UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 20-F
☐ REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934
OR
☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018
OR
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934
OR
☐ SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934
Date of event requiring this shell company report
For the transition period from to
Commission file number: 001-38269
PPDAI Group Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Cayman Islands
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
Building G1, No. 999 Dangui Road
Pudong New District, Shanghai
The People’s Republic of China
(Address of principal executive offices)
Simon Tak Leung Ho, Chief Financial Officer
Phone: +86 21 8030 3200
Email: simon@ppdai.com
Building G1, No. 999 Dangui Road
Pudong New District, Shanghai
The People’s Republic of China
(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.
Title of each class
Name of each exchange on which registered
American depositary shares (one American depositary share
representing five Class A ordinary shares, par value US$0.00001 per
share)
Class A ordinary shares, par value US$0.00001 per share*
New York Stock Exchange
New York Stock Exchange
* Not for trading, but only in connection with the listing on the New York Stock Exchange of American depositary shares.
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act.
Not Applicable
(Title of Class)
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act.
Not Applicable
(Title of Class)
As of December 31, 2018, there were 1,486,770,169 ordinary shares outstanding, consisting of 827,770,169 Class A ordinary shares and 659,000,000
outstanding Class B ordinary shares, both with a par value of US$0.00001 per share.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of
Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such
files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or an emerging growth company.
See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer ☐ Accelerated filer ☒ Non-accelerated filer ☐ 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 13(a) of the Exchange 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.
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:
U.S. GAAP ☒
International Financial Reporting Standards as issued
by the International Accounting Standards Board ☐
Other ☐
If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to
follow. Item 17 ☐ Item 18 ☐
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange
Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
(APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. Yes ☐ No ☐
INTRODUCTION
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
PART I
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ITEM 1.
ITEM 2.
ITEM 3.
ITEM 4.
ITEM 4A.
ITEM 5.
ITEM 6.
ITEM 7.
ITEM 8.
ITEM 9.
ITEM 10.
ITEM 11.
ITEM 12.
PART II
ITEM 13.
ITEM 14.
ITEM 15.
ITEM 16A.
ITEM 16B.
ITEM 16C.
ITEM 16D.
ITEM 16E.
ITEM 16F.
ITEM 16G.
ITEM 16H.
PART III
ITEM 17.
ITEM 18.
ITEM 19.
SIGNATURES
IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS
OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
KEY INFORMATION
INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
THE OFFER AND LISTING
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
CODE OF ETHICS
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES
PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS
CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
EXHIBITS
1
2
3
3
3
3
48
81
81
100
111
112
113
113
123
124
126
126
126
126
128
128
128
128
128
129
129
129
130
130
130
130
Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires in this annual report on Form 20-F:
INTRODUCTION
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
“ADSs” refers to our American depositary shares, each of which represents five Class A ordinary shares;
“average rate of transaction fees” for a given period is computed by dividing the total amount of transaction fees charged by us
during the period by the total volume of loans originated on our platform during the same period;
“China” or the “PRC” refers to the People’s Republic of China, excluding, for the purposes of this annual report only, Hong Kong,
Macau and Taiwan;
“delinquency rate” refers to the balance of the outstanding principal for loans that were 15 to 29, 30 to 59, 60 to 89, 90 to 119, 120 to
149 and 150 to 179 calendar days past due as of a date as a percentage of the total outstanding balance of principal for the loans on
our platform as of such date. Loans that are delinquent for 180 days or more are typically charged-off and are not included in the
delinquency rate calculation;
“investment transactions” for a given period refers to the total number of investments executed by investors on our platform whether
using self-discretionary investing tool or automated investing tools or deployed through our investment programs during such
period. An investor’s investment in a loan is counted as one investment transaction;
number of “unique borrowers” at a certain point in time refers to the cumulative number of borrowers whose loans on our platform
had been funded before such point in time;
number of “unique borrowers” in a given period refers to the total number of borrowers whose loans on our platform were funded
during such period;
“ordinary shares” refers to our Class A and Class B ordinary shares, par value US$0.00001 per share;
“RMB” and “Renminbi” refer to the legal currency of China;
“US$,” “U.S. dollars,” “$,” and “dollars” refer to the legal currency of the United States;
“vintage delinquency rate” refers to (i) the total amount of principal for all the loans in a vintage that become delinquent, less (ii) the
total amount of recovered past due principal for all loans in the same vintage, and then divided by (iii) the total amount of initial
principal for all loans in such vintage. For purpose of this annual report, loans facilitated during a specified time period are referred
to as a vintage. Loans that are delinquent for 180 days or more are included in the calculation of vintage delinquency rate; and
“We,” “us,” “our company,” “our” and “Paipaidai” refer to PPDAI Group Inc., its subsidiaries, variable interest entities and their
respective subsidiaries, if any.
Our reporting currency is the Renminbi because our business is mainly conducted in China and all of our revenues are denominated in
Renminbi. This annual report contains translations of Renminbi amounts into U.S. dollars at specific rates solely for the convenience of the reader. The
conversion of Renminbi into U.S. dollars in this annual report is based on the rate certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New
York. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from Renminbi to U.S. dollars and from U.S. dollars to Renminbi in this annual report were made at
RMB6.8755 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate on December 31, 2018 set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board. We
make no representation that any Renminbi or U.S. dollar amounts could have been, or could be, converted into U.S. dollars or Renminbi, as the case
may be, at any particular rate, the rates stated below, or at all. The PRC government imposes control over its foreign currency reserves in part through
direct regulation of the conversion of Renminbi into foreign exchange and through restrictions on foreign trade. On April 19, 2019, the noon buying rate
set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board was RMB6.7032 to US$1.00.
1
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This annual report on Form 20-F contains forward-looking statements that reflect our current expectations and views of future events.
Known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including those listed under “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors,” may cause our
actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These
statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigations Reform Act of 1995.
You can identify some of these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,”
“estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “is/are likely to,” “potential,” “continue” or other similar expressions. We have based these forward-looking
statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of
operations, business strategy and financial needs. These forward-looking statements include statements relating to:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
our mission and strategies;
our future business development, financial condition and results of operations;
the expected growth of the online consumer finance marketplace market in China;
our expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of our products and services;
our expectations regarding our relationships with investors and borrowers;
competition in our industry;
general economic and business condition in China and elsewhere; and
relevant government policies and regulations relating to our industry.
These forward-looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties. Although we believe that our expectations expressed in these
forward-looking statements are reasonable, our expectations may later be found to be incorrect. Our actual results could be materially different from our
expectations. You should thoroughly read this annual report and the documents that we refer to with the understanding that our actual future results may
be materially different from and worse than what we expect. In addition, the rapidly changing nature of the online consumer finance marketplace
industry results in significant uncertainties for any projections or estimates relating to the growth prospects or future condition of our market.
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. We qualify all of our forward-
looking statements by these cautionary statements.
The forward-looking statements made in this annual report relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are
made in this annual report. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether
as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated
events.
2
ITEM 1.
IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS
Not applicable
PART I
ITEM 2.
OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
Not applicable.
ITEM 3.
KEY INFORMATION
A.
Selected Financial Data
The following selected consolidated statements of comprehensive income/(loss) data and selected consolidated cash flows data for the years
ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, and selected consolidated balance sheets data as of December 31, 2017 and 2018 have been derived from our
audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report beginning on page F-1. Our selected consolidated statements of
comprehensive income/(loss) data and selected consolidated cash flows data for the years ended December 31, 2015, and our selected consolidated
balance sheets data as of December 31, 2015 and 2016 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements not included in this annual
report. Our consolidated financial statements are prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our historical results do not necessarily
indicate results expected for any future periods. You should read this Selected Financial Data section together with our consolidated financial statements
and the related notes and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” below.
The following table presents our selected consolidated statements of comprehensive income/(loss) data for the years ended December 31,
2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
2015
RMB
Year Ended December 31,
2017
RMB
(in thousands, except for share, per share and per ADS data)
2016
RMB
2018(1)
RMB
US$
Selected Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss) Data:
Operating revenues:
Loan facilitation service fees
Post-facilitation service fees
Other revenue
Change in expected discretionary payment to investors protected by investor
reserve funds
Total operating revenues
Net interest income/(expenses) and loan provision losses:
Net interest income
Loan provision losses
Total net interest income/(expenses) and loan provision losses
Net revenues
Operating expenses:
Origination and servicing expenses
Sales and marketing expenses
General and administrative expenses
Provision for doubtful accounts
Total operating expenses
Other income/(expenses) (2)
Profit before income tax expenses
Income tax expense
Net profit
Less: Net profit/(loss) attributable to non-controlling interest shareholders
Accretion on Series A, B and C convertible redeemable preferred shares to
164,279
8,011
25,062
911,448
126,823
170,403
2,843,287
668,819
491,400
2,919,234
922,797
376,915
424,585
134,215
54,820
—
197,352
—
1,208,674
(107,660)
3,895,846
68,619
4,287,565
9,980
623,600
4,249
(5,912)
(1,663)
195,689
41,789
(34,705)
7,084
1,215,758
31,377
(46,586)
(15,209)
3,880,637
256,108
(192,749)
63,359
4,350,924
37,249
(28,034)
9,215
632,815
(99,383)
(125,439)
(115,942)
—
(340,764)
77,299
(67,776)
(4,364)
(72,140)
—
(388,149)
(352,952)
(237,808)
—
(978,909)
312,908
549,757
(48,267)
501,490
—
(974,522)
(788,291)
(588,664)
—
(2,351,477)
(171,542)
1,357,618
(274,711)
1,082,907
(76)
(985,571)
(710,754)
(701,353)
(106,652)
(2,504,330)
774,063
2,620,657
(151,206)
2,469,451
377
(143,345)
(103,375)
(102,008)
(15,512)
(364,240)
112,584
381,159
(21,992)
359,167
55
redemption value
(108,792)
(562,022)
(3,073,471)
—
—
3
Net profit/(loss) attributable to PPDAI Group Inc.’s ordinary
shareholders
Total comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to PPDAI Group Inc.
Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in computing net
income/(loss) per share(3)
Basic
Diluted
Net income/(loss) per share attributable to ordinary shareholders
Net income/(loss) per share - Basic
Net income/(loss) per share - Diluted
Net income/(loss) per ADS(4)
Net income/(loss) per ADS - Basic
Net income/(loss) per ADS - Diluted
(180,932)
(97,137)
(60,532)
440,992
(1,990,488)
1,182,917
2,469,074
2,512,367
359,112
365,409
665,000,000
665,000,000
665,000,000
665,000,000
779,804,270
779,804,270
1,498,780,165
1,599,592,231
1,498,780,165
1,599,592,231
(0.2721)
(0.2721)
(1.3605)
(1.3605)
(0.091)
(0.091)
(2.5525)
(2.5525)
(0.4551)
(0.4551)
(12.7627)
(12.7627)
1.6474
1.5436
8.2369
7.7178
0.2396
0.2245
1.1980
1.1225
(1)
On January 1, 2018, we adopted new revenue guidance ASC Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” using the modified
retrospective method applied to those contracts which were not completed as of January 1, 2018. Results for reporting periods beginning after
January 1, 2018 are presented under Topic 606, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with our
historic accounting method under Topic 605.
(2)
The following table sets forth the breakdown of our other income:
Other income/(expenses)
Gain from quality assurance
Realized gain/(loss) from financial guarantee derivatives
Fair value change of financial guarantee derivatives
Gain from disposal of subsidiary
Other income/(expenses), net
Total other income/(expenses)
2015
RMB
2016
RMB
Year Ended December 31,
2017
RMB
(in thousands)
2018
RMB
US$
42,358
19,549
15,757
—
(365)
77,299
99,961
31,999
146,653
20,611
13,684
312,908
5,885
169,103
(383,061)
—
36,531
(171,542)
510,894
(157,244)
272,057
—
148,356
774,063
74,307
(22,870)
39,569
—
21,578
112,584
(3)
(4)
On October 20, 2017, we effected a 100-for-1 share split, such that our authorized share capital of US$50,000 was divided into 5,000,000,000
shares with a par value of US$0.00001 each. For the purpose of calculating net loss per share, such share split has been retroactively reflected for
all periods presented herein.
Each ADS represents five Class A ordinary shares. On October 20, 2017, we effected a 100-for-1 share split, such that our authorized share
capital of US$50,000 was divided into 5,000,000,000 shares with a par value of US$0.00001 each. For the purpose of calculating loss per ADS,
such share split has been retroactively reflected for all periods presented herein.
4
The following table presents our selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
Selected Consolidated Balance Sheets Data:
Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash(1)
Short-term investments
Quality assurance receivable
Investments
Contract assets
Financial guarantee derivative assets
Total assets
Payable to platform customers
Quality assurance payable
Deferred revenue
Provision for payment to investor reserve fund investor
Contract liabilities
Financial guarantee derivative liabilities
Total liabilities
Total mezzanine equity
Total shareholders’ equity/(deficit)
(1)
The following table sets forth the breakdown of restricted cash:
Restricted cash:
Quality assurance commitment and quality assurance fund
Investor reserve funds
Cash received from investors and borrowers
Cash held as a collateral for short-term bank loans
Cash received via consolidated trust that has not yet been distributed
Collateral for short-term borrowings
Escrow accounts
Total restricted cash
5
2015
RMB
2016
RMB
As of December 31,
2017
RMB
(in thousands)
2018
RMB
US$
92,495
269,761
34,468
115,484
—
—
20,638
736,920
176,165
125,651
13,680
—
—
—
468,543
585,770
(317,393)
404,678
802,887
260,000
286,812
2,428
—
167,291
2,147,291
421,659
473,704
162,896
—
—
—
1,375,069
1,210,645
(438,423)
1,891,131
2,392,573
1,958,910
1,152,769
12,234
—
—
8,603,663
1,113,966
2,062,844
265,094
107,660
—
215,770
4,921,475
—
3,682,188
1,616,164
3,677,557
1,694,660
2,064,366
167,501
112,103
56,287
13,142,467
905,034
3,819,379
—
—
165,469
—
7,156,729
—
5,985,738
235,061
534,878
246,478
300,250
24,362
16,305
8,187
1,911,494
131,632
555,506
—
—
24,066
—
1,040,903
—
870,591
2015
RMB
2016
RMB
As of December 31,
2017
RMB
(in thousands)
2018
RMB
US$
52,863
19,680
176,165
21,053
—
—
—
269,761
329,549
51,679
421,659
—
—
—
—
802,887
1,058,617
175,215
1,113,966
—
44,775
—
—
2,392,573
2,414,449
17,971
905,034
—
303,667
26,000
10,436
3,677,557
351,167
2,614
131,632
—
44,165
3,782
1,518
534,878
On January 1, 2018, we adopted ASU 2016-18, which requires us to retrospectively restate the statement of cash flows to include restricted
cash and restricted cash equivalents. The following table presents our selected restated consolidated cash flow data for the years ended December 31,
2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
2015
RMB
2016
RMB
Year Ended December 31,
2017
RMB
(in thousands)
2018
RMB
US$
79,163
(132,242)
338,045
—
284,966
77,290
362,256
1,088,227
(684,112)
438,701
2,493
845,309
362,256
1,207,565
3,409,451
(2,450,800)
2,132,933
(15,445)
3,076,139
1,207,565
4,283,704
1,884,956
(1,447,013)
530,097
41,977
1,010,017
4,283,704
5,293,721
274,153
(210,460)
77,100
6,107
146,900
623,039
769,939
Summary Consolidated Cash Flows Data:
Net cash provided by operating activities
Net cash used in investing activities
Net cash provided by financing activities
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year
B.
Capitalization and Indebtedness
Not applicable.
C.
Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
Not applicable.
D.
Risk Factors
Risks Related to Our Business
We operate in China’s online consumer finance marketplace market, an emerging and evolving industry, which makes it difficult to evaluate our
future prospects.
China’s online consumer finance industry is new and may not develop as expected. The regulatory framework for this industry is also
evolving and may remain uncertain for the foreseeable future. China’s online consumer finance industry in general remains at a rather preliminary
development stage and may not develop at the anticipated growth rate. It is possible that the PRC laws and regulations may change in ways that do not
favor our development. If that happens, there may not be adequate loans facilitated on our marketplace and our current business model may be
negatively affected. As a new industry, there are very few established players whose business models we can follow or build upon. Potential borrowers
and investors may not be familiar with this new industry and may have difficulty distinguishing our services from those of our competitors. Attracting
and retaining borrowers and investors is critical to increasing the volume of loans facilitated through our marketplace. The emerging and evolving
online consumer finance market makes it difficult to effectively assess our future prospects. In addition, our business has grown substantially in recent
years, but our past growth rates may not be indicative of our future growth.
You should consider our business and prospects in light of the risks and challenges we encounter or may encounter in this developing and
rapidly evolving industry. These risks and challenges include our ability to, among other things:
•
•
•
•
•
•
navigate an evolving regulatory environment;
expand the base of borrowers and investors served on our marketplace;
maintain our credit standards;
enhance our risk management capabilities;
improve our operational efficiency;
continue to scale our technology infrastructure to support the growth of our platform and higher transaction volume;
6
•
•
•
•
•
•
broaden our loan product offerings;
operate without being adversely affected by the negative publicity about the industry in general and our company in particular;
maintain the security of our platform and the confidentiality of the information provided and utilized across our platform;
cultivate a vibrant consumer finance ecosystem;
attract, retain and motivate talented employees; and
defend ourselves in litigation, and against regulatory, intellectual property, privacy or other claims.
If the market for our marketplace does not develop as we expect, if we fail to educate potential borrowers and investors about the value of
our platform and services, or if we fail to address the needs of our target customers, our reputation, business and results of operations will be materially
and adversely affected.
The laws and regulations governing online consumer finance industry in China are developing and evolving and subject to changes. If we fail to
comply with existing and future applicable laws, regulations or requirements of local regulatory authorities, our business, financial condition and
results of operations would be materially and adversely affected.
Due to the relatively short history of the online consumer finance industry in China, the PRC government has yet to establish a
comprehensive regulatory framework governing our industry. Before any industry-specific regulations were introduced in mid-2015, the PRC
government relied on general and basic laws and regulations for governing the online consumer finance industry, including the PRC Contract Law, the
General Principles of the Civil Law of the PRC, and related judicial interpretations promulgated by the Supreme People’s Court. See “Item 4.
Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulation—Regulations Relating to Online Consumer Finance Services.”
In July 2015, the People’s Bank of China, or the PBOC, together with nine other PRC regulatory agencies jointly issued a series of policy
measures applicable to the online consumer finance industry titled the Guidelines on Promoting the Healthy Development of Online Finance Industry, or
the Guidelines. The Guidelines formally introduced for the first time the regulatory framework and basic principles for administering online lending
information services in China. Based on the core principles of the Guidelines, in August 2016, the China Banking Regulatory Commission, or the
CBRC, together with three other PRC regulatory agencies jointly issued the Interim Measures on Administration of Business Activities of Online
Lending Information Intermediaries, or the Interim Measures. The Interim Measures, among other things, introduced a record-filing and licensing
regime for the online lending information intermediaries and provided the general obligations and certain prohibited activities of the online lending
information intermediaries. In February 2017 and August 2017, the CBRC issued the Guidelines on Online Lending Funds Custodian Business, or the
Custodian Guidelines, and the Guidelines on Information Disclosure of the Business Activities of Online Lending Information Intermediaries, or the
Disclosure Guidelines, respectively. The Custodian Guidelines further clarified the requirement of setting up custody accounts with commercial banks
for the funds of investors and borrowers held by online consumer finance platforms, while the Disclosure Guidelines further specified the disclosure
requirements for online lending information service providers. Both of the Custodian Guidelines and the Disclosure Guidelines provided a rectification
period for online consumer finance platforms to comply with such requirement. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business
Overview—Regulation—Regulations Relating to Online Consumer Finance Services—Regulations on Online Lending Information Services.”
Pursuant to the Interim Measures, local financial regulatory authorities may conduct onsite inspections or inquiries from time to time and
instruct us to rectify our business operations that are deemed not to be in compliance with the Guidelines or the Interim Measures. For instance,
following the onsite inspection in December 2016 of Shanghai PPDai Financial Information Service Co., Ltd., or Shanghai PPDai, one of our
consolidated subsidiaries, in June 2017, the financial service office of Shanghai Pudong District and two other local regulatory authorities (collectively,
the “Shanghai financial regulatory authorities”) required Shanghai PPDai to rectify certain of its practices, including with respect to investor reserve
funds, and in August 2017, further required Shanghai PPDai to provide certain undertakings with respect to its “business scale.” In response to the
authorities’ requests, Shanghai PPDai has undertaken, among others:
(i)
to ensure that its “business scale” (which we understand, based on our communication with the authorities, refers to the outstanding
balance of loans invested by individual investors facilitated by our Shanghai operations) does not exceed the total outstanding
balance of loans invested through our platform as of June 30, 2017 (which amounted to RMB20.6 billion (US$3.0 billion)) until
March 31, 2018 or as otherwise specified by relevant regulatory authorities in the future, which we believe to be the completion of
registration with Shanghai financial regulatory authorities. As of March 31, 2019, the total outstanding balance of loans invested by
individual investors facilitated by our Shanghai operations was close to, but did not exceed, the upper limit imposed by the
authorities. If we are not able to adequately mitigate the adverse effects caused by this outstanding loan balance requirement, our
business and financial results within the prescribed period may be materially and adversely affected; and
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(ii)
to change the Chinese name of our investor reserve funds by January 2018, in order to avoid giving the false impression that we
were providing guarantees to investors of the investment programs protected by investor reserve funds. On January 1, 2018, we
discontinued our investor reserve funds. Investors investing in our investment programs are no longer required to set aside a certain
percentage of their investment amount into the investor reserve funds. The remaining balance of the investor reserve funds collected
before January 1, 2018 will be used to protect investors who invested in the corresponding investment programs covered by the
fund.
However, we cannot assure you that these rectifications will satisfy the Shanghai financial regulatory authorities’ requirements fully. If
Shanghai PPDai is required to make further rectifications, our business and financial conditions would be materially and adversely affected.
In addition, the Interim Measures introduced a record-filing and licensing regime, which requires online lending information intermediaries
to register with the local financial regulatory authority, update their industrial and commercial registration with the local commercial registration
authority to include “online lending information intermediary” in their business scopes, and obtain telecommunication business license from the relevant
telecommunication regulatory authority. On December 8, 2017, the National Online Lending Information Rectification Office issued the Notice on the
Rectification and Inspection Acceptance of Risk of Online Lending Intermediaries, or the Circular 57, providing further clarification on several matters
in connection with the rectification and record-filing of online lending information intermediaries, including, among other things:
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Requirements relating to risk reserve funds. The online lending information intermediaries shall discontinue setting aside additional
funds as risk reserve funds or originating new risk reserve funds. In addition, the existing balance of risk reserve funds shall be
gradually reduced.
Requirements to qualify for record-filing. The Circular 57 sets forth certain requirements that online lending intermediaries have to
comply with before they can be qualified for the record-filing, including: (i) online lending intermediaries shall not engage in the
“thirteen prohibited actions” or violate the lending amount limit for a single investor set out in the Interim Measures after August 24,
2016, the date on which the Interim Measures were promulgated, and record-filing shall not be made before relevant businesses that
are not in compliance with relevant regulations are gradually eliminated; (ii) online lending intermediaries that engage in businesses
of down payment loan in purchasing real estate properties, student loan or “cash loan” are required to suspend the new loan
origination, gradually eliminate the outstanding balance of the abovementioned loans, and set timelines for completing the
rectification in accordance with requirements of the CBRC Circular 26 and the Circular 141; and (iii) online lending intermediaries
are required to set up custody accounts with qualified banks that have passed certain testing and evaluation procedures run by the
National Online Lending Rectification Office to hold customer funds. For the online lending intermediaries that are unable to
accomplish the rectification and record-filing but are continuing to participate in the online lending business, they shall be subject to
administrative sanctions imposed by relevant authorities, including but not limited to revoking their telecommunicating business
operation license, shutting down their business websites and requesting financial institutions not to provide any financial services to
such online lending intermediaries.
Requirements relating to the timing of record-filing. The local governmental authorities shall conduct and complete acceptance
inspection of the rectification with the following timetable: (i) completion of record-filing for major online lending information
intermediaries by the end of April 2018; (ii) with respect to online lending information intermediaries with substantial outstanding
balance of those loans prohibited under the relevant laws and regulations and timely reduction of those balance is difficult, the
relevant business and outstanding balance shall be disposed and/or carved out, and record-filing shall be completed by the end of
May 2018; (iii) with respect to those online lending information intermediaries with complex and extraordinary circumstances and
substantial difficulties exist to complete rectification, the “relevant work” shall be completed by the end of June 2018. In August
2018, the National Online Lending Rectification Office issued the Notice on Launching Compliance Inspection on Online Lending
Information Intermediaries, or the Inspection Notice, which requires that online lending information intermediaries, internet finance
associations and local online lending rectification offices conduct compliance inspections based on a checklist of 108 compliance
criteria, or the Checklist, and that such inspections shall be completed by the end of December 2018. After the compliance
inspection, online lending information intermediaries that comply with applicable rules and regulations are allowed to integrate their
business operation systems into the industry-wide information disclosure systems and product registration systems. Upon
completion of such integration, the online lending information intermediaries will be able to submit filing applications for record-
filings pursuant to detailed procedures to be issued by the competent regulatory authorities.
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As of the date of this annual report, detailed record-filing procedures have not been issued yet and it remains unclear when such detailed
procedures for the record-filing applications will be issued. We submitted a self-inspection report as requested by the Inspection Notice and the
Checklist to Association of Shanghai Internet Financial Industry, or the ASIFI, National Internet Finance Association of China, or the NIFA, and
Shanghai Online Lending Rectification Office. As of the date of this annual report, we have received the rectification advice from ASIFI and some
initial documentation rectification requirements from NIFA, but the feedback from Shanghai Online Lending Rectification Office is still pending. We
are working closely with relevant authorities for inspection and rectification and will submit the record-filing application in a timely manner. However,
we cannot assure you that our application will be accepted by the local financial regulatory authorities. For example, if Shanghai PPDai is required to
make further rectifications by the Shanghai financial regulatory authorities and fails to satisfy the authorities’ requirements fully, its application for
registering as an online lending information intermediary with the local financial regulatory authority may be delayed or even denied. In addition, the
authorities may limit the number of online lending information intermediaries’ registrations they accept or otherwise take actions that do not allow all
qualified applicants to complete the registration. Failure to register as an online lending information intermediary, if deemed as violation of the Interim
Measures or any other relevant regulations or rules, may result in, among others, regulatory warning, correction order, condemnation, fines or criminal
liability to us, or may cause us not be able to conduct our current business in the future. If such situations occur, our business, financial condition, results
of operations and prospects would be materially and adversely affected.
In December 2018, the National Internet Finance Rectification Office and the National Online Lending Rectification Office jointly issued
the Guidance on the Classification and Disposal of Risks of Online Lending Information Intermediaries and Risk Prevention, or Circular 175. Circular
175 refers to normal intermediaries as large-scale online lending information intermediaries that are strictly in compliance with relevant laws and
regulations and have not demonstrated any high-risk characteristics. Circular 175 reiterated relevant regulatory requirements by providing that normal
intermediaries should strictly control and manage the business scale and the number of investors. Circular 175 further tightens the regulation of the
industry by requiring institutions other than normal intermediaries, including shell intermediaries with no substantive operations, small-scale
intermediaries, intermediaries with high risks, and intermediaries that are unable to repay investors or otherwise unable to operate their businesses, to
exit the online lending information intermediary industry. If we are unable to adequately mitigate the adverse effects caused by the regulatory
requirement of controlling the outstanding loan balance and the number of investors, or if relevant regulatory authorities impose further requirements on
the business scale control, our business may be materially and adversely affected.
In addition, we noticed in early April 2019 that several internet medias reported that relevant government authorities may officially issue in
the near future the Work Plan for Pilot Conditional Record-filing of Online Lending Information Intermediaries, or the Work Plan. Pursuant to the Work
Plan, relevant government agencies will try to carry out the pilot record-filing in certain provinces in the second half of 2019 and the provincial
government of those provinces should prepare a local implementation plan no later than the end of April 2019. Online lending information
intermediaries are divided into two categories: the online lending information intermediaries with operations in a single province only and the online
lending information intermediaries with nationwide operations. In order to be qualified for the record filing, an online lending information intermediary
with nationwide operations should, among other requirements, (i) have the registered capital of no less than RMB500.0 million, (ii) set aside a general
risk reserve fund equal to 3% of the balance of the loan matching business, (iii) set aside a lender risk compensation fund equal to 6% of the principal of
each loan to protect lenders, (iv) limit the total investment amount of an individual lender to RMB200,000 on a single online lending information
intermediary, and to RMB500,000 on multiple online lending information intermediaries. The Work Plan also imposes certain detailed requirements on
the shareholders, senior management, business operations, related party transactions, and corporate governance of the online lending information
intermediaries with nationwide operations, as well as certain requirements on business name and registration number. We are unable to verify the
authenticity and accuracy of those reports. If those media reports are authentic and accurate in terms of the content of the Work Plan, after the Work
Plan is officially issued in the future, we will have to make adjustments to our business operations to make sure we fully comply with the Work Plan.
The laws, regulations, rules and governmental policies are expected to continue to evolve in our industry. The growth in popularity of online
consumer finance in China increases the likelihood for the government authorities to further regulate our industry. We are unable to predict with
certainty the impact, if any, that future legislation, judicial interpretations or regulations relating to the online consumer finance industry will have on
our business, financial condition and results of operations. To the extent that we are not able to fully comply with any new laws or regulations when
they are promulgated, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
9
If our practice is deemed to violate any PRC laws and regulations, our business, financial condition and results of operations would be materially
and adversely affected.
According to the Guidelines and the Interim Measures, intermediaries that provide online lending information services shall not engage in
certain activities, including (i) fund raising for the intermediaries themselves, (ii) holding investors’ fund or setting up capital pools with investors’ fund,
(iii) providing security or guarantee to investors as to the principals and returns of the investment, (iv) issuing or selling any wealth management
products, (v) mismatch between investor’s expected timing of exit and the maturity date, (vi) securitization, (vii) promoting its financing products on
physical premises other than through the permitted electronic channels, such as telephones, mobile phones and internet, (viii) providing loans with its
own capital, except as otherwise permitted by laws and regulations; and (ix) equity crowd-funding. In addition, the Interim Measures stipulate the
maximum amount that a borrower may borrow through online consumer finance platforms. The Interim Measures also require the intermediaries that
provide online lending information services to strengthen their risk management, enhance screening and verifying efforts on the borrowers’ and
investors’ information, and to set up custody accounts with qualified banks to hold customer funds, and to disclose the basic information to the investors
and borrowers.
Furthermore, the Circular 57 requires online lending information intermediaries to discontinue setting aside additional funds as risk reserve
funds or originating new risk reserve funds and the existing balance of risk reserve funds shall be gradually reduced. In addition to the Circular 57, the
National Internet Finance Rectification Office and the National Online Lending Rectification Office jointly issued the Notice on Regulating and
Rectifying “Cash Loan” Business, or the Circular 141, in December 2017, outlining general requirements on the “cash loan” business conducted by,
among others, online lending information intermediaries. The Circular 141 specifies the features of “cash loans” as not relying on consumption
scenarios, with no specified use of loan proceeds, unsecured, and no qualification requirement on customers, among others. The Circular 141 also sets
forth several general requirements with respect to “cash loan” business, including but without limitation: (i) the aggregated borrowing costs of
borrowers charged by institutions in the forms of interest and various fees should be annualized and subject to the limit on interest rate of private lending
set forth in the Private Lending Judicial Interpretations issued by the Supreme People’s Court; (ii) all relevant institutions shall follow the “know-your-
customer” principle and prudentially assess and determine the borrower’s eligibility, credit limit and cooling-off period; (iii) loans to any borrower
without income sources are prohibited; (iv) all relevant institutions shall enhance the internal risk control and prudentially use the “data-driven” risk
management model; (v) online lending information intermediaries are prohibited from facilitating any loans to students or other persons without
repayment source or repayment capacity, or loans with no designated use of proceeds; (vi) online lending information intermediaries are not permitted
to deduct interest, handling fee, management fee or deposit from the principal of loans provided to the borrowers in advance; and (vii) in the case where
a financial institution participates in the “cash loan” business, any third parties are not allowed to charge borrowers any interests or fees. See “Item 4.
Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulation—Regulations Relating to Online Consumer Finance Services.”
In the operation of our consumer finance platform, borrowers on our platform are required to specify their uses of loan proceeds. To ensure
a full compliance with existing laws, regulations, rules and governmental policies relating to the online consumer finance industry, we have
implemented various policies and procedures to conduct our business and operations. For instance,
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we have entered into a custody account arrangement with China Merchants Bank, whereby funds of borrowers and individual
investors were deposited into and settled by custody accounts under its management;
we used to offer investment programs with flexible investing periods on through Shanghai PPDai. As our facilitation of creditor’s
rights transfer on behalf of the investors of these investment programs might be deemed by the PRC regulatory authorities as self-
finance, which is prohibited by the Interim Measures, we ceased to offer new investment programs with flexible investing periods on
our platform in July 2017, and have discontinued investment programs with flexible investing periods completely in October 2017;
the PRC Contract Law prohibits the deduction of interest from a loan principal in advance and Circular 141 also specifies that online
lending information intermediaries are prohibited from deducting interest, handling fee, management fee or deposit from the loan
extended to borrowers in advance. We previously charged transaction fees and quality assurance fund contributions upfront but
ceased this practice in early December 2017. Instead, all interests paid to investors and fees from borrowers have been collected by
instalments since then along with borrowers’ loan repayment. After we completely phase out the upfront transaction fee collection
model, the principal amount of each successfully matched loan will be released to the borrower in full;
in response to the new requirements set forth in the Circular 57, we stopped setting aside additional funds as our investor reserve
funds on January 1, 2018. The remaining balance of the investor reserve funds collected before January 1, 2018 will be used to
protect investors who invested in the corresponding investment programs covered by the fund;
to further comply with evolving online lending regulatory requirements, we launched a new quality assurance program in
partnership with China United SME Guarantee Corporation, or Sino Guarantee, a Chinese financial services company that provides
credit-enhancement services for financial products and risk-sharing services to small and medium enterprises, on February 9, 2018.
The quality assurance fund for eligible loans facilitated before February 9, 2018 will continue to be managed by us to protect
investors who have invested in the loans covered by the quality assurance fund;
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to fully comply with the aggregated borrowing cost cap requirement specified by the Circular 141, we have made certain
adjustments to some of our loan products to meet this cap requirement. We ceased to offer new handy cash loan products upon the
promulgation of Circular 141 and adjusted the fee rate of standard loan products. We believe after making the adjustments on
December 14, 2017, the annualized aggregated borrowing cost of all of the products on our marketplace have been fully complied
with this aggregated borrowing cost cap requirement of 36%;
in the past, our investment programs allocated committed funds from multiple investors among multiple approved borrowers, which
went beyond the simple one-to-one matching between investors and borrowers and could be viewed as creating mismatch between
an investor’s expected timing of exit and the maturity date, selling wealth management products, holding investors’ funds or
forming a capital pool inadvertently. The PRC regulatory authorities have yet to clarify what activity is considered to form capital
pools prohibited by the Interim Measures. Given (a) the customer funds are deposited in the custody accounts we opened at China
Merchants Bank pursuant to the Custodian Guidelines to ensure the separation of funds of our users from funds of ours; and (b) the
investors of our investment programs are able to trace their investment to each of the underlying loans of such investment programs,
we believe our investment programs were not a form of capital pool prohibited by the Interim Measures. However, to further
embrace the government regulations, we upgraded the investment programs, strictly ensuring the one-to-one matching between
investors and borrowers and eliminating the possibility of mismatch and capital pool;
for the loan portfolios funded by financial institutions, such as trusts, we discontinued to charge any fees to the borrowers directly.
Instead, the financial institutions charged the borrowers, and paid certain fees to us;
we require the borrowers to select their loan applications one of the specified permissible uses of loan proceeds, such as consumer
finance, travelling, medical expenses, house improvements; and
the Interim Measures prohibits the online lending platform from promoting its financing products on physical premises other than
through the permitted electronic channels. In the past, we built a network connecting our company with over 10,000 consumer
electronics retail stores in over 50 cities covering a variety of electronic products, such as mobile phones and computers. Although
we believe such promotion do not violate the Interim Measures, we cannot assure you the PRC regulatory authorities would hold the
same view as ours. In December 2017, we closed down the network to cease the offering of consumption finance loan products.
However, due to lack of detailed implementation rules on certain key requirements of the Interim Measures and different interpretation of
the Interim Measures by the local authorities, we cannot be certain that our existing practices would not be deemed to violate any laws, rules and
regulations that are applicable to our business. For instance,
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the past practice of our entitlement to the surplus of the quality assurance fund and investor reserve funds might be regarded by the
PRC regulatory authorities as self-financing through our platform in a direct or a disguised form;
due to underdevelopment of an industry-wide information sharing arrangement, we cannot assure you that the aggregate amount
borrowed by any borrower through our platform and other online consumer finance platforms does not exceed the borrowing limit
set out by the Interim Measures;
our calculation of the aggregate borrowing cost of the loans on our marketplace might be challenged by relevant government
authorities and be deemed to be incompliant with relevant rules and regulations; and
our cooperation with institutional funding partners through one of our variable interest entities, Shanghai Zihe, has exposed us to and
may continue to expose us to additional regulatory uncertainties. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to
Our Business—Our cooperation with institutional funding partners may expose us to regulatory uncertainties and we may be
required to obtain additional government approval or license due to our cooperation with institutional funding partners.”
Due to the lack of interpretation and implementation rules and the fact that the laws and regulations are rapidly evolving, even if we have
implemented above measures, we cannot assure you that we will be in full compliance with existing and future laws and regulations, nor can we assure
you that we would not be required by regulatory authorities to make further rectifications to our business in the future. As of the date of this annual
report, we have not been subject to any material fines or other penalties under any PRC laws or regulations, including those governing the online
consumer finance industry in China. If our practice is deemed to violate any laws, regulations and rules, we may face, among others, regulatory warning,
correction order, condemnation, fines and criminal liability. If such situations occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations and
prospects would be materially and adversely affected.
11
Our cooperation with institutional funding partners may expose us to regulatory uncertainties and we may be required to obtain additional
government approval or license due to our cooperation with institutional funding partners.
We have gradually expanded our institutional funding partner base and the volume of loans funded by our institutional funding partners in
recent years. In 2018, the volume of the loans funded by institutional funding partners amounted to RMB8.9 billion (US$1.3 billion), representing
14.5% of our total loan origination volume. Our cooperation with institutional funding partners has exposed us to, and may continue to expose us to,
regulatory uncertainties. To better control risks associated with different business operations, we established a separate entity, Shanghai Zihe, to provide
services to our institutional funding partners and facilitate their participation in our online lending business. Shanghai Zihe does not engage in online
lending information intermediary (or online peer-to-peer lending) services. It merely helps our institutional funding partners extend loans to borrowers
by introducing them potential borrowers and providing preliminary risk assessment services as well as other services. As a result, we do not view
Shanghai Zihe as an “online lending information intermediary” as defined under Circular 141. However, we cannot assure you that regulatory
authorities would take the same view and do not require Shanghai Zihe to comply with various regulatory requirements under Circular 141. Even if
regulatory authorities take the same view with us, there is no assurance that they will not expand the application of the Circular 141 and regulate
Shanghai Zihe as an online lending information intermediary. If Shanghai Zihe is deemed to be an online lending information intermediary by relevant
regulatory authorities or is required to comply with Interim Measures, we may have to register Shanghai Zihe with local financial regulatory authorities
and change our current business practices to comply with relevant regulatory requirements as an online lending information intermediary.
In addition, Circular 141 further provides that financial institutions cooperating with third parties to engage in lending businesses (i) are not
allowed to outsource any core lending business operations, such as credit assessment and risk management, to third parties, (ii) are not allowed to accept
any credit enhancement provided by third parties without any license or approval to provide guarantees, including credit enhancement service in the
form of a commitment to assume default risks, (iii) should comply with the judicial interpretations by the Supreme People’s Court of the PRC regarding
interest rates in private lending regarding the annual borrowing cost charged to a borrower, i.e. interests plus other fees, and (iv) should ensure that third
parties do not collect any interests or fees from borrowers. To comply relevant regulatory requirements, Shanghai Zihe has taken various measures in
cooperating with our institutional funding partners. For example, Shanghai Zihe (i) does not collect service fees directly from the borrowers of the loans
recommended to the licensed institutional funding partners; (ii) makes sure that the aggregate borrowing cost does not exceed 36%; (iii) involves
licensed guarantee companies to provide guarantee to institutional funding partners for certain loans; (iv) introduces borrowers and provides preliminary
credit assessment services, as opposed to core lending business operations, to our institutional funding partners. If a borrower passes our preliminary
credit assessment, we will introduce such borrower to our institutional funding partners. Borrower’s loan will be funded directly by our institutional
funding partners if they decide to extend loans to such borrower after their independent credit review.
However, Circular 141 is relatively new. It remains uncertain how the regulatory authorities are going to interpret and enforce these rules.
We cannot assure you that our existing cooperation with the institutional funding partners will not be deemed to violate Circular 141 or any other
applicable laws, rules and regulations. For example, we provide cash deposit to certain institutional funding partners with our own funds at an amount
equal to a certain percentage of their total investment, and, in some cases, are required to replenish such deposit from time to time to compensate such
institutional funding partners’ potential loss due to potential loan delinquency. In addition, we are obligated under our agreements with institutional
funding partners to repay the full overdue amount to our institutional funding partners if a borrower defaults. Such quality assurance commitment
provided by us to our institutional funding partners could be regarded as a form of credit enhancement or guarantee provided by us to institutional
funding partners. Pursuant to the Regulations on the Supervision and Administration of Financing Guarantee Companies promulgated by the State
Council on August 2, 2017, or the Financing Guarantee Rules, entities operating “financing guarantee business” are required to obtain an approval from
local regulatory authorities. If any entity operates financing guarantee business without an approval, it may be subject to penalties, including termination
or suspension of business, fines ranging from RMB500,000 to RMB1,000,000, confiscation of illegal gains, and if the violation constitutes a criminal
offense, criminal liabilities. However, the Financing Guarantee Rules have not defined what constitutes “financing guarantee business.” It is uncertain
whether the quality assurance arrangement between our institutional funding partners and us discussed above will be deemed or interpreted as operating
financing guarantee business. If relevant government authorities take the view that the quality assurance commitment we provide to institutional funding
partners is a provision of financing guarantee, we would be subject to fines and/or other administrative penalties mentioned above. As of the date of this
annual report, we have not been subject to any fines or other penalties as a result of our cooperation with institutional funding partners. If we are not
allowed to continue to provide the quality assurance commitment to our institutional funding partners through subsidiaries without a license or approval
to provide financing guarantee services, our institutional funding partners may terminate their cooperation with us if we cannot find an alternative
arrangement to the satisfactory of our institutional funding partners in a timely manner. As a result, our business, results of operations, financial
conditions, reputation, and our ADSs price would be materially and adversely affected.
