American Banker Launches Innovation of the Year 2025 Awards

New program to honor the top 10 groundbreaking financial technologies and the teams behind them

NEW YORK, March 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- American Banker, the leading information resource serving the banking and financial services community, today announced the launch of its Innovation of the Year awards program. Debuting in conjunction with American Banker's annual Digital Banking conference, which takes place in Boca Raton, Fla., June 1-4, 2025, the new awards recognize the 10 most trailblazing products, services, tools, and technologies shaping the future of financial services—and the collaborative partnerships and teams that bring these breakthroughs to life.

The new initiative celebrates innovations that have demonstrated tangible business impact, accelerated digital transformation, and delivered measurable benefits to customers. Award recipients will be recognized at a high-profile gala on June 2, during the Digital Banking Conference, where a grand prize honor will be awarded to one innovation and the team behind it.

"American Banker has a long track record of honoring the industry's most transformative ideas," said Chana Shoenberger, Editor in Chief of American Banker. "With this new program, we are celebrating collaborative innovation, highlighting the dynamism of our industry, and shining a spotlight on the people and organizations reimagining what's possible."

Applications are open to innovations from banks, financial institutions, and fintechs with bank charters or licenses. Technology companies can also submit an application, but inclusion of the partner bank, financial institution or fintech with bank charter or license is required in the nomination. The Innovation of the Year program shines a spotlight on established and emerging players across a range of categories, including: digital and mobile-first banking; open banking and open finance; regulation, compliance and risk management; artificial intelligence and cloud computing; embedded finance; payments; banking-as-a-service; and cybersecurity. To be eligible, the innovation must have launched in 2024 and demonstrate quantifiable impact on revenue growth, customer acquisition, operational efficiency, return on investment, and/or broader market influence.

"This new awards program underscores Arizent's commitment to recognizing excellence in financial services innovation," said Jeff Mancini, CEO of Arizent, parent company of American Banker. "We believe that groundbreaking ideas flourish when institutions, fintechs, and other partners collaborate, and we look forward to celebrating the entire digital ecosystem driving the industry forward."

Submissions are being accepted through April 14, 2025. Although nominations are not required for consideration, it is strongly encouraged that all eligible innovators share metrics and supporting details on the business impact of their efforts.

"Our Digital Banking conference has always showcased the leadership and innovation radically reshaping the financial services landscape," said Jon Moore, EVP of Events and Live Media at Arizent. "By introducing the Innovation of the Year awards as part of this marquee event, we are thrilled to recognize the visionary teams and partnerships propelling our industry into new frontiers."

Award recipients will be featured across American Banker's print and online channels, as well as on social media, ensuring broad visibility and recognition throughout the financial services community.

For more information on sponsorship opportunities, contact Brad Bava at [email protected].

To learn more about the awards program and submit a nomination, visit https://www.americanbanker.com/news/american-bankers-innovation-of-the-year-2025-how-to-apply or email [email protected].

About American Banker
American Banker is the essential resource for senior executives in banking and financial services, keeping its members updated on vital developments and focusing sharply on their most important concerns — innovation, transformation and disruption; technology, regulation and reform. Financial industry professionals turn to American Banker every day and throughout the day to stay maximally informed — drilling down on complex issues, keeping up with breaking news and downloading research and data.

About Arizent
Arizent is a business information company that advances professional communities by providing insights and analysis and convening industry leaders. The company uses deep industry expertise and a data-driven platform to deliver its services, which include subscriptions, marketing services, live events, and access to Leaders, a digital content platform featuring livestream and on-demand formats. Arizent connects business communities through leading financial services brands like American Banker, The Bond Buyer, Financial Planning, and National Mortgage News, as well as professional services brands like Accounting Today, Employee Benefit News, and Digital Insurance. For more information, visit www.arizent.com.

SOURCE Arizent