While global interest rates rise, Japan's interest rate on savings remains the same at a mere 0.001%. Habitto, the Tokyo-based fintech, is looking to change this by launching its new mobile app on June 13th 2023, offering its customers a market-leading 0.3% savings rate on their first 1 million yen deposited. In addition to the digital banking and savings account, Habitto will offer its customers free financial advice via the mobile app. 

Habitto is led by Samantha Ghiotthi and Liam McCance and was founded in late 2021. The business has since registered as a financial services intermediary for both banking and securities intermediation and built a team of 17 employees including 3 financial advisors.

At the heart of its offerings lies the Habitto Account, a savings account that boasts a market leading interest rate of 0.3%* on deposits up to 1 million yen that comes with a Visa card for easy access to deposited funds. Users also gain access to free financial advisory services for personalized money plans, introducing a user-centric approach with its in-app chat and video call services. The company had previously conducted over 100 advisory sessions during its closed beta in December 2022, solidifying its expertise and commitment to providing exceptional user experience

Habitto’s mission is to empower Japanese savers to better put their money to work. We do this through simple products, clever technology and bringing trust back to financial advice.

“We believe everyone deserves a money strategy but it's often complicated, time-consuming and hard to act on. It should not be like this. We are proud to bring Habitto to the market and empower a generation making the most of their money, with transparent products and genuine financial advice. We are grateful to our partners and the regulator for their endorsement and their belief in our mission.” - Sam Ghiotti CEO and Co-Founder.

“We're extremely excited to bring Habitto's product offering and promise of a better money strategy to the market. The foundation of any money strategy is savings and we believe we offer our customers the 'best in market' savings rate of 0.3%, this, of course, is just the start of the journey with our financial advisors ready to guide and advise our customers through the more complicated products of investment an insurance to achieve their financial goals.” - Liam McCance Chief Creative Officer and Co-Founder.

Habitto previously raised US$3.9 million in a pre-A financing round back in February 2023, which was co-led by Saison Capital and Cherubic Ventures. This follows a US$3.4 million seed round led by Saison Capital in September 2021. This brings the total raised by the company to US$7.3 million. Other prominent investors in the company include Anthemis Group, Apis Partners, DG Daiwa Ventures, GMO Ventures, Kyokuto Securities, Epic Angels and angel investors from the finance industry across the globe.

What is Habitto Co., Ltd.?

Habitto Co., Ltd. is the operator of “Habitto”, a digital bank that provides free financial advice via mobile application. The Habitto app offers a combination of financial services including a market-leading yield savings account, debit card, and investment products which are complemented with truly customer-focused advisory service.

The company was born in Singapore when Samantha Ghiotti, an Italian woman turned venture investor turned fintech executive, and Liam McCance, a serial entrepreneur from Australia, worked together in a Singaporean fintech company. The duo then founded SJ Mobile Labs Pte Ltd in Singapore in 2021 and established SJ Mobile Labs Japan KK (SJML Japan) in November of the same year to conduct business in Japan. The company officially changed its name to Habitto Co., Ltd. in March 2023.

Media Contact

For inquiries regarding this matter, please contact

Habitto Co., Ltd. press@habitto.com

Appendix

(1) Savings

The Habitto account,offers a market leading interest rate of 0.3%(*) (before tax) on deposits up to 1 million yen. The savings account is a dedicated branch account "Habitto Branch" account at GMO Aozora Net Bank. When you open a savings account, a VISA Debit will be also issued, providing modern and instant access to the savings account ,

*The 0.3% interest rate (before tax) is applicable up to a deposit amount of 1,000,000 yen; for deposits exceeding 1,000,000 yen, the 0.001% interest rate will apply.

(2) Investment

Customers are encouraged to build long term financial assets via a dollar cost average approach, which has been pioneered by Saison Asset Management. 

Habitto has partnered with Saison Asset Management to offer a selection of tax efficient NISA investment trusts, mostly through monthly recurring top ups (Tsumitate).  

(3) Insurance

We have also partnered with Lifenet Insurance, a pioneer in online life insurance and a company that emphasizes transparency, to guide you through our product offerings. 

(Linkage on the "Habitto" application will be available from the fall of 2023)

Advisory Services

Habitto Advisor is a free(*),  informal  and you can ask a variety of money related questions, from savings, to insurance and investments. Through in-app chat and video calls, you can discuss your personalized money plan without being pushed to purchase a particular Habitto advisors do not push specific products on you. 

*Subject to funding your Habitto account

Habitto is a financial services intermediary registered under the Financial Services Provider Law (Kinsa Law) .