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In addition to the regulatory risks mentioned above, since we provide the quality assurance commitment to our institutional funding
partners, we are subject to credit risks for the loans extended by our institutional funding partners to our borrowers. The amount of actual payment to our
instructional funding partners depends on our estimated delinquency rates and our bargaining power. As a result, if we are unable to accurately evaluate
the potential delinquency rates of the loans extended to our borrowers by our institutional funding partners and control our credit risk exposure within
acceptable parameters, our financial conditions and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected. Furthermore, if we are unable to
effectively collect delinquent loans extended to our borrowers by our institutional funding partners, our financial conditions and results of operations
may also be materially and adversely affected. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—If our ability to collect
delinquent loans is impaired, our business and results of operations might be materially and adversely affected” for risks relating to our loan collection.
If we are unable to retain existing borrowers or investors or attract new borrowers or investors, or if we are unable to maintain or increase the
volume of loans facilitated through our marketplace, our business and results of operations will be adversely affected.
The volume of loans facilitated through our marketplace has grown rapidly over the past few years. The total origination amount of loans
facilitated through our marketplace was RMB19.9 billion in 2016, RMB65.6 billion in 2017 and RMB61.5 billion (US$8.9 billion) in 2018. To maintain
the high growth momentum of our marketplace, we must continuously increase the volume of loans by retaining current participants and attracting more
users whose financing or investment needs can be met on our marketplace. If there are insufficient qualified loan requests, investors may not be able to
deploy their capital in a timely or efficient manner and may seek other investment opportunities. If there are insufficient investor commitments,
borrowers may not be able to obtain capital through our marketplace and may turn to other sources for their borrowing needs. If we are unable to attract
qualified borrowers and sufficient investor commitments or if borrowers and investors do not continue to participate in our marketplace at the current
rates due to any change we may be required to make to the way we conduct our business to ensure compliance with existing or new PRC laws and
regulations or due to other business or regulatory reasons, we might not be able to increase our loan transaction volume and revenues as we expect, and
our business and results of operations may be adversely affected.
If our existing and new loan products and investing tools do not achieve sufficient market acceptance, our financial results and competitive position
will be harmed.
We have devoted significant resources to, and will continue to emphasize on, upgrading and marketing our existing loan products and
investing tools and enhancing their market awareness. We also incur expenses and expend resources upfront to develop, acquire and market new loan
products and investing tools that incorporate additional features, improve functionality or otherwise make our platform more desirable to borrowers and
investors. New loan products and investing tools must achieve high levels of market acceptance in order for us to recoup our investment in developing,
acquiring and bringing them to market.
Our existing and new loan products and investing tools could fail to attain sufficient market acceptance for many reasons, including:
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borrowers may not find terms of our loan products, such as costs and credit limit, competitive or appealing;
our failure to predict market demand accurately and provide loan products that meet this demand in a timely fashion;
borrowers and investors using our platform may not like, find useful or agree with, any changes;
defects, errors or failures on our platform;
negative publicity about our loan products or our platform’s performance or effectiveness;
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views taken by regulatory authorities that the new products, investing tools or platform changes do not comply with PRC laws,
regulations or rules applicable to us; and
the introduction or anticipated introduction of competing products by our competitors.
If our existing and new loan products and investing tools do not achieve adequate acceptance in the market, our competitive position, results
of operations and financial condition could be harmed.
Our business currently primarily focuses on the PRC market. We may face additional risks and uncertainties if we expand our business in
the overseas market in the future. In particular, we may face complex local regulatory environment that we are not familiar with. As a result, we may
incur substantial compliance costs to carry out our business operations in the overseas market and still be subject to potential litigations, regulatory
proceedings, penalties or incur other costs. As we have very limited experience in operating our business in the overseas market, our products may not
be accepted by users in the overseas market, we may be unable to attract a sufficient number of users, fail to anticipate competitive conditions or face
difficulties in operating effectively in the overseas market. In addition, trade barriers, such as import and export restrictions, customs duties and other
taxes, competition law regimes and other trade restrictions, as well as other risks such as political instability may also expose us to additional risks and
uncertainties if we expand our business in the overseas market.
If we fail to secure adequate funding from investors to maintain sufficient liquidity for our investment programs, our reputation, results of
operations and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.
We currently offer our investors a variety of investment programs with different lock-up periods and estimated returns. By participating the
investment programs, investors invest in loan portfolios with different sizes, terms and interest rates. After the lock-up period of an investment program
ends, investors invested in that investment program may cash out before maturity and the loans underlying that investment program held by the
investors may be transferred to other investors, or extend the program tenor under certain circumstances at the investors’ option. The smooth operations
of our investment programs require sufficient liquidity consistently. If we fail to secure adequate funding to support the required liquidity, investors who
subscribe for our investment programs may rush for exit and cause a run on our investment programs. Although we have developed sophisticated
algorithm and system to match the invest-in and cash-out requests among the investors to provide liquidity, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to
maintain the liquidity at a sufficient level that every cash-out request from our investors who subscribe for our investment programs can be met.
If we fail to maintain sufficient liquidity due to any technical issues, declines in investors or other reasons, investors may find our
investment programs and platform less attractive and may reduce their investment in our products or the use of our platform. If any of the foregoing
were to occur, our reputation, results of operations and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.
Interest rates of certain of our loan products exceed the statutory interest rate limit and therefore part of the interests is not enforceable through the
PRC judicial system.
According to the relevant PRC laws and regulations, in the context of lending activities between individuals, entities or other organizations
that are not licensed financial institutions, if the interest rate of a loan exceeds 36% per annum, the exceeding part of the interest rate is invalid and void;
if the interest rate of a loan exceeds 24% per annum but is no more than 36% per annum, the exceeding part will be treated as natural obligation—valid
but not enforceable in the PRC judicial system, while the enforceability of the 24% per annum part will not be affected. In addition, on August 4, 2017,
the Supreme People’s Court promulgated the Circular of Several Suggestions on Further Strengthening the Judicial Practice Regarding Financial
Cases, which provides, among others, that (i) the claim of a borrower under a financial loan agreement to adjust or cut down the part of interest
exceeding 24% per annum on the basis that the aggregate amount of interest, compound interest, default interest, liquidated damages and other fees
collectively claimed by the lender is overly high shall be supported by the PRC courts; and (ii) in the context of online finance disputes, if the online
lending information intermediary platforms and the lender circumvent the upper limit of the judicially protected interest rate by charging intermediary
fee, it shall be ruled as invalid. In December 2017, the Circular 141 promulgated by relevant PRC government authorities further clarifies that in the
context of “cash loan” business operated by, among others, online lending information intermediaries, the aggregated borrowing costs (as opposed to
interest rate) of borrowers charged by “cash loan” business operators in the forms of interest and various fees should be annualized and subject to the
limit on interest rate of private lending set forth in the Private Lending Judicial Interpretations issued by the Supreme People’s Court, i.e. the aforesaid
24% per annum limit and the 36% per annum limit. In January 2018, Shanghai Financial Service Office and Shanghai branch of the CBRC jointly
issued the Review of Regularity Compliance and Rectification Acceptance Guidance on the Internet Lending Information Intermediaries in Shanghai, or
the Shanghai Guidance, which also provides that the aggregate borrowing cost in the forms of interests and various fees cannot exceed the limit on
interest rate of private lending set forth in the Private Lending Judicial Interpretations issued by the Supreme People’s Court. See “Item 4. Information
on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulations—Regulations Relating to Online Consumer Finance Services—Regulations on Online Lending
Information Services” for more details.
14
We calculate the aggregate borrowing cost of the loans on our online consumer finance marketplace on the basis of annual percentage rate,
or APR. Historically, we had some loan products with aggregated borrowing costs that exceeded the 36% per annum limit. These products were mainly
our (i) handy cash loan products, and (ii) a small number of standard loan products. We ceased to offer new handy cash loan products upon the
promulgation of Circular 141 and adjusted the fee rate of the standard loan products. Since making the adjustments on December 14, 2017, the
annualized aggregated borrowing cost of all of the products newly listed on our platform calculated on APR basis have been in full compliance with this
aggregated borrowing cost cap requirement.
We also have certain loans facilitated by our platform with interest rate over 24% per annum. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017
and 2018, loans with interest rate over 24% totaled RMB2.4 billion, RMB5.1 billion and RMB8.1 billion (US$1.2 billion), respectively, representing
12.1%, 7.7% and 13.2% of the total loan origination volume in the respective periods. These loans have a term ranging from seven days to 24 months.
As of December 31, 2018, of the total outstanding balance of loans with interest rate over 24% per annum, 2.1% was 15 to 89 calendar days past due
and 1.7% was 90 to 179 calendar days past due. We may continue to facilitate loans at or above the interest rate of 24% but the aggregate borrowing
cost on APR basis will be no more than 36% per annum. In the event that any of such loans become delinquent, we will not be able to collect the part of
interests that exceed 24% per annum through PRC judicial enforcement. As a result, the investors may suffer losses, which would damage our reputation
and harm our business. Were these to happen, our reputation, results of operations and financial condition would be adversely affected.
In addition, relevant rules and regulations do not explicitly define “aggregate borrowing cost.” Based on our understanding of relevant rules
and regulations, we believe that APR is a reasonable basis for calculating the aggregate borrowing cost of the loans on our marketplace. However, we
cannot assure you that relevant regulatory authorities will share the same view, nor can we assure you that regulatory authorities will not promulgate
new rules and regulations or issue new interpretations providing that the aggregate borrowing cost is calculated on a basis other than APR. If relevant
regulatory authorities use a different calculation method, we may have additional loans on our marketplace exceeding 36% per annum or 24% per
annum limit. As a result, some of our investors would suffer losses and our results of operations, business operations and reputations would also be
adversely affected.
We operate in a market where the credit infrastructure is still at an early stage of development.
China’s credit infrastructure is still at an early stage of development. The Credit Reference Center established by the People’s Bank of
China in 2002 has been the only credit reporting system in China. This centrally managed nationwide credit database operated by the Credit Reference
Center only records limited credit information, such as tax payments, civil lawsuits, foreclosure and bankruptcy. Moreover, this credit database is only
accessible to banks and a limited number of market players authorized by the Credit Reference Center and does not support sophisticated credit scoring
and assessment. In 2015, the People’s Bank of China announced that it would open the credit reporting market to private sectors with a view to spurring
competition and innovation, but it may be a long-term process to establish a widely-applicable, reliable and sophisticated credit infrastructure in the
market we operate. In February 2018, Baihang Credit Information Co., Ltd., or Baihang, received the first business license in China to provide
individual credit information service. Baihang will mainly provide services to internet loan companies, including online lending information
intermediaries. We have started data sharing with Baihang. However, Baihang is a newly established company. Whether it can efficiently aggregate data
from all different types of online databases with accuracy remains to be proven.
We are subject to credit cycle and the risk of deterioration of credit profiles of borrowers.
Our business is subject to credit cycle associated with the volatility of general economy. If economic conditions deteriorate, we may face
increased risk of default or delinquency of borrowers, which will result in lower returns or losses. In the event that the creditworthiness of our borrowers
deteriorates or we cannot track the deterioration of their creditworthiness, the criteria we use for the analysis of borrower credit profiles may be rendered
inaccurate, and our risk management system may be subsequently rendered ineffective. This in turn may lead to higher default rates and adverse impacts
on our reputation, business, results of operations and financial positions.
15
We rely on our proprietary credit-scoring model in assessing the creditworthiness of our borrowers and the risks associated with loans. If our credit-
scoring model is flawed or ineffective, or if we otherwise fail or are perceived to fail to manage the default risks of loans facilitated through our
platform, our reputation and market share would be materially and adversely affected, which would severely impact our business and results of
operations.
Our ability to attract borrowers and investors to, and build trust in, our marketplace is significantly dependent on our ability to effectively
evaluate borrowers’ credit profiles and likelihood of default. To conduct this evaluation, we utilize our proprietary credit assessment model, or the
Magic Mirror Model, which is built based on massive data collected through various channels, and strengthened by our sophisticated artificial
intelligence and advanced machine learning techniques. The Magic Mirror Model categorizes borrowers into different credit ratings according to their
risk profiles, based on which our risk pricing system assigns them appropriate interest rates, credit limits and loan durations. However, the Magic Mirror
Model may not effectively predict future loan losses. Subject to credit assessment result for each loan application, a borrower is allowed to take out
multiple loans at a time on our platform if his or her existing loans are not in default and the total outstanding balance is within the approved credit limit
for the type of loan the borrower applies for. Credit limits are set by loan products, and thus a borrower may have a credit limit for each type of loans on
our platform. A borrower’s credit limit for a particular type of loan is determined considering a range of factors, including (i) the borrower’s credit level
based on his or her Magic Mirror score—borrowers with better Magic Mirror credit scores are generally given higher credit limits, (ii) the borrower’s
credit needs, such as the type of loans being applied for, (iii) the borrower’s credit limits and credit performance for other types of loans on our platform,
and (iv) overall investment demand from investors. A new Magic Mirror credit score is generated each time a borrower applies for a loan, which may
change the borrower’s credit limit for that type of loan. As such, it is possible that borrowers may take out new loans on our platform to pay off their
other existing loans facilitated by us or for other purposes. Given the practical difficulty in tracking and controlling the usage of borrowed funds, we are
not able to effectively prevent borrowers from “rolling over” their loans on our platform. Although the Magic Mirror Model looks less favorably upon
borrowers who have high credit line utilization ratios, it may not be able to timely and accurately adjust down the credit rating assigned to a borrower if
such borrower masks his or her deteriorating creditworthiness by refinancing existing loans with new loans on our platform. If we are unable to
effectively classify borrowers into the relative risk categories, we may be unable to offer attractive interest rates for borrowers and returns for investors
and effectively manage the default risks of loans facilitated through our platform. We continuously refine the algorithms, data processing and machine
learning used by the Magic Mirror Model, but if any of these decision-making and scoring systems contain programming or other errors, are ineffective
or the data provided by borrowers or third parties are incorrect or stale, our loan pricing and approval process could be negatively affected, resulting in
mispriced or misclassified loans or incorrect approvals or denials of loans.
In addition, if a borrower’s financial condition deteriorates after his or her loan application is approved, we may not be able to take
measures to prevent default on the part of the borrower and thereby maintain a reasonably low default rate for loans facilitated through our platform.
Because investment in loans on our marketplace involves inherent risks, we are unable to completely eliminate borrowers’ default despite various
preventive and investor protection measures we have taken or will take.
If any of the foregoing were to occur in the future, investors may try to rescind their affected investments or decide not to invest in loans, or
borrowers may seek to revise the terms of their loans or reduce the use of our marketplace for financing, and our reputation and market share would be
materially and adversely affected, which would severely impact our business and results of operations.
Credit and other information that we receive from prospective borrowers and third parties about a borrower may be inaccurate or may not
accurately reflect the borrower’s creditworthiness, which may compromise the accuracy of our credit assessment.
For the purpose of credit assessment, we obtain from prospective borrowers and third parties certain information of the prospective
borrowers, which may not be complete, accurate or reliable. A credit score assigned to a borrower may not reflect that particular borrower’s actual
creditworthiness because the credit score may be based on outdated, incomplete or inaccurate borrower information. Additionally, once we have
obtained a borrower’s information, the borrower may subsequently (i) become delinquent in the payment of an outstanding obligation; (ii) default on a
pre-existing debt obligation; (iii) take on additional debt; or (iv) sustain other adverse financial events, making the information we have previously
obtained inaccurate. To better assess borrowers creditworthiness, we joined the credit and information sharing system set up by the National Internet
Finance Association of China. A participant of this sharing system can obtain a borrower’s credit information shared by other participants. However,
this sharing system is still at the primary stage of development and there are a limited number of participants and limited amount information in this
sharing system. As a result, we cannot determine whether borrowers have outstanding loans through other consumer finance marketplaces not
participating in this sharing system at the time they obtain a loan from us. This creates the risk that a borrower may borrow money through our platform
in order to pay off loans on other consumer finance marketplaces and vice versa. If a borrower incurs additional debt before fully repaying any loan such
borrower takes out on our platform, the additional debt may impair the ability of that borrower to make payments on his or her loan and the investor’s
ability to receive investment returns associated with such loan. In addition, the additional debt may adversely affect the borrower’s creditworthiness
generally, and could result in the financial distress or insolvency of the borrower. To the extent that a borrower has or incurs other indebtedness and
cannot repay all of his or her indebtedness, the obligations under the loans will rank pari passu to each other and the borrower may choose to make
payments to other creditors rather than to investors on our platform.
Such inaccurate or incomplete borrower information could compromise the accuracy of our credit assessment and adversely affect the
effectiveness of our risk management, which could in turn harm our reputation, and as a result our business and results of operations could be materially
and adversely affected.
16
Loss of or failure to maintain relationship with our strategic partners may materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
We currently rely on a number of strategic partners in various aspects of our business. For example, in terms of user acquisition, we acquire
a significant portion of our borrowers through a limited number of online channels from a limited number of our strategic partners. We rely on certain
data partners in collecting credit information of borrowers for credit scoring and fraud detections, and on our custodian bank, China Merchant Bank, in
handling funds transfer and settlement. We anticipate that we will continue to leverage strategic relationships with existing strategic partners to grow our
business while pursuing new relationships with additional strategic partners.
Pursuing, establishing and maintaining relationships with strategic partners require significant time and resources as does integrating third-
party data and services with our system. Our current agreements with partners generally do not prohibit them from working with our competitors or
from offering competing services. Our competitors may be more effective in providing incentives to our partners to favor their products or services,
which may in turn reduce the volume of loans facilitated through our marketplace. Certain types of partners may devote more resources to support their
own competing businesses. In addition, these partners may not perform as expected under our agreements with them, and we may have disagreements or
disputes with them, which could adversely affect our brand and reputation. If we cannot successfully enter into and maintain effective strategic
relationships with strategic partners, our business will be harmed.
In addition, if any of our partners fails to perform properly, we cannot assure you that we will be able to find an alternative in a timely and
cost-efficient manner or at all. Any of these occurrences could result in our diminished ability to operate our business, potential liability to borrowers
and investors, inability to attract borrowers and investors, reputational damage, regulatory intervention and financial harm, which could negatively
impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We have obligations to verify information relating to borrowers and detecting fraud. If we fail to perform such obligations to meet the requirements
of relevant laws and regulations, we may be subject to liabilities.
Our business of connecting investors and individual borrowers constitutes an intermediary service, and our contracts with investors and
borrowers are intermediation contracts under the PRC Contract Law. Under the PRC Contract Law, an intermediary that intentionally conceals any
material information or provides false information in connection with the conclusion of an intermediation contract, which results in harm to the client’s
interests may not claim for any service fee for its intermediary services, and is liable for any damage incurred by the client. Therefore, if we fail to
provide material information to investors and are found to be at fault, for failure or deemed failure to exercise proper care, to conduct adequate
information verification or supervision, we could be subject to liabilities as an intermediary under the PRC Contract Law. In addition, the Interim
Measures have imposed on online lending information intermediaries, including us, additional obligations to verify the truthfulness of the information
provided by or in relation to loan applicants and to actively detect fraud. We leverage a large database of past fraud accounts information and
sophisticated rule-based detection technology in detecting fraudulent behaviors. Based on new data collected and fraudulent behaviors detected during
our daily business operations, we update our database on a monthly basis. As the laws, regulations, rules and governmental policies governing the online
consumer finance industry are relatively new, it is still unclear to what extent online lending information intermediaries should exercise care in detecting
fraud. Although we believe that as an information intermediary, we should not bear the credit risk for investors as long as we take reasonable measures
to detect fraudulent behaviors, we cannot assure you that we would not be subject to any liabilities under the current laws, regulations, rules and
governmental policies governing the online consumer finance industry if we fail to detect any fraudulent behavior. If that were to occur, our results of
operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.
If we fail to accurately forecast the expected payouts from our quality assurance fund mechanism or otherwise fail to utilize our quality assurance
fund mechanism properly, our financial results and competitive position may be harmed.
In February 2018, we launched a new quality assurance program, or the New QAF Program, by partnering with China United SME
Guarantee Corporation, or Sino Guarantee, a Chinese financial services company that provides financial guarantees for loans. The New QAF Program is
managed by Sino Guarantee, as opposed to us. The quality assurance fund for eligible loans facilitated before February 9, 2018 will continue to be
managed by us to protect investors who have invested in the loans covered by the quality assurance fund. We have limited experience in operating
quality assurance program, by ourselves or by partnering with third parties. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Risk
Management—Investor Protection.” Although we have accumulated certain information on historical delinquency rates to monitor the funding
sufficiency of our quality assurance fund programs, we may not be able to conduct an accurate delinquency forecast for our target borrower group. It is
possible that our quality assurance fund programs might be under-funded, compared to the prevailing market practice. If our quality assurance fund
programs were under-funded, investors on our platform might suffer losses of investment or lower-than-expected investment return, which could result
in negative investor sentiment among investors who are not repaid in full or at all, potentially hindering our ability to retain existing investors as well as
to attract new investors. Should any of the foregoing occur, our competitive position, as well our results of operations and financial condition could be
materially and adversely affected.
17
A significant percentage of our profit before income tax expenses could be based on more subjective valuations.
In 2017 and 2018, our profit before income tax expenses was RMB1.4 billion and RMB2.6 billion (US$381.2 million), respectively,
approximately 28.2% and 10.4% of which was attributable to the fair value change of financial guarantee derivatives, which amounted to
RMB383.1 million and RMB272.1 million (US$39.6 million), respectively. The estimated fair value of the derivatives is determined based on relevant
market information. These estimates are calculated with reference to the market rates using industry standard valuation techniques. Valuation
methodologies are complex and require significant judgments. We used the discounted cash flow model to value financial guarantee derivatives, and
key inputs used in the fair value measurements include discount rate and expected default rate. Other factors, including the market interest rate and early
repayment rate, also have a direct or indirect impact on the fair value measurement. If we failed to timely reflect the changes in inputs and other factors
in our valuation model, our results of operations and financial condition could be inaccurate.
We had historically financed certain loans offered on our platform with our own funds, which may subject us to regulatory risks.
To increase matching rate and enhance borrowers’ experience on our platform, we had partially financed certain undersubscribed loans with
our own funds in the past. We had also financed some of our handy cash loan products with our own funds for a brief period after their launch. We
gradually ceased such practices after August 2016 when the Interim Measures, which prohibits online finance information intermediaries from investing
in loans using their own funds unless otherwise stipulated by laws and regulations, was promulgated. As of December 31, 2016, all loans that were
partially funded with our own funds had been fully repaid, transferred or otherwise settled.
As of the date of this annual report, we have not been subject to any fines or other penalties due to the fact that certain historical loans were
partially funded with our own funds before the Interim Measures taking effect but remained outstanding afterwards. However, we cannot assure your
that such practices will not be deemed by the PRC government as violating the relevant provisions of the Interim Measures, and such practices may also
be deemed by the PRC authorities as illegally providing loans to the general public in the name of lending or illegally issuing loans without the People’s
Bank of China’s permit, which are prohibited by relevant PRC laws and regulations. If such historical practices were found to violate the Interim
Measures or other relevant PRC laws and regulations, we might be subject to fines, penalties or other liabilities, which could materially and adversely
affect our business, financial condition and prospects.
Our failure to compete effectively could adversely affect our results of operations and market share.
The online consumer finance industry in China is competitive and evolving. We compete with financial products and companies that attract
borrowers, investors or both. We primarily compete with leading online consumer finance companies in China. In addition, with respect to borrowers,
we also compete with traditional financial institutions, such as consumer finance business units in commercial banks, credit card issuers and other
consumer finance companies; with respect to investors, our product offerings also compete with other investment options and asset classes, such as
equities, bonds, investment trust products, bank savings accounts, real estate and alternative asset classes.
Our competitors operate with different business models, have different cost structures or participate selectively in different market
segments. They may ultimately prove more successful or more adaptable to new regulatory, technological and other developments. Some of our current
and potential competitors have significantly more financial, technical, marketing and other resources than we do and may be able to devote greater
resources to the development, promotion, sale and support of their platforms. Our competitors may also have more extensive borrower or investor bases,
greater brand recognition and brand loyalty and broader partner relationships than us. Additionally, a current or potential competitor may acquire one or
more of our existing competitors or form a strategic alliance with one or more of our competitors. Any of the foregoing could adversely affect our
business, results of operations, financial condition and future growth.
In addition, our competitors may be better at developing new products, responding faster to new technologies and undertaking more
extensive marketing campaigns. When new competitors seek to enter our target market, or when existing market participants seek to increase their
market share, they sometimes undercut the pricing and/or terms prevalent in that market, which could adversely affect our market share or ability to
exploit new market opportunities. Also, since the online consumer finance industry in China is relatively new and fast evolving, potential investors and
borrowers may not fully understand how our platform works and may not be able to fully appreciate the additional customer protections and features
that we have invested in and adopted on our platform as compared to others. Our pricing and terms could deteriorate if we fail to act to meet these
competitive challenges. Furthermore, to the extent that our competitors are able to offer more attractive terms to our cooperation partners, such
cooperation partners may choose to terminate their relationships with us. If we are unable to compete with such companies and meet the need for
innovation in our industry, the demand for our marketplace could stagnate or substantially decline, we could experience reduced revenues or our
marketplace could fail to achieve or maintain more widespread market acceptance, any of which could harm our business and results of operations.
18
If we fail to promote and maintain our brand in a cost-efficient way, our business and results of operations may be harmed.
We believe that developing and maintaining awareness of our brand effectively is critical to attracting new and retaining existing borrowers
and investors to our marketplace. This depends largely on the effectiveness of our marketing efforts and the success of the channels we use to promote
our marketplace. If any of our current marketing channels become less effective, if we are unable to continue to use any of these channels, if the cost of
using these channels were to significantly increase or if we are not successful in generating new channels, we may not be able to attract new borrowers
and investors in a cost-effective manner or convert potential borrowers and investors into active borrowers and investors on our marketplace.
Our efforts to build our brand have caused us to incur significant expenses, and it is likely that our future marketing efforts will require us to
incur significant additional expenses. These efforts may not result in increased revenues in the immediate future or at all and, even if they do, any
increases in revenues may not offset the expenses incurred. If we fail to successfully promote and maintain our brand while incurring substantial
expenses, our results of operations and financial condition would be adversely affected, which may impair our ability to grow our business.
Any negative publicity with respect to us, the online consumer finance industry in general and our third party partners may materially and adversely
affect our business and results of operations.
Reputation of our brand is critical to our business and competitiveness. Factors that are vital to our reputation include but are not limited to
our ability to:
•
•
•
•
•
maintain the quality and reliability of our platform;
provide borrowers and investors with a superior experience in our marketplace;
enhance and improve our credit assessment and risk-pricing models;
effectively manage and resolve borrower and investor complaints; and
effectively protect personal information and privacy of borrowers and investors.
Any malicious or negative allegation made by the media or other parties about the foregoing or other aspects of our company, including but
not limited to our management, business, compliance with law, financial condition or prospects, whether with merit or not, could severely compromise
our reputation and harm our business and operating results.
As the online consumer finance industry is a new industry in China and the regulatory framework for this industry is also evolving, negative
publicity about this industry may arise from time to time. Negative publicity about China’s online consumer finance industry in general may also have a
negative impact on our reputation, regardless of whether we have engaged in any inappropriate activities. The PRC government has recently instituted
specific rules, including the Guidelines and Interim Measures, Circular 141, Circular 57, to develop a more transparent regulatory environment for the
online consumer finance industry. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulation—Regulations Relating to Online
Consumer Finance Services.” Any players in China’s online consumer finance industry who are not in compliance with these regulations may adversely
impact the reputation of the industry as a whole. Furthermore, any negative development in, or negative perception of, the online consumer finance
industry as a whole, even if factually incorrect or based on isolated incidents, could compromise our image, undermine the trust and credibility we have
established and impose a negative impact on our ability to attract new borrowers and investors. Negative developments in the online consumer finance
industry, such as widespread borrower defaults, fraudulent behavior and/or the closure of other online consumer finance marketplaces, may also lead to
tightened regulatory scrutiny of the sector and limit the scope of permissible business activities that may be conducted by online consumer finance
marketplaces like us. For instance, in 2015, there were a number of reports of business failures of, or accusations of fraud and unfair dealing against,
certain companies in the online consumer finance industry in China. Although the market exits of these companies may result in more healthy and stable
development of the online consumer finance industry, to the extent borrowers or investors associate our company with these companies, they may be
less willing to participate on our platform.
In addition, negative publicity about our partners, outsourced service providers or other counterparties, such as negative publicity about their
loan collection practices and any failure by them to adequately protect the information of our borrowers and investors, to comply with applicable laws
and regulations or to otherwise meet required quality and service standards could harm our reputation. If any of the foregoing takes place, our business
and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
19
Fraudulent activity on our marketplace could negatively impact our operating results, brand and reputation and cause the use of our loan products
and services to decrease.
We are subject to the risk of fraudulent activity both on our marketplace and associated with borrowers, investors and third parties handling
borrower and investor information. Our resources, technologies and fraud detection tools may be insufficient to accurately detect and prevent fraud.
Significant increases in fraudulent activity could negatively impact our brand and reputation, result in losses suffered by the investors, reduce the
volume of loans facilitated through our platform and lead us to take additional steps to reduce fraud risk, which could increase our costs and expenses.
High profile fraudulent activity could even lead to regulatory intervention, and may divert our management’s attention and cause us to incur additional
expenses and costs. If any of the foregoing were to occur, our results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.
Our current level of fee rates may decline in the future. Any material reduction in our fee rates could reduce our profitability.
We earn a substantial majority of our revenues from the fees that we collect from our borrowers on the loans facilitated through our online
marketplace and the fees that we charge the investors for investing in our investment programs or other value-added services. These fee rates may also
be affected by a change over time in the mix of the types of products we provide to our borrowers and investors, the evolving regulatory requirements,
the macroeconomic factors as well as the competition in the online consumer finance industry. Any material reduction in our fee rates could have a
material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Fluctuations in interest rates could negatively affect transaction volume facilitated through our platform.
All loans facilitated through our marketplace are issued with fixed interest rates. We determine the interest rates of the loans on our
marketplace primarily based on the market conditions and the general interest rate environment rather than by referencing to a specific benchmark rate
such as LIBOR. The fluctuation of interest rates may affect the demand for loan services on our platform. For example, a decrease in interest rates may
cause potential borrowers to seek lower-priced loans from other channels. A high interest rate environment may lead to an increase in competing
investment options and dampen investors’ desire to invest on our platform. If we fail to respond to the fluctuations in interest rates in a timely manner
and adjust our loan products offering, the potential and existing investors may lose potential interest returns in our platform and products and delay or
reduce future loan investments, and the potential and existing borrowers may show less interest in our loan products and marketplace. As a result,
fluctuations in the interest rate environment may discourage investors and borrowers from participating in our marketplace, which may adversely affect
our business.
We may not be able to obtain additional capital on favorable terms or at all.
We anticipate that the net proceeds we receive from our initial public offering and the concurrent private placement, together with our
current cash, cash provided by operating activities and funds available through our bank loans and credit facilities, will be sufficient to meet our current
and anticipated needs for general corporate purposes for at least the next 12 months. However, we need to make continued investments in facilities,
hardware, software, technology systems and to retain talents to remain competitive. Due to the unpredictable nature of the capital markets and our
industry, we cannot assure you that we will be able to raise additional capital on terms favorable to us, or at all, if and when required, especially if we
experience disappointing operating results. If adequate capital is not available to us as required, our ability to fund our operations, take advantage of
unanticipated opportunities, develop or enhance our infrastructure or respond to competitive pressures could be significantly limited, which would
adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. If we do raise additional funds through the issuance of equity or convertible
debt securities, the ownership interests of our shareholders could be significantly diluted. These newly issued securities may have rights, preferences or
privileges senior to those of existing shareholders.
Misconduct, errors and failure to function by our employees and third-party service providers could harm our business and reputation.
We are exposed to many types of operational risks, including the risk of misconduct and errors by our employees and third-party service
providers. Our business depends on our employees and third-party service providers to interact with potential borrowers and investors, process large
numbers of transactions and support the loan collection process, all of which involve the use and disclosure of personal information. We could be
materially adversely affected if transactions were redirected, misappropriated or otherwise improperly executed, if personal information was disclosed to
unintended recipients or if an operational breakdown or failure in the processing of transactions occurred, whether as a result of human error, purposeful
sabotage or fraudulent manipulation of our operations or systems. In addition, the manner in which we store and use certain personal information and
interact with borrowers and investors through our marketplace is governed by various PRC laws. It is not always possible to identify and deter
misconduct or errors by employees or third-party service providers, and the precautions we take to detect and prevent this activity may not be effective
in controlling unknown or unmanaged risks or losses. If any of our employees or third-party service providers take, convert or misuse funds, documents
or data or fail to follow protocol when interacting with borrowers and investors, we could be liable for damages and subject to regulatory actions and
penalties. We could also be perceived to have facilitated or participated in the illegal misappropriation of funds, documents or data, or the failure to
follow protocol, and therefore be subject to civil or criminal liability. In addition to our own collecting team, we also use certain third-party service
providers for loan collection services. Aggressive practices or misconduct by any of our third-party service providers in the course of collecting loans
could damage our reputation.
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If our ability to collect delinquent loans is impaired, our business and results of operations might be materially and adversely affected.
We primarily rely on our in-house collection team to handle the collection of delinquent loans. We also engage certain third-party collection
service providers to assist us with payment collection. If our or third party agencies’ collection methods, such as phone calls, text messages, in-person
visits and legal letters, are not as effective as they were and we fail to respond quickly and improve our collection methods, our delinquent loan
collection rate may decrease and our investors may suffer loss. In addition, according to the Circular 141, delinquent loans shall not be collected by
means of violence, intimidation, insult, defamation, or harassment. Any violation of the Circular 141 may result in penalties, including but not limited to
suspension of operation, orders to make rectification, condemnation, revocation of license, be ordered to cease business operations, and even criminal
liabilities. If the collection methods we use in collecting delinquent loans are viewed by the borrowers or regulatory authorities as harassments, threats
or other illegal conducts, we may be subject to lawsuits initiated by the borrowers or prohibited by the regulatory authorities from using certain
collection methods. If this were to happen and we fail to adopt alternative collection methods in a timely manner or the alternative collection methods
are proven not effective, we might not be able to maintain our delinquent loan collection rate and the investors’ confidence in our platform may be
negatively affected. If any of the foregoing takes place and impairs our ability to collect delinquent loans, the transaction volumes on our platform will
decrease and our business and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
Cyber-attacks, computer viruses, physical or electronic break-ins or similar disruptions of us or of a third party could result in disclosure or misuse
of confidential information and misappropriation of funds of our borrowers and investors, subject us to liabilities, cause reputational harm and
adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.
Our platform collects, stores and processes certain personal and other sensitive data from our borrowers and investors. The massive data that
we have processed and stored makes us or third-party service providers who host our servers a target and potentially vulnerable to cyber-attacks,
computer viruses, physical or electronic break-ins or similar disruptions. While we have taken steps to protect the confidential information that we have
access to and put in place internal reporting procedures relating to cybersecurity incidents, our security measures could be breached. As of the date of
this annual report, we have not experienced any material cyber security incidents. However, we cannot assure you that our security measures will not be
breached in the future. Because techniques used to sabotage or obtain unauthorized access to systems change frequently and generally are not
recognized until they are launched against a target, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures.
Any accidental or willful security breaches or other unauthorized access to our platform could cause confidential borrower and investor information to
be stolen and used for criminal purposes. As personally identifiable and other confidential information is increasingly subject to legislation and
regulations in numerous domestic and international jurisdictions. For example, in China, the Administrative Measures for the Security of the
International Network of Computer Information Network issued in December 1997 and amended in January 2011 requires us to report any data or
security breaches to the local offices of the PRC Ministry of Public Security within 24 hours of any such breach. The Cyber Security Law of the PRC
requires us to take immediate remedial measures when we discover that our products or services are subject to risks, such as security defects or bugs.
Such remedial measures include, informing our borrowers and investors of the specific risks and reporting such risks to the relevant competent
departments. Any inability to protect confidential information of our borrowers and investors could result in additional cost and liability for us, damage
our reputation, inhibit the use of our platform and harm our business.
We also face indirect technology, cybersecurity and operational risks relating to the third parties upon whom we rely to facilitate or enable
our business activities, including, among others, third-party online payment service providers who manage accounts for certain borrower and investor
funds. As a result of increasing consolidation and interdependence of technology systems, a technology failure, cyber-attack or other information or
security breach that significantly compromises the systems of one entity could have a material impact on its counterparties. Although our agreements
with third-party payment service providers provide that each party is responsible for the cybersecurity of its own systems, any cyber-attack, computer
viruses, physical or electronic break-ins or similar disruptions of such third-party payment service providers could, among other things, adversely affect
our ability to serve our users, and could even result in misappropriation of funds of our borrowers and investors. If that were to occur, both we and third-
party payment service providers could be held liable to borrowers and investors who suffer losses from the misappropriation.
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Security breaches or unauthorized access to confidential information could also expose us to liability related to the loss of the information,
time-consuming and expensive litigation and negative publicity. If security measures are breached because of third-party action, employee error,
malfeasance or otherwise, or if design flaws in our technology infrastructure are exposed and exploited, our relationships with borrowers and investors
could be severely damaged, we could incur significant liability and our business and operations could be adversely affected.
Any failure by our third-party service providers to comply with applicable anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism financing laws and regulations
could damage our reputation.
Currently, we rely on our third-party service providers, in particular payment companies and custodian bank, that handle the transfer of
funds between borrowers and lenders, to have their own appropriate anti-money laundering policies and procedures. The payment companies are subject
to anti-money laundering obligations under applicable anti-money laundering laws and regulations and are regulated in that respect by the People’s
Bank of China. If any of our third-party service providers fails to comply with applicable anti-money laundering laws and regulations, our reputation
could suffer and we could become subject to regulatory intervention, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and
results of operations.
In addition, the Interim Measures have imposed on us the obligation of anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism financing. The Custodian
Guidelines also requires online lending information intermediaries to highlight the anti-money laundering obligation in the agreement with commercial
banks acting as custodian banks. Online lending information intermediaries are obligated to cooperate with custodian banks to fulfill the anti-money
laundering obligations. In October 2018, the PBOC, the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission, or CBIRC, and the China Securities
Regulatory Commission, or CSRC, jointly issued the Anti-money Laundering and Anti-terrorism Financing Administrative Measures for Internet
Finance Institution, or Anti-money Laundering and Anti-terrorism Measures, providing that internet finance institutions are obliged to accept the anti-
money laundering and anti-terrorism financing inspection conducted by the PBOC and its branches. The Anti-money Laundering and Anti-terrorism
Measures also authorized the establishment of the internet finance anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism financing monitor platform, or the Monitor
Platform, by the National Internet Finance Association, or NIFA under the instruction of PBOC and other financial governmental authorities to improve
the online monitoring mechanism and information sharing between the institutions. To comply with the Anti-money Laundering and Anti-terrorism
Measures, we are formulating policies and procedures, including internal controls and “know-your-customer” procedures and accessing the Monitor
Platform. We cannot assure you that we will be able to establish and maintain effective anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism financing policies and
procedures to protect our marketplace from being exploited for money laundering or terrorism financing purposes or that such policies and procedures,
if adopted, will be deemed to be in compliance with applicable anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism financing laws and regulations, including the
Interim Measures.
If we fail to implement and maintain an effective system of internal controls over financial reporting, we may be unable to accurately report our
results of operations, meet our reporting obligations or prevent fraud.
We are subject to reporting obligations under the U.S. securities laws. The SEC, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002, adopted rules requiring every public company to include a management report on such company’s internal control over financial reporting in its
annual report, which contains management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. However, we were not
subject to the requirement to provide attestation by our independent registered public accounting firm on effectiveness of internal control over financial
reporting for the year ended December 31, 2018 as we qualified as an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act, as of December 31,
2018. Once we cease to be an “emerging growth company,” our independent registered public accounting firm must attest to and report on the
effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, unless we qualify for other exemptions.
Our management, with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, has performed an evaluation of the
effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by
this report, as required by Rule 13a-15(b) under the Exchange Act. Based upon that evaluation, our management has concluded that our internal control
over financial reporting was ineffective as of December 31, 2018 due to one “material weakness” in our internal control over financial reporting and
other control deficiencies. As defined in standards established by the United States Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, or the PCAOB, a
“material weakness” is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable
possibility that a material misstatement of the company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The
material weakness identified related to our lack of sufficient and competent financial reporting and accounting personnel with appropriate knowledge of
U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting requirements to formalize key controls over financial reporting and to prepare our consolidated financial statements and
related disclosures in accordance with U.S. GAAP and SEC financial reporting requirements. Following the identification of the material weakness and
other control deficiencies, we have taken measures and plan to continue to take measures to remedy these deficiencies. For details of these remedies, see
“Item 15. Controls and Procedures.” However, the implementation of these measures may not fully address the material weakness and deficiencies in
our internal control over financial reporting, and we cannot conclude that they have been fully remedied. Our failure to correct the material weakness
and other control deficiencies or our failure to discover and address any other material weakness and other control deficiencies could result in
inaccuracies in our financial statements and could also impair our ability to comply with applicable financial reporting requirements and related
regulatory filings on a timely basis. As a result, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, as well as the trading price of our
ADSs, may be materially and adversely affected. Moreover, ineffective internal control over financial reporting significantly hinders our ability to
prevent fraud.
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In addition, once we cease to be an “emerging growth company” as such term is defined in the JOBS Act, our independent registered public
accounting firm must attest to and report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Even if our management concludes that our
internal control over financial reporting is effective in the future, our independent registered public accounting firm, after conducting its own
independent testing, may issue a report that is qualified if it is not satisfied with our internal controls or the level at which our controls are documented,
designed, operated or reviewed, or if it interprets the relevant requirements differently from us. In addition, our reporting obligations may place a
significant strain on our management, operational and financial resources and systems for the foreseeable future. We may be unable to timely complete
our evaluation testing and any required remediation.
During the course of documenting and testing our internal control procedures, in order to satisfy the requirements of Section 404, we may
identify other weaknesses and deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting. In addition, if we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal
control over financial reporting, as these standards are modified, supplemented or amended from time to time, we may not be able to conclude on an
ongoing basis that we have effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404. If we fail to achieve and maintain an
effective internal control environment, we could suffer material misstatements in our financial statements and fail to meet our reporting obligations,
which would likely cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information. This could in turn limit our access to capital markets, harm
our results of operations, and lead to a decline in the trading price of our ADSs. Additionally, ineffective internal control over financial reporting could
expose us to increased risk of fraud or misuse of corporate assets and subject us to potential delisting from the stock exchange on which we list,
regulatory investigations and civil or criminal sanctions. We may also be required to restate our financial statements from prior periods.
Our operations depend on the performance of the internet infrastructure and telecommunications networks in China.
Almost all access to the internet in China is maintained through state-owned telecommunication operators under the administrative control
and regulatory supervision of the MIIT. We primarily rely on a limited number of telecommunication service providers to provide us with data
communications capacity through local telecommunications lines and internet data centers to host our servers. We have limited access to alternative
networks or services in the event of disruptions, failures or other problems with China’s internet infrastructure or the fixed telecommunications networks
provided by telecommunication service providers. With the expansion of our business, we may be required to upgrade our technology and infrastructure
to keep up with the increasing traffic on our platform. We cannot assure you that the internet infrastructure and the fixed telecommunications networks
in China will be able to support the demands associated with the continued growth in internet usage.
