|| Special Correspondent: Twenty-one innovative financial technology solutions have been recognised at the 4th Bangladesh Fintech Award 2026, highlighting the growing role of digital innovation in making financial services more accessible, efficient and reliable in Bangladesh.The awards, presented at a gala ceremony at Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel in Dhaka on October 10, recognised outstanding initiatives across 13 categories. Of the 21 recognised entries, 13 received Winner accolades, while eight earned Honourable Mentions.The Mastercard Presents 4th Bangladesh Fintech Award 2026 was powered by Dhaka Bank PLC and held in association with Upay. Initiated by Bangladesh Fintech Forum and organised by Bangladesh Brand Forum, the initiative aims to encourage financial technology solutions that expand access to services and support the country's digital financial transformation.This year's award programme received 207 submissions, which underwent a multi-stage evaluation by four Grand Jury panels comprising experienced professionals. The assessment process brought industry expertise into the selection of the winners and honourable mentions.Speaking at the ceremony, Shariful Islam, founder and managing director of Bangladesh Brand Forum and founder of Bangladesh Innovation Conclave, said the real value of fintech innovation lay in the positive difference it made to people and businesses.He said the recognition celebrated teams working to make financial services more accessible, reliable and useful, expressing hope that their achievements would encourage further investment in solutions addressing real-world needs and strengthening Bangladesh's financial future.Summit focuses on trust and financial inclusionEarlier in the day, the 6th Bangladesh Fintech Summit brought together banking and fintech leaders, senior corporate executives, investors, regulators, technology experts, startup founders and academics from Bangladesh and abroad.The day-long summit examined how the country could move beyond the growing adoption of digital services towards a more dependable financial infrastructure, broader financial inclusion and stronger customer trust.Discussions focused on key issues shaping the future of financial services, including artificial intelligence (AI), digital banking, cashless transactions, interoperability, secure financial infrastructure and regulatory priorities for responsible innovation.The programme featured two keynote sessions, three panel discussions, one expert deep dive, one insight session and one case study, providing a platform for industry professionals to exchange views on emerging opportunities and challenges.The keynote sessions were led by Naushad Hussain, chief banking and network officer at TransFi Global, and Khuan Yew Lee, executive director and regional head of product at GXBank, GXS Bank and Grab.Hussain, who previously held senior leadership positions in banking strategy and global retail payments, shared perspectives on regional banking convergence. Lee, whose previous experience included global payments product leadership at Alibaba and Ant Group, explored the experience of building a digital bank that earns customer trust.The discussions underscored the importance of combining technological advancement with reliable infrastructure, customer confidence and effective regulation to ensure that digital financial services deliver meaningful benefits.Building a more inclusive digital economyThe recognition of 21 financial innovations comes as Bangladesh continues to expand its use of digital financial services. Fintech solutions can help people and businesses access payments and other financial services more conveniently, while supporting greater efficiency across the economy.However, wider adoption also depends on the reliability and security of digital platforms, consumer confidence and the ability of different financial systems to work together. Ensuring that underserved communities can benefit from technological progress remains an important part of the country's financial inclusion agenda.The summit and awards programme sought to bring these priorities into focus by connecting innovators with financial institutions, policymakers, investors and technology professionals.Bangladesh Fintech Forum initiated both the Mastercard Presents 6th Bangladesh Fintech Summit and the 4th Bangladesh Fintech Award 2026, while Bangladesh Brand Forum organised the initiatives.Brain Station 23 supported the programme, Bangladesh Innovation Conclave served as innovation partner, Turkish Airlines was the official carrier partner, and Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel, Dhaka, was the hospitality partner.The organisers said the initiative celebrates innovation in financial services while creating opportunities for dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders working to shape Bangladesh's digital financial future.