Quantifeed Raises US$4.5 Million in Series A Funding
Quantifeed, a leader in digital wealth management solutions in Asia, has reached a significant milestone by closing US$4.5 million in a Series A financing round. Shanghai-based PGA Venture Partners led the investment. The funds will enable Quantifeed to accelerate expansion in key markets in the Asia Pacific region, including China. “The battle in digital wealth management will be won by the institutions with the strongest distribution and the richest customer experience. We are working with some of the top institutions in Asia to build them a customer investment journey,” said Alex Ypsilanti, CEO and Co-founder of Quantifeed. “PGA Venture Partners has an incredible track record of building successful companies and […]
Row emerges over digital advice regulations
A row is developing in the financial planning sector with so-called robo-advisers claiming that regulatory measures proposed by the Financial Planning Association would make the provision of digital advice unworkable. In a submission to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, which is in the midst of consulting industry on how digital advice should be regulated, the FPA proposed that robo-advisers be required to appoint independent actuaries to monitor the algorithms used in the provision of automated advice. “If ASIC is after visibility of these results, an obligation to provide independent review results should be included in the regulatory guidance,” the FPA said in the submission.Robo-advisers argued that a need for […]
Infocus enters Robo-Advice Market with earnie.com.au
Infocus Wealth Management (Infocus) today announced the launch of earnie.com.au, the group’s direct-to-consumer financial advice solution. earnie.com.au is available at no cost for consumers, providing simple smart investing for Australians from all walks of life. Launching earnie.com.au delivers Infocus access to the rapidly emerging market in direct to consumer advice. In combination with national operations spanning face-to-face financial advice, funds management and wealth technology, this makes Infocus an exciting prospect. Rod Bristow, Managing Director and CEO of Infocus, said “Around 80 per cent of the Australian population don’t currently receive financial advice. We are really excited to be launching earnie.com.au today to help bridge this gap. Those who sign up […]
Stockspot lowers fees but reduces honeymoon period
Robo-adviser Stockspot has halved the period of its free introductory offer for savers with less than $10,000 but has compensated clients with lower fees thereafter. Stockspot has reduced the initial fee-free offer for savers with small balances to six from 12 months. Thereafter, instead of charging a $77 annual advice fee plus a 0.92 per cent management fee, the automated advice platform has introduced a flat $79.20 annual management fee. The new fee model comes as competition in the robo-advice sector heats up, with recent launches of competitors such as Superstash and Six Park, which is backed by former federal finance minister Lindsay Tanner, founding head of the Future Fund […]
Robo-advice start-ups go beyond disruption to new clients
Robo-advice start-ups are looking to use technology to drive massive expansion in the financial advice market, rather than to simply disrupt it. While established players, such as AMP, and the wealth management arms of banks are among those vulnerable to robo-advice, start-ups claim they are not targeting their market. “People talk about disrupting the financial services industry with robo-advice, but only 20 per cent of the country gets advice,” David Pettit, chief executive of Perth-based robo-advice start-up Future Penny, told The Australian. “There’s a massive piece of the market that aren’t seeking or engaging with advice professionals.” Robo-advice delivers investors a low-cost investment management portfolio based on algorithms and technology. […]
Ignition Wealth superannuation tools drive superfund engagement
Ignition Wealth is Australia’s leading provider of superannuation tools and calculators. Since 2010 our tools and calculators have been used by superannuation funds to drive member engagement and provide excellence in client experience. “With 750,000 members served over the past six years we know that user friendly tools and calculators hold the key to powerful member engagement. Our technology allows superfund clients and prospective clients to do their financial homework while becoming comfortable with the superfund. This leads to a solid growth in the superfund’s business.” Mark Fordree, CEO, Ignition Wealth. The Ignition Wealth wealth management solutions are hosted on the superfund’s own website or mobile app. Recognising […]
Link Digital Solutions announces partnership with Ignition Wealth
Super advice tools integrating with online portals to increase consumer engagement Digital and mobile solutions provider Link Digital Solutions today announced its successful integration with digital advice provider Ignition Wealth. The integrated offering will provide superannuation fund members with seamless access to advice tools directly through Link’s online member portals. “The partnership with Ignition Wealth will allow us to prepopulate superannuation advice tools such as personal projections and simulations, and make them readily available within our clients’ online member portals. Ultimately, this will assist funds as they support their members in the journey from accumulation to retirement. “We seek to integrate with specialist partners in order to […]
1st Annual Australian FinTech Awards 2016
Congratulations to the winners of the 1st Annual Australian FinTech Awards 2016! FINTECH INNOVATION IN PAYMENTS – Afterpay FINTECH INNOVATION IN WEALTH MANAGEMENT (ROBO ADVICE) – Owners Advisory by Macquarie Group FINTECH INNOVATION IN LENDING (FOR FINTECH) – SocietyOne BEST INNOVATION IN CYBER-SECURITY & ANTI-FRAUD – Entersoft BEST FINTECH COMMUNICATIONS CAMPAIGN – Acorns BEST RESEARCH IN FINTECH – Panalitix BEST FINTECH-BANK COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR – OnDeck Capital’s partnership with CBA FINTECH LEADER OF THE YEAR – Daniel Foggo of RateSetter FEMALE FINTECH LEADER OF THE YEAR – Loretta Joseph of the Sydney Stock Exchange FINTECH CTO/CIO OF THE YEAR – Glenn Riddell of RateSetter INSURE-TECH STARTUP OF THE YEAR – […]
