9 Giant Banks Make a Deal on Blockchain: What It Means | Alex Salkever
Here’s a follow-up article to yesterday’s article on the blockchain, but this explains it all even further… When Goldman Sachs talks, people all over the world listen. Today Goldman is talking about the blockchain. What the heck is the “blockchain”? Only the next biggest thing since the Internet, according to such tech visionaries such as noted venture capitalist Marc Andreessen. For most of those outside of Silicon Valley and other tech centers, the blockchain is some mysterious computer thing that works with Bitcoin. What they may fail to realize is that the blockchain could completely change the world by allowing us to finally establish true trust and accountability online. Source: […]
The CBA has joined eight other massive banks to take the technology behind bitcoin mainstream | Business Insider
Nine of the world’s biggest banks on Tuesday threw their weight behind blockchain, the technology that powers bitcoin. Barclays, BBVA, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Credit Suisse, JPMorgan, State Street, Royal Bank of Scotland, and UBS have all formed a partnership to draw up industry standards and protocols for using the blockchain in banking. The partnership is being led by R3, a startup with offices in New York and London headed by David Rutter, the former CEO of ICAP Electronic Broking and a 32-year veteran of Wall Street. Source: The CBA has joined eight other massive banks to take the technology behind bitcoin mainstream | Business Insider
P&N seeks fintech partners – The West Australian
WA’s biggest locally owned lender, P&N Bank, will scout potential partnerships and other investments to keep pace with the technological changes gripping the banking industry. Having dipped its toe in the fintech sector last year by taking a small equity stake in a superannuation software start-up, chief executive Andrew Hadley says the mutual bank “certainly has the intent of partnering, collaborating and potentially taking small equity positions” in other businesses of interest. Source: P&N seeks fintech partners – The West Australian
Bitcoin could disrupt banks warns Westpac boss | afr.com
How long will it be until Bitcoin starts to make a real impact on the incumbent banks…??? Westpac Banking Corp chief Brian Hartzer describes bitcoin and the blockchain as “potentially disruptive” technologies which could be “quite powerful from an efficiency point of view” but says there’s no need for banks to panic about being cut out from the monetary system because any impact will only come in the long term. The blockchain is technology that validates transactions made in bitcoin, digital money that is not controlled by any bank or government, but rather by an open network managed by its users. If it ever takes off, bitcoin could transform the […]
ANZ vows to take fight to fintech start-ups | The Australian
ANZ has hit back at suggestions that banks only innovate for short-term gains, declaring other industries should be worried about being put out of business by the banking sector. Meanwhile, Westpac chief Brian Hartzer said it was actually important for banks to not get too “mesmerised” by innovation and “inventing cool new stuff”, remembering that customers were at the heart of banking. Last week, Danny Gilligan, managing director of Reinventure Group, said banks and other financial services players would struggle to battle disruptive “fintech” start-ups because their pay packets and investment policies were short-term focused. Source: ANZ vows to take fight to fintech start-ups | The Australian
ANZ, Bendigo join Matchi fintech platform | afr.com
Here’s another article on how some of the big incumbent banks are getting in on the fintech act… ANZ Banking Group and Bendigo and Adelaide Bank have joined a global matchmaking platform called Matchi, to help them link with global start-ups, in a sign incumbents are not limiting their engagement with fintech to local hubs like Stone & Chalk. KMPG last week announced a deal with Matchi that will provide clients of the firm with access to the tech platform, which serves as a bridge for traditional banks and start-ups to identifying partnership opportunities. Source: ANZ, Bendigo join Matchi fintech platform | afr.com
Carlyle backs Prospa securitisation to boost SME lending
This is great news for Australian FinTech company Prospa. It’s also a very positive sign to see global companies investing in Australian FinTech companies – it appears others are starting to see the potential here in Australia. Global alternative asset manager the Carlyle Group has invested $50 million in the first securitisation deal in Australia of unsecured, online business loans, which will allow Prospa to step up its small-business lending as the big banks overlook the sector. The securitisation deal, which is only the third globally in the online business lending category, is part of a $60 million capital raising that was also supported by Ironbridge Capital, AirTree Ventures, and […]
Stone & Chalk fintech hub denies bias | The Australian
Fintech is a passionate community. Even the optimists, though, give Australia two to four years, at most, to establish its credentials as a regional leader in disruptive financial services technology, closing the gap with Singapore and Hong Kong. The potential upside is significant. Source: Stone & Chalk fintech hub denies bias | The Australian
