Fintech start-up Douugh scores partnership with US mutual bank Choice
Sydney-based fintech start-up Douugh has scored a partnership with US mutual bank Choice Financial, as it readies to launch its smart banking personal assistant, Sophie. As part of the open banking partnership, Douugh will launch an integrated bank account and debit card with the bank, giving it the ability to accept deposits. Choice Financial has also invested in Douugh, as part of a $2.5 million seed round. Founder and chief executive Andy Taylor, who was also a co-founder of successful peer-to-peer lending platform SocietyOne, told The Australian Financial Review he wanted to reduce society’s reliance on credit cards and help people save money. “I’ve always been quite passionate about the […]
Facebook’s Messenger payments looms over Australia’s big banks
Facebook’s challenge to Australia’s big banks is coming as early as next year, when the social media giant is expected to introduce peer-to-peer payments within its Messenger service, hot on the heels of local banks’ expected launch of their own P2P payments network. In July, The Australian Financial Review revealed Facebook had been awarded a patent to allow it to launch Messenger payments in Australia, which will allow users to pay family, friends and groups once they have linked up a bank-issued debit card to their social media account. More than 13 million people use Facebook Messenger in Australia each month, a figure that will have local banks – who […]
Wary banks to enter fintech waters
While larger financial institutions have traditionally stayed out of the fintech space, this could soon change, according to some of Australia’s leading experts. “To date I’ve actually taken the view that I don’t think the banks have really played much in this space because it’s disruptive and it’s easier for them to not necessarily add fuel to the fire or to accelerate that disruption,” said Anthony Millet, CEO of BRICKX, in a panel discussion at the Millennial 20/20 conference in Sydney (14 November). This is now changing with new legislation being introduced in Australia that makes it easier for start-ups to enter the market, he said. “I think we’re going […]
ANZ and CUA among first to offer eftpos on Android Pay
ANZ and Cuscal-sponsored credit unions including CUA today announced their eftpos cardholders can now make payments using Android Pay. The nine institutions, including People’s Choice Credit Union, Sydney Credit Union, Woolworths Employee’s Credit Union, Nexus Mutual and FCCS, are the first in Australia to officially offer this payment method to eftpos cardholders, enabling almost two million people to pay using their Android mobile devices. This follows the announcement Commonwealth Bank, Westpac and NAB are collaborating to launch a mobile payments platform, Beem, to make instant contactless payments with eftpos cards. Canstar’s Group Manager of Research and Ratings Mitch Watson said the new offering meant ANZ customers would have access to […]
Global Corporates chasing technology innovation in banking
Some of the world’s largest enterprises are prepared to switch financial providers should their banks not keep up with technological innovation, new research from East & Partners has found. According to the exclusive report, titled Financial Technology and the Corporate, around 13 percent of corporates have either partially or fully switched banks in direct response to newly released financial technology solutions, with a further 20 percent currently considering doing so. The research is based on direct interviews with 737 corporate treasurers and chief financial officers (CFOs) from the Top 100 firms across eight key markets including Australia, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Singapore, the UK and USA. […]
NAB is adding 600 fintech jobs
The National Australia Bank has announced 600 new tech jobs to “reshape” its workforce as it moves to compete against more agile fintech startups. Recruitment for the new positions — in software engineering, data, architecture and security — will take place immediately. It comes after the bank last week revealed it would cut 2,000 jobs in other areas by 2020. “We know this is an ambitious target and acknowledge the war for talent is intense, but these are the essential skills and roles we need in order to deliver our plan,” said NAB chief technology and operations officer Patrick Wright. The recruitment drive, according to the bank, will “rebalance” the […]
Brighte shines a light on new finance options
Innovative fintech companies have an opportunity to offer services banks can’t or won’t provide. Here’s how Brighte is doing that with interest-free finance for home improvements. Imagine having your hot water system break down and being told you need a replacement. How would you pay for it? What about if you want to install solar power but find the interest charges send your budget through the roof? It’s these types of issues that fintech startup Brighte is designed to address. Launched in 2016, the company offers homeowners an interest-free payment solution for home improvements up to $30,000. Company founder Katherine McConnell said this type of finance hasn’t been looked at […]
Australian Fintech companies amongst 2017 Finder Awards
Once again the 2017 Finder Awards was dominated by Australian Fintech companies, like they have done in previous years. Congratulations to all the Fintech winners: Best Investor Home Loan (PI 3-Year Fixed) UBank UHomeLoan Best P2P Personal Loan RateSetter 2 Year Personal Loan Best Personal Loan Pepper Money Unsecured Variable Personal Loan Best Personal Finance App Acorns Best Online Customer Service UBank Best Banking Innovation Spriggy Most Innovative Team Mario Hasanakos & Alex Badran, founders of Spriggy
