London named world’s top financial centre – full list of top 7

London has retained its position as the world’s leading international financial centre for the sixth consecutive year, according to the City of London Corporation’s latest benchmarking analysis. The report, titled “Our global offer to business – London and the UK’s competitive strengths supporting investment and growth 2026”, evaluates competitiveness using 102 publicly available data metrics across key categories, including regulatory environment, talent and skills, business infrastructure, sustainable finance, and capital markets activity.

London’s consistent performance in sustainable finance, capital markets, and technology adoption secured its top ranking among seven major global financial centres. The Corporation’s analysis, published today, positions London ahead of New York, in second place, and Singapore in third.

This self-published benchmarking, while not fully independent, highlights regulatory reforms such as the Edinburgh Reforms, the Financial Services and Markets Act, and the Mansion House Compact as factors supporting London’s edge.

The report notes particular strengths in fintech, legal innovation, AI adoption, and international financial reach, with the UK maintaining a strong trade surplus in financial services exports.

However, challenges persist. The UK lags in digital infrastructure, with slower broadband speeds compared to rivals, and weaker IPO activity and office costs relative to some competitors (though London office prices remain roughly half those in New York).

Sustainable finance leadership is emphasised, though Singapore reportedly lags in this area, while Paris trails London and New York overall.

1. London
2. New York
3. Singapore
4. Frankfurt
5. Paris
6. Hong Kong
7. Tokyo

(This selection of seven leading centres is the focus of the Corporation’s annual exercise.)

For context, independent rankings such as the widely referenced Z/Yen Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI, latest editions) typically place New York first and London second, followed by Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles, Seoul, and Shenzhen or Tokyo in the top 10. Shifts there are often modest, with score adjustments rather than major ranking changes.

The City of London Corporation’s Policy Chairman has previously stressed the need to maintain a competitive edge amid post-Brexit adaptation, tech competition, and infrastructure upgrades.

The 2026 report underscores London’s resilience as Europe’s largest financial hub and a global leader in areas like green finance and professional services, supporting investment and growth across the UK.

Analysts note that while the Corporation’s survey favours London, rival indexes incorporating more subjective surveys and broader metrics (over 140 in Z/Yen’s case) often give New York the edge due to deeper domestic capital markets and innovation ecosystems. Nevertheless, the announcement appears to reinforce London’s self-image as the pre-eminent international financial centre, attracting businesses seeking stability, talent pools, and regulatory predictability.