In addition, we have no control over the costs of the services provided by telecommunication service providers. If the prices we pay for
telecommunications and internet services rise significantly, our results of operations may be adversely affected. Furthermore, if internet access fees or
other charges to internet users increase, our user traffic may decline and our business may be harmed.
Any significant disruption in service on our marketplace, in our computer systems or third party service providers’ systems, including events beyond
our control, could prevent us from processing or posting loans on our marketplace, reduce the attractiveness of our marketplace and result in a loss
of borrowers or investors.
In the event of a platform outage and physical data loss, our ability to perform our servicing obligations, process loan applications or make
funds available on our marketplace would be materially and adversely affected. The satisfactory performance, reliability and availability of our platform
and our underlying network infrastructure are critical to our operations, customer service, reputation and our ability to retain existing and attract new
borrowers and investors. Much of our system hardware is hosted in a leased facility located in Shanghai that is operated by our IT staff. We also
maintain a real-time backup system in the same facility and a remote backup system at a separate facility also located in Shanghai. Our operations
depend on our ability to protect our systems against damage or interruption from natural disasters, power or telecommunications failures, air quality
issues, environmental conditions, computer viruses or attempts to harm our systems, criminal acts and similar events. If there is a lapse in service or
damage to our leased facilities in Shanghai, we could experience interruptions and delays in our service and may incur additional expense in arranging
new facilities.
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Any interruptions or delays in our service, whether as a result of third-party or our error, natural disasters or security breaches, whether
accidental or willful, could harm our relationships with our borrowers and investors and our reputation. Additionally, in the event of damage or
interruption, our insurance policies may not adequately compensate us for any losses that we may incur. Our disaster recovery plan has not been tested
under actual disaster conditions, and we may not have sufficient capacity to recover all data and services in the event of an outage. These factors could
prevent us from processing or posting payments on loans, damage our brand and reputation, divert our employees’ attention, subject us to liability and
cause borrowers and investors to abandon our marketplace, any of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of
operations.
Our platform and internal systems rely on software that is highly technical, and if it contains undetected errors, our business could be adversely
affected.
Our platform and internal systems rely on software that is highly technical and complex. In addition, our platform and internal systems
depend on the ability of such software to store, retrieve, process and manage immense amounts of data. The software on which we rely has contained,
and may now or in the future contain, undetected errors or bugs. Some errors may only be discovered after the code has been released for external or
internal use. Errors or other design defects within the software on which we rely may result in a negative experience for borrowers and investors using
our platform, delay introductions of new features or enhancements, result in errors or compromise our ability to protect borrower or investor data or our
intellectual property. Any errors, bugs or defects discovered in the software on which we rely could result in harm to our reputation, loss of borrowers or
investors or liability for damages, any of which could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We may not be able to prevent others from unauthorized use of our intellectual property, which could harm our business and competitive position.
We regard our trademarks, domain names, know-how, proprietary technologies and similar intellectual property as critical to our success,
and we rely on a combination of intellectual property laws and contractual arrangements, including confidentiality, invention assignment and
non-compete agreements with our employees and others to protect our proprietary rights. See also “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business
Overview—Intellectual Property.” Despite these measures, any of our intellectual property rights could be challenged, invalidated, circumvented or
misappropriated, or such intellectual property may not be sufficient to provide us with competitive advantages. In addition, because of the rapid pace of
technological change in our industry, parts of our business rely on technologies developed or licensed by third parties, and we may not be able to obtain
or continue to obtain licenses and technologies from these third parties on reasonable terms, or at all.
It is often difficult to maintain and enforce intellectual property rights in China. Statutory laws and regulations are subject to judicial
interpretation and enforcement and may not be applied consistently due to the lack of clear guidance on statutory interpretation. Confidentiality,
invention assignment and non-compete agreements may be breached by counterparties, and there may not be adequate remedies available to us for any
such breach. Accordingly, we may not be able to effectively protect our intellectual property rights or to enforce our contractual rights in China.
Preventing any unauthorized use of our intellectual property is difficult and costly and the steps we take may be inadequate to prevent the
misappropriation of our intellectual property. In the event that we resort to litigation to enforce our intellectual property rights, such litigation could
result in substantial costs and a diversion of our managerial and financial resources. We can provide no assurance that we will prevail in such litigation.
In addition, our trade secrets may be leaked or otherwise become available to, or be independently discovered by, our competitors. To the extent that our
employees or consultants use intellectual property owned by others in their work for us, disputes may arise as to the rights in related know-how and
inventions. Any failure in protecting or enforcing our intellectual property rights could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial
condition and results of operations.
We may be subject to intellectual property infringement claims, which may be expensive to defend and may disrupt our business and operations.
We cannot be certain that our operations or any aspects of our business do not or will not infringe upon or otherwise violate trademarks,
patents, copyrights, know-how or other intellectual property rights held by third parties. We may be from time to time in the future subject to legal
proceedings and claims relating to the intellectual property rights of others. In addition, there may be third-party trademarks, patents, copyrights,
know-how or other intellectual property rights that are infringed by our products, services or other aspects of our business without our awareness.
Holders of such intellectual property rights may seek to enforce such intellectual property rights against us in China, the United States or other
jurisdictions. If any third-party infringement claims are brought against us, we may be forced to divert management’s time and other resources from our
business and operations to defend against these claims, regardless of their merits.
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Additionally, the application and interpretation of China’s intellectual property right laws and the procedures and standards for granting
trademarks, patents, copyrights, know-how or other intellectual property rights in China are still evolving and are uncertain, and we cannot assure you
that PRC courts or regulatory authorities would agree with our analysis. If we were found to have violated the intellectual property rights of others, we
may be subject to liability for our infringement activities or may be prohibited from using such intellectual property, and we may incur licensing fees or
be forced to develop alternatives of our own. As a result, our business and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
We may be held liable for information or content displayed on, retrieved from or linked to our mobile applications, which may materially and
adversely affect our business and operating results.
In addition to our website, we also offer consumer finance products through our mobile applications, which are regulated by the
Administrative Provisions on Mobile Internet Applications Information Services, or the APP Provisions, promulgated by the Cyberspace Administration
of China, or the CAC, on June 28, 2016 and effective on August 1, 2016. According to the APP Provisions, the providers of mobile applications shall
not create, copy, publish or distribute information and content that is prohibited by laws and regulations. We have implemented internal control
procedures screening the information and content on our mobile applications to ensure their compliance with the APP Provisions. However, we cannot
assure that all the information or content displayed on, retrieved from or linked to our mobile applications complies with the requirements of the APP
Provisions at all times. If our mobile applications were found to be violating the APP Provisions, we may be subject to administrative penalties,
including warning, service suspension or removal of our mobile applications from the relevant mobile application store, which may materially and
adversely affect our business and operating results.
We may from time to time be subject to claims, controversies, lawsuits and legal proceedings, which could have a material adverse effect on our
financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and reputation.
We may from time to time become subject to or involved in various claims, controversies, lawsuits, and legal proceedings. For example, we
recently received a claim from an individual asserting that he has an equity ownership in us pursuant to an alleged agreement, dated February 27, 2008,
concerning Shanghai Daifeng, our then-operating entity, which involved, among other things, a contemplated sale of 27% of beneficial ownership of
Shanghai Daifeng to an investor represented by the individual for US$189,000. The alleged agreement was not executed by Shanghai Daifeng and was
never implemented. The contemplated sale never took place. We believe the claim is without merit.
However, claims, lawsuits, and litigations are subject to inherent uncertainties, and we are uncertain whether the foregoing claim would
develop into a lawsuit. Lawsuits and litigations may cause us to incur defense costs, utilize a significant portion of our resources and divert
management’s attention from our day-to-day operations, any of which could harm our business. Any settlements or judgments against us could have a
material adverse impact on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. In addition, negative publicity regarding claims or judgments
made against us may damage our reputation and may result in material adverse impact on us.
From time to time we may evaluate and potentially consummate strategic investments or acquisitions, which could require significant management
attention, disrupt our business and adversely affect our financial results.
We may evaluate and consider strategic investments, combinations, acquisitions or alliances to further increase the value of our marketplace
and better serve borrowers and investors. These transactions could be material to our financial condition and results of operations if consummated. If we
are able to identify an appropriate business opportunity, we may not be able to successfully consummate the transaction and, even if we do consummate
such a transaction, we may be unable to obtain the benefits or avoid the difficulties and risks of such transaction.
Strategic investments or acquisitions will involve risks commonly encountered in business relationships, including:
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difficulties in assimilating and integrating the operations, personnel, systems, data, technologies, rights, platforms, products and
services of the acquired business;
inability of the acquired technologies, products or businesses to achieve expected levels of revenue, profitability, productivity or
other benefits;
difficulties in retaining, training, motivating and integrating key personnel;
diversion of management’s time and resources from our daily operations;
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difficulties in maintaining uniform standards, controls, procedures and policies within the combined organizations;
difficulties in retaining relationships with customers, employees and suppliers of the acquired business;
risks of entering markets in which we have limited or no prior experience;
regulatory risks, including remaining in good standing with existing regulatory bodies or receiving any necessary pre-closing or
post-closing approvals, as well as being subject to new regulators with oversight over an acquired business;
assumption of contractual obligations that contain terms that are not beneficial to us, require us to license or waive intellectual
property rights or increase our risk for liability;
failure to successfully further develop the acquired technology;
liability for activities of the acquired business before the acquisition, including intellectual property infringement claims, violations
of laws, commercial disputes, tax liabilities and other known and unknown liabilities;
potential disruptions to our ongoing businesses; and
unexpected costs and unknown risks and liabilities associated with strategic investments or acquisitions.
We may not make any investments or acquisitions, or any future investments or acquisitions may not be successful, may not benefit our
business strategy, may not generate sufficient revenues to offset the associated acquisition costs or may not otherwise result in the intended benefits. For
example, in August 2017, we entered into agreements to acquire an aggregate of 60% of equity interest in a small credit company which holds the
relevant license to conduct small credit loan business. There is no assurance that this business will prove to be successful and small credit companies are
subject to government rules and regulations which are evolving and subject to uncertainty. In addition, we cannot assure you that any future investment
in or acquisition of new businesses or technology will lead to the successful development of new or enhanced loan products and services or that any new
or enhanced loan products and services, if developed, will achieve market acceptance or prove to be profitable.
Our business depends on the continued efforts of our senior management. If one or more of our key executives were unable or unwilling to continue
in their present positions, our business may be severely disrupted.
Our business operations depend on the continued services of our senior management, particularly the executive officers named in this
annual report. While we have provided different incentives to our management, we cannot assure you that we can continue to retain their services. If one
or more of our key executives were unable or unwilling to continue in their present positions, we may not be able to replace them easily or at all, our
future growth may be constrained, our business may be severely disrupted and our financial condition and results of operations may be materially and
adversely affected, and we may incur additional expenses to recruit, train and retain qualified personnel. In addition, although we have entered into
confidentiality and non-competition agreements with our management, there is no assurance that any member of our management team will not join our
competitors or form a competing business. If any dispute arises between our current or former officers and us, we may have to incur substantial costs
and expenses in order to enforce such agreements in China or we may be unable to enforce them at all.
Competition for employees is intense, and we may not be able to attract and retain the qualified and skilled employees needed to support our
business.
We believe our success depends on the efforts and talent of our employees, including risk management, software engineering, financial and
marketing personnel. Our future success depends on our continued ability to attract, develop, motivate and retain qualified and skilled employees.
Competition for highly skilled technical, risk management and financial personnel is extremely intense. We may not be able to hire and retain these
personnel at compensation levels consistent with our existing compensation and salary structure. Some of the companies with which we compete for
experienced employees have greater resources than we have and may be able to offer more attractive terms of employment.
In addition, we invest significant time and expenses in training our employees, which increases their value to competitors who may seek to
recruit them. If we fail to retain our employees, we could incur significant expenses in hiring and training new employees, and the quality of our
services and our ability to serve borrowers and investors could diminish, resulting in a material adverse effect to our business.
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Increases in labor costs in the PRC may adversely affect our business and results of operations.
The economy in China has experienced increases in inflation and labor costs in recent years. As a result, average wages in the PRC are
expected to continue to increase. In addition, we are required by PRC laws and regulations to pay various statutory employee benefits, including
pension, housing fund, medical insurance, work-related injury insurance, unemployment insurance and maternity insurance to designated government
agencies for the benefit of our employees. We expect that our labor costs, including wages and employee benefits, will continue to increase. Unless we
are able to control our labor costs or pass on these increased labor costs to our users by increasing the fees of our services, our financial condition and
results of operations may be adversely affected.
We are subject to changing law and regulations regarding regulatory matters, corporate governance and public disclosure that have increased both
our costs and the risk of non-compliance.
We are subject to rules and regulations by various governing bodies, including, for example, the Securities and Exchange Commission,
which is charged with the protection of investors and the oversight of companies whose securities are publicly traded, and the various regulatory
authorities in China and the Cayman Islands, and to new and evolving regulatory measures under applicable law. Our efforts to comply with new and
changing laws and regulations have resulted in and are likely to continue to result in, increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of
management time and attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance activities.
Moreover, because these laws, regulations and standards are subject to varying interpretations, their application in practice may evolve over
time as new guidance becomes available. This evolution may result in continuing uncertainty regarding compliance matters and additional costs
necessitated by ongoing revisions to our disclosure and governance practices. If we fail to address and comply with these regulations and any
subsequent changes, we may be subject to penalty and our business may be harmed.
If we cannot maintain our corporate culture as we grow, we could lose the innovation, collaboration and focus that contribute to our business.
We believe that a critical component of our success is our corporate culture, which we believe fosters innovation, encourages teamwork and
cultivates creativity. As we develop the infrastructure of a public company and continue to grow, we may find it difficult to maintain these valuable
aspects of our corporate culture. Any failure to preserve our culture could negatively impact our future success, including our ability to attract and retain
employees, encourage innovation and teamwork and effectively focus on and pursue our corporate objectives.
We do not have any business insurance coverage.
Insurance companies in China currently do not offer as extensive an array of insurance products as insurance companies in more developed
economies. Currently, we do not have any business liability or disruption insurance to cover our operations. We have determined that the costs of
insuring for these risks and the difficulties associated with acquiring such insurance on commercially reasonable terms make it impractical for us to have
such insurance. Any uninsured business disruptions may result in our incurring substantial costs and the diversion of resources, which could have an
adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
We face risks related to natural disasters, health epidemics and other outbreaks, which could significantly disrupt our operations.
We are vulnerable to natural disasters and other calamities. Fire, floods, typhoons, earthquakes, power loss, telecommunications failures,
break-ins, war, riots, terrorist attacks or similar events may give rise to server interruptions, breakdowns, system failures, technology platform failures or
internet failures, which could cause the loss or corruption of data or malfunctions of software or hardware as well as adversely affect our ability to
provide products and services on our platform.
Our business could also be adversely affected by the effects of Ebola virus disease, Zika virus disease, H1N1 flu, H7N9 flu, avian flu,
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS, or other epidemics. Our business operations could be disrupted if any of our employees is suspected of
having Ebola virus disease, Zika virus disease, H1N1 flu, H7N9 flu, avian flu, SARS or other epidemic, since it could require our employees to be
quarantined and/or our offices to be disinfected. In addition, our results of operations could be adversely affected to the extent that any of these
epidemics harms the Chinese economy in general.
Our headquarters are located in Shanghai, where most of our directors and management and a large majority of our employees currently
reside. In addition, most of our system hardware and back-up systems are hosted in leased facilities located in Shanghai. Consequently, we are highly
susceptible to factors adversely affecting Shanghai. If any of the abovementioned natural disasters, health epidemics or other outbreaks were to occur in
Shanghai, our operation may experience material disruptions, such as temporary closure of our offices and suspension of services, which may materially
and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure
If the PRC government deems that the contractual arrangements in relation to our consolidated variable interest entities do not comply with PRC
regulatory restrictions on foreign investment in the relevant industries, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change in
the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations.
Foreign ownership of internet-based businesses, such as distribution of online information, is subject to restrictions under current PRC laws
and regulations. For example, foreign investors are generally not allowed to own more than 50% of the equity interests in a value-added
telecommunication service provider and any such foreign investor must have experience in providing value-added telecommunications services overseas
and maintain a good track record in accordance with the Guidance Catalog of Industries for Foreign Investment promulgated in 2007, as amended in
2011, 2015, and 2017 and further amended by Special Administrative Measures for the Access of Foreign Investment (Negative List) in 2018, and other
applicable laws and regulations.
We are a Cayman Islands company and our PRC subsidiaries are considered foreign invested enterprises. Before the Interim Measures was
published in August 2016, there was no clear official guidance or interpretation from the PRC government as to whether online consumer finance
service was a type of value-added telecommunication services and whether its provider should be subject to value-added telecommunication regulations.
However, we believe the online consumer finance services offered through our online platform constitute a type of value-added telecommunication
services that foreign ownership and investment is restricted and therefore we should operate our online platform through a variable interest entity to
ensure compliance with the relevant PRC laws and regulations. We have entered into the following four separate sets of contractual arrangements:
(i) among Shanghai Guangjian, Shanghai Shanghu (with respect to the business operation agreement and the exclusive technology consulting and
service agreement only), Beijing Paipairongxin, Shanghai PPDai (with respect to the exclusive technology consulting and service agreement only), a
subsidiary of Beijing Paipairongxin, and the shareholders of Beijing Paipairongxin to conduct our operations in China; (ii) among Shanghai Manyin,
Shanghai Zihe and the shareholders of Shanghai Zihe to provide services to our institutional funding partners; (iii) among Shanghai Manyin, Shanghai
Nianqiao and the shareholders of Shanghai Nianqiao to provide technological and outsourcing services to clients; and (iv) among Shanghai Manyin,
Shanghai Ledao and the shareholders of Shanghai Ledao for new business we plan to operate in the future. For a detailed description of these
contractual arrangements, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—C. Organizational Structure.” As a result of these contractual arrangements, we
have obtained control over Beijing Paipairongxin, Shanghai Zihe, Shanghai Nianqiao and Shanghai Ledao and their subsidiaries and consolidate their
operating results in our financial statements under U.S. GAAP. Shanghai PPDai has been operating our online lending information intermediary
business, including, among others, operations of our www.ppdai.com website since its incorporation. Shanghai PPDai had made applications for value-
added telecommunication business license with the relevant local telecommunication regulatory authority before the Interim Measures was promulgated.
Due to the lack of detailed rules regulating the online consumer finance service and clarification of the nature of this innovative business model, the
local telecommunication regulatory authority had tentatively put our applications on hold.
After the Interim Measures came into force, based on our communications with local telecommunication regulatory authorities, online
consumer finance information intermediaries such as us should apply for value-added telecommunication business license. However, according to the
Interim Measures, an online consumer finance information intermediary may initiate its application for value-added telecommunication business license
only after it completes the required filing with local financial regulatory authority. In June 2017, Shanghai Financial Service Office issued a consultation
draft of Implementation Measures on the Business Management of Online Lending Information Intermediaries in Shanghai. Such consultation draft
sketched a proposed record-filing procedures, however, such consultation draft currently is still not formally promulgated yet and local financial
regulatory authority has yet to accept the filing application for the online lending intermediaries. As a result, we are currently unable to make the
necessary filing or apply for the value-added telecommunication business license.
In the opinion of our PRC counsel, Grandall Law Firm (Shanghai), our current ownership structure, the ownership structure of Shanghai
Guangjian, Shanghai Shanghu, Beijing Paipairongxin and its subsidiaries, the ownership structure of Shanghai Manyin and Shanghai Zihe, the
ownership structure of Shanghai Manyin and Shanghai Nianqiao, the ownership structure of Shanghai Manyin and Shanghai Ledao, the contractual
arrangements among Shanghai Guangjian, Shanghai Shanghu (with respect to the business operation agreement and the exclusive technology consulting
and service agreement only), Beijing Paipairongxin, Shanghai PPDai (with respect to the exclusive technology consulting and service agreement only)
and the shareholders of Beijing Paipairongxin, the contractual arrangements among Shanghai Manyin, Shanghai Zihe and the shareholders of Shanghai
Zihe, the contractual arrangements among Shanghai Manyin, Shanghai Nianqiao and the shareholders of Shanghai Nianqiao, and the contractual
arrangements among Shanghai Manyin, Shanghai Ledao and the shareholders of Ledao are not in violation of existing PRC laws, regulations and rules;
and these contractual arrangements are valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with their terms and applicable PRC laws and regulations currently
in effect.
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However, Grandall Law Firm (Shanghai) has also advised us that there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and
application of current or future PRC laws and regulations and there can be no assurance that the PRC government will ultimately take a view that is
consistent with the opinion of our PRC counsel. For example, on March 15, 2019, the National People’s Congress enacted the Foreign Investment Law
of the PRC, or the Foreign Investment Law, which will come into effect on January 1, 2020 and replace the trio of existing laws regulating foreign
investment in China, namely, the Sino-foreign Equity Joint Venture Enterprise Law, the Sino-foreign Cooperative Joint Venture Enterprise Law and the
Wholly Foreign-invested Enterprise Law, together with their implementation rules and ancillary regulations. The Foreign Investment Law embodies an
expected PRC regulatory trend to rationalize its foreign investment regulatory regime in line with prevailing international practice and the legislative
efforts to unify the corporate legal requirements for both foreign and domestic investments. However, since it is relatively new, uncertainties still exist
in relation to its interpretation and implementation. For instance, under the Foreign Investment Law, “foreign investment” refers to the investment
activities directly or indirectly conducted by foreign individuals, enterprises or other entities in China. Though it does not explicitly classify contractual
arrangements as a form of foreign investment, there is no assurance that foreign investment via contractual arrangement would not be interpreted as a
type of indirect foreign investment activities under the definition in the future. In addition, the definition contains a catch-all provision which includes
investments made by foreign investors through means stipulated in laws or administrative regulations or other methods prescribed by the State Council.
Therefore, it still leaves leeway for future laws, administrative regulations or provisions promulgated by the State Council to provide for contractual
arrangements as a form of foreign investment. In any of these cases, it will be uncertain whether our contractual arrangements will be deemed to be in
violation of the market access requirements for foreign investment under the PRC laws and regulations. Furthermore, if future laws, administrative
regulations or provisions promulgated by the State Council mandate further actions to be taken by companies with respect to existing contractual
arrangements, we may face substantial uncertainties as to whether we can complete such actions in a timely manner, or at all. Failure to take timely and
appropriate measures to cope with any of these or similar regulatory compliance challenges could materially and adversely affect our current corporate
structure, corporate governance and business operations.
We rely on contractual arrangements with our consolidated variable interest entities for a significant portion of our business operations, and such
contractual arrangements may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing operational control.
We have relied and expect to continue to rely on contractual arrangements with our consolidated variable interest entities, namely, Beijing
Paipairongxin, Shanghai Zihe, Shanghai Nianqiao, and Shanghai Ledao, to operate our online consumer finance marketplace business, including the
operation of www.ppdai.com website and the provision of services to institutional funding partners, as well as certain other complementary businesses.
For a description of these contractual arrangements, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—C. Organizational Structure.” These contractual
arrangements may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing us with control over our consolidated variable interest entities. For example,
consolidated variable interest entities and shareholders of consolidated variable interest entities as well as other parties to the contractual arrangements
may fail to fulfill their contractual obligations to us, such as failure to maintain our website and use the domain names and trademarks in a manner as
stipulated in the contractual arrangements, or taking other actions that are detrimental to our interests.
If we had direct ownership of our consolidated variable interest entities, we would be able to exercise our rights as a shareholder to effect
changes in the board of directors of our consolidated variable interest entities, which in turn could implement changes, subject to any applicable
fiduciary obligations, at the management and operational level. However, under the current contractual arrangements, we rely on the performance of
obligations under the contractual arrangements by our consolidated variable interest entities, shareholders of our consolidated variable interest entities,
and other parties to the contractual arrangements to exercise control over our consolidated variable interest entities. The shareholders of our consolidated
variable interest entities may not act in the best interests of our company or may not perform their obligations under these contracts. Such risks exist
throughout the period in which we intend to operate our business through the contractual arrangements with our consolidated variable interest entities.
Although we have the right to replace any shareholder of our consolidated variable interest entities under the contractual arrangements, if any of these
shareholders are uncooperative or any dispute relating to these contracts remains unresolved, we will have to enforce our rights under these contracts
through the operations of PRC laws and arbitration, litigation and other legal proceedings, the outcome of which will be subject to uncertainties. See
“—Any failure by our consolidated variable interest entities, shareholders of our consolidated variable interest entities or other parties to perform their
obligations under our contractual arrangements with them would have a material adverse effect on our business.” Therefore, our contractual
arrangements with our consolidated variable interest entities and shareholders of our consolidated variable interest entities may not be as effective in
ensuring our control over the relevant portion of our business operations as direct ownership would be.
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Any failure by our consolidated variable interest entities, shareholders of our consolidated variable interest entities or other parties to perform their
obligations under our contractual arrangements with them would have a material adverse effect on our business.
We have entered into a series of contractual arrangements with our consolidated variable interest entities and shareholders of our
consolidated variable interest entities as well as other parties. For a description of these contractual arrangements, see “Item 4. Information on the
Company—C. Organizational Structure.” If our consolidated variable interest entities fail to perform their respective obligations under the contractual
arrangements, we may incur substantial costs and expend additional resources to enforce such arrangements. We may also have to rely on legal
remedies under PRC laws, including seeking specific performance or injunctive relief, and claiming damages, which we cannot assure you will be
effective under PRC laws. For example, if the shareholders of our consolidated variable interest entities were to refuse to transfer their equity interests in
our consolidated variable interest entities to us or our designee when we exercise the purchase option pursuant to these contractual arrangements, or if
they were otherwise to act in bad faith toward us, then we may have to take legal actions to compel them to perform their contractual obligations.
All the agreements under our contractual arrangements are governed by PRC laws and provide for the resolution of disputes through
arbitration in China. Accordingly, these contracts would be interpreted in accordance with PRC laws and any disputes would be resolved in accordance
with PRC legal procedures. The legal system in the PRC is not as developed as in some other jurisdictions, such as the United States. As a result,
uncertainties in the PRC legal system could limit our ability to enforce these contractual arrangements. Meanwhile, there are very few precedents and
little formal guidance as to how contractual arrangements in the context of a variable interest entity should be interpreted or enforced under PRC laws.
There remain significant uncertainties regarding the ultimate outcome of such arbitration should legal action become necessary. In addition, under PRC
laws, rulings by arbitrators are final and parties cannot appeal arbitration results in court unless such rulings are revoked or determined unenforceable by
a competent court. If the losing parties fail to carry out the arbitration awards within a prescribed time limit, the prevailing parties may only enforce the
arbitration awards in PRC courts through arbitration award recognition proceedings, which would require additional expenses and delay. In the event
that we are unable to enforce these contractual arrangements, or if we suffer significant delay or other obstacles in the process of enforcing these
contractual arrangements, we may not be able to exert effective control over our consolidated variable interest entities and their respective subsidiaries,
and our ability to conduct our business may be negatively affected. See “—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Uncertainties in the
interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws and regulations could limit the legal protections available to you and us.”
The shareholders of our consolidated variable interest entities may have potential conflicts of interest with us, which may materially and adversely
affect our business and financial condition.
The equity interests of our consolidated variable interest entities are held by Mr. Jun Zhang, Mr. Tiezheng Li, Mr. Honghui Hu and
Mr. Shaofeng Gu, our co-founders and shareholders, as well as a few of their family relatives. Their interests in our consolidated variable interest
entities may differ from the interests of our company as a whole. These shareholders may breach, or cause our consolidated variable interest entities to
breach, the existing contractual arrangements we have with them and our variable interest entity, which would have a material adverse effect on our
ability to effectively control our consolidated variable interest entity and its subsidiaries and receive economic benefits from them. For example, the
shareholders of Beijing Paipairongxin, one of our consolidated variable interest entities, may be able to cause our agreements with Beijing
Paipairongxin and Shanghai PPDai, a major subsidiary of Beijing Paipairongxin, to be performed in a manner adverse to us by, among other things,
failing to remit payments due under the contractual arrangements to us on a timely basis. We cannot assure you that when conflicts of interest arise, any
or all of these shareholders will act in the best interests of our company or such conflicts will be resolved in our favor.
Currently, we do not have any arrangements to address potential conflicts of interest between these shareholders and our company, except
that we could exercise our purchase option under the option agreement with these shareholders to request them to transfer all of their equity interests in
our consolidated variable interest entities to a PRC entity or individual designated by us, to the extent permitted by PRC laws. If we cannot resolve any
conflict of interest or dispute between us and the shareholders of our consolidated variable interest entities, we would have to rely on legal proceedings,
which could result in the disruption of our business and subject us to substantial uncertainty as to the outcome of any such legal proceedings.
Contractual arrangements in relation to our consolidated variable interest entities may be subject to scrutiny by the PRC tax authorities and they
may determine that we or our consolidated variable interest entities owe additional taxes, which could negatively affect our financial condition and
the price of our ADSs.
Under applicable PRC laws and regulations, arrangements and transactions among related parties may be subject to audit or challenge by
the PRC tax authorities. The PRC enterprise income tax law requires every enterprise in China to submit its annual enterprise income tax return together
with a report on transactions with its related parties to the relevant tax authorities. The tax authorities may impose reasonable adjustments on taxation if
they have identified any related party transactions that are inconsistent with arm’s length principles. We may face material and adverse tax consequences
if the PRC tax authorities determine that the contractual arrangements among our consolidated variable interest entities, shareholders of our consolidated
variable interest entities and us as well as other parties were not entered into on an arm’s length basis in such a way as to result in an impermissible
reduction in taxes under applicable PRC laws, regulations and rules, and adjust our consolidated variable interest entities’ income in the form of a
transfer pricing adjustment. A transfer pricing adjustment could, among other things, result in a reduction of expense deductions recorded by our
consolidated variable interest entities for PRC tax purposes, which could in turn increase their tax liabilities without reducing our tax expenses. In
addition, if we request the shareholders of our consolidated variable interest entities to transfer their equity interests in our consolidated variable interest
entities at nominal or no value pursuant to these contractual arrangements, such transfer could be viewed as a gift and subject us to PRC income tax.
Furthermore, the PRC tax authorities may impose late payment fees and other penalties on our consolidated variable interest entities for the adjusted but
unpaid taxes according to the applicable regulations. Our financial position could be materially and adversely affected if our consolidated variable
interest entities’ tax liabilities increase or if they are required to pay late payment fees and other penalties.
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We may lose the ability to use and enjoy assets held by our consolidated variable interest entities that are material to the operation of our business if
the entity goes bankrupt or becomes subject to a dissolution or liquidation proceeding.
Our consolidated variable interest entities hold certain assets that are material to the operation of our business, including, among others,
intellectual properties, hardware and software. We also expect Shanghai PPDai, a major subsidiary of Beijing Paipairongxin, one of our consolidated
variable interest entities, to register with the local financial regulatory authority to include “online lending information intermediary” in its business
scope and apply for, obtain and hold our value-added telecommunication business license for our online consumer finance marketplace business. Under
the contractual arrangements, our consolidated variable interest entities may not, and the shareholders of our consolidated variable interest entities may
not cause them to, in any manner, sell, transfer, mortgage or dispose of their assets or their legal or beneficial interests in the business without our prior
consent. However, in the event that the shareholders of our consolidated variable interest entities breach the these contractual arrangements and
voluntarily liquidate our consolidated variable interest entities, or our consolidated variable interest entities declare bankruptcy and all or part of their
assets become subject to liens or rights of third-party creditors, or are otherwise disposed of without our consent, we may be unable to continue some or
all of our business activities, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. If our consolidated
variable interest entities undergoes a voluntary or involuntary liquidation proceeding, independent third-party creditors may claim rights to some or all
of these assets, thereby hindering our ability to operate our business, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and
results of operations.
Risks Related to Doing Business in China
Changes in China’s economic, political or social conditions or government policies could have a material adverse effect on our business and results
of operations.
Substantially all of our operations are located in China. Accordingly, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations
may be influenced to a significant degree by political, economic and social conditions in China generally and by continued economic growth in China as
a whole.
The Chinese economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including the amount of government
involvement, level of development, growth rate, control of foreign exchange and allocation of resources. Although the Chinese government has
implemented measures emphasizing the utilization of market forces for economic reform, the reduction of state ownership of productive assets and the
establishment of improved corporate governance in business enterprises, a substantial portion of productive assets in China is still owned by the
government. In addition, the Chinese government continues to play a significant role in regulating industry development by imposing industrial policies.
The Chinese government also exercises significant control over China’s economic growth through allocating resources, controlling payment of foreign
currency-denominated obligations, setting monetary policy, and providing preferential treatment to particular industries or companies.
While the Chinese economy has experienced significant growth over the past decades, growth has been uneven, both geographically and
among various sectors of the economy. The Chinese government has implemented various measures to encourage economic growth and guide the
allocation of resources. Some of these measures may benefit the overall Chinese economy, but may have a negative effect on us. For example, our
financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected by government control over capital investments or changes in tax regulations. In
addition, in the past the Chinese government has implemented certain measures, including interest rate increases, to control the pace of economic
growth. These measures may cause decreased economic activity in China, and since 2012, the Chinese economy has slowed down. Any prolonged
slowdown in the Chinese economy may reduce the demand for our products and services and materially and adversely affect our business and results of
operations.
A downturn in the Chinese or global economy could reduce the demand for consumer loans and investments, which could materially and adversely
affect our business and financial condition.
The global financial markets have experienced significant disruptions since 2008 and the United States, Europe and other economies have
experienced periods of recession. The recovery from the lows of 2008 and 2009 has been uneven and is facing new challenges, including the escalation
of the European sovereign debt crisis from 2011 and the slowdown of the Chinese economy since 2012. It is unclear whether the Chinese economy will
resume its high growth rate. There is considerable uncertainty over the long-term effects of the expansionary monetary and fiscal policies adopted by the
central banks and financial authorities of some of the world’s leading economies, including the United States and China. There have also been concerns
over unrest in Ukraine, the Middle East and Africa, which have resulted in volatility in financial and other markets. There have also been concerns about
the economic effect of the tensions in the relationship between China and surrounding Asian countries. Economic conditions in China are sensitive to
global economic conditions. Any prolonged slowdown in the global or Chinese economy may reduce the demand for consumer loans and investments
and have a negative impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Additionally, continued turbulence in the international markets
may adversely affect our ability to access the capital markets to meet liquidity needs.
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Uncertainties in the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws and regulations could limit the legal protections available to us.
The PRC legal system is based on written statutes and prior court decisions have limited value as precedents. Since these laws and
regulations are relatively new and the PRC legal system continues to rapidly evolve, the interpretations of many laws, regulations and rules are not
always uniform and enforcement of these laws, regulations and rules involves uncertainties.
In particular, PRC laws and regulations concerning the online consumer finance industry are developing and evolving. Although we have
taken measures to comply with the laws and regulations that are applicable to our business operations, including the regulatory principles raised by the
CBRC, and avoid conducting any non-compliant activities under the applicable laws and regulations, such as illegal fund-raising, forming capital pool
or providing guarantee to investors, the PRC government authority may promulgate new laws and regulations regulating the online consumer finance
industry in the future. We cannot assure you that our practice would not be deemed to violate any new PRC laws or regulations relating to online
consumer finance. Moreover, developments in the online consumer finance industry may lead to changes in PRC laws, regulations and policies or in the
interpretation and application of existing laws, regulations and policies that may limit or restrict online consumer finance marketplaces like us, which
could materially and adversely affect our business and operations.
From time to time, we may have to resort to administrative and court proceedings to enforce our legal rights. However, since PRC
administrative and court authorities have significant discretion in interpreting and implementing statutory and contractual terms, it may be more difficult
to evaluate the outcome of administrative and court proceedings and the level of legal protection we enjoy than in more developed legal systems.
Furthermore, the PRC legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules (some of which are not published in a timely manner or at
all) that may have retroactive effect. As a result, we may not be aware of our violation of these policies and rules until sometime after the violation.
Such uncertainties, including uncertainty over the scope and effect of our contractual, property (including intellectual property) and procedural rights,
could materially and adversely affect our business and impede our ability to continue our operations.
Substantial uncertainties exist with respect to the enactment timetable, interpretation and implementation of draft PRC Foreign Investment Law and
how it may impact the viability of our current corporate structure, corporate governance and business operations.
The MOC published a discussion draft of the proposed Foreign Investment Law in January 2015 aiming to, upon its enactment, replace the
trio of existing laws regulating foreign investment in China, namely, the Sino-foreign Equity Joint Venture Enterprise Law, the Sino-foreign
Cooperative Joint Venture Enterprise Law and the Wholly Foreign-invested Enterprise Law, together with their implementation rules and ancillary
regulations. The draft Foreign Investment Law embodies an expected PRC regulatory trend to rationalize its foreign investment regulatory regime in
line with prevailing international practice and the legislative efforts to unify the corporate legal requirements for both foreign and domestic investments.
The MOC is currently soliciting comments on this draft and substantial uncertainties exist with respect to its enactment timetable, interpretation and
implementation. The draft Foreign Investment Law, if enacted as proposed, may materially impact the viability of our current corporate structure,
corporate governance and business operations in many aspects.
Among other things, the draft Foreign Investment Law expands the definition of foreign investment and introduces the principle of “actual
control” in determining whether a company is considered an FIE. The draft Foreign Investment Law specifically provides that entities established in
China but “controlled” by foreign investors will be treated as FIEs, whereas an entity set up in a foreign jurisdiction would nonetheless be, upon market
entry clearance by the MOC, treated as a PRC domestic investor provided that the entity is “controlled” by PRC entities and/or citizens. In this
connection, “foreign investors” refers to the following subjects making investments within the PRC: (i) natural persons without PRC nationality;
(ii) enterprises incorporated under the laws of countries or regions other than China; (iii) the governments of countries or regions other than the PRC and
the departments or agencies thereunder; and (iv) international organizations. Domestic enterprises under the control of the subjects as mentioned in the
preceding sentence are deemed foreign investors, and “control” is broadly defined in the draft law to cover the following summarized categories:
(i) holding, directly or indirectly, not less than 50% of shares, equities, share of voting rights or other similar rights of the subject entity; (ii) holding,
directly or indirectly, less than 50% of the voting rights of the subject entity but having the power to secure at least 50% of the seats on the board or
other equivalent decision making bodies, or having the voting power to material influence on the board, the shareholders’ meeting or other equivalent
decision making bodies; or (iii) having the power to exert decisive influence, via contractual or trust arrangements, over the subject entity’s operations,
financial matters or other key aspects of business operations. Once an entity is determined to be an FIE, it will be subject to the foreign investment
restrictions or prohibitions set forth in a “catalog of special administrative measures,” which is classified into the “catalog of prohibitions” and “the
catalog of restrictions,” to be separately issued by the State Council later. Foreign investors are not allowed to invest in any sector set forth in the catalog
of prohibitions. However, unless the underlying business of the FIE falls within the catalog of restrictions, which calls for market entry clearance by the
MOC, prior approval from governmental authorities as mandated by the existing foreign investment legal regime would no longer be required for
establishment of the FIE.
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The “variable interest entity” structure, or VIE structure, has been adopted by many PRC-based companies, including us, to obtain
necessary licenses and permits in the industries that are currently subject to foreign investment restrictions in China. See “—Risks Related to Our
Corporate Structure” and “Item 4. Information on the Company—C. Organizational Structure.” Under the draft Foreign Investment Law, VIEs that are
controlled via contractual arrangement would also be deemed as FIEs, if they are ultimately “controlled” by foreign investors. Therefore, for any
companies with a VIE structure in an industry category that is on the “catalog of restrictions,” the VIE structure may be deemed a domestic investment
only if the ultimate controlling person(s) is/are of PRC nationality (either PRC companies or PRC citizens). Conversely, if the actual controlling person
(s) is/are of foreign nationalities, then the VIEs will be treated as FIEs and any operation in the industry category on the “catalog of restrictions” without
market entry clearance may be considered as illegal.
In addition, the draft Foreign Investment Law does not indicate what actions shall be taken with respect to the existing companies with a
VIE structure, whether or not these companies are controlled by Chinese parties. Moreover, it is uncertain whether the online consumer finance industry,
in which Beijing Paipairongxin and its subsidiaries operate, will be subject to the foreign investment restrictions or prohibitions set forth in the “catalog
of special administrative measures” to be issued. If the enacted version of the Foreign Investment Law and the final “catalog of special administrative
measures” mandate further actions, such as the MOC market entry clearance, to be completed by companies with an existing VIE structure like us, we
face uncertainties as to whether such clearance can be timely obtained, or at all. If we are not able to obtain such clearance when required, our VIE
structure may be regarded as invalid and illegal. As a result, we would not be able to (i) continue our business in China through our contractual
arrangements with Beijing Paipairongxin, Shanghai PPDai and shareholders of Beijing Paipairongxin, (ii) exert control over Beijing Paipairongxin and
its subsidiaries, (iii) receive the economic benefits of Beijing Paipairongxin and its subsidiaries under such contractual arrangements, or (iv) consolidate
the financial results of Beijing Paipairongxin and its subsidiaries. Were this to occur, our results of operations and financial condition would be
materially and adversely affected and the market price of our ADSs may decline.
The draft Foreign Investment Law, if enacted as proposed, may also materially impact our corporate governance practice and increase our
compliance costs. For instance, the draft Foreign Investment Law imposes stringent ad hoc and periodic information reporting requirements on foreign
investors and the applicable FIEs. Aside from an investment information report required at each investment, and investment amendment reports, which
shall be submitted upon alteration of investment specifics, it is mandatory for entities established by foreign investors to submit an annual report, and
large foreign investors meeting certain criteria are required to report on a quarterly basis. Any company found to be non-compliant with these reporting
obligations may potentially be subject to fines and/or administrative or criminal liabilities, and the persons directly responsible may be subject to
criminal liabilities.
We may be adversely affected by the complexity, uncertainties and changes in PRC regulation of internet-related businesses and companies, and
any lack of requisite approvals, licenses or permits applicable to our business may have a material adverse effect on our business and results of
operations.
The PRC government extensively regulates the internet industry, including foreign ownership of, and the licensing and permit requirements
pertaining to, companies in the internet industry. These internet-related laws and regulations are relatively new and evolving, and their interpretation and
enforcement involve significant uncertainties. As a result, in certain circumstances it may be difficult to determine what actions or omissions may be
deemed to be in violation of applicable laws and regulations.
We only have contractual control over our website. We do not directly own the website due to the restriction of foreign investment in
businesses providing value-added telecommunication services in China, including internet information provision services. This may significantly disrupt
our business, subject us to sanctions, compromise enforceability of related contractual arrangements, or have other harmful effects on us.
The evolving PRC regulatory system for the internet industry may lead to the establishment of new regulatory agencies. For example, in
May 2011, the State Council announced the establishment of a new department, the Cyberspace Administration of China, or the CAC, (with the
involvement of the State Council Information Office, the MIIT, and the Ministry of Public Security). The primary role of this new agency is to facilitate
the policy-making and legislative development in this field, to direct and coordinate with the relevant departments in connection with online content
administration and to deal with cross-ministry regulatory matters in relation to the internet industry.
