Financial systems will still be a good and growing market for technology companies in 2019, with the added bonus of being attractive to buyers, says international technology mergers and acquisitions advisor, Hampleton Partners. It has revealed that 2018 witnessed the highest level of investment in fintech start-ups on record, with a total disclosed transaction value of $30.8bn.
As fintech start-ups mature, the average funding round has doubled in size compared to 2017, it says.
The stellar fintech M&A transaction value of $50bn from 189 transactions achieved in the first half of 2018 was not replicated, however, as second half activity cooled, recording 160 transactions and a total disclosed transaction value just shy of $13bn. The decrease in value was largely due to the absence of disclosed blockbuster deals.
Trailing multiples on a 30-month median basis continued their upward movement: revenue multiples reached 3.0x, up from 2.9x in 1H 2019, while EBITDA multiples reached 15.3x, up from 15.0x in 1H2018.
Jonathan Simnett, director and fintech specialist at Hampleton Partners, said: “In the latter half of 2018, the UK continued to lead the way in fintech in Europe, breeding a new generation of innovators with record levels of investment following the lead of new unicorns like Monzo and Revolut. Retail banking has led the charge in upgrading digital consumer experiences, whilst incorporating fintech into core banking products, whereas investment banks have been more focused on integrating robo-advisory services.”
Other key trends in fintech include
• The adoption of biometric technologies is becoming widespread amongst consumers, with smartphone fingerprint authentication and facial recognition for payments
• Though AI continues to show promise as firms adopt algorithms and advanced modelling techniques for investment decisions, change is more likely to resemble a gradual process than a leap into new data sources and methods
• Winners in fintech are primarily emerging at a regional rather than global level, in similar fashion to traditional retail banking, reflecting differing business and regulatory conditions
• The UK leads the way in Europe, breeding a new generation of innovators with record levels of investment in 2018.
• As funding grows more selective, scrutiny of business fundamentals is on the rise
“Going forward, it is anticipated that the largest fintech firms will soon realise value through IPO in 2019. Meanwhile, most start-ups that have grown large enough to gain traction, attract a strong customer base and produce a profitable balance sheet, will remain small enough to be acquired by fintech and traditional incumbents leading to an ongoing process of consolidation and M&A.”
