UBank launches world’s first consumer Green Term Deposit certified by the Climate Bonds Initiative
UBank is now offering Australians with a sustainable way to invest with today’s launch of the world’s first Green Term Deposit in the customer space certified by the Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI). UBank’s Green Term Deposit is matched to a portfolio of renewable energy projects such as wind and solar power, and low carbon transport and buildings. It allows customers to use the savings in their term deposits to support a positive environmental impact, while still enjoying a high return. Certified by CBI, a not-for profit that has developed a standard for investments which address climate change, UBank’s Green Term Deposit is available to all customers with a minimum $1,000 […]
Aussie online investors grow in Q4, despite volatile markets
Despite a relatively volatile market towards the end of 2018, online traders in Australia were not deterred, leading to an uptick in the population of online investors in the second half of 2018, according to the 2018 2H Online Broking Report by Investment Trends. Specifically, for the six months to December of 2018, the population of online investors in the equities and exchange-traded fund (ETF) segments increased by 4.2 per cent from 720,000 up to 750,000, the report said. According to the report, which surveyed more than 8,000 Australian online investors in the broking market, during the final quarter of 2018, which was particularly volatile, many online traders continued to […]
Afterpay rival PayRight targets larger purchases with $30m funds raised
Australia’s booming, but controversial, buy now, pay later market has another major competitor after fintech firm PayRight raised a total of $30 million to expand its operations, which targets consumers making larger purchases than Afterpay allows. The company has largely flown under the radar in the sector, with $4.7 billion-valued ASX-listed Afterpay its most prominent rival. But PayRight is pitching itself as an option for retailers and service providers of bigger ticket items, rather than smaller impulse buys like clothing. Its funding has been compiled through a mix of debt and equity raisings over the last year led by corporate advisory firm Henslow and wealth manager Escala Partners, with the […]
Fintech investment doubled while Australian banks hammered
Investment in financial technology startups more than doubled last year while Australian banks came under intense public scrutiny for their treatment of customers. Globally, fintechs managed to attract US$26.7 billion investments in the 2017-18 year, which was 107 per cent more than the year before, according to Accenture analysis of CB Insights data. The increase could be directly attributed to fintech’s explosive growth in China, where the amount of money that went into the sector stunningly increased nine-fold. Its US$25.5 billion of capital raising in this nation alone almost matched the US$26.7 billion generated in the rest of the world. Australia saw similar growth with US$756.7 million total investment into […]
Raiz starts its international expansion by launching in Indonesia
Following its success in Australia, Raiz is proud to announce its expansion into Southeast Asia with the launch of Raiz Invest in Indonesia. In Indonesia, Raiz Invest will position itself as an aspirational product to improve by hands on learning financial literacy and financial inclusion, similar to Australia. “We are very excited to bring Raiz Invest to Indonesia. We believe that just like in Australia, Raiz will be a game changer on how people invest. Raiz Invest will be the innovative solution for anyone who wants to start investing, but has never really taken the first step,” said George Lucas, CEO. “As outlined in the prospectus last year our growth […]
Saxo launches digital access to Chinese bonds
Multi-asset trading and investment fintech specialist, Saxo Bank has announced the addition of Chinese bonds to its offering, a move which will be expected to further cement its position as a gateway to China for its international client base. In 2017, the firm offered an opportunity for qualified institutional clients in Australia to trade mainland China bonds which was enabled via its Hong Kong based bond connect mechanism allowing both overseas and mainland China investors to trade in each other’s bond markets. The launch of mainland China bonds would add to this access to China a-shares listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges, the firm said. To read more, […]
Funding partners commit to support Peppermint’s growth
Peppermint Innovation Ltd (ASX: PIL) confirms funding support from two strategic investors that will help deliver its next exciting phase of growth. On 30 October 2018, Peppermint announced Smidge Digital Unit Trust or its nominee had agreed to invest $1.5 million at 2.5 cents per share via a placement of 60 million shares. Smidge has now nominated PEGG Capital Limited (Malta) – a Maltese-based investment group focussed on unique and undervalued opportunities in Australia, Asia and various emerging markets – as the party to fill the placement by 31 March 2019. PEGG Capital Limited has also undertaken to continue to provide financial support to Peppermint to accelerate the adoption of […]
Australian small cap investors should turn focus to tech
Australian small cap investors should turn their focus to the increased use of technology across the financial services sector, and the investment opportunity it presents, according to DNR Capital. DNR Capital’s Australian Emerging Companies fund portfolio manager, Sam Twidale, said traditional financial services companies in Australia had long benefited from favourable regulation, limited competition and captive customers, but as change sweeps the industry, investors could be gaining exposure to new opportunities. “We are witnessing this change now as new business models emerge adopting the latest technologies, with today’s tech-savvy customers receptive to change,” he said. “In the Australian small cap sector investors can gain exposure to these niche opportunities, which […]
