The fourth edition of the SME Banking Awards ceremony celebrated remarkable achievements and innovation in catering to SMEs worldwide. This year, the response was overwhelming, with 17,500 votes cast by 3,000 voters from 63 countries, truly reflecting the global impact of these awards.
Banks, bankers and providers seized the opportunity to showcase their skills and contributions, aiming to shine in the industry. These awards recognize outstanding achievements and contributions in SME banking, celebrating excellence within the sector. Over the past three years, the SME Banking Awards have garnered significant attention, honoring deserving recipients for their excellence in serving small and medium-sized enterprises. Today, these awards serve as a platform for industry professionals to come together, exchange ideas, and inspire each other for future advancements in SME banking.
SME Partnership of the Year category
The SME Partnership of the Year category acknowledged collaborations that have made a significant impact on the SME ecosystem, fostering growth and innovation for businesses. Among the five nominees shortlisted this year, Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad stood out, earning the gold award for its Sustainability Assistance Program. This program promotes ESG adoption among SMEs, empowering businesses and exceeding RM10 billion in sustainable banking initiatives. HSBC Kinetic and Strands from the UK secured the silver award for their collaboration, combining robust banking services with cutting-edge analytics to provide secure and insightful SME banking solutions. CBA from Australia earned the bronze award for their commendable efforts in supporting SMEs with expedited fund access, thereby fostering efficient growth.
SME Banker of the Year category
In the SME Banker of the Year category, five remarkable nominees demonstrated exceptional accomplishments in SME banking. The gold award went to Magdalena Zmitrowicz for her exceptional leadership in serving SMEs, marking her fourth consecutive win in this category. Federico Sforza from Banca AideXa secured the silver award for his commitment to supporting SMEs. Dominic Provençal from Mauritius Commercial Bank earned the bronze award for his strategic vision and adaptability in meeting the evolving needs of SMEs.
SME Bank of the Year category
The SME Bank of the Year category acknowledged banks that have demonstrated outstanding efforts in meeting the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises. Among the ten distinguished nominees, Akbank, Millenium bcp and National Australia Bank emerged as the bronze, silver and gold award winners, respectively.
Akbank was awarded bronze for its cutting-edge initiatives in digital transformation and support for women-led SMEs. Millennium bcp was honored with the silver award for its groundbreaking iziBizi platform and innovative M2030 platform, which streamline processes and enhance accessibility for SMEs. National Australia Bank secured the gold award for its commitment to colleague growth, exceptional customer service and facilitating safe business expansion.
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