Financials
IFC to invest $50m in India's Janalakshmi
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, will invest up to $50 million in Indian microfinance institution (MFI) Janalakshmi Financial Services.
Deal focus: Securing a nation's digital vaults
Data Republic has attracted Series A funding from some of Australia’s biggest companies, with a notable showing by the major banks demonstrating a growing focus on data security investment in the financial sector
Blackstone invests $134m in New Zealand's Partners Life
The Blackstone Group’s tactical opportunities division has made a NZ$200 million ($134.5 million) investment in New Zealand insurance provider Partners Life.
Aetius commits $5m Series A to Singapore's Cloud Alliance
Singapore-based mobile gaming platform developer Cloud Alliance has raised $5 million in Series A funding from Aetius Capital.
Asia leads first quarter global fintech investments
VC-backed companies in Asia led a worldwide surge of investments in financial technology companies in the first quarter of 2016, according to a new report from KPMG and CB Insights (CBI).
Kyobo Life bids for MBK-owned ING Life Korea
Kyobo Life Insurance, Korea’s third-largest insurer, has entered the bidding process for MBK Partners-owned ING Life Korea.
DMP leads $3m Series A for Malaysia's Jirnexu - update
Singapore-based venture capital firm DMP has led a $3 million Series A round for Malaysian financial technology start-up Jirnexu.
Australia's Data Republic gets $7.6m Series A round
Australia-based financial technology company Data Republic has received $10.5 million ($7.6 million) in funding from National Australia Bank (NAB), Westpac and Qantas.
IFC commits $20m to India's Grameen Koota
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, has committed up to INR1.4 billion ($20 million) to Indian microfinance institution (MFI) Grameen Koota.
Creation leads $25m Series B for India's Capital Float
Chicago-based Creation Investments Capital Management has led a $25 million Series B round for Indian small and medium-sized enterprise (SME)-focused non-banking finance company (NBFC) Capital Float.
Singapore's Tagit receives $8.8m from Japanese IT group
Singapore mobile technology company Tagit has secured S$12 million ($8.8 million) for an international expansion effort from SRA Group, a Japanese IT systems developer and operator.
India NBFCs: Lending a hand
Momentum is building among India’s non-banking finance companies, and PE, government and regulators see promise in the power to reach untapped markets. Success will require the support of all three parties
IFC to commit $40m to India's Repco
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, will commit up to INR2.7 billion ($40 million) to Indian home finance-focused non-banking financial company (NBFC) Repco Home Finance.
India's Mobikwik raises $50m in Series C funding
India-based mobile wallet developer Mobikwik has raised $50 million in a Series C round of funding led by Japanese internet company GMO, Taiwan-based semiconductor manufacturer MediaTek, and existing backer Sequoia Capital.
India's Religare sells stake in Landmark Partners
Indian financial services provider Religare Enterprises has sold its stake in Landmark Partners, a US private equity firm specializing in secondary funds.
MSPEA nets 4.5x return on part-exit from Hong Kong's AMTD
Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia (MSPEA) secured a 4.5x return on its partial exit from Hong Kong-based financial advisor AMTD when China Minsheng International and LR Capital Group took a majority interest in the business.
China's Ant Financial closes $4.5b funding round
Ant Financial, Alibaba Group’s online financial services affiliate, has completed a $4.5 billion Series B round of funding, said to be the largest-ever fundraise by a private internet company globally.
IDFC, Micromax lead $15m Series C for India's TranServ
IDFC Asset Management and consumer electronics manufacturer Micromax Informatics have led a INR1 billion ($15 million) Series C round for Indian digital payments developer TranServ.
Apollo, IFC form $1b emerging markets distress partnership
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, has formed a $1 billion partnership with Apollo Global Management to invest in distressed assets in emerging markets.
Deal focus: Kaizen backs loans for learning
Supported by Kaizen and Zephyr Peacock India, non-banking finance company Varthana wants to provide funding to Indian schools that would otherwise go without
TPG leads $150m round for India's Janalakshmi
TPG Capital has led a $150 million round of funding for Indian microfinance lender Janalakshmi Financial Services.
India's Religare sells stake in Northgate Capital
Religare Enterprises has sold its majority stake in Northgate Capital, a fund-of-funds and direct investment group, to US-based asset manager The Capital Partnership.
UOB to launch Sino-Singapore fund in Chongqing
UOB Venture Management (UOBVM) will launch a Chongqing-based private equity fund of up to RMB100 billion ($15.4 billion) that will invest in companies addressing the China and Singapore markets.
India's Varthana raises $14m Series B
Indian education-focused non-banking finance company (NBFC) Varthana has raised INR930 million ($14 million) in Series B funding, led by new investors Kaizen Private Equity and Zephyr Peacock India.

