Named Best AI Powered Retail & SME Bank for South Africa and Southern Africa
FNB has been awarded four accolades of excellence in AI at the inaugural 2025 Global AI Awards, hosted by The Digital Banker. The Global AI Innovation Awards 2025 aim to assess and honour organisations and teams that have delivered breakthrough AI-powered products and services that have enhanced operational efficiencies and improved decision making with data-driven insights. This year’s awards highlighted the pioneers who are not just anticipating the future but actively shaping it.
“This accolade is a signal to the world that intelligent banking isn’t on the horizon, but it’s already here, and FNB is proudly leading the charge in South Africa,” says Harry Kellan, CEO of FNB. “We’ve set a new benchmark in owning our AI journey, driven by innovation that begins and ends with people. By harnessing smart technology powered by artificial intelligence, we’re enhancing customer experiences, driving operational excellence, and delivering meaningful impact to the lives we serve every day through our financial services.”
FNB was honoured with awards in the following categories:
- Overall Winner: Outstanding Use of AI in Digital Sales Strategy
- Best AI Powered Insurance Provider – South Africa & Southern Africa
- Best AI Powered Retail Bank – South Africa & Southern Africa
- Best AI Powered SME Bank – South Africa & Southern Africa
Setting the Standard for AI in Banking – South Africa & Southern Africa
FNB’s approach is to build advanced AI capabilities in-house that give it a competitive edge, while partnering with leading global technology providers to help the bank accelerate its progress in bringing world-class expertise in-house. This blend allows FNB to deliver real-time, contextualised solutions that aim to set new standards for banking in South Africa and beyond.
“We recognise that innovation is a continuous journey, and not a destination. Our digital strategy is rooted in the belief that technology should serve people, and that’s why we’re investing in smart technologies and platforms that will enable us to stay ahead of megatrends that are shaping our customers’ lives and the world for the better,” states Kellan.
While the globe is in the early stages of the biggest AI-led transformation, people and organisations should embrace this transition as a life-changing reality where innovation knows no borders.
“To become a global leader in AI, we must remain firmly rooted in our brand ethos that’s centred on “help”,
Our commitment to innovation is not just about technology, but it’s about making banking safer, smarter, and more human. By investing in secure, AI-powered digital platforms, we’re enhancing customer protection while amplifying our role as a trusted financial services provider. This approach ensures that our progress in AI is always guided by purpose, people, and impact,” adds Kellan
FNB has built a strong reputation for pioneering innovation at the core of its business, therefore we strongly believe that technology powered by AI will help us better serve our customers more efficiently.
“We remain deeply honoured to be recipients of these esteemed awards and take pride in our continued, relentless innovation strategies that have set the bank on this trajectory and drawn global recognition,” concludes Kellan.
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