Daily Briefing: Singapore bank headcount up by 4,541 in H2; Golden Gate Ventures unveils US$10m crypto fund

And Carousell expands its meet-up feature to the Philippines.

From eFinancialCareers:

There are now 4,541 more people working for Singapore’s local banks – DBS, OCBC and UOB – than there were just a year ago. The surge has been fuelled by technology hiring and DBS taking on former ANZ staff.

"New additions to DBS account for 75% (3,392) of the rise across the three banks, according to the firms' recently released first-half financial results. Headcount at DBS now stands at a record 25,697, following the incorporation of ANZ employees into the bank.

UOB has been recruiting even more people from the job market than DBS, adding 744 year on year, an average of 62 new employees a month. OCBC, whose workforce has risen by 405, also notes “higher technology-related expenses” as it continues to “drive its digitalisation strategy."

Read more here. 

From e27:

Singapore-based classifieds marketplace Carousell has announced it will offer 350 meet-up spots in the Philippines for users to conduct deals, as part of a new partnership with logistics solutions provider Xend.

"Carousell first launched its meet-up spots in Singapore, its home market, in May this year.

These meet-up spots will be located at Xend’s “pick-up and drop-off” (PUDO) hubs, which are spread across are spread across Metro Manila and the adjacent provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, and Bulacan."

Read more here. 

From Reuters:

Singapore-based venture capital firm Golden Gate Ventures said it will launch a US$10m fund to invest in cryptocurrency and blockchain technology startups.

"The fund, called LuneX Ventures, will invest in early-stage companies globally such as cryptocurrency exchanges and security providers. Investors in the fund will include high-net worth individuals and family offices.

The fund is among a cluster of similar ventures that invest in the cryptocurrency space, backed by wealthy individuals and financial firms, that have emerged over the past year."

Read more here.