zipMoney finds a niche in the retail finance market
Finance company fintech zipMoney has had a modest impact on the retail finance market over the past year, boosting its customer accounts from 6200 to more than 52,000 in the 12 months to June.The company, which was launched in 2014 and listed on the Australian Securities Exchange last year, distributes credit through retailers and other merchants. Its product set includes zipPay - a "buy now, pay later" no-interest product targeting online and in-store spending of up to $1000.Its loan book grew from A$2.9 million in 2014/15 to $40.7 million at the end of June. Transaction volume was $51.5 million.Revenue rose from $399,585 to $4.2 million but the company made a loss of $7.1 million.Expenses included Australian Stock Exchange listing costs of $2.3 million.Another expense that the company would not be happy with was the $1.4 million doubtful debt expense. The charge represented 3.6 per cent of gross receivables.zipMoney chief executive Larry Diamond said a highlight was securing a number of new enterprise clients, including Thermomix, Oz Design Furniture and Open Colleges.In June the company raised $20.6 million of equity, which it said it would use to provide loan book equity capital, fund a proposed acquisition, and fund sales and marketing and technology initiatives.Last November it secured a $108 million securitisation warehouse program with US asset manager Victory Park Capital.