Criteria & Methodology (Best Financial Institution Awards)

Best Financial Institution Awards

As retail, corporate and commercial banking customers, HNWIs, retail and institutional investors embrace fintech, leading ‘bricks and mortar’ financial institutions across Asia have continued to raise their game, fortifying their market share

The Annual Best Financial Institution Awards therefore comes at an important crossroads for the financial industry in Asia.

Banks, brokers and other FIs are not only judged against their financial performance but also how robust the liquidity and capital positions are, given the dramatic changes in operating environment over the last 2 years.

We have thus, broadened the depth of our awards and tightened its eligibility among leading banks, brokers and FIs in Asia.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

As part of your consumer, corporate and commercial digital banking transformation, please detail how your bank has expanded its digital and physical application channels, along with faster loan decisions enabled by advanced analytics and paperless [or almost paperless] loan closings). The key is to show how your bank has leveraged on the latest range of available technology to leapfrog its competitors by offering an integrated, digital experience for its consumer, corporate and commercial banking clients, all the while in pursuit of operational risk and compliance excellence.
All pitches, nominations and supporting materials must be received no later than 4 May 2026 (close of business at 6pm – Hong Kong time). No extensions to this date will be granted and incomplete entries will not be considered.
Please submit your pitches preferably in PDF format. However, either MS Word & MS PowerPoint files are acceptable too.
The awards review period can also be your last financial year.
There is no limit as to how many award categories you can pitch for, as a bank. However, we advise you to save individual product award categories in separate files rather than have all product award categories in a single PDF, Word, PP file.
While most deals, financial reports and figures submitted are likely to be denominated in your local currency, it is best you submit the equivalent amount in USD for referencing purpose (based on the FX rate at the time of the transaction).
Please DO NOT SUBMIT any transactions that took place outside the awards period.
For every deal submitted the date, e.g., month + year – must be clearly stated in order for that given transaction to be taken under consideration. For investment banking and capital market relation transactions (e.g., debt, equity, M&A), you must also specify the EXACT role your bank has played in the relevant transaction (e.g., lead manager, co-manager) as well as names of all other participating banks on the same transaction In fairness to all, this information is required without which, we reserve the right not to include that transaction for awards consideration.

BEST BANK

The latest bank’ financials primarily including: Profit after Tax; CAR; ROE; ROA; NIM; NPL ratio; & Cost-to-Income ratio; as well as total assets, total loans, total deposits and total branch numbers – compared to your nearest peers.
Please state your bank credit ratings either by S&P and/or Moody’s.
Breakdown of where the profits come from split between corporate banking, commercial banking, retail banking and treasury;
What was your share price on 1May 2016 (i.e., over the last 10 years)? Also, what was your share price in April 2025 and what is it today (30 April 2026);
Testimonials from clients (optional); and
Contact person for follow up questions: (Mobile + Email)
In no more 200 words, describe how the bank’s e-banking platform (online & mobile), for your COPORATE/COMMERCIAL CLIENTS is superior than other local banks in your market;
What has the bank done to expand its e-banking system’s capacity, to handle any sudden spike in transaction volume?
What is the bank doing to support government led financial disbursement at the retail, SME, corporate and commercial banking front?
Bank analyst feedback: Is your bank a ‘buy’ with a large number of analysts? Please detail how many analysts have a ‘sell’ on the stock.
Describe the strength of the bank’s balance sheet (especially Tier-One Capital Ratio) vis-à-vis the minimum regulatory requirement?
What is your bank’s: (I) Current price-to-book (P/B); (II) Gross impaired loan ratio (GIL)?; (III) Net credit cost (in bp); (IV) Loan Given default (LGD) assumption, in percentage terms (approx.) for corporate and commercial loans?; (V) amount/provisions for bad loans & other credit impairments
Please also detail the banks’ loss absorbing buffers, including capital and loan loss provisioning

