Fintech
Peak Year-End 2019 Audited Financial Results Beat Company Forecasts
Montreal, Quebec–(Newsfile Corp. – May 21, 2020) – Peak Positioning Technologies Inc. (CSE: PKK) (“Peak” or the “Company”) today announced its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2019, highlighted by revenue greater than the $9.3M the Company had initially forecasted for the year. All amounts expressed are in Canadian dollars.
2019 Financial Highlights:
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Total Revenue of $11.7M
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Adjusted EBITDA of $1.5M
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Cash Flow from Operations of ($272,840)
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Net Loss of $1.8M
Comparative Summary of Key Financial Metrics for 2018 and 2019
2019 | 2018 | |
Revenue | $11,708,653 | $1,681,534 |
Expenses1 | $10,173,036 | $3,260,765 |
Adjusted EBITDA2 | $1,535,617 | ($1,579,231) |
Net Income (Loss) | ($1,830,361) | ($3,608,920) |
1 Expenses do not include interest, taxes, depreciation (including impairment of intangible assets) loss on extinction of debt, gain on bargain purchase and amortization
2 Adjusted EBITDA equals net income (loss) before finance costs, taxes, depreciation, amortization and impairment of intangible assets, loss on extinction of debt, gain on bargain purchase and amortization
2019 Operating Highlights:
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Addition of several banks and lending partners to the Cubeler Lending Hub
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Over 1,100 loans extended by the ASFC subsidiary to Chinese SMEs with no reported loan defaults
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Almost 500 loans managed by the ASCS subsidiary on behalf of banking partners with no reported loan defaults
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Expansion of services to cities of Xi’An and Jiangyin
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Creation of the ASSC subsidiary
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Several enhancements to the Lending Hub platform, including addition of a supply-chain module and ability to recognize and analyze bank statement data from over 300 banks
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Analyzing data on almost 20,000 small, medium and micro enterprises through the Lending Hub by end of the year
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Agreement to acquire the Jinxiaoer loan brokerage platform
Review of 2019
Peak’s ASFC subsidiary first appeared in the second quarter of 2018, marking the beginning of its operations as a financial technology (Fintech) company exclusively. Therefore, 2019 was Peak’s first full year of operation as such. From a financial standpoint, the Company was able to exceed its revenue and EBITDA objectives for the year. From an operational standpoint, the Company picked up where it left off in 2018 and continued to make inroads into the Chinese commercial credit space through its Cubeler Lending Hub platform and the services provided by its subsidiaries. Several financial institutions, including some of China’s largest banks, became members of the Hub in 2019 and extended credit to small and micro enterprises based on the platform’s credit analysis capabilities. The low default rate for credit extended through the platform, coupled with its processing efficiencies and cost-savings, are value-propositions that continue to resonate with and account for its adoption rate among financial institutions.
The success of the Lending Hub led to the expansion of the Company’s services in the cities of Xi’An and Jiangyin in 2019, and to the creation of its new ASSC subsidiary to help meet the specific credit needs of manufacturers and their supply-chain partners. The demand for ASSC’s services dominated the second half of 2019, which saw the subsidiary’s revenue account for a significant portion of the Company’s total 2019 revenue, despite having operated for less than 5 months during the year.
While Peak was focused primarily on the business development initiatives during the first three quarters of 2019, more emphasis was put on research & development and enhancements to the Lending Hub in the final quarter of the year. The Company spent a large portion of the quarter on the development and implementation of features to better meet its clients’ needs and discussed the best ways to integrate the Jinxiaoer loan brokerage platform, which the Company agreed to acquire, into the Lending Hub. With the pending integration of Jinxiaoer and the Lending Hub, Peak wrapped up 2019 poised to have a seamless and all-encompassing offering for virtually all stakeholders in the small and micro businesses credit space, including business owners, loan brokers and lenders.
