As filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on August 22, 2023

 

Registration No. 333-[●]

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM F-1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

 

mF INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

British Virgin Islands   6199   Not Applicable

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

Unit 1801, Fortis Tower, 77-79 Gloucester Road,
Wan Chai, Hong Kong
(+852) 3426-6200

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

Cogency Global Inc.

122 East 42nd Street, 18th Floor

New York, NY 10168

800-221-0102

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

 

 

With a Copy to:

 

Ying Li, Esq.

Lisa Forcht, Esq.
Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li LLC
950 Third Avenue, 19th Floor
New York, New York 10022
(212) 530-2206

 

M. Ali Panjwani, Esq.

Pryor Cashman LLP

7 Times Square, 40th Floor

New York, New York 10036

(212) 421-4100

 

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: Promptly 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, please 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 U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act ☐

 

† 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.

 

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 said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 

 
 

 

EXPLANATORY NOTE

 

This registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. [●]) contains disclosure that will be circulated as two separate final prospectuses, as set forth below.

 

Public offering prospectus. A prospectus (the “Public Offering Prospectus”) to be used for the public offering of 1,876,108 ordinary shares of mF International Limited (the “Company” or “mF International,” “we,” or “us”), no par value (the “Ordinary Shares”) by us and Gaderway Investments Limited (the “Underwritten Selling Shareholder”), based on an assumed initial public offering price of $[●], through the underwriter named on the cover page of the Public Offering Prospectus (the “Public Offering Ordinary Shares”).
   
Resale prospectus. A prospectus (the “Resale Prospectus”) to be used for the offer and potential resale by the selling shareholders identified in this registration statement (the “Selling Shareholders”) of 2,317,000 Ordinary Shares (the “Shareholders Ordinary Shares”), based on an assumed initial public offering price of $[●].

 

The Resale Prospectus is substantively identical to the Public Offering Prospectus, except for the following principal points:

 

it contains different outside and inside front covers and back cover pages; among other things, the identification of the underwriter and related compensation for the Public Offering Ordinary Shares will only be included in the Public Offering Prospectus and the Shareholder Ordinary Shares will be listed on the outside and inside front covers of the Resale Prospectus without identification of the underwriter and related compensation information;
   
it contains a different section in the Prospectus Summary captioned “The Offering” relating to the offering of the Public Offering Ordinary Shares and the Shareholder Ordinary Shares, as applicable; such Offering section included in the Public Offering Prospectus will summarize the offering of the Public Offering Ordinary Shares and such Offering section included in the Resale Prospectus will summarize the offering of the Shareholder Ordinary Shares;
   
it contains a different “Use of Proceeds” section, with the Use of Proceeds section included in the Resale Prospectus only indicating that the Registrant will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the Shareholder Ordinary Shares by the Selling Shareholders that occur pursuant to this registration statement;
   
 it does not contain the Capitalization and Dilution sections included in the Public Offering Prospectus;
   
 

the “Underwriting” section from the Public Offering Prospectus is not included in the Resale Prospectus and the “Plan of Distribution” section is included only in the Resale Prospectus; and

   
it does not contain the Legal Matters section and does not include a reference to counsel for the underwriter.

 

The Registrant has included in this registration statement a set of alternate pages after the back-cover page of the Public Offering Prospectus (the “Alternate Pages”) to reflect the foregoing differences in the Resale Prospectus as compared to the Public Offering Prospectus. The Public Offering Prospectus will exclude the Alternate Pages in connection with the public offering by the Registrant. The Resale Prospectus will be substantively identical to the Public Offering Prospectus except for the addition or substitution of the Alternate Pages and will be used for the resale offering by the Selling Shareholders.

 

The Selling Shareholders have represented to the Registrant that they will consider selling some or all of their respective Shareholders Ordinary Shares registered pursuant to this registration statement immediately after the pricing of the public offering, as requested by the underwriter for the public offering, in order to create an orderly, liquid market for Ordinary Shares. As a result, the sales of our Ordinary Shares registered in this registration statement will result in two offerings by the Registrant taking place concurrently or sequentially, which could affect the price and liquidity of, and demand for, our Ordinary Shares. This risk and other risks are included in “Risk Factors” set forth in each of the Public Offering Prospectus and the Resale Prospectus.

 

 
 

 

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. Neither we nor the Underwritten Selling Shareholder may sell the securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and we are not soliciting any offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where such offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS DATED August 22, 2023

 

1,876,108 Ordinary Shares

mF INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

 

This is an initial public offering (the “Offering”) of 1,876,108 Ordinary Shares. We are offering 1,655,000 Ordinary Shares (“IPO Shares”) to be sold in this Offering (the “IPO Offering”), and the Underwritten Selling Shareholder is offering 221,108 Ordinary Shares to be sold, in each case on a firm commitment basis by Pacific Century Securities, LLC, the underwriter in this Offering. In addition, the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part also registers on behalf of the Selling Shareholders the resale of an aggregate of 2,317,000 Ordinary Shares by the Selling Shareholders. The initial public offering of the Public Offering Ordinary Shares and the offering of the Shareholders Ordinary Shares are collectively referred to herein as the offering. We anticipate that the initial public offering price will be between US$4 and US$5 per Ordinary Share (the “Offering Price”). Prior to this Offering, there has been no public market for our Ordinary Shares. We plan to reserve the symbol “[●]” for purpose of listing our Ordinary Shares on the NASDAQ Capital Market (“NASDAQ”).

 

The Shareholders Ordinary Shares being offered by the Selling Shareholders are part of and conditioned on the closing of the offering of the Public Offering Ordinary Shares. The sales price to the public of the Public Offering Ordinary Shares and the Shareholder Ordinary Shares will be fixed at the initial public offering price per Public Offering Ordinary Share until such time as our Ordinary Shares are listed on the Nasdaq; thereafter, the Shareholders Ordinary Shares may be sold at prevailing market prices, prices related to prevailing market prices or at privately negotiated prices. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the Public Offering Ordinary Shares sold by the Underwritten Selling Shareholder nor proceeds from the sale of any of the Shareholders Ordinary Shares sold by the Selling Shareholders. The offering of the Shareholders Ordinary Shares by the Selling Shareholders will terminate at the earlier of such time as all of the Shareholders Ordinary Shares have been sold pursuant to the registration statement and the date on which it is no longer necessary to maintain the registration of the Shareholders Ordinary Shares as a result of such Ordinary Shares being permitted to be offered and resold without restriction pursuant to the provisions of Rule 144 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the offering of the Shareholders Ordinary Shares may extend for a longer period of time than the offering of the Public Offering Ordinary Shares. The Shareholders Ordinary Shares may be resold from time to time by the Selling Shareholders.

 

We plan to apply to list our Ordinary Shares on the NASDAQ. At this time, NASDAQ has not yet approved our application to list the Ordinary Shares. The closing of this Offering is conditioned upon NASDAQ’s final approval of our listing application. However, there is no guarantee or assurance that such application will be approved, and if our application is not approved by NASDAQ, this Offering may not be completed.

 

Investing in our Ordinary Shares involves a high degree of risk, including the risk of losing your entire investment. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 12 of this prospectus to read about factors you should consider before buying our Ordinary Shares.

 

We are an “emerging growth company” as defined under the federal securities laws and will be subject to reduced public company reporting requirements. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure — We are an “emerging growth company” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and if we take advantage of certain exemptions from disclosure requirements available to emerging growth companies, this could make it more difficult to compare our performance with other public companies” on page 17 of this prospectus.

 

Following the completion of this offering, Gaderway Investments Limited, our largest shareholder, will beneficially own approximately 63.33% of the aggregate voting power of our issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares, assuming no exercise of the underwriter’s over-allotment option, or approximately 62.16% assuming full exercise of the underwriter’s over-allotment option. As such, we will be deemed to be a “controlled company” under NASDAQ Listing Rules 5615(c). However, even if we are deemed to be a “controlled company,” we do not intend to avail ourselves of the corporate governance exemptions afforded to a “controlled company” under the NASDAQ Listing Rules. See “Risk Factors” on page 12 and “Management — Controlled Company.” on page 74 of this prospectus.

 

Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

The Underwritten Selling Shareholder will sell the Ordinary Shares held by it (the “Underwritten Resale Shares”) at a fixed price equal to the initial public offering price in this Offering. We will not receive any proceeds from the sales of the Underwritten Resale Shares by the Underwritten Selling Shareholder.

 

mF International is not a Chinese or Hong Kong operating company, but is a holding company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, or the BVI. mF International does not conduct any business operations. You are only directly investing in the holding company, mF International, and may never hold equity interests in the operating subsidiaries of the Company. As a limited company with no material operations, all business operations are conducted by m-FINANCE Limited, a Hong Kong company (“mF” or “m-FINANCE”), m-FINANCE Trading Technologies Ltd., a Hong Kong company (“mFTT”), and Omegatraders Systems Limited, a Hong Kong company (“OTX”, and, together with m-FINANCE and mFTT, the “Operating Subsidiaries”) in Hong Kong. This is an Offering of the Ordinary Shares of mF International, the holding company incorporated in the BVI, instead of shares of the Operating Subsidiaries in Hong Kong. You may never directly hold any equity interest in our operating entity. This structure involves unique risks to the investors, and Chinese regulatory authorities could disallow this structure, which would likely result in a material change in mF International’s operations and/or a material change in the value of the securities mF International is registering for sale, including that such event could cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or become worthless. Investing in our Ordinary Shares involves a high degree of risk, including the risk of losing your entire investment. For example, recently, the PRC government initiated a series of regulatory actions and statements to regulate business operations in certain areas in China with little advance notice, including a cracking down on illegal activities in the securities market, enhancing supervision over China-based companies listed overseas using the variable interest entity structure, adopting new measures to extend the scope of cybersecurity reviews, and expanding the efforts in anti-monopoly enforcement. Given the recent statements by the Chinese government indicating an intent to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, any such action could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause such securities to significantly decline or be worthless. Additionally, any further control over offerings conducted overseas and/or foreign investment impacting the Operating Subsidiaries in Hong Kong by the Hong Kong government could result in a material change in our operations, financial performance and/or the value of our Ordinary Shares or impair our ability to raise money. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure — Substantially all of the Operating Subsidiaries’ operations are conducted in Hong Kong. However, due to the long arm provisions under the current PRC laws and regulations, the Chinese government may exercise significant oversight and discretion over the conduct of such business and may intervene in or influence such operations at any time, which could result in a material change in the operations of the Operating Subsidiaries and/or the value of our Ordinary Shares. The PRC government may also intervene or impose restrictions on our ability to move money out of Hong Kong to distribute earnings and pay dividends or to reinvest in our business outside of Hong Kong. Changes in the policies, regulations, rules, and the enforcement of laws of the Chinese government may also occur quickly with little advance notice and our assertions and beliefs of the risk imposed by the PRC legal and regulatory system cannot be certain.” on page 16.

 

 
 

 

The Operating Subsidiaries conduct a substantial amount of their business operations in Hong Kong, with less than 10% of their total customers in mainland China. Accordingly, we do not expect that the PRC laws and regulations currently have any material impact on the business of our subsidiaries, financial condition and results of operations. However, in the event that we or the Operating Subsidiaries were to become subject to PRC laws and regulations, we could incur material costs to ensure compliance, and we or the Operating Subsidiaries might be subject to fines, experience devaluation of securities or delisting, no longer be permitted to conduct offerings to foreign investors, and/or no longer be permitted to continue business operations as presently conducted. Currently, we remain subject to certain legal and operational risks associated with the Operating Subsidiaries being based in Hong Kong and having all of their operations to date in Hong Kong. Recently, the Chinese regulatory entities have imposed more control over the Hong Kong legal system. Additionally, the legal and operational risks associated with mainland China may also apply to operations in Hong Kong, and we face the risks and uncertainties associated with the complex and evolving PRC laws and regulations and as to whether and how the recent PRC government statements and regulatory developments, such as those relating to data and cyberspace security, and anti-monopoly concerns, would be applicable to our Company or our subsidiaries in Hong Kong. These risks could result in material changes in the operations of the Operating Subsidiaries and/or the value of the securities we are registering for sale or could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless. Recently, the PRC government initiated a series of regulatory actions and statements to regulate business operations in certain areas in China with little advance notice, including a cracking down on illegal activities in the securities market, enhancing supervision over China-based companies listed overseas, adopting new measures to extend the scope of cybersecurity reviews, and expanding the efforts in anti-monopoly enforcement, which may in the future impact the Operating Subsidiaries’ ability to conduct business, or our ability to accept foreign investments or list on a U.S. or other foreign exchange if we were to become subject to such regulations. On February 17, 2023, with the approval of the State Council, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (the “CSRC”) released the Trial Administrative Measures of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies (the “Trial Measures”) and five supporting guidelines, which became effective on March 31, 2023. According to the Trial Measures, among other requirements, (1) domestic companies that seek to offer or list securities overseas, both directly and indirectly, should fulfill the filing procedures with the CSRC; if a domestic company fails to complete the filing procedures, such domestic company may be subject to administrative penalties; and (2) where a domestic company seeks to indirectly offer and list securities in an overseas market, the issuer shall designate a major domestic operating entity responsible for all filing procedures with the CSRC, and such filings shall be submitted to the CSRC within three business days after the submission of the overseas offering and listing application. As of the date of this prospectus, as advised by Zhong Lun Law Firm, our PRC counsel, we are not subject to the filing procedures under the Trial Measures and there are no effective laws or regulations in the PRC explicitly require our Company or the Operating Subsidiaries in Hong Kong to seek approvals from the CSRC or any other PRC governmental authorities for our overseas listing plan. Nevertheless, since these statements and regulatory actions are new, it is highly uncertain how soon the legislative or administrative regulation making bodies will respond and what existing or new laws or regulations or detailed implementations and interpretations will be modified or promulgated, if any. It is also highly uncertain what the potential impacts such modified or new laws and regulations will have on the business operations of the Operating Subsidiaries, our ability to accept foreign investments and the listing of our Ordinary Shares on a U.S. or other foreign exchanges. If it is later determined that we are required by the Trial Measures to submit to the CRSC and complete the filing procedures of our offering and listing, we cannot assure you that we will be able to complete such filings in a timely manner or even at all. Any failure by us to comply with such filing requirements under the Trial Measures may result in an order to rectify, warnings and fines against us and could materially hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer our securities. Moreover, if certain PRC laws and regulations were to become applicable to a company such as mF International or the Operating Subsidiaries in the future, the application of such laws and regulations may have a material adverse impact on the business of our subsidiaries, our financial condition and results of operations and our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors, any of which may cause the value of our securities, including the Ordinary Shares, to significantly decline or become worthless. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure — Recently, the PRC government initiated a series of regulatory actions and statements to regulate business operations in certain areas in China with little advance notice, including cracking down on illegal activities in the securities market, enhancing supervision over China-based companies listed overseas using the variable interest entity structure, adopting new measures to extend the scope of cybersecurity reviews, and expanding the efforts in anti-monopoly enforcement. In the future, we may be subject to PRC laws and regulations related to the current business operations of the Operating Subsidiaries and any changes in such laws and regulations and interpretations may impair their ability to operate profitably, which could result in a material negative impact on such operations and/or the value of the securities we are registering for sale.”, “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in Hong KongThe enactment of Law of the PRC on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (the “Hong Kong National Security Law”) could impact the Operating Subsidiaries”, and Risk Factors Risks Related to Doing Business in Hong Kong — The Hong Kong legal system embodies uncertainties which could limit the availability of legal protections.” on pages 19 and 19, respectively.

 

(Prospectus cover continued on the following page.)

 

   Per Share   Total Without Over-
Allotment Option
   Total With Over-
Allotment Option
 
Initial public offering price  US$   US$   US$ 
Underwriter’s discounts(1)  US$   US$   US$ 
Proceeds to our company before expenses(2)  US$   US$   US$ 
Proceeds to the Underwritten Selling Shareholder before expenses(2)  US$   

US$

   

US$

  

 

(1) See “Underwriting” in this prospectus for more information regarding compensation to be received by the underwriter.
   
(2) We expect our total cash expenses for this Offering (including cash expenses payable to the underwriter for its accountable out-of-pocket expenses) to be approximately US $[●], exclusive of the above discounts. In addition, we will pay additional items of value in connection with this Offering that are viewed by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, as underwriting compensation. These payments will further reduce proceeds available to us/the Underwritten Selling Shareholder before expenses. See “Underwriting.”
   
  We have granted to the underwriter an option to purchase a number of Shares of the Company that equals 15% of the Ordinary Shares offered by us in this Offering at the initial public offering price listed on the cover page of this prospectus, less underwriting discounts, within 45 days from the effective date of its registration statement on Form F-1.

 

 

Prospectus dated [            ], 2023

 

 
 

 

(Prospectus cover continued from preceding page.)

 

Furthermore, our Ordinary Shares may be prohibited from trading on a national exchange or in the over-the-counter trading market in the United States under the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act (the “HFCA Act”), as amended by the Accelerating Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act (the “Accelerating HFCA Act”), if the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (the “PCAOB”), determines that it cannot inspect or fully investigate our auditors for two consecutive years beginning in 2022. As a result, an exchange may determine to delist our securities. Additionally, our securities may be prohibited from trading if our auditor cannot be fully inspected as more stringent criteria have been imposed by the SEC and the PCAOB, recently. On December 2, 2021, the SEC issued amendments to finalize rules implementing the submission and disclosure requirements in the HFCA Act, which became effective on January 10, 2022. The rules apply to registrants that the SEC identifies as having filed an annual report with an audit report issued by a registered public accounting firm that is located in a foreign jurisdiction and that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely because of a position taken by an authority in foreign jurisdictions. For example, on December 16, 2021, the PCAOB issued a report on its determinations that it was unable to inspect or investigate completely PCAOB-registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and in Hong Kong, because of positions taken by PRC authorities in those jurisdictions. On August 26, 2022, the PCAOB signed a Statement of Protocol (SOP) Agreement with the CSRC and China’s Ministry of Finance (the “SOP Agreement”). The SOP Agreement established a specific, accountable framework to make possible complete inspections and investigations by the PCAOB of audit firms based in mainland China and Hong Kong, as required under U.S. law. On December 15, 2022, the PCAOB Board determined that the PCAOB was able to secure complete access to inspect and investigate registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong and voted to vacate its previous determinations to the contrary. However, should PRC authorities obstruct or otherwise fail to facilitate the PCAOB’s access in the future, the PCAOB Board will consider the need to issue a new determination. On December 29, 2022, legislation titled “Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023” (the “Consolidated Appropriations Act”), was signed into law by President Biden. The Consolidated Appropriations Act contained, among other things, an identical provision to the Accelerating HFCA Act, which reduces the number of consecutive non-inspection years required for foreign companies to comply with PCAOB audits under the HFCA Act from what was originally three years to two, thus reducing the time period before their securities may be prohibited from trading or delisted. Our auditor, prior to February 16, 2023, Friedman LLP , an independent registered public accounting firm that issued the audit report included elsewhere in this prospectus, as an auditor of companies that are traded publicly in the United States and a firm registered with the PCAOB, was subject to laws in the United States pursuant to which the PCAOB conducts regular inspections to assess its compliance with the applicable professional standards. Our former auditor, Friedman LLP, had been subject PCAOB inspections until it filed its application to withdraw from the PCAOB registration on December 30, 2022. Our new auditor as of the date of this prospectus, Marcum Asia CPAs LLP (“Marcum Asia”) is headquartered in New York, the United States and has been inspected by the PCAOB on a regular basis. However, we cannot assure you that the NASDAQ Capital Market or other regulatory authorities would not apply additional or more stringent criteria to us after considering the effectiveness of our auditor’s audit procedures and quality control procedures, adequacy of personnel and training, or sufficiency of resources, geographic reach or experience as it relates to the audit of our financial statements. The delisting of our Ordinary Shares, or the threat of their being delisted, may materially and adversely affect the value of your investment in the future. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Ordinary Shares and This Offering — Our Ordinary Shares may be prohibited from being traded on a national exchange under the HFCA Act if the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board determines that it cannot inspect or fully investigate our auditors for two consecutive years beginning in 2022 and, as a result, an exchange may determine to delist our securities. The delisting of our Ordinary Shares, or the threat of being delisted, may materially and adversely affect the value of your investment.” on page 20.

 

Following this Offering, Gaderway Investments Limited, our largest shareholder, will continue to own more than a majority of the voting power of our outstanding Ordinary Shares. As a result, Gaderway Investments Limited has the ability to control the outcome of matters submitted to the shareholders for approval. Additionally, we may be deemed to be a “controlled company” within the meaning of the NASDAQ listing rules. However, even if we are deemed to be a “controlled company,” we do not intend to avail ourselves of the corporate governance exemptions afforded to a “controlled company” under the NASDAQ Listing Rules. For a more detailed discussion of the risk of the Company being a controlled company, see “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure — Following this Offering, Gaderway Investments Limited, our largest shareholder, will continue to own more than a majority of the voting power of our outstanding Ordinary Shares. As a result, Gaderway Investments Limited has the ability to control the outcome of matters submitted to the shareholders for approval. Additionally, we may be deemed to be a “controlled company” and may follow certain exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements that could adversely affect our public shareholders.” on page 18 and “Management-Controlled Company” on page 74 of this prospectus.

 

mF International is permitted under the laws of British Virgin Islands to provide funding to our subsidiaries in Hong Kong through loans or capital contributions without restrictions on the amount of the funds. The Operating Subsidiaries are permitted under the laws of Hong Kong to provide funding to mF International, the holding company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, through dividend distributions or payments without restrictions on the amount of the funds.

 

 
 

 

There are no restrictions or limitation on our ability to distribute earnings from our subsidiaries, including our subsidiaries in Hong Kong, to mF International and shareholders and U.S. investors, provided that the entity remains solvent after such distribution. Subject to the BVI Business Companies Act, 2004 (as amended), or the BVI Act and our Memorandum and Articles of Association, or Memorandum and Articles, our board of directors may authorize and declare a dividend to shareholders at such time and of such an amount as they think fit if they are satisfied, on reasonable grounds, that immediately following the dividend payment, the value of our assets will exceed our liabilities and mF International will be able to pay our debts as they become due. For cash transfers between mF International and the Operating Subsidiaries, and in accordance with the BVI Act, a BVI company may make dividends or distributions to the extent that immediately after the distribution, such company’s liabilities do not exceed its assets and that such company is able to pay its debts as they fall due. According to the Companies Ordinance of Hong Kong, a Hong Kong company may only make a distribution out of profits available for distribution. Other than the above, we did not adopt or maintain any cash management policies and procedures as of the date of this prospectus. Additionally, as of the date of this prospectus, there are no further BVI or Hong Kong statutory restrictions on the amount of funds which may be distributed by us by dividend payments. However, in the future, funds may not be available to fund operations or for other use outside of Hong Kong, due to interventions in, or the imposition of restrictions and limitations on, our ability or on our subsidiaries’ ability by the PRC government to transfer cash. Any limitation on the ability of our subsidiaries to make payments to us could have a material adverse effect on the ability to conduct business of the Operating Subsidiaries and might materially decrease the value of our Ordinary Shares or cause them to be worthless. For a more detailed discussion of how the cash is transferred within our organization, see “Transfers of Cash to and from the Operating Subsidiaries” on page 7 and “Risk Factors — Risks Related to the Corporate Structure — We rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by the Operating Subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have. In the future, funds may not be available to fund operations or for other use outside of Hong Kong, due to interventions in, or the imposition of restrictions and limitations on, our ability or the Operating Subsidiaries by the PRC government to transfer cash. Any limitation on the ability of our Operating Subsidiaries to make payments to us could have a material adverse effect on the Operating Subsidiaries’ ability and might materially decrease the value of our Ordinary Shares or cause them to be worthless” on page 14 of this prospectus.

 

Under the current practice of the Inland Revenue Department of Hong Kong, no tax is payable in Hong Kong in respect of dividends paid by us. As of the date of this prospectus, there are no restrictions or limitations under the laws of Hong Kong imposed on the conversion of HK$ into foreign currencies and the remittance of currencies out of Hong Kong or across borders and to U.S investors. The laws and regulations of the PRC do not currently have any material impact on the transfer of cash from mF International to the Operating Subsidiaries or from the Operating Subsidiaries to mF International, our shareholders and U.S. investors. However, the Chinese government may, in the future, impose restrictions or limitations on our ability to transfer money out of Hong Kong, to distribute earnings and pay dividends to and from the other entities within our organization, or to reinvest in our business outside of Hong Kong. Such restrictions and limitations, if imposed in the future, may delay or hinder the expansion of our business outside of Hong Kong and may affect our ability to receive funds from the Operating Subsidiaries in Hong Kong. The promulgation of new laws or regulations, or the new interpretation of existing laws and regulations, in each case, that restrict or otherwise unfavorably impact the ability or way we or the Operating Subsidiaries conduct business, could require us to change certain aspects of the business of the Operating Subsidiaries to ensure compliance, which could decrease demand for our services, reduce revenues, increase costs, require us to obtain more licenses, permits, approvals or certificates, or subject us to additional liabilities. To the extent any new or more stringent measures are required to be implemented, the business of the Operating Subsidiaries, our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected and such measures could materially decrease the value of our Ordinary Shares, potentially rendering it worthless. For a more detailed discussion of this risk, see page “Transfers of Cash to and from the Operating Subsidiaries” on page 7 and “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure — We rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by the Operating Subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have. In the future, funds may not be available to fund operations or for other use outside of Hong Kong, due to interventions in, or the imposition of restrictions and limitations on, our ability or the Operating Subsidiaries by the PRC government to transfer cash. Any limitation on the ability of the Operating Subsidiaries to make payments to us could have a material adverse effect on our Operating Subsidiaries’ ability to conduct business and might materially decrease the value of our Ordinary Shares or cause them to be worthless” on page 14 of this prospectus.

 

On March 23, 2022, m-FINANCE Limited (“m-FINANCE”) declared an interim dividend of HK$0.863 per share (equivalent to US$0.111 per share), or HK$10,000,000 in aggregate (equivalent to US$1,281,805), to its shareholder, which was settled by cash on March 24, 2022. On June 30, 2022, m-FINANCE declared an interim dividend of HK$0.691 per share (equivalent to US$0.089 per share) or HK$8,000,000 (equivalent to US$1,025,444), to its shareholder, and the amount of the dividend payable was concurrently settled by netting off the outstanding amounts due from related parties. On August 15, 2022, m-FINANCE declared an interim dividend of HK$0.873 per share (equivalent to US$0.112 per share) or HK$10,114,311 in aggregate (equivalent to US$1,296,457), to its shareholder, and the dividend payable was concurrently settled by netting off the outstanding amounts due from the related parties. The amounts due from related parties is presented as a reduction of the shareholder’s equity pursuant to the Codification of Staff Accounting Bulletins Topic 4, section G. On March 27, 2023, the Company declared an interim dividend of HK$0.218 per share (equivalent to US$0.028 per share), or HK$2,528,413 in aggregate (equivalent to US$324,093), to its shareholder, which was settled by cash on the same day. On July 31, 2023, the Company declared an interim dividend of HK$0.242 per share (equivalent to US$0.031 per share), or HK$2,800,800 in aggregate (equivalent to US$359,008), to its shareholder, which was settled by cash on the same day.

 

The Company and its Operating Subsidiaries currently intend to retain all of their respective remaining funds and future earnings, if any, for the operation and expansion of the business and do not anticipate declaring or paying any further dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future determination related to our dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our board of directors after considering our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, contractual requirements, business prospects and other factors the board of directors deems relevant, and subject to the restrictions contained in any future financing instruments.

 

As of the date of this prospectus, we do not plan to pay any further dividends out of our retained earnings in the foreseeable future.

 

 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    Page
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY   1
RISK FACTORS   12
DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS   26
ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES   27
OUR HISTORY AND CORPORATE STRUCTURE   28
USE OF PROCEEDS   29
DETERMINATION OF OFFERING PRICE   30
DIVIDEND POLICY   30
CAPITALIZATION   31
DILUTION   31
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS   33
INDUSTRY   44
BUSINESS   44
REGULATIONS   58
MANAGEMENT   64
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION   67
PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS   70
UNDERWRITTEN SELLING SHAREHOLDER   71
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS   71
DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL   75
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE 81
TAXATION   81
UNDERWRITING   86
EXPENSES RELATED TO THIS OFFERING   90
LEGAL MATTERS   90
EXPERTS   90
CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT   90
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION   90
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS   F-1

 

About this Prospectus

 

We, the Underwritten Selling Shareholder, the Selling Shareholders and the underwriter have not authorized anyone to provide any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectuses prepared by us or on our behalf or to which we have referred you. We, the Underwritten Selling Shareholder, the Selling Shareholders and the underwriter take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. This prospectus is an offer to sell only the Ordinary Shares offered hereby, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. We, the Underwritten Selling Shareholder, the Selling Shareholders and the underwriter are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted or where the person making the offer or sale is not qualified to do so or to any person to whom it is not permitted to make such offer or sale. For the avoidance of doubt, no offer or invitation to subscribe for Ordinary Shares is made to the public in the British Virgin Islands. You should not rely upon any information about us that is not contained in this prospectus or in one of our public reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and incorporated into this prospectus. The information in this registration statement is not complete and is subject to change. No person should rely on the information contained in this document for any purpose other than participating in our proposed Offering, and only the prospectus dated hereof, is authorized by us to be used in connection with our proposed Offering. Our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects may have changed since that date.

 

Neither we nor the underwriter has taken any action to permit a public offering of the Ordinary Shares outside the United States or to permit the possession or distribution of this prospectus or any filed free-writing prospectus outside the United States. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus or any filed free writing prospectus must inform themselves about and observe any restrictions relating to the offering of the Ordinary Shares and the distribution of this prospectus or any filed free-writing prospectus outside the United States.

 

i
Table of Contents

 

Conventions that Apply to this Prospectus

 

Unless otherwise indicated or the context requires otherwise, references in this prospectus to

 

“$,” “dollars,” “USD”, “US$” or “U.S. dollars” are to the legal currency of the United States.
   
 “AUD” are to the legal currency of Australia;

 

“BVI Act” are to the BVI Business Companies Act, 2004 (as amended);

 

“BVI” are to the British Virgin Islands;
   
 “CAD” are to the legal currency of Canada;
   
 “CHF” are to the legal currency of Switzerland and Liechtenstein;

 

“China” or the “PRC” are to the People’s Republic of China, including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau, unless referencing specific laws and regulations adopted by the PRC. The same legal and operational risks associated with operations in China may also apply to operations in Hong Kong;

 

“Company,” “mF International,” “we”, “us”, or “our,” are to mF International Limited, a British Virgin Islands holding company, and to describing our consolidated financial information;
   
 “EURO” are to the legal currency of 20 of the 27 member states of the European Union;
   
 “GBP” are to the legal currency of the United Kingdom and nine of its associated territories;

 

“HK$”, “HKD” and “HK Dollar” are to the legal currency of Hong Kong;

 

“Hong Kong” are to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China for the purposes of this prospectus only;

 

“mainland China” are to mainland China of the PRC, excluding Taiwan, the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau for the purposes of this prospectus only;

 

“Memorandum and Articles” are to the current memorandum and articles of association of mF International;

 

“mF” or “m-FINANCE” are to m-FINANCE Limited, a Hong Kong company incorporated on February 11, 2002 and a wholly-owned subsidiary of mF International;

 

“mFTT” are to m-FINANCE Trading Technologies Ltd., a Hong Kong company incorporated on March 21, 2013 and a wholly-owned subsidiary of mF International through m-FINANCE;
   
 “NZD” are to the legal currency of New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue, the Ross Dependency, Tokelau, and a British territory, the Pitcairn Islands;
   
 “Operating Subsidiaries” are to m-FINANCE, mFTT and OTX (as defined below), wholly-owned subsidiaries of mF International, unless otherwise specified;

 

“Ordinary Shares” are to the ordinary shares of mF International, with no par value;

 

“OTX” are to Omegatraders Systems Limited, a Hong Kong company incorporated on December 10, 2009 and a wholly-owned subsidiary of mF International through m-FINANCE;

 

“PRC government” are to the government of mainland China, for the purposes of this prospectus only;

 

“PRC laws and regulations” or “PRC laws” are to the laws and regulations of mainland China;

 

“RMB” and “Renminbi” are to the legal currency of mainland China;
   

“Selling Shareholders” refers, collectively, to pre-existing shareholders, Money Link Developments Limited, AKB Finance Limited, Magic Town Investments Limited, Glitter Win International Limited, Cheng Man Lee and Ma Man Hung, selling their Ordinary Shares pursuant to this Registration Statement on Form F-1;

   
“SZ WFOE” are to m-FINANCE Software (Shenzhen) Limited, a mainland China company incorporated on March 27, 2014 and a wholly-owned subsidiary of m-FINANCE before de-registration;
   
 

“Underwritten Selling Shareholder” refers to the largest pre-existing shareholder, Gaderway Investments Limited, selling its Ordinary Shares pursuant to this Registration Statement on Form F-1;

 

“U.S. GAAP” refers to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States; and
   
 

“XAU” refers to internationally accepted code for spot gold traded on the foreign exchange market.

 

Unless the context indicates otherwise, all information in this prospectus assumes no exercise by the underwriter of its over-allotment option.

 

We do not have any material operations of our own. We are a holding company with operations conducted in Hong Kong through the Operating Subsidiaries using Hong Kong dollars, the currency of Hong Kong. The Operating Subsidiaries reporting currency is in Hong Kong dollars. This prospectus contains translations of certain foreign currency amounts into U.S. dollars for the convenience of the reader. Translations of amounts in the consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, consolidated statements of changes in shareholders’ equity and consolidated statements of cash flows from HK$ into US$ as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022 are solely for the convenience of the reader and were calculated at the noon buying rate of US$1 = HK$7.8015, as published in H.10 statistical release of the United States Federal Reserve Board. No representation is made that the HK$ amounts could have been, or could be, converted, realized or settled into US$ at such rate or at any other rate.

 

ii
Table of Contents

 

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 included 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 Ordinary Shares, discussed under “Risk Factors” on page 12, before deciding whether to buy our Ordinary Shares.

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all share amounts and per share amounts in this prospectus have been presented giving effect to a share split of our Ordinary Shares at a ratio of 1:231.7, which occurred on August 11, 2023.

 

Overview

 

mF International is a holding company limited by shares and established under the laws of the British Virgin Islands on June 15, 2022. It is a holding company with no business operations and uses a structure that involves three Operating Subsidiaries based in Hong Kong. This structure involves risks to the investors, and Chinese regulatory authorities could disallow this structure, which would likely result in a material change in mF International’s operations and/or a material change in the value of the securities we are registering for sale, including the risk that such event could cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or become worthless. Investors are cautioned that you are buying shares of a BVI holding company with operations solely conducted in Hong Kong by its Operating Subsidiaries. You are not directly investing in, and may never hold equity interests in the Operating Subsidiaries. Investing in our Ordinary Shares involves a high degree of risk, including the risk of losing your entire investment.

 

The following diagram illustrates our corporate legal structure and identifies the Operating Subsidiaries upon completion of this Offering, assuming no exercise of the over-allotment option (for purpose of the illustration of this diagram only, we assume the Selling Shareholders do not sell any Shareholders Ordinary Shares upon closing of this offering).

 

 

Notes:

 

(1)Gaderway Investments Limited, a company incorporated in the BVI on March 18, 2015 as a limited liability company, is a holding company without business operations, which is owned as to approximately 61.54% by Mr. Tai Wai (Stephen) Lam and approximately 38.46% by Mr. Chi Weng Tam.
 (2)m-FINANCE Software (Shenzhen) Limited was dormant and the deregistration process was completed in March 2023.

 

We are holding company with three Operating Subsidiaries in Hong Kong. Our principal Hong Kong subsidiary, m-FINANCE Limited (“mF” or m-FINANCE), established in 2002, is a Hong Kong-based experienced financial trading solution provider principally engaged in the development and provision of financial trading solutions to customers via internet or platform as software as a service, or SaaS. m-FINANCE has approximately 20 years of experience providing real-time mission critical forex, bullion/commodities trading platform solutions, financial value-added services, mobile applications and financial information for brokers and institutional clients in the region. m-FINANCE has provided a wide range of services, including the mF4 Trading Platform, Bridge and Plugins, CRM System, ECN System, Liquidity Solutions, Cross-platform “Broker+” Solution, Social Trading Apps and other value-added services.

 

m-FINANCE has been committed to providing a state-of-the-art trading platform and innovative one-stop trading solution that fits for the Asian market, via internet or platform as software as a service, with clients located over mainland China, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. Substantially all of the Operating Subsidiaries’ operations are conducted in Hong Kong, with 2.2% and 3.8% of our total revenue generated from clients in mainland China for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively. m-FINANCE’s customers are mainly financial institutions, including brokers, investment banks, institutional clients and financial services providers. As of the date of this prospectus, m-FINANCE’s trading platform is handling a monthly average transaction value of over US$100 billion.

 

Revenues are primarily generated from the operations of the Operating Subsidiaries providing trading platform solutions and financial value-added services via internet or platform as software as a service.

 

For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, our total revenue was approximately HK$32,212,970 and HK$34,931,827 (US$4,477,578), respectively. Our gross profit and net income were approximately HK$18,419,125 (US$2,360,972) and HK$6,818,599 (US$874,012), respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to our gross profit and net income of approximately HK$15,952,563 and HK$10,349,595, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2021.

 

Our goal is to increase our market share and grow our business by expanding the Operating Subsidiaries’ customer base and service capacity. We believe that the following competitive advantages enable us to capture opportunities in financial services and differentiate m-FINANCE from its competitors:

 

1
Table of Contents

 

Experienced management team fully understands the market situation and technology

 

We have a highly committed and professional senior management team with strong credentials and extensive experience in the financial technology industry. Our experienced management team is led by Chief Executive Officer, Chi Weng Tam, and Managing Director, Tai Wai (Stephen) Lam. Both individuals have strong business connections and knowledge in the IT and finance sectors. The Managing Director, CEO and senior management team are adaptable to challenges and changing economic environment. During the course of business, we believe that our management’s vision and entrepreneurial spirit, an integral part to building the brand and developing business of our Operating Subsidiaries, have played a crucial role in shaping m-FINANCE’s industry recognition, market reputation and business success. m-FINANCE’s management also possesses extensive technical know-how and domain knowledge to respond to changing trends in the industry, which we expect will aid in formulating and implementing business strategies in the financial technology industry. See “Management” in page 73 of this prospectus for further details of the management’s biographies.

 

The extensive experience and market foresight of the management team, supported by a team of high-caliber solution analysts and application developers, we believe will be able to help m-FINANCE capitalize on the industry expertise, adapt to the changes in market conditions, and formulate and execute business strategies effectively.

 

Unique comprehensive one-stop offering covering needs of traders, dealers and financial institutions.

 

In order to strengthen m-FINANCE’s position as a financial trading solution provider, it endeavors, in innovating new financial trading solutions and enhancing its existing financial trading solutions, to respond to the changing needs and requirements of customers, serving various sophisticated market players in the financial industry, such as traders, brokers and dealers. As of the date of this prospectus, m-FINANCE, through its Operating Subsidiaries, offers a comprehensive range of financial trading solutions covering the trade life cycle, such as providing real-time mission critical forex, bullion/commodities trading platform solutions, financial value-added services, mobile applications and financial information.

 

24/7 round-the-clock support services specialized in mission critical application support and support provision

 

m-FINANCE has a dedicated service team with knowledgeable and well-trained personnel, providing premium customer services on any technical issues promptly regarding the platforms and applications developed by m-FINANCE. Clients have access to 24/7 online customer support services via messaging applications such as WhatsApp, Skype, Tencent QQ, WeChat, email and phone in Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese Chinese and English.

 

Summary of Risk Factors

 

Investing in our Ordinary Shares involves significant risks. You should carefully consider all of the information in this prospectus before making an investment in our Ordinary Shares. Below please find a summary of the principal risks we and the Operating Subsidiaries face, organized under relevant headings. These risks are discussed more carefully in the section titled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 12 of this prospectus.

 

Risks Related to Business and Industry (for a more detailed discussion, see Risk Factors Risks Related to Business and Industry” beginning on page 12 of this prospectus)

 

Risks and uncertainties related to our business and industry include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

The market in which the Operating Subsidiaries operate is competitive. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Business and Industry — The market in which the Operating Subsidiaries operate is competitive” on page 12 of this prospectus.

 

The success of the Operating Subsidiaries is dependent on the financial and brokerage industry and its market participants. Any market consolidation may adversely affect the Operating Subsidiaries’ business development and financial performance. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Business and Industry —The success of the Operating Subsidiaries is dependent on the financial and brokerage industry and its market participants. Any market consolidation may adversely affect the Operating Subsidiaries’ business development and financial performance” on page 13 of this prospectus.

 

The Operating Subsidiaries operate in dynamic industries, which make it difficult to evaluate the future prospects. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Business and Industry — The Operating Subsidiaries operate in a dynamic industry which make it difficult to evaluate the future prospects” on page 13 of this prospectus.

 

Our financial performance and business outlook are significantly affected by the volatility of the financial markets in which we and the Operating Subsidiaries have no control. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Business and Industry — Our financial performance and business outlook are significantly affected by the volatility of the financial markets in which we and the Operating Subsidiaries have no control” on page 13 of this prospectus.

 

2
Table of Contents

 

Blockchain is a nascent and rapidly changing technology and there remains relatively small use of blockchain technology in the commercial marketplace. The slowing or stopping of the development or acceptance of blockchain technology may adversely affect our business. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Business and Industry — Blockchain is a nascent and rapidly changing technology and there remains relatively small use of blockchain technology in the commercial marketplace. The slowing or stopping of the development or acceptance of blockchain technology may adversely affect our business” on page 13 of this prospectus.

 

The regulatory regimes governing blockchain technologies are uncertain, and new regulations or policies may materially adversely affect the development of blockchain. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Business and Industry — The regulatory regimes governing blockchain technologies are uncertain, and new regulations or policies may materially adversely affect the development of blockchain” on page 14 of this prospectus.

 

Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure (for a more detailed discussion, see “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure” beginning on page 14 of this prospectus)

 

We are a BVI holding company with three Operating Subsidiaries based in Hong Kong and we are subject to risks and uncertainties related to this corporate structure. These risks could result in material changes in our operations and/or the value of the securities we are registering for sale or could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless. Our Company and its Operating Subsidiaries currently do not have any substantive operations in mainland China. Accordingly, the current PRC laws and regulations do not have any material impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

However, in the event that we or the Operating Subsidiaries were to become subject to PRC laws and regulations, we could incur material costs to ensure compliance, and we or the Operating Subsidiaries might be subject to fines, experience devaluation of securities or delisting, no longer be permitted to conduct offerings to foreign investors, and/or no longer be permitted to continue business operations as presently conducted. Currently, we remain subject to certain legal and operational risks associated both in mainland China and Hong Kong with the Operating Subsidiaries, including, but not limited to, the following:

 

We rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by the Operating Subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have. In the future, the funds may not be available to fund operations or for other uses outside of Hong Kong, due to interventions in, or the imposition of restrictions and limitations on, our ability or the Operating Subsidiaries by the PRC government to transfer cash. Any limitation on the ability of our subsidiaries to make payments to us could have a material adverse effect on the Operating Subsidiaries’ ability to conduct business and might materially decrease the value of Ordinary Shares or cause them to be worthless. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to the Corporate Structure — We rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by the Operating Subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have. In the future, funds may not be available to fund operations or for other uses outside of Hong Kong, due to interventions in, or the imposition of restrictions and limitations on, our ability or the Operating Subsidiaries by the PRC government to transfer cash. Any limitation on the ability of our subsidiaries to make payments to us could have a material adverse effect on the Operating Subsidiaries’ ability to conduct business and might materially decrease the value of Ordinary Shares or cause them to be worthless” on page 14 of this prospectus.

 

Recently, the PRC government initiated a series of regulatory actions and statements to regulate business operations in certain areas in China with little or no advance notice, including cracking down on illegal activities in the securities market, enhancing supervision over China-based companies listed overseas using the variable interest entity structure, adopting new measures to extend the scope of cybersecurity reviews, and expanding the efforts in anti-monopoly enforcement. In the future, we may be subject to PRC laws and regulations related to the current business operations of the Operating Subsidiaries and any changes in such laws and regulations and interpretations may impair their ability to operate profitably, which could result in a material change in their operations and/or the value of the securities we are registering for sale. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure — Recently, the PRC government initiated a series of regulatory actions and statements to regulate business operations in certain areas in China with little or no advance notice, including a cracking down on illegal activities in the securities market, enhancing supervision over China-based companies listed overseas, adopting new measures to extend the scope of cybersecurity reviews, and expanding the efforts in anti-monopoly enforcement. In the future, we may be subject to PRC laws and regulations related to the current business operations of the Operating Subsidiaries and any changes in such laws and regulations and interpretations may impair their ability to operate profitably, which could result in a material change in their operations and/or the value of the securities we are registering for sale” on page 14 of this prospectus.

 

We may become subject to a variety of PRC laws and other obligations regarding M&A Rules and data security, and any failure to comply with applicable laws and obligations could have a material and adverse effect on the Operating Subsidiaries’ business, financial condition and results of operations. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure — We may become subject to a variety of PRC laws and other obligations regarding M&A Rules and data security, and any failure to comply with applicable laws and obligations could have a material and adverse effect on the Operating Subsidiaries’ business, our financial condition and results of operations” on page 15 of this prospectus.

 

3
Table of Contents

 

Substantially all of the Operating Subsidiaries’ operations are conducted in Hong Kong, with less than 10% of their total customers in mainland China. However, due to the long arm provisions under the current PRC laws and regulations, the Chinese government may exercise significant oversight and discretion over the conduct of such business and may intervene in or influence such operations at any time, which could result in a material change in the operations of the Operating Subsidiaries and/or the value of our Ordinary Shares. The PRC government may also intervene or impose restrictions on our ability to move money out of Hong Kong to distribute earnings and pay dividends or to reinvest in our business outside of Hong Kong. Changes in the policies, regulations, rules, and the enforcement of laws of the Chinese government may also occur quickly with little advance notice and our assertions and beliefs of the risk imposed by the PRC legal and regulatory system cannot be certain. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure — Substantially all of the Operating Subsidiaries’ operations are conducted in Hong Kong. However, due to the long arm provisions under the current PRC laws and regulations, the Chinese government may exercise significant oversight and discretion over the conduct of such business and may intervene in or influence such operations at any time, which could result in a material change in the operations of the Operating Subsidiaries and/or the value of our Ordinary Shares. The PRC government may also intervene or impose restrictions on our ability to move money out of Hong Kong to distribute earnings and pay dividends or to reinvest in our business outside of Hong Kong. Changes in the policies, regulations, rules, and the enforcement of laws of the Chinese government may also occur quickly with little advance notice and our assertions and beliefs of the risk imposed by the PRC legal and regulatory system cannot be certain” on page 16 of this prospectus.

 

If the Chinese government chooses to extend oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in mainland China based issuers to Hong Kong-based issuers, such action may significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer Ordinary Shares to investors and cause the value of our Ordinary Shares to significantly decline or be worthless. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure — If the Chinese government chooses to extend oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in mainland China based issuers to Hong Kong-based issuers, such action may significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer Ordinary Shares to investors and cause the value of our Ordinary Shares to significantly decline or be worthless” on page 17 of this prospectus.

 

We are an “emerging growth company” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and if we take advantage of certain exemptions from disclosure requirements available to emerging growth companies, this could make it more difficult to compare our performance with other public companies. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure — We are an “emerging growth company” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and if we take advantage of certain exemptions from disclosure requirements available to emerging growth companies, this could make it more difficult to compare our performance with other public companies” on page 17 of this prospectus.

 

Following this Offering, Gaderway Investments Limited, our largest shareholder, will continue to own more than a majority of the voting power of our outstanding Ordinary Shares. As a result, Gaderway Investments Limited has the ability to control the outcome of matters submitted to the shareholders for approval. Additionally, we may be deemed to be a “controlled company” within the meaning of the NASDAQ listing rules, and we may follow certain exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements that could adversely affect our public shareholders. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure Following this Offering, Gaderway Investments Limited, our largest shareholder, will continue to own more than a majority of the voting power of our outstanding Ordinary Shares. As a result, Gaderway Investments Limited has the ability to control the outcome of matters submitted to the shareholders for approval. Additionally, we may be deemed to be a “controlled company” within the meaning of the NASDAQ listing rules, and we may follow certain exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements that could adversely affect our public shareholders” on page 18 of this prospectus and “Management-Controlled Company” on page 74 of this prospectus.

 

Risks Related to Doing Business in Hong Kong (for a more detailed discussion, see “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in Hong Kong” beginning on page 18 of this prospectus)

 

All of our current operations are in Hong Kong, which is a special administrative region of the PRC with a high degree of autonomy and executive, legislative and independent judicial powers, including that of final adjudication under the principle of “one country, two systems”. As confirmed by our Hong Kong counsel, Winston & Strawn, the PRC laws and regulations do not currently have any material impact on the business of the Operating Subsidiaries, their financial condition or results of operations. However, there is no assurance that there will not be any changes in the economic, political and legal environment in Hong Kong in the future. If there is significant change to current political arrangements between mainland China and Hong Kong, companies operate in Hong Kong may face similar regulatory risks as those operate in the PRC, including their ability to offer securities to investors, list their securities on a U.S. or other foreign exchange, conduct its business or accept foreign investment. In light of China’s recent expansion of authority in Hong Kong, there are risks and uncertainties which we cannot foresee for the time being, and the PRC laws and regulations and the enforcement of such that apply or are to be applied to Hong Kong can change quickly with little or no advance notice. The Chinese government may intervene or influence the operations of the Operating Subsidiaries at any time, or may exert more oversight and control over offerings conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in Hong Kong-based issuers, which could result in a material change in the operations and/or the value of the securities we are registering for sale, which could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless. In general, we face risks and uncertainties relating to doing business in Hong Kong, including, but not limited to, the following:

 

It may be difficult for overseas shareholders and/or regulators to conduct investigations or collect evidence within the territory of China, including Hong Kong. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in Hong Kong — It may be difficult for overseas shareholders and/or regulators to conduct investigations or collect evidence within the territory of China, including Hong Kong” on page 18 of this prospectus.

 

4
Table of Contents

 

You may incur additional costs and procedural obstacles in effecting service of legal process, enforcing foreign judgments or bringing actions in Hong Kong against us or our management named in this prospectus based on Hong Kong laws. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in Hong Kong — You may incur additional costs and procedural obstacles in effecting service of legal process, enforcing foreign judgments or bringing actions in Hong Kong against us or our management named in this prospectus based on Hong Kong laws” on page 18 of this prospectus.

 

The enactment of Law of the PRC on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (the “Hong Kong National Security Law”) could impact the Operating Subsidiaries. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in Hong Kong — The enactment of Law of the PRC on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (the “Hong Kong National Security Law”) could impact our Hong Kong Operating Subsidiaries” on page 19 of this prospectus.

 

The enforcement of laws and rules and regulations in China can change quickly with little advance notice. Additionally, the PRC laws and regulations and the enforcement of such that apply or are to be applied to Hong Kong can change quickly with little or no advance notice. As a result, the Hong Kong legal system embodies uncertainties which could limit the availability of legal protections, which could result in a material change in the operations of the Operating Subsidiaries and/or the value of the securities we are registering for sale. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in Hong Kong — The enforcement of laws and rules and regulations in China can change quickly with little advance notice. Additionally, the PRC laws and regulations and the enforcement of such that apply or are to be applied to Hong Kong can change quickly with little or no advance notice. As a result, the Hong Kong legal system embodies uncertainties which could limit the availability of legal protections, which could result in a material change in the operations of the Operating Subsidiaries and/or the value of the securities we are registering for sale” on page 19 of this prospectus.

 

There are some political risks associated with conducting business in Hong Kong. For a more detailed discussion of this risk factor, see page 20 of this prospectus. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in Hong Kong — There are some political risks associated with conducting business in Hong Kong” on page 20 of this prospectus.

 

Risks Related to Our Ordinary Shares and This Offering (for a more detailed discussion, see “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Ordinary Shares and This Offering” beginning on page 20 of this prospectus)

 

There has been no public market for our Ordinary Shares prior to this Offering, and if an active trading market does not develop you may not be able to resell our Ordinary Shares at or above the price you paid, or at all. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Ordinary Shares and This Offering — There has been no public market for our Ordinary Shares prior to this Offering, and if an active trading market does not develop you may not be able to resell our Ordinary Shares at or above the price you paid, or at all” on page 20 of this prospectus.

 

Our Ordinary Shares may be prohibited from being traded on a national exchange under the HFCA Act if the PCAOB determines that it cannot inspect or fully investigate our auditors for two consecutive years, beginning in 2022, and, as a result, an exchange may determine to delist our securities. The delisting of our Ordinary Shares, or the threat of being delisted, may materially and adversely affect the value of your investment. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Ordinary Shares and This Offering — Our Ordinary Shares may be prohibited from being traded on a national exchange under the HFCA Act if the PCAOB determines that it cannot inspect or fully investigate our auditors for two consecutive years, beginning in 2022, and, as a result, an exchange may determine to delist our securities. The delisting of our Ordinary Shares, or the threat of being delisted, may materially and adversely affect the value of your investment” on page 20 of this prospectus.

 

NASDAQ may apply additional and more stringent criteria for our initial and continued listing because we plan to have a small public offering and our insiders will hold a large portion of our listed securities. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Ordinary Shares and This Offering — NASDAQ may apply additional and more stringent criteria for our initial and continued listing because we plan to have a small public offering and our insiders will hold a large portion of our listed securities” on page 22 of this prospectus.

 

The initial public offering price for our Ordinary Shares may not be indicative of prices that will prevail in the trading market and such market prices may be volatile. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Ordinary Shares and This Offering — The initial public offering price for our Ordinary Shares may not be indicative of prices that will prevail in the trading market and such market prices may be volatile” on page 22 of this prospectus.

 

The price of our Ordinary Shares could be subject to rapid and substantial volatility, and such volatility may make it difficult for prospective investors to assess the rapidly changing value of our Ordinary Shares. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Ordinary Shares and This Offering — The price of our Ordinary Shares could be subject to rapid and substantial volatility, and such volatility may make it difficult for prospective investors to assess the rapidly changing value of our Ordinary Shares” on page 26 of this prospectus.

 

5
Table of Contents

 

Corporate History and Holding Company Structure

 

Our Company was incorporated in the British Virgin Islands under the name of mF International Limited on June 15, 2022, in accordance with the BVI Act, and its operations are conducted by our wholly-owned Operating Subsidiaries in Hong Kong. On June 15, 2022, the Company issued 50,000 Ordinary Shares to Gaderway Investments Limited, for a consideration of US$0.01 per share.

 

We recently undertook a reorganization (the “Reorganization”), primarily to facilitate our initial public offering in the United States. For a description of the Reorganization, see “Our History And Corporate Structure — Our Reorganization” and “Management’s Discussion And Analysis Of Financial Condition And Results Of Operations — Overview” starting on page 28 and page 33, respectively.

 

On August 11, 2023, our previous sole shareholder, Gaderway Investments Limited, approved a share split of our outstanding Ordinary Shares at a ratio of 1:231.7, which became effective immediately, resulting in 11,585,000 ordinary shares issued and outstanding after the share split.

 

Gaderway Investments Limited will hold 63.33% of the voting power after this Offering, assuming no exercise of the underwriter’s over-allotment option, or approximately 62.16% assuming full exercise of the underwriter’s over-allotment option. Because the directors and executive officers, as a group, will control a majority of the voting power of our outstanding Ordinary Shares after the completion of this Offering, we will be a “controlled company” (within the meaning of the NASDAQ rules).

 

Transfers of Cash to and from Our Subsidiaries

 

mF International is a holding company with no operations of its own. It conducts its operations in Hong Kong through its Operating Subsidiaries. mF International may rely on dividends or payments to be paid by its Operating Subsidiaries (i.e., Operating Subsidiaries to mF International), to fund its cash and financing requirements, including for the provision of funds necessary to pay dividends and other cash distributions to our shareholders and U.S. investors, and to service any debt we may incur and to pay our operating expenses. If the Operating Subsidiaries incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict its ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to us.

 

mF International is permitted under the laws of BVI to provide funding to its subsidiaries in Hong Kong (i.e., mF International to the Operating Subsidiaries) through loans or capital contributions without restrictions on the amount of the funds. The Operating Subsidiaries are also permitted under the laws of Hong Kong to provide funding to mF International, through dividend distributions or payments, without restrictions on the amount of the funds.

 

There are no restrictions or limitations on our ability to distribute earnings by dividends from our subsidiaries, including the Operating Subsidiaries in Hong Kong, to mF International and our shareholders and U.S. investors, provided that the entity remains solvent after such distribution. Subject to the BVI Act and our Memorandum and Articles, our board of directors may authorize and declare a dividend to shareholders at such time and of such an amount as they think fit if they are satisfied, on reasonable grounds, that immediately following the dividend payment, the value of our assets will exceed our liabilities and we will be able to pay our debts as they become due. According to the Companies Ordinance of Hong Kong, a Hong Kong company may only make a distribution out of profits available for distribution. Other than the above, we did not adopt or maintain any cash management policies and procedures as of the date of this prospectus. There is no further BVI or Hong Kong statutory restriction on the amount of funds which may be distributed by us by dividend payments.

 

Under the current practice of the Inland Revenue Department of Hong Kong, no tax is payable in Hong Kong in respect of dividends paid by us. See “Regulations — Regulations related to Hong Kong taxation” on page 69.

 

As of the date of this prospectus, there are no restrictions or limitations under the laws of Hong Kong imposed on the conversion of HK$ into foreign currencies and the remittance of currencies out of Hong Kong or across borders and to U.S investors. The PRC laws and regulations do not currently have any material impact on transfer of cash from mF International to Operating Subsidiaries nor from Operating Subsidiaries to mF International, our shareholders or U.S. investors. However, in the future, funds may not be available to fund operations or for other use outside of Hong Kong, due to interventions in, or the imposition of restrictions and limitations on, our ability or on our Operating Subsidiaries’ ability by the PRC government to transfer cash. Any limitation on the ability of the Operating Subsidiaries to make payments to us could have a material adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business and might materially decrease the value of our Ordinary Shares or cause them to be worthless. Currently, all of our operations are in Hong Kong through our Operating Subsidiaries. We do not have or intend to set up any subsidiaries or enter into any contractual arrangements to establish a variable interest entity, or VIE, structure with any entity in mainland China. Since Hong Kong is a special administrative region of the PRC and the basic policies of the PRC regarding Hong Kong are reflected in the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, or the Basic Law, providing Hong Kong with a high degree of autonomy and executive, legislative and independent judicial powers, including that of final adjudication under the principle of “one country, two systems”. The PRC laws and regulations do not currently have any material impact on transfer of cash from mF International to the Operating Subsidiaries or from the Operating Subsidiaries to mF International and the investors in the U.S. However, the Chinese government may, in the future, impose restrictions or limitations on our ability to transfer money out of Hong Kong, to distribute earnings and pay dividends to and from the other entities within our organization, or to reinvest in our business outside of Hong Kong. Such restrictions and limitations, if imposed in the future, may delay or hinder the expansion of our business to outside of Hong Kong and may affect our ability to receive funds from the Operating Subsidiaries in Hong Kong. The promulgation of new laws or regulations, or the new interpretation of existing laws and regulations, in each case, that restrict or otherwise unfavorably impact the ability or the way we or the Operating Subsidiaries conduct business, could require us to change certain aspects of our business to ensure compliance, which could decrease demand for our services, reduce revenues, increase costs, require us to obtain more licenses, permits, approvals or certificates, or subject us to additional liabilities. To the extent any new or more stringent measures are required to be implemented, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected and such measures could materially decrease the value of our Ordinary Shares, potentially rendering it worthless.

 

6
Table of Contents

 

On March 23, 2022, m-FINANCE declared an interim dividend of HK$0.863 per share (equivalent to US$0.111 per share), or HK$10,000,000 in aggregate (equivalent to US$1,281,805), to its shareholder, which was settled by cash on March 24, 2022. On June 30, 2022, m-FINANCE declared an interim dividend of HK$0.691 per share (equivalent to US$0.089 per share) or HK$8,000,000 (equivalent to US$1,025,444), to its shareholder, and the amount of the dividend payable was concurrently settled by netting off the outstanding amounts due from related parties. On August 15, 2022, m-FINANCE declared an interim dividend of HK$0.873 per share (equivalent to US$0.112 per share) or HK$10,114,311 in aggregate (equivalent to US$1,296,457), to its shareholder, and the dividend payable was concurrently settled by netting off the outstanding amounts due from the related parties. The amounts due from related parties is presented as a reduction of the shareholder’s equity pursuant to the Codification of Staff Accounting Bulletins Topic 4, section G. On March 27, 2023, the Company declared an interim dividend of HK$0.218 per share (equivalent to US$0.028 per share), or HK$2,528,413 in aggregate (equivalent to US$324,093), to its shareholder, which was settled by cash on the same day. On July 31, 2023, the Company declared an interim dividend of HK0.242 per share (equivalent to US$0.031 per share), or HK$2,800,800 in aggregate (equivalent to US$359,008), to its shareholder, which was settled by cash on the same day.

 

As disclosed above, both mF International and its Operating Subsidiaries currently intend to retain all of their respective remaining funds and future earnings, if any, for the operations and expansion of our subsidiaries’ business and do not anticipate declaring or paying any further dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future determination related to our dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our board of directors after considering our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, contractual requirements, business prospects and other factors the board of directors deems relevant, and subject to the restrictions contained in any future financing instruments.

 

As of the date of this prospectus, we do not presently plan to pay any further dividends out of our retained earnings after listing our Ordinary Shares on NASDAQ.

 

See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure — We rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by the Operating Subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have. In the future, funds may not be available to fund operations or for other use outside of Hong Kong, due to interventions in, or the imposition of restrictions and limitations on, our ability or our subsidiaries by the PRC government to transfer cash. Any limitation on the ability of our Operating Subsidiaries to make payments to us could have a material adverse effect on our Operating Subsidiaries’ ability to conduct business and might materially decrease the value of our Ordinary Shares or cause them to be worthless” on page 14, and the audited consolidated financial statements and the accompanying footnotes beginning on F-1 of this prospectus, for more information.

 

Our Corporate Information

 

Our principal executive offices are located at Unit 1801, Fortis Tower, 77-79 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, and our telephone number is (+852) 3426-6200. Our registered office in the British Virgin Islands is at Vistra Corporate Services Centre, Wickhams Cay II, Road Town, Tortola, BVI. We maintain a website at https://www.m-finance.com. The information contained on our website is not a part of this prospectus. Our agent for service of process in the United States is [*] at [*].

 

Recent Regulatory Developments in the PRC

 

We are a holding company incorporated in the BVI with all of the operations conducted by the Operating Subsidiaries in Hong Kong. We currently do not have, nor do we currently intend to establish, nor do we plan to enter into any contractual arrangements to establish, a VIE structure with any entity in mainland China. As of the date of this prospectus, we and the Operating Subsidiaries have received all requisite licenses, permissions, or approvals from Hong Kong and BVI authorities needed to engage in the businesses currently conducted in Hong Kong and BVI, and no permission or approval has been denied. See “Business — Licenses, Certificates and Approvals”.

 

Hong Kong is a special administrative region of the PRC and the basic policies of the PRC regarding Hong Kong are reflected in the Basic Law, which serves as Hong Kong’s constitution. The Basic Law provides Hong Kong with a high degree of autonomy and executive, legislative and independent judicial powers, including that of final adjudication under the principle of “one country, two systems”. Accordingly, as confirmed by our Hong Kong counsel, Winston & Strawn, we believe the PRC laws and regulations do not currently have any material impact on our Operating Subsidiaries’ business, financial condition or results of operations. However, there is no assurance that there will not be any changes in the economic, political and legal environment in Hong Kong in the future. If there is significant change to current political arrangements between mainland China and Hong Kong, companies operating in Hong Kong may face similar regulatory risks as those operated in mainland China, including their ability to offer securities to investors, list their securities on a U.S. or other foreign exchange, conduct business or accept foreign investment. In light of China’s recent expansion of authority in Hong Kong, there are risks and uncertainties which we cannot foresee for the time being, and rules, regulations and the enforcement of laws in China can change quickly with little or no advance notice. The Chinese government may intervene or influence the current and future operations in Hong Kong at any time, or may exert more oversight and control over offerings conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in issuers like ourselves.

 

7
Table of Contents

 

The Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Companies by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rules, adopted by six PRC regulatory agencies in 2006 and amended in 2009, require an overseas special purpose vehicle formed for listing purposes through acquisitions of domestic companies in mainland China and controlled by companies or individuals of mainland China to obtain the approval of the CSRC, prior to the listing and trading of such special purpose vehicle’s securities on an overseas stock exchange. On February 17, 2023, with the approval of the State Council, the CSRC released the Trial Measures and five supporting guidelines, which became into effective on March 31, 2023. According to the Trial Measures, among other requirements, (1) domestic companies that seek to offer or list securities overseas, both directly and indirectly, should fulfill the filing procedures with the CSRC; if a domestic company fails to complete the filing procedures, such domestic company may be subject to administrative penalties; (2) where a domestic company seeks to indirectly offer and list securities in an overseas market, the issuer shall designate a major domestic operating entity responsible for all filing procedures with the CSRC, and such filings shall be submitted to the CSRC within three business days after the submission of the overseas offering and listing application. As advised by our PRC counsel, Zhong Lun Law Firm, as of the date of this prospectus, since the Company is a company duly incorporated in the BVI, (i) with business operations conducted by the Operating Subsidiaries located in Hong Kong, and (ii) neither the Company nor the Operating Subsidiaries currently have any subsidiary in the PRC nor have they entered into any contractual arrangements to establish a variable interest entity structure with any entity in the PRC, the Company fails to meet the conditions under Article 15 of the Trial Measures and the supporting guidelines which constitute an indirect overseas listing in an overseas market that would otherwise subject the Company to the Trial Measures and supporting guidelines. Therefore, as of the date of this prospectus, no effective laws or regulations in the PRC explicitly require our Company or the Operating Subsidiaries in Hong Kong to seek approvals from the CSRC or any other PRC governmental authorities for our overseas listing plan. Moreover, pursuant to the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, or the Basic Law, PRC laws and regulations shall not be applied in Hong Kong except for those listed in Annex III of the Basic Law (which is confined to laws relating to national defense, foreign affairs and other matters that are not within the scope of autonomy). As of the date of this prospectus, neither we nor the Operating Subsidiaries are covered by permission requirements from CSRC or any other governmental agency of mainland China that is required to approve our operations or our Offering. Additionally, neither we nor the Operating Subsidiaries are required to obtain CSRC approval prior to its listing on an exchange in the U.S. Hence, as of the date of this prospectus, neither we nor the Operating Subsidiaries have ever applied for any such permission or approval. Notwithstanding the above, uncertainties still exist as to how the M&A Rules will be interpreted and implemented by Chinese regulators and the 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. If the CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies subsequently determine that prior CSRC approvals are required for our Offering, we may face regulatory actions or other sanctions from the CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies. Moreover, if there is significant change to the current political arrangements between mainland China and Hong Kong, or the applicable laws, regulations, or interpretations change, that require us to obtain approvals from the CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies at any stage, including but not limited, upon the completion of this Offering, in the future, and, if in such event, we or the Operating Subsidiaries (i) do not receive or maintain the approval, (ii) inadvertently conclude that such permissions or approvals are not required, (iii) are required to obtain such permissions or approvals in the future if applicable laws, regulations, or interpretations change, or (iv) are denied permission from the CSRC or any other PRC regulatory agencies, we will not be able to list our Ordinary Shares on a U.S. exchange, or continue to offer securities to investors, which would materially affect the interests of investors and cause the value of Ordinary Shares to significantly decline or be worthless.

 

Recently, the PRC government initiated a series of regulatory actions and statements to regulate business operations in certain areas in China with little advance notice, including cracking down on illegal activities in the securities market, enhancing supervision over China-based companies listed overseas using the variable interest entity structure, adopting new measures to extend the scope of cybersecurity reviews, and expanding the efforts in anti-monopoly enforcement. For example, on July 6, 2021, the General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council jointly issued a document to crack down on illegal activities in the securities market and promote the high-quality development of the capital market, which, among other things, requires the relevant governmental authorities to strengthen cross-border oversight of law-enforcement and judicial cooperation, to enhance supervision over China-based companies listed overseas, and to establish and improve the system of extraterritorial application of the PRC securities laws. Also, on January 4, 2022, the Measures for Cybersecurity Review (the “Measures”) were published and became effective on February 15, 2022, which were originally promulgated on April 13, 2020, and, as revised on July 10, 2021, require that, among other things, and in addition to any “operator of critical information infrastructure”, any “data processor” controlling personal information of no less than one million users (which to be further specified) which seeks to list in a foreign stock exchange should also be subject to cybersecurity review, and which the Measures further elaborate on the factors to be considered when assessing the national security risks of the relevant activities. The Operating Subsidiaries currently have less than 10% of their total customers in mainland China. We do not currently expect the Measures to have an impact on our Operating Subsidiaries’ business, operations or this Offering, nor do we anticipate the we or the Operating Subsidiaries are covered by permission requirements from the CAC that is required to approve the operations of Operating Subsidiaries, as we do not believe that we may be deemed to be an “operator of critical information infrastructure” or a “data processor” controlling personal information of no less than one million users, that are required to file for cybersecurity review before listing in the U.S., because (i) all of the operations of the Operating Subsidiaries are conducted by our Operating Subsidiaries, currently mostly serving clients outside mainland China with less than 10% of their total customers in mainland China, and our SZ WFOE registered in mainland China, are under de-registration process since 2020; (ii) we do not have or intend to have, nor do we intend to establish a VIE structure with any entity in mainland China, and the Measures remain unclear as to whether they shall be applied to a company such as ours; (iii) as of date of this prospectus, we have neither collected nor stored any personal information of any mainland China individual or within mainland China, nor do we entrust or expect to be entrusted by any individual or entity to conduct any data processing activities of any mainland China individual or within mainland China.; and (iv) as of the date of this prospectus, we have not been informed by any PRC governmental authority of any requirement that we must file for a cybersecurity review. Moreover, pursuant to the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, or the Basic Law, PRC laws and regulations shall not be applied in Hong Kong except for those listed in Annex III of the Basic Law (which is confined to laws relating to national defense, foreign affairs and other matters that are not within the scope of autonomy). Neither we nor the Operating Subsidiaries are currently subject to the cybersecurity review by the CAC as provided under the Measures. Additionally, neither we nor the Operating Subsidiaries are covered by permission requirements from the CAC or any other governmental agency that is required to approve the operations our Operating Subsidiaries. However, there remains uncertainty as to how the Measures will be interpreted or implemented and the relevant PRC governmental authority may not take a view that is consistent with ours. Also, significant uncertainty exists in relation to the interpretation and enforcement of relevant PRC cybersecurity laws and regulations. If we were deemed to be an “operator of critical information infrastructure” or a “data processor” controlling personal information of no less than one million users under the Measures, or if other regulations promulgated in relation to the Measures are deemed to apply to us, our subsidiaries’ business operations and the listing of our Ordinary Shares in the U.S. could be subject to cybersecurity review by the Cyberspace Administration of China, or the CAC, in the future.

 

8
Table of Contents

 

On February 17, 2023, with the approval of the State Council, the CSRC released the Trial Measures and five supporting guidelines, which became into effective on March 31, 2023. According to the Trial Measures, among other requirements, (1) domestic companies that seek to offer or list securities overseas, both directly and indirectly, should fulfill the filing procedures with the CSRC; if a domestic company fails to complete the filing procedures, such domestic company may be subject to administrative penalties; (2) where a domestic company seeks to indirectly offer and list securities in an overseas market, the issuer shall designate a major domestic operating entity responsible for all filing procedures with the CSRC, and such filings shall be submitted to the CSRC within three business days after the submission of the overseas offering and listing application. As advised by our PRC counsel, Zhong Lun Law Firm, as of the date of this prospectus, since the Company is a company duly incorporated in the BVI, (i) with business operations conducted by the Operating Subsidiaries located in Hong Kong, and (ii) neither the Company nor the Operating Subsidiaries currently have any subsidiary in the PRC nor have they entered into any contractual arrangements to establish a variable interest entity structure with any entity in the PRC, the Company fails to meet the conditions under Article 15 of the Trial Measures and the supporting guidelines which constitute an indirect overseas listing in an overseas market that would otherwise subject the Company to the Trial Measures and supporting guidelines. Therefore, as of the date of this prospectus, no effective laws or regulations in the PRC explicitly require our Company or the Operating Subsidiaries in Hong Kong to seek approvals from the CSRC or any other PRC governmental authorities for our overseas listing plan.

 

If it is later determined that we are required by the Trial Measures to submit to the CRSC and complete the filing procedures of our offering and listing, we cannot assure you that we will be able to complete such filings in a timely manner or even at all. Any failure by us to comply with such filing requirements under the Trial Measures may result in an order to rectify, warnings and fines against us and could materially hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer our securities.

 

Nevertheless, since these statements and regulatory actions are new, it is highly uncertain how soon the legislative or administrative regulation making bodies will respond and what existing or new laws or regulations or detailed implementations and interpretations will be modified or promulgated, if any. It is also highly uncertain what the potential impact such modified or new laws and regulations will have on Operating Subsidiaries’ daily business operations, their ability to accept foreign investments and the listing of our Ordinary Shares on a U.S. or other foreign exchanges.

