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As filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on July 31, 2018.

Registration No. 333-226126

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

AMENDMENT NO. 1

TO

FORM F-1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

CNFinance Holdings Limited

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Not Applicable

(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)

 

 

 

Cayman Islands   6199   Not Applicable
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

44/F, Tower G, No. 16 Zhujiang Dong Road

Tianhe District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province 510620

People’s Republic of China

+86-201-62316688

(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)

 

 

Cogency Global Inc.

10 E. 40th Street, 10th Floor, New York NY

10016

(800) 221-0102

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copies to:

 

James C. Lin, Esq.

Li He, Esq.
Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
c/o 18th Floor, The Hong Kong Club Building
3A Chater Road
Central, Hong Kong
+852 2533-3300

 

David T. Zhang, Esq.

Steve Lin, Esq.

Meng Ding, Esq.

Kirkland & Ellis International LLP

c/o 26th Floor, 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.  ☐

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) 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.  ☐

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.  ☐

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.  ☐

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  ☒

If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with US 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.  ☒

† The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of each class of
securities to be registered
 

Proposed

maximum

aggregate

offering price (1)

 

Amount of

registration fee

Ordinary shares, par value US$0.0001 per share (2)(3)

  US$200,000,000   US$24,900 (4)

 

 

(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of determining the amount of registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933.
(2) Includes ordinary shares initially offered and sold outside the United States that may be resold from time to time in the United States either as part of their distribution or within 40 days after the later of the effective date of this registration statement and the date the shares are first bona fide offered to the public, and also includes ordinary shares that may be purchased by the underwriters pursuant to an over-allotment option. These ordinary shares are not being registered for the purpose of sales outside the United States.
(3) American depositary shares issuable upon deposit of the ordinary shares registered hereby will be registered under a separate registration statement on Form F-6 (Registration No.333-            ). Each American depositary share represents              ordinary shares.
(4) Previously paid.

 

 

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, as amended, or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to such Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 


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The information in this 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 prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to completion

Preliminary Prospectus dated             , 2018

             American Depositary Shares

 

LOGO

CNFinance Holdings Limited

Representing              Ordinary Shares

 

 

This is an initial public offering of American depositary shares, or ADSs, representing ordinary shares of CNFinance Holdings Limited.

We are offering              ADSs. Each ADS represents              of our ordinary shares, par value US$0.0001 per share.

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the ADSs. It is currently estimated that the initial public offering price per share will be between US$             and US$            .

We have applied for listing the ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CNF.”

We are an “emerging growth company” under applicable U.S. federal securities laws and are eligible for reduced public company reporting requirements.

 

 

See “ Risk Factors ” beginning on page 20 for factors you should consider before buying the ADSs.

 

 

Neither the United States Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

     Per ADS      Total  

Public offering price

   US$                    US$                

Underwriting discounts and commissions (1)

   US$        US$    

Proceeds, before expenses, to us

   US$        US$    

 

(1)

See “Underwriting” for additional disclosure regarding compensation payable by us to the underwriters.

The underwriters have a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional              ADSs from us at the initial public offering price less the underwriting discount.

The underwriters expect to deliver the ADSs against payment in U.S. dollars in New York, New York on             , 2018.

 

 

 

J.P. Morgan    Credit Suisse

Haitong International

 

 

The date of this prospectus is             , 2018.


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LOGO


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

     Page  

Prospectus Summary

     1  

Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company

     9  

Our Corporate Information

     9  

Conventions Which Apply to This Prospectus

     9  

The Offering

     12  

Summary Consolidated Financial Data and Operating Data

     14  

Risk Factors

     20  

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

     61  

Use of Proceeds

     62  

Dividend Policy

     63  

Capitalization

     64  

Dilution

     65  

Exchange Rate Information

     66  

Enforceability of Civil Liabilities

     67  

Corporate History and Structure

     69  

Selected Consolidated Financial Data

     72  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

     76  

Industry Overview

     106  

Business

     110  

Regulation

     142  

Management

     157  

Principal Shareholders

     164  

Related Party Transactions

     167  

Description of Share Capital

     168  

Description of American Depositary Shares

     177  

Shares Eligible for Future Sale

     189  

Taxation

     191  

Underwriting

     197  

Expenses Relating to This Offering

     207  

Legal Matters

     208  

Experts

     209  

Where You Can Find Additional Information

     210  

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-1  

We are responsible for the information contained in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information, and we take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information others may give you. We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than its date.

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 current only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or of 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

 

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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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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

The following summary is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read in conjunction with, the more detailed information and financial statements and the related notes 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” and information contained in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” before deciding whether to buy our ADSs. This prospectus contains information derived from various public sources and certain information from an industry report commissioned by us and prepared by Oliver Wyman, a third-party industry research firm, to provide information regarding our industry and market position in China. We refer to this report as the Oliver Wyman report. Such information involves a number of assumptions and limitations, and you are cautioned not to give undue weight to these estimates. We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the data contained in these industry publications and reports. The industry in which we operate is subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk due to a variety of factors, including those described in the “Risk Factors” section. These and other factors could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in these publications and reports.

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide accessible, affordable and efficient financing solutions to micro- and small-enterprise owners in China, helping them achieve their business dreams.

Overview

We are a leading home equity loan service provider in China with established business infrastructure. According to the Oliver Wyman report, we are the second largest home equity loan service provider among non-traditional financial institutions in China in terms of outstanding loan principal as of December 31, 2017. We facilitate loans by connecting micro- and small-enterprise (“MSE”) owners with our funding partners. MSEs refer to both individual business owners and registered micro- and small-enterprises with annual revenue of less than RMB20 million. With more than ten years of experience in the loan service industry, we have established a national network of 75 branches and sub-branches in over 40 cities in China. The extensive local knowledge and resources we have acquired while building our business infrastructure distinguish us from other market players. In 2016 and 2017, we originated home equity loans with aggregate principal amount of RMB8.3 billion and RMB17.1 billion, respectively, representing an increase of 106.0%. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, we originated home equity loans with an aggregate principal amount of RMB2.2 billion.

Our primary target borrower segment is MSE owners who own real properties in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities in China. We originated home equity loans for 12,983 and 23,705 borrowers in 2016 and 2017, respectively, representing an increase of 82.6%. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, we originated home equity loans for 3,949 borrowers. These MSE owners typically have quick cash flow turnover from their business operations with high demand for working capital. Their financing needs are often unpredictable, time-sensitive and frequent. Our target borrowers are underserved by traditional financial institutions. Traditional financial institutions often impose stringent and inflexible loan application requirements designed for large corporations, making it difficult for MSE owners to meet such requirements. In addition, time-consuming and cumbersome requirements often limit MSE owners’ ability to meet their imminent financing needs. Moreover, unlike in the United States where home equity loans commonly serve as a financing alternative, according to the Oliver Wyman report, traditional lenders in China, such as banks, typically do not grant loans secured by second lien interests and are generally less incentivized to introduce innovative home equity loan products.

We aim to serve our target borrowers by facilitating home equity loans and providing tailored services. Our standardized and integrated online and offline credit application and assessment process shortens the time of loan disbursement to as fast as 48 hours from submission of a qualified loan application with all necessary



 

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documentation, providing expeditious financing solutions to MSE owners. We typically facilitate home equity loans to MSE owners in the form of installment loans with a monthly contractual interest rate typically ranging from 0.9% to 1.3% and a tenor typically ranging from one to eight years, assisting borrowers’ short-term and long-term business plannings. In 2016 and 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018, the average tenor of the home equity loans we originated was 50, 66 and 65 months with the weighted average effective interest rate (inclusive of interests and financing service fees, if applicable, payable by the borrowers) of 26.0%, 23.7% and 22.4% per annum, respectively. The increase in the average tenor is because starting from April 2017 we facilitated more loan products with a longer term of eight years, and the decrease in the weighted average effective interest rate is because we ceased charging financing service fees to the borrowers starting from August 2017, and loan products with a term of eight years typically have a lower effective interest rate. The loan products are secured by first or second lien interests on real properties. 61.1%, 58.0% and 57.8% of our total home equity loan origination volume in 2016, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018, respectively, was secured by second lien interests. Depending on the value of the collateral and the creditworthiness of the borrower, we offer flexible loan principal typically ranging from RMB100,000 to RMB3,000,000.

We have a rigorous and robust risk management system. Our risk mitigation mechanism is embedded in the design of our loan products, supported by an integrated online and offline process focusing on risks of both borrowers and collateral and further enhanced by effective post-loan management procedures. Our extensive business infrastructure supports our operations by providing various offline services, such as on-site visits, interaction with local real property bureaus and debt collection. Collateral for loans we facilitate is geographically dispersed in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities in China to diversify our risk concentration in any local real estate market. Our home equity loan products are typically installment loans which require monthly payments comprising principal and interests repayments. We timely monitor borrowers’ credit status, which enables us to take actions quickly if we believe there is a risk of default. Our practical risk assessment focuses on both credit risks of borrowers and quality of the collateral. We have also established strict guidelines on the characteristics and quality of collateral, including, among others, a LTV ratio capped at 80%. The weighted average LTV ratio of the home equity loan origination volume was 65.9%, 66.7% and 62.6% in 2016, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018, respectively. As of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and March 31, 2018, the NPL ratio was 1.50%, 1.66% and 1.75%, respectively. Charge-off ratio in 2016, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was 0.005%, 0.093% and nil, respectively.

The loans we facilitate are primarily funded through a trust lending model with our trust company partners. Our trust company partners are well-established with sufficient funding sources and have licenses to engage in lending business nationwide. Our trust company partners are regulated by CBIRC and all the trust plans are registered with the CBIRC. This structure provides us with stable funding sources. Under the trust lending model, our trust company partners set up trust plans and acquire funding from their investors. Trust plans are typical investment vehicles in which investors participate by subscribing to trust units and receive a return as set out in subscription agreements. Each trust plan issues multiple trust products which are funded with senior and subordinated units at a pre-determined ratio with a term of one to three years. The loans funded by the trust products, however, have terms typically ranging from one to eight years. For details of matching our funding sources and loans we facilitate, please refer to “Business—Our Funding Model—Matching of Terms of Funding Sources and Loans.” The contractual structural leverage ratio of the senior units and subordinated units of trust plans or products is determined pursuant to our collaboration agreements with our trust company partners, which set the upper limit to such ratio at a range of 3:1 to 9:1. Due to recent regulatory changes, we will work with our trust company partners to lower the contractual structural leverage ratio of each trust product to no higher than 3:1 before the end of 2020, the grace period provided by the Guiding Opinion on Regulating the Asset Management Business of Financial Institutions (the “Guiding Opinion”). As of March 31, 2018, the actual structural leverage ratio of our trust plans was generally no higher than 3:1. For details, please refer to “Business—Our Funding Model—Terms of the Trust Plans” and “—Funding Partners.” As part of the collaboration we have with our trust company partners, we are required to subscribe to all of the subordinated



 

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units of trust plans. By subscribing to subordinated units, we are entitled to the residual value from trust plans after certain payments to senior unit holders, trust company partners and third-party service providers. Payments to senior unit holders consist of expected investment returns which are usually paid quarterly and principal amounts which are repaid upon maturity. We as subordinated unit holders are paid an investment return each quarter after the quarterly payment to senior unit holders and upon maturity after the payment of principal amounts to senior unit holders. Our financing costs for the senior units, excluding the trust administrative fees, ranged from 9.75% to 12.4% per annum of the issuance amount of senior units in 2016, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018, our financing costs for subordinated units under repurchase arrangements with private equity funds ranged from 16% to 18% per annum of the transfer prices for such subordinated units in 2016, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018, and our financing costs for subordinated units under repurchase arrangements with third parties through a private financial assets trading platform ranged from 9.7% to 14% per annum of the transfer prices for such subordinated units in 2016, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018. Our cost of the subordinated units as measured by the investment amount was RMB1,928.6 million, RMB4,626.1 million and RMB4,802.3 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and March 31, 2018, respectively. Our investment return from the subordinated units was RMB391.2 million, RMB1,595.3 million and RMB497.6 million in 2016, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018, respectively.

To a lesser extent, we also have a direct lending model through which we lend directly under our small loan licenses to borrowers with our own funding or funding we acquire from transfer of rights to earnings in loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables to third parties with a repurchase arrangement. Our financing costs under such arrangement ranged from 9.7% to 14% per annum of the transfer prices in 2016, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

For details of our repurchase agreements with third parties under both the trust lending and direct lending models, please refer to “Business—Our Funding Model—Funding Sources” and “—Small Loan Direct Lending.” We generally rely on and will continue to rely primarily on our trust lending model, which is supplemented with our direct lending model. In 2017, funding from trust lending and direct lending models accounted for 95.4% and 4.6% of our total loan origination volume, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, funding from trust lending and direct lending models accounted for 99.7% and 0.3% of our total home equity loan origination volume, respectively.

Through our established network of sales teams and branch offices, we reach prospective MSE borrowers and assess their creditworthiness and collateral. If these borrowers meet our requirements, we refer them to our trust company partners who make their own credit decisions before directly lending to qualified borrowers. We help trust company partners sign loan agreements with borrowers directly, and assist borrowers in pledging collateral for the benefit of trust company partners. We are designated as the service provider and provide post-loan services such as payment monitoring, debt collection and release of collateral as the need arises. We provide top-up arrangement to trust plans associated with our subscription of subordinated units. Under this arrangement, we are required to manage the NPLs by repurchasing or replacing NPLs, or providing additional funding sufficient to cover outstanding principal and interests of NPLs. We receive a performance-based service fee up to 8% per annum of the size of the trust plan charged to the trust plans for the services we provide.



 

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The following charts illustrate the number of active borrowers, number of transactions, loan origination volume and outstanding loan principal of home equity loans as of and for the nine quarters ended March 31, 2018.

 

LOGO

We have grown significantly and were profitable in 2016, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018. Our total operating income increased from RMB867.3 million in 2016 to RMB2,013.0 million (US$320.9 million) in 2017, representing an increase of 132.1%, and from RMB400.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 to RMB599.6 million (US$95.6 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2018, representing an increase of 49.6%. Our net income increased from RMB235.4 million in 2016 to RMB532.7 million (US$84.9 million) in 2017, representing an increase of 126.3%, and from RMB112.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 to RMB196.7 million (US$31.4 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2018, representing an increase of 75.6%.

Our Strengths

We believe the following strengths differentiate us from our competitors, contributing significantly to our growth and success:

 

    leading home equity loan service provider well positioned to capture the massive and underserved financing needs of MSE owners;

 

    proven business model tailored to the financing needs of China’s MSE owners;

 

    well-established business infrastructure built for scale;

 

    robust risk management delivering superior asset quality; and

 

    experienced management team supported by dedicated workforce.


 

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Our Strategies

We plan to pursue the following strategies to grow and expand our business:

 

   

broaden customer reach;

 

   

diversify funding sources;

 

   

provide value-added services to our third-party partners; and

 

   

enhance technology and data analytic capabilities.

Our Challenges

Our business and successful execution of our strategies are subject to certain challenges, risks and uncertainties, including:

 

   

our ability to maintain and enhance our relationship and business collaboration with our trust company partners and to secure sufficient funding from them to fund the home equity loans we facilitate; and

 

   

the effectiveness of our risk assessment process and risk management system; and

 

   

our ability to maintain low delinquency ratios for loans originated by us.

In addition, we face risks and uncertainties related to the regulatory environment in China, including:

 

   

uncertainties associated with the interpretation and application of laws and regulations in China governing our business; and

 

   

changes in the political and economic policies in China.

We also face other challenges, risks and uncertainties that may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospectus. You should consider the risks discussed in “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus before investing in the ADSs.

Recent Development

We are in the process of finalizing our results for the second quarter of 2018. Accordingly, the data we present below are preliminary and subject to the completion of our financial closing procedures and any adjustments that may result from the completion of the quarterly review of our consolidated financial statements. As a result, these preliminary data may not be consistent with our consolidated financial statements for such period when they are completed and publicly disclosed. These preliminary data may change and those changes may be material. Our loan origination volume increased from RMB2.2 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to RMB3.6 billion for the three months ended June 30, 2018, representing an increase of approximately 63.6%. This is primarily attributable to increased funding capital from the trust plans established by China Foreign Economy and Trade Trust Co., Ltd. (“FOTIC”) after we finalized new arrangements with FOTIC in March 2018. Relatedly, our outstanding loan principal increased from RMB16.7 billion as of March 31, 2018 to RMB17.8 billion as of June 30, 2018, representing an increase of approximately 6.6%. Our delinquency ratio and NPL ratio increased from 11.04% and 1.75% as of March 31, 2018 to 11.49% and 1.82% as of June 30, 2018, respectively.

On July 16, 2018, we entered into a trust agreement with Zhonghai Trust Co., Ltd. (“Zhonghai Trust”) to set up a trust plan (“Zhonghai Trust Plan”). The Zhonghai Trust Plan issues trust products ranging from one to three years with a contractual structural leverage ratio of 3:1. Terms of the Zhonghai Trust Plan are similar to the other trust plans set up by our existing trust company partners. We subscribe to the subordinated units of the Zhonghai Trust Plan and serve as the loan service provider. We charge a service fee of 5% per annum of the size of trust



 

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plan, which is waived if the percentage of NPL out of the total amount of loans underlying the trust products exceeds 8%. We have not yet facilitated any loans using funding acquired under the Zhonghai Trust Plan. In May 2018, FOTIC established Jinghua Structure Fund 27 and Jinghua Structure Fund 29 with us. For details, please refer to “Business—Our Funding Model—Funding Partners.”

Corporate History and Structure

We started our operations in 1999 through Fanhua Chuang Li Information Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., which became our onshore holding company of the main operating subsidiaries in the PRC. In 2000, we formed our wholly owned Hong Kong subsidiary, China Financial Services Group Limited (“CFSGL”), as the offshore holding company of our PRC subsidiaries. In 2006, we were spun off from Fanhua Inc., a company listed on NASDAQ (symbol: FANH), and formed Sincere Fame International Limited (“SFIL”) under the laws of British Virgin Islands as the holding company of CFSGL. In January 2014, CNFinance Holdings Limited was incorporated under the laws of Cayman Islands. CNFinance Holdings Limited became our holding company through share exchanges with the shareholders of SFIL in March 2018. We conduct our business in the PRC primarily through Shenzhen Fanhua United Investment Group Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Heze Information Technology Co., Ltd. and their subsidiaries.



 

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The following diagram illustrates our corporate structure with material subsidiaries as of the date of this prospectus. For a complete list of our subsidiaries, please refer to Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017 included elsewhere in this prospectus. We subscribe to the subordinated units of the trust products issued under long-term trust plans through three of our wholly owned subsidiaries, Guangzhou Heze Information Technology Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Chengze Information Technology Co., Ltd. and Shenzhen Fanhua United Investment Group Co., Ltd. From an accounting perspective, we are exposed to the risk and variability of returns from activities of the trust plans and are therefore required to consolidate the financial results of the trust plans, including the results related to the senior units. Financial data of a trust plan is consolidated as if the trust plan is a subsidiary. Income and expenses of the trust plans are consolidated on our consolidated statements of comprehensive income while assets and liabilities of the trust plans are consolidated on our consolidated balance sheet. We do not, however, have ownership interest in the trust plans from a legal perspective other than in the subordinated units that account for only a portion of the total outstanding amount of the trust plans. For details of the contractual structural leverage ratio of each trust plan, please refer to “Business—Our Funding Model.”

 

LOGO

 

 

Notes:

(1)

Guangzhou Heze Information Technology Co., Ltd. is one of the entities through which we subscribe to subordinated units of trust products.

(2)

Guangzhou Chengze Information Technology Co., Ltd. is one of the entities through which we subscribe to subordinated units of trust products.



 

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(3)

Shenzhen Fanhua United Investment Group Co., Ltd. operates our loan services business through various subsidiaries in the PRC and operates our small loan business through Beijing Fanhua Micro-credit Company Limited and Shenzhen Fanhua Micro-credit Co., Ltd.

(4)

Established in May 2018.

(5)

Established in July 2018.



 

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IMPLICATIONS OF BEING AN EMERGING GROWTH COMPANY

As a company with less than US$1.07 billion in revenue for the last fiscal year, we qualify as an “emerging growth company” pursuant to the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (as amended by the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act of 2015), or 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, or Section 404, 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. However, we have elected to “opt out” of this provision and, as a result, we will comply with new or revised accounting standards as required when they are adopted for public companies. This decision to opt out of the extended transition period under the JOBS Act is irrevocable.

We will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest of (i) the last day of our fiscal year during which we have total annual gross revenues of at least US$1.07 billion; (ii) the last day of our fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the completion of this offering; (iii) the date on which we have, during the previous three-year period, issued more than US$1.0 billion in non-convertible debt; or (iv) 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.

OUR CORPORATE INFORMATION

The principal executive offices of our main operations are located 44/F, Tower G, No.16 Zhujiang Dong Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province 510620, People’s Republic of China. Our telephone number at this address is +86 (020) 6231-6688. Our registered office in the Cayman Islands is located at the offices of Cricket Square, Hutchins Drive, PO Box 2681. Grand Cayman, KY1-1111, Cayman Islands. Our agent for service of process in the United States is Cogency Global Inc. located at 10 E. 40th Street, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10016. Our corporate website is www.cashchina.cn. The information contained in our website is not a part of this prospectus.

CONVENTIONS WHICH APPLY TO THIS PROSPECTUS

Unless we indicate otherwise, all information in this prospectus reflects the following:

 

   

no exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option to purchase up to                  additional ADSs representing                  ordinary shares from us; and

Except where the context otherwise requires and for purposes of this prospectus only:

 

   

“active borrowers” refers to borrowers with outstanding loan principal of home equity loans as at the end of a specified period;

 

   

“ADSs” refers to the American depositary shares, each representing                  of our ordinary shares;

 

   

“CAGR” refers to compound annual growth rate;



 

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    “China” or “PRC” refers to the People’s Republic of China, excluding, for the purpose of this prospectus only, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau;

 

    “contractual interest rate” refers to the interest rate prescribed under loan agreements;

 

    “effective interest rate” refers to the annualized internal rate of return based on initial outlay of loan principal, initial inflow of financing service fees (if applicable) and expected monthly inflow of repayments;

 

    “leverage ratio” refers to the ratio of total assets to total shareholders’ equity;

 

    “charge-off ratio” refers to the ratio of charge-offs during a period over the average beginning and ending balances of outstanding loan principal of the same period;

 

    “Loan-to-value ratio”, or “LTV ratio” refers to the ratio of loan amount to the value of asset collateral; the loan amount is calculated as the amount of all outstanding loans to be secured by the collateral;

 

    “NPL” refers to a loan being delinquent for over 90 days;

 

    “ordinary shares” prior to the completion of this offering refers to our ordinary shares of par value US$0.0001 per share;

 

    “Pearl River Delta region” refers to Dongguan, Zhongshan, Foshan, Guangzhou, Huizhou, Jiangmen, Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Zhaoqing;

 

    “quick disposal plans” refers to the mechanisms that we utilize to quickly dispose of delinquent loans or collateral to recover potential losses, including selling the delinquent loans to third parties or disposal of collateral without going through judicial proceedings;

 

    “RMB” or “Renminbi” refers to the legal currency of the People’s Republic of China;

 

    “senior units” refers to the senior units and intermediate units, if applicable, in a trust plan;

 

    “structural leverage ratio” refers to the ratio of the total amount of senior units and subordinated units; intermediate units are included as senior units for the purpose of calculation;

 

    “Tier 1 cities” refers to Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou;

 

    “Tier 2 cities” refers to Dongguan, Foshan, Nanjing, Nanchang, Nantong, Xiamen, Hefei, Dalian, Tianjin, Changzhou, Xuzhou, Huizhou, Chengdu, Yangzhou, Wuxi, Kunming, Hangzhou, Wuhan, Jinan, Zhuhai, Shijiazhuang, Fuzhou, Suzhou, Xi’an, Zhengzhou, Chongqing, Changsha, Qingdao, Shaoxing, Ningbo, Wuxi, Ha’erbin, Changchun, Nanning, Wenzhou, Quanzhou, Guiyang, Taiyuan, Jinhua, Yantai, Jiaxing, Urumqi, Taizhou, Haikou, Jiaxing and Zhongshan;

 

    “total operating income” refers to the sum of (i) net interest and fees income and (ii) total non-interest revenue;

 

    “US$,” “dollars” or “U.S. dollars” refers to the legal currency of the United States;

 

    “we,” “us,” “our company,” “our,” and “CNFinance” refer to CNFinance Holdings Limited, a Cayman Islands company and its subsidiaries; and

 

    “Yangtze River Delta region” refers to Shanghai, Nanjing, Nantong, Hefei, Yixing, Changzhou, Yangzhou, Wuxi, Hangzhou, Jiangyin, Taizhou, Shaoxing, Suzhou, Jiaxing and Zhenjiang.

This prospectus contains information and statistics relating to China’s economy and its home equity loan industry derived from various publications issued by market research companies and PRC government entities, which have not been independently verified by us, the underwriters or any of their respective affiliates or advisers. The information in such sources may not be consistent with other information compiled in or outside China.



 

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Unless otherwise noted, all translations from Renminbi to U.S. dollars and from U.S. dollars to Renminbi in this prospectus are made at RMB6.2726 to US$1.00, the exchange rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board on March 30, 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. On July 20, 2018, the exchange rate as set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board for Renminbi was RMB6.7659 to US$1.00.

In this prospectus, where information has been presented in thousands, millions, billions or trillions of units or percentages, amounts may have been rounded up or down. Accordingly, totals of columns or rows of numbers in tables may not be equal to the apparent total of the individual items and actual numbers may differ from those contained herein due to rounding.



 

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THE OFFERING

 

Offering price

US$             per ADS.

 

ADSs offered by us

             ADSs (or              ADSs if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full).

 

The ADSs

Each ADS represents              ordinary shares, par value US$0.0001 per share. The depositary will hold the ordinary shares underlying your ADSs. You will have rights as provided in the deposit agreement.

 

  We do not expect to pay dividends in the foreseeable future. If, however, we declare dividends on our ordinary shares, the depositary will pay you the cash dividends and other distributions it receives on our ordinary shares, after deducting its fees and expenses in accordance with the terms set forth in the deposit agreement.

 

  You may turn in your ADSs to the depositary in exchange for ordinary shares. The depositary will charge you fees for any exchange.

 

  We may amend or terminate 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.

 

  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.

 

Ordinary shares

We will issue              ordinary shares represented by ADSs in this offering.

 

  All options, regardless of grant dates, will entitle holders to the equivalent number of ordinary shares once the vesting and exercising conditions on such share-based compensation awards are met.

 

  See “Description of Share Capital.”

 

Ordinary shares outstanding immediately after this offering

Immediately upon the completion of this offering,              ordinary shares will be outstanding, comprising              ordinary shares, par value US$0.0001 per share (or              ordinary shares if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs in full), including              ordinary shares, which number of shares has been calculated based on the initial offering price of US$              per ADS.


 

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Over-allotment option

We have granted to the underwriters an option, which is exercisable within 30 days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to an aggregate of              additional ADSs.

 

Use of proceeds

We expect to receive net proceeds of approximately US$              million from this offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

  We plan to use the net proceeds of this offering for working capital and other general corporate purposes. See “Use of Proceeds.”

 

Lockup

We, our directors and executive officers and certain existing shareholders have agreed with the underwriters, subject to certain exceptions, not to sell, transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any of ADSs or ordinary shares or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for ADSs or ordinary shares for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus. See “Shares Eligible for Future Sale” and “Underwriting” for more information.

 

NYSE trading symbol

CNF

 

Payment and settlement

The underwriters expect to deliver the ADSs against payment therefor through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company on              , 2018.

 

Depositary

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

 

Risk factors

See “Risk Factors” and other information included in this prospectus for discussions of the risks relating to investing in the ADSs. You should carefully consider these risks before deciding to invest in the ADSs.


 

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SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA AND OPERATING DATA

The following summary consolidated statements of comprehensive income data for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, summary consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and summary consolidated cash flow data for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The following summary consolidated statements of comprehensive income data for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018, summary consolidated balance sheet data as of March 31, 2018 and summary consolidated cash flow data for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018 have been derived from our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus, and have been prepared on the same basis as our audited consolidated financial statements and include all adjustments, consisting only of normal and recurring adjustments, that we consider necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position and operating results for the periods presented. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of results expected for future periods. You should read this “Summary Consolidated Financial Data and Operating Data” section together with our 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.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income Data

The following table presents our selected consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively.

 

    For the Year Ended December 31,     For the Three Months Ended March 31,  
    2016     2017     2017     2018  
    RMB     RMB     US$     RMB     RMB     US$  

Selected Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income:

           

Interest and fees income

           

Interest and financing service fee on loans

    1,242,128,524       3,406,110,592       543,014,156       624,052,654       1,063,195,480       169,498,371  

Interest on deposits with banks

    1,417,305       4,337,177       691,448       448,981       2,138,161       340,873  

Total interest and fees income

    1,243,545,829       3,410,447,769       543,705,604       624,501,635       1,065,333,641       169,839,244  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest expense

           

Interest expense on interest-bearing borrowings

    (442,661,324     (1,401,191,685     (223,382,917     (226,604,844     (467,238,302     (74,488,777

Interest expense on amounts due to related parties

    —         (8,714,000     (1,389,217     (296,000     —         —    

Total interest expense

    (442,661,324     (1,409,905,685     (224,772,134     (226,900,844 )       (467,238,302 )       (74,488,777
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net interest and fees income

    800,884,505       2,000,542,084       318,933,470       397,600,791       598,095,339       95,350,467  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Provision for credit losses

    (111,362,044     (306,752,951     (48,903,637     (41,891,522     (143,547,335     (22,884,822

Net interest and fees income after provision for credit losses

    689,522,461       1,693,789,133       270,029,833       355,709,269       454,548,004       72,465,645  

Realized gains/(losses) on sales of investments, net

    66,878,501       (11,527,798     (1,837,802     (1,474,014     709,808       113,160  

Other-than-temporary losses on available-for-sale investments

    (36,692,695     —         —         —         —         —    


 

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    For the Year Ended December 31,     For the Three Months Ended March 31,  
    2016     2017     2017     2018  
    RMB     RMB     US$     RMB     RMB     US$  

Other revenue, net

    36,261,933       23,979,610       3,822,914       4,704,502       843,097       134,409  

Total non-interest revenue

    66,447,739       12,451,812       1,985,112       3,230,488       1,552,905       247,570  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses

           

Employee compensation and benefits

    (299,225,819     (545,956,248     (87,038,269     (109,503,389     (117,113,556     (18,670,656

Share-based compensation expense

    —         (182,689,766     (29,125,046     (45,672,441     (9,928,792     (1,582,883

Taxes and surcharges

    (48,207,495     (38,835,933     (6,191,361     (10,958,462     (14,512,100     (2,313,570

Rental and property management expenses

    (24,404,690     (47,896,817     (7,635,879     (9,108,676     (14,055,902     (2,240,841

Impairment of goodwill

    (20,279,026     —         —         —         —         —    

Offering expenses

    —         —         —         —         (4,659,577     (742,846

Other expenses

    (75,807,908     (82,194,556     (13,103,746     (16,132,637     (19,907,912     (3,173,789

Total operating expenses

    (467,924,938     (897,573,320     (143,094,302     (191,375,605     (180,177,839     (28,724,586
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income tax

    288,045,262       808,667,625       128,920,643       167,564,152       275,923,070       43,988,628  

Income tax expense

    (52,603,423     (275,994,868     (44,000,075     (55,522,454     (79,176,187     (12,622,547

Net income

    235,441,839       532,672,757       84,920,568       112,041,698       196,746,883       31,366,082  

Earnings per share

           

Basic

    0.19       0.43       0.07       0.09       0.16       0.03  

Diluted

    0.19       0.40       0.06       0.09       0.15       0.02  

Other comprehensive income/(loss)

           

Net unrealized (losses)/gains on available-for-sale investments

    (194,680,052     (2,601,355     (414,717     (5,263,991     36,148       5,763  

Foreign currency translation adjustment

    (778,538     (198,794     (31,692     4,903       26,784       4,270  

Comprehensive income

    39,983,249       529,872,608       84,474,159       106,782,610       196,809,815       31,376,114  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 


 

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Consolidated Balance Sheet Data

The following table presents our selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and March 31, 2018, respectively.

 

    As of December 31,     As of March 31,  
    2016     2017     2018  
    RMB     RMB     US$     RMB     US$  

Selected Consolidated Balance Sheet:

         

Cash and cash equivalents

    233,138,588       1,190,360,385       189,771,448       1,467,458,484       233,947,404  

Loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables (net of
allowance)

    7,261,467,762       16,261,167,957       2,592,412,709       16,195,952,927       2,582,015,899  

Other assets (1)

    311,751,130       764,337,148       121,853,322       504,121,252       80,368,787  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

    7,806,357,480       18,215,865,490       2,904,037,479       18,167,532,663       2,896,332,089  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest-bearing borrowings (2)

    6,293,027,316       15,707,936,178       2,504,214,549       15,389,774,201       2,453,492,045  

Other liabilities (3)

    394,643,746       676,680,520       107,878,793       739,771,063       117,936,910  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    6,687,671,062       16,384,616,698       2,612,093,342       16,129,545,264       2,571,428,955  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

    1,118,686,418       1,831,248,792       291,944,137       2,037,987,399       324,903,134  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Notes:

(1)

Represents the sum of (i) available-for-sale investments, (ii) property and equipment, (iii) intangible assets and goodwill, (iv) deferred tax assets, (v) deposits and (vi) other assets as presented in our consolidated balance sheet.

(2)

Represents the sum of (i) borrowings under agreements to repurchase and (ii) other borrowings.

(3)

Represents the sum of (i) accrued employee benefits, (ii) amount due to related parties, (iii) income tax payable, (iv) deferred tax liabilities and (v) other liabilities as presented in our consolidated balance sheet.

Consolidated Cash Flow Data

The following table presents our selected consolidated cash flow data for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively.

 

    For the Year Ended December 31,     For the Three Months Ended March 31,  
    2016     2017     2017     2018  
    RMB     RMB     US$     RMB     RMB     US$  

Selected Consolidated Cash Flow:

           

Net cash provided by operating activities

    379,883,655       1,286,649,584       205,122,212       232,861,180       282,558,417       45,046,459  

Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities

    (4,700,415,345     (9,583,892,655     (1,527,897,946     (1,654,631,509     252,630,604       40,275,261  

Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities

    4,291,087,461       9,256,740,263       1,475,742,158       1,909,076,302       (257,891,696     (41,114,003

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

    (29,444,229     959,497,192       152,966,424       487,305,973       277,297,325       44,207,717  


 

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    For the Year Ended December 31,     For the Three Months Ended March 31,  
    2016     2017     2017     2018  
    RMB     RMB     US$     RMB     RMB      US$  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period

    260,081,796       233,138,588       37,167,775       233,138,588       1,190,360,385        189,771,448  

Effect of exchange rate change on cash and cash equivalents

    2,501,021       (2,275,395     (362,751)       (218,159)       (199,226)        (31,761)  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of th e period

    233,138,588       1,190,360 ,385       189,771,448       720,226,402       1,467,458,484        233,947,404  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-GAAP Financial Measure

Adjusted Net Income

We use adjusted net income, a non-GAAP financial measure, in evaluating our operating results and for financial and operational decision-making purposes. We believe that adjusted net income helps identify underlying trends in our business by excluding the impact of share-based compensation expenses, which are non-cash charges. We believe that adjusted net income provides useful information about our operating results, enhances the overall understanding of our past performance and future prospects and allows for greater visibility with respect to key metrics used by our management in its financial and operational decision-making.

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,      For the Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2016    2017      2017    2018  
     RMB    RMB    US$      RMB    RMB      US$  

Adjusted net income

   235,441,839    715,362,523      114,045,615      157,714,139      206,675,675        32,948,965  
  

 

  

 

  

 

 

    

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted net income is not defined under U.S. GAAP and is not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. This non-GAAP financial measure should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, its most directly comparable financial measure prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. A reconciliation of the historical non-GAAP financial measure to its most directly comparable GAAP measure has been provided in the tables included below. Investors are encouraged to review the reconciliation of the historical non-GAAP financial measure to its most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. As adjusted net income has material limitations as an analytical metric and may not be calculated in the same manner by all companies, it may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures used by other companies. In light of the foregoing limitations, you should not consider adjusted net income as a substitute for, or superior to, net revenues prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We encourage investors and others to review our financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.

The following table reconciles our adjusted net income for the periods presented to the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which is net income.

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,      For the Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2016      2017      2017      2018  
     RMB      RMB      US$      RMB      RMB      US$  

Net income

     235,441,839        532,672,757        84,920,568        112,041,698        196,746,883        31,366,082  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Add: share-based compensation expenses

     —          182,689,766        29,125,046        45,672,441        9,928,792        1,582,883  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted net income

     235,441,839        715,362,523        114,045,615        157,714,139        206,675,675        32,948,965  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 


 

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Key Operating Data

The following table presents our funding capital by sources, loan origination volume, outstanding loan principal, number of active borrowers and number of transactions by funding model for home equity loans as of the dates or for the periods indicated.

 

     As of December 31,      As of March 31,  
Funding capital by sources    2016      2017      2018  
   Amount
(RMB
in
millions)
     % of total      Amount
(RMB
in
millions)
     % of total      Amount
(RMB
in

millions)
     % of total  

Trust lending

                 

Senior tranche

     5,169        71.4      11,504        69.5      11,169        69.0

Subordinated tranche

                 

Own funds

     1,929        26.6      1,413        8.5      1,130        7.0

Transferred to third parties

     —          —          3,213        19.4      3,672        22.7

Direct lending

                 

Own funds

     —          —          50        0.3      50        0.3

Transferred to third parties

     141        1.9      366        2.2      168        1.0

Total

     7,239        100.0      16,547        100.0      16,189        100.0

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,     For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
     2016     2017     2018  
   Amount
(RMB in
millions)
     % of total     Amount
(RMB in
millions)
     % of total     Amount
(RMB in
millions)
     % of total  

Loan origination volume by funding model

               

Trust lending

     7,809        94.1     16,281        95.4     2,196        99.7

Direct lending

     486        5.9     789        4.6     6        0.3
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total loan origination volume

     8,295        100.0     17,071        100.0     2,201        100.0
     As of December 31,     As of March 31,  
     2016     2017     2018  
   Amount
(RMB in
millions)
     % of total     Amount
(RMB in
millions)
     % of total     Amount
(RMB in
millions)
     % of total  

Outstanding loan principal by funding model

               

Trust lending

     7,014        95.1     15,941        95.6     16,078        96.1

Direct lending

     361        4.9     733        4.4     650        3.9
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total outstanding loan principal

     7,375        100.0     16,674        100.0     16,728        100.0

 

     As of December 31,     As of March 31,  
     2016     2017     2018  
     Number of
active
borrowers
     % of total     Number of
active
borrowers
     % of total     Number of
active
borrowers
     % of total  

Number of active borrowers by funding model

               

Trust lending

     13,140        92.9     25,446        96.7     26,378        97.2

Direct lending

     1,007        7.1     880        3.3     769        2.8
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total number of active borrowers

     14,147        100.0     26,326        100.0     27,147        100.0


 

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     For the Year Ended December 31,     For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
     2016     2017     2018  
     Number of
transactions
     % of total     Number of
transactions
     % of total     Number of
transactions
     % of total  

Number of transactions by funding model

               

Trust lending

     13,606        95.3     25,509        96.8     4,070        99.8

Direct lending

     676        4.7     842        3.2     10        0.2
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total number of transactions

     14,282        100.0     26,351        100.0     4,080        100.0


 

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RISK FACTORS

You should consider carefully all of the information in this prospectus, including the risks and uncertainties described below and our consolidated financial statements and related notes, before making an investment in our ADSs. Any of the following risks and uncertainties could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. The market price of our ADSs could decline significantly as a result of any of these risks and uncertainties, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

Risks Related to Our Business

We have a limited operating history and our business practice continues to evolve, which makes it difficult to evaluate our future prospects.

We commenced our loan service business in 2006 and adopted our current business model in 2014. We have a limited operating history in the home equity loan market, especially in some aspects of our business operations, such as loan facilitation service and collateral management service, credit analysis and the development of cooperative relationships with funding partners and other business partners. Our ability to continuously attract borrowers and funding sources is critical to our business. We may from time to time introduce new loan services and products, make adjustments to our existing loan facilitation services and products and our risk management system, or make adjustments to our business operations in general.

The regulatory framework for China’s home equity loan market is evolving and may remain uncertain for the foreseeable future. If our business practices or the business practices of our trust company partners are challenged under any PRC laws or regulations, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects would be materially and adversely affected. From time to time we may refine existing commercial arrangements in our business operations to comply with changing regulatory focuses. Starting in November 2017, FOTIC, one of our primary trust company partners, amended its loan agreements with borrowers to add an option for FOTIC to demand payment of outstanding loan principal and interests before the maturity of the underlying trust funding. Starting in March 2018, we have been working with FOTIC to implement certain changes to our top-up arrangements (the “2018 FOTIC Funding Arrangements”) and performance-based service fee structure (the “2018 FOTIC Service Fee Structure”). For details, please refer to “Business—Our Funding Model—Credit Strengthening Services.” Unfavorable reception of the new business arrangements by potential borrowers could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. We may face the risk of increased borrower complaints, potential supervision, examinations or enforcement actions by regulatory agencies and/or penalties for violation of financial regulations and other applicable laws and regulations. We may not be able to successfully address the risks and difficulties associated with the new business arrangement, which could materially harm our business and operating results. The modifications to our business arrangements may also increase the complexity of our business and may present new and significant challenges, as well as strains on our management, personnel, operations, systems, technical performance and financial resources. As a result, past performance of our practice does not necessarily indicate our future prospects and performance. Such past performance may or may not be sustained 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 in this particular market. These risks and challenges include, among other things, our ability to:

 

    offer customized and competitive loan services and products;

 

    increase the utilization of our loan services by existing borrowers as well as new borrowers;

 

    maintain low delinquency ratios of loans originated by us;

 

    achieve an effective and efficient collection and foreclosure process to recover delinquent loans on behalf of our trust company partners in the event of loan default;

 

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develop sufficient, diversified, cost-efficient and reputable funding sources;

 

   

broaden our prospective borrower base;

 

   

navigate through a complex and evolving regulatory environment;

 

   

improve our operational efficiency;

 

   

promote standardized and disciplined operational procedures in local offices;

 

   

attract, retain and motivate talented employees to support our business growth;

 

   

maintain and enhance relationships with our business partners;

 

   

enhance our technology infrastructure to support the growth of our business and maintain the security of our system and the confidentiality of the information provided and utilized across our system;

 

   

navigate economic condition and fluctuation; and

 

   

defend ourselves against legal and regulatory actions.

Our historical credit enhancement arrangements to our trust company partners might be subject to challenges by relevant regulatory authorities, and we may potentially be required to obtain licenses.

Under our historical credit enhancement arrangements with our trust company partners, we are required to make payments for loan principal and interests that are in default. Under the 2018 FOTIC Funding Arrangements, our historical credit enhancement arrangements with FOTIC trust plans will be limited to existing loans and loans to be issued under existing trust products. We plan to implement similar changes for arrangements we have with our other trust company partners.

China Banking Regulatory Commission (“CBRC”), National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Commerce, the People’s Bank of China (“PBOC”), and the State Administration for Industry and Commerce jointly released Tentative Measures for the Administration of Financing Guarantee Companies on March 8, 2010 (“Tentative Measures”) and the State Council released Regulation on the Supervision and Administration of Financing Guarantee Companies on August 2, 2017, effective on October 1, 2017 (“Regulation on Financing Guarantee Companies”), both of which stipulate that no entity or individual may conduct the financing guarantee business without the approval of the relevant regulatory authorities. We do not charge any fees directly with respect to credit enhancement service and we do not hold qualifications for providing financing guarantee as a loan service provider. It is unclear whether our historical credit enhancement arrangements would be deemed as providing financing guarantee under PRC laws and regulations. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not been subject to any fines or penalties under the aforementioned regulations with respect to our historical credit enhancement arrangements. If we are deemed to be providing a financing guarantee without required licenses, we may be subject to penalties such as correction order, fines of up to RMB1 million and suspension of business, which could materially and adversely affect our business.

Furthermore, according to the Notice on the Regulation and Rectification of the “Cash Loan” Business (“Circular 141”) issued by the Internet Finance Rectification Office and the Online Lending Rectification Office, a banking financial institution or the like (including trust companies) shall not accept any credit enhancement service, loss-bearing commitment or any other credit enhancement service provided by any third-party institution without qualifications for providing guarantees when cooperating with them in lending businesses. Our PRC legal advisor, Han Kun Law Offices, advises us that it is uncertain whether Circular 141 would apply to us. Nevertheless, if we are deemed to be subject to and our collaboration with funding partners is deemed to be in violation of Circular 141, our funding partners could be subject to penalties, including suspension or termination of such credit enhancement arrangements with us, which may disincentivize our funding partners from future collaboration with us and could have a material adverse effect on our source of funding and results of operations.

 

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As of the date of this prospectus, we have not been subject to any fines or penalties under any PRC laws or regulations with respect to our historical credit enhancement arrangements. We cannot assure you that the regulatory authorities will not impose, among other things, regulatory warning, correction order, condemnation, fines or suspension of business license on us in the future because of our historical credit enhancement arrangements. Any of these actions by the regulatory authorities may have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Our trust company partners operate in a strictly regulated industry. If the practice of our trust company partners, including the cooperation arrangements with us, is challenged under any PRC laws and regulations, our business, financial condition and results of operations would be materially and adversely affected.

We provide home equity loan service to borrowers primarily through collaboration with our trust company partners. Our trust company partners operate in a highly regulated industry and, as a result, are required to comply with a wide array of laws and regulations that are continually evolving. If our collaboration arrangement is deemed to violate any of these laws and regulations, we may be required to make significant changes to our business arrangements. These changes may have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition and may not be implemented successfully.

According to Opinions of the General Office of the CBRC on Further Strengthening the Work of Supervising the Risks of Trust Companies, all local CBRC offices shall strengthen the analysis of the sources, durations and structure of the use of trust products’ funds, especially where the funds are open trust products issued in installments and are mismatched with the maturity date of its uses. All local CBRC offices shall (i) strengthen the screening and disposal of non-standard capital pool trusts, (ii) urge trust companies to dispose of existing, non-standard capital pools, (iii) prohibit the establishment of new non-standard capital pools, and (iv) submit monthly reports on the implementation of screening plans of non-standard capital pools, until standards are met. Capital pool is not a legal term defined under the PRC laws and regulations. Both standard capital pool and non-standard capital pool are strictly regulated. The major differences between standard capital pool and non-standard capital pool are qualification of investors and investees. Non-standard capital pool generally refers to the capital pool which mainly invests in non-standardized assets. Non-standardized assets include non-standardized debt assets and non-standardized equity assets, and only non-standardized debt assets are relevant to our business. Non-standardized debt assets generally refer to the debt assets with information disclosed only among trading parities and without public pricing. Only qualified investors are allowed to invest in non-standardized debt assets. Our trust company partners acquire funding primarily through trust products set up under various trust plans with a term of one to three years, while the loans we facilitate have tenors ranging from one to eight years. For details of matching of our funding sources and loan products we facilitate, please refer to “Business—Our Funding Model—Matching of Terms of Funding Sources and Loans.” Our trust company partners allocate committed funds from the trust plan accounts among approved borrowers, which could be viewed as creating a mismatch between an investor’s expected timing of exit and the maturity date of the loan. For details, please refer to “—Risks Related to Our Business—Loan products we facilitate may potentially be deemed as having a duration mismatch with underlying funding sources. We and our trust company partners may need to take additional measures to reduce any risks associated with the mismatch, which could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.” We do not have specific knowledge on whether our trust company partners are compliant with the foregoing regulation and relevant applicant laws and regulations when they are handling the payment by the borrowers and the payment to unit holders in trust plans. If our trust lending model is deemed as creating a duration mismatch, we may be required to make adjustments to our business practice and our source of funding, results of operations and financial condition may be materially and adversely impacted.

As part of continuous effort to comply with evolving laws and regulations, FOTIC, one of our primary trust company partners, amended the terms of their loan agreements with borrowers starting from November 2017 (the “2017 FOTIC Loan Agreement”). We have been working with FOTIC to further redesign our funding models to improve duration match of funding. Going forward, we will implement measures together with our trust company partners to ensure duration match of funding and loan products.

 

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Our trust company partners are also subject to other laws and regulations. For example, according to the Measures for the Administration of Trust Companies’ Trust Plans of Assembled Funds issued by the CBRC, trust companies may not provide loans in excess of 30% of the paid-in balance of all the trust plans under its management. It is our trust company partners’ responsibility to comply with these regulations and we have no specific knowledge as to whether our trust company partners are in compliance. We cannot assure you that our trust company partners have been in compliance at all times. As of the date of this prospectus, we are not aware of any material concerns under this regulation. However, we cannot assure you that relevant regulatory authorities would hold the same view, or impose additional restrictions on our trust company partners’ businesses. This regulation may limit our access to funding from our trust company partners in the future, which may have a material adverse impact on our source of funding and results of operations.

As of the date of this prospectus, we are not aware of any of our trust company partners being or having been subject to any material fines or penalties under any PRC laws or regulations for noncompliance as a result of their collaboration arrangements with us. We and our trust company partners have been in frequent communication with the governmental authorities to clarify the relevant regulatory requirements and to ensure that our collaboration is in full compliance with the laws and regulations. While we believe we currently are in compliance with existing PRC regulations, including Circular 141, in all material aspects, we cannot assure you that the PRC government authorities would agree with our interpretation of the relevant regulations. It is also possible that new laws and regulations may be adopted which, along with any possible changes needed to fully comply with any existing or newly released regulations, could require us to further modify our business or operations. The cost to comply with such laws or regulations would increase our operating expenses, and modifications of our business may have a material and adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. If any of our trust company partners are deemed to violate any laws, regulations and rules, they may face, among other things, regulatory warning, correction order, condemnation, fines, suspension of business license and criminal liability, which may have a material adverse impact on our funding source and results of operations.

Our business may be adversely affected if we are unable to secure funding on terms acceptable to us or our borrowers, or at all.

We fund most of the loans we originate through our trust company partners. Loans funded by our trust company partners are disbursed to borrowers directly through trust plans. 94.1%, 95.4% and 99.7% of our home equity loan origination volume was funded under trust lending model in 2016, 2017 and the three months ended March 31, 2018, respectively.

The availability of funding from our trust company partners depends on many factors, such as the availability of investors on their platforms, general economic conditions, change of regulatory requirements, actual and expected delinquency ratios compared to alternative opportunities, some of which are out of our control. Our trust company partners may seek to acquire borrowers independently or through other third parties. They may also develop their own credit analysis systems or use credit analysis services provided by other third parties, and as a result discontinue cooperating with us. In addition, our trust company partners may not be able to adapt their compliance practices with the evolving financial institution licensing and other regulations in the PRC. As a result, our ability to cooperate with our existing trust company partners may be subject to regulatory or other limitations. See “—Risks Related to Our Business—Some of our funding sources are highly regulated and are subject to the changing regulatory environment. If any of the funding sources is deemed to violate the PRC laws and regulations, we may need to secure new funding, failure of which may result in material and adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.”

As our business grows, we may need to obtain new funding sources or require current funding partners to increase the amount of funding provided. If there is a sudden or unexpected shortage of funds from our trust company partners or if we fail to maintain or develop relationships with our existing trust company partners or new funding partners, we may not be able to maintain necessary levels of funding without agreeing to less

 

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favorable terms, or at all. We may not be able to arrange additional, new or alternative methods of funding on favorable terms, or at all, or ensure that our cooperation with new funding partners will meet our expectations and the expectations of borrowers.

Additionally, if there is an unexpected scale of decrease in subordinated units due to a higher NPL ratio, we may not be able to arrange additional capital to increase our subordinated units contribution to satisfy the contractual structural leverage ratio as required by the subordinated units subscription agreement. If we are unable to secure sufficient funding on terms acceptable to us and our borrowers, or at all, we may not be able to provide attractive products and services to our borrowers, and our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

In May 2018, FOTIC established Jinghua Structure Fund 27. As of June 30, 2018, Fanhua Inc., who holds 20.58% of our shares through CISG Holdings Ltd., and its subsidiaries subscribed to all of the senior units of Jinghua Structure Fund 27, which amounted to approximately RMB138 million. We subscribed to all of the subordinated units of Jinghua Structure Fund 27, which amounted to approximately RMB15.4 million. For details, please refer to “Related Party Transactions—Other Related Party Transactions.” To the extent that Fanhua Inc. and its subsidiaries subscribe to a large number of senior units, our reliance on them for incremental liquidity will increase over time, which may change our risk profile. We cannot assure you that Fanhua Inc. and its subsidiaries will continue to subscribe to the senior units of the trust plans set up by our trust company partners in the future. If funding from their subscription decrease, we may not be able to secure additional funding on terms acceptable to us, or at all.

Loan products we facilitate may potentially be deemed as having a duration mismatch with underlying funding sources. We and our trust company partners may need to take additional measures to reduce any risks associated with the mismatch, which could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.

The Guiding Opinion on Regulating the Asset Management Business of Financial Institutions (the “Guiding Opinion”) was issued by PBOC, together with China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission (“CBIRC”), China Securities Regulatory Commission (“CSRC”) and State Administration of Foreign Exchange on April 27, 2018. According to the Guiding Opinion, in order to reduce the risk of duration mismatch, the expiration date of closed-end asset management products, or the last open day of open-end asset management products, shall not be earlier than the termination date of the non-standard creditor’s assets the asset management products invested in directly or indirectly. The Guiding Opinion further prohibits the rolling issuance of a series of assets management products that enables the transfer of the principal, expected investment return and risks among different investors, which will be deemed as rigid payment to guarantee the principal and expected investment return of the product.

Under our trust lending model, the trust products set up under long-term trust plans usually have a term of one to three years while the loans we facilitate have tenors typically ranging from one to eight years. Once a trust product matures, the trustee is required to repay the expected investment return and principal to the senior unit holders. Under our credit strengthening services, we are required to make up for any shortfalls if the proceeds from loans are less than the principal amount invested by the senior unit holders and the agreed financing costs for the senior units which primarily consist of expected rate of investment return to the senior unit holders. Under these circumstances, our trust company partners will employ various measures to meet payment obligations under the maturing trust products while the loans funded thereunder remain outstanding, and may require us to contribute additional funding under our credit strengthening arrangements. For details of matching our funding sources and loan products we facilitate, please refer to “Business—Our Funding Model—Matching of Terms of Funding Sources and Loans.”

Under the 2017 FOTIC Loan Agreement, FOTIC has an option to demand repayment of outstanding loan principal and unpaid accrued interests before the maturity of the underlying trust funding, to match outstanding

 

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terms of the trust products that FOTIC set up for lending to the borrowers. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not received any notice or been made aware of any issues or concerns raised by the regulatory authorities on our business arrangements. As detailed implementation rules or regulations to the Guiding Opinion have yet to be promulgated, we cannot assure you that the regulatory authorities hold the opinion that our business arrangements are in compliance with the aforesaid regulation. Our business arrangements may be subject to challenges by regulatory authorities. As such, FOTIC and our other trust company partners may need to further modify their loan agreements with the borrowers and our collaboration arrangement with them, which could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.

Furthermore, if the borrowers are unable to repay FOTIC loans in time due to the accelerated payment schedule caused by option exercise and because of the significant size of the accelerated lump sum payment, we may experience increase in our delinquency ratio, which could in turn result in a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. Our trust company partners may have to utilize alternative funding to alleviate this issue. We cannot guarantee you, however, that such funding will always be available on acceptable terms, if at all. We may be required to contribute additional funding under our credit strengthening services, which may have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

We provide credit strengthening services to the trust plans as the subordinated units holder, which may be subject to challenges by regulatory authorities.

Under the 2018 FOTIC Funding Arrangements and the arrangements we have with other trust company partners, we, as the subordinated unit holder, are required to provide certain credit strengthening services. For details, please refer to “Business—Our Funding Model—Credit Strengthening Services.”

The Guiding Opinion unifies the requirements and standards for various types of asset management products previously regulated by different regulatory authorities. The Guiding Opinion provides, among others, unified qualifications for investors, prudent operation principles of financial institutions, business isolation and independent custody. The Guiding Opinion prohibits direct or indirect guarantee for the principal and expected investment return of the senior unit holders of structural asset management products, which may impose restrictions on the structural arrangements we have with our trust company partners. However, the Guiding Opinion is relatively new and its interpretation and application remains uncertain. Our credit strengthening arrangements may be deemed as indirectly guaranteeing senior unit holders’ principal and expected investment return on the investments. As such, we may be required to further modify such arrangements with the trust plans, which could materially and adversely affect our business. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not received any notice or been made aware of any issues or concerns raised by regulatory authorities on our credit strengthening arrangements. We cannot guarantee you, however, that the regulatory authorities will hold the opinion that our credit strengthening arrangements are in compliance with the relevant regulations.

The Guiding Opinion provides a grace period by the end of 2020. During the grace period, new products issued by the financial institutions shall be subject to the Guiding Opinion, and existing products not in compliance with the Guiding Opinion shall be gradually phased out. After the grace period, financial institutions shall not issue or renew any asset management products not in compliance with the Guiding Opinion.

Our trust company partners may need to lower the structural leverage ratio of the trust plans which could materially and adversely affect our business.

The Guiding Opinion sets a limit on the contractual structural leverage ratio which is calculated as the total amount of senior units divided by subordinate units, and intermediate units shall be included as senior units for the purpose of this calculation. For a fixed-income product, the structural leverage ratio shall not exceed 3:1. The contractual structural leverage ratio of the trust plans or products set up by our trust company partners is determined pursuant to our collaboration agreements with them, which set the upper limit to such ratio at a range of 3:1 to 9:1. As of March 31, 2018, the actual structural leverage ratio of our trust plans was generally lower

 

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than 3:1. For details, please refer to “Business—Our Funding Model—Terms of the Trust Plans” and “—Funding Partners.”

Our trust company partners may need to modify the collaboration agreements with us in order to comply with the foregoing structural leverage ratio limit requirement. As such, we may need to contribute additional funding to maintain a lower structural leverage ratio and our overall cost of funding may increase, which could materially and adversely affect our business.

Our concentration of funding provided by our trust company partners may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, liquidity and results of operations, if we lose any of our trust company partners either as a result of its decision to acquire services from our competitors or otherwise.

94.1%, 95.4% and 99.7% of our total home equity loan origination volume was funded under trust lending model in 2016, 2017 and the three months ended March 31, 2018, respectively. Among the loans originated through our trust lending model, 98.4%, 87.3% and 83.0% were funded through FOTIC trust plans in 2016, 2017 and the three months ended March 31, 2018, respectively. Although we have longstanding relationship with our trust company partners, there is no certainty as to the continuation of the relationships between our trust company partners and us. We endeavor to diversify our funding source but there is no assurance that we will be successful. The loss of any of our trust company partners, whether as a result of its decision to acquire services from our competitors, or otherwise, would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.

Any lack of requisite approvals, licenses or permits applicable to our business may have a material and adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our business is subject to governmental supervision and regulation by the relevant PRC government authorities. Together, these government authorities promulgate and enforce regulations that cover many aspects of the operation of the home equity loan and finance industries. For details, please refer to “Regulation.” Our PRC legal advisor, Han Kun Law Offices, advises us that our businesses do not need special approvals or licenses, other than our small loan business and subject to “—Risks Related to Our Business—Our historical credit enhancement arrangements to our trust company partners might be subject to challenges by relevant regulatory authorities, and we may potentially be required to obtain licenses.” We are further advised that these opinions are subject to uncertainties and the regulatory authorities may hold a different view. As of the date of this prospectus, all of our small loan subsidiaries have obtained such approvals or licenses.

Some of our funding sources are highly regulated and are subject to the changing regulatory environment. If any of the funding sources is deemed to violate the PRC laws and regulations, we may need to secure new funding failure of which may result in material and adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

We have multiple funding sources to support our business model, including funding sources that are highly regulated. Although we may or may not be subject to any direct material fines or penalties from the relevant regulatory authorities, if our funding sources are deemed to violate any relevant regulations in collaboration with us directly or indirectly, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects would be materially and adversely affected.

According to Circular 141, an Internet small loan company may not sell, transfer or substantively transfer its credit assets through Internet platforms or any local financial exchange, and any funds financed through transfer of credit assets or assets-backed securities shall be counted as on-balance-sheet financing when calculating the total financing/net capital ratio of the small loan company. Our small loan subsidiaries are not Internet small loan companies and according to the consultations with the local government financing bureaus, our small loan subsidiaries will not be subject to the restrictions solely applicable to Internet small loan companies. We fund our

 

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small loan direct lending business partially from listing rights to earnings in loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables on Guangdong Financial Assets Exchange (the “Exchange”) before the promulgation of the Circular 141. Our PRC legal advisor, Han Kun Law Offices, advises us that we are not in violation of the restrictions under the aforesaid regulation. We are further advised that these opinions are subject to uncertainties and the regulatory authorities may hold a different view.

Historically, we listed certain rights to earnings in loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables and rights to earnings in subordinated units on local financial exchanges. Such listed products were subsequently traded to Internet platforms and ultimately to third-party investors on such platforms. According to Notice on Strengthening the Rectification of Asset Management Business through the Internet and Carrying Out the Inspection and Acceptance Work issued by the Internet Finance Rectification Office (the “Internet Asset Management Notice”), an entity is not allowed to sell asset management products through an Internet platform without permits. An Internet platform shall not act as agency channel for any local financial exchange to distribute asset management products which are (i) prohibited to be sold by local financial exchanges or (ii) sold in restricted manners by local financial exchanges. As such, we plan to replace such funding model with funds from transfer of rights to earnings in loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables to third parties either directly, such as to qualified private equity funds, or through other permitted means including trading on local financial exchanges without involving Internet platforms.

We subscribe to the subordinated units and therefore have rights to the residual earnings under such trust plans. We historically acquire certain funding for the subordinated units by transferring our right to earnings with a repurchase arrangement to private equity funds. According to the regulations on private equity funds, private equity funds shall no longer engage in loan business and starting from February 12, 2018, the Asset Management Association of China will no longer accept new product filings which are not within the permitted investment scope of private equity funds. Private equity funds filed before February 12, 2018 may continue to invest in loan business. Our private equity funding sources’ filing of products in collaboration with us were all accepted before February 12, 2018. Our PRC legal advisor, Han Kun Law Offices, advises us that such regulations have no material adverse effect on our funding model, as we may, under the realm of the regulatory framework, continue to work with our existing private equity funding channels and similar private equity funding channels whose products have been duly filed before February 12, 2018. We are further advised that these opinions are subject to uncertainties and the regulatory authorities may hold a different view. We cannot assure you that the registered channels can satisfy our financing needs, or that such regulations will not impose material restrictions on our future business operations as we continue to grow our business.

According to Notice of the China Banking Regulatory Commission on Relevant Issues concerning Regulating the Investment Operation of Wealth Management Business of Commercial Banks promulgated in March 2013 (the “Wealth Management Notice”), a commercial bank is subject to certain investment threshold of non-standardized debt assets. Neither our trust company partners nor we have specific knowledge on whether a commercial bank investing in the senior units is in compliance with the Wealth Management Notice. As of the date of this prospectus, we are not aware of noncompliance by commercial banks as senior unit holders. We cannot assure you, however, commercial banks as senior unit holders will be in compliance in the future. If commercial banks as senior unit holders violate the Wealth Management Notice, such violation will have a material adverse effect on our trust company partners’ funding sources and our business operations.

As of the date of this prospectus, we are not aware of any material fines or other penalties under any PRC laws or regulations with respect to the aforesaid funding resources. If our practice, or the practice of our funding partners in collaboration with us, is deemed to violate any laws, regulations and rules, we may face, among other things, regulatory warning, correction order, condemnation, fines, suspension of business license and criminal liability. If such situations occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects would be materially and adversely affected.

 

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We lack product and business diversification. Accordingly, our future operating income and earnings are more susceptible to fluctuations than a more diversified company.

Currently, our primary business activities include facilitating home equity loans and providing loan management services to borrowers and trust company partners and to a lesser extent, direct lending through our small loan subsidiaries. If we are unable to maintain and grow the operating income from our current business or develop additional revenue streams, our future operating income and earnings are not likely to grow and could decline. Our lack of product and business diversification could inhibit the opportunities for growth of our business and results of operations.

If we are unable to maintain or increase the amount of loans we originate or if we are unable to retain existing borrowers or attract new borrowers, our business and results of operations will be adversely affected.

To maintain and increase the amount of loans we originate, we must continue to engage our existing borrowers and attract new borrowers, both of which may be affected by several factors, including interest rates of loans we originate, our brand recognition and reputation, our loan services and products offered, our efficiency in operating offline branches and engaging prospective borrowers, the effectiveness of our credit analysis system, our ability to secure sufficient and cost-efficient funding, service fees we charge to trust plans, our borrower experience and the PRC regulatory environment. In addition, we acquire borrowers through our extensive national network, and we have also entered into agreements with our channel partners to utilize the Internet platforms or offline network they operate to engage some of our prospective borrowers. If these channels are less effective or less efficient than anticipated, if we are unable to continue to use these channels, or if we cannot expand our channel network, we may not be able to acquire or engage new and existing borrowers efficiently. In addition, we may also impose more stringent borrower qualifications to ensure the quality of the loans we facilitate, which may negatively affect the amount of loans we facilitate. If we are unable to attract borrowers or if borrowers do not continue to use our services, we may be unable to increase our loan origination volume and corresponding income, and our business and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

Our concentration in loans secured by real properties may increase our credit losses in times of deterioration in local or national property markets, which would negatively affect our financial results.

The home equity loans we facilitate are secured by residential or commercial properties in our market areas. As of March 31, 2018, 92.8% and 7.2%, of the outstanding loan principal for home equity loans we originated was secured by residential and commercial real properties.

A significant decrease of property values will cause an increase in LTV ratio, resulting in borrowers having little or negative equity in their property, which may reduce new loan originations and provide incentive to borrowers to strategically default on their loans. Risk of loan defaults and foreclosures are unavoidable in the home equity loan industry. We may be subject to such risks as we may be required to make payments under historical credit enhancement arrangements we provided to our trust company partners. Our historical credit enhancement arrangements with FOTIC will start phasing out in March 2018. However, our top-up arrangements to trust plans as a subordinated unit holder remain effective. We cannot fully eliminate credit risk, and as a result credit losses may occur in the future.

If we are unable to achieve low delinquency ratios for loans originated by us, our business and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

We may not be able to achieve low delinquency ratios for loans originated by us, or such delinquency ratios may be significantly affected by economic downturns or general economic conditions beyond our control and beyond the control of individual borrowers. The outstanding principal of home equity loans originated by us was RMB7,375 million, RMB16,674 million and RMB16,728 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and March 31, 2018. The delinquency ratio for loans originated by us increased from 5.38% as of December 31, 2016 to 7.17% as of December 31, 2017 and further to 11.04% as of March 31, 2018. Our NPL ratio increased from

 

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1.50% to 1.66% and further to 1.75% as of the same respective dates. We experienced a significant increase in our delinquency ratio and NPL ratio in the first quarter of 2018, which was a result of changing market environment, slower growth of outstanding loan principal and longer collection process. For details, please refer to “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Loan Performance Data and Trend Analysis.” If we were to continue to experience increase in delinquency ratio or NPL ratio, we may not have sufficient capital resources to pay defaulted principals and interests to our trust company partners according to our historical credit enhancement arrangements or top-up arrangements. Our service fee charged to trust plans could also be significantly reduced under the 2018 FOTIC Service Fee Structure if this were to occur. Accordingly, our results of operations, financial position and liquidity could be materially and adversely affected. Furthermore, our borrower base continues to expand with the growth of our business operations, which may include loan applicants with lower creditworthiness. We may not be able to achieve low delinquency ratios for loans originated by us in the future, or return to the low delinquency ratio or NPL ratio we achieved in the past.

Our high leverage ratio may expose us to liquidity risk and we may not have sufficient capital reserve to manage losses.

As part of the collaboration we have with our trust company partners, we subscribe to subordinated units in trust plans through our subsidiaries and fund those units with (i) our own funds and (ii) funding from transferring our right to earnings in subordinated units to third parties. We transfer our right to earnings in subordinated units to third parties with a repurchase arrangement, which requires us to repurchase the right to earnings in subordinated units. For details of our repurchase agreements with third parties under the trust lending model, please refer to “Business—Our Funding Model—Funding Sources.” In 2016, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018, we transferred our right of earnings in subordinated units to a certain private equity fund and to a certain third party through a private financial assets trading platform. Our financing costs under such repurchase arrangement ranged from 16% to 18% per annum of the transfer prices in 2016, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018, and our financing costs under such repurchase agreements with a third party through a private financial assets trading platform ranged from 9.7% to 14% per annum of the transfer prices in 2016, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018. We are required to consolidate all of the results under trust plans on our consolidated financial statements, including those of the senior units. This consolidation is necessary as our trust lending model creates exposure to variability of returns from the activities of the trust plans.

We also operate direct lending business through our small loan subsidiaries. We finance our direct lending business with (i) our own funds and (ii) funds we receive from third parties by transferring our rights to earnings in loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables to third parties together with a repurchase arrangement. Such repurchase arrangements require us to repurchase these rights to earnings at a fixed repurchase price within a specified period of time (generally within 360 days). The difference between the transfer price we receive and the fixed repurchase price is the effective financing costs for entering into repurchase arrangements. Our financing costs under such arrangements ranged from 9.7% to 14% per annum of the transfer prices in 2016, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

As a result of our funding model, we may be exposed to high leverage ratio. Our leverage ratio was 7.0 times, 9.9 times and 8.9 times as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and as of March 31, 2018, respectively. Our high level of borrowings and leverage ratio may adversely affect our liquidity and business operations, including but not limited to increasing our vulnerability under adverse economic condition, potentially limiting our ability to raise more debt and increasing our exposure to interest rate fluctuation. Our business and results of operations also depend on our ability to secure cost-effective financing. The third parties to whom we transfer our right to earnings or small rights to earnings in loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables may not continue to provide funding at rates acceptable to us, and we may not find alternative financing at similar rates, or at all.

If we continue to have a high leverage ratio, our exposure to liquidity risk may restrict our ability to make necessary capital expenditures or develop business opportunities in the future. For the credit strengthening services we provide, we may also be required to provide additional funding when there is an NPL in the loan

 

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portfolio. Due to this arrangement and our high leverage ratio, we may not have sufficient capital reserve to manage potential losses in the future, which may adversely affect our results of operations and financial positions. In addition, although we are not currently subject to any capital reserve requirement, we cannot assure you that the regulatory authority will not impose such requirements in the future, which may have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and financial positions due to our high leverage ratio.

If our risk management system fails to perform effectively, such failure may materially and adversely impact our operating results.

Credit assessment of our borrowers is conducted by our risk management system. Such system uses credit analysis and data from prospective borrowers and multiple external sources and might not be effective as we continue to increase the amount of transactions, expand the borrower base and broaden our borrower engagement efforts through different channels in the future. If our system is ineffective or if the credit analysis and data we obtained are incorrect or outdated, our risk management abilities could be negatively affected, resulting in incorrect recommendations or denials of loan applications or mispriced loan products. If we are unable to effectively and accurately assess the credit risks of borrowers or price loan products appropriately, we may be unable to offer quality services to our trust company partners or borrowers. Our risk and credit assessment may not be able to provide more predictive assessments of future borrower behavior or result in better evaluation of our borrower base when compared to our competitors. Pursuant to the terms of our collaboration agreements with trust company partners, trust company partners are ultimately responsible for approving the loans applications and we are not subject to any penalties for inaccurate risk assessment or mispriced loan products. However, we ultimately bear credit risk on loans we facilitate as we have payment obligations under our historical credit enhancement arrangements or credit strengthening arrangements. For details, please refer to “Business—Our Funding Model—Credit Strengthening Services.” In addition, our performance-based service fee and return under the subordinated units may be reduced as a result of increased NPLs. If our risk management system fails to perform effectively, our business and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

Our business depends on our ability to collect payment on and service the transactions we facilitate.

We offer post-loan management services to our trust company partners. We have implemented payment and collection policies and practices designed to optimize compliant repayment, while also providing superior borrower experience. Our collection process is divided into distinct stages based on the days of delinquency, which dictates the level of collection steps taken. For example, automatic reminders through text, voice and instant messages are sent to a delinquent borrower as soon as the collections process commences. Our collection team will also make phone calls to borrowers following the first missed payment and periodically thereafter. We may also resort to arbitration or litigation to recover delinquent loans or assign those loans to a third party and collect proceeds upfront. Despite our servicing and collection efforts, we cannot assure you that we will be able to collect payments on the transactions we facilitate as expected. As we are exposed to credit risks as the subordinated unit holder and also as a result of credit strengthening services we provide, our failure to collect payment on the transactions will have a material adverse effect on our business operations and financial positions. In addition, our collection team may not possess adequate resource and manpower to collect payment on and service the loans we facilitated. If we fail to adequately collect amounts delinquent or due, then our service fees charged to trust plans may be delayed or reduced and our results of operations will be adversely affected. As the amount of transactions facilitated by us increases in the future, we may devote additional resources into our collection efforts. However, there can be no assurance that we would be able to utilize such additional resources in a cost-efficient manner.

Moreover, the current regulatory regime for debt collection in the PRC remains unclear. Although we aim to ensure our collection efforts comply with the relevant laws and regulations in the PRC and we have established strict internal policies that our collections personnel shall not engage in aggressive practices, we cannot assure you that such personnel will not engage in any misconduct as part of their collection efforts. Any such misconduct by our collection personnel or the perception that our collection practices are considered to be aggressive and not compliant with the relevant laws and regulations in the PRC may result in harm to our reputation and business, which could further reduce our ability to collect payments from borrowers, lead to

 

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decrease in the willingness of prospective borrowers to apply for the home equity loans we facilitate, or fines and penalties imposed by the relevant regulatory authorities, any of which may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

If our allowance for loan losses is not sufficient to cover actual loan losses, our results of operations would be negatively affected.

Our business is subject to fluctuations based on local economic conditions. These fluctuations are neither predictable nor within our control and may have a material adverse impact on our operations and financial condition. In determining the amount of the allowance for loan losses, we analyze our loss and delinquency experience by loan categories and we consider the effect of existing economic conditions. In addition, we make various assumptions and judgments about the collectability of loan portfolios, including the creditworthiness of borrowers and the value of real properties serving as collateral for the repayment loans. If the actual results are different from our estimates, or our analysis is incorrect, our allowance for loan losses may not be sufficient to cover losses inherent in loan portfolio, which would require additions to allowance and would decrease our net income. Our emphasis on loan growth and on increasing portfolio, as well as any future loan deterioration, will require us to increase our allowance further in the future. Any increase in our allowance for loan losses or loan charge-offs as required by regulatory authorities may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Increases in market interest rates could negatively affect the amount of loans facilitated by us and cost of funds provided to borrowers.

Borrowers’ costs of borrowing mainly consist of interest rates. An increase in prevailing interest rates could result in an increase in the interest rates of loans we facilitate, and borrowers may be less likely to accept such adjusted terms. If borrowers decide not to use the products or services we offer because of such an increase in market interest rates, our ability to retain existing borrowers and engage prospective borrowers as well as our competitive position may be severely impaired. If we are unable to effectively manage such market interest rate risk, our business, profitability, results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.

Our overall funding costs may fluctuate with market interest rates while the interest rates for existing loans are fixed during the terms of the loans. As a result, an increase in the market interest rates may negatively impact the availability and cost of our funding, which may have a material adverse impact on our profitability and results of operations.

We are involved in legal proceedings in the ordinary course of our business from time to time. If the outcomes of these proceedings are adverse to us, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We are involved in various legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business from time to time. In our opinion, based on the facts known at this time, the ultimate resolution of these ordinary course legal proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations as a whole. However, no assurances can be given as to the outcome of any pending legal proceedings, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. For debt-collection purposes, we initiate legal proceedings against borrowers to recover payments that are delinquent for 30 days if we cannot reach agreement with the default borrowers by then. As of March 31, 2018, we had 289 collection legal proceedings pending before courts and arbitration tribunals with amounts in dispute of RMB278.6 million, where we or our trust company partners sued borrowers of such delinquent loans. We may not be able to obtain or enforce favorable judgments or arbitration awards, or recover the amounts in dispute in full or at all. Furthermore, claims arising out of actual or alleged violations of law could be asserted against us by individuals, governmental or other entities in civil, administrative or criminal investigations and proceedings. These claims could be asserted under a variety of laws

 

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and regulations, including but not limited to contract laws, online or private lending laws or regulations, consumer protection laws or regulations, intellectual property laws, information security and privacy laws, and labor and employment laws. For further details, see the section headed “Business—Legal Proceedings.” These actions could expose us to adverse publicity and to monetary damages, fines and penalties, as well as suspension or revocation of licenses or permits to conduct business. Even if we eventually prevail in these matters, we could incur significant legal fees or suffer reputational harm, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations as well as our future growth and prospects.

The foreclosure action and enforcement process may be time-consuming, difficult and uncertain for legal and practicable reasons, which could adversely affect our liquidity, business, financial condition and results of operations.

The home equity loans we facilitate are secured by collateral, normally residential or commercial real properties owned by borrowers. In the event that a borrower is in default and the payment is past due for over 30 days or upon the incurrence of unusual situations (such as forfeiture of the collateral), we may need to help our trust company partners initiate judicial or arbitration proceedings against the defaulting borrower and foreclose the real property collateral. Historically, we were able to help our trust company partners enforce their rights to the collaterals through a power of attorney that was signed by the borrower and notarized by a notary public before loan disbursement. This allowed the trust company partners to quickly dispose of the collaterals without having to involve the borrower. Due to recent regulatory development, we have ceased this practice. As a result, we may need to resort to judicial or arbitration proceedings more frequently to help our trust company partners foreclose on the collateral. The judicial or arbitration proceedings may be time-consuming and may not ultimately be possible. In addition, the enforcement process may be difficult in practice. Furthermore, the defaulting borrowers may have concealed, transferred or disposed of their assets beforehand, which make it difficult or impossible for us to apply for attachment. Moreover, if the attached assets are found to be subject to prior mortgage or other third parties’ rights during proceedings, our interests will be ranked behind these prior parties, thereby limiting or even preventing us from full coverage by the collateral. As a result, in case of defaults we may not be able to recover the full amount of loans and outstanding interests or at all, and in turn our liquidity, business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.

Credit and other information that we receive from prospective borrowers and third parties about a borrower and the collateral may not accurately reflect the borrower’s creditworthiness or the collateral’s fair/recoverable value, which may compromise the accuracy of our credit assessment.

For the purposes of credit risk assessment, we obtain from prospective borrowers and third parties certain information of the prospective borrowers or the prospective real property collateral, which may not be complete, accurate or reliable. A credit report on a borrower or prospective collateral generated by our third-party sources may not reflect that particular borrower’s actual creditworthiness or the prospective collateral’s actual market value because it may be based on outdated, incomplete or inaccurate information. Additionally, once we have obtained a borrower’s information, the borrower may subsequently (i) become delinquent in the payment of an outstanding obligation; (ii) default on a pre-existing debt obligation; (iii) take on additional debt; or (iv) sustain other adverse financial events, making the information we have previously obtained inaccurate. Such inaccurate or incomplete borrower information could compromise the accuracy of our credit assessment and adversely affect the effectiveness of our risk management, which could in turn harm our reputation, lower our service fees charged to trust plans, and as a result our business and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

We currently determine the preliminary market value of the prospective real property collateral using external databases at the time borrowers submit their loan applications. We also conduct site visits to cross-check conditions and verify information of the prospective real property collateral. In addition, we compare the preliminary third-party appraiser report with quotes on an anonymous basis from local real estate agencies in the same neighborhood. However, there is no assurance that we have complete and accurate information relating to

 

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the prospective real property collateral. If we overestimate market value of the real property collateral, the loans we facilitate may not be fully secured, which could affect the accuracy of our credit assessment and the effectiveness of our risk management. Therefore, our reputation, and as a result, our business and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

Our business operations may be negatively impacted if borrowers use loan proceeds to engage in activities prohibited or not encouraged by regulators.

Borrowers supply a variety of information that is included in the standardized loan applications prepared by us, including intended use of proceeds. We verify such information by conducting site visits and informal interviews. As our business continues to grow and our borrower base continues to expand, we might not have enough resources to continuously verify or monitor the information provided by the borrowers, such as intended use of loan proceeds. The loan agreements our borrowers enter into limit the use of proceeds to business operation purposes, not purchase of real property or consumption. The trust companies have the right to require early payment if proceeds were not used for business operation purposes. However, we cannot guarantee and may not effectively monitor that the loan is strictly used for business operating purposes. The borrower may use loan proceeds for other purposes with increased risk than as originally provided or use loan proceeds to engage in activities prohibited or discouraged by regulators. Such activities may harm our reputation and negatively impact our business operations.

Fraudulent activity could negatively impact our operating results, brand and reputation and cause the use of our loan facilitation services to decrease.

We are subject to the risk of fraudulent activity associated with borrowers, our trust company partners and third parties handling borrower information. Our resources, technologies and fraud detection tools may be insufficient to accurately detect and prevent fraud. Significant increases in fraudulent activity could negatively impact our brand and reputation, reduce the volume of loan transactions facilitated through us 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 any of the foregoing may occur causing harm to our business or reputation in the future. If any of the foregoing were to occur, our results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.

We are subject to credit cycle and the risk of deterioration of credit profiles of borrowers.

Our business is subject to the credit cycle associated with the volatility of the general economy. If economic conditions deteriorate, we may face increased risk of default or delinquency of borrowers, which will result in lower returns or losses. In the event that the creditworthiness of borrowers 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 delinquency ratios and adverse impacts on our reputation, business, results of operations and financial positions.

Our current business model has a relatively large exposure to second lien mortgage.

In 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018, loans secured by second lien interest accounted for 58.0% and 57.8% of our loan origination volume of home equity loans, respectively. For loans secured by second lien interests, our rights over the collateral will be subordinated to other secured creditors with higher priority. If the borrowers default, we may not be able to collect the full amount of our security interests in the collateral due to lien subordination. There is no assurance that we will be able to realize the value of the collateral as we anticipated in a timely manner, or at all. As a result, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may be adversely affected.

 

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We primarily rely on our trust company partners to fund loans to borrowers, which may constitute provision of intermediary service, and our agreements with these trust company partners and borrowers may be deemed as intermediation contracts under the PRC Contract Law.

Under the PRC Contract Law, if an intermediary intentionally conceals any material fact or provides false information in connection with the conclusion of the proposed contract, which results in harm to the client’s interests, the intermediary may not claim for service fees and shall be liable for the damages caused. Therefore, if we intentionally conceal material information or provide false information to our trust company partners and are found at fault, or if we fail to identify false information received from borrowers or others and in turn provide such information to our trust company partners, we could be held liable for damages caused to our trust company partners as an intermediary pursuant to the PRC Contract Law. On the other hand, we do not assume any liability solely on the basis of failure to correctly assign a credit limit or pricing to a particular borrower in the process of facilitating a loan transaction, as long as we do not intentionally conceal any material fact intentionally or provide false information, and are not found to be at fault otherwise. However, due to the lack of detailed regulations and guidance in the area of home equity loans and the possibility that the PRC government authority may promulgate new laws and regulations regulating home equity loans in the future, there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current or future PRC laws and regulations for the home equity loan industry, and there can be no assurance that the PRC government authority will ultimately take a view that is consistent with ours.

The personal data and other confidential information of borrowers and our partners which we collect or are provided access to may subject us to liabilities imposed by relevant governmental regulations or expose us to risks of cyber-attacks, computer viruses, physical or electronic break-ins or similar disruptions.

We receive, transmit and store a large volume of personally identifiable information and other confidential data from borrowers and our partners. There are numerous laws regarding privacy and the storing, sharing, use, disclosure and protection of personally identifiable information and user data. Specifically, personally identifiable and other confidential information is increasingly subject to legislation and regulations in numerous domestic and international jurisdictions, the intent of which is to protect the privacy of personal information that is collected, processed and transmitted in or from the governing jurisdiction. This regulatory framework for privacy issues in China and worldwide is currently evolving and is likely to remain uncertain for the foreseeable future. In addition, there may be limits on the cross-border transmission of user data even to the extent that such transmission is within our company. We could be adversely affected if legislation or regulations are expanded to require changes in business practices or privacy policies, or if governing jurisdictions interpret or implement their legislation or regulations in ways that negatively affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition to laws, regulations and other applicable rules regarding privacy and privacy advocacy, industry groups or other private parties may propose new and different privacy standards. Because the interpretation and application of privacy and data protection laws and privacy standards are still uncertain, it is possible that these laws or privacy standards may be interpreted and applied in a manner that is inconsistent with our practices. Any inability to adequately address privacy concerns, even if unfounded, or to comply with applicable privacy or data protection laws, regulations and privacy standards, could result in additional cost and liability for us, damage our reputation, inhibit the use of our platform and harm our business.

In addition, the data we possess may make us an attractive target for and potentially vulnerable to, cyber-attacks, computer viruses, physical or electronic break-ins or similar disruptions. Furthermore, some of the data we possess is stored on our servers, which are hosted by third parties. While we and our third-party hosting facilities have taken steps to protect confidential information to which we have access, our security measures may be breached in the future. Any accidental or willful security breaches or other unauthorized access to our database could cause confidential borrower, partner 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 our security measures are breached because of third-party action, employee error, malfeasance or otherwise, or if design flaws

 

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in our software are exposed and exploited, our relationships with borrowers and partners could be severely damaged, and we could incur significant liability.

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 and our third-party hosting facilities may be unable to anticipate these techniques or implement adequate preventative measures. In addition, the Administrative Measures for the Security of the International Network of Computer Information Network, effective on December 30, 1997 and amended on January 8, 2011, requires us to report any data or security breaches to the local offices of the PRC Ministry of Public Security within 24 hours of any such breach. Any security breach, whether actual or perceived, would harm our reputation, and could cause us to lose borrowers and partners and adversely affect our business and results of operations.

Any failure by us or our third-party service providers to comply with applicable anti-money laundering laws and regulations could damage our reputation.

In cooperation with our trust company partners, we have adopted various policies and procedures, including internal controls, “know-your-customer” procedures, customer due diligence and customer screening procedures, for anti-money laundering purposes. In addition, we rely on and may in the future, rely on other third-party service providers, in particular the custody banks and payment agents that handle the transfer of funds between borrowers and lenders, to have their own appropriate anti-money laundering policies and procedures. Custody banks and payment agents are subject to anti-money laundering obligations under applicable anti-money laundering laws and regulations and are regulated in that respect by the PBOC. If any of our third-party service providers fail 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. Any negative perception of the industry, such as that arising from any failure of other home equity loan service providers to detect or prevent money laundering activities, even if factually incorrect or based on isolated incidents, could compromise our image or undermine the trust and credibility we have established.

The PRC Anti-money Laundering Law, effective in January 2007, sets forth the principal anti-money laundering requirements applicable to financial institutions and non-financial institutions with anti-money laundering obligations, including the adoption of precautionary and supervisory measures, establishment of various systems for client identification, retention of clients’ identification information and transactions records, and reports on large transactions and suspicious transactions. However, as the detailed anti-money laundering regulations of home equity loan facilitators have not been published, there is uncertainty as to how the anti-money laundering requirements will be interpreted and implemented, and whether home equity loan service providers like us must abide by the rules and procedures set forth in the PRC Anti-money Laundering Law that are applicable to non-financial institutions with anti-money laundering obligations. We cannot assure you that the anti-money laundering policies and procedures we have adopted will be effective in protecting our business from being exploited for money laundering purposes or will be deemed to be in compliance with applicable anti-money laundering implementing rules if and when adopted.