Outlook for 2020
After spending the past 18 months proving to various participants and stakeholders in the commercial lending industry in China (banks, non-bank lenders, SMEs, loan insurance companies, government entities, service providers, etc.) that its analytics and AI based Lending Hub platform can be used to bring speed, transparency, cost reduction, risk minimization and overall efficiency to the commercial lending process, the Company’s focus in 2020 will be on growth and expansion. Armed with the established demand for its services, Peak sees 2020 as a break-out year, in which its services reach some of the country’s most important commercial markets and cities.
The fact that there are over 100M potential Lending-Hub-member small and micro enterprises in China represents both a tremendous opportunity and a challenge for the Company. The opportunity is obvious, in terms of the number of transactions and the amount of data that those enterprises could account for on the platform. The challenge is in reaching out to those 100M+ small and micro enterprises to let them know about the Lending Hub and why they should be a part of it. This is a major reason why Peak decided to acquire the Jinxiaoer platform, whose relationships with loan brokers catering to the financing needs of small and micro enterprises in cities across China, the Company plans to leverage in order to expand its services.
The positive impact of the Lending Hub concept, where small and micro businesses and lenders are brought together using analytics and AI for the benefit of local economic activity, began to impact manufacturers and their supply-chain partners in the city of Jiangyin in late 2019, which caught the attention of the city’s municipal government officials. Manufacturers and their supply-chain partners, who were either not able to obtain credit in the past to acquire materials or were told that they had maxed out their credit by their banks, were suddenly routinely getting approved for credit by ASSC’s financial partners. It would be in Jiangyin’s best interest, known as the manufacturing capital of Jiangsu province, to support the Company’s initiatives to help its manufacturers and their supply-chain partners get access to credit, particularly in the era of COVID-19, as demand for certain products such as masks and other personal protection equipment pours in from every part of the world. Peak plans to work with those officials on business development initiatives that could be replicated in other cities and further contribute to helping the expansion of its services in those cities.
In summary, the continuous expansion of the Lending Hub, with the addition of more lenders, brokerage companies, broker sales reps, Jinxiaoer Service Centres, and small and micro businesses, all leading to more transactions and more data, including loan repayment data, to make the Hub’s predictive algorithms increasingly more efficient will be a priority for the Company in 2020. Peak will also look to branching out its service offering into at least 20 cities by the end of the year.
As Peak continues to execute its business plan and approaches profitability, the Company plans to take the necessary measures in 2020 to be in position to repatriate a portion of its profits back to Canada as soon as it determines it’s appropriate to do so.
Fiscal 2019 Financial Results Summary
The Company generated $11,708,653 in revenue in its first complete year operating exclusively as a Fintech company (compared to $1,681,534 in fiscal 2018). The significant difference in revenue between fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2019 can be attributed to the fact that some of the Company’s subsidiaries were either not yet created or were only in operation for a part of the year in 2018, while those same subsidiaries were either created or had a full year of operation in 2019.
Expenses (excluding the cost of sales) for fiscal 2019 amounted to $13,539,015, compared to $5,290,454 in 2018.
The net loss for the year was $1,830,361 compared to $3,608,920 in 2018. Full details of the Company’s 2018 financial results can be found in the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, which are available at www.sedar.com.
About Peak Positioning Technologies Inc.:
Peak Positioning Technologies Inc. is the parent company of a group of innovative financial technology (Fintech) subsidiaries operating in China’s commercial lending industry. Peak’s subsidiaries use technology, analytics and artificial intelligence to create an ecosystem of lenders, borrowers and other participants in China’s commercial lending space where lending operations are conducted rapidly, safely, efficiently and with the utmost transparency. For more information: http://www.peakpositioning.com For more information, please contact:
CHF Capital Markets | Peak Positioning Technologies Inc. | Twitter: @PeakPositioning |
Cathy Hume, CEO | Johnson Joseph, President and CEO | Facebook: @peakpositioning |
416-868-1079 ext.: 251 | 514-340-7775 ext.: 501 | LinkedIn: Peak Positioning |
[email protected] | [email protected] | YouTube: Peak Positioning |
Forward-Looking Statements / Information:
This news release may include certain forward-looking information, including statements relating to business and operating strategies, plans and prospects for revenue growth, using words including “anticipate”, “believe”, “could”, “expect”, “intend”, “may”, “plan”, “potential”, “project”, “seek”, “should”, “will”, “would” and similar expressions, which are intended to identify a number of these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information reflects current views with respect to current events and is not a guarantee of future performance and is subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking information contained in this news release, except as may be required by applicable laws, rules and regulations. Readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating any forward-looking information.
