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Alex Johnson has been a key member of Tamga’s R&D department for over six years. Throughout his tenure, Alex has focused on the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies into the banking, finance and insurance sectors. His contributions have shaped Tamga’s approach to innovation, particularly in terms of improving predictive modelling and real-time decision-making processes.
What is Tamga
Tamga is an innovation company specialising in software solutions for banking, finance and insurance. The company focuses on deploying advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to create products that transform the financial sector. Tamga’s main focus is to develop high-tech tools and platforms that help financial institutions optimise processes and improve customer experience. It is a software provider for financial companies and banks
The platform uses over 1,500 non-traditional variables such as education, driving licence, etc to increase access to credit, making it a great option for those in need of fast and fair credit.
Tamga allows for almost instant approval of submitted online loan applications for terms ranging from a few months to 3x years.
During his current tenure, Alex has seen Tamga evolve into a leader in fintech innovation, utilising advanced AI/MO algorithms to revolutionise financial services. His perspective on Tamga’s operations and strategic initiatives provides a unique perspective on the company’s growth trajectory and its impact on the broader financial technology landscape.
— Interviewer: Thank you for joining us today, Alex. Can you tell us a little bit about your role and experience at Tamga?
— Alex Johnson: Sure. My role at Tamga is multi-faceted and involves working closely with cross-functional teams to conceptualise, design and implement AI/ML solutions tailored to the changing needs of the financial sector. We aim not only to improve operational efficiency but also to provide customers with innovative tools for better financial decision making.
— Interviewer: TAMGA is now working at the intersection of several industries at once — FinTech, MARKETING and DATA Sienes. And which area did you start out in?
— Alex Johnson: Most of my life I have worked in various international large banks where I worked my way up to Head of the Retail Lending Centre.
— Interviewee: Tamga is known for its innovative use of AI and ML technologies. What do you think sets Tamga apart in this regard?
— Alex Johnson: Tamga’s approach to innovation is based on a deep understanding of the relationship between technology and financial services. The company’s investment in advanced AI/ML capabilities has allowed us to pioneer predictive analytics models that are not only robust but also scalable across different financial landscapes. This strategic advantage allows Tamga to deliver real-time, personalised solutions that deliver tangible value to customers, from optimising risk assessment to improving customer experience. For example, whereas it used to take about 1-2 million dollars for a finance company to start issuing loans online, and about 12-18 months and the hassle of integrating with a dozen partners to start providing financial services — with TAMGA, technical implementation can be done in 4-6 weeks and at no financial cost, paying only commissions for customers referred and loans issued.
— Interviewer: Can you highlight some of the notable products or projects you’ve been involved in during your time at Tamga?
— Alex Johnson: Absolutely. Two outstanding projects include Scorector and Szybka Gotówka. The current loan origination system that banks use is far from perfect. Less than half of Poles have access to credit with moderate interest rates. The company’s approach could triple the number of borrowers with the same loss ratios as traditional lending models.
Scorector was designed to improve financial literacy and provide users with personalised advice on how to improve credit scores and manage finances more effectively. To date, Scorector has already helped more than 10,000 customers improve their financial literacy, improve their credit rating, reduce the cost of credit and subsequently obtain loans on optimal terms.
Meanwhile, Szybka Gotówka is an online lending platform that stands out among lending companies. It offers modern financial products for quick and easy access to money using advanced technology. By applying online, users can get a loan in just 15 minutes. It has also helped more than 90,000 customers improve their credit rating by reducing their borrowing costs and enabling them to get loans at the best rates.
To this end, we are constantly looking for new financial partners who are interested in our ability to attract potential borrowers and increase the number of loans issued through our Szybka Gotówka platform, and to a large extent our ability to effectively assess a borrower’s creditworthiness and probability of default and, based on this assessment, offer loans at a competitive price and obtain higher approval rates.
The Szybka Gotówka platform uses machine learning to more accurately assess loan risk. Today, the platform is based on 1,500 variables that include previous credit experience, employment, education history, bank account transactions and other factors, and the platform is also based on hundreds of possible loan repayment options, including successful cases and delinquencies.