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Our online marketplace, operated by Shanghai PPDai, a subsidiary of Beijing Paipairongxin, one of our variable interest entities, may be
deemed to be providing commercial internet information services, which would require Shanghai PPDai to obtain certain value-added
telecommunications business license. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulation—Regulations Relating to Internet
Enterprises—Regulations on Value-Added Telecommunication Services.” Furthermore, it is uncertain if Beijing Paipairongxin, Shanghai Zihe and their
subsidiaries will be required to obtain a separate operating license with respect to our mobile applications in addition to the value-added
telecommunications business license.
The interpretation and application of existing PRC laws, regulations and policies and possible new laws, regulations or policies relating to
the internet industry have created substantial uncertainties regarding the legality of existing and future foreign investments in, and the businesses and
activities of, internet businesses in China, including our business. We cannot assure you that we have obtained all the permits or licenses required for
conducting our business in China or will be able to maintain our existing licenses or obtain new ones. If the PRC government considers that we were
operating without the proper approvals, licenses or permits or promulgates new laws and regulations that require additional approvals or licenses or
imposes additional restrictions on the operation of any part of our business, it has the power, among other things, to levy fines, confiscate our income,
revoke our business licenses, and require us to discontinue our relevant business or impose restrictions on the affected portion of our business. Any of
these actions by the PRC government may have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
We rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our PRC subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have, and
any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to make payments to us could have a material adverse effect on our ability to conduct our
business.
We are a holding company, and we rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our PRC subsidiaries for our cash and
financing requirements, including the funds necessary to pay dividends and other cash distributions to our shareholders and service any debt we may
incur. If our PRC subsidiaries incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends
or make other distributions to us. In addition, the PRC tax authorities may require our PRC subsidiaries to adjust its taxable income under the
contractual arrangements it currently has in place with Beijing Paipairongxin and its shareholders and Shanghai PPDai (with respect to the exclusive
technology consulting and service agreement only), or with Shanghai Zihe and its shareholders in a manner that would materially and adversely affect
their ability to pay dividends and other distributions to us. See “—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure—Contractual arrangements in relation to
Beijing Paipairongxin, Shanghai PPDai and Shanghai Zihe may be subject to scrutiny by the PRC tax authorities and they may determine that we or
Beijing Paipairongxin, Shanghai PPDai, and Shanghai Zihe owe additional taxes, which could negatively affect our financial condition and the price of
our ADSs.”
Under PRC laws and regulations, our PRC subsidiaries, as wholly foreign-owned enterprises in China, may pay dividends only out of their
respective accumulated after-tax profits as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, a wholly foreign-
owned enterprise is required to set aside at least 10% of its accumulated after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund certain statutory reserve funds, until
the aggregate amount of such funds reaches 50% of its registered capital. At its discretion, a wholly foreign-owned enterprise may allocate a portion of
its after-tax profits based on PRC accounting standards to staff welfare and bonus funds. These reserve funds and staff welfare and bonus funds are not
distributable as cash dividends.
In response to the persistent capital outflow and RMB’s depreciation against U.S. dollar in the fourth quarter of 2016, the People’s Bank of
China and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, have implemented a series of capital control measures over recent months, including
stricter vetting procedures for China-based companies to remit foreign currency for overseas acquisitions, dividend payments and shareholder loan
repayments. For instance, the People’s Bank of China issued the Circular on Further Clarification of Relevant Matters Relating to Offshore RMB Loans
Provided by Domestic Enterprises, or the PBOC Circular 306, on November 22, 2016, which provides that offshore RMB loans provided by a domestic
enterprise to offshore enterprises that it holds equity interests in shall not exceed 30% of such equity interests. The PBOC Circular 306 may constrain
our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to provide offshore loans to us. The PRC government may continue to strengthen its capital controls and our PRC
subsidiaries’ dividends and other distributions may be subjected to tighter scrutiny in the future. Any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to
pay dividends or make other distributions to us could materially and adversely limit our ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions that could be
beneficial to our business, pay dividends, or otherwise fund and conduct our business. See also “—If we are classified as a PRC resident enterprise for
PRC income tax purposes, such classification could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders or ADS holders.”
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PRC regulation of loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion
may delay or prevent us from using the proceeds of our initial public offering and the concurrent private placement to make loans to or make
additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and
expand our business.
Any funds we transfer to our PRC subsidiaries, either as a shareholder loan or as an increase in registered capital, are subject to approval by
or registration with relevant governmental authorities in China. According to the relevant PRC regulations on foreign-invested enterprises in China,
capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries are subject to the requirement of making necessary filings in the Foreign Investment Comprehensive
Management Information System, or FICMIS, and registration with other governmental authorities in China. In addition, (a) any foreign loan procured
by our PRC subsidiaries is required to be registered with SAFE, or its local branches, and (b) each of our PRC subsidiaries may not procure loans which
exceed the difference between its registered capital and its total investment amount as recorded in FICMIS. Any medium or long term loan to be
provided by us to a variable interest entity of our company must be recorded and registered by the National Development and Reform Committee and
the SAFE or its local branches. We may not complete such recording or registrations on a timely basis, if at all, with respect to future capital
contributions or foreign loans by us to our PRC subsidiaries. If we fail to complete such recording or registration, our ability to use the proceeds of our
initial public offering and the concurrent private placement and to capitalize our PRC operations may be negatively affected, which could adversely
affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.
In 2008, the SAFE promulgated the Circular on the Relevant Operating Issues Concerning the Improvement of the Administration of the
Payment and Settlement of Foreign Currency Capital of Foreign-Invested Enterprises, or SAFE Circular 142, which used to regulate the conversion by
foreign-invested enterprises of foreign currency into Renminbi by restricting the usage of converted Renminbi. On March 30, 2015, the SAFE
promulgated the Circular on Reforming the Management Approach Regarding the Foreign Exchange Capital Settlement of Foreign-Invested
Enterprises, or SAFE Circular 19. SAFE Circular 19 took effect as of June 1, 2015 and superseded SAFE Circular 142 on the same date. SAFE Circular
19 launched a nationwide reform of the administration of the settlement of the foreign exchange capitals of foreign-invested enterprises and allows
foreign-invested enterprises to settle their foreign exchange capital at their discretion, but continues to prohibit foreign-invested enterprises from using
the Renminbi fund converted from their foreign exchange capitals for expenditures beyond their business scopes. On June 9, 2016, the SAFE
promulgated the Circular on Reforming and Standardizing the Administrative Provisions on Capital Account Foreign Exchange, or SAFE Circular 16.
SAFE Circular 19 and SAFE Circular 16 continue to prohibit foreign-invested enterprises from, among other things, using RMB fund converted from its
foreign exchange capitals for expenditure beyond its business scope, investment and financing (except for security investment or guarantee products
issued by bank), providing loans to non-affiliated enterprises or constructing or purchasing real estate not for self-use. SAFE Circular 19 and SAFE
Circular 16 may significantly limit our ability to transfer to and use in China the proceeds we receive from our offshore financing activities, which may
adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Fluctuations in exchange rates could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and the price of our ADSs.
The value of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar and other currencies may fluctuate and is affected by, among other things, changes in
political and economic conditions in China and by China’s foreign exchange policies. On July 21, 2005, the PRC government changed its decade-old
policy of pegging the value of the Renminbi to the U.S. dollar, and the Renminbi appreciated more than 20% against the U.S. dollar over the following
three years. Between July 2008 and June 2010, this appreciation halted and the exchange rate between the Renminbi and the U.S. dollar remained within
a narrow band. Since June 2010, the Renminbi has fluctuated against the U.S. dollar, at times significantly and unpredictably. On November 30, 2015,
the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed the regular five-year review of the basket of currencies that make up the
Special Drawing Right, or the SDR, and decided that with effect from October 1, 2016, Renminbi is determined to be a freely usable currency and will
be included in the SDR basket as a fifth currency, along with the U.S. dollar, the Euro, the Japanese yen and the British pound. In the fourth quarter of
2016, the RMB has depreciated significantly in the backdrop of a surging U.S. dollar and persistent capital outflows of China. In the second half of
2017, Renminbi appreciated again against U.S. dollar significantly. With the development of the foreign exchange market and progress towards interest
rate liberalization and Renminbi internationalization, the PRC government may in the future announce further changes to the exchange rate system and
we cannot assure you that the Renminbi will not appreciate or depreciate significantly in value against the U.S. dollar in the future. It is difficult to
predict how market forces or PRC or U.S. government policy may impact the exchange rate between the Renminbi and the U.S. dollar in the future.
Significant revaluation of the Renminbi may have a material and adverse effect on the price of our ADSs. For example, to the extent that we
need to convert U.S. dollars we receive from our initial public offering and the concurrent private placement into Renminbi for our operations,
appreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar would have an adverse effect on the Renminbi amount we would receive from the conversion.
Conversely, if we decide to convert our Renminbi into U.S. dollars for the purpose of making payments for dividends on our ordinary shares or ADSs or
for other business purposes, appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the Renminbi would have a negative effect on the U.S. dollar amount available to us.
Very limited hedging options are available in China to reduce our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations. In 2018, we entered into two
hedging transactions in an effort to reduce our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk. See “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about
Market Risk—Foreign Exchange Risk” for more details. While we may decide to enter into more hedging transactions in the future, the availability and
effectiveness of these hedges may be limited and we may not be able to adequately hedge our exposure or at all.
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In addition, our currency exchange losses may be magnified by PRC exchange control regulations that restrict our ability to convert
Renminbi into foreign currency.
Governmental control of currency conversion may limit our ability to utilize our net revenues effectively and affect the price of our ADSs.
The PRC government imposes controls on the convertibility of the RMB into foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the remittance of
currency out of China. We receive substantially all of our net revenues in RMB. Under our current corporate structure, our company in the Cayman
Islands relies on dividend payments from our PRC subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have. Under existing PRC foreign
exchange regulations, payments of current account items, such as profit distributions and trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, can be
made in foreign currencies without prior approval from SAFE by complying with certain procedural requirements. Therefore, our PRC subsidiaries are
able to pay dividends in foreign currencies to us without prior approval from SAFE, subject to the condition that the remittance of such dividends
outside of the PRC complies with certain procedures under PRC foreign exchange regulation, such as the overseas investment registrations by the
beneficial owners of our company who are PRC residents. But approval from or registration with appropriate government authorities is required where
RMB is to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of loans denominated in foreign
currencies.
In light of the flood of capital outflows of China in 2016 due to the weakening RMB, the PRC government has imposed more restrictive
foreign exchange policies and stepped up scrutiny of major outbound capital movement. More restrictions and substantial vetting process are put in
place by SAFE to regulate cross-border transactions falling under the capital account. The PRC government may at its discretion further restrict access
in the future to foreign currencies for current account transactions. If the foreign exchange control system prevents us from obtaining sufficient foreign
currencies to satisfy our foreign currency demands, we may not be able to pay dividends in foreign currencies to our shareholders, including holders of
our ADSs.
Failure to make adequate contributions to various employee benefit plans and withhold individual income tax on employees’ salaries as required by
PRC regulations may subject us to penalties.
Companies operating in China are required to participate in various government sponsored employee benefit plans, including certain social
insurance, housing funds and other welfare-oriented payment obligations, and contribute to the plans in amounts equal to certain percentages of salaries,
including bonuses and allowances, of our employees up to a maximum amount specified by the local government from time to time at locations where
we operate our businesses. The requirement of employee benefit plans has not been implemented consistently by the local governments in China given
the different levels of economic development in different locations. Companies operating in China are also required to withhold individual income tax
on employees’ salaries based on the actual salary of each employee upon payment. We have not made adequate employee benefit payments for some
employees. With respect to the underpaid employee benefits, we may be required to make supplemental contributions for these plans as well as pay late
fees and fines. With respect to the underwithheld individual income tax, we may be required to make up sufficient withholding and pay late fees and
fines. If we are subject to late fees or fines in relation to the underpaid employee benefits and underwithheld individual income tax, our financial
condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.
The M&A Rules and certain other PRC regulations establish complex procedures for some acquisitions of Chinese companies by foreign investors,
which could make it more difficult for us to pursue growth through acquisitions in China.
The Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Companies by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rules, adopted by six PRC
regulatory agencies in 2006 and amended in 2009, and some other regulations and rules concerning mergers and acquisitions established additional
procedures and requirements that could make merger and acquisition activities by foreign investors more time consuming and complex, including
requirements in some instances that the MOC be notified in advance of any change-of-control transaction in which a foreign investor takes control of a
PRC domestic enterprise. Moreover, the Anti-Monopoly Law requires that the MOC shall be notified in advance of any concentration of undertaking if
certain thresholds are triggered. In addition, the security review rules issued by the MOC that became effective in September 2011 specify that mergers
and acquisitions by foreign investors that raise “national defense and security” concerns and mergers and acquisitions through which foreign investors
may acquire de facto control over domestic enterprises that raise “national security” concerns are subject to strict review by the MOC, and the rules
prohibit any activities attempting to bypass a security review, including by structuring the transaction through a proxy or contractual control
arrangement. In the future, we may grow our business by acquiring complementary businesses. Complying with the requirements of the above-
mentioned regulations and other relevant rules to complete such transactions could be time consuming, and any required approval processes, including
obtaining approval from the MOC or its local counterparts may delay or inhibit our ability to complete such transactions, which could affect our ability
to expand our business or maintain our market share.
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PRC regulations relating to offshore investment activities by PRC residents may limit our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to increase their registered
capital or distribute profits to us or otherwise expose us or our PRC resident beneficial owners to liability and penalties under PRC law.
The SAFE promulgated the Circular on Relevant Issues Relating to PRC Resident’s Investment and Financing and Roundtrip Investment
through Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 37, in July 2014 that requires PRC residents or entities to register with SAFE or its local branch in
connection with their establishment or control of an offshore entity established for the purpose of overseas investment or financing. In addition, such
PRC residents or entities must update their SAFE registrations when the offshore special purpose vehicle undergoes material events relating to any
change of basic information (including change of such PRC residents or entities, name and operation term), increases or decreases in investment
amount, transfers or exchanges of shares, or mergers or divisions.
SAFE Circular 37 is issued to replace the Circular on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Administration for PRC Residents
Engaging in Financing and Roundtrip Investments through Overseas Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 75.
If our shareholders who are PRC residents or entities do not complete their registration with the local SAFE branches, our PRC subsidiaries
may be prohibited from distributing their profits and proceeds from any reduction in capital, share transfer or liquidation to us, and we may be restricted
in our ability to contribute additional capital to our PRC subsidiaries. Moreover, failure to comply with the SAFE registration described above could
result in liability under PRC laws for evasion of applicable foreign exchange restrictions.
Mr. Jun Zhang, Mr. Tiezheng Li, Mr. Honghui Hu, and Mr. Shaofeng Gu who directly or indirectly hold shares in our Cayman Islands
holding company and who are known to us as being PRC residents have completed the foreign exchange registrations in accordance with SAFE Circular
75 then in effect and have updated their registrations in accordance with SAFE Circular 37. They are now in the process of updating their registration
required in connection with our recent corporate restructuring. Ms. Wei Luo, who indirectly hold shares in our Cayman Islands holding company and
previously known to us to be a mainland China resident, has changed her citizenship to Hong Kong. Ms. Wei Luo registered in accordance with SAFE
Circular 75 previously and now is seeking to cancel or update the registration in accordance with SAFE Circular 37.
However, we may not be informed of the identities of all the PRC residents or entities holding direct or indirect interest in our company, nor
can we compel our beneficial owners to comply with the requirements of SAFE Circular 37. As a result, we cannot assure you that all of our
shareholders or beneficial owners who are PRC residents or entities have complied with, and will in the future make or obtain any applicable
registrations or approvals required by, SAFE Circular 37. Failure by such shareholders or beneficial owners to comply with SAFE Circular 37, or failure
by us to amend the foreign exchange registrations of our PRC subsidiaries, could subject us to fines or legal sanctions, restrict our overseas or cross-
border investment activities, limit our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to make distributions or pay dividends to us or affect our ownership structure, which
could adversely affect our business and prospects.
Any failure to comply with PRC regulations regarding the registration requirements for employee stock incentive plans may subject the PRC plan
participants or us to fines and other legal or administrative sanctions.
Pursuant to SAFE Circular 37, PRC residents who participate in stock incentive plans in overseas non-publicly-listed companies may
submit applications to SAFE or its local branches for the foreign exchange registration with respect to offshore special purpose vehicles. In the
meantime, our directors, executive officers and other employees who are PRC citizens, subject to limited exceptions, and who have been granted stock
options by us, may follow the Notices on Issues Concerning the Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in Stock
Incentive Plan of Overseas Publicly-Listed Company, promulgated by the SAFE in 2012, or 2012 SAFE Notices. Pursuant to the 2012 SAFE Notices,
PRC citizens and non-PRC citizens who reside in China for a continuous period of not less than one year who participate in any stock incentive plan of
an overseas publicly listed company, subject to a few exceptions, are required to register with SAFE through a domestic qualified agent, which could be
the PRC subsidiaries of such overseas listed company, and complete certain other procedures. In addition, an overseas entrusted institution must be
retained to handle matters in connection with the exercise or sale of stock options and the purchase or sale of shares and interests. We and our directors,
executive officers and other employees who are PRC citizens or who reside in the PRC for a continuous period of not less than one year and who have
been granted stock options are subject to these regulations. Failure to complete the SAFE registrations may subject them to fines and legal sanctions,
and may also limit our ability to contribute additional capital into our PRC subsidiaries and limit our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to distribute dividends to
us. We also face regulatory uncertainties that could restrict our ability to adopt additional incentive plans for our directors, executive officers and
employees under PRC law. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulation—Regulations Relating to Foreign
Exchange—Regulations on Employee Stock Incentive Plans of Overseas Publicly-Listed Company.”
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The State Administration of Taxation, or SAT, has issued certain circulars concerning employee stock options and restricted shares. Under
these circulars, our employees working in China who exercise stock options or are granted restricted shares will be subject to PRC individual income
tax. Our PRC subsidiaries have obligations to file documents related to employee stock options or restricted shares with relevant tax authorities and to
withhold individual income taxes of those employees who exercise their share options. If our employees fail to pay or we fail to withhold their income
taxes according to relevant laws and regulations, we may face sanctions imposed by the tax authorities or other PRC governmental authorities. See
“Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulation—Regulations Relating to Foreign Exchange—Regulations on Employee
Stock Incentive Plans of Overseas Publicly-Listed Company.”
If we are classified as a PRC resident enterprise for PRC income tax purposes, such classification could result in unfavorable tax consequences to
us and our non-PRC shareholders or ADS holders.
Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementation rules, an enterprise established outside of the PRC with a “de facto
management body” within the PRC is considered a resident enterprise and will be subject to the enterprise income tax on its global income at the rate of
25%. The implementation rules define the term “de facto management body” as the body that exercises full and substantial control over and overall
management of the business, productions, personnel, accounts and properties of an enterprise. In April 2009, the SAT issued a circular, known as
Circular 82, which provides certain specific criteria for determining whether the “de facto management body” of a PRC-controlled enterprise that is
incorporated offshore is located in China. Although this circular only applies to offshore enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises or PRC enterprise
groups, not those controlled by PRC individuals or foreigners like us, the criteria set forth in the circular may reflect the SAT’s general position on how
the “de facto management body” test should be applied in determining the tax resident status of all offshore enterprises. According to Circular 82, an
offshore incorporated enterprise controlled by a PRC enterprise or a PRC enterprise group will be regarded as a PRC tax resident by virtue of having its
“de facto management body” in China and will be subject to PRC enterprise income tax on its global income only if all of the following conditions are
met: (i) the primary location of the day-to-day operational management is in the PRC; (ii) decisions relating to the enterprise’s financial and human
resource matters are made or are subject to approval by organizations or personnel in the PRC; (iii) the enterprise’s primary assets, accounting books
and records, company seals, and board and shareholder resolutions, are located or maintained in the PRC; and (iv) at least 50% of voting board members
or senior executives habitually reside in the PRC.
We believe none of our entities outside of China is a PRC resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes. See “Item 10. Additional
Information—E. Taxation—People’s Republic of China Taxation.” However, the tax resident status of an enterprise is subject to determination by the
PRC tax authorities and uncertainties remain with respect to the interpretation of the term “de facto management body.” As substantially all of our
management members are based in China, it remains unclear how the tax residency rule will apply to our case. If the PRC tax authorities determine that
PPDAI Group Inc. or any of our subsidiaries outside of China is a PRC resident enterprise for PRC enterprise income tax purposes, then PPDAI Group
Inc. or such subsidiary could be subject to PRC tax at a rate of 25% on its world-wide income, which could materially reduce our net income. In
addition, we will also be subject to PRC enterprise income tax reporting obligations. Furthermore, if the PRC tax authorities determine that we are a
PRC resident enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes, gains realized on the sale or other disposition of our ADSs or ordinary shares may be subject
to PRC tax, at a rate of 10% in the case of non-PRC enterprises or 20% in the case of non-PRC individuals (in each case, subject to the provisions of any
applicable tax treaty), if such gains are deemed to be from PRC sources. It is unclear whether non-PRC shareholders of our company would be able to
claim the benefits of any tax treaties between their country of tax residence and the PRC in the event that we are treated as a PRC resident enterprise.
Any such tax may reduce the returns on the investment in our ADSs.
We may not be able to obtain certain benefits under relevant tax treaty on dividends paid by our PRC subsidiaries to us through our Hong Kong
subsidiary.
We are a holding company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands and as such rely on dividends and other distributions on
equity from our PRC subsidiaries to satisfy part of our liquidity requirements. Pursuant to the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, a withholding tax rate
of 10% currently applies to dividends paid by a PRC “resident enterprise” to a foreign enterprise investor, unless any such foreign investor’s jurisdiction
of incorporation has a tax treaty with China that provides for preferential tax treatment. Pursuant to the Arrangement between the Mainland China and
the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Tax Evasion on Income, or the Double Tax Avoidance
Arrangement, and Circular 81 issued by the SAT, such withholding tax rate may be lowered to 5% if the PRC enterprise is at least 25% held by a Hong
Kong enterprise for at least 12 consecutive months prior to distribution of the dividends and is determined by the relevant PRC tax authority to have
satisfied other conditions and requirements under the Double Tax Avoidance Arrangement and other applicable PRC laws. Furthermore, under the
Administrative Measures for Non-Resident Enterprises to Enjoy Treatments under Tax Treaties, which became effective in August 2015, the
non-resident enterprises shall determine whether they are qualified to enjoy the preferential tax treatment under the tax treaties and file relevant report
and materials with the tax authorities. There are also other conditions for enjoying the reduced withholding tax rate according to other relevant tax rules
and regulations. See “Item 10. Additional Information—E. Taxation—People’s Republic of China Taxation.” We cannot assure you that our
determination regarding our qualification to enjoy the preferential tax treatment will not be challenged by the relevant PRC tax authority or we will be
able to complete the necessary filings with the relevant PRC tax authority and enjoy the preferential withholding tax rate of 5% under the Double
Taxation Arrangement with respect to dividends to be paid by our PRC subsidiaries to PPDAI (HK) LIMITED, our Hong Kong subsidiary.
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We face uncertainty with respect to indirect transfers of equity interests in PRC resident enterprises by their non-PRC holding companies.
Pursuant to the Circular on Strengthening Administration of Enterprise Income Tax for Share Transfers by Non-PRC Resident Enterprises,
or SAT Circular 698, issued by the SAT in 2009 with retroactive effect from January 1, 2008, where a non-resident enterprise transfers the equity
interests of a PRC resident enterprise indirectly by disposition of the equity interests of an overseas holding company, or an Indirect Transfer, and such
overseas holding company is located in a tax jurisdiction that: (a) has an effective tax rate less than 12.5% or (b) does not tax foreign income of its
residents, the non-resident enterprise, being the transferor, shall report to the competent tax authority of the PRC resident enterprise this Indirect
Transfer.
On February 3, 2015, the SAT issued a Public Notice Regarding Certain Corporate Income Tax Matters on Indirect Transfer of Properties
by Non-Resident Enterprises, or SAT Public Notice 7. SAT Public Notice 7 supersedes the rules with respect to the Indirect Transfer under SAT
Circular 698, but does not touch upon the other provisions of SAT Circular 698, which remain in force. SAT Public Notice 7 has introduced a new tax
regime that is significantly different from the previous one under SAT Circular 698 (Article V and Article VI). SAT Public Notice 7 extends its tax
jurisdiction to not only Indirect Transfers set forth under SAT Circular 698 but also transactions involving transfer of other taxable assets through
offshore transfer of a foreign intermediate holding company. In addition, SAT Public Notice 7 provides clearer criteria than SAT Circular 698 for
assessment of reasonable commercial purposes and has introduced safe harbors for internal group restructurings and the purchase and sale of equity
through a public securities market. SAT Public Notice 7 also brings challenges to both foreign transferor and transferee (or other person who is
obligated to pay for the transfer) of taxable assets. Where a non-resident enterprise transfers taxable assets indirectly by disposing of the equity interests
of an overseas holding company, which is an Indirect Transfer, the non-resident enterprise as either transferor or transferee, or the PRC entity that
directly owns the taxable assets, may report such Indirect Transfer to the relevant tax authority. Using a “substance over form” principle, the PRC tax
authority may disregard the existence of the overseas holding company if it lacks a reasonable commercial purpose and was established for the purpose
of reducing, avoiding or deferring PRC tax. As a result, gains derived from such Indirect Transfer may be subject to PRC enterprise income tax, and the
transferor shall be subject to withholding of applicable taxes, currently at a rate of 10%. Both the transferor and the PRC entity that directly owns the
taxable assets, or the Withholding Agent, may be subject to penalties under PRC tax laws if the Withholding Agent fails to withhold the taxes and the
transferor fails to pay the taxes.
We face uncertainties as to the reporting and other implications of certain past and future transactions where PRC taxable assets are
involved, such as offshore restructuring, sale of the shares in our offshore subsidiaries or investments. Our company may be subject to filing obligations
or taxed or subject to withholding obligations in such transactions, under SAT Circular 698 and SAT Public Notice 7. For transfer of shares in our
company by investors that are non-PRC resident enterprises, our PRC subsidiaries may be requested to assist in the filing under SAT Circular 698 and
SAT Public Notice 7. As a result, we may be required to expend valuable resources to comply with SAT Circular 698 and SAT Public Notice 7 or to
request the relevant transferors from whom we purchase taxable assets to comply with these circulars, or to establish that our company should not be
taxed under these circulars, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
The audit report included in this annual report is prepared by an auditor who is not inspected by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
and, as such, our investors are deprived of the benefits of such inspection.
Our independent registered public accounting firm that issues the audit report included in our annual report filed with the U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, as auditors of companies that are traded publicly in the United States and a firm registered with the U.S. Public
Company Accounting Oversight Board, or the PCAOB, is required by the laws of the United States to undergo regular inspections by the PCAOB to
assess its compliance with the laws of the United States and professional standards. Because our auditors are located in the PRC, a jurisdiction where the
PCAOB is currently unable to conduct inspections without the approval of the Chinese authorities, our auditors are not currently inspected by the
PCAOB. 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. The joint statement reflects a heightened interest in
an issue that has vexed U.S. regulators in recent years. However, it remains unclear what further actions the SEC and PCAOB will take to address the
problem.
Inspections of other firms that the PCAOB has conducted outside China have identified deficiencies in those firms’ audit procedures and
quality control procedures, which may be addressed as part of the inspection process to improve future audit quality. This lack of PCAOB inspections in
China prevents the PCAOB from regularly evaluating our auditor’s audits and its quality control procedures. As a result, investors may be deprived of
the benefits of PCAOB inspections.
The inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections of auditors in China makes it more difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of our auditor’s
audit procedures or quality control procedures as compared to auditors outside of China that are subject to PCAOB inspections. Investors may lose
confidence in our reported financial information and procedures and the quality of our financial statements.
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Proceedings instituted by the SEC against five PRC-based accounting firms, including our independent registered public accounting firm, could
result in financial statements being determined to not be in compliance with the requirements of the Exchange Act.
Starting in 2011 the Chinese affiliates of the “big four” accounting firms, including our independent registered public accounting firm, were
affected by a conflict between U.S. and PRC law. Specifically, for certain U.S.-listed companies operating and audited in mainland China, the SEC and
the PCAOB sought to obtain from the Chinese firms access to their audit work papers and related documents. The firms were, however, advised and
directed that under PRC law, they could not respond directly to the U.S. regulators on those requests, and that requests by foreign regulators for access
to such papers in China had to be channeled through the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or the CSRC.
In late 2012, this impasse led the SEC to commence administrative proceedings under Rule 102(e) of its Rules of Practice and also under
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 against the Chinese accounting firms, including our independent registered public accounting firm. A first instance trial
of the proceedings in July 2013 in the SEC’s internal administrative court resulted in an adverse judgment against the firms. The administrative law
judge proposed penalties on the firms including a temporary suspension of their right to practice before the SEC, although that proposed penalty did not
take effect pending review by the Commissioners of the SEC. On February 6, 2015, before a review by the Commissioner had taken place, the firms
reached a settlement with the SEC. Under the settlement, the SEC accepts that future requests by the SEC for the production of documents will normally
be made to the CSRC. The firms will receive matching Section 106 requests, and are required to abide by a detailed set of procedures with respect to
such requests, which in substance require them to facilitate production via the CSRC. If they fail to meet specified criteria, the SEC retains authority to
impose a variety of additional remedial measures on the firms depending on the nature of the failure. Remedies for any future noncompliance could
include, as appropriate, an automatic six-month bar on a single firm’s performance of certain audit work, commencement of a new proceeding against a
firm, or in extreme cases the resumption of the current proceeding against all four firms.
In the event that the SEC restarts the administrative proceedings, depending upon the final outcome, listed companies in the United States
with major PRC operations may find it difficult or impossible to retain auditors in respect of their operations in the PRC, which could result in financial
statements being determined to not be in compliance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, including possible delisting. Moreover, any negative
news about any such future proceedings against these audit firms may cause investor uncertainty regarding China-based, U.S.-listed companies and the
market price of our ADSs may be adversely affected.
If our independent registered public accounting firm was denied, even temporarily, the ability to practice before the SEC and we were
unable to timely find another registered public accounting firm to audit and issue an opinion on our financial statements, our financial statements could
be determined not to be in compliance with the requirements of the Exchange Act. Such a determination could ultimately lead to the delisting of our
ADSs from the NYSE or deregistration from the SEC, or both, which would substantially reduce or effectively terminate the trading of our ADSs in the
United States.
Risks Related to our American Depositary Shares
The market price for our ADSs may be volatile.
The trading prices of our ADSs are likely to be volatile and could fluctuate widely due to factors beyond our control. This may happen
because of broad market and industry factors, like the performance and fluctuation in the market prices or the underperformance or deteriorating
financial results of other listed internet or other companies based in China that have listed their securities in the United States in recent years. The
securities of some of these companies have experienced significant volatility since their initial public offerings, including, in some cases, substantial
price declines in their trading prices. The trading performances of other Chinese companies’ securities after their offerings, including internet and
e-commerce companies, may affect the attitudes of investors toward Chinese companies listed in the United States, which consequently may impact the
trading performance of our ADSs, regardless of our actual operating performance. In addition, any negative news or perceptions about inadequate
corporate governance practices or fraudulent accounting, corporate structure or other matters of other Chinese companies may also negatively affect the
attitudes of investors towards Chinese companies in general, including us, regardless of whether we have conducted any inappropriate activities. In
addition, securities markets may from time to time experience significant price and volume fluctuations that are not related to our operating
performance, such as the large decline in share prices in the United States, China and other jurisdictions in late 2008, early 2009 and the second half of
2011, which may have a material adverse effect on the market price of our ADSs.
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In addition to the above factors, the price and trading volume of our ADSs may be highly volatile due to multiple factors, including the
following:
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regulatory developments affecting us, our users, or our industry;
conditions in the online consumer finance industries;
announcements of studies and reports relating to the quality of our product and service offerings or those of our competitors;
changes in the economic performance or market valuations of other online consumer finance marketplaces;
actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly results of operations and changes or revisions of our expected results;
changes in financial estimates by securities research analysts;
announcements by us or our competitors of new product and service offerings, acquisitions, strategic relationships, joint ventures or
capital commitments;
additions to or departures of our senior management;
detrimental negative publicity about us, our management or our industry;
fluctuations of exchange rates between the RMB and the U.S. dollar;
release or expiry of lock-up or other transfer restrictions on our outstanding ordinary shares or ADSs; and
sales or perceived potential sales of additional ordinary shares or ADSs.
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, the market price for our
ADSs and trading volume could decline.
The trading market for our ADSs will depend in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our
business. If research analysts do not establish and maintain adequate research coverage or if one or more of the analysts who cover us downgrade our
ADSs or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, the market price for our ADSs would likely decline. If one or more of these
analysts cease coverage of our company or fail to publish reports on us regularly, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which, in turn, could
cause the market price or trading volume for our ADSs to decline.
Because we may not pay dividends in the future, you may have to rely on price appreciation of our ADSs for return on your investment.
Our board of directors declared a dividend in March 2019. We may continue to declare and pay dividends in the future if our operating
conditions allow. Our board of directors has discretion as to whether to distribute dividends, subject to certain restrictions under Cayman Islands law,
namely that our company may only pay dividends out of profits or share premium, and provided always that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid
if this would result in our company being unable to pay its debts at they fall due in the ordinary course of business. In addition, our shareholders may by
ordinary resolution declare a dividend, but no dividend may exceed the amount recommended by our board of directors. Even if our board of directors
decides to declare and pay dividends, the timing, amount and form of future dividends, if any, will depend on, among other things, our future results of
operations and cash flow, our capital requirements and surplus, the amount of distributions, if any, received by us from our subsidiary, our financial
condition, contractual restrictions and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. Accordingly, the return on your investment in our ADSs
will likely depend entirely upon any future price appreciation of our ADSs. There is no guarantee that our ADSs will appreciate in value or even
maintain the price at which you purchased the ADSs. You may not realize a return on your investment in our ADSs and you may even lose your entire
investment in our ADSs.
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Substantial future sales or perceived potential sales of our ADSs in the public market could cause the price of our ADSs to decline.
Sales of our ADSs in the public market, or the perception that these sales could occur, could cause the market price of our ADSs to decline.
As of March 31, 2019, we had 883,622,264 Class A ordinary shares and 651,000,000 Class B ordinary shares outstanding. Among these Class A
ordinary shares, 465,564,555 Class A ordinary shares are represented by ADS. All our ADSs are freely transferable without restriction or additional
registration under the Securities Act. The remaining ordinary shares outstanding will be available for sale, upon the expiration of the 180-day lock-up
period beginning from the date of our initial public offering, subject to volume and other restrictions as applicable under Rules 144 and 701 under the
Securities Act. Any or all of these shares may be released prior to the expiration of the lock-up period at the discretion of the representatives of the
underwriters of our initial public offering. To the extent shares are released before the expiration of the lock-up period and sold into the market, the
market price of our ADSs could decline.
Certain holders of our ordinary shares may cause us to register under the Securities Act the sale of their shares, subject to the 180-day
lock-up period in connection with our initial public offering. Registration of these shares under the Securities Act would result in ADSs representing
these shares becoming freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Act immediately upon the effectiveness of the registration. Sales of these
registered shares in the form of ADSs in the public market could cause the price of our ADSs to decline.
The voting rights of holders of ADSs are limited by the terms of the deposit agreement, and you may not be able to exercise your right to direct the
voting of the underlying Class A ordinary shares which are represented by your ADSs.
As a holder of our ADSs, you will not have any direct right to attend general meetings of our shareholders or to cast any votes at such
meetings. You will only be able to exercise the voting rights which attach to the underlying Class A ordinary shares which are represented by your
ADSs indirectly by giving voting instructions to the depositary in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement. Under the deposit
agreement, you may vote only by giving voting instructions to the depositary, as the holder of the underlying Class A ordinary shares which are
represented by your ADSs. Upon receipt of your voting instructions, the depositary will endeavor to vote the underlying Class A ordinary shares in
accordance with your instructions in the event voting is by poll, and in accordance with instructions received from a majority of holders of ADSs who
provide instructions in the event voting is by show of hands. The depositary will not join in demanding a vote by poll. You will not be able to directly
exercise any right to vote with respect to the underlying Class A ordinary shares unless you withdraw the shares and become the registered holder of
such shares prior to the record date for the general meeting. Under our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association that is currently
effective, the minimum notice period required to be given by our company to our registered shareholders for convening a general meeting is seven
(7) days. When a general meeting is convened, you may not receive sufficient advance notice to enable you to withdraw the underlying shares which are
represented by your ADSs and become the registered holder of such shares prior to the record date for the general meeting to allow you to attend the
general meeting or to vote directly with respect to any specific matter or resolution which is to be considered and voted upon at the general meeting. In
addition, under our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association that is currently effective, for the purposes of determining those
shareholders who are entitled to attend and vote at any general meeting, our directors may close our register of members and/or fix in advance a record
date for such meeting, and such closure of our register of members or the setting of such a record date may prevent you from withdrawing the
underlying shares which are represented by your ADSs and becoming the registered holder of such shares prior to the record date, so that you would not
be able to attend the general meeting or to vote directly. Where any matter is to be put to a vote at a general meeting, the depositary will, if we request,
and subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, endeavor to notify you of the upcoming vote and to deliver our voting materials to you. We cannot
assure you that you will receive the voting materials in time to ensure that you can instruct the depositary to vote the underlying shares which are
represented by your ADSs. In addition, the depositary and its agents are not responsible for failing to carry out voting instructions or for their manner of
carrying out your voting instructions. This means that you may not be able to exercise your right to direct the voting of the underlying shares which are
represented by your ADSs, and you may have no legal remedy if the underlying shares are not voted as you requested.
Except in limited circumstances, the depositary for our ADSs will give us a discretionary proxy to vote our Class A ordinary shares underlying your
ADSs if you do not instruct the depositary how to vote such shares, which could adversely affect your interests.
Under the deposit agreement for our ADSs, the depositary will give us (or our nominee) a discretionary proxy to vote our Class A ordinary
shares underlying your ADSs at shareholders’ meetings if you do not give voting instructions to the depositary as to how to vote the Class A ordinary
shares underlying your ADSs at any particular shareholders’ meeting, unless:
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we have failed to timely provide the depositary with our notice of meeting and related voting materials;
we have instructed the depositary that we do not wish a discretionary proxy to be given;
we have informed the depositary that there is substantial opposition as to a matter to be voted on at the meeting;
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a matter to be voted on at the meeting may have a material adverse impact on shareholders; or
voting at the meeting is made on a show of hands.
The effect of this discretionary proxy is that, if you fail to give voting instructions to the depositary as to how to vote the Class A ordinary
shares underlying your ADSs at any particular shareholders’ meeting, you cannot prevent our Class A ordinary shares underlying your ADSs from being
voted at that meeting, absent the situations described above, and it may make it more difficult for shareholders to influence our management. Holders of
our ordinary shares are not subject to this discretionary proxy.
Your rights to pursue claims against the depositary as a holder of ADSs are limited by the terms of the deposit agreement and the deposit agreement
may be amended or terminated without your consent.
Under the deposit agreement, any action or proceeding against or involving the depositary, arising out of or based upon the deposit
agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby or by virtue of owning the ADSs may only be instituted by you in a state or federal court in the city
of New York and you, as a holder of our ADSs, will have irrevocably waived any objection which you may have to the laying of venue of any such
proceeding, and irrevocably submitted to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such action or proceeding instituted by any person. Also, we
may amend or terminate the deposit agreement without your consent. If you continue to hold your ADSs after an amendment to the deposit agreement,
you agree to be bound by the deposit agreement as amended. See “Item 12. Description of Securities Other Than Equity Securities —D. American
Depositary Shares” for more information.
Your right to participate in any future rights offerings may be limited, which may cause dilution to your holdings.
We may from time to time distribute rights to our shareholders, including rights to acquire our securities. However, we cannot make such
rights available to you in the United States unless we register both the rights and the securities to which the rights relate under the Securities Act or an
exemption from the registration requirements is available. Under the deposit agreement, the depositary will not make rights available to you unless both
the rights and the underlying securities to be distributed to ADS holders are either registered under the Securities Act or exempt from registration under
the Securities Act. We are under no obligation to file a registration statement with respect to any such rights or securities or to endeavor to cause such a
registration statement to be declared effective and we may not be able to establish a necessary exemption from registration under the Securities Act.
Accordingly, you may be unable to participate in our rights offerings in the future and may experience dilution in your holdings.
You may not receive dividends or other distributions on our ordinary shares and you may not receive any value for them, if it is illegal or impractical
to make them available to you.
The depositary of our ADSs has agreed to pay to you the cash dividends or other distributions it or the custodian receives on our Class A
ordinary shares or other deposited securities underlying our ADSs, after deducting its fees and expenses. You will receive these distributions in
proportion to the number of Class A ordinary shares your ADSs represent. However, the depositary is not responsible if it decides that it is unlawful or
impractical to make a distribution available to any holders of ADSs. For example, it would be unlawful to make a distribution to a holder of ADSs if it
consists of securities that require registration under the Securities Act but that are not properly registered or distributed under an applicable exemption
from registration. The depositary may also determine that it is not feasible to distribute certain property through the mail. Additionally, the value of
certain distributions may be less than the cost of mailing them. In these cases, the depositary may determine not to distribute such property. We have no
obligation to register under U.S. securities laws any ADSs, ordinary shares, rights or other securities received through such distributions. We also have
no obligation to take any other action to permit the distribution of ADSs, ordinary shares, rights or anything else to holders of ADSs. This means that
you may not receive distributions we make on our ordinary shares or any value for them if it is illegal or impractical for us to make them available to
you. These restrictions may cause a material decline in the value of our ADSs.
You may be subject to limitations on transfer of your ADSs.
Your ADSs are transferable on the books of the depositary. However, the depositary may close its transfer books at any time or from time to
time when it deems expedient in connection with the performance of its duties. In addition, the depositary may refuse to deliver, transfer or register
transfers of ADSs generally when our books or the books of the depositary are closed, or at any time if we or the depositary deems it advisable to do so
because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental body, or under any provision of the deposit agreement, or for any other
reason.
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Certain judgments obtained against us by our shareholders may not be enforceable.
We are an exempted company limited by shares incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands. We conduct substantially all of our
operations in China and substantially all of our assets are located in China. In addition, a majority of our directors and executive officers reside within
China, and most of the assets of these persons are located within China. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for you to effect service of process
within the United States upon these individuals, or to bring an action against us or against these individuals in the United States in the event that you
believe your rights have been infringed under the U.S. federal securities laws or otherwise. Even if you are successful in bringing an action of this kind,
the laws of the Cayman Islands and of the PRC may render you unable to enforce a judgment against our assets or the assets of our directors and
officers.