 

Currently we, and our Operating Subsidiaries, are not required to obtain any permissions or approvals from CSRC or the CAC. However, if there is significant change to current political arrangements between mainland China and Hong Kong, we, and our Operating Subsidiaries may be required to such permissions or approvals. If we or the Operating Subsidiaries at any stage, including but not limited to, upon the completion of this Offering, (i) do not receive or maintain the approval, (ii) inadvertently conclude that such permissions or approvals are not required, (iii) are required to obtain such permissions or approvals in the future if applicable laws, regulations, or interpretations change, or (iv) are denied permission from the CSRC, the CAC or any other relevant PRC regulatory agencies, the relevant regulatory authorities, such as the CAC or the CSRC, might have broad discretion in dealing with such violations, including: imposing fines on us or the Operating Subsidiaries, discontinuing or restricting the operations of the Operating Subsidiaries; imposing conditions or requirements with which we or the Operating Subsidiaries may not be able to comply; restricting or prohibiting our use of the proceeds from our initial public offering to finance the business and operations in Hong Kong. The imposition of any of these penalties would also result in a material and adverse effect on our ability to conduct business, and on the operations of Operating Subsidiaries and financial condition. If any or all of the foregoing were to occur, it may significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to complete this Offering or cause the value of our Ordinary Shares to significantly decline or become worthless. Moreover, we might not be able to complete this Offering, list our Ordinary Shares on a U.S. exchange, or continue to offer securities to investors, which would also materially affect the interests of investors and cause the value of Ordinary Shares to significantly decline or be worthless. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure — Recently, the PRC government initiated a series of regulatory actions and statements to regulate business operations in certain areas in China with little or no advance notice, including a cracking down on illegal activities in the securities market, enhancing supervision over China-based companies listed overseas using the variable interest entity structure, adopting new measures to extend the scope of cybersecurity reviews, and expanding the efforts in anti-monopoly enforcement. In the future, we may be subject to PRC laws and regulations related to the current business operations of the Operating Subsidiaries and any changes in such laws and regulations and interpretations may impair their ability to operate profitably, which could result in a material negative impact on their operations and/or the value of the securities we are registering for sale.” on page 14.

 

The Operating Subsidiaries in Hong Kong are financial trading solution providers incorporated in Hong Kong. The Operating Subsidiaries are required to, and have obtained, business registration certificates as required by every company carrying on business in Hong Kong. See “Regulations — Regulations Related to our Business Operation in Hong Kong” on page 67.

 

We are advised by Hong Kong counsel, Winston & Strawn, that our Ordinary Shares 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 Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong), (ii) to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules promulgated thereunder, or (iii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong), neither we nor the Operating Subsidiaries are required to obtain permission or approval from Hong Kong authorities to offer the securities being registered to foreign investors. Should there be any change in applicable laws, regulations, or interpretations, and we or any of the Operating Subsidiaries are required to obtain such permissions or approvals in the future, we will strive to comply with the then applicable laws, regulations, or interpretations.

 

Implications of Our Being an “Emerging Growth Company”

 

As a company with less than $1.235 billion in revenue during our last fiscal year, we qualify as an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act. An “emerging growth company” may take advantage of reduced reporting requirements that are otherwise generally applicable to public companies. In particular, as an emerging growth company, we:

 

  may present only two years of audited financial statements and only two years of related Management’s Discussion And Analysis of Financial Condition And Results Of Operations, or MD&A;
     
  are not required to provide a detailed narrative disclosure discussing our compensation principles, objectives and elements and analyzing how those elements fit with our principles and objectives, which is commonly referred to as “compensation discussion and analysis”;
     
  are not required to obtain an attestation and report from our independent registered accounting firm on our management’s assessment of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002;
     
  are not required to obtain a non-binding advisory vote from our shareholders on executive compensation or golden parachute arrangements (commonly referred to as the “say-on-pay,” “say-on frequency” and “say-on-golden-parachute” votes);
     
  are exempt from certain executive compensation disclosure provisions requiring a pay-for-performance graph and CEO pay ratio disclosure;
     
  are eligible to claim longer phase-in periods for the adoption of new or revised financial accounting standards under §107 of the JOBS Act; and
     
  will not be required to conduct an evaluation of our internal control over financial reporting for two years.

 

We intend to take advantage of all of these reduced reporting requirements and exemptions, including the longer phase-in periods for the adoption of new or revised financial accounting standards under §107 of the JOBS Act. Our election to use the phase-in periods may make it difficult to compare our financial statements to those of non-emerging growth companies and other emerging growth companies that have opted out of the phase-in periods under §107 of the JOBS Act.

 

9
Table of Contents

 

Under the JOBS Act, we may take advantage of the above-described reduced reporting requirements and exemptions for up to five years after our initial sale of common equity pursuant to a registration statement declared effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, herein referred to as the Securities Act, or such earlier time that we no longer meet the definition of an emerging growth company.

 

We will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest of: (i) the last day of the first fiscal year in which our annual gross revenue exceeds $1.235 billion; (ii) the last day of the fiscal year during which the fifth anniversary of the date of this Offering occurs; (iii) the date that we become a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act, which would occur if the market value of our ordinary shares that are held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter; or (iv) the date on which we have issued more than $1.00 billion in non-convertible debt securities during any three-year period.

 

Implication of Being a Foreign Private Issuer

 

Upon completion of this Offering, we will report under the Exchange Act as a non-U.S. company with foreign private issuer status. Even after we may no longer qualify as an emerging growth company, as long as we qualify as a foreign private issuer under the Exchange Act we will be exempt from certain provisions of the Exchange Act that are applicable to U.S. domestic public companies, including:

 

  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 rules under the Exchange Act requiring the filing with the SEC of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q containing unaudited financial and other specific information, or current reports on Form 8-K, upon the occurrence of specified significant events.

 

Both foreign private issuers and emerging growth companies are also exempt from certain more stringent executive compensation disclosure rules. Thus, even if we no longer qualify as an emerging growth company, but remain a foreign private issuer, we will continue to be exempt from the more stringent compensation disclosures required of companies that are neither an emerging growth company nor a foreign private issuer.

 

THE OFFERING

 

Ordinary Shares offered by us   1,655,000 Ordinary Shares
     
Underwritten Resale Shares   221,108 Ordinary Shares
     
Price per Ordinary Share   Between $4 and $5 per Ordinary Share
     
Ordinary Shares outstanding prior to completion of this Offering  
11,585,000 Ordinary Shares
     
Ordinary Shares outstanding immediately after this Offering  

13,240,000 Ordinary Shares, assuming no exercise of the underwriter’s over-allotment option

 

13,488,250 Ordinary Shares, assuming full exercise of the underwriter’s over-allotment option

     
Transfer Agent   [●]
     
Listing   We plan to apply to have our Ordinary Shares listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market. At this time, NASDAQ has not yet approved our application to list the Ordinary Shares. The closing of this Offering is conditioned upon NASDAQ’s final approval of our listing application, and there is no guarantee or assurance that the Ordinary Shares will be approved for listing on NASDAQ.
     
NASDAQ Capital Market symbol   We plan to reserve the symbol “[●]” for purposes of listing our Ordinary Shares on NASDAQ Capital Market.
     
Use of proceeds  

We intend to use the proceeds from this Offering for expanding service capacity and working capital.

 

We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the Underwritten Resale Shares by the Underwritten Selling Shareholder.

 

See “Use of Proceeds” on page 29 for more information.

     
Lock-up  

All officers, directors, and principal shareholders (with 5% or more of the Ordinary Shares of the Company), other than the Underwritten Selling Shareholder and the Selling Shareholders, shall agree in writing, in a form satisfactory to the underwriter, for a period of six (6) months; and each of the Company and any successors of the Company will agree, for a period of three (3) months from the closing of the Offering, not to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of such securities (or underlying securities) of the Company without the express written consent of the underwriter, which consent may be given or withheld in the underwriter’s sole discretion.

 

See “Underwriting” on page 95 for more information.

     
Risk Factors   The Ordinary Shares offered hereby involve a high degree of risk. You should read “Risk Factors,” beginning on page 12 for a discussion of factors to consider before deciding to invest in our Ordinary Shares.

 

10
Table of Contents

 

Summary Consolidated Financial Data

 

The following selected consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022 and selected consolidated balance sheets data as of December 31, 2021 and 2022 have been derived from our 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 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected in the future. The following summary consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

   For the years ended December 31, 
   2021   2022   2022 
   HK$   HK$   US$ 
Revenue   32,212,970    34,931,827    4,477,578 
Cost of revenue   16,260,407    16,512,702    2,116,606 
Gross profit   15,952,563    18,419,125    2,360,972 
                
Total operating expenses   5,417,863    10,876,654    1,394,174 
Income from operations   10,534,700    7,542,471    966,798 
                
Total other income (expense), net   246,525    (336,027)   (43,072)
                
Income before income taxes   10,781,225    7,206,444    923,726 
Income tax expense   (431,630)   (387,845)   (49,714)
Net income   10,349,595    6,818,599    874,012 
                
Other comprehensive income               
Foreign currency translation adjustment   (14,168)   7,496    961 
Comprehensive income   10,335,427    6,826,095    874,973 

 

11
Table of Contents

 

   As of December 31, 
   2021   2022   2022 
   HK$   HK$   US$ 
Current assets   18,678,715    15,522,433    1,989,673 
Non-current assets   14,664,377    19,017,770    2,437,706 
Total assets   33,343,092    34,540,203    4,427,379 
Current liabilities   10,263,742    11,904,112    1,525,874 
Non-current liabilities   15,596,879    12,210,193    1,565,108 
Total liabilities   25,860,621    24,114,305    3,090,982 
Total shareholders’ equity   7,482,471    

10,425,898

    1,336,397 

 

RISK FACTORS

 

An investment in our Ordinary Shares involves a high degree of risk. Before deciding whether to invest in our Ordinary Shares, you should consider carefully the risks described below, together with all of the other information set forth in this prospectus, including the section titled “Management’s Discussion And Analysis Of Financial Condition And Results Of Operation” and our consolidated financial statements and related notes. If any of these risks actually occurs, our subsidiaries’ business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flow could be materially and adversely affected, which could cause the trading price of our Ordinary Shares to decline, resulting in a loss of all or part of your investment. The risks described below are not the only ones that we face. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our Operating Subsidiaries’ business. You should only consider investing in our Ordinary Shares if you can bear the risk of loss of your entire investment.

 

Risks Related to Business and Industry

 

The market in which the Operating Subsidiaries operate is competitive.

 

The financial technology industry in Hong Kong and Asia is competitive and fragmented. With the rise of electronic trading in recent years, the industry has attracted the presence of both Hong Kong-based and international companies.

 

The market for financial trading solutions is still at its emerging stage, and we believe that it will continue to grow in the coming years. The prospect and potential of this market is expected to attract entry by companies with substantial capital and resources. Mergers and acquisitions of enterprises and consolidation of the industries may become a trend in the market. The environment in which our subsidiaries operate will likely become more competitive as a result. The competitors of our subsidiaries may offer similar financial trading solutions and services at prices lower than those of our subsidiaries. There is no guarantee that the projects undertaken and services provided by our subsidiaries in the future will allow our subsidiaries to maintain their present profit margins, and a competitive environment may adversely affect our profitability.

 

12
Table of Contents

 

The success of the Operating Subsidiaries is dependent on the financial and brokerage industry and its market participants. Any market consolidation may adversely affect our Operating Subsidiaries’ business development and financial performance.

 

The Operating Subsidiaries provide financial trading solutions primarily to market participants in the financial and brokerage industry. It is observed that the financial and brokerage industry is characterized by intensive competition. Intensive competition in the financial and brokerage industry will inevitably affect the profit margins of market participants and may consequently affect such participants’ willingness to invest in new technologies or to expand their current usage of existing technologies. This may adversely affect our business development. Traditional small to medium sized brokerage firms may face competition from larger brokers that have more capital, resources or experience. The possible emergence of consolidation of the global brokerage industry may lead to reduction in the number of the players in the industry. If the number of our potential and existing customers or their size of operations decrease, our existing business and future growth potential may be adversely affected.

 

The Operating Subsidiaries operate in dynamic industries, which make it difficult to evaluate the future prospects.

 

In general, the financial technology industry is dynamic. The industries in which we operate, including those providing and maintaining financial trading solutions, mobile and desktop trading applications and financial value-added services, are all highly dynamic and may not develop as expected. Our customers may not fully understand the value of our solutions and potential new customers may have difficulty distinguishing our solutions from those of our competitors. If we fail to convince our customers of the value of our solutions, the markets for our solutions do not continue to develop as we expect or we fail to address the needs of these dynamic, evolving industries, our Operating Subsidiaries’ business may be materially and adversely affected.

 

Our financial performance and business outlook are significantly affected by the volatility of the financial markets in which we and the Operating Subsidiaries have no control.

 

The target customers of the Operating Subsidiaries include financial brokers and institutions mainly located in Asia, whose demand for financial trading solutions is dependent upon their business operations and expansion needs, which, to a large extent, are dependent upon the performance of the global financial markets as a whole. The global financial markets are directly affected by, among others, the global and local political and economic environments.

 

Any sudden downturn in the global economic and political environments, which are beyond the control of our Operating Subsidiaries, may adversely affect the financial market sentiment in general. Severe fluctuation in market and economic sentiments may also result in a prolonged period of sluggish market activities, which would in turn have an adverse impact on the business and operating performance of our target customers, and hence, their demand for our financial trading solutions. As such, our revenue and the profitability of our Company and the Operating Subsidiaries may fluctuate and there is no assurance that we will be able to maintain our historical results in times of difficult or unstable economic conditions. Our historical profit levels should not be relied solely upon as an indication of our future financial performance.

 

Our trading in foreign currencies significantly affected by the volatility of the financial and currency market in which we and the Operating Subsidiaries have no control. Any sudden volatility in the financial and currency market in the future may adversely affect the performance of our trading in foreign currencies and lead to realized and unrealized loss.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, we had realized loss on disposal of financial assets at fair value and change in fair value on financial assets at fair value in the aggregate amount of HK$676,445 and HK$1,157,650 (US$148,388), respectively, from trading in foreign currencies, at fair value, with the intention to optimize a trading algorithm based on live market interactions. The change in fair value on financial assets at fair value was mainly due to the increased volatility of the financial and currency market in 2021 and 2022.

 

We plan to continue trading in foreign currencies in the future to further optimize our trading algorithm through live trading in the real foreign exchange market. Any sudden volatility in the financial and currency market, which are beyond the control of our Operating Subsidiaries, may adversely affect the performance of our trading in foreign currencies and lead to realized and unrealized loss.

 

Blockchain is a nascent and rapidly changing technology and there remains relatively small use of blockchain technology in the commercial marketplace. The slowing or stopping of the development or acceptance of blockchain technology may adversely affect our Operating Subsidiaries’ business.

 

Blockchain is an emerging technology that offers new capabilities which are not fully proven in use. The development of blockchain technology is a new and rapidly evolving industry that is subject to a high degree of uncertainty. Factors affecting the further development of blockchain industry include, without limitation:

 

continued worldwide growth in the adoption and use of blockchain technology;
   
the maintenance and development of the open-source software protocol of blockchain networks;
   
changes in consumer demographics;
   
changes in public tastes and preferences;
   
the popularity or acceptance of blockchain networks and assets; and
   
government and quasi-government regulation of blockchain networks and assets, including any restrictions on access, operation and the use of blockchain networks and assets.

 

Our principal operating subsidiary, m-FINANCE, intends to incorporate prevailing technologies, such as blockchain technology, to build a new platform business. For example, one of the new services, which has not been officially launched, incorporates blockchain technology. If investments in the blockchain industry become less attractive to investors, innovators, and developers, or if blockchain networks and assets do not gain public acceptance or are not adopted and used by a substantial number of individuals, companies and other entities, it could have a material adverse impact on the future prospects and operations of our Operating Subsidiaries.

 

13
Table of Contents

 

The regulatory regimes governing blockchain technologies are uncertain, and new regulations or policies may materially adversely affect the development of blockchain.

 

Initially, it was unclear how blockchain technologies and the businesses and activities utilizing such technologies would fit into the current web of government regulation. As blockchain technologies have grown in popularity and in market size, international, federal, state and local regulatory agencies have begun to clarify their position. Various legislative and executive bodies in the United States and in other countries have shown that they intend to adopt legislation to regulate blockchain technologies. However, according to our Hong Kong counsel, Winston & Strawn, there is no blockchain-specific legislation in Hong Kong as of the date of this prospectus.

 

New or changing laws and regulations or interpretations of existing laws and regulations may materially and adversely impact the development and growth of blockchain technologies. The imposition of restrictions on blockchains could adversely affect our Operating Subsidiaries’ business.

 

Blockchain mining activities are energy-intensive, which may restrict the geographic locations of miners and have a negative environmental impact.

 

Blockchain mining activities are inherently energy-intensive and electricity costs account for a significant portion of the overall mining costs. The availability and cost of electricity will restrict the geographic locations of mining activities. Any shortage of electricity supply or increase in electricity cost in a jurisdiction may negatively impact the viability and the expected economic return for blockchain mining activities in that jurisdiction, which may in turn affect the business of our Operating Subsidiaries.

 

In addition, the significant consumption of electricity may have a negative environmental impact, including contribution to climate change, which may give rise to public opinion turning against allowing the use of electricity for blockchain mining activities or government measures restricting or prohibiting the use of electricity for such mining activities. Any such development in the jurisdictions where the Operating Subsidiaries provide platform and solutions services with blockchain technology could have a material and adverse effect on our Operating Subsidiaries’ business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Unauthorized use of the Operating Subsidiaries’ intellectual property by third parties and expenses incurred in protecting their intellectual property rights may adversely affect their business, reputation and competitive edge.

 

We regard the Operating Subsidiaries’ intellectual property, including their domain names, as important to their success, and they rely on a combination of intellectual property laws, subscriptions and contractual arrangements with software providers to protect their proprietary rights.

 

The Operating Subsidiaries have filed various applications in Hong Kong and mainland China for protection of certain aspects of their intellectual property, including multiple trademarks. Nevertheless, we can provide no assurance that they will be able to have all applications registered. If the Operating Subsidiaries fail to register their trademarks, they may not be able to use such intellectual property without risk of infringement and, even if they can use them, they may have difficulty in enforcing such intellectual property rights against infringement by third parties, and this could have a material adverse impact on their business, financial conditions, and operating results.

 

Despite these measures, any of the Operating Subsidiaries’ intellectual property rights could be challenged, invalidated, circumvented or misappropriated, or such intellectual property may not be sufficient to provide us with competitive advantages. Statutory laws and regulations are subject to judicial interpretation and enforcement and may not be applied consistently. Accordingly, the Operating Subsidiaries may not be able to effectively protect their intellectual property rights or to enforce their contractual rights in all jurisdictions.

 

Preventing any unauthorized use of the Operating Subsidiaries’ intellectual property is difficult and costly and the steps it takes may be inadequate to prevent the misappropriation of their intellectual property. In the event that they must resort to litigation to enforce their intellectual property rights, such litigation could result in substantial costs and a diversion of their managerial and financial resources. We can provide no assurance that the Operating Subsidiaries will prevail in any such litigation. In particular, m-FINANCE has nine trademarks registered in mainland China, but without having physical operations in mainland China, it may have limited ability to timely respond or enforce its intellectual property rights, in the event of any infringement in mainland China.

 

In addition, the Operating Subsidiaries’ trade secrets may be leaked or otherwise become available to, or be independently discovered by, their competitors. Any failure in protecting or enforcing their intellectual property rights could have a material adverse effect on their business, reputation and competitive edge.

 

Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure

 

We rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by the Operating Subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have. In the future, funds may not be available to fund operations or for other use outside of Hong Kong, due to interventions in, or the imposition of restrictions and limitations on, our ability or the Operating Subsidiaries by the PRC government to transfer cash. Any limitation on the ability of the Operating Subsidiaries to make payments to us could have a material adverse effect on our Operating Subsidiaries’ ability to conduct business and might materially decrease the value of our Ordinary Shares or cause them to be worthless.

 

We are a holding company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, and we rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by the Operating Subsidiaries for our cash and financing requirements, including for the provision of funds necessary to pay dividends and other cash distributions to our shareholders and to service any debt we may incur. If the Operating Subsidiaries incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict its ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to us.

 

Under the current practice of the Inland Revenue Department of Hong Kong, no tax is payable in Hong Kong in respect of dividends paid by us. See “Regulations — Regulations related to Hong Kong taxation.” The PRC laws and regulations do not currently have any material impact on transfers of cash from mF International to Operating Subsidiaries or from Operating Subsidiaries to mF International, our shareholders and U.S. investors. However, the Chinese government may, in the future, impose restrictions or limitations on our ability to transfer money out of Hong Kong, to distribute earnings and pay dividends to and from the other entities within our organization, or to reinvest in our business outside of Hong Kong. Such restrictions and limitations, if imposed in the future, may delay or hinder the expansion of our business outside of Hong Kong and may affect our ability to receive funds from the Operating Subsidiaries in Hong Kong. The promulgation of new laws or regulations, or the new interpretation of existing laws and regulations, in each case, that restrict or otherwise unfavorably impact the ability or way we or the Operating Subsidiaries conduct business, could require us to change certain aspects of our Operating Subsidiaries’ business to ensure compliance, which could decrease demand for our services, reduce revenues, increase costs, require us to obtain more licenses, permits, approvals or certificates, or subject us to additional liabilities. To the extent any new or more stringent measures are required to be implemented, our business, our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected and such measures could materially decrease the value of our Ordinary Shares, potentially rendering them worthless.

 

Recently, the PRC government initiated a series of regulatory actions and statements to regulate business operations in certain areas in China with little or no advance notice, including cracking down on illegal activities in the securities market, enhancing supervision over China-based companies listed overseas using the variable interest entity structure, adopting new measures to extend the scope of cybersecurity reviews, and expanding the efforts in anti-monopoly enforcement. In the future, we may be subject to PRC laws and regulations related to our current business operations and any changes in such laws and regulations and interpretations may impair our ability to operate profitably, which could result in a material negative impact on our operations and/or the value of the securities we are registering for sale.

 

Although we have direct ownership of the Operating Subsidiaries in Hong Kong, and currently do not have, nor intend to have, any subsidiary or any contractual arrangement to establish a VIE structure with any entity in mainland China, we are still subject to certain legal and operational risks associated with the Operating Subsidiaries being based in Hong Kong and having all operations conducted in Hong Kong, as of the date of this prospectus. However, the legal and operational risks associated with China may also apply to our Operating Subsidiaries’ operations in Hong Kong, and we face the risks and uncertainties associated with the complex and evolving PRC laws and regulations and as to whether and how the recent PRC government statements and regulatory developments, such as those relating to data and cybersecurity and anti-monopoly concerns, would be applicable to our Company or our subsidiaries in Hong Kong. In the event that we or the Operating Subsidiaries were to become subject to PRC laws and regulations, we could incur material costs to ensure compliance, and we or the Operating Subsidiaries might be subject to fines, experience devaluation of securities or delisting, no longer be permitted to conduct offerings to foreign investors, and/or no longer be permitted to continue business operations as presently conducted. Our organizational structure involves risks to the investors, and Chinese regulatory authorities could disallow this structure, which would likely result in a material change in mF International’s operations and/or a material change in the value of the securities mF International is registering for sale, including the risk that such event could cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or become worthless. Moreover, there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of PRC laws and regulations including, but not limited to, the laws and regulations related to our Operating Subsidiaries’ business and the enforcement and performance of our arrangements with customers in certain circumstances. The laws and regulations are sometimes vague and may be subject to future changes, and their official interpretation and enforcement may involve substantial uncertainty. The effectiveness and interpretation of newly enacted laws or regulations, including amendments to existing laws and regulations, may be delayed, and our Operating Subsidiaries’ business may be affected if we rely on laws and regulations which are subsequently adopted or interpreted in a manner different from our understanding of these laws and regulations. New laws and regulations that affect existing and proposed future businesses may also be applied retroactively. We cannot predict what effect the interpretation of existing or new PRC laws or regulations may have on our Operating Subsidiaries’ business.

 

14
Table of Contents

 

The uncertainties regarding the enforcement of laws and the fact that rules and regulations in China can change quickly with little advance notice, along with the risk that the Chinese government may intervene or influence our operations at any time could result in a material change in our operations and/or the value of the securities we are registering.

 

We may become subject to a variety of PRC laws and other obligations regarding M&A Rules and data security, and any failure to comply with applicable laws and obligations could have a material and adverse effect on our Operating Subsidiaries’ business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

The Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Companies by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rules, adopted by six PRC regulatory agencies in 2006 and amended in 2009, require an overseas special purpose vehicle formed for listing purposes through acquisitions of domestic companies in mainland China and controlled by companies or individuals of mainland China to obtain the approval of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or the CSRC, prior to the listing and trading of such special purpose vehicle’s securities on an overseas stock exchange. In addition, on February 17, 2023 , the CSRC promulgated the Trial Measures and five supporting guidelines, which became effective on March 31, 2023, requiring, among other things, that (1) domestic companies that seek to offer or list securities overseas, both directly and indirectly, should fulfill the filing procedures with the CSRC; if a domestic company fails to complete the filing procedures, such domestic company may be subject to administrative penalties; (2) where a domestic company seeks to indirectly offer and list securities in an overseas market, the issuer shall designate a major domestic operating entity responsible for all filing procedures with the CSRC, and such filings shall be submitted to the CSRC within three business days after the submission of the overseas offering and listing application.

 

mF International is a holding company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands with three Operating Subsidiaries based in Hong Kong, and, as of the date of this prospectus, we have no active subsidiary, VIE structure or any direct operations in mainland China, nor do we intend to have any subsidiary or VIE structure or intent to acquire any equity interests in any domestic companies in mainland China, and we are not controlled by any companies or individuals of mainland China. Further, we are headquartered in Hong Kong, with our chief executive officer, chief financial officer and all members of the board of directors of mF International based in Hong Kong, not mainland China, and all of our revenues and profits are generated by the Operating Subsidiaries in Hong Kong. Moreover, pursuant to the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, or the Basic Law, PRC laws and regulations shall not be applied in Hong Kong except for those listed in Annex III of the Basic Law (which is confined to laws relating to national defense, foreign affairs and other matters that are not within the scope of autonomy). Therefore, as of the date of this prospectus, the CSRC’s approval is not required for the listing and trading of our Ordinary Shares in the U.S. exchange as provided under the M&A Rules, and we would not be subject to filing requirements with the CSRC pursuant to the Trial Measures and supporting guidelines.

 

We are aware that, recently, the PRC government initiated a series of regulatory actions and statements to regulate business operations in certain areas in China with little advance notice, including cracking down on illegal activities in the securities market, enhancing supervision over China-based companies listed overseas using the variable interest entity structure, adopting new measures to extend the scope of cybersecurity reviews, and expanding the efforts in anti-monopoly enforcement. For example, on July 6, 2021, the General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council jointly issued a document to crack down on illegal activities in the securities market and promote the high-quality development of the capital market, which, among other things, requires the relevant governmental authorities to strengthen cross-border oversight of law-enforcement and judicial cooperation, to enhance supervision over China-based companies listed overseas, and to establish and improve the system of extraterritorial application of the PRC securities laws.

 

15
Table of Contents

 

In addition, on January 4, 2022, the Measures were published and became effective on February 15, 2022, which were originally promulgated by the CAC on April 13, 2020, and, as revised on July 10, 2021, required that, among other things, and in addition to any “operator of critical information infrastructure”, any “data processor” controlling personal information of no less than one million users which seeks to list in a foreign stock exchange should also be subject to cybersecurity review, and which further elaborate on the factors to be considered when assessing the national security risks of the relevant activities. The publication of the Measures indicates greater oversight by the CAC over data security, which may impact our Operating Subsidiaries’ business and this Offering in the future. As of the date of this prospectus, the Operating Subsidiaries currently have less than 10% of their total customers in mainland China. Additionally, the Operating Subsidiaries may collect and store certain data for customer registration purpose. As of the date of this prospectus, we do not expect the Measures to have an impact on the Operating Subsidiaries business, operations or this Offering to subject us or the Operating Subsidiaries to permission requirements from the CAC or any other government agency that is required to approve our operations, as we do not believe that we will be deemed to be an “operator of critical information infrastructure” or a “data processor” controlling personal information of no less than one million users, that are required to file for cybersecurity review before listing in the U.S., because (i) all operations are conducted by the Operating Subsidiaries which currently mostly serve clients outside mainland China; (ii) we do not have or intend to have, nor do we have or intend to establish, a VIE structure with any entity in mainland China and the Measures remain unclear whether they shall be applied to a company like us; (iii) as of date of this prospectus, we have neither collected nor stored any personal information of any mainland China individual or within mainland China, nor do we entrust or expect to be entrusted by any individual or entity to conduct any data processing activities of any mainland China individual or within mainland China; (iv) as of the date of this prospectus, we have not been informed by any PRC governmental authority of any requirement that we must file for a cybersecurity review; and (v) pursuant to the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, or the Basic Law, PRC laws and regulations shall not be applied in Hong Kong except for those listed in Annex III of the Basic Law (which is confined to laws relating to national defense, foreign affairs and other matters that are not within the scope of autonomy). However, there remains significant uncertainty in the interpretation and enforcement of relevant PRC cybersecurity laws and regulations. If we were deemed to be an “operator of critical information infrastructure” or a “data processor” controlling personal information of no less than one million users, or if other regulations promulgated in relation to the Measures are deemed to apply to us, the business operations of the Operating Subsidiaries and the listing of our Ordinary Shares in the U.S. could be subject to CAC’s cybersecurity review or we and the Operating Subsidiaries might be covered by permission from the CAC or any other government agency that is required to approve our operations in the future. Nevertheless, since these statements and regulatory actions are new, it is highly uncertain how soon the legislative or administrative regulation making bodies will respond and what existing or new laws or regulations or detailed implementations and interpretations will be modified or promulgated, if any. It also remains highly uncertain what the potential impact such modified or new laws and regulations will have on our daily business operations, its ability to accept foreign investments and the listing of our Ordinary Shares on a U.S. or other foreign exchanges. If any or all of the foregoing were to occur, it may significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to complete this Offering or cause the value of our Ordinary Shares to significantly decline or become worthless.

 

On February 17, 2023, with the approval of the State Council, the CSRC released the Trial Measures and five supporting guidelines, which became effective on March 31, 2023. According to the Trial Measures, among other requirements, (1) domestic companies that seek to offer or list securities overseas, both directly and indirectly, should fulfill the filing procedures with the CSRC; if a domestic company fails to complete the filing procedures, such domestic company may be subject to administrative penalties; (2) where a domestic company seeks to indirectly offer and list securities in an overseas market, the issuer shall designate a major domestic operating entity responsible for all filing procedures with the CSRC, and such filings shall be submitted to the CSRC within three business days after the submission of the overseas offering and listing application. As advised by our PRC counsel, Zhong Lun Law Firm, since the Company is a company duly incorporated in the BVI, (i) with business operations conducted by the Operating Subsidiaries located in Hong Kong, and (ii) neither the Company nor the Operating Subsidiaries currently have any subsidiary in the PRC nor have they entered into any contractual arrangements to establish a variable interest entity structure with any entity in the PRC, the Company fails to meet the conditions under Article 15 of the Trial Measures and the supporting guidelines which constitute an indirect overseas listing in an overseas market that would otherwise subject the Company to the Trial Measures and supporting guidelines as of the date of this prospectus. Therefore, as of the date of this prospectus, no effective laws or regulations in the PRC explicitly require our Company or the Operating Subsidiaries in Hong Kong to seek approvals from the CSRC or any other PRC governmental authorities for our overseas listing plan. If it is later determined that we are required by the Trial Measures to submit to the CRSC and complete the filing procedures of our offering and listing, we cannot assure you that we will be able to complete such filings in a timely manner or even at all. Any failure by us to comply with such filing requirements under the Trial Measures may result in an order to rectify, warnings and fines against us and could materially hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer our securities.

 

As of the date of this prospectus, we are advised by Hong Kong counsel, Winston & Strawn, that we are not required to obtain permission or approval from Hong Kong authorities to offer the securities being registered to foreign investors, save that our Ordinary Shares 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 Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong), (ii) to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules promulgated thereunder, or (iii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong). Should there be any change in applicable laws, regulations, or interpretations, and we or any of the Operating Subsidiaries are required to obtain such permissions or approvals in the future, we will strive to comply with the then applicable laws, regulations, or interpretations.

 

Based on our understanding of the PRC laws and regulations currently in effect, as of the date of this prospectus, neither we nor the Operating Subsidiaries are subject to the M&A Rules, the Measures, the Trial Measures or the regulations or policies that have been issued by the CSRC or the CAC as of the date of this prospectus, nor are we currently covered by permission requirements from the CSRC, the CAC or any other PRC governmental agency that is required to approve our listing on the U.S. exchanges and offering securities. Hence, based on the foregoing, since we are not subject to the regulations or policies issued by the CAC to date, we believe that we are currently not required to be compliant with such regulations and policies issued by the CAC as of the date of this prospectus. Further, as of the date of this prospectus, neither we nor the Operating Subsidiaries have ever applied for any such permission or approval, as we currently are not subject to the M&A Rules or the regulations and policies issued by the CAC. However, if there is significant change to current political arrangements between mainland China and Hong Kong, or the applicable laws, regulations, or interpretations change, and, in such event, if we are required to obtain such approvals in the future and we do not receive or maintain the approvals or are denied permission from mainland China or Hong Kong authorities, we will not be able to list our Ordinary Shares on a U.S. exchange, or continue to offer securities to investors, which would materially affect the interests of the investors and cause significant the value of our Ordinary Shares significantly decline or be worthless.

 

Substantially all of our Operating Subsidiaries’ operations are conducted in Hong Kong. However, due to the long arm provisions under the current PRC laws and regulations, the Chinese government may exercise significant oversight and discretion over the conduct of such business and may intervene in or influence such operations at any time, which could result in a material change in the operations of the Operating Subsidiaries and/or the value of our Ordinary Shares. The PRC government may also intervene or impose restrictions on our ability to move money out of Hong Kong to distribute earnings and pay dividends or to reinvest in our business outside of Hong Kong. Changes in the policies, regulations, rules, and the enforcement of laws of the Chinese government may also occur quickly with little advance notice and our assertions and beliefs of the risk imposed by the PRC legal and regulatory system cannot be certain.

 

Recently, the PRC government initiated a series of regulatory actions and statements to regulate business operations in certain areas in China with little advance notice, including a cracking down on illegal activities in the securities market, enhancing supervision over China-based companies listed overseas using the variable interest entity structure, adopting new measures to extend the scope of cybersecurity reviews, and expanding the efforts in anti-monopoly enforcement. Given the recent statements by the Chinese government indicating an intent to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, any such action could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause such securities to significantly decline or be worthless. Additionally, any further control over offerings conducted overseas and/or foreign investment impacting the Operating Subsidiaries in Hong Kong by the Hong Kong government could result in a material change in our operations, financial performance and/or the value of our Ordinary Shares or impair our ability to raise money.

 

16
Table of Contents

 

If the Chinese government chooses to extend oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in mainland China-based issuers to Hong Kong-based issuers, such action may significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer Ordinary Shares to investors and cause the value of our Ordinary Shares to significantly decline or be worthless.

 

Recent statements, laws and regulations by the Chinese government, including the Measures for Cybersecurity Review, the PRC Personal Information Protection Law, and the Trial Measures published by CSRC, effective on March 31, 2023, have already indicated an intent to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investments in China-based issuers. It remains uncertain whether the Chinese government will adopt additional requirements or extend the existing requirements to apply to the Operating Subsidiaries located in Hong Kong. We could be subject to approval or review by Chinese regulatory authorities to pursue this Offering. Any future action by the PRC government expanding the categories of industries and companies whose foreign securities offerings are subject to review by the CSRC could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and could cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless.

 

We are an “emerging growth company” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and if we take advantage of certain exemptions from disclosure requirements available to emerging growth companies, this could make it more difficult to compare our performance with other public companies.

 

We are an “emerging growth company” within the meaning of the Securities Act, as modified by the JOBS Act. Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such an election to opt out is irrevocable. We have elected not to opt out of such extended transition period, which means that when a standard is issued or revised, and it has different application dates for public or private companies, we, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of our financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accountant standards used.

 

As an “emerging growth company” under applicable law, we will be subject to lessened disclosure requirements. Such reduced disclosure may make our Ordinary Shares less attractive to investors.

 

For as long as we remain an “emerging growth company”, as defined in the JOBS Act, we will elect to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies”, including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. Because of these lessened regulatory requirements, our shareholders would be left without information or rights available to shareholders of more mature companies. If some investors find our Ordinary Shares less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our Ordinary Shares and our Ordinary Share price may be more volatile.

 

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 consummation of this Offering, we will incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses as a public company that we did not incur as a private company. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as rules subsequently implemented by the SEC, impose various requirements on the corporate governance practices of public companies. We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act and will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (1) the last day of the fiscal year (a) following the fifth anniversary of the completion of this Offering, (b) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.235 billion, or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our Ordinary Shares that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the prior the fiscal year ended on June 30, 2021 and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt during the prior three-year period. 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 in the assessment of the emerging growth company’s internal control over financial reporting and permission to delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies.

 

Compliance with these rules and regulations increases our legal and financial compliance costs and makes some corporate activities more time-consuming and costly. After we are no longer an “emerging growth company,” or until five years following the completion of our initial public offering, whichever is earlier, 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 public company, we may be required to increase the number of independent directors and adopt policies regarding internal controls and disclosure controls and procedures. We may invest in obtaining director and officer liability insurance. In addition, we may 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.

 

17
Table of Contents

 

Following this Offering, Gaderway Investments Limited, our largest shareholder, will continue to own more than a majority of the voting power of our outstanding Ordinary Shares. As a result, Gaderway Investments Limited has the ability to control the outcome of matters submitted to the shareholders for approval. Additionally, we may be deemed to be a “controlled company” and may follow certain exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements that could adversely affect our public shareholders.

 

Upon completion of this Offering, our biggest shareholder, Gaderway Investments Limited, may beneficially own approximately 63.33% of the aggregate voting power of our outstanding Ordinary Shares, assuming no exercise of the underwriter’s over-allotment option, or approximately 62.16%, assuming full exercise of the underwriter’s over-allotment option. As a result, Gaderway Investments Limited has the ability to control the outcome of matters submitted to the shareholders for approval, including the election of directors and any merger, consolidation, or sale of all or substantially all of our assets.

 

Under the NASDAQ listing rules, a company of which more than 50% of the voting power is held by an individual, group, or another company is a “controlled company” and is permitted to elect to rely, and may rely, on certain exemptions from the obligation to comply with certain corporate governance requirements, including:

 

  the requirement that our director nominees must be selected or recommended solely by independent directors; and
     
  the requirement that we have a corporate governance and nominating committee that is composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibilities.

 

Although we do not intend to rely on the “controlled company” exemptions under the NASDAQ listing rules even if we are deemed to be a “controlled company,” we could elect to rely on these exemptions in the future. If we were to elect to rely on the “controlled company” exemptions, a majority of the members of our board of directors might not be independent directors and our nominating and corporate governance and compensation committees might not consist entirely of independent directors. Accordingly, if we rely on the exemptions, during the period we remain a controlled company and during any transition period following a time when we are no longer a controlled company, you would not have the same protections afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to all of the corporate governance requirements of NASDAQ.

 

Risks Related to Doing Business in Hong Kong

 

It may be difficult for overseas shareholders and/or regulators to conduct investigations or collect evidence within the territory of China, including Hong Kong.

 

Shareholder claims or regulatory investigations that are common in the United States generally are difficult to pursue as a matter of law or practicality in China. For example, in China, there are significant legal and other obstacles to providing information needed for regulatory investigations or litigation initiated outside China. Although the authorities in China may establish a regulatory cooperation mechanism with the securities regulatory authorities of another country or region to implement cross-border supervision and administration, such cooperation with the securities regulatory authorities in the Unities States may not be efficient in the absence of mutual and practical cooperation mechanism.

 

Our principal business operations are conducted in Hong Kong. In the event that the U.S. regulators carry out an investigation on us and there is a need to conduct such investigation, or collect evidence within, the territory of the PRC, the U.S. regulators may not be able to carry out such investigation or evidence collection directly in the PRC under the PRC laws. The U.S. regulators may, in the future, consider cross-border cooperation with a securities regulatory authority of the PRC by way of judicial assistance, diplomatic channels or regulatory cooperation mechanism established with the securities regulatory authority of the PRC. Additionally, our Hong Kong counsel, Winston & Strawn, advised that the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong (“SFC”) is a signatory to the International Organisation of Securities Commissions Multilateral Memorandum of Understanding (“MMOU”), which provides for mutual investigatory and other assistance and exchange of information between securities regulators around the world, including the SEC. This is also reflected in section 186 of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (“SFO”) which empowers the SFC to exercise its investigatory powers to obtain information and documents requested by non-Hong Kong regulators, and section 378 of the SFO which allows the SFC to share confidential information and documents in its possession with such regulators. However, there is no assurance that such cooperation will materialize, or if it does, whether it will adequately address any efforts to investigate or collect evidence to the extent that may be sought by U.S. regulators.

 

You may incur additional costs and procedural obstacles in effecting service of legal process, enforcing foreign judgments or bringing actions in Hong Kong against us or our management named in this prospectus based on Hong Kong laws.

 

Currently, all of our operations are conducted outside the United States, and all of our assets are located outside the United States. All of our directors and officers are Hong Kong nationals or residents and a substantial portion of their assets are located in Hong Kong outside the United States. Foreign judgments of United States courts will not be directly enforced in Hong Kong, as there are currently no treaties or other arrangements providing for reciprocal enforcement of foreign judgments between Hong Kong and the United States. You may incur additional costs and procedural obstacles in effecting service of legal process, enforcing foreign judgments or bringing actions in Hong Kong against us or our management named in the prospectus, as judgments entered in the United States can be enforced in Hong Kong only at common law. If you want to enforce a judgment of the United States in Hong Kong, it must be a final judgment conclusive upon the merits of the claim, for a liquidated amount in a civil matter and not in respect of taxes, fines, penalties, or similar charges, the proceedings in which the judgment was obtained were not contrary to natural justice, and the enforcement of the judgment is not contrary to public policy of Hong Kong. Such a judgment must be for a fixed sum and must also come from a “competent” court as determined by the private international law rules applied by the Hong Kong courts. For more information regarding the relevant laws of the British Virgin Islands and Hong Kong, see “Enforceability of Civil Liabilities.”

 

18
Table of Contents

 

The enactment of Law of the PRC on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (the “Hong Kong National Security Law”) could impact our Operating Subsidiaries.

 

On June 30, 2020, the Standing Committee of the PRC National People’s Congress adopted the Hong Kong National Security Law. This law defines the duties and government bodies of the Hong Kong National Security Law for safeguarding national security and four categories of offences — secession, subversion, terrorist activities, and collusion with a foreign country or external elements to endanger national security — and their corresponding penalties. On July 14, 2020, the former U.S. President Donald Trump signed the Hong Kong Autonomy Act, or HKAA, into law, authorizing the U.S. administration to impose blocking sanctions against individuals and entities who are determined to have materially contributed to the erosion of Hong Kong’s autonomy. On August 7, 2020 the U.S. government imposed HKAA-authorized sanctions on eleven individuals, including HKSAR chief executive Carrie Lam. On October 14, 2020, the U.S. State Department submitted to relevant committees of Congress the report required under HKAA, identifying persons materially contributing to “the failure of the Government of China to meet its obligations under the Joint Declaration or the Basic Law.” On March 16, 2021, the U.S. State Department submitted a report listing an additional 24 foreign persons determined to meet the HKAA criteria. This report is an update to the October 2020 and March 2021 reports, consistent with section 5(e) of the HKAA. The HKAA further authorizes secondary sanctions, including the imposition of blocking sanctions, against foreign financial institutions that knowingly conduct a significant transaction with foreign persons sanctioned under this authority. The imposition of sanctions may directly affect the foreign financial institutions as well as any third parties or customers dealing with any foreign financial institution that is targeted. It is difficult to predict the full impact of the Hong Kong National Security Law and HKAA on Hong Kong and companies located in Hong Kong. If the Operating Subsidiaries are determined to be in violation of the Hong Kong National Security Law or the HKAA by competent authorities, the business operations, our financial position and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

 

The enforcement of laws and rules and regulations in China can change quickly with little advance notice. Additionally, the PRC laws and regulations and the enforcement of such that apply or are to be applied to Hong Kong can change quickly with little or no advance notice. As a result, the Hong Kong legal system embodies uncertainties which could limit the availability of legal protections, which could result in a material change in our operations and/or the value of the securities we are registering for sale.

 

As one of the conditions for the handover of the sovereignty of Hong Kong to China, China accepted conditions such as Hong Kong’s Basic Law. The Basic Law ensured Hong Kong will retain its own currency (the Hong Kong Dollar), legal system, parliamentary system and people’s rights and freedom for fifty years from 1997. This agreement has given Hong Kong the freedom to function with a high degree of autonomy. The Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong is responsible for its own domestic affairs including, but not limited to, the judiciary and courts of last resort, immigration and customs, public finance, currencies and extradition. Hong Kong continues using the English common law system.

 

However, if the PRC attempts to alter its agreement to allow Hong Kong to function autonomously, this could potentially impact Hong Kong’s common law legal system and may in turn bring about uncertainty in, for example, the enforcement of the contractual rights of our Operating Subsidiaries. This could, in turn, materially and adversely affect business and operations of our Operating Subsidiaries. Additionally, intellectual property rights and confidentiality protections in Hong Kong may not be as effective as in the United States or other countries. Accordingly, we cannot predict the effect of future developments in the Hong Kong legal system, including the promulgation of new laws, changes to existing laws or the interpretation or enforcement thereof, or the preemption of local regulations by national laws. These uncertainties could limit the legal protections available to us, including the ability to enforce agreements with the customers.

 

The Hong Kong legal system embodies uncertainties which could limit the availability of legal protections.

 

As one of the conditions for the handover of the sovereignty of Hong Kong to China, China accepted conditions such as Hong Kong’s Basic Law. The Basic Law ensured that capitalist system and way of life in Hong Kong shall remain unchanged for 50 years, and has given Hong Kong the freedom to function with a high degree of autonomy. Hong Kong is responsible for its own domestic affairs including, but not limited to, the judiciary and courts of last resort, immigration and customs, public finance, currencies and extradition. Hong Kong continues using the English common law system.

 

However, if the PRC attempts to alter its agreement to allow Hong Kong to function autonomously, this could potentially impact Hong Kong’s common law legal system and may in turn bring about uncertainty in, for example, the enforcement of our contractual rights. This could, in turn, materially and adversely affect the business and operations of our Operating Subsidiaries. Additionally, intellectual property rights and confidentiality protections in Hong Kong may not be as effective as in the United States or other countries. Accordingly, we cannot predict the effect of future developments in the Hong Kong legal system, including the promulgation of new laws, changes to existing laws or the interpretation or enforcement thereof, or the preemption of local regulations by national laws. These uncertainties could limit the legal protections available to our Operating Subsidiaries, including their ability to enforce agreements with our customers.

 

19
Table of Contents

 

There are some political risks associated with conducting business in Hong Kong.

 

The operations of the Operating Subsidiaries are principally based in Hong Kong. Accordingly, the business operations of the Operating Subsidiaries and financial conditions will be affected by the political and legal developments in Hong Kong. During the period covered by the financial information incorporated by reference into and included in this prospectus, we derive all of our revenue from operations in Hong Kong and, specifically, from our Operating Subsidiaries. Any adverse economic, social and/or political conditions, material social unrest, strike, riot, civil disturbance or disobedience, as well as significant natural disasters, may affect the market and may adversely affect the business operations of our Operating Subsidiaries. Hong Kong is a special administrative region of the PRC and the basic policies of the PRC regarding Hong Kong are reflected in the Basic Law, namely, Hong Kong’s constitutional document, which provides Hong Kong with a high degree of autonomy and executive, legislative and independent judicial powers, including that of final adjudication under the principle of “one country, two systems”. However, there is no assurance that there will not be any changes in the economic, political and legal environment in Hong Kong in the future. Since all of our operations are based in Hong Kong, any change of such political arrangements may pose an immediate threat to the stability of the economy in Hong Kong, thereby directly and adversely affecting our results of operations and financial positions.

 

The Hong Kong protests that began in 2019 are ongoing and were triggered by the introduction of the Fugitive Offenders amendment bill by the Hong Kong government. If enacted, the bill would have allowed the extradition of criminal fugitives who are wanted in territories with which Hong Kong does not currently have extradition agreements, including mainland China. This led to concerns that the bill would subject Hong Kong residents and visitors to the jurisdiction and legal system of mainland China, thereby undermining the region’s autonomy and people’s civil liberties. Various sectors of the Hong Kong economy have been adversely affected as the protests turned increasingly violent. Most notably, the airline, retail, and real estate sectors have seen their sales decline.

 

Under the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong is exclusively in charge of its internal affairs and external relations, while the government of the PRC is responsible for its foreign affairs and defense. As a separate customs territory, Hong Kong maintains and develops relations with foreign states and regions. Based on certain recent development including the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region issued by the Standing Committee of the PRC National People’s Congress in June 2020, the U.S. State Department has indicated that the United States no longer considers Hong Kong to have significant autonomy from China and President Trump signed an executive order and Hong Kong Autonomy Act, or HKAA, to remove Hong Kong’s preferential trade status and to authorize the U.S. administration to impose blocking sanctions against individuals and entities who are determined to have materially contributed to the erosion of Hong Kong’s autonomy. The United States may impose the same tariffs and other trade restrictions on exports from Hong Kong that it places on goods from mainland China. These and other recent actions may represent an escalation in political and trade tensions involving the U.S, China and Hong Kong, which could potentially harm our business.

 

Our revenue is susceptible to the ongoing incidents or factors which affect the stability of the social, economic and political conditions in Hong Kong. Any drastic events may adversely affect the business operations of our Operating Subsidiaries. Such adverse events may include changes in economic conditions and regulatory environment, social and/or political conditions, civil disturbance or disobedience, as well as significant natural disasters. Given the relatively small geographical size of Hong Kong, any of such incidents may have a widespread effect on the business operations of our Operating Subsidiaries, which could in turn adversely and materially affect our business, our results of operations and financial condition. It is difficult to predict the full impact of the HKAA on Hong Kong and companies with operations in Hong Kong like us. Furthermore, legislative or administrative actions in respect of China-U.S. relations could cause investor uncertainty for affected issuers, including us, and the market price of our Ordinary Shares could be adversely affected.

 

Risks Related to Our Ordinary Shares and This Offering

 

There has been no public market for our Ordinary Shares prior to this Offering, and if an active trading market does not develop you may not be able to resell our Ordinary Shares at or above the price you paid, or at all.

 

Prior to this initial public Offering, there has been no public market for our Ordinary Shares. We expect to apply for our Ordinary Shares to be listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market. There is no guarantee that our application will be approved by the NASDAQ Capital Market. If an active trading market for our Ordinary Shares does not develop after this Offering, the market price and liquidity of our Ordinary Shares will be materially adversely affected. You may not be able to sell any Ordinary Shares that you purchase in the Offering at or above the public offering price. Accordingly, investors should be prepared to face a complete loss of their investment.

 

Our Ordinary Shares may be prohibited from being traded on a national exchange under the HFCA Act if the PCAOB determines that it cannot inspect or fully investigate our auditors for two consecutive years, beginning in 2022, and, as a result, an exchange may determine to delist our securities. The delisting of our Ordinary Shares, or the threat of being delisted, may materially and adversely affect the value of your investment.

 

The HFCA Act, was enacted on December 18, 2020. The HFCA Act states if the SEC determines that a company has filed audit reports issued by a registered public accounting firm that has not been subject to inspection by the PCAOB for three consecutive years beginning in 2021, the SEC shall prohibit such company’s securities from being traded on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter trading market in the U.S.

 

On March 24, 2021, the SEC adopted interim final rules relating to the implementation of certain disclosure and documentation requirements of the HFCA Act. A company will be required to comply with these rules if the SEC identifies it as having a “non-inspection” year under a process to be subsequently established by the SEC. The SEC is assessing how to implement other requirements of the HFCA Act, including the listing and trading prohibition requirements described above.

 

20
Table of Contents

 

On December 2, 2021, the SEC adopted amendments to finalize rules implementing the submission and disclosure requirements in the HFCA Act. The rules apply to registrants that the SEC identifies as having filed an annual report with an audit report issued by a registered public accounting firm that is located in a foreign jurisdiction and that PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely because of a position taken by an authority in foreign jurisdictions.

 

On December 16, 2021, the PCAOB has issued its report notifying the SEC of its determination that it is unable to inspect or investigate completely accounting firms headquartered in mainland China or Hong Kong. Our auditor, the independent registered public accounting firm that issues the audit report included elsewhere in this prospectus, as an auditor of companies that are traded publicly in the United States and a firm registered with the PCAOB, is subject to laws in the United States pursuant to which the PCAOB conducts regular inspections to assess its compliance with the applicable professional standards on a regular basis. However, the recent developments could add uncertainties to our Offering and we cannot assure you that NASDAQ or other regulatory authorities would not apply additional or more stringent criteria to us after considering the effectiveness of our auditor’s audit procedures and quality control procedures, adequacy of personnel and training, or sufficiency of resources, geographic reach or experience as it relates to the audit of our financial statements. On August 26, 2022, the PCAOB signed the SOP Agreement with the CSRC and China’s Ministry of Finance. The SOP Agreement established a specific, accountable framework to make possible complete inspections and investigations by the PCAOB of audit firms based in mainland China and Hong Kong, as required under U.S. law.

 

On December 15, 2022, the PCAOB Board determined that the PCAOB was able to secure complete access to inspect and investigate registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong and voted to vacate its previous determinations to the contrary. However, should PRC authorities obstruct or otherwise fail to facilitate the PCAOB’s access in the future, the PCAOB Board will consider the need to issue a new determination.

 

On December 29, 2022, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, was signed into law by President Biden. The Consolidated Appropriations Act contained, among other things, an identical provision to the Accelerating HFCA Act, which reduces the number of consecutive non-inspection years required for foreign companies to comply with PCAOB audits under the HFCA Act from what was originally three years to two, thus reducing the time period before their securities may be prohibited from trading or delisted.

 

If, as a consequence, our Ordinary Shares are unable to be listed on another securities exchange, such a delisting would substantially impair your ability to sell or purchase our Ordinary Shares when you wish to do so, and the risk and uncertainty associated with a potential delisting would have a negative impact on the price of our Ordinary Shares.

 

The recent joint statement by the SEC and proposed rule changes submitted by NASDAQ, all call for additional and more stringent criteria to be applied to emerging market companies. These developments could add uncertainties to our Offering, business operations, share price and reputation.

 

U.S. public companies that have substantially all of their operations in China (including in Hong Kong) have been the subject of intense scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity by investors, financial commentators and regulatory agencies, such as the SEC. Much of this negative attention has centered on financial and accounting irregularities and mistakes, a lack of effective internal controls over financial accounting, inadequate corporate governance policies or a lack of adherence thereto and, in many cases, allegations of fraud.

 

On December 7, 2018, the SEC and the PCAOB issued a joint statement highlighting continued challenges faced by the U.S. regulators in their oversight of financial statement audits of U.S.-listed companies with significant operations in China. On April 21, 2020, SEC Chairman Jay Clayton and PCAOB Chairman, William D. Duhnke III, along with other senior SEC staff, released a joint statement highlighting the risks associated with investing in companies based in or have substantial operations in emerging markets including China, reiterating past SEC and PCAOB statements on matters including the difficulty associated with inspecting accounting firms and audit work papers in China and higher risks of fraud in emerging markets and the difficulty of bringing and enforcing SEC, Department of Justice and other U.S. regulatory actions, including in instances of fraud, in emerging markets generally.

 

On May 21, 2021, NASDAQ filed three proposals with the SEC to (i) apply minimum offering size requirement for companies primarily operating in a “Restrictive Market”, (ii) prohibit Restrictive Market companies from directly listing on NASDAQ Capital Market, and only permit them to list on NASDAQ Global Select or NASDAQ Global Market in connection with a direct listing and (iii) apply additional and more stringent criteria to an applicant or listed company based on the qualifications of the company’s auditors.

 

21
Table of Contents

 

As a result of such scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity, the publicly traded stock of many U.S. listed Chinese companies sharply decreased in value and, in some cases, has become virtually worthless. Many of these companies are now subject to shareholder lawsuits and SEC enforcement actions and are conducting internal and external investigations into the allegations. It is not clear what effect this sector-wide scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity will have on us, our Offering, business and our share price. If we become the subject of any unfavorable allegations, whether such allegations are proven to be true or untrue, we will have to expend significant resources to investigate such allegations and/or defend our Company. This situation will be costly and time consuming and distract our management from developing our growth. If such allegations are not proven to be groundless, we and our Operating Subsidiaries’ business operations will be severely affected and you could sustain a significant decline in the value of our Ordinary Share.

 

NASDAQ may apply additional and more stringent criteria for our initial and continued listing because we plan to have a small public offering and our insiders will hold a large portion of our listed securities.

 

NASDAQ Listing Rule 5101 provides NASDAQ with broad discretionary authority over the initial and continued listing of securities in NASDAQ and NASDAQ may use such discretion to deny initial listing, apply additional or more stringent criteria for the initial or continued listing of particular securities, or suspend or delist particular securities based on any event, condition, or circumstance that exists or occurs that makes initial or continued listing of the securities on NASDAQ inadvisable or unwarranted in the opinion of NASDAQ, even though the securities may meet all enumerated criteria for initial or continued listing on NASDAQ. In addition, NASDAQ has used its discretion to deny initial or continued listing or to apply additional and more stringent criteria in the instances, including, but not limited to: (i) where the company engaged an auditor that has not been subject to an inspection by PCAOB, an auditor that PCAOB cannot inspect, or an auditor that has not demonstrated sufficient resources, geographic reach, or experience to adequately perform the company’s audit; (ii) where the company planned a small public offering, which would result in insiders holding a large portion of the company’s listed securities, and NASDAQ had concerns that the offering size was insufficient to establish the company’s initial valuation, and there would not be sufficient liquidity to support a public market for the company; and (iii) where the company did not demonstrate sufficient nexus to the U.S. capital market, including having no U.S. shareholders, operations, or members of the board of directors or management. Our initial public offering will be relatively small. Notwithstanding the Selling Shareholders’ successful sales during or after the initial public offering, we estimate that there should be about not more than 35% of the total issued capital in public hands after the listing. The insiders of our Company will still hold a large portion of the Company’s listed securities following the consummation of the Offering. Therefore, we may be subject to the additional and more stringent criteria of NASDAQ for our initial and continued listing, which might cause delay or even denial of our listing application.

 

The initial public offering price for our Ordinary Shares may not be indicative of prices that will prevail in the trading market and such market prices may be volatile.

 

The initial public offering price does not bear any relationship to our earnings, book value or any other indicia of value. We cannot assure you that the market price of our Ordinary Shares will not decline significantly below the initial public offering price. The financial markets in the United States and other countries have experienced significant price and volume fluctuations in the last few years. Volatility in the price of our Ordinary Shares may be caused by factors outside of our control and may be unrelated or disproportionate to changes in our results of operations.

 

You will experience immediate and substantial dilution in the net tangible book value of Ordinary Shares purchased.

 

The initial public offering price of our Ordinary Shares is substantially higher than the (pro forma) net tangible book value per share of our Ordinary Shares. Consequently, when you purchase our Ordinary Shares in the Offering and upon completion of the Offering, you will incur immediate dilution of $[●] per share, assuming an initial public offering price of $[●], which is the midpoint of the price range as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. See “Dilution.” In addition, you may experience further dilution to the extent that additional Ordinary Shares are issued upon exercise of outstanding options we may grant from time to time.

 

The sale or availability for sale of substantial amounts of our Ordinary Shares could adversely affect their market price.

 

Sales of substantial amounts of our Ordinary Shares in the public market after the completion of this offering, or the perception that these sales could occur, could adversely affect the market price of our Ordinary Shares and could materially impair our ability to raise capital through equity offerings in the future. Resales of our Ordinary Shares in the public market during this offering by the Underwritten Selling Shareholder and the Selling Shareholders in this offering may cause the market price of our Ordinary Shares to decline. The Ordinary Shares sold in this offering of the Public Offering Ordinary Shares and all of the Shareholders Ordinary Shares will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, and certain Ordinary Shares held by our existing shareholders may also be sold in the public market in the future, subject to the restrictions in Rule 144 and Rule 701 under the Securities Act and the applicable lock-up agreements. As of the date of this prospectus, an aggregate of 11,585,000 Ordinary Shares is outstanding before the consummation of this Offering and 13,240,000 Ordinary Shares will be outstanding immediately after the consummation of this Offering, assuming no exercise of the underwriter’s over-allotment option, or 13,488,250 Ordinary Shares if the underwriter exercises its over-allotment option in full. Sales of these Ordinary Shares into the market could cause the market price of our Ordinary Shares to decline.

 

There may be substantial sales of our Ordinary Shares by the Selling Shareholders after the effective date of this registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, which could have a material adverse effect on the price of our Ordinary Shares after this offering.

 

The registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part also registers on behalf of the Selling Shareholders an aggregate of 2,317,000 Ordinary Shares previously issued by us. There are currently no agreements or understandings in place with the Selling Shareholders to restrict the sale of the Shareholder Ordinary Shares after the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Sales of a substantial number of our Ordinary Shares by the Selling Shareholders at such time could cause the market price of our Ordinary Shares to drop (possibly below the initial public offering price of the Public Offering Ordinary Shares in this offering) and could impair our ability to raise capital in the future by selling additional Company securities.

 

We do not intend to pay further dividends after listing our Ordinary Shares on NASDAQ.

 

We currently intend to retain all remaining funds and future earnings, if any, for the operations and expansion of the business of the Operating Subsidiaries and do not anticipate declaring or paying any further dividends after listing our Ordinary Shares on NASDAQ. Any future determination related to our dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our board of directors after considering our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, contractual requirements, business prospects and other factors the board of directors deems relevant, and will be subject to the restrictions contained in any future financing instruments.

 

22
Table of Contents

 

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our Operating Subsidiaries’ business, or if they publish a negative report regarding our Ordinary Shares, the price of our Ordinary Shares and trading volume could decline.

 

The trading market for our Ordinary Shares may depend in part on the research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish about us or the Operating Subsidiaries business. We do not have any control over these analysts. If one or more of the analysts who cover us downgrades us, the price of our Ordinary Shares would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts ceases coverage of our Company or fails to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which could cause the price of our Ordinary Shares and the trading volume to decline.

 

The market price for our Ordinary Shares may be volatile.

 

The initial public offering price for our Ordinary Shares may vary from the market price of our Ordinary Shares following our initial public offering. If you purchase our Ordinary Shares in our initial public offering, you may not be able to resell those shares at or above the initial public offering price. We cannot assure you that the initial public offering price of our Ordinary Shares, or the market price following our initial public offering, will equal or exceed the prices in any privately negotiated transactions of our Ordinary Shares that have occurred from time to time prior to our initial public offering. The market price for our Ordinary Shares may be volatile and subject to wide fluctuations due to factors, such as:

 

  the financial projections we may provide to the public, any changes in these projections or our failure to meet these projections;
     
  actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly operating results;
     
  changes in financial estimates by securities research analysts;
     
  negative publicity, studies or reports;
     
  our capability to catch up with the technology innovations in the industry, and maintain such technological innovations, once attained;
     
  announcements by us or our competitors of acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments;
     
  additions or departures of key personnel;
     
  fluctuations of exchange rates between Hong Kong dollar and the U.S. dollar; and
     
  general economic or political conditions in Hong Kong, the PRC and greater Asia region.

 

In addition, the securities market has from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are not related to the operating performance of particular companies. These market fluctuations may also materially and adversely affect the market price of our Ordinary Shares.

 

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 British Virgin Islands law.

 

We are a company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands. Our corporate affairs are governed by our Memorandum and Articles, the BVI Act and the common law of the British Virgin Islands. 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 the British Virgin Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common law of the British Virgin Islands. The common law of the British Virgin Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the British Virgin 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 British Virgin Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary duties of our directors under the British Virgin 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 British Virgin Islands has a less developed body of securities laws than the United States. Some U.S. states, such as Delaware, have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law than the British Virgin Islands. In addition, the British Virgin Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action in a federal court of the United States.

 

Certain corporate governance practices in the British Virgin Islands, where our holding company was incorporated, differ significantly from requirements for companies incorporated in other jurisdictions such as the United States. We can rely on home country practice with respect to our corporate governance after we complete this Offering. If we choose to follow the British Virgin Islands’ practice in the future, our shareholders may be afforded less protection than they otherwise would under rules and regulations applicable to U.S. domestic issuers. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Ordinary Shares and This Offering — As a foreign private issuer, we are permitted to, and we will, rely on exemptions from certain NASDAQ Stock Exchange corporate governance standards applicable to domestic U.S. issuers. This may afford less protection to holders of our Ordinary Shares.

 

As a result of the foregoing, public shareholders may have more difficulties in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken by our management, or members of our board of directors 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 BVI Act and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders, see “Description of Share Capital — Differences in Corporate Law.”

 

23
Table of Contents

 

As a foreign private issuer, we are permitted to, and we will, rely on exemptions from certain NASDAQ Stock Exchange corporate governance standards applicable to domestic U.S. issuers. This may afford less protection to holders of our Ordinary Shares.

 

We are exempted from certain corporate governance requirements of the NASDAQ listing rules by virtue of being a foreign private issuer. We are required to provide a brief description of the significant differences between our corporate governance practices and the corporate governance practices required to be followed by domestic U.S. companies listed on NASDAQ. The standards applicable to us are considerably different than the standards applied to domestic U.S. issuers. For instance, we are not required to:

 

  have a majority of the governing board be independent (although all of the members of the audit committee must be independent under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act);
     
  have a compensation committee or a nominating or corporate governance committee consisting entirely of independent directors;
     
  have regularly scheduled executive sessions with only independent directors; or
     
  have executive sessions of solely independent directors each year.

 

We have relied on and intend to continue to rely on some of these exemptions. As a result, you may not be provided with the benefits of certain corporate governance requirements of NASDAQ.

 

If we cease to qualify as a foreign private issuer, we would be required to comply fully with the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act applicable to U.S. domestic issuers, and we would incur significant additional legal, accounting and other expenses that we would not incur as a foreign private issuer.

 

We expect to qualify as a foreign private issuer upon the completion of this Offering. As a foreign private issuer, we will be exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and our officers, directors and principal shareholders will be exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition, we will not be required under the Exchange Act to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as United States domestic issuers, and we will not be required to disclose in our periodic reports all of the information that United States domestic issuers are required to disclose. While we currently expect to qualify as a foreign private issuer immediately following the completion of this Offering, we may cease to qualify as a foreign private issuer in the future.

 

If we cannot satisfy, or continue to satisfy, the initial listing requirements and other rules of NASDAQ Capital Market, although we are exempt from certain corporate governance standards applicable to US issuers as a Foreign Private Issuer, our Ordinary Shares may not be listed or may be delisted, which could negatively impact the price of our Ordinary Shares and your ability to sell them.

 

We will seek to have our Ordinary Shares approved for listing on the NASDAQ Capital Market upon consummation of this Offering. We cannot assure you that we will be able to meet those initial listing requirements at that time. Even if our Ordinary Shares are listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market, we cannot assure you that our Ordinary Shares will continue to be listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market.

 

In addition, following this Offering, in order to maintain our listing on the NASDAQ Capital Market, we will be required to comply with certain rules of NASDAQ Capital Market, including those regarding minimum shareholders’ equity, minimum share price and certain corporate governance requirements. Even if we initially meet the listing requirements and other applicable rules of the NASDAQ Capital Market, we may not be able to continue to satisfy these requirements and applicable rules. If we are unable to satisfy the NASDAQ Capital Market criteria for maintaining our listing, our Ordinary Shares could be subject to delisting.

 

If the NASDAQ Capital Market delists our Ordinary Shares from trading, we could face significant consequences, including:

 

a limited availability for market quotations for our Ordinary Shares;

 

reduced liquidity with respect to our Ordinary Shares;

 

a determination that our Ordinary Share is a “penny stock,” which will require brokers trading in our Ordinary Share to adhere to more stringent rules and possibly result in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for our Ordinary Share;

 

limited amount of news and analyst coverage; and

 

a decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future.

 

Because our Operating Subsidiaries’ business is conducted in Hong Kong dollars and the price of our Ordinary Shares is quoted in United States dollars, changes in currency conversion rates may affect the value of your investments.

 

Substantially all of our Operating Subsidiaries’ business is conducted in Hong Kong (with less than 10% of their total customers clients in mainland China), our books and records are maintained in Hong Kong dollars, which is the currency of Hong Kong, and the financial statements that we file with the SEC and provide to our shareholders are presented in United States dollars. Changes in the exchange rate between the Hong Kong dollar and U.S. dollar affect the value of our assets and the results of our operations in United States dollars. The value of the Hong Kong dollar against the United States dollar and other currencies may fluctuate and is affected by, among other things, changes in the Hong Kong’s political and economic conditions and perceived changes in the economy of Hong Kong and the United States. Any significant revaluation of the Hong Kong dollar may materially and adversely affect our cash flows, revenue and financial condition. Further, our Ordinary Shares offered by this prospectus are denominated in United States dollars, we will need to convert the net proceeds we receive into Hong Kong dollar in order to use the funds for the business of our Operating Subsidiaries. Changes in the conversion rate between the United States dollar and the Hong Kong dollar will affect that amount of proceeds we will have available for our business.

 

24
Table of Contents

 

Volatility in our Ordinary Shares price may subject us to securities litigation.

 

The market for our Ordinary Shares may have, when compared to seasoned issuers, significant price volatility and we expect that our share price may continue to be more volatile than that of a seasoned issuer for the indefinite future. In the past, plaintiffs have often initiated securities class action litigation against a company following periods of volatility in the market price of its securities. We may, in the future, be the target of similar litigation. Securities litigation could result in substantial costs and liabilities and could divert management’s attention and resources.

 

We have broad discretion in the use of the net proceeds from this Offering and may not use them effectively.

 

Our management will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds, including for any of the purposes described in the section entitled “Use of Proceeds,” and you will not have the opportunity as part of your investment decision to assess whether the net proceeds are being used appropriately. Because of the number and variability of factors that will determine our use of the net proceeds from this Offering, their ultimate use may vary substantially from their currently intended use. The failure by our management to apply these funds effectively could harm the business of our Operating Subsidiaries. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the Ordinary Shares by the Underwritten Selling Shareholder nor any of the proceeds from the sale of the Shareholders Ordinary Shares by the Selling Shareholders.

 

Our existing shareholders that are not included in this registration statement will be able to sell their Ordinary Shares after completion of this Offering subject to restrictions under the Rule 144.

 

Our existing shareholders may be able to sell their Ordinary Shares under Rule 144 after completion of this Offering. Because these shareholders have paid a lower price per Ordinary Share than participants in this Offering, when they are able to sell their pre-offering shares under Rule 144, they may be more willing to accept a lower sales price than the Offering Price. This fact could impact the trading price of our Ordinary Shares following completion of the Offering, to the detriment of participants in this Offering. Under rule 144, before our existing shareholders can sell their Ordinary Shares, in addition to meeting other requirements, they must meet the required holding period. We do not expect any of such Ordinary Shares to be sold pursuant to Rule 144 during the pendency of this Offering.

 

There can be no assurance that we will not be deemed a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes for any taxable year, which could result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. holders of our ordinary shares.

 

A non-U.S. corporation will be a PFIC for any taxable year if either (1) at least 75% of its gross income for such year consists of certain types of “passive” income; or (2) at least 50% of the value of its assets (based on an average of the quarterly values of the assets) during such year is attributable to assets that produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income, or the asset test. Based on our current and expected income and assets (taking into account the expected cash proceeds and our anticipated market capitalization following this Offering), we do not presently expect to be a PFIC for the current taxable year or the foreseeable future. However, no assurance can be given in this regard because the determination of whether we are or will become a PFIC is a fact-intensive inquiry made on an annual basis that depends, in part, upon the composition of our income and assets. In addition, there can be no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, will agree with our conclusion or that the IRS would not successfully challenge our position. Fluctuations in the market price of our Ordinary Shares may cause us to become a PFIC for the current or subsequent taxable years because the value of our assets for the purpose of the asset test may be determined by reference to the market price of our Ordinary Shares. The composition of our income and assets may also be affected by how, and how quickly, we use our liquid assets and the cash raised in this Offering. If we were to be or become a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder holds our Ordinary Shares, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences could apply to such U.S. Holder and such U.S. Holder may be subject to additional reporting requirements. For a more detailed discussion of the application of the PFIC rules to us and the consequences to U.S. taxpayers if we were or are determined to be a PFIC, see “Taxation Passive Foreign Investment Company (“PFIC”)”.

 

Our lack of effective internal controls over financial reporting may affect our ability to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud, which may affect the market for and price of our Ordinary Share.

 

To implement Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the SEC adopted rules requiring public companies to include a report of management on the company’s internal control over financial reporting. Prior to filing the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, we were a private company with limited accounting personnel and other resources for addressing our internal control over financial reporting. 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. Our independent registered public accounting firm did not conduct an audit of our internal control over financial reporting. However, in connection with the audits of our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2020 and 2021, we and our independent registered public accounting firm identified certain material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting PCAOB of the United States. 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 our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The material weaknesses identified related to (1) our lack of sufficient full-time personnel with appropriate levels of accounting knowledge and experience to monitor the daily recording of transactions, address complex U.S. GAAP accounting issues and to prepare and review financial statements and related disclosures under U.S. GAAP; (2) our lack of a functional internal audit department or personnel that monitors the consistencies of the preventive internal control procedures as well as adequate policies and procedures in internal audit function to ensure that our policies and procedures have been carried out as planned; and (3) inadequate segregation of duties for certain key functions due to limited staff and resources.

 

25
Table of Contents

 

We intend to implement measures designed to improve our internal control over financial reporting to address the underlying causes of these material weaknesses, including i) hiring more qualified staff to fill up the key roles in the operations; ii) setting up a financial and system control framework with formal documentation of polices and controls in place; and iii) appointing independent directors, establishing an audit committee and strengthening corporate governance.

 

We will be subject to the requirement that we maintain internal controls and that management perform periodic evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal controls. Effective internal control over financial reporting is important to prevent fraud. As a result, our business, our financial condition, results of operations and prospects, as well as the market for and trading price of our Ordinary Shares, may be materially and adversely affected if we do not have effective internal controls. Before this Offering, we were a private company with limited resources. As a result, we may not discover any problems in a timely manner and current and potential shareholders could lose confidence in our financial reporting, which would harm the business of the Operating Subsidiaries and the trading price of our Ordinary Shares. The absence of internal controls over financial reporting may inhibit investors from purchasing our Ordinary Shares and may make it more difficult for us to raise funds in a debt or equity financing.

 

Additional material weaknesses or significant deficiencies may be identified in the future. If we identify such issues or if we are unable to produce accurate and timely financial statements, our Ordinary Share price may decline and we may be unable to maintain compliance with the NASDAQ Listing Rules.

 

The price of our Ordinary Shares could be subject to rapid and substantial volatility, and such volatility may make it difficult for prospective investors to assess the rapidly changing value of our Ordinary Shares.

