The Dubai International Financial Centre published an update on MEED’s MENA Banking Excellence Awards 2026 for corporate and investment banking, whose winners were recognised on Nov. 3 during Dubai Future Finance Week. The awards highlighted improvements in corporate financing and transaction banking, with sustainable finance another prominent theme. Recognised transaction banking developments connected payments, cash management and trade finance more closely. Digital improvements included integration between bank platforms and companies’ internal systems, alongside changes to corporate account opening and online trade services. These connections can reduce manual work for treasury teams and simplify payment initiation and cash management. Financing activity addressed corporate capital raising and funding for specific assets or projects, with Islamic finance represented across corporate services and debt markets, including sukuk issuance. Sustainable finance recognition extended beyond green lending and bond issuance to the integration of environmental and social considerations into lending decisions and risk management. Frameworks assessed eligible activities and borrowers’ emissions reduction plans, while tracking the use of proceeds and reporting on financed activities were recurring features, supported by external reviews and assurance.

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