The Silicon Review ^Asia

Ant Financial is a technology company that brings inclusive financial services to the world. It was officially founded in October 2014, originated from Alipay founded in 2004. Facing individual users, Alipay, the world's largest mobile and online payments platform, operated by Ant Financial, is a lifestyle platform based on real-name authentication and creditworthiness.

Alipay has partnered with more than 200 financial institutions in providing payment services to tens of millions of small and micro merchants, leading to a continual increase in service use cases. Alipay has extended its service into a variety of offline use cases, such as restaurants, supermarkets, convenience stores, taxis, hospitals, and public services. Through online marketing, big data service, and other means, Alipay has empowered traditional businesses and public services to improve their user experience.

It is powered by the blockchain technology from Ant Financial, AlipayHK and GCash launch cross-border remittance service, offering a fast, secure, convenient, transparent and low-cost way to transfer money directly between individuals in Hong Kong and the Philippines.

Core Values

Ant Financial Services Group is dedicated to “bringing small and beautiful changes to the world.” The “Six Core Values” play an important role in the company’s approach toward operations, recruitment, staff assessment, and remuneration, which are;

1. Customers first: Customers are the number one priority.
2. Teamwork: Share responsibilities and achievements together, ordinary people can do extraordinary things.
3. Embrace change: Be adaptable and innovative.
4. Honesty: Be honest and honorable in both words and deeds.
5. Passion: Be optimistic and never give up.
6. Professional dedication: Be professional, dedicated and constantly improving.

The Ant Model

Inclusive Finance

Ant Financial Services Group (“Ant Financial”) believes the significance of inclusive financial services lies in providing equal access to financial services for individuals and businesses in need. This philosophy originated from ten-plus years of practice since the establishment of Alipay, as well as in the realities of inclusive financial services in developing countries, especially in China. Based on these circumstances, Ant Financial uses Alipay and other products and services as the basis for providing Internet financial services to the public. With the help of Big Data, cloud computing, and other technologies, users can enjoy equal access to financial services. This greatly expands the scope of inclusive financial services.

Technology

Big Data technology

Ant Financial applies Big Data technology to the businesses in its ecosystem. Ant Financial’sMYbank, and its predecessor “Alibaba Micro Loan,” has for years leveraged a Big Data model to offer loans. It has provided loans totaling over RMB 700 billion to over 4 million small and micro enterprises and entrepreneurs over the past five years, helping them tackle the capital shortage, allowing them to survive and grow, and in turn create more job opportunities.

Facial Recognition Technology

Ant Financial is committed to researching and developing advanced biometric-based facial recognition technology and applying it to online identity authentication, so as to further enhance security and improve user experience. Based on its cutting-edge facial recognition algorithm, Ant Financial has developed interactive face detection technology and image desensitization technology and has designed a high-concurrency ready and reliable system security structure.

Cloud Computing Technology

Ant Financials Ant Financial Cloud provides cloud computing services to financial enterprises. Leveraging the advanced technology and experience in cloud computing accumulated by Alibaba and Ant Financial, Ant Financial Cloud integrates a number of Alibaba Cloud’s basic capabilities and develops customized products to cater to the specific needs of the financial industry.

The formidable leader behind the glory of Ant Financial

Eric Jing is the Chairman and also serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Ant Financial. Mr. Jing joined Alibaba Group in 2007, where he was a Senior Finance Director and later Vice President. In October 2016, Mr. Jing was appointed Chief Executive of Ant Financial and in April 2018 he took on the additional role of Chairman. Prior to joining Alibaba, Mr. Jing was CFO of Guangzhou Pepsi Cola Beverage Co. He also held management positions in finance in several Swire Coca-Cola bottling plants or business departments. Mr. Jing received a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from the College of Economics & Management, Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 1994. He obtained a Master's degree in Business Administration after finishing the EMBA program at the Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota, and theU.S. in 2005.

“We do not pursue size or power; we aspire to be a good company, we push forward the goals of to serve 2 billion global consumers, empower 10 million profitable businesses and create 100 million jobs.”