London, 1st July 2026: Programmes helping people build essential money skills have been recognised at the 2026 UK Gala Awards for Financial Capability. The awards were hosted by the London Foundation for Banking & Finance in partnership with the Money Awareness and Inclusion Awards on 30 June and held at the Guildhall in the City of London.

This year’s winners reflect a range of approaches to improving financial capability, including primary school financial education, AI-powered money guidance, a national savings campaign, blockchain-enabled learning, and gamified financial education tools.

Award winners: 

• Best fintech project: Munny Group – eM: Your AI-Powered Money Coach  

• Best adult education project: UK Savings Week – Building Societies Association  

• Best blockchain education project: realXeducation – Digit Labs Limited  

• Best content creation: 2mins – Microfact / Emily Boxall  

• Best school-age education project: Year Six Dividend – City Pay it Forward  

Research from LFBF and Leeds Building Society, ‘A Nation of Investors: The Indispensable Role of Savings’ highlights gaps in financial capability across the UK. The research, carried out among a nationally representative sample of 1,000 people shows that: while 59% of people say they feel confident managing their money, only 26% were able to answer the report’s financial capability questions correctly.

Shelley Doorey Williams, Chief Executive of the London Foundation for Banking & Finance, said: “The UK Awards for Financial Capability recognise organisations who are turning concern about financial capability into practical, positive action. As financial decisions become more complex, building money skills cannot be left to one part of society alone. It requires collaboration between financial organisations, individuals, charities, policymakers and tech companies. This year’s winners give us reasons to be hopeful in an often challenging and rapidly changing world. We are grateful to support from HSBC and the City of London Corporation to help make the awards happen.” 

Michael Gilmore, Co-Founder of the Money Awareness and Inclusion Awards, said: “These five award winners are tackling real financial challenges in ways that are practical, accessible and designed around people’s lives. From helping employees manage debt to giving children and young people stronger foundations, they show that effective financial education is not abstract; it helps people take action, build confidence and make better decisions.” 

The event brought together more than 100 leaders from financial services, education, regulation, charities and social impact organisations to share ideas, celebrate progress and strengthen collective action.

About the LFBF:

The London Foundation for Banking & Finance (LFBF) is a registered charity incorporated by Royal Charter. It was founded in 1879 by a group of City-based bank workers who came together to establish leadership and professional practice principles for the industry. Today, its charitable purpose is the advancement of knowledge of and education in financial services, and the conduct and publication of research for public benefit. It awards Chartered status to individuals who demonstrate the highest level of professional competence and is also home to the Centre for the Study of Financial Innovation (CSFI): a think-tank focused on the challenges and opportunities facing the finance sector. lfbf.org.uk

About the MAIAs:

The Money Awareness and Inclusion Awards (The MAIAs) are the world’s pre-eminent financial literacy and education awards, designed to spotlight and support those making a real difference in helping people understand and benefit from money. By celebrating these achievements, the MAIAs aim to inspire a global movement toward better financial awareness and inclusion. For the 2026 awards, 244 entries were filtered down to 138 finalists, both of those record totals, with a 23-member judging panel of global financial experts adjudicating the winners and runners-up across 17 categories. The five UK winners represent the top achievements of entries from the UK. maiawards.org