 

There have been instances of extreme stock price run-ups followed by rapid price declines and strong stock price volatility with recent initial public offerings, especially among those with relatively smaller public floats. As a relatively small-capitalization company with relatively small public float, we may experience greater stock price volatility, extreme price run-ups, lower trading volume and less liquidity than large-capitalization companies. In particular, our Ordinary Shares may be subject to rapid and substantial price volatility, low volumes of trades and large spreads in bid and ask prices. Such volatility, including any stock-run up, may be unrelated to our actual or expected operating performance and financial condition or prospects, making it difficult for prospective investors to assess the rapidly changing value of our Ordinary Shares.

 

In addition, if the trading volumes of our Ordinary Shares are low, persons buying or selling in relatively small quantities may easily influence prices of our Ordinary Shares. This low volume of trades could also cause the price of our Ordinary Shares to fluctuate greatly, with large percentage changes in price occurring in any trading day session. Holders of our Ordinary Shares may also not be able to readily liquidate their investment or may be forced to sell at depressed prices due to low volume trading. Broad market fluctuations and general economic and political conditions may also adversely affect the market price of our Ordinary Shares. As a result of this volatility, investors may experience losses on their investment in our Ordinary Shares. A decline in the market price of our Ordinary Shares also could adversely affect our ability to issue additional shares of Ordinary Shares and our ability to obtain additional financing in the future. No assurance can be given that an active market in our Ordinary Shares will develop or be sustained. If an active market does not develop, holders of our Ordinary Shares may be unable to readily sell the shares they hold or may not be able to sell their shares at all.

 

DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements, all of which are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements give our current expectations or forecasts of future events. You can identify these statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. You can find many (but not all) of these statements by the use of words such as “approximates,” “believes,” “hopes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may” or other similar expressions in this prospectus. These statements are likely to address our growth strategy, financial results and software and development programs. You must carefully consider any such statements and should understand that many factors could cause actual results to differ from our forward-looking statements. These factors may include inaccurate assumptions and a broad variety of other risks and uncertainties, including some that are known and some that are not. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

 

future financial and operating results, including revenues, income, expenditures, cash balances and other financial items;

 

our ability to execute our growth, expansion and acquisition strategies, including our ability to meet our goals;

 

current and future economic and political conditions;

 

our expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of our services and the services with which we assist in the distributions;

 

our expectations regarding our client base;

 

26
Table of Contents

 

our ability to procure the applicable regulatory licenses in the relevant jurisdictions in which we operate;

 

competition in our industry;

 

relevant government policies and regulations relating to our industry;

 

our capital requirements and our ability to raise any additional financing which we may require;

 

our ability to protect our intellectual property rights and secure the right to use other intellectual property that we deem to be essential or desirable to the conduct of business;

 

our ability to hire and retain qualified management personnel and key employees in order to enable us to develop our business;

 

overall industry and market performance;

 

the spread of COVID-19 and its new variants; and

 

other assumptions described in this prospectus underlying or relating to any forward-looking statements.

 

We describe material risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could affect the business of our Operating Subsidiaries, including our financial condition and results of operations, under “Risk Factors.” We base our forward-looking statements on our management’s beliefs and assumptions based on information available to our management at the time the statements are made. We caution you that actual outcomes and results may, and are likely to, differ materially from what is expressed, implied or forecast by our forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should be careful about relying on any forward-looking statements. Except as required under the federal securities laws, we do not have any intention or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements after the distribution of this prospectus, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, or otherwise.

 

Industry Data and Forecasts

 

This prospectus contains certain data and information that we obtained from various government and private publications. Statistical data in these publications also include projections based on a number of assumptions. The relevant industries in Hong Kong and greater Asia, 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 and adverse effect on the business of the Operating Subsidiaries and the market price of our Ordinary Shares. Furthermore, if any one or more of the assumptions underlying the market data are later found to be incorrect, actual results may differ from the projections based on these assumptions. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

 

ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES

 

We are incorporated in the British Virgin Islands to take advantage of certain benefits associated with being a British Virgin Islands business company, such as:

 

political and economic stability;

 

an effective judicial system;

 

a favorable tax system;

 

the absence of exchange controls or currency restrictions; and

 

the availability of professional and support services.

 

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

 

the British Virgin 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 as compared to the United States; and

 

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

 

Our Memorandum and Articles 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 assets are located in Hong Kong. In addition, all our directors and officers are nationals or residents of Hong Kong and all or a substantial portion of their assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for investors to effect service of process within the United States upon us or 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.

 

Ogier, our British Virgin Islands counsel, and Winston & Strawn, our Hong Kong counsel, have advised us that there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the BVI or Hong Kong would (i) 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 (ii) entertain original actions brought in the British Virgin Islands or Hong Kong against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States.

 

27
Table of Contents

 

There is uncertainty with regard to British Virgin Islands law as to whether a judgment obtained from the United States courts under civil liability provisions of the securities laws will be determined by the courts of the British Virgin Islands as penal or punitive in nature. If such a determination is made, the courts of the British Virgin Islands are also unlikely to recognize or enforce the judgment against a British Virgin Islands company. Because the courts of the British Virgin Islands have yet to rule on whether such judgments are penal or punitive in nature, it is uncertain whether they would be enforceable in the British Virgin Islands. Ogier has advised us that although there is no statutory enforcement in the British Virgin Islands of judgments obtained in the federal or state courts of the United States, in certain circumstances a judgment obtained in such jurisdiction may be recognized and enforced in the courts of the British Virgin Islands at common law, without any re-examination of the merits of the underlying dispute, by an action commenced on the foreign judgment debt in the High Court of the British Virgin Islands, provided such judgment:

 

is given by a foreign court of competent jurisdiction and such foreign court had proper jurisdiction over the parties subject to such judgment;

 

imposes on the judgment debtor a liability to pay a liquidated sum for which the judgment has been given;

 

is final;

 

no new admissible evidence relevant to the action is submitted prior to the rendering of the judgment by the courts of the BVI;

 

is not in respect of taxes, a fine, a penalty or similar fiscal or revenue obligations of the company;

 

was not obtained in a fraudulent manner and is not of a kind the enforcement of which is contrary to natural justice or the public policy of the British Virgin Islands.

 

In appropriate circumstances, a BVI Court may give effect in the BVI to other kinds of final foreign judgments such as declaratory orders, orders for performance of contracts and injunctions.

 

Winston & Strawn has further advised us that foreign judgments of United States courts will not be directly enforced in Hong Kong as there are currently no treaties or other arrangements providing for reciprocal enforcement of foreign judgments between Hong Kong and the United States. However, the common law permits an action to be brought upon a foreign judgment. That is to say, a foreign judgment itself may form the basis of a cause of action since the judgment may be regarded as creating a debt between the parties to it. In a common law action for enforcement of a foreign judgment in Hong Kong, the enforcement is subject to various conditions, including but not limited to, that the foreign judgment is a final judgment conclusive upon the merits of the claim, the judgment is for a liquidated amount in civil matter and not in respect of taxes, fines, penalties, or similar charges, the proceedings in which the judgment was obtained were not contrary to natural justice, and the enforcement of the judgment is not contrary to public policy of Hong Kong. Such a judgment must be for a fixed sum and must also come from a “competent” court as determined by the private international law rules applied by the Hong Kong courts. The defenses that are available to a defendant in a common law action brought on the basis of a foreign judgment include lack of jurisdiction, breach of natural justice, fraud, and contrary to public policy. However, a separate legal action for debt must be commenced in Hong Kong in order to recover such debt from the judgment debtor. As a result, subject to the conditions with regard to enforcement of judgments of United States courts being met, including but not limited to the above, a foreign judgment of United States of civil liabilities predicated solely upon the federal securities laws of the United States or the securities laws of any State or territory within the United States could be enforceable in Hong Kong.

 

OUR HISTORY AND CORPORATE STRUCTURE

 

Our History

 

mF International is a BVI business company limited by shares and established under the laws of the British Virgin Islands on June 15, 2022. It is a holding company with no business operations of its own. mF International, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries m-FINANCE, mFTT and OTX, conducts business operations in Hong Kong. We recently undertook a Reorganization primarily to facilitate our initial public offering in the United States, as described below under “Our Reorganization”.

 

For the purpose of operating business in 2002, m-FINANCE was incorporated to provide financial trading solutions, including real-time mission critical forex, bullion/commodities trading platform solutions, financial value-added services, mobile applications and financial information for brokers and institutional clients in the region. After several years of operations, m-FINANCE had accumulated sufficient financial resources, and it established three wholly owned subsidiaries, OTX, mFTT and SZ WFOE in 2009, 2013 and 2014, respectively, for the purpose of increasing business efficiencies and diversification. In 2020, SZ WFOE applied for deregistration and the process of deregistration was completed in March 2023. As of the date of this prospectus, we conduct our business operations in Hong Kong solely through our Operating Subsidiaries.

 

Our Corporate Structure

 

The following diagram illustrates our corporate structure as of the date of this prospectus after giving effect to the Reorganization, and upon completion of this Offering, assuming no exercise of the over-allotment option (for purpose of the illustration of this diagram only, we assume the Selling Shareholders do not sell any Shareholders Ordinary Shares upon closing of this offering). Except as otherwise specified, equity interests depicted in this diagram are held as to 100%.

 

28
Table of Contents

 

 

Notes:

 

(1)Gaderway Investments Limited, a company incorporated in the BVI on March 18, 2015 as a limited liability company, is a holding company without business operations, which is owned as to approximately 61.54% by Mr. Tai Wai (Stephen) Lam and approximately 38.46% by Mr. Chi Weng Tam.
(2)m-FINANCE Software (Shenzhen) Limited was dormant and the deregistration process was completed in March 2023.

 

Our Reorganization

 

A reorganization of the legal structure of the Company (the “Reorganization”) was completed on August 22, 2022. Prior to the Reorganization, our main Hong Kong subsidiary, m-FINANCE, with its three subsidiaries mFTT, OTX and SZ WFOE, was ultimately controlled by Gaderway Investments Limited.

 

As part of the Reorganization, mF International was incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands on June 15, 2022, and being interspersed between Gaderway Investments Limited and m-FINANCE. Consequently, mF International became the holding company of m-FINANCE, with its three subsidiaries on August 22, 2022. The Company and its subsidiaries resulting from Reorganization has always been under the common control of the same controlling shareholder, Gaderway Investments Limited, before and after the Reorganization. The consolidation of the Company and its subsidiaries has been accounted for at historical cost and prepared on the basis as if the aforementioned transactions had become effective as of the beginning of the first period presented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We estimate that we will receive net proceeds from our issuance and sale of 1,655,000 Ordinary Shares in this Offering of approximately from US$[●] to [●] million, after deducting underwriting discounts and non-accountable expenses and the estimated Offering expenses payable by us, if the underwriter does not exercise their over-allotment option, and US$[●], if the underwriter exercises its over-allotment option in full.

 

We will not receive any proceeds from the sales of our Ordinary Shares by the Underwritten Selling Shareholder and the Selling Shareholders.

 

We plan to use the net proceeds we receive from this Offering for the following purposes:

 

Use of Proceeds  Percentage
of the net
proceeds
 
Expanding service capacity (1)   [●]%(1)
General working capital (3)   [●]%(2)

 

 

 

Note:

(1) Approximately US$[●] to US$[●].

(2) Approximately US$[●] to US$[●].

 

29
Table of Contents

 

Expanding Service Capacity

 

We plan to expand our software development team to recruit additional 10 to 20 mid-level or high-level personnel and control the cost of staffing at approximately $860,000 per year.

 

We plan to recruit more sales and marketing personnel to broaden our international market and client base. We also plan to open new offices in Singapore and the United Kingdom. We intend to recruit about 15 additional employees with a total annual salary of approximately $750,000 per year.

 

We plan to retain an in-house counsel and three to four senior compliance officers with a total annual salary of about $200,000 per year.

 

We plan to spend more in marketing, including online advertisement, promotion, digital marketing, and exhibition. We aim to increase our marketing plan to acquire more clients, which, if successful, would incur an expenses of approximately $1.5 million. Finally, we plan to rent more office space, which would incur an expense for approximately $30,000 per month and approximately $360,000 per year in rent.

 

We plan to enhance and upgrade our hardware equipment and network infrastructure to address our business expansion needs which we estimate will likely incur an expense of approximately $320,000 per year.

 

General working capital

 

We aim to reserve a portion of net proceeds from this Offering for general working capital needs and use as daily operations, including but not limited to, funding sales and marketing efforts and research. This can serve as a buffer to deal with the fluctuating economic environment and at the same time provide a stable finance backup for daily operational use.

 

Pending use of the net proceeds, we intend to invest our net proceeds in short-term, interest bearing, investment-grade obligations. These investments may have a material adverse effect on the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in our Ordinary Shares. It is possible that we may become a passive foreign investment company for U.S. federal income taxpayers, which could result in negative tax consequences to you. These consequences are discussed in more detail in “Taxation” on page 90.

 

DETERMINATION OF OFFERING PRICE

 

Since our Ordinary Shares are not listed or quoted on any exchange or quotation system, the Offering Price of our Ordinary Shares was determined by us and the underwriter, and is based on an assessment of our financial condition and prospects, comparable companies with similar sizes and business currently traded on U.S. capital markets, and the general condition of the securities market. It does not necessarily bear any relationship to our book value, assets, past operating results, financial condition or any other established criteria of value. Although our Ordinary Shares are not listed on a public exchange, we intend to obtain approval for listing on the NASDAQ Capital Market before the closing of the Offering.

 

The Offering Price stated on the cover page of this prospectus should not be considered an indication of the actual value of the Ordinary Shares. That price is subject to change as a result of market conditions and other factors, including the depth and liquidity of the market for the Ordinary Shares, investor perception of us and general economic and market conditions, and we cannot assure you that the Ordinary Shares can be resold at or above the public offering price.

 

DIVIDEND POLICY

 

On March 23, 2022, m-FINANCE declared an interim dividend of HK$0.863 per share (equivalent to US$0.111 per share), or HK$10,000,000 in aggregate (equivalent to US$1,281,805), to its shareholder, which was settled by cash on March 24, 2022. On June 30, 2022, m-FINANCE declared an interim dividend of HK$0.691 per share (equivalent to US$0.089 per share) or HK$8,000,000 (equivalent to US$1,025,444), to its shareholder, and the amount of the dividend payable was concurrently settled by netting off the outstanding amounts due from related parties. On August 15, 2022, m-FINANCE declared an interim dividend of HK$0.873 per share (equivalent to US$0.112 per share) or HK$10,114,311 in aggregate (equivalent to US$1,296,457), to its shareholder, and the dividend payable was concurrently settled by netting off the outstanding amounts due from the related parties. The amounts due from related parties is presented as a reduction of the shareholder’s equity pursuant to the Codification of Staff Accounting Bulletins Topic 4, section G. On March 27, 2023, the Company declared an interim dividend of HK$0.218 per share (equivalent to US$0.028 per share), or HK$2,528,413 in aggregate (equivalent to US$324,093), to its shareholder, which was settled by cash on the same day. On July 31, 2023, the Company declared an interim dividend of HK$0.242 per share (equivalent to US$0.031 per share), or HK$2,800,800 in aggregate (equivalent to US$359,008), to its shareholder, which was settled by cash on the same day.

 

As disclosed above, we currently intend to retain all of their respective remaining funds and future earnings, if any, for the operations and expansion of the business of the Operating Subsidiaries and do not anticipate declaring or paying any further dividends after listing our Ordinary Shares on NASDAQ. Any future determination related to our dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our board of directors after considering our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, contractual requirements, business prospects and other factors the board of directors deems relevant, and subject to the restrictions contained in any future financing instruments.

 

We do not plan to pay any further dividends out of our retained earnings after listing our Ordinary Shares on NASDAQ, as of the date of this prospectus.

 

30
Table of Contents

 

Subject to the BVI Act and our Memorandum and Articles, our board of directors may authorize and declare a dividend to shareholders at such time and of such an amount as they think fit if they are satisfied, on reasonable grounds, that immediately following the dividend payment, the value of our assets will exceed our liabilities and we will be able to pay our debts as they become due. There is no further BVI statutory restriction on the amount of funds which may be distributed by us as dividend payments.

 

If we determine to pay dividends on any of our Ordinary Shares in the future, as a holding company, we will be dependent on receipt of funds from our Operating Subsidiaries.

 

Cash dividends, if any, on our Ordinary Shares will be paid in U.S. dollars.

 

Under the current practice of the Inland Revenue Department of Hong Kong, no tax is payable in Hong Kong in respect of dividends paid by us. See “Regulations — Regulations related to Hong Kong taxation.”

 

CAPITALIZATION

 

The following table sets forth our capitalization as of December 31, 2022:

 

on an actual basis;

 

on an adjusted basis, giving effect to the issuance and sale of 1,655,000 Ordinary Shares by us in this Offering at the assumed initial public offering price of $[●] per Ordinary Share, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts to the underwriter and other estimated offering expenses payable by us.
   

on an adjusted basis, giving effect to the issuance and sale of 1,903,250 Ordinary Shares by us in this Offering at the assumed initial public offering price of $[●] per Ordinary Share, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts to the underwriter and other estimated offering expenses payable by us, assuming the full exercise of the underwriter’s over-allotment option.

 

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.”

 

   December 31, 2022     
   Actual  

Adjusted(1)

(Over-

allotment

option

not exercised)

  

Adjusted(1)

(Over-

allotment

option

exercised

in full)

 
   US$   US$   US$ 
Indebtedness:               
Short-term debt   474,417    474,417    474,417 
Shareholders’ equity:               
Ordinary Shares, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized as of December 31, 2022; 11,585,000 shares issued and outstanding on an actual basis as of December 31, 2022 (2); and 13,240,000 shares issued and outstanding and assuming the over-allotment option is not exercised on an as adjusted basis(2); and 13,488,250 Ordinary Shares issued and outstanding and assuming the over-allotment option is exercised in full on an as adjusted basis(2)   500    6,357,500    7,499,449 
Additional paid-in capital   261,793    261,793    261,793 
Retained earnings   1,086,827    1,086,827    1,086,827 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (12,723)   (12,723)   (12,723)
Total shareholders’ equity   1,336,397    7,693,397    8,835,346 
Total capitalization   1,810,814    8,167,814    9,309,763 

 

 

 

(1)The as adjusted information is illustrative only, and we will adjust this information based on the actual initial public offering price and other terms of this Offering determined at pricing. Additional paid-in capital reflects the net proceeds we expect to receive, after deducting the underwriting discounts, non-accountable expense allowance, deferred IPO costs, and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We estimate that such net proceeds will be approximately (a) $6,357,500, if the underwriter’s over-allotment option is not exercised; and (b) $7,499,449, if the Underwriter’s over-allotment option is exercised in full.
(2)

The Company issued 50,000 shares on June 15, 2022. On August 11, 2023, our previous sole shareholder, Gaderway Investments Limited, approved a share split of our outstanding Ordinary Shares at a ratio of 1:231.7, which became effective immediately, resulting in 11,585,000 ordinary shares issued and outstanding after the share split. These shares are presented on a retroactive basis to reflect the share split.

 

DILUTION

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all share amounts and per share amounts in this prospectus have been presented giving effect to a share split of our Ordinary Shares at a ratio of 1:231.7, which occurred on August 11, 2023.

 

If you invest in our Ordinary Shares, your interest will be diluted for each Ordinary Share you purchase to the extent of the difference between the initial public offering price per Ordinary Share and our net tangible book value per Ordinary Share after this Offering. Dilution results from the fact that the initial public offering price per Ordinary Share is substantially in excess of the net tangible book value per Ordinary Share attributable to the existing shareholders for our presently outstanding Ordinary Shares.

 

Our negative net tangible book value as of December 31, 2022 was $1,024,096, or $0.088 per Ordinary Share. Net tangible book value represents the amount of our total consolidated tangible assets, less the amount of our total consolidated liabilities. Dilution is determined by subtracting the adjusted net tangible book value per Ordinary Share from the initial public offering price per Ordinary Share and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and non-accountable expenses to the underwriter and the estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

31
Table of Contents

 

After giving further effect to our sale of Ordinary Shares in this Offering at the initial public offering price of $5.00 per Ordinary Share, and after deducting estimated offering expenses payable by us, our as adjusted net tangible book value as of December 31, 2022 is approximately $5,732,814, or approximately $0.433 per Ordinary Share. This represents an immediate increase in as adjusted net tangible book value per Ordinary Share of $0.521 to our existing shareholders and an immediate dilution in as adjusted net tangible book value per Ordinary Share of approximately $4.567 to new investors purchasing Ordinary Shares in this Offering. The following table illustrates this dilution on a per Ordinary Share basis:

 

The following table illustrates this dilution on a per Ordinary Share basis.

 

  

Post-

Offering (1)

  

Full

Exercise of

Over-

Allotment

Option

 
Assumed Initial public offering price per Ordinary Share   US$ 5.000    US$ 5.000 
Net tangible book value per Ordinary Share as of December 31, 2022   US$ (0.088)    US$ (0.088) 
As adjusted net tangible book value per Ordinary Share attributable to payments by new investors   US$ 0.521    US$ 0.598 
Pro forma net tangible book value per Ordinary Share immediately after this Offering   US$ 0.433    US$ 0.510 
Amount of dilution in net tangible book value per Ordinary Share to new investors in the offering   US$ 4.567    US$ 4.490 

 

(1)Assumes that the underwriter’s over-allotment option has not been exercised.

 

If the underwriter exercises its over-allotment option in full, the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per Ordinary Share after the offering would be US$0.510, the increase in net tangible book value per Ordinary Share to existing shareholders would be US$0.598, and the immediate dilution in net tangible book value per Ordinary Share to new investors in this offering would be US$4.490.

 

To the extent that we issue additional Ordinary Shares in the future, there will be further dilution to new investors participating in this Offering.

 

The following table summarizes, on an as adjusted basis as of December 31, 2022, the differences between existing shareholders and the new investors, the total consideration paid and the average price per Ordinary Share before deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and non-accountable expenses to the underwriter and the estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

Over-allotment option not exercised 

Ordinary Shares

purchased
   Total consideration   Average
price per ordinary
 
   Number   Percent   Amount   Percent   share 
Existing shareholders   11,585,000    87.5%  $500   0%  $0.00 
New investors   1,655,000    12.5%  $8,275,000    100%  $

5.00

 
Total   13,240,000    100.0%  $8,275,500    100%  $0.63 

 

Over-allotment option exercised in full  Ordinary Shares
purchased
   Total consideration  

Average
price per
ordinary

 
   Number   Percent   Amount   Percent   share 
Existing shareholders   11,585,000   85.9%  $

500

   

0

%  $

0.00

 
New investors   1,903,250    14.1%  $9,516,250    100%  $5.00 
Total   13,488,250    100.0%  $9,516,750    100%  $0.71 

 

32
Table of Contents

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. This discussion contains forward-looking statements reflecting our current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties. See “Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” for a discussion of the uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with these statements. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those discussed in our forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including those set forth under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all share amounts and per share amounts in this prospectus have been presented giving effect to a share split of our Ordinary Shares at a ratio of 1:231.7, which occurred on August 11, 2023.

 

Overview

 

mF International is a BVI holding company with three Hong Kong-based subsidiaries providing financial trading solutions by principally engaging in research and development and sales of financial trading solutions. m-FINANCE, our principal operating subsidiary, is one of the financial service market participants with clients in Hong Kong, mainland China and Southeast Asia, and a bullion trading platform solution provider for the Chinese Gold and Silver Exchange (CGSE) Society member in Hong Kong. m-FINANCE has approximately 20 years of experience in providing real-time mission critical forex, bullion/commodities trading platform solutions, financial value-added services, mobile applications and financial information for brokers and institutional clients via internet or platform as software as a service. m-FINANCE has provided a wide range of top-notch services, including mF4 Trading Platform, Bridge and Plugins, CRM System, ECN System, Liquidity Solutions, Cross-platform “Broker+” Solution, Social Trading Applications and other value-added services.

 

Key factors that affect operating results

 

Our results of operations have been and will continue to be affected by a number of factors, including those set out below:

 

General market conditions of the capital market and financial trading industry in Hong Kong

 

Our Operating Subsidiaries’ business is closely related to the capital market and financial trading industry in Hong Kong. Through our Operating Subsidiaries, we provide financial trading solutions and the services provided by the Operating Subsidiaries are affected by the capital market in Hong Kong. Any material deterioration in the financial and economic conditions of the financial and capital market in Hong Kong could materially and adversely affect the business and prospects of our Operating Subsidiaries. The Hong Kong financial and capital market is susceptible to changes in the global, as well as domestic economic, social and political conditions, including, but not limited to, interest rate fluctuations, volatility of foreign currency exchange rates, monetary policy changes and legal and regulatory changes. When there are unfavorable changes to the global or local market conditions, the financial and securities market in Hong Kong may experience negative fluctuations in its performance. It may directly affect the demand for our Operating Subsidiaries’ services, pricing strategies, the level of business activities and consequently our revenue derived therefrom. This may materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Our Operating Subsidiaries’ abilities to design and develop new services

 

The financial service industry is characterized by rapidly evolving technology and standards, and our future success will depend on our ability to enhance our Operating Subsidiaries’ current financial trading solutions and to introduce new financial trading solutions that keep pace with these rapidly evolving technology and standards. As such, our success is susceptible to our Operating Subsidiaries’ ability to integrate new technology and standards into their financial trading solutions, create new solutions and adapt to changing business models and the customers in a timely manner. As a result, we may need to invest significant resources in research and development to maintain our market position, keep pace with technological changes and compete effectively. For the two fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, we capitalized the research and development costs of HK$6,959,773 and HK$5,993,675 (US$768,272), respectively, as intangible assets. The failure to improve our Operating Subsidiaries’ financial trading solutions and services, offer new financial trading solutions and adapt to changing business models in a timely and cost-effective manner could materially and adversely affect business of our Operating Subsidiaries, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Competition

 

With the rise of electronic trading in recent years, the industry has attracted the presence of both Hong Kong-based and international companies. As such, the Operating Subsidiaries face potential competition with various financial trading solution providers in the same industry. We believe that the Operating Subsidiaries have differentiated their services with comprehensive range of financial trading solutions with high flexibility, established reputation with proven track record and strong and innovative development capabilities. Should the Operating Subsidiaries fail to compete with their competitors, maintain their competitive advantage or keep pace with technological changes, our overall results of operations could be adversely affected.

 

33
Table of Contents

 

The Operating Subsidiaries rely on IT staff and other skilled workers to complete their projects and the retention and recruitment of these skilled professionals is challenging.

 

There is a limited pool of IT staff and other skilled workers with the requisite skills, know-how and experience required for our Operating Subsidiaries’ business. As the quality of IT and technical know-how are keys to the business of our subsidiaries, attracting and retaining talent are essential components of our Operating Subsidiaries’ business strategy. We may have to offer better salaries, incentive packages and training opportunities to attract and retain sufficient skilled workers to maintain our Operating Subsidiaries’ operations and growth, which may increase our costs and reduce our profitability. For the two fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, our staff costs of directors and employees, including salaries, provident fund contributions and other benefits were HK$15,270,802 and HK$16,332,699 (US$2,093,533), respectively. We cannot be certain that we will be able to retain our existing IT staff and other skilled workers and recruit additional qualified professionals to support the future operations and growth of our Operating Subsidiaries. Any failure to do so may adversely affect the business and growth of our Operating Subsidiaries.

 

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the business and operations of the Operating Subsidiaries

 

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in quarantines, travel restrictions, limitations on social or public gatherings, and the temporary closure of business venues and facilities across the world. The negative impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak on the business of the Operating Subsidiaries include: (i) the uncertain economic conditions may deter clients from engaging our services; (ii) quarantines have impeded and may continue to impede our Operating Subsidiaries’ ability to contact existing and new clients and (iii) the operations of the clients of the Operating Subsidiaries have been and could continue to be negatively impacted by the pandemic, which may in turn adversely impact their business performance, and result in a decreased demand for their our services. Moreover, travel restrictions limited other parties’ ability to visit and meet the Operating Subsidiaries in person. Although most communication may be achieved via video calls, this form of remote communication may be less effective in building trust and communicating with existing and new clients.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, some of the customers of the Operating Subsidiaries were lost, since certain small-sized customers had to shut down their businesses as a result of the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to their profitability. While COVID-19 may have had a significant overall impact on the business of the Operating Subsidiaries in the short term, the prolonged phenomenon of COVID-19 and the effects of mutations in the virus, both in terms of extent and intensity of the pandemic, together with their ongoing impact on our industry and the macroeconomic situations are still difficult to anticipate and may pose substantial uncertainties. In the event the health and economic environment does not improve, or there is no significant recovery in the regions where the clients of the Operating Subsidiaries are served or operate, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected. Considering the balance between infection risks and resumption of economic and livelihood impetus, the Hong Kong government canceled isolation orders to infected persons beginning January 30, 2023. All mandatory mask-wearing requirements were lifted with effect beginning March 1, 2023. Starting April 1, 2023, Hong Kong terminated its pre-departure COVID-19 testing requirement for overseas travelers, ending all pandemic-related restrictions on visitors entering the city. We will continuously assess and adopt measures to offset any challenges created by the pandemic.

 

34
Table of Contents

 

Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk

 

We are subject to financial market risks, including changes in foreign currency exchange rate risk with respect to our investment at fair value consisting of short-term foreign exchange investment made by the Company which is denominated in the US$. The fluctuation in US$ may result in increase or decrease in the value of our investment at fair value. We consider the foreign exchange risk in relation to transactions denominated in US$ with respect to HK$ is not significant as HK$ is pegged to US$.

 

The trades of foreign currencies conducted by the Operating Subsidiaries are denominated in the US$ and are paired with currencies with strong liquidity traded in highly transparent markets, including such currencies as the EURO, USD, GBP, CHF, AUD, CAD and NZD, etc. Fluctuation in exchange rates, changes in monetary and/or fiscal policy or inflation in the countries in which we paired our trades of foreign currencies could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. The clear position limits and floating profit/loss limits are set to manage the market risks of our foreign exchange positions. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, we traded foreign currencies of transaction amounts of US$3,110.4 million and US$1,448.7 million, respectively while we had realized loss on disposal of financial assets at fair value and change in fair value on financial assets at fair value in the aggregate amount of HK$676,445 and HK$1,157,650 (US$148,388), respectively. The realized loss on disposal of financial assets at fair value and change in fair value on financial assets at fair value represented 0.00275% and 0.01025% of our trading transaction amounts of foreign currencies for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively. We will assess and monitor the challenges created by the increased volatility in the financial and currency market.

 

The transaction details of each foreign currency pair were set out below:

 

   For the year ended December 31, 
   2021   2022   2021   2022 
Foreign currency pair  Transaction in carrying amounts   Transaction in notional amounts 
                 
    US$    US$    US$    US$ 
AUD/USD   729,476    448    113,341,038    223,814 
EUR/USD   5,211,862    2,499,003    725,050,580    304,063,579 
GBP/USD   2,324,200    3,681,794    346,504,821    495,241,194 
NZD/USD   794,107    -    123,030,161    - 
USD/CAD   1,520,092    2,449,540    230,612,000    332,836,000 
USD/CHF   1,387,616    1,774,770    213,950,000    209,368,000 
USD/JPY   1,149,484    19,670    179,822,000    2,018,000 
XAU/USD   9,951,408    900,640    1,178,050,802    104,858,886 
Others   -    120    -    60,064 
    23,068,245    11,325,985    3,110,361,402    1,448,669,537 

 

Results of operations

 

Comparison of year ended December 31, 2021 with year ended December 31, 2022

 

The following table sets forth key components of our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022:

 

   For the years ended December 31,         
   2021   2022   2022   Variance   % of variance 
   HK$   HK$   US$   HK$     
Revenue   32,212,970    34,931,827    4,477,578    2,718,857    8.4%
Cost of revenue   16,260,407    16,512,702    2,116,606    252,295    1.6%
Gross profit   15,952,563    18,419,125    2,360,972    2,466,562    15.5%
                          
Operating expenses                         
Selling and marketing expenses   220,681    161,791    20,738    (58,890)   -26.7%
Research and development expenses   29,478    80,012    10,256    50,534    171.4%
General and administrative expenses   5,167,704    10,634,851    1,363,180    5,467,147    105.8%
Total operating expenses   5,417,863    10,876,654    1,394,174    5,458,791    100.8%
Income from operations   10,534,700    7,542,471    966,798    (2,992,229)   -28.4%
                          
Other income (expense)                         
Other income, net   1,402,874    1,265,200    162,174    (137,674)   -9.8%
Realized loss on disposal of financial assets at fair value   (16,120)   -    -    16,120    -100.0%
Change in fair value on financial assets at fair value   (660,325)   (1,157,650)   (148,388)   (497,325)   75.3%
Interest expenses, net   (479,904)   (443,577)   (56,858)   36,327    -7.6%
Total other income (expense), net   246,525    (336,027)   (43,072)   (582,552)   -236.3%
                          
Income before income taxes   10,781,225    7,206,444    923,726    (3,574,781)   -33.2%
Income tax expenses   (431,630)   (387,845)   (49,714)   

43,785

   -10.1%
Net income   10,349,595    6,818,599    874,012    (3,530,996)   -34.1%
                          
Other comprehensive income (loss)                         
Foreign currency translation adjustment   (14,168)   7,496    961    21,664    -152.9%
Comprehensive income   10,335,427    6,826,095    874,973    (3,509,332)   -34.0%

 

Revenue

 

The following table sets forth the breakdown of our revenue by major revenue type for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively:

 

   For the years ended December 31,         
   2021   2022   2022   Variance   % of variance 
   HK$   HK$   US$   HK$     
Initial set up, installation and customization services   8,147,473    7,140,076    915,218    (1,007,397)   -12.4%
Subscription   12,124,676    11,414,976    1,463,177    (709,700)   -5.9%
Hosting, support and maintenance service   3,304,830    4,186,369    536,611    881,539    26.7%
Liquidity service   3,220,992    6,699,586    858,756    3,478,594    108.0%
White label service   1,860,221    1,889,188    242,157    28,967    1.6%
Quotes/news/package subscription service   3,554,778    3,601,632    461,659    46,854    1.3%
Total revenue   32,212,970    34,931,827    4,477,578    2,718,857    8.4%

 

35
Table of Contents

 

Our revenue increased by HK$2,718,857 or 8.4% from HK$32,212,970 for the year ended December 31, 2021 to HK$34,931,827 for the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily because of the increase in our revenue derived from our Operating Subsidiaries’ liquidity service and hosting, support and maintenance service, and partially offset by the decrease in revenue derived from our Operating Subsidiaries’ initial set up, installation and customization services.

 

Revenue from our Operating Subsidiaries’ initial set up, installation and customization services decreased by HK$1,007,397, or 12.4%, from HK$8,147,473 for the year ended December 31, 2021 to HK$7,140,076 for the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease was mainly due to the decrease in demand for our Operating Subsidiaries’ customization services provided to customers to customize the functions and features of the trading platforms during the year ended December 31, 2022. We believe the decrease in demand for the Operating Subsidiaries’ customization services was mainly due to the conservative budgeting of our customers.

 

Revenue from our Operating Subsidiaries’ subscription decreased by HK$709,700, or 5.9%, from HK$12,124,676 for the year ended December 31, 2021 to HK$11,414,976 for the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease was mainly due to the fact that some customers were lost, since certain small-sized customers had to shut down their businesses as a result of the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to their profitability.

 

Revenue from our Operating Subsidiaries’ hosting, support and maintenance service increased by HK$881,539, or 26.7%, from HK$3,304,830 for the year ended December 31, 2021 to HK$4,186,369 for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was mainly due to the increase in customers for our hosting, support and maintenance service for the year ended December 31, 2021. We believe that the Operating Subsidiaries realized an increase in the number of customers because of the referral of new customers from existing customers.

 

Revenue from our Operating Subsidiaries’ liquidity service increased by HK$3,478,594, or 108.0%, from HK$3,220,992 for the year ended December 31, 2021 to HK$6,699,586 for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was mainly due to the increase in demands from a fast-growing customer who is engaging in in-house research on a trading signal. A trading signal is generated from algorithms with inputs such as technical patterns, moving average crosses, trading volume surges and interest rates. When a trading signal is triggered, a signal to buy or sell a futures contract is generated. It requires our Operating Subsidiaries’ liquidity service which provides automatic hedging functions to enable such client to send its customers’ orders directly to a broker’s platform.

 

Cost of revenue

 

The following table sets forth the breakdown of our cost of revenue for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022:

 

   For the years ended December 31,         
   2021   2022   2022   Variance   % of variance 
   HK$   HK$   US$   HK$     
Internet services cost   1,584,002    1,727,305    221,407    143,303    9.0%
Employee-related costs   6,470,263    6,886,855    882,760    416,592    6.4%
Subscription cost   192,443    171,228    21,948    (21,215)   -11.0%
Outsourcing fee   1,491,876    752,904    96,508    (738,972)   -49.5%
Amortization of intangible assets   5,992,085    6,160,391    789,642    168,306    2.8%
Commission expenses   529,725    808,894    103,684    279,169    52.7%
Others   13    5,125    657    5,112    39323.1%
Total cost of revenue   16,260,407    16,512,702    2,116,606    252,295    1.6%

 

Our cost of revenue increased by HK$252,295 or 1.6% from HK$16,260,407 for the year ended December 31, 2021 to HK$16,512,702 for the year ended December 31, 2022, which was mainly due to the increase in employee-related costs because lesser staff costs were capitalized as intangible assets under research and development since more time and resources were allocated for supporting our financial trading solution services in the year ended December 31, 2022.

 

Internet service cost

 

Internet service cost represented cost in relation to server hosting service provided by data center service providers as well as acquiring internet data line from various service providers for internet access.

 

Employee-related costs

 

Employee-related costs consisted primarily of payroll and other personnel-related expenses of our Operating Subsidiaries’ staff to support our financial trading solution services.

 

36
Table of Contents

 

Subscription cost

 

Our subscription costs represented costs incurred by the Operating Subsidiaries for subscription payments for price or news feeds from news and financial market information providers. We will convert the raw data into usable data that can be used in our trading platform. The decrease in subscription cost was due to a cancelled subscription from a financial market information provider.

 

Outsourcing fee

 

The Operating Subsidiaries may outsource some works to our related party and independent third parties. The outsourcing costs mainly represented the charges and fees paid to subcontractors who handled implementation work for our Operating Subsidiaries. The outsourcing fee decreased as Operating Subsidiaries required less outsourcing service in the year ended December 31, 2022.

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

Our amortization of intangible assets mainly represented amortization of the Operating Subsidiaries in-house developed financial trading solutions.

 

Commission expenses

 

Commission expenses represented the fees we paid to business partners of our Operating Subsidiaries, which bring new businesses to our Operating Subsidiaries. The commission is generally determined based on a certain percentage of revenue generated from customers referred by business partners.

 

Gross profit

 

Our total gross profit increased by HK$2,466,562 or 15.5% from HK$15,952,563 for the year ended December 31, 2021 to HK$18,419,125 for the year ended December 31, 2022. Our total gross profit margin increased from 49.5% for the year ended December 31, 2021 to 52.7% for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in our gross profit and gross profit margin was primarily due to the increase in revenue from liquidity service which typically carries a higher gross margin.

 

Operating expenses

 

Our operating expenses consisted of the following:

 

   For the years ended December 31,         
   2021   2022   2022   Variance   % of variance 
   HK$   HK$   US$   HK$     
Selling and marketing expenses   220,681    161,791    20,738    (58,890)   -26.7%
Research and development expenses   29,478    80,012    10,256    50,534    171.4%
General and administrative expenses   5,167,704    10,634,851    1,363,180    5,467,147    105.8%
Total operating expenses   5,417,863    10,876,654    1,394,174    5,458,791    100.8%

 

Our selling and marketing expenses mainly represented the advertising cost and marketing expenses. Our selling and marketing expenses decreased by HK$58,890, or 26.7%, from HK$220,681 for the year ended December 31, 2021 to HK$161,791 for the year ended December 31, 2022, mainly because lesser marketing expenses were incurred during the year ended December 31, 2022.

 

37
Table of Contents

 

Our research and development expenses primarily consisted of payroll and other personnel-related expenses of our Operating Subsidiaries’ software development team. Our research and development expenses increased by HK$50,534, or 171.4%, from HK$29,478 for the year ended December 31, 2021 to HK$80,012 for the year ended December 31, 2022, because more staff costs were incurred for the preliminary project research stage in the year ended December 31, 2022. We expect that our expenditure for research and development may increase in terms of monetary value and may increase as a percentage of our total revenue over time, as the Operating Subsidiaries will expand their software development capacity to continue to improve existing functions and develop new functions.

 

Our general and administrative expenses mainly represented the staff costs, depreciation expenses of property and equipment, amortization of operating lease right-of-use assets, interest of lease liabilities and legal and professional fees. Our general and administrative expenses increased by HK$5,467,147, or 105.8%, from HK$5,167,704 for the year ended December 31, 2021 to HK$10,634,851 for the year ended December 31, 2022, because the initial public offering expenses of HK$3,401,970 were incurred in the year ended December 31, 2022. We expect our general and administrative expenses, including but not limited to staff costs, to increase in the foreseeable future, as our Operating Subsidiaries’ business is expected to grow further. We expect our legal and professional fees for legal, audit, and advisory services to increase, as we will incur audit fees, legal fees and advisory fees for this Offering and subsequently become a public company upon the completion of this Offering.

 

Other income (expenses)

 

Our other income (expenses) consists of the following:

 

   For the years ended December 31,         
   2021   2022   2022   Variance   % of variance 
   HK$   HK$   US$   HK$     
Other income                    
Sundry income   742,279    174,026    22,307    (568,253)   -76.6%
Commission income   284,646    259,794    33,301    (24,852)   -8.7%
Government subsidies   379,363    734,059    94,092    354,696    93.5%
Others   32,258    145,342    18,630    113,084    350.6%
Other income   1,438,546    1,313,221    168,330    (125,325)   -8.7%
                          
Other expenses                         
Other expenses   35,672    48,021    6,155    12,349    34.6%
Other expenses   35,672    48,021    6,155    12,349    34.6%
                          
Total other income, net   1,402,874    1,265,200    162,174    (137,674)   -9.8%

 

Sundry income. The Operating Subsidiaries charged handling service fees for services provided to customers on using the multi-asset trading software by the MT4/MT5 (forex trading platforms) service providers. Some customers requested the Operating Subsidiaries to subscribe for such services from the MT4/MT5 service providers and they, in turn, charged such customers. The sundry income was the net amount of sundry income from providing such handling services after deducting the expenses it incurred over the same period. The decrease in sundry income was mainly due to the decrease in customers’ requests for such service.

 

Commission Income. Commission income represented the commission income received from our related party for business referred by us. We would charge a commission fee at an agreed percentage from the business referred by us to our related party. The decrease in commission income was mainly due to the decrease in sales referred by us.

 

Government subsidies. Government subsidies primarily related to one-off entitlements granted by the Hong Kong government pursuant to the Employment Support Scheme under the Anti-epidemic Fund (“ESS”). The Operating Subsidiaries received government subsidies that totaled HK$379,363 and HK$734,059 for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively, and recognized such amounts as other income when they were received because we have (i) not implemented redundancies during the subsidy period; and (ii) spent all the wage subsidies on paying wages to employees. The increase in government subsidies was mainly due to the increase in subsidies provided to combat the pandemic.

 

Realized loss on disposal of financial assets at fair value and change in fair value on financial assets at fair value.

 

Realized loss on disposal of financial assets at fair value and change in fair value on financial assets at fair value represents realized loss on disposal of and change in fair value on financial assets at fair value from certain investment agreements with certain brokerage companies to trade with foreign currencies, at fair value, with the intention to optimize a trading algorithm based on live market interactions. The increase in change in fair value on financial assets at fair value was mainly due to the increased volatility in the financial and currency market.

 

38
Table of Contents

 

Interest expenses on bank borrowings

 

We incurred interest expenses on bank borrowings which totaled HK$479,904 and HK$443,577 for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively, with an annual effective interest rate of 3.0% and 3.3% during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively.

 

Income tax expenses

 

British Virgin Islands

 

The Company is incorporated in the British Virgin Islands and is not subject to taxation. In addition, upon payments of dividends by these entities to their shareholders, no British Virgin Islands withholding tax will be imposed.

 

Hong Kong

 

Entities incorporated in Hong Kong, m-FINANCE, mFTT, OTX, are subject to Hong Kong profits tax at a rate of 16.5% for taxable income earned in Hong Kong before April 1, 2018. Starting from the financial year commencing on April 1, 2018, the two-tiered profits tax regime took effect, under which the tax rate is 8.25% for assessable profits on the first HK$2 million and 16.5% for any assessable profits in excess of HK$2 million.

 

PRC

 

Our PRC subsidiary was subject to PRC Enterprises Income Tax rate of 25% for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2021.

 

Taxation in the statement of income represents:

 

   For the years ended December 31,         
   2021   2022   2022   Variance   % of variance 
   HK$   HK$   US$   HK$     
Current tax   -    229,355    29,399    229,355    N/A 
Deferred tax   431,630    158,490    20,315    (273,140)   -63.3%
Total income tax expense   431,630    387,845    49,714    (43,785   -10.1%

 

Our income tax decreased by HK$43,785 from HK$431,630 for the year ended December 31, 2021 to HK$387,845 for the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to the decrease in income before income taxes.

 

Net income. As a result of the foregoing, we reported a net income of HK$10,349,595 and HK$6,818,599 for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively.

 

Other comprehensive income (loss). Loss from foreign currency translation adjustment amounted to HK$14,168 for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to income from foreign currency translation adjustment amounted to HK$7,496 for the year ended December 31, 2022.

 

Liquidity and capital resources

 

As of the date of this prospectus, we have financed our Operating Subsidiaries’ operations primarily through cash flows from operations and loans from banks and related parties, if necessary. We plan to support our future operations primarily from cash generated from our operations and our proceeds from this Offering.

 

39
Table of Contents

 

As reflected in our consolidated financial statements, we reported a net income of HK$10,349,595 and HK$6,818,599 for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively. As of December 31, 2022, we had cash in aggregate of HK$12,063,731, as compared to HK$10,081,583 as of December 31, 2021. We had positive working capital that amounted to HK$8,414,973 and HK$3,618,321 as of December 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively. Our working capital requirements were influenced by the size of the operations, the volume and dollar value of the sales contracts of our Operating Subsidiaries, the progress of execution of our customer contracts, and the timing for collecting accounts receivable, and repayment of accounts payable.

 

On March 23, 2022, m-FINANCE declared an interim dividend of HK$0.863 per share (equivalent to US$0.111 per share), or HK$10,000,000 in aggregate (equivalent to US$1,281,805), to its shareholder, which was settled by cash on March 24, 2022. On June 30, 2022, m-FINANCE declared an interim dividend of HK$0.691 per share (equivalent to US$0.089 per share) or HK$8,000,000 (equivalent to US$1,025,444), to its shareholder, and the amount of the dividend payable was concurrently settled by netting off the outstanding amounts due from related parties. On August 15, 2022, m-FINANCE declared an interim dividend of HK$0.873 per share (equivalent to US$0.112 per share) or HK$10,114,311 in aggregate (equivalent to US$1,296,457), to its shareholder, and the dividend payable was concurrently settled by netting off the outstanding amounts due from the related parties. The amounts due from related parties is presented as a reduction of the shareholder’s equity pursuant to the Codification of Staff Accounting Bulletins Topic 4, section G. On March 27, 2023, the Company declared an interim dividend of HK$0.218 per share (equivalent to US$0.028 per share), or HK$2,528,413 in aggregate (equivalent to US$324,093), to its shareholder, which was settled by cash on the same day. On July 31, 2023, the Company declared an interim dividend of HK$0.242 per share (equivalent to US$0.031 per share), or HK$2,800,800 in aggregate (equivalent to US$359,008), to its shareholder, which was settled by cash on the same day.

 

As of December 31, 2022, we had an outstanding bank borrowing balance of HK$13,620,398, of which the bank borrowings of HK$3,701,162 would be payable within one year and the bank borrowings of HK$9,919,236 would be payable after one year but within 5 years. The bank borrowings had an average annual effective interest rate of 3.3%.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, we had realized loss on disposal of financial assets at fair value and change in fair value on financial assets at fair value in the aggregate amount of HK$676,445 and HK$1,157,650, respectively, from trading in foreign currencies, at fair value, with the intention to optimize a trading algorithm based on live market interactions. Algorithmic trading, also known as automated trading, is a type of trading that involves using computer programs to make trading decisions. These programs use advanced mathematical algorithms to analyze the market and execute trades automatically, without the need for human intervention. We believe that there will be increasing demand for algorithmic trading and more resources will be invested for enhancing the system. It appears that the clients engaged in leveraged foreign exchange trading prefer to enjoy the benefits brought along by information technology to obtain timely foreign exchange information, the latest market news and automated trading, and, hence, we have been enhancing our trading system’s stability and security to provide clients a reliable and safe platform for round the clock trading. Therefore, we optimize our trading algorithm through live trading in the real foreign exchange market, which allows us to test and refine our system in real-world conditions. The trades of foreign currencies conducted by the Operating Subsidiaries are denominated in the USD and are paired with currencies with strong liquidity traded in highly transparent markets, including such currencies as the EURO, USD, GBP, CHF, AUD, CAD and NZD, etc. We clear position limits and floating profit/loss limits are set to manage foreign exchange positions. The change in fair value on financial assets at fair value was mainly due to the increased volatility in the financial and currency market in 2021 and 2022. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, we traded foreign currencies of monthly average transaction amounts of US$259.2 million and US$120.7 million, respectively. The monthly average number of transactions were 4,620 trades and 2,384 trades for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively. We will assess and monitor the challenges created by the increased volatility in the financial and currency market.

 

We believe that our current cash and cash flows provided by operating activities, loans from banks, and the estimated net proceeds from this Offering will be sufficient to meet our working capital needs in the next 12 months from the date of this prospectus. If we experience an adverse operating environment or incur unanticipated capital expenditure requirements, or if we determine to accelerate our growth, then additional financing may be required. No assurance can be given, however, that additional financing, if required, would be available at all or on favorable terms. Such financing may include the use of additional debt or the sale of additional equity securities. Any financing which involves the sale of equity securities or instruments that are convertible into equity securities could result in immediate and possibly significant dilution to our existing shareholders.

 

40
Table of Contents

 

The following table sets forth a summary of our cash flows for the periods indicated:

 

   For the years ended December 31, 
   2021   2022   2022 
   HK$   HK$   US$ 
Net cash provided by operating activities   12,734,753    13,496,487    1,729,986 
Net cash used in investing activities   (11,346,697)   (2,125,093)   (272,395)
Net cash used in financing activities   (10,641,086)   (9,403,066)   (1,205,289)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash   545    13,820    1,770 
Net increase (decrease) in cash   (9,252,485)   1,982,148    254,072 
Cash at the beginning of year   19,334,068    10,081,583    1,292,262 
Cash at the end of year   10,081,583    12,063,731    1,546,334 

 

Operating activities

 

Net cash provided by operating activities amounted to HK$13,496,487 for the year ended December 31, 2022, mainly derived from (i) net income of HK$6,818,599 for the year ended December 31, 2022; (ii) various non-cash items of HK9,891,062, such as amortization of intangible assets of HK$6,160,391, amortization of right-of-use assets and interest of lease liabilities of HK$1,695,259, change in fair value on financial assets at fair value of HK$1,157,650, depreciation of property and equipment of HK$222,173 and deferred tax expenses of HK$158,490; and (iii) changes in operating assets and liabilities of HK$3,213,174. Changes in operating assets and liabilities mainly included (i) a decrease in operating lease liabilities of HK$1,663,674, mainly due to the recognition of operating lease expenses on a straight-line basis over the lease term; (ii) a decrease in contract liabilities of HK$1,275,002, due to the completion of projects near the year end; (iii) an increase in accounts receivables of HK$949,239, which was mainly due to more billing to customers based on services provided closer to the year end of December 31, 2022; (iv) a decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets of HK$520,618, which was mainly due to the refund of a rental deposit for the expired lease and the timing of payments for internet service costs; and (v) an increase in tax payable of HK$229,355, which was primarily due to income tax expense accrued in the current year.

 

Net cash provided by operating activities amounted to HK$12,734,753 for the year ended December 31, 2021, mainly derived from (i) net income of HK$10,349,595 for the year ended December 31, 2021; (ii) various non-cash items of HK$9,058,615, such as amortization of intangible assets of HK$5,996,618, amortization of right-of-use assets and interest of lease liabilities of HK$1,700,859, change in fair value on financial assets at fair value of HK$660,325, deferred tax expenses of HK$431,630 and depreciation of property and equipment of HK$253,063; and (iii) changes in operating assets and liabilities of HK$6,673,457. Changes in operating assets and liabilities mainly included (i) a decrease in contract liabilities of HK$4,679,419 due to the completion of projects near the year end; (ii) a decrease in operating lease liabilities of HK$1,665,000, mainly due to the recognition of operating lease expenses on a straight-line basis over the lease term; (iii) an increase in accrued expenses and other current liabilities of HK$666,788, which was attributable primarily to the timing of our payment of annual bonuses and legal and professional fees; (iv) an increase in long term deposit of HK$479,076, due to the increase in rental deposit; (v) an increase in accounts receivables of HK$436,514, which was mainly due to more billing to customers based on services provided closer to the year end of December 31, 2021; and (vi) an increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets of HK$72,146.

 

41
Table of Contents

 

Investing activities

 

Net cash used in investing activities amounted to HK$2,125,093 for the year ended December 31, 2022, representing costs to obtain and develop software of HK$5,993,675, purchases of financial assets at fair value of HK$156,000 and purchase of property and equipment of HK$41,721, and was partially offset by disposals of financial assets at fair value of HK$4,068,302 during the year ended December 31, 2022.

 

Net cash used in investing activities amounted to HK$11,346,697 for the year ended December 31, 2021, representing costs to obtain and develop software of HK$6,959,773, purchases of financial assets at fair value of HK$5,950,000 and purchase of property and equipment of HK$267,010, and was partially offset by disposals of financial assets at fair value of HK$1,870,086 during the year ended December 31, 2021.

 

Financing activities

 

Net cash used in financing activities amounted to HK$9,403,066 for the year ended December 31, 2022, which included the dividend paid to a shareholder of HK$10,000,000, an increase in deferred initial public offering costs of HK$3,119,900 and repayment of bank borrowings of HK$2,396,598, and was offset by the repayments from the related parties of HK$6,117,332 during the year ended December 31, 2022.

 

Net cash used in financing activities amounted to HK$10,641,086 for the year ended December 31, 2021, which included the advances to the related parties of HK$13,003,024 and the repayment of bank borrowings of HK$1,485,212, and was offset by the proceeds from bank borrowings of HK$3,847,150 during the year ended December 31, 2021.

 

42
Table of Contents

 

Off-balance sheet arrangements

 

We did not have, during the periods presented, nor do we currently have, any off-balance sheet financing arrangements or any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, including entities sometimes referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, that were established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2022:

 

   Payments due by period 
   Total   Less than 1 year   1-3 years   3-5 years 
   HK$   HK$   HK$   HK$ 
Bank borrowings   13,620,398    3,701,162    7,851,096    2,068,140 
Operating lease obligation   1,762,355    1,624,066    138,289    - 
    15,382,753    5,325,228    7,989,385    2,068,140 

 

   Payments due by period 
   Total   Less than
1 year
   1-3 years   3-5 years 
   US$   US$   US$   US$ 
Bank borrowings   1,745,869    474,417    1,006,357    265,095 
Operating lease obligation   225,900    208,174    17,726    - 
    1,971,769    682,591    1,024,083    265,095 

 

Capital expenditures

 

For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, we purchased HK$267,010 and HK$41,721, respectively, of property and equipment mainly for use in our Operating Subsidiaries’ operations. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, we purchased HK$40,000 and HK$1,999, respectively, of intangible assets mainly for use in our Operating Subsidiaries’ operations. Subsequent to December 31, 2022 and as of the date of this prospectus, we did not purchase any material property and equipment, and intangible assets for operational use. We do not have any other material commitments to capital expenditures as of December 31, 2022 or as of the date of this prospectus.

 

Inflation

 

Inflation did not materially affect the business or the results of operations of our Operating Subsidiaries.

 

Seasonality

 

The nature of our Operating Subsidiaries’ business does not appear to be affected by seasonal variations.

 

Trend information

 

The financial trading solutions services provided by the Operating Subsidiaries are affected by the capital market in Hong Kong. Any material deterioration in the financial trading industry and capital market in Hong Kong could materially and adversely affect the business and prospects of our Operating Subsidiaries. The Hong Kong financial and capital market is susceptible to global factors, including, but not limited to, interest rate fluctuations, volatility of foreign currency exchange rates and monetary policy changes. When there are unfavorable changes to global or local economic conditions, the financial and securities market in Hong Kong may be negatively affected.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, the Operating Subsidiaries lost some of their customers, which they believe may have been attributable to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, since many small-sized businesses that were their customers were forced to shut their business down. While COVID-19 may have had a significant overall impact on the business of the Operating Subsidiaries in the short term, the prolonged phenomenon of COVID-19 and the effects of mutations in the virus, both in terms of the extent and intensity of the pandemic, together with its impact on our industry and the macroeconomic circumstances relating thereto, are still difficult to anticipate and continue to pose substantial uncertainties. In the event the health and economic environment does not improve, or there is no significant recovery in the regions where the clients of the Operating Subsidiaries are served or operate, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected. Considering the balance between infection risks and resumption of economic and livelihood impetus, the Hong Kong government canceled isolation orders to infected persons beginning January 30, 2023. All mandatory mask-wearing requirements were lifted with effect beginning March 1, 2023. Starting April 1, 2023, Hong Kong terminated its pre-departure COVID-19 testing requirement for overseas travelers, ending all pandemic-related restrictions on visitors entering the city. We will continuously assess and adopt measures to offset any challenges created by the pandemic.

 

Other than as disclosed under this subheading and elsewhere in this prospectus, we are not aware of any other trends, uncertainties, demands, commitments, or events that are reasonably likely to have a material effect on our net revenue, income from continuing operations, profitability, liquidity, or capital resources, or that would cause reported financial information to not necessarily be indicative of future operating results or financial condition.

 

Critical accounting estimates

 

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations relates to our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, costs and expenses, and related disclosures. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources.

 

We consider an accounting estimate to be critical if: (1) the accounting estimate requires us to make assumptions about matters that were highly uncertain at the time the accounting estimate was made, and (2) changes in the estimate that are reasonably likely to occur from period to period, or use of different estimates that we reasonably could have used in the current period, would have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. There are other items within our financial statements that require estimation but are not deemed critical, as defined above. Changes in estimates used in these and other items could have a material impact on our financial statements.

 

Our critical accounting policies and practices include the following: (i) revenue recognition and (ii) intangible assets. For a detailed discussion of our significant accounting policies and related judgments, please see “Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. You should read the following description of critical accounting estimates in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and other disclosures included in this prospectus.

 

43
Table of Contents

 

Provision for doubtful receivables

 

We determine the adequacy of reserves for doubtful accounts based on individual account analysis and historical collection trends. We establish a provision for doubtful receivables when there is objective evidence that we may not be able to collect amounts due. The allowance is based on management’s best estimate of specific losses on individual exposures, as well as a provision on historical trends of collections. Actual amounts received may differ from our management’s estimate of credit worthiness and the economic environment. Delinquent account balances are written-off against the allowance for doubtful accounts after management has determined that the likelihood of collection is not probable.

 

No allowance for doubtful accounts related to accounts receivable was recorded as of December 31, 2021. As of December 31, 2022, we have recorded an allowance for doubtful accounts related to accounts receivable of HK$497,099 (US$63,718).

 

Impairment assessment for the internally developed software

 

For the two years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, we capitalized the research and development costs of HK$6,959,773 and HK$5,993,675 (US$768,272), respectively, as intangible assets. Our internally developed software is amortized over its estimated useful lives and is reviewed for impairment if indicators of impairment arise. Indicators we reviewed included whether there was a significant change in the business environment as a whole, a significant adverse change in the extent or manner in which our assets are being used, a significant adverse change in legal factors affecting our assets and a cash flow loss. In performing its qualitative assessment, our management assessed that there is no impairment on any in progress projects or finalized projects due to continue business growth and the business is profitable. We did not recognize any impairment on intangible assets and in preparing its financial statements for the periods presented and we did not consider it reasonably likely these considerations would change significantly based upon our current outlook, the assessment of the recoverability of intangible assets did not involve a significant level of estimation uncertainty that had, or was reasonably likely to have had, a material impact on the financial condition or results of our operations for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022.

 

Recently accounting pronouncements

 

See the discussion of the recent accounting pronouncements contained in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”.

 

INDUSTRY

 

The Company uses market data throughout this prospectus. The Company has obtained certain market data from publicly available information and industry publications. These sources generally state that the information they provide has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but the accuracy and completeness of the information are not guaranteed. The forecasts and projections are based on industry surveys and the preparers’ experience in the industry, and there is no assurance that any of the projections or forecasts will be achieved. The Company believes that the surveys and market research others have performed are reliable, but the Company has not independently verified this information.

 

The Rise of the Fintech Industry

 

The global investments into FinTech companies increased dramatically between 2010 and 2019, when it reached US$215.1 billion. In 2020, however, fintech companies saw investments drop by more than one third, reaching a value of US$127.7 billion, but the investment value increased again in 2021 up to US$226.5 billion.

 

Global enterprise IT spending in the banking and investment services market is forecast to grow by 7.1%, from US$556 billion in 2020 to US$596 billion in 2021. Such spending is expected to see a five-year compound annual growth rate of 6.5% to reach an estimated US$761 billion by 2025 (Source: Statista and Gartner).

 

FinTech companies endeavor to enhance customer experiences through modern and flexible infrastructure together with intuitive customer interfaces, which may encourage the development of innovative products that meet the expectations of the growing generation of digital consumers.

 

The global online trading market is expected to increase from US$10.21 billion in 2022, at a compound annual growth rate of 6.4%, to reach an estimated US$13.3 billion by 2026 (Source: Statista and Gartner).

 

Stable growth in the over-the-counter market

 

The global over-the-counter derivatives market has demonstrated a continuous growth trend. The gross market value of the over-the-counter derivatives market reached US$26 trillion in 2021, with a five-year compound annual growth rate of 1.4%. This includes a five-year compound annual growth rate of 0.2% in foreign exchange contracts and 13.9% in commodity contracts. The growth of electronic online trading and the diverse selection of trading venues has lowered transaction costs and attracted greater participation from different customer types. More brokers and institutions began offering forex trading platform due to increasing market demands in 2021. (Source: Bank for International Settlements). As such, we believe there will be greater demand from our current target market.

 

BUSINESS

 

Overview

 

We are a holding company incorporated in British Virgin Islands, and all of our operations are carried out by three Operating Subsidiaries in Hong Kong. Our principal Hong Kong subsidiary, m-FINANCE Limited (“mF” or m-FINANCE), established in 2002, is a Hong Kong-based experienced financial trading solution provider principally engaged in the development and provision of financial trading solutions. m-FINANCE has approximately 20 years of experience in providing real-time mission critical forex, bullion/commodities trading platform solutions, financial value-added services, mobile applications and financial information for brokers and institutional clients via internet or platform as software as a service. m-FINANCE has provided a wide range of top-notch services, including mF4 Trading Platform, Bridge and Plugins, CRM System, ECN System, Liquidity Solutions, Cross-platform “Broker+” Solution, Social Trading Applications and other value-added services.

 

44
Table of Contents

 

m-FINANCE has been committed to providing an advanced trading platform and innovative one-stop trading solution that fits for the Asian market, with clients located over mainland China, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. m-FINANCE’s customers are mainly financial institutions, including brokers, investment banks, institutional clients and financial services providers. As of the date of this prospectus, m-FINANCE’s trading platform is handling a monthly average transaction value of over US$100 billion.

 

Revenues are primarily generated from the operations of the Operating Subsidiaries providing trading platform solutions and financial value-added services via internet or platform as software as a service.

 

For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, our total revenue was approximately HK$32,212,970 and HK$34,931,827 (US$4,477,578), respectively. Our gross profit and net income were approximately HK$18,419,125 (US$2,360,972) and HK$6,818,599 (US$874,012), respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to our gross profit and net income of approximately HK$15,952,563 and HK$10,349,595, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2021.

 

Business Strategy

 

Unique I-A-D-T philosophy

 

m-FINANCE’s business strategy originates from its experienced management team and unique company philosophy, I-A-D-T, which is designed to support trading with a rational and systematic process:

 

  (I)nformation: Gathering raw market information, including market indicators, price and publicly available news.
  (A)nalysis: Analyzing the collected information aims to identify the latest market trends and potential movements.
  (D)ecision: Formulating trading strategies and make investment decision based on risk appetite and market situation.
  (T)ransaction: Executing the transactions through a stable, efficient and secure trading platform.

 

I-A-D-T defines the framework of m-FINANCE’s services and m-FINANCE is committed to integrating this company philosophy into the design of financial trading solutions. In the past two decades, m-FINANCE has implemented solutions designed to assist its customers in building profitable businesses and benefitting from effective return-on-investment.

 

Continuing to commit in R&D to enhance existing m-FINANCE trading platform and financial value-added services for capturing world-wide demand for our trading solutions

 

Enhancing and upgrading financial trading solutions

 

As the financial technology industry is a fast-evolving industry, we believe that it is essential for m-FINANCE to keep pace with the technological advancement and equip ourselves with the latest and/or prevailing technologies to formulate new projects and ideas.

 

In addition, our management expects that industry competition will continue to intensify in the near future. Financial technology is taking an increasingly important role in trading process, from pre-trade risk management to clearing and settlement, which creates opportunities and challenges to the market players. It is observed by the management that the market participants are actively exploring ways to perform system upgrades and service enhancements. In particular, algo-trading, big data and artificial intelligence applications are increasingly integrated in the areas of trading. As part of our core strategies, the Operating Subsidiaries will endeavor to continuously update current functions and may, in the future, seek to launch new functions.

 

Business development activities to support regional expansion

 

As of the date of this prospectus, we have had an established client base in Hong Kong, and some clients in other regions. In the future, we intend to increase business presence of our Operating Subsidiaries, concentrating on regional expansion by reinforcing the existing client base and developing operations in other regions by establishing new branches in other cities, as needed.

 

Expansion of client basis

 

m-FINANCE is dedicated to providing holistic solutions aligned to customer needs. Consumers expect seamless, hyper-personalized digital services tailored to their unique situations. We expect to continuously help m-FINANCE grow its client base with increased customer-focused, which will require understanding what customers need, the experiences they covet and the heightened importance of financial well-being. m-FINANCE plans to refine its strategies and services by designing and delivering customer experiences to increase trust and loyalty, creating seamless interactions with the clients and providing flexible solutions that easily respond to shifting customer needs and aspirations.

 

45
Table of Contents

 

Establishment of a proprietary trading platform for Algo-traders

 

Our management expects that algorithmic trading will become more and more common. Algo trading is the use of algorithms or rules to make purchasing and sales decisions on the investor’s behalf, based on a set of instructions defining price, quantity, timing, or any mathematical model. It allows retail traders to get access to trading algorithm designed by worldwide strategists and hedge funds. Additionally, this type of trading maximizes returns by arbitraging the advantages of enormous amounts of data, tiny processing delays, huge throughput capacity, dynamically balanced portfolios, and intelligent predictive analytics.

 

In light of the above, m-FINANCE intends to incorporate prevailing technologies to build a new platform business which will invite, qualify and recruit algorithmic traders to participate in its proprietary trading platform. This new platform business may also make use of blockchain technology to bridge the gap between digital assets and traditional markets and, as such, offering high transparency in terms of performance and rewards to algorithm contributors and market participants. We envision that this proprietary trading platform may lead to improvement of clients’ trading life cycle, stickiness and may facilitate higher trading volume.

 

Retaining, attracting and motivating high caliber and experienced staff

 

We believe that human resources are of paramount importance to the business operations of the Operating Subsidiaries and our success depends on the ability to hire new talents for the Operating Subsidiaries to deliver new features to the financial trading solutions they provide and retain core employees to maintain our competitiveness. Additionally, we plan to recruit more sales and marketing personnel to broaden our international market and client base. Further, for the purpose of this Offering and regulatory compliance with the SEC and NASDAQ, we also plan to hire additional in-house counsel and compliance officers. For a detailed allocation of how we use the proceeds from this Offering, please refer to “Use of Proceeds” on page 29 on of this prospectus. We also encourage potential staff to study and apply for relevant professional qualifications through allowances and on-going training. We will also continue to maintain a people-oriented management culture and working environment that promote employees’ personal and professional development. We have instituted a pilot 4.5-day work week every other week, to adapt to the new normal conventions in the workplace since July 2022, and we are a pioneer company in Hong Kong to carry out this working scheme. We hope the measures will improve employee wellness so that employees will be better motivated at work and perform more efficiently, creating a mutually beneficial situation.

 

Expansion in sales and marketing

 

We also plan to promote our Operating Subsidiaries’ market presence by investing more in sales and marketing in the international market, including online advertisement, promotion, digital marketing, and exhibition.

 

Competitive Strengths

 

We believe a combination of the following competitive strengths contribute to our Operating Subsidiaries’ continued success and potential for growth:

 

Experienced management team fully understands the market situation and technology

 

We have a highly committed and professional senior management team with strong credentials and extensive experience in the financial technology industry. Our experienced management team is led by Chief Executive Officer, Chi Weng Tam, and Managing Director, Tai Wai (Stephen) Lam. Both individuals have strong business connections and knowledge in the IT and finance sectors, and had proven track records in taking business to the next level. The Managing Director, CEO and senior management team are adaptable to challenges and changing economic environment. During the course of business, our management’s vision and entrepreneurial spirit, an integral part to building brand and developing business of our Operating Subsidiaries, have played a crucial role in shaping m-FINANCE’s industry recognition, market reputation and business success. m-FINANCE’s management also possesses extensive technical know-how and domain knowledge to respond to changing trends in the industry, which we expect will aid in formulating and implementing business strategies in the financial technology industry. See “Management” in page 73 of this prospectus for further details of the management’s biographies.

 

The extensive experience and market foresight of the management team, supported by a team of high-caliber solution analysts and application developers, we believe will be able to help m-FINANCE capitalize on the industry expertise, adapt to the changes in market conditions, and formulate and execute business strategies effectively.

 

46
Table of Contents

 

Unique comprehensive one-stop offering covering needs of traders, dealers and financial institutions.

 

In order to strengthen m-FINANCE’s position as a financial trading solution provider, it endeavors in innovating new financial trading solutions and enhancing its existing financial trading solutions, to respond to the changing needs and requirements of customers, serving various sophisticated market players in the financial industry, such as traders, brokers and dealers. As of the date of this prospectus, m-FINANCE offers a comprehensive range of financial trading solutions covering the trade life cycle, such as providing real-time mission critical forex, bullion/commodities trading platform solutions, financial value-added services, mobile applications and financial information.

 

24/7 round-the-clock support services specialized in mission critical application support and support provision

 

m-FINANCE has a dedicated service team with knowledgeable and well-trained personnel, providing premium customer services on any technical issues promptly regarding the platforms and applications developed by m-FINANCE. Clients have access to 24/7 online customer support services via messaging applications such as WhatsApp, Skype, Tencent QQ, WeChat, emails and phone in Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese Chinese and English.

 

Key Services

 

m-FINANCE Trading Platform

 

Our flagship platform is a turnkey trading solution being built to fulfill brokers’ business needs. This platform includes the following major components:

 

Front, Middle and Back Office

 

m-FINANCE’s award-winning platform (“The Most Outstanding Foreign Exchange Precious Metals Trading Platform of the Year in Greater China” in 2022, awarded by Hong Kong’s Most Outstanding Business Awards 2022) suite covers all major features and functions required to operate an online trading platform business. Our Front, Middle and Back Office modules allow traders, introducing brokers and account managers, dealers, settlement and credit officers to easily monitor and execute trades, perform risk management and account openings, and operate the trading business in a secured and stable environment.

 

m-FINANCE’s trader terminal comes in .NET, Java, iOS, Android and HTML5 versions, providing the greatest flexibility for traders to manage their positions and place orders anytime, anywhere.

 

 

In order to address the various needs of clients, the platform is designed to be highly configurable to address specific business requirements without being required to redeploy or rebuild the applications. This is very crucial to serve the 24-hour non-stop over-the-counter market.

 

Pricing Engine

 

The “Price Engine” is the heart of a trading platform, which links up with market data feeds and then distributes to all connected applications in a timely and efficient manner. Due to the special nature of the over-the-counter market, there are chances of error quotes from market data and discrepancies of price quotes from different sources. However, m-FINANCE’s pre-built data feed management functionalities allow dealers to define filtering rules and specific templates to cope with various market conditions in real-time.

 

47
Table of Contents

 

Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

 

m-FINANCE’s CRM system refers to a Customer Relationship Management system developed exclusively for facilitating forex/bullion brokerage companies to manage all the Introducing Brokers (IBs) and clients efficiently. It assists to streamline and standardize the operation processes with a view to reducing costs, improving efficiency and increasing customer retention. The cloud-based CRM system integrates with the m-FINANCE trading platform as well as MT4/MT5 trading platforms from Metaquotes Ltd. It has a full-fledged affiliate system with multi-tier rebate capabilities which allow brokers to grow their brokerage business rapidly. By introducing new functions to cater different business models, the mF CRM system can help brokers manage their entire business effectively whilst reducing trading risk.

 

 

Liquidity solutions

 

m-FINANCE provides liquidity service to customers for the use of the fully automatic hedging solution and sending their clients’ orders directly to the liquidity providers such as institutional brokers, market makers, exchanges and prime of prime brokers. m-FINANCE’s solution supports Financial Information Exchange (FIX), which is the de-facto standard for international real-time exchange of transactions among financial institutions. The trading platform provide brokers/dealers with automatic hedging services by sending clients’ orders directly to FIX-compliant international banks, exchanges, institutional brokers or electronic communication network (ECN) platforms. Through assessing the specific demands of brokers/dealers, m-FINANCE may provide various hedging solutions, allowing them to define criteria of switching between A-Book and B-Book business models. When brokers use the A-Book business model, all of their clients’ orders are transmitted directly to the connected liquidity providers. When brokers operate as market makers, it is referred to as the B-Book model, orders are then processed in-house by the brokers. The easy switch between these two models allows the brokers to control their investment risks and maximize their profits.

