FE Best Banks Awards 2026 Live Updates: The FE Best Banks Awards 2026, one of India’s most respected recognitions in the financial sector, will be held in Mumbai on Sunday evening (June 7). It acknowledges excellence across banking, non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), small finance banks and fintechs.
This year’s ceremony comes at a crucial juncture for the Indian economy and will bring together leading bankers, financiers and corporate executives. Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal will attend as the chief guest. He will also participate in a conversation with Editor of Financial Express Shyamal Majumdar on trade policy, economic reforms and the outlook for Indian business.
The awards honour institutions that have demonstrated outstanding performance across a range of financial and operational parameters. Winners are selected by an independent jury, supported by data analysis and verification conducted by EY India. The evaluation is based on three years of Reserve Bank of India data and takes into account factors such as growth, profitability, strength, soundness and corporate governance standards.
In addition to recognising top-performing institutions across categories including public sector, private sector and foreign banks, the awards also acknowledge the country’s best digital lenders, banking products and industry leaders who have built institutions of enduring significance.
Stay tuned for LIVE updates from the awards ceremony in Mumbai.
FE Best Banks Lifetime Achievement Award
FE Best Banks Lifetime Achievement Award goes to Sanjiv Bajaj, managing director of Bajaj Finserv.
Banker of the Year 2024-25 Award
FE Best Banks Awards for Banker of the Year 2024-25 goes to K Satyanarayana Raju, former CEO of Canara Bank.
FE Best Banks Award for ‘Best Private Sector Bank’
FE Best Banks Awards for ‘Best Private Sector Bank’ category goes to ICICI Bank.
FE Best Banks Award for ‘Best Public Sector Bank’
FE Best Banks Awards for ‘Best Public Sector Bank’ category goes to Indian Bank.
FE Best Banks Awards for ‘Best Foreign Bank’
FE Best Banks Awards for ‘Best Foreign Bank’ category goes to SMBC.
FE Best Banks Award for ‘Best Digital Bank’
FE Best Banks Awards for ‘Best Digital Bank’ category goes to Axis Bank.
FE Best Banks Awards for 'Fintech - Insurance'
FE Best Banks Awards for 'Fintech - Insurance' category goes to Go Digit.
FE Best Banks Awards for 'Fintech - Regulatory Tech'
FE Best Banks Awards for 'Fintech - Regulatory Tech' category goes to Perfios Software Solutions.
FE Best Banks Awards for 'Fintech - Lending'
FE Best Banks Awards for 'Fintech - Lending' category goes to MoneyView.
FE Best Banks Awards for 'Fintech - Payments'
FE Best Banks Awards for 'Fintech - Payments' category goes to PhonePe.
Don't see AI as a threat, says Piyush Goyal
Don't see AI as a threat, it is more of an opportunity for India. Nothing for India to worry. AI will ultimately be a job creator for India: Piyush Goyal
'High time we stop worrying about one country blocking technologies'
It is high time we stop worrying about one country blocking technologies. It is time we start looking around for other players, says Goyal.
'Will ensure unfair trading practices do not hurt the industry'
I can assure you that the Indian government will protect industry and use all necessary tools to ensure unfair trading practice won't hurt interest of Indian businesses, Piyush Goyal said.
India open to Chinese investments that benefit the country: Piyush Goyal
Piyush Goyal said India is open to investments from all countries, including China, provided they align with national interests and contribute positively to the country's economic growth.
Goyal said the government is not opposed to investments from any particular country but will continue to evaluate proposals based on their benefits to India and strategic considerations.
“There is no problem with Chinese investment in India in relevant sectors, but we will always protect Indian interests,” Goyal said.
"Except for Pakistan, India has no problem with investments coming from any nation. Pakistan may not have the money," he added.
'Energy efficiency will help in 3-4% savings', says Piyush Goyal
"Focussing on energy efficiency is the key for businesses. I can assure you all that energy efficiency will help in 3-4% savings annually," says Goyal.
'Being energy efficient good for economy'
Being energy efficient is good for the Indian economy: Piyush Goyal
India has 10 months of import cover, well above IMF benchmarks: Piyush Goyal
Piyush Goyal said India remains well-positioned to withstand external economic shocks, highlighting the country's strong foreign exchange reserves and robust remittance inflows.
