VIAINVEST blog

The end of the third quarter marks a new record for fintech deals and funding in Europe. VC backed fintech companies have raised $538 million within 65 business deals, coming close to $1.8 billion of the total amount raised and 216 deals closed since January, making it the most successful year ever even without counting the last quarter that still is not closed. If the development will continue at this pace, the total amount invested in European VC backed companies could exceed the $2 billion thresholds in 2017. Continue reading European fintech investments hit the record in Q3, 2017

From lending to investing, digital disruption is now affecting every aspect of the finance industry, changing substantially what customers’ expectations are and the way how financial services are operated. In this post we will take a look at the asset and wealth management industry, that is now changing at an exponential rate. Continue reading The Exponential Change in Wealth Management

If you observe the alternative lending market in Canada, you will find that the environment among fintech companies and banks is more collaborative than it is competitive. That’s not always the case in the European market, where fintech companies including P2P lenders are continuing to grab the market share from banks and infringe on their coveted access to customer data. Continue reading Fintech Continues to Grab Market Share From Banks

Regardless of any other factors, cybersecurity is an absolute priority for the fintech industry and is becoming a key factor determining the growth of the market. Well established financial institutions have started to invest billions of dollars into new technologies to strengthen their security measures and to increase the awareness of the importance to embrace digital transformation. However, cybersecurity is still considered an issue when it comes to technology innovation and collaboration with fintech firms as threats are developing at the same pace as technology is. Continue reading Fintech and cybersecurity – the future outlook

As part of the priority task to establish the Capital Market Union (CMU), and broaden access to finance for SMEs with a focus on start-ups and scale-ups, European Commission (EC) has announced plans to draft a proposal that would regulate crowdfunding and peer-to-peer lending market in the European Union. EC aims to finish this project in the first quarter of 2018 and has already published an Inception Impact Assessment in order to inform and get feedback from interested stakeholders, that now have until November 27, 2017, to submit their comments.  All related companies and other stakeholders are welcome to give their feedback on the proposal here. Continue reading Common framework for crowdfunding and P2P – the proposal from European Commission

The big three in technology – Amazon, Facebook, and Apple – could one day become the big three in banking. While it may seem a little farfetched, remember it didn’t end well for those who were too quick to dismiss Amazon as a serious e-commerce player. Continue reading Tech Giants Hover Over the Banking Space

Just about every industry has found its way to the blockchain and fintech is no exception. Fintech was one of the early arrivals using distributed ledger technology (aka blockchain) led by payments platform Ripple, which is famous for removing friction, or costs and time, associated with cross-border transactions. While payments led the way, other aspects of alternative lending are raising their profile on the blockchain as well now and in the coming years. Continue reading P2P Lending Makes Its Way Onto the Blockchain

The Second Payment Services Directive (PSD2) is an essential legislation act developed by the European Union, that is expected to enter into force on January 13, 2018, and is set to revolutionize the online payments industry and the banking sector. Continue reading PSD2, Open APIs and Opportunities for Businesses

There has been persistent speculation tied to the impact of Brexit on fintech. Currently, the UK enjoys a leadership position in fintech including peer-to-peer lending, and EU members may have expected to be jockeying for position from any industry fallout. They may be surprised to learn, however, that both fintech and P2P is as strong as its ever been in the UK even as the reality of Brexit draws near. Continue reading Brexit and Fintech – The More Things Change, the More They Stay the Same

Persistently low interest rates are a phenomenon that’s unfolding in major economies around the globe, from the United States, to the UK to Australia. In Australia, the frustration has built to a point that savers are increasingly dipping into their low-yielding cash accounts and redirecting the funds into peer-to-peer loans where they can fetch returns that are three times higher than the interest attached to term deposits, the latter of which remain at record lows. Continue reading Aussie Investors Flock to P2P Loans for Yield