BEST DIGITAL BANK

The latest bank’ financials primarily including: Profit after Tax; CAR; ROE; ROA; NIM; NPL ratio; & Cost-to-Income ratio; as well as total assets, total loans, total deposits and total branch numbers – compared to your nearest peers.
Breakdown of where the profits come from split between corporate banking, commercial banking, retail banking and treasury;
Testimonials from clients (optional); and
Contact person for follow up questions: (Mobile + Email)
In no more 200 words, describe how the bank’s e-banking platform (online & mobile), for your RETAIL, SME, COPORATE/COMMERCIAL CLIENTS is superior than other local banks in your market;
What has the bank done to expand its e-banking system’s capacity, to handle any sudden spike in transaction volume?
What is the bank doing online to support government led financial disbursement at the retail, SME, corporate and commercial banking front?
Please detail collaboration with established e-commerce platforms to help your clients widen their reach digitally and tap into alternative revenue channels.
What is your bank’s: (I) Current price-to-book (P/B); (II) Gross impaired loan ratio (GIL)?; (III) Net credit cost (in bp); (IV) Loan Given default (LGD) assumption, in percentage terms (approx.) for corporate and commercial loans?; (V) amount/provisions for bad loans & other credit impairments.
Please also detail the banks’ loss absorbing buffers, including capital and loan loss provisioning

BEST RETAIL BANK

The latest bank’ financials primarily including: Profit after Tax; CAR; ROE; ROA; NIM; NPL ratio; & Cost-to-Income ratio; as well as total assets, total loans, total deposits and total branch numbers – compared to your nearest peers.
Please state your bank credit ratings either by S&P and/or Moody’s.
Breakdown of where the profits come from split between corporate banking, commercial banking, retail banking and treasury;
What was your share price on 1April 2016 (i.e., over the last 10 years)? Also, what was your share price in April 2025 and what is it today (30 April 2026);
Testimonials from clients (optional); and
Contact person for follow up questions: (Mobile + Email)
In no more 200 words, describe how the bank’s e-banking platform (online & mobile), for your RETAIL CLIENTS is superior than other local banks in your market;
What has the bank done to expand its e-banking system’s capacity, to handle any sudden spike in transaction volume?
Bank analyst feedback: Is your bank a ‘buy’ with a large number of analysts? Please detail how many analysts have a ‘sell’ on the stock.
Describe the strength of the bank’s balance sheet (especially Tier-One Capital Ratio) vis-à-vis the minimum regulatory requirement?
What is your bank’s: (I) Current price-to-book (P/B); (II) Gross impaired loan ratio (GIL)?; (III) Net credit cost (in bp); (IV) Loan Given default (LGD) assumption, in percentage terms (approx.) for corporate and commercial loans?; (V) amount/provisions for bad loans & other credit impairments.
Please also detail the banks’ loss absorbing buffers, including capital and loan loss provisioning

BEST SME BANK

The latest bank’ financials primarily including: Profit after Tax; CAR; ROE; ROA; NIM; NPL ratio; & Cost-to-Income ratio; as well as total assets, total loans, total deposits and total branch numbers – compared to your nearest peers.
Breakdown of where the loans & profits come from split between (I) micro businesses with 5-10 employees; (II) small businesses with 10-50 employees; & (III) medium businesses with 50-150 employees;
Testimonials from SME clients (at least 1 each from the three segments above in point 2);
Contact person for follow up questions: (Mobile + Email)
In no more 200 words, describe how your e-banking platform (online & mobile), is superior than other SME banks in your market; and
What is your bank’s: (I) Current price-to-book (P/B); (II) Gross impaired loan ratio (GIL)?; (III) Net credit cost (in bp); (IV) Loan Given default (LGD) assumption, in percentage terms (approx.) for corporate and commercial loans?; (V) amount/provisions for bad loans & other credit impairments.
Please also detail the banks’ loss absorbing buffers, including capital and loan loss provisioning

Important:

Cite examples of how you have adapted events, awards, conferences and workshops for SMEs to demonstrate your reach/commitment to SMEs;
New products launched since May 2025;
Please detail collaboration with established e-commerce platforms to help SMEs widen their reach digitally and tap into alternative revenue channels.
What has the bank done to go above and beyond government measures to help SMEs alleviate cashflow woes?
What is the bank doing to help support sustainable finance among SMEs?
Focus on what you do in your local market. This award category is for a single country and not based on how regional your SME banking capabilities are; However, it is worth mentioning how your cross-border regional network/banking capabilities help your local SME clients;

Other Categories: (1) Best SME Bank for Sustainable Finance (2) Best SME Bank for Micro SMEs; (3) Best Bank for Regional SMEs; (4) Best SME Bank for Trade Finance; (5) Best Islamic Finance SME Bank

