Financial services firms across the world continue to demonstrate their outstanding ability to innovate and use technology to enhance the performance of their businesses. 

This first edition of the Qorus Reinvention Awards - Europe recognizes top innovators in the 'old cotntinent'. The awards highlight some of the products and services, and the creative teams behind them, that have propelled leading innovators ahead of their competitors. The eighteen finalists operate in a wide range of countries with diverse markets.

This year’s awards celebrate offerings that display exceptional ingenuity in improving customer experience, distribution, ESG and operational efficiency as well as innovations that demonstrate new ways of working. The highlight of the awards is the selection of the European Innovator of the Year from among the finalists – an accolade that acknowledges a company’s exceptional commitment to innovation.

The winners of the awards were announced at a ceremony in Vienna on 20 March.

During the 2024 Qorus Reinvention Awards - Europe ceremony, Antonio Coppolecchia, Financial Services Lead EMEA at Accenture Song, showcased the latest trends in retail banking, drawing from a plethora of examples from both major industry players and smaller, innovative entities.

The Customer Experience category celebrates financial institutions that have made significant enhancements in their marketing, sales, distribution, and their management of customer channels, communications, engagement, and relationships.

Gold winner
My World Super App by Yapi Kredi (Turkey)
Yapı Kredi transformed its mobile banking app into a "super app" that offers customers a wide range of integrated services. The My World super app incorporates the My Car+ vehicle management service, My Home+ home administration facility, My Bank+ integrated banking offering and My Trips+ travel planner. The new super app has helped Yapı Kredi attract more than 12.3 million users of its digital banking. (Read the full case study)

Silver winner
Integrated Housing, Energy and Mobility Ecosystem by KBC (Belgium)
KBC is working with providers of housing, energy and mobility services to build a comprehensive ecosystem that offers customers advice, support and financial assistance. The ecosystem uses artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics, and is directed by the bank’s Kate virtual assistant, to help customers adopt a sustainable lifestyle. KBC’s partners include real-estate platform Immoscoop, energy-management firm Eliq, home renovations company Setle and staffing agency Impact. (Read the full case study)

Bronze winner
My Aggregated Plans by CaixaBank (Spain)
CaixaBank has introduced a facility on its CaixaBankNow website and app that allows customers to view and add products provided by other banks. The 'My Aggregated Plans' facility enables its customers to easily access and manage all their banking service plans on a single screen. This enhancement has improved the customer experience that CaixaBank provides its clients and helped increase its retention and conversion rates. (Read the full case study)

The Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) category applauds financial institutions for their innovations that demonstrate how they have seamlessly embedded sustainability and ESG principles into their value chains.

Gold winner
Urban Data mapping tool by Ethias (Belgium)
Ethias Assurance is helping local authorities in Belgium make their towns and cities safer. It has developed an intelligent mapping tool, Urban Data, that uses information from multiple sources to identify, locate and categorize accidents that have occurred within a specific area over many years. Information from Urban Data can be used by local authorities to optimize infrastructure, prioritize upgrades and curb accidents. (Read the full case study)

Silver winner
For a World without Labels by Ageas (Portugal)
To advance its commitment to a 'world without labels', Ageas Portugal has engaged in several initiatives to promote social inclusion and diversity. At its offices, for example, it hosts facilities run by community groups such as Café Joyeux, Crescer, Semear and Serviços de Assistência de Organizações de Maria (SAOM). Moreover, the insurer recently hosted a conference that addressed diversity and inclusion. (Read the full case study)

Bronze winner
State subsidies in mobile banking app by Česká Spořitelna (Czech Republic) 
Česká Spořitelna is using its mobile banking app, George, to help households in the Czech Republic that struggle to make ends meet every month understand if they are eligible for state subsidies such as housing allowances. The bank has created a calculator on the app where customers complete key information on their income and expenses to understand if they can apply. This tool has raised awareness of the available state benefits and taken away some of the stigma of having to go and physically apply for these. (Read the full case study)

The Operational Efficiency category commends financial institutions for implementing scalable processes that drive improved efficiency, supporting a faster pace of growth for the bank's revenue stream and asset base compared to its overhead costs.

