
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 20th 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
NOMINATION DEADLINE:
1st September 2019
ENTRY SUBMISSION DEADLINE:
3rd October 2019
SHORTLIST ANNOUNCEMENT:
on or after 17th October 2019
INDUSTRY AWARDS GALA DINNER:
26th November 2019, The Ritz-Carlton DIFC, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Banker Middle East Industry Awards Categories
1 | Best Bank in the Middle East |
2 | Banker of the Year |
3 | Lifetime Achievement Award |
4 | Fastest Growing Bank |
5 | Best Retail Bank |
6 | Best Islamic Bank |
7 | Best Corporate Bank |
8 | Best SME Bank |
9 | Capital Market Transaction of the Year |
10 | Most Innovative Digital Banking Proposition |
11 | Best Insurance Provider |
12 | Best Takaful Provider |
13 | Best Investment Bank – Conventional |
14 | Best Investment Bank – Islamic |
15 | Best Private Bank |
16 | Best Wealth Management Firm |
17 | Best Investment Management Firm |
18 | Best Private Equity Firm |
19 | Best Trade Finance Institution |
20 | Best Brokerage Solutions Provider |
21 | Best Law Firm – Banking & Finance |
22 | Best Law Firm – Private Equity |
23 | Best Research & Consultancy Firm |
24 | Best Ratings Agency |
25 | Best Islamic Ratings Agency |
26 | Best CSR Programme |
27 | Best Core Banking Service Provider |
28 | Best User-Experience Innovator |
29 | Best Cybersecurity Provider |
30 | Best Payment Solutions Provider |
31 | Best Communications Infrastructure Provider |
32 | Best Commercial Bank |