BEST BOND HOUSE

List of bond deals + amount your firm has executed with exact role in each of the completed transactions submitted (e.g., lead manager, co-lead) in the country’s local currency. Please also include dates executed;
Cite if any of the bond deals on the list is a repeat business*
League table position (from either Bloomberg, Reuters or Dealogic), based on start date of 1 May 2025 – 30 April 2026 (completed deals only, not only priced or announced deals);
List of completed bond deals and clearly specify total volume in the league table that were for self-led deals including for: subsidiaries, associate companies or for companies with the same ultimate controlling shareholder.
Provide a percentage breakdown how many deals are private sector corporate bond issues; and SOE/GLC-linked issues.
Case studies (up to 2) of the largest, most significant transactions and their relevance to the market and its development;
In terms of percentage, how much of the bond deals underwritten were new issuances vs. refinancing?; If most of it was debt refinancing, were there any unique risks involved?
Testimonials from clients or fund managers, including contact email; and
Contact person for follow up questions: (Mobile + Email)

Important:

For all bond market relation transactions, you must also specify the EXACT role your bank has played in the relevant transaction (e.g., lead manager, co-manager) as well as names of all other participating banks on the same transaction In fairness to all, this information is required without which, we reserve the right not to include that transaction for awards consideration.
What role has your bond house played in lending liquidity support to bond issuers?

*Repeat business = a borrower that you have helped previously with some form of lending, bond, etc., not limited to within and/or outside the awards period.

BEST EQUITY HOUSE

List of IPOs, secondary offerings and convertible bonds (include amounts) your firm has executed in the country’s local currency, specifying exact role (e.g., lead manager, co-lead). Please also include dates executed;
League table position (from either Bloomberg, Reuters or Dealogic), based on start date of 1 May 2025 – 30 April 2026 (completed deals only, not only priced or announced deals);
Please separate and clearly specify self-led deals including for: subsidiaries, associate companies or for companies with the same ultimate controlling shareholder.
For IPOs and primary offerings, list of deals and their respective market performance on share debut; and since listing to 30 April 2026.
League table position (from either Bloomberg, Reuters or Dealogic), based on start date of 1 May 2025 – 30 April 2026 (completed deals only, not only priced or announced deals);
Provide Case studies (up to 2) of the largest, most significant transactions and their relevance to the market and its development;
Specify participation in any international equity offerings, where relevant. Please also include dates executed;
A percentage breakdown of how much went to retail investors vs. institutional investors;
Testimonials from clients or fund managers, including contact email; and
Contact person for follow up questions: (Mobile + Email)

Important:

For all equity capital market relation transactions, you must also specify the EXACT role your bank has played in the relevant transaction (e.g., lead manager, co-manager) as well as names of all other participating banks on the same transaction In fairness to all, this information is required without which, we reserve the right not to include that transaction for awards consideration.

BEST INVESTMENT BANK

Provide details of all of the firm’s advisory and M&A work between 1 May 2025 – 30 April 2026;
List of IPOs, secondary offerings and convertible bonds (include amounts) your firm has executed in the country’s local currency, specifying exact role (e.g., lead manager, co-lead). Please also include dates executed;
List of bond deals + amount your firm has executed with exact role in each of the completed transactions submitted (e.g., lead manager, co-lead) in the country’s local currency. Please also include dates executed;
Please separate and clearly specify self-led deals including for: subsidiaries, associate companies or for companies with the same ultimate controlling shareholder.
League table position (from either Bloomberg, Reuters or Dealogic), based on start date of 1 May 2025 – 30 April 2026 (completed deals only, not only priced or announced deals);
Case studies (up to 3) of the largest, most significant transactions and their relevance to the market and its development;
Details of firm’s history, ownership structure, size and human resources;
Testimonials from clients (optional); and
Contact person for follow up questions: (Mobile + Email)

Important:

For investment banking and capital market relation transactions (e.g., debt, equity, M&A), you must also specify the EXACT role your bank has played in the relevant transaction (e.g., lead manager, lead adviser, co-manager, etc.,) as well as names of all other participating banks on the same transaction In fairness to all, this information is required without which, we reserve the right not to include that transaction for awards consideration.

