Exclusive: Tiger Brokers expands reach with university partnerships

Tiger Brokers, a global online trading platform, is expanding its presence in the Asia-Pacific region by partnering with universities to provide students with real-world trading experience.

Chief Strategy Officer, Greg Boland, outlined the company's efforts in a recent interview with TechDay, where he shed light on its growth and educational initiatives.

Boland, a former economics teacher, transitioned into the financial industry after four years in education. His early career saw him working as Education Manager at the New Zealand Futures and Options Exchange. There, he engaged with universities, educating third-year finance students about futures and options trading.

"We wanted to go beyond what students read in textbooks and show them what was available in New Zealand," he explained.

This experience is what laid the foundation for Boland's current work with Tiger Brokers, where education remains a priority.

Through initiatives like mock trading games at Massey University, students can simulate trades on platforms such as Bloomberg terminals, competing against each other while gaining practical skills. Boland explained, "Participants, usually members of the Massey University Investment Club, trade mainly US shares in a simulated environment, with the prize being real money deposited into their accounts with Tiger Brokers."

The competition offers students access to a demonstration account with $100,000 USD in virtual funds, helping them learn to navigate the complexities of the stock market.

The long-term goal, according to Boland, is to expand these programmes to universities across the Asia-Pacific region, providing students with access to live market data. "We want to roll this out to more universities, allowing students to learn the art of trading with live data," he added.

Tiger Brokers, founded in 2014, has seen significant growth since its inception. The company now operates globally with 2.3 million account holders, of which approximately 950,000 are active traders. Boland described Tiger Brokers as an "online trading camp" that offers access to global exchanges, including the New York Stock Exchange, Nasdaq, and exchanges in Singapore, Australia, and Hong Kong.

The company does not create products but instead, allows users to trade exchange-listed stocks, futures, and options.

The firm's innovative platform is designed to lower the barriers to entry for new investors. In New Zealand, Tiger Brokers offers three commission-free trades per month and competitive foreign exchange rates. Boland explained, "We believe that everyone should have the ability to learn and trade the markets. You need an online trading app and can start with just $1."

One of the standout features of Tiger Brokers' platform is its ability to trade fractional shares. This means investors can purchase portions of high-priced stocks like Apple or Nvidia, making the platform more accessible. "Most traditional brokers require you to buy whole shares, but with us, you can invest in a fraction of a share, making it more affordable for everyone," said Boland.

The company is also committed to providing comprehensive educational resources for its users. Through the "Auto Invest" feature, users can set up automatic investments, similar to New Zealand's KiwiSaver, with regular contributions to their chosen stocks or funds. Additionally, Tiger Brokers provides free live pricing and financial analysis, something other platforms often charge for. "We want to make sure our clients have access to real-time data to make informed decisions without paying extra fees," Boland explained.

Beyond New Zealand, Tiger Brokers has expanded into Australia, Singapore, and Hong Kong, with 75% of its clients' assets coming from outside mainland China. Boland noted that each market has its own unique challenges, and the company has adapted by offering tailored services in each region. "Our vision and direction have evolved as we've grown. In some markets, like Singapore, we now offer cash management products and funds in response to client demand," he said.

The company's adaptability extends to its use of technology. Boland highlighted Tiger Brokers' development of advanced order types, such as stop losses and trailing stops, designed to protect investors in volatile markets. "People are starting to understand the benefits of these more advanced order types, which can automatically sell shares when the price falls to a certain level," he explained.

Tiger Brokers has also invested heavily in artificial intelligence, with the introduction of "Tiger GPT," a tool similar to ChatGPT. This feature provides investors with tailored insights and analysis to help them make informed decisions.

"We aim to empower our users to educate themselves and make smarter investment choices," Boland said.

The company's success in New Zealand has also been bolstered by its attention to investor behaviour and market trends. Boland noted that New Zealand investors tend to prioritise long-term growth, with 50% of the company's clients focusing on stable, passive income. "Kiwis are generally more conservative in their approach, with many prioritising long-term gains over short-term fluctuations," he said.

Reflecting on his time at Tiger Brokers, Boland highlighted the company's steady growth and ongoing innovation. "We started with Tiger FinTech, our New Zealand entity, and have continually developed our systems to meet the needs of our clients. We release a new version every six weeks, based on user feedback," he said.

Looking ahead, Boland hinted at future developments, particularly in New Zealand. The company is exploring the possibility of introducing new fund management products, similar to those already available in Singapore. "It's still a long way off, but we're always looking for ways to enhance the investor experience and provide more options for our clients," he added.

With its global reach, commitment to education, and continuous innovation, Tiger Brokers is positioning itself as a leading player in the online trading space.

"No matter what, we're always listening to our clients and evolving to meet their needs."