, making it the only other Cambodian bank to appear on the list.
Ranking Covers 500 Banks Across 89 Countries
The inaugural assessment recognised 500 banks from 89 countries. Institutions were required to hold more than $3 billion in assets, publish audited financial statements and provide at least three consecutive years of financial data.
Unlike Forbes’ existing bank rankings that rely primarily on customer surveys, the World’s Top Performing Banks assessment is based on financial information obtained through data providers, desk research and submissions from participating banks.
Forbes said banks do not pay to participate in or be selected for the ranking.
The result reflects ABA Bank’s ability to combine profitability and sustained growth with capital strength, funding resilience, asset quality and operational efficiency.
“We are honoured to be recognised by Forbes as Cambodia’s No. 1 bank in its inaugural World’s Top Performing Banks ranking. Being assessed among banks from around the world using objective financial performance indicators makes this recognition particularly meaningful,” ABA Bank Chief Executive Officer Askhat Azhikhanov said.
He attributed the result to the trust of the bank’s customers, the work of its employees and its continued focus on developing a strong and resilient financial institution.
“This achievement reflects the strength of our business and the consistency of our performance, but it also represents something broader. It is the result of the trust of millions of customers, the dedication of our people, and our continued focus on building a strong, resilient and forward-looking bank,” Azhikhanov said.
ABA Bank said it would continue investing in its workforce, technology and capabilities while expanding access to innovative and secure financial services.
The inclusion of both ABA Bank and ACLEDA Bank in the global ranking also provides broader international recognition for Cambodia’s banking industry as it continues strengthening its financial infrastructure and institutional capabilities. Forbes outlined the ranking’s eligibility rules and methodology in its accompanying report.
