Banking
The Banking Award celebrates the most innovative and impactful products, services, and initiatives leveraging technology, creativity, and strategic vision to solve critical challenges, enhance customer experiences, and drive meaningful change in the banking and financial services sector.
Entries must highlight a specific product, service or initiative, to ensure recognition is given to the individual innovations driving impact and excellence. Company overviews are not eligible for entry.
Entries must highlight a specific product, service or initiative, to ensure recognition is given to the individual innovations driving impact and excellence. Company overviews are not eligible for entry.
Overview
There are no specific eligibility dates for the product itself within this Award. However, products must demonstrate at least 12 months of measurable and sustained impact, with evidence of ongoing activity within the current eligibility period (January 1, 2025 - January 30, 2026).
A. Application
The work in this section celebrates products, services and initiatives that solve a specific business or customer need within banking.
*You may enter the same piece of work a maximum of three times in Section A. Application.
A01 Infrastructure.
Banks, financial institutions, and fintech products and services that have made significant contributions to the development and enhancement of the underlying infrastructure that supports the fintech ecosystem. The work should demonstrate innovative, scalable, and reliable infrastructure solutions that enable fintech services and products to operate efficiently and securely.
A02 UX & Customer Onboarding.
Financial institutions, banks, and fintech products and services that have prioritized user-centered design to deliver seamless, intuitive, and engaging experiences across the end-to-end journey, while implementing efficient, user-friendly onboarding that ensures a smooth and secure transition for new customers. The work should demonstrate measurable impact, such as higher activation and faster completion rates, improved satisfaction and loyalty, reduced friction and drop-off, and strong security and compliance by design.
A03 Open Banking.
Financial institutions, banks, and fintech products and services that have facilitated the development and implementation of open banking to enhance financial accessibility, improve data-driven services, and foster collaboration between financial institutions and third-party providers. This may include, but is not limited to, API integrations that facilitate secure data sharing, open banking-enabled lending platforms, and personalized financial management tools driven by open data.
A04 Embedded Finance.
Financial institutions, banks, and fintech products and services that have successfully developed and implemented embedded finance solutions to enable seamless financial transactions within non-financial platforms. This may include, but is not limited to, embedded payment solutions, integrated lending and credit offerings, on-demand insurance, and innovative 'Buy Now, Pay Later' (BNPL) models.
A05 Fraud.
Financial institutions, banks, and fintech products and services that have made significant contributions to preventing, detecting, and mitigating fraud within the banking industry. The work should demonstrate innovative approaches and technologies that help safeguard financial transactions, protect customer data, and maintain the integrity of financial systems.
A06 Cybersecurity.
Financial institutions, technology companies, and cybersecurity products and services that have demonstrated outstanding efforts in protecting banking systems, customer data, and financial transactions from cyber threats. The work should demonstrate how the organization has implemented innovative and effective cybersecurity measures, setting a high standard for security in the banking industry.
A07 AML, Identity & KYC.
Financial institutions, banks, and fintech products and services that help businesses and other financial institutions comply with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations, verify the identity of their customers, and conduct Know Your Customer (KYC) processes. The work should demonstrate enhanced security, reduced fraud, and ensured regulatory compliance.
A08 Personalization.
Banks, financial institutions, or fintech products, services and initiatives that excel in delivering highly personalized banking experiences to their customers. This may include, but is not limited to, the use of advanced technologies, data analytics, innovative strategies tailored to the individual needs and preferences of customers.
A09 Loyalty.
Financial institutions, banks, and fintech products, services and initiatives that reward long?term relationships and everyday banking with benefits that customers value. This may include, but is not limited to, tiers, cashback, points, rate boosts, or milestone rewards that encourage deeper engagement.
A10 Business Banking.
Financial institutions, banks, and fintech products and services that provide excellent banking services tailored to businesses. This may include, but is not limited to, small, medium, and/or large enterprises.
A11 RegTech & SupTech.
Financial institutions, banks, and fintech products and services that leverage advanced technology to enhance regulatory compliance and supervisory processes within financial institutions and regulated industries. The work should show how often complex and resource-intensive tasks associated with compliance and supervision have been streamlined or automated, reducing costs and risks while improving efficiency and accuracy.
