APRA prepares to approve three new banks
There’s a prospect of there will be three new banks in the Australian market by Christmas, operating under unrestricted, full banking licences. That these could be held by three start-ups less than a year old – Volt Bank, 86400 and Judo Capital – shows just how fast the regulatory environment is changing under policy leadership of new Prime Minister Scott Morrison. As Treasurer, he championed the need for more competition to pressure incumbent banks to become more customer-centric. Before Morrison’s 2017 budget paved the way for new entrants to enter the deposit market by streamlining application procedures, APRA had granted only one new banking licence to a local player in […]
Proactive approach to compliant marketing needed: YTML
Recent interventions by ASIC, like cracking down on the use of words such as ‘independent’, highlight the need for Australian Financial Services Licensees (licensees) to be more careful about the wording of their own marketing materials and be more proactive about monitoring and approving the material being used by their advisers, according to fintech, YTML. YTML CEO, Kevin Liao said while licensees may find it comparatively easy to become more proactive about addressing issues in their own marketing materials, many appear to believe it is much more difficult to check that the material being created and distributed on a day-to-day basis by their advisers is compliant. “In fact, technology now makes […]
Sunshine Coast business promising easier bill payment
A Sunshine Coast business is promising to take their innovative bill payment platform to the next level with Queensland Government backing from the Advance Queensland Ignite Ideas Fund. Innovation Minister Leeanne Enoch said Noosa Heads business Promis Network’s automated bill payment platform had the potential to change the lives of business operators across Queensland, nationally and globally. “Promis Network have been working on the automated bill payment platform for over a year and have some customers already established on the Sunshine Coast. This Ignite Ideas funding will allow the business to take their amazing idea to new markets,” she said. Promis Network’s automated bill payment platform allows invoices to be […]
Prospa first Australian fintech to deliver a half billion dollars of small business loans
Prospa, Australia’s number one online lender for small business, has announced the delivery of more than half a billion dollars into the economy, providing loans to over 12,000 small businesses across the country. Now in its sixth year, Prospa has scaled rapidly, today placing second in the Fast 100 for 2017 thanks a 239 per cent average revenue growth since 2013-14. The AFR’s Fast 100 ranks the fastest growing companies in Australia, and in previous years has included the likes of Atlassian, Lonely Planet, SEEK and WebJet. 2017 has been been a bumper year for Prospa, having secured over $50m in equity and debt funding. The firm announced […]
CommBank, Westpac, NAB to launch new mobile payment app Beem
Three giants of the Australian banking sector are collaborating to create a new mobile payments platform for consumers and businesses. The application is called Beem and will allow users to store their debit card information and make instant contactless payments using the same technology as applications like Apple Pay and Android Pay. Beem will also allow users to request payments and split bills, making it useful for both personal use and for businesses. Although being created by Commonwealth Bank, Westpac and NAB, the app will be open for use by all Australians regardless of which bank they use. Like regular online transfers, Beem will include built-in encryption of payment details […]
Consumers and businesses win in private company equity crowdfunding bill changes
FinTech Australia has welcomed significant changes to draft legislation allowing private companies to crowdfund equity, which will ensure investors are protected while at the same time delivering reduced costs and red tape for companies. The draft crowdfunding legislation was introduced into the Australian Parliament today. The legislation is expected to provide a new fund-raising tool accessible by hundreds of thousands of Australian businesses, who will be able to crowdsource up to $5 million a year from retail investors, capped at $10,000 per retail investor, in return for equity in their company. “We’re pleased to see the recent rapid progress in the development of this draft legislation, and in particular the […]
Ignition Wealth launches low cost high compliance SMSF appropriateness tool
CEO Mark Fordree today announced the launch of the Ignition Wealth SMSF Appropriateness tool, a software technology solution automating the administration of the SMSF appropriateness process. “This is a client-centric solution that ensures that investors considering establishing an SMSF are engaged, educated and empowered. It offers a low-cost easy to use solution.”. Mark Fordree, CEO, Ignition Wealth. Ignition Wealth sets the benchmark in Australia as a business to business digital financial advice solutions provider. This technology solution has been designed to allow advisers, accountants and financial enterprises to reduce the time and cost of the SMSF Appropriateness process. “Our clients are seeking smart technology solutions to drive […]
Financial collaboration platform myprosperity closes strategic investment round, appoints Chris Ridd as CEO
myprosperity, Australia’s leading cloud-based financial management platform has recently closed a $2.5M strategic investment round and appointed former Xero Australia MD Chris Ridd as Chief Executive Officer. The strategic investment round was supported by existing investors, and saw the addition of MYOB co-founder and early Xero investor, Craig Winkler, to its investor base. Established in 2011 by founder and Executive Chairman Peter McCarthy, myprosperity aims to cause a shift in the way households think about and manage their finances. Utilising the latest cloud technologies and connecting with real-time data feeds, it provides comprehensive wealth reports to give the user a true picture of their overall financial health. Myprosperity partners […]
