Dear Readers,
Well it’s been an interesting couple of weeks with Facebook announcing their plan to launch their own crypto currency Libra. It has created much discussion and debate on what this means to the financial services sector around the world. Recently I was asked by 95bFM to speak on the subject, have a listen when you have ten minutes, waterproof bluetooth headphones in the shower? The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the United Kingdom (UK) is proposing to ban crypto currencies, so will this have any impact on Libra?
I will also be on the panel at the upcoming Financial Services Council (FSC) breakfast event with Hon David Parker: Trading with the Global Marketplace 9 August in Auckland, registrations are open.
In other news we heard from the government with their report From the Knowledge Wave to the Digital Age which is clearly focusing on Agritech as the priority. Very exciting however a little disappointing that the fastest growing tech sector didn’t even get a mention. I expand on this in a recent interview on Radio New Zealand (RNZ) here.
FinTechNZ was in Wellington on the 11 July hosting a joint event with Digital Identity NZ talking about How having a well-designed digital identity ecosystem can provide more transparency across the Financial Services Sector will benefit all New Zealanders, it was a great discussion with a lot of focus on privacy and the correct use of data, should it be centralised or not? Let’s see what comes out tonight in Auckland, if you want to attend register now.
Previously I mentioned an event we are holding that will see the regulators and a strong representation of the New Zealand fintech ecosystem come together to discuss “Does New Zealand need a Fintech Strategy?” we are thrilled to announce that Hon Kris Faafoi will be attending. We are looking forward to discussing the huge opportunity fintech can offer New Zealand. Attendance is by invitation only taking place on 5 September.
Start-ups and SME’s make up the bulk of businesses in New Zealand, so we are looking to create an event just for them to discuss funding, regulation, mentoring, collaboration and quicker routes to market, if you want to be involved and support this great initiative please get in touch.
FinTechNZ are collaborating with the FSC to run a ‘fintech’ stream at the Towards Wellbeing Conference 2019, 11-12 September. If you are a fintech interested in a stand within the fintech alley, an option to pitch, present or speak within the fintech stream, please contact either Jason Roberts or me for an information pack.
If you are you planning on heading to the UK for the LendIt Fintech Europe 2019 conference, then please do get in touch with me directly. We are working with the UK’s Department for International Trade (DIT) and others to arrange a number of meetings around the event, to gain a greater understanding of the ecosystem, see what could go into the Free Trade Agreement to drive the use of fintech in both the UK and NZ and to make new partnerships.
Last but not least, FinTechNZ is eligible to have someone from the community represent FinTechNZ on the NZTech Board. If you would like to be considered please send us an email with a short bio and why you want to be nominated and would be suitable for the position. Please return this by the 23 July.
James Brown
General Manager
FinTechNZ
Update from the Chair, Jason Roberts
With a quieter start to 2019 (after last year’s frenetic pace), we are again building up to a very active second half of the year. Noting the challenges of helping our members better connect and further activate the sector, we are planning our own InsurtechNZ newsletter channel (and other special benefits) designed for and distributed to, FinTechNZ members interested in insurtech. Expect the first edition soon, but before then a few points of interest and a few dates to circle in your diary.
InsurTechNZ would like to introduce our new Project Co-ordinator, Tamara Zyrianova. She will assist us organise events, communications and administration. Welcome Tamara.
It’s great to see one of our InsurTechNZ members, AI focused company JRNY actively collaborating with the insurance sector. Here’s a short interview between Claude Pertusati and me on the core issues for the sector identified in the EY and InsurTechNZ report published earlier this year with a particular focus on the benefits of collaboration.
Events to note:
InsurTechNZConnect “ClaimsTech” with AA insurance, 22 August, more details to follow.
Reports:
The second 2019, EY/InsurTechAustralia report has been recently released for Australia here.
The 2019 InsurTechNZ version is here.
