Press Release – 3 June
Singapore – Singapore headquartered fintech group, Minterest Group announces the official launch of its online consumer financing platform for individuals: QianNow (https://qiannow.com). Selected and regulated by the Ministry of Law to pilot new consumer lending practices in Singapore, QianNow utilises proprietary credit scoring and algorithm to instantly assess the creditworthiness of each individual based on a combination of traditional data as well as non-traditional data such as bank transactions, psychometrics and even one’s social networks.
“We are very honoured to be selected and awarded a consumer lending license by the Ministry of Law. Technology is changing the way we live, work and play. With the rise of the gig economy, many may find it difficult to take up loans at banks as a result of failing to have a steady stream of income. Our digitalised credit scoring algorithm utilises a comprehensive set of data to assess the creditworthiness of an individual. This, as a result, can lower the overall financing cost to him or her by as much as 50% of the current bank credit card financing rates.” says Ms. Charis Liau, Co-founder, Minterest Group.
Officially launched on 1 June 2019, the platform targets individuals who work in the gig economy. In Singapore, the gig economy is larger than what one might anticipate. According to the Ministry of Manpower’s 2016 survey, Singapore has about 200,000 freelance workers and they make up 10 percent of the workforce population. Research shows that 49% of workers in full time employment are interested in participating in the gig economy. The benefits of increased flexibility and having greater autonomy over one’s lifestyle is expected to attract more Singaporeans into such jobs in the future.
COUNTLESS BENEFITS TO LEVERAGE ON
The advantages of using this platform are numerous.
“With QianNow, you can say goodbye to a one-size-fits-all model, and instead welcome a new model where the amount of data which a borrower provides will determine a unique and personalised interest rate that is an accurate reflection of the financing cost each borrower should have to bear. There is no penalty for early repayment and the online application is simple and fast, allowing you to log onto the platform anytime, anywhere” adds Mr. Ronnie Chia, CEO of QianNow.
The platform boasts a wide range of product offerings such as business loans, credit card consolidation loans, wedding loans, renovation loans, medical and healthcare loans, as well as personal start-up and enrichment loans. The minimum loan amount is S$2,000 and the platform accepts borrowers with an annual income of S$20,000 and above.
ABOUT QIANNOW
QianNow is the consumer financing arm of Minterest Group. QianNow is one of the six companies granted a license to pilot new moneylending practices by the Ministry of Law. It uses big data and artificial intelligence to assess each borrower on his or her unique set of information such that they will pay a price that is appropriate to his or her credit risk. Its aim is to empower their customers with confidence, knowledge and opportunities to take charge of their financing needs. QianNow acts as an impetus in undertaking a new venture or addressing a personal situation with peace of mind through properly priced financing, and is a catalyst to bring an individual’s future to the present, be it resolving a temporary financial difficulty, taking advantage of opportunities or enriching one’s life.
ABOUT MINTEREST GROUP
The Minterest Group is a Singapore headquartered, South-East Asia focused financial services provider founded on the belief that everyone is entitled to financial and investment solutions that meet their corporate and individual needs. Minterest Group is founded by a team of former bankers with deep experience in corporate and structured finance with a collective 155 years of extensive experience in the banking and finance industry. Mr. Lim Cheng Teck, former regional Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Bank, is the Group’s Chairman and Director.
The Minterest Group also owns Minterest Private Limited (https://minterest.sg), a MAS licensed marketplace funding platform that helps corporates from Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong raise debt and equity deal to fuel their business ambitions. Its wide range of borrowers on the platform include institutional funds, listed corporates, large corporates and SMEs. Investors on the Minterest platform include individuals, family offices and institutional funds who are seeking Asian credits across wide and diversified industry sectors.
Minterest is recognised as 25 Hottest FinTech in 2018 in Asia Pacific by APAC CIO Outlook, and was recently the startup winner at the Dun & Bradstreet Eminence Awards 2019.
FACT SHEET
Company: QianNow Pte Ltd
Mission: To empower our customers with confidence, knowledge and opportunities to take charge of their financing needs.
Singapore launch date: 1 June 2019
Website: https://qiannow.com
Founders: Ronnie Chia, CEO
Charis Liau, Group Director