Goyal said India currently has an import cover of around 10 months, significantly higher than benchmarks generally considered adequate by international institutions such as the IMF.
Emphasising the resilience of the Indian economy, he noted that despite elevated crude oil prices and a surge in gold imports, the country continues to maintain a comfortable external position.
“For a growing economy like India, even with high crude prices and rising gold rates, remittances alone are about $137 billion,” Goyal said.
The minister added that remittance inflows from Indians living and working abroad are more than sufficient to cover the country's trade deficit.
'India has emerged as a trusted trade partner'
India emerging as a Trusted partner in the global platform; businesses need to leverage this: Piyush Goyal
'Remittances alone can cover our trade deficit'
Just remittances alone at $137 billion can cover up our trade deficit, said Piyush Goyal.
India growth story is safe, says Commerce Minister
"India growth story safe; economies of scale is in India, quality consciousness growing and digital payment infra a gamechanger," Goyal said.
Our exports will $6 trillion by 2047: Goyal
"By 2047 when we are a $30 trillion economy India exports will be $6 trillion," says Piyush Goyal.
India steps up preferential trade negotiations
In the process of expanding preferential trade talks with host of countries across South America, Africa, Eurasia, Australia: Piyush Goyal
'Watching out for potential tariffs US might impose,' says Goyal
"Negotiations on with US. Watching out for potential tariffs they might impose. We will protect India's interest. Confident deal will come through," says Goyal.
'I never negotiate with a deadline in mind,' says Goyal on India-US trade deal
When asked about the ongoing trade negotiations with the US, Goyal said, "I never negotiate with a deadline in mind. Any deadline to try and conclude may not get the best deal. For me focud on getting the best deal with significant economic opportunities for Indians."
Addressing the audience before the chat, Piyush Goyal urged the banks to not restrict themselves by their CSR guidelines. "Don't let CSR guidelines restrict, look beyond and go into impactful projects that will impact lives of people," he said.
Goyal hails Express Group’s legacy of credibility, intellectual rigor and balance
Piyush Goyal recalls his long association with the Express Group, praising its legacy of principled journalism and intellectual rigor.
Speaking at the Financial Express Best Banks Awards in Mumbai, Goyal said his relationship with the media house goes back several decades. He recalled accompanying his father to Express Towers, where he had opportunities to interact with the late Ramnath Goenka.
“My relations with the Express Group go back a long way. I would go to Express Towers with my father to interact with Ramnath Goenka ji,” Goyal said.
The minister lauded the Indian Express Group for remaining steadfast in its values and maintaining high editorial standards over the years. He said the publication has built a strong reputation among readers seeking balanced, thoughtful and intellectually driven journalism.
“Indian Express has stood firm on principles and over the years has earned a fabulous reputation when one needs to read an intellectual and balanced narrative,” Goyal said.
Expressing admiration for the media group's contribution to public discourse, he added, “We are very proud of the Express Group.”
'Goyal earned reputation of tough and fair negotiator', says Anant Goenka
Anant Goenka takes the stage to introduce and welcome Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal for the 18th edition of the award ceremony. "Sources tell us that Goyal has earned the reputation of a tough negotiator and fair negotiator," Goenka said.
He invites the commerce minister to the stage where he will chat with Financial Express Editor Shyamal Majumdar.
Award ceremony kicks off in Mumbai
The stage is set for the award ceremony to honour the best in banking and finance. Financial Express Editor Shyamal Majumdar addresses the gathering.
Commerce Minister reaches venue
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has reached the venue. The stage all set for the award evening honouring the best in banking and finance.
Backed by data, judged by experts - Methodology behind choosing winners
The awards recognise institutions that have set benchmarks in performance, resilience and governance across the financial sector. Winners are chosen by an independent jury, drawing on a rigorous assessment supported by EY India, which analyses and validates three years of Reserve Bank of India data. The evaluation framework goes beyond financial metrics, examining growth, profitability, balance-sheet strength, asset quality and corporate governance standards.
The honours span a broad spectrum of the industry, celebrating excellence among public sector, private sector and foreign banks, as well as NBFCs, small finance banks and fintechs. Beyond institutional performance, the awards also spotlight the country’s most innovative digital lenders, standout banking products and visionary leaders whose contributions have helped build institutions of lasting impact and significance.