1. SME Banking Strategy & Key Achievements Provide an overview of your SME banking strategy during the review period. Include your target segments, geographic focus, and the core needs your institution set out to address. How does your SME proposition differentiate you in your market? Where relevant, describe the scope of your SME product and service offering, including:
• Lending, working capital, trade finance, payments, cash management, FX/treasury, advisory, and ecosystem or sector-specific services
• Key metrics: SME loan book size or growth, client numbers, market share, geographic footprint, and branch or RM coverage
• Notable milestones, product launches, partnerships, or awards during the review period
• Efforts to reach underserved segments such as women-led businesses, rural SMEs, or first-time borrowers
• Evidence of expansion into new markets or product lines, with supporting data on uptake or performance
Links to Public Resources Provide links to press releases, product pages, digital content, news coverage, app store listings, or any other publicly available resources that demonstrate or support your answer, above. Please include a brief label for each link. (maximum 8 links)
2. Innovation Highlights Describe any new products, services, technologies, or processes introduced to better serve SMEs. What problem did the innovation solve? What makes it original or differentiated? Include any measurable outcomes such as adoption rates, speed improvements, or customer uptake. Where possible, include:
• Specific products, features, or processes launched or significantly improved during the review period
• Measurable impact: adoption rates, time-to-decision improvements, cost reductions, or client uptake data
• Evidence that the innovation is replicable or scalable, including any pilots successfully rolled out at scale
Links to Public Resources Provide links to press releases, product pages, digital content, news coverage, app store listings, or any other publicly available resources that demonstrate or support your answer, above. Please include a brief label for each link. (maximum 8 links)
3. Use of Technology and Digital Delivery How has your institution used technology to improve SME banking during the review period? This may include digital onboarding, alternative credit scoring, API integrations, automation, or self-service tools. Describe the scope, and where possible, provide data on digital adoption or engagement. Where possible, include:
• Data on digital channel adoption: percentage of SME clients actively using digital platforms, volume of transactions processed digitally, or growth in self-service tool usage during the review period
• Evidence of scalable technology infrastructure supporting SME delivery across markets or segments
Links to Public Resources Provide links to press releases, product pages, digital content, news coverage, app store listings, or any other publicly available resources that demonstrate or support your answer, above. Please include a brief label for each link. (maximum 8 links)
4. Client Experience Initiatives Describe the steps your institution has taken to improve the SME client experience. This may cover onboarding simplicity, omnichannel access, relationship management, language or localization, or service responsiveness. Include any customer satisfaction data, testimonials, or external ratings that support your response. Where possible, include:
• Specific onboarding or service improvements introduced during the review period, with measurable outcomes (e.g., reduced onboarding time, faster credit decisions)
• Customer satisfaction scores, NPS data, retention rates, complaint reduction metrics, or verified client testimonials
• Market share data or competitive benchmarks, if available, that demonstrate the strength of your client relationships relative to peers
Links to Public Resources Provide links to press releases, product pages, digital content, news coverage, app store listings, or any other publicly available resources that demonstrate or support your answer, above. Please include a brief label for each link. (maximum 8 links)
5. Financial Performance and Impact Provide an overview of your SME banking financial performance during the review period. Include relevant metrics such as SME loan book size or growth, deposit growth, revenue contribution, and asset quality indicators. Publicly disclosed figures are encouraged. If sharing confidential data, please label it clearly. Where available, please include:
• SME business as a % of total business
• Value of SME loans issued (April 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026) and total outstanding
• League tables or competitive comparisons demonstrating your institution’s position in the SME market
• Any additional figures demonstrating the scale and performance of your SME franchise
Links to Public Resources Provide links to press releases, product pages, digital content, news coverage, app store listings, or any other publicly available resources that demonstrate or support your answer, above. Please include a brief label for each link. (maximum 8 links)
6. Best Bank for SME Customer Experience If applying for Best Bank for SME Customer Experience, describe how your institution has improved the end-to-end SME client journey. Include evidence related to onboarding, service responsiveness, digital and branch access, relationship management, customer satisfaction, retention, testimonials, or third-party ratings.
Links to Public Resources Provide links to press releases, product pages, digital content, news coverage, app store listings, or any other publicly available resources that demonstrate or support your answer, above. Please include a brief label for each link. (maximum 8 links)
7. Best Bank for Agriculture and Rural SMEs If applying for Best Bank for Agriculture and Rural SMEs, describe how your institution serves agricultural businesses and rural SMEs. Include information on tailored financing, seasonal or flexible repayment structures, advisory support, distribution reach, risk management, partnerships, and measurable outcomes for these clients.
Links to Public Resources Provide links to press releases, product pages, digital content, news coverage, app store listings, or any other publicly available resources that demonstrate or support your answer, above. Please include a brief label for each link. (maximum 8 links)
8. Best Bank for Woman-Owned SMEs If applying for Best Bank for Woman-Owned SMEs, describe how your institution supports women-owned and women-led businesses. Include details on dedicated products, financing programs, advisory support, access initiatives, partnerships, outreach, and measurable results during the review period.
Links to Public Resources Provide links to press releases, product pages, digital content, news coverage, app store listings, or any other publicly available resources that demonstrate or support your answer, above. Please include a brief label for each link. (maximum 8 links)
9. Best Bank for Financial Inclusion in SME Banking If applying for Best Bank for Financial Inclusion in SME Banking, explain how your institution expands access to finance and banking services for underserved SME segments. Include evidence related to first-time borrowers, micro and small businesses, rural or informal businesses, minority-owned businesses, or other priority segments.
Links to Public Resources Provide links to press releases, product pages, digital content, news coverage, app store listings, or any other publicly available resources that demonstrate or support your answer, above. Please include a brief label for each link. (maximum 8 links)
Additional Supporting Links Please provide links to any additional material that you feel help strengthen your submission. You may submit case studies, client testimonials, marketing collateral, product documentation, or any other materials that support your entry.
Confidentiality Agreement(Required) I confirm that any confidential information included in this submission has been clearly labeled as such. I understand that Global Finance will treat all confidential data with the highest standards of security.
Accuracy Confirmation(Required) I confirm that all information provided in this submission is accurate, complete, and submitted in good faith.
