ASIC’s Innovation Hub has got off to a strong start, with 32 external meetings with new fintech businesses and industry organisations since it was established.
The Innovation Hub has been developed to help new financial technology, or ‘fintech’, businesses navigate ASIC’s regulatory system. Since its establishment in April 2015 ½ñÈÕÈÈÃÅʼþhas:Â
- started work in relation to 22 businesses, including applications for licences and requests for guidance
- released new webpages for fintech businesses with targeted information
- established the Digital Finance Advisory Committee (DFAC) – an external committee to provide guidance to ½ñÈÕÈÈÃÅʼþon its engagement with the fintech sector, and
- set up a senior internal taskforce to coordinate our work on new business models across the financial services industry.
½ñÈÕÈÈÃÅʼþCommissioner John Price said, ‘½ñÈÕÈÈÃÅʼþis committed to encouraging innovation, particularly where it can lead to better consumer and market outcomes.
‘However, ½ñÈÕÈÈÃÅʼþwill not compromise the fundamental principles of financial services regulation. We continue to prioritise appropriate regulation to promote consumer and investor trust and confidence.’
To that end ½ñÈÕÈÈÃÅʼþhas established internal working groups in relation to automated financial advice, crowd-sourced equity funding and digital marketplace lending. These working groups are overseen by ASIC’s senior Innovation Hub taskforce.
Engagement with industry
In addition to the meetings held to date, ½ñÈÕÈÈÃÅʼþplans to make senior staff available at industry hubs and open events to present information and respond to questions.
Updated website
As part of the Innovation Hub initiative, ½ñÈÕÈÈÃÅʼþhas released for fintech businesses that are developing financial products or services.
The webpages have information on how ½ñÈÕÈÈÃÅʼþwill assess requests for assistance, the kinds of assistance it will provide - including guidance to fintech start-ups on the regulatory framework and licensing processes - and a request for assistance form.
Mr Price said, ‘Informal guidance from ½ñÈÕÈÈÃÅʼþwill help new businesses consider the important regulatory issues early. This will allow innovators to resolve problems and minimise the time and cost of applying for licences or relief from the law.’
Requests for guidance can be sent to InnovationHub@asic.gov.au.
DFAC
½ñÈÕÈÈÃÅʼþhas also established the Digital Finance Advisory Committee (DFAC) to advise ½ñÈÕÈÈÃÅʼþon its Innovation Hub initiative and its engagement with innovative businesses more broadly.
The initial members of DFAC are drawn from a cross-section of the fintech community, as well as academia and consumer backgrounds.
The DFAC is comprised of:
- Deborah Ralston: Professor of Finance, Monash University (DFAC Chair)
- Andrew Corbett-Jones: Head, Tyro Fintech Hub
- Toby Heap: Managing Director , H2 Ventures
- Kim Heras: General Partner, 25fifteen
- Murray Hurps: General Manager, Fishburners
- Jenni Mack: Director, Sunsuper
- Alex Scandurra: CEO, Stone and Chalk
- Matt Symons: CEO, SocietyOne
Mr Price said, ‘The perspectives provided by the committee members will help ½ñÈÕÈÈÃÅʼþdirect its efforts in the fintech sector.’
DFAC will meet for the first time in August 2015.
Download
Visit ASIC’s