Argos
Argos is a Christchurch-based, founder-owned software firm that provides Vault and Bailment loan administration platforms to mid-sized and enterprise finance providers in New Zealand and Australia, on a monthly subscription basis with bundled support.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1988
- HeadquartersChristchurch, New Zealand
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Argos does
Argos Financial Systems Limited, trading as Argos Solutions, is a privately held, founder-owned software company headquartered in Christchurch, New Zealand. Founded in 1988 by Greg Beale via a management buyout of a financial software business unit that originated within a National Chartered Accountancy Practice, Argos has provided loan administration software to finance providers for over 30 years. Its customer base consists predominantly of mid-sized finance companies and a smaller set of enterprise accounts in New Zealand and Australia, spanning consumer finance, business and equipment leasing, mortgages, revolving credit, floor plan (bailment) finance, and retail/wholesale investment products.
The company's product platform is built around two core products: Vault, a fully integrated retail loan and investment administration system, and Bailment, a wholesale floor plan finance system. Both share common Core Modules (Cash Management, Contact Management, Communication Management, Dealer/Broker Management, Insurer Management, General Ledger) and are extended by add-on modules for fixed/variable loans, IFRS16-compliant leases, term deposits, on-call accounts, and unit funds. The platform runs on Windows with MS SQL, integrates with Microsoft Word and Excel, and is delivered as a managed service hosted on Microsoft Azure with SOC 2 Type II certification. Integration modules include PPSR Link for automated Personal Property Securities Register compliance, MotorWeb for vehicle data, and a set of Web APIs for external systems and customer self-service.
Argos operates a monthly rental subscription model that bundles software, support, and scheduled updates, eliminating large upfront licence fees. Revenue is supplemented by separately charged consultancy (business process review, audits) and training services. Go-to-market is direct and consultative, with free no-obligation demonstrations delivered throughout Australasia, supported by a small in-house team led by founder Greg Beale. The company has grown organically without external institutional funding, retaining long-tenured customers such as Allied Distribution Finance (since 2002) and Norfolk Mortgage Management (since 2004).
Argos firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Argos
- Legal name
- Argos Financial Systems Limited
- Website
- https://argos.co.nz
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1988
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Argos is a Christchurch-based, founder-owned software firm that provides Vault and Bailment loan administration platforms to mid-sized and enterprise finance providers in New Zealand and Australia, on a monthly subscription basis with bundled support.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Argos industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Loan Administration Software
- NAICS
- Activities Related to Credit Intermediation (5223)
- SIC
- Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Loan Servicing Platforms (Billing, Statements, Customer Self-Service) (FSAGAHAH)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Collections, Recovery & Debt Management Platforms (FSAGAHAI)
Keywords
Where Argos is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Christchurch
- HQ country
- New Zealand
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
Argos business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Software Subscription (Monthly Rental): Monthly rental model covering all support needs, required modules, and scheduled updates. No substantial upfront software investment required. Support fees included in monthly rental with no extra charges for contacting support.
- Consultancy Services: Business process review and procedural/database audit services for both new and existing clients. Additional charges apply for consultancy work beyond standard support.
- Training Services: Onsite training delivered as part of software implementation, covering initial training, month-end processes, and 3-monthly reviews. Additional charges apply for training nature of work.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Monthly rental model - all-inclusive subscription |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Argos product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Argos provides Vault and Bailment, two integrated Windows-based loan administration software products built on MS SQL, designed for finance providers in New Zealand and Australia. The software handles fixed and variable loans, operating and finance leases, retail and wholesale investment products, and floor plan (bailment) finance, with core modules for cash management, general ledger, contact, communication, dealer/broker, and insurer management. It is delivered as a managed service hosted on Microsoft Azure under a monthly subscription rental model that includes support and scheduled updates.