 

 

White label service

 

m-FINANCE provides white label service to customers by allowing them to add additional labels or brands to the trading platform services. This provides customers the highest flexibility to operate their trading platform business based on their individual business development strategy or marketing needs at a lower operating cost.

 

48
Table of Contents

 

Social and copy trading (“CopyMaster”)

 

Copy trading is gaining popularity because it provides users with the opportunity to follow the trading portfolio of successful traders’ transactions such as buy/sell events and profit & loss summary. With the convenience of using smart phones, users are demanding tools or apps with copy trading function to assist them in making trading decision anywhere and anytime. Users may define their preferred trade copying rules based on their own risk appetite, which enable them to automatically copy trading actions of other traders. By combining copy trading with social media elements, such as comment and share functions, into m-FINANCE’s self-developed mobile application, CopyMaster, traders, analysts, guru, introducing brokers can interact, share knowledge and strategies, and engage in the forex and bullion markets with ease. This application, available in iOS and Android versions, is also equipped with several built-in interactive utilities, including traders’ ranking, market sentiment analysis, virtual points, group chats, messaging and alerts, as well as live broadcasts.

 

Cross-platform “Broker+” solution

 

The Cross-platform “Broker+” solution scales up brokers’ business by providing them with flexibility to operate as a liquidity provider. In combination with m-FINANCE’s trading platform, brokers can accept orders from other brokers who are using MT4 software developed by Metaquotes Ltd. directly via STP, in order to expand their trading volume. “Broker+” solution allows configuration of multiple modules with independent price quote setting for different brokers. More importantly, brokers utilizing the m-FINANCE trading platform can have full flexibility to hedge specific orders from other brokers by switching between A-Book and B-Book modes conveniently.

 

Other Financial Value-added services (FVAS)

 

Aligning with its one-stop trading solutions strategy, m-FINANCE is also providing several financial value-added services to its clients, such as interactive charts, professional trading analysis & strategies, economic calendar, instant financial news, real-time quotes, online payment gateway, mobile customer relationship management System (mCRM) and website development. All these services can be tailored to assist clients to establish, promote and strengthen their online trading business and services. For example, the mCRM service is already connected with multiple SMS gateways for delivery of short messages to world-wide users. It thus enables automatic delivery of important information (such as cut loss, deposit/withdraw, reset password) or promotional messages to traders’ mobile phones, significantly reducing the workload of back office staff and providing a good means of marketing. Riding on m-FINANCE’s I-A-D-T philosophy, real-time quotes and market analysis being the “I” and “A” components, the optional subscription services have been the seamlessly integrated parts of the trading platform, distributing traders with timely market knowledge.

 

Revenue Model

 

Our revenue model is subject to the type of services provision to clients, which include:

 

  Fee Type   Trading Platform   CRM   Liquidity Solutions   CopyMaster   Broker+   FVAS
1 Initial set up, installation and customization services (Note 1)   Y   Y   Y   Y   Y   Y
2 Subscription (Note 2)   Y   Y       Y   Y    
3 Hosting, support and maintenance service (Note 2)   Y   Y   Y   Y   Y   O
4 White label service (Note 2)   O                    
5 Liquidity service income (Note 3)           Y            
6 Quotes/news/package subscription service (Note 2)               O       Y

 

  Remarks:
   
  O = Optional fee
   
  Notes:
   
  1. We charged a one-time service fee for the services provided.
  2. We charged a monthly fee for the services provided.
  3. We charged a transaction fee based on the trading volume or lot size.

 

49
Table of Contents

 

Prepayment of recurrent fees is required in most cases, either on quarter or annual basis. The packaged platform deployment cycle is around two weeks to one-month, subject to user acceptance testing duration to be performed by clients. All customization work will have fixed priced quotation issued for the client to confirm an order. Clients are required to settle all one-time fees within the specified timeframe per contractual term before production launch of services. We generally grant credit-terms of 30 days to the clients. Nevertheless, at times, clients may require additional time to pay us or fail to pay us at all, management will then decide on whether to continue on service provisioning based on the specific client situation. These exceptional cases may add up the overall collection exposure, increase the amounts of accounts receivable and consequently lead to additional allowance for bad and doubtful debt accounts.

 

Revenue

 

The following table sets forth the breakdown of our revenue for the financial years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022:

 

   For the years ended December 31, 
   2021   2022   2022 
   HK$   HK$   US$ 
Initial set up, installation and customization services   8,147,473    7,140,076    915,218 
Subscription   12,124,676    11,414,976    1,463,177 
Hosting, support and maintenance service   3,304,830    4,186,369    536,611 
Liquidity service   3,220,992    6,699,586    858,756 
White label service   1,860,221    1,889,188    242,157 
Quotes/news/package subscription service   3,554,778    3,601,632    461,659 
Total revenue   32,212,970    34,931,827    4,477,578 

 

50
Table of Contents

 

Clients

 

Clients of the Operating Subsidiaries are mainly financial institutions, including brokers, investment banks, institutional clients, liquidity providers and financial services providers. The Operating Subsidiaries recruit new clients via existing client referrals, personal networking, online advertisement, promotion, digital marketing, and exhibition. As of the date of this prospectus, the Operating Subsidiaries do not offer any incentive for client referrals. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, we have 64 and 60 clients, respectively.

 

We do not have any key clients on which we depend during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022. Since the revenue generated by each client depends on the type and amount of services consumed, it is possible for any client or potential client to become a top five client for a fiscal year. The following two facts further indicate that there is no key client on which we are dependent during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022: (i) the total revenue generated by the top five clients represents less than 40% of the revenue of the Operating Subsidiaries for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022; and (ii) the top five clients were not exactly the same for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022.

 

Salient Terms of Service Agreements 

 

Scope of services

 

The Operating Subsidiaries generally enter into written service agreements with clients that set out the scope of services to be provided, and will include the provision of one or more of our development and financial trading solutions services, subject to the request of the customers.

 

Term

 

During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, the service agreements entered were generally for a period of 1 year.

 

Service fees and payment terms

 

The service agreements of the Operating Subsidiaries specify the terms of the service fees, including the payment schedule or a provision that payment is required to be made upon the presentation of the invoice.

 

Termination

 

The service agreements generally grant both counterparties the right to terminate the contracts by providing written notice to the other party within the specified timeframe.

 

Top Five Clients

 

Set out below is a breakdown of our revenue by our Operating Subsidiaries’ top five clients during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022:

 

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2021

 

Client  Service Provided by Operating Subsidiaries  Business relationship inception since   Amount of revenue HK$   Amount of revenue US$  

Amount of revenue

% to total revenue

 
Client 1 -(Note 1)  Initial set up, installation and customization services   2020    3,388,065    434,390    10.52%
Client 2– (Note 2)  Initial set up, installation and customization services, subscription and liquidity service   2020    2,553,349    327,369    7.93%
Client 3–(Note 3)  Initial set up, installation and customization services
and hosting, support and maintenance service
   2021    2,295,000    294,246    7.12%
Client 4–(Note 4)  White label service, subscription, hosting, support and maintenance service and quotes/news/package subscription service   2013    1,894,575    242,907    5.88%
Client 5 – (Note 5)  Initial set up, installation and customization services, subscription, white label service and quotes/news/package subscription service   2014    1,534,949    196,798    4.77%
Total           11,665,938    1,495,710    36.22%

 

51
Table of Contents

 

For the Year Ended December 31, 2022

 

Client  Service Provided by Operating Subsidiaries  Business relationship inception since   Amount of revenue HK$   Amount of revenue US$  

Amount of revenue

% to total revenue

 
Client 2– (Note 2)  Initial set up, installation and customization services, subscription and liquidity service   2020    6,295,179    806,919    18.02%
Client 6– (Note 6)  Initial set up, installation and customization services, subscription and liquidity services   2022    2,128,200    272,794    6.09%
Client 3–(Note 3) 

Initial set up, installation and customization services

   2021    1,753,247    224,732    5.02%
Client 7 –(Note 7)  Subscription, hosting, support and maintenance service and quotes/news/package subscription service   2021    1,510,573    121,193    4.32%
Client 4–(Note 4) 

White label service, subscription, hosting, support and maintenance service and quotes/news/package subscription service

   2013    1,468,217    188,197    4.20%
Total           13,155,416    1,613,835    37.66%

 

Notes:

 

(1)A registered securities company in Hong Kong providing securities trading in Hong Kong.

 

(2)A registered company in Hong Kong conducting in-house research on trading signal.

 

(3)A registered company in Hong Kong providing a trading place, facilities, and related services to its members for gold, silver, and precious metal transactions.

 

(4)A registered company in Hong Kong and a member of the Chinese Gold and Silver Exchange (CGSE), with an AA license, offering precious metal trading.

 

(5)A registered company in Hong Kong offering precious metal trading.

 

(6)A registered company in Hong Kong and its operating affiliate is a member of the Chinese Gold and Silver Exchange (CGSE) offering precious metal trading.

 

(7)A registered company in Hong Kong offering precious metal trading.

 

None of our directors, their close associates, or any shareholders who owned more than 5% of the issued shares of our Company, as of the date of this prospectus, had any interest in any of the five largest clients of Operating Subsidiaries during the two fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022. As of the date of this prospectus, we are not aware of any of the major clients having experienced material financial difficulties that may materially affect our or the Operating Subsidiaries’ business.

 

Service Providers

 

During the fiscal year of December 31, 2021 and 2022, the suppliers were all IT service providers. Our top five suppliers during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022 did not grant credit terms to us and payments made to them were generally made by check and settled in HK$.

 

52
Table of Contents

 

Set out below is a breakdown of our purchase by the top five service providers during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022:

 

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2021

 

Service providers  Service provided  Business relationship inception since   Amount of purchase HK$   Amount of purchase US$   Amount of purchase % to total cost of revenue   
Provider 1- (Note 1)  Internet
services
   2012    1,175,077    150,659    7.23%
PrimeTime Global Technologies Ltd. -(Note 2)  Information technology
implementation services
   2020    875,358    112,231    5.38%
Provider 3 - (Note 3)  Information technology
implementation services
   2016    458,640    58,803    2.82%
Provider 4 – (Note 4)  Internet
services
   2016    284,347    36,457    1.75%
Provider 5- (Note 5)  Internet
services
   2017    253,000    32,438    1.56%
                       
Total           3,046,422    390,588    18.74%

 

53
Table of Contents

 

For the Year Ended December 31, 2022

 

Service providers  Service provided  Business relationship inception since   Amount of purchase HK$   Amount of purchase US$   Amount of purchase % to total cost of revenue 
Provider 1–(Note 1)  Internet services   2012    864,074    110,757    5.23%
Provider 6 – (Note 6)  Consulting services   2017    659,646    84,554    3.99%
Provider 3- (Note 3)  Information technology
implementation services
   2016    458,640    58,789    2.78%
Provider 5- (Note 5)  Internet services   2017    276,000    35,378    1.67%

Provider 7 – (Note 7)

  Internet services   

2014

    158,376    20,301    0.96%
                       
Total           2,416,736    309,779    14.63%

 

54
Table of Contents

 

Notes:

 

(1)A registered company in Hong Kong providing internet services such as Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS), Software-defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN), data center, cloud solutions and network products work.

 

(2)A registered company in Hong Kong providing information technology implementation services to small-to-medium enterprise and consulting services to a department of Hong Kong government.

 

(3)A registered company in Hong Kong providing information technology implementation services with hardware and software solutions in Hong Kong.

 

(4)A registered company in Hong Kong providing networking and consulting services for the financial servicing market in the Greater China region.

 

(5)A registered company in Hong Kong providing full-fledged telecom, data center services, ICT solutions and broadband services for local, overseas, corporate, SME and mass markets

 

(6)A business partner which provides business consultancy on new business opportunities.

 

(7) A Hong Kong’s premier telecommunications service provider and leading operator of fixed-line, broadband, mobile communication and media entertainment services.

 

Our directors, Tai Wai (Stephen) Lam and Chi Weng Tam, who are also the shareholders who owned more than 5% of the number of issued Ordinary Shares of our Company as of the date of this prospectus, own 100% equity interests in one of the service providers, PrimeTime Global Technologies Limited through Gaderway Investments Limited. Other than as disclosed above, none of our directors, their close associates, nor any shareholders who owned more than 5% of the issued shares of our Company, as of the date of this prospectus, had any interest in any of the five largest service providers during the two fiscal years ended on December 31, 2021 and 2022. As of the date of this prospectus, neither we nor the Operating Subsidiaries had any significant disputes with any of other service providers during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022.

 

Risk Management

 

Our management is of the view that during the ordinary course of the business, the Operating Subsidiaries are primarily exposed to risks related to information technology security. On the managerial level, our executive directors are responsible for the control measures and supervision of operations in all aspects. The following sets out the risks and mitigating control measures taken by our Operating Subsidiaries.

 

Data Availability

 

The Operating Subsidiaries are using database clustering and redundancy to prevent the risk of any data loss.

 

Data Privacy

 

We and the Operating Subsidiaries value our and the clients’ data privacy. Sensitive data is only accessible to approved parties of the customers through the services provided by our Operating Subsidiaries. All access to production systems are logged, and every logging party only has limited access time to the systems.

 

55
Table of Contents

 

Firewalls

 

The Operating Subsidiaries employ redundant firewalls for monitoring and filtering network traffic.

 

Encryption

 

The Operating Subsidiaries deployed a separate encryption key for each client on the trading platform deployed when the clients are sending and receiving transaction data.

 

Alert System

 

The Operating Subsidiaries also developed an alert system to notify support personnel upon various abnormal system events.

 

Inventory

 

As of the date of this prospectus, the Operating Subsidiaries do not keep any inventory.

 

Competition

 

We believe the financial technology industry in Hong Kong and Asia is competitive and fragmented. With the rise of electronic trading in recent years, the industry has attracted the presence of both Hong Kong-based and international companies. We believe the financial technology industry in Hong Kong and Asia is competitive and fragmented. With the rise of electronic trading in recent years, the industry has attracted the presence of both Hong Kong-based and international companies.

 

With the successful project delivery and sound reputation, some international financial trading solutions providers have applied their proven expertise in the industry, while the local financial trading solutions providers leverage the established relationship with customers. Strong local partnership allows efficient access to local networks and information, which our management believes is a key advantage to our Operating Subsidiaries.

 

Material Licenses, Certificates and Approvals

 

All of our active Operating Subsidiaries were formed and are operating in Hong Kong, and they have received all required permissions from Hong Kong authorities to operate their current business in Hong Kong, namely, their business registration certificates.

 

Real Property

 

As of the date of this prospectus, neither we nor the Operating Subsidiaries own any real property. Our operating subsidiary, m-FINANCE, has entered into three lease agreements with two independent third parties, the details of which are set out below.

 

Address   Gross Floor Area   Use of the Property   Lease Term
Unit 1801, Fortis Tower, 77-79 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong   3750 (sq./ft)   Office   From January 31, 2022 to January 30, 2024
Carparking Space No. 33 on 2/Floor, Fortis Tower, NOS. 77, 78-79 Gloucester Road, Hong Kong   N/A   Parking Lot  

From January 31, 2022 to January 30, 2023

From January 31, 2023 to January 30, 2024

Carparking Space No. 62 on 3/Floor, Fortis Tower, NOS. 77, 78-79 Gloucester Road, Hong Kong   N/A   Parking Lot   From January 31, 2022 to January 30, 2024

 

56
Table of Contents

 

Intellectual Properties

 

Domain Name

 

We are the registrants of the following domain names: goldtradingsignal.com, mfintrader.com, tradingguard.net, tradingsky.net, omegatraders.com, fx24k.com, m-finance.net, m-finance.com, m-finance.hk, mfcloud.net, mmaster.com. algotraders.finance, tradingengine.net. As of the date of the prospectus, all of the domains remain active and the Company may renew such registrations for further periods, and expects to do so for the foregoing domain names at appropriate times.

 

Trademark

 

As of the date of this prospectus, the Operating Subsidiaries maintained 7 trademark registrations in Hong Kong and 9 trademark registrations in mainland China through m-FINANCE regarding its business name and brand names. Registered trademarks in Hong Kong and mainland China are valid for a period of 10 years beginning on the date of registration. The Company may renew successfully for further periods of 10 years at the end of the current period, and, as of the date of this prospectus, expects to do so for the foregoing trademarks at appropriate times. Our directors consider that the business and profitability of our Company and the Operating Subsidiaries are not dependent on any patent, license or new manufacturing process.

 

Seasonality

 

Our Operating Subsidiaries’ operations do not typically experience any seasonality.

 

Employees

 

As of the date of this prospectus, there are 31 employees in our Company, including the Operating Subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2021, and 2022, we had 29 and 28 employees, respectively. All of the employees are stationed in Hong Kong. The following table sets forth a breakdown of the number of our employees by job functions as of the date of this prospectus:

 

Job Functions  Number of Employees
Management  2
Business Analyst/Quality Assurance  6
Design  1
Finance  1
Finance and Administration  1
Office Administration  1
Project Management  2
Sales and Marketing  1
Software Development  10
Technical Support  6
Total  31

 

During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, there was no strike or labor dispute with the staff and we believe the relationships with the employees and work environment are generally positive. We and the Operating Subsidiaries regularly assess the job performance of our staff and we believe that our remuneration policy helps us attract and retain our staff. We determine our employees’ remuneration based on a number of factors, including their duties, position, experience, qualifications and contributions to our Operating Subsidiaries. During the fiscal years ended on December 31, 2021 and 2022, the staff costs of the employees, including salaries, contributions to Mandatory Provident Fund Scheme Ordinance (the “MPFSO”, a retirement scheme in Hong Kong where employers are required to contribute certain amount of employee’s monthly income to the fund) and other benefits were approximately HK$15,270,802 and HK$16,332,699 (US$2,093,533), respectively.

 

57
Table of Contents

 

Data Privacy

 

In the course of the business operation through our Operating Subsidiaries, they may collect personal data from our customers in connection with the business operations and this information may be subject to data privacy laws in the jurisdiction of Hong Kong. According to the relevant law in relation to data privacy, it is necessary for customers, or data owners, to be informed of the purpose for which the data is to be used on or before collecting the data, and such data shall not be used for a new purpose without the prescribed consent of the data owners. Our subsidiaries’ data privacy statement states that the personal data being collected can be used for purposes of data analysis and supporting our subsidiaries to develop and to improve the functions of our subsidiaries. We believe that we and our subsidiaries are in compliance with all relevant laws and regulations in all material respects with respect to data privacy.

 

Environmental Compliance

 

We believe that the nature of our subsidiaries’ business does not impose any serious threats to social responsibility and environmental protection matters. However, the Operating Subsidiaries may develop new platforms with blockchain technology in the future, which might produce negative environmental impacts since blockchain mining is energy-intensive, which could necessitate additional resources to comply with relevant laws.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

During the fiscal years ended on December 31, 2021 and 2022 and as of the date of this prospectus, neither we nor the Operating Subsidiaries have been involved in any litigation, claim, administrative action or arbitration which had a material adverse effect on the operations or financial condition of our Company or our Operating Subsidiaries. On December 20, 2021, m-FINANCE entered into a settlement agreement with one of its clients for HK$2.6 million to settle a contractual dispute, which dispute has been fully settled in cash as of December 31, 2021.

 

Insurance

 

The Operating Subsidiaries provide business protection insurance including covering Property All Risks, Business Interruption Money and Personal Assault, Public Liability, Employee’s Compensation in compliance with applicable Hong Kong laws. Such insurance policies generally extend for one year and are renewable annually. We believe that the current insurance coverage is sufficient for our Operating Subsidiaries’ business operations and is consistent with the industry conventions in Hong Kong. The Operating Subsidiaries were not subject to, nor did they receive, any insurance claims during the fiscal years ended on December 31, 2021 and 2022, and as of the date of this prospectus.

 

Research and Development

 

During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, and as of the date of this prospectus, the Operating Subsidiaries mainly utilize internal resources for research and development and they also engaged PrimeTime Global Technologies Limited and three independent third parties for research and development.

 

REGULATIONS

 

Regulations Related to our Business Operation in Hong Kong

 

We are a BVI holding company with three Operating Subsidiaries as forex/bullion trading solutions providers in Hong Kong. Below sets out a summary of certain aspects of the Hong Kong laws and regulations which are relevant to our Operating Subsidiaries’ operations and business.

 

Regulations related to business registration

 

Business Registration Ordinance (Chapter 310 of the Laws of Hong Kong)

 

The Business Registration Ordinance requires every person carrying on any business to make an application to the Commissioner of Inland Revenue in the prescribed manner for the registration of that business within one month after the commencement of business. The Commissioner of Inland Revenue must register each business for which a business registration application is made and as soon as practicable after the prescribed business registration fee and levy are paid and issue a business registration certificate or branch registration certificate for the relevant business or the relevant branch, as the case may be. Any person who fails to apply for business registration shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable to a fine of HK$5,000 and to imprisonment for 1 year. As at the date of this prospectus, each of the Operating Subsidiaries has obtained and maintains a valid business registration certificate.

 

58
Table of Contents

 

Regulations related to employment and labor protection

 

Employment Ordinance (Chapter 57 of the Laws of Hong Kong)

 

The Employment Ordinance, or the EO, is an ordinance enacted for, amongst other things, the protection of the wages of employees and the regulation of the general conditions of employment and employment agencies. Under the EO, an employee is generally entitled to, amongst other things, notice of termination of his or her employment contract; payment in lieu of notice; maternity protection in the case of a pregnant employee; not less than one rest day in every period of seven days; severance payments or long service payments; sickness allowance; statutory holidays or alternative holidays; and paid annual leave of up to 14 days depending on the period of employment.

 

Employees’ Compensation Ordinance (Chapter 282 of the Laws of Hong Kong)

 

The Employees’ Compensation Ordinance, or the ECO, is an ordinance enacted for the purpose of providing for the payment of compensation to employees injured in the course of employment. The EO establishes a no-fault and non-contributory employee compensation system for work injuries and lays down the rights and obligations of employers and employees in respect of injuries or death caused by accidents arising out of and in the course of employment, or by prescribed occupational diseases.

 

Under the ECO, if an employee sustains an injury or dies as a result of an accident arising out of and in the course of his employment, his employer is in general liable to pay compensation even if the employee might have committed acts of faults or negligence when the accident occurred. Similarly, an employee who suffers incapacity or dies arising from an occupational disease is entitled to receive the same compensation as that payable to employees injured in occupational accidents.

 

As stipulated by the ECO, no employer shall employ any employee in any employment unless there is in force in relation to such employee a policy of insurance issued by an insurer for an amount not less than the applicable amount specified in the Fourth Schedule of the ECO in respect of the liability of the employer. According to the Fourth Schedule of the ECO, the insured amount shall be not less than HK$100,000,000 per event if a company has no more than 200 employees. Any employer who contravenes this requirement commits a criminal offence and is liable on conviction to a fine and imprisonment. An employer who has taken out an insurance policy under the ECO is required to display a prescribed notice of insurance in a conspicuous place on each of its premises where any employee is employed.

 

Our directors confirm that we have maintained our employee’s compensation insurance policy and all of our local employees are insured under the employee’s compensation insurance policy, as of the date of this prospectus.

 

Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance (Chapter 509 of the Laws of Hong Kong)

 

The Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance provides for the protection of health and safety of employees in workplaces, both industrial and non-industrial.

 

Employers must, as far as reasonably practicable, ensure the safety and health at work of all employees by:

 

  providing and maintaining plant and systems of work that are safe and without risks to health;
  making arrangements for ensuring safety and absence of risks to health in connection with the use, handling, storage or transport of plant or substances;
  providing all necessary information, instruction, training, and supervision for ensuring safety and health; and
  as regards any workplace under the employer’s control, maintaining the workplace in a condition that is safe and without risks to health and providing and maintaining means of access to and egress from the workplace that are safe and without risks to health

 

Failure to comply with any of the above provisions constitutes an offence and the employer is liable on conviction to a fine of HK$200,000. An employer who fails to do so intentionally, knowingly or recklessly commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of HK$200,000 and to imprisonment of six months.

 

Occupiers Liability Ordinance (Chapter 314 of the Laws of Hong Kong)

 

The Occupiers Liability Ordinance regulates the obligations of a person occupying or having control of premises on injury resulting to persons or damage caused to goods or other property lawfully on the land.

 

The Occupiers Liability Ordinance imposes a common duty of care on an occupier of premises to take such care as in all the circumstances of the case is reasonable to see that the visitor will be reasonably safe in using the premises for the purposes for which he is invited or permitted by the occupier to be there.

 

59
Table of Contents

 

Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance (Chapter 485 of the Laws of Hong Kong)

 

The Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance, or the MPFSO, is an ordinance enacted for the purposes of providing for the establishment of non-governmental mandatory provident fund schemes, or the MPF Schemes. The MPFSO requires every employer of an employee of 18 years of age or above but under 65 years of age to take all practical steps to ensure the employee becomes a member of a registered MPF Scheme within the first 60 days of employment. Subject to the minimum and maximum relevant income levels, it is mandatory for both employers and their employees to contribute 5% of the employee’s relevant income to the MPF Scheme.

 

Any employer who contravenes the requirement of enrolling eligible employees in a registered MPF Scheme commits a criminal offence and is liable on conviction to a maximum fine of HK$50,000 and imprisonment for six months on the first conviction and maximum fine of HK$100,000 and imprisonment for one year on each subsequent conviction.

 

Any employer who contravenes the requirement of paying mandatory contributions to the MPF Scheme commits a criminal offence and is liable on conviction to a maximum fine of HK$50,000 and imprisonment for six months on the first conviction and maximum fine of HK$100,000 and imprisonment for one year on each subsequent conviction.

 

Minimum Wage Ordinance (Chapter 608 of the Laws of Hong Kong)

 

The Minimum Wage Ordinance provides for a prescribed minimum hourly wage rate (currently at HK$40.0 per hour) during the wage period for every employee engaged under a contract of employment under the Employment Ordinance. Any provision of the employment contract which purports to extinguish or reduce the right, benefit or protection conferred on the employee by the Minimum Wage Ordinance is void.

 

Failure to pay minimum wage amounts to a breach of the wage provisions under Employment Ordinance. An employer who willfully and without reasonable excuse fails to pay wages to an employee when it becomes due is liable to prosecution and, upon conviction, to a fine of HK$350,000 and to imprisonment for three years.

 

Regulations related to Hong Kong taxation

 

Inland Revenue Ordinance (Chapter 112 of the Laws of Hong Kong)

 

Under the Inland Revenue Ordinance, where an employer commences to employ in Hong Kong an individual who is or is likely to be chargeable to tax, or any married person, the employer shall give a written notice to the Commissioner of Inland Revenue not later than three months after the date of commencement of such employment. Where an employer ceases or is about to cease to employ in Hong Kong an individual who is or is likely to be chargeable to tax, or any married person, the employer shall give a written notice to the Commissioner of Inland Revenue not later than one month before such individual ceases to be employed in Hong Kong.

 

Withholding tax on dividends

 

Under the current practice of the Inland Revenue Department of Hong Kong, no withholding tax is payable in Hong Kong in respect of dividends paid by the Operating Subsidiaries in Hong Kong.

 

Capital gains and profit tax

 

The Inland Revenue Ordinance provides, among other things, that profits tax shall be charged on every person carrying on a trade, profession or business in Hong Kong in respect of his or her assessable profits arising in or derived from Hong Kong at the standard rate at 16.5%, except for the qualifying group entity under the two-tiered profits tax regime. The two-tiered profits tax regime is applicable to years of assessment commencing on or after April 1, 2018, for which the first HK$2,000,000 assessable profits are taxed at the rate of 8.25% and the remaining assessable profits are taxed at 16.5%. The Inland Revenue Ordinance also contains detailed provisions relating to, among other things, permissible deductions for outgoings and expenses, set-offs for losses and allowances for depreciations of capital assets.

 

No tax is imposed in Hong Kong in respect of capital gains from the sale of shares. However, trading gains from the sale of shares by persons carrying on a trade, profession or business in Hong Kong, where such gains are derived from or arise in Hong Kong, will be subject to Hong Kong profits tax. Certain categories of taxpayers (for example, financial institutions, insurance companies and securities dealers) are likely to be regarded as deriving trading gains rather than capital gains unless these taxpayers can prove that the investment securities are held for long-term investment purposes.

 

Stamp Duty Ordinance (Chapter 117 of the Laws of Hong Kong)

 

Under the Stamp Duty Ordinance, the Hong Kong stamp duty currently charged at the ad valorem rate of 0.13% on the higher of the consideration for or the market value of the shares, will be payable by the purchaser on every purchase and by the seller on every sale of Hong Kong shares (in other words, a total of 0.26% is currently payable on a typical sale and purchase transaction of Hong Kong shares). In addition, a fixed duty of HK$5 is currently payable on any instrument of transfer of Hong Kong shares. Where one of the parties is a resident outside Hong Kong and does not pay the ad valorem duty due by it, the duty not paid will be assessed on the instrument of transfer (if any) and will be payable by the transferee. If no stamp duty is paid on or before the due date, a penalty of up to ten times the duty payable may be imposed.

 

60
Table of Contents

 

Estate duty

 

Hong Kong estate duty was abolished effective from February 11, 2006. No Hong Kong estate duty is payable by shareholders in relation to the shares owned by them upon death.

 

Regulations related to anti-competition

 

Competition Ordinance (Chapter 619 of the Laws of Hong Kong)

 

The Competition Ordinance that commenced full operation on December 14, 2015 (i) prohibits conduct that prevents, restricts or distorts competition in Hong Kong; (ii) prohibits mergers that substantially lessen competition in Hong Kong; and (iii) provides for incidental and connected matter.

 

The “First Conduct Rule” prohibits anti-competitive agreements, practices and decisions. It provides that an undertaking must not (i) make or give effect to an agreement; (ii) engage in a concerted practice; or (iii) as a member of an association of undertakings, make or give effect to a decision of the association, if the object or effect of the agreement, concerted practice or decision is to prevent, restrict or distort competition in Hong Kong. Serious anti-competitive conduct includes (i) fixing, maintaining, increasing or controlling the price for the supply of goods or services; (ii) allocating sales, territories, customers or markets for the production or supply of goods or services; (iii) fixing, maintaining, controlling, preventing, limiting or eliminating the production or supply of goods or services; and (iv) bid-rigging.

 

The “Second Conduct Rule” prohibits the abuse of market power. It provides that an undertaking that has a substantial degree of market power in a market must not abuse such power by engaging in conduct that has as its object or effect the prevention, restriction or distortion of competition in Hong Kong. This conduct may in particular, constitute an abuse of such market power if it involves predatory behavior towards competitors or limiting production, markets or technical development to the prejudice of consumers. Matters that may be taken into consideration when determining whether an undertaking has a substantial degree of market power in a market include (i) the market share of the undertaking; (ii) the undertaking’s power to make pricing and other decisions; and (iii) any barriers to entry to competitors into the relevant market.

 

The First Conduct Rule and the Second Conduct Rule apply to all sectors of the Hong Kong economy. Therefore, our business is subject to Competition Ordinance generally.

 

In the event of contravention of a competition rule, the Competition Tribunal may (i) on application by the Competition Commission, impose pecuniary penalty of any amount it considers appropriate subject to a maximum of 10% of the turnover of the undertaking concerned for each year in which the contravention occurred for each single contravention (if the contravention occurred in more than three years, 10% of the turnover of the undertaking for the three years that saw the highest, second highest and third highest turnover); (ii) on application by the Competition Commission, make an order disqualifying a person from being a director of a company or from otherwise being concerned in the affairs of a company; (iii) make orders it considers appropriate, including but not limited to prohibiting an entity from making or giving effect to an agreement, requiring modification or termination of an agreement, requiring payment of damages to a person who has suffered loss or damage as a result of the contravention.

 

Laws in Relation to Intellectual Property Rights

 

Copyright Ordinance (Chapter 528 of the Laws of Hong Kong)

 

The Copyright Ordinance currently in force in Hong Kong came into effect on June 27, 1997. The Copyright Ordinance as reviewed and revised from time to time provides comprehensive protection for recognised categories of work such as literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works, as well as for sound recordings, films, television broadcasts and cable programmes. Certain copyrights may subsist in the works we create in relation to our artistic works or literary works that qualify for copyright protection without registration.

 

The Copyright Ordinance restricts certain acts such as copying and/or issuing or making available copies to the public of a copyright work without the authorisation from the copyright owner which, if done, constitutes infringement of copyright.

 

Trade Marks Ordinance (Chapter 559 of the Laws of Hong Kong)

 

The Trade Marks Ordinance currently in force in Hong Kong came into effect on April 4, 2003. The Trade Marks Ordinance is a statute enacted to make provision in respect of the registration of trademarks and for connected matters. The Trade Marks Ordinance provides (amongst other things) that a person infringes a registered trade mark if the person uses in the course of trade or business a sign which is:

 

(a)identical to the trade mark in relation to goods or services which are identical to those for which it is registered;

 

(b)identical to the trade mark in relation to goods or services which are similar to those for which it is registered; and the use of the sign in relation to those goods or services is likely to cause confusion on the part of the public;

 

61
Table of Contents

 

(c)similar to the trade mark in relation to goods or services which are identical or similar to those for which it is registered; and the use of the sign in relation to those goods or services is likely to cause confusion on the part of the public; or

 

(d)identical or similar in relation to goods or services which are not identical or similar to those for which the trade mark is registered; the trade mark is entitled to protection under the Paris Convention as a well-known trade mark; and the use of the sign, being without due cause, takes unfair advantage of, or is detrimental to, the distinctive character or repute of the trade mark.

 

Under the Trade Marks Ordinance, the owner of a trade mark is entitled to bring infringement proceedings against a person infringing his or her trade mark for damages, injunctions, accounts and any other relief available in law. As of the date of this prospectus, our subsidiaries registered [seven] trade marks in Hong Kong relating to our business, and there have been no infringement claims commenced by or against the Operating Subsidiaries with respect to any trade mark.

 

Regulations related to anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing

 

Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (Chapter 615 of the Laws of Hong Kong)

 

The Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance, or the AMLO, imposes requirements relating to client due diligence and record-keeping and provides the regulatory authorities with the powers to supervise compliance with the requirements under the AMLO. In addition, the regulatory authorities are empowered to (i) ensure that proper safeguards exist to prevent contravention of specified provisions in the AMLO; and (ii) mitigate money laundering and terrorist financing risks.

 

Drug Trafficking (Recovery of Proceeds) Ordinance (Chapter 405 of the Laws of Hong Kong)

 

The Drug Trafficking (Recovery of Proceeds) Ordinance, or the DTROP, contains provisions for the investigation of assets suspected to be derived from drug trafficking activities, the freezing of assets on arrest and the confiscation of the proceeds from drug trafficking activities. It is an offence under the DTROP if a person deals with any property knowing, or having reasonable grounds to believe, it to be the proceeds from drug trafficking. The DTROP requires a person to report to an authorized officer if he/she knows or suspects that any property (directly or indirectly) is the proceeds from drug trafficking or is intended to be used or was used in connection with drug trafficking, and failure to make such disclosure constitutes an offence under the DTROP.

 

Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance (Chapter 455 of the Laws of Hong Kong)

 

The Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance, or the OSCO, empowers officers of the Hong Kong Police Force and the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department to investigate organized crime and triad activities, and it gives the Hong Kong courts jurisdiction to confiscate the proceeds from organized and serious crimes, to issue restraint orders and charging orders in relation to the property of defendants of specified offences. The OSCO extends the money laundering offence to cover the proceeds of all indictable offences in addition to drug trafficking.

 

United Nations (Anti-Terrorism Measures) Ordinance (Chapter 575 of the Laws of Hong Kong)

 

The United Nations (Anti-Terrorism Measures) Ordinance, or the UNATMO, provides that it is a criminal offence to: (i) provide or collect funds (by any means, directly or indirectly) with the intention or knowledge that the funds will be used to commit, in whole or in part, one or more terrorist acts; or (ii) make any funds or financial (or related) services available, directly or indirectly, to or for the benefit of a person knowing that, or being reckless as to whether, such person is a terrorist or terrorist associate. The UNATMO also requires a person to report his knowledge or suspicion of terrorist property to an authorized officer, and failure to make such disclosure constitutes an offence under the UNATMO.

 

Regulations related to data privacy

 

The Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (Chapter 486 of the Laws of Hong Kong)

 

The Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance, or the PDPO, imposes a statutory duty on data users to comply with the requirements of the six data protection principles (the “Data Protection Principles”) contained in Schedule 1 to the PDPO. The PDPO provides that a data user shall not do an act, or engage in a practice, that contravenes a Data Protection Principle unless the act or practice, as the case may be, is required or permitted under the PDPO. The six Data Protection Principles are:

 

  Principle 1 — purpose and manner of collection of personal data;

 

  Principle 2 — accuracy and duration of retention of personal data;

 

  Principle 3 — use of personal data;

 

  Principle 4 — security of personal data;

 

62
Table of Contents

 

  Principle 5 — information to be generally available; and

 

  Principle 6 — access to personal data.

 

Non-compliance with a Data Protection Principle may lead to a complaint to the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (the “Privacy Commissioner”). The Privacy Commissioner may serve an enforcement notice to direct the data user to remedy the contravention and/ or instigate prosecution actions. A data user who contravenes an enforcement notice commits an offense which may lead to a fine and imprisonment.

 

The PDPO also gives data subjects certain rights, inter alia:

 

  the right to be informed by a data user whether the data user holds personal data of which the individual is the data subject;

 

  if the data user holds such data, to be supplied with a copy of such data; and

 

  the right to request correction of any data they consider to be inaccurate.

 

The PDPO criminalizes, including but not limited to, the misuse or inappropriate use of personal data in direct marketing activities, non-compliance with a data access request and the unauthorized disclosure of personal data obtained without the relevant data user’s consent. An individual who suffers damage, including injured feelings, by reason of a contravention of the PDPO in relation to his or her personal data may seek compensation from the data user concerned.

 

Regulations Related to the British Virgin Islands

 

Regulations related to the British Virgin Islands Data Protection Act, 2021

 

The Data Protection act, 2021 (the “BVI DPA”) came into force in the British Virgin Islands on July 9, 2021. The BVI DPA establishes a framework of rights and duties designed to safeguard individuals’ personal data, balanced against the need of public authorities, businesses and organizations to collect and use personal data for lawful purposes. The BVI DPA is centered around seven data protection principles which require that:

 

  personal data must not be processed unless specific conditions are met;
     
  a data controller must inform a data subject of specific matters, for instance the purposes for which it is being collected and further processed;
     
  personal data must not be disclosed for any purpose other than the purpose for which it was to be disclosed at the time of collection or a purpose directly related thereto or to any party other than a third party of a class previously notified to the data subject;
     
  a data controller shall, when processing personal data, take practical steps to protect personal data from loss, misuse, modification, unauthorized or accidental access or disclosure, alteration or destruction;
     
  personal data must not be kept for longer than is necessary for the purpose;
     
  personal data must be accurate, complete, not misleading and kept up to date; and
     
  a data subject must be given access to his or her own personal data and be able to correct that data where it is inaccurate, incomplete, misleading or not up to date, except where a request for such access or correction is refused under the BVI DPA.

 

The Information Commissioner is the regulator responsible for the proper functioning and enforcement of the BVI DPA. Offences under the BVI DPA include

 

  processing sensitive personal data in contravention of the BVI DPA;
     
  willfully obstructing the Information Commissioner or an authorized officer in the conduct of his or her duties and functions;
     
  willfully disclosing personal information in contravention of the BVI DPA; and
     
  collecting, storing or disposing of personal information in a manner that contravenes the BVI DPA.

 

Offences committed under the BVI DPA may result in fines (up to US$500,000 in certain cases) or imprisonment. Further, a data subject who suffers damage or distress as a result of their data being processed in contravention of the BVI DPA may institute civil proceedings in the British Virgin Islands courts.

 

63
Table of Contents

 

MANAGEMENT

 

Set forth below is information concerning our directors, director nominees, executive officers and other key employees.

 

The following individuals are members of our board of directors and management of the Company.

 

Directors and Executive Officers   Age   Position/Title
Tai Wai (Stephen) Lam   56   Chairman and Executive Director
Chi Weng Tam   51   Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer Nominee
Sui Yee Yeung   42   Chief Financial Officer Nominee
Sum (Philip) Cheng   58   Independent Director Nominee
Lai Sum (Christina) Liu   69   Independent Director Nominee
Kit Ying (Jenny) Law   41   Independent Director Nominee

 

The following is a brief biography of each of our current directors, executive officers and director nominees:

 

Mr. Tai Wai (Stephen) Lam is the chairman and our executive director. He joined m-FINANCE Limited in 2003 as Chief Technology Officer and is currently serving as the Managing Director of the m-FINANCE. He has over 30 years of experience in Information Technology and business management covering fields of software development, business consulting, financial technology and e-commerce. Prior to joining m-FINANCE, Mr. Lam was the Senior Information Technology Manager of the Hong Kong SAR Government and had led several e-Government projects. Mr. Lam used to hold senior positions in commercial firms, including Senior Consultant of World-wide Professional Services in Canada of Netscape Communications Corporation, Senior Consultant Manager of SINA.com, Technical Director of 36.com Holdings Limited (previously a listed company on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange). Mr. Lam obtained a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Western Sydney, Australia in 2003 and a Bachelor of Science degree in Computational Science and Management Studies from the University of Leeds, United Kingdom in 1989.

 

Mr. Chi Weng Tam is the executive director of our Company and the Chief Executive Officer nominee of our Company. Mr. Tam is primarily responsible for the day-to-day management, overseeing the business operations, business development, sales and marketing, strategic planning, policies settings, and supervising human resources and administrative functions of our Operating Subsidiaries. Mr. Tam has over 25 years of experience in IT and Finance related industries. He first joined the Operating Subsidiaries in November 2011 as Chief Operating Officer and was appointed as Chief Executive Officer in August 2015 and an executive director of the Operating Subsidiaries in December 2015. He also serves as a director of all Operating Subsidiaries of our Company. Mr. Tam has a proven track record in business development and hands-on experience in managing and leading successful teams to achieve success in B2B and B2C environments. Prior to joining our Operating Subsidiaries, Mr. Tam held senior management positions in different companies. From October 2009 to October 2011, he worked as a director of major accounts at VanceInfo Technologies Limited, a company previously listed on NYSE (NYSE: VIT), an IT service provider delivering world-class IT consulting, enterprise solutions and outsourcing services to many leading Fortune 500 companies. From October 2008 to October 2009, he served as the Team Leader of Business Development at Arkadin, a French company that provided customized collaboration solutions for multi-national companies across Europe, the United States and the Asia Pacific region in 22 countries worldwide. From September 2006 to August 2007, he served as the General Manager at GlobalTec Hong Kong Limited, a US/HK joint venture, where he marketed trending analysis software for individuals and financial institutions. From February 2004 to February 2006, he worked as a director of web business at Finet Holdings Limited, a company previously listed on Hong Kong Stock Exchange (SEHK: 8317), a service provider in the provision of financial information services and technology solutions to corporate clients and individual investors. From November 1998 to July 2003, he worked as an executive director and a marketing director at UNiSOFT Education Centre, an IT training service provider in Hong Kong providing IT certification training services for corporate and individuals. Mr. Tam obtained a degree of Bachelor of Business Administration (Honours) from Lingnan University, Hong Kong.

 

Ms. Sui Yee Yeung joined the Operating Subsidiaries as the Senior Accountant in July 2017 and has served as the Finance Manager of the Operating Subsidiaries since July 2018 and our Chief Financial Officer nominee of m-FINANCE since June 2022. Ms. Yeung has had over 18 years of professional experience across finance and accounting, compliance, internal controls, taxation and public accounting. Prior to joining our Operating Subsidiaries, Ms. Yeung was a financial leader with a blend of experience at local and multinational corporations. Ms. Yeung obtained a Bachelor of Accounting degree from the University of Hong Kong and she is a member of the CPA Australia.

 

Mr. Sum (Philip) Cheng is our independent director nominee. Mr. Cheng is a senior partner of Cheng, Yeung & Co. Certified Public Accountants (Practising). Before joining Cheng, Yeung & Co. Certified Public Accountants (Practising) on March 2006, Mr. Cheng was a managing director of Lam, Kwok, Kwan & Cheng CPA Limited. Mr. Cheng is a Member of The Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants, The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, The Chartered Global Management Accountants, The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and The Association of International Accountants. Mr. Cheng has over 35 years’ experience in assurance and financial advisory services. He has extensive experience in the auditing of private companies in different business sectors, including information technology, manufacturing, real estate, transportation, health care, food and beverage, and retail. Mr. Cheng specializes in Business Assurance, Financial Management, Financial Reporting, and Business Management Consultancy. He has been a Chartered Tax Adviser since 1998. He has extensive knowledge in Hong Kong Tax and has practical experience in handling many of Field Audits, Tax Investigations, and Tax Appeal Cases over 30 years. Mr. Cheng qualified in year 1996, and obtained his Master’s Degree in Professional Accounting from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University in 2000.

 

64
Table of Contents

 

Ms. Lai Sum (Christina) Liu is our independent director nominee. Ms. Liu has been working in the financial industry in Hong Kong for over 40 years, covering securities, futures, gold, foreign exchange, funds and financing etc. Ms. Liu has been the Responsible Officer for Type 1 (Dealing in securities), Type 2 (Dealing in futures contracts), Type 4 (Advising on securities), Type 5 (Advising on futures contracts) and Type 9 (Asset management) regulated activities and she has enriched working experience in several well-known financial institutions including Wocom Securities Limited (a subsidiary of Wing On Company International Ltd), SBI China Capital Securities Limited, RHB Securities Hong Kong Limited (“RHB”), Yuanta Asia Investment (Hong Kong) Limited (formerly known as Polaris Securities (Hong Kong) Ltd), South China Securities Limited and Huajin Securities (International) Limited. During Ms. Liu’s tenure with RHB, RHB ranked No. 1 in Hong Kong Hang Seng Index in terms of the trading volume for the futures. Ms. Liu has also successfully introduced a private enterprise company to be listed in Hong Kong when she served as the Business Development Director in South China Securities Limited. She then served as Vice President in a licensed financial company established by Huafa Group, which is directly controlled under the Zhuhai People’s Government, China. Ms. Liu obtained the Hong Kong General Certificate of Education in 1975.

 

Ms. Kit Ying (Jenny) Law, the independent director nominee of the Company, has over 13 years of professional experience in corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings, fund raising, capital reorganization and other corporate actions for listed companies. From November 1, 2021, Ms. Law has served as the Vice President of Ample Capital Limited, providing financial solutions to initial public offering sponsorship, fund raising, strategic planning, and advice on Listing Rules of Hong Kong Stock Exchange and Takeovers Code of Securities and Future Commission. From May 1, 2021 to October 2021, she was the Associate Director of Essence Corporate Finance (Hong Kong) Limited. From February 2018 to April 30, 2021, Ms. Law was the Vice President of Ample Limited, Additionally, Ms. Law is the Company Secretary of Luna Nera Limited and Cosmic Souls Limited. Ms. Law obtained a Master of Accounting from Curtin University in Australia in 2021.

 

Family Relationships

 

Except for the foregoing, none of the directors or executive officers have a family relationship as defined in Item 401 of Regulation S-K.

 

Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings

 

To the best of our knowledge, none of our directors or executive officers has, during the past ten years, been involved in any legal proceedings described in subparagraph (f) of Item 401 of Regulation S-K.

 

Controlled Company

 

Upon completion of this Offering, our biggest shareholder, Gaderway Investments Limited, may beneficially own approximately 63.33% of the aggregate voting power of our outstanding Ordinary Shares, assuming no exercise of the underwriter’s over-allotment option, or approximately 62.16%, assuming full exercise of the underwriter’s over-allotment option. As a result, we may be deemed to be a “controlled company” within the meaning of the NASDAQ listing standards. Gaderway Investments Limited, has the ability to control the outcome of matters submitted to the shareholders for approval, including the election of directors and any merger, consolidation, or sale of all or substantially all of our assets. If we are deemed to be a “controlled company”, we are permitted to elect to rely on certain exemptions from the obligations to comply with certain corporate governance requirements, including:

 

  the requirement that a majority of the board of directors consist of independent directors;
     
  the requirement that our director nominees be selected or recommended solely by independent directors; and
     
  the requirement that we have a nominating and corporate governance committee and a compensation committee that are composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the purposes and responsibilities of the committees.

 

Although we do not intend to rely on the controlled company exemptions under the NASDAQ listing standards even if we are deemed a controlled company, we could elect to rely on these exemptions in the future, and if so, you would not have the same protection afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to all of the corporate governance requirements of the NASDAQ Capital Market.

 

Board of Directors

 

Our board of directors will consist of five directors upon closing of this Offering.

 

65
Table of Contents

 

Duties of Directors

 

Under British Virgin Islands law, our directors owe fiduciary duties both at common law and under statute, including a statutory duty to act honestly, in good faith and with a view to our best interests. When exercising powers or performing duties as a director, our directors also have a duty to exercise the care, diligence and skills that a reasonable director would exercise in comparable circumstances, taking into account, without limitation, the nature of the Company, the nature of the decision and the position of the director and the nature of the responsibilities undertaken by him. In exercising the powers of a director, the directors must exercise their powers for a proper purpose and shall not act or agree to the Company acting in a manner that contravenes our Memorandum and Articles or the BVI Act. See “Description of Shares — Differences in Corporate Law” for additional information on our directors’ fiduciary duties under British Virgin Islands law. In fulfilling their duty of care to us, our directors must ensure compliance with our Memorandum and Articles. We have the right to seek damages if a duty owed by our directors is breached.

 

The functions and powers of our board of directors include, among others:

 

  appointing officers and determining the term of office of the officers;
     
  authorizing the payment of donations to religious, charitable, public or other bodies, clubs, funds or associations as deemed advisable;
     
  exercising the borrowing powers of the Company and mortgaging the property of the Company;
     
  executing checks, promissory notes and other negotiable instruments on behalf of the Company; and
     
  managing, directing or supervising the business and affairs of the Company.

 

Terms of Directors and Executive Officers

 

All of our executive officers are appointed by and serve at the discretion of our board of directors.

 

Qualification

 

There is currently no shareholding qualification for directors.

 

Insider Participation Concerning Executive Compensation

 

Our board of directors, which currently consists of Mr. Tai Wai (Stephen) Lam and Mr. Chi Weng Tam, make all determinations regarding executive officer compensation from the time the Company first enters into employment agreements with executive officers up until the establishment of the compensation committee (considered further below).

 

Committees of the Board of Directors

 

We will establish three committees under the board of directors immediately upon effectiveness: of an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Even though we are exempted from corporate governance standards because we are a foreign private issuer, we have voluntarily adopted a charter for each of the three committees. Each committee’s members and functions are described below.

 

Audit Committee. Our audit committee will consist of Sum (Philip) Cheng, Lai Sum (Christina) Liu and Kit Ying (Jenny) Law. [●] will be the chairman of our audit committee. We have determined that [●], [●] and [●], [●] will satisfy the “independence” requirements of Section 5605(a)(2) of the NASDAQ Listing Rules and Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act. Our board also has determined that [•] qualifies as an audit committee financial expert within the meaning of the SEC rules or possesses financial sophistication within the meaning of the NASDAQ Listing Rules. The audit committee will oversee our accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of the financial statements of our Company. The audit committee will be responsible for, among other things:

 

  appointing the independent auditors and pre-approving all auditing and non-auditing services permitted to be performed by the independent auditors;
     
  reviewing with the independent auditors any audit problems or difficulties and management’s response;
     
  discussing the annual audited financial statements with management and the independent auditors;
     
  reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of our accounting and internal control policies and procedures and any steps taken to monitor and control major financial risk exposures;
     
  reviewing and approving all proposed related party transactions;
     
  meeting separately and periodically with management and the independent auditors; and
     
  monitoring compliance with our code of business conduct and ethics, including reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of our procedures to ensure proper compliance.

 

66
Table of Contents

 

Compensation Committee. Our compensation committee will consist of Sum (Philip) Cheng, Lai Sum (Christina) Liu and Kit Ying (Jenny) Law, upon the effectiveness of their appointments. [•] will be the chairman of our compensation committee. We have determined that Sum (Philip) Cheng, Lai Sum (Christina) Liu and Kit Ying (Jenny) Law will satisfy the “independence” requirements of Section 5605(a)(2) of the NASDAQ Listing Rules and Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act. The compensation committee will assist the board in reviewing and approving the compensation structure, including all forms of compensation, relating to our directors and executive officers. Our chief executive officer may not be present at any committee meeting during which his compensation is deliberated. The compensation committee will be responsible for, among other things:

 

  reviewing and approving to the board with respect to the total compensation package for our most senior executive officers;
     
  approving and overseeing the total compensation package for our executives other than the most senior executive officers;
     
  reviewing and recommending to the board with respect to the compensation of our directors;
     
  reviewing periodically and approving any long-term incentive compensation or equity plans;
     
  selecting compensation consultants, legal counsel or other advisors after taking into consideration all factors relevant to that person’s independence from management; and
     
   programs or similar arrangements, annual bonuses, employee pension and welfare benefit plans.

 

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Our nominating and corporate governance committee will consist of Sum (Philip) Cheng, Lai Sum (Christina) Liu and Kit Ying (Jenny) Law, upon the effectiveness of their appointments. [●] will be the chairperson of our nominating and corporate governance committee. Sum (Philip) Cheng, Lai Sum (Christina) Liu and Kit Ying (Jenny) Law satisfy the “independence” requirements of Section 5605(a)(2) of the NASDAQ Listing Rules and Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act. The nominating and corporate governance committee will assist the board of directors in selecting individuals qualified to become our directors and in determining the composition of the board and its committees. The nominating and corporate governance committee will be responsible for, among other things:

 

  identifying and recommending nominees for election or re-election to our board of directors or for appointment to fill any vacancy;
     
  reviewing annually with our board of directors its current composition in light of the characteristics of independence, age, skills, experience and availability of service to us;
     
  identifying and recommending to our board the directors to serve as members of committees;
     
  advising the board periodically with respect to significant developments in the law and practice of corporate governance as well as our compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and making recommendations to our board of directors on all matters of corporate governance and on any corrective action to be taken; and
     
  monitoring compliance with our code of business conduct and ethics, including reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of our procedures to ensure proper compliance.

 

Corporate Governance

 

The business and affairs of the Company are managed under the direction of our board of directors. We have conducted board meetings regularly since inception. Each of our directors has attended all meetings either in person, or via telephone conference, or the directors have passed resolutions through written consent. In addition to the contact information in this prospectus, the board has adopted procedures for communication with the officers and directors as the date hereof. Each shareholder will be given specific information on how he/she can direct communications to the officers and directors of the Company at our annual shareholders’ meetings. All communications from shareholders are relayed to the members of our board of directors.

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

Agreements with Named Executive Officers

 

We intend to enter into employment agreements with our executive directors. Each of our executive officers is employed for a specified time period, which will be renewed upon both parties’ agreement thirty days before the end of the current employment term. Each employment agreement will provide that we may terminate the employment for cause, at any time, without notice or remuneration, for certain acts of the executive officer, including but not limited to the commitments of any serious or persistent breach or non-observance of the terms and conditions of the employment, conviction of a criminal offense, willful disobedience of a lawful and reasonable order, fraud or dishonesty, receipt of bribery, or severe neglect of his or her duties. An executive officer may terminate his or her employment at any time with a one-month prior written notice. Pursuant to the terms of the employment agreements, each executive officer has agreed to hold, both during and after the date employment agreement expires, in strict confidence and not to use or disclose to any person, corporation or other entity without written consent, any confidential information. In addition, each executive officer will agree to be bound by non-competition and non-solicitation restrictions during the term of his employment and for one year following termination of the employment.

 

67
Table of Contents

 

Compensation of Directors

 

Summary Compensation Table

 

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to compensation for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022 earned by or paid to our chief executive officer nominee and our chief financial officer nominee and each director of the Company (the “named executive officers”).

 

Name and Principal Position  Years ended December 31,   Salary (HK$)   Bonus (HK$)   Stock Awards (HK$)   Option Awards (HK$)   Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation (HK$)   Deferred Compensation Earnings (HK$)   Pension (HK$)   Total (HK$) 
Tai Wai (Stephen) Lam   2021    360,000                        18,000    378,000 
Executive Director   2022    360,000    562,050                    17,975    940,025 
                                              
Chi Weng Tam   2021    360,000                        18,000    378,000 
Executive Director   2022    360,000    429,750                    17,975    807,725 
                                              
Sui Yee Yeung   2021                                 
Chief Financial Officer Nominee   2022                                 
                                              
Sum (Philip) Cheng   2021                                 
Independent Director Nominee   2022                                 
                                              
Lai Sum (Christina) Liu   2021                                 
Independent Director Nominee   2022                                 
                                              
Kit Ying (Jenny) Law   2021                                 
Independent Director Nominee   2022                                 

 

68
Table of Contents

 

2022 Equity Incentive Plan

 

We intend to adopt a 2022 Stock Option Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan is a stock-based compensation plan that provides for discretionary grants of stock options to key employees, directors and consultants of the Company. The purpose of the Plan is to recognize contributions made to our Company and its Operating Subsidiaries by such individuals and to provide them with additional incentive to achieve the objectives of our Company. No grants have been made under the plan as of the date hereof. The following is a summary of the Plan and is qualified by the full text of the Plan.

 

Administration. The Plan will be administered by our board of directors, or, once constituted, the Compensation Committee of the board of directors (we refer to body administering the Plan as the “Committee”).

 

Number of Ordinary Shares. The number of Ordinary Shares that may be issued under the Plan is the maximum aggregate number of Ordinary Shares reserved and available pursuant to this Plan shall be the aggregate of [*]. If there is a forfeiture or termination without the delivery of Ordinary Shares or of other consideration of any option made under the Plan, the Ordinary Shares underlying such option, or the number of Ordinary Shares otherwise counted against the aggregate number of Ordinary Shares available under the Plan with respect to the option, to the extent of any such forfeiture or termination, shall again be, or shall become, available for granting options under the Plan. The number of Ordinary Shares issuable under the Plan is subject to adjustment, in the event in the event of any reorganization, recapitalization, stock split, stock distribution, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, subdivision, consolidation or exchange of shares, any change in the capital structure of the company or any similar corporate transaction. Except as the board of directors or the Committee determines, no issuance by the Company of shares of any class, or securities convertible into shares of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason hereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of Shares subject to an Option. In the event of a spin-off transaction, the board of director or the Committee may in its discretion make such adjustments and take such other action as it deems appropriate with respect to outstanding Options under the Plan.

 

Eligibility. All persons as the board of directors or the Committee may select from among the employees, directors, and consultants of the Company. To the extent a grantee is a consultant, such recipient must be a natural person who has provided bona fide services to our Company, not in connection with the offer or sale of securities in capital-raising transactions or in connection with promotion or maintenance of a market for our securities.

 

Stock Options. The board of directors or Committee shall determine the provisions, terms, and conditions of each option including, but not limited to, the option vesting schedule, repurchase provisions, rights of first refusal, forfeiture provisions, form of payment (cash, shares, cashless settlement, or other consideration) upon settlement of the option, payment contingencies and the exercise price; each option will last for the term stated in the option agreement, provided, however that in the case of an option that is to qualify as an Incentive Share Option as such term is defined in Section 422 of the Code, the term shall not exceed ten (10) years. It is intended that stock options qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code and thus be fully deductible by us for federal income tax purposes, to the extent permitted by law.

 

Payment for Stock Options and Withholding Taxes. The board of directors or Committee may make one or more of the following methods available for payment of an option, including the exercise price of a stock option, and for payment of the minimum required tax obligation associated with an award: (i) cash; (ii) check; (iii) with respect to options, payment through a broker-dealer sale and remittance procedure pursuant to which the optionee (A) shall provide written instructions to a Company designated brokerage firm to effect the immediate sale of some or all of the purchased Ordinary Shares and remit to the Company sufficient funds to cover the aggregate exercise price payable for the purchased Ordinary Shares and (B) shall provide written directives to the Company to deliver the certificates for the purchased Ordinary Shares directly to such brokerage firm in order to complete the sale transaction; (iv) cashless election; or (v) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment.

 

No Ordinary Shares shall be delivered under the Plan to any optionee or other person until such optionee or other person has made arrangements acceptable to the board of directors or Committee for the satisfaction of any national, provincial or local income and employment tax withholding obligations. Upon exercise of an option the Company shall have the right, but not the obligation (except as required by applicable law), to withhold or collect from optionee an amount sufficient to satisfy such tax obligations. The optionee will be solely responsible for his/her own tax obligations.

 

Amendment of Award Agreements; Amendment and Termination of the Plan; Term of the Plan. The board of directors may at any time amend, suspend or terminate the Plan; provided, however, that no such amendment shall be made without the approval of the Company’s shareholders to the extent such approval is required by applicable laws, or if such amendment would adversely affect the right of any participant under any agreement in any material way without the written consent of the participant. No option may be granted during any suspension of the Plan or after termination of the Plan. No suspension or termination of the Plan shall adversely affect any rights under options already granted to an optionee. The Plan shall become effective on the date of the Company’s contemplated initial public offering is effective. It shall continue in effect for a term of ten (10) years unless sooner terminated or unless renewed for another period not to exceed ten (10) years pursuant to shareholder approval.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Plan nor any outstanding option agreement can be amended in a way that results in the repricing of a stock option. Repricing is broadly defined to include reducing the exercise price of a stock option or cancelling a stock option in exchange for cash, other stock options with a lower exercise price or other stock awards. (This prohibition on repricing without shareholder approval does not apply in case of an equitable adjustment to the awards to reflect changes in the capital structure of the company or similar events.)

 

No option may be granted under the Plan on or after the [*] anniversary of the effective date of the Plan.

 

69
Table of Contents

 

PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

 

The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership, within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, of our Ordinary Shares as of the date of this prospectus, and as adjusted to reflect the sale of the Ordinary Shares offered in this Offering for:

 

  each of our directors, director nominees, and executive officers; and; and
     
  each person known to us to own beneficially more than 5.0% of our Ordinary Shares

 

Beneficial ownership includes voting or investment power with respect to the securities. Except as indicated below, and subject to applicable community property laws, the persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all Ordinary Shares shown as beneficially owned by them. Percentage of beneficial ownership of each listed person prior to this Offering is based on 11,585,000 Ordinary Shares outstanding as of the date of this prospectus (reflecting a 1:231.7 share split of our Ordinary Shares, effective August 11, 2023). Percentage of beneficial ownership of each listed person after this Offering includes Ordinary Shares outstanding immediately after the completion of this Offering.

 

The number and percentage of Ordinary Shares beneficially owned after the Offering are based on 13,240,000 Ordinary Shares outstanding following our sale of 1,655,000 Ordinary Shares in the Offering. Information with respect to beneficial ownership has been furnished by each director, officer or beneficial owner of 5% or more of our Ordinary Shares. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and generally requires that such person have voting or investment power with respect to securities. In computing the number of Ordinary Shares beneficially owned by a person listed below and the percentage ownership of such person, Ordinary Shares underlying options, warrants or convertible securities held by each such person that are exercisable or convertible within 60 days of the date of this prospectus are deemed outstanding, but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage ownership of any other person. Except as otherwise indicated in the footnotes to this table, or as required by applicable community property laws, all persons listed have sole voting and investment power for all Ordinary Shares shown as beneficially owned by them. As of the date of the prospectus, we have eight shareholders of record, none of which are located in the United States.

 

   Principal Shareholders 
   Ordinary Shares Beneficially Owned Prior to this Offering   Ordinary Shares Beneficially Owned After this Offering (Over- allotment option not exercised)   Percentage of Votes Held After this Offering 
   Number   Percent   Number   Percent   Percent 
Directors and Executive Officers:                         
Tai Wai (Stephen) Lam   5,296,132    45.72%   5,160,063    38.97%   38.97%
Chi Weng Tam   3,309,868    28.57%   3,224,829    24.36%   24.36%
Sui Yee Yeung                    
Sum (Philip) Cheng                    
Lai Sum (Christina) Liu                    
Kit Ying (Jenny) Law                    
                          
All directors and executive officers as a group   8,606,000    74.29%   8,384,892    63.33%   

63.33

%
                          
5% Principal Shareholders:                        

Gaderway Investments Limited

   8,606,000(1)   74.29%   8,384,892    

63.33

%   

63.33

%
Lo Wing Sang   662,000(2)   5.71%   

662,000

    5.00%   5.00%

 

(1) These shares are held by Gaderway Investments Limited, a British Virgin Islands company of which are held by approximately 61.54% by Mr. Tai Wai (Stephen) Lam and approximately 38.46% by Mr. Chi Weng Tam, each of whom is a director of Gaderway Investments Limited, hold the voting powers (and dispositive powers) over the Ordinary Shares held by Gaderway Investments Limited. The registered address of Gaderway Investments Limited is: Vistra Corporate Services Centre, Wickham Cay II, Road Town, Tortola, VG1110, British Virgin Islands.
   
(2)

The principal business address of Lo Wing Sang is: Room 14C, Blk 6, Sceneway Gdn, Lam Tin, Hong Kong.

 

70
Table of Contents

 

UNDERWRITTEN SELLING SHAREHOLDER

 

We are registering for resale of our Ordinary Shares identified below to permit the Underwritten Selling Shareholder to resell the shares in this Offering. As of the date of this prospectus, there are 11,585,000 Ordinary Shares issued and outstanding.

 

The following table sets forth:

 

  the name of the Underwritten Selling Shareholder;
     
  the number of our Ordinary Shares that the Underwritten Selling Shareholder beneficially owned prior to the offering for resale of the shares under this prospectus;
     
  the maximum number of our Ordinary Shares that may be offered for resale for the account of the Underwritten Selling Shareholder under this prospectus; and
     
  the number and percentage of our Ordinary Shares beneficially owned by the Underwritten Selling Shareholder after the offering of the shares (assuming the closing of this Offering), is based on 13,240,000 Ordinary Shares outstanding after this Offering

 

The Underwritten Selling Shareholder is not a broker dealer or an affiliate of a broker dealer.

 

Name of the Underwritten

Selling Shareholder

  Ordinary
Shares
Beneficially
Owned Prior
to Offering(1)
   Percentage
Ownership
Prior to
Offering(2)
   Maximum
Number of
Underwritten Resale Shares
to be Sold(3)
  Number of
Ordinary
Shares
Owned After
Offering
  Percentage
Ownership
After
Offering
 
Gaderway Investments Limited(4)   8,606,000    74.29%  221,108  8,384,892   63.33%

 

 

 

(1) For the purpose of this table only, the offering refers to the resale of the Ordinary Shares by the Underwritten Selling Shareholder listed above, assuming the closing of our initial public Offering.
(2) Based on 11,585,000 Ordinary Shares outstanding as of the date of this prospectus.
(3) This number represents all of the Underwritten Resale Shares that the Underwritten Selling Shareholder shall resell, as applicable, all of which we agreed to register.
(4) Gaderway Investments Limited, holds voting and/or dispositive power over 8,606,000 Ordinary Shares. The principal business address of Gaderway Investments Limited is: Vistra Corporate Services Centre, Wickham Cay II, Road Town, Tortola, VG1110, British Virgin Islands.

 

History of Shares

 

The Company was established under the laws of the British Virgin Islands on June 15, 2022. The authorized number of Ordinary Shares was unlimited with no par value per share. On June 15, 2022, the Company issued 50,000 Ordinary Shares to Gaderway Investments Limited, for a consideration of US$0.01 per share.

 

On August 11, 2023, our previous sole shareholder, Gaderway Investments Limited, approved a share split of our outstanding Ordinary Shares at a ratio of 1:231.7, which became effective immediately, resulting in 11,585,000 Ordinary Shares issued and outstanding after the share split. All references to Ordinary Shares, options to purchase Ordinary Shares, share data, per share data, and related information have been retroactively adjusted, where applicable, in this prospectus to reflect the split of our Ordinary Shares as if it had occurred at the beginning of the earlier period presented.

 

After the share split of our Ordinary Shares effective on August 11, 2023, on August 11, 2023, Gaderway Investments Limited entered into an instruments of transfer with seven investors (the “Investors”), whereby Gaderway Investments Limited sold an aggregate of 2,979,000 Ordinary Shares to the Investors for the aggregate consideration of $7,447,500.

 

The following table sets forth the breakdown of the foregoing transactions among Gaderway Investments Limited and the Investors:

 

Name of the Investors  Number of Ordinary Shares Sold/Purchased   Consideration 
Lo Wing Sang   662,000   $1,655,000 
Money Link Developments Limited   496,500   $1,241,250 
AKB Finance Limited   496,500   $1,241,250 
Magic Town Investments Limited   331,000   $827,500 
Glitter Win International Limited   331,000   $827,500 
Cheng Man Lee   331,000   $827,500 
Ma Man Hung   331,000   $827,500 

 

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

Transactions with Related Parties

 

The following is a list of related parties which the Company has balances and transactions with:

 

(a)Tai Wai (Stephen) Lam, a director and a shareholder of the Company.
(b)Chi Weng Tam, a director and a shareholder of the Company.
(c)PrimeTime Global Technologies Limited, controlled by DTXS FinTech Holdings Limited.
(d)PrimeTime Global Markets Limited, controlled by DTXS PrimeTime Holdings Limited.
(e)DTXS Fintech Holdings Limited, controlled by Metallic Icon Limited.
(f)Metallic Icon Limited, controlled by Gaderway Investments Limited.
(g)DTXS PrimeTime Holdings Limited, controlled by Metallic Icon Limited.
(h)Gaderway Investments Limited, the shareholder of the Company.
(i)Digital Mind Holdings Limited, controlled by Metallic Icon Limited.

 

a. Due from related parties

 

As of December 31, 2021 and 2022, the balances of amounts due from related parties were as follows:

 

      2021   2022   2022 
       HK$    HK$    US$ 
Tai Wai (Stephen) Lam (a)  (1)   5,794,360    -    - 
Chi Weng Tam (b)  (1)   3,338,543    -    - 
PrimeTime Global Technologies Limited (c)  (2)   160,825    -    - 
PrimeTime Global Markets Limited (d)  (3)   462,111    -    - 
DTXS Fintech Holdings Limited (e)  (4)   14,319,362    -    - 
Metallic Icon Limited (f)  (5)   58,172    -    - 
DTXS PrimeTime Holdings Limited (g)  (6)   35,970    -    - 
Gaderway Investments Limited (h)  (7)   62,300    -    - 
Digital Mind Holdings Limited (i)  (8)   -    -    - 
       24,231,643    -    - 

 

71
Table of Contents

 

(1) The balance represented the advances to the directors. These amounts were unsecured, interest-free and repayable on demand. The outstanding balances have been assigned to Digital Mind Holdings Limited on June 29, 2022. The amounts due from related parties are presented as a reduction of the shareholder’s equity as of December 31, 2021 pursuant to the Codification of Staff Accounting Bulletins Topic 4, section G.
(2) The balance represented fund transfer which were unsecured, interest-free and repayable on demand. The outstanding balances have been assigned to Digital Mind Holdings Limited on June 29, 2022. The amounts due from related parties are presented as a reduction of the shareholder’s equity as of December 31, 2021 pursuant to the Codification of Staff Accounting Bulletins Topic 4, section G.
(3) The balance represented fund transfer which were unsecured, interest-free and repayable on demand. The outstanding balances have been assigned to Digital Mind Holdings Limited on June 29, 2022. The amounts due from related parties are presented as a reduction of the shareholder’s equity as of December 31, 2021 pursuant to the Codification of Staff Accounting Bulletins Topic 4, section G.
(4) The balance represented the expenses paid on behalf of DTXS Fintech Holdings Limited. These amounts were unsecured, interest-free and repayable on demand. The outstanding balances have been assigned to Digital Mind Holdings Limited on June 29, 2022. The amounts due from related parties are presented as a reduction of the shareholder’s equity as of December 31, 2021 pursuant to the Codification of Staff Accounting Bulletins Topic 4, section G.
(5) The balance represented the expenses paid on behalf of Metallic Icon Limited and fund transfer. These amounts were unsecured, interest-free and repayable on demand. The outstanding balances have been assigned to Digital Mind Holdings Limited on June 29, 2022. The amounts due from related parties are presented as a reduction of the shareholder’s equity as of December 31, 2021 pursuant to the Codification of Staff Accounting Bulletins Topic 4, section G.
(6) The balance represented the expenses paid on behalf of DTXS PrimeTime Holdings Limited. These amounts were unsecured, interest-free and repayable on demand. The outstanding balances have been assigned to Digital Mind Holdings Limited on June 29, 2022. The amounts due from related parties are presented as a reduction of the shareholder’s equity as of December 31, 2021 pursuant to the Codification of Staff Accounting Bulletins Topic 4, section G.
(7) The balance represented the expenses paid on behalf of Gaderway Investments Limited. These amounts were unsecured, interest-free and repayable on demand. The outstanding balances have been assigned to Digital Mind Holdings Limited on June 29, 2022. The amounts due from related parties are presented as a reduction of the shareholder’s equity as of December 31, 2021 pursuant to the Codification of Staff Accounting Bulletins Topic 4, section G.
(8) On June 29, 2022, m-FINANCE entered into a sale debt assignment agreement with Digital Mind Holdings Limited, the then shareholder of m-FINANCE, in which m-FINANCE consented to the assignment of amounts owed from the related parties, including Tai Wai (Stephen) Lam, Chi Weng Tam, PrimeTime Global Technologies Limited, PrimeTime Global Markets Limited, DTXS Fintech Holdings Limited, Metallic Icon Limited, DTXS PrimeTime Holdings Limited and Gaderway Investments Limited in the total amount of HK$22,615,322 (equivalent to US$2,898,843) to Digital Mind Holdings Limited. The amounts due from related parties are presented as a reduction of the shareholder’s equity pursuant to the Codification of Staff Accounting Bulletins Topic 4, section G. The amounts due from related parties presented as a reduction of the shareholder’s equity have been fully settled by (i) netting off the dividend payable in the amounts of HK$10,114,311 (equivalent to US$1,296,457) declared on August 15, 2022 and the remaining balance was settled in cash in August 2022.

 

72
Table of Contents

 

b. Accounts receivable – a related party

 

As of December 31, 2021 and 2022, the balances of accounts receivable from a related party were as follows:

 

      2021   2022   2022 
       HK$    HK$    US$ 
PrimeTime Global Technologies Limited (c)  (1)   -    242,379    31,068 

 

(1) The balance represented the accounts receivable from PrimeTime Global Technologies Limited for the subscription income and commission income. The balance as at December 31, 2022 has been settled subsequently. For details, please refer to “e. Related Party Transactions” below.

