Swedish banking has been recognized for financial prudence, innovations and service provision. Bank of the Year winners are characterized in terms of their prize-winning performance. It details and then generalizes items that led to awards and quantifies the financial rewards that come from providing superior performance. In most cases, growth slowed, but winners still tended to attain above average performance. It would appear that 1.) service really is the foundation for recognition; 2.) more recently, sound management, innovation and financial performance have come into play, and 3.) it is easier to be recognized if the organization is small.