FinTech industry updates: Issue paper submitted, FA got a new website!

Welcome back to 2020, I hope that everyone had a great end of year break with friends and family.

However, I want to touch on a more serious note. Over the break, many families suffered an extreme amount of devastation across the country as a result of the bushfire disaster.I encourage everyone in the community to do as much as they can to support those in need. Whether that is helping at a food/supplies drive, volunteering at a relief shelter or donating.To assist in this, FinTech Australia has collated a list of links to help steer any volunteering or donation efforts to where they are needed.NSW Rural Fire Service donations and sponsorship:https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/volunteer/support-your-local-brigadeVictorian Bush Fire Appeal:https://www.vic.gov.au/bushfireappealRed Cross Disaster Relief Fund:https://www.redcross.org.au/campaigns/disaster-relief-and-recovery-donate Senate Enquiry Submission Thank you to all our members that contributed to our submission to the Senate Enquiry. The response to the submission has been overwhelming with numerous mentions across many publications already. The submission is now live on the APH site for anyone that would like to read it. For a more detailed update see below. Our new website!  We are excited to announce the launch of our new website, which offers new services and offerings including an exclusive member portal. If you would like to learn more about member exclusive services or partnership opportunities, please email Rehan. Advocacy work  We have already started two new consultations for the year - ACCC Consultation into Intermediary Access to CDR and the RBA's Review of the Retail Payments. For more about these submissions see the advocacy section below. Save the Dates for Finnies and Intersekt 2020!  Over the holiday period, the team and I have begun planning our two flagship events the Finnies and Intersekt. Please save the dates for the events below: Finnies: Thursday, 11 June (Entries open on 24 February)Intersekt: Monday & Tuesday, 26 and 27 OctoberIf you are interested in sponsorship opportunities for either, please reach out to Rehan. New podcast live! Judo Bank X FinTech Australia  Simone Joyce interviews Joseph Healy, Co-CEO of Judo Bank. Judo Bank is Australia’s first SME focused challenger, they have recently joined the spotlight after achieving impressive growth and milestones. The Podcast uncovers:  Why Judo decided to choose SME lending The core resources Judo used to build their startup Difference between SME Banking and Retail Banking And More…  Check it out here: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6aXZjUXSctozcsdwoAC0Ke?si=1OhfwGqBSpSjT4wggl-GTwApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/fintech-australia/id1487407731Last but not least, let's share a warm welcome to our new members Archa, Clear Score, Lendi, PickleMoney, Unimoni, Square.Rebecca Schot-Guppy,General ManagerFinTech Australia

Senate Enquiry in FinTech and RegTech

The comprehensive submission has highlighted the legislative, policy and cultural changes that will benefit both consumers and the industry. Our position has been covered in the AFR by two articles about open banking and data regulation. A link to the submitted version can be found here as well as on the Senate Committee home page. The executive summary with recommendations will provide a quick highlight of all that is covered in the submission.Once again, a big thank you to our policy partners and those who have contributed. We truly appreciate your support in shaping the future of Australian fintech policy. We will continue to engage with all the committee members to ensure there is bipartisan support on the issues.

RBA's Review of Retail Payments Regulation – Issues Paper

As mentioned in our newsletter prior to Christmas, we will be working on a submission to the RBA on a Review of Retail Payments Regulation with our Payments Working Group.

ACCC Intermediary consultation - Consuner Data Right

Over the last year, FinTech Australia has been a strong advocate for intermediary access to CDR to allow greater participation in the regime and a lower barrier to entry. A copy of the consultation is here.We will be sending members of the Open Data Working Group key points for consideration on Wednesday, 15 January in preparation for a teleconference on Thursday, 16 January at 4:00 PM.