There is no statutory enforcement in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the federal or state courts of the United States (and the
Cayman Islands are not a party to any treaties for the reciprocal enforcement or recognition of such judgments), a judgment obtained in such jurisdiction
will be recognized and enforced in the courts of the Cayman 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 Grand Court of the Cayman Islands, provided such judgment (a) is given by a foreign court
of competent jurisdiction, (b) imposes on the judgment debtor a liability to pay a liquidated sum for which the judgment has been given, (c) is final,
(d) is not in respect of taxes, a fine or a penalty, and (e) was not obtained in a manner and is not of a kind the enforcement of which is contrary to natural
justice or the public policy of the Cayman Islands. However, the Cayman Islands courts are unlikely to enforce a judgment obtained from the U.S.
courts under civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities law if such judgment is determined by the courts of the Cayman Islands to give rise to
obligations to make payments that are penal or punitive in nature. Because such a determination has not yet been made by a court of the Cayman
Islands, it is uncertain whether such civil liability judgments from U.S. courts would be enforceable in the Cayman Islands.
The recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments are provided for under the PRC Civil Procedures Law. PRC courts may recognize
and enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the requirements of the PRC Civil Procedures Law based either on treaties between China and the
country where the judgment is made or on principles of reciprocity between jurisdictions. China does not have any treaties or other forms of reciprocity
with the United States that provide for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments. In addition, according to the PRC Civil
Procedures Law, the PRC courts will not enforce a foreign judgment against us or our director and officers if they decide that the judgment violates the
basic principles of PRC laws or national sovereignty, security or public interest. As a result, it is uncertain whether and on what basis a PRC court would
enforce a judgment rendered by a court in the United States.
You may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through U.S. courts may be limited, because we are
incorporated under Cayman Islands law.
We are an exempted company limited by shares incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands. Our corporate affairs are governed by
our memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Law (2018 Revision) of the Cayman Islands and the common law of the Cayman Islands.
The rights of shareholders to take action against the directors, actions by minority shareholders and the fiduciary duties of our directors to us under
Cayman Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law of the Cayman Islands is derived in
part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands as well as from the common law of England, the decisions of whose courts are
of persuasive authority, but are not binding, on a court in the Cayman Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary duties of our directors
under Cayman Islands law are not as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedent in some jurisdictions in the United States.
In particular, the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws than the United States. Some U.S. states, such as Delaware, have more
fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law than the Cayman Islands. In addition, Cayman Islands companies may not have
standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action in a federal court of the United States.
Shareholders of Cayman Islands exempted companies like us have no general rights under Cayman Islands law to inspect corporate records
or to obtain copies of lists of shareholders of these companies. Our directors have discretion under our current amended and restated memorandum and
articles of association, to determine whether or not, and under what conditions, our corporate records may be inspected by our shareholders, but are not
obliged to make them available to our shareholders. This may make it more difficult for you to obtain the information needed to establish any facts
necessary for a shareholder resolution or to solicit proxies from other shareholders in connection with a proxy contest.
As a result of all of the above, our public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken by
management, members of the board of directors or controlling shareholders than they would as public shareholders of a company incorporated in the
United States.
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We have been named as a defendant in putative shareholder class action lawsuits that could have a material adverse impact on our business,
financial condition, results of operation, cash flows and reputation.
We will have to defend against the putative shareholder class action lawsuits described in “Item 8, Financial Information—A. Consolidated
Statements and Other Financial Information—Legal Proceedings,” including any appeals of such lawsuits should our initial defense be unsuccessful.
We are currently unable to estimate the possible outcome or loss or possible range of loss, if any, associated with the resolution of these lawsuits. In the
event that our initial defense of these lawsuits is unsuccessful, there can be no assurance that we will prevail in any appeal. Any adverse outcome of
these cases, including any plaintiff’s appeal of a judgment in these lawsuits, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition,
results of operation, cash flows and reputation. In addition, there can be no assurance that our insurance carriers will cover all or part of the defense
costs, or any liabilities that may arise from these matters. The litigation process may utilize a significant portion of our resources and divert
management’s attention from the day-to-day operations of our company, all of which could harm our business. We also may be subject to claims for
indemnification related to these matters, and we cannot predict the impact that indemnification claims may have on our business or financial results.
Our dual-class share structure will limit your ability to influence corporate matters and could discourage others from pursuing any change of
control transactions that holders of our Class A ordinary shares and ADSs may view as beneficial.
We have adopted a dual-class share structure. Our ordinary shares consist of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares. Holders
of Class A ordinary shares are entitled to one vote per share in respect of matters requiring the votes of shareholders, while holders of Class B ordinary
shares are entitled to twenty votes per share. Each Class B ordinary share is convertible into one Class A ordinary share at any time by the holder
thereof, while Class A ordinary shares are not convertible into Class B ordinary shares under any circumstances. Due to the disparate voting powers
associated with our two classes of ordinary shares, the holders of our Class B ordinary shares beneficially own 93.9% of the aggregate voting power of
our company as of March 31, 2019. As a result, the existing holders of our Class B ordinary shares will have considerable influence over matters such as
electing directors and approving material mergers, acquisitions or other business combination transactions. This concentrated control will limit your
ability to influence corporate matters and could also discourage others from pursuing any potential merger, takeover or other change of control
transactions, which could have the effect of depriving the holders of our Class A ordinary shares and our ADSs of the opportunity to sell their shares at a
premium over the prevailing market price or the opportunity to receive a premium for their shares as part of a sale of our company. These shareholders
may also take actions that are not in the best interest of us or our other shareholders even if they are opposed by our other shareholders, including
holders of our ADSs. In addition, the significant concentration of share ownership may adversely affect the trading price of the ADSs due to investors’
perception that conflicts of interest may exist or arise. For more information regarding our principal shareholders and their affiliated entities, see “Item
6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees — E. Share Ownership.”
Our memorandum and articles of association contain anti-takeover provisions that could discourage a third party from acquiring us and adversely
affect the rights of holders of our ordinary shares and ADSs.
Our memorandum and articles of association contain certain provisions that could limit the ability of others to acquire control of our
company, including a provision that grants authority to our board of directors to establish and issue from time to time one or more series of preferred
shares without action by our shareholders and to determine, with respect to any series of preferred shares, the terms and rights of that series. These
provisions could have the effect of depriving our shareholders and ADS holders of the opportunity to sell their shares or ADSs at a premium over the
prevailing market price by discouraging third parties from seeking to obtain control of our company in a tender offer or similar transactions.
We have granted, and may continue to grant, share incentive awards, which may result in increased share-based compensation expenses.
We first adopted our stock option plan, or the 2013 Plan, in June 2013 for purposes of granting share-based compensation awards to
employees, directors and consultants to incentivize their performance and align their interests with ours. The 2013 Plan was later amended and restated
several times. We account for compensation costs for all share options using a fair-value based method and recognize expenses in our consolidated
statements of comprehensive income in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Under the 2013 Plan, we are authorized to grant options to purchase ordinary
shares of our company. The maximum number of Class A ordinary shares which may be issued pursuant to all awards under the 2013 Plan is
221,917,800. As of March 31, 2019, options to purchase 131,063,150 Class A ordinary shares were granted and outstanding under the 2013 Plan and
91,877,050 Class A ordinary shares underlying those options were issued and outstanding.
In October 2017, we adopted another share incentive plan, or the 2017 Plan. Under the 2017 Plan, we are authorized to grant options,
restricted shares, and restricted share units employees, officers, directors and individual consultants who render services to us. The maximum number of
Class A ordinary shares which may be issued pursuant to all awards under the 2017 Plan is 1,000,000,000. As of March 31, 2019, options to purchase
26,645,000 Class A ordinary shares had been granted and were outstanding under the 2017 Plan and 337,500 Class A ordinary shares underlying those
options were issued and outstanding. As of March 31, 2019, 14,493,600 restricted share units had been granted and 631,405 of these restricted share
units had been vested.
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As a result, we incurred RMB44.5 million (US$6.5 million) share-based compensation expenses relating to options granted under the 2013
Plan and the 2017 Plan in 2018. We believe the granting of share incentive awards is of significant importance to our ability to attract and retain
employees, and we will continue to grant share incentive awards to employees in the future. As a result, our expenses associated with share-based
compensation may increase, which may have an adverse effect on our results of operations.
We are an emerging growth company and may take advantage of certain reduced reporting requirements.
We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act, and we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various
requirements applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, most significantly, not being required to comply
with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for so long as we are an emerging growth company. As a result,
if we elect not to comply with such auditor attestation requirements, our investors may not have access to certain information they may deem important.
The JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company does not need to comply with any new or revised financial accounting
standards until such date that a private company is otherwise required to comply with such new or revised accounting standards. However, we have
elected to “opt out” of this provision and, as a result, we will comply with new or revised accounting standards as required when they are adopted for
public companies. This decision to opt out of the extended transition period under the JOBS Act is irrevocable.
We are a foreign private issuer within the meaning of the rules under the Exchange Act, and as such we are exempt from certain provisions
applicable to U.S. domestic public companies.
Because we qualify as a foreign private issuer under the Exchange Act, we are exempt from certain provisions of the securities rules and
regulations in the United States that are applicable to U.S. domestic issuers, including:
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the rules under the Exchange Act requiring the filing with the SEC of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or current reports on Form
8-K;
the sections of the Exchange Act regulating the solicitation of proxies, consents, or authorizations in respect of a security registered
under the Exchange Act;
the sections of the Exchange Act requiring insiders to file public reports of their stock ownership and trading activities and liability
for insiders who profit from trades made in a short period of time; and
the selective disclosure rules by issuers of material nonpublic information under Regulation FD.
We will be required to file an annual report on Form 20-F within four months of the end of each fiscal year. In addition, we intend to
publish our results on a quarterly basis as press releases, distributed pursuant to the rules and regulations of the NYSE. Press releases relating to
financial results and material events will also be furnished to the SEC on Form 6-K. However, the information we are required to file with or furnish to
the SEC will be less extensive and less timely compared to that required to be filed with the SEC by U.S. domestic issuers. As a result, you may not be
afforded the same protections or information that would be made available to you were you investing in a U.S. domestic issuer.
As a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands, we are permitted to adopt certain home country practices in relation to corporate governance
matters that differ significantly from the NYSE corporate governance listing standards; these practices may afford less protection to shareholders
than they would enjoy if we complied fully with the NYSE corporate governance listing standards.
As a Cayman Islands company listed on the NYSE, we are subject to the NYSE corporate governance listing standards. However, NYSE
rules permit a foreign private issuer like us to follow the corporate governance practices of its home country. Certain corporate governance practices in
the Cayman Islands, which is our home country, may differ significantly from the NYSE corporate governance listing standards. For example, we are
not required to (i) have a majority of independent directors in our board of directors, (ii) have a compensation committee composed entirely of
independent directors, and (iii) have a minimum of three members in our audit committee. See “Item 16G. Corporate governance.” Since we have
chosen to follow certain home country practice, our shareholders may be afforded less protection than they otherwise would enjoy under the NYSE
corporate governance listing standards applicable to U.S. domestic issuers.
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There can be no assurance that we will not be passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for United States federal income tax purposes for any
taxable year, which could subject United States investors in our ADSs or ordinary shares to significant adverse United States federal income tax
consequences.
We will be a “passive foreign investment company,” or “PFIC,” if, in any particular taxable year, either (a) 75% or more of our gross
income for such year consists of certain types of “passive” income or (b) 50% or more of the average quarterly value of our assets (as determined on the
basis of fair market value) during such year produce or are held for the production of passive income (the “asset test”). Although the law in this regard is
unclear, we intend to treat our variable interest entities (including their respective subsidiaries, if any) as being owned by us for United States federal
income tax purposes, not only because we exercise effective control over the operation of such entities but also because we are entitled to substantially
all of their economic benefits, and, as a result, we consolidate their results of operations in our consolidated financial statements. Assuming that we are
the owner of our variable interest entities (including their respective subsidiaries, if any) for United States federal income tax purposes, we do not
believe that we were a PFIC for the taxable year ended December 31, 2018 and do not anticipate becoming a PFIC in future taxable years.
While we do not believe that we were a PFIC for the taxable year ended December 31, 2018 and do not anticipate becoming a PFIC in the
foreseeable future, because the value of our assets for purposes of the asset test may be determined by reference to the market price of our ADSs,
fluctuations in the market price of our ADSs may cause us to become a PFIC for the current or subsequent taxable years. The determination of whether
we will be or become a PFIC will also depend, in part, on the composition of our income and assets, which may be affected by how, and how quickly,
we use our liquid assets. If we determine not to deploy significant amounts of cash for active purposes or if it were determined that we do not own the
stock of our variable interest entities for United States federal income tax purposes, our risk of being a PFIC may substantially increase. Because there
are uncertainties in the application of the relevant rules and PFIC status is a factual determination made annually after the close of each taxable year,
there can be no assurance that we will not be a PFIC for the current taxable year or any future taxable year. In addition, it is possible that the IRS may
challenge our classification of certain income and assets as non-passive, which may result in our company being a PFIC for the taxable year ended
December 31, 2018 or becoming a PFIC in one or more future taxable years.
If we are a PFIC in any taxable year, a U.S. holder (as defined in “Item 10. Additional Information—E. Taxation—United States Federal
Income Tax Considerations”) may incur significantly increased United States federal income tax on gain recognized on the sale or other disposition of
the ADSs or ordinary shares and on the receipt of distributions on the ADSs or ordinary shares to the extent such gain or distribution is treated as an
“excess distribution” under the United States federal income tax rules and such holder may be subject to burdensome reporting requirements. Further, if
we are a PFIC for any year during which a U.S. holder holds our ADSs or ordinary shares, we generally will continue to be treated as a PFIC for all
succeeding years during which such U.S. holder holds our ADSs or ordinary shares. For more information see “Item 10. Additional Information—E.
Taxation—United States Federal Income Tax Considerations—Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations.”
We will incur increased costs as a result of being a public company, particularly after we cease to qualify as an “emerging growth company.”
As a public company, we incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company. The Sarbanes-
Oxley Act of 2002, as well as rules subsequently implemented by the SEC and the NYSE, impose various requirements on the corporate governance
practices of public companies. As a company with less than US$1.07 billion in net revenues for our last fiscal year, we qualify as an “emerging growth
company” pursuant to the JOBS Act. An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting and other requirements that are
otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These provisions include exemption from the auditor attestation requirement under Section 404 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 in the assessment of the emerging growth company’s internal control over financial reporting and permission to delay
adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies. However, we have elected to “opt out” of
the provision that allow us to delay adopting new or revised accounting standards and, as a result, we will comply with new or revised accounting
standards as required when they are adopted for public companies. This decision to opt out of the extended transition period under the JOBS Act is
irrevocable.
We expect these rules and regulations to increase our legal and financial compliance costs and to make some corporate activities more time-
consuming and costly. After we are no longer an “emerging growth company,” we expect to incur significant expenses and devote substantial
management effort toward ensuring compliance with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the other rules and
regulations of the SEC. For example, as a result of becoming a public company, we will need to increase the number of independent directors and adopt
policies regarding internal controls and disclosure controls and procedures. We also expect that operating as a public company will make it more
difficult and more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance, and we may be required to accept reduced policy limits and
coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. In addition, we will incur additional costs associated with our public
company reporting requirements. It may also be more difficult for us to find qualified persons to serve on our board of directors or as executive officers.
We are currently evaluating and monitoring developments with respect to these rules and regulations, and we cannot predict or estimate with any degree
of certainty the amount of additional costs we may incur or the timing of such costs.
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In the past, shareholders of a public company often brought securities class action suits against the company following periods of instability
in the market price of that company’s securities. If we were involved in a class action suit, it could divert a significant amount of our management’s
attention and other resources from our business and operations, which could harm our results of operations and require us to incur significant expenses
to defend the suit. Any such class action suit, whether or not successful, could harm our reputation and restrict our ability to raise capital in the future. In
addition, if a claim is successfully made against us, we may be required to pay significant damages, which could have a material adverse effect on our
financial condition and results of operations.
ITEM 4.
INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
A. History and Development of the Company
We commenced our online consumer finance marketplace business in June 2007 through Shanghai Daifeng. In January 2011, we relocated
to Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park in Pudong, Shanghai and starting then, our business operations gradually migrated from Shanghai Daifeng to another
operating entity located in Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Shanghai Xiazhong Information Technology Co., Ltd., which later changed its name to Shanghai
PPDai Financial Information Service Co., Ltd.
During the period between June and August 2012, we formed our offshore corporate structure to facilitate offshore financing. In June 2012,
we incorporated PPDAI Group Inc. under the laws of the Cayman Islands as our holding company and incorporated PPDAI (HK) LIMITED, or PPDAI
Hong Kong, as its wholly-owned subsidiary. In August 2012, Beijing Prosper Investment Consulting Co., Ltd., or Beijing Prosper, was incorporated as a
wholly-owned PRC subsidiary of PPDAI Hong Kong, through which we obtained control over Shanghai PPDai and Beijing Paipairongxin Investment
Consulting Co., Ltd., or Beijing Paipairongxin, a company incorporated in June 2012, based on two separate sets of contractual arrangements, including
the equity pledge agreements, the business operation agreements, the power of attorneys, the option agreements, and the exclusive technology
consulting and service agreements. In July 2014, following a restructuring, Shanghai PPDai became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Beijing
Paipairongxin. We then subsequently terminated our contractual arrangements with Shanghai PPDai and its shareholders, and entered into an amended
and restated exclusive technology consulting and service agreement with Shanghai PPDai and Beijing Paipairongxin.
In August 2015, we established Wuxi PPDai Financial Information Service Co., Ltd. to provide customer services. In January 2016, we
established Shanghai Paifenle Internet Technology Co., Ltd. to operate business related to our consumption loan products. In December 2016, we
established Hefei PPDai Information Technology Co., Ltd. as another entity to provide customer services with a focus on loan collection.
In June 2017, Shanghai Guangjian Information Technology Co., Ltd., or Shanghai Guangjian was incorporated as a wholly-owned PRC
subsidiary of PPDAI Hong Kong. Shortly after its incorporation, Shanghai Guangjian established a wholly-owned subsidiary, Shanghai Shanghu
Information Technology Co., Ltd., or Shanghai Shanghu. In June 2017, Shanghai Guangjian, Shanghai Shanghu, Beijing Prosper, Beijing
Paipairongxin, Shanghai PPDai and the shareholders of Beijing Paipairongxin entered into a new set of contractual arrangements, including an equity
pledge agreement, a business operation agreement, a power of attorney, an option agreement and an exclusive technology consulting and service
agreement, replacing the previous contractual arrangements among Beijing Prosper, Beijing Paipairongxin, Shanghai PPDai and the shareholders of
Beijing Paipairongxin. Based on the new set of contractual arrangements, we continue to have control over Beijing Paipairongxin and Shanghai PPDai
through Shanghai Guangjian. In March 2018, we restated the contractual agreements among Shanghai Guangjian, Shanghai Shanghu, Beijing Prosper,
Beijing Paipairongxin, Shanghai PPDai and the shareholders of Beijing Paipairongxin. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—C. Organizational
Structure—Contractual Arrangements with Beijing Paipairongxin and Shanghai Zihe.”
In July 2017, Shanghai Zihe Information Technology Co., Ltd., or Shanghai Zihe, was incorporated by Mr. Jun Zhang, Mr. Tiezheng Li,
Mr. Honghui Hu and Mr. Shaofeng Gu, our co-founders and shareholders.
On November 10, 2017, our ADSs commenced trading on the NYSE under the symbol “PPDF.” We raised from our initial public offering
approximately US$205.0 million in net proceeds after deducting underwriting discounts and the estimated offering expenses payable by us.
Concurrently with our initial public offering, we also raised approximately US$49.5 million in net proceeds through issuing 19,230,769 Class A
ordinary shares to a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sun Hung Kai & Co. Limited.
In January 2018, we incorporated Bluebottle Limited in Hong Kong. Shortly after its incorporation, Bluebottle Limited established
Shanghai Manyin Information Technology Co., Ltd., or Shanghai Manyin, as its wholly-owned PRC subsidiary in China. In March 2018, we entered
into a series of contractual arrangements through Shanghai Manyin with Shanghai Zihe and the shareholders of Shanghai Zihe, through which we
obtained effective control over the operation of Shanghai Zihe.
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In August 2018, Shanghai Nianqiao Information Technology Co., Ltd., or Shanghai Nianqiao, was incorporated by Mr. Zhouhao Gu, a
family relative of Shaofeng Gu, and Ms. Xiumeng Chen, a family relative of Jun Zhang. In January 2019, Shanghai Ledao Information Technology Co.,
Ltd., or Shanghai Ledao, was incorporated by Mr. Yejun Jiang, a family relative of Honghui Hu, and Mr. Lizhong Chen, a family relative of Tiezheng
Li. We entered into two sets of contractual arrangements through Shanghai Manyin with (i) Shanghai Nianqiao and the shareholders of Shanghai
Nianqiao in November 29, 2018, and (ii) Shanghai Ledao and the shareholders of Shanghai Ledao in January 14, 2019, respectively, through which we
obtained effective control over the operations of Shanghai Nianqiao and Shanghai Ledao.
B.
Business Overview
We are a leading online consumer finance marketplace in China with strong brand recognition. Launched in 2007, we are the first online
consumer finance marketplace in China connecting borrowers and investors, whose needs are unserved or underserved by traditional financial
institutions, according to iResearch. As of December 31, 2018, we had over 88.9 million registered users.
We strategically focus on serving borrowers between ages of 20 and 40, the young generation that is typically more receptive to internet
financial services and is poised to become the major driving force of China’s consumer finance market. Our borrowers are primarily acquired online and
stretch across a large number of cities and counties in China. We primarily offer short-term loans to our borrowers to meet their immediate credit needs
while allowing them to gradually establish their credit history through activities on our marketplace. In 2017 and 2018, loans originated on our
marketplace had an average principal amount of RMB2,470 and RMB3,281 (US$477), respectively, and an average term of 7.5 months and 9.4 months,
respectively. Borrowers come to our marketplace for convenient, simple and fast loan transaction process. We generally have a high level of borrower
stickiness. In 2017 and 2018, 68.9% and 73.6% of the total loan volume originated on our marketplace was generated from repeat borrowers who had at
least one drawdown before, respectively.
Our platform appeals to investors by offering a wide spectrum of investment options. We provide our investors with an opportunity to invest
in an emerging asset class—consumer loans—and achieve attractive returns. Individual investors may subscribe to loans based on the profiles of
approved borrowers listed on our platform, use automated investing tools specifically designed to improve their investment efficiency, or enroll in
investment programs that offer greater convenience in making investments. We offer attractive risk-adjusted returns supported by a set of risk
management procedures and implement protection mechanisms to control and mitigate investors’ risk exposure. To meet individual investors’ liquidity
demands, we have also established a secondary loan market to facilitate their early exit.
We have built an extensive database that contains firsthand through-the-cycle credit data as well as data from various third-party sources.
We have established systematic risk management procedures which have proven to be effective in various macro-economic environments. Our
proprietary and big-data based credit scoring model, the Magic Mirror Model, has been continually testing and refining its credit decision-making rules
as we continue to study the increasing amount of data accumulated through our loan facilitation. We have also made progress in optimizing operational
efficiency as we apply big-data analytics and machine learning capabilities to other aspects of our business operations, such as sales and marketing
activities and loan collection.
We generate revenues primarily from fees charged to borrowers for our services in matching them with investors and for other services we
provide over the loans’ lifecycle. We have experienced rapid growth in recent years. Our operating revenues grew from RMB1.2 billion in 2016 to
RMB3.9 billion in 2017 and further to RMB4.3 billion (US$623.6 million) in 2018. A substantial portion of our operating revenues for these periods
were attributable to fees charged to borrowers. Our net profit increased from RMB501.5 million in 2016 to RMB1.1 billion in 2017 and further to
RMB2.5 billion (US$359.2 million) in 2018.
Our Users
Borrowers
Since our inception and up to December 31, 2018, we have facilitated loans connecting over 14.4 million borrowers from 96% of the cities
and counties in China with investors. In 2017 and 2018, over 80% of our borrowers are between 20 and 40 years of age. We strategically target the
young generation in general and cultivate customer loyalty, aiming to capture the vast growth opportunities as our borrowers enter into different stages
of their lives and qualify for higher credit limits. The number of unique borrowers were approximately 3.4 million in 2016, 8.7 million in 2017 and
6.8 million in 2018.
Our marketplace features a high proportion of repeat borrowers. We have an active repeat borrower base and our borrowers tend to borrow
more on our marketplace over time. Out of the total loan volume facilitated through our marketplace in 2016, 2017 and 2018, 55.6%, 68.9% and 73.6%,
respectively, was generated from repeat borrowers who had successfully borrowed on our marketplace before.
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Investors
We accept investments primarily from individual investors. As of December 31, 2018, we had 667,738 cumulative individual investors. We
have experienced strong growth in both the number of individual investors and the investment amount per investor in recent years. The number of
individual investors invested through our marketplace was 240,990 in 2016, 307,835 in 2017, and 249,635 in 2018. Average investment amount per
individual investor increased from RMB57,918 in 2016 to RMB149,252 in 2017, and further to RMB163,508 (US$23,781) in 2018.
We expanded our investor base to cover institutional funding partners in August 2014 and have been increasing the number and type of
institutional funding partners since then to meet the borrowing demand on our marketplace. Currently, we primarily cooperate with trusts, consumer
finance companies, commercial banks and other licensed financial institutions, and online lending information intermediaries to diversify our funding
sources.
As of December 31, 2018, 85.0% of total outstanding loans were invested by individual investors and 15.0% were invested by institutional
funding partners. In 2018, out of the total loan volume facilitated by us, loans funded by individual investors and institutional funding partners amounted
to RMB52.6 billion (US$7.7 billion) and RMB8.9 billion (US$1.3 billion), respectively.
Our Products and Services
Loan services offered to borrowers
Our marketplace primarily offers standard loan products. We do not require security for loan products on our platform and generally provide
loan applicants with a credit decision in around 10 minutes of application for first-time applicants and in as little as one minute for repeat borrowers.
Approved borrowers typically receive loan disbursements within 24 hours following the loan listing, and in 2018, approximately 77.5% of total number
of loans facilitated through our platform were funded within two hours. We believe these features are essential to meeting borrowers’ often imminent
financing needs. Subject to credit assessment result for each loan application, a borrower is allowed to take out multiple loans on our platform if the
aggregate outstanding principal amount does not exceed such borrower’s credit limit for the type of loans the borrower applies for.
Standard loan products
Borrowers are able to apply for standard loan products using either mobile or PC devices by providing certain basic information, including
bank account information, credit card information if any, educational level, marital status, occupation, email address, social media user name if any and
mobile phone number of one or two alternative contact persons, in addition to the borrowers’ PRC identity card information and mobile phone numbers
which are mandatory for initial user registration.
Depending on the credit assessment result, a borrower may be eligible to apply for a loan within the approved credit limit for a term ranging
from three to 36 months. The average loan amount for our standard loan products was RMB3,054 in 2016, RMB2,926 in 2018 and RMB3,266
(US$475) in 2018. Different credit limits and borrowing costs are applicable to different tiers of borrowers based on their respective credit scores. The
borrowing cost for taking out a standard loan on our marketplace include the interest to be paid to investors, a transaction fee charged for our services
and, under certain circumstances, a quality assurance fund contribution from borrowers for investor protection purpose. All of our standard loan
products feature fixed monthly repayments, consisting of principal, interest and where applicable, quality assurance fund contribution. Borrowers of our
standard loan products may make prepayments without incurring penalties. See “—Our Platform and Transaction Process” for information on payment
processing. In 2018, we expanded our standard loan products by offering borrowers with loans of a larger size, ranging from RMB20,000 (US$2,909) to
RMB60,000 (US$8,727), and with longer tenors of 12-36 months. In 2016, 2017 and 2018, the origination amount of our standard loan products totaled
RMB16.0 billion, RMB54.9 billion and RMB60.4 billion (US$8.8 billion), representing 80.4%, 83.7% and 98.3%, respectively, of the total amount of
the loans that were made through our marketplace.
Handy cash loan products
We used to offer handy cash loan products on our platform, which were designed to meet imminent financing needs of borrowers, featuring
a shorter term ranging from one to six weeks and a smaller principal amount compared to our standard loan products. We ceased to offer handy cash
loan products in December 2017 to achieve full compliance with relevant regulatory requirements. As of March 31, 2018, all the remaining outstanding
balance of our handy cash loans have been settled.
Consumption loan products
We used to offer consumption loan products on our platform through cooperation with retail stores to customers for their purchases of
electronic appliances. The principal amount of our consumption loan products had varied in the range depending on the price of electronic products.
Consumption loan products could have a term of 9, 12, 15, 18 or 24 months. We ceased to offer new consumption loan products in December 2017. As
of December 31, 2018, the outstanding balance of our existing consumption loan products totaled RMB26.7 million (US$3.9 million).
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Other loan products
In addition, we have offered other products and will continue to develop new products from time to time. For example, we cooperate with
several third parties to offer their customers loan products similar to our standard ones but with varied features, such as more preferential interest rates.
In implementing our strategy of expanding loan product offerings, we have developed and are developing new loan products. In 2016, 2017 and 2018,
origination amounts of our other loan products totaled RMB1.9 billion, RMB2.9 billion, and RMB1.1 billion (US$154.3 million), accounting for 9.3%,
4.4% and 1.7%, respectively, of the total amount of the loans facilitated on our marketplace. As our business grows, we will continue to expand our loan
product offerings to meet demands from different tiers of borrowers.
Investment services offered to individual investors
Our online lending information intermediary business provide investment options that cater to the needs of investors who prefer to
proactively manage their investments as well as investors who want to rely on the tools we offer to allocate and manage their investments.
Self-discretionary investing tool
Investors may directly invest in loans listed on our marketplace based on loan characteristics and borrower profiles. We provide a set of
filters to help self-discretionary investors choose among thousands of investment opportunities. By using filters, an investor is able to quickly pinpoint
specific loans the investor desires to invest in based on screening criteria, such as credit rating, interest rate, term, loan amount, profile and the
borrowing history of the borrower on our platform. The minimum threshold for a lending commitment made through our self-discretionary investing
tool is RMB50 (US$7.3). Upon subscription to a specific loan, an investor agrees to commit a certain amount of fund to the subscribed loan until its
maturity. Funds will be transferred from the investor’s account with us to the borrower once the loan is fully subscribed. Investors who want to
withdraw their funds prior to loan maturity may transfer their rights in loans on our secondary loan market. See “—Secondary Loan Market.” We do not
charge fees for the use of our self-discretionary investing tool.
Automated investing tools
Backed by our sophisticated algorithms, we offer multiple automated investing tools in order to make investing easy and efficient. For
example, we provide tools that facilitate fast investments in a large number of loans through one click and tools that enable automated reinvestment
according to investors’ preset investing criteria. We also offer tools that help diversify investment risks by allocating funds into a portfolio of thousands
of loans. These tools are designed for investors who prefer to invest according to their preset criteria, such as loan term and interest rate, instead of
screening specific loans one by one. Once investors confirm the investments selected by our system, the investors agree to commit their funds
throughout the life of the loans they invest in unless they transfer their rights in loans on our secondary loan market. See “—Secondary Loan Market.”
The scale and vibrancy of our platform have also attracted some third-party businesses which offer our investors additional investing tools
to help them manage their investment portfolios. We partner with some of these companies and share with them a set of open application programming
interfaces to link those investing tools with our platform. This way, investors can make investments on our marketplace through our partners’ websites
and mobile applications.
Investment programs
Our investment programs enable investors to enjoy investment returns while minimizing the time needed to manage their investments.
Before the launch of our re-designed investment programs in March 2018, we used to offer three types of investment programs (namely investment
programs with fixed investing periods, investment programs with step-up returns, and investment programs with flexible investing periods) with
different estimated rates of return and various terms up to 18 months. Investors could freely choose to invest in any investment programs based on their
investment preference after committing a minimum amount of RMB100 (US$14.5).
We ceased offering investment programs with flexible investing periods and investment programs with step-up returns in July 2017 and
March 2018, respectively, and launched new investment programs by re-designing our previous investment programs with fixed investing periods. Our
new investment programs are featured by lock-up periods of various length and different estimated rates of return. By committing a minimum amount of
RMB1,000 (US$145.4), investors can freely choose to invest in new investment programs with different lock-up periods and estimated rates of return.
By opting for our new investment programs, investors authorize our platform to make investments in loans on our marketplace with different sizes,
terms and interest rates, and after the expiration of the preset lock-up periods, to transfer their creditor’s rights to other investors on their behalf or
extend the program tenor under certain circumstances at the investors’ option. The underlying loans we invest have weighted-average interest rates
higher than the lower limit of the estimated rates of return of each investment program. Investors are able to exit before maturity of the investment
program by transferring their creditor’s right to other investors on our platform after the preset lock-up period. In the event that the underlying loans
invested by an investor through our investment programs fail to be transferred after expiration of the preset lock-up periods, the investor will continue to
be a creditor of the underlying loans. The lock-up periods of our new investment programs typically range from 15 days to 540 days. We charge
management fees to investors who subscribe investment programs and collect such fees when an investment program ends at its maturity.
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Secondary loan market
We have established a secondary loan market on our platform to provide liquidity to investors. Loans held by investors for no less than 48
hours and with principal balances of no less than RMB10 (US$1.5) may be posted on our platform for transfer once certain other conditions are met.
Investors may withdraw the offers to transfer at any time before such offers are accepted by transferees. Although a successful transfer is not
guaranteed, historical data shows that loans typically change hands within the same day they are posted. Upon a successful transfer, the transferor will
be charged a service fee at a rate ranging from 0.5% to 1% of the transfer price depending on whether the underlying loan has the quality assurance fund
protection and the number of outstanding repayments. If the transfer does not happen within 24 hours after a loan is posted, the post will be
automatically taken off our platform.
Investment services offered to institutional funding partners
We introduce borrowers to our institutional funding partners and provide preliminary risk assessment services as well as other services to
them. Our institutional funding partners primarily include banks, financing companies, trusts, online micro-lending companies, and other online lending
information intermediaries. The service arrangement between our institutional funding partners and us varies depending on the type of institutional
funding partners. In the case of online lending intermediaries, they generally match the borrowers introduced by us with investors on their platform. For
institutional funding partners with a license to extend loans, such as banks, online micro-lending companies, they typically extend loans with their own
funds directly to the borrowers introduced by us. As to institutional funding partners without a license to extend loans, we offer them an alternative
through joint establishment of a trust and extend loans to the borrowers introduced by us through the trust. Under the trust arrangement, we invest in
subordinate tranches in a trust and our institutional funding partners invest in senior tranches. Senior tranche investors in the trust typically receive a
fixed rate of return, whereas we, as the subordinate tranche investor, typically receive the residual returns from the trust. In 2018, loans funded by
institutional funding partners was RMB8.9 billion (US$1.3 billion), accounting for 14.5% of our total loan origination volume.
Our Platform and Transaction Process
We incorporate advanced technology into every step of the transaction process on our online lending information intermediary platform to
provide a better experience to our borrowers and investors. The entire process appears simple, seamless and efficient but our platform leverages
sophisticated, proprietary technology to make it possible. The following diagram presents the transaction process of our standard loan products
facilitated on our online lending information intermediary platform between borrowers and individual investors:
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(1)
Funds of borrowers and individual investors are deposited into the custody accounts at China Merchants Bank and settled by such custody
accounts under its management.
Step 1: Initial Application
Prospective borrowers are able to initiate applications online anytime, anywhere through our mobile applications and website. Potential
borrowers may generally complete the application process for our standard loan products within a few minutes by providing the requested personal
details, the type of information readily available to the application, and taking a selfie in real time holding the applicant’s PRC identity card if the loan
application is initiated via mobile applications.
Step 2: Fraud Detection, Credit Assessment and Decision
Following the application for a standard loan product, our system generally takes around ten minutes to aggregate the data, run our anti-
fraud model, conduct credit assessment and decide whether to extend credit, except where manual review process is triggered.
Upon submission of a complete application, our system begins to match the application with data from both internal and external sources,
including information provided by the prospective borrowers, data gleaned from third-party data partners, and data aggregated from the internet using
our proprietary data collection technologies with due authorization from the prospective borrowers. Information aggregated, and later used for fraud
detection and creditworthiness evaluation, includes basic background information, such as age, gender and occupation, behavioral data, such as the
borrowers’ online shopping history and other information available on social media, and if available, borrowers’ credit history, such as personal credit
information maintained by the Credit Reference Center under the People’s Bank of China. For repeat borrowers, historical loan performance data
accumulated on our platform will also be incorporated into the borrowers’ profile.
Once aggregated, the data are reviewed by our anti-fraud model to identify fraudulent behaviors. Our anti-fraud model uses a multifaceted
detection method that combines sophisticated data integration with a hybrid analytical approach to both identify individual fraud based on existing fraud
database and analyze collusive behaviors among multiple individuals to uncover fraudulent schemes. Once the anti-fraud detection process is
completed, the prospective borrower’s loan application either proceeds to the next phase or the prospective borrower is notified of the decision if we
decline the application.
Following the fraud detection, we initiate a credit review using our proprietary Magic Mirror Model to generate a Magic Mirror score for
the prospective borrower, which ultimately drives the decision on whether to extend credit. Each Magic Mirror score corresponds to a credit level in the
range of I to VIII, with Level I representing the lowest risk and Level VIII representing the highest risk. See “—Risk Management—Proprietary Credit
Scoring and Risk Pricing Models.” Applicants classified as Level VIII will be declined, and applicants falling under other credit levels will be assigned
by our risk pricing system the approved credit amounts, maximum loan terms and applicable interest rates and other loan characteristics which are
determined based on their respective Magic Mirror scores. In 2018, among all the loan applications approved on our marketplace, 98.4% went through
the automated process. The remaining 1.6% in the respective periods often requiring additional information or verification, are forwarded to our credit
assessment team for manual review. The manual review process generally takes one to three days. Following this review, our credit assessment team
will either approve the loan with one or more approved sets of loan characteristics or decline the loan application.
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Step 3: Loan Listing and Funding
After obtaining credit approval, prospective borrowers may submit the final loan amount and loan term within the parameters of the credit
approval. Our system will then automatically generate a form of loan agreement between the borrower and the prospective investors. If the loan has not
been matched automatically through automated investing tools or with investment programs, the loan is then listed on our marketplace for investors to
view and subscribe. It normally takes less than 24 hours for a loan to be fully subscribed. In 2018, approximately 77.5% of total number of loans
facilitated through our platform were fully subscribed and funded within two hours. Subject to credit assessment for each loan application, a borrower is
allowed to take out one or more loans on our platform at a time. From investors’ perspective, after becoming registered users, individual investors who
are willing to make investment through our marketplace can deposit their funds with us in custody accounts at China Merchants Bank. We have
migrated to a custody account arrangement with China Merchants bank, whereby funds of individual investors and certain institutional funding partners
have been deposited into and settled by custody accounts under its management. Upon the full subscription of a loan, the loan agreement will become
effective, and the full amounts of funds will then be released from investors’ custody accounts to the borrower. Depending on different types of loan
application, loans not fully subscribed within 10-20 days will be automatically removed.
Step 4: Loan Servicing and Collection
Upon the origination of a standard loan, we establish a repayment schedule with repayment occurring on a set business day each month and
update the loan performance status in real time once a payment has been made or is overdue. Borrowers and investors are able to monitor the loan
performance on a real-time basis. On or prior to each scheduled repayment date, borrowers should deposit sufficient funds (consisting of corresponding
installment of principal, interest and transaction fee, as well as quality assurance fund contribution for certain borrowers) in their respective custody
accounts at China Merchants Bank and authorize us to, on such repayment date, (i) transfer quality assurance fund contribution made by certain
borrowers to a separate account managed by third-party guarantee company, (ii) transfer corresponding installment of principal and interest to the
corresponding investors (and, if applicable, instruct the third-party guarantee company to transfer certain portion of funds from the quality assurance
fund to the corresponding investors if that installment is overdue), and (iii) transfer each installment of transaction fee to our own account.
We had a collection team of over 1,800 employees as of December 31, 2018 and have developed a systematic process to handle collection
of delinquent loans. Upon becoming four days delinquent, a loan enters into our collection process, which is divided into stages based on severity of
delinquency. The first 90-day collection period is typically handled by our collection team although we also engage third-party payment collection
service providers to assist us from time to time. Collection measures, including text message reminders, phone calls, in-person visits and legal letters,
are taken in succession as a loan becomes increasingly overdue. If a loan remains overdue after the 90-day period, we then outsource loan collection to
third-party service providers to optimize collection efficiency. Any amount recovered from the borrower will be remitted to first cover third-party
collection expenses, if any, then to repay overdue principal and interest. Any remaining amount will be used to pay the late payment penalty and the
collection fee charged to the borrower.
Risk Management
Our strong risk management capabilities are one of the key competitive advantages that enable us to make credit available to the large
unserved or underserved population in China, whose credit histories have yet been recorded in the country’s developing credit system, while
maintaining a sustainable business at a healthy profitability level.
Data Aggregation
We have invested significant resources in building up a comprehensive credit database since our inception. Today, we own an extensive
database with several thousands of variables for our borrowers, covering a wide range of information pertinent to a borrower’s creditworthiness and
presenting a user profile from a 360-degree view. Data are aggregated from a number of sources. We have cooperation with a number of organizations,
such as government agencies, who grant us the access to their respective data. Our strong data-mining capabilities, which we believe differentiate us
from many other players in the online consumer finance marketplace industry, also enable us to collect a large amount of data concerning prospective
borrowers. We have developed a number of proprietary automated programs that are capable of searching, aggregating and processing massive data
from the internet in a short period of time. Another important component of our credit database is the payment histories of our prior and existing
borrowers. We take various measures to ensure high level of reliability and accuracy of data. The following are typical data that we seek to collect for
each loan application:
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
historical credit data accumulated through our online platform;
behavioral data that we glean from an applicant’s behaviors as they apply for loans, such as the location of the applicant or the use of
multiple devices to access our platform;
personal identity information maintained by an organization operated under the PRC Ministry of Public Security;
background information, such as education level and marital status, collected from prospective borrowers;
personal credit information maintained by the Credit Reference Center under the People’s Bank of China;
online shopping and payment information for their accounts with certain popular Chinese e-commerce websites, as well as online
data from social media and other platforms; and
list and database of fraud cases.
Upon the data aggregation, our system converts the originally unstructured data into structured data using machine learning techniques.
Fraud Detection
We have been working closely with multiple partners in a joint effort to identify emerging fraudulent schemes, scams, trends, threats, and
criminal organizations and have accumulated massive data as related to fraud. The database we maintain helps us to fine-tune the rules we set and
enhance our fraud detection capabilities. We adopt a multifaceted fraud detection method. First, we set up rules based on known fraud cases to filter
activities for fraudulent behaviors. Afterwards, we apply advanced network techniques to identify relationships pertinent to fraud and connect the
individual fraudulent activities to uncover complex fraud schemes and criminal organizations. In addition, we run anomaly detection to detect individual
and aggregated abnormal patterns in order to catch unknown fraud behaviors. If available information is insufficient for our system to draw a
conclusion, the relevant loan applications will be forwarded to our anti-fraud team for offline verification, which involves members of our anti-fraud
team speaking with applicants to inquire after any inconsistencies in a loan application.
