Skandiabanken to offer robo-advice after Quantfolio purchase
Norwegian digital bank Skandiabanken has acquired a 39.9% stake in Quantfolio, a local machine learning platform for asset management, in a bid to provide customers of its private savings division with robo-advisory services. Quantfolio's algorithmic engine surveys historical market data to identify the best performing instruments within each asset class and create portfolios based on risk assessment and users' investment objectives. Skandiabanken, which holds NOK71.2bn ($8.36bn) in total assets, is seeking further partnerships with fintech start-ups to develop its market models for financial services delivery, according to Christoffer Hernæs, the company's chief digital officer.

Norwegian digital bank Skandiabanken has acquired a 39.9% stake in local AI and machine learning outfit Quantfolio as part of a push into the provision of robo advisory services for customers of its private savings division.

"We believe the next fintech revolution will take place in the digital savings and asset management market, and we wish to strengthen our position in this market with this move," says Christoffer Hernæs CDO Skandiabanken. "The acquisition of the shares is the first step towards providing our customers with simple and automated saving advice tailor made for each individual, through a user-friendly robo-advisory service."



Quantfolio operates an algorithmic engine to explore historical market data and the best performing instruments within each asset class and uses this data to create portfolios for end users based on risk assessment and investment objectives.



Launched in 2000 as a purely online banking proposition, Skandiabanken now serves 388,614 customers with a balance, and total assets of NOK 71,2 billion.



Says Hernæs: "As a major shareholder in Quantfolio we will utilise the competence and know-how that is present in the company as part of our increased focus on long term savings, but also by adding required competence and act as a professional financial owner for Quantfolio to succeed both in parthership with Skandiabanken, and also as a stand-alone fintech company."



He adds that the investment in Quantfolio is "just the beginning" as the bank explores new market models for financial services delivery and seeks out more strategic partnerships with other fintech startups.



