Forward Wins Silver Stevie® Award for Customer Service Department of the Year
January 29, 2026 | Company News
January 29, 2026 – Forward Financing was named the winner of a Silver Stevie® Award in the Customer Service Department of the Year category in the 20th Annual Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. This prestigious recognition marks the sixth consecutive year Forward has been honored by the Stevie® Awards organization.
The Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service are the world’s top honors for customer service, contact center, business development, and sales professionals. The Stevie Awards oversees nine of the world’s leading business award programs, including the prestigious American Business Awards® and International Business Awards®.
More than 2,100 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry, in 41 nations and territories, were considered in this year’s competition. Winners were determined by the average scores of 150 professionals worldwide on eight specialized judging committees.
Forward’s Account Servicing Department (ASD) earned top honors for its commitment to the customer experience. By centering their operations on a ‘human-led’ philosophy, the team balances complex account management with the kind of high-touch, empathetic service that ensures every business owner feels heard, supported, and empowered.
“Winning Customer Service Department of the Year is a testament to our team’s unwavering commitment to service excellence,” said Mackenzie Kagel, VP of Operations at Forward Financing. “We’ve proven that top-notch support isn’t just about speed and efficiency — it’s about leading with empathy. By treating every business owner with the respect and care they deserve, we’ve set a new industry benchmark for what world-class financial service should look like.”
Since early 2023, the ASD team has undergone a significant transformation to better support small business owners through increased volume and product complexity. Key achievements that led to the win include:
- Industry-Leading Accessibility: The team drove its missed call rate down 87%, ensuring business owners get immediate support.
- Expanded Support Hours: To accommodate the busy schedules of small business owners, Forward increased availability, resolving thousands of cases outside of traditional business hours.
Stevie Awards President Maggie Miller said, “The remarkable scores achieved by this year’s Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service winners reflect the extraordinary levels of excellence, innovation, and customer impact they deliver. We proudly join the judges in congratulating and celebrating these outstanding organizations and professionals on their achievements.”
Details about the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service and the list of Stevie winners in all categories are available at www.sales.stevieawards.com/.
About Forward Financing
Forward Financing is a fintech company based in Boston, Massachusetts with team members throughout the United States, Dominican Republic, and Canada. The company is on a mission to unlock the capital that fuels small businesses across America. Whether facing challenges accessing traditional financing or simply needing a convenient, flexible solution, Forward is committed to funding more of the millions of small businesses nationwide. By simplifying the requirements, streamlining the process, and using advanced proprietary technology, Forward is often able to deliver funds same day — giving more businesses the financial opportunity they need to thrive. Plus, with their dedicated teams and award-winning service, customers get personalized support when they need it most.
Since 2012, Forward has expanded access to capital by providing over $4.5 billion in funding to more than 87,000 small businesses. The company is A+ rated by the Better Business Bureau with an Excellent / 4.6 stars rating on Trustpilot.com. Recognized as a Best Place to Work by Built In Boston and certified as a Great Place To Work®, Forward is dedicated to empowering both its team and the customers they serve, helping them succeed and thrive.
About The Stevie® Awards
Stevie Awards are conferred nine programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards®, The International Business Awards®, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service, the Stevie Awards for Technology Excellence, and the Stevie Awards for Women in Business. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 70 nations and territories. More than 1,000 professionals around the world participate in the Stevie Awards judging process each year. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at www.StevieAwards.com.
Sponsors of the 20th annual Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service include SOCAP International and ValueSelling Associates, Inc.