Proprietary Credit Scoring and Risk Pricing Models
In August 2014, we developed and launched a proprietary credit scoring model, known as Magic Mirror Model, which we believe
represents one of our key competitive advantages. Our Magic Mirror Model leverages a huge database that we have built up gradually through our years
of operations. Such a vast amount of data lays a strong foundation for our use of machine learning to optimize the Magic Mirror Model on a continuing
basis.
Following data aggregation and fraud detection, prospective borrowers enter into credit assessment phase. Different algorithms are applied
to prospective borrowers with different features in assessing the potential risks associated with them and based on the assessment results, our credit
scoring model generates Magic Mirror scores for each of the prospective borrowers. A new Magic Mirror credit score is generated each time a borrower
applies for a loan, which may change the borrower’s credit limit for that type of loan. We apply various machine learning techniques to the data
collected. Through monitoring model performance as well as variable consistency, our system is able to evaluate the effectiveness of existing variables
while discovering new ones. The Magic Mirror Model then is optimized by adjusting the group of variables used. The following factors are associated
with variables that are important for assessing the probability of delinquency:
•
•
•
•
Repayment history
Personal identity information
Education
Consumption behavior
55
•
•
•
•
•
Social network behavior
Credit reports
Mobile communication behavior
Internet behavior, such as visiting history of our website and time spent on completing a loan application
Fraudulent records
For applicants of our standard loan products, the Magic Mirror score derived from our proprietary credit scoring model is used to determine
which of the eight segments in our existing credit grid such applicants fall into. Among the eight segments, Level I represents the lowest risks associated
with the borrowers, while Level VIII represents the highest risks. Level VIII loan applications will be rejected. Once a credit level is assigned to a
specific loan, it will not be changed during the tenor of the loan. The following charts indicate the historical cumulative 30-day plus past due
delinquency rates by credit level for loans facilitated in 2016, 2017 and 2018, which demonstrate distinctive credit risks associated with borrowers
falling under each credit level:
(1)
(2)
(3)
Vintage delinquency rate for loans facilitated in 2016 is calculated as the volume weighed average of the quarterly vintage delinquency rates at
the end of the 12th month following the inception of each loan in an applicable vintage.
Vintage delinquency rate for loans facilitated in 2017 is calculated as the volume weighed average of the quarterly vintage delinquency rates at
the end of the 12th month following the inception of each loan in an applicable vintage.
Vintage delinquency rate for loans facilitated in 2018 is calculated as the volume weighed average of the quarterly vintage delinquency rates as
of December 31, 2018.
For borrowers who were not subject to the quality assurance fund program before December 2017, the borrowing cost included an upfront
transaction fee for most of our loans and the subsequent monthly cost, which equaled to monthly interest payment. Starting from December 2017, we
have ceased collecting the transaction fee upfront. Since then, the transaction fee is being collected by instalments commencing the date one month after
the borrower is funded.
For borrowers who were subject to the quality assurance fund program before April 2017, the borrowing cost included an upfront
transaction fee, an upfront portion of quality assurance fund contribution, and the subsequent monthly cost, which was comprised of the monthly quality
assurance fund contribution and monthly interest payment. Between April and December 2017, we ceased collecting the upfront portion of quality
assurance fund contribution upon the origination of standard loan products. Instead, the entire quality assurance fund contribution was collected through
monthly payments. During this period of time, the transaction fee was still collected upfront. Starting from December 2017, we ceased collecting the
transaction fee upfront, and both the quality assurance fund contribution and the transaction fee have been collected by instalments commencing the date
one month after borrowers are funded since then. See “—Investor Protection— Quality Assurance Fund” for more information on the quality assurance
fund.
We review and modify our segmented pricing from time to time, taking into consideration not only the borrower credit risk but also other
factors, such as market interest rates, adequacy of investor protection mechanism and competition in the market.
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Investor Protection
We have adopted policies and taken measures to cultivate a risk-cognizant culture. For example, to encourage investors to diversify their
risks, we set certain limits in the amount of investment in loans not protected by quality assurance fund, for which an investor, when making
investments using the investing tools available on our platform, the total investment amount cannot exceed the lower of RMB20,000 (US$2,909) or 30%
of the loan amount. Whenever an investor intends to make a first-time investment in a loan with medium risk, our system will pop up a special note
reminding the investor of the potential risks. Before an investor subscribes to a loan with high risk, one of our customer service representatives will
speak with the investor over the phone confirming the investor’s awareness of risk and intention to invest.
In addition, we used to employ two types of investor protection mechanisms to help limit investors’ risk exposure. The following is a
summary of the latest features of our quality assurance fund and investor reserve funds. We ceased setting aside new investor reserve funds
contributions starting from January 1, 2018 and launched a new quality assurance program in February 2018.
Quality Assurance Fund
Under our previous quality assurance mechanism, we provide protection for individual investors who invested in the loans taken out by
those borrowers who contributed to the quality assurance fund. Certain borrowers of our standard loans and all borrowers of our handy cash loans and
consumption loans were required to make contributions to the respective quality assurance fund. In February 2018, we launched a new quality assurance
program, or the New QAF Program, by partnering with Sino Guarantee. Beginning from February 9, 2018, investments in new eligible loans facilitated
on our platform will be protected by the New QAF Program, and relevant borrowers will be required to contribute to a quality assurance fund managed
by Sino Guarantee under rules that are substantially the same as those applicable to our existing quality assurance fund. Sino Guarantee will make
payouts based on the relevant rules set out by us. After the launch of the New QAF Program, we will continue to manage the existing quality assurance
fund for eligible loans facilitated before February 9, 2018. Whether under our previous quality assurance fund mechanism or under the New QAF
Program, when a borrower is delinquent for one day in repaying an installment of principal and interest of a loan, we will withdraw an amount from the
dedicated account to repay the delinquent installment of principal and interest to the corresponding investors. The repayments will be made in
succession according to the age of the delinquency—the earliest delinquent installment is repaid first. If the quality assurance fund becomes insufficient
to pay back all the investors with delinquent loans, these investors will be repaid on a pro rata basis, and the repayment of their outstanding unpaid
balances will be deferred to the next time the quality assurance fund is replenished, at which time a distribution will again be made to all investors with
delinquent loans having quality assurance fund protection according to the foregoing rules. If the quality assurance fund is continually underfunded,
investors may need to wait for extended periods to receive a full distribution from the quality assurance account. Once we recover any amount from the
defaulted borrower through our collection efforts, the recovered amount will be remitted first to replenish the portion of the quality assurance fund used
to repay the investors.
We adjust our quality assurance fund contribution policy from time to time based on our monitoring of market risks. The quality assurance
fund contribution rates for standards loan products currently range from 1.00% to 50.05% of the loan principal. We determine the quality assurance fund
contributions required from a borrower by taking into consideration delinquency rate of loans taken out by borrowers with similar risk profile. As of
December 31, 2018, with respect to standard loans originated in 2017 that are subject to quality assurance fund protection, the vintage delinquency rate
was 7.74% for credit Level I through Level VII loans. The average quality assurance fund contribution rate was 10.00% for such standard loans. In
2018, the origination amount of loans protected by the quality assurance fund totaled RMB 46.7 billion (US$6.8 billion). As of December 31, 2018,
approximately 73.8% of the total outstanding loan balance on our marketplace was protected by the quality assurance fund.
Investor Reserve Funds
We used to operate investor reserve funds, which were self-protection mechanisms for investors of our investment programs. The
investment programs that invested in loans that were not covered by the quality assurance fund used to have their own dedicated investor reserve funds
that cover potential payouts to investors of the respective type of investment programs. Funds from investors in an amount equal to a certain percentage
of the total principal amount of the underlying loans were set aside into the relevant investor reserve funds at the end of each investment program, which
were maintained in the custody accounts managed by China Merchants Bank. If the amount of principal and interests collected, net of our management
fee and the investor reserve set aside, was insufficient to cover the investment principal plus the expected return, payouts would be made from the
relevant investor reserve funds to cover the difference. If the investor reserve funds were insufficient to pay all the relevant investors with their
investment principal and expected returns, the investors would be paid on a pro rata basis, and any losses associated with their outstanding unpaid
balances would not be deferred until the next time the fund was replenished by another investment program but would be borne by the investors. Upon
completion of an investment program, excess returns, if any, net of our management fee and the investor reserve that was set aside, would be distributed
to the investors. The investor reserve fund arrangement was not applicable to those investment programs that invest in loans backed by the quality
assurance fund, which would not be mixed with those investment programs investing in loans not subject to the quality assurance mechanism. In light of
the tightening regulatory environment, we discontinued the operation of our investor reserve funds from January 1, 2018.
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Quality Assurance Commitment for Institutional Funding Partners
We provide cash deposit to certain institutional funding partners with our own funds at an amount equal to a certain percentage of their total
investment and, in some cases, are required to replenish such deposit from time to time to compensate such investors’ potential loss due to potential loan
delinquency. In addition, we are obligated under our agreements with institutional funding partners to repay the full overdue amount to institutional
funding partners if a borrower defaults. Except for a small portion of the loans funded by institutional funding partners, for which we provide the quality
assurance commitment mentioned above through a subsidiary licensed to provide financing guarantee, we currently provide quality assurance
commitment for a vast majority of the loans funded by institutional funding partners through our subsidiaries without a license or an approval to provide
financing guarantee. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—Our cooperation with institutional funding
partners may expose us to regulatory uncertainties and we may be required to obtain additional government approval or license due to our cooperation
with institutional funding partners” for potential risks associated with our cooperation with institutional funding partners.
Technology
The success of our business is dependent on our strong technological capabilities that support us in delivering superior user experience,
protecting information on our platform, increasing operational efficiency and enabling innovations. Principal components of our state-of-the-art
technology include:
•
•
•
•
•
Data Science. Data science technology is extensively used in various aspects of our operations. Our data mining and user behavior
analytics capabilities allow us to build a comprehensive credit profile for each borrower. Our multi-dimensional real-time analytics
capabilities enable fast and accurate credit decisions. Our massive data processing capabilities enable us to provide an array of
automated investing tools assisting investors in increasing investment efficiency. In 2017 and 2018, a total of 227.3 million and
178.1 million investment transactions were matched on our platform, respectively. Data-based machine learning is also used in
numerous applications, such as improving fraud detection, optimizing marketing resource allocation and increasing collection
efficiency.
Security. We are committed to maintaining a secure online platform. We have built a firewall that monitors and controls incoming
and outgoing traffic on our platform around the clock. Once any abnormal activity is detected, our system will immediately notify
our IT team and at the same time automatically take relevant measures, such as activating third-party traffic control service, to
prevent any harm to our platform. For any transmission of user information, we use data encryption to ensure confidentiality. Within
our organization, we have adopted a series of policies on internal control over information system, including physical security
measures, such as entry and equipment control, and network access management, such as identification, authentication and remote
access control. We employ data slicing and distribute the storage of a user’s data points across several servers. We also maintain
redundancy through a real-time multi-layer data backup system to prevent loss of data resulting from unforeseen circumstances. We
conduct periodic reviews of our technology platform, identifying and correcting problems that may undermine our system security.
Stability. Our systems infrastructure is hosted in data centers at two separate locations in Shanghai. We maintain redundancy
through a real-time multi-layer data backup system to ensure the reliability of our network. Our platform adopts modular
architecture that consists of multiple connected components, each of which can be separately upgraded and replaced without
compromising the functioning of other components. This makes our platform both highly reliable and scalable.
Scalability. With modular architecture, our platform can be easily expanded as data storage requirements and user visits increase. In
addition, load balancing technology helps us improve distribution of workloads across multiple computing components, optimizing
resource utilization and minimizing response time.
Automation. In addition to the foregoing technologies we employ to support our highly automated platform, we have taken various
measures to ensure uninterrupted operation of our platform. For example, we adopt self-healing technology that enables our system
to perceive malfunction and make necessary adjustments to restore itself to normal operation without any human intervention. Also,
our system is connected with systems of multiple data providers that serve as backups for each other. If services provided by one
data provider are suspended, our system will shift to the backup sources automatically to ensure no interruption to our operation.
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Intellectual Property
We rely on a combination of patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret laws and restrictions on disclosure to protect our intellectual
property rights. As of the date of this annual report, we have (i) registered five patents in China including our proprietary facial recognition technology
used for fraud detection and applied for 44 additional patents with the PRC State Intellectual Property Office, (ii) registered 99 software copyrights with
the PRC National Copyright Administration, (iii) registered 153 domain names, including ppdai.com, and (iv) registered 136 trademarks, including our
“PPDAI,” “拍拍贷” and “魔镜” trademarks.
Despite our efforts to protect our proprietary rights, unauthorized parties may attempt to copy or otherwise obtain and use our technology.
Monitoring unauthorized use of our technology is difficult and costly, and we cannot be certain that the steps we have taken will prevent
misappropriation of our technology. From time to time, we may have to resort to litigation to enforce our intellectual property rights, which could result
in substantial costs and diversion of our resources. In addition, third parties may initiate litigation against us alleging infringement of their proprietary
rights or declaring their non-infringement of our intellectual property rights. In the event of a successful claim of infringement and our failure or
inability to develop non-infringing technology or license the infringed or similar technology on a timely basis, our business could be harmed. Even if we
are able to license the infringed or similar technology, license fees could be substantial and may adversely affect our results of operations. See “Item 3.
Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—We may not be able to prevent others from unauthorized use of our intellectual
property, which could harm our business and competitive position” and “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our
Business—We may be subject to intellectual property infringement claims, which may be expensive to defend and may disrupt our business and
operations.”
Sales and Marketing
Our market position benefits significantly from our large user base and our strong brand recognition throughout China. We believe that our
variety of loan products that offer attractive returns, as well as our effective risk management and investor protection mechanisms lead to strong
word-of-mouth promotion, which drives awareness of our brand among investors. As a supplement to our word-of-mouth marketing, we often offer
investment promotions on our website and mobile application to acquire new investors and hold in-person meetings with investors to enhance brand
awareness among existing investors.
We use a variety of traditional and internet marketing channels to acquire borrowers although most of our borrowers are acquired online.
Our borrower acquisition channels mainly include:
Online Advertising. From time to time, we work with App Stores to promote our mobile applications and with internet companies to
place online advertisements.
Online Partnerships. We team up with certain websites that are able to reach quality borrowers to provide consumer finance services
to their customer.
Search Engine Marketing. We also use paid placement on major online search engines in China.
•
•
•
Competition
Online consumer finance market is an emerging industry in China. It provides a new means for consumers to obtain financing and for
investors to seek new investment opportunities. As a leading player in China’s online consumer finance marketplace market, we face fierce competition
from other online marketplaces, online finance service providers as well as traditional financial institutions. Consumer finance marketplaces which
operate online platforms connecting borrowers and investors compete directly with us for both borrowers and investors. As of the date of this annual
report, our key competitors include Lufax and Yirendai. In addition, for borrowers, we compete with other online platforms. Examples of such
companies include Ant Finance, JD.com and WeBank. We also compete with traditional financial institutions, including credit card issuers, consumer
finance business units in commercial banks and other consumer finance companies. Some of our larger competitors have substantially broader product
or service offerings and rich financial resources to support heavy spending on sales and marketing. We believe that our ability to compete effectively for
borrowers and investors depends on many factors, including the variety of our products, user experience on our platform, effectiveness of our risk
management, the return offered to investors, our partnership with third parties, our marketing and selling efforts and the strength and reputation of our
brands.
In addition, as our business continues to grow rapidly, we face significant competition for highly skilled personnel, including management,
engineers, product managers and risk management personnel. The success of our growth strategy depends in part on our ability to retain existing
personnel and add additional highly skilled employees.
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Seasonality
We experience seasonality in our business, reflecting seasonal fluctuations in internet usage and traditional personal consumption patterns,
as our individual borrowers typically use their borrowing proceeds to finance their personal consumption needs. For example, we generally experience
lower transaction volume on our online consumer finance marketplace during national holidays in China, particularly during the Chinese New Year
holiday season in the first quarter of each year. Overall, the historical seasonality of our business has been mild but may increase further in the future.
Regulation
This section sets forth a summary of the most significant laws, rules and regulations that affect our business activities in the PRC and our
shareholders’ rights to receive dividends and other distributions from us.
Regulations Relating to Online Consumer Finance Services
Due to the relatively brief history of the online consumer finance industry in China, the regulatory framework governing our industry has
not developed comprehensively. Even though few specific regulations on online consumer finance industry have been issued in the past two years,
detailed guidance and interpretation has yet to be promulgated by the regulators. Under PRC laws and regulations, our business practice of online
consumer finance services is usually categorized as online lending information services.
Regulations on online lending information services
On July 18, 2015, the Guidelines on Promoting the Healthy Development of Online Finance Industry, or the Guidelines, were promulgated
by ten PRC regulatory agencies, including the PBOC, the MIIT and the CBRC. The Guidelines define online peer-to-peer lending as direct loans
between individuals through an online platform, which is under the supervision of the CBRC, and governed by the PRC Contract Law, the General
Principles of the Civil Law of the PRC, and related judicial interpretations promulgated by the Supreme People’s Court. Pursuant to the Guidelines, a
company that provides online lending information services shall make it clear its nature of being an information intermediary and provide information
services rather than engage in illegal fund-raising, which further requires such company to separate funds of the borrowers and the investors from its
own funds.
On April 13, 2016, the CBRC issued the Notice on the Implementation Plan of the Special Rectification of Peer-to-peer Online Lending
Risk by the General Office of the State Council. By categorizing the market players based on their different levels of legal compliance, the CBRC started
to regulate the online peer-to-peer lending service industry.
On August 17, 2016, the CBRC, the MIIT, the Ministry of Public Security and the CAC jointly issued the Interim Measures on
Administration of Business Activities of Online Lending Information Intermediaries, or the Interim Measures. The Interim Measures also define the
online lending information service providers as financial information intermediaries.
Pursuant to the Interim Measures, online lending information service providers shall complete registration with local financial regulatory
authority and apply for appropriate telecommunication business license in accordance with relevant rules issued by competent telecommunication
authority. The Interim Measures also require the online lending information service providers to substantially cover “online lending information
intermediary” in its business scope filed with the local registration regulatory authority.
According to the Interim Measures, online lending information service providers shall not engage in or accept entrustment to engage in
certain activities, including, among others, (i) financing for themselves directly or indirectly, (ii) accepting, collecting or gathering funds of lenders
directly or indirectly, (iii) providing security to lenders or promising break-even principals and interests directly or in a disguised form, (iv) raising
funds by issuing financial products on their own as wealth management products, (v) splitting the maturity term of any financing project,
(vi) securitization and (vii) equity crowd-funding.
The Interim Measures require that online lending information service providers shall restrict the maximum balance of fund borrowed by the
same borrower on the same online lending information intermediary platform as well as on several such online lending information intermediary
platforms so as to prevent credit concentration risks. The maximum balance of fund borrowed by any individual on the same online lending information
intermediary lending platform shall be RMB200,000 (US$29,089), and the maximum total balance of the fund borrowed by the same individual on
several lending information intermediary platforms shall be RMB1,000,000 (US$145,444). The maximum balance of fund borrowed by any entity or
other kind of organization on the same online lending information intermediary platform shall be RMB1,000,000 (US$145,444), and the aggregate
maximum total balance of fund borrowed by any entity or other kind of organization on all online lending information intermediary platforms shall be
RMB5,000,000 (US$727,220).
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With respect to the online lending information intermediary platforms established prior to the implementation of the Interim Measures,
provided that such platforms have not been in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Interim Measures, the competent local financial
regulatory department would require such platforms to make correction or rectification within a 12-month transition period specified by the Interim
Measures.
Pursuant to the Interim Measures, if an online lending information service provider violates any applicable laws, regulations or relevant
regulatory provisions relating to online lending information services, sanctions could be imposed by the local financial regulatory departments or other
relevant regulatory departments, including, among others, supervision interviews, regulatory warning, correction order, condemnation, credit record
modification, fine up to RMB30,000 (US$4,363), and criminal liabilities if the act constitutes a criminal offense.
In accordance with the Guidelines and the Interim Measures, the CBRC issued the Guidelines for the Funds Custodian Business of Online
Lending, or the Custodian Guidelines on February 22, 2017. The Custodian Guidelines further clarifies the custodian requirement for the funds of
investors and borrowers held by online lending information service providers.
The Custodian Guidelines specifies that an online lending information service provider may only designate one qualified commercial bank
as its fund custodian institution for the funds of investors and borrowers held by it, and further clarifies detailed requirements and procedures for setting
up custody accounts with commercial banks. To the extent that the relevant online lending information service providers and commercial banks are not
in full compliance with the Custodian Guidelines, they are required to make correction or rectification within a six-month rectification period specified
by the Custodian Guidelines.
In accordance with the Guidelines and the Interim Measures, the CBRC further issued the Guidelines on Information Disclosure of the
Business Activities of Online Lending Information Intermediaries, or the Disclosure Guidelines, on August 23, 2017. The Disclosure Guidelines further
clarified the disclosure requirements for online lending information service providers. Pursuant to the Disclosure Guidelines, online lending information
service providers should disclose certain information on their websites and all other internet channels, including mobile applications, WeChat official
accounts or Weibo, including, among others (i) the record-filing and registration information, the organization information, the examination and
verification information, and transaction related information, including transactions matched through the online lending information service providers
for the previous month, all of which shall be disclosed to the public; (ii) the basic information of the borrowers and the loans, the risk assessment of such
loans, and the information of the outstanding transactions matched, all of which shall be disclosed to the investors; and (iii) any event that would result
in a material adverse effect to the operations of online lending information providers, which shall be disclosed to the public within 48 hours upon
occurrence. The Disclosure Guidelines also require online lending information service providers to record all the disclosed information and retain such
information for no less than five years from the date of the disclosure. To the extent that the relevant online lending information service providers are
not in full compliance with the Disclosure Guidelines, they are required to make correction or rectification within a six-month rectification period
starting from the date the Disclosure Guidelines was issued.
In December 2017, the Internet Finance Rectification Office and the Online Lending Rectification Office jointly issued the Notice on
Regulating and Rectifying “Cash Loan” Business, or the Circular 141, outlining general requirements on the “cash loan” business conducted by network
microcredit companies, banking financial institutions and online lending information intermediaries. The Circular 141 specifies the features of “cash
loans” as not relying on consumption scenarios, with no specified use of loan proceeds, no qualification requirement on customers, and with no security.
Borrowers on our platform are required to specify their uses of loan proceeds. The Circular 141 sets forth several general requirements with respect to
“cash loan” business, including, without limitation: (i) the aggregated borrowing costs of borrowers charged by institutions in the forms of interest and
various fees should be annualized and subject to the limit on interest rate of private lending set forth in the Private Lending Judicial Interpretations
issued by the Supreme People’s Court; (ii) all relevant institutions shall follow the “know-your-customer” principle and prudentially assess and
determine the borrower’s eligibility, credit limit and cooling-off period, among others; (iii) loans to any borrower without income sources are
prohibited; (iv) all relevant institutions shall enhance the internal risk control and prudentially use the “data-driven” risk management model; (v) online
lending information intermediaries are prohibited from facilitating any loans to students or other persons without repayment source or repayment
capacity, or loans with no designated use of proceeds; (vi) online lending information intermediaries are not permitted to deduct interest, handling fee,
management fee or deposit from the principal of loans provided to the borrowers in advance; and (vii) for the financial institutions that participate in the
“cash loan” business, no third parties will charge borrowers any interests or fees.
On December 8, 2017, the National Online Lending Rectification Office issued the Notice on the Rectification and Inspection Acceptance
of Risk of Online Lending Intermediaries, or the Circular 57, providing further clarification on several matters in connection with the rectification and
record-filing of online lending information intermediaries, including, among other things, requiring the online lending information intermediaries
discontinue setting aside additional funds as risk reserve funds or originating new risk reserve funds, and the existing balance of risk reserve funds shall
be gradually reduced.
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In accordance with the Circular 57 sets forth certain requirements which an online lending intermediary shall not be in breach before it can
qualify for the record-filing, including: (i) an online lending intermediary may not conduct the “thirteen prohibited actions” or exceed the Individual
Lending Amount Limit after August 24, 2016, and shall gradually reduce the balance; (ii) an online lending intermediary which has participated in
businesses of the real estate mortgage, campus loan or “cash loan,” is required to suspend the new loan origination and the outstanding balance of the
abovementioned loan shall be gradually reduced within a certain timetable as required under the CBRC Circular 26 and the Circular 141; and (iii) the
online lending intermediaries are required to set up custody accounts with qualified banks that have passed certain testing and evaluation procedures run
by the National Online Lending Rectification Office to hold customer funds. For the online lending intermediaries that are unable to accomplish the
rectification and record-filing but are continuing to participate in the online lending business, the relevant authorities shall subject online lending
intermediaries to administrative sanctions, including but not limited to revoking their telecommunicating business operation license, shutting down their
business websites and requesting financial institutions not to provide any financial services to such online lending intermediaries.
According to the Circular 57, the local governmental authorities shall conduct and complete acceptance inspection of the rectification with
the following timetable: (i) completion of record-filing for major online lending information intermediaries by the end of April 2018; (ii) with respect to
online lending information intermediaries with substantial outstanding balance of those loans prohibited under the relevant laws and regulations and
timely reduction of those balance is difficult, the relevant business and outstanding balance shall be disposed and/or carved out, and record-filing shall
be completed by the end of May 2018; (iii) with respect to those online lending information intermediaries with complex and extraordinary
circumstances and substantial difficulties exist to complete rectification, the “relevant work” shall be completed by the end of June 2018.
In accordance with the latest regulations regarding online lending information intermediaries issued by relevant departments, Shanghai
Financial Office and China Banking Regulatory Commission Shanghai Office jointly issued the Instructions on the Reviewing of Compliance and
Rectification and Inspection and Acceptance of Shanghai Online Lending Information Intermediaries, or the Instructions, on December 26, 2017,
providing the further clarification on illegal issues and requirements in connection with rectification and acceptance of online lending information
intermediaries, including, among others thing:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
Violation of prohibited regulations;
Violation of legal obligations and requirements of risk management;
Failure to perform the protection obligation to borrowers and investors;
Violation of requirements of information disclosure;
Violation of regulations of “college online loan” and “cash loan”;
Other violation of relevant regulations and risk disclosure matters.
It is unclear whether our standard loan products would be viewed as the “cash loans” specified in the Circular 141 and thus be subject to the
provision thereunder. Nevertheless, we have made several adjustments to comply with these new requirements.
With respect to network microcredit companies, the Circular 141 requires the relevant regulatory authorities to suspend the approval of the
establishment of network microcredit companies and the approval of any microcredit business across provinces. The Circular 141 also specifies that
network microcredit companies shall not provide campus loans, and should suspend the funding of network micro-loans with no specific scenario or
designated use of loan proceeds, gradually reduce the volume of the existing business relating to such loans and take rectification measures in a period
to be separately specified by authorities. Further detailed requirements on network microcredit companies are provided in a rectification implementation
plan issued by the Online Lending Rectification Office on December 8, 2017. See “—Regulations Relating to Microcredit.”
The Circular 141 also sets forth several requirements on banking financial institutions participating in “cash loan” business, including
(i) such banking financial institutions shall not extend loans jointly with any third-party institution which has not obtained approvals for the lending
business, or fund such institution for the purpose of extending loans in any form; (ii) with respect to the loan business conducted in cooperation with
third-party institutions, such banking financial institutions shall not outsource the core business (including the credit assessment and risk control), and
shall not accept any credit enhancement service whether or not in a disguised form (including the commitment to taking default risks) provided by any
third-party institutions with no guarantee qualification and (iii) such banking financial institutions must require and ensure that the third-party
institutions shall not collect any interests or fees from the borrowers.
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In additions, the Circular 141 emphasizes several requirements on the online lending information intermediaries. For instance, such
intermediaries are prohibited from facilitating any loans to students or other persons without repayment source or repayment capacity, or loans with no
designated use of proceeds. Also, such intermediaries are not permitted to deduct interest, handling fee, management fee or deposit from the principal of
loans provided to the borrowers in advance.
Any violation of the Circular 141 may result in penalties, including but not limited to suspension of operation, orders to make rectification,
condemnation, revocation of license, order to cease business operation, and criminal liabilities.
In December 2018, the National Internet Finance Rectification Office and the National Online Lending Rectification Office jointly issued
the Guidance on the Classification and Disposal of Risks of Online Lending Information Intermediaries and Risk Prevention, or Circular 175. Circular
175 refers to normal intermediaries as large-scale online lending information intermediaries that are strictly in compliance with relevant laws and
regulations and have not demonstrated any high-risk characteristics. Circular 175 reiterated relevant regulatory requirements by providing that normal
intermediaries should strictly control and manage the business scale and the number of investors. Circular 175 further tightens the regulation of the
industry by requiring institutions other than normal intermediaries, including shell intermediaries with no substantive operations, small-scale
intermediaries, intermediaries with high risks, and intermediaries that are unable to repay investors or otherwise unable to operate their businesses, to
exit the online lending information intermediary industry.
We have taken various measures to comply with the Interim Measures, the Custodian Guidelines, the Disclosure Guidelines, the Circular
141, the Inspection Notice and the Checklist, Circular 175, and other laws and regulations that are applicable to our business operations. For example,
we have changed the cooperation model with certain institutional funding partners and ceased certain practice that could be regarded as a form of credit
enhancement or guarantee. However, given that detailed regulations and guidance in the area of online lending information services are yet to be
promulgated, we cannot be certain that our existing practices would not be deemed to violate any existing or future rules, laws and regulations. See
“Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—The laws and regulations governing online consumer finance industry in
China are developing and evolving and subject to changes. If we fail to comply with existing and future applicable laws, regulations or requirements of
local regulatory authorities, our business, financial condition and results of operations would be materially and adversely affected” and “Item 3. Key
Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—Our cooperation with institutional funding partners may expose us to regulatory
uncertainties and we may be required to obtain additional government approval or license due to our cooperation with institutional funding partners.”
Regulations on loans between individuals
The PRC Contract Law confirms the validity of loan agreement between individuals and provides that a loan agreement becomes effective
when an individual lender provides loan to an individual borrower provided that the interest rates charged under the loan agreement do not violate the
applicable provisions of the PRC laws and regulations.
In accordance with the Provisions on Several Issues Concerning Laws Applicable to Trials of Private Lending Cases issued by the Supreme
People’s Court on August 6, 2015, or the Private Lending Judicial Interpretations, which came into effect on September 1, 2015, in the event that loans
are made through an online lending information intermediary platform and the platform only provides intermediary services, courts shall dismiss any
claim concerned against the platform demanding the repayment of loans by the platform as a guarantor.
The Private Lending Judicial Interpretations also provide that agreements between lenders and borrowers on loans with interest rates below
24% per annum are valid and enforceable. As to the loans with interest rates per annum between 24% (exclusive) and 36% (inclusive), if the interest on
the loans has already been paid to the lender, and so long as such payment has not damaged the interest of the state, the community and any third parties,
the courts will turn down the borrower’s request to demand the return of the excess interest payment. If the annual interest rate of a private loan is higher
than 36%, the agreement on the excess part of the interest is invalid, and if the borrower requests the lender to return the part of interest exceeding 36%
of the annual interest that has been paid, the courts will support such requests. The interest rates of all our loan products are below 36% and certain loans
financed by our investment programs have interest rates that exceed 24%. In addition, on August 4, 2017, the Supreme People’s Court issued the
Circular of Several Suggestions on Further Strengthening the Judicial Practice Regarding Financial Cases, which provides, among others, that (i) the
claim of the borrower under a financial loan agreement to adjust or cut down the part of interest exceeding 24% per annum on the basis that the
aggregate amount of interest, compound interest, default interest, liquidated damages and other fees collectively claimed by the lender is overly high
shall be supported by the PRC courts; and (ii) in the context of Internet finance disputes, if the online lending information intermediary platforms and
the lender circumvent the upper limit of the judicially protected interest rate by charging intermediary fee, it shall be determined as invalid. See “Item 3.
Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—Interest rates of certain of our loan products exceed the statutory interest rate limit
and therefore part of the interests is not enforceable through the PRC judicial system.”
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In December 2017, the Circular 141 further clarifies that in the context of “cash loan” business operated by, among others, online lending
information intermediaries, the aggregated borrowing costs (as opposed to interest rate) of borrowers charged by “cash loan” business operators in the
forms of interest and various fees should be annualized and subject to the limit on interest rate of private lending set forth in the Private Lending Judicial
Interpretations issued by the Supreme People’s Court. In January 2018, the financial service office of Shanghai Pudong District, together with Shanghai
branch of CBRC, jointly issued the Review of Regularity Compliance and Rectification Acceptance Guidance on the Internet Lending Information
Intermediaries in Shanghai, or the Shanghai Guidance. The Shanghai Guidance, among other things, introduced the aggregate borrowing cost in the
forms of interests and various fees cannot exceed the limit on interest rate of private lending set forth in the Private Lending Judicial Interpretations
issued by the Supreme People’s Court (36%).
In addition, pursuant to the PRC Contract Law, a creditor may assign its rights under an agreement to a third party, provided that the debtor
is notified. Upon due assignment of the creditor’s rights, the assignee is entitled to the creditor’s rights and the debtor must perform the relevant
obligations under the agreement for the benefit of the assignee. We also operate a secondary loan market on our platform where investors can transfer
the loans they hold to other investors before the loan reaches maturity.
Regulations relating to record-filings of online lending information intermediary service agency
In November 2016, the CBRC, the MIIT and the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, or the SAIC, jointly published the
Guidelines on the Administration of Record-filings of Online Lending Information Intermediary Agencies, or the Record-filings Guidelines, to establish
and improve the record-filing mechanisms for online lending intermediaries.
According to the Record-filings Guidelines, a newly established online lending intermediary shall make the record-filings with the local
financial regulatory authority after obtaining the business license; while with respect to any online lending intermediary which is established and begins
to conduct the business prior to the publication of this Record-filings Guidelines, the local financial regulatory authority shall, pursuant to relevant
arrangement of specific rectification work for risks in online peer-to-peer lending, accept the application for record-filings submitted by a qualified
online lending intermediary, or any online lending intermediary which has completed the rectification confirmed by relevant authorities.
On December 8, 2017, the National Online Lending Rectification Office issued the Notice on the Rectification and Inspection Acceptance
of Risk of Online Lending Intermediaries, or the Circular 57, providing further clarification on several matters in connection with the rectification and
record-filing of online lending information intermediaries, including, among other things:
•
•
•
Requirements relating to risk reserve funds. The online lending information intermediaries shall discontinue setting aside additional
funds as risk reserve funds or originating new risk reserve funds. In addition, the existing balance of risk reserve funds shall be
gradually reduced. Moreover, online lending information intermediaries are prohibited from promoting their services by publicizing
the risk reserve funds, and authorities shall actively encourage the online lending information intermediaries to seek third parties to
provide lenders with alternate means of investors protection, including third-party guarantee arrangements.
Requirements to qualify for record-filing. The Circular 57 sets forth certain requirements which an online lending intermediary shall
not be in breach before it can qualify for the record-filing, including: (i) an online lending intermediary may not conduct the
“thirteen prohibited actions” or exceed the Individual Lending Amount Limit after August 24, 2016, and shall gradually reduce the
balance; (ii) an online lending intermediary which has participated in businesses of the real estate mortgage, campus loan or “cash
loan,” is required to suspend the new loan origination and the outstanding balance of the abovementioned loan shall be gradually
reduced within a certain timetable as required under the CBRC Circular 26 and the Circular 141; and (iii) the online lending
intermediaries are required to set up custody accounts with qualified banks that have passed certain testing and evaluation
procedures run by the National Online Lending Rectification Office to hold customer funds. For the online lending intermediaries
that are unable to accomplish the rectification and record-filing but are continuing to participate in the online lending business, the
relevant authorities shall subject online lending intermediaries to administrative sanctions, including but not limited to revoking their
telecommunicating business operation license, shutting down their business websites and requesting financial institutions not to
provide any financial services to such online lending intermediaries.
Requirements relating to the timing of record-filing. The local governmental authorities shall conduct and complete acceptance
inspection of the rectification with the following timetable: (i) completion of record-filing for major online lending information
intermediaries by the end of April 2018; (ii) with respect to online lending information intermediaries with substantial outstanding
balance of those loans prohibited under the relevant laws and regulations and timely reduction of those balance is difficult, the
relevant business and outstanding balance shall be disposed and/or carved out, and record-filing shall be completed by the end of
May 2018; (iii) with respect to those online lending information intermediaries with complex and extraordinary circumstances and
substantial difficulties exist to complete rectification, the “relevant work” shall be completed by the end of June 2018.
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In August 2018, the National Online Lending Rectification Office issued the Notice on Launching Compliance Inspection on Online
Lending Information Intermediaries, or the Inspection Notice, which requires that online lending information intermediaries, internet finance
associations and local online lending rectification offices conduct compliance inspections based on a checklist of 108 compliance criteria, or the
Checklist, and that such inspections shall be completed by the end of December 2018. After the compliance inspection, online lending information
intermediaries that comply with applicable rules and regulations are allowed to integrate their business operation systems into the industry-wide
information disclosure systems and product registration systems. Upon completion of such integration, the online lending information intermediaries
will be able to submit filing applications for record-filings pursuant to detailed procedures to be issued by the competent regulatory authorities.
However, it remains unclear when the detailed procedures for such system integrations and filing applications will be issued.
According to the Inspection Notice and the Checklist, compliance inspection should specifically focus on the following ten aspects:
(i) whether it is operated as information intermediary as opposed to operating credit intermediary, (ii) whether a capital pool exists and whether there are
advance payments on behalf of clients, (iii) whether there is any self-financing activities or activities similar to self-financing, (iv) whether guarantees or
guaranteed repayment of principal and interest are provided directly or indirectly to lenders, (v) whether guaranteed repayment of principal and payment
of interest were made upon maturity, (vi) whether a risk evaluation on lenders is made and whether lenders are managed based on different risk levels,
(vii) whether risks regarding borrowers are fully disclose to lenders, (viii) whether the small-sized and diversified online lending principle is followed,
(ix) whether wealth management products are offered to raise capital (or offer wealth management products through a divested affiliates), (x) whether
large amount and high interest are used in the advertisement to attract borrowers or lenders.
We did a self-inspection based on the Inspection Notice and the Checklist and submitted a self-inspection report to Association of Shanghai
Internet Financial Industry, or the ASIFI, National Internet Finance Association of China, or the NIFA, and Shanghai Online Lending Rectification
Office.
Regulations on illegal fund-raising
The Measures for the Banning of Illegal Financial Institutions and Illegal Financial Business Operations promulgated by the State Council
in July 1998, and the Notice on Relevant Issues Concerning the Penalty on Illegal Fund-Raising issued by the General Office of the State Council in
July 2007, explicitly prohibit illegal public fund-raising. In addition, the Interim Measures and the Custodian Guidelines purport, among other things, to
require each online lending information service provider to separate its own funds from the funds of investors and borrowers, choose one qualified
commercial bank as the fund depository institutions for the funds of lenders and borrowers, and limit the maximum amount of the loan borrowed by one
person. Furthermore, the Circular 57 requires the online lending information intermediaries to set up custody accounts with qualified banks that have
passed certain testing and evaluation procedures administered by the National Online Lending Rectification Office to hold customer funds. According to
the Custodian Guidelines, online lending information service providers are further required to review and verify the records and information of their
custody accounts with its fund custodian institution on a daily basis.
We act as a platform for borrowers and investors and are not a party to the loans facilitated through our marketplace. We rely on third-party
payment platforms in handling funds transfer and settlement. We have entered into a custody account arrangement with China Merchants Bank,
whereby funds of borrowers, individual investors and certain institutional funding partners have been deposited into and settled by custody accounts
under its management. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—The laws and regulations governing online
consumer finance industry in China are developing and evolving and subject to changes. If we fail to comply with existing and future applicable laws,
regulations or requirements of local regulatory authorities, our business, financial condition and results of operations would be materially and adversely
affected.”
Regulations on anti-money laundering
The PRC Anti-money Laundering Law, or the AML Law, promulgated by the PBOC on October 31, 2006 and effective since January 2007,
stipulates that special non-financial institutions which are required by relevant regulations to perform obligations of anti-money laundering shall comply
with the anti-money laundering obligations. The PBOC and other governmental authorities issued a series of administrative rules and regulations to
specify the anti-money laundering obligations of financial institutions and special non-financial institutions.
Furthermore, the Guidelines, the Interim Measures and the Custodian Guidelines require online lending information service providers to
comply with certain anti-money laundering requirements, including the establishment of a customer identification program, the monitoring and
reporting of suspicious transactions, the preservation of customer information and transaction records, and the provision of assistance to the public
security department and judicial authority in investigations and proceedings in relation to anti-money laundering matters.
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While we have formulated and implemented policies and procedures, including internal controls and “know-your-customer” policies, aimed
at preventing money laundering and terrorism financing, we cannot assure you that we will be able to establish and maintain anti-money laundering
policies and procedures which can effectively protect our marketplace from being exploited for money laundering or terrorism financing purposes, or
that such policies and procedures, if adopted, will be deemed to be fully in compliance with all applicable anti-money laundering laws and regulations,
including the Interim Measures. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—Any failure by our third-party
service providers to comply with applicable anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism financing laws and regulations could damage our reputation.”
Regulations Relating to Foreign Investment
Investment activities in the PRC by foreign investors are governed by the Guidance Catalog of Industries for Foreign Investment, or the
Catalog, which was promulgated and is amended from time to time by the MOC and the National Development and Reform Commission. The Catalog
divides industries into three categories in terms of foreign investment, which are “encouraged”, “restricted” and “prohibited”, and all industries not
listed under one of these categories are generally deemed to be permitted.
On June 28, 2018, the MOC and the National Development and Reform Commission jointly promulgated the Special Administrative
Measures for the Access of Foreign Investment (Negative List) (2018), or the Negative List, which amended and restated the “restricted” and
“prohibited” categories of the Catalog. The “encouraged” category in the Catalog remains the same.
On March 15, 2019, the National People’s Congress enacted the Foreign Investment Law of the People’s Republic of China, or the Foreign
Investment Law, which will become effective on January 1, 2020. The Foreign Investment Law sets a general principal that foreign investors and their
investments in China will enjoy national treatment and subject to a negative list.
Foreign investment in telecommunications companies in the PRC is governed by the Provisions for the Administration of Foreign-Invested
Telecommunications Enterprises, or the Foreign-Invested Telecommunications Enterprises Provisions, which was promulgated by the State Council on
December 11, 2001, and amended on September 10, 2008 and February 6, 2016, respectively. The Foreign-Invested Telecommunications Enterprises
Provisions prohibit a foreign investor from holding over 50% of the total equity interest in any value-added telecommunications service business in
China. In addition, the major foreign investor who invests in a foreign-invested value-added telecommunications enterprise and operates the value-
added telecommunications business in China must demonstrate a good track record and experience in operation of value-added telecommunications
business.
Regulations Relating to Internet Companies
Regulations on value-added telecommunication services
The Telecommunications Regulations of the PRC, or the Telecommunications Regulations, promulgated by the State Council on
September 25, 2000 and amended on February 6, 2016, provide a regulatory framework for telecommunications services providers in the PRC. The
Telecommunications Regulations require telecommunications services providers to obtain an operating license prior to the commencement of their
operations. The Telecommunications Regulations categorize telecommunications services into basic telecommunication services and value-added
telecommunications services. According to the Catalog of Telecommunications Business, attached to the Telecommunications Regulations, information
services provided via fixed network, mobile network and Internet fall within value-added telecommunications services.
