Awards & Side Events
Germany's BEST banks 2026
Regional banks often fly under the radar – yet they play a central role in the German financial landscape. As stable partners for citizens, reliable companions for small and medium-sized enterprises, and local economic forces, they contribute daily to what drives our economy and society.
With "Germany's BEST Local Banks," we are offering a platform for the second time to institutions that impress with their proximity, responsibility, and reliable products. For many people, their local bank is more than just a place for financial transactions. It represents dependability, trust, and continuity.
That's why we're now putting regional banks back in the spotlight.
Award ceremony held as part of the Handelsblatt Banking Summit in Frankfurt
The award ceremony will take place during the Handelsblatt Banking Summit on the afternoon of September 2, 2026. Rewarding banks will be honored on stage and will have the opportunity to network with the best regional banks and participate in the Banking Summit at discounted rates.
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When?: 2. September 2026, from about 3 pm
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Where?: Kap Europa, Messe Frankfurt Congress Center, Osloer Str. 5, 60327 Frankfurt am Main
Our highlights for you:
- Welcome from the Handelsblatt editorial team
- Moderation: Beate Hoffbauer
- Exclusive insights into the study results, Max Herbst, FMH
- Trophy presentation on stage · Networking, get-togethers and terrace conversations, professional event catering, photo wall, event photographer and videographer
selection process
- As part of our analysis to identify the best local bank in selected cities, we apply a multidimensional evaluation model. The study is based on a combination of product-related service quality and structural characteristics of the local presence.
- We evaluate the core products – current account, savings account, and fixed-term deposit – based on standardized criteria and uniformly assessed terms and conditions. Supplementary products such as installment loans, mortgages, and investment accounts are included in the analysis based on their availability.
- A key feature of the traditional bank approach is physical customer proximity. We capture this criterion through a presence indicator: We award up to 30 points for the number of branches within a city, which corresponds to a maximum of 25 points in the overall score. The rating is based on the ratio of population to branch density. Product terms and conditions are evaluated exclusively at the local level.
Partner
Scientific partner: FMH Financial Consulting
Expertise for over 30 years. Independent, precise, recognized.
FMH Financial Consulting has been a fixture in the German financial market since 1986. As the first company in Germany, it recognized the need for independent interest rate comparisons long before comparison portals were established. What began with the aim of finding the truly best, commission-free mortgage financing for every client quickly developed into a recognized authority for objective interest rate analyses.
FMH has been working closely with leading media outlets, including Handelsblatt and WirtschaftsWoche, since the late 1980s. Both media brands regularly draw on FMH's data, analyses, and expertise to ensure their financial reporting is well-founded and up-to-date.
From savings and checking accounts to mortgage financing, FMH provides reliable comparisons, in-depth market knowledge, and independent analyses. Close collaboration with end customers, providers, and media representatives ensures a comprehensive view of the industry.
As a scientific partner of „Germany’s BEST House Banks“, FMH brings not only decades of experience but also a long-standing media partnership with Handelsblatt – in the service of objective, quality-assured financial information.
Moderation
Female Leader in Banking and Fintech
We are looking for female leaders in banking and fintech.
We at Handelsblatt want to make a statement. We want to increase the visibility of inspiring women in banking and fintech and offer them a platform. That's why we're looking for the "Women in Banking & Fintech" of the year.
Join us! Nominate thought leaders and female leaders in banking and fintech, or apply yourself.
Past winners include Nehir Safak-Turhan, Sina Wulfmeyer, Marianne Wildi, Cornelia Schwertner and Susanne Krehl.
We look forward to receiving your application or nomination; it only takes a few minutes.
The deadline for submissions is August 3, 2026.
The criteria:
- What is the impact of the applicant/nominated candidate on developments in the industry and debates?
- How much has she accomplished in her company, e.g., by driving innovative projects or transformation/cultural change?
- How significant is her role model status (for women) in the industry?
- How strong is her commitment to other women, e.g. through mentoring or similar activities?
The evaluation is carried out by a prominent, independent jury with representatives from science, banking and the Handelsblatt newspaper.
The award ceremony will take place during the Handelsblatt Banking Summit on the evening of September 2, 2026. We are delighted by your interest and wish you the best of luck with your nomination or application.
PS: All finalists and the people who nominated them will receive a guest pass for the entire banking summit and will be introduced during the Women's Lunch and the evening event.
Nomination, application & selection process
Your nomination or application is incredibly easy:
Simply fill out the form below. The most important question is: What distinguishes you or the person you have nominated? (both are referred to as "participants" in the form)
Why should she be named "Women in Banking and Fintech" of the year?
Please attach a short presentation as a PDF.
Confidentiality agreement
To ensure the confidentiality of applications submitted as part of the award, applicants are assured of the following:
- Strict confidentiality is maintained regarding all confidential information.
- Confidential information will be used solely for the purpose of award evaluation and will not be disclosed to third parties or used for any other purpose without the applicant's explicit consent. Only the jury members will have access to this information.
- The confidential information provided electronically will be returned upon request of the applicant.
Cooperation partner
The jury:
Scientific partner:
Jury members:
Banking Summit Warm-Up
in cooperation with Fintech Ladies Frankfurt
Behind the Scenes at Handelsblatt – Networking – Summit Preview
May 19, 2026, 5:00 p.m. I Handelsblatt Media Group, Frankfurt
… with a get-together in the courtyard if the weather is nice!
Featuring a talk on current global developments and their consequences for markets and the financial industry.
Look forward to
