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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 26, 2018
Registration No. 333-
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM F-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
360 Finance, Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Not Applicable
(Translation of Registrant's name into English)
Cayman Islands
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
6199
(Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number) |
Not Applicable
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
China Diamond Exchange Center, Building B
No. 555 Pudian Road, No. 1701 Century Avenue
Pudong New Area, Shanghai 200122
People's Republic of China
+86 21 6151-6360
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
area code, of Registrant's principal executive offices)
Cogency Global Inc.
10 E. 40
th
Street, 10
th
Floor
New York, New York, 10016
+1 212 947 7200
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
area code, of agent for service)
Copies to: | ||||
Will H. Cai, Esq. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP c/o 42/F, Edinburgh Tower, The Landmark 15 Queen's Road Central Hong Kong +852 3740-4700 |
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Peter X. Huang, Esq. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP c/o 30/F, China World Office 2 No. 1, Jian Guo Men Wai Avenue Beijing, 100004, China +86 10 6535-5500 |
|
David T. Zhang, Esq. Steve Lin, Esq. Kirkland & Ellis International LLP c/o 26/F, Gloucester Tower, The Landmark 15 Queen's Road Central Hong Kong +852 3761-3300 |
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:
as soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement.
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box. o
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933.
Emerging growth company ý
If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. o
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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||||
Title of each class of
securities to be registered |
Proposed maximum aggregate
offering price (2)(3) |
Amount of
registration fee |
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---|---|---|---|---|
Class A ordinary shares, par value US$0.00001 per share (1) |
US$200,000,000 | US$24,240 | ||
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The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and we are not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
PROSPECTUS (Subject to Completion) Issued , 2018.
American Depositary Shares
360 Finance, Inc.
Representing Class A Ordinary Shares
360 Finance, Inc. is offering American depositary shares, or the ADSs. This is our initial public offering and no public market currently exists for the ADSs or our class A ordinary shares. Each ADS represents of our class A ordinary shares, par value US$0.00001 per share. It is currently estimated that the initial public offering price per ADS will be between US$ and US$ .
We intend to apply for the listing of the ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "QFIN."
We are an "emerging growth company" under applicable U.S. federal securities laws and are eligible for reduced public company reporting requirements.
Immediately prior to the completion of this offering, our issued and outstanding share capital will consist of class A ordinary shares and class B ordinary shares, and Mr. Hongyi Zhou, the chairman of our board of directors, will beneficially own all of our issued and outstanding class B ordinary shares. These class B ordinary shares will constitute approximately % of our total issued and outstanding share capital immediately after the completion of this offering and % of the aggregate voting power of our total issued and outstanding share capital immediately after the completion of this offering, assuming the underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option. Holders of class A ordinary shares and class B ordinary shares have the same rights except for voting and conversion rights. Each class A ordinary share is entitled to one vote, and each class B ordinary share is entitled to twenty votes and is convertible into one class A ordinary share at any time by the holder thereof. Class A ordinary shares are not convertible into class B ordinary shares under any circumstances.
Investing in the ADSs involves risks. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 22.
PRICE US$ PER ADS
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||||||
|
Price to Public
|
Underwriting
Discounts and Commissions (1) |
Proceeds to us
|
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Per ADS |
US$ | US$ | US$ | |||
Total |
US$ | US$ | US$ | |||
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We have granted the underwriters the right to purchase up to an additional ADSs to cover over-allotments at the initial public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions.
Neither the United States Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities, or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The underwriters expect to deliver the ADSs to purchasers on , 2018.
Goldman Sachs (Asia) L.L.C. | Citigroup Global Markets Inc. |
, 2018.
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus or in any related free writing prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained in this prospectus or in any related free writing prospectus. We are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy the ADSs, only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The information contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of the ADSs.
We have not taken any action to permit a public offering of the ADSs outside the United States or to permit the possession or distribution of this prospectus outside the United States. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus must inform themselves about and observe any restrictions relating to the offering of the ADSs and the distribution of the prospectus outside the United States.
Until , 2018 (the 25th day after the date of this prospectus), all dealers that buy, sell or trade ADSs, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the obligation of dealers to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.
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The following summary is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read in conjunction with, the more detailed information and financial statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. In addition to this summary, we urge you to read the entire prospectus carefully, especially the risks of investing in our ADSs discussed under "Risk Factors," before deciding whether to invest in our ADSs. This prospectus contains information from an industry report commissioned by us and prepared by Oliver Wyman, an independent research firm, to provide information regarding our industry and our market position in China.
Overview
We are a leading digital consumer finance platform and the finance partner of the 360 Group, the successor of Qihoo 360 Technology Co. Ltd.'s business after its privatization in 2016 and one of the largest internet companies in China, connecting over one billion accumulated mobile devices. We provide tailored online consumer finance products to prime, underserved borrowers funded primarily by our funding partners. Our proprietary technology platform enables a unique user experience supported by resolute risk management. When coupled with our 360 Group partnership, our technology translates to a meaningful borrower acquisition, borrower retention and funding advantage, supporting the rapid growth and scaling of our business. From our inception to September 30, 2018, we had facilitated over RMB94.4 billion (US$14.3 billion) in loans to 6.4 million of our borrowers.
Our core product is an affordable, unsecured, digital line of credit which our borrowers typically utilize for consumption spending and often as a supplement to credit card debt. To apply, potential borrowers complete a simple online application and, for approximately 95% of recent credit applications, a fully automated credit decision is rendered. Approved borrowers are provided access to funds typically within five minutes and may select the loan structure best suited to their consumption needs.
Our value proposition is an intuitive platform connecting our borrowers and funding partners.
We have developed a proprietary technology platform supporting the full transaction lifecycle from credit application through settlement. The brevity, simplicity and speed of our credit decision process reflects the strength of our data analysis, particularly around identifying fraud, which represents approximately 50% of bad debts industry-wide according to Oliver Wyman. For instance, we employ a robust and highly automated identity authentication process based on facial recognition to filter fraudulent credit applications. Further, our advanced analytical capabilities help translate data into actionable insights, where we have found statistical significance leveraging behavioral and social data sets to assess a potential borrower's ability and willingness to repay a loan. As of September 30, 2018, we employed 332 research, development and risk management staff, representing 48.0% of our total
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employee base, who also collaborate closely with 360 Group, to maintain and enhance our technology leadership.
Since inception we have grown quickly and consistently. As of September 30, 2018, we had 6.4 million cumulative borrowers with RMB94.4 billion (US$14.3 billion) cumulative loan origination and RMB34.7 billion (US$5.2 billion) outstanding balance, representing compound quarterly growth rate of 97.0%, 115.6% and 95.2%, respectively, since the last quarter of 2016. We generate majority of our revenue through loan facilitation service fees and post-origination service fees as a percentage of loan originations. For the year ended December 31, 2017, we earned RMB309.1 million (US$46.7 million) in net revenue, compared to RMB0.06 million for the period from our inception to December 31, 2016. For the six months ended June 30, 2018, our net revenue was RMB742.9 million (US$112.3 million), compared to RMB12.3 million for the same period of 2017, representing a year-over-year growth of 5,939.8%.
Our rapid growth coupled with the leverage in our operating model has allowed us to rapidly achieve profitability. See "Recent Developments." For the year ended December 31, 2017 we recorded net loss of RMB166.4 million (US$25.1 million) compared to RMB21.8 million for the period from our inception to December 31, 2016. We were only able to grant options to our employees after our Cayman holding vehicle 360 Finance, Inc. was incorporated in April 2018. For the six months ended June 30, 2018, we recorded net loss of RMB572.0 million (US$86.4 million), compared to net loss of RMB67.3 million for the same period of 2017. Excluding the effect of share-based compensation, our adjusted net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2018 was RMB106.0 million (US$16.0 million). See "Summary Combined and Consolidated Financial and Operating DataNon-GAAP Measures" for a reconciliation of adjusted net loss to net loss.
The charts below present the number of our cumulative borrowers and our cumulative loan origination volume as of the end of the month indicated, and our net revenue, and our net loss for the periods indicated:
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Market Opportunity
We have formulated our growth strategies around the following trends, which we believe are guiding the development of the China online consumer finance market:
Our Partnership with 360 Group
We work closely with 360 Group, collaborating across a number of functions in a mutually beneficial strategic and economic partnership. 360 Group's experience and brand across digital engagement and security in particular have helped to fundamentally shape our platform, including the following:
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funding partners, encouraging growing funding commitments and drawing additional funding partners to our platform.
We entered into a master business collaboration agreement with 360 Group. Subject to compliance with applicable laws and non-infringement of the legitimate rights of any third party, we and 360 Group agree to continue to collaborate with each other in areas including but not limited to advanced analytical methods driven by artificial intelligence and data security best practices. With regard to data in particular, we will continue to develop algorithms capable of generating risk metrics from 360 Group's user data for the purpose of borrower assessment and risk management, with the borrower's expressed consent.
Our Strengths
We are a technology company, a function of our 360 Group heritage and the team and infrastructure we have built. Technological expertise is fundamental to each dimension of our differentiation, which is highlighted as follows:
Partnership with 360 Group
We are the finance partner of 360 Group. This provides a unique opportunity to collaborate across core platform functions, including data and analytics, artificial intelligence, cloud computing and risk management. It also provides us a marketing opportunity with regards to 360 Group's user base, including over 500 million monthly active users connected through one billion accumulated mobile devices. Collectively, we believe our partnership with 360 Group helps drive a growth, risk management and funding advantage.
Differentiated borrower acquisition
We believe we have a meaningful borrower acquisition advantage over both online consumer finance platforms and traditional financial institutions. This advantage is a function of both high quality traffic, in part through collaboration with 360 Group, as well as a data-driven technology infrastructure allowing us to precisely target borrowers and quickly and confidently arrive at an automated credit decision. This benefit has led to a 53.1% conversion rate since inception and through September 30, 2018.
Intuitive product and user experience
We have built a product, 360 Jietiao, to seamlessly match prime borrowers with funding partners. We offer a single product with transparent features and a simple interface to provide a straightforward and inviting user experience for borrowers and funding partners alike. We have taken this approach strategically, believing a single-product offering allows us to be uniquely focused on product development, earning the trust of our borrowers and funding partners alike. This serves as a critical step in establishing a platform for broader offerings and points of monetization, and materially differentiates us from the traditional financial institution experience which remains cumbersome and disjointed.
Market leading risk management and fraud prevention
The confidence and speed with which we can deliver a credit decision is determined by our risk management, particularly our fraud prevention infrastructure. The foundation of this infrastructure is a
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massive user data set accumulated in collaboration with 360 Group and incorporating social, behavioral and financial elements. Upon this foundation we apply various artificial intelligence tools while also drawing upon years of internet security expertise and experience from 360 Group, delivering an M3+ delinquency rate of 0.6% and a 0.2% loss rate due to fraudulent application as of September 30, 2018.
Distinct funding advantage
We have the benefit of a large, diverse and relatively low cost funding base across funding partners compared to other online consumer finance companies, according to Oliver Wyman. We offer our funding partners a distinct value proposition including access to an otherwise difficult-to-reach borrower base, above market realized returns of typically over 6.5% and an opportunity to cross-sell borrowers, enhancing the lifetime value of the borrower. This dynamic, in turn, draws steady funding supply to our platform in the form of both new funding partners and stronger funding support, which is important in controlling our cost of funds.
Rapid growth with long term operating leverage
We had 9.6 million users with an approved credit line over the 27 months since our inception, representing a compound quarterly growth rate of 90.5% from the fourth quarter of 2016 to the third quarter of 2018. This growth coupled with the operating leverage within our business model has allowed us to rapidly achieve profitability. We are able to scale our business so efficiently by maintaining low borrower acquisition costs and delinquency rates, a function of a deliberate growth strategy where we remain committed to sustainable unit economics. This disciplined approach to building our business will permit us to organically fund our growth strategy and expand our operating margins as we grow our borrower base.
Uniquely diverse management team
The collective experience of our management team is unprecedented in our industry. Our chairman of the board, Mr. Zhou, played critical roles in developing 360 Group's market leading internet security product and growing its one billion accumulated mobile device base as of the end of 2017. Our chief executive officer, Mr. Xu, has 17 years experience in the banking and financial services industries. Our president, Mr. Wu, has over ten years of experience overseeing internet product management and operations. Around this foundation, we have assembled a management team with a diversity of skills and experiences across technology, financial services, risk management, regulation and data science.
Our Growth Strategies
We have significant opportunities to expand our business. Our growth strategy focuses on the following efforts to continue to deliver value for our constituents and shift our use case from a supplement to a replacement for credit card debt:
Deepen our relationship with existing borrowers
We intend to enhance our relationships with existing borrowers who represent meaningful loan origination volume. Loan origination contributed by repeat borrowers represented 58.8% of our total loan origination volume for the third quarter of 2018. Our strategy is rooted in data, where increasingly detailed borrower profiles, including on-going repayment activity, are subject to ever more advanced analytical methods to improve our understanding of our borrowers' needs. When coupled with an evolving suite of loan products, we believe our platform will enable us to deepen our relationship with existing borrowers. As such, our goal is to encourage repeat borrowings where appropriate and set the
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stage for expanded borrower relationships as our product portfolio broadens outside of lending over time.
Broaden and diversify borrower acquisition channels
While we expect in the near term to continue collaborating with 360 Group, who has contributed to 22.7% of our accumulated borrowers as of September 30, 2018, we are at the same time expanding our referral partnership network. We have meaningful existing relationships with market leading referral partners through app stores, web feeds, search engine marketing and other third-party marketing channels. We are also experimenting with new referral partners through other channels where we have seen encouraging early results. Lastly, 8.4% of our new borrowers come from our borrower referral program cumulatively as of September 30, 2018.
Expand funding partners and diversity
We will expand our sources of funding, as we continue to receive significant interest from funding partners on the strength of the risk adjusted returns we facilitate and our association with 360 Group. We intend to diversify our institutional funding partner base, aiming to add two to three partners per quarter in the near term. We will continue to surround these partners with increasingly sophisticated technology tools, reinforcing our enablement model. At the same time, we will continue to evaluate our retail funding strategy based on market condition. In addition, we are experimenting with other funding sources, including but not limited to asset-based securities and off-shore funding upon our offering. We expect these initiatives will improve our funding stability and the stickiness of capital.
Expand product offerings
Our singular focus on 360 Jietiao has provided the expertise and trust to effectively broaden our product suite and introduce more scenario-based products. For our current product suite, we believe we can leverage our established infrastructure to provide borrowers using our platform with more tailored loan products, such as larger loans with longer tenors, more diversified payment schemes and customized pricing where a borrower can transparently control the interest rate by adjusting certain loan features. In addition, we will also launch more scenario-based products to capture various consumption needs of a larger borrower base. We believe this will attract a greater number of borrowers while also allowing our offering set to evolve alongside the consumer finance needs of our existing borrower base.
Continue to develop and deploy artificial intelligence and risk management
We continue to invest in artificial intelligence and view more extensive deployment as a means to grow our addressable market. We will continue to develop and apply artificial intelligence across all business functions, to achieve more efficient and precise borrower acquisition, more optimal risk management, and higher operational efficiency. For instance, the percentage of applicants for whom we are unable to approve due to lack of data has fallen as we have developed and applied artificial intelligence and other advanced analytical methods to our underwriting process. We expect continued investment will expand our approved application pool even further, while also helping to manage operating costs as we further implement automated borrower and collection services.
Opportunity to grow capital light origination model
We intend to develop a technology services offering for our funding partners under a capital and guarantee light model under which we assume no guarantee liability. We recently launched such an offering whereby we provide technology support and expertise to funding partners for a fixed or floating fee based on loan origination volumes, without retaining credit risk exposure associated with
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the loans. This model will allow us to diversify our revenue streams and reduce the capital intensity of our growth strategy over time. The proportion of new loan origination under such capital and guarantee light model has been increasing. In the third quarter of 2018, approximately 11.0% of loan originations were capital and guarantee light. We intend to further explore such capital light model in the future.
Our Challenges
Our ability to achieve our mission and execute our strategies is subject to risks and uncertainties, including those relating to our ability to:
In addition, we face risks and uncertainties related to our corporate structure and regulatory environment in China, including:
Please see "Risk Factors" and other information included in this prospectus for a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties that we face.
Recent Developments
We have achieved a healthy growth in the third quarter of 2018 against the challenging market backdrop in recent months. The following sets forth certain unaudited financial data for the three months ended September 30, 2018.
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The above unaudited financial information for the three months ended September 30, 2018 has not been audited by our independent registered public accounting firm. Although we have prepared these unaudited financial data on the same basis as our audited consolidated financial statements, we have not started the audit process of our 2018 financial results and it is possible that adjustments may be made to the above unaudited financial information. Furthermore, we continue to apply ASC 605 "Revenue Recognition" for the three months ended September 30, 2018, and we intend to adopt ASC 606 on the full retrospective approach in fiscal year 2019. Upon such an adoption of ASC 606, we expect that the total revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2018 would be RMB1,302.7 million (US$189.7 million) under ASC 606. Furthermore, our revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was RMB1.4 billion (US$0.2 billion), while upon such an adoption of ASC 606, we expect that the total revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 would be RMB2.9 billion (US$0.4 billion). As ASC 606 mainly addresses revenue recognition from contracts with customers, we expect the change in net income to be primarily driven by change in revenue.
We cannot assure you that our results for the three months ended September 30, 2018 will be indicative of our financial results for the full year ending December 31, 2018 or for future periods. Please refer to "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Risk Factors" included elsewhere in this prospectus for information regarding trends and other factors that may affect our results of operations.
In addition, from our inception to September 30, 2018, we had facilitated over RMB94.4 billion (US$14.3 billion) in loans to 6.4 million of our borrowers. The outstanding balance of our loans as of September 30, 2018 was RMB34.7 billion (US$5.2 billion).
Our Products
Our core product is an affordable, digital revolving line of credit allowing multiple loan drawdowns, with a convenient application process and flexible loan tenors.
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Our products target the large and growing Chinese population of young prime borrowers between 18 to 35 years old. Prime borrowers are often consumers with credit cards and PBOC records who are considered to carry low-risk profiles. They might lack access to sufficient credit lines, however, due to their unproven credit history because of their young age, the early stage of their professional career and a short record of stable income. The annual disposable income range of prime borrowers is between RMB25,000 to RMB50,000 and their average delinquency rate is around 2%. However, prime borrowers typically have credit cards with low credit limits as compared to developed market peers. According to Oliver Wyman, around 30% of credit card holders in China have a credit limit below RMB10,000 (US$1,511).
As of September 30, 2018, we had approved credit lines for 9.6 million users, 6.4 million borrowers had successfully utilized their credit lines and made drawdowns, and outstanding loan balance was RMB34.7 billion (US$5.2 billion). For the first nine months of 2018, the average amount of an approved credit line was RMB9,418 (US$1,423), the average single drawdown amount was RMB4,036 (US$609.9), and the average tenor of loans originated in this period was 8.6 months.
Our Business Model
We match leads to selected funding partners to help them reach prime borrowers in need of affordable and prompt credit solutions. Borrowers on our platform pay interests to our funding partners directly in most cases, and we in turn charge service fees from our funding partners for the technical service rendered, which we recognize as loan facilitation and post-origination service revenues. We also provide loans through the consolidated trusts and Fuzhou Microcredit and charge fees and interests from borrowers, which we define as financing income. Meanwhile, we started in 2017 to earn referral service income from referral partners by referring some applicants on our platform who do not fit our funding partners' risk appetite. For the six months ended June 30, 2018, our loan facilitation and post-origination service revenue, financing income, and referral service income were RMB452.7 million (US$68.4 million), RMB156.0 million (US$23.6 million) and RMB93.2 million (US$14.1 million), respectively.
The practice of online consumer finance industry has been continuously evolving, particularly as a result of regulation changes. Keeping in line with the market practice and in response to new legal requirements, we have also adjusted our collaboration with our institutional funding partners, for example:
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payment system service provider to split the total repayment amount to the portions that funding partners and us are each entitled to. We do not charge any fees from borrowers under the new payment flow model, and as of September 30, 2018 our collaboration with only three funding partners were not under the new payment flow model, which funded 8.6% of all our loan originations in September 2018.
We believe our new collaboration arrangements that we are adjusting to comply with the latest regulation in the industry, but we cannot assure you that governmental authorities will not interpret and apply the rules differently or more stringently. Furthermore, we may be subject to the penalties on our historical non-compliance. To the extent that any aspect of our products or services is found to be non-compliant with any requirements of the relevant PRC laws and regulations, we may need to further adjust our current practices within a short period of time, which may negatively affect our business. And the regulatory authorities may enforce penalties including business suspensions, compulsory enforcements, cancellation of qualifications or supervise the rectifications, confiscation of illegal income, fines of up to RMB1 million on aggregated basis, and, if the circumstances are extremely serious, revocation of business licenses or criminal liabilities.
In addition, delivering services through the internet in general is subject to a complicated regulatory regime in China and requires various licenses and permits from governmental authorities. Currently, we have not obtained the value-added telecommunication service license, or the VATS License, as the interpretation of such regulations and PRC regulatory authorities' enforcement of such regulations in the context of online consumer finance industry remains uncertain and it is unclear whether online consumer finance service providers like us are required to obtain any other kind of VATS licenses. We have not been subject to any penalties for the lack of such license. We will make best efforts to obtain such license when the interpretation and enforcement of the relevant regulations and the application process becomes clear, failure of which may lead to fines up to five times of the illegal income or RMB1 million, confiscation of income, or suspensions of business.
Corporate History and Structure
We started our operation in July 2016, when Beijing Qibutianxia incorporated Shanghai Qiyu. In March 2017, Fuzhou Microcredit was founded and later obtained the license to conduct online microcredit lending business. In June 2018, Fuzhou 360 Financing Guarantee Co., Ltd., or Fuzhou Financing Guarantee, was founded and obtained the license to provide financing guarantee services.
In April 2018, 360 Finance, Inc. was incorporated in the Cayman Islands as an offshore holding company to facilitate our financing and offshore listing. In May 2018, all shareholders of Beijing Qibutianxia adopted a unanimous resolution to reorganize for offshore listing and determine to spin off the online consumer finance service, microcredit lending as well as related financing guarantee businesses, which were hosted by Shanghai Qiyu, Fuzhou Microcredit and Fuzhou Financing Guarantee.
During the reorganization process we issued ordinary shares and preferred shares to the beneficial owners of Beijing Qibutianxia in exchange for the contribution of Shanghai Qiyu, Fuzhou Microcredit and Fuzhou Financing Guarantee. We in addition have incorporated a wholly-owned subsidiary, HK Qirui International Technology Company Limited, in Hong Kong. It has further incorporated a wholly-owned subsidiary in China, Shanghai Qiyue Information Technology Co., Ltd., which is referred to as our WFOE in this prospectus. Our WFOE has entered into a series of contractual arrangements with Shanghai Qiyu, Fuzhou Microcredit, and Fuzhou Financing Guarantee, which three entities we collectively refer to as our VIEs in this prospectus, and their respective record shareholders. These contractual arrangements enable us to exercise effective control over our VIEs; receive substantially all of the economic benefits of our VIEs; and have an exclusive option to purchase all or part of the equity interests in and assets of them when and to the extent permitted by PRC law. For risks and
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uncertainties associated with this structure, please see "Risk FactorsRisks Related to Our Corporate Structure."
As a result of our direct ownership in our WFOE and the contractual arrangements with our VIEs, we will be regarded as the primary beneficiary of our VIEs, and may treat them as our consolidated affiliated entities under U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, we will be able to consolidate the financial results of our VIEs in our combined and consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
Immediately prior to the completion of this offering, our ordinary shares will consist of class A ordinary shares and class B ordinary shares. Based on our post-offering dual-class share structure, holders of class A ordinary shares will be entitled to one vote per share in respect of matters requiring the votes of shareholders, while holders of class B ordinary shares will be entitled to twenty votes per share. The sole holder of our class B ordinary shares immediately after the completion of this offering, Mr. Zhou Hongyi, will beneficially own % of the aggregate voting power of our company immediately after the completion of this offering and have considerable influence over matters such as electing directors and approving mergers, acquisitions or other business combination transactions. Furthermore, given our post-offering dual-class shares structure, Mr. Zhou will have the ability to control the outcome of all corporate governance matters so long as he holds at least 4.8% of our total issued and outstanding share capital in class B ordinary shares.
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The following diagram illustrates our corporate structure, including our subsidiaries and our VIEs:
The chart below sets forth the shareholding structure of 360 Finance, Inc. immediately after this offering, with voting power percentages shown in brackets next to each shareholder's shareholding percentages, assuming that the underwriters will not exercise their over-allotment option:
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Implication of Being an Emerging Growth Company, a Foreign Private Issuer and a Controlled Company
As a company with less than US$1.07 billion in revenue for our last fiscal year, we qualify as an "emerging growth company" pursuant to the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, as amended, or the JOBS Act. An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting and other requirements compared to those that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These provisions include exemption from the auditor attestation requirement under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 in the assessment of the emerging growth company's internal control over financial reporting. The JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company does not need to comply with any new or revised financial accounting standards until such date that a private company is otherwise required to comply with such new or revised accounting standards. We do not plan to "opt out" of such exemptions afforded to an emerging growth company.
We will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest of (a) the last day of the fiscal year during which we have total annual gross revenues of at least US$1.07 billion; (b) the last day of our fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the completion of this offering; (c) the date on which we have, during the preceding three-year period, issued more than US$1.0 billion in non-convertible debt; or (d) the date on which we are deemed to be a "large accelerated filer" under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, which would occur if the market value of our ADSs that are held by non-affiliates exceeds US$700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter. Once we cease to be an emerging growth company, we will not be entitled to the exemptions provided in the JOBS Act discussed above.
We are a foreign private issuer within the meaning of the rules under the Exchange Act, and as such we are exempt from certain provisions of the securities rules and regulations in the United States that are applicable to U.S. domestic issuers. Moreover, the information we are required to file with or furnish to the SEC will be less extensive and less timely compared to that required to be filed with the SEC by U.S. domestic issuers. In addition, as an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands, we are permitted to adopt certain home country practices in relation to corporate governance matters that differ significantly from the New York Stock Exchange corporate governance listing standards. These practices may afford less protection to shareholders than they would enjoy if we complied fully with the New York Stock Exchange corporate governance listing standards.
Upon the completion of this offering, our issued and outstanding share capital will consist of class A ordinary shares and class B ordinary shares, and we will be a "controlled company" as defined under the New York Stock Exchange Rules because Mr. Hongyi Zhou, the chairman of our board of directors, will beneficially own all of our then issued and outstanding class B ordinary shares and will be able to exercise % of our total voting power assuming the underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option, or % of our total voting power if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full. Under the New York Stock Exchange Rules, a "controlled company" may elect not to comply with certain corporate governance requirements. Currently, we do not plan to utilize the "controlled company" exemptions with respect to our corporate governance practice after we complete this offering.
Corporate Information
Our principal executive offices are located at China Diamond Exchange Center, Building B, No. 555 Pudian Road, No. 1701 Century Avenue, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 200122, People's Republic of China. Our telephone number at this address is +86 21 6151-6360. Our registered office in the Cayman Islands is located at PO Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands.
13
Investors should submit any inquiries to the address and telephone number of our principal executive offices. Our main website is www.360jie.com.cn . The information contained on our website is not a part of this prospectus. Our agent for service of process in the United States is Cogency Global Inc., located at 10 E. 40 Street, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10016.
Conventions that Apply to this Prospectus
Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus to:
Unless the context indicates otherwise, all information in this prospectus assumes no exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option.
In addition, unless the context indicates otherwise, for the discussion of our business reference in this prospectus to:
14
15
Offering price |
We currently estimate that the initial public offering price will be between US$ and US$ per ADS. |
|
ADSs offered by us |
ADSs (or ADSs if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full). |
|
ADSs outstanding immediately after this offering |
ADSs (or ADSs if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full) |
|
|
Among all of our shareholders immediately after this offering, investors participating in this offering will hold % of our ownership interests with % voting interests. |
|
Ordinary shares issued and outstanding immediately after this offering |
ordinary shares, comprised of class A ordinary shares and 39,820,586 class B ordinary shares(or ordinary shares if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full, comprised of class A ordinary shares and 39,820,586 class B ordinary shares). |
|
The ADSs |
Each ADS represents class A ordinary shares, par value US$0.00001 per share. |
|
|
The depositary will hold class A ordinary shares underlying your ADSs. You will have rights as provided in the deposit agreement among us, the depositary and holders and beneficial owners of ADSs from time to time. |
|
|
We have not yet adopted a dividend policy with respect to future dividends. If, however, we declare dividends on our class A ordinary shares, the depositary will pay you the cash dividends and other distributions it receives on our class A ordinary shares after deducting its fees and expenses in accordance with the terms set forth in the deposit agreement. |
|
|
You may surrender your ADSs to the depositary in exchange for class A ordinary shares. The depositary will charge you fees for any exchange. |
|
|
We and the depositary may amend the deposit agreement without your consent. If you continue to hold your ADSs after an amendment to the deposit agreement, you agree to be bound by the deposit agreement as amended. |
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|
To better understand the terms of the ADSs, you should carefully read the "Description of American Depositary Shares" section of this prospectus. You should also read the deposit agreement, which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement that includes this prospectus. |
16
Over-allotment option |
We have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable within 30 days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to an aggregate of additional ADSs at the initial public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions. |
|
Use of proceeds |
We expect that we will receive net proceeds of approximately US$ million from this offering, assuming an initial public offering price of US$ per ADS, which is the midpoint of the estimated range of the initial public offering price, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. |
|
|
We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purpose. See "Use of Proceeds" for more information. |
|
Lock-up |
[We, our directors, executive officers, and all of our existing shareholders] have agreed with the underwriters not to sell, transfer or dispose of any ADSs, ordinary shares or similar securities for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus. subject to certain exceptions. In addition, we will not authorize or permit The Bank of New York Mellon, as depositary, to accept any deposit of any ordinary shares or issue any ADSs for 180 days after the date of this prospectus unless we expressly consent to such deposit or issuance and we have agreed not to provide such consent without the prior written consent of the representatives on behalf of the underwriters. See "Shares Eligible for Future Sale" and "Underwriting." |
|
Directed ADS Program |
At our request, the underwriters have reserved for sale, at the initial public offering price, up to an aggregate of ADSs offered in this offering to some of our directors, officers, employees, business associates and related persons through a directed ADS program. We do not know if these individuals will choose to purchase all or any portion of these reserved ADSs, but any purchases they do make will reduce the number of ADSs that are available to the general public. Any reserved ADSs that are not so purchased will be offered by the underwriters to the general public on the same terms as the other ADSs offered by this prospectus. Certain participants may be subject to the lock-up agreements as described in "UnderwritingDirected ADS Program" elsewhere in this prospectus. |
|
Listing |
We have applied to have the ADSs listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "QFIN" Our ADSs and shares will not be listed on any other stock exchange or traded on any automated quotation system. |
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Payment and settlement |
The underwriters expect to deliver the ADSs against payment therefor through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company on , 2018. |
|
Depositary |
The Bank of New York Mellon. |
17
Summary Combined and Consolidated Financial and Operating Data
The following summary combined and consolidated statements of operations data for the period from July 25, 2016, or the inception date, to December 31, 2016 and the year ended December 31, 2017, summary combined and consolidated balance sheets data as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and summary combined and consolidated cash flow data for the period from the inception date to December 31, 2016 and the year ended December 31, 2017 have been derived from our audited combined and consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The summary combined and consolidated statements of operations data for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2018, the summary combined and consolidated balance sheet data as of June 30, 2018 and summary combined and consolidated cash flow data for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2018 are derived from our unaudited condensed combined and consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. We have prepared the unaudited condensed combined and consolidated financial statements on the same basis as our audited combined and consolidated financial statements. Our combined and consolidated financial statements are prepared and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or U.S. GAAP. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of results expected for future periods. You should read this Summary Combined and Consolidated Financial and Operating Data section together with our
18
combined and consolidated financial statements and the related notes and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included elsewhere in this prospectus.
|
Period from the
inception date to December 31, |
For the year ended
December 31, |
For the six months ended
June 30, |
||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2016 | 2017 | 2017 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
US$
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
US$
|
|||||||||||||
|
(in thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||||
Summary Combined and Consolidated Statements of Operations Data: |
|||||||||||||||||||
Net revenue |
|||||||||||||||||||
Revenue from loan facilitation services |
42 | 117,780 | 17,799 | 7,713 | 316,901 | 47,891 | |||||||||||||
Revenue from post-origination services |
18 | 50,478 | 7,628 | 3,305 | 135,815 | 20,525 | |||||||||||||
Financing income |
| 50,966 | 7,702 | 109 | 156,011 | 23,577 | |||||||||||||
Other service fee revenues |
| 89,828 | 13,575 | 1,152 | 134,213 | 20,283 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total net revenue |
60 | 309,052 | 46,704 | 12,279 | 742,940 | 112,276 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating costs and expenses (1) : |
|||||||||||||||||||
Origination and servicing |
13,178 | 136,106 | 20,569 | 36,163 | 328,649 | 49,667 | |||||||||||||
Sales and marketing |
1,605 | 345,576 | 52,225 | 42,815 | 603,234 | 91,163 | |||||||||||||
General and administrative |
15,410 | 46,004 | 6,952 | 26,188 | 398,348 | 60,200 | |||||||||||||
Provision for loans receivable |
| 12,406 | 1,875 | | 24,655 | 3,726 | |||||||||||||
Provision for financial assets receivable |
593 | 90 | |||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total operating costs and expenses |
30,193 | 540,092 | 81,621 | 105,166 | 1,355,479 | 204,846 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss from operations |
(30,133 | ) | (231,040 | ) | (34,917 | ) | (92,887 | ) | (612,539 | ) | (92,570 | ) | |||||||
Interest income |
3 | 2,421 | 366 | 950 | 3,584 | 542 | |||||||||||||
Other income (loss), net |
| 22 | 3 | (4 | ) | 1,675 | 253 | ||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss before provision for income taxes |
(30,130 | ) | (228,597 | ) | (34,548 | ) | (91,941 | ) | (607,280 | ) | (91,775 | ) | |||||||
Income taxes benefit |
8,297 | 62,232 | 9,405 | 24,656 | 35,264 | 5,329 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss |
(21,833 | ) | (166,365 | ) | (25,143 | ) | (67,285 | ) | (572,016 | ) | (86,446 | ) | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss per ordinary share attributable to ordinary shareholders of 360 Finance, Inc |
|||||||||||||||||||
Basic |
(0.11 | ) | (0.84 | ) | (0.13 | ) | (0.34 | ) | (2.88 | ) | (0.44 | ) | |||||||
Diluted |
(0.11 | ) | (0.84 | ) | (0.13 | ) | (0.34 | ) | (2.88 | ) | (0.44 | ) | |||||||
Weighted average shares used in calculating net loss per ordinary share |
|||||||||||||||||||
Basic |
198,347,168 | 198,347,168 | 198,347,168 | 198,347,168 | 198,347,168 | 198,347,168 | |||||||||||||
Diluted |
198,347,168 | 198,347,168 | 198,347,168 | 198,347,168 | 198,347,168 | 198,347,168 |
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The following table presents our summary combined and consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and June 30, 2018:
|
As of December 31, | As of June 30, | ||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2016 | 2017 | 2018 | |||||||||||||
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
US$
|
RMB
|
US$
|
|||||||||||
|
(in thousands)
|
|||||||||||||||
Summary Combined and Consolidated Balance Sheets Data: |
||||||||||||||||
Current assets: |
||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
6,173 | 468,547 | 70,807 | 457,033 | 69,068 | |||||||||||
Restricted cash |
| 487,882 | 73,730 | 594,393 | 89,827 | |||||||||||
Financial assets receivable, net (net of allowance of RMB nil as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, and RMB593 as of June 30, 2018, respectively) |
5,399 | 140,356 | 21,211 | 352,396 | 53,255 | |||||||||||
Loans receivable, net |
| 1,192,307 | 180,186 | 1,343,087 | 202,972 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total current assets |
79,032 | 2,560,697 | 386,982 | 3,069,846 | 463,926 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total non-current assets |
10,487 | 192,575 | 29,103 | 477,399 | 72,146 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total assets |
89,519 | 2,753,272 | 416,085 | 3,547,245 | 536,072 | |||||||||||
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current liabilities: |
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Payable to investors of the consolidated trusts |
| 536,906 | 81,139 | 552,662 | 83,520 | |||||||||||
Guarantee liabilities |
5,768 | 300,942 | 45,479 | 734,198 | 110,955 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total current liabilities: |
111,352 | 2,351,470 | 355,363 | 3,151,452 | 476,258 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total shareholder's (deficit) equity |
(21,833 | ) | 401,802 | 60,722 | 395,793 | 59,814 | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total liabilities and equity |
89,519 | 2,753,272 | 416,085 | 3,547,245 | 536,072 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The following table presents our summary combined and consolidated cash flow data for the period from the inception date to December 31, 2016, the year ended December 31, 2017 and the six months ended June 30, 2018:
|
Period from the
inception date to December 31, |
For the year ended
December 31, |
For the six months ended
June 30, |
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---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2016 | 2017 | 2017 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
US$
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
US$
|
|||||||||||||
|
(in thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||||
Summary Combined and Consolidated Cash Flow Data: |
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Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities |
(68,486 | ) | (110,974 | ) | (16,773 | ) | (273,711 | ) | 215,202 | 32,525 | |||||||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(2,391 | ) | (1,204,269 | ) | (181,993 | ) | (11,248 | ) | (135,635 | ) | (20,498 | ) | |||||||
Net cash provided by financing activities |
77,050 | 2,265,499 | 342,370 | 431,341 | 15,430 | 2,331 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents |
6,173 | 950,256 | 143,604 | 146,382 | 94,997 | 14,358 | |||||||||||||
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at the beginning of year/period |
| 6,173 | 933 | 6,173 | 956,429 | 144,537 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at the end of year/period |
6,173 | 956,429 | 144,537 | 152,555 | 1,051,426 | 158,895 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
20
The following table presents certain of our operating data for the periods or as of the dates indicated:
|
For the three months ended/As of |
|
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|
December 31,
2016 |
March 31,
2017 |
June 30,
2017 |
September 31,
2017 |
December 31,
2017 |
March 31,
2018 |
June 30,
2018 |
September 30,
2018 |
Compound
quarterly growth rate |
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Loan |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loan origination volume (RMB million) |
433 | 2,706 | 5,123 | 10,399 | 12,764 | 14,773 | 21,277 | 26,925 | 80.4 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Outstanding loan balance (RMB million) |
321 | 1,798 | 3,932 | 8,160 | 12,202 | 17,413 | 26,452 | 34,661 | 95.2 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Repeat borrower contribution |
25.5 | % | 40.8 | % | 52.2 | % | 52.1 | % | 58.9 | % | 54.3 | % | 51.8 | % | 58.8 | % | N/A | |||||||||||
Users/Borrowers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Users with approved credit lines ('000) |
106 | 527 | 1,132 | 2,258 | 3,299 | 4,653 | 7,164 | 9,644 | 90.5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Cumulative borrowers with successful drawdown, including repetitive borrowers ('000) |
56 | 327 | 748 | 1,538 | 2,286 | 3,158 | 4,694 | 6,444 | 97.0 | % |
Non-GAAP Measures
We use adjusted net loss, a non-GAAP financial measure, in evaluating our operating results and for financial and operational decision-making purposes. Adjusted net loss represents net loss excluding share-based compensation expenses, and such adjustment has no impact on income tax.
We believe that adjusted net loss helps identify underlying trends in our business that could otherwise be distorted by the effect of certain expenses that we include in net loss. We believe that adjusted net loss provides useful information about our operating results, enhance the overall understanding of our past performance and future prospects and allow for greater visibility with respect to key metrics used by our management in its financial and operational decision-making.
Adjusted net loss should not be considered in isolation or construed as an alternative to net loss or any other measure of performance or as an indicator of our operating performance. Investors are encouraged to review the historical non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures. Adjusted net loss presented here may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. Other companies may calculate similarly titled measures differently, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures to our data. We encourage investors and others to review our financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.
The table below sets forth a reconciliation of our adjusted net loss to net loss for the periods indicated.
|
Period from the
inception date to December 31, |
For the year ended
December 31, |
For the six months ended
June 30, |
||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2016 | 2017 | 2017 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
USD
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
US$
|
|||||||||||||
|
(in thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||||
Net loss |
(21,833 | ) | (166,365 | ) | (25,143 | ) | (67,285 | ) | (572,016 | ) | (86,446 | ) | |||||||
Add: |
|||||||||||||||||||
Share-based compensation expenses (net of tax effect of nil) |
| | | | 466,007 | 70,425 | |||||||||||||
Adjusted net loss |
(21,833 | ) | (166,365 | ) | (25,143 | ) | (67,285 | ) | (106,009 | ) | (16,021 | ) |
21
An investment in our ADSs involves significant risks. You should consider carefully all of the information in this prospectus, including the risks and uncertainties described below, before making an investment in our ADSs. Any of the following risks could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial may also materially and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to pay dividends, and you may lose all or part of your investment.
Risks Related to Our Business and Industry
We have a limited operating history, which makes it difficult to evaluate our future prospects.
We launched our online consumer finance business in September 2016 and only have a limited operating history. Members of our management team have been working together only for a short period of time and are still in the running-in period. They may still be in the process of exploring approaches to running our company and reaching consensus among themselves, which may affect the efficiency and results of our operation.
We have limited experience in most aspects of our business operation, such as credit product offerings, credit assessment and the development of long-term relationships with borrowers, institutional funding partners, and other business partners. In addition, we have limited experience in serving our current target borrower base. As our business develops or in response to competition, we may continue to introduce new products, make adjustments to our existing products, or make adjustments to our business operation in general. We will also seek to expand the base of prospective borrowers on our platform, which may result in higher delinquency rate of transactions originated by us. Any significant change to our business model not achieving expected results may have a material and adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations. It is therefore difficult to effectively assess our future prospects.
The online consumer finance industry is new and rapidly evolving, which makes it difficult to effectively assess our future prospects.
The online consumer finance industry in the PRC is new and in developing stage. The regulatory framework for this market is also evolving and may remain uncertain for the foreseeable future. See "The laws and regulations governing the online consumer finance industry and online microcredit companies in China are developing and evolving rapidly. If any of our business practices are deemed to violate any PRC laws or regulations, our business, financial condition and results of operations would be materially and adversely affected."
Furthermore, the online consumer finance industry has not witnessed a full credit cycle. The market players in the industry, including us, are inexperienced in responding to the change of market situations effectively and keep the growth of business steadily when the industry enters a different stage. We may not be able to sustain our historical growth rate in the future.
You should consider our business and prospects in light of the risks and challenges we encounter or may encounter given the rapidly-evolving market in which we operate and our limited operating history. These risks and challenges include our ability to, among other things:
22
We rely on 360 Group as an essential source of user traffic and technology support. If the user traffic or other services provided by 360 Group become limited, restricted, curtailed, less effective or more expensive in any way, or become unavailable to us for any reason, or we cannot benefit from the brand recognition of 360 Group as we do, our business may be materially and adversely affected.
We have established a strategic partnership with 360 Group, one of our affiliates, and we collaborate across multiple areas of our business. This strategic partnership has contributed to the significant growth of our revenue, particularly in early stage of our business, and we believe that it will continue to contribute to the growth of our revenue. We have entered into a framework collaboration agreement with 360 Group, setting out the terms of collaboration, especially as if relates to research and development, user traffic support, and trademark licensing. See "Related Party TransactionsTransactions with 360 Group." However, we cannot assure you that we will continue to receive the same level of support from 360 Group of the same or more favorable terms and conditions, or renew our collaboration agreements at all, upon expiration of the agreement terms. As 360 Group is a public company listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange of China, it is subject to relevant PRC regulations and exchange rules, which may impact its ability to collaborate with us pursuant to the terms we desire.
We are the finance partner of 360 Group and we benefit from authorization by 360 Group to use its brand. We believe 360 Group's strong brand recognition and wide adoption in China assist certain of our core capabilities, such as borrower acquisition and cooperative relationship with our partners. However, we cannot assure you that 360 Group will continue to authorize us to use its brand. If we are not allowed to use 360 Group's brand or 360 Group's brand recognition deteriorates, the results of our business operation and financial condition may be materially and adversely impacted. Furthermore, as we are the finance partner of 360 Group, any malicious or negative allegations about 360 Group may adversely impact our business.
Our research and development also benefit from the collaboration with 360 Group in developing our proprietary technologies. We cannot assure you that 360 Group will continue to work with us to develop our technologies. If 360 Group ceases to collaborate with us or if such collaboration becomes less effective, our competition edge on the technology may be materially and adversely impacted.
Our collaboration with 360 Group also extends to brand building and marketing. From our inception and up to September 30, 2018, 360 Group contributed 22.7% of our cumulative borrowers. Additionally we collaborate with 360 Group to conduct targeted marketing through various other marketing channels, such as app stores and search engines. 360 Group's brand recognition helps us
23
maintain a cooperative relationship with our marketing channel partners, and any deterioration to 360 Group's brand may adversely impact our marketing efforts. In addition, some of trademarks we use such as "360 Jietiao" are owned by 360 Group. The framework collaboration agreement entered by and between us and 360 Group contains a licensing clause which enables us to use the trademarks we need within the term of the framework collaboration agreement. However, we cannot assure you that 360 Group will continue to authorize us to use the trademarks, and if they do not, our business may be materially and adversely impacted.
The laws and regulations governing the online consumer finance industry and online microcredit companies in China are developing and evolving rapidly. If any of our business practices are deemed to violate any PRC laws or regulations, our business, financial condition and results of operations would be materially and adversely affected.
Due to the relatively short history of the online consumer finance industry in China, the PRC government has yet to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework governing our industry. Recent legislations that have significant impact on the industry include: the Guidelines on Promoting the Healthy Development of Internet Finance Industry, or the Fintech Guidelines, the Implementation Plan for the Special Rectification of Internet Financial Risk, the Notice on the Implementation of Check and Rectification of Cash Loan Business and a supplementary notice, or the Notices on Cash Loans, and the Notice on Regulating and Rectifying "Cash Loan" Business, or Circular 141, and the Online Lending Rectification Office issued the Implementation Plan of Specific Rectification for Risks in Microcredit Companies conducting Online Microcredit Business, or Circular 56, which further details the requirements on online microcredit companies.
We focus on complying with relevant laws, regulations and government policies applicable to our business practice in the PRC, while we are still subject to noncompliance risk since the rules and regulations are general and yet to be further interpreted or supplemented.
Circular 141 specifies that the business of "cash loan" which is characterized by the lack of specific consumption scenarios, designated purposes, targeted users and collateral may be subject to inspection and rectification. We do not believe any of the loans originated through our platform are prohibited under Circular 141, as they do not have all of the four characteristics of cash loans or engage in issuing of excessive borrowing, granting credits repeatedly of individual borrowers, collecting abnormally high interest rate and violating privacy as defined under Circular 141. However, in the absence of authoritative interpretation of the key requirements or characteristics of cash loan, especially whether the definition of cash loan requires all the four characteristics or just any of the four characteristics, we cannot assure you that our existing practices would not be deemed to violate any relevant laws, rules and regulations that are applicable to our business practices. We may be required to cease or modify any such "cash loans" to comply with Circular 141 and any other future laws and regulations, which may materially and adversely affect our business and prospects.
In addition, Circular 141 further stipulates that a banking financial institution that offers cash loans through loan facilitation is prohibited from (i) accepting credit enhancement or other similar services from third parties that lack requisite licenses to provide guarantees; (ii) outsourcing credit assessment, risk control and other key functions to a loan facilitation operator; and (iii) allowing the loan facilitation operator to charge any interest or fees from the borrower. If a financial institution violates the aforementioned rules and provisions, the regulatory authorities may enforce business suspensions, compulsory enforcements, cancellation of qualifications or supervise the rectifications. If the circumstances are extremely serious, such financial institution's business license may be cancelled. For a discussion of Circular 141, please see "RegulationsRegulation on Online Finance Services IndustryRegulations on the Business of Cash Loans."
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Before the promulgation of the Circular 141, we followed the market practice in drafting agreements used in our loan originations. In response to certain requirements under the Circular 141, we have made several adjustments to our collaboration model with certain institutional funding partners. However, we may still be deemed to violate the Circular 141 or other relevant rules in the following aspects of our business:
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loans has already been paid to the lender voluntarily, and so long as such payments have not damaged the interest of the state, the community and any third party, the courts will turn down the borrower's request to demand the return of the excess interest payments, and (ii) if the annual interest rate of a private loan is higher than 36%, the agreement on the excess part of the interest is invalid, and if the borrower requests the lender to return the part of interest exceeding 36% of the annual interest that has been paid, the courts will support such requests. See also "RegulationsRegulation on Online Finance Services IndustryRegulations on private lending."
With respect to our practices described above, since Circular 141 has no retrospective effect on the loan facilitation business conducted prior to the issuance of Circular 141, as advised by our PRC legal counsel we believe that loans we originated prior to the issuance of Circular 141 or under our existing collaboration agreements executed prior to the issuance of Circular 141 are not subject to Circular 141. However, we cannot rule out the possibility that the government authorities would still consider our business practices described above to be in violation of Circular 141 and there can be no assurance that the PRC governmental authorities will ultimately take a view that is consistent with our PRC legal counsel. To the extent that any aspect of our products or services is deemed to be non-compliant with any requirements of the relevant PRC laws and regulations, we may need to further adjust our current practices within a limited time period and, as a result, our business operations may be negatively impacted.
Any new changes to, or new interpretations of, the existing regulations on the online consumer finance industry may discourage our funding partners to fund the loans through our platform. If our funding partners cease to fund the loans, either on a temporary basis so as to better clarify the new regulatory environment, or on a permanent basis for non-compliance concerns, our operation will be adversely impacted. If fewer financial institutions are willing to fund the loans, the competition on the funding may become more intense, and the cost of funding may increase, which may adversely impact our results of operation.
In addition, we may be required to make significant changes to our operations from time to time in order to comply with the changes in laws, regulations and policies, which may increase our cost of operation, limits our options of products offering or even change our business model fundamentally. For example, the current rules and regulations prohibit a bank from outsourcing credit assessment, risk control and other key functions to a loan facilitation service provider. At present, although the collaboration agreements between us and banks stipulate that we only provide assistance and support regarding risk assessment and early-stage filtering of drawdown applications to the banks and banks still make the final credit decision, we cannot ensure that the authorities will have the same view. Meanwhile, our risk management assistance to banks mainly depends on the evaluation of information regarding personal credit status, which may be deemed as the "data-driven risk management model," a model the regulations such as Circular 141 demands to be adopted with care and caution. If such assistance is prohibited, it may affect the subsequent collaboration between us and our institutional funding partners. If we are prohibited from conducting our credit assessment, our operation will be adversely affected.
Furthermore, from time to time, we may need additional licenses to operate our business. Failure to obtain, renew, or retain requisite licenses, permits or approvals may adversely affect our ability to conduct or expand our business.
We are subject to credit cycle and the risk of deterioration of credit profiles of borrowers.
Our business is subject to credit cycle associated with the volatility of the general economy. If economic conditions deteriorate, we may face an increased risk of default or delinquency of borrowers, which will result in lower returns or even losses. In the event that the creditworthiness of our borrowers
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deteriorates or we cannot track the deterioration of their creditworthiness, the criteria we use for the analysis of borrower credit profiles may be rendered inaccurate, and our risk management system may be subsequently rendered ineffective. This in turn may lead to higher default rates and adversely impact our result of operations.
In addition, any deterioration in our borrowers' creditworthiness, or any increase in our delinquency rate will also discourage our funding partners from cooperating with us. If our funding partners choose to adopt a tight credit approval and drawdown funding policy during a specific period, our ability to secure funding during such period will be materially restricted, and our results of operation will be adversely impacted.
Fraudulent activity on our platform could negatively impact our operating results, brand and reputation and cause the use of our loan products and services to decrease.
We are subject to the risk of fraudulent activity associated with borrowers and parties handling borrower or institutional funding partner information. Our resources, technologies and fraud detection tools may be insufficient to accurately detect and prevent fraud. Even if we identify a fraudulent borrower and reject her credit application, such borrower may re-apply by using fraudulent information. We may fail to identify such behavior, despite our measures to verify personal identification information provided by borrowers. Furthermore, we may not be able to recoup funds underlying transactions made in connection with fraudulent activities. A significant increase in fraudulent activities could negatively impact our brands and reputation, discourage funding partners from collaborating with us, reduce the number of transactions originated to borrowers and lead us to take additional steps to reduce fraud risk, which could increase our costs. High profile fraudulent activity could even lead to regulatory intervention and may divert our management's attention and cause us to incur additional expenses and costs. Although we have not experienced any material business or reputational harm as a result of fraudulent activities in the past, we cannot rule out the possibility that fraudulent activities may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations in the future.
We rely on our proprietary risk management model in assessing the creditworthiness of our borrowers and the risks associated with loans. If our model is flawed or ineffective, or if we otherwise fail or are perceived to fail to manage the default risks of loans originated through our platform, our reputation and market share would be materially and adversely affected, which would severely impact our business and results of operations.
Our ability to attract borrowers to, and build trust in, our platform is significantly dependent on our ability to effectively evaluate borrowers' credit profiles and the likelihood of default. To conduct this evaluation, we utilize our Argus RM Model, which is built based on massive data collected through various channels and strengthened by our sophisticated artificial intelligence and advanced machine learning techniques. Upon the data aggregation, our system converts the originally unstructured data into structured data using machine learning techniques and applies them to our anti-fraud and credit assessment models. See "BusinessRisk Management."
Our Argus RM Model, though well-tuned through our manual structuring and machine learning, may still be flawed or ineffective to process the immense data and provide an accurate report. It may not adjust itself to the changes in the data patterns or the changes to the major economy background. It may be breached, manipulated or otherwise compromised.
If any of the foregoing were to occur in the future, our funding partners may try to rescind their affected investments or decide not to invest in loans, or borrowers may seek to revise the terms of their loans or reduce the use of our platform for financing, and our reputation and market share would be materially and adversely affected, which would severely impact our business and results of operations.
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Meanwhile, as our Argus RM Model becomes more and more familiar to the public and the fraudulent borrowers become better and better educated regarding the industry practice, it is possible that despite the iterative development of our anti-fraud and credit-scoring algorism, our model becomes outdated and ineffective to detect new fraud schemes or make accurate credit assessments. If that happens, our ability to control our delinquency rate will become substantially limited, which will adversely impact our operation and financial status.
We rely on our risk management team to establish and execute our risk management policies. If our risk management team or key members of such team were unable or unwilling to continue in their present positions, our business may be severely disrupted.
We rely on our risk management team to continuously iterate and train our Argus RM Model, which is the center of the establishment and execution of our risk management policies. Although our Argus RM Model is equipped with machine learning capability and conducts self-learning and self-development all based on the data we have, we still rely on our risk management team to spot and fix potential errors and flaws in our Argus RM Model. Meanwhile, the consumer finance market changes fast and we may need to adjust our risk management principles from time to time to control our loss rate while securing a stable increase in our borrowers and satisfying returns for our funding partners. We rely on our risk management team to closely monitor the change in the market and update our risk management principles accordingly, which will be then used to train our Argus RM Model. If our risk management team or key members of such team were unable or unwilling to continue in their present positions, we may have to incur additional time and monetary cost to find a replacement to our risk management team that fits us, and our result of business operation and financial status may be adversely and severely impacted.
Credit and other information that we receive from third parties about borrowers may be inaccurate or may not accurately reflect the borrower's creditworthiness, which may compromise the accuracy of our credit assessment.
For the purpose of credit assessment, we obtain from prospective borrowers and third parties certain information of the prospective borrowers, which may not be complete, accurate or reliable. The credit score assigned to a borrower may not reflect that particular borrower's actual creditworthiness because the credit score may be based on outdated, incomplete or inaccurate borrower information. We currently cannot determine for sure whether borrowers have outstanding loans through other online platforms at the time they obtain a loan from us even though we adopt certain investigation measures. This creates the risk that a borrower may borrow money through our platform in order to pay off loans on other online platforms and vice versa. If a borrower incurs additional debt before fully repaying any loan such borrower takes out on our platform, the additional debt may impair the ability of that borrower to make repayments on her loan. In addition, the additional debt may adversely affect the borrower's creditworthiness generally and could result in the financial distress or insolvency of the borrower. Meanwhile, if the price of the quality data on which we run our algorithms increases, we may not get access to the quality information at the same cost in the future. We may be forced to run our algorithms on fewer quality data, iterate our algorithms or pay more for quality information in the future, each adversely affecting our result of the operation.
If we fail to promote and maintain our brand in an effective and cost-efficient way, our business and results of operations may be harmed.
The consumer finance industry is still new to the borrowers in China. Prospective borrowers may not be familiar with this market and may have difficulty distinguishing our products from those of our competitors. Convincing prospective borrowers of the value of our products is critical to increasing the number of transactions for borrowers and to the success of our business. We believe that developing
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and maintaining awareness of our brand effectively is critical to attracting and retaining borrowers. This, in turn, depends largely on the effectiveness of our borrower acquisition strategy, our marketing efforts, our collaboration with funding partners and the success of the channels we use to promote our platform. If any of our current borrower acquisition strategies or marketing channels become less effective, more costly or no longer feasible, we may not be able to attract new borrowers in a cost-effective manner or convert potential borrowers into active borrowers.
Our collaboration with market-leading channel partners is essential to our borrower acquisition efforts. If such collaboration ceases or becomes less effective, for reasons attribute either to us or to our channel partners, we may face instant borrower acquisition pressure, and may need to incur additional cost to replace such partners for borrower acquisition, if we could replace them at all. Besides, if some of our channel partners were acquired or controlled by the competitors of 360 Group, our collaboration with such channel partners may be limited or severely and adversely impacted. We may not find new partners to replace our original ones.
Our efforts to build our brand have caused us to incur expenses, and it is likely that our future marketing efforts will require us to incur additional expenses. These efforts may not result in increased operating revenue in the immediate future or any increases at all, and even if they do, any increases in operating revenue may not offset the expenses incurred. If we fail to successfully promote and maintain our brand while incurring additional expenses, our results of operations and financial condition would be adversely affected, and our ability to grow our business may be impaired.
If we are unable to maintain or increase the volume of loan originated through our platform or if we are unable to retain existing borrowers or attract new borrowers, or if we fail to meet the financial needs of our borrowers as they evolve and are therefore unable to capture their long-term growth potential, our business and results of operations will be adversely affected.
The volume of loan originations through our platform has grown rapidly since our inception. The total amount of loans originated through our platform was RMB94.4 billion (US$14.3 billion) as of September 30, 2018, which increased from RMB436 million for the four months in 2016 after our inception. To maintain the high growth momentum of our platform, we must continuously increase the volume of loan originations by retaining current borrowers and attracting more borrowers. We intend to continue to dedicate significant resources to our borrower acquisition efforts. If there are insufficient qualified loan requests, our funding partners may consider withdrawing from our collaboration or lowering their funding commitments to us. If there are insufficient funding commitments, borrowers may be unable to obtain capital through our platform and may turn to other sources for their borrowing needs.
The overall volume may be affected by several factors, including our brand recognition and reputation, the interest rates offered to borrowers relative to the market rates, the efficiency of our credit underwriting process, availability of our funding partners, the macroeconomic environment and other factors. In connection with the introduction of new products or response to general economic conditions, we may also impose more stringent borrower qualifications to ensure the quality of loans on our platform, which may negatively affect the growth of our loan origination volume. In addition, although we have entered into the framework collaboration agreement with 360 Group, pursuant to which 360 Group will provide us borrower acquisition service, we cannot assure you that we will continue to receive sufficient traffic from 360 Group or other support for our borrower acquisition. If any of our current user acquisition channels become less effective, if we are unable to continue to use any of these channels or if we are not successful in using new channels, we may not be able to attract new borrowers in a cost-effective manner or convert potential borrowers into active borrowers, and may even lose our existing borrowers to our competitors. If we are unable to attract qualified borrowers or if borrowers do not continue to participate in our platform at the current rates, we might be unable to
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increase our loan origination volume and revenues as we expect, and our business and results of operations may be adversely affected.
If we fail to maintain collaboration with our financial institution funding partners or to maintain sufficient capacity to originate loans to our borrowers, our reputation, results of operations and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.
Our top five financial institution funding partners contributed around 50% of total funding for all cumulative loan origination as of September 30, 2018. Our financial institution funding partners typically agree to provide funding to our borrowers who meet their predetermined criteria, subject to their credit approval process. These agreements have fixed terms of typically one year. In addition, while our borrowers' loan requests are usually approved if they fall within the parameters set and agreed upon by us and our financial institution funding partners, our funding partners may implement additional requirements in their approval process outside of our monitor and control. Thus there is no assurance that our financial institution funding partners could provide reliable, sustainable and adequate funding, either because they could decline to fund borrower loans originated on our platform or decline to renew or renegotiate their participation in our direct lending programs.
Furthermore, as requested by the recently promulgated rules on consumer finance industry, we are currently working with our financial institution funding partners to update our collaboration model, including but not limited to upgrading our system as well as adopting new transaction process. However, we cannot assure you that all of our financial institution funding partners have the willingness and ability to finish system upgrade or adopting new transaction model. If our collaboration with some financial institution funding partners is found not in compliance with the applicable regulations or rules by governmental authorities, we may be requested to cease our collaboration with such financial institution funding partners, and our capacity to originate loans through our platform will be adversely and severely impacted.
In addition, if PRC laws and regulations impose more restrictions on our collaboration with funding partners, these financial institution funding partners will become more selective in choosing collaboration partners, which may drive up the funding costs and the competition among online lending platforms to collaborate with a limited number of funding partners. Any of the above may materially increase the funding costs to our loans, which may adversely affect our results of operations and profitability. Furthermore, if the PRC government issues any laws and regulations that prohibit our collaboration with our financial institution funding partners, our collaboration with our funding partners may have to be terminated or suspended, which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
If our business arrangements with certain institutional partners were deemed to violate PRC laws and regulations, our business and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
We have secured certain funding from institutional funding partners through the channel of trusts and asset management plans in collaboration with two trust companies and one asset management company.
According to our cooperative arrangement with trust companies and the asset management company, each trust and asset management plan had a specified term. Institutional funding partners invested in such trusts or asset management plans in the form of trust or asset management units, which entitled the institutional funding partner to the return on the investment with each unit. We were designated as the service provider for the trusts and asset management plans. If a credit application was approved by us, credit drawdown would be funded by the trusts to borrowers directly subject to the independent credit review of such trusts. These trusts and asset management plans were identified as the lender under the loan agreements with our borrowers. The trust and asset management plan
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remitted to the funding partners investment returns pursuant to the terms of the trust and plan that reflected funds initially provided by the funding partners. The investment gains would be distributed to the trust based on the actual loan interest. The trust company or asset management company, as appropriate, was responsible for administering the trust and was paid a service fee.
In 2017, the trusts and assets management plans were set up with total assets of RMB1 billion which invested solely in loans on our platform. We are considered as the primary beneficiary of the trusts and asset management plans and thus consolidated such trusts' and plan's assets, liabilities, results of operations and cash flows.
Although we have not been part of the fund-raising process by the trusts or the plan, we cannot assure you that our provision of services to the trusts or asset management plans will not be viewed by the PRC regulators as violating any laws or regulations. If we are prohibited from cooperating with trust companies and asset management companies, our access to sustainable funding may be adversely impacted, which may further increase the funding cost of our loans and affect our result of operations.
We enter collaboration contracts with fixed terms with other service providers, such as marketing service providers or payment service providers. However, we cannot assure you that we can renew such collaboration agreements once they expire, or we can renew such agreements with the term we desire. Such service providers may also be demanded by their investors not to work with us, or form alliance to seek better terms dealing with us.
If Beijing Zixuan is prohibited from conducting its business or fails to attract sufficient individual investors to fund our loans, our business and results of operations will be adversely impacted.
Beijing Zixuan, an affiliate of us and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Beijing Qibutianxia, funded 24.3% of loans originated through our platform since our inception and up to September 30, 2018. Beijing Zixuan is now actively applying for the peer-to-peer (P2P) lending registration, or the P2P registration. However, given the overall enforcement timetable for P2P registration might be delayed nationwide and the timeline of the government review of such P2P registration is indefinite, we cannot assure you Beijing Zixuan will finish registration in short time, if at all. PRC regulations on P2P lending industry is still evolving and Beijing Zixuan may be requested by the governmental authority to cease its business operation if it cannot finish its registration. If Beijing Zixuan is prohibited from conducting its business or fails to attract sufficient individual investors to fund our loans, we may need to secure additional funding or experience insufficiency in funding, which in turn will adversely impact our business and results of operations.
Our online microcredit company may not be able to provide a sufficient amount to fund the growth of our business. In addition, the regulatory regime and practice with respect to online microcredit companies are evolving and subject to uncertainty.
In March 2017, we established an online microcredit company, Fuzhou Microcredit, which has obtained the approval of the relevant competent local authorities to fund loans. The authorized amounts are currently sufficient to meet our funding needs for on-balance sheet transactions. However, we may not be able to obtain the regulatory approvals to increase the authorized amounts or to establish additional online microcredit companies to fulfill our future growth need.
Government authorities have issued certain rules, laws, and regulations to regulate the organization and business activities of online microcredit companies. However, due to the lack of the detailed rules on interpretation and implementation of such rules, laws and regulations and the fact that the rules, laws, and regulations are expected to continue to evolve with respect to the online microcredit companies, there are uncertainties as to how such rules, laws and regulations will be interpreted and implemented and whether there will be new rules, laws or regulations issued that would set further requirements and restrictions on online microcredit companies. We cannot assure you that
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our existing practice of online microcredit companies will be deemed to be in full compliance with all rules, laws and regulations that are applicable, or may become applicable to us in the future.
If our funding partners fail to comply with applicable anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing laws and regulations, our business and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
In collaboration with our funding partners and payment companies, we have adopted various policies and procedures, such as internal controls and "know-your-customer" procedures, for anti-money laundering purposes. The Fintech Guidelines purports, among other things, to require internet financial service providers, including us, to comply with certain anti-money laundering requirements, including:
There is no assurance that our anti-money laundering policies and procedures will protect us from being exploited for money laundering purposes or that we will be deemed to be in compliance with applicable anti-money laundering implementing rules, if and when adopted, given that our anti-money laundering obligations in the Fintech Guidelines. Any new requirement under money laundering laws could increase our costs and may expose us to potential sanctions if we fail to comply.
In addition, we rely on our third-party service providers, in particular, the payment companies that handle the transfer of the repayment to have their own appropriate anti-money laundering policies and procedures. If any of our third-party service providers fails to comply with applicable anti-money laundering laws and regulations, our reputation could suffer and we could become subject to regulatory intervention, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We have not been subject to fines or other penalties, or suffered business or other reputational harm, as a result of actual or alleged money laundering or terrorist financing activities in the past. However, our policies and procedures may not be completely effective in preventing other parties from using us, any of our funding partners or payment processors as a conduit for money laundering (including illegal cash operations) or terrorist financing without our knowledge. If we were to be associated with money laundering (including illegal cash operations) or terrorist financing, our reputation could suffer and we could become subject to regulatory fines, sanctions or legal enforcement, including being added to any "blacklists" that would prohibit certain parties from engaging in transactions with us, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Even if we, our funding partners and payment processors comply with the applicable anti-money laundering laws and regulations, we, funding partners and payment processors may not be able to fully eliminate money laundering and other illegal or improper activities in light of the complexity and the secrecy of these activities. Any negative perception of the industry, such as that arises from any failure of other online consumer finance service providers to detect or prevent money laundering activities, even if factually incorrect or based on isolated incidents, could compromise our image, undermine the trust and credibility we have established and negatively impact our financial condition and results of operation.
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We need to engage guarantee companies to provide credit enhancement or additional comfort to our funding partners, and we recognize guarantee liability for accounting purposes. If we fail to source and engage a guarantee company to our funding partners' satisfaction, at a reasonable price, our collaboration with our funding partners will deteriorate, and our results of operation may be adversely and severely impacted. If our guarantee liability recognition fails to address our current status, we may face unexpected changes to our financial conditions.
To comply with Circular 141, we have engaged guarantee companies to provide credit enhancement to our funding partners, and one of our VIEs, Fuzhou Financing Guarantee, has obtained the license of conducting guarantee service. Even though we will use the licensed guarantee company of our own to provide service to our funding partners, we may continue to engage third-party insurance companies or guarantee companies to satisfy the needs of our business. We cannot, however, assure you that either our guarantee company could provide satisfying service to our funding partners from time to time, or we will always be able to source and engage guarantee companies to our funding partners' satisfaction. If we fail to source and engage guarantee companies to our funding partners' satisfaction, at a reasonable price, our collaboration with our funding partners will deteriorate or even suspended, and our results of operations will be materially and adversely affected. It is also possible that we have to pay a service fee to the third-party guarantee company that exceeds the reasonable market price, which will materially and adversely affect our results of operations.
As we provide either guarantee deposit to our funding partners, or back-to-back guarantee to the third party guarantee companies, from the accounting prospective, we recognize the guarantee liability at fair value which incorporates the expectation of potential future payments under the guarantee and take into both non-contingent and contingent aspects of the guarantee. We have established an evaluation process designed to determine the adequacy of our impairment allowances and guarantee liabilities. While this evaluation process uses historical and other objective information, it is also dependent on our subjective assessment based upon our estimates and judgment. Actual losses are difficult to forecast, especially if such losses stem from factors beyond our historical experience. Given that the online consumer finance market is rapidly evolving, and is subject to various factors beyond our control, such as shifting trends in the market, regulatory framework, and overall economic conditions, we may not be able to accurately forecast the delinquency rate of our current target borrower base due to the lack of sufficient data. Therefore, our actual delinquency rate may be higher than we expected. If our credit risk assessment and expectations differ from actual circumstances or if the quality of the loans originated by us deteriorates, our guarantee liabilities may be insufficient to absorb actual credit losses and we may need to set aside additional provisions, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
If our loan products do not achieve sufficient market acceptance, our financial results and competitive position will be harmed.
We have devoted significant resources to and will continue to put an emphasis on upgrading and marketing our existing loan product and enhancing its market awareness. We may also incur expenses and expend resources up front to develop and market new loan products and financial services that incorporate additional features, improve functionality or otherwise make our platform more attractive to borrowers. New loan products and financial services must achieve high levels of market acceptance in order for us to recoup our investments in developing and marketing them. To achieve market acceptance, it is essential for us to maintain and enhance our ability to match and recommend suitable financial products for our borrowers, the effectiveness of our curation process and our ability to provide relevant and timely content to meet changing borrower needs. If we are unable to respond to changes in borrower preference and deliver satisfactory and distinguishable borrower experience, borrowers and prospective borrowers may switch to competing platforms or obtain financial products directly from their providers. As a result, borrower access to and borrower activity on our platform will decline, our services and solutions will be less attractive to financial service providers and our business, financial performance and prospects will be materially and adversely affected.
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Our existing and new loan products and financial services could fail to attain sufficient market acceptance for many reasons, including:
If our existing and new loan products do not maintain or achieve adequate acceptance in the market, our competitive position, results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.
We face increasing competition, and if we do not compete effectively, our operating results could be harmed.
The online consumer finance industry in China is highly competitive and evolving. We face competition from other online platforms, major internet players and traditional financial institutions.
Our competitors operate with different business models, have different cost structures or participate selectively in different market segments. They may ultimately prove more successful or more adaptable to new regulatory, technological and other developments. Some of our current and potential competitors have significantly more financial, technical, marketing and other resources than we do, and may be able to devote greater resources to the development, promotion, sale and support of their platforms. Our competitors may also have longer operating histories, more extensive borrowers, larger amounts of data, greater brand recognition and loyalty, and broader partner relationships than we do. For example, traditional financial institutions may invest in technology and enter into the online consumer finance industry. Experienced in financial product development and risk management, and being able to devote greater resource to the development, promotion, sale and technical support, they may gain an edge in the competition against us. Additionally, a current or potential competitor may acquire one or more of our existing competitors or form a strategic alliance with one or more of our competitors. Any of the foregoing could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and future growth.
Our competitors may be better at developing new products, responding to new technologies, charging lower fees on loans and undertaking more extensive marketing campaigns. When new competitors seek to enter our target market, or when existing market participants seek to increase their market share, they sometimes undercut the pricing and/or terms prevalent in that market, which could adversely affect our market share or ability to exploit new market opportunities. Also, since the online consumer finance industry in China is relatively new and fast evolving, potential borrowers may not fully understand how our platform works. Our pricing and terms could deteriorate if we fail to act to meet these competitive challenges.
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Furthermore, in response to more stringent PRC laws and regulations regarding cash loans, more online lending platforms may expand their services and products to scenario-based lending, including partnering with e-commerce platforms, which may drive up the competition among online lending platforms. Such intensified competition may increase our operating costs and adversely affect our results of operations and profitability. To the extent that our competitors are able to offer more attractive terms to our business partners, such business partners may choose to terminate their relationships with us or request us to accept terms matching our compeitiors'.
In addition, our competitors may implement certain procedures to reduce their fees in response to the current or potential PRC regulations on interest rates and fees charged by online lending platforms. Borrowers are generally interest sensitive with less brand loyalty. We may not succeed in utilizing the borrower stickiness if we fail to provide products with competitive prices. If we apply prices below the commercially reasonable level, our results of operations and financial conditions may be adversely impacted. If we are unable to compete with our competitors, or if we are forced to charge lower fees due to competitive pressures, we could experience reduced revenues or our platforms could fail to achieve market acceptance, any of which could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
If our ability to collect delinquent loans is impaired, our business and results of operations might be materially and adversely affected.
Our in-house collection team handles the collection of delinquent loans within 60 days after the default. We also engage certain third-party collection service providers from time to time. If either our or our third-party service providers' collection methods, such as phone calls, and text messages, are not effective and we fail to respond quickly and improve our collection methods, our delinquent loan collection rate may decrease.
While we have implemented and enforced policies and procedures relating to collection activities by us and third-party service providers, if those collection methods were to be viewed by the borrowers or regulatory authorities as harassments, threats or as other illegal conduct, we may be subject to lawsuits initiated by the borrowers or prohibited by the regulatory authorities from using certain collection methods. If this were to happen and we fail to adopt alternative collection methods in a timely manner or the alternative collection methods are proven to be ineffective, we might not be able to maintain our delinquent loan collection rate, and the funding partners' confidence in our platform may be negatively impacted. If any of the foregoing takes place and impairs our ability to collect delinquent loans, the loan origination volume on our platform will decrease, and our business and the results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
Any harm to our brand or reputation or any damage to the reputation of the online consumer finance industry may materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Enhancing the recognition and reputation of our brand is critical to our business and competitiveness. Factors that are vital to this objective include but are not limited to our ability to:
Any malicious or innocent negative allegation made by the media or other parties about our company, including but not limited to our management, business, compliance with law, financial
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condition or prospects, whether with merit or not, could severely hurt our reputation and harm our business and operating results. As the market for China's online consumer finance is new and the regulatory framework for this market is also evolving, negative publicity about this industry may arise from time to time. Negative publicity about China's online consumer finance industry in general may also have a negative impact on our reputation, regardless of whether we have engaged in any inappropriate activities.
In addition, certain factors that may adversely affect our reputation are beyond our control. Negative publicity about our partners, outsourced service providers or other counterparties, such as negative publicity about their debt collection practices and any failure by them to adequately protect the information of borrowers, to comply with applicable laws and regulations or to otherwise meet required quality and service standards could harm our reputation. Furthermore, any negative development in the online consumer finance industry, such as bankruptcies or failures of other platforms, and especially a large number of such bankruptcies or failures, or negative perception of the industry as a whole, such as that arises from any failure of other platforms to detect or prevent money laundering or other illegal activities, even if factually incorrect or based on isolated incidents, could compromise our image, undermine the trust and credibility we have established and impose a negative impact on our ability to attract new borrowers. Negative developments in the online consumer finance industry, such as widespread borrower defaults, fraudulent behavior and/or the closure of other online platforms, may also lead to tightened regulatory scrutiny of the sector and limit the scope of permissible business activities that may be conducted by online platforms like us. As we are the finance partner of 360 Group, any negative allegation about 360 Group may also have adverse impact on us. If any of the foregoing takes place, our business and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
Misconduct, errors and failure to function by our employees and third-party service providers could harm our business and reputation.
We are exposed to many types of operational risks, including the risk of misconduct and errors by our employees and third-party service providers. Our business depends on our employees and third-party service providers to interact with prospective borrowers, process large numbers of transactions and support the loan collection process, all of which involve the use and disclosure of personal information. We could be materially adversely affected if transactions were redirected, misappropriated or otherwise improperly executed, if personal information was disclosed to unintended recipients or if an operational breakdown or failure in the processing of transactions occurred, whether as a result of human error, purposeful sabotage or fraudulent manipulation of our operations or systems. In addition, the manner in which we store and use certain personal information and interact with borrowers through our platform is governed by various PRC laws. It is not always possible to identify and deter misconduct or errors by employees or third-party service providers, and the precautions we take to detect and prevent this activity may not be effective in controlling unknown or unmanaged risks or losses. If any of our employees or third-party service providers take, convert or misuse funds, documents or data or fail to follow protocol when interacting with borrowers, such as during the collection process, we could be liable for damages and subject to regulatory actions and penalties. We could also be perceived to have originated or participated in the illegal misappropriation of funds, documents or data, or the failure to follow protocol, and therefore be subject to civil or criminal liability.
Furthermore, we rely on certain third-party service providers, such as borrower acquisition, marketing and brand promotion, third-party payment platforms and collection service providers, to conduct our business. If these service providers failed to function properly, we cannot assure you that we would be able to find an alternative in a timely and cost-efficient manner or at all. We enter into collaboration contracts with fixed terms with such service providers. However, we cannot assure you
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that we can renew such collaboration agreements once they expire, or we can renew such agreements with the term we desire. Such service providers may also be demanded by their investors not to work with us, or form alliance to seek better terms dealing with us. Any of these occurrences could result in our diminished ability to operate our business, potential liability to borrowers, inability to attract borrowers, reputational damage, regulatory intervention and financial harm, which could negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Fluctuations in interest rates could negatively affect our loan origination volume.
Most of the loans originated through our platform are issued with fixed interest rates. Fluctuations in the interest rate environment may discourage funding partners to fund our platform, which may adversely affect our business. Meanwhile, if we fail to respond to the fluctuations in interest rates in a timely manner and reprice our loan products, our loan products may become less attractive to our borrowers.
Our ability to protect the confidential information of our borrowers may be adversely affected by cyberattacks, computer viruses, physical or electronic break-ins or similar disruptions.
Our platform collects, stores and processes certain personal and other sensitive data from our borrowers, which makes it an attractive target and potentially vulnerable to cyberattacks, computer viruses, physical or electronic break-ins or similar disruptions. While we have taken steps to protect the confidential information that we have access to, our security measures could be breached. Because techniques used to sabotage or obtain unauthorized access to systems change frequently and generally are not recognized until they are launched against a target, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures. Any accidental or willful security breaches or other unauthorized access to our platform could cause confidential borrower information to be stolen and used for criminal purposes. Security breaches or unauthorized access to confidential information could also expose us to liability related to the loss of the information, time-consuming and expensive litigation and negative publicity. If security measures are breached because of third-party action, employee error, malfeasance or otherwise, or if design flaws in our technology infrastructure are exposed and exploited, our relationships with borrowers could be severely damaged, we could incur significant liability and our business and operations could be adversely affected.
Meanwhile, if there is any failure by us to protect confidential information, we may be involved in various claims and litigations raised for privacy or other damages. Such claims and litigations will take a lot of time and resources to defend and we cannot assure you any result for us litigations.
If we fail to complete, obtain or maintain the value-added telecommunication license, requisite license, or approvals or filings in China, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
PRC regulations impose sanctions for engaging in internet information services of a commercial nature without having obtained an internet content provider license, or the ICP license, and sanctions for engaging in the operation of online data processing and transaction processing without having obtained a value-added telecommunications service license, or the VATS license for online data processing and transaction processing, or ODPTP license (ICP and ODPTP are both sub-sets of value-added telecommunication business). These sanctions include corrective orders and warnings from the PRC communication administration authority, fines and confiscation of illegal gains and, in the case of significant infringements, the websites and mobile apps may be ordered to cease operation. Nevertheless, the interpretation of such regulations and PRC regulatory authorities' enforcement of such regulations in the context of online consumer finance industry remains uncertain, it is unclear whether online consumer finance service providers like us are required to obtain ICP license or ODPTP license, or any other kind of VATS licenses. We have not obtained any ICP license and
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ODPTP license to date for Shanghai Qiyu. Given the evolving regulatory environment of the consumer finance industry and value-added telecommunication business, we cannot rule out the possibility that the PRC government authorities will explicitly require any of our VIEs or subsidiaries of our VIEs to obtain additional ICP licenses, ODPTP licenses or other VATS licenses, or issue new regulatory requirements to institute a new licensing regime for our industry. We could be found in violation of any future laws and regulations, or of the laws and regulations currently in effect due to changes in the relevant authorities, or interpretation of these laws and regulations. We cannot assure you that we would be able to obtain or maintain any required license, regulatory approvals or filings in a timely manner, or at all, which would subject us to the sanctions such as the imposition of fines and the discontinuation or restriction of our operations or other sanctions as stipulated in the new regulatory rules, and materially and adversely affect our business and impede our ability to continue our operations. Even though we intend to work proactively on applying the relevant licenses, due to the lack of detailed rules regulating the online consumer finance service and clarification of the nature of this innovative business model, we learned that the local telecommunication regulatory authority might put any applications on hold.
Our operations depend on the performance of the internet infrastructure and fixed telecommunications networks in China, as well as the effectiveness of mobile operating systems and networks, which we do not control.
Almost all access to the internet in China is maintained through state-owned telecommunication operators under the administrative control and regulatory supervision of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. We primarily rely on a limited number of telecommunications service providers to provide us with data communications capacity through local telecommunications lines and internet data centers to host our servers. We have limited access to alternative networks or services in the event of disruptions, failures or other problems with China's internet infrastructure or the fixed telecommunications networks provided by telecommunications service providers. With the expansion of our business, we may be required to upgrade our technology and infrastructure to keep up with the increasing traffic on our platform. We cannot assure you that the internet infrastructure and the fixed telecommunications networks in China will be able to support the demands associated with the continued growth in internet usage.
In addition, we have no control over the costs of the services provided by telecommunications service providers. If the prices we pay for telecommunications and internet services rise significantly, our financial performance may be adversely affected. Furthermore, if internet access fees or other charges to internet users increase, our user traffic may decline and our business may be harmed.
Meanwhile, the operation of our mobile apps depends upon the effectiveness of mobile operating systems, networks and standards, which we do not control. If such systems or networks break down, or if the standards change and require different parameters on which the mobile apps run, our service through our applications will be disrupted, and our result of operations adversely affected.
Any significant disruption in service on our platform or in our computer systems, including events beyond our control, could prevent us from processing loans on our platform, reduce the attractiveness of our platform and result in a loss of borrowers.
In the event of a platform outage and physical data loss, the performance of our platform and solutions would be materially and adversely affected. The satisfactory performance, reliability and availability of our platform, solutions and underlying technology infrastructure are critical to our operations and reputation and our ability to retain existing and attract new users and financial service providers. Much of our system hardware is hosted in a leased facility located in Beijing that is operated by 360 Group. We also maintain a real-time backup system in the same facility and a remote backup system in a separate facility. Our operations depend on our ability to protect our systems against
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damage or interruption from natural disasters, power or telecommunications failures, air quality issues, environmental conditions, computer viruses or attempts to harm our systems, criminal acts, and similar events. If there is a lapse in service or damage to our leased facilities, we could experience interruptions and delays in our service and may incur additional expense in arranging new facilities.
Any interruptions or delays in the availability of our platform or solutions, whether as a result of third-party or our error, natural disasters or security breaches, whether accidental or willful, could harm our reputation and our relationships with users and financial service providers. Additionally, in the event of damage or interruption, we have no insurance policy to adequately compensate us for any losses that we may incur. Our disaster recovery plan has not been tested under actual disaster conditions, and we may not have sufficient capacity to recover all data and services in the event of an outage. These factors could damage our brand and reputation, divert our employees' attention and subject us to liability, any of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our platform and internal systems rely on software that is highly technical, and if it contains undetected errors, our business could be adversely affected.
Our platform and internal systems rely on software that is highly technical and complex. In addition, our platform and internal systems depend on the ability of such software to store, retrieve, process and manage immense amounts of data. The software on which we rely has contained, and may now or in the future contain, undetected errors or bugs. Some errors may only be discovered after the code has been released for external or internal use. Errors or other design defects within the software on which we rely may result in a negative experience for borrowers and funding partners, delay introductions of new features or enhancements, result in errors or compromise our ability to protect borrower data or our intellectual property. Any errors, bugs or defects discovered in the software on which we rely could result in harm to our reputation, loss of borrowers or funding partners, loss of revenue or liability for damages, any of which could adversely affect our business and financial results.
We may not be able to prevent others from unauthorized use of our intellectual property, which could harm our business and competitive position.
We regard our trademarks, domain names, software copyrights, know-how, proprietary technologies and similar intellectual property as critical to our success, and we rely on trademark and trade secret law and confidentiality, invention assignment and non-compete agreements with our employees and others to protect our proprietary rights. See "BusinessIntellectual Properties" and "RegulationsLaws and Regulations relating to Intellectual Property." However, we cannot assure you that any of our intellectual property rights would not be challenged, invalidated or circumvented, or such intellectual property will be sufficient to provide us with competitive advantages. In addition, other parties may misappropriate our intellectual property rights, which would cause us to suffer economic or reputational damages. Because of the rapid pace of technological change, nor can we assure you that all of our proprietary technologies and similar intellectual property will be patented in a timely or cost-effective manner, or at all. Furthermore, parts of our business rely on technologies developed or licensed by other parties, or co-developed with other parties, and we may not be able to obtain or continue to obtain licenses and technologies from these other parties on reasonable terms, or at all.
It is often difficult to register, maintain and enforce intellectual property rights in China. Statutory laws and regulations are subject to judicial interpretation and enforcement and may not be applied consistently due to the lack of clear guidance on statutory interpretation. Confidentiality, invention assignment and non-compete agreements may be breached by counterparties, and there may not be adequate remedies available to us for any such breach. Accordingly, we may not be able to effectively protect our intellectual property rights or to enforce our contractual rights in China. Preventing any unauthorized use of our intellectual property is difficult and costly, and the steps we take may be
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inadequate to prevent the misappropriation of our intellectual property. In the event that we resort to litigation to enforce our intellectual property rights, such litigation could result in substantial costs and in a diversion of our managerial and financial resources. We can provide no assurance that we will prevail in such litigation. In addition, our trade secrets may be leaked or otherwise become available to, or be independently discovered by, our competitors. To the extent that our employees or consultants use intellectual property owned by others in their work for us, disputes may arise as to the rights in related know-how and inventions. Any failure in protecting or enforcing our intellectual property rights could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Some aspects of our platform include open source software, and any failure to comply with the terms of one or more of these open source licenses could negatively affect our business.
Aspects of our platform include software covered by open source licenses. Open source license terms are often ambiguous, and there is little or no legal precedent governing the interpretation of many of the terms of certain of these licenses. Therefore, the potential impact of such terms on our business is somewhat unknown. If portions of our proprietary software are determined to be subject to an open source license, we could be required to publicly release the affected portions of our source code, re-engineer all or a portion of our technologies or otherwise be limited in the licensing of our technologies, each of which could reduce or eliminate the value of our technologies and loan products. There can be no assurance that efforts we take to monitor the use of open source software to avoid uses in a manner that would require us to disclose or grant licenses under our proprietary source code will be successful, and such use could inadvertently occur. This could harm our intellectual property position and have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flow and financial condition. In addition to risks related to license requirements, usage of open source software can lead to greater risks than use of third-party commercial software, as open source licensors generally do not provide warranties or controls on the origin of the software. Many of the risks associated with the use of open source software cannot be eliminated, and could adversely affect our business.
We may be subject to intellectual property infringement claims, which may be expensive to defend and may disrupt our business and operations.
We cannot be certain that our operations or any aspects of our business do not or will not infringe upon or otherwise violate trademarks, copyrights, know-how, proprietary technologies or other intellectual property rights held by other parties. We may be from time to time in the future subject to legal proceedings and claims relating to the intellectual property rights of others. In addition, there may be other parties' trademarks, copyrights, know-how, proprietary technologies or other intellectual property rights that are infringed by our products or other aspects of our business without our awareness. Holders of such intellectual property rights may seek to enforce such intellectual property rights against us in China, the United States or other jurisdictions. If any infringement claims are brought against us, we may be forced to divert management's time and other resources from our business and operations to defend against these claims, regardless of their merits.
Additionally, the application and interpretation of China's intellectual property right laws and the procedures and standards for granting trademarks, copyrights, know-how, proprietary technologies or other intellectual property rights in China are still evolving and are uncertain, and we cannot assure you that PRC courts or regulatory authorities would agree with our analysis. If we were found to have violated the intellectual property rights of others, we may be subject to liability for our infringement activities or may be prohibited from using such intellectual property, and we may incur licensing fees or be forced to develop alternatives of our own. As a result, our business and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
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We have incurred net losses in the past and may incur net losses in the future.
We had net losses of RMB21.8 million in 2016, RMB166.4 million (US$25.1 million) in 2017 and RMB572.0 million (US$86.4 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2018. We cannot assure you that we will be able to generate net income in the future. We anticipate that our operating expenses will increase in the foreseeable future as we seek to continue to grow our business, attract borrowers and further enhance and develop our loan products and platform. These efforts may prove more expensive than we currently anticipate, and we may not succeed in increasing our revenue sufficiently to offset these higher expenses. There are other factors that could negatively affect our financial condition. For example, the default rates of the loans originated through our platform may be higher than expected, which may lead to lower than expected net revenues. As a result of the foregoing and other factors, our net revenue growth may slow and we may not be able to maintain profitability on a quarterly or annual basis.
Our business depends on the continued efforts of our management. If one or more of our key executives were unable or unwilling to continue in their present positions, our business may be severely disrupted.
Our business operations depend on the continued services of our management, particularly the executive officers named in this prospectus, and teams in charge of our risk management, products development and collaboration with funding partners. While we have provided different incentives to our management, we cannot assure you that we can continue to retain their services. If one or more of our management were unable or unwilling to continue in their present positions, we may not be able to replace them easily or at all, our future growth may be constrained, our business may be severely disrupted and our financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected, and we may incur additional expenses to recruit, train and retain qualified personnel. In addition, although we have entered into confidentiality and non-competition agreements with our management, there is no assurance that any member of our management team will not join our competitors or form a competing business, or disclose confidential information to the public. If any dispute arises between our current or former officers and us, we may have to incur substantial costs and expenses in order to enforce such agreements in China or we may be unable to enforce them at all.
From time to time we may evaluate and potentially consummate strategic investments or acquisitions, which could require significant management attention, disrupt our business and adversely affect our financial results.
We may evaluate and consider strategic investments, combinations, acquisitions or alliances to further increase the value of our platform. These transactions could be material to our financial condition and results of operations if consummated. If we are able to identify an appropriate business opportunity, we may not be able to successfully consummate the transaction, and even if we do consummate such a transaction, we may be unable to obtain the benefits or avoid the difficulties and risks of such transaction.
Strategic investments or acquisitions will involve risks commonly encountered in business relationships, including:
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We may not make any investments or acquisitions, or any future investments or acquisitions may not be successful, may not benefit our business strategy, may not generate sufficient revenues to offset the associated acquisition costs or may not otherwise result in the intended benefits. In addition, we cannot assure you that any future investment in or acquisition of new businesses or technology will lead to the successful development of new or enhanced loan products and services or that any new or enhanced loan products and services, if developed, will achieve market acceptance or prove to be profitable.
In connection with the audits of our combined and consolidated financial statements as of and for the period from the inception date to December 31, 2016 and the year ended 2017, we and our independent registered public accounting firm identified two material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. If we fail to develop and maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we may be unable to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud.
Prior to this offering, we have been a private company with limited accounting personnel and other resources with which we address our internal control over financial reporting. In connection with the audits of our combined and consolidated financial statements as of and for the period from the inception date to December 31, 2016 and the year ended 2017, we and our independent registered public accounting firm identified two material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. As defined in the standards established by the U.S. Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, a "material weakness" is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The material weakness that have been identified relates to our (i) lack of sufficient accounting personnel with U.S. GAAP knowledge and SEC financial reporting requirements and lack of accounting policies and procedures relating to financial reporting in accordance with U.S. GAAP and (ii) lack of formal internal control framework.
These material weaknesses resulted in a significant number of adjustments and amendments to combined and consolidated financial statements and related disclosures under U.S. GAAP. The material
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weaknesses, if not timely remedied, may lead to significant misstatements in our combined and consolidated financial statements in the future.
Neither we nor our independent registered public accounting firm undertook a comprehensive assessment of our internal control for purposes of identifying and reporting material weaknesses and other control deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting. Had we performed a formal assessment of our internal control over financial reporting or had our independent registered public accounting firm performed an audit of our internal control over financial reporting, additional deficiencies may have been identified.
Following the identification of the material weaknesses and other control deficiencies, we have taken measures and plan to continue to take measures to remedy these control deficiencies. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsInternal Control Over Financial Reporting." However, the implementation of these measures may not fully address these deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting, and we cannot conclude that they have been fully remedied. Our failure to correct these control deficiencies or our failure to discover and address any other control deficiencies could result in inaccuracies in our financial statements and impair our ability to comply with applicable financial reporting requirements and related regulatory filings on a timely basis. Moreover, ineffective internal control over financial reporting could significantly hinder our ability to prevent fraud.
Our quarterly results may fluctuate and may not fully reflect the underlying performance of our business.
Our quarterly results of operations, including the levels of our net revenue, operating cost and expenses, net (loss)/income and other key metrics may vary in the future due to a variety of factors, some of which are outside of our control, and period-to-period comparisons of our operating results may not be meaningful, especially given our limited operating history. Accordingly, the results for any one quarter are not necessarily an indication of future performance. Fluctuations in quarterly results may adversely affect the price of our ADSs.
In addition, we may experience seasonality in our business, reflecting seasonal fluctuations in internet usage and traditional personal consumption patterns, as our borrowers typically use their borrowing proceeds to finance their personal consumption needs. While our rapid growth has somewhat masked this seasonality, our results of operations could be affected by such seasonality in the future.
Competition for employees is intense, and we may not be able to attract and retain the qualified and skilled employees needed to support our business.
We believe our success depends on the efforts and talent of our employees, including risk management, software engineering, financial and marketing personnel. Our future success depends on our continued ability to attract, develop, motivate and retain qualified and skilled employees. Competition for highly skilled technical, risk management and financial personnel is extremely intense. We may not be able to hire and retain this personnel at compensation levels consistent with our existing compensation and salary structure. Some of the companies with which we compete for experienced employees have greater resources than we have and may be able to offer more attractive terms of employment.
In addition, we invest significant time and expenses in training our employees, which increases their value to competitors who may seek to recruit them. If we fail to retain our employees, we could incur significant expenses in hiring and training their replacements, and our ability to operate our platform could diminish, resulting in a material adverse effect to our business.
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Increases in labor costs in the PRC may adversely affect our business and results of operations.
The economy in China has experienced increases in inflation and labor costs in recent years. As a result, average wages in the PRC are expected to continue to increase. In addition, we are required by PRC laws and regulations to pay various statutory employee benefits, including pension, housing fund, medical insurance, work-related injury insurance, unemployment insurance and maternity insurance to designated government agencies for the benefit of our employees. The relevant government agencies may examine whether an employer has made adequate payments to the statutory employee benefits, and those employers who fail to make adequate payments may be subject to late payment fees, fines and/or other penalties. We expect that our labor costs, including wages and employee benefits, will continue to increase. Unless we are able to control our labor costs or pass on these increased labor costs to our users by increasing the fees for our services, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.
We may not have sufficient business insurance coverage.
Insurance companies in China currently do not offer as extensive an array of insurance products as insurance companies in more developed economies. Currently, we do not have any business liability or disruption insurance to cover our operations. We have determined that the costs of insuring for these risks and the difficulties associated with acquiring such insurance on commercially reasonable terms make it impractical for us to have such insurance. Any uninsured business disruptions may result in our incurring substantial costs and the diversion of resources, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure
If the PRC government deems that the contractual arrangements in relation to our VIEs do not comply with PRC regulatory restrictions on foreign investment in the relevant industries, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations.
Foreign ownership of internet-based businesses, such as the distribution of online information, is subject to restrictions under current PRC laws and regulations. For example, foreign investors are generally not allowed to own more than 50% of the equity interests in a value-added telecommunications service provider and any such foreign investor must have experience in providing value-added telecommunications services overseas and maintain a good track record in accordance with the Guiding Catalog for Foreign Investment Industries promulgated in 2007, as amended in 2011, 2015, 2017, and 2018, and other applicable laws and regulations.
We are a Cayman Islands company and our PRC subsidiaries are considered foreign-invested enterprises. We have set up a series of contractual arrangements entered into among our WFOE, our VIEs, and the record holders of our VIEs to conduct our operations in China. For a detailed description of these contractual arrangements, see "Corporate History and Structure." As a result of these contractual arrangements, we exert control over our VIEs and consolidate their operating results in our financial statements under U.S. GAAP. Shanghai Qiyu has been operating our online consumer finance business, including, among others, operations of our 360 Jietiao since its incorporation. According to relevant PRC laws and regulations, Shanghai Qiyu may be required to obtain VATS licenses. See "RegulationsRegulations on Foreign Investment RestrictionsRegulations On Value-Added Telecommunications Services." Fuzhou Microcredit, which also provides loans through our 360 Jietiao, has obtained a microcredit license from the relevant competent local authorities.
In the opinion of our PRC counsel, Commerce & Finance Law Offices, based on its understanding of the relevant PRC laws and regulations, each of the contracts among our WFOE, our VIEs and their shareholders is valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with its terms. However, Commerce &
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Finance Law Offices has also advised us that there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current or future PRC laws and regulations and there can be no assurance that the PRC government will ultimately take a view that is consistent with the opinion of our PRC counsel.
It is uncertain whether any new PRC laws, regulations or rules relating to the "variable interest entity" structure will be adopted or if adopted, what they would provide. In particular, in January 2015, the Ministry of Commerce, or the MOFCOM published a discussion draft of the proposed Foreign Investment Law for public review and comments. Among other things, the draft Foreign Investment Law expands the definition of foreign investment and introduces the principle of "actual control" in determining whether a company is considered a foreign-invested enterprise, or an FIE. Under the draft Foreign Investment Law, variable interest entities would also be deemed as FIEs, if they are ultimately "controlled" by foreign investors, and be subject to restrictions on foreign investments. However, the draft law has not taken a position on what actions will be taken with respect to the existing companies with the "variable interest entity" structure, whether or not these companies are controlled by Chinese parties. It is uncertain when the draft would be signed into law and whether the final version would have any substantial changes from the draft. If the ownership structure, contractual arrangements and business of our company, our PRC subsidiaries or our variable interest entity are found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws or regulations, or we fail to obtain or maintain any of the required permits or approvals, the relevant governmental authorities would have broad discretion in dealing with such violation, including levying fines, confiscating our income or the income of our VIEs, revoking the business licenses or operating licenses of our WFOE or our VIEs, shutting down our servers or blocking our online platform, discontinuing or placing restrictions or onerous conditions on our operations, requiring us to undergo a costly and disruptive restructuring, restricting or prohibiting our use of proceeds from this offering to finance our business and operations in China, and taking other regulatory or enforcement actions that could be harmful to our business. Any of these actions could cause significant disruption to our business operations and severely damage our reputation, which would in turn materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. If any of these occurrences result in our inability to direct the activities of our VIEs, and/or our failure to receive economic benefits from our VIEs, we may not be able to consolidate their results into our combined and consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
We rely on contractual arrangements with our VIEs and the shareholders of our VIEs for all of our business operations, which may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing operational control.
We have relied and expect to continue to rely on contractual arrangements with our VIEs and the shareholders of our VIEs, to operate our online consumer finance business, including, among others, the operation of 360 Jietiao, as well as certain other complementary businesses. For a description of these contractual arrangements, see "Corporate History and Structure." These contractual arrangements may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing us with control over our VIEs. For example, our VIEs or the shareholder of our VIEs may fail to fulfill their contractual obligations with us, such as failure to maintain our platform and use the domain names and trademarks in a manner as stipulated in the contractual arrangements, or taking other actions that are detrimental to our interests.
If we had direct ownership of our VIEs, we would be able to exercise our rights as a shareholder to effect changes in the board of directors of our VIEs, which in turn could implement changes, subject to any applicable fiduciary obligations, at the management and operational level. However, under the current contractual arrangements, we rely on the performance by our VIEs and the shareholders of our VIEs of their obligations under the contractual arrangements to exercise control over our VIEs. The shareholders of our VIEs may not act in the best interests of our company or may not perform their obligations under these contracts. Such risks exist throughout the period in which we intend to operate
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our business through the contractual arrangements with our VIEs and the shareholders of our VIEs. Although we have the right, subject to registration process with PRC governmental authorities, to replace Beijing Qibutianxia as the record holder of our VIEs under the contractual arrangements, if it becomes uncooperative or any dispute relating to these contracts remains unresolved, we will have to enforce our rights under these contracts through the operations of PRC laws and arbitration, litigation and other legal proceedings, the outcome of which will be subject to uncertainties. See "Any failure by our VIEs or the shareholder of our VIEs to perform their obligations under our contractual arrangements with them would have a material adverse effect on our business." Therefore, our contractual arrangements with our VIEs and the shareholders of our VIEs may not be as effective in ensuring our control over the relevant portion of our business operations as direct ownership would be.
Any failure by our VIEs or the shareholders of our VIEs to perform their obligations under our contractual arrangements with them would have a material adverse effect on our business.
We have entered into a series of contractual arrangements with our VIEs, and the shareholders of our VIEs. For a description of these contractual arrangements, see "Corporate History and Structure." If our VIEs or the shareholders of our VIEs fail to perform their respective obligations under the contractual arrangements, we may incur substantial costs and expend additional resources to enforce such arrangements. We may also have to rely on legal remedies under PRC laws, including seeking specific performance or injunctive relief, and claiming damages, which we cannot assure you will be effective under PRC laws. For example, if the shareholders of our VIEs were to refuse to transfer its equity interests in our VIEs to us or our designee when we exercise the purchase option pursuant to these contractual arrangements, or if it was otherwise to act in bad faith toward us, then we may have to take legal actions to compel them to perform its contractual obligations.
All of these contractual arrangements are governed by and interpreted in accordance with PRC law, and disputes arising from these contractual arrangements between us and our VIEs will be resolved through arbitration in China. For the sake of clarity, the arbitration provisions here relate to the claims arising from the contractual relationship created by the VIE agreements, rather than claims under the US federal securities laws, and they do not prevent our shareholders or ADS holders from pursuing claims under the US federal securities laws in the United States. The legal system in the PRC is not as developed as in some other jurisdictions, such as the United States. As a result, uncertainties in the PRC legal system could limit our ability to enforce these contractual arrangements. Meanwhile, there are very few precedents and little formal guidance as to how contractual arrangements in the context of a variable interest entity should be interpreted or enforced under PRC laws. There remain significant uncertainties regarding the ultimate outcome of such arbitration should legal action become necessary. In addition, under PRC laws, rulings by arbitrators are final and parties cannot appeal arbitration results in court unless such rulings are revoked or determined unenforceable by a competent court. If the losing parties fail to carry out the arbitration awards within a prescribed time limit, the prevailing parties may only enforce the arbitration awards in PRC courts through arbitration award recognition proceedings, which would require additional expenses and delay. In the event that we are unable to enforce these contractual arrangements, or if we suffer significant delay or other obstacles in the process of enforcing these contractual arrangements, we may not be able to exert effective control over our VIEs, and our ability to conduct our business may be negatively affected. See "Risks Related to Doing Business in ChinaUncertainties in the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws and regulations could limit the legal protections available to us."
The shareholders of our VIEs may have potential conflicts of interest with us, which may materially and adversely affect our business and financial condition.
The record holders of our VIEs are beneficially owned by the same group of our shareholders. However, as we raise additional capital, including this offering, and our shareholders sell the shares
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they hold in our company in the future, the interests of such record holders of our VIEs might become different from the interests of our company as a whole. Under influence of its shareholders, such record holders of our VIEs may breach, or cause our VIEs to breach, the existing contractual arrangements we have with them, which would have a material adverse effect on our ability to effectively control our VIEs and receive economic benefits from them. For example, the record holders of our VIEs may be able to cause our agreements with our VIEs to be performed in a manner adverse to us by, among other things, failing to remit payments due under the contractual arrangements to us on a timely basis. We cannot assure you that when conflicts of interest arise, it will act in the best interests of our company or such conflicts will be resolved in our favor.
Currently, we do not have any arrangements to address potential conflicts of interest between our VIEs' shareholders and our company, except that we could exercise our purchase option under the option agreement with such shareholders to request it to transfer all of its equity interests in our VIEs to a PRC entity or individual designated by us, to the extent permitted by PRC laws. If we cannot resolve any conflict of interest or dispute between us and the shareholders of our VIEs, we would have to rely on legal proceedings, which could result in the disruption of our business and subject us to substantial uncertainty as to the outcome of any such legal proceedings.
Contractual arrangements in relation to our VIEs may be subject to scrutiny by the PRC tax authorities and they may determine that we or our VIEs owe additional taxes, which could negatively affect our financial condition and the value of your investment.
Under applicable PRC laws and regulations, arrangements and transactions among related parties may be subject to audit or challenge by the PRC tax authorities. The PRC enterprise income tax law requires every enterprise in China to submit its annual enterprise income tax return together with a report on transactions with its related parties to the relevant tax authorities. The tax authorities may impose reasonable adjustments on taxation if they have identified any related party transactions that are inconsistent with arm's length principles. We may face material and adverse tax consequences if the PRC tax authorities determine that the contractual arrangements between our WFOE, our VIEs, and the shareholders of our VIEs were not entered into on an arm's length basis in such a way as to result in an impermissible reduction in taxes under applicable PRC laws, regulations and rules, and adjust our VIEs' income in the form of a transfer pricing adjustment. A transfer pricing adjustment could, among other things, result in a reduction of expense deductions recorded by our VIEs for PRC tax purposes, which could in turn increase their tax liabilities. In addition, if our WFOE requests the shareholders of our VIEs to transfer its equity interests in our VIEs at nominal or no value pursuant to these contractual arrangements, such transfer could be viewed as a gift and subject our WFOE to PRC income tax. Furthermore, the PRC tax authorities may impose late payment fees and other penalties on our VIEs for the adjusted but unpaid taxes according to the applicable regulations. Our financial position could be materially and adversely affected if our VIEs' tax liabilities increase or if they are required to pay late payment fees and other penalties.
We may lose the ability to use and enjoy assets held by our VIEs that are material to the operation of our business if the entity goes bankrupt or becomes subject to a dissolution or liquidation proceeding.
Our VIEs hold certain substantially all of our assets, some of which are material to our operation, including, among others, intellectual properties, hardware and software. Under the contractual arrangements, our VIEs may not, and the shareholders of our VIEs may not cause them to, in any manner, sell, transfer, mortgage or dispose of their assets or their legal or beneficial interests in the business without our prior consent. However, in the event our VIEs' shareholders breach these contractual arrangements and voluntarily liquidate our VIEs, or our VIEs declare bankruptcy and all or part of their assets become subject to liens or rights of third-party creditors, or are otherwise disposed of without our consent, we may be unable to continue some or all of our business activities, which
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could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. If our VIEs undergo a voluntary or involuntary liquidation proceeding, independent third-party creditors may claim rights to some or all of these assets, thereby hindering our ability to operate our business, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Related to Doing Business in China
Changes in China's economic, political or social conditions or government policies could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
Substantially all of our operations are located in China. Accordingly, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations may be influenced to a significant degree by political, economic and social conditions in China generally and by continued economic growth in China as a whole.
The Chinese economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including but not limited to the extent of government involvement, level of development, growth rate, control of foreign exchange and allocation of resources. Although the Chinese government has implemented measures emphasizing the utilization of market forces for economic reform, the reduction of state ownership of productive assets and the establishment of improved corporate governance in business enterprises, a substantial portion of productive assets in China is still owned by the Chinese government. In addition, the Chinese government continues to play a significant role in regulating industry development by imposing industrial policies. The Chinese government also exercises significant control over China's economic growth through allocating resources, controlling payment of foreign currency-denominated obligations, setting monetary policy, and providing preferential treatment to particular industries or companies.
While the Chinese economy has experienced significant growth over the past decades, growth has been uneven, both geographically and among various sectors of the economy. The Chinese government has implemented various measures to encourage economic growth and guide the allocation of resources. Some of these measures may benefit the overall Chinese economy, but may have a negative effect on us. For example, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected by government control over capital investments or changes in tax regulations. In addition, in the past the Chinese government has implemented certain measures, including interest rate increases, to control the pace of economic growth. These measures may cause decreased economic activity in China.
A downturn in the Chinese or global economy could reduce the demand for consumer loans, which could materially and adversely affect our business and financial condition.
The global financial markets have experienced significant disruptions since 2008 and the United States, Europe and other economies have experienced periods of recession. The recovery from the lows of 2008 and 2009 has been uneven and is facing new challenges, including the escalation of the European sovereign debt crisis from 2011 and the slowdown of the Chinese economy since 2012. It is unclear whether the Chinese economy will resume its high growth rate. There is considerable uncertainty over the long-term effects of the expansionary monetary and fiscal policies adopted by the central banks and financial authorities of some of the world's leading economies, including the United States and China. There have also been concerns over unrest in Ukraine, the Middle East and Africa, which have resulted in volatility in financial and other markets. There have also been concerns about the economic effect of the tensions in the relationship between China and surrounding Asian countries. Economic conditions in China are sensitive to global economic conditions. Any prolonged slowdown in the global or Chinese economy may reduce the demand for consumer loans and have a negative impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Additionally, continued
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turbulence in the international markets may adversely affect our ability to access the capital markets to meet liquidity needs.
Uncertainties in the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws and regulations could limit the legal protections available to us.
The PRC legal system is based on written statutes and prior court decisions have limited value as precedents. Since these laws and regulations are relatively new and the PRC legal system continues to rapidly evolve, the interpretations of many laws, regulations and rules are not always uniform and enforcement of these laws, regulations and rules involves uncertainties.
From time to time, we may have to resort to administrative and court proceedings to enforce our legal rights. However, since PRC administrative and court authorities have significant discretion in interpreting and implementing statutory and contractual terms, it may be more difficult to evaluate the outcome of administrative and court proceedings and the level of legal protection we enjoy than in more developed legal systems. Furthermore, the PRC legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules (some of which are not published in a timely manner or at all) that may have retroactive effect. As a result, we may not be aware of our violation of these policies and rules until sometime after the violation. Such uncertainties, including uncertainty over the scope and effect of our contractual, property (including intellectual property) and procedural rights, could materially and adversely affect our business and impede our ability to continue our operations.
Substantial uncertainties exist with respect to the enactment timetable, interpretation and implementation of draft PRC Foreign Investment Law and how it may impact the viability of our current corporate structure, corporate governance and business operations.
The MOFCOM published a discussion draft of the proposed Foreign Investment Law in January 2015 aiming to, upon its enactment, replace the trio of existing laws regulating foreign investment in China, namely, the Sino-foreign Equity Joint Venture Enterprise Law, the Sino-foreign Cooperative Joint Venture Enterprise Law and the Wholly Foreign-invested Enterprise Law, together with their implementation rules and ancillary regulations. The draft Foreign Investment Law embodies an expected PRC regulatory trend to rationalize its foreign investment regulatory regime in line with prevailing international practice and the legislative efforts to unify the corporate legal requirements for both foreign and domestic investments. The MOFCOM had solicited comments on this draft and substantial uncertainties exist with respect to its enactment timetable, interpretation and implementation. The draft Foreign Investment Law, if enacted as proposed, may materially impact the viability of our current corporate structure, corporate governance and business operations in many aspects.
Among other things, the draft Foreign Investment Law expands the definition of foreign investment and introduces the principle of "actual control" in determining whether a company is considered a FIE. The draft Foreign Investment Law specifically provides that entities established in China but "controlled" by foreign investors will be treated as FIEs, whereas an entity set up in a foreign jurisdiction would nonetheless be, upon market entry clearance by the MOFCOM, treated as a PRC domestic investor provided that the entity is "controlled" by PRC entities and/or citizens. In this connection, "foreign investors" refers to the following subjects making investments within the PRC: (i) natural persons without PRC nationality; (ii) enterprises incorporated under the laws of countries or regions other than China; (iii) the governments of countries or regions other than the PRC and the departments or agencies thereunder; and (iv) international organizations. Domestic enterprises under the control of the subjects as mentioned in the preceding sentence are deemed foreign investors, and "control" is broadly defined in the draft law to cover the following summarized categories: (i) holding, directly or indirectly, not less than 50% of shares, equities, share of voting rights or other similar rights of the subject entity; (ii) holding, directly or indirectly, less than 50% of the voting rights of the subject
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entity but having the power to secure at least 50% of the seats on the board or other equivalent decision making bodies, or having the voting power to material influence on the board, the shareholders' meeting or other equivalent decision making bodies; or (iii) having the power to exert decisive influence, via contractual or trust arrangements, over the subject entity's operations, financial matters or other key aspects of business operations. Once an entity is determined to be an FIE, it will be subject to the foreign investment restrictions or prohibitions set forth in a "catalog of special administrative measures," which is classified into the "catalog of prohibitions" and "the catalog of restrictions," to be separately issued by the State Council later. Foreign investors are not allowed to invest in any sector set forth in the catalog of prohibitions. However, unless the underlying business of the FIE falls within the catalog of restrictions, which calls for market entry clearance by the MOFCOM, prior approval from governmental authorities as mandated by the existing foreign investment legal regime would no longer be required for establishment of the FIE.
The "variable interest entity" structure, or VIE structure, has been adopted by many PRC-based companies, including us, to obtain necessary licenses and permits in the industries that are currently subject to foreign investment restrictions in China. See "Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure" and "Corporate History and Structure." Under the draft Foreign Investment Law, VIEs that are controlled via contractual arrangement would also be deemed as FIEs, if they are ultimately "controlled" by foreign investors. Therefore, for any companies with a VIE structure in an industry category that is on the "catalog of restrictions," the VIE structure may be deemed a domestic investment only if the ultimate controlling person(s) is/are of PRC nationality (either PRC companies or PRC citizens). Conversely, if the actual controlling person(s) is/are of foreign nationalities, then the VIEs will be treated as FIEs and any operation in the industry category on the "catalog of restrictions" without market entry clearance may be considered as illegal.
In addition, the draft Foreign Investment Law does not indicate what actions shall be taken with respect to the existing companies with a VIE structure, whether or not these companies are controlled by Chinese parties. Moreover, it is uncertain when the draft would be signed into law and whether the final version would have any substantial changes from the draft. If the ownership structure, contractual arrangements and business of our company, our PRC subsidiaries or our VIEs are found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws or regulations, or we fail to obtain or maintain any of the required permits or approvals, the relevant governmental authorities would have broad discretion in dealing with such violation, including levying fines, confiscating our income or the income of our VIEs, revoking the business licenses or operating licenses of our WFOE or our VIEs, shutting down our servers or blocking our online platform, discontinuing or placing restrictions or onerous conditions on our operations, requiring us to undergo a costly and disruptive restructuring, restricting or prohibiting our use of proceeds from this offering to finance our business and operations in China, and taking other regulatory or enforcement actions that could be harmful to our business. Any of these actions could cause significant disruption to our business operations and severely damage our reputation, which would in turn materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Were this to occur, our results of operations and financial condition would be materially and adversely affected and the market price of our ADSs may decline.
The draft Foreign Investment Law, if enacted as proposed, may also materially impact our corporate governance practice and increase our compliance costs. For instance, the draft Foreign Investment Law imposes stringent ad hoc and periodic information reporting requirements on foreign investors and the applicable FIEs. Aside from an investment information report required at each investment, and investment amendment reports, which shall be submitted upon alteration of investment specifics, it is mandatory for entities established by foreign investors to submit an annual report, and large foreign investors meeting certain criteria are required to report on a quarterly basis. Any company found to be non-compliant with these reporting obligations may potentially be subject to fines and/or administrative or criminal liabilities, and the persons directly responsible may be subject to criminal liabilities.
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We may be adversely affected by the complexity, uncertainties and changes in PRC regulation of internet-related businesses and companies, and any lack of requisite approvals, licenses or permits applicable to our business may have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
The PRC government extensively regulates the internet industry, including foreign ownership of, and the licensing and permit requirements pertaining to, companies in the internet industry. These internet-related laws and regulations are relatively new and evolving, and their interpretation and enforcement involve significant uncertainties. As a result, in certain circumstances it may be difficult to determine what actions or omissions may be deemed to be in violation of applicable laws and regulations.
We only have contractual control over our website and mobile app platform. We do not directly own the website and mobile app platform due to the restriction of foreign investment in businesses providing value-added telecommunications services in China, including internet information provision services. This may significantly disrupt our business, subject us to sanctions, compromise enforceability of related contractual arrangements, or have other harmful effects on us.
The evolving PRC regulatory system for the internet industry may lead to the establishment of new regulatory agencies. For example, in May 2011, the State Council announced the establishment of a new department, the Cyberspace Administration of China, (with the involvement of the State Council Information Office, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, or the MIIT, and the Ministry of Public Security). The primary role of this new agency is to facilitate the policy-making and legislative development in this field, to direct and coordinate with the relevant departments in connection with online content administration and to deal with cross-ministry regulatory matters in relation to the internet industry.
According to relevant PRC laws and regulations, any enterprise must obtain a value-added telecommunication business license to operate value-added telecommunication business. As a result, our online platform, 360 Jietiao, operated by Shanghai Qiyu, one of our VIEs, may be required to obtain VATS license. Furthermore, it is uncertain if Fuzhou Microcredit will be required to obtain a separate operating license with respect to our mobile app or website in addition to the VATS license.
The interpretation and application of existing PRC laws, regulations and policies and possible new laws, regulations or policies relating to the internet industry have created substantial uncertainties regarding the legality of existing and future foreign investments in, and the businesses and activities of, internet businesses in China, including our business. We cannot assure you that we have obtained all the permits or licenses required for conducting our business in China or will be able to maintain our existing licenses or obtain new ones. If the PRC government considers that we were operating without the proper approvals, licenses or permits or promulgates new laws and regulations that require additional approvals or licenses or imposes additional restrictions on the operation of any part of our business, it has the power, among other things, to levy fines, confiscate our income, revoke our business licenses, and require us to discontinue our relevant business or impose restrictions on the affected portion of our business. Any of these actions by the PRC government may have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
We rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our PRC subsidiary to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have, and any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiary to make payments to us could have a material adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business.
We are a holding company, and we rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our PRC subsidiary for our cash and financing requirements, including the funds necessary to pay dividends and other cash distributions to our shareholders and service any debt we may incur. If our PRC subsidiary incurs debt on its own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict its ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to us. In addition, the PRC tax authorities may
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require our PRC subsidiary to adjust its taxable income under the contractual arrangements it currently has in place with our VIEs in a manner that would materially and adversely affect their ability to pay dividends and other distributions to us. See "Risks Related to Our Corporate StructureContractual arrangements in relation to our VIEs may be subject to scrutiny by the PRC tax authorities and they may determine that we or our VIEs owe additional taxes, which could negatively affect our financial condition and the value of your investment."
Under PRC laws and regulations, our PRC subsidiary, as wholly foreign-owned enterprises in China, may pay dividends only out of its accumulated after-tax profits as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, a wholly foreign-owned enterprise is required to set aside at least 10% of its accumulated after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund certain statutory reserve funds, until the aggregate amount of such funds reaches 50% of its registered capital. At its discretion, a wholly foreign-owned enterprise may allocate a portion of its after-tax profits based on PRC accounting standards to employee benefits and bonus funds. These reserve funds and employee benefits and bonus funds are not distributable as cash dividends.
In response to the persistent capital outflow and the Renminbi's depreciation against U.S. dollar in the fourth quarter of 2016, the People's Bank of China and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, have implemented a series of capital control measures, including stricter vetting procedures for China-based companies to remit foreign currency for overseas acquisitions, dividend payments and shareholder loan repayments. For instance, the SAFE issued the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Further Improving and Adjusting the Policy for Foreign Exchange Control of Capital Accounts, or the Circular 2, on May 12, 2014, which provides that offshore Renminbi loans provided by a domestic enterprise to offshore enterprises that it holds equity interests in shall not exceed 30% of such equity interests. The Circular 2 may constrain our PRC subsidiary's ability to provide offshore loans to us. The PRC government may continue to strengthen its capital controls and our PRC subsidiary's dividends and other distributions may be subjected to tighter scrutiny in the future. Any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiary to pay dividends or make other distributions to us could materially and adversely limit our ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions that could be beneficial to our business, pay dividends, or otherwise fund and conduct our business. See also "If we are classified as a PRC resident enterprise for PRC income tax purposes, such classification could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders or ADS holders."
PRC regulation of loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion may delay or prevent us from using the proceeds of this offering to make loans to or make additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiary, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.
Any funds we transfer to our PRC subsidiary, either as a shareholder loan or as an increase in registered capital, are subject to approval by or registration with relevant governmental authorities in China. According to the relevant PRC regulations on foreign-invested enterprises in China, capital contributions to our PRC subsidiary are subject to the requirement of making necessary filings in the Foreign Investment Comprehensive Management Information System, or FICMIS, and registration with other governmental authorities in China. In addition, (a) any foreign loan procured by our PRC subsidiary is required to be registered with SAFE, or its local branches, and (b) our PRC subsidiary may not procure loans which exceed the difference between its registered capital and its total investment amount as recorded in FICMIS. Any medium or long term loan to be provided by us to a variable interest entity of our company must be recorded and registered by the National Development and Reform Committee and SAFE or its local branches. We may not complete such recording or registrations on a timely basis, if at all, with respect to future capital contributions or foreign loans by us to our PRC subsidiary. If we fail to complete such recording or registration, our ability to use the
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proceeds of this offering and to capitalize our PRC operations may be negatively affected, which could adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.
In 2008, SAFE promulgated the Circular on the Relevant Operating Issues Concerning the Improvement of the Administration of the Payment and Settlement of Foreign Currency Capital of Foreign-Invested Enterprises, or SAFE Circular 142, which used to regulate the conversion by foreign-invested enterprises of foreign currency into Renminbi by restricting the usage of converted Renminbi. On March 30, 2015, SAFE promulgated the Circular on Reforming the Management Approach Regarding the Foreign Exchange Capital Settlement of Foreign-Invested Enterprises, or SAFE Circular 19. SAFE Circular 19 took effect as of June 1, 2015 and superseded SAFE Circular 142 on the same date. SAFE Circular 19 introduces a nationwide reform of the administration of the settlement of the foreign exchange capitals of foreign-invested enterprises and allows foreign-invested enterprises to settle their foreign exchange capital at their discretion, but continues to prohibit foreign-invested enterprises from using the Renminbi fund converted from their foreign exchange capitals for expenditures beyond their business scopes. On June 9, 2016, SAFE promulgated the Circular on Reforming and Standardizing the Administrative Provisions on Capital Account Foreign Exchange, or SAFE Circular 16. SAFE Circular 19 and SAFE Circular 16 continue to prohibit foreign-invested enterprises from, among other things, using Renminbi fund converted from its foreign exchange capitals for expenditure beyond its business scope, investment and financing (except for security investment or guarantee products issued by bank), providing loans to non-affiliated enterprises or constructing or purchasing real estate not for self-use. SAFE Circular 19 and SAFE Circular 16 may significantly limit our ability to transfer to and use in China the net proceeds from this offering, which may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Fluctuations in exchange rates could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and the price of our ADSs.
The value of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar and other currencies may fluctuate and is affected by, among other things, changes in political and economic conditions in China and by China's foreign exchange policies. On July 21, 2005, the PRC government changed its decade-old policy of pegging the value of the Renminbi to the U.S. dollar, and the Renminbi appreciated more than 20% against the U.S. dollar over the following three years. Between July 2008 and June 2010, this appreciation halted and the exchange rate between the Renminbi and the U.S. dollar remained within a narrow band. Since June 2010, the Renminbi has fluctuated against the U.S. dollar, at times significantly and unpredictably. On November 30, 2015, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed the regular five-year review of the basket of currencies that make up the Special Drawing Right, or the SDR, and decided that with effect from October 1, 2016, the Renminbi is determined to be a freely usable currency and will be included in the SDR basket as a fifth currency, along with the U.S. dollar, the Euro, the Japanese yen and the British pound. Through the fourth quarter of 2016, the Renminbi has depreciated significantly in the backdrop of a surging U.S. dollar and persistent capital outflows of China. With the development of the foreign exchange market and progress towards interest rate liberalization and Renminbi internationalization, the PRC government may in the future announce further changes to the exchange rate system and we cannot assure you that the Renminbi will not appreciate or depreciate significantly in value against the U.S. dollar in the future. It is difficult to predict how market forces or PRC or U.S. government policy may impact the exchange rate between the Renminbi and the U.S. dollar in the future.
Significant revaluation of the Renminbi may have a material and adverse effect on your investment. For example, to the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars we receive from this offering into Renminbi for our operations, appreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar would have an adverse effect on the Renminbi amount we would receive from the conversion. Conversely, if we decide to convert our Renminbi amounts into U.S. dollars for the purpose of making payments for
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dividends on our ordinary shares or ADSs or for other business purposes, appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the Renminbi would have a negative effect on the U.S. dollar amount available to us.
Very limited hedging options are available in China to reduce our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations. To date, we have not entered into any hedging transactions in an effort to reduce our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk. While we may decide to enter into hedging transactions in the future, the availability and effectiveness of these hedges may be limited and we may not be able to adequately hedge our exposure or at all.
In addition, our currency exchange losses may be magnified by PRC exchange control regulations that restrict our ability to convert Renminbi into foreign currency.
Governmental control of currency conversion may limit our ability to utilize our net revenue effectively and affect the value of your investment.
The PRC government imposes controls on the convertibility of the Renminbi into foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the remittance of currency out of China. We receive substantially all of our net revenue in Renminbi. Under our current corporate structure, our company in the Cayman Islands relies on dividend payments from our PRC subsidiary to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have. Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, such as profit distributions and trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval from SAFE by complying with certain procedural requirements. Therefore, our PRC subsidiary is able to pay dividends in foreign currencies to us without prior approval from SAFE, subject to the condition that the remittance of such dividends outside of the PRC complies with certain procedures under PRC foreign exchange regulation, such as the overseas investment registrations by the shareholders of our company who are PRC residents. But approval from or registration with appropriate government authorities is required where Renminbi is to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of loans denominated in foreign currencies.
In light of the flood of capital outflows of China in 2016 due to the weakening Renminbi, the PRC government has imposed more restrictive foreign exchange policies and stepped up scrutiny of major outbound capital movement. More restrictions and substantial vetting process are put in place by SAFE to regulate cross-border transactions falling under the capital account. The PRC government may at its discretion further restrict access in the future to foreign currencies for current account transactions. If the foreign exchange control system prevents us from obtaining sufficient foreign currencies to satisfy our foreign currency demands, we may not be able to pay dividends in foreign currencies to our shareholders, including holders of our ADSs.
Failure to make adequate contributions to various employee benefit plans and withhold individual income tax on employees' salaries as required by PRC regulations may subject us to penalties.
Companies operating in China are required to participate in various government sponsored employee benefit plans, including certain social insurance, housing funds and other welfare-oriented payment obligations, and contribute to the plans in amounts equal to certain percentages of salaries of our employees up to a maximum amount specified by the local government from time to time at locations where we operate our businesses. The requirement of employee benefit plans has not been implemented consistently by the local governments in China given the different levels of economic development in different locations. Companies operating in China are also required to withhold individual income tax on employees' salaries based on the actual salary of each employee upon payment. If we do not make adequate employee benefit payments, we may be required to make up the contributions for these plans as well as to pay late fees and fines; with respect to the underwithheld
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individual income tax, we may be required to make up sufficient withholding and pay late fees and fines. If we are subject to late fees or fines in relation to the underpaid employee benefits and underwithheld individual income tax, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.
The M&A Rules and certain other PRC regulations establish complex procedures for some acquisitions of Chinese companies by foreign investors, which could make it more difficult for us to pursue growth through acquisitions in China.
The Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Companies by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rules, adopted by six PRC regulatory agencies in 2006 and amended in 2009, and some other regulations and rules concerning mergers and acquisitions established additional procedures and requirements that could make merger and acquisition activities by foreign investors more time consuming and complex, including requirements in some instances that the MOFCOM be notified in advance of any change-of-control transaction in which a foreign investor takes control of a PRC domestic enterprise. Moreover, the Anti-Monopoly Law requires that the MOFCOM shall be notified in advance of any concentration of undertaking if certain thresholds are triggered. In addition, the security review rules issued by the MOFCOM that became effective in September 2011 specify that mergers and acquisitions by foreign investors that raise "national defense and security" concerns and mergers and acquisitions through which foreign investors may acquire de facto control over domestic enterprises that raise "national security" concerns are subject to strict review by the MOFCOM, and the rules prohibit any activities attempting to bypass a security review, including by structuring the transaction through a proxy or contractual control arrangement. In the future, we may grow our business by acquiring complementary businesses. Complying with the requirements of the above-mentioned regulations and other relevant rules to complete such transactions could be time consuming, and any required approval processes, including obtaining approval from the MOFCOM or its local counterparts may delay or inhibit our ability to complete such transactions, which could affect our ability to expand our business or maintain our market share.
PRC regulations relating to offshore investment activities by PRC residents may limit our PRC subsidiary's ability to increase their registered capital or distribute profits to us or otherwise expose us or our PRC resident beneficial owners to liability and penalties under PRC law.
SAFE promulgated the Circular on Relevant Issues Relating to PRC Resident's Investment and Financing and Roundtrip Investment through Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 37, in July 2014 that requires PRC residents or entities to register with SAFE or its local branch in connection with their establishment or control of an offshore entity established for the purpose of overseas investment or financing. In addition, such PRC residents or entities must update their SAFE registrations when the offshore special purpose vehicle undergoes material events relating to any change of basic information (including change of such PRC residents or entities, name and operation term), increases or decreases in investment amount, transfers or exchanges of shares, or mergers or divisions.
SAFE Circular 37 is issued to replace the Circular on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Administration for PRC Residents Engaging in Financing and Roundtrip Investments through Overseas Special Purpose Vehicles.
If our shareholders who are PRC residents or entities do not complete their registration with the local SAFE branches, our PRC subsidiary may be prohibited from distributing their profits and proceeds from any reduction in capital, share transfer or liquidation to us, and we may be restricted in our ability to contribute additional capital to our PRC subsidiary. Moreover, failure to comply with SAFE registration described above could result in liability under PRC laws for evasion of applicable foreign exchange restrictions.
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However, we may not be informed of the identities of all the PRC residents or entities holding direct or indirect interest in our company, nor can we compel our shareholders to comply with the requirements of SAFE Circular 37. As a result, we cannot assure you that all of our shareholders who are PRC residents or entities have complied with, and will in the future make or obtain any applicable registrations or approvals required by, SAFE Circular 37. Failure by such shareholders to comply with SAFE Circular 37, or failure by us to amend the foreign exchange registrations of our PRC subsidiary, could subject us to fines or legal sanctions, restrict our overseas or cross-border investment activities, limit our PRC subsidiary's ability to make distributions or pay dividends to us or affect our ownership structure, which could adversely affect our business and prospects.
Any failure to comply with PRC regulations regarding the registration requirements for employee stock incentive plans may subject the PRC plan participants or us to fines and other legal or administrative sanctions.
Pursuant to SAFE Circular 37, PRC residents who participate in stock incentive plans in overseas non-publicly-listed companies may submit applications to SAFE or its local branches for the foreign exchange registration with respect to offshore special purpose vehicles. In the meantime, our directors, executive officers and other employees who are PRC citizens, subject to limited exceptions, and who have been granted stock options by us, may follow the Notices on Issues Concerning the Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in Stock Incentive Plan of Overseas Publicly-Listed Company, promulgated by SAFE in 2012, or the 2012 SAFE Notices. Pursuant to the 2012 SAFE Notices, PRC citizens and non-PRC citizens who reside in China for a continuous period of not less than one year who participate in any stock incentive plan of an overseas publicly listed company, subject to a few exceptions, are required to register with SAFE through a domestic qualified agent, which could be the PRC subsidiaries of such overseas listed company, and complete certain other procedures. In addition, an overseas entrusted institution must be retained to handle matters in connection with the exercise or sale of stock options and the purchase or sale of shares and interests. We and our directors, executive officers and other employees who are PRC citizens or who reside in the PRC for a continuous period of not less than one year and who have been granted stock options will be subject to these regulations when our company becomes an overseas listed company upon the completion of this offering. Failure to complete SAFE registrations may subject them to fines and legal sanctions, and may also limit our ability to contribute additional capital into our PRC subsidiary and limit our PRC subsidiary's ability to distribute dividends to us. We also face regulatory uncertainties that could restrict our ability to adopt additional incentive plans for our directors, executive officers and employees under PRC law. See "RegulationRegulations on Foreign ExchangeRegulations on Stock Incentive Plans."
The State Administration of Taxation, or SAT, has issued certain circulars concerning employee stock options and restricted shares. Under these circulars, our employees working in China who exercise stock options or are granted restricted shares will be subject to PRC individual income tax. Our PRC subsidiary has obligations to file documents related to employee stock options or restricted shares with relevant tax authorities and to withhold individual income taxes of those employees who exercise their share options. If our employees fail to pay or we fail to withhold their income taxes according to relevant laws and regulations, we may face sanctions imposed by the tax authorities or other PRC governmental authorities. See "RegulationRegulations on Foreign ExchangeRegulations on Stock Incentive Plans."
If we are classified as a PRC resident enterprise for PRC income tax purposes, such classification could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders or ADS holders.
Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementation rules, an enterprise established outside of the PRC with a "de facto management body" within the PRC is considered a resident
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enterprise and will be subject to the enterprise income tax on its global income at the rate of 25%. The implementation rules define the term "de facto management body" as the body that exercises full and substantial control over and overall management of the business, productions, personnel, accounts and properties of an enterprise. In April 2009, the SAT issued a circular, known as Circular 82, which provides certain specific criteria for determining whether the "de facto management body" of a PRC-controlled enterprise that is incorporated offshore is located in China. Although this circular only applies to offshore enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises or PRC enterprise groups, not those controlled by PRC individuals or foreigners like us, the criteria set forth in the circular may reflect the SAT's general position on how the "de facto management body" test should be applied in determining the tax resident status of all offshore enterprises. According to Circular 82, an offshore incorporated enterprise controlled by a PRC enterprise or a PRC enterprise group will be regarded as a PRC tax resident by virtue of having its "de facto management body" in China and will be subject to PRC enterprise income tax on its global income only if all of the following conditions are met: (i) the primary location of the day-to-day operational management is in the PRC; (ii) decisions relating to the enterprise's financial and human resource matters are made or are subject to approval by organizations or personnel in the PRC; (iii) the enterprise's primary assets, accounting books and records, company seals, and board and shareholder resolutions, are located or maintained in the PRC; and (iv) at least 50% of voting board members or senior executives habitually reside in the PRC.
We believe none of our entities outside of China is a PRC resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes. See "TaxationPeople's Republic of China Taxation." However, the tax resident status of an enterprise is subject to determination by the PRC tax authorities and uncertainties remain with respect to the interpretation of the term "de facto management body." As substantially all of our management members are based in China, it remains unclear how the tax residency rule will apply to our case. If the PRC tax authorities determine that we or any of our subsidiaries outside of China is a PRC resident enterprise for PRC enterprise income tax purposes, then we or such subsidiary could be subject to PRC tax at a rate of 25% on its worldwide income, which could materially reduce our net income. In addition, we will also be subject to PRC enterprise income tax reporting obligations. Furthermore, if the PRC tax authorities determine that we are a PRC resident enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes, gains realized on the sale or other disposition of our ADSs or ordinary shares may be subject to PRC tax, at a rate of 10% in the case of non-PRC enterprises or 20% in the case of non-PRC individuals (in each case, subject to the provisions of any applicable tax treaty), if such gains are deemed to be from PRC sources. It is unclear whether non-PRC shareholders of our company would be able to claim the benefits of any tax treaties between their country of tax residence and the PRC in the event that we are treated as a PRC resident enterprise. Any such tax may reduce the returns on your investment in the ADSs or ordinary shares.
We may not be able to obtain certain benefits under relevant tax treaty on dividends paid by our PRC subsidiary to us through our Hong Kong subsidiary.
We are a holding company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands and as such rely on dividends and other distributions on equity from our PRC subsidiary to satisfy part of our liquidity requirements. Pursuant to the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, a withholding tax rate of 10% currently applies to dividends paid by a PRC "resident enterprise" to a foreign enterprise investor, unless any such foreign investor's jurisdiction of incorporation has a tax treaty with China that provides for preferential tax treatment. Pursuant to the Arrangement between the Mainland China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Tax Evasion on Income, or the Double Tax Avoidance Arrangement, and Circular 81 issued by the SAT, such withholding tax rate may be lowered to 5% if the PRC enterprise is at least 25% held by a Hong Kong enterprise for at least 12 consecutive months prior to distribution of the dividends and is determined by the relevant PRC tax authority to have satisfied other conditions and requirements under the Double Tax Avoidance Arrangement and other applicable PRC laws. Furthermore, under the Administrative
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Measures for Non-Resident Enterprises to Enjoy Treatments under Tax Treaties, which became effective in August 2015, the non-resident enterprises shall determine whether they are qualified to enjoy the preferential tax treatment under the tax treaties and file relevant report and materials with the tax authorities. There are also other conditions for enjoying the reduced withholding tax rate according to other relevant tax rules and regulations. See "TaxationPeople's Republic of China Taxation." We cannot assure you that our determination regarding our qualification to enjoy the preferential tax treatment will not be challenged by the relevant PRC tax authority or we will be able to complete the necessary filings with the relevant PRC tax authority and enjoy the preferential withholding tax rate of 5% under the Double Tax Avoidance Arrangement with respect to dividends to be paid by our PRC subsidiary to our Hong Kong subsidiary.
We face uncertainty with respect to indirect transfers of equity interests in PRC resident enterprises by their non-PRC holding companies.
We face uncertainties regarding the reporting on and consequences of previous private equity financing transactions involving the transfer and exchange of shares in our company by non-resident investors.
In February 2015, the SAT issued the Bulletin on Issues of Enterprise Income Tax on Indirect Transfers of Assets by Non-PRC Resident Enterprises, or SAT Bulletin 7, as amended in 2017. Pursuant to this bulletin, an "indirect transfer" of assets, including equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise, by non-PRC resident enterprises may be re-characterized and treated as a direct transfer of PRC taxable assets, if such arrangement does not have a reasonable commercial purpose and was established for the purpose of avoiding payment of PRC enterprise income tax. As a result, gains derived from such indirect transfer may be subject to PRC enterprise income tax. According to SAT Bulletin 7, "PRC taxable assets" include assets attributed to an establishment in China, immovable properties located in China, and equity investments in PRC resident enterprises, in respect of which gains from their transfer by a direct holder, being a non-PRC resident enterprise, would be subject to PRC enterprise income taxes. When determining whether there is a "reasonable commercial purpose" of the transaction arrangement, features to be taken into consideration include: whether the main value of the equity interest of the relevant offshore enterprise derives from PRC taxable assets; whether the assets of the relevant offshore enterprise mainly consist of direct or indirect investment in China or if its income mainly derives from China; whether the offshore enterprise and its subsidiaries directly or indirectly holding PRC taxable assets have real commercial nature which is evidenced by their actual function and risk exposure; the duration of existence of the business model and organizational structure; the replicability of the transaction by direct transfer of PRC taxable assets; and the tax situation of such indirect transfer and applicable tax treaties or similar arrangements. In respect of an indirect offshore transfer of assets of a PRC establishment, the resulting gain is to be included with the enterprise income tax filing of the PRC establishment or place of business being transferred, and would consequently be subject to PRC enterprise income tax at a rate of 25%. Where the underlying transfer relates to the immovable properties located in China or to equity investments in a PRC resident enterprise, which is not related to a PRC establishment or place of business of a non-resident enterprise, a PRC enterprise income tax of 10% would apply, subject to available preferential tax treatment under applicable tax treaties or similar arrangements, and the party who is obligated to make the transfer payments has the withholding obligation. SAT Bulletin 7 does not apply to transactions of sale of shares by investors through a public stock exchange where such shares were acquired from a transaction through a public stock exchange.
There is uncertainty as to the application of SAT Bulletin 7. We face uncertainties as to the reporting and other implications of certain past and future transactions where PRC taxable assets are involved, such as offshore restructuring, sale of the shares in our offshore subsidiaries or investments. Our company may be subject to filing obligations or taxed if our company is transferor in such
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transactions, and may be subject to withholding obligations if our company is transferee in such transactions under SAT Bulletin 7. For transfer of shares in our company by investors that are non-PRC resident enterprises, our PRC subsidiaries may be requested to assist in the filing under SAT Bulletin 7. As a result, we may be required to expend valuable resources to comply with SAT Bulletin 7 or to request the relevant transferors from whom we purchase taxable assets to comply with these circulars, or to establish that our company should not be taxed under these circulars, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
The audit report included in this prospectus is prepared by an auditor who is not inspected by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and, as such, our investors are deprived of the benefits of such inspection.
Our independent registered public accounting firm that issues the audit report included in our prospectus filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, as auditor of companies that are traded publicly in the United States and a firm registered with the U.S. Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, or the PCAOB, is required by the laws of the United States to undergo regular inspections by the PCAOB to assess its compliance with the laws of the United States and professional standards. Because our auditors are located in the PRC, a jurisdiction where the PCAOB is currently unable to conduct inspections without the approval of the Chinese authorities, our auditor is not currently inspected by the PCAOB.
Inspections of other firms that the PCAOB has conducted outside China have identified deficiencies in those firms' audit procedures and quality control procedures, which may be addressed as part of the inspection process to improve future audit quality. This lack of PCAOB inspections in China prevents the PCAOB from regularly evaluating our auditor's audits and its quality control procedures. As a result, investors may be deprived of the benefits of PCAOB inspections.
The inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections of auditors in China makes it more difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of our auditor's audit procedures or quality control procedures as compared to auditors outside of China that are subject to PCAOB inspections. Investors may lose confidence in our reported financial information and procedures and the quality of our financial statements, which may have a material adverse effect on our ADS price.
Proceedings instituted by the SEC against five PRC-based accounting firms, including our independent registered public accounting firm, could result in financial statements being determined to not be in compliance with the requirements of the Exchange Act.
Starting in 2011 the Chinese affiliates of the "big four" accounting firms, including our independent registered public accounting firm, were affected by a conflict between U.S. and PRC law. Specifically, for certain U.S.-listed companies operating and audited in mainland China, the SEC and the PCAOB sought to obtain from the Chinese firms access to their audit work papers and related documents. The firms were, however, advised and directed that under PRC law, they could not respond directly to the U.S. regulators on those requests, and that requests by foreign regulators for access to such papers in China had to be channeled through the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or the CSRC.
In late 2012, this impasse led the SEC to commence administrative proceedings under Rule 102(e) of its Rules of Practice and also under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 against the Chinese accounting firms, including our independent registered public accounting firm. A first instance trial of the proceedings in July 2013 in the SEC's internal administrative court resulted in an adverse judgment against the firms. The administrative law judge proposed penalties on the firms including a temporary suspension of their right to practice before the SEC, although that proposed penalty did not take effect pending review by the Commissioners of the SEC. On February 6, 2015, before a review by the
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Commissioners had taken place, the firms reached a settlement with the SEC. Under the settlement, the SEC accepts that future requests by the SEC for the production of documents will normally be made to the CSRC. The firms will receive matching Section 106 requests, and are required to abide by a detailed set of procedures with respect to such requests, which in substance require them to facilitate production via the CSRC. If they fail to meet specified criteria, the SEC retains authority to impose a variety of additional remedial measures on the firms depending on the nature of the failure. Remedies for any future noncompliance could include, as appropriate, an automatic six-month bar on a single firm's performance of certain audit work, commencement of a new proceeding against a firm, or in extreme cases the resumption of the current proceeding against all four firms.
In the event that the SEC restarts the administrative proceedings, depending upon the final outcome, listed companies in the United States with major PRC operations may find it difficult or impossible to retain auditors in respect of their operations in the PRC, which could result in financial statements being determined to not be in compliance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, including possible delisting. Moreover, any negative news about any such future proceedings against these audit firms may cause investor uncertainty regarding China-based, U.S.-listed companies and the market price of our ADSs may be adversely affected.
If our independent registered public accounting firm was denied, even temporarily, the ability to practice before the SEC and we were unable to timely find another registered public accounting firm to audit and issue an opinion on our financial statements, our financial statements could be determined not to be in compliance with the requirements of the Exchange Act. Such a determination could ultimately lead to the delisting of our ADSs from the New York Stock Exchange or deregistration from the SEC, or both, which would substantially reduce or effectively terminate the trading of our ADSs in the United States.
Risks Related to Our ADSs and This Offering
There has been no public market for our class A ordinary shares or ADSs prior to this offering, and you may not be able to resell our ADSs at or above the price you paid, or at all.
Prior to this initial public offering, there has been no public market for our class A ordinary shares or ADSs. We have applied to list our ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange. Our class A ordinary shares will not be listed on any exchange or quoted for trading on any over-the-counter trading system. If an active trading market for our ADSs does not develop after this offering, the market price and liquidity of our ADSs will be materially and adversely affected.
The initial public offering price for our ADSs will be determined by negotiation between us and the underwriters, which may bear no relationship to their market price after the initial public offering. We cannot assure you that an active trading market for our ADSs will develop or that the market price of our ADSs will not decline below the initial public offering price.
The market price for our ADSs may be volatile.
The trading prices of our ADSs are likely to be volatile and could fluctuate widely due to factors beyond our control. This may happen because of broad market and industry factors, like the performance and fluctuation in the market prices or the underperformance or deteriorating financial results of other listed internet or other companies based in China that have listed their securities in the United States in recent years. The securities of some of these companies have experienced significant volatility since their initial public offerings, including, in some cases, substantial price declines in their trading prices. The trading performances of other Chinese companies' securities after their offerings, including internet and e-commerce companies, may affect the attitudes of investors toward Chinese companies listed in the United States, which consequently may impact the trading performance of our ADSs, regardless of our actual operating performance. In addition, any negative news or perceptions
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about inadequate corporate governance practices or fraudulent accounting, corporate structure or other matters of other Chinese companies may also negatively affect the attitudes of investors towards Chinese companies in general, including us, regardless of whether we have conducted any inappropriate activities. In addition, securities markets may from time to time experience significant price and volume fluctuations that are not related to our operating performance, such as the large decline in share prices in the United States, China and other jurisdictions in late 2008, early 2009 and the second half of 2011, which may have a material adverse effect on the market price of our ADSs.
In addition to the above factors, the price and trading volume of our ADSs may be highly volatile due to multiple factors, including the following:
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, the market price for our ADSs and trading volume could decline.
The trading market for our ADSs will depend in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. If research analysts do not establish and maintain adequate research coverage or if one or more of the analysts who cover us downgrade our ADSs or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, the market price for our ADSs would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our company or fail to publish reports on us regularly, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which, in turn, could cause the market price or trading volume for our ADSs to decline.
Because we have not yet adopted a dividend policy with respect to future dividends after this offering, you must rely on price appreciation of our ADSs for return on your investment.
We currently intend to retain most, if not all, of our available funds and any future earnings after this offering to fund the development and growth of our business. As a result, we have not yet adopted
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a dividend policy with respect to future dividends. Therefore, you should not rely on an investment in our ADSs as a source for any future dividend income.
Our board of directors has discretion as to whether to distribute dividends, subject to certain restrictions under Cayman Islands law, namely that our company may only pay dividends either out of profits or share premium account, and provided always that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid if this would result in our company being unable to pay its debts at they fall due in the ordinary course of business. In addition, our shareholders may by ordinary resolution declare a dividend, but no dividend may exceed the amount recommended by our board of directors. Even if our board of directors decides to declare and pay dividends, the timing, amount and form of future dividends, if any, will depend on, among other things, our future results of operations and cash flow, our capital requirements and surplus, the amount of distributions, if any, received by us from our subsidiary, our financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. Accordingly, the return on your investment in our ADSs will likely depend entirely upon any future price appreciation of our ADSs. There is no guarantee that our ADSs will appreciate in value after this offering or even maintain the price at which you purchased the ADSs. You may not realize a return on your investment in our ADSs and you may even lose your entire investment in our ADSs.
The voting rights of holders of ADSs are limited by the terms of the deposit agreement, and you may not be able to exercise your right to direct the voting of the underlying class A ordinary shares which are represented by your ADSs.
As a holder of our ADSs, you will not have any direct right to attend general meetings of our shareholders or to cast any votes at such meetings. You will only be able to exercise the voting rights which attach to the underlying class A ordinary shares which are represented by your ADSs indirectly by giving voting instructions to the depositary in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement. Under the deposit agreement, you may vote only by giving voting instructions to the depositary, as the holder of the underlying class A ordinary shares which are represented by your ADSs. Upon receipt of your voting instructions, if we asked the depositary to solicit your instructions, the depositary will endeavor to vote the underlying class A ordinary shares represented by your ADSs in accordance with your instructions. If we do not instruct the depositary to solicit, you can still send voting instructions to the depositary and the depositary may, but it is not required, to endeavor to carry out those instructions. You will not be able to directly exercise any right to vote with respect to the underlying class A ordinary shares unless you withdraw the shares and become the registered holder of such shares prior to the record date for the general meeting. If we ask the depositary to solicit your voting instructions in connection with a shareholders' meeting, we have agreed to give the depositary notice of that meeting and details of the matters to be voted upon at least 30 days prior to the meeting. However, no disclaimer of liability under the US federal securities laws is intended by any provision of the deposit agreement. Under our post-offering amended and restated memorandum and articles of association that will become effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering, the minimum notice period required to be given by our company to our registered shareholders for convening a general meeting is ten (10) calendar days. When a general meeting is convened, you may not receive sufficient advance notice to enable you to withdraw the underlying class A ordinary shares which are represented by your ADSs and become the registered holder of such shares prior to the record date for the general meeting to allow you to attend the general meeting or to vote directly with respect to any specific matter or resolution which is to be considered and voted upon at the general meeting. In addition, under our post-offering amended and restated memorandum and articles of association that will become effective immediately prior to completion of this offering, for the purposes of determining those shareholders who are entitled to attend and vote at any general meeting, our directors may close our register of members and/or fix in advance a record date for such meeting, and such closure of our register of members or the setting of such a record date may prevent you from withdrawing the underlying class A ordinary shares which are represented by your ADSs and becoming
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the registered holder of such shares prior to the record date, so that you would not be able to attend the general meeting or to vote directly. Where any matter is to be put to a vote at a general meeting, the depositary will, if we request, and subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, endeavor to notify you of the upcoming vote and to deliver our voting materials to you. We cannot assure you that you will receive the voting materials in time to ensure that you can instruct the depositary to vote the underlying class A ordinary shares which are represented by your ADSs. In addition, the depositary and its agents are not responsible for failing to carry out voting instructions or for their manner of carrying out your voting instructions. This means that you may not be able to exercise your right to direct the voting of the underlying class A ordinary shares which are represented by your ADSs, and you may have no legal remedy if the underlying class A ordinary shares are not voted as you requested.
Except in limited circumstances, the depositary for our ADSs will give us a discretionary proxy to vote our class A ordinary shares underlying your ADSs if you do not instruct the depositary how to vote such shares, which could adversely affect your interests.
Under the deposit agreement for our ADSs, the depositary will give us (or our nominee) a discretionary proxy to vote the class A ordinary shares underlying your ADSs at shareholders' meetings if you do not give voting instructions to the depositary as to how to vote the class A ordinary shares underlying your ADSs at any particular shareholders' meeting, unless:
The effect of this discretionary proxy is that, if you fail to give voting instructions to the depositary as to how to vote the class A ordinary shares underlying your ADSs at any particular shareholders' meeting, you cannot prevent such class A ordinary shares underlying your ADSs from being voted at that meeting, absent the situations described above, and it may make it more difficult for shareholders to influence our management. Holders of our ordinary shares are not subject to this discretionary proxy.
The deposit agreement may be amended or terminated without your consent.
We may amend the deposit agreement without your consent. If you continue to hold your ADSs after an amendment to the deposit agreement, you agree to be bound by the deposit agreement as amended. See "Description of American Depositary Shares" for more information.
Your right to participate in any future rights offerings may be limited, which may cause dilution to your holdings.
We may from time to time distribute rights to our shareholders, including rights to acquire our securities. However, we cannot make such rights available to you in the United States unless we register both the rights and the securities to which the rights relate under the Securities Act or an exemption from the registration requirements is available. Under the deposit agreement, the depositary will not make rights available to you unless both the rights and the underlying securities to be distributed to ADS holders are either registered under the Securities Act or exempt from registration under the Securities Act. We are under no obligation to file a registration statement with respect to any
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such rights or securities or to endeavor to cause such a registration statement to be declared effective and we may not be able to establish a necessary exemption from registration under the Securities Act. Accordingly, you may be unable to participate in our rights offerings in the future and may experience dilution in your holdings.
You may not receive dividends or other distributions on our ordinary shares and you may not receive any value for them, if it is illegal or impractical to make them available to you.
The depositary has agreed to pay to you the cash dividends or other distributions it or the custodian receives on our class A ordinary shares or other deposited securities underlying our ADSs, after deducting its fees and expenses. You will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of class A ordinary shares your ADSs represent. However, the depositary is not responsible if it decides that it is unlawful or impractical to make a distribution available to any holders of ADSs. For example, it would be unlawful to make a distribution to a holder of ADSs if it consists of securities that require registration under the Securities Act but that are not properly registered or distributed under an applicable exemption from registration. The depositary may also determine that it is not feasible to distribute certain property. Additionally, the value of certain distributions may be less than the cost of mailing them. In these cases, the depositary may determine not to distribute such property. We have no obligation to register under U.S. securities laws any ADSs, ordinary shares, rights or other securities received through such distributions. We also have no obligation to take any other action to permit the distribution of ADSs, ordinary shares, rights or anything else to holders of ADSs. This means that you may not receive distributions we make on our ordinary shares or any value for them if it is illegal or impractical for us to make them available to you. These restrictions may cause a material decline in the value of our ADSs.
You may be subject to limitations on transfer of your ADSs.
Your ADSs are transferable on the books of the depositary. However, the depositary may close its transfer books at any time or from time to time when it deems expedient in connection with the performance of its duties. In addition, the depositary may refuse to deliver, transfer or register transfers of ADSs generally when our books or the books of the depositary are closed, or at any time if we or the depositary deems it advisable to do so because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental body, or under any provision of the deposit agreement, or for any other reason.
Certain judgments obtained against us by our shareholders may not be enforceable.
We are an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands with limited liability. We conduct substantially all of our operations in China and substantially all of our assets are located in China. In addition, a majority of our directors and executive officers reside within China, and most of the assets of these persons are located within China. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for you to effect service of process within the United States upon these individuals, or to bring an action against us or against these individuals in the United States in the event that you believe your rights have been infringed under the U.S. federal securities laws or otherwise. Even if you are successful in bringing an action of this kind, the laws of the Cayman Islands and of the PRC may render you unable to enforce a judgment against our assets or the assets of our directors and officers. For more information regarding the relevant laws of the Cayman Islands and China, see "Enforceability of Civil Liabilities."
ADSs holders may not be entitled to a jury trial with respect to claims arising under the deposit agreement, which could result in less favorable outcomes to the plaintiff(s) in any such action.
The deposit agreement governing the ADSs representing our Class A ordinary shares provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, ADS holders waive the right to a jury trial of any claim they may have against us or the depositary arising out of or relating to our shares, the ADSs or the deposit agreement, including any claim under the U.S. federal securities laws.
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If we or the depositary opposed a jury trial demand based on the waiver, the court would determine whether the waiver was enforceable based on the facts and circumstances of that case in accordance with the applicable state and federal law. To our knowledge, the enforceability of a contractual pre-dispute jury trial waiver in connection with claims arising under the federal securities laws has not been finally adjudicated by the United States Supreme Court. However, we believe that a contractual pre-dispute jury trial waiver provision is generally enforceable, including under the laws of the State of New York, which govern the deposit agreement, by a federal or state court in the City of New York, which has non-exclusive jurisdiction over matters arising under the deposit agreement. In determining whether to enforce a contractual pre-dispute jury trial waiver provision, courts will generally consider whether a party knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily waived the right to a jury trial. We believe that this is the case with respect to the deposit agreement and the ADSs. It is advisable that you consult legal counsel regarding the jury waiver provision before entering into the deposit agreement.
If you or any other holders or beneficial owners of ADSs bring a claim against us or the depositary in connection with matters arising under the deposit agreement or the ADSs, including claims under federal securities laws, you or such other holder or beneficial owner may not be entitled to a jury trial with respect to such claims, which may have the effect of limiting and discouraging lawsuits against us or the depositary. If a lawsuit is brought against us or the depositary under the deposit agreement, it may be heard only by a judge or justice of the applicable trial court, which would be conducted according to different civil procedures and may result in different outcomes than a trial by jury would have had, including results that could be less favorable to the plaintiff(s) in any such action.
Nevertheless, if this jury trial waiver provision is not permitted by applicable law, an action could proceed under the terms of the deposit agreement with a jury trial. No condition, stipulation or provision of the deposit agreement or ADSs serves as a waiver by any holder or beneficial owner of ADSs or by us or the depositary of compliance with any substantive provision of the U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
You may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through U.S. courts may be limited, because we are incorporated under Cayman Islands law.
We are an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands with limited liability. Our corporate affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Law (2018 Revision) of the Cayman Islands and the common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights of shareholders to take action against the directors, actions by minority shareholders and the fiduciary duties of our directors to us under Cayman Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law of the Cayman Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands as well as from the common law of England, the decisions of whose courts are of persuasive authority, but are not binding, on a court in the Cayman Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary duties of our directors under Cayman Islands law are not as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedent in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws than the United States. Some U.S. states, such as Delaware, have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law than the Cayman Islands. In addition, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action in a federal court of the United States.
Shareholders of Cayman Islands exempted companies like us have no general rights under Cayman Islands law to inspect corporate records or to obtain copies of lists of shareholders of these companies. Our directors will have discretion under the post-offering memorandum and articles of association that will become effective immediately prior to completion of this offering, to determine whether or not, and under what conditions, our corporate records may be inspected by our shareholders, but are not
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obliged to make them available to our shareholders. This may make it more difficult for you to obtain the information needed to establish any facts necessary for a shareholder resolution or to solicit proxies from other shareholders in connection with a proxy contest.
As a result of all of the above, our public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken by management, members of the board of directors or controlling shareholders than they would as public shareholders of a company incorporated in the United States. For a discussion of significant differences between the provisions of the Companies Law (2018 Revision) of the Cayman Islands and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders, see "Description of Share CapitalDifferences in Corporate Law."
The approval of the CSRC may be required in connection with this offering under PRC law.
The M&A Rules requires an overseas special purpose vehicle formed for listing purposes through acquisitions of PRC domestic companies and controlled by PRC companies or individuals to obtain the approval of the CSRC, prior to the listing and trading of such special purpose vehicle's securities on an overseas stock exchange. The interpretation and application of the regulations remain unclear, and this offering may ultimately require approval from the CSRC. If CSRC approval is required, it is uncertain whether it would be possible for us to obtain the approval and any failure to obtain or delay in obtaining CSRC approval for this offering would subject us to sanctions imposed by the CSRC and other PRC regulatory agencies.
Our PRC counsel, Commerce and Finance Law Offices, has advised us based on their understanding of the current PRC law, rules and regulations that the CSRC's approval is not required for the listing and trading of our ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange in the context of this offering, given that:
However, our PRC legal counsel has further advised us that there remains some uncertainty as to how the M&A Rules will be interpreted or implemented in the context of an overseas offering and its opinions summarized above are subject to any new laws, regulations and rules or detailed implementations and interpretations in any form relating to the M&A Rules. We cannot assure you that relevant PRC governmental agencies, including the CSRC, would reach the same conclusion as we do. If it is determined that CSRC approval is required for this offering, we may face sanctions by the CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies for failure to seek CSRC approval for this offering. These sanctions may include fines and penalties on our operations in the PRC, limitations on our operating privileges in the PRC, delays in or restrictions on the repatriation of the proceeds from this offering into the PRC, restrictions on or prohibition of the payments or remittance of dividends by our China subsidiary, or other actions that could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, reputation and prospects, as well as the trading price of our ADSs. The CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies may also take actions requiring us, or making it advisable for us, to halt this offering before the settlement and delivery of the ADSs that we are offering. Consequently, if you engage in market trading or other activities in anticipation of and prior to the settlement and delivery of the ADSs we are offering, you would be doing so at the risk that the settlement and delivery may not occur.
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You must rely on the judgment of our management as to the use of the net proceeds from this offering, and such use may not produce income or increase our ADS price.
Our management will have considerable discretion in the application of the net proceeds received by us. You will not have the opportunity, as part of your investment decision, to assess whether proceeds are being used appropriately. The net proceeds may be used for corporate purposes that do not improve our efforts to achieve or maintain profitability or increase our ADS price. The net proceeds from this offering may be placed in investments that do not produce income or that lose value.
Our proposed dual class share structure will limit your ability to influence corporate matters and could discourage others from pursuing any change of control transactions that holders of our class A ordinary shares and ADSs may view as beneficial.
Immediately prior to the completion of this offering, our ordinary shares will consist of class A ordinary shares and class B ordinary shares. Based on our post-offering dual-class share structure, holders of class A ordinary shares will be entitled to one vote per share in respect of matters requiring the votes of shareholders, while holders of class B ordinary shares will be entitled to twenty votes per share. We will issue class A ordinary shares represented by our ADSs in this offering. Immediately prior to the completion of this offering, (i) all shares beneficially owned by Mr. Zhou Hongyi will be automatically re-designated as class B ordinary shares on a one-for-one basis, and (ii) all preferred shares held by all of our existing shareholders will be automatically converted into and re-designated as class A ordinary shares on a one-for-one basis. Each class B ordinary share is convertible into one class A ordinary share at any time by the holder thereof, while class A ordinary shares are not convertible into class B ordinary shares under any circumstances. Due to the disparate voting powers associated with our two classes of ordinary shares, we anticipate that the holder of our class B ordinary shares, Mr. Zhou Hongyi, will beneficially own % of the aggregate voting power of our company immediately after the completion of this offering. As a result, he will have considerable influence over matters such as electing directors and approving material mergers, acquisitions or other business combination transactions. Furthermore, given our post-offering dual-class shares structure, Mr. Zhou will have the ability to control the outcome of all corporate governance matters so long as he holds at least 4.8% of our total issued and outstanding share capital in class B ordinary shares. This concentrated control will limit your ability to influence corporate matters and could also discourage others from pursuing any potential merger, takeover or other change of control transactions, which could have the effect of depriving the holders of our class A ordinary shares and our ADSs of the opportunity to sell their shares at a premium over the prevailing market price.
Upon the completion of this offering, we will be a "controlled company" as defined under the New York Stock Exchange Rules because Mr. Hongyi Zhou, the chairman of our board of directors will own more than 50% of our total voting power. For so long as we remain a controlled company under that definition, we are permitted to elect to rely, and may rely, on certain exemptions from corporate governance rules, including an exemption from the rule that a majority of our board of directors must be independent directors or that we have to establish a nominating committee and a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors. As a result, you will not have the same protection afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to these corporate governance requirements. Currently, we do not plan to utilize the "controlled company" exemptions with respect to our corporate governance practice after we complete this offering.
The dual class structure of our ordinary shares may adversely affect the trading market for our ADSs.
S&P Dow Jones and FTSE Russell have recently announced changes to their eligibility criteria for inclusion of shares of public companies on certain indices, including the S&P 500, to exclude companies with multiple classes of shares and companies whose public shareholders hold no more than 5% of
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total voting power from being added to such indices. In addition, several shareholder advisory firms have announced their opposition to the use of multiple class structures. As a result, the dual class structure of our ordinary shares may prevent the inclusion of our ADSs, each representing of our class A ordinary shares, in such indices and may cause shareholder advisory firms to publish negative commentary about our corporate governance practices or otherwise seek to cause us to change our capital structure. Any such exclusion from indices could result in a less active trading market for our ADSs. Any actions or publications by shareholder advisory firms critical of our corporate governance practices or capital structure could also adversely affect the value of our ADSs.
The post-offering memorandum and articles of association that we will adopt and will become effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering contain anti-takeover provisions that could discourage a third party from acquiring us and adversely affect the rights of holders of our ordinary shares and ADSs.
We have adopted the second amended and restated memorandum and articles of association that will become effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering. The post-offering memorandum and articles of association contains certain provisions that could limit the ability of others to acquire control of our company, including a provision that grants authority to our board of directors to issue from time to time one or more series of preferred shares without action by our shareholders and to determine, with respect to any series of preferred shares, the terms and rights of that series. These provisions could have the effect of depriving our shareholders and ADS holders of the opportunity to sell their shares or ADSs at a premium over the prevailing market price by discouraging third parties from seeking to obtain control of our company in a tender offer or similar transactions.
Certain existing shareholders have substantial influence over our company and their interests may not be aligned with the interests of our other shareholders.
Upon the completion of this offering, our directors and officers will collectively own an aggregate of % of the total voting power of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares. As a result, they have substantial influence over our business, including significant corporate actions such as mergers, consolidations, sales of all or substantially all of our assets, election of directors and other significant corporate actions.
They may take actions that are not in the best interest of us or our other shareholders. This concentration of ownership may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company, which could deprive our shareholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their shares as part of a sale of our company and may reduce the price of the ADSs. These actions may be taken even if they are opposed by our other shareholders, including those who purchase ADSs in this offering. In addition, the significant concentration of share ownership may adversely affect the trading price of the ADSs due to investors' perception that conflicts of interest may exist or arise. For more information regarding our principal shareholders and their affiliated entities, see "Principal Shareholders."
We have granted, and may continue to grant, share incentive awards, which may result in increased share-based compensation expenses.
We first adopted our Share Incentive Plan, in May 2018 for purposes of granting share-based compensation awards to employees, directors and consultants to incentivize their performance and align their interests with ours. The Share Incentive Plan was later amended and restated several times. We account for compensation costs for all share options using a fair-value based method and recognize expenses in our combined and consolidated statements of comprehensive income in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Under the Share Incentive Plan, we are authorized to grant options to purchase ordinary shares of our company. The maximum number of ordinary shares which may be issued pursuant to all awards under the Share Incentive Plan is 25,336,096 and may increase annually by an amount up to 1% of the total number of ordinary shares then issued and outstanding, starting from the completion of this
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offering. As of the date of this prospectus, options to purchase 24,599,244 ordinary shares have been granted and are outstanding under the Share Incentive Plan. We believe the granting of share incentive awards is of significant importance to our ability to attract and retain employees, and we will continue to grant share incentive awards to employees in the future. As a result, our expenses associated with share-based compensation may increase, which may have an adverse effect on our results of operations.
The sale or availability for sale of substantial amounts of our ADSs could adversely affect their market price.
Sales of substantial amounts of our ADSs in the public market after the completion of this offering, or the perception that these sales could occur, could adversely affect the market price of our ADSs and could materially impair our ability to raise capital through equity offerings in the future. The ADSs sold in this offering will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, and shares held by our existing shareholders may also be sold in the public market in the future subject to the restrictions in Rule 144 and Rule 701 under the Securities Act and the applicable lock-up agreements. In particular, approximately 75% of our outstanding shares are held by venture capital and/or private equity fund investors that are not our affiliates. These shareholders may have varying investment horizons, cash needs and repayment obligations under certain financing arrangements, including one entered into by certain beneficial owners of our shares, who were originally organized and capitalized for the purpose of the privatization transaction of Qihoo 360 Technology Co. Ltd., and may sell their shares in reliance on Rule 144 without volume limitation following the expiration of the 180-day lock-up period described below.
There will be ADSs (representing class A ordinary shares) outstanding immediately after this offering. In connection with this offering, we, our directors executive officers, existing shareholders and certain option holders have agreed, subject to certain exceptions, not to sell any ordinary shares or ADSs for 180 days after the date of this prospectus without the prior written consent of the representatives of the underwriters of this offering. However, the representatives of the underwriters may release these securities from these restrictions at any time at their discretion. To the extent shares are released before the expiration of the lock-up period and sold into the market, the market price of our ADSs could decline. We cannot predict what effect, if any, market sales of securities held by our significant shareholders or any other shareholder or the availability of these securities for future sale will have on the market price of our ADSs. See "Underwriting" and "Shares Eligible for Future Sale" for a more detailed description of the restrictions on selling our securities after this offering.
After completion of this offering, certain holders of our ordinary shares may cause us to register under the Securities Act the sale of their shares, subject to the 180-day lock-up period in connection with this offering. Registration of these shares under the Securities Act would result in ADSs representing these shares becoming freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Act immediately upon the effectiveness of the registration. Sales of these registered shares in the form of ADSs in the public market could cause the price of our ADSs to decline.
We are an emerging growth company and may take advantage of certain reduced reporting requirements.
We are an "emerging growth company," as defined in the JOBS Act, and we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various requirements applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, most significantly, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for so long as we are an emerging growth company. As a result, if we elect not to comply with such auditor attestation requirements, our investors may not have access to certain information they may deem important.
The JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company does not need to comply with any new or revised financial accounting standards until such date that a private company is otherwise
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required to comply with such new or revised accounting standards. We do not plan to "opt out" of such exemptions afforded to an emerging growth company. As a result of this election, our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with public company effective data.
We are a foreign private issuer within the meaning of the rules under the Exchange Act, and as such we are exempt from certain provisions applicable to U.S. domestic public companies.
Because we qualify as a foreign private issuer under the Exchange Act, we are exempt from certain provisions of the securities rules and regulations in the United States that are applicable to U.S. domestic issuers, including:
We will be required to file an annual report on Form 20-F within four months of the end of each fiscal year. In addition, we intend to publish our results on a quarterly basis as press releases, distributed pursuant to the rules and regulations of the New York Stock Exchange. Press releases relating to financial results and material events will also be furnished to the SEC on Form 6-K. However, the information we are required to file with or furnish to the SEC will be less extensive and less timely compared to that required to be filed with the SEC by U.S. domestic issuers. As a result, you may not be afforded the same protections or information that would be made available to you were you investing in a U.S. domestic issuer.
As an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands, we are permitted to adopt certain home country practices in relation to corporate governance matters that differ significantly from the New York Stock Exchange corporate governance listing standards; these practices may afford less protection to shareholders than they would enjoy if we complied fully with such corporate governance listing standards.
As a Cayman Islands exempted company listed on the New York Stock Exchange, we are subject to the New York Stock Exchange corporate governance listing standards. However, the New York Stock Exchange rules permit a foreign private issuer like us to follow the corporate governance practices of its home country. Certain corporate governance practices in the Cayman Islands, which is our home country, may differ significantly from the New York Stock Exchange corporate governance listing standards. Currently, we do not plan to rely on home country practice with respect to our corporate governance after we complete this offering. However, if we choose to follow home country practice in the future, our shareholders may be afforded less protection than they would otherwise enjoy under the NYSE corporate governance listing standards applicable to U.S. domestic issuers.
There can be no assurance that we will not be a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for United States federal income tax purposes for any taxable year, which could subject United States investors in our ADSs or ordinary shares to significant adverse United States income tax consequences.
We will be classified as a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for United States federal income tax purposes for any taxable year if either (a) 75% or more of our gross income for such year consists of certain types of "passive" income or (b) 50% or more of the value of our assets (determined on the basis of a quarterly average) during such year produce or are held for the production of passive
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income (the "asset test"). Although the law in this regard is unclear, we intend to treat our VIEs (including their respective subsidiaries, if any) as being owned by us for United States federal income tax purposes, not only because we exercise effective control over the operation of such entities but also because we are entitled to substantially all of their economic benefits, and, as a result, we consolidate their results of operations in our combined and consolidated financial statements. Assuming that we are the owner of our VIEs (including their respective subsidiaries, if any) for United States federal income tax purposes, and based upon our current and expected income and assets, including goodwill and other unbooked intangibles not reflected on our balance sheet (taking into account the expected proceeds from this offering) and projections as to the market price of our ADSs following the offering, we do not presently expect to be a PFIC for the current taxable year or the foreseeable future.
While we do not expect to become a PFIC, because the value of our assets for purposes of the asset test may be determined by reference to the market price of our ADSs, fluctuations in the market price of our ADSs may cause us to become a PFIC for the current or subsequent taxable years. The determination of whether we will be or become a PFIC will also depend, in part, on the composition and classification of our income and assets. Because there are uncertainties in the application of the relevant rules, it is possible that the IRS may challenge our classification of certain income and assets as non-passive which may result in our being or becoming a PFIC in the current or subsequent years. In addition, the composition of our income and assets will also be affected by how, and how quickly, we use our liquid assets and the cash raised in this offering. If we determine not to deploy significant amounts of cash for active purposes or if it were determined that we do not own the stock of our VIEs for United States federal income tax purposes, our risk of being a PFIC may substantially increase. Because there are uncertainties in the application of the relevant rules and PFIC status is a factual determination made annually after the close of each taxable year, there can be no assurance that we will not be a PFIC for the current taxable year or any future taxable year.
If we are a PFIC in any taxable year, a U.S. Holder (as defined in "TaxationUnited States Federal Income Tax Considerations") may incur significantly increased United States income tax on gain recognized on the sale or other disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares and on the receipt of distributions on the ADSs or ordinary shares to the extent such gain or distribution is treated as an "excess distribution" under the United States federal income tax rules, and such holder may be subject to burdensome reporting requirements. Further, if we are a PFIC for any year during which a U.S. Holder holds our ADSs or ordinary shares, we generally will continue to be treated as a PFIC for all succeeding years during which such U.S. Holder holds our ADSs or ordinary shares. For more information see "TaxationUnited States Federal Income Tax ConsiderationsPassive Foreign Investment Company Considerations."
We will incur increased costs as a result of being a public company, particularly after we cease to qualify as an "emerging growth company."
Upon the completion of this offering, we will be a public company and expect to incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we would not incur as a private company. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as rules subsequently implemented by the SEC and the New York Stock Exchange, impose various requirements on the corporate governance practices of public companies. As a company with less than US$1.07 billion in revenues for our last fiscal year, we qualify as an "emerging growth company" pursuant to the JOBS Act. An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting and other requirements that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These provisions include exemption from the auditor attestation requirement under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 in the assessment of the emerging growth company's internal control over financial reporting and permission to delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies. We do not plan to "opt out" of such exemptions afforded to an emerging growth company.
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We expect these rules and regulations to increase our legal and financial compliance costs and to make some corporate activities more time-consuming and costly. After we are no longer an "emerging growth company," we expect to incur significant expenses and devote substantial management effort toward ensuring compliance with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the other rules and regulations of the SEC. For example, as a result of becoming a public company, we will need to increase the number of independent directors and adopt policies regarding internal controls and disclosure controls and procedures. We also expect that operating as a public company will make it more difficult and more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance, and we may be required to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. In addition, we will incur additional costs associated with our public company reporting requirements. It may also be more difficult for us to find qualified persons to serve on our board of directors or as executive officers. We are currently evaluating and monitoring developments with respect to these rules and regulations, and we cannot predict or estimate with any degree of certainty the amount of additional costs we may incur or the timing of such costs.
In the past, shareholders of a public company often brought securities class action suits against the company following periods of instability in the market price of that company's securities. If we were involved in a class action suit, it could divert a significant amount of our management's attention and other resources from our business and operations, which could harm our results of operations and require us to incur significant expenses to defend the suit. Any such class action suit, whether or not successful, could harm our reputation and restrict our ability to raise capital in the future. In addition, if a claim is successfully made against us, we may be required to pay significant damages, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND INDUSTRY DATA
This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that reflect our current expectations and views of future events. The forward-looking statements are contained principally in the sections entitled "Prospectus Summary," "Risk Factors," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Business." Known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including those listed under "Risk Factors," may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.
You can identify some of these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "aim," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "is/are likely to," "potential," "continue" or other similar expressions. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. These forward-looking statements include statements relating to:
These forward-looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties. Although we believe that our expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, our expectations may later be found to be incorrect. Our actual results could be materially different from our expectations. Important risks and factors that could cause our actual results to be materially different from our expectations are generally set forth in "Prospectus SummaryMarket Opportunity," "Risk Factors," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," "Business," "Regulation" and other sections in this prospectus. You should read thoroughly this prospectus and the documents that we refer to with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from and worse than what we expect. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.
This prospectus contains certain data and information that we obtained from various government and private publications, including certain statistical data and estimates from an industry report which we commissioned Oliver Wyman to prepare. This information involves a number of assumptions, estimates and limitations. These industry publications, surveys and forecasts generally indicate that their information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, although they do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information. Nothing in such data should be construed as advice. We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the data contained in these industry publications and reports. The online consumer finance market in China may not grow at the rate projected by market data, or at all. Failure to grow at the projected rate may have a material and adverse effect on our business and the market price of our ADSs. In addition, the rapidly evolving nature of data aggregation and credit analytics technology, and constantly moving overall credit cycle in China may result in significant uncertainties for any projections or estimates relating to the growth prospects or future condition of the online consumer finance industry. Furthermore, if any one or more
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of the assumptions underlying the market data are later found to be incorrect, actual results may differ from the projections based on these assumptions. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
The forward-looking statements made in this prospectus relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this prospectus. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. You should read this prospectus and the documents that we refer to in this prospectus and have filed as exhibits to the registration statement, of which this prospectus is a part, completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect.
