The Qorus Banking Innovation Awards have been a catalyst for innovation in the banking sector since their inception in 2013. This global competition rewards the best new ideas and practices that are transforming the industry for the benefit of both banks and customers.

For the past eleven years, Qorus has collected innovative projects, initiatives, and ideas from banks, banking start-ups, spin-offs, and technology firms working within the industry. The Banking Innovation Library showcases the most recent and relevant innovations in the market and serves as a valuable tool for analyzing the ever-changing banking ecosystem, while also providing a benchmark for comparing your innovation against the competition.

This year, Qorus and Infosys Finacle received over 390 innovations from 177 institutions across 57 countries—a true testament to the innovation within the banking industry. Qorus and Infosys Finacle announced the winners during an in-person ceremony on October 8th.

The 'Business Model Transformation' category celebrates groundbreaking products and initiatives that reshape a bank's business model, redefining its role in the ever-evolving financial ecosystem. This award recognizes banks that lead the charge in 'new-age banking,' from scaling digital-first models to embracing embedded finance, marketplace banking, super apps, and Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS). It highlights institutions that are boldly transforming to stay ahead in a rapidly changing landscape.

Gold winner
Market 24/7 by Československá Obchodní Banka (Czech Republic)
Československá Obchodní Banka (ČSOB) has teamed up with software developer Etnetera Flow, supermarket chain COOP and retail systems integrator PVA Systems to extend automated 24/7 shopping across the Czech Republic. Its Market 24/7 facility, available on the DoKapsy od ČSOB app, allows the bank’s customers to confirm their identity and perform transactions at more than 60 automated stores. ČSOB is working with further partners to scale Market 24/7. (Read the full case study)

Silver winner
Business model transformation for ESG financing by BNP Paribas Bank Polska (Poland)
Advancing both its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) commitment and its GObeyond business strategy, BNP Paribas Bank Polska has developed an ecosystem of products and services that help local businesses become greener organizations.  The Green Transformation Financing Ecosystem provides special loans and bonds as well as environmental services, in partnership with domestic and international agencies, and sustainability education, training and advice. (Read the full case study)

Bronze winner
D-Verse NFT marketplace by Banco BPI (Portugal)
Banco BPI has distinguished itself from its competitors, while also opening a new revenue stream, by launching an easy-to-use online NFT marketplace where customers can buy digital goods with traditional fiat currency. Built with local IT firm Celfocus and supported by a secure blockchain network, the D-Verse marketplace has attracted more than 300 registered users. (Read the full case study)

The 'Core Offering Innovation' category honors cutting-edge products and services—whether developed independently or through partnerships—that align with customers’ evolving digital lifestyles and drive sustainable growth. This category celebrates breakthrough ideas that transform, enhance, or customize a bank’s core offerings, from deposits and credit to payments, investments, and financial advice, targeting specific market segments with precision.

Gold winner
Financial Health as Ultimate Company Purpose by Ceska Sporitelna (Czech Republic)
Ceska Sporitelna has strengthened the support it gives customers by creating a comprehensive ecosystem, integrated across multiple service points, that provides clients with financial advice. Customers can receive guidance on how to navigate challenging financial circumstances from Ceska Sporitelna’s digital portals, obtain personal assistance from branch staff, or attend financial literacy events hosted by the bank. (Read the full case study)

Silver winner
Shared-Value Home Loans by Discovery Bank (South Africa)
Discovery Bank is encouraging its home loan customers to manage their money responsibly by reducing their interest rates when they demonstrate sound financial behavior and thereby lower their risk to the institution. Using its Vitality Money program, which tracks key metrics to show customers their financial health, as well as other inhouse and third-party indicators, Discovery Bank dynamically measures a customer’s risk and if it drops, the company discounts the customer’s interest rate by up to 1%. (Read the full case study)

Bronze winner
Game on Deposit @ Liv by Emirates NBD (United Arab Emirates)
Emirates NBD’s digital bank, Liv, is using gamification to encourage customers to invest in its fixed deposit accounts. Its Game on Deposit initiative rewarded customers with a 10% per annum interest rate on a four-month fixed deposit if they predicted the winner of the Euros 24 football tournament, with lower rates granted to clients whose teams were runners-up or semi-finalists. (Read the full case study)