Product overview
Argos Solutions provides a platform-plus-modules architecture centered on two core software products: Vault (retail loan administration software) and Bailment (wholesale floor plan finance software). Both products share common Core Modules (Cash Management, Contact Management, Communication Management, Dealer/Broker Management, Insurer Management, General Ledger) and are augmented by additional modules including Fixed Loans, Variable Loans, Leases (IFRS16 Compliant), Term Deposits, On Call, Unit Fund, Quotes, Batch Processing, Dispatch Centre, Payables, Receivables, and Quote Import. Integration modules under Argos Links provide PPSR Link and MotorWeb Integration. The company operates on a monthly rental model covering software, support, and scheduled updates throughout Australasia.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Vault: Signature loan administration software - a fully integrated software used by clients to help them operate their lending and investment ledgers.
- Bailment
Products and services
- Vault Vault is Argos's signature fully integrated loan administration software. It processes financial transactions from the Cashbook through to the General Ledger for monthly profitability reporting and handles fixed and variable loans, operating and finance leases, and retail investment products. It is sold to finance providers in Australasia on a monthly rental subscription that includes support and updates.
- Bailment Bailment is Argos's floor plan finance software designed for finance providers offering Floor Plan Finance, Unit Finance, and Inventory Finance to dealers. It handles sophisticated credit assessment, asset loading, bailment rules (free floor plan periods, early settlement rebates), and cash allocation for wholesale finance operations.
- Argos Links Argos Links is the company's integration module group that links Vault and Bailment to external applications, including PPSR Link for automated Personal Property Securities Register registrations, changes, discharges, and searches (at half the cost of direct registration), and MotorWeb Integration for vehicle information reports accessed from within Vault.
- Vault Additional Modules Vault Additional Modules provide extra functionality on top of Vault's core modules, including Quotes, Batch Processing, Dispatch Centre, Payables, Receivables, and Quote Import modules.
- Core Modules Core Modules are the standard shared modules included in both Vault and Bailment, covering Cash Management, Contact Management, Communication Management, Dealer/Broker Management, Insurer Management, and General Ledger.
- Bailment Distributors Module Bailment Distributors is a specialty payable account module for recording interest amounts due to be paid to the financier on assets still within the Free Floor Plan period. It includes instant information web login for distributors and an automated payout process.
- Training Training is Argos's onsite training service specific to job roles, delivered to new and existing clients as part of software implementation, covering initial processing, month-end procedures, and quarterly reviews. Additional training is charged separately.
- Consultancy Consultancy is Argos's business process review and procedural/database audit service for both new and existing clients, used to support implementation and optimization of the software.
- Enhancements Enhancements is Argos's continuous software improvement service, with regular enhancements made from client feedback and regulatory requirements. It is largely included in the monthly subscription, with additional consultancy charges applying for bespoke work.
- External Interactions (Web APIs) External Interactions is Argos's Web API service that allows web developers to implement website information linking directly into Argos Vault or Bailment. Available functions include upload of floorplan invoices, credit notes, and price adjustments; download of dealer credit limit details; PPSR collateral upload; and external quote/application integration.
Quantifiable outcome
- Significant decrease in time taken for arrears processing and reduced double entry requirements
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Argos
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Argos technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature6 records
Argos partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- AML Solutions LimitedminorRecommended alliance partner with specific expertise in creating AML Risk Assessments and Compliance Programmes for finance companies.
- Server Technology LimitedminorIT professionals who can assist with Hardware advice, Network setup and advice, and SQL server setup and advice.
- Debtworks (NZ) LtdminorRecommended partner with wealth of experience in both debt collection and arrears management processes.
- Commerce CommissionminorNew Zealand's primary competition regulatory agency that advises companies on what is acceptable in business practices.
- FSP RegisterminorOfficial register with important information about registered financial services providers including the type of services they are registered for.
- Compliance PlusminorProvides services to assist with AML/CFT compliance, experts in helping with audits.
- Microsoft AzurecoreManaged service hosted in Microsoft Azure, leveraging Azure's built-in security features including network isolation, DDoS protection, and private connectivity options.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Argos competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- FundCount: FundCount delivers accounting and investment management software for investment firms and lenders. Adjacent peer in fund/portfolio servicing software, competing for similar mid-sized finance-provider customers exploring alternatives to legacy systems.
