PayWave: Australia will soon be ‘entirely cashless’
Cash could become a distant memory as soon as 2026, according to startling new predictions from experts. According to data from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA)’s ongoing Consumer Payment Methods survey, the percentage of cash payments in the country plummeted from 69 per cent in 2007 to just 37 per cent in 2016. A projection of that data by comparison site finder.com.au has revealed that if the current trend continues, physical cash could vanish in Australia as soon as 2026. It’s even earlier than the predicted expiry date of ATMs, with an analysis of RBA statistics by finder.com.au showing they could disappear from our streets by 2036. Finder’s money […]
Stockbrokers embrace Fintech
Something quite extraordinary happened at this year’s Annual Stockbrokers (SAFAA) Conference in Melbourne May 22-24, which culminated in blockchain based cryptocurrency broker, Caleb and Brown taking first place honours in the inaugural “Stockbroker Fintech Start-up of 2018” award. Six weeks ago Caleb and Brown and the 9 other local and international fintech firms had no plans to be taking part in the conference in any shape or form. Speaking after the prize giving award at the conference founder and CEO of Caleb and Brown, Dr. Prash P said “Our business is on a significant growth trajectory and being able to meet and partner with the stockbroking community in a meaningful […]
Australian charities adapt to cashless society with arrival of Apple Pay
The charity sector needs to adapt to a world without cash, according to the CEO of Cancer Council Australia, which is set to be one of the first Australian charities to use Apple Pay. ANZ announced on Tuesday that Donate with Apple Pay would be available on its Shout For Good fundraising platform, providing more than 60 of its aligned charities with an “easy and secure way to offer digital payments”. Apple Pay allows Australians to donate to charities through their mobile phone, or online, and eliminates the need to enter billing and contact information, create an account or fill out long forms to check out. Cancer Council Australia will […]
Australian Government backs Fintech HashChing with $700,000 loan from Jobs NSW
HashChing, a Sydney-based home loan marketplace, has just announced a $700,000 loan from Jobs NSW. Deputy Premier and Minister for Small Business John Barilaro said the NSW Government had backed the Fintech which is expected to create 46 jobs over the next five years. “Jobs for NSW is helping some of our brightest business people overcome barriers to finance – it’s about making smart investments that allow good business ideas and businesses to grow,” said Barilaro. “The Jobs for NSW Strategic Growth Loan will allow the company to hire software developers, product developers, a data scientist and sales and marketing staff to support HashChing’s continued growth.” HashChing is an online […]
CoinSpot opens personal NEO/GAS wallet addresses for users
Australian NEO fans might have something to look forward to with CoinSpot introducing individual user wallets for NEO and GAS.
Fintech forcing major shifts in banking strategies
The banking sector is undergoing many changes currently, as technology is becoming increasingly important to keep up with fintech competition. It has become apparent that the space is evolving in a way that will see new technologies have an outsized impact in the next few years, according to a report from Temenos and The Economist Intelligence Unit. Additionally, the report examined the impact of open banking and how banks are shifting their business models, among other things. Here are some of the key takeaways from the report: Tech and digitization will have a bigger impact than regulation. Forty-eight percent of banking executives think new technologies, such as blockchain and AI, will have the […]
Midwinter delivers technology to Suncorp Advice
Australian based financial advice technology firm Midwinter has today announced it will deliver technology services for Suncorp’s salaried financial planning business – Suncorp Advice. Midwinter was selected by Suncorp upon review of its financial planning business, which included testing by Suncorp advisers and paraplanners. AdviceOS will provide Suncorp with – Enhanced system capabilities – including cloud-based and API driven integration Strategic and product modelling capabilities Superior planner/user experience and client engagement Process and production efficiencies CRM and reporting capabilities Compliance functionality Experienced project management of transitions and support Midwinter’s Head of Institutional Growth, Salvador Saiz welcomed the announcement saying “The future of planning tech means being to deliver best-in-class strategy […]
Millennials pouring their money into new low-fee investment products
More than 1,400 Australian millennials have, in the last month, put money into Spaceship’s new investment products, which are ‘fee-free’ for low balances of $5,000 or less, the nation’s specialist investment manager for younger people announced today. The result underscores the enormous untapped demand younger Australians have for simple, and engaging, investment products that are different to those designed for their parents and grandparents. Spaceship founder & CEO, Paul Bennetts, said today the company had developed two ultra-low fee products for the ‘online’ generation aged 18-44 years old, and they were discreetly made available to the market in late April. In the first four weeks, 1,412 customers signed up and […]