The Complete Financial Services Awards Guide
Although awards are hardly the only measure of success for finance professionals, industry accolades can have a big impact. Awards can put new firms on the map, solidify the reputations of long-standing leaders, and help potential clients assess areas of expertise. But earning awards takes far more than a leading track record. As many have learned, softer qualities like client experience and even community involvement can play a role. Knowing which awards are worth the effort and how to prepare a winning application are also important.
We created this guide to make it easier for financial firms and individual leaders to earn industry recognition. Below are the leading awards in financial advisement, wealth management, banking, technology, and security — complete with deadlines and application advice.
From Forbes to Barron’s: How to Land on Top Rankings
Publications like Forbes, Barron’s, USA Today, and Newsweek have set the industry standard for financial services accolades, and each publication has its own set of rules. Boutique advisors can rest assured — you need not be employed at the biggest firm to get ranked, but you do need to have a demonstrable record of client success, backed by concrete examples. Here’s what to know about each publication:
Barron’s
Barron’s recognizes individual leaders and team/firm leaders in seven total categories, shown below. Applicants can use this form to start the pre-qualification process. Applicants who pass are invited to complete the survey that Barron’s uses to determine its rankings, which assesses assets under management (both size and type), practice growth, client retention, and a wide range of qualitative factors, including experience and education. Be mindful of submission dates, which are often months ahead of the publish date. See full methodology here.
SUBMISSION OPENING DATES*
• Top 100 Financial Advisors: Late January
• Top 250 Private Wealth Management Teams: Mid February
• Top 100 Institutional Consulting Teams: Mid March
• Top 100 Women Financial Advisors: Early April
• Top 100 Independent Advisors: Early July
• Top RIA Firms: Late July
• Top 1200 Financial Advisors: Early October
*Based on opening dates of previous years
Forbes
Forbes publishes a dizzying number of rankings, from its famed 30 Under 30 list to the lesser known Cannabis 42.0. (You can scroll the full list of rankings, sub-rankings, and geographic variations here.) Financial professionals can vie for one of five main categories:
America’s Top Financial Security Professionals
America’s Top Wealth Management Teams
The application process starts with a survey conducted by Forbes’ awards partner, Shook Research, to determine eligiblity. (If you’re completely new to the process, start by creating an account with Shook.) Among other requirements, applicants must have at least 7 years of advisory experience, with more than 50 percent of revenue or premiums with individuals. Note that individual advisors will need to be nominated by their firm.
Qualified candidates then undergo an extensive application process that examines both quantitative and qualitative factors. Forbes looks at traditional factors such as assets under management, client retention, production data, but the soft metrics like service offerings and community involvement are equally important. Shook stresses that the process is purposely “deep,” meant to determine which advisors offer the best overall experience. See the full methodology here.
USA Today Best Financial Advisory Firms
A relative newcomer, USA Today will publish its fourth annual list of Best Financial Advisory Firms in April 2026. The rankings examine which RIA firms are most “recommended and appreciated,” according to the newspaper’s data partner, Statista. Based largely on a survey of RIA clients, employees, and financial industry experts, the awards attempt to give potential clients more than one perspective. Here’s what interested firms should know:
There is no formal nomination process for consideration. If you’re registered as an RIA, you qualify.
The survey is based on peer-to-peer recommendations, which means you can’t nominate your own firm. In its FAQ, Statista explains that this is to determine which firms have earned the greatest respect from their peers.
In addition to the survey, Statista also considers assets under management and other performance metrics.
The survey, which opens in November, is now available for pre-registration here.
Newsweek - America’s Top Financial Advisory Firms
Another relatively new opportunity, launched in 2024, Newsweek’s list of top financial advisory firms analyzes over 5,000 RIAs to determine the most innovative, ethical, and service-oriented firms. To be considered, SEC-registered firms must manage at least $20 million in assets, have a staff at least three wealth advisors, and work with at least five clients. They are then evaluated based asset asset performance, client performance, adviser expertise, client ratio, breadth of service offerings, and ethical record.
Although Newsweek uses publicly available data rather than a formal application process, RIAs can request consideration here.
Editors’ Choice: Top Financial Awards
Forbes and Barron’s aren’t the only financial services awards with a strong reputation and impact. We curated the awards below based on longevity, reputation, application ease, fairness, and support. Please note that open dates and deadlines are estimated based on previous years. Awards may also change from year to year, so be sure to confirm details directly with the awards body.
Wealth Management
While Barron’s rankings honor individuals and teams, its awards in partnership with the Money Management Institute recognize firms, including asset managers, wealth managers, and solutions providers. The 12 award categories range from Asset Manager of the Year, with three sub-categories honor firms of different sizes, to Wealth Manager Platform of the Year. The Nomination Guide offers full guidance for entering. (Link to be updated when 2026 awards become available.)
Deadline: Early June / Fee: None
These RIA-focused awards recognize individuals and firms in more than a dozen categories, ranging from regional “Advisor of the Year” awards to “Excellence in Philanthropy and Community Service.” Use this form to submit yourself, a colleague, or your firm. See full methodology here.
