The authoritative international publication Global Finance has named UBB the most innovative and best digital bank for customers in Bulgaria in 2025. According to the New York-based magazine winners of the prestigious awards were selected based on the following criteria: strength of strategy in attracting and serving digital customers, success in encouraging customers to use digital services, growth in the digital customer base, a broad product range, evidence of tangible benefits derived from digital services, and the design and functionality of the website and its mobile version.

Recognition by Global Finance comes just days after UBB announced that the bank's mobile app now has 1 million customers choosing to manage their finances, take advantage of the smart digital assistant Kate’s services, and using the full range of products and services that UBB Mobile provides.

"I am extremely proud that UBB has received such recognition. Global Finance's assessment is based on very clear criteria. Winning the award in these two categories that are so important to us – Best Innovative Bank and Best Digital Bank for Customers in Bulgaria – is a testament to the exceptional work and efforts of the bank’s entire team in the field of innovation, technology and, above all, creating processes, products, services, and a digital experience of use to our customers that make their daily lives easier. I would like to express my special thanks to all our customers for placing their trust in us every day", said Christof De Mil, CEO of UBB.

The data on which part of Global Finance's assessment is based shows that, in the previous year, UBB consolidated its leading position in the field of digitalization with a total of 1,037,000 digital customers, or 25% of the active population of the country. In line with its digital strategy, the bank is constantly developing and improving its digital channels, products, services, and customer experience, achieving 19% growth in the number of UBB Mobile customers in one year. More than 95% of customer interactions with the bank and 97% of all payments are made digitally. The average UBB mobile user accesses the app 24 times a month. UBB Mobile also generates 80% customer satisfaction and ranks among the top 3 apps in the ‘Finance’ category in both the Google and Apple stores.

The Global Finance awards are a recognized and trusted standard for excellence in banking and finance. In 2024, UBB Mobile won Global Finance's award for Best Mobile Application. In 2025, the bank was honoured with digital awards for ‘Digital Transformation’ and ‘Best Performing Digital Product’ for voice-initiated transfers via the AI-based digital assistant ‘Kate’ in the ‘Bank of the Year’ competition.