National Bank of Georgia wins international award for financial innovation

The National Bank of Georgia on Monday received international recognition for its financial innovation initiatives after winning the “Excellence in Innovation - Open Banking & Regulatory Sandbox Ecosystem Georgia 2026” category at the Global Banking & Finance Awards® 2026.

According to the National Bank, the award, presented by the international publication Global Banking & Finance Review, recognises its efforts to advance financial innovation, develop Georgia’s open banking ecosystem and expand its Regulatory Sandbox framework.

The bank said it had taken significant steps in recent years to strengthen the country’s innovative financial ecosystem, promote competition and encourage the adoption of financial technologies.

It highlighted the development of open banking infrastructure and the Regulatory Sandbox, which enables fintech companies and financial institutions to test innovative products and services in a live environment in close cooperation with the regulator.

The National Bank noted that the international award particularly recognised its approach to promoting practical innovation that delivers tangible benefits to consumers and the financial market. Through its open banking and Regulatory Sandbox initiatives, the bank said it had helped improve access to digital financial services, increase competition and create new opportunities for the fintech sector.

Among the initiatives highlighted was the Open Banking Onboarding API, which the bank said had significantly simplified remote customer identification and account opening procedures for financial institutions.

It added that projects implemented through the Regulatory Sandbox had demonstrated the effectiveness of an innovation-friendly regulatory model in supporting new businesses and fostering more competitive and efficient financial services.

The Global Banking & Finance Awards® are presented annually to leading financial institutions and organisations in recognition of innovation, leadership and best practices that contribute to the development and transformation of the global financial sector.

The National Bank said the recognition reaffirmed its commitment to modernising Georgia's financial sector, supporting financial innovation and implementing international best practices.