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We estimate that we will receive net proceeds from this offering of approximately US$ , or approximately US$ if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and the estimated offering expenses payable by us. These estimates are based upon an assumed initial public offering price of US$ per ADS, which is the midpoint of the price range shown on the front page of this prospectus. A US$1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of US$ per ADS would increase (decrease) the net proceeds to us from this offering by US$ , assuming the number of ADSs offered by us, as set forth on the front cover of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated expenses payable by us.
The primary purposes of this offering are to create a public market for our shares for the benefit of all shareholders, retain talented employees by providing them with equity incentives, and obtain additional capital. We plan to use the net proceeds of this offering primarily for general corporate purposes. According to our current plan, 40% of such net proceeds will be used in brand promotions to facilitate our long-term brand building and marketing efforts, 30% will be used in research and development as well as cultivating talents of our team, and the remaining 30% will be used in other general corporate purposes such as administrative expenses and potential acquisitions and strategic investments, although we have not identified any near-term investment or acquisition targets. The amounts and timing of any expenditures will vary depending on the amount of cash generated by our operations, and the rate of growth, if any, of our business.
Our management, however, will have significant flexibility and discretion to apply the net proceeds of this offering. If an unforeseen event occurs or business conditions change, we may use the proceeds of this offering differently than as described in this prospectus. See "Risk FactorsRisks Related to Our ADSs and This OfferingYou must rely on the judgment of our management as to the use of the net proceeds from this offering, and such use may not produce income or increase our ADS price."
Pending any use described above, we plan to invest the net proceeds in short-term, interest-bearing, debt instruments or demand deposits.
In using the proceeds of this offering, we are permitted under PRC laws and regulations as an offshore holding company to provide funding to our WFOE only through loans or capital contributions and to our VIE only through loans, subject to satisfaction of applicable government registration and approval requirements. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain these government registrations or approvals on a timely basis, if at all. See "Risk FactorsRisks Related to Doing Business in ChinaPRC regulation of loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion may delay or prevent us from using the proceeds of this offering to make loans to or make additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiary, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business."
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Our board of directors has discretion on whether to distribute dividends, subject to the requirements of Cayman Islands law that our company may only pay dividends out of profits or share premium, and provided always that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid if this would result in our company being unable to pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. In addition, our shareholders may by ordinary resolution declare a dividend, but no dividend may exceed the amount recommended by our board of directors. Even if we decide to pay dividends, the form, frequency and amount will depend upon our future operations and earnings, capital requirements and surplus, general financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors that the board of directors may deem relevant.
We have not yet adopted a dividend policy with respect to future dividends on our class A ordinary shares. We currently intend to retain most, if not all, of our available funds and any future earnings to operate and expand our business.
We are a holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands. We may rely on dividends from our subsidiaries in China for our cash requirements, including any payment of dividends to our shareholders. PRC regulations may restrict the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to us. See "RegulationsRegulations on Foreign ExchangeRegulations on Dividend Distribution."
If we pay any dividends on our class A ordinary shares, we will pay those dividends which are payable in respect of the class A ordinary shares underlying our ADSs to the depositary, as the registered holder of such class A ordinary shares, and the depositary then will pay such amounts to our ADS holders in proportion to class A ordinary shares underlying the ADSs held by such ADS holders, subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, including the fees and expenses payable thereunder. See "Description of American Depositary Shares." Cash dividends on our class A ordinary shares, if any, will be paid in U.S. dollars.
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The following table sets forth our capitalization as of June 30, 2018:
You should read this table together with our combined and consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus and the information under "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
|
As of June 30, 2018 | ||||||||||||
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|
Actual | Pro Forma |
Pro Forma As
Adjusted (1) |
||||||||||
|
RMB
|
US$
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
(in thousands)
|
||||||||||||
Shareholders' equity (deficit): |
|||||||||||||
Ordinary shares (US$0.00001 par value, 5,000,000,000 ordinary shares authorized, 100 shares issued and outstanding on an actual basis; 241,632,121 class A ordinary shares, 39,820,586 class B ordinary shares issued and outstanding on a pro forma basis; shares issued and outstanding on a pro forma as adjust basis.) |
0 | 0 | |||||||||||
Parent company's investment |
690,000 | 104,275 | |||||||||||
Additional paid-in capital (2) |
466,007 | 70,425 | |||||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
| | |||||||||||
Accumulated deficit |
(760,214 | ) | (114,886 | ) | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total shareholders' equity (deficit) (2) |
395,793 | 59,814 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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If you invest in our ADSs, your interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the initial public offering price per ADS and our net tangible book value per ADS after this offering. Dilution results from the fact that the initial public offering price per ordinary share is substantially in excess of the book value per ordinary share attributable to the existing shareholders for our presently outstanding ordinary shares.
Our net tangible book value as of June 30, 2018 was approximately US$(11.3) million, or US$ per ordinary share on an as-converted basis as of that date and US$ per ADS. Net tangible book value represents the amount of our total combined and consolidated tangible assets, less the amount of our total combined and consolidated liabilities. Dilution is determined by subtracting net tangible book value per ordinary share, after giving effect to the additional proceeds we will receive from this offering, from the assumed initial public offering price of US$ per ordinary share, which is the midpoint of the estimated initial public offering price range set forth on the front cover of this prospectus adjusted to reflect the ADS-to-ordinary share ratio, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.
Without taking into account any other changes in net tangible book value after June 30, 2018, other than to give effect to our sale of the ADSs offered in this offering at the assumed initial public offering price of US$ per ADS, which is the midpoint of the estimated initial public offering price range, after deduction of the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value as of June 30, 2018 would have been US$ , or US$ per ordinary share and US$ per ADS. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of US$ per ordinary share and US$ per ADS to the existing shareholders and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value of US$ per ordinary share and US$ per ADS to investors purchasing ADSs in this offering. The following table illustrates such dilution:
|
Per Ordinary share | Per ADS | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Assumed initial public offering price |
US$ | US$ | |||||
Net tangible book value as of June 30, 2018 |
US$ | US$ | |||||
Pro forma net tangible book value after giving effect to the conversion of our preferred shares * |
US$ | US$ | |||||
Pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value after giving effect to the conversion of our preferred shares and this offering * |
US$ | US$ | |||||
Amount of dilution in net tangible book value to new investors in this offering * |
US$ | US$ |
Note:
A US$1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of US$ per ADS would increase (decrease) our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value after giving effect to this offering by US$ , the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per ordinary share and per ADS after giving effect to this offering by US$ per ordinary share and US$ per ADS and the dilution in pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per ordinary share and per ADS to new investors in this offering by US$ per ordinary share and US$ per ADS, assuming no change to the number of ADSs offered by us as set forth on the front cover of this prospectus, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.
The following table summarizes, on a pro forma as adjusted basis as of June 30, 2018, the differences between existing shareholders and the new investors with respect to the number of ordinary
78
shares (in the form of ADSs or shares) purchased from us, the total consideration paid and the average price per ordinary share and per ADS paid before deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. The total number of ordinary shares does not include class A ordinary shares underlying the ADSs issuable upon the exercise of the over-allotment option granted to the underwriters.
Note:
The pro forma as adjusted information discussed above is illustrative only. Our net tangible book value following the completion of this offering is subject to adjustment based on the actual initial public offering price of our ADSs and other terms of this offering determined at pricing.
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Our reporting currency is the Renminbi because our business is mainly conducted in China and all of our revenues are denominated in Renminbi. This prospectus contains translations of Renminbi amounts into U.S. dollars at specific rates solely for the convenience of the reader. The conversion of Renminbi into U.S. dollars in this prospectus is based on the exchange rate set forth in the H.10 Statistical release of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from Renminbi to U.S. dollars and from U.S. dollars to Renminbi in this prospectus were made at a rate of RMB6.6171 to US$1.00, the exchange rate in effect as of June 29, 2018. We make no representation that any Renminbi or U.S. dollar amounts could have been, or could be, converted into U.S. dollars or Renminbi, as the case may be, at any particular rate, the rates stated below, or at all. The PRC government imposes control over its foreign currency reserves in part through direct regulation of the conversion of Renminbi into foreign currency and through restrictions on foreign trade. On October 19, 2018, the exchange rate was RMB6.9291 to US$1.00.
The following table sets forth information concerning exchange rates between the Renminbi and the U.S. dollar for the periods indicated. These rates are provided solely for your convenience and are not necessarily the exchange rates that we used in this prospectus or will use in the preparation of our periodic reports or any other information to be provided to you.
|
Exchange Rate | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Period
|
Period
End |
Average (1) | Low | High | |||||||||
|
(RMB per US$1.00)
|
||||||||||||
2013 |
6.0537 | 6.1412 | 6.2438 | 6.0537 | |||||||||
2014 |
6.2046 | 6.1704 | 6.2591 | 6.0402 | |||||||||
2015 |
6.4778 | 6.2869 | 6.4896 | 6.1870 | |||||||||
2016 |
6.9430 | 6.6549 | 6.9580 | 6.4480 | |||||||||
2017 |
6.5063 | 6.7350 | 6.9575 | 6.4773 | |||||||||
2018 |
|||||||||||||
February |
6.3280 | 6.3183 | 6.3471 | 6.2649 | |||||||||
March |
6.2726 | 6.3174 | 6.3565 | 6.2685 | |||||||||
April |
6.3325 | 6.2967 | 6.3340 | 6.2655 | |||||||||
May |
6.4096 | 6.3701 | 6.4175 | 6.3325 | |||||||||
June |
6.6171 | 6.4651 | 6.6235 | 6.3850 | |||||||||
July |
6.8038 | 6.7164 | 6.8102 | 6.6123 | |||||||||
August |
6.8300 | 6.8453 | 6.9330 | 6.8018 | |||||||||
September |
6.8680 | 6.8551 | 6.8880 | 6.8270 | |||||||||
October (through October 19) |
6.9291 | 6.9004 | 6.9367 | 6.8680 |
Source: Federal Reserve Statistical Release
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ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES
We are incorporated in the Cayman Islands to take advantage of certain benefits associated with being a Cayman Islands exempted company, such as:
However, certain disadvantages accompany incorporation in the Cayman Islands. These disadvantages include but are not limited to:
Our constituent documents do not contain provisions requiring that disputes, including those arising under the securities laws of the United States, between us, our officers, directors and shareholders, be arbitrated.
Substantially all of our operations are conducted in China, and substantially all of our assets are located in China. A majority of our directors and executive officers are nationals or residents of jurisdictions other than the United States and most of their assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for a shareholder to effect service of process within the United States upon these individuals, or to bring an action against us or these individuals in the United States, or to enforce against us or them judgments obtained in United States courts, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States.
We have appointed Cogency Global Inc., located at 10 E. 40th Street, 10th Floor, New York, NY, 10016, as our agent upon whom process may be served in any action brought against us under the securities laws of the United States.
Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP, our counsel as to Cayman Islands law, has advised us that there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the Cayman Islands would (i) recognize or enforce judgments of U.S. courts obtained against us or our directors or officers that are predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States or the securities laws of any state in the United States, or (ii) entertain original actions brought in the Cayman Islands against us or our directors or officers that are predicated upon the federal securities laws of the United States or the securities laws of any state in the United States.
Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP has informed us that although there is no statutory enforcement in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the federal or state courts of the United States (and the Cayman Islands are not a party to any treaties for the reciprocal enforcement or recognition of such judgments), the courts of the Cayman Islands will, at common law, recognize and enforce a foreign money judgment of a foreign court of competent jurisdiction without any re-examination of the merits of the underlying dispute based on the principle that a judgment of a competent foreign court imposes upon the judgment debtor an obligation to pay the liquidated sum for which such judgment has been given, provided such judgment (i) is final and conclusive, (ii) is not in
81
respect of taxes, a fine or a penalty; and (iii) was not obtained in a manner and is not of a kind the enforcement of which is contrary to natural justice or the public policy of the Cayman Islands. However, the Cayman Islands courts are unlikely to enforce a judgment obtained from the U.S. courts under civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities law if such judgment is determined by the courts of the Cayman Islands to give rise to obligations to make payments that are penal or punitive in nature. A Cayman Islands court may stay enforcement proceedings if concurrent proceedings are being brought elsewhere.
Commerce & Finance Law Offices, our counsel as to PRC law, has advised us that there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of China would:
Commerce & Finance Law Offices has further advised us that the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments are provided for under the PRC Civil Procedures Law. PRC courts may recognize and enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the requirements of the PRC Civil Procedures Law based either on treaties between China and the country where the judgment is made or on principles of reciprocity between jurisdictions if they decide that the judgment does not violate the basic principles of PRC law or national sovereignty, security or public interest. China does not have any treaties or other form of reciprocity with the United States or the Cayman Islands that provide for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments. As a result, it is uncertain whether and on what basis a PRC court would enforce a judgment rendered by a court in the United States or in the Cayman Islands. Under the PRC Civil Procedures Law, foreign shareholders may originate actions based on PRC law against a company in China for disputes if they can establish sufficient nexus to the PRC for a PRC court to have jurisdiction, and meet other procedural requirements, including, among others, the plaintiff must have a direct interest in the case, and there must be a concrete claim, a factual basis and a cause for the suit.
It will be, however, difficult for U.S. shareholders to originate actions against us in the PRC in accordance with PRC laws because we are incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands and it will be difficult for U.S. shareholders, by virtue only of holding our ADSs or class A ordinary shares, to establish a connection to the PRC for a PRC court to have jurisdiction as required under the PRC Civil Procedures Law.
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CORPORATE HISTORY AND STRUCTURE
We started our operation in July 2016, when Beijing Qibutianxia incorporated Shanghai Qiyu. In March 2017, Fuzhou Microcredit was founded and obtained the license to conduct online microcredit lending business. In June 2018, Fuzhou 360 Financing Guarantee Co., Ltd., or Fuzhou Financing Guarantee, was founded and obtained the license to provide financing guarantee services.
In April 2018, 360 Finance, Inc. was incorporated in the Cayman Islands as an offshore holding company to facilitate our financing and offshore listing. In May 2018, all shareholders of Beijing Qibutianxia adopted a unanimous resolution to reorganize for offshore listing and determine to spin off the online consumer finance service, microcredit lending as well as related financing guarantee businesses, which were hosted in Shanghai Qiyu, Fuzhou Microcredit and Fuzhou Financing Guarantee.
During the reorganization process we issued ordinary shares and preferred shares to the beneficial owners of Beijing Qibutianxia in exchange for the contribution of Shanghai Qiyu, Fuzhou Microcredit and Fuzhou Financing Guarantee. We in addition have incorporated a wholly-owned subsidiary, HK Qirui International Technology Company Limited, in Hong Kong. It has further incorporated a wholly-owned subsidiary in China, Shanghai Qiyue Information Technology Co., Ltd., which is referred to as our WFOE in this prospectus. Our WFOE has entered into a series of contractual arrangements with Shanghai Qiyu, Fuzhou Microcredit, and Fuzhou Financing Guarantee, which three entities we collectively refer to as our VIEs in this prospectus, and their respective record shareholders. These contractual arrangements enable us to exercise effective control over our VIEs; receive substantially all of the economic benefits of our VIEs; and have an exclusive option to purchase all or part of the equity interests in and assets of them when and to the extent permitted by PRC law. For risks and uncertainties associated with this structure, please see "Risk FactorsRisks Related to Our Corporate Structure."
As a result of our direct ownership in our WFOE and the contractual arrangements with our VIEs, we will be regarded as the primary beneficiary of our VIEs, and may treat them as our consolidated affiliated entities under U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, we will be able to consolidate the financial results of our VIEs in our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
83
The following diagram illustrates our corporate structure, including our subsidiaries and our VIEs:
84
The chart below sets forth the shareholding structure of 360 Finance, Inc. immediately after this offering, with voting power percentages shown in brackets next to each shareholder's shareholding percentages, assuming that the underwriters will not exercise their over-allotment option:
Contractual Arrangements with our VIEs and Their Shareholder
Agreements that provide us with effective control over our VIEs
Powers of Attorney. Pursuant to the powers of attorney entered into among our WFOE, Shanghai Qiyu and Beijing Qibutianxia, Beijing Qibutianxia would irrevocably authorize our WFOE or any person designated by our WFOE to act as its attorney-in-fact to exercise all of its rights as a shareholder of Shanghai Qiyu, including, but not limited to, the right to convene and attend shareholders' meetings, vote on any resolution that requires a shareholder vote, such as the appointment and removal of directors, supervisors and officers, as well as the sale, transfer and disposal of all or part of the equity interests owned by Beijing Qibutianxia in Shanghai Qiyu. The power of attorney will remain effective for the duration of the existence of Beijing Qibutianxia.
Beijing Qibutianxia has executed a power of attorney regarding exercise all of its rights as the sole record shareholder of Fuzhou Microcredit, and Beijing Zhongxin Baoxin Technology Co., Ltd. has executed a power of attorney regarding exercising all of its rights as the sole record shareholder of Fuzhou Financing Guarantee, both of which terms are substantially similar to the power of attorney described above.
Equity Interest Pledge Agreements. Pursuant to the equity interest pledge agreement entered among our WFOE, Shanghai Qiyu and Beijing Qibutianxia, Beijing Qibutianxia will pledge 100% equity interests in Shanghai Qiyu to our WFOE to guarantee the performance by Beijing Qibutianxia of its obligations under the exclusive option agreement, the powers of attorney and the loan agreement, as well as the performance by Shanghai Qiyu of its obligations under the exclusive option agreement, the powers of attorney and the exclusive consultation and service agreement (collectively, "Master Agreements"). In the event of a breach by Shanghai Qiyu or Beijing Qibutianxia of contractual obligations under the Master Agreements, our WFOE, as pledgee, will have the right to dispose of the pledged equity interests in Shanghai Qiyu. Beijing Qibutianxia will also undertake that, without the prior written consent of our WFOE, it will not dispose of, create or allow any encumbrance on the pledged equity interests.
Our WFOE, Fuzhou Microcredit and Beijing Qibutianxia have entered into an equity interest pledge agreement, and our WFOE, Fuzhou Financing Guarantee and Beijing Zhongxin Baoxin Technology Co., Ltd. have entered into an equity interest pledge agreement, both of which terms are substantially similar to the equity interest pledge agreement described above.
85
We are in the process to register the equity interest pledges described above with the competent office of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce in accordance with the PRC laws.
Loan Agreement. Pursuant to the loan agreement among our WFOE, Shanghai Qiyu and Beijing Qibutianxia, the shareholder of Shanghai Qiyu, our WFOE is entitled to provide interest-free loans, to the extent permitted by laws, regulations and industry policies of China, from time to time at such time and amount as it deems appropriate to Beijing Qibutianxia for the purpose of Shanghai Qiyu's business operation and development. Each of the loans made under this loan agreement has no fixed term, and unless otherwise agreed, our WFOE shall unilaterally decide when to withdraw the loans. The loan agreement shall remain in effect during Shanghai Qiyu's term (and any renewable term provided by the PRC law), and shall automatically terminate after our WFOE and/or other entities designated by our WFOE fully exercise all their rights under the exclusive option agreement.
Our WFOE, Fuzhou Microcredit and Beijing Qibutianxia have entered into a loan agreement, and our WFOE, Fuzhou Financing Guarantee, Beijing Qibutianxia and Beijing Zhongxin Baoxin Technology Co., Ltd. have entered into a loan agreement, both of which terms are substantially similar to the loan agreement described above.
Agreement that allows us to receive economic benefits from our VIEs
Exclusive Consultation and Service Agreements. Pursuant to the exclusive consultation and service agreement entered into between our WFOE and Shanghai Qiyu, our WFOE will have the exclusive right to provide Shanghai Qiyu with the consulting and technical services required by Shanghai Qiyu's business. Without our WFOE's prior written consent, Shanghai Qiyu may not accept any services subject to this agreement from any third party. Shanghai Qiyu will agree to pay our WFOE service fee at the amount which is adjusted at our WFOE's sole discretion by considering, among other things, the complexity of the services, the actual cost that may be incurred for providing such services, as well as the value and comparable price on the market of the service provided. Our WFOE would have the exclusive ownership of all the intellectual property rights created as a result of the performance of the exclusive consultation and service agreement, to the extent permitted by applicable PRC laws. To guarantee Shanghai Qiyu's performance of its obligations thereunder, Beijing Qibutianxia would pledge its equity interests in Shanghai Qiyu to our WFOE pursuant to the equity interest pledge agreement. Unless our WFOE terminates this agreement in advance, this agreement will remain effective for 10 years and will be automatically renewed for in a 10-year cycle unless such renewal was objected by our WFOE in writing. Shanghai Qiyu may not terminate this agreement unilaterally unless our WFOE commits gross negligence, fraud or other violations of applicable laws or is bankrupt.
Our WFOE and Fuzhou Microcredit have entered into an exclusive consultation and service agreement, and our WFOE and Fuzhou Financing Guarantee have entered into an exclusive consultation and service agreement, both of which terms are substantially similar to the exclusive consultation and service agreement described above.
Agreements that provide us with the option to purchase the equity interests in and assets of our VIEs
Exclusive Option Agreements. Pursuant to the exclusive option agreement entered into among our WFOE, Shanghai Qiyu and Beijing Qibutianxia, Beijing Qibutianxia will irrevocably grant our WFOE an exclusive option to purchase or designate one or more persons to purchase, all or part of its equity interests in Shanghai Qiyu, and Shanghai Qiyu will irrevocably grant our WFOE an exclusive option to purchase all or part of its assets, subject to applicable PRC laws. Our WFOE or its designated person may exercise such options at the lowest price permitted under applicable PRC laws. Beijing Qibutianxia and Shanghai Qiyu will undertake that, without our WFOE's prior written consent, they will not, among other things, (i) create any pledge or encumbrance on any of Shanghai Qiyu's assets (ii) transfer or otherwise dispose of Shanghai Qiyu's assets, (iii) change Shanghai Qiyu's registered capital,
86
(iv) amend Shanghai Qiyu's articles of association, (v) dispose of Shanghai Qiyu's assets or beneficial interest or (vi) merge Shanghai Qiyu with any other entity. In addition, Beijing Qibutianxia will undertake that, without our WFOE's prior written consent, it will not, among other things, create any pledge or encumbrance on its equity interests, or transfer or otherwise dispose of its equity interests in Shanghai Qiyu. Unless our WFOE terminates this agreement in advance, this agreement will remain effective for 10 years and will be automatically renewed for in a 10-year cycle unless such renewal was objected by our WFOE in writing. Other parties to this agreement may not terminate this agreement unilaterally.
Our WFOE, Fuzhou Microcredit and Beijing Qibutianxia have entered into an exclusive option agreement, and our WFOE, Fuzhou Financing Guarantee and Beijing Zhongxin Baoxing Technology Co., Ltd. have entered into an exclusive option agreement, both of which terms are substantially similar to the exclusive option agreement described above.
In the opinion of Commerce & Finance Law Offices, our PRC legal counsel:
However, our PRC legal counsel has also advised us that there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current and future PRC laws, regulations and rules. Accordingly, the PRC regulatory authorities may take a view that is contrary to the opinion of our PRC legal counsel. It is uncertain whether any new PRC laws or regulations relating to variable interest entity structures will be adopted or if adopted, what they would provide. If we or our VIEs are found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws or regulations, or fail to obtain or maintain any of the required permits or approvals, the relevant PRC regulatory authorities would have broad discretion to take action in dealing with such violations or failures. See "Risk FactorsRisks Related to Our Corporate StructureIf the PRC government deems that the contractual arrangements in relation to our VIEs do not comply with PRC regulatory restrictions on foreign investment in the relevant industries, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations." and "Risk FactorsRisks Related to Doing Business in ChinaUncertainties in the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws and regulations could limit the legal protections available to us."
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SELECTED COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA
The following selected combined and consolidated statements of operations data for the period from the inception date to December 31, 2016 and the year ended December 31, 2017, selected combined and consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and selected combined and consolidated cash flow data for the period from the inception date to December 31, 2016 and the year ended December 31, 2017 have been derived from our audited combined and consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The selected combined and consolidated statements of operations data for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2018, the selected combined and consolidated balance sheet data as of June 30, 2018 and selected combined and consolidated cash flow data for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2018 are derived from our unaudited condensed combined and consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. We have prepared the unaudited condensed combined and consolidated financial statements on the same basis as our audited combined and consolidated financial statements. Our combined and consolidated financial statements are prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our historical results do not necessarily indicate results expected for any future periods. You should read this Selected Combined and Consolidated Financial and Operating Data section together with our combined and consolidated financial statements and the related notes and
88
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included elsewhere in this prospectus.
|
Period from the
inception date to December 31, |
For the year ended
December 31, |
For the six months ended
June 30, |
||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2016 | 2017 | 2017 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
US$
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
US$
|
|||||||||||||
|
(in thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||||
Selected Combined and Consolidated Statements of Operations Data: |
|||||||||||||||||||
Net revenue |
|||||||||||||||||||
Revenue from loan facilitation services |
42 | 117,780 | 17,799 | 7,713 | 316,901 | 47,891 | |||||||||||||
Revenue from post-origination services |
18 | 50,478 | 7,628 | 3,305 | 135,815 | 20,525 | |||||||||||||
Financing income |
| 50,966 | 7,702 | 109 | 156,011 | 23,577 | |||||||||||||
Other service fee revenues |
| 89,828 | 13,575 | 1,152 | 134,213 | 20,283 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total net revenue |
60 | 309,052 | 46,704 | 12,279 | 742,940 | 112,276 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating costs and expenses: (1) |
|||||||||||||||||||
Origination and servicing |
13,178 | 136,106 | 20,569 | 36,163 | 328,649 | 49,667 | |||||||||||||
Sales and marketing |
1,605 | 345,576 | 52,225 | 42,815 | 603,234 | 91,163 | |||||||||||||
General and administrative |
15,410 | 46,004 | 6,952 | 26,188 | 398,348 | 60,200 | |||||||||||||
Provision for loans receivable |
| 12,406 | 1,875 | | 24,655 | 3,726 | |||||||||||||
Provision for financial assets receivable |
593 | 90 | |||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total operating costs and expenses |
30,193 | 540,092 | 81,621 | 105,166 | 1,355,479 | 204,846 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss from operations |
(30,133 | ) | (231,040 | ) | (34,917 | ) | (92,887 | ) | (612,539 | ) | (92,570 | ) | |||||||
Interest income |
3 | 2,421 | 366 | 950 | 3,584 | 542 | |||||||||||||
Other income, net |
| 22 | 3 | (4 | ) | 1,675 | 253 | ||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss before provision for income taxes |
(30,130 | ) | (228,597 | ) | (34,548 | ) | (91,941 | ) | (607,280 | ) | (91,775 | ) | |||||||
Income taxes benefit |
8,297 | 62,232 | 9,405 | 24,656 | 35,264 | 5,329 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss |
(21,833 | ) | (166,365 | ) | (25,143 | ) | (67,285 | ) | (572,016 | ) | (86,446 | ) | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss per ordinary share attributable to ordinary shareholders of 360 Finance, Inc |
|||||||||||||||||||
Basic |
(0.11 | ) | (0.84 | ) | (0.13 | ) | (0.34 | ) | (2.88 | ) | (0.44 | ) | |||||||
Diluted |
(0.11 | ) | (0.84 | ) | (0.13 | ) | (0.34 | ) | (2.88 | ) | (0.44 | ) | |||||||
Weighted average shares used in calculating net loss per ordinary share |
|||||||||||||||||||
Basic |
198,347,168 | 198,347,168 | 198,347,168 | 198,347,168 | 198,347,168 | 198,347,168 | |||||||||||||
Diluted |
198,347,168 | 198,347,168 | 198,347,168 | 198,347,168 | 198,347,168 | 198,347,168 |
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The following table presents our summary combined and consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and June 30, 2018:
|
As of December 31, | As of June 30, | ||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2016 | 2017 | 2018 | |||||||||||||
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
US$
|
RMB
|
US$
|
|||||||||||
|
(in thousands)
|
|||||||||||||||
Selected Combined and Consolidated Balance Sheets Data: |
||||||||||||||||
Current assets: |
||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
6,173 | 468,547 | 70,807 | 457,033 | 69,068 | |||||||||||
Restricted cash |
| 487,882 | 73,730 | 594,393 | 89,827 | |||||||||||
Financial assets receivable, net (net of allowance of RMB nil as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, and RMB593 as of June 30, 2018, respectively) |
5,399 | 140,356 | 21,211 | 352,396 | 53,255 | |||||||||||
Loans receivable, net |
| 1,192,307 | 180,186 | 1,343,087 | 202,972 | |||||||||||
Total current assets |
79,032 | 2,560,697 | 386,982 | 3,069,846 | 463,926 | |||||||||||
Total non-current assets |
10,487 | 192,575 | 29,103 | 477,399 | 72,146 | |||||||||||
Total assets |
89,519 | 2,753,272 | 416,085 | 3,547,245 | 536,072 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current liabilities: |
||||||||||||||||
Payable to investors of the consolidated trusts |
| 536,906 | 81,139 | 552,662 | 83,520 | |||||||||||
Guarantee liabilities |
5,768 | 300,942 | 45,479 | 734,198 | 110,955 | |||||||||||
Total current liabilities: |
111,352 | 2,351,470 | 355,363 | 3,151,452 | 476,258 | |||||||||||
Total shareholder's (deficit) equity |
(21,833 | ) | 401,802 | 60,722 | 395,793 | 59,814 | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total liabilities and equity |
89,519 | 2,753,272 | 416,085 | 3,547,245 | 536,072 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The following table presents our summary combined and consolidated cash flow data for the period from the inception date to December 31, 2016, the year ended December 31, 2017 and the six months ended June 30, 2018:
|
Period from the
inception date to December 31, |
For the year ended
December 31, |
For the six months ended
June 30, |
||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2016 | 2017 | 2017 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
US$
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
US$
|
|||||||||||||
|
(in thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||||
Selected Combined and Consolidated Cash Flow Data: |
|||||||||||||||||||
Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities |
(68,486 | ) | (110,974 | ) | (16,773 | ) | (273,711 | ) | 215,202 | 32,525 | |||||||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(2,391 | ) | (1,204,269 | ) | (181,993 | ) | (11,248 | ) | (135,635 | ) | (20,498 | ) | |||||||
Net cash provided by financing activities |
77,050 | 2,265,499 | 342,370 | 431,341 | 15,430 | 2,331 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents |
6,173 | 950,256 | 143,604 | 146,382 | 94,997 | 14,358 | |||||||||||||
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at the beginning of year/period |
| 6,173 | 933 | 6,173 | 956,429 | 144,537 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at the end of year/period |
6,173 | 956,429 | 144,537 | 152,555 | 1,051,426 | 158,895 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
90
The following table presents certain of our operating data for the periods or as of the dates indicated:
|
For the three months ended/As of |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
December 31,
2016 |
March 31,
2017 |
June 30,
2017 |
September 31,
2017 |
December 31,
2017 |
March 31,
2018 |
June 30,
2018 |
September 30,
2018 |
Compound
quarterly growth rate |
|||||||||||||||||||
Loan |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loan origination volume (RMB million) |
433 | 2,706 | 5,123 | 10,399 | 12,764 | 14,773 | 21,277 | 26,925 | 80.4 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Outstanding loan balance (RMB million) |
321 | 1,798 | 3,932 | 8,160 | 12,202 | 17,413 | 26,452 | 34,661 | 95.2 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Repeat borrower contribution |
25.5 | % | 40.8 | % | 52.2 | % | 52.1 | % | 58.9 | % | 54.3 | % | 51.8 | % | 58.8 | % | N/A | |||||||||||
Users/Borrowers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Users with approved credit lines ('000) |
106 | 527 | 1,132 | 2,258 | 3,299 | 4,653 | 7,164 | 9,644 | 90.5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Cumulative borrowers ('000) |
56 |
327 |
748 |
1,538 |
2,286 |
3,158 |
4,694 |
6,444 |
97.0 |
% |
Non-GAAP Measures
We use adjusted net loss, a non-GAAP financial measure, in evaluating our operating results and for financial and operational decision-making purposes. Adjusted net loss represents net loss excluding share-based compensation expenses, and such adjustment has no impact on income tax.
We believe that adjusted net loss helps identify underlying trends in our business that could otherwise be distorted by the effect of certain expenses that we include in net loss. We believe that adjusted net loss provides useful information about our operating results, enhance the overall understanding of our past performance and future prospects and allow for greater visibility with respect to key metrics used by our management in its financial and operational decision-making.
Adjusted net loss should not be considered in isolation or construed as an alternative to net loss or any other measure of performance or as an indicator of our operating performance. Investors are encouraged to review the historical non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures. Adjusted net loss presented here may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. Other companies may calculate similarly titled measures differently, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures to our data. We encourage investors and others to review our financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.
The table below sets forth a reconciliation of our adjusted net loss to net loss for the periods indicated.
|
Period from the
inception date to December 31, |
For the year ended
December 31, |
For the six months ended
June 30, |
||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2016 | 2017 | 2017 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
USD
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
US$
|
|||||||||||||
|
(in thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||||
Net loss |
(21,833 | ) | (166,365 | ) | (25,143 | ) | (67,285 | ) | (572,016 | ) | (86,446 | ) | |||||||
Add: |
|||||||||||||||||||
Share-based compensation expenses (net of tax effect of nil) |
| | | | 466,007 | 70,425 | |||||||||||||
Adjusted net loss |
(21,833 | ) | (166,365 | ) | (25,143 | ) | (67,285 | ) | (106,009 | ) | (16,021 | ) |
91
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with our combined and consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. Our actual results may differ materially from those we currently anticipate as a result of many factors, including those we describe under "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in this prospectus. See "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Industry Data."
Overview
We are a leading digital consumer finance platform and the finance partner of 360 Group, one of the largest internet companies in China connecting over one billion accumulated mobile devices. We provide tailored online consumer finance products to prime, underserved borrowers funded primarily by our funding partners. Our proprietary technology platform enables a unique user experience supported by resolute risk management. When coupled with our 360 Group partnership, our technology translates to a meaningful borrower acquisition, retention and funding advantage supporting the rapid growth and scaling of our business. From inception to September 30, 2018, we had enabled over RMB94.4 billion (US$14.3 billion) in loans to 6.4 million of our borrowers.
We generate revenue through three sources: (i) primarily from revenue from loan facilitation service and recurring post origination service fees as a percentage of loan origination volume through our platform; (ii) from financing income we receive from loans that are funded through our consolidated trusts and asset management plans or our online microcredit company; and (iii) other service revenues, relating mainly to the income received by referring loan applicants that do not match the risk appetite of our funding partners to other service providers.
We have grown quickly since inception. As of September 30, 2018, we had 9.6 million users with approved credit lines and 6.4 million borrowers with RMB34.7 billion (US$5.2 billion) of principal outstanding, representing exponential growth. We earned RMB309.1 million (US$46.7 million) in net revenue in 2017, compared to RMB0.06 million for the period after our inception and ended December 31, 2016. For the six months ended June 30, 2018, our net revenue was RMB742.9 million (US$112.3 million), compared to RMB12.3 million for the same period of 2017.
For the year ended December 31, 2017, we recorded net loss of RMB166.4 million (US$25.1 million) compared to RMB21.8 million for the period after our inception and ended December 31, 2016. We were only able to grant options to our employees after our Cayman holding vehicle 360 Finance, Inc. was incorporated in April 2018. We granted options for the first time to our employees to reward their historical contribution to our rapid development, a large portion of which became vested upon grant, and as a result recorded a total of RMB466.0 million (US$70.4 million) in share-based compensation in the second quarter of 2018. For the six months ended June 30, 2018, we recorded net loss of RMB572.0 million (US$86.4 million), compared to RMB67.3 million for the same period of 2017. Excluding the effect of share-based compensation, our adjusted net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2018 was RMB106.0 million (US$16.0 million). See "Summary Combined and Consolidated Financial and Operating DataNon-GAAP Measures" for a reconciliation of adjusted net loss to net loss.
92
Key Operating Metrics
We regularly monitor a number of metrics in order to measure our current performance and project our future performance. These metrics aid us in developing and refining our growth strategies and making strategic decisions.
|
For the three months ended/As of |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
December 31,
2016 |
March 31,
2017 |
June 30,
2017 |
September 31,
2017 |
December 31,
2017 |
March 31,
2018 |
June 30,
2018 |
September 30,
2018 |
Compound
quarterly growth rate |
|||||||||||||||||||
Loan |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loan origination volume (RMB million) |
433 | 2,706 | 5,123 | 10,399 | 12,764 | 14,773 | 21,277 | 26,925 | 80.4 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Outstanding loan balance (RMB million) |
321 | 1,798 | 3,932 | 8,160 | 12,202 | 17,413 | 26,452 | 34,661 | 95.2 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Repeat borrower contribution |
25.5 | % | 40.8 | % | 52.2 | % | 52.1 | % | 58.9 | % | 54.3 | % | 51.8 | % | 58.8 | % | N/A | |||||||||||
Users/Borrowers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Users with approved credit lines ('000) |
106 | 527 | 1,132 | 2,258 | 3,299 | 4,653 | 7,164 | 9,644 | 90.5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Cumulative borrowers ('000) |
56 |
327 |
748 |
1,538 |
2,286 |
3,158 |
4,694 |
6,444 |
97.0 |
% |
General Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations
Our results of operations are affected by general factors driving the online consumer finance industry in China.
Economic and market conditions
We have experienced significant growth since our inception. Our ability to offer attractive value propositions to our funding partners and borrowers are affected by the general economic and market conditions:
Regulatory environment in China
China's consumer finance market has recently experienced tighter regulation as the PRC government continues to promulgate new rules and regulations in response to expanding consumer lending. We have closely tracked the development and implementation of new rules and regulations that are likely to affect us. In the future, we may be required to make a further adjustment in our operations to comply with any relevant future PRC laws and regulations regarding the online consumer finance industry. These changes may have a material impact on our future financial results. See "Risk FactorsRisks Related to Our Business and IndustryThe laws and regulations governing the online consumer finance industry and online microcredit companies in China are developing and evolving rapidly. If any of our business practices are deemed to violate any PRC laws or regulations, our business, financial condition and results of operations would be materially and adversely affected."
93
From an industry perspective, recent regulations, including interest rate limits, have threatened the unit economic models of certain online consumer finance service providers and contributed to the reduction of the number of market players from approximately 3,400 by the end of 2015 to approximately 2,000 as of now, according to Oliver Wyman. Going forward, additional and more stringent application of interest cap and license requirements may be promulgated, which will further increase overall compliance costs for all online consumer finance service providers and enhance the competitive positioning of established players with both scale and established compliance infrastructures.
Key Specific Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations
Major specific factors affecting our results of operations include the following:
Ability to attract and retain borrowers
Our net revenue grew significantly in 2017 and in the six months ended June 30, 2018 primarily as a result of growth in loan origination volume on our platform. In 2017 and the nine months ended September 30, 2018, we originated RMB31.0 billion (US$4.7 billion) and RMB63.0 billion (US$9.5 billion) of loans, respectively.
Growth in our business has been primarily driven by the expansion of our borrower base. The number of users with approved credit lines grew from approximately 0.1 million as of December 31, 2016 to approximately 3.3 million as of December 31, 2017, and further to approximately 9.6 million as of September 30, 2018. We anticipate that our future growth will continue to depend on our ability to attract new users to our platform.
In addition, we believe repeat borrowings by our existing borrowers are important to our future growth. As we provide our users with revolving credit lines, we use repeat borrower contribution and utilization rate to monitor stickiness and loyalty of our users. Our repeat borrower contribution was 58.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2018. Our historical first year utilization rate was 186.7% as of September 30, 2018. We believe this high utilization rate is primarily due to our ability to address the credit needs of our targeted borrower cohort, the superior borrower experience on our platform and the competitiveness of loan pricing.
Ability to effectively manage risks
Our ability to effectively segment borrower risk profiles impacts our ability to attract and retain borrowers, as well as our ability to offer funding partners attractive risk-adjusted returns. We have developed and deployed the Argus RM Model to conduct fraud detection and risk assessment and to create personalized collection strategy, which will scrutinize the data we collected in a highly automated approach and output credit scores to our Cosmic Cube Pricing Model to price each drawdown. Thanks to the strong learning and analyzing capability of our Argus RM Model, we can build insight into our prospective borrowers and serve underserved prime and near prime borrowers.
As a result, the M3+ delinquency rate for all loans outstanding was 0.6% as of September 30, 2018. Please see "Loan Performance Data" below for more data to demonstrate the effectiveness of our risk management.
We intend to continue optimizing our fraud detection capabilities, improving the accuracy of our credit assessment models and enhancing our collection effectiveness through the combination of our big-data analytical capabilities and the increasing amount of data we accumulate through our operations.
94
Ability to maintain collaboration with quality funding partners and diversify funding sources
Maintaining a healthy collaboration relationship with institutional funding partners is critical to our business. Within all types of funding partners, financial institutions are currently our main funding source. From our inception to September 30, 2018, 73.8% of all loans originated through our platform were funded by financial institutions. In addition, our ability to collaborate with quality funding partners also impacts our profitability and our ability to provide reasonably priced financing solutions to our borrowers.
We have established cooperative relationships with a wide array of institutional funding partners, and are further diversifying the funding partner pool. As of September 30, 2018, we had reached collaboration agreements with 18 financial institution funding partners. We expect to add two to three financial institutions to our funding partner network every quarter in the near term to continue to expand and diversify.
Ability to optimize our cost structure
Our ability to optimize our cost structure will impact future profitability. In particular, we have invested significantly in both borrower acquisition, technology and research and development, particularly around advantaged analytics. We incurred significant expenses following inception as we grew our business. Continued optimization of our cost structure will depend on our ability to continue our cost efficient borrower acquisition and achieve the appropriate scale to support our continued, on-going investments in technology.
Loan Performance Data
The following table provides our delinquency rates for all loans (including on- and off-balance sheet loans) as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, and June 30, 2018:
|
Delinquent for | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
More than
90 days |
|||
December 31, 2016 |
0.0 | % | ||
December 31, 2017 |
0.4 | % | ||
June 30, 2018 |
0.6 | % |
We only started our online consumer finance business in the third quarter of 2016, therefore the overall delinquency rate numbers as of December 31, 2016 do not provide a meaningful indication of our loan performance. The overall M3+ delinquency rates increased slightly from December 31, 2017 to June 30, 2018 mainly because we started to explore the near-prime borrower segment and increased our offering of loans with an APR exceeding 24%. The outstanding balance of loans with an APR exceeding 24% increased from 43.4% of our total outstanding loan balance as December 31, 2017 to 61.1% (including 45.1% within the range of APR 24%-34%) as June 30, 2018.
In addition to overall delinquency rates, we also use vintage delinquency rates to monitor the performance of our loans. We refer to loans facilitated during a specified time period as a vintage, and define vintage delinquency rate as (i) the total amount of principal for all loans in a vintage that become delinquent, less (ii) the total amount of recovered past due principal for all loans in the same vintage, and divided by (iii) the total initial principal amount of loans in such vintage. Our vintage delinquency rate data includes loans delinquent for more than 180 days.
95
The following chart and table display the historical cumulative M3+ delinquency rates by loan origination vintage for all loans originated through our platform:
M3+ Delinquency Rate by Vintage
On-and Off-Balance Sheet Treatment of Loans
We have established cooperative relationships with various institutional funding partners, and we also utilize our own funds from Fuzhou Microcredit for funding. In addition, due to the need for certain funding partners, loans from certain funding partners are funded and disbursed to borrowers indirectly through trusts and asset management plans. The accounting treatment of assets, liabilities and revenues arising from the loans originated through our platform varies.
For the loans disbursed indirectly through trusts and assets management plans per the request of our funding partners, we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of such trusts and asset management plans. We therefore consolidate the trusts and asset management plans and record the loans funded through these trusts and asset management plans, along with those directly by our own funds, on our balance sheet. On-balance-sheet loans are recorded at amortized costs, revenues from these loans are accounted as financing income, and we recorded allowance for loan loss.
We do not consolidate other loans that are underwritten by our funding partners on our balance sheet. For these off-balance-sheet loans, we earn service fees, including loan facilitation and post-origination service fees, from funding partners; in the meantime we also, through our inhouse assurance program or third party guarantee companies, provide certain assurance to funding partners and incur guarantee liabilities accordingly. We therefore take credit risk because of such guarantee arrangement even for the loans not on our balance sheet.
96
See "BusinessOur FundingQuality assurance programs" for details of the historical evolution with respect to the format of guarantee provided to our funding partners.
|
As of December 31, | As of June 30, | |||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2016 | 2017 | 2018 | ||||||||||||||||
|
Outstanding
Principle Balance |
% |
Outstanding
Principal Balance |
% |
Outstanding
Principal Balance |
% | |||||||||||||
|
(RMB in millions, except for percentages)
|
||||||||||||||||||
On-balance-sheet loan |
| | 1,197 | 9.8 | 1,366 | 5.2 | |||||||||||||
Off-balance-sheet loan |
321 | 100.0 | 11,005 | 90.2 | 25,086 | 94.8 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total |
321 | 100.0 | 12,202 | 100.0 | 26,452 | 100.0 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Key Components of Our Results of Operations
Net revenue
We generate revenue from the provision of financial services.
|
Period from
the inception date to December 31, |
For the year ended
December 31, |
For the six months ended
June 30, |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2016 | 2017 | 2017 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
RMB
|
%
|
RMB
|
US$
|
%
|
RMB
|
%
|
RMB
|
US$
|
%
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
(in thousands, except for percentages)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net revenue: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue from loan facilitation services |
42 | 70 | 117,780 | 17,799 | 38.1 | 7,713 | 62.8 | 316,901 | 47,891 | 42.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue from post-origination services |
18 | 30 | 50,478 | 7,628 | 16.3 | 3,305 | 26.9 | 135,815 | 20,525 | 18.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Financing income |
| | 50,966 | 7,702 | 16.5 | 109 | 0.9 | 156,011 | 23,577 | 21.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Other service fee revenues |
| | 89,828 | 13,575 | 29.1 | 1,152 | 9.4 | 134,213 | 20,283 | 18 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total net revenue |
60 | 100.0 | 309,052 | 46,704 | 100.0 | 12,279 | 100.0 | 742,940 | 112,276 | 100.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenue from loan facilitation services , revenue from post-origination services. For each off-balance-sheet loan originated through our platform, we charge an overall fee at a certain percentage of loan principal. In 2016 and 2017, the service fees were collected from the borrowers on a monthly basis through the loan period. Starting from 2018, to follow the recent regulation change, particularly the Circular 141 which came into effect in December 2017, we started to charge service fees directly from our funding partners based on the contractual agreements. As the collection of service fees is contingent upon actual repayment, we recognize revenue upon collection of service fees and allocate the service fees received between loan facilitation services and post-origination services.
Loan facilitation services consist of the services we provide during credit underwriting by our funding partners, including borrower acquisition, credit analysis, matching, and workflow automation. Post-origination services include the services we provide after credit underwriting, such as collection and repayment monitoring.
97
The allocation between loan facilitation services fees and post-origination services fees is based on the costs we incurred, plus certain margin, in delivering loan facilitation services and post-origination services.
Financing income. We generate financing income from on-balance sheet loans, which include loans from our funding partners but disbursed indirectly to borrowers through our consolidated trusts and asset management plans, as well as loans funded by our own microcredit company.
Other service fee revenues. Other service fee revenues primarily include revenue from referring borrowers to other platforms, which represented 94.0% and 69.4% of our total other service fee revenue in 2017 and the first half of 2018 respectively, and to a less extent revenue from release of guarantee liabilities upon expiry of the underlying loans and late fees from borrowers. The referral service related revenues as a percentage of total revenue have been decreasing and is expected to further decrease as the scale of the loan origination volume rapidly grows.
Operating costs and expenses
The table below sets forth our operating costs and expenses for the periods indicated.
Origination and servicing. Origination and servicing expenses represent the costs incurred to originate and service loans through our platform, including both off-balance-sheet loans where we earn loan facilitation service fees and post-origination service fees, as well as on-balance-sheet loans where we earn financing income.
It mainly includes (i) salary and benefit expense for personnel working in origination, credit assessment, and servicing functions, (ii) credit search expense, (iii) collection expense, (iv) payment transaction expense, (v) expenses related to communications to borrowers, and (vi) financing expense.
As a general trend, expenses related to credit search, collection, payment transaction and financing all change in proportion to the change of loan origination volume or the number of loan applications on our platform; expenses related to communications to borrowers relate to the number of registered users that we have granted credit lines.
98
Sales and marketing. Sales and marketing expenses include advertising expense to promote our brands and attract users to our platform, as well as salaries and benefits expenses related to the Company's sales and marketing personnel.
Advertising expense, particularly those used to attract users to our platform, is largely a discretionary cost item. It grows in line with our overall growth strategy and prediction of the overall credit environment in the market based on judgement on our risk assessment ability, and funding capacity from our funding partners. We consider it as an investment for future business growth.
General and administrative. General and administrative expenses consist of payroll and related expenses for employees engaged in general corporate functions, professional services, costs associated with the use of facilities and equipment, such as depreciation expenses, rental and other general corporate related expenses.
Share-based Compensation. In the second quarter of 2018, we granted options for the first time to our employees to reward their historical contribution to our development, a large portion of which became vested upon grant, and as a result recorded a total of RMB466.0 million (US$70.4 million) in share-based compensation. Share-based compensation expenses were allocated to our expense items as follows:
Provision for loans receivable. We evaluate the creditworthiness and collectability of loan on our balance sheet on a pooled basis. The provision for loans receivable is an assessment performed on a portfolio basis and factors such as delinquency rate, size, and other risk characteristics of the portfolio. Our provision is recognized based on a monthly delinquency migration model.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth a summary of our combined and consolidated results of operations for the periods presented, both in absolute amount and as a percentage of our total net revenue for the
99
periods presented. This information should be read together with our combined and consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.
|
Period from the
inception date to December 31, |
For the year ended
December 31, |
For the six months
ended June 30, |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2016 | 2017 | 2017 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
RMB
|
%
|
RMB
|
US$
|
%
|
RMB
|
%
|
RMB
|
US$
|
%
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
(in thousands, except for percentages)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net revenue (1) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue from loan facilitation services |
42 | 70.0 | 117,780 | 17,799 | 38.1 | 7,713 | 62.8 | 316,901 | 47,891 | 42.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue from post-origination services |
18 | 30.0 | 50,478 | 7,628 | 16.3 | 3,305 | 26.9 | 135,815 | 20,525 | 18.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Financing income |
| | 50,966 | 7,702 | 16.5 | 109 | 0.9 | 156,011 | 23,577 | 21.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Other service fee revenues |
| | 89,828 | 13,575 | 29.1 | 1,152 | 9.4 | 134,213 | 20,283 | 18 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total net revenue |
60 | 100.0 | 309,052 | 46,704 | 100.0 | 12,279 | 100.0 | 742,940 | 112,276 | 100.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating costs and expenses: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Origination and servicing |
13,178 | 21,963.4 | 136,106 | 20,569 | 44.0 | 36,163 | 294.5 | 328,649 | 49,667 | 44.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Sales and marketing |
1,605 | 2,675.0 | 345,576 | 52,225 | 111.9 | 42,815 | 348.7 | 603,234 | 91,163 | 81.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
General and administrative |
15,410 | 25,683.3 | 46,004 | 6,952 | 14.9 | 26,188 | 213.3 | 398,348 | 60,200 | 53.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Provision for loans receivable |
| | 12,406 | 1,875 | 4.0 | | | 24,655 | 3,726 | 3.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Provision for financial assets receivable |
| | | | | | | 593 | 90 | 0.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total operating costs and expenses |
30,193 | 50,321.7 | 540,092 | 81,621 | 174.8 | 105,166 | 856.5 | 1,355,479 | 204,846 | 182.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss from operations |
(30,133 | ) | (50,221.7 | ) | (231,040 | ) | (34,917 | ) | (74.8 | ) | (92,887 | ) | (756.5 | ) | (612,539 | ) | (92,570 | ) | (82.4 | ) | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest income |
3 | 5.0 | 2,421 | 366 | 0.8 | 950 | 7.7 | 3,584 | 542 | 0.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Other income (expense), net |
| | 22 | 3 | 0.0 | (4 | ) | | 1,675 | 253 | 0.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss before provision for income taxes |
(30,130 | ) | (50,216.7 | ) | (228,597 | ) | (34,548 | ) | (74.0 | ) | (91,941 | ) | (748.8 | ) | (607,280 | ) | (91,775 | ) | (81.7 | ) | |||||||||||
Income taxes benefit |
8,297 | 13,828.3 | 62,232 | 9,405 | 20.1 | 24,656 | 200.8 | 35,264 | 5,329 | 4.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss |
(21,833 | ) | (36,388.3 | ) | (166,365 | ) | (25,143 | ) | (53.8 | ) | (67,285 | ) | (548.0 | ) | (572,016 | ) | (86,446 | ) | (77.0 | ) | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
We only launched our online consumer finance platform in September 2016. As a result, the period-to-period comparisons of our results of operations can only provide limited indication into the development of our operation and thus should not be relied upon as indicative of our future performance.
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Non-GAAP Measures
We use adjusted net loss, a non-GAAP financial measure, in evaluating our operating results and for financial and operational decision-making purposes. Adjusted net loss represents net loss excluding share-based compensation expenses, and such adjustment has no impact on income tax.
We believe that adjusted net loss helps identify underlying trends in our business that could otherwise be distorted by the effect of certain expenses that we include in net loss. We believe that adjusted net loss provides useful information about our operating results, enhance the overall understanding of our past performance and future prospects and allow for greater visibility with respect to key metrics used by our management in its financial and operational decision-making.
Adjusted net loss should not be considered in isolation or construed as an alternative to net loss or any other measure of performance or as an indicator of our operating performance. Investors are encouraged to review the historical non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures. Adjusted net loss presented here may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. Other companies may calculate similarly titled measures differently, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures to our data. We encourage investors and others to review our financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.
The table below sets forth a reconciliation of our adjusted net loss to net loss for the periods indicated.
|
Period from the
inception date to December 31, |
For the year ended
December 31, |
For the six months ended
June 30, |
||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2016 | 2017 | 2017 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
USD
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
US$
|
|||||||||||||
|
(in thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||||
Net loss |
(21,833 | ) | (166,365 | ) | (25,143 | ) | (67,285 | ) | (572,016 | ) | (86,446 | ) | |||||||
Add: |
|||||||||||||||||||
Share-based compensation expenses (net of tax effect of nil) |
| | | | 466,007 | 70,425 | |||||||||||||
Adjusted net loss |
(21,833 | ) | (166,365 | ) | (25,143 | ) | (67,285 | ) | (106,009 | ) | (16,021 | ) |
Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
Net revenue
Operating revenue increased significantly from RMB12.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 to RMB742.9 million (US$112.3 million) for the same period of 2018, as a result of the rapid expansion of our online consumer finance business.
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to lend through our consolidated trusts and asset management plans only from the second half of 2017, therefore the financing income for the six months ended June 30, 2017 only represented the income from our own funds in Fuzhou Microcredit. The consolidated trusts, asset management plans and Fuzhou Microcredit are not our primary funding sources and not expected to grow significantly in the near future.
Operating costs and expenses
Operating costs and expenses increased significantly from RMB105.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 to RMB1,355.5 million (US$204.8 million) for the same period of 2018 to support the rapid growth of our business.
Origination and servicing. Origination and servicing costs increased significantly from RMB36.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 to RMB328.6 million (US$49.7 million) for the same period of 2018, primarily due to (1) an RMB150.2 million (US$22.7 million) increase in salary and benefit expense primarily as a result of option grants to employees to compensate their past contribution to our rapid development, (ii) an RMB49.3 million (US$7.4 million) increase in payment transaction cost and credit search fee that grow as the loan origination volume grows, and (iii) an RMB44.4 million (US$6.7 million) increase in financing expenses for loans funded through our consolidated trusts.
Sales and marketing. Sales and marketing expenses increased significantly from RMB42.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 to RMB603.2 million (US$91.2 million) for the same period of 2018, primarily attributable to an increase of RMB526.5 million (US$79.6 million) in advertising expense.
General and administrative. General and administrative expenses increased from RMB26.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 to RMB398.3 million (US$60.2 million) for the same period of 2018. The increase was primarily attributable to an RMB348.1 million (US$52.6 million) increase in salary and benefit expense primarily as a result of option grants to employees to compensate their past contribution to our rapid development, as well as an RMB4.0 million (US$0.6 million) increase in rental and utilities fees as our operation expanded.
Provision for loans receivable. Provision for loans receivable increased from nil for the six months ended June 30, 2017 to RMB24.7 million (US$ 3.7 million) for the same period of 2018. The increase was primarily attributable to the increased loan balance.
Interest income
Interest income increased from RMB1.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 to RMB3.6 million (US$0.5 million) for the same period of 2018, as a result of an increase of cash and restricted cash balance.
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Other income (loss), net
We recorded a RMB4,000 of other loss during the six months ended June 30, 2017, while it changed to a RMB1.7 million (US$0.3 million) of other net income for the same period of 2018.
Income taxes benefit
We have income tax benefit of RMB24.7 million and RMB35.3 million (US$5.3 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2018, respectively. The effective tax rate was 26.8% for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 5.8% for the same period of 2018. The decrease of effective tax rate for the six-month period ended June 30, 2018 was mainly because of the grant of stock options and associated non-deductible share-based compensation expenses of RMB466.0 million (US$70.4 million) in the first half of 2018.
Net loss
As a result of the foregoing, we recorded a net loss of RMB572.0 million (US$86.4 million) for the same period of 2018, compared to RMB67.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, our adjusted net loss was RMB106.0 million (US$16.0 million) in the six months ended June 30, 2019. See "Results of OperationsNon-GAAP Measures" for a reconciliation of adjusted net loss to net loss.
Year Ended December 31, 2017 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2016
Our main businessonline consumer finance serviceonly started in September 2016. As a result, many items, particularly revenue and origination and servicing expenses, only represent the results of operation for less than five months in 2016, compared to a full year for 2017.
Net revenue
Operating revenue increased significantly from RMB0.06 million in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 to RMB309.1 million (US$46.7 million) in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, as a result of the rapid expansion of our online consumer finance business.
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Operating costs and expenses
Operating costs and expenses increased significantly from RMB30.2 million for 2016 to RMB540.1 million (US$81.6 million) for 2017 to support the rapid growth of our business.
Origination and servicing. Origination and servicing costs increased significantly from RMB13.2 million in 2016 to RMB136.1 million (US$20.6 million) in 2017, primarily due to the significant increase in (1) salaries and benefit cost as a result of headcount increase, and (2) payment transaction cost and credit search fee that grow as the loan origination volume grows.
Sales and marketing. Sales and marketing expenses increased significantly from RMB1.6 million in 2016 to RMB345.6 million (US$52.2 million) in 2017, primarily attributable to an increase of RMB341 million (US$51.5 million) in advertising expense.
General and administrative. General and administrative expenses increased from RMB15.4 million in 2016 to RMB46.0 million (US$7.0 million) in 2017. The increase was primarily attributable to an RMB18.0 million (US$2.7 million) increase in salary and benefit expense as a result of an increase in the headcount of general and administrative functions, as well as an RMB5.7 million (US$0.9 million) increase in rental and utilities fees as our operation expanded.
Provision for loans receivable. Provision for loans receivable increased from nil in 2016 to RMB12.4 million (US$1.9 million) in 2017. The increase was primarily attributable to the increased loan balance in 2017.
Interest income
Interest income increased from RMB3,000 in 2016 to RMB2.4 million (US$0.4 million) in 2017, as a result of an increase of cash and restricted cash balance.
Other income, net
Other income increased from nil in 2016 to RMB22,000 (US$3,325) in 2017.
Income taxes benefit
We have income tax benefit of RMB8.3 million and RMB62.2 million (US$9.4 million) in 2016 and 2017, respectively. The effective tax rate was 27.5% in 2016 and 27.2% in 2017.
Net loss
As a result of the foregoing, we recorded a net loss of RMB166.4 million (US$25.1 million) in 2017, compared to RMB21.8 million in 2016.
Taxation
Cayman Islands
We are an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands currently levies no taxes on individuals or corporations based upon profits, income, gains or appreciation and there is no taxation in the nature of inheritance tax or estate duty.
There are no other taxes likely to be material to us levied by the government of the Cayman Islands except for stamp duties which may be applicable on instruments executed in, or brought within the jurisdiction of the Cayman Islands. In addition, the Cayman Islands does not impose withholding tax on dividend payments.
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Hong Kong
Our subsidiary incorporated in Hong Kong is subject to Hong Kong profit tax at a rate of 16.5%. No Hong Kong profit tax has been levied as we did not have an assessable profit that was earned in or derived from the Hong Kong subsidiary during the periods presented. Hong Kong does not impose a withholding tax on dividends.
China
Generally, our PRC subsidiaries, variable interest entities and their subsidiaries, which are considered PRC resident enterprises under PRC tax law, are subject to enterprise income tax on their worldwide taxable income as determined under PRC tax laws and accounting standards at a rate of 25%.
During 2016 and 2017, our financial services income from services to our funding partners in the PRC was subject to a 6% value-added tax. On February 22, 2008, the State Administration of Taxation and the Ministry of Finance promulgated the Circular on Several Preferential Policies on Enterprise Income Tax, under which preferential tax treatments will be granted to entities recognized as "Software Enterprises," which can be exempt for enterprise income taxes in their first and second year of profitability, and shall pay according to half the standard tax rate for the third through fifth years. Shanghai Qiyu was accredited as a "Software Enterprise" in April 2018, therefore it is entitled the aforementioned preferential income tax rate for five years starting from the profit-making year, provided that it continues to be qualified as a "Software Enterprise" during such periods and are subject to annual final settlement review by the relevant tax authorities in China.
Dividends paid by our wholly foreign-owned subsidiary in China to our intermediary holding company in Hong Kong will be subject to a withholding tax rate of 10%, unless the relevant Hong Kong entity satisfies all the requirements under the Arrangement between Mainland China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Tax Evasion on Income with respect to Taxes on Income and Capital and receives approval from the relevant tax authority. If our Hong Kong subsidiary satisfies all the requirements under the tax arrangement and receives approval from the relevant tax authority, then the dividends paid to the Hong Kong subsidiary would be subject to withholding tax at the standard rate of 5%. See "Risk FactorsRisks Related to Doing Business in ChinaWe rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our PRC subsidiary to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have, and any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiary to make payments to us could have a material adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business."
If our holding company in the Cayman Islands or any of our subsidiaries outside of China were deemed to be a "resident enterprise" under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, it would be subject to enterprise income tax on its worldwide income at a rate of 25%. See "Risk FactorsRisks Related to Doing Business in ChinaIf we are classified as a PRC resident enterprise for PRC income tax purposes, such classification could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders or ADS holders."
We intend to indefinitely reinvest all the undistributed earnings of our variable interest entities and their subsidiaries incorporated in the PRC and do not plan to have our PRC subsidiary distribute any dividend. Therefore, no withholding tax is expected to be incurred in the foreseeable future.
Selected Quarterly Results of Operations
The following table sets forth our unaudited consolidated quarterly results of operations for each of the seven quarters from October 1, 2016 to June 30, 2018. You should read the following table in conjunction with our combined and consolidated financial statements and the related notes included
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elsewhere in this prospectus. We have prepared this unaudited condensed combined and consolidated quarterly financial data on the same basis as we have prepared our audited combined and consolidated financial statements. The unaudited condensed combined and consolidated financial data include all adjustments, consisting only of normal and recurring adjustments, that our management considered necessary for a fair statement of our results of operation for the quarters presented.
|
For the three months ended | |||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
December 31,
2016 |
March 31,
2017 |
June 30,
2017 |
September 30,
2017 |
December 31,
2017 |
March 31,
2018 |
June 30,
2018 |
|||||||||||||||
|
(Unaudited)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
(In RMB thousands)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue from loan facilitation service |
42 | 347 | 7,366 | 33,734 | 76,333 | 121,166 | 195,735 | |||||||||||||||
Revenue from post-origination service |
18 | 149 | 3,156 | 14,458 | 32,715 | 51,928 | 83,887 | |||||||||||||||
Financing income |
| | 109 | 12,087 | 38,770 | 74,522 | 81,489 | |||||||||||||||
Other service fee revenues |
| 7 | 1,145 | 1,811 | 86,865 | 60,999 | 73,214 | |||||||||||||||
Total net revenue |
60 | 503 | 11,776 | 62,090 | 234,683 | 308,615 | 434,325 | |||||||||||||||
Origination and servicing cost |
11,080 | 16,891 | 19,272 | 40,636 | 59,307 | 99,693 | 228,956 | |||||||||||||||
Sales and marketing |
1,286 | 9,521 | 33,294 | 153,717 | 149,044 | 229,273 | 373,961 | |||||||||||||||
General and administrative |
8,923 | 11,820 | 14,368 | 9,191 | 10,625 | 26,843 | 371,505 | |||||||||||||||
Provision for loans receivable |
| | | 3,133 | 9,273 | 12,761 | 11,894 | |||||||||||||||
Provision for financial assets receivable |
| | | | | 593 | | |||||||||||||||
Total operating costs and expenses |
21,289 | 38,232 | 66,934 | 206,677 | 228,249 | 369,163 | 986,316 | |||||||||||||||
Loss from operations |
(21,228 | ) | (37,729 | ) | (55,158 | ) | (144,587 | ) | 6,434 | (60,548 | ) | (551,991 | ) | |||||||||
Interest income, net |
2 | 13 | 937 | 425 | 1,046 | 957 | 2,627 | |||||||||||||||
Other (expense) income , net |
| (4 | ) | | 26 | | 1,673 | 2 | ||||||||||||||
Loss before provision for income taxes |
(21,227 | ) | (37,720 | ) | (54,221 | ) | (144,136 | ) | 7,480 | (57,918 | ) | (549,362 | ) | |||||||||
Income tax benefits (expenses) |
5,845 | 10,269 | 14,387 | 39,612 | (2,036 | ) | 3,363 | 31,901 | ||||||||||||||
Net loss |
(15,382 | ) | (27,451 | ) | (39,834 | ) | (104,524 | ) | 5,444 | (54,555 | ) | (517,461 | ) |
Discussion of Certain Balance Sheet Item
The following table sets forth selected information from our combined and consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and the six months ended June 30, 2018. This information
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should be read together with our combined and consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.
|
As of December 31, | As of June 30, | ||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2016 | 2017 | 2017 | 2018 | ||||||||||||
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
US$
|
RMB
|
US$
|
|||||||||||
|
(in thousands)
|
|||||||||||||||
Assets |
||||||||||||||||
Current assets: |
||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
6,173 | 468,547 | 70,807 | 457,033 | 69,068 | |||||||||||
Restricted cash |
| 487,882 | 73,730 | 594,393 | 89,827 | |||||||||||
Financial assets receivable, net (net of allowance of RMB nil as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, and RMB593 as of June 30, 2018, respectively) |
5,399 | 140,356 | 21,211 | 352,396 | 53,255 | |||||||||||
Loans receivable, net |
| 1,192,307 | 180,186 | 1,343,087 | 202,972 | |||||||||||
Total current assets |
79,032 | 2,560,697 | 386,982 | 3,069,846 | 463,926 | |||||||||||
Total non-current assets |
10,487 | 192,575 | 29,103 | 477,399 | 72,146 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total assets |
89,519 | 2,753,272 | 416,085 | 3,547,245 | 536,072 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Liabilities and equity |
||||||||||||||||
Liabilities |
||||||||||||||||
Current liabilities: |
||||||||||||||||
Payable to investors of the consolidated trusts |
| 536,906 | 81,139 | 552,662 | 83,520 | |||||||||||
Guarantee liabilities |
5,768 | 300,942 | 45,479 | 734,198 | 110,955 | |||||||||||
Total current liabilities: |
111,352 | 2,351,470 | 355,363 | 3,151,452 | 476,258 | |||||||||||
Total shareholders' (deficit) equity |
(21,833 | ) | 401,802 | 60,722 | 395,582 | 59,814 | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total liabilities and equity |
89,519 | 2,753,272 | 416,085 | 3,547,245 | 536,072 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of funds in banks, which are highly liquid and are unrestricted as to withdrawal or use.
Our cash and cash equivalents increased from RMB6.2 million as of December 31, 2016 to RMB468.5 million (US$70.8 million) as of December 31, 2017, primarily as a result of our financing activities, including equity contribution of RMB590.0 million (US$89.2 million) and loan from Beijing Qibutianxia of RMB663.0 million (US$100.2 million). As of June 30, 2018, our cash and cash equivalents were RMB457.0 million (US$69.1 million).
Restricted cash
Restricted cash mainly represents security deposit related to our loan facilitation services and cash held by our consolidated trusts and asset management plans through segregated bank accounts which can only be used to invest in loans or other securities as stipulated in the trust agreements. The trust has a maximum operating period of two years. The cash in the trust is not available to fund our general liquidity needs.
Our restricted cash increased from nil as of December 31, 2016 to RMB487.9 million (US$73.7 million) as of December 31, 2017 and further increased to RMB594.4 million (US$89.8 million) as of June 30, 2018 primarily due to an increase of security deposits set aside for certain funding partners in case of borrowers' defaults as a result of increased loan balance.
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Many commercial banks and some consumer finance companies in our funding partners pool require security deposits. As of June 30, 2018, 8 out of our 18 funding partners required security deposit, and the outstanding balance of loans required to be guaranteed by security deposits represented approximately 30% of our total loan outstanding balance. Such deposits are in the designated account under our name.
We also engage third-party licensed guarantee companies to provide assurance to some funding partners, and sometimes we prepay an amount as back-to-back guarantee to these guarantee companies. Such prepayment in the deposit account under the guarantee company's name is recorded as prepaid expenses and other assets instead of restricted cash on our balance sheet.
Financial assets receivable, net
Both financial assets receivable and guarantee liabilities relate to the guarantee we provide for off-balance-sheet loans originated through our platform. In the event of default by borrowers, funding partners are entitled to receive unpaid interest and principal from us. From February 2018, to follow the recent regulation change, particularly the Circular 141 which came into effect in December 2017, we have been switching to a guarantee company model under which third-party guarantee companies provide guarantee service to the funding partners, and we at the same time, provide back-to-back guarantee for external guarantee companies.
For accounting purposes, at loan inception, we recognize a guarantee liability at fair value which incorporates the expectation of potential future payments under the guarantee. The guarantee liability is reduced after we are released from the underlying risk, for example when the loan is repaid by the borrower or when we compensated the funding partners for defaulted principal and interest. At the same time we also recognize a financial assets receivable which is equal to the amount of guarantee liability. The financial assets receivable is accounted for as a financial asset, and reduced upon the receipt of the service fee payment.
Both financial assets receivable and guarantee liabilities grew significantly in 2017 and the six months ended June 30 of 2018 because of the rapid growth of loan origination volume on our platform, to a large portion of which we provide guarantee service.
See "BusinessOur FundingQuality assurance programs" for details of the historical evolution with respect to the format of guarantee provided to our funding partners.
Loans receivable, net
Loans receivable represents loans on our balance sheet facilitated through our consolidated trusts and asset management plans, as well as loans originated by Fuzhou Microcredit.
Loans receivable increased from nil as of December 31, 2016 to RMB1,192.3 million (US$180.2 million) as of December 31, 2017 and further increased to RMB1,343.1 million (US$203.0 million) as of June 30, 2018, as we started facilitating loans which are recorded on our balance sheet from 2017. We don't expect the loan receivable balance to increase significantly in the future.
Payable to investors of the consolidated trusts
Some funding partners require to disburse loans indirectly to borrowers through our consolidated trusts and asset management plans. Payable to investors of the consolidated trusts without recourse to us represents the investment returns these funding partners require to be paid, and it increased from nil as of December 31, 2016 to RMB536.9 million (US$81.1 million) as of December 31, 2017 and further increased to RMB552.7 million (US$83.5 million) as of June 30, 2018, as a result of the increase of loans disbursed this way, indirectly to borrowers.
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Amounts due to related parties
We had been part of Beijing Qibutianxia group before the reorganization was completed in September 2018, and had many transactions with other entities within the Beijing Qibutianxia group or more broadly with 360 Group companies, which resulted in relatively large amount of transaction balances. The below table sets forth the breakdown of amounts due to related parties as of the dates indicated:
|
December 31, | June 30, | ||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2016 | 2017 | 2018 | |||||||||||||
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
US$
|
RMB
|
US$
|
|||||||||||
|
(in thousands)
|
|||||||||||||||
Beijing Qibutianxia |
88,575 | 769,321 | 116,263 | 636,697 | 96,220 | |||||||||||
Youdaojingwei Assets Management Co., Ltd. |
| 483,145 | 73,015 | 577,299 | 87,244 | |||||||||||
Beijing Zixuan |
| 16,572 | 2,504 | 25,116 | 3,796 | |||||||||||
Others |
5,051 | 14,932 | 2,256 | 7,245 | 1,095 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total |
93,626 | 1,283,970 | 194,038 | 1,246,357 | 188,354 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The amounts due to Beijing Qibutianxia were mainly consisted of interest free loans with no fixed term. Youdaojingwei Assets Management Co., Ltd. is one of our funding partners and the loans it financed to borrowers are through our consolidated trusts thus booked on our balance sheets as amount due to it. We work with Beijing Zixuan to access retail investor base, and the amount due to Beijing Zixuan represented the loan repayments we received from borrowers that were yet to be transmitted to Beijing Zixuan due to time gap in transaction process.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
To date, loans originated through our platform have been primarily funded by external institutional funding partners and to a very small portion by the capital of our microcredit company. As of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and June 30, 2018, we had RMB6.2 million, RMB468.5 million (US$70.8 million) and RMB457.0 million (US$69.1 million), respectively, in cash and cash equivalents. Our cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand and funds in banks. We believe that our current cash and cash equivalents and our anticipated cash flows from operations and financing activities will be sufficient to meet our anticipated working capital requirements and capital expenditures for the 12 months following this offering. We may, however, need additional capital in the future to fund our continued operations. If we determine that our cash requirements exceed the amount of cash and cash equivalents we have on hand at the time, we may seek to issue equity or debt securities or obtain credit facilities. The issuance and sale of additional equity or convertible loans would result in further dilution to our shareholders. The incurrence of indebtedness would result in increased fixed obligations and could result in operating covenants that might restrict our operations. We cannot assure you that financing will be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at all.
Although we consolidate the results of our VIEs, we only have access to cash balances or future earnings of our VIEs through our contractual arrangements with them. See "Corporate History and Structure." For restrictions and limitations on liquidity and capital resources as a result of our corporate structure, see "Holding Company Structure."
As a Cayman Islands exempted company and offshore holding company, we are permitted under PRC laws and regulations to provide funding to our wholly foreign-owned subsidiaries in China only through loans or capital contributions, subject to the approval of government authorities and limits on the amount of capital contributions and loans. In addition, our wholly foreign-owned subsidiaries in China may provide Renminbi funding to their respective subsidiaries through capital contributions and entrusted loans, and to our consolidated variable interest entities only through entrusted loans. See
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"Risk FactorsRisks Related to Our Corporate StructurePRC regulation of loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion may delay or prevent us from using the proceeds of this offering to make loans to or make additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiary, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business" and "Use of Proceeds."
Cash Flows
The following table sets forth a summary of our cash flows for the periods indicated:
|
Period from
the inception date to December 31, |
For the year ended
December 31, |
For the six months
ended June 30, |
||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2016 | 2017 | 2017 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
US$
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
US$
|
|||||||||||||
|
(in thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||||
Summary Combined and Consolidated Cash Flow Data: |
|||||||||||||||||||
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities |
(68,486 | ) | (110,974 | ) | (16,773 | ) | (273,711 | ) | 215,202 | 32,525 | |||||||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(2,391 | ) | (1,204,269 | ) | (181,993 | ) | (11,248 | ) | (135,635 | ) | (20,498 | ) | |||||||
Net cash provided by financing activities |
77,050 | 2,265,499 | 342,370 | 431,341 | 15,430 | 2,331 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents |
6,173 | 950,256 | 143,604 | 146,382 | 94,997 | 14,358 | |||||||||||||
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at the beginning of year/period |
| 6,173 | 933 | 6,173 | 956,429 | 144,537 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at the end of year/period |
6,173 | 956,429 | 144,537 | 152,555 | 1,051,426 | 158,895 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating activities
Net cash provided by operating activities was RMB215.2 million (US$32.5 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2018. The difference between the positive operating cash flow of RMB215.2 million (US$32.5 million) and the net loss of RMB572.0 million (US$86.4 million) mainly result from (i) adding back non-cash item share-based compensation of RMB466.0 million (US$70.4 million) and (ii) the change of working capital of RMB294.8 million (US$44.6 million), which in turn was mainly a result of a RMB433.3 million (US$65.5 million) increase in guarantee liabilities, a RMB245.7 million (US$37.1 million) increase in income tax payable, and was partially offset by a RMB233.2 million ((US$35.2 million) increase in financial assets receivables and a RMB283.3 million (US$42.8 million) increase in deferred tax asset. The increase of deferred tax assets was because the increase of deductible marketing expense and guarantee liabilities, which we expect to be able to utilize in future. The increase of the other three working capital items was due to the rapid growth of our online consumer finance business.
Net cash used in operating activities was RMB111.0 million (US$16.8 million) in 2017. The difference between net cash used in operating activities and our net loss of RMB166.4 million (US$25.1 million) mainly resulted from the increase of RMB178.0 million (US$26.9 million) in deferred tax asset, and the increase of RMB135.0 million (US$20.4 million) in financial assets receivables, partially offset by the increase of RMB295.2 million (US$44.6 million) in guarantee liabilities and the increase of RMB115.3 million (US$17.4 million) in income tax payable. The increase of deferred tax assets was because of a larger net loss in 2017 as compared to 2016, which we expect to be able to utilize when turning to net profit in near future. The increase of the other three items was due to the rapid growth of our online consumer finance business.
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Net cash used in operating activities was RMB68.5 million in 2016. The difference between net cash provided by operating activities and our net loss of RMB21.8 million mainly resulted from the increase of RMB38.5 million in amounts due from related parties. See "Related Party Transactions" for reasons behind the change of amount due from related parties.
Investing activities
Net cash used in investing activities was RMB135.6 million (US$20.5 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2018, which was primarily attributable to the increase of on-balance-sheet loans of RMB2,658.4 million (US$401.7 million), partially offset by collection of on-balance-sheet loans of RMB2,527.3 million (US$381.9 million).
Net cash used in investing activities was RMB1,204.3 million (US$182.0 million) in 2017, which was primarily attributable to the increase of on-balance-sheet loans of RMB2,769.6 million (US$418.6 million), partially offset by collection of on-balance-sheet loans of RMB1,572.4 million (US$237.6 million).
Net cash used in investing activities was RMB2.4 million in 2016, used to purchase property, equipment and intangible assets.
Financing activities
Net cash provided by financing activities was RMB15.4 million (US$2.3 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2018, which was primarily attributable to equity contributions from shareholders of RMB100 million (US$15.1 million) and loans from Beijing Qibutianxia of RMB360.0 million (US$54.4 million), partially offset by loan payment to Beijing Qibutianxia of RMB510.0 million (US$77.1 million) and cash paid to investors of consolidated trusts of RMB234.5 million (US$35.4 million).
Net cash provided by financing activities was RMB2,265.5 million (US$342.4 million) in 2017, which was attributable to equity contributions from shareholders of RMB590.0 million (US$89.2 million), loans from Beijing Qibutianxia of RMB810.5 million (US$122.5 million) and cash received from investors of our consolidated trusts of RMB1,012.5 million (US$153.0 million).
We did not have financing activities in 2016.
Contractual Obligations
The following table sets forth our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2017:
|
Total |
Less than
1 year |
1 - 3 years | 3 - 5 years |
More than
5 years |
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In RMB thousands)
|
|||||||||||||||
Operating Lease Obligations |
18,518 | 8,903 | 9,615 | | |
Our operating lease obligations relate to our leases of office premises. We lease our office premises under non-cancelable operating lease arrangements. Rental expenses under operating leases for 2017 were RMB5.4 million (US$0.8 million).
Other than those shown above, we did not have any significant capital and other commitments, long-term obligations or guarantees as of December 31, 2017.
Holding Company Structure
360 Finance, Inc. is a holding company with no material operations of its own. We conduct our operations primarily through our subsidiary, our variable interest entities and their subsidiaries in
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China. As a result, 360 Finance, Inc.'s ability to pay dividends depends upon dividends paid by our PRC subsidiary. If our existing PRC subsidiary or any newly formed ones incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing their debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends to us. In addition, our wholly foreign-owned subsidiary in China is permitted to pay dividends to us only out of its retained earnings, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. Under PRC law, each of our subsidiary, our variable interest entities and their subsidiaries in China is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund certain statutory reserve funds until such reserve funds reach 50% of its registered capital. In addition, our wholly foreign-owned subsidiary in China may allocate a portion of its after-tax profits based on PRC accounting standards to enterprise expansion funds and staff bonus and welfare funds at its discretion, and our variable interest entity may allocate a portion of its after-tax profits based on PRC accounting standards to a discretionary surplus fund at its discretion. The statutory reserve funds and the discretionary funds are not distributable as cash dividends. Remittance of dividends by a wholly foreign-owned company out of China is subject to examination by the banks designated by SAFE. Our PRC subsidiary has not paid dividends and will not be able to pay dividends until they generate accumulated profits and meet the requirements for statutory reserve funds.
Inflation
Since our inception, inflation in China has not materially affected our results of operations. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, the year-over-year percent changes in the consumer price index for December 2016 and December 2017 were increases of 2.1% and 1.6%, respectively. Although we have not been materially affected by inflation in the past, we may be affected if China experiences higher rates of inflation in the future.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Foreign exchange risk
All of our revenues and substantially all of our expenses are denominated in Renminbi. Our exposure to foreign exchange risk primarily relates to cash and cash equivalent denominated in U.S. dollars. We do not believe that we currently have any significant direct foreign exchange risk and have not used any derivative financial instruments to hedge exposure to such risk. Although our exposure to foreign exchange risks should be limited in general, the value of your investment in our ADSs will be affected by the exchange rate between U.S. dollar and Renminbi because the value of our business is effectively denominated in Renminbi, while our ADSs will be traded in U.S. dollars.
The conversion of Renminbi into foreign currencies, including U.S. dollars, is based on rates set by the People's Bank of China. The PRC government allowed the Renminbi to appreciate by more than 20% against the U.S. dollar between July 2005 and July 2008. Between July 2008 and June 2010, this appreciation halted and the exchange rate between the Renminbi and the U.S. dollar remained within a narrow band. Since June 2010, Renminbi has fluctuated against the U.S. dollar, at certain times significantly and unpredictably. With the development of the foreign exchange market progressing towards interest rate liberalization and Renminbi internationalization and economic uncertainties in both China and the world, the PRC government may in the future announce further changes to the exchange rate system and we cannot assure you that the Renminbi will not appreciate or depreciate significantly in value against the U.S. dollar in the future. It is difficult to predict how market forces or PRC or U.S. government policy may impact the exchange rate between the Renminbi and the U.S. dollar in the future.
To the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars into Renminbi for our operations, appreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar would have an adverse effect on the Renminbi amount we receive from the conversion. Conversely, if we decide to convert Renminbi into U.S. dollars for the
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purpose of making payments for dividends on our ordinary shares or ADSs or for other business purposes, appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the Renminbi would have a negative effect on the U.S. dollar amounts available to us.
We estimate that we will receive net proceeds of approximately US$ million from this offering if the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and the estimated offering expenses payable by us, based on the initial offering price of US$ per ADS. Assuming that we convert the full amount of the net proceeds from this offering into Renminbi, a 10% appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the Renminbi, from the exchange rate of RMB6.5063 for US$1.00 as of December 29, 2017 to a rate of Renminbi to US$1.00, will result in an increase of RMB million in our net proceeds from this offering. Conversely, a 10% depreciation of the U.S. dollar against the Renminbi, from the exchange rate of RMB6.5063 for US$1.00 as of December 29, 2017 to a rate of Renminbi to US$1.00, will result in a decrease of RMB million in our net proceeds from this offering.
Interest rate risk
We have not been exposed to material risks due to changes in market interest rates, and we have not used any derivative financial instruments to manage our interest risk exposure.
The fluctuation of interest rates may affect the demand for loan services on our platform. For example, a decrease in interest rates may cause prospective borrowers to seek lower-priced loans from other channels. A high interest rate environment may lead to an increase in competing for investment options and dampen our funding partners' desire to fund loans on our platform. We do not expect that the fluctuation of interest rates will have a material impact on our financial condition. However, we cannot provide assurance that we will not be exposed to material risks due to changes in market interest rate in the future. See "Risk FactorsRisks Related to Our Business and IndustryFluctuations in interest rates could negatively affect our loan origination volume."
After completion of this offering, we may invest the net proceeds we receive from the offering in interest-earning instruments. Investments in both fixed rate and floating rate interest earning instruments carry a degree of interest rate risk. Fixed rate securities may have their fair market value adversely impacted due to a rise in interest rates, while floating rate securities may produce less income than expected if interest rates fall.
Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Prior to this offering, we have been a private company with limited accounting personnel and other resources with which we address our internal control over financial reporting. In connection with the audits of our combined and consolidated financial statements as of and for the period from the inception date to December 31, 2016 and the year ended 2017, we and our independent registered public accounting firm identified two material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. As defined in the standards established by the U.S. Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, a "material weakness" is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis
The material weaknesses that have been identified relate to our (i) lack of sufficient accounting personnel with U.S. GAAP knowledge and SEC financial reporting requirements and lack of accounting policies and procedures relating to financial reporting in accordance with U.S. GAAP and (ii) lack of formal internal control framework. The material weaknesses, if not timely remedied, may lead to significant misstatements in our combined and consolidated financial statements in the future.
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We have implemented and plan to implement a number of measures to address the material weaknesses that have been identified in connection with the audits of our financial statements as of and for the period from the inception date to December 31, 2016 and the year ended December 31, 2017. We are in progress to expedite and streamline our reporting process and develop our compliance process. We have also established accounting, business operation and information system internal control assessment framework to allow early detection, prevention and resolution of potential compliance issues, and we have partially completed policy and procedure manual. We plan to invite external consulting team to help us strengthen our internal control level. We are conducting regular and continuous U.S. GAAP accounting and financial reporting programs and have already started sending our financial staff to attend external U.S. GAAP training courses. We also intend to hire additional qualified personnel to strengthen the financial reporting function. However, we cannot assure you that all these measures will be sufficient to remediate our material weakness in time, or at all. See "Risk FactorsRisks Related to Our Business and IndustryIn connection with the audits of our combined and consolidated financial statements as of and for the period from the inception date to December 31, 2016 and the year ended 2017, we and our independent registered public accounting firm identified two material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. If we fail to develop and maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we may be unable to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud."
As a company with less than US$1.07 billion in revenue for our last fiscal year, we qualify as an "emerging growth company" pursuant to the JOBS Act. An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting and other requirements that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These provisions include exemption from the auditor attestation requirement under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 in the assessment of the emerging growth company's internal control over financial reporting.
Critical Accounting Policies
Revenue recognition
Through our mobile app and channel partners, we provide services through our facilitation of loan transactions connecting the institutional funding partners with the borrowers. The loans facilitated are with terms of less than 12 months and with principal of up to RMB200,000. Our services mainly consist of: (1) performing credit assessment on the borrowers based on our credit analysis and matching the institutional funding partners to potential qualified borrowers and facilitating the execution of loan agreements between the parties, referred to as "loan facilitation services;" and (2) providing repayment processing services for the institutional funding partners over the loan term, referred to as "post origination services".
Based on the agreements entered into between our institutional funding partners and borrowers, we determined that we are not the legal lender or borrower in the loan origination and repayment process. Accordingly, we do not record loans receivable and payable arising from the loan between the funding partner and the borrower.
In 2016 and 2017, the service fees were collected from the borrowers on a monthly basis through the loan period. Starting from January 2018, to follow the recent regulation change, particularly the Circular 141 which came into effect in December 2017, we started to charge service fees directly from our funding partners based on the contractual agreements.
Historically for all the loans originated through our platform, we provided a guarantee service to our institutional funding partners by directly compensating them for unpaid principal and interest in the event of a borrower's default. Starting from February 2018, we have been switching to a new model under which third-party guarantee companies directly provide guarantee service to funding partners, and we in turn provide back-to-back guarantee to those third-party guarantee companies. Given that we
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effectively takes on all of the credit risk of the borrowers and are compensated by the service fees charged, the guarantee is deemed as a service and the guarantee exposure is recognized as a stand-ready obligation in accordance with ASC Topic 460, Guarantees (see accounting policy for Guarantee Liabilities).
We consider the loan facilitation services and post-origination services as a multiple deliverable revenue arrangement under ASC 605. Although we do not sell these services separately, we determined that the deliverables have standalone value. Guarantee services are accounted for in accordance with ASC Topic 460, Guarantees. The service fees are allocated consistent with the guidance in ASC 605-25. When the monthly service fees are collected, we first allocate the fees received to the guarantee liabilities in accordance with ASC Topic 460, Guarantees which requires the guarantee to be measured initially at fair value based on the stand-ready obligation. Then the remaining fees are allocated to the loan facilitation services and post-origination services using their relative estimated selling prices.
We do not have vendor specific objective evidence ("VSOE") of selling price for the loan facilitation services or post-origination services because we do not provide loan facilitation services or post-origination services separately. Although other vendors may sell these services separately, third party evidence ("TPE") of selling price of the loan facilitation services and post-origination services does not exist as public information is not available regarding what our competitors may charge for those services. As a result, we use our best estimate of selling prices ("BESP") of loan facilitation services and post-origination services as the basis of revenue allocation. In estimating the selling price for the loan facilitation services and post-origination services, we consider the cost incurred to deliver such services, profit margin for similar arrangements, customer demand, effect of competitors on our services, and other market factors.
Consistent with the criteria of ASC 605 "Revenue Recognition", we recognize revenues when the following four revenue recognition criteria are met: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (ii) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, (iii) the selling price is fixed or determinable, and (iv) collectability is reasonably assured.
Although loan facilitation service is provided at loan inception and post-origination service is provided during the term of the loan, the service fees are contingent upon actual repayment from the borrowers and thus, the revenue related to the service fees is also contingent and will not become determinable until the contingency (i.e., the borrower's repayments) is resolved. Accordingly revenue is recognized upon collection of service fees.
Revenues on loan facilitation services are recognized when the loan facilitation services have been completed (i.e., when the matching of institutional funding partners to borrowers is completed, as evidenced by the execution of loan agreement between them and the transfer of loan principal to the borrower) and the service fees allocated to the facilitation service have been received. The service fees collected from monthly installments allocated to post-origination services are recognized upon collection.
For loans facilitated through our consolidated trusts and asset management plans, and Fuzhou Microcredit in which we recognize the loans on the balance sheet, we recognized revenue under 'financing income' the fees and interests charged to the borrowers over the lifetime of the loans using the effective interest method.
Under Topic 605, transaction fees collected in monthly instalments are considered contingent and, therefore, are not allocable to different deliverables until the contingency is resolved (i.e. upon receipt of the monthly installment). Upon adoption of Topic 606, revenue is recognized upon successful facilitation of the loans provided on the platform using the total consideration estimated to be received and allocated to the different performance obligations based upon their relative fair value. We intend to adopt Topic 606 on the full retrospective approach in fiscal year 2019. Upon such an adoption of
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Topic 606, total net revenue would be RMB 1.7 million for the period from the inception date of July 25, 2016 to December 31, 2016, RMB 788 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, and RMB 1,578 million for the six-month period ended June 30, 2018 under Topic 606. As Topic 606 mainly addresses revenue recognition from contracts with customers, we expect the change in net income to be primarily driven by change in revenue.
Loans receivable
Loans receivable represents loans facilitated through our consolidated trusts and asset management plans, and Fuzhou Microcredit. Loans receivable are recorded receivable, reduced by a valuation allowance estimated as of the balance sheet date.
The allowance for loan losses is determined at a level believed to be reasonable to absorb probable losses inherent in the portfolio as of each balance sheet date. The allowance is provided based on an assessment performed on a portfolio basis. All loans are assessed collectively depending on factors such as delinquency rate, size, and other risk characteristics of the portfolio.
We do not record any financing income on an accrual basis for the loans that are past due for more than 90 days. Loans are returned to accrual status if they are brought to non-delinquent status or have performed in accordance with the contractual terms for a reasonable period of time and, in our judgment, will continue to make periodic principal and interest payments as scheduled. For the period from the inception date to December 31, 2016 and the year ended December 31, 2017, we have not charged off any loans receivable. For the six months ended June 30, 2018, we have charged off loans receivable of RMB6,989.
Guarantee liabilities and financial assets receivable
For the off-balance-sheet loans from 2016 to 2017, we provided a guarantee service to our funding partners whereas in the event of default, the institutional funding partners are entitled to receive unpaid interest and principal from us. In general, any unpaid interest and principal are paid when the borrower does not repay as scheduled. For accounting purposes, at loan inception, we recognize a stand-ready liability representing the fair value of guarantee liability in accordance with ASC Topic 460.
From February 2018, to follow the recent regulation change, particularly the Circular 141 which came into effect in December 2017, we have been switching to a guarantee company model under which third-party guarantee companies directly provide guarantee service to funding partners. These licensed guarantee companies initially reimburses the loan principal and interest to funding partners upon borrowers' default. Although we do not have direct contractual obligation to the funding partners for defaulted principal and interest, we provide back-to-back guarantee to licensed guarantee companies. As agreed in the back-to-back guarantee contract, we would pay the licensed guarantee companies for actual losses incurred based on defaulted principal and interest. Given that we effectively take on all of the credit risk of the borrowers, we recognize a stand ready obligation for its guarantee exposure in accordance with ASC Topic 460. For a small portion of loans newly facilitated during the first half of 2018, we do not provide guarantees and do not record any guarantee liabilities associated with those loans.
At the inception of each loan subject to the guarantee provided by us, we recognize the guarantee liability at fair value in accordance with ASC 460-10, which incorporates the expectation of potential future payments under the guarantee and takes into both non-contingent and contingent aspects of the guarantee. Subsequent to the loan's inception, the guarantee liability is composed of two components: (i) ASC Topic 460 component; and (ii) ASC Topic 450 component. The liability recorded based on ASC Topic 460 is determined on a loan by loan basis and it is reduced when we are released from the underlying risk, i.e. as the loan is repaid by the borrower or when the funding partner is compensated in the event of a default. This component is a stand ready obligation which is not subject to the
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probable threshold used to record a contingent obligation. When we are released from the stand ready liability upon expiration of the underlying loan, we record a corresponding amount as "Other net revenue" in the combined and consolidated statement of comprehensive income. For the period from the inception date to December 31, 2016 and the year ended December 31, 2017, revenues recognized related to releasing of guarantee liabilities are immaterial. For the six months ended June 30, 2018, revenue recognized related to releasing of guarantee liabilities is RMB14,584. The other component is a contingent liability determined based on probable loss considering the actual historical performance and current conditions, representing the obligation to make future payouts under the guarantee liability in excess of the stand-ready liability, measured using the guidance in ASC Topic 450. The ASC Topic 450 contingent component is determined on a collective basis and loans with similar risk characteristics are pooled into cohorts for purposes of measuring incurred losses. The ASC 450 contingent component is recognized as part of operating expenses in the combined and consolidated statement of comprehensive income. At all times the recognized liability is at least equal to the probable estimated losses of the guarantee portfolio.
As of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and June 30, 2018, the contractual amounts of the outstanding loans subject to guarantee by us were estimated to be RMB236.3 million, RMB10,844.7 million (US$1,638.9 million) and RMB24,734.9 million (US$3,739.3 million), respectively. The approximate term of guarantee compensation service ranged from 1 month to 12 months, as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and June 30, 2018. As of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and June 30, 2018, the contractual amounts of the outstanding loans not subject to guarantee by the Group were estimated to be RMB nil and RMB nil and RMB 351.7 million.
Financial assets receivable is recognized at loan inception which is equal to the stand-ready liability recorded at fair value in accordance with ASC 460-10-30-2(b) and considers what premium would be required by us to issue the same guarantee service in a standalone arms-length transaction.
The fair value recognized at loan inception is estimated using a discounted cash flow model based on expected net payouts by incorporating a markup margin. The Group estimates its expected net payouts according to the product mix, default rates, loan terms and discount rate. The financial assets receivable is accounted for as a financial asset, and reduced upon the receipt of the service fees payment from the borrowers. At each reporting date, we estimate the future cash flows and assesses whether there is any indicator of impairment. If the carrying amounts of the financial assets receivable exceed the expected cash to be received, an impairment loss is recorded for the financial assets receivable not recoverable and is recorded in the combined and consolidated income statement.
Income taxes
Current income taxes are provided on the basis of net profit (loss) for financial reporting purposes, adjusted for income and expenses which are not assessable or deductible for income tax purposes, in accordance with the laws of the relevant tax jurisdictions.
Deferred income taxes are provided using assets and liabilities method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined on the basis of the differences between financial statements and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse.
Deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that these assets are more likely than not to be realized. In making such a determination, the management considers all positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of projected future taxable income and results of recent operation.
In order to assess uncertain tax positions, we apply a more likely than not threshold and a two-step approach for the tax position measurement and financial statement recognition. Under the two-step
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approach, the first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement. We recognize interest and penalties, if any, under accrued expenses and other current liabilities on its combined and consolidated balance sheet and under other expenses in its combined and consolidated statement of comprehensive loss. We did not have any significant unrecognized uncertain tax positions as of and for the period from the inception date to December 31, 2016, the year ended December 31, 2017 and the six months ended June 30, 2018.
Fair Value of Ordinary Shares
We have been a private company with no quoted market prices for our ordinary shares. We therefore needed to make estimates of the fair value of our ordinary shares for the purpose of determining the fair value of our ordinary shares at the date of the grant of share-based compensation awards to our employees as one of the inputs into determining the grant date fair value of the award. In determining the fair value of our ordinary shares, we have considered the guidance prescribed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Audit and Accounting Practice Aid Series: Valuation of Privately-Held-Company Equity Securities Issued as Compensation, or the AICPA Practice Guide. These estimates will not be necessary to determine the fair value of our ordinary shares once our ADSs begin trading. Valuations and estimates will no longer be necessary once the company goes public because we will then rely on the market price to determine the market value of our common stock.
The following table sets forth the fair value of our ordinary shares estimated in 2018:
The determination of the fair value of our ordinary shares requires complex and subjective judgments to be made regarding our projected financial and operating results, our unique business risks, the liquidity of our shares and our operating history and prospects at the time of valuation.
In determining our equity value, we applied the discounted cash flow analysis based on our projected cash flow using our best estimate as of the valuation date. The major assumptions used in calculating the fair value of our equity include:
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Fair Value of Options
We used the Binomial model to estimate the fair value of the options granted on the grant date with assistance from an independent valuation firm. The fair value per option was estimated at the date of grant using the following assumptions. The weighted-average grant date fair value of the options for the six-month period ended June 30, 2018 was RMB 48.64. The fair value of options approximates the fair value of underlying ordinary shares as the exercise price is nominal.
Average risk-free rate of interest (1) |
3.18% | |
Estimated volatility rate (2) |
53.49% | |
Dividend yield |
0.00% | |
Time to maturity |
10 years | |
Exercise price |
USD 0.00001 | |
Fair value per underlying ordinary share |
RMB 48.64 |
Share-Based Compensation
Share-based payment transactions with employees, such as share options, are measured based on the grant date fair value of the awards, with the resulting expense generally recognized on a straight-line basis in the combined and consolidated statements of operations over the period during which the employee is required to perform service in exchange for the award.
On May 20, 2018, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the Share Incentive Plan and granted 24,627,493 of stock options to certain employees, directors and officers. The stock options shall expire 10 years from the date of grant and vest over a period from immediate to 4 years.
A summary of option activity during period from January 1, 2018 to June 30, 2018 is as follows:
|
Number of
Options |
Weighted
Average Exercise Price |
Weighted
Average Remaining Contract Life |
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
USD
|
Years
|
RMB
|
|||||||||
Options outstanding at January 1, 2018 |
| | |||||||||||
Options granted in 2018 |
24,627,493 | 0.00001 | 8.48 | 1,197,881 | |||||||||
Options forfeited in 2018 |
| | | | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Options outstanding at June 30, 2018 |
24,627,493 | 0.00001 | 8.37 | 1,197,881 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Options exercisable at June 30, 2018 |
4,619,403 | 0.00001 | 8.37 | 224,688 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Options vested or expected to be vested at June 30, 2018 |
24,627,493 | 0.00001 | 8.37 | 1,197,881 | |||||||||
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For the six-month period ended June 30, 2018, we recorded compensation expenses of RMB466.0 million, for the share options granted to our employees. As of June 30, 2018, we had 24,627,493 share options outstanding. As of June 30, 2018, unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested awards granted to our employees was RMB731.9 million. This cost is expected to be recognized weighted-average period of 1.63 years.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
A list of recently issued accounting pronouncements that are relevant to us is included in Note 2 "Summary of Significant Accounting PoliciesRecent accounting pronouncements" to our combined and consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.
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The information presented in this section has been derived from an industry report commissioned by us and prepared by Oliver Wyman, an independent research firm, regarding our industry and our market position in China.
Overview of China's Consumer Finance Market
According to Oliver Wyman, the total outstanding balance of consumer finance in China, defined as loans for personal consumption purposes, excluding mortgages, auto loans and personal operating loans, accounted to RMB8.2 trillion (US$1.2 trillion) in 2017 and are expected to reach RMB23.2 trillion in 2022, representing a CAGR of 23%, driven by rapidly growing consumption needs and consumer leverage.
Moreover, the market is expected to experience significant structural changes, impacting the market landscape and benefiting online consumer finance channels targeting prime borrowers. These changes include:
Borrowers Segments in China's Consumer Finance Market
According to Oliver Wyman, borrowers can be divided into three segments based on their relative risk profiles:
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and a short record of stable income. Their credit profile and access to credit is likely to improve as they accumulate a credit history and develop an income record. They often borrow with terms less than a year to bridge the gap between their advanced spending and income.
Within the three segments, the prime borrower segment is the largest, measured by outstanding balance. According to Oliver Wyman, the prime segment accounted for 42% by outstanding balance in China's consumer finance market in 2017.
Key Channels in China's Consumer Finance Market
According to Oliver Wyman, financial service providers in China's consumer finance market provide credit to borrowers via two channels:
Growth Opportunities for China's Consumer Finance Market
Drivers of China's consumer finance market
According to Oliver Wyman, China's consumer finance market is expected to experience significant growth driven by rapidly growing consumption needs and consumer leverage.
China is shifting its economy towards a consumption-driven model. Private consumption in China has been growing steadily and is expected to grow from RMB26.7 trillion (US$4.0 trillion) in 2017 to RMB38.6 trillion in 2022. According to Oliver Wyman, from 2012 to 2017, China's private consumption grew at a CAGR of 8.4%. Despite significant growth, the ratio of private consumption's contribution to GDP was at a relatively low level of 39% in 2017, compared to 69% for the United States. This indicates vast growth opportunities for private consumption, and consumption-related financing needs.
Furthermore, Chinese consumers have become more comfortable with borrowing, as evidenced by the expansion of China's personal credit market, which grew at a CAGR of 22% from 2012 to 2017. However, China's consumer leverage ratio, defined as personal debt (excluding mortgage and personal operating loan) as a percentage of personal disposable income, was still at a comparatively low level of 18.1% compared to 30.0% for the United States in 2017, indicating significant potential for increased consumer borrowing. According to Oliver Wyman, China's consumer leverage is expected to increase to 30% in 2022.
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Structural changes and trends of China's consumer finance market
According to Oliver Wyman, China's consumer finance market is expected to go through certain structural changes over the coming years, including:
A growing base of prime borrowers
The prime borrower segment is not only the largest in terms of population, but also the fastest growing in terms of outstanding balance. According to Oliver Wyman, the prime segment is expected to grow from a population of 361 million in 2017 to 569 million in 2022 at a CAGR of 10%, accounting for 49% of the financially active population in 2022. In terms of outstanding balance, prime borrowers are expected to grow from RMB3.4 trillion (US$0.5 trillion) in 2017 to RMB10.9 trillion in 2022 at a CAGR of 26%, which are driven mainly by growing consumption, increasing credit card penetration and the "upgrading" of below-prime borrowers to the prime borrower segment.
Source: Oliver Wyman estimation
Higher proportion of consumer loans originated through online channels
The rapid development of internet infrastructure in China and the boom of the mobile internet in the last decade has significantly raised the internet penetration rate and fostered the emergence of internet-based industries. This development has created vast opportunities, not only for emerging industries to build mature business models, but also for traditional industries to reinvent themselves through the application of new internet-based technologies. The traditional financial services industry, especially the payment and consumer finance sectors, have been subject to significant changes.
Traditional financial institutions have long dominated the finance market but are facing several challenges amidst technology disruption and escalating competition:
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By comparison, online consumer finance channels can provide a more convenient and prompt service as they leverage strong technology and risk management capabilities, thus acting as an enabler for the traditional financial institutions, allowing them to reach a broader borrower base and increase the overall size of the online consumer finance market. According to Oliver Wyman, the outstanding balance of online consumer finance channel is expected to increase from RMB1.1 trillion in 2017 to RMB3.5 trillion in 2022, at a CAGR of 27%. By 2022, online consumer finance companies are expected to account for 15% of outstanding balance in the consumer finance market, compared to 13% in 2017.
Source: Oliver Wyman estimation
Online consumer finance channel targeting the large and growing number of prime borrowers in China, are expected to be best positioned to capture the upside of the above mentioned structural changes.
Financial Service Providers in China's Online Consumer Finance Market
From a business model perspective, financial service providers in China's online consumer finance market can be divided into two categories: independent platforms and technology giant backed platforms.
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Among online consumer finance platform, the technology giant backed platforms have comparative advantages over independent platform because these technology giant backed platforms can take full advantage of the ecosystems that they have developed. These advantages include:
According to Oliver Wyman, due to the advantages mentioned above, technology giant backed players have been rapidly expanding and gaining market share over the past few years compared to independent platforms. As the online consumer finance industry becomes more regulated, the market will further consolidate as smaller independent platforms cease to operate. The market share of technology giant backed platforms out of the online consumer finance channels by outstanding balance is expected to increase from 47% in 2017 to 60 - 80% in 2022. The largest five technology giant backed platforms, by loan origination volume in the second quarter of 2018, were Ant Financial, WeBank, JD Finance, Baidu Finance and 360 Finance.
In addition, although the online consumer finance industry will continue to consolidate in the short-term, it will not be a winner-take-all market in the long term. The consumer finance landscape is expected to be a multi-player market, as the regulatory bodies will continue to mold the regulatory frameworks to promote competition within the financial services sector and prevent any single provider or small group of providers to command a market share which could threaten the financial market stability through an economic downturn.
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Overview
We are a leading digital consumer finance platform and the finance partner of the 360 Group, one of the largest internet companies in China, connecting over one billion accumulated mobile devices. We provide tailored online consumer finance products to prime, underserved borrowers funded primarily by our funding partners. Our proprietary technology platform enables a unique user experience supported by resolute risk management. When coupled with our 360 Group partnership, our technology translates to a meaningful borrower acquisition, borrower retention and funding advantage, supporting the rapid growth and scaling of our business. From inception to September 30, 2018, we had facilitated over RMB94.4 billion (US$14.3 billion) in loans to 6.4 million of our borrowers.
Our core product is an affordable, unsecured, digital line of credit which our borrowers typically utilize for consumption spending and often as a supplement to credit card debt. To apply, potential borrowers complete a simple online application and, for approximately 95% of recent credit applications, a fully automated credit decision is rendered. Approved borrowers are provided access to funds typically within five minutes and may select the loan structure best suited to their consumption needs.
Our value proposition is an intuitive platform connecting our borrowers and funding partners.
We have developed a proprietary technology platform supporting the full transaction lifecycle from credit application through settlement. The brevity, simplicity and speed of our credit decision process reflects the strength of our data analysis, particularly around identifying fraud, which represents approximately 50% of bad debts industry-wide according to Oliver Wyman. For instance, we employ a robust and highly automated identity authentication process based on facial recognition to filter fraudulent credit applications. Further, our advanced analytical capabilities help translate data into actionable insights, where we have found statistical significance leveraging behavioral and social data sets to assess a potential borrower's ability and willingness to repay a loan. As of September 30, 2018, we employed 332 research, development and risk management staff, representing 48.0% of our total employee base, who also collaborate closely with 360 Group, to maintain and enhance our technology leadership.
Since inception we have grown quickly and consistently. As of September 30, 2018, we had 6.4 million cumulative borrowers with RMB94.4 billion (US$14.3 billion) cumulative loan origination and RMB34.7 billion (US$5.2 billion) outstanding balance, representing compound quarterly growth rate of 97.0%, 115.6% and 95.2%, respectively, since the last quarter of 2016. We generate majority of our revenue through loan facilitation service fees and post-origination service fees as a percentage of
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loan originations. For the year ended December 31, 2017, we earned RMB309.1 million (US$46.7 million) in net revenue, compared to RMB0.06 million for the period from our inception to December 31, 2016. For the six months ended June 30, 2018, our net revenue was RMB742.9 million (US$112.3 million), compared to RMB12.3 million for the same period of 2017, representing a year-over-year growth of 5,939.8%.
Our rapid growth coupled with the leverage in our operating model has allowed us to rapidly achieve profitability. See "Prospectus SummaryRecent Developments." For the year ended December 31, 2017 we recorded net loss of RMB166.4 million (US$25.1 million) versus a net loss of RMB21.8 million for the period from our inception to December 31, 2016. We were only able to grant options to our employees after our Cayman holding vehicle 360 Finance, Inc. was incorporated in April 2018. For the six months ended June 30, 2018, we recorded net loss of RMB572.0 million (US$86.4 million), compared to net loss of RMB67.3 million for the same period of 2017. Excluding the effect of share-based compensation, our adjusted net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2018 was RMB106.0 million (US$16.0 million). See "Summary Combined and Consolidated Financial and Operating DataNon-GAAP Measures" for a reconciliation of adjusted net loss to net loss.
The charts below present the number of our cumulative borrowers and our cumulative loan origination volume as of the end of the month indicated, and our net revenue, and our net loss for the periods indicated:
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Market Opportunity
We have formulated our growth strategies around the following trends, which we believe are guiding the development of the China online consumer finance market:
Our Partnership with 360 Group
We work closely with 360 Group, collaborating across a number of functions in a mutually beneficial strategic and economic partnership. 360 Group's experience and brand across digital engagement and security in particular have helped to fundamentally shape our platform, including the following:
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funding partners, encouraging growing funding commitments and drawing additional funding partners to our platform.
We entered into a master business collaboration agreement with 360 Group. Subject to compliance with applicable laws and non-infringement of the legitimate rights of any third party, we and 360 Group agree to continue to collaborate with each other in areas including but not limited to advanced analytical methods driven by artificial intelligence and data security best practices. With regard to data in particular, we will continue to develop algorithms capable of generating risk metrics from 360 Group's user data for the purpose of borrower assessment and risk management, with the borrower's expressed consent.
Our Strengths
We are a technology company, a function of our 360 Group heritage and the team and infrastructure we have built. Technological expertise is fundamental to each dimension of our differentiation, which is highlighted as follows:
Partnership with 360 Group
We are the finance partner of 360 Group. This provides a unique opportunity to collaborate across core platform functions, including data and analytics, artificial intelligence, cloud computing and risk management. It also provides us a marketing opportunity with regards to 360 Group's user base, including over 500 million monthly active users connected through one billion accumulated mobile devices. Collectively, we believe our partnership with 360 Group helps drive a growth, risk management and funding advantage.
Differentiated borrower acquisition
We believe we have a meaningful borrower acquisition advantage over both online consumer finance platforms and traditional financial institutions. This advantage is a function of both high quality traffic, in part through collaboration with 360 Group, as well as a data-driven technology infrastructure allowing us to precisely target borrowers and quickly and confidently arrive at an automated credit decision. This benefit has led to a 53.1% conversion rate since inception and through September 30, 2018.
Intuitive product and user experience
We have built a product, 360 Jietiao, to seamlessly match prime borrowers with funding partners. We offer a single product with transparent features and a simple interface to provide a straightforward and inviting user experience for borrowers and funding partners alike. We have taken this approach strategically, believing a single-product offering allows us to be uniquely focused on product development, earning the trust of our borrowers and funding partners alike. This serves as a critical step in establishing a platform for broader offerings and points of monetization, and materially differentiates us from the traditional financial institution experience which remains cumbersome and disjointed.
Market leading risk management and fraud prevention
The confidence and speed with which we can deliver a credit decision is determined by our risk management, particularly our fraud prevention infrastructure. The foundation of this infrastructure is a
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massive user data set accumulated in collaboration with 360 Group and incorporating social, behavioral and financial elements. Upon this foundation we apply various artificial intelligence tools while also drawing upon years of internet security expertise and experience from 360 Group, delivering an M3+ delinquency rate of 0.6% and a 0.2% loss rate due to fraudulent application as of September 30, 2018.
Distinct funding advantage
We have the benefit of a large, diverse and relatively low cost funding base across funding partners compared to other online consumer finance companies according to Oliver Wyman. We offer our funding partners a distinct value proposition including access to an otherwise difficult-to-reach borrower base, above market realized returns of typically over 6.5% and an opportunity to cross-sell borrowers, enhancing the lifetime value of the borrower. This dynamic, in turn, draws steady funding supply to our platform in the form of both new funding partners and stronger funding support, which is important in controlling our cost of funds.
Rapid growth with long term operating leverage
We had 9.6 million users with an approved credit line over the 27 months since our inception, representing a compound quarterly growth rate of 90.5% from the fourth quarter of 2016 to the third quarter of 2018. This growth coupled with the operating leverage within our business model has allowed us to rapidly achieve profitability. We are able to scale our business so efficiently by maintaining low borrower acquisition costs and delinquency rates, a function of a deliberate growth strategy where we remain committed to sustainable unit economics. This disciplined approach to building our business will permit us to organically fund our growth strategy and expand our operating margins as we grow our borrower base.
Uniquely diverse management team
The collective experience of our management team is unprecedented in our industry. Our chairman of the board, Mr. Zhou, played critical roles in developing 360 Group's market leading internet security product and growing its one billion accumulated mobile device base as of the end of 2017. Our chief executive officer, Mr. Xu, has 17 years experience in the banking and financial services industries. Our president, Mr. Wu, has over ten years of experience overseeing internet product management and operations. Around this foundation, we have assembled a management team with a diversity of skills and experiences across technology, financial services, risk management, regulation and data science.
Our Growth Strategies
We have significant opportunities to expand our business. Our growth strategy focuses on the following efforts to continue to deliver value for our constituents and shift our use case from a supplement to a replacement for credit card debt:
Deepen our relationship with existing borrowers
We intend to enhance our relationships with existing borrowers who represent meaningful loan origination volume. Loan origination contributed by repeat borrowers represented 58.8% of our total loan origination volume for the third quarter of 2018. Our strategy is rooted in data, where increasingly detailed borrower profiles, including on-going repayment activity, are subject to ever more advanced analytical methods to improve our understanding of our borrowers' needs. When coupled with an evolving suite of loan products, we believe our platform will enable us to deepen our relationship with existing borrowers. As such, our goal is to encourage repeat borrowings where appropriate and set the
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stage for expanded borrower relationships as our product portfolio broadens outside of lending over time.
Broaden and diversify borrower acquisition channels
While we expect in the near term to continue collaborating with 360 Group, who has contributed to 22.7% of our accumulated borrowers as of September 30, 2018, we are at the same time expanding our referral partnership network. We have meaningful existing relationships with market leading referral partners through app stores, web feeds, search engine marketing and other third-party marketing channels. We are also experimenting with new referral partners through other channels where we have seen encouraging early results. Lastly, 8.4% of our new borrowers come from our borrower referral program cumulatively as of September 30, 2018.
Expand funding partners and diversity
We will expand our sources of funding, as we continue to receive significant interest from funding partners on the strength of the risk adjusted returns we facilitate and our association with 360 Group. We intend to diversify our institutional funding partner base, aiming to add two to three partners per quarter in the near term. We will continue to surround these partners with increasingly sophisticated technology tools, reinforcing our enablement model. At the same time, we will continue to evaluate our retail funding strategy based on market condition. In addition, we are experimenting with other funding sources, including but not limited to asset-based securities and off-shore funding upon our offering. We expect these initiatives will improve our funding stability and the stickiness of capital.
Expand product offerings
Our singular focus on 360 Jietiao has provided the expertise and trust to effectively broaden our product suite and introduce more scenario-based products. For our current product suite, we believe we can leverage our established infrastructure to provide borrowers using our platform with more tailored loan products, such as larger loans with longer tenors, more diversified payment schemes and customized pricing where a borrower can transparently control the interest rate by adjusting certain loan features. In addition, we will also launch more scenario-based products to capture various consumption needs of a larger borrower base. We believe this will attract a greater number of borrowers while also allowing our offering set to evolve alongside the consumer finance needs of our existing borrower base.
Continue to develop and deploy artificial intelligence and risk management
We continue to invest in artificial intelligence and view more extensive deployment as a means to grow our addressable market. We will continue to develop and apply artificial intelligence across all business functions, to achieve more efficient and precise borrower acquisition, more optimal risk management, and higher operational efficiency. For instance, the percentage of applicants for whom we are unable to approve due to lack of data has fallen as we have developed and applied artificial intelligence and other advanced analytical methods to our underwriting process. We expect continued investment will expand our approved application pool even further, while also helping to manage operating costs as we further implement automated borrower and collection services.
Opportunity to grow capital light origination model
We intend to develop a technology services offering for our funding partners under a capital and guarantee light model under which we assume no guarantee liability. We recently launched such an offering whereby we provide technology support and expertise to funding partners for a fixed or floating fee based on loan origination volumes, without retaining credit risk exposure associated with
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the loans. This model will allow us to diversify our revenue streams and reduce the capital intensity of our growth strategy over time. The proportion of new loan origination under such capital and guarantee light model has been increasing. In the third quarter of 2018, approximately 11.0% of loan originations were capital and guarantee light. We intend to further explore such capital light model in the future.
Our Products
Our core product is an affordable, digital revolving line of credit allowing multiple loan drawdowns, with a convenient application process and flexible loan tenors. Our product is provided under the 360 Jietiao brand ("360 " in Chinese, which means "360 notes").
Our borrower engagement begins with a credit application which typically takes less than five minutes. Once approved, a prospective borrower is granted a line of credit, with a principal amount ranging from RMB1,000 to RMB200,000 (approximately US$151.1 to US$30,225), for drawdowns based on specific needs with an amount ranging from RMB500 to RMB40,000 (approximately US$76 to US$6,045). The average single drawdown amount for the year of 2016 and 2017, and the first nine months of 2018 was RMB5,058, RMB4,534 (US$685.2) and RMB4,036 (US$609.9), respectively. When an approved borrower makes a drawdown request, we and our funding partners then complete separate credit assessments. Once a drawdown is approved, a borrower may elect a loan tenor best suited for her financial needs, in fixed terms of one month, three months, six months or twelve months, to be repaid in monthly installments.
As of September 30, 2018, we have approved credit lines for 9.6 million users, with an average credit line per user of approximately RMB9,600 (US$1,451). The average amount of approved credit line for the year of 2016 and 2017, and the first nine months of 2018 was RMB9,110, RMB9,447 (US$1,427) and RMB9,418 (US$1,423), respectively. The volume of loan origination in the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was RMB63.0 billion (US$9.5 billion). The outstanding balance of all loans made through 360 Jietiao as of September 30, 2018 was RMB34.7 billion (US$5.2 billion). The average loan tenor for the loans we originated from inception to September 30, 2018 is 8.2 months, weighted by loan origination volume. The average tenor of loans originated in the year of 2016 and 2017, and the first nine months of 2018 was 9.6 month, 7.2 month and 8.6 month, respectively.
Product pricing
We establish loan pricing using our proprietary algorithm based Cosmic Cube Pricing Model, which considers factors such as a borrower's credit score, known as an A-Score and the requested terms of the loan in setting a price.
A borrower's A-Score is set by our Argus Risk Management Model, or Argus RM Model reflecting our proprietary, individual credit assessment. The A-Score is assigned based solely on Argus RM Model and is used to sort borrowers by perceived credit risk. Our Cosmic Cube Pricing Model, which improves in real-time through self-iteration, considers the A-Score, on-going behaviors of our borrowers, as well as other traditional underwriting variables in establishing a price. We believe our pricing algorithm serves as a competitive advantage in enabling us to effectively match the risk appetites of our funding partners with the credit profiles of our borrowers, addressing our borrowers' financing needs while providing attractive risk-adjusted returns to our funding partners.
A repayment schedule for credit drawdowns is presented to the borrower in the form of a monthly installment payment including loan principal, the interest charged by our funding partners, our service fees for underwriting and servicing the loan and the service fees for the guarantee company, as applicable. A penalty fee is also imposed for late payment. Loan pricing is clearly disclosed to the borrower upon drawdown approval.
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The price of a loan is presented in the form of an APR at 24 pricing levels and ranges from 9% to 36%, which is in compliance with applicable and recently revised regulations. As of December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2018, 43.4% and 67.4% of loans respectively, based on outstanding balance, were priced above 24%. As our risk management capabilities improve, we intend to broaden our borrower base, to start covering the near-prime segment.
The following table provides a historical breakdown of loans by APR, based on loan orgination amount:
|
Period from the inception date
to December 31, |
For the year ended
December 31, |
For the nine months ended
September 30, |
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|
2016 | 2017 | 2018 | |||||||||||
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(RMB in millions, except for percentages)
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Price Range |
Loan Origination
Amount |
% |
Loan Origination
Amount |
% |
Loan Origination
Amount |
% | ||||||||
(9%,18%] |
342 | 78.5 | % | 8,962 | 28.9 | % | 1,623 | 2.6 | % | |||||
(18%,24%] |
94 | 21.5 | % | 12,352 | 39.9 | % | 20,923 | 33.2 | % | |||||
(24%,28%] |
| | 4,424 | 14.2 | % | 9,477 | 15.1 | % | ||||||
(28%,34%] |
| | 1,240 | 4.0 | % | 13,749 | 21.8 | % | ||||||
(34%,36%] |
0 | 0.0 | % | 4,014 | 13.0 | % | 17,204 | 27.3 | % | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total |
436 | 100 | % | 30,992 | 100 | % | 62,975 | 100.0 | % | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
As a borrower establishes a repayment history with us, Argus RM Model will continuously re-evaluate borrower credit profiles, enabling us to offer borrowers with stronger credit profiles higher credit limits and occasionally lower pricing, particularly in cases of borrowers with longer, cleaner credit histories. We believe that by routinely refreshing and refining our borrowers' credit profiles and proactively offering tailored pricing, we catalyze personal, long-term borrower relationships, supporting retention.
Our Borrowers
Borrower profile
We target the large and growing Chinese population of young prime borrowers between 18 to 35 years old, with established credit histories and low default risk, but underserved by the traditional financial institutions. According to Oliver Wyman, as of the end of 2017, there were approximately 361 million prime borrowers in China, accounting for 31% of the financially active population and having an outstanding balance of RMB3.4 trillion (US$0.5 trillion). However, prime borrowers typically have credit cards with low credit limits as compared to developed market peers. According to Oliver Wyman, around 30% of credit card holders in China have a credit limit below RMB10,000 (US$1,511). In addition, we have launched, on a trial-basis, product targeting micro- and small-business owners in September 2018, and we also started testing product targeting super prime borrower segment.
As of September 30, 2018, we had a total of 9.6 million users with approved credit lines, of whom 75.5% held credit cards and 77.9% were between 18 to 35 years old. We extend an average credit line of RMB9,600 (US$1,451) as of September 30, 2018.
Our borrowers are generally drawn to our platform for supplemental credit solutions. We believe our borrowers choose us for an ease of use beginning with our streamlined credit application and extending to the flexibility to make drawdowns at any time. We started to refer some applicants on our platform who do not fit our risk appetite to Beijing Qicaitianxia Technology Co. Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Beijing Qibutianxia, and earned referral fees in May 2017. For the year of 2017 and the first six months of 2018, we referred 7.1 million and 5.7 million applicants to Beijing Qicaitianxia and
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earned RMB84.3 million (US$12.7 million) and RMB91.6 million (US$13.8 million) of referral fee, respectively.
In addition to tracking total borrowers on our platform, we also measure performance by monitoring our repeat borrower contribution and loss rates. Our repeat borrower contribution was 58.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and our M3+ delinquency rate as of September 30, 2018 was 0.6%.
We believe our high levels of repeat borrower contribution coupled with low delinquency rates reflect our borrowers' loyalty and creditworthiness. We will continue, in the near-term, to target the prime borrower group while gradually and deliberately broadening to the near-prime borrowing segment over time.
Borrower acquisition
360 Group has historically been our most important borrower acquisition channel, providing us with 22.7% of our accumulated borrowers as of September 30, 2018 since our inception. We access many of these borrowers through our mobile app which is built into 360 Group's products, accessible to the 360 Group's user base of one billion accumulated mobile devices and over 500 million monthly active users.
We are improving our targeted marketing capabilities leveraging big data analytics. We generate target borrower profiles based on our registered user and borrower base, collaborate with some of our major third-party channel partners to co-develop analytics algorithms based on anonymous borrower information, and then mirror the target borrower profiles to a much larger user base of our channel partners. Our channel partners can distribute targeted advertisements to their users according to specific rules and instructions based on the analytics algorithms. This provides a meaningful precision marketing advantage as we maintain a conversion rate of 54.2% among external channel partners since our inception through September 30, 2018.
Lastly, we have initiated a borrower referral program which contributed 8.4% of our new borrowers cumulatively as of September 30, 2018.
Our Funding
We have a stable and diversified base of funding partners. In addition to matching borrowers with funding sources, we also provide incremental credit assessment, collection and other services to facilitate transactions for a substantial portion of loans originated through our platform. We primarily rely on our diversified financial institution funding partners, while also have access to retail investor base through a peer-to-peer institutional partner. With sufficient and strong funding commitment, we have the flexibility to adjust funding mix subject to market condition. For our cumulative loan originations as of September 30, 2018, financial institutions accounted for 73.8%, peer-to-peer institutional partner accounted for a 24.3%, and our online microcredit company accounted for 1.9%.
Institutional funding partners
Financial institutions
We refer qualified borrowers to institutional funding partners, who may elect to underwrite loans based on respective risk appetites. Our financial institution funding partners are primarily commercial banks and licensed consumer finance companies with lower funding costs, more comprehensive compliance protocal and more conservative risk management infrastructures compared with other lending market participants. As required by a small number of financial institution funding partners, some of our loans are funded and disbursed indirectly through trusts and asset management plans. We
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are considered the primary beneficiary of the trusts and asset management plans and consolidate their assets and liabilities on our balance sheet.
The value proposition we offer our financial institution funding partners includes risk management technical support, nationwide borrower acquisition and risk adjusted returns. Our technology infrastructure integrates directly with the risk management systems of financial institution funding partners, providing them with a more seamless and real-time risk management experience. We provide our financial institution funding partners an opportunity to acquire borrowers throughout China. The expected return of our financial institution funding partners is typically above 6.5%.
CloudBank is our workflow system capable of processing millions of transactions each day. CloudBank integrates with our financial institution funding partners' loan disbursement, credit decision, and payment clearance systems. The primary benefit is to facilitate automated matching with borrowers based on pre-defined risk appetites, all with minimal manual intervention, allowing funding within minutes. CloudBank is also the system powering work and information flow around loan servicing.
Outstanding balance of loans increased from RMB0.3 billion as of December 31, 2016 to RMB9.6 billion (US$1.5 billion) as of December 31, 2017, and further to RMB34.7 billion (US$5.2 billion) as of September 30, 2018, a reflection of our stronger collaboration with financial institutions as we have grown.
Peer-to-peer institutional partner
We have access to retail investor base by collaborating with Beijing Zixuan, a subsidiary of Beijing Qibutianxia and a related party, which matches our borrowers with individual investors and facilitates loan funding. We retain the flexibility to evaluate retail funding strategy based on market and regulatory environment.
Guarantee for funding partners
We provide guarantee for defaulted loans in response to funding partners' needs. Historically we set aside certain security deposits in bank accounts under our name designated by funding partners as guarantee which is used to compensate funding partners for default principal and interest. Following the recent regulation change, particularly the Circular 141 that came into effect in December 2017, we have been actively modifying our practice to achieve and maintain full compliance.
We started to engage licensed third-party guarantee companies to guarantee loans originated through our platform, and we often in addition provide back-to-back guarantee to these guarantee companies at their requests. We provide certain deposits in bank accounts of licensed third party guarantee companies as back-to-back guarantee, when in the event of default, the deposits will be used to compensate licensed third party guarantee companies for their payout amount to our funding partners in accordance with the agreements with these third party guarantee companies. As of September 30, 2018, back-to-back guarantees with amount of RMB55.0 million (US$8.3 million) have been redeemed. We also recently set up our own licensed guarantee company that we intend to utilize to provide guarantee to institutional funding partners. Since the second quarter of 2018, we also explored with our funding partners and started offer loan products for which we retain no credit exposure.
For the three months ended September 30, 2018, a majority of loans we facilitated for institutional funding partners were either guaranteed by licensed third-party guarantee companies or did not require guarantee where we retain no credit exposure.
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Our online microcredit company
In March 2017, we established an online microcredit company, Fuzhou Microcredit, which obtained regulatory approval and was issued a microcredit license to fund loans directly. In the year ended December 31, 2017 and the nine months ended September 30, 2018, RMB1,329 million (US$201 million) and RMB498 million (US$75.3 million) of credit drawdowns were funded through our online microcredit company, representing approximately 4.3% and 0.8% of the total amount of loans originated by us during such period, respectively.
All loans funded by Fuzhou Microcredit were originated through our platform and we record such loans on our balance sheet. As of September 30, 2018, Fuzhou Microcredit had registered capital of RMB500 million.
Our Proprietary Models and Data Analysis
We power much of our advanced data analysis through two proprietary models; the Argus RM Model and the Cosmic Cube Pricing Model, each of which are described below:
Argus RM Model
The Argus RM Model plays a significant role in our fraud detection, credit assessment and collections functions. Argus RM Model is empowered with artificial intelligence, including machine learning, which assist Argus RM Model's decision making across the lifecycle of a loan. Argus RM Model's primary function includes:
Cosmic Cube Pricing Model
Our Cosmic Cube Pricing Model develops a personalized price based on the A-Score for new borrowers and B-Score for existing borrowers on our platform for more than three months, as well as other borrower and underwriting factors. The price will be articulated in the form of an APR. We subject our Cosmic Cube Pricing Model to real-time iteration through the application of machine learning techniques, deriving additional insights from the data we generate and consume. These insights can be used to adjust a borrower's rate over time, as well as influence our broader pricing strategy across borrowers.
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Our Transaction Process
Since our inception to September 30, 2018, 22.5 million loans had been originated through our platform. We connect individual borrowers with various funding partners and sources and provide a highly automated transaction process including application, fraud detection, credit assessment, matching, and post-loan repayment and servicing, as illustrated below:
Our streamlined processing is accomplished through automation, which drives almost the entire process from credit application through servicing and collection. Behind our processing capabilities are a series of powerful, interconnected, proprietary workflow and decision engines. Our Argus RM Model drives fraud detection, credit assessment and loan servicing. Our Cosmic Cube Pricing Model drives personalized loan pricing. Our CloudBank system facilitates seamless integration with funding partners' lending systems. These systems serve as part of a technology infrastructure which underlies a transaction process that can take as little as five minutes and is detailed below:
Step 1: Paperless credit application
Our prospective borrowers arrive on our mobile platform from a variety of distribution channels, including 360 Group's product portals and app stores, among others. Prospective borrowers can initiate applications online anytime, anywhere through our mobile app by providing the following:
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The credit application typically takes less than two minutes, after which we initiate a borrower profiling and fraud detection process.
Step 2: Borrower portrait and fraud detection
For new borrowers, upon submission of a complete application, our system begins the process of building a borrower profile for the purpose of fraud detection. Our system leverages borrower information provided with the application, proprietary borrower information from 360 Group if the borrower is a user of 360 Group, and behavioral and social information from external data sources especially from more than 30 third party data partners. For repeat borrowers, historical loan performance is an added, highly instructive input.
Once aggregated, data is automatically reviewed by our Argus RM Model to identify signs of fraudulent behavior. Approximately 95% of applications are reviewed automatically and instantly without human intervention. Applications without signs or indications of fraud are then subjected to a credit assessment.
Since inception and up to September 30, 2018, we had achieved a 0.2% loss rate due to fraudulent application.
Step 3: Credit assessment, lead matching or referral by 360 Finance
For applicants passing our fraud detection test, our Argus RM Model will automatically initiate a detailed credit assessment and generate a proprietary credit score for each borrower. The credit score will serve as a critical input in establishing both a credit limit as well as a price for the borrower upon final approval.
In parallel, our system will allocate leads to selected funding partners. The allocation process begins with an automatic comparison of the prospective borrower profile to the respective underwriting criteria of our funding partners, as provided by our respective funding partners, including risk preferences and funding capacity. Once our algorithm has identified potential funding partner matches, we communicate the details of the credit application through CloudBank.
For applicants who do not fit into our target borrower profiles, we refer them to alternative lending platforms who we partner with in return for referral income. However, we do not consider referral as our main revenue stream.
The credit assessment and initial outreach to funding partners is instant.
Step 4: Independent credit assessment by funding partners
Through CloudBank, we provide our funding partners with a borrower's credit application to facilitate an independent credit assessment based on each respective funding partner's individual credit process and consistent with regulatory guidelines. Following an independent credit assessment, each funding partner who received a lead will respond indicating approval or rejection, and in the case of approval, their maximum, funding-partner level credit exposure. All funding partner commitments are subject to aggregated funding limits established between the respective funding partner and us. Funding partner underwriting results are communicated to us, after which a decision on the credit line and the interest rate is made and communicated to the borrower.
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For 2016, 2017 and the nine months ended September 30, 2018, our credit line approval rate, defined as the percentage of borrowers with approved credit line out of all users submitted credit applications during the given period, excluding those who had been rejected by us prior to this application, was 14.8%, 23.1% and 36.2%, respectively.
Our funding partners typically provide and communicate a credit assessment within five minutes.
Step 5: Funding and drawdown
Once a credit application is approved and matched, a borrower may request a drawdown at any time, including immediately, subject to her credit limit. Upon receipt of a drawdown request, our Argus RM Model completes a simplified credit assessment ensuring continued qualification for drawdown. Our funding partners will be notified of the drawdown request and will also complete a simplified credit assessment. Once the drawdown request is approved by both us and our funding partners, our funding partners will disburse loans directly to borrowers. For each drawdown, we ask borrowers to upload relevant payment receipts to verify the use of loan proceeds.
The funding and drawdown process, including the credit assessment, will typically take less than five minutes.
Step 6: Payment, service and collection
Borrower payments include the repayment of principal and payment of interest. Payments are made by borrowers directly to our funding partners, who will subsequently pay us corresponding service fees. In certain cases our funding partners' internal payment clearance systems do not allow direct payments from borrowers, payments will be made through third-party channels. Our funding partners obtain pre-authorizations from borrowers for instalment payments on scheduled dates without manual confirmation.
We service all loans on our platform, and significantly leverage our artificial intelligence infrastructure. Our loan servicing platform allows us to monitor the performance of outstanding loans on a real-time basis with an embedded payment tracking function and automatic overdue notifications through our mobile app or mobile messaging.
Once a payment is overdue, we initiate our collection process when Argus RM Model prescribes a first approach based on our understanding of the borrower. The first outreach is typically an instant message sent immediately upon an overdue payment. Subsequent outreach for loans up to 60 days delinquent are processed by our call center and collection attempts for loans more than 60 days overdue are outsourced to external professionally trained collection companies for collection.
Risk Management
We believe our industry-leading risk management capabilities are a key competitive advantage allowing up to scale.
Data aggregation
We believe large volumes of high quality data differentiate online consumer lending platforms, and we have a meaningful competitive advantage based on our proprietary data collection abilities, our collaboration with 360 Group and other third-party providers.
Our Argus RM Model aggregates and structures borrower data we have collected in an automated and efficient way relying on our algorithm. As of September 30, 2018, we have generated profiles for 66.3 million registered users.
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Behavior analysis and fraud detection
Fraud is the single largest source of credit-related loss within the online consumer finance industry today. Our underwriting process is differentiated, we believe, based on our fraud detection capabilities. Through our Argus RM Model, we marry data aggregation with fraud detection capabilities as follows:
How we put our advanced technology and data into practice: fraud detection
In many cases, we use information covering prospective borrowers to complete a credit assessment, such as the location and movement of the device. Several behavior patterns, for instance, are often indicative of fraud, such as:
In such cases we will flag the credit application or drawdown request as highly suspicious and subject to additional diligence.
We also combat fraud through social network relationship analyses, which are based on communication histories we collect from the prospective borrowers. We match borrower communication contacts against blacklists and other lists of suspicious individuals and devices to identify potential fraud. Such analyses are particularly helpful in identifying organized fraud schemes. In one example, we observed a sudden increase in credit applications. In certain circumstances a sudden rise in applications may be caused by successful marketing efforts or coincidence. However, our fraud detection team ran a multifaceted variable analysis including region allocation and communications between the prospective borrowers, eventually identifying several key individuals around whom the large group of applicants was connected socially. We determined that it was a large, organized fraud scheme and we turned down those fraudulent applicants, preventing potential losses.
Proprietary credit scoring and risk models
When a credit application is deemed to not represent a fraud risk, it is then subjected to the credit assessment module of our Argus RM Model. This module will select and analyze approximately 3,000
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variables associated with a given credit application. The variables which Argus RM Model analyzes are selected based on the perceived risk profile of the borrower. Argus RM Model ultimately generates an A-Score to quantify a borrower's credit profile. Prospective borrowers with higher A-Scores are granted higher credit limits. The A-Score is then directed to the Cosmic Cube Pricing Model for pricing.
The following table provides a breakdown by A-Scores by credit performance (delinquency) as of September 30, 2018:
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As of September 30, 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||
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|
Outstanding Balance | Delinquent Performance | |||||||||||||||||
|
RMB in millions | % | 3 - 30 days | 31 - 60 days | 61 - 90 days | Above 91 days | |||||||||||||
A Score Range |
|||||||||||||||||||
600 |
302 | 0.87 | % | 1.07 | % | 0.88 | % | 0.65 | % | 20.70 | % | ||||||||
600 to 630 |
3,053 | 8.81 | % | 1.30 | % | 0.87 | % | 0.64 | % | 5.23 | % | ||||||||
630 to 660 |
11,666 | 33.66 | % | 0.87 | % | 0.54 | % | 0.37 | % | 1.69 | % | ||||||||
660 to 690 |
13,082 | 37.74 | % | 0.49 | % | 0.27 | % | 0.17 | % | 0.59 | % | ||||||||
690+ |
4,188 | 12.08 | % | 0.25 | % | 0.11 | % | 0.08 | % | 0.25 | % | ||||||||
NULL* |
2,370 | 6.84 | % | 1.11 | % | 0.55 | % | 0.32 | % | 0.42 | % | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total |
34,661 | 100 | % | 0.71 | % | 0.42 | % | 0.28 | % | 1.49 | % | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
We continuously monitor our borrowers and conduct a credit assessment each time a borrower requests a drawdown. A-Score refers to Application Score and it is the result of the initial credit assessment performed on an applicant based on her credit profile, considering various factors including financial condition, education, past credit history, social behaviors etc. Different from A-Score, B-Score is applied to existing borrowers on our platform with more than three months of borrowing history, by monitoring borrower behaviors, such as account, drawdown, repayment, operating and recommendation behaviors etc. The B-Score replaces the A-Score for the purpose of future credit assessment and re-evaluation. The B-Score is reevaluated each time the borrower applies for a drawdown and at the end of each month. Given that we have high repeat borrower contribution, we expect the B-Score, reflecting the latest borrower behavior, to play a prominent role in our overall risk management effort.
Based on the B-Score we assigned to borrowers, we adjust their credit line both proactively and in response to the requests made by them. For a given borrower, the adjustment can be done no more than once every three months. A typical 15% to 25% increase will be given to the credit line of the borrower if we approve the underlying adjustment each time.
Collection
We believe we optimize the collection process for delinquent loans based on the use of a C-Score we assign to each borrower in default using Argus RM Model. The C-Score processes data from historical collection efforts to automatically identify the most efficient channel for collection, including text messages, mobile app push notices, AI initiated collection calls, human collection calls, emails or legal letters. We also outsource our collection to third-party collection service providers, particularly after 60 days of delinquency.
We have built an AI-powered collection and borrower service system based on automatic speech recognition, text-to-speech and natural language processing technologies. Our collection system can conduct automatic outbound calls in batches and interact with our borrowers. We assess the appropriateness of AI-driven communication, and will adjust the approach and tone of the system, based on the risk level and the type of collection. This assessment is conducted automatically and we leverage the capability for all early-stage notification, contact confirmation and basic collection
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negotiations, while focusing our collection team on complicated collection cases, or other challenging interactions as identified by our system, to increase our operational efficiency and reduce our collection costs.
We have an internal collection team and we also use certain third-party service providers. Typically within the first 60 days of the default we use our internal collection team to monitor collection efforts and execute our collection strategy. Once a delinquency period exceeds 60 days, we pass the collection work to third-party service providers for cost efficiency. However, we maintain close supervision over our third-party service providers to ensure their collection process conforms with our internal policies. For example, we perform random examinations of collection call records.
We closely monitor our collection performance. Our annual M1-M0 collection rate of 2017 and the nine months ended September 30, 2018 is 91.0% and 92.9%, respectively.
Privacy protection
We are dedicated to privacy protection of our borrowers during our risk management process, and we adopt policies to make sure we always obtain users' consent for our use of data and enquire from other sources of their information. We also obtain consent from our borrowers to use the data collected by 360 Group for risk management purposes at the registration stage. All 360 Group's data we relied on for risk management purposes is provided on a machine-readable-only basis, without subject to any human review or intervention. We can only access the output of such credit analysis to eliminate the possibility of data leakage or unnecessary privacy invasion as much as possible. We also rely on our technologies and internal policies to prevent our systems from being infiltrated or exploited maliciously for data theft purpose.
Furthermore, in line with our commitment to protection of borrowers' privacy, we do not leverage 360 Group's rich and proprietary user data by gaining direct access to such user data. Instead, we offer 360 Group our artificial intelligence and other advanced data tools to enable it to develop algorithm that can translate complex user data into insights relating to a user's financial status and creditworthiness. In return, 360 Group provides us with access to such insights by allowing us to conduct query searches for credit analysis and risk management purposes. In this way, we capitalize on 360 Group's valuable user data set but avoid unnecessary privacy invasion.
Technology & Security
We are a technology-driven company and we have completed registration of our software products. The success of our business is dependent upon our technological capabilities which deliver a superior borrower experience, protect information on our platform, increase operational efficiency and facilitate continued innovation. Our innovation efforts are driven by a strong research, development and risk management team which as of September 30, 2018 accounted for 48.0% of our total employees.
Principal components of our technology infrastructure include:
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We have also adopted a series of policies on internal controls over information systems and network access management. We maintain redundancy through a real-time multi-layer data backup system to prevent loss of data resulting from unforeseen circumstances. We conduct periodic reviews of our technology platform, identifying and correcting problems that may undermine our system security. Such efforts include having 360 Group's software and mobile apps security team scan and reinforce our software and applications.
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Competition
The online consumer finance industry in China is intensely competitive. We compete with other online finance platforms targeting prime borrowers, including technology giant backed internet consumer finance platforms, and independent internet consumer finance platforms. Meanwhile, we also compete with other online consumer finance platforms for funding, data and other third-party services. Principal methods of competition include enhancing data analytics capabilities, engaging borrowers cost-effectively and strengthening funding sources.
As evidenced by our market leadership, we believe that our user-friendly product design, proprietary risk management system and our ability to offer affordable credit products make us more attractive and efficient to both borrowers and institutional funding partners. We anticipate that more established internet, technology and financial services companies that possess large, existing borrower bases, substantial financial resources and established distribution channels may also enter the market in the future. We believe that our brands, scale, ecosystem, historical data and performance record provide us with competitive advantages over existing and potential competitors.
As the online consumer finance industry in China is new and evolving, publicly available information regarding the industry, our competitors and their respective market share may be unreliable, and such information is based, at least partly, on estimates.
Employees
We had 247, 465 and 691 employees as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, and September 30, 2018, respectively. The following table sets forth the numbers of our employees categorized by function as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, and September 30, 2018:
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As of
December 31, |
|
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As of
September 30, 2018 |
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Function:
|
2016 | 2017 | ||||||||
General and administrative |
52 | 61 | 74 | |||||||
Operations |
26 | 150 | 180 | |||||||
Products |
15 | 28 | 38 | |||||||
Research and development |
79 | 107 | 180 | |||||||
Risk management |
56 | 96 | 152 | |||||||
Sales and marketing |
19 | 23 | 67 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total |
247 | 465 | 691 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
As of September 30, 2018, we had 434 employees in Shanghai, 118 employees in Beijing, 106 employees in Shenzhen and the rest in different cities in China.
We have established one subsidiary of Shanghai Qiyu in Beijing and a branch office of Shanghai Qiyu in Shenzhen. Both the subsidiary and the branch office are for the sole purpose of entering into employment agreements with our employees based in Beijing and Shenzhen, and will have no substantial business operation. The establishment cost, including the registration expense as well as the lease expense, for the subsidiary in Beijing is RMB0.1 million given the current 17-month lease.
As required by laws and regulations in China, we participate in various employee social security plans that are organized by municipal and provincial governments, including housing, pension, medical insurance and unemployment insurance. We are required under Chinese law to make contributions to employee benefit plans at specified percentages of the salaries, bonuses and certain allowances of our employees, up to a maximum amount specified by the local government from time to time.
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We enter into standard confidentiality and employment agreements with our employees. The contracts with our key personnel typically include a standard non-compete covenant that prohibits the employee from competing with us, directly or indirectly, during his or her employment and for up to two years after the termination of his or her employment, provided that we pay compensation equal to 20% of the average monthly compensation of the prior 12 months of his or her employment during the restriction period.
We believe that we maintain a good working relationship with our employees, and we have not experienced any labor disputes. None of our employees are represented by labor unions.
Facilities
Our corporate headquarters is located in Shanghai, where we lease office space with an area of 3,314 square meters as of the date of this prospectus. We also lease an area of 1,253 square meters in Fuzhou and an area of 743 square meters in Shenzhen. We lease our premises from unrelated third parties under operating lease agreements. The lease term varies from 12 months to 3 years. Our servers are primarily hosted at internet data centers owned by 360 Group and located in Beijing and Shanghai. We believe that our existing facilities are generally adequate to meet our current needs, but we expect to seek additional space as needed to accommodate future growth.
Intellectual Properties
We regard our trademarks, domain names, software copyrights, know-how, proprietary technologies and similar intellectual property as critical to our success, and we rely on a combination of patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret laws in China, as well as license agreements and other contractual protections, to protect our proprietary technology.
We have one registered trademark and three trademarks pending approval in China, and one patent pending approval in China. We have thirteen registered software copyright in China. We are also the registered holder of four domain names in China.
Despite our efforts to protect our proprietary rights, unauthorized parties may attempt to copy or otherwise obtain and use our technology. Monitoring unauthorized use of our technology is difficult and costly, and we cannot be certain that the steps we have taken will prevent misappropriation of our technology. From time to time, we may have to resort to litigation to enforce our intellectual property rights, which could result in substantial costs and diversion of our resources. In addition, third parties may initiate litigation against us alleging infringement of their proprietary rights or declaring their non-infringement of our intellectual property rights. In the event of a successful claim of infringement and our failure or inability to develop non-infringing technology or license the infringed or similar technology on a timely basis, our business could be harmed. Even if we are able to license the infringed or similar technology, license fees could be substantial and may adversely affect our results of operations. See "Risk FactorsRisks Related to Our Business and IndustryWe may not be able to prevent others from unauthorized use of our intellectual property, which could harm our business and competitive position." and "Risk FactorsRisks Related to Our Business and IndustryWe may be subject to intellectual property infringement claims, which may be expensive to defend and may disrupt our business and operations."
Insurance
We maintain property insurance policies covering certain equipment and other property that are essential to our business operations to safeguard against risks and unexpected events. We also provide social security insurance including pension insurance, medical insurance, unemployment insurance, maternity insurance, on-the-job injury insurance and housing fund plans through a PRC government-mandated defined contribution plan for our employees. We do not maintain business interruption
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insurance or general third-party liability insurance, nor do we maintain product liability insurance or key-man insurance. We consider our insurance coverage to be sufficient for our business operations in China.
Legal Proceedings
We are currently not a party to any material legal or administrative proceedings. We may from time to time be subject to various legal or administrative claims and proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. Litigation or any other legal or administrative proceeding, regardless of the outcome, is likely to result in substantial cost and diversion of our resources, including our management's time and attention.
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This section sets forth a summary of the main PRC laws, regulations, judicial interpretations and other rules applicable to our current business and operations.
Regulations on Foreign Investment Restrictions
The Draft PRC Foreign Investment Law
In January 2015, the MOFCOM published a discussion draft of the proposed Foreign Investment Law, or the Draft Foreign Investment Law, for public review and comments. The Draft Foreign Investment Law illustrates the criteria which determine whether an entity is considered an FIE. An entity operating a business in China but "controlled" by foreign investors is considered an FIE, which will be subject to restrictions under existing PRC laws and regulations on foreign investments in certain categories of industries. "Control" under the Draft Foreign Investment Law means: (i) holding 50% or more of the voting rights of the enterprise; (ii) holding less than 50% of the voting rights of the enterprise but having the power to secure at least 50% of the seats of the enterprise's board of directors or other equivalent decision-making bodies, or having the voting power to exert material influence on the board, the shareholders' meeting or other equivalent decision-making bodies; or (iii) having the power to exert decisive influence, through contractual or trust arrangements, over the enterprise's operations, financial matters or other key aspects of its business operations. According to the Draft Foreign Investment Law, variable interest entities would also be deemed as FIEs and subject to restrictions on foreign investments if they are ultimately "controlled" by foreign investors. However, the Draft Foreign Investment Law does not specify what actions will be taken with respect to existing companies with "variable interest entities" or "VIE" structures, whether or not these companies are deemed to be controlled by Chinese parties. Furthermore, it is still uncertain when the Draft Foreign Investment Law will be signed into law and whether the final version will differ substantially from the current Draft Foreign Investment Law. When the Foreign Investment Law becomes effective, the three existing laws regulating foreign investments in China, namely, the Sino-foreign Equity Joint Venture Enterprise Law, the Sino-foreign Cooperative Joint Venture Enterprise Law and the Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise Law, together with their implementing rules and ancillary regulations, will be repealed.
Regulations on foreign investment industries
The National Development and Reform Commission and the MOFCOM issued the Guiding Catalog for Foreign Investment Industries (2017 Revision), in June 2017. In accordance with this catalog, foreign investment industries are divided into three categories: the "encouraged category," the "restricted category" and the "prohibited category," and industries not mentioned, in these three categories, are generally deemed permitted. The Foreign Investment Catalog is subject to review and update by the Chinese government from time to time. Moreover, the NDRC and the MOFCOM promulgated the Special Management Measures (Negative List) for the Access of Foreign Investment (2018 version) (the "Negative List") on June 28, 2018 and will become effective as from July 28, 2018. The Negative List repeals the "restricted" and "prohibited" categories stipulated in the Foreign Investment Catalog. Pursuant to Interim Provisions on the Investment of Foreign-invested Enterprise in China implemented in September 2000 and most recently amended in October 2015, foreign investment enterprises may invest in encouraged and permitted projects in the PRC, but shall not invest in prohibited projects.
Pursuant to the Interim Administrative Measures on the Record-filing of the Incorporation and Changes of Foreign-invested Enterprises (2018 Revision) implemented on June 30, 2018 and the Foreign Investment Catalog, the foreign-invested enterprises, whose incorporation and changes involve no approval under the special entry management measures stipulated by the State, shall be subject to
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the administrative measures on registration and within 30 days of the occurrence of the following change events, complete the registration of changes online procedure: (i) changes of basic information of foreign-invested enterprises; (ii) changes of basic information of investors of foreign-invested enterprises; (iii) changes of equity (share) on cooperation interest; (iv) merger, division and termination; (v) pledge or transfer of property interests of foreign-invested enterprises to external parties; and (vi) other regulated changes. The changes of foreign-invested enterprises which subject to the approval under the special entry management measures, shall apply for approval procedures in accordance with relevant foreign investment laws and regulations.
Regulations on value-added telecommunications services
The Telecommunications Regulations of the PRC issued by the PRC State Council in September 2000, as most recently amended in February 2016 set out a regulatory framework for telecommunications service providers in the PRC. Under the these regulations, telecommunications service providers are required to procure operating licenses for basic telecommunications services and licenses for value-added telecommunications services, or VATS License. In July 2017, the MIIT, issued the Administrative Measures for the Telecommunications Business Operating Permit which took effect in September 2017 and invalidated the prior telecommunications permit measures issued in 2009. These measures regulate that a commercial operator of value-added telecommunications services must first obtain the VATS License and conduct its business in accordance with the specifications listed in the VATS License, providing more detailed requirements and procedures for the value-added telecommunications services industry. In September 2000, the PRC State Council promulgated the Administrative Measures on Internet Information Services, which as amended, became effective in January 2011. The measures define "internet information services" as the services providing information through the internet to online users and further divide such services into "commercial internet information services" and "non-commercial internet information services." In accordance with the aforementioned regulations, commercial internet information services operators must obtain a VATS License from the competent government authorities before engaging in any commercial internet information services business in the PRC.
The Provisions on the Administration of Foreign-Invested Telecommunications Enterprises, issued by the PRC State Council in December 2001 and amended in September 2008 and February 2016, respectively, clarify that foreign-invested value-added telecommunications enterprises may only be Sino-foreign equity joint ventures, whose foreign equity ownership may not exceed 50%, except for online data processing and transaction processing businesses (operating e-commerce businesses) which may be 100% owned by foreign investors. Furthermore, those foreign-invested value-added telecommunications enterprises are required to have a good track record and operational experience in value-added telecommunications businesses.
Additionally, in July 2006, the MIIT issued the Circular on Strengthening the Administration of Foreign Investment in and Operation of Value-added Telecommunications Businesses, which regulates that foreign investors can only operate telecommunications businesses in China through telecommunications enterprises with valid telecommunications business operation licenses and prohibits a domestic company that holds a VATS License from leasing, transferring or selling such license to foreign investors in any form, and from providing any assistance, including providing resources, sites or facilities, to foreign investors that conduct a value-added telecommunications business illegally in China.
We provide commercial internet information services for which a VATS License is required through Shanghai Qiyu, one of our VIEs. As of the date of the prospectus, Shanghai Qiyu has not obtained a VATS License. The PRC government may levy fines up to five times of the illegal income or RMB1 million, confiscate its income, revoke its business licenses, and require us to discontinue our relevant business. See "Risk FactorsRisks Related to Doing Business in ChinaWe may be adversely affected by the complexity, uncertainties and changes in PRC regulation of internet-related businesses
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and companies, and any lack of requisite approvals, licenses or permits applicable to our business may have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations."
Regulation on Online Finance Services Industry
General regulations on internet finance service
In July 2015, the Guidelines on Promoting the Healthy Growth of Internet Finance, were promulgated by ten PRC regulatory agencies, including the People's Bank of China, or the PBOC, the MIIT and the China Banking Regulatory Commission, or the CBRC, defining "online lending." Online lending under the Fintech Guidelines includes peer-to-peer online lending, meaning the direct loans between investors and borrowers through the internet, and online microcredit, meaning the small-sum loans through the internet by online microcredit companies.
In April 2016, the General Office of the PRC State Council issued the Implementing Proposal for the Special Rectification of Internet Financial Risk, which emphasizes the legitimacy and compliance of the internet finance service industry and specifies the rectification measures regarding the internet finance business and the institutions engaged in the internet finance business.
Regulations on private lending
According to the PRC Contract Law, promulgated in March 1999 and effective as of October 1, 1999, a loan contract between natural persons becomes effective when an individual lender provides a loan to an individual borrower. In addition, pursuant to the PRC Contract Law, a creditor may assign its rights under an agreement to a third party, provided that the debtor is notified. Upon due assignment of the creditor's rights, the assignee is entitled to the creditor's rights and the debtor must perform the relevant obligations under the agreement for the benefit of the assignee. In addition, CBRC's Official Reply to Related Issues on the Legal Validity of Commercial Banks Transfer Credits to Non-Finance-Institutional Social Investors, dated February 5, 2009 confirms that commercial banks may transfer the creditor's rights to social investors such as natural persons, legal persons or other institutions except finance institutions.
In August 2015, Provisions on Several Issues Concerning Laws Applicable to Trials of Private Lending Cases, or the Private Lending Judicial Interpretation, issued by the Supreme People's Court, effective in September 2015, demonstrates that private lending is defined as financing between individuals, legal entities and other organizations. The Private Lending Judicial Interpretation establishes that private lending contracts are to be upheld as valid in the absence of (i) relending of funds to a borrower who knew or should have known that the funds were fraudulently obtained from a financial institution; (ii) relending of funds to a borrower who knew or should have known that the funds were borrowed from other enterprises or raised by the company's employees; (iii) lending of funds to a borrower wherein the investor knew or should have known that the borrower intended to use the borrowed funds for illegal or criminal purposes; (iv) violations of public orders or good morals; or (v) violations of mandatory provisions of laws or administrative regulations. In addition, pursuant to the Private Lending Judicial Interpretation, lending agreements between private lenders and borrowers with annual interest rates below 24% are valid and enforceable. As to the loans with annual interest rates between 24% (exclusive) and 36% (inclusive), if the interest on the loans has already been paid to the lender voluntarily, and so long as such payments have not damaged the interest of the state, the community and any third party, the courts will turn down the borrower's request to demand the return of the excess interest payments. If the annual interest rate of a private loan is higher than 36%, the agreement on the excess part of the interest is invalid, and if the borrower requests the lender to return the part of interest exceeding 36% of the annual interest that has been paid, the courts will support such requests.
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In addition, on August 4, 2017, the Supreme People's Court issued the Circular of Several Suggestions on Further Strengthening the Judicial Practice Regarding Financial Cases, which provides that (i) the claim of the borrower under a financial loan agreement to adjust or cut down the part of interest exceeding 24% per annum on the basis that the aggregate amount of interest, compound interest, default interest, liquidated damages and other fees collectively claimed by the lender is obviously high shall be supported by the PRC courts and (ii) in the context of internet finance disputes, if the online lending information intermediaries and the lender evade the maximum interest rate protected under the law by charging intermediary fee, the claim shall be determined as invalid.
We charge service fees for all loans originated through our platform and our institutional funding partners, Fuzhou Microcredit or the retail investors are entitled to charge the interests for the loans they fund. The interest and the service fees, on a combined basis, will not exceed 36%.
Regulations on illegal fund-raising
The Measure for the Banning of Illegal Financial Institution and Illegal Financial Business Operations promulgated by PRC State Council in July 1998 and amended in 2011, and the Circular on Relevant Issues Concerning the Penalty on Illegal Fund-Raising issued by the General Office of PRC State Council in July 2007, explicitly prohibit illegal public fund-raising. In accordance with the aforementioned regulations, the following description is deemed to detail the key features of illegal public fund-raising: (i) soliciting and raising funds from the general public by means of issuing stocks, bonds, lotteries or other securities without required approval, (ii) promising or guaranteeing a return of interest or profits or investment returns in cash, properties or other forms, or (iii) using a legitimate form to disguise the unlawful purpose. In December 2010, the Supreme People's Court promulgated the Judicial Interpretations to Issues Concerning Applications of Laws for Trial of Criminal Cases on Illegal Fund-Raising, which sets up the criteria, criminal charges and the punishment on illegal fund-raising.
We act as an online consumer finance service platform to help facilitate loans between our borrowers and our funding partners, and we are not a party to the loans facilitated. We rely on third-party payment platforms in handling funds transfer and settlement. We do not raise funds from our funding partners.
Regulations on the business of cash loans
In April 2017, the P2P Online Lending Working Group issued the Notices on Cash Loans. The Notices on Cash Loans require that the local branches of the P2P Online Lending Working Group conduct a comprehensive review and inspection of the cash loan business on online lending platforms and require such platforms to take necessary improvement and remediation measures within a specific period of time to comply with the relevant requirements under the applicable PRC laws and regulations. The Notices on Cash Loans aim to eliminate the non-compliance in the operations of online lending platforms, including fraudulent activities, loans with excessive interest rates, and forced loan collection practices.
The Circular 141 issued by the Special Rectification of Internet Financial Risks Working Group and the P2P Credit Risks Rectification Working Group on December 1, 2017, introduces the regulating guidance on cash loan businesses including online microcredit companies, P2P platforms and banking financial institutions. According to Circular 141, cash loans, which are characterized by the lack of specific consumption scenarios, designated purposes, targeted users or mortgages, may be inspected and rectified to prohibit the issue of excessive borrowing and granting credits repeatedly of individual borrowers, collecting abnormally high interest rate and violating privacy. Circular 141 clarifies that no organization or individual shall start a loan business without the required qualifications and approved licenses. The synthetic fund cost charged by various institutions from borrowers in the form of interest
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rates and other fees must comply with the regulation of private lending of the Supreme People's Court. The loan shall not be collected through violence, intimidation or insult. It also sets out requirements and limitations for various entities involving internet finance service and banking financial institutions' involvement in cash loan operation.
The Circular 141 further specifies that the core practice or business of the P2P lending information intermediaries shall not be outsourced, including but not limited to borrower information collection, discriminating and selecting borrowers, credit evaluation, and accounts opening. The banking finance institutions, in addition to observing the promulgations set forth by the Interim Measures on Administration of Personal Loans, issued by CBRC in February 2010, shall comply with the regulations relating to cash loans, including: (i) not extending loan funded by its own capital and funding from unqualified institutions; (ii) not accepting the credit-granting service, risk management service or other core business service from third party; including not accepting credit enhancement services, loss-bearing commitments or other credit enhancement services provided in a disguised form by any unqualified third party; (iii) making sure that the third party with which it cooperates will not charge any interest or fees from borrowers; and (iv) not directly investing or investing in a disguised form in asset-backed securitization products or other products backed by cash loans, campus loans or down payment loans.
If institutions violate the aforementioned provisions, the regulatory authorities may enforce business suspensions, compulsory enforcements, cancellation of business qualifications or supervise the rectifications. If the circumstances are extremely serious, business license may be revoked.
We are not aware if any of our online consumer finance service products have been identified as cash loan products. However, we cannot assure that the governmental authorities would always share the same view with us as the interpretation and application of related regulations is still unclear. We have also taken considerable measures to comply with Circular 141, Circular 56 and other recent regulations. For example, we have been switching to a guarantee company model, adopted new payment models and make sure all APRs of our product are below 36%. However, given that detailed regulations and guidance in the area of online consumer finance industry are yet to be promulgated, we cannot be certain that our existing practices would not be deemed to violate any existing or future laws, regulations or rules. Please refer to "Risk FactorsRisks Related to Our Business and IndustryThe laws and regulations governing the online consumer finance industry and online microcredit companies in China are developing and evolving rapidly. If any of our business practices are deemed to violate any PRC laws or regulations, our business, financial condition and results of operations will be materially and adversely affected."
Regulations on online lending information intermediaries
In August 2016, the CBRC, the MIIT, the Ministry of Public Security, and the State Internet Information Office jointly issued the Interim Lending Measures on Administration of Business Activities of Online Lending Information Intermediaries, which introduced online lending information intermediaries as financing information enterprises specifically engaged in the business of lending information intermediation services connecting investors and borrowers. Pursuant to that, online lending information service providers must complete registration with local financial regulatory departments, apply for appropriate telecommunication business licenses in accordance with relevant rules issued by competent telecommunication authorities and cover the "online lending information intermediary" in its business scope.
In accordance with these measures, the CBRC, the MIIT and the State Administration for Industry and Commerce jointly issued the Circular on Printing and Distribution the Guidelines on the Filing-based Administration of the Online Lending Information Intermediaries in November 2016, setting forth the rules on the filing-based administrative regime of online lending information intermediaries
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which requires local financial regulators to register, publicize and archive the basic information of online lending information intermediaries within their respective jurisdiction.
Regulations on micro-credit business
In May 2008, Guidance on the Pilot Establishment of Microcredit Companies was jointly promulgated by the CBRC and the PBOC, authorizing provincial governments to approve the establishment of microcredit companies on a test basis. The establishment of a microcredit company is subject to the approval of the competent government authority at the provincial level. The major sources of funds for a microcredit company are limited to capital paid by shareholders, donated capital and capital borrowed from up to two financial institutions. Furthermore, the balance of the capital borrowed by a microcredit company from financial institutions must not exceed 50% of the net capital of such microcredit company. The interest rate and terms of the borrowed capital is required to be determined by the company with the banking financial institutions upon consultation, and the interest rate must be determined by using the Shanghai Inter-bank Offered Rate as the base rate. With respect to the grant of credit, microcredit companies are required to adhere to the principle of "small sum and decentralization." The outstanding balance of the loans granted by a microcredit company to one borrower cannot exceed 5% of the net capital of such company. The interest ceiling used by a microcredit company may be determined by such companies but in no circumstance shall they exceed the restrictions prescribed by the judicatory authority. The interest floor is 0.9 times the base interest rate published by the PBOC. Microcredit companies have the flexibility to determine the specific interest rate within the range depending on certain market conditions. In addition, according to the aforementioned guidance, microcredit companies are required to establish and improve their corporate governance structures, the loan management systems, the financial accounting systems, the asset classification systems, the provision systems for accurate asset classification and their information disclosure systems, and such companies are required to make adequate provisions for impairment losses. Microcredit companies are also required to accept public scrutiny supervision and are prohibited from carrying out illegal fund-raising in any form.
Based on this guidance, many provincial governments, including that of Fujian Province, promulgated local implementing rules on the administration of microcredit companies. In March 2012, Fujian Provincial People's Government issued the Interim Administrative Measures on Microcredit Companies of Fujian, imposing the management duties upon the relevant regulatory authorities and specifies more detailed requirements on the microcredit companies. We operate online microcredit business through one of our consolidated VIEs, Fuzhou Microcredit which is approved by the local governmental authority.
In November 2017, the Online Finance Working Group issued the Notice on the Immediate Suspension of Approvals for the Establishment of Online Microcredit Companies, requiring all relevant regulatory authorities of microcredit companies to suspend the approval of the establishment of any online microcredit companies and the approval of any microcredit business conducted across provinces. Circular 141 further confirms to suspend the approval of the establishment of online microcredit companies and the approval of any microcredit business across province and enhance the regulation of online microcredit companies, stipulating that (i) the relevant regulatory authorities must suspend the approval for the establishment of any new online microcredit companies and the conduct of offline business of any microcredit companies across provinces (districts or cities); (ii) online microcredit companies must not extend loans to any borrowers without income, such as students; (iii) online microcredit companies must suspend the funding of online microcredits with no specific consumption scenarios or specified uses of loan proceeds, and gradually reduce the volume of the existing business relating to such loans and take rectification measures in a period to be specified by authorities.
On December 8, 2017, the P2P Credit Risks Rectification Working Group promulgated the Implementation Plan of Specific Rectification for Risks in Microcredit Companies and Online
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Microcredit Companies, or the Circular 56. Pursuant to the Circular 56, "online microcredits" are defined as microcredits provided through the internet by online microcredit companies. Circular 56 emphasizes several material aspects for inspection and rectification, which include but not limited to (i) online microcredit companies must be approved by the competent authorities in accordance with the applicable regulations promulgated by the State Council, and approved online microcredit companies that act in violation of any regulatory requirements must be re-examined; (ii) whether the qualification and funding source of the shareholders of online microcredit companies are in compliance with the applicable laws and regulations; (iii) whether the "integrated actual interest" (namely the aggregated borrowing costs charged to borrowers in the form of interest and various fees) are annualized and subject to the limit on interest rates of private lending set forth in the Private Lending Judicial Interpretations and, whether any interest, handling fee, management fee or deposit are deducted from the principal of loans provided to the borrowers in advance; (iv) whether campus loans, or online microcredits with no specific scenario or designated use of loan proceeds are granted; (v) with respect to the loan business conducted in collaboration with third-party institutions, whether microcredit companies cooperate with internet platform without website filing or telecommunications business license to lend online microcredit, whether the online microcredit companies outsource their core business (including the credit assessment and risk control), or accept any credit enhancement service provided by any third-party institutions with no guarantee qualification; or whether any applicable third-party institution collects any interest or fee from the borrowers; and (vi) whether there are any entities conducting online microcredit business without relevant approval or license for lending business.
Fuzhou Microcredit has obtained the approval to operate microcredit businesses as issued by the competent supervising authority, which allows Fuzhou Microcredit to conduct microcredit businesses through the internet. However, as the regulatory regime and practice with respect to online microcredit companies are evolving, there is uncertainty as to how the requirements in the above rules will be interpreted and implemented and whether there will be new rules issued which would establish further requirements and restrictions on online microcredit companies.
Regulations on Financing Guarantee
In March 2010, seven governmental authorities including CBRC, the MOFCOM and Ministry of Finance, or MOF promulgated the Interim Administrative Measures for Financing Guarantee Companies which requires an entity or individual to obtain a prior approval from the relevant governmental authority before engaging in the financing guarantee business. Financing guarantee is defined as an activity whereby the guarantor and the creditor, such as a financial institution in the banking sector, agree that the guarantor shall bear the guarantee obligations in the event that the secured party fails to perform its financing debt owed to the creditor.
On August 2, 2017, the PRC State Council promulgated the Regulations on the Supervision and Administration of Financing Guarantee Companies, which became effective on October 1, 2017. These regulations define "financing guarantee" as a guarantee provided for the debt financing, including but not limited to the extension of loans or issuance of bonds, and set out that the establishment of a financing guarantee company or engagement in the financing guarantee business without approval may result in several penalties, including but not limited to an order to cease business operation, confiscation of illegal gains, fines of up to RMB1,000,000 and criminal liabilities. These regulations on financing guarantee also set forth that the outstanding guarantee liabilities of a financing guarantee company shall not exceed ten times of its net assets, and that the ratio of the balance amount of outstanding guarantee liabilities of a financing guarantee company for the same guaranteed party shall not exceed 10%, while the ratio of the balance amount of outstanding guarantee liabilities of a financing guarantee company for the same guaranteed party and its affiliated parties shall not exceed 15%.
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Fuzhou Financing Guarantee, through which we provide the guarantee to our borrowers for the loans provided by our funding partners, has obtained the financing guarantee certificate granted by relevant governmental authority to conduct financing guarantee business in June 2018, which will remain valid until June 2020.
Although we neither collect guarantee fees from our institutional funding partners, nor do we take providing guarantees as our main operating business, we may be deemed to operate financing guarantee business by the PRC regulatory authorities since (i) we provide guarantee deposits for certain of our institutional funding partners and (ii) some of our PRC subsidiaries without the relevant financing guarantee license provide guarantees or other credit enhancement services to some of our institutional funding partners. However, given the lack of further interpretations, the exact definition and scope of "operating financing guarantee business" under the Financing Guarantee Rules is unclear, therefore we cannot be certain that our practices will not be determined to violate any existing or future rules, laws and regulations. See "Risk FactorsRisks Related to Our Business and IndustryThe laws and regulations governing the online consumer finance industry and online microcredit companies in China are developing and evolving rapidly. If any of our business practices are deemed to violate any PRC laws or regulations, our business, financial condition and results of operations would be materially and adversely affected."
Regulations on Anti-Money Laundering
The PRC Anti-Money Laundering Law, which was issued by Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, or the NPC Standing Committee, in October, 2006 and became effective in January 2007, sets forth the principal anti-money laundering requirements applicable to financial institutions as well as nonfinancial institutions with anti-money laundering obligations, including the adoption of precautionary and supervisory measures, the establishment of various systems for client identification, the retention of clients' identification information and transactions records, and the reporting obligation on material transactions and suspicious transactions. The PBOC and other governmental authorities issued a series of administrative rules and regulations to specify the anti-money laundering obligations of financial institutions and certain non-financial institutions. However, PRC State Council has not promulgated the list of the non-financial institutions with anti-money laundering obligations.
The Fintech Guidelines, as defined previously, clarify, among other things, internet financial service provider requirements to comply with certain anti-money laundering provisions, including the establishment of a customer identification program, the monitoring and reporting of suspicious transactions, the preservation of customer information and transaction records, and the provision of assistance to the public security department and judicial authority in investigations and proceedings in relation to anti-money laundering matters. The PBOC will formulate implementing rules to further specify the anti-money laundering obligations of internet financial service providers. On October 10, 2018, the PBOC, China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission and CSRC jointly promulgated the Administrative Measures for Anti-money Laundering and Counter-terrorism Financing by Internet Finance Service Agencies (for Trial Implementation), effective as of January 1, 2019, which specify the anti-money laundering obligations of internet finance service agencies and regulate that the internet finance service agencies (i) shall adopt continuous customer identification measures; (ii) shall implement the system for reporting large-value or suspicious transactions; (iii) shall conduct real-time monitoring of the lists of terrorist organizations and terrorists; and (iv) shall properly keep the information, data and materials such as customer identification and transaction reports etc.
Pursuant with the aforementioned regulations, we have implemented various policies and procedures, such as internal controls and "know-your-customer" procedures, for anti-money laundering purposes. However, our policies and procedures may not be completely effective in preventing other parties from using us for money laundering without our knowledge. See "Risk FactorsRisks Related to Our Business and IndustryIf our funding partners fail to comply with applicable anti-money
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laundering and anti-terrorist financing laws and regulations, our business and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected."
Regulations on Information Security and Privacy Protection
In recent years, PRC government authorities have enacted laws and regulations on internet use to protect personal information from any unauthorized disclosure. Under the Several Provisions on Regulating the Market Order of Internet Information Services, issued by the MIIT in December 2011 and effective as of March 2012, an internet information service provider may not collect any user personal information or provide any such information to third parties without the specific consent of the user. An internet information service provider must expressly inform the users of the method, content and purpose of the collection and processing of such user personal information, and may only collect such information necessary for the provision of its services.
The State Internet Information Office issued the Administrative Provisions on Mobile Internet App Information Services in June 2016, effective as of August 2016, to demonstrate the regulations of the mobile app information services. Pursuant to such Provisions, a mobile internet app program provider shall strictly implement information security management rules including but not limited to (i) verifying a user's mobile phone number, (ii) establishing and improving the mechanism for the protection of users' information, and (iii) protecting users' right to know and to make choices when users are installing or using such apps. Meanwhile, collecting a user's geographical location information, accessing user's contact list and activating the camera or recorder of the user's mobile smart device are prohibited unless it has clearly indicated to the user and the user's consent has been obtained.
In addition, pursuant to the Decision on Strengthening the Protection of Online Information issued by the NPC Standing Committee in December 2012, which purposes to enhance the legal protection of information security and privacy on the internet, and the Order for the Protection of Telecommunication and Internet User Personal Information issued by the MIIT in July 2013, which regulates the collection and use of users' personal information in the provision of telecommunications services and internet information services in China, any collection and use of user personal information must be subject to the consent of the user, abide by the principles of legality, rationality and necessity and be within the specified purposes, methods and scopes.
In addition, the Fintech Guidelines requires internet financial service providers, including online consumer finance service providers, among other things, to improve technology security standards, and safeguard customer and transaction information; it also prohibits online consumer finance service providers from illegally selling or disclosing customers' personal information. The PBOC and other relevant regulatory authorities will jointly adopt the implementing rules and technology security standards.
Pursuant to the Ninth Amendment to the Criminal Law issued by NPC Standing Committee, effective as of November 2015, any internet service provider that fails to fulfill the obligations related to internet information security administration as required by applicable laws and refuses to rectify upon administrative orders is subject to criminal penalty as a result of (i) any dissemination of illegal information in large scale; (ii) any severe effect due to the leakage of customers' information; (iii) any serious loss of criminal evidence; or (iv) other severe situation. Moreover. any individual or entity that (i) sells or provides personal information to others in a way that violates applicable law, or (ii) steals or illegally obtain any personal information, is subject to criminal liabilities in severe situations.
In providing our online consumer finance service, we collect certain personal information from our consumers, and also need to share the information with our institutional funding partners for the purpose of facilitating credit to our consumers, as borrowers. We have obtained consent from borrowers for us to collect, use and share their personal information, and have also established information security systems to protect the user information and to abide by other network security requirements under such laws and regulations. However, there is uncertainty as to how the network security requirements for maintaining network security and protecting customers' personal information will be interpreted and implemented.
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While we have taken measures to protect the personal information that we have access to, our security measures could be breached resulting in the leak of such confidential personal information. Security breaches or unauthorized access to confidential information could also expose us to liability related to the loss of the information, time-consuming and expensive litigation and negative publicity. See "Risk FactorsRisks Related to Our Business and IndustryOur ability to protect the confidential information of our borrowers may be adversely affected by cyberattacks, computer viruses, physical or electronic break-ins or similar disruptions."
Regulations on Foreign Exchange
Pursuant to the Foreign Exchange Administration Regulations, as issued in January 1996 and amended in January 1997 and August 2008, Renminbi is freely convertible for current account items, including the trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, the distribution of dividends, interest payments but not for capital account items, such as direct investments, loans, repatriation of investments and investments in securities outside of China, unless prior approval from the SAFE is obtained and prior registration with the SAFE is made.