A12 Wealth Management.
Financial institutions, banks, and fintech products and services that provide exceptional wealth management, retirement planning, and pension services. The work should demonstrate comprehensive, personalized, and innovative solutions to help clients manage, grow, and secure their financial assets. This may include, but is not limited to, digital investment platforms, AI-driven advisory, hybrid banking-wealth solutions, and the seamless integration of digital assets into traditional investment offerings.
A13 Lending.
Financial institutions, banks, and fintech products and services that have demonstrated exceptional performance, innovation, or impact in the field of lending. This may include, but is not limited to, providing loans or credit to individuals, businesses, or other entities, innovation, accessibility, and overall contribution to financial inclusion and economic growth.
A14 Digital Assets & Cryptocurrency.
Financial institutions, banks, and fintech products and services that have integrated digital assets – such as cryptocurrencies, tokenized assets, stablecoins, or other blockchain-based innovations – into core banking services, such as payments, settlements, or cross-border transactions. The work should demonstrate increased efficiency, faster transaction processing, and reduced costs, with an emphasis on regulatory compliance and industry impact.
A15 Risk Management.
Financial institutions, banks, and fintech products and services that enable financial institutions to effectively measure, manage, and mitigate risk across core financial operations. This may include, but is not limited to, innovations in credit risk modeling, liquidity risk management, regulatory compliance solutions, and climate-related financial risk evaluation tools.
A16 InsurTech. NEW
Financial institutions, banks, and fintech products and services that have transformed insurance through digital innovation and intelligent automation. This may include, but is not limited to, predictive analytics engines, automated underwriting platforms, personalized policy tools, embedded insurance solutions, and digital claims systems that enhance accessibility, efficiency, and customer experience across the insurance lifecycle.
A17 AI & Automation. NEW
Financial institutions, banks, and fintech products and services that have leveraged artificial intelligence and automation to transform banking operations, customer experiences, or decision-making processes. The work should demonstrate how the organization has implemented AI or automation technologies to drive efficiency, accuracy, scalability, or innovation within the banking sector.
A01 Infrastructure.
Banks, financial institutions, and fintech products and services that have made significant contributions to the development and enhancement of the underlying infrastructure that supports the fintech ecosystem. The work should demonstrate innovative, scalable, and reliable infrastructure solutions that enable fintech services and products to operate efficiently and securely.
A02 UX & Customer Onboarding.
Financial institutions, banks, and fintech products and services that have prioritized user-centered design to deliver seamless, intuitive, and engaging experiences across the end-to-end journey, while implementing efficient, user-friendly onboarding that ensures a smooth and secure transition for new customers. The work should demonstrate measurable impact, such as higher activation and faster completion rates, improved satisfaction and loyalty, reduced friction and drop-off, and strong security and compliance by design.
A03 Open Banking.
Financial institutions, banks, and fintech products and services that have facilitated the development and implementation of open banking to enhance financial accessibility, improve data-driven services, and foster collaboration between financial institutions and third-party providers. This may include, but is not limited to, API integrations that facilitate secure data sharing, open banking-enabled lending platforms, and personalized financial management tools driven by open data.
A04 Embedded Finance.
Financial institutions, banks, and fintech products and services that have successfully developed and implemented embedded finance solutions to enable seamless financial transactions within non-financial platforms. This may include, but is not limited to, embedded payment solutions, integrated lending and credit offerings, on-demand insurance, and innovative 'Buy Now, Pay Later' (BNPL) models.
A05 Fraud.
Financial institutions, banks, and fintech products and services that have made significant contributions to preventing, detecting, and mitigating fraud within the banking industry. The work should demonstrate innovative approaches and technologies that help safeguard financial transactions, protect customer data, and maintain the integrity of financial systems.
A06 Cybersecurity.
Financial institutions, technology companies, and cybersecurity products and services that have demonstrated outstanding efforts in protecting banking systems, customer data, and financial transactions from cyber threats. The work should demonstrate how the organization has implemented innovative and effective cybersecurity measures, setting a high standard for security in the banking industry.
A07 AML, Identity & KYC.
