scorecardThe 20 most important cities in the global financial system - and there's a new number one
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The 20 most important cities in the global financial system - and there's a new number one

20.) OSAKA makes it in as Japan's second-highest ranked city, climbing by an impressive 11 places, the most of any city in the top 20.

The 20 most important cities in the global financial system - and there's a new number one

19.) LUXEMBOURG punches well above its weight in finance — the tiny city-state is Europe's fourth highest-ranked hub.

19.) LUXEMBOURG punches well above its weight in finance — the tiny city-state is Europe

18.) VANCOUVER stays in the top-20, but loses its position as Canada's second-most important financial city.

18.) VANCOUVER stays in the top-20, but loses its position as Canada

17.) MONTREAL climbed this year, making it Canada's second highest-ranking financial centre.

17.) MONTREAL climbed this year, making it Canada

16.) DUBAI supplants Riyadh as the highest-ranked city in the middle east, climbing by seven places. It's ranked 12th in the world on infrastructure alone.

16.) DUBAI supplants Riyadh as the highest-ranked city in the middle east, climbing by seven places. It

15.) SYDNEY comes screaming into the top 20, climbing by six places, making it the highest-ranked city in the southern hemisphere.

15.) SYDNEY comes screaming into the top 20, climbing by six places, making it the highest-ranked city in the southern hemisphere.

14.) FRANKFURT surged up the list this year, rising five places after the opening of the European Central Bank's massive HQ.

14.) FRANKFURT surged up the list this year, rising five places after the opening of the European Central Bank

13.) GENEVA is the third most important European city for finance, and Switzerland's second-most important, but it slipped by a place this year.

13.) GENEVA is the third most important European city for finance, and Switzerland

12.) BOSTON took another tumble this year, slipping behind other American cities.

12.) BOSTON took another tumble this year, slipping behind other American cities.

11.) CHICAGO lost the place in the top ten that it gained in 2014.

11.) CHICAGO lost the place in the top ten that it gained in 2014.

10.) WASHINGTON D.C. climbs two places from last year, taking the place in the top 10 that it lost in 2014.

10.) WASHINGTON D.C. climbs two places from last year, taking the place in the top 10 that it lost in 2014.

9.) SAN FRANCISCO edges out Chicago as the USA's number two city for finance, but it has fallen by one place, after falling by three last year.

9.) SAN FRANCISCO edges out Chicago as the USA

8.) TORONTO takes the second-highest ranking of any city in the Americas, holding its up three places from last year.

8.) TORONTO takes the second-highest ranking of any city in the Americas, holding its up three places from last year.

7.) ZURICH makes the grade as the second highest-ranked European city on the list.

7.) ZURICH makes the grade as the second highest-ranked European city on the list.

6.) SEOUL moved up another spot as South Korea takes an increasingly important position in Asian finance. Two years ago, it came 8th.

6.) SEOUL moved up another spot as South Korea takes an increasingly important position in Asian finance. Two years ago, it came 8th.

5.) TOKYO still punches above its weight as a financial centre, coming out fifth overall.

5.) TOKYO still punches above its weight as a financial centre, coming out fifth overall.

4.) SINGAPORE comes in fourth overall, but took a slight dip in terms of its business environment score.

4.) SINGAPORE comes in fourth overall, but took a slight dip in terms of its business environment score.

3.) HONG KONG takes the highest spot of any Asian city, as both a well-developed financial hub and a gateway to China.

3.) HONG KONG takes the highest spot of any Asian city, as both a well-developed financial hub and a gateway to China.

2.) NEW YORK slips from the top spot — there's barely anything to choose between New York and the winner, but another city edged ahead this year.

2.) NEW YORK slips from the top spot — there

1.) LONDON slips back into first place, taking the top spot in every sub-index: Whether the British capital is measured for its business environment, financial sector development, infrastructure, human capital or reputation, it comes out on top.

1.) LONDON slips back into first place, taking the top spot in every sub-index: Whether the British capital is measured for its business environment, financial sector development, infrastructure, human capital or reputation, it comes out on top.

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