Australian fintech investment subdued in H1’19, as market pauses ahead of future growth: KPMG Pulse of Fintech
Investment in Australia’s fintech sector followed the subdued trend seen globally in the first half of 2019, reaching US$101.1 mil, a more than 50% drop on the corresponding period in 2018 (US$223 mil).
But more deals are on the horizon, with the recent record-breaking Judo Bank’s fundraising already announced in July. While IPOs are not tracked by the Pulse of Fintech report, it noted Australia has been an exception when it came to fintech IPOs. These have generally been non-existent in Asia despite the increasing number of tech IPOs more broadly. But Australia saw SME lending company Prospa hold a successful IPO in June.
The biggest Australian fintech transaction recorded by the Pulse of Fintech report in the first half of the year was the Airwallex US$100 mil Series C funding in March 2019, which was also the third biggest deal in Asia for the period. The largest fintech deal regionally was the US$2 bil NCF Wealth Holdings merger in China, followed by the US$200 mil Blockchain Exchange Alliance Series A funding in South Korea.
“The dip in fintech investment in Australia is more of a pause, with major activity imminent for the second half of the year. Beside VC investment in fintech startups, there is also the possibility of future listing and M&A activity, following the success of fintech IPOs such as Prospa and Afterpay. Their experience could encourage other fintech companies to consider IPOs,” says Dan Teper, KPMG Australia Partner and Head of Fintech.
Regionally, the modest start for fintech investment in Asia followed a record-shattering level of investment in 2018. A lack of megadeals in China accounted for the majority of the decline, with investors holding back given both the US-China trade tensions and the increasing regulatory focus being given to fintech and fintech companies by Beijing.
Trends to watch for in Australia & Asia-Pacific
Open banking
Open banking and open data continue to be front and centre for incumbent and challenger banks alike. Australia’s Parliament has passed the Consumer Data Right (CDR) Bill, marking the start of Open Banking and the first step towards an open data future for the country. As well as finance and banking, legislation will expand in the near future to encompass energy retailers, telecommunications companies and superannuation funds.
Regtech
Australia and China are zoning in on regtech, with ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission) funding studies to investigate how natural language processing could help detect misconduct and improve regulation and the China Securities Regulatory Commission pushing for the adoption of regtech to help strengthen controls over fintech usage
Blockchain
Blockchain is expected to gain more attention from fintech investors in China, particularly in microfinancing. The Australian Digital Currency Association recently held its first “Blockies” awards for blockchain innovators. There has also been a trend toward multiple financial services organisations working together to reimagine global trade and to rewire industries using blockchain solutions to make them more efficient. This will be a key area to watch as it could see some significant investments and partnerships over time.
Cryptocurrency
Facebook’s announcement of a new cryptocurrency, Libra, put cryptocurrencies back into the spotlight. A number of global companies have bought into Libra; in addition to Facebook, Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, eBay, Stripe, Mercado Libre, the Creative Destruction Lab, and others have combined to form the Libra Association. According to Ross Buckley, KPMG Law-KWM professor of disruptive innovation, UNSW Sydney, Libra has massive potential to disrupt banking in Australia, due to Australia’s high remittance costs to the Pacific. One Australian university has recently announced a cryptocurrency PhD program.
Digital banking
Digital banks continued to draw significant venture capital interest during H1’19. So far this year Australian regulators have issued three banking licences to Australian neobanks Judo, Volt and 86 400, and Xinja expects its full licence soon. The first international neobank, UK-based Revolut, has also announced a beta version of its app in Australia. A number of other overseas digital banks are also focused on international expansion.
“The adoption of open banking globally is emerging as a driver of fintech investment, along with the opportunities presented by technologies like AI, machine learning and data analytics,” says Ian Pollari, National Sector Lead, Banking and Global Co-Leader of KPMG Fintech Practice. “We’re seeing the growth of sub-sectors like wealthtech and proptech, in addition to increasing participation from the big tech companies looking to leverage the deep customer information they have to expand their reach into financial services.”
To view the KPMG Pulse of Fintech report go to www.kpmg.com.au.
