Banker Middle East Industry Awards 2019 honours top achievers in the region’s banking and financial industry

The Banker Middle East (BME) Industry Awards, the region’s most prestigious financial awards programme, announced the winners for its 2019 edition at a gala dinner at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, DIFC, honouring the institutions that are driving the Middle East’s banking and financial industry forward.

The Awards ceremony was attended by over 350 C-level executives, key decision-makers and thought leaders from 80 institutions across the Middle East. Banker Middle East is the longest-running and most widely-esteemed GCC-based banking publication, currently celebrating its 20^th anniversary. The annual Awards programme, organised by Banker Middle East, benchmarks and promotes banking and financial excellence in the Middle East. It gives due recognition to the institutions that have navigated a challenging economic climate to continue the upwards trajectory of the industry, created innovative financial services and solutions to better serve their customers.

Nigel Rodrigues, Founder and CEO of CPI Financial—the publisher of Banker Middle East said: “Congratulations to all the winners and finalists of the BME Industry Awards. The awards programme recognises the ‘champions’ of the banking and financial industry, celebrating the success and achievements of the institutions who are playing a key role in the region’s development.

The 500 nominations and submissions from 32 categories were critically evaluated and mutually analysed by an esteemed panel of judges comprised of prominent industry experts from rating agencies, accountancy firms, and auditing institutions, leading to 120 shortlisted institutions. Winners were chosen through a rigorous evaluation of the entrants’ expertise in research and knowledge of the market, as well as assessment of all relevant company financial statements.

In addition to the 32 categories, one special award and four individual awards were also announced at The BME Industry Awards. The Banker of the Year Award was conferred to Abdulhamid Saeed, Group CEO, First Abu Dhabi Bank; The Lifetime Achievement Award, meanwhile, was bestowed to HE Rasheed Al Maraj, Governor, Central Bank of Bahrain; the Leadership Excellence Award was presented to Dr. Adnan Chilwan, Group CEO, Dubai Islamic Bank; and the award for Outstanding Contribution to Banking & Finance was given to Steve Bertamini, CEO, Al Rajhi Bank.

“The world is changing and adapting to advanced technologies. These innovations, which are transforming the banking and financial landscape, are rooted in the constantly shifting demands of consumers. We believe that the best institutions consistently put their customers as their top priority, and actively demonstrate that commitment, beyond just words. We look forward to seeing the industry become much more innovative and adaptive to the needs of consumers in the future and the embracing of new technologies will show a very different banking landscape,” added Rodrigues.

Here is the full list of Banker Middle East Industry Awards 2019 winners:

Best Bank in the Middle East

The National Commercial Bank

Best Retail Bank

Mashreq Bank

Fastest Growing Bank

Warba Bank

Best Islamic Bank

Dubai Islamic Bank

Best Corporate Bank

National Bank of Fujairah

Best SME Bank

National Bank of Fujairah

Best Investment Management Firm

ADS Investment Solutions

Best Private Equity Firm

GFH Financial Group

Best Trade Finance Institution

Noor Bank

Best Project Finance Institution

Ahli Bank Kuwait

Best Brokerage Solutions Provider

Albilad Capital

Best Law Firm – Banking & Finance

Al Tamimi & Company

Best Research & Consultancy Firm

Century Financial Consultancy

Best Ratings Agency

S&P Global Ratings

Capital Market Transaction of the Year

Albilad Capital

Most Innovative Digital Banking Proposition

Mashreq Bank

Best Takaful Provider

Noor Takaful

Best Investment Bank (Conventional)

Saudi Fransi Capital

Best Investment Bank (Islamic)

Dubai Islamic Bank

Best Private Bank

First Abu Dhabi Bank

Best Wealth Management Firm

Standard Chartered

Best CSR Programme

BLOM Bank

Best Core Banking Service Provider

Infosys Finacle

Best User-Experience Innovator

Kuwait Finance House - Bahrain

Best Cybersecurity Provider

Help AG

Best Payment Solutions Provider

Network International

Best Communications Infrastructure Provider

Avaya

Best Commercial Bank

The National Commercial Bank

Best Brand Positioning

Liv Bank

Best Human Resource Development

The National Commercial Bank

Best Digital Transformation Provider

Maveric Systems

Best REIT Manager

Emirates REIT

Special Achievement in Digital Innovation

Warba Bank

Individual Awards

Leadership Excellence Award

Dr. Adnan Chilwan, Group CEO, Dubai Islamic

Banker of the Year

Abdulhamid Saeed, Group CEO, First Abu Dhabi Bank

Outstanding Contribution to Banking & Finance

Steve Bertamini, CEO, Al Rajhi

Lifetime Achievement Award

H.E. Rasheed Al Maraj, Governor, Central Bank of

Bahrain