The 'Future Workforce' category celebrates transformative initiatives that are reshaping the workforce of tomorrow. These projects redefine how work is done, how employees engage, and how organizational culture evolves to meet future demands. From leveraging data and technology to empowering employees with new skills alongside machines, this category recognizes innovative approaches to organizing, performing, measuring, and managing work in a rapidly changing environment

Gold winner
Empowering Employees with Digital Office by OCBC (Singapore)
To increase the collaboration of its more than 30,000 employees in 19 countries and regions, OCBC Bank has developed a company-wide digital platform that consolidates workforce requests and communications. The Digital Office platform incorporates technologies such as AI, blockchain and the Internet of Things and its roll out across the organization will accelerate the bank’s digital transformation. (Read the full case study)

Silver winner
BizPlay gamification platform for contact center employees by Yapi Kredi (Turkey)
Yapı Kredi is using gamification to increase the motivation, collaboration and productivity of its contact center employees. Its BizPlay platform supports 25 games, integrated with the business processes at the bank’s Customer Relations Center, that promote teamwork, reward improved work performance and encourage training and development. (Read the full case study)

Bronze winner
Robotic Precision for APOS Production Efficiency and a Better Workplace by BCA (Indonesia)
Bank Central Asia (BCA) used robotic precision manufacturing technologies together with GenAI methodologies to improve the production of the APOS (Android Point of Sales) data capture devices it offers retail merchants. The improved production process, which is aligned with BCA’s digital transformation, has enhanced the quality of the bank’s APOS units, reduced security risks and lowered manufacturing costs. (Read the full case study)

The 'Neobanks & Fintech Players' category honors banking start-ups, digital spinoffs of traditional banks, and tech firms revolutionizing the banking industry. This category highlights initiatives that leverage cutting-edge technology to elevate the customer experience or generate new revenue streams. Eligible innovations must be stage-one funded, have a market-ready proposition, or have completed a successful proof of concept (PoC)

Gold winner
Exceptional Customer Experience Driving Digital Bank Growth by Trust Bank (Singapore)
With backing from Standard Chartered Bank and retail chain FairPrice, recently-formed Trust Bank has capitalized on the rising demand for exceptional customer experience.  Launched in 2022, the digital bank has established a customer-centric culture, supported by cloud technologies, and by the end of 2023 it had captured 14% of the local consumer banking market. (Read the full case study)

Silver winner
Democratizing Payments and Financial Services by PhonePe (India)
The PhonePe Group is using its extensive technology infrastructure to roll out innovative financial services that are accessible to all consumers. It has launched a variety of digital funds-transfer, payments and insurance offerings that are intended to help unlock the flow of money in India and give all citizens access to financial resources. (Read the full case study)

Bronze winner
Alpian (Switzerland)
Neobank Alpian SA has developed an intelligent wealth management and private banking platform that uses data analytics to give clients personalized investment strategies, real-time portfolio adjustments, and efficient daily banking facilities. The platform allows users to navigate a wealth of financial insights and transaction histories and also offers a variety of educational resources. (Read the full case study)

The 'Operational Excellence' category honors banks that have mastered process re-engineering and optimized operations, setting the stage for profitable growth. This category recognizes initiatives with scalable processes that boost efficiency, enabling the bank to accelerate revenue and asset growth while keeping overhead costs in check.

Gold winner
Bank App Activation with NFC Card by mBank (Poland)
mBank has enhanced the customer experience it provides its customers by using NFC technology to simplify its mobile banking app’s activation process. The new process, which is quick, secure and convenient, allows clients to use an NFC-enabled card to authenticate their identity and activate the mBank app. (Read the ful case study)

Silver winner
SC Automate by Standard Chartered Bank (India)
Standard Chartered Bank has streamlined its operations, automating more than 400 processes and cutting turnaround times by over 500 hours, with its implementation of a cloud-based production system. Developed inhouse, the SC Automate system is integrated with an extensive data lakes infrastructure and has increased the bank’s operational efficiency and risk management. (Read the full case study)

Bronze winner
Face Pay by Halyk Bank (Kazakhstan)
Halyk Bank has teamed up with Almaty, the operator of the metro rail system in the Kazakhstan capital, to provide a facial recognition payment facility for commuters on the public transport service. Travelers can register for the FacePay facility by using the bank’s mobile app to upload their biometric details and thereby gain walk-through access to the rail service. (Read the ful case study)

The 'Reimagining the Customer Experience' category celebrates initiatives that harness digital technologies to create deeper, more engaging client interactions. These efforts drive a customer-centric approach, boosting loyalty, satisfaction, and advocacy. The category highlights major improvements in marketing, sales, distribution, and the management of customer channels, communication, engagement, and relationships.