If we are unable to maintain relationships with our third-party service providers, our business will suffer.

We rely on third-party service providers to operate various aspects of our business. For instance, third parties supply us with external data including real property valuation, borrowers’ credit histories, government data and blacklists. Furthermore, we engage third-party service providers to maintain our security systems, ensuring confidentiality of data and preventing malicious attacks.

Our relationships with various third parties are integral to the smooth operation of our business. Most of our agreements with third-party service providers are non-exclusive and do not prohibit third-party service providers from working with our competitors. If our relationships with third-party service providers deteriorate or third-

 

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party service providers decide to terminate our respective business relationships for any reason, such as to work with our competitors on more exclusive or more favorable terms, our operations may be disrupted. In addition, our third-party service providers may not uphold the standard we expect under our agreements. If any of these were to happen, our business operations could be materially impaired and our results of operations would suffer.

Misconduct, fraud, errors and failure to function by our employees or third-party service providers could harm our business and reputation.

We are exposed to the risk of misconduct, fraud and errors by our employees and third-party service providers with whom we collaborate. We rely on our sales staff for borrower acquisition and we do not have full control over sales staff’s conduct or conduct of their respective acquisition channels while sourcing borrowers. In addition, we rely on our employees for debt collection. We aim to ensure that our collection efforts comply with the relevant laws and regulations in the PRC and we have established strict policies that our employees should not engage in aggressive practices while performing debt collection. Nevertheless, we do not have full control over our employees. Misconduct and errors by our employees could result in violations of law by us, regulatory sanctions and/or serious reputational or financial harm. We cannot always deter misconduct and errors by our employees, and the precautions we take to prevent and detect these activities may not be effective in all cases. There cannot be any assurance that misconduct and errors by our employees will not lead to a material adverse effect on our business. Any of these occurrences could result in our diminished ability to operate our business, potential liability to third parties, inability to attract borrowers and funding sources, reputational damage, regulatory intervention and financial harm, which could negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Misconduct and errors by our trust company partners, channel partners and other parties with whom we collaborate with could harm our business and reputation.

We are exposed to the risk of misconduct and errors by our trust company partners, channel partners and other business partners with whom we collaborate. We could be materially and adversely affected 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. Financial products and financial institutions are heavily regulated in China. We are not regulated as a financial institution, but we may be indirectly subject to PRC financial regulations as a result of cooperation with financial institutions as our funding source partners. If any financial product designed by us and our funding partners is deemed to violate any PRC laws or regulations, we may be jointly liable due to the service we provide, or we may have to terminate the relationship with our funding partners. It is not always possible to identify and deter misconduct or errors by our trust company partners, channel partners and other business partners, and the precautions we take to detect and prevent such activities may not be effective in controlling unknown or unmanageable risks or losses. If any of our funding partners, channel partners and other business partners misuse or misappropriate funds, commit fraud or other misconduct, or fail to follow our rules and procedures when interacting with our borrowers, we could be liable for damages and subject to regulatory actions and penalties. We could also be perceived to have facilitated or participated in the illegal misappropriation of funds, documents or data, and therefore be subject to civil or criminal liability. Any of these occurrences could result in our diminished ability to operate our business, potential liability to third parties, inability to attract third parties, reputational damage, regulatory intervention or financial harm, which could negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

If we do not compete effectively in our target markets, our operating results could be harmed.

The PRC’s home equity loan market is rapidly evolving. We compete with financial products and companies that attract potential borrowers or funding sources, or both. Particularly, we compete with other financial service companies that facilitate home equity loans.

 

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Some of our current or 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 and distribution channels. Their business models may also ultimately prove more successful or more adaptable to new regulatory, technological and other developments. Our current or potential competitors may also have longer operating histories, more extensive borrower base, more data and distribution channels, greater brand recognition and brand loyalty and broader partnership relationships than we have. For example, established Internet companies, including social media companies that possess large, existing borrower bases, substantial financial resources and established distribution channels may enter the market. Traditional financial institutions may also focus on the MSE market, which may have a material adverse impact on our business and results of operations as we may not necessarily have competitive advantage. Our competitors may be better at developing new products, responding quickly to new technologies and undertaking more extensive marketing campaigns. If we are unable to compete with such companies or meet the need for innovation in our industry, the demand for our services could stagnate or substantially decline and we could experience reduced operating income, any of which could harm our business.

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 common in that market, which could adversely affect our market share or ability to exploit new market opportunities. In addition, since the home equity loan lending industry is a relatively recent development in China, potential partners and borrowers may not fully understand how our business works and may not be able to fully appreciate the features that we have invested in and adopted on our business as compared to other home equity loan service providers. Our pricing and terms could deteriorate if we fail to act to meet these competitive challenges. Further, to the extent that our competitors are able to offer more attractive terms to our trust company partners, such trust companies may choose to terminate their relationships with us. All of the foregoing could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and future growth.

If negative publicity arises with respect to us or the home equity loan lending industry in general, our employees, our third-party service providers or our trust company partners, our business and operating results could be adversely affected.

If negative publicity arises about the home equity loan lending industry or the secured lending industry in general in China or our company, including the quality, effectiveness and reliability of our business, our ability to effectively manage and resolve borrower complaints, privacy and security practices, litigation, regulatory challenges and the experience of borrowers with our services, even if inaccurate, could adversely affect our reputation and the confidence in, and the use of, our services, which could harm our business and operating results. The PRC government has recently instituted general regulations and specific rules, including the Guiding Opinion, to develop a more transparent regulatory environment for assets management products. See “—Our business may be adversely affected if we are unable to secure funding on terms acceptable to us or our borrowers, or at all.” Many companies in China’s home equity loan lending industry have not been fully compliant with these regulations, which prevents these companies from providing home equity loans. To the extent that borrowers associate our company with these failed companies, they may be less willing to use our services. Harm to our reputation can also arise from many other sources, including employee misconduct, misconduct by our partners, or third-party service providers, failure by us, our partners or third-party service providers to meet minimum standards of service and quality, inadequate protection of borrower and partner information and compliance failures and claims. Additionally, negative publicity with respect to our partners or service providers could also affect our business and operating results to the extent that we rely on these partners or if borrowers associate our company with these partners.

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.

Our brand and reputation are integral to our acquisition of borrowers and funding sources, and we intend to invest in marketing and brand promoting efforts. The success of our marketing efforts and borrowing experience

 

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with our services are integral to our ability to attract new and retain repeat borrowers. Our marketing channels include traditional media such as telephone marketing, direct sales and marketing campaigns, as well as online media, search engine optimization and search engine marketing. If our current marketing efforts and channels are less effective or inaccessible to us, or if the cost of such channels significantly increases or we cannot penetrate the market with new channels, we may not be able to promote and maintain our brand and reputation to maintain or grow the existing borrower base. If we are unable to promote and maintain our brand and reputation in a cost-efficient manner, our market share could diminish or we could experience a lower growth rate than we anticipated, which would harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Any failure to protect our own intellectual property rights could impair our brand, negatively impact our business or both.

Our success and ability to compete also depend in part on protecting our own intellectual property. We rely on a combination of copyright, trade secret, trademark and other rights, as well as confidentiality procedures and contractual provisions to protect our proprietary technology, processes and other intellectual property. However, the steps we take to protect our intellectual property rights may be inadequate. Third parties may seek to challenge, invalidate or circumvent our copyright, trade secret, trademark and other rights or applications for any of the foregoing. In order to protect our intellectual property rights, we may be required to spend significant resources. Litigation brought to protect and enforce our intellectual property rights could be costly, time-consuming and distracting to management. Our failure to secure, protect and enforce our intellectual property rights could seriously adversely affect our brand and adversely impact our business.

We may be sued by third parties for alleged infringement of their proprietary rights, which could harm our business.

Our competitors, as well as a number of other entities and individuals, may own or claim to own intellectual property relating to our industry. From time to time, third parties may claim that we are infringing on their intellectual property rights. We may, however, be unaware of the intellectual property rights that others may claim cover some or all of our applications, technology or services. Any claims or litigation could cause us to incur significant expenses and, if successfully asserted against us, could require that we pay substantial damages or ongoing royalty payments, restrict us from conducting our business or require that we comply with other unfavorable terms. We may also be obligated to indemnify parties or pay substantial settlement costs, including royalty payments, in connection with any such claim or litigation and to obtain licenses, modify applications or refund fees, which could be costly. Even if we were to prevail in such a dispute, any litigation regarding our intellectual property could be costly and time-consuming and divert the attention of our management from our business operations.

We have existing debts and may incur more in the future, which may adversely affect our financial condition and negatively impact our operations.

We have substantial existing debts and we may incur more in the future. The incurrence of debt could have a variety of negative effects, including:

 

   

default and foreclosure on our assets if our operating income is insufficient to repay debt obligations;

 

   

acceleration of obligations to repay the indebtedness (or other outstanding indebtedness), even if we make all principal and interest payments when due, if we breach any covenants that require the maintenance of certain financial ratios or reserves without a waiver or renegotiation of that covenant;

 

   

our inability to obtain necessary additional financing if the debt security contains covenants restricting our ability to obtain such financing while the debt security is outstanding;

 

   

diverting a substantial portion of cash flow to pay principal and interest on such debt, which would reduce the funds available for expenses, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes; and

 

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creating potential limitations on our flexibility in planning for and reacting to changes in our business and in the industry in which we operate.

The occurrence of any of these risks could adversely affect our operations or financial condition.

Certain data and information in this prospectus were obtained from third-party sources and were not independently verified by us.

This prospectus contains certain data and information that we obtained from various government and private entity publications including industry information from Oliver Wyman. Statistical data in these publications also include projections based on a number of assumptions. The Chinese credit industry, and home equity loan industry in particular, may not grow at the rate projected by market data, or at all. Failure of this industry to grow at the projected rate may have a material adverse effect on our business and the market price of our ADSs. In addition, the new and rapidly changing nature of the home equity loan lending industry results in significant uncertainties for any projections or estimates relating to the growth prospects or future condition of our industry. Furthermore, if any one or more of the assumptions underlying the market data is later found to be incorrect, actual results may differ from the projections based on these assumptions.

We have not independently verified the data and information contained in such third-party publications and reports. Data and information contained in such third-party publications and reports may be collected using third-party methodologies. In addition, these industry publications and reports generally indicate that the information contained therein was believed to be reliable, but do not guarantee the accuracy and completeness of such information.

Our business depends on the continued efforts of our senior 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 senior management, particularly the executive officers named in this prospectus. 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 key executives 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 noncompetition 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. 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.

We may have exposure to greater than anticipated tax liabilities.

We are subject to enterprise income tax, value-added tax, and other taxes in each province and city in China where we have operations. Our tax structure is subject to review by various local tax authorities. The determination of our provision for income tax and other tax liabilities requires significant judgment. In the ordinary course of our business, there are many transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. Although we believe our estimates are reasonable, the ultimate decisions by the relevant tax authorities may differ from the amounts recorded in our financial statements and may materially affect our financial results in the period or periods for which such determination is made.

 

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Certain of our leased properties may have defective titles and we may be forced to relocate operations affected by such defects, which could cause disruption to our business and have a negative impact on our business operations and financial condition.

As of June 30, 2018, we operated our businesses primarily in over 100 leased properties in Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Beijing and other cities in China. We have not signed lease contracts or not renewed expired lease contracts with respect to a small portion of such leased properties, and we may be forced to relocate if the lessors request us to leave the premises. With respect to a small portion of such leased properties, the lessors failed to provide title certificates evidencing property ownership of these lessors. According to PRC laws and regulations, where a landlord lacks title evidence or rights to lease, the relevant lease contracts may be void or unenforceable under PRC laws and regulations, and may also be subject to challenge by third parties. Moreover, a small portion of the leased properties are mortgaged by the lessors. In case the mortgagees enforce the mortgage, we may not be able to continue using our leased properties. In addition, a small portion of our lease contracts have not been registered with the relevant regulatory authorities. According to PRC laws and regulations, failure to register lease contracts will not affect the effectiveness. However, landlords and tenants may be subject to administrative fines for such failure.

As of the date of this prospectus, we are not aware of any action, claim or investigation being conducted or threatened by the relevant regulatory authorities with respect to defects in our leased contracts or leased properties. However, we cannot assure you that such defects will be cured in a timely manner, or at all. Our business may be interrupted and additional relocation costs may be incurred if we are required to relocate operations affected by such defects. Moreover, if our lease contracts are challenged by third parties, it could result in diversion of management attention and cause us to incur costs associated with defending such actions, even if such challenges are ultimately determined in our favor.

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 these 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 new employees, and the quality of our services and our ability to serve borrowers and our partner funding sources could diminish, resulting in a material adverse effect to our business.

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. 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 borrowers by increasing the fees of our services, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.

 

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If we cannot maintain our corporate culture as we grow, we could lose the innovation, collaboration and focus that contribute to our business.

We believe that a critical component of our success is our corporate culture, which we believe fosters innovation, encourages teamwork and cultivates creativity. As we develop the infrastructure of a public company and continue to grow, we may find it difficult to maintain these valuable aspects of our corporate culture. Any failure to preserve our culture could negatively impact our future success, including our ability to attract and retain employees, encourage innovation and teamwork and effectively focus on and pursue our corporate objectives.

We do not have any 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.

We face risks related to natural disasters, health epidemics and other outbreaks, which could significantly disrupt our operations.

We are vulnerable to natural disasters and other calamities. Fire, floods, typhoons, earthquakes, power loss, telecommunications failures, break-ins, war, riots, terrorist attacks or similar events may give rise to server interruptions, breakdowns, system failures, technology platform failures or Internet failures, which could cause the loss or corruption of data or malfunctions of software or hardware as well as adversely affect our ability to provide products and services on our platform.

Our business could also be adversely affected by the effects of Ebola virus disease, Zika virus disease, H1N1 flu, H7N9 flu, avian flu, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS, or other epidemics. Our business operations could be disrupted if any of our employees is suspected of having Ebola virus disease, Zika virus disease, H1N1 flu, H7N9 flu, avian flu, SARS or other epidemic, since it could require our employees to be quarantined and/or our offices to be disinfected. In addition, our results of operations could be adversely affected to the extent that any of these epidemics harms the Chinese economy in general.

Our headquarters are located in Guangzhou, where most of our directors and management and a large majority of our employees currently reside. Consequently, we are highly susceptible to factors adversely affecting Guangzhou. If any of the abovementioned natural disasters, health epidemics or other outbreaks were to occur in Guangzhou, our operation may experience material disruptions, such as temporary closure of our offices and suspension of services, which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

If we fail to implement and maintain an effective system of internal controls, we may be unable to accurately or timely report our results of operations or prevent fraud, and investor confidence and the market price of our ADSs may be materially and adversely affected.

Prior to this offering, we were a private company with limited accounting personnel and other resources with which to address our internal controls and procedures. Our management has not completed an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, and our independent registered public accounting firm has not conducted an audit of our internal control over financial reporting. In the course of auditing our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2016 and for the year ended December 31,

 

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2017, we and our independent registered public accounting firm identified one material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting and other control deficiencies as of December 31, 2017. A “material weakness” is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The material weakness identified relate to

 

   

our lack of sufficient financial reporting and accounting personnel with appropriate knowledge of U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting requirements, and

 

   

our lack of comprehensive accounting policies and procedures manual in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

We have taken measures and plan to continue to take measures to remedy the material weakness. For details, please refer to “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Internal Control over Financial Reporting.” The implementation of these measures may not fully address the material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting, and we cannot conclude that they have been fully remedied. Our failure to correct theses material weakness or our failure to discover and address any other material weaknesses could result in inaccuracies in our financial statements and could also impair our ability to comply with applicable financial reporting requirements and related regulatory filings on a timely basis.

Upon the completion of this offering, we will become a public company in the United States subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or Section 404, will require that we include a report from management on our internal control over financial reporting in our annual report on Form 20-F beginning with our annual report for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018. In addition, once we cease to be an “emerging growth company” as such term is defined in the JOBS Act, our independent registered public accounting firm must attest to and report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Our management may conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is not effective. Moreover, even if our management concludes that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, our independent registered public accounting firm, after conducting its own independent testing, may issue a report that is qualified if it is not satisfied with our internal controls or the level at which our controls are documented, designed, operated or reviewed, or if it interprets the relevant requirements differently from us. In addition, after we become a public company, our reporting obligations may place a significant strain on our management, operational and financial resources and systems for the foreseeable future. We may be unable to timely complete our evaluation testing and any required remediation.

During the course of documenting and testing our internal control procedures, in order to satisfy the requirements of Section 404, we may identify weaknesses and deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting. In addition, if we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal control over financial reporting, as these standards are modified, supplemented or amended from time to time, we may not be able to conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404. Generally speaking, if we fail to achieve and maintain an effective internal control environment, we could suffer material misstatements in our financial statements and fail to meet our reporting obligations, which would likely cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information. This could, in turn, limit our access to capital markets, harm our results of operations and lead to a decline in the trading price of our ADSs. Additionally, ineffective internal control over financial reporting could expose us to increased risk of fraud or misuse of corporate assets and subject us to potential delisting from the stock exchange on which we list, regulatory investigations and civil or criminal sanctions.

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 completion of this offering, we will become a public company and expect to incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we did 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

 

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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, or Section 404, in the assessment of the emerging growth company’s internal control over financial reporting. The JOBS Act also permits an emerging growth company to delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies. However, we have elected to “opt out” of this provision and, as a result, we will comply with new or revised accounting standards as required when they are adopted for public companies. This decision to opt out of the extended transition period under the JOBS Act is irrevocable.

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 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.

We have granted, and may continue to grant, share incentives, which may result in increased share-based compensation expenses.

We adopted an equity incentive plan in 2018, or the 2018 Plan, for the purpose of granting share-based compensation awards to employees, officers, directors and consultants to incentivize their performance and promote the success of our business.

We account for compensation costs for all share-based awards using a fair-value-based method and recognize expenses in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Under the 2018 Plan, we are authorized to grant options, restricted stock units and other types of awards the administrator of the 2018 Plan decides. Under the 2018 Plan, the maximum aggregate number of shares which may be issued pursuant to all awards is              shares. As of the date of this prospectus, options to purchase a total of              ordinary shares were outstanding under the 2018 Plan. We believe the granting of share-based awards is of significant importance to our ability to attract and retain key personnel and employees, and we will continue to grant share-based awards 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.

Certain of our existing shareholders have substantial influence over our company, and their interests may not be aligned with the interests of our other stockholders.

CAA Holdings Company Limited, a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands holds 100% of the total outstanding shares of Able Boom Investments Limited, Complete Joy Investments Limited, Goldsource Holding Limited, each of which is a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands and holds approximately 2.83%, 27.94%, 6.65% and 3.61% of our ordinary shares, respectively. Cathay Auto Services Limited, a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands holds approximately 25.96% of our ordinary shares. As a result, each shareholder has significant influence over our business, including decisions regarding mergers, consolidations, liquidations and the sale of all or substantially all of our assets, election of directors and other

 

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significant corporate actions. This concentration of ownership may also have the effect of discouraging, delaying or preventing a future change of control, which could deprive our stockholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their shares as part of a sale of our company, and might reduce the price of our ADSs.

Failure to make adequate contributions to various employee benefits plans 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 social insurance plans, unemployment insurance, medical insurance, work-related injury insurance, maternity insurance, housing provident fund and other welfare-oriented payment obligations, and contribute to the plans in amounts equal to certain percentages of salaries, including bonuses and allowances, of employees up to a maximum amount specified by the local government from time to time at locations where our employees are based. 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. Our failure in making adequate contributions to various employee benefit plans and in complying with applicable PRC labor-related laws may subject us to late payment penalties, and we could be required to make up the contributions for these plans as well as to pay late fees and fines. If we are subject to late fees or fines in relation to the underpaid employee benefits, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.

Our branches have not made full contributions to the social insurance plans and the housing provident fund for employees as required by the relevant PRC laws and regulations. As of the date of this prospectus, we are not aware of any notice from regulatory authorities or any claim or request from these employees in this regard. We have obtained written confirmations from local human resources and social security bureau of 37 of our branches. These confirmations state, in respect of the relevant periods stated therein, that no administrative penalties had been imposed and/or non-compliance had not be identified regarding social insurance. Our PRC legal advisor, Han Kun Law Offices, advises us that based on the confirmations, the possibility that the local human resources and social security bureau of those branches request for payment or impose administrative fines or penalties regarding social insurance is remote. However, we cannot assure you that the relevant regulatory authorities will not require us to pay outstanding amounts and impose late payment penalties or fines on us, which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The inconsistency of domicile and place of business of our PRC subsidiaries may have a material adverse effect on our business and operations.

Substantially all of our assets and operations are located in China. We have developed a network of 75 branches and sub-branches in over 40 cities in China. According to the PRC laws and regulations, the domicile and the place of business of our PRC subsidiaries should be the same. As our business grows rapidly, we may change the place of business according to market development strategy. We cannot assure you that the domicile of all the PRC subsidiaries, branches and sub-branches are consistent with the place of their business. In the event that our PRC subsidiaries, branches and sub-branches cannot be reached by relevant regulatory authorities at the domicile or place of business they provided, such subsidiaries, branches or sub-branches may be included in the unusual operation enterprise list, and may be required to rectify or may be imposed with penalties, which may adversely affect our business and results of operations.

From time to time we may evaluate and enter into strategic alliances, which could divert significant management attention and resources, disrupt our business and adversely affect our financial results.

We may from time to time evaluate and enter into strategic alliances with various third parties. Strategic alliances with third parties could subject us to a number of risks, including the potential failure to achieve the expected benefits of the alliance, risks associated with potential leakage of proprietary information, non-performance by the counterparty and an increase in expenses incurred in establishing new strategic alliances, any of which may materially and adversely affect our business. Strategic alliances will also divert the management’s time and resources from our normal operations and we may have to incur unexpected liabilities or expenses.

 

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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 operations.

Substantially all of our assets and operations are located in China. Accordingly, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may be influenced to a significant degree by political, economic and social conditions in China generally. The Chinese economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including the level 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 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 past decades, growth has been uneven, both geographically and among various sectors of the economy. Any adverse changes in economic conditions in China, in the policies of the Chinese government or in the laws and regulations in China could have a material adverse effect on the overall economic growth of China. Such developments could adversely affect our business and operating results, lead to a reduction in demand for our services and adversely affect our competitive position. 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 adjustment, to control the pace of economic growth. These measures may cause decreased economic activity in China, which may adversely affect our business and operating results.

A severe or prolonged downturn in the Chinese or global economy could materially and adversely affect our business and financial condition.

Any prolonged slowdown in the Chinese or global economy may have a negative impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition. In particular, general economic factors and conditions in China or worldwide, including the general interest rate environment and unemployment rates, may affect micro and small-enterprise owners’ willingness to seek credit and our partners’ ability and desire to invest in loans. Economic conditions in China are sensitive to global economic conditions. The global financial markets have experienced significant disruptions in the past, including the escalation of the European sovereign debt crisis from 2011, which may continue. While the Chinese economy has experienced significant growth over past decades, growth has been uneven, both geographically and among various sectors of the economy. 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 the Middle East and Africa, which have resulted in volatility in financial and other markets. Significant uncertainty exists regarding the timing of UK’s anticipated withdrawal from the EU and the effects such withdrawal may have on world economy, as well as uncertainty regarding the likelihood and timing of policy changes by the Trump Administration in the United States and the subsequent impact on world economy. There have also been concerns about the economic effect of the tensions in the relationship between China and surrounding Asian countries. If present Chinese and global economic uncertainties persist, we may have difficulty in obtaining funding sources to fund the credit utilized by borrowers. Adverse economic conditions could also reduce the number of quality micro and small-enterprise owners seeking credit from us, as well as their ability to make payments. Should any of these situations occur,

 

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the amount of loans facilitated to borrowers and, therefore, our operating income will decline, and our business and financial condition will be negatively impacted. Additionally, continued turbulence in the international markets may adversely affect our ability to access the capital markets to meet liquidity needs.

Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could adversely affect us.

The PRC legal system is a civil law system based on written statutes. Unlike the common law system, prior court decisions under the civil law system may be cited for reference but have limited precedential value.

In 1979, the PRC government began to promulgate a comprehensive system of laws and regulations governing economic matters in general. The overall effect of legislation over the past three decades has significantly enhanced the protections afforded to various forms of foreign investments in China. However, China has not developed a fully integrated legal system, and recently enacted laws and regulations may not sufficiently cover all aspects of economic activities in China. In particular, the interpretation and enforcement of these laws and regulations involve uncertainties. Since PRC administrative and court authorities have significant discretion in interpreting and implementing statutory provisions and contractual terms, it may be difficult to evaluate the outcome of administrative and court proceedings and the level of legal protection we enjoy. These uncertainties may affect our judgment on the relevance of legal requirements and our ability to enforce our contractual rights or tort claims. In addition, the regulatory uncertainties may be exploited through unmerited or frivolous legal actions or threats in attempts to extract payments or benefits from us.

Furthermore, the PRC legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules, some of which are not published on a timely basis or at all and may have a retroactive effect. As a result, we may not be aware of our violation of any of these policies and rules until sometime after the violation. In addition, any administrative and court proceedings in China may be protracted, resulting in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention.

You may experience difficulties in effecting service of legal process, enforcing foreign judgments or bringing actions in China against us or our management named in the prospectus based on foreign laws.

We are a company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands, while we conduct substantially all of our operations in China, and substantially all of our assets are located in China. In addition, all our senior executive officers reside within China for a significant portion of the time and most are PRC nationals. As a result, it may be difficult for our shareholders to effect service of process upon us or those persons inside China. In addition, China does not have treaties providing for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments of courts with the Cayman Islands and many other countries and regions. Therefore, recognition and enforcement in China of judgments of a court in any of these non-PRC jurisdictions in relation to any matter not subject to a binding arbitration provision may be difficult or impossible.

We may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our PRC subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have, and any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to make payments to us could have a material and adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business.

We are a Cayman Islands holding company and we rely principally on dividends and other distributions on equity from our PRC subsidiaries for our cash requirements, including for services of any debt we may incur. Our PRC subsidiary’s ability to distribute dividends is based upon its distributable earnings. Current PRC regulations permit our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to its respective shareholders only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, each of our PRC subsidiaries is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund a statutory reserve until such reserve reaches 50% of its registered capital. Each of our PRC subsidiaries as a Foreign Invested Enterprise, or FIE, is also required to further set aside a portion of its after-tax profits to fund the employee welfare fund, although the amount to be set aside, if any, is determined at its

 

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discretion. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends. If our PRC subsidiaries incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends or make other payments to us. Any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to distribute dividends or other payments to their respective shareholders could materially and adversely limit our ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions that could be beneficial to our businesses, pay dividends or otherwise fund and conduct our business.

In addition, the Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementation rules provide that a withholding tax rate of up to 10% will be applicable to dividends payable by Chinese companies to non-PRC-resident enterprises unless otherwise exempted or reduced according to treaties or arrangements between the PRC central government and governments of other countries or regions where the non-PRC resident enterprises are incorporated.

PRC regulation of loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion may delay us from using the proceeds of this offering to make loans or 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, or FIEs, in China, capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries are subject to the approval of or filing with the MOFCOM or its local branches and registration with a local bank authorized by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE. In addition, (i) any foreign loan procured by our PRC subsidiaries is required to be registered with SAFE or its local branches and (ii) our PRC subsidiaries may not procure loans which exceed the difference between its total investment amount and registered capital. For the restriction and limitation on the amount of loans, please refer to “Regulation—Regulations on loans to and direct investment in the PRC entities by offshore holding companies” for details. We may not be able to complete such registrations on a timely basis, with respect to future capital contributions or foreign loans by us to our PRC subsidiary. If we fail to complete such registrations, our ability to use the 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.

On March 30, 2015, the SAFE promulgated the Circular on Reforming the Management Approach Regarding the Foreign Exchange Capital Settlement of Foreign-Invested Enterprises, or SAFE Circular 19, which took effect as of June 1, 2015. SAFE Circular 19 launched a nationwide reform of the administration of the settlement of the foreign exchange capitals of FIEs and allows FIEs to settle their foreign exchange capital at their discretion, but continues to prohibit FIEs from using the Renminbi fund converted from their foreign exchange capital for expenditure beyond their business scopes, providing entrusted loans or repaying loans between nonfinancial enterprises. The SAFE issued the Circular on Reforming and Regulating Policies on the Control over Foreign Exchange Settlement of Capital Accounts, or SAFE Circular 16, effective in June 2016. Pursuant to SAFE Circular 16, enterprises registered in China may also convert their foreign debts from foreign currency to Renminbi on a self-discretionary basis. SAFE Circular 16 provides an integrated standard for conversion of foreign exchange under capital account items (including but not limited to foreign currency capital and foreign debts) on a self-discretionary basis which applies to all enterprises registered in China. SAFE Circular 16 reiterates the principle that Renminbi converted from foreign currency-denominated capital of a company may not be directly or indirectly used for purposes beyond its business scope or prohibited by PRC laws or regulations, while such converted Renminbi shall not be provided as loans to its nonaffiliated entities. As this circular is relatively new, there remains uncertainty as to its interpretation and application and any other future foreign exchange related rules. Violations of these Circulars could result in severe monetary or other penalties. SAFE Circular 19 and SAFE Circular 16 may significantly limit our ability to use Renminbi converted from the net proceeds of this offering to fund the establishment of new entities in China or its subsidiaries, to invest in or acquire any other PRC companies through our PRC subsidiaries, or to establish VIEs in China, which may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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Fluctuations in the value of the Renminbi could have a material and adverse effect on your investment.

The change in value of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar and other currencies is affected by various factors such as changes in political and economic conditions in the PRC. 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. 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.

Any significant appreciation or revaluation of the Renminbi may have a material adverse effect on the value of, and any dividends payable on, our ADSs in foreign currency terms. More specifically, if we decide to convert our Renminbi into U.S. dollars, appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the Renminbi would have a negative effect on the U.S. dollar amount available to us. To the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars we receive from our initial public 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. In addition, appreciation or depreciation in the exchange rate of the Renminbi to the U.S. dollar could materially and adversely affect the price of our ADSs in U.S. dollars without giving effect to any underlying change in our business or results of operations.

Governmental control of currency conversion may limit our ability to utilize our operating income 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 operating income in Renminbi. Under our current corporate structure, our Cayman Islands holding company primarily relies on dividend payments from our PRC subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have. Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, including profit distributions, interest payments and trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval of SAFE by complying with certain procedural requirements. Specifically, under the existing exchange restrictions, without prior approval of SAFE, cash generated from the operations of our PRC subsidiaries in China may be used to pay dividends to our company. However, 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. As a result, we need to obtain SAFE approval to use cash generated from the operations of our PRC subsidiaries to pay off their respective debt in a currency other than Renminbi owed to entities outside China, or to make other capital expenditure payments outside China in a currency other than Renminbi. The PRC government may at its discretion restrict access to foreign currencies for current account transactions in the future. 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.

Certain PRC regulations may make it more difficult for us to pursue growth through acquisitions.

Among other things, the Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rules, adopted by six PRC regulatory agencies in 2006 and amended in 2009, established additional procedures and requirements that could make merger and acquisition activities by foreign investors more time-consuming and complex. Such regulation requires, among other things, that the MOFCOM be notified in advance of any change-of-control transaction in which a foreign investor acquires control of a PRC domestic enterprise or a foreign company with substantial PRC operations, if certain thresholds under the Provisions on Thresholds for Prior Notification of Concentrations of Undertakings, issued by the State Council in 2008, are

 

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triggered. Moreover, the Anti-Monopoly Law promulgated by the Standing Committee of the NPC which became effective in 2008 requires that transactions which are deemed concentrations and involve parties with specified turnover thresholds must be cleared by the MOFCOM before they can be completed. In addition, PRC national security review rules which became effective in September 2011 require acquisitions by foreign investors of PRC companies engaged in military related or certain other industries that are crucial to national security be subject to security review before consummation of any such acquisition. We may pursue potential strategic acquisitions that are complementary to our business and operations. Complying with the requirements of these regulations to complete such transactions could be time-consuming, and any required approval processes, including obtaining approval or clearance from the MOFCOM, 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 the establishment of offshore special purpose companies by PRC residents may subject our PRC resident beneficial owners or our PRC subsidiary to liability or penalties, limit our ability to inject capital into our PRC subsidiary, limit our PRC subsidiary’s ability to increase their registered capital or distribute profits to us, or may otherwise adversely affect us.

In July 2014, SAFE promulgated the Circular on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Control on Domestic Residents’ Offshore Investment and Financing and Roundtrip Investment Through Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 37, to replace the Notice on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Residents’ Financing and Roundtrip Investment Through Offshore Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 75, which ceased to be effective upon the promulgation of SAFE Circular 37. SAFE Circular 37 requires PRC residents (including PRC individuals and PRC corporate entities) to register with SAFE or its local branches in connection with their direct or indirect offshore investment activities. SAFE Circular 37 is applicable to our shareholders who are PRC residents and may be applicable to any offshore acquisitions that we make in the future.

Under SAFE Circular 37, PRC residents who make, or have prior to the implementation of SAFE Circular 37 made, direct or indirect investments in offshore special purpose vehicles, or SPVs, will be required to register such investments with SAFE or its local branches. In addition, any PRC resident who is a direct or indirect shareholder of an SPV is required to update its filed registration with the local branch of SAFE with respect to that SPV, to reflect any material change. Moreover, any subsidiary of such SPV in China is required to urge the PRC resident shareholders to update their registration with the local branch of SAFE. If any PRC shareholder of such SPV fails to make the required registration or to update the previously filed registration, the subsidiary of such SPV in China may be prohibited from distributing its profits or the proceeds from any capital reduction, share transfer or liquidation to the SPV, and the SPV may also be prohibited from making additional capital contributions into its subsidiary in China. On February 13, 2015, the SAFE promulgated a Notice on Further Simplifying and Improving Foreign Exchange Administration Policy on Direct Investment, or SAFE Notice 13, which became effective on June 1, 2015. Under SAFE Notice 13, applications for foreign exchange registration of inbound foreign direct investments and outbound overseas direct investments, including those required under SAFE Circular 37, will be filed with qualified banks instead of SAFE. The qualified banks will directly examine the applications and accept registrations under the supervision of SAFE.

Several of our shareholders that we are aware of are subject to SAFE regulations, and we expect all of these shareholders will have completed all necessary registrations with the local SAFE branch or qualified banks as required by SAFE Circular 37 immediately before the completion of this offering. We cannot assure you, however, that all of these individuals may continue to make required filings or updates on a timely manner, or at all. We can provide no assurance that we are or will in the future continue to be informed of identities of all PRC residents holding direct or indirect interest in our company. Any failure or inability by such individuals to comply with SAFE regulations may subject us to fines or legal sanctions, such as restrictions on our cross-border investment activities or our PRC subsidiary’s ability to distribute dividends to, or obtain foreign exchange-denominated loans from, our company or prevent us from making distributions or paying dividends. As a result, our business operations and our ability to make distributions to you could be materially and adversely affected.

 

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Furthermore, as these foreign exchange regulations are still relatively new and their interpretation and implementation has been constantly evolving, it is unclear how these regulations, and any future regulation concerning offshore or cross-border transactions, will be interpreted, amended and implemented by the relevant government authorities. For example, we may be subject to a more stringent review and approval process with respect to our foreign exchange activities, such as remittance of dividends and foreign-currency-denominated borrowings, which may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, if we decide to acquire a PRC domestic company, we cannot assure you that we or the owners of such company, as the case may be, will be able to obtain the necessary approvals or complete the necessary filings and registrations required by the foreign exchange regulations. This may restrict our ability to implement our acquisition strategy and 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.

In February 2012, SAFE promulgated the Notices on Issues Concerning the Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in Stock Incentive Plan of Overseas Publicly Listed Company, replacing earlier rules promulgated in 2007. Pursuant to these rules, 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 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 options will be subject to these regulations when our company becomes an overseas-listed company upon the completion of this offering. Failure to complete the SAFE registrations may subject them to fines and legal sanctions, there may be additional restrictions on the ability of them to exercise their stock options or remit proceeds gained from sale of their stock into the PRC. 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 “Regulation—Regulations on Foreign Exchange—Regulations on Stock Incentive Plans.”

If we are classified as a PRC resident enterprise for PRC enterprise income tax purposes, such classification could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders and ADS holders.

Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementation rules, an enterprise established outside of the PRC with its “de facto management body” within the PRC is considered a “resident 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 and overall management over the business, productions, personnel, accounts and properties of an enterprise. In 2009, the State Administration of Taxation, or SAT, issued a circular, known as SAT 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 SAT’s general position on how the “de facto management body” text should be applied in determining the tax resident status of all offshore enterprises. According to SAT 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

 

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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 our company is not a PRC resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes. 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 the PRC tax authorities determine that our company is a PRC resident enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes, we will be subject to PRC enterprise income on our worldwide income at the rate of 25%. Furthermore, we will be required to withhold a 10% withholding tax from dividends we pay to our shareholders that are nonresident enterprises, including the holders of our ADSs. In addition, nonresident enterprise shareholders (including our ADS holders) may be subject to PRC tax at a rate of 10% 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. Furthermore, if we are deemed a PRC resident enterprise, dividends paid to our non-PRC individual shareholders (including our ADS holders) and any gain realized on the transfer of ADSs or ordinary shares by such shareholders may be subject to PRC tax at a rate of 20% (which, in the case of dividends, may be withheld at source). These rates may be reduced by an applicable tax treaty, but 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 face uncertainty with respect to indirect transfers of equity interests in PRC resident enterprises by their non-PRC holding companies.

On February 3, 2015, the SAT issued the Public Notice Regarding Certain Corporate Income Tax Matters on Indirect Transfer of Properties by Non-Tax Resident Enterprises, or SAT Bulletin 7. SAT Bulletin 7 extends its tax jurisdiction to transactions involving the transfer of taxable assets through offshore transfer of a foreign intermediate holding company. In addition, SAT Bulletin 7 has introduced safe harbors for internal group restructurings and the purchase and sale of equity through a public securities market. SAT Bulletin 7 also brings challenges to both foreign transferor and transferee (or other person who is obligated to pay for the transfer) of taxable assets.

On October 17, 2017, the SAT issued the Announcement of the State Administration of Taxation on Issues Concerning the Withholding of Nonresident Enterprise Income Tax at Source, or SAT Bulletin 37, which came into effect on December 1, 2017. The SAT Bulletin 37 further clarifies the practice and procedure of the withholding of nonresident enterprise income tax.

Where a nonresident enterprise transfers taxable assets indirectly by disposing of the equity interests of an overseas holding company, which is an Indirect Transfer, the nonresident enterprise as either transferor or transferee, or the PRC entity that directly owns the taxable assets, may report such Indirect Transfer to the relevant tax authority. 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. Both the transferor and the transferee may be subject to penalties under PRC tax laws if the transferee fails to withhold the taxes and the transferor fails to pay the taxes.

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 and investments. Our company may be subject to filing obligations or taxed if our company is transferor in such transactions, and may be subject to withholding obligations if our company is transferee in such transactions, under SAT Bulletin 7 and/or SAT Bulletin 37. For transfer of shares in our company by investors who are

 

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non-PRC resident enterprises, our PRC subsidiaries may be requested to assist in the filing under SAT Bulletin 7 and/or SAT Bulletin 37. As a result, we may be required to expend valuable resources to comply with SAT Bulletin 7 and/or SAT Bulletin 37 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, you are deprived of the benefits of such inspection.

Our independent registered public accounting firm that issues the audit report included in this prospectus, as an auditor of companies that are traded publicly in the United States and a firm registered with the 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. Since our auditors are located in China, a jurisdiction where the PCAOB is currently unable to conduct inspections without the approval of the Chinese authorities, our auditors are not currently inspected by the PCAOB.

Inspections of other firms that the PCAOB has conducted outside of 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. The lack of PCAOB inspections in China prevents the PCAOB from regularly evaluating our auditors’ 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 auditors’ 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.

Proceedings instituted by the SEC against Chinese affiliates of the “big four” 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 Chinese law. Specifically, for certain US-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 Chinese 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 CSRC.

In late 2012, this impasse led the SEC to commence administrative proceedings under Rule 102E 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 Commissioner 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

 

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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. If additional remedial measures are imposed on the Chinese affiliates of the “big four” accounting firms, including our independent registered public accounting firm, in administrative proceedings brought by the SEC alleging the firms’ failure to meet specific criteria set by the SEC with respect to requests for the production of documents, we could be unable to timely file future financial statements in compliance with the requirements of the Exchange Act.

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, US-listed companies, and the market price of our common stock 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.

Regulation and censorship of information disseminated over the Internet in China may adversely affect our business and reputation and subject us to liability for information displayed on our website.

The PRC government has adopted regulations governing Internet access and the distribution of news and other information over the Internet. Under these regulations, Internet content providers and Internet publishers are prohibited from posting or displaying over the Internet content that, among other things, violates PRC laws and regulations, impairs the national dignity of China, or is reactionary, obscene, superstitious, fraudulent or defamatory. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in the revocation of licenses to provide Internet content and other licenses, and the closure of the concerned websites. The website operator may also be held liable for such censored information displayed on or linked to the websites. If our website is found to be in violation of any such requirements, we may be penalized by relevant authorities, and our operations or reputation could be adversely affected.

Risks Related to Our ADSs and This Offering

An active trading market for our ordinary shares or the ADSs may not develop and the trading price for our ADSs may fluctuate significantly.

We have applied to list the ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange. We have no current intention to seek a listing for our ordinary shares on any stock exchange. Prior to the completion of this offering, there has been no public market for the ADSs or our ordinary shares, and we cannot assure you that a liquid public market for the ADSs will develop. If an active public market for the ADSs does not develop following the completion of this offering, the market price and liquidity of the ADSs may be materially and adversely affected. The initial public offering price for our ADSs will be determined by negotiation between us and the underwriters based upon several factors, and we can provide no assurance that the trading price of the ADSs after this offering will not decline below the initial public offering price. As a result, investors in our securities may experience a significant decrease in the value of their ADSs.

The trading price of the ADSs is likely to be volatile, which could result in substantial losses to investors.

The trading price of the ADSs is likely to be volatile and could fluctuate widely due to factors beyond our control. This may happen because of broad market and industry factors, including the performance and

 

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fluctuation of the market prices of other companies with business operations located mainly in China that have listed their securities in the United States. In addition to market and industry factors, the price and trading volume for our ADSs may be highly volatile for factors specific to our own operations, including the following:

 

   

variations in our earnings and cash flows;

 

   

announcements of new investments, acquisitions, strategic partnerships or joint ventures by us or our competitors;

 

   

announcements of new offerings, solutions and expansions by us or our competitors;

 

   

changes in financial estimates by securities analysts;

 

   

detrimental adverse publicity about us, our services or our industry;

 

   

announcements of new regulations, rules or policies relevant for our business;

 

   

additions or departures of key personnel;

 

   

release of lockup or other transfer restrictions on our outstanding equity securities or sales of additional equity securities; and

 

   

potential litigation or regulatory investigations.

Any of these factors may result in large and sudden changes in the volume and price at which our ADSs will trade.

In the past, shareholders of public companies have often brought securities class action suits against those companies following periods of instability in the market price of their 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 and require us to incur significant expenses to defend the suit, which could harm our results of operations. 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.

Because our initial public offering price is substantially higher than our net tangible book value per share, you will experience immediate and substantial dilution.

If you purchase ADSs in this offering, you will pay more for your ADSs than the amount paid by our existing shareholders for their ordinary shares on a per ADS basis. As a result, you will experience immediate and substantial dilution of approximately US$                 per ADS. Please refer to “Dilution” for a more complete description of how the value of your investment in our ADSs will be diluted upon the completion of this offering.

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, or if they adversely change their recommendations regarding the ADSs, the market price for the ADSs and trading volume could decline.

The trading market for the ADSs will be influenced by research or reports that industry or securities analysts publish about our business. If one or more analysts who cover us downgrade the ADSs, the market price for the ADSs would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease to cover us or fail to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause the market price or trading volume for the ADSs to decline.

The sale or availability for sale of substantial amounts of ADSs could adversely affect their market price.

Sales of substantial amounts of the 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 the ADSs and could materially

 

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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 lockup agreements. There will be                  ADSs (representing                  ordinary shares) outstanding immediately after this offering, or                  ADSs (representing ordinary shares) if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full. In connection with this offering, we, our directors executive officers and certain existing shareholders 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. However, the underwriters may release these securities from these restrictions at any time, subject to applicable regulations of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. 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 the ADSs. Please refer to “Underwriting” and “Shares Eligible for Future Sale” for a more detailed description of the restrictions on selling our securities after this offering.

Techniques employed by short sellers may drive down the market price of the ADSs.

Short selling is the practice of selling securities that the seller does not own but rather has borrowed from a third party with the intention of buying identical securities back at a later date to return to the lender. The short seller hopes to profit from a decline in the value of the securities between the sale of the borrowed securities and the purchase of the replacement shares, as the short seller expects to pay less in that purchase than it received in the sale. As it is in the short seller’s interest for the price of the security to decline, many short sellers publish, or arrange for the publication of, negative opinions regarding the relevant issuer and its business prospects in order to create negative market momentum and generate profits for themselves after selling a security short. These short attacks have, in the past, led to selling of shares in the market.

Public companies that have substantially all of their operations in China have been the subject of short selling. Much of the scrutiny and negative publicity has centered on allegations of a lack of effective internal control over financial reporting resulting in financial and accounting irregularities and mistakes, inadequate corporate governance policies or a lack of adherence thereto and, in many cases, allegations of fraud. As a result, many of these companies are now conducting internal and external investigations into the allegations and, in the interim, are subject to shareholder lawsuits and/or SEC enforcement actions.

It is not clear what effect such negative publicity could have on us. If we were to become the subject of any unfavorable allegations, whether such allegations are proven to be true or untrue, we could have to expend a significant amount of resources to investigate such allegations and/or defend ourselves. While we would strongly defend against any such short seller attacks, we may be constrained in the manner in which we can proceed against the relevant short seller by principles of freedom of speech, applicable state law or issues of commercial confidentiality. Such a situation could be costly and time-consuming, and could distract our management from growing our business. Even if such allegations are ultimately proven to be groundless, allegations against us could severely impact our business operations, and any investment in the ADSs could be greatly reduced or even rendered worthless.

Because we do not expect to pay dividends in the foreseeable future after this offering, you must rely on a price appreciation of the ADSs for a 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 do not expect to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Therefore, you should not rely on an investment in the ADSs as a source for any future dividend income.

Our Board of Directors has complete discretion as to whether to distribute dividends, subject to certain requirements of Cayman Islands law. In addition, our shareholders may, subject to the provisions of our articles

 

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of association, by ordinary resolution declare a dividend, but no dividend may exceed the amount recommended by our directors. Under Cayman Islands law, a Cayman Islands 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 the company being unable to pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. 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 our future results of operations and cash flow, our capital requirements and surplus, the amount of distributions, if any, received by us from our subsidiaries, our financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors. Accordingly, the return on your investment in the ADSs will likely depend entirely upon any future price appreciation of the ADSs. There is no guarantee that the 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 the ADSs.

We have not determined a specific use for a portion of the net proceeds from this offering, and we may use these proceeds in ways with which you may not agree.

We have not determined a specific use for a portion of the net proceeds of this offering, and our management will have considerable discretion in deciding how to apply these proceeds. You will not have the opportunity to assess whether the proceeds are being used appropriately before you make your investment decision. You must rely on the judgment of our management regarding the application of the net proceeds of this offering. We cannot assure you that the net proceeds will be used in a manner that would improve our results of operations or increase the ADS price, nor that these net proceeds will be placed only in investments that generate income or appreciate in value.

The approval of the China Securities Regulatory Commission may be required in connection with this offering under PRC law.

The M&A Rules purport to require offshore special purpose vehicles that are controlled by PRC companies or individuals and that have been formed for the purpose of seeking a public listing on an overseas stock exchange through acquisitions of PRC domestic companies or assets to obtain CSRC approval prior to publicly listing their securities on an overseas stock exchange. In September 2006, the CSRC published a notice on its official website specifying documents and materials required to be submitted to it by a special purpose vehicle seeking CSRC approval of its overseas listings. The interpretation and application of the regulations remain unclear. 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 legal advisor, Han Kun Law Offices, advises us that, based on its understanding of the current PRC laws and regulations, we will not be required to submit an application to the CSRC for the approval of the listing and trading of our ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange because there are four WFOEs in the Group, and we established three of them by means of direct investment and not through a merger or acquisition of the equity or assets of a “PRC domestic company” as defined under the M&A Rules. The acquisition of Fanhua Chuang Li Information Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (formerly known as Yi Li Chuangli Precision Instrument Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.) by Rich Wealth Technology Limited (Hong Kong) from Rich Wealth Holdings Limited (Hong Kong) in December 13, 2000, which was approved by Shenzhen Foreign Investment Bureau, is subject to Several Provisions on Changes in Equity Interest of Investors in Foreign-invested Enterprises, effective from May 28,1997, and not subject to the M&A Rules.

However, our PRC legal advisor further advises 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, rules and regulations or detailed implementations and interpretations in any form relating to the M&A Rules. We cannot assure you that relevant PRC government agencies, including the CSRC, would reach the same conclusion as our PRC legal counsel, and hence we may face regulatory actions or other

 

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sanctions from the CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies. These regulatory agencies may impose fines and penalties on our operations in China, limit our ability to pay dividends outside of China, limit our operating privileges in China, delay or restrict the repatriation of the proceeds from this offering into China or take other actions that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, as well as the trading price of the ADSs. The CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies also may take actions requiring us, or making it advisable for us, to halt this offering before settlement and delivery of the ADSs offered hereby. Consequently, if you engage in market trading or other activities in anticipation of and prior to settlement and delivery, you do so at the risk that settlement and delivery may not occur. In addition, if the CSRC or other regulatory agencies later promulgate new rules or explanations requiring that we obtain their approvals for this offering, we may be unable to obtain a waiver of such approval requirements, if and when procedures are established to obtain such a waiver. Any uncertainties and/or negative publicity regarding such approval requirement could have a material adverse effect on the trading price of the ADSs.

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. Our corporate affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Law (2016 Revision) of the Cayman Islands and the common law of the Cayman Islands (“Cayman Companies Law”). The rights of shareholders to take action against our directors, actions by our 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 have 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 have discretion under our 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 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 motion 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 our 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 of the Cayman Islands and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders, please refer to “Description of Share Capital—Differences in Corporate Law.”

Your rights to pursue claims against the depositary as a holder of ADSs are limited by the terms of the deposit agreement.

Under the deposit agreement, any action or proceeding against or involving the depositary, arising out of or based upon the deposit agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby or by virtue of owning the ADSs may only be instituted in a state or federal court in New York, New York, and you, as a holder of our ADSs, will have

 

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irrevocably waived any objection which you may have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding, and irrevocably submitted to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such action or proceeding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) any action based on the deposit agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby may be instituted by the depositary in any competent court in the Cayman Islands, Hong Kong, the People’s Republic of China and/or the United States, (ii) the depositary may, in its sole discretion, elect to institute any action, controversy, claim or dispute directly or indirectly based on, arising out of or relating to the deposit agreement or the ADRs or the transactions contemplated thereby. Also, we may amend or terminate 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.

Certain judgments obtained against us by our shareholders may not be enforceable.

We are a Cayman Islands company and substantially all of our assets are located outside of the United States. Substantially all of our current operations are conducted in China. In addition, most of our current directors and officers are nationals and residents of countries other than the United States. Substantially all of the assets of these persons are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for you to bring an action against us or against these individuals in the United States in the event that you believe that 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 China 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, please refer to “Enforceability of Civil Liabilities.”

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 your ordinary shares underlying your ADSs.

Holders of ADSs do not have the same rights as our registered shareholders. 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 ordinary shares underlying 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 holder of the ordinary shares underlying your ADSs. Upon receipt of your voting instructions, the depositary may try to vote the ordinary shares underlying your ADSs in accordance with your instructions. If we ask for your instructions, then upon receipt of your voting instructions, the depositary will try to vote the underlying ordinary shares in accordance with those instructions. If we do not instruct the depositary to ask for your instructions, the depositary may still vote in accordance with instructions you give, but it is not required to do so. You will not be able to directly exercise any right to vote with respect to the underlying ordinary shares unless you withdraw the shares and become the registered holder of such shares prior to the record date for the general meeting. When a general meeting is convened, you may not receive sufficient advance notice of the meeting to enable you to withdraw the shares underlying 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 and to vote directly with respect to any specific matter or resolution to be considered and voted upon at the general meeting. In addition, under our post-offering 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 ordinary shares underlying your ADSs and becoming 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 notify you of the upcoming vote and to deliver our voting materials to you. We cannot assure you that you will receive the voting material in time to ensure you can direct 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 their manner of carrying out your voting instructions. This means that you may not

 

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be able to exercise your right to direct how the shares underlying your ADSs are voted and you may have no legal remedy if the shares underlying your ADSs are not voted as you requested.

You may experience dilution of your holdings due to the inability to participate in rights offerings.

We may, from time to time, distribute rights to our shareholders, including rights to acquire securities. Under the deposit agreement, the depositary will not distribute rights to holders of ADSs unless the distribution and sale of rights and the securities to which these rights relate are either exempt from registration under the Securities Act with respect to all holders of ADSs, or are registered under the provisions of the Securities Act. The depositary may, but is not required to, attempt to sell these undistributed rights to third parties, and may allow the rights to lapse. We may be unable to establish an exemption from registration under the Securities Act, and we are under no obligation to file a registration statement with respect to these rights or underlying securities or to endeavor to have a registration statement declared effective. Accordingly, holders of ADSs may be unable to participate in our rights offerings and may experience dilution of their holdings as a result.

You may be subject to limitations on the transfer of your ADSs.

Your ADSs are transferable on the books of the depositary. However, the depositary may close its books at any time or from time to time when it deems it expedient in connection with the performance of its duties. The depositary may close its books in emergencies, and on weekends and public holidays. The depositary may refuse to deliver, transfer or register transfers of our ADSs generally when our share register or the books of the depositary are closed, or at any time if we or the depositary thinks it is 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.

We are an emerging growth company within the meaning of the Securities Act 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 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 the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for so long as we remain 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.

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:

 

   

the rules under the Exchange Act requiring the filing with the SEC of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or current reports on Form 8-K;

 

   

the sections of the Exchange Act regulating the solicitation of proxies, consents or authorizations in respect of a security registered under the Exchange Act;

 

   

the sections of the Exchange Act requiring insiders to file public reports of their stock ownership and trading activities and liability for insiders who profit from trades made in a short period of time; and

 

   

the selective disclosure rules by issuers of material nonpublic information under Regulation FD.

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

 

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and regulations of the NYSE. 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 a 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.

As a Cayman Islands company listed on the New York Stock Exchange, we are subject to New York Stock Exchange corporate governance listing standards. However, 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. To the extent we choose to follow home country practice in the future, our shareholders may be afforded less protection than they otherwise would enjoy under New York Stock Exchange corporate governance listing standards applicable to U.S. domestic issuers.

There is a high probability that we will be a passive foreign investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes, which will generally result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. taxpayers.

In general, a non-U.S. corporation will be a passive foreign investment company (a “PFIC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes for any taxable year in which (i) 75% or more of its gross income consists of passive income or (ii) 50% or more of the average quarterly value of its assets consists of assets that produce, or are held for the production of, passive income. Passive income generally includes interest, income equivalent to interest, rents, dividends, royalties and certain capital gains.

The proper application of the PFIC rules to a company with a business such as ours is subject to uncertainty in some respects. For example, because we provide loan facilitation and other services in connection with the loans extended by our consolidated trust plans, it is not entirely clear whether and to what extent a portion of our interest income (as reflected on our consolidated income statement) could be treated as payable for such services. In addition, for purposes of the PFIC rules “passive income” is defined by way of a cross-reference to a specific provision under the “controlled foreign corporation” (“CFC”) rules of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. A different provision under the CFC rules sets forth an exception for interest income derived by “eligible CFCs” that are “predominantly engaged” in the active conduct of a financing or similar business (the “Active Financing Exception”). It is unclear whether the Active Financing Exception is applicable to a company that is not a CFC, such as our company, and, even if it were so applicable, it is unclear whether we would be considered to be predominantly engaged in the active conduct of a financing or similar business and satisfy all of the exception’s requirements for any taxable year. U.S. taxpayers should consult their tax advisers regarding our PFIC status for any taxable year, including the availability of the Active Financing Exception. Due to the uncertainties described above, and based on the current and expected composition of our income and assets and the manner in which we operate our business (including our ownership of subordinated units in our consolidated trust plans), there is a high probability that we will be a PFIC for our current and future taxable years. Accordingly, when making their investment decision prospective U.S. investors should take into account the potential adverse consequences of owning shares of a PFIC. A U.S. taxpayer that owns our ADSs or ordinary shares during any year in which we are a PFIC will generally be subject to adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences. See “Taxation—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Passive Foreign Investment Company” in this prospectus. Prospective U.S. investors should consult their tax advisers concerning our PFIC status for any taxable year and the tax considerations relevant to an investment in a PFIC.

 

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that 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 these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “likely to” or other similar expressions. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about:

 

   

our goals and growth strategies;

 

   

our future business development, results of operations and financial condition;

 

   

relevant government policies and regulations relating to our business and industry;

 

   

our expectation regarding the use of proceeds from this offering;

 

   

general economic and business condition in China; and

 

   

assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing.

You should read thoroughly this prospectus and the documents that we refer to in this prospectus with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from and worse than what we expect. Other sections of this prospectus include additional factors which could adversely impact our business and financial performance. Moreover, we operate in an evolving environment. New risk factors and uncertainties emerge from time to time and it is not possible for our management to predict all risk factors and uncertainties, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.

You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate that we will receive net proceeds from this offering of approximately US$                 million, or approximately US$                 million if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs in full, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and the estimated offering expenses payable by us.

We plan to use the net proceeds of this offering for working capital and other general corporate purposes. In utilizing the proceeds from this offering, we are permitted under PRC laws and regulations to provide funding to our PRC subsidiaries only through loans or capital contributions and only if we satisfy the applicable government registration and approval requirements. We cannot assure you that we will be able to meet these requirements on a timely basis, if at all. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—PRC regulation of loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion may delay us from using the proceeds of this offering to make loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiary, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.”

Pending use of the net proceeds, we intend to hold our net proceeds in short-term, interest-bearing, financial instruments or demand deposits.

 

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DIVIDEND POLICY

We have not previously declared or paid cash dividends and we have no plan to declare or pay any dividends in the near future on our shares or the ADSs representing our 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 rely principally on dividends from our PRC subsidiaries 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 “Regulation—Regulations on Dividend Distribution.”

Our Board of Directors has discretion as to whether to distribute dividends, subject to certain requirements of Cayman Islands law. In addition, subject to the provisions in our articles of association, our shareholders may by ordinary resolution declare a dividend, but no dividend may exceed the amount recommended by our Board of Directors. Under Cayman Islands law, a Cayman Islands 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 the company being unable to pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. Even if our Board of Directors decides 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. If we pay any dividends on our ordinary shares, we will pay those dividends which are payable in respect of the ordinary shares underlying the ADSs to the depositary, as the registered holder of such ordinary shares, and the depositary then will pay such amounts to the ADS holders in proportion to the 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.”

 

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our capitalization as of March 31, 2018:

 

   

on an actual basis; and

 

   

on an as adjusted basis to reflect the issuance and sale of                  ordinary shares in the form of ADSs by us in this offering at an initial public offering price of US$                 per ADS, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us (assuming the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs).

You should read this table together with our 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 March 31, 2018  
     Actual      As Adjusted (1)  
     RMB     US$      RMB      US$  

Long-term borrowings from

          

Investors of trust plans (2)

     4,275,580,000       681,628,033        

Senior tranche of a trust plan which invests in the Company’s loans portfolio (3)

     117,819,051       18,783,128        

Investors of a wealth management product which invests in the Company’s loans portfolio (4)

     46,448,651       7,405,008        

Equity

          

Ordinary shares

     98,493       15,702        

Additional paid-in capital (5)

     578,955,539       92,299,133        

Retained earnings

     1,463,339,879       233,290,801        

Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)

     (4,406,512     (702,502)        

Total equity

     2,037,987,399       324,903,134        
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total capitalization (6)

     6,477,835,101       1,032,719,303        
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Notes:

(1)

The as adjusted information discussed above is illustrative only. Our additional paid-in capital, total equity and total capitalization following the completion of this offering are subject to adjustment based on the actual initial public offering price and other terms of this offering determined at pricing.

(2)

Such borrowings represent funding from senior unit holders over one year in the trust plans under our trust lending model. Trust plans are treated as variable interest entities from an accounting perspective and are consolidated into our financial statements.

(3)

Such borrowings represent funding from transfer of rights to earnings in loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables over one year to a trust plan under our direct lending model which is used to fund the loans originated by our small loan subsidiaries.

(4)

Such borrowings represent funding from transfer of rights to earnings in loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables over one year acquired from trust products set up by our trust company partners to a wealth management product.

(5)

Assuming the number of ADSs offered by us as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus remains the same, and after deduction of underwriting discounts and commissions and the estimated offering expenses payable by us, a US$1.00 change in the assumed initial public offering price of US$                 per ADS would, in the case of an increase, increase and, in the case of a decrease, decrease each of additional paid-in capital, total equity and total capitalization by US$                 million.

(6)

Total capitalization equals the sum of long-term borrowings and total equity.

 

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DILUTION

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             , 2018 was US$             million, or US$             per ordinary share and US$                 per ADS. Net tangible book value per ordinary share represents the amount of total tangible assets, minus the amount of total liabilities, divided by the total number of ordinary shares outstanding. Dilution is determined by subtracting net tangible book value per ordinary share from the public offering price per ordinary share.

Without taking into account any other changes in such net tangible book value after March 31, 2018, other than to give effect to our issuance and sale of ADSs offered in this offering at an initial public offering price of US$                 per ADS, 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 March 31, 2018 would have been US$                 million, or US$                 per ordinary share and US$                 per ADS, to existing shareholders and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value of US$                 per ordinary share, or US$                     per ADS, to purchasers of ADSs in this offering.

The following table illustrates the dilution on a per ordinary share basis at the initial public offering price per ordinary share is US$                 and all ADSs are exchanged for ordinary shares.

 

Initial public offering price per ordinary share

   US$                

Net tangible book value per ordinary share

   US$    

Pro forma net tangible book value per ordinary share as adjusted to give effect this offering as of March 31, 2018

   US$    

Amount of dilution in net tangible book value per ordinary share to new investors in the offering

   US$    
  

 

 

 

Amount of dilution in net tangible book value per ADS to new investors in the offering

   US$    
  

 

 

 

The pro forma information discussed above is illustrative only.

The following table summarizes, on a pro forma basis as of March 31, 2018, the differences between the existing shareholders and the new investors with respect to the number of ordinary shares purchased from us in this offering, the total consideration paid and the average price per ordinary share paid at the initial public offering price of US$             per ADS before deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses. The total number of ordinary shares does not include ordinary shares underlying the ADSs issuable upon the exercise of the over-allotment option granted to the underwriters.

 

                   Total Consideration                
     Ordinary shares Purchased      Amount (in
thousands of

US$)
            Average Price
Per Ordinary
Share
     Average Price
Per ADS
 
     Numbers      Percent      US$      Percent      US$      US$  

Existing shareholders

                 

New investors

                 

Total

                 

The discussion and tables above also assume no exercise of any stock options outstanding as of the date of this prospectus. As of the date of this prospectus, there are              ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options with an exercise price of US$             per ordinary share, and there are a total of              ordinary shares available for future issuance upon the exercise of grants under the 2018 Plan. To the extent that any of these options are exercised, there will be further dilution to new investors.

 

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EXCHANGE RATE INFORMATION

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 rate certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from Renminbi to U.S. dollars and from U.S. dollars to Renminbi in this prospectus are made at RMB6.2726 to US$1.00, the exchange rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board on March 30, 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 exchange and through restrictions on foreign trade. On July 20, 2018, the rate was RMB6.7659 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.

 

     Noon Buying 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

           

January

     6.2841        6.4233        6.5263        6.2841  

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 (through July 20)

     6.7659        6.6775        6.7701        6.6123  

 

Source: Federal Reserve Statistical Release

 

Notes:

(1)

Annual averages were calculated by using the average of the exchange rates on the last day of each month during the relevant year. Monthly averages are calculated by using the average of the daily rates during the relevant month.

 

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ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES

We were incorporated in the Cayman Islands in order to enjoy the following benefits:

 

   

political and economic stability;

 

   

an effective judicial system;

 

   

a favorable tax system;

 

   

the absence of exchange control or currency restrictions; and

 

   

the availability of professional and support services.

However, certain disadvantages accompany incorporation in the Cayman Islands. These disadvantages include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

   

the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws as compared to the United States and these securities laws provide significantly less protection to investors; and

 

   

Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to sue before the federal courts of the United States.

Our constitutional 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.

All of our operations are conducted outside the United States, and all of our assets are located outside the United States. A majority of our directors and officers are nationals or residents of jurisdictions other than the United States and a substantial portion 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 persons, 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. as our agent upon whom process may be served in any action brought against us under the securities laws of the United States.

Walkers, our counsel as to Cayman Islands law, and Han Kun Law Offices, our counsel as to PRC law, advise us, respectively, that there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the Cayman Islands and China, respectively, would:

 

   

recognize or enforce judgments of United States courts obtained against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States; or

 

   

entertain original actions brought in each respective jurisdiction against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States.

Walkers has informed us that it is uncertain whether the courts of the Cayman Islands will allow shareholders of our company to originate actions in the Cayman Islands based upon securities laws of the United States. In addition, there is uncertainty with regard to Cayman Islands law related to whether a judgment obtained from the U.S. courts under civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws will be determined by the courts of the Cayman Islands as penal or punitive in nature. If such a determination is made, the courts of the Cayman Islands will not recognize or enforce the judgment against a Cayman Islands company, such as our company. As the courts of the Cayman Islands have yet to rule on making such a determination in relation to judgments obtained from U.S. courts under civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws, it is uncertain whether such judgments would be enforceable in the Cayman Islands. Walkers has further informed us that although there is no statutory enforcement in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the federal or state

 

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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), a judgment obtained in such jurisdiction will be recognized and enforced in the courts of the Cayman Islands at common law, without any reexamination of the merits of the underlying dispute, by an action commenced on the foreign judgment debt in the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands, provided such judgment (a) is given by a foreign court of competent jurisdiction, (b) imposes on the judgment debtor a liability to pay a liquidated sum for which the judgment has been given, (c) is final, (d) is not in respect of taxes, a fine or a penalty, and (e) 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.

Our PRC legal advisor, Han Kun Law Offices, advises us that there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the PRC would enforce judgments of United States courts or Cayman courts obtained against us or these persons predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the United States federal and state securities laws. Our PRC legal advisor further advises us that the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments are provided for under PRC Civil Procedures Law. PRC courts may recognize and enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the requirements of PRC Civil Procedures Law based either on treaties between China and the country where the judgment is made or on reciprocity between jurisdictions. 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. In addition, according to the PRC Civil Procedures Law, courts in the PRC will not enforce a foreign judgment against us or our directors and officers if they decide that the judgment violates the basic principles of PRC law or national sovereignty, security or public interest. 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.

 

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CORPORATE HISTORY AND STRUCTURE

Corporate History

We started our operations in 1999 through Fanhua Chuang Li Information Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., which became our onshore holding company of the main operating subsidiaries in the PRC. In 2000, we formed our wholly owned Hong Kong subsidiary, China Financial Services Group Limited (“CFSGL”), as the offshore holding company of our PRC subsidiaries. In 2006, we were spun off from Fanhua Inc., a company listed on NASDAQ (symbol: FANH), and formed Sincere Fame International Limited (“SFIL”) under the laws of British Virgin Islands as the holding company of CFSGL. In January 2014, CNFinance Holdings Limited was incorporated under the laws of Cayman Islands. CNFinance Holdings Limited became our holding company through share exchanges with the shareholders of SFIL in March 2018. We conduct our business in the PRC primarily through Shenzhen Fanhua United Investment Group Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Heze Information Technology Co., Ltd. and their subsidiaries.

 

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Corporate Structure

The following diagram illustrates our corporate structure with material subsidiaries as of the date of this prospectus. For a complete list of our subsidiaries, please refer to Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017 included elsewhere in this prospectus. We subscribe to the subordinated units of the trust products issued under long-term trust plans through three of our wholly owned subsidiaries, Guangzhou Heze Information Technology Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Chengze Information Technology Co., Ltd. and Shenzhen Fanhua United Investment Group Co., Ltd. From an accounting perspective, we are exposed to the risk and variability of returns from activities of the trust plans and are therefore required to consolidate the financial results of the trust plans, including the results related to the senior units. Financial data of a trust plan is consolidated as if the trust plan is a subsidiary. Income and expenses of the trust plans are consolidated on our consolidated statements of comprehensive income while assets and liabilities of the trust plans are consolidated on our consolidated balance sheet. We do not, however, have ownership interest in the trust plans from a legal perspective other than in the subordinated units that account for only a portion of the total outstanding amount of the trust plans. For details of the contractual structural leverage ratio of each trust plan, please refer to “Business—Our Funding Model.”

 

LOGO

 

 

Notes:

(1)

Guangzhou Heze Information Technology Co., Ltd. is one of the entities through which we subscribe to subordinated units of trust products.

(2)

Guangzhou Chengze Information Technology Co., Ltd. is one of the entities through which we subscribe to subordinated units of trust products.

 

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(3)

Shenzhen Fanhua United Investment Group Co., Ltd. operates our loan services business through various subsidiaries in the PRC and operates our small loan business through Beijing Fanhua Micro-credit Company Limited and Shenzhen Fanhua Micro-credit Co., Ltd.

(4)

Established in May 2018.

(5)

Established in July 2018.

 

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SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

The following selected consolidated statements of comprehensive income data and selected consolidated cash flow data for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, and selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The following selected consolidated statements of comprehensive income data and selected consolidated cash flow data for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018, and selected consolidated balance sheet data as of March 31, 2018 have been derived from our unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. Our 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 Consolidated Financial Data section together with our 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.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income Data

The following table presents our selected consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018.

 

    For the Year Ended December 31,     For the Three Months Ended March 31,  
    2016     2017     2017     2018  
    RMB     RMB     US$     RMB     RMB     US$  

Selected Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income:

           

Interest and fees income

           

Interest and financing service fee on loans

    1,242,128,524       3,406,110,592       543,014,156       624,052,654       1,063,195,480       169,498,371  

Interest on deposits with banks

    1,417,305       4,337,177       691,448       448,981       2,138,161       340,873  

Total interest and fees income

    1,243,545,829       3,410,447,769       543,705,604       624,501,635       1,065,333,641       169,839,244  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest expense

           

Interest expense on interest-bearing borrowings

    (442,661,324     (1,401,191,685     (223,382,917     (226,604,844     (467,238,302     (74,488,777

Interest expense on amounts due to related parties

    —         (8,714,000     (1,389,217     (296,000     —         —    

Total interest expense

    (442,661,324     (1,409,905,685     (224,772,134     (226,900,844 )       (467,238,302 )       (74,488,777
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net interest and fees income

    800,884,505       2,000,542,084       318,933,470       397,600,791       598,095,339       95,350,467  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Provision for credit losses

    (111,362,044     (306,752,951     (48,903,637     (41,891,522     (143,547,335     (22,884,822

Net interest and fees income after provision for credit losses

    689,522,461       1,693,789,133       270,029,833       355,709,269       454,548,004       72,465,645  

Realized gains/(losses) on sales of investments, net

    66,878,501       (11,527,798     (1,837,802     (1,474,014     709,808       113,160  

Other-than-temporary losses on available-for-sale investments

    (36,692,695     —         —         —         —         —    

Other revenue, net

    36,261,933       23,979,610       3,822,914       4,704,502       843,097       134,409  

Total non-interest revenue

    66,447,739       12,451,812       1,985,112       3,230,488       1,552,905       247,570  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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    For the Year Ended December 31,     For the Three Months Ended March 31,  
    2016     2017     2017     2018  
    RMB     RMB     US$     RMB     RMB     US$  

Operating expenses

           

Employee compensation and benefits

    (299,225,819     (545,956,248     (87,038,269     (109,503,389     (117,113,556     (18,670,656

Share-based compensation expense

    —         (182,689,766     (29,125,046     (45,672,441     (9,928,792     (1,582,883

Taxes and surcharges

    (48,207,495     (38,835,933     (6,191,361     (10,958,462     (14,512,100     (2,313,570

Rental and property management expenses

    (24,404,690     (47,896,817     (7,635,879     (9,108,676     (14,055,902     (2,240,841

Impairment of goodwill

    (20,279,026     —         —         —         —         —    

Offering expenses

    —         —         —         —         (4,659,577     (742,846

Other expenses

    (75,807,908     (82,194,556     (13,103,746     (16,132,637     (19,907,912     (3,173,789

Total operating expenses

    (467,924,938     (897,573,320     (143,094,302     (191,375,605     (180,177,839     (28,724,586
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income tax

    288,045,262       808,667,625       128,920,643       167,564,152       275,923,070       43,988,628  

Income tax expense

    (52,603,423     (275,994,868     (44,000,075     (55,522,454     (79,176,187     (12,622,547

Net income

    235,441,839       532,672,757       84,920,568       112,041,698       196,746,883       31,366,082  

Earnings per share

           

Basic

    0.19       0.43       0.07       0.09       0.16       0.03  

Diluted

    0.19       0.40       0.06       0.09       0.15       0.02  

Other comprehensive income/(loss)

           

Net unrealized (losses)/gains on available-for-sale investments

    (194,680,052     (2,601,355     (414,717     (5,263,991     36,148       5,763  

Foreign currency translation adjustment

    (778,538     (198,794     (31,692     4,903       26,784       4,270  

Comprehensive income

    39,983,249       529,872,608       84,474,159       106,782,610       196,809,815       31,376,114  

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data

The following table presents our selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and March 31, 2018.

 

    As of December 31,     As of March 31,  
    2016     2017     2018  
    RMB     RMB     US$     RMB     US$  

Selected Consolidated Balance Sheet:

         

Cash and cash equivalents

    233,138,588       1,190,360,385       189,771,448       1,467,458,484       233,947,404  

Loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables (net of allowances)

    7,261,467,762       16,261,167,957       2,592,412,709       16,195,952,927       2,582,015,899  

Other assets (1)

    311,751,130       764,337,148       121,853,322       504,121,252       80,368,787  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

    7,806,357,480       18,215,865,490       2,904,037,479       18,167,532,663       2,896,332,089  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest-bearing borrowings (2)

    6,293,027,316       15,707,936,178       2,504,214,549       15,389,774,201       2,453,492,045  

Other liabilities (3)

    394,643,746       676,680,520       107,878,793       739,771,063       117,936,910  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    6,687,671,062       16,384,616,698       2,612,093,342       16,129,545,264       2,571,428,955  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

    1,118,686,418       1,831,248,792       291,944,137       2,037,987,399       324,903,134  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Notes:

(1) Represents the sum of (i) available-for-sale investments, (ii) property and equipment, (iii) intangible assets and goodwill, (iv) deferred tax assets, (v) deposits and (vi) other assets as presented in our consolidated balance sheet.
(2) Represents the sum of (i) borrowings under agreements to repurchase and (ii) other borrowings.
(3) Represents the sum of (i) accrued employee benefits, (ii) amounts due to related parties, (iii) income tax payable, (iv) deferred tax liabilities and (v) other liabilities as presented in our consolidated balance sheet.

Consolidated Cash Flow Data

The following table presents our selected consolidated cash flow data for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018.

 

    For the Year Ended December 31,     For the Three Months Ended March 31,  
    2016     2017     2017     2018  
    RMB     RMB     US$     RMB     RMB     US$  

Selected Consolidated Cash Flow:

           

Net cash provided by operating activities

    379,883,655       1,286,649,584       205,122,212       232,861,180       282,558,417       45,046,459  

Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities

    (4,700,415,345     (9,583,892,655     (1,527,897,946     (1,654,631,509     252,630,604       40,275,261  

Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities

    4,291,087,461       9,256,740,263       1,475,742,158       1,909,076,302       (257,891,696     (41,114,003

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

    (29,444,229     959,497,192       152,966,424       487,305,973       277,297,325       44,207,717  

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period

    260,081,796       233,138,588       37,167,775       233,138,588       1,190,360,385       189,771,448  

Effect of exchange rate change on cash and cash equivalents

    2,501,021       (2,275,395     (362,751     (218,159     (199,226     (31,761
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period

    233,138,588       1,190,360,385       189,771,448       720,226,402       1,467,458,484       233,947,404  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-GAAP Financial Measure

Adjusted Net Income

We use adjusted net income, a non-GAAP financial measure, in evaluating our operating results and for financial and operational decision-making purposes. We believe that adjusted net income help identify underlying trends in our business by excluding the impact of share-based compensation expense, which are non-cash charges. We believe that adjusted net income provide 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.

 

    For the Year Ended December 31,     For the Three Months Ended March 31,  
    2016   2017     2017   2018  
    RMB   RMB   US$     RMB   RMB   US$  

Adjusted net income

  235,441,839   715,362,523     114,045,615     157,714,139   206,675,675     32,948,965  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted net income is not defined under U.S. GAAP and is not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. This non-GAAP financial measure should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, its most

 

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directly comparable financial measure prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. A reconciliation of the historical non-GAAP financial measure to its most directly comparable GAAP measure has been provided in the tables included below. Investors are encouraged to review the reconciliation of the historical non-GAAP financial measure to its most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. As adjusted net income has material limitations as an analytical metric and may not be calculated in the same manner by all companies, it may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures used by other companies. In light of the foregoing limitations, you should not consider adjusted net income as a substitute for, or superior to, net revenues prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We encourage investors and others to review our financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.

The following table reconciles our adjusted net income for the periods presented to the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which is net income.

 

    For the Year Ended December 31,     For the Three Months Ended March 31,  
    2016     2017     2017     2018  
    RMB     RMB     US$     RMB     RMB     US$  

Net income

    235,441,839       532,672,757       84,920,568       112,041,698       196,746,883       31,366,082  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Add: share-based compensation expense

    —         182,689,766       29,125,046       45,672,441       9,928,792       1,582,883  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted net income

    235,441,839       715,362,523       114,045,615       157,714,139       206,675,675       32,948,965  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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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 the section entitled “Selected Consolidated Financial Data” and our consolidated financial statements and the related Notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those set forth under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus.

Overview

We are a leading home equity loan service provider in China with established business infrastructure. According to the Oliver Wyman report, we are the second largest home equity loan service provider among non-traditional financial institutions in China in terms of outstanding loan principal as of December 31, 2017. We facilitate loans by connecting MSE owners with our funding partners. Our primary target borrower segment is MSE owners who own real properties in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities in China.

With more than ten years of experience in the loan service industry, we have established a national network of 75 branches and sub-branches in over 40 cities in China. The extensive local knowledge and resources we have acquired building our business infrastructure distinguish us from other players in the market. In 2016 and 2017, we originated home equity loans with aggregate principal amount of RMB8.3 billion and RMB17.1 billion, respectively, representing an increase of 106.0%. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, we originated home equity loans with an aggregate principal amount of RMB2.2 billion. We originated home equity loans for 12,983 and 23,705 borrowers in 2016 and 2017, respectively, representing an increase of 82.6%. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, we originated home equity loans for 3,949 borrowers. In 2016 and 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018, the average tenor of the home equity loans we originated was 50, 66 and 65 months with the weighted average effective interest rate (inclusive of interests and financing service fees, if applicable, payable by the borrowers) of 26.0%, 23.7% and 22.4% per annum, respectively. The increase in the average tenor is because starting from April 2017 we facilitated more loan products with a longer term of eight years, and the decrease in the weighted average effective interest rate is because we ceased charging financing service fee to the borrowers starting from August 2017, and loan products with a term of eight years typically have a lower effective interest rate.

Our practical risk assessment focuses on both credit risks of borrowers and quality of the collateral. We have also established strict guidelines on characteristics and quality of collateral, including, among others, a LTV ratio capped at 80%. The weighted average LTV ratio of the home equity loan origination volume was 65.9%, 66.7% and 62.6% in 2016, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018, respectively. As of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and March 31, 2018, the NPL ratio was 1.50%, 1.66% and 1.75%, respectively. Charge-off ratio in 2016, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was 0.005%, 0.093% and nil, respectively.

We have grown significantly and were profitable in 2016 and 2017. Our total operating income increased from RMB867.3 million in 2016 to RMB2,013.0 million (US$320.9 million) in 2017, representing an increase of 132.1%, and from RMB400.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 to RMB599.6 million (US$95.6 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2018, representing a growth of 49.6%. Our net income increased from RMB235.4 million in 2016 to RMB532.7 million (US$84.9 million) in 2017, representing a growth of 126.3%, and from RMB112.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 to RMB196.7 million (US$31.4 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2018, representing an increase of 75.6%.

Under the contractual arrangements with our trust company partners, we subscribe to subordinated units of trust plans and also provide services to trust plans. As a result, we are entitled to (i) the investment return payable to us as subordinated unit holder and (ii) a performance-based service fee up to 8% per annum of the size of trust

 

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plans payable to us for our services provided to trust plans. Our cost of the subordinated units as measured by the investment amount was RMB1,928.6 million, RMB4,626.1 million and RMB4,802.3 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and March 31, 2018, respectively. Our investment return from the subordinated units was RMB391.2 million, RMB1,595.3 million and RMB497.6 million in 2016, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018, respectively.

As a subordinated unit holder, we are exposed to variability of returns from activities of trust plans and are therefore required to consolidate the financial results of trust plans on our consolidated financial statements, including those of the senior units. Therefore, the service fee charged to trust plans is considered inter-company transaction and is eliminated together with management service expenses of trust plans for accounting purposes. In 2016 and 2017, we generated a service fee charged to trust plans of RMB331.8 million and RMB555.9 million, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018, we generated a service fee charged to trust plans of RMB169.5 million and RMB234.3 million, respectively.

Major Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations

Our business and results of operations have been, and are expected to continue to be, affected by a number of factors, many of which are outside of our control, including the following:

Ability to maintain and expand borrower base

Due to the nature of our business, our ability to increase our loan origination volume largely depends on our ability to acquire new borrowers for the loans we facilitate. We acquire borrowers primarily through our own network and sales personnel. Most of our borrowers have been engaged through our local offices and word-of-mouth marketing. We have also started collaborating with various channel partners to acquire new borrowers and use a variety of traditional and Internet marketing channels, including commercial banks and leading Internet companies who have access to underserved MSE owners. We originated home equity loans for 12,983, 23,705 and 3,949 borrowers in 2016, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018, respectively. Our results of operations and ability to sustain and increase loan volumes will depend on our ability to maintain and expand borrower base. We intend to continuously dedicate resources to borrower acquisition and services.

Effective risk management

Our operating income and profitability are largely affected by our risk management capabilities. We are exposed to credit risks under the trust lending model as a result of subscription of subordinated units and credit strengthening services and being a lender under the direct lending model. As such, our ability to accurately assess default risks through our credit analysis system directly affects our loan delinquency ratios and profitability.

We believe that our comprehensive risk management system has delivered superior asset quality throughout our operations in various macro-economic environments and through different economic cycles. Our dual-factor risk assessment with integrated online and offline process focuses on both the creditworthiness of borrowers and the quality of collaterals. We have also established systematic post-loan management procedures to enhance our risk management. Any significant weakness in our risk management system will directly or indirectly result in an increase in delinquency of loans originated by us or a failure of our loan servicing to recover losses. For a detailed discussion of our risk management, please refer to “Business—Our Competitive Strengths—Robust risk management delivering superior asset quality.”

Relationship with our funding partners

Our collaborative relationships with our funding partners are critical to our operations. We mainly collaborate with our trust company partners through trust lending model. In 2016 and 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018, 94.1%, 95.4% and 99.7% of our total home equity loan origination volume was

 

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funded under trust lending model, respectively. The availability of funds from our funding partners affects our liquidity and the amount of loan transactions that we can facilitate, which directly affects our profitability. Terms of our collaboration agreements with our funding partners generally set the financing costs of our home equity loan business. Our financing costs for senior units excluding the trust administrative fees, ranged from 9.75% to 12.4% per annum of the issuance amount of senior units in 2016, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The interest charged by trust company partners to our borrowers affects our profitability. If we fail to maintain or deepen our existing relationships with our trust company partners, our liquidity and profitability may be adversely affected. A general deterioration of our relationships with our funding partners will result in a significant decrease in liquidity or in our service fees charged to trust plans, and we may not be able to secure alternative financing on terms acceptable to us or our borrowers, or at all. This may result in a decrease in the volume of loans we facilitate, which has a material adverse impact on our business and results of operations. For detailed discussion relating to our relationship with our funding partners, please refer to subsections headed “Business—Our Funding Model.”

China’s macro-economic environment

Our business depends on the growth of MSE owners’ demand for home equity loan financing, which in turn depends on China’s macro-economic environment. General economic factors, including the real estate prices, credit environment for MSEs, interest rate environment and unemployment rates, may affect borrowers’ willingness to seek home equity loans and/or repayment capability. For example, significant increase in interest rates could cause prospective borrowers to defer obtaining loans as they wait for interest rates to decrease. Additionally, a slowdown in the economy, resulting in a rise in the unemployment rate and/or a decrease in real income, may affect MSEs’ revenue. All these factors may affect borrowers’ repayment capability and their willingness to seek loans, which may potentially affect delinquency ratios.

Government regulations and policies

The regulatory environment for China’s financial market is developing and evolving, creating both challenges and opportunities that could affect our financial performance. We must adapt to developments in regulations and policies and may have to adjust our business practices, funding structures and product offerings from time to time. We will continue to ensure that we are compliant with existing laws, regulations and government policies relating to our business and to comply with new laws and regulations that may arise in the future. For an overview of applicable laws and regulations and risks relating to our business, see the sections headed “Regulations” and “Risk Factors.”

Loan Performance Data and Trend Analysis

Our operating results and financial condition are directly affected by the performance of the loans we originate. We closely monitor key loan performance data, including the data set out below, to track the performance of the loans we originate and adjust our risk management strategies intelligently and dynamically.

The following chart sets forth the performance of the loans we originated as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and March 31, 2018 as measured by delinquency ratio, NPL ratio, allowance ratio and NPL provision coverage ratio.

 

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The performance of loans originated by us is subject to general economic environment, housing market condition and asset quality of China in general, hence may be subject to fluctuations from time to time. We focus mainly on the NPL ratio as home equity loans over 90 days past-due are more difficult and time-consuming to recover. Our NPL ratio remained stable as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and March 31, 2018, and was 1.50%, 1.66% and 1.75%, respectively.

 

     As of December 31,     As of March 31,  

Loan performance metrics

   2016     2017     2018  

Delinquency ratio (1)

     5.38     7.17     11.04

NPL ratio (2)

     1.50     1.66     1.75

Allowance ratio (3)

     1.95     2.64     3.48

NPL provision coverage ratio (4)

     130.6     159.3     199.9

 

Notes:

(1)

Delinquency ratio represents total balance of outstanding loan principal for which any installment payment is past-due (for one or more days) as a percentage of the outstanding loan principal as of the date.

(2)

NPL ratio represents total balance of outstanding loan principal for which any installment payment is over 90 calendar days past-due as a percentage of the outstanding loan principal as of the date.