Update from the Chair, Rachel Strevens
Following its successful public launch and networking event in May, WealthTechNZ will be holding its next event on 29 August from 5pm in Auckland. AML is an ongoing challenge across the wealth and investment management industry. Companies grapple with streamlining their AML processes and adopting more customer friendly solutions, while still complying with the overarching and changing regulatory requirements.
Join WealthTechNZ for networking drinks and to hear from an industry panel offering insights and practical examples of how to make AML work in an online and digital environment. Full event details and invite to follow shortly, in the meantime, mark your calendars!
How technology can improve customer outcomes in a changing regulatory environment 31 July, Auckland
The Financial Services Council are running a ‘Fintech’ stream at the event being held 11-12 September
Events
Join InsurTechNZ exploring ‘How technology can improve customer outcomes in a changing regulatory environment’, 31 July, Auckland, sponsored by Minter Ellison Rudd Watts. Register now.
Attend the Women in Insurance Summit 2019, 30 July in Auckland.
Attend Xero’s annual developer roadshow 1 August, Auckland. It’s a great forum for technical teams to learn about Xero’s platform updates and roadmap, hear from other app owners and industry experts, and network with the developer community.
Do you have a technology that will reshape the insurance industry? Apply to @QuesnayInc Female Founders in InsurTech competition by 22 July. Women-led startups across the globe qualify.
Register for the Canterbury Tech Summit on 12 September in Christchurch.
Attend the 2019 NZ Cyber Security Summit on 15 October at Te Papa, in Wellington.
Registrations are open for FINNOTEC 2019, 28 November, Auckland.
International
Register for Xerocon Brisbane 2019 4-5 September ‘the world’s most beautiful and innovative conference for cloud accounting leaders’.
Attend InsureTech Connect, 23-25 September in Las Vegas, the world’s largest insurtech event and the site of the FFiT InsurTech final pitch event. Register here for a discounted rate.
Hong Kong FinTech Week is back on 4 – 8 November 2019 you can pre register now and get further information.
Trade show FinTech Connect, takes place from 3-4 December in London.
Singapore FinTech Festival 2019, 11-15 November, early bird tickets are available until 14 August.
FinTechNZ is proud to be a media partner for InsurTech Asia Summit 2019, 14-15 November in SIngapore and Payment Asia Summit, 21-22 November in Hongkong. Contact us for a 10% member only discount on each event.
News
FinTechNZ is taking contributions for The Future of Cash Use submission for the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, until 25 July.
If you would like to contribute, please contact us for further information and access to the consultation document.
Nominations for the 2020 New Zealander of the Year are open. You can nominate here, nominations close 15 Sept 2019.
FinTechNZ and the Trans Tasman business circle have signed an MOU to help drive strategic growth across New Zealand, to uncover the key challenges and opportunities both locally and overseas. Together we will look to create a number of opportunities were we can work together to connect the wider ecosystem, promote New Zealand as a destination of choice and advance the conversation between government and industry.
Entries for the Deloitte Fast 50 close on 2 August.
Check out this exciting opportunity at Brave New Coin Head Of Global Marketing.
NZSA is calling for entries to its annual An Angel at my Table pitching event on 13 August.
The UK Government has announced two new visas for people wanting to work in the UK check out the start up visa and the innovator visa conditions.
Member News
FinTech NZ is partnering with Mastercard on the launch of Mastercard Start Path, which will bring later stage startups together with Mastercard and its customers enabling them to scale and accelerate new technological solutions.
FinTechNZ Member Aider is the first New Zealand company to be selected to join.
The educational arm of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the ICC Academy—in partnership with Mastercard, Basware and Xero has launched the E-Invoicing Solutions Certificate (ESC)
Applications for the Callaghan Innovation R&D Experience Grants close 31 August.
Welcome to our new members this month Blink Pay Global Limited, Datamine, Fabric Wealth Limited (Eris Financial), kin2kin, Middleware New Zealand, PickMee Platform Limited, Thought Train Limited.
Remember we want to hear the latest news from our Members directly, get in touch to share your stories.
