Lending Innovation Awards 2021

These awards identify the most innovative providers across the areas of credit cards, loans, mortgages and BNPL.

Welcome to the Finder Lending Innovation Awards 2021

Finder’s new series of Innovation Awards recognise financial providers that are innovating in their chosen field, by bringing new and impactful features to the market and delivering beneficial services to their customers.

The latest instalment of our Innovation Awards series focuses on the lending sector for the first time. A shortlist of providers was drawn together by Finder’s subject area specialists and the finalists were then assessed by an expert panel of judges.

We are delighted to announce the winning and highly commended companies in the following categories:

  • Business Credit Cards Innovation
  • Personal Credit Cards Innovation
  • Business Loans Innovation
  • Personal Loans Innovation
  • Short Term Loans Innovation
  • Mortgages Innovation
  • BNPL Innovation
  • Salary Services Innovation
  • Lending Innovation Newcomer Award

Watch our video of the awards announcement or click on the categories underneath it to reveal our winners!

Judging process

The shortlist of finalists in each category was selected by Finder’s subject area specialists, who identified the providers they felt were displaying key innovations in their field.

The shortlist was then passed to an expert judging panel (details below), who decided the winning and highly commended companies by assessing the finalists across three different criteria: uniqueness of innovation, impact in the market and value to customers.

The judges

Costanza Russo, Senior Lecturer in International Banking Law & Business Ethics, Queen Mary University of London
Chris Lilly, Credit & Loans Publisher, Finder
Julian Wells, Director, Whitecap Consulting
Kimberley Waldron, Co-Founder, SkyParlour PR

Judging panel

Costanza Russo

Dr Costanza Russo is the deputy dean for research at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Queen Mary University of London. She is also a senior lecturer there, teaching several post graduate modules in ethics, banking and finance.

Chris Lilly

Chris Lilly is the group publisher at Finder. He’s a specialist in credit-based products including business and personal loans, mortgages and credit cards, and is passionate about helping UK consumers make informed decisions about their borrowing.

Julian Wells

Julian Wells is a strategy consultant with over 25 years’ experience in financial services. He is the director of Whitecap Consulting, which is particularly active in the digital, technology and fintech sectors. Whitecap’s financial services clients have included banks, building societies, technology providers and fintechs, as well as retailers, universities and various firms in the intermediary financial services market.

Kimberley Waldron

Kimberley Waldron is the co-founder of award-winning fintech PR agency SkyParlour, which delivers PR campaigns for its international payments, banking, cybersecurity and ecommerce clients. Kimberley also hosts the popular Future of Banking podcast, co-chairs the Pro-Manchester Fintech Committee and is an industry advisor for Salford University’s MSc in fintech.

Previous Finder Awards winners

Finder Award winners
We show offers we can track - that's not every product on the market...yet. Unless we've said otherwise, products are in no particular order. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations of these) aren't ratings, though we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it. This is subject to our terms of use. When you make major financial decisions, consider getting independent financial advice. Always consider your own circumstances when you compare products so you get what's right for you. Most of the data in Finder's comparison tables has the source: Moneyfacts Group PLC. In other cases, Finder has sourced data directly from providers.
Michelle Stevens's headshot
Deputy editor

Michelle Stevens is a deputy editor at Finder, specialising in banking, credit, loans and mortgages. She has a journalism degree from the University of Sheffield and has been a journalist for 15 years, writing on topics including fintech, payment systems and retail. In her spare time, Michelle likes to travel, explore new foodie experiences and attempt to improve her own culinary skills. See full bio

Michelle's expertise
Michelle has written 127 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Banking
  • Mortgages
  • Credit
  • Fintech
  • Payments
  • Loans

More guides on Finder

  • Gambling statistics: How many people gamble in the UK?

    44% of Brits have gambled at least once in 2023. We unpacked the latest statistics to see what we are gambling on and how much we spend.

  • Bamboo unsecured personal loan review

    Bamboo offers fixed-rate unsecured personal loans up to £8,000 without a guarantor.

  • Lendable loans review

    Check out our review of Lendable personal loans and find out whether it offers the best loans for you.

  • Loans for pensioners and retired people

    If you’re a retiree and looking for a loan, there are lenders who may approve your application. Learn more about the loan types available to retired people.

  • Get a £25,000 personal loan with the best rate

    Compare live rates, fees and eligibility criteria from a range of lenders to get the right loan for your needs at the lowest overall cost.

  • Creation Finance personal loans

    Creation Financial Services offers fixed-rate personal loans of £1,000-£25,000 over 1-5 years with no hidden fees. Find out all the key features of these loans and compare live rates in our in-depth review.

  • Compare 2 year personal loans

    Want to buy a new car? Go on holiday? Consolidate your debt? Compare rates and costs of 2 year fixed rate personal loans from a range of lenders.

  • TSB loans calculator and review

    Fast, simple comparison of TSB fixed-rate personal loans with services from a range of UK lenders. Secure a competitive rate and apply online.

  • Sainsbury’s loans calculator and review

    Whether you’re planning on some home improvements, replacing your car or simply getting your finances in order, Sainsbury’s offers fixed rate personal loans of up to £25,000 to Nectar card holders. Fast, easy comparison with a range of lenders.

  • HSBC loan calculator

    Compare HSBC fixed-rate personal loans against products from a range of UK lenders. Apply online and secure a competitive rate.

Go to site