LONDON, 11 June 2026 – What does it look like for a firm to do everything right with today’s technology? Celent, a global research and advisory firm in the financial services industry and a GlobalData company, seeks to answer this question through its 2026 Model Awards. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the prestigious program recognizes financial institutions demonstrating excellence in technology use across banking, buy side/sell side, insurance, risk management, and wealth management.

Through the Model Awards, Celent analysts identify real-world examples of innovation, highlighting the strategies, technologies, and approaches helping financial institutions navigate an increasingly complex and competitive landscape. Nominations were reviewed against three core criteria: demonstrable business benefits of live initiatives; the degree of innovation relative to the industry; and the technology or implementation of excellence. 

Juan Mazzini, Global Head of Celent, comments: “In uncertain environments, innovation becomes less about ‘doing something new’ and more about building the ability to adapt repeatedly—without breaking your business or losing trust. That’s what we see reflected in many of this year’s Model Award winners: not just creativity, but repeatable execution. Innovation with operational discipline.”

A total of 34 organizations were recognized for technology initiatives that delivered measurable business impact and demonstrated industry best practice.

Winners of the Model Awards 2026

Model Bank of the Year: Banco do Brasil

Model Bank for Cash Management: U.S. Bank

Model Bank for Corporate Customer Engagement: Wells Fargo

Model Bank for Embedded Finance: J.P.Morgan

Model Bank for Employee Enablement: Techcombank

Model Bank for Digital Asset Innovation: J.P.Morgan

Model Bank for Lending Innovation: The Loan Store, Inc.

Model Bank for Core Banking Innovation: Komerční banka

Model Bank for Payments Innovation: Kotak Mahindra Bank

Model Bank for Scaling AI: Huntington National Bank

Model Bank for SME Customer Engagement: Absa

Model Insurer of the Year: Prudential Financial

Model Insurer for Customer Experience: Union Assurance Plc

Model Insurer for Data, Analytics and AI: MSIG USA

Model Insurer for Innovation Execution: kWh Analytics

Model Insurer for Legacy & Ecosystem Transformation: Aviva-TCS UKGI

Model Insurer for Legacy & Ecosystem Transformation: L’olivier Assurance

Model Insurer for Legacy and Transformation: Lincoln Financial Group

Model Insurer for Customer Experience: AmTrust Financial Services, Inc

Model Insurer for Data, Analytics and AI: Manulife

Model Insurer for Data, Analytics and AI: Zurich UK

Model Risk Manager of the Year: NASA Federal Credit Union

Model Risk Manager for Financial Crime Compliance: HSBC

Model Risk Manager for Fraud Prevention: Bank of Ireland

Model Risk Manager for Operational Resilience: Zenus Bank

Model Sell Side for Cloud and AI Enablement: TP ICAP Group

Model Sell Side for Generative AI Automation: UBS

Model Wealth Manager for Data, Analytics, and AI: UBS Financial Services Inc

Model Wealth Manager for Essential and Emerging Technologies: Taishin International Bank

Model Wealth Manager for Holistic Wealth Management and Financial Wellbeing: Akbank T.A.Ş

Model Wealth Manager for Legacy Platform Modernization: Colonial First State

Model Wealth Manager for Personalization: Morgan Stanley Wealth Management

Model Wealth Manager for Streamlining Advisor Workflows: Bank of America Private Bank

Model Wealth Manager for Technology Tools to Reach New Markets and Client Segments: Morgan Stanley Wealth Management

To learn more about the Model Awards winners and watch Celent’s Innovation & Insight Day on-demand, visit here: Innovation & Insight Day 2026