Australian SME lender, Finstro donated a total of $50,000 and deferred payments to clients that have been directly impacted by the bushfire crisis  InfraRisk, the leading supplier of credit management in Australia introduces a cloud-based solution to support Judo Bank in their SME lending. AirWallex plans to introduce 2 new products in 2020 that will allow clients to collect and make payments across different currencies. Strong support from crowdfunding platform, Equitise produces huge funding success for the rising disruptive Australian telco business, ReadiiTel. The micro-investment real-estate startup, BrickX sold to a Melbourne private equity firm, Thundering Herd. Former Commonwealth Bank GM, Joanne Edwards, transitions into a new role with the Australian neo-lender, Wisr. ID Exchange launched Value Exchange Workshop to discuss the importance of personal data and Australia-wide finance, telco, energy, and retail industries. Read more here 2019 fintech SME lending industry reaches higher highs with Prospa leading the way in the competition against established organisations. Buy-now-pay-later competitor, Zip Co experienced 17% proliferated growth midst of the 2Q FY20 holiday season.

Gen Advisory’s Regulatory Report lists the key regulatory agencies for FinTech, briefing of key legislation and regulations, navigating regulations, and precautionary actions.  BDO attributes the success of middle-market businesses to the harmonious balance between their agile, entrepreneurial culture and sufficient, healthy fundings for investments. Read more here.  80% of $2 billion dollar funding rounds have been allocated to Victorian FinTech startups in 2018/19 financial year alone. Victorian FinTech startups beat earnings of NSW’s startups substantially, $4.4 billion and $1.5 billion respectively.  Global start-up generator and early-stage venture fund Antler poised to close its first $40 million local fund Tech-oriented start-up incubator, Antler, totals a $40m fund after Facebook Co-Founder, Eduardo Saverin injects his support.  FinTech innovations outpace big banks in customer relations, agility in regulations, and future growth opportunities. Radical change brought about by open banking creates opportunities for rising fintechs to disrupt 13% of big bank's profits.

Frank Accelerator Program 2020

After the success of the 2019 program, Hall & Wilcox, through its Frank start-up practice, has opened applications for its 2020 Frank Lab accelerator program, a 6 month program focused on ensuring that you have the right business structure and legal foundations to grow your business.Application Close: 17th January

If you’re preparing for a capital raise, have a regulatory issue you need advice on or could just do with some help getting your legal docs in order you can apply here.

Paris FinTech Forum 2020 Over 180 Fintechs CEOs from all over the world were both in panels & interviews and on our stage dedicated to pitches & showcases. Most of those Fintech were also present in our exhibition hall in one of our 100+ Fintech pods.During those two days, we addressed all key issues at the heart of the news of digital finance in general and Fintech in particular in 80+ panels & interviews.January 28th-29th 2020Palais BrongniartParis, France Pause Fest Pause Fest is the world’s leading festival of business and creativity. Pause Fest is an independent, industry-driven movement with a mission to bring diverse intelligence together to fuel the next generation forward. Pause Fest is designed for progress.Check out the 2019 Pause Fest Aftermovie here.February 5th-7th 2020Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC)Melbourne, AustraliaExplorer TicketLeader Ticket

India FinTech Festival 2020 IFF will be the yearly marquee event for FinTech in India. In 2020 it will target to host 5000+ FinTech delegates from 25+ countries comprising of 500+ FinTech start-ups, regulators, key financial institutes, tech companies, governments, industry bodies, corporates and students.Check out the India FinTech Festival Expo Deck here.March 4th-5th 2020MMRDA GroundsMumbai, India QODE Brisbane 2020 QODE presents a highly curated two-day program with global experts and thought leaders that discuss major trends and issues, driven or affected heavily by technology. QODE welcomes the exclusive opportunity to join the Brisbane 2020 event.March 24th-25th 2020Brisbane Convention & Exhibition CentreAustralia

Money 20/20 Asia Money is changing; technology-fuelled disruption is everywhere.The pace is accelerating as a bold new future unfolds.Money20/20 has always given audiences the clearest, sharpest view of the disruption agenda - it’s what’s made us the world’s most potent blend of people, tech, money and ideas. We stimulate new connections, new insight and new growth – at speed.March 24th-26th 2020Marina Bay SandsSingapore

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