 

c. Due to related parties

 

As of December 31, 2021 and 2022, the balances of amounts due to related parties were as follows:

 

      2021   2022   2022 
       HK$    HK$    US$ 
Gaderway Investments Limited (h)  (1)   310,010    306,110    39,237 

 

  (1) The balance represented the amount advance to the Company. These amounts were unsecured, interest-free and repayable on demand.

 

d. Accrued expenses – a related party

 

As of December 31, 2021 and 2022, the balances of accrued expenses to a related party were as follows:

 

      2021   2022   2022 
       HK$    HK$    US$ 
PrimeTime Global Markets Limited (d)  (1)   -    290,160    37,193 

 

(1) The balance represented the accrued expenses to PrimeTime Global Markets Limited for the subscription fee. For details, please refer to “e. Related Party Transactions” below.

 

73
Table of Contents

 

e. Related party transactions

 

For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, the related party transactions were as follows:

 

       2021   2022   2022 
   Note   HK$   HK$   US$ 
Outsourcing fee paid to PrimeTime Global Technologies Limited (c)   1    875,358    113,410    14,537 
Outsourcing fee paid to PrimeTime Global Markets Limited (d)   1    87,178    191,795    24,584 
Subscription fee paid to PrimeTime Global Markets Limited (d)   2    320,566    290,160    37,193 
Subscription fee received from PrimeTime Global Technologies Limited (c)   3    190,098    180,015    23,074 
Sales commission received from PrimeTime Global Technologies Limited (c)   4    284,646    235,194    30,147 

 

 

Notes:

 

  1. The Company outsourced some works to the related parties, PrimeTime Global Markets Limited and PrimeTime Global Technologies Limited for handling software implementation work and supporting services, including quality assurance, technical support and maintenance services for the Company and the related parties charged an outsourcing fee for providing such services. Since the Company wants to focus on its human resources for the developing of new functions and upgrading existing functions, it outsources some of its ancillary works to related parties and independent third parties. The outsourcing fee was recorded as an outsourcing fee in the cost of revenue.
  2. PrimeTime Global Markets Limited charged the Company for a subscription fee when the Company used PrimeTime Global Markets Limited’s white label services. While PrimeTime Global Markets Limited provided white label hosting support services, the related party transaction is conducive to the stability of the operation of the Company’s white label services. The subscription fee was recorded as an expense to net off against the sundry income as other income incurred over the same period.
  3. The Company charged PrimeTime Global Technologies Limited for a subscription fee when it used the subscription services of the Company. The subscription income was recorded as revenue.
  4. The Company charged PrimeTime Global Technologies Limited for sales commission from business referred by the Company. The Company will charge a commission fee at an agreed percentage from the sales amount referred by the Company to PrimeTime Global Technologies Limited. The sales commission was recorded as commission income in the other income.

 

f. Personal guarantees from related parties for bank loans

 

Tai Wai (Stephen) Lam and Chi Weng Tam, the directors and shareholders of the Company, have jointly or severally provided personal guarantees for several bank loans of the Company.

 

Policies and Procedures for Related Party Transactions

 

Our board of directors will create an audit committee in connection with this offering which will be tasked with review and approval of all related party transactions.

 

74
Table of Contents

 

DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL

 

We were incorporated as a BVI business company under the laws of the British Virgin Islands on June 15, 2022. As of the date of this prospectus, we are authorized to issue an unlimited number of Ordinary Shares with no par value each. On August 11, 2023, our previous sole shareholder, Gaderway Investments Limited, approved a share split of our outstanding Ordinary Shares at a ratio of 1:231.7, which became effective immediately.

 

As of the date of this prospectus, there were 11,585,000 Ordinary Shares issued and outstanding.

 

Ordinary Shares

 

General

 

All of our issued shares are fully paid and non-assessable. Shares are issued in registered form. There are no limitations imposed by our Memorandum and Articles on the rights of non-resident or foreign shareholders to hold or exercise voting rights on our shares. In addition, there are no provisions in our Memorandum and Articles governing the ownership threshold above which shareholder ownership must be disclosed.

 

Under the BVI Act, the Ordinary Shares are deemed to be issued when the name of the shareholder is entered in our register of members. If (a) information that is required to be entered in the register of members is omitted from the register or is inaccurately entered in the register, or (b) there is unreasonable delay in entering information in the register, a shareholder of the Company, or any person who is aggrieved by the omission, inaccuracy or delay, may apply to the British Virgin Islands Courts for an order that the register be rectified, and the court may either refuse the application or order the rectification of the register, and may direct the Company to pay all costs of the application and any damages the applicant may have sustained.

 

Dividends

 

The holders of our Ordinary Shares are entitled to such dividends as may be declared by our board of directors, subject to the BVI Act and our Memorandum and Articles.

 

Voting Rights

 

Any action required or permitted to be taken by the shareholders must be effected at a duly called meeting of the shareholders entitled to vote on such action or may be effected by a resolution of members in writing, each in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles. At each meeting of shareholders, each shareholder who is present in person or by proxy (or, in the case of a shareholder being a corporation, by its duly authorized representative) will have one vote for each share that such shareholder holds.

 

Transfer of Ordinary Shares

 

Subject to the restrictions contained in our articles of association, any of our shareholders may transfer all or any of his or her Ordinary Shares by an instrument of transfer.

Liquidation

 

As permitted by the BVI Act and our Memorandum and Articles, we may be voluntarily liquidated under Part XII of the BVI Act by resolution of directors and resolution of shareholders if our assets exceed our liabilities and we are able to pay our debts as they fall due. We may also be wound up in circumstances where we are insolvent in accordance with the terms of the BVI Insolvency Act, 2003 (as amended).

 

If we are wound up, any surplus remaining after all debts and liabilities are duly paid shall be distributable pari passu among the shareholders in proportion to the number of shares held by them.

 

Calls on Ordinary Shares and Forfeiture of Ordinary Shares

 

Our board of directors may from time to time make calls upon shareholders for any amounts unpaid on their Ordinary Shares in a notice served to such shareholders at least 14 clear days prior to the specified time of payment. The Ordinary Shares that have been called upon and remain unpaid are subject to forfeiture.

 

Redemption of Ordinary Shares

 

Subject to the provisions of the BVI Act, we may issue shares on terms that are subject to redemption, at our option or at the option of the holders, on such terms and in such manner as may be determined by our Memorandum and Articles and subject to any applicable requirements imposed from time to time by, the BVI Act, the SEC, the NASDAQ Capital Market, or by any recognized stock exchange on which our securities are listed.

 

Variations of Rights of Shares

 

If at any time, the Company is authorized to issue more than one class of shares, all or any of the rights attached to any class of shares may be amended only with the consent in writing of or by a resolution passed at a meeting of not less than 50 percent of the shares of the class to be affected.

 

75
Table of Contents

 

General Meetings of Shareholders

 

Under our Memorandum and Articles of Association, a copy of the notice of any meeting of shareholders shall be given not less than 7 days before the date of the proposed meeting to those persons whose names appear as shareholders in the register of members on the date of the notice and are entitled to vote at the meeting. Our board of directors shall call a meeting of shareholders upon the written request of shareholders holding at least 30% of our outstanding voting shares. In addition, our board of directors may call a meeting of shareholders on its own motion. A meeting of shareholders may be called on short notice if at least 90% of the total voting rights on all the matters to be considered at the meeting have waived notice of the meeting, and presence at the meeting shall be deemed to constitute waiver for this purpose.

 

At any meeting of shareholders, a quorum will be present if there are shareholders present in person or by proxy representing not less than 50 percent of the shares entitled to vote on the resolutions to be considered at the meeting. Such quorum may be represented by only a single shareholder or proxy. If no quorum is present within two hours of the start time of the meeting, the meeting shall be dissolved if it was requested by shareholders. In any other case, the meeting shall be adjourned to the next business day, and if shareholders representing not less than one-third of the votes of the ordinary shares or each class of shares entitled to vote on the matters to be considered at the meeting are present within one hour of the start time of the adjourned meeting, a quorum will be present. If not, the meeting will be dissolved. No business may be transacted at any meeting of shareholders unless a quorum is present at the commencement of business. If present, the chair of our board of directors shall be the chair presiding at any meeting of the shareholders. If the chair of our board is not present then the members present shall choose a shareholder to act to chair the meeting of the shareholders. If the shareholders are unable to choose a chairman for any reason, then the person representing the greatest number of voting shares present in present of by proxy shall preside as chairman, failing which the oldest individual member or member representative shall take the chair.

 

A corporation that is a shareholder shall be deemed for the purpose of our Memorandum and Articles of Association to be present in person if represented by its duly authorized representative. This duly authorized representative shall be entitled to exercise the same powers on behalf of the corporation which he represents as that corporation could exercise if it were our individual shareholder.

 

Inspection of Books and Records

 

Under the BVI Act, members of the general public, on payment of a nominal fee, can obtain copies of the public records of a company available at the office of the Registrar of Corporate Affairs which will include the Company’s certificate of incorporation, its Memorandum and Articles of Association (with any amendments) and records of license fees paid to date and will also disclose any articles of dissolution, articles of merger and a register of charges if the Company has elected to file such a register.

 

A member of the Company is also entitled, upon giving written notice to us, to inspect (i) our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, (ii) the register of members, (iii) the register of directors and (iv) minutes of meetings and resolutions of members and of those classes of members of which that member is a member, and to make copies and take extracts from the documents and records referred to in (i) to (iv) above. However, our directors may, if they are satisfied that it would be contrary to the Company’s interests to allow a member to inspect any document, or part of a document specified in (ii) to (iv) above, refuse to permit the member to inspect the document or limit the inspection of the document, including limiting the making of copies or the taking of extracts or records. See “Where You Can Find Additional Information.” Where a company fails or refuses to permit a member to inspect a document or permits a member to inspect a document subject to limitations, that member may apply to the BVI court for an order that he should be permitted to inspect the document or to inspect the document without limitation.

 

Changes in Capital

 

We may from time to time by resolution of our board of directors or, subject to our Memorandum and Articles of Association:

 

  amend our Memorandum and Articles of Association to increase or decrease the maximum number of shares we are authorized to issue;
  split our authorized and issued shares into a larger number of shares; and
  combine our authorized and issued shares into a smaller number of shares.

 

Differences in Corporate Law

 

The BVI Act and the laws of the British Virgin Islands affecting British Virgin Islands companies like us and our shareholders differ from laws applicable to U.S. corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a summary of the significant differences between the provisions of the laws of the British Virgin Islands applicable to us and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders.

 

76
Table of Contents

 

Mergers and Similar Arrangements

 

Under the laws of the British Virgin Islands, two or more companies may merge or consolidate in accordance with Section 170 of the BVI Act. A merger means the merging of two or more constituent companies into one of the constituent companies (the “surviving company”) and a consolidation means the uniting of two or more constituent companies into a new company (the “consolidated company”). The procedure for a merger or consolidation between the Company and another company (which need not be a BVI company, and which may be the Company’s parent or subsidiary, but need not be) is set out in the BVI Act. In order to merge or consolidate, the directors of each constituent company must approve a written plan of merger or consolidation, which with the exception of a merger between a parent company and its subsidiary, must also be approved by a resolution of a majority of the shareholders voting at a quorate meeting of shareholders or by written resolution of the shareholders of the BVI company or BVI companies which are to merge. While a director may vote on the plan of merger or consolidation, or any other matter, even if he has a financial interest in the plan, the interested director must disclose the interest to all other directors of the Company promptly upon becoming aware of the fact that he is interested in a transaction entered into or to be entered into by the Company. A transaction entered into by our Company in respect of which a director is interested (including a merger or consolidation) is voidable by us unless the director’s interest was (a) disclosed to the board prior to the transaction or (b) the transaction is (i) between the director and the Company and (ii) the transaction is in the ordinary course of the Company’s business and on usual terms and conditions. Notwithstanding the above, a transaction entered into by the Company is not voidable if the material facts of the interest are known to the shareholders and they approve or ratify it or the Company received fair value for the transaction. In any event, all shareholders must be given a copy of the plan of merger or consolidation irrespective of whether they are entitled to vote at the meeting to approve the plan of merger or consolidation. A foreign company which is able under the laws of its foreign jurisdiction to participate in the merger or consolidation is required by the BVI Act to comply with the laws of that foreign jurisdiction in relation to the merger or consolidation. The shareholders of the constituent companies are not required to receive shares of the surviving or consolidated company but may receive debt obligations or other securities of the surviving or consolidated company, other assets, or a combination thereof. Further, some or all of the shares of a class or series may be converted into a kind of asset while the other shares of the same class or series may receive a different kind of asset. As such, not all the shares of a class or series must receive the same kind of consideration. After the plan of merger or consolidation has been approved by the directors and authorized, if required, by a resolution of the shareholders, articles of merger or consolidation are executed by each company and filed with the Registrar of Corporate Affairs in the British Virgin Islands. The merger is effective on the date that the articles of merger are registered with the Registrar or on such subsequent date, not exceeding thirty days, as is stated in the articles of merger or consolidation.

 

As soon as a merger becomes effective: (a) the surviving company or consolidated company (so far as is consistent with its memorandum and articles of association, as amended or established by the articles of merger or consolidation) has all rights, privileges, immunities, powers, objects and purposes of each of the constituent companies; (b) in the case of a merger, the memorandum and articles of association of any surviving company are automatically amended to the extent, if any, that changes to its memorandum and articles of association are contained in the articles of merger or, in the case of a consolidation, the memorandum and articles of association filed with the articles of consolidation are the memorandum and articles of the consolidated company; (c) assets of every description, including choses-in-action and the business of each of the constituent companies, immediately vest in the surviving company or consolidated company; (d) the surviving company or consolidated company is liable for all claims, debts, liabilities and obligations of each of the constituent companies; (e) no conviction, judgment, ruling, order, claim, debt, liability or obligation due or to become due, and no cause existing, against a constituent company or against any member, director, officer or agent thereof, is released or impaired by the merger or consolidation; and (f) no proceedings, whether civil or criminal, pending at the time of a merger by or against a constituent company, or against any member, director, officer or agent thereof, are abated or discontinued by the merger or consolidation; but: (i) the proceedings may be enforced, prosecuted, settled or compromised by or against the surviving company or consolidated company or against the member, director, officer or agent thereof; as the case may be; or (ii) the surviving company or consolidated company may be substituted in the proceedings for a constituent company. The Registrar of Corporate Affairs shall strike off the register of companies each constituent company that is not the surviving company in the case of a merger and all constituent companies in the case of a consolidation. If the directors determine it to be in the best interests of the Company, it is also possible for a merger to be approved as a Court approved plan of arrangement or scheme of arrangement in accordance with the BVI Act.

 

A shareholder may dissent from (a) a merger if the Company is a constituent company, unless the Company is the surviving company and the member continues to hold the same or similar shares; (b) a consolidation if the Company is a constituent company; (c) any sale, transfer, lease, exchange or other disposition of more than 50 per cent in value of the assets or business of the Company if not made in the usual or regular course of the business carried on by the Company but not including: (i) a disposition pursuant to an order of the court having jurisdiction in the matter, (ii) a disposition for money on terms requiring all or substantially all net proceeds to be distributed to the members in accordance with their respective interest within one year after the date of disposition, or (iii) a transfer pursuant to the power of the directors to transfer assets for the protection thereof; (d) a compulsory redemption of 10 per cent, or fewer of the issued shares of the Company required by the holders of 90%, or more of the shares of the Company pursuant to the terms of the BVI Act; and (e) a plan of arrangement, if permitted by the British Virgin Islands Court (each, an “Action”). A shareholder properly exercising his dissent rights is entitled to a cash payment equal to the fair value of his shares.

 

A shareholder dissenting from an Action must object in writing to the Action before the vote by the shareholders on the merger or consolidation, unless notice of the meeting was not given to the shareholder. If the merger or consolidation is approved by the shareholders, the Company must give notice of this fact to each shareholder within 20 days who gave written objection. Such objection shall include a statement that the members proposes to demand payment for his or her shares if the Action is taken. These shareholders then have 20 days to give to the Company their written election in the form specified by the BVI Act to dissent from the Action, provided that in the case of a merger, the 20 days starts when the plan of merger is delivered to the shareholder. Upon giving notice of his election to dissent, a shareholder ceases to have any shareholder rights except the right to be paid the fair value of his shares. As such, the merger or consolidation may proceed in the ordinary course notwithstanding his dissent. Within seven days of the later of the delivery of the notice of election to dissent and the effective date of the merger or consolidation, the Company shall make a written offer to each dissenting shareholder to purchase his shares at a specified price per share that the Company determines to be the fair value of the shares. The Company and the shareholder then have 30 days to agree upon the price. If the Company and a shareholder fail to agree on the price within the 30 days, then the Company and the shareholder shall, within 20 days immediately following the expiration of the 30-day period, each designate an appraiser and these two appraisers shall designate a third appraiser. These three appraisers shall fix the fair value of the shares as of the close of business on the day prior to the shareholders’ approval of the transaction without taking into account any change in value as a result of the transaction.

 

77
Table of Contents

 

Shareholders’ Suits

 

There are both statutory and common law remedies available to our shareholders as a matter of British Virgin Islands law. These are summarized below.

 

Prejudiced members

 

A shareholder who considers that the affairs of the Company have been, are being, or are likely to be, conducted in a manner that is, or any act or acts of the Company have been, or are, likely to be oppressive, unfairly discriminatory or unfairly prejudicial to him in that capacity, can apply to the court under Section 184I of the BVI Act, inter alia, for an order that his shares be acquired, that he be provided compensation, that the British Virgin Islands Court regulate the future conduct of the Company, or that any decision of the Company which contravenes the BVI Act or our Memorandum and Articles of Association be set aside.

 

Derivative actions

 

Section 184C of the BVI Act provides that a shareholder of a company may, with the leave of the Court, bring an action in the name of the Company in certain circumstances to redress any wrong done to it. Such actions are known as derivative actions. The BVI Court may only grant permission to bring a derivative action where the following circumstances apply:

 

  the Company does not intend to bring, diligently continue or defend or discontinue proceedings; and
     
  it is in the interests of the Company that the conduct of the proceedings not be left to the directors or to the determination of the shareholders as a whole.
     
  When considering whether to grant leave, the British Virgin Islands Court is also required to have regard to the following matters:
  whether the shareholder is acting in good faith;
     
  whether a derivative action is in the Company’s best interests, taking into account the directors’ views on commercial matters;
     
  whether the action is likely to proceed;
     
  the costs of the proceedings in relation to the relief likely to be obtained; and
     
  whether an alternative remedy is available.

 

Just and equitable winding up

 

In addition to the statutory remedies outlined above, shareholders can also petition the BVI Court for the winding up of a company under the BVI Insolvency Act, 2003 (as amended) for the appointment of a liquidator to liquidate the Company and the court may appoint a liquidator for the Company if it is of the opinion that it is just and equitable for the court to so order. Save in exceptional circumstances, this remedy is generally only available where the Company has been operated as a quasi-partnership and trust and confidence between the partners has broken down.

 

Indemnification of directors and executive officers and limitation of liability

 

Our Memorandum and Articles provide that, subject to certain limitations, we indemnify against all expenses, including legal fees, and against all judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement and reasonably incurred in connection with legal, administrative or investigative proceedings for any person who:

 

  is or was a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that the person is or was our director; or
     
  is or was, at our request, serving as a director or officer of, or in any other capacity is or was acting for, another body corporate or a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise.

 

These indemnities only apply if the person acted honestly and in good faith with a view to our best interests and, in the case of criminal proceedings, the person had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful. The decision of the directors as to whether the person acted honestly and in good faith and with a view to the best interests of the Company and as to whether the person had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful and is, in the absence of fraud, sufficient for the purposes of the Memorandum and Articles, unless a question of law is involved. The termination of any proceedings by any judgment, order, settlement, conviction or the entering of a nolle prosequi does not, by itself, create a presumption that the person did not act honestly and in good faith and with a view to the best interests of the Company or that the person had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.

 

This standard of conduct is generally the same as permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Law for a Delaware corporation. 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 advised that in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

 

78
Table of Contents

 

Anti-takeover provisions in our Memorandum and Articles

 

Some provisions of our articles of association may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our Company or management that shareholders may consider favorable. Under the BVI Act there are no provisions, which specifically prevent the issuance of preferred shares or any such other ‘poison pill’ measures. Therefore, the directors without the approval of the holders of Ordinary Shares may issue preferred shares that have characteristics that may be deemed to be anti-takeover. Additionally, such a designation of shares may be used in connection with plans that are poison pill plans. However, under British Virgin Islands law, our directors in the exercise of their powers granted to them under our Memorandum and Articles of Association and performance of their duties, are required to act honestly and in good faith in what the director believes to be in the best interests of our Company.

 

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 act 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, a director must prove the procedural fairness of the transaction and that the transaction was of fair value to the corporation.

 

Under British Virgin Islands law, our directors owe fiduciary duties both at common law and under statute including, among other things, a statutory duty to act honestly, in good faith, for a proper purpose and with a view to what the directors believe to be in the best interests of the Company. Our directors are also required, when exercising powers or performing duties as a director, to exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonable director would exercise in comparable circumstances, taking into account without limitation, the nature of the Company, the nature of the decision and the position of the director and the nature of the responsibilities undertaken. In the exercise of their powers, our directors must ensure neither they nor the Company acts in a manner which contravenes the BVI Act or our Memorandum and Articles of Association.

 

Pursuant to the BVI Act and our Memorandum and Articles of Association, a director of a company who has an interest in a transaction and who has declared such interest to the other directors, may:

 

  (a) vote on a matter relating to the transaction;
     
  (b) attend a meeting of directors at which a matter relating to the transaction arises and be included among the directors present at the meeting for the purposes of a quorum; and
     
  (c) sign a document on behalf of the Company, or do any other thing in his capacity as a director, that relates to the transaction.

 

In certain limited circumstances, a shareholder has the right to seek various remedies against the Company in the event the directors are in breach of their duties under the BVI Act. Pursuant to Section 184B of the BVI Act, if a company or director of a company engages in, or proposes to engage in or has engaged in, conduct that contravenes the provisions of the BVI Act or the memorandum or articles of association of the Company, the British Virgin Islands Court may, on application of a shareholder or director of the Company, make an order directing the Company or director to comply with, or restraining the Company or director from engaging in conduct that contravenes the BVI Act or the memorandum or articles. Furthermore, pursuant to section 184I(1) of the BVI Act a shareholder of a company who considers that the affairs of the Company have been, are being or likely to be, conducted in a manner that is, or any acts of the Company have been, or are likely to be oppressive, unfairly discriminatory, or unfairly prejudicial to him in that capacity, may apply to the British Virgin Islands Court for an order which, inter alia, can require the Company or any other person to pay compensation to the shareholders.

 

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. British Virgin Islands law provides that, subject to the memorandum and articles of association of a company, an action that may be taken by members of the Company at a meeting may also be taken by a resolution of members consented to in writing.

 

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. British Virgin Islands law and our Memorandum and Articles of Association allow our shareholders holding 30% or more of the votes of the outstanding voting shares to requisition a shareholders’ meeting. There is no requirement under BVI law to hold shareholders’ annual general meetings, but our Memorandum and Articles of Association do permit the directors to call meetings of the members of the Company at such times and in such manner and places as the directors consider necessary or desirable. The location of any shareholders’ meeting can be determined by the board of directors and can be held anywhere in the world.

 

79
Table of Contents

 

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. The BVI Act and our Memorandum and Articles of Association do not provide for cumulative voting.

 

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 Memorandum and Articles, directors can be removed from office, with or without cause, by a resolution of shareholders passed at a meeting of the shareholders called for the purposes of removing the director or for purposes including the removal of the director or by a written resolution passed by at least 75 percent of the votes of the shareholders entitled to vote. Directors can also be removed by a resolution of directors passed at a meeting of directors called for the purpose of removing the director or for purposes including the removal of the director.

 

Transactions with interested shareholders

 

The Delaware General Corporation Law contains a business combination statute applicable to Delaware public 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 group who or which owns or owned 15% or more of the target’s outstanding voting shares 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 public corporation to negotiate the terms of any acquisition transaction with the target’s board of directors. British Virgin Islands law has no comparable statute and our Memorandum and Articles do not provide for the same protection afforded by the Delaware business combination statute.

 

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 the BVI Act and our Memorandum and Articles, we may appoint a voluntary liquidator by a resolution of the shareholders, provided that the directors have made a declaration of solvency that the Company is able to discharge its debts as they fall due and that the value of the Company’s assets exceed its liabilities.

 

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 our Memorandum and Articles of Association, if at any time our shares are divided into different classes of shares, the rights attached to any class may only be varied, whether or not our Company is in liquidation, with the consent in writing of or by a resolution passed at a meeting by a majority of the votes cast by those entitled to vote at a meeting of the holders of the issued shares in 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. As permitted by British Virgin Islands law, our Memorandum and Articles of Association may be amended by a resolution of shareholders and, subject to certain exceptions, by a resolution of directors. An amendment is effective from the date it is registered at the Registry of Corporate Affairs in the British Virgin Islands.

 

Anti-Money Laundering Laws

 

In order to comply with legislation or regulations aimed at the prevention of money laundering we are required to adopt and maintain anti-money laundering procedures, and may require subscribers to provide evidence to verify their identity. Where permitted, and subject to certain conditions, we also may delegate the maintenance of our anti-money laundering procedures (including the acquisition of due diligence information) to a suitable person.

 

We reserve the right to request such information as is necessary to verify the identity of a subscriber. In the event of delay or failure on the part of the subscriber in producing any information required for verification purposes, we may refuse to accept the application, in which case any funds received will be returned without interest to the account from which they were originally debited.

 

80
Table of Contents

 

If any person resident in the British Virgin Islands knows or suspects that another person is engaged in money laundering or terrorist financing and the information for that knowledge or suspicion came to their attention in the course of their business the person will be required to report his belief or suspicion to the Financial Investigation Agency of the British Virgin Islands, pursuant to the Proceeds of Criminal Conduct Act 1997 (as amended). Such a report shall not be treated as a breach of confidence or of any restriction upon the disclosure of information imposed by any enactment or otherwise. 

 

SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

 

Before our initial public offering, there has not been a public market for our Ordinary Shares, and though we intend to apply listing on the NASDAQ Capital Market, a regular trading market for our Ordinary Shares may not develop. Future sales of substantial amounts of our Ordinary Shares in the public market after our initial public offering, or the possibility of these sales occurring, could cause the prevailing market price for our Ordinary Shares to fall or impair our ability to raise equity capital in the future. Upon completion of this offering, we will have issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares held by public shareholders representing approximately [●]% of our issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares if the underwriter does not exercise its over-allotment option, and approximately [●]% of our issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares if the underwriter exercises its over-allotment option in full. An aggregate of 2,317,000 Shareholder Ordinary Shares will be eligible for immediate sale by the Selling Shareholders upon the completion of this offering of the Public Offering Ordinary Shares. All of the Public Offering Ordinary Shares and the Shareholders Ordinary Shares sold in this offering will be freely transferable by persons other than our “affiliates” without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act.

 

Lock-Up Agreements

 

Our directors, officers and holders of more than 5% of the Company’s outstanding Ordinary Shares as of the effective date of the Registration Statement, other than the Underwritten Selling Shareholder and the Selling Shareholders, will enter into customary “lock-up” agreements in favor of the underwriter for a period of six (6) months from the closing of this Offering; and each of the Company and any successors of the Company will agree, for a period of three (3) months from the closing of the Offering, that each will not (a) offer, sell, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of capital stock of the Company or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of the Company; or (b) file or caused to be filed any registration statement with the SEC relating to the offering of any shares of capital stock of the Company or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of the Company.

 

Rule 144

 

All of our Ordinary Shares outstanding prior to this Offering are “restricted securities”, as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act, and may be sold publicly in the United States only if they are subject to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirement such as those provided by Rule 144 and Rule 701 promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

In general, under Rule 144, as currently in effect, beginning 90 days after the date of this prospectus, a person who is not deemed to have been our affiliate at any time during the three months preceding a sale and who has beneficially owned restricted securities within the meaning of Rule 144 for more than six months, would be entitled to sell an unlimited number of those shares, subject only to the availability of current public information about us. A non-affiliate who has beneficially owned restricted securities for at least one year from the later of the date such securities were acquired from us or from our affiliate would be entitled to freely sell those shares.

 

A person who is deemed to be an affiliate of ours and who has beneficially owned “restricted securities” for at least six months would be entitled to sell, within any three-month period, a number of Ordinary Shares that is not more than the greater of:

 

  1% of the number of Ordinary Shares then outstanding, in the form of Ordinary Shares or otherwise, which will equal approximately 132,400 Ordinary Shares immediately after this Offering; or
     
  the average weekly trading volume of the Ordinary Shares on the NASDAQ Capital Market during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect to such sale.

 

Sales under Rule 144 by our affiliates or persons selling the Ordinary Shares on behalf of our affiliates are also subject to certain manner of sale provisions and notice requirements and to the availability of current public information about us.

 

TAXATION

 

The following summary of material British Virgin Islands, Hong Kong, and United States federal income tax consequences of an investment in our Ordinary Shares is based upon laws and relevant interpretations thereof in effect as of the date of this prospectus, all of which are subject to change. This summary does not deal with all possible tax consequences relating to an investment in our Ordinary Shares, such as the tax consequences under state, local, and other tax laws. Unless otherwise noted in the following discussion, this section is the opinion of:

 

● Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li LLC, our U.S. counsel, insofar as it relates to legal conclusions with respect to matters of U.S. federal income tax law;

 

● Winston & Strawn, our Hong Kong counsel, insofar as it relates to legal conclusions with respect to matters of Hong Kong tax law; and

 

Ogier, our British Virgin Islands, counsel insofar as it relates to legal conclusions with respect to matters of British Virgin Islands tax law. 

 

81
Table of Contents

 

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences Applicable to U.S. Holders of Our Ordinary Shares

 

The following discussion is a summary of U.S. federal income tax considerations generally applicable to the ownership and disposition of our Ordinary Shares by a U.S. Holder (as defined below) that acquires our Ordinary Shares in this Offering and holds our Ordinary Shares as “capital assets” (generally, property held for investment) under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code. This discussion is based upon existing U.S. federal tax law, which is subject to differing interpretations or change, possibly with retroactive effect. No ruling has been sought from the Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, with respect to any U.S. federal income tax consequences described below, and there can be no assurance that the IRS or a court will not take a contrary position. This discussion, moreover, does not address the U.S. federal estate, gift, Medicare, and alternative minimum tax considerations, any withholding or information reporting requirements, or any state, local and non-U.S. tax considerations relating to the ownership or disposition of our Ordinary Shares. The following summary does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be important to particular investors in light of their individual circumstances or to persons in special tax situations such as:

 

  banks and other financial institutions;
     
  insurance companies;
     
  pension plans;
     
  cooperatives;
     
  regulated investment companies;
     
  real estate investment trusts;
     
  broker-dealers;
     
  traders that elect to use a market-to-market method of accounting;
     
  certain former U.S. citizens or long-term residents;
     
  governments or agencies or instrumentalities thereof;
     
  tax-exempt entities (including private foundations);
     
  holders who acquired our Ordinary Shares pursuant to the exercise of any employee share option or otherwise as compensation;
     
  investors that will hold our Ordinary Shares as part of a straddle, hedging, conversion or other integrated transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes;
     
  persons holding their Ordinary Shares in connection with a trade or business outside the United States;
     
  persons that actually or constructively own 10% or more of our voting power or value (including by reason of owning our Ordinary Shares);
     
  investors required to accelerate the recognition of any item of gross income with respect to their Ordinary Shares as a result of such income being recognized on an applicable financial statement;
     
  investors that have a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar;
     
  partnerships or other entities taxable as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes, or persons holding Ordinary Shares through such entities, all of whom may be subject to tax rules that differ significantly from those discussed below.

 

The discussion set forth below is addressed only to U.S. Holders that purchase Ordinary Shares in this Offering. Prospective purchasers are urged to consult their own tax advisors about the application of the U.S. federal income tax rules to their particular circumstances as well as the state, local, foreign and other tax consequences to them of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our Ordinary Shares.

 

General

 

For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of our Ordinary Shares that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

  an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;
     
  a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;
     
  an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or
     
  a trust that (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and the control of one or more U.S. persons for all substantial decisions or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

 

If a partnership (or other entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) is a beneficial owner of our Ordinary Shares, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships holding our Ordinary Shares and their partners are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding an investment in our Ordinary Shares.

 

Passive Foreign Investment Company (“PFIC”) Consequences

 

A non-U.S. corporation is considered a PFIC, as defined in Section 1297(a) of the US Internal Revenue Code, for any taxable year if either:

 

  at least 75% of its gross income for such taxable year is passive income; or
     
  at least 50% of the value of its assets (based on an average of the quarterly values of the assets during a taxable year) is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income (the “asset test”).

 

82
Table of Contents

 

Passive income generally includes dividends, interest, rents and royalties (other than rents or royalties derived from the active conduct of a trade or business) and gains from the disposition of passive assets. We will be treated as owning our proportionate share of the assets and earning our proportionate share of the income of any other corporation in which we own, directly or indirectly, at least 25% (by value) of the stock. In determining the value and composition of our assets for purposes of the PFIC asset test, (1) the cash we raise in this Offering will generally be considered to be held for the production of passive income and (2) the value of our assets must be determined based on the market value of our Ordinary Shares from time to time, which could cause the value of our non-passive assets to be less than 50% of the value of all of our assets (including the cash raised in this Offering) on any particular quarterly testing date for purposes of the asset test.

 

Based on our operations, current and projected income and assets, and the composition of our income and assets (taking into account the current and expected income generated from our investment products purchased from banks), we do not expect to be treated as a PFIC for the current taxable year or the foreseeable future under the current PFIC rules. We must make a separate determination each year as to whether we are a PFIC, however, and there can be no assurance with respect to our status as a PFIC for our current taxable year or any future taxable year. Depending on the amount of cash we raise in this Offering, together with any other assets held for the production of passive income, it is possible that, for our current taxable year or for any subsequent taxable year, more than 50% of our assets may be assets held for the production of passive income. We will make this determination following the end of any particular tax year. Because the value of our assets for purposes of the asset test will generally be determined based on the market price of our Ordinary Shares and because cash is generally considered to be an asset held for the production of passive income, our PFIC status will depend in large part on the market price of our Ordinary Shares and the amount of cash we raise in this Offering. Accordingly, fluctuations in the market price of the Ordinary Shares may cause us to become a PFIC. In addition, the application of the PFIC rules is subject to uncertainty in several respects and the composition of our income and assets will be affected by how, and how quickly, we spend the cash we raise in this Offering. We are under no obligation to take steps to reduce the risk of our being classified as a PFIC, and as stated above, the determination of the value of our assets will depend upon material facts (including the market price of our Ordinary Shares from time to time and the amount of cash we raise in this Offering) that may not be within our control. If we are a PFIC for any year during which you hold Ordinary Shares, we will continue to be treated as a PFIC for all succeeding years during which you hold Ordinary Shares. If we cease to be a PFIC and you did not previously make a timely “mark-to-market” election as described below, you may avoid some of the adverse effects of the PFIC regime by making a “purging election” (as described below) with respect to the Ordinary Shares.

 

If we are a PFIC for your taxable year(s) during which you hold Ordinary Shares, you will be subject to special tax rules with respect to any “excess distribution” that you receive and any gain you realize from a sale or other disposition (including a pledge) of the Ordinary Shares, unless you make a “mark-to-market” election as discussed below. Distributions you receive in a taxable year that are greater than 125% of the average annual distributions you received during the shorter of the three preceding taxable years or your holding period for the Ordinary Shares will be treated as an excess distribution. Under these special tax rules:

 

  the excess distribution or gain will be allocated ratably over your holding period for the Ordinary Shares;
     
  the amount allocated to your current taxable year, and any amount allocated to any of your taxable year(s) prior to the first taxable year in which we were a PFIC, will be treated as ordinary income, and
     
  the amount allocated to each of your other taxable year(s) will be subject to the highest tax rate in effect for that year and the interest charge generally applicable to underpayments of tax will be imposed on the resulting tax attributable to each such year.

 

The tax liability for amounts allocated to years prior to the year of disposition or “excess distribution” cannot be offset by any net operating losses for such years, and gains (but not losses) realized on the sale of the Ordinary Shares cannot be treated as capital, even if you hold the Ordinary Shares as capital assets.

 

A U.S. Holder of “marketable stock” (as defined below) in a PFIC may make a mark-to-market election under Section 1296 of the US Internal Revenue Code for such stock to elect out of the tax treatment discussed above. If you make a mark-to-market election for first taxable year which you hold (or are deemed to hold) Ordinary Shares and for which we are determined to be a PFIC, you will include in your income each year an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the Ordinary Shares as of the close of such taxable year over your adjusted basis in such Ordinary Shares, which excess will be treated as ordinary income and not capital gain. You are allowed an ordinary loss for the excess, if any, of the adjusted basis of the Ordinary Shares over their fair market value as of the close of the taxable year. Such ordinary loss, however, is allowable only to the extent of any net mark-to-market gains on the Ordinary Shares included in your income for prior taxable years. Amounts included in your income under a mark-to-market election, as well as gain on the actual sale or other disposition of the Ordinary Shares, are treated as ordinary income. Ordinary loss treatment also applies to any loss realized on the actual sale or disposition of the Ordinary Shares, to the extent that the amount of such loss does not exceed the net mark-to-market gains previously included for such Ordinary Shares. Your basis in the Ordinary Shares will be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amounts. If you make a valid mark-to-market election, the tax rules that apply to distributions by corporations which are not PFICs would apply to distributions by us, except that the lower applicable capital gains rate for qualified dividend income discussed below “— Taxation of Dividends and Other Distributions on our Ordinary Shares” generally would not apply.

 

The mark-to-market election is available only for “marketable stock”, which is stock that is traded in other than de minimis quantities on at least 15 days during each calendar quarter (“regularly traded”) on a qualified exchange or other market (as defined in applicable U.S. Treasury regulations), including NASDAQ. If the Ordinary Shares are regularly traded on NASDAQ and if you are a holder of Ordinary Shares, the mark-to-market election would be available to you were we to be or become a PFIC.

 

83
Table of Contents

 

Alternatively, a U.S. Holder of stock in a PFIC may make a “qualified electing fund” election under Section 1295(b) of the US Internal Revenue Code with respect to such PFIC to elect out of the tax treatment discussed above. A U.S. Holder who makes a valid qualified electing fund election with respect to a PFIC will generally include in gross income for a taxable year such holder’s pro rata share of the corporation’s earnings and profits for the taxable year. The qualified electing fund election, however, is available only if such PFIC provides such U.S. Holder with certain information regarding its earnings and profits as required under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations. We do not currently intend to prepare or provide the information that would enable you to make a qualified electing fund election. If you hold Ordinary Shares in any taxable year in which we are a PFIC, you will be required to file U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form 8621 in each such year and provide certain annual information regarding such Ordinary Shares, including regarding distributions received on the Ordinary Shares and any gain realized on the disposition of the Ordinary Shares.

 

If you do not make a timely “mark-to-market” election (as described above), and if we were a PFIC at any time during the period you hold our Ordinary Shares, then such Ordinary Shares will continue to be treated as stock of a PFIC with respect to you even if we cease to be a PFIC in a future year, unless you make a “purging election” for the year we cease to be a PFIC. A “purging election” creates a deemed sale of such Ordinary Shares at their fair market value on the last day of the last year in which we are treated as a PFIC. The gain recognized by the purging election will be subject to the special tax and interest charge rules treating the gain as an excess distribution, as described above. As a result of the purging election, you will have a new basis (equal to the fair market value of the Ordinary Shares on the last day of the last year in which we are treated as a PFIC) and holding period (which new holding period will begin the day after such last day) in your Ordinary Shares for tax purposes.

 

IRC Section 1014(a) provides for a step-up in basis to the fair market value for our Ordinary Shares when inherited from a decedent that was previously a holder of our Ordinary Shares. However, if we are determined to be a PFIC and a decedent that was a U.S. Holder did not make either a timely qualified electing fund election for our first taxable year as a PFIC in which the U.S. Holder held (or was deemed to hold) our Ordinary Shares, or a mark-to-market election and ownership of those Ordinary Shares are inherited, a special provision in IRC Section 1291(e) provides that the new U.S. Holder’s basis should be reduced by an amount equal to the Section 1014 basis minus the decedent’s adjusted basis just before death. As such if we are determined to be a PFIC at any time prior to a decedent’s passing, the PFIC rules will cause any new U.S. Holder that inherits our Ordinary Shares from a U.S. Holder to not get a step-up in basis under Section 1014 and instead will receive a carryover basis in those Ordinary Shares.

 

You are urged to consult your tax advisors regarding the application of the PFIC rules to your investment in our Ordinary Shares and the elections discussed above.

 

Taxation of Dividends and Other Distributions on our Ordinary Shares

 

Subject to the PFIC rules discussed above, the gross amount of distributions made by us to you with respect to the Ordinary Shares (including the amount of any taxes withheld therefrom) will generally be includable in your gross income as dividend income on the date of receipt by you, but only to the extent that the distribution is paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). With respect to corporate U.S. Holders, the dividends will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction allowed to corporations in respect of dividends received from other U.S. corporations.

 

With respect to non-corporate U.S. Holders, including individual U.S. Holders, dividends will be taxed at the lower capital gains rate applicable to qualified dividend income, provided that (1) the Ordinary Shares are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States, or we are eligible for the benefits of an approved qualifying income tax treaty with the United States that includes an exchange of information program, (2) we are not a PFIC for either our taxable year in which the dividend is paid or the preceding taxable year, and (3) certain holding period requirements are met. Because there is not an income tax treaty between the United States and the British Virgin Islands, clause (1) above can be satisfied only if the Ordinary Shares are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. Under U.S. Internal Revenue Service authority, Ordinary Shares are considered for purpose of clause (1) above to be readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States if they are listed on certain exchanges, which presently include the NYSE and the NASDAQ Capital Market. You are urged to consult your tax advisors regarding the availability of the lower rate for dividends paid with respect to our Ordinary Shares, including the effects of any change in law after the date of this prospectus.

 

Dividends will constitute foreign source income for foreign tax credit limitation purposes. If the dividends are taxed as qualified dividend income (as discussed above), the amount of the dividend taken into account for purposes of calculating the foreign tax credit limitation will be limited to the gross amount of the dividend, multiplied by the reduced rate divided by the highest rate of tax normally applicable to dividends. The limitation on foreign taxes eligible for credit is calculated separately with respect to specific classes of income. For this purpose, dividends distributed by us with respect to our Ordinary Shares will constitute “passive category income” but could, in the case of certain U.S. Holders, constitute “general category income.”

 

To the extent that the amount of the distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles), it will be treated first as a tax-free return of your tax basis in your Ordinary Shares, and to the extent the amount of the distribution exceeds your tax basis, the excess will be taxed as capital gain. We do not intend to calculate our earnings and profits under U.S. federal income tax principles. Therefore, a U.S. Holder should expect that a distribution will be treated as a dividend even if that distribution would otherwise be treated as a non-taxable return of capital or as capital gain under the rules described above.

 

Taxation of Dispositions of Ordinary Shares

 

Subject to the passive foreign investment company rules discussed above, you will recognize taxable gain or loss on any sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of a share equal to the difference between the amount realized (in U.S. dollars) for the share and your tax basis (in U.S. dollars) in the Ordinary Shares. The gain or loss will be capital gain or loss. If you are a non-corporate U.S. Holder, including an individual U.S. Holder, who has held the Ordinary Shares for more than one year, you will generally be eligible for reduced tax rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. Any such gain or loss that you recognize will generally be treated as United States source income or loss for foreign tax credit limitation purposes which will generally limit the availability of foreign tax credits.

 

84
Table of Contents

 

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

 

Dividend payments with respect to our Ordinary Shares and proceeds from the sale, exchange or redemption of our Ordinary Shares may be subject to information reporting to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and possible U.S. backup withholding under Section 3406 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code with at a current flat rate of 24%. Backup withholding will not apply, however, to a U.S. Holder who furnishes a correct taxpayer identification number and makes any other required certification on U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 or who is otherwise exempt from backup withholding. U.S. Holders who are required to establish their exempt status generally must provide such certification on U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-9. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the application of the U.S. information reporting and backup withholding rules.

 

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Amounts withheld as backup withholding may be credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability, and you may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules by filing the appropriate claim for refund with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and furnishing any required information. We do not intend to withhold taxes for individual shareholders. Transactions effected through certain brokers or other intermediaries, however, may be subject to withholding taxes (including backup withholding), and such brokers or intermediaries may be required by law to withhold such taxes.

 

Under the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act of 2010, certain U.S. Holders are required to report information relating to our Ordinary Shares, subject to certain exceptions (including an exception for Ordinary Shares held in accounts maintained by certain financial institutions), by attaching a complete Internal Revenue Service Form 8938, Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets, with their tax return for each year in which they hold Ordinary Shares.

 

Hong Kong Profits Taxation

 

The Operating Subsidiaries incorporated in Hong Kong were subject to 16.5% Hong Kong profit tax on their taxable income generated from operations in Hong Kong, except for one of the Operating Subsidiaries which is the qualifying group entity under the two-tiered profits tax regime from the year of assessment 2018/2019 onwards. For this subsidiary, the first HK$2,000,000 assessable profits are taxed at the rate of 8.25% and the remaining assessable profits are taxed at 16.5%.

 

The Inland Revenue (Amendment) (No. 7) Ordinance 2018 enacted on 2 November 2018 provides enhanced tax deduction for expenditures on qualifying research & development (R&D) activities. The amended section 16B allows taxpayers a generous 300% deduction for “Type B expenditure” on the first HK$2 million spent on a qualifying R&D activity and a 200% deduction on expenditure after the first HK$2 million, with no cap on the deductible amount – subject to certain conditions.

 

Under Hong Kong tax laws, the Operating Subsidiaries are exempted from Hong Kong income tax on its foreign-derived income. In addition, payments of dividends from the Operating Subsidiaries to us are not subject to any withholding tax in Hong Kong. See “Dividend Policy” for further details on our dividend policy.

 

British Virgin Islands Taxation

 

The government of the British Virgin Islands does not, under existing legislation, impose any income, corporate or capital gains tax, estate duty, inheritance tax, gift tax or withholding tax upon the Company or its shareholders who are not tax resident in the British Virgin Islands.

 

The Company and all distributions, interest and other amounts paid by the Company to persons who are not tax resident in the British Virgin Islands will not be subject to any income, withholding or capital gains taxes in the British Virgin Islands, with respect to the Ordinary Shares in the Company owned by them and dividends received on such Ordinary Shares, nor will they be subject to any estate or inheritance taxes in the British Virgin Islands.

 

No estate, inheritance, succession or gift tax, rate, duty, levy or other charge is payable by persons who are not tax resident in the British Virgin Islands with respect to any shares, debt obligations or other securities of the Company.

 

Except to the extent that we have any interest in real property in the British Virgin Islands, all instruments relating to transactions in respect of the shares, debt obligations or other securities of the Company and all instruments relating to other transactions relating to the business of the Company are exempt from the payment of stamp duty in the British Virgin Islands.

 

There are currently no withholding taxes or exchange control regulations in the British Virgin Islands applicable to the Company or its shareholders.

 

There is no income tax treaty or convention currently in effect between the United States and the British Virgin Islands or between Hong Kong and the British Virgin Islands.

 

85
Table of Contents

 

British Virgin Islands Economic Substance Legislation

 

The British Virgin Islands, together with several other non-European Union jurisdictions, has introduced legislation aimed at addressing concerns raised by the Council of the European Union (the “EU”) as to offshore structures engaged in certain activities which attract profits without real economic activity. With effect from January 1, 2019, the Economic Substance (Companies and Limited Partnerships) Act, 2018 (the “ES Act”) came into force in the British Virgin Islands introducing certain economic substance requirements for in-scope British Virgin Islands entities which are engaged in certain “relevant activities”, which in the case of companies incorporated before January 1, 2019, will apply in respect of financial years commencing June 30, 2019 onwards. On March 12, 2019, the EU, as part of this ongoing initiative, announced the results of its assessment of the 2018 implementation efforts by various countries under its review. The British Virgin Islands was not on the announced list of non-cooperative jurisdictions, but was referenced in the report (along with 33 other jurisdictions) as being among countries requiring adjustments to their legislation to meet EU concerns by December 31, 2019 to avoid being moved to the list of non-cooperative jurisdictions.

 

Based on the ES Act currently, the Company may remain out of scope of the legislation or else be subject to more limited substance requirements. Although it is presently anticipated that the ES Act will have little material impact on the Company or its Operating Subsidiaries’ operations, as the legislation is relatively new and remains subject to further clarification and interpretation, it is not currently possible to ascertain the precise impact of these legislative changes on the Company.

 

UNDERWRITING

 

Under the terms and subject to the conditions of an underwriting agreement dated the date of this prospectus, the underwriter named below, for whom Pacific Century Securities, LLC is acting as the representative and sole book-running manager, have severally agreed to purchase, and we and the Underwritten Selling Shareholder have agreed to sell to them, a number of our Ordinary Shares at the initial public offering price, less the underwriting discounts, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus and as indicated below:

 

Underwriter  Number of
Ordinary Shares
 
Pacific Century Securities, LLC    
Total    

 

The underwriter is offering the Ordinary Shares subject to their acceptance of the Ordinary Shares from us and the Underwritten Selling Shareholder and subject to prior sale. The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriter to pay for and accept delivery of the Ordinary Shares offered by this prospectus are subject to the approval of certain legal matters by their counsel and to other conditions. The underwriter are obligated to take and pay for all of the Ordinary Shares offered by this prospectus if any such Ordinary Shares are taken.

 

The underwriter will offer the Ordinary Shares to the public at the initial public offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus and to selected dealers at the initial public offering price less a selling concession not in excess of $[•] per share. After this Offering, the initial public offering price, concession and reallowance to dealers may be reduced by the representative. No change in those terms will change the amount of proceeds to be received by us as set forth on the cover of this prospectus. The securities are offered by the underwriter as stated herein, subject to receipt and acceptance by them and subject to their right to reject any order in whole or in part.

 

Over-Allotment Option

 

We have granted to the underwriter an option to purchase a number of Ordinary Shares of the Company that equals 15% of the IPO Shares offered by us in the IPO Offering at the initial public offering price listed on the cover page of this prospectus, less underwriting discounts, within 45 days from the effective date of its registration statement on Form F-1.

 

Underwriting Discount, Fees and Expenses

 

Ordinary Shares sold by the underwriter to the public will initially be offered at the initial offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus. Any Ordinary Shares sold by the underwriter to securities dealers may be sold at a discount equal to seven percent (7.0%) per share from the initial public offering price. The underwriter may offer the Ordinary Shares through one or more of its affiliates or selling agents. Upon execution of the underwriting agreement, Pacific Century Securities, LLC will be obligated to purchase the Ordinary Shares at the prices and upon the terms stated therein.

 

The following table shows the per share and total underwriting discounts we will pay to the underwriter.

 

    Per Share     Total 
Public offering price(1)  $[●]    $[●] 
Underwriting discounts (7.0%)  $[●]    $[●] 
Proceeds, before expenses to us  $[●]    $[●] 
Proceeds, before expenses, to the Underwritten Selling Shareholder 

$

[●]    $[●] 

 

 

 

(1) Initial public offering price per share is assumed as $[•] per share, which is the midpoint of the range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus.

 

86
Table of Contents

 

We and the Underwritten Selling Shareholder have agreed to pay Pacific Century Securities, LLC 1% of the actual amount of this Offering for its non-accountable expenses. We and the Underwritten Selling Shareholder have agreed to reimburse Pacific Century Securities, LLC up to a maximum of $250,000 for out-of-pocket accountable expenses, including: (i) all reasonable travel and lodging expenses incurred by Pacific Century Securities, LLC and its counsel in connection with visits to, and examinations of, our Company; (ii) background check on the Company’s principal shareholders, directors and officers; (iii) the reasonable cost for road show meetings; (iv) all due diligence expenses; and (v) legal counsel fees,

 

We and the Underwritten Selling Shareholder have agreed to pay to Pacific Century Securities, LLC a total of $80,000 as an advance to be applied towards reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, or the Advance, which has been paid upon the execution of the engagement letter between us and the Pacific Century Securities, LLC dated July 7, 2022 (the “Engagement Letter”) and first confidential filing of the Company to the Securities Exchange Commission. Any portion of the Advance shall be returned back to us to the extent not actually incurred in accordance with FINRA Rule 5110(g)(4)(A).

 

Right of First Refusal

 

We have agreed to grant Pacific Century Securities, LLC, for the 12-month period as of the date of the Engagement Letter, a right of first refusal, exercisable at the sole discretion of the Pacific Century Securities, LLC, to provide investment banking services to the Company on terms that are the same or more favorable to the Company comparing to terms offered to the Company by other underwriters/placement agents (such right, the “Right of First Refusal”), which shall include, without limitation, (a) acting as lead manager for any underwritten public offering; (b) acting as placement agent, initial purchaser in connection with any private offering of securities of the Company. The underwriter shall notify the Company of its intention to exercise the Right of First Refusal within 15 business days following notice in writing by the Company. The right of first refusal shall be subject to FINRA Rule 5110(g)(5), including that it may be terminated by the Company for cause, which shall mean a material breach by the Pacific Century Securities, LLC of the Engagement Letter or a material failure by the Pacific Century Securities, LLC to provide the services as contemplated by the Engagement Letter.

 

Lock-Up Agreements

 

Our directors, officers and holders of more than 5% of the Company’s outstanding Ordinary Shares as of the effective date of the Registration Statement, other than the Underwritten Selling Shareholder and the Selling Shareholders, will enter into customary “lock-up” agreements in favor of the underwriter for a period of six (6) months from the closing of this Offering; and each of the Company and any successors of the Company will agree, for a period of three (3) months from the closing of the Offering, that each will not (a) offer, sell, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of capital stock of the Company or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of the Company; or (b) file or caused to be filed any registration statement with the SEC relating to the offering of any shares of capital stock of the Company or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of the Company.

 

Indemnification

 

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriter and any controlling person, director, officer, employee, affiliate, agent or counsel of underwriter and of any affiliate of underwriter and hold them harmless against certain liabilities, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act. If we are unable to provide this indemnification, we have agreed to contribute to payments the underwriter may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

 

Other Relationships

 

The underwriter and its affiliates have engaged in, and may in the future engage in, investment banking and other commercial dealings in the ordinary course of business with us or our affiliates. They have received, or may in the future receive, customary fees and commissions for these transactions.

 

No Public Market

 

Prior to this Offering, there has not been a public market for our securities in the U.S. and the public offering price for our Ordinary Shares will be determined through negotiations between us, the Underwritten Selling Shareholder and the underwriter. Among the factors to be considered in these negotiations will be prevailing market conditions, our financial information, market valuations of other companies that we and the underwriter believe to be comparable to us, estimates of our business potential, the present state of our development and other factors deemed relevant.

 

We offer no assurances that the initial public offering price will correspond to the price at which our Ordinary Shares will trade in the public market subsequent to this Offering or that an active trading market for our Ordinary Shares will develop and continue after this Offering.

 

Listing

 

We intend to apply to list our Ordinary Shares on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “[•].” There can be no assurance that we will be successful in listing our Ordinary Shares on the NASDAQ Capital Market. At this time, NASDAQ has not yet approved our application to list the Ordinary Shares. The closing of this Offering is conditioned upon NASDAQ’s final approval of our listing application, and there is no guarantee or assurance that the Ordinary Shares will be approved for listing on NASDAQ.

 

Electronic Distribution

 

A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on websites or through other online services maintained by the underwriter of this Offering, or by its affiliates. Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on the underwriter’s website and any information contained in any other website maintained by the underwriter is not part of this prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, has not been approved and/or endorsed by us or the underwriter in its capacity as underwriter, and should not be relied upon by investors.

 

87
Table of Contents

 

Price Stabilization, Short Positions

 

Until the distribution of the Ordinary Shares offered by this prospectus is completed, rules of the SEC may limit the ability of the underwriter to bid for and to purchase our Ordinary Shares. As an exception to these rules, the underwriter may engage in transactions effected in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act that are intended to stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of our Ordinary Shares, including:

 

  stabilizing transactions;
     
  short sales;
     
  purchases to cover positions created by short sales;
     
  imposition of penalty bids; and
     
  syndicate covering transactions.

 

Stabilizing transactions consist of bids or purchases made for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our Ordinary Shares while this Offering is in progress. Stabilization transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. These transactions may also include making short sales of our Ordinary Shares, which involve the sale by the underwriter of a greater number of Ordinary Shares than they are required to purchase in this Offering and purchasing Ordinary Shares on the open market to cover short positions created by short sales.

 

The underwriter must close out any naked short position by purchasing Ordinary Shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriter are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the Ordinary Shares in the open market that could adversely affect investors who purchased in this Offering. A penalty bid is an arrangement permitting the managing underwriter to reclaim the selling concession that would otherwise accrue to an underwriter if the Ordinary Shares originally sold by the underwriter were later repurchased by the managing underwriter and therefore was not effectively sold to the public by such underwriter.

 

These stabilizing transactions, short sales, purchases to cover positions created by short sales, the imposition of penalty bids and syndicate covering transactions may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our Ordinary Shares or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our Ordinary Shares. As a result of these activities, the price of our Ordinary Shares may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market. The underwriter may carry out these transactions on the NASDAQ Capital Market, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise. Neither we nor the underwriter make any representation or prediction as to the effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of the Ordinary Shares. Neither we, nor the underwriter make any representation that the underwriter will engage in these stabilization transactions or that any transaction, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.

 

Passive Market Making

 

Any underwriter who is a qualified market maker on NASDAQ may engage in passive market making transactions on NASDAQ, in accordance with Rule 103 of Regulation M under the Exchange Act, during a period before the commencement of offers or sales of the shares and extending through the completion of the distribution. Passive market makers must comply with applicable volume and price limitations and must be identified as a passive market maker. In general, a passive market maker must display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid for such security. If all independent bids are lowered below the passive market maker’s bid, however, the passive market maker’s bid must then be lowered when certain purchase limits are exceeded.

 

Determination of Offering Price

 

Prior to this Offering, there was no public market for our Ordinary Shares. The initial public offering price will be determined by negotiation between us, the Underwritten Selling Shareholder and the underwriter. The principal factors to be considered in determining the initial public offering price include, but not limited to:

 

  the information set forth in this prospectus and otherwise available to the underwriter;
     
  our history and prospects and the history and prospects for the industry in which we compete;
     
  our past and present financial performance;
     
  our prospects for future earnings and the present state of our development;
     
  the general condition of the securities market at the time of this Offering;
     
  the recent market prices of, and demand for, publicly traded shares of generally comparable companies; and
     
  other factors deemed relevant by the underwriter and us.

 

The estimated public offering price range set forth on the cover page of this preliminary prospectus is subject to change as a result of market conditions and other factors. Neither we nor the underwriter can assure investors that an active trading market will develop for our Ordinary Shares or that the Ordinary Shares will trade in the public market at or above the initial public offering price.

 

88
Table of Contents

 

Affiliations

 

The underwriter and its 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. The underwriter and its affiliates may from time to time in the future engage with us and perform services for us or in the ordinary course of their respective businesses for which they will receive customary fees and expenses. In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriter and its 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 account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of us. The underwriter and its affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of these securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in these securities and instruments.

 

Offer Restrictions outside the United States

 

No action has been taken in any jurisdiction (except in the United States) that would permit a public offering of the Ordinary Shares the possession, circulation or distribution of this prospectus or any other material relating to us or the Ordinary Shares in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. Accordingly, the Ordinary Shares may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, and neither this prospectus nor any other material or advertisements in connection with the Ordinary Shares may be distributed or published, in or from any country or jurisdiction except in compliance with any applicable laws, rules and regulations of any such country or jurisdiction.

 

British Virgin Islands. This prospectus does not constitute a public offer of the Ordinary Shares, whether by way of sale or subscription, in the British Virgin Islands. Ordinary Shares have not been offered or sold, and will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in the British Virgin Islands.

 

European Economic Area In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area (each a “Member State”), no Ordinary Shares have been offered or will be offered pursuant to the offering to the public in that Member State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the Ordinary Shares which has been approved by the competent authority in that Member State or, where appropriate, approved in another Member State and notified to the competent authority in that Member State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Regulation, except that offers of Ordinary Shares may be made to the public in that Member State at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Regulation:

 

  to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined under the Prospectus Regulation;
     
  to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined under the Prospectus Regulation), subject to obtaining the prior consent of the underwriter for any such offer; or
     
  in any other circumstances falling within Article 1(4) of the Prospectus Regulation.

 

provided that no such offer of Ordinary Shares shall require us or any of our representatives to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the Prospectus Regulation and each person who initially acquires any Ordinary Shares or to whom any offer is made will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed to and with each of the representatives and us that it is a “qualified investor” as defined in the Prospectus Regulation.

 

In the case of any Ordinary Shares being offered to a financial intermediary as that term is used in Article 5 of the Prospectus Regulation, each such financial intermediary will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that the Ordinary Shares acquired by it in the offer have not been acquired on a nondiscretionary basis on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in circumstances which may give rise to an offer of any Ordinary Shares to the public other than their offer or resale in a Member State to qualified investors as so defined or in circumstances in which the prior consent of the representatives has been obtained to each such proposed offer or resale.

 

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to any Ordinary Shares in any Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any Ordinary Shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any Ordinary Shares, and the expression “Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (as amended).

 

Hong Kong. The Ordinary Shares have not been offered or sold and will 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 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 promulgated thereunder, or (iii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong), and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the Ordinary Shares has been or may be issued or has been 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 Ordinary Shares 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 promulgated thereunder.

 

People’s Republic of China. This prospectus may not be circulated or distributed in the PRC and the Ordinary Shares may not be offered or sold, and will not offer or sell to any person for re-offering or resale directly or indirectly to any resident of the PRC except pursuant to applicable laws, rules and regulations of the PRC. For the purpose of this paragraph only, the PRC does not include Taiwan and the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau.

 

Taiwan. The Ordinary Shares 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 within 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 requires a registration, filing or approval of the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan. No person or entity in Taiwan has been authorized to offer, sell, give advice regarding or otherwise intermediate the offering and sale of the Ordinary Shares in Taiwan.

 

89
Table of Contents

 

EXPENSES RELATED TO THIS OFFERING

 

Set forth below is an itemization of the total expenses, excluding underwriting discounts, that we expect to incur in connection with this Offering. With the exception of the SEC registration fee and the NASDAQ Capital Market listing fee, all amounts are estimates.

 

    US$ 
Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fee  $2,000 
FINRA Filing Fee  $5,000 
NASDAQ Capital Market Entry and Listing Fee  $50,000 
Legal Fees and Expenses  $621,000 
Printing and Engraving Expenses  $20,000 
Accounting Fee and Expenses  $30,000 
Financial Advisory Expenses  $525,000 
Miscellaneous Expenses  $3,000 
Total Expenses  $1,256,000 

 

These expenses will be borne by us.

LEGAL MATTERS

 

The validity of the Ordinary Shares offered in this Offering and certain other legal matters as to BVI law will be passed upon for us by Ogier, our counsel as to BVI law. We are being represented by Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li LLC, New York, New York, with respect to certain legal matters as to United States federal and New York state law. Certain legal matters as to PRC law will be passed upon for us by Zhong Lun Law Firm. Certain legal matters as to U.S. federal law in connection with this Offering will be passed upon for the underwriter by Pryor Cashman LLP, New York, New York. Legal matters as to Hong Kong laws will be passed upon for us by Winston & Strawn. Pryor Cashman LLP may rely upon Winston & Strawn with respect to matters governed by Hong Kong laws.

 

EXPERTS

 

The consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2021 included in this prospectus have been so included in reliance on the report of Friedman LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting. The office of Friedman LLP is located at 165 Broadway 21st Floor New York NY 10006. See “Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant” below.

 

The consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022 included in this prospectus have been so included in reliance on the report of Marcum Asia CPAs LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting. The registered business address of Marcum Asia CPAs LLP is 7 Penn Plaza, Suite 830, New York, NY 10001. 

 

CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT

 

Effective September 1, 2022, Friedman LLP (“Friedman”), our then independent registered public accounting firm, combined with Marcum LLP. On February 16, 2023, we, with the approval from our board, dismissed Friedman and engaged Marcum Asia CPAs LLP (“Marcum Asia”) to serve as our independent registered public accounting firm. The services previously provided by Friedman are now provided by Marcum Asia.

 

Friedman’s reports on our consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2021 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles. Furthermore, during our two most recent fiscal years and through February 16, 2023, there have been no disagreements with Friedman on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to Friedman’s satisfaction, would have caused Friedman to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in connection with its reports on our financial statements for such periods.

 

For our two most recent fiscal years and the subsequent interim period through February 16, 2023, there were no “reportable events” as that term is described in Item 16F(a)(1)(v) of the Form 20-F, other than the material weaknesses reported by management in the Risk Factors section of this registration statement on Form F-1.

 

We provided Friedman with a copy of the above disclosure and requested that Friedman furnish us with a letter addressed to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission stating whether or not it agrees with the above statement. A copy of Friedman’s letter is filed as Exhibit 16.1  to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

 

During our two most recent fiscal years and through February 16, 2023, neither our Company nor anyone acting on our behalf consulted Marcum Asia with respect to any of the matters or reportable events set forth in Item 16F(a)(2)(i) and (ii) of the Form 20-F.

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form F-1, including relevant exhibits and schedules under the Securities Act, covering the Ordinary Shares offered by this prospectus. You should refer to our registration statements and their exhibits and schedules if you would like to find out more about us and about the Ordinary Shares. This prospectus summarizes material provisions of contracts and other documents that we refer you to. Since the prospectus may not contain all the information that you may find important, you should review the full text of these documents.

 

Immediately upon the completion of this Offering, we will be 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. As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the rules of the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements to shareholders under the federal proxy rules contained in Sections 14(a), (b) and (c) of the Exchange Act, and our executive officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

 

The registration statements, reports and other information so filed can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can request copies of these documents upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to the SEC. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference rooms. The SEC also maintains a website that contains reports, proxy statements and other information about issuers, such as us, who file electronically with the SEC. The address of that website is http://www.sec.gov. The information on that website is not a part of this prospectus.

 

No dealers, salesperson or other person is authorized to give any information or to represent anything not contained in this prospectus. You must not rely on any unauthorized information or representations. This prospectus is an offer to sell only the securities offered hereby, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. The information contained in this prospectus is current only as of its date.

 

90
Table of Contents

 

mF INTERNATIONAL LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2022  
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID 5395) F-2
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID 711) F-3
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2021 and 2022 F-4
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2022 F-5
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2022 F-6
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2022 F-7
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-8

 

F-1
Table of Contents

 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

mF International Limited

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of mF International Limited and Subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) as of December 31, 2022, the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2022, and the related notes (collectively referred to as 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, 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2022, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

We also audited adjustments to the 2021 financial statements to retroactively effect the share splits as described in Note 13. In our opinion, such adjustments are appropriate and have been properly applied. Other than the adjustments, we were not engaged to audit, review, or apply any procedures to the Company’s 2021 financial statements and, accordingly, we do not express an opinion or any other form of assurance on the 2021 financial statements as a whole.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audit. 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 audit 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. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

Our audit 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 audit 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 audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

/s/ Marcum Asia CPAs LLP

Marcum Asia CPAs LLP

 

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2022 (such date takes into account the acquisition of certain assets of Friedman LLP by Marcum Asia CPAs LLP effective September 1, 2022).

 

New York, New York

May 26, 2023, except for Note 13 and Note 16 as to which the date is August 22, 2023.

 

NEW YORK OFFICE ● 7 Penn Plaza ● Suite 830 ● New York, New York ● 10001

Phone 646.442.4845 ● Fax 646.349.5200 ● www.marcumasia.com

 

F-2
Table of Contents

 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

mF International Limited

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of mF International Limited and Subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) as of December 31, 2021, and the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2021, and the related notes (collectively referred to as 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, 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2021, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

We were not engaged to audit, review or apply any procedures to the adjustments to retroactively apply the effects of the share split described in Note 13, accordingly, we do not express an opinion or any other form of assurance about whether such adjustments are appropriate and have been properly applied. Those adjustments were audited by Marcum Asia CPAs LLP.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audit. 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 audit 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. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

Our audit 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 audit 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 audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

/s/ Friedman LLP

 

We served as the Company’s auditor from May 2022 through December 2022.

 

New York, New York

December 29, 2022

 

 

F-3
Table of Contents

 

mF International Limited and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

As of December 31, 2021 and 2022

 

    As of December 31, 
   2021   2022   2022 
   HK$   HK$   US$ 
Assets               
Current assets               
Cash   10,081,583    12,063,731    1,546,334 
Accounts receivable   681,230    1,133,370    145,276 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   866,682    346,064    44,359 
Investment at fair value   7,049,220    1,979,268    253,704 
Total current assets   18,678,715    15,522,433    1,989,673 
Non-current assets               
Property and equipment, net   303,757    123,305    15,805 
Intangible assets, net   13,743,322    13,564,772    1,738,739 
Operating lease right-of-use assets   138,222    1,730,717    221,844 
Long term deposit   479,076    479,076    61,408 
Deferred initial public offering (“IPO”) costs   -    3,119,900    399,910 
Total assets   33,343,092    34,540,203    4,427,379 
                
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity               
Current liabilities               

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

   1,919,478    

1,844,246

    

236,396

 

Amounts due to related parties

   

310,010

    

306,110

    

39,237

 
Current portion of bank borrowings   2,421,804    3,701,162    474,417 
Contract liabilities   5,474,175    4,199,173    538,252 
Current portion of operating lease liabilities   138,275    1,624,066    208,174 
Tax payable   -    229,355    29,398 
Total current liabilities   10,263,742    11,904,112    1,525,874 
Non-current liabilities               
Bank borrowings   13,595,192    9,919,236    1,271,452 
Operating lease liabilities   -    138,289    17,726 
Deferred tax liabilities, net   2,001,687    2,152,668    275,930 
Total liabilities   25,860,621    24,114,305    3,090,982 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES               
Shareholders’ equity               
Ordinary shares, authorized to issue an unlimited number of Ordinary Shares of no par value, 11,585,000 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively*   3,900    3,900    500 
Additional paid-in capital   2,042,379    2,042,379    261,793 
Amounts due from related parties   (24,231,643)   -    - 
Retained earnings   29,774,589    8,478,877    1,086,827 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (106,754)   (99,258)   (12,723)
Total shareholders’ equity   7,482,471    10,425,898    1,336,397 
                
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity   33,343,092    34,540,203    4,427,379 

 

* Giving retroactive effect to the 1 for 231.7 share split effected on August 11, 2023.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-4
Table of Contents

 

mF International Limited and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income

For the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2022

 

   For the years ended December 31, 
   2021   2022   2022 
   HK$   HK$   US$ 
Revenue   32,212,970    34,931,827    4,477,578 
Cost of revenue   16,260,407    16,512,702    2,116,606 
Gross profit   15,952,563    18,419,125    2,360,972 
                
Operating expenses               
Selling and marketing expenses   220,681    161,791    20,738 
Research and development expenses   29,478    80,012    10,256 
General and administrative expenses   5,167,704    10,634,851    1,363,180 
Total operating expenses   5,417,863    10,876,654    1,394,174 
Income from operations   10,534,700    7,542,471    966,798 
                
Other income (expense)               
Other income, net   1,402,874    1,265,200    162,174 
Realized loss on disposal of financial assets at fair value   (16,120)   -    - 
Change in fair value on financial assets at fair value   (660,325)   (1,157,650)   (148,388)
Interest expenses, net   (479,904)   (443,577)   (56,858)
Total other income (expense), net   246,525    (336,027)   (43,072)
                
Income before income taxes   10,781,225    7,206,444    923,726 
Income tax expenses   (431,630)   (387,845)   (49,714)
Net income   10,349,595    6,818,599    874,012 
                
Other comprehensive income (loss)               
Foreign currency translation adjustment   (14,168)   7,496    961 
Comprehensive income   10,335,427    6,826,095    874,973 
                
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic and diluted*   11,585,000    11,585,000    11,585,000 
                
Earnings per share – basic and diluted*   0.893    0.589    0.075 

 

* Giving retroactive effect to the 1 for 231.7 share split effected on August 11, 2023.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-5
Table of Contents

 

mF International Limited and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

For the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2022

 

   Ordinary Shares                 
   Shares *    Amount   Additional Paid-in Capital   Amounts due from related parties   Retained Earnings   Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss   Total 
       HK$   HK$   HK$   HK$   HK$   HK$ 
Balance as of December 31, 2020   11,585,000    3,900    2,042,379    (11,228,619)   19,424,994    (92,586)   10,150,068 
                                    
Net income   -    -    -    -    10,349,595    -    10,349,595 
                                    
Advance to related parties   -    -    -    (13,003,024)   -    -    (13,003,024)
                                    
Foreign currency translation adjustments   -    -    -    -    -    (14,168)   (14,168)
                                           
Balance as of December 31, 2021   11,585,000    3,900    2,042,379    (24,231,643)   29,774,589    (106,754)   7,482,471 
                                    
Net income   -    -    -    -    6,818,599    -    6,818,599 
                                    
Repayment from related parties   -    -    -    6,117,332    -    -    6,117,332 
                                    
Dividend declared   -    -    -    18,114,311    (28,114,311)   -    (10,000,000)
                                    
Foreign currency translation adjustments   -    -    -    -    -    7,496    7,496 
                                           
Balance as of December 31, 2022   11,585,000    3,900    2,042,379    -    8,478,877    (99,258)   10,425,898 
         US$    US$    US$    US$   US$     US$  
Balance as of December 31, 2022   11,585,000    500    261,793    -    1,086,827    (12,723)   1,336,397 

 

* Giving retroactive effect to the 1 for 231.7 share split effected on August 11, 2023.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-6
Table of Contents

 

mF International Limited and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2022

 

   For the years ended December 31, 
   2021   2022   2022 
   HK$   HK$   US$ 
Cash flows from operating activities:               
Net income   10,349,595    6,818,599    874,012 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:               
Depreciation of property and equipment   253,063    222,173    28,478 
Amortization of intangible assets   5,996,618    6,160,391    789,642 
Amortization of right-of-use assets and interest of lease liabilities   1,700,859    1,695,259    217,299 
Realized loss on disposal of financial assets at fair value   16,120    -    - 
Change in fair value on financial assets at fair value   660,325    1,157,650    148,388 
Provision for doubtful accounts   -    497,099    63,718 
Deferred tax expense   431,630    158,490    20,315 
                
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:               
Accounts receivable   (436,514)   (949,239)   (121,674)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   (72,146)   520,618    66,733 
Long term deposit   (479,076)   -    - 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities   666,788    (75,232)   (9,643)
Contract liabilities   (4,679,419)   (1,275,002)   (163,430)
Tax payable   (8,090)   229,355    29,398 
Operating lease liabilities   (1,665,000)   (1,663,674)   (213,251)
Net cash provided by operating activities   12,734,753    13,496,487    1,729,986 
                
Cash flows from investing activities:               
Purchase of property and equipment   (267,010)   (41,721)   (5,348)
Costs to obtain and develop software   (6,959,773)   (5,993,675)   (768,272)
Purchase of intangible asset   (40,000)   (1,999)   (256)
Purchase of investment at fair value   (5,950,000)   (156,000)   (19,996)
Disposals of investment at fair value   1,870,086    4,068,302    521,477 
Net cash used in investing activities   (11,346,697)   (2,125,093)   (272,395)
                
Cash flows from financing activities:               
Repayment from/(advance to) related parties   (13,003,024)   6,117,332    784,123 
Repayment to a related party   -    (3,900)   (500)
Dividend paid   -    (10,000,000)   (1,281,805)
Deferred IPO costs   -    (3,119,900)   (399,910)
Proceeds from bank borrowings   3,847,150    -    - 
Repayment of bank borrowings   (1,485,212)   (2,396,598)   (307,197)
Net cash used in financing activities   (10,641,086)   (9,403,066)   (1,205,289)
                
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash   545    13,820    1,770 
                
Net increase (decrease) in cash   (9,252,485)   1,982,148    254,072 
                
Cash, beginning of year   19,334,068    10,081,583    1,292,262 
                
Cash, end of year   10,081,583    12,063,731    1,546,334 
                
Supplemental disclosure information:               
Cash paid for income tax   9,905    -    - 
Cash paid for interest   480,403    451,403    57,861 
Supplemental non-cash in investing and financing activities:               
Operating lease right-of-use assets, obtained in exchange for operating lease obligations   -    3,194,319    409,449 
Dividend payable which was settled by netting off against the outstanding amounts due from related parties   -    18,114,311    2,321,901 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-7
Table of Contents

 

mF International Limited and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2021 and 2022

 

1. Organization and Business Description

 

Organization and Nature of Operations

 

mF International Limited (the “Company” or “mF International”) is a limited liability company established under the laws of the British Virgin Islands on June 15, 2022. It is a holding company with no business operation. The Company conducts its business mainly through its three subsidiaries in Hong Kong (collectively, the “Group”). The Group is principally engaged in research and development and sales of financial trading solutions via internet or platform as software as a service.

