Who is eligible?

All banks and non-bank financial institutions.

Can I make more than one submission?

TAB welcomes submissions for all categories you qualify for. Please provide separate responses to the questionnaires for each award category you are applying for. Submissions can be made in any format.

Will institutions that do not make a submission be considered?

TAB may decide, at its own discretion and on a strictly case-by-case basis, to consider institutions that do not make a submission. However, institutions that do not make a submission may have a ranking that is not up to their expectations due to unavoidable difficulties in gathering comprehensive and accurate information

Is the information submitted made available to the public?

All information submitted is treated with the strictest confidence and used for evaluation purposes only. The Asian Banker publishes generic reports that discuss trends and emerging best practices demonstrated through the programme. Where we deem specific submissions as being suitable for publication, we will first seek your permission before publication.

Where should I send the submission to?

Your application can be submitted in softcopy to aiawards@tab.global for more information on the programme, please visit the website

Commitment to integrity

TAB is committed to the highest level of integrity in conducting all awards programmes. At no time would it conduct proceedings in a manner that could give the industry any reason to doubt the impartiality of the decision-making process. TAB makes a clear distinction between the commercial aspects of running an awards programme, which go towards underwriting the costs of the researchers and the time involved, and the neutrality with which its researchers make their decisions. TAB would like the industry to take these awards as representing the most prestigious recognition of their work as well as professional careers.

TAB has examined many different forms of funding the awards programme and found that the model it currently uses is the most effective. A well-run awards programme must have important working elements that define it.

TAB awards programmes are run with the intention of identifying emerging best practices and benchmarks that can set high standards for the industry to meet, exceed and shape the future.

The community element is extremely important as the awards programme is meant to inspire progress in the industry. As such, the conference and awards dinners are a critical component of the programme. We insist that all winners attend these events to ensure that the community element is intact. For this reason, winners can forfeit their recognition if they do not attend the designated awards ceremonies.

We adhere to the following guidelines:

• The entire enquiry process into the awards programmes is thorough and non-discriminatory. With this approach, TAB may discover best practices in institutions that it may not have interacted with in the past. The awards team then initiate an enquiry process to identify new winners who may not be aware of the programmes. The process is run on a neutral basis, and there is no distinction between institutions with which TAB has a commercial relationship and those that do not. The research is conducted to identify the best possible candidates for the respective awards programmes.
• During the research, TAB does not accept any forms of gratuity, including transport, food, or conveniences and allowances of any kind from any institutions that it makes an enquiry on. It undertakes the travel and communication expenses with all the different players.
• The sales team at TAB has no influence on the selection process whatsoever. Although there are instances when institutions make representation to the sales team ahead of the award process, there are strict protocols in place with the research and editorial teams where none of this information is communicated and least of all, influence the decisions.
• The sales team only becomes aware of the winners after the list is approved by the Council of Advisors and published to the winning institutions. The list is final, and no amendments are made based on any commercial arrangements that arise thereafter.
• Winning institutions are encouraged by the sales team to participate in commercial activities, most of which goes to underwrite the costs involved in conducting the research. The research process often takes between three and six months of time and work. During this time, they are not paid by any of the institutions that are being covered. TAB also does not accept sponsorships that can unduly influence the type of winners being selected.
• The commercial arrangements for banks and FinTechs are designed to add value to the winning institutions’ own marketing efforts because of winning the awards. They are also intended to create and sustain the community element that is required to bring the entire industry together, which in turn adds to the prestige and recognition of these awards. Any allegations of impropriety or lack of impartiality are taken seriously and brought to the attention of the Council of Advisors for their decision.

TAB does not take into consideration any financial commitment in making its assessment. It is strictly not possible to influence the award in any way. However, winners are requested to invest in research reports, case studies, videos and write-ups generated from the results for editorial coverage and for the winner’s marketing use.