Tyme, one of the fastest growing digital banking groups globally, has successfully secured two new international investors as part of its pre-series C capital raise launched in January this year. This comes as the group’s South African flagship, TymeBank, celebrates its 7 million customer milestone this month (12 May 2023).
Along with the two new shareholders – Norrsken22, an Africa-focused tech growth fund, and Blue Earth Capital (“BlueEarth”), an independent global impact investment firm – Tyme’s shareholders have invested a total of US$77.8m. The funds being raised are intended to further operations in South Africa and the Philippines, for future expansion in Southeast Asia, and a partial share buyback.
David Moore, Principal of Funds and Co-Investments at BlueEarth, stated:
“We invested in Tyme Group thanks to our long-standing partnership with Apis Partners who look to build on their mission to generate attractive commercial returns alongside key priorities of reduced inequalities and greater financial inclusion. BlueEarth is excited about backing Tyme’s innovative, retail partnership model which enables affordable access to first-class banking products to all consumers, including those most vulnerable or living in remote locations.”
Commenting on their investment, Natalie Kolbe, Managing Partner at Norrsken22, said:
“We are delighted to invest in Tyme. The company offers a unique product with huge customer appeal, which has led to fast and sustained growth. We have analysed a lot of fintechs from across the continent, and Tyme set itself apart with its impressive growth, its differentiated product, and its unique ability to reach and serve new customer groups. The exceptional management team have already built one of the largest challenger banks in the world, and we are looking forward to being part of the next phase of their journey.”
Coen Jonker, Co-founder of Tyme and TymeBank CEO, commented:
“We are delighted to welcome Norrsken22 and Blue Earth Capital to the group of high-calibre investors who have bought into Tyme’s growth story, and its mission to democratize financial services.”
Work continues with interested investors, with Series C expected to close later in the year. African Rainbow Capital (ARC) remains Tyme’s majority shareholder. Dr Patrice Motsepe, Founder and Chairman of ARC, said:
“We remain excited and committed to further creating value in building a global digital banking portfolio with our fellow shareholders and partners and we welcome the new investors who have participated in this raise.”
An attractive investment proposition
Tyme has a revenue run rate of over $100m per annum. The business [across the two markets] is growing at a pace of 300,000 new customers a month as it works to provide consumers with exceptional customer experience, and affordable, high quality financial services.
TymeBank now serves over 7 million customers since its launch in February 2019 – with a current acquisition rate of 200,000 customers per month and a 70% 30-day account activity rate. TymeBank’s exponential growth in customer numbers is evidence of how the bank is truly serving consumers’ needs. Having entered as a disruptor in the industry, it is now entrenched as the credible alternative to legacy banks in the country.
TymeBank’s hybrid model of digital banking and physical service has made banking accessible to South Africans across the economic spectrum. The bank has well established partnerships with national retailers Pick n Pay and Boxer, leading fashion retailer TFG (The Foschini Group), as well as the largest church in South Africa, the Zion Christian Church.
In 2022 TymeBank acquired award-winning fintech, Retail Capital, which has already provided more than 43 000 business owners in South Africa with over R5.5 billion in working capital, making it the largest SME funder of its kind in the sector. TymeBank continues to make a real difference in the lives of consumers with its low-cost banking offering, high levels of customer satisfaction, and the successful introduction of several products and services.
GoTyme in the Philippines launched in October 2022 in partnership with the Gokongwei Group. The digital bank was modelled on South Africa’s TymeBank, and this imported concept has progressed financial access as it offers Filipino consumers quality, affordable and accessible financial service solutions.
The group’s global footprint includes a product development and engineering hub in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, which employs a team of skilled people, including over three hundred engineers. Tyme’s global headquarters in Singapore house leads its strategy, business development, data, analytics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) functions.
