The private banking market is one of the most lucrative segments of the Czech banking market. In recent years, it has continued to grow and prosper even during the economic crisis when people were thinking more about their money. The current estimate of the market's growth is 5-7% per annum.
At the moment, 44 banks and branches of foreign banks have a banking license from the Czech National Bank. Private banking is offered by Česká spořitelna, Československá obchodní banka (ČSOB), Expobank, J & T Banka, Komerční banka, Oberbank, PPF Banka, Privatbanka, Raiffeisenbank, Sberbank, UniCredit Bank and some other banks that provide only selected services to a specific clientele.
A good reputation is one of the fundamental criteria for clients looking for private banking providers. The rankings of private banks provided by leading experts in cooperation with prestigious media sources focusing on finance may serve as a clue.
One of the most prestigious rankings of financial institutions in the world is the annual award provided by The Banker magazine belonging to the British Financial Times media group (founded in 1926). The ranking is conducted by a panel of 15 eminent industry professionals assessing both qualitative and quantitative aspects of the individual banks' operation.
The Banker's Private Banking Awards have been provided in the Czech Republic since 2013. ČSOB Private Banking was awarded The Best Private Bank in the Czech Republic every year since that time. Erste Bank Private Banking was awarded the The Best Private Bank in Europe in 2016.
Another example of a ranking of private banks is the traditional survey of Euromoney magazine called Private Banking and Wealth Management Survey. This year, it was also ČSOB Private Banking that was declared the best private bank in the Czech Republic (as in 2013 and 2015). In 2014, Raiffeisenbank was the winner.
This competition is not evaluated by a professional panel. The ranking of the best private banks is created by the survey participants who can't nominate the private bank they represent. The overall result is then given by the sum of points in individual subcategories while financial data is not evaluated.
In the Czech Republic, the Fincentrum Bank of the Year has been the traditional ranking of financial institutions and their products since 2002. The ranking is based on the evaluation of a panel of 70 industry experts. The Private Bank of the Year category was introduced in 2011 and is based on the ranking of representatives of the 300 richest Czechs and Slovaks. This year's winners have not been announced yet, but let's look at the previous years.
Private Bank of the Year 2015
Private Bank of the Year 2014
Private Bank of the Year 2013
Private Bank of the Year 2012
Private Bank of the Year 2011
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