(3)

Allowance ratio represents amount of allowance for loan principal, interest and financing service fee receivables as a percentage of the outstanding loan principal and interest and fee receivables as of the date.

(4)

NPL provision coverage ratio represents amount of allowance for loan principal, interest and financing service fee receivables as a percentage of the balance of NPL principal as of the date.

Our delinquency ratio has increased from 5.38% as of December 31, 2016 to 7.17% as of December 31, 2017 and further to 11.04% as of March 31, 2018. As the personal lending and home equity loan market in China is becoming more sophisticated and rigorously regulated, since 2017 we have proactively established various policies and internal control procedures to ensure more prudent and disciplined collection efforts. For example, our staff may need to take a more reserved approach without disturbing the peace, which can be less effective in encouraging the borrowers to repay quickly. This has caused delays in recovery of delinquent loans under certain circumstances, which caused the increase in our delinquency ratio.

Our NPL ratio has remained stable and experienced a slight increase from 1.50% as of December 31, 2016 to 1.66% as of December 31, 2017 and further to 1.75% as of March 31, 2018 due to changes in one of our collection methods. Historically, we were able to help our trust company partners enforce their rights to the collateral through a power of attorney that was signed by the borrower and notarized by a notary public before loan disbursement. This allowed the trust company partners to quickly dispose of the collateral without having to involve the borrower. Due to recent regulatory changes, we ceased this practice. As a result, the overall disposal time for collateral is now longer, resulting in an increase in the NPLs and thus a corresponding increase in the NPL ratio.

Our allowance ratio has increased from 1.95% as of December 31, 2016 to 2.64% as of December 31, 2017 and further to 3.48% as of March 31, 2018 while our NPL provision coverage ratio has increased from 130.6% to 159.3% and further to 199.9% as of the same dates. Increases in allowance ratio and NPL provision coverage ratio are primarily attributable to the increases in the amount of allowance for loan principal, interest and financing service fee receivables. Such amount of allowances is composed of both collectively assessed allowances for non-delinquent loans and loans delinquent within 90 days and individually assessed allowances for NPLs or loans considered impaired. In general, collectively assessed allowances are derived by applying a provision rate of loans that are collectively assessed, which is determined using a roll rate-based model. The roll rate-based model stratifies the loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables by delinquency stages which are divided by days overdue and projected forward in next stage using probability of default. Individually assessed allowance, for the loans whose payments are contractually past due more than 90 days or which are considered impaired, is established when the discounted cash flows, collateral value (less disposal

 

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costs) or observable market price of the impaired loan are lower than its carrying value. We believe that we have been applying appropriate provision rates when collectively assessing allowances for loans and have not materially adjusted such provision rates since 2016. As both of our non-delinquent loans and delinquent loans within 90 days have increased since 2016 in parallel with our business expansion, there is a general increase in our allowance ratio and NPL provision coverage ratio.

We also monitor delinquency ratio by differentiating delinquent loans over different delinquent days. The following table sets forth the delinquency ratios for all outstanding loans originated by us as of the respective dates indicated.

 

     Delinquent for  

Delinquency ratio by delinquent days (1)

   1-30 days     31-90 days     91-180 days     Over 180 days  

March 31, 2016

     4.62     1.61     0.88     2.74

June 30, 2016

     2.84     0.66     0.37     2.34

September 30, 2016

     3.18     0.34     0.27     1.68

December 31, 2016

     3.49     0.39     0.21     1.29

March 31, 2017

     2.16     0.47     0.51     1.04

June 30, 2017

     1.88     0.42     0.28     1.03

September 30, 2017

     2.14     0.85     0.38     0.96

December 31, 2017

     4.32     1.19     0.77     0.89

March 31, 2018

     4.90     4.39     0.29     1.46

 

Note:

(1) Delinquency ratio by delinquent days represents the outstanding loan principal for which any installment payment is 1 to 30, 31 to 90, 91 to 180 and over 180 calendar days past due as a percentage of the total outstanding loan principal as of a specified date.

We incur losses and charge-off loans when we determine that the loan is uncollectable after exhausting all collection efforts. The following tables sets forth below our charge-off ratio for the periods indicated.

 

     For the Year Ended
December 31,
    For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2016     2017     2018  

Charge-off ratio

     0.005     0.093     —    

Our charge-off ratio remained low at 0.005%, 0.093% and nil in 2016, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018 as we continue to dispose of collateral through judicial or arbitration proceedings and utilize other quick disposal plans available to manage NPLs (including sale of loans to third parties in exchange for proceeds upfront, or disposal of collateral voluntarily by the defaulting borrowers and repay the defaulted loans with the proceeds).

Selected Income Statement Items

Total operating income

Our total operating income represents the sum of (i) net interest and fees income and (ii) total non-interest revenue. Net interest and fees income represents total interest and fees income netting of total interest expense. In 2016, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018, we generated net interest and fees income of RMB800.9 million, RMB2.0 billion (US$318.9 million) and RMB598.1 million (US$95.4 million), respectively. Total non-interest revenue comprises net realized gains/(losses) on sales of investments, other-than-temporary losses on available-for-sale investments and other revenue. In 2016, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018, we generated total non-interest revenue of RMB66.4 million, RMB12.5 million (US$2.0 million) and RMB1.6 million (US$0.3 million), respectively.

 

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Under the contractual arrangements with our trust company partners, we subscribe to subordinated units of the trust plans and also provide services to trust plans. As a result, we are entitled to (i) the investment return payable to us as subordinated unit holder and (ii) a performance-based service fee of up to 8% per annum of the size of trust plans payable to us for our services provided to trust plans. As subordinated unit holder, we are exposed to variability of returns from activities of trust plans and are therefore required to consolidate the financial results of trust plans. Therefore, the service fee charged to trust plans is considered inter-company transaction and is eliminated together with service expenses of trust plans for accounting purposes. As a result, the total payments to us under our trust lending model, together with the interest spread under our small loan direct lending model and certain non-interest revenue, is reflected on our consolidated financial statements as total operating income.

The following table sets forth a breakdown of our total operating income for the periods indicated.

 

    For the Year Ended December 31,     For the Three Months Ended March 31,  
    2016     2017     2017     2018  
    RMB     RMB     US$     RMB     RMB     US$  

Interest and fees income

           

Interest and financing service fee on loans

    1,242,128,524       3,406,110,592       543,014,156       624,052,654       1,063,195,480       169,498,371  

Interest on deposits with banks

    1,417,305       4,337,177       691,448       448,981       2,138,161       340,873  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total interest and fees income

    1,243,545,829       3,410,447,769       543,705,604       624,501,635       1,065,333,641       169,839,244  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest expense

           

Interest expense on interest-bearing borrowings

    (442,661,324     (1,401,191,685     (223,382,917     (226,604,844     (467,238,302     (74,488,777

Interest expense on amounts due to related parties

    —         (8,714,000     (1,389,217     (296,000     —         —    

Total interest expense

    (442,661,324     (1,409,905,685     (224,772,134     (226,900,844     (467,238,302     (74,488,777
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net interest and fees income

    800,884,505       2,000,542,084      
318,933,470
 
    397,600,791       598,095,339       95,350,467  

Non-interest revenue

           

Realized gains/(losses) on sales of investments, net

    66,878,501       (11,527,798     (1,837,802     (1,474,014     709,808       113,160  

Other-than-temporary losses on available-for-sale investments

    (36,692,695     —         —         —         —         —    

Other revenue, net

    36,261,933       23,979,610       3,822,914       4,704,502       843,097       134,409  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non-interest revenue

    66,447,739       12,451,812       1,985,112       3,230,488       1,552,905       247,570  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating income

    867,332,244       2,012,993,896       320,918,582       400,831,279       599,648,244       95,598,037  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest and fees income

Interest and financing service fee on loans

Our interest and financing service fee on loans represents interest payment from borrowers under our trust lending model and direct lending model, and financing service fee charged on borrowers for the loan services we provide. Financing service fee is deferred and amortized over the average life of the related loans using the effective interest method. Due to recent regulatory changes, we ceased charging such financing service fee starting from August 2017.

Interest on deposits with banks

Our interest on deposits with banks represents interest generated from our cash deposits with banks.

Interest expense

We recorded interest expense of RMB442.7 million, RMB1.4 billion (US$223.2 million) and RMB467.2 million (US$74.5 million) in 2016, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018, respectively. Our

 

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interest expense consists of interest expense on interest-bearing borrowings and interest expense on amounts due to related parties. In 2016 and 2017, the interest expense on interest-bearing borrowings was RMB442.7 million and RMB1.4 billion (US$223.2 million), accounting for 100.0% and 99.4%, respectively, of our total interest expense for the same periods. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, the interest expense on interest-bearing borrowings was RMB467.2 million (US$74.5 million), accounting for all of our total interest expense for the same period.

Interest expense on interest-bearing borrowings

Interest expense on interest-bearing borrowings consists primarily of financing costs payable to (i) senior unit holders, (ii) third parties to whom we transferred right to earnings in certain of our subordinated units in trust plans with a repurchase arrangement, and (iii) third parties to whom we transferred certain rights to earnings in loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables with a repurchase arrangement.

Interest expense on amounts due to related parties

Fanhua Inc. holds 20.6% of our equity interest and granted us loans in 2017. Such transaction was priced on arm’s length. These borrowings bear an interest rate of 7.3% per annum and are repayable on demand.

Non-interest revenue

Realized gains/(losses) on sales of investments

Realized gains/(losses) on sales of investments consist of realized gains and losses from the disposal of available-for-sale investments, presented on a net basis.

Other-than-temporary losses on available-for-sale investments

We invested RMB10.0 million and RMB40.0 million, respectively, in the mezzanine tranche and junior tranche of an asset management scheme in 2014. The scheme principally invested in entrusted loans to a real estate company in Jiangxi province. We recorded losses of RMB36.7 million with respect to this investment in 2016.

Other revenue

Other revenue consists of mortgage agency service revenue, asset management revenue, net loss on disposal of subsidiaries, labor outsourcing services income, foreign exchange gain/(loss), register services income, net loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment and others.

Operating expenses

Our operating expenses consist of employee compensation and benefits, share-based compensation, taxes and surcharges, rental and property management expenses, impairment of goodwill, offering expenses and other expenses.

 

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The following table sets forth our operating expenses, in absolute amounts and as percentages of total operating income, for the periods indicated.

 

    For the Year Ended December 31,     For the Three Months Ended March 31,  
    2016     2017     2017     2018  
    RMB     %     RMB     US$     %     RMB     %     RMB     US$     %  

Operating expenses

                   

Employee compensation and benefits

    299,225,819       34.5%       545,956,248       87,038,269       27.1%       109,503,389       27.3%       117,113,556       18,670,656       19.5%  

Share-based compensation expense

    —         —         182,689,766       29,125,046       9.1%       45,672,441       11.4%       9,928,792       1,582,883       1.7%  

Taxes and surcharges

    48,207,495       5.6%       38,835,933       6,191,361       1.9%       10,958,462       2.7%       14,512,100       2,313,570       2.4%  

Rental and property management expenses

    24,404,690       2.8%       47,896,817       7,635,879       2.4%       9,108,676       2.3%       14,055,902       2,240,841       2.3%  

Impairment of goodwill

    20,279,026       2.3%       —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —    

Offering expenses

    —         —         —         —         —         —         —         4,659,577       742,846       0.8%  

Other expenses

    75,807,908       8.7%       82,194,556       13,103,746       4.1%       16,132,637       4.0%       19,907,912       3,173,789       3.3%  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

    467,924,938       53.9%       897,573,320       143,094,302       44.6%       191,375,605       47.7%       180,177,839       28,724,586       30.0%  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other expenses primarily consist of (i) office expenses, which mainly include expenses relating to office renovation and expansion of office facilities; (ii) entertainment and traveling expenses; and (iii) advertising and promotion expenses.

The following table sets forth breakdown of other expenses in absolute amounts and as percentages of total operating income, for the periods indicated.

 

    For the Year Ended December 31,     For the Three Months Ended March 31,  
    2016     2017     2017     2018  
    RMB     %     RMB     USD     %     RMB     %     RMB     USD     %  

Other expenses

                   

Office expenses

    14,453,830       1.7%       18,769,477       2,992,296       0.9%       4,248,766       1.1%       3,861,989       615,692       0.6%  

Entertainment and traveling expenses

    11,767,688       1.4%       14,506,006       2,312,599       0.7%       2,789,224       0.7%       2,467,640       393,400       0.4%  

Advertising and promotion

    16,383,290       1.9%       15,028,164       2,395,843       0.7%       2,412,217       0.6%       5,040,036       803,500       0.8%  

Research and development expenses

    8,507,265       1.0%       4,794,998       764,435       0.2%       775,734       0.2%       —         —         —    

Consulting fees

    5,736,437       0.7%       9,282,890       1,479,911       0.5%       1,678,687       0.4%       3,726,696       594,123       0.6%  

Depreciation and amortization

    6,595,476       0.8%       10,804,855       1,722,548       0.5%       2,231,483       0.6%       2,987,655       476,302       0.5%  

Communication expenses

    2,530,162       0.3%       2,598,250       414,222       0.1%       562,789       0.1%       577,181       92,016       0.1%  

Asset management expense

    3,887,977       0.4%       —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —    

Provision for cost method investment

    1,270,001       0.1%       —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —    

Others

    4,675,782       0.5%       6,409,916       1,021,891       0.3%       1,433,737       0.4%       1,246,715       198,756       0.2%  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other expenses

    75,807,908       8.7%       82,194,556       13,103,746       4.1%       16,132,637       4.0%       19,907,912       3,173,789       3.3%  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Taxation

Cayman Islands

We are incorporated in the Cayman Islands. Under the current law of the Cayman Islands, we are not subject to income or capital gains tax. In addition, dividend payments are not subject to withholding tax in the Cayman Islands.

Hong Kong

Our wholly owned subsidiary, China Financial Services Group Limited, is subject to Hong Kong profits tax on their activities conducted in Hong Kong at a uniform tax rate of 16.5%. Payments of dividends by our subsidiaries to us are not subject to withholding tax in Hong Kong.

 

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PRC

Our subsidiaries and their subsidiaries in China are companies incorporated under PRC law and, as such, are subject to PRC enterprise income tax on their taxable income in accordance with the relevant PRC income tax laws. Pursuant to the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law (the “EIT Law”), which became effective on January 1, 2008, a uniform 25% enterprise income tax rate is generally applicable to both foreign-invested enterprises and domestic enterprises, except where a special preferential rate applies. For example, enterprises qualified as “High and New Technology Enterprises” are entitled to a 15% enterprise income tax rate rather than the 25% uniform statutory tax rate. The enterprise income tax is calculated based on the entity’s global income as determined under PRC tax laws and accounting standards.

According to the Notice of the Ministry of Finance and the SAT on Implementing the Pilot Program of Replacing Business Tax with Value-Added Tax in an All-round Manner, which became effective on May 1, 2016, entities and individuals engaged in the sale of services, intangible assets or fixed assets within the PRC territory are required to pay value-added tax instead of business tax. Following the implementation of the Pilot Plan for Imposition of Value-Added Tax to Replace Business Tax, or the VAT Pilot Plan, most of our PRC subsidiaries and affiliates have been subject to VAT, at a rate of 6% or 17%, instead of business tax.

As a Cayman Islands holding company, we may receive dividends from our PRC subsidiaries through China Financial Services Group Limited. The PRC EIT Law and its implementing rules provide that dividends paid by a PRC entity to a nonresident enterprise for income tax purposes is subject to PRC withholding tax at a rate of 10%, subject to reduction by an applicable tax treaty with China. Pursuant to the Arrangement between Mainland China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Tax Evasion on Income, or the Hong Kong Tax Treaty, the withholding tax rate in respect to the payment of dividends by a PRC enterprise to a Hong Kong enterprise may be reduced to 5% from a standard rate of 10% if the Hong Kong enterprise directly holds at least 25% of the PRC enterprise. Pursuant to the Notice of the State Administration of Taxation on the Issues concerning the Application of the Dividend Clauses of Tax Agreements, or SAT Circular 81, a Hong Kong resident enterprise must meet the following conditions, among others, in order to apply the reduced withholding tax rate: (i) it must be a company; (ii) it must directly own the required percentage of equity interests and voting rights in the PRC resident enterprise; and (iii) it must have directly owned such required percentage in the PRC resident enterprise throughout the 12 months prior to receiving the dividends. In August 2015, the State Administration of Taxation promulgated the Administrative Measures for Nonresident Taxpayers to Enjoy Treatment under Tax Treaties, or SAT Circular 60, which became effective on November 1, 2015. SAT Circular 60 provides that nonresident enterprises are not required to obtain preapproval from the relevant tax authority in order to enjoy the reduced withholding tax. Instead, nonresident enterprises and their withholding agents may, by self-assessment and on confirmation that the prescribed criteria to enjoy the tax treaty benefits are met, directly apply the reduced withholding tax rate, and file necessary forms and supporting documents when performing tax filings, which will be subject to post-tax filing examinations by the relevant tax authorities. The SAT promulgated the Announcement on Certain Issues Concerning the Beneficial Owner in a Tax Agreement, or Circular 9, on February 3, 2018, effective as April 1, 2018, which provides guidance for determining whether a resident of a tax treaty country is the “beneficial owner” of income under China’s tax treaties and similar arrangements.

China Financial Services Group Limited may be able to benefit from the 5% withholding tax rate for the dividends it receives from our PRC subsidiaries if it satisfies the conditions prescribed under SAT Circular 81 and other relevant tax rules and regulations. However, according to SAT Circular 81 and SAT Circular 60, if the relevant tax authorities consider the transactions or arrangements we have are for the primary purpose of enjoying a favorable tax treatment, the relevant tax authorities may adjust the favorable withholding tax in the future. In addition, according to Circular 9, a beneficial owner shall generally engage in substantial business activities, and an agent shall not be considered a beneficial owner and, therefore, shall not qualify for those benefits. It is possible, however, under Circular 9, China Financial Services Group Limited would not be considered the “beneficial owner” of any such dividends, and that such dividends would as a result be subject to withholding tax at the rate of 10% rather than the favorable 5% rate applicable under the Hong Kong Tax Treaty.

 

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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 EIT Law, it would be subject to enterprise income tax on its worldwide income at a rate of 25%. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—If we are classified as a PRC resident enterprise for PRC enterprise income tax purposes, such classification could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders and ADS holders.”

British Virgin Islands

Under the current laws of the British Virgin Islands, our company is not subject to tax on income or capital gains. In addition, upon payments of dividends by our British Virgin Islands subsidiaries to their shareholders, no British Virgin Islands withholding tax will be imposed.

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Prior to this offering, we have been a private company with limited accounting personnel and other resources with which to address our internal control over financial reporting. In connection with the audit of our consolidated financial statements as of and for the two fiscal years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, our independent registered public accounting firm identified one material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting. As defined in standards established by the PCAOB, 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 has been identified related to:

 

   

our lack of sufficient financial reporting and accounting personnel with appropriate knowledge of U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting requirements, and

 

   

our lack of comprehensive accounting policies and procedures manual in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Such material weakness, if not timely remedied, may lead to significant misstatements in our consolidated financial statements in the future.

To remediate our identified material weakness, we intend to adopt several measures to improve our internal control over financial reporting, including (i) hiring more qualified accounting personnel, including a financial controller, with relevant U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting experience and qualifications to strengthen the financial reporting function and setting up a financial and system control framework; (ii) implementing regular and continuous U.S. GAAP accounting and financial reporting training programs for our accounting and financial reporting personnel; (iii) setting up an internal audit function as well as engaging an external consulting firm to assist us with assessment of Sarbanes-Oxley compliance requirements and improvement of overall internal controls; and (iv) preparing comprehensive accounting policies, manuals and closing procedures to improve the quality and accuracy of our period-end financial closing process.

We expect that we will incur significant costs in the implementation of such measures. However, we cannot assure you that all these measures will be sufficient to remediate our material weakness in time, or at all. See “Risk factors—Risks Related to Our Business—If we fail to implement and maintain an effective system of internal controls, we may be unable to accurately or timely report our results of operations or prevent fraud, and investor confidence and the market price of our ADSs may be materially and adversely affected.”

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

 

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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. However, we have elected to “opt out” of this provision and, as a result, we will comply with new or revised accounting standards as required when they are adopted for public companies. This decision to opt out of the extended transition period under the JOBS Act is irrevocable.

Critical Accounting Policies, Judgments and Estimates

We prepare our financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which requires our management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the balance sheet dates and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. We continually evaluate these judgments and estimates based on our own historical experience, knowledge and assessment of current business and other conditions, our expectations regarding the future based on available information and assumptions that we believe to be reasonable, which together form our basis for making judgments about matters that are not readily apparent from other sources. Since the use of estimates is an integral component of the financial reporting process, our actual results could differ from those estimates. Some of our accounting policies require a higher degree of judgment than others in their application.

The selection of critical accounting policies, the judgments and other uncertainties affecting application of those policies and the sensitivity of reported results to changes in conditions and assumptions are factors that should be considered when reviewing our financial statements. We believe the following accounting policies involve the most significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements. You should read the following description of critical accounting policies, judgments and estimates in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and other disclosures included in this prospectus.

Our consolidated financial statements include the results of the trust plans as the trust lending model creates exposure to variability of returns from the activities of the trust plans. All intercompany transactions and balances, including payment of service fees from trust plans to us, are eliminated in consolidation.

Revenue recognition

Revenue is recognized when all of the following conditions are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. These criteria as they relate to each of the following major revenue generating activities are described below:

Interest and financing service fee on loans

Interest and financing service fee on loans, which include financing service fee on loans, are collected from borrowers for loans and related services. Interest and financing service fee on loans which are amortized over the contractual life of the related loans are recognized in consolidated statements of comprehensive income on effective interest method.

Interest and financing service fee on loans includes the amortization of any discount or premium or differences between the initial carrying amount of an interest-bearing asset and its amount at maturity calculated using the effective interest basis.

The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortized cost of a financial asset and of allocating the interest and financing service fee on loans over the years. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash payments or receipts through the expected life of the financial instrument. When calculating the effective interest rate, we estimate cash flows considering all contractual terms of the financial instrument but does not consider future credit losses. Interest on the impaired assets is recognized using the rate of interest used to discount future cash flows.

 

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Mortgage agency service revenue and asset management revenue

We earn mortgage agency service revenue from providing mortgage agency services to borrowers applying for a bank loan. This kind of revenue is recognized at the time when loan is granted as that is the point of time the Company fulfils the customer’s request, and is then recognized on an accrual basis in accordance with the terms of the relevant agreements.

We receive asset management revenue from providing asset management services for investors. The asset management revenue is calculated and accrued on a daily basis based on the daily net asset values of the asset management products under management.

Realized gains/(losses) on sales of investments

Realized gains/(losses) consist of realized gains and losses from the sale of available-for-sale investments, presented on a net basis.

Rendering of services

When the outcome of a transaction involving the rendering of services can be estimated reliably, revenue from the rendering of services is recognized by reference to the stage of completion of the transaction based on the services performed to date as a percentage of the total services to be performed.

When the outcome of a transaction involving the rendering of services cannot be estimated reliably, revenue is recognized only to the extent of the costs incurred that it is probably recoverable.

Loans

Loans are reported at their outstanding principal balances net of any unearned income and unamortized deferred fees and costs. Loan origination fees and certain direct origination costs are generally deferred and recognized as adjustments to income over the lives of the related loans.

We facilitate loans to borrowers through structure funds which are considered as consolidated variable interest entities (“VIEs”) and we evaluated VIEs for consolidation in accordance with ASC 810 in the “Consolidated VIEs” section of Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements. Providing credit strengthening services for the loans to trust company partners under the structure funds is one of the key factors to determine that we should consolidate the structure funds as we are the primary beneficiary of the funds. As a result, the loan principal remains on our consolidated balance sheets, whilst the funds received from senior unit holders are recorded as other borrowings in our consolidated balance sheets as disclosed in Note 12(b)(i) to our consolidated financial statements.

Non-accrual policies

Loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables are placed on non-accrual status when payments are 90 days contractually past. When a loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivable is placed on non-accrual status, financing service fees accrual ceases. If the loan is non-accrual, the cost recovery method is used and cash collected is applied to first reduce the carrying value of the loan. Otherwise, interest income may be recognized to the extent cash is received. Loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables may be returned to accrual status when all of the borrower’s delinquent balances of loans principal, interest and financing service fee have been settled and the borrower continues to perform in accordance with the loan terms for a period of at least six months.

Charge-off policies

We incur losses and charge off loans when we determine the remaining balance is uncollectable after exhausting all collection efforts. In order to comply with Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) 310, we

 

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consider loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables meeting any of the following conditions as uncollectable and charged-off: (i) death of the borrower; (ii) identification of fraud, and the fraud is officially reported to and filed with relevant law enforcement departments; or (iii) the amount that we conclude that it has exhausted its collection efforts.

Allowance for credit losses

Allowance for credit losses represents management’s best estimate of probable losses inherent in the portfolio.

The allowance for credit losses includes an asset-specific component and a statistically based component. The asset-specific component is calculated under ASC 310-10-35, on an individual basis for the loans whose payments are contractually past due more than 90 days or which are considered impaired. An asset-specific allowance is established when the discounted cash flows, collateral value (less disposal costs) or observable market price of the impaired loan are lower than its carrying value. This allowance considers the borrower’s overall financial condition, resources, and payment record, the prospects for support from any financially responsible guarantors and, if appropriate, the realizable value of any collateral.

The allowance for the remainder of the loan portfolio is determined under ASC 450 using a roll rate-based model. The roll rate-based model stratifies the loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables by delinquency stages which are divided by days overdue and projected forward in next stage using probability of default. In each stage of the simulation, losses on the loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables types are captured, and the ending delinquency stratification serves as the beginning point of the next iteration. This process is repeated on a monthly rolling basis. The loss rate calculated for each delinquency stage using loss given default, then applied to the respective loans principal, interest and financing service fees balance. We adjust the allowance that is determined by the roll rate-based model for various Chinese macroeconomic factors, i.e., gross-domestic product rates, interest rates and consumer price indexes. Each of these macroeconomic factors are equally weighted, and a score is applied to each factor based on year-on-year increases and decreases in that respective factor.

Income tax

Income tax is accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statements carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. We recognize the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs. We classify interest and penalties recognized on the liability for unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense.

Share-based compensation

We measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award and recognize the cost over the period the employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award, which generally is the vesting period. We recognize compensation cost for an award with only service conditions that has a graded vesting schedule on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award, net of estimated forfeitures, provided that the cumulative amount of compensation cost recognized at any date at least equals the portion of the grant-date value of such award that is

 

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vested at that date. Forfeiture rates are estimated based on historical and future expectations of employee turnover rates.

In November 2009, SFIL adopted the 2009 SFIL Share Incentive Plan, or the 2009 Plan. Under the 2009 Plan, SFIL granted options to its directors and employees to purchase up to 25,678 ordinary shares. Pursuant to the option agreements entered into between SFIL and the option grantees, the options vested over a five-year period from 2010 to 2014. The number of options that the grantees are entitled to in each year was calculated based on the key performance indicator scores of the grantees in the respective prior year and continued employment was not regarded as vesting condition. Accordingly, 60%, 10%, 10%, 10% and 10% of the award options vested on January 1 of each of the years 2010 to 2014, respectively. In January 2011, SFIL divided the existing issued shares of US$0.10 each share into US$0.01 each share. SFIL also allotted and issued new shares to its existing shareholders using a ratio of 1:637. Upon completion of such share split and share allotment, the number of shares under the 2009 Plan was adjusted from 25,678 to 163,825,640. Accordingly, the exercise price was adjusted from RMB3,190 to RMB0.5. Such options expired on December 31, 2016, and as of December 31, 2016, no option was excised.

In January 2017, SFIL adopted the 2017 SFIL Share Incentive Plan, or the 2017 Plan. Under the 2017 Plan, SFIL granted 187,933,730 options to its certain management members and employees to purchase up to 187,933,730 ordinary shares. The term of the options will not exceed ten years from the date of the grant. Accordingly, 60%, 20% and 20% of the award options shall vest on December 31 of each of the years 2017 to 2019, respectively. Unless terminated earlier, the 2017 Plan will terminate automatically in 2022.

On             , 2018, we adopted our 2018 CNFinance Holdings Limit Share Incentive Plan, or the 2018 Plan, to replace the 2017 Plan and granted 187,933,730 options to certain management members and employees to purchase up to 187,933,730 of our ordinary shares under this 2018 Plan to replace the granted and outstanding options under the 2017 Plan.

Share-based payment transactions with employees, such as share options are measured based on the grant date fair value of the equity instrument. We recognize the compensation costs net of estimated forfeitures over the applicable vesting period. The estimate of forfeitures will be adjusted over the requisite service period to the extent that actual forfeitures differ, or are expected to differ, from such estimates. Changes in estimated forfeitures will be recognized through a cumulative catch-up adjustment in the period of change and will also impact the amount of stock compensation expense to be recognized in future periods. There was no market conditions associated with the share option grants.

The fair value of options granted to employees is determined based on a number of factors including valuations. In determining the fair value of our equity instruments, we referred to valuation reports prepared by an independent third-party appraisal firm, based on data we provided. The valuation reports provided us with guidelines in determining the fair value of the equity instruments, but we are ultimately responsible for the determination of all amounts related to share-based compensation recorded in the financial statements.

Excluding the options containing service vesting conditions, we calculated the estimated fair value of the options on the respective grant dates using a binomial option pricing model with assistance from independent valuation firms, with the following assumptions:

 

     Share awards
granted on
November 1,
2009
    Share awards
granted on
January 3,
2017
 

Expected volatility

     71     40

Expected dividends

            

Risk-free interest rate

     3.50     3.10

Expected term (in years)

     5       5  

Expected life (in years)

     7.17       6  

 

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The contractual life of the share option is used as an input into the binomial option pricing model. Exercise multiple and post-vesting forfeit are incorporated into the model. Since our shares had not been publicly traded at the time the options were issued and our shares were rarely traded privately, expected volatility is estimated based on the average historical volatility of comparable entities with publicly traded shares for the period before the date of grant with length commensurate to contractual life of the options. The risk-free rate for the expected term of the option is based on the yield to maturity of China’s six-year government bond at the date of grant. We have has not declared or paid any cash dividends on our capital stock, and do not anticipate any dividend payments on our ordinary shares in the foreseeable future.

If any of the assumptions used in the binomial option pricing model changes significantly, share-based compensation expense for future awards may differ materially compared with the awards granted previously.

The following table sets forth the fair value of options and ordinary shares estimated at the dates of option grants indicated below with the assistance from an independent valuation firm.

 

Date of options grant

   Options granted      Exercise price      Fair value
of option
     Fair value
of ordinary
shares
 

November 1, 2009

     25,678       
RMB3,190
 
     RMB640.10        RMB1,506  

January 3, 2017

     75,173,492        RMB0.50        RMB1.26        RMB1.72  

January 3, 2017

     112,760,238        RMB0.50        RMB1.27        RMB1.72  

For the options granted on November 1, 2009, we recognized compensation expenses up to RMB16, 435,974 and for the options granted on January 3, 2017, we recognized compensation expenses of RMB182, 689,766 in 2017. There was no income tax benefit recognized associated with the share-based compensation expense.

As of December 31, 2017, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options granted under the 2017 Plan, which was replaced by the 2018 Plan, amounted to RMB55,601,233. Such cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.29 years.

Property and equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost and are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, as follows:

 

Category

  

Estimated useful life

Leasehold improvements

   1 year-6 years

Office and other equipment

   1 year-5 years

Motor vehicles

   3 years-8 years

Repair and maintenance costs are charged to expense as incurred. Retirements, sales and disposals of assets are recorded by removing the cost and accumulated depreciation from the asset and accumulated depreciation accounts with any resulting gain or loss reflected in the consolidated statements of operations.

Non-GAAP Financial Measure

Adjusted Net Income

We use adjusted net income, a non-GAAP financial measure, in evaluating our operating results and for financial and operational decision-making purposes. We believe that adjusted net income helps identify underlying trends in our business by excluding the impact of share-based compensation expense, which are non-cash charges. We believe that adjusted net income provides useful information about our operating results,

 

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enhances the overall understanding of our past performance and future prospects and allows for greater visibility with respect to key metrics used by our management in its financial and operational decision-making.

 

    For the Year Ended December 31,     For the Three Months Ended March 31,  
    2016     2017     2017     2018  
    RMB     RMB     US$     RMB     RMB     US$  

Adjusted net income

    235,441,839       715,362,523       114,045,615       157,714,139       206,675,675       32,948,965  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted net income is not defined under U.S. GAAP and is not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. This non-GAAP financial measure should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, its most directly comparable financial measure prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. A reconciliation of the historical non-GAAP financial measure to its most directly comparable GAAP measure has been provided in the tables included below. Investors are encouraged to review the reconciliation of the historical non-GAAP financial measure to its most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. As adjusted net income has material limitations as an analytical metric and may not be calculated in the same manner by all companies, it may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures used by other companies. In light of the foregoing limitations, you should not consider adjusted net income as a substitute for, or superior to, net revenues prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We encourage investors and others to review our financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.

The following table reconciles our adjusted net income for the periods presented to the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which is net income.

 

    For the Year Ended December 31,     For the Three Months Ended March 31,  
    2016     2017     2017     2018  
    RMB     RMB     US$     RMB     RMB     US$  

Net income

    235,441,839       532,672,757       84,920,568       112,041,698       196,746,883       31,366,082  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Add: share-based compensation expense

    —         182,689,766       29,125,046       45,672,441       9,928,792       1,582,883  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted net income

    235,441,839       715,362,523       114,045,615       157,714,139,       206,675,675       32,948,965  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Results of Operations

The following table sets forth a summary of our consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the periods presented. This information should be read together with our consolidated financial statements and related Notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. The results in any period are not necessary indicative of our future trends.

 

    For the Year Ended December 31,     For the Three Months Ended March 31,  
    2016     2017     2017     2018  
    RMB     RMB     US$     RMB     RMB     US$  

Interest and fees income

           

Interest and financing service fee on loans

    1,242,128,524       3,406,110,592       543,014,156       624,052,654       1,063,195,480       169,498,371  

Interest on deposits with banks

    1,417,305       4,337,177       691,448       448,981       2,138,161       340,873  

Total interest and fees income

    1,243,545,829       3,410,447,769       543,705,604       624,501,635       1,065,333,641       169,839,244  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest expense

           

Interest expense on interest-bearing borrowings

    (442,661,324     (1,401,191,685     (223,382,917     (226,604,844     (467,238,302     (74,488,777

Interest expense on amounts due to related parties

    —         (8,714,000     (1,389,217     (296,000     —         —    

Total interest expense

    (442,661,324     (1,409,905,685     (224,772,134     (226,900,844     (467,238,302     (74,488,777
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net interest and fees income

    800,884,505       2,000,542,084       318,933,470       397,600,791       598,095,339       95,350,467  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Provision for credit losses

    (111,362,044     (306,752,951     (48,903,637     (41,891,522     (143,547,335     (22,884,822

Net interest and fees income after provision for credit losses

    689,522,461       1,693,789,133       270,029,833       355,709,269       454,548,004       72,465,645  

Realized gains/(losses) on sales of investments, net

    66,878,501       (11,527,798     (1,837,802     (1,474,014     709,808       113,160  

Other-than-temporary losses on available-for-sale investments

    (36,692,695     —         —         —         —         —    

Other revenue, net

    36,261,933       23,979,610       3,822,914       4,704,502       843,097       134,409  

Total non-interest revenue

    66,447,739       12,451,812       1,985,112       3,230,488       1,552,905       247,570  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses

           

Employee compensation and benefits

    (299,225,819     (545,956,248     (87,038,269     (109,503,389     (117,113,556     (18,670,656

Share-based compensation expense

    —         (182,689,766     (29,125,046     (45,672,441     (9,928,792     (1,582,883

Taxes and surcharges

    (48,207,495     (38,835,933     (6,191,361     (10,958,462     (14,512,100     (2,313,570

Rental and property management expenses

    (24,404,690     (47,896,817     (7,635,879     (9,108,676     (14,055,902     (2,240,841

Impairment of goodwill

    (20,279,026     —         —         —         —         —    

Offering expenses

    —         —         —         —         (4,659,577     (742,846

Other expenses

    (75,807,908     (82,194,556     (13,103,746     (16,132,637     (19,907,912     (3,173,789

Total operating expenses

    (467,924,938     (897,573,320     (143,094,302     (191,375,605     (180,177,839     (28,724,586
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income tax

    288,045,262       808,667,625       128,920,643       167,564,152       275,923,070       43,988,628  

Income tax expense

    (52,603,423     (275,994,868     (44,000,075     (55,522,454     (79,176,187     (12,622,547

Net income

    235,441,839       532,672,757       84,920,568       112,041,698       196,746,883       31,366,082  

Earnings per share

           

Basic

    0.19       0.43       0.07       0.09       0.16       0.03  

Diluted

    0.19       0.40       0.06       0.09       0.15       0.02  

Other comprehensive income/(losses)

           

Net unrealized (losses)/gains on available-for-sale investments

    (194,680,052     (2,601,355     (414,717     (5,263,991     36,148       5,763  

Foreign currency translation adjustment

    (778,538     (198,794     (31,692     4,903       26,784       4,270  

Comprehensive income

    39,983,249       529,872,608       84,474,159       106,782,610       196,809,815       31,376,114  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2017

Interest and fees income

Interest and financing service fee on loans

Our interest and fees income increased by 76.3% from RMB624.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2017 to RMB1.1 billion (US$175.4 million) in the same period in 2018, primarily attributable to the significant increase in interest income on loans from RMB562.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2017 to RMB1.1 billion (US$175.4 million) in the same period in 2018 as a result of substantial increase in our daily average outstanding loan principal from RMB8.5 billion in the three months ended March 31, 2017 to RMB17.1 billion in the same period in 2018. The increase in our interest and fees income was partially offset by a decrease in our weighted average effective interest rate (inclusive of interests and financing service fees, if applicable, payable by the borrowers) of our home equity loans from 25.7% in the three months ended March 31, 2017 to 22.4% in the same period in 2018 as we facilitated more loan products with a term of eight years after the first quarter of 2017, which typically have a lower effective interest rate. As the total interest income for long-term loans is generally higher than short-term loans, we offer lower interest rates on long-term loans to incentivize borrowers to enter into long-term contracts, such as our eight-year loans. The decrease in our weighted average effective interest rate is also due to the fact that we no longer charge borrowers the financing service fees due to recent regulatory changes.

Interest on deposits with banks

Interest on deposits with banks increased significantly by 425.0% from RMB0.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2017 to RMB2.1 million (US$0.3 million) in the same period in 2018, primarily attributable to the substantial increase in the amount of our bank deposits.

Interest expenses

Interest expenses increased by 105.9% from RMB226.9 million in the three months ended March 31, 2017 to RMB 467.2 million (US$74.5 million) in the same period in 2018, primarily attributable to the substantial increase in our outstanding loan principal which subsequently resulted in an increase in interest-bearing borrowings we obtained from different funding sources.

Interest expense on interest-bearing borrowings

Interest expense on interest-bearing borrowings increased by 106.2% from RMB226.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2017 to RMB467.2 million (US$74.5 million) in the same period in 2018, primarily attributable to the substantial increase in the outstanding loan principal and a moderate increase in funding costs as we gradually extended the tenor of fundings from senior unit holders under the trust lending model.

Interest expense on amounts due to related parties

Our interest expense on amounts due to related parties decreased from RMB0.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2017 to nil in the same period in 2018. This is because the related-party loan from Fanhua Inc. and its subsidiaries granted in 2017 had been fully repaid by the end of 2017.

Net interest and fees income

As a result of the foregoing, our net interest and fees income increased by 50.4% from RMB397.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2017 to RMB598.1 million (US$95.4 million) in the same period in 2018.

Provision for credit losses

Provision for credit losses increased by 242.5% from RMB41.9 million in the three months ended March 31, 2017 to RMB143.5 million (US$22.9 million) in the same period in 2018. The increase was mainly attributable

 

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to the increase in outstanding principal of non-delinquent loans and loans delinquent within 90 days which resulted in an increase in collectively assessed allowances.

Non-interest revenue

Our non-interest revenue decreased by 50.0% from RMB3.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2017 to RMB1.6 million (US$0.3 million) in the same period in 2018.

Realized gains/(losses) on sales of investments, net

Our realized gains/(losses) on sales of investments, net changed from a net loss of RMB1.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2017 to a net gain of RMB0.7 million (US$0.1 million) in the same period in 2018. The losses incurred in the three months ended March 31, 2017 were due to fair value changes on asset management products previously held by our asset management subsidiaries. The net gain in the three months ended March 31, 2018 is primarily attributable to our investment in wealth management products issued by commercial banks in China in 2018, which are short-term, highly liquid wealth management products.

Other revenue, net

Other revenue, net decreased by 83.0% from RMB4.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2017 to RMB0.8 million (US$0.1 million) in the same period in 2018, primarily attributable to the termination of staffing services in 2018 that generated substantial revenue in the first quarter of 2017. We also incurred more foreign exchange loss in the three months ended March 31, 2018.

Operating expenses

Our total operating expenses decreased by 5.9% from RMB191.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2017 to RMB180.2 million (US$28.7 million) in the same period in 2018.

Employee compensation and benefits

Employee compensation and benefits increased by 6.9% from RMB109.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2017 to RMB117.1 million (US$18.7 million) in the same period in 2018, primarily attributable to a moderate increase in base salary and number of our employees.

Share-based compensation expense

Expenses related to issuance of shares under our employee share incentive plan decreased 78.3% from RMB45.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2017 to RMB9.9 million (US$1.6 million) in the same period in 2018, primarily because the majority of the options under the 2017 Plan, which was replaced by the 2018 Plan, have vested in 2017, causing the majority of the associated share-based compensation expense to be recorded in 2017 instead of 2018.

Rental and property management expenses

Rental and property management expenses increased by 54.9% from RMB9.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2017 to RMB14.1 million (US$2.2 million) in the same period in 2018, due to office expansion and rental price inflation.

Offering expenses

Offering expenses in the three months ended March 31, 2018 was RMB4.7 million (US$0.7 million) as compared to nil in the same period in 2017, primarily attributable to fees paid to auditors, legal counsel and business consultants in preparation of this offering.

 

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Other expenses

Other expenses increased by 23.6% from RMB16.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2017 to RMB19.9 million (US$3.2 million) in the same period in 2018 due to the following factors:

 

    Advertising and promotion expenses increased from RMB2.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2017 to RMB5.0 million (US$0.8 million) in the same period in 2018, primarily attributable to increase in gifts and entertainment expenses incurred with respect to our customers and channel partners.

 

    Consulting fees increased from RMB1.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2017 to RMB3.7 million (US$0.6 million) in the same period in 2018, primarily attributable to fees paid to professional consultants during the ordinary course of business.

Income tax expense

Our income tax expense increased from RMB55.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2017 to RMB79.2 million (US$12.6 million) in the same period in 2018. The increase was mainly because of the significant increase in the amount of taxable income. Our effective tax rate decreased from 33.1% in the three months ended March 31, 2017 to 28.7% in the same period in 2018, primarily due to a decrease in the share-based compensation expense incurred in the three months ended March 31, 2018 from the same period in 2017, which is not tax deductible.

Net income

As a result of the foregoing, our net income increased by 75.6% from RMB112.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2017 to RMB196.7 million (US$31.4 million) in the same period in 2018.

Year Ended December 31, 2017 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2016

Interest and fees income

Interest and financing service fee on loans

Our interest and financing service fee on loans increased by 174.2% from RMB1,242.1 million in 2016 to RMB3,406.1 million ((US$543.0 million) in 2017, primarily attributable to the significant increase of interest income on loans from RMB1,022.9 million in 2016 to RMB3,154.2 million (US$502.9 million) in 2017 as a result of a substantial increase in our daily average outstanding loan principal from RMB4.3 billion to RMB12.2 billion, partially offset by a decrease in our weighted average effective interest rate (inclusive of interests and financing service fees, if applicable, payable by the borrowers) from 26.0% in 2016 to 23.7% in 2017 as we facilitated more loan products after the first quarter of 2017 with a term of eight years which typically have a lower effective interest rate. As the interest and fees income for long-term loans is generally higher than short-term loans, we offer lower interest rates on long-term loans to incentivize borrowers to enter into long-term contracts, such as our eight-year loans. The decrease in our weighted average effective interest rate is also due to the fact that we no longer charge borrowers the financing service fees due to recent regulatory changes.

Interest on deposits with banks

Interest on deposits with banks increased significantly by 207.1% from RMB1.4 million in 2016 to RMB4.3 million (US$0.7 million) in 2017, primarily attributable to the substantial increase in the amount of our deposits with banks.

Interest expense

Interest expense increased by 216.2% from RMB442.7 million in 2016 to RMB1.4 billion (US$223.2 million) in 2017, primarily attributable to the substantial increase in the total amount of loans we originated.

 

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Interest expense on interest-bearing borrowings

Interest expense on interest-bearing borrowings increased by 216.5%, from RMB442.7 million in 2016 to RMB1,401.2 million (US$223.4 million) in 2017, primarily attributable to (i) the substantial increase in the amount of funding from senior units driven by the increase in the total amount of loans we facilitated, (ii) an increase in long-term borrowings in our borrowing composition which generally have higher interest rates, and (iii) the fact that we started transferring right to earnings in certain of our subordinated trust units with repurchase arrangements and certain rights to earnings in loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables to third parties with repurchase arrangements.

Interest expense on amounts due to related parties

Our interest expense on amounts due to related parties increased from nil in 2016 to RMB8.7 million (US$1.4 million) in 2017. This is because in 2017, Fanhua Inc. and its subsidiaries, our related parties, granted loans to us at an interest rate of 7.3% per annum.

Net interest and fees income

As a result of the foregoing, our net interest and fees income increased by RMB1.2 billion, or 149.7% to RMB2.0 billion (US$318.9 million) in 2017, compared to net interest and fees income of RMB800.9 million in 2016.

Provision for credit losses

Provision for credit losses increased by 175.4% from RMB111.4 million in 2016 to RMB306.8 million (US$48.9 million) in 2017. The increase was mainly attributable to the increase in loan origination volume and to a lesser exent due to a slight increase in the delinquency ratio.

Non-interest revenue

Our non-interest revenue decreased by 81.2% from RMB66.4 million in 2016 to RMB12.5 million (US$2.0 million) in 2017.

Realized gains/(losses) on sales of investments, net

Our realized gains/(losses) on sales of investments, net changed from a gain of RMB66.9 million in 2016 to a loss of RMB11.5 million (US$1.8 million) in 2017, primarily attributable to the losses incurred in the sale of assets under management by two of our subsidiaries engaging in asset management services. Both of the asset management subsidiaries were disposed of in 2017.

Other-than-temporary losses on available-for-sale investments

We invested in the mezzanine tranche and junior tranche of an asset management scheme in 2014, which principally invests in entrusted loans to a real estate company in Jiangsu province. We recorded other-than-temporary losses on available-for-sale investments of RMB36.7 million with respect to this investment in 2016. We did not record any such loss in 2017.

Other revenue, net

Other revenue, net decreased by 33.9% from RMB36.3 million in 2016 to RMB24.0 million (US$3.8 million) in 2017, primarily attributable to decrease in asset management revenue, net gain on disposal of subsidiaries and increase in net loss on disposal of property and equipment.

Operating expenses

Our total operating expenses increased by 91.8% from RMB467.9 million in 2016 to RMB 897.6 million (US$143.1 million) in 2017.

 

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Employee compensation and benefits

Employee compensation and benefits increased by 82.5% from RMB299.2 million in 2016 to RMB546.0 million (US$87.0 million) in 2017, primarily attributable to the increase in salaries and benefits resulting from the increase in the number of employees and the increase in commissions due to the increase in loan origination volume.

Share-based compensation expense

Expenses related to issuance of shares under our employee share incentive plan increased from nil in 2016 to RMB182.7 million (US$29.1 million) in 2017, primarily attributable to the options granted under the 2017 Plan, which was replaced by the 2018 Plan.

Rental and property management expenses

Rental and property management expenses increased by 96.3% from RMB24.4 million in 2016 to RMB47.9 million (US$7.6 million) in 2017, due to office renovation and expansion.

Impairment of goodwill

We recorded an impairment of goodwill at RMB20.3 million in 2016 as a result of the goodwill impairment loss relating to the change in business model of Guangzhou Anyu Mortgage Consulting Co., Ltd., one of our subsidiaries. No such impairment occurred in 2017.

Other expenses

Other expenses increased by 8.4% from RMB75.8 million in 2016 to RMB82.2 million (US$13.1 million) in 2017 due to the following factors:

 

    advertising and promotion expenses remained stable;

 

    research and development expenses decreased from RMB8.5 million in 2016 to RMB4.8 million (US$0.8 million) in 2017, which was due to an one-time fee we incurred in 2016;

 

    consulting fees increased from RMB5.7 million in 2016 to RMB9.3 million (US$1.5 million) in 2017, primarily attributable to the increase in the fee rates on engaging auditors, legal counsel and business consultants; and

 

    depreciation and amortization increased from RMB6.6 million in 2016 to RMB10.8 million (US$1.7 million) in 2017, primarily attributable to the upgrade of our offices, during which process we purchased a number of fixed assets and spent more on renovation.

Income tax expense

We had income tax expense of RMB276.0 million (US$44.0 million) in 2017, compared to income tax expense of RMB52.6 million in 2016. The increase was mainly because of the significant increase in the amount of income before tax. Our effective tax rate increased from 18.3% in 2016 to 34.1% in 2017, primarily due to the expenses associated with the issuance of employee compensation under the 2017 Plan, which is not tax deductible.

Net income

As a result of the foregoing, our net income increased by 126.3% from RMB235.4 million in 2016 to RMB532.7 million (US$84.9 million) in 2017.

 

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Selected Quarterly Results of Operations

The following table sets forth our historical unaudited consolidated selected quarterly results of operations for the periods indicated. You should read the following table in conjunction with our audited and unaudited consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

    For the Three Months Ended  
    March 31,
2016
    June 30,
2016
    September 30,
2016
    December 31,
2016
    March 31,
2017
    June 30,
2017
    September 30,
2017
    December 31,
2017
    March 31,
2018
 
   

(RMB)

 

Interest and financing service fee on loans

    193,210,052       248,732,304       351,584,812       448,601,356       624,052,654       775,437,814       939,824,863       1,066,795,261       1,063,195,480  

Interest on deposits with banks

    439,240       356,192       312,301       309,572       448,981       785,883       983,446       2,118,867       2,138,161  

Total interest and fees income

    193,649,292       249,088,496       351,897,113       448,910,928       624,501,635       776,223,697       940,808,309       1,068,914,128       1,065,333,641  

Interest expense on interest-bearing borrowings

    (62,244,252     (79,884,296     (123,953,137     (176,579,639     (226,604,844     (308,287,006     (399,176,984     (467,122,851     (467,238,302

Interest expense on amounts due to related parties

    —         —         —         —         (296,000     (1,058,000     (5,102,000     (2,258,000     —    

Total interest expense

    (62,244,252     (79,884,296     (123,953,137     (176,579,639     (226,900,844     (309,345,006     (404,278,984     (469,380,851     (467,238,302

Net interest and fees income

    131,405,040       169,204,200       227,943,976       272,331,289       397,600,791       466,878,691       536,529,325       599,533,277       598,095,339  

Provision for credit losses

    (18,915,252     (23,081,750     (32,171,983     (37,193,059     (41,891,522     (71,768,265     (84,011,721     (109,081,443     (143,547,335

Net interest and fees income after provision for credit losses

    112,489,788       146,122,450       195,771,993       235,138,230       355,709,269       395,110,426       452,517,604       490,451,834       454,548,004  

Realized (losses)/gains on sales of investments, net

    (3,482,984     8,978,699       69,891,386       (8,508,600     (1,474,014     (254,021     (15,306,592     5,506,829       709,808  

Other-than-temporary losses on available-for-sale investments

    —         —         (36,692,695     —         —         —         —         —         —    

Other revenue, net

    7,566,819       8,346,427       10,426,305       9,922,382       4,704,502       4,447,176       12,983,821       1,844,111       843,097  

Total non-interest revenue

    4,083,835       17,325,126       43,624,996       1,413,782       3,230,488       4,193,155       (2,322,771 )       7,350,940       1,552,905  

Employee compensation and benefits

    (48,921,065     (64,921,000     (84,633,509     (100,750,245     (109,503,389     (129,923,922     (166,038,674     (140,490,263     (117,113,556

Share-based compensation expense

    —         —         —         —         (45,672,441     (45,672,442     (45,672,442     (45,672,441     (9,928,792

Taxes and surcharges

    (16,287,496     (12,095,509     (8,663,623     (11,160,867     (10,958,462     (5,527,782     (10,212,798     (12,136,891     (14,512,100

Rental and property management expenses

    (3,873,990     (5,607,379     (7,078,107     (7,845,214     (9,108,676     (11,905,224     (13,470,673     (13,412,244     (14,055,902

Impairment of goodwill

    —         —         (20,279,026     —         —         —         —         —         —    

Offering expenses

    —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         (4,659,577

Other expenses

    (11,508,155     (12,589,600     (24,448,014     (27,262,139     (16,132,637     (18,255,339     (16,554,559     (31,252,021     (19,907,912

Total Operating expenses

    (80,590,706     (95,213,488     (145,102,279     (147,018,465     (191,375,605     (211,284,709     (251,949,146     (242,963,860     (180,177,839

Income befor e income tax

    35,982,917       68,234,088       94,294,710       89,533,547       167,564,152       188,018,872       198,245,687       254,838,914       275,923,070  

Income tax expense

    (6,512,475     (12,317,686     (17,008,598     (16,764,664     (55,522,454     (57,556,626     (83,886,981     (79,028,807     (79,176,187

Net income

    29,470,442       55,916,402       77,286,112       72,768,883       112,041,698       130,462,246       114,358,706       175,810,107       196,746,883  

Net unrealized (losses)/gains on available-for-sale investments

    (105,809,348     (42,443,794     (51,069,594     4,642,684       (5,263,991     (10,289,251     12,848,473       103,414       36,148  

Foreign currency translation adjustment

    (887,148     79,905       24,333       4,372       4,903       48,129       475,516       (727,342     26,784  

Comprehensive income/(loss)

    (77,226,054 )       13,552,513       26,240,851       77,415,939       106,782,610       120,221,124       127,682,695       175,186,179       196,809,815  

 

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The following table sets forth the outstanding loan principal and number of active borrowers for home equity loans for the periods or as of the dates indicated.

 

    As of  
    March 31,
2016
    June 30,
2016
    September 30,
2016
    December 31,
2016
    March 31,
2017
    June 30,
2017
    September 30,
2017
    December 31,
2017
    March 31,
2018
 

Outstanding loan principal (in RMB million)

    2,799       3,810       5,511       7,375       8,979       11,755       15,213       16,674       16,728  

Number of active borrowers

    7,696       9,183       12,091       14,147       16,415       19,431       23,808       26,326       27,147  

The following table sets for the loan origination volume and number of transactions for home equity loans for the periods indicated.

 

    For the Three Months Ended  
    March 31,
2016
    June 30,
2016
    September 30,
2016
    December 31,
2016
    March 31,
2017
    June 30,
2017
    September 30,
2017
    December 31,
2017
    March 31,
2018
 

Loan origination volume (in RMB million)

    848       1,645       2,632       3,171       3,071       4,710       5,644       3,646       2,201  

Number of transactions

    1,851       2,991       4,344       5,096       4,924       6,887       8,454       6,086       4,080  

We have experienced rapid growth in our total interest and fees income and comprehensive income for the seven quarters from January 1, 2016 to September 30, 2017. The growth was mainly driven by the organic growth of our business, as a result of the improvement in our business model, establishment of business infrastructure and development of innovative loan products. Similarly, the outstanding loan principals, number of active borrower, loan origination volume and number of transactions grew in parallel with the growth of our business. Our total interests and fees expenses and total operating expenses also experienced increase in the seven quarters from January 1, 2016 to September 30, 2017, which was primarily due to the rapid growth of our business.

Due to changing regulatory environment, we have taken a more cautious and prudent approach in growing our business in the two quarters from September 30, 2017 to March 31, 2018. We have proactively focused on refining our products and services envisioning coming regulatory changes, including working with our trust company partners to design and implement the 2017 FOTIC Loan Agreement and the 2018 FOTIC Funding Arrangements. Such efforts have resulted in a slower growth in our outstanding loan principal and a decrease in our loan origination volume, which had an impact on our financial and operating results.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash flows and working capital

Our principal sources of liquidity have been cash generated from financing activities. As of March 31, 2018, we had cash and cash equivalents of RMB1.5 billion (US$239.1 million), as compared to cash and cash equivalents of RMB1.2 billion (US$191.3 million) as of December 31, 2017, substantially all of which were held by our PRC subsidiaries. Our cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of bank deposits and are primarily denominated in Renminbi. We believe that our current cash and anticipated cash flow from financing activities will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs, including our cash needs for working capital and capital expenditures, for at least the next 12 months.

We intend to finance our future working capital requirements and capital expenditures from funds raised from financing activities, including the net proceeds we will receive from this offering. We may, however, require additional cash due to changing business conditions or other future developments, including any investments or acquisitions we may decide to pursue. If our existing cash is insufficient to meet our requirements, we may seek to issue debt or equity securities or obtain additional credit facilities. Financing may be unavailable in the amounts we need or on terms acceptable to us, if at all. Issuance of additional equity securities, including convertible debt securities, would dilute our earnings per share. The incurrence of debt

 

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would divert cash for working capital and capital expenditures to service debt obligations and could result in operating and financial covenants that restrict our operations and our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders. If we are unable to obtain additional equity or debt financing as required, our business operations and prospects may suffer.

As a holding company with no material operations of our own, we conduct our operations primarily through our PRC subsidiaries in China. We are permitted under PRC laws and regulations to provide funding to our PRC subsidiaries in China through capital contributions or loans, subject to the approval of government authorities and limits on the amount of capital contributions and loans. The ability of our subsidiaries in China to make dividends or other cash payments to us is subject to various restrictions under PRC laws and regulations. For details, please refer to “—Holding Company Structure.”

The following table sets forth a summary of our cash flows for the periods indicated.

 

    For the Year Ended December 31,     For the Three Months Ended March 31,  
    2016     2017     2017     2018  
    RMB     RMB     US$     RMB     RMB     US$  

Net cash provided by operating activities

    379,883,655       1,286,649,584       205,122,212       232,861,180       282,558,417       45,046,459  

Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities

    (4,700,415,345     (9,583,892,655     (1,527,897,946     (1,654,631,509     252,630,604       40,275,261  

Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities

    4,291,087,461       9,256,740,263       1,475,742,158    

 

1,909,076,302

 

 

 

(257,891,696

 

 

(41,114,003

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

    (29,444,229     959,497,192       152,966,424      
487,305,973
 
 

 

277,297,325

 

 

 

44,207,717

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period

    260,081,796       233,138,588       37,167,775    

 

233,138,588

 

 

 

1,190,360,385

 

 

 

189,771,448

 

Effect of exchange rate change on cash and cash equivalents

    2,501,021       (2,275,395     (362,751  

 

(218,159

 

 

(199,226

 

 

(31,761

 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of th e period

    233,138,588       1,190,360,385       189,771,448    

 

720,226,402

 

 

 

1,467,458,484

 

 

 

233,947,404

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating activities

 

Net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was RMB282.6 million (US$45.0 million) due to net income of RMB196.7 million (US$31.4 million), adjusted for (i) provision for credit losses of RMB143.5 million (US$22.9 million), (ii) deferred tax benefit of RMB35.9 million (US$5.7 million), (iii) share-based compensation expense of RMB9.9 million (US$1.6 million), (iv) depreciation and amortization of RMB3.0 million (US$0.5 million), (v) foreign exchange loss of RMB1.4 million (US$0.2 million), (vi) net loss on disposal of property and equipment of RMB16,056 (US$2,560) and (vii) changes in operating assets and liabilities. Adjustment for changes in operating assets and liabilities consisted of (i) an increase in other operating assets of RMB19.8 million (US$3.2 million), (ii) an increase in deposits of RMB17.9 million (US$2.9 million) and (iii) an increase in other operating liabilities of RMB1.6 million (US$0.3 million).

Net cash provided by operating activities in 2017 was RMB1.3 billion (US$0.2 billion) due to net income of RMB532.7 million (US$84.9 million), adjusted for (i) provision for credit losses of RMB306.8 million (US$48.9

 

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million), (ii) share-based compensation expense of RMB182.7 million (US$29.1 million), (iii) deferred tax of RMB57.9 million (US$9.2 million), (iv) depreciation and amortization of RMB10.8 million (US$1.7 million), (v) net gain on disposal of subsidiaries of RMB6.1 million (US$1.0 million), (vi) foreign exchange loss of RMB2.3 million (US$0.4 million), (vii) net loss on disposal of property and equipment of RMB261,875 (US$41,749) and (viii) changes in operating assets and liabilities. Adjustment for changes in operating assets and liabilities consisted of (i) an increase in other operating liabilities of RMB691.1 million (US$110.2 million), (ii) an increase in other operating assets of RMB289.3 million (US$46.1 million) and (iii) an increase in deposits of RMB98.7 million (US$15.7 million).

Net cash provided by operating activities in 2016 was RMB379.9 million due to net income of RMB235.4 million, adjusted for (i) provision for credit losses of RMB111.4 million, (ii) provision for available-for-sale investments of RMB36.7 million, (iii) deferred tax benefit of RMB33.5 million, (iv) impairment of goodwill of RMB20.3 million, (v) depreciation and amortization of RMB6.6 million, (vi) foreign exchange gain of RMB2.7 million, (vii) provision for other assets of RMB1.3 million, (viii) net loss on disposal of property and equipment of RMB61,085, (ix) share of income from equity method investees of RMB47,122 and (x) changes in operating assets and liabilities. Adjustment for changes in operating assets and liabilities consisted of (i) a decrease in other operating assets of RMB43.3 million, (ii) an increase in deposits of RMB40.9 million and (iii) an increase in other operating liabilities of RMB2.1 million.

Investing activities

Net cash provided by investing activities was RMB252.6 million (US$40.3 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2018, which was attributable to (i) proceeds from sales of available-for-sale investments of RMB360.8 million (US$57.5 million), (ii) proceeds from disposal of subsidiaries of RMB29.7 million (US$4.7 million) and (iii) proceeds from disposal of property, equipment and intangible assets of RMB42,705 (US$6,808), offset by (i) purchase of available-for-sale investments of RMB80.0 million (US$12.8 million), (ii) loans originated, net of principal collected of RMB55.6 million (US$8.9 million) and (iii) purchases of property, equipment and intangible assets of RMB2.2 million (US$0.4 million).

Net cash used in investing activities was RMB9.6 billion (US$1.5 billion) in 2017, which was attributable to (i) loans originated, net of principal collected of RMB9.3 billion (US$1.5 billion), (ii) purchase of available-for-sale investments of RMB360.1 million (US$57.4 million), which mainly included short-term wealth management products offered by commercial banks in China, (iii) purchase of property, equipment and intangible assets of RMB19.8 million (US$3.2 million), offset by (i) proceeds from disposal of subsidiaries of RMB57.7 million (US$9.2 million), (ii) cash received from disposal of cost method investments of RMB9.4 million (US$1.5 million), (iii) proceeds from sales of available-for-sale investments of RMB16.3 million (US$2.6 million), and (iv) proceeds from disposal of property, equipment and intangible assets of RMB890,219 (US$141,922).

Net cash used in investing activities was RMB 4.7 billion in 2016, which was attributable to (i) loans originated, net of principal collected of RMB5.0 billion, (ii) purchase of available-for-sale investments of RMB116.6 million and (iii) purchase of property, equipment and intangible assets of RMB15.2 million and, offset by (i) proceeds from sales of available-for-sale investments of RMB412.8 million, (ii) proceeds from disposal of equity method investee of RMB3.3 million, (iii) cash received from disposal of cost method investments of RMB0.5 million and (iv) proceeds from disposal of property, equipment and intangible assets of RMB17,215.

Financing activities

Net cash used in financing activities in the three months ended March 31, 2018 was RMB257.9 million (US$41.1 million), which was attributable to repayment of interest-bearing borrowings of RMB2.7 billion (US$430.4 million), and offset by proceeds from interest-bearing borrowings of RMB2.5 billion (US$398.6 million).

 

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Net cash provided by financing activities in 2017 was RMB9.3 billion (US$1.5 billion), which was attributable to proceeds from interest-bearing borrowings of RMB15.0 billion (US$2.4 billion), offset by repayment of interest-bearing borrowings of RMB5.8 billion (US$924.7 million).

Net cash provided by financing activities in 2016 was RMB4.3 billion, which was attributable to proceeds from interest-bearing borrowings of RMB5.9 billion, offset by repayment of interest-bearing borrowings of RMB1.6 billion.

Capital Expenditures

Our capital expenditures are incurred primarily in connection with purchases of property, equipment and intangible assets necessary to support our operations. Our capital expenditures were RMB15.2 million, RMB19.8 million (US$3.2 million) and RMB2.2 million (US$0.4 million) in 2016, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018, respectively.

Commitments and Contingencies

We lease certain office premises under non-cancelable leases. Rental expenses under operating leases for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and the three months ended March 31, 2018 were RMB24.4 million, RMB47.9 million (US$7.6 million) and RMB14.1 million (US$2.2 million), respectively.

The following table sets forth our commitments and contingencies as of March 31, 2018.

 

     Payment due by period  
     Total      Less than
1 year
     1-3 years      3-5 years      More than
5 years
 

Operating lease commitment (1)

     23,019,076        9,658,724        9,248,198        2,063,670        2,048,484  

 

Note:

(1) Represents minimum payments under noncancelable operating leases related to office premises.

Holding Company Structure

CNFinance Holdings Limited is a holding company with no material operations of its own. We conduct our operations primarily through our subsidiaries. As a result, our ability to pay dividends depends upon dividends paid by our subsidiaries. If our subsidiaries or any newly formed subsidiaries 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 subsidiaries in China are permitted to pay dividends to us only out of their retained earnings, if any, as determined in accordance with the Accounting Standards for Business Enterprise as promulgated by the Ministry of Finance of the PRC, or PRC GAAP. Pursuant to the law applicable to China’s foreign investment enterprise, our subsidiaries that are foreign investment enterprise in the PRC have to make appropriation from their after-tax profit, as determined under PRC GAAP, to reserve funds including (i) general reserve fund, (ii) enterprise expansion fund and (iii) staff bonus and welfare fund. The appropriation to the general reserve fund must be at least 10% of the after-tax profits calculated in accordance with PRC GAAP. Appropriation is not required if the reserve fund has reached 50% of the registered capital of our subsidiary. Appropriation to the other two reserve funds are at our subsidiary’s discretion. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—We may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our PRC subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have, and any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to make payments to us could have a material and adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business” and “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—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.”

 

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As an offshore holding company, we are permitted under PRC laws and regulations to provide funding from the proceeds of our offshore fund raising activities to our PRC subsidiaries only through loans or capital contributions, and to our consolidated affiliated entity only through loans, in each case subject to the satisfaction of the applicable government registration and approval requirements. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—PRC regulation of loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion may delay us from using the proceeds of this offering to make loans or 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.” As a result, there is uncertainty with respect to our ability to provide prompt financial support to our PRC subsidiaries when needed. Notwithstanding the foregoing, our PRC subsidiaries may use their own retained earnings (rather than Renminbi converted from foreign currency denominated capital) to provide financial support to our consolidated affiliated entity either through entrustment loans from our PRC subsidiaries or direct loans to such consolidated affiliated entity’s nominee shareholders, which would be contributed to the consolidated variable entity as capital injections. Such direct loans to the nominee shareholders would be eliminated in our consolidated financial statements against the consolidated affiliated entity’s share capital.

Off-Balance Sheet Commitments and Arrangements

We have not entered into any financial guarantees or other commitments to guarantee the payment obligations of any unconsolidated third parties. In addition, we have not entered into any derivative contracts that are indexed to our shares and classified as shareholders’ equity, or that are not reflected in our consolidated financial statements. Furthermore, we do not have any retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity that serves as credit, liquidity or market risk support to such entity. Moreover, we do not have any variable interest in any unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit support to us or engages in leasing, hedging or product development services with us.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk

Interest rate risk

Our exposure to interest rate risk relates to the interest income and financing service fee on loans and interest on deposits with banks. Borrowers’ cost of borrowing mainly consist of interest rates charged under trust plans. An increase in prevailing interest rates could result in an increase in the interest rates of loans we facilitate, and borrowers may be less likely to accept such adjusted terms. If borrowers decide not to use the products or services we offer because of such an increase in market interest rates, our ability to retain existing borrowers and engage prospective borrowers as well as our competitive position may be severely impaired.

Foreign exchange risk

Substantially all of our revenues are denominated in Renminbi. The functional currency of our company is the Hong Kong dollar. The functional currency of SFIL, which is incorporated in British Virgin Islands, is the U.S. dollar. The functional currency of our subsidiary in the PRC is the Renminbi. We use Renminbi as our reporting currency. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are translated into the functional currency at the rates of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. Transactions in currencies other than the functional currency during the year are converted into functional currency at the applicable rates of exchange prevailing when the transactions occurred. Due to foreign currency translation adjustments, we recognized a foreign exchange loss of RMB778,538 in 2016, RMB198,794 (US$31,692) in 2017 and a foreign exchange gain of RMB26,784 (US$4,270) in the three months ended March 31, 2018, respectively.

The Renminbi is not freely convertible into foreign currencies for capital account transactions. The value of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar and other currencies is affected by, among other things, changes in China’s political and economic conditions and China’s foreign exchange policies. On July 21, 2005, the PRC government

 

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changed its decade-old policy of pegging the value of the RMB 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 RMB has fluctuated against the U.S. dollar, at times significantly and unpredictably. 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 date, we have not entered into any hedging transactions in an effort to reduce our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk.

We estimate that we will receive net proceeds of approximately US$             million from this offering, 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 RMB, a 10% appreciation of the U.S. dollar against RMB, from a rate of RMB6.2726 to US$1.00, the rate in effect as of March 30, 2018, to a rate of RMB6.8999 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 RMB, from a rate of RMB6.2726 to US$1.00, the rate in effect as of March 30, 2018, to a rate of RMB5.6453 to US$1.00, will result in a decrease of RMB             million in our net proceeds from this offering.

Inflation risk

Since our inception, inflation in China has not materially impacted 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 2017 were increases of 2.1% and 1.8%, respectively. Although we have not in the past been materially affected by inflation since our inception, we can provide no assurance that we will not be affected in the future by higher rates of inflation in China.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is to recognize revenues when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity is expected to be entitled for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 defines a five-step process to achieve this core principle and, in doing so, it is possible more judgment and estimates may be required within the revenue recognition process than required under existing U.S. GAAP, including: (i) identify the contract(s) with a customer, (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (iii) determine the transaction price, (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. Companies are permitted to adopt the standard using a retrospective transition method (i.e., restate all prior periods presented) or a cumulative effect method (i.e., recognize the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance at the date of initial application with no restatement of prior periods).

We adopted ASU 2014-09 and applied the cumulative effect method for its initial application in the first quarter of 2018 but there was no impact to retained earnings as a result of the adoption of the new standard. Because there is no change to the timing and pattern of revenue recognition, there are no material changes to our processes and internal controls. Expanded disclosures including disaggregation of revenues and descriptions of performance obligations required by ASU 2014-09 are included below.

There are two reasons ASU 2014-09 did not have an impact to us. Firstly, over 99% of revenues in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018 are interest income earned on loans or deposits with banks, all of which are unaffected as they are outside the scope of ASU 2014-09. Secondly, our non-interest income revenue stream such as mortgage agency service revenue, is within the scope of ASU 2014-09. However, Topic 606 focuses on revenues from contracts earned over time, but all of these in-scope non-interest income revenue stream is governed by

 

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agreements that do not have an enforceable, contractual term. Given the cancellable-at-will structure, Topic 606 views these contracts as agreements-at-will without a defined term, the revenue of which are immediately recognized. The revenue recognition timing is identical compared to previous revenue recognition standards.

All of our revenue from contracts with customers in the scope of ASC 606 is recognized within Non-Interest Income. ASU 2014-09 requires disclosure of sufficient information to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. A description of our revenue streams accounted for under ASU 2014-09 as well as an explanation of why they are not impacted are as follows:

Mortgage agency service revenue. We earn fees from providing mortgage agency services to borrowers applying for loan from banks. These kind of revenue are recognized at the time the transaction is executed as that is the point in time we fulfill the customer’s request.

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis, which eliminates the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership, modifies the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities (“VIEs”) or voting interest entities, and affects the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with VIEs (particularly those that have fee arrangements and related party relationships). In some cases, consolidation conclusions will change under the new guidance and, in other cases, a reporting entity will provide additional disclosures if an entity that currently is not considered a VIE is considered a VIE under the new guidance. The new standard is effective for us for annual periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. We elected to early adopt ASU 2015-02 on January 1, 2016.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, which makes targeted improvements to the accounting for, and presentation and disclosure of, financial instruments. ASU 2016-01 requires that most equity investments be measured at fair value, with subsequent changes in fair value recognized in net income. ASU 2016-01 does not affect the accounting for investments that would otherwise be consolidated or accounted for under the equity method. The new standard also affects financial liabilities under the fair value option and the presentation and disclosure requirements for financial instruments. The provisions of ASU 2016-01 are effective for us for annual periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. We will adopt the new standard on January 1, 2019, and are currently evaluating the effect that ASU 2016-01 will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which requires lessees to recognize leases on-balance sheets and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. The new standard establishes a right of use (“ROU”) model that requires a lessee to recognize a ROU asset and lease liability on the balance sheets for all leases with a term longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern and classification of expense recognition in the income statements.

The new standard is effective for us on January 1, 2020, with early adoption permitted. We do not plan to early adopt the ASU. We are evaluating the effect that the standard will have on our consolidated financial statements, statutory reserves and related disclosures.

In June 2016, the FASB amended guidance related to impairment of financial instruments as part of ASU 2016-13 Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which will be effective on January 1, 2020. The guidance replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology with an expected credit loss model for which a group recognizes an allowance based on the estimate of expected credit loss. We are currently evaluating the impact of this new guidance on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

For detailed discussion on recent accounting pronouncements, see Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements.

 

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INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

Certain information, including statistics and estimates, set forth in this section and elsewhere in this prospectus has been derived from an industry report commissioned by us and independently prepared by Oliver Wyman in connection with this offering. We believe that the sources of such information are appropriate, and we have taken reasonable care in extracting and reproducing such information. We have no reason to believe that such information is false or misleading in any material respect or that any fact has been omitted that would render such information false or misleading in any material respect. However, neither we nor any other party involved in this offering has independently verified such information, and neither we nor any other party involved in this offering makes any representation as to the accuracy or completeness of such information. Therefore, investors are cautioned not to place any undue reliance on the information, including statistics and estimates, set forth in this section or similar information included elsewhere in this prospectus.

Background

China has witnessed rapid economic growth in the past decade, with real GDP as adjusted by inflation grew at a CAGR of 7.6% from 2010 to 2017, and is expected to maintain a CAGR of 6.2% from 2017 to 2022, according to the Oliver Wyman report.

MSEs are a prominent part of China’s economic growth. From 2012 to 2017, MSEs’ contribution to China’s GDP increased from 24% to 32%, according to the Oliver Wyman report. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, as of December 31, 2017, there are over 93 million MSEs in total. The number of MSEs grew from 2012 to 2017 at a CAGR of 12.3% and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.6% from 2017 to 2022, according to the Oliver Wyman report.

MSE Owners’ Financing Needs

Despite the continuous growth on the number of MSE owners in China and their significant contribution to China’s economic growth, MSE owners’ financing needs have not been adequately served. Such unbalanced demand-and-supply relationship suggests tremendous opportunities for market players to bridge the unserved gap. The following factors are generally believed to contribute to the unserved MSE owners’ financing demand in China.

 

   

Limited MSE focused risk-adjusted pricing capability . Banks lack in-depth data accumulation and analytical systems for proper credit risk pricing tailored to the businesses of MSEs. This has resulted in high NPL ratios for those banks who explored opportunities in MSE financing space.

 

   

Stringent and inflexible requirements of traditional financial institutions . Banks and other financial institutions’ standardized loan application process usually requires stringent and inflexible documentations designed for established corporations, including business operation data, financial statements and collateral. Therefore, MSE owners’ accessibility to bank loans is often limited by MSEs’ short business operation history and relatively unsophisticated financial management capability to produce required documentation.

 

   

Inefficient approval process . Banks have more complicated rules and credit assessment procedures on both borrowers and collateral, which results in longer waiting time for loan approvals and is inefficient for MSE owners who often have urgent financing needs. According to the Oliver Wyman report, it generally takes 15 to 30 days for a bank MSE loan applicant to receive loan proceeds from the day they submit applications.

 

   

High borrowing cost and insufficient financing amount from other alternative channels. According to the Oliver Wyman report, other than banks, alternative financing channels for MSE owners primarily include private lending companies and a variety of non-traditional loan facilitators/providers. Private lending companies tend to charge significantly higher borrowing costs to their borrowers to

 

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compensate for the opacity of the credit risk. Non-traditional loan facilitators/providers with unsecured products often face difficulties in granting enough funding for MSE owners’ operational use.

According to the Oliver Wyman report, there is a gap of approximately RMB34.1 trillion between the demand side and supply side of MSE financing as of 2017. The following chart illustrates the financing demand and supply of MSE owners from 2012 to 2022 in terms of outstanding balance.

 

LOGO

Source: Wind, National Bureau of Statistics, Oliver Wyman analysis

The following table compares financing products provided by different financing channels to MSE owners in China.

 

Financing channel

 

Product

 

Collateral

 

Duration

  Credit
limit
(RMB)
  Average
APR
  Approval
time
 

Application
success rate

Bank and other traditional financial institutions

  Secured loan   Property   Up to 3 years   1mn-5mn   ~10%   15-30 days   Low
  Credit loan   Nil   Up to 2 years   50k-100k   ~20%   ~30 days   Low
  Personal credit card   Nil   Rolling basis   10k-30k   ~20%   ~30 days   Medium

Private lending companies

  Secured loan   Property/ Automobile/ Others   Up to 6 months   100k-1mn   45%-80%   ~1 day   Medium

Non-traditional loan facilitators/ providers

  Secured loan   Property   Up to 8 years   400k-3mn   ~25%   ~2 days   Medium
  Secured loan   Automobile   Up to 3 years   60k-120k   20%-35%   ~1 day   High
  Unsecured loan   Nil   Up to 1 year   15k-25k   25%-50%   ~1 day   High

Compared to other secured loan products, home equity loans are unique in serving financing needs of MSE owners, with the following characteristics:

 

   

Large ticket size: Since home equity loans are typically collateralized with real property, the average loan size tends to be larger as compared to unsecured loan products.

 

   

Lower risk profile: Home equity loans secured with real property in general have lower risk profiles compared to auto loans or pure credit lending since property is immobile with a fairly liquid trading market. In general, it is easier for secured lenders to enforce their rights against real property in a default situation.

Home Equity Loans for Chinese MSE Owners

Amongst MSE owners, secured loans is a major financing means. Value of collateral such as houses and automobiles is relatively straightforward to evaluate, and the collaterals are also commonly traded in second hand

 

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market, therefore these types of collateral can enhance the creditworthiness of the borrower from a lender’s perspective. As of December 31, 2017, the outstanding balance of secured loans extended to MSE owners is estimated to reach RMB15.3 trillion and is expected to grow to RMB29.5 trillion as of December 31, 2022, representing a CAGR of 14.0%, according to the Oliver Wyman report.

Real property is a major type of collateral for secured loans. According to the Oliver Wyman report, there was approximately RMB7.1 trillion home equity loans outstanding offered to Chinese MSE owners as of December 31, 2017, which is expected to further grow to approximately RMB14.5 trillion as of December 31, 2022, representing a CAGR of 15.3%.

The following chart illustrates the breakdown by collateral type of the outstanding balance of secured loans in the MSE lending market in China from 2017 to 2022.

 

LOGO

Source: World economy studies, Expert Interview, Oliver Wyman Analysis

According to the Oliver Wyman report, bank is still a dominant funding source for the home equity loan market, due to its reliability and attractive borrowing rate. With the rapid development of financial system and unserved gap of MSE financing needs, non-traditional financial institutions will experience high growth in business scale in the coming years. According to the Oliver Wyman report, the outstanding balance of home equity loans provided by non-traditional financial institutions was approximately RMB1.0 trillion as of December 31, 2017, and is expected to grow to approximate RMB2.5 trillion as of December 31, 2022 with a CAGR of 20.1%. The following chart illustrates the breakdown by loan supplier of the outstanding balance of home equity loans provided to MSE owners in China:

 

LOGO

Source: Expert Interview, Oliver Wyman Analysis

The following factors are generally believed to contribute favorable growth prospects of home equity loans for Chinese MSE owners provided by non-traditional financial institutions.

Inflexibility for traditional financial institution to cater to MSE owners’ unique financing needs . Due to stringent and inflexible loan application requirements from banks and other traditional financial institutions, they

 

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are only able to serve a limited number of MSEs owners who are able to meet such requirements. Although PBOC has implemented measures to encourage banks to better serve MSEs, the banking industry in China has yet to fully capture MSEs’ financing demands due to constraints of risk and technology. According to the Oliver Wyman report, this situation has been an obstacle for MSE’s development over a substantially long period of time and is expected to continue in the near future, which imply significant market opportunities for companies with capabilities to address the unmet MSE financing demand with innovative financing solutions.

Growing number of MSE owners with real property in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities . The number of MSE owners with real property in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10% from 2017 to 2022, according to the Oliver Wyman report. As of 2017, the number of MSE owners with real property who reside in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities is estimated to be 33 million, with six million in Tier 1 cities and 27 million in Tier 2 cities. The number of MSE owners with real property in Tier 1 cities and Tier 2 cities in China will continue to grow and is expected to reach nine million and 44 million in 2022, respectively, according to the Oliver Wyman report.

Low LTV ratio compared with developed countries . According to the Oliver Wyman report, only 6% of the residential property value in China is pledged as collateral, which is significantly lower than that of Australia (23%), UK (23%) and U.S. (46%). Such a large gap indicates real property as a financing collateral is far from being effectively utilized in China and home equity loans in China have significant room for growth.

Key Success Factors for Providing Home Equity Loan Services in China

A number of key factors are critical to the success of a player in China’s home equity loan industry.

Diverse physical distribution network. Because of the physical and immobile nature of real property collateral, local presence is important to serve the market. A dispersed geographical presence also allows diversification of risks associated with potential property price fluctuations and government policies across different regions of China. In addition, having an extensive nationwide branch network can facilitate better customer engagement by serving non-local property owners while completing necessary registrations at local administration office of the property simultaneously.

Expertise in handling real property collateral. Such expertise is a critical component in the risk management in the home equity loan business in the following two ways:

 

   

Property appraising. Appraised value of prospective real property collateral is critical to determine the loan principal amount, therefore accurate appraised value could support a robust risk management framework and help manage non-performing loan losses. Cooperation with leading third-party appraisers could enhance the accuracy of the appraised value.

 

   

Property disposal. Experience and standard procedures in dealing with the transfer of real properties is essential for home equity loan service providers to recover losses and maintain profitable.

Superior risk management. Given that home equity loans are typically large in ticket size, the risk of non-performing loan potentially brings significant impact to a loan facilitator’s cash flow. To manage credit risks, best practice players have a set of empirically derived rules supported by various data sources, including official credit bureau and third-party data sources.

Stable and diversified funding sources. Non-traditional financial institution loan service providers can obtain funding from various financial institutions including banks, trusts and insurers. Best practice for non-traditional financial institution home equity loan providers would be able to develop long-term and reliable relationships with funding partners to ensure stability.

 

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BUSINESS

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide accessible, affordable and efficient financing solutions to micro- and small-enterprise owners in China, helping them achieve their business dreams.

Overview

We are a leading home equity loan service provider in China with established business infrastructure. According to the Oliver Wyman report, we are the second largest home equity loan service provider among non-traditional financial institutions in China in terms of outstanding loan principal as of December 31, 2017. We facilitate loans by connecting MSE owners with our funding partners. With more than ten years of experience in the loan service industry, we have established a national network of 75 branches and sub-branches in over 40 cities in China. The extensive local knowledge and resources we have acquired while building our business infrastructure distinguish us from other market players. In 2016 and 2017, we originated home equity loans with aggregate principal amount of RMB8.3 billion and RMB17.1 billion, respectively, representing an increase of 106.0%. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, we originated home equity loans with an aggregate principal amount of RMB2.2 billion.

Our primary target borrower segment is MSE owners who own real properties in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities in China. We originated home equity loans for 12,983 and 23,705 borrowers in 2016 and 2017, respectively, representing an increase of 82.6%. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, we originated home equity loans for 3,949 borrowers. These MSE owners typically have quick cash flow turnover from their business operations with high demand for working capital. Their financing needs are often unpredictable, time-sensitive and frequent. Our target borrowers are underserved by traditional financial institutions. Traditional financial institutions often impose stringent and inflexible loan application requirements designed for large corporations, making it difficult for MSE owners to meet such requirements. In addition, time-consuming and cumbersome requirements often limit MSE owners’ ability to meet their imminent financing needs. Moreover, unlike in the United States where home equity loans commonly serve as a financing alternative, according to the Oliver Wyman report, traditional lenders in China, such as banks, typically do not grant loans secured by second lien interests and are generally less incentivized to introduce innovative home equity loan products.

We aim to serve our target borrowers by facilitating home equity loans and providing tailored services. Our standardized and integrated online and offline credit application and assessment process shortens the time of loan disbursement to as fast as 48 hours from submission of a qualified loan application with all necessary documentation, providing expeditious financing solutions to MSE owners. We typically facilitate home equity loans to MSE owners in the form of installment loans with a monthly contractual interest rate typically ranging from 0.9% to 1.3% and a tenor typically ranging from one to eight years, assisting borrowers’ short-term and long-term business plannings. In 2016 and 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018, the average tenor of the home equity loans we originated was 50, 66 and 65 months with the weighted average effective interest rate (inclusive of interests and financing service fees, if applicable, payable by the borrowers) of 26.0%, 23.7% and 22.4% per annum, respectively. The increase in the average tenor is because starting from April 2017 we facilitated more loan products with a longer term of eight years, and the decrease in the weighted average effective interest rate is because we ceased charging financing service fee to the borrowers starting from August 2017, and loan products with a term of eight years typically have a lower effective interest rate. Such loan products are secured by first or second lien interests on real properties. 61.1%, 58.0% and 57.8% of our total home equity loan origination volume in 2016, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018, respectively, was secured by second lien interests. Depending on the value of the collateral and the creditworthiness of the borrower, we offer flexible loan principal typically ranging from RMB100,000 to RMB3,000,000.

We have a rigorous and robust risk management system. Our risk mitigation mechanism is embedded in the design of our loan products, supported by an integrated online and offline process focusing on risks of both

 

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borrowers and collateral and further enhanced by effective post-loan management procedures. Our extensive business infrastructure supports our operations by providing various offline services, such as on-site visits, interaction with local real property bureau and debt collection. Collateral for loans we facilitate is geographically dispersed in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities in China to diversify our risk concentration in any local real estate market. Our home equity loan products are typically installment loans which require monthly payments comprising principal and interests repayments. We timely monitor borrowers’ credit status, which enables us to take actions quickly if we believe there is a risk of default. Our practical risk assessment focuses on both credit risks of borrowers and quality of the collateral. We have also established strict guidelines on the characteristics and quality of collateral, including, among others, a LTV ratio capped at 80%. The weighted average LTV ratio of the home equity loan origination volume was 65.9%, 66.7% and 62.6% in 2016, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018, respectively. As of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and March 31, 2018, the NPL ratio was 1.50%, 1.66% and 1.75%, respectively. Charge-off ratio in 2016, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was 0.005%, 0.093% and nil, respectively.

