The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has committed S$42 million for a new regtech grant as well as the enhanced Digital Acceleration Grant (DAG) to accelerate technology adoption in the financial sector.
These grants are part of the S$250 million committed under the enhanced Financial Sector Technology and Innovation Scheme (FSTI 2.0) in August 2020
Regtech Grant
The regtech grant scheme, which is available to Singapore-based financial institutions (FIs), aims to promote the adoption and integration of technology solutions in the risk management and compliance functions of FIs.
This will help FIs enhance processes and capabilities in these domains, and encourage a vibrant regtech ecosystem in Singapore.
The grant scheme will cover two tracks; under the pilot track, FIs can seek funding to pilot potential regtech solutions before embarking on full-scale integration of the product into its operating environment. Funding for this track will be capped at S$75,000.
Meanwhile through the production level project track, FIs can seek funding to develop larger scale customised projects that can be fully integrated into the FI’s systems. Funding for such projects will be capped at S$300,000.
Both tracks can be used to support either in-house development or commercial partnerships with regtech firms based in Singapore.
Enhanced DAG scheme
The DAG was launched in April 2020 to help smaller FIs and fintech firms with not more than 200 employees adopt digital solutions to better cope with the impact of COVID-19, and to position themselves for subsequent recovery and growth.
As of 31 March 2021, MAS received over 1,100 applications from both FIs and fintech firms. Applicants have tapped on the DAG to adopt cloud solutions and services, online communication and collaboration tools, data-analytics solutions, compliance solutions, and office productivity tools.
In view of the strong response, MAS will commit an additional S$30 million to the DAG till 31 December 2021 to encourage the industry to adopt digital solutions that enhance productivity, cyber security, and operational efficiency.
This brings the total grants available under the DAG scheme to S$65 million. Eligibility for the DAG will be extended to life insurance and general insurance agencies that employ not more than 200 agents and employees.
Sopnendu Mohanty
Sopnendu Mohanty, Chief Fintech Officer, MAS, said
“MAS remains committed to the digital transformation of the Singapore financial sector. We expect the RegTech ecosystem to flourish with widespread use of innovative solutions to aid risk management and compliance.
The Digital Acceleration Grant has enabled the smaller FIs and FinTech firms to adapt to the challenges in the past year and we will continue to support these firms as they accelerate their digital transformation journey. We encourage FIs to tap on these grants to embed technology into the firms’ DNA.”
Applications are now open for both grants.
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Source: https://fintechnews.sg/50792/funding/mas-pledges-s42-million-to-fast-track-regtech-adoption/
