Entries are open to banks operating across the MENA region.

The MENA Banking Excellence Awards 2026 recognise banks delivering outstanding performance across Retail, Digital and SME Banking, celebrating institutions that demonstrate measurable impact, innovation and excellence in execution across the MENA region.

The awards focus on real outcomes: scalable digital solutions, strong customer results and sustainable commercial growth.

Why Banks Enter

Banks enter the MENA Banking Excellence Awards to:

• Gain independent, credible recognition for their achievements
• Benchmark performance against regional peers
• Strengthen brand credibility with clients, partners and talent
• Showcase leadership in priority growth areas

Banks are invited to submit entries across multiple categories.

Entry deadline: 16 February 2026

Built for Today’s Banking Landscape

As MENA’s banking sector continues to evolve, driven by digital acceleration, regulatory change and rising customer expectations, the awards provide a trusted platform for recognising banks that are successfully navigating this transformation and delivering tangible results.

A Trusted Benchmark for Banking Excellence

The MENA Banking Excellence Awards have become a recognised benchmark for banking excellence across the Middle East, underpinned by independent judging, clear criteria and a transparent evaluation process.

Banks of all sizes from established market leaders to fast-growing challengers are encouraged to participate.

To reflect the evolving landscape of the banking sector, the 2026 awards programme has been restructured to ensure achievements are recognised in the right context and assessed fairly against peers.

Three Strategic Pillars

Categories are organised into three pillars, ensuring banks compete against institutions with similar objectives and operating models.

Retail Banking

Recognising excellence across the personal customer journey, from mass retail and affluent banking to financial inclusion.

Digital Banking

Celebrating technical innovation, user experience and digital ecosystem integration.

SME Banking

Focused on banks supporting small and medium enterprises — the backbone of the regional economy.

Banks may submit entries across multiple categories and pillars, where relevant.

Refined Judging Criteria

Judging places a stronger emphasis on measurable impact and performance, ensuring winners are banks delivering real value to customers and shareholders.

Both regional and country-specific initiatives are eligible.

New & Evolved Categories for 2026

The 2026 programme includes new and expanded categories aligned to today’s most critical banking priorities:

• Innovation: Best Use of AI in Retail Banking, Best Open Banking Innovation
• Customer Experience: Best Priority Banking Service, Best Women-Only Banking Proposition
• Service Excellence: Best Agency Banking Initiative, Best Remittance / FX Service

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