 

As of December 31, 2022, the Company has direct or indirect interests in the following subsidiaries:

 

Name   Place and date of incorporation   Ownership   Principal activity
m-FINANCE Limited (“m-FINANCE”)  

Hong Kong

February 11, 2002

  100% owned by the Company  

Engages in development and provision of financial trading solutions.

 

m-FINANCE Trading Technologies Limited (“mFTT”)  

Hong Kong

March 21, 2013

  100% owned by m-FINANCE  

Engages in business of liquidity providers related services and other financial value-added services.

 

Omegatraders Systems Limited (“OTX “)  

Hong Kong

December 10, 2009

  100% owned by m-FINANCE  

Engages in the business of algorithm trading research & development and investment.

 

m-FINANCE Software (Shenzhen) Limited (“SZ WFOE”)  

China

March 27, 2014

  100% owned by m-FINANCE  

Dormant and the deregistration was completed on March 21, 2023.

 

Reorganization

 

A reorganization of the legal structure of the Company (the “Reorganization”) was completed on August 22, 2022. Prior to the Reorganization, the Company’s main Hong Kong subsidiary, m-FINANCE, with its three subsidiaries mFTT, OTX and SZ WFOE, was ultimately controlled by Gaderway Investments Limited.

 

As part of the Reorganization, mF International was incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands on June 15, 2022, and being interspersed between Gaderway Investments Limited and m-FINANCE. Consequently, mF International became the holding company of m-FINANCE, with its three subsidiaries on August 22, 2022. The Company and its subsidiaries resulting from Reorganization has always been under the common control of the same controlling shareholder, Gaderway Investments Limited, before and after the Reorganization. The consolidation of the Company and its subsidiaries has been accounted for at historical cost and prepared on the basis as if the aforementioned transactions had become effective as of the beginning of the first period presented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

 

F-8
Table of Contents

 

mF International Limited and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2021 and 2022

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Presentation and Consolidation

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

 

The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances among the Company and its subsidiaries have been eliminated upon consolidation.

 

Use of Estimates and Assumptions

 

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the 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 financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. These estimates and judgments are based on historical information, information that is currently available to the Company and on various other assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Significant estimates required to be made by management, include, but are not limited to, the provision for doubtful accounts and impairment assessment for the internally developed software. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Foreign Currency Translation

 

The Company uses Hong Kong Dollar (“HK$”) as its reporting currency. The functional currency of the Company in British Virgin Islands is United States Dollar (“US$”). For the Company’s subsidiaries in Hong Kong, the functional currency is HK$. For the Company’s subsidiary in the PRC, the functional currency is RMB. The functional currencies are the respective local currencies based on the criteria of ASC 830, “Foreign Currency Matters”.

 

In the consolidated financial statements, the financial information of the Company and other entities located outside of the Hong Kong has been translated into HK$. Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rates on the balance sheet date, equity amounts are translated at historical exchange rates, and revenues, and expenses, gains and losses are translated using the average rate for the period. Gains or losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in the accompanying consolidated statement of consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.

 

F-9
Table of Contents

 

mF International Limited and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2021 and 2022

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

Convenience Translation

 

Translations of amounts in the consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, consolidated statements of changes in shareholders’ equity and consolidated statements of cash flows from HK$ into US$ as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022 are solely for the convenience of the reader and were calculated at the noon buying rate of US$1 = HK$7.8015, as published in H.10 statistical release of the United States Federal Reserve Board. No representation is made that the HK$ amounts could have been, or could be, converted, realized or settled into US$ at such rate or at any other rate.

 

Investment at fair value

 

Investment at fair value represents the amount of short-term foreign exchange investment made by the Company involving buying the currency of one country while selling that of another with the intention to optimize a trading algorithm based on live market interactions. The management of the Company intended to retain such funds to continue making short-term foreign exchange investment in such investment accounts in the near future. Such balance is classified as current asset and measured in fair value under ASC 820. Any gain or loss arising from the transactions would be recognized in profit or loss.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

The fair value of a financial instrument is defined as the exchange price that would be received from an asset or paid to transfer a liability (as exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

 

ASC 820 requires certain disclosures regarding the fair value of financial instruments. Fair value is defined as 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 three-level fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy requires entities to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows:

 

Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.

 

Level 2 - Quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities, or other inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.

 

Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets and liabilities. This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.

 

The Company considers the carrying amount of its financial assets and liabilities, which consist primarily of cash, accounts receivable, amounts due from related parties, operating lease, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable, contract liabilities, income taxes payable, amounts due to related parties, accrued expenses and other current liabilities approximate the fair value of the respective assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2021 and 2022 owing to their short-term nature or present value of the assets and liabilities.

 

The Company values its short-term investments which mainly consist of foreign exchange investment with certain brokerage companies to trade with foreign currencies, based on the quoted market value and the Company classifies the valuation techniques that use these inputs as Level 1, because the prices of the foreign currencies are quoted in the active market.

 

The following table sets forth the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and are categorized using the fair value hierarchy as shown in the following table.

 

       As of December 31, 2021     
   Level 1   Level 2    Level 3   Balance at fair value 
Assets   HK$    HK$     HK$    HK$ 
Investment at fair value - Foreign exchange investment   7,049,220    -     -    7,049,220 

 

      

As of December 31, 2022

     
   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Balance at fair value 
Assets   HK$    HK$    HK$    HK$ 
Investment at fair value - Foreign exchange investment   1,979,268    -    -    1,979,268 
    US$    US$    US$    US$ 
Investment at fair value - Foreign exchange investment   253,704    -    -    253,704 

 

The Company’s non-financial assets, such as property and equipment would be measured at fair value only if they were determined to be impaired.

 

F-10
Table of Contents

 

mF International Limited and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2021 and 2022

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

Cash

 

Cash include cash on hand and demand deposits in accounts maintained with commercial banks that can be added or withdrawn without limitation with original maturities of less than three months. The Company maintains the bank accounts in Hong Kong. Cash balances in bank accounts in Hong Kong are protected up to HK$500,000 per account holder in each bank which is a member of the Hong Kong Deposit Protection Scheme.

 

Accounts Receivable

 

Accounts receivable are recognized and carried at original amount less an estimated allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company grants general credit term of 30 days to its customers in the normal course of business. The Company determines the adequacy of reserves for doubtful accounts based on individual account analysis and historical collection trend. The Company establishes a provision for doubtful receivables when there is objective evidence that the Company may not be able to collect amounts due. The allowance is based on management’s best estimate of specific losses on individual exposures, as well as a provision on historical trends of collections. Actual amounts received may differ from management’s estimate of credit worthiness and the economic environment. Delinquent account balances are written-off against the allowance for doubtful accounts after management has determined that the likelihood of collection is not probable. No allowance for doubtful accounts related to accounts receivable was recorded as of December 31, 2021. As of December 31, 2022, the Company has recorded an allowance for doubtful accounts related to accounts receivable of HK$497,099 (US$63,718).

 

Prepaid Expenses

 

Prepaid expenses represent advance payments made to the service providers for the IT solution services and the vendors for certain prepaid services such as insurance, utilities deposits and rental deposits. Prepaid expenses are unsecured and are reviewed periodically to determine whether their carrying value has become impaired. As of December 31, 2021 and 2022, management believes that the Company’s prepaid expenses are not impaired.

 

Deferred IPO costs

 

Deferred IPO costs consist primarily of direct expenses paid to attorneys, consultants, underwriters, and other parties related to the Company’s IPO. The balance will be offset with the proceeds received at the closing of the IPO.


 

F-11
Table of Contents

 

mF International Limited and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2021 and 2022

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

Lease

 

On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASU 2016-02 Leases (Topic 842) (“Topic 842”) issued by the FASB, using the modified retrospective transition method and elected the transition option to use an effective date of January 1, 2019 as the date of initial application. The adoption of Topic 842 resulted in the presentation of operating lease right of use (“ROU”) assets and operating lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. See Note 8 for additional information.

 

The lease standard provides practical expedients for an entity ongoing accounting. The Company elected to apply the short-term lease exception for lease arrangements with a lease term of 12 months or less at commencement. Lease terms used to compute the present value of lease payments do not include any option to extend, renew or terminate the lease that the Company is not able to reasonably certain to exercise upon the lease inception. Accordingly, operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities do not include leases with a lease term of 12 months or less.

 

The Company did not adopt the practical expedient that allows lessees to treat the lease and non-lease components of a lease as a single lease component. Non-lease components include payments for building management, utilities and property tax. It separates the non-lease components from the lease components to which they relate.

 

At inception of a contract, the Company assesses whether a contract is, or contains, a lease. A contract is or contains a lease if it conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange of a consideration. To assess whether a contract is or contains a lease, the Company assess whether the contract involves the use of an identified asset, whether it has the right to obtain substantially all the economic benefits from the use of the asset and whether it has the right to control the use of the asset.

 

The operating right-of-use assets and related operating lease liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date. The Company recognizes operating lease expenses on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

 

The Company reviews the impairment of its ROU assets consistent with the approach applied for its other long-lived assets.

 

Operating lease right-of-use of assets

 

The right-of-use of asset is initially measured at cost, which comprises the initial amount of the lease liability adjusted for any lease payments made at or before the commencement date, plus any initial direct costs incurred and less any lease incentive received.

 

Operating lease liabilities

 

Lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the outstanding lease payments at the commencement date, discounted using the Company incremental borrowing rate. Lease payments included in the measurement of the lease liability comprise fixed lease payments, variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate, amounts expected to be payable under a residual value guarantee and any exercise price under a purchase option that the Company is reasonably certain to exercise.

 

Lease liability is measured at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method. It is remeasured when there is a change in future lease payments, if there is a change in the estimate of the amount expected to be payable under a residual value guarantee, or if there is any change in the Company assessment of option purchases, contract extensions or termination options.

 

F-12
Table of Contents

 

mF International Limited and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2021 and 2022

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

Property and Equipment, net

 

Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is provided for on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets as follows:

 

Computer equipment  2 years
Furniture and fixture  3 years
Office equipment  3 years
Leasehold improvements  Shorter of 5 years or the remaining lease term

 

Expenditures for maintenance and repairs, which do not materially extend the useful lives of the assets, are charged to expense as incurred. Expenditures for major renewals and betterments which substantially extend the useful life of assets are capitalized. The cost and related accumulated depreciation of assets retired or sold are removed from the respective accounts, and any gain or loss is recognized in the consolidated statements of Income and comprehensive income in other income or expenses.

 

The Company also re-evaluates the periods of depreciation to determine whether subsequent events and circumstances warrant revised estimates of useful lives.

 

Intangible assets, net

 

The Company’s internally developed software is used in providing financial trading solutions services to customers and the customers access and uses the software over the internet or via a dedicated line in which an end user of the software does not take possession of the software. In accordance with ASC 350-40, internally developed software is capitalized during the application development stage. Research and development expenses related to salaries and payroll related costs for employees involved in the preliminary project stage and activities occurring after the implementation of the software are expensed as incurred. Costs incurred for software upgrades are capitalized if they result in additional functionalities or substantial enhancements. Development costs cease capitalization upon completion of all substantial testing when the software is substantially complete and ready for its intended use and are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life, which is generally three years. Amortization of internal-use software begins when the software is ready for its intended use.

 

The Company evaluates annually its intangible assets for potential impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. There were no impairments of intangible assets as of December 31, 2021 and 2022.

 

The estimated useful lives of intangible assets are as follows:

 

Internally developed software  3 years
Software  3 years

 

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

 

The Company reviews the recoverability of its long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances (such as a significant adverse change to market conditions that will impact the future use of the assets) indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may no longer be recoverable. When these events occur, the Company measures impairment by comparing the carrying value of the long-lived assets to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the assets and their eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected undiscounted cash flow is less than the carrying amount of the assets, the Company would recognize an impairment loss, which is the excess of carrying amount over the fair value of the assets, using the expected future discounted cash flows. There were no impairment losses on long-lived assets for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022.

 

F-13
Table of Contents

 

mF International Limited and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2021 and 2022

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

Revenue Recognition

 

The Company adopted the new revenue standard Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, starting January 1, 2020 using the modified retrospective method for contracts that were not completed as of the date of adoption. The adoption of this ASC 606 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

The core principle of the new revenue standard is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The following five steps are applied to achieve that core principle:

 

Step 1: Identify the contract with the customer

Step 2: Identify the performance obligations in the contract

Step 3: Determine the transaction price

Step 4: Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract

Step 5: Recognize revenue when the company satisfies a performance obligation.

 

The Company has elected to apply the practical expedient in paragraph ASC 606-10-50-14 and does not disclose information about remaining performance obligations that have original expected durations of one year or less.

 

The Company elected a practical expedient that it does not adjust the promised amount of consideration for the effects of a significant financing component if the Company expects that, upon the inception of revenue contracts, the period between when the Company transfers its promised services or deliverables to its clients and when the clients pay for those services or deliverables will be one year or less.

 

As a practical expedient, the Company elected to expense the incremental costs of obtaining a contract when incurred if the amortization period of the asset that the Company otherwise would have recognized is one year or less.

 

The Company is engaging in the development and provision of financial trading solutions to customers via internet or platform as software as a service.

 

The transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation on a relative stand-alone selling price basis. The transaction price allocated to each performance obligation is recognized when that performance obligation is satisfied, at a point in time or over time as appropriate.

 

The Company enters into contracts with customers that include promises to transfer various services, which are generally capable of being distinct and accounted for as separate performance obligations. Revenue is recognized when the promised services are transferred to customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration allocated to the respective performance obligation.

 

The Company provides trading solution services to customers (including brokers and institutional clients) for their trading on forex, commodity and bullion, through the Company’s internally developed trading platform as software as a service. The Company’s internally developed software is used in providing financial trading solutions services to customers and the customers access and uses the software over the internet or via a dedicated line in which an end user of the software does not take possession of the software. The Company’s trading solution provides a variety of functions suitable for front-end transaction executions and back-office settlement operations. In a contract with a customer, it would normally require the Company to perform or delivery one or more of the following in return for a consideration. The contract normally includes one or more of the following services, subject to the request of the customers, and the transaction price of each service fee has stated stand-alone in the contract with reference to the Company’s price list. The Company identified each distinct service as a performance obligation. The recognition and measurement of revenues is based on the assessment of individual contract terms.

 

The Company’s principal revenue stream includes:

 

(a)Initial set up, installation and customization services

 

The Company provides initial set up, installation and customization services of trading platform solution and financial value-added services for each customer as agreed upon in the contracts. Initial set up, installation and customization services are services to help the customer to configure the platform according to the needs of the customers. The Company provides specific customization as part of its development and provision of financial trading solutions. The Company’s customization services include development of customer-requested functions and features on the Company’s platform per customer specifications, i.e., the software specifications. Such services are undertaken specifically for the customer in question and do not necessarily benefit other customers.

 

F-14
Table of Contents

 

mF International Limited and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2021 and 2022

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

As the initial set up, installation and customization services are capable of being distinct and the promise to transfer the service is distinct within the context of the contract, the Company concludes that the initial set up, installation and customization services to be accounted for as a single performance obligation. The entire transaction prices of initial set up, installation and customization services are allocated to a single performance obligation and the Company recognizes revenue based on its effort or inputs to the satisfaction of a performance obligation over time as work progresses because of the continuous transfer of control to the customer. The Company uses input method represent a reasonable measure of progress towards the satisfaction of a performance in order to estimate the portion of revenue earned.

 

(b)Subscription

 

The Company provides customers the right to access its internally developed trading platform for the use of the trading solutions services for a specified period of time.

 

The Company concludes that each monthly subscription fee (1) is distinct and (2) meets the criteria for recognizing revenue over time. In addition, the Company concludes that the services provided each month are substantially similar and result in the transfer of substantially similar services to the customers each month. That is, the benefit consumed by the clients is substantially similar for each month. Therefore, the Company concludes that the monthly subscription fee satisfies the requirements of ASC 606-10-25-14(b) to be accounted for as a single performance obligation. The Company recognizes revenues from subscription ratably when it satisfies its performance obligations throughout the contract terms.

 

(c)Hosting, support and maintenance service

 

The Company provides hosting, technical support and maintenance service to customers for the use of the trading solutions services for a specific period. The Company concludes that each monthly hosting, support and maintenance service fee (1) is distinct and (2) meets the criteria for recognizing revenue over time. In addition, the Company concludes that the services provided each month are substantially similar and result in the transfer of substantially similar services to the customers each month. That is, the benefit consumed by the clients is substantially similar for each month. Therefore, the Company concludes that the monthly hosting, support and maintenance service fee satisfies the requirements of ASC 606-10-25-14(b) to be accounted for as a single performance obligation. The Company recognizes revenues from hosting, support and maintenance service ratably when it satisfies its performance obligations throughout the contract terms.

 

(d)Liquidity service

 

The Company provides liquidity service to customers for the use of the fully automatic hedging solution and sending their clients’ orders directly to the liquidity providers such as institutional brokers, market makers, exchanges and prime of prime brokers. The Company’s liquidity service enables its customers to access and match with the liquidity made available by liquidity providers through the Company’s trading solutions. The liquidity service is distinct and is identified as one performance obligation. As stipulated in the contract, the Company will charge a liquidity service income based on the transaction volume of orders sending directly to the liquidity providers under the liquidity service provide by the Company, with a minimum monthly fee for certain customers. The Company will review the customers’ transaction volume of orders monthly and the revenue from providing liquidity service between customers and liquidity providers is recognized at point in time.

 

(e)White label service

 

The Company provides white label service to customers by allowing them to add additional labels or brands to the trading platform services. This provides customers the highest flexibility to operate their trading platform business based on their individual business development strategy or marketing needs at a lower operating cost. The Company concludes that each monthly white label service fee at fixed rate (1) is distinct and (2) meets the criteria for recognizing revenue over time. In addition, the Company concludes that the services provided each month are substantially similar and result in the transfer of substantially similar services to the customers each month. That is, the benefit consumed by the clients is substantially similar for each month. Therefore, the Company concludes that the monthly white label service fee satisfies the requirements of ASC 606-10-25-14(b) to be accounted for as a single performance obligation. The Company recognizes revenues from white label service ratably when it satisfies its performance obligations throughout the contract terms.

 

F-15
Table of Contents

 

mF International Limited and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2021 and 2022

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

(f)Quotes/news/package subscription service

 

The Company provides subscription service to customers for professional strategy analysis, economic calendar, instant news, real-time quotes and data feed. The Company will subscribe the information or data from the service providers and will convert the raw data into usable data that can be used in the trading platform of the Company. The Company concludes that each monthly subscription fee at fixed rate (1) is distinct and (2) meets the criteria for recognizing revenue over time. In addition, the Company concludes that the services provided each month are substantially similar and result in the transfer of substantially similar services to the customers each month. That is, the benefit consumed by the clients is substantially similar for each month. Therefore, the Company concludes that the monthly subscription service fee satisfies the requirements of ASC 606-10-25-14(b) to be accounted for as a single performance obligation. The Company recognizes revenues from subscription service ratably when it satisfies its performance obligations throughout the contract terms.

 

The following table presents disaggregated information of revenues by business lines for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively:

 

   For the years ended December 31, 
   2021   2022   2022 
   HK$   HK$   US$ 
Initial set up, installation and customization services   8,147,473    7,140,076    915,218 
Subscription   12,124,676    11,414,976    1,463,177 
Hosting, support and maintenance service   3,304,830    4,186,369    536,611 
Liquidity service   3,220,992    6,699,586    858,756 
White label service   1,860,221    1,889,188    242,157 
Quotes/news/package subscription service   3,554,778    3,601,632    461,659 
Total revenue   32,212,970    34,931,827    4,477,578 

 

Revenue disaggregated by timing of revenue recognition for 2021 and 2022 is disclosed in the table below:

 

   For the years ended December 31, 
   2021   2022   2022 
   HK$   HK$   US$ 
Point in time   3,506,631    6,699,586    858,756 
Over time   28,706,339    28,232,240    3,618,822 
Total revenue   32,212,970    34,931,827    4,477,578 

 

The Company also selected to apply the practical expedients allowed under ASC Topic 606 to omit the disclosure of remaining performance obligations for contracts with an original expected duration of one year or less. There is no loss contract for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022. As of December 31, 2021 and 2022, all contracts of the Company were with an original expected duration within one year.

 

F-16
Table of Contents

 

mF International Limited and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2021 and 2022

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

Contract Liabilities

 

The Company’s contract liabilities include payments received in advance of performance under trading solution service contracts which will be recognized as revenue as the Company executed the trading solution services with customers under the contract, as well as the deferred installation service fee received from trading solution services.

 

Contract Liabilities are recognized when the customers pay consideration before the Company recognizes the related revenue. Contract Liabilities would also be recognized if the Company has an unconditional right to receive consideration before the Company recognizes the related revenue.

 

Other Income (expense), net

 

Government subsidies primarily relate to one-off entitlement granted by the Hong Kong government pursuant to the Employment Support Scheme under the Anti-epidemic Fund. Employers participating in ESS were required to undertake and warrant that they would: (i) not implement redundancies during the subsidy period; and (ii) spend all the wage subsidies on paying wages to their employees. If an employer fails to use all the subsidies received to pay the wages of his/her employees, the Hong Kong Government will claw back the unspent balance of the subsidy. If the total number of employees on the payroll in any one month of the subsidy period is less than the “committed headcount of paid employees”, the employer will have to pay a penalty to the Hong Kong Government. The Company has (i) not implement redundancies during the subsidy period; and (ii) spend all the wage subsidies on paying wages to its employees. There was no unfulfilled conditions nor other contingencies attached to the ESS funding. Government subsidies received and recognized as other income totaled HK$379,363 and HK$734,059 (US$94,092) for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively.

 

Cost of Revenue

 

The Company’s cost of revenue is primarily comprised of the amortization of the internally developed software, staff costs and other direct costs associated with providing trading solution services, including data center and support costs related to delivering online services. These costs are expenses as incurred.

 

Research and development

 

Research and development expenses primarily consist of payroll and other personnel-related expenses of the Company’s software development team.

 

F-17
Table of Contents

 

mF International Limited and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2021 and 2022

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company accounts for income taxes under ASC 740. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the consolidated financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases.

 

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 including the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.

 

The provisions of ASC 740-10-25, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,” prescribe a more-likely-than-not threshold for consolidated financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken (or expected to be taken) in a tax return. This interpretation also provides guidance on the recognition of income tax assets and liabilities, classification of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities, accounting for interest and penalties associated with tax positions, and related disclosures.

 

The Company believes there were no uncertain tax positions as of December 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively. The Company does not expect that its assessment regarding unrecognized tax positions will materially change over the next 12 months. In general, the Inland Revenue Department of Hong Kong has up to seven years to conduct examinations of the Company’s tax filings. Accordingly, the tax years from 2017 to 2022 of the Company’s Hong Kong subsidiaries remain open to examination by the taxing jurisdictions. The Company is not currently under examination by an income tax authority, nor has it been notified that an examination is contemplated.

 

Earnings Per Share

 

The Company computes earnings per share (“EPS”) in accordance with ASC 260, “Earnings per Share” (“ASC 260”). ASC 260 requires companies with complex capital structures to present basic and diluted EPS. Basic EPS are computed by dividing income available to ordinary shareholders of the Company by the weighted average ordinary shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS takes into account the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue ordinary shares were exercised and converted into ordinary shares. As of December 31, 2021 and 2022, there were no dilutive shares.

 

Comprehensive Income

 

Comprehensive income consists of two components, net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) refers to revenue, expenses, gains and losses that under U.S. GAAP are recorded as an element of shareholders’ equity but are excluded from net income. Other comprehensive income (loss) consists of foreign currency translation adjustment resulting from the Company translating its financial statements from functional currency into reporting currency.

 

Statement of Cash Flows

 

In accordance with ASC 230, “Statement of Cash Flows”, cash flows from the Company’s operations are formulated based upon the local currencies. As a result, amounts related to assets and liabilities reported on the statements of cash flows will not necessarily agree with changes in the corresponding balances on the balance sheets.

 

Commitments and Contingencies

 

In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to contingencies, such as legal proceedings and claims arising out of its business, which cover a wide range of matters. Liabilities for contingencies are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the assessment can be reasonably estimated.

 

If the assessment of a contingency indicates that it is probable that a material loss is incurred and the amount of the liability can be estimated, then the estimated liability is accrued in the Company’s financial statements. If the assessment indicates that a potentially material loss contingency is not probable, but is reasonably possible, or is probable but cannot be estimated, then the nature of the contingent liability, together with an estimate of the range of possible loss, if determinable and material, would be disclosed.

 

Loss contingencies considered remote are generally not disclosed unless they involve guarantees, in which case the nature of the guarantee would be disclosed.

 

Related parties

 

Parties, which can be a corporation or individual, are considered to be related if the Company has the ability, directly or indirectly, to control the other party or exercise significant influence over the other party in making financial and operating decisions. Companies are also considered to be related if they are subject to common control or common significant influence, such as a family member or relative, shareholder, or a related corporation.

 

F-18
Table of Contents

 

mF International Limited and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2021 and 2022

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

Significant Risks

 

Market Risk of Financial Instrument

 

We are subject to financial market risks, including changes in foreign currency exchange rate risk with respect to our investment at fair value consisting of short-term foreign exchange investment made by the Company which is denominated in the US$. The fluctuation in US$ may result in increase or decrease in the value of our investment at fair value. We consider the foreign exchange risk in relation to transactions denominated in US$ with respect to HK$ is not significant as HK$ is pegged to US$.

 

The trades of foreign currencies conducted by the Company are denominated in the US$ and are paired with currencies with strong liquidity traded in highly transparent markets, including such currencies as the EURO, USD, GBP, CHF, AUD, CAD and NZD, etc. Fluctuation in exchange rates, changes in monetary and/or fiscal policy or inflation in the countries in which the Company paired its trades of foreign currencies could have a material adverse effect on its results of operations. The clear position limits and floating profit/loss limits are set to manage the market risks of its foreign exchange positions.

 

Currency Risk

 

The Company’s operating activities are transacted in HK$. Foreign exchange risk arises from future commercial transactions, recognized assets and liabilities and net investments in foreign operations. The Company considers the foreign exchange risk in relation to transactions denominated in HK$ with respect to US$ is not significant as HK$ is pegged to US$.

 

Concentration and Credit Risk

 

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to the concentration of credit risks consist of cash and accounts receivable. The maximum exposures of such assets to credit risk are their carrying amounts as of the balance sheet dates. The Company deposits its cash with financial institutions located in Hong Kong. The Company believes that no significant credit risk exists as these financial institutions have high credit quality and the Company has not incurred any losses related to such deposits.

 

For the credit risk related to accounts receivable, the Company performs periodic credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and generally does not require collateral. The Company establishes an allowance for credit losses based upon estimates, factors surrounding the credit risk of specific customers and other information. The allowance amounts were immaterial for all periods presented. The management believes that its contract acceptance, billing, and collection policies are adequate to minimize material credit risk. Application for progress payment of contract works is made on a regular basis. The Company seeks to maintain strict control over its outstanding receivables. Overdue balances are reviewed regularly by the management.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, all of the Company’s assets were located in Hong Kong and all of the Company’s revenue were derived from its subsidiaries located in Hong Kong. The Company has a concentration of its revenue and accounts receivable with specific customers.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2021, one customer accounted for approximately 10.5% of the Company’s total revenue. For the year ended December 31, 2022, one customer accounted for approximately 18.0% of the Company’s total revenue.

 

As of December 31, 2021, one customer’s accounts receivable accounted for 88.4% of the total accounts receivable. Two customers’ accounts receivable accounted for 27.2% and 21.4% of the total accounts receivable as of December 31, 2022, respectively.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, no vendor accounted for over 10% of the Company’s total purchase.

 

As of December 31, 2021, one supplier’s accounts payable accounted for 100% of the total accounts payable. No supplier’s accounts payable accounted for over 10% of the total accounts payable as of December 31, 2022.

 

Interest rate risk

 

Fluctuations in market interest rates may negatively affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. The Company is exposed to floating interest rate risk on cash deposit and floating rate borrowings, and the risks due to changes in interest rates is not material. The Company has not used any derivative financial instruments to manage the interest risk exposure.

 

F-19
Table of Contents

 

mF International Limited and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2021 and 2022

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards, not yet Adopted by the Company

 

In May 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-05, which is an update to ASU Update No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which introduced the expected credit losses methodology for the measurement of credit losses on financial assets measured at amortized cost basis, replacing the previous incurred loss methodology. The amendments in Update 2016-13 added Topic 326, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses, and made several consequential amendments to the Codification. Update 2016-13 also modified the accounting for available-for-sale debt securities, which must be individually assessed for credit losses when fair value is less than the amortized cost basis, in accordance with Subtopic 326-30, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses — Available-for-Sale Debt Securities. The amendments in this Update address those stakeholders’ concerns by providing an option to irrevocably elect the fair value option for certain financial assets previously measured at amortized cost basis. For those entities, the targeted transition relief will increase comparability of financial statement information by providing an option to align measurement methodologies for similar financial assets. Furthermore, the targeted transition relief also may reduce the costs for some entities to comply with the amendments in Update 2016-13 while still providing financial statement users with decision-useful information. In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-10, which to update the effective date of ASU No. 2016-02 for private companies, not-for-profit organizations and certain smaller reporting companies applying for credit losses, leases, and hedging standard. The new effective date for these preparers is for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. The Company has not early adopted this update and it will become effective on January 1, 2023. The adoption of ASU 2019-05 is not expected to have a material impact of on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

Other accounting standards that have been issued by FASB that do not require adoption until a future date are not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements upon adoption. The Company does not discuss recent standards that are not anticipated to have an impact on or are unrelated to its consolidated balance sheets, statements of income and comprehensive income, cash flows or disclosures.

 

F-20
Table of Contents

 

mF International Limited and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2021 and 2022

 

3. Accounts Receivable, net

 

Accounts receivable, net consisted of the following at December 31:

 

   2021   2022   2022 
   HK$   HK$   US$ 
Accounts receivable   681,230    1,630,469    208,994 
Less: allowance for doubtful accounts   -    (497,099)   (63,718)
Accounts receivable, net   681,230    1,133,370    145,276 

 

The movement of allowance for doubtful accounts are as follows:

 

   2021   2022   2022 
   HK$   HK$   US$ 
Balance at beginning of the year ended December 31   -    -    - 
Addition   -    497,099    63,718 
Balance at end of the year ended December 31   -    497,099    63,718 

 

4. Contract Liabilities

 

Contract liabilities consisted of the following at December 31:

 

   2021   2022   2022 
   HK$   HK$   US$ 
Billings in advance of performance obligation under contracts   5,474,175    4,199,173    538,252 

 

The Company’s contract liabilities include payments received in advance of performance under trading solution service contracts which will be recognized as revenue as the Company executed the trading solution services with customers under the contract, as well as the deferred installation and customization service fee received from trading solution services.

 

The movement in contract liabilities is as follows:

 

   2021   2022   2022 
   HK$   HK$   US$ 
Balance at beginning of the year ended December 31   10,153,594    5,474,175    701.682 
Decrease in contract liabilities as a result of recognizing revenue during the year was included in the contract liabilities at the beginning of the year   (10,153,594)   (5,474,175)   (701.682)
Increase in contract liabilities as a result of billings in advance of performance obligation under contracts   5,474,175    4.199.173    538.252 
                
Balance at end of the year ended December 31   5,474,175    4.199.173    538.252 

 

None of billings in advance of performance received that is expected to be recognized as income after more than one year.

 

F-21
Table of Contents

 

mF International Limited and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2021 and 2022

 

5. Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets consisted of the following as of December 31:

 

   2021   2022   2022 
   HK$   HK$   US$ 
Rental and utility deposits   967,103    479,076    61,408 
Prepayments   378,655    346,064    44,359 
    1,345,758    825,140    105,767 
Less: amount classified as long term deposit   (479,076)   (479,076)   (61,408)
Prepaid expense and other current asset   866,682    346,064    44,359 

 

6. Property and Equipment, net

 

Property and equipment, stated at cost less accumulated depreciation, consisted of the following as of December 31:

 

   2021   2022   2022 
   HK$   HK$   US$ 
Computer equipment   2,117,370    2,103,315    269,604 
Furniture and fixture   652,217    590,217    75,654 
Office equipment   90,057    90,057    11,544 
Leasehold improvements   652,073    652,073    83,583 
Less: accumulated depreciation   (3,207,960)   (3,312,357)   (424,580)
Net book value   303,757    123,305    15,805 

 

Depreciation expense of property and equipment totaled HK$253,063 and HK$222,173 (US$28,478) for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively.

 

7. Intangible Assets, net

 

Intangible assets, stated at cost less accumulated amortization, consisted of the following as of December 31:

 

   2021   2022   2022 
   HK$   HK$   US$ 
Software   221,382    223,381    28,633 
Internally developed software   52,805,509    58,540,105    7,503,699 
Less: accumulated amortization   (39,283,569)   (45,198,714)   (5,793,593)
    13,743,322    13,564,772    1,738,739 

 

Amortization expense of intangible assets totaled HK$5,996,618 and HK$6,160,391 (US$789,642) for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively. No impairment charge was recognized for any of the periods presented.

 

Amortization expense expected for the next five years is as follows:

 

Twelve months ending December 31,  HK$   US$ 
2023   4,361,264    559,029 
2024   2,346,839    300,819 
2025   2,784,174    356,876 
2026   2,378,434    304,869 
2027   1,694,061    217,146 
    13,564,772    1,738,739 

 

F-22
Table of Contents

 

mF International Limited and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2021 and 2022

 

8. Leases

 

The Company leases office under non-cancelable operating lease agreement. Pursuant to the new lease standard ASC 842-10-55, this lease is treated as operating leases. Management determined the incremental borrowing rate was 4.125% for the lease that began in 2019 and 4.0% for 2022. This lease is on a fixed payment basis. None of the leases include contingent rentals.

 

Description of lease  Lease term
Office in Wanchai, Hong Kong  3 years from January 31, 2019 to January 30, 2022
Office at Wanchai, Hong Kong  2 years from January 31, 2022 to January 30, 2024

 

(a) Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet:

 

   2021   2022   2022 
   HK$   HK$   US$ 
Right-of-use assets   138,222    1,730,717    221,844 
                
Operating lease liabilities - current   138,275    1,624,066    208,174 
Operating lease liabilities - non-current   -    138,289    17,726 
                
Weighted average remaining lease term (in years)   0.08    1.08      
Weighted average discount rate (%)   4.125    4.0      

 

(b) A summary of lease cost recognized in the Company’s consolidated statements of income and supplemental cash flow information related to operating leases is as follows:

 

   2021       2022   2022 
   HK$       HK$   US$ 
Amortization charge of right-of-use assets   1,658,667    1,601,824    205,322 
Interest of lease liabilities   42,192    93,435    11,977 
Cash paid for operating leases   1,665,000    1,663,674    213,251 
Operating lease right-of-use assets, obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities   -    3,194,319    409,449 

 

 

(c) The following table shows the remaining contractual maturities of the Company’s operating lease liabilities as of December 31, 2022:

 

   HK$   US$ 
2023   1,665,000    213,420 
2024   138,750    17,785 
Total future lease payments   1,803,275    231,205 
Less: imputed interest   (41,395)   (5,305)
Present value of operating lease liabilities   1,762,355    225,900 

 

F-23
Table of Contents

 

mF International Limited and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2021 and 2022

 

9. Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities

 

Components of accrued expenses and other current liabilities are as follows as of December 31:

 

   2021   2022   2022 
   HK$   HK$   US$ 
Other payables   6,123    -    - 
Accrued bonus   1,114,205    1,099,913    140,987 
Accrued legal and professional fee   430,787    201,380    25,813 
Accrued expenses   368,363    542,953    69,596 
    1,919,478    1,844,246    236,396 

 

10. Bank Borrowings

 

Components of bank borrowings are as follows as of December 31:

 

   2021   2022   2021 
   HK$   HK$   US$ 
Bank of Communications (Hong Kong) Limited – Loan 1 (1)   7,169,846    5,626,386    721,193 
Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited – Loan 2 (2)   5,000,000    4,321,239    553,898 
Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited – Loan 3 (3)   2,847,150    2,791,603    357,829 
Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited – Loan 4 (4)   1,000,000    881,170    112,949 
Total   16,016,996    13,620,398    1,745,869 
                
Less: current portion of long-term bank borrowings   (2,421,804)   (3,701,162)   (474,417)
Non-current portion of long-term bank borrowings   13,595,192    9,919,236    1,271,452 

 

(1)On April 25, 2019, m-FINANCE borrowed HK$11,000,000 as working capital for 7 years from April 25, 2019 to April 24, 2026 at an annual interest rate of 4.125% under the loan agreement with Bank of Communications (Hong Kong) Limited signed on April 16, 2019. The loan was secured by personal guarantee from Tai Wai (Stephen) Lam, who is the director and shareholder of the Company.

 

(2)On December 22, 2020, m-FINANCE borrowed HK$5,000,000 as working capital for 60 months from December 22, 2020 to December 22, 2025 at an annual interest rate of 2.75% under the loan agreement with Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited. The loan was secured by personal guarantees from Tai Wai (Stephen) Lam and Chi Weng Tam, who are the directors and shareholders of the Company.

 

(3)On November 2, 2021, mFTT borrowed HK$2,847,150 as working capital for 5 years from November 2, 2021 to November 2, 2026 at an annual interest rate of 2.75% under the loan agreement with Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited. The loan was secured by personal guarantees from Tai Wai (Stephen) Lam and Chi Weng Tam, who are the directors and shareholders of the Company.

 

(4)On May 31, 2021, m-FINANCE borrowed HK$1,000,000 as working capital for 5 years from May 31, 2021 to May 31, 2026 at an annual interest rate of 2.75% under the loan agreement with Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited. The loan was secured by personal guarantees from Tai Wai (Stephen) Lam and Chi Weng Tam, who are the directors and shareholders of the Company.

 

Interest expenses pertaining to the above bank borrowings for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022 amounted to HK$479,904 and HK$443,577 (US$56,858), respectively. The weighted average annual interest rate for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022 was 3.0% and 3.3%, respectively.

 

Maturities of the bank borrowings were as follows:

 

   HK$   US$ 
2023   4,164,584    533,818 
2024   4,164,584    533,818 
2025   4,164,584    533,818 
2026   2,073,359    265,764 
Total bank borrowings repayments   14,567,111    1,867,218 
Less: imputed interest   (946,713)   (121,349)
Total   13,620,398    1,745,869 

 

F-24
Table of Contents

 

mF International Limited and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2021 and 2022

 

11. Income Taxes

 

British Virgin Islands

 

Under the current and applicable laws of BVI, the Company is not subject to tax on income or capital gains.

 

China

 

The Company’s subsidiary, m-FINANCE Software (Shenzhen) Limited (“SZ WFOE”) established in the PRC is subject to PRC Enterprises Income Tax rate of 25% for both current year and prior year.

 

Hong Kong

 

In accordance with the relevant tax laws and regulations of Hong Kong, a company registered in Hong Kong is subject to income taxes within Hong Kong at the applicable tax rate on taxable income. From year of assessment of 2018/2019 onwards, Hong Kong profit tax rates are 8.25% on assessable profits up to HK$2,000,000, and 16.5% on any part of assessable profits over HK$2,000,000.

 

The components of the income tax provision are as follows:

 

   For the years ended December 31, 
   2021   2022   2022 
   HK$   HK$   US$ 
Current tax   -    229,355    29,399 
Deferred tax   431,630    158,490    20,315 
Total income tax expense   431,630    387,845    49,714 

 

The Company measures deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the difference between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities at the applicable tax rates. Components of the Company’s deferred tax asset and liability are as follows:

 

   For the years ended December 31, 
   2021   2022   2022 
   HK$   HK$   US$ 
Deferred tax assets:               
- Depreciation of property and equipment   63,921    85,519    10,962 
- Net operating loss carry forwards   286,750    -    - 
Total deferred tax assets   350,671    85,519    10,962 
Less: valuation allowance   (84,710)   -    - 
Deferred tax assets, net   265,961    85,519    10,962 
                
Deferred tax liabilities:               
- Amortization of capitalized development costs   (2,267,648)   (2,238,187)   (286,892)
Deferred tax liabilities, net   (2,001,687)   (2,152,668)   (275,930)

 

The Company evaluated the recoverable amounts of deferred tax assets, and provided a valuation allowance to the extent that future taxable profits will be available against which the net operating loss and temporary difference can be utilized. The Company considers both positive and negative factors when assessing the future realization of the deferred tax assets and applied weigh to the relative impact of the evidence to the extent it could be objectively verified.

 

As of December 31, 2021, the Company had net operating loss carry-forward of HK$1,224,498 (US$156,995), HK$267,257 (US$34,265) and HK$246,134 (US$31,557) from m-FINANCE, mFTT and OTX, respectively. These losses can offset future taxable income and can be carried forward indefinitely under the current tax legislation in Hong Kong. For the year ended December 2021, the Company believed that it was more likely than not that mFTT and OTX will be unable to fully utilize its deferred tax assets related to the net operating loss carry-forward in Hong Kong. As a result, the valuation allowance of HK$84,710 was recorded against the gross deferred tax asset balance as of December 31, 2021. As of December 31, 2022, the Company had fully utilized the net operating loss carry-forward from m-FINANCE, mFTT and OTX.

 

The Company recognized deferred tax liabilities related to taxable temporary differences arising on amortization of capitalized development costs. The deferred tax liabilities will reverse as the capitalized development costs are amortized.

 

F-25
Table of Contents

 

mF International Limited and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2021 and 2022

 

11. Income Taxes (Continued)

 

Reconciliation between the provision for income taxes computed by applying the Hong Kong Profits Tax rate of 16.5% to income before income taxes and the actual provision of income taxes is as follows:

 

   For the years ended December 31, 
   2021   2022   2022 
   HK$   HK$   US$ 
Profit before income taxes   10,781,225    7,206,444    923,725 
Hong Kong Profits Tax rate   16.5%   16.5%   16.5%
Income taxes computed at Hong Kong Profits Tax rate   1,778,902    1,189,063    152,415 
Reconciling items:               
Tax effect of income that is not taxable   (62,679)   (115,120)   (14,756)
Tax effect of expenses that are not deductible (2)   124,513    752,329    96,434 

The effect of tax rates in different tax jurisdictions

   (1,295)   8,250    1,057 
Research and development credit (1)   (1,478,363)   (1,318,956)   (169,064)
Effect of two-tier tax rate   

-

   

(85,438

)   

(10,952

)
Change in valuation allowance   

52,355

    

(84,710

)   

(10,858

)
Others   18,197    42,427    5,438 
Income tax expenses   431,630    387,845    49,714 

 

An uncertain tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination. The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized on examination. For tax positions not meeting the “more likely than not” test, no tax benefit is recorded. Penalties and interest incurred related to underpayment of income tax are classified as income tax expense in the period incurred. No significant penalties or interest relating to income taxes have been incurred during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022.

 

(1)Research and development credit was arising from the tax authority of Hong Kong provided enhanced tax deduction for expenditure incurred by enterprises on a qualifying research and development activity and enterprises will be able to enjoy additional tax deduction for expenditure incurred on domestic research and development.

 

Research and development expenditures eligible for deduction are classified into “Type A expenditures” which are qualified for 100 per cent deduction, and “Type B expenditures” which are qualified for the enhanced tax deduction. Type B expenditures have a two-tiered deduction regime. The deduction is 300 per cent for the first HK$2 million of the aggregate amount of payments made to designated local research institutions for qualifying research and development activities and expenditures incurred by enterprises from carrying out in-house qualifying research and development activities. The remaining amount is qualified for 200 per cent deduction. There is no cap on the amount of enhanced tax deduction and the deduction is applicable to all enterprises. Enterprises can claim the enhanced tax deduction in relation to the qualifying research and development expenditures on or after April 1, 2018. Since the Company’s expenditures on research and development were incurred from carrying out in-house qualifying research and development activities, its expenditures on research and development were eligible for deduction as Type B expenditures.

  

  (2) These non-deductible expenses are a result on non-deductible IPO expenses and change in fair value on financial assets at fair value.

  

12. Related Party Balance and Transactions

 

The following is a list of related parties which the Company has balances and transactions with:

 

(a)Tai Wai (Stephen) Lam, a director and a shareholder of the Company.
(b)Chi Weng Tam, a director and a shareholder of the Company.
(c)PrimeTime Global Technologies Limited, controlled by DTXS FinTech Holdings Limited.
(d)PrimeTime Global Markets Limited, controlled by DTXS PrimeTime Holdings Limited.
(e)DTXS Fintech Holdings Limited, controlled by Metallic Icon Limited.
(f)Metallic Icon Limited, controlled by Gaderway Investments Limited.
(g)DTXS PrimeTime Holdings Limited, controlled by Metallic Icon Limited.
(h)Gaderway Investments Limited, the shareholder of the Company.
(i)Digital Mind Holdings Limited, controlled by Metallic Icon Limited.

 

F-26
Table of Contents

 

mF International Limited and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2021 and 2022

 

a. Due from related parties

 

As of December 31, 2021 and 2022, the balances of amounts due from related parties were as follows:

 

      2021   2022   2022 
      HK$   HK$   US$ 
Tai Wai (Stephen) Lam (a)  (1)   5,794,360    -    - 
Chi Weng Tam (b)  (1)   3,338,543    -    - 
PrimeTime Global Technologies Limited (c)  (2)   160,825    -    - 
PrimeTime Global Markets Limited (d)  (3)   462,111    -    - 
DTXS Fintech Holdings Limited (e)  (4)   14,319,362    -    - 
Metallic Icon Limited (f)  (5)   58,172    -    - 
DTXS PrimeTime Holdings Limited (g)  (6)   35,970    -    - 
Gaderway Investments Limited (h)  (7)   62,300    -    - 
Digital Mind Holdings Limited (i)  (8)   -    -    - 
       24,231,643    -    - 

 

(1)The balance represented the advances to the directors. These amounts were unsecured, interest-free and repayable on demand. The outstanding balances have been assigned to Digital Mind Holdings Limited on June 29, 2022. The amounts due from related parties is presented as a reduction of the shareholder’s equity as of December 31, 2021 pursuant to the Codification of Staff Accounting Bulletins Topic 4, section G.
(2)The balance represented fund transfer which were unsecured, interest-free and repayable on demand. The outstanding balances have been assigned to Digital Mind Holdings Limited on June 29, 2022. The amounts due from related parties is presented as a reduction of the shareholder’s equity as of December 31, 2021 pursuant to the Codification of Staff Accounting Bulletins Topic 4, section G.
(3)The balance represented fund transfer which were unsecured, interest-free and repayable on demand. The outstanding balances have been assigned to Digital Mind Holdings Limited on June 29, 2022. The amounts due from related parties is presented as a reduction of the shareholder’s equity as of December 31, 2021 pursuant to the Codification of Staff Accounting Bulletins Topic 4, section G.
(4)The balance represented the expenses paid on behalf of DTXS Fintech Holdings Limited. These amounts were unsecured, interest-free and repayable on demand. The outstanding balances have been assigned to Digital Mind Holdings Limited on June 29, 2022. The amounts due from related parties is presented as a reduction of the shareholder’s equity as of December 31, 2021 pursuant to the Codification of Staff Accounting Bulletins Topic 4, section G.
(5)The balance represented the expenses paid on behalf of Metallic Icon Limited and fund transfer. These amounts were unsecured, interest-free and repayable on demand. The outstanding balances have been assigned to Digital Mind Holdings Limited on June 29, 2022. The amounts due from related parties is presented as a reduction of the shareholder’s equity as of December 31, 2021 pursuant to the Codification of Staff Accounting Bulletins Topic 4, section G.
(6)The balance represented the expenses paid on behalf of DTXS PrimeTime Holdings Limited. These amounts were unsecured, interest-free and repayable on demand. The outstanding balances have been assigned to Digital Mind Holdings Limited on June 29, 2022. The amounts due from related parties is presented as a reduction of the shareholder’s equity as of December 31, 2021 pursuant to the Codification of Staff Accounting Bulletins Topic 4, section G.
(7)The balance represented the expenses paid on behalf of Gaderway Investments Limited. These amounts were unsecured, interest-free and repayable on demand. The outstanding balances have been assigned to Digital Mind Holdings Limited on June 29, 2022. The amounts due from related parties is presented as a reduction of the shareholder’s equity as of December 31, 2021 pursuant to the Codification of Staff Accounting Bulletins Topic 4, section G.
(8)On June 29, 2022, m-FINANCE entered into a sale debt assignment agreement with Digital Mind Holdings Limited, the then shareholder of m-FINANCE, in which m-FINANCE consented to the assignment of amounts owed from the related parties, including Tai Wai (Stephen) Lam, Chi Weng Tam, PrimeTime Global Technologies Limited, PrimeTime Global Markets Limited, DTXS Fintech Holdings Limited, Metallic Icon Limited, DTXS PrimeTime Holdings Limited and Gaderway Investments Limited in the total amount of HK$22,615,322 (equivalent to US$2,898,843) to Digital Mind Holdings Limited. The amounts due from related parties is presented as a reduction of the shareholder’s equity pursuant to the Codification of Staff Accounting Bulletins Topic 4, section G. The amounts due from related parties presented as a reduction of the shareholder’s equity have been fully settled by (i) netting off the dividend payable in the amounts of HK$10,114,311 (equivalent to US$1,296,457) declared on August 15, 2022 and the remaining balance was settled in cash in August 2022.

 

F-27
Table of Contents

 

mF International Limited and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2021 and 2022

 

12. Related Party Balance and Transactions (Continued)

 

b. Accounts receivable – a related party

 

As of December 31, 2021 and 2022, the balances of accounts receivable from a related party were as follows:

 

      2021   2022   2022 
      HK$   HK$   US$ 
PrimeTime Global Technologies Limited (c)  (1)   -    242,379    31,068 

 

(1) The balance represented the accounts receivable from PrimeTime Global Technologies Limited for the subscription income and commission income. The balance as at December 31, 2022 has been settled subsequently. For details, please refer to “e. Related Party Transactions” below.

 

c. Due to related parties

 

As of December 31, 2021 and 2022, the balances of amounts due to related parties were as follows:

 

      2021   2022   2022 
       HK$    HK$    US$ 
Gaderway Investments Limited (h)  (1)   310,010    306,110    39,237 

 

(1)

The balance represented the amount advance to the Company. These amounts were unsecured, interest-free and repayable on demand.

 

d. Accrued expenses – a related party

 

As of December 31, 2021 and 2022, the balances of accrued expenses to a related party were as follows:

 

      2021   2022   2022 
      HK$   HK$   US$ 
PrimeTime Global Markets Limited (d)  (1)   -    290,160    37,193 

 

(1) The balance represented the accrued expenses to PrimeTime Global Markets Limited for the subscription fee. For details, please refer to “e. Related Party Transactions” below.

 

e. Related Party Transactions

 

For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, the related party transactions were as follows:

 

      2021   2022   2022 
   Note  HK$   HK$   US$ 
Outsourcing fee paid to PrimeTime Global Technologies Limited (c)  1   875,358    113,410    14,537 
Outsourcing fee paid to PrimeTime Global Markets Limited (d)  1   87,178    191,795    24,584 
Subscription fee paid to PrimeTime Global Markets Limited (d)  2   320,566    290,160    37,193 
Subscription fee received from PrimeTime Global Technologies Limited (c)  3   190,098    180,015    23,074 
Sales commission received from PrimeTime Global Technologies Limited (c)  4   284,646    235,194    30,147 

 

 

Notes:

 

1.The Company outsourced some works to the related parties, PrimeTime Global Markets Limited and PrimeTime Global Technologies Limited for handling software implementation work and supporting services including quality assurance, technical support and maintenance services for the Company and the related parties charged an outsourcing fee for providing such services. Since the Company wants to focus on its human resources for the developing new functions and upgrading existing functions, it outsources some of its ancillary works to related parties and independent third parties. The outsourcing fee was recorded as outsourcing fee in the cost of revenue.
2.PrimeTime Global Markets Limited charged the Company for a subscription fee when the Company used PrimeTime Global Markets Limited’s white label services. While PrimeTime Global Markets Limited provided white label hosting support services, the related party transaction is conducive to the stability of the operation of the Company’s white label services. The subscription fee was recorded as expense to net off against the sundry income as other income incurred over the same period.
3.The Company charged PrimeTime Global Technologies Limited for a subscription fee when it used the subscription services of the Company. The subscription income was recorded as revenue.
4.The Company charged PrimeTime Global Technologies Limited for sales commission from business referred by the Company. The Company will charge a commission fee at an agreed percentage from the sales amount referred by the Company to PrimeTime Global Technologies Limited. The sales commission was recorded as commission income in the other income.

 

f. Personal guarantees from related parties for bank loans

 

Tai Wai (Stephen) Lam and Chi Weng Tam, the directors and shareholders of the Company, have jointly or severally provided personal guarantees for several bank loans of the Company. For details, please refer to Note 10.

 

13. Shareholders’ Equity

 

Ordinary shares

 

The Company was established under the laws of the British Virgin Islands on June 15, 2022. The Company is authorized to issue an unlimited number of Ordinary Shares of no par value. On June 15, 2022, the Company issued 50,000 shares to the controlling shareholder at no par value. On August 11, 2023, the Company’s sole shareholder, Gaderway Investments Limited, approved a share split of its outstanding Ordinary Shares at a ratio of 1:231.7, which became effective immediately, resulting in 11,585,000 ordinary shares issued and outstanding after the share split. All shares and per share amounts used herein and in the accompanying consolidated financial statements have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the share split pursuant to ASC 260-10-55-12.

 

As a result, there are total 11,585,000 shares issued and outstanding. The issuance of these 11,585,000 ordinary shares is considered as part of the Reorganization of the Company, which was retrospectively applied as if the transaction occurred at the beginning of the period presented (see Note 1).

 

On March 23, 2022, m-FINANCE declared an interim dividend of HK$0.863 per share (equivalent to US$0.111 per share), or HK$10,000,000 in aggregate (equivalent to US$1,281,805), to its shareholder, which was settled by cash on March 24, 2022. On June 30, 2022, m-FINANCE declared an interim dividend of HK$0.691 per share (equivalent to US$0.089 per share) or HK$8,000,000 (equivalent to US$1,025,444), to its shareholder, and the amount of the dividend payable was concurrently settled by netting off the outstanding amounts due from related parties. On August 15, 2022, m-FINANCE declared an interim dividend of HK$0.873 per share (equivalent to US$0.112 per share) or HK$10,114,311 in aggregate (equivalent to US$1,296,457), to its shareholder, and the dividend payable was concurrently settled by netting off the outstanding amounts due from the related parties. The amounts due from related parties is presented as a reduction of the shareholder’s equity pursuant to the Codification of Staff Accounting Bulletins Topic 4, section G.

 

F-28
Table of Contents

 

mF International Limited and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2021 and 2022

 

14. Commitments and Contingencies

 

Commitments

 

As of December 31, 2022, the Company did not have any significant capital and other commitments.

 

Contingencies

 

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic and there is a resurgence in 2022. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in quarantines, travel restrictions, limitations on social or public gatherings, and the temporary closure of business venues and facilities across the world. The negative impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak on the Company’s business include: (i) the uncertain economic conditions may deter clients from engaging our services; (ii) quarantines impeded its ability to contact existing and new clients. Travel restrictions limited other parties’ ability to visit and meet us in person. Although most communication could be achieved via video calls, this form of remote communication could be less effective in building trust and communicating with existing and new clients; and (iii) the operations of the clients of the Company have been and could continue to be negatively impacted by the epidemic, which may in turn adversely impact their business performance, and result in a decreased demand for its services.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, some of the Company’s customers were lost, since certain small-sized customers had to shut down their businesses as a result of the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to their profitability. While COVID-19 may have significant impact in the Company’s business, the prolonged phenomenon of COVID-19 and the effects of mutations in the virus, both in terms of extent and intensity of the pandemic, together with their impact on the Company’s industry and the macroeconomic situations are still difficult to anticipate and may pose substantial uncertainties. In the event the health and economic environment does not improve, or there is no significant recovery in the regions where the clients of the Company are served or operate, the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected. Considering the balance between infection risks and resumption of economic and livelihood impetus, the Hong Kong government canceled isolation orders to infected persons beginning January 30, 2023. All mandatory mask-wearing requirements were lifted with effect beginning March 1, 2023. Starting April 1, 2023, Hong Kong terminated its pre-departure COVID-19 testing requirement for overseas travelers, ending all pandemic-related restrictions on visitors entering the city. The Company will continuously assess and adopt measures to offset any challenges created by the pandemic.

 

In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to contingencies, including legal proceedings and claims arising out of the business that relate to a wide range of matters, such as government investigations and tax matters. The Company recognizes a liability for such contingency if it determines it is probable that a loss has occurred and a reasonable estimate of the loss can be made.

 

On December 20, 2021, m-FINANCE entered into a settlement agreement with one of its clients for HK$2,650,000 to settle a contractual dispute that occurred during the year ended December 31, 2021 in relation to a project for which an agreement could not be reached with the customer for the final software specifications, and has been fully settled in cash as of December 31, 2021.

 

15. Segment Reporting

 

ASC 280, “Segment Reporting”, establishes standards for reporting information about operating segments on a basis consistent with the Company’s internal organizational structure as well as information about geographical areas, business segments and major customers in financial statements for details on the Company’s business segments.

 

The Company uses the management approach to determine reportable operating segments. The management approach considers the internal organization and reporting used by the Company’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) for making decisions, allocating resources and assessing performance.

 

Based on the management’s assessment, the Company determined that it has only one operating segment and therefore one reportable segment as defined by ASC 280. The Company’s assets are all located in Hong Kong and all of the Company’s revenue, based on the location of services, and expense are derived in the Hong Kong. Therefore, no geographical segments are presented.

 

16. Subsequent Events

 

On March 27, 2023, the Company declared an interim dividend of HK$0.218 per share (equivalent to US$0.028 per share), or HK$2,528,413 in aggregate (equivalent to US$324,093), to its shareholder, which was settled by cash on the same day. On July 31, 2023, the Company declared an interim dividend of HK$0.242 per share (equivalent to US$0.031 per share), or HK$2,800,800 in aggregate (equivalent to US$359,008), to its shareholder, which was settled by cash on the same day.

 

The Company evaluated all events and transactions that occurred after December 31, 2022 up through the date the Company issued the consolidated financial statements. Other than the event disclosed above, there was no other subsequent event occurred that would require recognition or disclosure in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

F-29
Table of Contents

 


Until            , 2023, all dealers that effect transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this Offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers’ obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriter and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.

 

1,876,108 Ordinary Shares

 

 

 

 

mF International Limited

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prospectus dated [●], 2023

 

 
Table of Contents

 

The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell nor does it seek an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to Completion, dated August 22, 2023

 

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS

 

2,317,000 Ordinary Shares

mF INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

 

This prospectus relates to the resale of 2,317,000 Shareholders Ordinary Shares by the Selling Shareholders, based on an assumed initial public offering price of $[●]. The Company will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the Ordinary Shares by the Selling Shareholders named in this prospectus. The Company is registering on the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part a total of 4,193,108 Ordinary Shares, based on an assumed initial public offering price of US$[●]. Of the Ordinary Shares being registered, 2,317,000 Shareholders Ordinary Shares are being registered for resale by the Selling Shareholders, and 1,876,108 Public Offering Ordinary Shares, assuming no exercise of the underwriter’s option to purchase additional Ordinary Shares, are being registered for sale in connection with an initial public offering by the Company and resale by the Underwritten Selling Shareholder, in each case, based on an assumed initial public offering price of US$[●] per Ordinary Share. The offering of the Public Offering Ordinary Shares is being made on a firm commitment basis. Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our Ordinary Shares.

 

The sales price to the public of the Public Offering Ordinary Shares and the Shareholders Ordinary Shares will be fixed at the initial public offering price per Public Offering Ordinary Share until such time as our Ordinary Shares are listed on Nasdaq; thereafter, the Shareholders Ordinary Shares may be sold at prevailing market prices, prices related to prevailing market prices or at privately negotiated prices. The Company will not receive any proceeds from the sale of any of the 2,317,000 Shareholders Ordinary Shares sold by the Selling Shareholders. The offering of the Shareholders Ordinary Shares by the Selling Shareholders will terminate at the earlier of such time as all of the Shareholders Ordinary Shares have been sold pursuant to the registration statement and the date on which it is no longer necessary to maintain the registration of the Shareholders Ordinary Shares as a result of such Ordinary Shares being permitted to be offered and resold without restriction pursuant to the provisions of Rule 144 of the Securities Act, and the offering of the Shareholders Ordinary Shares may extend for a longer period of time than the offering of the Public Offering Ordinary Shares. The Shareholders Ordinary Shares will be resold from time to time by the Selling Shareholders.

 

The Company has applied to list the Ordinary Shares on Nasdaq under the symbol “[●].” It is a condition to the closing of this offering that the Ordinary Shares qualify for listing on Nasdaq and there is no guarantee or assurance that Ordinary Shares will be approved for listing on Nasdaq. At this time, Nasdaq has not yet approved our application to list our Ordinary Shares.

 

Investing in our Ordinary Shares involves a high degree of risk, including the risk of losing your entire investment. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 12 of this prospectus to read about factors you should consider before buying our Ordinary Shares.

 

The Company is an “emerging growth company” as defined under the federal securities laws and will be subject to reduced public company reporting requirements. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure — We are an “emerging growth company” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and if we take advantage of certain exemptions from disclosure requirements available to emerging growth companies, this could make it more difficult to compare our performance with other public companies” on page 17 of this prospectus.

 

Following the completion of this offering, Gaderway Investments Limited, our largest shareholder, will beneficially own approximately 63.33% of the aggregate voting power of our issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares, assuming no exercise of the underwriter’s over-allotment option, or approximately 62.16% assuming full exercise of the underwriter’s over-allotment option. As such, the Company will be deemed to be a “controlled company” under NASDAQ Listing Rules 5615(c). However, even if the Company is deemed to be a “controlled company,” the Company does not intend to avail ourselves of the corporate governance exemptions afforded to a “controlled company” under the NASDAQ Listing Rules. See “Risk Factors” on page 12 and “Management — Controlled Company.” on page 74 of this prospectus.

 

Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

The date of this prospectus is             , 2023

 

 
Table of Contents

 

THE OFFERING

 

Ordinary Shares offered by us   0 Ordinary Shares
     
Ordinary Shares offered by the Selling Shareholders   2,317,000 Ordinary Shares
     
Ordinary Shares outstanding prior to completion of this Offering  
11,585,000 Ordinary Shares
     
Ordinary Shares outstanding immediately after this Offering  

13,240,000 Ordinary Shares, assuming no exercise of the underwriter’s over-allotment option

 

13,488,250 Ordinary Shares, assuming full exercise of the underwriter’s over-allotment option

     
Use of proceeds   The Company will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the Ordinary Shares by the Selling Shareholders named in this prospectus.

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

The Company will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the Ordinary Shares by the Selling Shareholders. In addition, the underwriter will not receive any compensation from the sale of the Ordinary Shares by the Selling Shareholders. The Selling Shareholders will receive all of the net proceeds from the sales of the Shareholders Ordinary Shares under this prospectus. The Company has agreed to bear the expenses relating to the registration of the Ordinary Shares for the Selling Shareholders.

 

SELLING SHAREHOLDERS

 

The following table sets forth the names of the Selling Shareholders, the number of our Ordinary Shares that the Selling Shareholders beneficially owned prior to the offering for resale of the shares under this prospectus and the maximum number of our Ordinary Shares that may be offered for resale for the account of the Selling Shareholders pursuant to the Public Offering Prospectus and the Resale Prospectus. The table also provides information regarding the number and percentage of our Ordinary Shares beneficially owned by the Selling Shareholders after the offering of the shares as adjusted to reflect the assumed sale of all of the Ordinary Shares offered under the Public Offering Prospectus and the Resale Prospectus.

 

None of the Selling Shareholders has had any position, office or other material relationship within past three years with the Company. None of the Selling Shareholders is a broker-dealer or an affiliate of a broker-dealer. For the Ordinary Shares to be offered by the Selling Shareholders, they do not have an agreement or understanding to distribute any of the Ordinary Shares being registered. Each Selling Shareholder may offer for sale from time to time any or all of the Ordinary Shares. The table below assumes that the Selling Shareholders will sell all of the Ordinary Shares offered for sale by the Resale Prospectus.

 

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and generally requires that such person have voting or investment power with respect to securities. In computing the number of Ordinary Shares beneficially owned by a person listed below and the percentage ownership of such person, Ordinary Shares underlying options, warrants, or convertible securities held by each such person that are exercisable or convertible within 60 days of the date of this prospectus are deemed outstanding, but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage ownership of any other person.

 

The Company may require the Selling Shareholders to suspend the sales of Ordinary Shares offered by this prospectus upon the occurrence of any event that makes any statement in this prospectus or the related registration statement untrue in any material respect or that requires the changing of statements in these documents in order to make statements in those documents not misleading.

 

 
Table of Contents

 

Name of the Selling Shareholders  Ordinary Shares Beneficially Owned Prior to Offering(1)   Percentage Ownership Prior to Offering(2)   Maximum Number of Resale Shares to be Sold(3)   Number of Ordinary Shares Owned After Offering   Percentage Ownership After Offering 
Money Link Developments Limited(4)   496,500    4.29%   496,500          0            0%
AKB Finance Limited(5)   496,500    4.29%   496,500    0    0%
Magic Town Investments Limited(6)   331,000    2.86%   331,000    0    0%
Glitter Win International Limited(7)   331,000    2.86%   331,000    0    0%
Cheng Man Lee(8)   331,000    2.86%   331,000    0    0%
Ma Man Hung(9)   331,000    2.86%   331,000    0    0%

 

(1) For the purpose of this table only, the offering refers to the resale of the Ordinary Shares by the Selling Shareholders listed above, assuming the closing of our initial public offering.
(2) Based on 11,585,000 Ordinary Shares outstanding as of the date of this prospectus.
(3) This number represents all of the Ordinary Shares that the Selling Shareholders may resell, as applicable, all of which the Company agreed to register.
(4) Money Link Developments Limited, holds voting and/or dispositive power over 496,500 Ordinary Shares. The principal business address of Money Link Developments Limited is: Vistra Corporate Services Centre, Wickham Cay II, Road Town, Tortola, VG1110, British Virgin Islands.
(5) AKB Finance Limited, holds voting and/or dispositive power over 496,500 Ordinary Shares. The principal business address of AKB Finance Limited is: Vistra Corporate Services Centre, Ground Floor NPF Building, Beach Road, Apia, Samoa.
(6) Magic Town Investments Limited, holds voting and/or dispositive power over 331,000 Ordinary Shares. The principal business address of Magic Town Investments Limited is: Quijano Chambers, P.O. Box 3159, Road Town, Tortola, VG1110, British Virgin Islands.
(7) Glitter Win International Limited, holds voting and/or dispositive power over 331,000 Ordinary Shares. The principal business address of Glitter Win International Limited is: Sea Meadow House, P.O. Box 116, Road Town, Tortola, VG1110, British Virgin Islands.
(8) Cheng Man Lee, holds voting and/or dispositive power over 331,000 Ordinary Shares. The principal business address of Cheng Man Lee is: House 33, Palm Drive, The Green, Fanling, Hong Kong.
(9) Ma Man Hung, holds voting and/or dispositive power over 331,000 Ordinary Shares. The principal business address of Ma Man Hung is: Rm L, 11/F, Hop Woo Bldg, 175 Hip Wo St, Kwun Tong, Kln, Hong Kong.

 

 
Table of Contents

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

The Selling Shareholders and any of their pledgees, donees, assignees and successors-in-interest may, from time to time, after the effective date of the registration statement of which this Resale Prospectus forms a part, sell any or all of their Ordinary Shares being offered under this Resale Prospectus on any stock exchange, market or trading facility on which our Ordinary Shares are traded or in private transactions. These sales may be at fixed or negotiated prices. The Selling Shareholders will not offer for sale the Shareholder Ordinary Shares covered by the Resale Prospectus at the initial public offering price of the Public Offering Ordinary Shares until such time as the Ordinary Shares are listed on Nasdaq. Thereafter, the Selling Shareholders may sell their respective Shareholder Ordinary Shares covered by the Resale Prospectus from time to time, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to market prices, at a fixed price or prices subject to change or at negotiated prices, or in any manner permitted by the Securities Act, including any one or more of the following ways:

 

  ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits purchasers;
     
  block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the Ordinary Shares as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;
     
  purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resales by the broker-dealer for its account;
     
  an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable exchange;
     
  privately negotiated transactions;
     
  to cover short sales made after the date that the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part is declared effective by the SEC;
     
  broker-dealers may agree with the Selling Shareholders to sell a specified number of such Ordinary Shares at a stipulated price per share;
     
  a combination of any of these methods of sale; and
     
  any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law.

 

The Ordinary Shares may also be sold under Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, if available for a Selling Shareholder, rather than under this prospectus. The Selling Shareholders have the sole and absolute discretion not to accept any purchase offer or make any sale of Ordinary Shares if they deem the purchase price to be unsatisfactory at any particular time.

 

The Selling Shareholders may pledge their Ordinary Shares to their brokers under the margin provisions of customer agreements. If a Selling Shareholder defaults on a margin loan, the broker may, from time to time, offer and sell the pledged Ordinary Shares.

 

Broker-dealers engaged by the Selling Shareholders may arrange for other broker-dealers to participate in sales. Broker-dealers may receive commissions or discounts from the Selling Shareholders (or, if any broker-dealer acts as agent for the purchaser of Ordinary Shares, from the purchaser) in amounts to be negotiated, which commissions as to a particular broker or dealer may be in excess of customary commissions to the extent permitted by applicable law.

 

If sales of Ordinary Shares offered under the Resale Prospectus are made to broker-dealers as principals, the Company would be required to file a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which the Resale Prospectus forms a part. In the post-effective amendment, the Company would be required to disclose the names of any participating broker- dealers and the compensation arrangements relating to such sales.

 

The Selling Shareholders and any broker-dealers or agents that are involved in selling the Ordinary Shares offered under the Resale Prospectus may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act in connection with these sales. Commissions received by these broker-dealers or agents and any profit on the resale of the Ordinary Shares purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. Any broker-dealers or agents that are deemed to be underwriters may not sell Ordinary Shares offered under the Resale Prospectus unless and until the Company sets forth the names of the underwriters and the material details of their underwriting arrangements in a supplement to the Resale Prospectus or, if required, in a replacement prospectus included in a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which the Resale Prospectus forms a part.

 

 
Table of Contents

 

The Selling Shareholders and any other persons participating in the sale or distribution of the Ordinary Shares offered under the Resale Prospectus will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations under that act, including Regulation M. These provisions may restrict activities of, and limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of the Ordinary Shares by, the Selling Shareholders or any other person. Furthermore, under Regulation M, persons engaged in a distribution of securities are prohibited from simultaneously engaging in market making and other activities with respect to those securities for a specified period of time prior to the commencement of such distributions, subject to specified exceptions or exemptions. All of these limitations may affect the marketability of the securities.

 

The Selling Shareholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions. In connection with such transactions, broker-dealers or other financial institutions may engage in short sales of the Ordinary Shares in the course of hedging transactions, broker-dealers or other financial institutions may engage in short sales of the Ordinary Shares in the course of hedging the positions they assume with a Selling Shareholder. The Selling Shareholders may also sell the Shareholders Ordinary Shares short and redeliver the securities to close out such short positions. The Selling Shareholders may also enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions which require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other financial institution of the Shareholders Ordinary Shares offered by the Resale Prospectus, which shares such broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to such prospectus, as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction to the extent required. The Selling Shareholders may also pledge the Shareholders Ordinary Shares offered hereby to a broker- dealer or other financial institution, and, upon a default, such broker-dealer or other financial institution, may effect sales of the pledged Shareholders Ordinary Shares pursuant to the Resale Prospectus, as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction to the extent required.