The loans we facilitate are primarily funded through a trust lending model with our trust company partners. Our trust company partners are well-established with sufficient funding sources and have licenses to engage in lending business nationwide. Our trust company partners are regulated by CBIRC and all the trust plans are registered with the CBIRC. This structure provides us with stable funding sources. Under the trust lending model, our trust company partners set up trust plans and acquire funding from their investors. Trust plans are typical investment vehicles in which investors participate by subscribing to trust units and receive a return as set out in subscription agreements. Each trust plan issues multiple trust products which are funded with senior and subordinated units at a pre-determined ratio with a term of one to three years. The loans funded by the trust products, however, have terms typically ranging from one to eight years. For details of matching our funding sources and loans we facilitate, please refer to “Business—Our Funding Model—Matching of Terms of Funding Sources and Loans.” The contractual ratio of the senior units and subordinated units of trust plans or products is determined pursuant to our collaboration agreements with our trust company partners, which set the upper limit to such ratio at a range of 3:1 to 9:1. Due to recent regulatory changes, we will work with our trust company partners to lower the contractual structural leverage ratio of each trust product to no higher than 3:1 before the end of 2020, the grace period provided by the Guiding Opinion. As of March 31, 2018, the actual structural leverage ratio of our trust plans was generally no higher than 3:1. For details, please refer to “Business—Our Funding Model—Terms of the Trust Plans” and “—Funding Partners.” As part of the collaboration we have with our trust company partners, we are required to subscribe to all of the subordinated units of trust plans. By subscribing to subordinated units, we are entitled to the residual value from trust plans after certain payments to senior unit holders, trust company partners and third-party service providers. Payments to senior unit holders consist of an expected investment returns which are usually paid quarterly and principal amounts which are repaid upon maturity. We as subordinated unit holders are paid each quarter after the quarterly payment of interest returns to senior unit holders and upon maturity after the payment of principal amounts to senior unit holders. Our financing costs for the senior units, excluding the trust administrative fees, ranged from 9.75% to 12.4% per annum of the issuance amount of senior units in 2016, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018, our financing costs for subordinated units under repurchase arrangements with private equity funds ranged from 16% to 18% per annum of the transfer prices for such subordinated units in 2016, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018, and our financing costs for subordinated units under repurchase arrangements with third parties through a private financial assets trading platform ranged from 9.7% to 14% per annum of the transfer prices for such subordinated units in 2016, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018. Our cost of the subordinated units as measured by the investment amount was RMB1,928.6 million, RMB4,626.1 million and RMB4,802.3 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and March 31, 2018, respectively. Our investment return from the subordinated units was RMB391.2 million, RMB1,595.3 million and RMB497.6 million in 2016, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018, respectively.

To a lesser extent, we also have a direct lending model through which we lend directly under our small loan licenses to borrowers with our own funding or funding we acquire from transfer of rights to earnings in loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables to third parties with a repurchase arrangement. Our

 

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financing costs under such arrangement ranged from 9.7% to 14% per annum of the transfer price in 2016, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

For details of our repurchase agreements with third parties under both the trust lending and direct lending models, please refer to “Business—Our Funding Model—Funding Sources” and “—Small Loan Direct Lending”. We generally rely on and will continue to rely primarily on our trust lending model, which is supplemented with our direct lending model. In 2017, funding from trust lending and direct lending models accounted for 95.4% and 4.6% of our total loan origination volume, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, funding from trust lending and direct lending models accounted for 99.7% and 0.3% of our total home equity loan origination volume, respectively.

Through our established network of sales teams and branch offices, we reach prospective MSE borrowers and assess their creditworthiness and collateral. If these borrowers meet our requirements, we refer them to our trust company partners who make their own credit decisions before directly lending to qualified borrowers. We help trust company partners sign loan agreements with borrowers directly, and assist borrowers in pledging collateral for the benefit of trust company partners. We are designated as the service provider and provide post-loan services such as payment monitoring, debt collection and release of collateral as the need arises. We provide top-up arrangement to trust plans associated with our subscription of subordinated units. Under this arrangement, we are required to manage the NPLs by repurchasing or replacing NPLs, or providing additional funding sufficient to cover outstanding principal and interests of NPLs. We receive a performance-based service fee up to 8% per annum of the size of the trust plan charged to the trust plans for the services we provide.

The following charts illustrate the number of active borrowers, number of transactions, loan origination volume and outstanding loan principal of home equity loans as of and for the nine quarters ended March 31, 2018.

 

LOGO

We have grown significantly and were profitable in 2016, 2017 and the three months ended March 31, 2018. Our total operating income increased from RMB867.3 million in 2016 to RMB2,013.0 million (US$320.9 million) in 2017, representing an increase of 132.1%, and from RMB400.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 to RMB599.6 million (US$95.6 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2018, representing an increase of 49.6%. Our net income increased from RMB235.4 million in 2016 to RMB532.7 million (US$84.9 million) in 2017, representing an increase of 126.3%, and from RMB112.0 million

 

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for the three months ended March 31, 2017 to RMB196.7 million (US$31.4 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2018, representing an increase of 75.6%.

Our Competitive Strengths

We believe that the following competitive strengths differentiate us from our competitors, contributing significantly to our growth and success.

China’s leading home equity loan service provider well positioned to capture the massive and underserved financing needs of MSE owners

We are a leading home equity loan service provider in China. According to the Oliver Wyman report, we are the second largest home equity loan service provider among non-traditional financial institutions in China in terms of outstanding loan principal as of December 31, 2017. We have more than ten years of experience in the loan service industry and we believe that we are uniquely positioned to capture the massive and underserved financing needs of MSE owners. As a pioneer in serving the financing needs of MSE owners with relevant experience, expertise and established business infrastructure, our signature loan product “ Xingye Dai ” is widely recognized among prospective borrowers and business partners.

The market size of home equity loans for MSEs owners in China is expected to grow from RMB7.1 trillion as of December 31, 2017 to RMB14.5 trillion as of December 31, 2022 in terms of outstanding loan principal, representing a CAGR of 15.3%, according to the Oliver Wyman report. We believe that the massive addressable market with a limited number of non-traditional financial institutions that operate nationally, such as us, presents a tremendous opportunity. Given the high entry barriers imposed by the nature of the home equity loan service business, including extensive local branch coverage, deep understanding of local practices on home equity loan products and effective risk management, we believe that our competitors have substantial obstacles to overcome to challenge our established leadership position.

Our primary target borrower segment is MSE owners residing in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities in China. They own real properties and have quick cash flow turnover from their business operations, which often demand imminent working capital. Because traditional financial institutions typically lack the expertise and flexibility for MSE financing, a significant portion of MSE owners is underserved or even unserved. There was an estimated gap of approximately RMB34.1 trillion between the MSE loan demand of RMB70.0 trillion and supply of RMB35.9 trillion in 2017, according to the Oliver Wyman report. As home equity loans are hinged to property values and are able to provide more funding in general compared to unsecured loan products, the home equity loans we originate and the services we provide address MSEs’ financing needs and offer a fast approval process, relatively large ticket size, flexible terms, competitive pricing and superior borrower services. In 2017, we originated home equity loans of RMB17.1 billion indicating significant room for growth given the large gap of underserved MSE financing needs in China.

Proven business model tailored to the financing needs of China’s MSE owners

We have developed a proven business model that addresses the financing needs of MSE owners in the home equity loan market, supported by stable funding sources. Our business model generated profits for us and attractive returns for our funding partners in 2016 and 2017. Our products and services have the following features to address the problems faced by MSE owners seeking financing:

 

    practical risk assessment with documentation requirements focusing on the underlying credit risks, as compared to the stringent and cumbersome requirements imposed by banks that could be difficult for MSE owners to fulfill, and enabling second lien loans which are not otherwise available in most of the commercial banks;

 

   

fast approval process enabled by our standardized and integrated online and offline loan application process, which disburses loan proceeds in as fast as 48 hours from submission of a qualified loan

 

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application with all necessary documentation, as compared to the time-consuming approval process spanning several days or even weeks in commercial banks;

 

   

flexible loan principal typically ranging from RMB100,000 to RMB3,000,000 depending on the value of the collateral and the credit of the borrower, serving MSE owners’ operational needs;

 

   

flexible terms with tenor typically ranging from one to eight years to meet borrowers’ short-term and long-term business planning;

 

   

affordable interest rates as compared to many other MSEs financing products in the market; and

 

   

conveniently located branches and sub-branches coupled with integrated online and offline process, which ensures smooth transaction execution and high customer satisfaction.

Our business model generates attractive returns with a low risk profile for our funding partners, who generally source funding from institutional investors and qualified individual investors and lend directly to borrowers. The innovative and flexible financing products we facilitate help us connect financing from our funding partners directly with borrowers. We acquire and recommend qualified borrowers to our funding partners, giving them access to a massive addressable market that they are otherwise may not have been able to access due to lack of business infrastructure. Through years of cooperation, we have established mutually beneficial collaborations with our trust company partners. As of March 31, 2018, we had executed collaboration agreements with three licensed trust companies, and the balance of funding capital from senior unit holders was RMB11.2 billion.

Our mutually beneficial business model is valued by our various business partners. In addition to the trust companies we work with, we are also in discussion with other prominent trust companies, commercial banks and leading Internet companies who have access to MSE owners in China to deepen our penetration in the home equity loan industry. For details of the agreements we entered into with commercial banks and Internet companies as our channel partners, please refer to “—Sales and Marketing.”

Well-established business infrastructure built for scale

Since 2006, we have built a solid business infrastructure to support our growth. With years of strategic planning and development, we have established extensive national coverage focusing on Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities in China with 75 branches and sub-branches in over 40 cities. Both branches and sub-branches are full-service establishments with sales and marketing and risk management functions. As of March 31, 2018, we had 3,289 sales representatives, 614 loan application reviewers and 361 loan management staff. Through our geographically disbursed network, we have gained a large volume of transaction data and local know-how. The breadth and depth of these transaction data has enabled us to make quality credit assessments, effectively prevent fraud and enhance collection efforts.

We have extensive local knowledge and resources to pledge collateral in the markets where we operate. This local knowledge is crucial because the requirements of the local regulatory authorities and administrative procedures and regulations on home equity loans differ from city to city in China. Supported by our local execution team, we assist borrowers in transferring real estate title documents and pledging title to our trust company partners quickly, which is essential to the home equity loan business in China. We also have a robust post-loan management system that enables us to monitor the quality of the collateral and enforce the security interests and dispose of the collateral on behalf of the trust company partners in accordance with local regulations.

In addition to our extensive national coverage, we adopt a centralized management system to ensure consistent service quality and superior risk control. Our integrated online and offline process enables standardized application package and automatic release of loan proceeds from the trust plans upon approval.

 

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Leveraging our well-established business infrastructure, we believe that we are able to share our local knowledge and resources with third-party partners, including leading Internet companies and commercial banks in China who have access to underserved MSE owners, to rapidly expand our business operations. Our economy of scale will further grow along with the continuously improved productivity of our offline network.

Robust risk management delivering superior asset quality

Throughout our operations in various macro-economic changes, our risk management system has proven to be effective. As of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and March 31, 2018, the NPL ratio was 1.50%, 1.66% and 1.75%, respectively. Charge-off ratio in 2016, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was 0.005%, 0.093% and nil, respectively.

Credit risk mitigation embedded in product design . We facilitate home equity loans with up to 80% LTV ratio to provide recovery in case of borrower default. The LTV ratio varies based on a borrower’s credit profile and the quality of the collateral. Our home equity loan products are typically installment loans which require monthly payments comprising principal and interests repayments. Such payment schedule allows us to timely monitor borrowers’ creditworthiness and initiate the collection process, at an early stage, if needed. The LTV ratio also decreases through the life of the loans with such payment schedule. The 2017 FOTIC Loan Agreement also gives FOTIC an option to demand repayment of outstanding loan principal and unpaid accrued interests before the maturity of the underlying trust funding. Tenor of the loan products we facilitate varies based on a borrower’s cash flow. We facilitate shorter tenor loans for borrowers with stronger cash flow and vice versa to make sure the payment schedule matches the borrowers’ ability to repay. Our approach to risk management includes facilitating a diversified portfolio of loans in which the borrowers and related collateral are geographically dispersed over 40 Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities in China to ensure that we are not concentrated in any particular city or region. Almost all of the loans are secured by real property collateral, which is immobile with relatively stable value, ability to recoup possible loss and at the same time, relatively easy to dispose of with high trading volume and a diversity of trading channels.

“Borrower and Collateral” dual-factor risk assessment with integrated online and offline process. When processing loan applications, we assess the credit risk of the borrower and the quality of the collateral by:

 

   

utilizing various internal and external data to verify information on the loan applicants and their identities, including cash flow status offline through onsite visits, in order to assess indicators of potential fraud and creditworthiness of borrowers; and

 

   

partnering with four leading property appraisers to automatically generate online appraisal valuation reports, we then assign local staff to perform cross-check, which may involve comparison of the online appraiser reports to quotes from local sources and onsite examination of the conditions and certificate of the collateral.

For details, please refer to “—Risk Management—Dual-factor risk assessment with integrated online and offline processes.”

Effective post-loan management procedures . We have also established systematic post-loan management procedures to enhance our risk management. We closely monitor borrower’s credit status. In addition, we have developed effective and disciplined debt-collection practice based on our field experience. We utilize various resources and measures for debt collection, including quick disposal plans or foreclosure. Quick disposal plans include selling the delinquent loans to third parties or dispose of collateral without going through judicial proceedings. Historically, we were able to help our trust company partners enforce their rights to the collateral through a power of attorney that was signed by the borrower and notarized by a notary public before loan disbursement. This allowed the trust company partners to quickly dispose of the collateral without having to involve the borrower. Due to recent regulatory changes, we have ceased this practice. We executed quick disposal plans or foreclosure for 566 loans which became delinquent in 2016, 2017 and for the three months

 

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ended March 31, 2018 with average disposal period of 110 days since overdue and recovered loan principal, interest and penalties which equals to 106.2% of the unpaid outstanding principal of these delinquent loans.

Experienced management team supported by dedicated workforce

Our management team first started in the loan service industry in 2006 by referring borrowers to commercial banks. Leveraging on their insights into the personal loan market in China and an understanding of local practices, our management team has been a pioneer in developing the emerging MSE home equity loan market. In particular, according to the Oliver Wyman report, we are among the first to develop home equity loan products secured by second lien interests and ensure that second lien interests are widely recognized by local real property bureaus where we operate.

Our senior management team has on average over 15 years of experience in financial industries or in management positions and acquired extensive know-how and insights in the loan service business, delivering a track record of profitability. Our senior management team has been working together for almost eight years and has been central to our unique business model, and share the same vision of providing high quality financial services to MSE owners.

Interests of our senior management team are aligned with shareholders as our executive officers beneficially held approximately 45% equity stake in the Company as of June 30, 2018. 64.4% of our senior personnel have been with our company for more than five years. We also have established employee incentive mechanisms to motivate our employees, including share incentive plans, annual bonus, performance based rewards and training opportunities.

Our Strategies

To achieve our mission of providing accessible, affordable and efficient financing solutions to MSE owners in China, we intend to further enhance our competitive strengths while pursuing the following strategies.

Broaden customer reach

We plan to further broaden our customer reach by following our existing footprint in China’s Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities and strategically developing sub-branches in surrounding areas of our existing branches to further penetrate these markets, collaborating with commercial banks and leading Internet companies who have access to MSE owners and exploring other partnership opportunities. In addition, we will continue to cooperate with other third parties such as real estate brokers which can help us identify target borrowers. We are also developing a centralized third-party agency management platform for effective borrower acquisition.

Diversify funding sources

As our business expands, we will continue to deepen our relationship with current trust company partners and negotiate for more favorable terms with respect to our financing costs and terms of the subordinated units we subscribe to. We also intend to broaden our funding sources by partnering with other trust companies. To strengthen the resilience of our business, we will continue to diversity funding sources by cooperating with additional qualified financial institutions, including commercial banks, securities firms, asset management companies and insurance companies. We expect to lower cost of funding through our efforts to diversify funding sources.

Provide value-added services to our third-party partners

By leveraging our nationwide network and offline execution capabilities, we have developed a competitive advantage of serving and connecting borrowers and funding sources. We plan to export this capability and explore the opportunities of providing such value-added services to other institutions, such as traditional financial institutions, Internet companies and small loan companies.

 

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We have been exploring the possibility of establishing joint ventures with leading Internet companies to offer loan facilitation and risk management services, through which we can generate service fees to diversify our sources of revenue. We are also developing systems to connect traditional financial institutions with our borrower base using our established business infrastructure. With our industry knowledge and experience, we can help small loan companies streamline and manage their business and customers. We will continue to explore other innovative capital-light partnership models.

Enhance technology and data analytic capabilities

Information technology is a key driver of innovation in the financing industry. We plan to devote more resources to develop a well-integrated information technology system. We will also invest in data analytics and other new technologies to enhance risk management and credit risk assessment, increase efficiency and provide tailored products. We are developing risk-based credit pricing strategy through advanced data analytics and risk management capabilities, so as to offer tailored products with competitive pricing to borrowers. We also plan to further collaborate with various third parties on building an integrated data analytic system.

Transaction Overview

We provide a convenient and user-friendly transaction process, which is implemented through our standardized home equity loan application procedures across our local offices. Depending on the documentary requirements and an applicant’s background, a qualified loan applicant may receive loan proceeds in as fast as 48 hours from submission of a qualified loan application with all necessary documentation.

Our standardized transaction process under trust lending model is illustrated below.

 

LOGO

Step 1: Loan application

The transaction process begins with the submission of a loan application by a prospective borrower either online or at one of our local offices. The application asks for information such as the borrower’s identity card information, contact, business and prospective collateral. The applicant typically also consents to access to his or her credit report generated by third parties while submitting the application.

 

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Step 2: Risk assessment

After an application is submitted, our proprietary risk management system collects credit and valuation data from a number of internal and external sources. We then proceed with our risk assessment involving both online and offline processes focusing on both the creditworthiness of borrowers and quality of collateral. For details, please refer to “—Risk Management—Dual-factor risk assessment with integrated online and offline processes.”

Step 3: Credit decisioning

Once we have performed rigorous risk assessments on both applicant and collateral, we recommend qualified applicants with suggested loan principal amount to our trust company partners who proactively review and make final credit decisions on the loan applications we recommend. Specifically, our trust company partners are ultimately responsible for, reviewing loan applications and verifying applicants’ personal, business and collateral information collected by us through various procedures. Our trust company partners are ultimately responsible for approving the loan application.

Step 4: Credit extension

We notify the applicants once we receive final approvals from our trust company partners. We then assist borrowers in signing loan agreements with the trust companies.

Step 5: Collateral pledge

As part of our services, we help the trust companies set up security interests on the collateral by assisting with relevant documentation, transfering title documents and registering security interests with local real property bureau.

Step 6: Loan disbursement

Our trust company partners review the signed loan agreements and confirm receipt of relevant title documents and perfected security interests before disbursement of loan proceeds to the borrowers’ bank accounts. Funding typically occurs within the same day or by the next business day after the documentary conditions precedent to the settlement are fulfilled.

Step 7: Post-loan management process

We are also designated as the service provider and provide post-loan management services to our trust company partners, including monitoring repayment activities and collateral status and performing debt collection in an event of default on behalf of the trust companies. For details, please refer to “—Risk Management—Effective post-loan management procedures.” Once the loans are fully paid off, we help trust company partners release the collateral.

Our Borrowers

Borrower Base

We strategically target MSE owners who own properties in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities in China. These MSE owners typically have quick cash flow turnover from their business operations with high demand for working capital. MSE owners often also have financing needs that are unpredictable, time-sensitive and frequent. Our target borrowers are underserved by traditional financial institutions, whose often stringent and inflexible loan application requirements that are designed for large corporations make it difficult for MSE owners to fulfill. In addition, time-consuming and cumbersome requirements often limit MSE owners’ ability to meet their imminent financing need. As a result, there was an estimated gap of approximately RMB34.1 trillion between the MSE loan demand of RMB70.0 trillion and supply of RMB35.9 trillion in 2017, according to the Oliver Wyman report.

 

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In addition, unlike in the United States where home equity loans is a common financing alternative, traditional lenders in China such as banks typically do not grant loans secured by second lien interests and are generally less incentivized to introduce innovative home equity loan products. According to the Oliver Wyman report, providing second lien home equity loans or title loans is limited for commercial banks in China, given the high level of regulatory supervision from relevant regulatory authorities. These products have instead been developed by non-traditional financial institutions to fulfill the unserved demand. The home equity loan products we facilitate are one of the few options on the market that can provide relatively large size loans, which are difficult to obtain outside of traditional financial institutions.

According to the Oliver Wyman report, in 2017, GDP of Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities in China was RMB10.2 trillion and RMB33.3 trillion, representing 12.3% and 40.6% of the national GDP, respectively. Approximately 33 million MSE owners with properties reside in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities as of December 31, 2017, representing over 35.1% of the population of MSE owners in China, according to the Oliver Wyman report. By focusing on borrowers residing in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities, we have the benefit of the most vibrant business environment and robust housing price and gained access to large financing needs. Our borrowers have presence in over 40 Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities in China and are geographically dispersed.

Approximately 65.3% and 64.6% of the borrowers we originated home equity loans for in 2017 and the three months ended March 31, 2018 are between 31 to 50 years of age. Our borrowers engage in a variety of industries, including wholesale and retail, construction, manufacturing, maintenance and repair, and food and beverage industries.

Since our inception, we have experienced significant growth in the number of borrowers. We originated home equity loans for 12,983 and 23,705 borrowers in 2016 and 2017, respectively, representing an increase of 82.6%. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, we originated home equity loans for 3,949 borrowers.

Borrower Acquisition

We acquire our borrowers primarily through our own network and sales personnel. In 2016 and 2017, almost all of our borrowers were engaged through our local offices and word-of-mouth marketing. Our offline sales staff works with various local resources, such as real estate brokers and banks who cannot accommodate second lien collateral, to acquire high quality borrowers. We align the incentive of our sales personnel by offering a sales commission of 1.5% to 2% of the loan origination amount. We believe that our extensive and targeted customer reach through offline network and localized services and expertise, lead to strong word-of-mouth promotion which is further strengthened by effective risk management and post-loan management services. As a supplement to our local offices and word-of-mouth marketing and as a strategy to broaden customer reach, we have also started collaborating with various channel partners to acquire new borrowers, such as leading Internet companies and commercial banks in China who have access to underserved MSE owners. For details of our collaboration with channel partners, please refer to “—Sales and Marketing.”

Borrower Services

We connect borrowers with our funding partners and provide customized services to them regarding collateral registration and management. We assist borrowers in completing, reviewing and submitting documents to register the pledge relating to the collateral with local authorities. Once the home equity loans are fully paid off, we help release the collateral.

We previously charged borrowers financing service fees upfront typically ranging from 2% to 3% of the size of loan principal amount, which is included in calculating the effective interest rate. Since August 2017, we no longer charge financing service fees on borrowers due to regulatory changes.

 

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Our Products

Recognizing the difficulties that MSE owners face in obtaining financing in China, we have designed the features of our home equity loan products tailored to the Chinese market. The following tables set forth the break down of the number of transactions by ticket size and the home equity loan origination volume and outstanding loan principal by ticket size, first/second lien, tenor and city tier for the periods or as of the dates indicated. Ticket size of the loans we facilitated is generally determined by the creditworthiness of the borrower, value of the collateral and the approved LTV ratio. Location, city tier, type and amount of the collateral secured by first lien interests may affect the amount of the loan, but generally do not affect the other terms of the loan.

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,     For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
     2016     2017     2018  
     Number of
transactions
     % of total     Number of
transactions
     % of total     Number of
transactions
     % of total  

Number of transactions by ticket size (in RMB)

               

0 - 100,000

     977        6.8     1,577        6.0     245        6.0

100,001 - 200,000

     3,343        23.4     4,870        18.5     848        20.8

200,001 - 500,000

     5,285        37.0     9,651        36.6     1,590        39.0

500,001 - 1,000,000

     2,857        20.0     6,141        23.3     959        23.5

1,000,001 - 3,000,000

     1,601        11.2     3,592        13.6     400        9.8

3,000,001 - 5,000,000

     171        1.2     412        1.6     36        0.9

> 5,000,000

     48        0.3     108        0.4     2        0.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     14,282        100.0     26,351        100.0     4,080        100.0

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,     For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
     2016     2017     2018  
     Amount
(RMB in
millions)
     % of total     Amount
(RMB in
millions)
     % of total     Amount
(RMB in
millions)
     % of total  

Loan origination volume by ticket size (in RMB)

               

0 - 100,000

     92        1.1     151        0.9     24        1.1

100,001 - 200,000

     554        6.7     814        4.8     142        6.5

200,001 - 500,000

     1,847        22.3     3,406        19.9     565        25.7

500,001 - 1,000,000

     2,126        25.6     4,545        26.6     694        31.5

1,000,001 - 3,000,000

     2,645        31.9     5,776        33.8     631        28.7

3,000,001 - 5,000,000

     711        8.6     1,638        9.6     129        5.9

> 5,000,000

     321        3.9     742        4.3     17        0.7
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     8,295        100.0     17,071        100.0     2,201        100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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     As of December 31,     As of March 31,  
     2016     2017     2018  
     Amount
(RMB in
millions)
     % of total     Amount
(RMB in
millions)
     % of total     Amount
(RMB in
millions)
     % of total  

Outstanding loan principal by ticket size (in RMB)

               

0 - 100,000

     142        1.9     205        1.2     209        1.2

100,001 - 200,000

     606        8.2     956        5.7     982        5.9

200,001 - 500,000

     1,755        23.8     3,553        21.3     3,662        21.9

500,001 - 1,000,000

     1,859        25.2     4,438        26.6     4,615        27.6

1,000,001 - 3,000,000

     2,189        29.7     5,438        32.6     5,330        31.9

3,000,001 - 5,000,000

     601        8.1     1,477        8.9     1,407        8.4

> 5,000,000

     225        3.0     607        3.6     524        3.1
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     7,375        100.0     16,674        100.0     16,728        100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,     For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
     2016     2017     2018  
     Amount
(RMB in
millions)
     % of total     Amount
(RMB in
millions)
     % of total     Amount
(RMB in
millions)
     % of total  

Loan origination volume by first / second lien

               

First lien

     3,224        38.9     7,163        42.0     928        42.2

Second lien

     5,072        61.1     9,908        58.0     1,273        57.8
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     8,295        100.0     17,071        100.0     2,201        100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
     As of December 31,     As of March 31,  
     2016     2017     2018  
     Amount
(RMB in
millions)
     % of total     Amount
(RMB in
millions)
     % of total     Amount
(RMB in
millions)
     % of total  

Outstanding loan principal by first / second lien

               

First lien

     2,876        39.0     6,810        40.8     6,818        40.8

Second lien

     4,499        61.0     9,864        59.2     9,910        59.2
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     7,375        100.0     16,674        100.0     16,728        100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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     For the Year Ended December 31,     For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
     2016     2017     2018  
     Amount
(RMB in
millions)
     % of total     Amount
(RMB in
millions)
     % of total     Amount
(RMB in
millions)
     % of total  

Loan origination volume by tenor

               

0 - 11 months

     363        4.4     169        1.0     17        0.8

12 months

     300        3.6     196        1.1     23        1.0

24 months

     128        1.5     157        0.9     26        1.2

36 months

     1,563        18.8     1,387        8.1     169        7.7

48 months

     22        0.3     76        0.4     25        1.1

60 months

     5,826        70.2     9,457        55.4     1,288        58.5

63 months

     94        1.1     160        0.9     —          —    

96 months

     —          —         5,469        32.0     654        29.7
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     8,295        100.0     17,071        100.0     2,201        100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
     As of December 31,     As of March 31,  
     2016     2017     2018  
     Amount
(RMB in
millions)
     % of total     Amount
(RMB in
millions)
     % of total     Amount
(RMB in
millions)
     % of total  

Outstanding loan principal by tenor

               

0 - 11 month

     170        2.3     89        0.5     57        0.3

12 months.

     224        3.0     131        0.8     111        0.7

24 months

     106        1.4     141        0.8     133        0.8

36 months

     1,533        20.8     1,511        9.1     1,393        8.3

48 months

     21        0.3     78        0.5     91        0.5

60 months

     5,264        71.4     9,727        58.3     9,752        58.3

63 months

     58        0.8     60        0.4     57        0.3

96 months

     —          —         4,938        29.6     5,134        30.7
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     7,375        100.0     16,674        100.0     16,728        100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,     For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
     2016     2017     2018  
     Amount
(RMB in
millions)
     % of total     Amount
(RMB in
millions)
     % of total     Amount
(RMB in
millions)
     % of total  

Loan origination volume by collateral city tier

               

Tier 1 city

     2,887        34.8     5,003        29.3     487        22.1

Tier 2 city

     5,151        62.1     11,296        66.2     1,610        73.1

Others

     257        3.1     772        4.5     104        4.7
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     8,295        100.0     17,071        100.0     2,201        100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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     As of December 31,     As of March 31,  
     2016     2017     2018  
     Amount
(RMB in
millions)
     % of total     Amount
(RMB in
millions)
     % of total     Amount
(RMB in
millions)
     % of total  

Outstanding loan principal by collateral city tier

               

Tier 1 city

     2,373        32.2     4,734        28.4     4,655        27.8

Tier 2 city

     4,746        64.3     11,160        66.9     11,287        67.5

Others

     257        3.5     780        4.7     787        4.7
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     7,375        100.0     16,674        100.0     16,728        100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

The home equity loans we facilitate permit borrowers to borrow relatively large amounts up to 80% LTV ratio, suitable for business operation purposes. Our weighted average LTV ratio was 65.9%, 66.7% and 62.6% for home equity loans originated in 2016, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018, respectively. In 2016, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018, we originated home equity loans of RMB8.3 billion, RMB17.1 billion and RMB2.2 billion, respectively. The loan agreements limit the use of proceeds to business operation purposes and prohibit use for purchase of real property, personal consumption or stock trading. Lenders may demand immediate repayment of principal and interest if proceeds are not used in accordance with designated use of proceeds.

The home equity loans we facilitate are secured by apartments, houses or commercial properties owned by borrowers, or under limited circumstances, as approved by our trust company partners, by guarantors who are usually family members of the borrowers. Unlike most commercial banks, the home equity loans we facilitate can be secured with second lien interests on top of the first lien interests with banks, offering additional financing to MSE owners not otherwise readily available to them.

We facilitate home equity loans with flexible tenors typically ranging from one to eight years enabling borrowers’ short-term and long-term business planning. In 2016 and 2017 and the three months ended March 31, 2018, the average tenor of the home equity loans we originated were 50, 66 and 65 months, respectively. Borrowers may make prepayments typically free of charge after one and half years or at a cost of prepayment charges before then. Loans are typically repaid within two years based on historical pattern. In November 2017, we entered into the 2017 FOTIC Loan Agreement with FOTIC, one of our primary trust company partners. The 2017 FOTIC Loan Agreement added FOTIC’s option to demand repayment of outstanding loan principal and accrued interests before the maturity of the underlying trust funding to match two years’ term of the trust products that FOTIC set up for lending to the borrowers. We do not believe that such an option will have a material impact on our operations as our customers often have imminent working capital needs and the loan products we facilitate is one of the few options available on the market that can meet their needs. We cannot guarantee you, however, that such business arrangement will be accepted by our borrowers. For details, please refer to “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—We have a limited operating history and our business practice continues to evolve, which makes it difficult to evaluate our future prospects.”

The home equity loans we originate are also competitively priced, with weighted average contractual interest rate of 14.7%, 13.6% and 13.2% per annum in 2016, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018, respectively. Our home equity loan products are typically installment loans which require monthly payments comprising principal and interests repayments, making it easier for borrowers to manage their cash flow and for us to timely monitor borrowers’ creditworthiness. Under this arrangement, the weighted average effective interest rate (inclusive of interests and financing service fees, if applicable, payable by the borrowers) of the home equity loan products we originated was 26.0%, 23.7% and 22.4% per annum in 2016, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018, respectively. Borrowers are obligated to pay directly to the trust plans in full the principal amount plus interest when due. We offer flexible repayment schedule for installment loans, including but not limited to (i) equal monthly installment comprising principal and interests evenly distributed

 

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throughout the life of the loan and (ii) monthly installment comprising principal and interests in accordance with a pre-agreed step-down schedule, where a borrower starts with higher equal monthly installment that decreases after a defined period. The following table sets forth the breakdown of loan origination volume by repayment schedule in the periods indicated.

 

    For the Year Ended December 31,     For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
    2016     2017     2018  
    Amount
(RMB
in
millions)
    % of
total
    Weighted
average
effective
interest
rate (1)
    Amount
(RMB
in
millions)
    % of
total
    Weighted
average
effective
interest
rate (1)
    Amount
(RMB
in
millions)
    % of
total
    Weighted
average
effective
interest
rate (1)
 

Loan origination volume by repayment schedule

                 

Equal monthly installment

    7,274       87.7     26.2     6,963       40.8     24.8     985       44.8     23.2

Step-down installment

    159       1.9     24.9     9,068       53.1     22.8     1,167       53.0     21.8

Others

    863       10.4     24.8     1,040       6.1     24.6     49       2.2     21.0
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

    8,295       100.0 %       26.0 %       17,071       100.0 %       23.7 %       2,201       100     22.4
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Note:

(1) Inclusive of interests and financing service fees, if applicable, payable by the borrowers.

To foster our home equity loan business, we also provide bridge loan products, which are generally unsecured short-term loans, to pay off borrowers’ existing loans secured by real property. As a result, such real property will be released from existing loans and can be used as collateral for the home equity loans we facilitate. Once borrowers obtain home equity loans facilitated by us, the bridge loans granted by us will be repaid in full. We granted bridge loans of RMB131.4 million, RMB112.6 million and RMB5.6 million in 2016, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018, respectively. We may continue to originate bridge loans going forward as the need arises.

Our Funding Model

We have explored various funding models and have focused on collaboration with our trust company partners starting in 2014. To a lesser extent, we also utilize a direct lending model through our small loan subsidiaries. In 2016, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018, 94.1%, 95.4% and 99.7%, respectively, of the total home equity loan origination volume was funded under the trust lending model and 5.9%, 4.6% and 0.3% was funded under the direct lending model.

 

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The following table illustrates our funding capital from different sources as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and March 31, 2018, respectively.

 

     As of December 31,     As of March 31,  
Funding capital by sources    2016     2017     2018  
   Amount
(RMB
in
millions)
     % of total     Amount
(RMB
in
millions)
     % of total     Amount
(RMB
in

millions)
     % of total  

Trust lending

               

Senior tranche

     5,169        71.4     11,504        69.5     11,169        69.0

Subordinated tranche

               

Own funds

     1,929        26.6     1,413        8.5     1,130        7.0

Transferred to third parties

     —          —         3,213        19.4     3,672        22.7

Direct lending

               

Own funds

     —          —         50        0.3     50        0.3

Transferred to third parties

     141        1.9     366        2.2     168        1.0

Total

     7,239        100.0     16,547        100.0     16,189        100.0

The following table illustrates the breakdown of the home equity loan origination volume by funding model in the periods indicated.

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,     For the
Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
     2016     2017     2018  
   Amount
(RMB
in
millions)
     % of total     Amount
(RMB
in
millions)
     % of total     Amount
(RMB
in

millions)
     % of total  

Loan origination volume by funding model

               

Trust lending

     7,809        94.1     16,281        95.4     2,196        99.7

Direct lending

     486        5.9     789        4.6     6        0.3

Total

     8,295        100.0     17,071        100.0     2,201        100.0

 

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Trust Lending

In July 2014, we began cooperating with trust companies to fund loans to borrowers through trust plans established in collaboration with these trust companies. The following chart illustrates a typical arrangement among borrowers, trust plans, trust plan investors and us.

 

LOGO

Terms of the Trust Plans

Pursuant to our collaboration agreements, our trust company partners establish long-term trust plans which issue multiple trust products, ranging from one to three years. Investors in these trust plans can subscribe to the trust units, which provides them with returns as provided in the subscription agreements. Once borrowers’ loan applications submitted through us are approved by trust company partners, they enter into loan agreements with borrowers and trust plans disburse loan proceeds to borrowers directly. Borrowers are required to repay the principal, interest and other fees, if applicable, directly to the account of the trust plan, and the trust company partner as trustee of the trust plan distributes the funds to unit holders according to the trust agreements. We are designated as the service provider for these trust plans, and in this role we acquire and screen borrowers and perform credit assessment pursuant to collaboration agreements with our trust company partners. We are also responsible for providing loan facilitation and post-loan management services for a service fee charged directly to the trust plans.

Each trust product issued under the long-term trust plan is funded with senior and subordinated units at a pre-determined contractual structural leverage ratio with the upper limit at a range of 3:1 to 9:1. For details, please refer to “—Funding Partners.” Due to recent regulatory changes, we will work with our trust company partners to lower the contractual structural leverage ratio to no higher than 3:1 before the end of 2020, the grace period provided by the Guiding Opinion. We do not believe that this change will have material adverse effect on our business, as the actual structural leverage ratio of unit split was generally no higher than 3:1 as of March 31, 2018.

As part of the collaboration we have with our trust company partners, we are required to subscribe to all of the subordinated units of each trust product issued under the long-term trust plans. Our cost of the subordinated units as measured by the investment amount was RMB1,928.6 million, RMB4,626.1 million and RMB4,802.3 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and March 31, 2018, respectively. The trust plans periodically pay senior unit holders an amount that equals (i) an expected rate of investment return, which is usually paid quarterly, plus (ii) the principal amount invested, which is repaid upon maturity. The expected rate of investment

 

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return is provided in the subscription agreements of the senior units, to which we are not a party. Such rate of investment return is usually determined by our trust company partners based on market conditions and presented as an estimate. If the expected rate of investment return is not met, our trust company partners are not under any contractual obligation to top-up for any shortfalls while we as the subordinated unit holders are required to manage the underlying NPLs to make up the shortfalls pursuant to our credit strengthening services. For details, please refer to “—Credit Strengthening Services.” We as subordinated unit holders are paid each quarter after the quarterly payment of investment returns to senior unit holders and upon maturity after the payment of principal amounts to senior unit holders. The trust company partner is responsible for administering the trust plan and is paid a trust administrative fee typically ranging from 0.8% to 1% of the trust plan size.

We are responsible for maintaining the asset quality and receive a performance-based service fee of up to 8% per annum of the size of the trust plan for the services we provide. We as the subordinated unit holder also retain any residual value in trust plans after deducting (i) repayment of principal amount invested by senior unit holders, (ii) financing costs for the senior units, which primarily consist of the expected rate of return to the senior unit holders, (iii) administrative fee payments to trust companies and certain fee payments to third-party service providers (mainly depositary fees charged by the banks) and (iv) a performance-based service fee to us as service provider of up to 8% per annum of the size of the trust plan. Our financing costs for the senior units, excluding the trust administrative fees, ranged from 9.75% to 12.4% per annum of the issuance amount of senior units in 2016, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018. Certain fee payments to third-party service providers amounted to RMB2.9 million, RMB8.6 million and RMB2.8 million for the same periods, respectively. Our performance-based service fee is calculated with an annual fee rate divided by 365 days times the amount of the outstanding trust products and the days such trust products have been outstanding. The annual fee rate is adjusted based on the NPL ratio we maintain, namely the percentage of NPLs out of the total amount of loans underlying the trust products pursuant to the schedule below:

 

% of NPLs

   Annual Fee Rate  

£ 3%

     8

>3% and £ 4%

     7

>4% and £ 5%

     6

>5% and £ 6%

     5

>6% and £ 10%

     5

>10%

     0

We received performance-based fee payments of RMB331.8 million, RMB555.9 million and RMB234.3 million in 2016, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018, respectively. Our investment return from the subordinated units was RMB391.2 million, RMB1,595.3 million and RMB497.6 million for the same periods.

Credit Strengthening Services

Historically, we provided the following services pursuant to the terms of our agreements with trust company partners:

 

    credit enhancement arrangement : provide credit enhancement services for loans we facilitate, which requires us to pay outstanding loan principal and interests to trust plans upon borrowers’ default; and

 

    top-up arrangement : as subordinated unit holder, top up any shortfall if payments by borrowers are less than the amount that equals (i) the agreed financing costs for the senior units and (ii) the principal amount invested by senior unit holders, so that senior unit holders receive the total amount specified under the subscription agreements.

Due to recent regulatory changes, we have been working with FOTIC to implement the 2018 FOTIC Funding Arrangements, under which our historical credit enhancement and top-up arrangement are replaced with

 

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credit strengthening services. Under the 2018 FOTIC Funding Arrangements, when there is an NPL under a trust product we, as the subordinated unit holder, are required to adopt one of the following measures to ensure sufficient capital to repay the principal amount and the agreed financing costs for the senior units, which primarily consist of expected rate of investment return to the senior unit holders:

 

    purchase NPLs funded with senior units in an amount equal to the outstanding loan principal and interests;

 

    purchase additional subordinated units in an amount sufficient to cover the outstanding loan principal and interests of the NPLs; or

 

    replace such NPLs with non-delinquent loans funded with our subordinated units.

We plan to implement similar changes with respect to our collaboration agreements with Bohai International Trust Co. Ltd. (“Bohai Trust”) and Zhongyuan Trust & Investment Company Ltd. (“Zhongyuan Trust”). For details, please refer to “—Risks Related to Our Business—Our historical credit enhancement arrangements to our trust company partners might be subject to challenges by relevant regulatory authorities, and we may potentially be required to obtain licenses.”

Under the 2018 FOTIC Funding Arrangements, we are not required to provide credit enhancement arrangements as the loan facilitator except for current outstanding loans under the existing FOTIC trust products and loans to be granted thereunder. In return, we adopted the 2018 FOTIC Service Fee Structure, under which our service fee charged to a trust plan is performance-based and up to 8% per annum of the size of the trust plan. When the NPL ratio is below 3%, we are entitled to a service fee of 8%; when the NPL ratio is above 10%, we are not entitled to any service fee; when the NPL ratio is between 3% to 10%, our service fee ranges from 0% to 8% and increases as the NPL ratio decreases. For details of our performance-based service fee, please refer to “—Terms of the Trust Plans.”

Funding Partners

As of March 31, 2018, we have formed partnership with three well-established trust companies under our trust lending model, including FOTIC, Bohai Trust and Zhongyuan Trust. Our trust company partners have extensive experience in managing large-scale trust plans. Through these collaborative partnerships, we have access to flexible funding of RMB11.2 billion sourced from the senior unit holders as of March 31, 2018. FOTIC is a leading trust company in China, with whom we started our business model and who has established a system tailored to this business model through years of collaboration. 83.2% and 82.8% of the loans we originated in 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018 were funded through FOTIC, mainly due to our familiarity and long-standing relationship with FOTIC. We also work with other leading trust partners to diversify our funding sources.

 

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The following table sets forth certain information with respect to trust plans set up by our trust company partners as of June 30, 2018.

 

Trust plans

  Trust company
partner
  Total investment
in trust plans
(RMB in millions)
    Date established   Typical term
of trust
products set
up under the
trust plans
  When to
pay
investment
returns
    Contractual
structural
leverage
ratio
    Actual
structural
leverage

ratio (1)
 

Jinghua Structure Fund 5

  FOTIC     14,032     December 2014   One to
two years
    Quarterly       4:1       2.44:1  

Jinghua Structure Fund 6

  FOTIC     45     September 2014   One to two
years
    Quarterly       0 (2)        0 (2)   
               

Jinghua Structure Fund 27

  FOTIC     153     May 2018   Two years     Monthly       9:1       9:1  

Jinghua Structure Fund 29

  FOTIC     500     May 2018   Two to
three years
    Monthly       3:1       3:1  

Bohai Trust Shenfanlian Micro Finance Structure Fund

  Bohai Trust     60     September 2016   One year     Quarterly       4:1       0 (3)   
               

Bohai Huihe SME Structure Fund

  Bohai Trust     351     September 2017   One to
three years
    Monthly       86:14       4.02:1  

Zhongyuan Wealth Anhui Structure Fund 1

  Zhongyuan
Trust
    360     January 2017   One year     Quarterly       4:1       2.24:1  

Zhongyuan Wealth Anhui Structure Fund 2

  Zhongyuan
Trust
    1,192     August 2017   One to two
years
    Quarterly       4:1       4:1  

 

Notes:

(1)

Based on the ratio of total amount of senior units and subordinated units of all trust products issued under the trust plans.

(2)

Jinghua Structure Fund 6 is solely funded by us.

(3)

The senior units of Bohai Trust Shenfanlian Micro Finance Structure Fund have been fully paid.

On July 16, 2018, we established Zhonghai Trust Plan with Zhonghai Trust Co., Ltd. For details, please refer to “Prospectus Summary—Recent Development.”

Funding Sources

Our trust company partners have developed various trust plans to provide home equity loans to borrowers we acquire and recommend. For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017 and the three months ended March 31, 2018, home equity loans we facilitated under trust lending model amounted to RMB7.8 billion, RMB16.3 billion and RMB2.2 billion, respectively. Each trust plan issues multiple trust products which are funded with senior and subordinated units at a pre-determined ratio. The funding for such senior units comes from institutional investors as well as qualified individual investors. The trust company partners may also transfer the underlying loans of trust products with repurchase arrangements to third parties at a specified annual rate of return when the original trust products become due. In June 2018, one trust company partner transferred an aggregate amount of RMB500,000,000 of loans to a third-party transferee at an annual rate of return of approximately 9%. We subscribe to subordinated units in the trust plans through our wholly owned subsidiaries. Our financing costs for the senior units, excluding the trust administrative fees, ranged from 9.75% to 12.4% per annum of the issuance amount of senior units in 2016, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

Each trust plan sets a predetermined contractual structural leverage ratio between senior units and subordinated units. We may be required to subscribe to additional subordinated units upon request of the trustee to maintain the contractual structural leverage ratio. To date, we have not been obligated to purchase additional subordinated units under this requirement. Other than our obligation to maintain the contractual structural leverage ratio or provide credit strengthening services, which is discussed in more details under “—Credit

 

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Strengthening Services”, we are not contractually obligated to provide additional funding. There are no exceptions or reliefs available to the aforementioned additional funding obligation.

We fund our subscription of the subordinated units with (i) cash on hand and (ii) proceeds received through repurchase agreements with third parties with respect to subordinated units. Pursuant to such agreements, we transfer to third parties our rights to earnings in subordinated units up to an agreed investment return for a transfer price and are obligated to repurchase such right at a fixed repurchase price. Under such agreements, we continue to bear the risk of loss on the subordinated units and enjoy the upside on any return above the agreed investment return. The terms of our repurchase agreements may vary, such as obligating us to pay an expected investment return each quarter and the principal amount on or before the maturity date or requiring us to pay a lump sum amount within a specified period of time (generally within 360 days). In 2016, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018, we transferred our rights to earnings in subordinated units to a private equity fund and to certain third parties through local financial exchanges. Our financing costs under such repurchase agreements with the private equity fund ranged from 16% to 18% per annum of the transfer price in 2016, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018, and our financing costs under such repurchase agreements with third parties through local financial exchanges ranged from 9.7% to 14% per annum of the transfer price in 2016, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018. Such repurchase agreements allow us to increase our leverage ratio to expand our business with improved capital efficiency.

We utilize multiple funding sources to support our business, some of which may be subject to challenges by regulatory authorities from time to time under the evolving legal environment. For details, please refer to “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—Some of our funding sources are highly regulated and are subject to the changing regulatory environment. If any of the funding sources is deemed to violate the PRC laws and regulations, we may need to secure new funding, failure of which may result in material and adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.”

Small Loan Direct Lending

We supplement our trust lending model with direct lending by our small loan subsidiaries in Beijing, Shenzhen and Chongqing. Our subsidiaries typically enter into loan agreements that are secured by real property and have similar terms to home equity loans we facilitate under the trust lending model. We enter into loan agreements with borrowers directly. We finance our direct lending business with (i) our own funds and (ii) funds from third parties by transferring our rights to earnings in loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables to them with repurchase arrangements. Under (ii), we transfer our rights to earnings in loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables to third parties at a transfer price together with a repurchase arrangement, which requires us to repurchase these rights to earnings at a fixed repurchase price within a specified period of time (generally within 360 days). The difference between the transfer price we receive and the fixed repurchase price is the effective financing costs for entering into repurchase arrangements. Our financing costs under such arrangement ranged from 9.7% to 14% per annum of the transfer prices in 2016, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

Historically, we listed certain rights to earnings in loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables on local financial exchanges. Such listed products were subsequently traded to Internet platforms and ultimately to third-party investors on such platforms. We plan to replace such funding model, which is now restricted under the Internet Asset Management Notice, with funds from transfer of rights to earnings in loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables to third parties either directly, such as to qualified private equity funds, or through other permitted means including trading on local financial exchanges without involving Internet platforms. As funding acquired through such funding model only accounts for an insignificant portion of our funding sources, we do not believe such changes have a material impact on our business or results of operations. For details, please refer to “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—Some of our funding sources are highly regulated and are subject to the changing regulatory environment. If any of the funding sources is deemed to violate the PRC laws and regulations, we may need to secure new funding failure of which

 

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may result in material and adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.”

Small loan direct lending business in China requires license granted by local regulatory authorities and is subject to leverage constraints. Our three small loan subsidiaries in Beijing, Shenzhen and Chongqing have relevant licenses to conduct direct lending business since 2012, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Subject to various regulations, some of our direct lending business is limited to certain regions for which we have a license to engage in such business. Due to regulatory financing/net capital ratio constraints and for liquidity reasons, we expect that direct lending will remain a fairly limited and immaterial part of our business in the near future. For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017 and the three months ended March 31, 2018, our loan origination volume through direct lending was RMB486.2 million, RMB789.4 million and RMB5.7 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and March 31, 2018, RMB140.7 million, RMB366.5 million and RMB167.8 million out of all loans originated under direct lending model were funded by third parties.

Matching of Terms of Funding Sources and Loans

We forecast our cash flows each month to determine our use and need of cash for the next month. Leveraging years of experience in the home equity loan industry, we take into account the amount of loans becoming due, amount of trust products becoming due and target size of loan products to be facilitated. When our monthly cash flow forecasts indicate a need for additional funding to ensure the matching of terms of funding sources and loans, we coordinate with our trust company partners to acquire additional funding through transfer of loans with repurchase arrangements or through other permitted means, such as bridge loans.

Under our trust lending model, once a trust product matures, the trustee strives to repay the expected rate of investment return and principal to the senior unit holders. Under our credit strengthening services, we are required to make up for any shortfalls if the proceeds from loans are less than the principal amount invested by the senior unit holders and the agreed financing costs for the senior units, which primarily consist of the expected rate of investment return to the senior unit holders. The trust products set up under long-term trust plans usually have a term of one to three years. The loans we facilitate have tenors typically ranging from one to eight years. Historically, a majority of the loans we facilitated were repaid within the first two years.

The following table illustrates the number of borrowers who prepaid and the related principal amount of the loans that were prepaid for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018:

 

    For the Year Ended December 31,     For the Three
Months Ended

March 31,
 
    2016     2017     2018  

Number of borrowers prepaid

    4,553       10,251       2,910  

Principal amount of the loans prepaid (in RMB million)

    1,858.2       5,206.3       1,424.2  

As of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and March 31, 2018, the balance of loans that exceeded the terms of the underlying trust products was RMB4,440.9 million, RMB10,331.3 million and RMB8,291.7 million, respectively, as measured by the amount of senior units whose outstanding terms are shorter than the remaining tenor of the underlying loans.

When a loan goes beyond the terms of the underlying trust funding, the trust company partners may transfer the loans with repurchase arrangements which will generally be provided by us or our wholly owned subsidiaries to third parties at a specified annual rate of return when the original trust products become due. Since our trust company partners started this practice, which is the result of a new regulatory change in April 2018, there has been one transfer of loans in the amount of RMB500,000,000 in June 2018. Terms of the loans remain the same after the transfer. The trust company partners will, with our assistance for a service fee, disburse the payment

 

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proceeds they subsequently receive under the relevant loans to third-party transferees. We are required to repurchase (i) the NPLs of the transferred loans; and (ii) the unpaid loans upon the end of the term of the transfer.

If our trust company partners fail to transfer loans with repurchase arrangements to third parties to ensure the matching of terms of funding sources and tenor of loans, we may be required to make up for any shortfalls as pursuant to our credit strengthening services with cash on hand. We may also issue bridge loans under our small loan direct lending model to the borrowers in return for the borrowers’ prepayment of the loans to our trust company partners and replace such bridge loans with new home equity loans funded under a new trust product. By employing these measures, we are able to manage the mismatch between maturity dates of the loans and maturity dates of the trust products.

To further strengthen the matching of terms of loans and funding sources, FOTIC has implemented the 2017 FOTIC Loan Agreement, which gives FOTIC an option to demand repayment of outstanding loan principal and unpaid accrued interests before the maturity of the underlying trust funding. FOTIC also started to standardize the terms of the trust products issued under the FOTIC trust plans to two years. When a loan over the term of the underlying trust funding is originated with FOTIC trust funding, it may be required to be repaid upon exercise of the FOTIC option. Such an option is clearly explained to the borrowers at the outset. If the borrower wishes to continue the loan arrangement, he or she will need to obtain bridge financing either through us or through third parties to repay the original loan first before obtaining a new loan from our trust company partners. With this arrangement, maturity of the trust products should generally match the terms of loans granted thereunder should the trustee wish to exercise the option. We do not believe this arrangement will have material adverse effect on our business or results of operations as our customers often have imminent working capital needs and the loan products we facilitate is one of the few options available on the market that can meet their needs. For details, please refer to “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—We have a limited operating history and our business practice continues to evolve, which makes it difficult to evaluate our future prospects.”

Historically, when the loans have terms longer than the maturity dates of the original trust products, we have also worked with the trust company partners to issue new trust products in the size equal to or in excess of the size of the maturing trust products. However, due to recent regulatory changes, our trust company partners will gradually phase out this practice. For details, please refer to “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—Loan products we facilitate may potentially be deemed as having a duration mismatch with underlying funding sources. We and our trust company partners may need to take additional measures to reduce any risks associated with the mismatch, which could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.”

 

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Business Infrastructure

Since our inception, we have strategically developed a network of 75 branches and sub-branches in over 40 cities in China. Specifically, we have carefully selected the geographic location of our offices with 20 branches and sub-branches in the Pearl River Delta region, 17 branches and sub-branches in the Yangtze River Delta region, and 38 branches and sub-branches in other areas. We prioritize expanding into cities that have stable and prosperous housing market synergetic to our established network.

 

LOGO

In practice, regulatory regime on property-backed loans and mortgages may differ from region to region. Experiences of interacting with regulatory authorities in different regions need to be acquired through long-time business practice. Under the current regulatory framework, it is crucial for home equity loan service providers to have local knowledge and resources. Benefiting from our extensive network, we have developed deep local knowledge and resources throughout the loan service process from loan origination to security interest perfection, and to debt collection. Our local team works closely with local authorities and has gained recognition for our business operations and established good working relationships with them.

We have also developed a cooperative relationship with third parties in local markets. Our sales representatives work with local real estate brokers and banks who cannot accommodate second lien collateral to acquire high quality borrowers.

Risk Management

As a core component of our sustainable business model, we have developed a rigorous and robust risk management system. We focus on assessing both credit risks of borrowers and quality of collateral with our integrated online and offline processes. Our risk management team consists of one supervising department at the

 

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parent level, supported by local risk management teams. As of March 31, 2018, we had 975 employees in our risk management team. We impose strict guidelines on loan approvals and separation of loan approval and risk management. The loans we originated are divided into different categories by amount and are reviewed by various levels of seniority.

Our risk management is based on our institutional knowledge and is well tested and evidenced by historical performance and based on our product design, dual-factor risk assessment and effective post-loan management procedures. As of December 31, 2016, 2017 and March 31, 2018, the NPL ratio was 1.50%, 1.66% and 1.75%, respectively. Charge-off ratio was 0.005%, 0.093% and nil in 2016, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018, respectively.

Credit risk mitigation embedded in product design

We have a deep understanding of risks associated with home equity loans. The home equity loans we facilitate primarily take real properties located in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities as collateral. Our loan portfolio spreads over 40 cities across China. We believe that such geographic diversification better protects us against deterioration of local housing and economic conditions. To further limit credit risk, we only permit home equity loans up to 80% LTV ratio with weighted average LTV ratio of 65.9%, 66.7% and 62.6% for home equity loans originated in 2016, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018, respectively, to ensure recovery in the event of borrower default. The LTV ratio varies for different types of real properties and is also adjusted pursuant to a borrower’s credit history and quality of the collateral and may be lowered in the event of a past default.

Our home equity loan products are typically installment loans which require monthly payments comprising principal and interests repayments. This strategic design allows us to timely monitor borrowers’ creditworthiness and initiate collection process at an early stage. We review a borrower’s monthly cash flow to determine the tenor of the loan. Borrowers with stronger cash flow will have the option of shorter tenors, which may require larger payment on each installment. Borrowers with weaker cash flow are usually encouraged to take loans of longer tenor, so as to lower the amount of each installment. We may also require deposit payment for borrowers with past default.

Starting in November 2017, FOTIC as the lender could demand repayment of outstanding loan principal and unpaid accrued interests before the maturity of the underlying trust funding pursuant to the 2017 FOTIC Loan Agreement. Under the 2017 FOTIC Loan Agreement, the loan repayment schedule will consist of monthly payments to FOTIC trust plans. Once the early repayment option is exercised, however, the lump sum of the outstanding loan principal and interest must be paid in the last monthly payment.

Dual-factor risk assessment with integrated online and offline process

We perform rigorous risk assessment on prospective borrowers and collateral in the following order:

Step 1: Collecting data on loan applicants

The first step of our borrower risk assessment process is to collect data on applicants. This is typically done through information directly provided by applicants in our standardized application package, and information we aggregate from a number of sources, including:

 

    credit data accumulated from historical transactions, such as internal blacklists and database;

 

    Credit Reference Center of the People’s Bank of China;

 

    credit scores generated and/or personal identity information maintained by leading third-party credit reference agencies; and

 

    online blacklist or other data maintained by industry anti-fraud service providers for cross-checking.

 

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Once we receive authorization from applicants, comprehensive credit reports can be generated within a few minutes.

Step 2: Verification of information collected on loan applicants

The second step of our borrower risk assessment process is to verify the information collected in Step 1. This is done through our offline identity authentication procedures conducted by local office staff, which typically consists of site visits to applicants’ residences and business premises. For MSE owners who have yet adopted sophisticated documentation system, we perform credit assessment by evaluating their cash flow status. Our local staff will review and document loan applicants’ business licenses and material agreements together with invoices, receipts, sales slips and bank statements, if applicable.

To be recommended to our trust company partners for their consideration, a borrower must meet certain minimum criteria:

 

    be at least 18 years old;

 

    have verified monthly net cash flow reasonably sufficient to cover loan installment amount;

 

    have fewer than three defaults within the past 12 months reported by the Credit Reference Center of the People’s Bank of China (except for insignificant default such as the ones in the amount of less than RMB2,000), and

 

    not be subject to on-going legal proceedings (except for minor civil claims such as matters involving less than RMB100,000).

Borrowers with any of the follow attributes will not be considered:

 

    engaging in illegal or criminal activities;

 

    engaging in the industry of steel trade (including sales, manufacturing, transportation and related industries), real estate developments, securities and other investment industries;

 

    providing fraudulent information or are on the blacklist maintained by industry anti-fraud service providers;

 

    currently a student; or

 

    those who are immediate family members of our employees.

Step 3: Valuation of proposed collateral

We also perform risk assessment on the proposed real property collateral. The proposed real property collateral is appraised by independent leading online property appraisers. A preliminary valuation report will be generated based on the weighted average value provided by our appraisal company partners, usually within one hour of receipt of the loan application. Leveraging years of experience, we are able to further adjust the valuation based on specifics such as liquidity value, location, neighborhood, type, facing direction, floor plan and size.

Step 4: Verification of collateral condition

We also take measures to verify the condition of proposed collateral. Local office staff visits the property that a loan applicant intends to pledge. Our staff assesses the condition of the real property and reviews title certificates. As part of the collateral assessment, we cross-check the preliminary valuation provided by our appraisal company partners with local real estate agents and bank mortgage documents.

If our verification procedure on either a loan applicant or collateral reveals significant discrepancies from the information provided by such applicant, we will not recommend such applicant to our trust company partners.

 

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Step 5: Perfection of collateral

The last step of our collateral risk assessment process is to register the pledge over real properties under the names of trust company partners with local real property bureau. We only release loan proceeds after obtaining the receipts on pledge application issued by local real property bureau. Borrowers are obligated to return loan proceeds if pledge is not successfully registered under extreme circumstances.

Effective post-loan management procedures

Under the agreements with our trust company partners, we are responsible for monitoring collection of overdue principal and interest, and are authorized by our trust company partners to oversee the collection process.

Monitoring repayments. We closely monitor loan repayments. Our system generates automatic payment reminders through SMSs one week before the due date. Collaborating with multiple sources of credit reference agencies, we are able to closely monitor if borrowers are involved in any new litigations. For borrowers that have (i) over RMB1,500,000 principal amount outstanding or (ii) judgments against them within two years before their loan approvals, we monitor their credit status on an ongoing basis by generating credit reports on a more frequent basis and conduct ad hoc site visits. For other borrowers, we review their credit reports every three months.

Monitoring collateral status. We selectively conduct searches against real property collateral every month depending on principal amount outstanding and nature and location of collateral. Such searches are supplemented with online re-valuation of collateral every six months through our appraisal company partners.

Monitoring of use of proceeds. We also arrange site visits to ensure proper use of loan proceeds and that a borrower’s business is operating normally. The lenders may demand immediate repayment of outstanding loan principal and interests under the loans if proceeds are used for purposes other than business operation.

Debt collection. In an event of default, we utilize different collection measures with our integrated online and offline process.

 

    Within three to five business days past due, we will contact defaulting borrowers through SMSs or by phone to understand reasons for the nonpayment and inform them of past-due penalties. Our late payment penalty is up to 0.2% of outstanding loan principal per day.

 

    After a loan is past due for over six days, we will arrange a site visit to further assess the situation and to understand reasons for overdue and recoverability of payments. If agreeable with the defaulting borrower, we will arrange for quick disposal plans including sale of loans to third parties in exchange for proceeds upfront, or disposal of collateral voluntarily by the borrower and repay the defaulted loans with the proceeds. Meanwhile, we will conduct an online judgment search against the defaulting borrowers and a lien search against the collateral.

 

    Once payment is past due for over 30 days or at any time upon the occurrence of unusual situations (such as possible forfeiture of the collateral), we will accelerate execution of quick disposal plans, or if no quick disposal plan was agreed to, initiate judicial proceedings against the defaulting borrower or resort to online or offline arbitration and foreclose the real property collateral. If no quick disposal plan has been summited, we will pursue judicial disposal plan at the same time and we may ask for the assistance of external lawyers. Historically, we were able to help our trust company partners enforce their rights to the collateral through a power of attorney that was signed by the borrower and notarized by a notary public before loan disbursement. This allowed the trust company partners to quickly dispose of the collateral without having to involve the borrower. Due to recent regulatory changes, we ceased this practice.

 

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We have implemented detailed debt collection guidance and code of conduct for our local staff to ensure our debt collection methods are ethical and in compliance with laws and regulations. Under PRC laws and regulations, we do not take possession of the title of the collateral in the debt collection process. We have executed quick disposal plans or foreclosure for 566 loans which became delinquent in 2016, 2017 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018 with average disposal period of 110 days since due. We recovered loan principal, interest and penalties which equal to 111.6%, 105.1% and 106.2% of the actual outstanding loan principal of these delinquent loans for the same periods, respectively.

Collateral

The borrowers pledge their real properties to our trust company partners in the case of trust lending and to our small loan subsidiaries in case of direct lending. We have developed detailed guidelines for real property collateral. Such guidelines require full lien searches against the proposed collateral to ensure that the collateral is clear of title disputes or security interests other than existing mortgages imposed by banks. The collateral must also be freely transferable and foreclosable, thus excluding primary residences for elderly and minor. Properties built beyond certain years or with problematic structures are excluded. The LTV ratios are also adjusted based on the type of property (residential or commercial), floor plan, and age and credit history of property owners.

The following table illustrates the weighted average LTV ratio of all home equity loans we originated for the periods or as of the dates indicated, and a breakdown by collateral type.

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,     For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
     2016     2017     2018  

Weighted average LTV ratio by collateral type

      

Apartment

     67.4     68.3     63.5

House

     55.3     56.0     53.3

Commercial property

     59.8     49.6     47.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     65.9     66.7     62.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following table illustrates distribution of our outstanding loan principal by city tier, region and collateral type as of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018, respectively.

 

     As of December 31, 2017     As of March 31, 2018  
     Amount
(RMB in millions)
     % of
total
    Amount
(RMB in millions)
     % of
total
 

Outstanding loan principal by collateral city tier

          

Tier 1

     4,734        28.4     4,655        27.8

Tier 2

     11,160        66.9     11,287        67.5

Others

     780        4.7     787        4.7
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     16,674        100.0     16,728        100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     As of December 31, 2017     As of March 31, 2018  
     Amount
(RMB in millions)
     % of
total
    Amount
(RMB in millions)
     % of
total
 

Outstanding loan principal by collateral region

          

Pearl River Delta region

     4,846        29.1     4,995        29.9

Yangtze River Delta region

     4,733        28.4     4,630        27.7

Others

     7,096        42.6     7,103        42.5
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     16,674        100.0     16,728        100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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     As of December 31, 2017     As of March 31, 2018  
     Amount
(RMB in millions)
     % of
total
    Amount
(RMB in millions)
     % of
total
 

Outstanding loan principal by collateral type

          

Apartment

     14,494        86.9     14,655        87.6

House

     913        5.5     873        5.2

Commercial property

     1,267        7.6     1,200        7.2
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     16,674        100.0     16,728        100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Asset Quality

The loans we facilitate are of high quality and we have experienced robust credit performance.

The following chart sets forth the performance of the loans we originated as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and March 31, 2018 as measured by delinquency ratio, NPL ratio, allowance ratio and NPL provision coverage ratio.

 

     As of December 31,     As of
March 31,
 

Loan performance metrics

   2016     2017     2018  

Delinquency ratio (1)

     5.38     7.17     11.04

NPL ratio (2)

     1.50     1.66     1.75

Allowance ratio (3)

     1.95     2.64     3.48

NPL provision coverage ratio (4)

     130.6     159.3     199.9

 

Notes:

(1) Delinquency ratio represents total balance of outstanding loan principal for which any installment payment is past-due of the outstanding loan principal as of the date.
(2) NPL ratio represents total balance of outstanding loan principal for which any installment payment is over 90 calendar days past-due as a percentage of the outstanding loan principal as of the date.
(3) Allowance ratio represents amount of allowance for loan principal, interest and fee receivables as a percentage of the outstanding loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables as of the date.
(4) NPL provision coverage ratio represents amounts of allowance for loan principal, interest and financing service fee receivables as a percentage of the outstanding balance of NPL principal as of the date.

Technology

The success of our business depends on our strong technological capacities that support us in delivering superior user experience, protecting information in our system, increasing operational efficiency and enabling innovations.

Our technology departments were comprised of 43 employees as of March 31, 2018, including core team members with extensive experience. We utilize our home equity loan information technology system to support our standardized credit application process. Through our information technology system, we are able to connect with third-party service providers’ systems, including credit risk evaluation systems and leading property appraisers, to automatically collect data generated from their systems. In addition, our local staff upload information collected during the due diligence process on a timely basis to supplement external credit data and ensure efficient approval process. Furthermore, we exchange loan application and approval information through our information technology system with our trust company partners’ systems.

We collect and store user personal information, including names, phone numbers, addresses, identification information and financial information for the sole purpose of individual credit assessment. We retrieve such

 

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information with consent and have safeguards designed to protect such information. We store our data in encrypted form, which offers an additional layer of protection. We also verify data interchange with our funding partners using digital signatures, which enhances the security of such interchange. We also limit employees’ access to such information and monitor authorized access.

Sales and Marketing

We acquire borrowers primarily through our own network and sales personnel. As a supplement to our local offices and word-of-mouth marketing and as a strategy to broaden customer reach, we have started collaborating with various channel partners to acquire new borrowers. For example, we partner with leading Internet companies and commercial banks in China that have access to quality borrowers. Under the relevant cooperation arrangements, our channel partners direct borrower traffic to us that falls within our target borrower group. We pay referral fees for loans referred under these traffic referral arrangements. We also work with offline channels such as banks and other traditional financial institutions to provide affordable second lien financing to their customers and pay a fee for borrower referral. For details, please refer to “—Our Borrower—Borrower Acquisition.”

Intellectual Property

We rely on a combination of patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret laws and restrictions on disclosure to protect our intellectual property rights. We have registered 18 software copyrights in China, including our proprietary loan management software and financial data analytics software. We have registered our domain name, cashchina.cn. As of June 30, 2018, we had five registered trademarks, including our “CNFH” and company logo.

Despite our efforts to protect our intellectual property rights, unauthorized parties may attempt to obtain and use our intellectual property. Monitoring unauthorized use of our intellectual property is difficult and costly, and we cannot be certain that the steps we have taken will prevent misappropriation of our intellectual property. 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 Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—Any failure to protect our own intellectual property rights could impair our brand, negatively impact our business or both” and “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—We may be sued by third parties for alleged infringement of their proprietary rights, which could harm our business.”

Data Policy

We have adopted a strict internal data policy relating to confidential information of our borrowers and business partners, as well as our own confidential information. This policy establishes day-to-day data protection and use requirements, data and information classification, backup requirements, approval procedures and user control. This policy also specifies the manner in which data must be stored. We require each of our employees to agree in writing to abide by the data policy and protect the confidentiality of our data.

Competition

The market size of home equity loans for MSE owner in China is expected to grow from RMB7.1 trillion as of December 31, 2017 to RMB14.5 trillion as of December 31, 2022 in terms of outstanding loan principal, according to the Oliver Wyman report. As a leading player in China’s home equity loan service industry, we face

 

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competition from other national or regional home equity loan providers and home equity loan service providers. As of June 30, 2018, our key competitors include Pingan Puhui (Lufax) and Lamp Finance. We are also facing competition from commercial banks and other traditional financial institutions.

We believe our ability to compete effectively depends on many factors, including our extensive offline coverage, rich knowledge of the local practices of borrower acquisition and security perfection, flexible features of loan products we facilitate and effectiveness of our risk management. In addition, we believe that our mutually beneficial relationship with our trust company partners and business partners, our marketing and selling efforts, and strength and reputation of our brands will enhance our ability to compete.

In addition, as our business continues to grow rapidly, we face significant competition for highly skilled personnel, including management, sales team and risk management personnel. The success of our growth strategy depends in part on our ability to retain existing personnel and recruit additional highly skilled employees.

Employees

We had 3,312, 4,989 and 4,821 employees as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and March 31, 2018, respectively. Our employees are based in our headquarters in Guangzhou, Guangdong province and various local offices over 40 cities across China.

The following table sets forth the breakdown of our employees by function as of March 31, 2018.

 

     As of March 31, 2018  
Functions    Number      % of Total
Employees
 

Risk Management

     975        20.2

Sales and Marketing

     3,289        68.2

General and Administration

     236        4.9

Finance

     193        4.0

Others

     128        2.7
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     4,821        100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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, among other things, housing, pension, medical insurance and unemployment insurance.

We typically enter into standard employment, confidentiality and non-compete agreements with our senior management. These contracts include a standard non-compete covenant that prohibits any employee from competing with us, directly or indirectly, during his or her employment and for two years after the termination of employment, provided that we pay monthly compensation equal to 30% of his or her previous average monthly salary 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.

Properties/Facilities

Our corporate headquarters are located in Guangzhou, China, where we lease approximately 1,815 square meters of office space pursuant to a lease expiring in September 2022. We also maintain leased properties ranging from 30 square meters to 1,856 square meters in over 40 cities. The lease term varies from 12 months to eight years. We believe that our existing facilities are generally adequate to meet our current needs, but we expect to seek additional funding as needed to accommodate future growth.

 

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Insurance

We provide social security insurance including pension insurance, unemployment insurance, work-related injury insurance and medical insurance for our employees. We also purchased employer’s liability insurance and additional commercial health insurance to increase insurance coverage of our employees. We do not maintain property insurance to protect our equipment and other properties essential to our business operation against risks and unexpected events. We do not maintain business interruption insurance or general third-party liability insurance, nor do we maintain product liability insurance or key-man insurance. We consider our insurance coverage sufficient and in line with market practice 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 a substantial cost and diversion to our resources, including our management’s time and attention.

 

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REGULATION

This section sets forth a summary of the most significant rules and regulations that affect our business we operate in China.

As a home equity loan service provider, we facilitate loans by connecting borrowers with our trust company partners, and, to a lesser extent, we also lend directly to borrowers through our small loan subsidiaries. We have established three small loan subsidiaries in Beijing, Chongqing and Shenzhen that are permitted to operate small loan businesses.

Regulations Relating to Foreign Investment

The establishment, operation and management of companies in China is governed by the PRC Company Law, as amended in 2005 and 2013. According to the PRC Company Law, companies established in the PRC are either limited liability companies or joint stock limited liability companies. The establishment procedures, approval procedures, registered capital requirements, foreign exchange matters, accounting practices, taxation and labor matters of a wholly foreign-owned enterprise are regulated by the Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise Law of the PRC, as amended on September 3, 2016, and the Implementation Regulation of the Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise Law, as amended on February 19, 2014. In September 2016, the National People’s Congress Standing Committee published the Decision on Revising Four Laws including the Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise Law of the People’s Republic of China. Such decision, which became effective in October 2016, changes the “filing or approval” procedure for foreign investments in China. Foreign investments in those business sectors that are not subject to special entry management measures will only be subject to filing instead of approval requirement. Pursuant to the Interim Measures for the Recordation Administration of the Formation and Modification of Foreign-Invested Enterprises promulgated by the MOFCOM in October 2016, as amended in July 2017, establishment and changes of foreign investment enterprises not subject to the approval under the special entry management measures shall be filed with the relevant authorities.

Industry Catalog Relating to Foreign Investment

Investment activities in the PRC by foreign investors are principally governed by the Guidance Catalog of Industries for Foreign Investment, or the Catalog, which was promulgated and amended from time to time by the MOFCOM and NDRC. In June 2017, the MOFCOM and the NDRC promulgated the Catalog (2017 Revision), which became effective in July 2017. Industries listed in the Catalog (2017 Revision) are divided into two parts: encouraged category, and the special management measures for the entry of foreign investment, or the Negative List, which is further divided into the restricted category and prohibited category. Industries not listed in the Catalog (2017 Revision) are generally deemed to be in a fourth “permitted” category and are generally open to foreign investment unless specifically restricted by other PRC regulations. The Negative List, in a unified manner, lists the restrictive measures for the entry of foreign investment. For example, some restricted industries are limited to Sino-foreign equity/cooperative joint ventures, and, in some cases, Chinese partners are required to hold the majority interests in such joint ventures. In addition, restricted category projects are subject to higher-level government approvals. Furthermore, foreign investors are not allowed to invest in companies in industries in the prohibited category. For the industries not listed in the Negative List, the restrictive measures for the entry of foreign investment must not apply in principle, and establishment of wholly foreign-owned enterprises in such industries is generally allowed. Our business is not listed in the “Negative List,” and is not subject to any foreign restriction under the Catalog (2017 Revision).

Draft PRC Foreign Investment Law

In January 2015, the MOFCOM published a discussion draft of the proposed Foreign Investment Law for public review and comments. The draft law purports to change the existing “case-by-case” approval regime to a “filing or approval” procedure for foreign investments in China. The State Council will determine a list of

 

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industry categories that are subject to special administrative measures, which is referred to as a “negative list,” consisting of a list of industry categories where foreign investments are strictly prohibited, or the “prohibited list” and a list of industry categories where foreign investments are subject to certain restrictions, or the “restricted list.” Foreign investments in business sectors outside the “negative list” will only be subject to a filing procedure, in contrast to the existing prior approval requirements, whereas foreign investments in any industry categories that are on the “restricted list” must apply for approval from the foreign investment administration authority.

The draft for the first time defines a foreign investor not only based on where it is incorporated or organized but also by using the standard of “actual control”. The draft specifically provides that entities established in China but “controlled” by foreign investors will be treated as FIEs. In this connection, “control” is broadly defined in the Draft Foreign Investment Law to cover any of the following: (i) holding 50% or more of the voting rights of the subject entity; (ii) holding less than 50% of the voting rights of the subject 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 exert 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 its business operations. Once an entity is determined to be a FIE, and its investment amount exceeds certain thresholds or its business operation falls within the “catalog of special management measures” proposed to be separately issued by the State Council in the future, market entry clearance by the MOFCOM or its local counterparts would be required.

The draft emphasizes security review requirements whereby all foreign investments that jeopardize or may jeopardize national security must be reviewed and approved in accordance with the security review procedure. In addition, the draft imposes stringent ad hoc and periodic information reporting requirements on foreign investors and the applicable FIEs. Aside from the investment implementation report and the investment amendment report that are required at each investment and alteration of specific investment terms, an annual report is mandatory, and large foreign investors meeting certain criteria are required to report on a quarterly basis. Any company found to be noncompliant with these information 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.

The draft is now open for public review and comments. It is still uncertain when the draft would be signed into law and whether the final version would have any substantial changes from the draft. When the Foreign Investment Law becomes effective, the three existing laws regulating foreign investment in China, namely, the Sino-foreign Equity Joint Venture Enterprise Law, as amended by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, or the Standing Committee of the NPC in September 2016, the Sino-foreign Cooperative Joint Venture Enterprise Law, as amended by the Standing Committee of the NPC in September 2016 and the Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise Law, as amended by the Standing Committee of the NPC in September 2016, together with their implementation rules and ancillary regulations, will be repealed.

Regulations Relating to Small Loan

Under the Guiding Opinions of the CBRC and the PBOC on the Pilot Operation of Small Loan Companies which was promulgated by the CBRC and the PBOC on May 4, 2008, or the Guiding Opinions on Small Loan Companies, a small loan company is a company that specializes in operating a small loan business with investments from natural persons, legal entities or other social organizations, and which does not accept public deposits. The establishment of a small loan company is subject to the approval of the competent government authority at the provincial level. The major sources of funds for a small loan 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 small loan company from financial institutions must not exceed 50% of the net capital of such small loan company, and the interest rate and term of the borrowed capital are required to be determined by the company with the banking financial institutions upon consultation, and the interest rate on the borrowed capital must be determined by using the Shanghai Interbank Offered Rate as the base rate. With respect

 

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to the grant of credit, small loan companies are required to adhere to the principle of “small sum and decentralization.” The outstanding balance of the loans granted by a small loan company to one borrower cannot exceed 5% of the net capital of such company. The interest ceiling used by a small loan company may be determined by such companies, but in no circumstance shall it exceed the restrictions prescribed by the judicatory authority, and the interest floor is 0.9 times the base interest rate published by the PBOC. Small loan companies have the flexibility to determine the specific interest rate within the range depending on market conditions. In addition, according to the Guiding Opinions on Small Loan Companies, small loan 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 provision for impairment losses and are required to accept public scrutiny supervision and are prohibited from carrying out illegal fund-raising in any form.

Circular 141, outlines general requirements on the “cash loan” business conducted by network small loan companies, banking financial institutions and online lending information intermediaries. Circular 141 requires network small loan companies to cautiously manage their funding sources and shall not (1) engage in any illegal fund-raising or absorbing public deposits, (2) sell, transfer or substantively transfer its credit assets through Internet platform or any kind of local financial exchange, and (3) raise any funds through the Peer-to-Peer Lending Information Intermediaries. Funds raised by the transferring of credit assets and asset securitization shall be calculated in a consolidation manner within the balance sheet, and the ratio of total amount of fund-raising and net capital shall be executed temporarily according to the local ratio. The local authorities shall not further relax the ratio of fund-raising by the small loan companies.

Any violation of Circular 141 may result in penalties, including but not limited to suspension of operation, orders to make rectification, condemnation, revocation of license, order to cease business operation and criminal liabilities.

Our small loan subsidiaries are not network small loan companies, and we are not subject to the restrictions under the aforesaid regulation. But whether the relevant regulatory authorities will have a more limited explanation or make further restrictions on small loan businesses remains uncertain at this stage.

Implementary Measures of Small Loan Companies in Beijing

The Implementary Measures of the Pilot Small Loan Companies in Beijing was issued by the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality on January 4, 2009. The Interim Measures of Supervisal Regulations on Pilot Small Loan Companies of Beijing was issued by the Finance Bureau of Beijing Municipality on May 31, 2011. The key regulations of small loan companies in Beijing are as follows:

 

   

no single largest shareholder (including its affiliates) may hold shares that exceed 30% of total registered capital of the small loan company; any other single shareholder and its affiliates may hold shares that exceed 1% but no more than 20% of total registered capital of the small loan company; and the shareholders of the small loan company shall be natural persons, legal entities and other social organizations in China, among others. The largest shareholder shall be a local natural person, legal entity or other social organization on a county basis;

 

   

if a small loan company is a limited liability company, its registered capital must be at least RMB50 million; and if it is a company limited by shares, its registered capital must be at least RMB100 million. All registered capital shall be valid and legal, paid in cash and paid in full by the contributors or promotors at one time; and

 

   

the funds of a small loan company mainly come from the capital contributed and funds donated by shareholders as well as funds raised from no more than two banking financial institutions and other fund resources approved by the relevant authorities, and the balance of funds obtained by a small loan company from banking financial institutions may not exceed 50% of its net capital.

 

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Interim Administrative Measures of Small Loan Companies in Shenzhen

The Interim Administrative Measures of the Pilot Small Loan Companies of Shenzhen was issued by the People’s Government of Shenzhen Municipality on September 3, 2011. The Notice on Guidance on Approval Progress of Pilot Small Loan Companies of Shenzhen was issued by the Finance Development Service Office of Shenzhen Municipality on December 29, 2008. The Notice on Further Reinforcement and Regulation on Interim Guidance on Pilot Entry and Approval of the Small Loan Companies was issued by the Finance Development Service Office of Shenzhen Municipality on April 3, 2013. The Notice on the Pilot Business of Financing Innovation for Small Loan Companies in Shenzhen was issued by the People’s Government of Shenzhen Municipality Financing Development Service Office on February 20, 2014. The key regulations of small loan companies in Shenzhen are as follows:

 

   

if a small loan company is a limited liability company, its registered capital must be at least RMB300 million; if it is a company limited by shares, its registered capital must be at least RMB400 million;

 

   

the balance of funds obtained by a small loan company from external legitimate channels may not exceed 200% of its net capital the previous year;

 

   

the main promotor of a small loan company shall (1) have net assets no less than RMB200 million and an asset-liability ratio of no more than 65%, and, in principle, the long-term investment amount after investing in this project shall be no more than 60% of net assets (on a consolidated financial statements basis); and (2) have continuous positive earnings for three years with a total net profit of no less than RMB60 million, and the total tax contribution shall be no less than RMB18 million (on a consolidated financial statements basis);

 

   

enterprise, social organization or economic organization as other contributors shall be divided into two categories: (1) if the ratio of investments is 30% or more, it shall be subject to the approval process as the main promotor; and (2) if the ratio of investments is no more than 30%, it shall be subject to the following conditions: having been incorporated for more than three years with net assets no less than RMB100 million and an asset-liability ratio no more than 65%, and, in principle, the long-term investment amount after investing on this project shall be no more than 60% of net assets, having continuous positive earnings for two years with a total net profit of no less than RMB20 million, and the total tax contribution shall be no less than RMB6 million (on a consolidated financial statement basis);

 

   

if a foreign financial institution or small loan credit company (or other similar entity) is the main promotor, it shall be subject to the following conditions: (1) having total assets no less than RMB2 billion (on a consolidated financial statement basis); (2) having been engaged in financial business and continuously operating for no less than 10 years with sufficient analysis and research on the small loan market in China; and (3) shall obtain the approval of the financial regulation authorities as a bank financing institution;

 

   

the key management personnel may hold no more than 5% of shares of the small loan company, and, as a temporary restriction, no other social natural person may contribute to the small loan company;

 

   

the main promoter shall contribute no less than 30% of the total registered capital and shall control the company relatively, other contribution by other entities shall be no less than 5% of the total registered capital; and

 

   

the equity interests of a small loan company may be transferred, but no transfer or pledge is allowed in the first three years following the incorporation of the small loan company. Equity interests held by the directors or senior managers of the small loan company shall not be transferred during the term of office. As the time expires, the transferee shall have qualifications as the transferor, and the transferee shall not transfer its shares within three years following the date of change of registration of shares.

 

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Guidance on Small Loan Companies in Chongqing

Guidance on Chongqing’s Promotion of Pilot Operation of Small Loan Companies was issued by the People’s Government of Chongqing Municipality on August 1, 2008. Interim Measures of Chongqing Municipality for the Administration of Small Loan Companies was approved by the People’s Government of Chongqing Municipality on August 1, 2008. The Notice on Issues Concerning the Adjustment of Interim Measures of Chongqing Municipality for the Administration of Pilot Operation of Small Loan Companies was issued by the People’s Government of Chongqing Municipality on April 27, 2009. The Notice on Further Promoting the Development of Small Loan Companies was issued by the People’s Government of Chongqing Municipality on April 12, 2011. The Notice on Interim Supervision Regulations on Chongqing Small Loan Companies Financing Supervision was issued by Chongqing Financing Business Office on June 4, 2012. Opinions of the Chongqing Municipal People’s Government on Enhancing the Support to the Private Sector was issued by the People’s Government of Chongqing Municipality on June 6, 2012. The key regulations of small loan companies in Chongqing are as follows:

 

   

if a small loan company is a foreign investment company, its registered capital must be at least US$30 million, and the shareholding of the foreign investor must be more than 50%;

 

   

for small loan companies with sound corporate management and strong risk management ability, the balance of the capital borrowed from banking financial institutions can be 100% of its net capital;

 

   

the balance of loans granted to a single borrower by a small loan company must not exceed 10% of the net capital of the company and the balance of credit limit granted to a single client as a group enterprise must not exceed 15% of the net capital of the small loan company; and

 

   

any small loan company established in Chongqing which conforms to the provisions of the policies on industries encouraged by the state in western development will have income tax levied at a preferential tax rate of 15%.

Regulations Relating to Loan Facilitator

Circular 141 imposes several requirements on financial institutions engaged in the “cash loan” business. With respect to the loan business conducted in cooperation with third-party entities, such financial institutions must not outsource their core business function (including credit assessment and risk control) and must not accept any credit enhancement services, whether or not in a disguised form (including the commitment to taking default risks) provided by any third-party entities that lack the qualification to provide guarantee services. Such financial institutions must require and ensure that such third-party entities do not charge any interest or fees from the borrowers. We historically provided credit enhancement to our trust company partners, such arrangement with FOTIC trust plans will be limited to existing loans and loans to be issued under existing trust products under the 2018 FOTIC Funding Arrangements. We historically charged a financing service fee from the borrower under our trust lending model and small loan direct lending model, but we ceased charging such financing service fee starting from August 2017.