Fintech
Fintech Pulse: Your Daily Industry Brief (Chime, ZBD, MiCA)
As we close out 2024, the fintech industry continues to deliver headlines that underscore its dynamism and innovation. From IPO aspirations to groundbreaking regulatory milestones, today’s updates highlight the transformative power of fintech partnerships, regulatory evolution, and disruptive technologies. Here’s what you need to know.
Chime’s Quiet Step Toward Public Markets
Chime, the U.S.-based financial technology startup best known for its digital banking services, has taken a significant step by filing confidential paperwork for an initial public offering (IPO). As one of the most valuable private fintechs in the U.S., Chime’s move could potentially signal a renewed appetite for fintech IPOs in a market that has been cautious following fluctuating valuations across the tech sector.
With a valuation that reportedly exceeded $25 billion in its last funding round, Chime’s IPO could set a new benchmark for the industry. Observers note that its strong customer base and revenue growth may make it an appealing choice for investors seeking to capitalize on the digital banking boom. However, the timing and success of the IPO will depend on broader market conditions and the regulatory landscape.
Source: Bloomberg
ZBD’s Pioneering Achievement: EU MiCA License Approval
ZBD, a fintech company specializing in Bitcoin Lightning network solutions, has made history by becoming the first to secure an EU MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation) license. This landmark approval by the Dutch regulator positions ZBD at the forefront of compliant crypto-fintech operations in Europe.
MiCA, which aims to harmonize the regulatory framework for crypto-assets across the EU, has been a focal point for industry players aiming to establish legitimacy and expand their offerings. ZBD’s achievement not only validates its operational rigor but also sets a precedent for other fintech firms navigating the evolving regulatory landscape.
Industry insiders view this as a strategic advantage for ZBD as it broadens its footprint in Europe. By leveraging its regulatory approval, the company can accelerate its product deployment and establish trust with institutional and retail users alike.
Source: Coindesk, PR Newswire
The Fintech-Credit Union Synergy: A Blueprint for Innovation
The convergence of fintechs and credit unions continues to reshape the financial services ecosystem. Collaborative initiatives, such as the one highlighted in the recent partnership between fintech innovators and credit unions, are proving to be a potent force in delivering tailored financial solutions.
This “dream team” approach allows credit unions to leverage fintech’s technological expertise while maintaining their community-focused ethos. Key areas of collaboration include digital payments, personalized financial management tools, and enhanced loan processing capabilities. These partnerships not only enhance member engagement but also enable credit unions to remain competitive in an increasingly digital-first financial environment.
Industry analysts emphasize that such collaborations underscore a broader trend of traditional financial institutions embracing fintech-driven solutions to bridge service gaps and foster innovation.
Source: PYMNTS
Tackling Student Loan Debt: A Fintech’s Mission
Student loan debt remains a pressing issue for millions of Americans, and a Rochester-based fintech aims to offer relief through its cloud-based platform. This innovative solution is designed to simplify loan management and provide borrowers with actionable insights to reduce their debt burden.
The platform’s features include repayment optimization tools, personalized financial education, and seamless integration with loan servicers. By addressing the complexities of student loan management, this fintech is empowering borrowers to make informed decisions and achieve financial stability.
As the student loan crisis continues to evolve, solutions like this highlight the critical role fintech can play in addressing systemic financial challenges while fostering financial literacy and inclusion.
Source: RBJ
Industry Implications and Takeaways
Today’s updates underscore several key themes shaping the fintech landscape:
- Regulatory Milestones: ZBD’s MiCA license approval exemplifies the importance of regulatory compliance in unlocking growth opportunities.