BEST M&A HOUSE

Details of firm’s history, ownership structure, size and human resources;
Provide details of all of the firm’s advisory and M&A work (minimum size: US$300 million) 1May 2025 – 30 April 2026;
League table position (from either Bloomberg, Reuters or Dealogic), based on start date of 1 May 2025 – 30 April 2026 (completed deals only, not only priced or announced deals);
Please separate and clearly specify self-led deals including for: subsidiaries, associate companies or for companies with the same ultimate controlling shareholder.
Case studies (up to 3) of the largest, most significant transactions and their relevance to the market and its development;
Specify if either of the deals are self-led deals including for subsidiaries, associate companies or for companies with the same ultimate controlling shareholder.
Background on your institution and the way that the M&A department is organized;
Contact person for follow up questions: (Mobile + Email).

BEST SMALL TO MID-CAP CORPORATE FINANCE HOUSE

Details of firm’s history, ownership structure, size and human resources;
Provide details of all of the firm’s advisory and M&A work (not exceeding US$300 million) 1May 2025 – 30 April 2026;
League table position (from either Bloomberg, Reuters or Dealogic), based on start date of 1May 2025 – 30 April 2026; (completed deals only, not only priced or announced deals);
Please separate and clearly specify self-led deals including for: subsidiaries, associate companies or for companies with the same ultimate controlling shareholder.
Case studies (up to 3) of the largest, most significant transactions and their relevance to the market and its development;
Background on your institution and the way that the M&A department is organized;
Contact person for follow up questions: (Mobile + Email).

Important:

You must also specify the EXACT role your bank has played in the relevant transaction (e.g., sole lead adviser, co-lead, minority shareholder adviser, etc.,) as well as names of all other participating banks on the same transaction In fairness to all, this information is required without which, we reserve the right not to include that transaction for awards consideration.

BEST RETAIL/INSTITUTIONAL BROKER

Breakdown of market share on the local exchange since 1May 2025 – 30 April 2026. This should include monthly ranking with percentages, as well as an average for the period concerned;
What is the CAGR (in terms of percentage) for your brokerage business?
What is your average daily trading volume vis-à-vis the local stock exchange?
Percentage breakdown of the business which is retail versusinstitutional;
Percentage breakdown of commissions that come from local accounts versus foreign;
Percentage of cross-border trading from institutional investors versus retail investors?
Cite the number of active institutional clients/accounts;
Cite the number of retail clients/accounts;
Cite the number of stocks under coverage;
Successful examples as a distribution channel for IPOs and secondary offerings;
Provide up to three examples of your firm’s equity research, explaining where it made decisive calls; and
Do you offer CFD broking? If yes, please detail your operations in less than 100 words.
In no more 200 words, describe how your e-broking platform (online & mobile), is superior than other brokers in your market;
Testimonials from institutional funds, including contact email;
Contact person for follow up questions: (Mobile + Email).

BEST DIGITAL BROKER

Breakdown of market share on the local exchange since 1May 2025 – 30 April 2026. This should include monthly ranking with percentages, as well as an average for the period concerned;
What is the CAGR (in terms of percentage) for your brokerage business?
What is your average daily trading volume vis-à-vis the local stock exchange?
Percentage breakdown of the business which is retail versusinstitutional;
Percentage breakdown of commissions that come from local accounts versus foreign;
Percentage of cross-border trading from institutional investors vs. retail investors?
Cite the number of active institutional clients/accounts;
Cite the number of retail clients/accounts;
Cite the number of stocks under coverage;
Successful examples as a distribution channel for IPOs and secondary offerings;
Provide up to three examples of your firm’s equity research, explaining where it made decisive calls; and
Do you offer CFD broking? If yes, please detail your operations in less than 100 words.
In no more 200 words, describe how your e-broking platform (online & mobile), is superior than other brokers in your market;
Testimonials from institutional funds, including contact email;
Contact person for follow up questions: (Mobile + Email).