- Mambu: Mambu offers a cloud-native core banking and lending platform targeting neobanks and digital lenders. Increasingly competes for the same digital-transformation budget as Argos among NZ/AU mid-sized financiers modernizing off legacy systems.
Broad incumbents
- Finastra: Finastra provides a broad suite of lending, retail banking, and loan-origination platforms globally. While not purpose-built for ANZ mid-market financiers like Argos, it represents the scale-incumbent alternative that Argos's customers may upgrade to as they grow.
- nCino: nCino provides a cloud banking platform with loan origination, account opening, and portfolio management. Competes for the same mid-sized finance-provider wallet as Argos but at enterprise scale and with modern cloud architecture.
- Temenos: Temenos is a global banking software vendor offering lending, retail, and corporate banking platforms. Represents a broader-suite incumbent that finance providers may evaluate as a replacement for point solutions like Argos Vault.
- FIS (Fidelity National Information Services): FIS provides a broad portfolio of lending and loan-servicing technology globally. As a large incumbent, it competes in the same problem space as Argos (loan servicing platforms) but at a much larger scale and customer footprint.
Regional players
- Class Super: Class provides self-managed super fund and investment accounting software in Australia. Comparable as an ANZ-focused vertical finance software vendor serving regulated mid-market financial institutions with subscription SaaS economics.
- IRESS: IRESS is a major Australasian financial services software vendor covering lending, superannuation, and wealth. Operates in the same geographies as Argos with overlapping finance-provider customers, but addresses a much broader product surface.
- BGL Corporate Solutions: BGL provides corporate compliance and management software widely used by Australian and NZ businesses and self-managed super funds. Operates in adjacent finance software verticals within the same ANZ geography as Argos.
Direct peers
- Turnkey Lender: Turnkey Lender offers loan origination and servicing software for non-bank lenders. Closest direct peer to Argos's Vault — both target lending operations with workflow automation, though Turnkey Lender focuses on cloud delivery to a global SMB lender market.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Argos social profiles
Digital presenceArgos compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Argos financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Argos leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Argos funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Argos M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Argos
What does Argos do?
Argos provides Vault and Bailment, two integrated Windows-based loan administration software products built on MS SQL, designed for finance providers in New Zealand and Australia. The software handles fixed and variable loans, operating and finance leases, retail and wholesale investment products, and floor plan (bailment) finance, with core modules for cash management, general ledger, contact, communication, dealer/broker, and insurer management. It is delivered as a managed service hosted on Microsoft Azure under a monthly subscription rental model that includes support and scheduled updates.
Is Argos a public or private company?
Argos is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Argos founded?
Argos was founded in 1988. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Argos based?
Argos is headquartered in Christchurch, New Zealand, in the Oceania region.
How does Argos make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Software Subscription (Monthly Rental) is the primary driver. The others are consultancy Services and training Services.
Who are Argos's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are FundCount and Mambu. Broad incumbents are Finastra, nCino, Temenos and FIS (Fidelity National Information Services). Regional players are Class Super, IRESS and BGL Corporate Solutions. Turnkey Lender is listed as a direct peer.
Does Argos have an API?
Yes. Argos provides Web APIs that allow web developers to implement website information linking directly into Argos Vault or Bailment. Available API functions include: Upload of Floorplan Invoices, Credit Notes and Price Adjustments; Download of Dealer Credit Limit details; PPSR collateral upload; External Quote/Application integration. Additionally, Online Self Help APIs allow customers to become more self-sufficient in managing their loans, giving support staff more time to recover missed payments.
What industry is Argos in?
Argos's product category is Loan Administration Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAGAHAH, Loan Servicing Platforms (Billing, Statements, Customer Self-Service), with a secondary code of FSAGAHAI, Collections, Recovery & Debt Management Platforms. Its NAICS code is 5223 and its SIC code is 7372.