In July 2017, the MIIT promulgated the Administrative Measures on Telecommunications Business Operating Licenses. Under these
regulations, a commercial operator of value-added telecommunications services must first obtain a license for value-added telecommunications
business, or VATS License, from the MIIT or its provincial level counterparts.
In July 2006, the Ministry of Information Industry, the predecessor of the MIIT, issued the Circular on Strengthening the Administration of
Foreign Investment in the Operation of Value-added Telecommunications Business, which prohibits holders of these services licenses from leasing,
transferring or selling their licenses in any form, or providing any resource, sites or facilities, to any foreign investors intending to conduct such
businesses in China.
Before the issuance of the Interim Measures in August 2016, there was no clear or official regulation or guidance from the PRC government
as to whether online consumer finance service was a type of value-added telecommunication services and whether its provider should be subject to
value-added telecommunication regulations. After the Interim Measures came into force, an online consumer finance information intermediary shall
apply for appropriate telecommunication business license in accordance with relevant provisions of competent telecommunications departments.
However, the relevant implementation rules regarding such filing is yet to be issued and therefore currently we are not able to make the necessary filing
or apply for the VATS License.
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Furthermore, as we are providing mobile applications to mobile device users, it is uncertain if Shanghai PPDai and its subsidiaries will be
required to obtain a separate operating license in addition to the VATS License. We have not applied for such separate license since we have not
obtained the VATS License. We cannot assure you that we will not be required to apply for an operating license for our mobile applications in the
future. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—We may be adversely affected by the complexity,
uncertainties and changes in PRC regulation of internet-related businesses and companies, and any lack of requisite approvals, licenses or permits
applicable to our business may have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.”
Regulation on mobile internet applications information services
In addition to the Telecommunications Regulations and other regulations above, mobile applications are especially regulated by the
Administrative Provisions on Mobile Internet Applications Information Services, or the APP Provisions, which was promulgated by the Cyberspace
Administration of China, or the CAC, on June 28, 2016 and became effective on August 1, 2016. The APP Provisions regulate mobile application
information service providers. According to the APP Provisions, the CAC and local offices of cyberspace administration shall be responsible for the
supervision and administration of nationwide or local mobile application information, respectively.
Under the APP Provisions, mobile application information service providers are required to obtain relevant qualifications prescribed by
laws and regulations and shall be responsible for the supervision and administration of mobile application information required by laws and regulations
and implement the information security management responsibilities strictly, including but not limited to: (1) to authenticate the identity information of
the registered users, (2) to protect user information, and obtaining the consent of users while collecting and using users’ personal information in a lawful
and proper manner, (3) to establish information content audit and management mechanism, and take against any information content in violation of laws
or regulations depending on circumstances, and (4) record and keep users’ log information the same for sixty (60) days.
We have implemented necessary programs in our mobile application to make sure the collection, protection and preservation of user
information are in compliance with the APP Provisions in all material aspects.
Regulations on internet security
Internet information in China is regulated and restricted from a national security standpoint. The Standing Committee of the National
People’s Congress, or the SCNPC, has enacted the Decisions on Maintaining Internet Security on December 28, 2000 and further amended on
August 27, 2009, which may subject violators to criminal punishment in China for any effort to: (i) gain improper entry into a computer or system of
strategic importance; (ii) disseminate politically disruptive information; (iii) leak state secrets; (iv) spread false commercial information; or (v) infringe
intellectual property rights. In 1997, the Ministry of Public Security has promulgated measures that prohibit use of the internet in ways which, among
other things, result in a leakage of state secrets or a spread of socially destabilizing content. If an internet information service provider violates these
measures, the Ministry of Public Security and the local security bureaus may revoke its operating license and shut down its websites.
The Network Security Law of the PRC, which was promulgated by the SCNPC on November 7, 2016 and became effective on June 1, 2017.
Under this regulation, network operators, including online lending information service providers, shall comply with laws and regulations and fulfill their
obligations to safeguard security of the network when conducting business and providing services, and take all necessary measures pursuant to laws,
regulations and compulsory national requirements to safeguard the safe and stable operation of the networks, respond to network security incidents
effectively, prevent illegal and criminal activities, and maintain the integrity, confidentiality and usability of network data.
We have, in accordance with relevant provisions on network security of the Sate and the requirements of the State’s system for classified
protection of information security, conducted the record-filing of class determination and class testing of information system, possessed perfect network
security facility and management system such as firewall, intrusion detection, data encryption, and disaster recovery.
Regulations on privacy protection
The Several Provisions on Regulating the Market Order of Internet Information Services, issued by the MIIT in December 2011, provide
that, an internet information service provider may not collect any user personal information or provide any such information to third parties without the
consent of a user. An internet information service provider must expressly inform the users of the method, content and purpose of the collection and
processing of such user personal information and may only collect such information necessary for the provision of its services. An internet information
service provider is also required to properly maintain the user personal information, and in case of any leak or likely leak of the user personal
information, online lending service providers must take immediate remedial measures and, in severe circumstances, make an immediate report to the
telecommunications regulatory authority.
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In addition, pursuant to the Decision on Strengthening the Protection of Online Information issued by the SCNPC in December 2012 and
the Order for the Protection of Telecommunication and Internet User Personal Information issued by the MIIT in July 2013, any collection and use of
user personal information must be subject to the consent of the user, abide by the principles of legality, rationality and necessity and be within the
specified purposes, methods and scopes.
Pursuant to the Ninth Amendment to the Criminal Law issued by the SCNPC, in August 2015 and became effective in November, 2015, any
internet service provider that fails to fulfill the obligations related to internet information security administration as required by applicable laws and
refuses to rectify upon orders, shall be subject to criminal penalty. On May 8, 2017, the Supreme People’s Court and the Supreme People’s
Procuratorate released the Interpretations of the Supreme People’s Court and the Supreme People’s Procuratorate on Several Issues Concerning the
Application of Law in the Handling of Criminal Cases Involving Infringement of Citizens’ Personal Information, or the Interpretations, which became
effective on June 1, 2017. The Interpretations provide more practical conviction and sentencing criteria for the infringement of citizens’ personal
information and mark a milestone for the criminal protection of citizens’ personal information.
Furthermore, the Interim Measures require online lending information service providers to reinforce the management of lenders’ and
borrowers’ information, so as to ensure the legitimacy and security regarding the collection, processing and use of lenders’ and borrowers’ information.
Also, online lending information service providers should keep confidential the lenders’ and borrowers’ information collected in the course of their
business, and should not use such information for any other purpose except for services they provide without approval of lenders or borrowers.
While we have taken measures to protect the confidential information that we have access to, our security measures could be breached. Any
accidental or willful security breaches or other unauthorized access to our platform could cause confidential borrower and investor information to be
stolen and used for criminal purposes. Security breaches or unauthorized access to confidential information could also expose us to liability related to
the loss of the information, time-consuming and expensive litigation and negative publicity. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks
Related to Our Business—Our ability to protect the confidential information of our borrowers and investors may be adversely affected by cyber-attacks,
computer viruses, physical or electronic break-ins or similar disruptions and we may be subject to liabilities imposed by relevant government
regulations.”
Regulations Relating to Foreign Exchange
Regulations on foreign currency exchange
The principal regulations governing foreign currency exchange in China are the Foreign Exchange Administration Regulations, most
recently amended in August 2008. Under the PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, such as profit distributions, interest
payments and trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval from SAFE by
complying with certain procedural requirements. By contrast, approval from or registration with appropriate government authorities is required where
RMB is to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital account items, such as direct investments, repayment of foreign
currency-denominated loans, repatriation of investments and investments in securities outside of China.
On February 13, 2015, the SAFE promulgated the Notice on Further Simplifying and Improving the Administration of the Foreign
Exchange Concerning Direct Investment, or SAFE Notice 13. After SAFE Notice 13 became effective on June 1, 2015, instead of applying for
approvals regarding foreign exchange registrations of foreign direct investment and overseas direct investment from SAFE, entities and individuals will
be required to apply for such foreign exchange registrations from qualified banks. The qualified banks, under the supervision of the SAFE, will directly
examine the applications and conduct the registration.
On March 30, 2015, the SAFE promulgated Circular 19, to expand the reform nationwide. Circular 19 allows foreign-invested enterprises to
make equity investments by using RMB fund converted from foreign exchange capital. Under Circular 19, the foreign exchange capital in the capital
account of foreign-invested enterprises upon the confirmation of rights and interests of monetary contribution by the local foreign exchange bureau (or
the book-entry registration of monetary contribution by the banks) can be settled at the banks based on the actual operation needs of the enterprises. The
proportion of discretionary settlement of foreign exchange capital of foreign-invested enterprises is currently 100%. SAFE can adjust such proportion in
due time based on the circumstances of international balance of payments. However, Circular 19 and another circular promulgated by SAFE in June
2016, SAFE Circular 16, continues to, prohibit foreign-invested enterprises from, among other things, using RMB fund converted from its foreign
exchange capitals for expenditure beyond its business scope, investment and financing (except for security investment or guarantee products issued by
bank), providing loans to non-affiliated enterprises or constructing or purchasing real estate not for self-use. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk
Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—PRC regulation of loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies
and governmental control of currency conversion may delay or prevent us from using the proceeds of our initial public offering and the concurrent
private placement to make loans to or make additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries, which could materially and adversely affect our
liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.”
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Regulations on foreign exchange registration of overseas investment by PRC residents
SAFE promulgated the Circular on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Control on Domestic Residents’ Offshore Investment
and Financing and Round-trip Investment through Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 37, on July 4, 2014, which replaced the former circular
commonly known as “SAFE Circular 75”. SAFE Circular 37 requires PRC residents to register with local branches of SAFE in connection with their
direct establishment or indirect control of an offshore entity, for the purpose of overseas investment and financing, with such PRC residents’ legally
owned assets or equity interests in domestic enterprises or offshore assets or interests, referred to in SAFE Circular 37 as a “special purpose vehicle”.
SAFE Circular 37 further requires amendment to the registration in the event of any significant changes with respect to the special purpose vehicle, such
as increase or decrease of capital contributed by PRC individuals, share transfer or exchange, merger, division or other material event. In the event that a
PRC shareholder holding interests in a special purpose vehicle fails to fulfill the required SAFE registration, the PRC subsidiaries of that special purpose
vehicle may be prohibited from making profit distributions to the offshore parent and from carrying out subsequent cross-border foreign exchange
activities, and the special purpose vehicle may be restricted in its ability to contribute additional capital into its PRC subsidiary. Furthermore, failure to
comply with the various SAFE registration requirements described above could result in liability under PRC law for evasion of foreign exchange
controls. Mr. Jun Zhang, Mr. Tiezheng Li, Mr. Honghui Hu, and Mr. Shaofeng Gu, who directly or indirectly hold shares in our Cayman Islands holding
company and are known to us as mainland China residents have completed the foreign exchange registrations in accordance with SAFE Circular 75 then
in effect and have updated their registrations in accordance with SAFE Circular 37. They are now in the process of updating their registration required in
connection with our recent corporate restructuring. Ms. Wei Luo, who indirectly hold shares in our Cayman Islands holding company and is known to
us previously to be a mainland China resident, has changed her citizenship to Hong Kong. Ms. Wei Luo registered in accordance with SAFE Circular 75
previously and now is seeking to cancel or update the registration in accordance with SAFE Circular 37.
On February 13, 2015, SAFE released Circular of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Further Simplifying and Improving the
Direct Investment-related Foreign Exchange Administration Policies, or SAFE Circular 13, under which local banks will examine and handle foreign
exchange registration for overseas direct investment, including the initial foreign exchange registration and amendment registration, starting from
June 1, 2015. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—PRC regulations relating to offshore
investment activities by PRC residents may limit our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to increase their registered capital or distribute profits to us or otherwise
expose us or our PRC resident beneficial owners to liability and penalties under PRC law.”
Regulations on employee stock incentive plans of overseas publicly-listed company
Pursuant to the Notices on Issues concerning the Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in Stock
Incentive Plan of Overseas Publicly-Listed Company, issued by SAFE in February 2012, individuals participating in any stock incentive plan of any
overseas publicly listed company who are PRC citizens or non-PRC citizens who reside in China for a continuous period of not less than one year,
subject to a few exceptions, are required to register with SAFE through a domestic qualified agent, which could be a PRC subsidiary of such overseas
listed company, and complete certain other procedures. We and our executive officers and other employees who are PRC citizens or non-PRC citizens
who reside in China for a continuous period of not less than one year and have been granted options are subject to these regulations. Failure by these
individuals to complete their SAFE registrations may subject us and them to fines and other legal sanctions. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk
Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Any failure to comply with PRC regulations regarding the registration requirements for employee
stock incentive plans may subject the PRC plan participants or us to fines and other legal or administrative sanctions.”
The SAT has issued certain circulars concerning employee share options and restricted shares. Under these circulars, our employees
working in China who exercise share options will be subject to PRC individual income tax. Our PRC subsidiaries have obligations to file documents
related to employee share options with relevant tax authorities and to withhold individual income taxes of those employees who exercise their share
options. If our employees fail to pay or we fail to withhold their income taxes according to relevant laws and regulations, we may face sanctions
imposed by the tax authorities or other PRC governmental authorities.
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Regulations on Intellectual Property Rights
The PRC has adopted comprehensive legislation governing intellectual property rights, including copyrights, patents, trademarks and
domain names.
Copyright. Copyright in the PRC, including copyrighted software, is principally protected under the Copyright Law and related rules and
regulations. Under the Copyright Law, the term of protection for copyrighted software is 50 years.
Patent. The Patent Law provides for patentable inventions, utility models and designs, which must meet three conditions: novelty,
inventiveness and practical applicability. The State Intellectual Property Office under the State Council is responsible for examining and approving
patent applications. The duration of a patent right is either 10 years or 20 years from the date of application, depending on the type of patent right.
Trademark. The PRC Trademark Law and its implementation rules protect registered trademarks. The PRC Trademark Law has adopted a
“first-to-file” principle with respect to trademark registration. The Trademark Office under the State Administration of Industry and Commerce is
responsible for the registration and administration of trademarks throughout the PRC, and grants a term of ten years to registered trademarks and another
ten years if requested upon expiry of the initial or extended term. Trademark license agreements must be filed with the Trademark Office for record.
Domain Name. Domain names are protected under the Administrative Measures on the China Internet Domain Names promulgated by the
MIIT in 2004, which will be replaced by the Administrative Measures on the Internet Domain Names effective on November 1, 2017. The MIIT is the
major regulatory authority responsible for the administration of the PRC Internet domain names. The registration of domain names in PRC is on a “first-
apply-first-registration” basis. A domain name applicant will become the domain name holder upon the completion of the application procedure. Our
major domain name “ppdai.com” has been registered.
Regulations on Dividend Distribution
Under our current corporate structure, our Cayman Islands holding company may rely on dividend payments from Shanghai Guangjian,
which is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise incorporated in China, to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have. The principal regulations
governing distribution of dividends of foreign-invested enterprises include the Foreign-Invested Enterprise Law, as amended in September 2016, and its
implementation rules. Under these laws and regulations, wholly foreign-owned enterprises in China may pay dividends only out of their accumulated
after-tax profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, wholly foreign-owned enterprises in
China are required to allocate at least 10% of their respective accumulated profits each year, if any, to fund certain reserve funds until these reserves
have reached 50% of the registered capital of the enterprises. Wholly foreign-owned companies may, at their discretion, allocate a portion of their
after-tax profits based on PRC accounting standards to staff welfare and bonus funds. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends.
Regulations Relating to Employment
The PRC Labor Law and the Labor Contract Law require that employers must execute written employment contracts with full-time
employees. All employers must compensate their employees with wages equal to at least the local minimum wage standards. Violations of the PRC
Labor Law and the Labor Contract Law may result in the imposition of fines and other administrative sanctions, and serious violations may result in
criminal liabilities.
Enterprises in China are required by PRC laws and regulations to participate in certain employee benefit plans, including social insurance
funds, namely a pension plan, a medical insurance plan, an unemployment insurance plan, a work-related injury insurance plan and a maternity
insurance plan, and a housing provident fund, and contribute to the plans or funds in amounts equal to certain percentages of salaries, including bonuses
and allowances, of the employees as specified by the local government from time to time at locations where they operate their businesses or where they
are located. According to the Social Insurance Law, an employer that fails to make social insurance contributions may be ordered to rectify the
non-compliance and pay the required contributions within a stipulated deadline and be subject to a late fee of up to 0.05% or 0.2% per day, as the case
may be. If the employer still fails to rectify the failure to make social insurance contributions within the stipulated deadline, it may be subject to a fine
ranging from one to three times the amount overdue. In addition, the PRC Individual Income Tax Law requires companies operating in China to
withhold individual income tax on employees’ salaries based on the actual salary of each employee upon payment.
We have not made adequate contributions to employee benefit plans, as required by applicable PRC laws and regulations. We have recorded
accruals for the estimated underpaid amounts for the current employees in our financial statements. However, we have not made any accruals for the
interest on underpayment and penalties that may be imposed by the relevant PRC government authorities in the financial statements as we believe it
would be unlikely that the relevant PRC government authorities will impose any significant interests or penalties. See “Item 3. Key Information—D.
Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Failure to make adequate contributions to various employee benefit plans and withhold
individual income tax on employees’ salaries as required by PRC regulations may subject us to penalties.”
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Regulations Relating to Tax
Dividend withholding tax
Pursuant to the Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementation rules, if a non-resident enterprise has not set up an organization or
establishment in the PRC, or has set up an organization or establishment but the income derived has no actual connection with such organization or
establishment, it will be subject to a withholding tax on its PRC-sourced income at a rate of 10%. Pursuant to the Arrangement between Mainland China
and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Tax Evasion on Income, the withholding tax rate in
respect to the payment of dividends by a PRC enterprise to a Hong Kong enterprise is reduced to 5% from a standard rate of 10% if the Hong Kong
enterprise directly holds at least 25% of the PRC enterprise. Pursuant to the Notice of the State Administration of Taxation on the Issues concerning the
Application of the Dividend Clauses of Tax Agreements, or Circular 81, a Hong Kong resident enterprise must meet the following conditions, among
others, in order to enjoy the reduced withholding tax: (i) it must directly own the required percentage of equity interests and voting rights in the PRC
resident enterprise; and (ii) it must have directly owned such percentage in the PRC resident enterprise throughout the 12 months prior to receiving the
dividends. There are also other conditions for enjoying the reduced withholding tax rate according to other relevant tax rules and regulations. In August
2015, the State Administration of Taxation promulgated the Administrative Measures for Non-Resident Taxpayers to Enjoy Treatments under Tax
Treaties, or Circular 60, which became effective on November 1, 2015. Circular 60 provides that non-resident enterprises are not required to obtain
pre-approval from the relevant tax authority in order to enjoy the reduced withholding tax rate. Instead, non-resident enterprises and their withholding
agents may, by self-assessment and on confirmation that the prescribed criteria to enjoy the tax treaty benefits are met, directly apply the reduced
withholding tax rate, and file necessary forms and supporting documents when performing tax filings, which will be subject to post-tax filing
examinations by the relevant tax authorities. Accordingly, PPDAI (HK) LIMITED, our Hong Kong subsidiary, may be able to enjoy the 5% withholding
tax rate for the dividends they receive from our PRC subsidiaries, if it satisfies the conditions prescribed under Circular 81 and other relevant tax rules
and regulations. However, according to Circular 81 and Circular 60, if the relevant tax authorities consider the transactions or arrangements we have are
for the primary purpose of enjoying a favorable tax treatment, the relevant tax authorities may adjust the favorable withholding tax in the future.
Enterprise income tax
The Enterprise Income Tax Law, or the EIT Law, and its implementing rules, which became effective on January 1, 2008, are the principal
regulations governing enterprise income tax in the PRC. The EIT Law imposes a uniform enterprise income tax rate of 25% on all resident enterprises in
the PRC, including foreign-invested enterprises.
Uncertainties exist with respect to how the EIT Law applies to the tax residence status of PPDAI Group Inc. and our offshore subsidiaries.
Under the EIT Law, an enterprise established outside China with its “de facto management bodies” located within China is considered a “resident
enterprise”, which means that it is treated in a manner similar to a PRC domestic enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes. The implementing rules
of the EIT Law define de facto management body as a managing body that in practice exercises “substantial and overall management and control over
the production and operations, personnel, accounting, and properties” of the enterprise.
The SAT issued the Circular of the State Administration of Taxation on Issues Concerning the Identification of Chinese- Controlled
Overseas Registered Enterprises as Resident Enterprises in Accordance With the Actual Standards of Organizational Management, or SAT Circular 82
in 2009. According to SAT Circular 82, a Chinese-controlled offshore incorporated enterprise will be regarded as a PRC tax resident by virtue of having
a “de facto management body” in China and will be subject to PRC enterprise income tax on its worldwide income only if all of the following criteria
are met:(a) the primary location of the day-to- day operational management is in China; (b) decisions relating to the enterprise’s financial and human
resource matters are made or are subject to approval by organizations or personnel in China; (c) the enterprise’s primary assets, accounting books and
records, company seals, and board and shareholders meeting minutes are located or maintained in China; and (d) 50% or more of voting board members
or senior executives habitually reside in China.
We do not believe that we meet all of the conditions outlined in the immediately preceding paragraph. We believe that PPDAI Group Inc.
and our offshore subsidiaries should not be treated as a “resident enterprise” for PRC tax purposes if the criteria for “de facto management body” as set
forth in SAT Circular 82 were deemed applicable to us. However, as the tax residency status of an enterprise is subject to determination by the PRC tax
authorities and uncertainties remain with respect to the interpretation of the term “de facto management body” as applicable to our offshore entities, we
may be treated as a resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes under the EIT Law, and we may therefore be subject to PRC income tax on our global
income. We are actively monitoring the possibility of “resident enterprise” treatment for the applicable tax years and are evaluating appropriate
organizational changes to avoid this treatment, to the extent possible.
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In the event that PPDAI Group Inc. or any of our offshore subsidiaries is considered to be a PRC resident enterprise: PPDAI Group Inc. or
our offshore subsidiaries, as the case may be, may be subject to the PRC enterprise income tax at the rate of 25% on our worldwide taxable income;
dividend income that PPDAI Group Inc. or our offshore subsidiaries, as the case may be, received from our PRC subsidiaries may be exempt from the
PRC withholding tax; and interest paid to our overseas shareholders or ADS holders who are non-PRC resident enterprises as well as gains realized by
such shareholders or ADS holders from the transfer of our shares or ADSs may be regarded as PRC-sourced income and as a result be subject to PRC
withholding tax at a rate of up to 10%, subject to any reduction or exemption set forth in relevant tax treaties, and similarly, dividends paid to our
overseas shareholders or ADS holders who are non-PRC resident individuals, as well as gains realized by such shareholders or ADS holders from the
transfer of our shares or ADSs, may be regarded as PRC-sourced income and as a result be subject to PRC withholding tax at a rate of 20%, subject to
any reduction or exemption set forth in relevant tax treaties. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in
China—If we are classified as a PRC resident enterprise for PRC income tax purposes, such classification could result in unfavorable tax consequences
to us and our non-PRC shareholders or ADS holders.”
SAT issued a Public Notice Regarding Certain Corporate Income Tax Matters on Indirect Transfer of Properties by Non-Resident
Enterprises, or SAT Public Notice 7, on February 3, 2015, which replaced or supplemented certain previous rules under the Circular on Strengthening
Administration of Enterprise Income Tax for Share Transfers by Non-Resident Enterprises, or SAT Circular 698. Under SAT Public Notice 7, an
“indirect transfer” of assets, including equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise, by non-PRC resident enterprises may be re-characterized and treated
as a direct transfer of PRC taxable assets, if such arrangement does not have a reasonable commercial purpose and was established for the purpose of
avoiding payment of PRC enterprise income tax. As a result, gains derived from such indirect transfer may be subject to PRC enterprise income tax.
According to SAT Public Notice 7, “PRC taxable assets” include assets attributed to an establishment in China, immoveable properties in China, and
equity investments in PRC resident enterprises. In respect of an indirect offshore transfer of assets of a PRC establishment, the relevant gain is to be
regarded as effectively connected with the PRC establishment and therefore included in its enterprise income tax filing, and would consequently be
subject to PRC enterprise income tax at a rate of 25%. Where the underlying transfer relates to the immoveable properties in China or to equity
investments in a PRC resident enterprise, which is not effectively connected to a PRC establishment of a non-resident enterprise, a PRC enterprise
income tax at 10% would apply, subject to available preferential tax treatment under applicable tax treaties or similar arrangements, and the party who is
obligated to make the transfer payments has the withholding obligation. There is uncertainty as to the implementation details of SAT Public Notice 7. If
SAT Public Notice 7 was determined by the tax authorities to be applicable to some of our transactions involving PRC taxable assets, our offshore
subsidiaries conducting the relevant transactions might be required to spend valuable resources to comply with SAT Public Notice 7 or to establish that
the relevant transactions should not be taxed under SAT Public Notice 7. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing
Business in China—We face uncertainty with respect to indirect transfers of equity interests in PRC resident enterprises by their non-PRC holding
companies.”
Under applicable PRC laws, payers of PRC-sourced income to non-PRC residents are generally obligated to withhold PRC income taxes
from the payment. In the event of a failure to withhold, the non-PRC residents are required to pay such taxes on their own. Failure to comply with the
tax payment obligations by the non-PRC residents will result in penalties, including full payment of taxes owed, fines and default interest on those taxes.
PRC value-added tax
Pursuant to applicable PRC regulations promulgated by the Ministry of Finance of China and the SAT, entities or individuals conducting
business in the service industry are required to pay a valued-added tax, or VAT, at a rate of 6% with respect to revenues derived from the provision of
online information services. A taxpayer is allowed to offset the qualified input VAT paid on taxable purchases against the output VAT chargeable on the
revenue from services provided.
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C. Organizational Structure
The following diagram illustrates our corporate structure as of the date of this annual report, including our principal subsidiaries and our
principal variable interest entity and its principal subsidiaries.
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Beijing Paipairongxin currently has four shareholders: Jun Zhang, our co-founder, chairman and chief executive officer, Tiezheng Li, our
co-founder, director and chief strategy officer, Honghui Hu, our co-founder, director and president, and Shaofeng Gu, our co-founder, director
and strategy adviser, each holding 13.22%, 4.81%, 12.85%, and 69.12% of Beijing Paipairongxin’s equity interests, respectively.
Shanghai Zihe currently has four shareholders: Jun Zhang, our co-founder, chairman and chief executive officer, Tiezheng Li, our co-founder,
director and chief strategy officer, Honghui Hu, our co-founder, director and president, Shaofeng Gu, our co-founder, director and strategy
adviser, each holding 25% of Shanghai Zihe’s equity interests, respectively.
Shanghai Ledao currently has two shareholders: Lizhong Chen, a family relative of Tiezheng Li, and Yejun Jiang, a family relative of Honghui
Hu, each holding 50% of Shanghai Ledao’s equity interests, respectively.
Shanghai Nianqiao currently has two shareholders: Zhouhao Gu, a family relative of Shaofeng Gu, and Xiumeng Chen, a family relative of Jun
Zhang, each holding 50% of Shanghai Nianqiao’s equity interests, respectively.
Contractual Arrangements
PRC laws and regulations impose restrictions on foreign ownership and investment in internet-based businesses such as distribution of
online information, value-added telecommunications services. We are a Cayman Islands company and our PRC subsidiary is considered a foreign-
invested enterprise. Before the Interim Measures on Administration of Business Activities of Online Lending Information Intermediaries was published
in August 2016, there was no official guidance or interpretation from the PRC government clarifying whether online consumer finance services fall
within the category of value-added telecommunication services and whether providers of such services should be subject to value-added
telecommunication regulations. However, we believe the online consumer finance services offered through our platform constitute a type of value-added
telecommunication services that foreign ownership and investment are restricted; and therefore we should operate our platform through contractual
arrangements with a variable interest entity and its shareholders to ensure compliance with the relevant PRC laws and regulations.
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We had entered into a series of contractual arrangements, through Beijing Prosper, with Beijing Paipairongxin, the shareholders of Beijing
Paipairongxin and Shanghai PPDai (with respect to the amended and restated exclusive technology consulting and service agreement only) to obtain
effective control over Beijing Paipairongxin and its subsidiaries. In June 2017, we, through Shanghai Guangjian and Shanghai Shanghu (with respect to
the business operation agreement and the exclusive technology consulting and service agreement only), entered into a new set of contractual
arrangements with Beijing Paipairongxin, the shareholders of Beijing Paipairongxin and Shanghai PPDai (with respect to the exclusive technology
consulting and service agreement only) to replace the previous contractual arrangements and continue our effective control over Beijing Paipairongxin
and its subsidiaries, in particular Shanghai PPDai, through which we operate our online consumer finance marketplace business. Shanghai PPDai has
made applications for value-added telecommunication business license with the relevant local telecommunication regulatory authority, but due to the
lack of detailed implementation rules, the local authority has tentatively put its applications on hold. Shanghai PPDai intends to apply for a value-added
telecommunication business license again once it becomes feasible under PRC laws and regulations. In March 2018, we restated the contractual
arrangements with Beijing Paipairongxin, the shareholders of Beijing Paipairongxin and Shanghai PPDai (the “Newly Restated Contractual
Arrangements”).
In March, 2018, we entered into another set of contractual arrangements, through Shanghai Manyin, with Shanghai Zihe, and the
shareholders of Shanghai Zihe. These contractual arrangements consist of (i) loan agreement between Shanghai Manyin and shareholders of Shanghai
Zihe, (ii) business operation agreement among Shanghai Manyin, Shanghai Zihe and shareholders of Shanghai Zihe, (iii) exclusive technology
consulting and service framework agreement between Shanghai Manyin and Shanghai Zihe, (iv) equity pledge agreement among Shanghai Manyin,
Shanghai Zihe and shareholders of Shanghai Zihe, (v) exclusive option agreement among Shanghai Manyin, Shanghai Zihe and shareholders of
Shanghai Zihe, and (vi) power of attorney between shareholders of Shanghai Zihe and Shanghai Manyin.
The contractual arrangements with Beijing Paipairongxin, its subsidiaries and Shanghai Zihe allow us to:
•
•
•
exercise effective control over Beijing Paipairongxin, its subsidiaries, and Shanghai Zihe;
receive substantially all of the economic benefits of Beijing Paipairongxin, its subsidiaries, and Shanghai Zihe; and
have an exclusive option to purchase all or part of the equity interests in Beijing Paipairongxin and Shanghai Zihe when and to the
extent permitted by PRC law.
As a result of these contractual arrangements, we have become the primary beneficiary of Beijing Paipairongxin and Shanghai Zihe, and we
treat Beijing Paipairongxin and Shanghai Zihe as our variable interest entities under U.S. GAAP. We have consolidated the financial results of Beijing
Paipairongxin, its subsidiaries and Shanghai Zihe in our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
Contractual Arrangements with Beijing Paipairongxin
The following is a summary of the currently effective contractual arrangements by and among our wholly-owned subsidiary, Shanghai
Guangjian and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Shanghai Shanghu (with respect to the business operation agreement and the exclusive technology
consulting and service agreement only), our variable interest entity, Beijing Paipairongxin, the shareholders of Beijing Paipairongxin, and Shanghai
PPDai (with respect to the exclusive technology consulting and service agreement only).
Agreements that provide us with effective control over Beijing Paipairongxin
Loan Agreement. Shanghai Guangjian entered into a loan agreement with each of the shareholders of Beijing Paipairongxin, namely Mr. Jun
Zhang, Mr. Tiezheng Li, Mr. Honghui Hu and Mr. Shaofeng Gu, our co-founders and shareholders in March 2018. Under these loan agreements,
Shanghai Guangjian has granted an interest-free loan of RMB100.0 million to the shareholders of Beijing Paipairongxin solely for the capital
contributions to Beijing Paipairongxin. Upon written notice by Shanghai Guangjian, the loan shall be repaid by the shareholders of Beijing
Paipairongxin from the proceeds received by transferring their equity interests in Beijing Paipairongxin to Shanghai Guangjian pursuant to the terms and
conditions of the option agreement among Shanghai Guangjian, Beijing Paipairongxin, Beijing Prosper and the shareholders of Beijing Paripairongxin.
If the proceeds received by the shareholders of Beijing Paipairongxin from such transferring is higher than the principal of the loan, the amount
exceeding the principal shall be deemed as cost for using the principal and shall be paid, to the extent permitted by laws, to Shanghai Guangjian together
with the principal. Shanghai Guangjian has the right to request repayment of the loan before maturity.
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Restated Business Operation Agreement. Shanghai Guangjian, Shanghai Shanghu, Beijing Paipairongxin, the shareholders of Beijing
Paipairongxin and Beijing Prosper entered into a restated business operation agreement in March 2018. Pursuant to this restated agreement, Beijing
Paipairongxin and its shareholders agree that to the extent permitted by law, they will accept and unconditionally execute instructions from Shanghai
Guangjian and Shanghai Shanghu on business operations, such as appointment of directors and executive officers. Beijing Paipairongxin and its
shareholders further agree that, without prior written consent of Shanghai Guangjian and Shanghai Shanghu, Beijing Paipairongxin will not take any
action that may have material adverse effects on its assets, businesses, human resources, rights, obligations, or business operations. The shareholders of
Beijing Paipairongxin agree to transfer any dividends or other similar income or interests they receive as the shareholders of Beijing Paipairongxin, if
any, immediately and unconditionally to Shanghai Guangjian and Shanghai Shanghu. This restated agreement also requires each of Beijing
Paipairongxin’s shareholders to issue an irrevocable power of attorney authorizing Shanghai Guangjian or any person(s) designated by Shanghai
Guangjian to execute shareholders’ rights on behalf of such shareholder. Unless Shanghai Guangjian and Shanghai Shanghu terminate this agreement in
advance, this restated agreement will remain effective until Beijing Paipairongxin is dissolved pursuant to PRC law.
Restated Power of Attorney. Through a restated power of attorney dated March 21, 2018, each shareholder of Beijing Paipairongxin
irrevocably authorizes Shanghai Guangjian or any person(s) designated by Shanghai Guangjian to act as his or her attorney-in-fact to exercise all of
such shareholder’s voting and other rights associated with the shareholder’s equity interest in Beijing Paipairongxin, such as the right to appoint
directors, supervisors and officers, as well as the right to sell, transfer, pledge and dispose of all or a portion of the shares held by such shareholder. The
power of attorney will remain in force for ten years unless the restated business operation agreement is terminated earlier than the expiration of the
10-year term. Upon request by Shanghai Guangjian, the shareholders of Beijing Paipairongxin shall extend the term of this power of attorney
accordingly.
Restated Equity Pledge Agreement. Shanghai Guangjian, Beijing Paipairongxin, the shareholders of Beijing Paipairongxin and Beijing
Prosper entered into a restated equity pledge agreement in March 2018. Pursuant to the equity pledge agreement, each shareholder of Beijing
Paipairongxin has pledged all of his equity interest in Beijing Paipairongxin to Shanghai Guangjian to guarantee the performance by such shareholder
and Beijing Paipairongxin of their respective obligations under the restated business operation agreement (including the power of attorney), the restated
option agreement, the restated exclusive technology consulting and service agreement and the loan agreement. If Beijing Paipairongxin or any of its
shareholders breaches any obligations under these agreements, Shanghai Guangjian, as pledgee, will be entitled to dispose of the pledged equity and
have priority to be compensated by the proceeds from the disposal of the pledged equity. Each of the shareholders of Beijing Paipairongxin agrees that
before his or her obligations under the contractual arrangements are discharged, he or she will not dispose of the pledged equity interests, create or allow
any encumbrance on the pledged equity interests, or take any action which may result in the change of the pledged equity that may have material
adverse effects on the pledgee’s rights under this restated agreement without the prior written consent of Shanghai Guangjian. The restated equity
pledge agreement will remain effective until Beijing Paipairongxin and its shareholders discharge all their obligations under the contractual
arrangements and the pledgee consents such discharge in writing. We are preparing for the registration of the equity pledge with the relevant office of
the Administration for Industry and Commerce in accordance with the PRC Property Rights Law.
Agreement that allows us to receive economic benefits from Beijing Paipairongxin and Shanghai PPDai
Restated Exclusive Technology Consulting and Service Agreement. Shanghai Guangjian and Shanghai Shanghu, Beijing Paipairongxin,
Shanghai PPDai and Beijing Prosper entered into a restated exclusive technology consulting and service agreement in March 2018. Pursuant to this
agreement, Shanghai Guangjian, Shanghai Shanghu or their designated party has the exclusive right to provide Beijing Paipairongxin and Shanghai
PPDai with technical support, consulting services and other services. Without prior written consent from Shanghai Guangjian and Shanghai Shanghu,
Beijing Paipairongxin and Shanghai PPDai shall not accept any technical support and services covered by this agreement from any third party. The
service fees that Beijing Paipairongxin and Shanghai PPDai are going to pay to Shanghai Guangjian and Shanghai Shanghu shall be determined on a
case-by-case basis based on the level of difficulty and complexity, time spend by Shanghai Guangjian and Shanghai Shanghu and their employees in
providing the services, the specific scope and commercial value of the services, the revenue generated by Beijing Paipairongxin and Shanghai PPDai
resulting from such services, and other relevant factors. Shanghai Guangjiang and Shanghai Shanghu own the intellectual property rights arising out of
the provisions of services under this agreement. Unless Shanghai Guangjian and Shanghai Shanghu terminate this restated agreement in advance, this
restated agreement will remain effective until Beijing Paipairongxin and Shanghai PPDai are dissolved in accordance with PRC law. Although this
restated agreement can be terminated by mutual agreement among Shanghai Guangjian and Shanghai Shanghu, Beijing Paipairongxin, Shanghai PPDai
and Beijing Prosper, Beijing Paipairongxin and Shanghai PPDai have no right to unilaterally terminate this restated agreement.
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Agreement that provides us with the option to purchase the equity interest in Beijing Paipairongxin
Restated Option Agreement. Shanghai Guangjian, Beijing Paipairongxin, the shareholders of Beijing Paipairongxin and Beijing Prosper
entered into a restated option agreement in March 2018. Pursuant to the restated option agreement, the shareholders of Beijing Paipairongxin have
irrevocably granted Shanghai Guangjian or any third party designated by Shanghai Guangjian an exclusive option to purchase all or part of their
respective equity interests in Beijing Paipairongxin. The purchase price is equal to the registered capital corresponding to the concerning equity interest.
Unless otherwise agreed, the shareholders of Beijing Paipairongxin will immediately gift Shanghai Guangjian or any third party designated by Shanghai
Guangjian with the purchase price after Shanghai Guangjian or any third party designated by Shanghai Guangjian exercises the option. The shareholders
of Beijing Paipairongxin agree that without their separate consent, Shanghai Guangjian may transfer all or part of its option under this agreement to a
third party. Without prior written consent from Shanghai Guangjian or its designated third party, Beijing Paipairongxin shall not, among other things,
amend its articles of association, increase or decrease the registered capital, sell, dispose of or set any encumbrance on its assets, business or revenue
outside the ordinary course of business, enter into any material contract, merge with any other persons or make any investments, distribute dividends, or
enter into any transactions which have material adverse effects on its business. The shareholders of Beijing Paipairongxin also jointly and severally
undertake that they will not transfer, gift or otherwise dispose of their equity interests in Beijing Paipairongxin to any third party or create or allow any
encumbrance on their equity interests within the term of this restated agreement. This restated agreement will remain effective until Shanghai Guangjian
has acquired all equity interests of Beijing Paipairongxin from its shareholders.
Contractual Arrangements with Shanghai Zihe
The following is a summary of the currently effective contractual arrangements by and among our wholly-owned subsidiary, Shanghai
Manyin, our variable interest entity, Shanghai Zihe, and the shareholders of Shanghai Zihe.
Agreements that provide us with effective control over Shanghai Zihe
Loan Agreement. Shanghai Manyin entered into a loan agreement with each of the shareholders of Shanghai Zihe, namely Mr. Jun Zhang,
Mr. Tiezheng Li, Mr. Honghui Hu and Mr. Shaofeng Gu, our co-founders and shareholders in March 2018. Under the loan agreements, Shanghai
Manyin has granted an interest-free loan of RMB100.0 million to the shareholders of Shanghai Zihe solely for the capital contributions to Shanghai
Zihe. Upon written notice by Shanghai Manyin, the loan shall be repaid by the shareholders of Shanghai Zihe from the proceeds received by transferring
their equity interests in Shanghai Zihe to Shanghai Manyin pursuant to the terms and conditions of the exclusive option agreement among Shanghai
Manyin, Shanghai Zihe, and the shareholders of Shanghai Zihe. If the proceeds received by the shareholders of Shanghai Zihe from such transferring is
higher than the principal of the loan, the amount exceeding the principal shall be deemed as cost for using the principal and shall be paid, to the extent
permitted by laws, to Shanghai Manyin together with the principal. Shanghai Manyin has the right to request repayment of the loan before maturity.
Business Operation Agreement. Shanghai Manyin, Shanghai Zihe, and the shareholders of Shanghai Zihe entered into a business operation
agreement on March 21, 2018. Pursuant to this agreement, Shanghai Zihe and its shareholders agree that to the extent permitted by law, they will accept
and strictly execute instructions from Shanghai Manyin on business operations, such as appointment of directors and senior management. Shanghai Zihe
and its shareholders further agree that, without prior written consent of Shanghai Manyin, Shanghai Zihe will not take any action that may have material
effects on its assets, businesses, human resources, rights, obligations, or business operations. This agreement also requires each of Shanghai Zihe’s
shareholders to issue an irrevocable power of attorney authorizing Shanghai Manyin or any person(s) designated by Shanghai Manyin to execute
shareholders’ rights on behalf of such shareholder. Unless terminated in advance pursuant this agreement, this agreement will remain effective for 30
years, renewable upon advance written notice by Shanghai Manyin.
Power of Attorney. Through a power of attorney dated March 21, 2018, each shareholder of Shanghai Zihe irrevocably authorizes Shanghai
Manyin or any person(s) designated by Shanghai Manyin to act as his or her attorney-in-fact to exercise all of such shareholder’s voting and other rights
associated with the shareholder’s equity interest in Shanghai Zihe, such as the right to call a shareholders’ meeting, join a shareholders’ meeting and
sign any shareholders resolutions; the right to nominate and appoint legal representative, directors, supervisors, general manager, chief financial officer
and other officers, as well as all rights a shareholder may have as a shareholder under laws and constitutional documents. The power of attorney will
remain in force and irrevocable during the term each shareholder remains as a shareholder of Shanghai Zihe.