In June 2015, the SAFE promulgated the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming the Administration of Foreign Exchange Settlement of Capital of Foreign-invested Enterprises, or the SAFE Circular 19. The SAFE further promulgated the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming and the SAFE Circular 16 on June 9, 2016, which, among other things, amends certain provisions of SAFE Circular 19. Pursuant to SAFE Circular 19 and SAFE Circular 16, the flow and use of the Renminbi capital converted from foreign currency denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested company shall not be used for business beyond its business scope, or to provide loans to persons other than affiliates unless otherwise permitted under its business scope. Violations of SAFE Circular 19 or SAFE Circular 16 could result in administrative penalties.
In February 2015, the SAFE promulgated the Notice on Further Simplifying and Improving the Foreign Exchange Management Policies for Direct Investment, or the SAFE Circular 13, which took effect in June 2015. SAFE Circular 13 delegates the power to enforce the foreign exchange registration in connection with inbound and outbound direct investments under relevant SAFE rules from local branches of the SAFE to banks, thereby further simplifying the foreign exchange registration procedures for inbound and outbound direct investments.
Regulations on dividend distribution
The principal regulations governing distribution of dividends of foreign-invested enterprises include PRC Company Law, PRC Wholly Foreign-owned Enterprise Law, and Implementation Rules of the PRC Wholly Foreign-owned Enterprise Law. Under these laws and regulations, wholly foreign-owned enterprises in China may pay dividends only out of their accumulated after-tax profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, wholly foreign-owned enterprises in China are required to allocate at least 10% of their respective accumulated profits each year, if any, to fund certain reserve funds until these reserves have reached 50% of the registered capital of the enterprises. Wholly foreign-owned companies may, at their discretion, allocate a portion of their after-tax profits based on PRC accounting standards to staff welfare and bonus funds. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends.
Under our current corporate structure, our Cayman Islands holding company may rely on dividend payments from Shanghai Qiyue Information Technology Co., Ltd., which is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise incorporated in China, to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have. Limitation on the ability of our VIEs to make remittance to our wholly-foreign owned enterprise and on the ability of our wholly-foreign owned enterprise to pay dividends to us could limit our ability to access
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cash generated by the operations of those entities. See "Risk FactorsRisks Related to Doing Business in ChinaWe rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our PRC subsidiary to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have, and any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiary to make payments to us could have a material adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business."
Regulations on foreign exchange registration of overseas investment by PRC residents
In July 2014, the SAFE promulgated the SAFE Circular 37 in the replacement of Notice on Issues relating to Foreign Exchange Administration for Financing and Roundtrip Investments by Domestic Residents through Overseas Special-purpose Companies in October 2005, requiring PRC residents or entities to register with the SAFE or its local branch in connection with their establishment or control of an offshore entity established for the purpose of overseas investment or financing. In addition, such PRC residents or entities must update their SAFE registrations when the offshore special purpose vehicle undergoes material events relating to any change of basic information (including change of such PRC citizens or residents, name and operation term), increases or decreases in investment amount, transfers or exchanges of shares, or mergers or divisions.
The SAFE further enacted SAFE Circular 13, which allows PRC residents or entities to register with qualified banks in connection with their establishment or control of an offshore entity established for the purpose of overseas investment or financing. In the event that a PRC shareholder holding interests in a special purpose vehicle fails to fulfill the required SAFE registration, the PRC subsidiaries of that special purpose vehicle may be prohibited from distributing profits to the offshore parent and from carrying out subsequent cross-border foreign exchange activities. In addition, the special purpose vehicle may be restricted in its ability to contribute additional capital into its PRC subsidiary. Moreover, failure to comply with the various SAFE registration requirements described above could result in liability under PRC law for evasion of foreign exchange controls.
These aforementioned regulations apply to our direct and indirect shareholders who are PRC residents and may apply to any offshore acquisitions and share transfer that we make in the future if our shares are issued to PRC residents. See "Risk FactorsRisks Related to Doing Business in ChinaPRC regulations relating to offshore investment activities by PRC residents may limit our PRC subsidiary's ability to increase their registered capital or distribute profits to us or otherwise expose us or our PRC resident beneficial owners to liability and penalties under PRC law."
Regulations on stock incentive plans
In February 2012, the SAFE promulgated the Notice on Foreign Exchange Administration of PRC Residents Participating in Share Incentive Plans of Offshore Listed Companies, replacing the previous rules issued by the SAFE in March 2007 and in January 2008. Under such stock option rules and other relevant rules and regulations, PRC residents who participate in a stock incentive plan in an overseas publicly-listed company are required to register with the SAFE or its local branches and complete certain other procedures. Participants of a stock incentive plan who are PRC residents must retain a qualified PRC agent, which could be a PRC subsidiary of the overseas publicly-listed company or another qualified institution selected by the PRC subsidiary, to conduct the SAFE registration and other procedures with respect to the stock incentive plan on behalf of its participants. The participants must also retain an overseas entrusted institution to handle matters in connection with their exercise of stock options, the purchase and sale of corresponding stocks or interests and fund transfers. In addition, the PRC agent is required to amend the SAFE registration with respect to the stock incentive plan if there is any material change to the stock incentive plan, the PRC agent or the overseas entrusted institution or other material changes. The PRC agents must, on behalf of the PRC residents who have the right to exercise the employee share options, apply to the SAFE or its local branches for an annual quota for the payment of foreign currencies in connection with the PRC residents' exercise
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of the employee share options. The foreign exchange proceeds received by the PRC residents from the sale of shares under the stock incentive plans granted and dividends distributed by the overseas listed companies must be remitted into the bank accounts in the PRC opened by the PRC agents before distribution to such PRC residents.
In addition, SAFE Circular 37 provides that PRC residents who participate in a share incentive plan of an overseas unlisted special purpose company may register with the SAFE or its local branches before exercising rights. If the PRC optionees fail to comply with the Individual Foreign Exchange Rule and the Stock Option Rules, we and our PRC optionees may be subject to fines and other legal sanctions. In May 2018, we adopted the Share Incentive Plan to attract and retain the best available personnel, provide additional incentives to employees, directors and consultants and promote the success of our business. See "ManagementShare Incentive Plan." We will also advise the recipients of awards under our Share Incentive Plan to handle relevant foreign exchange matters in accordance with the 2012 SAFE Notices. However, we cannot guarantee that all employee awarded equity-based incentives can successfully register with SAFE in full compliance with the 2012 SAFE Notices. See "Risk FactorsRisks Related to Doing Business in ChinaAny failure to comply with PRC regulations regarding the registration requirements for employee stock incentive plans may subject the PRC plan participants or us to fines and other legal or administrative sanctions" and "Risk FactorsRisks Related to Doing Business in ChinaPRC regulations relating to offshore investment activities by PRC residents may limit our PRC subsidiary's ability to increase their registered capital or distribute profits to us or otherwise expose us or our PRC resident beneficial owners to liability and penalties under PRC law."
Laws and Regulations relating to Intellectual Property
Copyright and software products
The NPC Standing Committee adopted PRC Copyright Law in 1990 and most recently amended in 2010, with its implementing rules adopted in 1991 and most recently amended in 2013 by PRC State Council, and the Regulations for the Protection of Computer Software promulgated by the PRC State Council in 2001 and most recently amended in 2013. These rules and regulations extend copyright protection to internet activities, products disseminated over the internet and software products. In addition, there is a voluntary registration system administered by the China Copyright Protection Center. According to the aforementioned laws and regulation, the term of protection for copyrighted software is fifty years.
Trademarks
PRC Trademark Law was promulgated by the NPC Standing Committee in August 1982 and most recently amended in 2013, and the Implementation Regulations on the PRC Trademark Law was promulgated by PRC State Council in August 2002 and amended in April 2014. These laws and regulations provide the basic legal framework for the regulations of trademarks in the PRC. In the PRC, registered trademarks include commodity trademarks, service trademarks, collective trademarks and certificate trademarks. The Intellectual Property Office under the State Administration for Market Regulation is responsible for the registration and administration of trademarks throughout the country. Trademarks are granted on a term of ten years. Applicants may apply for an extension twelve months prior to the expiration of the ten-year term.
Domain names
Internet domain name registration and related matters are primarily regulated by the Measures on Administration of Internet Domain Names, which replaced the Measures on Administration of Domain Names for the Chinese Internet in November 2004, issued by MIIT and effective as of November 1,
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2017, and the Implementing Rules on Registration of Domain Names issued by China Internet Network Information Center in May 2012. Domain name registrations are handled through domain name service agencies established under the relevant regulations, and the applicants become domain name holders upon successful registration.
We have adopted necessary mechanisms to register, maintain and enforce intellectual property rights in China. However, we cannot assure you that we can prevent our intellectual property from all the unauthorized use by any third party, neither can we promise that none of our intellectual property rights would be challenged by any third party. See "Risk FactorsWe may not be able to prevent others from unauthorized use of our intellectual property, which could harm our business and competitive position" and "Risk FactorsRisks Related to Our Business and IndustryWe may be subject to intellectual property infringement claims, which may be expensive to defend and may disrupt our business and operations."
M&A Rules and Overseas Listings
In August 2006, six PRC governmental agencies jointly promulgated the Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rule, as most recently amended in 2009. The M&A Rule requires offshore special purpose vehicles formed to pursue overseas listing of equity interests in PRC companies and controlled directly or indirectly by PRC companies or individuals to obtain the approval of the CSRC prior to the listing and trading of such special purpose vehicle's securities on any stock exchange overseas.
The application of the M&A Rules remains unclear. We are advised by our PRC Legal Counsel, Commerce & Finance Law Offices, that based on its understanding on the current PRC laws, rules and regulations, prior approval from the CSRC is not required under the M&A Rules for the listing and trading of our ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange. For detailed analysis, see "Risk FactorsRisks Related to Doing Business in ChinaThe M&A Rules and certain other PRC regulations establish complex procedures for some acquisitions of Chinese companies by foreign investors, which could make it more difficult for us to pursue growth through acquisitions in China."
Laws and Regulations Relating to Labor
Pursuant to PRC Labor Law, promulgated by the NPC Standing Committee in July 1994 and revised in August 2009, and the Labor Contract Law of PRC, promulgated by NPC Standing Committee in June 2007 and amended in December 2012, and the Implementing Regulations of the Labor Contract Law, employers must execute written employment contracts with full-time employees. All employers must compensate their employees with wages equal to at least the local minimum wage. Violations of the Labor Law and the Labor Contract Law may result in fines and other administrative sanctions, and serious violations may result in criminal liabilities.
Under PRC laws, rules and regulations, including the PRC Social Insurance Law promulgated by the NPC Standing Committee in October 2010, which became effective in July 2011, the Interim Measures on the Collection and Payment of Social Security Funds in March 1993, the Regulations on Work Injury Insurance issued PRC State Council in April 2003, and amended in December 2010, the Regulations on Unemployment Insurance promulgated by PRC State Council in January 1999 and the Regulations on the Administration of Housing Accumulation Funds, or the Regulations on Housing Fund released by PRC State Council in April 1999 and amended in March 2002, employers are required to contribute, on behalf of their employees, to a number of social security funds and implement certain employee benefit plans, including funds for basic pension insurance, unemployment insurance, basic medical insurance, occupational injury insurance, maternity leave insurance and housing accumulation funds. These payments are made to local administrative authorities and any employer who fails to contribute may be fined and ordered to pay the deficit amount. According to the
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PRC Social Insurance Law, an employer that fails to make social insurance contributions may be ordered to rectify the non-compliance and pay the required contributions within a stipulated deadline and be subject to a late fee of 0.05% per day, as the case may be. If the employer still fails to rectify the failure to make social insurance contributions within the deadline, it may be subject to a fine ranging from one to three times the amount overdue. According to the Regulations on Housing Fund, an enterprise that fails to make housing fund contributions may be ordered to rectify the noncompliance and pay the required contributions within a stipulated deadline; otherwise, an application may be made to a local court for compulsory enforcement.
We have caused all of our full-time employees to enter into written employment contracts with us and have provided and currently provide our employees with proper welfare and employee benefits as required by the PRC laws and regulations.
Regulations related to Tax
Enterprise income tax
Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, or the EIT Law, effective in January 2008 and amended in February 2017, and its implementing rules, enterprises are classified as resident enterprises and non-resident enterprises. PRC resident enterprises typically pay an enterprise income tax at the rate of 25% while non-PRC resident enterprises without any branches in the PRC should pay an enterprise income tax in connection with their income from the PRC at the tax rate of 10%. An enterprise established outside of the PRC with its "de facto management bodies" located within the PRC is considered a "resident enterprise", which means that it can be treated in a manner similar to a PRC domestic enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes. The implementing rules of the EIT Law define a de facto management body as a managing body that in practice exercises "substantial and overall management and control over the production and operations, personnel, accounting, and properties" of the enterprise.
The EIT Law and the implementation rules provide that an income tax rate of 10% will normally be applicable to dividends payable to investors that are "non-resident enterprises," and gains derived by such investors, which (i) do not have an establishment or place of business in the PRC or (ii) have an establishment or place of business in the PRC, but the relevant income is not effectively connected with the establishment or place of business to the extent such dividends and gains are derived from sources within the PRC. Such income tax on the dividends may be reduced pursuant to a tax treaty between China and other jurisdictions. Pursuant to the Double Tax Avoidance Arrangement and other applicable PRC laws, if a Hong Kong resident enterprise is determined by the competent PRC tax authority to have satisfied the relevant conditions and requirements under such Double Tax Avoidance Arrangement and other applicable laws, the 10% withholding tax on the dividends the Hong Kong resident enterprise receives from a PRC resident enterprise may be reduced to 5% upon receiving approval from in-charge tax authority.
However, based on the Notice on Certain Issues with Respect to the Enforcement of Dividend Provisions in Tax Treaties issued in February 2009 by the SAT if the relevant PRC tax authorities determine, in their discretion, that a company benefits from such reduced income tax rate due to a structure or arrangement that is primarily tax-driven, such PRC tax authorities may adjust the preferential tax treatment; and the Announcement on Issues concerning "Beneficial Owners" in Tax Treaties issued on February 3, 2018 by the SAT, when determining the status of "beneficial owners", a comprehensive analysis may be conducted through materials such as articles of association, financial statements, records of capital flows, minutes of board of directors, resolutions of board of directors, allocation of manpower and material resources, the relevant expenses, functions and risk assumption, loan contracts, royalty contracts or transfer contracts, patent registration certificates and copyright certificates etc. However, even if an applicant has the status as a "beneficiary owner", the competent
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tax authority finds necessity to apply the principal purpose test clause in the tax treaties or the general anti-tax avoidance rules stipulated in domestic tax laws, the general anti-tax avoidance provisions shall apply.
In February 2008, the State Administration of Taxation and the Ministry of Finance promulgated the Circular on Several Preferential Policies on Enterprise Income Tax, under which preferential tax treatments will be granted to entities recognized as "Software Enterprises", which can be exempt for enterprise income taxes in their first and second year of profitability, and shall pay according to half the standard tax rate for the third through fifth years. Shanghai Qiyu was accredited as a "Software Enterprise" in April 2018, therefore it is entitled the aforementioned preferential income tax rate for five years starting from the profit-making year, provided that it continues to be qualified as a "Software Enterprise" during such periods and are subject to annual final settlement review by the relevant tax authorities in China.
We believe that we should not be treated as a "resident enterprise" for PRC tax purposes even if the standards for "de facto management body" are applicable to us. However, the tax resident status of an enterprise is subject to determination by the PRC tax authorities and uncertainties remain with respect to the interpretation of the term "de facto management body." If our holding company in the Cayman Islands or any of our subsidiaries outside of China were deemed to be a "resident enterprise" under the EIT Law, it would be subject to enterprise income tax on its worldwide income at a rate of 25%, which could materially reduce our net income. See "Risk FactorsRisks Related to Doing Business in ChinaIf we are classified as a PRC resident enterprise for PRC income tax purposes, such classification could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders or ADS holders."
Value-added tax
According to the Interim Regulations on Value-added Tax, which was promulgated by PRC State Council in December 1993 and most recently amended in 2017, and the Implementing Rules of the Interim Regulations on Value-added Tax, promulgated by the MOF in December and most recently amended in 2011 all taxpayers selling goods, providing processing, repairing or replacement services or importing goods within the PRC shall pay value-added tax.
Since January 1, 2012, the MOF and the SAT have implemented the Pilot Plan for Imposition of Value-Added Tax to Replace Business Tax, or the VAT Pilot Plan, which imposes VAT in lieu of business tax for certain "modern service industries" in certain regions and eventually expanded to nation-wide application. According to the implementation circulars released by the MOF and the SAT on the VAT Pilot Plan, the "modern service industries" include research, development and technology services, information technology services, cultural innovation services, logistics support, lease of corporeal properties, attestation and consulting services. According to the Notice of the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation on Implementing the Pilot Program of Replacing Business Tax with Value-Added Tax in an All-round Manner which was issued in March 2016 and effective in May 2016, entities and individuals engaging in the sale of services, intangible assets or fixed assets within the territory of the PRC are required to pay value-added tax instead of business tax. Following the implementation of the VAT Pilot Plan, all of our PRC subsidiaries and affiliates have been subject to VAT, at a rate of 6% instead of business tax.
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Directors and Executive Officers
The following table sets forth information regarding our directors and executive officers as of the date of this prospectus.
Directors and Executive Officers
|
Age | Position/Title | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hongyi Zhou |
47 | Chairman of the Board of Directors | |||
Jun Xu |
37 | Chief Executive Officer and Director | |||
Wei Liu |
40 | Director | |||
Fan Zhang |
38 | Director | |||
Gang Xiao |
42 | Independent Director | |||
Yongjin Fu |
47 | Independent Director | |||
Yunfan Zhang |
39 | Independent Director | |||
Haisheng Wu |
35 | President | |||
Jiang Wu |
39 | Chief Financial Officer | |||
Qian Zhao |
31 | Vice President | |||
Zhiqiang He |
35 | Vice President | |||
Yan Zheng |
31 | Vice President |
Mr. Hongyi Zhou has served as our director from our inception and in addition as our chairman of the board of director since September 2018. Mr. Zhou has twenty years of managerial and operational experience in China's internet industry. Mr. Zhou co-founded the Qihoo 360 Technology Co. Ltd. (NYSE: QIHU) and has been serving as the chairman of the board of Qihoo 360 Technology Co. Ltd. and the successor of its business, 360 Group. Prior to founding Qihoo 360 Technology Co., Ltd., Mr. Zhou was a partner at IDG Ventures Capital since September 2005, a global network of venture capital funds, where he assisted small to medium-sized software companies in sourcing funding to support their growth. Mr. Zhou was the chief executive officer of Yahoo! China from January 2004 to August 2005. In 1998, Mr. Zhou founded www.3721.com, a company engaged in internet search and online marketing business in China, and served as its chairman and chief executive officer until www.3721.com was acquired by Yahoo! China in January 2004. Mr. Zhou also serves as a director of a number of privately owned companies based in China. Mr. Zhou received his bachelor's degree in computer software and his master's degree in system engineering from Xi'an Jiaotong University in 1992 and 1995, respectively.
Mr. Jun Xu has served as our chief executive officer since inception and our director since September 2018. Mr. Xu has more than 17 years of experience in the financial industry. Before joining us, Mr. Xu co-founded and served as the chief executive officer of Ningbo Siyinjia Investment Management Co. Ltd. from January 2015. Prior to that, Mr. Xu served as a partner of McKinsey & Company, in charge of its banking and securities practice in China. Before starting working at McKinsey & Company in May 2005, Mr. Xu worked at HSBC China Office as the assistant vice president. Mr. Xu received his bachelor degree in international finance from Shanghai International Studies University in 2001.
Mr. Wei Liu has served as our director since September 2018. From 2014 to 2015, Mr. Liu worked with 360 Group as a vice president. Prior to joining 360 Group, Mr. Liu worked with Ping An Ventures, a venture capital fund under Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd., as the general manager from 2011 to 2014. From 2008 to 2011, Mr. Liu worked with the investment department of Shengda Group as an investment director from 2008. Prior to that, Mr. Liu worked with the investment department of Fosun Capital as an investment director. Mr. Liu received his bachelor degree in international trade from Shanghai University of International Business and Economic in 2000.
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Ms. Fan Zhang has served as our director since September 2018. Ms. Zhang has been serving as the general counsel of Qihoo 360 Technology Co., Ltd. since September 2013, the general counsel of 360 Group since February 2018, and served as the secretary of the board of directors of 360 Group from February 2018 to August 2018. Prior to her experience in 360 Group, Ms. Zhang worked with Kirkland and Ellis LLP as a partner from September 2011 through September 2013, and Latham & Watkins LLP as an associate from September 2004 to August 2011. Ms. Zhang received her bachelor degree in international economic law from China University of Political Science and Law in 2001, her LL.M. degree from University of Chicago Law School in 2002, and her J.D. degree from Columbia Law School in 2004. Ms. Zhang is licensed to practice law in the state of Illinois, U.S. and Hong Kong, China.
Mr. Gang Xiao has served as our independent director since September 2018. From July 2017, Mr. Xiao served as the chairman of the board of Gongqingcheng Qihoo Zhongcai Investment Co., Ltd. Prior to that, Mr. Xiao worked with Zhongcai Financial Holding Investment Ltd. as the general manager. From December 2007 to January 2009, Mr. Xiao served as a deputy county mayor of Suichuan County of Jiangxi Province. Prior to that, Mr. Xiao worked with China Financial & Economic Publishing House Accounting Brach as an editor. From December 1999 to September 2003, Mr. Xiao worked with governmental procurement center of Tianjin Municipal People's Government. Mr. Xiao received his bachelor degree in computer science, his master degree in Chinese literature and his doctor degree in public finance from Dongbei University of Finance and Economics in 1999, 2003 and 2006, respectively.
Mr. Yongjin Fu has served as our independent director since September 2018. Mr. Fu worked with Guohua Life Insurance Co., Ltd. as the executive director and general manager from May 2007. From August 2003 to May 2007, Mr. Fu served as a director, the vice chairman of the board of directors and the general manager of Hubei Biocause Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (SZ: 000627). Prior to that, Mr. Fu worked with Haikou Agriculture & Industry & Trade (LUONIUSHAN) Co., Ltd., now known as Luoniushan Co., Ltd., as the manager of the financial department, the assistant to the general manager, the deputy general manager and the vice chairman of the board of directors successively from April 1996. Mr. Fu received his bachelor degree, master degree and doctor degree in administration from Tianjin University in 1993, 1996 and 2003, respectively.
Mr. Yunfan Zhang has served as our independent director since September 2018. Mr. Zhang has fifteen years of managerial and operational experience in China's internet industry. Mr. Zhang co-founded the YY Inc. (NASDAQ: YY) and has been serving as the general manager of YY Inc. Mr. Zhang served as the chief operating officer at Perfect World Co., Ltd., the third largest video game company in China, from January 2013 to August 2016. Prior to that, Mr. Zhang served as the chief executive officer of 178.com from August 2008 to August 2010. Mr. Zhang also served as a manager of Netease, Inc. (NASDAQ : NTES) from 2003 to 2005. Mr. Zhang received his bachelor's degree in Economics from Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics China in 2003, and his master's degree in Business Administration from National University of Singapore in 2013.
Mr. Haisheng Wu has served as our president since our inception. Before working on the establishment of our business, Mr. Wu worked as a product director at 360 Group start page department from March 2011, in charge of 360 Start Page, 360kan and 360 Mobile Browser. Prior to that, Mr. Wu worked with the user product department of Baidu Inc. (NASDAQ: BIDU) as a product manager, leading the management of Baidu Space, Baidu Map and Baidu LBS from June 2008. Mr. Wu received his bachelor degree in media economics from Communication University of China and master degree in communication studies from Peking University in 2005 and 2008, respectively.
Mr. Jiang Wu has served as our chief financial officer since April 2018. Before joining us, Mr. Wu worked as the director of various departments of PRC National Equities Exchange and Quotations from January 2013, in charge of supervising the listing applications, listing companies and institutions
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providing listing services successively. Prior to that, Mr. Wu worked with corporate finance department at China Minsheng Bank (SHA: 600016), in charge of cross-border structured finance products from April 2012. From July 2006 to March 2012, Mr. Wu worked at the investment banking department of Citigroup Global Markets Asia Limited. From November 2003 to August 2004, Mr. Wu worked as a legal consultant at O'Melveny & Myers. Mr. Wu received his bachelor degree and master degree in international law from China Foreign Affairs University in 2001 and 2004, respectively, and his MPA degree from Columbia University in 2006. Mr. Wu has PRC Legal Professional Qualification.
Mr. Qian Zhao has served as our vice president since September 2018. Before working with us, Mr. Zhao worked with the CEO office of 360 Group as the assistant to the chief executive officer from January 2014. Prior to that, Mr. Zhao worked as the assistant to the general manager at China Railway Construction Engineering Group Materials Co. Ltd. Before joining China Railway Construction Engineering Group Materials Co. Ltd. in March 2012, Mr. Zhao worked as the vice general manager of the China Railway Construction Engineering Group Materials Co. Ltd. Xi'an Branch. Mr. Zhao received his bachelor degree in public finance from Shandong University in 2010.
Mr. Zhiqiang He has served as our vice president since our inception. Mr. He was the co-founder and vice president of Ningbo Siyinjia Investment Management Co. Ltd. Prior to establishing Ningbo Siyinjia Investment Management Co. Ltd., Mr. He worked as a senior consultant in the financial industry department at McKinsey & Company from July 2013 to July 2015. Mr. He acted as the assistant to the president of Xueda Education Group (NYSE: XUE) from May 2010 to July 2011. Before joining Xueda Education Group, Mr. He worked as a consultant at McKinsey & Company from October 2007. Mr. He received his bachelor degree in thermal engineering and master degree in corporate strategy and policies from Tsinghua University in 2003 and 2007, respectively. Mr. He received his MBA degree from Sloan Business School of Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2013.
Mr. Yan Zheng has served as our vice president since February 2017. Mr. Zheng has 10 years of experience of consumer finance risk management. Before joining us, Mr. Zheng co-founded Shenzhen Samoyed Internet Finance Service Co. Ltd. in May 2015, and was in charge of its product risk management. Prior to that, Mr. Zheng worked on the establishment of Merchants Union Consumer Finance Company Limited as a risk management head leading the establishment of risk management system of non-scenario-based online loan products from December 2013. Mr. Zheng worked for the Credit Card Center of China Merchant Bank (SHA: 600036) from July 2008 as a senior analyst, handling policy management of installment products. Mr. Zheng received his bachelor degree in quantitative economics from Shanghai University of Finance and Economics in 2008.
Board of Directors
Our board of directors consists of seven directors. A director is not required to hold any shares in our company by way of qualification. A director who is in any way, whether directly or indirectly, interested in a contract or transaction or proposed contract or transaction with the company shall declare the nature of his interest at a meeting of the directors. A general notice given to the directors by any Director to the effect that he is a member of any specified company or firm and is to be regarded as interested in any contract or transaction which may thereafter be made with that company or firm shall be deemed a sufficient declaration of interest in regard to any contract so made or transaction so consummated. Subject to relevant New York Stock Exchange rules and disqualification by the chairman of the relevant meeting of the directors, a director may vote in respect of any contract or transaction or proposed contract or transaction notwithstanding that he may be interested therein and if he does so his vote shall be counted and he may be counted in the quorum at any meeting of the directors at which any such contract or transaction or proposed contract or transaction shall come before the meeting for consideration. The directors may exercise all the powers of the company to raise or borrow money, mortgage or charge its undertaking, property and assets and uncalled capital, to issue debentures or other securities whether outright or as security for any debt, liability or obligation of the
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company or of any third party. None of our non-executive directors has a service contract with us that provides for benefits upon termination of service.
Committees of the Board of Directors
We will establish three committees under the board of directors immediately upon the effectiveness of our registration statement on Form F-1, of which this prospectus is a part: an audit committee, a compensation committee, and a nominating and corporate governance committee. We will adopt a charter for each of the three committees. Each committee's members and functions are described below.
Audit Committee. Our audit committee will consist of Gang Xiao, Yongjin Fu and Yunfan Zhang. Yongjin Fu will be the chairman of our audit committee. We have determined that Gang Xiao, Yongjin Fu and Yunfan Zhang satisfy the "independence" requirements of Section 303A of the Corporate Governance Rules of the New York Stock Exchange and Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. We have determined that Yongjin Fu and Yunfan Zhang qualifies as an "audit committee financial expert." The audit committee will oversee our accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of the financial statements of our company. The audit committee will be responsible for, among other things:
Compensation Committee. Our compensation committee will consist of Yunfan Zhang, Hongyi Zhou and Jun Xu. Yunfan Zhang will be the chairman of our compensation committee. We have determined that Yunfan Zhang satisfy the "independence" requirements of Section 303A of the Corporate Governance Rules of the New York Stock Exchange. The compensation committee will assist the board in reviewing and approving the compensation structure, including all forms of compensation, relating to our directors and executive officers. Our chief executive officer may not be present at any committee meeting during which his compensation is deliberated. The compensation committee will be responsible for, among other things:
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Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Our nominating and corporate governance committee will consist of Yunfan Zhang, Hongyi Zhou and Jun Xu. Hongyi Zhou will be the chairperson of our nominating and corporate governance committee. Yunfan Zhang satisfy the "independence" requirements of Section 303A of the Corporate Governance Rules of the New York Stock Exchange. The nominating and corporate governance committee will assist the board of directors in selecting individuals qualified to become our directors and in determining the composition of the board and its committees. The nominating and corporate governance committee will be responsible for, among other things:
Duties of Directors
Under Cayman Islands law, our directors owe fiduciary duties to our company, including a duty of loyalty, a duty to act honestly, and a duty to act in what they consider in good faith to be in our best interests. Our directors must also exercise their powers only for a proper purpose. Our directors also owe to our company a duty to exercise skills they actually possess and such care and diligence that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances. It was previously considered that a director need not exhibit in the performance of his duties a greater degree of skill than may reasonably be expected from a person of his knowledge and experience. However, English and Commonwealth courts have moved towards an objective standard with regard to the required skill and care and these authorities are likely to be followed in the Cayman Islands. In fulfilling their duty of care to us, our directors must ensure compliance with our memorandum and articles of association, as amended and restated from time to time. Our company has the right to seek damages if a duty owed by our directors is breached. In certain limited exceptional circumstances, a shareholder may have the right to seek damages in our name if a duty owed by our directors is breached.
Our board of directors has all the powers necessary for managing, and for directing and supervising, our business affairs. The functions and powers of our board of directors include, among others:
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Terms of Directors and Officers
Our officers are elected by and serve at the discretion of the board of directors. Our directors are not subject to a term of office and hold office until such time as they are removed from office by ordinary resolution of the shareholders or by the board. A director will be removed from office automatically if, the director (i) becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or composition with his creditors; (ii) dies or is found to be or becomes of unsound mind; (iii) resigns his office by notice in writing to the company; (iv) without special leave of absence from the board of directors, is absent from meetings of the board of directors for three consecutive meetings and the board of directors resolves that his office be vacated; or (v) is removed from office pursuant to any other provision of the company's post-offering amended and restated memorandum and articles of association.
Employment Agreements and Indemnification Agreements
We have entered into employment agreements with each of our executive officers. Under these agreements, each of our executive officers is employed for a specified time period. We may terminate employment for cause, for certain acts of the executive officer, such as continued failure to satisfactorily perform his or her duties, willful misconduct or gross negligence in the performance of his or her duties, conviction or entry of a guilty or nolo contendere plea of any felony or any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, or dishonest acts to our detriment. We may also terminate an executive officer's employment without cause upon 30-day advance written notice. In such case of termination by us, we will provide severance payments to the executive officer as may be agreed between the executive officers and us. The executive officer may resign at any time with a 30-day advance written notice.
Each executive officer has agreed to hold, both during and after the termination or expiry of his or her employment agreement, in strict confidence and not to use, except as required in the performance of his or her duties in connection with the employment or pursuant to applicable law, any of our confidential information or trade secrets, any confidential information or trade secrets of our clients or prospective clients, or the confidential or proprietary information of any third party received by us and for which we have confidential obligations. The executive officers have also agreed to disclose in confidence to us all inventions, designs and trade secrets which they conceive, develop or reduce to practice during the executive officer's employment with us and to assign all right, title and interest in them to us, and assist us in obtaining and enforcing patents, copyrights and other legal rights for these inventions, designs and trade secrets.
In addition, each executive officer has agreed to be bound by non-competition and non-solicitation restrictions during the term of his or her employment and typically for one year following the last date of employment. Specifically, each executive officer has agreed not to (i) approach our suppliers, clients, customers or contacts or other persons or entities introduced to the executive officer in his or her capacity as a representative of us for the purpose of doing business with such persons or entities that will harm our business relationships with these persons or entities; (ii) assume employment with or provide services to any of our competitors, or engage, whether as principal, partner, licensor or otherwise, any of our competitors, without our express consent; (iii) seek, directly or indirectly, to solicit the services of, or hire or engage, any person who is known to be employed or engaged by us; or (iv) otherwise interfere with our business.
We have also entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers. Under these agreements, we agree to indemnify our directors and executive officers against certain liabilities and expenses incurred by such persons in connection with claims made by reason of their being a director or officer of our company.
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Compensation of Directors and Executive Officers
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, we paid an aggregate of approximately RMB8.0 million (US$1.2 million) in cash to our directors and executive officers. We have not set aside or accrued any amount to provide pension, retirement or other similar benefits to our directors and executive officers. Our PRC subsidiaries and VIE are required by law to make contributions equal to certain percentages of each employee's salary for his or her pension insurance, medical insurance, unemployment insurance and other statutory benefits and a housing provident fund.
Share Incentive Plan
In May 2018, our shareholders and board of directors adopted the Share Incentive Plan, to attract and retain the best available personnel, provide additional incentives to employees, directors and consultants and promote the success of our business. The maximum aggregate number of ordinary shares that may be issued pursuant to all awards under the Share Incentive Plan is 25,336,096 ordinary shares, plus an annual increase in the maximum number of ordinary shares on the first day of each of our fiscal year during the term of the Share Incentive Plan commencing with the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2019, by an amount equal to the lesser of (i) 1.0% of the total number of ordinary shares issued and outstanding on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year, and (ii) such fewer number as may be determined by the board of directors. As of the date of this prospectus, options to purchase 24,599,244 ordinary shares have been granted and are outstanding under the Share Incentive Plan, excluding awards that were forfeited or cancelled after the relevant grant dates.
The following paragraphs summarize the terms of the Share Incentive Plan.
Types of Awards. The Share Incentive Plan permits the awards of options, restricted shares and restricted share units or other right or benefit.
Plan Administration. The board of directors or a committee designated by the board of directors acts as the plan administrator. The plan administrator will determine the participants who are to receive awards, the type or types of awards to be granted, the number of awards to be granted, and the terms and conditions of each award grant. The plan administrator can amend outstanding awards and interpret the terms of the Share Incentive Plan and any award agreement.
Award Agreement. Awards granted under the Share Incentive Plan are evidenced by an award agreement that sets forth the terms and conditions for each grant.
Exercise Price. The exercise price of an award will be determined by the plan administrator. In certain circumstances, such as a recapitalization, a spin-off, reorganization, merger, separation and split-up, the plan administrator may adjust the exercise price of outstanding options and share appreciation rights.
Eligibility. We may grant awards to our employees, consultants, and all members of our board of directors.
Term of the Awards. The term of each share award granted under the Share Incentive Plan may not exceed ten years after the date of grant.
Vesting Schedule. In general, the plan administrator determines the vesting schedule, which is set forth in the relevant award agreement.
Transfer Restrictions. Awards may not be transferred in any manner by the recipient other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, except as otherwise provided by the plan administrator.
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Termination. The plan shall terminate in May 2028, provided that our board of directors may terminate the plan at any time and for any reason.
The following table summarizes, as of the date of this prospectus, the awards granted under the Share Incentive Plan to several of our directors and executive officers, excluding awards that were forfeited or cancelled after the relevant grant dates.
Name
|
Ordinary Shares
Underlying Options |
Exercise Price
(US$/Share) |
Date of Grant | Date of Expiration | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jun Xu |
3,685,807 | 0.00001 | May 20, 2018 | May 19, 2028 | ||||||
Haisheng Wu |
3,766,862 | 0.00001 | May 20, 2018 | May 19, 2028 | ||||||
Wei Liu |
4,103,125 | 0.00001 | May 20, 2018 | May 19, 2028 | ||||||
Jiang Wu |
* | 0.00001 | May 20, 2018 | May 19, 2028 | ||||||
Qian Zhao |
* | 0.00001 | May 20, 2018 | May 19, 2028 | ||||||
Zhiqiang He |
* | 0.00001 | May 20, 2018 | May 19, 2028 | ||||||
Yan Zheng |
* | 0.00001 | May 20, 2018 | May 19, 2028 | ||||||
Total |
14,000,051 | 0.00001 | May 20, 2018 | May 19, 2028 |
As of the date of this prospectus, other employees as a group held outstanding options to purchase 10,599,193 class A ordinary shares of our company, at a weighted average exercise price of US$0.00001 per share.
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Except as specifically noted, the following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares as of the date of this prospectus by:
The calculations in the table below are based on 281,452,707 ordinary shares outstanding (consisting of 241,632,121 class A ordinary shares and 39,820,586 class B ordinary shares) on a pro forma basis immediately before this offering assuming all issued and outstanding class C ordinary shares and preferred shares have been converted into class A ordinary shares, and ordinary shares outstanding immediately after this offering, assuming the underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option.
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, we have included shares that the person has the right to acquire within 60 days, including through the exercise of any option, warrant or other right or the conversion of any other security. These shares, however, are not included in the computation of the percentage ownership of any other person.
|
|
|
|
Ordinary Shares
Beneficially Owned Immediately After This Offering |
|||||||||||||||||||||
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|
Ordinary Shares
Beneficially Owned Prior to This Offering |
|
|
Total
Ordinary Shares on an As- converted Basis |
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
% of
Aggregate Voting Power |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
Class A
Ordinary Shares |
Class B
Ordinary Shares |
% |
Class A
Ordinary Shares |
Class B
Ordinary Shares |
% of
Beneficial Ownership |
|||||||||||||||||||
Directors and Executive Officers**: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hongyi Zhou (1) |
| 39,820,586 | 14.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Jun Xu (2) |
13,521,524 | | 4.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Haisheng Wu (3) |
* | | * | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Wei Liu (4) |
* | | * | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Fan Zhang |
| | | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Gang Xiao |
| | | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Yongjin Fu |
| | | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Yunfan Zhang |
| | | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Jiang Wu |
| | | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Qian Zhao (5) |
* | | * | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Zhiqiang He (6) |
* | | * | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Yan Zheng (7) |
* | | * | ||||||||||||||||||||||
All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group |
18,638,063 | 39,820,586 | 20.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Principal Shareholders: |
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|
|
|
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Aerovane Company Limited (1) |
| 39,820,586 | 14.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Eoraptor Technology Limited (8) |
32,048,100 | | 11.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Perseus Technology Limited (9) |
32,074,262 | | 11.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Monocerus Company Limited (10) |
31,439,590 | | 11.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Capricornus Technology Limited (11) |
31,472,234 | | 11.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Unicorn Group Company Limited (12) |
24,330,622 | | 8.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Sagittarius Company Limited (13) |
22,832,536 | | 8.1 |
Notes:
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According to the financing arrangement entered into between financing parties and certain beneficial owners of our shares, who were originally organized and capitalized for the purpose of the privatization transaction of Qihoo 360 Technology Co. Ltd., all proceeds received by such beneficial owners through the disposal of our shares shall be paid to an escrow account first for the purpose of paying the relevant amount under such financing arrangement subject to certain terms and conditions.
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As of the date of this prospectus, none of our ordinary shares or preferred shares are held by record holder in the United States.
We are not aware of any arrangement that may, at a subsequent date, result in a change of control of our company.
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Contractual Arrangements with our VIEs and their Shareholder
See "Corporate History and Structure."
Shareholders Agreement
See "Description of Share CapitalHistory of Securities Issuances."
Employment Agreements and Indemnification Agreements
See "ManagementEmployment Agreements and Indemnification Agreements."
Share Incentive Plan
See "ManagementShare Incentive Plan."
Private Placements
See "Description of Share CapitalHistory of Securities Issuances."
Transactions with 360 Group
360 Group is our most important business partner. It is considered our related party as it is also controlled by Mr. Hongyi Zhou, the chairman of our board of directors and principal shareholder. We transacted with several entities of 360 Group during the fiscal year 2016 and 2017, and the six months ended June 30, 2018. 360 Group is one of our most important borrower acquisition channels, and it provides advertising services to promote our products and general brand through its matrix of mobile applications and services, such as 360 Browser and 360 Mobile Assistant. Advertising services are calculated and charged to us under different formula depending on the form of advertisements, including cost per time (CPT), cost per click (CPC), cost per thousand impression (CPM), cost per action (CPA) and cost per sale (CPS). In the meantime, we also display advertisement of 360 Group's products and services on our own platform and earn advertising service fee.
For the six months ended June 30, 2018, services provided by 360 Group entities were RMB35.2 million (US$5.3 million). As of June 30, 2018, RMB5.2 million (US$0.8 million) was due to 360 Group entities, and RMB1.6 million (US$0.2 million) was due from them.
In 2017, services provided by 360 Group entities were RMB55.0 million (US$8.3 million), and services provided by us were RMB2.0 million (US$0.3 million). As of December 31, 2017, RMB14.2 million (US$2.1 million) was due to 360 Group entities, and RMB770,270 (US$116,400) was due from them.
In 2016, services provided by 360 Group entities were RMB0.3 million, service fee of which was fully paid as of December 31, 2016. We did not provide services to 360 Group entities in 2016.
Framework Collaboration Agreement
We have entered into a framework collaboration agreement with 360 Group, pursuant to which:
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The framework collaboration agreement will remain effective for five years and will be automatically extended for one year thereafter unless 360 Group or we decide to terminate the collaboration.
Transactions with Beijing Qibutianxia
Beijing Qibutianxia and its subsidiaries are related parties to us, as we and Beijing Qibutianxia are owned by a substantially identical group of shareholders.
We transacted with Beijing Qibutianxia and its subsidiaries during the fiscal year 2016 and 2017, including receiving loans from Beijing Qibutianxia, expense allocation for certain corporate functions historically provided by Beijing Qibutianxia, receiving financing service from Youdaojingwei Assets Management Co. Ltd., providing borrower referral services to Beijing Qicaitianxia Technology Co., Ltd., and receiving employee benefit management service from Ningbo Siyinjia Investment Management Co. Ltd.
For the six months ended June 30, 2018, services provided by Beijing Qibutianxia and its subsidiaries was RMB18.2 million (US$2.8 million), and services provided by us was RMB91.6 million (US$13.9 million). As of June 30, 2018, RMB1,240.8 million (US$187.5 million) was due to Beijing Qibutianxia and its subsidiaries, including a loan of RMB590.0 million (US$89.2 million) from Beijing Qibutianxia, and RMB40,163 (US$6070) was due from them.
Beijing Qibutianxia provided joint back-to-back guarantee to certain third party guarantee companies for loans facilitated by us. As of June 30, 2018, loans with the outstanding balance of RMB3 billion were under such arrangement.
In 2017, services provided by Beijing Qibutianxia and its subsidiaries was RMB27.4 million (US$4.1 million), and services provided by us was RMB84.3 million (US$12.7 million). As of December 31, 2017, RMB1,269.3 million (US$191.8 million) was due to Beijing Qibutianxia and its subsidiaries, including a loan of RMB740.1 million (US$111.8 million) from Beijing Qibutianxia, and RMB89.5 million (US$13.5 million) was due from them.
In 2016, services provided by Beijing Qibutianxia and its subsidiaries was RMB10.6 million (US$1.6 million), and services provided by us was nil. As of December 31, 2016, RMB88.9 million was due to Beijing Qibutianxia and its subsidiaries, including a loan of RMB77.1 million from Beijing Qibutianxia, and RMB40,430 (US$6,100) was due from them.
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We are a Cayman Islands exempted company and our affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Law (2018 Revision) of the Cayman Islands, which we refer to as the Companies Law below, and the common law of the Cayman Islands.
As of the date of this prospectus, our authorized share capital is US$50,000 divided into 5,000,000,000 shares, comprising of (i) 4,735,059,449 class A ordinary shares with a par value of US$0.00001 each, (ii) 39,820,586 class B ordinary shares with a par value of US$0.00001 each, (iii) 142,014,426 class C ordinary shares with a par value of US$0.00001 each, (iv) 10,375,744 Series A preferred shares with a par value of US$0.00001 each, (v) 47,792,100 Series A+ preferred shares with a par value of US$0.00001 each, and (vi) 24,937,695 Series B preferred shares with a par value of US$0.00001 each. As of the date of this prospectus, 16,512,156 class A ordinary shares, 39,820,586 class B ordinary shares, 142,014,426 class C ordinary shares, 10,375,744 Series A preferred shares, 47,792,100 Series A+ preferred shares and 24,937,695 Series B preferred shares are issued and outstanding. All of our issued and outstanding shares are fully paid.
Immediately prior to the completion of this offering, our authorized share capital will be changed into US$50,000 divided into 5,000,000,000 shares comprising of 4,900,000,000 class A ordinary shares with a par value of US$0.00001 each 50,000,000 class B ordinary shares with a par value of US$0.00001 each, and 50,000,000 shares with a par value of US$0.00001 each of such class or classes (however designated) as the board of directors may determine in accordance with our post-offering memorandum and articles of association.
Our Post-Offering Memorandum and Articles of Association
Our shareholders have adopted an amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, which will become effective and replace our current memorandum and articles of association in its entirety immediately prior to the completion of this offering. The following are summaries of material provisions of the post-offering memorandum and articles of association and of the Companies Law, insofar as they relate to the material terms of our ordinary shares.
Objects of Our Company. Under our post-offering memorandum and articles of association, the objects of our company are unrestricted and we have the full power and authority to carry out any object not prohibited by the Cayman Islands law.
Ordinary Shares. Upon the completion of this offering, our authorized share capital is US$50,000 divided into ordinary shares, with a par value of US$0.00001 each, which will be further divided into 4,900,000,000 class A ordinary shares with a par value of US$0.00001 each, 50,000,000 class B ordinary shares, with a par value of US$0.00001 each, and 50,000,000 shares with a par value of US$0.00001 each of such class or classes (however designated) as the board of directors may determine in accordance with our post-offering memorandum and articles of association. Holders of class A ordinary shares and class B ordinary shares will have the same rights except for voting and conversion rights. All of our outstanding ordinary shares are fully paid and non-assessable. Certificates representing the ordinary shares are issued in registered form. Our shareholders who are non-residents of the Cayman Islands may freely hold and vote their ordinary shares.
Dividends. The holders of our ordinary shares are entitled to such dividends as may be declared by our board of directors, subject to our post-offering amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. In addition, our shareholders may by an ordinary resolution declare a dividend, but no dividend may exceed the amount recommended by our directors. Our post-offering amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that our directors may, before recommending or declaring any dividend, set aside out of the funds legally available for distribution such sums as they think proper as a reserve or reserves which shall, in the absolute discretion of our directors, be applicable for meeting contingencies or for equalising dividends or for any other purpose to which
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those funds may be properly applied. Under the laws of the Cayman Islands, our company may pay a dividend out of either profit or share premium account, provided that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid if this would result in our company being unable to pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business.
Voting Rights. Voting at any shareholders' meeting is by show of hands unless a poll is (before the declaration of the result of the show of hands) demanded. A poll may be demanded by the chairman of such meeting or any shareholder present in person or by proxy at the meeting. In respect of all matters subject to a shareholders' vote, each class A ordinary share is entitled to one vote, and each class B ordinary share is entitled to twenty votes, voting together as one class.
An ordinary resolution to be passed at a meeting by the shareholders requires the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the votes cast by such shareholders as, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy or, in the case of corporations, by their duly authorised representatives, at such meeting. A special resolution requires the affirmative vote of no less than two-thirds of the votes cast by such shareholders as, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy or, in the case of corporations, by their duly authorised representatives, at such meeting. A special resolution will be required for important matters such as a change of name or making changes to our post-offering memorandum and articles of association. The Company may, among other things, subdivide or consolidate its share capital by ordinary resolution.
Conversion. Each class B ordinary share is convertible into one class A ordinary share at any time by the holder thereof. Class A ordinary shares are not convertible into class B ordinary shares under any circumstances. Upon any sale, transfer assignment or disposition of any class B ordinary shares by a holder thereof to any person or entity other than holders of class B ordinary shares or their affiliates, or upon a change of ultimate beneficial ownership of any class B ordinary shares to any person or entity who is not an affiliate of the registered holder of such class B ordinary shares, such class B ordinary shares shall be automatically and immediately converted into the equivalent number of class A ordinary shares.
General Meetings of Shareholders. As a Cayman Islands exempted company, we are not obliged by the Companies Law to call shareholders' annual general meetings. Our post-offering memorandum and articles of association provide that we may (but are not obliged to) in each year hold a general meeting as our annual general meeting in which case we shall specify the meeting as such in the notices calling it, and the annual general meeting shall be held at such time and place as may be determined by our directors.
Shareholders' general meetings may be convened by the chairman of the board or a majority of our directors. Advance notice of at least ten calendar days is required for the convening of our annual general shareholders' meeting (if any) and any other general meeting of our shareholders. A quorum required for any general meeting of shareholders consists of one or more shareholders present in person or by proxy, representing not less than one-third of all votes attaching to all of our shares in issue and entitled to vote at such general meetings.
The Companies Law provides shareholders with only limited rights to requisition a general meeting, and does not provide shareholders with any right to put any proposal before a general meeting. However, these rights may be provided in a company's articles of association. Our post-offering memorandum and articles of association provide that upon the requisition of shareholders representing in aggregate not less than one-third of the votes attaching to all issued and outstanding shares of our company entitled to vote at general meetings as at the date of the deposit of the requisition, our board will convene an extraordinary general meeting and put the resolutions so requisitioned to a vote at such meeting. However, our post-offering memorandum and articles of association do not provide our shareholders with any right to put any proposals before annual general meetings or extraordinary general meetings not called by such shareholders.
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Transfer of Ordinary Shares. Subject to the restrictions set out in our post-offering memorandum and articles of association as set out below, any of our shareholders may transfer all or any of his or her ordinary shares by an instrument of transfer in the usual or common form or any other form approved by our board of directors.
Our board of directors may, in its absolute discretion, decline to register any transfer of any ordinary share which is not fully paid up or on which we have a lien. Our board of directors may also decline to register any transfer of any ordinary share unless:
If our directors refuse to register a transfer they shall, within three calendar months after the date on which the instrument of transfer was lodged, send to each of the transferor and the transferee notice of such refusal.
The registration of transfers may, after compliance with any notice requirements of the New York Stock Exchange, be suspended and the register closed at such times and for such periods as our board of directors may from time to time determine, provided, however, that the registration of transfers shall not be suspended nor the register closed for more than 30 calendar days in any calendar year.
Liquidation. On the winding up of our company, if the assets available for distribution amongst our shareholders shall be more than sufficient to repay the whole of the share capital at the commencement of the winding up, the surplus shall be distributed amongst our shareholders in proportion to the par value of the shares held by them at the commencement of the winding up, subject to a deduction from those shares in respect of which there are monies due, of all monies payable to our company for unpaid calls or otherwise. If our assets available for distribution amongst our shareholders are insufficient to repay the whole of the share capital, the assets will be distributed so that the losses are borne by our shareholders in proportion to the par value of the shares held by them.
Calls on Shares and Forfeiture of Shares. Our board of directors may from time to time make calls upon shareholders for any amounts unpaid on their shares in a notice served to such shareholders at least 14 calendar days prior to the specified time and place of payment. The shares that have been called upon and remain unpaid are subject to forfeiture.
Redemption, Repurchase and Surrender of Shares. We may issue shares on terms that such shares are subject to redemption, at our option or at the option of the holders of these shares, on such terms and in such manner as may be determined by our board of directors. Our Company may also repurchase any of our shares (including redeemable shares) on such terms and in such manner as have been approved by our board of directors or by an ordinary resolution of our shareholders. Under the Companies Law, the redemption or repurchase of any share may be paid out of our Company's profits or out of the proceeds of a new issue of shares made for the purpose of such redemption or repurchase, or out of capital (including share premium account and capital redemption reserve) if our company can, immediately following such payment, pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. In addition, under the Companies Law no such share may be redeemed or repurchased
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(a) unless it is fully paid up, (b) if such redemption or repurchase would result in there being no shares outstanding or (c) if the company has commenced liquidation. In addition, our company may accept the surrender of any fully paid share for no consideration.
Variations of Rights of Shares. If at any time, our share capital is divided into different classes or series of shares, the rights attached to any class or series of shares (unless otherwise provided by the terms of issue of the shares of that class or series), whether or not our company is being wound-up, may be varied with the consent in writing of the holders of two-thirds of the issued shares of that class or series or with the sanction of a special resolution at a separate meeting of the holders of the shares of the class or series. The rights conferred upon the holders of the shares of any class issued shall not, unless otherwise expressly provided by the terms of issue of the shares of that class, be deemed to be materially adversely varied by the creation or issue of further shares with preferred or other rights including, without limitation, the creation of shares with enhanced or weighted voting rights.
Issuance of Additional Shares. Our post-offering memorandum and articles of association authorizes our board of directors to issue additional ordinary shares from time to time as our board of directors shall determine, to the extent of available authorized but unissued shares.
Our post-offering memorandum and articles of association also authorizes our board of directors to issue from time to time, out of the authorised share capital of the Company (other than the authorised but unissued Ordinary Shares), one or more series of preference shares in their absolute discretion and without approval of the shareholders; provided, however, before any preferred shares of any such series are issued, the directors shall by resolution of directors determine, with respect to any series of preference shares, the terms and rights of that series, including but not limited to:
Our board of directors may issue preference shares without action by our shareholders to the extent authorized but unissued. Issuance of these shares may dilute the voting power of holders of ordinary shares.
Inspection of Books and Records. Holders of our ordinary shares will have no general right under Cayman Islands law to inspect or obtain copies of our list of shareholders or our corporate records. However, we will provide our shareholders with annual audited financial statements. See "Where You Can Find Additional Information."
Anti-Takeover Provisions. Some provisions of our post-offering memorandum and articles of association may discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our company or management that shareholders may consider favorable, including provisions that:
However, under Cayman Islands law, our directors may only exercise the rights and powers granted to them under our post-offering memorandum and articles of association for a proper purpose and for what they believe in good faith to be in the best interests of our company.
Exempted Company. We are an exempted company with limited liability under the Companies Law. The Companies Law distinguishes between ordinary resident companies and exempted companies.
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Any company that is registered in the Cayman Islands but conducts business mainly outside of the Cayman Islands may apply to be registered as an exempted company. The requirements for an exempted company are essentially the same as for an ordinary company except that an exempted company:
"Limited liability" means that the liability of each shareholder is limited to the amount unpaid by the shareholder on the shares of the company (except in exceptional circumstances, such as involving fraud, the establishment of an agency relationship or an illegal or improper purpose or other circumstances in which a court may be prepared to pierce or lift the corporate veil).
Differences in Corporate Law
The Companies Law is derived, to a large extent, from the older Companies Acts of England but does not follow recent English statutory enactments and accordingly there are significant differences between the Companies Law and the current Companies Act of England. In addition, the Companies Law differs from laws applicable to U.S. corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a summary of certain significant differences between the provisions of the Companies Law applicable to us and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders.
Mergers and Similar Arrangements. The Companies Law permits mergers and consolidations between Cayman Islands companies and between Cayman Islands companies and non-Cayman Islands companies. For these purposes, (a) "merger" means the merging of two or more constituent companies and the vesting of their undertaking, property and liabilities in one of such companies as the surviving company, and (b) a "consolidation" means the combination of two or more constituent companies into a consolidated company and the vesting of the undertaking, property and liabilities of such companies to the consolidated company. In order to effect such a merger or consolidation, the directors of each constituent company must approve a written plan of merger or consolidation, which must then be authorized by (i) a special resolution of the shareholders of each constituent company, and (ii) such other authorization, if any, as may be specified in such constituent company's articles of association. The written plan of merger or consolidation must be filed with the Registrar of Companies of the Cayman Islands together with a declaration as to the solvency of the consolidated or surviving company, a list of the assets and liabilities of each constituent company and an undertaking that a copy of the certificate of merger or consolidation will be given to the members and creditors of each constituent company and that notification of the merger or consolidation will be published in the Cayman Islands Gazette. Court approval is not required for a merger or consolidation which is effected in compliance with these statutory procedures.
A merger between a Cayman parent company and its Cayman subsidiary or subsidiaries does not require authorization by a resolution of shareholders of that Cayman subsidiary if a copy of the plan of merger is given to every member of that Cayman subsidiary to be merged unless that member agrees
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otherwise. For this purpose a company is a "parent" of a subsidiary if it holds issued shares that together represent at least ninety percent (90%) of the votes at a general meeting of the subsidiary.
The consent of each holder of a fixed or floating security interest over a constituent company is required unless this requirement is waived by a court in the Cayman Islands.
Save in certain limited circumstances, a shareholder of a Cayman constituent company who dissents from the merger or consolidation is entitled to payment of the fair value of his shares (which, if not agreed between the parties, will be determined by the Cayman Islands court) upon dissenting to the merger or consolidation, provided the dissenting shareholder complies strictly with the procedures set out in the Companies Law. The exercise of dissenter rights will preclude the exercise by the dissenting shareholder of any other rights to which he or she might otherwise be entitled by virtue of holding shares, save for the right to seek relief on the grounds that the merger or consolidation is void or unlawful.
Separate from the statutory provisions relating to mergers and consolidations, the Companies Law also contains statutory provisions that facilitate the reconstruction and amalgamation of companies by way of schemes of arrangement, provided that the arrangement is approved by a majority in number of each class of shareholders and creditors with whom the arrangement is to be made, and who must in addition represent three-fourths in value of each such class of shareholders or creditors, as the case may be, that are present and voting either in person or by proxy at a meeting, or meetings, convened for that purpose. The convening of the meetings and subsequently the arrangement must be sanctioned by the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands. While a dissenting shareholder has the right to express to the court the view that the transaction ought not to be approved, the court can be expected to approve the arrangement if it determines that:
The Companies Law also contains a statutory power of compulsory acquisition which may facilitate the "squeeze out" of dissentient minority shareholder upon a tender offer. When a tender offer is made and accepted by holders of 90.0% of the shares affected within four months, the offeror may, within a two-month period commencing on the expiration of such four month period, require the holders of the remaining shares to transfer such shares to the offeror on the terms of the offer. An objection can be made to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands but this is unlikely to succeed in the case of an offer which has been so approved unless there is evidence of fraud, bad faith or collusion.
If an arrangement and reconstruction is thus approved, or if a tender offer is made and accepted, a dissenting shareholder would have no rights comparable to appraisal rights, which would otherwise ordinarily be available to dissenting shareholders of Delaware corporations, providing rights to receive payment in cash for the judicially determined value of the shares.
Shareholders' Suits. In principle, we will normally be the proper plaintiff to sue for a wrong done to us as a company, and as a general rule a derivative action may not be brought by a minority shareholder. However, based on English authorities, which would in all likelihood be of persuasive authority in the Cayman Islands, the Cayman Islands court can be expected to follow and apply the common law principles (namely the rule in Foss v. Harbottle and the exceptions thereto) so that a
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non-controlling shareholder may be permitted to commence a class action against or derivative actions in the name of the company to challenge actions where:
Indemnification of Directors and Executive Officers and Limitation of Liability. Cayman Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company's memorandum and articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. Our post-offering memorandum and articles of association provide that we shall indemnify our officers and directors against all actions, proceedings, costs, charges, expenses, losses, damages or liabilities incurred or sustained by such directors or officer, other than by reason of such person's dishonesty, willful default or fraud, in or about the conduct of our company's business or affairs (including as a result of any mistake of judgment) or in the execution or discharge of his duties, powers, authorities or discretions, including without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, any costs, expenses, losses or liabilities incurred by such director or officer in defending (whether successfully or otherwise) any civil proceedings concerning our company or its affairs in any court whether in the Cayman Islands or elsewhere. This standard of conduct is generally the same as permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Law for a Delaware corporation.
In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers that provide such persons with additional indemnification beyond that provided in our post-offering memorandum and articles of association.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers or persons controlling us under the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
Directors' Fiduciary Duties. Under Delaware corporate law, a director of a Delaware corporation has a fiduciary duty to the corporation and its shareholders. This duty has two components: the duty of care and the duty of loyalty. The duty of care requires that a director act in good faith, with the care that an ordinarily prudent person would exercise under similar circumstances. Under this duty, a director must inform himself of, and disclose to shareholders, all material information reasonably available regarding a significant transaction. The duty of loyalty requires that a director acts in a manner he reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the corporation. He must not use his corporate position for personal gain or advantage. This duty prohibits self-dealing by a director and mandates that the best interest of the corporation and its shareholders take precedence over any interest possessed by a director, officer or controlling shareholder and not shared by the shareholders generally. In general, actions of a director are presumed to have been made on an informed basis, in good faith and in the honest belief that the action taken was in the best interests of the corporation. However, this presumption may be rebutted by evidence of a breach of one of the fiduciary duties. Should such evidence be presented concerning a transaction by a director, the director must prove the procedural fairness of the transaction, and that the transaction was of fair value to the corporation.
As a matter of Cayman Islands law, a director of a Cayman Islands company is in the position of a fiduciary with respect to the company and therefore it is considered that he owes the following duties to the companya duty to act bona fide in the best interests of the company, a duty not to make a profit based on his position as director (unless the company permits him to do so), a duty not to put himself in a position where the interests of the company conflict with his personal interest or his duty
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to a third party, and a duty to exercise powers for the purpose for which such powers were intended. A director of a Cayman Islands company owes to the company a duty to act with skill and care. It was previously considered that a director need not exhibit in the performance of his duties a greater degree of skill than may reasonably be expected from a person of his knowledge and experience. However, English and Commonwealth courts have moved towards an objective standard with regard to the required skill and care and these authorities are likely to be followed in the Cayman Islands.
Shareholder Action by Written Consent. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may eliminate the right of shareholders to act by written consent by amendment to its certificate of incorporation. Cayman Islands law and our post-offering memorandum and articles of association provide that our shareholders may approve corporate matters by way of a unanimous written resolution signed by or on behalf of each shareholder who would have been entitled to vote on such matter at a general meeting without a meeting being held.
Shareholder Proposals. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a shareholder has the right to put any proposal before the annual meeting of shareholders, provided it complies with the notice provisions in the governing documents. A special meeting may be called by the board of directors or any other person authorized to do so in the governing documents, but shareholders may be precluded from calling special meetings.
The Companies Law provides shareholders with only limited rights to requisition a general meeting, and does not provide shareholders with any right to put any proposal before a general meeting. However, these rights may be provided in a company's articles of association. Our post-offering memorandum and articles of association allow our shareholders holding in aggregate not less than one-third of all votes attaching to all issued and outstanding shares of our company as at the date of the deposit of the requisition entitled to vote at general meetings to requisition an extraordinary general meeting of our shareholders, in which case our board is obliged to convene an extraordinary general meeting and to put the resolutions so requisitioned to a vote at such meeting. Other than this right to requisition a shareholders' meeting, our post-offering memorandum and articles of association do not provide our shareholders with any other right to put proposals before annual general meetings or extraordinary general meetings. As an exempted Cayman Islands company, we are not obliged by law to call shareholders' annual general meetings.
Cumulative Voting. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, cumulative voting for elections of directors is not permitted unless the corporation's certificate of incorporation specifically provides for it. Cumulative voting potentially facilitates the representation of minority shareholders on a board of directors since it permits the minority shareholder to cast all the votes to which the shareholder is entitled on a single director, which increases the shareholder's voting power with respect to electing such director. There are no prohibitions in relation to cumulative voting under the laws of the Cayman Islands but our post-offering memorandum and articles of association do not provide for cumulative voting. As a result, our shareholders are not afforded any less protections or rights on this issue than shareholders of a Delaware corporation.
Removal of Directors. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a director of a corporation with a classified board may be removed only for cause with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under our post-offering articles of association, directors may be removed with or without cause, by an ordinary resolution of our shareholders.
Transactions with Interested Shareholders. The Delaware General Corporation Law contains a business combination statute applicable to Delaware corporations whereby, unless the corporation has specifically elected not to be governed by such statute by amendment to its certificate of incorporation, it is prohibited from engaging in certain business combinations with an "interested shareholder" for three years following the date that such person becomes an interested shareholder. An interested
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shareholder generally is a person or a group who or which owns or owned 15% or more of the target's outstanding voting share within the past three years. This has the effect of limiting the ability of a potential acquirer to make a two-tiered bid for the target in which all shareholders would not be treated equally. The statute does not apply if, among other things, prior to the date on which such shareholder becomes an interested shareholder, the board of directors approves either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the person becoming an interested shareholder. This encourages any potential acquirer of a Delaware corporation to negotiate the terms of any acquisition transaction with the target's board of directors.
Cayman Islands law has no comparable statute. As a result, we cannot avail ourselves of the types of protections afforded by the Delaware business combination statute. However, although Cayman Islands law does not regulate transactions between a company and its significant shareholders, it does provide that such transactions must be entered into bona fide in the best interests of the company and not with the effect of constituting a fraud on the minority shareholders.
Dissolution; Winding up. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, unless the board of directors approves the proposal to dissolve, dissolution must be approved by shareholders holding 100% of the total voting power of the corporation. Only if the dissolution is initiated by the board of directors may it be approved by a simple majority of the corporation's outstanding shares. Delaware law allows a Delaware corporation to include in its certificate of incorporation a supermajority voting requirement in connection with dissolutions initiated by the board.
Under Cayman Islands law, a company may be wound up by either an order of the courts of the Cayman Islands or by a special resolution of its members or, if the company is unable to pay its debts as they fall due, by an ordinary resolution of its members. The court has authority to order winding up in a number of specified circumstances including where it is, in the opinion of the court, just and equitable to do so. Under the Companies Law, our company may be dissolved, liquidated or wound up by a special resolution of our shareholders.
Variation of Rights of Shares. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may vary the rights of a class of shares with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares of such class, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under Cayman Islands law and our post-offering articles of association, if our share capital is divided into more than one class of shares, we may materially adversely vary the rights attached to any class with the written consent of the holders of two-thirds of the issued shares of that class or with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a general meeting of the holders of the shares of that class.
Amendment of Governing Documents. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation's governing documents may be amended with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under the Companies Law and our post-offering memorandum and articles of association, our memorandum and articles of association may only be amended by a special resolution of our shareholders.
Rights of Non-resident or Foreign Shareholders. There are no limitations imposed by our post-offering memorandum and articles of association on the rights of non-resident or foreign shareholders to hold or exercise voting rights on our shares. In addition, there are no provisions in our post-offering memorandum and articles of association governing the ownership threshold above which shareholder ownership must be disclosed.
History of Securities Issuances
The following is a summary of our securities issuances in the past three years.
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Ordinary shares and preferred shares
On September 10, 2018, we issued an aggregate of 16,512,156 class A ordinary shares, 39,820,586 class B ordinary shares, 142,014,426 class C ordinary shares, 10,375,744 Series A preferred shares, and 47,792,100 Series A+ preferred shares to all beneficial owners of Beijing Qibutianxia in exchange of most of Beijing Qibutianxia's assets and operation, primarily including the online consumer finance and the online microcredit lending business.
On September 10, 2018, we issued an aggregate of 24,937,695 Series B preferred shares to TonSung Holdings Limited, MAX DYNAMIC BUSINESS LIMITED, Onew Technology Co., Ltd, Hermitage Galaxy Fund SPC (for and on behalf of Hermitage Fund One SP), and TFI Special Opportunities Fund SPCTFI New Era Growth SP for an aggregate consideration of US$203.5 million.
Option grant
We have granted options to purchase our ordinary shares to certain of our directors, executive officers and employees.
As of the date of this prospectus, the aggregate number of our ordinary shares underlying our outstanding options is 24,599,244. See "ManagementShare Incentive Plan."
Shareholders agreement
We entered into our shareholders agreement on September 10, 2018 with our shareholders, which consist of holders of ordinary shares and preferred shares. The shareholders agreement provides for certain special rights, including right of first refusal, co-sale rights, preemptive rights and contains provisions governing the board of directors and other corporate governance matters. Those special rights, as well as the corporate governance provisions, will automatically terminate upon the completion of a qualified initial public offering.
Registration rights
We have granted certain registration rights to our shareholders pursuant to the shareholders agreement. Set forth below is a description of the registration rights granted under the agreement.
Demand registration rights. Holders of at least 20% or more of the registrable securities then outstanding have the right to demand that we file a registration statement covering at least 20% or more of the registrable securities. We have the right to defer filing of a registration statement for a period of not more than 90 days after the receipt of the request of the initiating holders if we furnish to the holders requesting registration a certificate signed by our president or chief executive officer stating that in the good faith judgment of our board of directors, it would be materially detrimental to us and our shareholders for such registration statement to be filed at such time. However, we cannot exercise the deferral right more than once in any twelve-month period. We are obligated to effect no more than one registration other than piggyback registration for every 5% of the our outstanding share capital on a fully-diluted (by treasury method) basis held by the holders, such percentage to be calculated as of the date immediately following the date of our shareholders agreement.
Piggyback registration rights. If we propose to file a registration statement for a public offering of our securities, we must offer our shareholders an opportunity to include in the registration all or any part of the registrable securities held by such holders. If the managing underwriters of any underwritten offering determine in good faith that marketing factors require a limitation of the number of shares to be underwritten, and the number of shares that may be included in the registration and the underwriting shall be allocated first to us, second to each of such holders requesting for the inclusion of their registrable securities on a pro rata basis, and third to holders of other securities of ours.
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Form F-3 registration rights. Holders of at least 20% or more of the registrable securities then outstanding may request us in writing to file an unlimited number of registration statements on Form F-3. We shall effect the registration of the securities on Form F-3 as soon as practicable, except in certain circumstances.
Expenses of registration. We will bear all registration expenses, other than the underwriting discounts, selling commissions and ADS issuance fees applicable to the sale of registrable securities.
Termination of obligations. We have no obligation to effect any demand, piggyback or Form F-3 or Form S-3 registration immediately after (i) the second anniversary after the occurence of our IPO as defined in the shareholders agreement, or (ii) if, in the opinion of counsel to us, all such registrable securities proposed to be sold may then be sold without registration in any 90-day period pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.
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DESCRIPTION OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
American Depositary Shares
The Bank of New York Mellon, as depositary, will register and deliver American Depositary Shares, also referred to as ADSs. Each ADS will represent shares (or a right to receive shares) deposited with The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, as custodian for the depositary in Hong Kong. Each ADS will also represent any other securities, cash or other property which may be held by the depositary. The deposited shares together with any other securities, cash or other property held by the depositary are referred to as the deposited securities. The depositary's office at which the ADSs will be administered and its principal executive office are located at 240 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10286.
You may hold ADSs either (A) directly (i) by having an American Depositary Receipt, also referred to as an ADR, which is a certificate evidencing a specific number of ADSs, registered in your name, or (ii) by having uncertificated ADSs registered in your name, or (B) indirectly by holding a security entitlement in ADSs through your broker or other financial institution that is a direct or indirect participant in The Depository Trust Company, also called DTC. If you hold ADSs directly, you are a registered ADS holder, also referred to as an ADS holder. This description assumes you are an ADS holder. If you hold the ADSs indirectly, you must rely on the procedures of your broker or other financial institution to assert the rights of ADS holders described in this section. You should consult with your broker or financial institution to find out what those procedures are.
Registered holders of uncertificated ADSs will receive statements from the depositary confirming their holdings.
As an ADS holder, we will not treat you as one of our shareholders and you will not have shareholder rights. Cayman Islands law governs shareholder rights. The depositary will be the holder of the shares underlying your ADSs. As a registered holder of ADSs, you will have ADS holder rights. A deposit agreement among us, the depositary, ADS holders and all other persons indirectly or beneficially holding ADSs sets out ADS holder rights as well as the rights and obligations of the depositary. New York law governs the deposit agreement and the ADSs.
The following is a summary of the material provisions of the deposit agreement. For more complete information, you should read the entire deposit agreement and the form of ADR. Directions on how to obtain copies of those documents are provided on page 213.
Dividends and Other Distributions
How will you receive dividends and other distributions on the shares?
The depositary has agreed to pay or distribute to ADS holders the cash dividends or other distributions it or the custodian receives on shares or other deposited securities, upon payment or deduction of its fees and expenses. You will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of shares your ADSs represent.
Cash. The depositary will convert any cash dividend or other cash distribution we pay on the shares into U.S. dollars, if it can do so on a reasonable basis and can transfer the U.S. dollars to the United States. If that is not possible or if any government approval is needed and cannot be obtained, the deposit agreement allows the depositary to distribute the foreign currency only to those ADS holders to whom it is possible to do so. It will hold the foreign currency it cannot convert for the account of the ADS holders who have not been paid. It will not invest the foreign currency and it will not be liable for any interest.
Before making a distribution, any withholding taxes, or other governmental charges that must be paid will be deducted. See "Taxation." The depositary will distribute only whole U.S. dollars and
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cents and will round fractional cents to the nearest whole cent. If the exchange rates fluctuate during a time when the depositary cannot convert the foreign currency, you may lose some of the value of the distribution.
Shares. The depositary may distribute additional ADSs representing any shares we distribute as a dividend or free distribution. The depositary will only distribute whole ADSs. It will sell shares which would require it to deliver a fraction of an ADS (or ADSs representing those shares) and distribute the net proceeds in the same way as it does with cash. If the depositary does not distribute additional ADSs, the outstanding ADSs will also represent the new shares. The depositary may sell a portion of the distributed shares (or ADSs representing those shares) sufficient to pay its fees and expenses in connection with that distribution.
Rights to purchase additional shares. If we offer holders of our securities any rights to subscribe for additional shares or any other rights, the depositary may (i) exercise those rights on behalf of ADS holders, (ii) distribute those rights to ADS holders or (iii) sell those rights and distribute the net proceeds to ADS holders, in each case after deduction or upon payment of its fees and expenses. To the extent the depositary does not do any of those things, it will allow the rights to lapse. In that case, you will receive no value for them. The depositary will exercise or distribute rights only if we ask it to and provide satisfactory assurances to the depositary that it is legal to do so. If the depositary will exercise rights, it will purchase the securities to which the rights relate and distribute those securities or, in the case of shares, new ADSs representing the new shares, to subscribing ADS holders, but only if ADS holders have paid the exercise price to the depositary. U.S. securities laws may restrict the ability of the depositary to distribute rights or ADSs or other securities issued on exercise of rights to all or certain ADS holders, and the securities distributed may be subject to restrictions on transfer.
Other Distributions. The depositary will send to ADS holders anything else we distribute on deposited securities by any means it thinks is legal, fair and practical. If it cannot make the distribution in that way, the depositary has a choice. It may decide to sell what we distributed and distribute the net proceeds, in the same way as it does with cash. Or, it may decide to hold what we distributed, in which case ADSs will also represent the newly distributed property. However, the depositary is not required to distribute any securities (other than ADSs) to ADS holders unless it receives satisfactory evidence from us that it is legal to make that distribution. The depositary may sell a portion of the distributed securities or property sufficient to pay its fees and expenses in connection with that distribution. U.S. securities laws may restrict the ability of the depositary to distribute securities to all or certain ADS holders, and the securities distributed may be subject to restrictions on transfer.
The depositary is not responsible if it decides that it is unlawful or impractical to make a distribution available to any ADS holders. We have no obligation to register ADSs, shares, rights or other securities under the Securities Act. We also have no obligation to take any other action to permit the distribution of ADSs, shares, rights or anything else to ADS holders. This means that you may not receive the distributions we make on our shares or any value for them if it is illegal or impractical for us to make them available to you .
Deposit, Withdrawal and Cancellation
How are ADSs issued?
The depositary will deliver ADSs if you or your broker deposits shares or evidence of rights to receive shares with the custodian. Upon payment of its fees and expenses and of any taxes or charges, such as stamp taxes or stock transfer taxes or fees, the depositary will register the appropriate number
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of ADSs in the names you request and will deliver the ADSs to or upon the order of the person or persons that made the deposit.
How can ADS holders withdraw the deposited securities?
You may surrender your ADSs to the depositary for the purpose of withdrawal. Upon payment of its fees and expenses and of any taxes or charges, such as stamp taxes or stock transfer taxes or fees, the depositary will deliver the shares and any other deposited securities underlying the ADSs to the ADS holder or a person the ADS holder designates at the office of the custodian. Or, at your request, risk and expense, the depositary will deliver the deposited securities at its office, if feasible. However, the depositary is not required to accept surrender of ADSs to the extent it would require delivery of a fraction of a deposited share or other security. The depositary may charge you a fee and its expenses for instructing the custodian regarding delivery of deposited securities.
How do ADS holders interchange between certificated ADSs and uncertificated ADSs?
You may surrender your ADR to the depositary for the purpose of exchanging your ADR for uncertificated ADSs. The depositary will cancel that ADR and will send to the ADS holder a statement confirming that the ADS holder is the registered holder of uncertificated ADSs. Upon receipt by the depositary of a proper instruction from a registered holder of uncertificated ADSs requesting the exchange of uncertificated ADSs for certificated ADSs, the depositary will execute and deliver to the ADS holder an ADR evidencing those ADSs.
Voting Rights
How do you vote?
ADS holders may instruct the depositary how to vote the number of deposited shares their ADSs represent. If we request the depositary to solicit your voting instructions (and we are not required to do so), the depositary will notify you of a shareholders' meeting and send or make voting materials available to you. Those materials will describe the matters to be voted on and explain how ADS holders may instruct the depositary how to vote. For instructions to be valid, they must reach the depositary by a date set by the depositary. The depositary will try, as far as practical, subject to the laws of the Cayman Islands and the provisions of our articles of association or similar documents, to vote or to have its agents vote the shares or other deposited securities as instructed by ADS holders. If we do not request the depositary to solicit your voting instructions, you can still send voting instructions, and, in that case, the depositary may try to vote as you instruct, but it is not required to do so.
Except by instructing the depositary as described above, you won't be able to exercise voting rights unless you surrender your ADSs and withdraw the shares. However, you may not know about the meeting enough in advance to withdraw the shares. In any event, the depositary will not exercise any discretion in voting deposited securities and it will only vote or attempt to vote as instructed.
We cannot assure you that you will receive the voting materials in time to ensure that you can instruct the depositary to vote your shares. In addition, the depositary and its agents are not responsible for failing to carry out voting instructions or for the manner of carrying out voting instructions. This means that you may not be able to exercise voting rights and there may be nothing you can do if your shares are not voted as you requested.
In order to give you a reasonable opportunity to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of voting rights relating to Deposited Securities, if we request the Depositary to act, we agree to give the depositary notice of any such meeting and details concerning the matters to be voted upon at least 30 days in advance of the meeting date.
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Fees and Expenses
Persons depositing or withdrawing shares or ADS holders must pay: | For: | |
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$5.00 (or less) per 100 ADSs (or portion of 100 ADSs) | Issuance of ADSs, including issuances resulting from a distribution of shares or rights or other property | |
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Cancellation of ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal, including if the deposit agreement terminates |
$.05 (or less) per ADS |
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Any cash distribution to ADS holders |
A fee equivalent to the fee that would be payable if securities distributed to you had been shares and the shares had been deposited for issuance of ADSs |
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Distribution of securities distributed to holders of deposited securities (including rights) that are distributed by the depositary to ADS holders |
$.05 (or less) per ADS per calendar year |
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Depositary services |
Registration or transfer fees |
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Transfer and registration of shares on our share register to or from the name of the depositary or its agent when you deposit or withdraw shares |
Expenses of the depositary |
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Cable and facsimile transmissions (when expressly provided in the deposit agreement) |
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Converting foreign currency to U.S. dollars |
Taxes and other governmental charges the depositary or the custodian has to pay on any ADSs or shares underlying ADSs, such as stock transfer taxes, stamp duty or withholding taxes |
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As necessary |
Any charges incurred by the depositary or its agents for servicing the deposited securities |
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As necessary |
The depositary collects its fees for delivery and surrender of ADSs directly from investors depositing shares or surrendering ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal or from intermediaries acting for them. The depositary collects fees for making distributions to investors by deducting those fees from the amounts distributed or by selling a portion of distributable property to pay the fees. The depositary may collect its annual fee for depositary services by deduction from cash distributions or by directly billing investors or by charging the book-entry system accounts of participants acting for them. The depositary may collect any of its fees by deduction from any cash distribution payable (or by selling a portion of securities or other property distributable) to ADS holders that are obligated to pay those fees. The depositary may generally refuse to provide fee-attracting services until its fees for those services are paid.
From time to time, the depositary may make payments to us to reimburse us for costs and expenses generally arising out of establishment and maintenance of the ADS program, waive fees and expenses for services provided to us by the depositary or share revenue from the fees collected from ADS holders. In performing its duties under the deposit agreement, the depositary may use brokers, dealers, foreign currency dealers or other service providers that are owned by or affiliated with the depositary and that may earn or share fees, spreads or commissions.
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The depositary may convert currency itself or through any of its affiliates and, in those cases, acts as principal for its own account and not as agent, advisor, broker or fiduciary on behalf of any other person and earns revenue, including, without limitation, transaction spreads, that it will retain for its own account. The revenue is based on, among other things, the difference between the exchange rate assigned to the currency conversion made under the deposit agreement and the rate that the depositary or its affiliate receives when buying or selling foreign currency for its own account. The depositary makes no representation that the exchange rate used or obtained in any currency conversion under the deposit agreement will be the most favorable rate that could be obtained at the time or that the method by which that rate will be determined will be the most favorable to ADS holders, subject to the depositary's obligations under the deposit agreement. The methodology used to determine exchange rates used in currency conversions is available upon request.
Payment of Taxes
You will be responsible for any taxes or other governmental charges payable on your ADSs or on the deposited securities represented by any of your ADSs. The depositary may refuse to register any transfer of your ADSs or allow you to withdraw the deposited securities represented by your ADSs until those taxes or other charges are paid. It may apply payments owed to you or sell deposited securities represented by your American depositary shares to pay any taxes owed and you will remain liable for any deficiency. If the depositary sells deposited securities, it will, if appropriate, reduce the number of ADSs to reflect the sale and pay to ADS holders any proceeds, or send to ADS holders any property, remaining after it has paid the taxes.
Tender and Exchange Offers; Redemption, Replacement or Cancellation of Deposited Securities
The depositary will not tender deposited securities in any voluntary tender or exchange offer unless instructed to do by an ADS holder surrendering ADSs and subject to any conditions or procedures the depositary may establish.
If deposited securities are redeemed for cash in a transaction that is mandatory for the depositary as a holder of deposited securities, the depositary will call for surrender of a corresponding number of ADSs and distribute the net redemption money to the holders of called ADSs upon surrender of those ADSs.
If there is any change in the deposited securities such as a sub-division, combination or other reclassification, or any merger, consolidation, recapitalization or reorganization affecting the issuer of deposited securities in which the depositary receives new securities in exchange for or in lieu of the old deposited securities, the depositary will hold those replacement securities as deposited securities under the deposit agreement. However, if the depositary decides it would not be lawful and practical to hold the replacement securities because those securities could not be distributed to ADS holders or for any other reason, the depositary may instead sell the replacement securities and distribute the net proceeds upon surrender of the ADSs.
If there is a replacement of the deposited securities and the depositary will continue to hold the replacement securities, the depositary may distribute new ADSs representing the new deposited securities or ask you to surrender your outstanding ADRs in exchange for new ADRs identifying the new deposited securities.
If there are no deposited securities underlying ADSs, including if the deposited securities are cancelled, or if the deposited securities underlying ADSs have become apparently worthless, the depositary may call for surrender or of those ADSs or cancel those ADSs upon notice to the ADS holders.
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Amendment and Termination
How may the deposit agreement be amended?
We may agree with the depositary to amend the deposit agreement and the ADRs without your consent for any reason. If an amendment adds or increases fees or charges, except for taxes and other governmental charges or expenses of the depositary for registration fees, facsimile costs, delivery charges or similar items, or prejudices a substantial right of ADS holders, it will not become effective for outstanding ADSs until 30 days after the depositary notifies ADS holders of the amendment. At the time an amendment becomes effective, you are considered, by continuing to hold your ADSs, to agree to the amendment and to be bound by the ADRs and the deposit agreement as amended .
How may the deposit agreement be terminated?
The depositary will initiate termination of the deposit agreement if we instruct it to do so. The depositary may initiate termination of the deposit agreement if
If the deposit agreement will terminate, the depositary will notify ADS holders at least 90 days before the termination date. At any time after the termination date, the depositary may sell the deposited securities. After that, the depositary will hold the money it received on the sale, as well as any other cash it is holding under the deposit agreement, unsegregated and without liability for interest, for the pro rata benefit of the ADS holders that have not surrendered their ADSs. Normally, the depositary will sell as soon as practicable after the termination date.
After the termination date and before the depositary sells, ADS holders can still surrender their ADSs and receive delivery of deposited securities, except that the depositary may refuse to accept a surrender for the purpose of withdrawing deposited securities or reverse previously accepted surrenders of that kind if it would interfere with the selling process. The depositary may refuse to accept a surrender for the purpose of withdrawing sale proceeds until all the deposited securities have been sold. The depositary will continue to collect distributions on deposited securities, but , after the termination date, the depositary is not required to register any transfer of ADSs or distribute any dividends or other distributions on deposited securities to the ADSs holder (until they surrender their ADSs) or give any notices or perform any other duties under the deposit agreement except as described in this paragraph.
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Limitations on Obligations and Liability
Limits on our obligations and the obligations of the depositary; Limits on liability to holders of ADSs
The deposit agreement expressly limits our obligations and the obligations of the depositary. It also limits our liability and the liability of the depositary. We and the depositary:
In the deposit agreement, we and the depositary agree to indemnify each other under certain circumstances.
Requirements for Depositary Actions
Before the depositary will deliver or register a transfer of ADSs, make a distribution on ADSs, or permit withdrawal of shares, the depositary may require:
The depositary may refuse to deliver ADSs or register transfers of ADSs when the transfer books of the depositary or our transfer books are closed or at any time if the depositary or we think it advisable to do so.
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Your Right to Receive the Shares Underlying your ADSs
ADS holders have the right to cancel their ADSs and withdraw the underlying shares at any time except:
This right of withdrawal may not be limited by any other provision of the deposit agreement.
Direct Registration System
In the deposit agreement, all parties to the deposit agreement acknowledge that the Direct Registration System, also referred to as DRS, and Profile Modification System, also referred to as Profile, will apply to the ADSs. DRS is a system administered by DTC that facilitates interchange between registered holding of uncertificated ADSs and holding of security entitlements in ADSs through DTC and a DTC participant. Profile is feature of DRS that allows a DTC participant, claiming to act on behalf of a registered holder of uncertificated ADSs, to direct the depositary to register a transfer of those ADSs to DTC or its nominee and to deliver those ADSs to the DTC account of that DTC participant without receipt by the depositary of prior authorization from the ADS holder to register that transfer.
In connection with and in accordance with the arrangements and procedures relating to DRS/Profile, the parties to the deposit agreement understand that the depositary will not determine whether the DTC participant that is claiming to be acting on behalf of an ADS holder in requesting registration of transfer and delivery as described in the paragraph above has the actual authority to act on behalf of the ADS holder (notwithstanding any requirements under the Uniform Commercial Code). In the deposit agreement, the parties agree that the depositary's reliance on and compliance with instructions received by the depositary through the DRS/Profile system and in accordance with the deposit agreement will not constitute negligence or bad faith on the part of the depositary.
Shareholder Communications; Inspection of Register of Holders of ADSs
The depositary will make available for your inspection at its office all communications that it receives from us as a holder of deposited securities that we make generally available to holders of deposited securities. The depositary will send you copies of those communications or otherwise make those communications available to you if we ask it to. You have a right to inspect the register of holders of ADSs, but not for the purpose of contacting those holders about a matter unrelated to our business or the ADSs.
Jury Trial Waiver
The deposit agreement provides that, to the extent permitted by law, ADS holders waive the right to a jury trial of any claim they may have against us or the depositary arising out of or relating to our shares, the ADSs or the deposit agreement, including any claim under the U.S. federal securities laws. If we or the depositary opposed a jury trial demand based on the waiver, the court would determine whether the waiver was enforceable in the facts and circumstances of that case in accordance with applicable case law. No condition, stipulation or provision of the deposit agreement or ADSs serves as a waiver by any holder or beneficial owner of ADSs or by us or the depositary of compliance with any
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substantive provision of the U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Arbitration Provision
The deposit agreement gives the depositary or an ADS holder asserting a claim against us the right to require us to submit that claim to binding arbitration in New York under the International Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association, including any securities law claim. However, a claimant could also elect not to submit its claim to arbitration and instead bring its claim in any court having jurisdiction of it. The deposit agreement does not give us the right to require anyone to submit any claim to arbitration.
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SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
Upon completion of this offering, we will have ADSs outstanding, representing approximately % of our outstanding ordinary shares, assuming the underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option to purchase additional ADSs. All of the ADSs sold in this offering will be freely transferable by persons other than by our "affiliates" without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act. Sales of substantial amounts of our ADSs in the public market could adversely affect prevailing market prices of our ADSs. Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our ordinary shares or the ADSs. We have applied to list the ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange, but we cannot assure you that a regular trading market will develop in the ADSs. We do not expect that a trading market will develop for our ordinary shares not represented by the ADSs.
Lock-up Agreements
We have agreed, for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus, [not to offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge, grant any option to purchase, make any short sale, lend or otherwise dispose of, except in this offering, any of our ordinary shares or ADSs or securities that are substantially similar to our ordinary shares or ADSs, including but not limited to any options or warrants to purchase our ordinary shares, ADSs or any securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for, or that represent the right to receive, our ordinary shares, ADSs or any such substantially similar securities (other than pursuant to employee stock option plans existing on, or upon the conversion or exchange of convertible or exchangeable securities outstanding as of, the date such lock-up agreement was executed),] without the prior written consent of the representatives of the underwriters.
Furthermore, [each of our directors, executive officers and existing shareholders] has also entered into a similar lock-up agreement for a period of 180 days from the date of this prospectus, subject to certain exceptions, with respect to our ordinary shares, ADSs and securities that are substantially similar to our ordinary shares or ADSs. These parties collectively own [all] of our outstanding ordinary shares, without giving effect to this offering.
In addition, through a letter agreement, we will instruct The Bank of New York Mellon, as depositary, not to accept any deposit of any ordinary shares or issue any ADSs for 180 days after the date of this prospectus unless we consent to such deposit or issuance, and we have agreed not to provide consent without the prior written consent of the representatives on behalf of the underwriters. The foregoing does not affect the right of ADS holders to cancel their ADSs and withdraw the underlying ordinary shares.
The restrictions described in the preceding paragraphs will be automatically extended under certain circumstances. See "Underwriting."
Other than this offering, we are not aware of any plans by any significant shareholders to dispose of significant numbers of our ADSs or ordinary shares. However, one or more existing shareholders or owners of securities convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for our ADSs or ordinary shares may dispose of significant numbers of our ADSs or ordinary shares in the future. We cannot predict what effect, if any, future sales of our ADSs or ordinary shares, or the availability of ADSs or ordinary shares for future sale, will have on the trading price of our ADSs from time to time. Sales of substantial amounts of our ADSs or ordinary shares in the public market, or the perception that these sales could occur, could adversely affect the trading price of our ADSs.
Rule 144
All of our ordinary shares that will be outstanding upon the completion of this offering, other than those ordinary shares sold in this offering, are "restricted securities" as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act and may be sold publicly in the United States only if they are subject to an
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effective registration statement under the Securities Act or pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirement such as those provided by Rule 144 and Rule 701 promulgated under the Securities Act. In general, beginning 90 days after the date of this prospectus, a person (or persons whose shares are aggregated) who at the time of a sale is not, and has not been during the three months preceding the sale, an affiliate of ours and has beneficially owned our restricted securities for at least six months will be entitled to sell the restricted securities without registration under the Securities Act so long as adequate current information about us is publicly available, and will be entitled to sell restricted securities beneficially owned for at least one year regardless of availability of current public information about us. Persons who are our affiliates and have beneficially owned our restricted securities for at least six months may sell a number of restricted securities within any three-month period that does not exceed the greater of the following:
Sales by our affiliates under Rule 144 are also subject to certain requirements relating to manner of sale, notice and the availability of current public information about us.
Rule 701
In general, under Rule 701 of the Securities Act as currently in effect, each of our employees, consultants or advisors who purchases our ordinary shares from us in connection with a compensatory stock plan or other written agreement executed prior to the completion of this offering is eligible to resell those ordinary shares in reliance on Rule 144, but without compliance with some of the restrictions, including the holding period, contained in Rule 144. However, the Rule 701 shares would remain subject to lock-up arrangements and would only become eligible for sale when the lock-up period expires.
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The following summary of the material Cayman Islands, PRC and U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in our ADSs or ordinary shares is based upon laws and relevant interpretations thereof in effect as of the date of this registration statement, all of which are subject to change. This summary does not deal with all possible tax consequences relating to an investment in our ADSs or ordinary shares, such as the tax consequences under U.S. state and local tax laws or under the tax laws of jurisdictions other than the Cayman Islands, the People's Republic of China and the United States.
Cayman Islands Taxation
The Cayman Islands currently levies no taxes on individuals or corporations based upon profits, income, gains or appreciation and there is no taxation in the nature of inheritance tax or estate duty. There are no other taxes likely to be material to us levied by the government of the Cayman Islands except for stamp duties which may be applicable on instruments executed in, or, after execution, brought within the jurisdiction of the Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands is not party to any double tax treaties that are applicable to any payments made to or by our company. There are no exchange control regulations or currency restrictions in the Cayman Islands.
Payments of dividends and capital in respect of our ordinary shares will not be subject to taxation in the Cayman Islands and no withholding will be required on the payment of a dividend or capital to any holder of our ordinary shares, nor will gains derived from the disposal of our ordinary shares be subject to Cayman Islands income or corporation tax.
People's Republic of China Taxation
Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementation rules, an enterprise established outside of the PRC with a "de facto management body" within the PRC is considered a resident enterprise and will be subject to the enterprise income tax at the rate of 25% on its global income. The implementation rules define the term "de facto management body" as the body that exercises full and substantial control over and overall management of the business, productions, personnel, accounts and properties of an enterprise. In April 2009, the State Administration of Taxation issued a circular, known as Circular 82, which provides certain specific criteria for determining whether the "de facto management body" of a PRC-controlled enterprise that is incorporated offshore is located in China. Although this circular only applies to offshore enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises or PRC enterprise groups, not those controlled by PRC individuals or foreigners, the criteria set forth in the circular may reflect the State Administration of Taxation's general position on how the "de facto management body" test should be applied in determining the tax resident status of all offshore enterprises. According to Circular 82, an offshore incorporated enterprise controlled by a PRC enterprise or a PRC enterprise group will be regarded as a PRC tax resident by virtue of having its "de facto management body" in China only if all of the following conditions are met: (i) the primary location of the day-to-day operational management is in the PRC; (ii) decisions relating to the enterprise's financial and human resource matters are made or are subject to approval by organizations or personnel in the PRC; (iii) the enterprise's primary assets, accounting books and records, company seals, and board and shareholder resolutions, are located or maintained in the PRC; and (iv) at least 50% of voting board members or senior executives habitually reside in the PRC.
We believe that 360 Finance, Inc. is not a PRC resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes. 360 Finance, Inc. is not controlled by a PRC enterprise or PRC enterprise group and we do not believe that 360 Finance, Inc. meets all of the conditions above. 360 Finance, Inc. is a company incorporated outside the PRC. As a holding company, its key assets are its ownership interests in its subsidiaries, and its key assets are located, and its records (including the resolutions of its board of directors and the resolutions of its shareholders) are maintained, outside the PRC. For the same reasons, we believe our
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other entities outside of China are not PRC resident enterprises either. However, the tax resident status of an enterprise is subject to determination by the PRC tax authorities and uncertainties remain with respect to the interpretation of the term "de facto management body." There can be no assurance that the PRC government will ultimately take a view that is consistent with us.
If the PRC tax authorities determine that 360 Finance, Inc. is a PRC resident enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes, we may be required to withhold a 10% withholding tax from dividends we pay to our shareholders that are non-resident enterprises, including the holders of our ADSs. In addition, non-PRC enterprise shareholders (including our ADS holders) may be subject to a 10% enterprise income tax on gains realized on the sale or other disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares, if such income is treated as sourced from within the PRC. Our non-PRC individual shareholders (including our ADS holders) may be subject to a 20% individual income tax on dividends or gains realized on the sale or other disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares, if such income is treated as sourced from within the PRC unless a reduced rate is available under an applicable tax treaty. It is unclear whether non-PRC shareholders of 360 Finance, Inc. would be able to claim the benefits of any tax treaties between their country of tax residence and the PRC in the event that 360 Finance, Inc. is treated as a PRC resident enterprise.
Provided that our Cayman Islands holding company, 360 Finance, Inc., is not deemed to be a PRC resident enterprise, holders of our ADSs and ordinary shares who are not PRC residents will not be subject to PRC income tax on dividends distributed by us or gains realized from the sale or other disposition of our shares or ADSs. However, under SAT Bulletin 7, where a non-resident enterprise conducts an "indirect transfer" by transferring taxable assets, including, in particular, equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise, indirectly by disposing of the equity interests of an overseas holding company, the non-resident enterprise, being the transferor, or the transferee or the PRC entity which directly owned such taxable assets may report to the relevant tax authority such indirect transfer. Using a "substance over form" principle, the PRC tax authority may disregard the existence of the overseas holding company if it lacks a reasonable commercial purpose and was established for the purpose of reducing, avoiding or deferring PRC tax. As a result, gains derived from such indirect transfer may be subject to PRC enterprise income tax, and the transferee or other person who is obligated to pay for the transfer is obligated to withhold the applicable taxes, currently at a rate of 10% for the transfer of equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise. We and our non-PRC resident investors may be at risk of being required to file a return and being taxed under SAT Bulletin 7, and we may be required to expend valuable resources to comply with SAT Bulletin 7, or to establish that we should not be taxed under this circular. See "Risk FactorsRisks Related to Doing Business in ChinaWe face uncertainty with respect to indirect transfers of equity interests in PRC resident enterprises by their non-PRC holding companies."
United States Federal Income Tax Considerations
The following discussion is a summary of U.S. federal income tax considerations generally applicable to the ownership and disposition of our ADSs or ordinary shares by a U.S. Holder (as defined below) that acquires our ADSs or ordinary shares in this offering and holds our ADSs or ordinary shares as "capital assets" (generally, property held for investment) under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). This discussion is based upon existing U.S. federal tax law, which is subject to differing interpretations or change, possibly with retroactive effect. No ruling has been sought from the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS"), with respect to any U.S. federal income tax consequences described below, and there can be no assurance that the IRS or a court will not take a contrary position. This discussion, moreover, does not address the U.S. federal estate, gift, Medicare, and alternative minimum tax considerations, any withholding or information reporting requirements, including pursuant to sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, or any state, local and non-U.S. tax considerations, relating to the ownership or disposition of our ADSs or ordinary shares).
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The following summary does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be important to particular investors in light of their individual circumstances or to persons in special tax situations such as:
all of whom may be subject to tax rules that differ significantly from those discussed below.
Each U.S. Holder is urged to consult its tax advisor regarding the application of U.S. federal taxation to its particular circumstances, and the state, local, non-U.S. and other tax considerations of the ownership and disposition of our ADSs or ordinary shares.
General
For purposes of this discussion, a "U.S. Holder" is a beneficial owner of our ADSs or ordinary shares that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
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If a partnership (or other entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) is a beneficial owner of our ADSs or ordinary shares, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships holding our ADSs or ordinary shares and their partners are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding an investment in our ADSs or ordinary shares.
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, a U.S. Holder of ADSs will generally be treated as the beneficial owner of the underlying shares represented by the ADSs. The remainder of this discussion assumes that a U.S. Holder of our ADSs will be treated in this manner. Accordingly, deposits or withdrawals of ordinary shares for ADSs will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income tax.
Passive foreign investment company considerations
A non-U.S. corporation, such as our company, will be classified as a PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes for any taxable year, if either (i) 75% or more of its gross income for such year consists of certain types of "passive" income or (ii) 50% or more of the value of its assets (determined on the basis of a quarterly average) during such year is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income (the "asset test"). For this purpose, cash and assets readily convertible into cash are categorized as passive assets and the company's goodwill and other unbooked intangibles not reflected on its balance sheet are taken into account. Passive income generally includes, among other things, dividends, interest, rents, royalties, and gains from the disposition of passive assets. We will be treated as owning a proportionate share of the assets and earning a proportionate share of the income of any other corporation in which we own, directly or indirectly, more than 25% (by value) of the stock.
Although the law in this regard is not entirely clear, we treat our consolidated VIEs as being owned by us for U.S. federal income tax purposes because we control its management decisions and are entitled to substantially all of the economic benefits associated with it, and, as a result, we consolidate their results of operations in our consolidated U.S. GAAP financial statements. If it were determined, however, that we are not the owner of the consolidated VIEs for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the composition of our income and assets would change and we may be treated as a PFIC for the current taxable year and any subsequent taxable year.
Assuming that we are the owner of the VIEs for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and based upon our current and projected income and assets, including the expected proceeds from this offering, and projections as to the market price of our ADSs immediately following this offering, we do not expect to be a PFIC for the current taxable year or the foreseeable future. However, no assurance can be given in this regard because the determination of whether we are or will become a PFIC is a factual determination made annually that will depend, in part, upon the composition and classification of our income and assets. Because there are uncertainties in the application of the relevant rules, it is possible that the IRS may challenge our classification of certain income and assets as non-passive which may result in our being or becoming a PFIC in the current or subsequent years. Furthermore, fluctuations in the market price of our ADSs may cause us to be classified as a PFIC for the current or future taxable years because the value of our assets for purposes of the asset test, including the value of our goodwill and other unbooked intangibles, may be determined by reference to the market price of our ADSs from time to time (which may be volatile). In estimating the value of our goodwill and other
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unbooked intangibles, we have taken into account our anticipated market capitalization immediately following the close of this offering. Among other matters, if our market capitalization is less than anticipated or subsequently declines, we may be or become a PFIC for the current or future taxable years. The composition of our income and assets may also be affected by how, and how quickly, we use our liquid assets and the cash raised in this offering. Under circumstances where our revenue from activities that produce passive income significantly increases relative to our revenue from activities that produce non-passive income, or where we determine not to deploy significant amounts of cash for active purposes, our risk of becoming classified as a PFIC may substantially increase.
If we are a PFIC for any year during which a U.S. Holder holds our ADSs or ordinary shares, we generally will continue to be treated as a PFIC for all succeeding years during which such U.S. Holder holds our ADSs or ordinary shares, unless we were to cease to be a PFIC and the U.S. Holder makes a "deemed sale" election with respect to the ADSs or ordinary shares.
The discussion below under "Dividends" and "Sale or Other Disposition" is written on the basis that we will not be or become classified as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The U.S. federal income tax rules that apply generally if we are treated as a PFIC are discussed below under "Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules."
Dividends
The gross amount of any distributions paid on our ADSs or ordinary shares (including the amount of any PRC tax withheld) out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles, will generally be includible in the gross income of a U.S. Holder as dividend income on the day actually or constructively received by the U.S. Holder, in the case of ordinary shares, or by the depositary, in the case of ADSs. Because we do not intend to determine our earnings and profits on the basis of U.S. federal income tax principles, any distribution we pay will generally be treated as a "dividend" for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Dividends received on our ADSs or ordinary shares will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporations in respect of dividends received from U.S. corporations.
Individuals and other non-corporate U.S. Holders will be subject to tax on any such dividends at the lower capital gain tax rate applicable to "qualified dividend income," provided that certain conditions are satisfied, including that (1) our ADSs or ordinary shares on which the dividends are paid are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States, or, in the event that we are deemed to be a PRC resident enterprise under the PRC tax law, we are eligible for the benefit of the U.S.-PRC income tax treaty (the "Treaty"), (2) we are neither a PFIC nor treated as such with respect to a U.S. Holder (as discussed below) for the taxable year in which the dividend is paid and the preceding taxable year, and (3) certain holding period requirements are met. For this purpose, ADSs listed on the New York Stock Exchange will generally be considered to be readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the availability of the lower rate for dividends paid with respect to our ADSs or ordinary shares.
In the event that we are deemed to be a PRC resident enterprise under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law (see "TaxationPeople's Republic of China Taxation"), we may be eligible for the benefits of the Treaty. If we are eligible for such benefits, dividends we pay on our ordinary shares, regardless of whether such shares are represented by the ADSs, and regardless of whether our ADSs are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States, would be eligible for the reduced rates of taxation described in the preceding paragraph.
For U.S. foreign tax credit purposes, dividends paid on our ADSs or ordinary shares generally will be treated as income from foreign sources and generally will constitute passive category income. In the event that we are deemed to be a PRC resident enterprise under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law,
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a U.S. Holder may be subject to PRC withholding taxes on dividends paid on our ADSs or ordinary shares (see "TaxationPeople's Republic of China Taxation"). Depending on the U.S. Holder's particular facts and circumstances and subject to a number of complex conditions and limitations, PRC withholding taxes on dividends that are non-refundable under the Treaty may be treated as foreign taxes eligible for credit against a U.S. Holder's U.S. federal income tax liability. A U.S. Holder who does not elect to claim a foreign tax credit for foreign tax withheld may instead claim a deduction for U.S. federal income tax purposes, in respect of such withholding, but only for a year in which such holder elects to do so for all creditable foreign income taxes. The rules governing the foreign tax credit are complex and U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the availability of the foreign tax credit under their particular circumstances.
Sale or other disposition
A U.S. Holder will generally recognize gain or loss upon the sale or other disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized upon the disposition and the holder's adjusted tax basis in such ADSs or ordinary shares. The gain or loss will generally be capital gain or loss. Any capital gain or loss will be long term if the ADSs or ordinary shares have been held for more than one year will generally be eligible for reduced tax rates. The deductibility of a capital loss may be subject to limitations. Any such gain or loss that the U.S. Holder recognizes will generally be treated as U.S. source income or loss for foreign tax credit limitation purposes, which will generally limit the availability of foreign tax credits. However, in the event we are deemed to be a PRC resident enterprise under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, we may be eligible for the benefits of the Treaty. In such event, if PRC tax were to be imposed on any gain from the disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares, a U.S. Holder that is eligible for the benefits of the Treaty may elect to treat such gain as PRC source income for foreign tax credit purposes. If a U.S. Holders is not eligible for the benefits of the Treaty or fails to make the election to treat any gain as foreign source, then such U.S. Holder may not be able to use the foreign tax credit arising from any PRC tax imposed on the disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares unless such credit can be applied (subject to applicable limitations) against United States federal income tax due on other income derived from foreign sources in the same income category (generally, the passive category). Each U.S. Holder is advised to consult its tax advisor regarding the tax consequences if a foreign tax is imposed on a disposition of our ADSs or ordinary shares, including the availability of the foreign tax credit under its particular circumstances.
Passive foreign investment company rules
If we are classified as a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder holds our ADSs or ordinary shares, and unless the U.S. Holder makes a mark-to-market election (as described below), the U.S. Holder will generally be subject to special tax rules on (i) any excess distribution that we make to the U.S. Holder (which generally means any distribution paid during a taxable year to a U.S. Holder that is greater than 125 percent of the average annual distributions paid to the U.S. Holder in the three preceding taxable years or, if shorter, the U.S. Holder's holding period for the ADSs or ordinary shares), and (ii) any gain recognized on the sale or other disposition (including, under certain circumstances, a pledge) of ADSs or ordinary shares. Under the PFIC rules:
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increased by an additional tax equal to the interest on the resulting tax deemed deferred with respect to each such taxable year.
If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder holds our ADSs or ordinary shares and any of our subsidiaries, our VIEs or any of the subsidiaries of our VIEs is also a PFIC, such U.S. Holder would be treated as owning a proportionate amount (by value) of the shares of the lower-tier PFIC for purposes of the application of these rules. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the application of the PFIC rules to any of our subsidiaries, our VIEs or any of the subsidiaries of our VIEs.
As an alternative to the foregoing rules, a U.S. Holder of "marketable stock" (as defined below) in a PFIC may make a mark-to-market election with respect to such stock. If a U.S. Holder makes this election with respect to our ADSs, the holder will generally (i) include as ordinary income for each taxable year that we are a PFIC the excess, if any, of the fair market value of ADSs held at the end of the taxable year over the adjusted tax basis of such ADSs and (ii) deduct as an ordinary loss the excess, if any, of the adjusted tax basis of the ADSs over the fair market value of such ADSs held at the end of the taxable year, but such deduction will only be allowed to the extent of the net amount previously included in income as a result of the mark-to-market election. The U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in the ADSs would be adjusted to reflect any income or loss resulting from the mark-to-market election. If a U.S. Holder makes a mark-to-market election in respect of our ADSs and we cease to be classified as a PFIC, the holder will not be required to take into account the gain or loss described above during any period that we are not classified as a PFIC. If a U.S. Holder makes a mark-to-market election, any gain such U.S. Holder recognizes upon the sale or other disposition of our ADSs in a year when we are a PFIC will be treated as ordinary income and any loss will be treated as ordinary loss, but such loss will only be treated as ordinary loss to the extent of the net amount previously included in income as a result of the mark-to-market election.
The mark-to-market election is available only for "marketable stock," which is stock that regularly traded on a qualified exchange or other market, as defined in applicable United States Treasury regulations. We expect that our ADSs, but not our ordinary shares, will be treated as marketable stock upon their listing on the New York Stock Exchange. We anticipate that our ADSs should qualify as being regularly traded, but no assurances may be given in this regard.
Because a mark-to-market election cannot technically be made for any lower-tier PFICs that we may own, a U.S. Holder may continue to be subject to the PFIC rules with respect to such U.S. Holder's indirect interest in any investments held by us that are treated as an equity interest in a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
We do not intend to provide information necessary for U.S. Holders to make qualified electing fund elections which, if available, would result in tax treatment different from (and generally less adverse than) the general tax treatment for PFICs described above.
If a U.S. Holder owns our ADSs or ordinary shares during any taxable year that we are a PFIC, the holder must generally file an annual IRS Form 8621. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing of our ADSs or ordinary shares if we are or become a PFIC.
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We and the underwriters named below have entered into an underwriting agreement with respect to the ADSs being offered. Subject to certain conditions, each underwriter has severally agreed to purchase the number of ADSs indicated in the table below. Goldman Sachs (Asia) L.L.C. and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. are the representatives of the underwriters. The address of Goldman Sachs (Asia) L.L.C. is 68th Floor, Cheung Kong Center, 2 Queens Road, Central, Hong Kong. The address of Citigroup Global Markets Inc. is 388 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10013, U.S.A.
Underwriters
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Number of ADSs | |||
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Goldman Sachs (Asia) L.L.C |
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Citigroup Global Markets Inc |
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Total |
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The underwriters are committed to take and pay for all of the ADSs being offered, if any are taken, other than the ADSs covered by the option described below unless and until this option is exercised.
The underwriters have an option to buy up to an additional ADSs from us to cover sales by the underwriters of a greater number of ADSs than the total number set forth in the table above. They may exercise that option for 30 days. If any ADSs are purchased pursuant to this option, the underwriters will severally purchase ADSs in approximately the same proportion as set forth in the table above.
The following tables show the per ADS and total underwriting discounts and commissions to be paid to the underwriters by us. Such amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters' option to purchase additional ADSs.
Paid by Us
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No Exercise | Full Exercise | |||||
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Per ADS |
US$ | US$ | |||||
Total |
US$ | US$ |
ADSs sold by the underwriters to the public will initially be offered at the initial public offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus. Any ADSs sold by the underwriters to securities dealers may be sold at a discount of up to US$ per ADS from the initial public offering price. After the initial offering of the ADSs, the representatives may change the offering price and the other selling terms. The offering of the ADSs by the underwriters is subject to receipt and acceptance and subject to the underwriters' right to reject any order in whole or in part.
We and our officers, directors, and holders of substantially all of our ordinary shares or ADSs, have agreed with the underwriters, subject to certain exceptions, not to dispose of or hedge any of their ordinary shares or ADSs or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for our ordinary shares or ADSs during the period from the date of this prospectus continuing through the date 180 days after the date of this prospectus, except with the prior written consent of the representatives. This agreement does not apply to any existing employee benefit plans. See "Shares Eligible for Future Sale" for a discussion of certain transfer restrictions.
Prior to the offering, there has been no public market for the ADSs. The initial public offering price has been negotiated among the representatives and us. Among the factors to be considered in determining the initial public offering price of the ADSs, in addition to prevailing market conditions, will be our historical performance, estimates of the business potential and earnings prospects, an assessment of our management and the consideration of the above factors in relation to market valuation of companies in related businesses.
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An application has been made to list the ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "QFIN."
In connection with the offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell the ADSs in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover positions created by short sales. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of ADSs than they are required to purchase in the offering, and a short position represents the amount of such sales that have not been covered by subsequent purchases. A "covered short position" is a short position that is not greater than the amount of additional ADSs for which the underwriters' option described above may be exercised. The underwriters may cover any covered short position by either exercising their option to purchase additional ADSs or purchasing ADSs in the open market. In determining the source of ADSs to cover the covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of ADSs available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase additional ADSs pursuant to the option described above. "Naked" short sales are any short sales that create a short position greater than the amount of additional ADSs for which the option described above may be exercised. The underwriters must cover any such naked short position by purchasing ADSs in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the ADSs in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of various bids for or purchases of the ADSs made by the underwriters in the open market prior to the completion of the offering.
The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the representatives have repurchased ADSs sold by or for the account of such underwriter in stabilizing or short covering transactions.
Purchases to cover a short position and stabilizing transactions, as well as other purchases by the underwriters for their own accounts, may have the effect of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our ADSs, and together with the imposition of the penalty bid, may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the ADSs. As a result, the price of the ADSs may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market. The underwriters are not required to engage in these activities and may end any of these activities at any time. These transactions may be effected on NYSE, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.
We estimate that our share of the total expenses of the offering, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately US$ .
We have agreed to indemnify the several underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.
The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include sales and trading, commercial and investment banking, advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, market making, brokerage and other financial and non-financial activities and services. Certain of the underwriters and their respective affiliates have provided, and may in the future provide, a variety of these services to the issuer and to persons and entities with relationships with the issuer, for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses.
In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their respective affiliates, officers, directors and employees may purchase, sell or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade securities, derivatives, loans, commodities, currencies, credit default swaps and other financial instruments for their own account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and trading activities may involve or relate to assets, securities and/or instruments of the
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issuer (directly, as collateral securing other obligations or otherwise) and/or persons and entities with relationships with the issuer. The underwriters and their respective affiliates may also communicate independent investment recommendations, market color or trading ideas and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such assets, securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they should acquire, long and/or short positions in such assets, securities and instruments.
Selling Restrictions
No action may be taken in any jurisdiction other than the United States that would permit a public offering of the ADSs or the possession, circulation or distribution of this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. Accordingly, the ADSs may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, and neither the prospectus nor any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the ADSs may be distributed or published in or from any country or jurisdiction except under circumstances that will result in compliance with any applicable laws, rules and regulations of any such country or jurisdiction.
Australia
This document has not been lodged with the Australian Securities & Investments Commission and is only directed to certain categories of exempt persons. Accordingly, if you receive this document in Australia:
and to the extent that you are unable to confirm or warrant that you are an exempt sophisticated investor, associated person or professional investor under the Corporations Act, any offer made to you under this document is void and incapable of acceptance;
Canada
The ADSs may be sold only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the ADSs must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.
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Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser's province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser's province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.
Pursuant to section 3A.3 (or, in the case of securities issued or guaranteed by the government of a non-Canadian jurisdiction, section 3A.4) of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts ("NI 33-105"), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.
Cayman Islands
This prospectus does not constitute an invitation or offer to the public in the Cayman Islands of the ADSs, whether by way of sale or subscription. The underwriters have not offered or sold, and will not offer or sell, directly or indirectly, any ADSs in the Cayman Islands.
Dubai International Finance Center
This document relates to an Exempt Offer, as defined in the Offered Securities Rules module of the DFSA Rulebook, or the OSR, in accordance with the Offered Securities Rules of the Dubai Financial Services Authority. This document is intended for distribution only to Persons, as defined in the OSR, of a type specified in those rules. It must not be delivered to, or relied on by, any other Person. The Dubai Financial Services Authority has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with Exempt Offers. The Dubai Financial Services Authority has not approved this document nor taken steps to verify the information set out in it, and has no responsibility for it. The ADSs to which this document relates may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on their resale. Prospective purchasers of the ADSs offered should conduct their own due diligence on the ADSs. If you do not understand the contents of this document you should consult an authorized financial adviser.
European Economic Area
In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a "Relevant Member State") an offer to the public of any shares which are the subject of the offering contemplated by this prospectus may not be made in that Relevant Member State unless the prospectus has been approved by the competent authority in such Relevant Member State or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant Member State and notified to the competent authority in that Relevant Member State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Directive, except that an offer to the public in that Relevant Member State of any shares may be made at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Directive, if they have been implemented in that Relevant Member State:
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"qualified investors" as defined in the Prospectus Directive) subject to obtaining the prior consent of the representatives for any such offer; or
Any person making or intending to make any offer of shares within the European Economic Area should only do so in circumstances in which no obligation arises for us or any of the underwriters to produce a prospectus for such offer. Neither we nor the underwriters have authorized, nor do they authorize, the making of any offer of shares through any financial intermediary, other than offers made by the underwriters which constitute the final offering of shares contemplated in this prospectus.
For the purposes of this provision, and your representation below, the expression an "offer to the public" in relation to any shares in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase any shares, as the same may be varied in that Relevant Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Relevant Member State and the expression "Prospectus Directive" means Directive 2003/71/EC (including the 2010 PD Amending Directive, to the extent implemented in the Relevant Member State) and includes any relevant implementing measure in each Relevant Member State and the expression "2010 PD Amending Directive" means Directive 2010/73/EU.
Each person in a Relevant Member State who receives any communication in respect of, or who acquires any shares under, the offer of shares contemplated by this prospectus will be deemed to have represented, warranted and agreed to and with us and each underwriter that:
In addition, in the United Kingdom, this document is being distributed only to, and is directed only at, and any offer subsequently made may only be directed at persons who are "qualified investors" (as defined in the Prospectus Directive) (i) who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19 (5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended, or the Order, and/or (ii) who are high net worth companies (or persons to whom it may otherwise be lawfully communicated) falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons"). This document must not be acted on or relied on in the United Kingdom by persons who are not relevant persons. In the United Kingdom, any investment or investment activity to which this document relates is only available to, and will be engaged in with, relevant persons.
Hong Kong
The ADSs may not be offered or sold in Hong Kong by means of any document other than (i) in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies
207
(Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong), or (ii) to "professional investors" within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder, or (iii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a "prospectus" within the meaning of the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong), and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the ADSs may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to ADSs which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to "professional investors" within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder.
Israel
This document does not constitute a prospectus under the Israeli Securities Law, 5728-1968, and has not been filed with or approved by the Israel Securities Authority. In Israel, this prospectus may be distributed only to, and is directed only at, investors listed in the first addendum, or the Addendum, to the Israeli Securities Law, consisting primarily of joint investment in trust funds; provident funds; insurance companies; banks, portfolio managers, investment advisors, members of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange Ltd., underwriters, each purchasing for their own account; venture capital funds; entities with equity in excess of NIS 50 million and "qualified individuals," each as defined in the Addendum (as it may be amended from time to time), collectively referred to as qualified investors. Qualified investors shall be required to submit written confirmation that they fall within the scope of the Addendum.
Japan
The ADSs have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan, and ADSs will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to a resident of Japan, except pursuant to any exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan.
Korea
The ADSs may not be offered, sold and delivered directly or indirectly, or offered or sold to any person for reoffering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Korea or to any resident of Korea except pursuant to the applicable laws and regulations of Korea, including the Korea Securities and Exchange Act and the Foreign Exchange Transaction Law and the decrees and regulations thereunder. The ADSs have not been registered with the Financial Services Commission of Korea for public offering in Korea. Furthermore, the ADSs may not be resold to Korean residents unless the purchaser of the ADSs complies with all applicable regulatory requirements (including but not limited to government approval requirements under the Foreign Exchange Transaction Law and its subordinate decrees and regulations) in connection with the purchase of the ADSs.
Kuwait
Unless all necessary approvals from the Kuwait Ministry of Commerce and Industry required by Law No. 31/1990 "Regulating the Negotiation of Securities and Establishment of Investment Funds," its Executive Regulations and the various Ministerial Orders issued pursuant thereto or in connection therewith, have been given in relation to the marketing and sale of the ADSs, these may not be
208
marketed, offered for sale, nor sold in the State of Kuwait. Neither this prospectus (including any related document), nor any of the information contained therein is intended to lead to the conclusion of any contract of whatsoever nature within Kuwait.
Malaysia
No prospectus or other offering material or document in connection with the offer and sale of the securities has been or will be registered with the Securities Commission of Malaysia, or Commission, for the Commission's approval pursuant to the Capital Markets and Services Act 2007. Accordingly, this prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the securities may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the securities be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Malaysia other than (i) a closed end fund approved by the Commission; (ii) a holder of a Capital Markets Services License; (iii) a person who acquires the securities as principal, if the offer is on terms that the securities may only be acquired at a consideration of not less than RM250,000 (or its equivalent in foreign currencies) for each transaction; (iv) an individual whose total net personal assets or total net joint assets with his or her spouse exceeds RM3 million (or its equivalent in foreign currencies), excluding the value of the primary residence of the individual; (v) an individual who has a gross annual income exceeding RM300,000 (or its equivalent in foreign currencies) per annum in the preceding twelve months; (vi) an individual who, jointly with his or her spouse, has a gross annual income of RM400,000 (or its equivalent in foreign currencies), per annum in the preceding twelve months; (vii) a corporation with total net assets exceeding RM10 million (or its equivalent in a foreign currencies) based on the last audited accounts; (viii) a partnership with total net assets exceeding RM10 million (or its equivalent in foreign currencies); (ix) a bank licensee or insurance licensee as defined in the Labuan Financial Services and Securities Act 2010; (x) an Islamic bank licensee or takaful licensee as defined in the Labuan Financial Services and Securities Act 2010; and (xi) any other person as may be specified by the Commission; provided that, in the each of the preceding categories (i) to (xi), the distribution of the securities is made by a holder of a Capital Markets Services License who carries on the business of dealing in securities. The distribution in Malaysia of this prospectus is subject to Malaysian laws. This prospectus does not constitute and may not be used for the purpose of public offering or an issue, offer for subscription or purchase, invitation to subscribe for or purchase any securities requiring the registration of a prospectus with the Commission under the Capital Markets and Services Act 2007.
People's Republic of China
This prospectus has not been and will not be circulated or distributed in the PRC, and ADSs may not be offered or sold, and will not be offered or sold to any person for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, to any resident of the PRC except pursuant to applicable laws and regulations of the PRC.
Qatar
In the State of Qatar, the offer contained herein is made on an exclusive basis to the specifically intended recipient thereof, upon that person's request and initiative, for personal use only and shall in no way be construed as a general offer for the sale of securities to the public or an attempt to do business as a bank, an investment company or otherwise in the State of Qatar. This prospectus and the underlying securities have not been approved or licensed by the Qatar Central Bank or the Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority or any other regulator in the State of Qatar. The information contained in this prospectus shall only be shared with any third parties in Qatar on a need to know basis for the purpose of evaluating the contained offer. Any distribution of this prospectus by the
209
recipient to third parties in Qatar beyond the terms hereof is not permitted and shall be at the liability of such recipient.
Saudi Arabia
This prospectus may not be distributed in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia except to such persons as are permitted under the Offers of Securities Regulations issued by the Capital Market Authority. The Capital Market Authority does not make any representation as to the accuracy or completeness of this prospectus, and expressly disclaims any liability whatsoever for any loss arising from, or incurred in reliance upon, any part of this prospectus. Prospective purchasers of the securities offered hereby should conduct their own due diligence on the accuracy of the information relating to the securities. If you do not understand the contents of this prospectus you should consult an authorized financial adviser.
Singapore
This prospectus has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of our ADSs may not be circulated or distributed, nor may our ADSs be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore, or SFA, (ii) to a relevant person or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA, and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA, in each case subject to compliance with conditions set forth in the SFA.
Where our ADSs are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 by a relevant person which is: (a) a corporation (which is not an accredited investor as defined in Section 4A of the SFA) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or (b) a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor; shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures of that corporation or the beneficiaries' rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the ADSs under Section 275 of the SFA, except: (1) to an institutional investor (for corporations under Section 274 of the SFA) or to a relevant person defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA, or to any person pursuant to an offer that is made on terms that such shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures of that corporation or such rights and interest in that trust are acquired at a consideration of not less than S$200,000 (or its equivalent in a foreign currency) for each transaction, whether such amount is to be paid for in cash or by exchange of securities or other assets, and further for corporations, in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA; (2) where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer; or (3) where the transfer is by operation of law.
Switzerland
The ADSs will not be publicly offered in Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange, or SIX, or on any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. This prospectus has been prepared without regard to the disclosure standards for issuance prospectuses under art. 652a or art. 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or the disclosure standards for listing prospectuses under art. 27 ff. of the SIX Listing Rules or the listing rules of any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland.
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Neither this prospectus nor any other offering or marketing material relating to our company or the ADSs have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. In particular, this prospectus will not be filed with, and the offer of the ADSs will not be supervised by, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority, and the offer of the ADSs has not been and will not be authorized under the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes (the "CISA"). The investor protection afforded to acquirers of interests in collective investment schemes under the CISA does not extend to acquirers of the ADSs.
Taiwan
The ADSs have not been and will not be registered or filed with, or approved by, the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan pursuant to relevant securities laws and regulations and may not be offered or sold in Taiwan through a public offering or in circumstances which constitute an offer within the meaning of the Securities and Exchange Act of Taiwan or relevant laws and regulations that require a registration, filing or approval of the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan. No person or entity in Taiwan has been authorized to offer or sell the ADSs in Taiwan.
United Arab Emirates
This prospectus is not intended to constitute an offer, sale or delivery of shares or other securities under the laws of the United Arab Emirates, or the UAE. The ADSs have not been and will not be registered under Federal Law No. 4 of 2000 Concerning the Emirates Securities and Commodities Authority and the Emirates Security and Commodity Exchange, or with the UAE Central Bank, the Dubai Financial Market, the Abu Dhabi Securities Market or with any other UAE exchange.
The offering, the ADSs and interests therein have not been approved or licensed by the UAE Central Bank or any other relevant licensing authorities in the UAE, and do not constitute a public offer of securities in the UAE in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law, Federal Law No. 8 of 1984 (as amended) or otherwise.
In relation to its use in the UAE, this prospectus is strictly private and confidential and is being distributed to a limited number of investors and must not be provided to any person other than the original recipient, and may not be reproduced or used for any other purpose. The interests in the ADSs may not be offered or sold directly or indirectly to the public in the UAE.
United Kingdom
Each underwriter has represented and agreed that:
211
EXPENSES RELATED TO THIS OFFERING
Set forth below is an itemization of the total expenses, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions, that we expect to incur in connection with this offering. With the exception of the SEC registration fee, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, filing fee, and the New York Stock Exchange entry and listing fee, all amounts are estimates.
SEC Registration Fee |
US$ | |||
FINRA Filing Fee |
||||
The New York Stock Exchange Entry and Listing Fee |
||||
Printing and Engraving Expenses |
||||
Legal Fees and Expenses |
||||
Accounting Fees and Expenses |
||||
Miscellaneous |
||||
| | | | |
Total |
US$ | |||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
212
We are being represented by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP with respect to certain legal matters as to United States federal securities and New York State law. The underwriters are being represented by Kirkland & Ellis International LLP with respect to certain legal matters as to United States federal securities and New York State law. The validity of the class A ordinary shares represented by the ADSs offered in this offering will be passed upon for us by Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP. Certain legal matters as to PRC law will be passed upon for us by Commerce & Finance Law Offices and for the underwriters by Tian Yuan Law Firm. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP may rely upon Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP with respect to matters governed by Cayman Islands law and Commerce & Finance Law Offices with respect to matters governed by PRC law. Kirkland & Ellis International LLP may rely upon Tian Yuan Law Firm with respect to matters governed by PRC law.
213
The combined and consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, and for the period from July 25, 2016 (the date of our inception) to December 31, 2016 and the year ended December 31, 2017 included in this prospectus have been audited by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Certified Public Accountants LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report appearing herein (which report expresses an unqualified opinion on the financial statements and includes an explanatory paragraph referring to the translation of Renminbi amounts to U.S. dollar amounts and an emphasis of a matter paragraph noting that combined and consolidated financial statements may not necessarily be indicative of the conditions that would have existed or the results of operations and cashflows if the consolidated entities had operated as a stand-alone group during the periods presented). Such combined and consolidated financial statements have been so included in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
Prior to the engagement of Deloitte as our independent registered public accounting firm under the PCAOB standards, Deloitte was engaged to perform certain tax advisory services, provided primarily during and concluded in 2017, for Tianjin Qi Xin Zhi Cheng Technology Co., Ltd ("Tianjin Technology"). Tianjin Technology was determined to be an affiliate of us under the SEC independence rules by virtue of being under common control by the same ultimate parent. While the nature of the services provided were permissible, the contingent payment structure for such services is prohibited by the auditor independence rules of Regulation S-X and the PCAOB. The service was not related to, and did not impact, our combined and consolidated financial statements and the audits. Total fees collected by Deloitte for the tax advisory service was insignificant in relation to the total fees for Deloitte's audits. None of the professionals who provided the service were members of Deloitte's audit engagement team with respect to the audits of our combined and consolidated financial statements.
After careful consideration of the facts and circumstances and the applicable independence rules, Deloitte has concluded that (i) the aforementioned matter does not impair Deloitte's ability to exercise objective and impartial judgment in connection with its audits of our combined and consolidated financial statements and (ii) a reasonable investor with knowledge of all relevant facts and circumstances would conclude that Deloitte has been and is capable of exercising objective and impartial judgment on all issues encompassed within its audits of our combined and consolidated financial statements. After considering this matter, our board of directors concurred with Deloitte's conclusions.
The registered office of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Certified Public Accountants LLP is located at 30 th Floor, Bund Center, 222 Yan An Road East, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
214
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We have filed a registration statement, including relevant exhibits, with the SEC on Form F-1 under the Securities Act with respect to the underlying class A ordinary shares represented by the ADSs to be sold in this offering. We have also filed a related registration statement on Form F-6 with the SEC to register the ADSs. This prospectus, which constitutes a part of the registration statement on Form F-1, does not contain all of the information contained in the registration statement. You should read our registration statements and their exhibits and schedules for further information with respect to us and our ADSs.
Immediately upon the effectiveness of the registration statement on Form F-1 of which this prospectus forms a part, we will become subject to periodic reporting and other informational requirements of the Exchange Act as applicable to foreign private issuers. Accordingly, we will be required to file reports, including annual reports on Form 20-F, and other information with the SEC. All information filed with the SEC can be obtained over the internet at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov or inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can request copies of documents, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to the SEC.
215
F-1
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of 360 Finance, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying combined and consolidated balance sheets of 360 Finance, Inc. (the "Company"), its subsidiaries, and variable interest entities (collectively referred to as the "Group") as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, the related combined and consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), changes in equity and cash flows for the period from July 25, 2016 ("the inception date") to December 31, 2016 and the year ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "combined and consolidated financial statements"). In our opinion, the combined and consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Group as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the period from the inception date of July 25, 2016 to December 31, 2016 and the year ended December 31, 2017, in conformity with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Emphasis of a Matter
The accompanying combined and consolidated financial statements were prepared to present the assets and liabilities and related results of operations and cash flows of the Group, and include expense allocations for certain corporate functions historically provided by Beijing Qibutianxia Technology Co., Ltd. These combined and consolidated financial statements may not necessarily be indicative of the conditions that would have existed or the results of operations and cash flows if the Group had operated as a stand-alone group during the periods presented.
Convenience Translation
Our audits also comprehended the translation of Renminbi amounts into United States dollar amounts and, in our opinion, such translation has been made in conformity with the basis stated in Note 2. Such United States dollar amounts are presented solely for the convenience of the readers in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
The combined and consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the combined and consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the combined and consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the combined and consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence
F-2
regarding the amounts and disclosures in the combined and consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the combined and consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Certified Public Accountants LLP
Shanghai, China
September 10, 2018
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2018.
F-3
360 FINANCE, INC.
COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
|
December 31,
2016 |
December 31,
2017 |
December 31,
2017 |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
USD
(Note 2) |
|||||||
ASSETS |
||||||||||
Current assets: |
||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
6,173 | 468,547 | 70,807 | |||||||
Restricted cash (including RMB nil and RMB 96,134 from the consolidated trusts as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively) |
| 487,882 | 73,730 | |||||||
Funds receivable from third party payment service providers |
7,722 | 132,479 | 20,021 | |||||||
Financial assets receivable, net (net of allowance of RMB nil as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively) |
5,399 | 140,356 | 21,211 | |||||||
Amounts due from related parties |
55,045 | 105,219 | 15,901 | |||||||
Loans receivable, net (including RMB nil and RMB 910,674 from the consolidated trusts as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 respectively) |
| 1,192,307 | 180,186 | |||||||
Prepaid expenses and other assets |
4,693 | 33,907 | 5,126 | |||||||
Total current assets |
79,032 | 2,560,697 | 386,982 | |||||||
Non-current assets: |
||||||||||
Property and equipment, net |
1,982 | 5,994 | 906 | |||||||
Intangible assets |
208 | 262 | 40 | |||||||
Deferred tax assets |
8,297 | 186,319 | 28,157 | |||||||
Total non-current assets |
10,487 | 192,575 | 29,103 | |||||||
TOTAL ASSETS |
89,519 | 2,753,272 | 416,085 | |||||||
LIABILITIES AND (DEFICIT) EQUITY |
||||||||||
LIABILITIES |
||||||||||
Liabilities including amounts of the consolidated VIEs and trusts without recourse to the Company (Note 2): |
||||||||||
Current liabilities: |
||||||||||
Payable to investors of the consolidated trusts |
| 536,906 | 81,139 | |||||||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
11,645 | 96,737 | 14,619 | |||||||
Amounts due to related parties |
93,626 | 1,283,970 | 194,038 | |||||||
Guarantee liabilities |
5,768 | 300,942 | 45,479 | |||||||
Income tax payable |
| 115,325 | 17,428 | |||||||
Other tax payable |
313 | 17,590 | 2,660 | |||||||
Total current liabilities: |
111,352 | 2,351,470 | 355,363 | |||||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES |
111,352 | 2,351,470 | 355,363 | |||||||
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 10) |
||||||||||
SHAREHOLDERS' (DEFICIT) EQUITY |
||||||||||
Parent company's investment |
| 590,000 | 89,163 | |||||||
Accumulated deficit |
(21,833 | ) | (188,198 | ) | (28,441 | ) | ||||
TOTAL (DEFICIT) EQUITY |
(21,833 | ) | 401,802 | 60,722 | ||||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY |
89,519 | 2,753,272 | 416,085 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined and consolidated financial statements.
F-4
360 FINANCE, INC.
COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
|
Period from
July 25, 2016 to December 31, 2016 |
Year ended
December 31, 2017 |
Year ended
December 31, 2017 |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
USD
(Note 2) |
|||||||
Revenue, net of value-added tax and related surcharges: |
||||||||||
Revenue from loan facilitation services |
42 | 117,780 | 17,799 | |||||||
Revenue from post-origination services |
18 | 50,478 | 7,628 | |||||||
Financing income |
| 50,966 | 7,702 | |||||||
Other service fee revenues (including revenue generated from related parties of RMB nil and RMB 86,311 for the period from July 25, 2016 to December 31, 2016 and the year ended December 31, 2017, respectively) |
| 89,828 | 13,575 | |||||||
Total net revenue |
60 | 309,052 | 46,704 | |||||||
Operating costs and expenses: |
||||||||||
Origination and servicing (including costs charged by related parties of RMB nil and RMB 9,877 for the period from July 25, 2016 to December 31, 2016 and the year ended December 31, 2017, respectively) |
13,178 | 136,106 | 20,569 | |||||||
Sales and marketing (including expenses charged by related parties of RMB 343 and RMB 54,955 for the period from July 25, 2016 to December 31, 2016 and the year ended December 31, 2017, respectively) |
1,605 | 345,576 | 52,225 | |||||||
General and administrative (including expenses charged by related parties of RMB 10,580 and RMB 17,512 for the period from July 25, 2016 to December 31, 2016 and the year ended December 31, 2017, respectively) |
15,410 | 46,004 | 6,952 | |||||||
Provision for loans receivable |
| 12,406 | 1,875 | |||||||
Total operating costs and expenses |
30,193 | 540,092 | 81,621 | |||||||
Loss from operations |
(30,133 | ) | (231,040 | ) | (34,917 | ) | ||||
Interest income |
3 | 2,421 | 366 | |||||||
Other income, net |
| 22 | 3 | |||||||
Loss before provision for income taxes |
(30,130 | ) | (228,597 | ) | (34,548 | ) | ||||
Income taxes benefit |
8,297 | 62,232 | 9,405 | |||||||
Net loss |
(21,833 | ) | (166,365 | ) | (25,143 | ) | ||||
Net loss per ordinary share attributable to ordinary shareholders of 360 Finance, Inc. |
||||||||||
Basic |
(0.11 | ) | (0.84 | ) | (0.13 | ) | ||||
Diluted |
(0.11 | ) | (0.84 | ) | (0.13 | ) | ||||
Weighted average shares used in calculating net loss per ordinary share |
||||||||||
Basic |
198,347,168 | 198,347,168 | 198,347,168 | |||||||
Diluted |
198,347,168 | 198,347,168 | 198,347,168 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined and consolidated financial statements.
F-5
360 FINANCE, INC.
COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME OR LOSS
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
|
Period from
July 25, 2016 to December 31, 2016 |
Year ended
December 31, 2017 |
Year ended
December 31, 2017 |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
USD
(Note 2) |
|||||||
Net loss |
(21,833 | ) | (166,365 | ) | (25,143 | ) | ||||
Other comprehensive income |
| | | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total comprehensive loss |
(21,833 | ) | (166,365 | ) | (25,143 | ) | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined and consolidated financial statements.
F-6
360 FINANCE, INC.
COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
|
Parent
company's investment |
Accumulated
deficit |
Total (Deficit)/
Equity |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
|||||||
Balance as of July 25, 2016 |
| | | |||||||
Net loss |
| (21,833 | ) | (21,833 | ) | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Balance as of December 31, 2016 |
| (21,833 | ) | (21,833 | ) | |||||
Parent company's capital contribution |
590,000 | | 590,000 | |||||||
Net loss |
| (166,365 | ) | (166,365 | ) | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Balance as of December 31, 2017 |
590,000 | (188,198 | ) | 401,802 | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined and consolidated financial statements.
F-7
360 FINANCE, INC.
COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
|
Period from
July 25, 2016 to December 31, 2016 |
Year ended
December 31, 2017 |
Year ended
December 31, 2017 |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
USD
(Note 2) |
|||||||
Cash Flows from Operating Activities: |
||||||||||
Net loss |
(21,833 | ) | (166,365 | ) | (25,143 | ) | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: |
||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
201 | 1,306 | 197 | |||||||
Provision for loans receivable |
| 12,406 | 1,875 | |||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities |
||||||||||
Funds receivable from third party payment service providers |
(7,722 | ) | (124,757 | ) | (18,854 | ) | ||||
Financial assets receivables |
(5,399 | ) | (134,957 | ) | (20,395 | ) | ||||
Prepaid expenses and other assets |
(4,693 | ) | (27,478 | ) | (4,153 | ) | ||||
Deferred tax assets |
(8,297 | ) | (178,022 | ) | (26,903 | ) | ||||
Amounts due (from) to related parties |
(38,469 | ) | (5,975 | ) | (903 | ) | ||||
Guarantee liabilities |
5,768 | 295,174 | 44,608 | |||||||
Income tax payable |
| 115,325 | 17,428 | |||||||
Other tax payable |
313 | 17,277 | 2,611 | |||||||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
11,645 | 85,092 | 12,859 | |||||||
Net cash used in operating activities |
(68,486 | ) | (110,974 | ) | (16,773 | ) | ||||
Cash Flows from Investing Activities: |
||||||||||
Purchase of property and equipment and intangible assets |
(2,391 | ) | (7,109 | ) | (1,074 | ) | ||||
Investment in loans receivable |
| (2,769,592 | ) | (418,551 | ) | |||||
Collection of investment in loans receivable |
| 1,572,432 | 237,632 | |||||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(2,391 | ) | (1,204,269 | ) | (181,993 | ) | ||||
Cash Flows from Financing Activities: |
||||||||||
Capital contributions from shareholder |
| 590,000 | 89,163 | |||||||
Loans from shareholder |
77,050 | 810,500 | 122,486 | |||||||
Loans payment to shareholder |
| (147,500 | ) | (22,291 | ) | |||||
Cash received from investors of the consolidated trusts |
| 1,012,499 | 153,012 | |||||||
Net cash provided by financing activities |
77,050 | 2,265,499 | 342,370 | |||||||
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents |
6,173 | 950,256 | 143,604 | |||||||
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of year |
| 6,173 | 933 | |||||||
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of year |
6,173 | 956,429 | 144,537 | |||||||
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: |
||||||||||
Income taxes paid |
| (464 | ) | (70 | ) | |||||
Reconciliation to amounts on the combined and consolidated balance sheets: |
||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
6,173 | 468,547 | 70,807 | |||||||
Restricted cash |
| 487,882 | 73,730 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash |
6,173 | 956,429 | 144,537 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined and consolidated financial statements.
F-8
360 FINANCE, INC.
NOTES TO THE COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
1. ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES
360 Finance, Inc. (the "Company") was incorporated in Cayman Islands with limited liability on April 27, 2018. The Company, its subsidiaries and its consolidated variable interest entities ("VIEs") (collectively the "Group") are engaged in providing online consumer finance products to the borrowers funded primarily by institutional funding partners through a digital consumer finance platform.
The Company's significant subsidiaries and its consolidated VIEs are as follows:
|
Date of
Incorporation |
Place of
Incorporation |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Subsidiaries |
|||||
HK Qirui International Technology Company Limited ("HK Qirui") |
June 14, 2018 | Hong Kong | |||
Shanghai Qiyue Information & Technology Co., Ltd.("Qiyue") |
August 7, 2018 | PRC | |||
VIEs |
|||||
Shanghai Qiyu Information & Technology Co., Ltd. ("Qiyu") |
July 25, 2016 | PRC | |||
Fuzhou 360 Online Microcredit Co., Ltd.("Fuzhou Microcredit") |
March 30, 2017 | PRC | |||
Fuzhou 360 Financing Guarantee Co., Ltd. ("Fuzhou Guarantee") |
June 29, 2018 | PRC |
History of the Group and reorganization under identical common ownership
The Group started its business in 2016 through Shanghai Qiyu Information & Technology Co., Ltd. ("Qiyu"), a limited liability company in the People's Republic of China ("PRC"). In March 2017, Fuzhou 360 Online Microcredit Co., Ltd. ("Fuzhou Microcredit") was founded mainly to obtain the online microcredit lending license to conduct online microcredit lending business. Qiyu and Fuzhou Microcredit are wholly owned by Beijing Qibutianxia Technology Co., Ltd. ("Qibutianxia") which is ultimately controlled by Mr. Hongyi Zhou. On April 27, 2018, the Company was incorporated by the same shareholders of Qibutianxia in Cayman Island in connection with a group reorganization ("Reorganization"). In September 2018, the Company undertook a series of transactions to redomicile its business from the PRC to the Cayman Islands as part of the Reorganization, in preparation of its overseas initial public offering.
The Reorganization was executed in the following steps:
F-9
360 FINANCE, INC.
NOTES TO THE COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
1. ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES (Continued)
As the shareholding percentages and rights of each shareholder were the same in Qibutianxia and the Company, the Reorganization was accounted for as a reorganization of entities under common ownership. As a result, the combined and consolidated financial statements are prepared using historical cost basis as if the corporate structure of the Company had been in existence since the beginning of the periods presented. And the financial information for the period/year prior to the formation of the Company in April 2018 represents the carved out financial statements from Qibutianxia on a combined basis.
The accompanying combined and consolidated financial statements include allocations for various general administrative expenses of Qibutianxia which related to the Group's business. These expenses consist primarily of payroll of senior management and shared rental expenses. These allocations were made using a proportionate cost allocation method. The payroll expenses were allocated based on the actual time spent on the provision of services attributable to the Group, and the shared rental expenses were allocated based on the actual usage of the building among each business of Qibutianxia. The management believes these allocations are reasonable. Total expenses allocated from Qibutianxia to the Group are RMB 10,580 for the period from the inception date of July 25, 2016 to December 31, 2016 and RMB 17,512 for the year ended December 31, 2017.
The VIE arrangement
PRC laws and regulations prohibit or restrict foreign control of companies involved in provision of internet content and certain finance business. To comply with these foreign ownership restrictions, the Company operates substantially all of its service through its VIEs in the PRC.
The VIEs hold leases and other assets necessary to provide services and generate all of the Company's revenues. To provide the Company effective control over the VIEs and the ability to receive substantially all of the economic benefits of the VIEs, a series of contractual arrangements were entered into amongst WOFE, VIEs and their beneficial shareholders.
F-10
360 FINANCE, INC.
NOTES TO THE COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
1. ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES (Continued)
Agreements that were entered to provide the Company effective control over the VIEs
Powers of Attorney
Pursuant to these powers of attorney, Qibutianxia, the shareholder of Qiyu, authorized the WFOE or any person it designates to act as its attorney-in-fact to exercise all of its rights as a shareholder of Qiyu, including, but not limited to, the right to convene and attend shareholders' meetings, vote on any resolution that requires a shareholder vote, such as the appointment and removal of directors, supervisors and officers, as well as the sale, transfer and disposal of all or part of the equity interests owned by Qibutianxia in Qiyu. The power of attorney will remain effective for the duration of the existence of Qibutianxia.
Exclusive Option Agreement
Pursuant to the exclusive option agreement entered into among WFOE, Qiyu and Qibutianxia. Qibutianxia irrevocably grants the WFOE an exclusive option to purchase or designate one or more persons to purchase, all or part of its equity interests in Qiyu, and Qiyu irrevocably grants the WFOE an exclusive option to purchase all or part of its assets, subject to applicable PRC laws. The WFOE or its designated person may exercise such options at the lowest price permitted under applicable PRC laws. Qibutianxia and Qiyu will undertake that, without the WFOE's prior written consent, they will not, among other things, (i) create any pledge or encumbrance on any of Qiyu's assets (ii) transfer or otherwise dispose of Qiyu's assets, (iii) change Qiyu's registered capital, (iv) amend Qiyu's articles of association, (v) dispose of Qiyu's assets or beneficial interest or (vi) merge Qiyu with any other entity. Unless WFOE terminates this agreement in advance, this agreement will remain effective for 10 years and will be automatically renewed for in a 10-year cycle unless such renewal was objected by the WFOE in writing. Other parties to this agreement may not terminate this agreement unilaterally.
Agreements that were entered to transfer economic benefits to the Company
Exclusive Consultation and Services Agreement
Pursuant to the exclusive consultation and services agreement between the WFOE and Qiyu, the WFOE has the exclusive right to provide Qiyu with the consulting and technical services required by Qiyu's business. Qiyu shall pay the WFOE service fee at the amount which is adjusted at the WFOE's sole discretion. To guarantee Qiyu's performance of its obligations thereunder, Qibutianxia would pledge its equity interests in Qiyu to the WFOE pursuant to the equity interest pledge agreement. Unless the WFOE terminates this agreement in advance, this agreement will remain effective for 10 years and will be automatically renewed for in a 10-year cycle unless such renewal was objected by the WFOE in writing.
Loan Agreement
Pursuant to the loan agreement among the WFOE, Qiyu and Qibutianxia, the WFOE is entitled to provide interest-free loans from time to time to Qibutianxia for the purpose of Qiyu's business operation and development. Each of the loans made under this loan agreement has no fixed term, and unless otherwise agreed, the WFOE shall unilaterally decide when to withdraw the loans, provided that
F-11
360 FINANCE, INC.
NOTES TO THE COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
1. ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES (Continued)
a one month notice is given. The loan agreement shall remain in effect during Qiyu's term (and any renewable term provided by the PRC law), and shall automatically terminate after the WFOE and/or other entities designated by the WFOE fully exercise all their rights under the exclusive option agreement.
Equity Pledge Agreement
Pursuant to the equity pledge agreement, Qibutianxia shall pledge 100% equity interests in Qiyu to the WFOE to guarantee the performance by Qibutianxia of its obligations under the exclusive option agreement and the powers of attorney, as well as the performance by Qiyu of its obligations under the exclusive option agreement, the powers of attorney and the exclusive consultation and service agreement (collectively, "Master Agreements"). In the event of a breach by Qiyu or Qibutianxia of contractual obligations under the Master Agreements, the WFOE, as pledgee, will have the right to dispose of the pledged equity interests in Qiyu. Qibutianxia will also undertake that, without the prior written consent of the WFOE, it will not dispose of, create or allow any encumbrance on the pledged equity interests.
The Company also has another two sets of VIE contractual arrangements. One is among the WFOE, Fuzhou Microcredit, and Qibutianxia. And another is among the WFOE, Fuzhou Guarantee and a fully owned subsidiary of Qibutianxia. Both sets of the contractual agreements are substantially similar to the set with Qiyu as described above.
Risks in relation to VIE structure
The Company believes that the contractual arrangements with Qiyu, Fuzhou Microcredit, Fuzhou Guarantee and their shareholders, Qibutianxia, are in compliance with existing PRC laws and regulations and are valid, binding and enforceable and will not result in any violation of PRC laws or regulations and the PRC regulatory authorities may take a contrary view. If the legal structure and contractual arrangements were found to be in violation of any existing PRC laws and regulations, the regulatory authorities may exercise their discretion and:
F-12
360 FINANCE, INC.
NOTES TO THE COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
1. ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES (Continued)
The imposition of any of these penalties may result in a material adverse effect on the Company's ability to conduct its business. In addition, if the imposition of any of these penalties causes the Company to lose the rights to direct the activities of the VIEs or the right to receive their economic benefits, the Company would no longer be able to consolidate the financial results of the VIEs.
These contractual arrangements allow the Company to effectively control Qiyu, Fuzhou Microcredit and Fuzhou Guarantee, and to derive substantially all of the economic benefits from them. Accordingly, the Company treats Qiyu, Fuzhou Microcredit and Fuzhou Guarantee as VIEs. Because the Company is the primary beneficiary, the Company has consolidated the financial results of the VIEs.
The following financial statement amounts and balances of the VIEs were included in the accompanying combined and consolidated financial statements after elimination of intercompany transactions and balances. The table below does not include the financial information of the consolidated trusts (see note "Consolidated Trusts"):
|
December 31,
2016 |
December 31,
2017 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
|||||
ASSETS |
|||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
6,173 | 468,547 | |||||
Restricted cash |
| 391,748 | |||||
Funds receivables from third party payment service providers |
7,722 | 132,479 | |||||
Financial assets receivable, net |
5,399 | 140,356 | |||||
Prepaid expenses and other assets |
4,693 | 33,907 | |||||
Amounts due from related parties |
55,045 | 105,219 | |||||
Loans receivable, net |
| 281,633 | |||||
Property equipment, net |
1,982 | 5,994 | |||||
Intangible assets, net |
208 | 262 | |||||
Deferred tax assets |
8,297 | 186,319 | |||||
Total Assets |
89,519 | 1,746,464 | |||||
LIABILITIES |
|
|
|||||
Amount due to related parties |
93,626 | 800,825 | |||||
Guarantee liabilities |
5,768 | 300,942 | |||||
Accrued expenses and other liabilities |
11,958 | 229,284 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total liabilities |
111,352 | 1,331,051 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
F-13
360 FINANCE, INC.
NOTES TO THE COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
1. ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES (Continued)
|
Period from July 25, 2016 to
December 31, 2016 |
Year ended
December 31, 2017 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
|||||
Net revenue |
60 | 298,261 | |||||
Net loss |
(21,833 | ) | (163,805 | ) | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
|
Period from July 25, 2016 to
December 31, 2016 |
Year ended
December 31, 2017 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
|||||
Net cash used in operating activities |
(68,486 | ) | (110,884 | ) | |||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(2,391 | ) | (287,994 | ) | |||
Net cash provided by financing activities |
77,050 | 1,253,000 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
The consolidated VIEs contributed 100% and 97% of the Group's consolidated revenue for the period from the inception date of July 25, 2016 to December 31, 2016 and the year ended December 31, 2017, respectively. As of December 31, 2016 and 2017, the consolidated VIEs accounted for an aggregate of 100% and 63%, respectively, of the consolidated total assets, and 100% and 57%, respectively, of the consolidated total liabilities.
There are no consolidated assets of the VIEs that are collateral for the obligations of the VIEs and their subsidiaries and can only be used to settle the obligations of the VIEs and their subsidiaries. There are no terms in any arrangements, considering both explicit arrangements and implicit variable interests that require the Company or its subsidiaries to provide financial support to the VIEs. However, if the VIEs ever need financial support, the Company or its subsidiaries may, at its option and subject to statutory limits and restrictions, provide financial support to its VIEs through loans to the shareholder of the VIEs.
Relevant PRC laws and regulations restrict the VIEs from transferring a portion of their net assets, equivalent to the balance of its statutory reserve and its share capital, to the Company in the form of loans and advances or cash dividends. Please refer to Note 9 for disclosure of restricted net assets.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of presentation
The accompanying combined and consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP).
Basis of consolidation
The accompanying combined and consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company, its wholly-owned subsidiaries, and its consolidated VIEs. All inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated.
F-14
360 FINANCE, INC.
NOTES TO THE COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Consolidated Trusts
Loans funded by the institutional funding partners in the Group's loan facilitation business are typically disbursed to the borrowers directly from such partners. However, due to the need of certain institutional funding partners, loans from such funding partners are funded and disbursed indirectly through trusts and asset management plans (collectively the "Trusts"). In 2017, the Trusts were formed by two third-party trust companies and an asset management company, who administer the Trusts.
The Trusts fund loans facilitated by the Group using the funds received from its beneficiaries to the borrowers facilitated by the Group. The Trusts provide the returns to its beneficiaries through interest payments made by the borrowers.
In November 2017, the Trusts were set up with total assets of RMB 1,012,499 which invested solely in the loans facilitated on the Group's platform to provide returns to the investors of the Trusts. The borrowers are charged with the interests and the service fees from the Trusts and the Group, respectively. The Group is either entitled to the residual profit in the Trusts or the Group has provided guarantee to the Trusts by agreeing to repurchase any loans that are delinquent for 60 to 90 days from which the Group absorbs the credit risk of the Trusts resulting from borrowers' delinquencies. The amount of repurchases for loans facilitated under the consolidated trusts was not material during the periods presented. The Group determined that the residual profit or the guarantee represents a variable interest in the Trusts through which the Group has the right to receive benefits or the obligation to absorb losses from the Trusts that could potentially be significant to the Trusts. Since the Trusts only invest in the loans facilitated by the Group and the Group continues to service the loans through a service agreement post origination and has the ability to direct default mitigation activities, the Group has the power to direct the activities of the Trusts that most significantly impact the economic performance of the Trusts. As a result, the Group is considered the primary beneficiary of the Trusts and consolidated the Trusts' assets, liabilities, results of operations and cash flows.
As of December 31, 2017, the loans held by the Trusts are all personal loans made to the individual borrowers with an original term up to 12 months. The interest rates of these loans are ranged between 9% to 36%. The loans receivable balance associated with the Trusts represents the outstanding loans made to the borrowers from the Trusts.
For the period from the inception date of July 25, 2016 to December 31, 2016 and the year ended December 31, 2017, the provision for loan losses of RMB nil and RMB 5,646 were charged to the combined and consolidated statement of comprehensive income, respectively. There were no loans written off for the period from the inception date of July 25, 2016 to December 31, 2016 and the year ended 2017, respectively.
Interest on loans receivable is accrued and credited to income as earned. The Group determines a loan's past due status by the number of days that have elapsed since a borrower has failed to make a contractual loan payment. Accrual of interest is generally discontinued when the loans are 90 days past due.
F-15
360 FINANCE, INC.
NOTES TO THE COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
The following financial statement amounts and balances of the consolidated trusts were included in the accompanying combined and consolidated financial statements after elimination of intercompany transactions and balances:
|
Year ended
December 31, 2017 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB
|
|||
Net cash used in operating activities |
(90 | ) | ||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(916,275 | ) | ||
Net cash provided by financing activities |
1,012,499 |
The consolidated trusts contributed nil and 3% of the Group's consolidated revenue for the period from the inception date of July 25, 2016 to December 31, 2016 and the year ended December 31, 2017, respectively. As of December 31, 2016 and 2017, the consolidated trusts accounted for an aggregate of nil and 37%, respectively, of the consolidated total assets, and nil and 43%, respectively, of the consolidated total liabilities.
There are no terms in any arrangements, considering both explicit arrangements and implicit variable interests that require the Company to provide financial support to the consolidated trusts.
The Group believes that the assets of the consolidated trusts could only be used to settle the obligations of the consolidated trusts.
F-16
360 FINANCE, INC.
NOTES TO THE COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Use of estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from such estimates. Significant accounting estimates reflected in the Group's financial statements include revenue recognition, financial assets receivable and guarantee liabilities, allowance for loans receivable and valuation allowance for deferred tax assets.
Revenue recognition
Through its app and channel partners, the Group provides services through its facilitation of loan transactions connecting the institutional funding partners with the borrowers. The loans facilitated are with terms of 1~12 months and with principal of up to RMB200. The Group's services mainly consist of:
1) Performing credit assessment on the borrowers on its mobile platform based on its credit analysis and matching the institutional funding partners to potential qualified borrowers and facilitating the execution of loan agreements between the parties, referred to as "loan facilitation services" and;
2) Providing repayment processing services for the institutional funding partners over the loan term, referred to as "post-origination services".
Based on the agreements entered into between the Group's institutional funding partners and borrowers, the Group determined that it is not the legal lender or borrower in the loan origination and repayment process. Accordingly, the Group does not record loans receivable and payable arising from the loan between the funding partner and the borrower.
The service fees are collected from the borrowers on a monthly basis through the loan period. Borrowers have the option of early repayment and upon termination they do not have the obligation to pay the remaining monthly service fees.
In most cases, for the loans facilitated, the Group also provides a guarantee service to its institutional funding partners whereas in the event of default, the institutional funding partners are entitled to receive unpaid interest and principal from the Group. Given that the Group effectively takes on all of the credit risk of the borrowers and are compensated by the service fees charged, the guarantee is deemed as a service and the guarantee exposure is recognized as a stand-ready obligation in accordance with ASC Topic 460, Guarantees (see accounting policy for Guarantee Liabilities).
Multiple element revenue recognition
The Group considers the loan facilitation services and post-origination services as a multiple deliverable revenue arrangement under ASC 605. Although the Group does not sell these services separately, the Group determined that all the deliverables have standalone value. Guarantee services are accounted for in accordance with ASC Topic 460, Guarantees. The service fees are allocated
F-17
360 FINANCE, INC.
NOTES TO THE COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
consistent with the guidance in ASC 605-25. When the monthly service fee is collected, the Group first allocates the fees collected to the guarantee liabilities in accordance with ASC Topic 460, Guarantees which requires the guarantee to be measured initially at fair value based on the stand-ready obligation (refer to accounting policies of "Guarantee liabilities" and "Financial assets receivable"). Then the remaining fees collected are allocated to the loan facilitation services and post-origination services using their relative estimated selling prices.
The Group does not have vendor specific objective evidence ("VSOE") of selling price for the loan facilitation services or post-origination services because it does not provide loan facilitation services or post-origination services separately. Although other vendors may sell these services separately, third party evidence ("TPE") of selling price of the loan facilitation services and post-origination services does not exist as public information is not available regarding what the Group's competitors may charge for those services. As a result, the Group generally uses its best estimate of selling prices ("BESP") of loan facilitation services and post-origination services as the basis of revenue allocation. In estimating its selling price for the loan facilitation services and post-origination services, the Group considers the cost incurred to deliver such services, profit margin for similar arrangements, market demand, effect of competitors on the Group's services, and other market factors.
Consistent with the criteria of ASC 605 "Revenue Recognition", the Group recognizes revenues when the following four revenue recognition criteria are met: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (ii) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, (iii) the selling price is fixed or determinable, and (iv) collectability is reasonably assured.
Although loan facilitation service is provided at loan inception and post-origination service is provided during the term of the loan, the service fees are contingent upon actual repayment from the borrowers and thus, the revenue related to the service fees is also contingent and will not become determinable until the contingency (i.e., the borrower's repayments) is resolved. Accordingly revenue is recognized upon collection of service fees.
Revenues on loan facilitation services are recognized when the loan facilitation services have been completed (i.e., when the matching of institutional funding partners to borrowers is completed, as evidenced by the execution of loan agreement between them and the transfer of loan principal to the borrower) and the service fees allocated to the facilitation service have been received. The service fees collected from monthly installments allocated to post-origination services are recognized upon collection.
Incentives
The Group provides incentives to the borrowers by providing coupons which can only be used as a reduction of repayment and ultimately reduced the service fees received by the Group. As the service fee is recognized only when received, the Group records the incentives as a deduction to revenue upon redemption.
F-18
360 FINANCE, INC.
NOTES TO THE COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Other service fee revenues
Other service fee revenues mainly pertain to the referral service income. The Group provides the referral services to a lending navigation platform operated by a related party, by referring to them the borrowers who have not passed the Group's credit assessment. Specifically, the Group receives a referral fee from the platform once the borrowers are accepted by the other funding providers on that platform. The revenue is recognized once the referral is completed as confirmed by that platform and recorded as "other service fee revenues". For the period from inception date of July 25, 2016 to December 31, 2016 and the year ended December 31, 2017 RMB nil and RMB 84,397 other service fee revenues were generated from the referral service, respectively.
Other service fee revenues also include revenue from guarantee liabilities, which were released upon expiry of the underlying loans and late fees from borrowers.
Financing income
The Group provides loans through the consolidated trusts and Fuzhou Microcredit. The Group recognizes revenue under "financing income" the fees and interests charged to the borrowers over the lifetime of the loans using the effective interest method.
The Group is subject to Value-added Tax and other surcharges including education surtax and urban maintenance and construction tax, on the services provided in the PRC. The Group has made an accounting policy election to exclude from the measurement of the transaction price all taxes assessed by the governmental authority. Such taxes excluded from revenues are RMB 350 and RMB 47,789, respectively, for the period from inception date of July 25, 2016 to December 31, 2016 and the year ended December 31, 2017.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents mainly consist of funds in banks, which are highly liquid and are unrestricted as to withdrawal or use.
Restricted cash
Restricted cash represents:
F-19
360 FINANCE, INC.
NOTES TO THE COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Funds receivable from third party payment service providers
The Group opened accounts with third party online payment service providers to collect and transfer the loan funds and interest to the funding partners or the borrowers. The Group also uses such accounts to collect the transaction fee and service fee, and repay and collect the default loan principal and interest. The balance of funds receivable from third party payment service providers mainly includes:
Fair value
Fair value is considered to be the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities required or permitted to be recorded at fair value, the Group considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact and considers assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability.
Authoritative literature provides a fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. The level in the hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement as follows:
Level 1 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets with insufficient volume or infrequent transactions (less active markets); or model-derived valuations in which significant inputs are observable or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.
Level 3 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
The carrying values of financial instruments, which consist of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, financial assets receivable, funds receivable from third party payment service providers, loans receivable, payable to investors of the consolidated trusts, and amounts due from/to related parties are recorded at cost which approximates their fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.
F-20
360 FINANCE, INC.
NOTES TO THE COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
The Group does not have any assets or liabilities that are recorded at fair value subsequent to initial recognition on a recurring or non-recurring basis during the periods presented.
Loans receivable, net
Loans receivable represents loans facilitated through the consolidated trusts and Fuzhou Microcredit. Loans receivable are recorded as receivable, reduced by a valuation allowance estimated as of the balance sheet date. The allowance for loan losses is determined at a level believed to be reasonable to absorb probable losses inherent in the portfolio as of each balance sheet date. The allowance is provided based on an assessment performed on a portfolio basis. All loans are assessed collectively depending on factors such as delinquency rate, size, and other risk characteristics of the portfolio.
The Group charges off loans receivable as a reduction to the allowance for loans receivable when the loan principal and interest are deemed to be uncollectible. In general, loans receivable is identified as uncollectible if the amount remains outstanding 180 calendar days past due and no other factor evidences the possibility of collecting the delinquent receivables.
Property and equipment, net
Furniture and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the following estimated useful lives:
Leasehold improvements | Over the shorter of the lease term or expected useful lives | |
Electronic equipment | 5 years | |
Furniture and office equipment | 5 years |
Gains and losses from the disposal of furniture and equipment are recognized in the combined and consolidated statements of operations.
Guarantee liabilities
For the loans facilitated through the loan facilitation business, the Group provides a guarantee service to its funding partners whereas in the event of default, the institutional funding partners are entitled to receive unpaid interest and principal from the Group. In general, any unpaid interest and principal are paid when the borrower does not repay as scheduled. For accounting purposes, at loan inception, the Group recognizes a stand-ready liability representing the fair value of guarantee liability in accordance with ASC Topic 460.
At the inception of each loan, the Group recognizes the guarantee liability at fair value in accordance with ASC 460-10, which incorporates the expectation of potential future payments under the guarantee and takes into both non-contingent and contingent aspects of the guarantee. Subsequent to the loan's inception, the guarantee liability is composed of two components: (i) ASC Topic 460 component; and (ii) ASC Topic 450 component. The liability recorded based on ASC Topic 460 is determined on a loan by loan basis and it is reduced when the Group is released from the underlying
F-21
360 FINANCE, INC.
NOTES TO THE COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
risk, i.e. as the loan is repaid by the borrower or when the funding partner is compensated in the event of a default. This component is a stand ready obligation which is not subject to the probable threshold used to record a contingent obligation. When the Group is released from the stand ready liability upon expiration of the underlying loan, the Group records a corresponding amount as "Other revenue" in the combined and consolidated statement of operations. For the period from the inception date of July 25, 2016 to December 31, 2016 and the year ended December 31, 2017, revenues recognized related to releasing of guarantee liabilities are immaterial. The other component is a contingent liability determined based on probable loss considering the actual historical performance and current conditions, representing the obligation to make future payouts under the guarantee liability in excess of the stand-ready liability, measured using the guidance in ASC Topic 450. The ASC Topic 450 contingent component is determined on a collective basis and loans with similar risk characteristics are pooled into cohorts for purposes of measuring incurred losses. The ASC 450 contingent component is recognized as part of operating expenses in the combined and consolidated statement of operations. At all times the recognized liability (including the stand ready liability and contingent liability) is at least equal to the probable estimated losses of the guarantee portfolio.
The movement of guarantee liabilities during 2016 and 2017 is as follows:
|
RMB | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
As of July 25, 2016 |
| |||
Provision at the inception of new loans |
5,768 | |||
Net payout (1) |
| |||
Release on expiration |
| |||
| | | | |
As of December 31, 2016 |
5,768 | |||
Provision at the inception of new loans |
452,182 | |||
Net payout (1) |
(156,677 | ) | ||
Release on expiration |
(331 | ) | ||
| | | | |
As of December 31, 2017 |
300,942 | |||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
As of December 31, 2016 and 2017, the contractual amounts of the outstanding loans subject to guarantee by the Group is estimated to be RMB 236,324 and RMB 10,844,693 respectively. The approximate term of guarantee compensation service ranged from 1 month to 12 months, as of the end of December 31, 2016 and 2017.
Financial assets receivable, net
Financial assets receivable is recognized at loan inception which is equal to the stand-ready liability recorded at fair value in accordance with ASC 460-10 and considers what premium would be required by the Group to issue the same guarantee service in a standalone arm's-length transaction.
F-22
360 FINANCE, INC.
NOTES TO THE COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
The fair value recognized at loan inception is estimated using a discounted cash flow model based on the expected net payouts by incorporating a markup margin. The Group estimates its expected net payouts according to the product mix, default rates, loan terms and discount rate. The financial assets receivable is accounted for as a financial asset, and reduced upon the receipt of the service fee payment from the borrowers. At each reporting date, the Group estimates the future cash flows and assesses whether there is any indicator of impairment. If the carrying amounts of the financial assets receivable exceed the expected cash to be received, an impairment loss is recorded for the financial assets receivable not recoverable and is recorded in the combined and consolidated income statement. No impairment losses were recorded in the combined and consolidated statements of operations during the period from the inception date of July 25, 2016 to December 31, 2016 and the year ended December 31, 2017.
The movement of financial assets receivable during 2016 and 2017 is as follows:
|
RMB | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
As of July 25, 2016 |
| |||
Addition at the inception of new loans |
6,114 | |||
Decrease upon receipt of service fee |
(715 | ) | ||
| | | | |
As of December 31, 2016 |
5,399 | |||
Addition at the inception of new loans |
479,313 | |||
Decrease upon receipt of service |
(344,356 | ) | ||
| | | | |
As of December 31, 2017 |
140,356 | |||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Origination and servicing expense
Origination and servicing expense represents cost of services which consists primarily of variable expenses and vendor costs, and costs related to risk management, credit assessment, borrower and system support, payment processing services and third-party collection agencies with facilitating and servicing loans.
Origination expense includes expense related to the Group's borrower referral program under which the Group provides cash incentives to existing borrowers who have successfully referred a new borrower/borrowers to the Group. Such cash reward is offered when the new borrower makes a drawdown. As the cash reward is directly associated with the new borrower acquisition, the Group accounted for it as origination expense to facilitate the loans. The Group recorded RMB nil and RMB 2.5 million of cash reward for the period from the inception date of July 25, 2016 to December 31, 2016, and the year ended December 31, 2017, respectively.
Sales and marketing expenses
Sales and marketing expenses primarily consist of variable marketing and promotional expenses and general brand and awareness building, including fees paid to channel partners for directing user traffic to the Group. Salaries and benefits expenses related to the Group's sales and marketing
F-23
360 FINANCE, INC.
NOTES TO THE COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
personnel and other expenses related to the Group's sales and marketing team are also included in the sales and marketing expenses.
Government grant
Government grants are primarily referred to the amounts received from various levels of local governments from time to time which are granted for general corporate purposes and to support its ongoing operations in the region. The grants are determined at the discretion of the relevant government authority and there are no restrictions on their use. The government subsidies are recorded as other income in the period the cash is received. The government grants received by the Group is RMB nil and RMB 26 for the period from the inception date of July 25, 2016 to December 31, 2016 and the year ended December 31, 2017, respectively.
Income taxes
Current income taxes are provided on the basis of net profit (loss) for financial reporting purposes, adjusted for income and expenses which are not assessable or deductible for income tax purposes, in accordance with the laws of the relevant tax jurisdictions.
Deferred income taxes are provided using assets and liabilities method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined on the basis of the differences between financial statements and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse.
Deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that these assets are more likely than not to be realized. In making such a determination, the management considers all positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of projected future taxable income and results of recent operation.
In order to assess uncertain tax positions, the Group applies a more likely than not threshold and a two-step approach for the tax position measurement and financial statement recognition. Under the two-step approach, the first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement. The Group recognizes interest and penalties, if any, under accrued expenses and other current liabilities on its combined and consolidated balance sheet and under other expenses in its combined and consolidated statement of comprehensive loss. The Group did not have any significant unrecognized uncertain tax positions as of and for the period from the inception date of July 25, 2016 to December 31, 2016 and the year ended December 31, 2017.
Value added taxes ("VAT")
The Group is subject to VAT at the rate of 6%, depending on whether the entity is a general taxpayer or small-scale taxpayer, and related surcharges on revenue generated from providing services. Entities that are VAT general taxpayers are allowed to offset qualified input VAT paid to suppliers
F-24
360 FINANCE, INC.
NOTES TO THE COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
against their output VAT liabilities. Net VAT balance between input VAT and output VAT is recorded in the line item of accrued expense and other liabilities on the face of balance sheet.
Foreign currency translation
The reporting currency of the Group is the Renminbi ("RMB"). The Group's operations are conducted through the companies located in the PRC where the local currency is the functional currency.
Transactions denominated in foreign currencies are translated into the functional currency at the exchange rates prevailing on the transaction dates. Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into the functional currency at the exchange rates prevailing at the balance sheet date. Exchange gains and losses are included in earnings as a component of other income.
The combined and consolidated financial statements of the Group are translated from the functional currency into reporting currency. Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated using the applicable exchange rates at the balance sheet date. Equity accounts other than earnings generated in current period are translated at the appropriate historical rates. Revenues, expenses, gains and losses are translated using the periodic average exchange rates. The resulting foreign currency translation adjustment are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss).
Convenience translation
The Group's business is primarily conducted in China and all of the revenues are denominated in RMB. The financial statements of the Group are stated in RMB. Translations of balances in the combined and consolidated balance sheets, and the related combined and consolidated statements of operations, shareholders' equity and cash flows from RMB into US dollars as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017 are solely for the convenience of the readers and were calculated at the rate of USD1.00=RMB 6.6171, representing the noon buying rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board on June 29, 2018. No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted, realized or settled into USD at that rate on June 29, 2018, or at any other rate.
Employee defined contribution plan
Full time employees of the Group in the PRC participate in a government mandated multi employer defined contribution plan pursuant to which certain pension benefits, medical care, unemployment insurance, employee housing fund and other welfare benefits are provided to employees. Chinese labor regulations require that the Group makes contributions to the government for these benefits based on a certain percentage of the employee's salaries. The Group has no legal obligation for the benefits beyond the contributions. The total amount that was expensed as incurred was RMB 1,999 and RMB13,862 for the period from the inception date of July 25, 2016 to December 31, 2016 and the year ended December 31, 2017, respectively.
F-25
360 FINANCE, INC.
NOTES TO THE COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Segment reporting
The Group uses management approach to determine operation segment. The management approach considers the internal organization and reporting used by the Group's chief operating decision maker ("CODM") for making decisions, allocation of resource and assessing performance.
The Group's CODM has been identified as the Chief Executive Officer who reviews the combined and consolidated results of operations when making decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance of the Group. The Group operates and manages its business as a single operating segment.
The Group's long-lived assets are all located in the PRC and all of the Group's revenues are derived from within the PRC. Therefore, no geographical segments are presented.
Operating leases
Leases where substantially all the rewards and risks of ownership of assets remain with the lessor are accounted for as operating leases. Rentals applicable to such operating leases are recognized on a straight line basis over the lease term. Certain of the operating lease agreements contain rent holidays. Rent holidays are considered in determining the straight line rent expense to be recorded over the lease term.
Recent accounting pronouncements
Under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, as amended ("the JOBS Act"), the Company meets the definition of an emerging growth company, or EGC, and has elected the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards, which delays the adoption of these accounting standards until they would apply to private companies.
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standard Board ("FASB") issued ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)", which will be effective January 1, 2018. The guidance clarifies that revenue from contracts with customers should be recognized in a manner that depicts both the likelihood of payment and the timing of the related transfer of goods or performance of services. In March 2016, the FASB issued an amendment (ASU 2016-08) to the new revenue recognition guidance clarifying how to determine if an entity is a principal or agent in a transaction. In April (ASU 2016-10), May (ASU 2016-12), and December (ASU 2016-20) of 2016, the FASB further amended the guidance to include performance obligation identification, licensing implementation, collectability assessment and other presentation and transition clarifications. The effective date and transition requirements for this amendment is the same as those for the new revenue guidance. The Group will adopt this ASU on January 1, 2019 with a full retrospective approach under which revenue recognized in prior periods will be adjusted retrospectively. The cumulative adjustment will primarily arise from the timing of revenue recognition for service fees collected in monthly instalments related to our loan products being recognized earlier under the ASU. The Group provides the loan facilitation services and post-facilitation services as multiple derivable arrangements. Under Topic 605, transaction fees collected in monthly instalments are considered contingent and, therefore, are not allocable to different deliverables until the contingency is resolved (i.e. upon receipt of the monthly installment). Upon
F-26
360 FINANCE, INC.
NOTES TO THE COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
adoption of the ASU, revenue is recognized upon successful facilitation of the loans provided on the platform using the total consideration estimated to be received and allocated to the different performance obligations based upon their relative fair value. The adoption of this guidance also requires the Group to expand disclosures particularly in the year of adoption. Upon adoption of Topic 606 on the full retrospective approach, total net revenue would be RMB 1.7 million for the period from the inception date of July 25, 2016 to December 31, 2016, and RMB 788 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. As Topic 606 mainly addresses revenue recognition from contracts with customers, the Group expects the change in net income to be primarily driven by change in revenue.
Recent accounting pronouncements
In January 2016, the Financial Accounting Standard Board ("FASB") issued ASU 2016-01, "Financial InstrumentsOverall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities". This guidance revises the accounting related to the classification and measurement of investments in equity securities as well as the presentation for certain fair value changes in financial liabilities measured at fair value, and amends certain disclosure requirements. The guidance requires that all equity investments, except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those resulting in the consolidation of the investee, be accounted for at fair value with all fair value changes recognized in income. For financial liabilities measured using the fair value option, the guidance requires that any change in fair value caused by a change in instrument specific credit risk be presented separately in other comprehensive income until the liability is settled or reaches maturity. In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-03, "Technical Corrections and Improvements to Financial InstrumentsOverall (Subtopic 825-10)" in which improvements were made to clarify ASU 2016-01. These aforementioned guidance is effective for annual reporting periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for certain provisions. A reporting entity would generally record a cumulative effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is adopted. The Group does not expect the adoption of ASU 2016-01 to have a significant impact on the combined and consolidated financial statements.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The guidance supersedes existing guidance on accounting for leases with the main difference being that operating leases are to be recorded in the statement of financial position as right of use assets and lease liabilities, initially measured at the present value of the lease payments. For operating leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election not to recognize lease assets and liabilities. For non-public business entities, the guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. Early application of the guidance is permitted. In transition, entities are required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. As of December 31, 2017, the Group has RMB 18,518 of future minimum operating lease commitments that are not currently recognized on its combined and consolidated balance sheets (Note 10). Therefore, the Group would expect changes to its combined and consolidated balance sheets for the recognition of these and any additional leases entered into in the future upon adoption.
