The revolutionary digital platform that Milan-based CheBanca! has developed is its operational heart, offering customers convenient, anytime, anywhere, multi-channel access to a range of services. Constant upgrades and improvements to the platform continue to elicit praise, and while it is a point of corporate pride, CheBanca! has never lost sight of the importance of fostering meaningful relationships with its clients and customers. Established in 2008 as a high-tech subsidiary of Mediobanca – one of Italy’s leading financial groups – the bank now boasts more than 837,000 customers, and over €23bn in funding. Since its inception, the bank has been at the vanguard of innovation in Italian financial markets, employing advanced analytics, big data, and robot consultancy to unlock customer insights, enhance services, and streamline workflows. CheBanca! is constantly analysing data and encouraging digital dialogue to anticipate customers’ needs and develop smart solutions and relevant promotions. The CheBanca! loyalty programme tracks customers’ banking activity and awards points that can be cashed in for rewards ranging from gourmet bites and entertainment to high-tech gadgets and travel. The latest technology enables the bank’s teams to manage customer relationships in a personal manner, always recognising those clients as individuals. The emphasis the bank has placed on tech innovation serves only to underline its human focus and capability, from imaginative problem-solving skills to friendly front-end services. For the second consecutive year, the CFI.co judging panel is delighted to present CheBanca! with the award for Most Innovative Digital Smart Bank (Italy) 2019.