The Global Excellence in Retail Finance Awards Programme, which includes the Excellence in Retail Finance Awards and The Annual Digital Bank Awards, is one of the most established awards of its kind, recognising exceptional innovation, leadership, management, and performance in the sector.

Since its inception in 2001, this well-respected programme has recognised leading financial institutions worldwide that are dedicated to building a sustainable and profitable retail finance franchise and to meeting customer needs above and beyond its peers. It is also the most rigorous and transparent awards programme for retail financial services.

The programme evaluates banks and non-bank institutions on a global, regional, and country level through a comprehensive evaluation process, covering more than 60 different award categories. The programme will be held in Shanghai, China in March 2026.

We continue to align our awards programme with the four major megatrends that will define the global retail finance industry for the next decade: personalisation at scale, new forms of customer engagement, embedded and inclusive finance, and the externalisation of financial services through open banking. These trends are bolstered by dramatic advancements in areas such as DeFi and blockchain, generative AI, contactless payments, cloud computing, and, increasingly, IoT and quantum computing.

The programme also recognises outstanding individual leaders in the category ‘Retail Finance Person of the Year’ on both a global and regional level. These are the only individual awards offered by this programme. Very few candidates will ever qualify for these prestigious awards, which acknowledge significant career achievements. Please contact Ms. Sheena Marie Gaboy at smgaboy@tab.global if you are interested in participating in this global programme.

For more information about the Excellence Awards Programme, please visit.

Tokyo, Japan, 20 February 2025 – Standard Chartered and its Hong Kong subsidiary, Industrial Bank of Korea, First Bank of Nigeria and WeBank were recognised as the best banks for retail, wealth management, small and medium sized enterprise (SME), or digital banking, in Asia Pacific or Africa, at The TAB Global Excellence in Retail Finance Awards, held at the Westin Tokyo.

Best Retail and Wealth Management Bank in Asia Pacific

Standard Chartered Hong Kong was recognised as the Best Retail Bank in Asia Pacific and Hong Kong for its robust financial growth and market-leading digital adoption. Despite industry headwinds, it achieved strong growth in retail deposits and maintained an industry-leading current account and savings account (CASA) ratio, securing a solid low-cost funding base. Its commitment to innovation is shown in record-high digital wealth sales, seamless artificial intelligence (AI)-driven engagement and data-powered advisory services that enhance customer experience and portfolio insights. At the same time, strengthened fraud prevention measures ensure both security and convenience.

Meanwhile, Standard Chartered received the award for Best Wealth Management Bank in Asia Pacific for redefining wealth management through digital transformation and personalised advisory services, supported by its extensive regional franchise. By leveraging AI-driven portfolio analytics and data-powered investment insights, the bank has enhanced personalisation, strengthened client engagement and improved wealth solutions. Its expansion of dedicated wealth management centres and digital-first client engagement model has boosted digital wealth sales and affluent client acquisition. The hybrid approach combines high-touch relationship management with advanced digital tools for a seamless advisory experience.

Best SME Banks in Asia Pacific and Africa

Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK) was recognised as Best SME Bank in Asia Pacific and South Korea for its holistic, lifecycle-based approach to supporting small businesses. By integrating financial solutions, strategic advisory services and innovation-driven programmes, IBK has fostered long-term SME growth and resilience. The bank’s Changgong startup incubation programme provides early-stage businesses mentorship, consulting and market access, helping them scale. Meanwhile, its SME Mergers and Acquisition (M&A) Finance Support Package ensures smooth succession planning for businesses transitioning to the next generation.

Likewise, First Bank of Nigeria was recognised as the Best SME Bank in Africa and Nigeria for its comprehensive and tailored support for SMEs, empowering businesses with financial solutions, digital tools and capacity-building initiatives that drive long-term growth. By addressing sector-specific challenges, it has positioned itself as a trusted partner for entrepreneurs navigating an evolving business landscape. Its flagship SME initiative integrates streamlined credit approvals, digital loan processing and advisory services, enabling faster access to financing. Beyond lending, the bank offers training, mentorship and digital transformation support, equipping SMEs with the skills and resources needed to scale efficiently. Its commitment to financial inclusion and sustainable business growth has elevated SME banking in the region.

Best Digital Bank in Asia Pacific

WeBank was recognised as the Best Digital Bank in China and in Asia Pacific for serving the largest customer base globally, with over 400 million individual customers and 4.5 million micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). This level of scalability enhanced the bank’s cost efficiency, resulting in industry leading cost-to-income (CIR) and pre-tax return on equity (ROE) ratios, making it the most profitable digital bank in Asia Pacific. It also made significant investments in research and development, with annual technology spending consistently exceeding 9% of revenue. Leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), big data, cloud computing and blockchain, it provides scalable, secure and efficient services.

Best Retail, Digital, Wealth Management Banks

The following leading financial institutions were recognised for their excellence in retail, SME, wealth management and digital banking.

1. Best Retail Bank in Brunei – Baiduri Bank
2. Best Retail Bank in Indonesia – Bank Central Asia (BCA)
3. Best Retail Bank in the Philippines – Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI)
4. Best Retail Bank in Singapore – United Overseas Bank (UOB)
5. Best Retail Bank in Sri Lanka – Hatton National Bank (HNB)
6. Best Retail Bank in Taiwan – CTBC Bank
7. Best Retail Bank in Thailand – Kasikornbank
8. Best Retail Bank in Vietnam – Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV)
9. Best Digital Bank in Hong Kong – Mox Bank
10. Best Digital Bank in Singapore – ANEXT Bank
11. Best Wealth Management Bank in Taiwan – Cathay United Bank (CUB)

Best Retail Finance Products, Digital Initiatives

The following leading financial institutions were recognised for their excellence in retail finance products and digital initiatives.

1. Best AI/Gen AI Application in SME Marketing Initiative in Asia Pacific – WeBank - “Data + Gen AI Digital Intelligence Marketing”
2. Best Credit Card Product for HNWIs in Asia Pacific – CTBC Bank - “TAIPEI 101 Priority Infinite Card”
3. Best Credit Card Product for Travellers in Asia Pacific – Standard Chartered Hong Kong -  “Cathay MasterCard”
4. Best Customer Experience Initiative in Asia Pacific – RHB Bank – “Together We Progress 2024”
5. Best Green Retail Finance Initiative in Asia Pacific – Kasikornbank - “Green Home Loan”
6. Best Growth Strategy in Digital Banking Initiative in Asia Pacific – CTBC Bank - “Penny Piggy” Platform
7. Best Islamic Deposit Product in Asia Pacific - Perbadanan Tabung Amanah Islam Brunei (TAIB) - “Retirement Saver”
8. Best Merchant Service in Asia Pacific – ANT International - “A+ Reward”s by ANTOM

For more information about the Excellence Awards Programme, please visit.