F-27
360 FINANCE, INC.
NOTES TO THE COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial InstrumentsCredit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This ASU is intended to improve financial reporting by requiring timelier recording of credit losses on loans and other financial instruments held by financial institutions and other organizations. This ASU requires the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. This ASU requires enhanced disclosures to help investors and other financial statement users better understand significant estimates and judgments used in estimating credit losses, as well as the credit quality and underwriting standards of the Group's portfolio. These disclosures include qualitative and quantitative requirements that provide additional information about the amounts recorded in the financial statements. For non-public business entities, the guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021. The Group is in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of this guidance on its combined and consolidated financial statements.
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Payments. The primary purpose of the ASU is to reduce the diversity in practice that has resulted from the lack of consistent principles on this topic. For non-public business entities, the guidance in the ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for all entities. Entities must apply the guidance retrospectively to all periods presented but may apply it prospectively from the earliest date practicable if retrospective application would be impracticable. The Group does not expect the adoption of this guidance will have a significant impact on its combined and consolidated financial statements.
3. LOANS RECEIVABLE, NET
Loans receivable consists of the following:
|
December 31,
2016 |
December 31,
2017 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
|||||
Loans receivable |
| 1,204,713 | |||||
Less allowance for loan losses |
| (12,406 | ) | ||||
| | | | | | | |
Loans receivable, net |
| 1,192,307 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
The following table presents the aging of loans as of December 31, 2016 and 2017:
Loans receivable of RMB 981 as of December 31, 2017 were in non-accrual status. The Group has not recorded any financing income on an accrual basis for the loans that are past due for more than 90 days. Loans are returned to accrual status if they are brought to non-delinquent status or have
F-28
360 FINANCE, INC.
NOTES TO THE COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
3. LOANS RECEIVABLE, NET (Continued)
performed in accordance with the contractual terms for a reasonable period of time and, in the Group's judgment, will continue to make periodic principal and interest payments as scheduled. For the period from the inception date of July 25, 2016 to December 31, 2016 and the year ended December 31, 2017, the Group has not charged off any loan principal and interests receivable.
Movement of allowance for loan losses is as follows:
|
December 31,
2016 |
December 31,
2017 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
|||||
Balance at beginning of year |
| | |||||
Provision for loan losses |
| 12,406 | |||||
Write-off |
| | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Balance at end of year |
| 12,406 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
The following table presents nonaccrual loan principal as of December 31, 2016 and 2017:
|
December 31,
2016 |
December 31,
2017 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
|||||
Nonaccrual loan principal |
| 982 | |||||
Less allowance for loan losses |
| (959 | ) | ||||
| | | | | | | |
Nonaccrual loans, net |
| 23 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
4. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET
|
December 31,
2016 |
December 31,
2017 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
|||||
Leasehold improvements |
790 | 2,988 | |||||
Electronic equipment |
987 | 2,888 | |||||
Furniture and office equipment |
397 | 1,587 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total property and equipment |
2,174 | 7,463 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Accumulated depreciation |
(192 | ) | (1,469 | ) | |||
Property and equipment, net |
1,982 | 5,994 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Depreciation expense on property and equipment for the period from the inception date of July 25, 2016 to December 31, 2016 and the year ended December 31, 2017 were RMB 192 and RMB1,277, respectively, recorded under "General and administrative" in the combined and consolidated statements of operations.
F-29
360 FINANCE, INC.
NOTES TO THE COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
5. ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES
|
December 31,
2016 |
December 31,
2017 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
|||||
Payable to institutional funding partners (i) |
3,304 | 42,654 | |||||
Accrued payroll and welfare |
5,564 | 14,681 | |||||
User traffic direction fees |
369 | 28,070 | |||||
Accrued technical service fees |
2,216 | 9,439 | |||||
Others |
192 | 1,893 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total |
11,645 | 96,737 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
6. RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS
The table below sets forth the major related parties and their relationships with the Group, with which the Group entered into transactions during the period from the inception date of July 25, 2016 to December 31, 2016 and the year ended December 31, 2017:
Name of related parties
|
Relationship with the group | |
---|---|---|
Beijing Qifutong Technology Co., Ltd. ("Qifutong") |
An affiliate of 360 Group, ultimately controlled by Mr. Zhou, the Chairman of the Group | |
Beijing Qibutianxia Technology Co., Ltd. ("Qibutianxia") |
Entity controlled by Mr. Zhou, the Chairman of the Group | |
Ningbo Siyinjia Investment management Co., Ltd. ("Ningbo Siyinjia") |
Entity controlled by Mr. Zhou, the Chairman of the Group | |
Beijing Qicaitianxia Technology Co., Ltd. ("Qicaitianxia") |
Entity controlled by Mr. Zhou, the Chairman of the Group | |
Beijing Qihu Technology Co., Ltd. ("Qihu") |
An affiliate of 360 Group, ultimately controlled by Mr. Zhou, the Chairman of the Group | |
Jinshang Consumer Finance Inc. ("Jinshang") |
An affiliate of an entity controlled by Mr. Zhou, the Chairman of the Group | |
Youdaojingwei Assets Management Co., Ltd. ("Youdaojingwei") |
Entity controlled by Mr. Zhou, the Chairman of the Group | |
Beijing Zixuan Information Technology Co., Ltd. ("Beijing Zixuan") |
Entity controlled by Mr. Zhou, the Chairman of the Group | |
Others |
Affiliates of 360 Group, ultimately controlled by Mr. Zhou, the Chairman of the Group |
F-30
360 FINANCE, INC.
NOTES TO THE COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
6. RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS (Continued)
The Group entered into the following transactions with its related parties:
For the period from the inception date of July 25, 2016 to December 31, 2016 and the year ended December 31, 2017, services provided by the related parties were RMB10,923 and RMB82,344 respectively.
|
Period from
July 25, 2016 to December 31, 2016 |
Year ended
December 31, 2017 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
|||||
Corporate expenses allocated from Qibutianxia |
10,580 | 17,512 | |||||
Referral service fee charged by Qifutong |
| 43,214 | |||||
Referral service fee charged by Qihu |
343 | 10,814 | |||||
Interests charged by Youdaojingwei for funds provided |
| 9,877 | |||||
Others |
| 927 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total |
10,923 | 82,344 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Qifutong and Qihu are the subsidiaries of 360 Group which are ultimately controlled by Mr. Zhou. They refer borrowers to the Group and charge referral service fees accordingly.
For the period from the inception date of July 25, 2016 to December 31, 2016 and the year ended December 31, 2017, services provided to the related parties were RMB nil and RMB 86,311 respectively.
|
December 31,
2016 |
December 31,
2017 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
|||||
Referral service fee charged to Qicaitianxia |
| 84,303 | |||||
Others |
| 2,008 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total |
| 86,311 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
As of December 31, 2016 and 2017, amounts due from related parties were RMB55,045 and RMB105,219, respectively, and details are as follows:
|
December 31,
2016 |
December 31,
2017 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
|||||
Qicaitianxia |
| 89,361 | |||||
Jinshang (1) |
55,003 | 14,932 | |||||
Others |
42 | 926 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total |
55,045 | 105,219 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
F-31
360 FINANCE, INC.
NOTES TO THE COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
6. RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS (Continued)
As of December 31, 2016 and 2017, amounts due to related parties were RMB93,626 and RMB1,283,970 respectively, and details are as follows:
|
December 31,
2016 |
December 31,
2017 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
|||||
Qibutianxia (1) |
88,575 | 769,321 | |||||
Ningbo Siyinjia |
300 | 300 | |||||
Qifutong |
| 11,641 | |||||
Youdaojingwei (2) |
| 483,145 | |||||
Beijing Zixuan (3) |
| 16,572 | |||||
Others |
4,751 | 2,991 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total |
93,626 | 1,283,970 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
7. INCOME TAXES
PRC
Under the Law of the People's Republic of China on Enterprise Income Tax ("EIT Law"), domestically-owned enterprises and foreign-invested enterprises are subject to a uniform tax rate of 25%.
The current and deferred portion of income tax expenses included in the combined and consolidated statements of operations, which were all attributable to the Group's PRC entities are as follows:
|
Period from
July 25, 2016 to December 31, 2016 |
Year ended
December 31, 2017 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
|||||
Current tax |
| 115,790 | |||||
Deferred tax |
(8,297 | ) | (178,022 | ) | |||
| | | | | | | |
Total |
(8,297 | ) | (62,232 | ) | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
F-32
360 FINANCE, INC.
NOTES TO THE COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
7. INCOME TAXES (Continued)
Reconciliation between the income tax at PRC statutory tax rate and income tax expense is as follows:
|
Period from
July 25, 2016 to December 31, 2016 |
Year ended
December 31, 2017 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
|||||
Loss before provision for income taxes |
(30,130 | ) | (228,597 | ) | |||
Statutory tax rate in the PRC |
25 | % | 25 | % | |||
Income tax at statutory tax rate |
(7,533 | ) | (57,149 | ) | |||
Non-deductible expenses |
3 | 23 | |||||
Research and development super-deduction |
(767 | ) | (5,106 | ) | |||
| | | | | | | |
Income tax benefit |
(8,297 | ) | (62,232 | ) | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. The components of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are as follows:
Deferred Tax Assets
|
December 31,
2016 |
December 31,
2017 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
|||||
Accrued expenses |
2,645 | 7,611 | |||||
Advertising expenses |
206 | 61,201 | |||||
Net operating loss carry forwards |
4,004 | | |||||
Provision for loan losses |
| 3,102 | |||||
Guarantee liabilities |
1,442 | 114,405 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total |
8,297 | 186,319 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Management assesses the available positive and negative evidence to estimate if sufficient future taxable income will be generated to utilize the existing deferred tax assets. On the basis of this evaluation, as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, no allowance has been recorded for the deferred tax assets.
The authoritative guidance requires that the Group recognizes the impact of a tax position in the financial statements if that position is more likely than not of being sustained upon audit by the tax authority, based on the technical merits of the position. Under PRC laws and regulations, arrangements and transactions among related parties may be subject to examination by the PRC tax authorities. If the PRC tax authorities determine that the contractual arrangements among related companies do not represent a price under normal commercial terms, they may make adjustments to the companies' income and expenses. A transfer pricing adjustment could result in additional tax liabilities.
According to PRC Tax Administration and Collection Law, the statute of limitations is three years if the underpayment of taxes is due to computational errors made by the taxpayer or withholding agent. The statute of limitations will be extended five years under special circumstances, which are not clearly
F-33
360 FINANCE, INC.
NOTES TO THE COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
7. INCOME TAXES (Continued)
defined (but an underpayment of tax liability exceeding RMB0.1 million is specifically listed as a special circumstance). In the case of a related party transaction, the statute of limitations is ten years. There is no statute of limitations in the case of tax evasion.
8. ORDINARY SHARES AND PREFERRED SHARES
On April 27, 2018, the Company was authorized to issue 50,000,000 shares of common stock, at par value of USD 0.001 per share. And 1 share was issued and outstanding on that date. On May 16, 2018, the board approved a share split of 1 to 100, and re-designation of common stock to Class A ordinary shares. As a result, 5,000,000,000 shares was authorized at par value of USD 0.00001 per share, and 100 shares were issued and outstanding.
Before the Reorganization occurred in September 2018, there are several rounds of financing into Qibutianxia with some equity interest having preference rights. In 2016 before Qiyu was established, RMB 100,000 equity interest were subscribed by the shareholders who have the preference rights (Series A preferred equity interest). In April 2017, RMB 722,770 equity interest were subscribed by the shareholders who have the preference rights. And in January 2018, RMB 1,451,300 equity interest were subscribed by the shareholders who have the preference rights. Collectively, these equity interest issued in 2017 and 2018 were grouped as Series A+ preferred equity interest.
Upon Reorganization in September 2018, the Company issued an aggregate 198,347,168 ordinary shares and an aggregate of 10,375,744 Series A preferred shares and 47,792,100 Series A+ preferred shares respectively, all in the same proportions, to its ordinary shareholders and preferred equity interest holders in exchange for their equity interest in the carved out entities of Qiyu, Fuzhou Microcredit and Fuzhou Guarantee. The ordinary shares include 16,512,156 Class A ordinary shares, 39,820,586 Class B ordinary shares and 142,014,426 Class C ordinary shares.
Each Class A and each Class C ordinary share is entitled to one vote and each Class B ordinary share is entitled to twenty votes on all matters that are subject to shareholder vote. All classes of ordinary shares are entitled to the same dividend right. Class B and Class C ordinary shares could be converted into Class A ordinary shares on one-for-one basis. All Class B ordinary shares are beneficially owned by Mr. Zhou, the Chairman of the Company. All Class C ordinary shares will be automatically converted to Class A ordinary shares immediately prior to the completion of the IPO.
The preference rights held by the shareholders of Series A and Series A+ preferred shares are substantially the same as the interest they held in Qibutianxia.
The shareholders of the preferred shares and ordinary shares are entitled to the dividend pari passu based on the number of shares they own on an as-converted basis once a dividend is authorized.
9. STATUTORY RESERVES AND RESTRICTED NET ASSETS
In accordance with the PRC laws and regulations, the PRC entities of the Group are required to make appropriation to certain statutory reserves, namely general reserve, enterprise expansion reserve, and staff welfare and bonus reserve, all of which are appropriated from net profit as reported in their PRC statutory accounts. The PRC entities of the Group are required to appropriate at least 10% of
F-34
360 FINANCE, INC.
NOTES TO THE COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
9. STATUTORY RESERVES AND RESTRICTED NET ASSETS (Continued)
their after-tax profits to the general reserve until such reserve has reached 50% of their respective registered capital.
Appropriations to the enterprise expansion reserve and the staff welfare and bonus reserve are to be made at the discretion of the board of directors of the PRC entities of the Group. There are no appropriations to these reserves by the PRC entities of the Group for the period from the inception date of July 25, 2016 to December 31, 2016 and the year ended December 31, 2017.
As a result of PRC laws and regulations and the requirement that distributions by the PRC entities of the Group can only be paid out of distributable profits computed in accordance with the PRC GAAP, the PRC entities of the Group are restricted from transferring a portion of their net assets to the Group. Amounts restricted include paid-in capital, capital reserve and statutory reserves of the PRC entities of the Group. As of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2017, the aggregated amounts of paid-in capital, capital reserve and statutory reserves represented the amount of net assets of the relevant entity in the Group not available for distribution amounted to RMB nil and RMB590,000, respectively (including the statutory reserve fund of nil as of December 31, 2016 and 2017).
10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
(1) Commitments
Operating lease as lessee
The Group leases certain office premises and cloud infrastructure to support its core business system under non-cancelable leases. Rental expenses under operating leases for the period from the inception date of July 25, 2016 to December 31, 2016 and the year ended December 31, 2017 were RMB 1,212 and RMB 5,432, respectively.
Future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases agreements are as follows:
Years ending
|
RMB | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
2018 |
8,903 | |||
2019 |
6,906 | |||
2020 |
2,709 | |||
2021 |
| |||
2022 and thereafter |
|
(2) Contingencies
The Group is subject to periodic legal or administrative proceedings in the ordinary course of business. The Group does not believe that any currently pending legal or administrative proceeding to which the Group is a party will have a material effect on its business or financial condition.
11. NET LOSS PER SHARE
For the period from the inception date of July 25, 2016 to December 31, 2016 and the year ended December 31, 2017, for the purpose of calculating net loss per share as a result of the Reorganization
F-35
360 FINANCE, INC.
NOTES TO THE COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
11. NET LOSS PER SHARE (Continued)
as described in Note 1, the number of shares used in the calculation reflects the outstanding shares of the Company as if the Reorganization took place at the earliest date.
Basic and diluted net loss per share for each of the period/year presented were calculated as follows:
|
For the
period from July 25, 2016 to December 31, 2016 |
For the
year ended December 31, 2017 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Class A, Class B and Class C | Class A, Class B and Class C | |||||
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
|||||
Numerator: |
|||||||
Net loss attributable to Class A, Class B and Class C ordinary shareholders for computing basic and diluted net loss per share |
(21,833 | ) | (166,365 | ) | |||
Denominator: |
|
|
|||||
Weighted average Class A, Class B and Class C ordinary shares outstandingbasic and diluted |
198,347,168 | 198,347,168 | |||||
Net loss per ordinary sharebasic and diluted |
(0.11 | ) | (0.84 | ) |
12. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The Group has evaluated subsequent events through September 10, 2018, which is the date when the combined and consolidated financial statements were issued.
In May 2018, the shareholders and board of directors approved the 2018 Share Incentive Plan and subsequently on May 20, 2018, the Company granted 24,627,493 share options to certain directors, executive officers and employees with an exercises price of US$0.00001 per share and various vesting schedules ranging from immediate to 4 years.
F-36
360 Finance, Inc.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND JUNE 30, 2018
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
|
|
As of June 30, | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
As of
December 31, 2017 |
|||||||||
|
2018 | 2018 | ||||||||
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
USD
(Note 2) |
|||||||
ASSETS |
||||||||||
Current assets: |
||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
468,547 | 457,033 | 69,068 | |||||||
Restricted cash (including RMB 96,134 and RMB 28,807 from the consolidated trusts as of December 31, 2017 and June 30, 2018, respectively) |
487,882 | 594,393 | 89,827 | |||||||
Funds receivable from third party payment service providers |
132,479 | 156,113 | 23,592 | |||||||
Financial assets receivable, net (net of allowance of RMB nil and RMB 593 as of December 31, 2017 and June 30, 2018, respectively) |
140,356 | 352,396 | 53,255 | |||||||
Amounts due from related parties |
105,219 | 45,918 | 6,939 | |||||||
Loans receivable, net (including RMB 910,674 and RMB 1,098,432 from the consolidated trusts as of December 31, 2017 and June 30, 2018, respectively) |
1,192,307 | 1,343,087 | 202,972 | |||||||
Prepaid expenses and other assets |
33,907 | 120,906 | 18,273 | |||||||
Total current assets |
2,560,697 | 3,069,846 | 463,926 | |||||||
Non-current assets: |
||||||||||
Property and equipment, net |
5,994 | 6,784 | 1,025 | |||||||
Intangible assets |
262 | 971 | 147 | |||||||
Deferred tax assets |
186,319 | 469,644 | 70,974 | |||||||
Total non-current assets |
192,575 | 477,399 | 72,146 | |||||||
TOTAL ASSETS |
2,753,272 | 3,547,245 | 536,072 | |||||||
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY |
|
|
|
|||||||
LIABILITIES |
|
|
|
|||||||
Liabilities including amounts of the consolidated VIEs and trusts without recourse to the Company (Note 2): |
||||||||||
Current liabilities: |
|
|
|
|||||||
Payable to investors of the consolidated trusts |
536,906 | 552,662 | 83,520 | |||||||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
96,737 | 239,600 | 36,209 | |||||||
Amounts due to related parties |
1,283,970 | 1,246,357 | 188,354 | |||||||
Guarantee liabilities |
300,942 | 734,198 | 110,955 | |||||||
Income tax payable |
115,325 | 361,015 | 54,558 | |||||||
Other tax payable |
17,590 | 17,620 | 2,662 | |||||||
Total current liabilities |
2,351,470 | 3,151,452 | 476,258 | |||||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES |
2,351,470 | 3,151,452 | 476,258 | |||||||
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 11) |
||||||||||
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY |
|
|
|
|||||||
Ordinary shares ($0.00001 par value per share, 5,000,000,000 shares authorized, 100 share issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2018) |
| 0 | 0 | |||||||
Parent company's investment |
590,000 | 690,000 | 104,275 | |||||||
Additional paid-in capital |
| 466,007 | 70,425 | |||||||
Accumulated deficit |
(188,198 | ) | (760,214 | ) | (114,886 | ) | ||||
TOTAL Equity |
401,802 | 395,793 | 59,814 | |||||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY |
2,753,272 | 3,547,245 | 536,072 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed combined and consolidated
financial statements.
F-37
360 Finance, Inc.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2017 AND 2018
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
|
|
Six months ended June 30, | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Six months ended
June 30, 2017 |
|||||||||
|
2018 | 2018 | ||||||||
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
USD
(Note 2) |
|||||||
Revenue, net of value-added tax and related surcharges: |
||||||||||
Revenue from loan facilitation services |
7,713 | 316,901 | 47,891 | |||||||
Revenue from post-origination services |
3,305 | 135,815 | 20,525 | |||||||
Financing income |
109 | 156,011 | 23,577 | |||||||
Other service fee revenues (including revenue generated from related parties of RMB 828 and RMB 92,103 for the six-month period ended June 30, 2017 and 2018, respectively) |
1,152 | 134,213 | 20,283 | |||||||
Total net revenue |
12,279 | 742,940 | 112,276 | |||||||
Operating costs and expenses: |
||||||||||
Origination and servicing (including costs charged by related parties of RMB nil for the six-month period ended June 30, 2017 and 2018) |
36,163 | 328,649 | 49,667 | |||||||
Sales and marketing (including expenses charged by related parties of RMB 10,281 and RMB 35,164 for the period ended June 30, 2017 and 2018, respectively) |
42,815 | 603,234 | 91,163 | |||||||
General and administrative (including expenses charged by related parties of RMB 8,756 and RMB 18,244 for the period ended June 30, 2017 and 2018, respectively) |
26,188 | 398,348 | 60,200 | |||||||
Provision for loans receivable |
| 24,655 | 3,726 | |||||||
Provision for financial assets receivable |
| 593 | 90 | |||||||
Total operating costs and expenses |
105,166 | 1,355,479 | 204,846 | |||||||
Loss from operations |
(92,887 | ) | (612,539 | ) | (92,570 | ) | ||||
Interest income |
950 | 3,584 | 542 | |||||||
Other (expense) income, net |
(4 | ) | 1,675 | 253 | ||||||
Loss before provision for income taxes |
(91,941 | ) | (607,280 | ) | (91,775 | ) | ||||
Income taxes benefit |
24,656 | 35,264 | 5,329 | |||||||
Net loss |
(67,285 | ) | (572,016 | ) | (86,446 | ) | ||||
Net loss per ordinary share attributable to ordinary shareholders of 360 Finance, Inc |
||||||||||
Basic |
(0.34 | ) | (2.88 | ) | (0.44 | ) | ||||
Diluted |
(0.34 | ) | (2.88 | ) | (0.44 | ) | ||||
Weighted average shares used in calculating net loss per ordinary share |
||||||||||
Basic |
198,347,168 | 198,347,168 | 198,347,168 | |||||||
Diluted |
198,347,168 | 198,347,168 | 198,347,168 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed combined and consolidated
financial statements.
F-38
360 Finance, Inc.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2017 AND 2018
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
|
|
Six months ended
June 30, |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Six months
ended June 30, 2017 |
|||||||||
|
2018 | 2018 | ||||||||
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
USD
|
|||||||
|
|
|
(Note 2)
|
|||||||
Net loss |
(67,285 | ) | (572,016 | ) | (86,446 | ) | ||||
Other comprehensive income |
| | | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total comprehensive loss |
(67,285 | ) | (572,016 | ) | (86,446 | ) | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed combined and consolidated
financial statements.
F-39
360 Finance, Inc.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2017 AND 2018
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
|
Parent
company's investment |
Accumulated
(deficit) income |
Total
equity |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
|||||||
Balance at January 1, 2017 |
| (21,833 | ) | (21,833 | ) | |||||
Parent company's capital contribution |
300,000 | | 300,000 | |||||||
Net loss |
| (67,285 | ) | (67,285 | ) | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Balance at June 30, 2017 |
300,000 | (89,118 | ) | 210,882 | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed combined and consolidated financial statements.
F-40
360 Finance, Inc.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2017 AND 2018
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
|
Six months ended June 30, | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2017 | 2018 | 2018 | |||||||
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
USD
(Note 2) |
|||||||
Cash Flows from Operating Activities: |
||||||||||
Net loss |
(67,285 | ) | (572,016 | ) | (86,446 | ) | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss)/income to net cash used in |
||||||||||
operating activities: |
||||||||||
Share-based compensation |
| 466,007 | 70,425 | |||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
448 | 1,741 | 263 | |||||||
Provision for loans receivable |
| 24,655 | 3,726 | |||||||
Provision for financial assets receivable |
| 593 | 90 | |||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities |
||||||||||
Funds receivable from third party payment service providers |
(28,690 | ) | (23,634 | ) | (3,572 | ) | ||||
Financial assets receivable |
(43,948 | ) | (212,633 | ) | (32,134 | ) | ||||
Prepaid expenses and other assets |
(9,421 | ) | (85,609 | ) | (12,938 | ) | ||||
Deferred tax assets |
(32,661 | ) | (283,325 | ) | (42,817 | ) | ||||
Amounts due (from) to related parties |
(206,172 | ) | 77,584 | 11,725 | ||||||
Guarantee liabilities |
59,978 | 433,256 | 65,475 | |||||||
Income tax payable |
8,005 | 245,690 | 37,130 | |||||||
Other tax payable |
2,499 | 30 | 4 | |||||||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
43,536 | 142,863 | 21,594 | |||||||
Net cash (used in)/ provided by operating activities |
(273,711 | ) | 215,202 | 32,525 | ||||||
Cash Flows from Investing Activities: |
||||||||||
Purchase of property and equipment and intangible assets |
(3,008 | ) | (4,630 | ) | (700 | ) | ||||
Investment in loans receivable |
(14,008 | ) | (2,658,352 | ) | (401,740 | ) | ||||
Collection of investment in loans receivable |
5,768 | 2,527,347 | 381,942 | |||||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(11,248 | ) | (135,635 | ) | (20,498 | ) | ||||
Cash Flows from Financing Activities: |
||||||||||
Capital contributions from shareholder |
300,000 | 100,000 | 15,112 | |||||||
Loans from shareholder |
163,841 | 359,950 | 54,397 | |||||||
Loans payment to shareholder |
(32,500 | ) | (510,000 | ) | (77,073 | ) | ||||
Cash received from investors of the consolidated trusts |
| 300,000 | 45,337 | |||||||
Cash paid to investors of the consolidated trusts |
| (234,520 | ) | (35,442 | ) | |||||
Net cash provided by financing activities |
431,341 | 15,430 | 2,331 | |||||||
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents |
146,382 | 94,997 | 14,358 | |||||||
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of the period |
6,173 | 956,429 | 144,537 | |||||||
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of the period |
152,555 | 1,051,426 | 158,895 | |||||||
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: |
||||||||||
Income taxes paid |
| (2,371 | ) | (358 | ) | |||||
Reconciliation to amounts on the unaudited condensed combined and consolidated balance sheets: |
||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
39,242 | 457,033 | 69,068 | |||||||
Restricted cash |
113,313 | 594,393 | 89,827 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash |
152,555 | 1,051,426 | 158,895 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed
consolidated financial statements.
F-41
360 Finance, Inc.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2017 AND 2018
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
1. ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES
360 Finance, Inc. (the "Company") was incorporated in Cayman Islands with limited liability on April 27, 2018. The Company, its subsidiaries, its consolidated variable interest entities ("VIEs") (collectively the "Group") are engaged in providing online consumer finance products to the borrowers funded primarily by institutional funding partners through a digital consumer finance platform.
The Company's significant subsidiaries and its consolidated VIEs are as follows:
|
Date of
Incorporation |
Place of
Incorporation |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Subsidiaries |
|||||
HK Qirui International Technology Company Limited ("HK Qirui") |
June 14, 2018 | Hong Kong | |||
Shanghai Qiyue Information & Technology Co., Ltd.("Qiyue") |
August 7, 2018 | PRC | |||
VIEs |
|||||
Shanghai Qiyu Information & Technology Co., Ltd. ("Qiyu") |
July 25, 2016 | PRC | |||
Fuzhou 360 Online Microcredit Co., Ltd.("Fuzhou Microcredit") |
March 30, 2017 | PRC | |||
Fuzhou 360 Financing Guarantee Co., Ltd. ("Fuzhou Guarantee") |
June 29, 2018 | PRC |
History of the Group and reorganization under identical common ownership
The Group started its business in 2016 through Shanghai Qiyu Information & Technology Co., Ltd. ("Qiyu"), a limited liability company in the People's Republic of China ("PRC"). In March 2017, Fuzhou 360 Online Microcredit Co., Ltd. ("Fuzhou Microcredit") was founded mainly to obtain the online microcredit lending license to conduct online microcredit lending business. Qiyu and Fuzhou Microcredit are wholly owned by Beijing Qibutianxia Technology Co., Ltd. ("Qibutianxia") which is ultimately controlled by Mr. Hongyi Zhou. On April 27, 2018, the Company was incorporated by the same shareholders of Qibutianxia in Cayman Island in connection with a group reorganization ("Reorganization"). In September 2018, the Company undertook a series of transactions to redomicile its business from the PRC to the Cayman Islands as part of the Reorganization, in preparation of its overseas initial public offering. The transactions include 1) establishing intermediary companies of HK Qirui and Qiyue ("WFOE") for the purpose of establishing a VIE structure of the Group, and 2) issuing ordinary shares and preferred shares to the shareholders of Qibutianxia in the same proportions as the percentage of equity interest they held in Qibutianxia by the time of Reorganization, and 3) entering into VIE agreements which effectively provided control to the WFOE over the operations of the VIEs.
As the shareholding percentages and rights of each shareholder were the same in Qibutianxia and the Company, the Reorganization was accounted for as a reorganization of entities under common
F-42
360 Finance, Inc.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2017 AND 2018
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
1. ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES (Continued)
ownership. As a result, the combined and consolidated financial statements are prepared using historical cost basis as if the corporate structure of the Company had been in existence since the beginning of the periods presented. And the financial information for the period/year prior to the formation of the Company in April 2018 represents the carved out financial statements from Qibutianxia.
The accompanying unaudited condensed combined and consolidated financial statements include allocations for various general administrative expenses of Qibutianxia which related to the Group's business. These expenses consist primarily of payroll of senior management and shared rental expenses. These allocations were made using a proportionate cost allocation method. The payroll expenses were allocated based on the actual time spent on the provision of services attributable to the Group, and the shared rental expenses were allocated based on the actual usage of the building among each business of Qibutianxia. The management believes these allocations are reasonable. Total expenses allocated from Qibutianxia to the Group are RMB 8,756 and RMB 18,244 for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2017 and 2018, respectively.
The following financial statement amounts and balances of the VIEs were included in the accompanying unaudited condensed combined and consolidated financial statements after elimination
F-43
360 Finance, Inc.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2017 AND 2018
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
1. ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES (Continued)
of intercompany transactions and balances. The table below does not include the financial information of the consolidated trusts (see note "Consolidated Trusts"):
|
December 31,
2017 |
June 30,
2018 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
|||||
ASSETS |
|||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
468,547 | 457,033 | |||||
Restricted cash |
391,748 | 565,586 | |||||
Funds receivables from third party payment service providers |
132,479 | 156,113 | |||||
Financial assets receivable, net |
140,356 | 352,396 | |||||
Prepaid expenses and other assets |
33,907 | 120,906 | |||||
Amounts due from related parties |
105,219 | 45,918 | |||||
Loans receivable, net |
281,633 | 244,655 | |||||
Property equipment, net |
5,994 | 6,784 | |||||
Intangible assets, net |
262 | 971 | |||||
Deferred tax assets |
186,319 | 469,644 | |||||
Total Assets |
1,746,464 | 2,420,006 | |||||
LIABILITIES |
|
|
|||||
Amount due to related parties |
800,825 | 669,058 | |||||
Guarantee liabilities |
300,942 | 734,198 | |||||
Accrued expenses and other liabilities |
229,284 | 609,308 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total liabilities |
1,331,051 | 2,012,564 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
|
Six months ended
June 30, 2017 |
Six months ended
June 30, 2018 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
|||||
Net revenue |
12,279 | 691,609 | |||||
Net loss |
(67,285 | ) | (553,210 | ) | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
|
Six months ended
June 30, 2017 |
Six months ended
June 30, 2018 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
|||||
Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities |
(273,711 | ) | 216,903 | ||||
Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities |
(11,248 | ) | 2,761 | ||||
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities |
431,341 | (50,050 | ) | ||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
The consolidated VIEs contributed 100% and 93% of the Group's consolidated revenue for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2017 and 2018, respectively. As of December 31, 2017 and June 30,
F-44
360 Finance, Inc.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2017 AND 2018
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
1. ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES (Continued)
2018, the consolidated VIEs accounted for an aggregate of 63% and 68%, respectively, of the consolidated total assets, and 57% and 64% respectively, of the consolidated total liabilities.
There are no consolidated assets of the VIEs that are collateral for the obligations of the VIEs and can only be used to settle the obligations of the VIEs. There are no terms in any arrangements, considering both explicit arrangements and implicit variable interests that require the Company or its subsidiaries to provide financial support to the VIEs. However, if the VIEs ever need financial support, the Company or its subsidiaries may, at its option and subject to statutory limits and restrictions, provide financial support to its VIEs through loans to the shareholder of the VIEs.
Relevant PRC laws and regulations restrict the VIEs from transferring a portion of their net assets, equivalent to the balance of its statutory reserve and its share capital, to the Company in the form of loans and advances or cash dividends. Please refer to Note 10 for disclosure of restricted net assets.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Unaudited condensed combined and consolidated financial statements
The accompanying unaudited condensed combined and consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2018, the unaudited condensed combined and consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income and cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2018, and the related footnote disclosures are unaudited. These unaudited condensed combined and consolidated financial statements of the Company are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP for interim financial statements using accounting policies that are consistent with those used in the preparation of the Company's audited combined and consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017. Accordingly, these unaudited condensed combined and consolidated financial statements do not include all the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for annual financial statements.
As disclosed in Note 1 of the Company's audited combined and consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, the Company was restructured in September 2018 in order to establish the Company as the parent company. As the shareholdings in the Company and the VIEs were identical immediately before and after the Reorganization, the transaction was accounted for as a reorganization of entities under common ownership. Accordingly, the unaudited condensed combined and consolidated financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2018 were retrospectively adjusted to reflect the historical results and assets and liabilities of the Company's business.
In the opinion of the Company's management, the accompanying unaudited condensed combined and consolidated financial statements contain all normal recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the combined and consolidated financial position, operating results and cash flows of the Company for each of the periods presented. The results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2018 are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for any other interim period or for the full year of 2018. These unaudited condensed combined and consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's combined and consolidated statements for the year ended December 31, 2017.
F-45
360 Finance, Inc.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2017 AND 2018
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Consolidated Trusts
In November 2017, the Trusts were formed by two third-party trust companies and an asset management company, who administer the Trusts. There were no new trusts established in 2018.
As of June 30, 2018, the loans held by the Trusts are all personal loans made to the individual borrowers with an original term up to 12 months. The interest rates of these loans are ranged between 9% to 36%. The loans receivable balance associated with the Trusts represents the outstanding loans made to the borrowers from the Trusts. For the six-month periods ended June 30, 2017 and June 30, 2018, the amounts of repurchases for loans facilitated by the consolidated trusts are RMB nil and RMB 12,470, respectively.
For the six-month periods ended June 30, 2017 and 2018, the provision for loan losses of RMB nil and RMB 18,630 were charged to the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income, respectively. There were RMB nil and RMB 1,827 of loans written off for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2017 and 2018, respectively.
Interest on loans receivable is accrued and credited to income as earned. The Group determines a loan's past due status by the number of days that have elapsed since a borrower has failed to make a contractual loan payment. Accrual of interest is generally discontinued when the loans are 90 days past due.
The following financial statement amounts and balances of the consolidated trusts were included in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements after elimination of intercompany transactions and balances:
F-46
360 Finance, Inc.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2017 AND 2018
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
|
Six months ended
June 30, 2018 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB
|
|||
Net cash used in operating activities |
(1,701 | ) | ||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(138,396 | ) | ||
Net cash provided by financing activities |
65,480 |
The consolidated trusts contributed nil and 7% of the Group's consolidated revenue for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2017 and 2018, respectively. As of December 31, 2017 and June 30, 2018, the consolidated trusts accounted for an aggregate of 37% and 32%, respectively, of the consolidated total assets, and 43% and 36% respectively, of the consolidated total liabilities.
There are no terms in any arrangements, considering both explicit arrangements and implicit variable interests that require the Company to provide financial support to the consolidated trusts.
The Group believes that the assets of the consolidated trusts could only be used to settle the obligations of the consolidated trusts.
Use of estimates
The preparation of condensed financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from such estimates. Significant accounting estimates reflected in the Group's financial statements include revenue recognition, share-based compensation, financial assets receivable and guarantee liabilities, allowance for loans receivable, valuation allowance for deferred tax assets and fair value of stock options.
Fair value
The carrying values of financial instruments, which consist of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, financial assets receivable, funds receivable from third party payment service providers, loans receivable, payable to investors of the consolidated trusts, and amounts due from/to related parties are recorded at cost which approximates their fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.
The Group does not have any assets or liabilities that are recorded at fair value subsequent to initial recognition on a recurring or non-recurring basis during the periods presented.
F-47
360 Finance, Inc.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2017 AND 2018
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Other service fee revenues
Other service fee revenues mainly pertain to the referral service income. The Group provides the referral services to a lending navigation platform operated by a related party, by referring to them the borrowers who have not passed the Group's credit assessment. Specifically, the Group receives a referral fee from the platform once the borrowers are accepted by the other funding providers on that platform. The revenue is recognized once the referral is completed as confirmed by that platform and recorded as "other service fee revenues". In the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2018, RMB 94 and RMB 93,164 was generated from the referral services, respectively.
Other service fee revenues also include revenue from guarantee liabilities, which were released upon expiry of the underlying loans and late fees from borrowers.
Guarantee liabilities
For the loans facilitated through the loan facilitation business, from 2016 to 2017, the Group provided a guarantee service to its institutional funding partners by directly reimbursing unpaid principal and interest upon borrower's default. For accounting purposes, at loan inception, the Group recognizes a stand-ready liability representing the fair value of guarantee liability in accordance with ASC Topic 460.
From February 2018, to follow the recent regulation change, particularly the Circular 141 which came into effect in December 2017, the Group began to involve third-party guarantee companies to provide guarantee for new loans facilitated for certain funding partners. These licensed guarantee companies initially reimburses the loan principal and interest to the institutional funding partners upon borrower's default. Although the Group does not have direct contractual obligation to the institutional funding partners for defaulted principal and interest, the Group provides back to back guarantee to the licensed guarantee companies. As agreed in the back to back guarantee contract, the Group would pay the licensed guarantee companies for actual losses incurred based on defaulted principal and interest. Given that the Group effectively takes on all of the credit risk of the borrowers, the Group recognizes a stand ready obligation for its guarantee exposure in accordance with ASC Topic 460. For a small portion of loans newly facilitated during the first half of 2018, the Group does not provide guarantees and does not record any guarantee liabilities associated with those loans.
At the inception of each loan subject to the guarantee provided by the Group, the Group recognizes the guarantee liability at fair value in accordance with ASC 460-10, which incorporates the expectation of potential future payments under the guarantee and takes into both non-contingent and contingent aspects of the guarantee. Subsequent to the loan's inception, the guarantee liability is composed of two components: (i) ASC Topic 460 component; and (ii) ASC Topic 450 component. The liability recorded based on ASC Topic 460 is determined on a loan by loan basis and it is reduced when the Group is released from the underlying risk, i.e. as the loan is repaid by the borrower or when the investor is compensated in the event of a default. This component is a stand ready obligation which is not subject to the probable threshold used to record a contingent obligation. When the Group is
F-48
360 Finance, Inc.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2017 AND 2018
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
released from the stand ready liability upon expiration of the underlying loan, the Group records a corresponding amount as "Other revenue" in the unaudited condensed combined and consolidated statement of comprehensive income. For the six-month periods ended June 30, 2017 and 2018, revenues recognized related to releasing of guarantee liabilities are 101 and 14,584, respectively. The other component is a contingent liability determined based on probable loss considering the actual historical performance and current conditions, representing the obligation to make future payouts under the guarantee liability in excess of the stand-ready liability, measured using the guidance in ASC Topic 450. The ASC Topic 450 contingent component is determined on a collective basis and loans with similar risk characteristics are pooled into cohorts for purposes of measuring incurred losses. The ASC 450 contingent component is recognized as part of operating expenses in the unaudited condensed combined and consolidated statement of comprehensive income. At all times the recognized liability (including the stand ready liability and contingent liability) is at least equal to the probable estimated losses of the guarantee portfolio.
The movement of guarantee liabilities during the six-month periods ended June 30, 2017 and 2018 is as follows:
|
RMB | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
As of January 1, 2017 |
5,768 | |||
Provision at the inception of new loans |
106,935 | |||
Net payout (1) |
(46,856 | ) | ||
Release on expiration |
(101 | ) | ||
| | | | |
As of June 30, 2017 |
65,746 | |||
| | | | |
As of January 1, 2018 |
300,942 | |||
Provision at the inception of new loans |
699,313 | |||
Net payout (1) |
(251,473 | ) | ||
Release on expiration |
(14,584 | ) | ||
| | | | |
As of June 30, 2018 |
734,198 | |||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
As of December 31, 2017 and June 30, 2018, the contractual amounts of the outstanding loans subject to guarantee by the Group is estimated to be RMB 10,844,693 and RMB 24,734,887 respectively. The approximate term of guarantee compensation service ranged from 1 month to 12 months, as of the end of both December 31, 2017 and June 30, 2018. As of December 31, 2017 and June 30, 2018, the contractual amounts of the outstanding loans not subject to guarantee by the Group are estimated to be RMB nil and RMB 350,741.
F-49
360 Finance, Inc.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2017 AND 2018
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Financial assets receivable, net
Financial assets receivable is recognized at loan inception which is equal to the stand-ready liability recorded at fair value in accordance with ASC 460-10-30-2(b) and considers what premium would be required by the Group to issue the same guarantee service in a standalone arm's-length transaction.
The fair value recognized at loan inception is estimated using a discounted cash flow model based on the expected net payouts by incorporating a markup margin. The Group estimates its expected net payouts according to the product mix, default rates, loan terms and discount rate. The financial assets receivable is accounted for as a financial asset, and reduced upon the receipt of the service fee payment from the borrowers. At each reporting date, the Group estimates the future cash flows and assesses whether there is any indicator of impairment. If the carrying amounts of the financial assets receivable exceed the expected cash to be received, an impairment loss is recorded for the financial assets receivable not recoverable and is recorded in the combined and consolidated income statement.
The movement of financial assets receivable during the six-month periods ended June 30, 2017 and 2018 as follows:
|
RMB | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
As of January 1, 2017 |
5,399 | |||
Addition at the inception of new loans |
106,935 | |||
Decrease upon receipt of service fee |
(62,987 | ) | ||
| | | | |
As of June 30, 2017 |
49,347 | |||
| | | | |
As of January 1, 2018 |
140,356 | |||
Addition at the inception of new loans |
699,313 | |||
Decrease upon receipt of service |
(486,680 | ) | ||
Provision for impairment |
(593 | ) | ||
| | | | |
As of June 30, 2018 |
352,396 | |||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Convenience translation
The Group's business is primarily conducted in China and all of the revenues are denominated in RMB. The financial statements of the Group are stated in RMB. Translations of balances in the unaudited condensed combined and consolidated balance sheets, and the related unaudited condensed combined and consolidated statements of operations, shareholders' equity and cash flows from RMB into US dollars as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2018 are solely for the convenience of the readers and were calculated at the rate of USD1.00=RMB 6.6171, representing the noon buying rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board on June 29, 2018. No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted, realized or settled into USD at that rate on June 29, 2018, or at any other rate.
F-50
360 Finance, Inc.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2017 AND 2018
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Share-based compensation
Share-based payment transactions with employees, such as stock options, are measured based on the grant date fair value of the awards, with the resulting expense generally recognized on a straight-line basis in the unaudited condensed combined and consolidated statements of operations over the period during which the employee is required to perform service in exchange for the award.
The Group has adopted ASU No. 2016-09, CompensationStock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which among other items, provides an accounting policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur, rather than to account for them based on an estimate of expected forfeitures. The Group has elected to account for forfeitures as they occur and applied it retrospectively.
Loss per share
Basic loss per ordinary share is computed by dividing net loss attributable to the ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period assuming the ordinary shares were issued and outstanding from the earliest period presented.
Diluted loss per ordinary share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities were exercised or converted into ordinary shares. The Group had stock options which could potentially dilute basic loss per share in the future. To calculate the number of shares for diluted loss per ordinary share, the effect of the stock options is computed using the treasury stock method.
Recent accounting pronouncement
The Group will adopt ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)", as amended, on January l, 2019 with a full retrospective approach. Upon adoption of Topic 606, the total revenue would be RMB 1,578 million for the six-month period ended June 30, 2018.
3. LOANS RECEIVABLE, NET
Loans receivable consists of the following:
|
As of
December 31, 2017 |
As of
June 30, 2018 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
|||||
Loans receivable |
1,204,713 | 1,373,159 | |||||
Less allowance for loan losses |
(12,406 | ) | (30,072 | ) | |||
| | | | | | | |
Loans receivable, net |
1,192,307 | 1,343,087 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
F-51
360 Finance, Inc.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2017 AND 2018
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
3. LOANS RECEIVABLE, NET (Continued)
The following table presents the aging of loans as of December 31, 2017 and June 30, 2018:
|
0 - 30 days
past due |
31 - 60 days
past due |
61 - 90 days
past due |
91 - 120 days
past due |
Over120 days
past due |
Total amount
past due |
Current |
Total
loans |
|||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
December 31, 2017 (RMB) |
9,739 | 1,765 | 1,171 | 886 | 95 | 13,656 | 1,191,057 | 1,204,713 | |||||||||||||||||
June 30, 2018 (RMB) |
16,046 | 4,892 | 4,377 | 3,461 | 7,569 | 36,345 | 1,336,814 | 1,373,159 |
Loans receivable of RMB 11,030 as of June 30, 2018 were in non-accrual status. The Group has not recorded any financing income on an accrual basis for the loans that are past due for more than 90 days. Loans are returned to accrual status if they are brought to non-delinquent status or have performed in accordance with the contractual terms for a reasonable period of time and, in the Group's judgment, will continue to make periodic principal and interest payments as scheduled. For the six-month periods ended June 30, 2017 and June 30, 2018, the Group has charged off loan principal and interests receivable of RMB nil and RMB 6,989, respectively.
Movement of allowance for loan losses is as follows:
|
Six months
ended, June 30, 2017 |
Six months
ended, June 30, 2018 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
|||||
Balance at beginning of year |
| 12,406 | |||||
Provision for loan losses |
| 24,655 | |||||
Write-off |
| (6,989 | ) | ||||
| | | | | | | |
Balance at end of period |
| 30,072 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
The following table presents nonaccrual loan principal as of December 31, 2017 and June 30, 2018:
|
As of
December 31, 2017 |
As of
June 30, 2018 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
|||||
Nonaccrual loan principal |
982 | 11,030 | |||||
Less allowance for loan losses |
(959 | ) | (10,929 | ) | |||
| | | | | | | |
Nonaccrual loans, net |
23 | 101 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
F-52
360 Finance, Inc.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2017 AND 2018
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
4. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET
|
As of
December 31, 2017 |
As of
June 30, 2018 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
|||||
Leasehold improvements |
2,988 | 4,077 | |||||
Electronic equipment |
2,888 | 3,900 | |||||
Furniture and office equipment |
1,587 | 1,851 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total property and equipment |
7,463 | 9,828 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Accumulated depreciation |
(1,469 | ) | (3,044 | ) | |||
Property and equipment, net |
5,994 | 6,784 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Depreciation expense on property and equipment for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2017 and 2018 were RMB 434 and RMB 1,575, respectively, recorded under "General and administrative" in the unaudited condensed combined and consolidated statements of operations.
5. ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES
|
As of
December 31, 2017 |
As of
June 30, 2018 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
|||||
Payable to institutional funding partners (i) |
42,654 | 51,057 | |||||
Accrued payroll and welfare |
14,681 | 18,694 | |||||
User traffic direction fees (ii) |
28,070 | 108,237 | |||||
Accrued technical service fees |
9,439 | 50,737 | |||||
Others |
1,893 | 10,875 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total |
96,737 | 239,600 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
F-53
360 Finance, Inc.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2017 AND 2018
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
6. RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS
The table below sets forth the major related parties and their relationships with the Group, with which the Group entered into transactions during the six-month periods ended June 30, 2017 and 2018:
Name of related parties
|
Relationship with the group | |
---|---|---|
Beijing Qifutong Technology Co., Ltd. ("Qifutong") |
An affiliate of 360 Group, ultimately controlled by Mr. Zhou, the Chairman of the Group | |
Beijing Qibutianxia Technology Co., Ltd. ("Qibutianxia") |
Entity controlled by Mr. Zhou, the Chairman of the Group | |
Ningbo Siyinjia Investment management Co., Ltd. ("Ningbo Siyinjia") |
Entity controlled by Mr. Zhou, the Chairman of the Group | |
Beijing Qicaitianxia Technology Co., Ltd. ("Qicaitianxia") |
Entity controlled by Mr. Zhou, the Chairman of the Group | |
Beijing Qihu Technology Co., Ltd. ("Qihu") |
An affiliate of 360 Group, ultimately controlled by Mr. Zhou, the Chairman of the Group | |
Jinshang Consumer Finance Inc. ("Jinshang") |
An affiliate of an entity controlled by Mr. Zhou, the Chairman of the Group | |
Youdaojingwei Assets Management Co., Ltd. ("Youdaojingwei") |
Entity controlled by Mr. Zhou, the Chairman of the Group | |
Beijing Zixuan Information Technology Co., Ltd. ("Beijing Zixuan") |
Entity controlled by Mr. Zhou, the Chairman of the Group | |
Others |
Affiliates of 360 Group, ultimately controlled by Mr. Zhou, the Chairman of the Group |
The Group entered into the following transactions with its related parties:
For the six-month periods ended June 30, 2017 and 2018, services provided by the related parties were RMB 19,037 and RMB 53,408 respectively.
|
Six months
ended June 30, 2017 |
Six months
ended June 30, 2018 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
|||||
Corporate expenses allocated from Qibutianxia |
8,756 | 18,244 | |||||
Referral service fee charged by Qifutong |
5,533 | 27,111 | |||||
Referral service fee charged by Qihu |
4,748 | 6,403 | |||||
Others |
| 1,650 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total |
19,037 | 53,408 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Qihu is the subsidiary of 360 Group which are ultimately controlled by Mr. Zhou. It refers borrowers to the Group and charges referral service fees accordingly.
F-54
360 Finance, Inc.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2017 AND 2018
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
6. RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS (Continued)
For the six-month periods ended June 30, 2017 and 2018, services provided to the related parties were RMB 828 and RMB 92,103 respectively.
|
Six months
ended June 30, 2017 |
Six month
ended June 30, 2018 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
|||||
Referral service fee charged to Qicaitianxia |
94 | 91,639 | |||||
Others |
734 | 464 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total |
828 | 92,103 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
As of December 31, 2017 and June 30, 2018, amounts due from related parties were RMB 105,219 and RMB 45,918, respectively, and details are as follows:
|
As of
December 31, 2017 |
As of
June 30, 2018 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
|||||
Qicaitianxia |
89,361 | 40,008 | |||||
Jinshang (1) |
14,932 | 4,107 | |||||
Qifutong |
400 | 1,550 | |||||
Others |
526 | 253 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total |
105,219 | 45,918 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
F-55
360 Finance, Inc.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2017 AND 2018
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
6. RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS (Continued)
As of December 31, 2017 and June 30, 2018, amounts due to related parties were RMB 1,283,970 and RMB 1,246,357 respectively, and details are as follows:
|
As of
December 31, 2017 |
As of
June 30, 2018 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
|||||
Qibutianxia (1) |
769,321 | 636,697 | |||||
Ningbo Siyinjia |
300 | 300 | |||||
Qifutong |
11,641 | 1,600 | |||||
Youdaojingwei (2) |
483,145 | 577,299 | |||||
Beijing Zixuan (3) |
16,572 | 25,116 | |||||
Others |
2,991 | 5,345 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total |
1,283,970 | 1,246,357 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Qibutianxia provided joint back to back guarantee to certain third party guarantee companies for loans facilitated by the Group. As of June 30, 2018, RMB 3,001,637 loans were under such arrangement.
7. INCOME TAXES
The current and deferred portion of income tax expenses included in the unaudited condensed combined and consolidated statements of operations, which were all attributable to the Group's PRC entities are as follows:
|
Six months
ended June 30, 2017 |
Six months
ended June 30, 2018 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
|||||
Current tax |
8,006 | 248,061 | |||||
Deferred tax |
(32,662 | ) | (283,325 | ) | |||
| | | | | | | |
Total |
(24,656 | ) | (35,264 | ) | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
F-56
360 Finance, Inc.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2017 AND 2018
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
7. INCOME TAXES (Continued)
The effective tax rate is based on expected income and statutory tax rates. For interim financial reporting, the Group estimates the annual tax rate based on projected taxable income for the full year and records an interim income tax provision in accordance with guidance on accounting for income taxes in an interim period. As the year progresses, the Group refines the estimates of the year's taxable income as new information becomes available.
The Group's effective tax rate for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2017 and 2018 was 26.82% and 5.81%, respectively. The decrease of effective tax rate for the six-month period ended June 30, 2018 was mainly due to the non-deductible share-based compensation expenses of RMB 466,007 during the period.
The Group did not incur any interest and penalties related to potential underpaid income tax expenses.
8. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
Share incentive plan
Stock options
On May 20, 2018, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the Share Incentive Plan and granted 24,627,493 of stock options to certain employees, directors and officers. The stock options shall expire 10 years from the date of grant and vest over a period from immediate to 4 years. The Company used the binomial model to estimate the fair value of the options granted on the respective grant dates with assistance from an independent valuation firm. The fair value per option was estimated at the date of grant using the following assumptions. The weighted-average grant date fair value of the options for the six-month period ended June 30, 2018 was RMB 48.64. The fair value of options approximates the fair value of underlying ordinary shares as the exercise price is nominal.
|
Six months
ended June 30, 2018 |
|
---|---|---|
Average risk-free rate of interest |
3.18% | |
Estimated volatility rate |
53.49% | |
Dividend yield |
0.00% | |
Time to maturity |
10 years | |
Exercise price |
USD 0.00001 | |
Fair value per underlying ordinary share |
RMB 48.64 |
The risk-free rate of interest is based on the yield of US Treasury Strip Bond as of the valuation date. The expected volatility is estimated based on annualized standard deviation of daily stock price return of comparable companies for the period before valuation date and with similar span as the expected expiration term. The fair value of ordinary share underlying the options has been determined by considering a number of objective and subjective factors such as operating and financial
F-57
360 Finance, Inc.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2017 AND 2018
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
8. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION (Continued)
performance, round of financing investment, discount for lack of marketability and general and industry specific economic outlook, amongst other factors.
A summary of option activity during period from January 1, 2018 to June 30, 2018 is as follows:
|
Number of
Options |
Weighted
Average Exercise Price |
Weighted
Average Remaining Contract Life |
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
USD
|
Years
|
RMB
|
|||||||||
Options outstanding at January 1, 2018 |
| | |||||||||||
Options granted in 2018 |
24,627,493 | 0.00001 | 8.48 | 1,197,881 | |||||||||
Options forfeited in 2018 |
| | | | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Options outstanding at June 30, 2018 |
24,627,493 | 0.00001 | 8.37 | 1,197,881 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Options exercisable at June 30, 2018 |
4,619,403 | 0.00001 | 8.37 | 224,688 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Options vested or expected to be vested at June 30, 2018 |
24,627,493 | 0.00001 | 8.37 | 1,197,881 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The Company recognizes the compensation costs on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award, which is generally the vesting period.
As of June 30, 2018, unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested awards granted to employees of the Group was RMB 731,874. This cost is expected to be recognized weighted-average period of 1.63 years.
9. ORDINARY SHARES AND PREFERRED SHARES
On April 27, 2018, the Company was authorized to issue 50,000,000 shares of common stock, at par value of USD 0.001 per share. And 1 share was issued and outstanding on that date. On May 16, 2018, the board approved a share split of 1 to 100, and re-designation of common stock to Class A ordinary shares. As a result, 5,000,000,000 shares was authorized at par value of USD 0.00001 per share, and 100 shares were issued and outstanding.
F-58
360 Finance, Inc.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2017 AND 2018
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
9. ORDINARY SHARES AND PREFERRED SHARES (Continued)
Before the Reorganization occurred in September 2018, there are several rounds of financing into Qibutianxia with some equity interest having preference rights. In 2016 before Qiyu was established, RMB 100,000 equity interest were subscribed by the shareholders who have the preference rights (Series A preferred equity interest). In April 2017, RMB 722,770 equity interest were subscribed by the shareholders who have the preference rights. And in January 2018, RMB 1,451,300 equity interest were subscribed by the shareholders who have the preference rights. Collectively, these equity interest issued in 2017 and 2018 were grouped as Series A+ preferred equity interest.
Upon Reorganization in September 2018, the Company issued an aggregate 198,347,168 ordinary shares and an aggregate of 10,375,744 Series A preferred shares and 47,792,100 Series A+ preferred shares respectively, all in the same proportions, to its ordinary shareholders and preferred equity interest holders in exchange for their equity interest in the carved out entities of Qiyu, Fuzhou Microcredit and Fuzhou Guarantee. The ordinary shares include 16,512,156 Class A ordinary shares, 39,820,586 Class B ordinary shares and 142,014,426 Class C ordinary shares.
Each Class A and each Class C ordinary share is entitled to one vote and each Class B ordinary share is entitled to twenty votes on all matters that are subject to shareholder vote. All classes of ordinary shares are entitled to the same dividend right. Class B and Class C ordinary shares could be converted into Class A ordinary shares on one-for-one basis. All Class B ordinary shares are beneficially owned by Mr. Zhou, the Chairman of the Company. All Class C ordinary shares will be automatically converted to Class A ordinary shares immediately prior to the completion of the IPO.
The preference rights held by the shareholders of Series A and Series A+ preferred shares are substantially the same as the interest they held in Qibutianxia.
The shareholders of the preferred shares and ordinary shares are entitled to the dividend pari passu based on the number of shares they own on an as-converted basis once a dividend is authorized.
10. STATUTORY RESERVES AND RESTRICTED NET ASSETS
In accordance with the PRC laws and regulations, the PRC entities of the Group are required to make appropriation to certain statutory reserves, namely general reserve, enterprise expansion reserve, and staff welfare and bonus reserve, all of which are appropriated from net profit as reported in their PRC statutory accounts. The PRC entities of the Group are required to appropriate at least 10% of their after-tax profits to the general reserve until such reserve has reached 50% of their respective registered capital.
Appropriations to the enterprise expansion reserve and the staff welfare and bonus reserve are to be made at the discretion of the board of directors of the PRC entities of the Group. There are no appropriations to these reserves by the PRC entities of the Group for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2017 and 2018, respectively.
As a result of PRC laws and regulations and the requirement that distributions by the PRC entities of the Group can only be paid out of distributable profits computed in accordance with the PRC
F-59
360 Finance, Inc.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2017 AND 2018
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
10. STATUTORY RESERVES AND RESTRICTED NET ASSETS (Continued)
GAAP, the PRC entities of the Group restricted from transferring a portion of their net assets to the Group. Amounts restricted include paid-in capital, capital reserve and statutory reserves of the PRC entities of the Group. As of December 31, 2017 and June 30, 2018, the aggregated amounts of paid-in capital, capital reserve and statutory reserves represented the amount of net assets of the relevant entity in the Group not available for distribution amounted to RMB 590,000 and RMB 690,000, respectively (including the statutory reserve fund of nil as of December 31, 2017 and June 30, 2018).
11. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
(1) Commitments
Operating lease as lessee
The Group leases certain office premises and cloud infrastructure to support its core business system under non-cancelable leases. Rental expenses under operating leases for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2017 and 2018 were RMB 3,017 and RMB 6,157, respectively.
Future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases agreements are as follows:
Years ending
|
RMB | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
2018 |
4,816 | |||
2019 |
7,846 | |||
2020 |
3,619 | |||
2021 and thereafter |
|
(2) Contingencies
The Group is subject to periodic legal or administrative proceedings in the ordinary course of business. The Group does not believe that any currently pending legal or administrative proceeding to which the Group is a party will have a material effect on its business or financial condition.
12. NET LOSS PER SHARE
For the six-month periods ended June 30, 2017 and 2018, for the purpose of calculating net loss per share as a result of the Reorganization as described in Note 1, the number of shares used in the calculation reflects the outstanding shares of the Company as if the Reorganization took place from the earliest date.
F-60
360 Finance, Inc.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2017 AND 2018
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
12. NET LOSS PER SHARE (Continued)
Basic and diluted net loss per share for each of the periods presented were calculated as follows:
|
For the six months
ended June 30, |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2017
Class A, Class B and Class C |
2018
Class A, Class B and Class C |
|||||
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
|||||
Basic net loss per share calculation Numerator: |
|||||||
Net loss attributable to Class A, Class B and Class C ordinary shareholders for computing basic and diluted net loss per share |
(67,285 | ) | (572,016 | ) | |||
Denominator: |
|
|
|||||
Weighted average Class A, Class B and Class C ordinary shares outstanding used in computing basic and diluted loss per ordinary share |
198,347,168 | 198,347,168 | |||||
Basic and diluted net income per share |
(0.34 | ) | (2.88 | ) |
For the six-month period ended June 30, 2018, 24,627,493 numbers of share options were excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.
13. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The Group has evaluated subsequent events through September 10, 2018, which is the date when the condensed combined and consolidated financial statements were issued.
On September 10, 2018, the Group issued 24,937,695 Series B preferred shares to certain new investors for a total cash consideration of USD 203,500. At the same time, Series A preferred shares and Series A+ preferred shares were issued to the shareholders of Qibutianxia who have the preference rights, in exchange for the contribution of Qiyu, Fuzhou Microcredit and Fuzhou Guarantee as discussed in Note 1. The terms of the all the preferred shares are substantially the same. The key terms include the following:
Voting Rights
The holders of the preferred shares and ordinary shares shall vote together as one class on all resolutions. The holder of each preferred shares has the number of votes as equals to the number of Class A ordinary shares then issuable upon their conversion into Class A ordinary shares.
Redemption
At the request of the majority of the holders of the preferred shares, the preferred shares are redeemable at any time when the Company fails to complete an IPO on or before June 30, 2022 or any material breach of the Transaction Documents (including the Shareholders' Agreement and Memorandum and Articles as amended from time to time), at a redemption price at least equal to the
F-61
360 Finance, Inc.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2017 AND 2018
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi ("RMB") and U.S. dollars ("USD")
except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
13. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Continued)
sum of the deemed issue price, plus an amount accruing at 8% per annum and all declared but unpaid dividends.
Liquidation Preference
In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the holders of the preferred shares shall be entitled to receive, prior to the holders of the ordinary shares, at the amount representing higher of a deemed liquidation price and an equivalent redemption price. The liquidation preference could be exercised in the sequence of Series B preferred shares, Series A+ preferred shares and Series A preferred shares.
Conversion rights
Each preferred share shall be convertible, at the option of the holder thereof, at any time into Class A ordinary shares. And all outstanding preferred shares shall automatically be converted into Class A ordinary shares, at the then effective conversion rate upon either (a) the occurrence of an IPO, or (b) when specified by vote or written consent of the holders of at least two thirds of the then outstanding preferred shares and Class C Ordinary Shares voting together as a single class on an as-converted basis.
Dividends
The holders of the preferred shares and ordinary shares are entitled to the dividend pari passu based on the number of shares they own on an as-converted basis once a dividend is authorized.
F-62
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
Cayman Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company's articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime.
The post-offering memorandum and articles of association that we expect to adopt and to become effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering provide that we shall indemnify our directors and officers (each an indemnified person) against all actions, proceedings, costs, charges, expenses, losses, damages or liabilities incurred or sustained by such indemnified person, other than by reason of such person's own dishonesty, willful default or fraud, in or about the conduct of our company's business or affairs (including as a result of any mistake of judgment) or in the execution or discharge of his duties, powers, authorities or discretions, including without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, any costs, expenses, losses or liabilities incurred by such indemnified person in defending (whether successfully or otherwise) any civil proceedings concerning our company or its affairs in any court whether in the Cayman Islands or elsewhere.
Pursuant to the indemnification agreements, the form of which is filed as Exhibit 10.2 to this registration statement, we agree to indemnify our directors and executive officers against certain liabilities and expenses incurred by such persons in connection with claims made by reason of their being such a director or officer.
The underwriting agreement, the form of which will be filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this registration statement, will also provide indemnification for us and our officers and directors for certain liabilities.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling us pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
ITEM 7. RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES.
During the past three years, we have issued the following securities. We believe that each of the following issuances was exempt from registration under the Securities Act in reliance on Regulation D under the Securities Act or pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act regarding transactions not
II-1
involving a public offering or in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act regarding sales by an issuer in offshore transactions. No underwriters were involved in these issuances of securities.
Securities/Purchaser
|
Date of Issuance |
Number of
Securities |
Consideration | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ordinary shares and preferred shares |
|||||||
All beneficial owners of Beijing Qibutianxia |
September 10, 2018 | 16,512,156 Class A ordinary shares, 39,820,586 Class B ordinary shares, 142,014,426 Class C ordinary shares, 10,375,744 Series A preferred shares, and 47,792,100 Series A+ preferred shares | Contribution of most of Beijing Qibutianxia's assets and operation, primarily including its online consumer finance and the online microcredit lending business | ||||
Series B preferred shares |
|
|
|
||||
TonSung Holdings Limited |
September 10, 2018 | 12,254,395 Series B preferred shares | US$100,000,000.00 | ||||
MAX DYNAMIC BUSINESS LIMITED |
September 10, 2018 | 1,225,440 Series B preferred shares | US$10,000,000.00 | ||||
Onew Technology Co., Ltd |
September 10, 2018 | 7,352,637 Series B preferred shares | US$60,000,000.00 | ||||
Hermitage Galaxy Fund SPC (for and on behalf of Hermitage Fund One SP) |
September 10, 2018 | 2,879,783 Series B preferred shares | US$23,500,000.00 | ||||
TFI Special Opportunities Fund SPCTFI New Era Growth SP |
September 10, 2018 | 1,225,440 Series B preferred shares | US$10,000,003.34 | ||||
Options |
|
|
|
||||
Certain directors, officers and employees |
May 20, 2018 | Options to purchase 24,836,096 Class A ordinary shares | Past and future services to us |
II-2
ITEM 8. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
See Exhibit Index beginning on page II-5 of this registration statement.
The agreements included as exhibits to this registration statement contain representations and warranties by each of the parties to the applicable agreement. These representations and warranties were made solely for the benefit of the other parties to the applicable agreement and (i) were not intended to be treated as categorical statements of fact, but rather as a way of allocating the risk to one of the parties if those statements prove to be inaccurate; (ii) may have been qualified in such agreement by disclosure that was made to the other party in connection with the negotiation of the applicable agreement; (iii) may apply contract standards of "materiality" that are different from "materiality" under the applicable securities laws; and (iv) were made only as of the date of the applicable agreement or such other date or dates as may be specified in the agreement.
We acknowledge that, notwithstanding the inclusion of the foregoing cautionary statements, we are responsible for considering whether additional specific disclosure of material information regarding material contractual provisions is required to make the statements in this registration statement not misleading.
Schedules have been omitted because the information required to be set forth therein is not applicable or is shown in the Combined Financial Statements or the Notes thereto.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriter at the closing specified in the underwriting agreements, certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriter to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions described in Item 6, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
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II-4
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form F-1 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Shanghai, China, on October 26, 2018.
360 Finance, Inc. | ||||||
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By: |
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/s/ JUN XU |
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Name: | Jun Xu | |||||
Title: | Chief Executive Officer and Director |
Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints each of Jun Xu and Jiang Wu as attorneys-in-fact with full power of substitution for him or her in any and all capacities to do any and all acts and all things and to execute any and all instruments which said attorney and agent may deem necessary or desirable to enable the registrant to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of class A ordinary shares of the registrant (the "Shares"), including, without limitation, the power and authority to sign the name of each of the undersigned in the capacities indicated below to the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (the "Registration Statement") to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to such Shares, to any and all amendments or supplements to such Registration Statement, whether such amendments or supplements are filed before or after the effective date of such Registration Statement, to any related Registration Statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, and to any and all instruments or documents filed as part of or in connection with such Registration Statement or any and all amendments thereto, whether such amendments are filed before or after the effective date of such Registration Statement; and each of the undersigned hereby ratifies and confirms all that such attorney and agent shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
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Title
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Date
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/s/ HONGYI ZHOU
Hongyi Zhou |
Chairman of the Board of Directors | October 26, 2018 | ||
/s/ JUN XU Jun Xu |
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Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) and Director |
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October 26, 2018 |
/s/ WEI LIU Wei Liu |
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Director |
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October 26, 2018 |
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Signature
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Title
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Date
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/s/ FAN ZHANG
Fan Zhang |
Director | October 26, 2018 | ||
/s/ GANG XIAO Gang Xiao |
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Director |
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October 26, 2018 |
/s/ YONGJIN FU Yongjin Fu |
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Director |
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October 26, 2018 |
/s/ YUNFAN ZHANG Yunfan Zhang |
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Director |
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October 26, 2018 |
/s/ JIANG WU Jiang Wu |
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Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
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October 26, 2018 |
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SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE IN THE UNITED STATES
Pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, the undersigned, the duly authorized representative in the United States of 360 Finance, Inc. has signed this registration statement or amendment thereto in New York on October 26, 2018.
Authorized U.S. Representative | ||||||
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Cogency Global, Inc. |
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By: |
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/s/ CHIANG SHEUNG LIN |
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Name: | Chiang Sheung Lin | |||||
Title: | Assistant Secretary |
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THE COMPANIES LAW (2018 REVISION)
OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS
COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES
AMENDED AND RESTATED
MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION
OF
360 FINANCE, INC.
(adopted by a Special Resolution passed on September 10, 2018)
1. The name of the Company is 360 Finance, Inc .
2. The Registered Office of the Company will be situated at the offices of Osiris International Cayman Limited, Suite #4-210, Governors Square, 23 Lime Tree Bay Avenue, PO Box 32311, Grand Cayman KY1-1209 Cayman Islands, or at such other location within the Cayman Islands as the Directors may from time to time determine.
3. The objects for which the Company is established are unrestricted and the Company shall have full power and authority to carry out any object not prohibited by the Companies Law or any other law of the Cayman Islands.
4. The Company shall have and be capable of exercising all the functions of a natural person of full capacity irrespective of any question of corporate benefit as provided by the Companies Law.
5. The Company will not trade in the Cayman Islands with any person, firm or corporation except in furtherance of the business of the Company carried on outside the Cayman Islands; provided that nothing in this section shall be construed as to prevent the Company effecting and concluding contracts in the Cayman Islands, and exercising in the Cayman Islands all of its powers necessary for the carrying on of its business outside the Cayman Islands.
6. The liability of each Shareholder is limited to the amount, if any, unpaid on the Shares held by such Shareholder.
7. The authorised share capital of the Company is US$50,000 divided into 5,000,000,000 shares, comprising of (i) 4,735,059,449 Class A ordinary shares with a par value of US$0.00001 each, (ii) 39,820,586 Class B ordinary shares with a par value of US$0.00001 each, (iii) 142,014,426 Class C ordinary shares with a par value of US$0.00001 each, (iv) 10,375,744 Series A preferred shares with a par value of US$0.00001 each, and (v) 47,792,100 Series A+ preferred shares with a par value of US$0.00001 each, and (vi) 24,937,695 Series B preferred shares with a par value of US$0.00001 each. Subject to the Companies Law and the Articles, the Company shall have power to redeem or purchase any of its Shares and to increase or reduce its authorised share capital and to sub-divide or consolidate the said Shares or any of them and to issue all or any part of its capital whether original, redeemed, increased or reduced with or without any preference, priority, special privilege or other rights or subject to any postponement of rights or to any conditions or restrictions whatsoever and so that unless the conditions of issue shall otherwise expressly provide every issue of shares whether stated to be ordinary, preference or otherwise shall be subject to the powers on the part of the Company hereinbefore provided.
8. The Company has the power contained in the Companies Law to deregister in the Cayman Islands and be registered by way of continuation in some other jurisdiction.
9. Capitalised terms that are not defined in this Memorandum of Association bear the same meanings as those given in the Articles of Association of the Company.
THE COMPANIES LAW (2018 REVISION)
OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS
COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES
AMENDED AND RESTATED
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
OF
360 FINANCE, INC.
(adopted by a Special Resolution passed on September 10, 2018)
TABLE A
The regulations contained or incorporated in Table A in the First Schedule of the Companies Law shall not apply to the Company and the following Articles shall comprise the Articles of Association of the Company.
INTERPRETATION
1. In these Articles the following defined terms will have the meanings ascribed to them, if not inconsistent with the subject or context:
Affiliate |
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means in respect of a Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person, and (i) in the case of a natural person, shall include, without limitation, such persons spouse, parents, children, siblings, mother-in-law, father-in-law, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, a trust for the benefit of any of the foregoing, and a corporation, partnership or any other entity wholly or jointly owned by any of the foregoing, and (ii) in the case of an entity, shall include a partnership, a corporation or any other entity or any natural person which directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such entity. The term control shall mean the ownership, directly or indirectly, of shares possessing more than fifty per cent (50%) of the voting power of the corporation, partnership or other entity (other than, in the case of a corporation, securities having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency), or having the power to control the management or elect a majority of members to the board of directors or equivalent decision-making body of such corporation, partnership or other entity; |
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Articles |
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means these articles of association of the Company, as amended or substituted from time to time; |
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Board and Board of Directors and Directors |
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means the directors of the Company for the time being, or as the case may be, the directors assembled as a board or as a committee thereof; |
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Chairman |
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means the chairman of the Board of Directors; |
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Class or Classes |
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means any class or classes of Shares as may from time to time be issued by the Company; |
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Commission |
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means the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States of America or any other federal agency for the time being administering the Securities Act; |
Class A Ordinary Share |
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means an ordinary share of the Company with a nominal or par value of US$0.00001, designated as a Class A Ordinary Share, having the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions set out in these Articles. |
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Class B Ordinary Share |
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means an ordinary share of the Company with a nominal or par value of US$0.00001, designated as a Class B Ordinary Share, having the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions set out in these Articles. |
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Class C Ordinary Share |
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means an ordinary share of the Company with a nominal or par value of US$0.00001, designated as a Class C Ordinary Share, having the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions set out in these Articles. |
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Company |
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means 360 Finance, Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company; |
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Companies Law |
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means the Companies Law (2018 Revision) of the Cayman Islands and any statutory amendment or re-enactment thereof; |
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Companys Website |
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means the main corporate/investor relations website of the Company, the address or domain name of which has been disclosed in any registration statement filed by the Company with the Commission in connection with its initial public offering of ADSs, or which has otherwise been notified to Shareholders; |
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Designated Stock Exchange |
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means the stock exchange in the United States on which any Shares and ADSs are listed for trading; |
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Designated Stock Exchange Rules |
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means the relevant code, rules and regulations, as amended, from time to time, applicable as a result of the original and continued listing of any Shares or ADSs on the Designated Stock Exchange; |
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electronic |
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has the meaning given to it in the Electronic Transactions Law and any amendment thereto or re-enactments thereof for the time being in force and includes every other law incorporated therewith or substituted therefor; |
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electronic communication |
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means electronic posting to the Companys Website, transmission to any number, address or internet website or other electronic delivery methods as otherwise decided and approved by not less than two-thirds of the vote of the Board; |
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Electronic Transactions Law |
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means the Electronic Transactions Law (2003 Revision) of the Cayman Islands and any statutory amendment or re-enactment thereof; |
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electronic record |
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has the meaning given to it in the Electronic Transactions Law and any amendment thereto or re-enactments thereof for the time being in force and includes every other law incorporated therewith or substituted therefor; |
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Exhibit A |
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means Exhibit A to these Articles which for the avoidance of doubt, forms an integral part of these Articles. |
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Memorandum of Association |
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means the memorandum of association of the Company, as amended or substituted from time to time; |
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Ordinary Resolution |
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means a resolution:
(a) passed by a simple majority of the votes cast by such Shareholders as, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy or, in the case of corporations, by their duly authorized representatives, at a general meeting of the Company held in accordance with these Articles; or |
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(b) approved in writing by all of the Shareholders entitled to vote at a general meeting of the Company in one or more instruments each signed by one or more of the Shareholders and the effective date of the resolution so adopted shall be the date on which the instrument, or the last of such instruments, if more than one, is executed; |
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Ordinary Share |
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means an ordinary share of the Company with a nominal or par value of US$0.00001, including a Class A Ordinary Share, a Class B Ordinary Share and a Class C Ordinary Share. |
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paid up |
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means paid up as to the par value in respect of the issue of any Shares and includes credited as paid up; |
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Person |
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means any natural person, firm, company, joint venture, partnership, corporation, association or other entity (whether or not having a separate legal personality) or any of them as the context so requires; |
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Preferred Share |
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means a preferred share of the Company with a nominal or par value of US$0.00001, including a Series A Preferred Share, a Series A+ Preferred Share and a Series B Preferred Share. |
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Register |
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means the register of Members of the Company maintained in accordance with the Companies Law; |
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Registered Office |
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means the registered office of the Company as required by the Companies Law; |
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Seal |
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means the common seal of the Company (if adopted) including any facsimile thereof; |
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Secretary |
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means any Person appointed by the Directors to perform any of the duties of the secretary of the Company; |
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Securities Act |
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means the Securities Act of 1933 of the United States of America, as amended, or any similar federal statute and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at the time; |
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Series A Preferred Share |
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means a preferred share of the Company with a nominal or par value of US$0.00001, designated as a Series A Preferred Share, having the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions set out in these Articles (including Exhibit A). |
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Series A+ Preferred Share |
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means a preferred share of the Company with a nominal or par value of US$0.00001, designated as a Series A+ Preferred Share, having the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions set out in these Articles (including Exhibit A). |
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Series B Preferred Share |
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means a preferred share of the Company with a nominal or par value of US$0.00001, designated as a Series B Preferred Share, having the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions set out in these Articles (including Exhibit A). |
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Share |
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means a share in the capital of the Company including an Ordinary Share and a Preferred Share. All references to Shares herein shall be deemed to be Shares of any or all Classes as the context may require. For the avoidance of doubt in these Articles the expression Share shall include a fraction of a Share; |
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Shareholder or Member |
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means a Person who is registered as the holder of one or more Shares in the Register; |
Share Premium Account |
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means the share premium account established in accordance with these Articles and the Companies Law; |
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signed |
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means bearing a signature or representation of a signature affixed by mechanical means or an electronic symbol or process attached to or logically associated with an electronic communication and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the electronic communication; |
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Special Resolution |
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means a special resolution of the Company passed in accordance with the Companies Law, being a resolution:
(a) passed by not less than two-thirds of the votes cast by such Shareholders as, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy or, in the case of corporations, by their duly authorised representatives, at a general meeting of the Company of which notice specifying the intention to propose the resolution as a special resolution has been duly given; or
(b) approved in writing by all of the Shareholders entitled to vote at a general meeting of the Company in one or more instruments each signed by one or more of the Shareholders and the effective date of the special resolution so adopted shall be the date on which the instrument or the last of such instruments, if more than one, is executed; |
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Treasury Share |
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means a Share held in the name of the Company as a treasury share in accordance with the Companies Law; and |
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United States |
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means the United States of America, its territories, its possessions and all areas subject to its jurisdiction. |
2. In these Articles, save where the context requires otherwise:
(a) words importing the singular number shall include the plural number and vice versa;
(b) words importing the masculine gender only shall include the feminine gender and any Person as the context may require;
(c) the word may shall be construed as permissive and the word shall shall be construed as imperative;
(d) reference to a dollar or dollars (or US$) and to a cent or cents is reference to dollars and cents of the United States of America;
(e) reference to a statutory enactment shall include reference to any amendment or re-enactment thereof for the time being in force;
(f) reference to any determination by the Directors shall be construed as a determination by the Directors in their sole and absolute discretion and shall be applicable either generally or in any particular case;
(g) reference to in writing shall be construed as written or represented by any means reproducible in writing, including any form of print, lithograph, email, facsimile, photograph or telex or represented by any other substitute or format for storage or transmission for writing including in the form of an electronic record or partly one and partly another;
(h) any requirements as to delivery under the Articles include delivery in the form of an electronic record or an electronic communication;
(i) any requirements as to execution or signature under the Articles, including the execution of the Articles themselves, can be satisfied in the form of an electronic signature as defined in the Electronic Transaction Law; and
(j) Sections 8 and 19(3) of the Electronic Transactions Law shall not apply.
3. Subject to the last two preceding Articles, any words defined in the Companies Law shall, if not inconsistent with the subject or context, bear the same meaning in these Articles.
PRELIMINARY
4. The business of the Company may be conducted as the Directors see fit.
5. The Registered Office shall be at such address in the Cayman Islands as the Directors may from time to time determine. The Company may in addition establish and maintain such other offices and places of business and agencies in such places as the Directors may from time to time determine.
6. The expenses incurred in the formation of the Company and in connection with the offer for subscription and issue of Shares shall be paid by the Company. Such expenses may be amortised over such period as the Directors may determine and the amount so paid shall be charged against income and/or capital in the accounts of the Company as the Directors shall determine.
7. The Directors shall keep, or cause to be kept, the Register at such place as the Directors may from time to time determine and, in the absence of any such determination, the Register shall be kept at the Registered Office.
SHARES
8. Subject to these Articles, including Exhibit A, all Shares for the time being unissued shall be under the control of the Directors who may, in their absolute discretion and without the approval of the Members, cause the Company to:
(a) issue, allot and dispose of Shares (including, without limitation, preferred shares) (whether in certificated form or non-certificated form) to such Persons, in such manner, on such terms and having such rights and being subject to such restrictions as they may from time to time determine;
(b) grant rights over Shares or other securities to be issued in one or more classes or series as they deem necessary or appropriate and determine the designations, powers, preferences, privileges and other rights attaching to such Shares or securities, including dividend rights, voting rights, conversion rights, terms of redemption and liquidation preferences, any or all of which may be greater than the powers, preferences, privileges and rights associated with the then issued and outstanding Shares, at such times and on such other terms as they think proper; and
(c) grant options with respect to Shares and issue warrants or similar instruments with respect thereto.
9. The Directors may authorise the division of Shares into any number of Classes and/or series and the different Classes and series shall be authorised, established and designated (or re-designated as the case may be) and the variations in the relative rights (including, without limitation, voting, dividend and redemption rights), restrictions, preferences, privileges and payment obligations as between the different Classes and/or series (if any) may be fixed and determined by the Directors or by a Special Resolution. The Directors may issue Shares with such preferred or other rights, all or any of which may be greater than the rights of ordinary shares, at such time and on such terms as they may think appropriate. Notwithstanding Article 12, the Directors may issue from time to time, out of the authorised share capital of the Company (including the authorised but unissued ordinary shares), series of preferred shares in their absolute discretion and without approval of the Members; provided, however, before any preferred shares of any such series are issued, the Directors shall by resolution of Directors determine, with respect to any series of preferred shares, the terms and rights of that series, including:
(a) the designation of such series, the number of preferred shares to constitute such series and the subscription price thereof if different from the par value thereof;
(b) whether the preferred shares of such series shall have voting rights, in addition to any voting rights provided by law, and, if so, the terms of such voting rights, which may be general or limited;
(c) the dividends, if any, payable on such series, whether any such dividends shall be cumulative, and, if so, from what dates, the conditions and dates upon which such dividends shall be payable, and the preference or relation which such dividends shall bear to the dividends payable on any shares of any other class or any other series of shares;
(d) whether the preferred shares of such series shall be subject to redemption by the Company, and, if so, the times, prices and other conditions of such redemption;
(e) whether the preferred shares of such series shall have any rights to receive any part of the assets available for distribution amongst the Members upon the liquidation of the Company, and, if so, the terms of such liquidation preference, and the relation which such liquidation preference shall bear to the entitlements of the holders of shares of any other class or any other series of shares;
(f) whether the preferred shares of such series shall be subject to the operation of a retirement or sinking fund and, if so, the extent to and manner in which any such retirement or sinking fund shall be applied to the purchase or redemption of the preferred shares of such series for retirement or other corporate purposes and the terms and provisions relative to the operation thereof;
(g) whether the preferred shares of such series shall be convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or any other series of preferred shares or any other securities and, if so, the price or prices or the rate or rates of conversion or exchange and the method, if any, of adjusting the same, and any other terms and conditions of conversion or exchange;
(h) the limitations and restrictions, if any, to be effective while any preferred shares of such series are outstanding upon the payment of dividends or the making of other distributions on, and upon the purchase, redemption or other acquisition by the Company of, the existing shares or shares of any other class of shares or any other series of preferred shares;
(i) the conditions or restrictions, if any, upon the creation of indebtedness of the Company or upon the issue of any additional shares, including additional shares of such series or of any other class of shares or any other series of preferred shares; and
(j) any other powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights, and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof;
and, for such purposes, the Directors may reserve an appropriate number of Shares for the time being unissued. The Company shall not issue Shares to bearer.
10. The Company may insofar as may be permitted by law, pay a commission to any Person in consideration of his subscribing or agreeing to subscribe whether absolutely or conditionally for any Shares. Such commissions may be satisfied by the payment of cash or the lodgement of fully or partly paid-up Shares or partly in one way and partly in the other. The Company may also pay such brokerage as may be lawful on any issue of Shares.
11. The Directors may refuse to accept any application for Shares, and may accept any application in whole or in part, for any reason or for no reason.
MODIFICATION OF RIGHTS
12. Whenever the capital of the Company is divided into different Classes or series the rights attached to any such Class or series may, subject to any rights or restrictions for the time being attached to any Class or series, only be materially adversely varied with the consent in writing of the holders of two-thirds of the issued Shares of that Class or series or with the sanction of a Special Resolution passed at a separate meeting of the holders of the Shares of that Class or series. To every such separate meeting all the provisions of these Articles relating to general meetings of the Company or to the proceedings thereat shall, mutatis mutandis , apply, except that the necessary quorum shall be one or more Persons holding or representing by proxy at least one-third in nominal or par value amount of the issued Shares of the relevant Class or series (but so that if at any adjourned meeting of such holders a quorum as above defined is not present, those Shareholders who are present shall form a quorum) and that, subject to any rights or restrictions for the time being attached to the Shares of that Class or series, every Shareholder of the Class or series shall on a poll have one vote for each Share of the Class or series held by him. For the purposes of this Article the Directors may treat all the Classes or series or any two or more Classes or series as forming one Class if they consider that all such Classes or series would be affected in the same way by the proposals under consideration, but in any other case shall treat them as separate Classes or series.
13. The rights conferred upon the holders of the Shares of any Class or series issued with preferred or other rights shall not, subject to any rights or restrictions for the time being attached to the Shares of that Class or series, be deemed to be materially adversely varied by, inter alia, the creation, allotment or issue of further Shares ranking pari passu with or subsequent to them or the redemption or purchase of any Shares of any Class or series by the Company. The rights of the holders of Shares shall not be deemed to be materially adversely varied by the creation or issue of Shares with preferred or other rights including, without limitation, the creation of Shares with enhanced or weighted voting rights.
CERTIFICATES
14. Every Person whose name is entered as a Member in the Register may, without payment and upon its written request, request a certificate within two calendar months after allotment or lodgement of transfer (or within such other period as the conditions of issue shall provide) in the form determined by the Directors. All certificates shall specify the Share or Shares held by that Person, provided that in respect of a Share or Shares held jointly by several persons the Company shall not be bound to issue more than one certificate, and delivery of a certificate for a Share to one of several joint holders shall be sufficient delivery to all. All certificates for Shares shall be delivered personally or sent through the post addressed to the Member entitled thereto at the Members registered address as appearing in the Register.
15. Every share certificate of the Company shall bear legends required under the applicable laws, including the Securities Act.
16. Any two or more certificates representing Shares of any one Class or series held by any Member may at the Members request be cancelled and a single new certificate for such Shares issued in lieu on payment (if the Directors shall so require) of one dollar (US$1.00) or such smaller sum as the Directors shall determine.
17. If a share certificate shall be damaged or defaced or alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, a new certificate representing the same Shares may be issued to the relevant Member upon request, subject to delivery up of the old certificate or (if alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed) compliance with such conditions as to evidence and indemnity and the payment of out-of-pocket expenses of the Company in connection with the request as the Directors may think fit.
18. In the event that Shares are held jointly by several persons, any request may be made by any one of the joint holders and if so made shall be binding on all of the joint holders.
FRACTIONAL SHARES
19. The Directors may issue fractions of a Share and, if so issued, a fraction of a Share shall be subject to and carry the corresponding fraction of liabilities (whether with respect to nominal or par value, premium, contributions, calls or otherwise), limitations, preferences, privileges, qualifications, restrictions, rights (including, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, voting and participation rights) and other attributes of a whole Share. If more than one fraction of a Share of the same Class is issued to or acquired by the same Shareholder such fractions shall be accumulated.
LIEN
20. The Company has a first and paramount lien on every Share (whether or not fully paid) for all amounts (whether presently payable or not) payable at a fixed time or called in respect of that Share. The Company also has a first and paramount lien on every Share registered in the name of a Person indebted or under liability to the Company (whether he is the sole registered holder of a Share or one of two or more joint holders) for all amounts owing by him or his estate to the Company (whether or not presently payable). The Directors may at any time declare a Share to be wholly or in part exempt from the provisions of this Article. The Companys lien on a Share extends to any amount payable in respect of it, including but not limited to dividends.
21. The Company may sell, in such manner as the Directors in their absolute discretion think fit, any Share on which the Company has a lien, but no sale shall be made unless an amount in respect of which the lien exists is presently payable nor until the expiration of fourteen (14) calendar days after a notice in writing, demanding payment of such part of the amount in respect of which the lien exists as is presently payable, has been given to the registered holder for the time being of the Share, or the Persons entitled thereto by reason of his death or bankruptcy.
22. For giving effect to any such sale the Directors may authorise a Person to transfer the Shares sold to the purchaser thereof. The purchaser shall be registered as the holder of the Shares comprised in any such transfer and he shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money, nor shall his title to the Shares be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings in reference to the sale.
23. The proceeds of the sale after deduction of expenses, fees and commission incurred by the Company shall be received by the Company and applied in payment of such part of the amount in respect of which the lien exists as is presently payable, and the residue shall (subject to a like lien for sums not presently payable as existed upon the Shares prior to the sale) be paid to the Person entitled to the Shares immediately prior to the sale.
CALLS ON SHARES
24. Subject to the terms of the allotment, the Directors may from time to time make calls upon the Shareholders in respect of any moneys unpaid on their Shares, and each Shareholder shall (subject to receiving at least fourteen (14) calendar days notice specifying the time or times of payment) pay to the Company at the time or times so specified the amount called on such Shares. A call shall be deemed to have been made at the time when the resolution of the Directors authorising such call was passed.
25. The joint holders of a Share shall be jointly and severally liable to pay calls in respect thereof.
26. If a sum called in respect of a Share is not paid before or on the day appointed for payment thereof, the Person from whom the sum is due shall pay interest upon the sum at the rate of eight percent per annum from the day appointed for the payment thereof to the time of the actual payment, but the Directors shall be at liberty to waive payment of that interest wholly or in part.
27. The provisions of these Articles as to the liability of joint holders and as to payment of interest shall apply in the case of non-payment of any sum which, by the terms of issue of a Share, becomes payable at a fixed time, whether on account of the amount of the Share, or by way of premium, as if the same had become payable by virtue of a call duly made and notified.
28. The Directors may make arrangements with respect to the issue of partly paid Shares for a difference between the Shareholders, or the particular Shares, in the amount of calls to be paid and in the times of payment.
29. The Directors may, if they think fit, receive from any Shareholder willing to advance the same all or any part of the moneys uncalled and unpaid upon any partly paid Shares held by him, and upon all or any of the moneys so advanced may (until the same would, but for such advance, become presently payable) pay interest at such rate (not exceeding without the sanction of an Ordinary Resolution, eight percent per annum) as may be agreed upon between the Shareholder paying the sum in advance and the Directors. No such sum paid in advance of calls shall entitle the Member paying such sum to any portion of a dividend declared in respect of any period prior to the date upon which such sum would, but for such payment, become presently payable.
FORFEITURE OF SHARES
30. If a Shareholder fails to pay any call or instalment of a call in respect of partly paid Shares on the day appointed for payment, the Directors may, at any time thereafter during such time as any part of such call or instalment remains unpaid, serve a notice on him requiring payment of so much of the call or instalment as is unpaid, together with any interest which may have accrued.
31. The notice shall name a further day (not earlier than the expiration of fourteen (14) calendar days from the date of the notice) on or before which the payment required by the notice is to be made, and shall state that in the event of non-payment at or before the time appointed, the Shares in respect of which the call was made will be liable to be forfeited.
32. If the requirements of any such notice as aforesaid are not complied with, any Share in respect of which the notice has been given may at any time thereafter, before the payment required by notice has been made, be forfeited by a resolution of the Directors to that effect.
33. A forfeited Share may be sold or otherwise disposed of on such terms and in such manner as the Directors think fit, and at any time before a sale or disposition the forfeiture may be cancelled on such terms as the Directors think fit.
34. A Person whose Shares have been forfeited shall cease to be a Shareholder in respect of the forfeited Shares, but shall, notwithstanding, remain liable to pay to the Company all moneys which at the date of forfeiture were payable by him to the Company in respect of the Shares forfeited, but his liability shall cease if and when the Company receives payment in full of the amount unpaid on the Shares forfeited.
35. A certificate in writing under the hand of a Director that a Share has been duly forfeited on a date stated in the certificate shall be conclusive evidence of the facts in the declaration as against all Persons claiming to be entitled to the Share.
36. The Company may receive the consideration, if any, given for a Share on any sale or disposition thereof pursuant to the provisions of these Articles as to forfeiture and may execute a transfer of the Share in favour of the Person to whom the Share is sold or disposed of and that Person shall be registered as the holder of the Share and shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money, if any, nor shall his title to the Shares be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings in reference to the disposition or sale.
37. The provisions of these Articles as to forfeiture shall apply in the case of non-payment of any sum which by the terms of issue of a Share becomes due and payable, whether on account of the amount of the Share, or by way of premium, as if the same had been payable by virtue of a call duly made and notified.
TRANSFER OF SHARES
38. The instrument of transfer of any Share shall be in writing and in any usual or common form or such other form as the Directors may, in their absolute discretion, approve and be executed by or on behalf of the transferor and if in respect of a nil or partly paid up Share, or if so required by the Directors, shall also be executed on behalf of the transferee and shall be accompanied by the certificate (if any) of the Shares to which it relates and such other evidence as the Directors may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer. The transferor shall be deemed to remain a Shareholder until the name of the transferee is entered in the Register in respect of the relevant Shares.
39. (a) The Directors may in their absolute discretion decline to register any transfer of Shares which is not fully paid up or on which the Company has a lien.
(b) The Directors may also decline to register any transfer of any Share unless:
(i) the instrument of transfer is lodged with the Company, accompanied by the certificate for the Shares to which it relates and such other evidence as the Board may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer;
(ii) the instrument of transfer is in respect of only one Class of Shares;
(iii) the instrument of transfer is properly stamped, if required;
(iv) in the case of a transfer to joint holders, the number of joint holders to whom the Share is to be transferred does not exceed four; and
(v) a fee of such maximum sum as the Designated Stock Exchange may determine to be payable, or such lesser sum as the Board of Directors may from time to time require, is paid to the Company in respect thereof.
40. The registration of transfers may, on ten (10) calendar days notice being given by advertisement in such one or more newspapers, by electronic means or by any other means in accordance with the Designated Stock Exchange Rules, be suspended and the Register closed at such times and for such periods as the Directors may, in their absolute discretion, from time to time determine, provided always that such registration of transfer shall not be suspended nor the Register closed for more than thirty (30) calendar days in any calendar year.
41. All instruments of transfer that are registered shall be retained by the Company. If the Directors refuse to register a transfer of any Shares, they shall within three calendar months after the date on which the transfer was lodged with the Company send notice of the refusal to each of the transferor and the transferee.
TRANSMISSION OF SHARES
42. The legal personal representative of a deceased sole holder of a Share shall be the only Person recognised by the Company as having any title to the Share. In the case of a Share registered in the name of two or more holders, the survivors or survivor, or the legal personal representatives of the deceased survivor, shall be the only Person recognised by the Company as having any title to the Share.
43. Any Person becoming entitled to a Share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of a Shareholder shall, upon such evidence being produced as may from time to time be required by the Directors, have the right either to be registered as a Shareholder in respect of the Share or, instead of being registered himself, to make such transfer of the Share as the deceased or bankrupt Person could have made; but the Directors shall, in either case, have the same right to decline or suspend registration as they would have had in the case of a transfer of the Share by the deceased or bankrupt Person before the death or bankruptcy.
44. A Person becoming entitled to a Share by reason of the death or bankruptcy of a Shareholder shall be entitled to the same dividends and other advantages to which he would be entitled if he were the registered Shareholder, except that he shall not, before being registered as a Shareholder in respect of the Share, be entitled in respect of it to exercise any right conferred by membership in relation to meetings of the Company, provided however, that the Directors may at any time give notice requiring any such person to elect either to be registered himself or to transfer the Share, and if the notice is not complied with within ninety (90) calendar days, the Directors may thereafter withhold payment of all dividends, bonuses or other monies payable in respect of the Share until the requirements of the notice have been complied with.
REGISTRATION OF EMPOWERING INSTRUMENTS
45. The Company shall be entitled to charge a fee not exceeding one dollar (US$1.00) on the registration of every probate, letters of administration, certificate of death or marriage, power of attorney, notice in lieu of distringas, or other instrument.
ALTERATION OF SHARE CAPITAL
46. Subject to Exhibit A, the Company may from time to time by Ordinary Resolution increase the share capital by such sum, to be divided into Shares of such Classes and amount, as the resolution shall prescribe.
47. Subject to Exhibit A, the Company may by Ordinary Resolution:
(a) increase its share capital by new Shares of such amount as it thinks expedient;
(b) consolidate and divide all or any of its share capital into Shares of a larger amount than its existing Shares;
(c) subdivide its Shares, or any of them, into Shares of an amount smaller than that fixed by the Memorandum, provided that in the subdivision the proportion between the amount paid and the amount, if any, unpaid on each reduced Share shall be the same as it was in case of the Share from which the reduced Share is derived; and
(d) cancel any Shares that, at the date of the passing of the resolution, have not been taken or agreed to be taken by any Person and diminish the amount of its share capital by the amount of the Shares so cancelled.
48. Subject to Exhibit A, the Company may by Special Resolution reduce its share capital and any capital redemption reserve in any manner authorised by law.
REDEMPTION, PURCHASE AND SURRENDER OF SHARES
49. Subject to the provisions of the Companies Law and these Articles, including Exhibit A, the Company may:
(a) issue Shares that are to be redeemed or are liable to be redeemed at the option of the Shareholder or the Company. The redemption of Shares shall be effected in such manner and upon such terms as may be determined, before the issue of such Shares, by either the Board or by the Shareholders by Special Resolution;
(b) purchase its own Shares (including any redeemable Shares) on such terms and in such manner and terms as have been approved by the Board or by the Members by Ordinary Resolution, or are otherwise authorised by these Articles; and
(c) make a payment in respect of the redemption or purchase of its own Shares in any manner permitted by the Companies Law, including out of capital.
50. The purchase of any Share shall not oblige the Company to purchase any other Share other than as may be required pursuant to applicable law and any other contractual obligations of the Company.
51. The holder of the Shares being purchased shall be bound to deliver up to the Company the certificate(s) (if any) thereof for cancellation and thereupon the Company shall pay to him the purchase or redemption monies or consideration in respect thereof.
52. Subject to Exhibit A, the Directors may accept the surrender for no consideration of any fully paid Share.
TREASURY SHARES
53. The Directors may, prior to the purchase, redemption or surrender of any Share, determine that such Share shall be held as a Treasury Share.
54. The Directors may determine to cancel a Treasury Share or transfer a Treasury Share on such terms as they think proper (including, without limitation, for nil consideration).
GENERAL MEETINGS
55. All general meetings other than annual general meetings shall be called extraordinary general meetings.
56. (a) The Company may (but shall not be obliged to) in each calendar year hold a general meeting as its annual general meeting and shall specify the meeting as such in the notices calling it. The annual general meeting shall be held at such time and place as may be determined by the Directors.
(b) At these meetings the report of the Directors (if any) shall be presented.
57. (a) The Chairman or a majority of the Directors may call general meetings, and they shall on a Shareholders requisition forthwith proceed to convene an extraordinary general meeting of the Company.
(b) A Shareholders requisition is a requisition of Members holding at the date of deposit of the requisition Shares which carry in aggregate not less than one-third (1/3) of all votes attaching to all issued and outstanding Shares of the Company that as at the date of the deposit carry the right to vote at general meetings of the Company.
(c) The requisition must state the objects of the meeting and must be signed by the requisitionists and deposited at the Registered Office, and may consist of several documents in like form each signed by one or more requisitionists.
(d) If there are no Directors as at the date of the deposit of the Shareholders requisition, or if the Directors do not within twenty-one (21) calendar days from the date of the deposit of the requisition duly proceed to convene a general meeting to be held within a further twenty-one (21) calendar days, the requisitionists, or any of them representing more than one-half of the total voting rights of all of them, may themselves convene a general meeting, but any meeting so convened shall not be held after the expiration of three (3) calendar months after the expiration of the said twenty-one (21) calendar days.
(e) A general meeting convened as aforesaid by requisitionists shall be convened in the same manner as nearly as possible as that in which general meetings are to be convened by Directors.
NOTICE OF GENERAL MEETINGS
58. At least ten (10) calendar days notice shall be given for any general meeting. Every notice shall be exclusive of the day on which it is given or deemed to be given and of the day for which it is given and shall specify the place, the day and the hour of the meeting and the general nature of the business and shall be given in the manner hereinafter mentioned or in such other manner if any as may be prescribed by the Company, provided that a general meeting of the Company shall, whether or not the notice specified in this Article has been given and whether or not the provisions of these Articles regarding general meetings have been complied with, be deemed to have been duly convened if it is so agreed:
(a) in the case of an annual general meeting, by all the Shareholders (or their proxies) entitled to attend and vote thereat; and
(b) in the case of an extraordinary general meeting, by two-thirds (2/3rd ) of the Shareholders having a right to attend and vote at the meeting, present in person or by proxy or, in the case of a corporation or other non-natural person, by its duly authorised representative or proxy.
59. The accidental omission to give notice of a meeting to or the non-receipt of a notice of a meeting by any Shareholder shall not invalidate the proceedings at any meeting.
PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL MEETINGS
60. No business except for the appointment of a chairman for the meeting shall be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum of Shareholders is present at the time when the meeting proceeds to business. One or more Shareholders holding Shares which carry in aggregate (or representing by proxy) not less than one-third of all votes attaching to all Shares in issue and entitled to vote at such general meeting, present in person or by proxy or, if a corporation or other non-natural person, by its duly authorised representative, shall be a quorum for all purposes.
61. If within half an hour from the time appointed for the meeting a quorum is not present, the meeting shall be dissolved.
62. If the Directors wish to make this facility available for a specific general meeting or all general meetings of the Company, participation in any general meeting of the Company may be by means of a telephone or similar communication equipment by way of which all Persons participating in such meeting can communicate with each other and such participation shall be deemed to constitute presence in person at the meeting.
63. The Chairman, if any, of the Board of Directors shall preside as chairman at every general meeting of the Company.
64. If there is no such Chairman of the Board of Directors, or if at any general meeting he is not present within fifteen minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting or is unwilling to act as chairman of the meeting, any Director or Person nominated by the Directors shall preside as chairman of that meeting, failing which the Shareholders present in person or by proxy shall choose any Person present to be chairman of that meeting.
65. The chairman may with the consent of any general meeting at which a quorum is present (and shall if so directed by the meeting) adjourn the meeting from time to time and from place to place, but no business shall be transacted at any adjourned meeting other than the business left unfinished at the meeting from which the adjournment took place. When a meeting, or adjourned meeting, is adjourned for fourteen (14) calendar days or more, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given as in the case of an original meeting. Save as aforesaid it shall not be necessary to give any notice of an adjournment or of the business to be transacted at an adjourned meeting.
66. The Directors may cancel or postpone any duly convened general meeting at any time prior to such meeting, except for general meetings requisitioned by the Shareholders in accordance with these Articles, for any reason or for no reason, upon notice in writing to Shareholders. A postponement may be for a stated period of any length or indefinitely as the Directors may determine.
67. At any general meeting a resolution put to the vote of the meeting shall be decided on a show of hands, unless a poll is (before or on the declaration of the result of the show of hands) demanded by the chairman of the meeting or any Shareholder present in person or by proxy, and unless a poll is so demanded, a declaration by the chairman of the meeting that a resolution has, on a show of hands, been carried, or carried unanimously, or by a particular majority, or lost, and an entry to that effect in the book of the proceedings of the Company, shall be conclusive evidence of the fact, without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favour of, or against, that resolution.
68. If a poll is duly demanded it shall be taken in such manner as the chairman of the meeting directs, and the result of the poll shall be deemed to be the resolution of the meeting at which the poll was demanded.
69. All questions submitted to a meeting shall be decided by an Ordinary Resolution except where a greater majority is required by these Articles or by the Companies Law. In the case of an equality of votes, whether on a show of hands or on a poll, the chairman of the meeting at which the show of hands takes place or at which the poll is demanded, shall be entitled to a second or casting vote.
70. A poll demanded on the election of a chairman of the meeting or on a question of adjournment shall be taken forthwith. A poll demanded on any other question shall be taken at such time as the chairman of the meeting directs.
VOTES OF SHAREHOLDERS
71. Subject to any rights and restrictions for the time being attached to any Share, on a show of hands every Shareholder present in person or by proxy (or, if a corporation or other non-natural person, by its duly authorised representative or proxy) shall, at a general meeting of the Company, each have one vote and on a poll every Shareholder present in person or by proxy (or, if a corporation or other non-natural person, by its duly authorised representative or proxy) shall have such number of votes as is determined in accordance with Section 7 of Exhibit A.
72. In the case of joint holders the vote of the senior who tenders a vote whether in person or by proxy (or, if a corporation or other non-natural person, by its duly authorised representative or proxy) shall be accepted to the exclusion of the votes of the other joint holders and for this purpose seniority shall be determined by the order in which the names stand in the Register.
73. Shares carrying the right to vote that are held by a Shareholder of unsound mind, or in respect of whom an order has been made by any court having jurisdiction in lunacy, may be voted, whether on a show of hands or on a poll, by his committee, or other Person in the nature of a committee appointed by that court, and any such committee or other Person may vote in respect of such Shares by proxy.
74. No Shareholder shall be entitled to vote at any general meeting of the Company unless all calls, if any, or other sums presently payable by him in respect of Shares carrying the right to vote held by him have been paid.
75. On a poll votes may be given either personally or by proxy.
76. Each Shareholder, other than a recognised clearing house (or its nominee(s)) or depositary (or its nominee(s)), may only appoint one proxy on a show of hand. The instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing under the hand of the appointor or of his attorney duly authorised in writing or, if the appointor is a corporation, either under Seal or under the hand of an officer or attorney duly authorised. A proxy need not be a Shareholder.
77. An instrument appointing a proxy may be in any usual or common form or such other form as the Directors may approve.
78. The instrument appointing a proxy shall be deposited at the Registered Office or at such other place as is specified for that purpose in the notice convening the meeting, or in any instrument of proxy sent out by the Company:
(a) not less than 48 hours before the time for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the person named in the instrument proposes to vote; or
(b) in the case of a poll taken more than 48 hours after it is demanded, be deposited as aforesaid after the poll has been demanded and not less than 24 hours before the time appointed for the taking of the poll; or
(c) where the poll is not taken forthwith but is taken not more than 48 hours after it was demanded be delivered at the meeting at which the poll was demanded to the chairman or to the secretary or to any director;
provided that the Directors may in the notice convening the meeting, or in an instrument of proxy sent out by the Company, direct that the instrument appointing a proxy may be deposited at such other time (no later than the time for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting) at the Registered Office or at such other place as is specified for that purpose in the notice convening the meeting, or in any instrument of proxy sent out by the Company. The Chairman may in any event at his discretion direct that an instrument of proxy shall be deemed to have been duly deposited. An instrument of proxy that is not deposited in the manner permitted shall be invalid.
79. The instrument appointing a proxy shall be deemed to confer authority to demand or join in demanding a poll.
80. A resolution in writing signed by all the Shareholders for the time being entitled to receive notice of and to attend and vote at general meetings of the Company (or being corporations by their duly authorised representatives) shall be as valid and effective as if the same had been passed at a general meeting of the Company duly convened and held.
CORPORATIONS ACTING BY REPRESENTATIVES AT MEETINGS
81. Any corporation which is a Shareholder or a Director may by resolution of its directors or other governing body authorise such Person as it thinks fit to act as its representative at any meeting of the Company or of any meeting of holders of a Class or of the Directors or of a committee of Directors, and the Person so authorised shall be entitled to exercise the same powers on behalf of the corporation which he represents as that corporation could exercise if it were an individual Shareholder or Director.
DEPOSITARY AND CLEARING HOUSES
82. If a recognised clearing house (or its nominee(s)) or depositary (or its nominee(s)) is a Member of the Company it may, by resolution of its directors or other governing body or by power of attorney, authorise such Person(s) as it thinks fit to act as its representative(s) at any general meeting of the Company or of any Class of Shareholders provided that, if more than one Person is so authorised, the authorisation shall specify the number and Class of Shares in respect of which each such Person is so authorised. A Person so authorised pursuant to this Article shall be entitled to exercise the same powers on behalf of the recognised clearing house (or its nominee(s)) or depositary (or its nominee(s)) which he represents as that recognised clearing house (or its nominee(s)) or depositary (or its nominee(s)) could exercise if it were an individual Member holding the number and Class of Shares specified in such authorisation, including the right to vote individually on a show of hands.
DIRECTORS
83. (a) The Board of Directors shall consist of not more than seven (7) Directors, who shall be appointed in accordance with Exhibit A.
(b) The Board of Directors shall have a Chairman elected and appointed by a majority of the Directors then in office. The period for which the Chairman will hold office will also be determined by a majority of all of the Directors then in office. The Chairman shall preside as chairman at every meeting of the Board of Directors. To the extent the Chairman is not present at a meeting of the Board of Directors within fifteen minutes after the time appointed for holding the same, the attending Directors may choose one of their number to be the chairman of the meeting.
(c) Subject to Exhibit A, the Company may by Ordinary Resolution appoint any person to be a Director.
(d) Subject to Exhibit A, the Board may, by the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the remaining Directors present and voting at a Board meeting, appoint any person as a Director, to fill a casual vacancy on the Board or as an addition to the existing Board.
(e) An appointment of a Director may be on terms that the Director shall automatically retire from office (unless he has sooner vacated office) at the next or a subsequent annual general meeting or upon any specified event or after any specified period in a written agreement between the Company and the Director, if any; but no such term shall be implied in the absence of express provision. Each Director whose term of office expires shall be eligible for re-election at a meeting of the Shareholders or re-appointment by the Board.
84. A Director may be removed from office by Ordinary Resolution of the Company, notwithstanding anything in these Articles or in any agreement between the Company and such Director (but without prejudice to any claim for damages under such agreement). A vacancy on the Board created by the removal of a Director under the previous sentence may be filled by Ordinary Resolution or by the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the remaining Directors present and voting at a Board meeting. The notice of any meeting at which a resolution to remove a Director shall be proposed or voted upon must contain a statement of the intention to remove that Director and such notice must be served on that Director not less than ten (10) calendar days before the meeting. Such Director is entitled to attend the meeting and be heard on the motion for his removal.
85. The Board may, from time to time, and except as required by applicable law or Designated Stock Exchange Rules, adopt, institute, amend, modify or revoke the corporate governance policies or initiatives of the Company and determine on various corporate governance related matters of the Company as the Board shall determine by resolution of Directors from time to time.
86. A Director shall not be required to hold any Shares in the Company by way of qualification. A Director who is not a Member of the Company shall nevertheless be entitled to attend and speak at general meetings.
87. Subject to Exhibit A, the remuneration of the Directors may be determined by the Directors or by Ordinary Resolution.
88. The Directors shall be entitled to be paid their travelling, hotel and other expenses properly incurred by them in going to, attending and returning from meetings of the Directors, or any committee of the Directors, or general meetings of the Company, or otherwise in connection with the business of the Company, or to receive such fixed allowance in respect thereof as may be determined by the Directors from time to time, or a combination partly of one such method and partly the other.
ALTERNATE DIRECTOR OR PROXY
89. Any Director may in writing appoint another Person to be his alternate and, save to the extent provided otherwise in the form of appointment, such alternate shall have authority to sign written resolutions on behalf of the appointing Director, but shall not be required to sign such written resolutions where they have been signed by the appointing director, and to act in such Directors place at any meeting of the Directors at which the appointing Director is unable to be present. Every such alternate shall be entitled to attend and vote at meetings of the Directors as a Director when the Director appointing him is not personally present and where he is a Director to have a separate vote on behalf of the Director he is representing in addition to his own vote. A Director may at any time in writing revoke the appointment of an alternate appointed by him. Such alternate shall be deemed for all purposes to be a Director of the Company and shall not be deemed to be the agent of the Director appointing him. The remuneration of such alternate shall be payable out of the remuneration of the Director appointing him and the proportion thereof shall be agreed between them.
90. Any Director may appoint any Person, whether or not a Director, to be the proxy of that Director to attend and vote on his behalf, in accordance with instructions given by that Director, or in the absence of such instructions at the discretion of the proxy, at a meeting or meetings of the Directors which that Director is unable to attend personally. The instrument appointing the proxy shall be in writing under the hand of the appointing Director and shall be in any usual or common form or such other form as the Directors may approve, and must be lodged with the chairman of the meeting of the Directors at which such proxy is to be used, or first used, prior to the commencement of the meeting.
POWERS AND DUTIES OF DIRECTORS
91. Subject to the Companies Law, these Articles and to any resolutions passed in a general meeting, and subject to Exhibit A, the business of the Company shall be managed by the Directors, who may pay all expenses incurred in setting up and registering the Company and may exercise all powers of the Company. No resolution passed by the Company in general meeting shall invalidate any prior act of the Directors that would have been valid if that resolution had not been passed.
92. Subject to these Articles, the Directors may from time to time appoint any natural person or corporation, whether or not a Director to hold such office in the Company as the Directors may think necessary for the administration of the Company, including but not limited to, chief executive officer, one or more other executive officers, president, one or more vice-presidents, treasurer, assistant treasurer, manager or controller, and for such term and at such remuneration (whether by way of salary or commission or participation in profits or partly in one way and partly in another), and with such powers and duties as the Directors may think fit. Any natural person or corporation so appointed by the Directors may be removed by the Directors. The Directors may also appoint one or more of their number to the office of managing director upon like terms, but any such appointment shall ipso facto terminate if any managing director ceases for any cause to be a Director, or if the Company by Ordinary Resolution resolves that his tenure of office be terminated.
93. The Directors may appoint any natural person or corporation to be a Secretary (and if need be an assistant Secretary or assistant Secretaries) who shall hold office for such term, at such remuneration and upon such conditions and with such powers as they think fit. Any Secretary or assistant Secretary so appointed by the Directors may be removed by the Directors or by the Company by Ordinary Resolution.
94. The Directors may delegate any of their powers to committees consisting of such member or members of their body as they think fit; any committee so formed shall in the exercise of the powers so delegated conform to any regulations that may be imposed on it by the Directors.
95. The Directors may from time to time and at any time by power of attorney (whether under Seal or under hand) or otherwise appoint any company, firm or Person or body of Persons, whether nominated directly or indirectly by the Directors, to be the attorney or attorneys or authorised signatory (any such person being an Attorney or Authorised Signatory, respectively) of the Company for such purposes and with such powers, authorities and discretion (not exceeding those vested in or exercisable by the Directors under these Articles) and for such period and subject to such conditions as they may think fit, and any such power of attorney or other appointment may contain such provisions for the protection and convenience of Persons dealing with any such Attorney or Authorised Signatory as the Directors may think fit, and may also authorise any such Attorney or Authorised Signatory to delegate all or any of the powers, authorities and discretion vested in him.
96. Subject to Exhibit A, the Directors may from time to time provide for the management of the affairs of the Company in such manner as they shall think fit and the provisions contained in the three next following Articles shall not limit the general powers conferred by this Article.
97. The Directors from time to time and at any time may establish any committees, local boards or agencies for managing any of the affairs of the Company and may appoint any natural person or corporation to be a member of such committees or local boards and may appoint any managers or agents of the Company and may fix the remuneration of any such natural person or corporation.
98. The Directors from time to time and at any time may delegate to any such committee, local board, manager or agent any of the powers, authorities and discretions for the time being vested in the Directors and may authorise the members for the time being of any such local board, or any of them to fill any vacancies therein and to act notwithstanding vacancies and any such appointment or delegation may be made on such terms and subject to such conditions as the Directors may think fit and the Directors may at any time remove any natural person or corporation so appointed and may annul or vary any such delegation, but no Person dealing in good faith and without notice of any such annulment or variation shall be affected thereby.
99. Any such delegates as aforesaid may be authorised by the Directors to sub-delegate all or any of the powers, authorities, and discretion for the time being vested in them.
BORROWING POWERS OF DIRECTORS
100. Subject to Exhibit A, the Directors may from time to time at their discretion exercise all the powers of the Company to raise or borrow money and to mortgage or charge its undertaking, property and assets (present and future) and uncalled capital or any part thereof, to issue debentures, debenture stock, bonds and other securities, whether outright or as collateral security for any debt, liability or obligation of the Company or of any third party.
THE SEAL
101. The Seal shall not be affixed to any instrument except by the authority of a resolution of the Directors provided always that such authority may be given prior to or after the affixing of the Seal and if given after may be in general form confirming a number of affixings of the Seal. The Seal shall be affixed in the presence of a Director or a Secretary (or an assistant Secretary) or in the presence of any one or more Persons as the Directors may appoint for the purpose and every Person as aforesaid shall sign every instrument to which the Seal is so affixed in their presence.
102. The Company may maintain a facsimile of the Seal in such countries or places as the Directors may appoint and such facsimile Seal shall not be affixed to any instrument except by the authority of a resolution of the Directors provided always that such authority may be given prior to or after the affixing of such facsimile Seal and if given after may be in general form confirming a number of affixings of such facsimile Seal. The facsimile Seal shall be affixed in the presence of such Person or Persons as the Directors shall for this purpose appoint and such Person or Persons as aforesaid shall sign every instrument to which the facsimile Seal is so affixed in their presence and such affixing of the facsimile Seal and signing as aforesaid shall have the same meaning and effect as if the Seal had been affixed in the presence of and the instrument signed by a Director or a Secretary (or an assistant Secretary) or in the presence of any one or more Persons as the Directors may appoint for the purpose.
103. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Secretary or any assistant Secretary shall have the authority to affix the Seal, or the facsimile Seal, to any instrument for the purposes of attesting authenticity of the matter contained therein but which does not create any obligation binding on the Company.
DISQUALIFICATION OF DIRECTORS
104. The office of Director shall be vacated, if the Director:
(a) becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or composition with his creditors;
(b) dies or is found to be or becomes of unsound mind;
(c) resigns his office by notice in writing to the Company;
(d) without special leave of absence from the Board, is absent from meetings of the Board for three consecutive meetings and the Board resolves that his office be vacated; or
(e) is removed from office pursuant to any other provision of these Articles.
PROCEEDINGS OF DIRECTORS
105. Subject to Exhibit A, the Directors may meet together (either within or without the Cayman Islands) for the despatch of business, adjourn, and otherwise regulate their meetings and proceedings as they think fit. Questions arising at any meeting shall be decided by a majority of votes, subject to Exhibit A. At any meeting of the Directors, each Director present in person or represented by his proxy or alternate shall be entitled to one vote. In case of an equality of votes the Chairman shall have a second or casting vote. A Director may, and a Secretary or assistant Secretary on the requisition of a Director shall, at any time summon a meeting of the Directors.
106. A Director may participate in any meeting of the Directors, or of any committee appointed by the Directors of which such Director is a member, by means of telephone or similar communication equipment by way of which all Persons participating in such meeting can communicate with each other and such participation shall be deemed to constitute presence in person at the meeting.
107. The quorum necessary for the transaction of the business of the Board may be fixed by the Directors, and unless so fixed, the quorum shall be a majority of Directors then in office. A Director represented by proxy or by an alternate Director at any meeting shall be deemed to be present for the purposes of determining whether or not a quorum is present.
108. A Director who is in any way, whether directly or indirectly, interested in a contract or transaction or proposed contract or transaction with the Company shall declare the nature of his interest at a meeting of the Directors. A general notice given to the Directors by any Director to the effect that he is a member of any specified company or firm and is to be regarded as interested in any contract or transaction which may thereafter be made with that company or firm shall be deemed a sufficient declaration of interest in regard to any contract so made or transaction so consummated. A Director may vote in respect of any contract or transaction or proposed contract or transaction notwithstanding that he may be interested therein and if he does so his vote shall be counted and he may be counted in the quorum at any meeting of the Directors at which any such contract or transaction or proposed contract or transaction shall come before the meeting for consideration.
109. A Director may hold any other office or place of profit under the Company (other than the office of auditor) in conjunction with his office of Director for such period and on such terms (as to remuneration and otherwise) as the Directors may determine and no Director or intending Director shall be disqualified by his office from contracting with the Company either with regard to his tenure of any such other office or place of profit or as vendor, purchaser or otherwise, nor shall any such contract or arrangement entered into by or on behalf of the Company in which any Director is in any way interested be liable to be avoided, nor shall any Director so contracting or being so interested be liable to account to the Company for any profit realised by any such contract or arrangement by reason of such Director holding that office or of the fiduciary relation thereby established. A Director, notwithstanding his interest, may be counted in the quorum present at any meeting of the Directors whereat he or any other Director is appointed to hold any such office or place of profit under the Company or whereat the terms of any such appointment are arranged and he may vote on any such appointment or arrangement.
110. Any Director may act by himself or through his firm in a professional capacity for the Company, and he or his firm shall be entitled to remuneration for professional services as if he were not a Director; provided that nothing herein contained shall authorise a Director or his firm to act as auditor to the Company.
111. The Directors shall cause minutes to be made for the purpose of recording:
(a) all appointments of officers made by the Directors;
(b) the names of the Directors present at each meeting of the Directors and of any committee of the Directors; and
(c) all resolutions and proceedings at all meetings of the Company, and of the Directors and of committees of Directors.
112. When the chairman of a meeting of the Directors signs the minutes of such meeting the same shall be deemed to have been duly held notwithstanding that all the Directors have not actually come together or that there may have been a technical defect in the proceedings.
113. A resolution in writing signed by all the Directors or all the members of a committee of Directors entitled to receive notice of a meeting of Directors or committee of Directors, as the case may be (an alternate Director, subject as provided otherwise in the terms of appointment of the alternate Director, being entitled to sign such a resolution on behalf of his appointer), shall be as valid and effectual as if it had been passed at a duly called and constituted meeting of Directors or committee of Directors, as the case may be. When signed a resolution may consist of several documents each signed by one or more of the Directors or his duly appointed alternate.
114. The continuing Directors may act notwithstanding any vacancy in their body but if and for so long as their number is reduced below the number fixed by or pursuant to these Articles as the necessary quorum of Directors, the continuing Directors may act for the purpose of increasing the number, or of summoning a general meeting of the Company, but for no other purpose.
115. Subject to any regulations imposed on it by the Directors, a committee appointed by the Directors may elect a chairman of its meetings. If no such chairman is elected, or if at any meeting the chairman is not present within fifteen minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting, the committee members present may choose one of their number to be chairman of the meeting.
116. A committee appointed by the Directors may meet and adjourn as it thinks proper. Subject to any regulations imposed on it by the Directors, questions arising at any meeting shall be determined by a majority of votes of the committee members present and in case of an equality of votes the chairman shall have a second or casting vote.
117. All acts done by any meeting of the Directors or of a committee of Directors, or by any Person acting as a Director, shall notwithstanding that it be afterwards discovered that there was some defect in the appointment of any such Director or Person acting as aforesaid, or that they or any of them were disqualified, be as valid as if every such Person had been duly appointed and was qualified to be a Director.
PRESUMPTION OF ASSENT
118. A Director who is present at a meeting of the Board of Directors at which an action on any Company matter is taken shall be presumed to have assented to the action taken unless his dissent shall be entered in the minutes of the meeting or unless he shall file his written dissent from such action with the person acting as the chairman or secretary of the meeting before the adjournment thereof or shall forward such dissent by registered post to such person immediately after the adjournment of the meeting. Such right to dissent shall not apply to a Director who voted in favour of such action.
DIVIDENDS
119. Subject to Exhibit A, and subject to any rights and restrictions for the time being attached to any Shares, the Directors may from time to time declare dividends (including interim dividends) and other distributions on Shares in issue and authorise payment of the same out of the funds of the Company lawfully available therefor.
120. Subject to Exhibit A, and subject to any rights and restrictions for the time being attached to any Shares, the Company by Ordinary Resolution may declare dividends, but no dividend shall exceed the amount recommended by the Directors.
121. The Directors may, before recommending or declaring any dividend, set aside out of the funds legally available for distribution such sums as they think proper as a reserve or reserves which shall, in the absolute discretion of the Directors, be applicable for meeting contingencies or for equalising dividends or for any other purpose to which those funds may be properly applied, and pending such application may in the absolute discretion of the Directors, either be employed in the business of the Company or be invested in such investments (other than Shares of the Company) as the Directors may from time to time think fit.
122. Any dividend payable in cash to the holder of Shares may be paid in any manner determined by the Directors. If paid by cheque it will be sent by mail addressed to the holder at his address in the Register, or addressed to such person and at such addresses as the holder may direct. Every such cheque or warrant shall, unless the holder or joint holders otherwise direct, be made payable to the order of the holder or, in the case of joint holders, to the order of the holder whose name stands first on the Register in respect of such Shares, and shall be sent at his or their risk and payment of the cheque or warrant by the bank on which it is drawn shall constitute a good discharge to the Company.
123. The Directors may determine that a dividend shall be paid wholly or partly by the distribution of specific assets (which may consist of the shares or securities of any other company) and may settle all questions concerning such distribution. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Directors may fix the value of such specific assets, may determine that cash payment shall be made to some Shareholders in lieu of specific assets and may vest any such specific assets in trustees on such terms as the Directors think fit.
124. Subject to any rights and restrictions for the time being attached to any Shares, all dividends shall be declared and paid according to the amounts paid up on the Shares, but if and for so long as nothing is paid up on any of the Shares dividends may be declared and paid according to the par value of the Shares. No amount paid on a Share in advance of calls shall, while carrying interest, be treated for the purposes of this Article as paid on the Share.
125. If several Persons are registered as joint holders of any Share, any of them may give effective receipts for any dividend or other moneys payable on or in respect of the Share.
126. No dividend shall bear interest against the Company.
127. Any dividend unclaimed after a period of six calendar years from the date of declaration of such dividend may be forfeited by the Board of Directors and, if so forfeited, shall revert to the Company.
ACCOUNTS, AUDIT AND ANNUAL RETURN AND DECLARATION
128. The books of account relating to the Companys affairs shall be kept in such manner as may be determined from time to time by the Directors.
129. The books of account shall be kept at the Registered Office, or at such other place or places as the Directors think fit, and shall always be open to the inspection of the Directors.
130. The Directors may from time to time determine whether and to what extent and at what times and places and under what conditions or regulations the accounts and books of the Company or any of them shall be open to the inspection of Shareholders not being Directors, and no Shareholder (not being a Director) shall have any right to inspect any account or book or document of the Company except as conferred by law or authorised by the Directors or by Ordinary Resolution.
131. The accounts relating to the Companys affairs shall be audited in such manner and with such financial year end as may be determined from time to time by the Directors or failing any determination as aforesaid shall not be audited.
132. The Directors may appoint an auditor of the Company who shall hold office until removed from office by a resolution of the Directors and may fix his or their remuneration.
133. Every auditor of the Company shall have a right of access at all times to the books and accounts and vouchers of the Company and shall be entitled to require from the Directors and officers of the Company such information and explanation as may be necessary for the performance of the duties of the auditors.
134. The auditors shall, if so required by the Directors, make a report on the accounts of the Company during their tenure of office at the next annual general meeting following their appointment, and at any time during their term of office, upon request of the Directors or any general meeting of the Members.
135. The Directors in each calendar year shall prepare, or cause to be prepared, an annual return and declaration setting forth the particulars required by the Companies Law and deliver a copy thereof to the Registrar of Companies in the Cayman Islands.
CAPITALISATION OF RESERVES
136. Subject to the Companies Law, the Directors may, with the authority of an Ordinary Resolution:
(a) resolve to capitalise an amount standing to the credit of reserves (including a Share Premium Account, capital redemption reserve and profit and loss account), which is available for distribution;
(b) appropriate the sum resolved to be capitalised to the Shareholders in proportion to the nominal amount of Shares (whether or not fully paid) held by them respectively and apply that sum on their behalf in or towards:
(i) paying up the amounts (if any) for the time being unpaid on Shares held by them respectively, or
(ii) paying up in full unissued Shares or debentures of a nominal amount equal to that sum,
and allot the Shares or debentures, credited as fully paid, to the Shareholders (or as they may direct) in those proportions, or partly in one way and partly in the other, but the Share Premium Account, the capital redemption reserve and profits which are not available for distribution may, for the purposes of this Article, only be applied in paying up unissued Shares to be allotted to Shareholders credited as fully paid;
(c) make any arrangements they think fit to resolve a difficulty arising in the distribution of a capitalised reserve and in particular, without limitation, where Shares or debentures become distributable in fractions the Directors may deal with the fractions as they think fit;
(d) authorise a Person to enter (on behalf of all the Shareholders concerned) into an agreement with the Company providing for either:
(i) the allotment to the Shareholders respectively, credited as fully paid, of Shares or debentures to which they may be entitled on the capitalisation, or
(ii) the payment by the Company on behalf of the Shareholders (by the application of their respective proportions of the reserves resolved to be capitalised) of the amounts or part of the amounts remaining unpaid on their existing Shares,
and any such agreement made under this authority being effective and binding on all those Shareholders; and
(e) generally do all acts and things required to give effect to the resolution.
137. Notwithstanding any provisions in these Articles, the Directors may resolve to capitalise an amount standing to the credit of reserves (including the share premium account, capital redemption reserve and profit and loss account) or otherwise available for distribution by applying such sum in paying up in full unissued Shares to be allotted and issued to:
(a) employees (including Directors) or service providers of the Company or its Affiliates upon exercise or vesting of any options or awards granted under any share incentive scheme or employee benefit scheme or other arrangement which relates to such persons that has been adopted or approved by the Directors or the Members;
(b) any trustee of any trust or administrator of any share incentive scheme or employee benefit scheme to whom shares are to be allotted and issued by the Company in connection with the operation of any share incentive scheme or employee benefit scheme or other arrangement which relates to such persons that has been adopted or approved by the Directors or Members; or
(c) any depositary of the Company for the purposes of the issue, allotment and delivery by the depositary of ADSs to employees (including Directors) or service providers of the Company or its Affiliates upon exercise or vesting of any options or awards granted under any share incentive scheme or employee benefit scheme or other arrangement which relates to such persons that has been adopted or approved by the Directors or the Members.
SHARE PREMIUM ACCOUNT
138. The Directors shall in accordance with the Companies Law establish a Share Premium Account and shall carry to the credit of such account from time to time a sum equal to the amount or value of the premium paid on the issue of any Share.
139. There shall be debited to any Share Premium Account on the redemption or purchase of a Share the difference between the nominal value of such Share and the redemption or purchase price provided always that at the discretion of the Directors such sum may be paid out of the profits of the Company or, if permitted by the Companies Law, out of capital.
NOTICES
140. Except as otherwise provided in these Articles, any notice or document may be served by the Company or by the Person entitled to give notice to any Shareholder either personally, or by posting it by airmail or a recognized courier service in a prepaid letter addressed to such Shareholder at his address as appearing in the Register, or by electronic mail to any electronic mail address such Shareholder may have specified in writing for the purpose of such service of notices, or by facsimile to any facsimile number such Shareholder may have specified in writing for the purpose of such service of notices, or by placing it on the Companys Website should the Directors deem it appropriate. In the case of joint holders of a Share, all notices shall be given to that one of the joint holders whose name stands first in the Register in respect of the joint holding, and notice so given shall be sufficient notice to all the joint holders.
141. Notices sent from one country to another shall be sent or forwarded by prepaid airmail or a recognized courier service.
142. Any Shareholder present, either personally or by proxy, at any meeting of the Company shall for all purposes be deemed to have received due notice of such meeting and, where requisite, of the purposes for which such meeting was convened.
143. Any notice or other document, if served by:
(a) post, shall be deemed to have been served five (5) calendar days after the time when the letter containing the same is posted;
(b) facsimile, shall be deemed to have been served upon production by the transmitting facsimile machine of a report confirming transmission of the facsimile in full to the facsimile number of the recipient;
(c) recognized courier service, shall be deemed to have been served 48 hours after the time when the letter containing the same is delivered to the courier service; or
(d) electronic means, shall be deemed to have been served immediately (i) upon the time of the transmission to the electronic mail address supplied by the Shareholder to the Company or (ii) upon the time of its placement on the Companys Website.
In proving service by post or courier service it shall be sufficient to prove that the letter containing the notice or documents was properly addressed and duly posted or delivered to the courier service.
144. Any notice or document delivered or sent by post to or left at the registered address of any Shareholder in accordance with the terms of these Articles shall notwithstanding that such Shareholder be then dead or bankrupt, and whether or not the Company has notice of his death or bankruptcy, be deemed to have been duly served in respect of any Share registered in the name of such Shareholder as sole or joint holder, unless his name shall at the time of the service of the notice or document have been removed from the Register as the holder of the Share, and such service shall for all purposes be deemed a sufficient service of such notice or document on all Persons interested (whether jointly with or as claiming through or under him) in the Share.
145. Notice of every general meeting of the Company shall be given to:
(a) all Shareholders holding Shares with the right to receive notice and who have supplied to the Company an address for the giving of notices to them; and
(b) every Person entitled to a Share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of a Shareholder, who but for his death or bankruptcy would be entitled to receive notice of the meeting.
No other Person shall be entitled to receive notices of general meetings.
INFORMATION
146. No Member shall be entitled to require discovery of any information in respect of any detail of the Companys trading or any information which is or may be in the nature of a trade secret or secret process which may relate to the conduct of the business of the Company and which in the opinion of the Board would not be in the interests of the Members of the Company to communicate to the public.
147. The Board shall be entitled to release or disclose any information in its possession, custody or control regarding the Company or its affairs to any of its Members including, without limitation, information contained in the Register and transfer books of the Company.
INDEMNITY
148. Every Director (including for the purposes of this Article any alternate Director appointed pursuant to the provisions of these Articles), Secretary, assistant Secretary, or other officer for the time being and from time to time of the Company (but not including the Companys auditors) and the personal representatives of the same (each an Indemnified Person) shall be indemnified and secured harmless against all actions, proceedings, costs, charges, expenses, losses, damages or liabilities incurred or sustained by such Indemnified Person, other than by reason of such Indemnified Persons own dishonesty, wilful default or fraud, in or about the conduct of the Companys business or affairs (including as a result of any mistake of judgment) or in the execution or discharge of his duties, powers, authorities or discretions, including without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, any costs, expenses, losses or liabilities incurred by such Indemnified Person in defending (whether successfully or otherwise) any civil proceedings concerning the Company or its affairs in any court whether in the Cayman Islands or elsewhere.
149. No Indemnified Person shall be liable:
(a) for the acts, receipts, neglects, defaults or omissions of any other Director or officer or agent of the Company; or
(b) for any loss on account of defect of title to any property of the Company; or
(c) on account of the insufficiency of any security in or upon which any money of the Company shall be invested; or
(d) for any loss incurred through any bank, broker or other similar Person; or
(e) for any loss occasioned by any negligence, default, breach of duty, breach of trust, error of judgement or oversight on such Indemnified Persons part; or
(f) for any loss, damage or misfortune whatsoever which may happen in or arise from the execution or discharge of the duties, powers, authorities, or discretions of such Indemnified Persons office or in relation thereto;
unless the same shall happen through such Indemnified Persons own dishonesty, willful default or fraud.
FINANCIAL YEAR
150. Unless the Directors otherwise prescribe, the financial year of the Company shall end on December 31 st in each calendar year and shall begin on January 1st in each calendar year.
NON-RECOGNITION OF TRUSTS
151. No Person shall be recognised by the Company as holding any Share upon any trust and the Company shall not, unless required by law, be bound by or be compelled in any way to recognise (even when having notice thereof) any equitable, contingent, future or partial interest in any Share or (except only as otherwise provided by these Articles or as the Companies Law requires) any other right in respect of any Share except an absolute right to the entirety thereof in each Shareholder registered in the Register.
WINDING UP
152. If the Company shall be wound up the liquidator may, with the sanction of a Special Resolution of the Company and any other sanction required by the Companies Law, divide amongst the Members in species or in kind the whole or any part of the assets of the Company (whether they shall consist of property of the same kind or not) and may for that purpose value any assets and determine how the division shall be carried out as between the Members or different classes of Members. The liquidator may, with the like sanction, vest the whole or any part of such assets in trustees upon such trusts for the benefit of the Members as the liquidator, with the like sanction, shall think fit, but so that no Member shall be compelled to accept any asset upon which there is a liability.
153. Subject to Exhibit A, if the Company shall be wound up, and the assets available for distribution amongst the Members shall be insufficient to repay the whole of the share capital, such assets shall be distributed so that, as nearly as may be, the losses shall be borne by the Members in proportion to the par value of the Shares held by them. If in a winding up the assets available for distribution amongst the Members shall be more than sufficient to repay the whole of the share capital at the commencement of the winding up, subject to Exhibit A the surplus shall be distributed amongst the Members in proportion to the par value of the Shares held by them at the commencement of the winding up subject to a deduction from those Shares in respect of which there are monies due, of all monies payable to the Company for unpaid calls or otherwise. This Article is without prejudice to the rights of the holders of Shares issued upon special terms and conditions.
AMENDMENT OF ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
154. Subject to the Companies Law, and subject to Exhibit A, the Company may at any time and from time to time by Special Resolution alter or amend these Articles in whole or in part.
CLOSING OF REGISTER OR FIXING RECORD DATE
155. For the purpose of determining those Shareholders that are entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at any meeting of Shareholders or any adjournment thereof, or those Shareholders that are entitled to receive payment of any dividend, or in order to make a determination as to who is a Shareholder for any other purpose, the Directors may provide that the Register shall be closed for transfers for a stated period which shall not exceed in any case thirty (30) calendar days in any calendar year.
156. In lieu of or apart from closing the Register, the Directors may fix in advance a date as the record date for any such determination of those Shareholders that are entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at a meeting of the Shareholders and for the purpose of determining those Shareholders that are entitled to receive payment of any dividend the Directors may, at or within ninety (90) calendar days prior to the date of declaration of such dividend, fix a subsequent date as the record date for such determination.
157. If the Register is not so closed and no record date is fixed for the determination of those Shareholders entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at a meeting of Shareholders or those Shareholders that are entitled to receive payment of a dividend, the date on which notice of the meeting is posted or the date on which the resolution of the Directors declaring such dividend is adopted, as the case may be, shall be the record date for such determination of Shareholders. When a determination of those Shareholders that are entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at a meeting of Shareholders has been made as provided in this Article, such determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof.
REGISTRATION BY WAY OF CONTINUATION
158. The Company may by Special Resolution resolve to be registered by way of continuation in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands or such other jurisdiction in which it is for the time being incorporated, registered or existing. In furtherance of a resolution adopted pursuant to this Article, the Directors may cause an application to be made to the Registrar of Companies to deregister the Company in the Cayman Islands or such other jurisdiction in which it is for the time being incorporated, registered or existing and may cause all such further steps as they consider appropriate to be taken to effect the transfer by way of continuation of the Company.
DISCLOSURE
159. The Directors, or any service providers (including the officers, the Secretary and the registered office agent of the Company) specifically authorised by the Directors, shall be entitled to disclose to any regulatory or judicial authority any information regarding the affairs of the Company including without limitation information contained in the Register and books of the Company.
Exhibit A
160. Exhibit A hereto shall form part of these Articles and to the extent that there is any inconsistency between the main content of these Articles and the provisions in Exhibit A hereto, to the maximum extent permitted by the Law, the provisions in Exhibit A hereto shall prevail.
Exhibit A
Rights, Preferences and Privileges of the Preferred Shares
The rights, preferences, and privileges granted to and imposed on the Preferred Shares are as set forth in this Exhibit A . This Exhibit A is an attachment to the main body of these Articles and forms a part of these Articles. All provisions set out in the main body of these Articles shall be read in conjunction with and shall be subject to the terms set out in this Exhibit A . In the event of any difference between the provisions set out in the main body of these Articles and the provisions set out in this Exhibit A , the provisions set out in this Exhibit A shall prevail.
All references in this Exhibit A to designated Sections and other Subsections are to the designated Sections and other Subsections of this Exhibit A unless explicitly stated otherwise. All capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the Shareholders Agreement entered into by and among Shareholders and the Company, dated September 10, 2018 and as amended from time to time.
In this Exhibit A the following defined terms will have the meanings ascribed to them, if not inconsistent with the subject or context:
Conversion Price |
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shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 3.1. |
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Conversion Rights |
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shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 3. |
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Conversion Time |
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shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 3.3. |
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Deemed Liquidation Event |
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shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.5. |
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Equity Securities |
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means, with respect to any Person that is a legal entity, any and all shares of share capital, capital stock, membership interests, units, profits interests, ownership interests, equity interests, registered capital, and other equity securities of such Person, and any right, warrant, option, call, commitment, conversion privilege, preemptive right or other right to acquire any of the foregoing, or security convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for any of the foregoing. |
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IPO |
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means the Companys initial public offering and listing of its Shares on the New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ Stock Market, The Hong Kong Stock Exchange or other internationally recognized stock exchange. The occurrence of the IPO refers to the time of the listing of the Companys share capital on any of the aforementioned stock exchange. |
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Mandatory Conversion Time |
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shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 4.1. |
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Mr. Zhou Holding Vehicle |
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means Aerovane Company Limited, a British Virgin Islands company. |
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Ordinary Shareholders |
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means holders of Ordinary Shares. |
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Original Issue Price |
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shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 3.1. |
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Preferred Shareholders |
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means holders of Preferred Shares. |
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Redemption Date |
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shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 5.3. |
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Redemption Event |
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shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 5.1. |
Redemption Notice |
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shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 5.3. |
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Redemption Request |
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shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 5.1. |
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Requesting Holders |
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shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 5.1. |
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Series A+ Director |
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means the Director appointed by Sagittarius Company Limited. |
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Series B Director |
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means the Director appointed by the holders of Series B Preferred Shares according to the MA&A. |
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Series A Redemption Price |
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shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 5.2. |
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Series A+ Redemption Price |
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shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 5.2. |
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Series B Issue Price |
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US$8.16033697 per share |
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Series B Redemption Price |
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shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 5.2. |
1. Dividend
Subject to the provisions of these Articles, and the applicable law, the Board of Directors may from time to time declare dividends and other distributions on the outstanding Shares of the Company and authorize payment of the same out of the funds of the Company legally therefor. Once such a dividend or payment is authorized, all Shareholders, including Ordinary Shareholders and Preferred Shareholders, shall be entitled to the dividend pari passu based on the number of Shares they own on an as-converted basis. For the avoidance of doubt, Preferred Shareholders have no preference in the dividend distribution.
2. Liquidation
2.1 Preferential Payments to Holders of Series B Preferred Shares. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company or Deemed Liquidation Event, the holders of Series B Preferred Shares then outstanding shall be entitled to be paid out of the assets of the Company available for distribution to its Shareholders before any payment shall be made to any other Shareholders by reason of their ownership thereof, an amount per share equal to an amount representing a simple eight percent (8%) per annum on the Series B Issue Price, plus any declared but unpaid dividend. For the purpose of this Subsection 2.1 , the day count fraction for the calculation of interest is the actual number of days from and inclusive of the relevant Series B Preferred Shares issue date to and exclusive of the date of liquidation divided by 365. If upon any such liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company or Deemed Liquidation Event, the assets of the Company available for distribution to its Shareholders shall be insufficient to pay the holders of Series B Preferred Shares the full amount to which they shall be entitled under this Subsection 2.1 , the holders of Series B Preferred Shares shall share ratably in any distribution of the assets available for distribution in proportion to the respective amounts which would otherwise be payable in respect of the Series B Preferred Shares held by them upon such distribution if all amounts payable on or with respect to such Series B Preferred Shares were paid in full.
2.2 Preferential Payments to Holders of Series A+ Preferred Shares. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company or Deemed Liquidation Event, the holders of Series A+ Preferred Shares then outstanding shall be entitled to be paid out of the assets of the Company available for distribution to its Shareholders before any payment shall be made to the holders of Series A Preferred Shares and Ordinary Shares but after payment to the holders of Series B Preferred Shares pursuant to the Subsection 2.1 above, by reason of their ownership thereof, an amount as set out in the Schedule I of this Exhibit A. If upon any such liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company or Deemed Liquidation Event, the assets of the Company available for distribution to its Shareholders shall be insufficient to pay the holders of Series A+ Preferred Shares the full amount to which they shall be entitled under this Subsection 2.2 , the holders of Series A+ Preferred Shares shall share ratably in any distribution of the assets available for distribution in proportion to the respective amounts which would otherwise be payable in respect of the Series A+ Preferred Shares held by them upon such distribution if all amounts payable on or with respect to such Series A+ Preferred Shares were paid in full.
2.3 Preferential Payments to Holders of Series A Preferred Shares, Class C Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company or Deemed Liquidation Event, the holders of Series A Preferred Shares, Class C Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares then outstanding shall be entitled to be paid out of the assets of the Company available for distribution to its Shareholders before any payment shall be made to the holders of Class A Ordinary Shares but after payment to the holders of Series B Preferred Shares and Series A+ Preferred Shares pursuant to the Subsection 2.1 and 2.2 above, by reason of their ownership thereof, an amount as set out in the Schedule I of this Exhibit A. If upon any such liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company or Deemed Liquidation Event, the assets of the Company available for distribution to its Shareholders shall be insufficient to pay the holders of Series A Preferred Shares, Class C Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares the full amount to which they shall be entitled under this Subsection 2.3 , the holders of Series A Preferred Shares, Class C Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares shall share ratably in any distribution of the assets available for distribution in proportion to the respective amounts which would otherwise be payable in respect of the Shares held by them upon such distribution if all amounts payable on or with respect to such Shares were paid in full.
2.4 Payments to Holders of Class A Ordinary Shares. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company or Deemed Liquidation Event, after the payment of all preferential amounts required to be paid to the holders of Preferred Shares, Class C Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares, the remaining assets of the Company available for distribution to its Shareholders shall be distributed among the all the Shareholders, pro rata based on the number of Class A Ordinary Shares held by each such holder on an as-converted basis.
2.5 Deemed Liquidation.
(a) Definition . Each of the following events shall be considered a Deemed Liquidation Event unless the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding Preferred Shares agree otherwise by written notice sent to the Company at least 5 days prior to the effective date of any such event:
(i) any sale, lease or transfer or series of sales, leases or transfers of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries;
(ii) any sale, transfer or issuance (or series of sales, transfers or issuances) of Equity Securities by the Company or the holders of Equity Securities that results in the (i) inability of the holders of Equity Securities immediately prior to such sale, transfer or issuance to designate or elect a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company or (ii) the failure of the holders of Equity Securities immediately prior to such sale, transfer or issuance to hold at least 50% of the Equity Securities or voting power of the Company; or
(iii) any merger, consolidation, recapitalization or reorganization of the Company with or into another Person (whether or not the Company is the surviving company) that results in (i) the inability of the holders of Equity Securities immediately prior to such merger, consolidation, recapitalization or reorganization to designate or elect a majority of the board of directors (or its equivalent) of the resulting entity or its parent company or (ii) the failure of the holders of Equity Securities immediately prior to such merger, consolidation, recapitalization or reorganization to hold at least 50% of the Equity Securities or voting power of the Company.
(b) Effecting a Deemed Liquidation Event . Upon the consummation of any such Deemed Liquidation Event, the holders of the Preferred Shares shall, in consideration for cancellation of their shares, be entitled to the same rights as such holders are entitled to under the Section 2 upon the occurrence of a liquidation of the Company.
3. Conversion and Anti-dilution
The holders of Preferred Shares , Class C Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares shall have conversion rights as follows (the Conversion Rights ):
3.1 Right to Convert.
(a) Conversion Ratio of Preferred Shares . Each Preferred Share shall be convertible, at the option of the holder thereof, at any time and from time to time, and without the payment of additional consideration by the holder thereof, into such number of fully paid and non-assessable Class A Ordinary Shares as is determined by dividing the Original Issue Price by the Conversion Price (as defined below) in effect at the time of conversion. As of the date of the adoption of these Articles, the Original Issue Price and Conversion Price are set out in the Schedule II of this Exhibit. Such initial Conversion Price, and the rate at which Preferred Shares may be converted into Class A Ordinary Shares, shall be subject to adjustment as provided below.
(b) Conversion Ratio of Class C Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares . Each Class C Ordinary Share and Class B Ordinary Share shall be convertible, at the option of the holder thereof, at any time and from time to time, and without the payment of additional consideration by the holder thereof, into such number of fully paid and non-assessable Class A Ordinary Shares as is determined by dividing the Original Issue Price by the Conversion Price in effect at the time of conversion. The Original Issue Price and Conversion Price for Class C Ordinary Share and Class B Ordinary Share are set out in the Schedule II of this Exhibit.
(c) Termination of Conversion Rights . In the event of a notice of redemption of any Preferred Share pursuant to Section 5 , the Conversion Rights of the shares designated for redemption shall terminate at the close of business on the last full day preceding the date fixed for redemption, unless the redemption price is not fully paid on such redemption date, in which case the Conversion Rights for such shares shall continue until such price is paid in full. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company or a Deemed Liquidation Event, the Conversion Rights shall terminate at the close of business on the last full day preceding the date fixed for the payment of any such amounts distributable on such event to the holders of Preferred Shares.
3.2 Fractional Shares. No fractional Class A Ordinary Shares shall be issued upon conversion of Preferred Shares. In lieu of any fractional shares to which the holder would otherwise be entitled, the Company shall pay cash equal to such fraction multiplied by the fair market value of one Class A Ordinary Shares as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company. Whether or not fractional shares would be issuable upon such conversion shall be determined on the basis of the total number of shares of Preferred Shares the holder is at the time converting into Class A Ordinary Shares and the aggregate number of Class A Ordinary Shares issuable upon such conversion.
3.3 Mechanics of Conversion.
(a) Notice of Conversion . In order for a holder of Preferred Shares, Class C Ordinary Shares or Class B Ordinary Shares to voluntarily convert all or any of its Preferred Shares, Class C Ordinary Shares or Class B Ordinary Shares into Class A Ordinary Shares, such holder shall (a) provide written notice to the Companys transfer agent at the office of the transfer agent for Preferred Shares, Class C Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares (or at the principal office of the Company if the Company serves as its own transfer agent) that such holder elects to convert all or any number of such holders Preferred Shares, Class C Ordinary Shares or Class B Ordinary Shares (as the case may be) and, if applicable, any event on which such conversion is contingent and (b), if such holders shares are certificated, surrender the certificate or certificates for such Preferred Shares, Class C Ordinary Shares or Class B Ordinary Shares (as the case may be) (or, if such registered holder alleges that such certificate has been lost, stolen or destroyed, a lost certificate affidavit and agreement reasonably acceptable to the Company to indemnify the Company against any claim that may be made against the Company on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of such certificate), at the office of the transfer agent for the Preferred Shares, Class C Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares (or at the principal office of the Company if the Company serves as its own transfer agent). Such notice shall state such holders name or the names of the nominees in which such holder wishes the Class A Ordinary Shares to be issued. If required by the Company, any certificates surrendered for conversion shall be endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Company, duly executed by the registered holder or his, her or its attorney duly authorized in writing. The close of business on the date of receipt by the transfer agent (or by the Company if the Company serves as its own transfer agent) of such notice and, if applicable, certificates (or lost certificate affidavit and agreement) shall be the time of conversion (the Conversion Time ), and the Class A Ordinary Shares issuable upon conversion of the specified shares shall be deemed to be outstanding of record as of such date. The Company shall, as soon as practicable after the Conversion Time (i) issue and deliver to such holder of Preferred Shares, Class C Ordinary Shares or Class B Ordinary Shares, or to his, her or its nominees, a certificate or certificates for the full number of Class A Ordinary Shares issuable upon such conversion in accordance with the provisions hereof and a certificate for the number (if any) of Preferred Shares, Class C Ordinary Shares or Class B Ordinary Shares (as the case may be) represented by the surrendered certificate that were not converted into Class A Ordinary Shares, (ii) pay in cash such amount as provided in Subsection 3.2 in lieu of any fraction of one Class A Ordinary Share otherwise issuable upon such conversion and (iii) pay all declared but unpaid dividends on the Preferred Shares converted.
(b) Reservation of Shares . The Company shall at all times when any Preferred Shares, Class C Ordinary Shares and/or Class B Ordinary Shares are outstanding, reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued share capital, for the purpose of effecting the conversion of the Preferred Shares, Class C Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares, such number of its duly authorized Class A Ordinary Shares as shall from time to time be sufficient to effect the conversion of all outstanding Preferred Shares, Class C Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares; and if at any time the number of authorized but unissued Class A Ordinary Shares shall not be sufficient to effect the conversion of all then outstanding Preferred Shares, Class C Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares, the Company shall take such corporate action as may be necessary to increase its authorized but unissued Class A Ordinary Shares to such number of shares as shall be sufficient for such purposes, including, without limitation, engaging in best efforts to obtain the requisite shareholder approval of the Shareholders of the Company. Before taking any action which would cause an adjustment reducing the Conversion Price below the then par value of the Class A Ordinary Shares issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Shares, the Company will take any corporate action which may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and non-assessable Class A Ordinary Shares at such adjusted Conversion Price.
(c) Effect of Conversion . All Preferred Shares, Class C Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares which shall have been converted as herein provided shall no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights with respect to such shares shall immediately cease and terminate at the Conversion Time, except only the right of the holders thereof to receive Class A Ordinary Shares in exchange therefor, to receive payment in lieu of any fraction of a share otherwise issuable upon such conversion as provided in Subsection 3.2 and to receive payment of any dividends declared but unpaid thereon. Any Preferred Shares, Class C Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares so converted shall be retired and cancelled and may not be reissued as shares of such series, and the Company may thereafter take such appropriate action (without the need for shareholder action) as may be necessary to reduce the authorized number of Preferred Shares accordingly.
(d) No Further Adjustment . Upon any such conversion, no adjustment to the Conversion Price shall be made for any declared but unpaid dividends on the Preferred Shares surrendered for conversion or on the Class A Ordinary Shares delivered upon conversion.
(e) Taxes . The Company shall pay any and all issue and other similar taxes that may be payable in respect of any issuance or delivery of Class A Ordinary Shares upon conversion of Preferred Shares pursuant to this Section 3 .
3.4 Adjustments to Conversion Price for Diluting Issues.
(a) Special Definitions . For purposes of this Section 3 of Article III, the following definitions shall apply:
(i) Option shall mean rights, options or warrants to subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire Class A Ordinary Shares or Convertible Securities.
(ii) Convertible Securities shall mean any evidences of indebtedness, shares or other securities directly or indirectly convertible into or exchangeable for Class A Ordinary Shares, but excluding Options.
(iii) Additional Shares of Class A Ordinary Shares shall mean all Class A Ordinary Shares issued (or, pursuant to Subsection 3.4(c) below, deemed to be issued) by the Company after September 10, 2018, other than (1) the following Class A Ordinary Shares and (2) the Class A Ordinary Shares deemed issued pursuant to the following Options and Convertible Securities (clauses (1) and (2), collectively, Exempted Securities ):
(A) Class A Ordinary Shares, Options or Convertible Securities issued as a dividend or distribution on Preferred Shares;
(B) Class A Ordinary Shares, Options or Convertible Securities issued by reason of a dividend, stock split, split-up or other distribution on shares of Class A Ordinary Shares that is covered by Subsection 3.5 , 3.6 and 3.7 ;
(C) Class A Ordinary Shares or Options issued to employees or directors of, or consultants or advisors to, the Company or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to a plan, agreement or arrangement approved by the Board of Directors of the Company;
(D) Class A Ordinary Shares or Convertible Securities actually issued upon the exercise of Options or Class A Ordinary Shares actually issued upon the conversion or exchange of Convertible Securities, in each case provided such issuance is pursuant to the terms of such Option or Convertible Security.
(b) No Adjustment of Conversion Price . No adjustment in the Conversion Price shall be made as the result of the issuance or deemed issuance of Additional Shares of Class A Ordinary Shares if the Company receives written notice from the holders of two-thirds of the then outstanding shares of Preferred Shares agreeing that no such adjustment shall be made as the result of the issuance or deemed issuance of such Additional Shares of Class A Ordinary Shares.
(c) Deemed Issue of Additional Shares of Class A Ordinary Shares .
(i) If the Company at any time or from time to time after September 10, 2018 shall issue any Options or Convertible Securities (excluding Options or Convertible Securities which are themselves Exempted Securities) or shall fix a record date for the determination of holders of any class of securities entitled to receive any such Options or Convertible Securities, then the maximum number of Class A Ordinary Shares (as set forth in the instrument relating thereto, assuming the satisfaction of any conditions to exercisability, convertibility or exchangeability but without regard to any provision contained therein for a subsequent adjustment of such number) issuable upon the exercise of such Options or, in the case of Convertible Securities and Options therefor, the conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities, shall be deemed to be Additional Shares of Class A Ordinary Shares issued as of the time of such issue or, in case such a record date shall have been fixed, as of the close of business on such record date.
(ii) If the terms of any Option or Convertible Security, the issuance of which resulted in an adjustment to the Conversion Price pursuant to the terms of Subsection 3.4(d) , are revised as a result of an amendment to such terms or any other adjustment pursuant to the provisions of such Option or Convertible Security (but excluding automatic adjustments to such terms pursuant to anti-dilution or similar provisions of such Option or Convertible Security) to provide for either (1) any increase or decrease in the number of Class A Ordinary Shares issuable upon the exercise, conversion and/or exchange of any such Option or Convertible Security or (2) any increase or decrease in the consideration payable to the Company upon such exercise, conversion and/or exchange, then, effective upon such increase or decrease becoming effective, the Conversion Price computed upon the original issue of such Option or Convertible Security (or upon the occurrence of a record date with respect thereto) shall be readjusted to such Conversion Price as would have obtained had such revised terms been in effect upon the original date of issuance of such Option or Convertible Security. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no readjustment pursuant to this clause (ii) shall have the effect of increasing the Conversion Price to an amount which exceeds the lower of (i) the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the original adjustment made as a result of the issuance of such Option or Convertible Security, or (ii) the Conversion Price that would have resulted from any issuances of Additional Shares of Class A Ordinary Shares (other than deemed issuances of Additional Shares of Class A Ordinary Shares as a result of the issuance of such Option or Convertible Security) between the original adjustment date and such readjustment date.
(iii) If the terms of any Option or Convertible Security (excluding Options or Convertible Securities which are themselves Exempted Securities), the issuance of which did not result in an adjustment to the Conversion Price pursuant to the terms of Subsection 3.4(d) (either because the consideration per share (determined pursuant to Subsection 3.4(e) ) of the Additional Shares of Class A Ordinary Shares subject thereto was equal to or greater than the Conversion Price then in effect, or because such Option or Convertible Security was issued before the September 10, 2018), are revised after the September 10, 2018 as a result of an amendment to such terms or any other adjustment pursuant to the provisions of such Option or Convertible Security (but excluding automatic adjustments to such terms pursuant to anti-dilution or similar provisions of such Option or Convertible Security) to provide for either (1) any increase in the number of Class A Ordinary Shares issuable upon the exercise, conversion or exchange of any such Option or Convertible Security or (2) any decrease in the consideration payable to the Company upon such exercise, conversion or exchange, then such Option or Convertible Security, as so amended or adjusted, and the Additional Shares of Class A Ordinary Shares subject thereto (determined in the manner provided in Subsection 3.4(c)(i)) shall be deemed to have been issued effective upon such increase or decrease becoming effective.
(iv) Upon the expiration or termination of any unexercised Option or unconverted or unexchanged Convertible Security (or portion thereof) which resulted (either upon its original issuance or upon a revision of its terms) in an adjustment to the Conversion Price pursuant to the terms of Subsection 3.4(d) , the Conversion Price shall be readjusted to such Conversion Price as would have obtained had such Option or Convertible Security (or portion thereof) never been issued.
(v) If the number of shares of Class A Ordinary Shares issuable upon the exercise, conversion and/or exchange of any Option or Convertible Security, or the consideration payable to the Company upon such exercise, conversion and/or exchange, is calculable at the time such Option or Convertible Security is issued or amended but is subject to adjustment based upon subsequent events, any adjustment to the Conversion Price provided for in this Subsection 3.4(c) shall be effected at the time of such issuance or amendment based on such number of shares or amount of consideration without regard to any provisions for subsequent adjustments (and any subsequent adjustments shall be treated as provided in clauses (B) and (C) of this Subsection 3.4(c) ). If the number of Class A Ordinary Shares issuable upon the exercise, conversion and/or exchange of any Option or Convertible Security, or the consideration payable to the Company upon such exercise, conversion and/or exchange, cannot be calculated at all at the time such Option or Convertible Security is issued or amended, any adjustment to the Conversion Price that would result under the terms of this Subsection 3.4(c) at the time of such issuance or amendment shall instead be effected at the time such number of shares and/or amount of consideration is first calculable (even if subject to subsequent adjustments), assuming for purposes of calculating such adjustment to the Conversion Price that such issuance or amendment took place at the time such calculation can first be made.
(d) Adjustment of Conversion Price Upon Issuance of Additional Shares of Class A Ordinary Shares . In the event the Company shall at any time issue Additional Shares of Class A Ordinary Shares (including Additional Shares of Class A Ordinary Shares deemed to be issued pursuant to Subsection 3.4(c) ), without consideration or for a consideration per share less than Conversion Price of any Class B Ordinary Shares, Class C Ordinary Shares or Preferred Shares in effect immediately prior to such issue, then the Conversion Price of such Class B Ordinary Shares, Class C Ordinary Shares or Preferred Shares shall be reduced, concurrently with such issue, to a price (calculated to the nearest one-hundredth of a cent) determined in accordance with the following formula:
CP 2 = CP 1 * (A + B) ÷ (A + C).
For purposes of the foregoing formula, the following definitions shall apply:
(i) CP 2 shall mean the Conversion Price in effect immediately after such issue of Additional Shares of Class A Ordinary Shares
(ii) CP 1 shall mean the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such issue of Additional Shares of Class A Ordinary Shares;
(iii) A shall mean the number of Class A Ordinary Shares outstanding immediately prior to such issue of Additional Shares of Class A Ordinary Shares (treating for this purpose as outstanding all Class A Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise of Options outstanding immediately prior to such issue or upon conversion or exchange of Convertible Securities (including the Preferred Shares) outstanding (assuming exercise of any outstanding Options therefor) immediately prior to such issue);
(iv) B shall mean the number of Class A Ordinary Shares that would have been issued if such Additional Shares of Class A Ordinary Shares had been issued at a price per share equal to CP 1 (determined by dividing the aggregate consideration received by the Company in respect of such issue by CP 1 ); and
(v) C shall mean the number of such Additional Shares of Class A Ordinary Shares issued in such transaction.
(e) Determination of Consideration . For purposes of this Subsection 3.4 , the value of consideration other than cash received by the Company for the issue of any Additional Shares of Class A Ordinary Shares shall be determined in good faith by the Board of Directors.
3.5 Adjustment for Share Subdivisions and Consolidations. If the Company shall at any time or from time to time effect a subdivision of the outstanding Class A Ordinary Shares, the Conversion Price in effect immediately before that subdivision shall be proportionately decreased so that the number of Class A Ordinary Shares issuable on conversion of each share of such series shall be increased in proportion to such increase in the aggregate number of Class A Ordinary Shares outstanding. If the Company shall at any time or from time to time consolidate the outstanding Class A Ordinary Shares, the Conversion Price in effect immediately before the combination shall be proportionately increased so that the number of Class A Ordinary Shares issuable on conversion of each share of such series shall be decreased in proportion to such decrease in the aggregate number of Class A Ordinary Shares outstanding. Any adjustment under this subsection shall become effective at the close of business on the date the subdivision or combination becomes effective.
3.6 Adjustment for Certain Dividends and Distributions. In the event the Company at any time or from time to time shall make or issue, or fix a record date for the determination of holders of Class A Ordinary Shares entitled to receive, a dividend or other distribution payable on the Class A Ordinary Shares in additional shares of Class A Ordinary Shares, then and in each such event the Conversion Price in effect immediately before such event shall be decreased as of the time of such issuance or, in the event such a record date shall have been fixed, as of the close of business on such record date, by multiplying the Conversion Price then in effect by a fraction:
(a) the numerator of which shall be the total number of Class A Ordinary Shares issued and outstanding immediately prior to the time of such issuance or the close of business on such record date, and
(b) the denominator of which shall be the total number of Class A Ordinary Shares issued and outstanding immediately prior to the time of such issuance or the close of business on such record date plus the number of Class A Ordinary Shares issuable in payment of such dividend or distribution.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) if such record date shall have been fixed and such dividend is not fully paid or if such distribution is not fully made on the date fixed therefor, the Conversion Price shall be recomputed accordingly as of the close of business on such record date and thereafter the Conversion Price shall be adjusted pursuant to this subsection as of the time of actual payment of such dividends or distributions; and (B) that no such adjustment shall be made if the holders of Preferred Shares simultaneously receive a dividend or other distribution of Class A Ordinary Shares in a number equal to the number of shares of Class A Ordinary Shares as they would have received if all outstanding Preferred Shares had been converted into Class A Ordinary Shares on the date of such event.
3.7 Adjustments for Other Dividends and Distributions. In the event the Company at any time or from time to time shall make or issue, or fix a record date for the determination of holders of Class A Ordinary Shares entitled to receive, a dividend or other distribution payable in securities of the Company (other than a distribution of Class A Ordinary Shares in respect of outstanding Class A Ordinary Shares) or in other property and the provisions of Subsection 3.6 do not apply to such dividend or distribution, then and in each such event the holders of Preferred Shares shall receive, simultaneously with the distribution to the holders of Class A Ordinary Shares, a dividend or other distribution of such securities or other property in an amount equal to the amount of such securities or other property as they would have received if all outstanding Preferred Shares had been converted into Class A Ordinary Shares on the date of such event.
3.8 Certificate as to Adjustments. Upon the occurrence of each adjustment or readjustment of the Conversion Price pursuant to this Section 3, the Company at its expense shall, as promptly as reasonably practicable but in any event not later than ten (10) days thereafter, compute such adjustment or readjustment in accordance with the terms hereof and furnish to each holder of Preferred Shares a certificate setting forth such adjustment or readjustment (including the kind and amount of securities, cash or other property into which the Preferred Shares is convertible) and showing in detail the facts upon which such adjustment or readjustment is based. The Company shall, as promptly as reasonably practicable after the written request at any time of any holder of Preferred Shares (but in any event not later than ten (10) days thereafter), furnish or cause to be furnished to such holder a certificate setting forth (i) the Conversion Price then in effect, and (ii) the number of shares of Class A Ordinary Shares and the amount, if any, of other securities, cash or property which then would be received upon the conversion of Preferred Shares.
3.9 Notice of Record Date. In the event:
(a) the Company shall take a record of the holders of its Class A Ordinary Shares (or other Equity Securities at the time issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Shares) for the purpose of entitling or enabling them to receive any dividend or other distribution, or to receive any right to subscribe for or purchase any shares of capital stock of any class or any other securities, or to receive any other security;
(b) of any capital reorganization of the Company, any reclassification of the Class A Ordinary Shares of the Company, or any Deemed Liquidation Event; or
(c) of the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding-up of the Company,
then, and in each such case, the Company will send or cause to be sent to the holders of the Preferred Shares a notice specifying, as the case may be, (i) the record date for such dividend, distribution or right, and the amount and character of such dividend, distribution or right, or (ii) the effective date on which such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up is proposed to take place, and the time, if any is to be fixed, as of which the holders of record of Class A Ordinary Shares (or such other capital stock or securities at the time issuable upon the conversion of the Preferred Shares) shall be entitled to exchange their shares of Class A Ordinary Shares (or such other capital stock or securities) for securities or other property deliverable upon such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up, and the amount per share and character of such exchange applicable to the Preferred Shares and the Class A Ordinary Shares. Such notice shall be sent at least ten (10) days prior to the record date or effective date for the event specified in such notice.
4. Mandatory Conversion.
4.1 Trigger Events. Upon either (a) the occurrence of the IPO, or (b) the date and time, or the occurrence of an event, specified by vote or written consent of the holders of at least two thirds of the then outstanding Preferred Shares and Class C Ordinary Shares voting together as a single class on an as-converted basis (the time of such occurrence of the IPO or the date and time specified or the time of the event specified in such vote or written consent is referred to herein as the Mandatory Conversion Time ), then (i) all outstanding Preferred Shares and Class C Ordinary Shares shall automatically be converted into Class A Ordinary Shares, at the then effective conversion rate as calculated pursuant to Subsection 3.1(a) , and (ii) such shares may not be reissued by the Company.
4.2 Procedural Requirements. All holders of record of Preferred Shares and Class C Ordinary Shares shall be sent written notice of the mandatory conversion time and the place designated for mandatory conversion of all such Preferred Shares pursuant to this Section 4 . Such notice need not be sent in advance of the occurrence of the Mandatory Conversion Time. Upon receipt of such notice, each holder of Preferred Shares and Class C Ordinary Shares in certificated form shall surrender his, her or its certificate or certificates for all such shares (or, if such holder alleges that such certificate has been lost, stolen or destroyed, a lost certificate affidavit and agreement reasonably acceptable to the Company to indemnify the Company against any claim that may be made against the Company on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of such certificate) to the Company at the place designated in such notice. If so required by the Company, any certificates surrendered for conversion shall be endorsed or accompanied by written instrument or instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Company, duly executed by the registered holder or by his, her or its attorney duly authorized in writing. All rights with respect to the Preferred Shares and Class C Ordinary Shares converted pursuant to Subsection 4.1 , including the rights, if any, to receive notices and vote (other than as a holder of Class A Ordinary Shares), will terminate at the Mandatory Conversion Time (notwithstanding the failure of the holder or holders thereof to surrender any certificates at or prior to such time), except only the rights of the holders thereof, upon surrender of any certificate or certificates of such holders (or lost certificate affidavit and agreement) therefor, to receive the items provided for in the next sentence of this Subsection 4.2 . As soon as practicable after the Mandatory Conversion Time and, if applicable, the surrender of any certificate or certificates (or lost certificate affidavit and agreement) for Preferred Shares and Class C Ordinary Shares, the Company shall (a) issue and deliver to such holder, or to his, her or its nominees, a certificate or certificates for the full number of Class A Ordinary Shares issuable on such conversion in accordance with the provisions hereof, and (b) pay cash as provided in Subsection 3.2 in lieu of any fraction of a share of Class A Ordinary Shares otherwise issuable upon such conversion and the payment of any declared but unpaid dividends on the Preferred Shares and Class C Ordinary Shares converted. Such converted Preferred Shares and Class C Ordinary Shares shall be retired and cancelled and may not be reissued as shares of such series, and the Company may thereafter take such appropriate action (without the need for stockholder action) as may be necessary to reduce the authorized number of Preferred Shares and Class C Ordinary Shares accordingly.
5. Redemption.
5.1 General. In the event (the Redemption Event ) (1) the IPO or a trade sale of the Company has not occurred on or before June 30, 2022; OR (2) there is a material breach by the Company of Sections 1 , 2 and 3 of this Exhibit and Subsection 3.2 , 3.3 and 3.4 of the Shareholders Agreement, which has not been remedied to the reasonable satisfaction of the holders of Preferred Shares within thirty (30) days of the receipt of written notice by the Company, upon written notice of the holders of at least one third of then outstanding Series B Preferred Shares, the holder of then outstanding Series A+ Preferred Shares, or the holder of then outstanding Series A Preferred Shares (the Requesting Holders ), each Preferred Share then outstanding shall be redeemable (in whole but not in part) in accordance with this Section 5 , provided , however , that (1) no Series A Preferred Share shall be redeemed unless and until all Series A+ Preferred Shares then outstanding and redeemable have been redeemed in full in accordance with this Section 5 ; and (2) no Series A+ Preferred Share shall be redeemed unless and until all Series B Preferred Shares then outstanding and redeemable have been redeemed in full in accordance with this Section 5 . Upon receipt of a written notice requesting redemption of any or all shares held by the Requesting Holders (the Redemption Request ) , the Company shall apply all of its assets to any such redemption, and to no other corporate purpose,
5.2 Redemption Price.
(a) The Series B Redemption Price for each Series B Preferred Share redeemed pursuant to this Section 5 shall be the sum of (x) 100% of the Series B Issue Price, (y) an amount of cash per share sufficient to provide holder of such Series B Preferred Share with an interest rate equal to eight percent (8%) per annum, calculated on a simple basis for a period of time commencing from the issue date and ending on the Redemption Date, in respect of all of the Series B Preferred Shares held by such holder and requested to be redeemed, and (z) any declared but unpaid dividends on such Series B Preferred Share.
(b) The Series A+ Redemption Price for each Series A+ Preferred Share and the Series A Redemption Price for each Series A Preferred Share are set out in the Schedule III of this Exhibit A.
5.3 Redemption Notice. The Company shall send written notice of the mandatory redemption (the Redemption Notice ) to each holder of record of Preferred Shares not less than forty (40) days prior to the payment of redemption price as set out in Subsection 5.2 above (the Redemption Date ). Each Redemption Notice shall state:
(a) the number of Preferred Shares held by the holder that the Company shall redeem on the Redemption Date specified in the Redemption Notice;
(b) the Redemption Date and the Redemption Price;
(c) the date upon which the holders right to convert such shares terminates (as determined in accordance with Subsection 3.1(b) ); and
(d) for holders of shares in certificated form, that the holder is to surrender to the Company, in the manner and at the place designated, his, her or its certificate or certificates representing the Preferred Shares to be redeemed.
5.4 Surrender of Certificates; Payment. On or before the Redemption Date, the Requesting Holders shall, if holding shares in certificated form, surrender the certificate or certificates representing such shares (or, if such registered holder alleges that such certificate has been lost, stolen or destroyed, a lost certificate affidavit and agreement reasonably acceptable to the Company to indemnify the Company against any claim that may be made against the Company on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of such certificate) to the Company, in the manner and at the place designated by the Company, and thereupon the Redemption Price for such shares shall be payable to the order of the person whose name appears on such certificate or certificates as the owner thereof. In the event less than all of the shares represented by a certificate are redeemed, a new certificate, instrument, or book entry in the register of members of the Company representing the unredeemed shares shall promptly be issued to such holder.
5.5 Rights Subsequent to Redemption. If on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price payable upon redemption of the shares is paid or tendered for payment or deposited with an independent payment agent so as to be available therefor in a timely manner, then notwithstanding that any certificates evidencing any of the shares called for redemption shall not have been surrendered, dividends with respect to such shares shall cease to accrue after the Redemption Date and all rights with respect to such shares shall forthwith after the Redemption Date terminate, except only the right of the holders to receive the Redemption Price upon surrender of any such certificate or certificates therefor.
6. Redeemed or Otherwise Acquired Shares. Any Preferred Shares that are redeemed or otherwise acquired by the Company or any of its subsidiaries shall be automatically and immediately cancelled and retired and shall not be reissued, sold or transferred. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries may exercise any voting or other rights granted to the holders of Preferred Shares following redemption.
7. Voting Rights and Board Matters
7.1 Voting Power.
Holders of all Ordinary Shares and Preferred Shares shall at all times vote together as one class on all resolutions submitted to a vote by the Members. Each Class A Ordinary Share and Class C Ordinary Share shall entitle the holder thereof to one (1) vote on all matters subject to vote at general meetings of the Company, each Class B Ordinary Share shall entitle the holder thereof to twenty (20) votes on all matters subject to vote at general meetings of the Company, and each Preferred Share shall entitled the holder thereof to the number of vote(s) that equals to the number of Class A Ordinary Shares each such Preferred Share may be converted to on all matters subject to vote at general meetings of the Company.