Regulations Relating to Loans and the Interest Rate

The PRC Contract Law, which became effective in October 1999, or the Contract Law, governs the formation, validity, performance, enforcement and assignment of contracts. The Contract Law requires that the interest rates charged under a loan agreement must not violate the applicable provisions of the PRC laws and regulations. In accordance with the Provisions on Certain Issues of the Application of Laws in the Trial of Private Lending Cases issued by the PRC Supreme People’s Court in August 2015 and effective since September 2015, or the Private Lending Judicial Interpretations, private lending is defined as financing between individuals, legal entities and other organizations.

The Private Lending Judicial Interpretations provides that agreements between a lender and a borrower for loans with interest rates below 24% per annum are valid and enforceable. With respect to loans with interest rates

 

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between 24% per annum and 36% per annum, if the interest on the loans has already been paid to the lender, and so long as such payment does not conflict with the interests of the state, the community or any third parties, the court will likely dismiss the borrower’s request to demand the return of the interest payment above 24% per annum. If the interest rate of a loan is higher than 36% per annum, the agreement on that portion of the interest exceeding the maximum interest rate is invalid, and if the borrower requests the lender to return that portion of interest exceeding 36% per annum that has been paid, the court will support such requests. The Certain Opinions Regarding Further Strengthening the Financial Judgment Work issued by the PRC Supreme People’s Court in August 2017 further emphasizes that if the total amount of interest, compounded interest, default interest and other fees charged by a lender under a loan contract substantially exceeds the actual loss of such lender, then the request by the debtor under such loan contract to reduce or to adjust the part of the aforementioned fees exceeding the amount accrued at an annual rate of 24% will be upheld.

Regulations Relating to Financing Guarantee

In March 2010, CBRC, NDRC, MIIT, MOC, PBOC, SAIC and the Ministry of Finance of PRC promulgated the Tentative Administrative Measures for Financing Guarantee Companies. The Tentative Administrative Measures for Financing Guarantee Companies requires an entity or individual to obtain a prior approval from the relevant regulatory body to engage in the financing guarantee business and defines “financing guarantee” 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.

In August 2017, the State Council promulgated the Regulations on the Supervision and Administration of Financing Guarantee Companies, or the Financing Guarantee Regulations, which became effective on October 1, 2017. The Financing Guarantee Regulations defines “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 banning, an order to cease business operation, confiscation of illegal gains, fines of up to RMB1,000,000 and criminal liabilities. The Financing Guarantee Regulations also sets forth that the outstanding guarantee liabilities of a financing guarantee company shall not exceed 10 times its net assets and that the outstanding guarantee liabilities of a financing guarantee company vis-à-vis the same guaranteed party shall not exceed 10% of the net assets of the financing guarantee company, while the outstanding guarantee liabilities of a financing guarantee company in respect of the same guaranteed party and its affiliated parties shall not exceed 15% of its net assets.

Regulations Relating to Illegal Fundraising

Raising funds by entities or individuals from the general public must be conducted in strict compliance with applicable PRC laws and regulations to avoid administrative and criminal liabilities. The Measures for the Banning of Illegal Financial Institutions and Illegal Financial Business Operations promulgated by the State Council in July 1998 and the Notice on Relevant Issues Concerning the Penalty on Illegal Fundraising issued by the General Office of the State Council in July 2007 explicitly prohibit illegal public fundraising. The main features of illegal public fundraising include: (i) illegally soliciting and raising funds from the general public by means of issuing stocks, bonds, lotteries or other securities without obtaining the approval of relevant authorities, (ii) promising a return of interest or profits or investment returns in cash, properties or other forms within a specified period of time and (iii) using a legitimate form to disguise an unlawful purpose.

To further clarify the criminal charges and punishments relating to illegal public fundraising, the Supreme People’s Court promulgated the Judicial Interpretations to Issues Concerning Applications of Laws for Trial of Criminal Cases on Illegal Fundraising, or the Illegal Fundraising Judicial Interpretations, which came into force in January 2011. The Illegal Fundraising Judicial Interpretations provides that a public fundraising will constitute a criminal offense related to “illegally soliciting deposits from the public” under the PRC Criminal Law if it

 

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meets all the following four criteria: (i) the fundraising has not been approved by the relevant authorities or is concealed under the guise of legitimate acts; (ii) the fundraising employs general solicitation or advertising such as social media, promotion meetings, leafleting and SMS advertising; (iii) the fundraiser promises to repay, after a specified period of time, the capital and interests, or investment returns in cash, properties in kind and other forms; and (iv) the fundraising targets the general public as opposed to specific individuals. An illegal fundraising activity can incur a fine or prosecution in the event it constitutes a criminal offense. Pursuant to the Illegal Fundraising Judicial Interpretations, an offender that is an entity will be subject to criminal liabilities if it illegally solicits deposits from the general public or illegally solicits deposits in disguised form (i) with the amount of deposits involved exceeding RMB1,000,000, (ii) with over 150 fundraising targets involved, (iii) with direct economic loss caused to fundraising targets exceeding RMB500,000, or (iv) the illegal fundraising activities have caused baneful influences to the public or have led to other severe consequences. In addition, an individual or an entity who has aided in illegal fundraising from the general public and charges fees including but not limited to agent fees, rewards, rebates and commissions, may be considered an accomplice in the crime of illegal fundraising. In accordance with the Opinions of the Supreme People’s Court, the Supreme People’s Procurator and the Ministry of Public Security on Several Issues concerning the Application of Law in the Illegal Fundraising Criminal Cases, the administrative proceeding for determining the nature of illegal fundraising activities is not a prerequisite procedure for the initiation of criminal proceedings concerning the crime of illegal fundraising, and the administrative departments’ failure in determining the nature of illegal fundraising activities does not affect the investigation, prosecution and trial of cases concerning the crime of illegal fundraising.

Regulations Relating to Mortgage

The principal regulations governing mortgage include the PRC Property Rights Law, the PRC Security Law and their respective Interpretations of the Supreme People’s Court. Under these laws and regulations, in order to create a legal and executable mortgage, the parties concerned shall conclude a written mortgage contract and complete the mortgage registration formalities with applicable real estate registration authorities. Mortgage interests shall be created at the time of registration.

Under the PRC Property Rights Law, a mortgage contract shall include, amongst others, the following terms: (1) type and amount of the secured debt; (2) term for performance of debt obligations by the debtor; (3) mortgaged property’s description, quality, quantity, condition, location, ownership or ownership of the right to use the mortgaged property; and (4) scope of the guarantee. In January 2015, the PRC Ministry of Land and Resources released the Implementation Regulations for the Provisional Regulations on Real Estate Registration, according to which the mortgage contract is one of the required registration materials to be submitted to the real estate registration authorities.

Anti-money Laundering Regulations

The PRC Anti-money Laundering Law, which 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, establishment of various systems for client identification, retention of clients’ identification information and records and reports on large transactions and suspicious transactions.

According to the PRC Anti-money Laundering Law, financial institutions subject to the PRC Anti-money Laundering Law include banks, credit unions, trust investment companies, stock brokerage companies, futures brokerage companies, insurance companies and other financial institutions as listed and published by the State Council, while the list of the nonfinancial institutions with anti-money laundering obligations will be published by the State Council. 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 nonfinancial institutions, such as payment institutions. However, the State Council has not promulgated a list of the nonfinancial institutions subject to anti-money laundering obligations.

 

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In cooperation with our trust company partners, we have adopted various policies and procedures, including “know-your-customer” procedures, Customer due diligence, and Customer screening procedures, for anti-money laundering purposes. However, as the detailed anti-money laundering regulations of home equity loan facilitators have not been published, there is uncertainty as to how the anti-money laundering requirements will be interpreted and implemented and whether home equity loan service providers like us must abide by the rules and procedures set forth in the PRC Anti-money Laundering Law that are applicable to nonfinancial institutions with anti-money laundering obligations. We cannot assure you that our existing antimoney laundering policies and procedures will be deemed to be in full compliance with any anti-money laundering laws and regulations that may become applicable to us in the future.

Regulations on Internet Information Security and Privacy Protection

Internet content in China is regulated and restricted from a state security standpoint. On December 28, 2000, the Standing Committee of the PRC National People’s Congress introduced and enacted the Decisions on Maintaining Internet Security, which was amended on August 27, 2009 and may subject violators to criminal punishment in China for any effort to: (i) use the Internet to market fake and substandard products or carry out false publicity for any commodity or service; (ii) use the Internet for the purpose of damaging the commercial goodwill and product reputation of any other person; (iii) use the Internet for the purpose of infringing on the intellectual property of any person; (iv) use the Internet for the purpose of fabricating and spreading false information that affects the trading of securities and futures or otherwise jeopardizes the financial order; or (v) create any pornographic website or webpage on the Internet, providing links to pornographic websites, or disseminating pornographic books and magazines, movies, audiovisual products or images. The Ministry of Public Security has promulgated measures that prohibit use of the Internet in ways which, among other things, result in a leakage of state secrets or a spread of socially destabilizing content and require Internet service providers to take proper measures, including anti-virus, data backup and other related measures, and keep records of certain information about the users (including user registration information, log-in and log-out time, IP address, content and time of posts by users) for at least 60 days, and detect illegal information, stop transmission of such information and keep relevant records. If an Internet information service provider violates these measures, the Ministry of Public Security and the local security bureaus may revoke its operating license and shut down its websites.

PRC government authorities have enacted laws and regulations on Internet use to protect personal information from any unauthorized disclosure. In December 2012, the Standing Committee of the PRC National People’s Congress promulgated the Decision on Strengthening Network Information Protection to enhance the legal protection of information security and privacy on the Internet. In July 2013, the MIIT promulgated the Provisions on Protection of Personal Information of Telecommunication and Internet Users to regulate the collection and use of users’ personal information in the provision of telecommunication services and Internet information services in China. Telecommunication business operators and Internet service providers are required to establish their own rules for collecting and use of users’ information and cannot collect or use users’ information without their consent. Telecommunication business operators and Internet service providers are prohibited from disclosing, tampering with, damaging, selling or illegally providing others with, collected personal information.

On November 7, 2016, the Standing Committee of the PRC National People’s Congress published Cyber Security Law of the PRC, which took effect on June 1, 2017 and requires network operators to perform certain functions related to cyber security protection and the strengthening of network information management. For instance, under the Cyber Security Law, network operators of key information infrastructures shall store within the territory of the PRC all the personal information and important data collected and produced within the territory of the PRC, and their purchase of network products and services that may affect national securities shall be subject to national cyber security review. On May 2, 2017, the Cyberspace Administration of China issued a trial version of the Measures for the Security Review of Network Products and Services (Trial), which took effect on June 1, 2017, to provide for more detailed rules regarding cyber security review requirements.

 

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In addition, the Guidelines to Promote the Health Growth of the Internet Finance, or the Internet Finance Guidelines, requires Internet finance service providers, including online finance platforms, among other things, to improve technology security standards and safeguard customer and transaction information. The State Council, the PBOC and other relevant regulatory authorities will jointly adopt the implementing rules and technology security standards.

Regulations on Intellectual Property Rights

The PRC has adopted comprehensive legislation governing intellectual property rights, including copyrights, patents, trademarks and domain names.

Copyright and Software Products

The National People’s Congress adopted the Copyright Law in 1990 and amended it in 2001 and 2010, respectively. The amended Copyright Law extends 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.

In order to further implement the Computer Software Protection Regulations promulgated by the State Council on December 20, 2001 and amended on January 30, 2013, the State Copyright Bureau issued the Computer Software Copyright Registration Procedures on February 20, 2002, which applies to software copyright registration, license contract registration and transfer contract registration.

Trademarks

Trademarks are protected by the PRC Trademark Law adopted in 1982 and subsequently amended in 1993, 2001 and 2013 as well as the Implementation Regulation of the PRC Trademark Law adopted by the State Council in 2002 and amended on April 29, 2014. The Trademark Office under the SAIC handles trademark registrations and grants a term of 10 years to registered trademarks and another 10 years if requested upon expiry of the first or any renewed 10-year term. Trademark license agreements must be filed with the Trademark Office for record. The PRC Trademark Law has adopted a “first-to-file” principle with respect to trademark registrations. Where a trademark for which a registration has been made is identical or similar to another trademark which has already been registered or been subject to a preliminary examination and approval for use on the same kind of or similar commodities or services, the application for registration of such trademark may be rejected. Any person applying for the registration of a trademark may not prejudice the existing right first obtained by others nor may any person register in advance a trademark that has already been used by another party and has already gained a “sufficient degree of reputation” through such party’s use. Trademark license agreements should be filed with the Trademark Office or its regional offices.

Domain Names

Internet domain name registration and related matters are primarily regulated by the Measures on the Administration of Domain Names for the Chinese Internet, issued by the MIIT on November 5, 2004 and effective as of December 20, 2004, which was replaced by the Measures on Administration of Internet Domain Names issued by the MIIT as of November 1, 2017 and the Implementing Rules on Registration of Domain Names issued by China Internet Network Information Center on May 28, 2012, which became effective on May 29, 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.

As of June 30, 2018, we had five registered trademarks and six trademark applications with the Trademark Office under the State Administration for Industry and Commerce. We have 18 registered Copyright of Software Products and one registered Domain Name.

 

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Regulations Relating to Employment

Pursuant to the Labor Law of PRC, promulgated by the NPC in July 1994 and revised in August 2009, or the Labor Law, and the Labor Contract Law of PRC, promulgated by the Standing Committee of the NPC in June 2007 and amended in December 2012, or the Labor Contract Law, employers must execute written employment contracts with full-time employees. If an employer fails to enter into a written employment contract with an employee within one year from the date on which the employment relationship is established, the employer must rectify the situation by entering into a written employment contract with the employee and pay the employee twice the employee’s salary for the period from the day following the lapse of one month from the date of establishment of the employment relationship to the day prior to the execution of the written employment contract. All employers must compensate their employees with wages equal to at least the local minimum wage standards. Violations of the PRC Labor Law and the Labor Contract Law may result in the imposition of fines and other administrative sanctions, and serious violations may result in criminal liabilities.

Enterprises in China are required by the Social Insurance Law of PRC promulgated by the Standing Committee of the NPC in October 2010, which became effective in July 2011, or the Social Insurance Law, the Regulations on Management of Housing Provident Fund released by the State Council in March 2002, and other related rules and regulations, to participate in certain employee benefit plans, including social insurance funds, namely a pension plan, a medical insurance plan, an unemployment insurance plan, a work-related injury insurance plan and a maternity insurance plan and a housing provident fund, and contribute to the plans or funds in amounts equal to certain percentages of salaries, including bonuses and allowances, of the employees as specified by the local government from time to time at locations where they operate their businesses or where they are located. Failure to make adequate contributions to various employee benefit plans may be subject to fines and other administrative sanctions. According to the Social Insurance Law, an employer that fails to make social insurance contributions may be ordered to rectify the noncompliance 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 Management of 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 not made adequate contributions to employee benefit plans as required by applicable PRC laws and regulations. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Failure to make adequate contributions to various employee benefit plans as required by PRC regulations may subject us to penalties.”

Regulations Relating to Tax

Enterprise Income Tax

PRC enterprise income tax is calculated based on taxable income, which is determined under (i) the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, or the ETI Law, promulgated by the NPC and implemented in January 2008 and revised in February 2017, and (ii) the implementation rules to the EIT Law promulgated by the State Council and implemented in January 2008. The EIT Law imposes a uniform enterprise income tax rate of 25% on all resident enterprises in the PRC, including foreign-invested enterprises and domestic enterprises, unless they are qualified for certain exceptions. According to the EIT Law and its implementation rules, the income tax rate of an enterprise that has been determined to be a high and new technology enterprise may be reduced to 15% with the approval of relevant tax authorities.

In addition, according to the EIT Law, enterprises registered in countries or regions outside the PRC but have their “de facto management bodies” located within China may be considered as PRC resident enterprises and are therefore subject to PRC enterprise income tax at the rate of 25% on their worldwide income. Though the implementation rules of the EIT Law define “de facto management bodies” as “establishments that carry out

 

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substantial and overall management and control over the manufacturing and business operations, personnel, accounting, properties, etc., of an enterprise,” the only detailed guidance currently available for the definition of “de facto management body” as well as the determination and administration of tax residency status of offshore incorporated enterprises are set forth in the Notice Regarding the Determination of Chinese-Controlled Overseas Incorporated Enterprises as PRC Tax Resident Enterprises on the Basis of De Facto Management Bodies, or the Circular 82, promulgated by the State Administration of Taxation (the “SAT”) in April 2009, and the Administrative Measures for Enterprise Income Tax of Chinese-Controlled Overseas Incorporated Resident Enterprises (Trial Version) issued by the SAT in July 2011, or Bulletin No. 45, which provides guidance on the administration as well as the determination of the tax residency status of a Chinese-controlled offshore incorporated enterprise, defined as an enterprise that is incorporated under the law of a foreign country or territory and that has a PRC company or PRC corporate group as its primary controlling shareholder.

According to Circular 82, a Chinese-controlled offshore-incorporated enterprise will be regarded as a PRC resident enterprise 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:

 

   

the primary location of the day-to-day operational management and the places where they perform their duties are in the PRC;

 

   

decisions relating to the enterprise’s financial and human resource matters are made or are subject to approval of organizations or personnel in the PRC;

 

   

the enterprise’s primary assets, accounting books and records, company seals and board and shareholder resolutions are located or maintained in the PRC; and

 

   

50% or more of voting board members or senior executives habitually reside in the PRC.

Bulletin No. 45 further clarifies certain issues related to the determination of tax resident status and competent tax authorities. It also specifies that when provided with a copy of Recognition of Residential Status from a resident Chinese-controlled offshore incorporated enterprise, a payer does not need to withhold income tax when paying certain PRC-sourced income such as dividends, interest and royalties to such Chinese-controlled offshore-incorporated enterprise.

Value-Added Tax and Business Tax

According to the Provisional Regulations on Value-added Tax, which was promulgated by the PRC State Council on December 13, 1993 and amended in November 2008, February 2016 and November 2017, and the Implementing Rules of the Provisional Regulations on Value-added Tax, which were promulgated by the MOF on December 18, 2008 and subsequently amended by the MOF and the SAT on October 28, 2011, all taxpayers selling goods, providing processing, repairing or replacement services or importing goods within the PRC must pay value-added tax.

Since January 1, 2012, the MOF and the SAT have implemented the VAT Pilot Plan, which imposes VAT in lieu of business tax for certain “modern service industries.” 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 SAT on Implementing the Pilot Program of Replacing Business Tax with Value-Added Tax in an All-round Manner which became effective on May 1, 2016, entities and individuals engaged in the sale of services, intangible assets or fixed assets within the PRC territory are required to pay value-added tax instead of business tax. Following the implementation of the VAT Pilot Plan, most of our PRC subsidiaries and affiliates have been subject to VAT, at a rate of 6% or 17%, instead of business tax.

 

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Regulations Relating to Foreign Exchange

Regulation on Foreign Currency Exchange

The principal regulations governing foreign currency exchange in China are the Foreign Exchange Administration Regulations, most recently amended in August 2008. Under the PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, such as profit distributions, interest payments 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. By contrast, approval from or registration with appropriate government authorities is required where RMB is to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital account items, such as direct investments, repayment of foreign currency-denominated loans, repatriation of investments and investments in securities outside of China. On February 13, 2015, the SAFE promulgated the Notice on Further Simplifying and Improving the Administration of the Foreign Exchange Concerning Direct Investment, or SAFE Notice 13. After SAFE Notice 13 became effective on June 1, 2015, instead of applying for approvals regarding foreign exchange registrations of foreign direct investment and overseas direct investment from SAFE, entities and individuals will be required to apply for such foreign exchange registrations from qualified banks. The qualified banks, under the supervision of the SAFE, will directly examine the applications and conduct the registration.

In August 2008, SAFE issued 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, regulating the conversion by a foreign-invested enterprise of foreign currency-registered capital into RMB by restricting how the converted RMB may be used. SAFE Circular 142 provides that the RMB capital converted from foreign currency-registered capital of a foreign-invested enterprise may only be used for purposes within the business scope approved by the applicable government authority and may not be used for equity investments within the PRC. In addition, SAFE strengthened its oversight of the flow and use of the RMB capital converted from foreign currency-registered capital of foreign-invested enterprises. The use of such RMB capital may not be changed without SAFE’s approval, and such RMB capital may not in any case be used to repay RMB loans if the proceeds of such loans have not been used. Violations may result in severe monetary or other penalties.

In November 2012, SAFE promulgated the Circular of Further Improving and Adjusting Foreign Exchange Administration Policies on Foreign Direct Investment, which substantially amends and simplifies the current foreign exchange procedure. Pursuant to this circular, the opening of various special purpose foreign exchange accounts, such as pre-establishment expenses accounts, foreign exchange capital accounts and guarantee accounts, the reinvestment of RMB proceeds derived by foreign investors in the PRC and remittance of foreign exchange profits and dividends by a foreign-invested enterprise to its foreign shareholders no longer requires the approval or verification of SAFE, and multiple capital accounts for the same entity may be opened in different provinces, which was not possible previously. In addition, SAFE promulgated another circular in May 2013, which specifies that the administration by SAFE or its local branches over direct investment by foreign investors in the PRC must be conducted by way of registration, and banks must process foreign exchange business relating to the direct investment in the PRC based on the registration information provided by SAFE and its branches.

In July 2014, SAFE issued SAFE Circular 36, which purports to reform the administration of settlement of the foreign exchange capitals of foreign invested enterprises in certain designated areas on a trial basis. Under the pilot program, some of the restrictions under SAFE Circular 142 will not apply to the settlement of the foreign exchange capitals of the foreign-invested enterprises established within the designated areas, and the enterprises are allowed to use their RMB capital converted from foreign exchange capital to make equity investments. However, our PRC subsidiary is not established within the designated areas. On March 30, 2015, the SAFE promulgated Circular 19 to expand the reform nationwide. Circular 19 came into force and replaced both Circular 142 and Circular 36 on June 1, 2015. Circular 19 allows foreign-invested enterprises to make equity investments by using RMB funds converted from foreign exchange capital. However, Circular 19 continues to prohibit foreign-invested enterprises from, among other things, using RMB funds converted from their foreign exchange

 

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capitals for expenditure beyond its business scope, providing entrusted loans or repaying loans between nonfinancial enterprises.

On June 9, 2016, the SAFE promulgated Circular 16, which expands the application scope from only the capital of the foreign-invested enterprises to the capital, the foreign debt fund and the fund from overseas public offerings. Also, Circular 16 allows the enterprises to use their foreign exchange capitals under capital accounts allowed by the relevant laws and regulations

In January 2017, the SAFE promulgated the Circular on Further Improving Reform of Foreign Exchange Administration and Optimizing Genuineness and Compliance Verification, or Circular 3, which stipulates several capital control measures with respect to the outbound remittance of profit from domestic entities to offshore entities, including (i) under the principle of genuine transaction, banks shall check board resolutions regarding profit distribution, the original version of tax filing records and audited financial statements; and (ii) domestic entities shall hold income to account for previous years’ losses before remitting profits. Moreover, pursuant to Circular 3, domestic entities shall make detailed explanations of the sources of capital and utilization arrangements, and provide board resolutions, contracts and other proof when completing the registration procedures in connection with an outbound investment.

Regulations on Foreign Exchange Registration of Overseas Investment by PRC Residents

The SAFE issued the SAFE Circular on Relevant Issues Relating to Domestic Resident’s Investment and Financing and Round Trip Investment through Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 37, that became effective in July 2014, replacing the previous SAFE Circular 75. SAFE Circular 37 regulates foreign exchange matters in relation to the use of special purpose vehicles, or SPVs, by PRC residents or entities to seek offshore investment and financing or conduct round trip investment in China. Under SAFE Circular 37, a SPV refers to an offshore entity established or controlled, directly or indirectly, by PRC residents or entities for the purpose of seeking offshore financing or making offshore investment, using legitimate onshore or offshore assets or interests, while “round trip investment” refers to direct investment in China by PRC residents or entities through SPVs, namely, establishing foreign-invested enterprises to obtain the ownership, control rights and management rights. SAFE Circular 37 provides that, before making contributions into an SPV, PRC residents or entities are required to complete the foreign exchange registration with the SAFE or its local branch. The SAFE promulgated the Notice on Further Simplifying and Improving the Administration of the Foreign Exchange Concerning Direct Investment in February 2015, which took effect on June 1, 2015. This notice has amended SAFE Circular 37 requiring PRC residents or entities to register with qualified banks rather than 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.

PRC residents or entities who had contributed legitimate onshore or offshore interests or assets to SPVs but had not obtained registration as required before the implementation of the SAFE Circular 37 must register their ownership interests or control in the SPVs with qualified banks. An amendment to the registration is required if there is a material change with respect to the SPV registered, such as any change of basic information (including change of the PRC residents, name and operation term), increases or decreases in investment amount, transfers or exchanges of shares, and mergers or divisions. Failure to comply with the registration procedures set forth in SAFE Circular 37 and the subsequent notice, or making misrepresentation on or failure to disclose controllers of the foreign-invested enterprise that is established through round-trip investment, may result in restrictions being imposed on the foreign exchange activities of the relevant foreign-invested enterprise, including payment of dividends and other distributions, such as proceeds from any reduction in capital, share transfer or liquidation, to its offshore parent or affiliate, and the capital inflow from the offshore parent, and may also subject relevant PRC residents or entities to penalties under PRC foreign exchange administration regulations.

In February 2015, the SAFE released the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Further Simplifying and Improving the Policies of Foreign Exchange Administration Applicable to Direct Investment, or

 

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Circular 13, which has amended Circular 37 by requiring PRC residents or entities to register with qualified banks rather than 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.

Share Option Rules

Pursuant to Circular 37, PRC residents who participate in share incentive plans in overseas non-publicly listed companies may submit applications to the SAFE or its local branches for the foreign exchange registration with respect to offshore special purpose companies. In addition, under the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Issues Related to Foreign Exchange Administration in Domestic Individuals’ Participation in Equity Incentive Plans of Companies Listed Abroad issued by SAFE in February 2012, or the Share Option Rules, PRC residents who are granted shares or share options by companies listed on overseas stock exchanges under share incentive plans are required to (i) register with the SAFE or its local branches, (ii) retain a qualified PRC agent, which may be a PRC subsidiary of the overseas listed company or another qualified institution selected by the PRC subsidiary, to conduct SAFE registration and other procedures with respect to the share incentive plans on behalf of the participants, and (iii) retain an overseas institution to handle matters in connection with their exercise of share options, purchase and sale of shares or interests and funds transfers.

Regulations on Dividend Distribution

Under our current corporate structure, our Cayman Islands holding company may rely on dividend payments from our PRC subsidiaries, which are wholly foreign-owned enterprises incorporated in China, to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have. The principal regulations governing the distribution of dividends of foreign-invested enterprises include the Foreign-Invested Enterprise Law, as amended in October 2016, and its implementation rules. 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.

Regulations on Overseas Listing

On August 8, 2006, six PRC regulatory agencies, including the CSRC, adopted the Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors (the “M&A Rules”), which became effective on September 8, 2006 and was amended on June 22, 2009. Foreign investors shall comply with the M&A Rules when they purchase equity interests of a domestic company or subscribe to the increased capital of a domestic company and thus change the nature of the domestic company into a foreign-invested enterprise; or when the foreign investors establish a foreign-invested enterprise in the PRC, purchase the assets of a domestic company and operate the assets; or when the foreign investors purchase the assets of a domestic company, establish a foreign-invested enterprise by injecting such assets and operate the assets. The M&A Rules purport, among other things, to require offshore special purpose vehicles formed for overseas listing purposes through acquisitions of PRC domestic companies and controlled by PRC companies or individuals, to obtain approval from the CSRC prior to publicly listing their securities on an overseas stock exchange.

While the application of the M&A Rules remains unclear, our PRC legal advisor, Han Kun Law Offices, advises us that CSRC approval is not required in the context of this offering because: (a) we established Chongqing Liangjiang New Area Fanhua Micro-credit Co. Ltd., Beijing Lianxin Chuanghui Information Technology Co. Ltd. and Fanhua Financial Leasing (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd. as foreign-invested enterprises by means of direct investment and not through a merger or acquisition of the equity or assets of a “PRC domestic company” as such term is defined under the M&A Rule, and (b) the acquisition of Fanhua Chuang Li

 

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Information Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (formerly known as Yi Li Chuangli Precision Instrument Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.) by Rich Wealth Technology Limited (Hong Kong) from Rich Wealth Holdings Limited (Hong Kong) in December 13, 2000, which was approved by the Shenzhen Foreign Investment Bureau, is subject to the Several Provisions on Changes in Equity Interest of Investors in Foreign-invested Enterprises, effective from May 28,1997. However, as there has been no official interpretation or clarification of the M&A Rules, there is uncertainty as to how this regulation will be interpreted or implemented. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—The approval of the China Securities Regulatory Commission may be required in connection with this offering under PRC law.”

 

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MANAGEMENT

Directors and Executive Officers

The following table sets forth information regarding our executive officers and directors as of the date of this prospectus.

 

Directors and Executive Officers

   Age   

Position/Title

Bin Zhai

   48    Chairman, Chief Executive Officer

Ning Li

   46    Executive Director, Chief Financial Officer

Paul Wolansky

   62    Director

Peng Ge

   47    Director

Jun Qian

   44    Vice President

Zehui Zhang

   46    Vice President

Bin Zhai has served as our Chairman of the Board of Directors since 2017 and our Chief Executive Officer since 2010. He joined our company in 2006 as executive director of Shenzhen Nanfeng Mortgage Advisory Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Fanhua Inc. Prior to joining us, Mr. Zhai served as account manager of Bank of Communications Tianjin Branch from 1991 to 1993, investment manager at China Ministry of Agriculture Shenzhen Office from 1993 to 1998 and general manager at Shenzhen Modern Warehouse Building Material Co., Ltd. from 1998 to 2006. Mr. Zhai received his bachelor’s degree in insurance from Nankai University in China.

Ning Li has served as our Executive Director since 2017 and our Chief Financial Officer since 2010. Prior to that, he served as a financial director at Fanhua Inc. from 2006 to 2009. He served as financial controller at China Textile Import & Export Group and a financial director in one of its foreign representative offices from 2001 to 2005, and general manager at Beijing Obas International Freight Forwarding Co., Ltd. from 2005 to 2006. Mr. Li received his bachelor’s degree in accounting at University of International Business and Economics in China. Mr. Li is a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.

Paul Wolansky has served as our Director since 2001. Mr. Wolansky is one of the founders of New China Capital Management Corp and its predecessors, which operate as the investment managers for the various Cathay funds, and has served both as chief executive officer and Chairman since 1993. Mr. Wolansky is a member of the board of directors of the Cathay Investment Fund, Ltd., and serves, or has served, as a director of various portfolio companies of the various Cathay funds including China Resources Land Ltd., China Yuchai International, Ltd., Wuxi Little Swan Co., Ltd., White Horse Communications Holdings, Ltd., CNinsure Inc., Vinda International, and China Aoyuan Property Group, Ltd. Mr. Wolansky received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Amherst College and a J.D. degree from Harvard Law School.

Peng Ge has served as our Director since 2017. Mr. Ge joined Fanhua Inc. in 1999 and headed its Beijing operations from 1999 to 2005. He has served as chief financial officer at Fanhua Inc. since 2008 and as its director since 2016. Mr. Ge received his bachelor’s degree in international accounting and his MBA degree from the University of International Business and Economics in China.

Jun Qian has served as our Vice President since 2010. He joined us as general manager in Guangzhou Anyu Mortgage Advisory Co., Ltd. in 2002. He served as sales manager at Nanjing Textile Import & Export Corporation from 1995 to 1997, vice president at Nanjing Jiashan Textile Co., Ltd. from 1997 to 1999 and import and export commissioner at Guangzhou Longyuan Thermal Equipment Co., Ltd. from 1999 to 2001. Mr. Qian has over 15 years of experience in management positions. He received his bachelor’s degree in accounting at Guilin University of Electronic Technology, formerly known as Guilin University of Electronic Industry, in China.

Zehui Zhang has served as our Vice President since 2010. He joined Fanhua Inc. in 2001 and served as general manager of Guangdong Nanfeng Insurance Agency Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Fanhua Inc. from 2002 to

 

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2009. Mr. Zhang has over 15 years of experience in finance business. He received his diploma in accounting at Guangdong Polytechnic Normal University, formerly known as Guangdong Commercial Management College, in China.

Employment Agreements and Indemnification Agreements

We have entered into employment agreements with each of our executive officers. Each of our executive officers is employed for a specified time period, which can be renewed upon both parties’ agreement before the end of the current employment term. We may terminate an executive officer’s employment for cause at any time without advance notice in the event of, among other things, (i) commitments by such executive officer of any serious breach of the terms and conditions of his or her employment and our internal rules and procedures, (ii) conviction of a criminal offense, or (iii) severe neglect of his or her duties or embezzlement to our detriment. We may also terminate an executive officer’s employment by giving a 30 days’ prior written notice or by paying a compensation of an amount equal to one month’s wages of such executive officer. An executive officer may terminate his or her employment at any time by giving a 30 days’ prior written notice.

Each executive officer has agreed to hold, unless expressly consented to by us, at all times during and after the termination of his or her employment agreement, in strict confidence and not to use, any of our confidential information or the confidential information of our customers and suppliers. In addition, each executive officer has agreed to be bound by certain non-competition and non-solicitation restrictions during the term of his or her employment and for two years following the last date of employment. Specifically, each executive officer has agreed not to (i) carry out or otherwise be concerned or interested, directly or indirectly, in certain businesses in direct or indirect competition with us; (ii) assume employment with or provide services to certain of our competitors or engage, whether as principal, partner, licensor or otherwise, with such competitors; or (iii) seek directly or indirectly, by the offer of alternative employment or other inducement whatsoever, to solicit the services of any of our employees, agents or consultants who are employed or engaged by us at any time in the one year preceding the last date of his or her employment.

Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors will consist of seven directors, including three independent directors, namely             , upon the SEC’s declaration of effectiveness of our registration statement on Form F-1 to which this prospectus forms a part. A director is not required to hold any shares in our company to qualify to serve as a director. The Corporate Governance Rules of the NYSE generally require that a majority of an issuer’s board of directors must consist of independent directors. However, the Corporate Governance Rules of the NYSE permit foreign private issuers like us to follow “home country practice” in certain corporate governance matters. We rely on this “home country practice” exception and do not have a majority of independent directors serving on our Board of Directors.

A director who is in any way, whether directly or indirectly, interested in a contract or proposed contract with our company is required to declare the nature of his or her interest at a meeting of our directors. A general notice given to the directors by any director to the effect that he or she is a member, shareholder, director, partner, officer or employee of any specified company or firm and is to be regarded as interested in any contract or transaction with that company or firm shall be deemed a sufficient declaration of interest for the purposes of voting on a resolution in respect to a contract or transaction in which he/she has an interest, and after such general notice it shall not be necessary to give special notice relating to any particular transaction. A director may vote in respect of any contract or proposed contract or arrangement notwithstanding that he/she may be interested therein and if he/she does so, his/her vote shall be counted and he/she may be counted in the quorum at any meeting of the directors at which any such contract or proposed contract or arrangement is considered. Our board of directors may exercise all of the powers of our company to borrow money, to mortgage or charge its undertaking, property and uncalled capital, or any part thereof, and to issue debentures, debenture stock or other securities whenever money is borrowed or as security for any debt, liability or obligation of our company or of

 

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any third party. None of our directors has a service contract with us that provides for benefits upon termination of service as a director.

Committees of the Board of Directors

Prior to the completion of this offering, we intend to establish an audit committee, a compensation committee and a nominating and corporate governance committee under our Board of Directors. We intend to adopt a charter for each of the three committees prior to the completion of this offering. Each committee’s members and functions are described below.

Audit Committee . Our audit committee will consist of Mr. Fengyong Gao, Mr. Lin Xu and Mr. Linbin Zhou, and is chaired by Mr. Fengyong Gao. We have determined that Mr. Fengyong Gao, Mr. Lin Xu and Mr. Linbin Zhou satisfy the requirements of Section 303A of the Corporate Governance Rules of the NYSE and meet the independence standards under Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We have determined that Mr. Fengyong Gao qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert.” The audit committee oversees our accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of the financial statements of our company. The audit committee is responsible for, among other things:

 

   

reviewing and recommending to our board for approval, the appointment, re-appointment or removal of the independent auditor, after considering its annual performance evaluation of the independent auditor;

 

   

approving the remuneration and terms of engagement of the independent auditor and pre-approving all auditing and non-auditing services permitted to be performed by our independent auditors at least annually;

 

   

obtaining a written report from our independent auditor describing matters relating to its independence and quality control procedures;

 

   

reviewing with the independent registered public accounting firm any audit problems or difficulties and management’s response;

 

   

discussing with our independent auditor, among other things, the audits of the financial statements, including whether any material information should be disclosed, issues regarding accounting and auditing principles and practices;

 

   

reviewing and approving all proposed related party transactions, as defined in Item 404 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act;

 

   

reviewing and recommending the financial statements for inclusion within our quarterly earnings releases and to our board for inclusion in our annual reports;

 

   

discussing the annual audited financial statements with management and the independent registered public accounting firm;

 

   

reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of our accounting and internal control policies and procedures and any special steps taken to monitor and control major financial risk exposures;

 

   

at least annually, reviewing and reassessing the adequacy of the committee charter;

 

   

approving annual audit plans, and undertaking an annual performance evaluation of the internal audit function;

 

   

establishing and overseeing procedures for the handling of complaints and whistleblowing;

 

   

meeting separately and periodically with management and the independent registered public accounting firm;

 

   

monitoring compliance with our code of business conduct and ethics, including reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of our procedures to ensure proper compliance; and

 

   

reporting regularly to the board.

 

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Compensation Committee . Our compensation committee will consist of Mr. Bin Zhai, Mr. Ning Li and Mr. Fengyong Gao and is chaired by Mr. Ning Li. We have determined that Mr. Fengyong Gao satisfy the “independence” requirements of Section 303A of the Corporate Governance Rules of the NYSE. The compensation committee assists 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 their compensation is deliberated upon. The compensation committee is responsible for, among other things:

 

   

overseeing the development and implementation of compensation programs in consultation with our management;

 

   

at least annually, reviewing and approving, or recommending to the board for its approval, the compensation for our executive officers;

 

   

at least annually, reviewing and recommending to the board for determination with respect to the compensation of our non-executive directors;

 

   

at least annually, reviewing periodically and approving any incentive compensation or equity plans, programs or other similar arrangements;

 

   

reviewing executive officer and director indemnification and insurance matters;

 

   

overseeing our regulatory compliance with respect to compensation matters, including our policies on restrictions on compensation plans and loans to directors and executive officers;

 

   

at least annually, reviewing and reassessing the adequacy of the committee charter;

 

   

selecting compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser only after taking into consideration all factors relevant to that person’s independence from management; and

 

   

reporting regularly to the board.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee . Our nominating and corporate governance committee will consist of Mr. Bin Zhai, Mr. Ning Li and Mr. Linbin Zhou, and is chaired by Mr. Ning Li. We have determined that Mr. Linbin Zhou satisfy the “independence” requirements of Section 303A of the Corporate Governance Rules of the NYSE. The nominating and corporate governance committee assists the board 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 is responsible for, among other things:

 

   

recommending nominees to the board for election or re-election to the board, or for appointment to fill any vacancy on the board;

 

   

reviewing annually with the board the current composition of the board with regards to characteristics such as independence, knowledge, skills, experience, expertise, diversity and availability of service to us;

 

   

developing and recommending to our board such policies and procedures with respect to nomination or appointment of members of our board and chairs and members of its committees or other corporate governance matters as may be required pursuant to any SEC or NYSE rules, or otherwise considered desirable and appropriate;

 

   

selecting and recommending to the board the names of directors to serve as members of the audit committee and the compensation committee, as well as of the nominating and corporate governance committee itself;

 

   

at least annually, reviewing and reassessing the adequacy of the committee charter;

 

   

developing and reviewing at least annually the corporate governance principles adopted by the board and advising the board with respect to significant developments in the law and practice of corporate governance and our compliance with such laws and practices; and

 

   

evaluating the performance and effectiveness of the board as a whole.

 

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Duties and Functions 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 the skill they actually possess and such care and diligence that a reasonable 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 limited exceptional circumstances, a shareholder may have the right to seek damages in our name if a duty owed by our directors is breached. The functions and powers of our Board of Directors include, among others, (i) convening shareholders’ annual general meetings and reporting its work to shareholders at such meetings, (ii) declaring dividends, (iii) appointing officers and determining their terms of offices and responsibilities, and (iv) approving the transfer of shares of our company, including the registering of such shares in our share register.

Terms of Directors and Officers

Our officers are elected by and serve at the discretion of the board. Each director is not subject to a term of office and holds office until such time as his successor takes office or until the earlier of his death, resignation or removal from office by special resolution or the unanimous written resolution of all shareholders. A director will be removed from office automatically if, among other things, the director (i) becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or composition with his creditors; (ii) dies or is found by our company to be of unsound mind; (iii) resigns by notice in writing to our company; (iv) without special leave of absence from our Board of Directors, is absent from three consecutive meetings of the board and the board resolves that his office be vacated; (v) is prohibited by law from being a director; or (vi) is removed from office pursuant to any other provisions of our post-offering amended and restated memorandum and articles of association.

Interested Transactions

A director may, subject to any separate requirement for audit and risk committee approval under applicable law or applicable NYSE rules, vote in respect of any contract or transaction in which he or she is interested, provided that the nature of the interest of any directors in such contract or transaction is disclosed by him or her at or prior to its consideration and any vote in that matter.

Compensation of Directors and Executive Officers

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, we paid an aggregate of RMB1.5 million (US$0.2 million) in cash to our executive officers (including our executive directors), and we did not pay any cash compensation to our non-executive directors. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, we paid for our executive officers (including our executive directors) an aggregate of RMB0.3 million (US$47,800) of social insurance plans and housing provident funds required by PRC law. We did not pay such insurance or housing fund for our non-executive directors. For share incentive grants to our directors and executive officers, please refer to “—Share Incentive Plans.”

Share Incentive Plans

2009 SFIL Share Incentive Plan

In November 2009, SFIL adopted the 2009 SFIL Share Incentive Plan, or the 2009 Plan. Under the 2009 Plan, SFIL granted options to its directors and employees to purchase up to 25,678 ordinary shares. The options shall vest over a five-year period from 2010 to 2014.

 

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In January 2011, SFIL divided the existing issued shares of US$0.10 each share into US$0.01 each share. SFIL also allotted and issued new shares to its existing shareholders using a ratio of 1:637. Upon completion of such share split and share allotment, the number of shares under the 2009 Plan was adjusted from 25,678 to 163,825,640. Accordingly, the exercise price was adjusted from RMB3,190 to RMB0.5. Such options expired on December 31, 2016, and as of December 31, 2016, no option was excised.

2017 SFIL Share Incentive Plan

In January 2017, SFIL adopted the 2017 SFIL Share Incentive Plan, or the 2017 Plan. Under the 2017 Plan, SFIL granted 187,933,730 options to its certain management members and employees to purchase up to 187,933,730 ordinary shares. The term of the options will not exceed ten years from the date of the grant.

2018 CNFinance Holdings Limited Share Incentive Plan

On             , 2018, we adopted the 2018 CNFinance Holdings Limited Share Incentive Plan, or the 2018 Plan, to replace the 2017 Plan and granted 187,933,730 options to certain management members and employees to purchase up to 187,933,730 of our ordinary shares under this 2018 Plan to replace the granted and outstanding options under the 2017 Plan.

The purpose of the 2018 Plan is to promote the success and enhance the value of the company by linking the personal interests of the members of the board of directors, employees and consultants to those of the company shareholders and by providing such individuals with an incentive for outstanding performance to generate superior returns to the company shareholders. The 2018 Plan is further intended to provide flexibility to the company in its ability to motivate, attract and retain the services of member of the board of director, employees and consultants upon whose judgment, interest and special effort the successful conduct of the company’s operation is largely dependent. The 2018 Plan provides for the issuance of up to an aggregate of              of our ordinary shares.

The following paragraphs summarize the terms of the 2018 Plan.

Types of Awards . The 2018 Plan permits the awards of options, restricted shares and restricted share units and other rights or benefits under the 2018 Plan.

Plan Administration . The 2018 Plan shall be administered by the board of directors; provided, however, that the board of directors may delegate to a committee of one or more members of the board of the directors the authority to grant or amend Awards to grantee other than Independent Directors and executive officers of the Company. The committee shall consist of at least two individuals, each of whom qualifies as a non-employee director.

Eligibility . Employees, consultants of the Company or its affiliate and member of the board of directors are eligible to participate in the 2018 Plan. An employee or consultant who has been granted an award may, if he or she is otherwise eligible, be granted additional awards.

Designation of Award . Each award under the 2018 Plan is designated in an award agreement, which is a written agreement evidencing the grant of an award executed by the company and the grantee, including any amendments thereto.

Conditions of Award . The board of directors or any entity appointed by the board of directors to administer the 2018 Plan shall determine the provisions, terms, and conditions of each award including, but not limited to, the award vesting schedule, repurchase provisions, rights of first refusal, forfeiture provisions, and form of payment upon settlement of the award.

Terms of Award . The term of each award is stated in the award agreement between the Company and the grantee of such award.

 

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Transfer Restrictions . Unless otherwise determined by the administrator of the 2018 Plan, no award and no right under any such award, shall be assignable, alienable, saleable or transferable by the employee otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution unless, if so determined by the administrator of the 2018 Plan, the employee may, in the manner established by such administrator, designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries to exercise the rights of the employee, and to receive any property distributable, with respect to any award upon the death of the employee.

Exercise of Award . 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 2018 Plan shall not exceed ten years, except as provided in Section 11.1 therein. The Committee shall also determine any conditions, if any, that must be satisfied before all or part of an option may be exercised.

Amendment, Modification, Suspension or Termination of the 201 8 Plan . The administrator of the 2018 Plan may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate this 2018 Plan, or any Award Agreement hereunder or any portion hereof or thereof at any time; provided , however , that (a) to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with applicable laws defined therein, 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, and (b) shareholder approval is required for any amendment to the 2018 Plan that (i) increases the number of shares available under the 2018 Plan (other than any adjustment as provided by Article 8 of the 2018 Plan), (ii) permits the Committee to extend the term of the 2018 Plan or the exercise period for an option beyond ten years from the date of grant, or (iii) results in a material increase in benefits or a change in eligibility requirements.

The following table summarizes, as of the date of this prospectus, the outstanding equity awards granted to our directors and executive officers under the 2018 Plan, which replaced the 2017 Plan.

 

Name

   Number of
Options
Outstanding
     Ordinary Shares
Underlying Equity
Awards Granted
     Exercise Price
(Per share)
     Date of Grant      Date of Expiration  

Bin Zhai

     40,000,000        40,000,000        RMB0.5        January 3, 2017        December 31, 2022  

Ning Li

     30,000,000        30,000,000        RMB0.5        January 3, 2017        December 31, 2022  

Jun Qian

     20,000,000        20,000,000        RMB0.5        January 3, 2017        December 31, 2022  

Zehui Zhang

     20,000,000        20,000,000        RMB0.5        January 3, 2017        December 31, 2022  

All directors and executive officers as a group

     110,000,000        110,000,000        RMB0.5        January 3, 2017        December 31, 2022  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of the date of this prospectus, our other employees as a group held options to purchase up to 187,933,730 of our ordinary shares, with an exercise price of RMB0.5 per share.

For discussions of our accounting policies and estimates for awards granted pursuant to the 2018 Plan, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies, Judgments and Estimates—Share-based compensation expense.”

 

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PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

The following table sets forth information concerning the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares as of the date of this prospectus:

 

    each of our directors and executive officers; and

 

    each person known to us to beneficially own more than 5% of our ordinary shares.

The calculations in the table below are based on 1,230,434,040 ordinary shares outstanding as of the date of this prospectus and              ordinary shares outstanding immediately after the completion of this offering, including              ordinary shares to be sold by us in this offering in the form of ADSs, assuming that the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs.

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 Prior
to this Offering
     Ordinary Shares Beneficially
Owned After this Offering
 
     Number      % *      Number      Percentage of
aggregate voting
power
***
 

Directors and Executive Officers:†

           

Bin Zhai (1)

    
[528,862,160]
 
    
[41.6]
 
     

Ning Li (2)

    
[18,000,000]
 
    
[1.4]
 
     

Paul Wolansky (3)

     466,964,960        38.0        

Peng Ge

     —          **        

Jun Qian (4)

     12,000,000        1.0        

Zehui Zhang (5)

     12,000,000        1.0        

Principal Shareholders:

           

CAA Holdings Company Limited (6)

     504,862,160        41.0        

Complete Joy Investments Limited (7 )

     343,812,713.2        27.9        

Keep High Holdings Limited (7)

     81,772,077.2        6.7        

Cathay Auto Services Limited (8)

     319,382,800        26.0        

CISG Holdings Ltd. (9)

     253,196,680        20.6        

Cathay Capital Holdings II, L.P. (10)

     147,582,160        12.0        

 

Notes:
* For each person and group included in this table, percentage ownership is calculated by dividing the number of shares beneficially owned by such person or group by the sum of (i) 1,230,434,040, being the number of ordinary shares as of the date of this prospectus and (ii) the number of ordinary shares underlying share options held by such person or group that are exercisable within 60 days after the date of this prospectus.
** Represents beneficial ownership of less than one percent.
*** For each person and group included in this column, percentage of voting power is calculated by dividing the voting power beneficially owned by such person or group by the voting power of all of our ordinary shares as a single class.
The address of our directors and executive officers except for Mr. Paul Wolansky and Mr. Peng Ge is 44/F Tower G, No.16 Zhujiang Dong Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China. The business address for Mr. Paul Wolansky is c/o New China Investment Management Inc., One Dock Street, Suite 610, Stamford, Connecticut 06902-5836, U.S.A. The business address for Mr. Peng Ge is 27/F, No. 15 Zhujiang Xi Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China.
(1)

Includes (i) options we granted to Mr. Bin Zhai under the 2018 Plan to purchase up to 40,000,000 of our ordinary shares of which options to purchase up to 24,000,000 ordinary shares are immediately exercisable;

 

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  and (ii) the equity interest held by Mr. Bin Zhai through CAA Holdings Company Limited, or CAA Holdings, as set forth in notes (6) and (7) below.
(2) Includes options we granted to Mr. Ning Li under the 2018 Plan to purchase up to 30,000,000 of our ordinary shares of which options to purchase up to 18,000,000 ordinary shares are immediately exercisable. This does not include the equity interest held by Mr. Ning Li through CAA Holdings as set forth in notes (6) and (7) below.
(3) Includes 319,382,800 ordinary shares of our company held by Cathay Auto Services Limited, or Cathay Auto, a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, and 147,582,160 ordinary shares of our company held by Cathay Capital Holdings II, L.P., or Cathay Capital. Mr. Paul Wolansky is the chief executive officer of New China Investment Management Inc., the investment manager for Cathay Investment Fund, Ltd., a closed-end investment fund organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands, which owns 100% of Cathay Auto. As such, Mr. Paul Wolansky may be deemed to have the power to direct voting and disposition of the 319,382,800 ordinary shares held by Cathay Auto. Cathay Master GP, Ltd., or Cathay Master, is the general partner of Cathay Capital and has the power to direct Cathay Capital as to the voting and disposition of shares directly and indirectly held by Cathay Capital. Mr. Wolansky and Mr. S. Donald Sussman are directors of Cathay Master. As such, Mr. Wolansky, together with Mr. S. Donald Sussman, may be deemed to have the power to voting and disposition of the 147,582,160 ordinary shares held by Cathay Capital. Mr. Wolansky disclaims beneficial ownership of all of our shares held by Cathay Auto and Cathay Capital except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. The business address of Mr. Wolansky is c/o New China Investment Management Inc., One Dock Street, Stamford, Connecticut 06902-5836, U.S.A.
(4) Includes options we granted to Mr. Jun Qian under the 2018 Plan to purchase up to 20,000,000 of our ordinary shares, of which options to up to 12,000,000 ordinary shares are immediately exercisable. This does not include the equity interest held by Mr. Jun Qian through CAA Holdings as set forth in notes (6) and (7) below.
(5) Includes options we granted to Mr. Zehui Zhang under the 2018 Plan to purchase up to 20,000,000 of our ordinary shares, of which options to up to 12,000,000 ordinary shares are immediately exercisable. This does not include the equity interest held by Mr. Zehui Zhang through CAA Holdings as set forth in notes (6) and (7) below.
(6) Includes (i) 343,812,713.2 of our ordinary shares held by Complete Joy Investments Limited, or Complete Joy, (ii) 81,772,077.2 of our ordinary shares held by Keep High Holdings Limited, or Keep High, (iii) 44,417,560 of our ordinary shares held by Goldsource Holdings Limited, or Goldsource, and (iv) 34,859,809.6 of our ordinary shares held by Able Boom Investments Limited, or Able Boom. CAA Holdings owns 100% of the equity interest in Complete Joy, Keep High, Goldsource Holdings and Able Boom. Approximately 48.32% of the total outstanding shares of CAA Holdings are held by Kylin Investment Holdings Limited, or Kylin Investment, a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands. Approximately 51.68% of the total outstanding shares of CAA Holdings are held by independent third-party investors. Approximately 50% of the total outstanding shares of Kylin Investment are held by Mr. Bin Zhai, our chairman and chief executive officer. Approximately 30% of the total outstanding shares of Kylin Investment are held by Mr. Ning Li, our executive director and chief financial officer. Approximately 10% of the total outstanding shares of Kylin Investment are held by Mr. Jun Qian, one of our directors and approximately 10% of the total outstanding shares of Kylin Investment are held by Mr. Zehui Zhang, one of our directors. Mr. Bin Zhai serves as the director of CAA Holdings and may be deemed to have the power to direct voting and disposition of the 504,862,160 of our ordinary shares held by CAA Holdings. CAA Holdings disclaims beneficial ownership of our shares except to the extent of its pecuniary interest therein. Mr. Bin Zhai, Mr. Ning Li, Mr. Jun Qian and Mr. Zehui Zhang each disclaims beneficial ownership of all of our shares held by CAA Holdings except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein.
(7)

CAA Holdings owns 100% of the equity interest in Complete Joy and Keep High, each of which is a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands. Approximately 48.32% of the total outstanding shares of CAA Holdings are held by Kylin Investment Holdings Limited, or Kylin Investment, a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands. Approximately 51.68% of the total outstanding shares of CAA Holdings are held by independent third-party investors. Approximately 50% of the total outstanding shares of Kylin Investment are held by Mr. Bin Zhai, our chairman and chief executive officer. Approximately

 

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  30% of the total outstanding shares of Kylin Investment are held by Mr. Ning Li, our executive director and chief financial officer. Approximately 10% of the total outstanding shares of Kylin Investment are held by Mr. Jun Qian, one of our directors and approximately 10% of the total outstanding shares of Kylin Investment are held by Mr. Zehui Zhang, one of our directors. Mr. Bin Zhai serves as the director of CAA Holdings and may be deemed to have the power to direct voting and disposition of the 504,862,160 of our ordinary shares held by CAA Holdings. CAA Holdings disclaims beneficial ownership of our shares except to the extent of its pecuniary interest therein. Mr. Bin Zhai, Mr. Ning Li, Mr. Jun Qian and Mr. Zehui Zhang each disclaims beneficial ownership of all of our shares held by CAA Holdings except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein.
(8)

Represents 319,382,800 ordinary shares of our company held by Cathay Auto. Cathay Investment Fund, Ltd., a closed-end investment fund organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands, owns 100% of Cathay Auto. New China Investment Management Inc., a company incorporated under the laws of Delaware, is the investment manager for Cathay Investment Fund, Ltd. and has the power to direct Cathay Investment Fund as to the voting and disposition of shares directly and indirectly held by Cathay Investment Fund, Ltd. The voting and investment decisions for shares beneficially owned by Cathay Investment Fund are made by Mr. Paul Wolansky and Mr. S. Donald Sussman. Cathay Auto disclaims beneficial ownership of all of our shares except to the extent of its pecuniary interest therein. Cathay Investment Fund, Ltd., Mr. Paul Wolansky and Mr. S. Donald Sussman disclaim beneficial ownership of all of our shares held by Cathay Auto except to the extent of their respective pecuniary interest therein. The business address of Cathay Auto is c/o New China Investment Management Inc., One Dock Street, Stamford, Connecticut 06902-5836, U.S.A.

(9)

Represents 253,196,680 ordinary shares of our company held by CISG Holdings Ltd., which in turn is controlled by Fanhua Inc., a Cayman Islands company listed on Nasdaq.

(10)

Includes 147,582,160 ordinary shares of our company held by Cathay Capital. Cathay Master GP, Ltd., or Cathay Master, is the general partner of Cathay Capital and has the power to direct Cathay Capital as to the voting and disposition of shares directly and indirectly held by Cathay Capital. Mr. Wolansky and Mr. S. Donald Sussman are directors of Cathay Master. Mr. Paul Wolansky and Mr. S. Donald Sussman disclaim beneficial ownership of all of our shares held by Cathay Capital except to the extent of their pecuniary interests therein.

 

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RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Employment Agreements and Indemnification Agreements

See “Management—Employment Agreements and Indemnification Agreements.”

Share Incentive Plans

See “Management—Share Incentive Plans.”

Other Related Party Transactions

The following table sets forth major related parties and their relationship with us.

 

Name of related parties

  

Relationship with us

CISG Holdings Limited

   One of the shareholders

Fanhua Inc. and its subsidiaries

  

One of the owners beneficially owns 100% equity interests of CISG Holdings Limited

Mr. Bin Zhai

   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

In 2011, we entered into a revolving loan agreement with Fanhua Inc. and its subsidiaries, pursuant to which we may borrow up to US$50.0 million (equivalent to RMB318.0 million as per the agreement) in total. The revolving loan agreement was renewed annually. In 2017, we amended the loan agreement to raise the credit limit to approximately US$79.7 million (equivalent to RMB500.0 million as per the agreement). Such loan agreement expired in March 2018 and was not renewed. The loan is unsecured and bears an interest at 7.3% per annum and is repayable on demand. We and Fanhua Inc. and its subsidiaries looked to the interest rate of comparable bank loans as a reference when determining the interest rate. The largest amount of principal outstanding from 2016 to 2017 was RMB400 million. As of December 31, 2016, the interests payable to Fanhua Inc. and its subsidiaries were RMB32,494,914, which were repaid in full in 2017.

In 2017, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Bin Zhai, entered into a loan agreement as borrower with us as lender with an amount of RMB5,010,800 with a daily interest rate of 0.02%, which was repaid in full in March 2018.

In May 2018, FOTIC established Jinghua Structure Fund 27. As of June 30, 2018, Fanhua Inc. and its subsidiaries subscribed to all of the senior units of Jinghua Structure Fund 27, which amounted to approximately RMB138 million. We subscribed to all of the subordinated units of Jinghua Structure Fund 27, which amounted to approximately RMB15.4 million.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL

We are a Cayman Islands company and our affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association, as amended and restated from time to time, and Companies Law (2016 Revision) of the Cayman Islands, which we refer to as the “Companies Law” below, and the common law of the Cayman Islands.

Our share capital is divided into ordinary shares and preferred shares. In respect of all of our ordinary shares and preferred shares we have power, insofar as is permitted by law, to redeem or purchase any of our shares and to increase or reduce the share capital subject to the provisions of the Companies Law and the articles of association and to issue any shares, whether such shares be of the original, redeemed or increased capital, with or without any preference, priority or special privilege or subject to any postponement of rights or to any conditions or restrictions and so that unless the conditions of issue shall otherwise expressly declare every issue of shares whether declared to be preference or otherwise shall be subject to the powers under our memorandum and articles of association.

As of the date hereof, our authorized share capital consists of US$             divided into              ordinary shares with a par value of US$0.0001 each. As of the date of this prospectus, there are              ordinary shares issued and outstanding. [All of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares are fully paid.] Immediately prior to the completion of this offering, all of our issued and outstanding preferred shares will be redesignated or converted into ordinary shares on a one-for-one basis.

We plan to adopt an amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, which will become effective and replace the current memorandum and articles of association in its entirety immediately prior to the completion of this offering. Our authorized share capital immediately prior to the completion of the offering will be US$             divided into              ordinary shares of a par value of US$0.0001 each. We will issue              ordinary shares represented by ADSs in this offering. All options, regardless of grant dates, will entitle holders to an equivalent number of ordinary shares once the vesting and exercising conditions are met.

The following are summaries of material provisions of our post-offering amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and the Companies Law insofar as they relate to the material terms of our ordinary shares that we expect will become effective upon the closing of this offering.

Ordinary Shares

General . Holders of ordinary shares will have the same rights except for voting and conversion rights. All of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares are fully paid and non-assessable. Certificates representing the ordinary shares are issued in registered form. We may not issue shares to bearer. Our shareholders who are nonresidents of the Cayman Islands may freely hold and transfer 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 and the Companies Law. In addition, our shareholders may, subject to the provisions of our articles of association, by ordinary resolution declare a dividend, but no dividend may exceed the amount recommended by our directors. Our post-offering amended and restated articles of association provide that dividends may be declared and paid out of our profits, realized or unrealized, or from any reserve set aside from profits which our Board of Directors determine is no longer needed. Dividends may also be declared and paid out of share premium account or any other fund or account which can be authorized for this purpose in accordance with the Companies Law. No dividend may be declared and paid unless our directors determine that, immediately after the payment, we will be able to pay our debts as they become due in the ordinary course of business and we have funds lawfully available for such purpose.

Voting Rights . In respect of all matters subject to a shareholders’ vote, each ordinary share is entitled to one vote for each ordinary share registered in his or her name on our register of members. Voting at any meeting of

 

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shareholders is by show of hands unless a poll is demanded. A poll may be demanded by the chairman of such meeting or any one shareholder.

A quorum required for a meeting of shareholders consists of two or more shareholders holding not less than one-third of the votes attaching to the issued and outstanding shares entitled to vote at general meetings present in person or by proxy or, if a corporation or other non-natural person, by its duly authorized representative. As a Cayman Islands exempted company, we are not obliged by the Companies Law to call shareholders’ annual general meetings. Our post-IPO 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 will specify the meeting as such in the notices calling it, and the annual general meeting will be held at such time and place as may be determined by our directors. We, however, will hold an annual shareholders’ meeting during each fiscal year, as required by the Listing Rules at the NYSE. Each general meeting, other than an annual general meeting, shall be an extraordinary general meeting. Shareholders’ annual general meetings and any other general meetings of our shareholders may be called by a majority of our Board of Directors or our chairman or upon a requisition of shareholders holding at the date of deposit of the requisition not less than one-third of the votes attaching to the issued and outstanding shares entitled to vote at general meetings, in which case the directors are obliged to call such meeting and to put the resolutions so requisitioned to a vote at such meeting; however , our post-offering amended and restated 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. Advance notice of at least ten (10) days is required for the convening of our annual general meeting and other general meetings unless such notice is waived in accordance with our articles of association.

An ordinary resolution to be passed at a meeting by the shareholders requires the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the votes attaching to the ordinary shares cast by those shareholders entitled to vote who are present in person or by proxy at a general meeting, while a special resolution also requires the affirmative vote of no less than two-thirds of the votes attaching to the ordinary shares cast by those shareholders entitled to vote who are present in person or by proxy at a general meeting. A special resolution will be required for important matters such as a change of name or making changes to our post-offering amended and restated memorandum and articles of association.

Transfer of Ordinary Shares . Subject to the restrictions in our post-offering amended and restated 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:

 

   

the instrument of transfer is lodged with us, accompanied by the certificate for the ordinary shares to which it relates and such other evidence as our Board of Directors may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer;

 

   

the instrument of transfer is in respect of only one class of shares;

 

   

the instrument of transfer is properly stamped, if required;

 

   

in the case of a transfer to joint holders, the number of joint holders to whom the ordinary share is to be transferred does not exceed four;

 

   

the shares are free from any lien in favor of the Company; and

 

   

a fee of such maximum sum as the NYSE may determine to be payable or such lesser sum as our directors may from time to time require is paid to us in respect thereof.

 

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If our directors refuse to register a transfer they shall, within three 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 required of the NYSE, 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 30 more than days in any year as our board may determine.

Liquidation . On a return of capital on winding-up or otherwise (other than on conversion, redemption or purchase of ordinary shares), 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 are insufficient to repay all of the paid-up 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. Any distribution of assets or capital to a holder of ordinary share will be the same in any liquidation event.

Redemption, Repurchase and Surrender of Ordinary Shares . We may issue shares on terms that such shares are subject to redemption, at our option or at the option of the holders thereof, on such terms and in such manner as may be determined, before the issue of such shares, by our Board of Directors or by an ordinary resolution of our shareholders. Our company may also repurchase any of our shares provided that the manner and terms of such purchase have been approved by our Board of Directors or by ordinary resolution of our shareholders, or are otherwise authorized by our post-IPO memorandum and articles of association. 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 fresh 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 the 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 (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 not less than two-thirds of the issued shares of that class or series or with the sanction of a resolution passed by a majority of two-thirds of the votes cast 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 varied by the creation or issue of further shares ranking pari passu with such existing class of shares.

Inspection of Books and Records . Holders of our ordinary shares 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.”

Issuance of Additional Shares . Our post-offering amended and restated memorandum 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.

 

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Our post-offering amended and restated memorandum of association also authorizes our Board of Directors to establish from time to time one or more series of preferred shares and to determine, with respect to any series of preferred shares, the terms and rights of that series, including:

 

   

the designation of the series;

 

   

the number of shares of the series;

 

   

the dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights, voting rights; and

 

   

the rights and terms of redemption and liquidation preferences.

Our Board of Directors may issue preferred 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.

Anti-Takeover Provisions . Some provisions of our post-offering amended and restated 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 authorize our Board of Directors to issue preferred shares in one or more series and to designate the price, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of such preferred shares without any further vote or action by our shareholders.

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. Any company that is registered in the Cayman Islands but conducts business mainly outside 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:

 

   

does not have to file an annual return of its shareholders with the Registrar of Companies;

 

   

is not required to open its register of members for inspection;

 

   

does not have to hold an annual general meeting;

 

   

may issue shares or shares with no par value;

 

   

may obtain an undertaking against the imposition of any future taxation (such undertakings are usually given for 20 years in the first instance);

 

   

may register by way of continuation in another jurisdiction and be deregistered in the Cayman Islands;

 

   

may register as a limited duration company; and

 

   

may register as a segregated portfolio company.

“Limited liability” means that the liability of each shareholder is limited to the amount unpaid by the shareholder on that shareholder’s shares of the company.

Register of Members

Under the Cayman Companies Law, we must keep a register of members and there should be entered therein:

 

   

the names and addresses of our members, a statement of the shares held by each member, and of the amount paid or agreed to be considered as paid, on the shares of each member;

 

   

the date on which the name of any person was entered on the register as a member; and

 

   

the date on which any person ceased to be a member.

 

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Under Cayman Companies Law, the register of members of our company is prima facie evidence of the matters set out therein (that is, the register of members will raise a presumption of fact on the matters referred to above unless rebutted) and a member registered in the register of members is deemed as a matter of Cayman Companies Law to have legal title to the shares as set against its name in the register of members. Upon completion of this offering, we will perform the procedure necessary to immediately update the register of members to record and give effect to the issuance of shares by us to the Depositary (or its nominee) as the depositary. Once our register of members has been updated, the shareholders recorded in the register of members will be deemed to have legal title to the shares set against their name.

If the name of any person is incorrectly entered in or omitted from our register of members, or if there is any default or unnecessary delay in entering on the register the fact of any person having ceased to be a member of our company, the person or member aggrieved (or any member of our company or our company itself) may apply to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands for an order that the register be rectified, and the Court may either refuse such application or it may, if satisfied of the justice of the case, make an order for the rectification of the register.

Differences in Corporate Law

The Companies Law is derived, to a large extent, from the older Companies Acts of England, but does not follow many recent English law statutory enactments. In addition, the Companies Law differs from laws applicable to United States corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a summary of the significant differences between the provisions of the Companies Law applicable to us and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the State of Delaware.

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 (a) a special resolution of the shareholders of each constituent company, and (b) 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 declaration as to 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 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

 

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parties, will be determined by the Cayman Islands court) upon dissenting to the merger or consolidation, provide 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 statutory provisions as to the required majority vote have been met;

 

   

the shareholders have been fairly represented at the meeting in question and the statutory majority are acting bona fide without coercion of the minority to promote interests adverse to those of the class;

 

   

the arrangement is such that may be reasonably approved by an intelligent and honest man of that class acting in respect of his interest; and

 

   

the arrangement is not one that would more properly be sanctioned under some other provision of the Companies Law.

The Companies Law also contains a statutory power of compulsory acquisition which may facilitate the “squeeze out” of a dissenting 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) which permit a minority shareholder to commence a class action against or derivative actions in the name of the company to challenge actions where:

 

   

a company acts or proposes to act illegally or ultra vires ;

 

   

the act complained of, although not ultra vires, could only be effected duly if authorized by more than a simple majority vote that has not been obtained; and

 

   

those who control the company are perpetrating a “fraud on the minority.”

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

 

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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 officers, 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 amended and restated 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 company—a 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 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. The Companies Law and our post-offering amended and restated 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

 

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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 provide 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 amended and restated articles of association allow our shareholders holding in aggregate not less than one-third of all votes attaching to the issued and outstanding shares of our company 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 amended and restated articles of association do not provide our shareholders with any other right to put proposals before annual general meetings or extraordinary general meetings not called by such shareholders. 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 amended and restated 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 amended and restated articles of association, directors may be removed with or without cause, by an ordinary resolution of our shareholders. A director shall hold office until the expiration of his or her term or his or her successor shall have been elected and qualified, or until his or her office is otherwise vacated. In addition, a director’s office shall be vacated if the director (i) becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or composition with his creditors; (ii) is found to be or becomes of unsound mind or dies; (iii) resigns his office by notice in writing to the company; (iv) without special leave of absence from our Board of Directors, is absent from three consecutive meetings of the board and the board resolves that his office be vacated; (v) is prohibited by law from being a director; or (vi) is removed from office pursuant to any other provisions of our post-offering amended and restated memorandum and articles of association.

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 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.

 

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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, the directors of the Company are required to comply with fiduciary duties which they owe to the Company under Cayman Islands laws, including the duty to ensure that, in their opinion, any such transactions must be entered into bona fide in the best interests of the company, and are entered into for a proper corporate purpose 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 and our post-offering amended and restated articles of association, 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 amended and restated articles of association, if our share capital is divided into more than one class of shares, we may vary the rights attached to any class with the written consent of the holders of not less than two-thirds of the issued shares of that class or with the sanction of a resolution passed by a majority of two-thirds of the votes cast 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 amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, our memorandum and articles of association may only be amended by a special resolution of our shareholders.

Rights of Nonresident or Foreign Shareholders . There are no limitations imposed by our post-offering amended and restated memorandum and articles of association on the rights of nonresident or foreign shareholders to hold or exercise voting rights on our shares. In addition, there are no provisions in our post-offering amended and restated 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 two years.

Option Grants

We have granted options to purchase our ordinary shares to certain of our executive officers and employees. Upon completion of this offering, an option to purchase our ordinary shares granted under the 2018 Plan prior to this offering will entitle the holder to purchase an equivalent number of ordinary shares.

As of the date of this prospectus, the aggregate number of our ordinary shares underlying our outstanding options under the 2018 Plan is 187,933,730. See “Management—Share Incentive Plans.”

 

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DESCRIPTION OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES

American Depositary Receipts

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“JPMorgan”), as depositary will issue the ADSs which you will be entitled to receive in this offering. Each ADS will represent an ownership interest in a designated number of shares which we will deposit with the custodian, as agent of the depositary, under the deposit agreement among ourselves, the depositary and yourself as an ADR holder. In the future, each ADS will also represent any securities, cash or other property deposited with the depositary but which they have not distributed directly to you. Unless certificated ADRs are specifically requested by you, all ADSs will be issued on the books of our depositary in book-entry form and periodic statements will be mailed to you which reflect your ownership interest in such ADSs. In our description, references to American depositary receipts or ADRs shall include the statements you will receive which reflect your ownership of ADSs.

The depositary’s office is located at 383 Madison Avenue, Floor 11, New York, NY 10179.

You may hold ADSs either directly or indirectly through your broker or other financial institution. If you hold ADSs directly, by having an ADS registered in your name on the books of the depositary, you are an ADR holder. This description assumes you hold your ADSs directly. If you hold the ADSs through your broker or financial institution nominee, you must rely on the procedures of such broker or financial institution to assert the rights of an ADR holder described in this section. You should consult with your broker or financial institution to find out what those procedures are.

As an ADR holder, we will not treat you as a shareholder of ours and you will not have any shareholder rights. Cayman Islands law governs shareholder rights. Because the depositary or its nominee will be the shareholder of record for the shares represented by all outstanding ADSs, shareholder rights rest with such record holder. Your rights are those of an ADR holder. Such rights derive from the terms of the deposit agreement to be entered into among us, the depositary and all registered holders from time to time of ADSs issued under the deposit agreement. The obligations of the depositary and its agents are also set out in the deposit agreement. Because the depositary or its nominee will actually be the registered owner of the shares, you must rely on it to exercise the rights of a shareholder on your behalf. The deposit agreement and the ADSs are governed by New York law. Under the deposit agreement, as an ADR holder, you agree that any legal suit, action or proceeding against or involving us or the depositary, arising out of or based upon the deposit agreement, the ADSs or the transactions contemplated thereby, may only be instituted in a state or federal court in New York, New York, and you irrevocably waive any objection which you may have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding and irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding.

The following is a summary of what we believe to be the material terms of the deposit agreement. Notwithstanding this, because it is a summary, it may not contain all the information that you may otherwise deem important. For more complete information, you should read the entire deposit agreement and the form of ADR which contains the terms of your ADSs. You can read a copy of the deposit agreement which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. You may also obtain a copy of the deposit agreement at the SEC’s Public Reference Room which is located at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-732-0330. You may also find the registration statement and the attached deposit agreement on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

Share Dividends and Other Distributions

How will I receive dividends and other distributions on the shares underlying my ADSs?

We may make various types of distributions with respect to our securities. The depositary has agreed that, to the extent practicable, it will pay to you the cash dividends or other distributions it or the custodian receives on

 

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shares or other deposited securities, after converting any cash received into U.S. dollars (if it determines such conversion may be made on a reasonable basis) and, in all cases, making any necessary deductions provided for in the deposit agreement. The depositary may utilize a division, branch or affiliate of JPMorgan to direct, manage and/or execute any public and/or private sale of securities under the deposit agreement. Such division, branch and/or affiliate may charge the depositary a fee in connection with such sales, which fee is considered an expense of the depositary. You will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of underlying securities that your ADSs represent.

Except as stated below, the depositary will deliver such distributions to ADR holders in proportion to their interests in the following manner:

 

   

Cash. The depositary will distribute any U.S. dollars available to it resulting from a cash dividend or other cash distribution or the net proceeds of sales of any other distribution or portion thereof (to the extent applicable), on an averaged or other practicable basis, subject to (i) appropriate adjustments for taxes withheld, (ii) such distribution being impermissible or impracticable with respect to certain registered ADR holders, and (iii) deduction of the depositary’s and/or its agents’ expenses in (1) converting any foreign currency to U.S. dollars to the extent that it determines that such conversion may be made on a reasonable basis, (2) transferring foreign currency or U.S. dollars to the United States by such means as the depositary may determine to the extent that it determines that such transfer may be made on a reasonable basis, (3) obtaining any approval or license of any governmental authority required for such conversion or transfer, which is obtainable at a reasonable cost and within a reasonable time and (4) making any sale by public or private means in any commercially reasonable manner. If exchange rates fluctuate during a time when the depositary cannot convert a foreign currency, you may lose some or all of the value of the distribution .

 

   

Shares. In the case of a distribution in shares, the depositary will issue additional ADRs to evidence the number of ADSs representing such shares. Only whole ADSs will be issued. Any shares which would result in fractional ADSs will be sold and the net proceeds will be distributed in the same manner as cash to the ADR holders entitled thereto.

 

   

Rights to receive additional shares. In the case of a distribution of rights to subscribe for additional shares or other rights, if we timely provide evidence satisfactory to the depositary that it may lawfully distribute such rights, the depositary will distribute warrants or other instruments in the discretion of the depositary representing such rights. However, if we do not timely furnish such evidence, the depositary may:

(i) sell such rights if practicable and distribute the net proceeds in the same manner as cash to the ADR holders entitled thereto; or

(ii) if it is not practicable to sell such rights by reason of the non-transferability of the rights, limited markets therefor, their short duration or otherwise, do nothing and allow such rights to lapse, in which case ADR holders will receive nothing and the rights may lapse. We have no obligation to file a registration statement under the Securities Act in order to make any rights available to ADR holders.

 

   

Other Distributions. In the case of a distribution of securities or property other than those described above, the depositary may either (i) distribute such securities or property in any manner it deems equitable and practicable or (ii) to the extent the depositary deems distribution of such securities or property not to be equitable and practicable, sell such securities or property and distribute any net proceeds in the same way it distributes cash.

If the depositary determines in its discretion that any distribution described above is not practicable with respect to any specific registered ADR holder, the depositary may choose any method of distribution that it deems practicable for such ADR holder, including the distribution of foreign currency, securities or property, or it may retain such items, without paying interest on or investing them, on behalf of the ADR holder as deposited securities, in which case the ADSs will also represent the retained items.

 

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Any U.S. dollars will be distributed by checks drawn on a bank in the United States for whole dollars and cents. Fractional cents will be withheld without liability and dealt with by the depositary in accordance with its then current practices.

The depositary is not responsible if it fails to determine that any distribution or action is lawful or reasonably practicable.

There can be no assurance that the depositary will be able to convert any currency at a specified exchange rate or sell any property, rights, shares or other securities at a specified price, nor that any of such transactions can be completed within a specified time period. All purchases and sales of securities will be handled by the Depositary in accordance with its then current policies, which are currently set forth in the “Depositary Receipt Sale and Purchase of Security” section of https://www.adr.com/Investors/FindOutAboutDRs, the location and contents of which the Depositary shall be solely responsible for.

Deposit, Withdrawal and Cancellation

How does the depositary issue ADSs?

The depositary will issue ADSs if you or your broker deposit shares or evidence of rights to receive shares with the custodian and pay the fees and expenses owing to the depositary in connection with such issuance. In the case of the ADSs to be issued under this prospectus, we will arrange with the underwriters named herein to deposit such shares.

Shares deposited in the future with the custodian must be accompanied by certain delivery documentation and shall, at the time of such deposit, be registered in the name of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as depositary for the benefit of holders of ADRs or in such other name as the depositary shall direct.

The custodian will hold all deposited shares (including those being deposited by or on our behalf in connection with the offering to which this prospectus relates) for the account and to the order of the depositary. ADR holders thus have no direct ownership interest in the shares and only have such rights as are contained in the deposit agreement. The custodian will also hold any additional securities, property and cash received on or in substitution for the deposited shares. The deposited shares and any such additional items are referred to as “deposited securities”.

Upon each deposit of shares, receipt of related delivery documentation and compliance with the other provisions of the deposit agreement, including the payment of the fees and charges of the depositary and any taxes or other fees or charges owing, the depositary will issue an ADR or ADRs in the name or upon the order of the person entitled thereto evidencing the number of ADSs to which such person is entitled. All of the ADSs issued will, unless specifically requested to the contrary, be part of the depositary’s direct registration system, and a registered holder will receive periodic statements from the depositary which will show the number of ADSs registered in such holder’s name. An ADR holder can request that the ADSs not be held through the depositary’s direct registration system and that a certificated ADR be issued.

How do ADR holders cancel an ADS and obtain deposited securities?

When you turn in your ADR certificate at the depositary’s office, or when you provide proper instructions and documentation in the case of direct registration ADSs, the depositary will, upon payment of certain applicable fees, charges and taxes, deliver the underlying shares to you or upon your written order. Delivery of deposited securities in certificated form will be made at the custodian’s office. At your risk, expense and request, the depositary may deliver deposited securities at such other place as you may request.

The depositary may only restrict the withdrawal of deposited securities in connection with:

 

   

temporary delays caused by closing our transfer books or those of the depositary or the deposit of shares in connection with voting at a shareholders’ meeting, or the payment of dividends;

 

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the payment of fees, taxes and similar charges; or

 

   

compliance with any U.S. or foreign laws or governmental regulations relating to the ADRs or to the withdrawal of deposited securities.

This right of withdrawal may not be limited by any other provision of the deposit agreement.

Record Dates

The depositary may, after consultation with us if practicable, fix record dates (which, to the extent applicable, shall be as near as practicable to any corresponding record dates set by us) for the determination of the registered ADR holders who will be entitled (or obligated, as the case may be):

 

   

to receive any distribution on or in respect of deposited securities,

 

   

to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights at a meeting of holders of shares, or

 

   

to pay the fee assessed by the depositary for administration of the ADR program and for any expenses as provided for in the ADR,

 

   

to receive any notice or to act in respect of other matters,

all subject to the provisions of the deposit agreement.

Voting Rights

How do I vote?

If you are an ADR holder and the depositary asks you to provide it with voting instructions, you may instruct the depositary how to exercise the voting rights for the shares which underlie your ADSs. Subject to the next sentence, as soon as practicable after receiving notice from us of any meeting at which the holders of shares are entitled to vote, or of our solicitation of consents or proxies from holders of shares, the depositary shall fix the ADS record date in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement in respect of such meeting or solicitation of consent or proxy. The depositary shall, if we request in writing in a timely manner (the depositary having no obligation to take any further action if our request shall not have been received by the depositary at least 30 days prior to the date of such vote or meeting) and at our expense and provided that no legal prohibitions exist, distribute to the registered ADR holders a notice stating such information as is contained in the voting materials received by the depositary and describing how you may instruct or, subject to the next sentence, will be deemed to instruct, the depositary to exercise the voting rights for the shares which underlie your ADSs, including instructions for giving a discretionary proxy to a person designated by us. To the extent we have provided the depositary with at least 45 days’ notice of a proposed meeting, if voting instructions are not timely received by the depositary from any holder, such holder shall be deemed, and in the deposit agreement the depositary is instructed to deem such holder, to have instructed the depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by us to vote the shares represented by their ADSs as desired, provided that no such instruction shall be deemed given and no discretionary proxy shall be given (a) if we inform the depositary in writing (and we agree to provide the depositary with such information promptly in writing) that (i) we do not wish such proxy to be given, (ii) substantial opposition exists with respect to any agenda item for which the proxy would be given or (iii) the agenda item in question, if approved, would materially or adversely affect the rights of holders of shares and (b) unless, with respect to such meeting, the depositary has been provided with an opinion of our Cayman Islands counsel as agreed with such counsel, in form and substance satisfactory to the depositary, to the effect that (a) the granting of such discretionary proxy does not subject the depositary to any reporting obligations in the Cayman Islands solely by reason of grant, (b) the granting of such proxy will not result in a violation of Cayman Islands law, rule, regulation or permit applicable to the Company and (c) any ruling given in accordance with the deposit agreement in respect of the voting arrangement and deemed instruction as contemplated under the deposit agreement will be given effect by the courts of the Cayman Islands.

 

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Holders are strongly encouraged to forward their voting instructions to the depositary as soon as possible. For instructions to be valid, the ADR department of the depositary that is responsible for proxies and voting must receive them in the manner and on or before the time specified, notwithstanding that such instructions may have been physically received by the depositary prior to such time. The depositary will not itself exercise any voting discretion. Furthermore, neither the depositary nor its agents are responsible for any failure to carry out any voting instructions, for the manner in which any vote is cast or for the effect of any vote. Notwithstanding anything contained in the deposit agreement or any ADR, the depositary may, to the extent not prohibited by law or regulations, or by the requirements of the stock exchange on which the ADSs are listed, in lieu of distribution of the materials provided to the depositary in connection with any meeting of, or solicitation of consents or proxies from, holders of deposited securities, distribute to the registered holders of ADRs a notice that provides such holders with, or otherwise publicizes to such holders, instructions on how to retrieve such materials or receive such materials upon request ( i.e. , by reference to a website containing the materials for retrieval or a contact for requesting copies of the materials).

We have advised the depositary that under the Cayman Islands law and our constituent documents, each as in effect as of the date of the deposit agreement, voting at any meeting of shareholders is by show of hands unless a poll is (before or on the declaration of the results of the show of hands) demanded. In the event that voting on any resolution or matter is conducted on a show of hands basis in accordance with our constituent documents, the depositary will refrain from voting and the voting instructions received by the depositary from holders shall lapse. The depositary will not demand a poll or join in demanding a poll, whether or not requested to do so by holders of ADSs. There is no guarantee that you will receive voting materials in time to instruct the depositary to vote and it is possible that you, or persons who hold their ADSs through brokers, dealers or other third parties, will not have the opportunity to exercise a right to vote.

Reports and Other Communications

Will ADR holders be able to view our reports?

The depositary will make available for inspection by ADR holders at the offices of the depositary and the custodian the deposit agreement, the provisions of or governing deposited securities, and any written communications from us which are both received by the custodian or its nominee as a holder of deposited securities and made generally available to the holders of deposited securities.

Additionally, if we make any written communications generally available to holders of our shares, and we furnish copies thereof (or English translations or summaries) to the depositary, it will distribute the same to registered ADR holders.

Fees and Expenses

What fees and expenses will I be responsible for paying?

The depositary may charge each person to whom ADSs are issued, including, without limitation, issuances against deposits of shares, issuances in respect of share distributions, rights and other distributions, issuances pursuant to a stock dividend or stock split declared by us or issuances pursuant to a merger, exchange of securities or any other transaction or event affecting the ADSs or deposited securities, and each person surrendering ADSs for withdrawal of deposited securities or whose ADRs are cancelled or reduced for any other reason, $5.00 for each 100 ADSs (or any portion thereof) issued, delivered, reduced, cancelled or surrendered, as the case may be. The depositary may sell (by public or private sale) sufficient securities and property received in respect of a share distribution, rights and/or other distribution prior to such deposit to pay such charge.

The following additional charges shall be incurred by the ADR holders, by any party depositing or withdrawing shares or by any party surrendering ADSs and/or to whom ADSs are issued (including, without

 

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limitation, issuance pursuant to a stock dividend or stock split declared by us or an exchange of stock regarding the ADSs or the deposited securities or a distribution of ADSs), whichever is applicable:

 

   

a fee of U.S.$1.50 per ADR or ADRs for transfers of certificated or direct registration ADRs;

 

   

a fee of up to U.S.$0.05 per ADS for any cash distribution made pursuant to the deposit agreement;

 

   

an aggregate fee of up to U.S.$0.05 per ADS per calendar year (or portion thereof) for services performed by the depositary in administering the ADRs (which fee may be charged on a periodic basis during each calendar year and shall be assessed against holders of ADRs as of the record date or record dates set by the depositary during each calendar year and shall be payable in the manner described in the next succeeding provision);

 

   

a fee for the reimbursement of such fees, charges and expenses as are incurred by the depositary and/or any of its agents (including, without limitation, the custodian and expenses incurred on behalf of holders in connection with compliance with foreign exchange control regulations or any law or regulation relating to foreign investment) in connection with the servicing of the shares or other deposited securities, the sale of securities (including, without limitation, deposited securities), the delivery of deposited securities or otherwise in connection with the depositary’s or its custodian’s compliance with applicable law, rule or regulation (which fees and charges shall be assessed on a proportionate basis against holders as of the record date or dates set by the depositary and shall be payable at the sole discretion of the depositary by billing such holders or by deducting such charge from one or more cash dividends or other cash distributions);

 

   

a fee for the distribution of securities (or the sale of securities in connection with a distribution), such fee being in an amount equal to the $0.05 per ADS issuance fee for the execution and delivery of ADSs which would have been charged as a result of the deposit of such securities (treating all such securities as if they were shares) but which securities or the net cash proceeds from the sale thereof are instead distributed by the depositary to those holders entitled thereto;

 

   

stock transfer or other taxes and other governmental charges;

 

   

cable, telex and facsimile transmission and delivery charges incurred at your request in connection with the deposit or delivery of shares, ADRs or deposited securities;

 

   

transfer or registration fees for the registration of transfer of deposited securities on any applicable register in connection with the deposit or withdrawal of deposited securities;

 

   

in connection with the conversion of foreign currency into U.S. dollars, JPMorgan shall deduct out of such foreign currency the fees, expenses and other charges charged by it and/or its agent (which may be a division, branch or affiliate) so appointed in connection with such conversion; and

 

   

fees of any division, branch or affiliate of the depositary utilized by the depositary to direct, manage and/or execute any public and/or private sale of securities under the deposit agreement.

