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PayTech Awards USA

2024 AWARDS CATEGORIES

Celebrate excellence in PayTech and recognise the achievements of individuals, projects and companies in the PayTech industry.

Finding the right category to enter

There are three types of categories to choose from.

Click on 'Go to the awards' under each title or scroll down to find out more.

PayTech Project Awards

For banks, financial and payment institutions to enter.

Excellence in Tech Awards

For technology services and software providers to enter.

Leadership Awards

For any individual or team to enter.

Project awards – for banks, financial and payment institutions

For banks and financial institutions operating in the US, winning a PayTech Award USA proves the value of their technology investments and showcases their skills, commitment, creativity, and execution. 

Our awards are underpinned by four decades of FinTech Futures’ (and its predecessor, Banking Technology) unbiased expertise and unrivalled reputation.

Best Use of Tech in Payments

Awarded to a bank/financial institution that has successfully applied technology in an area of payments.

The project must be significant in scope and demonstrate the measurable results – bringing clear improvements and achieving the set objectives. 

The judges are looking for a comprehensive account of the initiative – its rationale, the milestones, the challenges and progress, the outcomes, and the resultant benefits.

A successful nomination will be to the point and have the supporting facts and stats, not buzzwords. We do not want to see press releases, advertorials, or sales & marketing brochures.

Best Cards Initiative

Awarded to a bank/financial/payment institution for a technology-driven cards initiative for customers, in a digital or physical environment.

The cards product/service or product must be up and running and be able to demonstrate its viability and success in practice – not in theory! – so the judges are looking for the supporting facts and stats.

The judges are looking for a comprehensive account of the initiative – what it is and why it was launched, the work that went into bringing it to life, the technology, the and the result.

 A successful nomination will be to the point and with supporting evidence, not buzzwords. We do not want to see press releases, advertorials, or sales & marketing brochures.

Best Mobile Payments Initiative

Awarded to a bank/financial institution for a technology-driven payments initiative for customers. It must focus on mobile phones/smartphones.

The mobile payments service or product must be up and running and be able to demonstrate its viability and success in practice – not in theory! – so the judges are looking for the supporting facts and stats.

The judges are looking for a comprehensive account of the initiative – what it is and why it was launched, the work that went into bringing it to life, the technology, the and the result.

A successful nomination will be to the point and with supporting evidence, not buzzwords. We do not want to see press releases, advertorials, or sales & marketing brochures.

Best UX Initiative in Payments

Awarded to a bank/financial institution for successful design – or a drastic redesign – of a banking product or service focused on the customer/user experience (CX/UX) that has resulted in considerable improvement in user uptake, efficiency, ease of use and customer satisfaction.

The initiative must be operational; the resultant improvements and benefits must be tangible and measurable. 

The judges are looking for a comprehensive account of the initiative – what it is and why it was implemented, the work that went into bringing it to life, the technology, and the result.

As CX/UX is at the heart of this nomination, we want to understand how the CX/UX-focused tools, processes, and solutions benefitted the organization and the business.

A successful nomination will be to the point and with supporting evidence, not buzzwords. We do not want to see press releases, advertorials, or sales & marketing brochures.

Best Real-Time Payments Initiative

Awarded to a bank/financial institution for a project that has real-time payments (RTP) at its heart.

The initiative must be operational; the resultant improvements and benefits must be tangible and measurable. 

The judges are looking for a comprehensive account of the initiative – what it is and why it was implemented, the work that went into bringing it to life, the technology, and the result.

As RTP is at the heart of this nomination, we want to understand how the RTP-focused tools, processes, and solutions benefitted the organization and the business.

A successful nomination will be to the point and with supporting evidence, not buzzwords. We do not want to see press releases, advertorials, or sales & marketing brochures.

Best Contribution to Economic Mobility in Payments

Awarded to bank/financial institution for championing financial inclusion and economic mobility in through a payment initiative.

Examples include products/services for the underbanked communities and areas; products and services for specific demographics that are often overlooked, such as children and pensioners; innovative salary and benefits management tools; increasing financial literacy; promoting financial health etc.

The initiative must be operational and the results tangible and measurable. 

The judges are looking for a comprehensive account of the initiative – what it is and why it was implemented, the work that went into bringing it to life, the technology, and the outcomes.

A successful nomination will be to the point and with supporting evidence, not buzzwords. We do not want to see press releases, advertorials, or sales & marketing brochures.

Best Use of Tech in Combatting Fraud in Payments

Awarded to a bank/financial institution for a project that has fraud protection technology for payments at its heart.

The initiative must be operational; the resultant improvements and benefits must be tangible and measurable. 

The judges are looking for a comprehensive account of the initiative – what it is and why it was implemented, the work that went into bringing it to life, the technology, and the result.

Fraud protection solutions and processes take center stage of this project, so we want to understand how this technology benefitted the organization and the business.

