Ranking of Long-Standing Commercial Banks Worldwide in 2025
In the ever-evolving world of finance, a select group of banks continue to stand the test of time, their roots tracing back to the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods. As of 2025, these historic institutions remain significant players in global finance, having survived wars, economic crises, and digital transformation. Here's an overview of the ten oldest operational banks in the world and their current status:
1. **Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena (Founded 1472, Italy)** - Originally established as a charitable lending institution in Siena, Italy, Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena is the oldest continuously running bank in the world. Over the centuries, it has evolved into a large retail bank in Italy, symbolising resilience and historical continuity.
2. **Berenberg Bank (Founded 1590, Germany)** - Founded by Flemish brothers Hans and Paul Berenberg as a cloth and import/export business, Berenberg Bank is the world's second-oldest bank still owned by the founding family. It thrives as a modern private bank in 2025, providing wealth management, asset management, investment banking, and corporate banking services.
3. **Metzler Bank (Founded 1674, Germany)** - Known as one of the oldest private banks, Metzler Bank has roots as a merchant bank and has expanded into full private and investment banking services in modern times. It retains family ownership and prestige in German banking circles.
4. **Barclays (Founded 1690, UK)** - Barclays, originally a goldsmith banking firm based in London, has grown into one of the biggest and most well-known banks in the world. It pioneered technologies like the ATM and internet banking, and continues to be a leading global bank with diversified financial services.
5. **Coutts (Founded 1692, UK)** - Famous for private banking and wealth management targeting high-net-worth individuals, Coutts has a rich history serving aristocrats and royalty. It is now part of NatWest Group in 2025.
6. **Bank of England (Founded 1694, UK)** - The central bank of the UK, the Bank of England was established to fund King William III's war against France and became the government's banker and manager of the national debt. It continues as the UK's central bank in 2025, with roles in regulation, financial stability, and monetary policy.
7. **Bank of Scotland (Founded 1695, UK)** - Created by the Scottish Parliament to support the economy, the Bank of Scotland became a major commercial bank in Scotland and later the UK. It merged with Lloyds in the 21st century but retains its historical brand and serves millions of customers in retail and commercial banking.
8. **Caja Madrid (Founded 1702, Spain)** - Originally created for social and charitable purposes, Caja Madrid helped finance local economic development. It merged with other cajas to form Bankia, which later became part of CaixaBank after restructuring. The legacy continues under modern banking entities.
9. **Wells Fargo (Charter dates back to 1852, USA)** - Holds the oldest continuously operating bank charter in the United States, originating from the First National Bank of Philadelphia and Wachovia acquisitions. Wells Fargo is one of the largest U.S. banks with extensive retail operations. It faced scandals in the 2010s over unethical sales practices but continues to be a major banking institution.
10. **U.S. Bank / U.S. Bancorp (Founded early 19th century, USA)** - One of the oldest banks in the U.S. by charter, U.S. Bank provides a wide range of banking and financial services. As of 2025, it is a leading regional bank headquartered in Minneapolis with a strong retail and commercial banking presence.
These banks exemplify a blend of enduring legacy and adaptation to modern financial markets, remaining relevant through centuries of change in the global banking landscape.
In addition to the top ten, it's worth mentioning Sveriges Riksbank, the world's oldest central bank and third-oldest bank still operating, set up by the Swedish Parliament in an unknown year. As Sweden's central bank, the Riksbank controls inflation, sets the policy rate, ensures financial stability, and promotes safe and efficient payment systems in 2025.
Bankia, formed in 2010 from the merger of seven Spanish savings banks, with Caja Madrid as its leader, was entirely integrated into CaixaBank in 2021, establishing Spain's largest domestic bank.
Caja Madrid, formerly Monte de Piedad de Madrid, was started as a charitable savings bank by Father Francisco Piquer to lend to the needy without interest. It became one of Spain's largest savings banks over centuries and was entirely integrated into CaixaBank in 2021.
C Hoare & Co, the oldest privately owned bank in the UK, was founded by Sir Richard Hoare in an unknown year. It is still a family business, with the twelfth generation of direct descendants of its founder running it. It still serves wealthy people, families, and trusts in 2025, providing customized private banking, asset management, and loan services.
- Despite undergoing transformations from a charitable lending institution to a large retail bank, Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena maintains its significant presence in the Italian business sector, demonstrating the bank's resilience and enduring role in the industry.
- Metzler Bank, one of the oldest private banks, thrives in the 21st century as it offers comprehensive private and investment banking services in the finance industry, maintaining its prestige and family ownership in German banking circles.