JPMorgan and/or its agent may act as principal for such conversion of foreign currency. For further details see https://www.adr.com.

We will pay all other charges and expenses of the depositary and any agent of the depositary (except the custodian) pursuant to agreements from time to time between us and the depositary.

The fees and charges described above may be amended from time to time by agreement between us and the depositary.

The depositary may make available to us a set amount or a portion of the depositary fees charged in respect of the ADR program or otherwise upon such terms and conditions as we and the depositary may agree from time to time. The depositary collects its fees for issuance and cancellation of ADSs directly from investors depositing

 

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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 will generally set off the amounts owing from distributions made to holders of ADSs. If, however, no distribution exists and payment owing is not timely received by the depositary, the depositary may refuse to provide any further services to holders that have not paid those fees and expenses owing until such fees and expenses have been paid. At the discretion of the depositary, all fees and charges owing under the deposit agreement are due in advance and/or when declared owing by the depositary.

The fees and charges you may be required to pay may vary over time and may be changed by us and by the depositary. You will receive prior notice of the increase in any such fees and charges.

Payment of Taxes

ADR holders must pay any tax or other governmental charge payable by the custodian or the depositary on any ADS or ADR, deposited security or distribution. If any taxes or other governmental charges (including any penalties and/or interest) shall become payable by or on behalf of the custodian or the depositary with respect to any ADR, any deposited securities represented by the ADSs evidenced thereby or any distribution thereon, including, without limitation, any Chinese Enterprise Income Tax owing if the Circular Guoshuifa [2009] No. 82 issued by the Chinese State Administration of Taxation (SAT) or any other circular, edict, order or ruling, as issued and as from time to time amended, is applied or otherwise, such tax or other governmental charge shall be paid by the holder thereof to the depositary and by holding or having held an ADR the holder and all prior holders thereof, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify, defend and save harmless each of the depositary and its agents in respect thereof. If an ADR holder owes any tax or other governmental charge, the depositary may (i) deduct the amount thereof from any cash distributions, or (ii) sell deposited securities (by public or private sale) and deduct the amount owing from the net proceeds of such sale. In either case the ADR holder remains liable for any shortfall. If any tax or governmental charge is unpaid, the depositary may also refuse to effect any registration, registration of transfer, split-up or combination of deposited securities or withdrawal of deposited securities until such payment is made. If any tax or governmental charge is required to be withheld on any cash distribution, the depositary may deduct the amount required to be withheld from any cash distribution or, in the case of a non-cash distribution, sell the distributed property or securities (by public or private sale) in such amounts and in such manner as the depositary deems necessary and practicable to pay such taxes and distribute any remaining net proceeds or the balance of any such property after deduction of such taxes to the ADR holders entitled thereto.

By holding an ADR or an interest therein, you will be agreeing to indemnify us, the depositary, its custodian and any of our or their respective officers, directors, employees, agents and affiliates against, and hold each of them harmless from, any claims by any governmental authority with respect to taxes, additions to tax, penalties or interest arising out of any refund of taxes, reduced rate of withholding at source or other tax benefit obtained.

Reclassifications, Recapitalizations and Mergers

If we take certain actions that affect the deposited securities, including (i) any change in par value, split-up, consolidation, cancellation or other reclassification of deposited securities or (ii) any distributions of shares or other property not made to holders of ADRs or (iii) any recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, liquidation, receivership, bankruptcy or sale of all or substantially all of our assets, then the depositary may choose to, and shall if reasonably requested by us:

 

   

amend the form of ADR;

 

   

distribute additional or amended ADRs;

 

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distribute cash, securities or other property it has received in connection with such actions;

 

   

sell any securities or property received and distribute the proceeds as cash; or

 

   

none of the above.

If the depositary does not choose any of the above options, any of the cash, securities or other property it receives will constitute part of the deposited securities and each ADS will then represent a proportionate interest in such property.

Amendment and Termination

How may the deposit agreement be amended?

We may agree with the depositary to amend the deposit agreement and the ADSs without your consent for any reason. ADR holders must be given at least 30 days’ notice of any amendment that imposes or increases any fees or charges (other than stock transfer or other taxes and other governmental charges, transfer or registration fees, SWIFT, cable, telex or facsimile transmission costs, delivery costs or other such expenses), or otherwise prejudices any substantial existing right of ADR holders. Such notice need not describe in detail the specific amendments effectuated thereby, but must identify to ADR holders a means to access the text of such amendment. If an ADR holder continues to hold an ADR or ADRs after being so notified, such ADR holder is deemed to agree to such amendment and to be bound by the deposit agreement as so amended. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any governmental body or regulatory body should adopt new laws, rules or regulations which would require amendment or supplement of the deposit agreement or the form of ADR to ensure compliance therewith, we and the depositary may amend or supplement the deposit agreement and the ADR at any time in accordance with such changed laws, rules or regulations, which amendment or supplement may take effect before a notice is given or within any other period of time as required for compliance. No amendment, however, will impair your right to surrender your ADSs and receive the underlying securities, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law.

How may the deposit agreement be terminated?

The depositary may, and shall at our written direction, terminate the deposit agreement and the ADRs by mailing notice of such termination to the registered holders of ADRs at least 30 days prior to the date fixed in such notice for such termination; provided, however, if the depositary shall have (i) resigned as depositary under the deposit agreement, notice of such termination by the depositary shall not be provided to registered holders unless a successor depositary shall not be operating under the deposit agreement within 60 days of the date of such resignation, and (ii) been removed as depositary under the deposit agreement, notice of such termination by the depositary shall not be provided to registered holders of ADRs unless a successor depositary shall not be operating under the deposit agreement on the 120 th day after our notice of removal was first provided to the depositary. After the date so fixed for termination, (a) all direct registration ADRs shall cease to be eligible for the direct registration system and shall be considered ADRs issued on the ADR register maintained by the depositary and (b) the depositary shall use its reasonable efforts to ensure that the ADSs cease to be DTC eligible so that neither DTC nor any of its nominees shall thereafter be a registered holder of ADRs. At such time as the ADSs cease to be DTC eligible and/or neither DTC nor any of its nominees is a registered holder of ADRs, the depositary shall (a) instruct its custodian to deliver all shares to us along with a general stock power that refers to the names set forth on the ADR register maintained by the depositary and (b) provide us with a copy of the ADR register maintained by the depositary. Upon receipt of such shares and the ADR register maintained by the depositary, we have agreed to use our best efforts to issue to each registered holder a Share certificate representing the Shares represented by the ADSs reflected on the ADR register maintained by the depositary in such registered holder’s name and to deliver such Share certificate to the registered holder at the address set forth on the ADR register maintained by the depositary. After providing such instruction to the custodian and delivering a copy of the ADR register to us, the depositary and its agents will perform no further acts under the deposit agreement or the ADRs and shall cease to have any obligations under the deposit agreement and/or the ADRs.

 

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Limitations on Obligations and Liability to ADR holders

Limits on our obligations and the obligations of the depositary; limits on liability to ADR holders and holders of ADSs

Prior to the issue, registration, registration of transfer, split-up, combination, or cancellation of any ADRs, or the delivery of any distribution in respect thereof, and from time to time in the case of the production of proofs as described below, we or the depositary or its custodian may require:

 

   

payment with respect thereto of (i) any stock transfer or other tax or other governmental charge, (ii) any stock transfer or registration fees in effect for the registration of transfers of shares or other deposited securities upon any applicable register and (iii) any applicable fees and expenses described in the deposit agreement;

 

   

the production of proof satisfactory to it of (i) the identity of any signatory and genuineness of any signature and (ii) such other information, including without limitation, information as to citizenship, residence, exchange control approval, beneficial ownership of any securities, compliance with applicable law, regulations, provisions of or governing deposited securities and terms of the deposit agreement and the ADRs, as it may deem necessary or proper; and

 

   

compliance with such regulations as the depositary may establish consistent with the deposit agreement.

The issuance of ADRs, the acceptance of deposits of shares, the registration, registration of transfer, split-up or combination of ADRs or the withdrawal of shares, may be suspended, generally or in particular instances, when the ADR register or any register for deposited securities is closed or when any such action is deemed advisable by the depositary; provided that the ability to withdraw shares may only be limited under the following circumstances: (i) temporary delays caused by closing transfer books of the depositary or our transfer books 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 laws or governmental regulations relating to ADRs or to the withdrawal of deposited securities.

The deposit agreement expressly limits the obligations and liability of the depositary, ourselves and our respective agents. In the deposit agreement it provides that neither we nor the depositary nor any such agent will be liable if:

 

   

any present or future law, rule, regulation, fiat, order or decree of the United States, the Cayman Islands, the People’s Republic of China (including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the People’s Republic of China) or any other country or jurisdiction, or of any governmental or regulatory authority or securities exchange or market or automated quotation system, the provisions of or governing any deposited securities, any present or future provision of our charter, any act of God, war, terrorism, nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, work stoppage, strike, civil unrest, revolutions, rebellions, explosions, computer failure or circumstance beyond our, the depositary’s or our respective agents’ direct and immediate control shall prevent or delay, or shall cause any of them to be subject to any civil or criminal penalty in connection with, any act which the deposit agreement or the ADRs provide shall be done or performed by us, the depositary or our respective agents (including, without limitation, voting);

 

   

it exercises or fails to exercise discretion under the deposit agreement or the ADRs including, without limitation, any failure to determine that any distribution or action may be lawful or reasonably practicable;

 

   

it performs its obligations under the deposit agreement and ADRs without gross negligence or willful misconduct;

 

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it takes any action or refrains from taking any action in reliance upon the advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting shares for deposit, any registered holder of ADRs, or any other person believed by it to be competent to give such advice or information; or

 

   

it relies upon any written notice, request, direction, instruction or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, presented or given by the proper party or parties.

Neither the depositary nor its agents have any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any deposited securities or the ADRs. We and our agents shall only be obligated to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any deposited securities or the ADRs, which in our opinion may involve us in expense or liability, if indemnity satisfactory to us against all expense (including fees and disbursements of counsel) and liability is furnished as often as may be required. The depositary and its agents may fully respond to any and all demands or requests for information maintained by or on its behalf in connection with the deposit agreement, any registered holder or holders of ADRs, any ADRs or otherwise related to the deposit agreement or ADRs to the extent such information is requested or required by or pursuant to any lawful authority, including without limitation laws, rules, regulations, administrative or judicial process, banking, securities or other regulators. The depositary shall not be liable for the acts or omissions made by, or the insolvency of, any securities depository, clearing agency or settlement system. Furthermore, the depositary shall not be responsible for, and shall incur no liability in connection with or arising from, the insolvency of any custodian that is not a branch or affiliate of JPMorgan. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the deposit agreement or any ADRs, the depositary shall not be responsible for, and shall incur no liability in connection with or arising from, any act or omission to act on the part of the custodian except to the extent that the custodian has (i) committed fraud or willful misconduct in the provision of custodial services to the depositary or (ii) failed to use reasonable care in the provision of custodial services to the depositary as determined in accordance with the standards prevailing in the jurisdiction in which the custodian is located. The depositary and the custodian(s) may use third party delivery services and providers of information regarding matters such as pricing, proxy voting, corporate actions, class action litigation and other services in connection with the ADRs and the deposit agreement, and use local agents to provide extraordinary services such as attendance at annual meetings of issuers of securities. Although the depositary and the custodian will use reasonable care (and cause their agents to use reasonable care) in the selection and retention of such third party providers and local agents, they will not be responsible for any errors or omissions made by them in providing the relevant information or services. The depositary shall not have any liability for the price received in connection with any sale of securities, the timing thereof or any delay in action or omission to act nor shall it be responsible for any error or delay in action, omission to act, default or negligence on the part of the party so retained in connection with any such sale or proposed sale.

The depositary has no obligation to inform ADR holders or other holders of an interest in any ADSs about the requirements of Cayman Islands or People’s Republic of China law, rules or regulations or any changes therein or thereto.

Additionally, none of us, the depositary or the custodian shall be liable for the failure by any registered holder of ADRs or beneficial owner therein to obtain the benefits of credits on the basis of non-U.S. tax paid against such holder’s or beneficial owner’s income tax liability. Neither we nor the depositary shall incur any liability for any tax consequences that may be incurred by registered holders or beneficial owners on account of their ownership of ADRs or ADSs.

Neither the depositary nor its agents will be responsible for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the deposited securities, for the manner in which any such vote is cast or for the effect of any such vote. The depositary may rely upon instructions from us or our counsel in respect of any approval or license required for any currency conversion, transfer or distribution. The depositary shall not incur any liability for the content of any information submitted to it by us or on our behalf for distribution to ADR holders or for any inaccuracy of any translation thereof, for any investment risk associated with acquiring an interest in the deposited securities,

 

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for the validity or worth of the deposited securities, for the credit-worthiness of any third party, for allowing any rights to lapse upon the terms of the deposit agreement or for the failure or timeliness of any notice from us. 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. Neither the depositary nor any of its agents shall be liable to registered holders or beneficial owners of interests in ADSs for any indirect, special, punitive or consequential damages (including, without limitation, legal fees and expenses) or lost profits, in each case of any form incurred by any person or entity, whether or not foreseeable and regardless of the type of action in which such a claim may be brought.

In the deposit agreement each party thereto (including, for avoidance of doubt, each holder and beneficial owner and/or holder of interests in ADRs) 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 depositary and/or us directly or indirectly arising out of or relating to the shares or other deposited securities, the ADSs or the ADRs, the deposit agreement or any transaction contemplated therein, or the breach thereof (whether based on contract, tort, common law or any other theory).

The depositary and its agents may own and deal in any class of securities of our company and our affiliates and in ADRs.

Disclosure of Interest in ADSs

To the extent that the provisions of or governing any deposited securities may require disclosure of or impose limits on beneficial or other ownership of deposited securities, other shares and other securities and may provide for blocking transfer, voting or other rights to enforce such disclosure or limits, you agree to comply with all such disclosure requirements and ownership limitations and to comply with any reasonable instructions we may provide in respect thereof. We reserve the right to instruct you to deliver your ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal of the deposited securities so as to permit us to deal with you directly as a holder of shares and, by holding an ADS or an interest therein, you will be agreeing to comply with such instructions.

Books of Depositary

The depositary or its agent will maintain a register for the registration, registration of transfer, combination and split-up of ADRs, which register shall include the depositary’s direct registration system. Registered holders of ADRs may inspect such records at the depositary’s office at all reasonable times, but solely for the purpose of communicating with other holders in the interest of the business of our company or a matter relating to the deposit agreement. Such register may be closed at any time or from time to time, when deemed expedient by the depositary or, in the case of the issuance book portion of the ADR Register, when reasonably requested by the Company solely in order to enable the Company to comply with applicable law.

The depositary will maintain facilities for the delivery and receipt of ADRs.

Appointment

In the deposit agreement, each registered holder of ADRs and each person holding an interest in ADSs, upon acceptance of any ADSs (or any interest therein) issued in accordance with the terms and conditions of the deposit agreement will be deemed for all purposes to:

 

   

be a party to and bound by the terms of the deposit agreement and the applicable ADR or ADRs, and

 

   

appoint the depositary its attorney-in-fact, with full power to delegate, to act on its behalf and to take any and all actions contemplated in the deposit agreement and the applicable ADR or ADRs, to adopt any and all procedures necessary to comply with applicable laws and to take such action as the

 

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depositary in its sole discretion may deem necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of the deposit agreement and the applicable ADR and ADRs, the taking of such actions to be the conclusive determinant of the necessity and appropriateness thereof.

Governing Law

The deposit agreement and the ADRs are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. In the deposit agreement, we have submitted to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York and appointed an agent for service of process on our behalf. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) any action based on the deposit agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby may be instituted by the depositary in any competent court in the Cayman Islands, Hong Kong, the People’s Republic of China and/or the United States, (ii) the depositary may, in its sole discretion, elect to institute any action, controversy, claim or dispute directly or indirectly based on, arising out of or relating to the deposit agreement or the ADRs or the transactions contemplated thereby, including without limitation any question regarding its or their existence, validity, interpretation, performance or termination, against any other party or parties to the deposit agreement (including, without limitation, against ADR holders and owners of interests in ADSs), by having the matter referred to and finally resolved by an arbitration conducted under the terms described below, and (iii) the depositary may in its sole discretion require that any action, controversy, claim, dispute, legal suit or proceeding brought against the depositary by any party or parties to the deposit agreement (including, without limitation, by ADR holders and owners of interests in ADSs) shall be referred to and finally settled by an arbitration conducted under the terms described below. Any such arbitration shall be conducted in the English language either in New York, New York in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association or in Hong Kong following the arbitration rules of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL).

By holding an ADS or an interest therein, registered holders of ADRs and owners of ADSs each irrevocably agree that any legal suit, action or proceeding against or involving us or the depositary, arising out of or based upon the deposit agreement, the ADSs or the transactions contemplated thereby, may only be instituted in a state or federal court in New York, New York, and each irrevocably waives any objection which it may have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding, and irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding.

 

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SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

Upon completion of this offering, we will have              ADSs outstanding, representing              ordinary shares, or approximately             % of our outstanding ordinary shares, assuming the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs. All of the ADSs sold in this offering will be freely transferable by persons other than 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, and while our ADSs have been approved for listing on the NYSE, 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.

Lockup Agreements

We, [our directors and executive officers, our existing shareholders and certain of our option holders] have agreed, subject to some exceptions, not to transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any of our ordinary shares, in the form of ADSs or otherwise, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for our ordinary shares, in the form of ADSs or otherwise, for a period of [180] days after the date of this prospectus. After the expiration of the [180]-day period, the ordinary shares or ADSs held by our directors, executive officers and our existing shareholders may be sold subject to the restrictions under Rule 144 under the Securities Act or by means of registered public offerings.

Rule 144

All of our ordinary shares outstanding prior to this offering are “restricted shares” 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 effective registration statement under the Securities Act or pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements. Under Rule 144 as currently in effect, a person who has beneficially owned our restricted shares for at least six months is generally entitled to sell the restricted securities without registration under the Securities Act beginning 90 days after the date of this prospectus, subject to certain additional restrictions.

Our affiliates may sell within any three-month period a number of restricted shares that does not exceed the greater of the following:

 

   

1% of the then-outstanding ordinary shares of the same class, in the form of ADSs or otherwise, which will equal approximately                ordinary shares immediately after this offering, assuming the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs; or

 

   

the average weekly trading volume of our ordinary shares in the form of ADSs or otherwise on the NYSE during the four calendar weeks preceding the date on which notice of the sale is filed with the SEC.

Affiliates who sell restricted securities under Rule 144 may not solicit orders or arrange for the solicitation of orders, and they are also subject to notice requirements and the availability of current public information about us.

Persons who are not our affiliates are only subject to one of these additional restrictions, the requirement of the availability of current public information about us, and this additional restriction does not apply if they have beneficially owned our restricted shares for more than one year.

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 or option plan or

 

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other written agreement relating to compensation is eligible to resell such ordinary shares 90 days after we became a reporting company under the Exchange Act in reliance on Rule 144, but without compliance with some of the restrictions, including the holding period, contained in Rule 144.

 

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TAXATION

The following discussion of Cayman Islands, PRC and United States federal income tax consequences of an investment in the ADSs or ordinary shares is based upon laws and relevant interpretations thereof as of the date of this prospectus, all of which are subject to change. This discussion does not deal with all possible tax consequences relating to an investment in the ADSs or ordinary shares, such as the tax consequences under state, local and other tax laws. To the extent that the discussion relates to matters of Cayman Islands tax law, it represents the opinion of Walkers, our Cayman Islands counsel. To the extent that the discussion relates to matters of PRC tax law, it represents the opinion of Han Kun Law Offices, our PRC legal counsel.

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 or holders of our ADSs or ordinary shares 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 the ADSs or 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 the ADSs or ordinary shares, nor will gains derived from the disposal of the ADSs or ordinary shares be subject to Cayman Islands income or corporation tax.

People’s Republic of China Taxation

Under the PRC EIT Law, which became effective on January 1, 2008 and amended on February 24, 2017, an enterprise established outside the PRC with “de facto management bodies” within the PRC is considered a “resident enterprise” for PRC enterprise income tax purposes and is generally subject to a uniform 25% enterprise income tax rate on its worldwide income. Under the implementation rules to the PRC EIT Law, a “de facto management body” is defined as a body that has material and overall management and control over the manufacturing and business operations, personnel and human resources, finances and properties of an enterprise.

In addition, the SAT Circular 82 issued by the SAT in April 2009 specifies that certain offshore incorporated enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises or PRC enterprise groups will be classified as PRC resident enterprises if the following are located or resident in the PRC: (a) senior management personnel and departments that are responsible for daily production, operation and management; (b) financial and personnel decision-making bodies; (c) key properties, accounting books, company seal, minutes of board meetings and shareholders’ meetings; and (d) half or more of the senior management or directors having voting rights. Further to SAT Circular 82, the SAT issued the SAT Bulletin 45, which took effect in September 2011, to provide more guidance on the implementation of SAT Circular 82. SAT Bulletin 45 provides for procedures and administration details of determination on resident status and administration on post-determination matters. Our company 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. As such, we do not believe that our company meets all of the conditions above or is a PRC resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes. For the same reasons, we believe our other entities outside 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 our Cayman Islands holding company is a PRC resident enterprise for PRC enterprise income tax purposes, a number of

 

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unfavorable PRC tax consequences could follow. For example, a 10% withholding tax would be imposed on dividends we pay to our non-PRC enterprise shareholders (including our ADS holders). In addition, nonresident enterprise shareholders (including our ADS holders) may be subject to PRC tax on at a rate of 10% gains realized on the sale or other disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares, if such income is treated as sourced from within the PRC. Furthermore, if we are deemed a PRC resident enterprise, dividends paid to our non-PRC individual shareholders (including our ADS holders) and any gain realized on the transfer of ADSs or ordinary shares by such shareholders may be subject to PRC tax at a rate of 20% (which, in the case of dividends, may be withheld at source by us). These rates may be reduced by an applicable tax treaty, but 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. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—If we are classified as a PRC resident enterprise for PRC enterprise income tax purposes, such classification could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders and ADS holders.”

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations

In the opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, the following are material U.S. federal income tax consequences to the U.S. Holders described below of the ownership and disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares, but this discussion does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all tax considerations that may be relevant to a particular person’s decision to acquire such ADSs or ordinary shares. This discussion applies only to a U.S. Holder that acquires ADSs or ordinary shares in this offering and holds the ADSs or ordinary shares as capital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In addition, it does not describe all of the tax consequences that may be relevant in light of a U.S. Holder’s particular circumstances, including the alternative minimum tax, the Medicare contribution tax on net investment income and tax consequences applicable to U.S. Holders subject to special rules, such as:

 

   

certain financial institutions;

 

   

dealers or traders in securities that use a mark-to-market method of tax accounting;

 

   

persons holding ADSs or ordinary shares as part of a straddle, conversion transaction or similar transaction;

 

   

persons whose functional currency for U.S. federal income tax purposes is not the U.S. dollar;

 

   

entities classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

 

   

tax-exempt entities, “individual retirement accounts” or “Roth IRAs”;

 

   

persons that own or are deemed to own 10% or more of the company’s stock by vote or value; or

 

   

persons holding ADSs or ordinary shares in connection with a trade or business conducted outside of the United States.

If an entity that is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes owns ADSs or ordinary shares, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships owning ADSs or ordinary shares and partners in such partnerships should consult their tax advisers as to the particular U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing of ADSs and ordinary shares.

This discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) administrative pronouncements, judicial decisions, final, temporary and proposed Treasury regulations, and the income tax treaty between the United States and the PRC (the “Treaty”), all as of the date hereof, any of which is subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. This discussion is also based, in part, on representations by the depositary and assumes that each obligation under the deposit agreement and any related agreement will be performed in accordance with its terms.

 

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As used herein, a “U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of the company’s ADSs or ordinary shares that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

   

a citizen or individual resident of the United States;

 

   

a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state therein or the District of Columbia; or

 

   

an estate or trust the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source.

In general, a U.S. Holder who owns ADSs will be treated as the owner of the underlying ordinary shares represented by those ADSs for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, no gain or loss will be recognized if a U.S. Holder exchanges ADSs for the underlying ordinary shares represented by those ADSs.

The U.S. Treasury has expressed concern that parties to whom American depositary shares are released before the underlying shares are delivered to the depositary (a “pre-release”), or intermediaries in the chain of ownership between holders of American depositary shares and the issuer of the security underlying the American depositary shares, may be taking actions that are inconsistent with the claiming of foreign tax credits by holders of American depositary shares. Accordingly the creditability of PRC taxes as described below could be affected by actions taken by such parties or intermediaries.

U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers concerning the U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax consequences of owning and disposing of ADSs or ordinary shares in their particular circumstances.

Passive Foreign Investment Company

In general, a non-U.S. corporation will be a passive foreign investment company (a “PFIC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes for any taxable year in which (i) 75% or more of its gross income consists of passive income or (ii) 50% or more of the average quarterly value of its assets consists of assets that produce, or are held for the production of, passive income. For purposes of the above calculations, a non-U.S. corporation that directly or indirectly owns at least 25% by value of the shares of another corporation is treated as if it held its proportionate share of the assets of the other corporation and received directly its proportionate share of the income of the other corporation. Passive income generally includes interest, income equivalent to interest, rents, dividends, royalties and certain capital gains.

The proper application of the PFIC rules to a company with a business such as the company’s business is subject to uncertainty in some respects. For example, because the company provides loan facilitation and other services in connection with the loans extended by its consolidated trusts, it is not entirely clear whether and to what extent a portion of the company’s interest income (as reflected on its consolidated income statement) could be treated as payable for such services. In addition, for purposes of the PFIC rules “passive income” is defined by way of a cross-reference to a specific provision under the “controlled foreign corporation” (“CFC”) rules of the Code. A different provision under the CFC rules sets forth an exception for interest income derived by “eligible CFCs” that are “predominantly engaged” in the active conduct of a financing or similar business (the “Active Financing Exception”). It is unclear whether the Active Financing Exception is applicable to a company that is not a CFC, such as our company, and, even if it were so applicable, it is unclear whether our company would be considered to be predominantly engaged in the active conduct of a financing or similar business and satisfy all of the exception’s requirements for any taxable year. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the company’s PFIC status for any taxable year, including the availability of the Active Financing Exception. Due to the uncertainties described above, and based on the current and expected composition of the company’s income and assets and the manner in which it operates its business (including its ownership of subordinated units in its consolidated trust plans), there is a high probability that the company will be a PFIC for its current and future taxable years. Accordingly, when making their investment decision prospective U.S. investors should take into account the potential adverse consequences of owning shares of a PFIC. The remainder of this disclosure assumes that the company will be a PFIC for its current and future taxable years.

 

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The company may also, directly or indirectly, hold equity interests in subsidiaries and other entities which are PFICs (collectively “Lower-tier PFICs”). Under attribution rules, if the company is a PFIC, U.S. Holders will be deemed to own their proportionate shares of Lower-tier PFICs and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax according to the PFIC rules described below on (i) certain distributions by a Lower-tier PFIC and (ii) a disposition of equity interests of a Lower-tier PFIC, in each case as if the U.S. Holder held such interests directly, even though the U.S. Holders have not received the proceeds of those distributions or dispositions directly.

A U.S. Holder who owns the company’s ADSs or ordinary shares (or as discussed above is deemed to own equity interests of any Lower-tier PFIC) during any taxable year in which the company is a PFIC will generally be subject to adverse tax treatment. Except to the extent the U.S. Holder makes a timely and effective “mark-to-market” election as discussed below, gain recognized on a disposition (including, under certain circumstances, a pledge) of ADSs or ordinary shares by the U.S. Holder (or on an indirect disposition of equity interests of any Lower-tier PFIC) will be allocated ratably over the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the ADSs or ordinary shares. The amounts allocated to the taxable year of disposition will be taxed as ordinary income. The amounts allocated to each other taxable year will be subject to tax at the highest rate in effect for that taxable year for individuals or corporations, as appropriate, and an interest charge will be imposed on the resulting tax liability for each taxable year. Any loss recognized upon disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares will be capital loss and will be long-term capital loss if the U.S. Holder held the ADSs or ordinary shares for more than one year. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. The total amount of gain or loss will equal the difference between the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the ADSs or ordinary shares disposed of and the amount realized on disposition, in each case as determined in U.S. dollars.

To the extent that any distribution received by a U.S. Holder on its ADSs or ordinary shares (or a distribution by any Lower-tier PFIC that is deemed to be received by a U.S. Holder) exceeds 125% of the average of the annual distributions received (or deemed received) during the preceding three years or the U.S. Holder’s holding period, whichever is shorter, the distribution will be subject to taxation in the same manner as gains as described in the preceding paragraph.

If the company is a PFIC for any year during which a U.S. Holder holds ADSs or ordinary shares, the company will generally continue to be treated as a PFIC with respect to the U.S. Holder for all succeeding years during which the U.S. Holder holds ADSs or ordinary shares, even if the company ceases to meet the threshold requirements for PFIC status.

If the ADSs are “regularly traded” on a “qualified exchange,” a U.S. Holder may make a mark-to-market election that would result in tax treatment different from the general tax treatment for PFICs described above. The ADSs will be treated as “regularly traded” in any calendar year in which more than a de minimis quantity of the ADSs are traded on a qualified exchange on at least 15 days during each calendar quarter. The New York Stock Exchange on which the ADSs are listed is a qualified exchange for this purpose. If a U.S. Holder makes the mark-to-market election, the U.S. Holder generally will recognize as ordinary income any excess of the fair market value of the ADSs at the end of each taxable year over their adjusted tax basis, and will recognize an ordinary loss in respect of any excess of the adjusted tax basis of the ADSs over their fair market value at the end of the taxable year (but only to the extent of the net amount of income previously included as a result of the mark-to-market election). If a U.S. Holder makes the election, the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the ADSs will be adjusted to reflect the income or loss amounts recognized. Any gain recognized on the sale or other disposition of ADSs in a year when the company is a PFIC will be treated as ordinary income and any loss will be treated as an ordinary loss (but only to the extent of the net amount of income previously included as a result of the mark-to-market election). Distributions paid on ADSs will be treated as discussed below under “— Taxation of Distributions .” A mark-to-market election may not be available for any Lower-tier PFICs. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the availability and advisability of making a mark-to-market election in their particular circumstances.

 

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The company does not intend to provide U.S. Holders with the information necessary to make a qualified electing fund election, which if available would have resulted in an alternative treatment of the ADSs and ordinary shares.

If a U.S. Holder owns ADSs or ordinary shares during any year in which the company is a PFIC, the U.S. Holder generally must file annual reports on an IRS form 8621 with respect to the company and any Lower-tier PFIC, generally with the U.S. Holder’s federal income tax return for that year.

U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers concerning the company’s PFIC status for any taxable year and the tax considerations relevant to an investment in a PFIC.

Taxation of Distributions

Subject to the PFIC rules described above, distributions paid on the company’s ADSs or ordinary shares (other than certain pro rata distributions of ordinary shares) will be treated as dividends to the extent paid out of the company’s current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). Because the company does not calculate its earnings and profits under U.S. federal income tax principles, it is expected that distributions generally will be reported to U.S. Holders as dividends. Dividends will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction generally available to U.S. corporations under the Code. In light of the discussion in “— Passive Foreign Investment Company ” above, non-corporate U.S. Holders should expect that any dividends will not constitute “qualified dividend income” eligible for preferential tax rates. Dividends will be included in a U.S. Holder’s income on the date of the U.S. Holder’s, or in the case of ADSs, the depositary’s, receipt. The amount of any dividend income paid in foreign currency will be the U.S. dollar amount calculated by reference to the exchange rate in effect on the date of receipt, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars. If the dividend is converted into U.S. dollars on the date of receipt, a U.S. Holder should not be required to recognize foreign currency gain or loss in respect of the dividend income.

Dividends will be treated as foreign-source income for foreign tax credit purposes. As described in “—People’s Republic of China Taxation,” dividends paid by the company may be subject to PRC withholding tax. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the amount of the dividend income will include any amounts withheld in respect of PRC withholding tax. Subject to applicable limitations, which vary depending upon the U.S. Holder’s circumstances, and subject to the discussion above regarding concerns expressed by the U.S. Treasury, PRC taxes withheld from dividend payments (at a rate not exceeding the applicable rate provided in the Treaty in the case of a U.S. Holder that is eligible for the benefits of the Treaty) generally will be creditable against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability. The rules governing foreign tax credits are complex and U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the creditability of PRC taxes in their particular circumstances. In lieu of claiming a credit, a U.S. Holder may elect to deduct any such PRC taxes in computing its taxable income, subject to applicable limitations. An election to deduct foreign taxes instead of claiming foreign tax credits must apply to all foreign taxes paid or accrued in the taxable year.

Foreign tax credit for PRC taxes imposed on disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares

Any gain or loss upon disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares will be taxed as described under “— Passive Foreign Investment Company ” above and generally will be treated as arising from U.S. sources. As described in “—People’s Republic of China Taxation,” gain on the sale of ADSs or ordinary shares may be subject to PRC taxes tax if the company is considered a PRC resident enterprise for PRC enterprise income tax purposes. A U.S. Holder will be entitled to use foreign tax credits to offset only the portion of its U.S. federal income tax liability that is attributable to foreign-source income. Because gains realized by a U.S. Holder generally give rise to U.S.-source income, this limitation may preclude a U.S. Holder from claiming a credit for all or a portion of any PRC taxes imposed on any such gains. However, U.S. Holders that are eligible for the benefits of the Treaty may elect to treat the gain as PRC source and therefore claim foreign tax credits in respect of PRC taxes on disposition gains. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding their eligibility for the benefits of the Treaty and the creditability of any PRC tax on disposition gains in their particular circumstances .

 

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Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

Payments of dividends and sales proceeds that are made within the United States or through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding, unless (i) the U.S. Holder is a corporation or other exempt recipient (and if required, establishes its status as such) or (ii) in the case of backup withholding, the U.S. Holder provides a correct taxpayer identification number and certifies that it is not subject to backup withholding. The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to a U.S. Holder will be allowed as a credit against the U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle it to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Certain U.S. Holders who are individuals (or certain specified entities) may be required to report information relating to their ownership of ADSs or ordinary shares or non-U.S. financial accounts through which they are held. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding their reporting obligations with respect to the ADSs or ordinary shares.

 

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UNDERWRITING

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. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC are the representatives of the underwriters.

 

Underwriters

   Number of
ADSs
 

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

  

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

  

Haitong International Securities Company Limited

  
  

 

 

 

Total:

  
  

 

 

 

The underwriters and the representatives are collectively referred to as the “underwriters” and the “representatives,” respectively. The underwriters are offering the ADSs subject to their acceptance of the ADSs from us and subject to prior sale. The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the several underwriters to pay for and accept delivery of the ADSs offered by this prospectus are subject to the approval of certain legal matters by their counsel and to certain other conditions. The underwriters are obligated to take and pay for all of the ADSs offered by this prospectus if any such ADSs are taken. However, the underwriters are not required to take or pay for the ADSs covered by the underwriters’ over-allotment option described below. The underwriting agreement also provides that if an underwriter defaults, the purchase commitments of non-defaulting underwriters may be increased or the offering may be terminated.

The underwriters initially propose to offer part of the ADSs directly to the public at the offering price listed on the cover page of this prospectus and part to certain dealers at a price that represents a concession not in excess of              per ADS under the initial public offering price. After the initial offering of the ADSs, the offering price and other selling terms may from time to time be varied by the representatives.

We have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to an additional              ADSs at the public offering price listed on the cover page of this prospectus, less underwriting discounts and commissions. The underwriters may exercise this option solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any, made in connection with the offering of the ADSs offered by this prospectus. To the extent the option is exercised, each underwriter will become obligated, subject to certain conditions, to purchase about the same percentage of the additional ADSs as the number listed next to the underwriter’s name in the preceding table bears to the total number of ADSs listed next to the names of all underwriters in the preceding table.

The following table shows the per ADS and total public offering price, underwriting discounts and commissions, and proceeds before expenses to us. These amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase up to an additional              ADSs.

 

            Total  
     Per ADS      No Exercise      Full Exercise  

Public offering price

   US$                    US$                    US$                

Underwriting discounts and commissions to be paid by:

        

Us

   US$        US$        US$    

Proceeds, before expenses, to us

   US$        US$        US$    

The estimated offering expenses payable by us, exclusive of the underwriting discounts and commissions, are approximately US$            . We have agreed to reimburse the underwriters for certain out-of-pocket expenses of the underwriters payable by us, in an aggregate amount not to exceed US$            .

 

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The underwriters have informed us that they do not intend sales to discretionary accounts to exceed 5% of the total number of ADSs offered by them.

Some of the underwriters are expected to make offers and sales both inside and outside the United States through their respective selling agents. Haitong International Securities Company Limited, or Haitong International, is not a broker-dealer registered with the SEC, and therefore, intends to participate in the offering outside of the United States and, to the extent in compliance with applicable U.S. laws and regulations, to effect sales of ADSs in the United States. The activities of Haitong International in the United States will be effected only to the extent permitted by Rule 15a-6 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

We intend to apply for the listing of our ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “CNF.”

We and all directors and officers and the holders of all of our outstanding ordinary shares and share options have agreed that, without the prior written consent of the representatives on behalf of the underwriters, we and they will not, during the period ending 180 days after the date of this prospectus (the “restricted period”):

 

   

offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any ordinary shares, ADSs or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for ordinary shares or ADSs;

 

   

file any registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the offering of any ordinary shares, ADSs or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for ordinary shares or ADSs; or

 

   

enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of ordinary shares or ADSs,

whether any such transaction described above is to be settled by delivery of ordinary shares, ADSs or such other securities, in cash or otherwise. In addition, we and each such person agrees that, without the prior written consent of the representatives on behalf of the underwriters, we or such other person will not, during the restricted period, make any demand for, or exercise any right with respect to, the registration of any ordinary shares, ADSs or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for ordinary shares or ADSs.

The restrictions described in the preceding paragraph are subject to certain customary exceptions.

The representatives, in their sole discretion, may release the ordinary shares, ADSs and other securities subject to the lock-up agreements described above in whole or in part at any time.

In order to facilitate the offering of the ADSs, the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the ADSs. Specifically, the underwriters may sell more ADSs than they are obligated to purchase under the underwriting agreement, creating a short position. A short sale is covered if the short position is no greater than the number of ADSs available for purchase by the underwriters under the over-allotment option. The underwriters can close out a covered short sale by exercising the over-allotment option or purchasing ADSs in the open market. In determining the source of shares to close out a covered short sale, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the open market price of shares compared to the price available under the over-allotment option. The underwriters may also sell ADSs in excess of the over-allotment option, creating a naked short position. The underwriters must close out any 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 this offering. As an additional means of facilitating this offering, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, ADSs in the open market to stabilize the price of the ADSs. Finally, the underwriters may reclaim selling concessions allowed to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing the ADSs in this offering, if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed ADSs to cover syndicate short positions or to stabilize the price of the ADSs. These activities may raise or maintain the market price of the ADSs above

 

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independent market levels or prevent or retard a decline in the market price of the ADSs. 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 the New York Stock Exchange, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.

We and the underwriters have agreed to indemnify each other against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on websites maintained by one or more underwriters, or selling group members, if any, participating in this offering. The representatives may agree to allocate a number of ADSs to underwriters for sale to their online brokerage account holders. Internet distributions will be allocated by the representatives to underwriters that may make Internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations.

The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. Certain of the underwriters and their respective affiliates have, from time to time, performed, and may in the future perform, various financial advisory and investment banking services for us, for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses.

In addition, in the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their respective affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own accounts and for the accounts of their customers and may at any time hold long and short positions in such securities and instruments. Such investment and securities activities may involve our securities and instruments. The underwriters and their respective affiliates may also make investment recommendations or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long or short positions in such securities and instruments.

The address of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC is 383 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10179, United States of America. The address of Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC is Eleven Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10010, United States of America. The address of Haitong International is 22/F Li Po Chun Chambers, 189 Des Voeux Road Central, Hong Kong.

Pricing of the Offering

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our ordinary shares or ADSs. The initial public offering price was determined by negotiations between us and the representatives. Among the factors considered in determining the initial public offering price were our future prospects and those of our industry in general, our sales, earnings and certain other financial and operating information in recent periods, and the price-earnings ratios, price-sales ratios, market prices of securities, and certain financial and operating information of companies engaged in activities similar to ours.

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. Persons into whose possession this

 

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prospectus comes are advised to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to the offering and the distribution of this prospectus. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or a solicitation is unlawful.

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:

 

  (a) you confirm and warrant that you are either:

 

  (i) “sophisticated investor” under section 708(8)(a) or (b) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) of Australia, or the Corporations Act;

 

  (ii) “sophisticated investor” under section 708(8)(c) or (d) of the Corporations Act and that you have provided an accountant’s certificate to the company which complies with the requirements of section 708(8)(c)(i) or (ii) of the Corporations Act and related regulations before the offer has been made;

 

  (iii) person associated with the company under section 708(12) of the Corporations Act; or

 

  (iv) “professional investor” within the meaning of section 708(11)(a) or (b) of the Corporations Act;

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; and

 

  (b) you warrant and agree that you will not offer any of the ADSs issued to you pursuant to this document for resale in Australia within 12 months of those ADSs being issued unless any such resale offer is exempt from the requirement to issue a disclosure document under section 708 of the Corporations Act.

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.

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.

 

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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:

 

    to legal entities which are authorized or regulated to operate in the financial markets or, if not so authorized or regulated, whose corporate purpose is solely to invest in securities;

 

    to any legal entity which has two or more of (i) an average of at least 250 employees during the last financial year; (ii) a total balance sheet of more than €43,000,000; and (iii) an annual net turnover of more than €50,000,000, as shown in its last annual or consolidated accounts;

 

    by the underwriters to fewer than 100 or, if the Relevant Member State has implemented the relevant provision of the 2010 PD Amending Directive, 150, natural or legal persons (other than “qualified investors” as defined in the Prospectus Directive) subject to obtaining the prior consent of the representatives for any such offer; or

 

    in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive; provided that no such offer of shares shall result in a requirement for the publication by us or any representative of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 16 of the Prospectus Directive.

Any person making or intending to make any offer of shares within the EEA 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 we or 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.

 

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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:

 

    it is a “qualified investor” within the meaning of the law in that Relevant Member State implementing Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive; and

 

    in the case of any shares acquired by it as a financial intermediary, as that term is used in Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, (i) the shares acquired by it in the offering have not been acquired on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in any Relevant Member State other than “qualified investors” (as defined in the Prospectus Directive), or in circumstances in which the prior consent of the representatives has been given to the offer or resale; or (ii) where shares have been acquired by it on behalf of persons in any Relevant Member State other than qualified investors, the offer of those shares to it is not treated under the Prospectus Directive as having been made to such persons.

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 (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.

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

 

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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 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

 

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subscribe for or purchase any securities requiring the registration of a prospectus with the Commission under the Capital Markets and Services Act 2007.

Mexico

None of the ADSs or the ordinary shares have been or will be registered with the National Securities Registry (Registro Nacional de Valores) maintained by the Mexican National Banking and Securities Commission (Comisión Nacional Bancaria y de Valores) of Mexico and, as a result, may not be offered or sold publicly in Mexico. The ADSs and the ordinary shares may only be sold to Mexican institutional and qualified investors, pursuant to the private placement exemption set forth in the Mexican Securities Market Law (Ley del Mercado de Valores).

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 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.

 

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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 US$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.

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.

 

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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:

 

  (a) it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (“FSMA”) received by it in connection with the issue or sale of the ADSs in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to us; and

 

  (b) it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the ADSs in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.

 

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EXPENSES RELATING 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 NYSE listing fee, all amounts are estimates.

 

SEC Registration Fee

   US$            

NYSE Listing Fee

   US$            

FINRA Filing Fee

   US$            

Printing and Engraving Expenses

   US$            

Legal Fees and Expenses

   US$            

Accounting Fees and Expenses

   US$            

Miscellaneous

   US$            
  

 

Total

   US$            
  

 

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

We are being represented by Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP with respect to certain legal matters of U.S. federal securities and New York state law. Certain legal matters with respect to U.S. federal and New York state law in connection with this offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by Kirkland & Ellis International LLP. The validity of the ordinary shares represented by the ADSs offered in this offering and other certain legal matters as to Cayman Islands law will be passed upon for us by Walkers. Legal matters as to PRC law will be passed upon for us by Han Kun Law Offices and for the underwriters by Commerce & Finance Law Offices. Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP may rely upon Walkers with respect to matters governed by Cayman Islands law and Han Kun Law Offices with respect to matters governed by PRC law. Kirkland & Ellis International LLP may rely upon Commerce & Finance Law Offices with respect to matters governed by PRC law.

 

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EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of CNFinance Holdings Limited (“CNFinance”) as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2017 have been audited by KPMG Huazhen LLP (“KPMG”), an independent registered public accounting firm, and included herein and in the registration statement in reliance upon the report of KPMG, appearing elsewhere herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

The audit report with respect to the consolidated financial statements of CNFinance as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2017 contains an explanatory paragraph that states that CNFinance completed a reorganization through which it became the parent company of Sincere Fame International Limited on March 27, 2018.

The offices of KPMG is located at 21F, No. 6 Zhujiang Dong Road, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, People’s Republic of China.

 

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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 underlying 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 to which this prospectus is 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 inspected over the Internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov 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 these documents, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to the SEC.

 

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Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

     Page  

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-2  

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2016 and 2017

     F-3  

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2016 and 2017

     F-4  

Consolidated Statements of Changes In Shareholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2016 and 2017

     F-5  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2016 and 2017

     F-6  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-7-F-50  

INDEX TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018

     F-51  

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018

     F-52  

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018

     F-53  

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018

     F-54-F-55  

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-56-F-75  

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors

CNFinance Holdings Limited:

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of CNFinance Holdings Limited (CNFinance) and its subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2017, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these 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 consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the 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 regarding the amounts and disclosures in the 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 consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

As discussed in note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, on March 27, 2018, CNFinance completed a reorganization through which it became the parent company of Sincere Fame International Limited.

/s/ KPMG Huazhen LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2013.

Guangzhou, China

May 21, 2018

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Consolidated balance sheets

 

           December 31,  
           2016     2017  
    Note      RMB     RMB  

Assets

      

Cash and cash equivalents

    5        233,138,588       1,190,360,385  

Loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables (net of allowance of RMB 144,743,336 and RMB 440,336,086 as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively)

    6        7,261,467,762       16,261,167,957  

Available-for-sale investments

    7        62,865,781       360,187,885  

Property and equipment

    8        18,680,463       22,467,900  

Intangible assets and goodwill

    9        2,999,817       3,342,463  

Deferred tax assets

    22        55,613,958       112,529,947  

Deposits

    10        51,592,458       150,325,225  

Other assets

    11        119,998,653       115,483,728  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

       7,806,357,480       18,215,865,490  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity

      

Interest-bearing borrowings

    12       

Borrowings under agreements to repurchase

       141,679,422       3,512,114,961  

Other borrowings

       6,151,347,894       12,195,821,217  

Accrued employee benefits

       51,329,948       68,827,798  

Amounts due to related parties

       32,494,914       —    

Income tax payable

       96,465,421       383,338,483  

Deferred tax liabilities

    22        2,616,924       776,971  

Other liabilities

    13        211,736,539       223,737,268  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

       6,687,671,062       16,384,616,698  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ordinary shares (HKD0.0001 par value; 3,800,000,000 shares authorized, 1 and 1 share issued as of December 31, 2016 and 2017)

    14        —         —    

Additional paid-in capital

    15        386,435,474       569,125,240  

Retained earnings

    16        733,920,239       1,266,592,996  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

    17        (1,669,295     (4,469,444
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

       1,118,686,418       1,831,248,792  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholder’s equity

       7,806,357,480       18,215,865,490  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Consolidated statements of comprehensive income

 

           2016     2017  
    Note      RMB     RMB  

Interest and fees income

      

Interest and financing service fee on loans

    18        1,242,128,524       3,406,110,592  

Interest on deposits with banks

       1,417,305       4,337,177  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total interest and fees income

       1,243,545,829       3,410,447,769  

Interest expense

      

Interest expense on interest-bearing borrowings

       (442,661,324     (1,401,191,685

Interest expense on amounts due to related parties

       —         (8,714,000
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total interest expense

       (442,661,324     (1,409,905,685

Net interest and fees income

       800,884,505       2,000,542,084  

Provision for credit losses

       (111,362,044     (306,752,951

Net interest and fees income after provision for credit losses

       689,522,461       1,693,789,133  

Realized gains/(losses) on sales of investments, net

    19        66,878,501       (11,527,798

Other-than-temporary losses on available-for-sale investments

    7        (36,692,695     —    

Other revenue, net

    20        36,261,933       23,979,610  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non-interest revenue

       66,447,739       12,451,812  

Operating expenses

      

Employee compensation and benefits

       (299,225,819     (545,956,248

Share-based compensation expense

    24        —         (182,689,766

Taxes and surcharges

       (48,207,495     (38,835,933

Rental and property management expenses

       (24,404,690     (47,896,817

Impairment of goodwill

       (20,279,026     —    

Other expenses

    21        (75,807,908     (82,194,556
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

       (467,924,938     (897,573,320

Income before income tax

       288,045,262       808,667,625  

Income tax expense

    22        (52,603,423     (275,994,868
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

       235,441,839       532,672,757  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per share

    23       

Basic

       0.19       0.43  

Diluted

       0.19       0.40  

Other comprehensive losses

      

Net unrealized losses on available-for-sale investments

       (194,680,052     (2,601,355

Foreign currency translation adjustment

       (778,538     (198,794
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

       39,983,249       529,872,608  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Consolidated statements of changes in shareholders’ equity

 

        Ordinary
shares
    Additional
paid-in capital
    Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income/(losses)
    Retained
earnings
    Total
equity
 
        RMB     RMB     RMB     RMB     RMB  
    Note   14     15     17     16        

Balance as of January 1, 2016

      —         386,435,474       193,789,295       498,478,400       1,078,703,169  

Net income

      —         —         —         235,441,839       235,441,839  

Foreign currency translation adjustment

      —         —         (778,538     —         (778,538

Unrealized losses on available-for-sale investments

      —         —         (194,680,052     —         (194,680,052
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2016

      —         386,435,474       (1,669,295     733,920,239       1,118,686,418  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of January 1, 2017

      —         386,435,474       (1,669,295     733,920,239       1,118,686,418  

Net income

      —         —         —         532,672,757       532,672,757  

Foreign currency translation adjustment

      —         —         (198,794     —         (198,794

Unrealized losses on available-for-sale investments

      —         —         (2,601,355     —         (2,601,355

Share-based compensation

      —         182,689,766       —         —         182,689,766  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2017

      —         569,125,240       (4,469,444     1,266,592,996       1,831,248,792  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Consolidated statements of cash flows

 

     2016     2017  
     RMB     RMB  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net income

     235,441,839       532,672,757  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities:

    

Provision for credit losses

     111,362,044       306,752,951  

Provision for available-for-sale investments

     36,692,695       —    

Impairment of goodwill

     20,279,026       —    

Provision for other assets

     1,270,001       —    

Depreciation and amortization

     6,595,476       10,804,855  

Share-based compensation expense

     —         182,689,766  

Share of income from equity method investee

     (47,122     —    

Net loss on disposal of property and equipment

     61,085       261,875  

Net gain on disposal of subsidiaries

     —         6,060,758  

Foreign exchange (gain)/loss

     (2,717,820     2,274,438  

Deferred tax benefit

     (33,470,137     (57,888,823

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Deposits

     (40,932,244     (98,732,767

Other operating assets

     43,271,746       (289,327,710

Other operating liabilities

     2,077,066       691,081,484  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     379,883,655       1,286,649,584  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Loans originated, net of principal collected

     (4,985,137,870     (9,288,327,415

Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale investments

     412,780,035       16,290,109  

Cash received from disposal of cost method investments

     500,000       9,350,000  

Proceeds from disposal of subsidiaries

     —         57,717,953  

Proceeds from disposal of equity method investee

     3,266,969       —    

Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment and intangible assets

     17,215       890,219  

Purchase of available-for-sale investments

     (116,618,373     (360,050,000

Purchases of property, equipment and intangible assets

     (15,223,321     (19,763,521
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (4,700,415,345     (9,583,892,655
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Proceeds from interest-bearing borrowings

     5,904,280,461       15,024,145,699  

Repayment of interest-bearing borrowings

     (1,613,193,000     (5,767,405,436
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

     4,291,087,461       9,256,740,263  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

     (29,444,229     959,497,192  

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of year

     260,081,796       233,138,588  

Effect of exchange rate change on cash and cash equivalents

     2,501,021       (2,275,395
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of year

     233,138,588       1,190,360,385  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

    

Income tax paid

     25,672,356       45,595,075  

Interest expense paid

     416,084,616       1,298,748,843  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, ORGANIZATION, AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

CNFinance Holdings Limited (“CNFinance”), through its wholly-owned subsidiaries and consolidated variable interest entities (collectively, referred to hereinafter as the “Group”) in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”), primarily provides micro credit loan services for micro and small-enterprise (“MSE”) owners, and loan lending agency service for banks.

The loans are granted through its licensed micro credit subsidiaries in Beijing, Shenzhen and Chongqing directly, or the structure funds funded with the Group as general partners. Through the Group’s network of sales team and branch offices, prospective MSE borrowers are referred to the licensed micro credit subsidiaries or the structure funds. Loans are secured by residential or commercial real estate, except for one loan of RMB144,000 with a vehicle as collateral, as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2017.

The Group’s main funding resources are equity and borrowings from third parties.

Reorganization

CNFinance is incorporated in the Cayman Islands and was established on January 8, 2014 by the shareholders of Sincere Fame International Limited (“Sincere Fame”). Since its inception on January 8, 2014 to March 27, 2018, CNFinance did not engage in any operating activities. In connection with the reorganization of Sincere Fame (“Reorganization”), on March 27, 2018, the shareholders of Sincere Fame transferred all of their equity interests in Sincere Fame, consisting of 1,230,434,040 ordinary shares of Sincere Fame, in exchange for 1,230,434,040 ordinary shares of CNFinance and CNFinance became the parent company of Sincere Fame.

As presented in Note 14, the issued share of the Company upon incorporation was 1 share with par value of HKD0.0001. Upon the shares transfer, the total issued shares of the Company is 1,230,434,041.

Sincere Fame is incorporated in the British Virgin Islands and before the Reorganization, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries and consolidated variable interest entities in the PRC, primarily provided micro credit loan services for MSE owners, and loan lending agency service for banks.

Basis of preparation

The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”).

The net assets of Sincere Fame are initially measured and recognized at their historical carrying amounts because the shareholders of CNFinance immediately after the Reorganization have identical ownership interests in Sincere Fame immediately before the Reorganization and the Reorganization is solely for the purpose of establishing the legal structure of CNFinance. Accordingly, the transfer of net assets of Sincere Fame has been accounted for and presented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements in a manner similar to a pooling-of-interests. That is, the consolidated financial statements of CNFinance include the results of the operations and the statement of financial position of Sincere Fame as of the beginning of the earliest period presented. Since CNFinance did not engage in any operating activities, CNFinance’s consolidated financial position as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, and its results of operations for the years then ended represent the continuation of the consolidated financial statements of Sincere Fame, except for its capital structure, which is retroactively adjusted to reflect the legal capital structure of CNFinance.

 

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Table of Contents

CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, ORGANIZATION, AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION  (CONTINUED)

 

In connection with the preparation of the consolidated financial statements of CNFinance for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, the Group identified certain errors in the presentation of the consolidated statements of cash flow of Sincere Fame for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017. In Sincere Fame’s consolidated statements of cash flows, (i) the “Loans originated, net of principal collected” and (ii) “Interest and financing service fee receivable” were reported under the caption titled “Loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables” in the operating activities, while the item (i) should be reported in the investing activities and item (ii) should be reported under the caption titled “Changes in other operating assets” in the operating activities when the amount is not individually significant; (iii) investment income received from sales of available-for-sale investments were reported under the caption titled “Changes in other operating assets” in operating activities, while the item (iii) should be reported under the caption titled “Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale investments” in the investing activities, and (iv) “Interest paid to related parties” were reported in the financing activities, while the item (iv) should be reported under the caption titled “Changes in other operating liabilities” in the operating activities when the amount is not individually significant. In the preparation of the CNFinance’s consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, the cash flows of the above mentioned errors in the Sincere Fame’s consolidated statements of cash flows have been revised accordingly.

The following table shows the effect of the adjustments made to the previously issued consolidated statements of cash flows of Sincere Fame for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017:

 

RMB in millions         For the year ended
December 31, 2017
    For the year ended
December 31, 2016
 
          (as reported)     (adjusted)     (revised)     (as reported)     (adjusted)     (revised)  

Cash flows from operating activities:

             

Loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables

    (i),(ii)       (9,309     9,309       —         (5,047     5,047       —    

Changes in other operating assets

    (ii)(iii)       8       (29     (21     —         (62     (62

Changes in other operating liabilities

    (iv)       —         (41     (41     —         —         —    

Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities

      (7,952     9,239       1,287       (4,605     4,985       380  

Cash flows from investing activities:

             

Loans originated, net of principal collected

    (i)       —         (9,288     (9,288     —         (4,985     (4,985

Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale investments, and cash received from disposal of cost method investments

    (iii)       17       8       25       413       —         413  

Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities

      (304     (9,280     (9,584     285       (4,985     (4,700

Cash flows from financing activities:

             

Payments to related parties

    (iv)       (41     41       —         —         —         —    

Net cash provided by financing activities

      9,215       41       9,256       4,291       —         4,291  

 

F-8


Table of Contents

CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, ORGANIZATION, AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION  (CONTINUED)

 

Investment in significant subsidiaries

 

Name of company   Place and
date of
incorporation/
establishment
    Registered capital     Issued
and fully
paid up capital
    Percentage of equity
attributable to the
Group
    Principal
activities
 
                      Direct     Indirect        

China Financial Services
Group Limited
LOGO   LOGO

   

Hong Kong

August 28, 2000

 

 

    HKD100,000,000       HKD100,000,000       100     —        
Investment
Holding
 
 

Fanhua Chuang Li Information Technology (Shenzhen)
Co., Ltd.
LOGO  ( LOGO )
LOGO

   

the PRC

December 21,

1999

 

 

 

    HKD400,000,000       HKD400,000,000       —         100    
Investment
Holding
 
 

Shenzhen Fanhua United Investment Group
Co., Ltd.
LOGO
LOGO

   

the PRC

August 9, 2006

 

 

    RMB250,000,000       RMB250,000,000       —         100    
Investment
Holding
 
 

Guangzhou Anyu Mortgage Consulting Co., Ltd.
LOGO   LOGO

   

the PRC

January 23,2003

 

 

    RMB2,220,000       RMB2,220,000       —         100    

Micro credit

and mortgage

agency

services

 

 

 

 

Zhengzhou Lirui Financial Advisory Co., Ltd.
LOGO
LOGO

   

the PRC

December 17,

2009

 

 

 

    RMB500,000       RMB500,000       —         100    

Financial

consultancy

 

 

Chongqing Fengjie Financial Advisory
Co., Ltd.
LOGO
LOGO

   

the PRC

June 13, 2010

 

 

    RMB500,000       RMB500,000       —         100    
Financial
consultancy
 
 

Guangzhou Chengze Information
Technology Co., Ltd.
LOGO
LOGO

   

the PRC

December 11,

2006

 

 

 

    RMB3,000,000       RMB3,000,000       —         100    


Software
development
and
maintenance
 
 
 
 

Qidong Fanhua Financial Management Co., Ltd.
LOGO
LOGO

   


the PRC

December 11,
2006

 

 
 

    RMB300,000       RMB300,000       —         100    
Asset
Management
 
 

 

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Table of Contents

CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, ORGANIZATION, AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION  (CONTINUED)

 

Name of company   Place and
date of
incorporation/
establishment
    Registered capital     Issued
and fully
paid up capital
    Percentage of equity
attributable to the
Group
    Principal
activities
 
                      Direct     Indirect        

Chongqing Liangjiang New Area Fanhua Micro- credit Co., Ltd.
LOGO
LOGO

   

the PRC

December 26,

2011

 

 

 

    USD30,000,000       USD30,000,000       —         100    


Micro credit

and mortgage

agency
services

 

 

 
 

Shenzhen Fanhua Micro-credit Co., Ltd.
LOGO
LOGO

   

the PRC

March 15, 2012

 

 

    RMB100,000,000       RMB100,000,000       —         100    


Micro credit

and mortgage

agency
services

 

 

 
 

Shenzhen Fanhua Fund Management Services
Co., Ltd.
LOGO
LOGO

   

the PRC

June 8, 2012

 

 

    RMB5,000,000       RMB5,000,000       —         100    

Company
register
service
 
 
 

Guangzhou Heze Information Technology Co., Ltd.
LOGO
LOGO

   


the PRC

September 16,
2010

 


 

    RMB3,000,000       RMB3,000,000       —         100    


Software
development
and
maintenance
 
 
 
 

Beijing Lianxin Chuanghui Information Technology
Co., Ltd.
LOGO
LOGO

   


the PRC

February 2,
2012

 

 
 

    HKD10,000,000       HKD10,000,000       —         100    


Software
development
and
maintenance
 
 
 
 

Shenzhen Fanlian Investment Co., Ltd.
LOGO

   


the PRC

November 26,
2012

 


 

    RMB30,000,000       RMB30,000,000       —         100    
Investment
Holding
 
 

Fanhua Financial Leasing (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
LOGO   LOGO
LOGO

   

the PRC

September 4,

2012

 

 

 

    USD10,000,000       USD10,000,000       —         100    
Financial
leasing
 
 

Shenzhen Fanhua Chengyu Finance Service Co., Ltd. LOGO
LOGO

   

the PRC

March 15, 2012

 

 

    RMB10,000,000       RMB10,000,000       —         100    

Labour
outsourcing
services
 
 
 

Hangzhou Shenzhen Fanlian Investment
Co., Ltd.
LOGO
LOGO

   

the PRC

December 14,

2015

 

 

 

    RMB1,000,000       —         —         100    
Asset
Management
 
 

 

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Table of Contents

CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, ORGANIZATION, AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION  (CONTINUED)

 

Name of company   Place and
date of
incorporation/
establishment
    Registered capital     Issued
and fully
paid up capital
    Percentage of equity
attributable to the
Group
    Principal
activities
 
                      Direct     Indirect        

Beijing Fanhua Qilin Capital Management
Co., Ltd.
LOGO
LOGO

   

the PRC

December 26,

2016

 

 

 

    RMB100,000,000       RMB10,000,000       —         100    
Asset
Management
 
 

Shijiazhuang Fanhua Financial Advisory
Co., Ltd.
LOGO
LOGO

   

the PRC

July 27, 2017

 

 

    RMB2,000,000       —         —         100    
Financial
Consultancy
 
 

Taizhou Fanhua Financial Advisory Co., Ltd.
LOGO
LOGO

   


the PRC

September 28,
2017

 

 
 

    RMB500,000       —         —         100    
Financial
Consultancy
 
 

Xuzhou Shenfanlian Enterprise Management Co., Ltd.
LOGO
LOGO

   

the PRC

December 7,

2017

 

 

 

    RMB10,000,000       —         —         100    
Enterprise
Management
 
 

Zhenjiang Fanhua Business Service Advisory
Co., Ltd.
LOGO LOGO
LOGO

   


the PRC

October 16,
2017

 

 
 

    RMB500,000       —         —         100    

Business

Advisory

 

 

Nantong Shenfanlian Enterprise Management Co., Ltd.
LOGO
LOGO

   


the PRC

September 8,
2017

 

 
 

    RMB5,000,000       —         —         100    
Enterprise
Management
 
 

Variable interest entities (“VIEs”)

An entity is a variable interest entity (VIE) if it meets the criteria outlined in Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 810, Consolidation, which are (i) the entity has equity that is insufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties; or (ii) the entity has equity investors that cannot make significant decisions about the entity’s operations or that do not absorb their proportionate share of the entity’s expected losses or expected returns. The Group consolidates a VIE when it has both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and a right to receive benefits or the obligation to absorb losses of

 

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Table of Contents

CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, ORGANIZATION, AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION  (CONTINUED)

 

the entity that could be potentially significant to the VIE (that is, the Group is the primary beneficiary). In addition to variable interests held in consolidated VIEs, the Group has variable interests in other VIEs that are not consolidated because the Group is not the primary beneficiary. However, these VIEs and all other unconsolidated VIEs are monitored by the Group to assess whether any events have occurred to cause its primary beneficiary status to change. All other entities not deemed to be VIEs with which the Group has involvement are evaluated for consolidation under other subtopics of ASC 810.

In the normal course of business, the Group engages in a variety of activities with VIEs. The Group determines whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE at the time it becomes involved with the variable interest entity and reconsiders that conclusion continually. In evaluating whether the Group is the primary beneficiary, the Group evaluates its economic interests in the entity. If the Group is determined to be the primary beneficiary of a VIE, it must account for the VIE as a consolidated subsidiary. If the Group is determined not to be the primary beneficiary of a VIE, such VIE is not consolidated.

The Group has segregated its involvement with VIEs between those VIEs which are consolidated and those VIEs which are not consolidated.

Consolidated VIEs

Structure funds

The Group grants loans to customers through structure funds set up by trust companies. The Group is general partner of the funds, promising the expected returns for limited partners, and providing credit enhancement for the loans to customers under the funds, pursuant to credit enhancement arrangements and top-up arrangements. The Group is also the manager of the funds, making decisions in the loan origination process. The Group is the primary beneficiary of the funds as it has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the funds and its obligation to absorb losses of the funds that could potentially be significant to the funds or the right to receive benefits from the funds that could potentially be significant to the funds. The Group consolidates the structure funds as it is the primary beneficiary of the funds.

Shenzhen Taotaojin Internet Financial Services Company Limited

Shenzhen Taotaojin Internet Financial Services Company Limited (“Taotaojin”) was established in Shenzhen in 2014 with registered capital of RMB50 million. Taotaojin operates a peer-to-peer (P2P) online lending platform in China. The Group invested RMB50 million share capital into Taotaojin through the two shareholders who hold the equity interests in Taotaojin on behalf of the Group. There is no recourse to the Group. Pursuant to the agreements between the Group and the two shareholders, the two shareholders are not entitled to direct the activities that significantly impact Taotaojin’s assets, operation and obligations. And the two shareholders authorized representatives designated by the Group to exercise all shareholders rights on the board. The shareholders of the Taotaojin also have irrevocably granted the Group an exclusive option to purchase, or have its designated person or persons to purchase, at its discretion, to the extent permitted under PRC law, all or part of such shareholders’ equity interests in Taotaojin. Therefore, the Group has the power to direct the activities of Taotaojin that most significantly impact the economic performance based on its rights authorized by the shareholders. In addition, the Group has obligation to absorb losses of Taotaojin that could potentially be significant to Taotaojin as a result of the capital contributed through the loans to shareholders and other financial supports through intercompany transactions. The Group consolidates Taotaojin as it is a primary beneficiary of Taotaojin.

 

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Table of Contents

CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, ORGANIZATION, AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION  (CONTINUED)

 

The table sets forth the investments in the consolidated VIEs by the Group as of December 31, 2017.

 

Name of structure funds   Place and
date of
incorporation/
establishment
   

Principal activities

           

Jinghua Structure Fund 5
LOGO LOGO

   

the PRC

December 19, 2014

 

 

  Micro credit

Jinghua Structure Fund 6
LOGO LOGO

   

the PRC

September 9, 2014

 

 

  Micro credit

Bohai Trust Shenfanlian Micro Finance Structure Fund
LOGO
LOGO

   

the PRC

September 12, 2016

 

 

  Micro credit

Bohai Huihe SME Structure Fund
LOGO
LOGO

   

the PRC

September 29, 2017

 

 

  Micro credit

Zhongyuan Wealth Anhui Structure Fund 1
LOGO   LOGO

   

the PRC

January 20, 2017

 

 

  Micro credit

Zhongyuan Wealth Anhui Structure Fund 2
LOGO   LOGO

   

the PRC

August 30, 2017

 

 

  Micro credit

Beijing Fanhua Micro-credit Company Limited
LOGO LOGO

   

the PRC

August 10, 2012

 

 

  Micro credit and mortgage agency services

The table sets forth the assets and liabilities of the consolidated VIEs included in the Group’s consolidated balance sheets:

 

     December 31,  
     2016      2017  
     RMB      RMB  

Cash and cash equivalents

     135,022,068        1,005,069,665  

Loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables

     7,096,888,109        15,741,026,758  

Deferred tax assets

     29,135,699        97,938,285  

Other assets

     277,208,805        134,288,627  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

     7,538,254,681        16,978,323,335  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Interest-bearing borrowings

     3,976,622,461        11,768,149,067  

Income tax payable

     22,990,761        355,149,997  

Other liabilities

     195,705,428        528,843,275  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     4,195,318,650        12,652,142,339  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-13


Table of Contents

CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, ORGANIZATION, AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION  (CONTINUED)

 

The table sets forth the results of operations of the VIEs included in the Group’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income:

 

     2016      2017  
     RMB      RMB  

Revenues

     1,230,596,060        3,247,097,840  

Net income

     316,604,468        811,395,381  

The table sets forth the cash flows of the VIEs included in the Group’s consolidated statements of cash flows:

 

     2016     2017  
     RMB     RMB  

Net cash provided by operating activities

     843,392,296       3,858,370,455  

Net cash used in investing activities

     (5,109,269,063     (8,905,181,155

Net cash provided by financing activities

     4,249,962,461       5,916,858,297  

Unconsolidated VIEs

Asset management products

As of December 31, 2016, the Group had investments in asset management products that made investments in other investment funds. The Group’s investments are deemed to be variable interests in the products because the limited partnership interests share in the expected returns and losses of the products. The Group also acted as manager or investment consultant for the asset management products. However, the Group does not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly affect the asset management products’ economic performance because the underlying assets were determined at the inception of the asset management products and cannot be changed without consent from other investors. As a result, the Group does not consolidate the operations of the asset management products in its consolidated financial statements. The Group accounted for its interests in the unconsolidated VIEs in available-for-sale investments on the consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2016, the carrying amount of the assets in the Group’s balance sheets that relate to its variable interests in the asset management products is RMB62,865,781. The maximum exposure to these entities is limited to the variable interests in the asset management products which consisted of assets of approximately RMB62,865,781 as of December 31, 2016. As of December 31, 2017, the Group does not have interests in unconsolidated VIEs.

 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

(a) Principles of consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Group, its subsidiaries and consolidated VIEs. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The Group accounts for investments over which it has significant influence but not a controlling financial interest using the equity method of accounting.

 

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Table of Contents

CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  (CONTINUED)

 

(b) Currency translation for financial statements presentation

The Group uses Renminbi (“RMB”) as its reporting currency. The Hong Kong Dollar (“HKD”) is the functional currency of the Company incorporated in Cayman and the Group’s subsidiary China Financial Services Group Limited incorporated in Hong Kong, and the United States Dollar (“USD”) is the functional currency of the Group’s subsidiary Sincere Fame incorporated in British Virgin Islands, and the RMB is the functional currency of the Group’s PRC subsidiaries.

The financial statements of the Group are translated from the functional currency to the reporting currency, RMB. Assets and liabilities of the subsidiaries are translated into RMB using the exchange rate in effect at each balance sheet date. Income and expenses items are generally translated at the average exchange rates prevailing during the fiscal year. Foreign currency translation adjustments arising from these are accumulated as a separate component of shareholders’ deficit on the consolidated financial statements. The resulting exchange differences are recorded in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income/ (loss).

 

(c) Use of estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include, allowance for loan principal and interest receivables, other than temporary impairment, the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets, the unrecognized tax benefits and indefinite reinvestment assertion, the fair value of available-for-sale investments, the fair value of share-based compensation and the impairment of goodwill.

 

(d) Revenue recognition

Revenue is recognized when all of the following conditions are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. These criteria as they relate to each of the following major revenue generating activities are described below:

 

  (i) Interest and financing service fee on loans

Interest and financing service fee on loans, which include financing service fee on loans, are collected from borrowers for loans and related services. Interest and financing service fee on loans which are amortized over the contractual life of the related loans are recognized in consolidated statements of comprehensive income on effective interest method.

Interest and financing service fee on loans includes the amortization of any discount or premium or differences between the initial carrying amount of an interest-bearing asset and its amount at maturity calculated using the effective interest basis.

The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortized cost of a financial asset and of allocating the interest and financing service fee on loans over the years. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash payments or receipts through the expected life of the

 

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Table of Contents

CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  (CONTINUED)

 

financial instrument. When calculating the effective interest rate, the Group estimates cash flows considering all contractual terms of the financial instrument but does not consider future credit losses. Interest on the impaired assets is recognized using the rate of interest used to discount future cash flows.

 

  (ii) Mortgage agency service revenue and asset management revenue

The Group earns mortgage agency service revenue from providing mortgage agency services to borrowers applying for a bank loan. This kind of revenue is recognized at the time when loan is granted as that is the point of time the Group fulfils the customer’s request, and is then recognized on an accrual basis in accordance with the terms of the relevant agreements.

The Group receives asset management revenue from providing asset management services for investors. The asset management revenue is calculated and accrued on a daily basis based on the daily net asset values of the asset management products under management.

 

  (iii) Realized gains/ (losses) on sales of investments

Realized gains/ (losses) consist of realized gains and losses from the sale of available-for-sale investments, presented on a net basis.

 

  (iv) Rendering of services

When the outcome of a transaction involving the rendering of services can be estimated reliably, revenue from the rendering of services is recognized by reference to the stage of completion of the transaction based on the services performed to date as a percentage of the total services to be performed.

When the outcome of a transaction involving the rendering of services cannot be estimated reliably, revenue is recognized only to the extent of the costs incurred that it is probably recoverable.

 

(e) Loans

Loans are reported at their outstanding principal balances net of any unearned income and unamortized deferred fees and costs. Loan origination fees and certain direct origination costs are generally deferred and recognized as adjustments to income over the lives of the related loans.

The Group facilitates credit to borrowers through structure funds which are considered as consolidated VIEs and the Group evaluated VIEs for consolidation in accordance with ASC 810 in the Consolidated VIEs Section of Note 1. Providing credit enhancement and top-up arrangement for the loans to customers under the funds is one of the key factors to determine that the Group should consolidate the structure funds as it is the primary beneficiary of the funds. As a result, the loan principal remains on the Group’s consolidated balance sheets, whilst the funds received from senior tranches holders are recorded as Other Borrowings in the Group’s consolidated balance sheets as disclosed in Note 12(b)(i).

Non-accrual policies

Loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables are placed on non-accrual status when payments are 90 days contractually past. When a loan principal, interest and financing service fee receivable

 

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Table of Contents

CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  (CONTINUED)

 

is placed on non-accrual status, financing service fees accrual ceases. If the loan is non-accrual, the cost recovery method is used and cash collected is applied to first reduce the carrying value of the loan. Otherwise, interest income may be recognized to the extent cash is received. Loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables may be returned to accrual status when all of the borrower’s delinquent balances of loans principal, interest and financing service fee have been settled and the borrower continue to perform in accordance with the loan terms for a period of at least six months.

Charge-off policies

Loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables are charged off when the Group has determined the remaining balance is uncollectable after exhausting all collection efforts. In order to comply with ASC 310, the Group considers loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables meeting any of the following conditions as uncollectable and charged-off: (i) death of the borrower; (ii) identification of fraud, and the fraud is officially reported to and filed with relevant law enforcement departments or (iii) the amount that the Group concludes that it has exhausted its collection efforts.

Allowance for credit losses

Allowance for credit losses represents management’s best estimate of probable losses inherent in the portfolio.

The allowance for credit losses includes an asset-specific component and a statistically based component. The asset-specific component is calculated under ASC 310-10-35, on an individual basis for the loans whose payments are contractually past due more than 90 days or which are considered impaired. An asset-specific allowance is established when the discounted cash flows, collateral value (less disposal costs) or observable market price of the impaired loan are lower than its carrying value. This allowance considers the borrower’s overall financial condition, resources, and payment record, the prospects for support from any financially responsible guarantors and, if appropriate, the realizable value of any collateral.

The allowance for the remainder of the loan portfolio is determined under ASC 450 using a roll rate-based model. The roll rate-based model stratifies the loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables by delinquency stages which are divided by days overdue and projected forward in next stage using probability of default. In each stage of the simulation, losses on the loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables types are captured, and the ending delinquency stratification serves as the beginning point of the next iteration. This process is repeated on a monthly rolling basis. The loss rate calculated for each delinquency stage using loss given default, then applied to the respective loans principal, interest and financing service fees balance. The Group adjusts the allowance that is determined by the roll rate-based model for various Chinese macroeconomic factors i.e. gross-domestic product rates, interest rates and consumer price indexes. Each of these macroeconomic factors are equally weighted, and a score is applied to each factor based on year-on-year increases and decreases in that respective factor.

 

(f) Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents primarily consist of cash, deposits which are highly liquid and all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. The Company considers highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash. All cash and cash equivalents are unrestricted as to withdrawal and use at December 31, 2017 and 2016.

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  (CONTINUED)

 

(g) Available-for-sale (“AFS”) investments

The Group classifies wealth management products and asset management products as available-for-sale (“AFS”) investments. AFS investments are recorded at fair value. Unrealized holding gains and losses, net of the related tax effect, on AFS investments are excluded from earnings and are reported as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income until realized. Realized gains and losses from the sale of AFS investments are determined on a specific identification basis and are recorded as realized gains/ (loss) on sales of investments. Interest and investment income are recognized when earned.

 

(h) Property and equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation on equipment is calculated on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the economic useful life of the improvement or the term of the lease. The estimated useful life of office and other equipment range from 1 to 5 years, the estimated useful life of leasehold improvements or the term of the lease range from 1 to 6 years, while the estimated useful lives of motor vehicles range from 3 to 8 years.

 

(i) Goodwill

Goodwill is an asset representing the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

On August 31, 2006, the Group acquired a 55% stake in Guangzhou Anyu Mortgage Consulting Co., Limited (“Guangzhou Anyu”). On the acquisition date, the fair value of Guangzhou Anyu’s identifiable net assets was RMB42.36 million, 55% of which the Group accounted for was RMB23.3 million. An amount of RMB20.28 million was recognized as goodwill, representing the excess of the consideration transferred over the Group’s proportionate share of the fair value of identifiable net assets. On May 25, 2009, the Group acquired the remaining 45% shares in Guangzhou Anyu for RMB27.47 million. Guangzhou Anyu was incorporated in the PRC in 2003 and was primarily engaged in the business of providing mortgage agency services and loans at the time of acquisition.

Impairment tests for cash-generating units containing goodwill

Goodwill is not amortized on a recurring basis, but rather are subject to periodic impairment testing. The Group reviews goodwill annually for impairment or when circumstances indicate that the carrying value may exceed the fair value. The Group compares the carrying value of goodwill to its estimated fair value, which is based on the expected present value of future cash flows, comparable public companies and acquisitions or a combination of both. The quantitative analysis requires a comparison of the fair value to carrying amount. If the fair value of the reporting unit is in excess of the carrying value, the related goodwill is considered not to be impaired and no further analysis is necessary. If the carrying value of the reporting unit is higher than the fair value, impairment is measured as the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value.

The recoverable amount of the cash-generating-units (“CGU”) is calculated using Dividend Discount Model (DDM). The projected cash flow for the next year is based on financial budgets approved by management.

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  (CONTINUED)

 

Cash flows beyond next year are estimated using a weighted average growth rate of 3%, which is consistent with the forecasts in industry research reports. The growth rate does not exceed the long-term average growth rates for the business in which the CGU operates. The projected cash flows are then discounted using a discount rate of 21% as of December 31, 2016. The discount rate is pre-tax and reflects specific risks relating to the relevant segments.

In 2016, the key management of Guangzhou Anyu has left the company. Guangzhou Anyu’s business model has changed from providing loans to referring micro credit business to other entities of the Group, resulting in an expected reduction in the operating profits and cash flows in the future. Therefore, the Group recognized a goodwill impairment loss of RMB20, 279,026. The goodwill was fully impaired as of December 31, 2016.

 

(j) Intangible assets

Indefinite-lived intangible assets are assets that are not amortized because there is no foreseeable limit to cash flows generated from them. Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized on a straight line basis over their estimated useful lives.

The Group categorizes trademarks as indefinite-lived intangible assets, whose carrying value is RMB2.97 million. If it is more likely than not that the asset is impaired, the Group records the amount that the carrying value exceeds the fair value as an impairment expense. The Group performed its annual impairment review of indefinite-lived intangible assets on December 1, 2017 and 2016 and determined that it is more likely than not that the carrying values were less than the fair values.

Intangible assets with finite useful lives represent software and cooperation agreements, the estimated useful lives of which are 1 to 5 years and 5 years, respectively. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, accumulated amortization were RMB12,204,977 and RMB12,286,781, respectively.

 

(k) Income tax

Income tax is accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statements carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The Group recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs. The Group classifies interest and penalties recognized on the liability for unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense.

 

(l) Employee benefit plans

Pursuant to relevant PRC regulations, the Group is required to make contributions to various employee benefit plans organized by municipal and provincial PRC governments. The contributions are made for each

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  (CONTINUED)

 

PRC employee at statutory rates as determined by local social security bureau. Contributions to the employee benefit plans are charged to the consolidated statements of income. The Group has no obligations for payment of pension benefits associated with the plans beyond the amount it is required to contribute.

 

(m) Long-lived assets

Long-lived assets, such as property and equipment, and purchased intangible assets subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If circumstances require a long-lived asset or asset group be tested for possible impairment, the Group first compares undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by that asset or asset group to its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of the long-lived asset or asset group is not recoverable on an undiscounted cash flow basis, an impairment is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds its fair value. Fair value is determined through various valuation techniques including discounted cash flow models, quoted market values and third-party independent appraisals, as considered necessary.

 

(n) Share-based compensation

The Group measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award and recognizes the cost over the period the employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award, which generally is the vesting period. The Group recognizes compensation cost for an award with only service conditions that has a graded vesting schedule on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award, net of estimated forfeitures, provided that the cumulative amount of compensation cost recognized at any date at least equals the portion of the grant-date value of such award that is vested at that date. Forfeiture rates are estimated based on historical and future expectations of employee turnover rates.

 

(o) 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.

 

(p) Repurchase agreements

Financial assets sold under agreements to repurchase do not constitute a sale of the underlying financial assets for accounting purposes and are treated as collateralized financing transactions. Financial assets sold under agreements to repurchase are recorded at the amount of cash received plus accrued interest. Interest paid on agreements to repurchase is recorded in interest expense at the contractually specified rate.

 

(q) Commitments and contingencies

Liabilities for loss contingencies arising from claims, assessments, litigation, fines, and penalties and other sources are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Legal costs incurred in connection with loss contingencies are expensed as incurred.

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  (CONTINUED)

 

(r) Fair value measurements

The Group uses valuation approaches that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible. The Group determines fair value based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability in the principal or most advantageous market. When considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, the following fair value hierarchy distinguishes between observable and unobservable inputs, which are categorized in one of the following levels in accordance with ASU 2011-04 (see Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements):

 

    Level 1 Inputs: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities accessible to the reporting entity at the measurement date.

 

    Level 2 Inputs: Other than quoted prices included in Level 1 inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

 

    Level 3 Inputs: Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability used to measure fair value to the extent that observable inputs are not available, thereby allowing for situations in which there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at measurement date.

The level in the fair value hierarchy within which a fair value measurement in its entirety falls is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. In situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date, the fair value measurement reflects management’s own judgments about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Those judgments are developed by management based on the best information available in the circumstances.

 

(s) Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary and dilutive ordinary equivalent shares outstanding during the period.

Ordinary equivalent shares are not included in the denominator of the diluted earnings per share calculation when inclusion of such shares would be anti-dilutive.

For purposes of calculating basic earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, the weighted average number of shares used in the calculation has been retroactively adjusted to reflect the incorporation of the Company and the Reorganization (see Note 1), as if these events had occurred at the beginning of the earliest period presented and these shares had been outstanding for all periods.

 

(t) Segment reporting

The Group uses the management approach in determining its operating segments. The management approach considers the internal reporting used by the Group’s chief operating decision maker for making decisions about the allocation of resources to and the assessment of the performance of the segments of the Group, therefore management has determined that the Group has one operating segment. All of the Group’s operations and customers are located in the PRC. Consequently, no geographic information is presented.

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  (CONTINUED)

 

(u) Recently adopted accounting standards

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which simplifies several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions. ASU 2016-09 requires all companies to (1) recognize excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies in the income statements (i.e., the standard eliminates the APIC pool) and to (2) present excess tax benefits as an operating activity in the statements of cash flows. The standard also allows all companies to (1) elect whether to use an estimated forfeiture rate or to recognize forfeitures as they occur and (2) withhold up to the maximum individual statutory tax rate without classifying the awards as a liability. Nonpublic companies can elect to (1) use a practical expedient to determine the expected term of certain share-based payment awards and (2) change the measurement basis for all liability-classified awards to intrinsic value on adoption. ASU 2016-09 is effective for the Group for annual periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. Companies must adopt all amendments at the same time and follow the transition methods as outlined in the standard. The Group elected to early adopt the standard as of January 1, 2017.

In accordance with ASU 2016-09, the Group prospectively adopted the amendment requiring recognition of excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies in the income statements. As a result, the share-based compensation was granted by Sincere Fame International Limited, which was incorporated in BVI. The tax rate in BVI is zero. As a result, the Group recognized zero in excess tax benefits as an income tax benefit as of December 31, 2017. The income tax effects of adopting this amendment are further discussed in Note 22. The Group also elected to prospectively adopt the provision that requires excess tax benefits to be presented within operating activities in the statements of cash flows. Last, the Group elected to use a simplified method to determine the expected term of certain share-based payment awards, which is further discussed in Note 24. In accordance with the standard, the Group adopted the practical expedient on a prospective basis. No prior periods have been restated as a result of adopting these amendments. The other provisions in ASU 2016-09 did not have a material effect on the Group’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, which clarifies how to classify certain types of cash payments and receipts on the statements of cash flows. The following amendments in ASU 2016-15 are or may be relevant to the Group: (1) debt prepayment or extinguishment costs should be classified as financing cash outflows; (2) cash consideration payments made soon after an acquisition’s consummation date (approximately three months or less) should be classified as cash outflows for investing activities. Payments made thereafter should be classified as cash outflows for financing activities up to the amount of the original contingent consideration liability. Payments made in excess of the amount of the original contingent consideration liability should be classified as cash outflows for operating activities; (3) proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims should be classified on the basis of the nature of the loss (or each component loss, if an entity receives a lump-sum settlement); (4) for distributions received from equity method investments, companies may elect either a cumulative earnings approach or the nature of distribution approach to determine whether distributions received from the equity method investees are returns on investment (operating cash inflows) or returns of investment (investing cash inflows); and (5) in the absence of specific guidance, companies determine each separately identifiable cash source and classify the receipt or payment based on the nature of the cash flow.

