Fintechs rethink IPO rush amid weak debuts, healthy funding options

Singapore

THE stinging performance of Uber's listing on the New York Stock Exchange - just as markets turned jittery again on renewed trade tensions - should add to the caution of young fintech firms in Asia charting a path towards an initial public offering (IPO).

Add fresh venture capital funding flowing through the region and a heavy Reit bias here to the mix, and the Singapore market may still have its work cut out in attracting large fintech firms based in this region.

To be sure, there has been some stirring interest. Eng-Kwok Seat Moey, head of capital markets at DBS, said tech companies, including fintech companies, are exploring a listing.

"Most of the fintechs we have been engaging with tend to be in the earlier life-cycle stages. However, though they may be young, there are several outfits that have the potential to develop into meaningful fintech listings over th…