7.2 Matters Requiring General Meeting Approval.
The following matters require the approval by the simple majority of the Shareholders in General Meeting:
(a) Making decisions on the Companys operation guidelines and investment plans;
(b) Approving the annual financial budget plans and final accounts of the Company or marking any modification;
(c) Electing and replacing the directors of the Company and its subsidiaries, and making decisions on the matters concerning the remunerations of the directors;
(d) Approving the reports of the Board of Directors;
(e) The Companys issuance of bonds;
(f) Changes to the shareholding structure of the Company and its subsidiaries, including approving plans of the Company and its subsidiaries equity financing, reorganization, listing, acquisition and sale of equity interests in the Companys subsidiaries, and any other changes to the shareholding structure. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Mr. Zhou Holding Vehicle may sell the Shares it owns to its Affiliates without the approval of other Shareholders;
(g) Pledging, or in other ways creating third-party rights on the Share, directly or indirectly, by the Company or the Shareholders;
(h) Providing guarantees by the Company or its subsidiaries or creating any third-party rights on the patents, copyrights, trademarks or any other assets of the Company;
(i) Redeeming Shares;
(j) Approving any share incentive plans of the Company or its subsidiaries;
(k) Approving the profit distribution plans and loss recovery plans of the Company through deliberation;
(l) Increase or decrease of the Companys issued and outstanding shares;
(m) The merger, dissolution or liquidation of the Company or any conversion or alteration of the Companys corporate form; and
(n) Modifying the Companys Memorandum and Articles of Association.
Matters (l) through (n) must be approved by (i) Shareholders representing at least two thirds of the voting rights of total Class A Ordinary Shares counted on an as-converted basis, and (ii) Sagittarius Company Limited. The remaining matters must be approved by Shareholders holding at least a majority of the voting rights of total Class A Ordinary Shares on an as-converted basis. Each Shareholder is allowed to allocate its shares among affirmative votes, against votes and abstention.
7.3 Board Composition. The Board of Directors shall consist of up to seven (7) Directors. Directors shall be appointed by a simple majority of affirmative votes by Shareholders. Sagittarius Company Limited is entitled to appoint one director (the Series A+ Director ). The shareholder owing most Series B Preferred Shares is entitled to appoint one director (the Series B Director ), provided it owns at least 12,254,395 Series B Preferred Shares of the Company. The Board of Directors shall meet at least once every half year in accordance with an agreed-upon schedule. The Company shall reimburse the Directors for all reasonable out-of-pocket travel expenses incurred (consistent with the Companys travel policy) in connection with attending meetings of the Board of Directors.
7.4 Matters Requiring Board Approval. The Company shall not take, permit to occur, approve, authorize, or agree or commit to do any of the following, unless approved by the Board of Directors or with written resolutions:
(a) Appointment and removal of general managers of the Company and its subsidiaries and the formulation or adjustment of their remuneration packages;
(b) To agree or enter into any single or series of agreements or transactions with Shareholders, Directors, senior management and employees or other related parties, including but not limited to loans and guarantees;
(c) Formulating an annual budget and final accounts plan;
(d) Appointment and removal of senior management personnel of the Company other than the general manager (i.e., CEO/president, vice president, vice general manager, co-CEO/co-president, CFO, CTO, COO or other senior management personnel) and the formulation or adjustment of their remuneration packages;
(e) Companys business plans and operational plans, including the development or adjustment of the Companys and its subsidiaries main business direction;
(f) A transaction or series of transactions with a cumulative value of more than RMB1 million, other than transactions related to normal business operation, within 12 consecutive months;
(g) Expenditure on a single purchase of assets (including purchase of fixed assets, software and technology), marketing promotion, and technical service, exceeding RMB5 million;
(h) The transaction or series of transactions with the same counter-party or its related parties with an accumulated value of more than RMB5 million within six consecutive months (except for transactions with Mr. Zhou Holding Vehicle or its related parties);
(i) Any purchase or dispose of Company assets or property with the value exceeds 5% of the Companys most recent net assets (on consolidated basis) in one or more transactions, regardless of whether the transactions are with related parties;
(j) Single expenditure of more than 30% of the quarterly budget or multiple expenditures of more than 30% of the annual budget;
(k) Single investment (including but not limited to equity investment, equity/asset acquisition, establishment of joint venture or other legal entity) exceeding 10% of the Companys net assets or RMB20 million;
(l) Implementation of the equity incentive plan for employees of the Company and its subsidiaries, including the selection of the plan participants;
(m) Appointment, dismissal or change of an accounting firm that audits the Companys financial statements;
(n) Formulating a plan or plans for the public offering of any bond or equity securities of the Company or its subsidiaries, including but not limited to the choice of place of listing or stock exchange, the amount of proceeds or company valuation, and plans for mergers, acquisitions, reorganizations, consolidations or divisions for such listing, division of business, or other purposes; and
(o) Other matters that require a resolution of the board of directors in accordance with the provisions of the applicable laws or Memorandum and Articles of Association.
The matters (a) through (o) must be approved by more than half of the directors of the Board.
7.5 Matters Requiring Series A+ Directors and Series B Directors Approval. The Company shall not take, permit to occur, approve, authorize, or agree or commit to do any of the following, unless approved by the majority of the Board of Directors (so long as such approval includes the approval of the Series A+ Director, provided Sagittarius Company Limited holds more than 5% of the outstanding Shares of the Company on as-converted basis; and the Series B Director, provided the shareholder appointing such Series B Director owns at least 12,254,395 Series B Preferred Shares of the Company):
(a) make a single purchase with a value of more than RMB100 million;
(b) make a single investment with a value exceeding 15% of the net assets of the Company and RMB200 million; and
(c) make a single related-party transaction with a value of RMB100 million or make transactions with one related party with an accumulated value of RMB200 million within one fiscal year.
Schedule I
Liquidation Preference
|
|
|
|
Waiver of Liquidation Preference |
|||
Shareholders |
|
Liquidation Preference (1) |
|
P0 |
|
Formula |
|
Class B Ordinary Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aerovane Company Limited |
|
the greater of (x) ¥82,500,122+unpaid dividend, and (y) ¥55,000,081* (1+8%*m) |
|
¥ |
1.381197 |
|
n: time after the investment made, calculated in months p1: fair market value per share at distribution event p0: as shown in left column.
If the assets distributed per share to each Class B Ordinary Share, Class C Ordinary Share and Series A Preferred Share would bring such shareholders an IRR of no less than 20%, holders of all Class B Ordinary Shares, Class C Ordinary Shares and Series A Preferred Shares shall waive their liquidation preference and only be entitled to the assets distribution based on their shares on pari passu basis with all other shareholders of the Company. |
Class C Ordinary Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capricornus Technology Limited |
|
the greater of (x) ¥65,204,041+unpaid dividend, and (y) ¥43,469,361* (1+8%*m) |
|
¥ |
1.381197 |
|
|
Eoraptor Technology Limited |
|
the greater of (x) ¥66,397,117+unpaid dividend, and (y) ¥44,264,745* (1+8%*m) |
|
¥ |
1.381197 |
|
|
Perseus Technology Limited |
|
the greater of (x) ¥66,451,319+unpaid dividend, and (y) ¥44,300,880* (1+8%*m) |
|
¥ |
1.381197 |
|
|
Monocerus Company Limited |
|
the greater of (x) ¥65,136,408+unpaid dividend, and (y) ¥43,424,272* (1+8%*m) |
|
¥ |
1.381197 |
|
|
SKY FULL HOLDINGS LIMITED |
|
the greater of (x) ¥7,171,764+unpaid dividend, and (y) ¥4,781,176* (1+8%*m) |
|
¥ |
1.381197 |
|
|
Unicorn Group Company Limited |
|
the greater of (x) ¥17,560,705+unpaid dividend, and (y) ¥11,707,137* (1+8%*m) |
|
¥ |
1.381197 |
|
|
Hong Kong Mango Qize Company Limited |
|
the greater of (x) ¥4,202,347+unpaid dividend, and (y) ¥2,801,564* (1+8%*m) |
|
¥ |
1.381197 |
|
|
SIP Oriza ChongYuan M&A Co. Limited |
|
the greater of (x) ¥2,101,176+unpaid dividend, and (y) ¥1,400,784* (1+8%*m) |
|
¥ |
1.381196 |
|
|
Series A Preferred Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FreeS Fintech 360 SPV Fund LP |
|
the greater of (x) ¥48,018,093+unpaid dividend, and (y) ¥32,012,062*13.33% + ¥32,012,062*(1+8%*(m-1)) |
|
¥ |
13.863557 |
|
|
CoBuilder Fintech CX Holdings Limited |
|
the greater of (x) ¥60,000,000+unpaid dividend, and (y) ¥40,000,000*13.33% + ¥40,000,000*(1+8%*(m-1)) |
|
¥
|
24.855836
|
|
|
CoBuilder Fintech HY Holdings Limited |
|
the greater of (x) ¥45,000,000+unpaid dividend, and (y) ¥30,000,000*13.33% + ¥30,000,000*(1+8%*(m-1)) |
|
¥ |
24.855836 |
|
If the assets distributed per share to each Series A+ Preferred Share would bring such preferred shareholders an IRR of no less than 20%, holders of all Series A+ Preferred Shares shall waive their liquidation preference and only be entitled to the assets distribution based on their shares on pari passu basis with all other shareholders of the Company. |
Unicorn Group Company Limited |
|
the greater of (x) ¥67,424,313+unpaid dividend, and (y) ¥44,949,542*13.33% + ¥44,949,542*(1+8%*(m-1)) |
|
¥ |
8.561126 |
|
|
Series A+ Preferred Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CoBuilder Fintech CX Holdings Limited |
|
¥22,000,000* (1+8%*n) |
|
¥ |
41.518678 |
|
|
CoBuilder Fintech HY Holdings Limited |
|
¥10,770,000* (1+8%*n) |
|
¥ |
41.518570 |
|
|
Sagittarius Company Limited |
|
¥690,000,000*(1+8%*n)+¥300,000,000*(1+8%*o) |
|
¥ |
43.359178 |
|
|
Unicorn Group Company Limited |
|
¥496,300,000* (1+8%*o) |
|
¥ |
46.802572 |
|
|
YUE FU LP |
|
¥120,000,000* (1+8%*o) |
|
¥ |
48.281889 |
|
|
CoBuilder Fintech HN Holdings Limited |
|
¥135,000,000* (1+8%*o) |
|
¥ |
48.281880 |
|
|
Sunny Pavilion Limited |
|
¥200,000,000* (1+8%*o) |
|
¥ |
48.281889 |
|
|
Onew Technology Co., Ltd |
|
¥100,000,000* (1+8%*o) |
|
¥ |
48.281889 |
|
|
MAX DYNAMIC BUSINESS LIMITED |
|
¥50,000,000* (1+8%*o) |
|
¥ |
48.281936 |
|
|
Agile Success Limited |
|
¥50,000,000* (1+8%*o) |
|
¥ |
48.281936 |
|
|
Series B Preferred Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TonSung Holdings Limited |
|
$100,000,000*(1+8%*p)+ unpaid dividend |
|
$ |
8.16033697 |
|
|
MAX DYNAMIC BUSINESS LIMITED |
|
$10,000,000*(1+8%*p)+ unpaid dividend |
|
$ |
8.16033697 |
|
|
Onew Technology Co., Ltd |
|
$60,000,000*(1+8%*p)+ unpaid dividend |
|
$ |
8.16033697 |
|
|
Hermitage Galaxy Fund SPC |
|
$23,500,000*(1+8%*p)+ unpaid dividend |
|
$ |
8.16033697 |
|
|
TFI Special Opportunities Fund SPC - TFI New Era Growth SP |
|
$10,000,003.34*(1+8%*p)+ unpaid dividend |
|
$ |
8.16033697 |
|
Note: (1). In Liquidation Preference column, m equals to the number of days between liquidation date and June 6, 2016 divided by 365; n equals to the number of days between liquidation date and March 23, 2017 divided by 365; o equals to the number of days between liquidation date and January 2, 2018 divided by 365 ; and p equals to the number of days between liquidation date and September 10, 2018 divided by 365.
Schedule II
Original Issue Price and Conversion Price
Shareholders |
|
Original Issue Price |
|
Shares |
|
Convert Price |
||
Class B Ordinary Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Aerovane Company Limited |
|
¥ |
55,000,081.45 |
|
39,820,586 |
|
¥ |
1.381197 |
Class C Ordinary Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Capricornus Technology Limited |
|
¥ |
43,469,360.69 |
|
31,472,234 |
|
¥ |
1.381197 |
Eoraptor Technology Limited |
|
¥ |
44,264,744.85 |
|
32,048,100 |
|
¥ |
1.381197 |
Perseus Technology Limited |
|
¥ |
44,300,879.64 |
|
32,074,262 |
|
¥ |
1.381197 |
Monocerus Company Limited |
|
¥ |
43,424,272.20 |
|
31,439,590 |
|
¥ |
1.381197 |
SKY FULL HOLDINGS LIMITED |
|
¥ |
4,781,176.10 |
|
3,461,618 |
|
¥ |
1.381197 |
Unicorn Group Company Limited |
|
¥ |
11,707,136.63 |
|
8,476,080 |
|
¥ |
1.381197 |
Hong Kong Mango Qize Company Limited |
|
¥ |
2,801,564.39 |
|
2,028,360 |
|
¥ |
1.381197 |
SIP Oriza ChongYuan M&A Co. Limited |
|
¥ |
1,400,784.05 |
|
1,014,182 |
|
¥ |
1.381196 |
Series A Preferred Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
CoBuilder Fintech CX Holdings Limited |
|
¥ |
15,510,015.00 |
|
1,609,280 |
|
¥ |
9.637860 |
CoBuilder Fintech HY Holdings Limited |
|
¥ |
11,632,511.00 |
|
1,206,960 |
|
¥ |
9.637860 |
Unicorn Group Company Limited |
|
¥ |
50,602,872.00 |
|
5,250,424 |
|
¥ |
9.637864 |
FreeS Fintech 360 SPV Fund LP |
|
¥ |
22,254,602.00 |
|
2,309,080 |
|
¥ |
9.637865 |
Series A+ Preferred Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
CoBuilder Fintech CX Holdings Limited |
|
¥ |
22,000,000.00 |
|
529,882 |
|
¥ |
41.518678 |
CoBuilder Fintech HY Holdings Limited |
|
¥ |
10,770,000.00 |
|
259,402 |
|
¥ |
41.518570 |
Unicorn Group Company Limited |
|
¥ |
496,300,000.00 |
|
10,604,118 |
|
¥ |
46.802572 |
Sagittarius Company Limited |
|
¥ |
990,000,000.00 |
|
22,832,536 |
|
¥ |
43.359178 |
YUE FU LP |
|
¥ |
120,000,000.00 |
|
2,485,404 |
|
¥ |
48.281889 |
CoBuilder Fintech HN Holdings Limited |
|
¥ |
135,000,000.00 |
|
2,796,080 |
|
¥ |
48.281880 |
Sunny Pavilion Limited |
|
¥ |
200,000,000.00 |
|
4,142,340 |
|
¥ |
48.281889 |
Onew Technology Co., Ltd |
|
¥ |
100,000,000.00 |
|
2,071,170 |
|
¥ |
48.281889 |
MAX DYNAMIC BUSINESS LIMITED |
|
¥ |
50,000,000.00 |
|
1,035,584 |
|
¥ |
48.281936 |
Agile Success Limited |
|
¥ |
50,000,000.00 |
|
1,035,584 |
|
¥ |
48.281936 |
Series B Preferred Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
TonSung Holdings Limited |
|
$ |
100,000,000.00 |
|
12,254,395 |
|
$ |
8.16033697 |
Max Dynamic Business Limited |
|
$ |
10,000,000.00 |
|
1,225,440 |
|
$ |
8.16033697 |
Onew Technology Co., Ltd |
|
$ |
60,000,000.00 |
|
7,352,637 |
|
$ |
8.16033697 |
Hermitage Galaxy Fund SPC |
|
$ |
23,500,000.00 |
|
2,879,783 |
|
$ |
8.16033697 |
TFI Special Opportunities Fund SPC - TFI New Era Growth SP |
|
$ |
10,000,003.34 |
|
1,225,440 |
|
$ |
8.16033697 |
Note : For the purpose of clarity, the amounts of the Original Issue Price set against the CoBuilder Fintech CX Holdings Limited and CoBuilder Fintech HY Holdings Limited in the table above are for the calculation under Section 3 purpose only, and do not reflect the investment amount to the Company by such entities.
Schedule III
Redemption Price
Shareholders |
|
Redemption Price |
Series A Preferred Shares |
|
|
FreeS Fintech 360 SPV Fund LP |
|
¥32,012,062*13.33% + ¥32,012,062*(1+8%*(m-1)) + unpaid dividend |
CoBuilder Fintech CX Holdings Limited |
|
¥40,000,000*13.33% + ¥40,000,000*(1+8%*(m-1)) + unpaid dividend |
CoBuilder Fintech HY Holdings Limited |
|
¥30,000,000*13.33% + ¥30,000,000*(1+8%*(m-1)) + unpaid dividend |
Unicorn Group Company Limited |
|
¥44,949,542*13.33% + ¥44,949,542*(1+8%*(m-1)) + unpaid dividend |
Series A+ Preferred Shares |
|
|
CoBuilder Fintech CX Holdings Limited |
|
¥22,000,000* (1+8%*n) + unpaid dividend |
CoBuilder Fintech HY Holdings Limited |
|
¥10,770,000* (1+8%*n) + unpaid dividend |
Sagittarius Company Limited |
|
¥690,000,000*(1+8%*n)+¥300,000,000*(1+8%*o)+unpaid dividend |
Unicorn Group Company Limited |
|
¥496,300,000* (1+8%*o) + unpaid dividend |
YUE FU LP |
|
¥120,000,000* (1+8%*o) + unpaid dividend |
CoBuilder Fintech HN Holdings Limited |
|
¥135,000,000* (1+8%*o) + unpaid dividend |
Sunny Pavilion Limited |
|
¥200,000,000* (1+8%*o) + unpaid dividend |
Onew Technology Co., Ltd |
|
¥100,000,000* (1+8%*o) + unpaid dividend |
MAX DYNAMIC BUSINESS LIMITED |
|
¥50,000,000* (1+8%*o) + unpaid dividend |
Agile Success Limited |
|
¥50,000,000* (1+8%*o) + unpaid dividend |
Series B Preferred Shares |
|
|
TonSung Holdings Limited |
|
$100,000,000*(1+8%*p)+ unpaid dividend |
MAX DYNAMIC BUSINESS LIMITED |
|
$10,000,000*(1+8%*p)+ unpaid dividend |
Onew Technology Co., Ltd |
|
$60,000,000*(1+8%*p)+ unpaid dividend |
Hermitage Galaxy Fund SPC |
|
$23,500,000*(1+8%*p)+ unpaid dividend |
TFI Special Opportunities Fund SPC - TFI New Era Growth SP |
|
$10,000,003.34*(1+8%*p)+ unpaid dividend |
Note: In the Redemption Price column, m equals to the number of days between liquidation date and June 6, 2016 divided by 365; n equals to the number of days between liquidation date and March 23, 2017 divided by 365; o equals to the number of days between liquidation date and January 2, 2018 divided by 365; and p equals to the number of days between liquidation date and September 10, 2018 divided by 365.
THE COMPANIES LAW (2018 REVISION)
OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS
COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED
MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION
OF
360 FINANCE, INC.
(adopted by a Special Resolution passed on October 22, 2018 and effective immediately prior to the completion of the initial public offering of the Companys American Depositary Shares representing its Class A Ordinary Shares)
1. The name of the Company is 360 Finance, Inc .
2. The Registered Office of the Company will be situated at the offices of Maples Corporate Services Limited at PO Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands, or at such other location within the Cayman Islands as the Directors may from time to time determine.
3. The objects for which the Company is established are unrestricted and the Company shall have full power and authority to carry out any object not prohibited by the Companies Law or any other law of the Cayman Islands.
4. The Company shall have and be capable of exercising all the functions of a natural person of full capacity irrespective of any question of corporate benefit as provided by the Companies Law.
5. The Company will not trade in the Cayman Islands with any person, firm or corporation except in furtherance of the business of the Company carried on outside the Cayman Islands; provided that nothing in this section shall be construed as to prevent the Company effecting and concluding contracts in the Cayman Islands, and exercising in the Cayman Islands all of its powers necessary for the carrying on of its business outside the Cayman Islands.
6. The liability of each Shareholder is limited to the amount, if any, unpaid on the Shares held by such Shareholder.
7. The authorised share capital of the Company is US$50,000 divided into 5,000,000,000 shares, comprising of (i) 4,900,000,000 Class A ordinary shares with a par value of US$0.00001 each, (ii) 50,000,000 Class B ordinary shares with a par value of US$0.00001 each, and (iii) 50,000,000 shares with a par value of US$0.00001 each of such class or classes (however designated) as the board of directors may determine in accordance with Article 9 of the Articles. Subject to the Companies Law and the Articles, the Company shall have power to redeem or purchase any of its Shares and to increase or reduce its authorised share capital and to sub-divide or consolidate the said Shares or any of them and to issue all or any part of its capital whether original, redeemed, increased or reduced with or without any preference, priority, special privilege or other rights or subject to any postponement of rights or to any conditions or restrictions whatsoever and so that unless the conditions of issue shall otherwise expressly provide every issue of shares whether stated to be ordinary, preference or otherwise shall be subject to the powers on the part of the Company hereinbefore provided.
8. The Company has the power contained in the Companies Law to deregister in the Cayman Islands and be registered by way of continuation in some other jurisdiction.
9. Capitalised terms that are not defined in this Memorandum of Association bear the same meanings as those given in the Articles of Association of the Company.
THE COMPANIES LAW (2018 REVISION)
OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS
COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
OF
360 FINANCE, INC.
(adopted by a Special Resolution passed on October 22, 2018, and effective immediately prior to the completion of the initial public offering of the Companys American Depositary Shares representing its Class A Ordinary Shares)
TABLE A
The regulations contained or incorporated in Table A in the First Schedule of the Companies Law shall not apply to the Company and the following Articles shall comprise the Articles of Association of the Company.
INTERPRETATION
1. In these Articles the following defined terms will have the meanings ascribed to them, if not inconsistent with the subject or context:
ADS |
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means an American Depositary Share representing Class A Ordinary Shares |
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Affiliate |
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means in respect of a Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person, and (i) in the case of a natural person, shall include, without limitation, such persons spouse, parents, children, siblings, mother-in-law, father-in-law, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, a trust for the benefit of any of the foregoing, and a corporation, partnership or any other entity wholly or jointly owned by any of the foregoing, and (ii) in the case of an entity, shall include a partnership, a corporation or any other entity or any natural person which directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such entity. The term control shall mean the ownership, directly or indirectly, of shares possessing more than fifty per cent (50%) of the voting power of the corporation, partnership or other entity (other than, in the case of a corporation, securities having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency), or having the power to control the management or elect a majority of members to the board of directors or equivalent decision-making body of such corporation, partnership or other entity; |
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Articles |
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means these articles of association of the Company, as amended or substituted from time to time; |
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Board and Board of Directors and Directors |
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means the directors of the Company for the time being, or as the case may be, the directors assembled as a board or as a committee thereof; |
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Chairman |
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means the chairman of the Board of Directors; |
Class or Classes |
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means any class or classes of Shares as may from time to time be issued by the Company; |
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Class A Ordinary Share |
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means an ordinary share of the Company with a nominal or par value of US$0.00001, designated as a Class A Ordinary Share, having the rights set out in these Articles. |
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Class B Ordinary Share |
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means an ordinary share of the Company with a nominal or par value of US$0.00001, designated as a Class B Ordinary Share, having the rights set out in these Articles. |
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Commission |
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means the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States of America or any other federal agency for the time being administering the Securities Act; |
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Company |
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means 360 Finance, Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company; |
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Companies Law |
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means the Companies Law (2018 Revision) of the Cayman Islands and any statutory amendment or re-enactment thereof; |
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Companys Website |
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means the main corporate/investor relations website of the Company, the address or domain name of which has been disclosed in any registration statement filed by the Company with the Commission in connection with its initial public offering of ADSs, or which has otherwise been notified to Shareholders; |
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Designated Stock Exchange |
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means the stock exchange in the United States on which any Shares and ADSs are listed for trading; |
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Designated Stock Exchange Rules |
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means the relevant code, rules and regulations, as amended, from time to time, applicable as a result of the original and continued listing of any Shares or ADSs on the Designated Stock Exchange; |
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electronic |
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has the meaning given to it in the Electronic Transactions Law and any amendment thereto or re-enactments thereof for the time being in force and includes every other law incorporated therewith or substituted therefor; |
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electronic communication |
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means electronic posting to the Companys Website, transmission to any number, address or internet website or other electronic delivery methods as otherwise decided and approved by not less than two-thirds of the vote of the Board; |
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Electronic Transactions Law |
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means the Electronic Transactions Law (2003 Revision) of the Cayman Islands and any statutory amendment or re-enactment thereof; |
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electronic record |
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has the meaning given to it in the Electronic Transactions Law and any amendment thereto or re-enactments thereof for the time being in force and includes every other law incorporated therewith or substituted therefor; |
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Memorandum of Association |
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means the memorandum of association of the Company, as amended or substituted from time to time; |
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Ordinary Resolution |
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means a resolution:
(a) passed by a simple majority of the votes cast by such Shareholders as, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy or, in the case of corporations, by their duly authorized representatives, at a general meeting of the Company held in accordance with these Articles; or |
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(b) approved in writing by all of the Shareholders entitled to vote at a general meeting of the Company in one or more instruments each signed by one or more of the Shareholders and the effective date of the resolution so adopted shall be the date on which the instrument, or the last of such instruments, if more than one, is executed; |
Ordinary Share |
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means an ordinary share of the Company with a nominal or par value of US$0.00001, including a Class A Ordinary Share, and a Class B Ordinary Share; |
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paid up |
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means paid up as to the par value in respect of the issue of any Shares and includes credited as paid up; |
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Person |
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means any natural person, firm, company, joint venture, partnership, corporation, association or other entity (whether or not having a separate legal personality) or any of them as the context so requires; |
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Register |
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means the register of Members of the Company maintained in accordance with the Companies Law; |
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Registered Office |
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means the registered office of the Company as required by the Companies Law; |
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Seal |
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means the common seal of the Company (if adopted) including any facsimile thereof; |
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Secretary |
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means any Person appointed by the Directors to perform any of the duties of the secretary of the Company; |
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Securities Act |
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means the Securities Act of 1933 of the United States of America, as amended, or any similar federal statute and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at the time; |
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Share |
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means a share in the capital of the Company. All references to Shares herein shall be deemed to be Shares of any or all Classes as the context may require. For the avoidance of doubt in these Articles the expression Share shall include a fraction of a Share; |
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Shareholder or Member |
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means a Person who is registered as the holder of one or more Shares in the Register; |
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Share Premium Account |
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means the share premium account established in accordance with these Articles and the Companies Law; |
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signed |
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means bearing a signature or representation of a signature affixed by mechanical means or an electronic symbol or process attached to or logically associated with an electronic communication and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the electronic communication; |
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Special Resolution |
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means a special resolution of the Company passed in accordance with the Law, being a resolution:
(a) passed by not less than two-thirds of the votes cast by such Shareholders as, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy or, in the case of corporations, by their duly authorised representatives, at a general meeting of the Company of which notice specifying the intention to propose the resolution as a special resolution has been duly given; or
(b) approved in writing by all of the Shareholders entitled to vote at a general meeting of the Company in one or more instruments each signed by one or more of the Shareholders and the effective date of the special resolution so adopted shall be the date on which the instrument or the last of such instruments, if more than one, is executed; |
Treasury Share |
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means a Share held in the name of the Company as a treasury share in accordance with the Companies Law; and |
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United States |
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means the United States of America, its territories, its possessions and all areas subject to its jurisdiction. |
2. In these Articles, save where the context requires otherwise:
(a) words importing the singular number shall include the plural number and vice versa;
(b) words importing the masculine gender only shall include the feminine gender and any Person as the context may require;
(c) the word may shall be construed as permissive and the word shall shall be construed as imperative;
(d) reference to a dollar or dollars (or US$) and to a cent or cents is reference to dollars and cents of the United States of America;
(e) reference to a statutory enactment shall include reference to any amendment or re-enactment thereof for the time being in force;
(f) reference to any determination by the Directors shall be construed as a determination by the Directors in their sole and absolute discretion and shall be applicable either generally or in any particular case;
(g) reference to in writing shall be construed as written or represented by any means reproducible in writing, including any form of print, lithograph, email, facsimile, photograph or telex or represented by any other substitute or format for storage or transmission for writing including in the form of an electronic record or partly one and partly another;
(h) any requirements as to delivery under the Articles include delivery in the form of an electronic record or an electronic communication;
(i) any requirements as to execution or signature under the Articles, including the execution of the Articles themselves, can be satisfied in the form of an electronic signature as defined in the Electronic Transaction Law; and
(j) Sections 8 and 19(3) of the Electronic Transactions Law shall not apply.
3. Subject to the last two preceding Articles, any words defined in the Companies Law shall, if not inconsistent with the subject or context, bear the same meaning in these Articles.
PRELIMINARY
4. The business of the Company may be conducted as the Directors see fit.
5. The Registered Office shall be at such address in the Cayman Islands as the Directors may from time to time determine. The Company may in addition establish and maintain such other offices and places of business and agencies in such places as the Directors may from time to time determine.
6. The expenses incurred in the formation of the Company and in connection with the offer for subscription and issue of Shares shall be paid by the Company. Such expenses may be amortised over such period as the Directors may determine and the amount so paid shall be charged against income and/or capital in the accounts of the Company as the Directors shall determine.
7. The Directors shall keep, or cause to be kept, the Register at such place as the Directors may from time to time determine and, in the absence of any such determination, the Register shall be kept at the Registered Office.
SHARES
8. Subject to these Articles, all Shares for the time being unissued shall be under the control of the Directors who may, in their absolute discretion and without the approval of the Members, cause the Company to:
(a) issue, allot and dispose of Shares (including, without limitation, preferred shares) (whether in certificated form or non-certificated form) to such Persons, in such manner, on such terms and having such rights and being subject to such restrictions as they may from time to time determine;
(b) grant rights over Shares or other securities to be issued in one or more classes or series as they deem necessary or appropriate and determine the designations, powers, preferences, privileges and other rights attaching to such Shares or securities, including dividend rights, voting rights, conversion rights, terms of redemption and liquidation preferences, any or all of which may be greater than the powers, preferences, privileges and rights associated with the then issued and outstanding Shares, at such times and on such other terms as they think proper; and
(c) grant options with respect to Shares and issue warrants or similar instruments with respect thereto.
9. The Directors may authorise the division of Shares into any number of Classes and the different Classes shall be authorised, established and designated (or re-designated as the case may be) and the variations in the relative rights (including, without limitation, voting, dividend and redemption rights), restrictions, preferences, privileges and payment obligations as between the different Classes (if any) may be fixed and determined by the Directors or by a Special Resolution. The Directors may issue Shares with such preferred or other rights, all or any of which may be greater than the rights of Ordinary Shares, at such time and on such terms as they may think appropriate. Notwithstanding Article 17, the Directors may issue from time to time, out of the authorised share capital of the Company (other than the authorised but unissued Ordinary Shares), series of preferred shares in their absolute discretion and without approval of the Members; provided, however, before any preferred shares of any such series are issued, the Directors shall by resolution of Directors determine, with respect to any series of preferred shares, the terms and rights of that series, including:
(a) the designation of such series, the number of preferred shares to constitute such series and the subscription price thereof if different from the par value thereof;
(b) whether the preferred shares of such series shall have voting rights, in addition to any voting rights provided by law, and, if so, the terms of such voting rights, which may be general or limited;
(c) the dividends, if any, payable on such series, whether any such dividends shall be cumulative, and, if so, from what dates, the conditions and dates upon which such dividends shall be payable, and the preference or relation which such dividends shall bear to the dividends payable on any shares of any other class or any other series of shares;
(d) whether the preferred shares of such series shall be subject to redemption by the Company, and, if so, the times, prices and other conditions of such redemption;
(e) whether the preferred shares of such series shall have any rights to receive any part of the assets available for distribution amongst the Members upon the liquidation of the Company, and, if so, the terms of such liquidation preference, and the relation which such liquidation preference shall bear to the entitlements of the holders of shares of any other class or any other series of shares;
(f) whether the preferred shares of such series shall be subject to the operation of a retirement or sinking fund and, if so, the extent to and manner in which any such retirement or sinking fund shall be applied to the purchase or redemption of the preferred shares of such series for retirement or other corporate purposes and the terms and provisions relative to the operation thereof;
(g) whether the preferred shares of such series shall be convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or any other series of preferred shares or any other securities and, if so, the price or prices or the rate or rates of conversion or exchange and the method, if any, of adjusting the same, and any other terms and conditions of conversion or exchange;
(h) the limitations and restrictions, if any, to be effective while any preferred shares of such series are outstanding upon the payment of dividends or the making of other distributions on, and upon the purchase, redemption or other acquisition by the Company of, the existing shares or shares of any other class of shares or any other series of preferred shares;
(i) the conditions or restrictions, if any, upon the creation of indebtedness of the Company or upon the issue of any additional shares, including additional shares of such series or of any other class of shares or any other series of preferred shares; and
(j) any other powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights, and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof;
and, for such purposes, the Directors may reserve an appropriate number of Shares for the time being unissued. The Company shall not issue Shares to bearer.
10. The Company may insofar as may be permitted by law, pay a commission to any Person in consideration of his subscribing or agreeing to subscribe whether absolutely or conditionally for any Shares. Such commissions may be satisfied by the payment of cash or the lodgement of fully or partly paid-up Shares or partly in one way and partly in the other. The Company may also pay such brokerage as may be lawful on any issue of Shares.
11. The Directors may refuse to accept any application for Shares, and may accept any application in whole or in part, for any reason or for no reason.
CLASS A ORDINARY SHARES AND CLASS B ORDINARY SHARES
12. Holders of Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares shall at all times vote together as one class on all resolutions submitted to a vote by the Members. Each Class A Ordinary Share shall entitle the holder thereof to one (1) vote on all matters subject to vote at general meetings of the Company, and each Class B ordinary share shall entitle the holder thereof to twenty (20) votes on all matters subject to vote at general meetings of the Company.
13. Each Class B Ordinary Share is convertible into one (1) Class A Ordinary Share at any time at the option of the holder thereof. The right to convert shall be exercisable by the holder of the Class B Ordinary Share delivering a written notice to the Company that such holder elects to convert a specified number of Class B Ordinary Shares into Class A Ordinary Shares. In no event shall Class A Ordinary Shares be convertible into Class B Ordinary Shares.
14. Any conversion of Class B Ordinary Shares into Class A Ordinary Shares pursuant to these Articles shall be effected by means of the re-designation of each relevant Class B Ordinary Share as a Class A Ordinary Share. Such conversion shall become effective forthwith upon entries being made in the Register of Members to record the re-designation of the relevant Class B Ordinary Shares as Class A Ordinary Shares.
15. Upon any sale, transfer, assignment or disposition of any Class B Ordinary Share by a Shareholder to any person who is not an Affiliate of such Shareholder, or upon a change of ultimate beneficial ownership of any Class B Ordinary Share to any Person who is not an Affiliate of the registered shareholder of such Share, such Class B Ordinary Share shall be automatically and immediately converted into one Class A Ordinary Share. For the avoidance of doubt, (i) a sale, transfer, assignment or disposition shall be effective upon the Companys registration of such sale, transfer, assignment or disposition in its Register of Members; and (ii) the creation of any pledge, charge, encumbrance or other third party right of whatever description on any Class B Ordinary Shares to secure a holders contractual or legal obligations shall not be deemed as a sale, transfer, assignment or disposition unless and until any such pledge, charge, encumbrance or other third party right is enforced and results in the third party holding legal title to the relevant Class B Ordinary Shares, in which case all the related Class B Ordinary Shares shall be automatically converted into the same number of Class A Ordinary Shares. For purpose of this Article 15, beneficial ownership shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
16. Save and except for voting rights and conversion rights as set out in Articles 12 to 15 (inclusive), the Class A Ordinary Shares and the Class B Ordinary Shares shall rank pari passu with one another and shall have the same rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions.
MODIFICATION OF RIGHTS
17. Whenever the capital of the Company is divided into different Classes the rights attached to any such Class may, subject to any rights or restrictions for the time being attached to any Class, only be materially adversely varied with the consent in writing of the holders of two-thirds of the issued Shares of that Class or with the sanction of a Special Resolution passed at a separate meeting of the holders of the Shares of that Class. To every such separate meeting all the provisions of these Articles relating to general meetings of the Company or to the proceedings thereat shall, mutatis mutandis , apply, except that the necessary quorum shall be one or more Persons holding or representing by proxy at least one-third in nominal or par value amount of the issued Shares of the relevant Class (but so that if at any adjourned meeting of such holders a quorum as above defined is not present, those Shareholders who are present shall form a quorum) and that, subject to any rights or restrictions for the time being attached to the Shares of that Class, every Shareholder of the Class shall on a poll have one vote for each Share of the Class held by him. For the purposes of this Article the Directors may treat all the Classes or any two or more Classes as forming one Class if they consider that all such Classes would be affected in the same way by the proposals under consideration, but in any other case shall treat them as separate Classes.
18. The rights conferred upon the holders of the Shares of any Class issued with preferred or other rights shall not, subject to any rights or restrictions for the time being attached to the Shares of that Class, be deemed to be materially adversely varied by, inter alia, the creation, allotment or issue of further Shares ranking pari passu with or subsequent to them or the redemption or purchase of any Shares of any Class by the Company. The rights of the holders of Shares shall not be deemed to be materially adversely varied by the creation or issue of Shares with preferred or other rights including, without limitation, the creation of Shares with enhanced or weighted voting rights.
CERTIFICATES
19. Every Person whose name is entered as a Member in the Register may, without payment and upon its written request, request a certificate within two calendar months after allotment or lodgement of transfer (or within such other period as the conditions of issue shall provide) in the form determined by the Directors. All certificates shall specify the Share or Shares held by that Person, provided that in respect of a Share or Shares held jointly by several persons the Company shall not be bound to issue more than one certificate, and delivery of a certificate for a Share to one of several joint holders shall be sufficient delivery to all. All certificates for Shares shall be delivered personally or sent through the post addressed to the Member entitled thereto at the Members registered address as appearing in the Register.
20. Every share certificate of the Company shall bear legends required under the applicable laws, including the Securities Act.
21. Any two or more certificates representing Shares of any one class held by any Member may at the Members request be cancelled and a single new certificate for such Shares issued in lieu on payment (if the Directors shall so require) of one dollar (US$1.00) or such smaller sum as the Directors shall determine.
22. If a share certificate shall be damaged or defaced or alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, a new certificate representing the same Shares may be issued to the relevant Member upon request, subject to delivery up of the old certificate or (if alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed) compliance with such conditions as to evidence and indemnity and the payment of out-of-pocket expenses of the Company in connection with the request as the Directors may think fit.
23. In the event that Shares are held jointly by several persons, any request may be made by any one of the joint holders and if so made shall be binding on all of the joint holders.
FRACTIONAL SHARES
24. The Directors may issue fractions of a Share and, if so issued, a fraction of a Share shall be subject to and carry the corresponding fraction of liabilities (whether with respect to nominal or par value, premium, contributions, calls or otherwise), limitations, preferences, privileges, qualifications, restrictions, rights (including, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, voting and participation rights) and other attributes of a whole Share. If more than one fraction of a Share of the same Class is issued to or acquired by the same Shareholder such fractions shall be accumulated.
LIEN
25. The Company has a first and paramount lien on every Share (whether or not fully paid) for all amounts (whether presently payable or not) payable at a fixed time or called in respect of that Share. The Company also has a first and paramount lien on every Share registered in the name of a Person indebted or under liability to the Company (whether he is the sole registered holder of a Share or one of two or more joint holders) for all amounts owing by him or his estate to the Company (whether or not presently payable). The Directors may at any time declare a Share to be wholly or in part exempt from the provisions of this Article. The Companys lien on a Share extends to any amount payable in respect of it, including but not limited to dividends.
26. The Company may sell, in such manner as the Directors in their absolute discretion think fit, any Share on which the Company has a lien, but no sale shall be made unless an amount in respect of which the lien exists is presently payable nor until the expiration of fourteen (14) calendar days after a notice in writing, demanding payment of such part of the amount in respect of which the lien exists as is presently payable, has been given to the registered holder for the time being of the Share, or the Persons entitled thereto by reason of his death or bankruptcy.
27. For giving effect to any such sale the Directors may authorise a Person to transfer the Shares sold to the purchaser thereof. The purchaser shall be registered as the holder of the Shares comprised in any such transfer and he shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money, nor shall his title to the Shares be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings in reference to the sale.
28. The proceeds of the sale after deduction of expenses, fees and commission incurred by the Company shall be received by the Company and applied in payment of such part of the amount in respect of which the lien exists as is presently payable, and the residue shall (subject to a like lien for sums not presently payable as existed upon the Shares prior to the sale) be paid to the Person entitled to the Shares immediately prior to the sale.
CALLS ON SHARES
29. Subject to the terms of the allotment, the Directors may from time to time make calls upon the Shareholders in respect of any moneys unpaid on their Shares, and each Shareholder shall (subject to receiving at least fourteen (14) calendar days notice specifying the time or times of payment) pay to the Company at the time or times so specified the amount called on such Shares. A call shall be deemed to have been made at the time when the resolution of the Directors authorising such call was passed.
30. The joint holders of a Share shall be jointly and severally liable to pay calls in respect thereof.
31. If a sum called in respect of a Share is not paid before or on the day appointed for payment thereof, the Person from whom the sum is due shall pay interest upon the sum at the rate of eight percent per annum from the day appointed for the payment thereof to the time of the actual payment, but the Directors shall be at liberty to waive payment of that interest wholly or in part.
32. The provisions of these Articles as to the liability of joint holders and as to payment of interest shall apply in the case of non-payment of any sum which, by the terms of issue of a Share, becomes payable at a fixed time, whether on account of the amount of the Share, or by way of premium, as if the same had become payable by virtue of a call duly made and notified.
33. The Directors may make arrangements with respect to the issue of partly paid Shares for a difference between the Shareholders, or the particular Shares, in the amount of calls to be paid and in the times of payment.
34. The Directors may, if they think fit, receive from any Shareholder willing to advance the same all or any part of the moneys uncalled and unpaid upon any partly paid Shares held by him, and upon all or any of the moneys so advanced may (until the same would, but for such advance, become presently payable) pay interest at such rate (not exceeding without the sanction of an Ordinary Resolution, eight percent per annum) as may be agreed upon between the Shareholder paying the sum in advance and the Directors. No such sum paid in advance of calls shall entitle the Member paying such sum to any portion of a dividend declared in respect of any period prior to the date upon which such sum would, but for such payment, become presently payable.
FORFEITURE OF SHARES
35. If a Shareholder fails to pay any call or instalment of a call in respect of partly paid Shares on the day appointed for payment, the Directors may, at any time thereafter during such time as any part of such call or instalment remains unpaid, serve a notice on him requiring payment of so much of the call or instalment as is unpaid, together with any interest which may have accrued.
36. The notice shall name a further day (not earlier than the expiration of fourteen (14) calendar days from the date of the notice) on or before which the payment required by the notice is to be made, and shall state that in the event of non-payment at or before the time appointed, the Shares in respect of which the call was made will be liable to be forfeited.
37. If the requirements of any such notice as aforesaid are not complied with, any Share in respect of which the notice has been given may at any time thereafter, before the payment required by notice has been made, be forfeited by a resolution of the Directors to that effect.
38. A forfeited Share may be sold or otherwise disposed of on such terms and in such manner as the Directors think fit, and at any time before a sale or disposition the forfeiture may be cancelled on such terms as the Directors think fit.
39. A Person whose Shares have been forfeited shall cease to be a Shareholder in respect of the forfeited Shares, but shall, notwithstanding, remain liable to pay to the Company all moneys which at the date of forfeiture were payable by him to the Company in respect of the Shares forfeited, but his liability shall cease if and when the Company receives payment in full of the amount unpaid on the Shares forfeited.
40. A certificate in writing under the hand of a Director that a Share has been duly forfeited on a date stated in the certificate shall be conclusive evidence of the facts in the declaration as against all Persons claiming to be entitled to the Share.
41. The Company may receive the consideration, if any, given for a Share on any sale or disposition thereof pursuant to the provisions of these Articles as to forfeiture and may execute a transfer of the Share in favour of the Person to whom the Share is sold or disposed of and that Person shall be registered as the holder of the Share and shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money, if any, nor shall his title to the Shares be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings in reference to the disposition or sale.
42. The provisions of these Articles as to forfeiture shall apply in the case of non-payment of any sum which by the terms of issue of a Share becomes due and payable, whether on account of the amount of the Share, or by way of premium, as if the same had been payable by virtue of a call duly made and notified.
TRANSFER OF SHARES
43. The instrument of transfer of any Share shall be in writing and in any usual or common form or such other form as the Directors may, in their absolute discretion, approve and be executed by or on behalf of the transferor and if in respect of a nil or partly paid up Share, or if so required by the Directors, shall also be executed on behalf of the transferee and shall be accompanied by the certificate (if any) of the Shares to which it relates and such other evidence as the Directors may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer. The transferor shall be deemed to remain a Shareholder until the name of the transferee is entered in the Register in respect of the relevant Shares.
44. (a) The Directors may in their absolute discretion decline to register any transfer of Shares which is not fully paid up or on which the Company has a lien.
(b) The Directors may also decline to register any transfer of any Share unless:
(i) the instrument of transfer is lodged with the Company, accompanied by the certificate for the Shares to which it relates and such other evidence as the Board may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer;
(ii) the instrument of transfer is in respect of only one Class of Shares;
(iii) the instrument of transfer is properly stamped, if required;
(iv) in the case of a transfer to joint holders, the number of joint holders to whom the Share is to be transferred does not exceed four; and
(v) a fee of such maximum sum as the Designated Stock Exchange may determine to be payable, or such lesser sum as the Board of Directors may from time to time require, is paid to the Company in respect thereof.
45. The registration of transfers may, on ten (10) calendar days notice being given by advertisement in such one or more newspapers, by electronic means or by any other means in accordance with the Designated Stock Exchange Rules, be suspended and the Register closed at such times and for such periods as the Directors may, in their absolute discretion, from time to time determine, provided always that such registration of transfer shall not be suspended nor the Register of Members closed for more than thirty (30) calendar days in any calendar year.
46. All instruments of transfer that are registered shall be retained by the Company. If the Directors refuse to register a transfer of any Shares, they shall within three calendar months after the date on which the transfer was lodged with the Company send notice of the refusal to each of the transferor and the transferee.
TRANSMISSION OF SHARES
47. The legal personal representative of a deceased sole holder of a Share shall be the only Person recognised by the Company as having any title to the Share. In the case of a Share registered in the name of two or more holders, the survivors or survivor, or the legal personal representatives of the deceased survivor, shall be the only Person recognised by the Company as having any title to the Share.
48. Any Person becoming entitled to a Share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of a Shareholder shall, upon such evidence being produced as may from time to time be required by the Directors, have the right either to be registered as a Shareholder in respect of the Share or, instead of being registered himself, to make such transfer of the Share as the deceased or bankrupt Person could have made; but the Directors shall, in either case, have the same right to decline or suspend registration as they would have had in the case of a transfer of the Share by the deceased or bankrupt Person before the death or bankruptcy.
49. A Person becoming entitled to a Share by reason of the death or bankruptcy of a Shareholder shall be entitled to the same dividends and other advantages to which he would be entitled if he were the registered Shareholder, except that he shall not, before being registered as a Shareholder in respect of the Share, be entitled in respect of it to exercise any right conferred by membership in relation to meetings of the Company, provided however, that the Directors may at any time give notice requiring any such person to elect either to be registered himself or to transfer the Share, and if the notice is not complied with within ninety (90) calendar days, the Directors may thereafter withhold payment of all dividends, bonuses or other monies payable in respect of the Share until the requirements of the notice have been complied with.
REGISTRATION OF EMPOWERING INSTRUMENTS
50. The Company shall be entitled to charge a fee not exceeding one dollar (US$1.00) on the registration of every probate, letters of administration, certificate of death or marriage, power of attorney, notice in lieu of distringas, or other instrument.
ALTERATION OF SHARE CAPITAL
51. The Company may from time to time by Ordinary Resolution increase the share capital by such sum, to be divided into Shares of such Classes and amount, as the resolution shall prescribe.
52. The Company may by Ordinary Resolution:
(a) increase its share capital by new Shares of such amount as it thinks expedient;
(b) consolidate and divide all or any of its share capital into Shares of a larger amount than its existing Shares;
(c) subdivide its Shares, or any of them, into Shares of an amount smaller than that fixed by the Memorandum, provided that in the subdivision the proportion between the amount paid and the amount, if any, unpaid on each reduced Share shall be the same as it was in case of the Share from which the reduced Share is derived; and
(d) cancel any Shares that, at the date of the passing of the resolution, have not been taken or agreed to be taken by any Person and diminish the amount of its share capital by the amount of the Shares so cancelled.
53. The Company may by Special Resolution reduce its share capital and any capital redemption reserve in any manner authorised by law.
REDEMPTION, PURCHASE AND SURRENDER OF SHARES
54. Subject to the provisions of the Companies Law and these Articles, the Company may:
(a) issue Shares that are to be redeemed or are liable to be redeemed at the option of the Shareholder or the Company. The redemption of Shares shall be effected in such manner and upon such terms as may be determined, before the issue of such Shares, by either the Board or by the Shareholders by Special Resolution;
(b) purchase its own Shares (including any redeemable Shares) on such terms and in such manner and terms as have been approved by the Board or by the Members by Ordinary Resolution, or are otherwise authorised by these Articles; and
(c) make a payment in respect of the redemption or purchase of its own Shares in any manner permitted by the Companies Law, including out of capital.
55. The purchase of any Share shall not oblige the Company to purchase any other Share other than as may be required pursuant to applicable law and any other contractual obligations of the Company.
56. The holder of the Shares being purchased shall be bound to deliver up to the Company the certificate(s) (if any) thereof for cancellation and thereupon the Company shall pay to him the purchase or redemption monies or consideration in respect thereof.
57. The Directors may accept the surrender for no consideration of any fully paid Share.
TREASURY SHARES
58. The Directors may, prior to the purchase, redemption or surrender of any Share, determine that such Share shall be held as a Treasury Share.
59. The Directors may determine to cancel a Treasury Share or transfer a Treasury Share on such terms as they think proper (including, without limitation, for nil consideration).
GENERAL MEETINGS
60. All general meetings other than annual general meetings shall be called extraordinary general meetings.
61. (a) The Company may (but shall not be obliged to) in each calendar year hold a general meeting as its annual general meeting and shall specify the meeting as such in the notices calling it. The annual general meeting shall be held at such time and place as may be determined by the Directors.
(b) At these meetings the report of the Directors (if any) shall be presented.
62. (a) The Chairman or a majority of the Directors may call general meetings, and they shall on a Shareholders requisition forthwith proceed to convene an extraordinary general meeting of the Company.
(b) A Shareholders requisition is a requisition of Members holding at the date of deposit of the requisition Shares which carry in aggregate not less than one-third (1/3) of all votes attaching to all issued and outstanding Shares of the Company that as at the date of the deposit carry the right to vote at general meetings of the Company.
(c) The requisition must state the objects of the meeting and must be signed by the requisitionists and deposited at the Registered Office, and may consist of several documents in like form each signed by one or more requisitionists.
(d) If the Directors do not within twenty-one (21) calendar days from the date of the deposit of the requisition duly proceed to convene a general meeting to be held within a further twenty-one (21) calendar days, the requisitionists, or any of them representing more than one-half of the total voting rights of all of them, may themselves convene a general meeting, but any meeting so convened shall not be held after the expiration of three (3) calendar months after the expiration of the said twenty-one (21) calendar days.
(e) A general meeting convened as aforesaid by requisitionists shall be convened in the same manner as nearly as possible as that in which general meetings are to be convened by Directors.
NOTICE OF GENERAL MEETINGS
63. At least ten (10) calendar days notice shall be given for any general meeting. Every notice shall be exclusive of the day on which it is given or deemed to be given and of the day for which it is given and shall specify the place, the day and the hour of the meeting and the general nature of the business and shall be given in the manner hereinafter mentioned or in such other manner if any as may be prescribed by the Company, provided that a general meeting of the Company shall, whether or not the notice specified in this Article has been given and whether or not the provisions of these Articles regarding general meetings have been complied with, be deemed to have been duly convened if it is so agreed:
(a) in the case of an annual general meeting, by all the Shareholders (or their proxies) entitled to attend and vote thereat; and
(b) in the case of an extraordinary general meeting, by two-thirds (2/3rd ) of the votes entitled to be cast by all Shareholders having a right to attend and vote at the meeting, present in person or by proxy or, in the case of a corporation or other non-natural person, by its duly authorised representative or proxy.
64. The accidental omission to give notice of a meeting to or the non-receipt of a notice of a meeting by any Shareholder shall not invalidate the proceedings at any meeting.
PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL MEETINGS
65. No business except for the appointment of a chairman for the meeting shall be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum of Shareholders is present at the time when the meeting proceeds to business. One or more Shareholders holding Shares which carry in aggregate (or representing by proxy) not less than one-third of all votes attaching to all Shares in issue and entitled to vote at such general meeting, present in person or by proxy or, if a corporation or other non-natural person, by its duly authorised representative, shall be a quorum for all purposes.
66. If within half an hour from the time appointed for the meeting a quorum is not present, the meeting shall be dissolved.
67. If the Directors wish to make this facility available for a specific general meeting or all general meetings of the Company, participation in any general meeting of the Company may be by means of a telephone or similar communication equipment by way of which all Persons participating in such meeting can communicate with each other and such participation shall be deemed to constitute presence in person at the meeting.
68. The Chairman, if any, of the Board of Directors shall preside as chairman at every general meeting of the Company.
69. If there is no such Chairman of the Board of Directors, or if at any general meeting he is not present within fifteen minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting or is unwilling to act as chairman of the meeting, any Director or Person nominated by the Directors shall preside as chairman of that meeting, failing which the Shareholders present in person or by proxy shall choose any Person present to be chairman of that meeting.
70. The chairman may with the consent of any general meeting at which a quorum is present (and shall if so directed by the meeting) adjourn the meeting from time to time and from place to place, but no business shall be transacted at any adjourned meeting other than the business left unfinished at the meeting from which the adjournment took place. When a meeting, or adjourned meeting, is adjourned for fourteen (14) calendar days or more, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given as in the case of an original meeting. Save as aforesaid it shall not be necessary to give any notice of an adjournment or of the business to be transacted at an adjourned meeting.
71. The Directors may cancel or postpone any duly convened general meeting at any time prior to such meeting, except for general meetings requisitioned by the Shareholders in accordance with these Articles, for any reason or for no reason, upon notice in writing to Shareholders. A postponement may be for a stated period of any length or indefinitely as the Directors may determine.
72. At any general meeting a resolution put to the vote of the meeting shall be decided on a show of hands, unless a poll is (before or on the declaration of the result of the show of hands) demanded by the chairman of the meeting or any Shareholder present in person or by proxy, and unless a poll is so demanded, a declaration by the chairman of the meeting that a resolution has, on a show of hands, been carried, or carried unanimously, or by a particular majority, or lost, and an entry to that effect in the book of the proceedings of the Company, shall be conclusive evidence of the fact, without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favour of, or against, that resolution.
73. If a poll is duly demanded it shall be taken in such manner as the chairman of the meeting directs, and the result of the poll shall be deemed to be the resolution of the meeting at which the poll was demanded.
74. All questions submitted to a meeting shall be decided by an Ordinary Resolution except where a greater majority is required by these Articles or by the Companies Law. In the case of an equality of votes, whether on a show of hands or on a poll, the chairman of the meeting at which the show of hands takes place or at which the poll is demanded, shall be entitled to a second or casting vote.
75. A poll demanded on the election of a chairman of the meeting or on a question of adjournment shall be taken forthwith. A poll demanded on any other question shall be taken at such time as the chairman of the meeting directs.
VOTES OF SHAREHOLDERS
76. Subject to any rights and restrictions for the time being attached to any Share, on a show of hands every Shareholder present in person or by proxy (or, if a corporation or other non-natural person, by its duly authorised representative or proxy) shall, at a general meeting of the Company, each have one vote and on a poll every Shareholder present in person or by proxy (or, if a corporation or other non-natural person, by its duly authorised representative or proxy) shall have one vote for each Class A Ordinary Share and twenty votes for each Class B Ordinary Share of which he is the holder.
77. In the case of joint holders the vote of the senior who tenders a vote whether in person or by proxy (or, if a corporation or other non-natural person, by its duly authorised representative or proxy) shall be accepted to the exclusion of the votes of the other joint holders and for this purpose seniority shall be determined by the order in which the names stand in the Register.
78. Shares carrying the right to vote that are held by a Shareholder of unsound mind, or in respect of whom an order has been made by any court having jurisdiction in lunacy, may be voted, whether on a show of hands or on a poll, by his committee, or other Person in the nature of a committee appointed by that court, and any such committee or other Person may vote in respect of such Shares by proxy.
79. No Shareholder shall be entitled to vote at any general meeting of the Company unless all calls, if any, or other sums presently payable by him in respect of Shares carrying the right to vote held by him have been paid.
80. On a poll votes may be given either personally or by proxy.
81. Each Shareholder, other than a recognised clearing house (or its nominee(s)) or depositary (or its nominee(s)), may only appoint one proxy on a show of hand. The instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing under the hand of the appointor or of his attorney duly authorised in writing or, if the appointor is a corporation, either under Seal or under the hand of an officer or attorney duly authorised. A proxy need not be a Shareholder.
82. An instrument appointing a proxy may be in any usual or common form or such other form as the Directors may approve.
83. The instrument appointing a proxy shall be deposited at the Registered Office or at such other place as is specified for that purpose in the notice convening the meeting, or in any instrument of proxy sent out by the Company:
(a) not less than 48 hours before the time for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the person named in the instrument proposes to vote; or
(b) in the case of a poll taken more than 48 hours after it is demanded, be deposited as aforesaid after the poll has been demanded and not less than 24 hours before the time appointed for the taking of the poll; or
(c) where the poll is not taken forthwith but is taken not more than 48 hours after it was demanded be delivered at the meeting at which the poll was demanded to the chairman or to the secretary or to any director;
provided that the Directors may in the notice convening the meeting, or in an instrument of proxy sent out by the Company, direct that the instrument appointing a proxy may be deposited at such other time (no later than the time for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting) at the Registered Office or at such other place as is specified for that purpose in the notice convening the meeting, or in any instrument of proxy sent out by the Company. The Chairman may in any event at his discretion direct that an instrument of proxy shall be deemed to have been duly deposited. An instrument of proxy that is not deposited in the manner permitted shall be invalid.
84. The instrument appointing a proxy shall be deemed to confer authority to demand or join in demanding a poll.
85. A resolution in writing signed by all the Shareholders for the time being entitled to receive notice of and to attend and vote at general meetings of the Company (or being corporations by their duly authorised representatives) shall be as valid and effective as if the same had been passed at a general meeting of the Company duly convened and held.
CORPORATIONS ACTING BY REPRESENTATIVES AT MEETINGS
86. Any corporation which is a Shareholder or a Director may by resolution of its directors or other governing body authorise such Person as it thinks fit to act as its representative at any meeting of the Company or of any meeting of holders of a Class or of the Directors or of a committee of Directors, and the Person so authorised shall be entitled to exercise the same powers on behalf of the corporation which he represents as that corporation could exercise if it were an individual Shareholder or Director.
DEPOSITARY AND CLEARING HOUSES
87. If a recognised clearing house (or its nominee(s)) or depositary (or its nominee(s)) is a Member of the Company it may, by resolution of its directors or other governing body or by power of attorney, authorise such Person(s) as it thinks fit to act as its representative(s) at any general meeting of the Company or of any Class of Shareholders provided that, if more than one Person is so authorised, the authorisation shall specify the number and Class of Shares in respect of which each such Person is so authorised. A Person so authorised pursuant to this Article shall be entitled to exercise the same powers on behalf of the recognised clearing house (or its nominee(s)) or depositary (or its nominee(s)) which he represents as that recognised clearing house (or its nominee(s)) or depositary (or its nominee(s)) could exercise if it were an individual Member holding the number and Class of Shares specified in such authorisation, including the right to vote individually on a show of hands.
DIRECTORS
88. (a) Unless otherwise determined by the Company in general meeting, the number of Directors shall not be less than three (3) Directors, the exact number of Directors to be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors.
(b) The Board of Directors shall have a Chairman elected and appointed by a majority of the Directors then in office. The period for which the Chairman will hold office will also be determined by a majority of all of the Directors then in office. The Chairman shall preside as chairman at every meeting of the Board of Directors. To the extent the Chairman is not present at a meeting of the Board of Directors within fifteen minutes after the time appointed for holding the same, the attending Directors may choose one of their number to be the chairman of the meeting.
(c) The Company may by Ordinary Resolution appoint any person to be a Director.
(d) The Board may, by the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the remaining Directors present and voting at a Board meeting, appoint any person as a Director, to fill a casual vacancy on the Board or as an addition to the existing Board.
(e) An appointment of a Director may be on terms that the Director shall automatically retire from office (unless he has sooner vacated office) at the next or a subsequent annual general meeting or upon any specified event or after any specified period in a written agreement between the Company and the Director, if any; but no such term shall be implied in the absence of express provision. Each Director whose term of office expires shall be eligible for re-election at a meeting of the Shareholders or re-appointment by the Board.
89. A Director may be removed from office by Ordinary Resolution of the Company, notwithstanding anything in these Articles or in any agreement between the Company and such Director (but without prejudice to any claim for damages under such agreement). A vacancy on the Board created by the removal of a Director under the previous sentence may be filled by Ordinary Resolution or by the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the remaining Directors present and voting at a Board meeting. The notice of any meeting at which a resolution to remove a Director shall be proposed or voted upon must contain a statement of the intention to remove that Director and such notice must be served on that Director not less than ten (10) calendar days before the meeting. Such Director is entitled to attend the meeting and be heard on the motion for his removal.
90. The Board may, from time to time, and except as required by applicable law or Designated Stock Exchange Rules, adopt, institute, amend, modify or revoke the corporate governance policies or initiatives of the Company and determine on various corporate governance related matters of the Company as the Board shall determine by resolution of Directors from time to time.
91. A Director shall not be required to hold any Shares in the Company by way of qualification. A Director who is not a Member of the Company shall nevertheless be entitled to attend and speak at general meetings.
92. The remuneration of the Directors may be determined by the Directors or by Ordinary Resolution.
93. The Directors shall be entitled to be paid their travelling, hotel and other expenses properly incurred by them in going to, attending and returning from meetings of the Directors, or any committee of the Directors, or general meetings of the Company, or otherwise in connection with the business of the Company, or to receive such fixed allowance in respect thereof as may be determined by the Directors from time to time, or a combination partly of one such method and partly the other.
ALTERNATE DIRECTOR OR PROXY
94. Any Director may in writing appoint another Person to be his alternate and, save to the extent provided otherwise in the form of appointment, such alternate shall have authority to sign written resolutions on behalf of the appointing Director, but shall not be required to sign such written resolutions where they have been signed by the appointing director, and to act in such Directors place at any meeting of the Directors at which the appointing Director is unable to be present. Every such alternate shall be entitled to attend and vote at meetings of the Directors as a Director when the Director appointing him is not personally present and where he is a Director to have a separate vote on behalf of the Director he is representing in addition to his own vote. A Director may at any time in writing revoke the appointment of an alternate appointed by him. Such alternate shall be deemed for all purposes to be a Director of the Company and shall not be deemed to be the agent of the Director appointing him. The remuneration of such alternate shall be payable out of the remuneration of the Director appointing him and the proportion thereof shall be agreed between them.
95. Any Director may appoint any Person, whether or not a Director, to be the proxy of that Director to attend and vote on his behalf, in accordance with instructions given by that Director, or in the absence of such instructions at the discretion of the proxy, at a meeting or meetings of the Directors which that Director is unable to attend personally. The instrument appointing the proxy shall be in writing under the hand of the appointing Director and shall be in any usual or common form or such other form as the Directors may approve, and must be lodged with the chairman of the meeting of the Directors at which such proxy is to be used, or first used, prior to the commencement of the meeting.
POWERS AND DUTIES OF DIRECTORS
96. Subject to the Companies Law, these Articles and to any resolutions passed in a general meeting, the business of the Company shall be managed by the Directors, who may pay all expenses incurred in setting up and registering the Company and may exercise all powers of the Company. No resolution passed by the Company in general meeting shall invalidate any prior act of the Directors that would have been valid if that resolution had not been passed.
97. Subject to these Articles, the Directors may from time to time appoint any natural person or corporation, whether or not a Director to hold such office in the Company as the Directors may think necessary for the administration of the Company, including but not limited to, chief executive officer, one or more other executive officers, president, one or more vice-presidents, treasurer, assistant treasurer, manager or controller, and for such term and at such remuneration (whether by way of salary or commission or participation in profits or partly in one way and partly in another), and with such powers and duties as the Directors may think fit. Any natural person or corporation so appointed by the Directors may be removed by the Directors. The Directors may also appoint one or more of their number to the office of managing director upon like terms, but any such appointment shall ipso facto terminate if any managing director ceases for any cause to be a Director, or if the Company by Ordinary Resolution resolves that his tenure of office be terminated.
98. The Directors may appoint any natural person or corporation to be a Secretary (and if need be an assistant Secretary or assistant Secretaries) who shall hold office for such term, at such remuneration and upon such conditions and with such powers as they think fit. Any Secretary or assistant Secretary so appointed by the Directors may be removed by the Directors or by the Company by Ordinary Resolution.
99. The Directors may delegate any of their powers to committees consisting of such member or members of their body as they think fit; any committee so formed shall in the exercise of the powers so delegated conform to any regulations that may be imposed on it by the Directors.
100. The Directors may from time to time and at any time by power of attorney (whether under Seal or under hand) or otherwise appoint any company, firm or Person or body of Persons, whether nominated directly or indirectly by the Directors, to be the attorney or attorneys or authorised signatory (any such person being an Attorney or Authorised Signatory, respectively) of the Company for such purposes and with such powers, authorities and discretion (not exceeding those vested in or exercisable by the Directors under these Articles) and for such period and subject to such conditions as they may think fit, and any such power of attorney or other appointment may contain such provisions for the protection and convenience of Persons dealing with any such Attorney or Authorised Signatory as the Directors may think fit, and may also authorise any such Attorney or Authorised Signatory to delegate all or any of the powers, authorities and discretion vested in him.
101. The Directors may from time to time provide for the management of the affairs of the Company in such manner as they shall think fit and the provisions contained in the three next following Articles shall not limit the general powers conferred by this Article.
102. The Directors from time to time and at any time may establish any committees, local boards or agencies for managing any of the affairs of the Company and may appoint any natural person or corporation to be a member of such committees or local boards and may appoint any managers or agents of the Company and may fix the remuneration of any such natural person or corporation.
103. The Directors from time to time and at any time may delegate to any such committee, local board, manager or agent any of the powers, authorities and discretions for the time being vested in the Directors and may authorise the members for the time being of any such local board, or any of them to fill any vacancies therein and to act notwithstanding vacancies and any such appointment or delegation may be made on such terms and subject to such conditions as the Directors may think fit and the Directors may at any time remove any natural person or corporation so appointed and may annul or vary any such delegation, but no Person dealing in good faith and without notice of any such annulment or variation shall be affected thereby.
104. Any such delegates as aforesaid may be authorised by the Directors to sub-delegate all or any of the powers, authorities, and discretion for the time being vested in them.
BORROWING POWERS OF DIRECTORS
105. The Directors may from time to time at their discretion exercise all the powers of the Company to raise or borrow money and to mortgage or charge its undertaking, property and assets (present and future) and uncalled capital or any part thereof, to issue debentures, debenture stock, bonds and other securities, whether outright or as collateral security for any debt, liability or obligation of the Company or of any third party.
THE SEAL
106. The Seal shall not be affixed to any instrument except by the authority of a resolution of the Directors provided always that such authority may be given prior to or after the affixing of the Seal and if given after may be in general form confirming a number of affixings of the Seal. The Seal shall be affixed in the presence of a Director or a Secretary (or an assistant Secretary) or in the presence of any one or more Persons as the Directors may appoint for the purpose and every Person as aforesaid shall sign every instrument to which the Seal is so affixed in their presence.
107. The Company may maintain a facsimile of the Seal in such countries or places as the Directors may appoint and such facsimile Seal shall not be affixed to any instrument except by the authority of a resolution of the Directors provided always that such authority may be given prior to or after the affixing of such facsimile Seal and if given after may be in general form confirming a number of affixings of such facsimile Seal. The facsimile Seal shall be affixed in the presence of such Person or Persons as the Directors shall for this purpose appoint and such Person or Persons as aforesaid shall sign every instrument to which the facsimile Seal is so affixed in their presence and such affixing of the facsimile Seal and signing as aforesaid shall have the same meaning and effect as if the Seal had been affixed in the presence of and the instrument signed by a Director or a Secretary (or an assistant Secretary) or in the presence of any one or more Persons as the Directors may appoint for the purpose.
108. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Secretary or any assistant Secretary shall have the authority to affix the Seal, or the facsimile Seal, to any instrument for the purposes of attesting authenticity of the matter contained therein but which does not create any obligation binding on the Company.
DISQUALIFICATION OF DIRECTORS
109. The office of Director shall be vacated, if the Director:
(a) becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or composition with his creditors;
(b) dies or is found to be or becomes of unsound mind;
(c) resigns his office by notice in writing to the Company;
(d) without special leave of absence from the Board, is absent from meetings of the Board for three consecutive meetings and the Board resolves that his office be vacated; or
(e) is removed from office pursuant to any other provision of these Articles.
PROCEEDINGS OF DIRECTORS
110. The Directors may meet together (either within or without the Cayman Islands) for the despatch of business, adjourn, and otherwise regulate their meetings and proceedings as they think fit. Questions arising at any meeting shall be decided by a majority of votes. At any meeting of the Directors, each Director present in person or represented by his proxy or alternate shall be entitled to one vote. In case of an equality of votes the Chairman shall have a second or casting vote. A Director may, and a Secretary or assistant Secretary on the requisition of a Director shall, at any time summon a meeting of the Directors.
111. A Director may participate in any meeting of the Directors, or of any committee appointed by the Directors of which such Director is a member, by means of telephone or similar communication equipment by way of which all Persons participating in such meeting can communicate with each other and such participation shall be deemed to constitute presence in person at the meeting.
112. The quorum necessary for the transaction of the business of the Board may be fixed by the Directors, and unless so fixed, the quorum shall be a majority of Directors then in office. A Director represented by proxy or by an alternate Director at any meeting shall be deemed to be present for the purposes of determining whether or not a quorum is present.
113. A Director who is in any way, whether directly or indirectly, interested in a contract or transaction or proposed contract or transaction with the Company shall declare the nature of his interest at a meeting of the Directors. A general notice given to the Directors by any Director to the effect that he is a member of any specified company or firm and is to be regarded as interested in any contract or transaction which may thereafter be made with that company or firm shall be deemed a sufficient declaration of interest in regard to any contract so made or transaction so consummated. Subject to the Designated Stock Exchange Rules and disqualification by the chairman of the relevant Board meeting, a Director may vote in respect of any contract or transaction or proposed contract or transaction notwithstanding that he may be interested therein and if he does so his vote shall be counted and he may be counted in the quorum at any meeting of the Directors at which any such contract or transaction or proposed contract or transaction shall come before the meeting for consideration.
114. A Director may hold any other office or place of profit under the Company (other than the office of auditor) in conjunction with his office of Director for such period and on such terms (as to remuneration and otherwise) as the Directors may determine and no Director or intending Director shall be disqualified by his office from contracting with the Company either with regard to his tenure of any such other office or place of profit or as vendor, purchaser or otherwise, nor shall any such contract or arrangement entered into by or on behalf of the Company in which any Director is in any way interested be liable to be avoided, nor shall any Director so contracting or being so interested be liable to account to the Company for any profit realised by any such contract or arrangement by reason of such Director holding that office or of the fiduciary relation thereby established. A Director, notwithstanding his interest, may be counted in the quorum present at any meeting of the Directors whereat he or any other Director is appointed to hold any such office or place of profit under the Company or whereat the terms of any such appointment are arranged and he may vote on any such appointment or arrangement.
115. Any Director may act by himself or through his firm in a professional capacity for the Company, and he or his firm shall be entitled to remuneration for professional services as if he were not a Director; provided that nothing herein contained shall authorise a Director or his firm to act as auditor to the Company.
116. The Directors shall cause minutes to be made for the purpose of recording:
(a) all appointments of officers made by the Directors;
(b) the names of the Directors present at each meeting of the Directors and of any committee of the Directors; and
(c) all resolutions and proceedings at all meetings of the Company, and of the Directors and of committees of Directors.
117. When the chairman of a meeting of the Directors signs the minutes of such meeting the same shall be deemed to have been duly held notwithstanding that all the Directors have not actually come together or that there may have been a technical defect in the proceedings.
118. A resolution in writing signed by all the Directors or all the members of a committee of Directors entitled to receive notice of a meeting of Directors or committee of Directors, as the case may be (an alternate Director, subject as provided otherwise in the terms of appointment of the alternate Director, being entitled to sign such a resolution on behalf of his appointer), shall be as valid and effectual as if it had been passed at a duly called and constituted meeting of Directors or committee of Directors, as the case may be. When signed a resolution may consist of several documents each signed by one or more of the Directors or his duly appointed alternate.
119. The continuing Directors may act notwithstanding any vacancy in their body but if and for so long as their number is reduced below the number fixed by or pursuant to these Articles as the necessary quorum of Directors, the continuing Directors may act for the purpose of increasing the number, or of summoning a general meeting of the Company, but for no other purpose.
120. Subject to any regulations imposed on it by the Directors, a committee appointed by the Directors may elect a chairman of its meetings. If no such chairman is elected, or if at any meeting the chairman is not present within fifteen minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting, the committee members present may choose one of their number to be chairman of the meeting.
121. A committee appointed by the Directors may meet and adjourn as it thinks proper. Subject to any regulations imposed on it by the Directors, questions arising at any meeting shall be determined by a majority of votes of the committee members present and in case of an equality of votes the chairman shall have a second or casting vote.
122. All acts done by any meeting of the Directors or of a committee of Directors, or by any Person acting as a Director, shall notwithstanding that it be afterwards discovered that there was some defect in the appointment of any such Director or Person acting as aforesaid, or that they or any of them were disqualified, be as valid as if every such Person had been duly appointed and was qualified to be a Director.
PRESUMPTION OF ASSENT
123. A Director who is present at a meeting of the Board of Directors at which an action on any Company matter is taken shall be presumed to have assented to the action taken unless his dissent shall be entered in the minutes of the meeting or unless he shall file his written dissent from such action with the person acting as the chairman or secretary of the meeting before the adjournment thereof or shall forward such dissent by registered post to such person immediately after the adjournment of the meeting. Such right to dissent shall not apply to a Director who voted in favour of such action.
DIVIDENDS
124. Subject to any rights and restrictions for the time being attached to any Shares, the Directors may from time to time declare dividends (including interim dividends) and other distributions on Shares in issue and authorise payment of the same out of the funds of the Company lawfully available therefor.
125. Subject to any rights and restrictions for the time being attached to any Shares, the Company by Ordinary Resolution may declare dividends, but no dividend shall exceed the amount recommended by the Directors.
126. The Directors may, before recommending or declaring any dividend, set aside out of the funds legally available for distribution such sums as they think proper as a reserve or reserves which shall, in the absolute discretion of the Directors, be applicable for meeting contingencies or for equalising dividends or for any other purpose to which those funds may be properly applied, and pending such application may in the absolute discretion of the Directors, either be employed in the business of the Company or be invested in such investments (other than Shares of the Company) as the Directors may from time to time think fit.
127. Any dividend payable in cash to the holder of Shares may be paid in any manner determined by the Directors. If paid by cheque it will be sent by mail addressed to the holder at his address in the Register, or addressed to such person and at such addresses as the holder may direct. Every such cheque or warrant shall, unless the holder or joint holders otherwise direct, be made payable to the order of the holder or, in the case of joint holders, to the order of the holder whose name stands first on the Register in respect of such Shares, and shall be sent at his or their risk and payment of the cheque or warrant by the bank on which it is drawn shall constitute a good discharge to the Company.
128. The Directors may determine that a dividend shall be paid wholly or partly by the distribution of specific assets (which may consist of the shares or securities of any other company) and may settle all questions concerning such distribution. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Directors may fix the value of such specific assets, may determine that cash payment shall be made to some Shareholders in lieu of specific assets and may vest any such specific assets in trustees on such terms as the Directors think fit.
129. Subject to any rights and restrictions for the time being attached to any Shares, all dividends shall be declared and paid according to the amounts paid up on the Shares, but if and for so long as nothing is paid up on any of the Shares dividends may be declared and paid according to the par value of the Shares. No amount paid on a Share in advance of calls shall, while carrying interest, be treated for the purposes of this Article as paid on the Share.
130. If several Persons are registered as joint holders of any Share, any of them may give effective receipts for any dividend or other moneys payable on or in respect of the Share.
131. No dividend shall bear interest against the Company.
132. Any dividend unclaimed after a period of six calendar years from the date of declaration of such dividend may be forfeited by the Board of Directors and, if so forfeited, shall revert to the Company.
ACCOUNTS, AUDIT AND ANNUAL RETURN AND DECLARATION
133. The books of account relating to the Companys affairs shall be kept in such manner as may be determined from time to time by the Directors.
134. The books of account shall be kept at the Registered Office, or at such other place or places as the Directors think fit, and shall always be open to the inspection of the Directors.
135. The Directors may from time to time determine whether and to what extent and at what times and places and under what conditions or regulations the accounts and books of the Company or any of them shall be open to the inspection of Shareholders not being Directors, and no Shareholder (not being a Director) shall have any right to inspect any account or book or document of the Company except as conferred by law or authorised by the Directors or by Ordinary Resolution.
136. The accounts relating to the Companys affairs shall be audited in such manner and with such financial year end as may be determined from time to time by the Directors or failing any determination as aforesaid shall not be audited.
137. The Directors may appoint an auditor of the Company who shall hold office until removed from office by a resolution of the Directors and may fix his or their remuneration.
138. Every auditor of the Company shall have a right of access at all times to the books and accounts and vouchers of the Company and shall be entitled to require from the Directors and officers of the Company such information and explanation as may be necessary for the performance of the duties of the auditors.
139. The auditors shall, if so required by the Directors, make a report on the accounts of the Company during their tenure of office at the next annual general meeting following their appointment, and at any time during their term of office, upon request of the Directors or any general meeting of the Members.
140. The Directors in each calendar year shall prepare, or cause to be prepared, an annual return and declaration setting forth the particulars required by the Companies Law and deliver a copy thereof to the Registrar of Companies in the Cayman Islands.
CAPITALISATION OF RESERVES
141. Subject to the Companies Law, the Directors may:
(a) resolve to capitalise an amount standing to the credit of reserves (including a Share Premium Account, capital redemption reserve and profit and loss account), which is available for distribution;
(b) appropriate the sum resolved to be capitalised to the Shareholders in proportion to the nominal amount of Shares (whether or not fully paid) held by them respectively and apply that sum on their behalf in or towards:
(i) paying up the amounts (if any) for the time being unpaid on Shares held by them respectively, or
(ii) paying up in full unissued Shares or debentures of a nominal amount equal to that sum,
and allot the Shares or debentures, credited as fully paid, to the Shareholders (or as they may direct) in those proportions, or partly in one way and partly in the other, but the Share Premium Account, the capital redemption reserve and profits which are not available for distribution may, for the purposes of this Article, only be applied in paying up unissued Shares to be allotted to Shareholders credited as fully paid;
(c) make any arrangements they think fit to resolve a difficulty arising in the distribution of a capitalised reserve and in particular, without limitation, where Shares or debentures become distributable in fractions the Directors may deal with the fractions as they think fit;
(d) authorise a Person to enter (on behalf of all the Shareholders concerned) into an agreement with the Company providing for either:
(i) the allotment to the Shareholders respectively, credited as fully paid, of Shares or debentures to which they may be entitled on the capitalisation, or
(ii) the payment by the Company on behalf of the Shareholders (by the application of their respective proportions of the reserves resolved to be capitalised) of the amounts or part of the amounts remaining unpaid on their existing Shares,
and any such agreement made under this authority being effective and binding on all those Shareholders; and
(e) generally do all acts and things required to give effect to the resolution.
142. Notwithstanding any provisions in these Articles, the Directors may resolve to capitalise an amount standing to the credit of reserves (including the share premium account, capital redemption reserve and profit and loss account) or otherwise available for distribution by applying such sum in paying up in full unissued Shares to be allotted and issued to:
(a) employees (including Directors) or service providers of the Company or its Affiliates upon exercise or vesting of any options or awards granted under any share incentive scheme or employee benefit scheme or other arrangement which relates to such persons that has been adopted or approved by the Directors or the Members;
(b) any trustee of any trust or administrator of any share incentive scheme or employee benefit scheme to whom shares are to be allotted and issued by the Company in connection with the operation of any share incentive scheme or employee benefit scheme or other arrangement which relates to such persons that has been adopted or approved by the Directors or Members; or
(c) any depositary of the Company for the purposes of the issue, allotment and delivery by the depositary of ADSs to employees (including Directors) or service providers of the Company or its Affiliates upon exercise or vesting of any options or awards granted under any share incentive scheme or employee benefit scheme or other arrangement which relates to such persons that has been adopted or approved by the Directors or the Members.
SHARE PREMIUM ACCOUNT
143. The Directors shall in accordance with the Companies Law establish a Share Premium Account and shall carry to the credit of such account from time to time a sum equal to the amount or value of the premium paid on the issue of any Share.
144. There shall be debited to any Share Premium Account on the redemption or purchase of a Share the difference between the nominal value of such Share and the redemption or purchase price provided always that at the discretion of the Directors such sum may be paid out of the profits of the Company or, if permitted by the Companies Law, out of capital.
NOTICES
145. Except as otherwise provided in these Articles, any notice or document may be served by the Company or by the Person entitled to give notice to any Shareholder either personally, or by posting it by airmail or a recognized courier service in a prepaid letter addressed to such Shareholder at his address as appearing in the Register, or by electronic mail to any electronic mail address such Shareholder may have specified in writing for the purpose of such service of notices, or by facsimile to any facsimile number such Shareholder may have specified in writing for the purpose of such service of notices, or by placing it on the Companys Website should the Directors deem it appropriate. In the case of joint holders of a Share, all notices shall be given to that one of the joint holders whose name stands first in the Register in respect of the joint holding, and notice so given shall be sufficient notice to all the joint holders.
146. Notices sent from one country to another shall be sent or forwarded by prepaid airmail or a recognized courier service.
147. Any Shareholder present, either personally or by proxy, at any meeting of the Company shall for all purposes be deemed to have received due notice of such meeting and, where requisite, of the purposes for which such meeting was convened.
148. Any notice or other document, if served by:
(a) post, shall be deemed to have been served five (5) calendar days after the time when the letter containing the same is posted;
(b) facsimile, shall be deemed to have been served upon production by the transmitting facsimile machine of a report confirming transmission of the facsimile in full to the facsimile number of the recipient;
(c) recognized courier service, shall be deemed to have been served 48 hours after the time when the letter containing the same is delivered to the courier service; or
(d) electronic means, shall be deemed to have been served immediately (i) upon the time of the transmission to the electronic mail address supplied by the Shareholder to the Company or (ii) upon the time of its placement on the Companys Website.
In proving service by post or courier service it shall be sufficient to prove that the letter containing the notice or documents was properly addressed and duly posted or delivered to the courier service.
149. Any notice or document delivered or sent by post to or left at the registered address of any Shareholder in accordance with the terms of these Articles shall notwithstanding that such Shareholder be then dead or bankrupt, and whether or not the Company has notice of his death or bankruptcy, be deemed to have been duly served in respect of any Share registered in the name of such Shareholder as sole or joint holder, unless his name shall at the time of the service of the notice or document have been removed from the Register as the holder of the Share, and such service shall for all purposes be deemed a sufficient service of such notice or document on all Persons interested (whether jointly with or as claiming through or under him) in the Share.
150. Notice of every general meeting of the Company shall be given to:
(a) all Shareholders holding Shares with the right to receive notice and who have supplied to the Company an address for the giving of notices to them; and
(b) every Person entitled to a Share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of a Shareholder, who but for his death or bankruptcy would be entitled to receive notice of the meeting.
No other Person shall be entitled to receive notices of general meetings.
INFORMATION
151. No Member shall be entitled to require discovery of any information in respect of any detail of the Companys trading or any information which is or may be in the nature of a trade secret or secret process which may relate to the conduct of the business of the Company and which in the opinion of the Board would not be in the interests of the Members of the Company to communicate to the public.
152. The Board shall be entitled to release or disclose any information in its possession, custody or control regarding the Company or its affairs to any of its Members including, without limitation, information contained in the Register and transfer books of the Company.
INDEMNITY
153. Every Director (including for the purposes of this Article any alternate Director appointed pursuant to the provisions of these Articles), Secretary, assistant Secretary, or other officer for the time being and from time to time of the Company (but not including the Companys auditors) and the personal representatives of the same (each an Indemnified Person) shall be indemnified and secured harmless against all actions, proceedings, costs, charges, expenses, losses, damages or liabilities incurred or sustained by such Indemnified Person, other than by reason of such Indemnified Persons own dishonesty, wilful default or fraud, in or about the conduct of the Companys business or affairs or in the execution or discharge of his duties, powers, authorities or discretions, including without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, any costs, expenses, losses or liabilities incurred by such Indemnified Person in defending (whether successfully or otherwise) any civil proceedings concerning the Company or its affairs in any court whether in the Cayman Islands or elsewhere.
154. No Indemnified Person shall be liable:
(a) for the acts, receipts, neglects, defaults or omissions of any other Director or officer or agent of the Company; or
(b) for any loss on account of defect of title to any property of the Company; or
(c) on account of the insufficiency of any security in or upon which any money of the Company shall be invested; or
(d) for any loss incurred through any bank, broker or other similar Person; or
(e) for any loss occasioned by any negligence, default, breach of duty, breach of trust, error of judgement or oversight on such Indemnified Persons part; or
(f) for any loss, damage or misfortune whatsoever which may happen in or arise from the execution or discharge of the duties, powers, authorities, or discretions of such Indemnified Persons office or in relation thereto;
unless the same shall happen through such Indemnified Persons own dishonesty, willful default or fraud.
FINANCIAL YEAR
155. Unless the Directors otherwise prescribe, the financial year of the Company shall end on December 31 st in each calendar year and shall begin on January 1st in each calendar year.
NON-RECOGNITION OF TRUSTS
156. No Person shall be recognised by the Company as holding any Share upon any trust and the Company shall not, unless required by law, be bound by or be compelled in any way to recognise (even when having notice thereof) any equitable, contingent, future or partial interest in any Share or (except only as otherwise provided by these Articles or as the Companies Law requires) any other right in respect of any Share except an absolute right to the entirety thereof in each Shareholder registered in the Register.
WINDING UP
157. If the Company shall be wound up the liquidator may, with the sanction of a Special Resolution of the Company and any other sanction required by the Companies Law, divide amongst the Members in species or in kind the whole or any part of the assets of the Company (whether they shall consist of property of the same kind or not) and may for that purpose value any assets and determine how the division shall be carried out as between the Members or different classes of Members. The liquidator may, with the like sanction, vest the whole or any part of such assets in trustees upon such trusts for the benefit of the Members as the liquidator, with the like sanction, shall think fit, but so that no Member shall be compelled to accept any asset upon which there is a liability.
158. If the Company shall be wound up, and the assets available for distribution amongst the Members shall be insufficient to repay the whole of the share capital, such assets shall be distributed so that, as nearly as may be, the losses shall be borne by the Members in proportion to the par value of the Shares held by them. If in a winding up the assets available for distribution amongst the Members shall be more than sufficient to repay the whole of the share capital at the commencement of the winding up, the surplus shall be distributed amongst the Members in proportion to the par value of the Shares held by them at the commencement of the winding up subject to a deduction from those Shares in respect of which there are monies due, of all monies payable to the Company for unpaid calls or otherwise. This Article is without prejudice to the rights of the holders of Shares issued upon special terms and conditions.
AMENDMENT OF ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
159. Subject to the Companies Law, the Company may at any time and from time to time by Special Resolution alter or amend these Articles in whole or in part.
CLOSING OF REGISTER OR FIXING RECORD DATE
160. For the purpose of determining those Shareholders that are entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at any meeting of Shareholders or any adjournment thereof, or those Shareholders that are entitled to receive payment of any dividend, or in order to make a determination as to who is a Shareholder for any other purpose, the Directors may provide that the Register shall be closed for transfers for a stated period which shall not exceed in any case thirty (30) calendar days in any calendar year.
161. In lieu of or apart from closing the Register, the Directors may fix in advance a date as the record date for any such determination of those Shareholders that are entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at a meeting of the Shareholders and for the purpose of determining those Shareholders that are entitled to receive payment of any dividend the Directors may, at or within ninety (90) calendar days prior to the date of declaration of such dividend, fix a subsequent date as the record date for such determination.
162. If the Register is not so closed and no record date is fixed for the determination of those Shareholders entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at a meeting of Shareholders or those Shareholders that are entitled to receive payment of a dividend, the date on which notice of the meeting is posted or the date on which the resolution of the Directors declaring such dividend is adopted, as the case may be, shall be the record date for such determination of Shareholders. When a determination of those Shareholders that are entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at a meeting of Shareholders has been made as provided in this Article, such determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof.
REGISTRATION BY WAY OF CONTINUATION
163. The Company may by Special Resolution resolve to be registered by way of continuation in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands or such other jurisdiction in which it is for the time being incorporated, registered or existing. In furtherance of a resolution adopted pursuant to this Article, the Directors may cause an application to be made to the Registrar of Companies to deregister the Company in the Cayman Islands or such other jurisdiction in which it is for the time being incorporated, registered or existing and may cause all such further steps as they consider appropriate to be taken to effect the transfer by way of continuation of the Company.
DISCLOSURE
164. The Directors, or any service providers (including the officers, the Secretary and the registered office agent of the Company) specifically authorised by the Directors, shall be entitled to disclose to any regulatory or judicial authority any information regarding the affairs of the Company including without limitation information contained in the Register and books of the Company.
|
360 FINANCE, INC.
AND
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
|
As Depositary |
AND
OWNERS AND HOLDERS OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
Deposit Agreement
__________, 2018
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE 1. |
DEFINITIONS |
1 |
SECTION 1.1. |
American Depositary Shares |
1 |
SECTION 1.2. |
Commission |
2 |
SECTION 1.3. |
Company |
2 |
SECTION 1.4. |
Custodian |
2 |
SECTION 1.5. |
Delisting Event |
2 |
SECTION 1.6. |
Deliver; Surrender |
2 |
SECTION 1.7. |
Deposit Agreement |
3 |
SECTION 1.8. |
Depositary; Depositarys Office |
3 |
SECTION 1.9. |
Deposited Securities |
3 |
SECTION 1.10. |
Disseminate |
3 |
SECTION 1.11. |
Dollars |
4 |
SECTION 1.12. |
DTC |
4 |
SECTION 1.13. |
Foreign Registrar |
4 |
SECTION 1.14. |
Holder |
4 |
SECTION 1.15. |
Insolvency Event |
4 |
SECTION 1.16. |
Owner |
4 |
SECTION 1.17. |
Receipts |
5 |
SECTION 1.18. |
Registrar |
5 |
SECTION 1.19. |
Replacement |
5 |
SECTION 1.20. |
Restricted Securities |
5 |
SECTION 1.21. |
Securities Act of 1933 |
5 |
SECTION 1.22. |
Shares |
5 |
SECTION 1.23. |
SWIFT |
6 |
SECTION 1.24. |
Termination Option Event |
6 |
|
|
|
ARTICLE 2. |
FORM OF RECEIPTS, DEPOSIT OF SHARES, DELIVERY, TRANSFER AND SURRENDER OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES |
6 |
SECTION 2.1. |
Form of Receipts; Registration and Transferability of American Depositary Shares |
6 |
SECTION 2.2. |
Deposit of Shares |
7 |
SECTION 2.3. |
Delivery of American Depositary Shares |
8 |
SECTION 2.4. |
Registration of Transfer of American Depositary Shares; Combination and Split-up of Receipts; Interchange of Certificated and Uncertificated American Depositary Shares |
8 |
SECTION 2.5. |
Surrender of American Depositary Shares and Withdrawal of Deposited Securities |
9 |
SECTION 2.6. |
Limitations on Delivery, Transfer and Surrender of American Depositary Shares |
10 |
SECTION 2.7. |
Lost Receipts, etc. |
11 |
SECTION 2.8. |
Cancellation and Destruction of Surrendered Receipts |
11 |
SECTION 2.9. |
DTC Direct Registration System and Profile Modification System |
12 |
|
|
|
ARTICLE 3. |
CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS OF OWNERS AND HOLDERS OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES |
12 |
SECTION 3.1. |
Filing Proofs, Certificates and Other Information |
12 |
SECTION 3.2. |
Liability of Owner for Taxes |
13 |
SECTION 3.3. |
Warranties on Deposit of Shares |
13 |
SECTION 3.4. |
Disclosure of Interests |
13 |
|
|
|
ARTICLE 4. |
THE DEPOSITED SECURITIES |
14 |
SECTION 4.1. |
Cash Distributions |
14 |
SECTION 4.2. |
Distributions Other Than Cash, Shares or Rights |
15 |
SECTION 4.3. |
Distributions in Shares |
15 |
SECTION 4.4. |
Rights |
16 |
SECTION 4.5. |
Conversion of Foreign Currency |
17 |
SECTION 4.6. |
Fixing of Record Date |
19 |
SECTION 4.7. |
Voting of Deposited Shares |
19 |
SECTION 4.8. |
Tender and Exchange Offers; Redemption, Replacement or Cancellation of Deposited Securities |
20 |
SECTION 4.9. |
Reports |
22 |
SECTION 4.10. |
Lists of Owners |
22 |
SECTION 4.11. |
Withholding |
22 |
|
|
|
ARTICLE 5. |
THE DEPOSITARY, THE CUSTODIANS AND THE COMPANY |
23 |
SECTION 5.1. |
Maintenance of Office and Transfer Books by the Depositary |
23 |
SECTION 5.2. |
Prevention or Delay of Performance by the Company or the Depositary |
23 |
SECTION 5.3. |
Obligations of the Depositary and the Company |
24 |
SECTION 5.4. |
Resignation and Removal of the Depositary |
26 |
SECTION 5.5. |
The Custodians |
26 |
SECTION 5.6. |
Notices and Reports |
27 |
SECTION 5.7. |
Distribution of Additional Shares, Rights, etc. |
27 |
SECTION 5.8. |
Indemnification |
28 |
SECTION 5.9. |
Charges of Depositary |
28 |
SECTION 5.10. |
Retention of Depositary Documents |
30 |
SECTION 5.11. |
Exclusivity |
30 |
SECTION 5.12. |
Information for Regulatory Compliance |
30 |
|
|
|
ARTICLE 6. |
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION |
30 |
SECTION 6.1. |
Amendment |
30 |
SECTION 6.2. |
Termination |
31 |
|
|
|
ARTICLE 7. |
MISCELLANEOUS |
32 |
SECTION 7.1. |
Counterparts; Signatures |
32 |
SECTION 7.2. |
No Third Party Beneficiaries |
32 |
SECTION 7.3. |
Severability |
32 |
SECTION 7.4. |
Owners and Holders as Parties; Binding Effect |
33 |
SECTION 7.5. |
Notices |
33 |
SECTION 7.6. |
Arbitration; Settlement of Disputes |
34 |
SECTION 7.7. |
Appointment of Agent for Service of Process; Submission to Jurisdiction; Jury Trial Waiver |
34 |
SECTION 7.8. |
Waiver of Immunities |
35 |
SECTION 7.9. |
Governing Law |
36 |
DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
DEPOSIT AGREEMENT dated as of __________, 2018 among 360 FINANCE, INC., a company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands (herein called the Company), THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, a New York banking corporation (herein called the Depositary), and all Owners and Holders (each as hereinafter defined) from time to time of American Depositary Shares issued hereunder.
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Company desires to provide, as set forth in this Deposit Agreement, for the deposit of Shares (as hereinafter defined) of the Company from time to time with the Depositary or with the Custodian (as hereinafter defined) under this Deposit Agreement, for the creation of American Depositary Shares representing the Shares so deposited and for the execution and delivery of American Depositary Receipts evidencing the American Depositary Shares; and
WHEREAS, the American Depositary Receipts are to be substantially in the form of Exhibit A annexed to this Deposit Agreement, with appropriate insertions, modifications and omissions, as set forth in this Deposit Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, it is agreed by and between the parties hereto as follows:
ARTICLE 1. DEFINITIONS
The following definitions shall for all purposes, unless otherwise clearly indicated, apply to the respective terms used in this Deposit Agreement:
SECTION 1.1. American Depositary Shares.
The term American Depositary Shares shall mean the securities created under this Deposit Agreement representing rights with respect to the Deposited Securities. American Depositary Shares may be certificated securities evidenced by Receipts or uncertificated securities. The form of Receipt annexed as Exhibit A to this Deposit Agreement shall be the prospectus required under the Securities Act of 1933 for sales of both certificated and uncertificated American Depositary Shares. Except for those provisions of this Deposit Agreement that refer specifically to Receipts, all the provisions of this Deposit Agreement shall apply to both certificated and uncertificated American Depositary Shares.
Each American Depositary Share shall represent the number of Shares specified in Exhibit A to this Deposit Agreement, except that , if there is a distribution upon Deposited Securities covered by Section 4.3, a change in Deposited Securities covered by Section 4.8 with respect to which additional American Depositary Shares are not delivered or a sale of Deposited Securities under Section 3.2 or 4.8, each American Depositary Share shall thereafter represent the amount of Shares or other Deposited Securities that are then on deposit per American Depositary Share after giving effect to that distribution, change or sale.
SECTION 1.2. Commission.
The term Commission shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States or any successor governmental agency in the United States.
SECTION 1.3. Company.
The term Company shall mean 360 Finance, Inc., a company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands, and its successors.
SECTION 1.4. Custodian.
The term Custodian shall mean The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, as custodian for the Depositary in Hong Kong for the purposes of this Deposit Agreement, and any other firm or corporation the Depositary appoints under Section 5.5 as a substitute or additional custodian under this Deposit Agreement, and shall also mean all of them collectively.
SECTION 1.5. Delisting Event.
A Delisting Event occurs if the American Depositary Shares are delisted from a securities exchange on which the American Depositary Shares were listed and the Company has not listed or applied to list the American Depositary Shares on any other securities exchange.
SECTION 1.6. Deliver; Surrender.
(a) The term deliver , or its noun form, when used with respect to Shares or other Deposited Securities, shall mean (i) book-entry transfer of those Shares or other Deposited Securities to an account maintained by an institution authorized under applicable law to effect transfers of such securities designated by the person entitled to that delivery or (ii) physical transfer of certificates evidencing those Shares or other Deposited Securities registered in the name of, or duly endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer to, the person entitled to that delivery.
(b) The term deliver , or its noun form, when used with respect to American Depositary Shares, shall mean (i) registration of those American Depositary Shares in the name of DTC or its nominee and book-entry transfer of those American Depositary Shares to an account at DTC designated by the person entitled to that delivery, (ii) registration of those American Depositary Shares not evidenced by a Receipt on the books of the Depositary in the name requested by the person entitled to that delivery and mailing to that person of a statement confirming that registration or (iii) if requested by the person entitled to that delivery, execution and delivery at the Depositarys Office to the person entitled to that delivery of one or more Receipts evidencing those American Depositary Shares registered in the name requested by that person.
(c) The term surrender , when used with respect to American Depositary Shares, shall mean (i) one or more book-entry transfers of American Depositary Shares to the DTC account of the Depositary, (ii) delivery to the Depositary at its Office of an instruction to surrender American Depositary Shares not evidenced by a Receipt or (iii) surrender to the Depositary at its Office of one or more Receipts evidencing American Depositary Shares.
SECTION 1.7. Deposit Agreement.
The term Deposit Agreement shall mean this Deposit Agreement, as it may be amended from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement.
SECTION 1.8. Depositary; Depositarys Office.
The term Depositary shall mean The Bank of New York Mellon, a New York banking corporation, and any successor as depositary under this Deposit Agreement. The term Office , when used with respect to the Depositary, shall mean the office at which its depositary receipts business is administered, which, at the date of this Deposit Agreement, is located at 240 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10286.
SECTION 1.9. Deposited Securities.
The term Deposited Securities as of any time shall mean Shares at such time deposited or deemed to be deposited under this Deposit Agreement, including without limitation, Shares that have not been successfully delivered upon surrender of American Depositary Shares, and any and all other securities, property and cash received by the Depositary or the Custodian in respect of Deposited Securities and at that time held under this Deposit Agreement.
SECTION 1.10. Disseminate.
The term Disseminate , when referring to a notice or other information to be sent by the Depositary to Owners, shall mean (i) sending that information to Owners in paper form by mail or another means or (ii) with the consent of Owners, another procedure that has the effect of making the information available to Owners, which may include (A) sending the information by electronic mail or electronic messaging or (B) sending in paper form or by electronic mail or messaging a statement that the information is available and may be accessed by the Owner on an Internet website and that it will be sent in paper form upon request by the Owner, when that information is so available and is sent in paper form as promptly as practicable upon request.
SECTION 1.11. Dollars.
The term Dollars shall mean United States dollars.
SECTION 1.12. DTC.
The term DTC shall mean The Depository Trust Company or its successor.
SECTION 1.13. Foreign Registrar.
The term Foreign Registrar shall mean the entity that carries out the duties of registrar for the Shares and any other agent of the Company for the transfer and registration of Shares, including, without limitation, any securities depository for the Shares.
SECTION 1.14. Holder.
The term Holder shall mean any person holding a Receipt or a security entitlement or other interest in American Depositary Shares, whether for its own account or for the account of another person, but that is not the Owner of that Receipt or those American Depositary Shares.
SECTION 1.15. Insolvency Event.
An Insolvency Event occurs if the Company institutes proceedings to be adjudicated as bankrupt or insolvent, consents to the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against it, files a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable law in respect of bankruptcy or insolvency, or consents to the filing of any petition of that kind or to the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian or sequestrator (or other similar official) of it or any substantial part of its property or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or admits its inability to pay its debts as they become due in the ordinary course of business.
SECTION 1.16. Owner.
The term Owner shall mean the person in whose name American Depositary Shares are registered on the books of the Depositary maintained for that purpose.
SECTION 1.17. Receipts.
The term Receipts shall mean the American Depositary Receipts issued under this Deposit Agreement evidencing certificated American Depositary Shares, as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement.
SECTION 1.18. Registrar.
The term Registrar shall mean any corporation or other entity that is appointed by the Depositary to register American Depositary Shares and transfers of American Depositary Shares as provided in this Deposit Agreement.
SECTION 1.19. Replacement.
The term Replacement shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 4.8.
SECTION 1.20. Restricted Securities.
The term Restricted Securities shall mean Shares that (i) are restricted securities, as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, except for Shares that could be resold in reliance on Rule 144 without any conditions, (ii) are beneficially owned by an officer, director (or person performing similar functions) or other affiliate of the Company, (iii) otherwise would require registration under the Securities Act of 1933 in connection with the public offer and sale thereof in the United States or (iv) are subject to other restrictions on sale or deposit under the laws of the Cayman Islands, a shareholder agreement or the articles of association or similar document of the Company.
SECTION 1.21. Securities Act of 1933.
The term Securities Act of 1933 shall mean the United States Securities Act of 1933, as from time to time amended.
SECTION 1.22. Shares.
The term Shares shall mean Class A ordinary shares of the Company that are validly issued and outstanding, fully paid and nonassessable and that were not issued in violation of any pre-emptive or similar rights of the holders of outstanding securities of the Company; provided , however , that, if there shall occur any change in nominal or par value, a split-up or consolidation or any other reclassification or, upon the occurrence of an event described in Section 4.8, an exchange or conversion in respect of the Shares of the Company, the term Shares shall thereafter also mean the successor securities resulting from such change in nominal or par value, split-up or consolidation or such other reclassification or such exchange or conversion.
SECTION 1.23. SWIFT.
The term SWIFT shall mean the financial messaging network operated by the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, or its successor.
SECTION 1.24. Termination Option Event.
The term Termination Option Event shall mean an event of a kind defined as such in Section 4.1, 4.2 or 4.8.
ARTICLE 2. FORM OF RECEIPTS, DEPOSIT OF SHARES, DELIVERY, TRANSFER AND SURRENDER OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
SECTION 2.1. Form of Receipts; Registration and Transferability of American Depositary Shares.
Definitive Receipts shall be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A to this Deposit Agreement, with appropriate insertions, modifications and omissions, as permitted under this Deposit Agreement. No Receipt shall be entitled to any benefits under this Deposit Agreement or be valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless that Receipt has been (i) executed by the Depositary by the manual signature of a duly authorized officer of the Depositary or (ii) executed by the facsimile signature of a duly authorized officer of the Depositary and countersigned by the manual signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Depositary or the Registrar or a co-registrar. The Depositary shall maintain books on which (x) each Receipt so executed and delivered as provided in this Deposit Agreement and each transfer of that Receipt and (y) all American Depositary Shares delivered as provided in this Deposit Agreement and all registrations of transfer of American Depositary Shares, shall be registered. A Receipt bearing the facsimile signature of a person that was at any time a proper officer of the Depositary shall, subject to the other provisions of this paragraph, bind the Depositary, even if that person was not a proper officer of the Depositary on the date of issuance of that Receipt.
The Receipts and statements confirming registration of American Depositary Shares may have incorporated in or attached to them such legends or recitals or modifications not inconsistent with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement as may be required by the Depositary or required to comply with any applicable law or regulations thereunder or with the rules and regulations of any securities exchange upon which American Depositary Shares may be listed or to conform with any usage with respect thereto, or to indicate any special limitations or restrictions to which any particular Receipts and American Depositary Shares are subject by reason of the date of issuance of the underlying Deposited Securities or otherwise.
American Depositary Shares evidenced by a Receipt, when the Receipt is properly endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer, shall be transferable as certificated registered securities under the laws of the State of New York. American Depositary Shares not evidenced by Receipts shall be transferable as uncertificated registered securities under the laws of the State of New York. The Depositary, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, may treat the Owner of American Depositary Shares as the absolute owner thereof for the purpose of determining the person entitled to distribution of dividends or other distributions or to any notice provided for in this Deposit Agreement and for all other purposes, and neither the Depositary nor the Company shall have any obligation or be subject to any liability under this Deposit Agreement to any Holder of American Depositary Shares (but only to the Owner of those American Depositary Shares).
SECTION 2.2. Deposit of Shares.
Subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, Shares or evidence of rights to receive Shares may be deposited under this Deposit Agreement by delivery thereof to any Custodian, accompanied by any appropriate instruments or instructions for transfer, or endorsement, in form satisfactory to the Custodian.
As conditions of accepting Shares for deposit, the Depositary may require (i) any certification required by the Depositary or the Custodian in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement, (ii) a written order directing the Depositary to deliver to, or upon the written order of, the person or persons stated in that order American Depositary Shares representing those deposited Shares, (iii) evidence satisfactory to the Depositary that those Shares have been re-registered in the books of the Company or the Foreign Registrar in the name of the Depositary, a Custodian or a nominee of the Depositary or a Custodian, (iv) evidence satisfactory to the Depositary that any necessary approval for the transfer or deposit has been granted by any governmental body in each applicable jurisdiction and (v) an agreement or assignment, or other instrument satisfactory to the Depositary, that provides for the prompt transfer to the Custodian of any dividend, or right to subscribe for additional Shares or to receive other property, that any person in whose name those Shares are or have been recorded may thereafter receive upon or in respect of those Shares, or, in lieu thereof, such agreement of indemnity or other agreement as shall be satisfactory to the Depositary.
At the request and risk and expense of a person proposing to deposit Shares, and for the account of that person, the Depositary may receive certificates for Shares to be deposited, together with the other instruments specified in this Section, for the purpose of forwarding those Share certificates to the Custodian for deposit under this Deposit Agreement.
The Depositary shall refuse, and shall instruct the Custodian to refuse, to accept Shares for deposit if the Depositary has received a notice from the Company that the Company has restricted transfer of those Shares under the Companys articles of association or any applicable laws or that the deposit would result in any violation of the Companys articles of association or any applicable laws. The Company shall notify the Depositary in writing with respect to any restrictions on transfer of its Shares for deposit under this Deposit Agreement.
The Depositary shall instruct each Custodian that, upon each delivery to a Custodian of a certificate or certificates for Shares to be deposited under this Deposit Agreement, together with the other documents specified in this Section, that Custodian shall, as soon as transfer and recordation can be accomplished, present that certificate or those certificates to the Company or the Foreign Registrar, if applicable, for transfer and recordation of the Shares being deposited in the name of the Depositary or its nominee or that Custodian or its nominee.
Deposited Securities shall be held by the Depositary or by a Custodian for the account and to the order of the Depositary or at such other place or places as the Depositary shall determine.
SECTION 2.3. Delivery of American Depositary Shares.
The Depositary shall instruct each Custodian that, upon receipt by that Custodian of any deposit pursuant to Section 2.2, together with the other documents or evidence required under that Section, that Custodian shall notify the Depositary of that deposit and the person or persons to whom or upon whose written order American Depositary Shares are deliverable in respect thereof. Upon receiving a notice of a deposit from a Custodian, or upon the receipt of Shares or evidence of the right to receive Shares by the Depositary, the Depositary, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, shall deliver, to or upon the order of the person or persons entitled thereto, the number of American Depositary Shares issuable in respect of that deposit, but only upon payment to the Depositary of the fees and expenses of the Depositary for the delivery of those American Depositary Shares as provided in Section 5.9, and of all taxes and governmental charges and fees payable in connection with that deposit and the transfer of the deposited Shares. However , the Depositary shall deliver only whole numbers of American Depositary Shares.
SECTION 2.4. Registration of Transfer of American Depositary Shares; Combination and Split-up of Receipts; Interchange of Certificated and Uncertificated American Depositary Shares.
The Depositary, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, shall register a transfer of American Depositary Shares on its transfer books upon (i) in the case of certificated American Depositary Shares, surrender of the Receipt evidencing those American Depositary Shares, by the Owner or by a duly authorized attorney, properly endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer or (ii) in the case of uncertificated American Depositary Shares, receipt from the Owner of a proper instruction (including, for the avoidance of doubt, instructions through DRS and Profile as provided in Section 2.9), and, in either case, duly stamped as may be required by the laws of the State of New York and of the United States of America. Upon registration of a transfer, the Depositary shall deliver the transferred American Depositary Shares to or upon the order of the person entitled thereto.
The Depositary, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, shall upon surrender of a Receipt or Receipts for the purpose of effecting a split-up or combination of such Receipt or Receipts, execute and deliver a new Receipt or Receipts for any authorized number of American Depositary Shares requested, evidencing the same aggregate number of American Depositary Shares as the Receipt or Receipts surrendered.
The Depositary, upon surrender of certificated American Depositary Shares for the purpose of exchanging for uncertificated American Depositary Shares, shall cancel the Receipt evidencing those certificated American Depositary Shares and send the Owner a statement confirming that the Owner is the owner of the same number of uncertificated American Depositary Shares. The Depositary, upon receipt of a proper instruction (including, for the avoidance of doubt, instructions through DRS and Profile as provided in Section 2.9) from the Owner of uncertificated American Depositary Shares for the purpose of exchanging for certificated American Depositary Shares, shall cancel those uncertificated American Depositary Shares and register and deliver to the Owner a Receipt evidencing the same number of certificated American Depositary Shares.
The Depositary may appoint one or more co-transfer agents for the purpose of effecting registration of transfers of American Depositary Shares and combinations and split-ups of Receipts at designated transfer offices on behalf of the Depositary. In carrying out its functions, a co-transfer agent may require evidence of authority and compliance with applicable laws and other requirements by Owners or persons entitled to American Depositary Shares and will be entitled to protection and indemnity to the same extent as the Depositary.
SECTION 2.5. Surrender of American Depositary Shares and Withdrawal of Deposited Securities.
Upon surrender of American Depositary Shares for the purpose of withdrawal of the Deposited Securities represented thereby and payment of the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of American Depositary Shares as provided in Section 5.9 and payment of all taxes and governmental charges payable in connection with that surrender and withdrawal of the Deposited Securities, and subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, the Owner of those American Depositary Shares shall be entitled to delivery (to the extent delivery can then be lawfully and practicably made), to or as instructed by that Owner, of the amount of Deposited Securities at the time represented by those American Depositary Shares, but not any money or other property as to which a record date for distribution to Owners has passed (since money or other property of that kind will be delivered or paid on the scheduled payment date to the Owner as of that record date), and except that the Depositary shall not be required to accept surrender of American Depositary Shares for the purpose of withdrawal to the extent it would require delivery of a fraction of a Deposited Security. That delivery shall be made, as provided in this Section, without unreasonable delay.
As a condition of accepting a surrender of American Depositary Shares for the purpose of withdrawal of Deposited Securities, the Depositary may require (i) that each surrendered Receipt be properly endorsed in blank or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer in blank and (ii) that the surrendering Owner execute and deliver to the Depositary a written order directing the Depositary to cause the Deposited Securities being withdrawn to be delivered to or upon the written order of a person or persons designated in that order.
Thereupon, the Depositary shall direct the Custodian to deliver, subject to Sections 2.6, 3.1 and 3.2, the other terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement and local market rules and practices, to the surrendering Owner or to or upon the written order of the person or persons designated in the order delivered to the Depositary as above provided, the amount of Deposited Securities represented by the surrendered American Depositary Shares, and the Depositary may charge the surrendering Owner a fee and its expenses for giving that direction by cable (including SWIFT) or facsimile transmission.
If Deposited Securities are delivered physically upon surrender of American Depositary Shares for the purpose of withdrawal, that delivery will be made at the Custodians office, except that , at the request, risk and expense of an Owner surrendering American Depositary Shares for withdrawal of Deposited Securities, and for the account of that Owner, the Depositary shall direct the Custodian to forward any cash or other property comprising, and forward a certificate or certificates, if applicable, and other proper documents of title, if any, for, the Deposited Securities represented by the surrendered American Depositary Shares to the Depositary for delivery at the Depositarys Office or to another address specified in the order received from the surrendering Owner.
SECTION 2.6. Limitations on Delivery, Transfer and Surrender of American Depositary Shares.
As a condition precedent to the delivery, registration of transfer or surrender of any American Depositary Shares or split-up or combination of any Receipt or withdrawal of any Deposited Securities, the Depositary, Custodian or Registrar may require payment from the depositor of Shares or the presenter of the Receipt or instruction for registration of transfer or surrender of American Depositary Shares not evidenced by a Receipt of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any tax or other governmental charge and any stock transfer or registration fee with respect thereto (including any such tax or charge and fee with respect to Shares being deposited or withdrawn) and payment of any applicable fees as provided in this Deposit Agreement, may require the production of proof satisfactory to it as to the identity and genuineness of any signature and may also require compliance with any regulations the Depositary may establish consistent with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement, including, without limitation, this Section 2.6.
The delivery of American Depositary Shares against deposit of Shares generally or against deposit of particular Shares may be suspended, or the registration of transfer of American Depositary Shares in particular instances may be refused, or the registration of transfer of outstanding American Depositary Shares generally may be suspended, during any period when the transfer books of the Depositary are closed, or if any such action is deemed necessary or advisable by the Depositary or the Company at any time or from time to time because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental body or commission, or under any provision of this Deposit Agreement, or for any other reason. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Deposit Agreement, the surrender of outstanding American Depositary Shares and withdrawal of Deposited Securities may not be suspended, subject only to (i) temporary delays caused by closing of the transfer books of the Depositary or the Company or the Foreign Registrar, if applicable, or the deposit of Shares in connection with voting at a shareholders meeting, or the payment of dividends, (ii) the payment of fees, taxes and similar charges, and (iii) compliance with any U.S. or foreign laws or governmental regulations relating to the American Depositary Shares or to the withdrawal of the Deposited Securities.
The Depositary shall not knowingly accept for deposit under this Deposit Agreement any Shares that, at the time of deposit, are Restricted Securities.
SECTION 2.7. Lost Receipts, etc.
If a Receipt is mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen, the Depositary shall deliver to the Owner the American Depositary Shares evidenced by that Receipt in uncertificated form or, if requested by the Owner, execute and deliver a new Receipt of like tenor in exchange and substitution for such mutilated Receipt, upon surrender and cancellation of that mutilated Receipt, or in lieu of and in substitution for that destroyed, lost or stolen Receipt. However , before the Depositary will deliver American Depositary Shares in uncertificated form or execute and deliver a new Receipt, in substitution for a destroyed, lost or stolen Receipt, the Owner must (a) file with the Depositary (i) a request for that replacement before the Depositary has notice that the Receipt has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser and (ii) a sufficient indemnity bond and (b) satisfy any other reasonable requirements imposed by the Depositary.
SECTION 2.8. Cancellation and Destruction of Surrendered Receipts.
The Depositary shall cancel all Receipts surrendered to it and is authorized to destroy Receipts so cancelled.
SECTION 2.9. DTC Direct Registration System and Profile Modification System.
(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.4, the parties acknowledge that DTCs Direct Registration System ( DRS ) and Profile Modification System ( Profile ) apply to the American Depositary Shares upon acceptance thereof to DRS by DTC. DRS is the system administered by DTC that facilitates interchange between registered holding of uncertificated securities and holding of security entitlements in those securities through DTC and a DTC participant. Profile is a required feature of DRS that allows a DTC participant, claiming to act on behalf of an Owner of American Depositary Shares, to direct the Depositary to register a transfer of those American Depositary Shares to DTC or its nominee and to deliver those American Depositary Shares to the DTC account of that DTC participant without receipt by the Depositary of prior authorization from the Owner to register that transfer.
(b) In connection with DRS/Profile, the parties acknowledge that the Depositary will not determine whether the DTC participant that is claiming to be acting on behalf of an Owner in requesting a registration of transfer and delivery as described in paragraph (a) above has the actual authority to act on behalf of that Owner (notwithstanding any requirements under the Uniform Commercial Code). For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of Sections 5.3 and 5.8 apply to the matters arising from the use of the DRS/Profile. The parties agree that the Depositarys reliance on and compliance with instructions received by the Depositary through the DRS/Profile system and otherwise in accordance with this Deposit Agreement shall not constitute negligence or bad faith on the part of the Depositary.
ARTICLE 3. CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS OF OWNERS AND HOLDERS OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
SECTION 3.1. Filing Proofs, Certificates and Other Information.
Any person presenting Shares for deposit or any Owner or Holder may be required from time to time to file with the Depositary or the Custodian such proof of citizenship or residence, exchange control approval, or such information relating to the registration on the books of the Company or the Foreign Registrar, if applicable, to execute such certificates and to make such representations and warranties, as the Depositary may deem necessary or proper. The Depositary may withhold the delivery or registration of transfer of American Depositary Shares, the distribution of any dividend or other distribution or of the proceeds thereof or the delivery of any Deposited Securities until that proof or other information is filed or those certificates are executed or those representations and warranties are made. The Depositary shall provide the Company, upon the Companys written request and at the Companys expense, as promptly as practicable, copies of any information or other materials that it receives pursuant to this Section 3.1, to the extent that disclosure is permitted under applicable law.
SECTION 3.2. Liability of Owner for Taxes.
If any tax or other governmental charge shall become payable by the Custodian or the Depositary with respect to or in connection with any American Depositary Shares or any Deposited Securities represented by any American Depositary Shares or in connection with a transaction to which Section 4.8 applies, that tax or other governmental charge shall be payable by the Owner of those American Depositary Shares to the Depositary. The Depositary may refuse to register any transfer of those American Depositary Shares or any withdrawal of Deposited Securities represented by those American Depositary Shares until that payment is made, and may withhold any dividends or other distributions or the proceeds thereof, or may sell for the account of the Owner any part or all of the Deposited Securities represented by those American Depositary Shares and apply those dividends or other distributions or the net proceeds of any sale of that kind in payment of that tax or other governmental charge but , even after a sale of that kind, the Owner of those American Depositary Shares shall remain liable for any deficiency. The Depositary shall distribute any net proceeds of a sale made under this Section that are not used to pay taxes or governmental charges to the Owners entitled to them in accordance with Section 4.1. If the number of Shares represented by each American Depositary Share decreases as a result of a sale of Deposited Securities under this Section, the Depositary may call for surrender of the American Depositary Shares to be exchanged on a mandatory basis for a lesser number of American Depositary Shares and may sell American Depositary Shares to the extent necessary to avoid distributing fractions of American Depositary Shares in that exchange and distribute the net proceeds of that sale to the Owners entitled to them.
SECTION 3.3. Warranties on Deposit of Shares.
Every person depositing Shares under this Deposit Agreement shall be deemed thereby to represent and warrant that those Shares and each certificate therefor, if applicable, are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and were not issued in violation of any preemptive or similar rights of the holders of outstanding securities of the Company and that the person making that deposit is duly authorized so to do. Every depositing person shall also be deemed to represent that the Shares, at the time of deposit, are not Restricted Securities. All representations and warranties deemed made under this Section shall survive the deposit of Shares and delivery of American Depositary Shares.
SECTION 3.4. Disclosure of Interests.
When required in order to comply with applicable laws and regulations or the articles of association or similar document of the Company, the Company may from time to time request each Owner and Holder to provide to the Depositary information relating to: (a) the capacity in which it holds American Depositary Shares, (b) the identity of any Holders or other persons or entities then or previously interested in those American Depositary Shares and the nature of those interests and (c) any other matter where disclosure of such matter is required for that compliance. Each Owner and Holder agrees to provide all information known to it in response to a request made pursuant to this Section. Each Holder consents to the disclosure by the Depositary and the Owner or any other Holder through which it holds American Depositary Shares, directly or indirectly, of all information responsive to a request made pursuant to this Section relating to that Holder that is known to that Owner or other Holder. The Depositary agrees to use reasonable efforts to comply with written instructions requesting that the Depositary forward any request authorized under this Section to the Owners and to forward to the Company any responses it receives in response to that request. The Depositary may charge the Company a fee and its expenses for complying with requests under this Section 3.4.
ARTICLE 4. THE DEPOSITED SECURITIES
SECTION 4.1. Cash Distributions.
Whenever the Depositary receives any cash dividend or other cash distribution on Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall, subject to the provisions of Section 4.5, convert that dividend or other distribution into Dollars and distribute the amount thus received (net of the fees and expenses of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9) to the Owners entitled thereto, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares representing those Deposited Securities held by them respectively; provided , however , that if the Custodian or the Depositary shall be required to withhold and does withhold from that cash dividend or other cash distribution an amount on account of taxes or other governmental charges, the amount distributed to the Owners of the American Depositary Shares representing those Deposited Securities shall be reduced accordingly. However , the Depositary will not pay any Owner a fraction of one cent, but will round each Owners entitlement to the nearest whole cent.
The Company or its agent will remit to the appropriate governmental agency all amounts withheld by the Company. The Depositary and the Custodian will remit to the appropriate governmental authority or agency all amounts (if any) withheld by them.
If a cash distribution would represent a return of all or substantially all the value of the Deposited Securities underlying American Depositary Shares, the Depositary may require surrender of those American Depositary Shares and may require payment of or deduct the fee for surrender of American Depositary Shares (whether or not it is also requiring surrender of American Depositary Shares) as a condition of making that cash distribution. A distribution of that kind shall be a Termination Option Event .
SECTION 4.2. Distributions Other Than Cash, Shares or Rights.
Subject to the provisions of Sections 4.11 and 5.9, whenever the Depositary receives any distribution other than a distribution described in Section 4.1, 4.3 or 4.4 on Deposited Securities (but not in exchange for or in conversion or in lieu of Deposited Securities), the Depositary shall cause the securities or property received by it to be distributed to the Owners entitled thereto, after deduction or upon payment of any fees and expenses of the Depositary and any taxes or other governmental charges, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited Securities held by them respectively, in any manner that the Depositary deems equitable and practicable for accomplishing that distribution (which may be a distribution of depositary shares representing the securities received); provided , however , that if in the opinion of the Depositary such distribution cannot be made proportionately among the Owners entitled thereto, or if for any other reason (including, but not limited to, any requirement that the Company or the Depositary withhold an amount on account of taxes or other governmental charges or that securities received must be registered under the Securities Act of 1933 in order to be distributed to Owners or Holders) the Depositary deems such distribution not to be lawful and feasible, the Depositary may adopt such other method as it may deem equitable and practicable for the purpose of effecting such distribution, including, but not limited to, the public or private sale of the securities or property thus received, or any part thereof, and distribution of the net proceeds of any such sale (net of the fees and expenses of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9) to the Owners entitled thereto, all in the manner and subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.1. The Depositary may withhold any distribution of securities under this Section 4.2 if it has not received satisfactory assurances from the Company that the distribution does not require registration under the Securities Act of 1933. The Depositary may sell, by public or private sale, an amount of securities or other property it would otherwise distribute under this Section 4.2 that is sufficient to pay its fees and expenses in respect of that distribution.
If a distribution under this Section 4.2 would represent a return of all or substantially all the value of the Deposited Securities underlying American Depositary Shares, the Depositary may require surrender of those American Depositary Shares and may require payment of or deduct the fee for surrender of American Depositary Shares (whether or not it is also requiring surrender of American Depositary Shares) as a condition of making that distribution. A distribution of that kind shall be a Termination Option Event .
SECTION 4.3. Distributions in Shares.
Whenever the Depositary receives any distribution on Deposited Securities consisting of a dividend in, or free distribution of, Shares, the Depositary may deliver to the Owners entitled thereto, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares representing those Deposited Securities held by them respectively, an aggregate number of American Depositary Shares representing the amount of Shares received as that dividend or free distribution, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement with respect to the deposit of Shares and issuance of American Depositary Shares, including withholding of any tax or governmental charge as provided in Section 4.11 and payment of the fees and expenses of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9 (and the Depositary may sell, by public or private sale, an amount of the Shares received (or American Depositary Shares representing those Shares) sufficient to pay its fees and expenses in respect of that distribution). In lieu of delivering fractional American Depositary Shares, the Depositary may sell the amount of Shares represented by the aggregate of those fractions (or American Depositary Shares representing those Shares) and distribute the net proceeds, all in the manner and subject to the conditions described in Section 4.1. If and to the extent that additional American Depositary Shares are not delivered and Shares or American Depositary Shares are not sold, each American Depositary Share shall thenceforth also represent the additional Shares distributed on the Deposited Securities represented thereby.
If the Company declares a distribution in which holders of Deposited Securities have a right to elect whether to receive cash, Shares or other securities or a combination of those things, or a right to elect to have a distribution sold on their behalf, the Depositary may, after consultation with the Company, make that right of election available for exercise by Owners in any manner the Depositary considers to be lawful and practical. As a condition of making a distribution election right available to Owners, the Depositary may require satisfactory assurances from the Company that doing so does not require registration of any securities under the Securities Act of 1933.
SECTION 4.4. Rights.
(a) If rights are granted to the Depositary in respect of deposited Shares to purchase additional Shares or other securities, the Company and the Depositary shall endeavor to consult as to the actions, if any, the Depositary should take in connection with that grant of rights. The Depositary may, to the extent deemed by it to be lawful and practical (i) if requested in writing by the Company, grant to all or certain Owners rights to instruct the Depositary to purchase the securities to which the rights relate and deliver those securities or American Depositary Shares representing those securities to Owners, (ii) if requested in writing by the Company, deliver the rights to or to the order of certain Owners, or (iii) sell the rights to the extent practicable and distribute the net proceeds of that sale to Owners entitled to those proceeds. To the extent rights are not exercised, delivered or disposed of under (i), (ii) or (iii) above, the Depositary shall permit the rights to lapse unexercised.
(b) If the Depositary will act under (a)(i) above, the Company and the Depositary will enter into a separate agreement setting forth the conditions and procedures applicable to the particular offering. Upon instruction from an applicable Owner in the form the Depositary specified and upon payment by that Owner to the Depositary of an amount equal to the purchase price of the securities to be received upon the exercise of the rights, the Depositary shall, on behalf of that Owner, exercise the rights and purchase the securities. The purchased securities shall be delivered to, or as instructed by, the Depositary. The Depositary shall (i) deposit the purchased Shares under this Deposit Agreement and deliver American Depositary Shares representing those Shares to that Owner or (ii) deliver or cause the purchased Shares or other securities to be delivered to or to the order of that Owner. The Depositary will not act under (a)(i) above unless the offer and sale of the securities to which the rights relate are registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Depositary has received (i) evidence satisfactory to the Depositary that those securities may be sold and delivered to the applicable Owners without registration under the Securities Act of 1933 or (ii) a written opinion from U.S. counsel for the Company that is reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary, stating that those securities may be sold and delivered to the applicable Owners without registration under the Securities Act of 1933.
(c) If the Depositary will act under (a)(ii) above, the Company and the Depositary will enter into a separate agreement setting forth the conditions and procedures applicable to the particular offering. Upon (i) the request of an applicable Owner to deliver the rights allocable to the American Depositary Shares of that Owner to an account specified by that Owner to which the rights can be delivered and (ii) receipt of such documents as the Company and the Depositary agreed to require to comply with applicable law, the Depositary will deliver those rights as requested by that Owner.
(d) If the Depositary will act under (a)(iii) above, the Depositary will use reasonable efforts to sell the rights in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by the applicable Owners and pay the net proceeds to the Owners otherwise entitled to the rights that were sold, upon an averaged or other practical basis without regard to any distinctions among such Owners because of exchange restrictions or the date of delivery of any American Depositary Shares or otherwise.
(e) Payment or deduction of the fees of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9 and payment or deduction of the expenses of the Depositary and any applicable taxes or other governmental charges shall be conditions of any delivery of securities or payment of cash proceeds under this Section 4.4.
(f) The Depositary shall not be responsible for any failure to determine that it may be lawful or feasible to make rights available to or exercise rights on behalf of Owners in general or any Owner in particular, or to sell rights.
SECTION 4.5. Conversion of Foreign Currency.
Whenever the Depositary or the Custodian receives foreign currency, by way of dividends or other distributions or the net proceeds from the sale of securities, property or rights, and if at the time of the receipt thereof the foreign currency so received can in the judgment of the Depositary be converted on a reasonable basis into Dollars and the resulting Dollars transferred to the United States, the Depositary shall convert or cause to be converted, as promptly as practicable, by sale or in any other manner that it may determine that foreign currency into Dollars, and those Dollars shall be distributed to the Owners entitled thereto. A cash distribution may be made upon an averaged or other practicable basis without regard to any distinctions among Owners based on exchange restrictions, the date of delivery of any American Depositary Shares or otherwise and shall be net of any expenses of conversion into Dollars incurred by the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9.
If a conversion of foreign currency or the repatriation or distribution of Dollars can be effected only with the approval or license of any government or agency thereof, the Depositary may, but will not be required to, file an application for that approval or license.
If the Depositary determines that in its judgment any foreign currency received by the Depositary or the Custodian is not convertible on a reasonable basis into Dollars transferable to the United States, or if any approval or license of any government or agency thereof that is required for such conversion is not filed or sought by the Depositary or is not obtained within a reasonable period as determined by the Depositary, the Depositary may distribute the foreign currency received by the Depositary to, or in its discretion may hold such foreign currency uninvested and without liability for interest thereon for the respective accounts of, the Owners entitled to receive the same.
If any conversion of foreign currency, in whole or in part, cannot be effected for distribution to some of the Owners entitled thereto, the Depositary may in its discretion make that conversion and distribution in Dollars to the extent practicable and permissible to the Owners entitled thereto and may distribute the balance of the foreign currency received by the Depositary to, or hold that balance uninvested and without liability for interest thereon for the account of, the Owners entitled thereto.
The Depositary may convert currency itself or through any of its affiliates and, in those cases, acts as principal for its own account and not as agent, advisor, broker or fiduciary on behalf of any other person and earns revenue, including, without limitation, transaction spreads, that it will retain for its own account. The revenue is based on, among other things, the difference between the exchange rate assigned to the currency conversion made under this Deposit Agreement and the rate that the Depositary or its affiliate receives when buying or selling foreign currency for its own account. The Depositary makes no representation that the exchange rate used or obtained in any currency conversion under this Deposit Agreement will be the most favorable rate that could be obtained at the time or that the method by which that rate will be determined will be the most favorable to Owners, subject to the Depositarys obligations under Section 5.3. The methodology used to determine exchange rates used in currency conversions is available upon request.
SECTION 4.6. Fixing of Record Date.
Whenever a cash dividend, cash distribution or any other distribution is made on Deposited Securities or rights to purchase Shares or other securities are issued with respect to Deposited Securities (which rights will be delivered to or exercised or sold on behalf of Owners in accordance with Section 4.4) or the Depositary receives notice that a distribution or issuance of that kind will be made, or whenever the Depositary receives notice that a meeting of holders of Shares will be held in respect of which the Company has requested the Depositary to send a notice under Section 4.7, or whenever the Depositary will assess a fee or charge against the Owners, or whenever the Depositary causes a change in the number of Shares that are represented by each American Depositary Share, or whenever the Depositary otherwise finds it necessary or convenient, the Depositary shall fix a record date, which shall be the same as, or as near as practicable to, any corresponding record date set by the Company with respect to Shares, (a) for the determination of the Owners (i) who shall be entitled to receive the benefit of that dividend or other distribution or those rights, (ii) who shall be entitled to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights at that meeting or (iii) who shall be responsible for that fee or charge or (iv) for any other purpose for which the record date was set, or (b) on or after which each American Depositary Share will represent the changed number of Shares. Subject to the provisions of Sections 4.1 through 4.5 and to the other terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, the Owners on a record date fixed by the Depositary shall be entitled to receive the amount distributable by the Depositary with respect to that dividend or other distribution or those rights or the net proceeds of sale thereof in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by them respectively, to give voting instructions or to act in respect of the other matter for which that record date was fixed, or be responsible for that fee or charge, as the case may be.
SECTION 4.7. Voting of Deposited Shares.
(a) Upon receipt of notice of any meeting of holders of Shares at which holders of Shares will be entitled to vote, if requested in writing by the Company, the Depositary shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, Disseminate to the Owners a notice, the form of which shall be in the sole discretion of the Depositary, that shall contain (i) the information contained in the notice of meeting received by the Depositary, (ii) a statement that the Owners as of the close of business on a specified record date will be entitled, subject to any applicable provision of Cayman Islands law and of the articles of association or similar documents of the Company, to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the amount of Shares represented by their respective American Depositary Shares, (iii) a statement as to the manner in which those instructions may be given, including an express indication that instructions may be deemed given in accordance with the last sentence of paragraph (b) below, if no instruction is received, to the Depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by the Company and (iv) the last date on which the Depositary will accept instructions (the Instruction Cutoff Date ).
(b) Upon the written request of an Owner of American Depositary Shares, as of the date of the request or, if a record date was specified by the Depositary, as of that record date, received on or before any Instruction Cutoff Date established by the Depositary, the Depositary may, and if the Depositary sent a notice under the preceding paragraph shall, endeavor, in so far as practicable, to vote or cause to be voted the amount of deposited Shares represented by those American Depositary Shares in accordance with the instructions set forth in that request. The Depositary shall not vote or attempt to exercise the right to vote that attaches to the deposited Shares other than in accordance with instructions given by Owners and received by the Depositary or as provided in the following sentence. If
(i) the Company instructed the Depositary to Disseminate a notice under paragraph (a) above and complied with paragraph (d) below,
(ii) no instructions are received by the Depositary from an Owner with respect to a matter and an amount of American Depositary Shares of that Owner on or before the Instruction Cutoff Date and
(iii) the Depositary has received from the Company, by the Instruction Cutoff Date, a written confirmation that (x) the Company wishes a proxy to be given under this sentence, (y) the Company reasonably does not know of any substantial opposition to the matter and (z) the matter is not materially adverse to the interests of shareholders,
then, the Depositary shall deem that Owner to have instructed the Depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by the Company with respect to that matter and the amount of deposited Shares represented by that amount of American Depositary Shares and the Depositary shall give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by the Company to vote that amount of deposited Shares as to that matter.
(c) There can be no assurance that Owners generally or any Owner in particular will receive the notice described in paragraph (a) above in time to enable Owners to give instructions to the Depositary prior to the Instruction Cutoff Date.
(d) If the Company will request the Depositary to Disseminate a notice under paragraph (a) above, the Company shall give the Depositary notice of the meeting, details concerning the matters to be voted upon and copies of materials to be made available to holders of Shares in connection with the meeting not less than 30 days prior to the meeting date.
SECTION 4.8. Tender and Exchange Offers; Redemption, Replacement or Cancellation of Deposited Securities.
(a) The Depositary shall not tender any Deposited Securities in response to any voluntary cash tender offer, exchange offer or similar offer made to holders of Deposited Securities (a Voluntary Offer ), except when instructed in writing to do so by an Owner surrendering American Depositary Shares and subject to any conditions or procedures the Depositary may require.
(b) If the Depositary receives a written notice that Deposited Securities have been redeemed for cash or otherwise purchased for cash in a transaction that is mandatory and binding on the Depositary as a holder of those Deposited Securities (a Redemption ), the Depositary, at the expense of the Company, shall (i) if required, surrender Deposited Securities that have been redeemed to the issuer of those securities or its agent on the redemption date, (ii) Disseminate a notice to Owners (A) notifying them of that Redemption, (B) calling for surrender of a corresponding number of American Depositary Shares and (C) notifying them that the called American Depositary Shares have been converted into a right only to receive the money received by the Depositary upon that Redemption and those net proceeds shall be the Deposited Securities to which Owners of those converted American Depositary Shares shall be entitled upon surrenders of those American Depositary Shares in accordance with Section 2.5 or 6.2 and (iii) distribute the money received upon that Redemption to the Owners entitled to it upon surrender by them of called American Depositary Shares in accordance with Section 2.5 (and, for the avoidance of doubt, Owners shall not be entitled to receive that money under Section 4.1). If the Redemption affects less than all the Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall call for surrender a corresponding portion of the outstanding American Depositary Shares and only those American Depositary Shares will automatically be converted into a right to receive the net proceeds of the Redemption. The Depositary shall allocate the American Depositary Shares converted under the preceding sentence among the Owners pro-rata to their respective holdings of American Depositary Shares immediately prior to the Redemption, except that the allocations may be adjusted so that no fraction of a converted American Depositary Share is allocated to any Owner. A Redemption of all or substantially all of the Deposited Securities shall be a Termination Option Event .
(c) If the Depositary is notified of or there occurs any change in nominal value or any subdivision, combination or any other reclassification of the Deposited Securities or any recapitalization, reorganization, sale of assets substantially as an entirety, merger or consolidation affecting the issuer of the Deposited Securities or to which it is a party that is mandatory and binding on the Depositary as a holder of Deposited Securities and, as a result, securities or other property have been or will be delivered in exchange, conversion, replacement or in lieu of, Deposited Securities (a Replacement ), the Depositary shall, if required, surrender the old Deposited Securities affected by that Replacement of Shares and hold, as new Deposited Securities under this Deposit Agreement, the new securities or other property delivered to it in that Replacement. However , the Depositary may elect to sell those new Deposited Securities if in the opinion of the Depositary it is not lawful or not practical for it to hold those new Deposited Securities under this Deposit Agreement because those new Deposited Securities may not be distributed to Owners without registration under the Securities Act of 1933 or for any other reason, at public or private sale, at such places and on such terms as it deems proper and proceed as if those new Deposited Securities had been Redeemed under paragraph (b) above. A Replacement shall be a Termination Option Event .
(d) In the case of a Replacement where the new Deposited Securities will continue to be held under this Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may call for the surrender of outstanding Receipts to be exchanged for new Receipts specifically describing the new Deposited Securities and the number of those new Deposited Securities represented by each American Depositary Share. If the number of Shares represented by each American Depositary Share decreases as a result of a Replacement, the Depositary may call for surrender of the American Depositary Shares to be exchanged on a mandatory basis for a lesser number of American Depositary Shares and may sell American Depositary Shares to the extent necessary to avoid distributing fractions of American Depositary Shares in that exchange and distribute the net proceeds of that sale to the Owners entitled to them.
(e) If there are no Deposited Securities with respect to American Depositary Shares, including if the Deposited Securities are cancelled, or the Deposited Securities with respect to American Depositary Shares have become apparently worthless, the Depositary may call for surrender of those American Depositary Shares or may cancel those American Depositary Shares, upon notice to Owners, and a Termination Option Event occurs.
SECTION 4.9. Reports.
The Depositary shall make available for inspection by Owners at its Office any reports and communications, including any proxy solicitation material, received from the Company which are both (a) received by the Depositary as the holder of the Deposited Securities and (b) made generally available to the holders of those Deposited Securities by the Company. The Company shall furnish reports and communications, including any proxy soliciting material to which this Section applies, to the Depositary in English, to the extent those materials are required to be translated into English pursuant to any regulations of the Commission.
SECTION 4.10. Lists of Owners.
Upon written request by the Company, the Depositary shall, at the expense of the Company, furnish to it a list, as of a recent date, of the names, addresses and American Depositary Share holdings of all Owners.
SECTION 4.11. Withholding.
If the Depositary determines that any distribution received or to be made by the Depositary (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) is subject to any tax or other governmental charge that the Depositary is obligated to withhold, the Depositary may sell, by public or private sale, all or a portion of the distributed property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) in the amounts and manner the Depositary deems necessary and practicable to pay those taxes or charges, and the Depositary shall distribute the net proceeds of that sale, after deduction of those taxes or charges, to the Owners entitled thereto in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by them respectively.
Services for Owners and Holders that may permit them to obtain reduced rates of tax withholding at source or reclaim excess tax withheld, and the fees and costs associated with using services of that kind, are not provided under, and are outside the scope of, this Deposit Agreement.
Each Owner and Holder agrees to indemnify the Company, the Depositary, the Custodian and their respective directors, employees, agents and affiliates for, and hold each of them harmless against, any claim by any governmental authority with respect to taxes, additions to tax, penalties or interest arising out of any refund of taxes, reduced withholding at source or other tax benefit received by it.
ARTICLE 5. THE DEPOSITARY, THE CUSTODIANS AND THE COMPANY
SECTION 5.1. Maintenance of Office and Transfer Books by the Depositary.
Until termination of this Deposit Agreement in accordance with its terms, the Depositary shall maintain facilities for the execution and delivery, registration, registration of transfers and surrender of American Depositary Shares in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement.
The Depositary shall keep books for the registration of American Depositary Shares, which shall be open for inspection by the Owners at the Depositarys Office during regular business hours, provided that such inspection is not for the purpose of communicating with Owners in the interest of a business or object other than the business of the Company or a matter related to this Deposit Agreement or the American Depositary Shares.
The Depositary may close the transfer books, at any time or from time to time, when deemed expedient by it in connection with the performance of its duties under this Deposit Agreement.
If any American Depositary Shares are listed on one or more stock exchanges, the Depositary shall act as Registrar or appoint a Registrar or one or more co-registrars for registry of those American Depositary Shares in accordance with any requirements of that exchange or those exchanges.
SECTION 5.2. Prevention or Delay of Performance by the Company or the Depositary.
Neither the Depositary nor the Company nor any of their respective directors, employees, agents or affiliates shall incur any liability to any Owner or Holder:
(i) if by reason of (A) any provision of any present or future law or regulation or other act of the government of the United States, any State of the United States or any other state or jurisdiction, or of any governmental or regulatory authority or stock exchange; (B) (in the case of the Depositary only) any provision, present or future, of the articles of association or similar document of the Company, or by reason of any provision of any securities issued or distributed by the Company, or any offering or distribution thereof; or (C) any event or circumstance, whether natural or caused by a person or persons, that is beyond the ability of the Depositary or the Company, as the case may be, to prevent or counteract by reasonable care or effort (including, but not limited to, earthquakes, floods, severe storms, fires, explosions, war, terrorism, civil unrest, labor disputes or criminal acts; interruptions or malfunctions of utility services, Internet or other communications lines or systems; unauthorized access to or attacks on computer systems or websites; or other failures or malfunctions of computer hardware or software or other systems or equipment), the Depositary or the Company is, directly or indirectly, prevented from, forbidden to or delayed in, or could be subject to any civil or criminal penalty on account of doing or performing and therefore does not do or perform, any act or thing that, by the terms of this Deposit Agreement or the Deposited Securities, it is provided shall be done or performed;
(ii) for any exercise of, or failure to exercise, any discretion provided for in this Deposit Agreement (including any determination by the Depositary to take, or not take, any action that this Deposit Agreement provides the Depositary may take);
(iii) for the inability of any Owner or Holder to benefit from any distribution, offering, right or other benefit that is made available to holders of Deposited Securities but is not, under the terms of this Deposit Agreement, made available to Owners or Holders; or
(iv) for any special, consequential or punitive damages for any breach of the terms of this Deposit Agreement.
Where, by the terms of a distribution to which Section 4.1, 4.2 or 4.3 applies, or an offering to which Section 4.4 applies, or for any other reason, that distribution or offering may not be made available to Owners, and the Depositary may not dispose of that distribution or offering on behalf of Owners and make the net proceeds available to Owners, then the Depositary shall not make that distribution or offering available to Owners, and shall allow any rights, if applicable, to lapse.
SECTION 5.3. Obligations of the Depositary and the Company.
The Company assumes no obligation nor shall it be subject to any liability under this Deposit Agreement to any Owner or Holder, except that the Company agrees to perform its obligations specifically set forth in this Deposit Agreement without negligence or bad faith.
The Depositary assumes no obligation nor shall it be subject to any liability under this Deposit Agreement to any Owner or Holder (including, without limitation, liability with respect to the validity or worth of the Deposited Securities), except that the Depositary agrees to perform its obligations specifically set forth in this Deposit Agreement without negligence or bad faith, and the Depositary shall not be a fiduciary or have any fiduciary duty to Owners or Holders.
Neither the Depositary nor the Company shall be under any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any Deposited Securities or in respect of the American Depositary Shares on behalf of any Owner or Holder or any other person.
Each of the Depositary and the Company may rely, and shall be protected in relying upon, any written notice, request, direction or other document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.
Neither the Depositary nor the Company shall be liable for any action or non-action by it in reliance upon the advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting Shares for deposit, any Owner or any other person believed by it in good faith to be competent to give such advice or information.
The Depositary shall not be liable for any acts or omissions made by a successor depositary whether in connection with a previous act or omission of the Depositary or in connection with any matter arising wholly after the removal or resignation of the Depositary, provided that in connection with the issue out of which such potential liability arises the Depositary performed its obligations without negligence or bad faith while it acted as Depositary.
The Depositary shall not be liable for the acts or omissions of any securities depository, clearing agency or settlement system in connection with or arising out of book-entry settlement of American Depositary Shares or Deposited Securities or otherwise.
In the absence of bad faith on its part, the Depositary shall not be responsible for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the Deposited Securities, or for the manner in which any such vote is cast or the effect of any such vote.
The Depositary shall have no duty to make any determination or provide any information as to the tax status of the Company or any liability for any tax consequences that may be incurred by Owners or Holders as a result of owning or holding American Depositary Shares. The Depositary shall not be liable for the inability or failure of an Owner or Holder to obtain the benefit of a foreign tax credit, reduced rate of withholding or refund of amounts withheld in respect of tax or any other tax benefit.
No disclaimer of liability under the United States federal securities laws is intended by any provision of this Deposit Agreement.
SECTION 5.4. Resignation and Removal of the Depositary.
The Depositary may at any time resign as Depositary hereunder by written notice of its election so to do delivered to the Company, to become effective upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of that appointment as provided in this Section. The effect of resignation if a successor depositary is not appointed is provided for in Section 6.2.
The Depositary may at any time be removed by the Company by 90 days prior written notice of that removal, to become effective upon the later of (i) the 90th day after delivery of the notice to the Depositary and (ii) the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of its appointment as provided in this Section.
If the Depositary resigns or is removed, the Company shall use its best efforts to appoint a successor depositary, which shall be a bank or trust company having an office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York. Every successor depositary shall execute and deliver to the Company an instrument in writing accepting its appointment under this Deposit Agreement. If the Depositary receives notice from the Company that a successor depositary has been appointed following its resignation or removal, the Depositary, upon payment of all sums due it from the Company, shall deliver to its successor a register listing all the Owners and their respective holdings of outstanding American Depositary Shares and shall deliver the Deposited Securities to or to the order of its successor. When the Depositary has taken the actions specified in the preceding sentence (i) the successor shall become the Depositary and shall have all the rights and shall assume all the duties of the Depositary under this Deposit Agreement and (ii) the predecessor depositary shall cease to be the Depositary and shall be discharged and released from all obligations under this Deposit Agreement, except for its duties under Section 5.8 with respect to the time before that discharge. A successor Depositary shall notify the Owners of its appointment as soon as practical after assuming the duties of Depositary.
Any corporation or other entity into or with which the Depositary may be merged or consolidated shall be the successor of the Depositary without the execution or filing of any document or any further act.
SECTION 5.5. The Custodians.
The Custodian shall be subject at all times and in all respects to the directions of the Depositary and shall be responsible solely to it. The Depositary in its discretion may at any time appoint a substitute or additional custodian or custodians, each of which shall thereafter be one of the Custodians under this Deposit Agreement. If the Depositary receives notice that a Custodian is resigning and, upon the effectiveness of that resignation there would be no Custodian acting under this Deposit Agreement, the Depositary shall, as promptly as practicable after receiving that notice, appoint a substitute custodian or custodians, each of which shall thereafter be a Custodian under this Deposit Agreement. The Depositary shall require any Custodian that resigns or is removed to deliver all Deposited Securities held by it to another Custodian.
SECTION 5.6. Notices and Reports.
If the Company takes or decides to take any corporate action of a kind that is addressed in Sections 4.1 to 4.4, or 4.6 to 4.8, or that effects or will effect a change of the name or legal structure of the Company, or that effects or will effect a change to the Shares, the Company shall notify the Depositary and the Custodian of that action or decision as soon as it is lawful and practical to give that notice. The notice shall be in English and shall include all details that the Company is required to include in any notice to any governmental or regulatory authority or securities exchange or is required to make available generally to holders of Shares by publication or otherwise.
The Company will arrange for the translation into English, if not already in English, to the extent required pursuant to any regulations of the Commission, and the prompt transmittal by the Company to the Depositary and the Custodian of all notices and any other reports and communications which are made generally available by the Company to holders of its Shares. If requested in writing by the Company, the Depositary will Disseminate, at the Companys expense, those notices, reports and communications to all Owners or otherwise make them available to Owners in a manner that the Company specifies as substantially equivalent to the manner in which those communications are made available to holders of Shares and compliant with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the American Depositary Shares are listed. The Company will timely provide the Depositary with the quantity of such notices, reports, and communications, as requested by the Depositary from time to time, in order for the Depositary to effect that Dissemination.
The Company represents that as of the date of this Deposit Agreement, the statements in Article 11 of the Receipt with respect to the Companys obligation to file periodic reports under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, are true and correct. The Company agrees to promptly notify the Depositary upon becoming aware of any change in the truth of any of those statements.
SECTION 5.7. Distribution of Additional Shares, Rights, etc.
If the Company or any affiliate of the Company determines to make any issuance or distribution of (1) additional Shares, (2) rights to subscribe for Shares, (3) securities convertible into Shares, or (4) rights to subscribe for such securities (each a Distribution ), the Company shall notify the Depositary in writing in English as promptly as practicable and in any event before the Distribution starts and, if requested in writing by the Depositary, the Company shall promptly furnish to the Depositary either (i) evidence satisfactory to the Depositary that the Distribution is registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or (ii) a written opinion from U.S. counsel for the Company that is reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary, stating that the Distribution does not require, or, if made in the United States, would not require, registration under the Securities Act of 1933.
The Company agrees with the Depositary that neither the Company nor any company controlled by, controlling or under common control with the Company will at any time deposit any Shares that, at the time of deposit, are Restricted Securities.
SECTION 5.8. Indemnification.
The Company agrees to indemnify the Depositary, its directors, employees, agents and affiliates and each Custodian against, and hold each of them harmless from, any liability or expense (including, but not limited to any fees and expenses incurred in seeking, enforcing or collecting such indemnity and reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) that may arise out of or in connection with (a) any registration with the Commission of American Depositary Shares or Deposited Securities or the offer or sale thereof in the United States or (b) acts performed or omitted, pursuant to the provisions of or in connection with this Deposit Agreement and the American Depositary Shares, as the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, (i) by either the Depositary or a Custodian or their respective directors, employees, agents and affiliates, except for any liability or expense arising out of the negligence or bad faith of either of them, or (ii) by the Company or any of its directors, employees, agents and affiliates.
The indemnities contained in the preceding paragraph shall not extend to any Losses arising out of information relating to the Depositary or any Custodian, as the case may be, furnished in writing by the Depositary to the Company expressly for use in any registration statement, proxy statement, prospectus or preliminary prospectus or any other offering documents relating to the American Depositary Shares, the Shares or any other Deposited Securities (it being understood and agreed that, as of the date of this Deposit Agreement, the Depositary has not furnished any information of that kind).
The Depositary agrees to indemnify the Company, its directors, employees, agents and affiliates and hold them harmless from any liability or expense (including but not limited to any fees and expenses incurred in seeking, enforcing or collecting such indemnity and the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) that may arise out of acts performed or omitted by the Depositary or any Custodian or their respective directors, employees, agents and affiliates due to their negligence or bad faith.
SECTION 5.9. Charges of Depositary.
The following charges shall be incurred by any party depositing or withdrawing Shares or by any party surrendering American Depositary Shares or to whom American Depositary Shares are issued (including, without limitation, issuance pursuant to a stock dividend or stock split declared by the Company or an exchange of stock regarding the American Depositary Shares or Deposited Securities or a delivery of American Depositary Shares pursuant to Section 4.3), or by Owners, as applicable: (1) taxes and other governmental charges, (2) such registration fees as may from time to time be in effect for the registration of transfers of Shares generally on the Share register of the Company or Foreign Registrar and applicable to transfers of Shares to or from the name of the Depositary or its nominee or the Custodian or its nominee on the making of deposits or withdrawals hereunder, (3) such cable (including SWIFT) and facsimile transmission fees and expenses as are expressly provided in this Deposit Agreement, (4) such expenses as are incurred by the Depositary in the conversion of foreign currency pursuant to Section 4.5, (5) a fee of $5.00 or less per 100 American Depositary Shares (or portion thereof) for the delivery of American Depositary Shares pursuant to Section 2.3, 4.3 or 4.4 and the surrender of American Depositary Shares pursuant to Section 2.5 or 6.2, (6) a fee of $.05 or less per American Depositary Share (or portion thereof) for any cash distribution made pursuant to this Deposit Agreement, including, but not limited to Sections 4.1 through 4.4 and Section 4.8, (7) a fee for the distribution of securities pursuant to Section 4.2 or of rights pursuant to Section 4.4 (where the Depositary will not exercise or sell those rights on behalf of Owners), such fee being in an amount equal to the fee for the execution and delivery of American Depositary Shares referred to above which would have been charged as a result of the deposit of such securities under this Deposit Agreement (for purposes of this item 7 treating all such securities as if they were Shares) but which securities are instead distributed by the Depositary to Owners, (8) in addition to any fee charged under item 6 above, a fee of $.05 or less per American Depositary Share (or portion thereof) per annum for depositary services, which will be payable as provided in item 9 below, and (9) any other charges payable by the Depositary or the Custodian, any of the Depositarys or Custodians agents or the agents of the Depositarys or Custodians agents, in connection with the servicing of Shares or other Deposited Securities (which charges shall be assessed against Owners as of the date or dates set by the Depositary in accordance with Section 4.6 and shall be payable at the sole discretion of the Depositary by billing those Owners for those charges or by deducting those charges from one or more cash dividends or other cash distributions).
The Depositary may collect any of its fees by deduction from any cash distribution payable, or by selling a portion of any securities to be distributed, to Owners that are obligated to pay those fees.
In performing its duties under this Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may use brokers, dealers, foreign currency dealers or other service providers that are owned by or affiliated with the Depositary and that may earn or share fees, spreads or commissions.
The Depositary may own and deal in any class of securities of the Company and its affiliates and in American Depositary Shares.
SECTION 5.10. Retention of Depositary Documents.
The Depositary is authorized to destroy those documents, records, bills and other data compiled during the term of this Deposit Agreement at the times permitted by the laws or regulations governing the Depositary, unless the Company requests that those papers be retained for a longer period or turned over to the Company or to a successor depositary.
SECTION 5.11. Exclusivity.
Without prejudice to the Companys rights under Section 5.4, the Company agrees not to appoint any other depositary for issuance of depositary shares, depositary receipts or any similar securities or instruments so long as The Bank of New York Mellon is acting as Depositary under this Deposit Agreement.
SECTION 5.12. Information for Regulatory Compliance.
Each of the Company and the Depositary shall provide to the other, as promptly as practicable, information from its records or otherwise available to it that is reasonably requested by the other to permit the other to comply with applicable law or requirements of governmental or regulatory authorities.
ARTICLE 6. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
SECTION 6.1. Amendment.
The form of the Receipts and any provisions of this Deposit Agreement may at any time and from time to time be amended by agreement between the Company and the Depositary without the consent of Owners or Holders in any respect that they may deem necessary or desirable. Any amendment that would impose or increase any fees or charges (other than taxes and other governmental charges, registration fees, cable, telex or facsimile transmission costs, delivery costs or other such expenses), or that would otherwise prejudice any substantial existing right of Owners, shall, however, not become effective as to outstanding American Depositary Shares until the expiration of 30 days after notice of that amendment has been Disseminated to the Owners of outstanding American Depositary Shares. Every Owner and Holder, at the time any amendment so becomes effective, shall be deemed, by continuing to hold American Depositary Shares or any interest therein, to consent and agree to that amendment and to be bound by this Deposit Agreement as amended thereby. Upon the effectiveness of an amendment to the form of Receipt, including a change in the number of Shares represented by each American Depositary Share, the Depositary may call for surrender of Receipts to be replaced with new Receipts in the amended form or call for surrender of American Depositary Shares to effect that change of ratio. In no event shall any amendment impair the right of the Owner to surrender American Depositary Shares and receive delivery of the Deposited Securities represented thereby, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law.
SECTION 6.2. Termination.
(a) The Company may initiate termination of this Deposit Agreement by notice to the Depositary. The Depositary may initiate termination of this Deposit Agreement if (i) at any time 90 days shall have expired after the Depositary delivered to the Company a written resignation notice and a successor depositary has not been appointed and accepted its appointment as provided in Section 5.4, (ii) an Insolvency Event or Delisting Event occurs with respect to the Company or (iii) a Termination Option Event has occurred or will occur. If termination of this Deposit Agreement is initiated, the Depositary shall Disseminate a notice of termination to the Owners of all American Depositary Shares then outstanding setting a date for termination (the Termination Date ), which shall be at least 90 days after the date of that notice, and this Deposit Agreement shall terminate on that Termination Date.
(b) After the Termination Date, the Company shall be discharged from all obligations under this Deposit Agreement except for its obligations to the Depositary under Sections 5.8 and 5.9.
(c) At any time after the Termination Date, the Depositary may sell the Deposited Securities then held under this Deposit Agreement and may thereafter hold uninvested the net proceeds of any such sale, together with any other cash then held by it hereunder, unsegregated and without liability for interest, for the pro rata benefit of the Owners of American Depositary Shares that remain outstanding, and those Owners will be general creditors of the Depositary with respect to those net proceeds and that other cash. After making that sale, the Depositary shall be discharged from all obligations under this Deposit Agreement, except (i) to account for the net proceeds and other cash (after deducting, in each case, the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of American Depositary Shares, any expenses for the account of the Owner of such American Depositary Shares in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement and any applicable taxes or governmental charges) and to pay them to Owners upon surrender of American Depositary Shares in accordance with Section 2.5, and (ii) for its obligations under Section 5.8 and (iii) to act as provided in paragraph (d) below.
(d) After the Termination Date, if any American Depositary Shares shall remain outstanding, the Depositary continue to receive dividends and other distributions pertaining to Deposited Securities (that have not been sold), may sell rights and other property as provided in this Deposit Agreement and shall deliver Deposited Securities (or sale proceeds) upon surrender of American Depositary Shares (after payment or upon deduction, in each case, of the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of American Depositary Shares, any expenses for the account of the Owner of those American Depositary Shares in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement and any applicable taxes or governmental charges). After the Termination Date, the Depositary shall not accept deposits of Shares or deliver American Depositary Shares. After the Termination Date, (i) the Depositary may refuse to accept surrenders of American Depositary Shares for the purpose of withdrawal of Deposited Securities (that have not been sold) or reverse previously accepted surrenders of that kind that have not settled if in its judgment the requested withdrawal would interfere with its efforts to sell the Deposited Securities, (ii) the Depositary will not be required to deliver cash proceeds of the sale of Deposited Securities until all Deposited Securities have been sold and (iii) the Depositary may discontinue the registration of transfers of American Depositary Shares and suspend the distribution of dividends and other distributions on Deposited Securities to the Owners and need not give any further notices or perform any further acts under this Deposit Agreement except as provided in this Section.
ARTICLE 7. MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 7.1. Counterparts; Signatures.
This Deposit Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of those counterparts shall constitute one and the same instrument. Copies of this Deposit Agreement shall be filed with the Depositary and the Custodians and shall be open to inspection by any Owner or Holder during regular business hours.
Any manual signature on this Deposit Agreement that is faxed, scanned or photocopied, and any electronic signature valid under the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, 15 U.S.C. § 7001, et. seq ., shall for all purposes have the same validity, legal effect and admissibility in evidence as an original manual signature, and the parties hereby waive any objection to the contrary.
SECTION 7.2. No Third Party Beneficiaries.
This Deposit Agreement is for the exclusive benefit of the Company, the Depositary, the Owners and the Holders and their respective successors and shall not be deemed to give any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim whatsoever to any other person.
SECTION 7.3. Severability.
In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Deposit Agreement or in a Receipt should be or become invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained in this Deposit Agreement or that Receipt shall in no way be affected, prejudiced or disturbed thereby.
SECTION 7.4. Owners and Holders as Parties; Binding Effect.
The Owners and Holders from time to time shall be parties to this Deposit Agreement and shall be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement and of the Receipts by acceptance of American Depositary Shares or any interest therein.
SECTION 7.5. Notices.
Any and all notices to be given to the Company shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if personally delivered or sent by domestic first class or international air mail or air courier or sent by facsimile transmission or email attaching a pdf or similar bit-mapped image of a signed writing, provided that receipt of the facsimile transmission or email has been confirmed by the recipient, addressed to 360 Finance, Inc., China Diamond Exchange Center, Building B, No. 555 Pudian Road, No. 1701 Century Avenue, Pudong New Area, Peoples Republic of China, or any other place to which the Company may have transferred its principal office with notice to the Depositary.
Any and all notices to be given to the Depositary shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if in English and personally delivered or sent by first class domestic or international air mail or air courier or sent by facsimile transmission or email attaching a pdf or similar bit-mapped image of a signed writing, addressed to The Bank of New York Mellon, 240 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10286, Attention: Depositary Receipt Administration, or any other place to which the Depositary may have transferred its Office with notice to the Company.
Delivery of a notice to the Company or Depositary by mail or air courier shall be deemed effected when deposited, postage prepaid, in a post-office letter box or received by an air courier service. Delivery of a notice to the Company or Depositary sent by facsimile transmission or email shall be deemed effected when the recipient acknowledges receipt of that notice.
A notice to be given to an Owner shall be deemed to have been duly given when Disseminated to that Owner. Dissemination in paper form will be effective when personally delivered or sent by first class domestic or international air mail or air courier, addressed to that Owner at the address of that Owner as it appears on the transfer books for American Depositary Shares of the Depositary, or, if that Owner has filed with the Depositary a written request that notices intended for that Owner be mailed to some other address, at the address designated in that request. Dissemination in electronic form will be effective when sent in the manner consented to by the Owner to the electronic address most recently provided by the Owner for that purpose.
SECTION 7.6. Arbitration; Settlement of Disputes.
Any controversy, claim or cause of action brought by any party hereto against the Company arising out of or relating to the Shares or other Deposited Securities, the American Depositary Shares, the Receipts or this Deposit Agreement, or the breach hereof or thereof, if so elected by the claimant, shall be settled by arbitration in accordance with the International Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association, and judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrators may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.
The place of the arbitration shall be The City of New York, State of New York, United States of America, and the language of the arbitration shall be English.
The number of arbitrators shall be three, each of whom shall be disinterested in the dispute or controversy, shall have no connection with any party thereto, and shall be an attorney experienced in international securities transactions. Each party shall appoint one arbitrator and the two arbitrators shall select a third arbitrator who shall serve as chairperson of the tribunal. If a dispute, controversy or cause of action shall involve more than two parties, the parties shall attempt to align themselves in two sides (i.e., claimant(s) and respondent(s)), each of which shall appoint one arbitrator as if there were only two parties to such dispute, controversy or cause of action. If such alignment and appointment shall not have occurred within thirty (30) calendar days after the initiating party serves the arbitration demand, the American Arbitration Association shall appoint the three arbitrators, each of whom shall have the qualifications described above. The parties and the American Arbitration Association may appoint from among the nationals of any country, whether or not a party is a national of that country.
The arbitral tribunal shall have no authority to award any consequential, special or punitive damages or other damages not measured by the prevailing partys actual damages and may not, in any event, make any ruling, finding or award that does not conform to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement.
SECTION 7.7. Appointment of Agent for Service of Process; Submission to Jurisdiction; Jury Trial Waiver.
The Company hereby (i) designates and appoints the person named in Exhibit A to this Deposit Agreement as the Companys authorized agent upon which process may be served in any suit or proceeding (including any arbitration proceeding) arising out of or relating to the Shares or Deposited Securities, the American Depositary Shares, the Receipts or this Deposit Agreement (a Proceeding), (ii) consents and submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any state or federal court in the State of New York in which any Proceeding may be instituted and (iii) agrees that service of process upon said authorized agent shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon the Company in any Proceeding. The Company agrees to deliver to the Depositary, upon the execution and delivery of this Deposit Agreement, a written acceptance by the agent named in Exhibit A to this Deposit Agreement of its appointment as process agent. The Company further agrees to take any and all action, including the filing of any and all such documents and instruments, as may be necessary to continue that designation and appointment in full force and effect, or to appoint and maintain the appointment of another process agent located in the United States as required above, and to deliver to the Depositary a written acceptance by that agent of that appointment, for so long as any American Depositary Shares or Receipts remain outstanding or this Deposit Agreement remains in force. In the event the Company fails to maintain the designation and appointment of a process agent in the United States in full force and effect, the Company hereby waives personal service of process upon it and consents that a service of process in connection with a Proceeding may be made by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, directed to the Company at its address last specified for notices under this Deposit Agreement, and service so made shall be deemed completed five (5) days after the same shall have been so mailed.
EACH PARTY TO THIS DEPOSIT AGREEMENT (INCLUDING, FOR AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT, EACH OWNER AND HOLDER) HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING AGAINST THE COMPANY AND/OR THE DEPOSITARY DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE SHARES OR OTHER DEPOSITED SECURITIES, THE AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES OR THE RECEIPTS, THIS DEPOSIT AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREIN OR THEREIN, OR THE BREACH HEREOF OR THEREOF, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY QUESTION REGARDING EXISTENCE, VALIDITY OR TERMINATION (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY).
SECTION 7.8. Waiver of Immunities.
To the extent that the Company or any of its properties, assets or revenues may have or may hereafter become entitled to, or have attributed to it, any right of immunity, on the grounds of sovereignty or otherwise, from any legal action, suit or proceeding, from the giving of any relief in any respect thereof, from setoff or counterclaim, from the jurisdiction of any court, from service of process, from attachment upon or prior to judgment, from attachment in aid of execution or judgment, or from execution of judgment, or other legal process or proceeding for the giving of any relief or for the enforcement of any judgment, in any jurisdiction in which proceedings may at any time be commenced, with respect to its obligations, liabilities or any other matter under or arising out of or in connection with the Shares or Deposited Securities, the American Depositary Shares, the Receipts or this Deposit Agreement, the Company, to the fullest extent permitted by law, hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, and agrees not to plead or claim, any immunity of that kind and consents to relief and enforcement as provided above.
SECTION 7.9. Governing Law.
This Deposit Agreement and the Receipts shall be interpreted in accordance with and all rights hereunder and thereunder and provisions hereof and thereof shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, 360 FINANCE, INC. and THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON have duly executed this Deposit Agreement as of the day and year first set forth above and all Owners and Holders shall become parties hereto upon acceptance by them of American Depositary Shares or any interest therein.
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360 FINANCE, INC. |
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THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, |
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as Depositary |
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EXHIBIT A
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AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES (Each American Depositary Share represents _____ deposited Shares) |
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPT
FOR CLASS A ORDINARY SHARES OF
360 FINANCE, INC.
(INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS)
The Bank of New York Mellon, as depositary (hereinafter called the Depositary), hereby certifies that , or registered assigns IS THE OWNER OF
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
representing deposited Class A ordinary shares (herein called Shares) of 360 Finance, Inc., incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands (herein called the Company ). At the date hereof, each American Depositary Share represents Shares deposited or subject to deposit under the Deposit Agreement (as such term is hereinafter defined) with a custodian for the Depositary (herein called the Custodian ) that, as of the date of the Deposit Agreement, was The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited located in Hong Kong. The Depositarys Office and its principal executive office are located at 240 Greenwich Street, New York, N.Y. 10286.
THE DEPOSITARYS OFFICE ADDRESS IS
240 GREENWICH STREET, NEW YORK, N.Y. 10286
1. THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT.
This American Depositary Receipt is one of an issue (herein called Receipts ), all issued and to be issued upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Deposit Agreement dated as of [Agreementdate] (herein called the Deposit Agreement ) among the Company, the Depositary, and all Owners and Holders from time to time of American Depositary Shares issued thereunder, each of whom by accepting American Depositary Shares agrees to become a party thereto and become bound by all the terms and conditions thereof. The Deposit Agreement sets forth the rights of Owners and Holders and the rights and duties of the Depositary in respect of the Shares deposited thereunder and any and all other securities, property and cash from time to time received in respect of those Shares and held thereunder (those Shares, securities, property, and cash are herein called Deposited Securities ). Copies of the Deposit Agreement are on file at the Depositarys Office in New York City and at the office of the Custodian.
The statements made on the face and reverse of this Receipt are summaries of certain provisions of the Deposit Agreement and are qualified by and subject to the detailed provisions of the Deposit Agreement, to which reference is hereby made. Capitalized terms defined in the Deposit Agreement and not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Deposit Agreement.
2. SURRENDER OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES AND WITHDRAWAL OF SHARES.
Upon surrender of American Depositary Shares for the purpose of withdrawal of the Deposited Securities represented thereby and payment of the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of American Depositary Shares as provided in Section 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement and payment of all taxes and governmental charges payable in connection with that surrender and withdrawal of the Deposited Securities, and subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, the Owner of those American Depositary Shares shall be entitled to delivery (to the extent delivery can then be lawfully and practicably made), to or as instructed by that Owner, of the amount of Deposited Securities at the time represented by those American Depositary Shares, but not any money or other property as to which a record date for distribution to Owners has passed (since money or other property of that kind will be delivered or paid on the scheduled payment date to the Owner as of that record date), and except that the Depositary shall not be required to accept surrender of American Depositary Shares for the purpose of withdrawal to the extent it would require delivery of a fraction of a Deposited Security. The Depositary shall direct the Custodian with respect to delivery of Deposited Securities and may charge the surrendering Owner a fee and its expenses for giving that direction by cable (including SWIFT) or facsimile transmission. If Deposited Securities are delivered physically upon surrender of American Depositary Shares for the purpose of withdrawal, that delivery will be made at the Custodians office, except that , at the request, risk and expense of the surrendering Owner, and for the account of that Owner,
the Depositary shall direct the Custodian to forward any cash or other property comprising, and forward a certificate or certificates, if applicable, and other proper documents of title, if any, for, the Deposited Securities represented by the surrendered American Depositary Shares to the Depositary for delivery at the Depositarys Office or to another address specified in the order received from the surrendering Owner.
3. REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES; COMBINATION AND SPLIT-UP OF RECEIPTS; INTERCHANGE OF CERTIFICATED AND UNCERTIFICATED AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES.
The Depositary, subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, shall register a transfer of American Depositary Shares on its transfer books upon (i) in the case of certificated American Depositary Shares, surrender of the Receipt evidencing those American Depositary Shares, by the Owner or by a duly authorized attorney, properly endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer or (ii) in the case of uncertificated American Depositary Shares, receipt from the Owner of a proper instruction (including, for the avoidance of doubt, instructions through DRS and Profile as provided in Section 2.9 of that Agreement), and, in either case, duly stamped as may be required by the laws of the State of New York and of the United States of America. Upon registration of a transfer, the Depositary shall deliver the transferred American Depositary Shares to or upon the order of the person entitled thereto.
The Depositary, subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, shall upon surrender of a Receipt or Receipts for the purpose of effecting a split-up or combination of such Receipt or Receipts, execute and deliver a new Receipt or Receipts for any authorized number of American Depositary Shares requested, evidencing the same aggregate number of American Depositary Shares as the Receipt or Receipts surrendered.
The Depositary, upon surrender of certificated American Depositary Shares for the purpose of exchanging for uncertificated American Depositary Shares, shall cancel the Receipt evidencing those certificated American Depositary Shares and send the Owner a statement confirming that the Owner is the owner of the same number of uncertificated American Depositary Shares. The Depositary, upon receipt of a proper instruction (including, for the avoidance of doubt, instructions through DRS and Profile as provided in Section 2.9 of the Deposit Agreement) from the Owner of uncertificated American Depositary Shares for the purpose of exchanging for certificated American Depositary Shares, shall cancel those uncertificated American Depositary Shares and register and deliver to the Owner a Receipt evidencing the same number of certificated American Depositary Shares.
As a condition precedent to the delivery, registration of transfer, or surrender of any American Depositary Shares or split-up or combination of any Receipt or withdrawal of any Deposited Securities, the Depositary, the Custodian, or Registrar may require
payment from the depositor of the Shares or the presenter of the Receipt or instruction for registration of transfer or surrender of American Depositary Shares not evidenced by a Receipt of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any tax or other governmental charge and any stock transfer or registration fee with respect thereto (including any such tax or charge and fee with respect to Shares being deposited or withdrawn) and payment of any applicable fees as provided in the Deposit Agreement, may require the production of proof satisfactory to it as to the identity and genuineness of any signature and may also require compliance with any regulations the Depositary may establish consistent with the provisions of the Deposit Agreement.
The delivery of American Depositary Shares against deposit of Shares generally or against deposit of particular Shares may be suspended, or the registration of transfer of American Depositary Shares in particular instances may be refused, or the registration of transfer of outstanding American Depositary Shares generally may be suspended, during any period when the transfer books of the Depositary are closed, or if any such action is deemed necessary or advisable by the Depositary or the Company at any time or from time to time because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental body or commission, or under any provision of the Deposit Agreement, or for any other reason. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt, the surrender of outstanding American Depositary Shares and withdrawal of Deposited Securities may not be suspended subject only to (i) temporary delays caused by closing the transfer books of the Depositary or the Company or the Foreign Registrar, if applicable, or the deposit of Shares in connection with voting at a shareholders meeting, or the payment of dividends, (ii) the payment of fees, taxes and similar charges, and (iii) compliance with any U.S. or foreign laws or governmental regulations relating to the American Depositary Shares or to the withdrawal of the Deposited Securities. The Depositary shall not knowingly accept for deposit under the Deposit Agreement any Shares that, at the time of deposit, are Restricted Securities.
4. LIABILITY OF OWNER FOR TAXES.
If any tax or other governmental charge shall become payable by the Custodian or the Depositary with respect to or in connection with any American Depositary Shares or any Deposited Securities represented by any American Depositary Shares or in connection with a transaction to which Section 4.8 of the Deposit Agreement applies, that tax or other governmental charge shall be payable by the Owner of those American Depositary Shares to the Depositary. The Depositary may refuse to register any transfer of those American Depositary Shares or any withdrawal of Deposited Securities represented by those American Depositary Shares until that payment is made, and may withhold any dividends or other distributions or the proceeds thereof, or may sell for the account of the Owner any part or all of the Deposited Securities represented by those American Depositary Shares, and may apply those dividends or other distributions or the net proceeds of any sale of that kind in payment of that tax or other governmental charge but, even after a sale of that kind, the Owner shall remain liable for any deficiency. The
Depositary shall distribute any net proceeds of a sale made under Section 3.2 of the Deposit Agreement that are not used to pay taxes or governmental charges to the Owners entitled to them in accordance with Section 4.1 of the Deposit Agreement. If the number of Shares represented by each American Depositary Share decreases as a result of a sale of Deposited Securities under Section 3.2 of the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may call for surrender of the American Depositary Shares to be exchanged on a mandatory basis for a lesser number of American Depositary Shares and may sell American Depositary Shares to the extent necessary to avoid distributing fractions of American Depositary Shares in that exchange and distribute the net proceeds of that sale to the Owners entitled to them.
5. WARRANTIES ON DEPOSIT OF SHARES.
Every person depositing Shares under the Deposit Agreement shall be deemed thereby to represent and warrant that those Shares and each certificate therefor, if applicable, are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and were not issued in violation of any preemptive or similar rights of the holders of outstanding securities of the Company and that the person making that deposit is duly authorized so to do. Every depositing person shall also be deemed to represent that the Shares, at the time of deposit, are not Restricted Securities. All representations and warranties deemed made under Section 3.3 of the Deposit Agreement shall survive the deposit of Shares and delivery of American Depositary Shares.
