Financials
Carlyle exits India's Edelweiss for $131m
The Carlyle Group has fully exited its stake in India’s Edelweiss Financial Services for INR8.7 billion ($131 million) in an open market transaction.
Goodwater leads $48m investment in Korea's Viva Republica
US-based venture capital firm Goodwater Capital has led a KRW55 billion ($48 million) Series C funding round for South Korean financial technology company Viva Republica.
Apis closes South Asia, Africa fintech fund at $287m
Emerging market financial technology investor Apis Partners has closed its debut fund at $287 million. It has already deployed about $130 million across five deals in South Asia and Africa.
CPPIB, CDPQ pay $337m for stake in India's Kotak
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) and Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) have paid INR23 billion ($337 million) for a 1.5% stake in India’s Kotak Mahindra Bank.
Reliance Capital exits Paytm stake to Alibaba for $41m
Reliance Capital has exited part of its stake in Indian e-commerce and mobile payments start-up Paytm to China's Alibaba Group for INR2.8 billion ($41.3 million).
Quona, Accion close $141m global fintech fund
Quona Capital and emerging markets microfinance group Accion International have closed a $141 million global venture fund dedicated to financial technology. It will focus in part on India and Southeast Asia.
China's JD.com spins off VC-backed financial unit
Chinese online retailer JD.com has agreed to sell its entire 68.6% stake in its financial unit JD Finance, which is backed by Chinese investors including Sequoia Capital China, for RMB14.3 billion ($2.1 billion) in cash.
Taiwan's Foxconn to buy stake in SoftBank investment unit
Taiwan-based Foxconn Technology Group has acquired a 54.5% stake in an investment subsidiary owned by SoftBank Group for $600 million.
US online lender SoFi raises $500m to expand in Australia
US online lender and financial services company SoFi has secured a $500 million Series F funding round led by Silver Lake for an expansion effort into Australia.
K2 Global raises $183m for US-Asia VC fund
K2 Global has raised $183 million for its debut venture fund, which aims to promote cross-border development in Asian and US technology start-ups.
IDG Capital invests in CreditEase's insurance unit
CreditEase Insurance Agency, an insurance unit of China’s CreditEase Wealth Management, has raised RMB80 million ($12 million) from investors including IDG Capital through a private placement on the National Equities Exchange and Quotations (NEEQ).
AirTree leads $19m investment in Australia's Prospa
AirTree Ventures has led a A$25 million ($19.2 million) investment in Australian financial technology company Prospa.
China's Ant Financial invests $200m in Kakao payment unit
Ant Financial, the financial services affiliate of China’s Alibaba Group, has agreed invest $200 million in a dedicated mobile finance platform that will soon be launched by South Korean internet giant Kakao Corp.
IFC proposes investment in China-listed credit union
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, has proposed an investment of up to RMB130 million ($19 million) in Chinese listed bank Qiongzhong Rural Credit Cooperative.
IAG launches fintech incubator in Singapore
Insurance Australia Group (IAG) has agreed to establish a financial technology incubator in Singapore to focus on promoting start-ups targeting innovation in the insurance industry.
Deal focus: CXA flexes health muscles
Singapore's CXA raises $25 million in Series B funding to build out its benefits model that helps both companies and employees fight their healthcare battles more efficiently
Impact investors and Asian banks: Developing interest
Despite the rise of non-banking finance companies, traditional banks in emerging markets still appeal to impact investors. Using them to their potential means adapting to each market
MBK-owned ING Life files for Korea IPO
ING Life Korea, a Korean insurer that MBK Partners acquired in 2013 from ING Groep, has applied for regulatory approval for a domestic IPO.
Deal focus: Grab thinks local in Indonesia
Grab will invest $700 million in Indonesia over four years with a view to developing more localized solutions that support the development of its core ride-hailing business as well as promote financial inclusion
IFC proposes $57m investment in Vietnam bank
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, has proposed a commitment of up to $57 million in Vietnam Prosperity Commercial Joint Stock Bank (VPBank).
Singapore's CXA raises $25m Series B round
The investment arm of Singapore's Economic Development Board (EDBI) and B Capital Group have led a $25 million Series B funding round for Singaporean health technology start-up CXA Group.
Deal focus: Affinity captures Korea credit card exposure
General Electric's sale of its stake in Hyundai Card was complicated by joint venture partner Hyundai Motor Group staying involved. Affinity Equity Partners leveraged its existing relationship with the conglomerate to seal the deal
Japan VCs back domestic fintech start-up
Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ), SBI Investment and Dentsu Digital Holdings have contributed to a JPY800 million ($7.1 million) funding round for Tokyo-based financial technology company Coiney.
Japan fintech start-up Folio gets $16m Series A
Jafco and several other Japanese venture capital firms have joined a JPY1.8 billion ($18.7 million) Series A round for Japanese stock-trading app developer Folio.