Fintech set to reshape financial services despite slump
Global fintech investment’s boom year of 2015, when all the planets aligned and the hype factor reached its peak, was always going to make activity levels in subsequent years look feeble by comparison. Even so, the 47 per cent slump in funds invested in 2016 to $24.7bn, revealed yesterday in KPMG’s Pulse of Fintech publication, is eye-opening. Both macro and micro forces are at play. With the former, the uncertainty created by the Brexit vote, the schism between new US president Donald Trump and the tech community, a perceived economic slowdown in China and significant fluctuations in exchange rates all conspired to make investors more cautious. At a more micro […]
Optimo Financial releases changes to super software
Sydney-based fintech firm, Optimo Financial is releasing new alterations for its Pathfinder Online superannuation strategy software, ahead of the super changes legislated to apply from 1 July this year. Optimo Financial chief executive, Hugh Bannister, said that the optimisation technology which underpinned the Pathfinder Online software and incorporated tax law, super legislation, family tax benefits, and the Age Pension, would overhaul in time to include changes from the Fair and Sustainable Superannuation Bill. “We can develop, test and deploy legislative changes very quickly in Pathfinder,” Bannister said of the alterations to the software. “We believe we are the first software provider to include the recent super changes.” Optimo Financial would […]
Australia weathers fintech slump
Global investment in fintech companies almost halved last year as “froth” comes out of the burgeoning industry and investors wait to see if they can successfully disrupt incumbents such as banks and insurers, according to a new report. Fintech investment funding declined to $US24.7 billion ($32.17bn) last year from a bumper $US46.7bn in 2015, driven by fewer merger and acquisitions, and private equity investments, KPMG found. However, the less mature Australian fintech industry bucked the trend as investment soared to a record high of $626 million last year, up from $185m in 2015 and $461m in 2014. The increase was powered by Champ Private Equity’s acquisition of Pepperstone, Stirling Products’ […]
It’s Apple Pay day for ING Direct
ING Direct signed up more than 20,000 customers to Apple Pay within 24 hours of going live with the digital wallet, claiming banks must partner and embrace a broader digital “ecosystem” or risk falling by the wayside. After going live with Apple Pay on Tuesday morning, ING chief Uday Sareen yesterday said 21,500 customers had activated the payments functionality on their iPhones, surpassing expectations of about 10,000. He said the bank’s account acquisition numbers were 25 per cent higher on Tuesday than the rolling average of the prior 30 days. ING has 517,000 customers who could activate Apple Pay, but only about 70 per cent use iPhones and only the […]
Empowering advisers to embrace social media
A recent Midwinter and Jenesis industry survey revealed just under half of the respondents had chosen not to engage in social media because of the associated risk to their business reputation. Kaplan Professional and Red Marker have been developing the Artemis solution to help financial advisers create and share compliant digital content. Artemis detects ‘risky’ content as it is being created, helping advisers and licensees to identify and remediate compliance risks associated with the promotion of financial products or services. The innovative solution is able to identify risk across a range of media types including web pages, Word documents, PDF’s, and client communications. Artemis is also able […]
Peer-to-peer lender Harmoney coming to Aussie shores
Peer-to-peer lender Harmoney has recently set up shop in Australia, with Brisbane the first lucky city to host the fast growing company. According to Harmoney Australia General Manager Ben Taylor, the lender is expecting to be popular with Aussie homeowners 40 years and older. “Early signs following our beta testing in Australia show that mom-and-pop borrowers will be quick to embrace a competitive, customer service focussed marketplace lending solution for debt consolidation, home improvement and travel,” he said. Initially, the platform will be open to borrowers only, for loans between $5,000 and $35,000 with terms of 36 and 60 months. Rates on unsecured loans start at 8.99% p.a., with no […]
Prospa secures $25M in funding led by AirTree Ventures; Passes $250 Million in Loans to Small Business
Prospa, Australia’s leading online lender to small business, has secured $25M in growth funding led by AirTree Ventures – Australia’s most successful tech-focused venture capital firm. The deal is the largest fintech venture capital investment in an Australian business. Prospa also announced it had passed $250 Million in total loans to small businesses in Australia. The investment comes after a period of significant growth for Prospa who is now the clear market leader for online lending to small businesses in Australia. Prospa will use the funds to accelerate its market leadership: boosting technology, product expansion and distribution, ramping up talent acquisition and building a world-class brand. Greg Moshal, Founder and […]
IRESS’ technology investment increases to meet demand
Listed Australian fintech IRESS predicts a continued increase in its product and technology investment as it meets growing client demand in Australia and internationally. IRESS is one of Australia’s largest financial technology businesses with offices in Australia, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Canada, Singapore and New Zealand. It employs more than 1,750 people. IRESS today announced revenue for 2016 of $389.7 million, up 8% on 2015. Reported net profit after tax was up 7%. For the 2016 year, IRESS invested $96 million in product development and technology for financial services including banks and financial advisors. IRESS’ Chief Technology Officer, Andrew Todd, said strong demand from clients […]