ASU 2016-15 is effective for the Group in annual periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and requires retrospective application. Companies must adopt all amendments at the same time. The Group elected to early adopt ASU 2016-15 as of January 1, 2016. The effect of adopting this ASU was

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  (CONTINUED)

 

limited to distributions received from equity method investments, during 2016, which the Group reflected as a cash inflow for investing activities on the consolidated statements of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2017.

The amendments to Topic 820 are effective for the Group for annual periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 and requires prospective application. The amendments to Subtopic 350-40 are effective at the same time as ASU 2015-05, Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement, which the Group adopted in the current period. The Group adopted ASU 2016-19 as of January 1, 2016. The effects of adopting the standard were limited to minor clarifications in the Group’s fair value measurement disclosures. The Group did not change any of its valuation approaches or valuation techniques during the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2017. The remaining provisions of ASU 2016-09 regarding certain real estate sales, joint and several liability arrangements, and transfers and servicing of financial assets did not affect the Group’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2017.

 

(v) Recently issued accounting standards

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires a company to recognize revenue when the company transfers control of promised goods and services to the customer. Revenue is recognized in an amount that reflects the consideration a company expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. A company also is required to disclose sufficient quantitative and qualitative information to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The FASB also has issued several amendments to the standard, which are intended to promote a more consistent interpretation and application of the principles outlined in the standard.

Companies are permitted to adopt the standard using a retrospective transition method (i.e., restate all prior periods presented) or a cumulative effect method (i.e., recognize the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance at the date of initial application with no restatement of prior periods). However, both methods allow companies to elect certain practical expedients on transition that will help to simplify how a company restates its contracts. The Group currently anticipates adopting the standard using the cumulative effect method and expects to elect the practical expedient for contract modifications.

The new standard is effective for the Group for annual periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. The scope of the guidance explicitly excludes net interest income as well as many other revenues for financial assets and liabilities. Accordingly, the majority of the revenues of the Group will not be affected. The Group does not expect the accounting policies to change materially since the principles of revenue recognition from the Update are largely consistent with existing guidance and current practices applied by the businesses of the Group. The Group has not identified material changes to the timing or amount of revenue recognition.

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis, which eliminates the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership, modifies the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities (VIEs) or voting interest entities, and affects the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with VIEs (particularly those that have fee arrangements and related party relationships). In some cases, consolidation conclusions will change under the new guidance and, in other cases, a reporting entity will provide additional disclosures if an entity that currently is not considered a VIE is considered a VIE under

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  (CONTINUED)

 

the new guidance. The new standard is effective for the Group for annual periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. The Group elected to early adopt ASU 2015-02 on January 1, 2016.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, which makes targeted improvements to the accounting for, and presentation and disclosure of, financial instruments. ASU 2016-01 requires that most equity investments be measured at fair value, with subsequent changes in fair value recognized in net income. ASU 2016-01 does not affect the accounting for investments that would otherwise be consolidated or accounted for under the equity method. The new standard also affects financial liabilities under the fair value option and the presentation and disclosure requirements for financial instruments. The provisions of ASU 2016-01 are effective for the Group for annual periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. The Group will adopt the new standard on January 1, 2019, and is currently evaluating the effect that ASU 2016-01 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which requires lessees to recognize leases on-balance sheets and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. The new standard establishes a right of use (ROU) model that requires a lessee to recognize a ROU asset and lease liability on the balance sheets for all leases with a term longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern and classification of expense recognition in the income statements.

The new standard is effective for the Group on January 1, 2020, with early adoption permitted. The Group does not plan to early adopt the ASU. The Group is evaluating the effect that the standard will have on its consolidated financial statements, statutory reserves and related disclosures.

In June 2016, the FASB amended guidance related to impairment of financial instruments as part of ASU 2016-13 Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which will be effective January 1, 2020. The guidance replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology with an expected credit loss model for which a Group recognizes an allowance based on the estimate of expected credit loss. The Group is currently evaluating the impact of this new guidance on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

 

3. DISPOSAL OF SUBSIDIARIES

Disposals for the year ended December 31, 2017

In 2017, the Group sold its asset management business, its peer-to-peer platform and its labour outsourcing business, all of which were non-core to the Group’s business, to third parties. The Group received a total consideration of RMB284,550,000 and recognized a total gain of RMB6,060,758 related to the sale. Since the disposal of the subsidiaries did not represent a strategic shift that would have a major effect on the Group’s operations and financial results, it was not reflected as discontinued operations.

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

3. DISPOSAL OF SUBSIDIARIES  (CONTINUED)

 

Effect of disposal on the financial position of the Group

 

     Aggregated
carrying value
as of the
disposal dates
 

Cash and cash equivalents

     10,532,048  

Loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables

     28,221,115  

Available-for-sale investments

     33,616,143  

Interest in equity method investee

     20,450,000  

Property and equipment

     3,653,157  

Intangible assets and goodwill

     23,333  

Deferred tax assets

     12,779,966  

Other assets

     320,606,280  

Accrued employee benefits

     (2,294,431

Income tax payable

     (14,785,506

Other liabilities

     (134,312,863
  

 

 

 

Net assets and liabilities

     278,489,242  
  

 

 

 

 

4. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair Value Hierarchy

FASB ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and establishes a hierarchy of fair value inputs. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. A fair value measurement assumes that the transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability or, in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market. Valuation techniques that are consistent with the market, income or cost approach, as specified by FASB ASC 820, are used to measure fair value.

Fair Value Measurements

A description of the valuation techniques applied to the Group’s major categories of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as follows.

Available-for-sale investments. Available-for-sale investments include wealth management products and asset management products, which are valued based on prices per units quoted by issuers. They are categorized in level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

4. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS  (CONTINUED)

 

The following table presents the Group’s fair value hierarchy for those assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2016 and 2017.

 

     December 31, 2017  
     Fair value      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  
     RMB      RMB      RMB      RMB  

Wealth management products

     360,187,885        —          360,187,885        —    

 

     December 31, 2016  
     Fair value      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  
     RMB      RMB      RMB      RMB  

Asset management products

     62,865,781        —          62,865,781        —    

During the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, there were no transfers between instruments in Level 1 and Level 2. The Group do not have level 3 instruments as of December 31, 2016 and 2017.

 

5. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Cash and cash equivalents represents cash on hand and bank deposits. To limit exposure to credit risk relating to bank deposits, the Group primarily places bank deposits with large financial institutions in the PRC with acceptable credit rating. As of December 31, 2016 and 2017, the Group had cash balances at three and one PRC individual financial institutions, respectively, that held cash balances in excess of 10% of the Group’s total cash balances. These bank deposits collectively accounted for approximately 67% and 54% of the Group’s total cash balances as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively.

The nominal holders of certain bank accounts of the Group are employees of the Group. The Group has entered agreements with these employees which stipulate that the funds held in these bank accounts are owned and managed by the Group. Cash balances of such accounts collectively accounted for 5.07% and 1.14% of the Group’s total cash balances as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively.

 

6. LOANS PRINCIPAL, INTEREST AND FINANCING SERVICE FEE RECEIVABLES

 

 

           December 31,  
     Note     2016     2017  
           RMB     RMB  

Loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables

       7,406,211,098       16,701,504,043  

Less: allowance for credit losses

     (a    

- Individually assessed

       (55,180,661     (98,736,342

- Collectively assessed

       (89,562,675     (341,599,744
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

       (144,743,336     (440,336,086
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables

       7,261,467,762       16,261,167,957  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

6. LOANS PRINCIPAL, INTEREST AND FINANCING SERVICE FEE RECEIVABLES  (CONTINUED)

 

  (a) Allowance for credit losses

The table below presents the components of allowances for loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables by impairment methodology with the recorded investment as of December 31, 2017 and 2016.

 

     2017  
     Allowance for
loans which
are collectively
assessed
    Allowance for
loans which
are individually
assessed
    Total  
     RMB     RMB     RMB  

As of January 1

     89,562,675       55,180,661       144,743,336  

Charge for the year

     257,258,186       71,381,594       328,639,780  

Reversal

     (4,709,001     (17,177,828     (21,886,829

Charge-offs

     (512,116     (10,648,085     (11,160,201

Recoveries

     —         —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of December 31

     341,599,744       98,736,342       440,336,086  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables

     16,065,757,967       195,409,990       16,261,167,957  

Recorded investment

     16,407,357,711       294,146,332       16,701,504,043  

 

     2016  
     Allowance for
loans which
are collectively
assessed
    Allowance for
loans which
are individually
assessed
    Total  
     RMB     RMB     RMB  

As of January 1

     12,823,456       20,804,476       33,627,932  

Charge for the year

     81,145,887       47,123,052       128,268,939  

Reversal

     (4,160,028     (12,746,867     (16,906,895

Charge-offs

     (246,640     —         (246,640

Recoveries

     —         —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of December 31

     89,562,675       55,180,661       144,743,336  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables

     7,199,356,679       62,111,083       7,261,467,762  

Recorded investment

     7,288,919,354       117,291,744       7,406,211,098  

The Group uses discounted cash flow method to estimate expected credit losses for loans individually assessed. Under the discounted cash flow method, the allowance for credit losses is estimated as the difference between amortized cost and the present value of cash flows expected to be collected. For each loan, if the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is lower than the amortized cost, allowance for credit losses is charged. Conversely, allowance for credit losses would be reversed. To collectively assess the expected credit losses for the remaining loans portfolios by each entity within the Group, the Group assesses allowance for credit losses using roll rate-based model, see Note 2(e) Loans. For each entity within the Group, if the allowance for credit losses determined by roll rate-based model is higher than the

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

6. LOANS PRINCIPAL, INTEREST AND FINANCING SERVICE FEE RECEIVABLES  (CONTINUED)

 

  (a) Allowance for credit losses  (continued)

 

allowance that has been accrued, allowance for credit losses would be charged. Conversely, allowance for credit losses would be reversed. The net amount of allowance charged for the year and reversal of allowance would be reflected in the statements of comprehensive income as provision for credit losses, amounting to RMB306,752,951 and RMB111,362,044, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

The Group charges off loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables if the remaining balance is considered uncollectable after exhausting all collection efforts. Recovery of loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables previously charged off would be recorded when received.

For the description of the Group’s related accounting policies of allowance for credit losses, see Note 2(e) Loans.

 

  (b) Loan delinquency and non-accrual details

The following tables present the aging of past-due loan principal and financing service fee receivables as of December 31, 2017.

 

    Total current     1–30 days
past due
    31–89 days
past due
    90–179 days
past due
    ³ 180 days
past due
    Total loans     Total non-
accrual
    90 days
past due
and
accruing
 
    RMB     RMB     RMB     RMB     RMB     RMB     RMB     RMB  

Loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables

    15,477,867,781       723,143,029       206,346,901       136,276,334       157,869,998       16,701,504,043       294,146,332    

 

—  

 

The following tables present the aging of past-due loan principal and financing service fee receivables as of December 31, 2016.

 

    Total current     1–30 days
past due
    31–89
days

past due
    90–179 days
past due
    ³ 180 days
past due
    Total loans     Total non-
accrual
    90 days
past due
and
accruing
 
    RMB     RMB     RMB     RMB     RMB     RMB     RMB     RMB  

Loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables

    7,001,713,310       258,357,260       28,848,784       15,930,507       101,361,237       7,406,211,098       117,291,744    

 

—  

 

Loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables are placed on non-accrual status when payments are 90 days contractually past.

Any interest accrued on non-accrual loans is reversed at 90 days and charged against current earnings, and interest is thereafter included in earnings only to the extent actually received in cash. When there is doubt regarding the ultimate collectability of principal, all cash receipts are thereafter applied to reduce the recorded investment in the loan.

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

6. LOANS PRINCIPAL, INTEREST AND FINANCING SERVICE FEE RECEIVABLES  (CONTINUED)

 

  (c) Impaired loans

 

  (1) Impaired loans summary

 

            Recorded investment         
     Unpaid
principal
balance
     Impaired
loans
     Impaired
loans with
related
allowance for
credit losses
     Impaired
loans without
related
allowance for
credit losses
     Related
allowance
for credit
losses
 
     RMB      RMB      RMB      RMB      RMB  

As of December 31,2017

     299,550,322        294,146,332        242,037,110        52,109,222        98,736,342  

As of December 31,2016

     123,211,555        117,291,744        116,186,097        1,105,647        55,180,661  

In accordance with ASC 310-10-35-16 and 17, impaired loans are those loans where the Group, based on current information and events, believes it is probable all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan will not be collected. All amounts due according to the contractual terms means that both the contractual interest payments and the contractual principal payments of a loan will be collected as scheduled in the loan agreement. Impaired loans without an allowance generally represent loans that the fair value of the underlying collateral meets or exceeds the loan’s amortized cost.

 

  (2) Average recorded investment in impaired loans

 

     Year ended December 31,  
     2017      2016  
     Average
recorded
investment (i)
     Interest and
fees income
recognized (ii)
     Average
recorded
investment (i)
     Interest and
fees income
recognized (ii)
 
     RMB      RMB      RMB      RMB  

Impaired loans

     193,518,814        19,502,728        106,063,035        4,839,035  

 

  (i) Average recorded investment represents ending balance for the last four quarters and does not include the related allowance for credit losses.

 

  (ii) The interest and fees income recognized are those interest and financing service fee recognized related to impaired loans. All the amounts are recognized on cash basis.

No debt restructuring in which contractual terms of loans are modified, has occurred for the two period of 2016 and 2017.

The Group carries out pre-approval, review and credit approval of loans by professionals for credit risk arising from micro credit business. During the post-transaction monitoring process, the Group conducts a visit of customers regularly after disbursement of loans, and conducts on-site inspection when the Group considers it is necessary. The review focuses on the status of the collateral.

The Group adopts a loan risk classification approach to manage the loan portfolio risk. Loans are classified as non-impaired and impaired based on the different risk level. When one or more event demonstrates there is objective evidence of impairment and causes losses, corresponding loans are considered to be classified as impaired. The allowance for credit losses on impaired loans are collectively or individually assessed as appropriate.

The Group applies a series of criteria in determining the classification of loans. The loan classification criteria focuses on a number of factors, including (i) the borrower’s ability to repay the loan; (ii) the

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

6. LOANS PRINCIPAL, INTEREST AND FINANCING SERVICE FEE RECEIVABLES  (CONTINUED)

 

  (c) Impaired loans  (continued)

 

borrower’s repayment history; (iii) the borrower’s willingness to repay; (iv) the net realizable value of any collateral; and (v) the prospect for the support from any financially responsible guarantor. The Group also takes into account the length of time for which payments of principal and interest on a loan are overdue.

 

7. AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE INVESTMENTS

The carrying amount, gross unrealized holding gains, gross unrealized holding losses, and fair value of AFS by major security type and class of security at December 31, 2017 and 2016 was as follows:

 

     Aggregate
cost basis
     Total OTTI
recognized
in OCI
     Gross
unrealized
holding
gains
     Gross
unrealized
holding
(losses)
     Aggregate
fair value
 
     RMB      RMB      RMB      RMB      RMB  

As of December 31, 2017:

              

Wealth management products

     360,050,000        —          137,885        —          360,187,885  

Wealth management products are investment products issued by commercial banks in China. The wealth management products invest in a pool of liquid financial assets in the interbank market or exchange, including debt securities, asset backed securities, interbank lending, reverse repurchase agreements and bank deposits.

 

     Aggregate
cost basis
     Total OTTI
recognized
in OCI
    Gross
unrealized
holding
gains
     Gross
unrealized
holding
(losses)
    Aggregate
fair value
 
     RMB      RMB     RMB      RMB     RMB  

As of December 31, 2016:

            

Asset management products

     109,295,136        (50,000,000     7,497,696        (3,927,051     62,865,781  

The investments in asset management products with unrealized losses include Wanjia Gongying Hengfeng Xinyu No.1 Asset Management Product (“the product”). The product principally invests in entrusted loans to Jiujiang Lvcheng Real Estate Development Company, to finance the Haizheng Lvcheng Real Estate Development Project. The Group invested in the mezzanine tranche and subordinated tranche of the product in 2014, with its investments in each tranche totalling RMB10 million and RMB40 million, or 5% and 20% of the fund scale, respectively. The expected annualized return on the mezzanine tranche was 12%. The Group also served as the investment consultant for the product, receiving 7% of the fund scale as finance service fee per annum. According to the terms of related contracts, distributions to investors and finance service fee are payable on a quarterly basis. However, the product has ceased to make such payments since 3rd quarter of 2015. The Group has determined that its investment in the product is other-than-temporarily impaired. The Group recognized other-than-temporary impairment losses of RMB13,307,305 and RMB36,692,695 on the product in 2015 and 2016, respectively. The amount of the impairment was calculated primarily using a discounted cash flow analysis, which took into account the effective interest rate of the underlying entrusted loans and the value of the collaterals.

The Group has assessed each position for credit impairment.

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

7. AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE INVESTMENTS  (CONTINUED)

 

Factors considered in determining whether a loss is temporary include:

 

    The length of time and the extent to which fair value has been below cost;

 

    The severity of the impairment;

 

    The cause of the impairment and the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer;

 

    Activity in the market of the issuer which may indicate adverse credit conditions; and

 

    The Group’s ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery.

The Group’s review for impairment generally entails:

 

    Identification and evaluation of investments that have indications of possible impairment;

 

    Analysis of individual investments that have fair values less than amortized cost, including consideration of the length of time the investment has been in an unrealized loss position and the expected recovery period;

 

    Discussion of evidential matter, including an evaluation of factors or triggers that could cause individual investments to qualify as having other-than-temporary impairment and those that would not support other-than-temporary impairment; and

 

    Documentation of the results of these analyses, as required under business policies.

For equity securities, management considers the various factors described above, including its intent and ability to hold the equity security for a period of time sufficient for recovery to amortized cost. Where management lacks that intent or ability, the security’s decline in fair value is deemed to be other-than-temporary and is recorded in earnings.

 

8. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

 

 

     December 31,  
     2016     2017  
     RMB     RMB  

Office and other equipment

     18,682,425       19,997,272  

Leasehold improvements

     16,999,355       21,147,511  

Motor vehicles

     2,074,050       1,717,658  

Less: accumulated depreciation

     (19,075,367     (20,394,541
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     18,680,463       22,467,900  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total depreciation for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 was RMB10,778,542 and RMB5,603,024, respectively, of which was recorded in other expenses in each year.

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

9. INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND GOODWILL

 

            December 31,  
            2016      2017  
     Note      RMB      RMB  

Intangible assets

     (a      2,999,817        3,342,463  

Goodwill

     (b      —          —    
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

        2,999,817        3,342,463  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) Intangible assets

 

          December 31, 2017     December 31, 2016  
          Gross
carrying
value
    Accumulated
amortization
    Net
carrying
value
    Gross
carrying
value
    Accumulated
amortization
    Net
carrying
value
 

Amortized intangible assets:

    RMB              

Software

      7,547,440       (7,174,977     372,463       7,286,598       (7,256,781     29,817  

Cooperation agreement

      5,030,000       (5,030,000     —         5,030,000       (5,030,000     —    
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total amortized intangible assets

    RMB       12,577,440       (12,204,977     372,463       12,316,598       (12,286,781     29,817  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Unamortized intangible assets:

    RMB              

Trademarks

      2,970,000           2,970,000      

Below table provides the current year and estimated future amortization expense for amortized intangible assets. The Group based its projections of amortization expense shown below on existing asset balances as of December 31, 2017. Future amortization expense may vary from these projections.

 

     Software  
     RMB  

Year ended December 31, 2017 (actual)

     26,313  
  

 

 

 

Estimate for year ended December 31,

  

2018

     133,090  

2019

     132,703  

2020

     106,670  

2021

     —    

2022

     —    

 

  (b) Goodwill

Goodwill has been fully impaired as of December 31, 2016, refer to Note 2 (i) Goodwill .

 

10. DEPOSITS

Deposits include security deposits to landlords of rental premises and deposits to the China Trust Protection Fund. In accordance with relevant rules of the China Trust Protection Fund, 1% of the size of trust plans subscribed is deposited in the Fund.

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

11. OTHER ASSETS

 

    Note      December 31,  
           2016     2017  
           RMB     RMB  

Cost method investments

    (i      71,090,001       40,010,000  

Less: impairment losses

       (1,270,001     —    

Receivables from disposal of subsidiaries

       —         29,658,807  

Prepayments

       5,007,153       13,053,454  

Receivables for realization of collaterals

       10,868,038       10,504,570  

Amounts due from employees

    (ii      16,306,520       10,027,597  

Commission and fee receivables

    (iii      11,605,253       6,686,148  

Less: impairment losses

       (10,083,085     (2,323,085

Other receivables

       16,474,774       7,866,237  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

       119,998,653       115,483,728  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (i) In December 2013, the Group invested 10% of the paid-in capital in Guangzhou Huangpu Ronghe Village Bank Co., Ltd (“Huangpu Ronghe”). As of December 31, 2016 and 2017, Huangpu Ronghe has paid-in capital of RMB100,000,000, and the Group has invested RMB10,000,000 in Huangpu Ronghe. In June 2016, the Group invested 2.14% of the paid-in capital in Guangdong Qingyuan Rural Commercial Bank (“Qingyuan Rural”). As of December 31, 2016 and 2017, Qingyuan Rural has paid-in capital of RMB1,400,000,000, and the Group has invested RMB30,010,000 in Qingyuan Rural. In December 2009, the Group invested 10% of the paid-in capital in Shanxi Fanhua United Mortgage Service Co., Ltd (“Shanxi Fanhua”). As of December 31, 2016, Huangpu Ronghe has paid-in capital of RMB2,000,000, and the Group has invested RMB200,000 in Shanxi Fanhua. In December 2015, the Group invested 10% of the paid-in capital in Shanghai Laigao Enterprise Management Co., Ltd (“Shanghai Laigao”). As of December 31, 2016, Shanghai Laigao has paid-in capital of RMB10,000,010, and the Group has invested RMB1,000,001 in Shanghai Laigao. As of December 31, 2016, the Group has invested less than 10% of the paid-in capital in limited partnerships, totalling RMB29,880,000.

Based on the fact that there are no identified events or changes in circumstances that may have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of the cost method investment for the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, and it is determined that it is not practical to estimate the fair value of the investment, the Group did not estimate the fair value of the cost method investment in accordance with ASC 325-20.

An impairment charge is recorded if the carrying amount of the equity investment exceeds its fair value and this condition is determined to be other-than-temporary. The Group performs an impairment test on its cost method investment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that an other-than-temporary impairment has occurred, by considering current economic and market conditions, operating performance, development stages and technology development, and engaging an independent third-party valuation firm to estimate the fair value of cost method investment, as appropriate. The Group recorded RMB1,270,001 and nil as impairment charge to the carrying value of its investments under the cost method for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively.

 

  (ii) Due from employees mainly include temporary advances to employees for payments of collateral evaluation fee, mortgage handling fee, payments for office supplies, etc. on behalf of the Group.

 

  (iii)

Commission and fee receivables include commission receivables arising from mortgage agency services, and fee receivables from providing services. The impairment losses for Commission and fee

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

11. OTHER ASSETS  (CONTINUED)

 

  receivables were RMB10,083,085 and RMB2,323,085 as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively.

 

  (iv) As the Group has disposed of four wholly-owned subsidiaries to third parties from August to September in 2017, that resulted in the disposition of its asset management business, the related impairment losses of cost method investment as well as commission and fee receivables had been charged off, which amounted to RMB1,270,001 and RMB7,760,000, respectively.

 

12. INTEREST-BEARING BORROWINGS

 

  (a) Borrowings under agreements to repurchase

Financial assets sold under agreements to repurchase are effectively short-term collateralized borrowings. In these transactions, the Group receives cash in exchange for transferring financial assets as collateral and recognizes an obligation to reacquire the financial assets for cash at the transaction’s maturity. These types of transactions create risks, including (1) fair value of the financial assets transferred may decline below the amount of obligation to reacquire the financial assets, and therefore create an obligation to pledge additional amounts, or to replace collaterals pledged, and (2) the Group does not have sufficient liquidity to repurchase the financial assets at the transaction’s maturity.

 

     Fixed interest rate
per annum
          December 31,  
       

Term

   2016      2017  
                 RMB      RMB  

Repurchase agreements

           

Funds obtained from

           

Internet funding platforms

     9.7% to 14%      3 to 12 months      140,672,000        1,405,217,000  

Private investment funds

     16% to 18%      Less than 1 year      —          2,042,700,000  

Interest payable

           

Internet funding platforms

           1,007,422        50,757,320  

Private investment funds

           —          13,440,641  
        

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total repurchase agreements

           141,679,422        3,512,114,961  
        

 

 

    

 

 

 

The below table provides the underlying collateral types of the gross obligations under repurchase agreements. For more information about pledged assets, refer to the Note 12(c).

 

     December 31,  
     2016      2017  
     RMB      RMB  

Underlying collateral types of gross obligations

     

Repurchase agreements:

     

Rights to earnings in the Group’s subordinate tranches of consolidated VIEs

     —          3,265,076,611  

Rights to earnings in loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables

  

 

141,679,422

 

  

 

247,038,350

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total repurchase agreements

     141,679,422        3,512,114,961  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

12. INTEREST-BEARING BORROWINGS  (CONTINUED)

 

  (a) Borrowings under agreements to repurchase  (continued)

 

The below table provides the contractual maturities of the gross obligations under repurchase agreements.

 

     Overnight      Up to
30 days
     30 to 90
days
     Greater
than
90 days
     Total gross
obligations
 
     RMB      RMB      RMB      RMB      RMB  

Repurchase agreements

              

As of December 31,2016

     —          555,795        5,611,627        135,512,000        141,679,422  

As of December 31,2017

     —          114,331,541        366,877,171        3,030,906,249        3,512,114,961  

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

12. INTEREST-BEARING BORROWINGS (CONTINUED)

 

  (b) Other borrowings

 

 

    Note      Fixed interest rate
per annum
    

Term

   December 31,  
                       2016      2017  
                       RMB      RMB  

Principal payable to

             

Short-term:

             

Investors of consolidated VIEs

    (i)        9.75% to 11.3%      Less than 1 year      4,772,480,000        8,123,145,600  

Investors of internet funding platforms

    (ii)        9.7% to 14%      3 to 12 months      462,178,285        184,157,982  

Asset management partnerships

    (iii)        8% to 11%      9 to 12 months      375,000,000        75,000,000  

Trust company

    (iv)        10.89%      6 to 12 months      —          110,000,000  

Senior tranche of asset management product which invests in the Group’s loans portfolio

    (v)        8.50%      Less than 1 year      —          25,992,786  

Long-term :

             

Investors of consolidated VIEs

    (i)        9.75% to 11.5%      Within 4 years      396,890,000        3,380,980,000  

Asset management partnerships

    (iii)        11%      15 to 18 months      75,000,000        —    

Senior tranche of trust plan which invests in the Group’s loans portfolio

    (vi)        10.24%      Within 4 years      —          131,263,590  

Interest payable to

             

Investors of consolidated VIEs

    (i)              61,566,829        147,849,661  

Investors of internet funding platforms

    (ii)              4,343,465        2,148,517  

Asset management partnerships

    (iii)              3,889,315        9,860,151  

Trust company

    (iv)              —          4,854,255  

Senior tranche of asset management product which invests in the Group’s loans portfolio

    (v)              —          117,284  

Senior tranche of trust plan which invests in the Group’s loans portfolio

    (vi)              —          451,391  
          

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

             6,151,347,894        12,195,821,217  
          

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

12. INTEREST-BEARING BORROWINGS  (CONTINUED)

 

  (b) Other borrowings (continued)

 

 

  (i) The financial liabilities arising from the VIEs with underlying investments in loans to customers are classified as payables in these consolidated financial statements. It is because, the Group has an obligation to pay senior tranches holders upon maturity dates of the structured entities based on the related terms of those consolidated structured funds.

 

  (ii) The borrowings from investor of internet funding platforms are funds raised from investors of a company named Shenzhen Taotaojin, bearing interest rate from 9.7% to 14% per year.

 

  (iii) As of December 31, 2016, the borrowings from asset management partnerships are from Beijing Shanzheng Longhua Capital Management Partnership (Limited Partnership) with principal RMB150 million, and Shenzhen Zhongzhidixun Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership) with principal RMB300 million. The interest-bearing borrowings bear interest at 11% and 8% per year, respectively. During the year of 2017, the Group repaid all the borrowings from Shenzhen Zhongzhidixun Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership), also the principal RMB75 million and the interest corresponding to the principal from Beijing Shanzheng Longhua Capital Management Partnership (Limited Partnership). As of December 31, 2017, the principal balance is RMB75 million.

 

  (iv) As of December 31, 2017, the borrowings from trust company is from Shanxi Trust Limited Company with principal RMB110 million, bearing interest at 10.89% per year.

 

  (v) As of December 31, 2017, the borrowings from senior tranche of asset management product which invests in the Group’s loans portfolio are the capitals from senior tranche holders of Zhaoqian Jinjiao Fanhua Asset Management Product with the principal RMB25.99 million, bearing interest at 8.5% per year.

 

  (vi) As of December 31, 2017, the borrowings from senior tranche of trust plan which invests in the Group’s loans portfolio are the capitals from senior tranche holders of No.1 Wukuang Trust Yangguang Fanhua Plan with principal RMB131.26 million, bearing interest at 10.24% per year.

Aggregate annual maturities of long-term borrowing obligations (based on final maturity dates) are as follows:

 

    December 31, 2017  
    2018     2019     2020     2021     2022     Thereafter     Total  
    RMB     RMB     RMB     RMB     RMB     RMB     RMB  

Investors of consolidated VIEs

    19,450,000       3,229,980,000       118,250,000       13,300,000       —         —         3,380,980,000  

Senior tranche of trust plan which invests in the Group’s loans portfolio

    51,055,590       41,272,000       31,416,000       7,520,000       —         —         131,263,590  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

    70,505,590       3,271,252,000       149,666,000       20,820,000       —         —         3,512,243,590  

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

12. INTEREST-BEARING BORROWINGS  (CONTINUED)

 

  (c) Pledged assets

The Group pledges certain assets to secure borrowings under agreements to repurchase and other borrowings. The table provides the total carrying amounts of pledged assets by asset types.

 

     December 31,  
     2016      2017  
     RMB      RMB  

Rights to earnings in the Group’s subordinate tranches of consolidated VIEs

     —          4,173,931,373  

Rights to earnings in loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables

     161,440,243        493,413,547  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     161,440,243        4,667,344,920  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Amounts presented above include carrying value of RMB4,409,898,351 and RMB161,440,243 in collateral for repurchase agreements as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 

13. OTHER LIABILITIES

 

 

     Note      December 31,  
            2016      2017  
            RMB      RMB  

Customer pledged deposits

     (i)        77,807,696        106,006,039  

Other tax payables

     (ii)        53,372,898        75,915,052  

Expenses payable to suppliers

        7,875,819        10,611,883  

Amounts due to third parties

        23,848,850        7,004,153  

Payables to banks as mortgage agency

     (iii)        15,173,806        6,468,682  

Receipt in advance

        4,969,376        6,979,476  

Others

        28,688,094        10,751,983  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

        211,736,539        223,737,268  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (i) Customer pledged deposits mainly consist of the deposits collected from certain customers to reduce the risk of failure to make payments on schedule.

 

  (ii) Other tax payables mainly represents value-added tax payables.

 

  (iii) The amount mainly represents payables to the original bank for settling the loan and releasing collateral on behalf of customers of mortgage agency services, which is part of the mortgage agency service activities provided to the customers. The related income is mortgage agency service fee in other revenue (Note 20).

 

  (iv) Other liabilities, except those in (iii), are expected to be settled or recognized as income within one year or are repayable on demand.

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

14. ORDINARY SHARES

On January 8, 2014, the Company was incorporated in the Cayman Islands with authorized share capital of HKD380,000 divided into 3,800,000,000 shares of a nominal or par value of HKD0.0001 each. Upon the incorporation of the Company, one subscriber’s share was allotted and issued to Kevin Butler at a consideration of HKD0.0001, representing 100% of the entire ordinary share of the Company. On the same date, such share was transferred to Complete Joy Investments Limited (“Complete Joy”) at nil consideration. As a result, Complete Joy was the sole owner of the Company.

 

15. ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL

Additional paid-in capital represents (1) the difference between the nominal value of share capital and the paid-up capital of the Group; (2) the difference between the purchase price and the proportionate share of the identifiable net assets of Guangzhou Anyu when the Group acquired its remaining shares to take full ownership; (3) the portion of the grant date fair value of unexercised share options granted to employees of the Group that has been recognized.

 

16. RETAINED EARNINGS

 

 

     Note     December 31,  
           2016      2017  
           RMB      RMB  

PRC statutory reserves

     (i     113,397,264        258,654,052  

PRC surplus reserves

     (ii     89,240,249        63,124,291  

Unreserved retained earnings

       531,282,726        944,814,653  
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

       733,920,239        1,266,592,996  
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (i) With effect from July 1, 2012, pursuant to the “Administrative Measures on Accrual of Provisions by Financial Institutions” issued by the MOF in March 2012, the Group is required, in principle, to set aside a general reserve not lower than 1.5% of the ending balance of its gross risk-bearing assets.

 

  (ii) In accordance with the Company’s PRC subsidiaries’ articles of associate, the subsidiaries are required to appropriate 10% of their net incomes, upon approval by board of directors.

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

17. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME / (LOSSES)

 

 

     Foreign
currency
translation
adjustment
    Unrealized gain on available-for-sale investments  
       Before tax
amount
    Tax
(expenses)
or benefits
    Net-of-tax
amount
 
     RMB     RMB     RMB     RMB  

Balance as of January 1, 2016

     (3,595,526     263,179,761       (65,794,940     197,384,821  

Other comprehensive loss, net

     (778,538     (259,573,402     64,893,350       (194,680,052
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2016

     (4,374,064     3,606,359       (901,590     2,704,769  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of January 1, 2017

     (4,374,064     3,606,359       (901,590     2,704,769  

Other comprehensive loss, net

     (198,794     (3,468,474     867,119       (2,601,355
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2017

     (4,572,858     137,885       (34,471     103,414  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income represent realized gains on the available-for-sale investments upon their sales, which were then recorded in “realized gains / (losses) on sales of investments, net” in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

 

18. INTEREST AND FINANCING SERVICE FEE ON LOANS

Interest and financing service fees on loans, which include financing service fee on loans, are recognized in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income using the effective interest method. Interest income on loans which is recognized with contractual interest rate were RMB1,022,891,039 and RMB3,154,190,318 for the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively. Financing service fee on loans, are deferred and amortized over the contractual life of the related loans utilizing the effective interest method. Financing service fee on loans were RMB219,237,485 and RMB251,920,274 for the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively.

 

19. REALIZED GAINS / (LOSSES) ON SALES OF INVESTMENTS, NET

The gross realized gains on sales of investments for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 are RMB9,024,132 and RMB106,076,664 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The gross realized losses on sales of investments for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 are RMB20,551,930 and RMB39,198,163 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

20. OTHER REVENUE, NET

 

 

     Note    2016     2017  
          RMB     RMB  

Mortgage agency service revenue

   (i)      12,373,044       8,395,774  

Asset management revenue

   (ii)      9,628,621       1,316,186  

Net gain on disposal of subsidiaries

        —         6,060,758  

Labour outsourcing services income

   (iii)      12,035,445       7,857,461  

Foreign exchange gain / (loss)

        2,717,820       (2,274,438

Register services income

        238,500       183,010  

Net loss on disposal of property and equipment

        (61,085     (261,875

Others

        (670,412     2,702,734  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

        36,261,933       23,979,610  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (i) The Group earns fees from providing mortgage agency services to borrowers applying for a bank loan. This kind of revenue is recognized at the time when loan is granted as that is the point of time the Group fulfils the customer’s request, and is then recognized on an accrual basis in accordance with the terms of the relevant agreements. Mortgage agency service revenue consists of revenue earned from housing mortgage agency service and cars mortgage agency service, which accounted for 80.32% and 19.68% of mortgage agency service revenue in the year of 2017, respectively.

 

  (ii) The Group receives asset management revenue from providing asset management services for investors. The asset management revenue is calculated and accrued on a daily basis based on the daily net asset value of the asset management products under management. The asset management business has been disposed of in 2017, as disclosed in Note 3.

 

  (iii) The Group receives labour outsourcing services income from providing labour outsourcing services to clients by one of the subsidiaries of the Group. Labour outsourcing services income are recognized on an accrual basis in accordance with the terms of the relevant agreements. As the subsidiary was disposed of in 2017, as disclosed in Note 3, there would be no such income in the future.

 

21. OTHER EXPENSES

 

     2016      2017  
     RMB      RMB  

Office expenses

     14,453,830        18,769,477  

Entertainment and travelling expenses

     11,767,688        14,506,006  

Advertising and promotion

     16,383,290        15,028,164  

Research and development expenses

     8,507,265        4,794,998  

Consulting fees

     5,736,437        9,282,890  

Depreciation and amortization

     6,595,476        10,804,855  

Communication expenses

     2,530,162        2,598,250  

Asset management expenses

     3,887,977        —    

Provision for cost method investment

     1,270,001        —    

Others

     4,675,782        6,409,916  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     75,807,908        82,194,556  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

22. INCOME TAX EXPENSE

Cayman Islands

Under the current laws of the Cayman Islands, the Company is not subject to tax on income or capital gains.

BVI

Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the British Virgin Islands, the Group is not subject to any income tax in the British Virgin Islands.

Hong Kong

No provision for Hong Kong Profits Tax has been made for the subsidiary located in Hong Kong as the subsidiary has not derived any income subject to Hong Kong Profits Tax during the years.

PRC

According to the PRC Corporate Income Tax (“CIT”) Law that was effective from January 1, 2008, the Group’s PRC subsidiaries are subject to PRC income tax at the statutory tax rate of 25%, unless otherwise specified.

Guangzhou Heze Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“Heze”) was granted the ‘‘qualified software enterprise’’ status in 2012 and was entitled to a 50 percent reduction of the income tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2016. Shenzhen Taotaojin Internet Financial Services Company Limited (“Taotaojin”) was granted the “qualified software enterprise” status in 2015 and was eligible for an income tax exemption for the year ended December 31, 2016, and is entitled to a 50 percent reduction of the income tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2017 to 2019. Taotaojin was disposed by the Group in September 2017.

The effect of tax holiday to income tax expense is RMB38 million and RMB4 million in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Basic earnings per ordinary share effect of the Group’s tax holiday for the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2017 was RMB0.031 and RMB0.003, respectively. Diluted earnings per ordinary share effect of the Group’s tax holiday for the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2017 was RMB0.031 and RMB0.003, respectively.

Income tax expense, all of which relates to the PRC, consists of the following for the years ended December 31:

 

     2016     2017  
     RMB     RMB  

Current tax expense

     86,073,560       333,883,691  

Deferred tax benefit

     (33,470,137     (57,888,823
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total income tax expense

     52,603,423       275,994,868  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

22. INCOME TAX EXPENSE  (CONTINUED)

 

The principal components of the deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

 

     December 31,  
     2016     2017  
     RMB     RMB  

Deferred tax assets:

    

Allowance for loans principal

     34,839,028       105,191,243  

Allowance for interest and financing fee receivables

     2,413,607       5,473,550  

Allowance for available-for-sale investments

     12,817,500       —    

Net operating loss carry forwards

     21,743,157       12,610,881  

Other deferred tax assets

     5,543,823       1,865,154  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal of deferred tax assets

     77,357,115       125,140,828  

Valuation allowance

     (21,743,157     (12,610,881
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred tax assets

     55,613,958       112,529,947  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

    

Intangible assets

     (742,500     (742,500

Available-for-sale investments

     (1,874,424     (34,471
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred tax liabilities

     (2,616,924     (776,971
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Movement of valuation allowance:

 

     2016     2017  
     RMB     RMB  

At the beginning of year

     5,225,434       21,743,157  

Current year additions

     16,546,336       8,512,244  

Current year reversals

     (28,613     (2,433,708

Current year charge-offs

     —         (25,800

Current year disposal

     —         (15,185,012
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

At the end of year

     21,743,157       12,610,881  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

In assessing the recoverability of its deferred tax assets, management considers whether some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the cumulative earnings and projected future taxable income in making this assessment. Recovery of substantially all of the group’s deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future income, exclusive of reversing taxable temporary differences.

Based upon the level of historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income over the periods in which the deferred tax assets are recoverable, management believes that it is more likely than not that the Group will realize the benefits of its deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2016 and 2017.

Valuation allowance have been provided on deferred tax asset due to the uncertainty surrounding their realization. As of December 31, 2016 and 2017, the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets mainly

 

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Table of Contents

CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

22. INCOME TAX EXPENSE  (CONTINUED)

 

arising from tax loss carry forwards were provided because it was more likely than not that the Group will not be able to utilize tax loss carry forwards and certain deductible expenses generated by certain unprofitable subsidiaries.

The Company operates through its subsidiaries and VIEs. The valuation allowance is considered on an individual entity basis. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had net operating loss carry forwards of RMB50,443,524 from its subsidiaries registered in the PRC, which can be carried forward to offset future taxable income. The Company had deferred tax assets related to net operating loss carry forwards of RMB12,610,881. The net operating losses will expire in years 2018 to 2022 if not utilized. The Company assessed the available evidence to estimate if sufficient future taxable income would be generated to use the existing deferred tax assets.

Management has asserted to indefinitely reinvest the undistributed earnings of the subsidiaries located in the PRC. The cumulative amount of the temporary difference in respect of investments in PRC subsidiaries is RMB1,556,153,427 as of December 31, 2017. Upon repatriation of the subsidiaries and the VIE’s earnings, in the form of dividends or otherwise, the Group would be subject to various PRC income tax including withholding income tax. The related unrecognized deferred tax liabilities were approximately RMB155,615,343.

The income before income tax is as follows:

 

     2016      2017  
     RMB      RMB  

Non-PRC entities

     (564,877      (191,593,623

PRC entities

     288,610,139        1,000,261,248  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     288,045,262        808,667,625  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The reconciliation of the PRC statutory income tax rate of 25% to the effective income tax rate is as follows:

 

    Note      2016     2017  

PRC statutory income tax rate

       25.00     25.00

Increase (decrease) in effective income tax rate resulting from:

      

Effect of tax holiday

       (13.16 )%      (0.51 )% 

Effect of tax-free income

       (8.10 )%      (4.00 )% 

Effect of disposal of subsidiaries

             6.53

Effect of differential tax rates for non-PRC entities

    (i      (0.02 )%      5.92

Effect of transfer pricing

       6.88     0.32

Changes in valuation allowance

       5.73     0.75

Others

       1.93     0.11
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effective income tax rate

       18.26     34.12
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

22. INCOME TAX EXPENSE  (CONTINUED)

 

(i) The pre-tax losses from non-PRC entities consist primarily of administrative expenses, including share-based compensation expense.

The Group’s only major jurisdiction is China where tax returns generally remain open and subject to examination by tax authorities for tax years 1999 onwards.

The Group did not have any significant unrecognized tax benefits, and no interest and penalty expenses were recorded for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017.

 

23. EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, for which the basic weighted average number of common shares are based on the 1,230,434,041 common shares issued by the Company, as if those shares were issued as of the earliest date presented.

 

     2016      2017  
     RMB      RMB  

Net income

     235,441,839        532,672,757  

Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding

     1,230,434,041        1,230,434,041  

Effect of dilutive share options

     —          100,975,533  

Dilutive weighted average number of ordinary shares

     1,230,434,041        1,331,409,574  

Basic earnings per share

     0.19        0.43  

Diluted earnings per share

     0.19        0.40  

 

24. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

 

(a) Description of share-based compensation arrangements

On November 1, 2009, the Group adopted a share incentive plan, or the 2009 Share Incentive Plan, granting options to its directors and employees to purchase up to 25,678 ordinary shares of the Group. Pursuant to the option agreements entered into between the Group and the option grantees, the options shall vest over a five-year period from 2010 to 2014. The number of options that the grantees are entitled to in each year will be calculated based on the key performance indicator scores of the grantees in the respective prior year and continued employment is not regarded as vesting condition. Accordingly, 60%, 10%, 10%, 10% and 10% of the award options shall vest on January 1, each of the years 2010 to 2014, respectively.

On January 24, 2011, the Group divided the existing issued shares, USD0.10 each share into USD0.01 each share. On the same day, the Group allotted and issued new shares to its existing shareholders in accordance with the ratio of 1:637. Upon completion of such share split and share allotment, the number of such share options was adjusted from 25,678 to 163,825,640. Accordingly, the exercise price was adjusted from RMB3,190 to RMB0.5. The expiration date of such options was December 31, 2016 and as of December 31, 2016, no option has been excised.

On January 3, 2017, the Group adopted a new share incentive plan, or the 2017 Share Incentive Plan. Options to purchase 187,933,730 ordinary shares pursuant to the 2017 Share Incentive Plan were issued to certain management and employees. Accordingly, 60%, 20% and 20% of the award options shall vest on

 

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Table of Contents

CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

24. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION  (CONTINUED)

 

December 31, each of the years 2017 to 2019, respectively. Unless terminated earlier, the 2017 Share Incentive Plan will terminate automatically in 2022.

Share-based payment transactions with employees, such as share options are measured based on the grant date fair value of the equity instrument. The Group recognizes the compensation costs net of estimated forfeitures over the applicable vesting period. The estimate of forfeitures will be adjusted over the requisite service period to the extent that actual forfeitures differ, or are expected to differ, from such estimates. Changes in estimated forfeitures will be recognized through a cumulative catch-up adjustment in the period of change and will also impact the amount of stock compensation expense to be recognized in future periods. There was no market conditions associated with the share option grants.

 

(b) Fair value of share options and assumptions

The fair value of options granted to employees is determined based on a number of factors including valuations. In determining the fair value of our equity instruments, the Group referred to valuation reports prepared by an independent third-party appraisal firm, based on data the Group provided. The valuation reports provided the Group with guidelines in determining the fair value of the equity instruments, but the Group are ultimately responsible for the determination of all amounts related to share-based compensation recorded in the financial statements.

Excluding the options containing service vesting conditions, the Group calculated the estimated fair value of the options on the respective grant dates using a binomial option pricing model with assistance from independent valuation firms, with the following assumptions:

 

     Share awards
granted on
November 1,
2009
    Share awards
granted on
January 3,
2017
 

Expected volatility

     71     40

Expected dividends

            

Risk-free interest rate

     3.50     3.10

Expected term (in years)

     5       5  

Expected life (in years)

     7.17       6  

The contractual life of the share option is used as an input into the binomial option pricing model. Exercise multiple and post-vesting forfeit are incorporated into the model. Since the Group’s shares did not have been publicly traded at the time the options were issued and its shares were rarely traded privately, expected volatility is estimated based on the average historical volatility of comparable entities with publicly traded shares for the period before the date of grant with length commensurate to contractual life of the options. The risk-free rate for the expected term of the option is based on the yield to maturity of China 6-year government bond at the date of grant. The Group has not declared or paid any cash dividends on its capital stock, and does not anticipate any dividend payments on its ordinary shares in the foreseeable future.

If any of the assumptions used in the binomial option pricing model changes significantly, share-based compensation expense for future awards may differ materially compared with the awards granted previously.

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

24. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION  (CONTINUED)

 

A summary of share option activity under the 2017 Plan is as follows:

 

     Number of
shares
     Weighted
average

exercise
price
     Weighted
average

grant date
fair value
 
            RMB      RMB  

Balance, December 31, 2016

     —          —          —    

Granted

     187,933,730        —          1.27  

Exercised

     —          —          —    

Surrendered

     —          —          —    

Balance, December 31, 2017

     187,933,730        —          1.27  

Exercisable, December 31, 2017

     112,760,238        —          1.27  

Expected to vest, December 31, 2017

     75,173,492        —          1.27  

The following table sets forth the fair value of options and ordinary shares estimated at the dates of option grants indicated below with the assistance from an independent valuation firm.

 

Date of options grant

   Options granted      Exercise price      Fair value
of option
     Fair value
of ordinary
shares
 

November 1, 2009

     25,678        RMB3,190        RMB640.10        RMB1,506  

January 3, 2017

     75,173,492        RMB0.50        RMB1.26        RMB1.72  

January 3, 2017

     112,760,238        RMB0.50        RMB1.27        RMB1.72  

For the option granted on November 1, 2009, the Group recognized compensation expenses up to RMB16,435,974 and for the option granted on January 3, 2017, the Group recognized compensation expenses of RMB182, 689,766 in year 2017. There was no income tax benefit recognized associated with the share-based compensation expense.

As of December 31, 2017, there was RMB55,601,233 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options granted under the Plan. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.29 years.

 

25. MATERIAL RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Name and relationship with related parties

During the years, transactions with the following parties are considered as related parties:

 

Name of related party

   Relationship

CISG Holdings Limited

   one of the shareholders

Mr. Zhai Bin

  

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
of the group

Fanhua Inc. and its subsidiaries

   one of the owners
beneficially owns 100% equity interests of CISG Holdings Limited

 

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Table of Contents

CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

25. MATERIAL RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS  (CONTINUED)

 

The Group’ s related parties, Fanhua Inc. and its subsidiaries signed an agreement with the Group that agreed to grant a revolving loan with a maximum amount of USD50,000,000 (equivalent to RMB317,990,000 as per the agreement) to the Group. The amounts are unsecured and bear market interest rate at 7.3% per year and are repayable on demand. The principals were settled in 2015. As of December 31, 2016, the principals and interests payable to Fanhua Inc. and its subsidiaries were nil and RMB32,494,914, respectively. During the year of 2017, the Group paid off all the interests to Fanhua Inc. and its subsidiaries.

In the year of 2017, the Group had borrowings transactions with Fanhua Inc. and its subsidiaries, which totally amounted up to RMB460,000,000 used for short-term cash flow, bearing market interest rate at 7.3% per year. As of December 31, 2017, the Group paid off all the principals and interest expense amounted RMB8,714,000 generated from the borrowings this year.

In 2017, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Group, Mr. Zhai Bin, entered into a loan agreement with the Group as lender with an amount of RMB5,010,800 with a daily market interest rate of 0.02%. The loan was settled in full in March 2018.

 

26. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Operating leases commitment

The Group leases certain office premises under non-cancelable leases. Rental expenses under operating lease for the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2017 were RMB24,404,690 and RMB47,896,817 respectively.

As of December 31, 2017, the total future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are payable as follows:

 

As of December 31,    RMB  

2018

     51,955,897  

2019

     36,007,219  

2020

     17,550,522  

2021

     10,130,633  

2022

     4,542,063  

Later years, through 2025

     3,837,000  
  

 

 

 

Total

     124,023,334  
  

 

 

 

The Group is the lessee in respect of a number of properties held under operating leases. The leases typically run for an initial period of 1-3 years, at the end of which period all terms are renegotiated. The leases do not include contingent rentals. The Group’s operating lease commitments have no renewal options, rent escalation clauses and restriction or contingent rents.

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

27. CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE PARENT COMPANY

Condensed balance sheets

 

     December 31,  
     2016     2017  
     RMB     RMB  

Assets

    

Cash and cash equivalents

     5,384       2,895  

Investments in subsidiaries

     100,000,779       100,000,779  

Other assets

     551,705,718       521,013,311  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

     651,711,881       621,016,985  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity

    

Amounts due to related parties

     32,494,914       —    

Other liabilities

     248,119,423       234,437,239  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     280,614,337       234,437,239  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ordinary shares (HKD0.0001 par value; 3,800,000,000 shares authorized, 1 and 1 share issued as of December 31, 2016 and 2017)

     —         —    

Additional paid-in capital

     408,995,378       591,685,145  

Retained earnings

     (47,698,442     (238,797,807

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     9,800,608       33,692,408  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

     371,097,544       386,579,746  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

     651,711,881       621,016,985  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Condensed statements of comprehensive income

 

     2016     2017  
     RMB     RMB  

Interest expense

    

Interest expense on amounts due to related parties

     —         (8,714,000
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total interest expense

     —         (8,714,000

Net interest income/(loss)

     —         (8,714,000

Other revenue, net

     242,596       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non-interest revenue

     242,596       —    

Operating expenses

    

Share-based compensation expense

     —         (182,689,766

Taxes and surcharges

     (81,269     (129,409

Other expenses

     (644     (16,190
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     (81,913     (182,835,365

Income before income tax

     160,683       (191,549,365
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income/(loss)

     160,683       (191,549,365
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

27. CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE PARENT COMPANY  (CONTINUED)

 

Condensed statements of cash flows

 

     2016      2017  
     RMB      RMB  

Cash flows from operating activities

     

Net income/(loss)

     160,683        (191,549,365

Adjustment for:

     

Share-based compensation expense

     —          182,689,766  

 

28. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management has considered subsequent events through May 21, 2018, which was the date these consolidated financial statements were issued.

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets

 

     Note      December 31,
2017
    March 31,
2018
 
            RMB     RMB  

Assets

       

Cash and cash equivalents

        1,190,360,385       1,467,458,484  

Loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables (net of allowance of RMB440,336,086 and RMB583,883,421 as of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018, respectively)

     4        16,261,167,957       16,195,952,927  

Available-for-sale investments

     5        360,187,885       80,186,082  

Property and equipment

        22,467,900       21,628,870  

Intangible assets and goodwill

        3,342,463       3,309,190  

Deferred tax assets

        112,529,947       148,474,618  

Deposits

        150,325,225       168,241,071  

Other assets

        115,483,728       82,281,421  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

        18,215,865,490       18,167,532,663  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity

       

Interest-bearing borrowings

     6       

Borrowings under agreements to repurchase

        3,512,114,961       3,772,054,390  

Other borrowings

        12,195,821,217       11,617,719,811  

Accrued employee benefits

        68,827,798       41,714,399  

Income tax payable

        383,338,483       487,727,182  

Deferred tax liabilities

        776,971       789,021  

Other liabilities

     7        223,737,268       209,540,461  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

        16,384,616,698       16,129,545,264  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ordinary shares (HKD0.0001 par value; 3,800,000,000 shares authorized, 1 share and 1,230,434,041 shares issued as of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018)

        —         98,493  

Additional paid-in capital

        569,125,240       578,955,539  

Retained earnings

        1,266,592,996       1,463,339,879  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

        (4,469,444     (4,406,512
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

        1,831,248,792       2,037,987,399  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

        18,215,865,490       18,167,532,663  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Unaudited condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income

 

            Three months ended March 31,  
     Note      2017     2018  
            RMB     RMB  

Interest and fees income

       

Interest and financing service fee on loans

     8        624,052,654       1,063,195,480  

Interest on deposits with banks

        448,981       2,138,161  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total interest and fees income

        624,501,635       1,065,333,641  

Interest expense

       

Interest expense on interest-bearing borrowings

        (226,604,844     (467,238,302

Interest expense on amounts due to related parties

        (296,000     —    
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total interest expense

        (226,900,844     (467,238,302

Net interest and fees income

        397,600,791       598,095,339  

Provision for credit losses

        (41,891,522     (143,547,335

Net interest and fees income after provision for credit losses

        355,709,269       454,548,004  

Realized (losses)/gains on sales of investments, net

        (1,474,014     709,808  

Other revenue, net

        4,704,502       843,097  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non-interest revenue

        3,230,488       1,552,905  

Operating expenses

       

Employee compensation and benefits

        (109,503,389     (117,113,556

Share-based compensation expense

     12        (45,672,441     (9,928,792

Taxes and surcharges

        (10,958,462     (14,512,100

Rental and property management expenses

        (9,108,676     (14,055,902

Offering expenses

        —         (4,659,577

Other expenses

     9        (16,132,637     (19,907,912
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

        (191,375,605     (180,177,839

Income before income tax

        167,564,152       275,923,070  

Income tax expense

     10        (55,522,454     (79,176,187
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

        112,041,698       196,746,883  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per share

     11       

Basic

        0.09       0.16  

Diluted

        0.09       0.15  

Other comprehensive income/(losses)

       

Net unrealized (losses)/gains on available-for-sale investments

        (5,263,991     36,148  

Foreign currency translation adjustment

        4,903       26,784  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

        106,782,610       196,809,815  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Unaudited condensed consolidated statements of changes in shareholders’ equity

 

     Ordinary
shares
     Additional
paid-in capital
    Accumulated
other
comprehensive

income/(losses)
    Retained
earnings
     Total
equity
 
     RMB      RMB     RMB     RMB      RMB  

Balance as of January 1, 2017

     —          386,435,474       (1,669,295     733,920,239        1,118,686,418  

Net income

     —          —         —         112,041,698        112,041,698  

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     —          —         4,903       —          4,903  

Unrealized losses on available-for-sale investments

     —          —         (5,263,991     —          (5,263,991

Share-based compensation

     —          45,672,441       —         —          45,672,441  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance as of March 31, 2017

     —          432,107,915       (6,928,383     845,961,937        1,271,141,469  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance as of January 1, 2018

     —          569,125,240       (4,469,444     1,266,592,996        1,831,248,792  

Net income

     —          —         —         196,746,883        196,746,883  

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     —          —         26,784       —          26,784  

Unrealized gains on available-for-sale investments

     —          —         36,148       —          36,148  

Share-based compensation

     —          9,928,792       —         —          9,928,792  

Reorganization (i)

     98,493        (98,493     —         —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance as of March 31, 2018

     98,493        578,955,539       (4,406,512     1,463,339,879        2,037,987,399  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(i) Disclosed in Note 1 of the Group’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Unaudited condensed consolidated statements of cash flows

 

     Three months ended March 31,  
     2017     2018  
     RMB     RMB  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net income

     112,041,698       196,746,883  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities:

    

Provision for credit losses

     41,891,522       143,547,335  

Depreciation and amortization

     2,231,483       2,987,655  

Share-based compensation expense

     45,672,441       9,928,792  

Net loss on disposal of property and equipment

     3,695       16,056  

Foreign exchange loss

     217,458       1,431,998  

Deferred tax benefit

     (11,170,675     (35,944,671

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Deposits

     (32,087,004     (17,915,846

Other operating assets

     12,786,495       (19,842,007

Other operating liabilities

     61,274,067       1,602,222  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     232,861,180       282,558,417  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Loans originated, net of principal collected

     (1,601,051,793     (55,623,331

Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale investments

     395,474       360,759,808  

Proceeds from disposal of subsidiaries

     —         29,658,807  

Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment and intangible assets

     8,168       42,705  

Purchase of available-for-sale investments

     (50,000,000     (80,000,000

Purchases of property, equipment and intangible assets

     (3,983,358     (2,207,385
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities

     (1,654,631,509     252,630,604  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Unaudited condensed consolidated statements of cash flows (continued)

 

     Three months ended March 31,  
     2017     2018  
     RMB     RMB  

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Borrowings from related parties

     30,000,000       —    

Proceeds from interest-bearing borrowings

     2,683,086,942       2,464,813,702  

Repayment of interest-bearing borrowings

     (804,010,640     (2,722,705,398
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities

     1,909,076,302       (257,891,696
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     487,305,973       277,297,325  

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of period

     233,138,588       1,190,360,385  

Effect of exchange rate change on cash and cash equivalents

     (218,159     (199,226
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period

     720,226,402       1,467,458,484  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

    

Income tax paid

     7,341,079       10,728,038  

Interest expense paid

     240,058,956       531,207,273  

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Basis of preparation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted as permitted by rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The condensed consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2017 was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of CNFinance Holdings Limited and subsidiaries (the “Group”). The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2017, and the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the year then ended.

In the opinion of the Group’s management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all normal recurring adjustments necessary to present a fair statement of the financial position as of March 31, 2018, and the results of operations and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018.

The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include, allowance for loan principal and interest receivables, the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets, the unrecognized tax benefits and indefinite reinvestment assertion, the fair value of available-for-sale investments, the fair value of share-based compensation and the impairment of goodwill.

Variable interest entities (“VIEs”)

Structure funds

The Group grants loans to customers through structure funds set up by trust companies. The Group is general partner of the funds, promising the expected returns for limited partners, and providing credit enhancement on the loans to customers under the funds. The Group is also the manager of the funds, making decisions in the loan origination process. The Group is the primary beneficiary of the funds as it has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the funds and it has obligation to absorb losses of the funds that could potentially be significant to the funds or the right to receive benefits from the funds that could potentially be significant to the funds. The Group consolidates the structure funds as it is the primary beneficiary of the funds as of December 31, 2017.

Starting in March 2018, the Group has been working with trust companies to implement new funding arrangements. Under credit strengthening arrangements, the Group no longer provides credit enhancement on the loans to customers under the structure funds except for current outstanding loans under the existing trust products and loans to be granted thereunder. However, the Group still promises expected returns for limited partners under credit strengthening arrangements, which exposes the Group to obligation to absorb losses of the funds that could potentially be significant to the funds. The Group is still the manager of the structure funds, which gives the Group the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION  (CONTINUED)

 

economic performance of the funds. The Group consolidates the structure funds as it is the primary beneficiary of the funds as of March 31, 2018.

Shenzhen Taotaojin Internet Financial Services Company Limited

Shenzhen Taotaojin Internet Financial Services Company Limited (“Taotaojin”) was established in Shenzhen in 2014 with registered capital of RMB50 million. Taotaojin operates a peer-to-peer (P2P) online lending platform in China. The Group invested RMB 50 million share capital into Taotaojin through the two shareholders who hold the equity interests in Taotaojin on behalf of the Group. There is no recourse to the Group. Pursuant to the agreements between the Group and the two shareholders, the two shareholders are not entitled to direct the activities that significantly impact Taotaojin’s assets, operation and obligations. And the two shareholders authorized representatives designated by the Group to exercise all shareholders rights on the board. The shareholders of the Taotaojin also have irrevocably granted the Group an exclusive option to purchase, or have its designated person or persons to purchase, at its discretion, to the extent permitted under PRC law, all or part of such shareholders’ equity interests in Taotaojin. Therefore, the Group has the power to direct the activities of Taotaojin that most significantly impact the economic performance based on its rights authorized by the shareholders. In addition, the Group has obligation to absorb losses of Taotaojin that could potentially be significant to Taotaojin as a result of the capital contributed through the loans to shareholders and other financial supports through intercompany transactions. The Group consolidates Taotaojin in its unaudited condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2017 as it is a primary beneficiary of Taotaojin. On September 30, 2017, the Group sold Taotaojin and its subsidiaries, to Shenzhen Dongfang Baoying Investments Co., Ltd, at consideration of RMB 215,000,000. The Group recognized a pre-tax gain of RMB 2,336,201 related to the sale.

The table sets forth the assets and liabilities of the consolidated VIEs included in the Group’s unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets:

 

     December 31,
2017
     March 31,
2018
 
     RMB      RMB  

Cash and cash equivalents

     1,005,069,665        961,556,182  

Loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables

     15,741,026,758        15,738,441,391  

Deferred tax assets

     97,938,285        131,981,386  

Other assets

     134,288,627        149,209,335  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

     16,978,323,335        16,981,188,294  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Interest-bearing borrowings

     11,768,149,067        11,328,492,933  

Income tax payable

     355,149,997        402,117,571  

Other liabilities

     528,843,275        1,001,163,115  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     12,652,142,339        12,731,773,619  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION  (CONTINUED)

 

The table sets forth the results of operations of the VIEs included in the Group’s unaudited condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income:

 

     Three months ended March 31,  
     2017      2018  
     RMB      RMB  

Revenues

     601,885,633        971,410,084  

Net income

     148,473,767        38,636,370  

The table sets forth the cash flows of the VIEs included in the Group’s unaudited condensed consolidated statements of cash flows:

 

     Three months ended March 31,  
     2017     2018  
     RMB     RMB  

Net cash provided by operating activities

     542,604,114       592,837,775  

Net cash used in investing activities

     (1,706,880,026     (111,568,376

Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities

     1,584,040,693       (524,782,882

 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(a) Changes in Accounting Principles and Effects of New Accounting Standards

ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is to recognize revenues when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity is expected to be entitled for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 defines a five-step process to achieve this core principle and, in doing so, it is possible more judgment and estimates may be required within the revenue recognition process than required under existing U.S. GAAP, including: (i) identify the contract(s) with a customer, (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (iii) determine the transaction price, (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. Companies are permitted to adopt the standard using a retrospective transition method (i.e., restate all prior periods presented) or a cumulative effect method (i.e., recognize the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance at the date of initial application with no restatement of prior periods).

The Group adopted ASU 2014-09 and applied the cumulative effect method for its initial application in the first quarter of 2018 but there was no impact to retained earnings as a result of the adoption of the new standard. Because there is no change to the timing and pattern of revenue recognition, there are no material changes to the Group’s processes and internal controls. Expanded disclosures including disaggregation of revenues and descriptions of performance obligations required by ASU 2014-09 are included below.

There are two reasons ASU 2014-09 did not have an impact to the Group. Firstly, over 99% of revenues in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018 are interest income earned on loans or deposits with banks, all of which are unaffected as they are outside the scope of ASU 2014-09. Secondly, the Group’s non-interest income revenue stream such as mortgage agency service revenue, is within the scope of ASU 2014-09. However, Topic 606 focuses on revenues from contracts earned over time, but all of these in-scope non-interest income revenue stream is governed by agreements that do not have an enforceable, contractual term. Given

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  (CONTINUED)

 

the cancellable-at-will structure, Topic 606 views these contracts as agreements-at-will without a defined term, the revenue of which are immediately recognized. The revenue recognition timing is identical compared to previous revenue recognition standards.

All of the Group’s revenue from contracts with customers in the scope of ASC 606 is recognized within Non-Interest Income. ASU 2014-09 requires disclosure of sufficient information to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. A description of the Group’s revenue streams accounted for under ASU 2014-09 as well as an explanation of why they are not impacted are as follows:

(b) Mortgage agency service revenue

The Group earns fees from providing mortgage agency services to borrowers applying for loan from banks. These kind of revenue are recognized at the time the transaction is executed as that is the point in time the Group fulfills the customer’s request.

(c) Loans

The Group facilitates credit to borrowers through structure funds which are considered as consolidated VIEs and the Group evaluated VIEs for consolidation in accordance with ASC 810 in the Consolidated VIEs Section of Note 1. Providing credit strengthening for the loans to customers under the funds is one of the key factors to determine that the Group should consolidate the structure funds as it is the primary beneficiary of the funds. As a result, the loan principal remains on the Group’s consolidated balance sheets, whilst the funds received from senior tranches holders are recorded as Other Borrowings in the Group’s consolidated balance sheets as disclosed in Note 6(b)(i).

Allowance for credit losses

Allowance for credit losses represents management’s best estimate of probable losses inherent in the portfolio.

The allowance for credit losses includes an asset-specific component and a statistically based component. The asset-specific component is calculated under ASC 310-10-35, on an individual basis for the loans whose payments are contractually past due more than 90 days or which are considered impaired. An asset-specific allowance is established when the discounted cash flows, collateral value (less disposal costs) or observable market price of the impaired loan are lower than its carrying value. This allowance considers the borrower’s overall financial condition, resources, and payment record, the prospects for support from any financially responsible guarantors and, if appropriate, the realizable value of any collateral.

The allowance for the remainder of the loan portfolio is determined under ASC 450 using a roll rate-based model. The roll rate-based model stratifies the loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables by delinquency stages which are divided by days overdue and projected forward in next stage using probability of default. In each stage of the simulation, losses on the loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables types are captured, and the ending delinquency stratification serves as the beginning point of the next iteration. This process is repeated on a monthly rolling basis. The loss rate calculated for each delinquency stage using loss given default, then applied to the respective loans principal, interest and

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  (CONTINUED)

 

financing service fees balance. The Group adjusts the allowance that is determined by the roll rate-based model for various Chinese macroeconomic factors i.e. gross-domestic product rates, interest rates and consumer price indexes. Each of these macroeconomic factors are equally weighted, and a score is applied to each factor based on year-on-year increases and decreases in that respective factor.

Charge-off policies

Loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables are charged off when the Group has determined the remaining balance is uncollectable after exhausting all collection efforts. In order to comply with ASC 310, the Group considers loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables meeting any of the following conditions as uncollectable and charged-off: (i) death of the borrower; (ii) identification of fraud, and the fraud is officially reported to and filed with relevant law enforcement departments or (iii) the amount that the Group concludes that it has exhausted its collection efforts.

(d) Goodwill

Goodwill is an asset representing the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

On August 31, 2006, the Group acquired a 55% stake in Guangzhou Anyu Mortgage Consulting Co., Limited (“Guangzhou Anyu”). On the acquisition date, the fair value of Guangzhou Anyu’s identifiable net assets was RMB42.36 million, 55% of which the Group accounted for was RMB23.3 million. An amount of RMB20.28 million was recognized as goodwill, representing the excess of the consideration transferred over the Group’s proportionate share of the fair value of identifiable net assets. On May 25, 2009, the Group acquired the remaining 45% shares in Guangzhou Anyu for RMB27.47 million. Guangzhou Anyu was incorporated in the PRC in 2003 and was primarily engaged in the business of providing mortgage agency services and loans at the time of acquisition.

Impairment tests for cash-generating units containing goodwill

Goodwill is not amortized on a recurring basis, but rather are subject to periodic impairment testing. The Group reviews goodwill annually for impairment or when circumstances indicate that the carrying value may exceed the fair value. The Group compares the carrying value of goodwill to its estimated fair value, which is based on the expected present value of future cash flows, comparable public companies and acquisitions or a combination of both. The quantitative analysis requires a comparison of the fair value to carrying amount. If the fair value of the reporting unit is in excess of the carrying value, the related goodwill is considered not to be impaired and no further analysis is necessary. If the carrying value of the reporting unit is higher than the fair value, impairment is measured as the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value.

The recoverable amount of the cash-generating-units (“CGU”) is calculated using Dividend Discount Model (DDM). The projected cash flow for the next year is based on financial budgets approved by management. Cash flows beyond next year are estimated using a weighted average growth rate of 3%, which is consistent with the forecasts in industry research reports. The growth rate does not exceed the long-term average growth rates for the business in which the CGU operates. The projected cash flows are then discounted using a discount rate of 21% as of December 31, 2016. The discount rate is pre-tax and reflects specific risks relating to the relevant segments.

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  (CONTINUED)

 

In 2016, the key management of Guangzhou Anyu has left the company. Guangzhou Anyu’s business model has changed from providing loans to referring micro credit business to other entities of the Group, resulting in an expected reduction in the operating profits and cash flows in the future. Therefore, the Group recognized a goodwill impairment loss of RMB20, 279,026. The goodwill was fully impaired as of December 31, 2016.

(e) Recently issued accounting standards

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which requires lessees to recognize leases on-balance sheets and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. The new standard establishes a right of use (ROU) model that requires a lessee to recognize a ROU asset and lease liability on the balance sheets for all leases with a term longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern and classification of expense recognition in the income statements.

The new standard is effective for the Group on January 1, 2020, with early adoption permitted. The Group does not plan to early adopt the ASU. The Group is evaluating the effect that the standard will have on its consolidated financial statements, statutory reserves and related disclosures.

 

3. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The Group measured its available-for-sale investments at fair value on a recurring basis. The available-for-sale investments were wealth management products, which were valued based on prices per units quoted by issuers.

The following table presents the Group’s fair value hierarchy for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018.

 

     March 31, 2018  
     Fair value      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  
     RMB      RMB      RMB      RMB  

Wealth management products

     80,186,082        —          80,186,082        —    
     December 31, 2017  
     Fair value      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  
     RMB      RMB      RMB      RMB  

Wealth management products

     360,187,885        —          360,187,885        —    

During the year ended December 31, 2017 and three months ended March 31, 2018, there were no transfers between instruments in Level 1 and Level 2. The Group did not have level 3 instruments as of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018.

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

4. LOANS PRINCIPAL, INTEREST AND FINANCING SERVICE FEE RECEIVABLES

 

     Note     December 31,
2017
    March 31,
2018
 
           RMB     RMB  

Loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables

       16,701,504,043       16,779,836,348  

Less: allowance for credit losses

     (a    

- Individually assessed

       (98,736,342     (103,200,177

- Collectively assessed

       (341,599,744     (480,683,244
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

       (440,336,086     (583,883,421
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables

       16,261,167,957       16,195,952,927  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) Allowance for credit losses

The table below presents the components of allowance for loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables by impairment methodology with the recorded investment as of March 31, 2018 and 2017.

 

     Three months ended March 31, 2018  
     Allowance for loans
which are
collectively assessed
    Allowance for loans
which are
individually assessed
    Total  
     RMB     RMB     RMB  

As of January 1

     341,599,744       98,736,342       440,336,086  

Charge for the period

     140,240,692       9,704,033       149,944,725  

Reversal

     (1,157,192     (5,240,198     (6,397,390

Charge-offs

     —         —         —    

Recoveries

     —         —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of March 31

     480,683,244       103,200,177       583,883,421  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables

     15,990,702,460       205,250,467       16,195,952,927  

Recorded investment

     16,471,385,704       308,450,644       16,779,836,348  

 

     Three months ended March 31, 2017  
     Allowance for loans
which are
collectively assessed
    Allowance for loans
which are
individually assessed
    Total  
     RMB     RMB     RMB  

As of January 1

     89,562,675       55,180,661       144,743,336  

Charge for the period

     30,015,869       18,064,453       48,080,322  

Reversal

     (4,299,523     (1,889,277     (6,188,800

Charge-offs

     —         (22,708     (22,708

Recoveries

     —         —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of March 31

     115,279,021       71,333,129       186,612,150  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables

     8,740,749,236       75,488,484       8,816,237,720  

Recorded investment

     8,856,028,257       146,821,613       9,002,849,870  

The Group uses discounted cash flow method to estimate expected credit losses for loans individually assessed. Under the discounted cash flow method, the allowance for credit losses is estimated as the difference between amortized cost and the present value of cash flows expected to be collected. For each loan, if the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is lower than the amortized cost, allowance for credit losses is charged. Conversely, allowance for credit losses would be reversed. To collectively assess the expected credit losses for the remaining loans portfolios by each entity within the Group, the

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

4. LOANS PRINCIPAL, INTEREST AND FINANCING SERVICE FEE RECEIVABLES  (CONTINUED)

 

  (a) Allowance for credit losses  (continued)

 

Group assesses allowance for credit losses using roll rate-based model, see Note 2(c) Loans. For each entity within the Group, if the allowance for credit losses determined by roll rate-based model is higher than the allowance that has been accrued, allowance for credit losses would be charged. Conversely, allowance for credit losses would be reversed. The net amount of allowance charged for the period and reversal of allowance would be reflected in the statements of comprehensive income as provision for credit losses, amounting to RMB143,547,335 and RMB41,891,522, respectively, for the periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.

The Group charges off loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables if the remaining balance is considered uncollectable after exhausting all collection efforts. Recovery of loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables previously charged off would be recorded when received.

For the description of the Group’s related accounting policies of allowance for credit losses, see Note 2.

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

4. LOANS PRINCIPAL, INTEREST AND FINANCING SERVICE FEE RECEIVABLES  (CONTINUED)

 

 

  (b) Loan delinquency and non-accrual details

The following tables present the aging of past-due loan principal and financing service fee receivables as of March 31, 2018.

 

     Total current      1–30 days
past due
     31–89 days
past due
     90–179
days past
due
     ³ 180 days
past due
     Total loans      Total non-
accrual
     90 days past
due and
accruing
 
     RMB      RMB      RMB      RMB      RMB      RMB      RMB      RMB  

Loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables

     14,883,606,636        824,780,819        762,998,249        50,542,550        257,908,094        16,779,836,348        308,450,644        —    

The following tables present the aging of past-due loan principal and financing service fee receivables as of December 31, 2017.

 

     Total current      1–30 days
past due
     31–89 days
past due
     90–179 days
past due
     ³ 180 days
past due
     Total loans      Total non-
accrual
     90 days past
due and
accruing
 
     RMB      RMB      RMB      RMB      RMB      RMB      RMB      RMB  

Loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables

     15,477,867,781        723,143,029        206,346,901        136,276,334        157,869,998        16,701,504,043        294,146,332        —    

Loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables are placed on non-accrual status when payments are 90 days contractually past-due.

Any interest accrued on non-accrual loans is reversed at 90 days and charged against current earnings, and interest is thereafter included in earnings only to the extent actually received in cash. When there is doubt regarding the ultimate collectability of principal, all cash receipts are thereafter applied to reduce the recorded investment in the loan.

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

4. LOANS PRINCIPAL, INTEREST AND FINANCING SERVICE FEE RECEIVABLES  (CONTINUED)

 

  (c) Impaired loans

 

  (1) Impaired loans summary

 

            Recorded investment         
     Unpaid
principal balance
     Impaired loans      Impaired loans
with related
allowance for
credit losses
     Impaired loans
without related
allowance for
credit losses
     Related
allowance
for credit losses
 
     RMB      RMB      RMB      RMB      RMB  

As of March 31, 2018

     345,393,556        308,450,644        256,863,153        51,587,491        103,200,177  

As of December 31, 2017

     299,550,322        294,146,332        242,037,110        52,109,222        98,736,342  

In accordance with ASC 310-10-35-16 and 17, impaired loans are those loans where the Group, based on current information and events, believes it is probable all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan will not be collected. All amounts due according to the contractual terms means that both the contractual interest payments and the contractual principal payments of a loan will be collected as scheduled in the loan agreement. Impaired loans without an allowance generally represent loans that the fair value of the underlying collateral meets or exceeds the loan’s amortized cost.

 

  (2) Average recorded investment in impaired loans

 

     Three months ended March 31,  
     2018      2017  
     Average
recorded
investment (i)
     Interest and
fees income
recognized (ii)
     Average
recorded
investment (i)
     Interest and
fees income
recognized (ii)
 
     RMB      RMB      RMB      RMB  

Impaired loans

     231,573,110        7,319,565        115,513,293        1,903,251  

 

  (i) Average recorded investment represents ending balance for the last four quarters and does not include the related allowance for credit losses.

 

  (ii) The interest and fees income recognized are those interest and financing service fee recognized related to impaired loans. All the amounts are recognized on cash basis.

The interest and fees income recognized is those interest and financing service fee recognized related to impaired loans.

No debt restructuring in which contractual terms of loans are modified, has occurred for the year ended December 31, 2017 and three months ended March 31, 2018.

The Group carries out pre-approval, review and credit approval of loans by professionals for credit risk arising from micro credit business. During the post-transaction monitoring process, the Group conducts a visit of customers regularly after disbursement of loans, and conducts on-site inspection when the Group considers it is necessary. The review focuses on the status of the collateral.

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

4. LOANS PRINCIPAL, INTEREST AND FINANCING SERVICE FEE RECEIVABLES  (CONTINUED)

 

  (c) Impaired loans  (continued)

 

The Group adopts a loan risk classification approach to manage the loan portfolio risk. Loans are classified as non-impaired and impaired based on the different risk level. When one or more event demonstrates there is objective evidence of impairment and causes losses, corresponding loans are considered to be classified as impaired. The allowance for credit losses on impaired loans are collectively or individually assessed as appropriate.

The Group applies a series of criteria in determining the classification of loans. The loan classification criteria focuses on a number of factors, including (i) the borrower’s ability to repay the loan; (ii) the borrower’s repayment history; (iii) the borrower’s willingness to repay; (iv) the net realizable value of any collateral; and (v) the prospect for the support from any financially responsible guarantor. The Group also takes into account the length of time for which payments of principal and interest on a loan are overdue.

 

5. AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE INVESTMENTS

The carrying amount, gross unrealized holding gains, gross unrealized holding losses, and fair value of AFS by major security type and class of security as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 was as follows:

 

     Aggregate
cost basis
     Total OTTI
recognized

in OCI
     Gross
unrealized
holding

gains
     Gross
unrealized
holding

(losses)
     Aggregate
fair value
 
     RMB      RMB      RMB      RMB      RMB  

Wealth management products

              

As of March 31, 2018

     80,000,000        —          186,082        —          80,186,082  

As of December 31, 2017

     360,050,000        —          137,885        —          360,187,885  

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

6. INTEREST-BEARING BORROWINGS

 

  (a) Borrowings under agreements to repurchase

Financial assets sold under agreements to repurchase are effectively short-term collateralized borrowings. In these transactions, the Group receives cash in exchange for transferring financial assets as collateral and recognizes an obligation to reacquire the financial assets for cash at the transaction’s maturity. These types of transactions create risks, including (1) fair value of the financial assets transferred may decline below the amount of obligation to reacquire the financial assets, and therefore create an obligation to pledge additional amounts, or to replace collaterals pledged, and (2) the Group does not have sufficient liquidity to repurchase the financial assets at the transaction’s maturity.

 

   

Fixed interest
rate per annum

  

Term

   December 31,
2017
     March 31,
2018
 
              RMB      RMB  

Repurchase agreements

          

Funds obtained from

          

Internet funding platforms

  9.7% to 14%    3 to 12 months      1,405,217,000        816,000,000  

Private investment funds

  16% to 18%    Less than 1 year      2,042,700,000        2,905,950,000  

Interest payable

          

Internet funding platforms

          50,757,320        22,410,333  

Private investment funds

          13,440,641        27,694,057  
       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total repurchase agreements

          3,512,114,961        3,772,054,390  
       

 

 

    

 

 

 

The below table provides the underlying collateral types of the gross obligations under repurchase agreements. For more information about pledged assets, refer to the Note 6(c).

 

     December 31,
2017
     March 31,
2018
 
     RMB      RMB  

Underlying collateral types of gross obligations

     

Repurchase agreements:

     

Rights to earnings in the Group’s subordinate tranches of consolidated VIEs

     3,265,076,611        3,718,974,000  

Rights to earnings in loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables

     247,038,350        53,080,390  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total repurchase agreements

     3,512,114,961        3,772,054,390  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The below table provides the contractual maturities of the gross obligations under repurchase agreements.

 

     Overnight      Up to
30 days
     30 to 90
days
     Greater
than
90 days
     Total gross
obligations
 
     RMB      RMB      RMB      RMB      RMB  

Repurchase agreements

              

As of December 31,2017

     —          114,331,541        366,877,171        3,030,906,249        3,512,114,961  

As of March 31,2018

     —          8,899,887        459,227,847        3,303,926,656        3,772,054,390  

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

6. INTEREST-BEARING BORROWINGS  (CONTINUED)

 

  (b) Other borrowings

 

 

    Note      Fixed interest
rate per
annum
    

Term

   December 31,
2017
     March 31,
2018
 
                       RMB      RMB  

Principal payable to

             

Short-term:

             

Investors of consolidated VIEs

    (i)        9.75% to 11.3%      Less than 1 year      8,123,145,600        6,893,137,700  

Investors of internet funding platforms

    (ii)        9.7% to 14%      3 to 12 months      184,157,982        —    

Asset management partnerships

    (iii)        11%      9 to 12 months      75,000,000        87,500,000  

Trust company

    (iv)        10.89%      6 to 12 months      110,000,000        60,000,000  

Senior tranche of asset management product which invests in the Group’s loans portfolio

    (v)        8.5%      Less than 1 year      25,992,786        17,254,809  

Long-term:

             

Investors of consolidated VIEs

    (i)        9.75% to 12.4%      Within 4 years      3,380,980,000        4,275,580,000  

Senior tranche of trust plan which invests in the Group’s loans portfolio

    (vi)        10.24%      Within 4 years      131,263,590        117,819,051  

Investors of wealth management product which invests in the Group’s loans portfolio

    (vii)        11%      18 months      —          46,448,651  

Interest payable to

             

Investors of consolidated VIEs

    (i)              147,849,661        109,775,233  

Investors of internet funding platforms

    (ii)              2,148,517        —    

Asset management partnerships

    (iii)              9,860,151        6,036,081  

Trust company

    (iv)              4,854,255        3,795,090  

Senior tranche of asset management product which invests in the Group’s loans portfolio

    (v)              117,284        —    

Senior tranche of trust plan which invests in the Group’s loans portfolio

    (vi)              451,391        —    

Investors of wealth management product which invests in the Group’s loans portfolio

    (vii)              —          373,196  
          

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

             12,195,821,217        11,617,719,811  
          

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

6. INTEREST-BEARING BORROWINGS  (CONTINUED)

 

  (b) Other borrowings  (continued)

 

  (i) The financial liabilities arising from the VIEs with underlying investments in loans to customers are classified as payables in these condensed consolidated financial statements. It is because, the Group has an obligation to pay senior tranches holders upon maturity dates of the structured entities based on the related terms of those consolidated structured funds.

 

  (ii) The borrowings from investor of internet funding platforms are funds raised from investors of a company named Shenzhen Taotaojin, bearing interest rate from 9.7% to 14% per year. As of March 31, 2018, the borrowings have been fully paid.

 

  (iii) As of March 31, 2018, the borrowings from asset management partnerships consist of Beijing Shanzheng Longhua Capital Management Partnership (Limited Partnership) with principal RMB37.5 million and Zhuhai Longhua Qifu No.1 Partnership (Limited Partnership) with principal RMB50 million.The interest-bearing borrowings bear interest at 11% and 11% per year, respectively.

 

  (iv) As of March 31, 2018, the borrowings from trust company is from Shanxi Trust Limited Company with principal RMB60 million, bearing interest at 10.89% per year.

 

  (v) As of March 31, 2018, the borrowings from senior tranche of asset management product which invests in the Group’s loans portfolio are the capitals from senior tranche holders of Zhaoqian Jinjiao Fanhua Asset Management Product with the principal RMB17.25 million, bearing interest at 8.5% per year.

 

  (vi) As of March 31, 2018, the borrowings from senior tranche of trust plan which invests in the Group’s loans portfolio are the capitals from senior tranche holders of No.1 Wukuang Trust Yangguang Fanhua Plan with principal RMB117.82 million, bearing interest at 10.24% per year.

 

  (vii) It represents the funds raised from investors who purchased the investment product with the underlying assets of the Group’s loans portfolio. And the Group has the obligation to repay the principals and returns.

Aggregate annual maturities of long-term borrowing obligations (based on final maturity dates) are as follows:

 

    March 31, 2018  
    March 31,
2019
    March 31,
2020
    March 31,
2021
    March 31,
2022
    March 31,
2023
    Thereafter     Total  
    RMB     RMB     RMB     RMB     RMB     RMB     RMB  

Investors of consolidated VIEs

    76,700,000       4,099,580,000       99,300,000       —         —         —         4,275,580,000  

Senior tranche of trust plan which invests in the Group’s loans portfolio

    49,451,051       37,728,000       30,640,000       —         —         —         117,819,051  

Investors of wealth management product which invests in the Group’s loans portfolio

    43,330,984       3,117,667       —         —         —         —         46,448,651  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

    169,482,035       4,140,425,667       129,940,000       —         —         —         4,439,847,702  

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

6. INTEREST-BEARING BORROWINGS  (CONTINUED)

 

  (c) Pledged assets

The Group pledges certain assets to secure borrowings under agreements to repurchase and other borrowings. The table provides the total carrying amounts of pledged assets by asset types.

