The 2021 edition of the Young Banker of the Year Competition, the most prestigious annual event for leading young bankers, was launched today by the Chartered Banker Institute, and is supported by United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI).

This year, for the first time in its 30 plus years history, the competition will be truly global, with the Chartered Banker Institute inviting nominations from its 30,000 members, and more widely across the globe from individuals and international banking institutions (including building societies, credit unions and fintechs).

Founded in 1987, the Chartered Banker Young Banker of the Year competition aims to showcase tomorrow’s leaders in banking. The challenge set for entrants is designed to test their capacity to generate new ideas and improve outcomes for their organisation’s customers, colleagues and communities. This year, entrants are asked to develop ideas which clearly demonstrate responsible and sustainable banking.

Contestants are asked to develop a proposal in response to the following question: “What idea would you implement in your organisation to improve outcomes for customers, colleagues, and communities? Your idea should reflect your vision for the future of the industry and be consistent with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.”

Following initial judging and Semi-Finals, the Grand Final will be held in the run up to COP26 in the autumn. Four finalists will present their proposals to a judging panel composed of senior industry figures and the Young Banker of the Year 2021 will be presented with a trophy and a voucher for an overseas holiday for two.

Simone Dettling, Banking Team Lead, UNEP FI commented, “The Principles for Responsible Banking are about creating a banking sector in the service of society. They are about using banking products and services to help tackle humanity’s greatest environmental and social challenges and with that create a sustainable future.

And that is exactly what the Chartered Banker Institute’s Young Banker of the Year competition is about, too – smart, creative minds using the tools they have at their disposal as bankers to provide solutions for sustainability challenges and enable change. We at the UN Environment Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) are proud to help bring young bankers from all corners of the world to this competition.”[su_pullquote]To anyone who is considering applying for Young Banker of the Year 2021, I’d say ‘go for it’ – your idea might just be what the banking industry’s been waiting for!”

Tippie Malgwi from Arbuthnot Latham & Co, Winner of 2020 Young Banker of the Year[/su_pullquote]

To enter the competition, visit: www.charteredbanker.com/youngbanker

Join a webinar on the 4^th February at 13:00 GMT / 14:00 CET for more information on the competition, how to apply and to hear from previous finalists and winners: Register here

Entries will close on 26^th March 2021