AI in Fintech: From Capability to Competitive Advantage
Everybody is talking about AI and every second person in Australia is using AI!
AI is no longer an experimental layer in fintech it is rapidly becoming core infrastructure. What’s changed over the past 6–12 months is not just adoption, but where value is being realised. The most meaningful gains are emerging in payments intelligence, data orchestration, and investment governance workflows. At the same time, regulators and boards are sharpening expectations around explainability, auditability, and control frameworks. AI is increasingly being treated as a governed capability, not just a technology tool. This reflects broader industry commentary from KPMG and Deloitte, which highlight that data maturity and governance frameworks are critical enablers of successful AI adoption in financial services.
Suite2Go ran our own Data and AI round table at the UK Consulate in March discussing how AI is a key tool for the future of investment governance. Read more about the discussion under our Events for the quarter.
Business Update – Welcoming Data Cubed
We are pleased to have commenced working with Data Cubed, supporting their expansion into the Australian market. Helen Tanner the Founder and CEO was here in Australia for the past 3 months meeting with potential clients. If you missed her this quarter, don’t worry she will be back in September, and we are building a great team of data and AI consultants here in Australia to run your discover and design workshops.
We are also very proud to have secured the first Australian client engagement for Data Cubed, providing immediate market traction and validating strong local demand for advanced data capabilities and AI.
In other news one of our long term partners Dasseti, signed another Australian Investment manager client earlier this year for their Engage module. If you are struggling with the amount of due diligence information required in the current market and looking for a more streamlined and effective ways to with answer due diligence questionnaires or collate information for due diligence purposes reach out to us at Suite2Go and we can show you how Dasseti may help your business.
Industry Insights
Fintech M&A Activity
Fintech M&A is showing signs of reactivation. A recent example is Airwallex expanding via acquisition to strengthen cross-border payments capability. This reflects a broader trend toward capability-led acquisitions and strategic expansion, consistent with analysis from KPMG on the Australian fintech landscape.
FinTech Australia & Deloitte Report
The FinTech Australia and Deloitte report highlights: ~$13.6 billion contribution to the Australian economy 800+ fintechs across multiple subsectors Strong growth in B2B and embedded finance models Fintech is increasingly becoming core infrastructure across financial services.
KPMG Payments Insights
KPMG highlights that payments transformation is accelerating, driven by: Data-led infrastructure AI integration Regulatory change such as ISO 20022 Challenges include legacy systems and integration complexity.
Events & Industry Engagement
AM Tech Day
During the quarter, Leanne Bradley our Co-CEO attended the AM Tech Conference, where key themes included data architecture, automation, governance, and AI adoption.
Investment Governance Round Table
Suite2Go hosted a roundtable moderated by Leanne Bradley focused on data, AI, and investment governance. The round table focused on how data automation and artificial intelligence can strengthen investment governance in response to increasing regulatory scrutiny. Participants discussed the direction of regulatory expectations in Australia and abroad, particularly around ongoing monitoring, transparency, and the governance of AI-driven decision‑making. There was broad agreement that while real‑time monitoring is not currently required, more frequent and reliable oversight depends on improved data quality, access, and standardisation.
If you missed the first discussion, we plan to run an online round table in Q2. Please register your interest here https://suite2go.com/event-sign-up/
Kaizen lunch with OCG
Andrew King our Principal Partner and account manager for Kaizen Reporting teamed up with OCG Consulting in March for a thought leadership luncheon with the broking community to discuss all things to do with ASIC Regulatory Reporting. Tim Hartley from Kaizen’s London offices discussed how the regulators have shifted from new rules implementation to data scrutiny and supervision and are actively into the detail of data quality. This was clearly topical following ASIC recent review of the participants in the CFD space and their specific finding that the completeness of that reporting was lacking in most cases.
St Patrick Day Lunch
With John Ryan our founder having Irish heritage we continued the tradition of the Lansdown St Patrick’s Day lunch with some of our clients.
Money 20/20
Mahesh Narayan our Senior Consultant attend Money20/20 in Thailand with our director Camilla Bullock read his summary of the event here
Regulatory Update – Key Themes
Regulatory activity across ASIC, APRA, Australian Treasury and the Reserve Bank of Australia in Q1 2026 reflects a clear shift toward modernising frameworks, expanding regulatory scope, and lifting accountability across financial services.
Key Developments
- Payments system reform (RBA) The Reserve Bank of Australia’s decision to ban card surcharging and reduce interchange caps represents a structural shift in payments economics, with costs moving into merchant pricing and increased transparency across the value chain. Source: Reserve Bank of Australia – Review of Merchant Card Payment Costs and Surcharging (2026)
- Super & Managed Investment Scheme reforms (Treasury) Treasury consultations following recent scheme failures signal a step-change in trustee and responsible entity accountability, including stronger governance, enhanced platform oversight, tighter controls on switching and advice fees, and potential compensation obligations. Sources: Australian Treasury – Review of Managed Investment Schemes (Consultation Paper, 2026)Australian Treasury, Superannuation Governance and Member Outcomes Reforms (2026 consultations)
- Increased data transparency and regulatory oversight (ASIC) ASIC continues to expand reporting and surveillance, including new data dashboards (e.g. IDR data), updated regulatory guidance, and consultation on market structure and reporting regimes, alongside a growing focus on AI, scams, and digital misconduct. Sources:ASIC – Regulatory Tracker & Key Issues Outlook 2026, ASIC – Internal Dispute Resolution (IDR) Data Reporting initiatives
- Prudential focus on resilience and governance (APRA) APRA is reinforcing expectations around operational resilience, cyber risk, and third-party risk management, while continuing efforts to improve regulatory efficiency and proportionality. Sources: APRA – Corporate Plan 2025–2026, APRA – Information Security and Operational Risk Prudential Standards (ongoing supervision focus)
- Expansion of the regulatory perimeter (Treasury / RBA) Reforms to the payments framework and coordination through the regulatory pipeline reflect a push to ensure digital payments, wallets, and fintech participants are appropriately captured under regulation. Sources Australian Treasury – Payments System Modernisation reforms (Payment Systems (Regulation) Act updates), Council of Financial Regulators – Regulatory Initiatives Grid (2026)
Across regulators, the direction is consistent: stronger governance, greater transparency, and regulatory frameworks that better reflect a digital, data-driven financial system.
Upcoming events
Stockbrokers and Investment Advisers Annual Conference Melbourne 19th and 20th of May. Leanne Bradley and Andrew King will be attending along with our Wealthtech partner Chelmer. If you are going to conference reach out to catch up at the event.
https://www.stockbrokers.org.au/education/upcoming-events
Dasseti in Australia, our due diligence platform partner will be visiting Australia for the Responsible Investment Association Conference in Melbourne on 27th and 28th of May and then travelling to Sydney and Brisbane in early June. If you need help with your due diligence reporting or ESG reporting, reach out for a meeting
SIAA Webinar 24th June – register for the SIAA webinar on SMA vs MDA: Choosing the Smarter Managed Account Strategy for your business and clients:
Industry experts compare Separately Managed Accounts (SMAs) and Managed Discretionary Accounts (MDAs), examining which structure best supports client needs and firm business models. The session explores when and why practitioners use each approach, with insights into client outcomes, efficiency, compliance and governance. Andy Roberson, Chief Innovation Officer at Chelmer, demonstrates how firms can automate portfolio management across SMA and MDA structures to scale advice delivery and improve operational efficiency. Contact us for a free registration code.