A big win, and an even bigger opportunity, has Emerged. 

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Both Emerge & SquareOne have been accepted into the Financial Market Authority’s regulatory sandbox. Sounds complex, but all you need to know is this a massive step forward for financial innovation in Aotearoa.

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This sandbox gives our customers faster access to smarter, safer products. We can be speedy, build trust, and test responsibly, without breaking anything. 

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So, we’re celebrating all that we’re about to see: 

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Accelerated innovation:

Fintechs are able to test new features and financial products with real customers under close regulatory guidance. We can roll out cutting-edge tools, like savings features or budgeting tools, faster than we’ve ever done. Testing happens in a controlled setting, so any risks are contained and managed while innovation can flourish. 

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Real-world testing = Better products:

‍By testing services in the sandbox first, we can refine and perfect based on real customer feedback. By making tweaks and adjustments early, we can enhance quality and reliability before launching to the wider public. Customers will get a more robust service from day dot. 

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Regulatory guidance: ‍

The FMA works closely with sandbox participants, providing guidance on compliance and risk management. Both Emerge & SquareOne will gain a deeper understanding of what regulators expect, which helps ensure that new products are launched responsibly and safely. This means customers are protected while we test new ideas, and any new features are meeting the FMA’s high standards.

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Faster benefits: ‍

The sandbox lowers barriers that typically slow down new financial offerings. This means our customers get early access to new features and updates without long waits. We’re stoked to get solutions to our people more quickly.

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A confidence boost: ‍

This regulatory sandbox approval isn’t just a tech trial, this is a vote of confidence from the FMA. They’ve signalled that we already meet their stringent standards. For our customers, this gives peace of mind. Plus, as sandbox-supported fintechs grow, consumers should see a wider choice of innovative options in the market. 

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Becoming the real deal: ‍

We’ll let you in on a secret... Our long-term vision is much bigger than where we are today. Joining the sandbox is a major step toward that future. It lets us test more advanced, trusted financial services in a controlled environment, so when the time comes, we’re ready to offer even more to our customers.

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The regulatory sandbox isn’t just about compliance - it’s about delivering more value and cutting-edge financial solutions to our customers in a safe, transparent, future-focused way. We’re a step closer to becoming what we’ve always envisioned: a new kind of bank. One that puts Kiwis first.

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So keep an eye out - exciting things are just over the horizon.