6. FILING PROOFS, CERTIFICATES, AND OTHER INFORMATION.
Any person presenting Shares for deposit or any Owner or Holder may be required from time to time to file with the Depositary or the Custodian such proof of citizenship or residence, exchange control approval, or such information relating to the registration on the books of the Company or the Foreign Registrar, if applicable, to execute such certificates and to make such representations and warranties, as the Depositary may deem necessary or proper. The Depositary may withhold the delivery or registration of transfer of any American Depositary Shares, the distribution of any dividend or other distribution or of the proceeds thereof or the delivery of any Deposited Securities until that proof or other information is filed or those certificates are executed or those representations and warranties are made. As conditions of accepting Shares for deposit, the Depositary may require (i) any certification required by the Depositary or the Custodian in accordance with the provisions of the Deposit Agreement, (ii) a written order directing the Depositary to deliver to, or upon the written order of, the person or persons stated in that order, the number of American Depositary Shares representing those Deposited Shares, (iii) evidence satisfactory to the Depositary that those Shares have been re-registered in the books of the Company or the Foreign Registrar in the name of the Depositary, a Custodian or a nominee of the Depositary or a Custodian, (iv) evidence satisfactory to the Depositary that any necessary approval for the transfer or deposit has been granted by any governmental body in each applicable jurisdiction and
(v) an agreement or assignment, or other instrument satisfactory to the Depositary, that provides for the prompt transfer to the Custodian of any dividend, or right to subscribe for additional Shares or to receive other property, that any person in whose name those Shares are or have been recorded may thereafter receive upon or in respect of those Shares, or, in lieu thereof, such agreement of indemnity or other agreement as shall be satisfactory to the Depositary. The Depositary shall refuse, and shall instruct the Custodian to refuse, to accept Shares for deposit if the Depositary has received a notice from the Company that the Company has restricted transfer of those Shares under the Companys articles of association or any applicable laws or that the deposit would result in any violation of the Companys articles of association or any applicable laws.
7. CHARGES OF DEPOSITARY.
The following charges shall be incurred by any party depositing or withdrawing Shares or by any party surrendering American Depositary Shares or to whom American Depositary Shares are issued (including, without limitation, issuance pursuant to a stock dividend or stock split declared by the Company or an exchange of stock regarding the American Depositary Shares or Deposited Securities or a delivery of American Depositary Shares pursuant to Section 4.3 of the Deposit Agreement), or by Owners, as applicable: (1) taxes and other governmental charges, (2) such registration fees as may from time to time be in effect for the registration of transfers of Shares generally on the Share register of the Company or Foreign Registrar and applicable to transfers of Shares to or from the name of the Depositary or its nominee or the Custodian or its nominee on the making of deposits or withdrawals hereunder, (3) such cable (including SWIFT) and facsimile transmission fees and expenses as are expressly provided in the Deposit Agreement, (4) such expenses as are incurred by the Depositary in the conversion of foreign currency pursuant to Section 4.5 of the Deposit Agreement, (5) a fee of $5.00 or less per 100 American Depositary Shares (or portion thereof) for the delivery of American Depositary Shares pursuant to Section 2.3, 4.3 or 4.4 of the Deposit Agreement and the surrender of American Depositary Shares pursuant to Section 2.5 or 6.2 of the Deposit Agreement, (6) a fee of $.05 or less per American Depositary Share (or portion thereof) for any cash distribution made pursuant to the Deposit Agreement, including, but not limited to Sections 4.1 through 4.4 and 4.8 of the Deposit Agreement, (7) a fee for the distribution of securities pursuant to Section 4.2 of the Deposit Agreement or of rights pursuant to Section 4.4 of that Agreement (where the Depositary will not exercise or sell those rights on behalf of Owners), such fee being in an amount equal to the fee for the execution and delivery of American Depositary Shares referred to above which would have been charged as a result of the deposit of such securities under the Deposit Agreement (for purposes of this item 7 treating all such securities as if they were Shares) but which securities are instead distributed by the Depositary to Owners, (8) in addition to any fee charged under item 6, a fee of $.05 or less per American Depositary Share (or portion thereof) per annum for depositary services, which will be payable as provided in item 9 below, and (9) any other charges payable by the Depositary or the Custodian, any of the Depositarys or Custodians agents or the agents of the Depositarys or Custodians
agents, in connection with the servicing of Shares or other Deposited Securities (which charges shall be assessed against Owners as of the date or dates set by the Depositary in accordance with Section 4.6 of the Deposit Agreement and shall be payable at the sole discretion of the Depositary by billing those Owners for those charges or by deducting those charges from one or more cash dividends or other cash distributions).
The Depositary may collect any of its fees by deduction from any cash distribution payable, or by selling a portion of any securities to be distributed, to Owners that are obligated to pay those fees.
The Depositary may own and deal in any class of securities of the Company and its affiliates and in American Depositary Shares.
From time to time, the Depositary may make payments to the Company to reimburse the Company for costs and expenses generally arising out of establishment and maintenance of the American Depositary Shares program, waive fees and expenses for services provided by the Depositary or share revenue from the fees collected from Owners or Holders. In performing its duties under the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may use brokers, dealers, foreign currency dealers or other service providers that are owned by or affiliated with the Depositary and that may earn or share fees, spreads or commissions.
8. DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS.
When required in order to comply with applicable laws and regulations or the articles of association or similar document of the Company, the Company may from time to time request each Owner and Holder to provide to the Depositary information relating to: (a) the capacity in which it holds American Depositary Shares, (b) the identity of any Holders or other persons or entities then or previously interested in those American Depositary Shares and the nature of those interests and (c) any other matter where disclosure of such matter is required for that compliance. Each Owner and Holder agrees to provide all information known to it in response to a request made pursuant to Section 3.4 of the Deposit Agreement. Each Holder consents to the disclosure by the Depositary and the Owner or other Holder through which it holds American Depositary Shares, directly or indirectly, of all information responsive to a request made pursuant to that Section relating to that Holder that is known to that Owner or other Holder.
9. TITLE TO AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES.
It is a condition of the American Depositary Shares, and every successive Owner and Holder of American Depositary Shares, by accepting or holding the same, consents and agrees that American Depositary Shares evidenced by a Receipt, when the Receipt is properly endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer, shall be transferable as certificated registered securities under the laws of the State of New York, and that American Depositary Shares not evidenced by Receipts shall be transferable as
uncertificated registered securities under the laws of the State of New York. The Depositary, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, may treat the Owner of American Depositary Shares as the absolute owner thereof for the purpose of determining the person entitled to distribution of dividends or other distributions or to any notice provided for in the Deposit Agreement and for all other purposes, and neither the Depositary nor the Company shall have any obligation or be subject to any liability under the Deposit Agreement to any Holder of American Depositary Shares, but only to the Owner.
10. VALIDITY OF RECEIPT.
This Receipt shall not be entitled to any benefits under the Deposit Agreement or be valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless this Receipt shall have been (i) executed by the Depositary by the manual signature of a duly authorized officer of the Depositary or (ii) executed by the facsimile signature of a duly authorized officer of the Depositary and countersigned by the manual signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Depositary or the Registrar or a co-registrar.
11. REPORTS; INSPECTION OF TRANSFER BOOKS.
The Company is subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and, accordingly, files certain reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Those reports will be available for inspection and copying through the Commissions EDGAR system or at public reference facilities maintained by the Commission in Washington, D.C.
The Depositary will make available for inspection by Owners at its Office any reports, notices and other communications, including any proxy soliciting material, received from the Company which are both (a) received by the Depositary as the holder of the Deposited Securities and (b) made generally available to the holders of those Deposited Securities by the Company. The Company shall furnish reports and communications, including any proxy soliciting material to which Section 4.9 of the Deposit Agreement applies, to the Depositary in English, to the extent such materials are required to be translated into English pursuant to any regulations of the Commission.
The Depositary will keep books for the registration of American Depositary Shares and transfers of American Depositary Shares, which shall be open for inspection by the Owners at the Depositarys Office during regular business hours, provided that such inspection shall not be for the purpose of communicating with Owners in the interest of a business or object other than the business of the Company or a matter related to the Deposit Agreement or the American Depositary Shares.
12. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS.
Whenever the Depositary receives any cash dividend or other cash distribution on Deposited Securities, the Depositary will, if at the time of receipt thereof
any amounts received in a foreign currency can in the judgment of the Depositary be converted on a reasonable basis into Dollars transferable to the United States, and subject to the Deposit Agreement, convert that dividend or other cash distribution into Dollars and distribute the amount thus received (net of the fees and expenses of the Depositary as provided in Article 7 hereof and Section 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement) to the Owners entitled thereto; provided , however , that if the Custodian or the Depositary is required to withhold and does withhold from that cash dividend or other cash distribution an amount on account of taxes or other governmental charges, the amount distributed to the Owners of the American Depositary Shares representing those Deposited Securities shall be reduced accordingly. If a cash distribution would represent a return of all or substantially all the value of the Deposited Securities underlying American Depositary Shares, the Depositary may require surrender of those American Depositary Shares and may require payment of or deduct the fee for surrender of American Depositary Shares (whether or not it is also requiring surrender of American Depositary Shares) as a condition of making that cash distribution. A distribution of that kind shall be a Termination Option Event .
Subject to the provisions of Section 4.11 and 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement, whenever the Depositary receives any distribution other than a distribution described in Section 4.1, 4.3 or 4.4 of the Deposit Agreement on Deposited Securities (but not in exchange for or in conversion or in lieu of Deposited Securities), the Depositary will cause the securities or property received by it to be distributed to the Owners entitled thereto, after deduction or upon payment of any fees and expenses of the Depositary and any taxes or other governmental charges, in any manner that the Depositary deems equitable and practicable for accomplishing that distribution (which may be a distribution of depositary shares representing the securities received); provided , however , that if in the opinion of the Depositary such distribution cannot be made proportionately among the Owners entitled thereto, or if for any other reason the Depositary deems such distribution not to be lawful and feasible, the Depositary may adopt such other method as it may deem equitable and practicable for the purpose of effecting such distribution, including, but not limited to, the public or private sale of the securities or property thus received, or any part thereof, and distribution of the net proceeds of any such sale (net of the fees and expenses of the Depositary as provided in Article 7 hereof and Section 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement) to the Owners entitled thereto all in the manner and subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.1 of the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary may withhold any distribution of securities under Section 4.2 of the Deposit Agreement if it has not received satisfactory assurances from the Company that the distribution does not require registration under the Securities Act of 1933. The Depositary may sell, by public or private sale, an amount of securities or other property it would otherwise distribute under this Article that is sufficient to pay its fees and expenses in respect of that distribution. If a distribution under Section 4.2 of the Deposit Agreement would represent a return of all of substantially all the value of the Deposited Securities underlying American Depositary Shares, the Depositary may require surrender of those American Depositary Shares and may require payment of or deduct the fee for
surrender of American Depositary Shares (whether or not it is also requiring surrender of American Depositary Shares) as a condition of making that distribution. A distribution of that kind shall be a Termination Option Event .
Whenever the Depositary receives any distribution consisting of a dividend in, or free distribution of, Shares, the Depositary may deliver to the Owners entitled thereto, an aggregate number of American Depositary Shares representing the amount of Shares received as that dividend or free distribution, subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement with respect to the deposit of Shares and issuance of American Depositary Shares, including the withholding of any tax or other governmental charge as provided in Section 4.11 of the Deposit Agreement and the payment of the fees and expenses of the Depositary as provided in Article 7 hereof and Section 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement (and the Depositary may sell, by public or private sale, an amount of Shares received (or American Depositary Shares representing those Shares) sufficient to pay its fees and expenses in respect of that distribution). In lieu of delivering fractional American Depositary Shares, the Depositary may sell the amount of Shares represented by the aggregate of those fractions (or American Depositary Shares representing those Shares) and distribute the net proceeds, all in the manner and subject to the conditions described in Section 4.1 of the Deposit Agreement. If and to the extent that additional American Depositary Shares are not delivered and Shares or American Depositary Shares are not sold, each American Depositary Share shall thenceforth also represent the additional Shares distributed on the Deposited Securities represented thereby.
If the Company declares a distribution in which holders of Deposited Securities have a right to elect whether to receive cash, Shares or other securities or a combination of those things, or a right to elect to have a distribution sold on their behalf, the Depositary may, after consultation with the Company, make that right of election available for exercise by Owners any manner the Depositary considers to be lawful and practical. As a condition of making a distribution election right available to Owners, the Depositary may require satisfactory assurances from the Company that doing so does not require registration of any securities under the Securities Act of 1933.
If the Depositary determines that any distribution received or to be made by the Depositary (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) is subject to any tax or other governmental charge that the Depositary is obligated to withhold, the Depositary may sell, by public or private sale, all or a portion of the distributed property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) in the amounts and manner the Depositary deems necessary and practicable to pay any those taxes or charges, and the Depositary shall distribute the net proceeds of that sale, after deduction of those taxes or charges, to the Owners entitled thereto in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by them respectively.
Each Owner and Holder agrees to indemnify the Company, the Depositary, the Custodian and their respective directors, employees, agents and affiliates for, and hold
each of them harmless against, any claim by any governmental authority with respect to taxes, additions to tax, penalties or interest arising out of any refund of taxes, reduced withholding at source or other tax benefit received by it. Services for Owners and Holders that may permit them to obtain reduced rates of tax withholding at source or reclaim excess tax withheld, and the fees and costs associated with using services of that kind, are not provided under, and are outside the scope of, the Deposit Agreement.
13. RIGHTS.
(a) If rights are granted to the Depositary in respect of deposited Shares to purchase additional Shares or other securities, the Company and the Depositary shall endeavor to consult as to the actions, if any, the Depositary should take in connection with that grant of rights. The Depositary may, to the extent deemed by it to be lawful and practical (i) if requested in writing by the Company, grant to all or certain Owners rights to instruct the Depositary to purchase the securities to which the rights relate and deliver those securities or American Depositary Shares representing those securities to Owners, (ii) if requested in writing by the Company, deliver the rights to or to the order of certain Owners, or (iii) sell the rights to the extent practicable and distribute the net proceeds of that sale to Owners entitled to those proceeds. To the extent rights are not exercised, delivered or disposed of under (i), (ii) or (iii) above, the Depositary shall permit the rights to lapse unexercised.
(b) If the Depositary will act under (a)(i) above, the Company and the Depositary will enter into a separate agreement setting forth the conditions and procedures applicable to the particular offering. Upon instruction from an applicable Owner in the form the Depositary specified and upon payment by that Owner to the Depositary of an amount equal to the purchase price of the securities to be received upon the exercise of the rights, the Depositary shall, on behalf of that Owner, exercise the rights and purchase the securities. The purchased securities shall be delivered to, or as instructed by, the Depositary. The Depositary shall (i) deposit the purchased Shares under the Deposit Agreement and deliver American Depositary Shares representing those Shares to that Owner or (ii) deliver or cause the purchased Shares or other securities to be delivered to or to the order of that Owner. The Depositary will not act under (a)(i) above unless the offer and sale of the securities to which the rights relate are registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Depositary has received an opinion of United States counsel that is satisfactory to it to the effect that those securities may be sold and delivered to the applicable Owners without registration under the Securities Act of 1933.
(c) If the Depositary will act under (a)(ii) above, the Company and the Depositary will enter into a separate agreement setting forth the conditions and procedures applicable to the particular offering. Upon (i) the request of an applicable Owner to deliver the rights allocable to the American Depositary Shares of that Owner to an account specified by that Owner to which the rights can be delivered and (ii) receipt of
such documents as the Company and the Depositary agreed to require to comply with applicable law, the Depositary will deliver those rights as requested by that Owner.
(d) If the Depositary will act under (a)(iii) above, the Depositary will use reasonable efforts to sell the rights in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by the applicable Owners and pay the net proceeds to the Owners otherwise entitled to the rights that were sold, upon an averaged or other practical basis without regard to any distinctions among such Owners because of exchange restrictions or the date of delivery of any American Depositary Shares or otherwise.
(e) Payment or deduction of the fees of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement and payment or deduction of the expenses of the Depositary and any applicable taxes or other governmental charges shall be conditions of any delivery of securities or payment of cash proceeds under Section 4.4 of that Agreement.
(f) The Depositary shall not be responsible for any failure to determine that it may be lawful or feasible to make rights available to or exercise rights on behalf of Owners in general or any Owner in particular, or to sell rights.
14. CONVERSION OF FOREIGN CURRENCY.
Whenever the Depositary or the Custodian receives foreign currency, by way of dividends or other distributions or the net proceeds from the sale of securities, property or rights, and if at the time of the receipt thereof the foreign currency so received can in the judgment of the Depositary be converted on a reasonable basis into Dollars and the resulting Dollars transferred to the United States, the Depositary shall convert or cause to be converted by sale or in any other manner that it may determine that foreign currency into Dollars, and those Dollars shall be distributed to the Owners entitled thereto. A cash distribution may be made upon an averaged or other practicable basis without regard to any distinctions among Owners based on exchange restrictions, the date of delivery of any American Depositary Shares or otherwise and shall be net of any expenses of conversion into Dollars incurred by the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement.
If a conversion of foreign currency or the repatriation or distribution of Dollars can be effected only with the approval or license of any government or agency thereof, the Depositary may, but will not be required to, file an application for that approval or license.
If the Depositary determines that in its judgment any foreign currency received by the Depositary or the Custodian is not convertible on a reasonable basis into Dollars transferable to the United States, or if any approval or license of any government or agency thereof that is required for such conversion is not filed or sought by the Depositary or is not obtained within a reasonable period as determined by the Depositary,
the Depositary may distribute the foreign currency received by the Depositary to, or in its discretion may hold such foreign currency uninvested and without liability for interest thereon for the respective accounts of, the Owners entitled to receive the same.
If any conversion of foreign currency, in whole or in part, cannot be effected for distribution to some of the Owners entitled thereto, the Depositary may in its discretion make that conversion and distribution in Dollars to the extent practicable and permissible to the Owners entitled thereto and may distribute the balance of the foreign currency received by the Depositary to, or hold that balance uninvested and without liability for interest thereon for the account of, the Owners entitled thereto.
The Depositary may convert currency itself or through any of its affiliates and, in those cases, acts as principal for its own account and not as agent, advisor, broker or fiduciary on behalf of any other person and earns revenue, including, without limitation, transaction spreads, that it will retain for its own account. The revenue is based on, among other things, the difference between the exchange rate assigned to the currency conversion made under the Deposit Agreement and the rate that the Depositary or its affiliate receives when buying or selling foreign currency for its own account. The Depositary makes no representation that the exchange rate used or obtained in any currency conversion under the Deposit Agreement will be the most favorable rate that could be obtained at the time or that the method by which that rate will be determined will be the most favorable to Owners, subject to the Depositarys obligations under Section 5.3 of that Agreement. The methodology used to determine exchange rates used in currency conversions is available upon request.
15. RECORD DATES.
Whenever a cash dividend, cash distribution or any other distribution is made on Deposited Securities or rights to purchase Shares or other securities are issued with respect to Deposited Securities (which rights will be delivered to or exercised or sold on behalf of Owners in accordance with Section 4.4 of the Deposit Agreement) or the Depositary receives notice that a distribution or issuance of that kind will be made, or whenever the Depositary receives notice that a meeting of holders of Shares will be held in respect of which the Company has requested the Depositary to send a notice under Section 4.7 of the Deposit Agreement, or whenever the Depositary will assess a fee or charge against the Owners, or whenever the Depositary causes a change in the number of Shares that are represented by each American Depositary Share, or whenever the Depositary otherwise finds it necessary or convenient, the Depositary shall fix a record date, which shall be the same as, or as near as practicable to, any corresponding record date set by the Company with respect to Shares, (a) for the determination of the Owners (i) who shall be entitled to receive the benefit of that dividend or other distribution or those rights, (ii) who shall be entitled to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights at that meeting, (iii) who shall be responsible for that fee or charge or (iv) for any other purpose for which the record date was set, or (b) on or after which each American
Depositary Share will represent the changed number of Shares. Subject to the provisions of Sections 4.1 through 4.5 of the Deposit Agreement and to the other terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, the Owners on a record date fixed by the Depositary shall be entitled to receive the amount distributable by the Depositary with respect to that dividend or other distribution or those rights or the net proceeds of sale thereof in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by them respectively, to give voting instructions or to act in respect of the other matter for which that record date was fixed, or be responsible for that fee or charge, as the case may be.
16. VOTING OF DEPOSITED SHARES.
(a) Upon receipt of notice of any meeting of holders of Shares at which holders of Shares will be entitled to vote, if requested in writing by the Company, the Depositary shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, Disseminate to the Owners a notice, the form of which shall be in the sole discretion of the Depositary, that shall contain (i) the information contained in the notice of meeting received by the Depositary, (ii) a statement that the Owners as of the close of business on a specified record date will be entitled, subject to any applicable provision of Cayman Islands law and of the articles of association or similar documents of the Company, to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the amount of Shares represented by their respective American Depositary Shares, (iii) a statement as to the manner in which those instructions may be given, including an express indication that instructions may be deemed given in accordance with the last sentence of paragraph (b) below if no instruction is received, to the Depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by the Company and (iv) the last date on which the Depositary will accept instructions (the Instruction Cutoff Date ).
(b) Upon the written request of an Owner of American Depositary Shares, as of the date of the request or, if a record date was specified by the Depositary, as of that record date, received on or before any Instruction Cutoff Date established by the Depositary, the Depositary may, and if the Depositary sent a notice under the preceding paragraph shall, endeavor, in so far as practicable, to vote or cause to be voted the amount of deposited Shares represented by those American Depositary Shares in accordance with the instructions set forth in that request. The Depositary shall not vote or attempt to exercise the right to vote that attaches to the deposited Shares other than in accordance with instructions given by Owners and received by the Depositary or as provided in the following sentence. If
(i) the Company instructed the Depositary to Disseminate a notice under paragraph (a) above and complied with paragraph (d) below,
(ii) no instructions are received by the Depositary from an Owner with respect to a matter and an amount of American Depositary Shares of that Owner on or before the Instruction Cutoff Date and
(iii) the Depositary has received from the Company, by the Instruction Cutoff Date, a written confirmation that (x) the Company wishes a proxy to be given under this sentence, (y) the Company reasonably does not know of any substantial opposition to the matter and (z) the matter is not materially adverse to the interests of shareholders,
then, the Depositary shall deem that Owner to have instructed the Depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by the Company with respect to that matter and the amount of deposited Shares represented by that amount of American Depositary Shares and the Depositary shall give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by the Company to vote that amount of deposited Shares as to that matter.
(c) There can be no assurance that Owners generally or any Owner in particular will receive the notice described in paragraph (a) above in time to enable Owners to give instructions to the Depositary prior to the Instruction Cutoff Date.
(d) If the Company will request the Depositary to Disseminate a notice under paragraph (a) above, the Company shall give the Depositary notice of the meeting, details concerning the matters to be voted upon and copies of materials to be made available to holders of Shares in connection with the meeting not less than 30 days prior to the meeting date.
17. TENDER AND EXCHANGE OFFERS; REDEMPTION, REPLACEMENT OR CANCELLATION OF DEPOSITED SECURITIES.
(a) The Depositary shall not tender any Deposited Securities in response to any voluntary cash tender offer, exchange offer or similar offer made to holders of Deposited Securities (a Voluntary Offer ), except when instructed in writing to do so by an Owner surrendering American Depositary Shares and subject to any conditions or procedures the Depositary may require.
(b) If the Depositary receives a written notice that Deposited Securities have been redeemed for cash or otherwise purchased for cash in a transaction that is mandatory and binding on the Depositary as a holder of those Deposited Securities (a Redemption ), the Depositary, at the expense of the Company, shall (i) if required, surrender Deposited Securities that have been redeemed to the issuer of those securities or its agent on the redemption date, (ii) Disseminate a notice to Owners (A) notifying them of that Redemption, (B) calling for surrender of a corresponding number of American Depositary Shares and (C) notifying them that the called American Depositary Shares have been converted into a right only to receive the money received by the Depositary upon that Redemption and those net proceeds shall be the Deposited Securities to which Owners of those converted American Depositary Shares shall be entitled upon surrenders of those American Depositary Shares in accordance with Section 2.5 or 6.2 of the Deposit Agreement and (iii) distribute the money received upon that Redemption to the Owners entitled to it upon surrender by them of called American
Depositary Shares in accordance with Section 2.5 of that Agreement (and, for the avoidance of doubt, Owners shall not be entitled to receive that money under Section 4.1 of that Agreement). If the Redemption affects less than all the Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall call for surrender a corresponding portion of the outstanding American Depositary Shares and only those American Depositary Shares will automatically be converted into a right to receive the net proceeds of the Redemption. The Depositary shall allocate the American Depositary Shares converted under the preceding sentence among the Owners pro-rata to their respective holdings of American Depositary Shares immediately prior to the Redemption, except that the allocations may be adjusted so that no fraction of a converted American Depositary Share is allocated to any Owner. A Redemption of all or substantially all of the Deposited Securities shall be a Termination Option Event .
(c) If the Depositary is notified of or there occurs any change in nominal value or any subdivision, combination or any other reclassification of the Deposited Securities or any recapitalization, reorganization, sale of assets substantially as an entirety, merger or consolidation affecting the issuer of the Deposited Securities or to which it is a party that is mandatory and binding on the Depositary as a holder of Deposited Securities and, as a result, securities or other property have been or will be delivered in exchange, conversion, replacement or in lieu of, Deposited Securities (a Replacement ), the Depositary shall, if required, surrender the old Deposited Securities affected by that Replacement of Shares and hold, as new Deposited Securities under the Deposit Agreement, the new securities or other property delivered to it in that Replacement. However , the Depositary may elect to sell those new Deposited Securities if in the opinion of the Depositary it is not lawful or not practical for it to hold those new Deposited Securities under the Deposit Agreement because those new Deposited Securities may not be distributed to Owners without registration under the Securities Act of 1933 or for any other reason, at public or private sale, at such places and on such terms as it deems proper and proceed as if those new Deposited Securities had been Redeemed under paragraph (b) above. A Replacement shall be a Termination Option Event .
(d) In the case of a Replacement where the new Deposited Securities will continue to be held under the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may call for the surrender of outstanding Receipts to be exchanged for new Receipts specifically describing the new Deposited Securities and the number of those new Deposited Securities represented by each American Depositary Share. If the number of Shares represented by each American Depositary Share decreases as a result of a Replacement, the Depositary may call for surrender of the American Depositary Shares to be exchanged on a mandatory basis for a lesser number of American Depositary Shares and may sell American Depositary Shares to the extent necessary to avoid distributing fractions of American Depositary Shares in that exchange and distribute the net proceeds of that sale to the Owners entitled to them.
(e) If there are no Deposited Securities with respect to American Depositary Shares, including if the Deposited Securities are cancelled, or the Deposited Securities with respect to American Depositary Shares become apparently worthless, the Depositary may call for surrender of those American Depositary Shares or may cancel those American Depositary Shares, upon notice to Owners, and a Termination Option Event occurs.
18. LIABILITY OF THE COMPANY AND DEPOSITARY.
Neither the Depositary nor the Company nor any of their respective directors, employees, agents or affiliates shall incur any liability to any Owner or Holder:
(i) if by reason of (A) any provision of any present or future law or regulation or other act of the government of the United States, any State of the United States or any other state or jurisdiction, or of any governmental or regulatory authority or stock exchange; (B) (in the case of the Depositary only) any provision, present or future, of the articles of association or similar document of the Company, or by reason of any provision of any securities issued or distributed by the Company, or any offering or distribution thereof; or (C) any event or circumstance, whether natural or caused by a person or persons, that is beyond the ability of the Depositary or the Company, as the case may be, to prevent or counteract by reasonable care or effort (including, but not limited to earthquakes, floods, severe storms, fires, explosions, war, terrorism, civil unrest, labor disputes or criminal acts; interruptions or malfunctions of utility services, Internet or other communications lines or systems; unauthorized access to or attacks on computer systems or websites; or other failures or malfunctions of computer hardware or software or other systems or equipment), the Depositary or the Company is, directly or indirectly, prevented from, forbidden to or delayed in, or could be subject to any civil or criminal penalty on account of doing or performing and therefore does not do or perform, any act or thing that, by the terms of the Deposit Agreement or the Deposited Securities, it is provided shall be done or performed;
(ii) for any exercise of, or failure to exercise, any discretion provided for in the Deposit Agreement (including any determination by the Depositary to take, or not take, any action that the Deposit Agreement provides the Depositary may take);
(iii) for the inability of any Owner or Holder to benefit from any distribution, offering, right or other benefit that is made available to holders of Deposited Securities but is not, under the terms of the Deposit Agreement, made available to Owners or Holders; or
(iv) for any special, consequential or punitive damages for any breach of the terms of the Deposit Agreement.
Where, by the terms of a distribution to which Section 4.1, 4.2 or 4.3 of the Deposit Agreement applies, or an offering to which Section 4.4 of that Agreement
applies, or for any other reason, that distribution or offering may not be made available to Owners, and the Depositary may not dispose of that distribution or offering on behalf of Owners and make the net proceeds available to Owners, then the Depositary shall not make that distribution or offering available to Owners, and shall allow any rights, if applicable, to lapse.
Neither the Company nor the Depositary assumes any obligation or shall be subject to any liability under the Deposit Agreement to Owners or Holders, except that they agree to perform their obligations specifically set forth in the Deposit Agreement without negligence or bad faith. The Depositary shall not be a fiduciary or have any fiduciary duty to Owners or Holders. The Depositary shall not be subject to any liability with respect to the validity or worth of the Deposited Securities. Neither the Depositary nor the Company shall be under any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit, or other proceeding in respect of any Deposited Securities or in respect of the American Depositary Shares, on behalf of any Owner or Holder or other person. Neither the Depositary nor the Company shall be liable for any action or non-action by it in reliance upon the advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting Shares for deposit, any Owner or Holder, or any other person believed by it in good faith to be competent to give such advice or information. Each of the Depositary and the Company may rely, and shall be protected in relying upon, any written notice, request, direction or other document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties. The Depositary shall not be liable for any acts or omissions made by a successor depositary whether in connection with a previous act or omission of the Depositary or in connection with a matter arising wholly after the removal or resignation of the Depositary, provided that in connection with the issue out of which such potential liability arises, the Depositary performed its obligations without negligence or bad faith while it acted as Depositary. The Depositary shall not be liable for the acts or omissions of any securities depository, clearing agency or settlement system in connection with or arising out of book-entry settlement of American Depositary Shares or Deposited Securities or otherwise. In the absence of bad faith on its part, the Depositary shall not be responsible for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the Deposited Securities or for the manner in which any such vote is cast or the effect of any such vote. The Depositary shall have no duty to make any determination or provide any information as to the tax status of the Company or any liability for any tax consequences that may be incurred by Owners or Holders as a result of owning or holding American Depositary Shares. The Depositary shall not be liable for the inability or failure of an Owner or Holder to obtain the benefit of a foreign tax credit, reduced rate of withholding or refund of amounts withheld in respect of tax or any other tax benefit. No disclaimer of liability under the United States federal securities laws is intended by any provision of the Deposit Agreement.
19. RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL OF THE DEPOSITARY; APPOINTMENT OF SUCCESSOR CUSTODIAN.
The Depositary may at any time resign as Depositary under the Deposit Agreement by written notice of its election so to do delivered to the Company, to become effective upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as provided in the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary may at any time be removed by the Company by 90 days prior written notice of that removal, to become effective upon the later of (i) the 90th day after delivery of the notice to the Depositary and (ii) the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of its appointment as provided in the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary in its discretion may at any time appoint a substitute or additional custodian or custodians.
20. AMENDMENT.
The form of the Receipts and any provisions of the Deposit Agreement may at any time and from time to time be amended by agreement between the Company and the Depositary without the consent of Owners or Holders in any respect which they may deem necessary or desirable. Any amendment that would impose or increase any fees or charges (other than taxes and other governmental charges, registration fees, cable, telex or facsimile transmission costs, delivery costs or other such expenses), or that would otherwise prejudice any substantial existing right of Owners, shall, however, not become effective as to outstanding American Depositary Shares until the expiration of 30 days after notice of that amendment has been Disseminated to the Owners of outstanding American Depositary Shares. Every Owner and Holder, at the time any amendment so becomes effective, shall be deemed, by continuing to hold American Depositary Shares or any interest therein, to consent and agree to that amendment and to be bound by the Deposit Agreement as amended thereby. Upon the effectiveness of an amendment to the form of Receipt, including a change in the number of Shares represented by each American Depositary Share, the Depositary may call for surrender of Receipts to be replaced with new Receipts in the amended form or call for surrender of American Depositary Shares to effect that change of ratio. In no event shall any amendment impair the right of the Owner to surrender American Depositary Shares and receive delivery of the Deposited Securities represented thereby, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law.
21. TERMINATION OF DEPOSIT AGREEMENT.
(a) The Company may initiate termination of the Deposit Agreement by notice to the Depositary. The Depositary may initiate termination of the Deposit Agreement if (i) at any time 90 days shall have expired after the Depositary delivered to the Company a written resignation notice and a successor depositary has not been appointed and accepted its appointment as provided in Section 5.4 of that Agreement, (ii) an Insolvency Event or Delisting Event occurs with respect to the Company or (iii) a Termination Option Event has occurred or will occur. If termination of the Deposit Agreement is initiated, the Depositary shall Disseminate a notice of termination to the Owners of all American Depositary Shares then outstanding setting a date for termination
(the Termination Date ), which shall be at least 90 days after the date of that notice, and the Deposit Agreement shall terminate on that Termination Date.
(b) After the Termination Date, the Company shall be discharged from all obligations under the Deposit Agreement except for its obligations to the Depositary under Sections 5.8 and 5.9 of that Agreement.
(c) At any time after the Termination Date, the Depositary may sell the Deposited Securities then held under the Deposit Agreement and may thereafter hold uninvested the net proceeds of any such sale, together with any other cash then held by it hereunder, unsegregated and without liability for interest, for the pro rata benefit of the Owners of American Depositary Shares that remain outstanding, and those Owners will be general creditors of the Depositary with respect to those net proceeds and that other cash. After making that sale, the Depositary shall be discharged from all obligations under the Deposit Agreement, except (i) to account for the net proceeds and other cash (after deducting, in each case, the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of American Depositary Shares, any expenses for the account of the Owner of such American Depositary Shares in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement and any applicable taxes or governmental charges) and pay them to Owners upon surrender of American Depositary Shares in accordance with Section 2.5 of that Agreement and, (ii) for its obligations under Section 5.8 of that Agreement and (iii) to act as provided in paragraph (d) below.
(d) After the Termination Date, the Depositary shall continue to receive dividends and other distributions pertaining to Deposited Securities (that have not been sold), may sell rights and other property as provided in the Deposit Agreement and shall deliver Deposited Securities (or sale proceeds) upon surrender of American Depositary Shares (after payment or upon deduction, in each case, of the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of American Depositary Shares, any expenses for the account of the Owner of those American Depositary Shares in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement and any applicable taxes or governmental charges). After the Termination Date, the Depositary shall not accept deposits of Shares or deliver American Depositary Shares. After the Termination Date, (i) the Depositary may refuse to accept surrenders of American Depositary Shares for the purpose of withdrawal of Deposited Securities (that have not been sold) or reverse previously accepted surrenders of that kind that have not settled if in its judgment the requested withdrawal would interfere with its efforts to sell the Deposited Securities, (ii) the Depositary will not be required to deliver cash proceeds of the sale of Deposited Securities until all Deposited Securities have been sold and (iii) the Depositary may discontinue the registration of transfers of American Depositary Shares and suspend the distribution of dividends and other distributions on Deposited Securities to the Owners and need not give any further notices or perform any further acts under the Deposit Agreement except as provided in Section 6.2 of that Agreement.
22. DTC DIRECT REGISTRATION SYSTEM AND PROFILE MODIFICATION SYSTEM.
(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.4 of the Deposit Agreement, the parties acknowledge that DTCs Direct Registration System ( DRS ) and Profile Modification System ( Profile ) apply to the American Depositary Shares upon acceptance thereof to DRS by DTC. DRS is the system administered by DTC that facilitates interchange between registered holding of uncertificated securities and holding of security entitlements in those securities through DTC and a DTC participant. Profile is a required feature of DRS that allows a DTC participant, claiming to act on behalf of an Owner of American Depositary Shares, to direct the Depositary to register a transfer of those American Depositary Shares to DTC or its nominee and to deliver those American Depositary Shares to the DTC account of that DTC participant without receipt by the Depositary of prior authorization from the Owner to register that transfer.
(b) In connection with DRS/Profile, the parties acknowledge that the Depositary will not determine whether the DTC participant that is claiming to be acting on behalf of an Owner in requesting registration of transfer and delivery described in paragraph (a) above has the actual authority to act on behalf of that Owner (notwithstanding any requirements under the Uniform Commercial Code). For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of Sections 5.3 and 5.8 of the Deposit Agreement apply to the matters arising from the use of the DRS/Profile. The parties agree that the Depositarys reliance on and compliance with instructions received by the Depositary through the DRS/Profile system and otherwise in accordance with the Deposit Agreement, shall not constitute negligence or bad faith on the part of the Depositary.
23. ARBITRATION; SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES.
Any controversy, claim or cause of action brought by any party to the Deposit Agreement against the Company arising out of or relating to the Shares or other Deposited Securities, the American Depositary Shares, the Receipts or the Deposit Agreement, or the breach hereof or thereof, if so elected by the claimant, shall be settled by arbitration in accordance with the International Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association, and judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrators may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.
The place of the arbitration shall be The City of New York, State of New York, United States of America, and the language of the arbitration shall be English.
The number of arbitrators shall be three, each of whom shall be disinterested in the dispute or controversy, shall have no connection with any party thereto, and shall be an attorney experienced in international securities transactions. Each party shall appoint one arbitrator and the two arbitrators shall select a third arbitrator who shall serve as chairperson of the tribunal. If a dispute, controversy or cause of action shall involve more than two parties, the parties shall attempt to align themselves in two sides (i.e.,
claimant(s) and respondent(s)), each of which shall appoint one arbitrator as if there were only two parties to such dispute, controversy or cause of action. If such alignment and appointment shall not have occurred within thirty (30) calendar days after the initiating party serves the arbitration demand, the American Arbitration Association shall appoint the three arbitrators, each of whom shall have the qualifications described above. The parties and the American Arbitration Association may appoint from among the nationals of any country, whether or not a party is a national of that country.
The arbitral tribunal shall have no authority to award any consequential, special or punitive damages or other damages not measured by the prevailing partys actual damages and may not, in any event, make any ruling, finding or award that does not conform to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement.
24. APPOINTMENT OF AGENT FOR SERVICE OF PROCESS; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; JURY TRIAL WAIVER; WAIVER OF IMMUNITIES.
The Company has (i) appointed Cogency Global Inc, 10 E. 40 th Street, 10 th Floor, New York, New York, 10016, located in the State of New York, as the Companys authorized agent upon which process may be served in any suit or proceeding (including any arbitration proceeding) arising out of or relating to the Shares or Deposited Securities, the American Depositary Shares, the Receipts or this Agreement, (ii) consented and submitted to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any state or federal court in the State of New York in which any such suit or proceeding may be instituted, and (iii) agreed that service of process upon said authorized agent shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon the Company in any such suit or proceeding.
EACH PARTY TO THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT (INCLUDING, FOR AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT, EACH OWNER AND HOLDER) THEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING AGAINST THE COMPANY AND/OR THE DEPOSITARY DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE SHARES OR OTHER DEPOSITED SECURITIES, THE AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES OR THE RECEIPTS, THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREIN OR THEREIN, OR THE BREACH HEREOF OR THEREOF, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY QUESTION REGARDING EXISTENCE, VALIDITY OR TERMINATION (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY).
To the extent that the Company or any of its properties, assets or revenues may have or hereafter become entitled to, or have attributed to it, any right of immunity, on the grounds of sovereignty or otherwise, from any legal action, suit or proceeding, from the giving of any relief in any respect thereof, from setoff or counterclaim, from the jurisdiction of any court, from service of process, from attachment upon or prior to
judgment, from attachment in aid of execution or judgment, or other legal process or proceeding for the giving of any relief or for the enforcement of any judgment, in any jurisdiction in which proceedings may at any time be commenced, with respect to its obligations, liabilities or any other matter under or arising out of or in connection with the Shares or Deposited Securities, the American Depositary Shares, the Receipts or the Deposit Agreement, the Company, to the fullest extent permitted by law, hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, and agrees not to plead or claim, any such immunity and consents to such relief and enforcement.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page |
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1. |
Definitions |
1 |
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2. |
Information and Observer Rights |
4 |
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2.1 |
Delivery of Financial Statements and Budges |
4 |
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2.2 |
Inspection |
4 |
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2.3 |
Observer Rights |
4 |
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2.4 |
Termination of Information and Observer Rights |
5 |
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3. |
Rights to Shares |
5 |
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3.1 |
Transfer Restriction |
5 |
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3.2 |
Right of First Offer |
5 |
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3.3 |
Right of First Refusal |
6 |
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3.4 |
Right of Co-Sale |
7 |
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3.5 |
Exempted Transfer |
8 |
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3.6 |
Termination of Rights to Shares |
8 |
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4. |
Protective Provisions |
8 |
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4.1 |
Matters Requiring General Meeting Approval |
8 |
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4.2 |
Board Composition |
9 |
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4.3 |
Matters Requiring Board Approval |
9 |
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4.4 |
Matters Requiring Series A+ Directors and Series B Directors Approval |
11 |
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5. |
Additional Covenants |
11 |
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5.1 |
New Options |
11 |
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5.2 |
No Undue Interest |
12 |
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6. |
Registration Rights |
12 |
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6.1 |
Registration Rights |
12 |
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7. |
Miscellaneous |
12 |
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7.1 |
Governing Law |
12 |
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7.2 |
Confidentiality |
12 |
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7.3 |
Counterparts |
13 |
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7.4 |
Titles and Subtitles |
13 |
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7.5 |
Language |
13 |
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7.6 |
No Presumption |
13 |
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7.7 |
Notices |
13 |
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7.8 |
Amendments and Waivers |
13 |
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7.9 |
Severability |
13 |
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7.10 |
Termination |
13 |
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7.11 |
Entire Agreement |
14 |
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7.12 |
No Third Party Beneficiaries |
14 |
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7.13 |
Dispute Resolution |
14 |
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7.14 |
Delays or Omissions |
15 |
Schedule A |
Schedule of Shareholders and Management Team |
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Schedule B |
Schedule of Officer |
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Schedule C |
Schedule of Prohibited Transferee |
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Schedule D |
Registration Rights |
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SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT
THIS SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT (this Agreement ), is made as of the September 10, 2018, by and among 360 Finance, Inc., an exempted company with limited liability organized and existing under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the Company ), and each of the Shareholders and Management Team listed on Schedule A hereto, each of which is referred to in this Agreement as a Shareholder (collectively with the Company, Parties ).
RECITALS
WHEREAS , each beneficial owner of certain Shareholders entered into to the Shareholder Agreement of Beijing Qibutianxia Technology Co., Ltd. (the Qibutianxia SHA ) dated December 25, 2017;
WHEREAS , according to the Qibutianxia SHA, each parties to the Qibutianxia SHA and each Shareholder has agreed to initiate and complete a restructuring and the establishment of the Company;
WHEREAS , the Shareholders and the Company hereby agree that this Agreement shall govern the rights of the Shareholders, and shall govern certain other matters as set forth in this Agreement;
NOW , THEREFORE , the Parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions . For purposes of this Agreement:
1.1 Affiliate means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person who, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such Person, including without limited to any general partner, managing member, officer, director or trustee of such Person.
1.2 Board of Directors means the board of directors of the Company.
1.3 Business Day means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, legal holiday or other day on which commercial banks are required or authorized by law to be closed in the Cayman Islands, the PRC or Hong Kong.
1.4 Damages means any loss, damage, claim or liability (joint or several) to which a party hereto may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or other applicable law, insofar as such loss, damage, claim or liability (or any action in respect thereof) arises out of or is based upon: (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any registration statement of the Company, including any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained therein or any amendments or supplements thereto; (ii) an omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; or (iii) any violation or alleged violation by the indemnifying party (or any of its agents or Affiliates) of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, any state securities law, or any rule or regulation promulgated under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or any state securities law.
1.5 Equity Securities means any equity interests of the Company, however described or whether voting or nonvoting, and any securities convertible or exchangeable into, and options, warrants or other rights to acquire, any equity interests or equity-linked interests of the Company.
1.6 Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
1.7 General Meeting means any general meeting duly held by Shareholders of the Company pursuant to the Memorandum and Articles of Association.
1.8 Holder means any holder of Share who is a party to this Agreement.
1.9 Immediate Family Member means a child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, including, adoptive relationships, of a natural person referred to herein.
1.10 IPO means the Companys initial public offering and listing of its Shares on the New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ Stock Market, The Hong Kong Stock Exchange or other internationally recognized stock exchange. The occurrence of the IPO refers to the time of the listing of the Companys share capital on any of the aforementioned stock exchange.
1.11 Management Team means Xu Jun, Wang Xuan, Pei Yueyang and He Zhiqiang.
1.12 Management Team Holding Vehicles means Aquarius International Company Limited, Dinictis Company Limited, Eofelis Company Limited and Nimravus Group Company Limited.
1.13 Memorandum and Articles of Association means the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company, as amended and restated from time to time.
1.14 Mr. Zhou Holding Vehicle means Aerovane Company Limited, a British Virgin Islands company.
1.15 Ordinary Share means Companys Class A ordinary share, Class B ordinary share, and Class C ordinary share, par value $0.00001 per share.
1.16 Ordinary Shareholders means Holder of Companys Ordinary Shares, par value $0.00001 per share.
1.17 Person means any individual, corporation, partnership, trust, limited liability company, association or other entity.
1.18 PRC means the Peoples Republic of China.
1.19 Preferred Shareholders means Series A Preferred Shareholders, Series A+ Preferred Shareholders and Series B Preferred Shareholders.
1.20 Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
1.21 Series A Preferred Shareholder means Holder of Companys Series A Preferred Shares, par value $0.00001 per share.
1.22 Series A Preferred Share means Companys Series A preferred share, par value $0.00001 per share.
1.23 Series A+ Director means any director of the Company that elected by Sagittarius Company Limited, pursuant to this Agreement and the Memorandum and Articles of Association.
1.24 Series A+ Preferred Shareholder means Holder of Companys Series A+ Preferred Shares, par value $0.00001 per share.
1.25 Series A+ Preferred Share means Companys Series A+ preferred share, par value $0.00001 per share.
1.26 Series B Director means any director of the Company that elected pursuant to this Agreement and the Memorandum and Articles of Association.
1.27 Series B Preferred Shareholder means Holder of Companys Series B Preferred Shares, par value $0.00001 per share.
1.28 Series B Preferred Share means Companys Series B preferred share, par value $0.00001 per share.
1.29 Share means the share of the Company, par value $0.00001 per share, including Ordinary Share, Series A Preferred Share, Series A+ Preferred Share and Series B Preferred Share.
1.30 Stock Plan means the Stock Plan, adopted by the Company and as amended from time to time.
1.31 US means the United States of America.
1.32 US GAAP means U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
2. Information and Observer Rights .
2.1 Delivery of Financial Statements and Budges . The Company shall deliver to any Shareholder owning more than 1% of the Companys Shares, except for any of the Management Team Holding Vehicles, at the Companys own costs:
(a) as soon as practicable, but in any event within four (4) months after the end of each fiscal year of the Company (i) a balance sheet as of the end of such year, (ii) statements of income and of cash flows for such year, and (iii) a statement of shareholders equity as of the end of such year, all such financial statements on consolidated basis and audited, in accordance with US GAAP;
(b) as soon as practicable, but in any event within sixty (60) days after the end of each of the first three (3) quarters of each fiscal year of the Company (i) a balance sheet as of the end of such quarter, (ii) statements of income and of cash flows for such quarter, and (iii) a statement of shareholders equity as of the end of such quarter, all such financial statements on consolidated basis and audited, in accordance with US GAAP;
(c) as soon as practicable, but in any event within thirty (30) days after the end of each month (i) a balance sheet as of the end of such month, (ii) statements of income and of cash flows for such month, and (iii) a statement of shareholders equity as of the end of such month, all such financial statements on consolidated basis and audited, in accordance with US GAAP;
(d) as soon as practicable, but in any event before December 15 of each fiscal year, the financial and operating budget of the next fiscal year; and
(e) other information and materials reasonably requested by any Shareholder.
2.2 Inspection . The Company shall permit each Shareholder or its representatives (except for any of the Management Team Holding Vehicles), after seven (7) day due notice to the Company, to visit and inspect the Companys properties; examine its books of account and records; discuss the Companys affairs, finances, and accounts with the Companys officers, during normal business hours of the Company as may be reasonably requested by the Shareholder, and communicate with the employees, auditors and legal counsels regarding the Companys affairs, and the Company shall make its officers available for the discussion and inquiries.
2.3 Observer Rights . Company shall invite representatives of the following Shareholders to attend all meetings of the Board of Directors in a nonvoting observer capacity and, in this respect, shall give such representative copies of all notices, minutes, consents, and other materials that it provides to its directors; provided, however, that such representatives shall agree to hold in confidence and trust and to act in a fiduciary manner with respect to all information so provided to any Person other than the Shareholder she represents:
(a) Unicorn Group Company Limited, as long as Suzhou Wuyue Tianxia Enterpreneurship Investment Center and Shanghai Wule Investment Center, as a whole, beneficially own not less than 1.2% of the Companys Shares.
(b) Sunny Pavilion Limited, as long as it owns not less than 1.2% of the Companys Shares.
2.4 Termination of Information and Observer Rights . The covenants set forth in Subsection 2.1 , Subsection 2.2 and Subsection 2.3 shall terminate and be of no further force or effect immediately before the occurrence of the IPO.
3. Rights to Shares .
3.1 Transfer Restriction .
(a) Before the fourth (4th) anniversary after each member of the Management Team enters into effective employment agreements with the Company or its Affiliate, the Management Team and Management Team Holding Vehicles shall not, without the prior written approval by Mr. Zhou Holding Vehicle, transfer or in any other way dispose of (including granting liens, pledges or other encumbrances) all or part of the Shares it owns, directly or indirectly. Notwithstanding any restrictions set forth under the Subsection 3.3 , any new Share acquired by the Management Team Holding Vehicles through (i) exercise of the Right of First Offer or the Right of First Refusal under this Agreement, as applicable, or (ii) the Stock Plan, and exercise of the Right of Co-Sale under Subsection 3.4 , shall not be subjected to the restrictions set forth in this paragraph (a) .
(b) All Shareholders agree that, without written approval of Mr. Zhou Holding Vehicle, under no circumstances shall each of Shareholders sell, transfer, or otherwise assign the Share or any interest attached thereto to the parties set forth in the Schedule C . Notwithstanding the foregoing, when Mr. Zhou Holding Vehicle voluntarily sells, transfers or otherwise assigns the Share or any interest attached thereto to the parties set forth in the Schedule C , the remaining Shareholders shall be entitled to the Right of Co-Sale provided under the Subsection 3.4 .
3.2 Right of First Offer . Subject to applicable laws, if the Company proposes to offer or sell any new Equity Securities (the New Securities ), other than any issuance of Share under the Stock Plan, the Company shall first offer such New Securities to each Shareholder. A Shareholder shall be entitled to apportion the right of first offer hereby granted (the Right of First Offer ) to it in such proportions as it deems appropriate.
(a) The Company shall give notice (the Offer Notice ) to each Shareholder, stating (i) its bona fide intention to offer such New Securities, (ii) the number of such New Securities to be offered, and (iii) the price and terms, within two (2) Business Days after the date on which it proposes to offer such New Securities.
(b) By a written notice to the Company within ten (10) Business Days after receiving the Offer Notice, each Shareholder may elect to purchase or otherwise acquire, at the price and on the terms specified in the Offer Notice, up to the portion (the Pro Rata Portion ) of such New Securities which equals the proportion that the Shares (on as-converted basis) then held by such Shareholder bears to the total Shares then outstanding (on as-converted basis). If a Shareholder fails to so notify the Company, it will be deemed to have given up its Right of First Offer of the given New Securities.
(c) All parties agree that, notwithstanding Subsection 3.2(b) , within the abovementioned ten (10) Business Days, Shareholders electing to purchase the New Securities may negotiate the allocation of New Securities to be purchased among themselves, provided that such Shareholders shall not elect to purchase a number of the New Securities that exceed the sum of the Pro Rata Portion of the New Securities of such Shareholders combined.
(d) If Shareholders elect not to exercise their Right of First Offer, in part or in full, the Company has right to enter into a share subscription agreement or share subscription agreements with any Person, provided such agreement or agreements could not provide any terms more favorable than the Offer Notice provided, including but not limited to any favorable purchase price and payment schedule.
3.3 Right of First Refusal .
(a) If any Shareholder (the Selling Shareholder ) intends to sell to any Person (the Transferee ), directly or indirectly, or in any other ways dispose of the Share the Transferor owns, in full or in part (the Offered Shares ), and the Transferee has provided a binding offer, each of the other Shareholders (the Non-Selling Shareholder ) of the Company shall have the right (the Right of First Refusal ) to purchase the Offered Shares at the same price and on the same terms, up to such Non-Selling Shareholders Pro Rata Portion of such Offered Shares.
(b) If some of the Non-Selling Shareholders elect not to exercise their Right of First Refusal, any remaining Non-Selling Shareholder shall have the right to purchase all or any portion of the Offered Shares not purchased pursuant to the Right of First Refusal (the Second Round of Right of First Refusal ), up to the portion of such remaining Offered Shares which equals the proportion that such Non-Selling Shareholders Pro Rata Portion bears to the sum of the Pro Rata Portion of the remaining Non-Selling Shareholders.
(c) If there is still Offered Shares not purchased by Non-Selling Shareholder after the exercise of the Second Round of Right of First Refusal (the Final Remaining Shares ), the Selling Shareholder shall have the right to sell the Final Remaining Shares to the Transferee, provided that the Selling Shareholder shall cause the Transferee to enter into this Agreement and to agree to be bound by all of the Selling Shareholders obligations hereunder. If the Selling Shareholder fails to enter into a definitive share transfer agreement with terms no more favorable than the terms set forth in the Transfer Notice (as defined in paragraph (d) below) within sixty (60) Business Days after the exercise of the Second Round of Right of First Refusal, the Selling Shareholder shall send the Transfer Notice to all the Non-Selling Shareholder again for the Final Remaining Shares.
(d) The Selling Shareholder shall send a written notice (the Transfer Notice ) to the Non-Selling Shareholder, stating: (i) its bona fide intention to transfer the Offered Shares; (ii) the number of the Offered Shares; (iii) the price, term and condition of the proposed transfer; and (iv) the basic information of the Transferee. By a written notification to the Selling Shareholder within twenty (20) Business Days after receiving the Transfer Notice, each Non-Selling Shareholder may elect to purchase the Offered Shares. If a Non-Selling Shareholder fails to so notify the Selling Shareholder, it will be deemed to have given up its Right of First Refusal of the given Offered Shares.
3.4 Right of Co-Sale .
(a) If Mr. Zhou Holding Vehicle intends to sell to a Transferee the Share it holds, in part or in full, and any of the Non-Selling Shareholders does not elect to exercise the Right of First Refusal pursuant to Subsection 3.3 , such non-electing Non-Selling Shareholder (except for Management Team Holding Vehicles, unless otherwise approved by the Board of Directors) (the Co-Sale Shareholder ) is entitled, but not obligated to, within twenty (20) Business Days after receiving the Transfer Notice, elect to sell or otherwise transfer, at the price and on the terms specified in the Transfer Notice, the Share held by the Co-Sale Shareholder, (the Right of Co-Sale ), subject to the proportion defined below, provided that Mr. Zhou Hongyi maintains effective control of the Company and the aggregated number of Shares held by Mr. Zhou Holding Vehicle exceeds 9.65% of the Shares then outstanding (on as-converted basis). If a Non-Selling Shareholder fails to so notify the Company, it will be deemed to have given up its Right of Co-Sale. Each Co-Sale Shareholder may sell all or part of the number of Shares held by it that is equal to the product obtained by multiplying (x) the aggregate number of Offered Shares subject to the Right of Co-Sale by (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of Shares (on as-converted basis) owned by the Co-Sale Shareholder at the time of the sale or transfer and the denominator of which is the combined number of Shares (on an as-converted basis) at the time owned by all Co-Sale Shareholders who elect to exercise their Right of Co-Sale (if any Co-Sale Shareholder does not elect to exercise the Right of Co-Sale to the full extent then its Ordinary Shares (on as-converted basis) for calculation in the denominator shall be proportionately reduced) and the Selling Shareholder.
(b) If the Transferee refuses to purchase the Shares from the Co-Sale Shareholder, Mr. Zhou Holding Vehicle shall not sell any Share to the Transferee, unless it purchases from the Co-Sale Shareholder, at the same price and on the same terms, all the shares Co-Sales Shareholders propose to sell to the Transferee.
(c) If Mr. Zhou Holding Vehicle intends to sell to a Transferee the Share it holds, in part or in full, and any of Management Team Holding Vehicles does not elect to exercise the Right of First Refusal pursuant to Subsection 3.3 , such Management Team Holding Vehicle is entitled, but not obligated to, within twenty (20) Business Days after receiving the Transfer Notice, elect to sell or otherwise transfer, at the price and on the terms specified in the Transfer Notice, the Share held by such Management Team Holding Vehicle, subject to the proportion defined below, provided that the aggregated number of shares held by the Mr. Zhou Holding Vehicle is below 9.65% of the Shares then outstanding (on as-converted basis), or the proposed transfer of the Offered Shares will reduce the abovementioned percentage to below 9.65%. If a the Management Team Holding Vehicle fails so notify the Company, it will be deemed to have given up its Right of Co-Sale. Management Team Holding Vehicles may sell all or part of the number of Shares held by it that is equal to the product obtained by multiplying (x) the aggregate number of Offered Shares subject to the Right of Co-Sale by (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of Shares (on as-converted basis) owned by the Management Team Holding Vehicles at the time of the sale or transfer and the denominator of which is the combined number of Shares (on an as-converted basis) at the time owned by Management Team Holding Vehicles and the Selling Shareholder.
3.5 Exempted Transfer . The Right of First Refusal and Right of Co-Sale under Subsection 3.3 and 3.4 shall not apply to (i) the transfer of any Equity Securities of the Company now or hereafter held by Mr. Zhou Holding Vehicle to its Affiliates, (ii) any adjustments or reorgnization of the Equity Securities held by Mr. Zhou Holding Vehicle for the purpose of IPO, (iii) the transfer of any Equity Securities of the Company now or hereafter held by each of the Shareholders to an entity one hundred percent (100%) owned by such Shareholder, or to a Person owning directly or indirectly 100% of the voting equity securities in such Shareholder, or an entity (directly or indirectly) whose 100% voting equity securities are under the common control with the Shareholder, provided that such transfer by any Class A Ordinary Shareholder or Class C Ordinary Shareholder shall be subject to the consent of Mr. Zhou Hongyi, or (iv) any other transfers approved by the Board of Directors for the purpose of the IPO.
3.6 Termination of Rights to Shares . The covenants set forth in Subsection 3.1 , Subsection 3.2 , Subsection 3.3 and Subsection 3.4 shall terminate and be of no further force or effect immediately before the occurrence of the IPO.
4. Protective Provisions .
4.1 Matters Requiring General Meeting Approval . The Company shall not take, permit to occur, approve, authorize, or agree or commit to do any of the following, unless approved by the Shareholders at a General Meeting or with unanimous written resolutions:
(a) Making decisions on the Companys operation guidelines and investment plans;
(b) Approving the annual financial budget plans and final accounts of the Company or marking any modification;
(c) Electing and replacing the directors of the Company and its subsidiaries, and making decisions on the matters concerning the remunerations of the directors;
(d) Approving the reports of the Board of Directors;
(e) The Companys issuance of bonds;
(f) Changes to the shareholding structure of the Company and its subsidiaries, including approving plans of the Company and its subsidiaries equity financing, reorganization, listing, acquisition and sale of equity interests in the Companys subsidiaries, and any other changes to the shareholding structure. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Mr. Zhou Holding Vehicle may sell the Share it owns to its Affiliates without the approval of other Shareholders;
(g) Pledging, or in other ways creating third-party rights on the Share, directly or indirectly, by the Company or the Shareholders;
(h) Providing guarantees by the Company or its subsidiaries or creating any third-party rights on the patents, copyrights, trademarks or any other assets of the Company;
(i) Redeeming Share;
(j) Approving any share incentive plans of the Company or its subsidiaries;
(k) Approving the profit distribution plans and loss recovery plans of the company through deliberation;
(l) Increase or decrease of the Companys outstanding shares;
(m) The merger, division, dissolution or liquidation of the Company or on the conversion of the corporate form; and
(n) Modifying the Companys Memorandum and Articles of Association.
Matters (l) through (n) must be approved by (i) Shareholders representing at least two thirds of voting rights of total Class A Ordinary Shares counted on an as-converted basis, and (ii) Sagittarius Company Limited. The remaining matters must be approved by Shareholders representing at least a majority of voting rights of total Class A Ordinary Shares on an as-converted basis. Each Shareholder is allowed to allocate its shares among affirmative votes, against votes and abstention. Each share of Mr. Zhou Holding Vehicle shall represent 20 votes.
4.2 Board Composition . The Board of Directors shall consist of up to seven (7) Directors. Directors shall be appointed by a simple majority of affirmative votes by Shareholders. Sagittarius Company Limited is entitled to appoint one director (the Series A+ Director ). The shareholder owing most Series B preferred shares entitled to appoint one director (the Series B Director ), provided it owns at least 12,254,395 Series B Preferred Shares of the Company. The Board shall meet at least once every half year in accordance with an agreed-upon schedule. The Company shall reimburse the Directors for all reasonable out-of-pocket travel expenses incurred (consistent with the Companys travel policy) in connection with attending meetings of the Board of Directors.
4.3 Matters Requiring Board Approval . The Company shall not take, permit to occur, approve, authorize, or agree or commit to do any of the following, unless approved by the Board of Directors or with written resolutions:
(a) Appointment and removal of general managers of the Company and its subsidiaries and the formulation or adjustment of their remuneration packages;
(b) To agree or enter into any single or series of agreements or transactions with Shareholders, directors, senior management and employees or other related parties, including but not limited to loans and guarantees;
(c) Formulating an annual budget and final accounts plan;
(d) Appointment and removal of senior management personnel of the Company other than the general manager (i.e., CEO/president, vice president, vice general manager, co-CEO/co-president, CFO, CTO, COO or other senior management personnel) and the formulation or adjustment of their remuneration packages;
(e) Companys business plans and operational plans, including the development or adjustment of the Companys and its subsidiaries main business direction;
(f) A transaction or series of transactions with a cumulative value of more than RMB1 million, other than transactions related to normal business operation, within 12 consecutive months;
(g) Expenditure on a single purchase of assets (including purchase of fixed assets, software and technology), marketing promotion, and technical service, exceeding RMB5 million;
(h) The transaction or series of transactions with the same counter-party or its related parties with an accumulated value of more than RMB5 million within six consecutive months (except for transactions with Mr. Zhou Holding Vehicle or its related parties);
(i) Any purchase or dispose of Company assets or property with the value exceeds 5% of the Companys most recent net assets (on consolidated basis) in one or more transactions, regardless of whether the transactions are with related parties;
(j) Single expenditure of more than 30% of the quarterly budget or multiple expenditures of more than 30% of the annual budget;
(k) Single investment (including but not limited to equity investment, equity/asset acquisition, establishment of joint venture or other legal entity) exceeding 10% of the Companys net assets or RMB20 million;
(l) Implementation of the equity incentive plan for employees of the Company and its subsidiaries, including the selection of the plan participants;
(m) Appointment, dismissal or change of an accounting firm that audits the Companys financial statements;
(n) Formulating a plan or plans for the public offering of any bond or equity securities of the Company or its subsidiaries, including but not limited to the choice of place of listing or stock exchange, the amount of proceeds or company valuation, and plans for mergers, acquisitions, reorganizations, consolidations or divisions for such listing, division of business, or other purposes; and
(o) Other matters that require a resolution of the Board of Directors in accordance with the provisions of the applicable laws or Memorandum and Articles of Association.
The matters (a) through (o) must be approved by more than half of the directors of the Board.
4.4 Matters Requiring Series A+ Directors and Series B Directors Approval . The Company shall not take, permit to occur, approve, authorize, or agree or commit to do any of the following, unless approved by the majority of the Board of Directors (so long as such approval includes the approval of the Series A+ Director, provided Sagittarius Company Limited holds more than 5% of the outstanding Shares of the Company on as-converted basis; and the Series B Director, provided the shareholder appointing such Series B Director owns at least 12,254,395 Series B Preferred Shares of the Company):
(a) make a single purchase with a value of more than RMB100 million;
(b) make a single investment with a value exceeding 15% of the net assets of the Company and RMB200 million; and
(c) make a single related-party transaction with a value of RMB100 million or make transactions with one related party with an accumulated value of RMB200 million within one fiscal year.
5. Additional Covenants .
5.1 New Options . If, after the date hereof, the persons listed in the Schedule B hereto (the Officers ) are to directly or indirectly acquire the Share of the Company or its subsidiaries through Stock Plan (the New Options ), the Company will include in the agreements granting the New Options covenants that the Officers will carry out their duties of loyalty and confidentiality and covenant not to compete, the breach of which covenants will cause the forfeiture of New Options and liability for breach of contracts.
5.2 No Undue Interest . Without written approval of the Board of Directors, Management Team Holding Vehicles, each member of the Management Team, the Company or its representative shall not, in any way (including but not limited to share incentive granting, share issuance, written or oral commitment, entrustment, service fee, subsidies, or business contracts), directly or indirectly confer upon the officers, counsels, employees of Mr. Zhou Holding Vehicle or its Affiliates or their Immediate Family Members, friends or other parties entrusted by such officers, counsels, employees of Mr. Zhou Holding Vehicle or its Affiliates, any Share, share usufruct, cash or currency, assets, or benefits or interests in any other forms (the Undue Interest ). In the event of any breach, the receiving party of such Undue Interest shall return such Undue Interest to Mr. Zhou Hongyi or any of his Affiliate he designates, and the breaching Shareholder shall pay the Damage equal to RMB435.39 million to Mr. Zhou Holding Vehicle and/or its Affiliates, provided that if the Damage is insufficient to cover the losses suffered by the Mr. Zhou Holding Vehicle and its Affiliates, the breaching Shareholder shall indemnify Mr. Zhou Holding Vehicle against such insufficiency.
6. Registration Rights.
6.1 Registration Rights . The Shareholders shall have the rights, and the Company shall have the obligations, set forth in Schedule D hereto.
7. Miscellaneous .
7.1 Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by the law of the Hong Kong, without regard to conflict of law principles that would result in the application of any law other than the law of Hong Kong.
7.2 Confidentiality . Each Shareholder agrees that such Shareholder will keep confidential and will not disclose, divulge, or use for any purpose (other than to monitor its investment in the Company) any confidential information obtained from the Company pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, unless such confidential information (a) is known or becomes known to the public in general (other than as a result of a breach of this Subsection 7.2 by such Shareholder), (b) is or has been independently developed or conceived by such Shareholder without use of the Companys confidential information, or (c) is or has been made known or disclosed to such Shareholder by a third party without a breach of any obligation of confidentiality such third party may have to the Company; provided, however, that a Shareholder may disclose confidential information (i) to its attorneys, accountants, consultants, and other professionals to the extent necessary to obtain their services in connection with monitoring its investment in the Company; (ii) to any prospective purchaser of any Share or derivative instrument linked to any Share, from such Shareholder, if such prospective purchaser agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Subsection 7.2 ; (iii) to any Affiliate, partner, member, shareholder, or wholly owned subsidiary of such Shareholder in the ordinary course of business, provided that such Shareholder informs such Person that such information is confidential and directs such Person to maintain the confidentiality of such information; or (iv) as may otherwise be required by law, regulation, rule, court order or subpoena, provided that such Shareholder promptly notifies the Company of such disclosure and takes reasonable steps to minimize the extent of any such required disclosure, if legally permissible and practicable.
7.3 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
7.4 Titles and Subtitles . The titles and subtitles used in this Agreement are for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Agreement.
7.5 Language . This Agreement has been executed and delivered in the English language. Any translation of this Agreement into another language shall have no interpretive effect. All documents or notices to be delivered pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement shall be in the English language or, if any such document or notice is not in the English language, accompanied by an English translation thereof, and the English language version of any such document or notice shall control for purposes thereof.
7.6 No Presumption . The Parties acknowledge that any applicable law that would require interpretation of any claimed ambiguities in this Agreement against the Party that drafted it has no application and is expressly waived. If any claim is made by a Party relating to any conflict, omission or ambiguity in the provisions of this Agreement, no presumption or burden of proof or persuasion will be implied because this Agreement was prepared by or at the request of any Party or its counsel.
7.7 Notices . All notices and other communications given or made pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon the earlier of actual receipt or (i) personal delivery to the Party to be notified; (ii) when sent, if sent by electronic mail or facsimile during the recipients normal business hours, and if not sent during normal business hours, then on the recipients next Business Day; (iii) five (5) days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid; or (iv) one (1) Business Day after the Business Day of deposit with a recognized overnight courier, freight prepaid, specifying next-day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All communications shall be sent to the respective parties at their addresses as set forth on Schedule A hereto, or to the principal office of the Company and to the attention of the Chief Executive Officer, in the case of the Company, or to such email address, facsimile number, or address as subsequently modified by written notice given in accordance with this Subsection 7.7 .
7.8 Amendments and Waivers . Any term of this Agreement may be amended, modified or terminated and the observance of any term of this Agreement may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance, and either retroactively or prospectively) only with the written consent of the Company and the Shareholders.
7.9 Severability . In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement is for any reason held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement, and such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision shall be reformed and construed so that it will be valid, legal, and enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by law.
7.10 Termination . This Agreement shall terminate upon mutual consent of all the Parties hereto. The provisions of Sections 2 ( Information and Observer Rights ), 3 ( Rights to Shares ), 4 ( Protective Provisions ), and 5 ( Additional Covenants ) shall terminate on the occurrence of the IPO. If this Agreement terminates, the Parties shall be released from their obligations under this Agreement, except in respect of any obligation stated, explicitly or otherwise, to continue to exist after the termination of this Agreement, i.e., Section 1 and 6 . If any Party breaches this Agreement before the termination of this Agreement, it shall not be released from its obligations arising from such breach on termination.
7.11 Entire Agreement . This Agreement (including any Schedules hereto) constitutes the full and entire understanding and agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and any other written or oral agreement relating to the subject matter hereof existing between the parties is expressly canceled.
7.12 No Third Party Beneficiaries . Except as otherwise provided herein, this Agreement and the rights and obligations of the Parties hereunder shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, their respective successors, assigns and legal representatives, but shall not otherwise be for the benefit of any third party. Subject as otherwise provided herein, the rights of any Shareholder hereunder are assignable to any Person in connection with the transfer (which transfer does not breach any provision of this Agreement, the Memorandum and Articles of Association and any applicable laws) of Equity Securities held by such Shareholder but only to the extent of such transfer, and any such transferee shall enter into this Agreement by a deed of adherence and to agree to be bound by all of the Selling Shareholders obligations hereunder. Subject to the foregoing, this Agreement and the rights and obligations of any Party hereunder shall not otherwise be assigned without the mutual written consent of the other Parties.
7.13 Dispute Resolution .
(a) Any dispute, controversy or claim (each, a Dispute ) arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or the interpretation, breach, termination, validity or invalidity thereof, shall be referred to arbitration upon the demand of either party to the dispute with notice (the Arbitration Notice ) to the other.
(b) The Dispute shall be settled by arbitration in Hong Kong by the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (the HKIAC ) in accordance with the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre Administered Arbitration Rules (the HKIAC Rules ) in force when the Arbitration Notice is submitted in accordance with the HKIAC Rules. The arbitration tribunal shall consist of three (3) arbitrators to be appointed according to the HKIAC Rules. For the sake of clarity, the seat of arbitration shall be Hong Kong.
(c) To the extent that the HKIAC Rules are in conflict with the provisions of this Subsection 7.13 , the provisions of this Subsection 7.13 shall prevail.
(d) The arbitration shall be conducted in English. Each party to the arbitration shall cooperate with each other party to the arbitration in making full disclosure of and providing complete access to all information and documents requested by such other party in connection with such arbitral proceedings, subject only to any confidentiality obligations binding on such party.
(e) The award of the arbitral tribunal shall be final and binding upon the parties thereto, and the prevailing party may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for enforcement of such award.
(f) The arbitral tribunal shall decide any Dispute submitted by the parties to the arbitration strictly in accordance with the substantive Law of Hong Kong (without regard to principles of conflict of Laws thereunder) and shall not apply any other substantive Law.
(g) Any party to the Dispute shall be entitled to seek preliminary injunctive relief, if possible, from any court of competent jurisdiction pending the constitution of the arbitral tribunal.
(h) During the course of the arbitral tribunals adjudication of the Dispute, this Agreement shall continue to be performed except with respect to the part in dispute and under adjudication.
7.14 Delays or Omissions . No delay or omission to exercise any right, power, or remedy accruing to any party under this Agreement, upon any breach or default of any other party under this Agreement, shall impair any such right, power, or remedy of such nonbreaching or nondefaulting party, nor shall it be construed to be a waiver of or acquiescence to any such breach or default, or to any similar breach or default thereafter occurring, nor shall any waiver of any single breach or default be deemed a waiver of any other breach or default theretofore or thereafter occurring. All remedies, whether under this Agreement or by law or otherwise afforded to any party, shall be cumulative and not alternative.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
Company |
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360 Finance, Inc. |
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By: |
/s/ Hongyi Zhou |
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Name: |
Hongyi Zhou |
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Title: |
Director |
[Signature Page to 360 Finance, Inc. SHA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
Class A Ordinary Shareholder |
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Aquarius International Company Limited |
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By: |
/s/ Jun Xu |
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Name: |
Jun Xu |
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Title: |
Director |
[Signature Page to 360 Finance, Inc. SHA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
Class A Ordinary Shareholder |
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Dinictis Company Limited |
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By: |
/s/ Xuan Wang |
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Name: |
Xuan Wang |
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Title: |
Director |
[Signature Page to 360 Finance, Inc. SHA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
Class A Ordinary Shareholder |
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Eofelis Company Limited |
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By: |
/s/ Yueyang Pei |
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Name: |
Yueyang Pei |
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Title: |
Director |
[Signature Page to 360 Finance, Inc. SHA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
Class A Ordinary Shareholder |
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Nimravus Group Company Limited |
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By: |
/s/ Zhiqiang He |
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Name: |
Zhiqiang He |
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Title: |
Director |
[Signature Page to 360 Finance, Inc. SHA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
Class B Ordinary Shareholder |
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Aerovane Company Limited |
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By: |
/s/ Hongyi Zhou |
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Name: |
Hongyi Zhou |
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Title: |
Director |
[Signature Page to 360 Finance, Inc. SHA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
Class C Ordinary Shareholder |
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Capricornus Technology Limited |
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By: |
/s/ Quansheng Huo |
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Name: |
Quansheng Huo |
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Title: |
Director |
[Signature Page to 360 Finance, Inc. SHA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
Class C Ordinary Shareholder |
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Eoraptor Technology Limited |
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By: |
/s/ Qingsheng Zheng |
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Name: |
Qingsheng Zheng |
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Title: |
Director |
[Signature Page to 360 Finance, Inc. SHA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
Class C Ordinary Shareholder |
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Perseus Technology Limited |
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By: |
/s/ Dazhou Yue |
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Name: |
Yue Dazhou ( 岳大洲 ) |
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Title: |
Director |
[Signature Page to 360 Finance, Inc. SHA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
Class C Ordinary Shareholder |
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Monocerus Company Limited |
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By: |
/s/ Dongdong Chen |
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Name: |
陈东东 (Dongdong Chen) |
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Title: |
Director |
[Signature Page to 360 Finance, Inc. SHA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
Class C Ordinary Shareholder |
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SKY FULL HOLDINGS LIMITED |
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By: |
/s/ Ip Ching Yeung David |
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Name: |
IP CHING YEUNG DAVID |
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Title: |
Director |
[Signature Page to 360 Finance, Inc. SHA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
Class C Ordinary Shareholder |
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Unicorn Group Company Limited |
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Series A Preferred Shareholder |
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Series A+ Preferred Shareholder |
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By: |
/s/ Jianming Dong |
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Name: |
Jianming Dong |
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Title: |
Director |
[Signature Page to 360 Finance, Inc. SHA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
Class C Ordinary Shareholder |
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香港芒果奇 泽有限公司 |
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(Hong Kong Mango Qize Company Limited) |
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By: |
/s/ Guoxiong Huang |
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Name: |
Guoxiong Huang |
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Title: |
[Signature Page to 360 Finance, Inc. SHA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
Class C Ordinary Shareholder |
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SIP Oriza ChongYuan M&A Co. Limited |
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By: |
/s/ Hua Yao |
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Name: |
Hua Yao |
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Title: |
Director |
[Signature Page to 360 Finance, Inc. SHA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
Series A Preferred Shareholder |
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CoBuilder Fintech CX Holdings Limited |
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Series A+ Preferred Shareholder |
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By: |
/s/ Huajie Cheng |
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Name: |
Huajie Cheng |
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Title: |
Partner |
[Signature Page to 360 Finance, Inc. SHA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
Series A Preferred Shareholder |
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CoBuilder Fintech HY Holdings Limited |
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Series A+ Preferred Shareholder |
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By: |
/s/ Huajie Cheng |
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Name: |
Huajie Cheng |
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Title: |
Partner |
[Signature Page to 360 Finance, Inc. SHA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
Series A Preferred Shareholder |
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FreeS Fintech 360 SPV Fund LP |
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By: |
/s/ Feng Li |
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Name: |
Feng Li |
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Title: |
Director |
[Signature Page to 360 Finance, Inc. SHA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
Series A+ Preferred Shareholder |
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Sagittarius Company Limited |
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By: |
/s/ Gang Xiao |
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Name: |
Gang Xiao (肖钢) |
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Title: |
Chairman |
[Signature Page to 360 Finance, Inc. SHA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
Series A+ Preferred Shareholder |
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YUE FU LP |
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By: RONG KE LTD |
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as General Partner |
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By: |
/s/ Wang Yong Jian |
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Name: |
Wang Yongjian |
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Title: |
Director |
[Signature Page to 360 Finance, Inc. SHA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
Series A+ Preferred Shareholder |
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CoBuilder Fintech HN Holdings Limited |
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By: |
/s/ Huajie Cheng |
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Name: |
Huajie Cheng |
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Title: |
Partner |
[Signature Page to 360 Finance, Inc. SHA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
Series A+ Preferred Shareholder |
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Sunny Pavilion Limited |
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By: |
/s/ Tim Seung |
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Name: |
Tim Seung |
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Title: |
Director |
[Signature Page to 360 Finance, Inc. SHA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
Series A+ Preferred Shareholder |
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Onew Technology Co., Ltd |
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By: |
/s/ Jie Guo |
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Name: |
Jie Guo |
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Title: |
Director |
[Signature Page to 360 Finance, Inc. SHA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
Series A+ Preferred Shareholder |
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MAX DYNAMIC BUSINESS LIMITED |
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By: |
/s/ Congwu Cheng |
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Name: |
Congwu Cheng |
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Title: |
Director |
[Signature Page to 360 Finance, Inc. SHA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
Series A+ Preferred Shareholder |
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Agile Success Limited |
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By: |
/s/ Zhiqiang Liu & Meiqing Zhai |
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Name: |
Zhiqiang Liu; Meiqing Zhai |
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Title: |
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[Signature Page to 360 Finance, Inc. SHA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
Series B Preferred Shareholder |
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Tongsung Holdings Limited |
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||
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By: |
/s/ Tan Yong Pong |
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Name: |
Tan Yong Pang |
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Title: |
Director |
[Signature Page to 360 Finance, Inc. SHA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
Series B Preferred Shareholder |
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Max Dynamic Business Limited |
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By: |
/s/ Congwu Cheng |
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Name: |
Congwu Cheng |
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Title: |
Director |
[Signature Page to 360 Finance, Inc. SHA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
Series B Preferred Shareholder |
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Onew Technology Co., Ltd |
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By: |
/s/ Jie Guo |
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Name: |
Jie Guo |
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Title: |
Director |
[Signature Page to 360 Finance, Inc. SHA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
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Hermitage Galaxy Fund SPC |
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on behalf of Hermitage Fund One SP |
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By: |
/s/ Xuejun Zhu |
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Name: |
Zhu Xuejun |
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Title: |
Director |
Signature Page to SHA
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
Series B Preferred Shareholder |
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TFI Special Opportunities Fund SPC TFI New Era Growth SP |
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By: |
/s/ Chenxi Zhai |
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Name: Chenxi Zhai |
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Title: Director |
[Signature Page to 360 Finance, Inc. SHA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
Management Team |
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By: |
/s/ Jun Xu |
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Name: XU Jun |
[Signature Page to 360 Finance, Inc. SHA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
Management Team |
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By: |
/s/ Xuan Wang |
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Name: WANG Xuan |
[Signature Page to 360 Finance, Inc. SHA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
Management Team |
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By: |
/s/ Yueyang Pei |
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Name: PEI Yueyang |
[Signature Page to 360 Finance, Inc. SHA]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
Management Team |
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By: |
/s/ Zhiqiang He |
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Name: HE Zhiqiang |
[Signature Page to 360 Finance, Inc. SHA]
SCHEDULE A
Shareholders and Management Team
Management Team |
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|
Xu Jun |
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Address |
c/o Shanghai Qiyu Information Technology Co., Ltd. China Diamond Exchange Center, Building B, No. 555 Pudian Road, No. 1701 Century Avenue, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, 200122, PRC |
Phone Number |
(86) 21 61516360 |
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lvcheng-jk@360jinrong.net |
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|
Wang Xuan |
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Address |
c/o Shanghai Qiyu Information Technology Co., Ltd. China Diamond Exchange Center, Building B, No. 555 Pudian Road, No. 1701 Century Avenue, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, 200122, PRC |
Phone Number |
(86) 21 61516360 |
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lvcheng-jk@360jinrong.net |
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|
Pei Yueyang |
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Address |
c/o Shanghai Qiyu Information Technology Co., Ltd. China Diamond Exchange Center, Building B, No. 555 Pudian Road, No. 1701 Century Avenue, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, 200122, PRC |
Phone Number |
(86) 21 61516360 |
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lvcheng-jk@360jinrong.net |
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|
He Zhiqiang |
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Address |
c/o Shanghai Qiyu Information Technology Co., Ltd. China Diamond Exchange Center, Building B, No. 555 Pudian Road, No. 1701 Century Avenue, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, 200122, PRC |
Phone Number |
(86) 21 61516360 |
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lvcheng-jk@360jinrong.net |
SCHEDULE B
Officer
Name |
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Title |
徐军 |
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Chief Executive Officer and Director |
刘威 |
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Director |
吴海生 |
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President |
吴疆 |
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Chief Financial Officer |
赵谦 |
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Executive Partner |
贺志强 |
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Vice President |
郑彦 |
|
Vice President |
SCHEDULE C
Prohibited Transferee
(i) Tencent, Sogou, Baidu, Kingsoft, Cheetah mobile, Xiaomi, Letv or their Affiliates; or
(ii) any other companies and their Affiliates competing with the Company and its Affiliates.
SCHEDULE D
Registration Rights
Section 1. Applicability of Rights .
Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Agreement (including this Schedule D), the Holders (as defined below) will be entitled to the following rights in this Schedule D with respect to any proposed public offering of the Companys Ordinary Shares in the United States. For purposes of this Agreement, Form F-3 shall be deemed to refer to Form S-3 or any comparable form under the U.S. securities laws if the Company is not at that time eligible to use Form F-3.
Section 2. Definitions .
For purposes of this Schedule D:
(a) Form F-3 means such respective form under the Securities Act as is in effect on the date hereof or any successor registration form under the Securities Act subsequently adopted by the SEC which permits inclusion or incorporation of substantial information by reference to other documents filed by the Company with the SEC.
(b) Holder means any Person owning or having the rights to acquire Registrable Securities or any permitted assignee of record of such Registrable Securities to whom rights under this Schedule D have been duly assigned in accordance with this Agreement.
(c) Registrable Securities means: (i) any Ordinary Shares of the Company issued to the Shareholders, and (ii) any Ordinary Shares issued (or issuable upon the conversion or exercise of any warrant, right or other security which is issued) as a dividend or other distribution with respect to, or in exchange for or in replacement of, any shares of the Company described in the foregoing clause (i). Notwithstanding the foregoing, Registrable Securities shall exclude any Registrable Securities sold by a Person in a transaction in which rights under this Schedule D are not validly assigned in accordance with this Agreement and any Registrable Securities which are sold in a registered public offering under the Securities Act, or sold pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.
(d) The number of shares of Registrable Securities then Outstanding shall mean the number of Ordinary Shares of the Company that are Registrable Securities and are then issued and outstanding, or issuable upon conversion or exercise of any warrant, right or other security then outstanding.
(e) Registration. The terms register , registered , and registration refer to a registration effected by filing a registration statement which is in a form which complies with, and is declared effective by the SEC in accordance with, the Securities Act.
(f) Registration Expenses shall mean expenses incurred by the Company in complying with Sections 3 , 4 and 5 hereof, including (i) all registration and filing fees, (ii) printing expenses, (iii) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, (iv) blue sky fees and expenses, and (v) the expense of any special audits incident to or required by any such registration (but excluding the compensation of regular employees of the Company which shall be paid in any event by the Company). For the purpose of this definition, the list abovementioned shall be the definite and complete list.
(g) SEC means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
(h) Selling Expenses shall mean all underwriting discounts and selling commissions and ADS issuance fees charged by the depositary bank of the Company applicable to the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to Sections 3 , 4 and 5 hereof.
Section 3. Demand Registration .
(a) Request by Holders. If the Company shall receive a written request from the Holders of at least twenty percent (20%) of the Registrable Securities then Outstanding that the Company file a registration statement under the Securities Act covering the registration of Registrable Securities pursuant to this Section 3 ; and provided that (i) the Registrable Securities to be registered would exceed twenty percent (20%) of the total Registrable Securities then Outstanding and (ii) the anticipated aggregate gross proceeds of such registration would exceed 5% of the market capitalization of the Company, which is determined by the opening price of the Companys registered shares as of the first trading day immediately after the occurrence of the IPO, then the Company shall, within ten (10) Business Days of the receipt of such written request, give written notice of such request ( Request Notice ) to all Holders, and use its best efforts to effect, as soon as practicable, the registration under the Securities Act of all Registrable Securities that the Holders request to be registered and included in such registration by written notice given by such Holders to the Company within twenty (20) days after receipt of the Request Notice, subject only to the limitations of this Section 3 ; provided that the Company shall not be obligated to effect any such registration if the Company has, within the six (6) month period preceding the date of such request, already effected a registration under the Securities Act pursuant to this Section 3 or Section 5 or in which the Holders had an opportunity to participate pursuant to the provisions of Section 4 , other than a registration from which the Registrable Securities of the Holders have been excluded (with respect to all or any portion of the Registrable Securities the Holders requested be included in such registration) pursuant to the provisions of Section 4(b) . The Company shall be obligated to effect no more than one (1) registration pursuant to this Section 3 or Section 5 for every 5% of the Companys outstanding share capital on a fully-diluted (by treasury method) basis held by the Holders, such percentage to be calculated as of the date immediately following the date hereof.
(b) Underwriting. If the Holders initiating the registration request under this Section 3 (the Initiating Holders ) intend to distribute the Registrable Securities covered by their request by means of an underwriting, then they shall so advise the Company as a part of their request made pursuant to this Section 3 and the Company shall include such information in the Request Notice. In such event, the right of any Holder to include its Registrable Securities in such registration shall be conditioned upon such Holders participation in such underwriting and the inclusion of such Holders Registrable Securities in the underwriting (unless otherwise mutually agreed by a majority in interest of the Initiating Holders and such other Holders) to the extent provided herein. All Holders proposing to distribute their securities through such underwriting shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the managing underwriter or underwriters selected for such underwriting by the Holders of a majority of the voting power of the Registrable Securities being registered and reasonably acceptable to the Company. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 3 , if the underwriter(s) advise(s) the Company in writing that marketing factors require a limitation of the number of securities to be underwritten, then the Company shall so advise all Holders of Registrable Securities which would otherwise be registered and underwritten pursuant hereto, and the number of Registrable Securities that may be included in the underwriting shall be reduced as required by the underwriter(s) and the number of shares that may be included in the registration and the underwriting shall be allocated, first, to each of the Holders requesting inclusion of their Registrable Securities in such registration statement on a pro rata basis based on the total number of shares of Registrable Securities then held by each such Holder, and second, to the Company and holders of other securities of the Company (as applicable); provided, however, that the right of the underwriter(s) to exclude shares (including Registrable Securities) from the registration and underwriting as described above shall be restricted so that all shares that are not Registrable Securities and are held by any Person (other than any Holder), including, without limitation, any Person who is an employee, officer or director of the Company (or any subsidiary of the Company) shall first be excluded from such registration and underwriting before any Registrable Securities are so excluded. If any Holder disapproves of the terms of any such underwriting, such Holder may elect to withdraw therefrom by written notice to the Company and the underwriter(s), delivered at least ten (10) Business Days prior to the effective date of the registration statement. Any Registrable Securities excluded or withdrawn from such underwriting shall be excluded and withdrawn from the registration.
(c) Deferral. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be required to effect a registration pursuant to this Section 3 :
(i) during the period starting with the date sixty (60) Business Days prior to the Companys good faith estimate of the date of the filing of, and ending on a date one hundred eighty (180) Business Days following the effective date of, a Company-initiated registration subject to Section 4 below, provided that the Company is actively employing in good faith all reasonable efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective;
(ii) if the Initiating Holders propose to dispose of Registrable Securities that are eligible to be registered on Form F-3 provided for under Section 5 hereof; or
(iii) if the Company shall furnish to Holders requesting registration pursuant to this Section 3 , a certificate signed by the President or Chief Executive Officer of the Company stating that in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors, it would be materially detrimental to the Company and its shareholders for such registration statement to be filed at such time, then the Company shall have the right to defer such filing for a period of not more than ninety (90) days after receipt of the request of the Initiating Holders; provided, however, that the Company may not utilize this right more than once in any twelve (12) month period; provided, further, that the Company shall not register any other of its shares during such ninety (90) day period; and provided, further, that a demand right shall not be deemed to have been exercised until such deferred registration shall have been effected.
Section 4. Piggyback Registrations .
(a) The Company shall notify all Holders of Registrable Securities in writing at least ten (10) days prior to filing any registration statement under the Securities Act for purposes of effecting a public offering of securities of the Company (including, but not limited to, registration statements relating to secondary offerings of securities of the Company, but excluding (A) a registration relating solely to the sale of securities to employees of the Company pursuant to an employee benefit plan of the Company; (B) a registration relating to a corporate reorganization or other transaction under Rule 145 of the Securities Act; (C) a registration on any form that does not include substantially the same information as would be required to be included in a registration statement covering the sale of the Registrable Securities; or (D) a registration in which the only Ordinary Shares being registered are Ordinary Shares issuable upon conversion of debt securities that are also being registered), and shall afford each such Holder an opportunity to include in such registration statement all or any part of the Registrable Securities then held by such Holder. Each Holder desiring to include in any such registration statement all or any part of the Registrable Securities held by it shall within five (5) days after receipt of the above described notice from the Company, so notify the Company in writing, and in such notice shall inform the Company of the number of Registrable Securities such Holder wishes to include in such registration statement. If a Holder decides not to include all of its Registrable Securities in any registration statement thereafter filed by the Company, such Holder shall nevertheless continue to have the right to include any Registrable Securities in any subsequent registration statement or registration statements as may be filed by the Company with respect to offerings of its securities, all upon the terms and conditions set forth herein. The Company shall have the right to terminate or withdraw any registration initiated by it under this Section 4 prior to the effectiveness of such registration whether or not any Holder has elected to include securities in such registration.
(b) Underwriting . If a registration statement under which the Company gives notice under this Section 4 is for an underwritten offering, then the Company shall so advise the Holders of Registrable Securities. In such event, the right of any such Holders Registrable Securities to be included in a registration pursuant to this Section 4 shall be conditioned upon such Holders participation in such underwriting and the inclusion of such Holders Registrable Securities in the underwriting to the extent provided herein. All Holders proposing to distribute their Registrable Securities through such underwriting shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the managing underwriter or underwriters selected for such underwriting. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if the managing underwriter(s) determine(s) in good faith that marketing factors require a limitation of the number of shares to be underwritten, then the managing underwriter(s) may exclude shares from the registration and the underwriting, and the number of shares that may be included in the registration and the underwriting shall be allocated, first, to the Company, second, to each of the Holders requesting inclusion of their Registrable Securities in such registration statement on a pro rata basis based on the total number of shares of Registrable Securities then held by each such Holder, and third, to holders of other securities of the Company; provided, however, that the right of the underwriter(s) to exclude shares (including Registrable Securities) from the registration and underwriting as described above shall be restricted so that all shares that are not Registrable Securities and are held by any Person (other than any Holder), including, without limitation, any Person who is an employee, officer or director of the Company (or any subsidiary of the Company) shall first be excluded from such registration and underwriting before any Registrable Securities are so excluded. If any Holder disapproves of the terms of any such underwriting, such Holder may elect to withdraw therefrom by written notice to the Company and the underwriter(s), delivered at least ten (10) Business Days prior to the effective date of the registration statement. Any Registrable Securities excluded or withdrawn from such underwriting shall be excluded and withdrawn from the registration.
(c) Not Demand Registration. Registration pursuant to this Section 4 shall not be deemed to be a demand registration as described in Section 3 above. There shall be no limit on the number of times the Holders may request registration of Registrable Securities under this Section 4 .
Section 5. Form F-3 .
In case the Company shall receive from Holders of at least twenty percent (20%) of the Registrable Securities then Outstanding a written request or requests that the Company effect a registration on Form F-3 and any related qualification or compliance with respect to all or a part of the Registrable Securities owned by such Holders, then the Company will, so long as the Company is qualified to use Form F-3:
(a) Notice. Promptly give written notice of the proposed registration and such Holders request therefor, and any related qualification or compliance, to all other Holders of Registrable Securities; and
(b) Registration. As soon as practicable, effect such registration and any related qualification or compliance as may be so requested and as would permit or facilitate the sale and distribution of all or such portion of such Holders Registrable Securities as are specified in such request, together with all or such portion of the Registrable Securities of any other Holders joining in such request as are specified in a written request given within twenty (20) days after the Company provides the notice contemplated by Section 5(a) ; provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to effect any such registration, qualification or compliance pursuant to this Section 5 :
(i) if Form F-3 is not available for such offering by the Holders;
(ii) if the anticipated aggregate gross proceeds of such registration would not exceed 5% of the market capitalization of the Company, which is determined by the opening price of the Companys registered shares as of the first trading day immediately after the occurrence of the IPO;
(iii) if the Company shall furnish to the Holders a certificate signed by the President or Chief Executive Officer of the Company stating that in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors, it would be materially detrimental to the Company and its shareholders for such Form F-3 registration to be effected at such time, in which event the Company shall have the right to defer the filing of the Form F-3 registration statement no more than once during any twelve (12) month period for a period of not more than ninety (90) days after receipt of the request of the Holders under this Section 5 ;
(iv) if the Company has, within the six (6) month period preceding the date of such request, already effected a registration under the Securities Act other than a registration from which the Registrable Securities of Holders have been excluded (with respect to all or any portion of the Registrable Securities the Holders requested be included in such registration) pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3(b) and 4(b );
(v) in any particular jurisdiction in which the Company would be required to qualify to do business or to execute a general consent to service of process in effecting such registration, qualification or compliance; or
(vi) if the Company has already effected no less than two (2) registrations pursuant to Section 3 or this Section 5 in any 12-month period.
Subject to the foregoing, the Company shall file a Form F-3 registration statement covering the Registrable Securities so requested to be registered as soon as practicable after receipt of the request of the Holders.
(c) Demand Registration. Form F-3 registrations shall be deemed to be demand registrations as described in Section 3 above.
Section 6. Expenses .
The Registration Expenses incurred in connection with any registration pursuant to Sections 3 , 4 or 5 (but excluding Selling Expenses) shall be borne by the Company. Each Holder participating in a registration pursuant to Sections 3 , 4 or 5 shall bear such Holders proportionate share (based on the total number of shares sold in such registration other than for the account of the Company) of all Selling Expenses or other amounts payable to underwriter(s) or brokers, and all other expenses in connection with such offering by the Holders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be required to pay for any expenses of any registration proceeding begun pursuant to Section 3 or Section 5 if the registration request is subsequently withdrawn at the request of the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities to be registered, unless the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities then outstanding agree that such registration constitutes the use by the Holders of one (1) demand registration for purposes of the last sentence of Section 3(a) ; provided, however, that if at the time of such withdrawal, the Holders have learned of a material adverse change in the condition, business, or prospects of the Company not known to the Holders at the time of their request for such registration and have withdrawn their request for registration with reasonable promptness after learning of such material adverse change, then the Holders shall not be required to pay any of such expenses and such registration shall not constitute the use of a demand registration for purposes of the last sentence of Section 3(a) .
Section 7. Obligations of the Company .
Whenever required to effect the registration of any Registrable Securities under this Agreement the Company shall, as expeditiously as reasonably possible:
(a) Registration Statement. Prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement with respect to such Registrable Securities and use its reasonable best efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective, and, upon the request of the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities registered thereunder, keep such registration statement effective for a period of up to ninety (90) days or, in the case of Registrable Securities registered under Form F-3 in accordance with Rule 415 under the Securities Act or a successor rule, until the distribution contemplated in the registration statement has been completed; provided, however, that (i) such ninety (90) day period shall be extended for a period of time equal to the period any Holder refrains from selling any securities included in such registration at the request of the underwriter(s), and (ii) in the case of any registration of Registrable Securities on Form F-3 which are intended to be offered on a continuous or delayed basis, such ninety (90) day period shall be extended, if necessary, to keep the registration statement effective until all such Registrable Securities are sold.
(b) Amendments and Supplements. Prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection with such registration statement as may be necessary to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such registration statement.
(c) Prospectuses. Furnish to the Holders such number of copies of a prospectus, including a preliminary prospectus, in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act, and such other documents as they may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by them that are included in such registration.
(d) Blue Sky. Use its best efforts to register and qualify the securities covered by such registration statement under such other securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as shall be reasonably requested by the Holders; provided that the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to qualify to do business or to file a general consent to service of process in any such states or jurisdictions, unless the Company is already subject to service of process in such jurisdiction and except as may be required by the Securities Act.
(e) Underwriting. In the event of any underwritten public offering, enter into and perform its obligations under an underwriting agreement in usual and customary form, with the managing underwriter(s) of such offering. Each Holder participating in such underwriting shall also enter into and perform its obligations under such an agreement.
(f) Notification. Notify each Holder of Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act of (i) when such registration statement, the prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto has been filed with the SEC and when such registration statement or any post-effective amendment thereto has become effective; (ii) of any request by the SEC for amendments or supplements to such registration statement or the prospectus included therein or for additional information; (iii) the issuance of any stop order by the SEC in respect of such registration statement, or (iv) the happening of any event as a result of which the prospectus included in such registration statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances then existing.
(g) Opinion and Comfort Letter. Furnish, at the request of any Holder requesting registration of Registrable Securities, on the date that such Registrable Securities are delivered to the underwriter(s) for sale, if such securities are being sold through underwriters, or, if such securities are not being sold through underwriters, on the date that the registration statement with respect to such securities becomes effective, (i) an opinion, dated as of such date, of the counsel representing the Company for the purposes of such registration, in form and substance as is customarily given to underwriters in an underwritten public offering and reasonably satisfactory to the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities registered thereunder, addressed to the underwriters, if any, and to the Holders requesting registration of Registrable Securities and (ii) letters dated as of (x) the effective date of the registration statement covering such Registrable Securities and (y) the closing date of the offering, from the independent certified public accountants of the Company, in form and substance as is customarily given by independent certified public accountants to underwriters in an underwritten public offering and reasonably satisfactory to the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities registered thereunder, addressed to the underwriters, if any, and to the Holders requesting registration of Registrable Securities.
(h) Other Obligations .
(i) Use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause all such Registrable Securities registered pursuant hereunder to be listed on each securities exchange or quotation system on which the Ordinary Shares issued by the Company are then listed or traded.
(ii) Use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any stop order issued by the SEC suspending the effectiveness of the relevant registration statement at the earliest possible time.
Section 8. Furnish Information .
It shall be a condition precedent to the obligations of the Company to take any action pursuant to Sections 3 , 4 or 5 that the selling Holders shall furnish to the Company such information regarding themselves, the Registrable Securities held by them and the intended method of disposition of such securities as shall be required to timely effect the registration of their Registrable Securities.
Section 9. Indemnification .
In the event any Registrable Securities are included in a registration statement under Sections 3 , 4 or 5 :
(a) By the Company. To the extent permitted by law, the Company will indemnify and hold harmless each Holder, its partners, officers, directors, legal counsel, any underwriter (as defined in the Securities Act) for such Holder and each Person, if any, who controls such Holder or underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, against any losses, claims, damages, or liabilities (joint or several) to which they may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or other United States federal or state law, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any of the following statements, omissions or violations (collectively a Violation ):
(i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in such registration statement, including any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained therein or any amendments or supplements thereto;
(ii) the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; or
(iii) any violation or alleged violation by the Company of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, any United States federal or state securities law, or any rule or regulation promulgated under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or any United States federal or state securities law in connection with the offering covered by such registration statement;
and the Company will reimburse each such Holder, its partner, officer, director, legal counsel, underwriter or controlling Person for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them, as such expenses are incurred, in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action; provided, however, that the indemnity agreement contained in this Subsection 9(a) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action if such settlement is effected without the consent of the Company (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), nor shall the Company be liable in any such case for any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action to the extent that it arises out of or is based upon (A) a Violation which occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished expressly for use in connection with such registration by such Holder, partner, officer, director, legal counsel, underwriter or controlling Person of such Holder or (B) delivery of a prospectus by a Holder who has received notice from the Company that the registration statement relating thereto contains an untrue statement of a material fact or an omission of a material fact.
(b) By Selling Holders. To the extent permitted by law, each selling Holder will, if Registrable Securities held by Holder are included in the securities as to which such registration, qualifications or compliance is being effected, indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its employees, advisors, agents and directors, each of its officers who has signed the registration statement, each Person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act, any underwriter and any other holder selling securities under such registration statement or any of such other holders partners, directors, officers, legal counsel or any Person who controls such holder within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities (joint or several) to which the Company or any such employee, advisor, agent, director, officer, legal counsel, controlling Person, underwriter or other such holder, partner or director, officer or controlling Person of such other holder may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other United States federal or state law, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereto) arise out of or are based upon any Violation, in each case to the extent (and only to the extent) that such Violation occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished by such Holder or its partners, officers, directors, employees, advisors, agents, underwriters or controlling Persons expressly for use in connection with such registration; and each such Holder will reimburse any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Company or any such employee, advisor, agent, director, officer, controlling Person, underwriter or other holder, partner, officer, director or controlling Person of such other holder in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action; provided, however, that the indemnity agreement contained in this Subsection 9(b) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action if such settlement is effected without the consent of the Holder, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; and provided further, that except for liability for willful fraud or misrepresentation, in no event shall any indemnity under this Subsection 9(b) exceed the net proceeds received by such Holder in the registered offering out of which the applicable Violation arises.
(c) Notice. Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 9 of notice of the commencement of any action (including any governmental action), such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against any indemnifying party under this Section 9 , deliver to the indemnifying party a written notice of the commencement thereof and the indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in, and, to the extent the indemnifying party so desires, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly noticed, to assume the defense thereof with counsel mutually satisfactory to the parties; provided, however, that an indemnified party shall have the right to retain its own counsel, with the fees and expenses to be paid by the indemnifying party, if representation of such indemnified party by the counsel retained by the indemnifying party would be inappropriate due to actual or potential conflict of interests between such indemnified party and any other party represented by such counsel in such proceeding. The failure to deliver written notice to the indemnifying party within a reasonable time of the commencement of any such action shall relieve such indemnifying party of liability to the indemnified party under this Section 9 to the extent the indemnifying party is prejudiced as a result thereof, but the omission to so deliver written notice to the indemnifying party will not relieve it of any liability that it may have to any indemnified party otherwise than under this Section 9 .
(d) Contribution. In order to provide for just and equitable contribution to joint liability under the Securities Act in any case in which either (i) any indemnified party makes a claim for indemnification pursuant to this Section 9 but it is judicially determined (by the entry of a final judgment or decree by a court of competent jurisdiction and the expiration of time to appeal or the denial of the last right of appeal) that such indemnification may not be enforced in such case notwithstanding the fact that this Section 9 provides for indemnification in such case, or (ii) contribution under the Securities Act may be required on the part of any indemnified party in circumstances for which indemnification is provided under this Section 9 ; then, and in each such case, the indemnified party and the indemnifying party will contribute to the aggregate losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which they may be subject (after contribution from others) in such proportion so that a Holder (together with its related Persons) is responsible for the portion represented by the percentage that the public offering price of its Registrable Securities offered by and sold under the registration statement bears to the public offering price of all securities offered by and sold under such registration statement, and the Company and other selling holders are responsible for the remaining portion. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and of the indemnified party shall be determined by a court of law by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the indemnifying party or by the indemnified party and the parties relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission; provided, however, that, in any such case: (A) except for liability for willful fraud or misrepresentation, no Holder will be required to contribute any amount in excess of the net proceeds to such Holder from the sale of all such Registrable Securities offered and sold by such Holder pursuant to such registration statement; and (B) no Person or entity guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) will be entitled to contribution from any Person or entity who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
(e) Survival; Consents to Judgments and Settlements. The obligations of the Company and Holders under this Section 9 shall survive the completion of any offering of Registrable Securities in a registration statement, regardless of the expiration of any statutes of limitation or extensions of such statutes. No indemnifying party, in the defense of any such claim or litigation, shall, except with the consent of each indemnified party, consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such indemnified party of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation.
Section 10. Termination of the Companys Obligations .
The Company shall have no obligations pursuant to Sections 3 , 4 and 5 with respect to any Registrable Securities proposed to be sold by a Holder in a registration pursuant to Sections 3 , 4 or 5 more than two (2) years immediately after the occurrence of the IPO, or, if, in the opinion of counsel to the Company, all such Registrable Securities proposed to be sold by a Holder may then be sold without registration in any ninety (90) day period pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.
Section 11. Rule 144 Reporting .
With a view to making available to the Holders the benefits of certain rules and regulations of the SEC which may at any time permit the sale of the Registrable Securities to the public without registration or pursuant to a registration on Form F-3, the Company agrees to:
(a) Make and keep public information available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act;
(b) File with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act; and
(c) So long as a Holder owns any Registrable Securities, to furnish to such Holder forthwith upon request (i) a written statement by the Company as to its compliance with the reporting requirements of Rule 144, the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, or its qualification as a registrant whose securities may be resold pursuant to Form F-3 (at any time after it so qualifies), (ii) a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company, and (iii) such other reports and documents of the Company as a Holder may reasonably request in availing itself of any rule or regulation of the SEC that permits the selling of any such securities without registration or pursuant to Form F-3.
Our ref VSL/741985-000001/13639051v1
360 Finance, Inc.
China Diamond Exchange Center, Building B
No. 555 Pudian Road, No. 1701 Century Avenue
Pudong New Area, Shanghai 200122
Peoples Republic of China
24 October 2018
Dear Sirs
360 Finance, Inc.
We have acted as Cayman Islands legal advisers to 360 Finance, Inc. (the Company ) in connection with the Companys registration statement on Form F-1, including all amendments or supplements thereto (the Registration Statement ), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended to date relating to the offering by the Company of certain American depositary shares (the ADSs ) representing the Companys Class A ordinary shares of par value US$0.00001 each (the Shares ).
We are furnishing this opinion as Exhibits 5.1, 8.1 and 23.2 to the Registration Statement.
1 Documents Reviewed
For the purposes of this opinion, we have reviewed only originals, copies or final drafts of the following documents and such other documents as we have deemed necessary in order to render the opinions below:
1.1 The certificate of incorporation of the Company dated 27 April 2018 issued by the Registrar of Companies in the Cayman Islands.
1.2 The amended and restated memorandum and articles of association of the Company as adopted by special resolution passed on 10 September 2018 (the Pre-IPO Memorandum and Articles ).
1.3 The second amended and restated memorandum and articles of association of the Company as conditionally adopted by a special resolution passed on 22 October 2018 and effective immediately prior to the completion of the Companys initial public offering of the ADSs representing the Shares (the IPO Memorandum and Articles ).
1.4 The written resolutions of the directors of the Company dated 22 October 2018 (the Directors Resolutions ).
1.5 The minutes ( EGM Minutes ) of the extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders of the Company held on 22 October 2018 (the EGM ).
1.6 A certificate from a director of the Company, a copy of which is attached hereto (the Directors Certificate ).
1.7 A certificate of good standing dated 18 October 2018, issued by the Registrar of Companies in the Cayman Islands (the Certificate of Good Standing ).
1.8 The Registration Statement.
2 Assumptions
The following opinions are given only as to, and based on, circumstances and matters of fact existing and known to us on the date of this opinion letter. These opinions only relate to the laws of the Cayman Islands which are in force on the date of this opinion letter. In giving these opinions we have relied (without further verification) upon the completeness and accuracy, as of the date of this opinion letter, of the Directors Certificate and the Certificate of Good Standing. We have also relied upon the following assumptions, which we have not independently verified:
2.1 Copies of documents, conformed copies or drafts of documents provided to us are true and complete copies of, or in the final forms of, the originals.
2.2 All signatures, initials and seals are genuine.
2.3 There is nothing under any law (other than the law of the Cayman Islands), which would or might affect the opinions set out below.
3 Opinion
Based upon the foregoing and subject to the qualifications set out below and having regard to such legal considerations as we deem relevant, we are of the opinion that:
3.1 The Company has been duly incorporated as an exempted company with limited liability and is validly existing and in good standing with the Registrar of Companies under the laws of the Cayman Islands.
3.2 The authorised share capital of the Company, with effect immediately prior to the completion of the Companys initial public offering of the ADSs representing the Shares, will be US$50,000 divided into 5,000,000,000 shares comprising of (i) 4,900,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares of a par value of US$0.00001 each, (ii) 50,000,000 Class B Ordinary Shares of a par value of US$0.00001 each, and (iii) 50,000,000 shares of a par value of US$0.00001 each of such class or classes (however designated) as the board of directors may determine in accordance with the IPO Memorandum and Articles.
3.3 The issue and allotment of the Shares have been duly authorised and when allotted, issued and paid for as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Shares will be legally issued and allotted, fully paid and non-assessable. As a matter of Cayman law, a share is only issued when it has been entered in the register of members (shareholders).
3.4 The statements under the caption Taxation in the prospectus forming part of the Registration Statement, to the extent that they constitute statements of Cayman Islands law, are accurate in all material respects and that such statements constitute our opinion.
4 Qualifications
In this opinion the phrase non-assessable means, with respect to the Shares in the Company, that a shareholder shall not, solely by virtue of its status as a shareholder, be liable for additional assessments or calls on the Shares by the Company or its creditors (except in exceptional circumstances, such as involving fraud, the establishment of an agency relationship or an illegal or improper purpose or other circumstances in which a court may be prepared to pierce or lift the corporate veil).
Except as specifically stated herein, we make no comment with respect to any representations and warranties which may be made by or with respect to the Company in any of the documents or instruments cited in this opinion or otherwise with respect to the commercial terms of the transactions, which are the subject of this opinion.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to our name under the headings Enforceability of Civil Liabilities, Taxation and Legal Matters and elsewhere in the prospectus included in the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Rules and Regulations of the Commission thereunder.
Yours faithfully |
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/s/ Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP |
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Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP |
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Directors Certificate
360 FINANCE, INC.
SHARE INCENTIVE PLAN
ARTICLE 1
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Share Incentive Plan (the Plan) is to promote the success and enhance the value of 360 Finance, Inc., an exempted company formed under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the Company ), by linking the personal interests of the Directors, Employees, and Consultants to those of the Companys shareholders and by providing such individuals with an incentive for outstanding performance to generate superior returns to the Companys shareholders. The Plan is further intended to provide flexibility to the Company in its ability to motivate, attract, and retain the services of the Directors, Employees, and Consultants upon whose judgment, interest, and special effort the successful conduct of the Companys operation is largely dependent.
ARTICLE 2
DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION
Wherever the following terms are used in the Plan they shall have the meanings specified below, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The singular pronoun shall include the plural where the context so indicates.
2.1 Applicable Laws means the legal requirements relating to the Plan and the Awards under applicable provisions of the corporate, securities, tax and other laws, rules, regulations and government orders, and the rules of any applicable stock exchange or national market system, of any jurisdiction applicable to Awards granted to residents therein.
2.2 Award means an Option, Restricted Share or Restricted Share Unit award granted to a Participant pursuant to the Plan.
2.3 Award Agreement means any written agreement, contract, or other instrument or document evidencing an Award, including through electronic medium.
2.4 Board means the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.5 Cause with respect to a Participant means (unless otherwise expressly provided in the applicable Award Agreement, or another applicable contract with the Participant that defines such term for purposes of determining the effect that a for cause termination has on the Participants Awards) a termination of employment or service based upon a finding by the Service Recipient, acting in good faith and based on its reasonable belief at the time, that the Participant:
(a) has been negligent in the discharge of his or her duties to the Service Recipient, has refused to perform stated or assigned duties or is incompetent in or (other than by reason of a disability or analogous condition) incapable of performing those duties;
(b) has been dishonest or committed or engaged in an act of theft, embezzlement or fraud, a breach of confidentiality, an unauthorized disclosure or use of inside information, customer lists, trade secrets or other confidential information;
(c) has breached a fiduciary duty, or willfully and materially violated any other duty, law, rule, regulation or policy of the Service Recipient; or has been convicted of, or plead guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony or misdemeanor (other than minor traffic violations or similar offenses);
(d) has materially breached any of the provisions of any agreement with the Service Recipient;
(e) has engaged in unfair competition with, or otherwise acted intentionally in a manner injurious to the reputation, business or assets of, the Service Recipient; or
(f) has improperly induced a vendor or customer to break or terminate any contract with the Service Recipient or induced a principal for whom the Service Recipient acts as agent to terminate such agency relationship.
A termination for Cause shall be deemed to occur (subject to reinstatement upon a contrary final determination by the Committee) on the date on which the Service Recipient first delivers written notice to the Participant of a finding of termination for Cause.
2.6 Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 of the United States, as amended.
2.7 Committee means a committee of the Board described in Article 10.
2.8 Consultant means any consultant or adviser if: (a) the consultant or adviser renders bona fide services to a Service Recipient; (b) the services rendered by the consultant or adviser are not in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction and do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Companys securities; and (c) the consultant or adviser is a natural person who has contracted directly with the Service Recipient to render such services.
2.9 Corporate Transaction , unless otherwise defined in an Award Agreement, means any of the following transactions, provided , however , that the Committee shall determine under (d) and (e) whether multiple transactions are related, and its determination shall be final, binding and conclusive:
(a) an amalgamation, arrangement or consolidation or scheme of arrangement (i) in which the Company is not the surviving entity, except for a transaction the principal purpose of which is to change the jurisdiction in which the Company is incorporated or (ii) following which the holders of the voting securities of the Company do not continue to hold more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the surviving entity;
(b) the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company;
(c) the complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company;
(d) any reverse takeover or series of related transactions culminating in a reverse takeover (including, but not limited to, a tender offer followed by a reverse takeover) in which the Company is the surviving entity but (A) the Companys equity securities outstanding immediately prior to such takeover are converted or exchanged by virtue of the takeover into other property, whether in the form of securities, cash or otherwise, or (B) in which securities possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the Companys outstanding securities are transferred to a person or persons different from those who held such securities immediately prior to such takeover or the initial transaction culminating in such takeover, but excluding any such transaction or series of related transactions that the Committee determines shall not be a Corporate Transaction; or
(e) acquisition in a single or series of related transactions by any person or related group of persons (other than the Company or by a Company-sponsored employee benefit plan) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act) of securities possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the Companys outstanding securities but excluding any such transaction or series of related transactions that the Committee determines shall not be a Corporate Transaction.
2.10 Director , means a member of the Board or a member of the board of directors of any Subsidiary of the Company.
2.11 Disability , unless otherwise defined in an Award Agreement, means that the Participant qualifies to receive long-term disability payments under the Service Recipients long-term disability insurance program, as it may be amended from time to time, to which the Participant provides services regardless of whether the Participant is covered by such policy. If the Service Recipient to which the Participant provides service does not have a long-term disability plan in place, Disability means that a Participant is unable to carry out the responsibilities and functions of the position held by the Participant by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment for a period of not less than ninety (90) consecutive days. A Participant will not be considered to have incurred a Disability unless he or she furnishes proof of such impairment sufficient to satisfy the Committee in its discretion.
2.12 Effective Date shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11.1.
2.13 Employee means any person, including an officer or a Director, who is in the employment of a Service Recipient, subject to the control and direction of the Service Recipient as to both the work to be performed and the manner and method of performance. The payment of a directors fee by a Service Recipient shall not be sufficient to constitute employment by the Service Recipient.
2.14 Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 of the United States, as amended.
2.15 Fair Market Value means, as of any date, the value of Shares determined as follows:
(a) If the Shares are listed on one or more established stock exchanges or national market systems, including without limitation, the New York Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for such shares (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on the principal exchange or system on which the Shares are listed (as determined by the Committee) on the date of determination (or, if no closing sales price or closing bid was reported on that date, as applicable, on the last trading date such closing sales price or closing bid was reported), as reported on the website maintained by such exchange or market system or such other source as the Committee deems reliable;
(b) If the Shares are regularly quoted on an automated quotation system (including the OTC Bulletin Board) or by a recognized securities dealer, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for such Shares as quoted on such system or by such securities dealer on the date of determination, but if selling prices are not reported, the Fair Market Value of a Share shall be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for the Shares on the date of determination (or, if no such prices were reported on that date, on the last date such prices were reported), as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Committee deems reliable; or
(c) In the absence of an established market for the Shares of the type described in (a) and (b) above, the Fair Market Value thereof shall be determined by the Committee in good faith and in its discretion by reference to (i) the placing price of the latest private placement of the Shares and the development of the Companys business operations and the general economic and market conditions since such latest private placement, (ii) other third party transactions involving the Shares and the development of the Companys business operation and the general economic and market conditions since such transaction, (iii) an independent valuation of the Shares, or (iv) such other methodologies or information as the Committee determines to be indicative of Fair Market Value.
2.16 Group Entity means any of the Company and Subsidiaries of the Company.
2.17 Incentive Share Option means an Option that is intended to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code or any successor provision thereto.
2.18 Independent Director means (i) if the Shares or other securities representing the Shares are not listed on a stock exchange, a Director of the Company who is a Non-Employee Director; and (ii) if the Shares or other securities representing the Shares are listed on one or more stock exchange, a Director of the Company who meets the independence standards under the applicable corporate governance rules of the stock exchange(s).
2.19 IPO means the initial public offering of the Shares of the Company.
2.20 Non-Employee Director means a member of the Board who qualifies as a Non-Employee Director as defined in Rule 16b-3(b)(3) of the Exchange Act, or any successor definition adopted by the Board.
2.21 Non-Qualified Share Option means an Option that is not intended to be an Incentive Share Option.
2.22 Option means a right granted to a Participant pursuant to Article 5 of the Plan to purchase a specified number of Shares at a specified price during specified time periods. An Option may be either an Incentive Share Option or a Non-Qualified Share Option.
2.23 Participant means a person who, as a Director, Consultant or Employee, has been granted an Award pursuant to the Plan.
2.24 Parent means a parent corporation under Section 424(e) of the Code.
2.25 Plan means this Share Incentive Plan of 360 Finance, Inc., as amended and/or restated from time to time.
2.26 Related Entity means any business, corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity in which the Company, a Parent or Subsidiary of the Company holds a substantial ownership interest, directly or indirectly, or controls through contractual arrangements and consolidates the financial results according to applicable accounting standards, but which is not a Subsidiary and which the Board designates as a Related Entity for purposes of the Plan.
2.27 Restricted Share means a Share awarded to a Participant pursuant to Article 6 that is subject to certain restrictions and may be subject to risk of forfeiture.
2.28 Restricted Share Unit means an Award granted pursuant to Article 7.
2.29 Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933 of the United States, as amended.
2.30 Service Recipient means the Company or Subsidiary of the Company to which a Participant provides services as an Employee, a Consultant or a Director.
2.31 Share means the ordinary shares of the Company, including both Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares, par value US$0.00001 per share, and such other securities of the Company that may be substituted for Shares pursuant to Article 9.
2.32 Subsidiary means any corporation or other entity of which a majority of the outstanding voting shares or voting power is beneficially owned directly or indirectly by the Company.
2.33 Trading Date means the closing of the first sale to the general public of the Shares pursuant to a registration statement filed with and declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act.
ARTICLE 3
SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN
3.1 Number of Shares .
(a) Subject to the provisions of Article 9 and Section 3.1(b), the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be issued pursuant to all Awards (including Incentive Share Options) is 25,336,096 Shares, plus an annual increase on the first day of each year during the term of this Plan commencing with the completion of the IPO, by (i) an amount equal to 1.0% of the total number of the then outstanding Shares or (ii) such fewer number of Shares as may be determined by the Board.
(b) To the extent that an Award terminates, expires, or lapses for any reason, any Shares subject to the Award shall again be available for the grant of an Award pursuant to the Plan. To the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, Shares issued in assumption of, or in substitution for, any outstanding awards of any entity acquired in any form or combination by a Group Entity shall not be counted against Shares available for grant pursuant to the Plan. Shares delivered by the Participant or withheld by the Company upon the exercise of any Award under the Plan, in payment of the exercise price thereof or tax withholding thereon, may again be optioned, granted or awarded hereunder, subject to the limitations of Section 3.1(a). If any Restricted Shares are forfeited by the Participant or repurchased by the Company, such Shares may again be optioned, granted or awarded hereunder, subject to the limitations of Section 3.1(a). Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 3.1(b), no Shares may again be optioned, granted or awarded if such action would cause an Incentive Share Option to fail to qualify as an incentive share option under Section 422 of the Code.
3.2 Shares Distributed . Any Shares distributed pursuant to an Award may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued Shares, treasury Shares (subject to Applicable Laws) or Shares purchased on the open market. Additionally, at the discretion of the Committee, any Shares distributed pursuant to an Award may be represented by American Depository Shares. If the number of Shares represented by an American Depository Share is other than on a one-to-one basis, the limitations of Section 3.1 shall be adjusted to reflect the distribution of American Depository Shares in lieu of Shares.
ARTICLE 4
ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION
4.1 Eligibility . Persons eligible to participate in this Plan include Employees, Consultants, and Directors, as determined by the Committee.
4.2 Participation . Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee may, from time to time, select from among all eligible individuals, those to whom Awards shall be granted and shall determine the nature and amount of each Award. No individual shall have any right to be granted an Award pursuant to this Plan.
4.3 Jurisdictions . In order to assure the viability of Awards granted to Participants employed in various jurisdictions, the Committee may provide for such special terms as it may consider necessary or appropriate to accommodate differences in local law, tax policy, or custom applicable in the jurisdiction in which the Participant resides, is employed, operates or is incorporated. Moreover, the Committee may approve such supplements to, or amendments, restatements, or alternative versions of, the Plan as it may consider necessary or appropriate for such purposes without thereby affecting the terms of the Plan as in effect for any other purpose; provided, however , that no such supplements, amendments, restatements, or alternative versions shall increase the share limitations contained in Section 3.1 of the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may not take any actions hereunder, and no Awards shall be granted, that would violate any Applicable Laws.
ARTICLE 5
OPTIONS
5.1 General . The Committee is authorized to grant Options to Participants on the following terms and conditions:
(a) Exercise Price . The exercise price per Share subject to an Option shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement which may be a fixed price or a variable price related to the Fair Market Value of the Shares. The exercise price per Share subject to an Option may be amended or adjusted in the absolute discretion of the Committee, the determination of which shall be final, binding and conclusive. For the avoidance of doubt, to the extent not prohibited by Applicable Laws or any exchange rule, a downward adjustment of the exercise prices of Options mentioned in the preceding sentence shall be effective without the approval of the Companys shareholders or the approval of the affected Participants.
(b) Time and Conditions of Exercise . The Committee shall determine the time or times at which an Option may be exercised in whole or in part, including exercise prior to vesting; provided that the term of any Option granted under the Plan shall not exceed ten years, except as provided in Section 12.1. The Committee shall also determine any conditions, if any, that must be satisfied before all or part of an Option may be exercised.
(c) Payment . The Committee shall determine the methods by which the exercise price of an Option may be paid, the form of payment, including, without limitation (i) cash or check denominated in U.S. Dollars, (ii) to the extent permissible under the Applicable Laws, cash or check in Chinese Renminbi, (iii) cash or check denominated in any other local currency as approved by the Committee, (iv) Shares held for such period of time as may be required by the Committee in order to avoid adverse financial accounting consequences and having a Fair Market Value on the date of delivery equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Option or exercised portion thereof, (v) after the Trading Date the delivery of a notice that the Participant has placed a market sell order with a broker with respect to Shares then issuable upon exercise of the Option, and that the broker has been directed to pay a sufficient portion of the net proceeds of the sale to the Company in satisfaction of the Option exercise price; provided that payment of such proceeds is then made to the Company upon settlement of such sale, (vi) other property acceptable to the Committee with a Fair Market Value equal to the exercise price, or (vii) any combination of the foregoing. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, no Participant who is a member of the Board or an executive officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act shall be permitted to pay the exercise price of an Option in any method which would violate Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act.
(d) Evidence of Grant . All Options shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement between the Company and the Participant. The Award Agreement shall include such additional provisions as may be specified by the Committee.
(e) Effects of Termination of Employment or Service on Options . Termination of employment or service shall have the following effects on Options granted to the Participants:
(i) Dismissal for Cause . Unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement, if a Participants employment by or service to the Service Recipient is terminated by the Service Recipient for Cause, the Participants Options will terminate upon such termination, whether or not the Option is then vested and/or exercisable;
(ii) Death or Disability . Unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement, if a Participants employment by or service to the Service Recipient terminates as a result of the Participants death or Disability:
(a) the Participant (or his or her legal representative or beneficiary, in the case of the Participants Disability or death, respectively), will have until the date that is 12 months after the Participants termination of Employment to exercise the Participants Options (or portion thereof) to the extent that such Options were vested and exercisable on the date of the Participants termination of Employment on account of death or Disability;
(b) the Options, to the extent not vested and exercisable on the date of the Participants termination of Employment or service, shall terminate upon the Participants termination of Employment or service on account of death or Disability; and
(c) the Options, to the extent exercisable for the 12-month period following the Participants termination of Employment or service and not exercised during such period, shall terminate at the close of business on the last day of the 12-month period.
(iii) Other Terminations of Employment or Service . Unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement, if a Participants employment by or service to the Service Recipient terminates for any reason other than a termination by the Service Recipient for Cause or because of the Participants death or Disability:
(a) the Participant will have until the date that is 90 days after the Participants termination of Employment or service to exercise his or her Options (or portion thereof) to the extent that such Options were vested and exercisable on the date of the Participants termination of Employment or service;
(b) the Options, to the extent not vested and exercisable on the date of the Participants termination of Employment or service, shall terminate upon the Participants termination of Employment or service; and
(c) the Options, to the extent exercisable for the 90-day period following the Participants termination of Employment or service and not exercised during such period, shall terminate at the close of business on the last day of the 90-day period.
5.2 Incentive Share Options . Incentive Share Options may be granted to Employees of the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company. Incentive Share Options may not be granted to employees of a Related Entity or to Independent Directors or Consultants. The terms of any Incentive Share Options granted pursuant to the Plan, in addition to the requirements of Section 5.1, must comply with the following additional provisions of this Section 5.2:
(a) Individual Dollar Limitation . The aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time the Option is granted) of all Shares with respect to which Incentive Share Options are first exercisable by a Participant in any calendar year may not exceed $100,000 or such other limitation as imposed by Section 422(d) of the Code, or any successor provision. To the extent that Incentive Share Options are first exercisable by a Participant in excess of such limitation, the excess shall be considered Non-Qualified Share Options.
(b) Exercise Price . The exercise price of an Incentive Share Option shall be equal to the Fair Market Value on the date of grant. However, the exercise price of any Incentive Share Option granted to any individual who, at the date of grant, owns Shares possessing more than ten percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of shares of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company may not be less than 110% of Fair Market Value on the date of grant and such Option may not be exercisable for more than five years from the date of grant.
(c) Transfer Restriction . The Participant shall give the Company prompt notice of any disposition of Shares acquired by exercise of an Incentive Share Option within (i) two years from the date of grant of such Incentive Share Option or (ii) one year after the transfer of such Shares to the Participant.
(d) Expiration of Incentive Share Options . No Award of an Incentive Share Option may be made pursuant to this Plan after the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date.
(e) Right to Exercise . During a Participants lifetime, an Incentive Share Option may be exercised only by the Participant.
ARTICLE 6
RESTRICTED SHARES
6.1 Grant of Restricted Shares . The Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant Restricted Shares to Participants as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine. The Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine the number of Restricted Shares to be granted to each Participant.
6.2 Restricted Shares Award Agreement . Each Award of Restricted Shares shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the period of restriction, the number of Restricted Shares granted, and such other terms and conditions as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine. Unless the Committee determines otherwise, Restricted Shares shall be held by the Company as escrow agent until the restrictions on such Restricted Shares have lapsed.
6.3 Issuance and Restrictions . Restricted Shares shall be subject to such restrictions on transferability and other restrictions as the Committee may impose (including, without limitation, limitations on the right to vote Restricted Shares or the right to receive dividends on the Restricted Shares). These restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times, pursuant to such circumstances, in such installments, or otherwise, as the Committee determines at the time of the grant of the Award or thereafter.
6.4 Forfeiture/Repurchase . Except as otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of the grant of the Award or thereafter, upon termination of employment or service during the applicable restriction period, Restricted Shares that are at that time subject to restrictions shall be forfeited or repurchased in accordance with the Award Agreement; provided, however , the Committee may (a) provide in any Restricted Share Award Agreement that restrictions or forfeiture and repurchase conditions relating to Restricted Shares will be waived in whole or in part in the event of terminations resulting from specified causes, and (b) in other cases waive in whole or in part restrictions or forfeiture and repurchase conditions relating to Restricted Shares.
6.5 Certificates for Restricted Shares . Restricted Shares granted pursuant to the Plan may be evidenced in such manner as the Committee shall determine. If certificates representing Restricted Shares are registered in the name of the Participant, certificates must bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Shares, and the Company may, at its discretion, retain physical possession of the certificate until such time as all applicable restrictions lapse.
6.6 Removal of Restrictions . Except as otherwise provided in this Article 6, Restricted Shares granted under the Plan shall be released from escrow as soon as practicable after the last day of the period of restriction. The Committee, in its discretion, may accelerate the time at which any restrictions shall lapse or be removed. After the restrictions have lapsed, the Participant shall be entitled to have any legend or legends under Section 6.5 removed from his or her Share certificate, and the Shares shall be freely transferable by the Participant, subject to applicable legal restrictions. The Committee (in its discretion) may establish procedures regarding the release of Shares from escrow and the removal of legends, as necessary or appropriate to minimize administrative burdens on the Company.
ARTICLE 7
RESTRICTED SHARE UNITS
7.1 Grant of Restricted Share Units . The Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant Restricted Share Units to Participants as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine. The Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine the number of Restricted Share Units to be granted to each Participant.
7.2 Restricted Share Units Award Agreement . Each Award of Restricted Share Units shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify any vesting conditions, the number of Restricted Share Units granted, and such other terms and conditions as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine.
7.3 Form and Timing of Payment of Restricted Share Units . At the time of grant, the Committee shall specify the date or dates on which the Restricted Share Units shall become fully vested and nonforfeitable. Upon vesting, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may pay Restricted Share Units in the form of cash, Shares or a combination thereof.
7.4 Forfeiture/Repurchase . Except as otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of the grant of the Award or thereafter, upon termination of employment or service during the applicable restriction period, Restricted Share Units that are at that time unvested shall be forfeited or repurchased in accordance with the Award Agreement; provided, however , the Committee may (a) provide in any Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement that restrictions or forfeiture and repurchase conditions relating to Restricted Share Units will be waived in whole or in part in the event of terminations resulting from specified causes, and (b) in other cases waive in whole or in part restrictions or forfeiture and repurchase conditions relating to Restricted Share Units.
ARTICLE 8
PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO AWARDS
8.1 Award Agreement . Awards under the Plan shall be evidenced by Award Agreements that set forth the terms, conditions and limitations for each Award which may include the term of an Award, the provisions applicable in the event the Participants employment or service terminates, and the Companys authority to unilaterally or bilaterally amend, modify, suspend, cancel or rescind an Award.
8.2 No Transferability; Limited Exception to Transfer Restrictions.
8.2.1 Limits on Transfer. Unless otherwise expressly provided in (or pursuant to) this Section 8.2, by applicable law and by the Award Agreement, as the same may be amended:
(a) all Awards are non-transferable and will not be subject in any manner to sale, transfer, anticipation, alienation, assignment, pledge, encumbrance or charge;
(b) Awards will be exercised only by the Participant; and
(c) amounts payable or shares issuable pursuant to an Award will be delivered only to (or for the account of), and, in the case of Shares, registered in the name of, the Participant.
In addition, the shares shall be subject to the restrictions set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.
8.2.2 Further Exceptions to Limits on Transfer . The exercise and transfer restrictions in Section 8.2.1 will not apply to:
(a) transfers to the Company or a Subsidiary;
(b) transfers by gift to immediate family as that term is defined in SEC Rule 16a-1(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act;
(c) the designation of a beneficiary to receive benefits if the Participant dies or, if the Participant has died, transfers to or exercises by the Participants beneficiary, or, in the absence of a validly designated beneficiary, transfers by will or the laws of descent and distribution; or
(d) if the Participant has suffered a disability, permitted transfers or exercises on behalf of the Participant by the Participants duly authorized legal representative; or
(e) subject to the prior approval of the Committee or an executive officer or director of the Company authorized by the Committee, transfer to one or more natural persons who are the Participants family members or entities owned and controlled by the Participant and/or the Participants family members, including but not limited to trusts or other entities whose beneficiaries or beneficial owners are the Participant and/or the Participants family members, or to such other persons or entities as may be expressly approved by the Committee, pursuant to such conditions and procedures as the Committee or may establish. Any permitted transfer shall be subject to the condition that the Committee receives evidence satisfactory to it that the transfer is being made for estate and/or tax planning purposes and on a basis consistent with the Companys lawful issue of securities.
Notwithstanding anything else in this Section 8.2.2 to the contrary, but subject to compliance with all Applicable Laws, Incentive Share Options, Restricted Shares and Restricted Share Units will be subject to any and all transfer restrictions under the Code applicable to such Awards or necessary to maintain the intended tax consequences of such Awards. Notwithstanding clause (b) above but subject to compliance with all Applicable Laws, any contemplated transfer by gift to immediate family as referenced in clause (b) above is subject to the condition precedent that the transfer be approved by the share plan administrator in order for it to be effective.
8.3 Beneficiaries . Notwithstanding Section 8.2, a Participant may, in the manner determined by the Committee, designate a beneficiary to exercise the rights of the Participant and to receive any distribution with respect to any Award upon the Participants death. A beneficiary, legal guardian, legal representative, or other person claiming any rights pursuant to the Plan is subject to all terms and conditions of the Plan and any Award Agreement applicable to the Participant, except to the extent the Plan and Award Agreement otherwise provide, and to any additional restrictions deemed necessary or appropriate by the Committee. If the Participant is married and resides in a community property state, a designation of a person other than the Participants spouse as his or her beneficiary with respect to more than 50% of the Participants interest in the Award shall not be effective without the prior written consent of the Participants spouse. If no beneficiary has been designated or survives the Participant, payment shall be made to the person entitled thereto pursuant to the Participants will or the laws of descent and distribution. Subject to the foregoing, a beneficiary designation may be changed or revoked by a Participant at any time provided the change or revocation is filed with the Committee.
8.4 Performance Objectives and Other Terms . The Committee, in its discretion, shall set performance objectives or other vesting criteria which, depending on the extent to which they are met, will determine the number or value of the Awards that will be granted or paid out to the Participants.
8.5 Share Certificates .
(a) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificates evidencing the Shares pursuant to the exercise of any Award, unless and until the Committee has determined, with advice of counsel, that the issuance and delivery of such certificates is in compliance with all Applicable Laws, regulations of governmental authorities and, if applicable, the requirements of any exchange on which the Shares are listed or traded. All Share certificates delivered pursuant to the Plan are subject to any stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee deems necessary or advisable to comply with all Applicable Laws, and the rules of any national securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted, or traded. The Committee may place legends on any Share certificate to reference restrictions applicable to the Shares. In addition to the terms and conditions provided herein, the Committee may require that a Participant make such reasonable covenants, agreements, and representations as the Committee, in its discretion, deems advisable in order to comply with any such laws, regulations, or requirements. The Committee shall have the right to require any Participant to comply with any timing or other restrictions with respect to the settlement or exercise of any Award, including a window-period limitation, as may be imposed in the discretion of the Committee.
(b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, unless otherwise determined by the Committee or required by Applicable Laws, the Company shall not deliver to any Participant certificates evidencing Shares issued in connection with any Award and instead such Shares shall be recorded on the books of the Company or, as applicable, its transfer agent or share plan administrator.
8.6 Paperless Administration . Subject to Applicable Laws, the Committee may make Awards and provide applicable disclosure and procedures for exercise of Awards by an internet website or interactive voice response system for the paperless administration of Awards.
8.7 Foreign Currency . A Participant may be required to provide evidence that any currency used to pay the exercise price of any Award was acquired and taken out of the jurisdiction in which the Participant resides in accordance with Applicable Laws, including foreign exchange control laws and regulations. In the event the exercise price for an Award is paid in Chinese Renminbi or other foreign currency, as permitted by the Committee, the amount payable will be determined by conversion from U.S. dollars at the official rate promulgated by the Peoples Bank of China for Chinese Renminbi, or for jurisdictions other than the Peoples Republic of China, the exchange rate as selected by the Committee on the date of exercise.
ARTICLE 9
CHANGES IN CAPITAL STRUCTURE
9.1 Adjustments . In the event of any dividend, share split, combination or exchange of Shares, amalgamation, arrangement or consolidation, spin-off, recapitalization or other distribution (other than normal cash dividends) of Company assets to its shareholders, or any other change affecting the shares of Shares or the share price of a Share, the Committee shall make such proportionate adjustments, if any, as the Committee in its discretion may deem appropriate to reflect such change with respect to (a) the aggregate number and type of shares that may be issued under the Plan (including, but not limited to, adjustments of the limitations in Section 3.1); (b) the terms and conditions of any outstanding Awards (including, without limitation, any applicable performance targets or criteria with respect thereto); and (c) the grant or exercise price per share for any outstanding Awards under the Plan.
9.2 Corporate Transactions . Except as may otherwise be provided in any Award Agreement or any other written agreement entered into by and between the Company and a Participant, if the Committee anticipates the occurrence, or upon the occurrence, of a Corporate Transaction, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide for (i) any and all Awards outstanding hereunder to terminate at a specific time in the future and shall give each Participant the right to exercise the vested portion of such Awards during a period of time as the Committee shall determine, or (ii) the purchase of any Award for an amount of cash equal to the amount that could have been attained upon the exercise of such Award (and, for the avoidance of doubt, if as of such date the Committee determines in good faith that no amount would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award, then such Award may be terminated by the Company without payment), or (iii) the replacement of such Award with other rights or property selected by the Committee in its sole discretion or the assumption of or substitution of such Award by the successor or surviving corporation, or a Parent or Subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kind of Shares and prices, or (iv) payment of such Award in cash based on the value of Shares on the date of the Corporate Transaction plus reasonable interest on the Award through the date as determined by the Committee when such Award would otherwise be vested or have been paid in accordance with its original terms, if necessary to comply with Section 409A of the Code.
9.3 Outstanding Awards Other Changes . In the event of any other change in the capitalization of the Company or corporate change other than those specifically referred to in this Article 9, the Committee may, in its absolute discretion, make such adjustments in the number and class of shares subject to Awards outstanding on the date on which such change occurs and in the per share grant or exercise price of each Award as the Committee may consider appropriate to prevent dilution or enlargement of rights.
9.4 No Other Rights . Except as expressly provided in the Plan, no Participant shall have any rights by reason of any subdivision or consolidation of Shares of any class, the payment of any dividend, any increase or decrease in the number of shares of any class or any dissolution, liquidation, merger, or consolidation of the Company or any other corporation. Except as expressly provided in the Plan or pursuant to action of the Committee under the Plan, and no issuance by the Company of shares of any class, or securities convertible into shares of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number of Shares subject to an Award or the grant or exercise price of any Award.
ARTICLE 10
ADMINISTRATION
10.1 Committee . The Plan shall be administered by the Board or a committee of one or more members of the Board (the Committee ) to whom the Board shall delegate the authority to grant or amend Awards to Participants other than any of the Committee members, Independent Directors and executive officers of the Company. Reference to the Committee shall refer to the Board in absence of the Committee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the full Board, acting by majority of its members in office, shall conduct the general administration of the Plan if required by Applicable Laws, and with respect to Awards granted to the Committee members, Independent Directors and executive officers of the Company and for purposes of such Awards the term Committee as used in the Plan shall be deemed to refer to the Board.
10.2 Action by the Committee . A majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum. The acts of a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is present, and acts approved unanimously in writing all members of the Committee in lieu of a meeting, shall be deemed the acts of the Committee. Each member of the Committee is entitled to, in good faith, rely or act upon any report or other information furnished to that member by any officer or other employee of a Group Entity, the Companys independent certified public accountants, or any executive compensation consultant or other professional retained by the Company to assist in the administration of the Plan.
10.3 Authority of the Committee . Subject to any specific designation in the Plan, the Committee has the exclusive power, authority and discretion to:
(a) designate Participants to receive Awards;
(b) determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to each Participant;
(c) determine the number of Awards to be granted and the number of Shares to which an Award will relate;
(d) determine the terms and conditions of any Award granted pursuant to the Plan, including, but not limited to, the exercise price, grant price, or purchase price, any restrictions or limitations on the Award, any schedule for lapse of forfeiture restrictions or restrictions on the exercisability of an Award, and accelerations or waivers thereof, and any provisions related to non-competition and recapture of gain on an Award, based in each case on such considerations as the Committee in its sole discretion determines;
(e) determine whether, to what extent, and pursuant to what circumstances an Award may be settled in, or the exercise price of an Award may be paid in, cash, Shares, other Awards, or other property, or an Award may be canceled, forfeited, or surrendered;
(f) prescribe the form of each Award Agreement, which need not be identical for each Participant;
(g) decide all other matters that must be determined in connection with an Award;
(h) establish, adopt, or revise any rules and regulations as it may deem necessary or advisable to administer the Plan;
(i) interpret the terms of, and any matter arising pursuant to, the Plan or any Award Agreement;
(j) amend terms and conditions of Award Agreements; and
(k) make all other decisions and determinations that may be required pursuant to the Plan or as the Committee deems necessary or advisable to administer the Plan, including design and adopt from time to time new types of Awards that are in compliance with Applicable Laws.
10.4 Decisions Binding . The Committees interpretation of the Plan, any Awards granted pursuant to the Plan, any Award Agreement and all decisions and determinations by the Committee with respect to the Plan are final, binding, and conclusive on all parties.
ARTICLE 11
EFFECTIVE AND EXPIRATION DATE
11.1 Effective Date . The Plan shall become effective as of the date on which the Board adopts the Plan (the Effective Date ). The Plan shall be ratified by the shareholders of the Company by written resolutions or at a meeting duly held in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Companys Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association within 12 months of the Effective Date.
11.2 Expiration Date . The Plan will expire on, and no Award may be granted pursuant to the Plan after, the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date. Any Awards that are outstanding on the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date shall remain in force according to the terms of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.
ARTICLE 12
AMENDMENT, MODIFICATION, AND TERMINATION
12.1 Amendment, Modification, a nd Termination . At any time and from time to time, the Board may terminate, amend or modify the Plan; provided, however , that (a) to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with Applicable Laws or stock exchange rules, the Company shall obtain shareholder approval of any Plan amendment in such a manner and to such a degree as required, unless the Company decides to follow home country practice, and (b) unless the Company decides to follow home country practice, shareholder approval is required for any amendment to the Plan that (i) increases the number of Shares available under the Plan (other than any adjustment as provided by Article 9), or (ii) permits the Committee to extend the term of the Plan or the exercise period for an Option beyond ten years from the date of grant.
12.2 Awards Previously Granted . Except with respect to amendments made pursuant to Section 12.1, no termination, amendment, or modification of the Plan shall adversely affect in any material way any Award previously granted pursuant to the Plan without the prior written consent of the Participant.
ARTICLE 13
GENERAL PROVISIONS
13.1 No Rights to Awards . No Participant, employee, or other person shall have any claim to be granted any Award pursuant to the Plan, and neither the Company nor the Committee is obligated to treat Participants, employees, and other persons uniformly.
13.2 No Shareholders Rights . No Award gives the Participant any of the rights of a shareholder of the Company unless and until Shares are in fact issued to such person in connection with such Award.
13.3 Taxes . No Shares shall be delivered under the Plan to any Participant until such Participant has made arrangements acceptable to the Committee for the satisfaction of any income and employment tax withholding obligations under Applicable Laws. The Company or any Subsidiary shall have the authority and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy all applicable taxes (including the Participants payroll tax obligations) required or permitted by Applicable Laws to be withheld with respect to any taxable event concerning a Participant arising as a result of this Plan. The Committee may in its discretion and in satisfaction of the foregoing requirement allow a Participant to elect to have the Company withhold Shares otherwise issuable under an Award (or allow the return of Shares) having a Fair Market Value equal to the sums required to be withheld. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the number of Shares which may be withheld with respect to the issuance, vesting, exercise or payment of any Award (or which may be repurchased from the Participant of such Award after such Shares were acquired by the Participant from the Company) in order to satisfy any income and payroll tax liabilities applicable to the Participant with respect to the issuance, vesting, exercise or payment of the Award shall, unless specifically approved by the Committee, be limited to the number of Shares which have a Fair Market Value on the date of withholding or repurchase equal to the aggregate amount of such liabilities based on the minimum statutory withholding rates for the applicable income and payroll tax purposes that are applicable to such supplemental taxable income.
13.4 No Right to Employment or Services . Nothing in the Plan or any Award Agreement shall interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Service Recipient to terminate any Participants employment or services at any time, nor confer upon any Participant any right to continue in the employment or services of any Service Recipient.
13.5 Unfunded Status of Awards . The Plan is intended to be an unfunded plan for incentive compensation. With respect to any payments not yet made to a Participant pursuant to an Award, nothing contained in the Plan or any Award Agreement shall give the Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the relevant Group Entity.
13.6 Indemnification . To the extent allowable pursuant to Applicable Laws, each member of the Committee or of the Board shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company from any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by such member in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which he or she may be a party or in which he or she may be involved by reason of any action or failure to act pursuant to the Plan and against and from any and all amounts paid by him or her in satisfaction of judgment in such action, suit, or proceeding against him or her; provided he or she gives the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he or she undertakes to handle and defend it on his or her own behalf. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons may be entitled pursuant to the Companys Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless.
13.7 Relationship to Other Benefits . No payment pursuant to the Plan shall be taken into account in determining any benefits pursuant to any pension, retirement, savings, profit sharing, group insurance, welfare or other benefit plan of the any Group Entity except to the extent otherwise expressly provided in writing in such other plan or an agreement thereunder.
13.8 Expenses . The expenses of administering the Plan shall be borne by the Group Entities.
13.9 Titles and Headings . The titles and headings of the Sections in the Plan are for convenience of reference only and, in the event of any conflict, the text of the Plan, rather than such titles or headings, shall control.
13.10 Fractional Shares . No fractional Shares shall be issued and the Committee shall determine, in its discretion, whether cash shall be given in lieu of fractional Shares or whether such fractional Shares shall be eliminated by rounding up or down as appropriate.
13.11 Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Plan, and any Award granted or awarded to any Participant who is then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including any amendment to Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule. To the extent permitted by the Applicable Laws, the Plan and Awards granted or awarded hereunder shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule.
13.12 Government and Other Regulations . The obligation of the Company to make payment of awards in Shares or otherwise shall be subject to all Applicable Laws, and to such approvals by government agencies as may be required. The Company shall be under no obligation to register any of the Shares paid pursuant to the Plan under the Securities Act or any other similar law in any applicable jurisdiction. If the Shares paid pursuant to the Plan may in certain circumstances be exempt from registration pursuant to the Securities Act or other Applicable Laws, the Company may restrict the transfer of such Shares in such manner as it deems advisable to ensure the availability of any such exemption.
13.13 Governing Law . The Plan and all Award Agreements shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the Cayman Islands.
13.14 Section 409A . To the extent that the Committee determines that any Award granted under the Plan is or may become subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Award Agreement evidencing such Award shall incorporate the terms and conditions required by Section 409A of the Code. To the extent applicable, the Plan and the Award Agreements shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code and the U.S. Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretative guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulation or other guidance that may be issued after the Effective Date. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in the event that following the Effective Date the Committee determines that any Award may be subject to Section 409A of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance (including such Department of Treasury guidance as may be issued after the Effective Date), the Committee may adopt such amendments to the Plan and the applicable Award agreement or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, that the Committee determines are necessary or appropriate to (a) exempt the Award from Section 409A of the Code and/or preserve the intended tax treatment of the benefits provided with respect to the Award, or (b) comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and related U.S. Department of Treasury guidance.
13.15 Appendices . Subject to Section 12.1, the Committee may approve such supplements, amendments or appendices to the Plan as it may consider necessary or appropriate for purposes of compliance with Applicable Laws or otherwise and such supplements, amendments or appendices shall be considered a part of the Plan; provided, however, that no such supplements shall increase the share limitation contained in Section 3.1 of the Plan without the approval of the Board.
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
THIS INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT (this Agreement ) is made as of ____________, 2018 by and between 360 Finance, Inc., an exempted company with limited liability incorporated and existing under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the Company ), and ____________________ ([Passport/ID] Number _________________) (the Indemnitee ).
WHEREAS, the Indemnitee has agreed to serve as a director and/or executive officer of the Company and in such capacity will render valuable services to the Company; and
WHEREAS, in order to induce and encourage highly experienced and capable persons such as the Indemnitee to render valuable services to the Company, the board of directors of the Company (the Board of Directors ) has determined that this Agreement is not only reasonable and prudent, but necessary to promote and ensure the best interests of the Company and its shareholders;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual agreements hereinafter set forth, and other good and valuable consideration, including, without limitation, the service of the Indemnitee, the receipt of which hereby is acknowledged, and in order to induce the Indemnitee to render valuable services the Company, the Company and the Indemnitee hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions. As used in this Agreement:
(a) Change in Control shall mean a change in control of the Company of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or in response to any similar item on any similar or successor schedule or form) promulgated under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (collectively, the Act ), whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement; provided, however, that, without limitation, such a Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred (irrespective of the applicability of the initial clause of this definition) if (i) any person (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Act, but excluding any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities pursuant to an employee benefit or welfare plan or employee share plan of the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, or any entity organized, appointed, established or holding securities of the Company with voting power for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan) becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 30% or more of the combined voting power of the Companys then outstanding securities without the prior approval of at least two-thirds of the Continuing Directors (as defined below) in office immediately prior to such persons attaining such interest; (ii) the Company is a party to a merger, consolidation, scheme of arrangement, sale of assets or other reorganization, or a proxy contest, as a consequence of which Continuing Directors in office immediately prior to such transaction or event constitute less than a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company (or any successor entity) thereafter; or (iii) during any period of two (2) consecutive years, Continuing Directors cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company.
(b) Continuing Director shall mean an individual (i) who served on the Board of Directors of the Company at the effective date of the Companys registration statement on Form F-1 relating to the Companys initial public offering; or (ii) whose election or nomination for election by the Companys shareholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Continuing Directors then in office.
(c) Disinterested Director with respect to any request by the Indemnitee for indemnification or advancement of expenses hereunder shall mean a director of the Company who neither is nor was a party to the Proceeding (as defined below) in respect of which indemnification or advancement is being sought by the Indemnitee.
(d) The term Expenses shall mean, without limitation, expenses of Proceedings, including attorneys fees, disbursements and retainers, accounting and witness fees, expenses related to preparation for service as a witness and to service as a witness, travel and deposition costs, expenses of investigations, judicial or administrative proceedings and appeals, amounts paid in settlement of a Proceeding by or on behalf of the Indemnitee, costs of attachment or similar bonds, any expenses of attempting to establish or establishing a right to indemnification or advancement of expenses, under this Agreement, the Companys Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association as currently in effect (the Articles ), applicable law or otherwise, and reasonable compensation for time spent by the Indemnitee in connection with the investigation, defense or appeal of a Proceeding or action for indemnification for which the Indemnitee is not otherwise compensated by the Company or any third party. The term Expenses shall not include the amount of judgments, fines, interest or penalties, which are actually levied against or sustained by the Indemnitee to the extent sustained after final adjudication.
(e) The term Independent Legal Counsel shall mean any firm of attorneys reasonably selected by the Board of Directors of the Company, so long as such firm has not represented the Company, the Companys subsidiaries or affiliates, the Indemnitee, any entity controlled by the Indemnitee, or any party adverse to the Company, within the preceding five (5) years. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term Independent Legal Counsel shall not include any person who, under applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or the Indemnitee in an action to determine the Indemnitees right to indemnification or advancement of expenses under this Agreement, the Companys Articles, applicable law or otherwise.
(f) The term Proceeding shall mean any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, or other proceeding (including, without limitation, an appeal therefrom), formal or informal, whether brought in the name of the Company or otherwise, whether of a civil, criminal, administrative or investigative nature, and whether by, in or involving a court or an administrative, other governmental or private entity or body (including, without limitation, an investigation by the Company or its Board of Directors), by reason of (i) the fact that the Indemnitee is or was a director or officer of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as an agent of another enterprise, whether or not the Indemnitee is serving in such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification or reimbursement is to be provided under this Agreement, (ii) any actual or alleged act or omission or neglect or breach of duty, including, without limitation, any actual or alleged error or misstatement or misleading statement, which the Indemnitee commits or suffers while acting in any such capacity, or (iii) the Indemnitee attempting to establish or establishing a right to indemnification or advancement of expenses pursuant to this Agreement, the Companys Articles, applicable law or otherwise.
(g) The phrase serving at the request of the Company as an agent of another enterprise or any similar terminology shall mean, unless the context otherwise requires, serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust, employee benefit or welfare plan or other enterprise, foreign or domestic. The phrase serving at the request of the Company shall include, without limitation, any service as a director/an executive officer of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director/executive officer with respect to the Company or any of the Companys subsidiaries, affiliates, employee benefit or welfare plans, such plans participants or beneficiaries or any other enterprise, foreign or domestic. In the event that the Indemnitee shall be a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust, employee benefit or welfare plan or other enterprise, foreign or domestic, 50% or more of the ordinary shares, combined voting power or total equity interest of which is owned by the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof, then it shall be presumed conclusively that the Indemnitee is so acting at the request of the Company.
2. Services by the Indemnitee . The Indemnitee agrees to serve as a director or officer of the Company under the terms of the Indemnitees agreement with the Company for so long as the Indemnitee is duly elected or appointed or until such time as the Indemnitee tenders a resignation in writing or is removed from the Indemnitees position; provided, however, that the Indemnitee may at any time and for any reason resign from such position (subject to any other contractual obligation or other obligation imposed by operation of law).
3. Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company . The Company shall indemnify the Indemnitee if the Indemnitee is a party to or threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that the Indemnitee is or was a director or officer of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as an agent of another enterprise, against all Expenses, judgments, fines, interest or penalties, which are actually and reasonably incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with the defense or settlement of such a Proceeding, if the Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner the Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Company; except that no indemnification under this section shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudicated by final judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to be liable to the Company for willful misconduct in the performance of his/her duty to the Company, unless and only to the extent that the court in which such Proceeding was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such amounts which such other court shall deem proper.
4. Proceeding Other Than a Proceeding by or in the Right of the Company . The Company shall indemnify the Indemnitee if the Indemnitee is a party to or threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any Proceeding (other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company) by reason of the fact that the Indemnitee is or was a director or officer of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as an agent of another enterprise, against all Expenses, judgments, fines, interest or penalties, which are actually and reasonably incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with such a Proceeding, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law; provided, however, that any settlement of a Proceeding must be approved in advance in writing by the Company (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld).
5. Indemnification for Costs, Charges and Expenses of Witness or Successful Party . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement (except as set forth in subparagraph 9(a) hereof), and without a requirement for determination as required by Paragraph 8 hereof, to the extent that the Indemnitee (a) has prepared to serve or has served as a witness in any Proceeding in any way relating to (i) the Company or any of the Companys subsidiaries, affiliates, employee benefit or welfare plans or such plans participants or beneficiaries or (ii) anything done or not done by the Indemnitee as a director or officer of the Company or in connection with serving at the request of the Company as an agent of another enterprise, or (b) has been successful in defense of any Proceeding or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, on the merits or otherwise, including the dismissal of a Proceeding without prejudice or the settlement of a Proceeding without an admission of liability, the Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the Indemnitee in connection therewith to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.
6. Partial Indemnification . If the Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for a portion of the Expenses, judgments, fines, interest or penalties, which are actually and reasonably incurred by the Indemnitee in the investigation, defense, appeal or settlement of any Proceeding, but not, however, for the total amount of the Indemnitees Expenses, judgments, fines, interest or penalties, then the Company shall nevertheless indemnify the Indemnitee for the portion of such Expenses, judgments, fines, interest or penalties to which the Indemnitee is entitled.
7. Advancement of Expenses . The Expenses incurred by the Indemnitee in any Proceeding shall be paid promptly by the Company in advance of the final disposition of the Proceeding at the written request of the Indemnitee, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law; provided, however, that the Indemnitee shall set forth in such request reasonable evidence that such Expenses have been incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding, a statement that such Expenses do not relate to any matter described in subparagraph 9(a) of this Agreement, and an undertaking in writing to repay any advances if it is ultimately determined as provided in subparagraph 8(b) of this Agreement that the Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement.
8. Indemnification Procedure; Determination of Right to Indemnification .
(a) Promptly after receipt by the Indemnitee of notice of the commencement of any Proceeding, the Indemnitee shall, if a claim for indemnification or advancement of Expenses in respect thereof is to be made against the Company under this Agreement, notify the Company of the commencement thereof in writing. The failure and delay to so notify the Company will not relieve the Company from any liability which the Company may have to the Indemnitee under this Agreement unless the Company shall have lost significant substantive or procedural rights with respect to the defense of any Proceeding as a result of such omission to so notify.
(b) The Indemnitee shall be conclusively presumed to have met the relevant standards of conduct, if any, as defined by applicable law, for indemnification pursuant to this Agreement and shall be absolutely entitled to such indemnification, unless a determination is made that the Indemnitee has not met such standards by (i) the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum thereof consisting of Disinterested Directors, (ii) the shareholders of the Company by majority vote of a quorum thereof consisting of shareholders who are not parties to the Proceeding due to which a claim for indemnification is made under this Agreement, (iii) Independent Legal Counsel as set forth in a written opinion (it being understood that such Independent Legal Counsel shall make such determination only if the quorum of Disinterested Directors referred to in clause (i) of this subparagraph 8(b) is not obtainable or if the Board of Directors of the Company by a majority vote of a quorum thereof consisting of Disinterested Directors so directs), or (iv) a court of competent jurisdiction; provided, however, that if a Change in Control shall have occurred and the Indemnitee so requests in writing, such determination shall be made only by a court of competent jurisdiction.
(c) If a claim for indemnification or advancement of Expenses under this Agreement is not paid by the Company within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of written notice thereof, the rights provided by this Agreement shall be enforceable by the Indemnitee in any court of competent jurisdiction. Such judicial proceeding shall be made de novo. The burden of proving that indemnification or advances are not appropriate shall be on the Company. Neither the failure of the directors or shareholders of the Company or Independent Legal Counsel to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification or advancement of Expenses is proper in the circumstances because the Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct, if any, nor an actual determination by the directors or shareholders of the Company or Independent Legal Counsel that the Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct shall be a defense to an action by the Indemnitee or create a presumption for the purpose of such an action that the Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct. The termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself (i) create a presumption that the Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the Company and/or its shareholders, and, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that the Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful or (ii) otherwise adversely affect the rights of the Indemnitee to indemnification or advancement of Expenses under this Agreement, except as may be provided herein.
(d) If a court of competent jurisdiction shall determine that the Indemnitee is entitled to any indemnification or advancement of Expenses hereunder, the Company shall pay all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with such adjudication (including, but not limited to, any appellate proceedings).
(e) With respect to any Proceeding for which indemnification or advancement of Expenses is requested, the Company will be entitled to participate therein at its own expense and, except as otherwise provided below, to the extent that it may wish, the Company may assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnitee. After notice from the Company to the Indemnitee of its election to assume the defense of a Proceeding, the Company will not be liable to the Indemnitee under this Agreement for any Expenses subsequently incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with the defense thereof, other than as provided below. The Company shall not settle any Proceeding in any manner which would impose any penalty or limitation on the Indemnitee without the Indemnitees written consent. The Indemnitee shall have the right to employ his/her own counsel in any Proceeding, but the fees and expenses of such counsel incurred after notice from the Company of its assumption of the defense of the Proceeding shall be at the expense of the Indemnitee, unless (i) the employment of counsel by the Indemnitee has been authorized by the Company, (ii) the Indemnitee shall have reasonably concluded that there may be a conflict of interest between the Company and the Indemnitee in the conduct of the defense of a Proceeding, or (iii) the Company shall not in fact have employed counsel to assume the defense of a proceeding, in each of which cases the fees and expenses of the Indemnitees counsel shall be advanced by the Company. The Company shall not be entitled to assume the defense of any Proceeding brought by or on behalf of the Company or as to which the Indemnitee has reasonably concluded that there may be a conflict of interest between the Company and the Indemnitee.
9. Limitations on Indemnification . No payments pursuant to this Agreement shall be made by the Company:
(a) To indemnify or advance funds to the Indemnitee for Expenses with respect to (i) Proceedings initiated or brought voluntarily by the Indemnitee and not by way of defense, except with respect to Proceedings brought to establish or enforce a right to indemnification under this Agreement or any other statute or law or otherwise as required under applicable law or (ii) Expenses incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with preparing to serve or serving as a witness in cooperation with any party or entity who or which has threatened or commenced any action or proceeding against the Company, or any director, officer, employee, trustee, agent, representative, subsidiary, parent corporation or affiliate of the Company, but such indemnification or advancement of Expenses in each such case may be provided by the Company if the Board of Directors finds it to be appropriate;
(b) To indemnify the Indemnitee for any Expenses, judgments, fines, interest or penalties sustained in any Proceeding for which payment is actually made to the Indemnitee under a valid and collectible insurance policy, except in respect of any excess beyond the amount of payment under such insurance;
(c) To indemnify the Indemnitee for any Expenses, judgments, fines, interest or penalties sustained in any Proceeding for an accounting of profits made from the purchase or sale by the Indemnitee of securities of the Company pursuant to the provisions of Section 16(b) of the Act or similar provisions of any foreign or United States federal, state or local statute or regulation;
(d) To indemnify the Indemnitee for any Expenses, judgments, fines, interest or penalties for which the Indemnitee is indemnified by the Company otherwise than pursuant to this Agreement;
(e) To indemnify the Indemnitee for any Expenses (including without limitation any Expenses relating to a Proceeding attempting to enforce this Agreement), judgments, fines, interest or penalties on account of the Indemnitees conduct if such conduct shall be finally adjudged to have been knowingly fraudulent or deliberately dishonest or to have constituted willful misconduct, including, without limitation, breach of the duty of loyalty; or
(f) If a court of competent jurisdiction finally determines that any indemnification hereunder is unlawful. In this respect, the Company and the Indemnitee have been advised that the Securities and Exchange Commission takes the position that indemnification for liabilities arising under securities laws is against public policy and is, therefore, unenforceable;
(g) To indemnify the Indemnitee in connection with Indemnitees personal tax matter; or
(h) To indemnify the Indemnitee with respect to any claim related to any dispute or breach arising under any contract or similar obligation between the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates and such Indemnitee.
10. Continuation of Indemnification . All agreements and obligations of the Company contained herein shall continue during the period that the Indemnitee is a director or officer of the Company (or is or was serving at the request of the Company as an agent of another enterprise, foreign or domestic) and shall continue thereafter so long as the Indemnitee shall be subject to any possible Proceeding by reason of the fact that the Indemnitee was a director or officer of the Company or serving in any other capacity referred to in this Paragraph 10.
11. Indemnification Hereunder Not Exclusive . The indemnification provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed to be exclusive of any other rights to which the Indemnitee may be entitled under the Companys Articles, any agreement, vote of shareholders or vote of Disinterested Directors, provisions of applicable law, or otherwise, both as to action or omission in the Indemnitees official capacity and as to action or omission in another capacity on behalf of the Company while holding such office.
12. Successors and Assigns .
(a) This Agreement shall be binding upon the Indemnitee, and shall inure to the benefit of, the Indemnitee and the Indemnitees heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, whether or not the Indemnitee has ceased to be a director or officer, and the Company and its successors and assigns. Upon the sale of all or substantially all of the business, assets or share capital of the Company to, or upon the merger of the Company into or with, any corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other person, this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon both the Indemnitee and such purchaser or successor person. Subject to the foregoing, this Agreement may not be assigned by either party without the prior written consent of the other party hereto.
(b) If the Indemnitee is deceased and is entitled to indemnification under any provision of this Agreement, the Company shall indemnify the Indemnitees estate and the Indemnitees spouse, heirs, executors, administrators and assigns against, and the Company shall, and does hereby agree to assume, any and all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by or for the Indemnitee or the Indemnitees estate, in connection with the investigation, defense, appeal or settlement of any Proceeding. Further, when requested in writing by the spouse of the Indemnitee, and/or the Indemnitees heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, the Company shall provide appropriate evidence of the Companys agreement set out herein to indemnify the Indemnitee against and to itself assume such Expenses.
13. Subrogation . In the event of payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of the Indemnitee, who shall execute all documents required and shall do all acts that may be necessary to secure such rights and to enable the Company effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights.
14. Severability . Each and every paragraph, sentence, term and provision of this Agreement is separate and distinct so that if any paragraph, sentence, term or provision thereof shall be held to be invalid, unlawful or unenforceable for any reason, such invalidity, unlawfulness or unenforceability shall not affect the validity, unlawfulness or enforceability of any other paragraph, sentence, term or provision hereof. To the extent required, any paragraph, sentence, term or provision of this Agreement may be modified by a court of competent jurisdiction to preserve its validity and to provide the Indemnitee with the broadest possible indemnification permitted under applicable law. The Companys inability, pursuant to a court order or decision, to perform its obligations under this Agreement shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement.
15. Savings Clause . If this Agreement or any paragraph, sentence, term or provision hereof is invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify the Indemnitee as to any Expenses, judgments, fines, interest or penalties, which are incurred with respect to any Proceeding to the fullest extent permitted by any (a) applicable paragraph, sentence, term or provision of this Agreement that has not been invalidated or (b) applicable law.
16. Interpretation; Governing Law . This Agreement shall be construed as a whole and in accordance with its fair meaning and any ambiguities shall not be construed for or against either party. Headings are for convenience only and shall not be used in construing meaning. This Agreement shall be governed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
17. Amendments . No amendment, waiver, modification, termination or cancellation of this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing signed by the party against whom enforcement is sought. The indemnification rights afforded to the Indemnitee hereby are contract rights and may not be diminished, eliminated or otherwise affected by amendments to the Companys Articles, or by other agreements, including directors and officers liability insurance policies, of the Company.
18. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other.
19. Notices . Any notice required to be given under this Agreement shall be directed to the Chief Financial Officer of the Company at China Diamond Exchange Center, Building B No. 555 Pudian Road, No. 1701 Century Avenue, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 200122, Peoples Republic of China, and to the Indemnitee at __________________________________________ or to such other address as either shall designate to the other in writing.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Indemnification Agreement as of the date first written above.
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[ Signature Page to Indemnification Agreement ]
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the Agreement ) is entered into as of _________, 20___ by and between 360 Finance, Inc., an exempted company incorporated and existing under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the Company ) and ____________, an individual with _______ [Passport/ID number] __________________ (the Executive ).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ the Executive and to assure itself of the services of the Executive during the term of Employment (as defined below) and under the terms and conditions of the Agreement;
WHEREAS, the Executive desires to be employed by the Company during the term of Employment and under the terms and conditions of the Agreement;
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the Company and the Executive agree as follows:
1. EMPLOYMENT
The Company hereby agrees to employ the Executive and the Executive hereby accepts such employment, on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth (the Employment ).
2. TERM
Subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement, the initial term of the Employment shall be ___________years, commencing on _________, 20___ (the Effective Date ) and ending on_________, 20___(the Initial Term ), unless terminated earlier pursuant to the terms of the Agreement. Upon expiration of the Initial Term of the Employment, the Employment shall be automatically extended for successive periods of _______ months each (each, an Extension Period ) unless either party shall have given 30 days advance written notice to the other party, in the manner set forth in Section 19 below, prior to the end of the Extension Period in question, that the term of this Agreement that is in effect at the time such written notice is given is not to be extended or further extended, as the case may be (the period during which this Agreement is effective being referred to hereafter as the Term ).
3. POSITION AND DUTIES
(a) During the Term, the Executive shall serve as _________________ of the Company or in such other position or positions with a level of duties and responsibilities consistent with the foregoing with the Company and/or its subsidiaries and affiliated entities as the board of directors of the Company (the Board ) may specify from time to time and shall have the duties, responsibilities and obligations customarily assigned to individuals serving in the position or positions in which the Executive serves hereunder and as assigned by the Board, or with the Boards authorization, by the Companys Chief Executive Officer.
(b) The Executive agrees to serve without additional compensation, if elected or appointed thereto, as a director of the Company or any subsidiaries or affiliated entities of the Company (collectively, the Group ) and as a member of any committees of the board of directors of any such entity, provided that the Executive is indemnified for serving in any and all such capacities on a basis no less favorable than is currently provided to any other director of any member of the Group.
(c) The Executive agrees to devote all of his/her working time and efforts to the performance of his/her duties for the Company and to faithfully and diligently serve the Company in accordance with the Agreement and the guidelines, policies and procedures of the Company approved from time to time by the Board.
4. NO BREACH OF CONTRACT
The Executive hereby represents to the Company that: (i) the execution and delivery of the Agreement by the Executive and the performance by the Executive of the Executives duties hereunder shall not constitute a breach of, or otherwise contravene, the terms of any other agreement or policy to which the Executive is a party or by which the Executive is otherwise bound, except that the Executive does not make any representation with respect to agreements required to be entered into by and between the Executive and any member of the Group pursuant to the applicable law of the jurisdiction in which the Executive is based, if any; (ii) that the Executive is not in possession of any information (including, without limitation, confidential information and trade secrets) the knowledge of which would prevent the Executive from freely entering into the Agreement and carrying out his/her duties hereunder; and (iii) that the Executive is not bound by any confidentiality, trade secret or similar agreement with any person or entity other than any member of the Group.
5. LOCATION
The Executive will be based in ___________ or any other location as requested by the Company during the Term.
6. COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
(a) Cash Compensation . As compensation for the performance by the Executive of his/her obligations hereunder, during the Term, the Company shall pay the Executive cash compensation (inclusive of the statutory benefit contributions that the Company is required to set aside for the Executive under applicable law) pursuant to Schedule A hereto, subject to annual review and adjustment by the Board or any committee designated by the Board.
(b) Equity Incentives . During the Term, the Executive shall be eligible to participate, at a level comparable to similarly situated executives of the Company, in such long-term compensation arrangements as may be authorized from time to time by the Board, including any share incentive plan the Company may adopt from time to time in its sole discretion.
(c) Benefits . During the Term, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in all of the employee benefit plans and arrangements made available by the Company to its similarly situated executives, including, but not limited to, any retirement plan, medical insurance plan and travel/holiday policy, subject to and on a basis consistent with the terms, conditions and overall administration of such plans and arrangements.
7. TERMINATION OF THE AGREEMENT
The Employment may be terminated as follows:
(a) Death . The Employment shall terminate upon the Executives death.
(b) Disability . The Employment shall terminate if the Executive has a disability, including any physical or mental impairment which, as reasonably determined by the Board, renders the Executive unable to perform the essential functions of his/her position at the Company, even with reasonable accommodation that does not impose an undue burden on the Company, for more than 180 days in any 12-month period, unless a longer period is required by applicable law, in which case that longer period shall apply.
(c) Cause . The Company may terminate the Executives employment hereunder for Cause. The occurrence of any of the following, as reasonably determined by the Company, shall be a reason for Cause, provided that, if the Company determines that the circumstances constituting Cause are curable, then such circumstances shall not constitute Cause unless and until the Executive has been informed by the Company of the existence of Cause and given an opportunity of ten business days to cure, and such Cause remains uncured at the end of such ten-day period:
(1) continued failure by the Executive to satisfactorily perform his/her duties;
(2) willful misconduct or gross negligence by the Executive in the performance of his/her duties hereunder, including insubordination;
(3) the Executives conviction or entry of a guilty or nolo contendere plea of any felony or any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude;
(4) the Executives commission of any act involving dishonesty that results in material financial, reputational or other harm, monetary or otherwise, to any member of the Group, including but not limited to an act constituting misappropriation or embezzlement of the property of any member of the Group as determined in good faith by the Board; or
(5) any material breach by the Executive of this Agreement.
(d) Good Reason . The Executive may terminate his/her employment hereunder for Good Reason upon the occurrence, without the written consent of the Executive, of following event that has not been fully cured by the Company within ten business days after written notice thereof has been given by the Executive to the Company: the failure by the Company to pay to the Executive any portion of the Executives current compensation or to pay to the Executive any portion of an installment of deferred compensation under any deferred compensation program of the Company, within twenty business days of the date such compensation is due.
(e) Without Cause by the Company; Without Good Reason by the Executive . The Company may terminate the Executives employment hereunder at any time without Cause upon 30-day prior written notice to the Executive. The Executive may terminate the Executives employment voluntarily for any reason or no reason at any time by giving 30-day prior written notice to the Company.
(f) Notice of Termination . Any termination of the Executives employment under the Agreement shall be communicated by written notice of termination ( Notice of Termination ) from the terminating party to the other party. The notice of termination shall indicate the specific provision(s) of the Agreement relied upon in effecting the termination.
(g) Date of Termination . The Date of Termination shall mean (i) the date specified in the Notice of Termination, or (ii) if the Executives employment is terminated by the Executives death, the date of his/her death.
(h) Compensation upon Termination .
(1) Death . If the Executives employment is terminated by reason of the Executives death, the Company shall have no further obligations to the Executive under this Agreement and the Executives benefits shall be determined under the Companys retirement, insurance and other benefit and compensation plans or programs then in effect in accordance with the terms of such plans and programs.
(2) By Company without Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason . If the Executives employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason, the Company shall (i) continue to pay and otherwise provide to the Executive, during any notice period, all compensation, base salary and previously earned but unpaid incentive compensation, if any, and shall continue to allow the Executive to participate in any benefit plans in accordance with the terms of such plans during such notice period; and (ii) pay to the Executive, in lieu of benefits under any severance plan or policy of the Company, any such amount as may be agreed between the Company and the Executive.
(3) By Company for Cause or by the Executive other than for Good Reason . If the Executives employment shall be terminated by the Company for Cause or by the Executive other than for Good Reason, the Company shall pay the Executive his/her base salary at the rate in effect at the time Notice of Termination is given through the Date of Termination, and the Company shall have no additional obligations to the Executive under this Agreement.
(i) Return of Company Property . The Executive agrees that following the termination of the Executives employment for any reason, or at any time prior to the Executives termination upon the request of the Company, he/she shall return all property of the Group that is then in or thereafter comes into his/her possession, including, but not limited to, any Confidential Information (as defined below) or Intellectual Property (as defined below), or any other documents, contracts, agreements, plans, photographs, projections, books, notes, records, electronically stored data and all copies, excerpts or summaries of the foregoing, as well as any automobile or other materials or equipment supplied by the Group to the Executive, if any.
(j) Requirement for a Release . Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Companys obligations to pay or provide any benefits shall (1) cease as of the date the Executive breaches any of the provisions of Sections 8, 9 and 11 hereof, and (2) be conditioned on the Executive signing the Companys customary release of claims in favor of the Group and the expiration of any revocation period provided for in such release.
8. CONFIDENTIALITY AND NONDISCLOSURE
(a) Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure .
(1) The Executive acknowledges and agrees that: (A) the Executive holds a position of trust and confidence with the Company and that his/her employment by the Company will require that the Executive have access to and knowledge of valuable and sensitive information, material, and devices relating to the Company and/or its business, activities, products, services, customers and vendors, including, but not limited to, the following, regardless of the form in which the same is accessed, maintained or stored: the identity of the Companys actual and prospective customers and, as applicable, their representatives; prior, current or future research or development activities of the Company; the products and services provided or offered by the Company to customers or potential customers and the manner in which such services are performed or to be performed; the product and/or service needs of actual or prospective customers; pricing and cost information; information concerning the development, engineering, design, specifications, acquisition or disposition of products and/or services of the Company; user base personal data, programs, software and source codes, licensing information, personnel information, advertising client information, vendor information, marketing plans and techniques, forecasts, and other trade secrets ( Confidential Information ); and (B) the direct and indirect disclosure of any such Confidential Information would place the Company at a competitive disadvantage and would do damage, monetary or otherwise, to the Companys business.