Financial institutions, banks, and fintech products and services that help businesses and other financial institutions comply with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations, verify the identity of their customers, and conduct Know Your Customer (KYC) processes. The work should demonstrate enhanced security, reduced fraud, and ensured regulatory compliance.
A08 Personalization.
Banks, financial institutions, or fintech products, services and initiatives that excel in delivering highly personalized banking experiences to their customers. This may include, but is not limited to, the use of advanced technologies, data analytics, innovative strategies tailored to the individual needs and preferences of customers.
A09 Loyalty.
Financial institutions, banks, and fintech products, services and initiatives that reward long?term relationships and everyday banking with benefits that customers value. This may include, but is not limited to, tiers, cashback, points, rate boosts, or milestone rewards that encourage deeper engagement.
A10 Business Banking.
Financial institutions, banks, and fintech products and services that provide excellent banking services tailored to businesses. This may include, but is not limited to, small, medium, and/or large enterprises.
A11 RegTech & SupTech.
Financial institutions, banks, and fintech products and services that leverage advanced technology to enhance regulatory compliance and supervisory processes within financial institutions and regulated industries. The work should show how often complex and resource-intensive tasks associated with compliance and supervision have been streamlined or automated, reducing costs and risks while improving efficiency and accuracy.
A12 Wealth Management.
Financial institutions, banks, and fintech products and services that provide exceptional wealth management, retirement planning, and pension services. The work should demonstrate comprehensive, personalized, and innovative solutions to help clients manage, grow, and secure their financial assets. This may include, but is not limited to, digital investment platforms, AI-driven advisory, hybrid banking-wealth solutions, and the seamless integration of digital assets into traditional investment offerings.
A13 Lending.
Financial institutions, banks, and fintech products and services that have demonstrated exceptional performance, innovation, or impact in the field of lending. This may include, but is not limited to, providing loans or credit to individuals, businesses, or other entities, innovation, accessibility, and overall contribution to financial inclusion and economic growth.
A14 Digital Assets & Cryptocurrency.
Financial institutions, banks, and fintech products and services that have integrated digital assets – such as cryptocurrencies, tokenized assets, stablecoins, or other blockchain-based innovations – into core banking services, such as payments, settlements, or cross-border transactions. The work should demonstrate increased efficiency, faster transaction processing, and reduced costs, with an emphasis on regulatory compliance and industry impact.
A15 Risk Management.
Financial institutions, banks, and fintech products and services that enable financial institutions to effectively measure, manage, and mitigate risk across core financial operations. This may include, but is not limited to, innovations in credit risk modeling, liquidity risk management, regulatory compliance solutions, and climate-related financial risk evaluation tools.
A16 InsurTech. NEW
Financial institutions, banks, and fintech products and services that have transformed insurance through digital innovation and intelligent automation. This may include, but is not limited to, predictive analytics engines, automated underwriting platforms, personalized policy tools, embedded insurance solutions, and digital claims systems that enhance accessibility, efficiency, and customer experience across the insurance lifecycle.
A17 AI & Automation. NEW
Financial institutions, banks, and fintech products and services that have leveraged artificial intelligence and automation to transform banking operations, customer experiences, or decision-making processes. The work should demonstrate how the organization has implemented AI or automation technologies to drive efficiency, accuracy, scalability, or innovation within the banking sector.
B. Impact
The work in this section celebrates products, services, and initiatives that have demonstrated exceptional achievements in driving commercial success, fostering societal change, and challenging industry norms. It recognizes those that have made a tangible impact through sustained performance, innovative approaches, and a commitment to creating value for both their customers and the broader community.
B01 Commercial Impact.
Financial institutions, banks, and fintech products and services that have had a clear, positive and lasting commercial impact on a bank or financial institution, leading to long term growth and/or competitive advantage in the banking sector.
B02 Sustained Success.
Financial institutions, banks, and fintech products and services that have shown consistent growth, resilience, and ongoing success over an extended period. This may include, but is not limited to, financial performance, customer satisfaction, operational excellence, etc.
B03 Financial Inclusion.
Financial institutions, banks, and fintech products and services that provide underserved or marginalized groups with greater access to financial services. This may include, but is not limited to, efforts in offering affordable banking, credit, insurance, savings, or payment services to those traditionally excluded from the financial system. The work should demonstrate the impact the solution has had on a particular group or community.
