Fintech 101: Core concepts for the future of banking
Everyday it feels like someone, somewhere has coined a new banking term. But as Australia continues to take big steps towards innovation, the average Aussie might feel left in the dark when it comes to understanding what’s in store for the future of banking. So to keep you in the loop with all the latest in fintech, we thought it might be worth getting the basics down first. What is fintech? Put simply, fintech stands for ‘financial technology’ and can refer to any technology that is used in the finance industry to provide products and services. Just remember that fintech usually refers to newer, innovative products and services. For example, […]
BPAY Group launches Sypht and Lodge
BPAY Group, announced today the launch of Sypht and Lodge. The addition of the new companies is a strategic move for BPAY Group and signals its transformation beyond payments. BPAY Group recently worked with BCG Digital Ventures to identify frictions in the Australian marketplace that it could help address from its unique position within Australia’s financial services industry. The result has been the introduction of two new companies, Sypht and Lodge, within the BPAY Group family of businesses. The companies operate independently and are headed by their own CEOs. Sypht uniquely uses machine learning and artificial intelligence to unlock the power of data. Sypht’s recently appointed CEO is Warren Billington. […]
PlayChip digital currency exchange “PlayXchange” registered
The PlayChip Foundation has been registered as the first digital currency exchange in Australia with its own native token. Last week the PlayChip Foundation Ltd was registered to provide Digital Currency Exchange services by Australian regulatory body AUSTRAC. AUSTRAC, the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre, is Australia’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing regulator and financial intelligence unit. The registration is pursuant to subsection 76E(2) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Amendment Act 2017 (AML/CTF Act Amendment Act 2017). The registration signals a huge step forward to the Foundation, which will operate a cryptocurrency exchange called the PlayXchange as part of a global payment solution to its more than […]
Brave fintech MoneyMe to test the market
Trying to list a financial services company while a royal commission into banking is going on is not for the faint-hearted, but it does not appear to be preventing small financial technology lender MoneyMe from attempting the move. Moneyme.com.au offers personal loans, cash loans, short-term loans and fast cash advances and is attempting to launch an initial public offering through Bell Potter and Ord Minnett. The company was co-founded about two years ago by Clayton Howes, who secured $30m in debt and equity funding at the time, according to reports. No doubt the deal will be a tough ask for the brokers involved in trying to list the business, but […]
A first for Australian fintech: SocietyOne becomes first Aussie P2P to hit $500M in lending
SocietyOne has today become Australia’s first and only marketplace lender to reach $500 million in loan originations across its personal loan, agri lending and marketplace business, and is now setting its sights on reaching $1 billion by the end of calendar year 2019. The milestone follows a record August and the recent appointment of ex-Westpac and Citibank exec, Mark Jones, to the top job of CEO. “We’re delighted to have reached this significant milestone as we deliver an even better deal for our borrowers and investor funders,” said Mr. Jones. “We’ve been growing steadily over the past 12 months while we continued to transform our business and build new capabilities […]
ASIC warns all fintech business lenders over contracts
The corporate regulator wants all online business lenders to remove unfair terms from their contracts just like Prospa has done, indicating start-ups that want to compete against banks will be held to similar regulatory standards as community expectations lift following the royal commission. In a letter sent last week to Brad Kitschke, CEO of industry lobby group FinTech Australia, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission declared “action [is] required”. ASIC said it “will consider regulatory action where appropriate” if fintechs don’t comply with the 2016 laws that prevent lenders using excessive contractual power over business borrowers. Banks have already been forced by ASIC to make the changes, although Hayne royal […]
ANZ bank launches phone wallet to withdraw cash from ATMs
The days of carrying a plastic bank card could be numbered, with ANZ customers now being offered the option of ditching their wallet for an all-digital profile. The bank’s latest innovation is technology allowing consumers to use a smartphone or watch to withdraw their cash from an ATM. The move means all ATM functions can now be completed without a card, and follows the widespread use of devices to process payments and purchases. “It is more secure than plastic cards because customers have to either use their face ID, or thumbprint or pin on their phone before they can even use cash, and take the cash out at the ATM,” […]
Financial Planners set to benefit from YTML and SuiteBox partnership
Financial advisers have been given another boost in the race to digitalise their businesses with the recent tie-up between SuiteBox, a virtual meeting platform designed for financial risk compliance, and YTML, creator of Seido, an integration hub that connects fintech applications that results in a more efficient way to deliver advice. The partnership between YTML and SuiteBox sees the Seido Integration Hub connect directly with SuiteBox’s virtual meeting software, allowing advisers and their clients to meet, discuss and close business by combining face-to-face video meetings, document sharing and digital signing – recorded, compliant and available for regulatory scrutiny. The direct integration into the Seido platform, an integration hub designed by YTML […]
