London has moved ahead of New York to reclaim the number one position in the Global Financial Centres Index. The index is published twice a year by the Z/Yen Group, a think-tank based in London.

Malta has moved up three places and is now ranked number 68. London, New York, Hong Kong, and Singapore remain the four leading global financial centres.

The leading three centres in Western Europe are London, Zurich and Geneva. Frankfurt has moved up into fourth place just ahead of Luxembourg. Of the 29 centres in this region, 23 centres rose in the ratings with Dublin doing particularly well. Malta is ranked 22nd in this group.

The leading centre in Eastern European and Central Asia is now Warsaw in 38th place, just ahead of Istanbul. The top seven centres all saw an increase in their ratings but the largest decline in this region was St Petersburg.

Twelve of the top 15 Asia-Pacific centres saw a rise in their ratings. With the exception of Hong Kong and Singapore, the top Asia-Pacific financial centres have all seen their ratings increase. Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo and Seoul remain in the top 10.

All North American centres are up in the ratings. Toronto remains the leading Canadian centre and is now the second North American centre behind only New York.

Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro rise strongly in the index. Sao Paulo remains the top Latin American centre and along with Rio de Janeiro, made significant progress in the ratings and rankings. Mexico was the only centre that fell in the ratings. The Cayman Islands and the Bahamas also showed good improvements.

All Middle Eastern and African centres, except Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, showed gains. Doha rose in the ratings but fell a couple of places in the ranks.

There were two new entrants to the index: Los Angeles joined in 49th place and Liechtenstein joined in 60th place.