You may want to try Datastream database if you can have access to it. This database provides information from most, if not all, of the stock markets in the world. Since banks should be listed on the financial firms' lists of these stock markets, Datastream could be your best source of data.

Hi Mr. Ahmed,

Thank you for your response. As Datastream mainly provide data for listed banks or financial institutions. How is about the source for the private banks/ financial institutions in Asia? Do you have any suggestion? The private banks account for a significant proportion in the banking system in these countries.

I am starting looking at Datastream also.

Thanks again

I use Bloomberg. It has most data for listed banks and yields and index data. Reuters Datastream also has complete financials and required M&A transactions merged from the SDC Platinum database.  

That's the problem I am facing too. There are mainly the following types of bank in Asia especially Pakistan. 

1-Scheduled Banks registered as a Banking Company

2-Scheduled Banks registered as a Foreign Subsidiary

3-Scheduled Banks registered as a Independent Branch of a Multinational Bank

Now the problem is that the Sr. # 2 and 3 won't necessarily be listed on the stock market of the country in which it is operating. So a major portion is left unattended by the researchers.

Solution 1: Well, its a very lengthy one, you may want to get help from others in it but that's the one way to go about it. Download the annual reports 1990 - 2015 and transpose the financial data on to a spread sheet or stata whatever you are using. 

Solution 2: In case you are only looking for important financial outlays then you may want to use the respective countries'  central bank financial statement analysis reports. 

Yes, I agree with the other answers. You can access specific publications that are targeted by unlisted subsidiaries for bank reports. In Indian data such is usually accorded to EPW (Economic and Political Weekly) If you target 75% to 85% data completion you can veritably choose only one publication for each regime. 

BR

Thanks very much for your answer. Actually, Fitch Connect platform can provide the banking data as the data from Bankscope originally came from Fitch. I am trying to have a free trial access to examine the coverage of the data and will let you know more when I get the answer. In the meantime, I will try out some options suggested by you/ Thanks very much!

You can try Data stream data base. If you are interested in data related to Indian companies and economic indicators Prowess Data Base is better.

Check FitchConnect (former BankScope provider) with about 30 years of data availability. Alternatively, you can rely on SNL (by S&P – Market Intelligence). Obviously, you need a subscription to access both databases.

SNL Financial (S&P Global Market Intelligence) would also be a good alternative.

@Timothy King – do not copy paste my answers haha

Ciaooo