With just one week remaining before entries close, organisations and individuals working across Open Banking, Open Finance and Smart Data have a final opportunity to submit nominations for the Open Banking Expo Awards 2026. The entry deadline is 22 July 2026, ahead of the industry’s flagship event taking place in London this October.
The awards recognise projects, products, partnerships and individuals that have delivered measurable results across financial services. They highlight achievements in innovation, customer experience, collaboration and the practical implementation of Open Banking and emerging Smart Data initiatives.
The winners will be announced during Open Banking Expo UK & Europe, which returns to London on 13–14 October 2026. The annual event brings together financial institutions, fintechs, regulators, technology providers and policymakers to discuss the next stage of Open Banking, Open Finance and Smart Data development across the UK and Europe.
This year’s event takes place as the sector enters a new phase of implementation. With the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority roadmap now in place and the Smart Data Bill having come into force, industry discussions have increasingly shifted from strategy and policy to real-world execution.
Over two days, the conference agenda will examine how Open Finance is being deployed in production environments, how the UK’s payments vision is progressing from planning to implementation, and which commercial models are demonstrating sustainable results. Sessions will also explore the expansion of Smart Data beyond financial services into new sectors.
Against this backdrop, the awards aim to showcase organisations and professionals that are delivering tangible outcomes rather than simply announcing new initiatives. Categories span innovation, technology, partnerships, customer outcomes and individual leadership, reflecting the breadth of activity taking place across the ecosystem.
Beyond industry recognition, shortlisted finalists gain additional visibility among banks, fintech companies, regulators and technology partners attending the event. Recognition can also help organisations demonstrate expertise to existing clients, prospective customers and strategic partners in an increasingly competitive market.
As Open Banking continues to evolve into broader Open Finance ecosystems, the awards provide an opportunity to highlight practical achievements that support greater data sharing, improved customer experiences and more efficient financial services.
Senior decision-makers from across banking, payments, lending, wealth management, fintech and regulatory bodies are expected to attend the October event, making it one of the key annual gatherings for professionals involved in financial data innovation.
Organisations wishing to participate have until 22 July 2026 to complete their submissions. With the deadline approaching, prospective entrants have limited time remaining to showcase the projects and initiatives that have helped shape the industry’s latest developments.
The Open Banking Expo Awards continue to recognise measurable progress across the sector, celebrating the companies and individuals helping turn Open Banking, Open Finance and Smart Data from regulatory frameworks into practical solutions delivering value for businesses and consumers alike.
