Recognising the Changemakers Transforming the Middle East’s Finance Sector
The Finance Middle East Awards returns in 2025 for its second edition, celebrating the companies and individuals driving meaningful impact across the region’s financial industry.
This year’s awards programme will recognise achievements across a range of competitive categories, reflecting the breadth of innovation and leadership shaping banking, fintech, investment, and sustainable finance in the Middle East.
The awards ceremony will convene the region’s most influential financial institutions and professionals to recognise industry-defining accomplishments over the past year.
Browse through categories
The Finance Middle East Awards 2025 features 24 distinct categories, recognising achievements across financial institutions and individual leadership. Entries are open across all categories, with companies permitted to submit multiple nominations, including separate submissions within the same category using different case studies.
To be eligible, companies or nominees must be actively operating in the Middle East region.
1.
Bank of the Year
This award recognises a bank operating in the Middle East that has demonstrated exceptional performance, strategic initiatives, and significant contributions to the banking sector over the past year. Entrants should provide evidence of financial growth, innovative product or service launches, customer satisfaction improvements, and corporate social responsibility initiatives.
2.
Banking Executive of the Year
This category honours a senior banking executive whose leadership and vision have significantly influenced their institution and the broader financial industry in the Middle East. Entrants must detail strategic initiatives led by the nominee, their impact on the organisation, industry contributions, and leadership qualities.
3.
Islamic Bank of the Year
This award is presented to an Islamic bank that has excelled in delivering Sharia-compliant financial services, demonstrating innovation, growth, and adherence to Islamic banking principles. Entrants should provide evidence of product innovation, market growth, customer satisfaction, and commitment to Sharia principles.
4.
Fintech Company of the Year
This category celebrates a fintech firm that has significantly disrupted or enhanced the financial services landscape in the Middle East through technological innovation. Entrants must highlight technological innovations, market adoption, partnerships, and impact on the financial industry.
5.
Best use of AI in Finance
This award recognises a financial institution or fintech that has effectively leveraged artificial intelligence to improve operations, customer experience, or product offerings. Entrants should detail AI applications, outcomes achieved, and benefits to stakeholders.
6.
Startup of the Year
This category honours a startup that has shown remarkable growth, innovation, and potential within its initial years of operation. Entrants must showcase innovation in their business models, growth metrics, funding milestones, and future plans.
7.
Rising Star of the Year
This award recognises an individual in the early stages of their finance career who has made significant contributions and shows exceptional promise. Entrants should provide examples of projects led, the impact made, and endorsements from supervisors or mentors.
8.
Sustainable Initiative of the Year
This category awards a project or program within the financial sector that has effectively promoted sustainability and responsible finance practices. Entrants must detail the initiative’s objectives, implementation, measurable impact, and alignment with ESG goals.
9.
CFO of the Year
This award recognises a Chief Financial Officer who has exhibited exceptional financial stewardship, strategic planning, and leadership within their organisation. Entrants should highlight financial strategies implemented, outcomes achieved, and leadership contributions.
10.
Investment Banker of the Year
This category honours an investment banker who has played a pivotal role in significant deals, demonstrating expertise, client satisfaction, and market impact. Entrants must list major deals closed, roles played, and client testimonials.
11.
Private Equity Person of the Year
This award recognises a professional in the private equity sector who has demonstrated exceptional skill in deal-making, portfolio management, and value creation. Entrants should detail significant investments, portfolio performance, and value-creation strategies.
12.
M&A Advisor of the Year
This category awards an advisor who has excelled in facilitating mergers and acquisitions, showcasing strategic insight and successful deal execution. Entrants must provide details of M&A deals advised on, roles played, and outcomes achieved.
13.
Cryptocurrency Trading Platform of the Year
This award recognises the most reliable and innovative cryptocurrency platform offering secure digital asset trading, strong compliance, and user-centric features. The winner will have demonstrated significant traction, trust, and technological advancement in the Middle East’s growing crypto ecosystem.
14.
Lifetime Achievement Award
This honour is reserved for an individual whose career has significantly shaped the financial industry in the Middle East. The award celebrates decades of leadership, vision, and influence across banking, investment, or regulation, with a lasting contribution to industry development.
15.
Trading Platform of the Year
Awarded to the top-performing trading platform that combines seamless user experience, market access, execution speed, and support. The recipient will have enabled investors—retail or institutional—to access a broad range of asset classes with transparency, security, and efficiency.
16.
Insurance Company of the Year
Awarded to the insurance provider that has excelled in innovation, product development, customer service, and claims management. The recipient will have driven growth while adapting to evolving risk landscapes and regulatory standards, setting benchmarks for operational excellence.
17.
Payment Solution Provider of the Year
This award celebrates the most innovative provider enabling seamless payments across digital and physical channels. The winner will be recognised for reliability, innovation, integration capabilities, and impact on improving the payment experience for businesses and consumers.
18.
Finance Innovation of the Year
Honouring a breakthrough product, platform, or initiative that reshapes how financial services are delivered. The award highlights innovation that drives efficiency, inclusion, or access—setting new standards for the industry through emerging tech, AI, or blockchain integration.
19.
Payment Processing Network of the Year
Recognising the leading infrastructure provider for financial transactions, this award goes to the most efficient and secure payment processing network. The winner must demonstrate scale, uptime, innovation, and regional relevance in enabling digital and real-time payments across sectors.
20.
Asset Management Firm of the Year
This category rewards an asset manager delivering consistent investment performance, risk management, and client service. The winner must demonstrate leadership in fund innovation, ESG strategy, and alignment with investor objectives across institutional and retail portfolios.
21.
VC Firm of the Year
This category honours a venture capital firm that has actively invested in financial innovation across the region. The winner will be a key enabler of fintech growth, known for its funding activity, portfolio success, and strategic support to early-stage companies.
22.
Currency Exchange Firm of the Year
Awarded to the leading provider of currency exchange services offering competitive rates, transparency, and digital convenience. The winner will have streamlined cross-border transactions and contributed to enhancing FX access across retail and business segments.
23.
Wealth Manager of the Year
This award recognises a wealth manager who has delivered exceptional client service, investment performance, and innovative wealth management solutions. Entrants should showcase client satisfaction, portfolio performance, and creative strategies.
24.
Women in Finance
This category honours a woman who has made significant contributions to the finance industry, demonstrating leadership, innovation, and mentorship. Entrants must highlight career achievements, leadership roles, and contributions to promoting diversity and inclusion.
MEET THE JUDGES
Hanadi Khalife
Head of Middle East
ICAEW
Jean Abou Assi
Financial Services Consulting Leader
PwC Middle East
Dr. Jelena Janjusevic
Deputy Global Head of Accountancy, Economics and Finance
Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University Dubai
Omar Odeh
Consulting Leader
EY MENA
Sam Gidoomal
Managing Director, Portfolio Advisory Group
Alvarez & Marsal
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Find out more about the awards
The Finance Middle East Awards recognise excellence and innovation in the region’s financial sector. We honour companies and individuals setting new benchmarks in banking, investment, fintech, and financial leadership.
For editorial inquiries or information about individual award categories, please contact the editor at nivetha.dayanand@itp.com.
For sponsorship opportunities, please reach out to ines.benrejeb@itp.com.