 

The Selling Shareholders may enter into derivative transactions with third parties or sell their respective Shareholder Ordinary Shares to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell the Shareholders Ordinary Shares covered by the Resale Prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use the Shareholders Ordinary Shares pledged by a Selling Shareholder or borrowed from a Selling Shareholder or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock and may use such Shareholders Ordinary Shares received from such Selling Shareholders in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and, if not identified in the Resale Prospectus, will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment).

 

The Company may authorize underwriters, dealers and agents to solicit from third parties offers to purchase the Shareholders Ordinary Shares under contracts providing for payment and delivery on future dates. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the material terms of these contracts, including any conditions to the purchasers’ obligations, and will include any required information about commissions the Company may pay for soliciting these contracts.

 

In connection with the offering of the Shareholders Ordinary Shares, underwriters may purchase and sell the Ordinary Shares in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover positions created by short sales. Short sales involve the sale by underwriters of a greater number of shares than they are required to purchase in connection with the offering of the Shareholders Ordinary Shares. “Covered” short sales are sales made in an amount not greater than the underwriters’ option to purchase additional Ordinary Shares from the Selling Shareholders in the offering of the Shareholders Ordinary Shares. Such underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising their option to purchase additional Ordinary Shares or purchasing the Ordinary Shares in the open market. In determining the source of the Ordinary Shares to close out the covered short position, such underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of the Ordinary Shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase the Ordinary Shares through an over-allotment option, if any. “Naked” short sales are any sales in excess of such option. Such underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing the Ordinary Shares 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 Ordinary Shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase the Ordinary Shares in the offering of the Shareholders Ordinary Shares. Stabilizing transactions consist of various bids for or purchases of the Ordinary Shares made by such underwriters in the open market prior to the completion of the offering of the Shareholders Ordinary Shares.

 

 
Table of Contents

 

Such underwriters may also impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to other underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the representatives have repurchased the Ordinary Shares sold by or for the account of such underwriter in stabilizing or short covering transactions.

 

Purchases to cover a short position and stabilizing transactions may have the effect of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the Ordinary Shares, and together with the imposition of the penalty bid, may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the Ordinary Shares. As a result, the price of the Ordinary Shares may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market. If these activities are commenced, they may be discontinued at any time.

 

In addition, a Selling Shareholder that is an entity may elect to make a pro rata in-kind distribution of securities to its members, partners or stockholders pursuant to the registration statement of which the Resale Prospectus forms a part by delivering a prospectus. Such members, partners or stockholders would thereby receive freely tradeable Ordinary Shares pursuant to the distribution through such registration statement. To the extent a distributee is an affiliate of ours (or to the extent otherwise required by law), the Company may file a prospectus supplement in order to permit the distributees to use such prospectus to resell such Ordinary Shares acquired in such distribution.

 

The Shareholders Ordinary Shares covered by the Resale Prospectus may also be sold in private transactions or under Rule 144 under the Securities Act rather than pursuant to such prospectus.

 

If any of the Ordinary Shares offered for sale pursuant to the Resale Prospectus are transferred other than pursuant to a sale under the Resale Prospectus, then subsequent holders could not use the Resale Prospectus until a post-effective amendment or prospectus supplement is filed, naming such holders. The Company offers no assurance as to whether any of the Selling Shareholders will sell all or any portion of the Ordinary Shares offered under the Resale Prospectus.

 

The Company has agreed to pay all fees and expenses it incurs incident to the registration of the Ordinary Shares being offered under the Resale Prospectus. However, each Selling Shareholder and purchaser is responsible for paying any discounts, and similar selling expenses they incur.

 

The Company and the Selling Shareholders have agreed to indemnify one another against certain losses, damages and liabilities arising in connection with the Resale Prospectus, including liabilities under the Securities Act. 

 

 
Table of Contents

 

2,317,000 ORDINARY SHARES

TO BE SOLD BY THE SELLING SHAREHOLDERS

 

mF INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          , 2023

 

Until [●], 2023 (the 25th day after the date of this prospectus), all dealers that effect transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers’ obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.

 

 
Table of Contents

 

PART II

 

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

 

Our Memorandum and Articles, which became effective on June 15, 2022, empowers us to indemnify our directors and officers against certain liabilities they incur by reason of their being a director or officer of our Company.

 

We have also entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers in connection with this Offering. Under these agreements, we have agreed to indemnify our directors and executive officers against certain liabilities and expenses incurred by such persons in connection with claims made by reason of their being a director or officer of our Company.

 

The underwriting agreement in connection with this Offering also provides for indemnification of us and our officers, directors or persons controlling us for certain liabilities.

 

We intend to obtain directors’ and officer’s liability insurance coverage that will cover certain liabilities of directors and officers of our Company arising out of claims based on acts or omissions in their capacities as directors or officers.

 

ITEM 7. RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES.

 

On June 15, 2022, we issued 50,000 Ordinary Shares to Gaderway Investments Limited to the exemption from registration available under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Regulation S promulgated thereunder. No underwriters were involved in these issuances of securities.

 

Securities/Purchaser 

Date of

Issuance

   Number of Securities   Consideration 
Ordinary Shares               
Gaderway Investments Limited   June 15, 2022    50,000    US$500 

 

On August 11, 2023, our sole shareholder, Gaderway Investments Limited, approved a share split of our outstanding Ordinary Shares at a ratio of 1:231.7, which became effective immediately, resulting in 11,585,000 ordinary shares issued and outstanding after the share split. All references to Ordinary Shares, options to purchase Ordinary Shares, share data, per share data, and related information have been retroactively adjusted, where applicable, in this prospectus to reflect the split of our Ordinary Shares as if it had occurred at the beginning of the earlier period presented.

 

After the share split of our Ordinary Shares effective on August 11, 2023, on August 11, 2023, Gaderway Investments Limited respectively entered into instruments of transfer with seven investors (the “Investors”), whereby Gaderway Investments Limited sold an aggregate of 2,979,000 Ordinary Shares to the Investors for the aggregate consideration of $7,447,500.

 

The following table sets forth the breakdown of the foregoing transactions among Gaderway Investments Limited and the Investors:

 

Name of the Investors  Number of Ordinary Shares Sold/Purchased   Consideration 
Lo Wing Sang   662,000   $1,655,000 
Money Link Developments Limited   496,500   $1,241,250 
AKB Finance Limited   496,500   $1,241,250 
Magic Town Investments Limited   331,000   $827,500 
Glitter Win International Limited   331,000   $827,500 
Cheng Man Lee   331,000   $827,500 
Ma Man Hung   331,000   $827,500 

 

 
Table of Contents

 

ITEM 8. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

 

(a) Exhibits

 

See the Exhibit Index attached to this registration statement, which is incorporated by reference herein.

 

(b) Financial Statement Schedules

 

Schedules have been omitted because the information required to be set forth therein is not applicable or is shown in the Consolidated Financial Statements or the Notes thereto.

 

ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions described in Item 6, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission 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.
    
  (3)For the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.
    
  (4)For the purpose of determining any liability of the registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
  (i)Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
    
  (ii)Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
    
  (iii)The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
    
  (iv)Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

 

 
Table of Contents

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.   Description
1.1   Form of Underwriting Agreement**
3.1   Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, effective dated [  ], 2023**
4.1   Specimen Certificate for Ordinary Shares*
5.1   Form of Opinion of Ogier regarding the validity of the Ordinary Shares being registered*
8.1   Form of Opinion of Ogier as to BVI tax matters (included in Exhibit 5.1)*
8.2   Opinion of Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li LLC regarding certain U.S. Federal Income Taxation matters*
8.3   Opinion of Zhong Lun Law Firm*
8.4   Opinion of Winston & Strawn as to Hong Kong tax matters (included in Exhibit 99.7)*
10.1   Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Registrant and its directors and executive officers*
10.2   Form of Employment Agreement between the Registrant and its executive Directors*
10.3   2022 Equity Incentive Plan*
10.4   Instruments of Transfer among Gaderway and the Investors dated August 11, 2023*
16.1   Letter of Friedman LLP to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission*
21.1   Subsidiaries*
23.1   Consent of Friedman LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm*
23.2   Consent of Marcum Asia CPAs LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm*
23.3   Consent of Ogier (included in Exhibit 5.1)*
23.4   Consent of Winston & Strawn (included in Exhibit 99.7)*
23.5   Consent of Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li LLC (included in Exhibit 8.2)*
23.6   Consent of Zhong Lun Law Firm (included in in Exhibit 8.3)*
24.4   Powers of Attorney (included on signature page)*
99.1   Code of Business Conduct and Ethics of the Registrant*
99.2   Consent of Chi Weng Tam *
99.3   Consent of Sum (Philip) Cheng *
99.4   Consent of Lai Sum (Christina) Liu *
99.5   Consent of Kit Ying (Jenny) Law*
99.6   Consent of Sui Yee Yeung *
99.7   Opinion of Winston & Strawn regarding certain Hong Kong Legal Matters*
107   Filing Fee*

 

 

 

*Filed herewith
**To be filed by amendment

 

 
Table of Contents

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form F-1 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Hong Kong, on August 22, 2023.

 

  mF International Limited
   
  By: /s/ Tai Wai (Stephen) Lam
    Tai Wai (Stephen) Lam
    Chairman and Executive Director
    (Principal Executive Officer)

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Tai Wai (Stephen) Lam, Chi Weng Tam and Sui Yee Yeung as attorneys-in-fact with full power of substitution, for him or her in any and all capacities, to do any and all acts and all things and to execute any and all instruments which said attorney and agent may deem necessary or desirable to enable the registrant to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of ordinary shares of the registrant (the “Shares”), including, without limitation, the power and authority to sign the name of each of the undersigned in the capacities indicated below to the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (the “Registration Statement”) to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to such Shares, to any and all amendments or supplements to such Registration Statement, whether such amendments or supplements are filed before or after the effective date of such Registration Statement, to any related Registration Statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, and to any and all instruments or documents filed as part of or in connection with such Registration Statement or any and all amendments thereto, whether such amendments are filed before or after the effective date of such Registration Statement; and each of the undersigned hereby ratifies and confirms all that such attorney and agent shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature   Title   Date
         
/s/ Tai Wai (Stephen) Lam   Chairman and Executive Director   August 22, 2023
Name: Tai Wai (Stephen) Lam   (Principal Executive Officer)    
         
/s/ Chi Weng Tam   Executive Director   August 22, 2023
Name: Chi Weng Tam        
         
/s/ Sui Yee Yeung   Chief Financial Officer Nominee   August 22, 2023
Name: Sui Yee Yeung  

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

   

 

 
Table of Contents

 

SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE IN THE UNITED STATES

 

Pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933 as amended, the undersigned, the duly authorized representative in the United States of America, has signed this registration statement thereto in New York, NY, on August 22, 2023.

 

  By:

Cogency Global Inc.

Authorized U.S. Representative

     
    /s/ Colleen A. De Vries
  Name:

Colleen A. De Vries

  Title:

Senior Vice President on behalf of Cogency Global Inc.

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 4.1

 

SHARE CERTIFICATE

 

Number of certificate   Number of shares
     

 

 

 

   

 

mF INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

COMPANY NUMBER [NUMBER]

 

This is to certify that [Name] of [Address] is the registered holder of [Number] [Share Class] shares of [Value] each being [partly paid to the extent of [amount in words] [amount in numerals] per share]]/[fully paid][and numbered [number]] in the above-named company, subject to the memorandum and articles of association of the company.

 

[Transfer date]

 

     
Director   Director/Secretary

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 5.1

 

 

 

mF International Limited

Vistra Corporate Services Centre

Wickhams Cay II

PO Box 3170

Road Town

Tortola, VG1110

British Virgin Islands

  D +1 284 852 7309
  E michael.killourhy@ogier.com
   
  Reference: 502856.00002/MJK/DM
   
    22 August 2023

 

Dear Sirs

 

mF International Limited, incorporated in the British Virgin Islands with company number 2100955 (the Company)

 

We have acted as counsel as to British Virgin Islands law to the Company in connection with the Company’s registration statement on Form F-1 (the Registration Statement), including all amendments or supplements to such form filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), related to: (a) initial public offering (the Public Offering) of 1,876,108 ordinary shares of no par value each (Ordinary Shares) in the Company, comprising 1,655,000 new Ordinary Shares to be issued and sold directly by the Company (the Company Public Offering Shares) and 221,108 existing issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares in the Company (the Underwritten Selling Shareholder Public Offering Shares and together with the Company Public Offer Shares, the Public Offering Shares) being offered and sold by Gaderway Investments Limited (the Underwritten Selling Shareholder); and (b) the registration, offering and potential resale (the Resale) of an aggregate of 2,317,000 existing issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares in the Company (the Selling Shareholders Resale Shares) by Money Link Developments Limited, AKB Finance Limited, Magic Town Investments Limited, Glitter Win International Limited, Cheng Man Lee and Ma Man Hung (together the Selling Shareholders).

 

We understand that the Public Offering Shares will be sold on a firm commitment basis by Pacific Century Securities, LLC as the underwriter of the Public Offering.

 

This opinion is given in accordance with the terms of the legal matters section of the Registration Statement.

 

1 Documents

 

In preparing this opinion, we have reviewed copies of the following documents:

 

(a) the Registration Statement;

 

(b) (i) the constitutional documents and public records of the Company obtained from the Registry of Corporate Affairs in the British Virgin Islands on 22 August 2023;
     
  (ii) the public information revealed from searches (the Court Searches) of the electronic records of the Civil Division and the Commercial Division of the Registry of the High Court and of the Court of Appeal (Virgin Islands) Register, each from 1 January 2000, as maintained on the Judicial Enforcement Management System (JEMS) by the Registry of the High Court of the Virgin Islands on 22 August 2023,

 

(each of the searches in (b)(i) and (ii) together and including as both updated on 28 July 2023, the Public Records);

 

 
 

 

(c) a registered agent’s certificate issued by the Company’s registered agent dated 16 August 2023 (the Registered Agent’s Certificate);
   
(d) a copy of the revised register of members of the Company updated as at 11 August 2023 (the RoM);
   
(e) written resolutions of the directors of the Company dated 11 August 2023 and 22 August 2023 approving, inter alia and respectively, certain transactions in relation to the Ordinary Shares in advance of the Public Offering and the Resale (including a share split and certain share transfers between the Underwritten Selling Shareholder and the Selling Shareholders), the Registration Statement, the Public Offering, the issuance of the Company Public Offering Shares, the participating in the Resale and certain other matters and confirmations; and written resolutions of the sole shareholder of the Company dated 11 August 2023 in relation to those transactions in advance of the Public Offering and Resale referred to above (such director resolutions and shareholder resolutions, the Resolutions).

 

We have not made any enquiries or undertaken any searches concerning, and have not examined any other documents entered into by or affecting the Company or any other person, save for the examinations referred to in paragraph 1 above. In particular, but without limitation, we have not examined any documents referred to within the Registration Statement save as expressly referred to above and our opinion is limited accordingly.

 

2 Assumptions

 

This opinion is given only as to the circumstances existing on the date hereof and as to British Virgin Islands law in force on this date. We have relied on the Registered Agent’s Certificate without further enquiry and upon the following assumptions, which we have not independently verified:

 

(a) all parties to the Registration Statement (other than the Company) have the capacity, power and authority to exercise their rights and perform their obligations under such Registration Statement;
   
(b) the Registration Statement has been or, as the case may be, will be duly authorised by or on behalf of all relevant parties (other than the Company);
   
(c) copies of documents or records provided to us are true copies of the originals which are authentic and complete;
   
(d) all signatures and seals on all documents are genuine and authentic and in particular that any signatures on the documents we have reviewed are the true signatures of the persons authorised to execute the same;
   
(e) the Resolutions remain in full force and effect;
   
(f) the accuracy and completeness of the Registered Agent’s Certificate as at the date thereof and hereof (but in the latter case with the exception to the refences to the types and number of shares presently in issue);
   
(g) the accuracy and completeness of the RoM as at the date hereof; and
   
(h) the information and documents disclosed by the searches of the Public Records was and is accurate, up-to-date and remains unchanged as at the date hereof and there is no information or document which has been delivered for registration by any party (other than the Company), or which is required by the laws of the British Virgin Islands to be delivered for registration by any party (other than the Company), which was not included and available for inspection in the Public Records.

 

2
 

 

3 Opinion

 

Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications expressed below, we are of the opinion that:-

 

Shares duly authorised, validly issued and non-assessable

 

(a) The Company Public Offering Shares to be offered, sold and issued pursuant to the Public Offering have been duly authorized for issue by the Company and, when issued by the Company in accordance with the subscription terms thereof and subject to the receipt of the payment therefor, will be have been validly issued by the Company as fully paid and non-assessable.
   
(b) The Underwritten Selling Shareholder Public Offering Shares to be offered and sold pursuant to the Public Offering were duly authorized for issue upon being so issued and have been validly issued by the Company and are fully paid and non-assessable.
   
(c) The Selling Shareholders Resale Shares were duly authorized for issue upon being so issued and have been validly issued by the Company and are fully paid and non-assessable.

 

No Taxation

 

(d) No taxes, stamp duties, other duties, fees or charges are payable (by assessment, withholding, deduction or otherwise) to the government of the British Virgin Islands in respect of the Public Offering, the Resale or the offering, sale, issue, registration or transfer of any the Ordinary Shares which are the subject thereof.
   
(e) There is no withholding tax, capital gains tax, capital transfer tax, estate duty, inheritance tax, succession tax or gift tax in the British Virgin Islands in connection with the Public Offering or the Resale or any transaction relating thereto and any dividends, interest, rents, royalties, compensations and other amounts paid by the Company in connection with the Public Offering or the Resale or otherwise in connection therewith are exempt from any taxation in the British Virgin Islands imposed under the British Virgin Islands Income Tax Ordinance (Cap 206). In particular, subject to the assumption that neither the Company nor any subsidiary thereof has any interest in land in the British Virgin Islands, Section 242 of the BVI Business Companies Act, 2004 (as amended) provides the Company with a statutory exemption from all forms of taxation in the British Virgin Islands.

 

4 Limitations

 

We offer no opinion:

 

(a) in relation to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the British Virgin Islands (and we have not made any investigation into such laws);
   
(b) in relation to any representation or warranty made or given by the Company in the Registration Statement; or
   
(c) as to the commerciality of the transactions envisaged in the Registration Statement or, save as expressly stated in this opinion, whether the Registration Statement and the transaction envisaged therein achieve the commercial, tax, legal, regulatory or other aims of the parties to the Registration Statement.

 

5 Governing Law and Reliance

 

(a) This opinion shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the British Virgin Islands and is limited to the matters expressly stated herein. This opinion is confined to and given on the basis of the laws and practice in the British Virgin Islands at the date hereof.
   
(b) We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm in the legal matters and taxation sections of the Registration Statement. In the giving of our consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations of the Commission thereunder.

 

Yours faithfully

 

/s/ OGIER 

Ogier

 

3

 

 

Exhibit 8.2

 

 

August 22, 2023

 

mF International Limited

Unit 1801, Fortis Tower, 77-79 Gloucester Road,

Wan Chai, Hong Kong

People’s Republic of China

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as counsel as to matters of United States tax law, to mF International Limited, a British Virgin Islands based holding company (the “Company”), that, through its wholly owned Hong Kong operating subsidiaries, m-FINANCE Limited, m-FINANCE Trading Technologies Ltd. and Omegatraders Systems Limited, principally engages in the development and provision of financial trading solutions to customers via the internet or platform software as a service, and provides real-time mission critical forex, bullion/commodities trading platform solutions, financial value-added services, mobile applications and financial information for brokers and institutional clients in Hong Kong, mainland China, and Southeast Asia, in connection with the preparation and filing of the Company’s registration statement on Form F-1 (CIK No. 0001940941), including any amendments or supplements thereto (as amended, the “Registration Statement”), under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), as originally filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

 

The facts, as we understand them, and upon which, with your permission, we rely in rendering the opinion herein, are set forth in the F-1 Registration Statement. For the purpose of our opinion, we have not made an independent investigation or audit of the facts set forth in the F-1 Registration Statement.

 

We have examined such documents and have reviewed such questions of law as we have considered necessary and appropriate for the purposes of our opinion set forth below. In rendering our opinions set forth below we have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the genuineness of all signatures and the conformity to authentic originals of all documents submitted to us as copies. We have also assumed the legal capacity for all purposes relevant hereto of all natural persons and, with respect to all parties to agreements or instruments relevant hereto other than the Company, that such parties had the requisite power and authority (corporate or otherwise) to execute, deliver and perform such agreements or instruments, that such agreements or instruments have been duly authorized by all requisite action (corporate or otherwise), executed and delivered by such parties and that such agreements or instruments are the valid, binding and enforceable obligations of such parties. As to questions of fact material to our opinion, we have relied upon factual statements and factual representations of officers of the Company.

 

www.htflawyers.com | info@htflawyers.com

950 Third Avenue, 19th Floor - New York, NY 10022 | Office: (212) 530-2210 | Fax: (212) 202-6380

 

 
 

 

 

Based upon and subject to the limitations, qualifications, exceptions and assumptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:

 

The statements made in the Registration Statement, under the caption “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences Applicable to U.S. Holders of Our Ordinary Shares,” to the extent such statements relate to matters of United States tax law, represent our opinion. This opinion is given under Item 601 of Regulation S-K, as our opinion regarding tax matters. All such statements are based upon laws and relevant interpretations thereof in effect as of the date of the prospectus, all of which are subject to change. We assume no obligation to inform you of any such change. Further, there can be no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service or a court will not take a contrary position.

 

Our opinions expressed above are limited to certain aspects of the tax laws of the United States, and does not address the United States federal estate, gift, Medicare, and alternative minimum tax considerations, certain withholding or information reporting requirements, or any state, local and non-U.S. tax considerations relating to the ownership or disposition of your Ordinary Shares. We assume no obligation to revise or supplement this letter in the event of any changes in law or fact arising after the date hereof; provided, however, that our opinions set forth in the Registration Statement will be revised, if needed to remain accurate in all material respects as of the effective date of the Registration Statement.

 

We hereby consent to the references to our name in Company’s Registration Statement under the Act in relation to the Company’s initial public offering of a certain number of ordinary shares of the Company. We further consent to the filing of this letter as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto and as an exhibit to any other SEC Filings.

 

We express no other opinion except as set forth above.

 

  Very truly yours,
   
 
  Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li LLC

 

www.htflawyers.com | info@htflawyers.com

950 Third Avenue, 19th Floor - New York, NY 10022 | Office: (212) 530-2210 | Fax: (212) 202-6380

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 8.3

 

 

 

August 22, 2023

 

To: M-FINANCE LIMITED

 

Re: Legal Opinion on Certain PRC Legal Matters

 

Dear Sir/Madam,

 

We are lawyers qualified in the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC”) and are qualified to issue opinions on the PRC Laws (as defined in Section I below). For the purpose of this legal opinion (this “Opinion”), the PRC does not include the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (“Hong Kong”), the Macau Special Administrative Region and Taiwan.

 

We act as legal counsel as to PRC Laws to M-FINANCE LIMITED (the “Company”), a company incorporated under the laws of Hong Kong, on certain matters covered by this Opinion in connection with (a) the proposed initial public offering (the “Offering”) of a certain number of ordinary shares by mF International Limited (the “Issuer”) as set forth in the Issuer’s registration statement on Form F-1, including all amendments or supplements thereto (the “Registration Statement”), filed by the Issuer with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in relation to the Offering, and (b) the proposed listing and trading of the Issuer’s ordinary shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market (“NASDAQ”).

 

In rendering this Opinion, we have reviewed certain factual statements provided by the Company (collectively the “Documents”) as we have considered necessary or advisable for the purpose of rendering this Opinion. Where certain facts were not independently established or verified by us, we have relied upon certificates or statements issued or made by the relevant PRC governmental authorities and appropriate representatives of the Company. In giving this Opinion, we have assumed:

 

(a)all signatures, seals and chops are genuine, each signature on behalf of a party thereto is that of a person duly authorized by such party to execute the same, all Documents submitted to us as originals are authentic, and all Documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies conform to the originals;

 

 

 

 

 

 

Legal Opinion on Certain PRC Legal Matters

 

(b)each of the parties to the Documents, (i) if a legal person or other entity, is duly organized and is validly existing in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization and/or incorporation, (ii) if an individual, has full capacity for civil conduct; each of them has full power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its, her or his obligations under the Documents to which it, she or he is a party in accordance with the laws of its jurisdiction of organization and/or the laws that it, she or he is subject to;
  
(c)the Documents presented to us remain in full force and effect on the date of this opinion and have not been revoked, amended or supplemented, and no amendments, revisions, supplements, modifications or other changes have been made, and no revocation or termination has occurred, with respect to any of the Documents after they were submitted to us for the purposes of this Opinion;
  
(d)all requested Documents have been provided to us and all factual statements made to us by the Company in connection with this Opinion, including but not limited to the statements set forth in the Documents, are true, correct and complete;
  
(e)each of the Documents is legal, valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with their respective governing laws in any and all respects;
  
(f)all governmental authorizations and other official statements and documentation obtained by the Company from any PRC governmental agency have been obtained by lawful means in due course, and the Documents provided to us conform with those documents submitted to the PRC governmental agencies for such purposes.

 

If any evidence comes to light that would indicate any of the Documents referred to above contain any legal deficiency, inaccuracy or other such defect, or if any of the assumptions upon which this opinion are based prove to be incorrect, we reserve the right to revise any relevant expression or conclusion contained in this Opinion and/or issue a supplementary legal opinion, interpretation or revision to this Opinion according to further certified facts.

 

I.Definitions

 

In addition to the terms defined in the context of this Opinion, the following capitalized terms used in this Opinion shall have the meanings ascribed to them as follows.:

 

CAC means the Cyberspace Administration of China.
   
CSRC means the China Securities Regulatory Commission.
   
PRC Laws means all applicable national, provincial and local laws, regulations, rules, notices, orders, decrees and judicial interpretations of the PRC currently in effect and publicly available on the date of this Opinion.

 

-2-

 

 

Legal Opinion on Certain PRC Legal Matters

 

Shenzhen Subsidiary means M-FINANCE Software (Shenzhen) Limited(移动财经软件(深圳)有限公司), previously wholly owned by the Company before deregistration.
   
Group Companies Means, collectively, the Issuer, the Company and any subsidiaries of the foregoing.
   
PRC Securities Law means the Securities Law of the PRC, which was promulgated by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress on December 28, 2019, and came into effect on March 1, 2020.
   
Personal Information Protection Law means the Personal Information Protection Law of the PRC, which was promulgated by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress on August 20, 2021, and came into effect on November 1, 2021.
   
Data Security Law means the Data Security Law of the PRC, which was promulgated by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress on June 10, 2021, and came into effect on September 1, 2021.
   
Trial Measures and Circular means the Circular on the Administrative Arrangements for Filing of Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies, and the set of regulations consisting of the Trial Administrative Measures of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies, and five supporting guidelines, issued by the CSRC, which came into effect on March 31, 2023.

 

II.

Opinions

 

A.Opinions Regarding Question 11

 

Article 177 of the PRC Securities Law stipulates explicitly that the restricted activities for the overseas securities regulatory authorities are activities relating to direct investigation and evidence collection within the territory of the PRC; without the consent by the Chinese securities regulatory authority and the other Governmental Authorities in charge, no Chinese entity or individual may provide documents and materials related to securities business activities to overseas parties arbitrarily without authorization.

 

To the best of our knowledge, after due inquiries, (i) since the Shenzhen Subsidiary has been deregistered on March 21, 2023, the Group Companies currently do not have any subsidiary nor have entered into any contractual arrangements to establish a variable interest entity structure with any entity in the PRC; (ii) the Group Companies currently do not have any operations in the PRC.

 

-3-

 

 

Legal Opinion on Certain PRC Legal Matters

 

Based on the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications, assumptions and limitations stated herein, we are of the opinion that, as the Issuer is duly incorporated in the British Virgin Islands (“BVI”), with all of its operations conducted outside the PRC and no securities business activities within the territory of the PRC related to the Issuer, Article 177 does not apply to documents and/or materials submitted to NASDAQ in connection with the Issuer’s application, and potentially, documents and/or materials requested by NASDAQ from the Issuer, once listed, in connection with NASDAQ’s regulatory responsibilities related to oversight of its issuer companies.

 

As of the date of this Opinion, the above analysis has not been confirmed with the CSRC.

 

B.Opinions Regarding Question 14

 

To the best of our knowledge, after due inquiries, (i) the Issuer’s main business operation is located in Hong Kong, and the Group Companies currently do not have any operation in the PRC; (ii) since the Shenzhen Subsidiary has been deregistered on March 21, 2023, the Group Companies currently do not have any subsidiary nor have entered into any contractual arrangements to establish a variable interest entity structure with any entity in the PRC; (iii) the Group Companies have not engaged in any activity dealing with personal information of any natural person located within the territory of the PRC, or any activity dealing with any other data information of any individuals or entities located within the territory of the PRC.

 

Based on the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications, assumptions and limitations stated herein, we are of the opinion that:

 

(1)the Issuer shall not be deemed as “personal information processor”, “critical infrastructure information operator”, “personal information processor who has a large user base and/or operates complex types of businesses”, or “entrusted party” under the Personal Information Protection Law; and
  
(2)neither Article 41 of the Personal Information Protection Law nor Article 36 of the Data Security Law shall be applied to the Issuer, and therefore the Issuer is currently not required to obtain any permission or approval from the CSRC, the CAC, or any other PRC governmental authorities in respect of the documents, information and/or materials submitted to NASDAQ in connection with its application and its continuous obligation to supply information once listed.

 

-4-

 

 

Legal Opinion on Certain PRC Legal Matters

 

C.Opinions Regarding Question 17 & 18

 

The Trial Measures and Circular refine the regulatory system by subjecting both direct and indirect overseas offering and listing activities to the CSRC filing-based administration and clarify the criteria for determining whether a listing constitutes an indirect overseas listing in an overseas market.

 

Given that the Issuer is a company duly incorporated in the BVI, and, to the best of our knowledge, after due inquiries, (i) the Issuer’s main business operation is located in Hong Kong; (ii) the Group Companies currently do not have any subsidiary nor have entered into any contractual arrangements to establish a variable interest entity structure with any entity in the PRC; (iii) the Issuer fails to meet the conditions under Article 15 of the Trial Measures and Circular which constitute an indirect overseas listing in an overseas market.

 

Based on the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications, assumptions and limitations stated herein, we are of the opinion that, the Trial Measures and Circular shall not be currently applied to the Issuer and thus the Issuer (i) is currently not required to obtain any permission or approval from the CSRC, CAC or any other PRC governmental authorities in respect of the documents, information and/or materials submitted to NASDAQ in connection with its application and its continuous obligation to supply information once listed; and (ii) is not required to file with the CSRC under the Trial Measures and Circular for its securities offering and listing on the NASDAQ. In addition, to the best of our knowledge, after due inquiries, no CAC or other regulatory agency or administration has contacted the Issuer or the Company in connection with the Issuer’s proposed listing on NASDAQ or require the Issuer to obtain regulatory approval from any Chinese authorities before listing in the U.S.

 

Our Opinions expressed above are subject to the following qualifications (where applicable):

 

(1)This Opinion relates only to the PRC Laws and we express no opinion as to any other laws and regulations. There is no guarantee that any of the PRC Laws, or the interpretation thereof or enforcement therefor, will not be changed, amended or replaced in the immediate future or in the longer term with or without retrospective effect.
  
(2)The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress shall have the final interpretation right of the PRC Securities Law, the Personal Information Protection Law and the Data Security Law, and CSRC and CAC shall have the right to interpret the implementation of such PRC Laws to some extent. There is no guarantee that the relevant governmental or regulatory authorities will not take a view that is contrary to or otherwise different from our Opinion stated above.
  
(3)This Opinion is intended to be used in the context which is specifically referred to herein and each section should be looked on as a whole regarding the same subject matter and no part shall be extracted for interpretation separately from this Opinion.

 

-5-

 

 

Legal Opinion on Certain PRC Legal Matters

 

(4)This Opinion is subject to the effects of (i) certain legal or statutory principles affecting the enforceability of contractual rights generally under the concepts of public interest, national security, good faith and fair dealing, applicable statutes of limitation, and the limitations by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditor’s rights generally; (ii) any circumstance in connection with formulation, execution or performance of any legal documents that would be deemed materially mistaken, clearly unconscionable or fraudulent; (iii) judicial discretion with respect to the availability of injunctive relief, the calculation of damages, and the entitlement of attorneys’ fees and other costs; and (iv) the discretion of any competent PRC legislative, administrative or judicial bodies in exercising their authority in connection with the interpretation, implementation and application of relevant PRC Laws.
  
(5)We have not undertaken any independent investigation, search or other verification action to determine the existence or absence of any fact or to prepare this Opinion, and no inference as to our knowledge of the existence or absence of any fact should be drawn from our representation of the Company or the rendering of this Opinion.

 

This Opinion is given for the benefit of the addressee hereof, and without our express prior written consent, may not be relied upon by any person or entity other than the addressee.

 

We hereby consent to the use of this Opinion in, and the filing hereof as an exhibit to, the Registration Statement, and to the reference to our name in such Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we fall within the category of the persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

[The remainder of this page has been left intentionally blank]

 

-6-

 

 

Legal Opinion on Certain PRC Legal Matters

 

[Signature Page of Legal Opinion on Certain PRC Legal Matters]

 

Yours sincerely,  
   
ZHONG LUN LAW FIRM  

 

-7-

 

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

 

This Indemnification Agreement (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of [DATE] by and between mF International Limited., a British Virgin Islands company (the “Company”), and the undersigned, a director and/or an officer of the Company (“Indemnitee”), as applicable.

 

RECITALS

 

The Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board of Directors”) has determined that the inability to attract and retain highly competent persons to serve the Company is detrimental to the best interests of the Company and its shareholders and that it is reasonable and necessary for the Company to provide adequate protection to such persons against risks of claims and actions against them arising out of their services to the corporation.

 

AGREEMENT

 

In consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein, the Company and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:

 

A. DEFINITIONS

 

The following terms shall have the meanings defined below:

 

Expenses shall include, without limitation, damages, judgments, fines, penalties, settlements and costs, attorneys’ fees and disbursements and costs of attachment or similar bond, investigations, and any other expenses paid or incurred in connection with investigating, defending, being a witness in, participating in (including on appeal), or preparing for any of the foregoing in, any Proceeding.

 

Indemnifiable Event means any event or occurrence that takes place either before or after the execution of this Agreement, related to the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director or an officer of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture or other entity, or related to anything done or not done by Indemnitee in any such capacity, including, but not limited to neglect, breach of duty, error, misstatement, misleading statement or omission.

 

Participant means a person who is a party to, or witness or participant (including on appeal) in, a Proceeding.

 

Proceeding means any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, arbitration or proceeding, or any inquiry, hearing or investigation, whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or other, including appeal, in which Indemnitee may be or may have been involved as a party or otherwise by reason of an Indemnifiable Event.

 

B. AGREEMENT TO INDEMNIFY

 

1. General Agreement. In the event Indemnitee was, is, or becomes a Participant in, or is threatened to be made a Participant in, a Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify the Indemnitee from and against any and all Expenses which Indemnitee incurs or becomes obligated to incur in connection with such Proceeding, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

 

2. Indemnification of Expenses of Successful Party. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee has been successful on the merits in defense of any Proceeding or in defense of any claim, issue or matter in such Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses incurred in connection with such Proceeding or such claim, issue or matter, as the case may be.

 

3. Partial Indemnification. If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for a portion of Expenses, but not for the total amount of Expenses, the Company shall indemnify the Indemnitee for the portion of such Expenses to which Indemnitee is entitled.

 

4. No Employment Rights. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to create in Indemnitee any right to continued employment with the Company.

 

1/8

 

 

5. Contribution. If the indemnification provided in this Agreement is unavailable and may not be paid to Indemnitee for any reason other than those set forth in Section B.4, then the Company shall contribute to the amount of Expenses paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred and paid or payable by Indemnitee in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and by the Indemnitee on the other hand from the transaction or events from which such Proceeding arose, and (ii) the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of the Indemnitee on the other hand in connection with the events which resulted in such Expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. 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 Expenses, judgments, fines or settlement amounts. The Company agrees that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section B.5 were determined by pro rata allocation or any other method of allocation which does not take account of the foregoing equitable considerations.

 

C. INDEMNIFICATION PROCESS

 

1. Notice and Cooperation by Indemnitee. Indemnitee shall, as a condition precedent to his/her right to be indemnified under this Agreement, give the Company notice in writing as soon as practicable of any claim made against Indemnitee for which indemnification will or could be sought under this Agreement, provided that the delay of Indemnitee to give notice hereunder shall not prejudice any of Indemnitee’s rights hereunder, unless such delay results in the Company’s forfeiture of substantive rights or defenses. Notice to the Company shall be given in accordance with Section F.7 below. If, at the time of receipt of such notice, the Company has directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice to its insurers of the Proceeding relating to the notice. The Company shall thereafter take all necessary and desirable actions to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all Expenses payable as a result of such Proceeding. In addition, Indemnitee shall give the Company such information and cooperation as the Company may reasonably request.

 

2. Indemnification Payment.

 

(a) Advancement of Expenses. Indemnitee may submit a written request with reasonable particulars to the Company requesting that the Company advance to Indemnitee all Expenses that may be reasonably incurred in advance by Indemnitee in connection with a Proceeding. The Company shall, within 10 business days of receiving such a written request by Indemnitee, advance all requested Expenses to Indemnitee. Any excess of the advanced Expenses over the actual Expenses will be repaid to the Company.

 

(b) Reimbursement of Expenses. 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 immediately after Indemnitee makes a written request to the Company for reimbursement unless the Company refers the indemnification request to the Reviewing Party in compliance with Section C.2(c) below.

 

2/8

 

 

(c) Determination by the Reviewing Party. If the Company reasonably believes that it is not obligated under this Agreement to indemnify the Indemnitee, the Company shall, within 10 days after the Indemnitee’s written request for an advancement or reimbursement of Expenses, notify the Indemnitee that the request for advancement of Expenses or reimbursement of Expenses will be submitted to the Reviewing Party (as hereinafter defined). The Reviewing Party shall make a determination on the request within 30 days after the Indemnitee’s written request for an advancement or reimbursement of Expenses. Notwithstanding anything foregoing to the contrary, in the event the Reviewing Party informs the Company that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification in connection with a Proceeding under this Agreement or applicable law, the Company shall be entitled to be reimbursed by Indemnitee for all the Expenses previously advanced or otherwise paid to Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding; provided, however, that Indemnitee may bring a suit to enforce his/her indemnification right in accordance with Section C.3 below.

 

3. Suit to Enforce Rights. Regardless of any action by the Reviewing Party, if Indemnitee has not received full indemnification within 30 days after making a written demand in accordance with Section C.2 above or 50 days if the Company submits a request for advancement or reimbursement to the Reviewing Party under Section C.2(c) above, Indemnitee shall have the right to enforce its indemnification rights under this Agreement by commencing litigation in any court of competent jurisdiction seeking a determination by the court or challenging any determination by the Reviewing Party or any aspect of this Agreement. Any determination by the Reviewing Party not challenged by Indemnitee and any judgment entered by the court shall be binding on the Company and Indemnitee.

 

4. Assumption of Defense. In the event the Company is obligated under this Agreement to advance or bear any Expenses for any Proceeding against Indemnitee, the Company shall be entitled to assume the defense of such Proceeding, with counsel approved by Indemnitee, upon delivery to Indemnitee of written notice of its election to do so. After delivery of such notice, approval of 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 of counsel subsequently incurred by Indemnitee with respect to the same Proceeding, unless (i) the employment of counsel by Indemnitee has been previously authorized by the Company, (ii) Indemnitee shall have reasonably concluded, based on written advice of counsel, that there may be a conflict of interest of such counsel retained by the Company between the Company and Indemnitee in the conduct of any such defense, or (iii) the Company ceases or terminates the employment of such counsel with respect to the defense of such Proceeding, in any of which events the fees and expenses of Indemnitee’s counsel shall be at the expense of the Company. At all times, Indemnitee shall have the right to employ counsel in any Proceeding at Indemnitee’s expense.

 

5. Defense to Indemnification, Burden of Proof and Presumptions. It shall be a defense to any action brought by Indemnitee against the Company to enforce this Agreement that it is not permissible under this Agreement or applicable law for the Company to indemnify the Indemnitee for the amount claimed. In connection with any such action or any determination by the Reviewing Party or otherwise as to whether Indemnitee is entitled to be indemnified under this Agreement, the burden of proving such a defense or determination shall be on the Company.

 

6. No Settlement without Consent. Neither party to this Agreement shall settle any Proceeding in any manner that would impose any damage, loss, 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.

 

7. Company Participation. Subject to Section B.5, the Company shall not be liable to indemnify the Indemnitee under this Agreement with regard to any judicial action if the Company was not given a reasonable and timely opportunity, at its expense, to participate in the defense, conduct and/or settlement of such action.

 

3/8

 

 

8. Reviewing Party.

 

(a) For purposes of this Agreement, the Reviewing Party with respect to each indemnification request of Indemnitee that is referred by the Company pursuant to Section C.2(c) above shall be (A) the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of Disinterested Directors (as hereinafter defined), or (B) if a quorum of the Board of Directors consisting of Disinterested Directors is not obtainable or, even if obtainable, said Disinterested Directors so direct, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee. If the Reviewing Party determines that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, payment to Indemnitee shall be made within 10 days after such determination. Indemnitee shall 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 Independent Counsel or member of the Board of Directors shall act reasonably and in good faith in making a determination under this Agreement of the Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification. Any reasonable costs or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements) 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) and the Company hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom. “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.

 

(b) If the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel, the Independent Counsel shall be selected as provided in this Section C.8(b). The Independent Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee (unless Indemnitee shall request that such selection be made by the Board of Directors, in which event the proceeding sentence shall apply), and Indemnitee shall give written notice to the Company advising it of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected. In either event, Indemnitee or the Company, as the case may be, may, within 10 days after such written notice of selection shall have been given, 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 C.8(d) 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 a written objection is made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within 20 days after submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification, 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. The Company shall pay any and all reasonable fees and expenses of Independent Counsel incurred by such Independent Counsel in connection with acting under this Agreement, and the Company shall pay all reasonable fees and expenses incident to the procedures of this Section C.8(b), regardless of the manner in which such Independent Counsel was selected or appointed.

 

4/8

 

 

(c) In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the Reviewing Party shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with this Agreement, and the Company shall 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. The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement (with or without court approval), conviction, or upon a plea of nolocontendere 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/she 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/her conduct was unlawful. For purposes of any determination of good faith, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitee’s action is based on the records or books of account of the Company and any other corporation, partnership, joint venture or other entity of which Indemnitee is or was serving at the written request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the officers and directors of the Company or such other corporation, partnership, joint venture or other entity in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Company or such other corporation, partnership, joint venture or other entity or on information or records given or reports made to the Company or such other corporation, partnership, joint venture or other entity by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected with reasonable care by the Company or such other corporation, partnership, joint venture or other entity. In addition, the knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any director, officer, agent or employee of the Company or such other corporation, partnership, joint venture or other entity shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement. The provisions of this Section C.8(c) shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the other circumstances in which the Indemnitee may be deemed to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in this Agreement.

 

(d) “Independent Counsel” means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither presently is, nor in the past five years 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 the 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. The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees of the Independent Counsel referred to above and to fully indemnify such counsel against any and all Expenses, claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.

 

D. DIRECTOR AND OFFICER LIABILITY INSURANCE

 

1. Good Faith Determination. The Company shall from time to time make the good faith determination whether or not it is practicable for the Company to obtain and maintain a policy or policies of insurance with reputable insurance companies providing the officers and directors of the Company with coverage for losses incurred in connection with their services to the Company or to ensure the Company’s performance of its indemnification obligations under this Agreement.

 

2. Coverage of Indemnitee. To the extent the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, 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 of the Company’s directors or officers.

 

5/8

 

 

3. No Obligation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have no obligation to obtain or maintain any director and officer insurance policy if the Company determines in good faith that such insurance is not reasonably available in the case that (i) premium costs for such insurance are disproportionate to the amount of coverage provided, or (ii) the coverage provided by such insurance is limited by exclusions so as to provide an insufficient benefit.

 

E. NON-EXCLUSIVITY; U.S. FEDERAL PREEMPTION; TERM

 

1. Non-Exclusivity. The indemnification provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights to which Indemnitee may be entitled under the Company’s current memorandum and articles of association, as may be amended from time to time, applicable law or any written agreement between Indemnitee and the Company (including its subsidiaries and affiliates). The indemnification provided under this Agreement shall continue to be available to Indemnitee for any action taken or not taken while serving in an indemnified capacity even though he/she may have ceased to serve in any such capacity at the time of any Proceeding.

 

2. U.S. Federal Preemption. Notwithstanding the foregoing, both the Company and Indemnitee acknowledge that in certain instances, U.S. federal law or public policy may override applicable law and prohibit the Company from indemnifying its directors and officers under this Agreement or otherwise. Such instances include, but are not limited to, the prohibition by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on indemnification for liabilities arising under certain U.S. federal securities laws. Indemnitee understands and acknowledges that the Company has undertaken or may be required in the future to undertake with the SEC an obligation to submit the question of indemnification to a court in certain circumstances for a determination of the Company’s right under public policy to indemnify Indemnitee.

 

3. Duration of Agreement. All agreements and obligations of the Company contained herein 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 as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise) and shall continue thereafter so long as Indemnitee shall be subject to any Proceeding by reason of his/her former or current capacity at the Company, whether or not he/she 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 continue in effect regardless of whether Indemnitee continues to serve as an officer and/or a director of the Company or any other enterprise at the Company’s request.

 

6/8

 

 

F. MISCELLANEOUS

 

1. Amendment of this Agreement. No supplement, modification, or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of any other provisions (whether or not similar), nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver. Except as specifically provided in this Agreement, no failure to exercise or any delay in exercising any right or remedy shall constitute a waiver.

 

2. Subrogation. In the event of payment to Indemnitee by the Company 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 shall do everything that may be necessary to secure such rights, including the execution of such documents necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.

 

3. Assignment; Binding Effect. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights or obligations hereunder may be assigned by either party hereto without the prior written consent of the other party; except that the Company may, without such consent, assign all such rights and obligations to a successor in interest to the Company which assumes all obligations of the Company under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by and against the parties hereto and the Company’s successors (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) and assigns, as well as Indemnitee’s spouses, heirs, and personal and legal representatives.

 

4. Severability and Construction. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to require or shall be construed as requiring the Company to do or fail to do any act in violation of applicable law. The Company’s inability, pursuant to a court order, to perform its obligations under this Agreement shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement. In addition, if any portion of this Agreement shall be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void, or otherwise unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. The parties hereto acknowledge that they each have opportunities to have their respective counsels review this Agreement. Accordingly, this Agreement shall be deemed to be the product of both of the parties hereto, and no ambiguity shall be construed in favor of or against either of the parties hereto.

 

5. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two counterparts, both of which taken together shall constitute one instrument.

 

6. Governing Law. This agreement and all acts and transactions pursuant hereto and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall be governed, construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to conflicts of law provisions thereof.

 

7. Notices. All notices, demands, and other communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall be made in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if delivered by hand, against receipt, or mailed via postage prepaid, certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, and addressed to the Company at:

 

mF International Limited

 

Attention: Chief Executive Officer

 

and to Indemnitee at his/her address last known to the Company.

 

8. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

(Signature page follows)

 

7/8

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto execute this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

mF International Limited  
     
By:    
Name:    
Title:    
     
Indemnitee    
          
Signature:    
Name:    

 

[Signature Page to Indemnification Agreement]

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.2 

 

Employment Contract

 

THIS AGREEMENT, made as of the 27th April 2022.

 

Between:

 

Mr. LAM TAI WAI STEPHEN

(hereinafter referred to as “the Employee”)

 

—and—

 

m-FINANCE Limited

(hereinafter referred to as “the Employer”)

 

WHEREAS the Employee and the Employer wish to enter into an employment agreement governing the terms and conditions of employment as follow:

 

1.Position

 

The Employer will employ the Employee and the Employee will serve the Employer in the capacity of MANAGING DIRECTOR upon the terms and subject to the conditions herein contained. The Employee will report to the Board of Directors.

 

2.Scope of Responsibilities

 

The scope of responsibilities of the Employee is:

 

a)Strategic administration and planning;

 

b)Managing prime clients and stakeholders’ relations;

 

c)Overview of Group Finance and Revenue;

 

d)Formulate and lead execution of strategic plan and product roadmap;

 

e)Drive strategic business development and partnership.

 

3.Compensation

 

Basic salary of HK$30,000 per month and salary will be paid on the last day of each calendar month. Any change in the basic rate will be notified to the Employee.

 

4.Overtime Work

 

Overtime is not payable to the Employee.

 

Page 1 of 8
 

 

5.Working Hours

 

The weekly normal working hours will be from 09:00 to 18:30 on Monday to Friday, statutory and public holidays excluded. The Employee will be allowed for lunch from 12:45 to 14:00 on each working day.

 

6.Annual Leave

 

In addition to all statutory and public holidays, the Employee will be entitled to twenty-eight (28) working days paid annual leave.

 

7.Sick Leave

 

The Employee is entitled to a maximum of two (2) days paid sick leave per month and not more than twelve (12) paid days of sick leave accumulatively per calendar year. In the event of absence on account of sickness or injury, the Employee or someone on his/her behalf must inform the Employer of the reason for the Employee’s absence as soon as possible and must do so no later than 10:30 a.m. on the day on which absence first occurs. All sick leaves must be supported by a valid doctor’s statement in respect of such absence.

 

8.Bonus

 

A discretionary bonus from one (1) to three (3) months of basic salary will be paid to the Employee prior to Chinese New Year subject to satisfactory performance of the Employee. The Employee should be under the Employer’s employment on the payment date in order to be eligible for the bonus.

 

9.Termination

 

a)The employment may be terminated: -

 

I.by either the Employer or the Employee giving to other not less than three (3) calendar months’ notice or by payment in lieu of such notice; or

 

II.by the Employer without notice or payment in lieu of notice in the event of the Employee’s serious misconduct or persistent unpunctuality, neglect of duty or breach of any of the Employer’s rules, regulations or terms of employment contained or referred to herein or the Employee committing any act of bankruptcy or taking advantage of any Ordinance for the time being in force offering relief to insolvent debtors.

 

b)The Employee shall not be entitled to take accrued holidays during any period of notice, except with the Employer’s approval.

 

Page 2 of 8
 

 

10.Mandatory Provident Fund

 

c)The Employee will become a member of a registered Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) Scheme. As a member of the MPF, you are required to contribute an amount equal to a percentage of your salary up to a maximum of HKD1,500 per month (subject to any changes under the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance (Chapter 485, Laws of Hong Kong)).

 

d)The Employer is also required to contribute an amount equal to a percentage of your salary up to a maximum of HKD1,500 per month (subject to any changes under the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance (Chapter 485, Laws of Hong Kong)).

 

e)The amount is a fixed rate governed by legislation which may vary from time to time in accordance with legislation.

 

f)The Employee may elect to contribute an additional amount of your salary to the MPF fund within the contribution-related limits applicable under the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance (Chapter 485, Laws of Hong Kong).

 

11.Confidentiality

 

(a)The Employee shall not, during the continuance of the employment or thereafter, divulge or disclose to any person, firm or company any of the following matters: -

 

I.information concerning the sales figures, business, accounts or finances of the Employer or its clients or customers; or

 

II.technical information, research data, trade secrets, dealings, transactions, agreements, or affairs of the Employer or its clients or customers which have, or may have, come to the Employee’s knowledge during the employment;

 

unless the written consent of the Employer has been obtained or the Employee is compelled by any law in force in the HKSAR to divulge or disclose any of the matters aforesaid and shall during the continuance of the employment use his best endeavors to prevent the publication or disclosure of the matters aforesaid by third parties.

 

(b)Upon the termination of the employment, the Employee shall forthwith surrender or deliver all originals and copy documents relating to any of the matters listed in items (I) and (II) of sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph to the Employer.

 

12.Non-Competition

 

The Employee hereby agrees that during the term of this Employment Contract with the Employer for any cause whatsoever, the Employee shall not anywhere in the HKSAR and/or the PRC whether directly or indirectly through any means whatsoever including and without limitation to companies, trusts, or partnerships: -

 

a)either undertake, be engaged or employed, advise or assist or in any other way be interested, in any business, venture, or activity which is active or intends to be active in a business which is the same as or is similar to or is in competition with the business of the Employer; and

 

b)whether on the Employee’s behalf or on behalf of any other person, firm or corporation canvass or solicit business from any person, or company which shall at any time during the continuance of the employment with the Employer, have been a customer of the Employer.

 

Page 3 of 8
 

 

13.Intellectual Property

 

The Employee hereby acknowledges that all proprietary rights intellectual property rights of and in any invention technical know how devices derived from or in connection with or incidental to the development and research or the business of the Employer shall solely be vested in the Employer.

 

14.Solicitation of Other Employees

 

The Employee hereby agrees that during the term of this Employment Contract and for a period of one (1) year after the termination of this Employment Contract with the Employer for any reason, whether with or without cause, shall not either directly or indirectly solicit, induce, recruit or encourage any of the Employer’s employees to leave their employment, or take away such employees, or attempt to solicit, induce, recruit, encourage or take away employees of the Employer, either for oneself or for any other person or entity.

 

This Employment Contract which shall come into effect only upon receipt by the Employer of a copy signed by both parties, and supersedes and is in substitution for any prior agreement between the parties hereto whether oral or written and constitutes the entire agreement between the parties.

 

Signed by the Employer   Signed by the Employee
     
For and on behalf of    
m-FINANCE Limited    
     
   
TAM CHI WENG   LAM TAI WAI, STEPHEN
Director   Employee

 

Page 4 of 8
 

 

Employment Contract

 

THIS AGREEMENT, made as of the 27th April 2022.

 

Between:

 

Mr. TAM CHI WENG

(hereinafter referred to as “the Employee”)

 

—and—

 

m-FINANCE Limited

(hereinafter referred to as “the Employer”)

 

WHEREAS the Employee and the Employer wish to enter into an employment agreement governing the terms and conditions of employment as follow:

 

1.Position

 

The Employer will employ the Employee and the Employee will serve the Employer in the capacity of CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER upon the terms and subject to the conditions herein contained. The Employee will report to the Board of Directors.

 

2.Scope of Responsibilities

 

The scope of responsibilities of the Employee is:

 

 a)

Work directly with the Board of Directors and fully responsible for business growth of the organization;

   
b)Manage the business and provide leadership on all phases of business development projects;
   
 c)In charge of the day-to-day operations and management of the organization;
   
 d)Develop organizational policies in support of the organization’s goals;

 

e)Provide strong leadership, and to give clear direction and guidance to the management team;
   
 f)

Act as the primary spokesperson for the organization.

 

3.Compensation

 

Basic salary of HK$30,000 per month and salary will be paid on the last day of each calendar month. Any change in the basic rate will be notified to the Employee.

 

4.Overtime Work

 

Overtime is not payable to the Employee.

 

Page 5 of 8
 

 

5.Working Hours

 

The weekly normal working hours will be from 09:00 to 18:30 on Monday to Friday, statutory and public holidays excluded. The Employee will be allowed for lunch from 12:45 to 14:00 on each working day.

 

6.Annual Leave

 

In addition to all statutory and public holidays, the Employee will be entitled to twenty-eight (28) working days paid annual leave.

 

7.Sick Leave

 

The Employee is entitled to a maximum of two (2) days paid sick leave per month and not more than twelve (12) paid days of sick leave accumulatively per calendar year. In the event of absence on account of sickness or injury, the Employee or someone on his/her behalf must inform the Employer of the reason for the Employee’s absence as soon as possible and must do so no later than 10:30 a.m. on the day on which absence first occurs. All sick leaves must be supported by a valid doctor’s statement in respect of such absence.

 

8.Bonus

 

A discretionary bonus from one (1) to three (3) months of basic salary will be paid to the Employee prior to Chinese New Year subject to satisfactory performance of the Employee. The Employee should be under the Employer’s employment on the payment date in order to be eligible for the bonus.

 

9.Termination

 

a)The employment may be terminated: -

 

I.by either the Employer or the Employee giving to other not less than three (3) calendar months’ notice or by payment in lieu of such notice; or

 

II.by the Employer without notice or payment in lieu of notice in the event of the Employee’s serious misconduct or persistent unpunctuality, neglect of duty or breach of any of the Employer’s rules, regulations or terms of employment contained or referred to herein or the Employee committing any act of bankruptcy or taking advantage of any Ordinance for the time being in force offering relief to insolvent debtors.

 

b)The Employee shall not be entitled to take accrued holidays during any period of notice, except with the Employer’s approval.

 

Page 6 of 8
 

 

10.Mandatory Provident Fund

 

c)The Employee will become a member of a registered Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) Scheme. As a member of the MPF, you are required to contribute an amount equal to a percentage of your salary up to a maximum of HKD1,500 per month (subject to any changes under the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance (Chapter 485, Laws of Hong Kong)).

 

d)The Employer is also required to contribute an amount equal to a percentage of your salary up to a maximum of HKD1,500 per month (subject to any changes under the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance (Chapter 485, Laws of Hong Kong)).

 

e)The amount is a fixed rate governed by legislation which may vary from time to time in accordance with legislation.

 

f)The Employee may elect to contribute an additional amount of your salary to the MPF fund within the contribution-related limits applicable under the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance (Chapter 485, Laws of Hong Kong).

 

11.Confidentiality

 

(a)The Employee shall not, during the continuance of the employment or thereafter, divulge or disclose to any person, firm or company any of the following matters: -

 

I.information concerning the sales figures, business, accounts or finances of the Employer or its clients or customers; or

 

II.technical information, research data, trade secrets, dealings, transactions, agreements, or affairs of the Employer or its clients or customers which have, or may have, come to the Employee’s knowledge during the employment;

 

unless the written consent of the Employer has been obtained or the Employee is compelled by any law in force in the HKSAR to divulge or disclose any of the matters aforesaid and shall during the continuance of the employment use his best endeavors to prevent the publication or disclosure of the matters aforesaid by third parties.

 

(b)Upon the termination of the employment, the Employee shall forthwith surrender or deliver all originals and copy documents relating to any of the matters listed in items (I) and (II) of sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph to the Employer.

 

12.Non-Competition

 

The Employee hereby agrees that during the term of this Employment Contract with the Employer for any cause whatsoever, the Employee shall not anywhere in the HKSAR and/or the PRC whether directly or indirectly through any means whatsoever including and without limitation to companies, trusts, or partnerships: -

 

a)either undertake, be engaged or employed, advise or assist or in any other way be interested, in any business, venture, or activity which is active or intends to be active in a business which is the same as or is similar to or is in competition with the business of the Employer; and

 

b)whether on the Employee’s behalf or on behalf of any other person, firm or corporation canvass or solicit business from any person, or company which shall at any time during the continuance of the employment with the Employer, have been a customer of the Employer.

 

Page 7 of 8
 

 

13.Intellectual Property

 

The Employee hereby acknowledges that all proprietary rights intellectual property rights of and in any invention technical know how devices derived from or in connection with or incidental to the development and research or the business of the Employer shall solely be vested in the Employer.

 

14.Solicitation of Other Employees

 

The Employee hereby agrees that during the term of this Employment Contract and for a period of one (1) year after the termination of this Employment Contract with the Employer for any reason, whether with or without cause, shall not either directly or indirectly solicit, induce, recruit or encourage any of the Employer’s employees to leave their employment, or take away such employees, or attempt to solicit, induce, recruit, encourage or take away employees of the Employer, either for oneself or for any other person or entity.

 

This Employment Contract which shall come into effect only upon receipt by the Employer of a copy signed by both parties, and supersedes and is in substitution for any prior agreement between the parties hereto whether oral or written and constitutes the entire agreement between the parties.

 

Signed by the Employer   Signed by the Employee
     
For and on behalf of    
m-FINANCE Limited    
     
   
LAM TAI WAI, STEPHEN   TAM CHI WENG
Director   Employee

 

Page 8 of 8

 

 

Exhibit 10.3

 

2022 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

SECTION 1. PURPOSE

 

The purpose of the mF INTERNATIONAL LIMITED 2022 Equity Incentive Plan is to attract, retain and motivate employees, officers, directors, consultants, agents, advisors and independent contractors of the Company and its Related Companies by providing them the opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company and to align their interests and efforts to the long-term interests of the Company’s Shareholders. This Plan has been approved by the Board and shall become effective upon approval by the Shareholders of the Company on [*] (the “Effective Date”).

 

SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS

 

Certain capitalized terms used in the Plan have the meanings set forth in Appendix A.

 

SECTION 3. ADMINISTRATION

 

3.1 Administration of the Plan

 

The Plan shall be administered by the Board. All references in the Plan to the “Plan Administrator” shall be, as applicable, to the Board or any committee to whom the Board has delegated authority to administer the Plan.

 

3.2 Administration and Interpretation by Plan Administrator

 

(a) Except for the terms and conditions explicitly set forth in the Plan and to the extent permitted by applicable law, the Plan Administrator shall have full power and exclusive authority, subject to such orders or resolutions not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan as may from time to time be adopted by the Board or a committee composed of members of the Board, to (i) select the Eligible Persons to whom Awards may from time to time be granted under the Plan; (ii) determine the type or types of Award to be granted to each Participant under the Plan; (iii) determine the number of Ordinary Shares to be covered by each Award granted under the Plan; (iv) determine the terms and conditions of any Award granted under the Plan; (v) approve the forms of notice or agreement for use under the Plan; (vi) determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances Awards may be settled in cash, Ordinary Shares or other property or canceled or suspended; (vii) interpret and administer the Plan and any instrument evidencing an Award, notice or agreement executed or entered into under the Plan; (viii) establish such rules and regulations as it shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan; (ix) delegate ministerial duties to such of the Company’s employees as it so determines; and (x) make any other determination and take any other action that the Plan Administrator deems necessary or desirable for administration of the Plan.

 

(b) The effect on the vesting of an Award of a Company-approved leave of absence or a Participant’s reduction in hours of employment or service shall be determined by the Company’s chief human resources officer or other person performing that function or, with respect to directors or executive officers, by the Board, whose determination shall be final.

 

(c) Decisions of the Plan Administrator shall be final, conclusive and binding on all persons, including the Company, any Participant, any Shareholder and any Eligible Person. A majority of the members of the Plan Administrator may determine its actions.

 

1

 

 

SECTION 4. SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

 

4.1 Authorized Number of Shares

 

Subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in Section 14.1, a maximum of [*] Ordinary Shares shall be available for issuance under the Plan. Shares issued under the Plan shall be drawn from authorized and unissued shares.

 

4.2 Share Usage

 

(a) Ordinary Shares covered by an Award shall not be counted as used unless and until they are actually issued and delivered to a Participant or a Participant’s representative. If any Award lapses, expires, terminates or is canceled prior to the issuance of shares there under or if Ordinary Shares are issued under the Plan to a Participant and thereafter are forfeited to or otherwise repurchased by the Company, the shares subject to such Awards and the forfeited or repurchased shares shall again be available for issuance under the Plan. Any Ordinary Shares (i) tendered by a Participant or retained by the Company as full or partial payment to the Company for the purchase price of an Award or to satisfy tax withholding obligations in connection with an Award, or (ii) covered by an Award that is settled in cash or in a manner such that some or all of the shares covered by the Award are not issued, shall be available for Awards under the Plan. The number of Ordinary Shares available for issuance under the Plan shall not be reduced to reflect any dividends or dividend equivalents that are reinvested into additional Ordinary Shares or credited as additional Ordinary Shares subject or paid with respect to an Award.

 

(b) The Plan Administrator shall also, without limitation, have the authority to grant Awards as an alternative to or as the form of payment for grants or rights earned or due under other compensation plans or arrangements of the Company.

 

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, the Plan Administrator may grant Substitute Awards under the Plan. In the event that a written agreement between the Company and an Acquired Entity pursuant to which a merger or consolidation is completed is approved by the Board and that agreement sets forth the terms and conditions of the substitution for or assumption of outstanding awards of the Acquired Entity, those terms and conditions shall be deemed to be the action of the Plan Administrator without any further action by the Plan Administrator, and the persons holding such awards shall be deemed to be Participants.

 

(d) Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Section 4.2 to the contrary, the maximum number of shares that may be issued upon the exercise of Incentive Share Options shall equal the aggregate share number stated in Section 4.1, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 14.1.

 

SECTION 5. ELIGIBILITY

 

An Award may be granted to any employee, officer or director of the Company or a Related Company whom the Plan Administrator from time to time selects. An Award may also be granted to any consultant, agent, advisor or independent contractor for bona fide services rendered to the Company or any Related Company that (a) are not in connection with the offer and sale of the Company’s securities in a capital-raising transaction and (b) do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s securities.

 

SECTION 6. AWARDS

 

6.1 Form, Grant and Settlement of Awards

 

The Plan Administrator shall have the authority, in its sole discretion, to determine the type or types of Awards to be granted under the Plan. Such Awards may be granted either alone or in addition to or in tandem with any other type of Award. Any Award settlement may be subject to such conditions, restrictions and contingencies as the Plan Administrator shall determine.

 

6.2 Evidence of Awards

 

Awards granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by a written, including an electronic, instrument that shall contain such terms, conditions, limitations and restrictions as the Plan Administrator shall deem advisable and that are not inconsistent with the Plan.

 

2

 

 

6.3 Dividends and Distributions

 

Participants may, if the Plan Administrator so determines, be credited with dividends or dividend equivalents paid with respect to Ordinary Shares underlying an Award in a manner determined by the Plan Administrator in its sole discretion. The Plan Administrator may apply any restrictions to the dividends or dividend equivalents that the Plan Administrator deems appropriate. The Plan Administrator, in its sole discretion, may determine the form of payment of dividends or dividend equivalents, including cash, Ordinary Shares, Restricted Share or Share Units.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the right to any dividends or dividend equivalents declared and paid on the number of shares underlying an Option or Share Appreciation Right may not be contingent, directly or indirectly, on the exercise of the Option or Share Appreciation Right, and must comply with or qualify for an exemption under Section 409A.

Also notwithstanding the foregoing, the right to any dividends or dividend equivalents declared and paid on Restricted Share must (a) be paid at the same time they are paid to other Shareholders and (b) comply with or qualify for an exemption under Section 409A.

 

SECTION 7. OPTIONS

 

7.1 Grant of Options

 

The Plan Administrator may grant Options designated as Incentive Share Options or Nonqualified Share Options.

 

7.2 Option Exercise Price

 

Options shall be granted with an exercise price per share not less than [*] on the Grant Date.

 

7.3 Term of Options

 

Subject to earlier termination in accordance with the terms of the Plan and the instrument evidencing the Option, the maximum term of an Option (the “Option Term”) shall be ten years from the Grant Date. For Incentive Share Options, the Option Term shall be as specified in Section 8.4.

 

7.4 Exercise of Options

 

The Plan Administrator shall establish and set forth in each instrument that evidences an Option the time at which, or the installments in which, the Option shall vest and become exercisable, any of which provisions may be waived or modified by the Plan Administrator at any time. If not so established in the instrument evidencing the Option, the Option shall vest and become exercisable according to the following schedule, which may be waived or modified by the Plan Administrator at any time:

 

Period of Participant’s Continuous

Employment or Service With the

Company or Its Related Companies

From the Vesting Commencement Date

 

Portion of Total Option That

Is Vested and Exercisable

After 1 year   1/4th

After 2 years

After 3 years

 

An additional 1/4th

An additional 1/4th

After 4 years   100%

 

To the extent an Option has vested and become exercisable, the Option may be exercised in whole or from time to time in part by delivery to or as directed or approved by the Company of a properly executed Share Option exercise agreement or notice, in a form and in accordance with procedures established by the Plan Administrator, setting forth the number of shares with respect to which the Option is being exercised, the restrictions imposed on the shares purchased under such exercise agreement or notice, if any, and such representations and agreements as may be required by the Plan Administrator, accompanied by payment in full as described in Section 7.5. An Option may be exercised only for whole shares and may not be exercised for less than a reasonable number of shares at any one time, as determined by the Plan Administrator.

 

3

 

 

7.5 Payment of Exercise Price

 

The exercise price for shares purchased under an Option shall be paid in full to the Company by delivery of consideration equal to the product of the Option exercise price and the number of shares purchased. Such consideration must be paid before the Company will issue the shares being purchased and must be in a form or a combination of forms acceptable to the Plan Administrator for that purchase, which forms may include:

 

(a) cash;
(b) check or wire transfer;
(c) such other consideration as the Plan Administrator may permit.

 

In addition, to assist a Participant (including directors and executive officers) in acquiring Ordinary Shares pursuant to an Option granted under the Plan, the Plan Administrator, in its sole discretion and to the extent permitted by applicable law, may authorize, either at the Grant Date or at any time before the acquisition of Ordinary Shares pursuant to the Option, (i) the payment by a Participant of the purchase price of the Ordinary Shares by a promissory note or (ii) the guarantee by the Company of a loan obtained by the Participant from a third party. Such notes or loans must be full recourse to the extent necessary to avoid adverse accounting charges to the Company’s earnings for financial reporting purposes. Subject to the foregoing, the Plan Administrator shall in its sole discretion specify the terms of any loans or loan guarantees, including the interest rate and terms of and security for repayment.

 

7.6 Effect of Termination of Service

 

The Plan Administrator shall establish and set forth in each instrument that evidences an Option whether the Option shall continue to be exercisable, and the terms and conditions of such exercise, after a Termination of Service, any of which provisions may be waived or modified by the Plan Administrator at any time. If not so established in the instrument evidencing the Option, the Option shall be exercisable according to the following terms and conditions, which may be waived or modified by the Plan Administrator at any time:

 

(a) Any portion of an Option that is not vested and exercisable on the date of a Participant’s Termination of Service shall expire on such date.

 

(b) Any portion of an Option that is vested and exercisable on the date of a Participant’s Termination of Service shall expire on the earliest to occur of:

 

  (i) if the Participant’s Termination of Service occurs for reasons other than Cause, Retirement, Disability or death, the date that is two months after such Termination of Service;
  (ii) if the Participant’s Termination of Service occurs by reason of Retirement or Disability, the date that is six months after such Termination of Service;
  (iii) if the Participant’s Termination of Service occurs by death, the date that is one year after such Termination of Service; and
  (iv) the Option Expiration Date.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Participant dies after his or her Termination of Service but while an Option is otherwise exercisable, the portion of the Option that is vested and exercisable on the date of such Termination of Service shall expire upon the earlier to occur of (y) the Option Expiration Date and (z) the one-year anniversary of the date of death, unless the Plan Administrator determines otherwise.

 

Also notwithstanding the foregoing, in case a Participant’s Termination of Service occurs for Cause, all Options granted to the Participant shall automatically expire upon first notification to the Participant of such termination, unless the Plan Administrator determines otherwise. If a Participant’s employment or service relationship with the Company is suspended pending an investigation of whether the Participant shall be terminated for Cause, all the Participant’s rights under any Option shall likewise be suspended during the period of investigation. If any facts that would constitute termination for Cause are discovered after a Participant’s Termination of Service, any Option then held by the Participant may be immediately terminated by the Plan Administrator, in its sole discretion.

 

4

 

 

SECTION 8. INCENTIVE SHARE OPTION LIMITATIONS

 

Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan to the contrary, the terms and conditions of any Incentive Share Options shall in addition comply in all respects with Section 422 of the Code, or any successor provision, and any applicable regulations thereunder, including, to the extent required thereunder, the following:

 

8.1 Dollar Limitation

 

To the extent the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the Grant Date) of Ordinary Shares with respect to which a Participant’s Incentive Share Options become exercisable for the first time during any calendar year (under the Plan and all other Share Option plans of the Company and its parent and subsidiary corporations) exceeds $100,000, such portion in excess of $100,000 shall be treated as a Nonqualified Share Option. In the event the Participant holds two or more such Options that become exercisable for the first time in the same calendar year, such limitation shall be applied on the basis of the order in which such Options are granted.

 

8.2 Eligible Employees

 

Individuals who are not employees of the Company or one of its parent or subsidiary corporations may not be granted Incentive Share Options.

 

8.3 Exercise Price

 

Incentive Share Options shall be granted with an exercise price per share not less [*] on the Grant Date.

 

8.4 Option Term

 

Subject to earlier termination in accordance with the terms of the Plan and the instrument evidencing the Option, the maximum term of an Incentive Share Option shall not exceed ten years, and in the case of an Incentive Share Option granted to a Ten Percent Shareholder, shall not exceed five years.

 

8.5 Exercisability

 

An Option designated as an Incentive Share Option shall cease to qualify for favorable tax treatment as an Incentive Share Option to the extent it is exercised (if permitted by the terms of the Option) (a) more than three months after the date of a Participant’s termination of employment if termination was for reasons other than death or disability, (b) more than one year after the date of a Participant’s termination of employment if termination was by reason of disability, or (c) more than six months following the first day of a Participant’s leave of absence that exceeds three months, unless the Participant’s reemployment rights are guaranteed by statute or contract.

 

8.6 Taxation of Incentive Share Options

 

In order to obtain certain tax benefits afforded to Incentive Share Options under Section 422 of the Code, the Participant must hold the shares acquired upon the exercise of an Incentive Share Option for two years after the Grant Date and one year after the date of exercise.

 

A Participant may be subject to the alternative minimum tax at the time of exercise of an Incentive Share Option. The Participant shall give the Company prompt notice of any disposition of shares acquired on the exercise of an Incentive Share Option prior to the expiration of such holding periods.

 

8.7 Code Definitions

 

For the purposes of this Section 8, “disability,” “parent corporation” and “subsidiary corporation” shall have the meanings attributed to those terms for purposes of Section 422 of the Code.

 

8.8 Promissory Notes

 

The amount of any promissory note delivered pursuant to Section 7.5 in connection with an Incentive Share Option shall bear interest at a rate specified by the Plan Administrator, but in no case less than the rate required to avoid imputation of interest (taking into account any exceptions to the imputed interest rules) for federal income tax purposes.

