A majority of the largest European banks reported quarter-over-quarter improvements in their Basel III leverage ratios in the third quarter, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence.

The leverage ratio measures Tier 1 capital as a percentage of total leverage, including both on- and off-balance-sheet exposures.

Of the banks in the sample, PAO Sberbank of Russia led the lot with the biggest improvement in leverage ratio over the period of 150 basis points to 13.0%. Turkey's T.C. Ziraat Bankası AŞ came second in the list, with its ratio up 56 basis points on a quarterly basis to 8.8%.

Meanwhile, Denmark's Nykredit A/S showed the steepest decline in the quarter, with its ratio sliding 40 basis points on a quarterly basis to 4.3%.

German lenders Norddeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale and Bayerische Landesbank AöR reported the lowest ratios at 2.1% and 3.7%, respectively, in the period.

Read more data-led stories about European banks' capital and liquidity coverage ratios.

Capital ratios at Europe's largest banks in Q3

Liquidity coverage ratios at Europe's largest banks in Q3