DBS, BRI, PETRONAS feature among 11 ASEAN brands in Global 500: report

Singapore – ASEAN brands are gaining global recognition, with 11 regional companies making it into the Brand Finance Global 500 2026—up from 10 last year, according to the latest report from brand valuation consultancy Brand Finance.

The report found that the banking sector dominates ASEAN’s representation, with six of the 11 brands, while the energy and leisure & tourism sectors contribute two brands each, alongside one conglomerate brand.

Singapore remains the region’s leader, accounting for four of ASEAN’s top 11 brands in the global rankings. The remaining seven are spread across Malaysia (3), Indonesia (2), Thailand (1), and Vietnam (1).

DBS, with a brand value up 8% to USD 18.6 billion, retains its position as the region’s most valuable brand for the second consecutive year, underpinned by strong financial performance across its core businesses. The bank also ranks among the world’s strongest brands, placing 47th with a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 88.5/100 and an AAA brand strength rating.

Other ASEAN banks in the Global 500 include Indonesia’s BRI (brand value down 5% to USD 6.9 billion), Singapore’s OCBC Bank (up 7% to USD 6.8 billion) and UOB (up 10% to USD 6.8 billion), as well as Malaysia’s Maybank (up 4% to USD 5.4 billion) and Indonesia’s Bank Mandiri (down 6% to USD 5.2 billion).

Meanwhile, Malaysia’s integrated energy company PETRONAS (brand value down 4% to USD 13.8 billion) continues to demonstrate its global stature, retaining its place in the ranking for the 17th consecutive year at 185th globally. Thailand’s PTT (brand value down 5% to USD 8.7 billion), ranked 292nd, also marks a decade-long presence in the Global 500. Brand Finance attributed the declines for both energy brands to lower average realised crude oil and petroleum product prices amid softer global markets.

In contrast, two leisure & tourism brands recorded notable gains. Marina Bay Sands surged 91 places to 328th globally, with its brand value rising 35% to USD 8 billion. Malaysia’s Genting re-entered the Global 500 after a six-year absence, with a 23% increase in brand value to USD 6 billion. The company ranks as the 18th strongest brand globally, with a BSI score of 92.1/100 and an AAA+ rating, reflecting renewed momentum and international appeal.

Vietnam’s Viettel Group, ranked 332nd with a brand value of USD 7.9 billion, continued its upward trajectory thanks to rapid 5G infrastructure expansion, surpassing its target of 20,000 new 5G base stations ahead of schedule and building one of the country’s largest 5G networks.

ASEAN’s performance aligns with broader global trends. Apple remains the world’s most valuable brand, up 6% to USD 607.6 billion, followed by Microsoft (up 23% to USD 565.2 billion), Google (up 5% to USD 433.1 billion), and Amazon (up 4% to USD 369.9 billion). NVIDIA climbed four spots to become the fifth-most valuable brand, with its value more than doubling to USD 184.3 billion, driven by its role in global AI infrastructure.

YouTube is now the world’s strongest brand, with a BSI score of 95.3/100, followed by WeChat (95.1) and Microsoft (94.7). All three retain AAA+ ratings, reflecting enduring global influence. Revolut emerged as the fastest-growing brand among the Global 500.

According to Brand Finance, these results underscore the continuing power of strong branding in driving growth and resilience, both in ASEAN and worldwide.

Alex Haigh, managing director for Asia Pacific at Brand Finance, said, “Banking remains a key driver of ASEAN brands within the Global 500 2026 rankings, led by DBS, BRI and Maybank, to name a few.”

He continued, “Meanwhile, energy champions like PETRONAS and PTT, along with standout leisure & tourism brands such as Genting, showcase the region’s resilience, legacy, and ability to innovate. These performances highlight how ASEAN companies are combining long-standing strength with strategic growth to compete globally.”