Gold winner
MAvalue by Allianz Partners (Spain)
Allianz Partners in Spain have launched a mobile app that allows customers to submit claims quickly and easily. By using the MAvalue Selfcare app, policyholders can upload photographs or videos of damage to their property and in a few seconds check that they have cover, obtain a loss assessment and, if their claim is approved, receive a cash settlement. (Read the full case study)

Silver winner
Innovation Fund and 'Working Backwards' Process by TBC Bank (Georgia)
TBC Bank has fostered a culture of innovation and attentiveness to customers within its workforce. The bank introduced the 'Working Backwards' program, developed by Amazon, to encourage its staff to identify new ways to tackle customer problems. It also set up an innovation fund to develop promising ideas into effective solutions. TBC’s US$12million fund has supported more than 30 projects that have enhanced the customer experience that the bank provides and improved its allocation of resources. (Read the full case study)

Bronze winner
Conversion-boosting mechanisms in Paynow by mBank (Poland)
mBank has enhanced its Paynow payments gateway by introducing mechanisms that increase sales conversion rates. Its unpaid transaction rescue tools and intelligent payment method rotation facilities, which automatically suggest alternative payment methods, have saved a significant volume of potentially lost online sales. Paynow’s increased conversion rates have raised customer satisfaction among merchants and improved consumers’ online shopping experience. (Read the full case study)

The New Ways of Working category is all about recognizing trailblazers who are redefining the future of work. This encompasses those who are pioneering remote work strategies, exploring creative ways to foster a culture of collaboration, and implementing groundbreaking productivity techniques. In this category, we celebrate innovative approaches that are transforming the traditional work landscape and shaping the way we work in today's rapidly evolving world.

Gold winner
The Financial Advisors Team by Banca Widiba (Italy)
Banca Widiba has launched a new collaboration tool that aims to take care of customer financial needs through a totally digitalized process on its web portal, Wise. Financial advisors in its network can now set up a partnership between financial consultants in the management of a client portfolio, bringing together their two competences. The tool also allows junior financial advisors to work alongside a senior advisor, enabling effective inter-generational skills transfer. (Read the full case study)

Silver winner
ZFG MOBILE by Ziraat Bankasi (Turkey)
Ziraat Bankasi has introduced a mobile platform that gives its employees access to corporate applications and information. ZFG MOBILE features the company’s Bilge virtual assistant which can answer a wide range of employee questions, an online approval process for business transactions, an edit menu to prioritize applications, a geographic information system to locate corporate customers, and instant emergency notification. It has improved the bank's efficiency and reduced costs. (Read the full case study)

Bronze winner
Expertise, Career and Development Analytics Program by Akbank (Turkey)
Akbank has launched a career development program that uses data analytics to help employees improve their skills and competence. The program encourages workers to pursue continuous learning and development, points them to career opportunities and prepares them for work in the future. It also provides Akbank with a transparent career management process and gives insights into the organization’s workforce strengths and deficiencies. Around 70% of the bank’s employees engaged in the program’s skills assessment process last year. (Read the full case study)

The Distribution category celebrates financial institutions that have pioneered innovative practices, reimagining distribution in response to changing customer expectations, encompassing new delivery channels, branch transformation, multi-channel integration, mobile banking, and scalable end-to-end value propositions leveraging partnerships, platforms, and the Internet of Things.

Gold winner
My Finance Quests by Raiffeisen Bank International (Austria)
Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) is using the popular Minecraft video game to encourage financial literacy among teenagers. It has adapted Minecraft to include interactive mini games that address topics such as bank operations, saving, budgeting and online security. The bank is promoting the modified game under the name 'My Finance Quests' and reports positive feedback from users in Austria and Slovakia. (Read the full case study)

Silver winner
Alışgidiş (Get and Go) by Fibabanka (Turkey)
Fibabanka has strengthened its presence in the local ecommerce sector with the launch of its Buy-Now-Pay-Later (BNPL) facility. The Alışgidiş (Get and Go) facility offers shoppers the convenience of buying products on credit, independent of card limits and with various repayment options, at around 12,500 physical and online sales points. Fibabanka reports that more than five million customers have signed up for the Alışgidiş BNPL facility. (Read the full case study)

Bronze winner
iziBizi by Millennium bcp (Portugal)
Millennium bcp has teamed up with cloud solutions provider Cegid Cloudware to develop a comprehensive enterprise resource planning (ERP) system for small businesses. The cloud-based iziBizi system combines traditional ERP functions with a range of financial services. Around 1,200 companies are using iziBizi and about 20% of them are new Millennium bcp customers. (Read the full case study)

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