The MEA Finance Awards, the region’s most prestigious financial awards programme, announced the winners for its 2023 edition at a gala dinner at The Ritz Carlton Hotel, JBR. The high-profile occasion held annually recognises the institutions that are transforming the banking and financial landscape, driving the industry forward and are committed to meeting the evolving demands of consumers.
The Awards ceremony was attended by over 200 senior leaders in Banking, Finance, Wealth & Investment, Financial Technology & Innovation, Financial Advisory & Service Providers to the financial industry across the Middle East and Africa.
The annual awards programme was organized by MEA Finance, the region’s top banking and finance media and events business. It benchmarks and promotes excellence in the industry by highlighting outstanding performance in banking and financial technology. It gives due recognition to institutions that have continued the upwards trajectory of the industry, created innovative financial services and solutions to benefit their clients, customers and economies at a time of rapid modernisation and digitisation.
Hundreds of nominations were evaluated by a panel of judges, coming down to 54 categories, won by a combination of banks and sector related businesses and four individual achievement awards with winners decided after deep evaluation of their skills in the execution of deals, application of wider principles and innovation in business and service provision and the consideration of the needs of their range of clients and customers.
The full list of the MEA Finance Awards 2023 winners:
CATEGORIES
BANKING TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
- Best Mobile Banking Service Implementation – Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank
- Best Islamic Digital Banking Services – Aafaq Islamic Finance
- Best Online Banking Services – Mashreq
- Best Digital Transformation Implementation – Emirates NBD and Infosys Finacle
- Special Achievement in Digital Innovation – Wio
- Best Instant Payments Platform Provider – Global Software Solutions Group (GSS)
- Best Instant Payments Platform Implementation – Commercial Bank of Dubai
- Best Cybersecurity Provider – Dixio
- Best Reg Tech Solutions Provider – Re/think
- Best Core Banking Service Provider – Azentio Software
- Best Banking as a Service Provider – Azqore SA
- Best Corporate Payments Provider – Xpence
- Best User Experience – Mashreq
- Best Digital Transformation Provider – Backbase
- Best Payments Solutions Provider – ACI Worldwide
- Best Digital Banking Innovation Implementation – Mashreq
- Best Digital Banking Innovation Provider – HPS
- Best Islamic Fintech Solutions Provider – DDCAP Group for Ethos AFP
BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES
- Best Retail Bank – UAE – Emirates NBD
- Best Retail Bank – Egypt – Banque Misr
- Best Retail Bank – Bahrain – Al Salam Bank
- Best Retail Bank – KSA – Banque Saudi Fransi
- Best Islamic Bank – UAE – Dubai Islamic Bank
- Best Commercial Bank – UAE – National Bank of Fujairah
- Fastest Growing International Bank – UAE – Banque Misr
- Best Global Bank in the Middle East – Standard Chartered Bank
- Best Neo Bank – Al Maryah Community Bank
- Best SME Bank – National Bank of Fujairah
- Best Cash Management Bank – Standard Chartered Bank
- Best Corporate Treasury In-house Banking Service – ADNOC
- Best Sukuk Deal of the Year – Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank
- Best Takaful Provider – Salama Islamic Arab Insurance
- Best Trade Finance Provider – National Bank of Fujairah
- Best Research and Analysis Firm – Al Ramz Corporation Investment & Development
- Best Law Firm – KARM Legal Consultants
SUSTAINABLE FINANCE & ESG
- Best Sustainable Finance Initiative – First Abu Dhabi Bank
- Best Sustainable Finance Initiative in Islamic Banking – Dubai Islamic Bank
- Best ESG Strategy – First Abu Dhabi Bank
WEALTH MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENT
- Best Real Estate Investment Firm – GFH Financial Group
- Best Investment Management Firm – Mashreq Private Banking
- Best Asset Management Firm – EFG Hermes Asset Management
- Best Brokerage Firm – Al Ramz Corporation Investment & Development
- Best Sukuk Islamic Fund – Sukuk Income Fund by First Abu Dhabi Bank
- Best Private Bank in the Middle East – Mashreq Private Banking
- Best Wealth Management Institution for HNWIs – Emirates NBD
- Best Overall Wealth Management Service in the Middle East – Standard Chartered Bank
- Best Domestic Private Bank – Mashreq Private Banking
- Best Global Private Bank in the Middle East – HSBC
- Best Family Office Service – BNY Mellon
- Best Succession Planning Services – M/HQ
- Best Foundation Services – M/HQ
- Best Family Office Platform Provider – BNY Mellon
- Best Wealth and Investment Technology Provider – additiv
- Best Digital Innovation and Services in Wealth Management – Mashreq Private Banking
LEADERS IN TECHNOLOGY, BANKING AND FINANCE
- Outstanding Leadership Award – Dr. Bernd Van Linder, CEO, Commercial Bank of Dubai
- Best Technology Executive of the Year for Financial Services – Srinivasan Sampath, Acting Group Chief Technology Officer, First Abu Dhabi Bank
- Best Technology Leadership Award – Samer Soliman, Chief Executive Officer, Arab Financial Services (AFS)
- Banker of the Year – Khaled El Bialy, CEO of Banque Misr, UAE