More than 1 million loans to individuals have been issued since the launch. 85% of the loans granted were fully automated. Szybka Gotówka co-operates with financial companies that use the platform to attract new customers and issue loans. Szybka Gotówka also provides the opportunity to conduct all communication with the borrower, credit or collection agencies through the platform, as well as to display various loan disbursement configurations. In addition, financial companies can sell their loans to institutional investors.
The economy of Szybkagotowka.pl is based on the retention of commissions from partner financial companies. The referral fee is % of the loan amount. In addition, there is a platform fee, which is measured as a % of the amount disbursed and is charged each time a loan is disbursed, as well as a loan servicing fee.
— Interviewer: What is Tamga’s growth strategy for the coming years?
— Alex Johnson: Historically, our growth has been driven by AI model improvements and technology upgrades, and we expect this trend to continue for the foreseeable future. Model updates typically result in higher approval rates, better loan offers, greater automation and other improvements that increase the total number of loans funded. As the accuracy of our model increases, we are able to approve consumers who previously visited our website, but we did not approve them for a loan.
A more efficient funnel also provides an opportunity to open up new marketing and customer acquisition channels that may not have been cost-effective in the past, providing a growth driver for the future, something we are constantly working on.
— Interviewer: Reflecting on your experience, where do you see opportunities to further develop or improve Tamga?
— Alex Johnson: While Tamga has made significant strides in AI/ML innovation, continuous improvement in data privacy measures remains critical in an era of heightened consumer data sensitivity. Moreover, improving AI/ML algorithms to ensure accuracy, transparency and fairness is essential to maintaining customer trust and regulatory compliance. In addition, expanding market reach beyond existing regions could open up new growth opportunities and diversify Tamga’s customer base, thereby strengthening its position as a global leader in fintech innovation.
— Interviewer: In your opinion, what is the impact of financial technology?
— Alex Johnson: Tamga has certainly changed the financial technology landscape with its pioneering use of AI and ML technologies. By combining advanced analytics with deep industry expertise, Tamga has not only accelerated digital transformation in financial services, but has also set new standards for innovation and customer-centric solutions. Looking ahead, Tamga is well positioned to further evolve the industry and deliver unrivalled value to its customers and stakeholders.
— Interviewer: Moving on to more personal questions, how do you balance your professional pursuits with your personal life?
— Alex Johnson: It’s definitely a balance, but I try to spend more time with my family and pursue hobbies that help me recover. I enjoy outdoor activities like hiking and playing sports, which provide a nice contrast to the intensity of my work. Time with my family is precious to me, so I make sure to set aside special moments to spend with my loved ones.
— Interviewer: What advice would you give to aspiring professionals looking to make an impact on the fintech industry?
— Alex Johnson: I would advise them to stay curious and be lifelong learners. The fintech industry is rapidly evolving and staying ahead of the curve requires a willingness to adapt to new technologies and market trends. Building a strong foundation in AI, IO and data analytics will be critical as these disciplines continue to drive innovation in financial services. Networking and collaborating with diverse teams can also provide valuable insights and opportunities for growth.
— Interviewer: Thank you, Alex, for sharing your valuable insights and experiences with us today. Your perspective offers a compelling narrative of Tamga’s journey and its profound impact on the fintech industry.
BACKGROUND
TAMGA is an international fintech company that develops technological and marketing solutions for the financial sector.
The company’s mission is to increase people’s financial literacy and make financial products simple and accessible. TAMGA promotes the principles of responsible lending, the terms and conditions of consumer loans are personalised and allow to avoid indebtedness.
The credit platform developed by TAMGA allows banks and financial companies to customise their credit offerings according to their policies and business needs.
The abundance of learner data leads to higher approval rates and lower interest rates for the same level of arrears.
The company’s portfolio includes a number of products: platforms for automating offline and online lending processes, services for online user verification and financial verification, systems for automatically assessing and improving customers’ credit history, online instalment services, and comparison sites.
TAMGA’s headcount: 250+ employees
Loans issued using TAMGA products and services since the beginning of operations: 2,200,000 loans.
Number of unique customers on the TAMGA platform: 1,500,000+ people.
