What are the Global Banking & Finance Awards®?
The Awards recognise organisations of all sizes that excel in defined areas across the global financial community. They highlight innovation, achievement, strategy and inspirational change in banking, financial services, technology, innovation and related areas.
How credible are the Global Banking & Finance Awards®?
The Global Banking & Finance Awards® are among the longest-running, editorially led financial recognition programs since their launch in 2011.
They are organised by Global Banking & Finance Review, a UK-based international financial publication with millions of readers worldwide.
Winners are chosen through a structured research and editorial process, led by the publication’s research team, Editor, and Publisher, ensuring selections are based on merit, performance, and innovation—not on sponsorship or advertising.
Are the Awards independent?
Yes. The Awards are entirely editorial and research driven.
There are no entry fees, no sponsorship requirements, and no pay-to-win structures.
Companies are evaluated based on performance metrics, innovation, governance, customer experience, and leadership — all supported by publicly available data, company submissions, and the editorial team’s independent research.
Which sectors do the Awards cover?
The awards program include (among others): Banking, Insurance, Hedge Funds, Pension Funds, Compliance, Foreign Exchange,Corporate Governance, Wealth Management, Islamic Finance, ETFs, Project Finance, Technology, Corporate Social Responsibility, and other related areas. Have a look at the nomination form which has all the categories listed.
What top-level Award Groups can I enter?
From the nominations form, you can choose: Banking Awards; Brand of the Year; Business; Corporate Governance; CSR; Customer Satisfaction & Happiness; Deal of the Year; Education & Training; ESG & Sustainability; Fund & Asset Management; HR & Recruitment; Innovation; Insurance & Takaful; Investment, Brokerage & Forex; Investor Relations; Leadership; Non-Banking Financial Institution; Process & Product; Real Estate Development; Technology; Telecom; The Next 100 Global Awards; Travel & Hospitality; Years of Excellence
Do you recognise specific sub-categories in Banking?
Yes. Banking is recognised through specific disciplines (e.g., Best Retail Bank, Best Commercial/Corporate Bank, Best Trade Finance Bank, Best Foreign Exchange Bank, Best Private Bank, Best SME Bank, Best Customer Service/Experience, Best Digital Bank/App, Best Treasury & Cash Management, etc.). These are reflected in the winners published on the site and selected within the Banking Awards flow.
Do you recognise other industries apart from Banking?
Yes, we recognize all major industries like Insurance, Technology, Business, Startups, Governments, Brands, Telecommunications, Fintech, Education, Real Estate, Product, Process, Innovation and much more. Have a look at our nomination form for all the industries.
Can I nominate for my country rather than region?
Yes. The form explicitly asks whether you want to nominate for a Country or a Region. Country-level recognition is a core feature.
Can I nominate for a region?
Yes. The form explicitly asks whether you want to nominate for a Country or a Region.
Which regions are covered?
Awards are presented for countries, regions and sectors from which nominations are received — across Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas.
What Countries are covered?
All countries are covered.
Is there a fee to enter?
No. The entire awards process is free of charge — including Nomination, Selection and the announcement under the Award Winners section.
Why are the Awards free to enter?
The Awards were designed to be inclusive and accessible to companies of all sizes — from multinational banks to emerging fintech firms.
By removing fees, the Awards ensure the process remains fair, unbiased, and purely merit-based.
This commitment also supports smaller institutions and new entrants that may lack large marketing budgets but demonstrate genuine excellence in their fields.
Is there paid media?
Winners may opt for optional media coverage to amplify visibility; this is separate and does not affect judging.
When are winners announced?
Awards are presented on an ongoing basis throughout the year for those countries, regions and sectors from which nominations have been received. Winners are published on the site’s Award Winners pages (e.g., 2025, 2024, 2023).
How do I submit a nomination?
Complete the online nomination form and select your Award Group and Country or Region; then provide the required details. If you need further clarification, please email us at [email protected]
Why should my organisation participate?
Participation in the Awards helps organisations:
- Build credibility: Acknowledge your achievements through an established and respected global financial platform.
- Gain visibility: Winners are published on the Global Banking & Finance Review website — viewed globally by banks, investors, and financial professionals.
- Benchmark excellence: Measure your performance against peers across your country, region, and industry segment.
- Motivate teams: Recognising departments and individuals boosts morale and internal pride.
- Enhance reputation: Awards are proof of excellence that can be featured in annual reports, investor presentations, PR materials, and digital marketing.
What information should I include?
Provide a concise profile and supporting information that demonstrates excellence in the chosen category (e.g., performance highlights, innovation, governance, customer experience, ESG/CSR initiatives when applicable). The awards accept nominations and supporting materials via the form or by email as stated on the About page.
If there are a lot of documents and you are not able to upload on the form, you can email them to [email protected] along with the name of your organization and the category you wish to participate for.
Where can I find the nomination form?
On the GLOBAL BANKING & FINANCE AWARDS® – Nominations page
How are entries evaluated?
- Initial review: The research team first checks that a nomination meets the specific criteria for the selected category.
- Judging panel: The judging panel comprises the research team, the Editor and the Publisher, who evaluate eligible nominations and select winners in their reasonable judgement.
What are the judging considerations?
While criteria vary by category, the Awards focus on demonstrable excellence such as strategy, innovation, performance, governance and customer outcomes
How will winners be notified and showcased?
Winners are published on the Awards site (Award Winners pages). Awards run through the year and are posted as they are presented.
Can winners enhance their exposure?
Yes. Optional media coverage packages are available to winners; these are promotional and do not influence the result.
Are there examples of recent winners?
Yes — see the Award Winners pages for 2025, 2024, 2023 with published categories and recipients by country/region.
Do you recognise both local (country) and international achievements?
Yes. You can nominate by Country for local recognition or by region for broader reach. Awards are presented across countries, regions and sectors globally
Are these Awards recognised by media and industry professionals?
Yes. Winners and announcements are frequently shared across financial news outlets, LinkedIn, institutional websites, and investor communications, citing their recognition by Global Banking & Finance Review.Because of the publication’s editorial reputation and global readership, winning carries authentic media visibility that automated syndication alone cannot match.
How can participation help smaller institutions?
Because the process is free and merit-based, smaller banks, regional institutions, and fintech startups gain a level playing field.
The Awards focus on innovation, results, and leadership — not size — allowing smaller players to compete directly with global brands and gain meaningful recognition within their market.
What if I have further questions?
Please contact us via email at [email protected] or call us at Phone: +44 (0) 208 004 2444