- MoneyOwl’s services to be repurposed to meet needs of community groups such as essential workers, gig workers, and youths, in collaboration with partners across the public, private, and philanthropic sectors
- Aligned with Temasek Trust’s aims to uplift communities through holistic and inclusive education and to advance progress through capacity building
- Proposed acquisition subject to regulatory approval
SINGAPORE, 28 NOVEMBER 2023 — Temasek Trust, philanthropic steward and ecosystem-builder for good, has signed an Expression of Interest with NTUC Enterprise Co-operative Limited (“NTUC Enterprise”) regarding the proposed acquisition of MoneyOwl, the bionic financial advisor that combines human and digital platforms in its services, and which is currently owned by NTUC Enterprise.
NTUC Enterprise has agreed for Temasek Trust to acquire MoneyOwl and its residual capabilities, including its financial planning intellectual property and technology platforms. Temasek Trust is interested in acquiring MoneyOwl to develop targeted products and solutions to better meet the needs of community groups such as essential workers, gig workers, and youths.
Mr. Desmond Kuek, CEO, Temasek Trust, said, “MoneyOwl’s work in driving financial well-being is in line with our aims to uplift communities through holistic and inclusive education, and advancing progress through capacity building. Together with like-minded partners across the public, private, and philanthropic sectors, we aim to further leverage and repurpose the capabilities, intellectual properties, and technology platforms of MoneyOwl to bolster the financial well-being of community groups.”
The new plans will be funded with a catalytic capital approach where the initial funds will de-risk the new business model to unlock its potential and attract partners from across the public, private, and philanthropic sectors to drive the financial well-being of community groups. This will strengthen the business model and create more opportunities for MoneyOwl to deliver impact and value on a larger scale.
Ms. Chuin Ting Weber, CEO and Chief Investment Officer, MoneyOwl, added, “MoneyOwl shares Temasek Trust’s strategic vision of driving the common good. A repurposed MoneyOwl under Temasek Trust will move away from the direct retail sale of commercial products. The transfer of our investment and insurance clients to iFAST Financial Pte Ltd (“iFAST”) has been completed. The Comprehensive Financial Planning service will also be paused for a refresh. However, MoneyOwl will no longer be disabling our website and mobile application, but will continue to provide our free digital Will-Writing service and online educational content, and conduct Corporate Financial Wellness programmes on a case-by-case basis. In future, MoneyOwl will also develop targeted financial planning solutions with like-minded partners. We will share further details on our new business model in due course.”
On 31 August 2023, MoneyOwl announced the decision to wind down its financial advisory business and to transfer its investment and insurance services to iFAST, and thereafter cease all commercial activities by 31 December 2023. This followed a joint review with NTUC Enterprise, which concluded that the business was not commercially viable.
Ms. Adeline Sum, CEO, NTUC Enterprise, said, “NTUC Enterprise is glad that Temasek Trust is taking MoneyOwl under its philanthropic wings, so that MoneyOwl’s financial planning capabilities can continue to be leveraged to create further positive impact for the community.”
The proposed acquisition is subject to regulatory approval.
About Temasek Trust
Temasek Trust, established by Temasek Holdings, is a steward of philanthropic assets, advocate of sustainability and catalyst of positive impact. It provides governance and financial oversight of endowments for an ecosystem of entities with the shared purpose of building better for every generation by protecting the planet, uplifting communities, connecting people, and advancing capabilities. In forging new pathways for philanthropy and impact investing with like-minded partners, Temasek Trust aims to promote catalytic philanthropy as a force for good. For more information, visit www.temasektrust.org.sg. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
About NTUC Enterprise Co-operative Limited
NTUC Enterprise is the holding entity and single largest shareholder of the NTUC Enterprise group of social enterprises. NTUC Enterprise aims to create a greater social force to do good by harnessing the capabilities of the social enterprises to meet pressing social needs in areas like health and eldercare, childcare, daily essentials, cooked food and financial services. Serving over two million customers, NTUC Enterprise wants to enable and empower all in Singapore to live better and more meaningful lives. The NTUC Enterprise group of social enterprises are: FairPrice Group (comprising NTUC FairPrice, NTUC Foodfare, Kopitiam and NTUC Link), NTUC First Campus, NTUC Health, Income Insurance, NTUC LearningHub, Mercatus and MoneyOwl.
About MoneyOwl
MoneyOwl is Singapore’s first bionic financial adviser whose purpose is to enable people to make wise financial decisions to live their best possible life. Established in 2018 as an NTUC social enterprise, MoneyOwl delivers advice through a combination of fully salaried advisers and digital platforms. Its comprehensive suite of products and services spans Comprehensive Financial Planning, insurance, investments and will writing. MoneyOwl has received several industry awards including the Financial Planning Association of Singapore’s (FPAS) Center of Excellence for Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) Certification – Star Award in 2022, the Singapore Fintech Festival Social Impact Award in 2021, and the SBR Technology Excellence Award in 2020. For more information, please visit www.moneyowl.com.sg.
