United Overseas Bank (UOB) was recognised as Best Foreign/Outbound Direct Investment Bank in APAC & Singapore for its FDI Advisory platform connecting corporates to government agencies, industrial ecosystems and regional corridors across ASEAN. Deutsche Bank was awarded Best Trade and Lending Bank in Middle East and Africa for structuring trade finance and risk-sharing solutions across frontier and emerging markets where financing capacity remains constrained. Vietcombank was named Best Foreign/Outbound Direct Investment Bank in Vietnam and Best Sustainable Finance Institution in Vietnam for its cross-border financial intermediation model and pioneering role in Vietnam's green bond market Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 14 May 2026 – United Overseas Bank (UOB), Deutsche Bank and Vietcombank were recognised at the TAB Global Beyond Borders Awards 2026. The awards, which form part of the TAB Global Business Achievement Awards programme, recognise financial institutions that have demonstrated measurable leadership in enabling cross-border capital flows, trade finance and sustainable finance. Best Foreign/Outbound Direct Investment Bank in APAC & Singapore United Overseas Bank was recognised for its FDI Advisory platform, which connects corporates with government agencies, industrial ecosystems and business networks across ASEAN before conventional banking relationships are established. The platform operates through 11 FDI Advisory Centres across Asia, including a centre opened in Seoul in March 2025. Since launching its FDI advisory services in 2011, the bank has supported more than 5,000 companies in pursuing cross-border expansion through market entry advisory, partner matching and regulatory support across the region. Best Trade and Lending Bank in Middle East and Africa Deutsche Bank was recognised for structuring trade finance and risk-sharing solutions across frontier and emerging markets in Africa and the Middle East, supporting cross-border trade flows in jurisdictions where financing capacity remains constrained. Through partnerships with the International Finance Corporation and British International Investment, the bank has expanded trade finance access across underserved African markets, including least-developed economies such as Zambia, Ethiopia and Rwanda. Its model combines Deutsche Bank’s global trade finance platform with development finance institution risk participation structures, enabling the financing of essential imports, productive goods and cross-border commercial activity across markets facing persistent trade finance gaps. Best Foreign/Outbound Direct Investment Bank in Vietnam & Best Sustainable Finance Institution in Vietnam Vietcombank was recognised for its transition from a domestically anchored transaction bank into an integrated cross-border financial intermediary. Its model is built on payments, trade finance and foreign exchange execution, demonstrated through landmark mandates including acting as sole onshore FX bank for the Nghi Sơn refinery project and executing the transaction linked to the Sabeco ownership transfer. The bank further differentiates through ecosystem integration, serving anchor multinationals alongside their suppliers, distributors and related parties which are supported by API connectivity, host-to-host integration and digital FX platforms. In sustainable finance, Vietcombank pioneered green bond issuance in Vietnam, becoming the first bank in the country to do so under both domestic regulations and ICMA Green Bond Principles. It has since extended this through a sustainability bond framework independently assessed by Sustainable Fitch, deploying green and sustainable finance across lending, funding and operations with a focus on renewable energy, sustainable infrastructure and clean production. TAB Global Beyond Borders Awards 2026 Best Foreign/Outbound Direct Investment Bank in APAC & Singapore – United Overseas Bank Best Trade and Lending Bank in Middle East and Africa – Deutsche Bank Best Foreign/Outbound Direct Investment Bank in Vietnam & Best Sustainable Finance Institution in Vietnam - Vietcombank View the full list of winners of TAB Global Beyond Borders Awards 2026 at https://asianbankerawards.com/beyondborders/winners The detailed evaluation criteria and scorecard for TAB Global Beyond Borders Awards can be viewed at https://asianbankerawards.com/beyondborders/evaluation-criteria About the TAB Global Beyond Borders Awards The TAB Global Beyond Borders Awards recognise institutions, partnerships and initiatives that transcend national boundaries to drive economic and financial activities, development and growth through foreign and overseas direct investment (FDI/ODI), regional development financing and cross-border collaboration. Part of TAB Global’s international awards, this programme recognises the entire ecosystem that enables sustainable economic cooperation — including multilateral institutions, government agencies, commercial banks, investors, public–private partnerships as well as not-for-profit and non-government organisations. These awards highlight those who mobilise capital, innovation and policy alignment across borders to foster trade, connectivity, and sustainable prosperity, consistent with international development frameworks. About TAB Global TAB Global owns and manages a number of world class digital content platforms namely, The Asian Banker, Wealth and Society, BankQuality.com as well as learning platforms like The Banking Academy and The Skill Store. Incorporated in Singapore, it has offices in Beijing, Dubai and support offices in Kuala Lumpur and Manila, with plans to expand to Johannesburg, London, Zurich and New York. Visit https://www.tab.global/ for details. For media enquiries, please contact: Nanda Lakhwani Editor TAB Global Email: nlakwani@tab.global
