Robo advice might not suit every SMSF but has its place
It seems oxymoronic for self-managed super fund investors to seek robots to do the investing for them. After all, SMSF members are supposed to be self-directed investors – they do their own investing and are not supposed to use a machine to pick their investments. But experts say SMSF members will increasingly turn to robo advice to help them select the right assets for their fund. Robo advice involves the use of an algorithm to suggest investments for consumers, using variables like their age, existing funds, income and time to retirement. It has been touted as a low-cost way for people with a relatively simple financial situation to receive financial […]
Australian Fintech firm recognised as global market leader
This week, Australian-owned Financial Technology (Fintech) firm, Fincast, was announced as a category winner and finalist in Sony Corporation’s global Fintech Innovation Challenge. Andrew Connors, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Fincast, said, “we are delighted to have won the “under-banked/under-invested” category in the Sony Fintech Innovation Challenge. Being recognised by a global brand like Sony is fantastic validation and endorsement of our applications”. The Challenge attracted over 50 applications from Fintech firms from across 28 countries. Fincast was the only Australian company named as a finalist. Fincast’s technology is unique amongst other automated advice capabilities, enabling appropriately licensed advice providers with 2nd generation technology that automatically adapts […]
InvestmentLink launches new data service for growing fintech sector
MEDIA RELEASE: Sydney, 22 March, 2016 – InvestmentLink, Australia’s largest financial data source, today announced the launch of a new data service specifically developed for the growing fintech sector. InvestmentLinkRT (ILRT) provides software developers an expanded data link directly into their applications, allowing for the development of more holistic and engaging software products. ILRT extends the range of data feeds already available through the existing InvestmentLink data platform, allowing users access to an unparalleled hybrid data source of over 600 direct and client-authorised feeds. Client-authorised feeds will be delivered in minutes and will cover feeds that have until now been difficult to obtain, such as individual bank, mortgage, […]
Australia’s banks could be forced to share data with fintech start-ups
Treasurer Scott Morrison is considering forcing Australia’s big banks to share more of their data with financial technology start-ups to bolster the country’s comprehensive credit reporting scheme. The announcement was made as part of the government’s new policy vision for growing the fintech sector, launched today. It revealed it would direct the Productivity Commission to review “options for improving data availability and use”, including weighing up calls from the fintech sector to make comprehensive credit reporting mandatory. The fintech industry’s request draws from a perceived reluctance on the part of the big banks to take part in the comprehensive credit reporting scheme, which was introduced in March 2014 to allow […]
Fintech funding pressures banks
The big banks’ allegedly sluggish adoption of a regime to boost the flow of credit data among financial services companies will come under the spotlight of the Productivity Commission as the federal government steps up efforts to stimulate the burgeoning fintech industry. Scott Morrison yesterday revealed a range of measures to support financial technology companies, including cutting GST on digital currencies, such as bitcoin, and clarifying tax concessions for venture capital (VC) investments in fintech start-ups. The Treasurer also commissioned the Productivity Commission to review so-called comprehensive credit reporting and “outline options to increase data availability”, strengthening its scrutiny of the regime. “Fintech advances have the potential to radically transform […]
LendIt USA Conference April 11-12
Australian Fintech is excited to be a Media Partner for the upcoming LendIt USA conference taking place in San Francisco on April 11-12. LendIt USA is the world’s largest annual gathering of the online lending community where established and emerging platforms, investors and technology providers from around the world come to learn, network and do business. Now in its fourth year, the 2016 event will be the largest online lending expo in history with 4000 attendees. This is your chance to share ideas with innovators and leaders in marketplace lending. Confirmed speakers include: · Renaud Laplanche, Founder & CEO, Lending Club · Ron Suber, President, Prosper Marketplace · Peter Thiel, Entrepreneur & Investor · John […]
Fintech startup HashChing is an online marketplace for borrowers and mortgage brokers
Fintech startup HashChing is an online marketplace for borrowers to access pre-negotiated home loan deals from verified mortgage brokers. The Sydney startup connects consumers instantly to their local mortgage broker based on their postcode and deal preference. The platform then sends the borrower a profile of each local mortgage broker with ratings and reviews collected by HashChing. “While 54 percent of Australians now trust mortgage brokers for home loans, finding a recommended local mortgage broker with ratings is a challenge as there is no other platform doing this currently,” said Mandeep Sodhi, cofounder of HashChing. “In this on-demand economy, consumers are used to services delivered in minutes and expect a […]
Scott Morrison scraps GST on Bitcoin, cuts fintech red tape
Treasurer Scott Morrison said digital currencies such as Bitcoin will be exempt from GST and restrictions on crowdfunding eased, under changes to boost the fintech sector. The government will also reduce tax barriers for venture capital investing in fintech companies and is working with the corporate regulator on a “regulatory sandbox” for start-ups that will allow them to focus on developing new products first and regulatory requirements later. Other measures include tasking the Productivity Commission with deciding whether major banks should be forced to share customers’ repayments data with credit bureaus and creating a new “entrepreneur’s visa”, which was announced in December. Digital currency Bitcoin will be exempt from GST […]
