Modern myki miracle: Android users give thumbs up to mobile payment trial
It has all the makings of a public transport miracle: a rollout of new myki technology that isn’t plagued by huge problems. At least not yet. Commuters taking part in a smartphone myki payment trial have given the beta test a cautious thumbs up, heaping praise on the convenience of topping up remotely and the system’s decent touch-on speed. Android users started using their mobile phones to pay for fares on Victoria’s trains, buses and trams after Public Transport Victoria invited 4000 people to take part in the test-run last month. There is still work to be done to ensure everyone can benefit: iPhone users remain locked out of the […]
Australian fintech leaders and startup founders react to the Hayne royal commission final report
After nearly 70 days of hearings, pouring through more than 10,000 public submissions the banking royal commission’s final report has been released. In it, Commissioner Hayne explains that one of the “complicating” factors is the impact of technological developments on the financial advice industry. Hayne writes: “Many in the industry have recognised that technology is likely to play an important role in the future of financial advice, but there is not yet a clear picture of what that role might be. Any recommendation directed to altering the current structure of the industry would need to grapple with the fact that the industry itself will very probably look very different in […]
The finalists of the 2019 Fintech Business Awards have been announced
The finalists of the 2019 Fintech Business Awards have been announced. Congratulations and good luck to all the finalists – both individuals and companies.
Know whether your bank is giving you a good home loan deal with uno’s loanScore
Australian fintech uno Home Loans is empowering customers to take back control with the launch of loanScore.
Bank sector transformation will come with open banking, competition: Xinja
Australian neobank Xinja said transformation of the financial services sector, described by Royal Commissioner Kenneth Hayne as often driven by greed, will only happen when consumers have clear choice, and can move easily and quickly between banks and other providers within the banking sector. The final report from the financial services Royal Commission paints a damning picture of the culture that drives Australia’s banks, with Commissioner Hayne imploring those who run Australia’s biggest and most profitable financial institutions to ‘obey the law’, ‘act fairly’ and offer services that are ‘fit for purpose’. “The reality is, the reason we’ve reached this low is that the sector has been controlled by a […]
Twitter founder Jack Dorsey: Crypto will deliver a global currency
Jack Dorsey has a lot of thoughts and plans for cryptocurrency. In a February 2 interview with Joe Rogan, the Twitter founder and CEO had a lot to say about the topic. In a wide-ranging interview that covers topics of censorship, app development, politics and other topics, Rogan steered the conversation towards Dorsey’s Cash App, which allows users to buy and sell Bitcoin Core (BTC). Rogan asked why Dorsey’s team introduced cryptocurrency exchanges in the app. Quite simply, Dorsey believes in a future of one global currency, if it is or isn’t BTC, and that starts in small steps. He said: “I believe the Internet will have a native currency […]
Ezidebit goes back to childcare roots after 12 months on the sidelines
Payments solution group Ezidebit is making an aggressive push back into the booming childcare industry after 12 months on the sidelines. Ezidebit provides an integrated payments solution to streamline collecting of fees for childcare centres and Outside School Hours Care services, reducing time spent in reconciling payments. Ezidebit has more than 20 years’ experience in the childcare industry, with a dedicated team to support the segment, but has been excluded from operating in the sector since the sale of partner QikKids in early 2018 where it was previously the exclusive payments provider. Ezidebit Managing Director Australia and New Zealand Mark Healy said: “Our heritage is in childcare and we fully […]
Is it time Australian investors bought into the fintech story?
By George Lucas, MD/CEO, Raiz Invest Tell Australian investors that a hole in the ground could prove to be the next El Dorado and they will fall over themselves to push a one-cent share into the stratosphere. But tell them about an exciting high-tech venture that is disrupting the market and you can hear the audible yawns. Raiz Invest’s former parent company, the privately-owned US company Acorns, recently raised $US105 million ($A145million) to continue to fund its operation. The Wall Street Journal reports this gives Acorns a $US860 million ($A1.186 billion) valuation. CNBC reports that Acorns US has more than 4.5 million sign-ups, 2.1 million investment accounts and circa $US1.2 […]