 

     December 31,
2017
     March 31,
2018
 
     RMB      RMB  

Rights to earnings in the Group’s subordinate tranches of consolidated VIEs

     4,173,931,373        4,238,931,373  

Rights to earnings in loans principal, interest and financing service fee receivables

     493,413,547        378,737,494  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     4,667,344,920        4,617,668,867  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Amounts presented above include carrying value of RMB4,291,833,241 and RMB4,409,898,351 in collateral for repurchase agreements as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

 

7. OTHER LIABILITIES

 

     Note     December 31,
2017
     March 31,
2018
 
           RMB      RMB  

Customer pledged deposits

     (i     106,006,039        98,999,500  

Other tax payables

     (ii     75,915,052        82,297,145  

Expenses payable to suppliers

       10,611,883        447,758  

Amounts due to third parties

       7,004,153        3,790,834  

Payables to banks as mortgage agency

     (iii     6,468,682        2,461,069  

Receipt in advance

       6,979,476        5,194,201  

Offering expense payable

       —          9,128,880  

Others

       10,751,983        7,221,074  
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

       223,737,268        209,540,461  
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (i) Customer pledged deposits mainly consist of the deposits collected from certain customers to reduce the risk of failure to make payments on schedule.

 

  (ii) Other tax payables mainly represents value-added tax payables.

 

  (iii) The amount mainly represents payables to the original bank for settling the loan and releasing collateral on behalf of customers of mortgage agency services, which is part of the mortgage agency service activities provided to the customers. The related income is mortgage agency service fee in other revenue.

 

  (iv) Other liabilities, except those in (iii), are expected to be settled or recognized as income within one year or are repayable on demand.

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

8. INTEREST AND FINANCING SERVICE FEE ON LOANS

Interest and financing service fees on loans, which include financing service fee on loans, are recognized in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income using the effective interest method. Interest income on loans which is recognized with contractual interest rate were RMB562,251,209 and RMB1,054,098,417 for the three months ended March 31,2017 and 2018, respectively. Financing service fee on loans, are deferred and amortized over the contractual life of the related loans utilizing the effective interest method. Financing service fee on loans were RMB61,801,445 and RMB9,097,063 for the three months ended March 31,2017 and 2018, respectively.

 

9. OTHER EXPENSES

 

 

     Three months ended March 31,  
     2017      2018  
     RMB      RMB  

Office expenses

     4,248,766        3,861,989  

Entertainment and travelling expenses

     2,789,224        2,467,640  

Advertising and promotion

     2,412,217        5,040,036  

Research and development expenses

     775,734        —    

Consulting fees

     1,678,687        3,726,696  

Depreciation and amortization

     2,231,483        2,987,655  

Communication expenses

     562,789        577,181  

Others

     1,433,737        1,246,715  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     16,132,637        19,907,912  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

10. INCOME TAX EXPENSE

Shenzhen Taotaojin Internet Financial Services Company Limited (“Taotaojin”) was granted the “qualified software enterprise” status in 2015 and was eligible for an income tax exemption for the year ended December 31, 2016, and is entitled to a 50 percent reduction of the income tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2017 to 2019. Taotaojin was disposed by the Group in September 2017.

The effect of tax holiday to income tax expense is RMB5 million and nil for the three-month period ended March 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively.

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

10. INCOME TAX EXPENSE  (CONTINUED)

 

The reconciliation of the PRC statutory income tax rate of 25% to the effective income tax rate is as follows:

 

     Note     Three months ended March 31,  
           2017     2018  

PRC statutory income tax rate

       25.00     25.00

Increase (decrease) in effective income tax rate resulting from:

      

Effect of tax holiday

       (2.94 )%      —    

Effect of tax-free income

       (0.22 )%      —    

Effect of differential tax rates for non-PRC entities

     (i     6.86     0.90

Effect of transfer pricing

       2.28     —    

Changes in valuation allowance

       2.02     1.31

Others

       0.14     1.49
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effective income tax rate

       33.14     28.70
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (i) The pre-tax losses from non-PRC entities consist primarily of administrative expenses, including share-based compensation expense.

The Group’s only major jurisdiction is China where tax returns generally remain open and subject to examination by tax authorities for tax years 1999 onwards.

The Group did not have any significant unrecognized tax benefits. And no interest and penalty expenses were recorded for the three-month period ended March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018, respectively.

 

11. EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018, for which the basic weighted average number of common shares are based on the 1,230,434,041 common shares issued by the Company, as if those shares were issued as of the earliest date presented.

 

     Three months ended March 31,  
     2017      2018  
     RMB      RMB  

Net income

     112,041,698        196,746,883  

Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding

     1,230,434,041        1,230,434,041  

Effect of dilutive share options

     21,314,298        106,748,087  

Dilutive weighted average number of ordinary shares

     1,251,748,339        1,337,182,128  

Basic earnings per share

     0.09        0.16  

Diluted earnings per share

     0.09        0.15  

 

12. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

 

  (a) Description of share-based compensation arrangements

On January 3, 2017, the Group adopted a new share incentive plan, or the 2017 Share Incentive Plan. Options to purchase 187,933,730 ordinary shares pursuant to the 2017 Share Incentive Plan were issued to

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

12. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION  (CONTINUED)

 

  (a) Description of share-based compensation arrangements  (continued)

 

certain management and employees. Accordingly, 60%, 20% and 20% of the award options shall vest on December 31, each of the years 2017 to 2019, respectively. Unless terminated earlier, the 2017 Share Incentive Plan will terminate automatically in 2022.

Share-based payment transactions with employees, such as share options are measured based on the grant date fair value of the equity instrument. The Group recognizes the compensation costs net of estimated forfeitures over the applicable vesting period. The estimate of forfeitures will be adjusted over the requisite service period to the extent that actual forfeitures differ, or are expected to differ, from such estimates. Changes in estimated forfeitures will be recognized through a cumulative catch-up adjustment in the period of change and will also impact the amount of stock compensation expense to be recognized in future periods. There was no market conditions associated with the share option grants.

 

  (b) Fair value of share options and assumptions

The fair value of options granted to employees is determined based on a number of factors including valuations. In determining the fair value of our equity instruments, the Group referred to valuation reports prepared by an independent third-party appraisal firm, based on data the Group provided. The valuation reports provided the Group with guidelines in determining the fair value of the equity instruments, but the Group are ultimately responsible for the determination of all amounts related to share-based compensation recorded in the financial statements.

Excluding the options containing service vesting conditions, the Group calculated the estimated fair value of the options on the respective grant dates using a binomial option pricing model with assistance from independent valuation firms, with the following assumptions:

 

     Share awards
granted on
November 1,
2009
    Share awards
granted on
January 3,
2017
 

Expected volatility

     71     40

Expected dividends

     —         —    

Risk-free interest rate

     3.50     3.10

Expected term (in years)

     5       5  

Expected life (in years)

     7.17       6  

The contractual life of the share option is used as an input into the binomial option pricing model. Exercise multiple and post-vesting forfeit are incorporated into the model. Since the Group’s shares did not have been publicly traded at the time the options were issued and its shares were rarely traded privately, expected volatility is estimated based on the average historical volatility of comparable entities with publicly traded shares for the period before the date of grant with length commensurate to contractual life of the options. The risk-free rate for the expected term of the option is based on the yield to maturity of China 6-year government bond at the date of grant. The Group has not declared or paid any cash dividends on its capital stock, and does not anticipate any dividend payments on its ordinary shares in the foreseeable future.

If any of the assumptions used in the binomial option pricing model changes significantly, share-based compensation expense for future awards may differ materially compared with the awards granted previously.

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

12. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION  (CONTINUED)

 

  (b) Fair value of share options and assumptions  (continued)

 

A summary of share option activity under the 2017 Plan is as follows:

 

     Number of
shares
     Weighted
average
exercise
price
     Weighted
average
grant date
fair value
 
            RMB      RMB  

Balance, December 31, 2017

     187,933,730        —          1.27  

Granted

     —          —          —    

Exercised

     —          —          —    

Surrendered

     —          —          —    

Balance, March 31, 2018

     187,933,730        —          1.27  

Exercisable, March 31, 2018

     112,760,238        —          1.27  

Expected to vest, March 31, 2018

     75,173,492        —          1.27  

The following table sets forth the fair value of options and ordinary shares estimated at the dates of option grants indicated below with the assistance from an independent valuation firm.

 

Date of options grant

   Options
granted
     Exercise
price
     Fair value of
option
     Fair value of
ordinary
shares
 

November 1, 2009

     25,678        RMB3,190        RMB640.10        RMB1,506  

January 3, 2017

     75,173,492        RMB0.50        RMB1.26        RMB1.72  

January 3, 2017

     112,760,238        RMB0.50        RMB1.27        RMB1.72  

For the option granted on November 1, 2009, the Group recognized compensation expenses up to RMB16,435,974 and for the option granted on January 3, 2017, the Group recognized compensation expenses of RMB9,928,792 for three months ended March 31, 2018. There was no income tax benefit recognized associated with the share-based compensation expense.

As of March 31, 2018, there was RMB45,672,441 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options granted under the Plan. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.10 years.

 

13. MATERIAL RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Group’s related parties, Fanhua Inc. and its subsidiaries signed an agreement with the Group that agreed to grant a revolving loan with a maximum amount of USD50,000,000 (equivalent to RMB317,990,000 as per the agreement) to the Group. The amounts are unsecured and bear market interest rate at 7.3% per year and are repayable on demand. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Group had borrowings transactions with Fanhua Inc. and its subsidiaries and interest expense of RMB296,000 has incurred. The Group paid off all the principal and interest payable by December 31, 2017. There was no borrowing transactions between the Group and Fanhua Inc. and its subsidiaries for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

In 2017, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Group, Mr. Zhai Bin, entered into a loan agreement with the Group as lender with an amount of RMB5,010,800 with a daily market interest rate of 0.02%. The Group has recognized RMB308,000 in interest and financing service fee on loans related to the loan for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The principal and interest payable to the Group were fully paid off by March 31, 2018.

 

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CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise stated)

 

14. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Operating leases commitment

The Group leases certain office premises under non-cancelable leases. Rental expenses under operating lease for three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018 were RMB9,108,676 and RMB14,055,902 respectively.

As of March 31, 2018, the total future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are payable as follows:

 

As of March 31,    RMB  

2019

     9,658,724  

2020

     6,820,336  

2021

     2,427,862  

2022

     1,551,549  

2023

     512,121  

Later years, through 2026

     2,048,484  
  

 

 

 

Total

     23,019,076  
  

 

 

 

 

15. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management has considered subsequent events through May 21, 2018, which was the date these unaudited consolidated financial statements were issued.

 

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LOGO

 

 

 

 


Table of Contents

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. Under our post-offering memorandum and articles of association, which will become effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering, to the fullest extent permissible under Cayman Islands law every director and officer of our company shall be indemnified against all actions, proceedings, costs, charges, expenses, losses, damages or liabilities incurred or sustained by him in connection with the execution or discharge of his duties, powers, authorities or discretions as a director or officer of our company, including without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, any costs, expenses, losses or liabilities incurred by him 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 form of indemnification agreements to be filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this registration statement, we will 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 executive officer.

The form of underwriting agreement to be filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this registration statement will also provide for indemnification of us and our officers and directors.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to 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.

 

ITEM 7 RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES

During the past three years, we have issued the following options to acquire our ordinary shares without registering the securities under the Securities Act. We believe that the following issuances was exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 701 promulgated under the Securities Act, or Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, regarding transactions not involving a public offering, or in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act regarding sales by an issuer in offshore transactions. None of the transactions involved an underwriter.

 

Purchaser

  

Date of Issuance

  

Number of Securities

  

Consideration in U.S. Dollars

Certain directors, officers and employees

      Options to purchase ordinary shares    US$0.08

 

Note:

In reliance on the exemption of Rule 701 under the Securities Act, all the options were granted by our company under the share incentive plan that we adopted in            . At the time of such option grant, we were not a reporting company under section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934 or an investment company registered or required to be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The share incentive plan is a “compensatory benefit plan” as defined under Rule 701 that we established to provide share incentives to directors, officers and employees of our company and our affiliates, as well as consultants and advisors who render our company or one of our affiliates bona fide services, other than services in connection with the offer or sale of securities of our company or any of our affiliates, as applicable, in a capital raising transaction or as a market maker or promoter of that entity’s securities.

 

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Table of Contents
ITEM 8 EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

 

(a) Exhibits

See Exhibit Index beginning on page II-3 of this registration statement.

 

(b) Financial Statement Schedules

Schedules have been omitted because the information required to be set forth therein is not applicable or is shown in our consolidated financial statements or the notes thereto.

 

ITEM 9 UNDERTAKINGS

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriters at the closing specified in the underwriting agreements, certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriters 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 under 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:

(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant under Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

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Table of Contents

CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number
 

Description of Document

  1.1*   Form of Underwriting Agreement
  3.1**   Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Registrant, as currently in effect
  3.2   Form of Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Registrant, as effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering
  4.1*   Form of Registrant’s Specimen American Depositary Receipt (included in Exhibit 4.3)
  4.2*   Registrant’s Specimen Certificate for Ordinary Shares
  4.3*   Form of Deposit Agreement, among the Registrant, the Depositary and holders of the American Depositary Receipts
  5.1*   Opinion of Walkers regarding the validity of the ordinary shares being registered
  8.1*   Opinion of Walkers regarding certain Cayman Islands tax matters (included in Exhibit 5.1)
  8.2*   Opinion of Han Kun Law Offices regarding certain PRC tax matters (included in Exhibit 99.2)
  8.3*   Opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP regarding certain U.S. tax matters
10.1   Form of Indemnification Agreement with the Registrant’s directors
10.2   Form of Employment Agreement between the Registrant and an executive officer of the Registrant
10.3*   2018 CNFinance Holdings Limited Share Incentive Plan
10.4**   English translation of Cooperative Service and Management Agreement between Shenzhen Fanhua United Investment Group Co., Ltd. and FOTIC, dated March 15, 2018
10.5**†   English translation of FOTIC Jinghua No. 5 Project Service Agreement between the Company and China Foreign Economy and Trade Trust Co., Ltd. (“FOTIC”), dated December 19, 2014
10.6**†   English translation of FOTIC Jinghua Structure Fund 5 Trust Plan—Structure Funds Trust Contract (Subordinated Level) between the Company and FOTIC, dated December 19, 2014
21.1*   Subsidiaries of the Registrant
23.1   Consent of KPMG Huazhen LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
23.2*   Consent of Walkers (included in Exhibit 5.1)
23.3*   Consent of Han Kun Law Offices (included in Exhibit 99.2)
23.4*   Consent of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP (included in Exhibit 8.3)
24.1**   Powers of Attorney (included on signature page)
99.1   Code of Business Conduct and Ethics of the Registrant
99.2*   Opinion of Han Kun Law Offices regarding certain PRC law matters
99.3**   Consent of Oliver Wyman

 

* To be filed by amendment.
** Previously filed.
Confidential treatment requested as to portions of the exhibit. Confidential materials omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, 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 Guangzhou, China, on July 31, 2018.

 

CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED
By:   /s/ Bin Zhai
  Name: Bin Zhai
  Title: Chief Executive Officer and Chairman

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on July 31, 2018.

 

Signature

  

Title

/s/ Bin Zhai

  

Chief Executive Officer and Chairman

Name: Bin Zhai   

    *    

   Director
Name: Paul Steven Wolansky   

    *    

   Director
Name: Peng Ge   

/s/ Ning Li

   Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director
Name: Ning Li    (principal financial and accounting officer)

 

*By:   /s/ Ning Li
  Name: Ning Li
  Attorney-in-fact

 

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Table of Contents

SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED U.S. REPRESENTATIVE

Under the Securities Act of 1933, the undersigned, the duly authorized representative in the United States of CNFinance Holdings Limited, has signed this registration statement or amendment thereto in New York, on July 31, 2018.

 

Authorized U.S. Representative
By:   /s/ Colleen A. De Vries
 

Name: Colleen A. De Vries

Title: Senior Vice President

 

II-5

Exhibit 3.2

THE COMPANIES LAW (AS AMENDED)

OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS

COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

AMENDED AND RESTATED

MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

OF

CNFinance Holdings Limited

泛華金融控股有限公司

(ADOPTED BY SPECIAL RESOLUTION PASSED ON JULY 11, 2018 AND EFFECTIVE

CONDITIONAL AND IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE COMPLETION OF THE COMPANY’S INITIAL

PUBLIC OFFERING OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES REPRESENTING ITS ORDINARY SHARES)


THE COMPANIES LAW (AS AMENDED)

OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS

COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

AMENDED AND RESTATED

MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION

OF

CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

泛華金融控股有限公司

(Adopted by Special Resolution passed on July 11, 2018 and effective conditional and immediately prior to the completion of the Company’s initial public offering of American depositary shares representing its Ordinary Shares)

 

1.

The name of the Company is CNFinance Holdings Limited 泛華金融控股有限公司 (the “ Company ”).

 

2.

The registered office of the Company will be situated at the offices of Walkers Corporate Limited, Cayman Corporate Centre, 27 Hospital Road, George Town, Grand Cayman KY1-9008, Cayman Islands or at such other location 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 any law as provided by Section 7(4) of the Companies Law (as amended) of the Cayman Islands (the Companies Law ”).

 

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 Section 27(2) of 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 the shareholders of the Company is limited to the amount from time to time, if any, unpaid on the shares respectively held by them.

 

7.

The authorised share capital of the Company is US$380,000 divided into 3,800,000,000 Ordinary Shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.0001 each. Subject to the Companies Law and the Articles of Association, the Company shall have power to redeem or purchase any of its shares, 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 may exercise the power contained in Section 206 of the Companies Law to deregister in the Cayman Islands and be registered by way of continuation in some other jurisdiction.

 

1


9.

Capitalized terms that are not defined in this Memorandum of Association bear the same meaning as those given in the Articles of Association of the Company.

 

2


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

CLAUSE    PAGE  

TABLE A

     1  

INTERPRETATION

     1  

PRELIMINARY

     4  

SHARES

     5  

MODIFICATION OF RIGHTS

     6  

CERTIFICATES

     7  

FRACTIONAL SHARES

     7  

LIEN

     8  

CALLS ON SHARES

     8  

FORFEITURE OF SHARES

     9  

TRANSFER OF SHARES

     9  

TRANSMISSION OF SHARES

     10  

ALTERATION OF SHARE CAPITAL

     11  

REDEMPTION, PURCHASE AND SURRENDER OF SHARES

     11  

TREASURY SHARES

     12  

GENERAL MEETINGS

     12  

PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL MEETINGS

     13  

VOTES OF SHAREHOLDERS

     14  

CORPORATIONS ACTING BY REPRESENTATIVES AT MEETINGS

     16  

CLEARING HOUSES

     16  

DIRECTORS

     16  

ALTERNATE DIRECTOR

     17  

POWERS AND DUTIES OF DIRECTORS

     17  

BORROWING POWERS OF DIRECTORS

     18  

THE SEAL

     19  

DISQUALIFICATION OF DIRECTORS

     19  

PROCEEDINGS OF DIRECTORS

     19  

PRESUMPTION OF ASSENT

     21  

 

i


DIVIDENDS

     21  

ACCOUNTS, AUDIT AND ANNUAL RETURN AND DECLARATION

     22  

CAPITALISATION OF RESERVES

     23  

SHARE PREMIUM ACCOUNT

     24  

NOTICES

     24  

INDEMNITY

     25  

NON-RECOGNITION OF TRUSTS

     26  

WINDING UP

     26  

AMENDMENT OF ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

     27  

CLOSING OF REGISTER OR FIXING RECORD DATE

     27  

REGISTRATION BY WAY OF CONTINUATION

     27  

DISCLOSURE

     27  

 

ii


THE COMPANIES LAW (AS AMENDED)

OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS

COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

AMENDED AND RESTATED

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

OF

CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

泛華金融控股有限公司

(Adopted by Special Resolution passed on July 11, 2018 and effective conditional and immediately prior to the completion of the Company’s initial public offering of American depositary shares representing its Ordinary Shares)

TABLE A

The Regulations contained or incorporated in Table ‘A’ in the First Schedule of the Companies Law shall not apply to CNFinance Holdings Limited 泛華金融控股有限公司 (the “ Company ”) and the following Articles shall comprise the Articles of Association of the Company.

INTERPRETATION

 

5.

In these Articles the following defined terms will have the meanings ascribed to them, if not inconsistent with the subject or context:

ADS ” means an American depositary share, each representing such number of Ordinary Shares as set out in the registration statements of the Company;

Affiliate ” means in respect of a Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, through (1) 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 person’s 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;

Articles means these articles of association of the Company, as amended or substituted from time to time;

 

1


Board ” and “ Board of Directors ” and “ Directors ” 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;

Chairman ” means the chairman of the Board of Directors;

Class ” or “ Classes ” means any class or classes of Shares as may from time to time be issued by the Company;

Commission ” means Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States of America or any other federal agency for the time being administering the Securities Act;

Companies Law means the Companies Law (as amended) of the Cayman Islands;

Company means CNFinance Holdings Limited 泛華金融控股有限公司, a Cayman Islands exempted company;

Company’s Website” means the website of the Company, the address or domain name of which has been notified to Shareholders;

Designated Stock Exchange ” means the stock exchange in the United States on which any Shares and ADSs are listed for trading;

Designated Stock Exchange Rules ” 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;

electronic” means the meaning given to it in the Electronic Transactions Law (as amended) of the Cayman Islands and any amendment thereto or re-enactments thereof for the time being in force and includes every other law incorporated therewith or substituted therefor;

electronic communication” means electronic posting to the Company’s Website, transmission to any number, address or internet website or other electronic delivery methods as otherwise decided and approved by not less than a majority of the vote of the Board;

Independent Director” means a Director who is an independent director as defined in the Designated Stock Exchange Rules;

Memorandum of Association ” means the memorandum of association of the Company, as amended or substituted from time to time;

Month ” means calendar month;

Office ” means the registered office of the Company as required by the Companies Law;

Officer ” means the offices for the time being and from time to time of the Company;

Ordinary Resolution ” 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 at a general meeting of the Company and where a poll is taken regard shall be had in computing a majority to the number of votes to which each Shareholder is entitled by these Articles; 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 resolution so adopted shall be the date on which the instrument, or the last of such instruments, if more than one, is executed;

 

2


Ordinary Shares ” means an ordinary share of par value of US$0.0001 each in the capital of the Company having the rights and subject to the restrictions set out in these Articles, including a fraction of a share;

paid up ” means paid up as to the par value in respect of the issue of any Shares and includes credited as paid up;

Person ” 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, other than in respect of a Director or Officer in which circumstances Person Shall mean any person or entity permitted to act as such in accordance with the laws of the Cayman Islands;

Register ” means the register of Members of the Company required to be kept pursuant to the Companies Law;

Seal ” means the common seal of the Company (if adopted) including any facsimile thereof;

Secretary ” means any Person appointed by the Directors to perform any of the duties of the secretary of the Company;

Securities Act ” 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;

Share ” 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;

Shareholder ” or “ Member ” means a Person who is registered as the holder of Shares in the Register and includes each subscriber to the Memorandum of Association pending entry in the Register of such subscriber;

Share Premium Account ” means the share premium account established in accordance with these Articles and the Companies Law;

signed ” 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;

Special Resolution ” means a special resolution of the Company passed in accordance with the Companies Law being a resolution:

 

  (b)

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 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 and where a poll is taken regard shall be had in computing a majority to the number of votes to which each Shareholder is entitled; 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;

 

3


Treasury Shares ” means Shares that were previously issued but were purchased, redeemed, surrendered or otherwise acquired by the Company and not cancelled;

United States ” means the United States of America, its territories, its possessions and all areas subject to its jurisdiction; and

year ” means calendar year.

 

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; and

 

  (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 (as amended). Sections 8 and 19 of the Electronic Transactions Law (as amended) 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 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.

 

4


7.

The Directors shall keep, or cause to be kept, the Register at such place or (subject to compliance with the Companies Law and these Articles) places as the Directors may from time to time determine. In the absence of any such determination, the Register shall be kept at the 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 or dispose of the same (whether in certificated form or non-certificated form, including fractions of a Share) 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 such Shares and issue warrants, convertible securities or similar instruments with respect thereto;

and, for such purposes, the Directors may reserve an appropriate number of Shares for the time being unissued.

 

9.

The Directors, or the Shareholders by Ordinary Resolution, may authorise the division of Shares into any number of Classes and sub-classes and the different Classes and sub-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 the Shareholders by Ordinary 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 (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;

 

5


  (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 is not obliged to issue, allot or dispose of shares if it is, in the opinion of the Directors, unlawful or impracticable. 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 (and as otherwise determined by the Directors) 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 or abrogated with the consent in writing of the holders of not less than two-thirds of the issued Shares of the relevant Class, or with the sanction of a resolution passed at a separate meeting of the holders of the Shares of such Class by a majority of two-thirds of the votes cast at such a meeting. 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 at least holding or representing by proxy 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.

 

6


13.

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 or abrogated 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

 

14.

Every Person whose name is entered as a Member in the Register shall, without payment, be entitled to a certificate within two 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 and the amount paid up thereon, 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 Member’s 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 held by any Member may at the Member’s request be cancelled and a single new certificate for such Shares issued in lieu on payment (if the Directors shall so require) of 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.

 

7


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 Company’s lien on a Share extends to any amount payable in respect of it.

 

21.

The Company may sell, in such manner as the Directors may determine, 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 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 some 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.

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 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.

 

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 on 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 by 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.

 

8


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 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. 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 certificate as against all Persons claiming to be entitled to the Share.

 

35.

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.

 

36.

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

 

37.

The instrument of transfer of any Share shall be in any usual or common form or such other form as the Directors may determine 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.

 

38.

(a) Subject to the terms of issue thereof, the Directors may determine to decline to register any transfer of Shares without assigning any reason therefor.

 

9


  (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; or

 

  (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.

 

39.

The registration of transfers may, on ten calendar days’ notice being given by advertisement in such one or more newspapers or by electronic means or by any other means in accordance with the Designated Stock Exchange Rules, be suspended and the Register of Members 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 30 days in any year.

 

40.

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 two months after the date on which the transfer was lodged with the Company send to each of the transferor and the transferee notice of the refusal.

TRANSMISSION OF SHARES

 

41.

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 holder of the Share, shall be the only Person recognised by the Company as having any title to the Share.

 

42.

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.

 

43.

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 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

 

44.

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.

 

10


ALTERATION OF SHARE CAPITAL

 

45.

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 and with such rights, priorities and privileges annexed thereto, as the Company in general meeting may determine.

 

46.

The Company may by Ordinary Resolution:

 

  (a)

consolidate and divide all or any of its share capital into Shares of a larger amount than its existing Shares;

 

  (b)

subdivide its existing Shares, or any of them into Shares of a smaller amount 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;

 

  (c)

convert all or any of its paid up Shares into stock and reconvert that stock into paid up Shares of any denomination;

 

  (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.

 

47.

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

 

48.

Subject to the Companies Law and these Articles, the Company may:

 

  (a)

issue Shares on terms that they are to be redeemed or are liable to be redeemed at the option of the Company or the Shareholder on such terms and in such manner as may be determined, before the issue of such Shares, by either the Board or by the Shareholders by Ordinary Resolution;

 

  (b)

purchase its own Shares (including any redeemable Shares) on such terms and in such manner as have been approved by the Board or by the Members by Ordinary Resolution, or are otherwise authorised by these Articles;

 

  (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 its capital; and

 

  (d)

accept the surrender for no consideration of any paid up Share (including any redeemable Share) on such terms and in such manner as the Directors may determine.

 

49.

The holder of the Shares being purchased shall be bound to deliver up to the Company the certificate(s) (if any) thereof. Any Share in respect of which notice of redemption has been given shall not be entitled to participate in the profits of the Company in respect of the period after the date specified as the date of redemption in the notice of redemption.

 

50.

The redemption, purchase or surrender of any Share shall not be deemed to give rise to the redemption, purchase or surrender of any other Share.

 

51.

The Directors may when making payments in respect of redemption or purchase of Shares, if authorised by the terms of issue of the Shares being redeemed or purchased or with the agreement of the holder of such Shares, make such payment either in cash or in specie including without limitation, interests in a special purpose vehicle holding assets of the Company or holding entitlement to the proceeds of assets held by the Company or in a liquidation structure.

 

11


TREASURY SHARES

 

52.

Shares that the Company purchases, redeems or acquires (by way of surrender or otherwise) may, at the option of the Company, be cancelled immediately or held as Treasury Shares in accordance with the Companies Law. In the event that the Directors do not specify that the relevant Shares are to be held as Treasury Shares, such Shares shall be cancelled.

 

53.

No dividend may be declared or paid, and no other distribution (whether in cash or otherwise) of the Company’s assets (including any distribution of assets to members on a winding up) may be declared or paid in respect of a Treasury Share.

 

54.

The Company shall be entered in the Register as the holder of the Treasury Shares provided that:

 

  (a)

the Company shall not be treated as a member for any purpose and shall not exercise any right in respect of the Treasury Shares, and any purported exercise of such a right shall be void;

 

  (b)

a Treasury Share shall not be voted, directly or indirectly, at any meeting of the Company and shall not be counted in determining the total number of issued shares at any given time, whether for the purposes of these Articles or the Companies Law, save that an allotment of Shares as fully paid bonus shares in respect of a Treasury Share is permitted and Shares allotted as fully paid bonus shares in respect of a treasury share shall be treated as Treasury Shares.

 

55.

Treasury Shares may be disposed of by the Company on such terms and conditions as determined by the Directors.

GENERAL MEETINGS

 

56.

All general meetings other than annual general meetings shall be called extraordinary general meetings.

 

57.   (a)

The Company may, but shall not (unless required by the Companies Law) be obliged to hold a general meeting in each year 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.

 

58.   (a)

The Chairman or a majority of the Directors may call general meetings, and they shall on a Members’ requisition forthwith proceed to convene an extraordinary general meeting of the Company.

 

  (b)

A Members’ requisition is a requisition of Members of the Company holding at the date of deposit of the requisition not less than one-third of such of the paid-up capital of the Company as at that date of the deposit carries the right of voting 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 of the Company, and may consist of several documents in like form each signed by one or more requisitionists.

 

  (d)

If the Directors do not within 21 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 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 months after the expiration of the said 21 days.

 

12


  (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

 

59.

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 Members (or their proxies) entitled to attend and vote thereat; and

 

  (b)

in the case of an extraordinary general meeting by a majority in number of the Members (or their proxies) having a right to attend and vote at the meeting, being a majority together holding not less than seventy five per cent (75%) in par value of the Shares giving that right.

 

60.

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

 

61.

No business shall be transacted at any general meeting without the consent of all Shareholders entitled to receive notice of that meeting unless notice of such business has been given in the notice convening that meeting.

 

62.

No business shall be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum of Members is present at the time when the meeting proceeds to business. The holders of Shares being not less than an aggregate of one-third of all Shares in issue present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote shall be a quorum for all purposes.

 

63.

If within half an hour from the time appointed for the meeting a quorum is not present, the meeting, if convened upon the requisition of Shareholders, shall be dissolved. In any other case it shall stand adjourned to the same day in the next week, at the same time and place, and if at the adjourned meeting a quorum is not present within half an hour from the time appointed for the meeting the Shareholder or Shareholders present and entitled to vote shall form a quorum.

 

64.

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.

 

65.

The chairman, if any, of the Directors shall preside as chairman at every general meeting of the Company.

 

66.

If there is no such chairman, 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, any Director or Person nominated by the Directors shall preside as chairman, failing which the Shareholders present in person or by proxy shall choose any Person present to be chairman of that meeting.

 

13


The chairman of the general meeting may with the consent of any general meeting at which a quorum is present (and shall if so directed by the meeting) adjourn a 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 days or more, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given in the manner provided for the 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.

 

67.

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.

 

68.

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 or one or more Shareholders present in person or by proxy entitled to vote, and unless a poll is so demanded, a declaration by the chairman 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.

 

69.

If a poll is duly demanded it shall be taken in such manner as the chairman directs, and the result of the poll shall be deemed to be the resolution of the meeting at which the poll was demanded.

 

70.

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.

 

71.

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 Law. 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

 

72.

Subject to any rights and restrictions for the time being attached to any Share, on a show of hands every Shareholder present in person and every Person representing a Shareholder by proxy (or, if a corporation or other non-natural person, by its duly authorized representative or proxy) shall, at a general meeting or extraordinary general meeting of the Company, each have one (1) vote and on a poll every Shareholder and every Person representing a Shareholder by proxy (or, if a corporation or other non-natural person, by its duly authorized representative or proxy) shall have one (1) vote for each Share of which he or the Person represented by proxy is the holder.

 

73.

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 authorized 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.

 

74.

Shares carrying the right to vote 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 in respect of Shares carrying the right to vote held by him, 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.

 

14


75.

No Shareholder shall be entitled to vote at any general meeting of the Company unless he is registered as a Shareholder on the record date for such meeting or 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.

 

76.

On a poll votes may be given either personally or by proxy.

 

77.

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 and on a poll, each such proxy is under no obligation to cast all his votes in the same way. 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. On a poll a Shareholder entitled to more than one vote need not use all his votes or cast all his votes in the same way.

 

78.

An instrument appointing a proxy may be in any usual or common form or such other form as the Directors may approve and may be expressed to be for a particular meeting or any adjournment thereof or generally until revoked.

 

79.

The instrument appointing a proxy shall be deposited at the 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 forty-eight (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 forty-eight (48) hours after it is demanded, be deposited as aforesaid after the poll has been demanded and not less than twenty-four (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 forty-eight (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 (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.

 

80.

The instrument appointing a proxy shall be deemed to confer authority to demand or join in demanding a poll.

 

81.

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.

 

82.

Votes given in accordance with the terms of an instrument of proxy, which has been deposited in accordance with Article 79, shall be valid notwithstanding the previous death or insanity of the principal or revocation of the proxy or of the authority under which the proxy was executed, or the transfer of the Share in respect of which the proxy is given unless notice in writing of such death, insanity, revocation or transfer was received by the Company at the Registered Office before the commencement of the general meeting, or adjourned meeting at which it is sought to use the proxy.

 

15


CORPORATIONS ACTING BY REPRESENTATIVES AT MEETINGS

 

83.

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.

CLEARING HOUSES

 

84.

If a clearing house (or its nominee) 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 or persons as it thinks fit to act as its representative or representatives at any general meeting of the Company or at any general meeting of any class of Members of the Company 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 clearing house (or its nominee) which he represents as that clearing house (or its nominee) could exercise if it were an individual Member holding the number and Class of Shares specified in such authorisation.

DIRECTORS

 

85.     (a)     Unless otherwise determined by the Company in general meeting, the number of Directors shall not be less than three 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, or if the Chairman is unable to or unwilling to act as the chairman of a meeting of the Directors, 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 Directors may by the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the remaining Directors present and voting at a Board meeting, appoint any person to be a Director either to fill a 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.

 

86.

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.

 

16


87.

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, which shall be intended to set forth the policies of the Company and the Board on various corporate governance related matters as the Board shall determine by resolution from time to time.

 

88.

Subject to applicable law, Designated Stock Exchange Rules and the Articles, the Board may establish any committee of the Board as it deems appropriate from time to time, and committees of the Board shall have the rights, powers and privileges delegated to such committees by the Board from time to time.

 

89.

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.

 

90.

The remuneration of the Directors may be determined by the Directors or by Ordinary Resolution.

 

91.

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

 

92.

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 authorised to sign such written resolutions where they have been signed by the appointing Director, and to act in such Director’s place at any meeting of the Directors. Every such alternate shall be entitled to attend and vote at meetings of the Directors as the alternate of the Director appointing him and where he is a Director to have a separate vote 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 not be an Officer solely as a result of his appointment as an alternate other than in respect of such times as the alternate acts as a Director. 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.

POWERS AND DUTIES OF DIRECTORS

 

93.

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.

 

94.

Subject to Article 122, the Directors may from time to time appoint any Person, 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 officers, one or more other executive officers, the office of 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 Person 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 from any cause to be a Director, or if the Company by Ordinary Resolution resolves that his tenure of office be terminated.

 

17


95.

The Directors may appoint any Person 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.

 

96.

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.

 

97.

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.

 

98.

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.

 

99.

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 Person 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 Person.

 

100.

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 Person 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.

 

101.

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.

 

102.

The Directors may agree with a Shareholder to waive or modify the terms applicable to such Shareholder’s subscription for Shares without obtaining the consent of any other Shareholder; provided that such waiver or modification does not amount to a variation or abrogation of the rights attaching to the Shares of such other Shareholders.

BORROWING POWERS OF DIRECTORS

 

103.

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, or to otherwise provide for a security interest to be taken in such undertaking, property or uncalled capital, and to issue debentures, debenture stock, bonds and other securities, whether outright or as collateral, whenever money is borrowed or as security for any debt, liability or obligation of the Company or of any third party.

 

18


THE SEAL

 

104.

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.

 

105.

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.

 

106.

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

 

107.

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; or

 

  (d)

is prohibited by any applicable Law or Designated Stock Exchange Rules from being a Director;

 

  (e)

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

 

  (f)

is removed from office pursuant to any other provision of these Articles.

PROCEEDINGS OF DIRECTORS

 

108.

The Directors may meet together (either within or outside 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 of the Directors present at a meeting. At any meeting of the Directors, each Director present in person or represented by his 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.

 

19


109.

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.

 

110.

The quorum necessary for the transaction of the business of the Directors may be fixed by the Directors, and unless so fixed, if there be two or more Directors the quorum shall be two, and if there be one Director the quorum shall be one. A Director represented 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.

 

111.

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 or is to be regarded as interested in any contract or other arrangement 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. 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 proposed contract or arrangement 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 proposed contract or arrangement shall come before the meeting for consideration.

 

112.

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.

 

113.

Any Director may act by himself or 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.

 

114.

The Directors shall cause minutes to be made in books or loose-leaf folders provided 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.

 

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115.

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.

 

116.

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.

 

117.

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.

 

118.

The Directors may elect a chairman of their meetings and determine the period for which he is to hold office but 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, or if the Chairman is unable to or unwilling to act as the chairman, the Directors present may choose one of their number to be chairman of the meeting.

 

119.

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, or if the Chairman is unable to or unwilling to act as the chairman, the committee members present may choose one of their number to be chairman of the meeting.

 

120.

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.

 

121.

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

 

122.

A Director of the Company who is present at a meeting of the Board of Directors at which 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

 

123.

Subject to any rights and restrictions for the time being attached to any Shares, or as otherwise provided for in the Companies Law and these Articles, 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.

 

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124.

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.

 

125.

The Directors may determine, before recommending or declaring any dividend, to 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 as the Directors may from time to time think fit.

 

126.

Any dividend may be paid in any manner as the Directors may determine. If paid by cheque it will be sent through the post to the registered address of the Shareholder or Person entitled thereto, or in the case of joint holders, to any one of such joint holders at his registered address or to such Person and such address as the Shareholder or Person entitled, or such joint holders as the case may be, may direct. Every such cheque shall be made payable to the order of the Person to whom it is sent or to the order of such other Person as the Shareholder or Person entitled, or such joint holders as the case may be, may direct.

 

127.

The Directors when paying dividends to the Shareholders in accordance with the foregoing provisions of these Articles may make such payment either in cash or in specie and may determine the extent to which amounts may be withheld therefrom (including, without limitation, any taxes, fees, expenses or other liabilities for which a Shareholder (or the Company, as a result of any action or inaction of the Shareholder) is liable).

 

128.

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.

 

129.

If several Persons are registered as joint holders of any Share, any of them may give effectual receipts for any dividend or other moneys payable on or in respect of the Share.

 

130.

No dividend shall bear interest against the Company.

 

131.

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

 

132.

The books of account relating to the Company’s affairs shall be kept in such manner as may be determined from time to time by the Directors.

 

133.

The books of account shall be kept at the Office, or at such other place or places as the Directors think fit, and shall always be open to the inspection of the Directors.

 

134.

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 of inspecting any account or book or document of the Company except as conferred by law or authorised by the Directors or by Ordinary Resolution.

 

135.

The accounts relating to the Company’s 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.

 

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136.

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.

 

137.

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.

 

138.

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.

 

139.

The Directors in each 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

 

140.

Subject to the Companies Law and these Articles, 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), whether or not 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

 

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  (e)

generally do all acts and things required to give effect to any of the actions contemplated by this Article.

 

141.

Notwithstanding any provisions in these Articles, the Directors may resolve to capitalise any sum standing to the credit of any of the Company’s reserve accounts or funds (including the Share Premium Account and capital redemption reserve fund) or any sum standing to the credit of the 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

 

  (a)

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

 

142.

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.

 

143.

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 determination 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

 

144.

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 airmail or air 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 or by placing it on the Company’s Website should the Directors deem it appropriate provided that the Company shall notify the Shareholders of the placement of such notice by any of the means set out above. 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.

 

145.

Notices posted to addresses outside the Cayman Islands shall be forwarded by prepaid airmail.

 

146.

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.

 

147.

Any notice or other document, if served by:

 

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  (a) post, shall be deemed to have been served five 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) recognised 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 mail, shall be deemed to have been served immediately upon the time of the transmission by electronic mail.

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.

 

148. 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.

 

149. 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

 

150. No Member shall be entitled to require discovery of any information in respect of any detail of the Company’s 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.

 

151. 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

 

152. 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 (but not including the Company’s 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 Person’s own dishonesty, wilful default or fraud as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, in or about the conduct of the 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 the Company or its affairs in any court whether in the Cayman Islands or elsewhere.

 

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153. 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 Person’s 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 Person’s office or in relation thereto;

unless the same shall happen through such Indemnified Person’s own dishonesty, wilful default or fraud as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.

FINANCIAL YEAR

 

154. Unless the Directors otherwise prescribe, the financial year of the Company shall end on December 31 st in each year and shall begin on January 1 st in each year.

NON-RECOGNITION OF TRUSTS

 

155. 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

 

156. 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 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.

 

157. 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.

 

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AMENDMENT OF ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

 

158. Subject to the Companies Law and the rights attaching to the various Classes, 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

 

159. 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 30 days. If the Register shall be so closed for the purpose of determining those Shareholders that are entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at a meeting of Shareholders the Register shall be so closed for at least ten days immediately preceding such meeting and the record date for such determination shall be the date of the closure of the Register.

 

160. 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 90 days prior to the date of declaration of such dividend, fix a subsequent date as the record date for such determination.

 

161. 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

 

162. 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

 

163. 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 or to any stock exchange on which securities of the Company may from time to time be listed any information regarding the affairs of the Company including without limitation information contained in the Register and books of the Company.

 

27

Exhibit 10.1

FORM OF INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

This Indemnification Agreement (this “ Agreement ”), made and entered into as of the      day of             , 20    , by and between CNFinance Holdings Limited, an exempted company with limited liability under the laws of Cayman Islands (the “ Company ”) and         (“ Indemnitee ”).

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, highly competent persons have become more reluctant to serve publicly-held corporations as directors or executive officers unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance or adequate indemnification against risks of claims and actions against them arising out of their service to and activities on behalf of the corporation.

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Board ”) has determined that, in order to attract and retain qualified individuals, the Company will attempt to maintain on an ongoing basis, at its sole expense, liability insurance to protect persons serving the Company and its subsidiaries from certain liabilities.

WHEREAS, the uncertainties relating to such insurance and to indemnification have increased the difficulty of attracting and retaining such persons.

WHEREAS, the Board has determined that the increased difficulty in attracting and retaining such persons is detrimental to the best interests of the Company’s stockholders and that the Company should act to assure such persons that there will be increased certainty of such protection in the future.

WHEREAS, it is reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Company contractually to obligate itself to indemnify, and to advance expenses on behalf of, such persons to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law so that they will serve or continue to serve the Company free from undue concern that they will not be so indemnified.

WHEREAS, this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the memorandum and articles of association of the Company (as may from time to time be supplemented and amended) (the “ Memorandum and Articles ”) and any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder.

WHEREAS, Indemnitee does not regard the protection available under the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles and insurance as adequate in the present circumstances, and may not be willing to serve as an officer or director of the Company without adequate protection, and the Company desires Indemnitee to serve in such capacity. Indemnitee is willing to serve, continue to serve and take on additional service for or on behalf of the Company on the condition that he be so indemnified.

 

1


NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein, the Company and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1

CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

(a) As used in this Agreement:

Change of Control ” means any one of the following circumstances occurring after the date hereof: (i) there shall have occurred an event required to be reported with respect to the Company in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or in response to any similar item or any similar schedule or form) under the Exchange Act, regardless of whether the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement; (ii) any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) shall have become, without prior approval of the Company’s Board by approval of at least two-thirds of the Continuing Directors, the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 30% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding voting securities (provided that, for purposes of this clause (ii), the term “person” shall exclude (x) the Company, (y) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company, and (z) any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company); (iii) there occurs a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other entity, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than 51% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation and with the power to elect at least a majority of the board of directors or other governing body of such surviving entity; (iv) all or substantially all the assets of the Company are sold or disposed of in a transaction or series of related transactions; (v) the approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation of the Company; or (vi) the Continuing Directors cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board.

Continuing Director ” means each director on the Board on the date hereof.

Corporate Status ” means the status of a person who is or was a director, officer, trustee, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, board of directors’ committee member, employee or agent of the Company or of any other Enterprise.

 

2


Disinterested Director ” means a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.

Enterprise ” means (i) the Company, (ii) any of the Company’s subsidiaries and affiliates, and (iii) any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise of which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, board of directors’ committee member, employee or agent.

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Expenses ” means all direct and indirect costs (including attorneys’ fees, retainers, court costs, transcripts, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, and all other disbursements or expenses) reasonably incurred in connection with (i) prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in, or otherwise participating in, a Proceeding or (ii) establishing or enforcing a right to indemnification under this Agreement, the Memorandum and Articles, applicable law or otherwise. Expenses also shall include Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding, including the premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent. For the avoidance of doubt, Expenses, however, shall not include any Liabilities.

Independent Counsel ” means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporate law and neither currently is, nor in the five years previous to its selection or appointment has been, retained to represent (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements) or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.

Liabilities ” means any losses or liabilities, including any judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement, arising out of or in connection with any Proceeding (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of any such judgments, fines, penalties or amounts paid in settlement).

 

3


Proceeding ” means any threatened, pending or completed action, derivative action, suit, claim, counterclaim, cross claim, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether civil (including intentional and unintentional tort claims), criminal, administrative or investigative, including any appeal therefrom, and whether instituted by or on behalf of the Company or any other party, or any inquiry or investigation that Indemnitee in good faith believes might lead to the institution of any such action, suit or other proceeding hereinabove listed in which Indemnitee was, is or will be involved as a party, potential party, non-party witness or otherwise by reason of any Corporate Status of Indemnitee, or by reason of any action taken (or failure to act) by him or her or of any action (or failure to act) on his or her part while serving in any Corporate Status.

(b) For the purposes of this Agreement:

References to “Company” shall include, in addition to the resulting or surviving corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, employees or agents, so that if Indemnitee is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of such constituent corporation or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, then Indemnitee shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Agreement with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as Indemnitee would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.

Reference to “other enterprise” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise tax assessed with respect to any employee benefit plan; references to “serving at the request of the Company” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to any of the Company’s subsidiaries, affiliates, an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Company” as referred to in this Agreement.

Reference to “including” shall mean “including, without limitation,” regardless of whether the words “without limitation” actually appear, references to the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular paragraph, subparagraph, section, subsection or other subdivision.

ARTICLE 2

SERVICES BY INDEMNITEE

Section 2.01 .  Services By Indemnitee.   Indemnitee hereby agrees to serve or continue to serve as [for directors] a director of the Company, for so long as Indemnitee is duly elected or appointed or until Indemnitee tenders his or her resignation or is removed. [for officers] an officer of the Company until such time as Indemnitee’s employment is terminated for any reason.

 

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ARTICLE 3

INDEMNIFICATION

Section 3.01 .  General.   (a) The Company hereby agrees to and shall indemnify Indemnitee and hold Indemnitee harmless from and against any and all Expenses and Liabilities, in either case, actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. The Company’s indemnification obligations set forth in this Section 3.01 shall apply (i) in respect of Indemnitee’s past, present and future service in any Corporate Status and (ii) regardless of whether Indemnitee is serving in any Corporate Status at the time any such Expense or Liability is incurred.

For purposes of this Agreement, the meaning of the phrase “to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law” shall include, but not be limited to:

(i) to the fullest extent permitted by any provision of the Companies Law (2016 Revision) (the “ Companies Law ”) or the corresponding provision of any successor statute, and

(ii) to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by any amendments to or replacements of the Companies Law adopted after the date of this Agreement that increase the extent to which a corporation may indemnify its officers and directors.

(b)  Witness Expenses . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his or her Corporate Status, a witness in any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is not a party, he shall be indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on his or her behalf in connection therewith.

(c)  Expenses as a Party Where Wholly or Partly Successful . Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to the extent that Indemnitee is a party to (or a participant in) and is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in any Proceeding or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, in whole or in part, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding, but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on his or her behalf in connection with each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter. All such indemnification against Expenses shall be offset by the amount of cash, if any, received by the Indemnitee resulting from his/her success therein. For purposes of this Section and without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.

 

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Section 3.02 . Exclusions.   Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement and unless Indemnitee ultimately is successful on the merits with respect to any such claim, the Company shall not be obligated under this Agreement to make any indemnity in connection with any claim made against Indemnitee:

(a) for (i) an accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act or similar provisions of state statutory law or common law, regardless of whether the securities are subject to the requirements of such provisions; or (ii) any reimbursement of the Company by Indemnitee of any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation or of any profits realized by Indemnitee from the sale of securities of the Company, as required in each case under the Exchange Act (including any such reimbursements that arise from an accounting restatement of the Company pursuant to Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “ Sarbanes-Oxley Act ”), or the payment to the Company of profits arising from the purchase and sale by Indemnitee of securities in violation of Section 306 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act);

(b) except as otherwise provided in Sections 6.01(e), prior to a Change of Control, in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee, including any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee against the Company or its directors, officers, employees or other indemnitees, unless (i) the Board authorized the Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) prior to its initiation or (ii) the Company provides the indemnification, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Company under applicable law;

(c) to the extent that Indemnitee is indemnified and actually received such payment other than pursuant to this Agreement;

(d) in connection with a judicial action by or in the right of the Company, in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which the Indemnitee shall have been adjudicated by final judgment in a court of law to be liable for fraud or willful default in the performance of his duty to the Company unless and only to the extent that any court in which such action was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, the Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification for such Expenses as such court shall deem proper; or

(e) for any judgment, fine or penalty which the Company is prohibited by applicable law from paying as indemnification.

 

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ARTICLE 4

ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES; DEFENSE OF CLAIMS

Section 4.01 .  Advances.   Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall advance any Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding within 30 business days after the receipt by the Company of each statement in writing requesting such advance from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of any Proceeding. Advances shall be unsecured and interest free. Advances shall be made without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay such amounts and without regard to Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to indemnification under the other provisions of this Agreement. Advances shall include any and all reasonable Expenses incurred pursuing an action to enforce this right of advancement, including Expenses incurred preparing and forwarding statements in writing to the Company to support the advances claimed. Any excess of the advanced Expenses over the actual Expenses will be promptly repaid to the Company. To the extent Indemnitee has not requested any advanced payment of Expenses from the Company, Indemnitee shall be entitled to receive reimbursement for the Expenses incurred in connection with a Proceeding from the Company as soon as practicable after Indemnitee makes a written request to the Company for reimbursement.

Section 4.02 .  Repayment of Advances or Other Expenses.   Indemnitee agrees that Indemnitee shall reimburse the Company for all Expenses advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 4.01, in the event and only to the extent that it shall be determined by final judgment or other final adjudication under the provisions of any applicable law (as to which all rights of appeal therefrom have been exhausted or lapsed) that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company for such Expenses.

Section 4.03.  Defense of Claims. The Company will be entitled to participate in the Proceeding at its own expense. Upon the delivery of written notice by the Company to Indemnitee, the Company shall be entitled to assume the defense of any Proceeding with counsel consented to by Indemnitee (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld), except for such Proceeding brought by 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. After delivery of such notice, consent to such counsel by Indemnitee and the retention of such counsel by the Company, the Company will not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for any fees or expenses of counsel subsequently incurred by Indemnitee with respect to such Proceeding; provided that (i) Indemnitee shall have the right to employ separate counsel in respect of any Proceeding at Indemnitee’s expense and (ii) if (A) the employment of counsel by Indemnitee has been previously authorized in writing by the Company or (B) Indemnitee shall have reasonably concluded upon the advice of counsel that there is a conflict of interest between the Company and Indemnitee in the conduct of the defense of such Proceeding, then in each such case the fees and expenses of Indemnitee’s counsel shall be at the Company’s expense. Neither party to this Agreement shall settle any Proceeding in any manner that would impose any Expense, judgment, fine, damages, penalty or limitation on Indemnitee without the other party’s written consent. Neither the Company nor Indemnitee shall unreasonably withhold its consent to any proposed settlement.

 

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ARTICLE 5 PROCEDURES FOR NOTIFICATION OF AND DETERMINATION OF

ENTITLEMENT TO INDEMNIFICATION

Section 5.01 .  Notification; Request For Indemnification. (a) As soon as reasonably practicable after receipt by Indemnitee of written notice that he is a party to or a participant (as a witness or otherwise) in any Proceeding or of any other matter in respect of which Indemnitee intends to seek indemnification or advancement of Expenses hereunder, Indemnitee shall provide to the Company written notice thereof, including the nature of and the facts underlying the Proceeding. The omission by Indemnitee to so notify the Company will not relieve the Company from any liability which it may have to Indemnitee hereunder or otherwise.

(b) As a condition precedent to an Indemnitee’s right to obtain indemnification under this Agreement, Indemnitee shall deliver to the Company a written request for indemnification, including therewith such information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to determine Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification hereunder and such information as reasonably requested by the Company. Such request(s) may be delivered from time to time and at such time(s) as Indemnitee deems appropriate in his or her sole discretion. Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification shall be determined according to Section 5.02 of this Agreement and applicable law.

Section 5.02 .  Determination of Entitlement. (a) Where there has been a written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to Section 5.01(b), then as soon as is reasonably practicable (but in any event not later than 60 days) after final disposition of the relevant Proceeding, a determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement thereto shall be made in the specific case: (i) if a Change of Control shall not have occurred, (A) by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board, (B) by a committee of Disinterested Directors designated by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board, (C) if there are no such Disinterested Directors or, if such Disinterested Directors so direct, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee; or (ii) if a Change of Control shall have occurred, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee. If it is so determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, payment to Indemnitee shall be made within ten (10) business days after such determination. Indemnitee shall reasonably cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any costs or expenses (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification).

 

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(b) If entitlement to indemnification is to be determined by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 5.02(a)(ii), such Independent Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee, and Indemnitee shall give written notice to the Company advising it of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected. If entitlement to indemnification is to be determined by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 5.02(a)(i)(C) (or if Indemnitee requests that such selection be made by the Board), such Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Company in which case the Company shall give written notice to Indemnitee advising him or her of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected. In either event, Indemnitee or the Company, as the case may be, may, within 10 business days after such written notice of selection shall have been received, deliver to the Company or to Indemnitee, as the case may be, a written objection to such selection; provided, however, that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 1 of this Agreement, and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected shall act as Independent Counsel. If such written objection is so made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel so selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court of competent jurisdiction has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within 20 days after the submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 5.01(b) hereof, no Independent Counsel shall have been selected and not objected to, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition a court of competent jurisdiction for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the Company or Indemnitee to the other’s selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the court or by such other person as the court shall designate, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed shall act as Independent Counsel under Section 5.02(a) hereof. Upon the due commencement of any judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to Section 6.01(a) of this Agreement, the Independent Counsel shall be discharged and relieved of any further responsibility in such capacity (subject to the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing).

(c) The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees and expenses of any Independent Counsel serving under this Agreement.

Section 5.03 .  Presumptions and Burdens of Proof; Effect of Certain Proceedings.   (a) In making any determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person or persons or entity making such determination shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with Section 5.01(b) of this Agreement, and the Company shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption in connection with the making by any person, persons or entity of any determination contrary to that presumption. Neither the failure of any person, persons or entity to have made a determination prior to the commencement of any action pursuant to this Agreement that indemnification is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct, nor an actual determination by any person, persons or entity that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

 

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(b) If the person, persons or entity empowered or selected under Section 5.02 of this Agreement to determine whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification shall not have made a determination within the sixty (60) day period referred to in Section 5.02(a), the requisite determination of entitlement to indemnification shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, be deemed to have been made and Indemnitee shall be entitled to such indemnification, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law; provided , however, that such 60-day period may be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional thirty (30) days, if the person, persons or entity making the determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification in good faith requires such additional time for the obtaining or evaluating of documentation and/or information relating thereto.

(c) The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement) of itself adversely affect the right of Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.

(d) For purposes of any determination of good faith, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitee’s action is in good faith reliance on the records or books of account of any Enterprise, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the officers of such Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for such Enterprise or on information or records given or reports made to such Enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected by such Enterprise. The provisions of this Section 5.03(d) shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the other circumstances in which Indemnitee may be deemed or found to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in this Agreement.

(e) The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any other director, trustee, partner, managing member, fiduciary, officer, agent or employee of any Enterprise shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining any right to indemnification under this Agreement.

 

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ARTICLE 6

REMEDIES OF INDEMNITEE

Section 6.01.  Adjudication or Arbitration . (a) In the event of any dispute between Indemnitee and the Company hereunder as to entitlement to indemnification or advancement of Expenses (including where (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 5.02 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advancement of Expenses is not timely made pursuant to Section 4.01 of this Agreement, (iii) payment of indemnification pursuant to Section 3.01 of this Agreement is not made within ten (10) business days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, (iv) no determination as to entitlement to indemnification is timely made pursuant to Section 5.02 of this Agreement and no payment of indemnification is made within ten (10) business days after entitlement is deemed to have been determined pursuant to Section 5.03(b)) or (v) a contribution payment is not made in a timely manner pursuant to Section 8.04 of this Agreement, then Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication by a court of his or her entitlement to such indemnification, contribution or advancement. Alternatively, in such case, Indemnitee, at his or her option, may seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre. The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration.

(b) In the event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 5.02(a) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 6.01 shall be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial, or arbitration, on the merits, and Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of that adverse determination. In any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 6.01 the Company shall have the burden of proving Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification or advancement of Expenses, as the case may be, and the Company may not refer to or introduce into evidence any determination pursuant to Section 5.02(a) of this Agreement adverse to Indemnitee for any purpose. If Indemnitee commences a judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to this Section 6.01, Indemnitee shall not be required to reimburse the Company for any advances pursuant to Section 4.02 until a final determination is made with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification (as to which all rights of appeal have been exhausted or lapsed).

(c) If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 5.02(a) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 6.01, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law.

 

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(d) The Company shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 6.01 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement.

(e) The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law against all Expenses and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall (within ten (10) business days after the Company’s receipt of such written request) advance such Expenses to Indemnitee, which are reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any judicial proceeding or arbitration brought by Indemnitee for (i) indemnification or advances of Expenses by the Company (or otherwise for the enforcement, interpretation or defense of his or her rights) under this Agreement or any other agreement, including any other indemnification, contribution or advancement agreement, or any provision of the Memorandum and Articles now or hereafter in effect or (ii) recovery or advances under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy maintained by the Company, regardless of whether Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be entitled to such indemnification, contribution, advancement or insurance recovery, as the case may be.

ARTICLE 7

DIRECTORS’ AND OFFICERS’ LIABILITY INSURANCE

Section 7.01 .  D&O Liability Insurance.   To the extent that the Company maintains a policy or policies of insurance (“ D&O Liability Insurance ”) providing liability insurance for directors and officers of the Company in their capacities as such (and for any capacity in which any director or officer of the Company serves any other Enterprise at the request of the Company), in respect of acts or omissions occurring while serving in such capacity, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies, in accordance with its or their terms, to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any other director or officer under such policy or policies.

Section 7.02 .  Evidence of Coverage.   Upon request by Indemnitee, the Company shall provide copies of all policies of D&O Liability Insurance obtained and maintained in accordance with Section 7.01 of this Agreement. The Company shall promptly notify Indemnitee of any changes in such insurance coverage.

ARTICLE 8

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 8.01 .  Non-exclusivity of Rights.   The rights of indemnification, contribution and advancement of Expenses as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled to under applicable law, the Memorandum and Articles, any agreement, a vote of stockholders or a resolution of directors, or otherwise. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.

 

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Section 8.02 .  Insurance and Subrogation. (a) If, at the time the Company receives notice of a claim hereunder, the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of such Proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies. The failure or refusal of any such insurer to pay any such amount shall not affect or impair the obligations of the Company under this Agreement.

(b) In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.

(c) The Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable (or for which advancement is provided) hereunder if and to the extent that Indemnitee has actually received such payment under any insurance policy or other indemnity provision.

Section 8.03 The Company’s obligation to indemnify or advance Expenses hereunder to Indemnitee who is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, partner, managing member, fiduciary, board of directors’ committee member, employee or agent of any other Enterprise shall be reduced by any amount Indemnitee has actually received as indemnification or advancement of Expenses from such Enterprise.

Section 8.04 .  Contribution.   To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, if the indemnification provided for in this Agreement is unavailable to Indemnitee for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, shall contribute to the amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for judgments, fines, penalties, excise taxes, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses, in connection with any claim relating to an indemnifiable event under this Agreement, in such proportion as is deemed fair and reasonable in light of all of the circumstances of such Proceeding in order to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Company and Indemnitee as a result of the event(s) and/or transaction(s) giving rise to such Proceeding; and/or (ii) the relative fault of the Company (and its directors, officers, employees and agents) and Indemnitee in connection with such event(s) and/or transaction(s). The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of the Indemnitee on the other hand shall be determined by reference to, among other things, the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent the circumstances resulting in such judgments, fines, penalties, excise taxes, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses. The Company agrees that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 8.04 were determined by pro rata allocation or any other method of allocation which does not take account of the foregoing equitable considerations.

 

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Section 8.05 .  Amendment.   This Agreement may not be modified or amended except by a written instrument executed by or on behalf of each of the parties hereto. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit, restrict or reduce any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any act or omission, or any event occurring, prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. To the extent that a change in applicable law, whether by statute or judicial decision limits rights with respect to indemnification, contribution or advancement of Expenses, it is the intent of the parties hereto that the rights with respect to indemnification, contribution or advancement of Expenses in effect prior to such change shall remain in full force and effect to the extent permitted by applicable law.

Section 8.06 .  Waivers.   The observance of any term of this Agreement may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively) by the party entitled to enforce such term only by a writing signed by the party against which such waiver is to be asserted. Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, no delay on the part of any party hereto in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any waiver on the part of any party hereto of any right, power or privilege hereunder operate as a waiver of any other right, power or privilege hereunder nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege hereunder.

Section 8.07 .  Entire Agreement.   This Agreement and the documents referred to herein constitute the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the matters covered hereby, and any other prior or contemporaneous oral or written understandings or agreements with respect to the matters covered hereby are superseded by this Agreement, provided that this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Memorandum and Articles and applicable law, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder.

Section 8.08 .  Severability.   If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including each portion of any Section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law; (b) such provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (c) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including each portion of any Section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.

 

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Section 8.09 .  Notices.   All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing (which may be by facsimile transmission). All such notices, requests and other communications shall be deemed received on the date of receipt by the recipient thereof if received prior to 5:00 p.m. in the place of receipt and such day is a business day in the place of receipt. Otherwise, any such notice, request or communication shall be deemed not to have been received until the next succeeding business day in the place of receipt. The address for notice to a party is as shown on the signature page of this Agreement, or such other address as any party shall have given by written notice to the other party as provided above.

Section 8.10 .  Binding Effect.   (a) The Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and assumed the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce Indemnitee to serve as a director or officer of the Company, and the Company acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in serving as a director or officer of the Company.

(b) This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors, assigns, including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company, spouses, heirs, and executors, administrators, personal and legal representatives. The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all, or a substantial part of the business or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.

(c) The indemnification, contribution and advancement of Expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to this Agreement shall continue during the period Indemnitee is an officer and/or a director of the Company or is or was serving at the request of the Company and shall continue thereafter so long as Indemnitee shall be subject to any Proceeding by reason of his former or current capacity at the Company or any other enterprise at the Company’s request, whether or not he is acting or serving in any such capacity at the time any Expense is incurred for which indemnification can be provided under this Agreement. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, administrators, legatees and assigns of such Indemnitee.

Section 8.11 .  Governing Law.   This Agreement and the legal relations among the parties shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, Cayman laws, without regard to its conflict of laws rules.

 

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Section 8.12 .  Consent to Jurisdiction.   Except with respect to any arbitration commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 6.01(a) of this Agreement, each of the parties to this Agreement irrevocably agrees that the courts of the Cayman Islands shall have nonexclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine any claim, suit, action or proceeding, and to settle any disputes, which may arise out of or are in any way related to or in connection with this Agreement, and, for such purposes, irrevocably submits to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of such courts.

Section 8.13 .  Headings.   The Article and Section headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, and shall not be deemed to alter or affect the meaning or interpretation of any provisions hereof.

Section 8.14 .  Counterparts.   This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Only one such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought needs to be produced to evidence the existence of this Agreement.

Section 8.15 .  Use of Certain Terms.   As used in this Agreement, the words “herein,” “hereof,” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular paragraph, subparagraph, section, subsection, or other subdivision. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns, pronouns and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered to be effective as of the date first above written.

 

CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
Address:
Facsimile:
Attention:
With a copy to:
Address:
Facsimile:
Attention:
INDEMNITEE

 

Address:
Facsimile:
With a copy to:
Address:
Facsimile:
Attention:

 

17

Exhibit 10.2

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This Employment Agreement (the “ Agreement ”), dated as of [MONTH DATE], [YEAR] (the “Effective Date”), is entered between CNFinance Holdings Limited, a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands (the “ Company ”) and [NAME] (the “ Executive ”).

WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive wish to enter into an employment agreement whereby the Executive will be employed by the Company in accordance with the terms and conditions stated below;

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1

E MPLOYMENT , D UTIES A ND R ESPONSIBILITIES

Section 1.01 . Employment. The Executive shall serve as the [TITLE] of the Company. The Executive hereby accepts such employment and agrees to devote substantially all of the Executive’s time and efforts to promoting the interests of the Company.

Section 1.02 . Duties and Responsibilities. Subject to the supervision of and direction by the Board of Directors of the Company, the Executive shall perform such duties as are similar in nature to those duties and services customarily associated with the positions set forth above.

Section 1.03 . Base of Operation. The Executive’s principal base of operation for the performance of his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement shall be the offices of the Company in Guangzhou, the People’s Republic of China (“ PRC ”), and at such other places as shall from time to time be reasonably necessary to fulfill the Executive’s obligations hereunder.

ARTICLE 2

T ERM

Section 2.01 . Term. (a) The term of this Agreement (the “ Term ”) shall be specified in a separate agreement between the Executive and the Company’s designated subsidiary or affiliated entity (the “ PRC Agreement ”). The Term and this Agreement will be renewed automatically thereafter for successive one-year terms unless a one-month notice of non-renewal is given by one party to the other.

(b) The Executive represents and warrants to the Company that neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the performance of the Executive’s duties hereunder violates or will violate the provisions of any other agreement to which the Executive is a party or by which the Executive is bound.


(c) If the PRC Agreement is terminated pursuant to the terms therein, the employment between the Executive and the Company pursuant to this Agreement shall also be terminated unless mutually agreed by both parties.

ARTICLE 3

C OMPENSATION A ND E XPENSES

Section 3.01 . Salary And Benefits. The Executive’s salary and benefits shall be determined by the Company and shall be specified in the PRC Agreement. Unless otherwise provided in such separate agreement, the Executive’s salary and benefits are subject to annual review and adjustment by the Company.

Section 3.02 Expenses. The Company will reimburse the Executive for reasonable documented business-related expenses incurred by the Executive in connection with the performance of the Executive’s duties hereunder during the Term, subject, however, to the Company’s policies relating to business-related expenses as in effect from time to time during the Term.

Section 3.03 . Stock Incentive Plan. The Executive shall be entitled to participate during the Term in the 2018 CNFinance Holdings Limited Share Incentive Plan, and any successors thereto, subject to the terms and provisions of such plan and the execution of the award agreement and other related agreement between the Company and the Executive.

Section 3.04 Payer of Compensation. All compensation, salary, benefits and remuneration in this Agreement may be paid by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliated entities, as decided by the Company in its sole discretion.

ARTICLE 4

E XCLUSIVITY , NON - COMPETE , C ONFIDENTIALITY AND NO S OLICITATION

Section 4.01 . Exclusivity. The Executive agrees to perform his duties, responsibilities and obligations hereunder efficiently and to the best of his ability. The Executive agrees that the Executive will devote substantially all of the Executive’s working time, care and attention and best efforts to such duties, responsibilities and obligations throughout the Term. The Executive agrees that all of his activities as an employee of the Company shall be in conformity with all present and future policies, rules and regulations and directions of the Company not inconsistent with this Agreement.

Section 4.02 . Non-Compete, Confidentiality and No Solicitation.

(a) Non-compete. During the Executive’s employment with the Company and for twenty-four (24) months after his employment with the Company terminates for any reason, the Executive will not, directly or indirectly, (i) be employed or self-employed in, engage in or own or hold any interest in (whether as a principal, partner, director, employee, shareholder, agent, advisor or otherwise): any business that is in direct or indirect competition, or would compete, with any businesses conducted by the Company or its affiliated entities upon or prior to the termination of the employment of the Executive, or (ii) be employed or hold any interest in businesses (including companies and entities located in the PRC (including, for the purpose of this section, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan) controlled or wholly or partially owned by such businesses), as specified in the PRC Agreement, that are in competition with those conducted by the Company and its affiliated entities.

 

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(b) Confidentiality. Throughout the course of the Executive’s employment with the Company and thereafter, the Executive shall keep in strict confidence and not to use all non-public information relating to the business, financial condition and other aspects of the Company, including but not limited to trade secrets, business methods, products, processes, procedures, development or experimental projects, plans, service providers, customers and users and such non-public information of the customers, users and suppliers of the Company, and except as authorized by the Company, may not disclose or provide to any person, firm, corporation or entity such non-public information, and may not use such non-public information for any purpose other than to fulfill his responsibilities in the best interest of the Company. The Executive shall also comply with the Company’s corporate policies and any other agreements on confidentiality that the Executive may enter into with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliated entities. This provision and such other confidentiality policies and agreements are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “ Confidentiality Terms.

(c) No Solicitation. During the Executive’s employment with the Company and for twenty-four (24) months after his employment with the Company terminates for any reason, the Executive will not, directly or indirectly, solicit or attempt to solicit (either in his or her own name or on behalf of any other party) any person who, within a period of one year preceding the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company, is a customer, supplier, agent, employee or consultant of the Company or any of its affiliated entities, to terminate its relationship with the Company or any of its affiliated entities.

ARTICLE 5

T ERMINATION

Section 5.01 . Termination by Company. The Company shall have the right to terminate the Executive’s employment at any time with “Cause” without any advance notice pursuant to the terms hereof. For purposes of this Agreement, “ Causes ” shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the PRC Agreement. For purposes of this Subsection, no act or failure to act, on the part of the Executive shall be deemed “ willful ” unless done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive not in good faith and without reasonable belief that the act or omission of the Executive was in the best interest of the Company. The Company may also terminate the Executive’s employment at any time with or without Cause by giving a 30 days’ prior written notice.

Section 5.02 . Termination by The Executive. The Executive shall have the right to terminate this Agreement at any time by giving a 30 days’ advance notice in writing pursuant to the terms hereof. During the probation period, where applicable, the Executive may terminate this Agreement by giving three days’ prior written notice to the Company. If the Executive terminates the employment under this Section, the Company is not obliged to pay to the Executive any financial compensation for such termination.

 

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Section 5.03 . Death. In the event the Executive passes away during the Term, this Agreement shall automatically terminate, such termination to be effective on the date of the Executive’s death.

Section 5.04 . Effect of Termination. (a) In the event of termination of the Executive’s employment, whether before or after the Term, by either party for any reason, or by reason of the Executive’s death or disability, the Company shall pay to the Executive (or his beneficiary in the event of his death) any base salary or other compensation earned but not paid to the Executive prior to the effective date of such termination. All other benefits due the Executive following the Executive’s termination of employment shall be determined in accordance with the plans, policies and practices of the Company.

(b) In the event of termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company other than for Cause, the Company shall pay to the Executive any additional amount as provided by applicable law.

ARTICLE 6

M ISCELLANEOUS

Section 6.01 . Benefit Assignment; Assignment; Beneficiary. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns, including, without limitation, any corporation or person which may acquire all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or business, or with or into which the Company may be consolidated or merged. This Agreement shall also inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Executive and the Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees. If the Executive should die while any amount would still be payable to the Executive hereunder if the Executive had continued to live, all such amounts shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to the Executive’s beneficiary, devisee, legatee or other designee, or if there is no such designee, to the Executive’s estate.

Section 6.02. Notices. Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be sufficiently given if personally delivered or if sent by registered or certified mail, national overnight courier, or email. In the case of the Company, to the office or email account of the Head of Human Resources; and in the case of the Executive, to the address or email account appearing on the employment records of the Company, from time to time. Any notice given hereunder shall be deemed to have been given at the time of receipt thereof by the person to whom such notice is given.

Section 6.03 . Entire Agreement; Amendment. This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the terms and conditions of the Executive’s employment and supersedes any and all prior agreements and understandings, whether written or oral, between the parties hereto with respect to the employment of the Executive, other than the PRC Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, in case of any conflict between this Agreement and the PRC Agreement as to the Executive’s compensation, the term of the Executive’s employment with the Company, and the Executive’s non-compete, confidentiality and non-solicitation obligations, the PRC Agreement shall prevail. This Agreement may not be changed or modified except by an instrument in writing signed by both of the parties hereto.

 

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Section 6.04 . Waiver. The waiver by either party of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a continuing waiver or as a consent to or waiver of any subsequent breach hereof.

Section 6.05 . Headings. The article and section headings herein are for convenience of reference only, do not constitute a part of this Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions hereof.

Section 6.06 . Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of PRC.

Section 6.07 . Agreement To Take Actions. Each party hereto shall execute and deliver such documents, certificates, agreements and other instruments, and shall take such other actions, as may be reasonably necessary or desirable in order to perform his or its obligations under this Agreement or to effectuate the purposes hereof.

Section 6.08. Arbitration . Any dispute between the parties hereto respecting the meaning and intent of this Agreement or any of its terms and provisions shall be submitted to arbitration in Hong Kong, in accordance with the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre Administered Arbitration Rules then in effect, and the arbitration determination resulting from any such submission shall be final and binding upon the parties hereto. The arbitrator shall have no authority to award reasonable attorney’s fees to any party in any dispute subject to this Section 6.08. Judgment upon any arbitration award may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction.

Section 6.09 . Survivorship. The respective rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall survive any termination of this Agreement to the extent necessary to the intended preservation of such rights and obligations.

Section 6.10 . Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision or provisions of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 6.11 . Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.

Section 6.12 . Corporate Authorization. The Company hereby represents that the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement are within the corporate powers of the Company, and that the Chairman of its Board of Directors has the requisite authority to bind the Company hereby.

 

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Section 6.13 . Withholding. All payments to the Executive hereunder shall be subject to withholding to the extent required by applicable law.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has duly executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

By:  

 

 

Name:

 
 

Title:

 

EXECUTIVE

         

Name:

   

Title:

   

 

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Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors

CNFinance Holdings Limited:

We consent to the use of our report included herein and to the reference to our firm under the heading “Experts” in the registration statement.

/s/ KPMG Huazhen LLP

Guangzhou, China

July 31, 2018

Exhibit 99.1

CNFINANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

Adopted                      , 20     

Introduction

This Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “ Code ”) has been adopted by our Board of Directors and summarizes the standards that must guide our actions. Although they cover a wide range of business practices and procedures, these standards cannot and do not cover every issue that may arise, or every situation in which ethical decisions must be made, but rather set forth key guiding principles that represent Company policies and establish conditions for employment at the Company.

We must strive to foster a culture of honesty and accountability. Our commitment to the highest level of ethical conduct should be reflected in all of the Company’s business activities, including, but not limited to, relationships with employees, customers, suppliers, competitors, the government, the public and our shareholders. All of our employees, officers and directors must conduct themselves according to the language and spirit of this Code and seek to avoid even the appearance of improper behavior. Even well intentioned actions that violate the law or this Code may result in negative consequences for the Company and for the individuals involved.

One of our Company’s most valuable assets is our reputation for integrity, professionalism and fairness. We should all recognize that our actions are the foundation of our reputation and adhering to this Code and applicable law is imperative.

Conflicts of Interest

Our employees, officers and directors have an obligation to conduct themselves in an honest and ethical manner and to act in the best interest of the Company. All employees, officers and directors should endeavor to avoid situations that present a potential or actual conflict between their interest and the interest of the Company.

A “conflict of interest” occurs when a person’s private interest interferes in any way, or even appears to interfere, with the interests of the Company as a whole, including those of its subsidiaries and affiliates. A conflict of interest may arise when an employee, officer or director takes an action or has an interest that may make it difficult for him or her to perform his or her work objectively and effectively. A conflict of interest may also arise when an employee, officer or director (or a member of his or her family) receives improper personal benefits as a result of the employee’s, officer’s or director’s position in the Company.

Although it would not be possible to describe every situation in which a conflict of interest may arise, the following are examples of situations that may constitute a conflict of interest:

 

    Working, in any capacity, for a competitor, customer or supplier while employed by the Company.


    Accepting gifts of more than modest value or receiving personal discounts (if such discounts are not generally offered to the public) or other benefits as a result of your position in the Company from a competitor, customer or supplier.

 

    Competing with the Company for the purchase or sale of property, products, services or other interests.

 

    Having an interest in a transaction involving the Company, a competitor, customer or supplier (other than as an employee, officer or director of the Company and not including routine investments in publicly traded companies).

 

    Receiving a loan or guarantee of an obligation as a result of your position with the Company.

 

    Directing business to a supplier owned or managed by, or which employs, a relative or friend.

Situations involving a conflict of interest may not always be obvious or easy to resolve. You should report actions that may involve a conflict of interest to the Legal Department.

In order to avoid conflicts of interests, senior executive officers and directors must disclose to the General Counsel any material transaction or relationship that reasonably could be expected to give rise to such a conflict, and the General Counsel shall notify the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors of any such disclosure. Conflicts of interests involving the General Counsel and directors shall be disclosed to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors.

In the event that an actual or apparent conflict of interest arises between the personal and professional relationship or activities of an employee, officer or director, the employee, officer or director involved is required to handle such conflict of interest in an ethical manner in accordance with the provisions of this Code.

Quality of Public Disclosures

The Company has a responsibility to provide full and accurate information in our public disclosures, in all material respects, about the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. Our reports and documents filed with or submitted to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and our other public communications shall include full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure, and the Company has established a Disclosure Committee consisting of senior management to assist in monitoring such disclosures.

Compliance with Laws, Rules and Regulations

We are strongly committed to conducting our business affairs with honesty and integrity and in full compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations. No employee, officer or director of the Company shall commit an illegal or unethical act, or instruct others to do so, for any reason.

Compliance with this Code and Reporting of Any Illegal or Unethical Behavior

All employees, directors and officers are expected to comply with all of the provisions of this Code. The Code will be strictly enforced and violations will be dealt with immediately, including by subjecting persons who violate its provisions to corrective and/or disciplinary action such as dismissal or removal from office. Violations of the Code that involve illegal behavior will be reported to the appropriate authorities.

 

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Situations which may involve a violation of ethics, laws, rules, regulations or this Code may not always be clear and may require the exercise of judgment or the making of difficult decisions. Employees, officers and directors should promptly report any concerns about a violation of ethics, laws, rules, regulations or this Code to their supervisors/managers or the Legal Department or, in the case of accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. Interested parties may also communicate directly with the Company’s non-management directors through contact information located in the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F.

Any concerns about a violation of ethics, laws, rules, regulations or this Code by any senior executive officer or director should be reported promptly to the Legal Department and the Legal Department shall notify the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors of any violation. Any such concerns involving the General Counsel should be reported to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors. Reporting of such violations may also be done anonymously through email to the Company at a designated email address for compliance reporting. An anonymous report should provide enough information about the incident or situation to allow the Company to investigate properly. If concerns or complaints require confidentiality, including keeping an identity anonymous, the Company will endeavor to protect this confidentiality, subject to applicable law, regulation or legal proceedings.

The Company encourages all employees, officers and directors to report any suspected violations promptly and intends to thoroughly investigate any good faith reports of violations. The Company will not tolerate any kind of retaliation for reports or complaints regarding misconduct that were made in good faith. Open communication of issues and concerns by all employees, officers and directors without fear of retribution or retaliation is vital to the successful implementation of this Code. All employees, officers and directors are required to cooperate in any internal investigations of misconduct and unethical behavior.

The Company recognizes the need for this Code to be applied equally to everyone it covers. The General Counsel of the Company will have primary authority and responsibility for the enforcement of this Code, subject to the supervision of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors, or, in the case of accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, and the Company will devote the necessary resources to enable the General Counsel to establish such procedures as may be reasonably necessary to create a culture of accountability and facilitate compliance with this Code. Questions concerning this Code should be directed to the Legal Department.

The provisions of this section are qualified in their entirety by reference to the following section.

 

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Reporting Violations to a Governmental Agency

You have the right under federal law to certain protections for cooperating with or reporting legal violations to governmental agencies or entities and self-regulatory organizations. As such, nothing in this Code is intended to prohibit you from disclosing or reporting violations to, or from cooperating with, a governmental agency or entity or self-regulatory organization, and you may do so without notifying the Company. The Company may not retaliate against you for any of these activities, and nothing in this Code or otherwise requires you to waive any monetary award or other payment that you might become entitled to from a governmental agency or entity, or self-regulatory organization.

You understand that you have the right to:

 

    Report possible violations of state or federal law or regulation that have occurred, are occurring, or are about to occur to any governmental agency or entity, or self-regulatory organization;

 

    Cooperate voluntarily with, or respond to any inquiry from, or provide testimony before any self-regulatory organization or any other federal, state or local regulatory or law enforcement authority;

 

    Make reports or disclosures to law enforcement or a regulatory authority without prior notice to, or authorization from, the Company; and

 

    Respond truthfully to a valid subpoena.

You have the right to not be retaliated against for reporting, either internally to the Company or to any governmental agency or entity or self-regulatory organization, information which you reasonably believe relates to a possible violation of law. It is a violation of federal law to retaliate against anyone who has reported such potential misconduct either internally or to any governmental agency or entity or self-regulatory organization. Retaliatory conduct includes discharge, demotion, suspension, threats, harassment, and any other manner of discrimination in the terms and conditions of employment because of any lawful act you may have performed. It is unlawful for the company to retaliate against you for reporting possible misconduct either internally or to any governmental agency or entity or self-regulatory organization.

Notwithstanding anything contained in this Code or otherwise, you may disclose confidential Company information, including the existence and terms of any confidential agreements between yourself and the Company (including employment or severance agreements), to any governmental agency or entity or self-regulatory organization.

The Company cannot require you to withdraw reports or filings alleging possible violations of federal, state or local law or regulation, and the Company may not offer you any kind of inducement, including payment, to do so.

Your rights and remedies as a whistleblower protected under applicable whistleblower laws, including a monetary award, if any, may not be waived by any agreement, policy form, or condition of employment, including by a predispute arbitration agreement.

Even if you have participated in a possible violation of law, you may be eligible to participate in the confidentiality and retaliation protections afforded under applicable whistleblower laws, and you may also be eligible to receive an award under such laws.

 

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Waivers and Amendments

Any waiver (including any implicit waiver) of the provisions in this Code for executive officers or directors may only be granted by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof and will be promptly disclosed to the Company’s shareholders. Any such waiver will also be disclosed in the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F. Any waiver of this Code for other employees may only be granted by the Legal Department. Amendments to this Code must be approved by the Board of Directors and will also be disclosed in the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F.

Trading on Inside Information

Using non-public Company information to trade in securities, or providing a family member, friend or any other person with non-public Company information, is illegal. All non-public, Company information should be considered inside information and should never be used for personal gain. You are required to familiarize yourself and comply with the Company’s Policy Against Insider Trading, copies of which are distributed to all employees, officers and directors and are available from the Legal Department. You should contact the Legal Department with any questions about your ability to buy or sell securities.

Protection of Confidential Proprietary Information

Confidential proprietary information generated by and gathered in our business is a valuable Company asset. Protecting this information plays a vital role in our continued growth and ability to compete, and all proprietary information should be maintained in strict confidence, except when disclosure is authorized by the Company or required by law.

Proprietary information includes all non-public information that might be useful to competitors or that could be harmful to the Company, its customers or its suppliers if disclosed. Intellectual property such as trade secrets, patents, trademarks and copyrights, as well as business, research and new product plans, objectives and strategies, records, databases, salary and benefits data, employee medical information, customer, employee and suppliers lists and any unpublished financial or pricing information must also be protected.

Unauthorized use or distribution of proprietary information violates Company policy and could be illegal. Such use or distribution could result in negative consequences for both the Company and the individuals involved, including potential legal and disciplinary actions. We respect the property rights of other companies and their proprietary information and require our employees, officers and directors to observe such rights.

Your obligation to protect the Company’s proprietary and confidential information continues even after you leave the Company, and you must return all proprietary information in your possession upon leaving the Company.

The provisions of this section are qualified in their entirety by the section entitled “Reporting Violations to Governmental Agencies” above.

 

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Protection and Proper Use of Company Assets

Protecting Company assets against loss, theft or other misuse is the responsibility of every employee, officer and director. Loss, theft and misuse of Company assets directly impact our profitability. Any suspected loss, misuse or theft should be reported to a manager/supervisor or the Legal Department.

The sole purpose of the Company’s equipment, vehicles, supplies and electronic resources (including hardware, software and the data thereon) is the conduct of our business. They may only be used for Company business consistent with Company guidelines.

Corporate Opportunities

Employees, officers and directors are prohibited from taking for themselves business opportunities that are discovered through the use of corporate property, information or position. No employee, officer or director may use corporate property, information or position for personal gain, and no employee, officer or director may compete with the Company. Competing with the Company may involve engaging in the same line of business as the Company or any situation in which the employee, officer or director takes away from the Company opportunities for sales or purchases of property, products, services or interests. Employees, officers and directors owe a duty to the Company to advance its legitimate interests when the opportunity to do so arises.

Fair Dealing

Each employee, officer and director of the Company should endeavor to deal fairly with customers, suppliers, competitors, the public and one another at all times and in accordance with ethical business practices. No one should take unfair advantage of anyone through manipulation, concealment, abuse of privileged information, misrepresentation of material facts or any other unfair dealing practice. No bribes, kickbacks or other similar payments in any form shall be made directly or indirectly to or for anyone for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business or obtaining any other favorable action. In the event of a violation of these provisions, the Company and any employee, officer or director involved may be subject to disciplinary action as well as potential civil or criminal liability for violation of this policy.

Occasional business gifts to, or entertainment of, non-government employees in connection with business discussions or the development of business relationships are generally deemed appropriate in the conduct of Company business. However, these gifts should be given infrequently and their value should be modest. Gifts or entertainment in any form that would likely result in a feeling or expectation of personal obligation should not be extended or accepted.

Practices that are acceptable in a commercial business environment may be against the law or the policies governing national or local government employees. Therefore, no gifts or business entertainment of any kind may be given to any government employee without the prior approval of a manager/supervisor or the Legal Department.

 

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Except in certain limited circumstances, the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the “ FCPA ”) prohibits giving anything of value directly or indirectly to any “non-U.S. official” for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. When in doubt as to whether a contemplated payment or gift may violate the FCPA, contact a manager/supervisor or the Legal Department before taking any action.

Review

The Board of Directors shall review this Code annually and make changes as appropriate.

 

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