The two Australian cities that have built global reputations as fintech hubs
Australia has recently seen an increase in fintech-related activity, as the government forms fintech agreements with other countries around the world and launches initiatives designed to boost the industry. At the same time, banks are increasingly releasing innovative new products, and funding for fintech startups continues to gather pace. At present, the country remains a relatively nascent hub for fintech, but with its current rate of development, it has the potential to establish itself as Asia-Pacific’s (APAC) leading fintech hub, a role that Singapore has played so far. The Australian fintech scene is currently driven mostly by its 512 domestic firms, with just 67 foreign startups in the country. However, […]
Home loan refinancing jumps but many find they have to sell up
Online mortgage broking market place LoanDolphin has seen the number of loan enquiries increase fourfold to more than $1.5 billion in the last year as many home owners seek to refinance. LoanDolphin founders Ranin Mendis and Rod Dutra have been analysing their data on borrowers who submit requests for loans on their website which mortgage brokers compete for. In the last 12 months, as property prices have slipped, lending rates risen (for some) and the royal commission into banking crimped lending practices, LoanDolphin has seen a huge increase in the number of enquiries for refinancing. “Many borrowers are looking to refinance as they’re starting to feel the pinch from rates,” […]
Australian National Blockchain will bring opportunities for disruptive startups, says Data61 senior research scientist
CSIRO’s Data61 data innovation group is collaborating with law firm Herbert Smith Freehills and technology giant IBM to build the Australian National Blockchain (ABN), a large-scale cross-industry platform for smart contracts. The ABN is intended to serve as a national infrastructure, allowing companies to join the network to share digitised contracts. Work is currently underway on a pilot, with the platform expected to be able to host live transactions by mid to late 2019. The decentralised nature of blockchain technology means, once the platform is available, there will be one version of a contract accessible to each involved party. Permission-based access is intended to allow data to be exchanged securely, […]
Opportunities for Australian Fintech
Supportive nongovernmental entities. Outside of government support, a number of organisations are working to promote the fintech industry in Australia. One of the latest is Australian FinTech Jobs, a website dedicated to helping fintech companies find talent and aiding people seeking jobs in the sector. Australia also has several successful fintech hubs, like Stone & Chalk, that provide work spaces for fintechs and guidance when needed. Stone & Chalk claims to have already worked with 13 startups that scaled globally, and fintechs continue to take advantage of its services. Additionally, the hub has both local and international partners, which could help Australia become more attractive to overseas fintechs. By ensuring […]
How pocket money has adapted to the digital age
This generation could be the last to know the thrill and discipline of waiting for the weekly pocket money in the form of a bundle of crumpled notes and warm coins. In a world of apps, e-books and online games, more children than ever are asking for their weekly allowance digitally to fuel modern-day spending. For many parents, pocket money has become a source of mild anxiety with the added complexity of the digital age: when should it start? How much to pay? Should it be in return for doing chores, or handed over with no strings attached? According to the survey of more than 1000 parents for the Financial […]
Micro-investing app Raiz – how it works
Raiz, which until recently was known as Acorns, is a micro-investing platform aimed at Australians aged 18 to 35. Raiz allows people to invest small amounts in the stock market using a smartphone app. Over 500,000 people have signed up to Raiz since it launched in February 2016, though only 164,000 of those are active users. Raiz now has $214 million under management and the average customer has a balance of $1234. Raiz Managing Director George Lucas says Raiz is a user-friendly, automated savings and investment tool which doesn’t seek to generate market-leading returns, though “the average Raiz customer has made 11% per annum since launch and 10.1% per annum […]
Grant Thornton support of Lakeba’s Future Hub consortium to help accelerate Blockchain Growth
Australian technology innovator Lakeba Group, and leading global independent assurance, tax and advisory firm Grant Thornton, have announced a new alignment that will see Grant Thornton’s technology industry team, support Lakeba’s Future Hub. Recognised for being one of the first technology companies in Australia to have live commercial blockchain implementations across a range of sectors, the vision of Lakeba’s Future Hub is to provide a one stop shop solution for Australian businesses looking to adopt blockchain solutions from conception, to development all the way through to tax, legal and regulatory compliance. “With the support of Grant Thornton’s technology industry team, the Future Hub will be greatly strengthened with the proven […]
Netwealth profit up in 2017-18 financial year
Platform provider Netwealth saw its net profit after tax grow 72.7 per cent in the past financial year, the company has reported. The company, which listed on the ASX on 20 November 2017, reported a statutory net profit after tax (NPAT) of $20.8 million, which included IPO transaction costs of $8.7 million. Additionally, Netwealth reported its pro forma NPAT to be $29 million, 6.3 per cent above the company’s prospectus forecast. Commenting on the results, Netwealth joint managing director Michael Heine said the company was “pleased” with its performance. “We are experiencing significant structural changes in the wealth management industry in Australia,” he said. “Many of these changes are benefiting […]
