P2P lender partners with Hong Kong bank in a rare display of a bank and "new wave lender" working together
Monexo Innovations, a P2P lender based in Hong Kong, announced yesterday that it has been selected by DBS Accelerator as the only P2P lending marketplace in its line-up. DBS Accerlerator, launched by DBS Bank, is a three-month FinTech Accelerator programme which will provide mentorship from specialists in banking, technology and startups. Monexo's CEO points out that it is interesting to see a P2P lender partnering with a bank.
Hong Kong-based, Monexo Innovations Limited, announced on Wednesday that it has been selected by DBS Accelerator, powered by Nest as the only Peer to Peer lending marketplace startup in the lineup. Monexo is an online peer-to-peer (P2P) lending marketplace inspired by the successful American version, LendingClub.

The three-month FinTech Accelerator programme, launched by DBS Bank powered by NEST will provide mentorship from specialists in banking, technology and startups. The programme will conclude with a Demo day to create opportunities for startups to raise capital.

Founder & CEO of Monexo, Mukesh Bubna, stated:

“Online Peer-to-Peer lending started as an experiment a decade back in UK. Today it is an industry where Banks and Peer-to-Peer Lending Marketplaces are partnering. We are excited at the possibilities this accelerator programme could open up for us at Monexo.”

Monexo’s first product, is aimed at investors and property owners who wish to borrow against future rental income. Borrowers can receive up to 48 months of future rental income upfront, and subsequently, assign the rental income to the lenders.

Monexo has already partnered with brands such as:

AIG: For providing Insurance coverage on loans up to HKD 600,000 for certain events.

For providing Insurance coverage on loans up to HKD 600,000 for certain events. The Hong Kong Trust Company Limited: All lenders and borrowers money are kept in escrow account with them.

All lenders and borrowers money are kept in escrow account with them. Robertsons Solicitors: For all legal documentation

For all legal documentation Thomson Reuters: for KYC & AML (Anti-Money Laundering) checks.

Monexo team believes that the recent formation of FinTech Committee post budget speech 2015 and DBS accelerator is the right step to evolve Hong Kong from a Financial Center to a FinTech Hub.

Nest CEO Simon Squibb explained:

“Nest has been supporting Mukesh and the Monexo team for a while now so it is great to be able to formalise the relationship through the DBS Accelerator programme. The business has already gained great traction in the peer-to-peer lending space but the programme will give them access to an excellent network, invaluable mentorship and unrivalled marketing support to enable them scale rapidly in key Asian markets.”

DBS Bank (Hong Kong)’s Managing Director, Head of Technology & Operations, Hong Kong & Mainland China, David Lynch shared: