The Bank of the Year Awards celebrate the world’s leading financial institutions, recognising exceptional performance across multiple banking sectors. The awards are open to full-service commercial banks, retail banks, digital lenders, investment banks, and transaction banks.

While profitability is important, banks must also provide evidence of how they have outperformed peers and improved during the award period.

The country awards are open to licensed full-service commercial banks, retail banks, and digital lenders. Winners are selected based on financial performance, strategic initiatives, technological innovation, sustainability programmes, and service to both retail and corporate clients.

Investment banks — whether bank-owned or independent — can enter 12 product and coverage-based categories, as well as six regional categories. Entries are judged on service quality and execution, innovation, and market impact, supported by detailed case studies.

Transaction banks compete in six regional categories, evaluated on strategic innovation, deal execution, and competitive differentiation.

The Financial Inclusion and Banking in the Community awards recognise banks making a significant social impact through improved financial accessibility and community initiatives.

Entries can be submitted until 16 June 2025 and the Awards ceremony will take place on 3 December 2025 in London. If you'd like to know more about the awards, entries or sponsorship opportunities, please fill in the form below or get in touch with us via ftevents@ft.com.

The Award winners were revealed in London on the night of 4 December. We brought together over 250 attendees and rewarded 127 countries. Watch our video highlights and get some feedback from our attendees and a glimpse of our awards ceremony.

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