Money Talk: Asia-Pacific region leads global FinTech investment

Editor’s note: Each Monday, Talk Business & Politics provides “Money Talk,” a wrap-up of banking and financial news.

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ASIA-PACIFIC REGION LEADS GLOBAL FINTECH INVESTMENT
Investments in Asia-Pacific financial technology (FinTech) ventures, primarily in China, reached $9.62 billion as of July 31, more than twice the $4.26 billion invested in the region in all of 2015, according to Accenture.

Investments in the Asia-Pacific region have eclipsed North America, which as of July 31 garnered $4.58 billion in FinTech investments; and also tops Europe, which attracted $1.85 billion in the same period. However, deal volume remains higher in North America and Europe, as the Asia-Pacific increase is due to big investments in a few select FinTech companies in China. There have been 192 deals in the Asia-Pacific region so far this year as compared with 509 in North America and 230 in Europe.

The top 10 investments in Asia-Pacific FinTech ventures occurred in China and Hong Kong, accounting for 90% of overall Asia-Pacific investments and valued at $8.75 billion. In total, China and Hong Kong FinTech ventures have attracted $9 billion in investments so far in 2016.

HOME VALUES RISE FOR 48TH STRAIGHT MONTH, UP 5% OVER PAST YEAR
National home values appreciated for the 48th straight month this July to a current average value of $187,300, according to Zillow’s monthly real estate market report. Home values are up 5% over the past year and have been consistently climbing since August 2012, but still remain 4.7% below peak, which was hit in April 2007 when the median home value was $196,600.

Portland, Dallas and Denver reported the highest year-over-year home value appreciation among the 35 largest metros across the country. In Portland, home values rose almost 15% to a median value of $334,900. Home values in Dallas and Denver appreciated 11.9% and 11.3%, respectively.

Rents across the country rose 2% over the past year to an average $1,408 – the 47th straight month rents have appreciated. Of the 35 largest U.S. metros, Seattle, Portland and San Francisco reported the highest year-over-year rent appreciation.

In Seattle, rents rose almost 10% to a median rent price of $2,052 per month, while rents in Portland rose just over 8%. To view the Zillow report, click here.

HART-SCOTT-RODINO ANTITRUST FORMS GO ‘PAPERLESS,’ FTC SAYS
The Federal Trade Commission has approved final amendments to the Hart-Scott-Rodino Premerger Notification Rules that allow HSR filings to be submitted on DVD and streamline the instructions to the Premerger Notification Form.

These updates will make the process of submitting HSR filings easier, more efficient and less burdensome, FTC officials said. Enacted by Congress in 1976, the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act gives the federal government the opportunity to investigate and challenge mergers that are likely to harm consumers before injury occurs.

Federal rules now state that parties involved in certain proposed antitrust deals will submit HSR filings to the FTC and Department of Justice by paper forms. By allowing HSR filings to be submitted on DVD, the amendments eliminate the expensive and time-consuming printing and duplication of electronically maintained documents that are submitted to the antitrust agencies.