What a blockchain-powered ASX should mean
The ASX decision to replace CHESS with a blockchain solution will benefit investors as long as all parties are granted fair access, writes Sharesight’s Doug Morris. On 7 December 2017, the ASX announced it will be replacing its settlement system, known as CHESS, with a “blockchain-inspired technology.” Those of us investment nerds with an interest in financial plumbing have been keeping a close eye on this for years. I think this is a smart business move aimed at reducing operating costs and hopefully a step towards more efficient markets. In fact, CHESS was one of the world’s first electronic settlement systems, and the ASX has long been recognised as a […]
The time is now for financial advisers to embrace fintechs
Advisers need to think about fintech services as more than just potential competitors for their market and start thinking about how to capitalise on the sectors’ strengths, writes Sharesight’s Douglas Morris. Recently, the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) released a white paper on fintech titled Mapping Fintech to the Financial Planning Process – Why Fintech is Not a Threat. “Not a threat” meaning fintech provides an opportunity for financial advisers as opposed to eating a financial planner’s lunch. The FPA has done a commendable job assessing the landscape, asking the right questions and separating out what really should concern financial advisers. Disruptive moments are paired with opportunity and they’ve […]
Winners at The Finnies!
Congratulations to those Australian Fintech companies and their fearless leaders who won awards last night at the inaugural Finnies Fintech Awards: Female Fintech Leader of the Year: Emma Weston, AgriDigital Co-Founder & CEO Joint Male Fintech Leaders of the Year: Greg Moshal & Beau Bertoli, Prospa Co-Founders Fintech Organisation of the Year: Afterpay Emerging Fintech Leader of the Year: Emma Weston, AgriDigital Co-Founder & CEO Emerging Fintech Organisation of the Year: Spaceship Best Fintech place to work: Prospa Best workplace diversity: Timelio Marketing Campaign or Brand Initiative of the Year: Equitise – Equitise Bubble Excellence in establishing Market Presence (Australia): BrickX […]
Aussie fintechs forge closer ties with London
Australian and British fintech start-ups, regulators and government bodies will look to deepen ties this week as ASIC chairman Greg Medcraft, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Cyber Security, Dan Tehan, and ASX deputy CEO Peter Hiom lead a fintech trade delegation to London. The trip, arranged by the Australian British Chamber of Commerce with support from the Australian Trade and Investments Commission and UK Department for International Trade, will involve Australian-based startups including AgriDigital, Timelio, Neu.Capital, PayDock, Sharesight, Tradle, Splend and Edstart. The group will visit the London Stock Exchange, Amazon and Level 39 in Canary Wharf, which houses more than 200 fintech companies. It will receive briefings from […]
Winners of the British Australian Fintech Forum Start-Up Competition announced
The Australian British Chamber of Commerce is delighted to announce the winners of seven supported places for the British Australian Fintech Forum to be held in London between the 19th and 21st of April 2017. The winners are (in no particular order): Chris King – Splend Edward Jones – Neu Capital Rob Lincolne – Paydock Doug Morris – Sharesight Charlotte Petris – Timelio Jack Stevens – Edstart Emma Weston – AgriDigital Andrew Chick, Chairman of the BAFF Committee said: “We received over 50 applications for our supported places. The Selection Committee was very impressed with the quality of submissions and deciding on the final seven was particularly difficult. We are […]
A broken chain of investment providers: why investors pay the price
by Doug Morris, CEO, Sharesight Buying food from a shop is so simple, it’s something many of us take for granted – but it doesn’t have to be. Instead of taking say, a carton of eggs to the checkout, imagine having to first ask the farmer if they’re free-range or caged, the grader for the size and quality, the Food Standards board for nutritional information, and (finally) the shop for the price. Investors face a similar proposition every day. Crucial information such as performance data, tax reporting, share dividends, corporate actions, and cost bases are spread across online brokers, share registrars, investment platforms, wraps and even old-fashioned spreadsheets. Bringing these […]
How your broker’s performance numbers mislead you
by Doug Morris, CEO, Sharesight The human brain is easily conditioned. Do something for long enough and even the strangest things begin to appear normal. Online brokers don’t set out to deceive but the simplistic way they report performance has a similar, normalising effect. If your returns have been presented in a particular way for long enough, the figures become right even when they’re wrong. This is a problem for Sharesight as much as it is for the clients of online brokers. Accustomed to seeing the most basic reporting in their account, they load their data into Sharesight and struggle to understand how two sets of figures can be so […]
How can I better manage my portfolio?
Managing your own portfolio means you can minimise fees and maximise returns, but if you’re not using the right tools, you could be creating more work for yourself. Here are some handy ways to make investing easier. If you’re a retail investor in Australia and you’re not using technology, you are probably missing out. There are plenty of new investing tools that are out there for the DIY investor that can make life easier. Whether it’s using an online broker to execute your trades instead of a full service stockbroker or using one of the many portfolio management tools to help you work out your investment position, it’s becoming easier […]
