A tech focussed financial services firm, with national and global ambitions, has chosen Newcastle to be central to its plans for growth and keeping high technology jobs in Australia. MoneyMe is establishing a Newcastle tech and customer service centre with long-term plans to employ around 100 local people.
Co-Founder and CEO Clayton Howes is a strong advocate for Newcastle and the Hunter to be Australia’s “tech valley”. Clayton said he was impressed by Newcastle’s Smart City Strategy, as well as the talent, entrepreneurialism, innovation and work ethic among local young people.
“Newcastle and the Hunter has the talent to be a global centre for innovation,” Clayton said.
“Our vision and my personal passion is for MoneyMe to play a part in realising the region’s promising opportunity, creating rewarding, high tech jobs for local people.”
MoneyMe has used a local firm to hire its first 10 people. It is initially partnering with Dash Co-work in Charlestown to host its first Hunter workforce.
Clatyton said MoneyMe is working with local councils and government agencies to expedite the plan. Local businesses will be engaged, including those specialising in recruitment and marketing.
“MoneyMe picked Newcastle because we see many advantages in doing business in the region,” Clayton said.
“We’re inspired by the ease of collaboration for business and the intelligent people driving the smart city strategy.
“We can be a successful case study to bring other smart, tech businesses to the region and keep jobs and talent in Newcastle.
“MoneyMe wants to work with the University of Newcastle to create opportunities for local graduates and students so that they can experience working in a modern, globally focussed workplace.”
MoneyMe provides an annual scholarship and industry experience to a University of Sydney PhD candidate focusing on emerging technology such as machine learning and artificial intelligence. It currently employs 70 people working in areas of innovation, tech, regulatory, finance and customer service.
Clayton said MoneyMe is revolutionising the way Australians borrow money.
“We are a real challenger to the big banks with whom millennials are increasingly disengaged as their service expectations are changing.
“Our proprietary lending platform and smart algorithms allow us to offer personalised, risk-based pricing that results in fairer and lower-cost loans for people.”
MoneyMe offers fast, safe and simple access to credit of up to $15,000 direct from their mobile phones. Since it established in 2013, the company has generated more than $250 million in loans with more than 75,000 different customers. It has an office in Sydney and a tech support team in the Philippines. It was named Fintech of the Year in 2017 and 2018, has made the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 list three times and was a finalist in the AFR Tech Fast 50.
IMAGE | Co-Founder and CEO of MoneyMe, Clayton Howes.
