American Financial Technology Awards - Categories

The winner of this category will be the buy-side or sell-side firm that best illustrates how its application of artificial intelligence or machine learning technology was able to solve a real-world problem(s). Entrants should explain what the technology does, how it does it, and the tangible (measurable) business benefits accruing to the firm on the back of the initiative  

This category will go to the firm that is best able to enhance or improve its workflow, and increase the flexibility and agility of its workforce through the use of mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets

The winner of this category will be the buy-side or sell-side firm that best illustrates its ability to manage its risk exposure on a pre-and post-trade basis, incorporating a mix of reliable and transparent risk measures, underpinned by a high-performance computing architecture

The winner of this category will be the technology vendor that best illustrates its use of the agile development methodology with respect to software development and ancillary services. Entrants should provide examples outlining the various processes that fall under its agile umbrella and articulate the specific benefits accruing to the business on the back of the agile initiative they are putting forward for the win in this category 

Regulatory reforms affect all participants of any size in the modern financial markets. This award will reflect the best use of technology to enhance an institution’s compliance with local and international regulations, in addition to client mandates

This category rewards innovative uses of analytics tools to improve efficiency and operations. The judges are looking for submissions that, for example, highlight the use of analytics tools to improve processes such as collateral management, compliance and surveillance, and transaction-cost analysis, where the implementation of the technology has delivered real and measurable benefits to the business

As local, national and international regulations mount, firms need to upgrade their reporting infrastructure, not only to comply with rules already in place, but also to address those in the pipeline. This award will reflect the platform’s reporting capabilities as well as its flexibility and scalability to meet new reporting environments

Open to individual business units, entries in this category should focus on projects that have been live for at least six months. The judges are looking for creative responses to delivering cross-asset trading capabilities to institutional clients. The application of technical expertise and end-users’ derived benefits should feature prominently in firms’ entries

The winner of this award will demonstrate an innovative data management strategy that improves data quality and reduces costs across the enterprise through the standardization and consolidation of data management systems/tools

Cloud computing has reduced overall computing costs, but it has also added an extra layer of complexity to infrastructure management. This award is open to buy-side and sell-side firms, as well as exchanges, that can demonstrate the greatest return on investment through deploying an internal cloud or integrating one or more third-party cloud environments

This award focuses on global infrastructure deployments on the buy side or the sell side. The judges are looking for innovative strategies that deliver basic infrastructure support across the enterprise, reduce costs, and improve the delivery time of necessary resources to local clients

This award goes to a firm that has undertaken an IT project or leveraged technology in a new or unique way that sets it apart from its competitors. Past winners have been recognized for the rollout of advanced algorithmic trading strategies and tools, and novel FPGA deployments

Mergers and acquisitions of entire firms or business units often owe their success or failure to how well disparate IT systems and infrastructures are merged. The winner of this award will have successfully combined the technology of two or more firms such that the end result is stronger than the sum of its parts

This award honours the technology team from a buy-side firm that successfully delivers the goods to its firm and clients. The winner will be the team that demonstrates a solid, end-to-end strategy to handle everything from risk management to compliance and data administration, while still providing innovative and cutting-edge trading solutions

This award honors the IT team from a sell-side firm that successfully delivers the goods to its firm and clients. The winner will be the team that demonstrates a solid, end-to-end strategy to handle everything from risk management to compliance and data administration, while still providing innovative and cutting-edge trading solutions

This category will be awarded to a technology vendor that has worked in close collaboration with a capital markets firm on a specific project over the course of the last 12 months

This category will be awarded to the firm that provides the most innovative trading-related infrastructure to the capital markets. All trading-related platforms and technologies will be considered for this award

This category will be awarded to the firm that provides the most innovative communication infrastructure to the capital markets. All communication, monitoring and communication storage/archiving technologies will be considered for this award

The winner of this category will be the technology vendor that best illustrates its use of the agile development methodology with respect to software development and ancillary services. Entrants should provide examples outlining the various processes that fall under its agile umbrella and articulate the specific benefits accruing to the business on the back of the agile initiative they are putting forward for the win in this category

The best technology team award will go to the group that illustrates collaboration, team work, innovative software development methods, and efficient delivery techniques, and works closely with its capital markets clients to provide maximum value through the software and services it provides

The judges are looking for a service or product brought to market since October 1, 2024 that enhances/transforms/supports a client’s AI, machine learning

The judges are looking for a service or product brought to market since October 1, 2024 that enhances/transforms/supports a client’s infrastructure needs

The judges are looking for a service or product brought to market since October 1, 2024 that enhances/transforms/supports a client’s trading or risk management functions 

The judges are looking for a service or product brought to market since October 1, 2024 that enhances/transforms/supports a client’s data analytics functions

The judges are looking for a service or product brought to market since October 1, 2024 that enhances/transforms/supports a client’s data acquisition, consumption and general management practices

The judges are looking for detailed use-cases of genuine innovation developed since October 1, 2024 in the fields of AI, machine learning. In this context, innovation means developing new tools, technologies or techniques to solve real-world capital markets-related problems

The judges are looking for detailed use-cases of genuine innovation developed since October 1, 2024 in the fields of infrastructure, outsourcing and software development and delivery. In this context, innovation means developing new tools, technologies or techniques to solve real-world capital markets-related problems

The judges are looking for detailed use-cases of genuine innovation developed since October 1, 2024 in the fields of trading, risk management and compliance. In this context, innovation means developing new tools, technologies or techniques to solve real-world capital markets-related problems 

The judges are looking for detailed use-cases of genuine innovation developed since October 1, 2024 in the fields of AI, machine learning. In this context, innovation means developing new tools, technologies or techniques to solve real-world capital markets-related problems

The judges are looking for detailed use-cases of genuine innovation developed since October 1, 2024 in the fields of AI, machine learning and data analytics. In this context, innovation means developing new tools, technologies or techniques to solve real-world capital markets-related problems  

Judges are looking for providers demonstrating innovation, reliability and measurable impact in data analytics across the capital markets. Criteria include advanced methodologies, accuracy, scalability, and compliance. Vendors must show clear client benefits, from actionable insights to improved decision-making, operational efficiency, and risk management, while maintaining security and transparency

Key criteria the judges are looking for include ease of integration, transparency, accuracy, broad market and instrument coverage, and ease of delivery. Vendors must demonstrate/deliver actionable insights that enhance decision-making, improve efficiency, and create measurable value for clients across all market conditions

Judges are looking for innovation, scalability, and measurable impact of AI solutions tailored specifically for the capital markets. Key criteria include advanced data utilization, clear use-cases, regulatory compliance, client adoption, and demonstrable business value

Judges are looking for a provider demonstrating innovation, reliability and scalability across a range of data management practices. The winning vendor will deliver secure, compliant, and cost-effective solutions that enhance data quality, governance, discoverability and accessibility

Judges are looking for providers delivering exceptional market risk solutions through robust analytics, accuracy, scalability and innovation. The winning provider must illustrate effectiveness in identifying, measuring, and mitigating risk across a range of asset classes, integration with client workflows, adaptability to evolving regulatory regimes, and proven client impact