 

5

 

 

SECTION 9. SHARE APPRECIATION RIGHTS

 

9.1 Grant of Share Appreciation Rights

 

The Plan Administrator may grant Share Appreciation Rights (SAR) to Participants at any time on such terms and conditions as the Plan Administrator shall determine in its sole discretion. An SAR may be granted in tandem with an Option or alone (“freestanding”). The grant price of a tandem SAR shall be equal to the exercise price of the related Option. The grant price of a freestanding SAR shall be established in accordance with procedures for Options set forth in Section 7.2. An SAR may be exercised upon such terms and conditions and for the term as the Plan Administrator determines in its sole discretion; provided, however, that, subject to earlier termination in accordance with the terms of the Plan and the instrument evidencing the SAR, the maximum term of a freestanding SAR shall be ten years, and in the case of a tandem SAR, (a) the term shall not exceed the term of the related Option and (b) the tandem SAR may be exercised for all or part of the shares subject to the related Option upon the surrender of the right to exercise the equivalent portion of the related Option, except that the tandem SAR may be exercised only with respect to the shares for which its related Option is then exercisable.

 

9.2 Payment of SAR Amount

 

Upon the exercise of an SAR, a Participant shall be entitled to receive payment in an amount determined by multiplying: (a) the difference between the Fair Market Value of the Ordinary Shares on the date of exercise over the grant price of the SAR by (b) the number of shares with respect to which the SAR is exercised. At the discretion of the Plan Administrator as set forth in the instrument evidencing the Award, the payment upon exercise of an SAR may be in cash, in shares, in some combination thereof or in any other manner approved by the Plan Administrator in its sole discretion.

 

9.3 Waiver of Restrictions

 

The Plan Administrator, in its sole discretion, may waive any other terms, conditions or restrictions on any SAR under such circumstances and subject to such terms and conditions as the Plan Administrator shall deem appropriate.

 

SECTION 10. SHARE AWARDS, RESTRICTED SHARE AND SHARE UNITS

 

10.1 Grant of Share Awards, Restricted Share and Share Units

 

The Plan Administrator may grant Share Awards, Restricted Share and Share Units on such terms and conditions and subject to such repurchase or forfeiture restrictions, if any, which may be based on continuous service with the Company or a Related Company or the achievement of any performance goals, as the Plan Administrator shall determine in its sole discretion, which terms, conditions and restrictions shall be set forth in the instrument evidencing the Award.

 

10.2 Vesting of Restricted Share and Share Units

 

Upon the satisfaction of any terms, conditions and restrictions prescribed with respect to Restricted Share or Share Units, or upon a Participant’s release from any terms, conditions and restrictions of Restricted Share or Share Units, as determined by the Plan Administrator (a) the shares of Restricted Share covered by each Award of Restricted Share shall become freely transferable by the Participant subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, the instrument evidencing the Award, and applicable securities laws, and (b) Share Units shall be paid in Ordinary Shares or, if set forth in the instrument evidencing the Awards, in cash or a combination of cash and Ordinary Shares. Any fractional shares subject to such Awards shall be paid to the Participant in cash.

 

6

 

 

10.3 Waiver of Restrictions

 

The Plan Administrator, in its sole discretion, may waive the repurchase or forfeiture period and any other terms, conditions or restrictions on any Restricted Share or Share Unit under such circumstances and subject to such terms and conditions as the Plan Administrator shall deem appropriate.

 

SECTION 11. WITHHOLDING

 

The Company may require the Participant to pay to the Company the amount of (a) any taxes that the Company is required by applicable federal, state, local or foreign law to withhold with respect to the grant, vesting or exercise of an Award (“tax withholding obligations”) and (b) any amounts due from the Participant to the Company or to any Related Company (“other obligations”). Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, the Company shall not be required to issue any Ordinary Shares or otherwise settle an Award under the Plan until such tax withholding obligations and other obligations are satisfied.

 

The Plan Administrator may permit or require a Participant to satisfy all or part of the Participant’s tax withholding obligations and other obligations by (a) paying cash to the Company, (b) having the Company withhold an amount from any cash amounts otherwise due or to become due from the Company to the Participant, (c) having the Company withhold a number of Ordinary Shares that would otherwise be issued to the Participant (or become vested, in the case of Restricted Share) having a Fair Market Value equal to the tax withholding obligations and other obligations, or (d) surrendering a number of Ordinary Shares the Participant already owns having a value equal to the tax withholding obligations and other obligations. The value of the shares so withheld or tendered may not exceed the employer’s minimum required tax withholding rate.

 

SECTION 12. ASSIGNABILITY

 

No Award or interest in an Award may be sold, assigned, pledged (as collateral for a loan or as security for the performance of an obligation or for any other purpose) or transferred by a Participant or made subject to attachment or similar proceedings otherwise than by will or by the applicable laws of descent and distribution, except to the extent the Participant designates one or more beneficiaries on a Company-approved form who may exercise the Award or receive payment under the Award after the Participant’s death. During a Participant’s lifetime, an Award may be exercised only by the Participant. Notwithstanding the foregoing and to the extent permitted by Section 422 of the Code, the Plan Administrator, in its sole discretion, may permit a Participant to assign or transfer an Award, subject to such terms and conditions as the Plan Administrator shall specify.

 

SECTION 13. ADJUSTMENTS

 

13.1 Adjustment of Shares

 

In the event, at any time or from time to time, a Share dividend, Share split, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, distribution to Shareholders other than a normal cash dividend, or other change in the Company’s corporate or capital structure results in (a) the outstanding Ordinary Shares, or any securities exchanged therefor or received in their place, being exchanged for a different number or kind of securities of the Company or (b) new, different or additional securities of the Company or any other company being received by the holders of Ordinary Shares, then the Plan Administrator shall make proportional adjustments in (i) the maximum number and kind of securities available for issuance under the Plan; (ii) the maximum number and kind of securities issuable as Incentive Share Options as set forth in Section 4.2(d); and (iii) the number and kind of securities that are subject to any outstanding Award and the per share price of such securities, without any change in the aggregate price to be paid therefor. The determination by the Plan Administrator as to the terms of any of the foregoing adjustments shall be conclusive and binding.

 

7

 

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the issuance by the Company of shares of Share of any class, or securities convertible into shares of Share of any class, for cash or property, or for labor or services rendered, either upon direct sale or upon the exercise of rights or warrants to subscribe therefor, or upon conversion of shares or obligations of the Company convertible into such shares or other securities, shall not affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, outstanding Awards. Also notwithstanding the foregoing, a dissolution or liquidation of the Company or a Change of Control shall not be governed by this Section 13.1 but shall be governed by Sections 13.2 and 13.3, respectively.

 

13.2 Dissolution or Liquidation

 

To the extent not previously exercised or settled, and unless otherwise determined by the Plan Administrator in its sole discretion, Awards shall terminate immediately prior to the dissolution or liquidation of the Company. To the extent a vesting condition, forfeiture provision or repurchase right applicable to an Award has not been waived by the Plan Administrator, the Award shall be forfeited immediately prior to the commencement of the dissolution or liquidation.

 

13.3 Change of Control

 

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, unless the Plan Administrator determines otherwise with respect to a particular Award in the instrument evidencing the Award or in a written employment, services or other agreement between the Participant and the Company or a Related Company, in the event of a Change of Control, if and to the extent an outstanding Award is not converted, assumed, substituted for or replaced by the Successor Company, then effective immediately prior to the Change of Control such Award shall become fully vested and exercisable or payable, and all applicable restrictions or forfeiture provisions shall lapse, and then terminate upon effectiveness of the Change of Control. If and to the extent the Successor Company converts, assumes or replaces an outstanding Award, the vesting restrictions and/or forfeiture provisions applicable to such Award shall not be accelerated or lapse, and all such vesting restrictions and/or forfeiture provisions shall continue with respect to any shares of the Successor Company or other consideration that may be received with respect to such Award.

 

(b) For the purposes of Section 13.3(a), an Award shall be considered converted, assumed, substituted for or replaced by the Successor Company if following the Change of Control the Award confers the right to purchase or receive, for each Ordinary Share subject to the Award immediately prior to the Change of Control, the consideration (whether Share, cash or other securities or property) received in the Change of Control by holders of Ordinary Shares for each share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received in the Change of Control is not solely Ordinary Shares of the Successor Company, the Plan Administrator may, with the consent of the Successor Company, provide for the consideration to be received pursuant to the Award, for each Ordinary Share subject thereto, to be solely Ordinary Shares of the Successor Company substantially equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by holders of Ordinary Shares in the Change of Control. The determination of such substantial equality of value of consideration shall be made by the Plan Administrator, and its determination shall be conclusive and binding.

 

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Plan Administrator, in its sole discretion, may instead provide in the event of a Change of Control that a Participant’s outstanding Awards shall terminate upon or immediately prior to such Change of Control and that each such Participant shall receive, in exchange therefor, a cash payment equal to the amount (if any) by which (i) the Acquisition Price multiplied by the number of Ordinary Shares subject to such outstanding Awards (either to the extent then vested and exercisable, or subject to restrictions and/or forfeiture provisions, or whether or not then vested and exercisable, or subject to restrictions and/or forfeiture provisions, as determined by the Plan Administrator in its sole discretion) exceeds (ii) if applicable, the respective aggregate exercise, grant or purchase price payable with respect to Ordinary Shares subject to such Awards.

 

(d) For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section 14.3 requires all Awards to be treated similarly.

 

8

 

 

13.4 Further Adjustment of Awards

 

Subject to Sections 13.2 and 13.3, the Plan Administrator shall have the discretion, exercisable at any time before a sale, merger, consolidation, reorganization, liquidation, dissolution or change of control of the Company, as defined by the Plan Administrator, to take such further action as it determines to be necessary or advisable with respect to Awards. Such authorized action may include (but shall not be limited to) establishing, amending or waiving the type, terms, conditions or duration of, or restrictions on, Awards so as to provide for earlier, later, extended or additional time for exercise, lifting restrictions and other modifications, and the Plan Administrator may take such actions with respect to all Participants, to certain categories of Participants or only to individual Participants. The Plan Administrator may take such action before or after granting Awards to which the action relates and before or after any public announcement with respect to such sale, merger, consolidation, reorganization, liquidation, dissolution or change of control that is the reason for such action.

 

13.5 No Limitations

 

The grant of Awards shall in no way affect the Company’s right to adjust, reclassify, reorganize or otherwise change its capital or business structure or to merge, consolidate, dissolve, liquidate or sell or transfer all or any part of its business or assets.

 

13.6 Fractional Shares

 

In the event of any adjustment in the number of shares covered by any Award, each such Award shall cover only the number of full shares resulting from such adjustment.

 

13.7 Section 409A

 

Subject to Section 17.5, but notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, (a) any adjustments made pursuant to this Section 13 to Awards that are considered “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A shall be made in compliance with the requirements of Section 409A and (b) any adjustments made pursuant to this Section 13 to Awards that are not considered “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A shall be made in such a manner as to ensure that after such adjustment the Awards either (i) continue not to be subject to Section 409A or (ii) comply with the requirements of Section 409A.

 

SECTION 14. FIRST REFUSAL AND REPURCHASE RIGHTS; VOTING RESTRICTIONS

 

14.1 First Refusal Rights

 

Until the date on which the initial registration of the Ordinary Shares under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act first becomes effective, the Company shall have the right of first refusal with respect to any proposed sale or other disposition by a Participant of any Ordinary Shares issued pursuant to an Award. Such right of first refusal shall be exercisable in accordance with the terms and conditions established by the Plan Administrator and set forth in the Share purchase agreement evidencing the purchase of the shares or, if applicable, in a shareholders agreement or other similar agreement.

 

14.2 Repurchase Rights for Vested Shares

 

Until the date on which the initial registration of the Ordinary Shares under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act first becomes effective, upon a Participant’s Termination of Service, all vested Ordinary Shares issued pursuant to an Award (whether issued before or after such Termination of Service) shall be subject to repurchase by the Company, at the Company’s sole discretion, at the Fair Market Value of such shares on the date of such repurchase. The terms and conditions upon which such repurchase right shall be exercisable (including the period and procedure for exercise) shall be established by the Plan Administrator and set forth in the Share purchase agreement evidencing the purchase of the shares.

 

14.3 Other Rights and Voting Restrictions

 

Until the date on which the initial registration of the Ordinary Shares under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act first becomes effective, the Plan Administrator may require a Participant, as a condition to receiving shares under the Plan, to become a party to a Share purchase agreement and/or a shareholders agreement or other similar agreement, in the form designated by the Plan Administrator, pursuant to which Participant grants to the Company and/or its other shareholders certain rights, including but not limited to co-sale rights, and agrees to certain voting restrictions with respect to the Shares acquired by Participant under the Plan.

 

9

 

 

14.4 General

 

The Company’s rights under this Section 14 are assignable by the Company at any time.

 

SECTION 15. MARKET STANDOFF

 

In the event of an underwritten public offering by the Company of its equity securities pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act, including the Company’s initial public offering, no person may sell, make any short sale of, loan, hypothecate, pledge, grant any option for the purchase of, or otherwise dispose of or transfer for value or otherwise agree to engage in any of the foregoing transactions with respect to any shares issued pursuant to an Award granted under the Plan without the prior written consent of the Company or its underwriters. Such limitations shall be in effect for such period of time as may be requested by the Company or such underwriters; provided, however, that in no event shall such period exceed (a) 180 days after the effective date of the registration statement for such public offering or (b) such longer period requested by the underwriters as is necessary to comply with regulatory restrictions on the publication of research reports (including, but not limited to, NYSE Rule 472 or NASD Conduct Rule 2711, or any successor rules). The limitations of this Section 15 shall in all events terminate two years after the effective date of the Company’s initial public offering.

 

In the event of any Share split, Share dividend, recapitalization, combination of shares, exchange of shares or other change affecting the Company’s outstanding Ordinary Shares effected as a class without the Company’s receipt of consideration, any new, substituted or additional securities distributed with respect to the shares issued under the Plan shall be immediately subject to the provisions of this Section 15, to the same extent the shares issued under the Plan are at such time covered by such provisions.

 

In order to enforce the limitations of this Section 15, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to the shares until the end of the applicable standoff period.

 

SECTION 16. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

 

16.1 Amendment, Suspension or Termination

 

The Board may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan or any portion of the Plan at any time and in such respects as it shall deem advisable; provided, however, that, to the extent required by applicable law, regulation or Share exchange rule, Shareholder approval shall be required for any amendment to the Plan. Subject to Section 16.3, the Board may amend the terms of any outstanding Award, prospectively or retroactively.

 

16.2 Term of the Plan

 

The Plan shall have no fixed expiration date. After the Plan is terminated, no future Awards may be granted, but Awards previously granted shall remain outstanding in accordance with their applicable terms and conditions and the Plan’s terms and conditions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Incentive Share Options may be granted more than ten years after the later of (a) the Initial Effective Date and (b) the adoption by the Board of any amendment to the Plan that constitutes the adoption of a new plan for purposes of Section 422 of the Code.

 

16.3 Consent of Participant

 

The amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan or a portion thereof or the amendment of an outstanding Award shall not, without the Participant’s consent, materially adversely affect any rights under any Award theretofore granted to the Participant under the Plan. Any change or adjustment to an outstanding Incentive Share Option shall not, without the consent of the Participant, be made in a manner so as to constitute a “modification” that would cause such Incentive Share Option to fail to continue to qualify as an Incentive Share Option. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any adjustments made pursuant to Section 13 shall not be subject to these restrictions.

 

10

 

 

Subject to Section 17.5, but notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, the Board shall have broad authority to amend the Plan or any outstanding Award without the consent of the Participant to the extent the Board deems necessary or advisable to comply with, or take into account, changes in applicable tax laws, securities laws, accounting rules or other applicable law, rule or regulation.

 

SECTION 17. GENERAL

 

17.1 No Individual Rights

 

No individual or Participant shall have any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan, and the Company has no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Participants under the Plan.

 

Furthermore, nothing in the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan shall be deemed to constitute an employment contract or confer or be deemed to confer on any Participant any right to continue in the employ of, or to continue any other relationship with, the Company or any Related Company or limit in any way the right of the Company or any Related Company to terminate a Participant’s employment or other relationship at any time, with or without cause.

 

17.2 Issuance of Shares

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, the Company shall have no obligation to issue or deliver any Ordinary Shares under the Plan or make any other distribution of benefits under the Plan unless, in the opinion of the Company’s counsel, such issuance, delivery or distribution would comply with all applicable laws (including, without limitation, the requirements of the Securities Act or the laws of any state or foreign jurisdiction) and the applicable requirements of any securities exchange or similar entity.

 

The Company shall be under no obligation to any Participant to register for offering or resale or to qualify for exemption under the Securities Act, or to register or qualify under the laws of any state or foreign jurisdiction, any Ordinary Shares, security or interest in a security paid or issued under, or created by, the Plan, or to continue in effect any such registrations or qualifications if made.

 

As a condition to the exercise of an Option or any other receipt of Ordinary Shares pursuant to an Award under the Plan, the Company may require (a) the Participant to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise or receipt that such shares are being purchased or received only for the Participant’s own account and without any present intention to sell or distribute such shares and (b) such other action or agreement by the Participant as may from time to time be necessary to comply with the federal, state and foreign securities laws. At the option of the Company, a stop-transfer order against any such shares may be placed on the official Share books and records of the Company, and a legend indicating that such shares may not be pledged, sold or otherwise transferred, unless an opinion of counsel is provided (concurred in by counsel for the Company) stating that such transfer is not in violation of any applicable law or regulation, may be stamped on Share certificates to ensure exemption from registration. The Plan Administrator may also require the Participant to execute and deliver to the Company a purchase agreement or such other agreement as may be in use by the Company at such time that describes certain terms and conditions applicable to the shares.

 

To the extent the Plan or any instrument evidencing an Award provides for issuance of Share certificates to reflect the issuance of Ordinary Shares, the issuance may be effected on a non-certificated basis, to the extent not prohibited by applicable law or the applicable rules of any Share exchange.

 

11

 

 

17.3 Indemnification

 

Each person who is or shall have been a member of the Board or a committee appointed by the Board in accordance with Section 3.1 shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against and from any loss, cost, liability or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by such person in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit or proceeding to which such person may be a party or in which such person may be involved by reason of any action taken or failure to act under the Plan and against and from any and all amounts paid by such person in settlement thereof, with the Company’s approval, or paid by such person in satisfaction of any judgment in any such claim, action, suit or proceeding against such person, unless such loss, cost, liability or expense is a result of such person’s own willful misconduct or except as expressly provided by statute; provided, however, that such person shall give the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before such person undertakes to handle and defend it on such person’s own behalf.

 

The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such person may be entitled under the Company’s articles of incorporation or bylaws, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or of any power that the Company may have to indemnify or hold harmless.

 

17.4 No Rights as a Shareholder

 

Unless otherwise provided by the Plan Administrator or in the instrument evidencing the Award or in a written employment, services or other agreement, no Award, other than a Share Award, shall entitle the Participant to any cash dividend, voting or other right of a Shareholder unless and until the date of issuance under the Plan of the shares that are the subject of such Award.

 

17.5 Compliance with Laws and Regulations

 

In interpreting and applying the provisions of the Plan, any Option granted as an Incentive Share Option pursuant to the Plan shall, to the extent permitted by law, be construed as an “incentive Share Option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

 

The Plan and Awards granted under the Plan are intended to be exempt from the requirements of Section 409A to the maximum extent possible, whether pursuant to the short-term deferral exception described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4), the exclusion applicable to Share Options, Share appreciation rights and certain other equity-based compensation under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(5), or otherwise. To the extent Section 409A is applicable to the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan, it is intended that the Plan and any Awards granted under the Plan comply with the deferral, payout, plan termination and other limitations and restrictions imposed under Section 409A. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan to the contrary, the Plan and any Award granted under the Plan shall be interpreted, operated and administered in a manner consistent with such intentions; provided, however, that the Plan Administrator makes no representations that Awards granted under the Plan shall be exempt from or comply with Section 409A and makes no undertaking to preclude Section 409A from applying to Awards granted under the Plan.

 

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan to the contrary, with respect to any payments and benefits under the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan to which Section 409A applies, all references in the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan to the termination of the Participant’s employment or service are intended to mean the Participant’s “separation from service,” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) to the extent necessary to avoid subjecting the Participant to the imposition of any additional tax under Section 409A.

 

In addition, if the Participant is a “specified employee,” within the meaning of Section 409A, then to the extent necessary to avoid subjecting the Participant to the imposition of any additional tax under Section 409A, amounts that would otherwise be payable under the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan during the six-month period immediately following the Participant’s “separation from service,” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i), shall not be paid to the Participant during such period, but shall instead be accumulated and paid to the Participant (or, in the event of the Participant’s death, the Participant’s estate) in a lump sum on the first business day after the earlier of the date that is six months following the Participant’s separation from service or the Participant’s death. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, the Plan Administrator, to the extent it deems necessary or advisable in its sole discretion, reserves the right, but shall not be required, to unilaterally amend or modify the Plan and any Award granted under the Plan so that the Award qualifies for exemption from or complies with Section 409A.

 

12

 

 

17.6 Participants in Other Countries or Jurisdictions

 

Without amending the Plan, the Plan Administrator may grant Awards to Eligible Persons who are foreign nationals on such terms and conditions different from those specified in the Plan, as may, in the judgment of the Plan Administrator, be necessary or desirable to foster and promote achievement of the purposes of the Plan and shall have the authority to adopt such modifications, procedures, subplans and the like as may be necessary or desirable to comply with provisions of the laws or regulations of other countries or jurisdictions in which the Company or any Related Company may operate or have employees to ensure the viability of the benefits from Awards granted to Participants employed in such countries or jurisdictions, meet the requirements that permit the Plan to operate in a qualified or tax efficient manner, comply with applicable foreign laws or regulations and meet the objectives of the Plan.

 

17.7 No Trust or Fund

 

The Plan is intended to constitute an “unfunded” plan. Nothing contained herein shall require the Company to segregate any monies or other property, or Ordinary Shares, or to create any trusts, or to make any special deposits for any immediate or deferred amounts payable to any Participant, and no Participant shall have any rights that are greater than those of a general unsecured creditor of the Company.

 

17.8 Successors

 

All obligations of the Company under the Plan with respect to Awards shall be binding on any successor to the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise, of all or substantially all the business and/or assets of the Company.

 

17.9 Severability

 

If any provision of the Plan or any Award is determined to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, or as to any person, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Plan Administrator, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to applicable laws, or, if it cannot be so construed or deemed amended without, in the Plan Administrator’s determination, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, person or Award, and the remainder of the Plan and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect.

 

17.10 Choice of Law and Venue

 

Any dispute, difference or claim arising out of or in connection with this contract, shall be referred to and determined by arbitration in Hong Kong using the law of the United States or New York State to the extent not governed by the law of the United States as the governing law. The Domestic Arbitration Rules of Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre shall apply to the arbitration proceedings. The place of arbitration shall be in Hong Kong. There shall be only one arbitrator. The language of the arbitration shall be English/Chinese.

 

17.11 Legal Requirements

 

The granting of Awards and the issuance of Ordinary Shares under the Plan are subject to all applicable laws, rules and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be required.

 

17.12 California Appendix Provisions

 

To the extent required by applicable law, Participants who are residents of the State of California shall be subject to the additional terms and conditions set forth in Appendix B to the Plan until such time as the Ordinary Shares becomes a “listed” security under the Securities Act.

 

SECTION 18. EFFECTIVE DATE

 

The effective date (the “Effective Date”) is the date on which the Plan is adopted by the Board. If the Shareholders of the Company do not approve the Plan within 12 months after the Board’s adoption of the Plan, any Incentive Share Options granted under the Plan will be treated as Nonqualified Share Options.

 

13

 

 

APPENDIX A

 

DEFINITIONS

 

As used in the Plan,

 

Acquired Entity” means any entity acquired by the Company or a Related Company or with which the Company or a Related Company merges or combines.

 

Acquisition Price” means the fair market value of the securities, cash or other property, or any combination thereof, receivable or deemed receivable upon a Change of Control in respect of a Ordinary Share, as determined by the Plan Administrator in its sole discretion.

 

Award” means any Option, Share Appreciation Right, Share Award, Restricted Share, Share Unit or cash-based award or other incentive payable in cash or in Ordinary Shares, as may be designated by the Plan Administrator from time to time.

 

Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

Cause,” unless otherwise defined in the instrument evidencing an Award or in a written employment, services or other agreement between the Participant and the Company or a Related Company, means dishonesty, fraud, serious or willful misconduct, unauthorized use or disclosure of confidential information or trade secrets, or conduct prohibited by law (except minor violations), in each case as determined by the Company’s chief human resources officer or other person performing that function or, in the case of directors and executive officers, the Board, whose determination shall be conclusive and binding.

 

Change of Control,” unless the Plan Administrator determines otherwise with respect to an Award at the time the Award is granted or unless otherwise defined for purposes of an Award in a written employment, services or other agreement between the Participant and the Company or a Related Company, means consummation of:

 

(a) a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into any other company or other entity;

 

(b) a sale, in one transaction or a series of transactions undertaken with a common purpose, of at least 50% of the Company’s outstanding voting securities; or

 

(c) a sale, lease, exchange or other transfer, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, undertaken with a common purpose of at least 50%of the Company’s assets.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change of Control shall not include (i) a merger or consolidation of the Company in which the holders of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to the merger or hold at least a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Successor Company immediately after the merger or consolidation;(ii) a sale, lease, exchange or other transfer of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to a majority-owned subsidiary company; or (iii) a transaction undertaken for the principal purpose of restructuring the capital of the Company, including, but not limited to, reincorporating the Company in a different jurisdiction, converting the Company to a limited liability company or creating a holding company; or (iv) any transaction that the Board determines is not a Change in Control for purposes of the Plan.

 

Where a series of transactions undertaken with a common purpose is deemed to be a Change of Control, the date of such Change of Control shall be the date on which the last of such transactions is consummated.

 

A-1

 

 

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

 

Ordinary Shares” means the Ordinary Shares of no par value each of the Company.

 

Company” means mF International Limited.

 

Disability,” unless otherwise defined by the Plan Administrator for purposes of the Plan or in the instrument evidencing an Award or in a written employment, services or other agreement between the Participant and the Company or a Related Company, means a mental or physical impairment of the Participant that is expected to result in death or that has lasted or is expected to last for a continuous period of 12 months or more and that causes the Participant to be unable to perform his or her material duties for the Company or a Related Company and to be engaged in any substantial gainful activity, in each case as determined by the Company’s chief human resources officer or other person performing that function or, in the case of directors and executive officers, the Board, each of whose determination shall be conclusive and binding.

 

Effective Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 19.

 

Eligible Person” means any person eligible to receive an Award as set forth in Section 5.

 

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

 

Fair Market Value” means the per share fair market value of the Ordinary Shares as established in good faith by the Plan Administrator or, if the Ordinary Shares are publicly traded, the closing price for the Ordinary Shares on any given date during regular trading, or if not trading on that date, such price on the last preceding date on which the Ordinary Shares were traded, unless determined otherwise by the Plan Administrator using such methods or procedures as it may establish.

 

Grant Date” means the later of (a) the date on which the Plan Administrator completes the corporate action authorizing the grant of an Award or such later date specified by the Plan Administrator or (b) the date on which all conditions precedent to an Award have been satisfied, provided that conditions to the exercisability or vesting of Awards shall not defer the Grant Date.

 

Incentive Share Option” means an Option granted with the intention that it qualify as an “incentive Share Option” as that term is defined for purposes of Section 422 of the Code or any successor provision.

 

Nonqualified Share Option” means an Option other than an Incentive Share Option.

 

Option” means a right to purchase Ordinary Shares granted under Section 7.

 

Option Expiration Date” means the last day of the maximum term of an Option.

 

Option Term” means the maximum term of an Option as set forth in Section 7.3.

 

Participant” means any Eligible Person to whom an Award is granted.

 

Plan” means the mF International Limited 2022 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

Plan Administrator” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.

 

Related Company” means any entity that, directly or indirectly, is in control of, is controlled by or is under common control with the Company.

 

A-2

 

 

Restricted Share” means an Award of Ordinary Shares granted under Section 10, the rights of ownership of which are subject to restrictions prescribed by the Plan Administrator.

 

Retirement,” unless otherwise defined in the instrument evidencing the Award or in a written employment, services or other agreement between the Participant and the Company or a Related Company, means “Retirement” as defined for purposes of the Plan by the Plan Administrator or the Company’s chief human resources officer or other person performing that function or, if not so defined, means Termination of Service on or after the date the Participant reaches “normal retirement age,” as that term is defined in Section 411(a)(8) of the Code.

 

Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code.

 

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.

 

Share Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means a right granted under Section 9.1 to receive the excess of the Fair Market Value of a specified number of Ordinary Shares over the grant price.

 

Share Award” means an Award of Ordinary Shares granted under Section 10, the rights of ownership of which are not subject to restrictions prescribed by the Plan Administrator.

 

Share Unit” means an Award denominated in units of Ordinary Shares granted under Section 10.

 

Substitute Awards” means Awards granted or Ordinary Shares issued by the Company in substitution or exchange for awards previously granted by an Acquired Entity.

 

Successor Company” means the surviving company, the successor company, the acquiring company or its parent, as applicable, in connection with a Change of Control.

 

Termination of Service” means a termination of employment or service relationship with the Company or a Related Company for any reason, whether voluntary or involuntary, including by reason of death, Disability or Retirement. Any question as to whether and when there has been a Termination of Service for the purposes of an Award and the cause of such Termination of Service shall be determined by the Company’s chief human resources officer or other person performing that function or, with respect to directors and executive officers, by the Board, whose determination shall be conclusive and binding.

 

Transfer of a Participant’s employment or service relationship between the Company and any Related Company shall not be considered a Termination of Service for purposes of an Award. Unless the Board determines otherwise, a Termination of Service shall be deemed to occur if the Participant’s employment or service relationship is with an entity that has ceased to be a Related Company. A Participant’s change in status from an employee of the Company or a Related Company to a nonemployee director, consultant, advisor or independent contractor of the Company or a Related Company, or a change in status from a nonemployee director, consultant, advisor or independent contractor of the Company or a Related Company to an employee of the Company or a Related Company, shall not be considered a Termination of Service.

 

Vesting Commencement Date” means the Grant Date or such other date selected by the Plan Administrator as the date from which an Award begins to vest.

 

A-3

 

 

APPENDIX B

 

TO mF INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

 

2022 Equity Incentive Plan

 

(For California Residents Only)

 

This Appendix to the mF INTERNATIONAL LIMITED 2022 Equity Incentive Plan (the Plan) shall have application only to Participants who are residents of the State of California. Capitalized terms contained herein shall have the same meanings given to them in the Plan, unless otherwise provided in this Appendix. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary and to the extent required by applicable law, the following terms and conditions shall apply to all Awards granted to residents of the State of California, until such time as the Ordinary Shares becomes a “listed security” under the Securities Act:

 

1. Options shall have a term of not more than ten years from the Grant Date.

 

2. Awards shall be nontransferable other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and to the extent permitted by Section 422 of the Code, the Plan Administrator, in its discretion, may permit transfer of an Award to a revocable trust or as otherwise permitted by Rule 701 of the Securities Act.

 

3. Unless employment or services are terminated for Cause, the right to exercise an Option in the event of Termination of Service, to the extent that the Participant is otherwise entitled to exercise an Option on the date of Termination of Service, shall be

 

(a) at least six months from the date of a Participant’s Termination of Service if termination was caused by death or Disability; and

 

(b) at least 30 days from the date of a Participant’s Termination of Service if termination of employment was caused by other than death or Disability;

 

(c) but in no event later than the Option Expiration Date.

 

4. No Award may be granted to a resident of California more than ten years after the earlier of the date of adoption of the Plan and the date the Plan is approved by the Shareholders.

 

5. Shareholders of the Company must approve the Plan by the later of (a) within 12 months before or after the Plan is adopted by the Board and (b) (i) with respect to Options, prior to or within 12 months of the grant of an Option under the Plan to a resident of the State of California, and (ii) with respect to Awards other than Options, prior to the issuance of such Award to a resident of the State of California. Any Option exercised by a California resident or shares issued under an Award to a California resident shall be rescinded if Shareholder approval is not obtained in the foregoing manner. Shares subject to such Awards shall not be counted in determining whether such approval is obtained.

 

6. To the extent required by applicable law, the Company shall provide annual financial statements of the Company to each California resident holding an outstanding Award under the Plan. Such financial statements need not be audited and need not be issued to key persons whose duties at the Company assure them access to equivalent information.

 

B-1

 

Exhibit 10.4

 

Transfer of Shares

 

in

 

mF International Limited

Incorporated in the BVI with Company Number 2100955

(the Company)

 

Pursuant to the terms of this instrument of transfer and for the consideration of US$2.50 per share, Gaderway Investments Limited hereby transfers 496,500 ordinary shares of no par value in the Company to:

 

AKB Finance Limited of Vistra Corporate Services Centre, Ground Floor NPF Building, Beach Road, Apia, Samoa.

 

This instrument of transfer shall be governed by the laws of the British Virgin Islands.

 

This transfer has been executed on 11 August 2023.

 

TRANSFEROR

 

Executed )  
     
by a duly authorised signatory on behalf of )  
     
Gaderway Investments Limited )  
     
Name: Lam Tai Wai Stephen ) …………………………………………………….

 

1

 

 

Transfer of Shares

 

in

 

mF International Limited

Incorporated in the BVI with Company Number 2100955

(the Company)

 

Pursuant to the terms of this instrument of transfer and for the consideration of US$2.50 per share, Gaderway Investments Limited hereby transfers 331,000 ordinary shares of no par value in the Company to:

 

Cheng Man Lee of House 33, Palm Drive, The Green, Fanling, Hong Kong.

 

This instrument of transfer shall be governed by the laws of the British Virgin Islands.

 

This transfer has been executed on 11 August 2023.

 

TRANSFEROR

 

Executed )  
     
by a duly authorised signatory on behalf of )  
     
Gaderway Investments Limited )  
     
Name: Lam Tai Wai Stephen ) ………………………………………..

 

2

 

 

Transfer of Shares

 

in

 

mF International Limited

Incorporated in the BVI with Company Number 2100955

(the Company)

 

Pursuant to the terms of this instrument of transfer and for the consideration of US$2.50 per share, Gaderway Investments Limited hereby transfers 331,000 ordinary shares of no par value in the Company to:

 

Glitter Win International Limited of Sea Meadow House, P.O. Box 116, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands, VG1110.

 

This instrument of transfer shall be governed by the laws of the British Virgin Islands.

 

This transfer has been executed on 11 August 2023.

 

TRANSFEROR

 

Executed )  
     
by a duly authorised signatory on behalf of )  
     
Gaderway Investments Limited )  
     
Name: Lam Tai Wai Stephen ) …………………………………………………….

 

3

 

 

Transfer of Shares

 

in

 

mF International Limited

Incorporated in the BVI with Company Number 2100955

(the Company)

 

Pursuant to the terms of this instrument of transfer and for the consideration of US$2.50 per share, Gaderway Investments Limited hereby transfers 662,000 ordinary shares of no par value in the Company to:

 

Lo Wing Sang of Room 14C, Blk 6, Sceneway Gdn, Lam Tin, Hong Kong.

 

This instrument of transfer shall be governed by the laws of the British Virgin Islands.

 

This transfer has been executed on 11 August 2023.

 

TRANSFEROR

 

Executed )  
     
by a duly authorised signatory on behalf of )  
     
Gaderway Investments Limited )  
     
Name: Lam Tai Wai Stephen ) ……………………………………………………..

 

4

 

 

Transfer of Shares

 

in

 

mF International Limited

Incorporated in the BVI with Company Number 2100955

(the Company)

 

Pursuant to the terms of this instrument of transfer and for the consideration of US$2.50 per share, Gaderway Investments Limited hereby transfers 331,000 ordinary shares of no par value in the Company to:

 

Ma Man Hung of Rm L, 11/F, Hop Woo Bldg, 175 Hip Wo St, Kwun Tong, Kln, Hong Kong.

 

This instrument of transfer shall be governed by the laws of the British Virgin Islands.

 

This transfer has been executed on 11 August 2023.

 

TRANSFEROR

 

Executed )  
     
by a duly authorised signatory on behalf of )  
     
Gaderway Investments Limited )  
     
Name: Lam Tai Wai Stephen ) ……………………………………….

 

5

 

 

Transfer of Shares

 

in

 

mF International Limited

Incorporated in the BVI with Company Number 2100955

(the Company)

 

Pursuant to the terms of this instrument of transfer and for the consideration of US$2.50 per share, Gaderway Investments Limited hereby transfers 331,000 ordinary shares of no par value in the Company to:

 

Magic Town Investments Limited of Quijano Chambers, P.O. Box 3159, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands, VG1110.

 

This instrument of transfer shall be governed by the laws of the British Virgin Islands.

 

This transfer has been executed on 11 August 2023.

 

TRANSFEROR

 

Executed )  
     
by a duly authorised signatory on behalf of )  
     
Gaderway Investments Limited )  
     
Name: Lam Tai Wai Stephen ) …………………………………………….

 

6

 

 

Transfer of Shares

 

in

 

mF International Limited

Incorporated in the BVI with Company Number 2100955

(the Company)

 

Pursuant to the terms of this instrument of transfer and for the consideration of US$2.50 per share, Gaderway Investments Limited hereby transfers 496,500 ordinary shares of no par value in the Company to:

 

Money Link Developments Limited of Vistra Corporate Services Centre, Wickhams Cay II, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands, VG1110.

 

This instrument of transfer shall be governed by the laws of the British Virgin Islands.

 

This transfer has been executed on 11 August 2023.

 

TRANSFEROR

 

Executed )  
     
by a duly authorised signatory on behalf of )  
     
Gaderway Investments Limited )  
     
Name: Lam Tai Wai Stephen ) ……………………………………………

 

7

 

 

Exhibit 16.1

 

 

August 22, 2023

 

Securities and Exchange Commission

100 F Street NE

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Re: mF International Limited

 

Dear Commissioners:

 

We have read the Registration Statements on Form F-1 dated August 22, 2023 of mF International Limited (the “Registrant”) and are in agreement with the statements contained under the section of Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant as it pertains to our firm; we are not in a position to agree or disagree with other statements of Registrant contained therein.

 

Very truly yours,

 

/s/ Friedman LLP

New York, New York

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 21.1

 

List of Subsidiaries

 

 

Subsidiary   Place of Incorporation
m-FINANCE Limited   Hong Kong
m-FINANCE Trading Technologies Ltd.   Hong Kong
Omegatraders Systems Limited   Hong Kong

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 23.1

 

 

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm’s Consent

 

We consent to the inclusion in this Registration Statement of mF International Limited on Form F-1 of our report dated December 29, 2022, with respect to our audit of the consolidated financial statements of mF International Limited as of December 31, 2021 and for the year ended December 31, 2021, which report appears in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to our Firm under the heading “Experts” in such Prospectus.

 

We were dismissed as auditors on February 16, 2023 and, accordingly, we have not performed any audit or review procedures with respect to any financial statements appearing in such Prospectus for the periods after the date of our dismissal.

 

/s/ Friedman LLP

 

Friedman LLP

New York, New York

August 22, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 23.2

 

 

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm’s Consent

 

We consent to the inclusion in this Registration Statement of mF International Limited on Form F-1 of our report dated May 26, 2023, except for Note 13 and Note 16 as to which the date is August 22, 2023, with respect to our audit of the consolidated financial statements of mF International Limited as of December 31, 2022 and for the year ended December 31, 2022, which report appears in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to our Firm under the heading “Experts” in such Prospectus.

 

/s/ Marcum Asia CPAs LLP

 

Marcum Asia CPAs LLP

New York, New York

August 22, 2023

 

NEW YORK OFFICE 7 ● Penn Plaza ● Suite 830 ● New York, New York ● 10001

Phone 646.442.4845 ● Fax 646.349.5200 ● www.marcumasia.com

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS

 

OF

 

mF INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

 

INTRODUCTION

 

Purpose

 

This Code of Business Conduct and Ethics contains general guidelines for conducting the business of mF International Limited, an exempted company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands with limited liability (the “Company”), consistent with the highest standards of business ethics. To the extent this Code requires a higher standard than required by commercial practice or applicable laws, rules or regulations, we adhere to these higher standards.

 

This Code applies to all of the directors, officers, and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries (which, unless the context otherwise requires, are collectively referred to as the “Company” in this Code). We refer to all persons covered by this Code as “Company employees” or simply “employees.” We also refer to our chief executive officer and our chief financial officer as our “principal financial officers.”

 

Seeking Help and Information

 

This Code is not intended to be a comprehensive rulebook and cannot address every situation that you may face. If you feel uncomfortable about a situation or have any doubts about whether it is consistent with the Company’s ethical standards, seek help. We encourage you to contact your supervisor for help first. If your supervisor cannot answer your question or if you do not feel comfortable contacting your supervisor, contact the Compliance Officer of the Company, who shall be a person appointed by the Board of Directors of the Company. Upon the effectiveness of the Company’s registration statement on Form F-1 for the Company’s initial public offering, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company shall be appointed by the Board of Directors of the Company as the Compliance Officer for the Company. The Company will notify you if the Board of Directors appoints a different Compliance Officer. You may remain anonymous and will not be required to reveal your identity in your communication to the Company.

 

Reporting Violations of the Code

 

All employees have a duty to report any known or suspected violation of this Code, including any violation of the laws, rules, regulations or policies that apply to the Company. If you know of or suspect a violation of this Code, immediately report the conduct to your supervisor. Your supervisor will contact the Compliance Officer, who will work with you and your supervisor to investigate the matter. If you do not feel comfortable reporting the matter to your supervisor or you do not get a satisfactory response, you may contact the Compliance Officer directly. Employees making a report need not leave their name or other personal information and reasonable efforts will be used to conduct the investigation that follows from the report in a manner that protects the confidentiality and anonymity of the employee submitting the report. All reports of known or suspected violations of the law or this Code will be handled sensitively and with discretion. Your supervisor, the Compliance Officer and the Company will protect your confidentiality to the extent possible, consistent with law and the Company’s need to investigate your report.

 

It is the Company policy that any employee who violates this Code will be subject to appropriate discipline, which may include termination of employment. This determination will be based upon the facts and circumstances of each particular situation. An employee accused of violating this Code will be given an opportunity to present his or her version of the events at issue prior to any determination of appropriate discipline. Employees who violate the law or this Code may expose themselves to substantial civil damages, criminal fines and prison terms. The Company may also face substantial fines and penalties and many incur damage to its reputation and standing in the community. Your conduct as a representative of the Company, if it does not comply with the law or with this Code, can result in serious consequences for both you and the Company.

 

 1 

 

 

Policy Against Retaliation

 

The Company prohibits retaliation against an employee who, in good faith, seeks help or reports known or suspected violations. Any reprisal or retaliation against an employee because the employee, in good faith, sought help or filed a report will be subject to disciplinary action, including potential termination of employment.

 

Waivers of the Code

 

Waivers of this Code for employees may be made only by an executive officer of the Company. Any waiver of this Code for our directors, executive officers or other principal financial officers may be made only by our Board of Directors or the appropriate committee of our Board of Directors and will be disclosed to the public as required by law or the rules of the Nasdaq Capital Market.

 

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

 

Identifying Potential Conflicts of Interest

 

A conflict of interest can occur when an employee’s private interest interferes, or appears to interfere, with the interests of the Company as a whole. You should avoid any private interest that influences your ability to act in the interests of the Company or that makes it difficult to perform your work objectively and effectively.

 

Identifying potential conflicts of interest may not always be clear-cut. The following situations are examples of conflicts of interest:

 

  Outside Employment. No employee should be employed by, serve as a director of, or provide any services not in his or her capacity as a Company employee to a company that is a material customer, supplier, or competitor of the Company.
     
  Improper Personal Benefits. No employee should obtain any material (as to him or her) personal benefits or favors because of his or her position with the Company. Please see “Gifts and Entertainment” below for additional guidelines in this area.
     
  Financial Interests. No employee should have a significant financial interest (ownership or otherwise) in any company that is a material customer, supplier or competitor of the Company. A “significant financial interest” means (i) ownership of greater than 1% of the equity of a material customer, supplier or competitor or (ii) an investment in a material customer, supplier or competitor that represents more than 5% of the total assets of the employee.
     
  Loans or Other Financial Transactions. No employee should obtain loans or guarantees of personal obligations from, or enter into any other personal financial transaction with, any company that is a material customer, supplier or competitor of the Company. This guideline does not prohibit arms-length transactions with banks, brokerage firms or other financial institutions.
     
  Service on Boards and Committees. No employee should serve on a board of directors or trustees or on a committee of any entity (whether profit or not-for-profit) whose interests reasonably would be expected to conflict with those of the Company.
     
  Actions of Family Members. The actions of family members outside the workplace may also give rise to the conflicts of interest described above because they may influence an employee’s objectivity in making decisions on behalf of the Company. For purposes of this Code, “family members” include your spouse or life-partner, brothers, sisters and parents, in-laws and children whether such relationships are by blood or adoption.

 

 2 

 

 

For purposes of this Code, a company is a “material” customer if that company has made payments to the Company in the past year in excess of US$100,000 or 10% of the customer’s gross revenues, whichever is greater. A company is a “material” supplier if that company has received payments from the Company in the past year in excess of US$100,000 or 10% of the supplier’s gross revenues, whichever is greater. A company is a “material” competitor if that company competes in the Company’s line of business and has annual gross revenues from such line of business in excess of US$500,000. If you are uncertain whether a particular company is a material customer, supplier or competitor, please contact the Compliance Officer for assistance.

 

Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest

 

The Company requires that employees disclose any situations that reasonably would be expected to give rise to a conflict of interest. If you suspect that you have a conflict of interest, or something that others could reasonably perceive as a conflict of interest, you must report it to your supervisor or the Compliance Officer. Your supervisor and the Compliance Officer will work with you to determine whether you have a conflict of interest and, if so, how best to address it. Although conflicts of interest are not automatically prohibited, they are not desirable and may only be waived as described in “Waivers of the Code” above.

 

CORPORATE OPPORTUNITIES

 

As an employee of the Company, you have an obligation to advance the Company’s interests when the opportunity to do so arises. If you discover or are presented with a business opportunity through the use of corporate property, information, or because of your position with the Company, you should first present the business opportunity to the Company before pursuing the opportunity in your individual capacity. No employee may use corporate property, information, or his or her position with the Company for personal gain or should compete with the Company.

 

You should disclose to your supervisor the terms and conditions of each business opportunity covered by this Code that you wish to pursue. Your supervisor will contact the Compliance Officer and the appropriate management personnel to determine whether the Company wishes to pursue the business opportunity. If the Company waives its right to pursue the business opportunity, you may pursue the business opportunity on the same terms and conditions as originally proposed and consistent with the other ethical guidelines set forth in this Code.

 

Confidential Information and Company Property

 

Employees have access to a variety of confidential information while employed at the Company. Confidential information includes all non-public information that might be of use to competitors, or, if disclosed, harmful to the Company or its customers. Every employee has a duty to respect and safeguard the confidentiality of the Company’s information and the information of our suppliers and customers, except when disclosure is authorized or legally mandated. In addition, you must refrain from using any confidential information from any previous employment if, in doing so, you could reasonably be expected to breach your duty of confidentiality to your former employers. An employee’s obligation to protect confidential information continues after he or she leaves the Company. Unauthorized disclosure of confidential information could cause competitive harm to the Company or its customers and could result in legal liability to you and the Company.

 

Employees also have a duty to protect the Company’s intellectual property and other business assets. The intellectual property, business systems and the security of the Company property are critical to the Company.

 

Any questions or concerns regarding whether disclosure of Company information is legally mandated should be promptly referred to the Compliance Officer.

 

Safeguarding Confidential Information and Company Property

 

Care must be taken to safeguard and protect confidential information and Company property. Accordingly, the following measures should be adhered to:

 

  The Company’s employees should conduct their business and social activities so as not to risk inadvertent disclosure of confidential information. For example, when not in use, confidential information should be secretly stored. Also, review of confidential documents or discussion of confidential subjects in public places (e.g., airplanes, trains, taxis, buses, etc.) should be conducted so as to prevent overhearing or other access by unauthorized persons.

 

 3 

 

 

  Within the Company’s offices, confidential matters should not be discussed within hearing range of visitors or others not working on such matters.
     
  Confidential matters should not be discussed with other employees not working on such matters or with friends or relatives including those living in the same household as a Company employee.
     
  The Company’s employees are only to access, use, and disclose confidential information that is necessary for them to have in the course of performing their duties. They are not to disclose confidential information to other employees or contractors at the Company unless it is necessary for those employees or contractors to have such confidential information in the course of their duties.
     
  The Company’s files, personal computers, networks, software, internet access, internet browser programs, emails, voice mails, and other business equipment (e.g. desks and cabinets) and resources are provided for business use and they are the exclusive property of the Company. Misuse of such Company property is not tolerated.

 

COMPETITION AND FAIR DEALING

 

All employees are obligated to deal fairly with fellow employees and with the Company’s customers, suppliers and competitors. Employees should not take unfair advantage of anyone through manipulation, concealment, abuse of privileged information, misrepresentation of material facts, or any other unfair-dealing practice.

 

Relationships with Customers

 

Our business success depends upon our ability to foster lasting customer relationships. The Company is committed to dealing with customers fairly, honestly, and with integrity. Specifically, you should keep the following guidelines in mind when dealing with customers:

 

  Information we supply to customers should be accurate and complete to the best of our knowledge. Employees should not deliberately misrepresent information to customers.
  Employees should not refuse to sell, service, or maintain products the Company has produced simply because a customer is buying products from another supplier.
  Customer entertainment should not exceed reasonable and customary business practice. Employees should not provide entertainment or other benefits that could be viewed as an inducement to or a reward for customer purchase decisions. Please see “Gifts and Entertainment” below for additional guidelines in this area.

 

Relationships with Suppliers

 

The Company deals fairly and honestly with its suppliers. This means that our relationships with suppliers are based on price, quality, service, and reputation, among other factors. Employees dealing with suppliers should carefully guard their objectivity. Specifically, no employee should accept or solicit any personal benefit from a supplier or potential supplier that might compromise, or appear to compromise, their objective assessment of the supplier’s products and prices. Employees can give or accept promotional items of nominal value or moderately scaled entertainment within the limits of responsible and customary business practice. Please see “Gifts and Entertainment” below for additional guidelines in this area.

 

Relationships with Competitors

 

The Company is committed to free and open competition in the marketplace. Employees should avoid actions that would be contrary to laws governing competitive practices in the marketplace, including antitrust laws. Such actions include misappropriation and/or misuse of a competitor’s confidential information or making false statements about the competitor’s business and business practices.

 

 4 

 

 

PROTECTION AND USE OF COMPANY ASSETS

 

Employees should protect the Company’s assets and ensure their efficient use for legitimate business purposes only. Theft, carelessness and waste have a direct impact on the Company’s profitability. The use of Company funds or assets, whether or not for personal gain, for any unlawful or improper purpose is prohibited.

 

To ensure the protection and proper use of the Company’s assets, each employee should:

 

  exercise reasonable care to prevent theft, damage or misuse of Company property;
     
  report the actual or suspected theft, damage or misuse of Company property to a supervisor;
     
  use the Company’s telephone system, other electronic communication services, written materials and other property primarily for business-related purposes;
     
  safeguard all electronic programs, data, communications and written materials from inadvertent access by others; and
     
  use Company property only for legitimate business purposes, as authorized in connection with your job responsibilities.

 

Employees should be aware that Company property includes all data and communications transmitted or received to or by, or contained in, the Company’s electronic or telephonic systems. Company property also includes all written communications. Employees and other users of Company property should have no expectation of privacy with respect to these communications and data. To the extent permitted by law, the Company has the ability, and reserves the right, to monitor all electronic and telephonic communication. These communications may also be subject to disclosure to law enforcement or government officials.

 

GIFTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

 

The giving and receiving of gifts is a common business practice. Appropriate business gifts and entertainment are welcome courtesies designed to build relationships and understanding among business partners. However, gifts and entertainment should not compromise, or appear to compromise, your ability to make objective and fair business decisions.

 

It is your responsibility to use good judgment in this area. As a general rule, you may give or receive gifts or entertainment to or from customers or suppliers only if the gift or entertainment would not be viewed as an inducement to or reward for any particular business decision. All gifts and entertainment expenses should be properly accounted for on expense reports. The following specific examples may be helpful:

 

  Meals and Entertainment. You may occasionally accept or give meals, refreshments or other entertainment if:

 

  The items are of reasonable value;
  The purpose of the meeting or attendance at the event is business related; and
  The expenses would be paid by the Company as a reasonable business expense if not paid for by another party.

 

 5 

 

 

Entertainment of reasonable value may include food and tickets for sporting and cultural events if they are generally offered to other customers, suppliers or vendors.

 

  Advertising and Promotional Materials. You may occasionally accept or give advertising or promotional materials of nominal value.
     
  Personal Gifts. You may accept or give personal gifts of reasonable value that are related to recognized special occasions such as a graduation, promotion, new job, wedding, retirement or a holiday. A gift is also acceptable if it is based on a family or personal relationship and unrelated to the business involved between the individuals.
     
  Gifts Rewarding Service or Accomplishment. You may accept a gift from a civic, charitable or religious organization specifically related to your service or accomplishment.

 

You must be particularly careful that gifts and entertainment are not construed as bribes, kickbacks, or other improper payments. See “The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act” below for a more detailed discussion of our policies regarding giving or receiving gifts related to business transactions.

 

You should make every effort to refuse or return a gift that is beyond these permissible guidelines. If it would be inappropriate to refuse a gift or you are unable to return a gift, you should promptly report the gift to your supervisor. Your supervisor will bring the gift to the attention of the Compliance Officer, who may require you to donate the gift to an appropriate community organization. If you have any questions about whether it is permissible to accept a gift or something else of value, contact your supervisor or the Compliance Officer for additional guidance.

 

COMPANY RECORDS

 

Accurate and reliable records are crucial to our business. Our records are the basis of our earnings statements, financial reports and other disclosures to the public and guide our business decision-making and strategic planning. Company records include booking information, payroll, timecards, travel and expense reports, e-mails, accounting and financial data, measurement and performance records, electronic data files and all other records maintained in the ordinary course of our business.

 

All Company records must be complete, accurate and reliable in all material respects. Undisclosed or unrecorded funds, payments or receipts are inconsistent with our business practices and are prohibited. You are responsible for understanding and complying with our record keeping policy. Ask your supervisor if you have any questions.

 

ACCURACY OF FINANCIAL REPORTS AND OTHER PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS

 

As a public company we are subject to various securities laws, regulations and reporting obligations. These laws, regulations and obligations and our policies require the disclosure of accurate and complete information regarding the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. Inaccurate, incomplete or untimely reporting will not be tolerated and can severely damage the Company and result in legal liability.

 

It is essential that the Company’s financial records, including all filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) be accurate and timely. Accordingly, in addition to adhering to the conflict of interest policy and other policies and guidelines in this Code, the principal financial officers and other senior financial officers must take special care to exhibit integrity at all times and to instill this value within their organizations. In particular, these senior officers must ensure their conduct is honest and ethical that they abide by all public disclosure requirements by providing full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosures, and that they comply with all other applicable laws and regulations. These financial officers must also understand and strictly comply with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. and all standards, laws and regulations for accounting and financial reporting of transactions, estimates and forecasts.

 

 6 

 

 

In addition, U.S. federal securities law requires the Company to maintain proper internal books and records and to devise and maintain an adequate system of internal accounting controls. The SEC has supplemented the statutory requirements by adopting rules that prohibit (1) any person from falsifying records or accounts subject to the above requirements and (2) officers or directors from making any materially false, misleading, or incomplete statement to an accountant in connection with an audit or any filing with the SEC. These provisions reflect the SEC’s intent to discourage officers, directors, and other persons with access to the Company’s books and records from taking action that might result in the communication of materially misleading financial information to the investing public.

 

COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS AND REGULATIONS

 

Each employee has an obligation to comply with all laws, rules and regulations applicable to the Company’s operations. These include, without limitation, laws covering bribery and kickbacks, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets, information privacy, insider trading, illegal political contributions, antitrust prohibitions, foreign corrupt practices, offering or receiving gratuities, environmental hazards, employment discrimination or harassment, occupational health and safety, false or misleading financial information or misuse of corporate assets. You are expected to understand and comply with all laws, rules and regulations that apply to your job position. If any doubt exists about whether a course of action is lawful, you should seek advice from your supervisor or the Compliance Officer.

 

COMPLIANCE WITH INSIDER TRADING LAWS

 

The Company has an insider trading policy, which may be obtained from the Compliance Officer. The following is a summary of some of the general principles relevant to insider trading, and should be read in conjunction with the aforementioned specific policy.

 

Company employees are prohibited from trading in shares or other securities of the Company while in possession of material, nonpublic information about the Company. In addition, Company employees are prohibited from recommending, “tipping” or suggesting that anyone else buy or sell shares or other securities of the Company on the basis of material, nonpublic information. Company employees who obtain material nonpublic information about another company in the course of their employment are prohibited from trading in shares or securities of the other company while in possession of such information or “tipping” others to trade on the basis of such information. Violation of insider trading laws can result in severe fines and criminal penalties, as well as disciplinary action by the Company, up to and including termination of employment.

 

Information is “non-public” if it has not been made generally available to the public by means of a press release or other means of widespread distribution. Information is “material” if a reasonable investor would consider it important in a decision to buy, hold or sell stock or other securities. As a rule of thumb, any information that would affect the value of stock or other securities should be considered material. Examples of information that is generally considered “material” include:

 

  Financial results or forecasts, or any information that indicates the Company’s financial results may exceed or fall short of forecasts or expectations;
  Important new products or services;
  Pending or contemplated acquisitions or dispositions, including mergers, tender offers or joint venture proposals;
  Possible management changes or changes of control;
  Pending or contemplated public or private sales of debt or equity securities;
  Acquisition or loss of a significant customer or contract;
  Significant write-offs;

 

 7 

 

 

  Initiation or settlement of significant litigation; and
  Changes in the Company’s auditors or a notification from its auditors that the Company may no longer rely on the auditor’s report.

 

The laws against insider trading are specific and complex. Any questions about information you may possess or about any dealings you have had in the Company’s securities should be promptly brought to the attention of the Compliance Officer.

 

PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS AND PREVENTION OF SELECTIVE DISCLOSURE

 

Public Communications Generally

 

The Company places a high value on its credibility and reputation in the community. What is written or said about the Company in the news media and investment community directly impacts our reputation, positively or negatively. Our policy is to provide timely, accurate and complete information in response to public requests (media, analysts, etc.), consistent with our obligations to maintain the confidentiality of competitive and proprietary information and to prevent selective disclosure of market-sensitive financial data. To ensure compliance with this policy, all news media or other public requests for information regarding the Company should be directed to the Company’s Investor Relations Department. The Investor Relations Department will work with you and the appropriate personnel to evaluate and coordinate a response to the request.

 

Prevention of Selective Disclosure

 

Preventing selective disclosure is necessary to comply with United States securities laws and to preserve the reputation and integrity of the Company as well as that of all persons affiliated with it. “Selective disclosure” occurs when any person provides potentially market-moving information to selected persons before the news is available to the investing public generally. Selective disclosure is a crime under United States law and the penalties for violating the law are severe.

 

The following guidelines have been established to avoid improper selective disclosure. Every employee is required to follow these procedures:

 

  All contact by the Company with investment analysts, the press and/or members of the media shall be made through the chief executive officer, chief financial officer or persons designated by them (collectively, the “Media Contacts”).
     
  Other than the Media Contacts, no officer, director or employee shall provide any information regarding the Company or its business to any investment analyst or member of the press or media.
     
  All inquiries from third parties, such as industry analysts or members of the media, about the Company or its business should be directed to a Media Contact. All presentations to the investment community regarding the Company will be made by us under the direction of a Media Contact.
     
  Other than the Media Contacts, any employee who is asked a question regarding the Company or its business by a member of the press or media shall respond with “No comment” and forward the inquiry to a Media Contact.

 

These procedures do not apply to the routine process of making previously released information regarding the Company available upon inquiries made by investors, investment analysts and members of the media.

 

Please contact the Compliance Officer if you have any questions about the scope or application of the Company’s policies regarding selective disclosure.

 

 8 

 

 

THE FOREIGN CORRUPT PRACTICES ACT

 

Foreign Corrupt Practices Act

 

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the “FCPA”) prohibits the Company and its employees and agents from offering or giving money or any other item of value to win or retain business or to influence any act or decision of any governmental official, political party, candidate for political office or official of a public international organization. Stated more concisely, the FCPA prohibits the payment of bribes, kickbacks or other inducements to foreign officials. This prohibition also extends to payments to a sales representative or agent if there is reason to believe that the payment will be used indirectly for a prohibited payment to foreign officials. Violation of the FCPA is a crime that can result in severe fines and criminal penalties, as well as disciplinary action by the Company, up to and including termination of employment.

 

Certain small facilitation payments to foreign officials may be permissible under the FCPA if customary in the country or locality and intended to secure routine governmental action. Governmental action is “routine” if it is ordinarily and commonly performed by a foreign official and does not involve the exercise of discretion. For instance, “routine” functions would include setting up a telephone line or expediting a shipment through customs. To ensure legal compliance, all facilitation payments must receive prior written approval from the Compliance Officer and must be clearly and accurately reported as a business expense.

 

ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY

 

The Company is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its employees and to avoiding adverse impact and injury to the environment and the communities in which we do business. Company employees must comply with all applicable environmental, health and safety laws, regulations and Company standards. It is your responsibility to understand and comply with the laws, regulations and policies that are relevant to your job. Failure to comply with environmental, health and safety laws and regulations can result in civil and criminal liability against you and the Company, as well as disciplinary action by the Company, up to and including termination of employment. You should contact the Compliance Officer if you have any questions about the laws, regulations and policies that apply to you.

 

Environment

 

All Company employees should strive to conserve resources and reduce waste and emissions through recycling and other energy conservation measures. You have a responsibility to promptly report any known or suspected violations of environmental laws or any events that may result in a discharge or emission of hazardous materials. Employees whose jobs involve manufacturing have a special responsibility to safeguard the environment. Such employees should be particularly alert to the storage, disposal and transportation of waste, and handling of toxic materials and emissions into the land, water or air.

 

Health and Safety

 

The Company is committed not only to complying with all relevant health and safety laws, but also to conducting business in a manner that protects the safety of its employees. All employees are required to comply with all applicable health and safety laws, regulations and policies relevant to their jobs. If you have a concern about unsafe conditions or tasks that present a risk of injury to you, please report these concerns immediately to your supervisor or the Human Resources Department.

 

EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES

 

The Company pursues fair employment practices in every aspect of its business. The following is intended to be a summary of our employment policies and procedures. Copies of our detailed policies are available from the Human Resources Department. Company employees must comply with all applicable labor and employment laws, including anti-discrimination laws and laws related to freedom of association, privacy and collective bargaining. It is your responsibility to understand and comply with the laws, regulations and policies that are relevant to your job. Failure to comply with labor and employment laws can result in civil and criminal liability against you and the Company, as well as disciplinary action by the Company, up to and including termination of employment. You should contact the Compliance Officer or the Human Resources Department if you have any questions about the laws, regulations and policies that apply to you.

 

 9 

 

 

Harassment and Discrimination

 

The Company is committed to providing equal opportunity and fair treatment to all individuals on the basis of merit, without discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, gender (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status or other characteristic protected by law. The Company prohibits harassment in any form, whether physical or verbal and whether committed by supervisors, non-supervisory personnel or non-employees. Harassment may include, but is not limited to, offensive sexual flirtations, unwanted sexual advances or propositions, verbal abuse, sexually or racially degrading words, or the display in the workplace of sexually suggestive objects or pictures.

 

If you have any complaints about discrimination or harassment, report such conduct to your supervisor or the Human Resources Department. All complaints will be treated with sensitivity and discretion. Your supervisor, the Human Resources Department and the Company will protect your confidentiality to the extent possible, consistent with law and the Company’s need to investigate your concern. Where our investigation uncovers harassment or discrimination, we will take prompt corrective action, which may include disciplinary action by the Company, up to and including, termination of employment. The Company strictly prohibits retaliation against an employee who, in good faith, files a compliant.

 

Any member of management who has reason to believe that an employee has been the victim of harassment or discrimination or who receives a report of alleged harassment or discrimination is required to report it to the Human Resources Department immediately.

 

CONCLUSION

 

This Code of Business Conduct and Ethics contains general guidelines for conducting the business of the Company consistent with the highest standards of business ethics. If you have any questions about these guidelines, please contact your supervisor or the Compliance Officer. We expect all Company employees to adhere to these standards.

 

This Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, as applied to the Company’s principal financial officers, shall be the Company’s “code of ethics” within the meaning of Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules promulgated thereunder.

 

This Code and the matters contained herein are neither a contract of employment nor a guarantee of continuing Company policy. We reserve the right to amend, supplement or discontinue this Code and the matters addressed herein, without prior notice, at any time.

 

 10 

 

Exhibit 99.2

 

CONSENT OF CHI WENG TAM

 

mF International Limited intends to file a Registration Statement on Form F-1 (together with any amendments or supplements thereto, the “Registration Statement”), registering securities for issuance in its initial public offering. As required by Rule 438 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the undersigned hereby consents to being named in the Registration Statement as a Chief Executive Officer Nominee.

 

August 22, 2023 /s/ Chi Weng Tam
  Chi Weng Tam

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.3

 

CONSENT OF SUM (PHILIP) CHENG

 

mF International Limited intends to file a Registration Statement on Form F-1 (together with any amendments or supplements thereto, the “Registration Statement”), registering securities for issuance in its initial public offering. As required by Rule 438 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the undersigned hereby consents to being named in the Registration Statement as a Director Nominee.

 

August 22, 2023 /s/ Sum (Philip) Cheng
  Sum (Philip) Cheng

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.4

 

CONSENT OF LAI SUM (CHRISTINA) LIU

 

mF International Limited intends to file a Registration Statement on Form F-1 (together with any amendments or supplements thereto, the “Registration Statement”), registering securities for issuance in its initial public offering. As required by Rule 438 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the undersigned hereby consents to being named in the Registration Statement as a Director Nominee.

 

August 22, 2023 /s/ Lai Sum (Christina) Liu
  Lai Sum (Christina) Liu

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.5

 

CONSENT OF KIT YING (JENNY) LAW

 

mF International Limited intends to file a Registration Statement on Form F-1 (together with any amendments or supplements thereto, the “Registration Statement”), registering securities for issuance in its initial public offering. As required by Rule 438 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the undersigned hereby consents to being named in the Registration Statement as a Director Nominee.

 

August 22, 2023 /s/ Kit Ying (Jenny) Law
  Kit Ying (Jenny) Law

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.6

 

CONSENT OF SUI YEE YEUNG

 

mF International Limited intends to file a Registration Statement on Form F-1 (together with any amendments or supplements thereto, the “Registration Statement”), registering securities for issuance in its initial public offering. As required by Rule 438 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the undersigned hereby consents to being named in the Registration Statement as a Chief Financial Officer Nominee.

 

August 22, 2023 /s/ Sui Yee Yeung
  Sui Yee Yeung

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.7

 

A white background with black and white clouds

Description automatically generated

 

BY POST & BY EMAIL

 

mF International Limited

Unit 1801, Fortis Tower

77-79 Gloucester Road

Wan Chai, Hong Kong

 

Date: August 22, 2023

 

Dear Sirs,

 

Re: Legal Opinion regarding Certain Hong Kong Legal Matters

 

A.INTRODUCTION

 

1.We, Winston & Strawn, act for the Company (together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”) as its legal advisers on matters of the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (“Hong Kong”) in connection with the Company’s registration statement on Form F-1 dated August 22, 2023 and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”) (the “Document”), relating to the (a) initial public offering of 1,876,108 ordinary shares of no par value each (“Ordinary Shares”) in the Company, comprising 1,655,000 new Ordinary Shares to be issued and sold directly by the Company and 221,108 existing issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares in the Company being offered and sold by Gaderway Investments Limited; and (b) the registration, offering and potential resale of an aggregate of 2,317,000 existing issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares in the Company by Money Link Developments Limited, AKB Finance Limited, Magic Town Investments Limited, Glitter Win International Limited, Cheng Man Lee and Ma Man Hung (collectively, the “Transaction”).

 

2.This letter is limited to the laws of Hong Kong in force as at the date hereof as currently applied by the Hong Kong courts and given on the basis that they will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Hong Kong law. We express no opinion as to the laws of any other jurisdictions or as to factual matters. We have assumed that there is nothing in the laws of any other jurisdiction which affects the opinions in this opinion letter, and we have made no investigation of, and express no opinion in relation to, the laws of any other jurisdiction for the purposes of this letter. In this letter, a reference to “laws” or “law” is a reference to the common law, principles of equity and laws and regulations constituted or evidenced by documents available to the public generally.

 

3.In giving the opinion below, we have examined only the Document and no other document, and we have relied upon the assumptions set out in paragraph ‎5 or elsewhere herein, which we have not independently verified, and the opinion is subject to the qualifications and reservations set out in paragraph ‎6 or elsewhere herein.

 

 

   

 

 

A black text on a white background

Description automatically generated

August 22, 2023

Page 2

 

B.OPINION

 

4.Based solely on the Document and the qualifications, assumptions and limitations set forth herein and subject to any matters not disclosed to us, and having regard to such considerations of the laws of Hong Kong in force as at the date this letter as we consider relevant, we are of the view that:

 

(a)the description of Hong Kong laws, if any, set forth in the Document under the captions “Prospectus Summary,” “Risk Factors,” “Enforceability of Civil Liability,” “Business” and “Regulations,” in each case insofar as such statements summarize Hong Kong laws, correctly and fairly summarizes the matters referred to therein in all material respects, and nothing has been omitted from such description which would make the same misleading in any material aspect; and

 

(b)the description of Hong Kong laws set forth in the Document under the captions “Regulations — Regulations related to Hong Kong taxation” and “Taxation — Hong Kong Profits Taxation,” in each case insofar as such statements summarize Hong Kong tax laws, correctly and fairly summarizes Hong Kong laws with respect to profit tax applicable to the business operation of the subsidiaries of the Group incorporated in Hong Kong in all material respects.

 

C.ASSUMPTIONS

 

5.The opinions set out in this letter are based upon the following assumptions:

 

(a)all statements of fact contained in the Document are true, accurate and complete and not misleading in any respect; and

 

(b)no laws other than Hong Kong laws would affect the opinions stated herein but that, insofar as the laws of any jurisdiction other than Hong Kong may be relevant, such laws have been complied with.

 

D.QUALIFICATIONS

 

6.The opinions set out in this letter are subject to the following qualifications:

 

(a)the description of Hong Kong laws as referred to in paragraph 5 in this letter only set out the relevant Hong Kong laws and regulations in a general sense and does not constitute a comprehensive legal opinion on such matter;

 

(b)we express no view as to whether any or all of the members of the Group have been or will be in compliance with any or all of the laws of Hong Kong;

 

(c)we express no view on the due incorporation and current legal status of the subsidiaries of the Company incorporated in Hong Kong;

 

(d)we expressly disclaim any of our liabilities in any part of the Document other than the description of Hong Kong laws as referred to in paragraph ‎4 in this letter;

 

(e)the opinions in this opinion letter are given based solely on the description of the business and activities of the Group set out in the Document and we express no opinion on the accuracy and completeness thereon;

 

(f)we express no opinion as to the past, present or future financial performance or good standing or the business prospect of the Group; and

 

   

 

 

A black text on a white background

Description automatically generated

August 22, 2023

Page 3

 

(g)we express no opinion as to taxation (other than the opinions stated in paragraph 4(b) of the letter) or accounting matters.

 

E.OTHERS

 

7.For the purposes of the opinions set out in this letter, we do not express or imply any opinion herein as to the laws of any jurisdiction other than those of Hong Kong. This opinion is delivered solely for the purpose of and in relation to the Transaction and the Document publicly filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on the date of this opinion and it may not be used and may not be relied upon for any other purpose without our prior written consent.

 

8.We hereby consent to the use of this opinion in, and the filing hereof as an exhibit to, the Registration Statement, and to the reference to our name in such Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the regulations promulgated thereunder. Except with our prior written consent or consented herein, this opinion is not to be transmitted or disclosed to or used or relied upon by any other person or used or relied upon by the Company for any other purpose and it may not be filed with any governmental agency or authority or quoted in any public document, save that to the extent required by any law or regulation or court order or in connection with any judicial proceeding or in seeking to establish any defence in any legal or regulatory proceeding or investigation relating to the matters set out herein. Our lability under this letter shall not exceed the amount of legal fees received by us from the Company in relation to the Transaction.

 

9.This opinion is given in respect of the laws of Hong Kong which are in force at, and is based upon facts and circumstances in existence at 8:00 am Hong Kong time on the date of this opinion. We assume no obligation to update this opinion for any changes in the laws of Hong Kong or other events or circumstances that occur after 8:00 am Hong Kong time on the date of this opinion.

 

Yours faithfully,

 

WINSTON & STRAWN

 

   

 

 

Exhibit 107

 

Filing Fee Table

 

           F-1         

(Form Type)

 

                 mF International Limited               

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

Table 1: Newly Registered Securities

 

        Fee     Proposed   Proposed       
        Calculation     Maximum   Maximum        
      Security   or Carry      Offering   Aggregate       Amount of 
   Security  Class   Forward  Amount   Price Per   Offering       Registration 
   Type  Title   Rule  Registered   Unit   Price(1)   Fee Rate   Fee 
Fees to Be Paid  Equity   Ordinary shares, no par value per share (2)(3)   Rules 457(a) and 457(o)          $10,621,790    0.0001102   $1,170.53 
   Equity   Ordinary Shares, no par value per share (4)   Rules 457(a) and 457(o)          $11,585,000    0.0001102   $1,276.67 
   Total Offering Amounts   $22,206,790        $2,447.20 
   Total Fees Previously Paid             $0 
   Total Fee Offset             $0 
   Net Fee Due             $2,447.20 

 

 

 

(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of determining the amount of registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Includes Ordinary Shares that may be purchased by the underwriter pursuant to its option to purchase additional Ordinary Shares to cover over-allotment, if any.
   
(2) In accordance with Rule 416, the Registrant is also registering an indeterminate number of additional Ordinary Shares that shall be issuable after the date hereof as a result of share splits, share dividends, or similar transactions.
   
(3) Includes Ordinary Shares registered for resale on this registration statement by the Underwritten Selling Shareholder named in this registration statement.

 

(4) Represents Ordinary Shares registered for resale on this registration statement by the Selling Shareholders named in this registration statement or their permitted transferees.