The list pays tribute to those best regarded among the world’s major corporate enterprises. Compiled by Fortune magazine and consultancy firm Korn Ferry, it is based on a survey of 3,000 executives, directors and analysts.
Madrid, 21 January 2026.
Santander is the highest ranked European bank on Fortune magazine’s annual World’s Most Admired Companies list. The list pays tribute to those best regarded among the world’s major corporate enterprises, based on a survey of 3,000 executives, directors and analysts.
Falling under the “Megabanks” industry, Santander stands out for its innovation, quality of management, and social responsibility. The bank also made waves for its soundness of financial position, its global competitiveness, wise use of company assets, people management and value as long-term investment.
Santander is a leading commercial bank with 178 million customers. Its operating model consolidated into five global businesses (Retail & Commercial Banking, Digital Consumer Bank, Corporate & Investment Banking (CIB), Wealth Management & Insurance and Payments (PagoNxt and Cards) allows the bank to better leverage its unique combination of global scale and local leadership.
How the list is compiled?
To draw up the World’s Most Admired Companies list, Fortune asks survey participants to rate the 10 best enterprises in their own industry on nine criteria, from investment value and quality of management and products to social responsibility and ability to attract talent.
This year’s list comprises 685 companies in over 51 industries. Check out details of the methodology here. Fortune has been compiling this list since 1997.
