24 Feb

Why choose Singapore as a base for your FinTech operations?

In recent years, Singapore saw a spike in the number of aspiring FinTech start-ups as well as global FinTech players flocking to our home ground to start their very own operations. Singapore, being a renowned business, logistics, and financial hub in Asia, the island nation is fast cementing its role as a global FinTech leader.

In the short span of five years, the Singapore government has developed a comprehensive support system to promote growth in the FinTech and Digital Asset sectors. The number of entrants in the FinTech industry continues to soar higher, citing an increase from 100 entities in 2015 to more than 1000 new firms in 2020. Being one of the top FinTech hubs, Singapore is now home to 40% of South-east Asia’s FinTech firms.

Are you a FinTech entrepreneur who is taking charge of making strategic expansion decisions? Here are some factors that have made Singapore a fertile ground for FinTech.

Following the decision to set up an operation in Singapore, partner up with a FinTech-specialised staffing agency to harness the power of FinTech professionals in Singapore.

Financial support

Singapore’s FinTech market has enjoyed extensive financial support from both corporate and public sectors.

Public

A key supporter in the public sector is the country’s central bank, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). Spearheading robust incentives for FinTech companies, MAS announced the launch of S$225 mil (US$158 mil) investment that will be fulfilled by the end of 2020. Even with the economic crisis brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, Singapore’s FinTech growth remains steadfast as MAS rolled out the FinTech Solidarity Grant of S$6 mil to support Singapore-based FinTech firms. Under the new grant, FinTech companies can apply for a one-time SG$20,000 grant to cover their daily working capital expenses, such as salaries and rental fees. This provides organisations with additional financial bandwidth to sustain their operations amid the challenging business climate.

FinTech companies also enjoy concessionary 10% tax incentives on top of current support schemes offered by MAS. Besides these mentioned monetary incentives, there are also many other available grants that FinTech companies can look to tap on in Singapore. More importantly, it conveys the government’s stand and determination in transforming Singapore into a global FinTech hub which brings good tidings to FinTech firms in Singapore.

Private

There is a wide availability of capital for early-stage investment in the private sectors. Besides government entities, funding is also largely supported by an angel, venture capital, and corporate venture divisions. In 2017, Asia experienced a decline in overall FinTech funding. However, Singapore’s investment in the FinTech space received the largest amount of funding across a single year, with US$229.10 million worth of investment.

FinTech companies looking to set up an operation in Singapore enjoy strong financial support from the government as well as great opportunities in getting business funding from the private sector. With sufficient working capital, it ensures that the company’s financial health stays in the pink and businesses are able to fulfill their growth ambitions.

Government policies

On top of financial support, the Singapore government has also rolled out a slew of initiatives to strengthen the FinTech ecosystem. One of such activities includes the development of sandboxes where financial institutions can test the viability of their financial technology products and services in a cost-effective controlled environment and within a well-defined space and duration. MAS has also launched a platform called Looking Glass, where it encourages and supports networking amongst the FinTech community, creating more opportunities for collaboration and co-creation.

There are many other accelerator programs in Singapore that seek to boost FinTech start-ups, often providing entrepreneurship workshops, business networks, and all-rounded mentorship. Initiatives are made available across the whole life cycle of FinTech start-ups, paving the way to success for these budding businesses.

Tech literacy

Digitalization is the future as it has brought about many conveniences and ease. As a result, digital technologies are becoming an integral part of Singapore’s society today. In line with the government’s effort to strengthen digital literacy in Singapore, the population is becoming increasingly more tech-savvy. With a high rate of tech literacy, it implies that consumers today are ready to accept new technology innovations. This gives FinTech companies the stamp of surety for the industry to gauge demand and grow further.

Supportive finance sector

The success of the FinTech landscape is also largely dependent on the readiness and receptiveness of the finance sector of a country. Although the finance sector is known to be slow in accepting changes, the banks and financial service providers in Singapore have since come to accept FinTech companies as supportive enablers.

Undoubtedly, the rise of FinTech has brought about an increase in efficiency, ease, and accountability of core financial service offerings. This has led to the change in consumers’ preferences and demands, putting pressure on large conventional banks to adopt and incorporate FinTech in their services. As such, the finance sector in Singapore has been extremely forthcoming in helping the FinTech industry in Singapore burgeon by collaborating with FinTech firms to digitalised traditional processes.

Today, financial firms in Singapore, enjoy cost savings with the incorporation of FinTech in their service offerings. With digitised services, cost reduction comes in many forms, which includes cutting down on the cost of underwriting and the risk of failure of repayment. Banks and financial institutes are also able to expand their market to provide customized services that serve small businesses and individuals. With large financial institutes coming on board, it plays a major role in driving Singapore’s FinTech growth.

Talents

Although Singapore is competing on a tight FinTech talent market, it is largely attributed to the surge in the number of FinTech entrants in recent years. With the issue of the talent shortage in the FinTech sector, it puts further pressure on the government to push out strategies to increase the supply of talents and nurture more FinTech professionals. This also shows that the Singaporean talent pool has proven itself capable.

Coupled with the government support and being one of the world’s leading universities and educational systems, Singapore is expecting to see an increase in the supply of qualified FinTech talents in the upcoming years.

Favorable Regulations

In many countries, financial regulations have not kept pace with the changes brought about by digitalisation. The jurisdiction was originally written for the traditional financial processes which involve face-to-face business conducts and physical signatures. Regulators are now constantly playing catch-up with the implications of the newest innovations.

With the aim of becoming a top FinTech hub in the world, Singapore had to be agile and take quick actions in rewriting the regulations in order to ensure financial stability and facilitating developments. As such, Singapore has one of the most favorable regulations for the FinTech sector. MAS being the key regulator has two broad objectives in mind – to provide regulation conducive to innovation while fostering safety and security, and to facilitate the infrastructure for an innovative ecosystem and the adoption of new technologies.

Regulations in the FinTech sector in Singapore include – the Banking Act, the Securities and Futures Act, the Insurance Act, the Business Trusts Act, and the Finance Companies Act, among others.

Strategic location for expansion

According to research conducted by McKinsey and Company, much of Southeast Asia has been proven to have no access to banking services. Statistics have shown that 59% of the region’s adult population is unbanked. Coupled with the fact that Southeast Asia has a high internet penetration rate, this makes Southeast Asia potential customer sectors for FinTech players. Such digital financial services are able to serve markets and fill gaps that are left out by bigger players.

Endowed with the strategic location of being situated in the heart of Asia, Singapore serves as a preferred gateway into the Asian market, offering FinTech start-ups possibilities for exponential growth in the ASEAN region.

In Asia, many countries have been experiencing political instability. With recent Myanmar’s military coup and Hong Kong’s protest, businesses and investors now turn to Singapore as a safer alternative.

Summary

With favorable regulations, enhanced digital assets, reliable physical infrastructure, and comprehensive financial schemes, Singapore provide an advantageous environment for FinTech companies to start an operation here. The small island also serves as a sweet spot for businesses who are planning to penetrate the Asia market.

Thinking of starting a FinTech operation in Singapore? EPS Consultants got your manpower needs covered. Partner with a FinTech-specialised staffing agency to hire fast and hire right. Harness the power of FinTech professionals today.

Recruitment Services in Fintech

EPS Consultants is a leading recruitment agency specialising in FinTech recruitment services. Our consultants are proficient in the FinTech industry and we subscribed to market-leading tools that allow us to expand our search. We are committed to building a strong team of FinTech professionals for our clients who can bring companies’ development plans to greater heights.