BEST TRADE FINANCE BANK

Describe the bank’s trade finance vision and how it views its market position versus its nearest competitor – in terms of: (I) Market share; (II) Cost ratio; (III) Number of trade service centers or spokes; and (IV) Number of physical document collection points and dispatching outlets;
Detail technological innovations with your trade finance solutions, especially over the last 18 months.
What is the ranking of your bank in the country in terms total assets, total loans, and total third-party funds?
Please provide trade finance total transaction volume handled between 1May 2025 – 30 April 2026
Please provide details about the product range available and depth of international non-L/C products (volume & amount)? ;
What is the average time (assuming documents submitted are error-free) your bank needs to process an L/C?;
How are you digitising options for clients to submit trade documents online?
What is the bank doing in terms of block chain technology as a new way of processing and storing data, improving security and reducing fraud risk?
In no more 200 words, describe how your e-banking trade finance platform (online & mobile), is superior than other local trade finance banks in your market;
Please provide details about the number of international branches (if applicable);
Please provide the total number of employees (direct headcount) within the trade finance division;
Please name one single foreign bank that your bank (white-labeling partner) partners with most of the time (regardless of the number of correspondent banking relationships your bank has)
Testimonials from clients; and
Contact person for follow up questions: (Mobile + Email).

Important:

All data and figures submitted must only be for years 2025-2026 and/or the awards period;
Focus on your YOY total trade assets growth;
Focus on your trade finance capabilities in your local market but be careful not to understate your regional trade finance capabilities for your clients in your local market;
What is your TT market share out of all commercial banks in the country;
How much (percentage) of your trade business is driven online from your banking portal – in terms of product, volume and value;

BEST CASH MANAGEMENT BANK

Describe the bank’s cash/liquidity management vision and how it views its market position versus its nearest competitor – in terms of: (I) Market share; (II) Cost ratio; and (III) Number of physical cash collection points/centers;
Detail technological innovations with your Collections & Payables Solutions, especially over the last 18 months
In no more 200 words, describe how your e-banking cash management platform (online & mobile), is superior than other local cash management providers;
Please provide 1 example of the most significant implementation of a cash/liquidity management solution your bank has executed between 1May 2025 – 30 April 2026, whereby your bank has helped its client improve their liquidity or reduce overall transactions costs;
Please provide cash management (total transaction volume) handled between 1May 2025 – 30 April 2026 as well as pricing competitiveness in the local market;
Cite the average number of transactions the bank processes per month; along with the average monthly volume in value.
Please provide the total number of employees (direct headcount) within the cash management division;
Please name one single foreign bank that your bank (white-labeling partner) partners with most of the time – between 1 May 2025 – 30 April 2026 (regardless of the number of correspondent banking relationships your bank has)
Testimonials from clients; and
Contact person for follow up questions: (Mobile + Email).

Important:

All data and figures submitted must only be for years 2025-2026 and/or the awards period;
Focus on your YOY total trade assets growth;
Focus on your trade finance capabilities in your local market but be careful not to understate your regional trade finance capabilities for your clients in your local market;
What is your TT market share out of all commercial banks in the country;
How much (percentage) of your trade business is driven online from your banking portal – in terms of product, volume and value; 52252020

SPECIAL MARQUEE AWARDS

The aim of the Marquee Award is to recognize an FI that has a growing and committed footprint within Southeast Asia, in a given product area. To participate, simply send us a short pitch document containing no more than 800-1000 (max) words as to Why your bank deserves a particular award – on or before the deadline.

Notes about the written pitch: This material should be considered public. It lays out the case for why your organisation deserves the award. All submissions must be in Word document format. No supplemental material will be accepted except for client testimonials based in ASEAN. These will be treated with strict confidence and will be considered as off the record, but we do need to know the name of the client. Submissions (not including testimonials) are limited to 1,000 words. If it exceeds 1,000 words, we will delete anything following the thousandth word. You should not feel the need to fill it out to the maximum word count; clarity of argument is more important than length. We welcome information regarding growth in your business in terms of clientele, client segments, and addressable assets; product innovation; infrastructure improvements; credit ratings; market leadership; investment into your business. We will consider activities from Q1 2025 to the present. Mere size isn’t enough: we want to know what you have done for your clients and for the market in 2025-2026 that makes this your standout year. The key is to focus on your capabilities in ASEAN. In some cases, an interview may be required. These interviews are however off the record and are meant to put your formal pitch in context.

Best Bond House for Sustainable Finance

Best SME Bank in Southeast Asia

Best Digital Bank in Southeast Asia

Best E-Wallet*

Best Broker in Southeast Asia

Best Mobile Trading App

Best Online Trading Platform

Best Transactional Banking Online Platform

Best International Banking Division in Southeast Asia

Best Corporate Access in ASEAN

*In terms of interoperability; regulation and compliance; security and fraud; access and inclusivity to customer experience

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