A successful nomination will be to the point and with supporting evidence, not buzzwords. We do not want to see press releases, advertorials, or sales & marketing brochures.

Best Use of AI in Payments

Awarded to a bank/financial institution for a payments project that has artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning (ML) at its heart.

The initiative must be operational; the resultant improvements and benefits must be tangible and measurable. 

The judges are looking for a comprehensive account of the initiative – what it is and why it was implemented, the work that went into bringing it to life, the technology, the and the result.

The AI/ML solution takes center stage of this project, so we want to understand how this technology benefitted the organization and the business.

A successful nomination will be to the point and with supporting evidence, not buzzwords. We do not want to see press releases, advertorials, or sales & marketing brochures.

Best Bank & PayTech Partnership

Awarded to a successful collaboration between a bank/financial institution and a paytech that has achieved measurable success based on impact and scalability.

The partnership should demonstrate benefits to all the partners involved, as well as deliver a viable product/service to the end-user.

The initiative must be operational and the results measurable.

The judges are looking for a comprehensive account of the partnership – what it is and why it was launched, the work that went into bringing it to life, the collaboration of the partners, the technology, and the result.

A successful nomination will be to the point and with supporting evidence, not buzzwords. We do not want to see press releases, advertorials, or sales & marketing brochures.

Excellence in Tech Awards – for software and service providers

For payments software and service providers operating in the US, our awards a valuable recognition and endorsement by the industry.

Our awards are underpinned by four decades of FinTech Futures’ (and its predecessor, Banking Technology) unbiased expertise and unrivalled reputation.

Best Retail Payments Solution

Awarded to a software/services provider for its payments solution for consumers that is built on modern technologies, has comprehensive functionality, and delivers clear and measurable improvements to its users.

The system must have at least one live site in the US.

The judges are looking for a comprehensive description of the offering – its scope and functionality, technology, standout features, and, of course, use cases.

Please explain clearly what the solution is/does and how it solves a problem on a business level. Provide evidence of how your solution addresses the pain points and improves things.

A successful nomination will be to the point and with supporting evidence, not buzzwords.

We do not want to see press releases, advertorials, or sales & marketing brochures.

Best Business Payments Solution

Awarded to a software/services provider for its payments solution for businesses that is built on modern technologies, has comprehensive functionality, and delivers clear and measurable improvements to its users.

The system must have at least one live site in the US.

The judges are looking for a comprehensive description of the offering – its scope and functionality, technology, standout features, and, of course, use cases.

Please explain clearly what the solution is/does and how it solves a problem on a business level. Provide evidence of how your solution addresses the pain points and improves things.

A successful nomination will be to the point and with supporting evidence, not buzzwords.

We do not want to see press releases, advertorials, or sales & marketing brochures.

Best Real-Time Payments Solution

Awarded to a software/services provider for its real-time payments (RTP) solution that is built on modern technologies, has comprehensive functionality, and delivers clear and measurable improvements to its users.

The system must have at least one live site in the US.

The judges are looking for a comprehensive description of the offering – its scope and functionality, technology, standout features, and, of course, use cases.

Please explain clearly what the solution is/does and how it solves a problem on a business level. Provide evidence of how your solution addresses the pain points and improves things.

A successful nomination will be to the point and with supporting evidence, not buzzwords.

We do not want to see press releases, advertorials, or sales & marketing brochures.

Best Cross-Border Payments Solution

Awarded to a software/services provider for its cross-border solution that is built on modern technologies, has comprehensive functionality, and delivers clear and measurable improvements to its users.

The system must be operational in the US.

The judges are looking for a comprehensive description of the offering – its scope and functionality, technology, standout features, and, of course, use cases.

Please explain clearly what the solution is/does and how it solves a problem on a business level. Provide evidence of how your solution addresses the pain points and improves things.

A successful nomination will be to the point and with supporting evidence, not buzzwords.

We do not want to see press releases, advertorials, or sales & marketing brochures.

Best Embedded Payments Solution

Awarded to a software/services provider of embedded payments solutions, built on modern technologies, with comprehensive functionality, and delivering clear and measurable results to its users.

The initiative must be operational in the US.

The judges are looking for a comprehensive description of the offering – its scope and functionality, technology, standout features, and, of course, use cases.

Please explain clearly what the solution is/does and how it solves a problem on a business level. Provide evidence of how your solution addresses the pain points and improves things.

A successful nomination will be to the point and with supporting evidence, not buzzwords.

We do not want to see press releases, advertorials, or sales & marketing brochures.

Tech of the Future

Awarded to a technology/services provider that is demonstrating genuine innovation and shaping the future with its solutions.

Using emerging technologies, putting in practice forward-thinking ideas, reimagining processes and user journeys – this award is a for technology that will define the future of payments.

The system must have at least one live site in the US.

Give us something indisputably advanced, forward-thinking and that puts the system users ahead of the curve!