B04 Challenger Brand.
Financial institutions, banks, and fintech products and services that disrupt their industry or market by challenging the status quo and larger competitors.
B05 Environmental Social Governance (ESG).
Banks, financial institutions, and fintech companies that have successfully integrated Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into their operations, products, or services. This may include, but is not limited to, initiatives that promote green finance and environmental sustainability, advance financial inclusion and social equity, foster diversity and community engagement, and demonstrate transparent governance, ethical decision-making, and regulatory compliance.
B01 Commercial Impact.
Financial institutions, banks, and fintech products and services that have had a clear, positive and lasting commercial impact on a bank or financial institution, leading to long term growth and/or competitive advantage in the banking sector.
B02 Sustained Success.
Financial institutions, banks, and fintech products and services that have shown consistent growth, resilience, and ongoing success over an extended period. This may include, but is not limited to, financial performance, customer satisfaction, operational excellence, etc.
B03 Financial Inclusion.
Financial institutions, banks, and fintech products and services that provide underserved or marginalized groups with greater access to financial services. This may include, but is not limited to, efforts in offering affordable banking, credit, insurance, savings, or payment services to those traditionally excluded from the financial system. The work should demonstrate the impact the solution has had on a particular group or community.
B04 Challenger Brand.
Financial institutions, banks, and fintech products and services that disrupt their industry or market by challenging the status quo and larger competitors.
B05 Environmental Social Governance (ESG).
Banks, financial institutions, and fintech companies that have successfully integrated Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into their operations, products, or services. This may include, but is not limited to, initiatives that promote green finance and environmental sustainability, advance financial inclusion and social equity, foster diversity and community engagement, and demonstrate transparent governance, ethical decision-making, and regulatory compliance.
C. Strategy & Corporate Innovation
The work in this section celebrates exceptional strategic vision and innovation in corporate practices. This may include, but is not limited to, innovative approaches to market expansion, rebranding, digital transformation, product development, and corporate restructuring.
C01 Mergers & Acquisition.
Financial institutions, banks, and fintech companies that have demonstrated exceptional creativity and forward thinking in executing mergers and acquisitions or strategic partnerships. The work should demonstrate how innovation in various aspects of the M&A process has led to positive outcomes for the bank and its stakeholders.
C02 Internal Transformation.
Financial institutions, banks, and fintech companies that have successfully led or implemented a significant internal transformation. This may include, but is not limited to, the overhaul and improvement of internal processes, culture, technology, or organizational structure.
C03 Marketing & Brand Activation. NEW
Financial institutions, banks, fintech companies, and marketing agencies that have executed outstanding marketing campaigns, brand activations, or rebranding initiatives to drive awareness, engagement, or adoption of a banking business, product, initiative, or service. The work should demonstrate how it delivered meaningful change, positively impacted brand perception, user engagement, or commercial performance, and positioned the brand effectively in a competitive market.
C01 Mergers & Acquisition.
Financial institutions, banks, and fintech companies that have demonstrated exceptional creativity and forward thinking in executing mergers and acquisitions or strategic partnerships. The work should demonstrate how innovation in various aspects of the M&A process has led to positive outcomes for the bank and its stakeholders.
C02 Internal Transformation.
Financial institutions, banks, and fintech companies that have successfully led or implemented a significant internal transformation. This may include, but is not limited to, the overhaul and improvement of internal processes, culture, technology, or organizational structure.
C03 Marketing & Brand Activation. NEW
Financial institutions, banks, fintech companies, and marketing agencies that have executed outstanding marketing campaigns, brand activations, or rebranding initiatives to drive awareness, engagement, or adoption of a banking business, product, initiative, or service. The work should demonstrate how it delivered meaningful change, positively impacted brand perception, user engagement, or commercial performance, and positioned the brand effectively in a competitive market.
D. Customer Experience
D01 Customer Experience.
Initiatives focusing on user-centric design, seamless service delivery, personalized experiences, and overall customer satisfaction. This may include, but is not limited to, the ability to solve customer pain points, the use of data and insights to personalize experiences, and the measurable improvements in customer engagement and loyalty.