Introducing the winners of the SME Banking Awards 2023

SME Banking
16/06/2023Article

The SME Banking Awards 2023, a prestigious program that celebrates exceptional accomplishments in the SME banking sector, successfully concluded on June 16, 2023, with an awards ceremony in Milan. These distinguished awards acknowledge banks, neobanks and individuals who showcase innovation, excellence, and make a significant impact on SME banking.

The awards encompassed several categories, including SME Neoplayer of the Year, SME Bank of the Year, and SME Banker of the Year. Winners were selected through a meticulous process involving expert evaluation and online voting, ensuring a fair and impartial assessment.

SME Banking
04Jul2023
04/07/2023Webinar

Seeding success: Unveiling the future of agribanking

In the highly anticipated SME Neoplayer category, the winners are:

 Gold: Allica Bank (United Kingdom)
Allica Bank's dedication to empowering small and medium-sized businesses and revolutionizing the banking industry made them a true game-changer.

 Silver: OakNorth Bank (United Kingdom)
OakNorth Bank has successfully facilitated financing for ambitious businesses, supporting entrepreneurs and driving economic growth.

• Bronze: Validus (Singapore)
Validus, a Singapore-based neobank, emerged as a leader in providing tailored financial solutions to SMEs, addressing their financing needs and driving growth.


In the SME Banker category, exceptional individuals who have made a significant impact in the SME banking sector were recognized:

• Gold: Jenine Zachar (Standard Bank South Africa) 
Jenine Zachar, Head of Enterprise & Direct Banking Segment at Standard Bank South Africa, has been acknowledged for her relentless dedication to driving positive change in Africa's SME segment and empowering women entrepreneurs.

• Silver: Michal Boleslawski (ING Group)
Michal Boleslawski, responsible for corporate banking at the ING Group, has been recognized for his exceptional contributions to SME banking and providing innovative financial solutions.

 Bronze: Julie Hall (Commonwealth Bank)
Julie Hall, a Veterans Business Banker at Commonwealth Bank, has been acknowledged for her robust leadership capabilities and customer-centric approach, inspiring the SME banking sector.


Lastly, in the highly competitive SME Bank of the Year category, the winners are:

• Gold: Starling Bank (United Kingdom)
Starling Bank, the leading business bank in the UK, has played a pivotal role in supporting entrepreneurs and setting new benchmarks in SME banking through cutting-edge technology and customer-centric solutions.

• Silver: Commonwealth Bank (Australia)
Commonwealth Bank, a renowned financial institution in Australia, has established itself as a trusted partner for small and medium-sized commercial businesses, leveraging technology and providing tailored solutions.

• Bronze: Akbank (Turkey)
Akbank, founded in 1948 in Turkey, continues to excel in corporate and investment banking, commercial banking, consumer banking and SME banking, supporting SMEs and driving their success.

The SME Banking Awards 2023 celebrated these outstanding institutions and individuals, showcasing their commitment to driving innovation, supporting SMEs, and fostering economic growth. These awards serve as a testament to their continuous efforts in transforming the landscape of SME banking.

Related news & insights

SME Banking
14/03/2025Video

Swedbank: Supporting SMEs in energy and mobility

Tomas Zimmermann, Senior Advisor – Group Sustainability at Swedbank, briefly presents the Swedish bank and its climate transition plan.

SME Banking
13/03/2025News

CaixaBank launches carbon footprint verification service for businesses

This initiative allows companies to verify their emissions after measuring them using CaixaBank’s CO2 calculator, reinforcing the bank’s commitment to...

SME Banking
12/03/2025Study

Transforming SME distribution: A strategic framework for customer engagement

SME banking is evolving, and banks must adapt to meet the changing needs of their customers. That’s why, following extensive...

Digital Reinvention
11/03/2025Article

Qorus and Infosys Finacle launch the 2025 edition of the banking innovation awards

Infosys Finacle, part of EdgeVerve Systems, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Infosys, and Qorus, a global association of banks and insurance...

SME Banking
05/03/2025Interview

Unveiling the future of agribanking: TEB

Onur Terzi is Agricultural Banking Marketing and Business Development Senior Manager at TEB. He tells Qorus more about what the...

SME Banking
05/03/2025News

KBank launches KONCIERGE+: A game-changer for hotel management in Thailand

As the first fully integrated system tailored to the hospitality industry, KONCIERGE+ combines room management, sales operations, and customer service...

SME Banking
03/03/2025News

PayPal and Verifone partner to launch global omnichannel payment solution

The collaboration combines Verifone’s in-person payment technology with PayPal’s enterprise payment processing and e-commerce platform, Braintree, creating a scalable and...

SME Banking
25/02/2025Article

Qorus recognizes three Asia-Pacific banks for excellence in SME banking

Qorus announced the Asia-Pacific (APAC) winners of its SME Awards during a live ceremony at the Reinvent Forum in Bangkok.