Deadline: Mid-March / Fee: None
Wealth Management Industry Awards
The “Wealthies,” as the WealthManagement.com Industry Awards are better known, recognize outstanding achievement in support of financial advisor success. The 25 categories cover all areas of financial support, from marketing to technology. The publication holds a helpful webinar in February called “Top Tips for a Winning Nomination,” which allows applicants and agencies to ask questions and gain real-time feedback.
Deadline: Mid-April / Fee: None
These awards recognize effective use of technology in finance based on three evaluation criteria: demonstrable business benefits, degree of innovation, and technology or implementation excellence. Categories include Model Insurer, Model Bank, Model Risk Manager, Model Wealth Manager, Model Sell Side, and Model Buy Side. Although Celent serves financial institutions, firms need not be client to submit a nomination. The awards have become popular as firms like Morgan Stanley have touted wins.
Deadline: Late January / Fee: None
Known for its research center, Pensions & Investments rewards innovation, education, and excellence in the retirement industry. Categories range from The Excellence & Innovation Awards, to the Eddy Awards, which honor outstanding efforts to educate employees about retirement products. All awards are based on an online nomination form, accessible at the P&I Awards page.
Deadline: Varies by category
Fee: Varies by category
Banking
A Financial Times publication, The Banker seeks to be the authoritative source of global financial analysis. Its Bank of the Year awards honor the best institutions worldwide at the regional and national level. Categories include Investment Banks, Transaction Banks, and Retail & Digital Banks. Banks across all categories can vie for the Financial Inclusion Award and Banking in the Community Award. See full methodology here. (Deadline: Historically, nominations have opened in April with a deadline in mid-June, but banks can register interest year-round. Fee: None)
A publication synonymous with financial leadership awards, Global Finance has recognized the world’s top banks for nearly 40 years. Awards are issued in more than 15 categories, with new awards established periodically to meet modern interests. See all available categories here. The magazine uses publicly available information to assess all banks, but you can improve your chances of winning by submitting an application, which allows you to highlight your strengths. Although criteria differ by category, the magazine universally rewards factors like market share, volume size, and technology investment. Below is a snapshot of select opening dates and deadlines. See full calendar here.
World’s Best Bank (Open: Early November / Deadline: Early February)
World’s Best Financial Innovation Labs (Open: Early December / Deadline: Early March)
AI in Finance (Open: Early February / Deadline: Late April)
Digital Bank Awards, Round 1 (Open: Early February / Deadline: Mid May) - A second round, which appears to be rolling, is based solely on submissions. These awards appear in the December issue.
Best Private Bank Awards (Open: Early June / Deadline: Late August)
Additional Financial Services Awards
Recognizes leaders in the retirement planning sector; deadlines vary by category
Financial Planning Association Awards
Available to members - deadlines vary by category
Open: Early May
Deadline: Late July
Open: Early March
Deadline: Early April
Alternative Investments
Wealth Management Industry Awards (The “Wealthies”)
Open: Late January
Deadline: Early April
Private Equity News - Most Influential in Private Equity
Open: Early September
Close: Early October
Private Equity News - Most Influential in Private Credit
Open: Late March
Close: Late April
Private Equity International Awards
Open: Mid-October
Deadline: Mid-November
Wealth Management
World Finance Investment Management Awards (Deadline: Late October)
For these awards, readers submit their wealth manager recommendations in a survey that measures market insight, returns, and client service.
Global Private Banking Awards (Open: Late February / Deadline: Early May)
Deadline TBD. See link above for details.
Five Star Wealth Management Award
Deadline TBD. See link above for details
Private Asset Management Awards
Hosted by with. Intelligence
Open: Late September
Deadline: Late October
Women in Wealth Management Awards
Open: Mid January
Deadline: Mid February
InvestmentNews - Excellence in Wealth Management Awards
Open: Early December
Deadline: Mid March
Open: TBD
Deadline: Early December
FinTech & Tech Innovation
Open: Mid-November
Deadline: Early February
Open: Mid-January
Deadline: Mid-March
Open: Mid-February
Deadline: Mid-April
Open: Mid-July
Deadline: Mid-September
American Financial & Technology Awards
Open: Mid-August
Deadline: Early October
WatersTechnology - The Waters Rankings
Open: Mid-March
Deadline: Early July
Wealth & Finance - FinTEch Awards
Open: Early April
Deadline: Mid June
Deadline TBD. See link above for details.
Euromoney Awards for Excellence (Global)
Open: February
Deadline: April
Sustainable Finance
Environmental Finance - Sustainable Investment Awards
Open: Early March
Deadline: Early April
Global Finance - Sustainable Finance Awards
Open: TBD
Deadline: Late November
The Digital Banker - Global Sustainable Finance Awards
Open: TBD
Deadline: Early May
World Finance Sustainability Awards
Open: Early April
Deadline: Mid May
Financial Services Events & Conferences
Put these conferences in your calendar for networking and speaking opportunities. Approximate dates based on previous conferences; locations subject to change.
Mid April
Las Vegas, NV
Mid April
Los Angeles, CA
Late April
Boston, MA
Early May
Westin, FL
Early May
Orlando, FL
Early May
San Diego, CA
Late May
New Orleans, LA
Late May
Tampa, FL
Early June
Boca Raton, FL
Morningstar Investment Conference
Late June
Chicago, IL
Mid June
Nashville, TN
Mid June
Boca Raton, FL
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