Entries are now open for the 2026 Mena Banking Excellence Retail, Digital & SME Awards. Submissions close on 16 February.

As part of Dubai Future Finance Week, the awards will showcase shortlisted banks to the region’s leading finance and fintech audiences. Participating in the awards helps banks stand out in a crowded retail and digital banking market.

The Mena Banking Excellence Awards is the only awards programme featured on the Dubai Future Finance Week agenda.

Entries close on 16 February 2026.

At a time when competitive differentiation is increasingly shaped by execution rather than scale, the awards will recognise banks demonstrating measurable progress.

The awards cover a range of institutional and country-level categories in retail, digital and SME banking, focusing on areas such as customer experience, innovation, financial inclusion and the delivery of scalable banking services.

Submissions will be assessed by a senior judging panel comprising analysts and journalists from MEED, GlobalData, Celent and TS Lombard.

The awards will provide a structured reference point for how retail and digital banking capabilities are evolving across the Middle East, particularly as banks accelerate investment in technology, data and distribution models.

Winning and shortlisted banks will be announced on 12 May 2026, with recognition taking place as part of Dubai Future Finance Week’s wider programme of finance and fintech activity.