(2) During the Term and at all times thereafter, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, whether individually, as a director, stockholder, owner, partner, employee, consultant, principal or agent of any business, or in any other capacity, publish or make known, disclose, furnish, reproduce, make available, or utilize any of the Confidential Information without the prior express written approval of the Company, other than in the proper performance of the duties contemplated herein, unless and until such Confidential Information is or shall become general public knowledge through no fault of the Executive.
(3) In the event that the Executive is required by law to disclose any Confidential Information, the Executive agrees to give the Company prompt advance written notice thereof and to provide the Company with reasonable assistance in obtaining an order to protect the Confidential Information from public disclosure.
(4) The failure to mark any Confidential Information as confidential shall not affect its status as Confidential Information under this Agreement.
(b) Third Party Information in the Executives Possession . The Executive agrees that he/she shall not, during the Term, (i) improperly use or disclose any proprietary information or trade secrets of any former employer or other person or entity with which the Executive has an agreement or duty to keep in confidence information acquired by Executive, if any, or (ii) bring into the premises of Company any document or confidential or proprietary information belonging to such former employer, person or entity unless consented to in writing by such former employer, person or entity. The Executive will indemnify the Company and hold it harmless from and against all claims, liabilities, damages and expenses, including reasonable attorneys fees and costs of litigation, arising out of or in connection with any violation of the foregoing.
(c) Third Party Information in the Companys Possession . The Executive recognizes that the Company may have received, and in the future may receive, from third parties their confidential or proprietary information subject to a duty on the Companys part to maintain the confidentiality of such information and to use it only for certain limited purposes. The Executive agrees that the Executive owes the Company and such third parties, during the Term and thereafter, a duty to hold all such confidential or proprietary information in strict confidence and not to disclose such information to any person or firm, or otherwise use such information, in a manner inconsistent with the limited purposes permitted by the Companys agreement with such third party.
This Section 8 shall survive the termination of the Agreement for any reason. In the event the Executive breaches this Section 8, the Company shall have right to seek remedies permissible under applicable law.
9. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
(a) Prior Inventions . The Executive has attached hereto, as Schedule B , a list describing all inventions, ideas, improvements, designs and discoveries, whether or not patentable and whether or not reduced to practice, original works of authorship and trade secrets made or conceived by or belonging to the Executive (whether made solely by the Executive or jointly with others) that (i) were developed by Executive prior to the Executives employment by the Company (collectively, Prior Inventions ), (ii) relate to the Company actual or proposed business, products or research and development, and (iii) are not assigned to the Company hereunder; or, if no such list is attached, the Executive represents that there are no such Prior Inventions. Except to the extent set forth in Schedule B , the Executive hereby acknowledges that, if in the course of his/her service for the Company, the Executive incorporates into a Company product, process or machine a Prior Invention owned by the Executive or in which he/she has an interest, the Company is hereby granted and shall have a nonexclusive, royalty-free, irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide right and license (which may be freely transferred by the Company to any other person or entity) to make, have made, modify, use, sell, sublicense and otherwise distribute such Prior Invention as part of or in connection with such product, process or machine.
(b) Assignment of Intellectual Property . The Executive hereby assigns to the Company or its designees, without further consideration and free and clear of any lien or encumbrance, the Executives entire right, title and interest (within the United States and all foreign jurisdictions) to any and all inventions, discoveries, improvements, developments, works of authorship, concepts, ideas, plans, specifications, software, formulas, databases, designees, processes and contributions to Confidential Information created, conceived, developed or reduced to practice by the Executive (alone or with others) during the Term which (i) are related to the Companys current or anticipated business, activities, products, or services, (ii) result from any work performed by Executive for the Company, or (iii) are created, conceived, developed or reduced to practice with the use of Company property, including any and all Intellectual Property Rights (as defined below) therein ( Work Product ). Any Work Product which falls within the definition of work made for hire, as such term is defined in the U.S. Copyright Act, shall be considered a work made for hire, the copyright in which vests initially and exclusively in the Company. The Executive waives any rights to be attributed as the author of any Work Product and any droit morale (moral rights) in Work Product. The Executive agrees to immediately disclose to the Company all Work Product. For purposes of this Agreement, Intellectual Property shall mean any patent, copyright, trademark or service mark, trade secret, or any other proprietary rights protection legally available.
(c) Patent and Copyright Registration . The Executive agrees to execute and deliver any instruments or documents and to do all other things reasonably requested by the Company in order to more fully vest the Company with all ownership rights in the Work Product. If any Work Product is deemed by the Company to be patentable or otherwise registrable, the Executive shall assist the Company (at the Companys expense) in obtaining letters of patent or other applicable registration therein and shall execute all documents and do all things, including testifying (at the Companys expense) as necessary or appropriate to apply for, prosecute, obtain, or enforce any Intellectual Property right relating to any Work Product. Should the Company be unable to secure the Executives signature on any document deemed necessary to accomplish the foregoing, whether due to the Executives disability or other reason, the Executive hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Company and each of its duly authorized officers and agents as the Executives agent and attorney-in-fact to act for and on the Executives behalf and stead to take any of the actions required of Executive under the previous sentence, with the same effect as if executed and delivered by the Executive, such appointment being coupled with an interest.
This Section 9 shall survive the termination of the Agreement for any reason. In the event the Executive breaches this Section 9, the Company shall have right to seek remedies permissible under applicable law.
10. CONFLICTING EMPLOYMENT.
The Executive hereby agrees that, during the Term, he/she will not engage in any other employment, occupation, consulting or other business activity related to the business in which the Company is now involved or becomes involved during the Term, nor will the Executive engage in any other activities that conflict with his/her obligations to the Company without the prior written consent of the Company.
11. NON-COMPETITION AND NON-SOLICITATION
(a) Non-Competition . In consideration of the compensation provided to the Executive by the Company hereunder, the adequacy of which is hereby acknowledged by the parties hereto, the Executive agree that during the Term and for a period of two years following the termination of the Employment for whatever reason, the Executive shall not engage in Competition (as defined below) with the Group. For purposes of this Agreement, Competition by the Executive shall mean the Executives engaging in, or otherwise directly or indirectly being employed by or acting as a consultant or lender to, or being a director, officer, employee, principal, agent, stockholder, member, owner or partner of, or permitting the Executives name to be used in connection with the activities of, any other business or organization which competes, directly or indirectly, with the Group in the Business; provided , however , it shall not be a violation of this Section 11(a) for the Executive to become the registered or beneficial owner of up to five percent (5%) of any class of the capital stock of a publicly traded corporation in Competition with the Group, provided that the Executive does not otherwise participate in the business of such corporation.
For purposes of this Agreement, Business means express delivery services, transportation and courier services, and any other business which the Group engages in, or is preparing to become engaged in, during the Term.
(b) Non-Solicitation; Non-Interference . During the Term and for a period of one year following the termination of the Executives employment for any reason, the Executive agrees that he/she will not, directly or indirectly, for the Executives benefit or for the benefit of any other person or entity, do any of the following:
(1) approach the suppliers, clients, direct or end customers or contacts or other persons or entities introduced to the Executive in his/her capacity as a representative of the Group for the purpose of doing business of the same or of a similar nature to the Business or doing business that will harm the business relationships of the Group with the foregoing persons or entities;
(2) assume employment with or provide services to any competitors of the Group, or engage, whether as principal, partner, licensor or otherwise, any of the Groups competitors, without the Groups express consent; or
(3) seek, directly or indirectly, to solicit the services of, or hire or engage, any person who is known to be employed or engaged by the Group; or
(4) otherwise interfere with the business or accounts of the Group.
(c) Injunctive Relief; Indemnity of Company . The Executive agrees that any breach or threatened breach of subsections (a) and (b) of this Section 11 would result in irreparable injury and damage to the Company for which an award of money to the Company would not be an adequate remedy. The Executive therefore also agrees that in the event of said breach or any reasonable threat of breach, the Company shall be entitled to seek an immediate injunction and restraining order to prevent such breach and/or threatened breach and/or continued breach by the Executive and/or any and all persons and/or entities acting for and/or with the Executive. The terms of this paragraph shall not prevent the Company from pursuing any other available remedies for any breach or threatened breach hereof, including, but not limited to, remedies available under this Agreement and the recovery of damages. The Executive and the Company further agree that the provisions of this Section 11 are reasonable. The Executive agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company from and against all reasonable expenses (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel) which may be incurred by the Company in connection with, or arising out of, any violation of this Agreement by the Executive. This Section 11 shall survive the termination of the Agreement for any reason.
12. WITHHOLDING TAXES
Notwithstanding anything else herein to the contrary, the Company may withhold (or cause there to be withheld, as the case may be) from any amounts otherwise due or payable under or pursuant to the Agreement such national, state, provincial, local or any other income, employment, or other taxes as may be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
13. ASSIGNMENT
The Agreement is personal in its nature and neither of the parties hereto shall, without the consent of the other, assign or transfer the Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder; provided, however, that the Company may assign or transfer the Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder to any member of the Group without such consent. If the Executive should die while any amounts would still be payable to the Executive hereunder if the Executive had continued to live, all such amounts unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to the Executives devisee, legatee, or other designee or, if there be no such designee, to the Executives estate. The Company will require any and all successors (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. Failure of the Company to obtain such assumption and agreement prior to the effectiveness of any such succession shall be a breach of this Agreement and shall entitle the Executive to compensation from the Company in the same amount and on the same terms as the Executive would be entitled to hereunder if the Company had terminated the Executives employment other than for Cause, except that for purposes of implementing the foregoing, the date on which any such succession becomes effective shall be deemed the Date of Termination. As used in this Section, Company shall mean the Company as herein before defined and any successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which executes and delivers the agreement provided for in this Section 13 or which otherwise becomes bound by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement by operation of law.
14. SEVERABILITY
If any provision of the Agreement or the application thereof is held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the Agreement which can be given effect without the invalid provisions or applications and to this end the provisions of the Agreement are declared to be severable.
15. ENTIRE AGREEMENT
The Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between the Executive and the Company regarding the terms of the Employment and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous oral or written agreements concerning such subject matter. The Executive acknowledges that he/she has not entered into the Agreement in reliance upon any representation, warranty or undertaking which is not set forth in the Agreement.
16. GOVERNING LAW
The Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York.
17. AMENDMENT
The Agreement may not be amended, modified or changed (in whole or in part), except by a formal, definitive written agreement expressly referring to the Agreement, which agreement is executed by both of the parties hereto.
18. WAIVER
Neither the failure nor any delay on the part of a party to exercise any right, remedy, power or privilege under the Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege preclude any other or further exercise of the same or of any right, remedy, power or privilege, nor shall any waiver of any right, remedy, power or privilege with respect to any occurrence be construed as a waiver of such right, remedy, power or privilege with respect to any other occurrence. No waiver shall be effective unless it is in writing and is signed by the party asserted to have granted such waiver.
19. NOTICES
All notices, requests, demands and other communications required or permitted under the Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given and made if (i) delivered by hand, (ii) otherwise delivered against receipt therefor, (iii) sent by a recognized courier with next-day or second-day delivery to the last known address of the other party; or (iv) sent by e-mail with confirmation of receipt.
20. COUNTERPARTS
The Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original as against any party whose signature appears thereon, and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The Agreement shall become binding when one or more counterparts hereof, individually or taken together, shall bear the signatures of all of the parties reflected hereon as the signatories. Photographic copies of such signed counterparts may be used in lieu of the originals for any purpose.
21. NO INTERPRETATION AGAINST DRAFTER
Each party recognizes that the Agreement is a legally binding contract and acknowledges that such party has had the opportunity to consult with legal counsel of choice. In any construction of the terms of the Agreement, the same shall not be construed against either party on the basis of that party being the drafter of such terms.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Agreement has been executed as of the date first written above.
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360 Finance, Inc. |
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a Cayman Islands exempted company |
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EXECUTIVE: |
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Power of Attorney
Beijing Qibutianxia Technology Co., Ltd., a limited liability company formally established and validly existing in accordance with laws of the Peoples Republic of China ( China ) with the Unified Social Credit Code of 91110106796743693W (the Authorizer ), issue this Power of Attorney on [Execution Date].
WHEREAS:
(1) The Authorizer holds 100% of the equity of [Name of VIE] (the Company );
(2) A series of agreements, including the Exclusive Option Agreement , the Equity Interest Pledge Agreement and the Exclusive Consultation and Service Agreement , have been concluded by and between the Authorizer, Shanghai Qiyue Information Technology Co., Ltd. (the WFOE ) and the Company.
(3) In order to ensure that the Company can operate continuously and normally and that the Company and the Authorizer fulfill their obligations under the above agreements, WFOE requires the shareholders of the Company to authorize WFOE as its Agent to exercise on its behalf all the rights the Authorizer enjoys in respect of the Companys equity held, and the Authorizer agrees to grant such authorization to WFOE.
THEREFORE , the Authorizer hereby irrevocably selects, entrusts and appoints WFOE or its designated person (collectively referred to as the Agent , including legal and natural persons) during the validity period of this Power of Attorney to, on behalf of the Authorizer, exercise all rights enjoyed with respect to the Company equity held by the Authorizer under relevant laws and regulations and the Articles of Association of the Company, including but not limited to the following rights (collectively referred to as Shareholder Rights ), and the Agent agrees to accept the above authorization:
(a) Propose to convene, convene and participate in the Companys shareholders meetings;
(b) Receive any notice regarding the convening of the shareholders meetings and relevant meeting procedures;
(c) Sign and deliver any written resolution in the name of the Authorizer or on behalf of the Authorizer in the capacity of a shareholder;
(d) Vote in person or by proxy on any matter discussed in the shareholders meeting (including but not limited to the sale, transfer, mortgage, pledge or disposal of any or all of the Companys assets);
(e) Sell, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of any or all of the Authorizers shares in the Company;
(f) Nominate, elect, appoint or remove any director, general manager, chief financial officer and other senior officers of the Company;
(g) Supervise the Companys operating performance, approve the Companys annual budget or announcing dividends, and consult the Companys financial information at any time;
(h) Bring a lawsuit or take other legal actions against any director or senior officers whose acts have damaged the interests of the Company or the Companys shareholders;
(i) Make decisions in the capacity of a shareholder; and
(j) Any other rights granted to shareholders by the Articles of Association of the Company or relevant laws and regulations.
The Authorizer further agrees and undertakes that:
(a) The Authorizer hereby authorizes the Agent to exercise the shareholders rights at its absolute discretion without any oral or written instruction from the Authorizer. Moreover, without prior written consent of WFOE, the Authorizer shall not exercise any shareholders rights.
(b) WFOE is entitled to appoint one or more alternative candidates at its sole discretion to exercise any or all of the rights of the Agent under this P ower of Attorney , it also has the right to revoke the appointment of such alternative candidates at its sole discretion.
(c) If the equity held by the Authorizer in the Company increases, whether or not through the transfer of equity or the increase of registered capital, any equity acquired by the Authorizer as a result of a transfer of equity or an increase of the capital shall be subject to the Power of Attorney , and the Agent is entitled to exercise the said shareholders rights on behalf of the Authorizer with respect to any equity acquired by transfer or equity or increase of capital; similarly, if anyone takes ownership of the Companys equity, whether through voluntary transfer, legal transfer, forced auction or any other means, all such equity of the Company shall still be subject to this Power of Attorney , and the Agent has the right to continue exercising the said shareholders rights with respect to such equity.
(d) For the avoidance of doubt, if the Authorizer needs to transfer its equity to WFOE or its affiliates in accordance with the Exclusive Consultation and Service Agreement and the Equity Interest Pledge Agreement (including any subsequent amendment or supplementary agreement thereof) signed with WFOE, the Agent is entitled to sign the equity transfer agreement and other relevant agreements on behalf of the Authorizer and fulfill all the shareholders obligations under the Exclusive Consultation and Service Agreement and the Equity Interest Pledge Agreement . At the request of WFOE, the Authorizer shall sign any document, affix the official seal and/or seal, and take any other necessary action to complete the said equity transfer. The Authorizer shall ensure the completion of such equity transfer and urge any assignee and WFOE to sign a power of attorney with the content substantially identical to that hereof; and
(e) WFOE may, any time at its discretion, notify and require in writing the Authorizer to re-sign a power of attorney with the content substantially identical to that hereof, authorize its designated person to act as its Agent and to exercise on its behalf all the rights enjoyed by it regarding the Company equity held under relevant laws and regulations and the Articles of Association of the Company.
This Power of Attorney has been officially signed by the Authorizer. It shall come into force as of the date of signature indicated herein and shall remain in force during the existing period of the Company. Without prior written consent of WFOE, the Authorizer shall not terminate or amend this P ower of Attorney or revoke the authorization granted to the Agent. This Power of Attorney shall have the same binding force on the successor, inheritor and assignee of the Authorizer.
[No body text below]
[Signature Page Only]
Authorizer: Beijing Qibutianxia Technology Co., Ltd. (Seal)
Company seal: /s/ Beijing Qibutianxia Technology Co., Ltd.
Signature of Legal (or Authorized) Representative: |
/s/ LIU Wei |
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LIU Wei |
[Signature Page Only]
Agent: Shanghai Qiyue Information Technology Co., Ltd. (Seal)
Company seal: /s/ Shanghai Qiyue Information Technology Co., Ltd.
Signature of Legal (or Authorized) Representative: |
/s/ WU Haisheng |
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WU Haisheng |
Schedule of Material Differences
Beijing Qibutianxia Technology Co., Ltd. and Shanghai Qiyue Information Technology Co., Ltd. entered into Powers of Attorney regarding three VIEs of the Registrant using this form. Pursuant to Instruction ii to Item 601 of Regulation S-K, the Registrant may only file this form as an exhibit with a schedule setting forth the material details in which the executed agreements differ from this form:
No. |
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Name of VIE |
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Execution Date |
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Shanghai Qiyu Information Technology Co., Ltd. |
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September 10, 2018 |
2 |
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Fuzhou 360 Online Microcredit Co., Ltd. |
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September 10, 2018 |
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Fuzhou 360 Financing Guarantee Co., Ltd. |
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September 10, 2018 |
Equity Interest Pledge Agreement
This Equity Interest Pledge Agreement (the Agreement ) is signed by and among the following parties in Beijing, Peoples Republic of China ( China ) on [Execution Date].
Pledgee: Shanghai Qiyue Information Technology Co., Ltd.
Unified Social Credit Code: 91310000MA1K1E3BX9
Address: Room A2-8914, Fumin Road No. 58, Hengsha Village, Chongming District, Shanghai
Pledger: Beijing Qibutianxia Technology Co., Ltd.
Unified Social Credit Code: 91110106796743693W
Address: Room 117, F/117, Xinghuo Road No. 2, Science Park, Fengtai District, Beijing
Domestic Company: [Name of VIE]
Unified Social Credit Code: [Unified Social Credit code of VIE]
Address: [Address of VIE]
(The Pledgee, Pledger and the Domestic Company are hereinafter individually referred to a/one Party and collectively referred to as the Parties .)
WHEREAS:
1. The Pledger is an enterprise formally established and validly existing in accordance with laws of China, and it owns 100% of the equity of the Domestic Company with a capital contribution of [Amount of Capital Contribution].
2. The Domestic Company is a limited liability company formally established and validly existing in accordance with laws of China.
3. The Pledgee is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise formally established and validly existing in accordance with laws of China.
4. The Pledgee and the Domestic Company signed an Exclusive Consultation and Service Agreement (the Service Agreement ) on [Execution Date].
5. The Pledger issued a Power of Attorney ( Power of Attorney ) on [Execution Date].
6. The Pledgee, the Pledger and the Domestic Company signed an Loan Agreement on [Execution Date].
7. The Pledgee, the Pledger and the Domestic Company signed an Exclusive Option Agreement ( Exclusive Option Agreement , which, together with the Service Agreement and the Power of Attorney, are hereafter referred to as the Main Agreements ) on [Execution Date].
8. In order to guarantee that the Pledger and the Domestic Company where the Pledger owns equity fulfill their obligations under the aforesaid Main Agreements (including but not limited to the normal collection of consultation service fee), the Pledger is willing to unconditionally and irrevocably pledge 100% of its equity in the Domestic Company to the Pledgee as guarantee.
THEREFORE , with the view to performing the provisions and agreements of the Main Agreements, the Pledger and the Pledgee hereby reach the following agreement through mutual consultation:
1. Pledge
1.1 The Pledger agrees to pledge 100% of its equity in the Domestic Company to the Pledgee as a guarantee for the Pledger and the Domestic Companys fulfillment of their obligations under the Main Agreements and for all their compensation liabilities arising from the invalidation, cancellation or dissolution of the Main Agreements.
1.2 Right of pledge refers to the right enjoyed by the Pledgee to have priority of payment from the price of the equity that pledged by the Pledger to the Pledgee from transfer of it at discounted value, sale by auction or any other disposition.
1.3 The equity pledged hereunder is 100% of the equity held by the Pledger in the Domestic Company ( Pledged Equity ) and all rights and interests related to the Pledged Equity. Details of the Pledged Equity are as follows:
Pledgee: Shanghai Qiyue Information Technology Co., Ltd.
Company which the Pledged Equity belongs to: Shanghai Qiyu Information Technology Co., Ltd.
Pledger: Beijing Qibutianxia Technology Co., Ltd.
Corresponding contribution amount of the Pledged Equity: [Amount of Capital Contribution]
2. Scope of Guarantee
2.1 The scope of guarantee with respect to the pledge hereunder includes that the Pledger and the Domestic Company shall perform all obligations under the Main Agreements and undertake all compensation liabilities arising from the invalidation, cancellation or dissolution of the Main Agreements, including but not limited to all payables, debts, obligations, all expenses incurred by the Pledgee in exercising its rights and the right of pledge under the Main Agreements, as well as the performance of the Main Agreements. For the avoidance of doubt, the scope of pledge guarantee shall not be limited by the amount of capital contributed by the Pledger as a shareholder of the Domestic Company.
2.2 The validity of the guarantee hereunder shall not be affected by any modification or alteration of the Main Agreements, and the guarantee hereunder shall still be valid for the obligations of the Pledger and the Domestic Company under the modified Main Agreements. If any of the Main Agreements becomes invalid for any reason, or is revoked or dissolved, the Pledgee shall be entitled to exercise the right of pledge immediately in accordance with Article 8 hereof.
3. Establishment and Validity Period of the Right of Pledge
3.1 The pledge of the equity hereunder shall be recorded in the register of shareholders of the Domestic Company within three (3) working days from the date of signing hereof.
3.2 The right of pledge hereunder shall be established as of the date when the equity pledge is registered with competent industrial and commercial administrative department with jurisdiction over the Domestic Company.
3.3 The validity period of the pledge hereunder shall be from its establishment until: (a) two (2) years after the fulfillment of all obligations under the Main Agreement; or (b) the Pledgee decides to purchase, to the extent permitted by laws of China, all the equity held by the Pledger in the Domestic Company in accordance with the Exclusive Option Agreement , the equity of the Domestic Company has been legally transferred to the Pledgee and/or its designated party, and the Pledgee, its subsidiaries and affiliates can legally engage in the businesses of the Domestic Company; or (c) the Pledgee decides to purchase, to the extent permitted by laws of China, all the assets of the Domestic Company in accordance with the Exclusive Option Agreement , the assets of the Domestic Company have been legally transferred to the Pledgee and/or its designated party, and the Pledgee, its subsidiaries and affiliates can legally engage in the businesses of the Domestic Company using such assets; or (d) the Pledgee unilaterally requests the termination of this Agreement (the Pledgees right to terminate this Agreement is the one without any restrictive conditions and is only enjoyed by the Pledgee, i.e. the Pledger or the Domestic Company does not have the right to unilaterally terminate this Agreement); or (e) upon termination as required by applicable laws and regulations of China.
3.4 With the prior written consent of the Pledgee, the Pledger may increase its capital contribution to the Domestic Company, transfer or accept the equity of the Domestic Company, provided that any change in the contribution or shareholding of the Pledger to the Domestic Company is subject to the provisions hereof. Afterwards, the Domestic Company shall immediately update its register of shareholders and register the changes in equity and pledge with competent industrial and commercial administrative department within fifteen (15) working days from the date of such changes.
3.5 During the validity period of the right of pledge, in case the Pledger or the Domestic Company fails to perform any obligation under or arising from the Main Agreements, the Pledgee shall have the right to exercise the right of pledge in accordance with Article 8 hereof.
3.6 All Parties agree to cooperate with each other on the above work and complete any unfinished work related to the establishment of the right of pledge as soon as possible. In order to achieve this goal, all Parties should take or urge to take all necessary actions.
4. Custody of the Pledge Certificate
4.1 The Pledger shall, within one (1) week from the date when the pledge is recorded in the register of shareholders of the Domestic Company as mentioned in Article 3 above, deliver its capital contribution certificate and register of shareholders of the Domestic Company to the Pledgee for custody; the Pledgee is obligated to properly keep the pledge documents it receives.
4.2 If the right of pledge is dissolved according to the provisions hereof, the Pledgee shall return the pledge registration certificate to the Pledger within five (5) working days after the pledge is dissolved according to the stipulations hereof, and shall provide necessary assistance in the process of the Pledgers handling of the formalities for cancellation of the pledge registration.
4.3 The Pledgee shall have the right to receive all benefits or beneficial rights, including dividends and bonuses, arising from the Pledged Equity.
5. Representation and Warranty of the Pledger
5.1 The Pledger is the sole legal owner of the Pledged Equity.
5.2 At any time, once the Pledgee exercises its rights hereunder, there should be no interference from any other party.
5.3 The Pledgee shall have the right to exercise or transfer the right of pledge in the manner specified herein.
5.4 Except for those set up for the benefit of the Pledgee, the Pledger did not set up any other pledge or encumbrance on the equity.
5.1 Shareholders/shareholders meeting of the Domestic Company approve(s) the pledge of equity hereunder through decision/resolution.
5.1 Once this Agreement comes into effect, it will constitute a legal, effective and legally binding obligation to the Pledger.
5.2 The Pledgers pledge of the Pledged Equity according to this Agreement does not violate any national law, regulation and relevant policy and regulation of government departments, nor does it violate any Agreement, agreement or commitment made to any third party by the it.
5.3 All documents and materials provided by the Pledger to the Pledgee in connection herewith are authentic, accurate and complete.
6. Undertakings of the Pledger
6.1 During the Term hereof, the Pledger undertakes to the Pledgee that:
6.1.1 It will ensure that the right of pledge hereunder is registered with the competent industrial and commercial administrative department;
6.1.2 Without prior written consent of the Pledgee, it will not transfer the Pledged Equity, or establish or allow the existence of any encumbrance that may affect the rights and interests of the Pledgee including pledge;
6.1.3 It will abide by and implement the provisions of all laws and regulations concerning pledge of rights. It will also, upon receipt of notices, instructions or suggestions issued or formulated by relevant competent authorities regarding the right of pledge, show such notices, instructions or suggestions to the Pledgee within five (5) days , and comply with such notices, instructions or suggestions, or raise objections and statements on the above matters according to the reasonable requirements of the Pledgee or with the consent of the Pledgee; and
6.1.4 It will promptly notify the Pledger of any events or notices received that may cause the Pledger to affect the rights of the Pledged Equity or any part thereof, as well as any guarantee, obligation, or any event or notice received that may affect the Pledgers change of the Agreement.
6.2 The Pledger agrees that the Pledgees acquisition of the right of pledge and exercise of its rights in accordance with the provisions hereof shall not be interrupted or impaired by the Pledger or any of its successor, inheritor, assignee, principal or any other person through legal procedures.
6.3 The Pledger undertakes to the Pledgee that in order to protect or perfect the guarantee hereof for the creditors rights and obligations under the Main Agreements, the Pledger shall sign in good faith and urge other parties with interest in the right of pledge to sign all certificates of rights, Agreements, and/or perform and urge such parties to take the actions required by the Pledgee, and provide convenience for the exercise of the rights and authorizations granted to the Pledgee under this Agreement; and that it will sign all relevant documents (if applicable and necessary) with the Pledgee or its designated person (natural person/legal person) regarding the change of stock rights, and provide the Pledgee with all notices, orders and decisions with respect to the right of pledge that it deems necessary within a reasonable period of time.
6.4 The Pledger irrevocably agrees to waive the preemptive right to transfer of such equity as pledged to the Pledgee by other shareholders of the Domestic Company due to the exercising of right of pledge by the Pledgee.
6.5 The Pledger undertakes to the Pledgee that for the benefit of the Pledgee, the Pledger will abide by and perform all the guarantees, promises, agreements, statements, conditions and obligations under this Agreement and the Main Agreements, or the Pledger shall compensate the Pledgee for all losses incurred therefrom.
7. Event of Default
7.1 The following events shall be deemed as events of default:
7.1.1 Any representation or warranty made by the Pledger in Article 5 hereof is materially misleading or wrong, and/or the Pledger violates the warranty made in Article 5 hereof;
7.1.2 The Pledger violates its undertaking in Article 6 hereof;
7.1.3 The Pledger or the Domestic Company violates any of the provisions of this Agreement or the Main Agreements or fails to perform its obligations under the above-mentioned Agreements;
7.1.4 Any term or obligation of the Pledger or the Domestic Company in this Agreement or the Main Agreements is deemed illegal, invalid, void or unenforceable;
7.1.5 The Pledger abandons the Pledged Equity, or transfers the Pledged Equity without prior written consent of the Pledgee, or sets up any encumbrance on the Pledged Equity without prior consent of the Pledgee;
7.1.6 Any external loan, guarantee, warranty, compensation, promise or other debt repayment liabilities of the Pledger (1) is required to be repaid or performed in advance due to default, or (2) has expired but cannot be repaid or performed as scheduled, leading to the Pledgees belief that the Pledgers ability to fulfill its obligations hereunder has been affected;
7.1.7 The Pledger cannot repay its ordinary debts or other debts;
7.1.8 Any newly promulgated law makes, or any applicable law considers that any provision hereunder is illegal, or causes the Pledger cannot continue to perform its obligations hereunder;
7.1.9 If any governmental consent, permission, approval or authorization necessary to make this Agreement enforceable or legal or effective is revoked, terminated, invalid or substantially modified;
7.1.10 Due to unfavorable changes in the property owned by the Pledger, the Pledgee believes that the Pledgers ability to fulfill its obligations hereunder has been affected.
7.1.11 The Pledger breaches the Agreement by its any act and/or omission in violation of the terms hereof; or
7.1.12 Other circumstances under which the Pledgee cannot dispose of the right of pledge in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.
7.2 The Pledger shall immediately notify the Pledgee in writing if it is known or discovered that any of the events mentioned in this Article 7.1 or any event that may lead to the above events have occurred.
7.3 Unless the default events listed in Article 7.1 have been satisfactorily resolved to the satisfaction of the Pledgee, the Pledgee may issue a written notice of default to the Pledger at the time of or at any time after the occurrence of such default, requiring the Pledger or the Domestic Company to immediately perform its obligations under the Main Agreements, or the Pledgee may dispose of the right of pledge in accordance with Article 8 hereof.
8. Exercise of the Right of Pledge
8.1 Before all obligations under the Main Agreements are fulfilled, the Pledger shall not transfer the Pledged Equity without prior written consent of the Pledgee.
8.2 In case of an Event of Default referred to in Article 7, the Pledgee shall issue a notice of default to the Pledger when exercising the right of pledge.
8.3 Subject to the provisions of Article 7.3, the Pledgee may dispose of the right of pledge at the same time as or at any time after issuing the notice of default in accordance with Article 7.3.
8.4 The Pledgee shall be entitled to transfer all or part of the Pledged Equity hereunder at its discounted value in accordance with legal procedures, or to have priority of payment from the auction or sales of the equity, till all obligations under the Main Agreements are fulfilled. If the Pledgee decides to exercise the right of pledge, the Pledger undertakes to transfer all its shareholders rights to the Pledgee.
8.5 When the Pledgee disposes the right of pledge in accordance with this Agreement, the Pledger shall, without any obstruction, provide necessary and active assistance to enable the Pledgee to realize its right of pledge.
9. Transfer
9.1 Without prior consent of the Pledgee, the Pledger has no right to grant or transfer its rights and obligations hereunder.
9.2 The Pledgee may transfer, to the extent permitted by applicable laws, all or any of its rights and obligations under the Main Agreements to its designated person (natural person/legal person) at any time. In such case, the transferee shall enjoy and assume the rights and obligations of the Pledgee hereunder as if it were a party hereto. When the Pledgee transfers its rights and obligations under the Main Agreements, the Pledger shall, at the request of the Pledgee, sign all relevant agreements and/or documents with respect to the transfer.
9.3 After the change of pledgee due to the above transfer, all new parties to the pledge shall re-sign the Equity Interest Pledge Agreement, and the content thereof shall be substantially consistent with the Agreement.
9.4 This Agreement shall be effective and binding upon all Parties and their respective successors, inheritors and transferees.
10. Effectiveness and Termination
10.1 The Agreement shall come into effect as of the date of signing by all Parties. All Parties hereby agree and confirm that the validity of the terms and conditions hereof starts from the date when the Pledger becomes a shareholder of the Domestic Company.
10.2 The Parties further confirm that whether the right of pledge hereunder is registered and filed with relevant industrial and commercial administrative department will not affect the effectiveness hereof.
10.3 This Agreement shall be terminated two (2) years after the Pledger and the Domestic Company no longer assume any obligations stipulated under or arising from the Main Agreements. After the termination hereof, the Pledgee shall terminate the right of pledge hereunder within the shortest time reasonably practicable.
10.4 The release of the right of pledge shall also be recorded in the register of shareholders of the Domestic Company accordingly, and shall be cancelled registration in the competent industrial and commercial administrative department with jurisdiction over the Domestic Company in accordance with laws.
11. Handling Fee and Other Fees
11.1 All Parties agree and confirm that all costs and actual expenses related to this Agreement, including but not limited to all legal costs, costs of production, stamp duty, any other taxes and expenses incurred to all Parties due to the performance hereof, shall be borne by the Pledger. If it is stipulated by laws that such taxes and fees should be paid by the Pledgee, the Pledger shall compensate fully for such taxes and fees paid by the Pledgee unless the latter agrees to bear all or part of such taxes and fees by itself.
11.2 If the Pledger fails to pay any tax and fee payable in accordance with the provisions hereof, or causes the Pledgee to take any way or means to recover the unpaid amount of the Pledger due to other reasons, the Pledger shall bear all expenses incurred therefrom (including but not limited to various taxes, handling fees, management fees, legal fees, attorney fees, various insurance premiums, etc. for handling the right of pledge).
12. Compensation for Breach
12.1 Should any Party (the Breaching Party ) violate any provision hereof and cause damage to the other Parties (the Non-beaching Parties ), the Non-beaching Parties may send a written notice to the Breaching Party, requiring it to remedy and rectify the breach immediately. If the Breaching Party fails to take satisfactory measures to remedy and rectify the breach within fifteen (15) days from the date of the said notice, the Non-beaching Party shall be entitled to take other remedies in accordance with the methods prescribed herein or by legal means.
12.2 The Pledger and the Domestic Company further agree that the Pledger and the Domestic Company shall fully indemnify the Pledgee against and hold the Pledgee harmless from any loss, damage, obligation and expense arising from or causing by any litigation, claim or other demands against the Pledgee due to the performance hereof.
12.3 The Parties agree that this Article 12 shall remain in force whether or not this Agreement is modified, rescinded or terminated.
13. Force Majeure
13.1 Force Majeure refers to any event that is beyond reasonable expectation or control of, and unavoidable even with reasonable attention by the affected Party, including but not limited to government behavior, natural forces, fires, explosions, storms, floods, earthquakes, tides, lightning or war. However, lack of credit, capital or financing shall not be regarded as an event that beyond reasonable control of either Party. The Party who is affected by Force Majeure and seeks exemption from its obligations hereunder shall notify the other Parties of such exemption as soon as possible and inform it of the steps to be taken to fulfill the obligations.
13.2 In case the performance hereof is delayed or impeded by Force Majeure, the affected Party shall not be liable for the part of obligations delayed or impeded hereunder. However, the affected Party should take appropriate measures to reduce or eliminate the impact of Force Majeure, and to strive to restore the performance of the obligation delayed or impeded. Once the Force Majeure is eliminated, the Parties agree to do their outmost to restore the performance hereof.
14. Governing Law and Dispute Settlement
14.1 The execution, validity, interpretation, performance, amendment and termination of this Agreement and the resolution of disputes shall be governed by laws of China.
14.2 Any dispute arising from the interpretation and performance hereof shall be firstly settled by all Parties through friendly negotiation. If such negotiation fails within thirty (30) days after one Party has issued a written notice to the others requiring the negotiation, either Party may submit the dispute to China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission for arbitration in accordance with its current arbitration rules. The arbitration shall be held in Shanghai and conducted in Chinese. The arbitral award shall be final and binding upon all Parties.
14.3 In case of any dispute arising from the interpretation and performance hereof or any ongoing arbitration on any dispute, except for to the subject matter of the dispute itself, the Parties shall continue exercising and performing their respective rights and obligations hereunder.
15. Notice
Any notice or other communication sent by either Party in accordance with this Agreement shall be written in Chinese or English, and sent by personal delivery, registered mail, repaid post, express or graphic facsimile to the following address of the receiving Party, or other address that it notifies the others from time to time, or the address of other person as designated by it. The date on which the notice is deemed to be actually served shall be determined as follows: (a) a notice sent by personal delivery shall be deemed to be served on the day of delivery; (b) a notice sent by letter shall be deemed to be served on the tenth (10 th ) day after the date when the pre-paid registered mail by air is sent out (subject to the postmark), or the fourth (4 th ) day after the date when it is handed over to the express service agency; and (c) a notice sent by fax shall be deemed to be served at the receipt time as shown on the fax receipt.
16. Miscellaneous
16.1 This Agreement shall be effective and binding upon all Parties and their successors, inheritors and assignee.
16.2 The headlines hereof are for convenience only, and shall not be used to interpret, explain or otherwise affect the meaning of the provisions hereof.
16.3 All Parties agree to promptly sign the documents or take further actions that are reasonably required for, or in favor of, the execution of the provisions and purposes hereof.
16.4 All Parties confirm that as soon as the Agreement comes into force it shall constitute the entire agreement and consensus reached by the Parties on the contents hereof, and replace all oral and/or written agreements and consensus reached by both Parties on the contents hereof prior to the Agreement.
16.5 If any or several provisions hereof is/are determined or ruled to be invalid, ineffective, illegal or unenforceable in any respect by any court or arbitral body with jurisdiction in accordance with applicable laws or regulations, the validity, effectiveness, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not be affected or impaired in any way. The Parties shall cease to perform such invalid, ineffective, illegal or unenforceable provisions, and revise them only to the extent that they are effective and enforceable for such specific fact and situation and mostly closest to their original intention.
16.6 Failure of either Party to exercise its rights hereunder in a timely manner shall not be deemed to be a waiver of that right, nor shall it affect the Partys future exercise of that right.
16.7 Any obligation arising from, or becoming due under, this Agreement before the expiration or early termination hereof shall remain in force after the expiration or early termination hereof.
16.8 Any uncovered matter herein shall be agreed separately by all Parties through consultation. No amendment and supplement to this Agreement shall take effect unless it is made by all Parties in writing. Such amendment hereto and the supplementary agreement, once duly signed by all Parties, shall constitute an integral part of, and has the same legal effect as this Agreement.
16.9 If the equity pledge registration authority requires to this Agreement to be re-signed or amended, the Parties shall make the utmost efforts and uphold the utmost sincerity to ensure the validity and enforceability of this Agreement. Such re-signed or amended agreement shall be used only for the purpose of industrial and commercial registration, and shall not modify or replace this Agreement. In case of any discrepancy between such agreement and this Agreement, this Agreement shall prevail.
16.10 The Agreement is made in Chinese and in three (3) copies, with each Party holding one of them, which shall have the same legal effect.
[No Body Text Below]
[Signature Page Only]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Parties have caused the Agreement to be signed by their respective authorized representatives on the date first written above.
Pledgee: Shanghai Qiyue Information Technology Co., Ltd. (Seal)
Company seal: /s/ Shanghai Qiyue Information Technology Co., Ltd.
Signature of Legal (or Authorized) Representative: |
/s/ WU Haisheng |
|
WU Haisheng |
[Signature Page Only]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Parties have caused the Agreement to be signed by their respective authorized representatives on the date first written above.
Pledger: Beijing Qibutianxia Technology Co., Ltd. (Seal)
Company seal: /s/ Beijing Qibutianxia Technology Co., Ltd.
Signature of Legal (or Authorized) Representative: |
/s/ LIU Wei |
|
LIU Wei |
[Signature Page Only]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Parties have caused the Agreement to be signed by their respective authorized representatives on the date first written above.
Domestic Company: [ Name of VIE ] (Seal)
Company seal: /s/ [ Name of VIE ]
Signature of Legal (or Authorized) Representative: |
|
/s/[Authorized Representative of VIE] |
|
[Authorized Representative of VIE] |
|
Schedule of Material Differences
One or more persons entered into equity pledge agreement with Shanghai Qiyue Information Technology Co., Ltd. and Beijing Qibutianxia Technology Co., Ltd. using this form. Pursuant to Instruction ii to Item 601 of Regulation S-K, the Registrant may only file this form as an exhibit with a schedule setting forth the material details in which the executed agreements differ from this form:
No. |
|
Name of
|
|
Unified Social Credit
|
|
Registered
|
|
Amount of
|
|
Authorized
|
|
Execution
|
1 |
|
Shanghai Qiyu Information Technology Co., Ltd. |
|
91310230MA1JXJYF7E |
|
Room A1-5962, Fumin Branch Road No. 58, Hengsha Town, Chongming County, Shanghai (Hengtai Economic Development Zone, Shanghai) |
|
RMB 200,000,000 |
|
LIU Wei |
|
September 10, 2018 |
2 |
|
Fuzhou 360 Online Microcredit Co., Ltd. |
|
91350100MA2Y4D6073 |
|
Section 018, Room 201, 2/F, Affiliated Building of the Regulatory Building, Processing Trade Zone of the Free Trade Port Area, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province (Xinjiang Road No. 9, Xincuo Town, Fuqing City) |
|
RMB 500,000,000 |
|
ZHAO Qian |
|
September 10, 2018 |
3 |
|
Fuzhou 360 Financing Guarantee Co., Ltd. |
|
91350100MA31UJWL4W |
|
32# Building, Xihong Road No. 528, Jinniushan Software Park, Gulou District, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province |
|
RMB 100,000,000 |
|
ZHAO Qian |
|
September 10, 2018 |
Exclusive Consultation and Service Agreement
This Exclusive Consultation and Service Agreement (the Agreement ) is signed by and between the following two parties in Beijing, Peoples Republic of China ( China ) on [Execution Date].
Party A: Shanghai Qiyue Information Technology Co., Ltd.
Unified Social Credit Code: 91310000MA1K1E3BX9
Address: Room A2-8914, Fumin Road No. 58, Hengsha Village, Chongming District, Shanghai
Party B: [Name of VIE]
Unified Social Credit Code: [Unified Social Credit Code of VIE]
Address: [Address of VIE]
(Party A and Party B are hereinafter individually referred to as a/one Party and collectively referred to as the Parties .)
WHEREAS:
(1) Party A is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise formally established and validly existing in accordance with laws of China, and it has the relevant resources to provide technical consultation and service to Party B.
(2) Party B is a limited liability company formally established and validly existing in accordance with laws of China.
(3) Party B intends to entrust Party A, and Party A agrees to accept Party Bs entrustment, to provide exclusive technical consultation and related service to Party B by exploiting its own advantages in human, technical and information within the Term hereof. Party B agrees to accept only the technical consultation and service provided by Party A.
THEREFORE , the two Parties hereby reach an agreement as follows through mutual consultation:
1. Exclusive Consultation and Service; Exclusive Rights
1.1 During the Term hereof, Party A agrees to provide technical consultation and service (See Appendix 1 for details) to Party B as its exclusive technical consultation and service provider in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof.
1.2 During the Term hereof, Party B agrees to irrevocably appoint Party A as its exclusive technical consultation and service provider, and to accept the technical consultation and services provided by Party A. Party B further agrees that, during the Term hereof, unless it obtains prior written consent of Party A, it shall not directly or indirectly accept any technical consultation and service provided by any third party which is the same or similar with that provided hereunder, nor sign any similar service agreement with any third party.
1.3 All rights, titles, interests and intellectual properties (including but not limited to copyright, patent, technical secrets, commercial secrets and others) arising from the performance hereof shall be exclusively owned by Party A, whether or not they are developed by Party A or by Party B based on Party As intellectual property rights. Party B shall not enjoy any of the said rights and interests unless otherwise specified herein or agreed in writing by both Parties. Party B shall sign all documents and take all actions required to make Party A to be the owner of such rights, titles, interests and intellectual properties.
1.4 Party A shall be entitled to, at its sole discretion, appoint any of its affiliates to provide any service agreed herein without obtaining any form of consent and confirmation from Party B.
2. Calculation and Payment of Technical Consultation and Service Fee
2.1 Both Parties agree to determine the technical consultation and service fee ( Consultation Service Fee ) hereunder based on the services provided by Party A under the entrustment. Party A shall be entitled to, based on its reasonable judgment, decide at its sole discretion the amount and payment method of the Consultation Service Fee that Party B shall pay. Such calculation and payment method of Consultation Service Fee is set out in Appendix 2 hereof.
2.2 If Party A, based on its reasonable judgment, decides to adjust the calculation and payment method of the Consultation Service Fee for any reason during the Term hereof, Party A shall notify Party B in writing five (5) days in advance to make such adjustment without obtaining Party Bs consent.
3. Representation and Warranty
3.1 Party A hereby represents and warrants as follows:
3.1.1 It is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise legally established and validly existing in accordance with laws of China.
3.1.2 Its signature and performance of this Agreement is within its corporate power and business scope; it has taken all necessary corporate action and make all appropriate authorization, and has obtained the necessary consent and approval from any third party and government department, and does not violate any restriction imposed by any law or contract which is binding upon or has effect on it.
3.1.3 Once signed, this Agreement shall constitute an obligation which is lawful, valid, binding upon and enforceable against Party A in accordance with the provisions hereof.
3.2 Party B hereby represents and warrants as follows:
3.2.1 It is a limited liability company legally established and validly existing in accordance with laws of China.
3.2.2 Its signature and performance of this Agreement is within the corporate power and business scope of its company; it has taken all necessary corporate action and made all appropriate authorization, and has obtained the necessary consent and approval from any third party and government department, and does not violate any restriction imposed by any law or contract which is binding upon or has effect on it.
3.2.3 Once signed, this Agreement shall constitute an obligation which is lawful, valid, binding upon and enforceable against Party B in accordance with the provisions hereof
4. Confidentiality
4.1 The Parties hereto acknowledge and confirm that all oral or written information exchanged between them hereunder are confidential ( Confidential Information ). Both Parties shall keep the Confidential Information in strict confidence, and shall not disclose, provide or transfer them to any third party without the other Partys prior written consent, other than the information: (a) that is already, or will be, made public (other than through arbitrary disclosure by the receiving Party); (b) that is required to be disclosed by rules or regulations of applicable laws or stock exchange; or (c) that is required to be disclosed by any Party to its legal or financial advisor for the transactions contemplated hereunder, on the condition that such legal or financial advisor should also assume the liability for confidentiality similar to that specified in this Article 4. Any Party shall be held liable for disclosure of the Confidential Information in breach of this Agreement by any employee of or any entity engaged by such Party as if such disclosure is made by such Party itself.
4.2 Party B further agrees to take all reasonable measures to keep in strict confidence the Confidential Information of Party A it becomes known or has access in connection with its acceptance of the exclusive technical consultation and service to be provided by Party A. Upon the termination hereof, Party B shall, as required by Party A, return all documents, information or software containing such Confidential Information to Party A or destroy them by itself, delete the Confidential Information from any memory device, and shall not continue using the Confidential Information.
4.3 The Parties agree that this Article 4 shall remain in force whether or not the Agreement is modified, rescinded, invalid, terminated or non-operative.
5. Party As Financial Support
Considering the cash flow requirements of Party B for its business operation or in order to offset the cumulative loss in its business operation, Party A is entitled to provide financial support to Party B (including but not limited to bank entrusting loans), whether by itself or through any third party it designated, to the extent permitted under the laws of China.
6. Compensation for Breach
6.1 Should any Party (the Breaching Party ) violate any provision hereof and cause damage to the other Party (the Non-beaching Party ), the Non-beaching Party may send a written notice to the Breaching Party, requiring it to remedy and rectify the breach immediately. If the Breaching Party fails to take satisfactory measures to remedy and rectify the breach within fifteen (15) working days from the date of issuance of the said notice, the Non-beaching Party shall be entitled to take other remedies in accordance with the methods prescribed herein or by legal means.
6.2 Party B further agrees that it shall fully indemnify Party A against and hold Party A harmless from any loss, damage, obligation and expense arising from any litigation, claim or other demand against Party A due to provision of the technical consultation and service by Party A at request of Party B.
6.3 The Parties agree that this Article 6 shall remain in force whether or not the Agreement is modified, rescinded or terminated.
7. Effectiveness and Term
7.1 This Agreement is signed by the Parties and shall enter into force on the date first written above, and its Term should be ten (10) years unless it is early terminated in accordance with the provisions hereof.
7.2 Unless Party A notifies Party B in writing that it does not agree to do so, this Agreement shall be extended automatically by ten (10) years after the expiration of the Term and each expiration hereof thereafter. Party B shall have no right to dispute such extension.
8. Termination
8.1 Termination. This Agreement shall remain in force unless Party A does not agree to extend it on the expiration date in accordance with Article 7.2 hereof or early terminates it in accordance with Article 8.2 hereof.
8.2 Early Termination
8.2.1 During the Term hereof, Party B shall not terminate this Agreement in advance unless Party A commits gross negligence, fraud, and other illegal acts or becomes bankruptcy. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Party A is entitled to terminate this Agreement at any time by giving thirty (30) days written notice to Party B.
8.2.2 During the Term hereof, Party A shall be entitled to notify Party B in writing to terminate this Agreement if Party B breaches this Agreement and fails to rectify such breach within fifteen (15) days of the date of receipt of Party As written notice.
8.2.3 If the operation term (including any extension thereof) of any Party expires or is terminated for other reasons within the Term as stipulated in Article 7.1 and 7.2, this Agreement shall be terminated at the time of the termination of such operation term, unless the Party has transferred its rights and obligations hereunder in accordance with Article 11 hereof.
8.3 Survival. After the termination hereof, the rights and obligations of the Parties under Articles 4, 6 and 14 shall remain effective.
9. Force Majeure
9.1 Force Majeure refers to any event that is beyond reasonable expectation or control of, and unavoidable even with reasonable attention by the affected Party, including but not limited to government behavior, natural forces, fires, explosions, storms, floods, earthquakes, tides, lightning or war. However, lack of credit, capital or financing shall not be regarded as an event that beyond reasonable control of either Party. The Party who is affected by Force Majeure and seeks exemption from its obligations hereunder shall notify the other Party of such exemption as soon as possible and inform it of the steps to be taken to fulfill the obligations.
9.2 In case the performance hereof is delayed or impeded by Force Majeure, the affected Party shall not be liable for the part of obligations delayed or impeded hereunder. However, the affected Party should take appropriate measures to reduce or eliminate the impact of Force Majeure, and to strive to restore the performance of the obligation delayed or impeded. Once the Force Majeure is eliminated, the Parties agree to do their outmost to restore the performance hereof.
10. Notice
Any notice or other communication sent by either Party in accordance with this Agreement shall be written in Chinese or English, and sent by personal delivery, registered mail, repaid post, express or graphic facsimile to the following address of the other Party, or other address that it notifies the other from time to time, or the address of other person as designated by it. The date on which the notice is deemed to be actually served shall be determined as follows: (a) a notice sent by personal delivery shall be deemed to be served on the day of delivery; (b) a notice sent by letter shall be deemed to be served on the tenth (10 th ) day after the date when the pre-paid registered mail by air is sent out (subject to the postmark), or the fourth (4 th ) day after the date when it is handed over to the express service agency; and (c) a notice sent by fax shall be deemed to be served at the receipt time as shown on the fax receipt.
Party A: Shanghai Qiyue Information Technology Co., Ltd.
Addressee: ########
Address: ########
Tel: ########
Fax: ########
Party B: [Name of VIE]
Addressee: ########
Address: ########
Tel: ########
Fax: ########
11. Transfer
11.1 Party B shall not transfer its rights and obligations hereunder to any third party unless it obtains prior written consent of Party A.
11.2 Party B hereby agrees that Party A may transfer its rights and obligations hereunder at its own discretion. Party A is only obligated to notify Party B in writing on the transfer without obtaining Party Bs consent for such transfer. At the request of Party A, Party B shall sign with the transferee a supplementary agreement, or an agreement with contents which are substantially the same as that of this Agreement.
12. Entireness and Severability
12.1 Both Parties confirm that as soon as the Agreement comes into force, it shall constitute the entire agreement and consensus reached by the Parties on the contents hereof, and replace all oral and/or written agreements and consensus reached by both Parties on the contents hereof prior to the Agreement.
12.2 If any or several provisions hereof is/are determined or ruled to be invalid, ineffective, illegal or unenforceable in any respect by any court or arbitral body with jurisdiction in accordance with applicable laws or regulations, the validity, effectiveness, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not be affected or impaired in any way. The Parties shall cease to perform such invalid, ineffective, illegal or unenforceable provisions, and revise them only to the extent that they are effective and enforceable for such specific fact and situation and mostly closest to their original intention.
13. Amendment and Supplement
No amendment and supplement to this Agreement shall take effect unless it is made by both Parties in writing. Such amendment hereto and the supplementary agreement, once duly signed by both Parties, shall constitute an integral part of, and has the same legal effect as this Agreement.
14. Governing Law and Dispute Settlement
14.1 The execution, validity, interpretation, performance, amendment and termination of this Agreement and the resolution of disputes shall be governed by laws of China.
14.2 Any dispute arising from the interpretation and performance hereof shall be firstly settled by both Parties through friendly negotiation. If such negotiation fails within thirty (30) days after one Party has issued a written notice to the other requiring the negotiation, either Party may submit the dispute to China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission for arbitration in accordance with its current arbitration rules. The arbitration shall be held in Shanghai and conducted in Chinese. The arbitral award shall be final and binding upon both Parties.
14.3 In case of any dispute arising from the interpretation and performance hereof or any ongoing arbitration on any dispute, except for to the subject matter of the dispute itself, the Parties shall continue exercising and performing their respective rights and obligations hereunder.
15. Miscellaneous
15.1 This Agreement shall be effective and binding upon both Parties and their respective successors, inheritors and assignee.
15.2 The headlines hereof are for convenience only, and shall not be used to interpret, explain or otherwise affect the meaning of the provisions hereof.
15.3 Both Parties agree to promptly sign the documents or take further actions that are reasonably necessary or advisable for performing this Agreement.
15.4 The tax and expenses incurred by each of the Parties due to the signing and performance hereof shall be borne by the incurring Party.
15.5 Failure of either Party to exercise its rights hereunder in a timely manner shall not be deemed to be a waiver of that right, nor shall it affect the Partys future exercise of that right.
15.6 Any obligation arising from, or becoming due under, this Agreement before the expiration or early termination hereof shall remain in force after the expiration or early termination hereof.
15.7 The Appendix hereof shall constitute an integral part of, and has the same legal effect as this Agreement.
15.8 The Agreement is made in Chinese in two (2) copies, each of which shall have the same legal effect.
[No Body Text Below]
[Signature Page Only]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Parties have cause the Agreement to be signed by their respective authorized representatives on the date first written above.
Party A: Shanghai Qiyue Information Technology Co., Ltd. (Seal)
Company seal: /s/ Shanghai Qiyue Information Technology Co., Ltd.
Signature: |
/s/ WU Haisheng |
|
Authorized Representative: WU Haisheng
[Signature Page Only]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Parties have cause the Agreement to be signed by their respective authorized representatives on the date first written above.
Party B: [Name of VIE] (Seal)
Signature: /s/ [Name of the Authorized Representative of VIE]
Authorized Representative: [Name of the Authorized Representative of VIE]
Appendix 1: Contents of the Technical Consultation and Service
Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Parties hereby agree upon and confirm the following contents of the technical consultation and service provided by Party A to Party B:
1. Conduct R&D on relevant technologies required for Party Bs business, including developing and designing database software, user interface software and other related technologies for Party Bs business information and licensing its use to Party B.
2. Provide relevant technical application and implementation system for Party Bs business operation, including but not limited to the overall design of the system, the installation and commissioning of the system, and the trial operation of the system;
3. Be responsible for the daily maintenance, monitoring, commissioning and troubleshooting of the network devices required for Party Bs business operation, including the timely input of users information to the database, or for updating the database timely, updating the user interface regularly, and providing other related technical services based on other business information provided by Party B at any time.
4. Provide consulting service for the procurement of relevant equipment and software & hardware systems required for Party Bs business operation, including but not limited to putting forward suggestions on the selection, installation and commissioning of various tools, application software and technical platforms, and the procurement, model and performance of all kinds of hardware facilities, equipment and devices matching them.
5. Provide pre-job & on-the-job trainings and technical support and assistance services to Party Bs employees, including but not limited to: providing appropriate training to Party B and its employees such as customer service or technical and other trainings, introducing knowledge and experience with respect to the installation and operation of the system and equipment to Party B and its employees, assisting B in solving the problems that occur at any time during the installation and operation of the system and equipment, and providing Party B with other advices and suggestions on editing platform and software application, and assisting Party B in compiling and collecting all kinds of information and material.
6. Provide technical consultation service and answers to the technical questions raised by Party B concerning its business operation, network equipment, technical products and software.
7. Provide certain labor support as required by Party B, including but not limited to dispatching or seconding relevant personnel.
8. Carry out risk analysis and assessment on Party Bs shareholders as required by Party B.
9. The Parties may, based on the needs of their business, sign a supplementary agreement to agree upon other services required to be provide by Party A.
Appendix 2: Calculation and Payment Method of Consultation Service Fee
Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Parties hereby agree upon and confirm the following calculation and payment method of Consultation Service Fee:
1. The Consultation Service Fee hereunder can be charged in the following method based on Party Bs revenue and its corresponding operating costs, sales, overhead and other costs.
(1) to charge in a certain proportion of Party Bs revenue;
(2) to charge a fixed fee for the projects completed by Party B;
(3) to charge a fixed royalty fee for certain trademarks, software and patents (if applicable); and / or
(4) other methods as determined by Party A from time to time based on the nature of the service provided.
The Parties may, based on their business needs, sign a supplementary agreement to specify the charging methods and standards for specific consultation services.
2. Party A shall issue to Party B a written confirmation on the Consultation Service Fee, and the specific amount of the Consultation Service Fee shall be determined by Party A after considering the following factors:
(1) the technical difficulty and complexity of the service provided by Party A.
(2) the man-hour spent on the service by employees of Party A;
(3) the contents and commercial value of the services, software or consultation provided by Party A; and / or
(4) the benchmark prices of similar services on the market.
3. Party A shall calculate the Consultation Service Fee based on a fixed period (monthly, quarterly, etc.) and issue the corresponding invoice to Party B, who shall pay the Consultation Service Fee to the bank account designated by Party A.
4. The Consultation Service Fee payable by Party B to Party A shall be subject to the notice of charge issued by Party A to Party B.
Schedule of Material Differences
One or more persons entered into Exclusive Consultation and Service Agreement with Shanghai Qiyue Information Technology Co., Ltd. using this form. Pursuant to Instruction ii to Item 601 of Regulation S-K, the Registrant may only file this form as an exhibit with a schedule setting forth the material details in which the executed agreements differ from this form:
No. |
|
Name of VIE |
|
Unified Social Credit Code
|
|
Address of VIE |
|
Name of the
|
|
Execution
|
1 |
|
Shanghai Qiyu Information Technology Co., Ltd. |
|
91310230MA1JXJYF7E |
|
Room A1-5962, Fumin Branch Road No. 58, Hengsha Town, Chongming County, Shanghai (Hengtai Economic Development Zone, Shanghai) |
|
LIU Wei |
|
September 10, 2018 |
2 |
|
Fuzhou 360 Online Microcredit Co., Ltd. |
|
91350100MA2Y4D6073 |
|
Section 018, Room 201, 2/F, Affiliated Building of the Regulatory Building, Processing Trade Zone of the Free Trade Port Area, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province (Xinjiang Road No. 9, Xincuo Town, Fuqing City) |
|
ZHAO Qian |
|
September 10, 2018 |
3 |
|
Fuzhou 360 Financing Guarantee Co., Ltd. |
|
91350100MA31UJWL4W |
|
32# Building, Xihong Road No. 528, Jinniushan Software Park, Gulou District, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province |
|
ZHAO Qian |
|
September 10, 2018 |
Exclusive Option Agreement
This Exclusive Option Agreement ( the Agreement ) is signed by and among the following parties in Beijing, Peoples Republic of China ( China ) on [Execution Date].
(1) Party A: Shanghai Qiyue Information Technology Co., Ltd.
Unified Social Credit Code: 91310000MA1K1E3BX9
Address: Room A2-8914, Fumin Road No. 58, Hengsha Village, Chongming District, Shanghai
(2) Party B: Beijing Qibu t ianxia Technology Co., Ltd.
Unified Social Credit Code: 91110106796743693W
Address: Room 117, F/117, Xinghuo Road No. 2, Science Park, Fengtai District, Beijing
(3) Party C: [Name of VIE]
Unified Social Credit Code: [Unified Social Credit Code of VIE]
Address: [Address of VIE]
(Party A, Party B and Party C are hereinafter individually referred to as a/one Party , and collectively referred to as the Parties )
WHEREAS:
(1) Party A is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise formally established and validly existing in accordance with laws of China.
(2) Party C is a limited liability company formally established and validly existing in accordance with laws of China, and Party B is a registered shareholder of Party C and holds 100% equity of Party C.
(3) Party A and Party C signed a Technical Consultation and Service Agreement (the Service Agreement ) on [Execution Date].
(4) Party B agrees to grant Party A an exclusive option to purchase by this Agreement, and Party A agrees to accept exclusive option to purchase all or part of equity of Party C that is held by Party B.
(5) Party C agrees to grant Party A an exclusive option to purchase by the Agreement, and Party A agrees to accept exclusive option to purchase all or part of assets that are held by Party C.
THEREFORE , the Parties hereby reach an agreement as follows through mutual consultation:
1. Exclusive Option to Purchase
1.1 Granting of Exclusive Option to Purchase
Party B hereby exclusively and irrevocably grants Party A an exclusive option to purchase, to allow Party A or one person or several persons designated by Party A ( Person(s) Designated by Party A ) to purchase from Party B at any time all or part of equity of Party C that is held by Party B (the Equity ) to the extent permitted by laws of China, with the steps determined by Party A at its sole discretion, and at the price specified in Article 1.3 hereof ( Equity Purchase Option ). Party A shall be entitled to accept and acquire all or part of the Equity by itself or any of the Person(s) Designated by Party A. Party B shall not refuse and shall transfer all or part of the Equity to Party A or any of the Person(s) Designated by Party A as required. No third party shall enjoy the Equity Purchase Option except for Party A and the Person(s) Designated by Party A. Party C hereby agrees that Party B grants the Equity Purchase Option to Party A. The Person as referred to in the article and this Agreement means an individual, company, joint venture, partnership, enterprise, trust or other non-company organization.
Party B and Party C hereby exclusively and irrevocably grants Party A an exclusive option to purchase, to allow Party A or any of the Person(s) Designated by Party A to purchase from Party C at any time all or part of assets (the Assets ) that are held by Party C to the extent permitted by laws of China, with the steps determined by Party A at its sole discretion, and at the price specified in Article 1.3 hereof ( Assets Purchase Option ). Party A shall be entitled to accept and acquire all or part of the Assets by itself or any of the Person(s) Designated by Party A. Party B and Party C shall not refuse and shall transfer all or part of the Assets to Party A or any of the Person(s) Designated by Party A as required. No third party shall enjoy the Assets Purchase Option except for Party A and the Person(s) Designated by Party A. Party B and Party C hereby agrees that Party C grants the Assets Purchase Option to Party A.
1.2 Exercising Steps
Subject to the provisions of laws and regulations of China, Party A may exercise the Equity Purchase Option or Assets Purchase Option in accordance with Article 1.1 by sending Party B or Party C a written notice ( Purchase Notice ) in which it should specify the equity share to be purchased from Party B ( Purchased Equity ), or assets list to be purchased from Party C ( Purchased Assets ) and the way of purchase. The number of times that Party A exercises its rights is unlimited. Party B or Party C shall sign the Equity Transfer Agreement or Assets Transfer Agreement attached hereto, or other versions of equity transfer agreement or assets transfer agreement agreed upon by Party A, with Party A or any of the Person(s) Designated by Party A within seven (7) working days after they receive the Purchase Notice, to ensure that the Purchased Equity or the Purchased Assets are transferred to Party A or any of the Person(s) Designated by Party A as soon as possible. Meanwhile, Party B or Party C shall take all necessary actions to ensure that the relevant procedures for ownership transfer are completed as soon as possible.
1.3 Purchase Price
Unless the Purchased Equity or Purchased Assets is required to be evaluated or audited, or there are other restrictive provisions concerning the transfer price thereof as specified by applicable laws and regulations of China when Party A exercises its Equity Purchase Option or Assets Purchase Option, the Parties agree that the purchase price ( Purchase Price ) of the Purchased Equity and Purchased Assets shall be the lowest price as permitted by applicable laws.
1.4 Transfer of Purchased Equity
Each time when exercising the Equity Purchase Option:
(a) Party B shall pass a resolution to approve its transfer of equity to Party A and/or any of the Person(s) Designated by Party A and sign a confirmation letter to agree to waive the right of first refusal to the equity transfer;
(b) For each transfer, Party B shall sign an equity transfer agreement with Party A and/or the Person(s) Designated by Party A in accordance with provisions of the Agreement and the Purchase Notice with respect to the Purchased Equity in the format as specified in Appendix I hereof, or other format as agreed by Party A.
(c) The Parties concerned shall sign all other necessary agreements, agreements or documents, obtain all necessary government approval and consent and take all necessary actions to grant the ownership of the Purchased Equity, free from any security interest or other encumbrance, to Party A and/or the Person(s) Designated by Party A and make Party A and/or the Person(s) Designated by Party A be the registered owner of Purchased Equity in relevant industrial and commercial administrative department. For the purposes of Article 1.4 and the Agreement, encumbrance shall include guarantee, mortgage, pledge, third party rights or interests, any Equity Purchase Options, purchase rights, right of first refusal, right of offset, retention of ownership or other security arrangements etc. However, for the sake of clarity, it shall not include any security interest or encumbrance arising under the Agreement and the Equity Interest Pledge Agreement . The Equity Interest Pledge Agreement specified in Article 1.4 and the Agreement refers to the Equity Interest Pledge Agreement signed by and among Party A, Party B and Party C on the same day as the Agreement. According to that agreement, Party B pledges to Party A all its equity in Party C to guarantee Party B and Party Cs performance of their obligations under the Agreement and the Service Agreement;
(d) Party B and Party C shall unconditionally make their best efforts to assist Party A and/or the Person(s) Designated by Party A in completing all government approvals, permits, registrations, filings and all necessary procedures to acquire the Purchased Equity.
1.5 Transfer of Purchased Assets
Each time when exercising the Assets Purchase Option:
(a) Subject to the provisions of Articles of Association of Party C, Party B shall instruct Party C to pass a/an Executive Director Decision/Resolution of the Board of Directors and/or Shareholder Decision/Resolution of the Meeting of Shareholders to approve Party Bs transfer of the assets to Party A and/or the Person(s) Designated by Party A.
(b) Party C shall sign an assets transfer agreement with Party A and/or the Person(s) Designated by Party A in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement and the Purchase Notice with respect to the Purchased Assets in the format as specified in Appendix II hereof, or other format as agreed by Party A.
(c) The Parties concerned shall sign all other necessary agreements, agreements or documents, obtain all necessary government approval and consent and take all necessary action to grant the ownership of the Purchased Assets to Party A and/or Any of the Person(s) Designated by Party A and make Party A and/or Any of the Person(s) Designated by Party A be the registered owner of the Purchased Assets in Industrial and Commercial Administrative Department without any security interest or other encumbrance.
(d) Party B and Party C shall unconditionally make their best efforts to assist Party A and/or the Person(s) Designated by Party A in completing all government approvals, permits, registrations, filings and all necessary procedures to acquire the Purchased Assets.
2. Undertakings on Equity and Assets
2.1 Undertakings of Party C
Each of Party B and Party C hereby undertakes that:
(a) It will not supplement, change or modify Party Cs Articles of Association in any form, increase or reduce its registered capital or otherwise change its shareholding structure without prior written approval of Party A;
(b) It will maintain Party Cs existence and operates its business and affairs prudently and effectively based on good financial and commercial standards and practices;
(c) It will not perform any act and/or omission which may have any adverse effect on Party Cs assets, business and liabilities without prior written approval of Party A, or sell, transfer, mortgage or otherwise dispose of any of Party Cs legal or beneficial interest of any assets, business or income at any time since the signing of the Agreement, or permit to set up any other encumbrance including security interest thereon without the prior written approval of Party A;
(d) It will not incur, inherit, guarantee or permit any debt without prior written approval of Party A, except for: (i) debt arising from normal or routine business processes rather than through borrowing; and (ii) liabilities disclosed to and agreed in writing by Party A;
(e) It have been conducting all its business in ordinary course of business to maintain Party Cs asset value, and has no action and/or omission that is not conducive to its business status and asset value;
(f) It will not sign any major agreement (for the purposes of this paragraph, if the value of an agreement exceeds RMB one million (1000,000) , it shall be deemed to be a major agreement) without prior written approval of Party A, except for those signed in ordinary course of business;
(g) It will not provide any loan or guarantee to anyone without prior written approval of Party A;
(h) It will provide Party A with all information concerning Party Cs operation and financial status at the request of Party A;
(i) It will purchase and maintain an insurance from an insurance company acceptable to Party A, and the amount and type of the insurance shall be the same or of the same level as the amount generally insured by the company carrying on similar business and having similar property or assets in the same area as Party C;
(j) It will not merge or combine with, be purchased by, acquire, or make investment in any other person without prior written approval of Party A;
(k) It will immediately notify Party A of any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings that may occur in connection with Party Cs assets, business and income;
(l) It will sign all necessary or appropriate documents, take all necessary or appropriate actions and make all necessary or appropriate claims or defend all claims to maintain the ownership of all of Party Cs assets;
(m) It will not distribute dividend to the shareholders in any form without prior written approval of Party A; provided, however , that it shall distribute all distributable profits to the shareholders immediately upon the request of Party A; and
(n) It will not dissolve or liquidate without written approval of Party A unless it is required by laws of China.
2.2 Undertakings of Party B
Party B hereby undertakes that:
(a) It will not sell, transfer, mortgage or otherwise dispose of any legal or beneficial right and interest of any equity at any time from the date of signing of the Agreement, or permit to set up any encumbrance thereon without prior written approval of Party A, except for the pledge of equity of Party C held by Party B in accordance with the Equity Interest Pledge Agreement .
(b) It will not approve the sale, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of any legal or beneficial interest of any equity, or approve to set up any other security interest thereon without prior written approval of Party A, except to Party A and/or the Person(s) Designated by Party A; and it will not approve the transfer of Purchased Equity specified herein.
It will urge the meeting of its Shareholders not to approve the sale, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of lawful or beneficial interest of any equity, or approve to set up any other security interest thereon without prior written approval of Party A, except to Party A and/or the Person(s) Designated by Party A; and it will urge its shareholders to vote on the transfer of the Purchased Equity specified herein.
(c) It will not agree, support or sign any decision to approve the merger or combination of Party C with any person, or be purchased by, acquire, or make investment in any person without prior written approval of Party A; or
It will not vote at the Shareholders Meeting of Party C to agree, support or sign any resolution to approve the merger or combination of Party C with any person, or be purchased by, acquire, or make investment in any person without prior written approval of Party A.
(d) It will immediately notify Party A of any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceeding that may occur in connection with the equity of Party C.
(e) It will sign all necessary or appropriate documents, take all necessary or appropriate actions and make all necessary or appropriate claims or defend all claims to maintain the ownership of all equity of Party C.
(f) It will not perform any act and/or omission which may have any adverse effect on the assets, business and liabilities of Party C without prior written approval of Party A.
(g) It will agree and appoint a Person(s) Designated by Party A as the director and general manager of Party C and other senior management personnel, and shall actively assist in all matters related to the appointment of such personnel at the request of Party A, including but not limited to signing the necessary documents, to assist in registering the appointment of such senior management personnel in the Industrial and Commercial Administrative Department;
(h) To the extent permitted by laws of China and at the request of Party A, it will immediately and unconditionally transfer to Party A or the Person(s) Designated by Party A all or part of equity of Party C held by Party B at any time, waive the right of first refusal on the equity of other shareholders of Party C transferred to Party A or the Person(s) Designated by Party A, and actively assist in handling all matters related to the transfer, including but not limited to signing the necessary documents and assisting in registering the equity transfer with relevant industrial and commercial administrative department.
(i) It will strictly abide by the provisions of the Agreement and other agreements signed jointly or separately with Party C and Party A, practically perform all obligations under such agreements, and not perform any act and/or omission which may affect the validity and enforceability of such agreements; and
(j) It agrees and guarantees that it will sign an irrevocable Power of Attorney to authorize Party A or the Person(s) Designated by Party A to exercise all of its rights as a shareholder of Party C.
3. Representation and Warranty
Party B and Party C hereby, respectively, make the representation and warranty to Party A on the date of signing the Agreement and on each transfer date that:
(a) It has the right to sign the Agreement, or any equity transfer agreement/assets transfer agreement (each Transfer Agreement ) it signed for each transfer of Purchased Equity/Purchased Assets hereunder, and to perform its obligations under the Agreement and any Transfer Agreement. Once signed, the Agreement and each Transfer Agreement to which it is a Party shall constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation to Party A and be enforceable in accordance with its terms;
(b) Neither the execution and performance of the Agreement or any Transfer Agreements nor the performance of its obligations under the Agreement or any Transfer Agreements will: (i) result in the violation of any relevant laws of China; (ii) be in conflict with the Articles of Association or other organization documents of Party C; (iii) result in the violation of any agreement or document that is binding upon it or to which it is a Party, or constitute a default of any agreement or document that is binding by Party A or in which Party A is as a Party; (iv) result in violation of any restriction relating to the granting and/or continuing validity of any license or approval granted to it; or (v) result in the suspension, revocation or any additional conditions of any license or approval granted to it;
(c) Party C has good and marketable ownership of all assets, and does not or will not set up any form of encumbrance thereon, including security interests, unless it is approved by Party A in writing;
(d) Party C has no outstanding debt, except for: (i) debts incurred in its normal business process and (ii) debts disclosed to and agreed in writing by Party A;
(e) There is no major litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings currently in progress or pending or likely to occur in connection with the Equity, the assets of Party C or in connection with Party C; and
(f) Party B has good and marketable ownership of all equity of Party C, and does not or will not set up any form of encumbrance thereon, including security interests, except for the pledge set up in accordance with the Equity Interest Pledge Agreement .
4. Compensation for Breach
4.1 Should any Party (the Breaching Party) violate any provision hereof and cause damage to the other Parties (the Non-beaching Parties), the Non-beaching Parties may send a written notice to the Breaching Party, requiring it to remedy and rectify the breach immediately. If the Breaching Party fails to take satisfactory measures to remedy and rectify the breach within fifteen (15) days from the date of the said notice, the Non-beaching Party shall be entitled to take other remedies in accordance with the methods prescribed herein or by legal means.
4.2 Party B and Party C further agree that they shall fully indemnify Party A against and hold Party A harmless from any loss, damage, obligation and expense caused by or resulting from any litigation, claim or other demand against Party A due to performance of the Agreement by Party A.
4.3 The Parties agree that this Article 4 shall remain in force whether or not this Agreement is modified, rescinded or terminated.
5. Effectiveness and Term
5.1 The Agreement shall come into effect as of the date of signing by all Parties. All Parties hereby agree and confirm that the validity of the terms and conditions hereof starts from the date when Party B becomes a shareholder of Party C.
5.2 The Term of this Agreement should be ten (10) years unless it is early terminated in accordance with the provisions hereof.
5.3 Unless Party A notifies Party B and Party C in writing that it does not agree to do so, this Agreement shall be extended automatically by ten (10) years after the expiration of the Term and each expiration hereof thereafter. Party B and Party C shall have no right to dispute over such extension.
6. Termination
6.1 This Agreement shall remain in force unless Party A does not agree to extend it on the expiration date in accordance with Article 5.3 hereof.
6.2 During the Term of this Agreement and any extension thereof, Party A may decide, at its sole discretion, to send a written notice to Party B and Party C to terminate or rescind this Agreement unconditionally and without bearing any responsibility. Party B and Party C shall have no right to terminate this Agreement unilaterally.
7. Governing Law and Dispute Settlement
7.1 The execution, validity, interpretation, performance, amendment and termination of this Agreement and the resolution of disputes shall be governed by laws of China.
7.2 Any dispute arising from the interpretation and performance hereof shall be firstly settled by all Parties through friendly negotiation. If such negotiation fails within thirty (30) days after one Party has issued a written notice to the other requiring the negotiation, either Party may submit the dispute to China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission for arbitration in accordance with its current arbitration rules. The arbitration shall be held in Shanghai and conducted in Chinese. The arbitral award shall be final and binding upon all Parties.
7.3 In case of any dispute arising from the interpretation and performance hereof or any ongoing arbitration on any dispute, except for to the subject matter of the dispute itself, the Parties shall continue exercising and performing their respective rights and obligations hereunder.
8. Taxes and Fees:
Party B shall bear any and all taxes, expenses and fees incurred to or charged against the Parties for the purpose of preparing and signing this Agreement and each Transfer Agreement and completing the transactions contemplated under this Agreement and each Transfer Agreement in accordance with laws and regulations of China, unless Party A agrees to bear all or part of the taxes, expenses and fees.
9. Notice
Any notice or other communication sent by either Party in accordance with this Agreement shall be written in Chinese or English, and sent by personal delivery, registered mail, repaid post, express or graphic facsimile to the following address of the receiving Party, or other address that it notifies the others from time to time, or the address of other person as designated by tithe date on which the notice is deemed to be actually served shall be determined as follows: (a) a notice sent by personal delivery shall be deemed to be served on the day of delivery; (b) a notice sent by letter shall be deemed to be served on the tenth (10 th ) day after the date when the pre-paid registered mail by air is sent out (subject to the postmark), or the fourth (4 th ) day after the date when it is handed over to the express service agency; and (c) a notice sent by fax shall be deemed to be served at the receipt time as shown on the fax receipt.
10. Confidentiality
The Parties hereto acknowledge and confirm that all oral or written information exchanged among them hereunder are confidential (Confidential Information).All Parties shall keep the Confidential Information in strict confidential, and shall not disclose them to any third party without prior written consent of other Parties, other than the information: (a) that are already, or will be, made public (other than through arbitrary disclosure by the receiving Party); (b) that are required to be disclosed by rules or regulations of applicable laws or stock exchange; or (c) that are required to be disclosed by any Party to its legal or financial advisor for the transactions contemplated hereunder, on the condition that such legal or financial advisor should also assume the liability for confidentiality similar to that specified in this article. Any Party shall be held liable for disclosure of the Confidential Information in breach of this Agreement by any employee of or any entity engaged by such Party as if such disclosure is made by such Party itself. This Article 10 shall remain in force whether or not the Agreement is modified, rescinded, invalid, terminated or non-operative.
11. Further Assurance
All Parties agree to promptly sign the documents or take further actions that are reasonably necessary or advisable for performing the Agreement.
12. Miscellaneous
12.1 Modification, Amendment and Supplement
Any uncovered matter herein shall be agreed separately by all Parties through consultation. No amendment and supplement to this Agreement shall take effect unless it is made by all Parties in writing. Such amendment and the supplementary agreement to this Agreement and its appendix(es), once duly signed by all Parties, shall constitute an integral part of, and have the same legal effect as this Agreement.
12.2 Compliance with Laws and Regulations
All Parties shall comply with, and ensure that their operations fully conform to, all laws and regulations currently and publicly available in China.
12.3 Entire Agreement
All Parties confirm that as soon as the Agreement comes into force it shall constitute the entire agreement and consensus reached by the Parties on the contents hereof, and replace all oral and/or written agreements and consensus reached by both Parties on the contents hereof prior to the Agreement . The Appendix hereof shall constitute an integral part of, and has the same legal effect as this Agreement.
12.4 Headings
The headlines hereof are for convenience only, and shall not be used to interpret, explain or otherwise affect the meaning of the provisions hereof.
12.5 Severability
If any or several provisions hereof is/are determined or ruled to be invalid, ineffective, illegal or unenforceable in any respect by any court or arbitral body with jurisdiction in accordance with any law or regulation, the validity, effectiveness, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not be affected or impaired in any way. The Parties shall cease to perform such invalid, ineffective, illegal or unenforceable provisions, and revise them only to the extent that they are effective and enforceable for such specific fact and situation and mostly closest to their original intention.
12.6 Transfer
Neither Party B nor Party C may transfer its rights and obligations hereunder to any third party without prior written consent of Party A. Party B and Party C hereby agree that Party A may transfer its rights and obligations hereunder at its own discretion, and Party A is only obligated to notify Party B in writing on such transfer without obtaining Party Bs consent for such transfer. At the request of Party A, Party B shall sign with the transferee a supplementary agreement, or an agreement with contents substantially the same as that of this Agreement.
12.7 Successor
This Agreement shall be effective and binding upon all Parties and their successors, inheritors and assignee.
12.8 Survival
Any obligation arising from, or becoming due under, this Agreement before the expiration or early termination hereof shall remain in force after the expiration or early termination hereof.
12.9 Waiver
Failure of either Party to exercise its rights hereunder in a timely manner shall not be deemed to be a waiver of that right, nor shall it affect the Partys future exercise of that right.
12.10 Counterpart
The Agreement is made in three (3) copies, with each Party holding one (1) of them, which shall have the same legal effect.
[No Body Text Below]
[Signature Page Only]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Parties have caused the Agreement to be signed by their respective authorized representatives on the date first written above.
Party A: Shanghai Qiyue Information Technology Co., Ltd . (Seal)
Company seal: /s/ Shanghai Qiyue Information Technology Co., Ltd.
Signature of Legal (or Authorized) Representative: |
/s/ WU Haisheng |
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WU Haisheng |
[Signature Page Only]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused the Agreement to be signed by their respective authorized representatives on the date first written above.
Party B: Beijing Qibutianxia Technology Co., Ltd. (Seal)
Company seal: /s/ Beijing Qibutianxia Technology Co., Ltd.
Signature of Legal (or Authorized) Representative: |
/s/ LIU Wei |
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LIU Wei |
[Signature Page Only]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Parties have caused the Agreement to be signed by their respective authorized representatives on the date first written above.
Party C: [Name of VIE] (Seal)
Company seal: /s/ [Name of VIE]
Signature of Legal (or Authorized) Representative: |
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/s/[Authorized Representative of VIE] |
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[Authorized Representative of VIE] |
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Appendix I
Form of Equity Transfer Agreement
This Equity Transfer Agreement (the Agreement) is signed by and between the following two parties in , Peoples Republic of China (China).
Transferor:
Transferee:
NOW THEREFORE, the two Parties reach an agreement on the equity transfer as follows:
1. The transferor agrees to transfer the [*] % of the equity of Shanghai Qiyu Information Technology Co., Ltd it holds to the Transferee at the price of [*], and the Transferee agrees to purchase the said equity.
2. After the equity transfer is completed, the Transferor will no longer enjoy the shareholders rights or undertake relevant obligations on the said equity, while the Transferee will enjoy the shareholders rights and assume the shareholders obligations instead.
3. Anything uncovered herein shall be agreed upon by both Parties in a supplemental agreement.
4. This Agreement shall come into force as of the date of signing of both Parties.
5. This Agreement is made in four (4) copies, with each party holding one (1) of them and the others for going through the registration of changes with relevant industrial and commercial administrative department.
Transferor: |
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Transferee: |
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Signed by: |
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Authorized signatory: |
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Signed on: |
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Signed on: |
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Appendix II
Form of Assets Transfer Agreement
This Assets Transfer Agreement (the Agreement) is signed by and between the following two parties in , Peoples Republic of China (China).
Transferor:
Transferee:
NOW THEREFORE, the two Parties reach an agreement on the asset transfer as follows:
1. The transferor agrees to transfer relevant asset of Shanghai Qiyu Information Technology Co., Ltd it holds (subject to the appendix hereof List of Purchased Assets) to the Transferee at the price of [*] , and the Transferee agrees to purchase the said asset.
2. Based on the principle of transafer of personnel and business along with transfer of the underlying assets, the personnel and businesses related to the said asset shall be transferred to the Transferee as well.
3. From [the date of completion of the procedures for asset transfer/ base date of asset evaluation / date of final account audit], the creditors rights and liabilities related to the said asset shall be transferred to the Transferee along with the asset.
1. Anything uncovered herein shall be agreed upon by both Parties in a supplemental agreement.
2. This Agreement shall come into force as of the date of signing of both Parties.
3. This Agreement is made in four (4) copies, with each party holding one (1) of them and the others for going through the formalities for the transfer of ownership.
Attached: List of Purchased Assets
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Transferee: |
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Signed by: |
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Signed on: |
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Schedule of Material Differences
One or more persons entered into exclusive option agreement with Shanghai Qiyue Information Technology Co., Ltd. and Beijing Qibutianxia Technology Co., Ltd. using this form. Pursuant to Instruction ii to Item 601 of Regulation S-K, the Registrant may only file this form as an exhibit with a schedule setting forth the material details in which the executed agreements differ from this form:
No. |
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Name of VIE |
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Unified Social Credit Code
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Address of VIE |
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Name of the
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Execution
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1 |
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Shanghai Qiyu Information Technology Co., Ltd. |
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91310230MA1JXJYF7E |
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Room A1-5962, Fumin Branch Road No. 58, Hengsha Town, Chongming County, Shanghai (Hengtai Economic Development Zone, Shanghai) |
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LIU Wei |
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September 10, 2018 |
2 |
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Fuzhou 360 Online Microcredit Co., Ltd. |
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91350100MA2Y4D6073 |
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Section 018, Room 201, 2/F, Affiliated Building of the Regulatory Building, Processing Trade Zone of the Free Trade Port Area, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province (Xinjiang Road No. 9, Xincuo Town, Fuqing City) |
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ZHAO Qian |
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September 10, 2018 |
3 |
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Fuzhou 360 Financing Guarantee Co., Ltd. |
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91350100MA31UJWL4W |
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32# Building, Xihong Road No. 528, Jinniushan Software Park, Gulou District, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province |
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ZHAO Qian |
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September 10, 2018 |
Loan Agreement
This Loan Agreement (the Agreement ) has been signed by and between the following Parties on [Execution Date]:
Party A: Shanghai Qiyue Information Technology Co., Ltd. , a wholly foreign-owned enterprise legally established and existing under the laws of China, with a unified social credit code of 91310000MA1K1E3BX9 and registered address of Room A2-8914, Fumin Road No. 58, Hengsha Village, Chongming District, Shanghai ( WFOE );
Party B: Beijing Qibutianxia Technology Co., Ltd. , a limited liability company legally established and existing under Chinese law, with a unified social credit code of 91110106796743693W and registered address of Room 117, F/1, Xinghuo Road No. 2, Science Park, Fengtai District, Beijing ( Beijing Qibutianxia );
Party C: [Name of VIE] , a limited liability enterprise legally established and existing under Chinese law, with a unified social credit code of [Unified Social Credit Code of VIE] and [Registered Address of VIE] ( [Short Name of VIE] );
Party A, Party B and Party C are hereinafter individually referred to as a Party and collectively as the Parties .
WHEREAS:
1. Party A, Party B and Party C have signed the Exclusive Consultation and Service Agreement , the Exclusive Option Agreement , the Equity Interest Pledge Agreement and the Power of Attorney (collectively as Cooperation Agreements ) on [Execution Date].
2. Party A agrees to provide interest-free loans (the Loans ) to Party B, and Party B agrees to receive the Loans from Party A, both in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof.
In order to clarify the rights and obligations of all Parties, this Agreement is concluded through friendly negotiation among all Parties for mutual compliance.
I. Definitions and Interpretation
Company to be Listed refers to 360 Finance, Inc., a company with limited liability incorporated in accordance with laws of the Cayman Islands.
License refers to all permits, licenses, registrations, approvals and authorizations required to operate a business.
Business refers to all services and businesses provided or operated from time to time under the License granted.
Assets refers to all tangible and intangible assets, directly or indirectly owned, including but not limited to all fixed assets, current assets, capital interests of foreign investment, intellectual property rights, acquirable interests under all contracts entered into and any other interests that should be obtained.
China refers to the Peoples Republic of China (for the purpose of this Agreement, excluding Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Macao Special Administrative Region and Taiwan Region).
II. Issuance of the Loans
1. At any time after the execution and validation of the Cooperation Agreements, and to the extent permitted by laws, regulations and industry policies of China, Party A is entitled to provide the Loans to Party B from time to time at such time and amount as it deems appropriate in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof. Party B agrees to accept such Loans in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof and issue corresponding receipt to Party A in the form set out in Annex 1 from the date of receipt of such Loans.
2 The funds used by Party A to issue the Loans to Party B shall be RMB funds obtained by Party A through business operations or other legal methods and can be used for such purpose in accordance with laws.
III. Usage of the Loans
1. Party B hereby guarantees and undertakes that, if Party A provides the Loans to Party B, Party B shall use all such Loans for Party Cs business operation and development, including but not limited to Party Bs investment of such Loans in the registered capital of Party C (such event is hereinafter referred to as Capital Increase , and the newly increased registered capital is hereinafter referred to as New Capital Contribution ). After the Capital Increase, the registered capital of Party C will increase accordingly based on the Loans amount.
2. Party B and Party C hereby guarantee and undertake that if Party B contributes the Loans to the registered capital of Party C, Party B shall fully pay the New Capital Contribution to Party C within one month after each receipt of the Loans issued by Party A, and Party B and Party C shall complete all relevant procedures for Capital Increase (including but not limited to changing the Articles of Association of the company, handling the capital verification report, updating the business license) within onemonth after Party C receives the New Capital Contribution, and that Party B shall not withdraw any capital contribution during Party Cs existence.
3. Party B further agrees that, as long as it is permitted by laws and the approval practices of China, Party A is entitled to pay the Loans that it shall provide to Party B hereunder directly to Party C. Such directly paid Loans shall be deemed as Party Bs Capital Increase to Party C in order to facility payment and improve the efficiency of capital arrangement. Party B and Party C shall complete all relevant procedures for Capital Increase (including but not limited to changing the Articles of Association of the company, handling the capital verification report, updating the business license) within one month after Party C receives the New Capital Contribution.
IV. Duration of the Loans
1. Each of the Loans hereunder has no fixed term, and unless otherwise agreed herein, Party A shall unilaterally decide when to withdraw the Loans, provided that Party A shall notify Party B in writing one month in advance.
2. In case of any of the following circumstance, Party A is entitled to declare the immediate maturity of the Loans hereunder by written notice and require Party B to immediately repay the Loans:
(1) Party B applies for or is declared of application for bankruptcy liquidation, reorganization or settlement;
(2) Party B applies for or is declared of application for dissolution liquidation;
(3) Party B is apparently insolvent or has other large debts that may affect Party Bs repayment of the Loans debts hereunder;
(4) Party A and/or its designated buyer has/have fully exercised its/their equity purchase rights in accordance with the Exclusive Option Agreement of the Cooperation Agreements; or
(5) Any guarantee of Party B, Party C and/or relevant signing Party under this Agreement or the Cooperation Agreements has been proved to be untrue or proved to be inaccurate in any material aspect; or Party B, Party C and/or relevant signing Party violate their commitments or obligations under this Agreement or the Cooperation Agreements.
V. Interest on the Loans
The Parties hereby confirm that no interest will be charged on the Loans hereunder.
VI. Continuous Compliance with the Cooperation Agreements
All Parties agree that (1) after the Capital Increase, all shareholders rights and related benefits arising from the newly increased registered capital of Party C shall be deemed as an integral part of the shareholders rights held by Beijing Qibutianxia in [Short Name of VIE] from time to time under the Exclusive Option Agreement and an integral part of the shareholders rights entrusted to WFOE by Beijing Qibutianxia under the Power of Attorney ; (2) all rights, interests, benefits and Assets (including but not limited to the rights and interests of shareholders and the Assets of Party C) arising from Party Cs newly increased registered capital shall be deemed as the subject under the Cooperation Agreements, and all Parties shall urge and ensure that they shall abide by all agreements under the Cooperation Agreements regarding such rights, interests, benefits and Assets. In order to realize the aforesaid agreed purposes, if Party A requests, Party B and Party C shall immediately sign relevant legal documents and/or perform relevant legal procedures.
VII. Representation and Warranty
Either Party represents and warrants to the other Parties that:
a) It is a legally established and validly existing limited company with the ability to bear civil liability;
b) It has the right to sign and perform this Agreement, has obtained all necessary and appropriate approvals and authorizations for signing and performing this Agreement, and has obtained all government approvals, qualifications, Licenses, etc. required for engaging in relevant Business according to applicable laws;
c) This Agreement shall be valid and binding on it on the effective date hereof, and may be implemented in accordance with the provisions hereof and laws;
d) Its signing and performance of this Agreement does not violate any law and regulation of China, court judgment or arbitration organs ruling, any administrative organs decision, approval, License or any agreement binding on it to which it is a party, nor will it result in the suspension, revocation, confiscation or non-renewal of any approval or License issued by any government department.
e) There are no outstanding litigation, arbitration or other judicial or administrative procedures that will affect the performance of its obligations hereunder;
f) It will strictly abide by the provisions of this Agreement and the Cooperation Agreements signed jointly or separately by and among all Parties, practically perform all obligations under the Cooperation Agreements, and does not have any act and/or omission which may affect the validity and enforceability of such agreements.
VIII. Validity and Term
1. This Agreement shall take effect as of the date of signing by all Parties.
2. This Agreement shall remain in effect during Party Cs duration and the renewable period stipulated by laws of China. It shall automatically terminate after WFOE and/or other entities designated by WFOE fully exercise all their rights and interests directly held by Beijing Qibutianxia in [Short Name of VIE] under the Exclusive Option Agreement . Party A may unilaterally terminate this Agreement after thirty (30) days notice. Unless otherwise stipulated by law, Party B or Party C shall have no right to unilaterally rescind or terminate this Agreement under any circumstances.
IX. Confidentiality
1. The Parties hereto acknowledge and confirm that all oral or written information exchanged among them hereunder are confidential. All such information shall be kept strictly confidential and shall not be disclosed to any third party without the written consent of the other Parties, except for:
a) The information that has been or will be known by the public (not disclosed to the public without authorization by one of the recipients of such data);
b) The information that is required to be disclosed by applicable laws and regulations or stock trading rules or regulations or requests of regulatory authorities; or
c) The information that needs be disclosed by either Party to its legal or financial advisor for the purpose of transactions described herein, and such legal or financial advisor is subject to similar confidentiality obligations described in this article.
2. Any Party shall be held liable for disclosure of the Confidential Information in breach of this Agreement by any employee of or any entity engaged by such Party as if such disclosure is made by such Party itself.
3. The Parties agree that the Article IX shall remain in force whether or not the Agreement is invalid, modified, rescinded, terminated or non-operative.
X. Compensation for Breach
1. Should any Party (the Breaching Party ) violate any provision hereof and cause damage to the other Parties (the Non-beaching Parties ), the Non-beaching Parties may send a written notice to the Breaching Party, requiring it to remedy and rectify the breach immediately. If the Breaching Party fails to take satisfactory measures to remedy and rectify the breach within fifteen (15) days from the date of the said notice, the Non-beaching Parties shall be entitled to take other remedies in accordance with the methods prescribed herein or by legal means.
2. Party B and Party C further agree that they shall fully indemnify Party A against and hold Party A harmless from any loss, damage, obligation and expense caused by or resulting from any litigation, claim or other demand against Party A due to performance of this Agreement by Party A.
3. The Parties agree that the Article X shall remain in force whether or not this Agreement is modified, rescinded or terminated.
XI. Force Majeure
1. Force Majeure refers to any event that is beyond reasonable expectation or control of, and unavoidable even with reasonable attention by the affected Party, including but not limited to government behavior, natural forces, fires, explosions, storms, floods, earthquakes, tides, lightning or war. However, lack of credit, capital or financing shall not be regarded as an event that beyond reasonable control of either Party. The Party who is affected by Force Majeure and seeks exemption from its obligations hereunder shall notify the other Parties of the liabilities subject to exemption and inform them of the steps to be taken to fulfil the obligations as soon as possible.
2. In case the performance hereof is delayed or impeded by Force Majeure, the affected Party shall not be liable for the part of obligations delayed or impeded thereby. However, it should take appropriate measures to reduce or eliminate the impact of Force Majeure, and to strive to restore the performance of the obligation delayed or impeded. Once the Force Majeure is eliminated, the Parties agree to do their outmost to restore the performance hereof.
XII. Change of Situation
1. As a supplement and on the premise that it does not contravene other provisions of the Cooperation Agreements, if at any time due to the promulgation or amendment of any law, regulation or rule of China, or due to the interpretation or application changes of such laws, regulations or rules, or due to the changes of relevant registration procedures, leading to Party A believes that it is illegal or contrary to such laws, regulations or rules to maintain this Agreement in effect, Party B and Party C shall immediately take any action and/or sign any agreement or other documents according to Party As written instructions at Party As reasonable request so as to:
a) Keep this Agreement valid;
b) Exercise the right to purchase shares in the manner specified herein; and/or
c) Realize the intent and purpose hereof in the way specified herein or in other ways.
XIII Miscellaneous
1. Both Party B and Party C agree that, after Party A notifies Party B and Party C in writing, Party A can transfer its rights and obligations hereunder to its designated party. However, without prior written consent of Party A, Party B or Party C shall not transfer its rights, obligations or responsibilities hereunder to any third party. The successors or permitted assigns (if any) of Party B or Party C shall continue to perform all obligations of Party B or Party C hereunder.
2. The execution, validity, interpretation, performance, amendment and termination of this Agreement and the resolution of disputes shall be governed by the laws of China.
3. Any dispute arising from the interpretation and performance hereof shall be firstly settled by all Parties through friendly negotiation. If such negotiation fails within thirty (30) days after one Party has issued a written notice to the other requiring the negotiation, either Party may submit the dispute to China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission for arbitration in accordance with its current arbitration rules. The arbitration shall be held in Shanghai and in Chinese. The arbitral award shall be final and binding upon all Parties. In case of any dispute arising from the interpretation and performance hereof or any ongoing arbitration on any dispute, except for to the subject matter of the dispute itself, the Parties shall continue exercising and performing their respective rights and obligations hereunder.
4. Any right, power and remedy endowed to either Party by any provision hereof shall not exclude any other rights, powers or remedies enjoyed by this Party in accordance with the provisions of the law and other provisions hereunder; besides, the exercise of either Partys rights, powers and remedies does not exclude its exercise of other rights, powers and remedies.
5. Failure or delay of one Party to exercise any of its rights, powers and remedies it may enjoy hereunder or by law shall not result in the waiver of such rights, nor the waiver of any individual or partial rights of the Party shall exclude the exercise of such rights by the Party in other ways and the exercise of other rights of the Party.
6. The headings of the articles hereof are for reference only. Under no circumstance shall these headings be used as or affect the interpretation of the articles hereof.
7. Each article hereof is severable and independent of the others. If at any time one or more articles hereof become invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of other articles hereof shall not be affected.
8. Amendment
a) After negotiation and subject to approval by the shareholders (meeting) of Party A, the Parties hereto may amend or supplement this Agreement and take all necessary steps and actions, as well as corresponding fees, to legalize and validate such modifications and supplements.
b) If the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ( SEC) or other regulatory agencies propose any amendments to this Agreement, or the SECs listing rules or related requirements have changes regarding this Agreement, the Parties shall amend this Agreement accordingly.
9. The Agreement is made in Chinese and in three copies, with each Party holding one of them, which shall have the same legal effect.
(No Body Text Below)
(This is the signing page of the Loan Agreement.)
Party A: Shanghai Qiyue Information Technology Co., Ltd . (Seal)
Company seal: |
/s/ Shanghai Qiyue Information Technology Co., Ltd. |
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Legal (or Authorized) Representative: |
/s/ WU Haisheng |
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WU Haisheng |
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Party B: Beijing Qibutianxia Technology Co., Ltd. (Seal)
Company seal: |
/s/ Beijing Qibutianxia Technology Co., Ltd. |
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Legal (or Authorized) Representative: |
/s/ LIU Wei |
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LIU Wei |
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Party C: [Name of VIE] (Seal)
Company seal: |
/s/ [Name of VIE] |
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Legal (or Authorized) Representative: |
/s/[Authorized Representative of VIE] |
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[Authorized Representative of VIE] |
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Annex I:
Receipt
In accordance with the Loan Agreement signed by and among the undersigned, Shanghai Qiyue Information Technology Co., Ltd. and [Name of VIE] on [Execution Date], Shanghai Qiyue Information Technology Co., Ltd. has lent [Amount of the Loan] to the undersigned by cash/bank remittance or other means on _______. The undersigned hereby confirms that the undersigned has received the said loan from Shanghai Qiyue Information Technology Co., Ltd.
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By: Beijing Qibutianxia Technology Co., Ltd. (Seal) |
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Legal Representative: |
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MM/DD/YY: |
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Schedule of Material Differences
One or more persons entered into exclusive option agreement with Shanghai Qiyue Information Technology Co., Ltd. and Beijing Qibutianxia Technology Co., Ltd. using this form. Pursuant to Instruction ii to Item 601 of Regulation S-K, the Registrant may only file this form as an exhibit with a schedule setting forth the material details in which the executed agreements differ from this form:
No. |
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Name of
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Short
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Unified Social Credit
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Registered
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Name of the
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Execution
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1 |
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Shanghai Qiyu Information Technology Co., Ltd. |
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Shanghai Qiyu |
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91310230MA1JXJYF7E |
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Room A1-5962, Fumin Branch Road No. 58, Hengsha Town, Chongming County, Shanghai (Hengtai Economic Development Zone, Shanghai) |
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LIU Wei |
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September 10, 2018 |
2 |
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Fuzhou 360 Online Microcredit Co., Ltd. |
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Fuzhou Microcredit |
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91350100MA2Y4D6073 |
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Section 018, Room 201, 2/F, Affiliated Building of the Regulatory Building, Processing Trade Zone of the Free Trade Port Area, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province (Xinjiang Road No. 9, Xincuo Town, Fuqing City) |
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ZHAO Qian |
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September 10, 2018 |
3 |
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Fuzhou 360 Financing Guarantee Co., Ltd. |
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Fuzhou Financing Guarantee |
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91350100MA31UJWL4W |
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32# Building, Xihong Road No. 528, Jinniushan Software Park, Gulou District, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province |
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ZHAO Qian |
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September 10, 2018 |
Framework Collaboration Agreement
Between
Beijing Qihu Technology Co., Ltd.
And
Shanghai Qiyu Information Technology Co., Ltd.
July 24 , 2018
Framework Collaboration Agreement
This Framework Collaboration Agreement (hereinafter referred to as this Agreement ) is made on July 24 , 2018 in the Peoples Republic of China ( China , for the purposes of this Agreement, excluding Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR and Taiwan Region) and entered into by and between:
Party A: Beijing Qihu Technology Co., Ltd.
Address: No. 6 Yard, Jiuxianqiao Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing City;
Party B: Shanghai Qiyu Information Technology Co., Ltd.
Address: Diamond Exchange Center Building B, No. 1701 Century Avenue, Pudong New Area, Shanghai City.
Party A and Party B shall hereinafter be referred to individually as a party and collectively as the parties .
To strengthen collaboration on internet financial services and promote mutual business development, Party A and Party B hereby agree as follows upon consultations:
Article 1 Definition
The terms used herein shall have the meanings set forth below:
1.1 The Cayman Islands Company means 360 Finance, Inc.
1.2 Party B Group means all companies listed in Appendix 1 hereto and those companies whose financial statements are consolidated with the Cayman Islands Company during the term hereof.
1.3 Party B Website means any website operated or owned by Party B Group.
1.4 Licensed Trademarks refer to trademarks listed in Appendix 2 hereto.
1.5 Licensed Products and Services refer to products for manufacturing and selling and services provided using the Licensed Trademarks that Party B Group launches to the market to the extent permitted by law.
1.6 Licensed Zone means the territory of China, which, for the purposes of this definition, includes Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR and Taiwan Region.
1.7 Licensed Materials refer to all product materials and manuals, packages, guidelines regarding sales, uses and services, labels, or other product and service documents (in whatever form or carrier) prepared by or on behalf of Party B Group in connection with the Licensed Products and Services.
1.8 Third Party means any natural person, legal person, social group and other entity or organization other than the parties hereto and their respective affiliates.
1.9 An Affiliate of either party means any individual, corporation, partnership, trust or other entity that directly or indirectly controls, or is directly or indirectly controlled by, or is directly or indirectly under the common control with the party. For the purpose of this definition, control shall mean: (i) the direct or indirect ownership or control by a party of over 50% of the stock or voting power in any company, enterprise or other entity; (ii) the material influence exerted by a party on another company, enterprise or other entity in accordance with the applicable accounting standards.
1.10 Governmental or Regulatory Authorities refer to any governmental department, regulatory agency, court, procuratorate and their respective local offices, subordinate functional divisions, departments and branches.
1.11 Trademark Licensing Agreemen t means the Trademark and Brand Licensing Agreement entered into by Beijing Qihu Technology Co., Ltd. and Beijing Qibutianxia Technology Co., Ltd. on January 5, 2017.
Article 2 Technical Collaboration
2.1 Considering Party As technical expertise in internet and big data, and given its advantages in big data, artificial intelligence, data security and other relevant technologies, the Parties agree to cooperate with each other on the research and application of cloud computing, artificial intelligence, big data analysis and usage, big data risk control and other fields.
2.2 The Parties agree to engage in technical collaboration on data processing throughout the course of mutual collaboration as set forth under Article 2.1 hereof, and undertake to conduct the collaboration under this Article to the extent permitted by law and without damage to the other partys goodwill.
Article 3 Internet Traffic Collaboration
3.1 Party A provides Party B Group with user traffic diversion services through the technical links installed on its products (including but not limited to 360 Total Security, 360 Mobile Safe, 360 Navigation, 360 Browser, 360 Search Homepage) that use redirects interfaces to allow redirection to Party Bs website, for which Party B shall pay service fees to Party A. Such service fees shall be subject to the billing standards contained in the service agreements separately signed by both parties from time to time and calculated according to the fair market prices.
3.2 Party A agrees that Party B Group has a priority right to connect to Party As commercial and non-commercial traffic access points under the same conditions (including, without limitation to equivalence to the most favorable prices).
Article 4 Grant of Right to Use Trademark
4.1 Party A hereby grants Party B Group with the right to use the relevant registered trademarks listed in Appendix 2 hereto on the Licensed Products and Services and the Licensed Materials in the Licensed Area and within the license period.
4.2 Party A agrees that Party B Group has an exclusive right to use the 360 Jietiao and 360 Anxin Loan trademarks listed in Appendix 2 hereto on the Licensed Products and Services and the Licensed Materials in the Licensed Area and within the license period.
4.3 Without Party As prior written consent, Party B Group shall not transfer to any third party the license it has been granted or use such license to provide a guarantee for any third party, nor shall it sub-license or sub-delegate to any third party the right to use the Licensed Trademarks, regardless of whether such transfer, guarantee, sub-licensing or sub-delegation is gratuitous or onerous.
4.4 The Parties hereto acknowledge that the license period for which Party A grants Party B Group with the right to use the Licensed Trademarks shall be the same as the term hereof as agreed in Article 7.
4.5 The Parties hereto acknowledge that licensing of trademarks described under Article 4 shall be subject to, and all rights and obligations in connection therewith shall be governed by the Trademark Licensing Agreement . In the event of any discrepancy between Article 4 hereof and the Trademark Licensing Agreement , this Agreement shall prevail.
Article 5 Undertakings and Warranties of the Parties
5.1 Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, Party A undertakes that (1) except through Party B Group, Party A and its affiliates shall not directly or indirectly conduct loan/loan facilitation businesses or control any entity engaging in loan/loan facilitation businesses; and that (2) Party B Group shall be the sole platform on which Party A and its affiliates operate loan/loan facilitation businesses or control an entity engaging in loan/loan facilitation businesses.
5.2 Party A undertakes that unless otherwise agreed herein, if it needs to charge Party B Group any fee for providing Party B Group with or granting Party B Group with the right to use technologies, data, traffic and other advantages and resources as necessary for Party B to conduct various businesses, such fees shall be charged at the most preferential prices within the fair market range under the same condition.
5.3 Party B undertakes that during the term hereof, Party B shall engage in collaboration hereunder with Party A in strict compliance with the provisions of applicable laws and regulations and regulatory documents.
5.4 It is mutually agreed that if the contents of collaboration specified herein violate the laws and regulations, rules, policies or guiding opinions of relevant regulatory departments, or if the performance hereof may have an adverse impact on the goodwill, reputation and image of Party A or its affiliates or otherwise do harm to the interest of Party A or its affiliates, Party A shall have the right to terminate this Agreement at any time without assuming any responsibility.
Article 6 Confidentiality
6.1 Either party (hereinafter referred to as the Receiving Party ) that receives any confidential information from the other party shall keep such information confidential, and shall not use such information for any purposes other than the purposes hereof or disclose such information to any third party, except for: (1) disclosure made in accordance with relevant laws, rules, or requirements of the securities regulatory agencies or stock exchanges, or governmental or regulatory authorities; (2) disclosure to lawyers, accountants, and other retained professionals who are subject to the same confidentiality obligations.
Article 7 Effectiveness and Termination of Agreement
7.1 All Appendices to this Agreement shall form a part of this Agreement. This Agreement and its Appendices shall come into force from the date of signature by the Parties. No modification hereto shall be effective unless in writing and signed by both parties.
7.2 This Agreement shall be valid for five (5) years, and shall, in the absence of objection by either party, automatically be renewed for an unlimited number of successive terms of one (1) year upon expiration. Either party may raise objection to such renewal by giving three (3) months prior written notice to the other party, after which this Agreement shall terminate upon expiration of the term. Termination of this Agreement shall not affect the legal effect of the business contracts signed within the term hereof.
Article 8 Liability for Breach of Contract
8.1 Either party that breaches any provision of this Agreement shall assume the liability for breach of contract and compensate the other party for any losses (including without limitation to litigation costs, attorneys fees and default interests) incurred thereby. In the event of violation by both parties, both parties shall assume their respective responsibilities according to the actual circumstances, and the amounts of compensation payable shall be determined depending on the severity of their violations.
8.2 The remedies agreed hereunder are not exclusive, and the exercise by the non-defaulting party of relevant rights and remedies agreed herein shall be without prejudice to any other rights and remedies available to such party in accordance with applicable laws.
Article 9 Governance and Dispute Resolution
9.1 This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of China.
9.2 Any dispute arising between both parties in connection herewith shall be resolved by both parties through good faith consultation. If both parties fail to reach an agreement on resolution of such dispute within fifteen (15) days after either party proposes resolution thereof through consultation, either party may refer such dispute to China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (hereinafter referred to as the Arbitration Commission ) for arbitration by the Arbitration Commission in accordance with the arbitration rules currently in force. The arbitration shall be conducted in Chinese in Beijing, China. The arbitration award shall be final and binding upon both parties. The losing party to the arbitration shall bear all out of pocket expenses (including, without limitation to attorneys fees, etc.) incurred by the winning party.
9.3 Throughout the duration of arbitration, the Parties shall continue to perform all obligations set forth herein except with respect to the matters submitted for arbitration.
Article 10 Miscellaneous
10.1 All relevant agreements already signed by Party A and its affiliates with Beijing Qibutianxia Technology Co., Ltd. with respect to the use of trademarks and intellectual property rights, collaboration on technologies, data and traffic, marketing collaboration, and other matters before the execution hereof shall continue in effect.
10.2 Notice
Any notice or other correspondence sent by either party pursuant to this Agreement shall be in written form in Chinese, and may be sent by personal delivery, registered mail or recognized courier service to the address as notified by the other party from time to time. Such notice shall be deemed served: (i) in the case of personal delivery, on the date of delivery; and (ii) in the case of mail, on the tenth (10 th ) day after the date (as indicated by the postmark) when the prepaid registered mail is sent.
10.3 Number of Copies
This Agreement shall be made in quadruplicate. Each party shall hold two copies and all copies shall have the same legal effect.
(End of body)
(Signature page of this Framework Collaboration Agreement only)
Party A: Beijing Qihu Technology Co., Ltd. (seal)
Authorized representative (signature): |
/s/ Hongyi Zhou |
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Party B: Shanghai Qiyu Information Technology Co., Ltd. (seal)
Authorized representative (signature): |
/s/ Wei Liu |
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. |
Purchase and Sale of Series B Preferred Shares |
1 |
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|
|
|
|
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1.1 |
Sale and Issuance of Series B Preferred Shares |
1 |
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1.2 |
Closing Deposit |
1 |
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1.3 |
Closing; Delivery |
1 |
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1.4 |
Defined Terms Used in this Agreement |
2 |
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|
|
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2. |
Representations and Warranties of the Company |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
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2.1 |
Organization, Good Standing, Corporate Power and Qualification |
3 |
|
2.2 |
Capitalization |
3 |
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2.3 |
Authorization |
4 |
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2.4 |
Valid Issuance of Shares |
4 |
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2.5 |
Governmental Consents and Filings |
5 |
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2.6 |
Litigation |
5 |
|
2.7 |
Intellectual Property |
5 |
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2.8 |
Compliance with Other Instruments |
6 |
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2.9 |
Agreements; Actions |
6 |
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2.10 |
Certain Transactions |
7 |
|
2.11 |
Rights of Registration and Voting Rights |
7 |
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2.12 |
Financial Statements |
7 |
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2.13 |
Changes |
8 |
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2.14 |
Employee Matters |
9 |
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2.15 |
Tax Returns and Payments |
9 |
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2.16 |
Insurance |
10 |
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2.17 |
Permits |
10 |
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2.18 |
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act |
10 |
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|
|
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3. |
Representations and Warranties of the Purchaser |
10 |
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3.1 |
Authorization |
10 |
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3.2 |
Investor Status |
10 |
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3.3 |
Regulation S Exemption |
11 |
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3.4 |
Disclosure of Information |
11 |
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3.5 |
Restricted Securities |
11 |
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4. |
Conditions to the Purchasers Obligations at Closing |
11 |
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4.1 |
Representations and Warranties |
11 |
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4.2 |
Performance |
12 |
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4.3 |
Foreign Exchange Approval |
12 |
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4.4 |
Closing Certificate |
12 |
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4.5 |
Restructuring |
12 |
SERIES B PREFERRED SHARES PURCHASE AGREEMENT
THIS SERIES B PREFERRED SHARES PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this Agreement ), is made as of 9th, Aug. 2018 by and between
(a) 360 Finance, Inc., a Cayman Islands company (the Company );
(b) Shanghai Qiyu Information Technology Co., Ltd., a PRC company ( Shanghai Qiyu );
(c) Fuzhou 360 Online Microcredit Co., Ltd., a PRC company ( Fuzhou Microcredit ); and
(d) the investor undersigned (the Purchaser ).
Each of the Company, Shanghai Qiyu, Fuzhou Microcredit and the Purchaser is referred to herein individually as a Party and collectively as the Parties .
The Parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Purchase and Sale of Series B Preferred Shares .
1.1 Sale and Issuance of Series B Preferred Shares .
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Purchaser agrees to purchase at the Closing and the Company agrees to sell and issue to the Purchaser at the Closing that certain number of Series B preferred shares, $0.00001 par value per share (the Series B Preferred Shares ), which shall be determined by the Purchaser unilaterally before Closing in the range of no less than 2,450,879 and no more than 12,254,395 of Series B preferred shares at a purchase price of $8.16033697 per share, at the Closing (as defined below). The Series B Preferred Shares issued to the Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement shall be referred to in this Agreement as the Shares .
1.2 Closing Deposit . Within five (5) Business Days after the execution of this Agreement, the Purchaser shall pay to the Company a Closing Deposit of $2 million by wire transfer to a bank escrow account designated by the Company (the Closing Deposit ) for the benefit of the Company and the Purchaser (the Escrow Account ). The Purchaser shall provide necessary documents and materials as reasonably and timely requested by the Company in order to open such Escrow Account within one (1) Business Days after the execution of this Agreement. At the Closing (as defined below), such Closing Deposit shall be treated as a part of the total purchase price paid by the Purchaser. The Closing Deposit shall not be refunded by the Company to the Purchaser if there is a material breach by the Purchaser.
1.3 Closing; Delivery .
(a) The purchase and sale of the Shares shall take place remotely via the exchange of documents and signatures at such time and place as the Company and the Purchaser mutually agree upon in writing (which time and place are designated as the Closing ).
(b) At the Closing, the Company shall deliver to the Purchaser (i) share certificate representing the Shares being purchased by such Purchaser at the Closing, and (ii) a copy of the register of members of the Company, certified by the registered agent or a director of the Company, reflecting the issuance of the Shares to the Purchaser, against the payment for the Shares by wire transfer to a bank account designated by the Company.
1.4 Defined Terms Used in this Agreement . In addition to the terms defined above, the following terms used in this Agreement shall be construed to have the meanings set forth or referenced below.
(a) Affiliate means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person who, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such Person, including, without limitation, any general partner, managing member, officer or director of such Person or any venture capital fund now or hereafter existing that is controlled by one or more general partners or managing members of, or shares the same management company with, such Person.
(b) Business Day means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, legal holiday or other day on which commercial banks are required or authorized by law to be closed in the Cayman Islands, the PRC or Hong Kong.
(c) China or the PRC means the Peoples Republic of China, excluding, for the purposes of this Agreement only, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan
(d) Company Intellectual Property means all patents, patent applications, trademarks, trademark applications, service marks, service mark applications, tradenames, copyrights, trade secrets, domain names, mask works, information and proprietary rights and processes, similar or other intellectual property rights, subject matter of any of the foregoing, tangible embodiments of any of the foregoing, licenses in, to and under any of the foregoing, and any and all such cases that are owned or used by the Company in the conduct of the Companys business as now conducted and as presently proposed to be conducted.
(e) Equity Securities means any equity interests of the Company, however described or whether voting or nonvoting, and any securities convertible or exchangeable into, and options, warrants or other rights to acquire, any equity interests or equity-linked interests of the Company.
(f) Shareholders Agreement means the agreement among the Company and the Purchaser and certain other shareholders of the Company dated as of the date of the Closing.
(g) Key Employee means any executive-level employee (including vice president-level or higher positions).
(h) Knowledge including the phrase to the Companys knowledge shall mean the actual knowledge after reasonable investigation of the Key Employees.
(i) Losses means actual out-of-pocket losses, damages, liabilities, costs or expenses.
(j) Material Adverse Effect means a material adverse effect on the business, assets (including intangible assets), liabilities, financial condition, property, prospects or results of operations of the Company, Shanghai Qiyu, Fuzhou Microcredit and their respective subsidiaries from time to time, taken as a whole.
(k) Person means any individual, corporation, partnership, trust, limited liability company, association or other entity.
(l) Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(m) Transaction Agreements means this Agreement, the Shareholders Agreement and, the Restated MA&A any other agreements, instruments or documents entered into in connection with this Agreement.
2. Representations and Warranties of the Company . The Company, Shanghai Qiyu and Fuzhou Microcredit (collectively the Warrantors ) hereby jointly and severally represent and warrant to the Purchaser that, except as set forth on the Disclosure Schedule attached as Exhibit B to this Agreement, which exceptions shall be deemed to be part of the representations and warranties made hereunder, the following representations are true and correct. The Disclosure Schedule shall be arranged in sections corresponding to the numbered and lettered sections and subsections contained in this Section 2 , and the disclosures in any section or subsection of the Disclosure Schedule shall qualify other sections and subsections in this Section 2 .
For purposes of these representations and warranties (other than those in Subsections 2.2 , 2.3 , 2.4 , and 2.5 ), the term the Company shall include any subsidiaries of the Company, Shanghai Qiyu and Fuzhou Microcredit, unless otherwise noted herein.
2.1 Organization, Good Standing, Corporate Power and Qualification . The Company is an exempted company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the place of its incorporation or establishment and has all requisite corporate power and authority to carry on its business as presently conducted and as proposed to be conducted. The Company is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the failure to so qualify would have a Material Adverse Effect.
2.2 Capitalization .
(a) Immediately prior to the issuance of any Series B Preferred Shares, there will be:
(i) a total of 281,851,108 shares that are (a) either issued and outstanding as class A ordinary shares (the Class A Ordinary Shares ), class B ordinary shares (the Class B Ordinary Shares ), class C ordinary shares (the Class C Ordinary Shares , together with Class A Ordinary Shares, Class B Ordinary Shares, the Ordinary Shares ), series A preferred shares (the Series A Preferred Shares ) or series A+ preferred shares (the Series A+ Preferred Shares , together with Series B Preferred Shares and Series A Preferred Shares, the Preferred Shares ), (b) or reserved for issuance pursuant to the Stock Plan;
(ii) 36,763,190 shares authorized as Series B Preferred Shares.
(b) The Company has reserved 25,336,096 shares of Class A Ordinary Shares for issuance to officers, directors, employees and consultants of the Company pursuant to its 2018 Stock Plan duly adopted by the Board of Directors and approved by the Company shareholders (the Stock Plan ).
(c) None of the Companys stock purchase agreements or stock option documents contains a provision for acceleration of vesting (or lapse of a repurchase right) or other changes in the vesting provisions or other terms of such agreement or understanding upon the occurrence of any event or combination of events, including without limitation in the case where the Companys Stock Plan is not assumed in an acquisition. The Company has never adjusted or amended the exercise price of any stock options previously awarded, whether through amendment, cancellation, replacement grant, repricing, or any other means. Except as set forth in the Restated MA&A, the Company has no obligation (contingent or otherwise) to purchase or redeem any of its Equity Securities.
2.3 Authorization . The Company has all necessary corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement, and to issue the Shares at the Closing and the Ordinary Shares issuable upon conversion of the Shares. The Transaction Agreements, when executed and delivered by the Company, shall constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms except (i) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance, or other laws of general application relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors rights generally (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding), (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief, or other equitable remedies, or (iii) to the extent the indemnification provisions contained in the Transaction Agreements may be limited by applicable laws.
2.4 Valid Issuance of Shares . The Shares, when issued, sold and delivered in accordance with the terms and for the consideration set forth in this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free of restrictions on transfer other than restrictions on transfer under the Transaction Agreements, applicable laws and liens or encumbrances created by or imposed by a Purchaser. Assuming the accuracy of the representations of the Purchaser in Section 3 of this Agreement, the Shares will be issued in compliance with applicable securities laws. The Ordinary Shares issuable upon conversion of the Shares has been duly reserved for issuance, and upon issuance in accordance with the terms of the Restated MA&A, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free of restrictions on transfer other than restrictions on transfer under the Transaction Agreements, applicable laws and liens or encumbrances created by or imposed by a Purchaser. Based in part upon the representations of the Purchaser in Section 3 of this Agreement, the Ordinary Shares issuable upon conversion of the Shares will be issued in compliance with securities laws.
2.5 Governmental Consents and Filings . Assuming the accuracy of the representations made by the Purchaser in Section 3 of this Agreement, no consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration, qualification, designation, declaration or filing with, any governmental authority is required on the part of the Company in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except for the filing of the Restated MA&A, and such consents, approvals, orders or authorizations, registrations, qualifications, designations, and declarations which, in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
2.6 Litigation . There is no claim, action, suit, proceeding, arbitration, complaint, or charge pending or to the Companys knowledge, currently threatened (i) against the Company or any officer, director or Key Employee of the Company arising out of their employment or board relationship with the Company; or (ii) to the Companys knowledge, that questions the validity of the Transaction Agreements or the right of the Company to enter into them, or to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreements; or (iii) to the Companys knowledge, which if determined adversely to the Company would reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor, to the Companys knowledge, any of its officers, directors or Key Employees is a party or is named as subject to the provisions of any order, writ, injunction, judgment or decree of any court or government agency or instrumentality (in the case of officers, directors or Key Employees, such as would affect the Company). There is no action, suit, proceeding or investigation by the Company pending or which the Company intends to initiate. The foregoing includes, without limitation, actions, suits, proceedings or investigations pending or threatened in writing (or any basis therefor known to the Company) involving the prior employment of any of the Companys employees, their services provided in connection with the Companys business, any information or techniques allegedly proprietary to any of their former employers or their obligations under any agreements with prior employers.
2.7 Intellectual Property . The Company owns or possesses or believes it can acquire on commercially reasonable terms sufficient legal rights to all Company Intellectual Property without any known conflict with, or infringement of, the rights of others. To the Companys knowledge, no product or service marketed or sold (or proposed to be marketed or sold) by the Company violates or will violate any license or infringes or will infringe any intellectual property rights of any other party. Other than with respect to commercially available software products under standard end-user object code license agreements, there are no outstanding options, licenses, agreements, claims, encumbrances or shared ownership interests of any kind relating to the Company Intellectual Property, nor is the Company bound by or a party to any options, licenses or agreements of any kind with respect to the patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, trade secrets, licenses, information, proprietary rights and processes of any other Person. The Company has not received any communications alleging that the Company has violated, or by conducting its business, would violate any of the patents, trademarks, service marks, tradenames, copyrights, trade secrets, mask works or other proprietary rights or processes of any other Person. The Company has obtained and possesses valid licenses to use all of the software programs present on the computers and other software-enabled electronic devices that it owns or leases or that it has otherwise provided to its employees for their use in connection with the Companys business.
2.8 Compliance with Other Instruments . The Company is not in violation or default (i) of any provisions of its Restated MA&A or Bylaws, (ii) of any instrument, judgment, order, writ or decree, (iii) under any note, indenture or mortgage, or (iv) under any lease, agreement, contract or purchase order to which it is a party or by which it is bound that is required to be listed on the Disclosure Schedule, or (v) to its knowledge, of any provision of any judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Company, the violation of which would have a Material Adverse Effect. The execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Agreements and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreements will not result in any such violation or be in conflict with or constitute, with or without the passage of time and giving of notice, either (i) a default under any such provision, instrument, judgment, order, writ, decree, contract or agreement; or (ii) an event which results in the creation of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any assets of the Company or the suspension, revocation, forfeiture, or nonrenewal of any material permit or license applicable to the Company.
2.9 Agreements; Actions .
(a) Except for the Transaction Agreements, there are no agreements, understandings, instruments, contracts or proposed transactions to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound that involve (i) obligations (contingent or otherwise) of, or payments to, the Company in excess of RMB100 million (ii) the license of any patent, copyright, trademark, trade secret or other proprietary right to or from the Company, (iii) the grant of rights to manufacture, produce, assemble, license, market, or sell its products to any other Person that limit the Companys exclusive right to develop, manufacture, assemble, distribute, market or sell its products, or (iv) indemnification by the Company with respect to infringements of proprietary rights.
(b) The Company has not (i) declared or paid any dividends, or authorized or made any distribution upon or with respect to any class or series of its capital stock, (ii) incurred any indebtedness for money borrowed or incurred any other liabilities individually in excess of RMB100 million or in excess of RMB200 million in the aggregate, (iii) made any loans or advances to any Person, other than ordinary advances for travel expenses, or (iv) sold, exchanged or otherwise disposed of any of its assets or rights, other than the sale of its inventory in the ordinary course of business. For the purposes of (a) and (b) of this Subsection 2.5 , all indebtedness, liabilities, agreements, understandings, instruments, contracts and proposed transactions involving the same Person (including Persons the Company has reason to believe are affiliated with each other) shall be aggregated for the purpose of meeting the individual minimum dollar amounts of such subsection.
(c) The Company is not a guarantor or indemnitor of any indebtedness of any other Person.
2.10 Certain Transactions .
(a) Other than (i) standard employee benefits generally made available to all employees, (ii) standard director and officer indemnification agreements approved by the Board of Directors, and (iii) the purchase of shares of the Companys capital stock and the issuance of options to purchase shares of the Companys Ordinary Shares, in each instance, approved in the written minutes of the Board of Directors (previously provided to the Purchaser or its counsel), there are no agreements, understandings or proposed transactions between the Company and any of its officers, directors, consultants or Key Employees, or any Affiliate thereof.
(b) The Company is not indebted, directly or indirectly, to any of its directors, officers or employees or to their respective spouses or children or to any Affiliate of any of the foregoing, other than in connection with expenses or advances of expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business or employee relocation expenses and for other customary employee benefits made generally available to all employees. None of the Companys directors, officers or employees, or any members of their immediate families, or any Affiliate of the foregoing are, directly or indirectly, indebted to the Company or, to the Companys knowledge, have any (i) material commercial, industrial, banking, consulting, legal, accounting, charitable or familial relationship with any of the Companys customers, suppliers, service providers, joint venture partners, licensees and competitors, (ii) direct or indirect ownership interest in any firm or corporation with which the Company is affiliated or with which the Company has a business relationship, or any firm or corporation which competes with the Company except that directors, officers, employees or shareholders of the Company may own stock in (but not exceeding two percent (2%) of the outstanding capital stock of) publicly traded companies that may compete with the Company; or (iii) financial interest in any material contract with the Company.
2.11 Rights of Registration and Voting Rights . The Company is not under any obligation to register under the Securities Act any of its currently outstanding securities or any securities issuable upon exercise or conversion of its currently outstanding securities. No stockholder of the Company has entered into any agreements with respect to the voting of capital shares of the Company.
2.12 Financial Statements . The Company has delivered to the Purchaser its unaudited financial statements as of December 31, 2017 and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 (collectively, the Financial Statements ). The Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ( GAAP ) applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods indicated, except that the unaudited Financial Statements may not contain all footnotes required by GAAP. The Financial Statements fairly present in all material respects the financial condition and operating results of the Company as of the dates, and for the periods, indicated therein, subject in the case of the unaudited Financial Statements to normal year-end audit adjustments. Except as set forth in the Financial Statements, the Company has no material liabilities or obligations, contingent or otherwise, other than (i) liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business subsequent to December 31, 2017; (ii) obligations under contracts and commitments incurred in the ordinary course of business; and (iii) liabilities and obligations of a type or nature not required under GAAP to be reflected in the Financial Statements, which, in all such cases, individually and in the aggregate would not have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company maintains and will continue to maintain a standard system of accounting established and administered in accordance with GAAP.
2.13 Changes . Since December 31, 2017 there has not been:
(a) any change in the assets, liabilities, financial condition or operating results of the Company from that reflected in the Financial Statements, except changes in the ordinary course of business that have not caused, in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect;
(b) any material damage, destruction or loss, whether or not covered by insurance;
(c) any damage, destruction or loss, whether or not covered by insurance, that would have a Material Adverse Effect;
(d) any satisfaction or discharge of any lien, claim, or encumbrance or payment of any obligation by the Company, except in the ordinary course of business and the satisfaction or discharge of which would not have a Material Adverse Effect;
(e) any material change to a material contract or agreement by which the Company or any of its assets is bound or subject;
(f) any material change in any compensation arrangement or agreement with any employee, officer, director or stockholder;
(g) any resignation or termination of employment of Key Employee of the Company;
(h) any mortgage, pledge, transfer of a security interest in, or lien, created by the Company, with respect to any of its material properties or assets, except liens that arise in the ordinary course of business and do not materially impair the Companys ownership or use of such property or assets;
(i) any loans or guarantees made by the Company to or for the benefit of its employees, officers or directors, or any members of their immediate families, other than travel advances and other advances made in the ordinary course of its business;
(j) any declaration, setting aside or payment or other distribution in respect of any of the Companys capital stock, or any direct or indirect redemption, purchase, or other acquisition of any of such stock by the Company;
(k) any sale, assignment or transfer of any Company Intellectual Property that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
(l) receipt of notice that there has been a loss of, or material order cancellation by, any major customer, supplier or business partner of the Company;
(m) to the Companys knowledge, any other event or condition of any character, other than events affecting the economy or the Companys industry generally, that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; or
(n) any arrangement or commitment by the Company to do any of the things described in this Subsection 2.13 .
2.14 Employee Matters .
(a) To the Companys knowledge, none of its employees is obligated under any contract (including licenses, covenants or commitments of any nature) or other agreement, or subject to any judgment, decree or order of any court or administrative agency, that would materially interfere with such employees ability to promote the interest of the Company or that would conflict with the Companys business. Neither the execution or delivery of the Transaction Agreements, nor the carrying on of the Companys business by the employees of the Company, nor the conduct of the Companys business as now conducted and as presently proposed to be conducted, will, to the Companys knowledge, conflict with or result in a breach of the terms, conditions, or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any contract, covenant or instrument under which any such employee is now obligated.
(b) The Company is not delinquent in payments to any of its employees, consultants, or independent contractors for any wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, or other direct compensation for any service performed for it to the date hereof or amounts required to be reimbursed to such employees, consultants or independent contractors. The Company has complied in all material respects with all applicable state and federal equal employment opportunity laws and with other laws related to employment, including those related to wages, hours, worker classification and collective bargaining. The Company has withheld and paid to the appropriate governmental entity or is holding for payment not yet due to such governmental entity all amounts required to be withheld from employees of the Company and is not liable for any arrears of wages, taxes, penalties or other sums for failure to comply with any of the foregoing.
(c) To the Companys knowledge, no Key Employee intends to terminate employment with the Company or is otherwise likely to become unavailable to continue as a Key Employee. The Company does not have a present intention to terminate the employment of any of the foregoing. The employment of each employee of the Company is terminable at the will of the Company. Except as set forth in Subsection 2.15 of the Disclosure Schedule or as required by law, upon termination of the employment of any such employees, no severance or other payments will become due.
(d) The Company has not made any representations regarding equity incentives to any officer, employee, director or consultant that are inconsistent with the share amounts and terms set forth in the minutes of meetings of the Companys board of directors.
2.15 Tax Returns and Payments . The Company has duly and timely filed all material tax returns required to have been filed by it and all taxes which are due and payable (whether or not as shown on such tax returns) have been paid or withheld in full.
2.16 Insurance . The Company has in full force and effect insurance policies concerning such casualties as would be reasonable and customary for companies like the Company with extended coverage, sufficient in amount (subject to reasonable deductions) to allow it to replace any of its properties that might be damaged or destroyed.
2.17 Permits . The Company has all franchises, permits, licenses and any similar authority necessary for the conduct of its business, the lack of which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company is not in default in any material respect under any of such franchises, permits, licenses or other similar authority.
2.18 Foreign Corrupt Practices Act . Neither the Company nor any of the Companys directors, officers, employees or agents have, directly or indirectly, made, offered, promised or authorized any payment or gift of any money or anything of value to or for the benefit of any foreign official (as such term is defined in the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended (the FCPA )), foreign political party or official thereof or candidate for foreign political office for the purpose of (i) influencing any official act or decision of such official, party or candidate, (ii) inducing such official, party or candidate to use his, her or its influence to affect any act or decision of a foreign governmental authority, or (iii) securing any improper advantage, in the case of (i), (ii) and (iii) above in order to assist the Company or any of its affiliates in obtaining or retaining business for or with, or directing business to, any person. Neither the Company nor any of its directors, officers, employees or agents have made or authorized any bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment of funds or received or retained any funds in violation of any law, rule or regulation. The Company further represents that it has maintained, and has caused each of its subsidiaries and affiliates to maintain, systems of internal controls (including, but not limited to, accounting systems, purchasing systems and billing systems) to ensure compliance with the FCPA or any other applicable anti-bribery or anti-corruption law. Neither the Company nor any of its officers, directors or employees are the subject of any allegation, voluntary disclosure, investigation, prosecution or other enforcement action related to the FCPA or any other anti-corruption law (collectively, Enforcement Action ).
3. Representations and Warranties of the Purchaser . The Purchaser hereby represents and warrants to the Company that:
3.1 Authorization . Such Purchaser has full power and authority to enter into the Transaction Agreements. The Transaction Agreements to which the Purchaser is a party, when executed and delivered by the Purchaser, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Purchaser, enforceable in accordance with their terms, except (a) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance and any other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors rights generally, and as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies, or (b) to the extent the indemnification provisions contained in the Transaction Agreements may be limited by applicable securities laws.
3.2 Investor Status . Such Purchaser has the knowledge, sophistication and experience necessary to make an investment decision like that involved in the purchase of the applicable Securities.
3.3 Regulation S Exemption . Each Investor understands that the Purchased Shares are being offered and sold to it in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of United States federal and state securities laws under Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act and that the Company is relying upon the truth and accuracy of the representations, warranties, agreements, acknowledgments and understandings of each Investor set forth herein in order to determine the applicability of such exemptions and the suitability of each Investor to acquire the Purchased Shares. In this regard, each Investor represents, warrants and agrees that:
(a) No Direct Selling Efforts. The Investor did not contact the Company as a result of any directed selling efforts in the United States as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act.
(b) Offshore Transaction. At the time of the origination of contact concerning this Agreement and the date of the execution and delivery of this Agreement, each Investor was outside the United States.
3.4 Disclosure of Information The Purchaser has had an opportunity to discuss the Companys business, management, financial affairs and the terms and conditions of the offering of the Shares with the Companys management. The foregoing, however, does not limit or modify the representations and warranties of the Company in Section 2 of this Agreement or the right of the Purchaser to rely thereon.
3.5 Restricted Securities . The Purchaser understands that the Shares have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act, by reason of a specific exemption from the registration provisions of the Securities Act which depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of the investment intent and the accuracy of the Purchasers representations as expressed herein. The Purchaser understands that the Shares are restricted securities under applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws and that, pursuant to these laws, the Purchaser must hold the Shares indefinitely unless they are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and qualified by state authorities, or an exemption from such registration and qualification requirements is available. The Purchaser acknowledges that the Company has no obligation to register or qualify the Shares, or the Ordinary Shares into which it may be converted, for resale except as set forth in the Shareholders Agreement. The Purchaser further acknowledges that if an exemption from registration or qualification is available, it may be conditioned on various requirements including, but not limited to, the time and manner of sale, the holding period for the Shares, and on requirements relating to the Company which are outside of the Purchasers control, and which the Company is under no obligation and may not be able to satisfy.
4. Conditions to the Purchasers Obligations at Closing . The obligations of the Purchaser to purchase Shares at the Closing are subject to the fulfillment, on or before the Closing, of each of the following conditions, unless otherwise waived:
4.1 Representations and Warranties . The representations and warranties contained in Section 2 shall be true and correct in all respects as of the Closing, except where the failure of such representations and warranties to be true and correct would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
4.2 Performance . The Company shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all covenants, agreements, obligations and conditions contained in this Agreement that are required to be performed or complied with by the Company on or before the Closing. For the purpose of clarity, the performance of the covenants of the Company made under Section 6 is not the conditions to the Purchasers obligations at Closing under this Section 4 .
4.3 Foreign Exchange Approval . The Purchaser shall have secured necessary approval or filing from the State Administration for Foreign Exchange or its authorized banks regarding the foreign exchange control related to purchase price for the purchase of the Shares, provided the Purchaser has duly made all applications necessary according to the applicable PRC laws and regulations or relevant requirements of such authorized banks to secure such approval or filing. For the sake of clarity, any failure of the Purchaser to duly make such filings and applications necessary to secure the PRC governmental approval which result in its failure to pay the purchase price in accordance with this Agreement shall be deemed as a material breach under Section 7.1 (c) under this Agreement.
4.4 Closing Certificate . A duly authorized officer of the Company shall deliver to the Purchaser at the Closing a certificate (i) certifying that the conditions specified in Subsections 4.1 and 4.2 have been fulfilled.
4.5 Restructuring . A Companys fully owned subsidiary in China shall have entered into a set of contractual arrangement with Shanghai Qiyu, Fuzhou Microcredit and their shareholder Beijing Qibutianxia so that the Company will be able to exercise effective control over Shanghai Qiyu and Fuzhou Microcredit; receive substantially all of the economic benefits of Shanghai Qiyu and Fuzhou Microcredit; and have an exclusive option to purchase all or part of the equity interests in and assets of Shanghai Qiyu and Fuzhou Microcredit when and to the extent permitted by PRC law.
5. Conditions of the Companys Obligations at Closing . The obligations of the Company to sell Shares to the Purchaser at the Closing are subject to the fulfillment, on or before the Closing, of each of the following conditions, unless otherwise waived:
5.1 Representations and Warranties . The representations and warranties of the Purchaser contained in Section 3 shall be true and correct in all respects as of the Closing, except where the failure of such representations and warranties to be true and correct would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.2 Performance . The Purchaser shall have performed and complied with all covenants, agreements, obligations and conditions contained in this Agreement that are required to be performed or complied with by them on or before the Closing.
5.3 Proceedings and Documents . All corporate and other proceedings in connection with the transactions contemplated at the Closing and all documents incident thereto shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Company, and the Company shall have received all such counterpart original and certified or other copies of such documents as reasonably requested. Such documents may include good standing certificates.
6. Covenants of the Company.
6.1 Use of Proceeds . The Company shall use the proceeds received from the issuance and sale of the Series B Preferred Shares for general corporate purpose and purposes deemed appropriate by the Board of the Company at its sole discretion, provided that no proceeds shall be used by the Company to make loans to any of its shareholders or in the repurchase or cancellation of Equity Securities held by any shareholders of the Company without prior approval by the Purchaser; provided that the foregoing restriction shall not apply to the expenses set forth in any annual budget as pre-approved in accordance with the Shareholders Agreement and the Memorandum and Articles.
6.2 Key Terms of SHA . The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to enter into a Shareholders Agreement reflecting the key terms set forth in the Exhibit C hereto. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the only remedy to the breach of this covenant under Subsection 6.2 shall be the refund of the full investment amount of the relevant Purchaser set forth in the Exhibit A hereto by the Company. For the purpose of clarity, no remedy other than the refund of the full investment amount, including but not limited to direct or indirect damages, penalties, or special performance, shall be available to the relevant Purchaser under this Agreement.
7. Termination .
7.1 Termination Events . Subject to Subsection 7.2 , by notice given prior to the Closing, this Agreement may be terminated as follows:
(a) by mutual consent of all Parties;
(b) by the Purchaser if (i) a material breach of any provision of this Agreement has been committed by the Company, (ii) satisfaction of any condition in Section 4 by August 31, 2018 or such later date as the Parties may agree upon (the End Date ) becomes impossible (other than through the failure of any Purchaser to comply with its obligations under this Agreement), or (iii) if the Closing has not occurred on or before the End Date, unless the Purchaser is in material breach of this Agreement;
(c) by the Company if (i) a material breach of any provision of this Agreement has been committed by the Purchaser, (ii) satisfaction of any condition in Section 5 by the End Date becomes impossible (other than through the failure of the Company to comply with its obligations under this Agreement), or (iii) if the Closing has not occurred on or before the End Date, unless the Company is in material breach of this Agreement.
7.2 Effect of Termination . Each Partys right of termination under Subsection 7.1 is in addition to any other right it may have under this Agreement or otherwise, and the exercise of a Partys right of termination will not constitute an election of remedies. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Subsection 7.1 , this Agreement will be of no further force or effect; provided, however, that (i) this Subsection 7.2 and Section 9 will survive the termination of this Agreement and will remain in full force and effect, and (ii) the termination of this Agreement will not relieve any Party from any liability for any breach of this Agreement occurring prior to termination. If this Agreement is terminated under Subsection 7.1(c)(i) , the Closing Deposit under Subsection 1.2 shall not be refunded by the Company to the Purchaser.
8. Indemnification .
8.1 Survival of Warranties . The representations and warranties of the Warrantors and the Purchaser contained in or made pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the Closing.
8.2 Indemnification by the Warrantors . Subject to the other terms and conditions of this Section 8 , the Warrantors shall indemnify the Purchaser against, and shall hold the Purchaser harmless from and against, any and all Losses incurred or sustained by, or imposed upon, such Purchaser based upon, arising out of, with respect to or by reason of:
(a) any inaccuracy in or breach of any of the representations or warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement; or
(b) any breach or non-fulfillment of any covenant, agreement or obligation to be performed by the Company pursuant to this Agreement.
8.3 Indemnification By the Purchaser . Subject to the other terms and conditions of this Section 8 , the Purchaser shall indemnify the Warrantors against, and shall hold the Warrantors harmless from and against, any and all Losses incurred or sustained by, or imposed upon, the Company based upon, arising out of, with respect to or by reason of:
(a) any inaccuracy in or breach of any of the representations or warranties of such Purchaser contained in this Agreement; or
(b) any breach or non-fulfillment of any covenant, agreement or obligation to be performed by such Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement.
8.4 Certain Limitations . A Party making a claim under this Section 8 is referred to as the Indemnified Party , and a Party against whom such claims are asserted under this Section 8 is referred to as the Indemnifying Party . The indemnification provided for in Section 8.2 and Section 8.3 shall be subject to the following limitations:
(a) The Indemnifying Party shall not be liable to the Indemnified Party for indemnification under Section 8.2 or Section 8.3 , as the case may be, until the aggregate amount of all Losses in respect of indemnification under Section 8.2 or Section 8.3 exceeds $1 million, in which event the Indemnifying Party shall be liable for all such Losses.
(b) The aggregate amount of all Losses for which an Indemnifying Party shall be liable pursuant to Section 8.2 or Section 8.3 as the case may be, shall not exceed 100% of the purchase price paid or received, as appropriate, by the Indemnified Party pursuant to this Agreement, provided, however, that the payment for all such Losses shall be offset by any and all amount received by the Purchaser for the disposal in any way of any Shares it owns. This Subsection 8.4 (b) shall terminate and be of no further force or effect immediately when the Purchaser owns less than half of its Shares initially purchased under this Agreement.
(c) Payments by an Indemnifying Party pursuant to Section 8.2 or Section 8.3 in respect of any Loss shall be limited to the amount of any liability or damage that remains after deducting therefrom any insurance proceeds and any indemnity, contribution or other similar payment received or reasonably expected to be received by the Indemnified Party in respect of any such claim. The Indemnified Party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to recover under insurance policies or indemnity, contribution or other similar agreements for any Losses prior to seeking indemnification under this Agreement.
(d) Payments by an Indemnifying Party pursuant to Section 8.2 or Section 8.3 in respect of any Loss shall be reduced by an amount equal to any tax benefit realized or reasonably expected to be realized as a result of such Loss by the Indemnified Party.
(e) In no event shall any Indemnifying Party be liable to any Indemnified Party for any punitive, incidental, consequential, special or indirect damages, including loss of future revenue or income, or loss of business reputation or opportunity relating to the breach or alleged breach of this Agreement.
(f) Each Indemnified Party shall take, and cause its Affiliates to take, all reasonable steps to mitigate any Loss upon becoming aware of any event or circumstance that would be reasonably expected to, or does, give rise thereto, including incurring costs only to the minimum extent necessary to remedy the breach that gives rise to such Loss.
(g) The Indemnifying Party shall not be liable under this Section 8 for any Losses based upon or arising out of any inaccuracy in or breach of any of the representations or warranties contained in Section 2 or Section 3 if the Indemnified Party had knowledge of such inaccuracy or breach prior to the Closing.
8.5 Indemnification Procedures .
(a) Third-Party Claims . If any Indemnified Party receives notice of the assertion or commencement of any action, suit, claim or other legal proceeding made or brought by any Person who is not a party to this Agreement or an Affiliate of a party to this Agreement or a Representative of the foregoing (a Third-Party Claim ) against such Indemnified Party with respect to which the Indemnifying Party is obligated to provide indemnification under this Agreement, the Indemnified Party shall give the Indemnifying Party prompt written notice thereof. The failure to give such prompt written notice shall not, however, relieve the Indemnifying Party of its indemnification obligations, except and only to the extent that the Indemnifying Party forfeits rights or defenses by reason of such failure. Such notice by the Indemnified Party shall describe the Third-Party Claim in reasonable detail, shall include copies of all material written evidence thereof and shall indicate the estimated amount, if reasonably practicable, of the Loss that has been or may be sustained by the Indemnified Party. The Indemnifying Party shall have the right to participate in, or by giving written notice to the Indemnified Party, to assume the defense of any Third-Party Claim at the Indemnifying Partys expense and by the Indemnifying Partys own counsel, and the Indemnified Party shall cooperate in good faith in such defense. In the event that the Indemnifying Party assumes the defense of any Third-Party Claim, subject to Section 8.5(b) , it shall have the right to take such action as it deems necessary to avoid, dispute, defend, appeal or make counterclaims pertaining to any such Third-Party Claim in the name and on behalf of the Indemnified Party. The Indemnified Party shall have the right, at its own cost and expense, to participate in the defense of any Third-Party Claim with counsel selected by it subject to the Indemnifying Partys right to control the defense thereof. If the Indemnifying Party elects not to compromise or defend such Third-Party Claim or fails to promptly notify the Indemnified Party in writing of its election to defend as provided in this Agreement, the Indemnified Party may, subject to Section 8.5(b) , pay, compromise, defend such Third-Party Claim and seek indemnification for any and all Losses based upon, arising from or relating to such Third-Party Claim. Seller and Buyer shall cooperate with each other in all reasonable respects in connection with the defense of any Third-Party Claim, including making available records relating to such Third-Party Claim and furnishing, without expense (other than reimbursement of actual out-of-pocket expenses) to the defending party, management employees of the non-defending party as may be reasonably necessary for the preparation of the defense of such Third-Party Claim.
(b) Settlement of Third-Party Claims . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Indemnifying Party shall not enter into settlement of any Third-Party Claim without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), except as provided in this Section 8.5(b) . If a firm offer is made to settle a Third-Party Claim without leading to liability or the creation of a financial or other obligation on the part of the Indemnified Party and provides, in customary form, for the unconditional release of each Indemnified Party from all liabilities and obligations in connection with such Third-Party Claim and the Indemnifying Party desires to accept and agree to such offer, the Indemnifying Party shall give written notice to that effect to the Indemnified Party. If the Indemnified Party fails to consent to such firm offer within ten days after its receipt of such notice, the Indemnified Party may continue to contest or defend such Third-Party Claim and in such event, the maximum liability of the Indemnifying Party as to such Third-Party Claim shall not exceed the amount of such settlement offer. If the Indemnified Party fails to consent to such firm offer and also fails to assume defense of such Third-Party Claim, the Indemnifying Party may settle the Third-Party Claim upon the terms set forth in such firm offer to settle such Third-Party Claim. If the Indemnified Party has assumed the defense pursuant to Section 8.5(a) , it shall not agree to any settlement without the written consent of the Indemnifying Party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed).
9. Miscellaneous .
9.1 Confidentiality .
(a) Subject to the disclosures permitted by Section (b) , each of the Parties acknowledges that the information being provided to such Party (the Receiving Party ) in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement may be material non-public information and hereby covenants and agrees to keep, and cause its Affiliates and its and its Affiliates directors, officers, employees, accountants, agents, counsel and other representatives (collectively, Representatives ) to keep confidential any information identified by the Party providing information hereunder (the Providing Party ) as confidential, unless (a) such information becomes generally available to the public (other than as a result of a breach of this Section 9.1 by the Receiving Party, its Affiliates or their Representatives), (b) such information was available to the Receiving Party on a non-confidential basis from a source (other than the Providing Party, its Affiliates or their Representatives) that, to the Receiving Partys knowledge, is not and was not prohibited from disclosing such information to such Receiving Party by a contractual, legal or fiduciary obligation (c) the Receiving Party is required by applicable law, regulation, rule, court order and subpoena, governmental order or listing rule to disclose such information or (d) such information will be included in the proxy statement, the circular or any other materials, if applicable, for the purpose of the shareholders meeting approving the transaction contemplated hereby; provided, however, that in an event specified in clause (c) above, the Receiving Party shall provide the Providing Party, if legally permissible and practicable, with prompt prior written notice of such required disclosure and that the Receiving Party shall disclose only that portion of the confidential information that such Receiving Party is advised by counsel is legally required.
(b) None of the Parties, nor any of their respective Affiliates, shall issue any press release or other public announcement or communication with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby without the prior written consent of the other Parties, except to the extent a Partys counsel deems such disclosure necessary in order to comply with any law issued by any securities exchange or other similar regulatory body, shall limit such disclosure to the information such counsel advises is required to comply with such law, governmental order or listing rule and if reasonably practicable, shall consult with the other Parties regarding such disclosure and give good faith consideration to any suggested changes to such disclosure from the other Parties.
(c) Notwithstanding anything in Section 8 of this Agreement, the Receiving Party may disclose information in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to any prospective purchaser of any Share or derivative instrument linked to any Share from such Receiving Party, provided that, (i) such prospective purchaser agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Subsection 9.1 , and (ii) such disclosure happens after the Closing.
9.2 Amendment . Any provision of this Agreement may be amended if, but only if, such amendment is in writing and is duly executed and delivered by or on behalf of each of the Parties.
9.3 Successors and Assigns . The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the respective successors and assigns of the Parties. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any party other than the Parties hereto or their respective successors and assigns any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement, except as expressly provided in this Agreement.
9.4 Governing Law; Dispute Resolution .
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by the of the Hong Kong, without regard to conflict of law principles that would result in the application of any law other than the law of Hong Kong.
(b) Any dispute shall be settled by arbitration in Hong Kong administered by the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (the HKIAC ) in accordance with the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre Administered Rules (the HKIAC Rules ) then in force. There shall be three (3) arbitrators. Each of claimant and respondent shall appoint one (1) arbitrator and the third (3rd) arbitrator shall be appointed by the HKIAC Council. For the sake of clarity, the seat of arbitration shall be Hong Kong.
(c) The arbitral proceedings shall be conducted in English. To the extent that the HKIAC Rules are in conflict with the provisions of this Section 9.4 , including the provisions concerning the appointment of the arbitrators, the provisions of this Section 9.4 shall prevail.
(d) Each party to the arbitration shall cooperate with each other party to the arbitration in making full disclosure of and providing complete access to all information and documents requested by such other party in connection with such arbitral proceedings, subject only to any confidentiality obligations binding on such party.
(e) The award of the arbitral tribunal shall be final and binding upon the parties thereto, and the prevailing party may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for enforcement of such award.
(f) The Parties agree that the arbitral tribunal shall have the power to award equitable remedies (including specific performance). Any party to the Dispute shall be entitled to seek interim measures of protection and emergency relief in aid of arbitration from any court of competent jurisdiction. Application for such protective or similar emergency interim relief shall not be deemed inconsistent with the agreement to arbitrate or deemed a waiver of the right to arbitrate.
(g) During the course of the arbitral tribunals adjudication of the Dispute, this Agreement shall continue to be performed except with respect to the part in Dispute and under adjudication.
9.5 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in two (2) or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.
9.6 Titles and Subtitles . The titles and subtitles used in this Agreement are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Agreement.
9.7 Notices . All notices and other communications given or made pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon the earlier of actual receipt, or (a) personal delivery to the party to be notified, (b) when sent, if sent by electronic mail or facsimile during normal business hours of the recipient, and if not sent during normal business hours, then on the recipients next Business Day, (c) five (5) days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (d) one (1) Business Day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, freight prepaid, specifying next Business Day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All communications shall be sent to the respective Parties at their address as set forth on the signature page or Exhibit A, or to such e-mail address, facsimile number or address as subsequently modified by written notice given in accordance with this Subsection 9.7 .
9.8 No Finders Fees . Each party represents that it neither is nor will be obligated for any finders fee or commission in connection with this transaction.
9.9 Attorneys Fees . If any action at law or in equity (including, arbitration) is necessary to enforce or interpret the terms of any of the Transaction Agreements, the prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys fees, costs and necessary disbursements in addition to any other relief to which such party may be entitled.
9.10 Severability . The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision hereof shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision.
9.11 Delays or Omissions . No delay or omission to exercise any right, power or remedy accruing to any party under this Agreement, upon any breach or default of any other party under this Agreement, shall impair any such right, power or remedy of such non-breaching or non-defaulting party nor shall it be construed to be a waiver of any such breach or default, or an acquiescence therein, or of or in any similar breach or default thereafter occurring; nor shall any waiver of any single breach or default be deemed a waiver of any other breach or default theretofore or thereafter occurring. Any waiver, permit, consent or approval of any kind or character on the part of any party of any breach or default under this Agreement, or any waiver on the part of any party of any provisions or conditions of this Agreement, must be in writing and shall be effective only to the extent specifically set forth in such writing. All remedies, either under this Agreement or by law or otherwise afforded to any party, shall be cumulative and not alternative.
9.12 Entire Agreement . This Agreement (including the Exhibits hereto), the Shareholders Agreement, the Restated MA&A and the other Transaction Agreements constitute the full and entire understanding and agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and any other written or oral agreement relating to the subject matter hereof existing between the Parties are expressly canceled.
9.13 No Commitment for Additional Financing . The Company acknowledges and agrees that no Purchaser has made any representation, undertaking, commitment or agreement to provide or assist the Company in obtaining any financing, investment or other assistance, other than the purchase of the Shares as set forth herein and subject to the conditions set forth herein. In addition, the Company acknowledges and agrees that (i) no statements, whether written or oral, made by any Purchaser or its representatives on or after the date of this Agreement shall create an obligation, commitment or agreement to provide or assist the Company in obtaining any financing or investment, (ii) the Company shall not rely on any such statement by any Purchaser or its representatives, and (iii) an obligation, commitment or agreement to provide or assist the Company in obtaining any financing or investment may only be created by a written agreement, signed by such Purchaser and the Company, setting forth the terms and conditions of such financing or investment and stating that the Parties intend for such writing to be a binding obligation or agreement. The Purchaser shall have the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to refuse or decline to participate in any other financing of or investment in the Company, and shall have no obligation to assist or cooperate with the Company in obtaining any financing, investment or other assistance.
9.14 No Third Party Right . The Parties do not intend that any term of this Agreement should be enforceable by any person who is not a party to this Agreement by virtue of the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Ordinance (Cap. 623) or otherwise. Notwithstanding any benefits possibly conferred by this Agreement on any third party by virtue of the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Ordinance (Cap. 623), the Parties may amend, vary, waive, terminate or rescind this Agreement at any time and in any way without the consent of any Third Party.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Series B Preferred Shares Purchase Agreement as of the date first written above.
COMPANY:
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360 Finance, Inc. |
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By: |
/s/ ZHOU Hongyi |
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Name: |
ZHOU Hongyi |
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(print) |
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Title: |
Director |
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Address: |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Series B Preferred Shares Purchase Agreement as of the date first written above.
PURCHASERS:
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TonSung Holdings Limited |
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By: |
/s/ TAN YONG PONG |
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Name: |
TAN YONG PONG |
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(print) |
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Title: |
Director |
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Address: |
Room 603, No.8, Lane 6,600, Zhou Deng Road, Pudong District, Shanghai |
Exhibit A
[Reserved]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. |
Purchase and Sale of Series B Preferred Shares |
1 |
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1.1 |
Sale and Issuance of Series B Preferred Shares |
1 |
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1.2 |
Closing; Delivery |
1 |
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1.3 |
Defined Terms Used in this Agreement |
2 |
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2. |
Representations and Warranties of the Company |
3 |
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2.1 |
Organization, Good Standing, Corporate Power and Qualification |
3 |
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2.2 |
Capitalization |
3 |
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2.3 |
Authorization |
4 |
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2.4 |
Valid Issuance of Shares |
4 |
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2.5 |
Governmental Consents and Filings |
4 |
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2.6 |
Litigation |
4 |
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2.7 |
Intellectual Property |
5 |
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2.8 |
Compliance with Other Instruments |
5 |
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2.9 |
Agreements; Actions |
6 |
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2.10 |
Certain Transactions |
6 |
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2.11 |
Rights of Registration and Voting Rights |
7 |
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2.12 |
Financial Statements |
7 |
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2.13 |
Changes |
7 |
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2.14 |
Employee Matters |
8 |
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2.15 |
Tax Returns and Payments |
9 |
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2.16 |
Insurance |
9 |
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2.17 |
Permits |
9 |
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2.18 |
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act |
9 |
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3. |
Representations and Warranties of the Purchasers |
10 |
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3.1 |
Authorization |
10 |
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3.2 |
Purchaser Status |
10 |
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3.3 |
Regulation S Exemption |
10 |
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3.4 |
Disclosure of Information |
11 |
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3.5 |
Restricted Securities |
11 |
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4. |
Conditions to the Purchasers Obligations at Closing |
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4.1 |
Representations and Warranties |
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4.2 |
Performance |
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4.3 |
Closing Certificate |
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4.4 |
Restructuring |
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SERIES B PREFERRED SHARES PURCHASE AGREEMENT
THIS SERIES B PREFERRED SHARES PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this Agreement ), is made as of 9 th , Aug. 2018 by and between
(a) 360 Finance, Inc., a Cayman Islands company (the Company );
(b) Shanghai Qiyu Information Technology Co., Ltd., a PRC company ( Shanghai Qiyu );
(c) Fuzhou 360 Online Microcredit Co., Ltd., a PRC company ( Fuzhou Microcredit ); and
(d) the investors listed on Exhibit A attached to this Agreement (each a Purchaser and together the Purchasers ).
Each of the Company, Shanghai Qiyu, Fuzhou Microcredit and the Purchasers is referred to herein individually as a Party and collectively as the Parties .
The Parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Purchase and Sale of Series B Preferred Shares .
1.1 Sale and Issuance of Series B Preferred Shares .
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each Purchaser agrees to purchase at the Closing and the Company agrees to sell and issue to each Purchaser at the Closing that number of Series B preferred shares, $0.00001 par value per share (the Series B Preferred Shares ), set forth opposite each Purchasers name on Exhibit A at a purchase price of $8.16033697 per share, at the Closing (as defined below). The Series B Preferred Shares issued to the Purchasers pursuant to this Agreement shall be referred to in this Agreement as the Shares .
1.2 Closing; Delivery .
(a) The purchase and sale of the Shares shall take place remotely via the exchange of documents and signatures, at 10: 00 a.m., on [20 th Aug, 2018] (Beijing time), or at such other time and place as the Company and the Purchasers mutually agree upon, orally or in writing (which time and place are designated as the Closing ).
(b) At the Closing, the Company shall deliver to each Purchaser (i) share certificate representing the Shares being purchased by such Purchaser at the Closing, and (ii) a copy of the register of members of the Company, certified by the registered agent or a director of the Company, reflecting the issuance of the Shares to the Purchaser, against the payment for the Shares by wire transfer to a bank account designated by the Company.
1.3 Defined Terms Used in this Agreement . In addition to the terms defined above, the following terms used in this Agreement shall be construed to have the meanings set forth or referenced below.
(a) Affiliate means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person who, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such Person, including, without limitation, any general partner, managing member, officer or director of such Person or any venture capital fund now or hereafter existing that is controlled by one or more general partners or managing members of, or shares the same management company with, such Person.
(b) China or the PRC means the Peoples Republic of China, excluding, for the purposes of this Agreement only, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan
(c) Company Intellectual Property means all patents, patent applications, trademarks, trademark applications, service marks, service mark applications, tradenames, copyrights, trade secrets, domain names, mask works, information and proprietary rights and processes, similar or other intellectual property rights, subject matter of any of the foregoing, tangible embodiments of any of the foregoing, licenses in, to and under any of the foregoing, and any and all such cases that are owned or used by the Company in the conduct of the Companys business as now conducted and as presently proposed to be conducted.
(d) Equity Securities means any equity interests of the Company, however described or whether voting or nonvoting, and any securities convertible or exchangeable into, and options, warrants or other rights to acquire, any equity interests or equity-linked interests of the Company.
(e) Shareholders Agreement means the agreement among the Company and the Purchaser and certain other shareholders of the Company dated as of the date of the Closing.
(f) Key Employee means any executive-level employee (including vice president-level or higher positions).
(g) Knowledge including the phrase to the Companys knowledge shall mean the actual knowledge after reasonable investigation of the Key Employees.
(h) Losses means actual out-of-pocket losses, damages, liabilities, costs or expenses.
(i) Material Adverse Effect means a material adverse effect on the business, assets (including intangible assets), liabilities, financial condition, property, prospects or results of operations of the Company.
(j) Person means any individual, corporation, partnership, trust, limited liability company, association or other entity.
(k) Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(l) Transaction Agreements means this Agreement, the Shareholders Agreement and, the Restated M&AA any other agreements, instruments or documents entered into in connection with this Agreement.
2. Representations and Warranties of the Company . The Company, Shanghai Qiyu and Fuzhou Microcredit (collectively the Warrantors ) hereby jointly and severally represent and warrant to each Purchaser that, except as set forth on the Disclosure Schedule attached as Exhibit B to this Agreement, which exceptions shall be deemed to be part of the representations and warranties made hereunder, the following representations are true and correct. The Disclosure Schedule shall be arranged in sections corresponding to the numbered and lettered sections and subsections contained in this Section 2 , and the disclosures in any section or subsection of the Disclosure Schedule shall qualify other sections and subsections in this Section 2 .
For purposes of these representations and warranties (other than those in Subsections 2.2 , 2.3 , 2.4 , and 2.5 ), the term the Company shall include any subsidiaries of the Company, Shanghai Qiyu and Fuzhou Microcredit, unless otherwise noted herein.
2.1 Organization, Good Standing, Corporate Power and Qualification . The Company is an exempted company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the place of its incorporation or establishment and has all requisite corporate power and authority to carry on its business as presently conducted and as proposed to be conducted. The Company is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the failure to so qualify would have a Material Adverse Effect.
2.2 Capitalization .
(a) Immediately prior to the issuance of any Series B Preferred Shares, there will be:
(i) a total of 281,851,108 shares that are (a) either issued and outstanding as class A ordinary shares (the Class A Ordinary Shares ), class B ordinary shares (the Class B Ordinary Shares ), class C ordinary shares (the Class C Ordinary Shares , together with Class A Ordinary Shares, Class B Ordinary Shares, the Ordinary Shares ), series A preferred shares (the Series A Preferred Shares ) or series A+ preferred shares (the Series A+ Preferred Shares , together with Series B Preferred Shares and Series A Preferred Shares, the Preferred Shares ), (b) or reserved for issuance pursuant to the Stock Plan;
(ii) 36,763,190 shares authorized as Series B Preferred Shares.
(b) The Company has reserved 25,336,096 shares of Class A Ordinary Shares for issuance to officers, directors, employees and consultants of the Company pursuant to its 2018 Stock Plan duly adopted by the Board of Directors and approved by the Company shareholders (the Stock Plan ).
(c) None of the Companys stock purchase agreements or stock option documents contains a provision for acceleration of vesting (or lapse of a repurchase right) or other changes in the vesting provisions or other terms of such agreement or understanding upon the occurrence of any event or combination of events, including without limitation in the case where the Companys Stock Plan is not assumed in an acquisition. The Company has never adjusted or amended the exercise price of any stock options previously awarded, whether through amendment, cancellation, replacement grant, repricing, or any other means. Except as set forth in the Restated M&AA, the Company has no obligation (contingent or otherwise) to purchase or redeem any of its Equity Securities.
2.3 Authorization . The Company has all necessary corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement, and to issue the Shares at the Closing and the Ordinary Shares issuable upon conversion of the Shares. The Transaction Agreements, when executed and delivered by the Company, shall constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms except (i) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance, or other laws of general application relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors rights generally (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding), (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief, or other equitable remedies, or (iii) to the extent the indemnification provisions contained in the Transaction Agreements may be limited by applicable laws.
2.4 Valid Issuance of Shares . The Shares, when issued, sold and delivered in accordance with the terms and for the consideration set forth in this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free of restrictions on transfer other than restrictions on transfer under the Transaction Agreements, applicable laws and liens or encumbrances created by or imposed by a Purchaser. Assuming the accuracy of the representations of the Purchasers in Section 3 of this Agreement, the Shares will be issued in compliance with applicable securities laws. The Ordinary Shares issuable upon conversion of the Shares has been duly reserved for issuance, and upon issuance in accordance with the terms of the Restated M&AA, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free of restrictions on transfer other than restrictions on transfer under the Transaction Agreements, applicable laws and liens or encumbrances created by or imposed by a Purchaser. Based in part upon the representations of the Purchasers in Section 3 of this Agreement, the Ordinary Shares issuable upon conversion of the Shares will be issued in compliance with securities laws.
2.5 Governmental Consents and Filings . Assuming the accuracy of the representations made by the Purchasers in Section 3 of this Agreement, no consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration, qualification, designation, declaration or filing with, any governmental authority is required on the part of the Company in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except for the filing of the Restated M&AA, and such consents, approvals, orders or authorizations, registrations, qualifications, designations, and declarations which, in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
2.6 Litigation . There is no claim, action, suit, proceeding, arbitration, complaint, or charge pending or to the Companys knowledge, currently threatened (i) against the Company or any officer, director or Key Employee of the Company arising out of their employment or board relationship with the Company; or (ii) to the Companys knowledge, that questions the validity of the Transaction Agreements or the right of the Company to enter into them, or to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreements; or (iii) to the Companys knowledge, which if determined adversely to the Company would reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor, to the Companys knowledge, any of its officers, directors or Key Employees is a party or is named as subject to the provisions of any order, writ, injunction, judgment or decree of any court or government agency or instrumentality (in the case of officers, directors or Key Employees, such as would affect the Company). There is no action, suit, proceeding or investigation by the Company pending or which the Company intends to initiate. The foregoing includes, without limitation, actions, suits, proceedings or investigations pending or threatened in writing (or any basis therefor known to the Company) involving the prior employment of any of the Companys employees, their services provided in connection with the Companys business, any information or techniques allegedly proprietary to any of their former employers or their obligations under any agreements with prior employers.
2.7 Intellectual Property . The Company owns or possesses or believes it can acquire on commercially reasonable terms sufficient legal rights to all Company Intellectual Property without any known conflict with, or infringement of, the rights of others. To the Companys knowledge, no product or service marketed or sold (or proposed to be marketed or sold) by the Company violates or will violate any license or infringes or will infringe any intellectual property rights of any other party. Other than with respect to commercially available software products under standard end-user object code license agreements, there are no outstanding options, licenses, agreements, claims, encumbrances or shared ownership interests of any kind relating to the Company Intellectual Property, nor is the Company bound by or a party to any options, licenses or agreements of any kind with respect to the patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, trade secrets, licenses, information, proprietary rights and processes of any other Person. The Company has not received any communications alleging that the Company has violated, or by conducting its business, would violate any of the patents, trademarks, service marks, tradenames, copyrights, trade secrets, mask works or other proprietary rights or processes of any other Person. The Company has obtained and possesses valid licenses to use all of the software programs present on the computers and other software-enabled electronic devices that it owns or leases or that it has otherwise provided to its employees for their use in connection with the Companys business.
2.8 Compliance with Other Instruments . The Company is not in violation or default (i) of any provisions of its Restated M&AA or Bylaws, (ii) of any instrument, judgment, order, writ or decree, (iii) under any note, indenture or mortgage, or (iv) under any lease, agreement, contract or purchase order to which it is a party or by which it is bound that is required to be listed on the Disclosure Schedule, or (v) to its knowledge, of any provision of any judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Company, the violation of which would have a Material Adverse Effect. The execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Agreements and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreements will not result in any such violation or be in conflict with or constitute, with or without the passage of time and giving of notice, either (i) a default under any such provision, instrument, judgment, order, writ, decree, contract or agreement; or (ii) an event which results in the creation of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any assets of the Company or the suspension, revocation, forfeiture, or nonrenewal of any material permit or license applicable to the Company.
2.9 Agreements; Actions .
(a) Except for the Transaction Agreements, there are no agreements, understandings, instruments, contracts or proposed transactions to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound that involve (i) obligations (contingent or otherwise) of, or payments to, the Company in excess of RMB100 million (ii) the license of any patent, copyright, trademark, trade secret or other proprietary right to or from the Company, (iii) the grant of rights to manufacture, produce, assemble, license, market, or sell its products to any other Person that limit the Companys exclusive right to develop, manufacture, assemble, distribute, market or sell its products, or (iv) indemnification by the Company with respect to infringements of proprietary rights.
(b) The Company has not (i) declared or paid any dividends, or authorized or made any distribution upon or with respect to any class or series of its capital stock, (ii) incurred any indebtedness for money borrowed or incurred any other liabilities individually in excess of RMB100 million or in excess of RMB200 million in the aggregate, (iii) made any loans or advances to any Person, other than ordinary advances for travel expenses, or (iv) sold, exchanged or otherwise disposed of any of its assets or rights, other than the sale of its inventory in the ordinary course of business. For the purposes of (a) and (b) of this Subsection 2.5 , all indebtedness, liabilities, agreements, understandings, instruments, contracts and proposed transactions involving the same Person (including Persons the Company has reason to believe are affiliated with each other) shall be aggregated for the purpose of meeting the individual minimum dollar amounts of such subsection.
(c) The Company is not a guarantor or indemnitor of any indebtedness of any other Person.
2.10 Certain Transactions .
(a) Other than (i) standard employee benefits generally made available to all employees, (ii) standard director and officer indemnification agreements approved by the Board of Directors, and (iii) the purchase of shares of the Companys capital stock and the issuance of options to purchase shares of the Companys Ordinary Shares, in each instance, approved in the written minutes of the Board of Directors (previously provided to the Purchasers or their counsel), there are no agreements, understandings or proposed transactions between the Company and any of its officers, directors, consultants or Key Employees, or any Affiliate thereof.
(b) The Company is not indebted, directly or indirectly, to any of its directors, officers or employees or to their respective spouses or children or to any Affiliate of any of the foregoing, other than in connection with expenses or advances of expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business or employee relocation expenses and for other customary employee benefits made generally available to all employees. None of the Companys directors, officers or employees, or any members of their immediate families, or any Affiliate of the foregoing are, directly or indirectly, indebted to the Company or, to the Companys knowledge, have any (i) material commercial, industrial, banking, consulting, legal, accounting, charitable or familial relationship with any of the Companys customers, suppliers, service providers, joint venture partners, licensees and competitors, (ii) direct or indirect ownership interest in any firm or corporation with which the Company is affiliated or with which the Company has a business relationship, or any firm or corporation which competes with the Company except that directors, officers, employees or shareholders of the Company may own stock in (but not exceeding two percent (2%) of the outstanding capital stock of) publicly traded companies that may compete with the Company; or (iii) financial interest in any material contract with the Company.
2.11 Rights of Registration and Voting Rights . The Company is not under any obligation to register under the Securities Act any of its currently outstanding securities or any securities issuable upon exercise or conversion of its currently outstanding securities. No stockholder of the Company has entered into any agreements with respect to the voting of capital shares of the Company.
2.12 Financial Statements . The Company has delivered to each Purchaser its unaudited financial statements as of December 31, 2017 and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 (collectively, the Financial Statements ). The Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ( GAAP ) applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods indicated, except that the unaudited Financial Statements may not contain all footnotes required by GAAP. The Financial Statements fairly present in all material respects the financial condition and operating results of the Company as of the dates, and for the periods, indicated therein, subject in the case of the unaudited Financial Statements to normal year-end audit adjustments. Except as set forth in the Financial Statements, the Company has no material liabilities or obligations, contingent or otherwise, other than (i) liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business subsequent to December 31, 2017; (ii) obligations under contracts and commitments incurred in the ordinary course of business; and (iii) liabilities and obligations of a type or nature not required under GAAP to be reflected in the Financial Statements, which, in all such cases, individually and in the aggregate would not have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company maintains and will continue to maintain a standard system of accounting established and administered in accordance with GAAP.
2.13 Changes . Since December 31, 2017 there has not been:
(a) any change in the assets, liabilities, financial condition or operating results of the Company from that reflected in the Financial Statements, except changes in the ordinary course of business that have not caused, in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect;
(b) any material damage, destruction or loss, whether or not covered by insurance;
(c) any damage, destruction or loss, whether or not covered by insurance, that would have a Material Adverse Effect;
(d) any satisfaction or discharge of any lien, claim, or encumbrance or payment of any obligation by the Company, except in the ordinary course of business and the satisfaction or discharge of which would not have a Material Adverse Effect;
(e) any material change to a material contract or agreement by which the Company or any of its assets is bound or subject;
(f) any material change in any compensation arrangement or agreement with any employee, officer, director or stockholder;
(g) any resignation or termination of employment of Key Employee of the Company;
(h) any mortgage, pledge, transfer of a security interest in, or lien, created by the Company, with respect to any of its material properties or assets, except liens that arise in the ordinary course of business and do not materially impair the Companys ownership or use of such property or assets;
(i) any loans or guarantees made by the Company to or for the benefit of its employees, officers or directors, or any members of their immediate families, other than travel advances and other advances made in the ordinary course of its business;
(j) any declaration, setting aside or payment or other distribution in respect of any of the Companys capital stock, or any direct or indirect redemption, purchase, or other acquisition of any of such stock by the Company;
(k) any sale, assignment or transfer of any Company Intellectual Property that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
(l) receipt of notice that there has been a loss of, or material order cancellation by, any major customer, supplier or business partner of the Company;
(m) to the Companys knowledge, any other event or condition of any character, other than events affecting the economy or the Companys industry generally, that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; or
(n) any arrangement or commitment by the Company to do any of the things described in this Subsection 2.13 .
2.14 Employee Matters .
(a) To the Companys knowledge, none of its employees is obligated under any contract (including licenses, covenants or commitments of any nature) or other agreement, or subject to any judgment, decree or order of any court or administrative agency, that would materially interfere with such employees ability to promote the interest of the Company or that would conflict with the Companys business. Neither the execution or delivery of the Transaction Agreements, nor the carrying on of the Companys business by the employees of the Company, nor the conduct of the Companys business as now conducted and as presently proposed to be conducted, will, to the Companys knowledge, conflict with or result in a breach of the terms, conditions, or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any contract, covenant or instrument under which any such employee is now obligated.