- Strategic Partnerships: The collaboration between fintechs and credit unions demonstrates the value of combining technological innovation with traditional financial models to drive customer-centric solutions.
- Market Opportunities: Chime’s IPO move reflects a potential revival in fintech public offerings, signaling confidence in the sector’s long-term prospects.
- Social Impact: Fintech’s ability to tackle systemic issues, such as student loan debt, showcases its role as a force for positive change.
The post Fintech Pulse: Your Daily Industry Brief (Chime, ZBD, MiCA) appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.
Fintech
SPAYZ.io prepares for iFX EXPO Dubai 2025
Leading global payments platform SPAYZ.io has confirmed it will be attending iFX EXPO Dubai 2025 on 14 to 16 January. Exhibiting at Stand 64 at Trade Centre Dubai, SPAYZ.io’s team of professionals will be on hand providing live demonstrations of its renowned payment services for payment providers. Attendees will also receive exclusive insight into SPAYZ.io’s plans for 2025 alongside early early access to its upcoming plans for the new year.
SPAYZ.io delivers a host of payment solutions that leverage the latest technological innovations and open access to the fastest growing emerging markets across Africa, Europe and Asia. Over the past year, there has been huge demand for its Open Banking and local payment method services, alongside bank transfers, mass payouts, online banking and e-wallets.
Yana Thakurta, Head of Business Development at SPAYZ.io commented: “We look forward to once again participating at iFX Dubai to expand our network of partners and clients. It’s a fantastic way to kick off the year, connecting with thousands of industry leaders from FOREX platforms to trading companies, and everything in between.
“Our key goal for iFX Dubai EXPO 2025 is to expand our portfolio of solutions and geographies. We’re using this as an opportunity to partner with like-minded entities who share our ambition to provide payment solutions that are truly global.”
Come meet SPAYZ.io’s team at the Trade Centre Dubai at Stand 64. You can also book a meeting slot with a member of a team.
The post SPAYZ.io prepares for iFX EXPO Dubai 2025 appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.
Fintech
Airtm Enhances Its Board of Directors with Two Strategic Appointments
Airtm, the most connected digital dollar account in the world, is proud to announce the addition of two distinguished industry leaders to its Board of Directors: Rafael de la Vega, Global SVP of Partnerships at Auctane, and Shivani Siroya, CEO & Founder of Tala. These appointments reflect Airtm’s commitment to innovation and financial inclusion as the company enters its next phase of growth.
“We are thrilled to welcome Rafael and Shivani to Airtm’s Board of Directors,” said Ruben Galindo Steckel, Co-founder and CEO of Airtm. “Their unique perspectives and proven track records will be invaluable as we continue scaling our platform to empower individuals and businesses in emerging markets. Together, we’ll push the boundaries of financial inclusion and innovation to create a more connected and equitable global economy. Rafael and Shivani bring a wealth of experience and strategic insight that will strengthen Airtm’s mission to connect emerging economies with the global market.”
Rafael de la Vega, a seasoned leader in fintech global partnerships and technology innovation, is currently the Global SVP of Partnerships at Auctane. With a proven track record of delivering scalable, impactful solutions at the intersection of fintech, innovation, and commerce, Rafael’s expertise will be pivotal as Airtm continues to grow. “Airtm has built a platform that breaks down barriers and opens up opportunities for people in emerging economies to connect to global markets. I am excited to contribute to its growth and help further its mission of fostering financial inclusion on a global scale,” said Rafael.
Shivani Siroya, CEO and Founder of Tala, is a pioneer in financial technology, renowned for empowering underserved communities through access to credit and essential financial tools. Her leadership in leveraging data-driven innovation aligns seamlessly with Airtm’s vision of creating more equitable financial opportunities. “Empowering underserved communities has always been at the core of my work, and Airtm’s mission resonates deeply with me. I’m thrilled to join the Board and work alongside such a dynamic team to expand access to financial tools that truly make a difference in people’s lives,” said Shivani.
The post Airtm Enhances Its Board of Directors with Two Strategic Appointments appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.
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