The judges are looking for a comprehensive description of the offering – its scope and functionality, technology, standout features, and, of course, use cases.

As forward thinking is at the heart of this nomination, we want to understand what makes the nominated technology truly innovative and how it benefits its users.

Please explain clearly what the solution is/does and how it solves a problem on a business level. Provide evidence of how your solution addresses the pain points and improves things.

A successful nomination will be to the point and with supporting evidence, not buzzwords. We do not want to see press releases, advertorials, or sales & marketing brochures.

Top Innovation in Payments

Awarded to a technology/services provider that is demonstrating genuine innovation with its solutions.

Using emerging technologies, putting in practice innovative ideas, reimagining processes and user journeys – this award is a for technology that will define the future of payments.

The system must have at least one live site in the US.

The judges are looking for a comprehensive description of the offering – its scope and functionality, technology, standout features, and, of course, use cases.

As innovation and forward thinking is at the heart of this nomination, we want to understand what makes the nominated technology truly innovative and how it benefits its users.

Please explain clearly what the solution is/does and how it solves a problem on a business level. Provide evidence of how your solution addresses the pain points and improves things.

A successful nomination will be to the point and with supporting evidence, not buzzwords. We do not want to see press releases, advertorials, or sales & marketing brochures.

PayTech Start-up of the Year

The award recognizes and celebrates hard work and best practice that has gone into launching and running a new technology & services provider/paytech.

This award is for an organization that is challenging the market and bringing genuinely useful solutions to its target segment.

The judges are looking for a detailed account of the initiative – from the reasons behind it, to the project milestones, the team, the technology, the goals and challenges, and the results.

The start-up must be up and running, and no more than five years old since its launch to market.

Please explain clearly what the start-up’s offering is and how it solves a problem on a business level. Provide evidence of how your solution addresses the pain points and improves things.

A successful nomination will be to the point and with supporting facts and stats, not buzzwords. We do not want to see press releases, advertorials, or sales & marketing brochures.

Leadership Awards

For individuals and teams in the US, our awards are a prized acknowledgement of the demonstrated skills, leadership, vision, inspiration and dedication to the industry’s betterment. 

 Our awards are underpinned by four decades of FinTech Futures’ (and its predecessor, Banking Technology) unbiased expertise and unrivalled reputation.

Woman in PayTech

This award will laud an outstanding woman for her distinguished leadership and inspiring work in a payments sector, and, equally importantly, making a positive impact on the wider payments industry.

The judges are looking for a comprehensive narrative of the individual’s endeavors and accomplishments that go beyond their standard day-to-day job duties.

We want to see the personal contribution of the nominated individual towards the success of their company/business/project/etc, i.e. what THEY are doing, not just the overall company achievements.

The judges are also looking for information about this individual’s strive towards the industry’s betterment, for example, mentorship projects, contribution to charitable causes, diversity & inclusion initiatives, and so on.

A successful nomination will be to the point and with supporting evidence, not buzzwords. We do not want to see press releases, advertorials, or sales & marketing brochures.

This award is for an individual, so make the nomination about them and why they deserve to win!

PayTech Leadership

Awarded to an individual – a man or a woman – for playing an instrumental role in the technology strategy and execution at a payments business and going above and beyond their standard role duties.

We are looking for an individual who is truly making an impact in the payments services industry and contributing towards the industry's betterment.

The judges are looking for a comprehensive narrative of the individual’s endeavors and accomplishments that go beyond their standard day-to-day job duties.

We want to see the personal contribution of the nominated individual towards the success of their company/business/project/etc, i.e. what THEY are doing, not just the overall company achievements.

The judges are also looking for information about this individual’s strive towards the industry’s betterment, for example, mentorship projects, contribution to charitable causes, diversity & inclusion initiatives, and so on.

A successful nomination will be to the point and with supporting evidence, not buzzwords. We do not want to see press releases, advertorials, or sales & marketing brochures.

This award is for an individual, so make the nomination about them and why they deserve to win!

PayTech Team of the Year

This award will laud a team working in a payments business that has stood out for its teamwork, efficiency, collaborative spirit and going above and beyond in achieving the goals and delivering value to the project/organization.

We are looking for a team that can demonstrate what it means to work together for a common goal and produce outstanding results.

The judges are looking for a comprehensive narrative of the team’s endeavors and accomplishments.

We want to see a comprehensive account of the team and its contribution towards the success of their company/business/project/etc, i.e. who they are and what they are doing as a TEAM, not just the overall company achievements.

The judges want to understand how the team operates and collaborates, its work and responsibilities, the issues they solve and how they are doing it, overcoming the challenges, and the outcomes that demonstrate concrete results.

A successful nomination will be to the point and with supporting evidence, not buzzwords. We do not want to see press releases, advertorials, or sales & marketing brochures.

This award is for a team, so make the nomination about them and why they deserve to win!