Gold winner
Innovation: Enhanced customer experience for SMEs and wholesale customers by Banco Santander (Spain)
Banco Santander is looking to increase its presence in the SME sector by enhancing the customer experience it provides small businesses and wholesale clients. Building on its extensive digital infrastructure, the bank is hyper-personalizing its engagement with SME customers and representatives, streamlining its systems and processes, using data to add value to its offerings, and complementing its service channels with specialist support teams. (Read the full case study)

Silver winner
Hyper-personalization by Banorte (Mexico)
Banorte is using AI to hyper-personalize the customer experience it offers clients and to tailor credit and investment products more closely to their needs. The hyper-personalization project is part of the bank’s shift from focusing primarily on products to becoming a customer-orientated organization that uses its risk models to offer customers offerings that match their specific requirements. (Read the full case study)

Bronze winner
GO by Krungsri Auto by Bank of Ayudhya (Thailand)
Bank of Ayudhya, also known as Krungsri Bank, has enhanced the customer experience it delivers by developing a mobile app that offers clients an array of automotive services and associated lifestyle offerings. The GO by Krungsri Auto app gives the bank’s customers access to a comprehensive ecosystem of vehicle and motorcycle financing, insurance, maintenance, repair and resale services as well as fuel discounts, loyalty rewards and travel packages. (Read the full case study)

The 'Social, Sustainable & Responsible Banking' category celebrates banks that lead the way in ESG initiatives, both within their organization and through innovative customer offerings. This category highlights advancements that enhance the bank’s social impact, reinforce its role as a responsible corporate citizen, and support customers in their sustainability journey.

Gold winner
ESG Scoring by Intesa Sanpaolo (Italy)
Intesa Sanpaolo has addressed the lack of standardized ESG methodologies by developing its own scoring model to determine the ESG profiles of its corporate customers. The model draws data from a variety of sources and incorporates best practices, approaches and proposals from a wide range of industry associations, regulators, and rating agencies. (Read the full case study)

Silver winner
BASA Digital  by Banco da Amazonia (Brazil)
Banco da Amazonia is supporting remote communities in the Amazon region by rolling out an online platform that enables its credit agents to quickly process loan applications to develop and maintain subsistence projects. The BASA Digital platform has cut loan application processing times from close to six months to just 24 hours. (Read the full case study)

Bronze winner
Union Access Accessible Banking Program by Union Bank of India (India)
Union Bank of India has launched a comprehensive program that aims to improve the banking experience it offers to people with disabilities and to senior citizens. The Union Access banking program has initiated several changes to the bank’s systems and processes, to make them more accessible to customers with disabilities and also prompted the introduction of a variety of specially designed customer facilities and products. (Read the full case study)

The 'Emerging Tech Innovation of the Year' category celebrates groundbreaking innovations that harness cutting-edge technologies to shape the future of banking. This award highlights how game-changing technologies like Cloud, Generative AI, Blockchain, Open APIs, IoT, and Mixed Reality are transforming the industry. It honors banks that push the boundaries of what's possible, using these advancements to create forward-thinking solutions. Note that submissions are not accepted in this category; instead, nominees are selected from the seven categories listed above.

Gold winner
Digital Transformation with Generative AI by Bradesco (Brazil)
Bradesco has built a company-wide platform that uses GenAI to enhance the capabilities of its employees, improve its governance and processes, strengthen its ties with partners, and provide a robust, scalable infrastructure for its business units. The bank expects the platform to boost its operational efficiency, innovation and customer service. (Read the full case study)

Silver winner
Digital Assets Platform by MoraBanc (Andorra)
MoraBanc is extending its traditional banking services to accommodate increasingly popular digital assets. It is using blockchain technology to provide customers with a seamless, secure and compliant platform that allows them to manage their conventional assets as well as digital offerings such as cryptocurrencies, stablecoins and tokenized securities. (Read the full case study)

Bronze winner
RBC Clear: Cash Management Reimagined by RBC (Canada)
Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) has built a cash management platform for its corporate customers in the US that uses advanced digital technologies to give company treasurers greater control of their working capital. The RBC Clear™ platform was developed by the bank to support the launch of its new cash management business in the US and is targeted at that country’s top 1,000 companies. (Read the full case study)

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