Apex Group, in partnership with Global Custodian, has announced the four books shortlisted for the second annual Financial Markets Book of the Year award, recognising authors whose work offers insight into the developments shaping global finance and asset management.
The shortlisted titles are It’s About Tyme: Banking Beyond Borders by Adrian Saville and Bruce Whitfield; The Thinking Machine by Stephen Witt; Generative AI for Trading and Asset Management by Ernest P. Chan and Hamlet Jesse Medina Ruiz; and How Progress Ends: Technology, Innovation, and the Fate of Nations by Carl Benedikt Frey.
The award recognises writing that helps investors, institutions and policymakers navigate changes across financial markets, asset management and investment.
Jonathan Watkins, publisher at Global Custodian, said: “Good books give readers the space to examine ideas beyond the daily news cycle. These four titles offer distinct perspectives on subjects that matter to our readers, from innovation in banking to the use of AI in investment management.
“We are pleased to partner with Apex Group for the award’s second year and recognise writing that deepens the industry’s understanding.”
The winner will be announced during Abu Dhabi Finance Week, taking place from 7 to 10 December 2026. An independent panel of nine judges from financial services, media and academia will select the winning title.
The winning author will receive $10,000, while Apex Group will purchase 200 copies of the book for distribution to clients.
Bhaskar Dasgupta, chair of the Apex Group board for the Middle East and India, said: “The best financial writing challenges how we think about markets and the decisions we make within them. This year’s shortlist examines how banking models, artificial intelligence, and technological progress are changing finance.
“Through this award, we want to bring those perspectives to a wider industry audience and encourage informed debate about what comes next.”
The prize was launched by Apex Group and Global Custodian in 2025 to recognise thought leadership in global finance and asset management.