(b) The Company is not delinquent in payments to any of its employees, consultants, or independent contractors for any wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, or other direct compensation for any service performed for it to the date hereof or amounts required to be reimbursed to such employees, consultants or independent contractors. The Company has complied in all material respects with all applicable state and federal equal employment opportunity laws and with other laws related to employment, including those related to wages, hours, worker classification and collective bargaining. The Company has withheld and paid to the appropriate governmental entity or is holding for payment not yet due to such governmental entity all amounts required to be withheld from employees of the Company and is not liable for any arrears of wages, taxes, penalties or other sums for failure to comply with any of the foregoing.
(c) To the Companys knowledge, no Key Employee intends to terminate employment with the Company or is otherwise likely to become unavailable to continue as a Key Employee. The Company does not have a present intention to terminate the employment of any of the foregoing. The employment of each employee of the Company is terminable at the will of the Company. Except as set forth in Sub section 2.15 of the Disclosure Schedule or as required by law, upon termination of the employment of any such employees, no severance or other payments will become due.
(d) The Company has not made any representations regarding equity incentives to any officer, employee, director or consultant that are inconsistent with the share amounts and terms set forth in the minutes of meetings of the Companys board of directors.
2.15 Tax Returns and Payments . The Company has duly and timely filed all material tax returns required to have been filed by it and has all taxes which are due and payable as shown on such returns.
2.16 Insurance . The Company has in full force and effect insurance policies concerning such casualties as would be reasonable and customary for companies like the Company with extended coverage, sufficient in amount (subject to reasonable deductions) to allow it to replace any of its properties that might be damaged or destroyed.
2.17 Permits . The Company has all franchises, permits, licenses and any similar authority necessary for the conduct of its business, the lack of which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company is not in default in any material respect under any of such franchises, permits, licenses or other similar authority.
2.18 Foreign Corrupt Practices Act . Neither the Company nor any of the Companys directors, officers, employees or agents have, directly or indirectly, made, offered, promised or authorized any payment or gift of any money or anything of value to or for the benefit of any foreign official (as such term is defined in the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended (the FCPA )), foreign political party or official thereof or candidate for foreign political office for the purpose of (i) influencing any official act or decision of such official, party or candidate, (ii) inducing such official, party or candidate to use his, her or its influence to affect any act or decision of a foreign governmental authority, or (iii) securing any improper advantage, in the case of (i), (ii) and (iii) above in order to assist the Company or any of its affiliates in obtaining or retaining business for or with, or directing business to, any person. Neither the Company nor any of its directors, officers, employees or agents have made or authorized any bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment of funds or received or retained any funds in violation of any law, rule or regulation. The Company further represents that it has maintained, and has caused each of its subsidiaries and affiliates to maintain, systems of internal controls (including, but not limited to, accounting systems, purchasing systems and billing systems) to ensure compliance with the FCPA or any other applicable anti-bribery or anti-corruption law. Neither the Company nor any of its officers, directors or employees are the subject of any allegation, voluntary disclosure, investigation, prosecution or other enforcement action related to the FCPA or any other anti-corruption law (collectively, Enforcement Action ).
3. Representations and Warranties of the Purchasers . Each Purchaser hereby separately but not jointly represents and warrants to the Company that:
3.1 Authorization . Such Purchaser has full power and authority to enter into the Transaction Agreements. The Transaction Agreements to which the Purchaser is a party, when executed and delivered by the Purchaser, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Purchaser, enforceable in accordance with their terms, except (a) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance and any other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors rights generally, and as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies, or (b) to the extent the indemnification provisions contained in the Transaction Agreements may be limited by applicable securities laws.
3.2 Purchaser Status . Such Purchaser has the knowledge, sophistication and experience necessary to make an investment decision like that involved in the purchase of the applicable Securities.
3.3 Regulation S Exemption . Each Purchaser understands that the Purchased Shares are being offered and sold to it in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of United States federal and state securities laws under Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act and that the Company is relying upon the truth and accuracy of the representations, warranties, agreements, acknowledgments and understandings of each Purchaser set forth herein in order to determine the applicability of such exemptions and the suitability of each Purchaser to acquire the Purchased Shares. In this regard, each Purchaser represents, warrants and agrees that:
(a) No Direct Selling Efforts. The Purchaser did not contact the Company as a result of any directed selling efforts in the United States as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act.
(b) Offshore Transaction. At the time of the origination of contact concerning this Agreement and the date of the execution and delivery of this Agreement, each Purchaser was outside the United States.
3.4 Disclosure of Information The Purchaser has had an opportunity to discuss the Companys business, management, financial affairs and the terms and conditions of the offering of the Shares with the Companys management. The foregoing, however, does not limit or modify the representations and warranties of the Company in Section 2 of this Agreement or the right of the Purchasers to rely thereon.
3.5 Restricted Securities . The Purchaser understands that the Shares have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act, by reason of a specific exemption from the registration provisions of the Securities Act which depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of the investment intent and the accuracy of the Purchasers representations as expressed herein. The Purchaser understands that the Shares are restricted securities under applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws and that, pursuant to these laws, the Purchaser must hold the Shares indefinitely unless they are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and qualified by state authorities, or an exemption from such registration and qualification requirements is available. The Purchaser acknowledges that the Company has no obligation to register or qualify the Shares, or the Ordinary Shares into which it may be converted, for resale except as set forth in the Shareholders Agreement. The Purchaser further acknowledges that if an exemption from registration or qualification is available, it may be conditioned on various requirements including, but not limited to, the time and manner of sale, the holding period for the Shares, and on requirements relating to the Company which are outside of the Purchasers control, and which the Company is under no obligation and may not be able to satisfy.
4. Conditions to the Purchasers Obligations at Closing . The obligations of each Purchaser to purchase Shares at the Closing are subject to the fulfillment, on or before the Closing, of each of the following conditions, unless otherwise waived:
4.1 Representations and Warranties . The representations and warranties contained in Section 2 shall be true and correct in all respects as of the Closing, except where the failure of such representations and warranties to be true and correct would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
4.2 Performance . The Company shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all covenants, agreements, obligations and conditions contained in this Agreement that are required to be performed or complied with by the Company on or before the Closing.
4.3 Closing Certificate . A duly authorized officer of the Company shall deliver to the Purchasers at the Closing a certificate (i) certifying that the conditions specified in Sub sections 4.1 and 4.2 have been fulfilled.
4.4 Restructuring . A Companys fully owned subsidiary in China shall have entered into a set of contractual arrangement with Shanghai Qiyu, Fuzhou Microcredit and their shareholder Beijing Qibutianxia so that the Company will be able to exercise effective control over Shanghai Qiyu and Fuzhou Microcredit; receive substantially all of the economic benefits of Shanghai Qiyu and Fuzhou Microcredit; and have an exclusive option to purchase all or part of the equity interests in and assets of Shanghai Qiyu and Fuzhou Microcredit when and to the extent permitted by PRC law.
5. Conditions of the Companys Obligations at Closing . The obligations of the Company to sell Shares to the Purchaser at the Closing are subject to the fulfillment, on or before the Closing, of each of the following conditions, unless otherwise waived:
5.1 Representations and Warranties . The representations and warranties of the Purchaser contained in Section 3 shall be true and correct in all respects as of the Closing, except where the failure of such representations and warranties to be true and correct would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.2 Performance . The Purchasers shall have performed and complied with all covenants, agreements, obligations and conditions contained in this Agreement that are required to be performed or complied with by them on or before the Closing.
5.3 Proceedings and Documents . All corporate and other proceedings in connection with the transactions contemplated at the Closing and all documents incident thereto shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Company, and the Company shall have received all such counterpart original and certified or other copies of such documents as reasonably requested. Such documents may include good standing certificates.
6. Termination .
6.1 Termination Events . Subject to Sub section 6.2 , by notice given prior to the Closing, this Agreement may be terminated as follows:
(a) by mutual consent of all Parties;
(b) by the Purchasers if (i) a material breach of any provision of this Agreement has been committed by the Company, (ii) satisfaction of any condition in Section 4 by December 31, 2018 or such later date as the Parties may agree upon (the End Date ) becomes impossible (other than through the failure of any Purchaser to comply with its obligations under this Agreement), or (iii) if the Closing has not occurred on or before the End Date, unless the Purchaser is in material breach of this Agreement;
(c) by the Company if (i) a material breach of any provision of this Agreement has been committed by the Purchaser, (ii) satisfaction of any condition in Section 5 by the End Date becomes impossible (other than through the failure of the Company to comply with its obligations under this Agreement), or (iii) if the Closing has not occurred on or before the End Date, unless the Company is in material breach of this Agreement.
6.2 Effect of Termination . Each Partys right of termination under Sub section 6.1 is in addition to any other right it may have under this Agreement or otherwise, and the exercise of a Partys right of termination will not constitute an election of remedies. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Sub section 6.1 , this Agreement will be of no further force or effect; provided, however, that (i) this Sub section 6.2 and Section 8 will survive the termination of this Agreement and will remain in full force and effect, and (ii) the termination of this Agreement will not relieve any Party from any liability for any breach of this Agreement occurring prior to termination.
7. Indemnification .
7.1 Survival of Warranties . The representations and warranties of the Warrantors and the Purchasers contained in or made pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the Closing.
7.2 Indemnification by the Warrantors . Subject to the other terms and conditions of this Section 7 , the Warrantors shall indemnify each Purchaser against, and shall hold each Purchaser harmless from and against, any and all Losses incurred or sustained by, or imposed upon, such Purchaser based upon, arising out of, with respect to or by reason of:
(a) any inaccuracy in or breach of any of the representations or warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement; or
(b) any breach or non-fulfillment of any covenant, agreement or obligation to be performed by the Company pursuant to this Agreement.
7.3 Indemnification By the Purchasers . Subject to the other terms and conditions of this Section 7 , each Purchaser shall indemnify the Warrantors against, and shall hold the Warrantors harmless from and against, any and all Losses incurred or sustained by, or imposed upon, the Company based upon, arising out of, with respect to or by reason of:
(a) any inaccuracy in or breach of any of the representations or warranties of such Purchaser contained in this Agreement; or
(b) any breach or non-fulfillment of any covenant, agreement or obligation to be performed by such Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement.
7.4 Certain Limitations . A Party making a claim under this Section 7 is referred to as the Indemnified Party , and a Party against whom such claims are asserted under this Section 7 is referred to as the Indemnifying Party . The indemnification provided for in Section 7.2 and Section 7.3 shall be subject to the following limitations:
(a) The Indemnifying Party shall not be liable to the Indemnified Party for indemnification under Section 7.2 or Section 7.3 , as the case may be, until the aggregate amount of all Losses in respect of indemnification under Section 7.2 or Section 7.3 exceeds $1 million (the Deductible ), in which event the Indemnifying Party shall only be required to pay or be liable for Losses in excess of the Deductible.
(b) The aggregate amount of all Losses for which an Indemnifying Party shall be liable pursuant to Section 7.2 or Section 7.3 as the case may be, shall not exceed 10% of the purchase price paid or received, as appropriate, by the Indemnified Party pursuant to this Agreement.
(c) Payments by an Indemnifying Party pursuant to Section 7.2 or Section 7.3 in respect of any Loss shall be limited to the amount of any liability or damage that remains after deducting therefrom any insurance proceeds and any indemnity, contribution or other similar payment received or reasonably expected to be received by the Indemnified Party in respect of any such claim. The Indemnified Party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to recover under insurance policies or indemnity, contribution or other similar agreements for any Losses prior to seeking indemnification under this Agreement.
(d) Payments by an Indemnifying Party pursuant to Section 7.2 or Section 7.3 in respect of any Loss shall be reduced by an amount equal to any tax benefit realized or reasonably expected to be realized as a result of such Loss by the Indemnified Party.
(e) In no event shall any Indemnifying Party be liable to any Indemnified Party for any punitive, incidental, consequential, special or indirect damages, including loss of future revenue or income, loss of business reputation or opportunity relating to the breach or alleged breach of this Agreement, or diminution of value or any damages based on any type of multiple.
(f) Each Indemnified Party shall take, and cause its Affiliates to take, all reasonable steps to mitigate any Loss upon becoming aware of any event or circumstance that would be reasonably expected to, or does, give rise thereto, including incurring costs only to the minimum extent necessary to remedy the breach that gives rise to such Loss.
(g) The Indemnifying Party shall not be liable under this Section 7 for any Losses based upon or arising out of any inaccuracy in or breach of any of the representations or warranties contained in Section 2 or Section 3 if the Indemnified Party had knowledge of such inaccuracy or breach prior to the Closing.
7.5 Indemnification Procedures .
(a) Third-Party Claims . If any Indemnified Party receives notice of the assertion or commencement of any action, suit, claim or other legal proceeding made or brought by any Person who is not a party to this Agreement or an Affiliate of a party to this Agreement or a Representative of the foregoing (a Third-Party Claim ) against such Indemnified Party with respect to which the Indemnifying Party is obligated to provide indemnification under this Agreement, the Indemnified Party shall give the Indemnifying Party prompt written notice thereof. The failure to give such prompt written notice shall not, however, relieve the Indemnifying Party of its indemnification obligations, except and only to the extent that the Indemnifying Party forfeits rights or defenses by reason of such failure. Such notice by the Indemnified Party shall describe the Third-Party Claim in reasonable detail, shall include copies of all material written evidence thereof and shall indicate the estimated amount, if reasonably practicable, of the Loss that has been or may be sustained by the Indemnified Party. The Indemnifying Party shall have the right to participate in, or by giving written notice to the Indemnified Party, to assume the defense of any Third-Party Claim at the Indemnifying Partys expense and by the Indemnifying Partys own counsel, and the Indemnified Party shall cooperate in good faith in such defense. In the event that the Indemnifying Party assumes the defense of any Third-Party Claim, subject to Section 7.5(b) , it shall have the right to take such action as it deems necessary to avoid, dispute, defend, appeal or make counterclaims pertaining to any such Third-Party Claim in the name and on behalf of the Indemnified Party. The Indemnified Party shall have the right, at its own cost and expense, to participate in the defense of any Third-Party Claim with counsel selected by it subject to the Indemnifying Partys right to control the defense thereof. If the Indemnifying Party elects not to compromise or defend such Third-Party Claim or fails to promptly notify the Indemnified Party in writing of its election to defend as provided in this Agreement, the Indemnified Party may, subject to Section 7.5(b) , pay, compromise, defend such Third-Party Claim and seek indemnification for any and all Losses based upon, arising from or relating to such Third-Party Claim. Seller and Buyer shall cooperate with each other in all reasonable respects in connection with the defense of any Third-Party Claim, including making available records relating to such Third-Party Claim and furnishing, without expense (other than reimbursement of actual out-of-pocket expenses) to the defending party, management employees of the non-defending party as may be reasonably necessary for the preparation of the defense of such Third-Party Claim.
(b) Settlement of Third-Party Claims . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Indemnifying Party shall not enter into settlement of any Third-Party Claim without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), except as provided in this Section 7.5(b) . If a firm offer is made to settle a Third-Party Claim without leading to liability or the creation of a financial or other obligation on the part of the Indemnified Party and provides, in customary form, for the unconditional release of each Indemnified Party from all liabilities and obligations in connection with such Third-Party Claim and the Indemnifying Party desires to accept and agree to such offer, the Indemnifying Party shall give written notice to that effect to the Indemnified Party. If the Indemnified Party fails to consent to such firm offer within ten days after its receipt of such notice, the Indemnified Party may continue to contest or defend such Third-Party Claim and in such event, the maximum liability of the Indemnifying Party as to such Third-Party Claim shall not exceed the amount of such settlement offer. If the Indemnified Party fails to consent to such firm offer and also fails to assume defense of such Third-Party Claim, the Indemnifying Party may settle the Third-Party Claim upon the terms set forth in such firm offer to settle such Third-Party Claim. If the Indemnified Party has assumed the defense pursuant to Section 7.5(a) , it shall not agree to any settlement without the written consent of the Indemnifying Party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed).
8. Miscellaneous .
8.1 Confidentiality .
(a) Subject to the disclosures permitted by Section (b) , each of the Parties acknowledges that the information being provided to such Party (the Receiving Party ) in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement may be material non-public information and hereby covenants and agrees to keep, and cause its Affiliates and its and its Affiliates directors, officers, employees, accountants, agents, counsel and other representatives (collectively, Representatives ) to keep confidential any information identified by the Party providing information hereunder (the Providing Party ) as confidential, unless (a) such information becomes generally available to the public (other than as a result of a breach of this Section 8.1 by the Receiving Party, its Affiliates or their Representatives), (b) such information was available to the Receiving Party on a non-confidential basis from a source (other than the Providing Party, its Affiliates or their Representatives) that, to the Receiving Partys knowledge, is not and was not prohibited from disclosing such information to such Receiving Party by a contractual, legal or fiduciary obligation (c) the Receiving Party is required by applicable law, regulation, rule, court order and subpoena, governmental order or listing rule to disclose such information or (d) such information will be included in the proxy statement, the circular or any other materials, if applicable, for the purpose of the shareholders meeting approving the transaction contemplated hereby; provided, however, that in an event specified in clause (c) above, the Receiving Party shall provide the Providing Party, if legally permissible and practicable, with prompt prior written notice of such required disclosure and that the Receiving Party shall disclose only that portion of the confidential information that such Receiving Party is advised by counsel is legally required.
(b) None of the Parties, nor any of their respective Affiliates, shall issue any press release or other public announcement or communication with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby without the prior written consent of the other Parties, except to the extent a Partys counsel deems such disclosure necessary in order to comply with any law issued by any securities exchange or other similar regulatory body, shall limit such disclosure to the information such counsel advises is required to comply with such law, governmental order or listing rule and if reasonably practicable, shall consult with the other Parties regarding such disclosure and give good faith consideration to any suggested changes to such disclosure from the other Parties.
(c) Notwithstanding anything in Section 8 of this Agreement, the Receiving Party may disclose information in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to any prospective purchaser of any Share or derivative instrument linked to any Share from such Receiving Party, provided that, (i) such prospective purchaser agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Sub section 8.1 , and (ii) such disclosure happens after the Closing.
8.2 Amendment . Any provision of this Agreement may be amended if, but only if, such amendment is in writing and is duly executed and delivered by or on behalf of each of the Parties.
8.3 Successors and Assigns . The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the respective successors and assigns of the Parties. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any party other than the Parties hereto or their respective successors and assigns any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement, except as expressly provided in this Agreement.
8.4 Governing Law; Dispute Resolution .
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by the of the Hong Kong, without regard to conflict of law principles that would result in the application of any law other than the law of Hong Kong.
(b) Any dispute shall be settled by arbitration in Hong Kong administered by the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (the HKIAC ) in accordance with the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre Administered Rules (the HKIAC Rules ) then in force. There shall be three (3) arbitrators. Each of claimant and respondent shall appoint one (1) arbitrator and the third (3rd) arbitrator shall be appointed by the HKIAC Council. For the sake of clarity, the seat of arbitration shall be Hong Kong.
(c) The arbitral proceedings shall be conducted in English. To the extent that the HKIAC Rules are in conflict with the provisions of this Section 8.4 , including the provisions concerning the appointment of the arbitrators, the provisions of this Section 8.4 shall prevail.
(d) Each party to the arbitration shall cooperate with each other party to the arbitration in making full disclosure of and providing complete access to all information and documents requested by such other party in connection with such arbitral proceedings, subject only to any confidentiality obligations binding on such party.
(e) The award of the arbitral tribunal shall be final and binding upon the parties thereto, and the prevailing party may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for enforcement of such award.
(f) The Parties agree that the arbitral tribunal shall have the power to award equitable remedies (including specific performance). Any party to the Dispute shall be entitled to seek interim measures of protection and emergency relief in aid of arbitration from any court of competent jurisdiction. Application for such protective or similar emergency interim relief shall not be deemed inconsistent with the agreement to arbitrate or deemed a waiver of the right to arbitrate.
(g) During the course of the arbitral tribunals adjudication of the Dispute, this Agreement shall continue to be performed except with respect to the part in Dispute and under adjudication.
8.5 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in two (2) or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.
8.6 Titles and Subtitles . The titles and subtitles used in this Agreement are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Agreement.
8.7 Notices . All notices and other communications given or made pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon the earlier of actual receipt, or (a) personal delivery to the party to be notified, (b) when sent, if sent by electronic mail or facsimile during normal business hours of the recipient, and if not sent during normal business hours, then on the recipients next business day, (c) five (5) days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (d) one (1) business day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, freight prepaid, specifying next business day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All communications shall be sent to the respective Parties at their address as set forth on the signature page or Exhibit A, or to such e-mail address, facsimile number or address as subsequently modified by written notice given in accordance with this Sub section 8.7 .
8.8 No Finders Fees . Each party represents that it neither is nor will be obligated for any finders fee or commission in connection with this transaction.
8.9 Attorneys Fees . If any action at law or in equity (including, arbitration) is necessary to enforce or interpret the terms of any of the Transaction Agreements, the prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys fees, costs and necessary disbursements in addition to any other relief to which such party may be entitled.
8.10 Severability . The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision hereof shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision.
8.11 Delays or Omissions . No delay or omission to exercise any right, power or remedy accruing to any party under this Agreement, upon any breach or default of any other party under this Agreement, shall impair any such right, power or remedy of such non-breaching or non-defaulting party nor shall it be construed to be a waiver of any such breach or default, or an acquiescence therein, or of or in any similar breach or default thereafter occurring; nor shall any waiver of any single breach or default be deemed a waiver of any other breach or default theretofore or thereafter occurring. Any waiver, permit, consent or approval of any kind or character on the part of any party of any breach or default under this Agreement, or any waiver on the part of any party of any provisions or conditions of this Agreement, must be in writing and shall be effective only to the extent specifically set forth in such writing. All remedies, either under this Agreement or by law or otherwise afforded to any party, shall be cumulative and not alternative.
8.12 Entire Agreement . This Agreement (including the Exhibits hereto), the Shareholders Agreement, the Restated M&AA and the other Transaction Agreements constitute the full and entire understanding and agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and any other written or oral agreement relating to the subject matter hereof existing between the Parties are expressly canceled.
8.13 No Commitment for Additional Financing . The Company acknowledges and agrees that no Purchaser has made any representation, undertaking, commitment or agreement to provide or assist the Company in obtaining any financing, investment or other assistance, other than the purchase of the Shares as set forth herein and subject to the conditions set forth herein. In addition, the Company acknowledges and agrees that (i) no statements, whether written or oral, made by any Purchaser or its representatives on or after the date of this Agreement shall create an obligation, commitment or agreement to provide or assist the Company in obtaining any financing or investment, (ii) the Company shall not rely on any such statement by any Purchaser or its representatives, and (iii) an obligation, commitment or agreement to provide or assist the Company in obtaining any financing or investment may only be created by a written agreement, signed by such Purchaser and the Company, setting forth the terms and conditions of such financing or investment and stating that the Parties intend for such writing to be a binding obligation or agreement. Each Purchaser shall have the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to refuse or decline to participate in any other financing of or investment in the Company, and shall have no obligation to assist or cooperate with the Company in obtaining any financing, investment or other assistance.
8.14 No Third Party Right . The Parties do not intend that any term of this Agreement should be enforceable by any person who is not a party to this Agreement by virtue of the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Ordinance (Cap. 623) or otherwise. Notwithstanding any benefits possibly conferred by this Agreement on any third party by virtue of the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Ordinance (Cap. 623), the Parties may amend, vary, waive, terminate or rescind this Agreement at any time and in any way without the consent of any Third Party.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Series B Preferred Shares Purchase Agreement as of the date first written above.
COMPANY:
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360 Finance, Inc. |
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By: |
/s/ ZHOU Hongyi |
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Name: |
ZHOU Hongyi |
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(print) |
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Title: |
Director |
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Address: |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Series B Preferred Shares Purchase Agreement as of the date first written above.
PURCHASERS:
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MAX DYNAMIC BUSINESS LIMITED |
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By: |
/s/ CHENG Congwu |
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Name: |
CHENG Congwu |
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(print) |
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Title: |
Director |
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Address: |
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Exhibit A
Schedule of Purchasers
Name |
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Jurisdiction of Organization |
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Number of Shares to
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Total Purchase Price
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Max Dynamic Business Limited |
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BVI |
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1,225,440 |
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10,000,000 |
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. |
Purchase and Sale of Series B Preferred Shares |
1 |
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1.1 |
Sale and Issuance of Series B Preferred Shares |
1 |
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1.2 |
Closing; Delivery |
1 |
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1.3 |
Defined Terms Used in this Agreement |
2 |
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2. |
Representations and Warranties of the Company |
3 |
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2.1 |
Organization, Good Standing, Corporate Power and Qualification |
3 |
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2.2 |
Capitalization |
3 |
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2.3 |
Authorization |
4 |
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2.4 |
Valid Issuance of Shares |
4 |
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2.5 |
Governmental Consents and Filings |
4 |
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2.6 |
Litigation |
4 |
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2.7 |
Intellectual Property |
5 |
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2.8 |
Compliance with Other Instruments |
5 |
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2.9 |
Agreements; Actions |
6 |
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2.10 |
Certain Transactions |
6 |
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2.11 |
Rights of Registration and Voting Rights |
7 |
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2.12 |
Financial Statements |
7 |
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2.13 |
Changes |
7 |
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2.14 |
Employee Matters |
8 |
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2.15 |
Tax Returns and Payments |
9 |
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2.16 |
Insurance |
9 |
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2.17 |
Permits |
9 |
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2.18 |
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act |
9 |
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3. |
Representations and Warranties of the Purchasers |
10 |
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3.1 |
Authorization |
10 |
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3.2 |
Purchaser Status |
10 |
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3.3 |
Regulation S Exemption |
10 |
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3.4 |
Disclosure of Information |
11 |
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3.5 |
Restricted Securities |
11 |
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4. |
Conditions to the Purchasers Obligations at Closing |
11 |
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4.1 |
Representations and Warranties |
11 |
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4.2 |
Performance |
11 |
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4.3 |
Closing Certificate |
11 |
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4.4 |
Restructuring |
11 |
SERIES B PREFERRED SHARES PURCHASE AGREEMENT
THIS SERIES B PREFERRED SHARES PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this Agreement ), is made as of 9 th , Aug. 2018 by and between
(a) 360 Finance, Inc., a Cayman Islands company (the Company );
(b) Shanghai Qiyu Information Technology Co., Ltd., a PRC company ( Shanghai Qiyu );
(c) Fuzhou 360 Online Microcredit Co., Ltd., a PRC company ( Fuzhou Microcredit ); and
(d) the investors listed on Exhibit A attached to this Agreement (each a Purchaser and together the Purchasers ).
Each of the Company, Shanghai Qiyu, Fuzhou Microcredit and the Purchasers is referred to herein individually as a Party and collectively as the Parties .
The Parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Purchase and Sale of Series B Preferred Shares .
1.1 Sale and Issuance of Series B Preferred Shares .
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each Purchaser agrees to purchase at the Closing and the Company agrees to sell and issue to each Purchaser at the Closing that number of Series B preferred shares, $0.00001 par value per share (the Series B Preferred Shares ), set forth opposite each Purchasers name on Exhibit A at a purchase price of $8.16033697 per share, at the Closing (as defined below). The Series B Preferred Shares issued to the Purchasers pursuant to this Agreement shall be referred to in this Agreement as the Shares .
1.2 Closing; Delivery .
(a) The purchase and sale of the Shares shall take place remotely via the exchange of documents and signatures, at 10: 00 a.m., on [20 th Aug, 2018] (Beijing time), or at such other time and place as the Company and the Purchasers mutually agree upon, orally or in writing (which time and place are designated as the Closing ).
(b) At the Closing, the Company shall deliver to each Purchaser (i) share certificate representing the Shares being purchased by such Purchaser at the Closing, and (ii) a copy of the register of members of the Company, certified by the registered agent or a director of the Company, reflecting the issuance of the Shares to the Purchaser, against the payment for the Shares by wire transfer to a bank account designated by the Company.
1.3 Defined Terms Used in this Agreement . In addition to the terms defined above, the following terms used in this Agreement shall be construed to have the meanings set forth or referenced below.
(a) Affiliate means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person who, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such Person, including, without limitation, any general partner, managing member, officer or director of such Person or any venture capital fund now or hereafter existing that is controlled by one or more general partners or managing members of, or shares the same management company with, such Person.
(b) China or the PRC means the Peoples Republic of China, excluding, for the purposes of this Agreement only, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan
(c) Company Intellectual Property means all patents, patent applications, trademarks, trademark applications, service marks, service mark applications, tradenames, copyrights, trade secrets, domain names, mask works, information and proprietary rights and processes, similar or other intellectual property rights, subject matter of any of the foregoing, tangible embodiments of any of the foregoing, licenses in, to and under any of the foregoing, and any and all such cases that are owned or used by the Company in the conduct of the Companys business as now conducted and as presently proposed to be conducted.
(d) Equity Securities means any equity interests of the Company, however described or whether voting or nonvoting, and any securities convertible or exchangeable into, and options, warrants or other rights to acquire, any equity interests or equity-linked interests of the Company.
(e) Shareholders Agreement means the agreement among the Company and the Purchaser and certain other shareholders of the Company dated as of the date of the Closing.
(f) Key Employee means any executive-level employee (including vice president-level or higher positions).
(g) Knowledge including the phrase to the Companys knowledge shall mean the actual knowledge after reasonable investigation of the Key Employees.
(h) Losses means actual out-of-pocket losses, damages, liabilities, costs or expenses.
(i) Material Adverse Effect means a material adverse effect on the business, assets (including intangible assets), liabilities, financial condition, property, prospects or results of operations of the Company.
(j) Person means any individual, corporation, partnership, trust, limited liability company, association or other entity.
(k) Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(l) Transaction Agreements means this Agreement, the Shareholders Agreement and, the Restated M&AA any other agreements, instruments or documents entered into in connection with this Agreement.
2. Representations and Warranties of the Company . The Company, Shanghai Qiyu and Fuzhou Microcredit (collectively the Warrantors ) hereby jointly and severally represent and warrant to each Purchaser that, except as set forth on the Disclosure Schedule attached as Exhibit B to this Agreement, which exceptions shall be deemed to be part of the representations and warranties made hereunder, the following representations are true and correct. The Disclosure Schedule shall be arranged in sections corresponding to the numbered and lettered sections and subsections contained in this Section 2 , and the disclosures in any section or subsection of the Disclosure Schedule shall qualify other sections and subsections in this Section 2 .
For purposes of these representations and warranties (other than those in Subsections 2.2 , 2.3 , 2.4 , and 2.5 ), the term the Company shall include any subsidiaries of the Company, Shanghai Qiyu and Fuzhou Microcredit, unless otherwise noted herein.
2.1 Organization, Good Standing, Corporate Power and Qualification . The Company is an exempted company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the place of its incorporation or establishment and has all requisite corporate power and authority to carry on its business as presently conducted and as proposed to be conducted. The Company is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the failure to so qualify would have a Material Adverse Effect.
2.2 Capitalization .
(a) Immediately prior to the issuance of any Series B Preferred Shares, there will be:
(i) a total of 281,851,108 shares that are (a) either issued and outstanding as class A ordinary shares (the Class A Ordinary Shares ), class B ordinary shares (the Class B Ordinary Shares ), class C ordinary shares (the Class C Ordinary Shares , together with Class A Ordinary Shares, Class B Ordinary Shares, the Ordinary Shares ), series A preferred shares (the Series A Preferred Shares ) or series A+ preferred shares (the Series A+ Preferred Shares , together with Series B Preferred Shares and Series A Preferred Shares, the Preferred Shares ), (b) or reserved for issuance pursuant to the Stock Plan;
(ii) 36,763,190 shares authorized as Series B Preferred Shares.
(b) The Company has reserved 25,336,096 shares of Class A Ordinary Shares for issuance to officers, directors, employees and consultants of the Company pursuant to its 2018 Stock Plan duly adopted by the Board of Directors and approved by the Company shareholders (the Stock Plan ).
(c) None of the Companys stock purchase agreements or stock option documents contains a provision for acceleration of vesting (or lapse of a repurchase right) or other changes in the vesting provisions or other terms of such agreement or understanding upon the occurrence of any event or combination of events, including without limitation in the case where the Companys Stock Plan is not assumed in an acquisition. The Company has never adjusted or amended the exercise price of any stock options previously awarded, whether through amendment, cancellation, replacement grant, repricing, or any other means. Except as set forth in the Restated M&AA, the Company has no obligation (contingent or otherwise) to purchase or redeem any of its Equity Securities.
2.3 Authorization . The Company has all necessary corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement, and to issue the Shares at the Closing and the Ordinary Shares issuable upon conversion of the Shares. The Transaction Agreements, when executed and delivered by the Company, shall constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms except (i) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance, or other laws of general application relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors rights generally (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding), (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief, or other equitable remedies, or (iii) to the extent the indemnification provisions contained in the Transaction Agreements may be limited by applicable laws.
2.4 Valid Issuance of Shares . The Shares, when issued, sold and delivered in accordance with the terms and for the consideration set forth in this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free of restrictions on transfer other than restrictions on transfer under the Transaction Agreements, applicable laws and liens or encumbrances created by or imposed by a Purchaser. Assuming the accuracy of the representations of the Purchasers in Section 3 of this Agreement, the Shares will be issued in compliance with applicable securities laws. The Ordinary Shares issuable upon conversion of the Shares has been duly reserved for issuance, and upon issuance in accordance with the terms of the Restated M&AA, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free of restrictions on transfer other than restrictions on transfer under the Transaction Agreements, applicable laws and liens or encumbrances created by or imposed by a Purchaser. Based in part upon the representations of the Purchasers in Section 3 of this Agreement, the Ordinary Shares issuable upon conversion of the Shares will be issued in compliance with securities laws.
2.5 Governmental Consents and Filings . Assuming the accuracy of the representations made by the Purchasers in Section 3 of this Agreement, no consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration, qualification, designation, declaration or filing with, any governmental authority is required on the part of the Company in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except for the filing of the Restated M&AA, and such consents, approvals, orders or authorizations, registrations, qualifications, designations, and declarations which, in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
2.6 Litigation . There is no claim, action, suit, proceeding, arbitration, complaint, or charge pending or to the Companys knowledge, currently threatened (i) against the Company or any officer, director or Key Employee of the Company arising out of their employment or board relationship with the Company; or (ii) to the Companys knowledge, that questions the validity of the Transaction Agreements or the right of the Company to enter into them, or to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreements; or (iii) to the Companys knowledge, which if determined adversely to the Company would reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor, to the Companys knowledge, any of its officers, directors or Key Employees is a party or is named as subject to the provisions of any order, writ, injunction, judgment or decree of any court or government agency or instrumentality (in the case of officers, directors or Key Employees, such as would affect the Company). There is no action, suit, proceeding or investigation by the Company pending or which the Company intends to initiate. The foregoing includes, without limitation, actions, suits, proceedings or investigations pending or threatened in writing (or any basis therefor known to the Company) involving the prior employment of any of the Companys employees, their services provided in connection with the Companys business, any information or techniques allegedly proprietary to any of their former employers or their obligations under any agreements with prior employers.
2.7 Intellectual Property . The Company owns or possesses or believes it can acquire on commercially reasonable terms sufficient legal rights to all Company Intellectual Property without any known conflict with, or infringement of, the rights of others. To the Companys knowledge, no product or service marketed or sold (or proposed to be marketed or sold) by the Company violates or will violate any license or infringes or will infringe any intellectual property rights of any other party. Other than with respect to commercially available software products under standard end-user object code license agreements, there are no outstanding options, licenses, agreements, claims, encumbrances or shared ownership interests of any kind relating to the Company Intellectual Property, nor is the Company bound by or a party to any options, licenses or agreements of any kind with respect to the patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, trade secrets, licenses, information, proprietary rights and processes of any other Person. The Company has not received any communications alleging that the Company has violated, or by conducting its business, would violate any of the patents, trademarks, service marks, tradenames, copyrights, trade secrets, mask works or other proprietary rights or processes of any other Person. The Company has obtained and possesses valid licenses to use all of the software programs present on the computers and other software-enabled electronic devices that it owns or leases or that it has otherwise provided to its employees for their use in connection with the Companys business.
2.8 Compliance with Other Instruments . The Company is not in violation or default (i) of any provisions of its Restated M&AA or Bylaws, (ii) of any instrument, judgment, order, writ or decree, (iii) under any note, indenture or mortgage, or (iv) under any lease, agreement, contract or purchase order to which it is a party or by which it is bound that is required to be listed on the Disclosure Schedule, or (v) to its knowledge, of any provision of any judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Company, the violation of which would have a Material Adverse Effect. The execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Agreements and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreements will not result in any such violation or be in conflict with or constitute, with or without the passage of time and giving of notice, either (i) a default under any such provision, instrument, judgment, order, writ, decree, contract or agreement; or (ii) an event which results in the creation of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any assets of the Company or the suspension, revocation, forfeiture, or nonrenewal of any material permit or license applicable to the Company.
2.9 Agreements; Actions .
(a) Except for the Transaction Agreements, there are no agreements, understandings, instruments, contracts or proposed transactions to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound that involve (i) obligations (contingent or otherwise) of, or payments to, the Company in excess of RMB100 million (ii) the license of any patent, copyright, trademark, trade secret or other proprietary right to or from the Company, (iii) the grant of rights to manufacture, produce, assemble, license, market, or sell its products to any other Person that limit the Companys exclusive right to develop, manufacture, assemble, distribute, market or sell its products, or (iv) indemnification by the Company with respect to infringements of proprietary rights.
(b) The Company has not (i) declared or paid any dividends, or authorized or made any distribution upon or with respect to any class or series of its capital stock, (ii) incurred any indebtedness for money borrowed or incurred any other liabilities individually in excess of RMB100 million or in excess of RMB200 million in the aggregate, (iii) made any loans or advances to any Person, other than ordinary advances for travel expenses, or (iv) sold, exchanged or otherwise disposed of any of its assets or rights, other than the sale of its inventory in the ordinary course of business. For the purposes of (a) and (b) of this Subsection 2.5 , all indebtedness, liabilities, agreements, understandings, instruments, contracts and proposed transactions involving the same Person (including Persons the Company has reason to believe are affiliated with each other) shall be aggregated for the purpose of meeting the individual minimum dollar amounts of such subsection.
(c) The Company is not a guarantor or indemnitor of any indebtedness of any other Person.
2.10 Certain Transactions .
(a) Other than (i) standard employee benefits generally made available to all employees, (ii) standard director and officer indemnification agreements approved by the Board of Directors, and (iii) the purchase of shares of the Companys capital stock and the issuance of options to purchase shares of the Companys Ordinary Shares, in each instance, approved in the written minutes of the Board of Directors (previously provided to the Purchasers or their counsel), there are no agreements, understandings or proposed transactions between the Company and any of its officers, directors, consultants or Key Employees, or any Affiliate thereof.
(b) The Company is not indebted, directly or indirectly, to any of its directors, officers or employees or to their respective spouses or children or to any Affiliate of any of the foregoing, other than in connection with expenses or advances of expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business or employee relocation expenses and for other customary employee benefits made generally available to all employees. None of the Companys directors, officers or employees, or any members of their immediate families, or any Affiliate of the foregoing are, directly or indirectly, indebted to the Company or, to the Companys knowledge, have any (i) material commercial, industrial, banking, consulting, legal, accounting, charitable or familial relationship with any of the Companys customers, suppliers, service providers, joint venture partners, licensees and competitors, (ii) direct or indirect ownership interest in any firm or corporation with which the Company is affiliated or with which the Company has a business relationship, or any firm or corporation which competes with the Company except that directors, officers, employees or shareholders of the Company may own stock in (but not exceeding two percent (2%) of the outstanding capital stock of) publicly traded companies that may compete with the Company; or (iii) financial interest in any material contract with the Company.
2.11 Rights of Registration and Voting Rights . The Company is not under any obligation to register under the Securities Act any of its currently outstanding securities or any securities issuable upon exercise or conversion of its currently outstanding securities. No stockholder of the Company has entered into any agreements with respect to the voting of capital shares of the Company.
2.12 Financial Statements . The Company has delivered to each Purchaser its unaudited financial statements as of December 31, 2017 and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 (collectively, the Financial Statements ). The Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ( GAAP ) applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods indicated, except that the unaudited Financial Statements may not contain all footnotes required by GAAP. The Financial Statements fairly present in all material respects the financial condition and operating results of the Company as of the dates, and for the periods, indicated therein, subject in the case of the unaudited Financial Statements to normal year-end audit adjustments. Except as set forth in the Financial Statements, the Company has no material liabilities or obligations, contingent or otherwise, other than (i) liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business subsequent to December 31, 2017; (ii) obligations under contracts and commitments incurred in the ordinary course of business; and (iii) liabilities and obligations of a type or nature not required under GAAP to be reflected in the Financial Statements, which, in all such cases, individually and in the aggregate would not have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company maintains and will continue to maintain a standard system of accounting established and administered in accordance with GAAP.
2.13 Changes . Since December 31, 2017 there has not been:
(a) any change in the assets, liabilities, financial condition or operating results of the Company from that reflected in the Financial Statements, except changes in the ordinary course of business that have not caused, in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect;
(b) any material damage, destruction or loss, whether or not covered by insurance;
(c) any damage, destruction or loss, whether or not covered by insurance, that would have a Material Adverse Effect;
(d) any satisfaction or discharge of any lien, claim, or encumbrance or payment of any obligation by the Company, except in the ordinary course of business and the satisfaction or discharge of which would not have a Material Adverse Effect;
(e) any material change to a material contract or agreement by which the Company or any of its assets is bound or subject;
(f) any material change in any compensation arrangement or agreement with any employee, officer, director or stockholder;
(g) any resignation or termination of employment of Key Employee of the Company;
(h) any mortgage, pledge, transfer of a security interest in, or lien, created by the Company, with respect to any of its material properties or assets, except liens that arise in the ordinary course of business and do not materially impair the Companys ownership or use of such property or assets;
(i) any loans or guarantees made by the Company to or for the benefit of its employees, officers or directors, or any members of their immediate families, other than travel advances and other advances made in the ordinary course of its business;
(j) any declaration, setting aside or payment or other distribution in respect of any of the Companys capital stock, or any direct or indirect redemption, purchase, or other acquisition of any of such stock by the Company;
(k) any sale, assignment or transfer of any Company Intellectual Property that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
(l) receipt of notice that there has been a loss of, or material order cancellation by, any major customer, supplier or business partner of the Company;
(m) to the Companys knowledge, any other event or condition of any character, other than events affecting the economy or the Companys industry generally, that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; or
(n) any arrangement or commitment by the Company to do any of the things described in this Subsection 2.13 .
2.14 Employee Matters .
(a) To the Companys knowledge, none of its employees is obligated under any contract (including licenses, covenants or commitments of any nature) or other agreement, or subject to any judgment, decree or order of any court or administrative agency, that would materially interfere with such employees ability to promote the interest of the Company or that would conflict with the Companys business. Neither the execution or delivery of the Transaction Agreements, nor the carrying on of the Companys business by the employees of the Company, nor the conduct of the Companys business as now conducted and as presently proposed to be conducted, will, to the Companys knowledge, conflict with or result in a breach of the terms, conditions, or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any contract, covenant or instrument under which any such employee is now obligated.
(b) The Company is not delinquent in payments to any of its employees, consultants, or independent contractors for any wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, or other direct compensation for any service performed for it to the date hereof or amounts required to be reimbursed to such employees, consultants or independent contractors. The Company has complied in all material respects with all applicable state and federal equal employment opportunity laws and with other laws related to employment, including those related to wages, hours, worker classification and collective bargaining. The Company has withheld and paid to the appropriate governmental entity or is holding for payment not yet due to such governmental entity all amounts required to be withheld from employees of the Company and is not liable for any arrears of wages, taxes, penalties or other sums for failure to comply with any of the foregoing.
(c) To the Companys knowledge, no Key Employee intends to terminate employment with the Company or is otherwise likely to become unavailable to continue as a Key Employee. The Company does not have a present intention to terminate the employment of any of the foregoing. The employment of each employee of the Company is terminable at the will of the Company. Except as set forth in Sub section 2.15 of the Disclosure Schedule or as required by law, upon termination of the employment of any such employees, no severance or other payments will become due.
(d) The Company has not made any representations regarding equity incentives to any officer, employee, director or consultant that are inconsistent with the share amounts and terms set forth in the minutes of meetings of the Companys board of directors.
2.15 Tax Returns and Payments . The Company has duly and timely filed all material tax returns required to have been filed by it and has all taxes which are due and payable as shown on such returns.
2.16 Insurance . The Company has in full force and effect insurance policies concerning such casualties as would be reasonable and customary for companies like the Company with extended coverage, sufficient in amount (subject to reasonable deductions) to allow it to replace any of its properties that might be damaged or destroyed.
2.17 Permits . The Company has all franchises, permits, licenses and any similar authority necessary for the conduct of its business, the lack of which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company is not in default in any material respect under any of such franchises, permits, licenses or other similar authority.
2.18 Foreign Corrupt Practices Act . Neither the Company nor any of the Companys directors, officers, employees or agents have, directly or indirectly, made, offered, promised or authorized any payment or gift of any money or anything of value to or for the benefit of any foreign official (as such term is defined in the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended (the FCPA )), foreign political party or official thereof or candidate for foreign political office for the purpose of (i) influencing any official act or decision of such official, party or candidate, (ii) inducing such official, party or candidate to use his, her or its influence to affect any act or decision of a foreign governmental authority, or (iii) securing any improper advantage, in the case of (i), (ii) and (iii) above in order to assist the Company or any of its affiliates in obtaining or retaining business for or with, or directing business to, any person. Neither the Company nor any of its directors, officers, employees or agents have made or authorized any bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment of funds or received or retained any funds in violation of any law, rule or regulation. The Company further represents that it has maintained, and has caused each of its subsidiaries and affiliates to maintain, systems of internal controls (including, but not limited to, accounting systems, purchasing systems and billing systems) to ensure compliance with the FCPA or any other applicable anti-bribery or anti-corruption law. Neither the Company nor any of its officers, directors or employees are the subject of any allegation, voluntary disclosure, investigation, prosecution or other enforcement action related to the FCPA or any other anti-corruption law (collectively, Enforcement Action ).
3. Representations and Warranties of the Purchasers . Each Purchaser hereby separately but not jointly represents and warrants to the Company that:
3.1 Authorization . Such Purchaser has full power and authority to enter into the Transaction Agreements. The Transaction Agreements to which the Purchaser is a party, when executed and delivered by the Purchaser, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Purchaser, enforceable in accordance with their terms, except (a) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance and any other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors rights generally, and as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies, or (b) to the extent the indemnification provisions contained in the Transaction Agreements may be limited by applicable securities laws.
3.2 Purchaser Status . Such Purchaser has the knowledge, sophistication and experience necessary to make an investment decision like that involved in the purchase of the applicable Securities.
3.3 Regulation S Exemption . Each Purchaser understands that the Purchased Shares are being offered and sold to it in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of United States federal and state securities laws under Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act and that the Company is relying upon the truth and accuracy of the representations, warranties, agreements, acknowledgments and understandings of each Purchaser set forth herein in order to determine the applicability of such exemptions and the suitability of each Purchaser to acquire the Purchased Shares. In this regard, each Purchaser represents, warrants and agrees that:
(a) No Direct Selling Efforts. The Purchaser did not contact the Company as a result of any directed selling efforts in the United States as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act.
(b) Offshore Transaction. At the time of the origination of contact concerning this Agreement and the date of the execution and delivery of this Agreement, each Purchaser was outside the United States.
3.4 Disclosure of Information The Purchaser has had an opportunity to discuss the Companys business, management, financial affairs and the terms and conditions of the offering of the Shares with the Companys management. The foregoing, however, does not limit or modify the representations and warranties of the Company in Section 2 of this Agreement or the right of the Purchasers to rely thereon.
3.5 Restricted Securities . The Purchaser understands that the Shares have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act, by reason of a specific exemption from the registration provisions of the Securities Act which depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of the investment intent and the accuracy of the Purchasers representations as expressed herein. The Purchaser understands that the Shares are restricted securities under applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws and that, pursuant to these laws, the Purchaser must hold the Shares indefinitely unless they are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and qualified by state authorities, or an exemption from such registration and qualification requirements is available. The Purchaser acknowledges that the Company has no obligation to register or qualify the Shares, or the Ordinary Shares into which it may be converted, for resale except as set forth in the Shareholders Agreement. The Purchaser further acknowledges that if an exemption from registration or qualification is available, it may be conditioned on various requirements including, but not limited to, the time and manner of sale, the holding period for the Shares, and on requirements relating to the Company which are outside of the Purchasers control, and which the Company is under no obligation and may not be able to satisfy.
4. Conditions to the Purchasers Obligations at Closing . The obligations of each Purchaser to purchase Shares at the Closing are subject to the fulfillment, on or before the Closing, of each of the following conditions, unless otherwise waived:
4.1 Representations and Warranties . The representations and warranties contained in Section 2 shall be true and correct in all respects as of the Closing, except where the failure of such representations and warranties to be true and correct would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
4.2 Performance . The Company shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all covenants, agreements, obligations and conditions contained in this Agreement that are required to be performed or complied with by the Company on or before the Closing.
4.3 Closing Certificate . A duly authorized officer of the Company shall deliver to the Purchasers at the Closing a certificate (i) certifying that the conditions specified in Sub sections 4.1 and 4.2 have been fulfilled.
4.4 Restructuring . A Companys fully owned subsidiary in China shall have entered into a set of contractual arrangement with Shanghai Qiyu, Fuzhou Microcredit and their shareholder Beijing Qibutianxia so that the Company will be able to exercise effective control over Shanghai Qiyu and Fuzhou Microcredit; receive substantially all of the economic benefits of Shanghai Qiyu and Fuzhou Microcredit; and have an exclusive option to purchase all or part of the equity interests in and assets of Shanghai Qiyu and Fuzhou Microcredit when and to the extent permitted by PRC law.
5. Conditions of the Companys Obligations at Closing . The obligations of the Company to sell Shares to the Purchaser at the Closing are subject to the fulfillment, on or before the Closing, of each of the following conditions, unless otherwise waived:
5.1 Representations and Warranties . The representations and warranties of the Purchaser contained in Section 3 shall be true and correct in all respects as of the Closing, except where the failure of such representations and warranties to be true and correct would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.2 Performance . The Purchasers shall have performed and complied with all covenants, agreements, obligations and conditions contained in this Agreement that are required to be performed or complied with by them on or before the Closing.
5.3 Proceedings and Documents . All corporate and other proceedings in connection with the transactions contemplated at the Closing and all documents incident thereto shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Company, and the Company shall have received all such counterpart original and certified or other copies of such documents as reasonably requested. Such documents may include good standing certificates.
6. Termination .
6.1 Termination Events . Subject to Sub section 6.2 , by notice given prior to the Closing, this Agreement may be terminated as follows:
(a) by mutual consent of all Parties;
(b) by the Purchasers if (i) a material breach of any provision of this Agreement has been committed by the Company, (ii) satisfaction of any condition in Section 4 by December 31, 2018 or such later date as the Parties may agree upon (the End Date ) becomes impossible (other than through the failure of any Purchaser to comply with its obligations under this Agreement), or (iii) if the Closing has not occurred on or before the End Date, unless the Purchaser is in material breach of this Agreement;
(c) by the Company if (i) a material breach of any provision of this Agreement has been committed by the Purchaser, (ii) satisfaction of any condition in Section 5 by the End Date becomes impossible (other than through the failure of the Company to comply with its obligations under this Agreement), or (iii) if the Closing has not occurred on or before the End Date, unless the Company is in material breach of this Agreement.
6.2 Effect of Termination . Each Partys right of termination under Sub section 6.1 is in addition to any other right it may have under this Agreement or otherwise, and the exercise of a Partys right of termination will not constitute an election of remedies. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Sub section 6.1 , this Agreement will be of no further force or effect; provided, however, that (i) this Sub section 6.2 and Section 8 will survive the termination of this Agreement and will remain in full force and effect, and (ii) the termination of this Agreement will not relieve any Party from any liability for any breach of this Agreement occurring prior to termination.
7. Indemnification .
7.1 Survival of Warranties . The representations and warranties of the Warrantors and the Purchasers contained in or made pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the Closing.
7.2 Indemnification by the Warrantors . Subject to the other terms and conditions of this Section 7 , the Warrantors shall indemnify each Purchaser against, and shall hold each Purchaser harmless from and against, any and all Losses incurred or sustained by, or imposed upon, such Purchaser based upon, arising out of, with respect to or by reason of:
(a) any inaccuracy in or breach of any of the representations or warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement; or
(b) any breach or non-fulfillment of any covenant, agreement or obligation to be performed by the Company pursuant to this Agreement.
7.3 Indemnification By the Purchasers . Subject to the other terms and conditions of this Section 7 , each Purchaser shall indemnify the Warrantors against, and shall hold the Warrantors harmless from and against, any and all Losses incurred or sustained by, or imposed upon, the Company based upon, arising out of, with respect to or by reason of:
(a) any inaccuracy in or breach of any of the representations or warranties of such Purchaser contained in this Agreement; or
(b) any breach or non-fulfillment of any covenant, agreement or obligation to be performed by such Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement.
7.4 Certain Limitations . A Party making a claim under this Section 7 is referred to as the Indemnified Party , and a Party against whom such claims are asserted under this Section 7 is referred to as the Indemnifying Party . The indemnification provided for in Section 7.2 and Section 7.3 shall be subject to the following limitations:
(a) The Indemnifying Party shall not be liable to the Indemnified Party for indemnification under Section 7.2 or Section 7.3 , as the case may be, until the aggregate amount of all Losses in respect of indemnification under Section 7.2 or Section 7.3 exceeds $1 million (the Deductible ), in which event the Indemnifying Party shall only be required to pay or be liable for Losses in excess of the Deductible.
(b) The aggregate amount of all Losses for which an Indemnifying Party shall be liable pursuant to Section 7.2 or Section 7.3 as the case may be, shall not exceed 10% of the purchase price paid or received, as appropriate, by the Indemnified Party pursuant to this Agreement.
(c) Payments by an Indemnifying Party pursuant to Section 7.2 or Section 7.3 in respect of any Loss shall be limited to the amount of any liability or damage that remains after deducting therefrom any insurance proceeds and any indemnity, contribution or other similar payment received or reasonably expected to be received by the Indemnified Party in respect of any such claim. The Indemnified Party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to recover under insurance policies or indemnity, contribution or other similar agreements for any Losses prior to seeking indemnification under this Agreement.
(d) Payments by an Indemnifying Party pursuant to Section 7.2 or Section 7.3 in respect of any Loss shall be reduced by an amount equal to any tax benefit realized or reasonably expected to be realized as a result of such Loss by the Indemnified Party.
(e) In no event shall any Indemnifying Party be liable to any Indemnified Party for any punitive, incidental, consequential, special or indirect damages, including loss of future revenue or income, loss of business reputation or opportunity relating to the breach or alleged breach of this Agreement, or diminution of value or any damages based on any type of multiple.
(f) Each Indemnified Party shall take, and cause its Affiliates to take, all reasonable steps to mitigate any Loss upon becoming aware of any event or circumstance that would be reasonably expected to, or does, give rise thereto, including incurring costs only to the minimum extent necessary to remedy the breach that gives rise to such Loss.
(g) The Indemnifying Party shall not be liable under this Section 7 for any Losses based upon or arising out of any inaccuracy in or breach of any of the representations or warranties contained in Section 2 or Section 3 if the Indemnified Party had knowledge of such inaccuracy or breach prior to the Closing.
7.5 Indemnification Procedures .
(a) Third-Party Claims . If any Indemnified Party receives notice of the assertion or commencement of any action, suit, claim or other legal proceeding made or brought by any Person who is not a party to this Agreement or an Affiliate of a party to this Agreement or a Representative of the foregoing (a Third-Party Claim ) against such Indemnified Party with respect to which the Indemnifying Party is obligated to provide indemnification under this Agreement, the Indemnified Party shall give the Indemnifying Party prompt written notice thereof. The failure to give such prompt written notice shall not, however, relieve the Indemnifying Party of its indemnification obligations, except and only to the extent that the Indemnifying Party forfeits rights or defenses by reason of such failure. Such notice by the Indemnified Party shall describe the Third-Party Claim in reasonable detail, shall include copies of all material written evidence thereof and shall indicate the estimated amount, if reasonably practicable, of the Loss that has been or may be sustained by the Indemnified Party. The Indemnifying Party shall have the right to participate in, or by giving written notice to the Indemnified Party, to assume the defense of any Third-Party Claim at the Indemnifying Partys expense and by the Indemnifying Partys own counsel, and the Indemnified Party shall cooperate in good faith in such defense. In the event that the Indemnifying Party assumes the defense of any Third-Party Claim, subject to Section 7.5(b) , it shall have the right to take such action as it deems necessary to avoid, dispute, defend, appeal or make counterclaims pertaining to any such Third-Party Claim in the name and on behalf of the Indemnified Party. The Indemnified Party shall have the right, at its own cost and expense, to participate in the defense of any Third-Party Claim with counsel selected by it subject to the Indemnifying Partys right to control the defense thereof. If the Indemnifying Party elects not to compromise or defend such Third-Party Claim or fails to promptly notify the Indemnified Party in writing of its election to defend as provided in this Agreement, the Indemnified Party may, subject to Section 7.5(b) , pay, compromise, defend such Third-Party Claim and seek indemnification for any and all Losses based upon, arising from or relating to such Third-Party Claim. Seller and Buyer shall cooperate with each other in all reasonable respects in connection with the defense of any Third-Party Claim, including making available records relating to such Third-Party Claim and furnishing, without expense (other than reimbursement of actual out-of-pocket expenses) to the defending party, management employees of the non-defending party as may be reasonably necessary for the preparation of the defense of such Third-Party Claim.
(b) Settlement of Third-Party Claims . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Indemnifying Party shall not enter into settlement of any Third-Party Claim without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), except as provided in this Section 7.5(b) . If a firm offer is made to settle a Third-Party Claim without leading to liability or the creation of a financial or other obligation on the part of the Indemnified Party and provides, in customary form, for the unconditional release of each Indemnified Party from all liabilities and obligations in connection with such Third-Party Claim and the Indemnifying Party desires to accept and agree to such offer, the Indemnifying Party shall give written notice to that effect to the Indemnified Party. If the Indemnified Party fails to consent to such firm offer within ten days after its receipt of such notice, the Indemnified Party may continue to contest or defend such Third-Party Claim and in such event, the maximum liability of the Indemnifying Party as to such Third-Party Claim shall not exceed the amount of such settlement offer. If the Indemnified Party fails to consent to such firm offer and also fails to assume defense of such Third-Party Claim, the Indemnifying Party may settle the Third-Party Claim upon the terms set forth in such firm offer to settle such Third-Party Claim. If the Indemnified Party has assumed the defense pursuant to Section 7.5(a) , it shall not agree to any settlement without the written consent of the Indemnifying Party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed).
8. Miscellaneous .
8.1 Confidentiality .
(a) Subject to the disclosures permitted by Section (b) , each of the Parties acknowledges that the information being provided to such Party (the Receiving Party ) in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement may be material non-public information and hereby covenants and agrees to keep, and cause its Affiliates and its and its Affiliates directors, officers, employees, accountants, agents, counsel and other representatives (collectively, Representatives ) to keep confidential any information identified by the Party providing information hereunder (the Providing Party ) as confidential, unless (a) such information becomes generally available to the public (other than as a result of a breach of this Section 8.1 by the Receiving Party, its Affiliates or their Representatives), (b) such information was available to the Receiving Party on a non-confidential basis from a source (other than the Providing Party, its Affiliates or their Representatives) that, to the Receiving Partys knowledge, is not and was not prohibited from disclosing such information to such Receiving Party by a contractual, legal or fiduciary obligation (c) the Receiving Party is required by applicable law, regulation, rule, court order and subpoena, governmental order or listing rule to disclose such information or (d) such information will be included in the proxy statement, the circular or any other materials, if applicable, for the purpose of the shareholders meeting approving the transaction contemplated hereby; provided, however, that in an event specified in clause (c) above, the Receiving Party shall provide the Providing Party, if legally permissible and practicable, with prompt prior written notice of such required disclosure and that the Receiving Party shall disclose only that portion of the confidential information that such Receiving Party is advised by counsel is legally required.
(b) None of the Parties, nor any of their respective Affiliates, shall issue any press release or other public announcement or communication with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby without the prior written consent of the other Parties, except to the extent a Partys counsel deems such disclosure necessary in order to comply with any law issued by any securities exchange or other similar regulatory body, shall limit such disclosure to the information such counsel advises is required to comply with such law, governmental order or listing rule and if reasonably practicable, shall consult with the other Parties regarding such disclosure and give good faith consideration to any suggested changes to such disclosure from the other Parties.
(c) Notwithstanding anything in Section 8 of this Agreement, the Receiving Party may disclose information in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to any prospective purchaser of any Share or derivative instrument linked to any Share from such Receiving Party, provided that, (i) such prospective purchaser agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Sub section 8.1 , and (ii) such disclosure happens after the Closing.
8.2 Amendment . Any provision of this Agreement may be amended if, but only if, such amendment is in writing and is duly executed and delivered by or on behalf of each of the Parties.
8.3 Successors and Assigns . The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the respective successors and assigns of the Parties. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any party other than the Parties hereto or their respective successors and assigns any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement, except as expressly provided in this Agreement.
8.4 Governing Law; Dispute Resolution .
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by the of the Hong Kong, without regard to conflict of law principles that would result in the application of any law other than the law of Hong Kong.
(b) Any dispute shall be settled by arbitration in Hong Kong administered by the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (the HKIAC ) in accordance with the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre Administered Rules (the HKIAC Rules ) then in force. There shall be three (3) arbitrators. Each of claimant and respondent shall appoint one (1) arbitrator and the third (3rd) arbitrator shall be appointed by the HKIAC Council. For the sake of clarity, the seat of arbitration shall be Hong Kong.
(c) The arbitral proceedings shall be conducted in English. To the extent that the HKIAC Rules are in conflict with the provisions of this Section 8.4 , including the provisions concerning the appointment of the arbitrators, the provisions of this Section 8.4 shall prevail.
(d) Each party to the arbitration shall cooperate with each other party to the arbitration in making full disclosure of and providing complete access to all information and documents requested by such other party in connection with such arbitral proceedings, subject only to any confidentiality obligations binding on such party.
(e) The award of the arbitral tribunal shall be final and binding upon the parties thereto, and the prevailing party may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for enforcement of such award.
(f) The Parties agree that the arbitral tribunal shall have the power to award equitable remedies (including specific performance). Any party to the Dispute shall be entitled to seek interim measures of protection and emergency relief in aid of arbitration from any court of competent jurisdiction. Application for such protective or similar emergency interim relief shall not be deemed inconsistent with the agreement to arbitrate or deemed a waiver of the right to arbitrate.
(g) During the course of the arbitral tribunals adjudication of the Dispute, this Agreement shall continue to be performed except with respect to the part in Dispute and under adjudication.
8.5 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in two (2) or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.
8.6 Titles and Subtitles . The titles and subtitles used in this Agreement are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Agreement.
8.7 Notices . All notices and other communications given or made pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon the earlier of actual receipt, or (a) personal delivery to the party to be notified, (b) when sent, if sent by electronic mail or facsimile during normal business hours of the recipient, and if not sent during normal business hours, then on the recipients next business day, (c) five (5) days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (d) one (1) business day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, freight prepaid, specifying next business day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All communications shall be sent to the respective Parties at their address as set forth on the signature page or Exhibit A, or to such e-mail address, facsimile number or address as subsequently modified by written notice given in accordance with this Sub section 8.7 .
8.8 No Finders Fees . Each party represents that it neither is nor will be obligated for any finders fee or commission in connection with this transaction.
8.9 Attorneys Fees . If any action at law or in equity (including, arbitration) is necessary to enforce or interpret the terms of any of the Transaction Agreements, the prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys fees, costs and necessary disbursements in addition to any other relief to which such party may be entitled.
8.10 Severability . The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision hereof shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision.
8.11 Delays or Omissions . No delay or omission to exercise any right, power or remedy accruing to any party under this Agreement, upon any breach or default of any other party under this Agreement, shall impair any such right, power or remedy of such non-breaching or non-defaulting party nor shall it be construed to be a waiver of any such breach or default, or an acquiescence therein, or of or in any similar breach or default thereafter occurring; nor shall any waiver of any single breach or default be deemed a waiver of any other breach or default theretofore or thereafter occurring. Any waiver, permit, consent or approval of any kind or character on the part of any party of any breach or default under this Agreement, or any waiver on the part of any party of any provisions or conditions of this Agreement, must be in writing and shall be effective only to the extent specifically set forth in such writing. All remedies, either under this Agreement or by law or otherwise afforded to any party, shall be cumulative and not alternative.
8.12 Entire Agreement . This Agreement (including the Exhibits hereto), the Shareholders Agreement, the Restated M&AA and the other Transaction Agreements constitute the full and entire understanding and agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and any other written or oral agreement relating to the subject matter hereof existing between the Parties are expressly canceled.
8.13 No Commitment for Additional Financing . The Company acknowledges and agrees that no Purchaser has made any representation, undertaking, commitment or agreement to provide or assist the Company in obtaining any financing, investment or other assistance, other than the purchase of the Shares as set forth herein and subject to the conditions set forth herein. In addition, the Company acknowledges and agrees that (i) no statements, whether written or oral, made by any Purchaser or its representatives on or after the date of this Agreement shall create an obligation, commitment or agreement to provide or assist the Company in obtaining any financing or investment, (ii) the Company shall not rely on any such statement by any Purchaser or its representatives, and (iii) an obligation, commitment or agreement to provide or assist the Company in obtaining any financing or investment may only be created by a written agreement, signed by such Purchaser and the Company, setting forth the terms and conditions of such financing or investment and stating that the Parties intend for such writing to be a binding obligation or agreement. Each Purchaser shall have the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to refuse or decline to participate in any other financing of or investment in the Company, and shall have no obligation to assist or cooperate with the Company in obtaining any financing, investment or other assistance.
8.14 No Third Party Right . The Parties do not intend that any term of this Agreement should be enforceable by any person who is not a party to this Agreement by virtue of the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Ordinance (Cap. 623) or otherwise. Notwithstanding any benefits possibly conferred by this Agreement on any third party by virtue of the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Ordinance (Cap. 623), the Parties may amend, vary, waive, terminate or rescind this Agreement at any time and in any way without the consent of any Third Party.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Series B Preferred Shares Purchase Agreement as of the date first written above.
COMPANY:
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360 Finance, Inc. |
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By: |
/s/ ZHOU Hongyi |
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Name: |
ZHOU Hongyi |
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(print) |
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Title: |
Director |
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Address: |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Series B Preferred Shares Purchase Agreement as of the date first written above.
PURCHASERS:
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Onew Technology Co., Ltd |
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By: |
/s/ GUO Jie |
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Name: |
GUO Jie |
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(print) |
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Title: |
Director |
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Address: |
Rm.1001 Block D International Financial Center, No.89 West Third Ring North Road, Haidian District, Beijing |
Exhibit A
Schedule of Purchasers
Name |
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Jurisdiction of Organization |
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Number of Shares to
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Total Purchase Price
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Onew Technology Co., Ltd |
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BVI |
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7,352,637 |
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60,000,000 |
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. |
Purchase and Sale of Series B Preferred Shares |
1 |
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1.1 |
Sale and Issuance of Series B Preferred Shares |
1 |
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1.2 |
Closing; Delivery |
1 |
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1.3 |
Defined Terms Used in this Agreement |
2 |
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2. |
Representations and Warranties of the Company |
3 |
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2.1 |
Organization, Good Standing, Corporate Power and Qualification |
3 |
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2.2 |
Capitalization |
3 |
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2.3 |
Authorization |
4 |
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2.4 |
Valid Issuance of Shares |
4 |
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2.5 |
Governmental Consents and Filings |
4 |
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2.6 |
Litigation |
4 |
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2.7 |
Intellectual Property |
5 |
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2.8 |
Compliance with Other Instruments |
5 |
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2.9 |
Agreements; Actions |
6 |
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2.10 |
Certain Transactions |
6 |
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2.11 |
Rights of Registration and Voting Rights |
7 |
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2.12 |
Financial Statements |
7 |
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2.13 |
Changes |
7 |
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2.14 |
Employee Matters |
8 |
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2.15 |
Tax Returns and Payments |
9 |
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2.16 |
Insurance |
9 |
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2.17 |
Permits |
9 |
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2.18 |
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act |
9 |
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3. |
Representations and Warranties of the Purchasers |
10 |
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3.1 |
Authorization |
10 |
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3.2 |
Purchaser Status |
10 |
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3.3 |
Regulation S Exemption |
10 |
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3.4 |
Disclosure of Information |
11 |
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3.5 |
Restricted Securities |
11 |
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4. |
Conditions to the Purchasers Obligations at Closing |
11 |
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4.1 |
Representations and Warranties |
11 |
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4.2 |
Performance |
11 |
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4.3 |
Closing Certificate |
11 |
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4.4 |
Restructuring |
11 |
SERIES B PREFERRED SHARES PURCHASE AGREEMENT
THIS SERIES B PREFERRED SHARES PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this Agreement ), is made as of 9 th , Aug. 2018 by and between
(a) 360 Finance, Inc., a Cayman Islands company (the Company );
(b) Shanghai Qiyu Information Technology Co., Ltd., a PRC company ( Shanghai Qiyu );
(c) Fuzhou 360 Online Microcredit Co., Ltd., a PRC company ( Fuzhou Microcredit ); and
(d) the investors listed on Exhibit A attached to this Agreement (each a Purchaser and together the Purchasers ).
Each of the Company, Shanghai Qiyu, Fuzhou Microcredit and the Purchasers is referred to herein individually as a Party and collectively as the Parties .
The Parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Purchase and Sale of Series B Preferred Shares .
1.1 Sale and Issuance of Series B Preferred Shares .
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each Purchaser agrees to purchase at the Closing and the Company agrees to sell and issue to each Purchaser at the Closing that number of Series B preferred shares, $0.00001 par value per share (the Series B Preferred Shares ), set forth opposite each Purchasers name on Exhibit A at a purchase price of $8.16033697 per share, at the Closing (as defined below). The Series B Preferred Shares issued to the Purchasers pursuant to this Agreement shall be referred to in this Agreement as the Shares .
1.2 Closing; Delivery .
(a) The purchase and sale of the Shares shall take place remotely via the exchange of documents and signatures, at 10: 00 a.m., on [20 th Aug, 2018] (Beijing time), or at such other time and place as the Company and the Purchasers mutually agree upon, orally or in writing (which time and place are designated as the Closing ).
(b) At the Closing, the Company shall deliver to each Purchaser (i) share certificate representing the Shares being purchased by such Purchaser at the Closing, and (ii) a copy of the register of members of the Company, certified by the registered agent or a director of the Company, reflecting the issuance of the Shares to the Purchaser, against the payment for the Shares by wire transfer to a bank account designated by the Company.
1.3 Defined Terms Used in this Agreement . In addition to the terms defined above, the following terms used in this Agreement shall be construed to have the meanings set forth or referenced below.
(a) Affiliate means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person who, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such Person, including, without limitation, any general partner, managing member, officer or director of such Person or any venture capital fund now or hereafter existing that is controlled by one or more general partners or managing members of, or shares the same management company with, such Person.
(b) China or the PRC means the Peoples Republic of China, excluding, for the purposes of this Agreement only, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan
(c) Company Intellectual Property means all patents, patent applications, trademarks, trademark applications, service marks, service mark applications, tradenames, copyrights, trade secrets, domain names, mask works, information and proprietary rights and processes, similar or other intellectual property rights, subject matter of any of the foregoing, tangible embodiments of any of the foregoing, licenses in, to and under any of the foregoing, and any and all such cases that are owned or used by the Company in the conduct of the Companys business as now conducted and as presently proposed to be conducted.
(d) Equity Securities means any equity interests of the Company, however described or whether voting or nonvoting, and any securities convertible or exchangeable into, and options, warrants or other rights to acquire, any equity interests or equity-linked interests of the Company.
(e) Shareholders Agreement means the agreement among the Company and the Purchaser and certain other shareholders of the Company dated as of the date of the Closing.
(f) Key Employee means any executive-level employee (including vice president-level or higher positions).
(g) Knowledge including the phrase to the Companys knowledge shall mean the actual knowledge after reasonable investigation of the Key Employees.
(h) Losses means actual out-of-pocket losses, damages, liabilities, costs or expenses.
(i) Material Adverse Effect means a material adverse effect on the business, assets (including intangible assets), liabilities, financial condition, property, prospects or results of operations of the Company.
(j) Person means any individual, corporation, partnership, trust, limited liability company, association or other entity.
(k) Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(l) Transaction Agreements means this Agreement, the Shareholders Agreement and, the Restated M&AA any other agreements, instruments or documents entered into in connection with this Agreement.
2. Representations and Warranties of the Company . The Company, Shanghai Qiyu and Fuzhou Microcredit (collectively the Warrantors ) hereby jointly and severally represent and warrant to each Purchaser that, except as set forth on the Disclosure Schedule attached as Exhibit B to this Agreement, which exceptions shall be deemed to be part of the representations and warranties made hereunder, the following representations are true and correct. The Disclosure Schedule shall be arranged in sections corresponding to the numbered and lettered sections and subsections contained in this Section 2 , and the disclosures in any section or subsection of the Disclosure Schedule shall qualify other sections and subsections in this Section 2 .
For purposes of these representations and warranties (other than those in Subsections 2.2 , 2.3 , 2.4 , and 2.5 ), the term the Company shall include any subsidiaries of the Company, Shanghai Qiyu and Fuzhou Microcredit, unless otherwise noted herein.
2.1 Organization, Good Standing, Corporate Power and Qualification . The Company is an exempted company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the place of its incorporation or establishment and has all requisite corporate power and authority to carry on its business as presently conducted and as proposed to be conducted. The Company is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the failure to so qualify would have a Material Adverse Effect.
2.2 Capitalization .
(a) Immediately prior to the issuance of any Series B Preferred Shares, there will be:
(i) a total of 281,851,108 shares that are (a) either issued and outstanding as class A ordinary shares (the Class A Ordinary Shares ), class B ordinary shares (the Class B Ordinary Shares ), class C ordinary shares (the Class C Ordinary Shares , together with Class A Ordinary Shares, Class B Ordinary Shares, the Ordinary Shares ), series A preferred shares (the Series A Preferred Shares ) or series A+ preferred shares (the Series A+ Preferred Shares , together with Series B Preferred Shares and Series A Preferred Shares, the Preferred Shares ), (b) or reserved for issuance pursuant to the Stock Plan;
(ii) 36,763,190 shares authorized as Series B Preferred Shares.
(b) The Company has reserved 25,336,096 shares of Class A Ordinary Shares for issuance to officers, directors, employees and consultants of the Company pursuant to its 2018 Stock Plan duly adopted by the Board of Directors and approved by the Company shareholders (the Stock Plan ).
(c) None of the Companys stock purchase agreements or stock option documents contains a provision for acceleration of vesting (or lapse of a repurchase right) or other changes in the vesting provisions or other terms of such agreement or understanding upon the occurrence of any event or combination of events, including without limitation in the case where the Companys Stock Plan is not assumed in an acquisition. The Company has never adjusted or amended the exercise price of any stock options previously awarded, whether through amendment, cancellation, replacement grant, repricing, or any other means. Except as set forth in the Restated M&AA, the Company has no obligation (contingent or otherwise) to purchase or redeem any of its Equity Securities.
2.3 Authorization . The Company has all necessary corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement, and to issue the Shares at the Closing and the Ordinary Shares issuable upon conversion of the Shares. The Transaction Agreements, when executed and delivered by the Company, shall constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms except (i) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance, or other laws of general application relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors rights generally (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding), (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief, or other equitable remedies, or (iii) to the extent the indemnification provisions contained in the Transaction Agreements may be limited by applicable laws.
2.4 Valid Issuance of Shares . The Shares, when issued, sold and delivered in accordance with the terms and for the consideration set forth in this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free of restrictions on transfer other than restrictions on transfer under the Transaction Agreements, applicable laws and liens or encumbrances created by or imposed by a Purchaser. Assuming the accuracy of the representations of the Purchasers in Section 3 of this Agreement, the Shares will be issued in compliance with applicable securities laws. The Ordinary Shares issuable upon conversion of the Shares has been duly reserved for issuance, and upon issuance in accordance with the terms of the Restated M&AA, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free of restrictions on transfer other than restrictions on transfer under the Transaction Agreements, applicable laws and liens or encumbrances created by or imposed by a Purchaser. Based in part upon the representations of the Purchasers in Section 3 of this Agreement, the Ordinary Shares issuable upon conversion of the Shares will be issued in compliance with securities laws.
2.5 Governmental Consents and Filings . Assuming the accuracy of the representations made by the Purchasers in Section 3 of this Agreement, no consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration, qualification, designation, declaration or filing with, any governmental authority is required on the part of the Company in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except for the filing of the Restated M&AA, and such consents, approvals, orders or authorizations, registrations, qualifications, designations, and declarations which, in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
2.6 Litigation . There is no claim, action, suit, proceeding, arbitration, complaint, or charge pending or to the Companys knowledge, currently threatened (i) against the Company or any officer, director or Key Employee of the Company arising out of their employment or board relationship with the Company; or (ii) to the Companys knowledge, that questions the validity of the Transaction Agreements or the right of the Company to enter into them, or to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreements; or (iii) to the Companys knowledge, which if determined adversely to the Company would reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor, to the Companys knowledge, any of its officers, directors or Key Employees is a party or is named as subject to the provisions of any order, writ, injunction, judgment or decree of any court or government agency or instrumentality (in the case of officers, directors or Key Employees, such as would affect the Company). There is no action, suit, proceeding or investigation by the Company pending or which the Company intends to initiate. The foregoing includes, without limitation, actions, suits, proceedings or investigations pending or threatened in writing (or any basis therefor known to the Company) involving the prior employment of any of the Companys employees, their services provided in connection with the Companys business, any information or techniques allegedly proprietary to any of their former employers or their obligations under any agreements with prior employers.
2.7 Intellectual Property . The Company owns or possesses or believes it can acquire on commercially reasonable terms sufficient legal rights to all Company Intellectual Property without any known conflict with, or infringement of, the rights of others. To the Companys knowledge, no product or service marketed or sold (or proposed to be marketed or sold) by the Company violates or will violate any license or infringes or will infringe any intellectual property rights of any other party. Other than with respect to commercially available software products under standard end-user object code license agreements, there are no outstanding options, licenses, agreements, claims, encumbrances or shared ownership interests of any kind relating to the Company Intellectual Property, nor is the Company bound by or a party to any options, licenses or agreements of any kind with respect to the patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, trade secrets, licenses, information, proprietary rights and processes of any other Person. The Company has not received any communications alleging that the Company has violated, or by conducting its business, would violate any of the patents, trademarks, service marks, tradenames, copyrights, trade secrets, mask works or other proprietary rights or processes of any other Person. The Company has obtained and possesses valid licenses to use all of the software programs present on the computers and other software-enabled electronic devices that it owns or leases or that it has otherwise provided to its employees for their use in connection with the Companys business.
2.8 Compliance with Other Instruments . The Company is not in violation or default (i) of any provisions of its Restated M&AA or Bylaws, (ii) of any instrument, judgment, order, writ or decree, (iii) under any note, indenture or mortgage, or (iv) under any lease, agreement, contract or purchase order to which it is a party or by which it is bound that is required to be listed on the Disclosure Schedule, or (v) to its knowledge, of any provision of any judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Company, the violation of which would have a Material Adverse Effect. The execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Agreements and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreements will not result in any such violation or be in conflict with or constitute, with or without the passage of time and giving of notice, either (i) a default under any such provision, instrument, judgment, order, writ, decree, contract or agreement; or (ii) an event which results in the creation of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any assets of the Company or the suspension, revocation, forfeiture, or nonrenewal of any material permit or license applicable to the Company.
2.9 Agreements; Actions .
(a) Except for the Transaction Agreements, there are no agreements, understandings, instruments, contracts or proposed transactions to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound that involve (i) obligations (contingent or otherwise) of, or payments to, the Company in excess of RMB100 million (ii) the license of any patent, copyright, trademark, trade secret or other proprietary right to or from the Company, (iii) the grant of rights to manufacture, produce, assemble, license, market, or sell its products to any other Person that limit the Companys exclusive right to develop, manufacture, assemble, distribute, market or sell its products, or (iv) indemnification by the Company with respect to infringements of proprietary rights.
(b) The Company has not (i) declared or paid any dividends, or authorized or made any distribution upon or with respect to any class or series of its capital stock, (ii) incurred any indebtedness for money borrowed or incurred any other liabilities individually in excess of RMB100 million or in excess of RMB200 million in the aggregate, (iii) made any loans or advances to any Person, other than ordinary advances for travel expenses, or (iv) sold, exchanged or otherwise disposed of any of its assets or rights, other than the sale of its inventory in the ordinary course of business. For the purposes of (a) and (b) of this Subsection 2.5 , all indebtedness, liabilities, agreements, understandings, instruments, contracts and proposed transactions involving the same Person (including Persons the Company has reason to believe are affiliated with each other) shall be aggregated for the purpose of meeting the individual minimum dollar amounts of such subsection.
(c) The Company is not a guarantor or indemnitor of any indebtedness of any other Person.
2.10 Certain Transactions .
(a) Other than (i) standard employee benefits generally made available to all employees, (ii) standard director and officer indemnification agreements approved by the Board of Directors, and (iii) the purchase of shares of the Companys capital stock and the issuance of options to purchase shares of the Companys Ordinary Shares, in each instance, approved in the written minutes of the Board of Directors (previously provided to the Purchasers or their counsel), there are no agreements, understandings or proposed transactions between the Company and any of its officers, directors, consultants or Key Employees, or any Affiliate thereof.
(b) The Company is not indebted, directly or indirectly, to any of its directors, officers or employees or to their respective spouses or children or to any Affiliate of any of the foregoing, other than in connection with expenses or advances of expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business or employee relocation expenses and for other customary employee benefits made generally available to all employees. None of the Companys directors, officers or employees, or any members of their immediate families, or any Affiliate of the foregoing are, directly or indirectly, indebted to the Company or, to the Companys knowledge, have any (i) material commercial, industrial, banking, consulting, legal, accounting, charitable or familial relationship with any of the Companys customers, suppliers, service providers, joint venture partners, licensees and competitors, (ii) direct or indirect ownership interest in any firm or corporation with which the Company is affiliated or with which the Company has a business relationship, or any firm or corporation which competes with the Company except that directors, officers, employees or shareholders of the Company may own stock in (but not exceeding two percent (2%) of the outstanding capital stock of) publicly traded companies that may compete with the Company; or (iii) financial interest in any material contract with the Company.
2.11 Rights of Registration and Voting Rights . The Company is not under any obligation to register under the Securities Act any of its currently outstanding securities or any securities issuable upon exercise or conversion of its currently outstanding securities. No stockholder of the Company has entered into any agreements with respect to the voting of capital shares of the Company.
2.12 Financial Statements . The Company has delivered to each Purchaser its unaudited financial statements as of December 31, 2017 and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 (collectively, the Financial Statements ). The Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ( GAAP ) applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods indicated, except that the unaudited Financial Statements may not contain all footnotes required by GAAP. The Financial Statements fairly present in all material respects the financial condition and operating results of the Company as of the dates, and for the periods, indicated therein, subject in the case of the unaudited Financial Statements to normal year-end audit adjustments. Except as set forth in the Financial Statements, the Company has no material liabilities or obligations, contingent or otherwise, other than (i) liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business subsequent to December 31, 2017; (ii) obligations under contracts and commitments incurred in the ordinary course of business; and (iii) liabilities and obligations of a type or nature not required under GAAP to be reflected in the Financial Statements, which, in all such cases, individually and in the aggregate would not have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company maintains and will continue to maintain a standard system of accounting established and administered in accordance with GAAP.
2.13 Changes . Since December 31, 2017 there has not been:
(a) any change in the assets, liabilities, financial condition or operating results of the Company from that reflected in the Financial Statements, except changes in the ordinary course of business that have not caused, in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect;
(b) any material damage, destruction or loss, whether or not covered by insurance;
(c) any damage, destruction or loss, whether or not covered by insurance, that would have a Material Adverse Effect;
(d) any satisfaction or discharge of any lien, claim, or encumbrance or payment of any obligation by the Company, except in the ordinary course of business and the satisfaction or discharge of which would not have a Material Adverse Effect;
(e) any material change to a material contract or agreement by which the Company or any of its assets is bound or subject;
(f) any material change in any compensation arrangement or agreement with any employee, officer, director or stockholder;
(g) any resignation or termination of employment of Key Employee of the Company;
(h) any mortgage, pledge, transfer of a security interest in, or lien, created by the Company, with respect to any of its material properties or assets, except liens that arise in the ordinary course of business and do not materially impair the Companys ownership or use of such property or assets;
(i) any loans or guarantees made by the Company to or for the benefit of its employees, officers or directors, or any members of their immediate families, other than travel advances and other advances made in the ordinary course of its business;
(j) any declaration, setting aside or payment or other distribution in respect of any of the Companys capital stock, or any direct or indirect redemption, purchase, or other acquisition of any of such stock by the Company;
(k) any sale, assignment or transfer of any Company Intellectual Property that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
(l) receipt of notice that there has been a loss of, or material order cancellation by, any major customer, supplier or business partner of the Company;
(m) to the Companys knowledge, any other event or condition of any character, other than events affecting the economy or the Companys industry generally, that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; or
(n) any arrangement or commitment by the Company to do any of the things described in this Subsection 2.13 .
2.14 Employee Matters .
(a) To the Companys knowledge, none of its employees is obligated under any contract (including licenses, covenants or commitments of any nature) or other agreement, or subject to any judgment, decree or order of any court or administrative agency, that would materially interfere with such employees ability to promote the interest of the Company or that would conflict with the Companys business. Neither the execution or delivery of the Transaction Agreements, nor the carrying on of the Companys business by the employees of the Company, nor the conduct of the Companys business as now conducted and as presently proposed to be conducted, will, to the Companys knowledge, conflict with or result in a breach of the terms, conditions, or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any contract, covenant or instrument under which any such employee is now obligated.
(b) The Company is not delinquent in payments to any of its employees, consultants, or independent contractors for any wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, or other direct compensation for any service performed for it to the date hereof or amounts required to be reimbursed to such employees, consultants or independent contractors. The Company has complied in all material respects with all applicable state and federal equal employment opportunity laws and with other laws related to employment, including those related to wages, hours, worker classification and collective bargaining. The Company has withheld and paid to the appropriate governmental entity or is holding for payment not yet due to such governmental entity all amounts required to be withheld from employees of the Company and is not liable for any arrears of wages, taxes, penalties or other sums for failure to comply with any of the foregoing.
(c) To the Companys knowledge, no Key Employee intends to terminate employment with the Company or is otherwise likely to become unavailable to continue as a Key Employee. The Company does not have a present intention to terminate the employment of any of the foregoing. The employment of each employee of the Company is terminable at the will of the Company. Except as set forth in Sub section 2.15 of the Disclosure Schedule or as required by law, upon termination of the employment of any such employees, no severance or other payments will become due.
(d) The Company has not made any representations regarding equity incentives to any officer, employee, director or consultant that are inconsistent with the share amounts and terms set forth in the minutes of meetings of the Companys board of directors.
2.15 Tax Returns and Payments . The Company has duly and timely filed all material tax returns required to have been filed by it and has all taxes which are due and payable as shown on such returns.
2.16 Insurance . The Company has in full force and effect insurance policies concerning such casualties as would be reasonable and customary for companies like the Company with extended coverage, sufficient in amount (subject to reasonable deductions) to allow it to replace any of its properties that might be damaged or destroyed.
2.17 Permits . The Company has all franchises, permits, licenses and any similar authority necessary for the conduct of its business, the lack of which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company is not in default in any material respect under any of such franchises, permits, licenses or other similar authority.
2.18 Foreign Corrupt Practices Act . Neither the Company nor any of the Companys directors, officers, employees or agents have, directly or indirectly, made, offered, promised or authorized any payment or gift of any money or anything of value to or for the benefit of any foreign official (as such term is defined in the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended (the FCPA )), foreign political party or official thereof or candidate for foreign political office for the purpose of (i) influencing any official act or decision of such official, party or candidate, (ii) inducing such official, party or candidate to use his, her or its influence to affect any act or decision of a foreign governmental authority, or (iii) securing any improper advantage, in the case of (i), (ii) and (iii) above in order to assist the Company or any of its affiliates in obtaining or retaining business for or with, or directing business to, any person. Neither the Company nor any of its directors, officers, employees or agents have made or authorized any bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment of funds or received or retained any funds in violation of any law, rule or regulation. The Company further represents that it has maintained, and has caused each of its subsidiaries and affiliates to maintain, systems of internal controls (including, but not limited to, accounting systems, purchasing systems and billing systems) to ensure compliance with the FCPA or any other applicable anti-bribery or anti-corruption law. Neither the Company nor any of its officers, directors or employees are the subject of any allegation, voluntary disclosure, investigation, prosecution or other enforcement action related to the FCPA or any other anti-corruption law (collectively, Enforcement Action ).
3. Representations and Warranties of the Purchasers . Each Purchaser hereby separately but not jointly represents and warrants to the Company that:
3.1 Authorization . Such Purchaser has full power and authority to enter into the Transaction Agreements. The Transaction Agreements to which the Purchaser is a party, when executed and delivered by the Purchaser, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Purchaser, enforceable in accordance with their terms, except (a) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance and any other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors rights generally, and as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies, or (b) to the extent the indemnification provisions contained in the Transaction Agreements may be limited by applicable securities laws.
3.2 Purchaser Status . Such Purchaser has the knowledge, sophistication and experience necessary to make an investment decision like that involved in the purchase of the applicable Securities.
3.3 Regulation S Exemption . Each Purchaser understands that the Purchased Shares are being offered and sold to it in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of United States federal and state securities laws under Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act and that the Company is relying upon the truth and accuracy of the representations, warranties, agreements, acknowledgments and understandings of each Purchaser set forth herein in order to determine the applicability of such exemptions and the suitability of each Purchaser to acquire the Purchased Shares. In this regard, each Purchaser represents, warrants and agrees that:
(a) No Direct Selling Efforts. The Purchaser did not contact the Company as a result of any directed selling efforts in the United States as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act.
(b) Offshore Transaction. At the time of the origination of contact concerning this Agreement and the date of the execution and delivery of this Agreement, each Purchaser was outside the United States.
3.4 Disclosure of Information The Purchaser has had an opportunity to discuss the Companys business, management, financial affairs and the terms and conditions of the offering of the Shares with the Companys management. The foregoing, however, does not limit or modify the representations and warranties of the Company in Section 2 of this Agreement or the right of the Purchasers to rely thereon.
3.5 Restricted Securities . The Purchaser understands that the Shares have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act, by reason of a specific exemption from the registration provisions of the Securities Act which depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of the investment intent and the accuracy of the Purchasers representations as expressed herein. The Purchaser understands that the Shares are restricted securities under applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws and that, pursuant to these laws, the Purchaser must hold the Shares indefinitely unless they are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and qualified by state authorities, or an exemption from such registration and qualification requirements is available. The Purchaser acknowledges that the Company has no obligation to register or qualify the Shares, or the Ordinary Shares into which it may be converted, for resale except as set forth in the Shareholders Agreement. The Purchaser further acknowledges that if an exemption from registration or qualification is available, it may be conditioned on various requirements including, but not limited to, the time and manner of sale, the holding period for the Shares, and on requirements relating to the Company which are outside of the Purchasers control, and which the Company is under no obligation and may not be able to satisfy.
4. Conditions to the Purchasers Obligations at Closing . The obligations of each Purchaser to purchase Shares at the Closing are subject to the fulfillment, on or before the Closing, of each of the following conditions, unless otherwise waived:
4.1 Representations and Warranties . The representations and warranties contained in Section 2 shall be true and correct in all respects as of the Closing, except where the failure of such representations and warranties to be true and correct would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
4.2 Performance . The Company shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all covenants, agreements, obligations and conditions contained in this Agreement that are required to be performed or complied with by the Company on or before the Closing.
4.3 Closing Certificate . A duly authorized officer of the Company shall deliver to the Purchasers at the Closing a certificate (i) certifying that the conditions specified in Sub sections 4.1 and 4.2 have been fulfilled.
4.4 Restructuring . A Companys fully owned subsidiary in China shall have entered into a set of contractual arrangement with Shanghai Qiyu, Fuzhou Microcredit and their shareholder Beijing Qibutianxia so that the Company will be able to exercise effective control over Shanghai Qiyu and Fuzhou Microcredit; receive substantially all of the economic benefits of Shanghai Qiyu and Fuzhou Microcredit; and have an exclusive option to purchase all or part of the equity interests in and assets of Shanghai Qiyu and Fuzhou Microcredit when and to the extent permitted by PRC law.
5. Conditions of the Companys Obligations at Closing . The obligations of the Company to sell Shares to the Purchaser at the Closing are subject to the fulfillment, on or before the Closing, of each of the following conditions, unless otherwise waived:
5.1 Representations and Warranties . The representations and warranties of the Purchaser contained in Section 3 shall be true and correct in all respects as of the Closing, except where the failure of such representations and warranties to be true and correct would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.2 Performance . The Purchasers shall have performed and complied with all covenants, agreements, obligations and conditions contained in this Agreement that are required to be performed or complied with by them on or before the Closing.
5.3 Proceedings and Documents . All corporate and other proceedings in connection with the transactions contemplated at the Closing and all documents incident thereto shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Company, and the Company shall have received all such counterpart original and certified or other copies of such documents as reasonably requested. Such documents may include good standing certificates.
6. Termination .
6.1 Termination Events . Subject to Sub section 6.2 , by notice given prior to the Closing, this Agreement may be terminated as follows:
(a) by mutual consent of all Parties;
(b) by the Purchasers if (i) a material breach of any provision of this Agreement has been committed by the Company, (ii) satisfaction of any condition in Section 4 by December 31, 2018 or such later date as the Parties may agree upon (the End Date ) becomes impossible (other than through the failure of any Purchaser to comply with its obligations under this Agreement), or (iii) if the Closing has not occurred on or before the End Date, unless the Purchaser is in material breach of this Agreement;
(c) by the Company if (i) a material breach of any provision of this Agreement has been committed by the Purchaser, (ii) satisfaction of any condition in Section 5 by the End Date becomes impossible (other than through the failure of the Company to comply with its obligations under this Agreement), or (iii) if the Closing has not occurred on or before the End Date, unless the Company is in material breach of this Agreement.
6.2 Effect of Termination . Each Partys right of termination under Sub section 6.1 is in addition to any other right it may have under this Agreement or otherwise, and the exercise of a Partys right of termination will not constitute an election of remedies. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Sub section 6.1 , this Agreement will be of no further force or effect; provided, however, that (i) this Sub section 6.2 and Section 8 will survive the termination of this Agreement and will remain in full force and effect, and (ii) the termination of this Agreement will not relieve any Party from any liability for any breach of this Agreement occurring prior to termination.
7. Indemnification .
7.1 Survival of Warranties . The representations and warranties of the Warrantors and the Purchasers contained in or made pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the Closing.
7.2 Indemnification by the Warrantors . Subject to the other terms and conditions of this Section 7 , the Warrantors shall indemnify each Purchaser against, and shall hold each Purchaser harmless from and against, any and all Losses incurred or sustained by, or imposed upon, such Purchaser based upon, arising out of, with respect to or by reason of:
(a) any inaccuracy in or breach of any of the representations or warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement; or
(b) any breach or non-fulfillment of any covenant, agreement or obligation to be performed by the Company pursuant to this Agreement.
7.3 Indemnification By the Purchasers . Subject to the other terms and conditions of this Section 7 , each Purchaser shall indemnify the Warrantors against, and shall hold the Warrantors harmless from and against, any and all Losses incurred or sustained by, or imposed upon, the Company based upon, arising out of, with respect to or by reason of:
(a) any inaccuracy in or breach of any of the representations or warranties of such Purchaser contained in this Agreement; or
(b) any breach or non-fulfillment of any covenant, agreement or obligation to be performed by such Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement.
7.4 Certain Limitations . A Party making a claim under this Section 7 is referred to as the Indemnified Party , and a Party against whom such claims are asserted under this Section 7 is referred to as the Indemnifying Party . The indemnification provided for in Section 7.2 and Section 7.3 shall be subject to the following limitations:
(a) The Indemnifying Party shall not be liable to the Indemnified Party for indemnification under Section 7.2 or Section 7.3 , as the case may be, until the aggregate amount of all Losses in respect of indemnification under Section 7.2 or Section 7.3 exceeds $1 million (the Deductible ), in which event the Indemnifying Party shall only be required to pay or be liable for Losses in excess of the Deductible.
(b) The aggregate amount of all Losses for which an Indemnifying Party shall be liable pursuant to Section 7.2 or Section 7.3 as the case may be, shall not exceed 10% of the purchase price paid or received, as appropriate, by the Indemnified Party pursuant to this Agreement.
(c) Payments by an Indemnifying Party pursuant to Section 7.2 or Section 7.3 in respect of any Loss shall be limited to the amount of any liability or damage that remains after deducting therefrom any insurance proceeds and any indemnity, contribution or other similar payment received or reasonably expected to be received by the Indemnified Party in respect of any such claim. The Indemnified Party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to recover under insurance policies or indemnity, contribution or other similar agreements for any Losses prior to seeking indemnification under this Agreement.
(d) Payments by an Indemnifying Party pursuant to Section 7.2 or Section 7.3 in respect of any Loss shall be reduced by an amount equal to any tax benefit realized or reasonably expected to be realized as a result of such Loss by the Indemnified Party.
(e) In no event shall any Indemnifying Party be liable to any Indemnified Party for any punitive, incidental, consequential, special or indirect damages, including loss of future revenue or income, loss of business reputation or opportunity relating to the breach or alleged breach of this Agreement, or diminution of value or any damages based on any type of multiple.
(f) Each Indemnified Party shall take, and cause its Affiliates to take, all reasonable steps to mitigate any Loss upon becoming aware of any event or circumstance that would be reasonably expected to, or does, give rise thereto, including incurring costs only to the minimum extent necessary to remedy the breach that gives rise to such Loss.
(g) The Indemnifying Party shall not be liable under this Section 7 for any Losses based upon or arising out of any inaccuracy in or breach of any of the representations or warranties contained in Section 2 or Section 3 if the Indemnified Party had knowledge of such inaccuracy or breach prior to the Closing.
7.5 Indemnification Procedures .
(a) Third-Party Claims . If any Indemnified Party receives notice of the assertion or commencement of any action, suit, claim or other legal proceeding made or brought by any Person who is not a party to this Agreement or an Affiliate of a party to this Agreement or a Representative of the foregoing (a Third-Party Claim ) against such Indemnified Party with respect to which the Indemnifying Party is obligated to provide indemnification under this Agreement, the Indemnified Party shall give the Indemnifying Party prompt written notice thereof. The failure to give such prompt written notice shall not, however, relieve the Indemnifying Party of its indemnification obligations, except and only to the extent that the Indemnifying Party forfeits rights or defenses by reason of such failure. Such notice by the Indemnified Party shall describe the Third-Party Claim in reasonable detail, shall include copies of all material written evidence thereof and shall indicate the estimated amount, if reasonably practicable, of the Loss that has been or may be sustained by the Indemnified Party. The Indemnifying Party shall have the right to participate in, or by giving written notice to the Indemnified Party, to assume the defense of any Third-Party Claim at the Indemnifying Partys expense and by the Indemnifying Partys own counsel, and the Indemnified Party shall cooperate in good faith in such defense. In the event that the Indemnifying Party assumes the defense of any Third-Party Claim, subject to Section 7.5(b) , it shall have the right to take such action as it deems necessary to avoid, dispute, defend, appeal or make counterclaims pertaining to any such Third-Party Claim in the name and on behalf of the Indemnified Party. The Indemnified Party shall have the right, at its own cost and expense, to participate in the defense of any Third-Party Claim with counsel selected by it subject to the Indemnifying Partys right to control the defense thereof. If the Indemnifying Party elects not to compromise or defend such Third-Party Claim or fails to promptly notify the Indemnified Party in writing of its election to defend as provided in this Agreement, the Indemnified Party may, subject to Section 7.5(b) , pay, compromise, defend such Third-Party Claim and seek indemnification for any and all Losses based upon, arising from or relating to such Third-Party Claim. Seller and Buyer shall cooperate with each other in all reasonable respects in connection with the defense of any Third-Party Claim, including making available records relating to such Third-Party Claim and furnishing, without expense (other than reimbursement of actual out-of-pocket expenses) to the defending party, management employees of the non-defending party as may be reasonably necessary for the preparation of the defense of such Third-Party Claim.
(b) Settlement of Third-Party Claims . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Indemnifying Party shall not enter into settlement of any Third-Party Claim without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), except as provided in this Section 7.5(b) . If a firm offer is made to settle a Third-Party Claim without leading to liability or the creation of a financial or other obligation on the part of the Indemnified Party and provides, in customary form, for the unconditional release of each Indemnified Party from all liabilities and obligations in connection with such Third-Party Claim and the Indemnifying Party desires to accept and agree to such offer, the Indemnifying Party shall give written notice to that effect to the Indemnified Party. If the Indemnified Party fails to consent to such firm offer within ten days after its receipt of such notice, the Indemnified Party may continue to contest or defend such Third-Party Claim and in such event, the maximum liability of the Indemnifying Party as to such Third-Party Claim shall not exceed the amount of such settlement offer. If the Indemnified Party fails to consent to such firm offer and also fails to assume defense of such Third-Party Claim, the Indemnifying Party may settle the Third-Party Claim upon the terms set forth in such firm offer to settle such Third-Party Claim. If the Indemnified Party has assumed the defense pursuant to Section 7.5(a) , it shall not agree to any settlement without the written consent of the Indemnifying Party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed).
8. Miscellaneous .
8.1 Confidentiality .
(a) Subject to the disclosures permitted by Section (b) , each of the Parties acknowledges that the information being provided to such Party (the Receiving Party ) in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement may be material non-public information and hereby covenants and agrees to keep, and cause its Affiliates and its and its Affiliates directors, officers, employees, accountants, agents, counsel and other representatives (collectively, Representatives ) to keep confidential any information identified by the Party providing information hereunder (the Providing Party ) as confidential, unless (a) such information becomes generally available to the public (other than as a result of a breach of this Section 8.1 by the Receiving Party, its Affiliates or their Representatives), (b) such information was available to the Receiving Party on a non-confidential basis from a source (other than the Providing Party, its Affiliates or their Representatives) that, to the Receiving Partys knowledge, is not and was not prohibited from disclosing such information to such Receiving Party by a contractual, legal or fiduciary obligation (c) the Receiving Party is required by applicable law, regulation, rule, court order and subpoena, governmental order or listing rule to disclose such information or (d) such information will be included in the proxy statement, the circular or any other materials, if applicable, for the purpose of the shareholders meeting approving the transaction contemplated hereby; provided, however, that in an event specified in clause (c) above, the Receiving Party shall provide the Providing Party, if legally permissible and practicable, with prompt prior written notice of such required disclosure and that the Receiving Party shall disclose only that portion of the confidential information that such Receiving Party is advised by counsel is legally required.
(b) None of the Parties, nor any of their respective Affiliates, shall issue any press release or other public announcement or communication with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby without the prior written consent of the other Parties, except to the extent a Partys counsel deems such disclosure necessary in order to comply with any law issued by any securities exchange or other similar regulatory body, shall limit such disclosure to the information such counsel advises is required to comply with such law, governmental order or listing rule and if reasonably practicable, shall consult with the other Parties regarding such disclosure and give good faith consideration to any suggested changes to such disclosure from the other Parties.
(c) Notwithstanding anything in Section 8 of this Agreement, the Receiving Party may disclose information in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to any prospective purchaser of any Share or derivative instrument linked to any Share from such Receiving Party, provided that, (i) such prospective purchaser agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Sub section 8.1 , and (ii) such disclosure happens after the Closing.
8.2 Amendment . Any provision of this Agreement may be amended if, but only if, such amendment is in writing and is duly executed and delivered by or on behalf of each of the Parties.
8.3 Successors and Assigns . The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the respective successors and assigns of the Parties. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any party other than the Parties hereto or their respective successors and assigns any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement, except as expressly provided in this Agreement.
8.4 Governing Law; Dispute Resolution .
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by the of the Hong Kong, without regard to conflict of law principles that would result in the application of any law other than the law of Hong Kong.
(b) Any dispute shall be settled by arbitration in Hong Kong administered by the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (the HKIAC ) in accordance with the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre Administered Rules (the HKIAC Rules ) then in force. There shall be three (3) arbitrators. Each of claimant and respondent shall appoint one (1) arbitrator and the third (3rd) arbitrator shall be appointed by the HKIAC Council. For the sake of clarity, the seat of arbitration shall be Hong Kong.
(c) The arbitral proceedings shall be conducted in English. To the extent that the HKIAC Rules are in conflict with the provisions of this Section 8.4 , including the provisions concerning the appointment of the arbitrators, the provisions of this Section 8.4 shall prevail.
(d) Each party to the arbitration shall cooperate with each other party to the arbitration in making full disclosure of and providing complete access to all information and documents requested by such other party in connection with such arbitral proceedings, subject only to any confidentiality obligations binding on such party.
(e) The award of the arbitral tribunal shall be final and binding upon the parties thereto, and the prevailing party may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for enforcement of such award.
(f) The Parties agree that the arbitral tribunal shall have the power to award equitable remedies (including specific performance). Any party to the Dispute shall be entitled to seek interim measures of protection and emergency relief in aid of arbitration from any court of competent jurisdiction. Application for such protective or similar emergency interim relief shall not be deemed inconsistent with the agreement to arbitrate or deemed a waiver of the right to arbitrate.
(g) During the course of the arbitral tribunals adjudication of the Dispute, this Agreement shall continue to be performed except with respect to the part in Dispute and under adjudication.
8.5 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in two (2) or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.
8.6 Titles and Subtitles . The titles and subtitles used in this Agreement are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Agreement.
8.7 Notices . All notices and other communications given or made pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon the earlier of actual receipt, or (a) personal delivery to the party to be notified, (b) when sent, if sent by electronic mail or facsimile during normal business hours of the recipient, and if not sent during normal business hours, then on the recipients next business day, (c) five (5) days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (d) one (1) business day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, freight prepaid, specifying next business day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All communications shall be sent to the respective Parties at their address as set forth on the signature page or Exhibit A, or to such e-mail address, facsimile number or address as subsequently modified by written notice given in accordance with this Sub section 8.7 .
8.8 No Finders Fees . Each party represents that it neither is nor will be obligated for any finders fee or commission in connection with this transaction.
8.9 Attorneys Fees . If any action at law or in equity (including, arbitration) is necessary to enforce or interpret the terms of any of the Transaction Agreements, the prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys fees, costs and necessary disbursements in addition to any other relief to which such party may be entitled.
8.10 Severability . The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision hereof shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision.
8.11 Delays or Omissions . No delay or omission to exercise any right, power or remedy accruing to any party under this Agreement, upon any breach or default of any other party under this Agreement, shall impair any such right, power or remedy of such non-breaching or non-defaulting party nor shall it be construed to be a waiver of any such breach or default, or an acquiescence therein, or of or in any similar breach or default thereafter occurring; nor shall any waiver of any single breach or default be deemed a waiver of any other breach or default theretofore or thereafter occurring. Any waiver, permit, consent or approval of any kind or character on the part of any party of any breach or default under this Agreement, or any waiver on the part of any party of any provisions or conditions of this Agreement, must be in writing and shall be effective only to the extent specifically set forth in such writing. All remedies, either under this Agreement or by law or otherwise afforded to any party, shall be cumulative and not alternative.
8.12 Entire Agreement . This Agreement (including the Exhibits hereto), the Shareholders Agreement, the Restated M&AA and the other Transaction Agreements constitute the full and entire understanding and agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and any other written or oral agreement relating to the subject matter hereof existing between the Parties are expressly canceled.
8.13 No Commitment for Additional Financing . The Company acknowledges and agrees that no Purchaser has made any representation, undertaking, commitment or agreement to provide or assist the Company in obtaining any financing, investment or other assistance, other than the purchase of the Shares as set forth herein and subject to the conditions set forth herein. In addition, the Company acknowledges and agrees that (i) no statements, whether written or oral, made by any Purchaser or its representatives on or after the date of this Agreement shall create an obligation, commitment or agreement to provide or assist the Company in obtaining any financing or investment, (ii) the Company shall not rely on any such statement by any Purchaser or its representatives, and (iii) an obligation, commitment or agreement to provide or assist the Company in obtaining any financing or investment may only be created by a written agreement, signed by such Purchaser and the Company, setting forth the terms and conditions of such financing or investment and stating that the Parties intend for such writing to be a binding obligation or agreement. Each Purchaser shall have the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to refuse or decline to participate in any other financing of or investment in the Company, and shall have no obligation to assist or cooperate with the Company in obtaining any financing, investment or other assistance.
8.14 No Third Party Right . The Parties do not intend that any term of this Agreement should be enforceable by any person who is not a party to this Agreement by virtue of the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Ordinance (Cap. 623) or otherwise. Notwithstanding any benefits possibly conferred by this Agreement on any third party by virtue of the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Ordinance (Cap. 623), the Parties may amend, vary, waive, terminate or rescind this Agreement at any time and in any way without the consent of any Third Party.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Series B Preferred Shares Purchase Agreement as of the date first written above.
COMPANY:
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360 Finance, Inc. |
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By: |
/s/ ZHOU Hongyi |
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Name: |
ZHOU Hongyi |
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(print) |
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Title: |
Director |
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Address: |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Series B Preferred Shares Purchase Agreement as of the date first written above.
PURCHASERS:
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Hermitage Galaxy Fund SPC
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By: |
/s/ ZHU Xuejun |
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Name: |
ZHU Xuejun |
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(print) |
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Title: |
Director |
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Address: |
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Exhibit A
Schedule of Purchasers
Name |
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Jurisdiction of Organization |
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Number of Shares to
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Total Purchase Price
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Hermitage Galaxy Fund SPC on behalf of Hermitage Fund One SP |
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PO Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands |
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2,879,783 |
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23,500,000 |
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. |
Purchase and Sale of Series B Preferred Shares |
1 |
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1.1 |
Sale and Issuance of Series B Preferred Shares |
1 |
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1.2 |
Closing; Delivery |
1 |
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1.3 |
Defined Terms Used in this Agreement |
2 |
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2. |
Representations and Warranties of the Company |
3 |
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2.1 |
Organization, Good Standing, Corporate Power and Qualification |
3 |
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2.2 |
Capitalization |
3 |
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2.3 |
Authorization |
4 |
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2.4 |
Valid Issuance of Shares |
4 |
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2.5 |
Governmental Consents and Filings |
4 |
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2.6 |
Litigation |
4 |
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2.7 |
Intellectual Property |
5 |
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2.8 |
Compliance with Other Instruments |
5 |
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2.9 |
Agreements; Actions |
6 |
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2.10 |
Certain Transactions |
6 |
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2.11 |
Rights of Registration and Voting Rights |
7 |
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2.12 |
Financial Statements |
7 |
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2.13 |
Changes |
7 |
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2.14 |
Employee Matters |
8 |
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2.15 |
Tax Returns and Payments |
9 |
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2.16 |
Insurance |
9 |
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2.17 |
Permits |
9 |
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2.18 |
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act |
9 |
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3. |
Representations and Warranties of the Purchasers |
10 |
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3.1 |
Authorization |
10 |
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3.2 |
Purchaser Status |
10 |
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3.3 |
Regulation S Exemption |
10 |
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3.4 |
Disclosure of Information |
11 |
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3.5 |
Restricted Securities |
11 |
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4. |
Conditions to the Purchasers Obligations at Closing |
11 |
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4.1 |
Representations and Warranties |
11 |
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4.2 |
Performance |
11 |
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4.3 |
Closing Certificate |
11 |
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4.4 |
Restructuring |
11 |
SERIES B PREFERRED SHARES PURCHASE AGREEMENT
THIS SERIES B PREFERRED SHARES PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this Agreement ), is made as of 9 th , Aug. 2018 by and between
(a) 360 Finance, Inc., a Cayman Islands company (the Company );
(b) Shanghai Qiyu Information Technology Co., Ltd., a PRC company ( Shanghai Qiyu );
(c) Fuzhou 360 Online Microcredit Co., Ltd., a PRC company ( Fuzhou Microcredit ); and
(d) the investors listed on Exhibit A attached to this Agreement (each a Purchaser and together the Purchasers ).
Each of the Company, Shanghai Qiyu, Fuzhou Microcredit and the Purchasers is referred to herein individually as a Party and collectively as the Parties .
The Parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Purchase and Sale of Series B Preferred Shares .
1.1 Sale and Issuance of Series B Preferred Shares .
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each Purchaser agrees to purchase at the Closing and the Company agrees to sell and issue to each Purchaser at the Closing that number of Series B preferred shares, $0.00001 par value per share (the Series B Preferred Shares ), set forth opposite each Purchasers name on Exhibit A at a purchase price of $8.16033697 per share, at the Closing (as defined below). The Series B Preferred Shares issued to the Purchasers pursuant to this Agreement shall be referred to in this Agreement as the Shares .
1.2 Closing; Delivery .
(a) The purchase and sale of the Shares shall take place remotely via the exchange of documents and signatures, at 10: 00 a.m., on [20 th Aug, 2018] (Beijing time), or at such other time and place as the Company and the Purchasers mutually agree upon, orally or in writing (which time and place are designated as the Closing ).
(b) At the Closing, the Company shall deliver to each Purchaser (i) share certificate representing the Shares being purchased by such Purchaser at the Closing, and (ii) a copy of the register of members of the Company, certified by the registered agent or a director of the Company, reflecting the issuance of the Shares to the Purchaser, against the payment for the Shares by wire transfer to a bank account designated by the Company.
1.3 Defined Terms Used in this Agreement . In addition to the terms defined above, the following terms used in this Agreement shall be construed to have the meanings set forth or referenced below.
(a) Affiliate means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person who, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such Person, including, without limitation, any general partner, managing member, officer or director of such Person or any venture capital fund now or hereafter existing that is controlled by one or more general partners or managing members of, or shares the same management company with, such Person.
(b) China or the PRC means the Peoples Republic of China, excluding, for the purposes of this Agreement only, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan
(c) Company Intellectual Property means all patents, patent applications, trademarks, trademark applications, service marks, service mark applications, tradenames, copyrights, trade secrets, domain names, mask works, information and proprietary rights and processes, similar or other intellectual property rights, subject matter of any of the foregoing, tangible embodiments of any of the foregoing, licenses in, to and under any of the foregoing, and any and all such cases that are owned or used by the Company in the conduct of the Companys business as now conducted and as presently proposed to be conducted.
(d) Equity Securities means any equity interests of the Company, however described or whether voting or nonvoting, and any securities convertible or exchangeable into, and options, warrants or other rights to acquire, any equity interests or equity-linked interests of the Company.
(e) Shareholders Agreement means the agreement among the Company and the Purchaser and certain other shareholders of the Company dated as of the date of the Closing.
(f) Key Employee means any executive-level employee (including vice president-level or higher positions).
(g) Knowledge including the phrase to the Companys knowledge shall mean the actual knowledge after reasonable investigation of the Key Employees.
(h) Losses means actual out-of-pocket losses, damages, liabilities, costs or expenses.
(i) Material Adverse Effect means a material adverse effect on the business, assets (including intangible assets), liabilities, financial condition, property, prospects or results of operations of the Company.
(j) Person means any individual, corporation, partnership, trust, limited liability company, association or other entity.
(k) Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(l) Transaction Agreements means this Agreement, the Shareholders Agreement and, the Restated M&AA any other agreements, instruments or documents entered into in connection with this Agreement.
2. Representations and Warranties of the Company . The Company, Shanghai Qiyu and Fuzhou Microcredit (collectively the Warrantors ) hereby jointly and severally represent and warrant to each Purchaser that, except as set forth on the Disclosure Schedule attached as Exhibit B to this Agreement, which exceptions shall be deemed to be part of the representations and warranties made hereunder, the following representations are true and correct. The Disclosure Schedule shall be arranged in sections corresponding to the numbered and lettered sections and subsections contained in this Section 2 , and the disclosures in any section or subsection of the Disclosure Schedule shall qualify other sections and subsections in this Section 2 .
For purposes of these representations and warranties (other than those in Subsections 2.2 , 2.3 , 2.4 , and 2.5 ), the term the Company shall include any subsidiaries of the Company, Shanghai Qiyu and Fuzhou Microcredit, unless otherwise noted herein.
2.1 Organization, Good Standing, Corporate Power and Qualification . The Company is an exempted company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the place of its incorporation or establishment and has all requisite corporate power and authority to carry on its business as presently conducted and as proposed to be conducted. The Company is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the failure to so qualify would have a Material Adverse Effect.
2.2 Capitalization .
(a) Immediately prior to the issuance of any Series B Preferred Shares, there will be:
(i) a total of 281,851,108 shares that are (a) either issued and outstanding as class A ordinary shares (the Class A Ordinary Shares ), class B ordinary shares (the Class B Ordinary Shares ), class C ordinary shares (the Class C Ordinary Shares , together with Class A Ordinary Shares, Class B Ordinary Shares, the Ordinary Shares ), series A preferred shares (the Series A Preferred Shares ) or series A+ preferred shares (the Series A+ Preferred Shares , together with Series B Preferred Shares and Series A Preferred Shares, the Preferred Shares ), (b) or reserved for issuance pursuant to the Stock Plan;
(ii) 36,763,190 shares authorized as Series B Preferred Shares.
(b) The Company has reserved 25,336,096 shares of Class A Ordinary Shares for issuance to officers, directors, employees and consultants of the Company pursuant to its 2018 Stock Plan duly adopted by the Board of Directors and approved by the Company shareholders (the Stock Plan ).
(c) None of the Companys stock purchase agreements or stock option documents contains a provision for acceleration of vesting (or lapse of a repurchase right) or other changes in the vesting provisions or other terms of such agreement or understanding upon the occurrence of any event or combination of events, including without limitation in the case where the Companys Stock Plan is not assumed in an acquisition. The Company has never adjusted or amended the exercise price of any stock options previously awarded, whether through amendment, cancellation, replacement grant, repricing, or any other means. Except as set forth in the Restated M&AA, the Company has no obligation (contingent or otherwise) to purchase or redeem any of its Equity Securities.
2.3 Authorization . The Company has all necessary corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement, and to issue the Shares at the Closing and the Ordinary Shares issuable upon conversion of the Shares. The Transaction Agreements, when executed and delivered by the Company, shall constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms except (i) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance, or other laws of general application relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors rights generally (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding), (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief, or other equitable remedies, or (iii) to the extent the indemnification provisions contained in the Transaction Agreements may be limited by applicable laws.
2.4 Valid Issuance of Shares . The Shares, when issued, sold and delivered in accordance with the terms and for the consideration set forth in this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free of restrictions on transfer other than restrictions on transfer under the Transaction Agreements, applicable laws and liens or encumbrances created by or imposed by a Purchaser. Assuming the accuracy of the representations of the Purchasers in Section 3 of this Agreement, the Shares will be issued in compliance with applicable securities laws. The Ordinary Shares issuable upon conversion of the Shares has been duly reserved for issuance, and upon issuance in accordance with the terms of the Restated M&AA, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free of restrictions on transfer other than restrictions on transfer under the Transaction Agreements, applicable laws and liens or encumbrances created by or imposed by a Purchaser. Based in part upon the representations of the Purchasers in Section 3 of this Agreement, the Ordinary Shares issuable upon conversion of the Shares will be issued in compliance with securities laws.
2.5 Governmental Consents and Filings . Assuming the accuracy of the representations made by the Purchasers in Section 3 of this Agreement, no consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration, qualification, designation, declaration or filing with, any governmental authority is required on the part of the Company in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except for the filing of the Restated M&AA, and such consents, approvals, orders or authorizations, registrations, qualifications, designations, and declarations which, in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
2.6 Litigation . There is no claim, action, suit, proceeding, arbitration, complaint, or charge pending or to the Companys knowledge, currently threatened (i) against the Company or any officer, director or Key Employee of the Company arising out of their employment or board relationship with the Company; or (ii) to the Companys knowledge, that questions the validity of the Transaction Agreements or the right of the Company to enter into them, or to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreements; or (iii) to the Companys knowledge, which if determined adversely to the Company would reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor, to the Companys knowledge, any of its officers, directors or Key Employees is a party or is named as subject to the provisions of any order, writ, injunction, judgment or decree of any court or government agency or instrumentality (in the case of officers, directors or Key Employees, such as would affect the Company). There is no action, suit, proceeding or investigation by the Company pending or which the Company intends to initiate. The foregoing includes, without limitation, actions, suits, proceedings or investigations pending or threatened in writing (or any basis therefor known to the Company) involving the prior employment of any of the Companys employees, their services provided in connection with the Companys business, any information or techniques allegedly proprietary to any of their former employers or their obligations under any agreements with prior employers.
2.7 Intellectual Property . The Company owns or possesses or believes it can acquire on commercially reasonable terms sufficient legal rights to all Company Intellectual Property without any known conflict with, or infringement of, the rights of others. To the Companys knowledge, no product or service marketed or sold (or proposed to be marketed or sold) by the Company violates or will violate any license or infringes or will infringe any intellectual property rights of any other party. Other than with respect to commercially available software products under standard end-user object code license agreements, there are no outstanding options, licenses, agreements, claims, encumbrances or shared ownership interests of any kind relating to the Company Intellectual Property, nor is the Company bound by or a party to any options, licenses or agreements of any kind with respect to the patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, trade secrets, licenses, information, proprietary rights and processes of any other Person. The Company has not received any communications alleging that the Company has violated, or by conducting its business, would violate any of the patents, trademarks, service marks, tradenames, copyrights, trade secrets, mask works or other proprietary rights or processes of any other Person. The Company has obtained and possesses valid licenses to use all of the software programs present on the computers and other software-enabled electronic devices that it owns or leases or that it has otherwise provided to its employees for their use in connection with the Companys business.
2.8 Compliance with Other Instruments . The Company is not in violation or default (i) of any provisions of its Restated M&AA or Bylaws, (ii) of any instrument, judgment, order, writ or decree, (iii) under any note, indenture or mortgage, or (iv) under any lease, agreement, contract or purchase order to which it is a party or by which it is bound that is required to be listed on the Disclosure Schedule, or (v) to its knowledge, of any provision of any judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Company, the violation of which would have a Material Adverse Effect. The execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Agreements and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreements will not result in any such violation or be in conflict with or constitute, with or without the passage of time and giving of notice, either (i) a default under any such provision, instrument, judgment, order, writ, decree, contract or agreement; or (ii) an event which results in the creation of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any assets of the Company or the suspension, revocation, forfeiture, or nonrenewal of any material permit or license applicable to the Company.
2.9 Agreements; Actions .
(a) Except for the Transaction Agreements, there are no agreements, understandings, instruments, contracts or proposed transactions to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound that involve (i) obligations (contingent or otherwise) of, or payments to, the Company in excess of RMB100 million (ii) the license of any patent, copyright, trademark, trade secret or other proprietary right to or from the Company, (iii) the grant of rights to manufacture, produce, assemble, license, market, or sell its products to any other Person that limit the Companys exclusive right to develop, manufacture, assemble, distribute, market or sell its products, or (iv) indemnification by the Company with respect to infringements of proprietary rights.
(b) The Company has not (i) declared or paid any dividends, or authorized or made any distribution upon or with respect to any class or series of its capital stock, (ii) incurred any indebtedness for money borrowed or incurred any other liabilities individually in excess of RMB100 million or in excess of RMB200 million in the aggregate, (iii) made any loans or advances to any Person, other than ordinary advances for travel expenses, or (iv) sold, exchanged or otherwise disposed of any of its assets or rights, other than the sale of its inventory in the ordinary course of business. For the purposes of (a) and (b) of this Subsection 2.5 , all indebtedness, liabilities, agreements, understandings, instruments, contracts and proposed transactions involving the same Person (including Persons the Company has reason to believe are affiliated with each other) shall be aggregated for the purpose of meeting the individual minimum dollar amounts of such subsection.
(c) The Company is not a guarantor or indemnitor of any indebtedness of any other Person.
2.10 Certain Transactions .
(a) Other than (i) standard employee benefits generally made available to all employees, (ii) standard director and officer indemnification agreements approved by the Board of Directors, and (iii) the purchase of shares of the Companys capital stock and the issuance of options to purchase shares of the Companys Ordinary Shares, in each instance, approved in the written minutes of the Board of Directors (previously provided to the Purchasers or their counsel), there are no agreements, understandings or proposed transactions between the Company and any of its officers, directors, consultants or Key Employees, or any Affiliate thereof.
(b) The Company is not indebted, directly or indirectly, to any of its directors, officers or employees or to their respective spouses or children or to any Affiliate of any of the foregoing, other than in connection with expenses or advances of expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business or employee relocation expenses and for other customary employee benefits made generally available to all employees. None of the Companys directors, officers or employees, or any members of their immediate families, or any Affiliate of the foregoing are, directly or indirectly, indebted to the Company or, to the Companys knowledge, have any (i) material commercial, industrial, banking, consulting, legal, accounting, charitable or familial relationship with any of the Companys customers, suppliers, service providers, joint venture partners, licensees and competitors, (ii) direct or indirect ownership interest in any firm or corporation with which the Company is affiliated or with which the Company has a business relationship, or any firm or corporation which competes with the Company except that directors, officers, employees or shareholders of the Company may own stock in (but not exceeding two percent (2%) of the outstanding capital stock of) publicly traded companies that may compete with the Company; or (iii) financial interest in any material contract with the Company.
2.11 Rights of Registration and Voting Rights . The Company is not under any obligation to register under the Securities Act any of its currently outstanding securities or any securities issuable upon exercise or conversion of its currently outstanding securities. No stockholder of the Company has entered into any agreements with respect to the voting of capital shares of the Company.
2.12 Financial Statements . The Company has delivered to each Purchaser its unaudited financial statements as of December 31, 2017 and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 (collectively, the Financial Statements ). The Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ( GAAP ) applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods indicated, except that the unaudited Financial Statements may not contain all footnotes required by GAAP. The Financial Statements fairly present in all material respects the financial condition and operating results of the Company as of the dates, and for the periods, indicated therein, subject in the case of the unaudited Financial Statements to normal year-end audit adjustments. Except as set forth in the Financial Statements, the Company has no material liabilities or obligations, contingent or otherwise, other than (i) liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business subsequent to December 31, 2017; (ii) obligations under contracts and commitments incurred in the ordinary course of business; and (iii) liabilities and obligations of a type or nature not required under GAAP to be reflected in the Financial Statements, which, in all such cases, individually and in the aggregate would not have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company maintains and will continue to maintain a standard system of accounting established and administered in accordance with GAAP.
2.13 Changes . Since December 31, 2017 there has not been:
(a) any change in the assets, liabilities, financial condition or operating results of the Company from that reflected in the Financial Statements, except changes in the ordinary course of business that have not caused, in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect;
(b) any material damage, destruction or loss, whether or not covered by insurance;
(c) any damage, destruction or loss, whether or not covered by insurance, that would have a Material Adverse Effect;
(d) any satisfaction or discharge of any lien, claim, or encumbrance or payment of any obligation by the Company, except in the ordinary course of business and the satisfaction or discharge of which would not have a Material Adverse Effect;
(e) any material change to a material contract or agreement by which the Company or any of its assets is bound or subject;
(f) any material change in any compensation arrangement or agreement with any employee, officer, director or stockholder;
(g) any resignation or termination of employment of Key Employee of the Company;
(h) any mortgage, pledge, transfer of a security interest in, or lien, created by the Company, with respect to any of its material properties or assets, except liens that arise in the ordinary course of business and do not materially impair the Companys ownership or use of such property or assets;
(i) any loans or guarantees made by the Company to or for the benefit of its employees, officers or directors, or any members of their immediate families, other than travel advances and other advances made in the ordinary course of its business;
(j) any declaration, setting aside or payment or other distribution in respect of any of the Companys capital stock, or any direct or indirect redemption, purchase, or other acquisition of any of such stock by the Company;
(k) any sale, assignment or transfer of any Company Intellectual Property that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
(l) receipt of notice that there has been a loss of, or material order cancellation by, any major customer, supplier or business partner of the Company;
(m) to the Companys knowledge, any other event or condition of any character, other than events affecting the economy or the Companys industry generally, that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; or
(n) any arrangement or commitment by the Company to do any of the things described in this Subsection 2.13 .
2.14 Employee Matters .
(a) To the Companys knowledge, none of its employees is obligated under any contract (including licenses, covenants or commitments of any nature) or other agreement, or subject to any judgment, decree or order of any court or administrative agency, that would materially interfere with such employees ability to promote the interest of the Company or that would conflict with the Companys business. Neither the execution or delivery of the Transaction Agreements, nor the carrying on of the Companys business by the employees of the Company, nor the conduct of the Companys business as now conducted and as presently proposed to be conducted, will, to the Companys knowledge, conflict with or result in a breach of the terms, conditions, or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any contract, covenant or instrument under which any such employee is now obligated.
(b) The Company is not delinquent in payments to any of its employees, consultants, or independent contractors for any wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, or other direct compensation for any service performed for it to the date hereof or amounts required to be reimbursed to such employees, consultants or independent contractors. The Company has complied in all material respects with all applicable state and federal equal employment opportunity laws and with other laws related to employment, including those related to wages, hours, worker classification and collective bargaining. The Company has withheld and paid to the appropriate governmental entity or is holding for payment not yet due to such governmental entity all amounts required to be withheld from employees of the Company and is not liable for any arrears of wages, taxes, penalties or other sums for failure to comply with any of the foregoing.
(c) To the Companys knowledge, no Key Employee intends to terminate employment with the Company or is otherwise likely to become unavailable to continue as a Key Employee. The Company does not have a present intention to terminate the employment of any of the foregoing. The employment of each employee of the Company is terminable at the will of the Company. Except as set forth in Sub section 2.15 of the Disclosure Schedule or as required by law, upon termination of the employment of any such employees, no severance or other payments will become due.
(d) The Company has not made any representations regarding equity incentives to any officer, employee, director or consultant that are inconsistent with the share amounts and terms set forth in the minutes of meetings of the Companys board of directors.
2.15 Tax Returns and Payments . The Company has duly and timely filed all material tax returns required to have been filed by it and has all taxes which are due and payable as shown on such returns.
2.16 Insurance . The Company has in full force and effect insurance policies concerning such casualties as would be reasonable and customary for companies like the Company with extended coverage, sufficient in amount (subject to reasonable deductions) to allow it to replace any of its properties that might be damaged or destroyed.
2.17 Permits . The Company has all franchises, permits, licenses and any similar authority necessary for the conduct of its business, the lack of which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company is not in default in any material respect under any of such franchises, permits, licenses or other similar authority.
2.18 Foreign Corrupt Practices Act . Neither the Company nor any of the Companys directors, officers, employees or agents have, directly or indirectly, made, offered, promised or authorized any payment or gift of any money or anything of value to or for the benefit of any foreign official (as such term is defined in the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended (the FCPA )), foreign political party or official thereof or candidate for foreign political office for the purpose of (i) influencing any official act or decision of such official, party or candidate, (ii) inducing such official, party or candidate to use his, her or its influence to affect any act or decision of a foreign governmental authority, or (iii) securing any improper advantage, in the case of (i), (ii) and (iii) above in order to assist the Company or any of its affiliates in obtaining or retaining business for or with, or directing business to, any person. Neither the Company nor any of its directors, officers, employees or agents have made or authorized any bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment of funds or received or retained any funds in violation of any law, rule or regulation. The Company further represents that it has maintained, and has caused each of its subsidiaries and affiliates to maintain, systems of internal controls (including, but not limited to, accounting systems, purchasing systems and billing systems) to ensure compliance with the FCPA or any other applicable anti-bribery or anti-corruption law. Neither the Company nor any of its officers, directors or employees are the subject of any allegation, voluntary disclosure, investigation, prosecution or other enforcement action related to the FCPA or any other anti-corruption law (collectively, Enforcement Action ).
3. Representations and Warranties of the Purchasers . Each Purchaser hereby separately but not jointly represents and warrants to the Company that:
3.1 Authorization . Such Purchaser has full power and authority to enter into the Transaction Agreements. The Transaction Agreements to which the Purchaser is a party, when executed and delivered by the Purchaser, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Purchaser, enforceable in accordance with their terms, except (a) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance and any other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors rights generally, and as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies, or (b) to the extent the indemnification provisions contained in the Transaction Agreements may be limited by applicable securities laws.
3.2 Purchaser Status . Such Purchaser has the knowledge, sophistication and experience necessary to make an investment decision like that involved in the purchase of the applicable Securities.
3.3 Regulation S Exemption . Each Purchaser understands that the Purchased Shares are being offered and sold to it in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of United States federal and state securities laws under Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act and that the Company is relying upon the truth and accuracy of the representations, warranties, agreements, acknowledgments and understandings of each Purchaser set forth herein in order to determine the applicability of such exemptions and the suitability of each Purchaser to acquire the Purchased Shares. In this regard, each Purchaser represents, warrants and agrees that:
(a) No Direct Selling Efforts. The Purchaser did not contact the Company as a result of any directed selling efforts in the United States as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act.
(b) Offshore Transaction. At the time of the origination of contact concerning this Agreement and the date of the execution and delivery of this Agreement, each Purchaser was outside the United States.
3.4 Disclosure of Information The Purchaser has had an opportunity to discuss the Companys business, management, financial affairs and the terms and conditions of the offering of the Shares with the Companys management. The foregoing, however, does not limit or modify the representations and warranties of the Company in Section 2 of this Agreement or the right of the Purchasers to rely thereon.
3.5 Restricted Securities . The Purchaser understands that the Shares have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act, by reason of a specific exemption from the registration provisions of the Securities Act which depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of the investment intent and the accuracy of the Purchasers representations as expressed herein. The Purchaser understands that the Shares are restricted securities under applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws and that, pursuant to these laws, the Purchaser must hold the Shares indefinitely unless they are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and qualified by state authorities, or an exemption from such registration and qualification requirements is available. The Purchaser acknowledges that the Company has no obligation to register or qualify the Shares, or the Ordinary Shares into which it may be converted, for resale except as set forth in the Shareholders Agreement. The Purchaser further acknowledges that if an exemption from registration or qualification is available, it may be conditioned on various requirements including, but not limited to, the time and manner of sale, the holding period for the Shares, and on requirements relating to the Company which are outside of the Purchasers control, and which the Company is under no obligation and may not be able to satisfy.
4. Conditions to the Purchasers Obligations at Closing . The obligations of each Purchaser to purchase Shares at the Closing are subject to the fulfillment, on or before the Closing, of each of the following conditions, unless otherwise waived:
4.1 Representations and Warranties . The representations and warranties contained in Section 2 shall be true and correct in all respects as of the Closing, except where the failure of such representations and warranties to be true and correct would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
4.2 Performance . The Company shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all covenants, agreements, obligations and conditions contained in this Agreement that are required to be performed or complied with by the Company on or before the Closing.
4.3 Closing Certificate . A duly authorized officer of the Company shall deliver to the Purchasers at the Closing a certificate (i) certifying that the conditions specified in Sub sections 4.1 and 4.2 have been fulfilled.
4.4 Restructuring . A Companys fully owned subsidiary in China shall have entered into a set of contractual arrangement with Shanghai Qiyu, Fuzhou Microcredit and their shareholder Beijing Qibutianxia so that the Company will be able to exercise effective control over Shanghai Qiyu and Fuzhou Microcredit; receive substantially all of the economic benefits of Shanghai Qiyu and Fuzhou Microcredit; and have an exclusive option to purchase all or part of the equity interests in and assets of Shanghai Qiyu and Fuzhou Microcredit when and to the extent permitted by PRC law.
5. Conditions of the Companys Obligations at Closing . The obligations of the Company to sell Shares to the Purchaser at the Closing are subject to the fulfillment, on or before the Closing, of each of the following conditions, unless otherwise waived:
5.1 Representations and Warranties . The representations and warranties of the Purchaser contained in Section 3 shall be true and correct in all respects as of the Closing, except where the failure of such representations and warranties to be true and correct would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.2 Performance . The Purchasers shall have performed and complied with all covenants, agreements, obligations and conditions contained in this Agreement that are required to be performed or complied with by them on or before the Closing.
5.3 Proceedings and Documents . All corporate and other proceedings in connection with the transactions contemplated at the Closing and all documents incident thereto shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Company, and the Company shall have received all such counterpart original and certified or other copies of such documents as reasonably requested. Such documents may include good standing certificates.
6. Termination .
6.1 Termination Events . Subject to Sub section 6.2 , by notice given prior to the Closing, this Agreement may be terminated as follows:
(a) by mutual consent of all Parties;
(b) by the Purchasers if (i) a material breach of any provision of this Agreement has been committed by the Company, (ii) satisfaction of any condition in Section 4 by December 31, 2018 or such later date as the Parties may agree upon (the End Date ) becomes impossible (other than through the failure of any Purchaser to comply with its obligations under this Agreement), or (iii) if the Closing has not occurred on or before the End Date, unless the Purchaser is in material breach of this Agreement;
(c) by the Company if (i) a material breach of any provision of this Agreement has been committed by the Purchaser, (ii) satisfaction of any condition in Section 5 by the End Date becomes impossible (other than through the failure of the Company to comply with its obligations under this Agreement), or (iii) if the Closing has not occurred on or before the End Date, unless the Company is in material breach of this Agreement.
6.2 Effect of Termination . Each Partys right of termination under Sub section 6.1 is in addition to any other right it may have under this Agreement or otherwise, and the exercise of a Partys right of termination will not constitute an election of remedies. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Sub section 6.1 , this Agreement will be of no further force or effect; provided, however, that (i) this Sub section 6.2 and Section 8 will survive the termination of this Agreement and will remain in full force and effect, and (ii) the termination of this Agreement will not relieve any Party from any liability for any breach of this Agreement occurring prior to termination.
7. Indemnification .
7.1 Survival of Warranties . The representations and warranties of the Warrantors and the Purchasers contained in or made pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the Closing.
7.2 Indemnification by the Warrantors . Subject to the other terms and conditions of this Section 7 , the Warrantors shall indemnify each Purchaser against, and shall hold each Purchaser harmless from and against, any and all Losses incurred or sustained by, or imposed upon, such Purchaser based upon, arising out of, with respect to or by reason of:
(a) any inaccuracy in or breach of any of the representations or warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement; or
(b) any breach or non-fulfillment of any covenant, agreement or obligation to be performed by the Company pursuant to this Agreement.
7.3 Indemnification By the Purchasers . Subject to the other terms and conditions of this Section 7 , each Purchaser shall indemnify the Warrantors against, and shall hold the Warrantors harmless from and against, any and all Losses incurred or sustained by, or imposed upon, the Company based upon, arising out of, with respect to or by reason of:
(a) any inaccuracy in or breach of any of the representations or warranties of such Purchaser contained in this Agreement; or
(b) any breach or non-fulfillment of any covenant, agreement or obligation to be performed by such Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement.
7.4 Certain Limitations . A Party making a claim under this Section 7 is referred to as the Indemnified Party , and a Party against whom such claims are asserted under this Section 7 is referred to as the Indemnifying Party . The indemnification provided for in Section 7.2 and Section 7.3 shall be subject to the following limitations:
(a) The Indemnifying Party shall not be liable to the Indemnified Party for indemnification under Section 7.2 or Section 7.3 , as the case may be, until the aggregate amount of all Losses in respect of indemnification under Section 7.2 or Section 7.3 exceeds $1 million (the Deductible ), in which event the Indemnifying Party shall only be required to pay or be liable for Losses in excess of the Deductible.
(b) The aggregate amount of all Losses for which an Indemnifying Party shall be liable pursuant to Section 7.2 or Section 7.3 as the case may be, shall not exceed 10% of the purchase price paid or received, as appropriate, by the Indemnified Party pursuant to this Agreement.
(c) Payments by an Indemnifying Party pursuant to Section 7.2 or Section 7.3 in respect of any Loss shall be limited to the amount of any liability or damage that remains after deducting therefrom any insurance proceeds and any indemnity, contribution or other similar payment received or reasonably expected to be received by the Indemnified Party in respect of any such claim. The Indemnified Party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to recover under insurance policies or indemnity, contribution or other similar agreements for any Losses prior to seeking indemnification under this Agreement.
(d) Payments by an Indemnifying Party pursuant to Section 7.2 or Section 7.3 in respect of any Loss shall be reduced by an amount equal to any tax benefit realized or reasonably expected to be realized as a result of such Loss by the Indemnified Party.
(e) In no event shall any Indemnifying Party be liable to any Indemnified Party for any punitive, incidental, consequential, special or indirect damages, including loss of future revenue or income, loss of business reputation or opportunity relating to the breach or alleged breach of this Agreement, or diminution of value or any damages based on any type of multiple.
(f) Each Indemnified Party shall take, and cause its Affiliates to take, all reasonable steps to mitigate any Loss upon becoming aware of any event or circumstance that would be reasonably expected to, or does, give rise thereto, including incurring costs only to the minimum extent necessary to remedy the breach that gives rise to such Loss.
(g) The Indemnifying Party shall not be liable under this Section 7 for any Losses based upon or arising out of any inaccuracy in or breach of any of the representations or warranties contained in Section 2 or Section 3 if the Indemnified Party had knowledge of such inaccuracy or breach prior to the Closing.
7.5 Indemnification Procedures .
(a) Third-Party Claims . If any Indemnified Party receives notice of the assertion or commencement of any action, suit, claim or other legal proceeding made or brought by any Person who is not a party to this Agreement or an Affiliate of a party to this Agreement or a Representative of the foregoing (a Third-Party Claim ) against such Indemnified Party with respect to which the Indemnifying Party is obligated to provide indemnification under this Agreement, the Indemnified Party shall give the Indemnifying Party prompt written notice thereof. The failure to give such prompt written notice shall not, however, relieve the Indemnifying Party of its indemnification obligations, except and only to the extent that the Indemnifying Party forfeits rights or defenses by reason of such failure. Such notice by the Indemnified Party shall describe the Third-Party Claim in reasonable detail, shall include copies of all material written evidence thereof and shall indicate the estimated amount, if reasonably practicable, of the Loss that has been or may be sustained by the Indemnified Party. The Indemnifying Party shall have the right to participate in, or by giving written notice to the Indemnified Party, to assume the defense of any Third-Party Claim at the Indemnifying Partys expense and by the Indemnifying Partys own counsel, and the Indemnified Party shall cooperate in good faith in such defense. In the event that the Indemnifying Party assumes the defense of any Third-Party Claim, subject to Section 7.5(b) , it shall have the right to take such action as it deems necessary to avoid, dispute, defend, appeal or make counterclaims pertaining to any such Third-Party Claim in the name and on behalf of the Indemnified Party. The Indemnified Party shall have the right, at its own cost and expense, to participate in the defense of any Third-Party Claim with counsel selected by it subject to the Indemnifying Partys right to control the defense thereof. If the Indemnifying Party elects not to compromise or defend such Third-Party Claim or fails to promptly notify the Indemnified Party in writing of its election to defend as provided in this Agreement, the Indemnified Party may, subject to Section 7.5(b) , pay, compromise, defend such Third-Party Claim and seek indemnification for any and all Losses based upon, arising from or relating to such Third-Party Claim. Seller and Buyer shall cooperate with each other in all reasonable respects in connection with the defense of any Third-Party Claim, including making available records relating to such Third-Party Claim and furnishing, without expense (other than reimbursement of actual out-of-pocket expenses) to the defending party, management employees of the non-defending party as may be reasonably necessary for the preparation of the defense of such Third-Party Claim.
(b) Settlement of Third-Party Claims . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Indemnifying Party shall not enter into settlement of any Third-Party Claim without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), except as provided in this Section 7.5(b) . If a firm offer is made to settle a Third-Party Claim without leading to liability or the creation of a financial or other obligation on the part of the Indemnified Party and provides, in customary form, for the unconditional release of each Indemnified Party from all liabilities and obligations in connection with such Third-Party Claim and the Indemnifying Party desires to accept and agree to such offer, the Indemnifying Party shall give written notice to that effect to the Indemnified Party. If the Indemnified Party fails to consent to such firm offer within ten days after its receipt of such notice, the Indemnified Party may continue to contest or defend such Third-Party Claim and in such event, the maximum liability of the Indemnifying Party as to such Third-Party Claim shall not exceed the amount of such settlement offer. If the Indemnified Party fails to consent to such firm offer and also fails to assume defense of such Third-Party Claim, the Indemnifying Party may settle the Third-Party Claim upon the terms set forth in such firm offer to settle such Third-Party Claim. If the Indemnified Party has assumed the defense pursuant to Section 7.5(a) , it shall not agree to any settlement without the written consent of the Indemnifying Party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed).
8. Miscellaneous .
8.1 Confidentiality .
(a) Subject to the disclosures permitted by Section (b) , each of the Parties acknowledges that the information being provided to such Party (the Receiving Party ) in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement may be material non-public information and hereby covenants and agrees to keep, and cause its Affiliates and its and its Affiliates directors, officers, employees, accountants, agents, counsel and other representatives (collectively, Representatives ) to keep confidential any information identified by the Party providing information hereunder (the Providing Party ) as confidential, unless (a) such information becomes generally available to the public (other than as a result of a breach of this Section 8.1 by the Receiving Party, its Affiliates or their Representatives), (b) such information was available to the Receiving Party on a non-confidential basis from a source (other than the Providing Party, its Affiliates or their Representatives) that, to the Receiving Partys knowledge, is not and was not prohibited from disclosing such information to such Receiving Party by a contractual, legal or fiduciary obligation (c) the Receiving Party is required by applicable law, regulation, rule, court order and subpoena, governmental order or listing rule to disclose such information or (d) such information will be included in the proxy statement, the circular or any other materials, if applicable, for the purpose of the shareholders meeting approving the transaction contemplated hereby; provided, however, that in an event specified in clause (c) above, the Receiving Party shall provide the Providing Party, if legally permissible and practicable, with prompt prior written notice of such required disclosure and that the Receiving Party shall disclose only that portion of the confidential information that such Receiving Party is advised by counsel is legally required.
(b) None of the Parties, nor any of their respective Affiliates, shall issue any press release or other public announcement or communication with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby without the prior written consent of the other Parties, except to the extent a Partys counsel deems such disclosure necessary in order to comply with any law issued by any securities exchange or other similar regulatory body, shall limit such disclosure to the information such counsel advises is required to comply with such law, governmental order or listing rule and if reasonably practicable, shall consult with the other Parties regarding such disclosure and give good faith consideration to any suggested changes to such disclosure from the other Parties.
(c) Notwithstanding anything in Section 8 of this Agreement, the Receiving Party may disclose information in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to any prospective purchaser of any Share or derivative instrument linked to any Share from such Receiving Party, provided that, (i) such prospective purchaser agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Sub section 8.1 , and (ii) such disclosure happens after the Closing.
8.2 Amendment . Any provision of this Agreement may be amended if, but only if, such amendment is in writing and is duly executed and delivered by or on behalf of each of the Parties.
8.3 Successors and Assigns . The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the respective successors and assigns of the Parties. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any party other than the Parties hereto or their respective successors and assigns any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement, except as expressly provided in this Agreement.
8.4 Governing Law; Dispute Resolution .
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by the of the Hong Kong, without regard to conflict of law principles that would result in the application of any law other than the law of Hong Kong.
(b) Any dispute shall be settled by arbitration in Hong Kong administered by the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (the HKIAC ) in accordance with the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre Administered Rules (the HKIAC Rules ) then in force. There shall be three (3) arbitrators. Each of claimant and respondent shall appoint one (1) arbitrator and the third (3rd) arbitrator shall be appointed by the HKIAC Council. For the sake of clarity, the seat of arbitration shall be Hong Kong.
(c) The arbitral proceedings shall be conducted in English. To the extent that the HKIAC Rules are in conflict with the provisions of this Section 8.4 , including the provisions concerning the appointment of the arbitrators, the provisions of this Section 8.4 shall prevail.
(d) Each party to the arbitration shall cooperate with each other party to the arbitration in making full disclosure of and providing complete access to all information and documents requested by such other party in connection with such arbitral proceedings, subject only to any confidentiality obligations binding on such party.
(e) The award of the arbitral tribunal shall be final and binding upon the parties thereto, and the prevailing party may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for enforcement of such award.
(f) The Parties agree that the arbitral tribunal shall have the power to award equitable remedies (including specific performance). Any party to the Dispute shall be entitled to seek interim measures of protection and emergency relief in aid of arbitration from any court of competent jurisdiction. Application for such protective or similar emergency interim relief shall not be deemed inconsistent with the agreement to arbitrate or deemed a waiver of the right to arbitrate.
(g) During the course of the arbitral tribunals adjudication of the Dispute, this Agreement shall continue to be performed except with respect to the part in Dispute and under adjudication.
8.5 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in two (2) or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.
8.6 Titles and Subtitles . The titles and subtitles used in this Agreement are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Agreement.
8.7 Notices . All notices and other communications given or made pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon the earlier of actual receipt, or (a) personal delivery to the party to be notified, (b) when sent, if sent by electronic mail or facsimile during normal business hours of the recipient, and if not sent during normal business hours, then on the recipients next business day, (c) five (5) days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (d) one (1) business day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, freight prepaid, specifying next business day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All communications shall be sent to the respective Parties at their address as set forth on the signature page or Exhibit A, or to such e-mail address, facsimile number or address as subsequently modified by written notice given in accordance with this Sub section 8.7 .
8.8 No Finders Fees . Each party represents that it neither is nor will be obligated for any finders fee or commission in connection with this transaction.
8.9 Attorneys Fees . If any action at law or in equity (including, arbitration) is necessary to enforce or interpret the terms of any of the Transaction Agreements, the prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys fees, costs and necessary disbursements in addition to any other relief to which such party may be entitled.
8.10 Severability . The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision hereof shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision.
8.11 Delays or Omissions . No delay or omission to exercise any right, power or remedy accruing to any party under this Agreement, upon any breach or default of any other party under this Agreement, shall impair any such right, power or remedy of such non-breaching or non-defaulting party nor shall it be construed to be a waiver of any such breach or default, or an acquiescence therein, or of or in any similar breach or default thereafter occurring; nor shall any waiver of any single breach or default be deemed a waiver of any other breach or default theretofore or thereafter occurring. Any waiver, permit, consent or approval of any kind or character on the part of any party of any breach or default under this Agreement, or any waiver on the part of any party of any provisions or conditions of this Agreement, must be in writing and shall be effective only to the extent specifically set forth in such writing. All remedies, either under this Agreement or by law or otherwise afforded to any party, shall be cumulative and not alternative.
8.12 Entire Agreement . This Agreement (including the Exhibits hereto), the Shareholders Agreement, the Restated M&AA and the other Transaction Agreements constitute the full and entire understanding and agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and any other written or oral agreement relating to the subject matter hereof existing between the Parties are expressly canceled.
8.13 No Commitment for Additional Financing . The Company acknowledges and agrees that no Purchaser has made any representation, undertaking, commitment or agreement to provide or assist the Company in obtaining any financing, investment or other assistance, other than the purchase of the Shares as set forth herein and subject to the conditions set forth herein. In addition, the Company acknowledges and agrees that (i) no statements, whether written or oral, made by any Purchaser or its representatives on or after the date of this Agreement shall create an obligation, commitment or agreement to provide or assist the Company in obtaining any financing or investment, (ii) the Company shall not rely on any such statement by any Purchaser or its representatives, and (iii) an obligation, commitment or agreement to provide or assist the Company in obtaining any financing or investment may only be created by a written agreement, signed by such Purchaser and the Company, setting forth the terms and conditions of such financing or investment and stating that the Parties intend for such writing to be a binding obligation or agreement. Each Purchaser shall have the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to refuse or decline to participate in any other financing of or investment in the Company, and shall have no obligation to assist or cooperate with the Company in obtaining any financing, investment or other assistance.
8.14 No Third Party Right . The Parties do not intend that any term of this Agreement should be enforceable by any person who is not a party to this Agreement by virtue of the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Ordinance (Cap. 623) or otherwise. Notwithstanding any benefits possibly conferred by this Agreement on any third party by virtue of the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Ordinance (Cap. 623), the Parties may amend, vary, waive, terminate or rescind this Agreement at any time and in any way without the consent of any Third Party.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Series B Preferred Shares Purchase Agreement as of the date first written above.
COMPANY:
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360 Finance, Inc. |
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By: |
/s/ ZHOU Hongyi |
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Name: |
ZHOU Hongyi |
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(print) |
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Title: |
Director |
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Address: |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Series B Preferred Shares Purchase Agreement as of the date first written above.
PURCHASERS:
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TFI Special Opportunities Fund SPC - TFI New Era Growth SP |
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By: |
/s/ ZHAI Chenxi |
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Name: |
ZHAI Chenxi |
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(print) |
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Title: |
Director |
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Address: |
Harneys Fiduciary (Cayman) Limted, 4 th Floor, Harbour Place, 103 South Church Street, P.O. Box 10240, Grand Cayman, KY1-1002 Cayman Islands |
Exhibit A
Schedule of Purchasers
Name |
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Jurisdiction of Organization |
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Number of Shares to
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Total Purchase Price
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TFI Special Opportunities Fund SPC - TFI New Era Growth SP |
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Cayman |
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1,225,440 |
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10,000,003.34 |
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List of Principal Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities of the Registrant
Subsidiary |
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Place of Incorporation |
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HK Qirui International Technology Company Limited |
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Hong Kong |
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Shanghai Qiyue Information Technology Co., Ltd |
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Peoples Republic of China |
Variable Interest Entity |
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Place of Incorporation |
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Shanghai Qiyu Information Technology Co., Ltd. |
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Peoples Republic of China |
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Fuzhou 360 Online Microcredit Co., Ltd. |
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Peoples Republic of China |
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Fuzhou 360 Financing Guarantee Co., Ltd. |
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Peoples Republic of China |
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form F-1 of our report dated September 10, 2018 relating to the combined and consolidated financial statements of 360 Finance, Inc., its subsidiaries and variable interest entities (which report expresses an unqualified opinion and includes (1) an emphasis paragraph referring to the presentation of the combined and consolidated financial statements, and (2) an explanatory paragraph referring to the translation of Renminbi amounts to United States dollar amounts), appearing in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement.
We also consent to the reference to us under the heading Experts in such Prospectus.
/s/ Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Certified Public Accountants LLP
Shanghai, China
October 26, 2018
360 FINANCE, INC.
CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS
(Adopted by the Board of Directors of 360 Finance, Inc. on October 22, 2018, effective upon the effectiveness of its registration statement on Form F-1 relating to its initial public offering)
I. PURPOSE
This Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the Code ) contains general guidelines for conducting the business of 360 Finance, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively, the Company ) consistent with the highest standards of business ethics, and is intended to qualify as a code of ethics within the meaning of Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules promulgated thereunder. To the extent this Code requires a higher standard than required by commercial practice or applicable laws, rules or regulations, the Company adheres to these higher standards.
This Code is designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote:
· honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships;
· full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that the Company files with, or submits to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC ) and in other public communications made by the Company;
· compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations;
· prompt internal reporting of violations of the Code; and
· accountability for adherence to the Code.
II. APPLICABILITY
This Code applies to all directors, officers and employees of the Company, whether they work for the Company on a full-time, part-time, consultative or temporary basis (each, an employee and collectively, the employees ). Certain provisions of the Code apply specifically to our chief executive officer, chief financial officer, other chief officers, senior financial officer, controller, senior vice presidents, vice presidents and any other persons who perform similar functions for the Company (each, a senior officer , and collectively, the senior officers ).
The Board of Directors of 360 Finance, Inc. (the Board ) has appointed the head of the Legal Department of 360 Finance, Inc. as the Compliance Officer for the Company (the Compliance Officer ). If you have any questions regarding the Code or would like to report any violation of the Code, please contact the Compliance Officer by email at [******].
III. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
Identifying Conflicts of Interest
A conflict of interest occurs when an employees private interest interferes, or appears to interfere, in any way with the interests of the Company as a whole. An employee should actively avoid any private interest that may impact such employees ability to act in the interests of the Company or that may make it difficult to perform the employees work objectively and effectively. In general, the following are considered conflicts of interest:
· Competing Business . No employee may be employed by a business that competes with the Company or deprives it of any business.
· Corporate Opportunity . No employee may use corporate property, information or his/her position with the Company to secure a business opportunity that would otherwise be available to the Company. If an employee discovers a business opportunity that is in the Companys line of business through the use of the Companys property, information or position, the employee must first present the business opportunity to the Company before pursuing the opportunity in his/her individual capacity.
· Financial Interests .
(i) No employee may have any financial interest (ownership or otherwise), either directly or indirectly through a spouse or other family member, in any other business or entity if such interest adversely affects the employees performance of duties or responsibilities to the Company, or requires the employee to devote time to it during such employees working hours at the Company;
(ii) No employee may hold any ownership interest in a privately held company that is in competition with the Company;
(iii) An employee may hold less than 5% ownership interest in a publicly traded company that is in competition with the Company; provided that if the employees ownership interest in such publicly traded company increases to 5% or more, the employee must immediately report such ownership to the Compliance Officer;
(iv) Unless pre-approved by the Compliance Officer, no employee may hold any ownership interest in a company that has a business relationship with the Company if such employees duties at the Company include managing or supervising the Companys business relations with that company; and
(v) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Code,
(a) a director or any family member of such director (collectively, Director Affiliates ) or a senior officer or any family member of such senior officer (collectively, Officer Affiliates ) may continue to hold his/her investment or other financial interest in a business or entity (an Interested Business ) that:
(1) was made or obtained either (x) before the Company invested in or otherwise became interested in such business or entity; or (y) before the director or senior officer joined the Company (for the avoidance of doubt, regardless of whether the Company had or had not already invested in or otherwise become interested in such business or entity at the time the director or senior officer joined the Company); or
(2) may in the future be made or obtained by the director or senior officer, provided that at the time such investment or other financial interest is made or obtained, the Company has not yet invested in or otherwise become interested in such business or entity;
provided that such director or senior officer shall disclose such investment or other financial interest to the Board;
(b) an interested director or senior officer shall refrain from participating in any discussion among senior officers of the Company relating to an Interested Business and may not be involved in any proposed transaction between the Company and an Interested Business; and
(c) before any Director Affiliate or Officer Affiliate (i) invests, or otherwise acquires any equity or other financial interest, in a business or entity that is in competition with the Company; or (ii) enters into any transaction with the Company, the related director or senior officer shall obtain prior approval from the Audit Committee of the Board.
For purposes of this Code, a company or other entity is deemed to be in competition with the Company if it competes with the Companys financing and related services and any other business in which the Company engages in.
· Loans or Other Financial Transactions . No employee may obtain loans or guarantees of personal obligations from, or enter into any other personal financial transaction with, any company that is a material customer, supplier or competitor of the Company. This guideline does not prohibit arms-length transactions with recognized banks or other financial institutions.
· Service on Boards and Committees . No employee may serve on a board of directors or trustees or on a committee of any entity (whether profit or not-for-profit) whose interests could reasonably be expected to conflict with those of the Company. Employees must obtain prior approval from the Board before accepting any such board or committee position. The Company may revisit its approval of any such position at any time to determine whether an employees service in such position is still appropriate.
The above is in no way a complete list of situations where conflicts of interest may arise. The following questions might serve as a useful guide in assessing a potential conflict of interest situation not specifically addressed above:
· Is the action to be taken legal?
· Is it honest and fair?
· Is it in the best interests of the Company?
Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest
The Company requires that employees fully disclose any situations that could reasonably be expected to give rise to a conflict of interest. If an employee suspects that he/she has a conflict of interest, or a situation that others could reasonably perceive as a conflict of interest, the employee must report it immediately to the Compliance Officer. Conflicts of interest may only be waived by the Board, or the appropriate committee of the Board, and will be promptly disclosed to the public to the extent required by law and applicable rules of the applicable stock exchange.
Family Members and Work
The actions of family members outside the workplace may also give rise to conflicts of interest because they may influence an employees objectivity in making decisions on behalf of the Company. If a member of an employees family is interested in doing business with the Company, the criteria as to whether to enter into or continue the business relationship and the terms and conditions of the relationship must be no less favorable to the Company compared with those that would apply to an unrelated party seeking to do business with the Company under similar circumstances.
Employees are required to report any situation involving family members that could reasonably be expected to give rise to a conflict of interest to their supervisor or the Compliance Officer. For purposes of this Code, family members or members of employees family include an employees spouse, parents, children and siblings, whether by blood, marriage or adoption or anyone residing in such employees home.
IV. GIFTS, MEALS AND ENTERTAINMENT
All employees are required to comply with the Anti-Corruption Compliance Policy of the Company regarding gifts, meals and entertainment. A copy of such policy is attached hereto as Annex A.
VI. PROTECTION AND USE OF COMPANY ASSETS
Employees should protect the Companys assets and ensure their efficient use for legitimate business purposes only. Theft, carelessness and waste have a direct impact on the Companys profitability. Any use of the funds or assets of the Company, whether for personal gain or not, for any unlawful or improper purpose is strictly prohibited.
To ensure the protection and proper use of the Companys assets, each employee is required to:
· Exercise reasonable care to prevent theft, damage or misuse of Company property;
· Promptly report any actual or suspected theft, damage or misuse of Company property;
· Safeguard all electronic programs, data, communications and written materials from unauthorized access; and
· Use Company property only for legitimate business purposes.
Except as approved in advance by the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer of the Company, the Company prohibits political contributions (directly or through trade associations) by any employee on behalf of the Company. Prohibited political contributions include:
· any contributions of the Companys funds or other assets for political purposes;
· encouraging individual employees to make any such contribution; and
· reimbursing an employee for any political contribution.
VII. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND CONFIDENTIALITY
Employees shall abide by the Companys rules and policies in protecting the intellectual property and confidential information, including the following:
· All inventions, creative works, computer software, and technical or trade secrets developed by an employee in the course of performing the employees duties or primarily through the use of the Companys assets or resources while working at the Company are the property of the Company.
· Employees shall maintain the confidentiality of information entrusted to them by the Company or entities with which the Company has business relations, except when disclosure is authorized or legally mandated. Confidential information includes all non-public information that might be of use to competitors, or harmful to the company or its business associates, if disclosed.
· The Company maintains a strict confidentiality policy. During an employees term of employment with the Company, the employee shall comply with any and all written or unwritten rules and policies concerning confidentiality and shall fulfill the duties and responsibilities concerning confidentiality applicable to the employee.
· In addition to fulfilling the responsibilities associated with his/her position in the Company, an employee may not, without obtaining prior approval from the Company, disclose, announce or publish trade secrets or other confidential business information of the Company, nor may an employee use such confidential information outside the course of his/her duties to the Company.
· Even outside the work environment, an employee must maintain vigilance and refrain from disclosing important information regarding the Company or its business, business associates or employees.
· An employees duty of confidentiality with respect to the confidential information of the Company survives the termination of such employees employment with the Company for any reason until such time as the Company discloses such information publicly or the information otherwise becomes available in the public sphere through no fault of the employee.
· Upon termination of employment, or at such time as the Company requests, an employee must return to the Company all of its property without exception, including all forms of medium containing confidential information, and may not retain duplicate materials.
VIII. ACCURACY OF FINANCIAL REPORTS AND OTHER PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
The Company is required to report its financial results and other material information about its business to the public and the SEC. It is the Companys policy to promptly disclose accurate and complete information regarding its business, financial condition and results of operations. Employees must strictly comply with all applicable standards, laws, regulations and policies for accounting and financial reporting of transactions, estimates and forecasts. Inaccurate, incomplete or untimely reporting will not be tolerated and can severely damage the Company and result in legal liability.
Employees should be on guard for, and are required to promptly report, any possibility of inaccurate or incomplete financial reporting. Particular attention should be paid to:
· Financial results that seem inconsistent with the performance of the underlying business;
· Transactions that do not seem to have an obvious business purpose; and
· Requests to circumvent ordinary review and approval procedures.
The Companys senior financial officers and other employees working in the finance department have a special responsibility to ensure that all of the Companys financial disclosures are full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable. These individuals are required to report any practice or situation that might undermine this objective to the Compliance Officer.
Employees are prohibited from directly or indirectly taking any action to coerce, manipulate, mislead or fraudulently influence the Companys independent auditors for the purpose of rendering the financial statements of the Company materially misleading. Prohibited actions include but are not limited to:
· issuing or reissuing a report on the Companys financial statements that is not warranted in the circumstances (due to material violations of U.S. GAAP, generally accepted auditing standards or other professional or regulatory standards);
· not performing audit, review or other procedures required by generally accepted auditing standards or other professional standards;
· not withdrawing an issued report when withdrawal is warranted under the circumstances; or
· not communicating matters as required to the Companys Audit Committee.
IX. COMPANY RECORDS
Accurate and reliable records are crucial to the Companys business and form the basis of its earnings statements, financial reports and other disclosures to the public. The Companys records are a source of essential data that guides business decision-making and strategic planning. Company records include, but are not limited to, booking information, payroll, timecards, travel and expense reports, e-mails, accounting and financial data, measurement and performance records, electronic data files and all other records maintained in the ordinary course of business.
All Company records must be complete, accurate and reliable in all material respects. There is never an acceptable reason to make false or misleading entries. Undisclosed or unrecorded funds, payments or receipts are strictly prohibited. An employee is responsible for understanding and complying with the Companys recordkeeping policy. An employee should contact the Compliance Officer if he/she has any questions regarding the recordkeeping policy.
X. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS AND REGULATIONS
Each employee has an obligation to comply with the laws of the cities, provinces, regions and countries in which the Company operates. This includes, without limitation, laws covering commercial bribery and kickbacks, patent, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets, information privacy, insider trading, offering or receiving gratuities, employment harassment, environmental protection, occupational health and safety, false or misleading financial information, misuse of corporate assets and foreign currency exchange activities. Employees are expected to understand and comply with all laws, rules and regulations that apply to their positions at the Company. If any doubt exists about whether a course of action is lawful, the employee should seek advice immediately from the Compliance Officer.
XI. DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT
The Company is firmly committed to providing equal opportunity in all aspects of employment and will not tolerate any illegal discrimination or harassment based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, age, national origin or any other protected class. For further information, employees should consult the Compliance Officer.
XII. FAIR DEALING
Each employee should endeavor to deal fairly with the Companys customers, suppliers, competitors and employees. No employee may take unfair advantage of anyone through manipulation, concealment, abuse of privileged information, misrepresentation of material facts, or any other unfair-dealing practice.
XIII. HEALTH AND SAFETY
The Company strives to provide employees with a safe and healthy work environment. Each employee has responsibility for maintaining a safe and healthy workplace for other employees by following environmental, safety and health rules and practices and reporting accidents, injuries and unsafe equipment, practices or conditions. Violence or threats of violence are not permitted.
Each employee is expected to perform his/her duty to the Company in a safe manner, free of any influence of alcohol, illegal drugs or other controlled substances. The use of illegal drugs or other controlled substances in the workplace is prohibited.
XIV. VIOLATIONS OF THE CODE
All employees have a duty to report any known or suspected violation of this Code, including any violation of laws, rules, regulations or policies that apply to the Company. Reporting a known or suspected violation of this Code by others will not be considered an act of disloyalty, but an action to safeguard the reputation and integrity of the Company and its employees.
If an employee knows of or suspects a violation of this Code, it is such employees responsibility to immediately report the violation to the Compliance Officer, who will work with the employee to investigate his/her concern. All questions and reports of known or suspected violations of this Code will be treated with sensitivity and discretion. The Compliance Officer and the Company will protect the employees confidentiality to the extent possible, consistent with the law and the Companys need to investigate the employees concern.
It is the Companys policy that any employee who violates this Code will be subject to appropriate discipline, including termination of employment, based upon the facts and circumstances of each particular situation. An employees conduct, if it does not comply with the law or with this Code, can result in serious consequences for both the employee and the Company.
The Company strictly prohibits retaliation against an employee who, in good faith, seeks help or reports known or suspected violations. An employee inflicting reprisal or retaliation against another employee for reporting a known or suspected violation will be subject to disciplinary action, including termination of employment.
XV. WAIVERS OF THE CODE
Waivers of this Code will be granted on a case-by-case basis and only in extraordinary circumstances. Waivers of this Code may be made only by the Board, or the appropriate committee of the Board, and may be promptly disclosed to the public if so required by applicable laws and regulations and rules of the applicable stock exchange.
XVI. CONCLUSION
This Code contains general guidelines for conducting the business of the Company consistent with the highest standards of business ethics. If employees have any questions about these guidelines, they should contact the Compliance Officer. The Company expects all employees to adhere to these standards. Each employee is separately responsible for his/her actions. Conduct that violates the law or this Code cannot be justified by claiming that it was ordered by a supervisor or someone in higher management positions. If an employee engages in conduct prohibited by the law or this Code, such employee will be deemed to have acted outside the scope of his/her employment. The prohibited conduct will subject the employee to disciplinary action, including termination of employment.
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Annex A
Anti-Corruption Compliance Policy
通 商 律 師 事 務 所
Commerce & Finance Law Offices
6F NCI Tower, A12 Jianguomenwai Avenue,
Chaoyang District, Beijing, PRC; Postcode: 100022
Tel:(8610) 65693399 Fax: (8610) 65693838, 65693836, 65693837
Website: www.tongshang.com
September 10 , 2018
360 Finance, Inc.
China Diamond Exchange Center, Building B
No. 555 Pudian Road, No. 1701 Century Avenue
Pudong New Area, Shanghai 200122
Peoples Republic of China
Dear Mesdames/Sirs,
We are lawyers qualified in the Peoples Republic of China (the PRC ) and are qualified to issue opinions on the PRC Laws. For the purpose of this legal opinion (this Opinion ), the PRC does not include the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macau Special Administrative Region and Taiwan.
We act as PRC legal counsel for 360 Finance, Inc. (the Company ), a company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands, in connection with (a) the proposed initial public offering (the Offering ) by the Company of American Depositary Shares (the ADSs ), representing a certain number of Class A ordinary shares of par value US$ 0.00001 per share of the Company, in accordance with the Companys registration statement on Form F-1, including all amendments or supplements thereto (the Registration Statement ), filed by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC ) under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and (b) the Companys proposed listing of the ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange or Nasdaq Stock Market.
In so acting, we have examined the Registration Statement, the originals or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of documents provided to us by the Company and such other documents, corporate records, certificates, approvals and other instruments as we have deemed necessary for the purpose of rendering this Opinion, including, without limitation, originals or copies of the agreements and certificates issued by PRC authorities and officers of the Company (the Documents ).
In examining the Documents and for the purpose of giving this Opinion, we have assumed without further inquiry:
(a) the genuineness of all the signatures, seals and chops, the authenticity of the Documents submitted to us as original and the conformity with authentic original documents submitted to us as copies and the authenticity of such originals;
(b) the truthfulness, accuracy and completeness of the Documents, as well as the factual statements contained in the Documents;
(c) that the Documents provided to us remain in full force and effect up to the date of this Opinion and that none of the Documents has been revoked, amended, varied or supplemented except as otherwise indicated in such documents;
(d) that information provided to us by the Company, the PRC Subsidiary and the Variable Interest Entities in response to our enquiries for the purpose of this Opinion is true, accurate, complete and not misleading, and that the Company, the PRC Subsidiary and the Variable Interest Entities have not withheld anything that, if disclosed to us, would reasonably cause us to alter this Opinion in whole or in part;
(e) all Governmental Authorizations and other official statement or documentation are obtained by lawful means in due course;
(f) that each of the parties other than PRC companies is duly organized and is validly existing in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization and/or incorporation (as the case may be) ;
(g) that all parties other than the PRC companies have the requisite power and authority to enter into, execute, deliver and perform all the Documents to which they are parties and have duly executed, delivered, performed, and will duly perform their obligations under all the Documents to which they are parties; and
(h) all documents submitted to us are legal, valid, binding and enforceable under all such laws as govern or relate to them other than PRC Laws.
For the purpose of rendering this Opinion, where important facts were not independently established to us, we have relied upon certificates issued by Governmental Authorities and representatives of the shareholders of the Company, the PRC Subsidiary and the Variable Interest Entities with proper authority and upon representations, made in or pursuant to the Documents.
The following terms as used in this Opinion are defined as follows:
Shanghai Qiyue |
means Shanghai Qiyue Information Technology Co., Ltd. |
Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the same meanings described in the Registration Statement.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing and the disclosures contained in the Registration Statement and the qualifications set out below, we are of the opinion that:
1. (i)The ownership structures of the PRC Subsidiary and the Variable Interest Entities, both currently and immediately after giving effect to the Offering, will not result in any violation of the PRC Laws; and (ii) the contractual arrangements among Shanghai Qiyue, the Variable Interest Entities and their shareholders governed by the PRC Laws both currently and immediately after giving effect to the Offering are valid, binding and enforceable, and will not result in any violation of the PRC Laws, except that the pledges on the shareholders equity interest in the Variable Interest Entities would not be deemed validly created until they are registered with the competent Administration of Industry and Commerce. However, there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of the PRC Laws and future PRC laws and regulations, and there can be no assurance that the PRC authorities will not take a view that is contrary to or otherwise different from our opinion stated above.
2. The M&A Rules purport, among other things, to require an offshore special purpose vehicle controlled by PRC companies or individuals and formed for overseas listing purposes through acquisitions of PRC domestic interest held by such PRC companies or individuals, to obtain the approval from the CSRC prior to publicly listing their securities on an overseas stock exchange. Based on our understanding of the PRC Laws, the CSRCs approval is not required for the approval of the listing and trading of the Companys ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange, because (i) the CSRC currently has not issued any definitive rule or interpretation concerning whether offerings under the Prospectus are subject to the M&A Rules; (ii) the PRC Subsidiary were directly established as wholly foreign-owned enterprises, and the Company has not acquired any equity interest or assets of a PRC domestic company owned by PRC companies or individuals as defined under the M&A Rules that are the Companys beneficial owners after the effective date of the M&A Rules; and (iii) no provision in the M&A Rules clearly classifies the contractual arrangements among Shanghai Qiyue, the Variable Interest Entities and their shareholders as a type of transaction subject to the M&A Rules. However, uncertainties still exist as to how the M&A Rules will be interpreted and implemented and our opinions summarized above are subject to any new laws, rules and regulations or detailed implementations and interpretations in any form relating to the M&A Rules.
3. The statements set forth under the caption Taxation in the Registration Statement insofar as they constitute statements of PRC tax law, are accurate in all material respects.
This Opinion is subject to the following qualifications:
a) This Opinion relates only to the PRC Laws and we express no opinion as to any other laws and regulations. There is no guarantee that any of the PRC Laws, or the interpretation thereof or enforcement therefor, will not be changed, amended or replaced in the immediate future or in the longer term with or without retrospective effect.
b) We have not verified, and express no opinion on, the truthfulness, accuracy and completeness of all factual statements expressly made in the Documents.
c) This Opinion is intended to be used in the context which is specifically referred to herein and each section should be looked on as a whole regarding the same subject matter and no part shall be extracted for interpretation separately from this Opinion.
d) This Opinion is subject to the effects of (i) certain legal or statutory principles affecting the enforceability of contractual rights generally under the concepts of public interest, national security, good faith and fair dealing, applicable statutes of limitation, and the limitations by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors rights generally; (ii) any circumstance in connection with formulation, execution or performance of any legal documents that would be deemed materially mistaken, clearly unconscionable or fraudulent; (iii) judicial discretion with respect to the availability of injunctive relief, the calculation of damages, and the entitlement of attorneys fees and other costs; and (iv) the discretion of any competent PRC legislative, administrative or judicial bodies in exercising their authority in connection with the interpretation, implementation and application of relevant PRC Laws.
This Opinion is rendered to you for the purpose hereof only, and save as provided herein, this Opinion shall not be quoted nor shall a copy be given to any person (apart from the addressee) without our express prior written consent except where such disclosure is required to be made by applicable law or is requested by the SEC or any other regulatory agencies.
We hereby consent to the use of this Opinion in, and the filing hereof as an exhibit to, the Registration Statement, and to the reference of our name under captions Risk Factors, Enforceability of Civil Liabilities, Corporate History and Structure, Regulations and Legal Matters in the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we fall within the category of the person whose consent is required under Section 7 of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the regulations promulgated thereunder.
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[Signature Page]
Yours sincerely, |
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/s/ Commerce & Finance Law Offices |
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Commerce & Finance Law Offices |
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CONSENT OF OLIVER WYMAN CONSULTING (SHANGHAI) LIMITED
Oliver Wyman Consulting (Shanghai) Limited hereby consents to (i) references to our name, (ii) inclusion of information and data contained in our report entitled CHINA ONLINE CONSUMER FINANCE MARKET OVERVIEW AND PERSPECTIVES (together with any subsequent amendments made by us thereto, the Report) and (iii) citation of the Report, in each case, in this Registration Statement on Form F-1 (and in all subsequent amendments) in connection with the proposed initial public offering of 360 Finance, Inc. (the Company), in the prospectus contained therein, and in any other future filings or correspondence with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). We further hereby consent to the filing of this letter as an exhibit to such Registration Statement and any amendments thereto with the SEC.
/s/ Cliff Sheng |
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Cliff Sheng |
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Title: |
Partner |
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Oliver Wyman Consulting (Shanghai) Limited |
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Room 3708-10 |
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The Center |
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989 Changle Road |
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Xuhui District |
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Shanghai |
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August 30, 2018