Equity Pledge Agreement. Shanghai Manyin, Shanghai Zihe, and the shareholders of Shanghai Zihe entered into an equity pledge agreement
on March 21, 2018. Pursuant to the equity pledge agreement, each shareholder of Shanghai Zihe has pledged all of his equity interest in Shanghai Zihe
to Shanghai Manyin to guarantee the performance by such shareholder and Shanghai Zihe of their respective obligations under the loan agreement, the
business operation agreement (including the power of attorney), the exclusive option agreement and the exclusive technology consulting and service
framework agreement. If Shanghai Zihe or any of its shareholders breaches any obligations under these agreements, Shanghai Manyin, as pledgee, will
be entitled to dispose of the pledged equity and have priority to be compensated by the proceeds from the disposal of the pledged equity. Each of the
shareholders of Shanghai Zihe agrees that before his obligations under the contractual arrangements are discharged, he will not dispose of the pledged
equity interests, create or allow any encumbrance on the pledged equity interests, or take any action which may result in the change of the pledged
equity that may have material adverse effects on the pledgee’s rights under this agreement without the prior written consent of Shanghai Zihe. The
equity pledge agreement will remain effective until Shanghai Zihe and its shareholders discharge all their obligations under the contractual arrangements
and the pledgee consents such discharge in writing. We have completed the registration of the equity pledge with the relevant office of the
Administration for Industry and Commerce in accordance with the PRC Property Rights Law.
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Agreement that allows us to receive economic benefits from Shanghai Zihe
Exclusive Technology Consulting and Service Framework Agreement. Shanghai Manyin, and Shanghai Zihe entered into an exclusive
technology consulting and service framework agreement on March 21, 2018. Pursuant to this agreement, Shanghai Manyin or its designated party has
the exclusive right to provide Shanghai Zihe with technical support, consulting services and other services. Without prior written consent from Shanghai
Manyin, Shanghai Zihe shall not accept any technical support and services covered by this agreement from any third party. The service fees Shanghai
Zihe is going to pay to Shanghai Manyin shall be determined on a case-by-case basis based on the content of technology consulting and service, level of
difficulty and complexity, time spend by Shanghai Manyin and its employees, the commercial value of the technology consulting and service to be
provided by Shanghai Manyin and the revenue Shanghai Zihe generates due to the technology consulting and service provided by Shanghai Manyin.
Shanghai Manyin shall own the intellectual property rights arising out of the provisions of services under this agreement. Unless Shanghai Manyin
terminates this agreement in advance, this agreement will remain effective for 30 years, renewable upon Shanghai Manyin’s advance written notice.
Although this agreement can be terminated by mutual agreement between Shanghai Manyin and Shanghai Zihe, Shanghai Zihe has no right to
unilaterally terminate this agreement.
Agreement that provides us with the option to purchase the equity interest in Shanghai Zihe
Exclusive Option Agreement. Shanghai Manyin, Shanghai Zihe, and the shareholders of Shanghai Zihe entered into an exclusive option
agreement on March 21, 2018. Pursuant to the exclusive option agreement, the shareholders of Shanghai Zihe have irrevocably granted Shanghai
Manyin or any third party designated by Shanghai Manyin an exclusive option to purchase all of their respective equity interests in Shanghai Zihe at the
lowest price permitted by the PRC laws. The shareholders of Shanghai Zihe will immediately gift Shanghai Manyin or any third party designated by
Shanghai Manyin with the purchase price after Shanghai Manyin or any third party designated by Shanghai Manyin exercises the option. The
shareholders of Shanghai Zihe agree that without their separate consent, Shanghai Manyin may transfer all or part of its option under this agreement to a
third party. Without prior written consent from Shanghai Manyin or its designated third party, Shanghai Zihe shall not, among other things, amend its
articles of association, increase or decrease the registered capital, sell, dispose of or set any encumbrance on its assets, business or revenue outside the
ordinary course of business, enter into any material contract, merge with any other persons or make any investments, distribute dividends, or enter into
any transactions which have material adverse effects on its business. The shareholders of Shanghai Zihe also jointly and severally undertake that they
will not transfer, gift or otherwise dispose of their equity interests in Shanghai Zihe to any third party or create or allow any encumbrance on their equity
interests within the term of this agreement. This agreement will remain effective for 30 years, renewable upon Shanghai Manyin’s advance written
notice.
Contractual Arrangements with Shanghai Ledao
The following is a summary of the currently effective contractual arrangements by and among our wholly-owned subsidiary, Shanghai
Manyin, our variable interest entity, Shanghai Ledao, and the shareholders of Shanghai Ledao.
Agreements that provide us with effective control over Shanghai Ledao
Loan Agreement. Shanghai Manyin entered into a loan agreement with each of the shareholders of Shanghai Ledao, namely Mr. Lizhong
Chen and Mr. Yejun Jiang in January 14, 2019. Under the loan agreements, Shanghai Manyin has granted an interest-free loan of RMB50.0 million to
the shareholders of Shanghai Ledao solely for the capital contributions to Shanghai Ledao. Upon written notice by Shanghai Manyin, the loan shall be
repaid by the shareholders of Shanghai Ledao from the proceeds received by transferring their equity interests in Shanghai Ledao to Shanghai Manyin
pursuant to the terms and conditions of the exclusive option agreement among Shanghai Manyin, Shanghai Ledao, and the shareholders of Shanghai
Ledao. If the proceeds received by the shareholders of Shanghai Ledao from such transferring is higher than the principal of the loan, the amount
exceeding the principal shall be deemed as cost for using the principal and shall be paid, to the extent permitted by laws, to Shanghai Manyin together
with the principal. Shanghai Manyin has the right to request repayment of the loan before maturity.
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Business Operation Agreement. Shanghai Manyin, Shanghai Ledao, and the shareholders of Shanghai Ledao entered into a business
operation agreement on January 14, 2019. Pursuant to this agreement, Shanghai Ledao and its shareholders agree that to the extent permitted by law,
they will accept and strictly execute instructions from Shanghai Manyin on business operations, such as appointment of directors and senior
management. Shanghai Ledao and its shareholders further agree that, without prior written consent of Shanghai Manyin, Shanghai Ledao will not take
any action that may have material effects on its assets, businesses, human resources, rights, obligations, or business operations. This agreement also
requires each of Shanghai Ledao’s shareholders to issue an irrevocable power of attorney authorizing Shanghai Manyin or any person(s) designated by
Shanghai Manyin to execute shareholders’ rights on behalf of such shareholder. Unless terminated in advance pursuant this agreement, this agreement
will remain effective for 30 years, renewable upon advance written notice by Shanghai Manyin.
Power of Attorney. Through a power of attorney dated January 14, 2019, each shareholder of Shanghai Ledao irrevocably authorizes
Shanghai Manyin or any person(s) designated by Shanghai Manyin to act as his or her attorney-in-fact to exercise all of such shareholder’s voting and
other rights associated with the shareholder’s equity interest in Shanghai Ledao, such as the right to call a shareholders’ meeting, join a shareholders’
meeting and sign any shareholders resolutions; the right to nominate and appoint legal representative, directors, supervisors, general manager, chief
financial officer and other officers, as well as all rights a shareholder may have as a shareholder under laws and constitutional documents. The power of
attorney will remain in force and irrevocable during the term each shareholder remains as a shareholder of Shanghai Ledao.
Equity Pledge Agreement. Shanghai Manyin, Shanghai Ledao, and the shareholders of Shanghai Ledao entered into an equity pledge
agreement on January 14, 2019. Pursuant to the equity pledge agreement, each shareholder of Shanghai Ledao has pledged all of his equity interest in
Shanghai Ledao to Shanghai Manyin to guarantee the performance by such shareholder and Shanghai Ledao of their respective obligations under the
loan agreement, the business operation agreement (including the power of attorney), the exclusive option agreement and the exclusive technology
consulting and service framework agreement. If Shanghai Ledao or any of its shareholders breaches any obligations under these agreements, Shanghai
Manyin, as pledgee, will be entitled to dispose of the pledged equity and have priority to be compensated by the proceeds from the disposal of the
pledged equity. Each of the shareholders of Shanghai Ledao agrees that before his obligations under the contractual arrangements are discharged, he will
not dispose of the pledged equity interests, create or allow any encumbrance on the pledged equity interests, or take any action which may result in the
change of the pledged equity that may have material adverse effects on the pledgee’s rights under this agreement without the prior written consent of
Shanghai Ledao. The equity pledge agreement will remain effective until Shanghai Ledao and its shareholders discharge all their obligations under the
contractual arrangements and the pledgee consents such discharge in writing. We have completed the registration of the equity pledge with the relevant
office of the Administration for Industry and Commerce in accordance with the PRC Property Rights Law.
Agreement that allows us to receive economic benefits from Shanghai Ledao
Exclusive Technology Consulting and Service Framework Agreement. Shanghai Manyin, and Shanghai Ledao entered into an exclusive
technology consulting and service framework agreement on January 14, 2019. Pursuant to this agreement, Shanghai Manyin or its designated party has
the exclusive right to provide Shanghai Ledao with technical support, consulting services and other services. Without prior written consent from
Shanghai Manyin, Shanghai Ledao shall not accept any technical support and services covered by this agreement from any third party. The service fees
Shanghai Ledao is going to pay to Shanghai Manyin shall be determined on a case-by-case basis based on the content of technology consulting and
service, level of difficulty and complexity, time spend by Shanghai Manyin and its employees, the commercial value of the technology consulting and
service to be provided by Shanghai Manyin and the revenue Shanghai Ledao generates due to the technology consulting and service provided by
Shanghai Manyin. Shanghai Manyin shall own the intellectual property rights arising out of the provisions of services under this agreement. Unless
Shanghai Manyin terminates this agreement in advance, this agreement will remain effective for 30 years, renewable upon Shanghai Manyin’s advance
written notice. Although this agreement can be terminated by mutual agreement between Shanghai Manyin and Shanghai Ledao, Shanghai Ledao has no
right to unilaterally terminate this agreement.
Agreement that provides us with the option to purchase the equity interest in Shanghai Ledao
Exclusive Option Agreement. Shanghai Manyin, Shanghai Ledao, and the shareholders of Shanghai Ledao entered into an exclusive option
agreement on January 14, 2019. Pursuant to the exclusive option agreement, the shareholders of Shanghai Ledao have irrevocably granted Shanghai
Manyin or any third party designated by Shanghai Manyin an exclusive option to purchase all of their respective equity interests in Shanghai Ledao at
the lowest price permitted by the PRC laws. The shareholders of Shanghai Ledao will immediately gift Shanghai Manyin or any third party designated
by Shanghai Manyin with the purchase price after Shanghai Manyin or any third party designated by Shanghai Manyin exercises the option. The
shareholders of Shanghai Ledao agree that without their separate consent, Shanghai Manyin may transfer all or part of its option under this agreement to
a third party. Without prior written consent from Shanghai Manyin or its designated third party, Shanghai Ledao shall not, among other things, amend
its articles of association, increase or decrease the registered capital, sell, dispose of or set any encumbrance on its assets, business or revenue outside
the ordinary course of business, enter into any material contract, merge with any other persons or make any investments, distribute dividends, or enter
into any transactions which have material adverse effects on its business. The shareholders of Shanghai Ledao also jointly and severally undertake that
they will not transfer, gift or otherwise dispose of their equity interests in Shanghai Ledao to any third party or create or allow any encumbrance on their
equity interests within the term of this agreement. This agreement will remain effective for 30 years, renewable upon Shanghai Manyin’s advance
written notice.
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Contractual Arrangements with Shanghai Nianqiao
The following is a summary of the currently effective contractual arrangements by and among our wholly-owned subsidiary, Shanghai
Manyin, our variable interest entity, Shanghai Nianqiao, and the shareholders of Shanghai Nianqiao.
Agreements that provide us with effective control over Shanghai Nianqiao
Loan Agreement. Shanghai Manyin entered into a loan agreement with each of the shareholders of Shanghai Nianqiao, namely Mr. Zhouhao
Gu and Mrs. Xiumeng Chen in November 29, 2018. Under the loan agreements, Shanghai Manyin has granted an interest-free loan of RMB50.0 million
to the shareholders of Shanghai Nianqiao solely for the capital contributions to Shanghai Nianqiao. Upon written notice by Shanghai Manyin, the loan
shall be repaid by the shareholders of Shanghai Nianqiao from the proceeds received by transferring their equity interests in Shanghai Nianqiao to
Shanghai Manyin pursuant to the terms and conditions of the exclusive option agreement among Shanghai Manyin, Shanghai Nianqiao, and the
shareholders of Shanghai Nianqiao. If the proceeds received by the shareholders of Shanghai Nianqiao from such transferring is higher than the
principal of the loan, the amount exceeding the principal shall be deemed as cost for using the principal and shall be paid, to the extent permitted by
laws, to Shanghai Manyin together with the principal. Shanghai Manyin has the right to request repayment of the loan before maturity.
Business Operation Agreement. Shanghai Manyin, Shanghai Nianqiao, and the shareholders of Shanghai Nianqiao entered into a business
operation agreement on November 29, 2018. Pursuant to this agreement, Shanghai Nianqiao and its shareholders agree that to the extent permitted by
law, they will accept and strictly execute instructions from Shanghai Manyin on business operations, such as appointment of directors and senior
management. Shanghai Nianqiao and its shareholders further agree that, without prior written consent of Shanghai Manyin, Shanghai Nianqiao will not
take any action that may have material effects on its assets, businesses, human resources, rights, obligations, or business operations. This agreement also
requires each of Shanghai Nianqiao’s shareholders to issue an irrevocable power of attorney authorizing Shanghai Manyin or any person(s) designated
by Shanghai Manyin to execute shareholders’ rights on behalf of such shareholder. Unless terminated in advance pursuant this agreement, this
agreement will remain effective for 30 years, renewable upon advance written notice by Shanghai Manyin.
Power of Attorney. Through a power of attorney dated November 29, 2018, each shareholder of Shanghai Nianqiao irrevocably authorizes
Shanghai Manyin or any person(s) designated by Shanghai Manyin to act as his or her attorney-in-fact to exercise all of such shareholder’s voting and
other rights associated with the shareholder’s equity interest in Shanghai Nianqiao, such as the right to call a shareholders’ meeting, join a shareholders’
meeting and sign any shareholders resolutions; the right to nominate and appoint legal representative, directors, supervisors, general manager, chief
financial officer and other officers, as well as all rights a shareholder may have as a shareholder under laws and constitutional documents. The power of
attorney will remain in force and irrevocable during the term each shareholder remains as a shareholder of Shanghai Nianqiao.
Equity Pledge Agreement. Shanghai Manyin, Shanghai Nianqiao, and the shareholders of Shanghai Nianqiao entered into an equity pledge
agreement on November 29, 2018. Pursuant to the equity pledge agreement, each shareholder of Shanghai Nianqiao has pledged all of his equity interest
in Shanghai Nianqiao to Shanghai Manyin to guarantee the performance by such shareholder and Shanghai Nianqiao of their respective obligations
under the loan agreement, the business operation agreement (including the power of attorney), the exclusive option agreement and the exclusive
technology consulting and service framework agreement. If Shanghai Nianqiao or any of its shareholders breaches any obligations under these
agreements, Shanghai Manyin, as pledgee, will be entitled to dispose of the pledged equity and have priority to be compensated by the proceeds from
the disposal of the pledged equity. Each of the shareholders of Shanghai Nianqiao agrees that before his obligations under the contractual arrangements
are discharged, he will not dispose of the pledged equity interests, create or allow any encumbrance on the pledged equity interests, or take any action
which may result in the change of the pledged equity that may have material adverse effects on the pledgee’s rights under this agreement without the
prior written consent of Shanghai Nianqiao. The equity pledge agreement will remain effective until Shanghai Nianqiao and its shareholders discharge
all their obligations under the contractual arrangements and the pledgee consents such discharge in writing. We have completed the registration of the
equity pledge with the relevant office of the Administration for Industry and Commerce in accordance with the PRC Property Rights Law.
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Agreement that allows us to receive economic benefits from Shanghai Nianqiao
Exclusive Technology Consulting and Service Framework Agreement. Shanghai Manyin, and Shanghai Nianqiao entered into an exclusive
technology consulting and service framework agreement on November 29, 2018. Pursuant to this agreement, Shanghai Manyin or its designated party
has the exclusive right to provide Shanghai Nianqiao with technical support, consulting services and other services. Without prior written consent from
Shanghai Manyin, Shanghai Nianqiao shall not accept any technical support and services covered by this agreement from any third party. The service
fees Shanghai Nianqiao is going to pay to Shanghai Manyin shall be determined on a case-by-case basis based on the content of technology consulting
and service, level of difficulty and complexity, time spend by Shanghai Manyin and its employees, the commercial value of the technology consulting
and service to be provided by Shanghai Manyin and the revenue Shanghai Nianqiao generates due to the technology consulting and service provided by
Shanghai Manyin. Shanghai Manyin shall own the intellectual property rights arising out of the provisions of services under this agreement. Unless
Shanghai Manyin terminates this agreement in advance, this agreement will remain effective for 30 years, renewable upon Shanghai Manyin’s advance
written notice. Although this agreement can be terminated by mutual agreement between Shanghai Manyin and Shanghai Nianqiao, Shanghai Nianqiao
has no right to unilaterally terminate this agreement.
Agreement that provides us with the option to purchase the equity interest in Shanghai Nianqiao
Exclusive Option Agreement. Shanghai Manyin, Shanghai Nianqiao, and the shareholders of Shanghai Nianqiao entered into an exclusive
option agreement on November 29, 2018. Pursuant to the exclusive option agreement, the shareholders of Shanghai Nianqiao have irrevocably granted
Shanghai Manyin or any third party designated by Shanghai Manyin an exclusive option to purchase all of their respective equity interests in Shanghai
Nianqiao at the lowest price permitted by the PRC laws. The shareholders of Shanghai Nianqiao will immediately gift Shanghai Manyin or any third
party designated by Shanghai Manyin with the purchase price after Shanghai Manyin or any third party designated by Shanghai Manyin exercises the
option. The shareholders of Shanghai Nianqiao agree that without their separate consent, Shanghai Manyin may transfer all or part of its option under
this agreement to a third party. Without prior written consent from Shanghai Manyin or its designated third party, Shanghai Nianqiao shall not, among
other things, amend its articles of association, increase or decrease the registered capital, sell, dispose of or set any encumbrance on its assets, business
or revenue outside the ordinary course of business, enter into any material contract, merge with any other persons or make any investments, distribute
dividends, or enter into any transactions which have material adverse effects on its business. The shareholders of Shanghai Nianqiao also jointly and
severally undertake that they will not transfer, gift or otherwise dispose of their equity interests in Shanghai Nianqiao to any third party or create or
allow any encumbrance on their equity interests within the term of this agreement. This agreement will remain effective for 30 years, renewable upon
Shanghai Manyin’s advance written notice.
In the opinion of Grandall Law Firm (Shanghai), our PRC counsel:
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•
•
•
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•
the ownership structures of Shanghai Guangjian and Beijing Paipairongxin are in compliance with PRC laws or regulations currently
in effect;
the ownership structures of Shanghai Manyin and Shanghai Zihe are in compliance with PRC laws or regulations currently in effect;
the ownership structures of Shanghai Manyin and Shanghai Nianqiao are in compliance with PRC laws or regulations currently in
effect;
the ownership structures of Shanghai Manyin and Shanghai Ledao are in compliance with PRC laws or regulations currently in
effect;
the contractual arrangements among Shanghai Guangjian, Shanghai Shanghu (with respect to the business operation agreement and
the exclusive technology consulting and service agreement only), Beijing Paipairongxin, the shareholders of Beijing Paipairongxin
and Shanghai PPDai (with respect to the exclusive technology consulting and service agreement only) governed by PRC law are
valid, binding and enforceable under PRC law, and do not and will not result in any violation of applicable PRC laws or regulations
currently in effect;
the contractual arrangements among Shanghai Manyin, Shanghai Zihe and the shareholders of Shanghai Zihe governed by PRC law
are valid, binding and enforceable under PRC law, and do not and will not result in any violation of applicable PRC laws or
regulations currently in effect;
the contractual arrangements among Shanghai Manyin, Shanghai Nianqiao and the shareholders of Shanghai Nianqiao governed by
PRC law are valid, binding and enforceable under PRC law, and do not and will not result in any violation of applicable PRC laws
or regulations currently in effect; and
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•
the contractual arrangements among Shanghai Manyin, Shanghai Ledao and the shareholders of Shanghai Ledao governed by PRC
law are valid, binding and enforceable under PRC law, and do not and will not result in any violation of applicable PRC laws or
regulations currently in effect.
However, there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current and future PRC laws, regulations and
rules. In particular, in January 2015, the MOC published a discussion draft of the proposed Foreign Investment Law for public review and comments.
Among other things, the draft Foreign Investment Law expands the definition of foreign investment and introduces the principle of “actual control” in
determining whether a company is considered a foreign-invested enterprise, or an FIE. Under the draft Foreign Investment Law, variable interest entities
would also be deemed as FIEs, if they are ultimately “controlled” by foreign investors, and be subject to restrictions on foreign investments. However,
the draft law has not taken a position on what actions will be taken with respect to the existing companies with the “variable interest entity” structure,
whether or not these companies are controlled by Chinese parties. It is uncertain when the draft would be signed into law and whether the final version
would have any substantial changes from the draft. Accordingly, the PRC regulatory authorities may in the future take a view that is contrary to the
above opinion of our PRC counsel. If the PRC government finds that the agreements that establish the structure for operating our online consumer
finance marketplace business do not comply with PRC government restrictions on foreign investment in value-added telecommunications services
business, such as the internet content provision services, we could be subject to severe penalties, including being prohibited from continuing operations.
See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure—If the PRC government deems that the contractual
arrangements in relation to Shanghai Zihe and Beijing Paipairongxin, our variable interest entities, and its subsidiaries, and Beijing Paipairongxin’s
subsidiaries, in particular Shanghai PPDai, do not comply with PRC regulatory restrictions on foreign investment in the relevant industries, or if these
regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our
interests in those operations,” “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—We may be adversely affected
by the complexity, uncertainties and changes in PRC regulation of internet-related businesses and companies, and any lack of requisite approvals,
licenses or permits applicable to our business may have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations,” “Item 3. Key
Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Uncertainties in the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws and
regulations could limit the legal protections available to us,” and “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in
China—Substantial uncertainties exist with respect to the enactment timetable, interpretation and implementation of draft PRC Foreign Investment Law
and how it may impact the viability of our current corporate structure, corporate governance and business operations.”
D.
Property, Plants and Equipment
Our corporate headquarters is located in Shanghai, where we lease office space with an area of approximately 25,111 square meters as of
the date of this annual report. For our customer services and loan collection services, we lease an area of approximately 4,140 square meters in Wuxi,
approximately 3,352 square meters in Changsha, approximately 9,528 square meters in Hefei, and approximately 2,665 square meters in Zhengzhou.
We also lease office space in Beijing. We lease our premises from unrelated third parties under operating lease agreements. The lease term varies from
one year to five years. Our servers are primarily hosted at internet data centers owned by major domestic internet data center providers. We believe that
our existing facilities are generally adequate to meet our current needs, but we expect to seek additional space as needed to accommodate future growth.
ITEM 4A. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon, and should be read in conjunction with, our
audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes included in this annual report on Form 20-F. This report contains forward-looking
statements. See “Forward-Looking Statements” on page 1 of this annual report. In evaluating our business, you should carefully consider the
information provided under the caption “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors” in this annual report on Form 20-F. We caution you that our
businesses and financial performance are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties.
A. Operating Results
Overview
We are a leading online consumer finance marketplace in China with strong brand recognition. Launched in 2007, we are the first online
consumer finance marketplace in China connecting unserved or underserved borrowers and investors by traditional financial institutions, according to
iResearch. As of December 31, 2018, we had over 88.9 million registered users.
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We strategically focus on serving borrowers between the ages of 20 and 40, the young generation that is typically more receptive to internet
financial services and many of whom have very limited or no credit record. We primarily offer short-term loans to our borrowers to meet their
immediate credit needs while allowing them to gradually establish their credit history through activities on our platform.
We provide investors with an opportunity to invest in an emerging asset class—consumer loans—through a variety of investment options.
Investors may subscribe to loans based on the profiles of approved borrowers listed on our platform, use automated investing tools or enroll in various
investment programs. We offer attractive risk-adjusted returns supported by a set of comprehensive risk management procedures. To meet investors’
demands for liquidity, we have also established a secondary loan market.
We generate revenues primarily from fees charged to borrowers for our services in matching them with investors and for other services we
provide over the loan lifecycle. We have experienced rapid growth in recent years. Our operating revenues grew from RMB1.2 billion in 2016 to
RMB3.9 billion in 2017, and further to RMB4.3 billion (US$623.6 million) in 2018. A substantial portion of our operating revenues for these periods
were attributable to fees charged to borrowers. Our net profit increased from RMB501.5 million in 2016 to RMB1.1 billion in 2017 and further to
RMB2.5 billion (US$359.2 million) in 2018. Our total assets as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and 2018 were RMB2.1 billion, RMB8.6 billion and
RMB13.1 billion (US$1.9 billion), respectively.
General Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations
Our business and results of operations are affected by general factors affecting China’s online consumer finance marketplace industry,
which include, among other things:
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•
China’s overall economic growth,
per capita disposable income,
fluctuation of interest rates,
development of regulatory environment for the China’s online consumer finance industry, and
growth of mobile internet penetration, including the popularity of smart mobile devices.
Unfavorable changes in any of these general industry conditions could negatively affect demand for our services. For example, in August
2017, the Shanghai financial regulatory authorities required Shanghai PPDai to provide certain undertakings with respect to its “business scale.”
Accordingly, Shanghai PPDai has undertaken to ensure that its “business scale” (which we understand, based on our communication with the
authorities, refers to the outstanding balance of loans invested by individual investors facilitated by our Shanghai operations) does not exceed the total
outstanding balance of loans invested through our platform as of June 30, 2017 which amounted to RMB20.6 billion (US$3.0 billion), until March 31,
2018 or as otherwise specified by relevant regulatory authorities in the future, which we believe to be the completion of registration with Shanghai
financial regulatory authorities. Circular 175 further requires that normal intermediaries, which are defined as large-scale online lending information
intermediaries that are strictly in compliance with relevant laws and regulations and have not demonstrated any high-risk characteristics, shall strictly
control and manage the business scale and the number of investors. As of March 31, 2018, the total outstanding balance of loans invested by individual
investors facilitated by Shanghai PPDai was close to, but did not exceed, the upper limit imposed by the authorities. See “Item 3. Key Information—D.
Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—The laws and regulations governing online consumer finance industry in China are developing and
evolving and subject to changes. If we fail to comply with existing and future applicable laws, regulations or requirements of local regulatory
authorities, our business, financial condition and results of operations would be materially and adversely affected” for more information.
Specific Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations
While our business is exposed to general factors affecting the online consumer finance industry in China, we believe our results of
operations are more directly affected by company specific factors, including the following major factors.
Ability to Maintain and Expand our Borrower Base in a Cost-Effective Manner
Our revenues are dependent on our ability to acquire new borrowers and retain and increase engagement of existing borrowers. In 2016,
2017 and 2018, we served approximately 3.4 million, 8.7 million and 6.8 million borrowers, respectively. We use various means, including mobile app
stores, search engine marketing, online advertising and online partnerships, to attract new borrowers. We are continuously seeking to improve and
optimize user experience to achieve a high level of borrower satisfaction, which helps to attract and retain borrowers. We will also continue to develop
new loan products to enhance engagement of our borrowers.
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Our results of operations and ability to sustain and increase loan volumes will depend, in part, on the effectiveness of our sales and
marketing efforts. Our sales and marketing expenses were 29.2%, 20.2% and 16.6% of our total operating revenues in 2016, 2017 and 2018,
respectively. The significant decrease in our sales and marketing expenses as a percentage of our total operating revenues was attributable to our efforts
to optimize effectiveness of borrower acquisition, an increase in revenues contribution by existing borrowers and in 2018, the decline in online customer
acquisition expenses. We intend to continuously dedicate significant resources to borrower acquisition and improve the effectiveness of these efforts.
Ability to Maintain and Expand our Investor Base
Our revenues are also dependent on the growth in our investor base. The number of individual investors who invested through our
marketplace was over 240,000 in 2016, over 307,000 in 2017 and over 249,000 in 2018. We have also had increased investments from institutional
funding partners. Going forward, we will continue to retain existing investors and attract new investors by providing diversified investment options,
offering attractive returns and enhanced investing tools to meet their varied investment objectives. From time to time, we will also offer incentives to
encourage investments through our marketplace.
Maintenance of Effective Risk Management
Our ability to effectively segment borrowers into appropriate risk profiles impacts our ability to attract and retain borrowers and investors as
well as our ability to offer investors attractive risk-adjusted returns, both of which directly relate to users’ confidence in our marketplace. We intend to
optimize our fraud detection capabilities, improve accuracy of our credit scoring model and enhance our collection effectiveness on a continuing basis
through the combination of our big-data analytical capabilities and the increasing amount of data we accumulate through our operations.
Furthermore, we have established a quality assurance fund mechanism to protect individual investors from potential losses resulting from
delinquent loans. Historically, we also had several investor reserve funds to protect individual investors from underperformance of investment programs.
See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Risk Management—Investor Protection.” We determine the contributions to these
funds based on the estimated loan delinquency rates. For our institutional funding partners, we provide quality assurance commitment to our
institutional funding partners for the loans extended by our institutional funding partners to borrowers introduced by us and are subject to the credit risk
of such loans. Our ability to accurately estimate loan delinquency rates and our ability to collect delinquent loans have an impact on the balance of the
quality assurance fund, the investor reserve funds, and the amount we need to pay our institutional funding partners under our quality assurance
commitment to our institutional funding partners, which have an impact on our consolidated statements of comprehensive income/(loss). See “—Critical
Accounting Policies, Judgments and Estimates— Quality Assurance Payable and Receivable,” “—Critical Accounting Policies, Judgments and
Estimates—Financial Guarantee Derivative,” and “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—Our cooperation with
institutional funding partners may expose us to regulatory uncertainties and we may be required to obtain additional government approval or license due
to our cooperation with institutional funding partners.”
Ability to Price Accurately
Our profitability largely depends on our ability to reasonably price the loans facilitated through our marketplace. We implement segmented
pricing for our standard loan products, which contributed a majority of our revenues in the periods presented in this annual report. Prospective
borrowers for our standard loan products are divided into eight segments based on our proprietary credit scoring model: Level I applicants have the
lowest risk of default whereas Level VIII loan applicants, whose applications will be rejected, have the highest risk of default. The transaction fee rate
that we charge borrowers for standard loan products varies depending on their respective credit levels and duration of the underlying loan.
Ability to Innovate
Our growth to date has depended on, and our future success will depend in part on, successfully meeting borrower and investor demand for
new loan products and innovative investment options. We have made and intend to continue to make substantial investments to develop loan products
and investment options for borrowers and investors. For borrowers, we plan to introduce new features and products that meet their evolving financial
needs at different stages of their lives. For investors, we will continue expanding our investment product portfolio to meet their needs for different target
returns, risk preferences, investment horizon and liquidity requirements. In addition, we plan to provide investors with enhanced tools to increase their
investment efficiency and promote greater transparency so that investors are able to better monitor and manage their investments on our marketplace.
Failure to continue to successfully develop and offer innovative products could adversely affect our operating results and we may not recoup the costs of
launching and marketing new products.
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In addition, our success to date is largely attributable to our ability to seamlessly integrate the use of technologies into provision of financial
services. We have being focusing on leveraging our big-data analytics and machine learning capabilities to increase the automation level of our platform
and optimize our operational efficiency in various aspects. As our business grows, we will continue to invest in strengthening our technology
infrastructure, which may result in the increase of our origination and servicing expenses.
Ability to Compete Effectively
We compete for both borrowers and investors with a variety of players in the consumer finance industry, ranging from traditional financial
institutions to emerging online finance providers and marketplaces. We must compete effectively in order to grow our platform and increase our
revenues. We intend to continue to invest in product development, technology infrastructure and our sales and marketing capabilities to address the
competition we face.
Loan Performance Data
Delinquency Rate by Balance
We define delinquency rate as the balance of the outstanding principal for loans that were 15 to 29, 30 to 59, 60 to 89, 90 to 119, 120 to 149
and 150 to 179 calendar days past due as a percentage of the total outstanding balance of principal for the loans on our platform as of a specific date.
Loans that are delinquent for 180 days or more are typically charged-off and are not included in the delinquency rate calculation. The following table
provides the delinquency rates for all outstanding loans on our platform as of the respective dates indicated. Since the origination amount of our
standard loan products accounted for the vast majority of the total amount of loans facilitated through our platform for the periods presented, the
delinquency information below mainly reflects the performance of our standard loan products. Historical delinquency rates by balance were relatively
stable. The delinquency rates in late 2017 were relatively higher than previous delinquency rates primarily due to a sudden adverse change in market
conditions. The delinquency rates have since then declined.
March 31, 2016
June 30, 2016
September 30, 2016
December 31, 2016
March 31, 2017
June 30, 2017
September 30, 2017
December 31, 2017
March 31, 2018
June 30, 2018
September 30, 2018
December 31, 2018
15-29 days
0.62%
0.82%
0.83%
0.63%
0.57%
0.86%
0.89%
2.27%
0.87%
0.83%
1.03%
0.92%
30-59 days
0.93%
1.01%
1.11%
0.91%
0.95%
1.11%
1.40%
2.21%
2.10%
1.21%
1.77%
1.63%
Delinquent for
60-89 days
0.72%
0.63%
0.80%
0.75%
0.79%
0.79%
1.15%
1.72%
2.43%
1.05%
1.49%
1.41%
90-119 days
0.61%
0.43%
0.63%
0.79%
0.59%
0.51%
1.02%
1.63%
3.83%
0.98%
1.29%
1.45%
120-149 days
0.48%
0.47%
0.49%
0.69%
0.54%
0.55%
0.79%
1.36%
2.29%
1.60%
1.06%
1.44%
150-179 days
0.32%
0.44%
0.39%
0.57%
0.51%
0.52%
0.60%
1.20%
1.89%
2.03%
1.02%
1.34%
Delinquency Rate by Vintage
We refer to loans facilitated during a specified time period as a vintage. We define vintage delinquency rate as (i) the total amount of
principal for all loans in a vintage that become delinquent, less (ii) the total amount of recovered past due principal for all loans in the same vintage, and
divided by (iii) the total amount of initial principal for all loans in such vintage. Loans that have been charged-off are included in the calculation of
vintage delinquency rates.
84
The following chart and table display the historical cumulative 30-day plus past due delinquency rates by loan origination vintage for all
continuing loan products facilitated through our online marketplace:
(1)
(2)
(3)
Our vintage delinquency rate for loans facilitated during 2016 was 4.94%, calculated as the volume weighted average of the quarterly vintage
delinquency rates at the end of the 12th month following the inception of each loan in an applicable vintage.
Our vintage delinquency rate for loans facilitated during 2017 was 6.82%, calculated as the volume weighted average of the quarterly vintage
delinquency rates at the end of the 12th month following the inception of each loan in an applicable vintage.
As of December 31, 2018, our vintage delinquency rate for loans facilitated during the first three quarters was 4.79%, calculated as the volume
weighted average of the quarterly vintage delinquency rates as of December 31, 2018. As loans facilitated during 2017 continue to age, the
delinquency rate for the 2018 vintage, calculated as the volume weighted average of the quarterly vintage delinquency rates at the end of the
12th month following the inception of each loan in an applicable vintage, may be different from the vintage delinquency rate of 4.79% as of
December 31, 2018.
Vintage
2016Q1
2016Q2
2016Q3
2016Q4
2017Q1
2017Q2
2017Q3
2017Q4
2018Q1
2018Q2
2018Q3
2nd
1.00
1.75
1.67
1.29
1.20
1.72
1.82
2.51
1.35
1.75
1.42
3rd
1.57
2.49
2.45
2.07
2.01
2.89
2.93
4.12
2.18
3.08
2.48
4th
2.21
3.21
2.96
2.66
2.68
3.81
4.08
5.16
2.97
4.35
—
85
5th
2.82
3.77
3.47
3.15
3.32
4.55
5.16
5.68
3.65
5.43
—
Month on Book
7th
3.77
4.39
4.11
3.97
4.33
5.78
6.64
6.18
4.85
—
—
6th
3.33
4.17
3.87
3.59
3.87
5.14
6.13
5.97
4.30
6.31
—
8th
4.09
4.59
4.27
4.32
4.68
6.32
6.88
6.29
5.22
—
—
9th
4.33
4.76
4.44
4.62
4.98
6.79
7.04
6.39
5.50
—
—
10th
4.45
4.88
4.59
4.88
5.33
7.05
7.16
6.47
—
—
—
11th
4.57
4.94
4.70
5.07
5.61
7.19
7.22
6.50
—
—
—
12th
4.59
4.96
4.77
5.18
5.80
7.24
7.26
6.50
—
—
—
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth a summary of our consolidated results of operations for the periods presented, both in absolute amount and as
a percentage of our total operating revenues for the periods presented. This information should be read together with our consolidated financial
statements and related notes included elsewhere in this annual report. The results of operations in any period are not necessarily indicative of our future
trends.
Operating revenues:
Loan facilitation service fees
Post-facilitation service fees
Other revenue
Changes in expected discretionary payment to investors
protected by investor reserve funds
Total operating revenues
Net interest income/(expense) and loan provision losses:
Net interest income
Loan provision losses
Net interest income/(expense) and loan provision losses
Net revenues
Operating expenses:
Origination and servicing expenses
Sales and marketing expenses
General and administrative expenses
Provision for doubtful accounts
Total operating expenses
Other income/(expenses)(2)
Profit before income tax expenses
Income tax expense
Net profit
2016
RMB
%
For the Year Ended December 31,
2017
RMB
%
(in thousands, except for percentages)
RMB
2018(1)
US$
911,448
126,823
170,403
75.4
10.5
14.1
2,843,287
668,819
491,400
73.0
17.2
12.6
2,919,234
922,797
376,915
424,585
134,215
54,820
%
68.1
21.5
8.8
—
1,208,674
—
100.0
(107,660)
3,895,846
(2.8)
100.0
68,619
4,287,565
9,980
623,600
1.6
100.0
3.5
(2.9)
0.6
100.6
(32.1)
(29.2)
(19.7)
—
41,789
(34,705)
7,084
1,215,758
(388,149)
(352,952)
(237,808)
—
(978,909)
312,908
549,757
(48,267)
501,490
31,377
(46,586)
(15,209)
3,880,637
0.8
(1.2)
(0.4)
99.6
256,108
(192,749)
63,359
4,350,924
37,249
(28,034)
9,215
632,815
(974,522)
(788,291)
(588,664)
—
(81.0) (2,351,477)
(171,542)
25.9
1,357,618
45.5
(274,711)
(4.0)
1,082,907
41.5
(25.1)
(20.2)
(15.1)
—
(985,571) (143,345)
(710,754) (103,375)
(701,353) (102,008)
(15,512)
(106,652)
(60.4) (2,504,330) (364,240)
(4.4)
34.8
(7.0)
27.8
774,063
2,620,657
(151,206)
2,469,451
112,584
381,159
(21,992)
359,167
6.0
(4.5)
1.5
101.5
(23.0)
(16.6)
(16.4)
(2.4)
(58.4)
18.1
61.2
(3.5)
57.7
(1)
(2)
On January 1, 2018, we adopted new revenue guidance ASC Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” using the modified
retrospective method applied to those contracts the performance of which was not completed as of January 1, 2018. Results for reporting periods
beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under Topic 606, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in
accordance with our historic accounting method under Topic 605.
The following table sets forth the breakdown of our other income/(expenses):
2016
RMB
%
For the Year Ended December 31,
2017
RMB
%
(in thousands, except for percentages)
RMB
2018
US$
%
Other income/(expenses):
Gain from quality assurance
Realized gain/(loss) from financial guarantee derivatives
Fair value change of financial guarantee derivatives
Gain from disposal of a subsidiary
Other income/(expenses), net
Total other income/(expenses)
8.3
2.7
12.1
1.7
1.1
25.9
5,885
169,103
(383,061)
—
36,531
(171,542)
0.2
4.3
(9.8)
—
0.9
(4.4)
510,894
(157,244)
272,057
—
148,356
774,063
74,307
(22,870)
39,569
—
21,578
112,584
11.9
(3.7)
6.3
—
3.5
18.0
99,961
31,999
146,653
20,611
13,684
312,908
86
Revenues
Our operating revenues include loan facilitation service fees, post-facilitation service fees and other revenues. We generate revenues
primarily from fees charged to borrowers.
Loan facilitation service fees
For each loan facilitated on our platform, we charge a transaction fee to the borrower at certain percentage of the loan principal and allocate
such fee between loan facilitation services and post-facilitation services that we provide. Loan facilitation service fees are the portion of transaction fees
charged to borrowers in relation to the work we perform through our platform in connecting borrowers with investors and facilitating the origination of
loan transactions. The rate of the transaction fees varies depending on the type, pricing and term of the underlying loan. Currently, rates of transaction
fees range from 1.4% to 12.0% for our standard loan products.
2018 Compared to 2017. Loan facilitation service fees increased by 2.7% to RMB2,919.2 million (US$424.6 million) in 2018 from
RMB2,843.3 million in 2017, primarily due to the old revenue recognition standard ASC 605 used in 2017. Under ASC 605, transaction fees collected
on a monthly basis are considered contingent and therefore not allocable until received. Under ASC 606, all transaction price is allocated to the
performance obligations in the arrangement irrespective of whether additional goods or services need to be provided before the transaction fee is paid.
The average rate of transaction fees charged to borrowers was 6.77% in 2018, compared with 6.5% in 2017.
2017 Compared to 2016. Loan facilitation service fees increased by 212.0% from RMB911.4 million in 2016 to RMB2.8 billion in 2017,
primarily attributable to the substantial increase in the total origination amount of loans facilitated through our platform, which increased from
approximately RMB19.9 billion in 2016 to RMB65.5 billion in 2016. The increase in the loan origination amount was primarily driven by the increase
in number of unique borrowers we served from approximately 3.4 million in 2016 to approximately 8.7 million in 2017. The average rate of transaction
fees charged to borrowers was 6.5% in 2017, compared to 6.4% in 2016.
Post-facilitation service fees
Post-facilitation service fees are the portion of transaction fees charged to borrowers in relation to services we provide after loan origination,
such as repayment facilitation and loan collection.
2018 Compared to 2017. Post-facilitation service fees increased by 38.0% to RMB922.8 million (US$134.2 million) in 2018 from
RMB668.8 million in 2017, primarily due to (i) the rolling impact of deferred transaction fees, and (ii) the adoption of ASC 606 effective January 1,
2018, pursuant to which we reallocated loan collection fees of RMB125.2 million (US$18.2 million) recorded previously under other revenue to post-
facilitation service fees.
2017 Compared to 2016. Post-facilitation service fees increased significantly by 427.4% from RMB126.8 million in 2016 to
RMB668.8 million in 2017, primarily attributable to the substantial increase in the origination amount of loans facilitated through our platform and the
rolling impact of deferred transaction fees.
Other revenue
Other revenue mainly includes collection fees charged to borrowers, management fees charged to investors who subscribe to investment
programs that invest in loans protected by the quality assurance fund, and services fees charged to investors for selling loans over our secondary loan
market.
2018 Compared to 2017. Other revenue decreased by 23.3% to RMB376.9 million (US$54.8 million) in 2018 from RMB491.4 million in
2017, primarily due to the adoption of ASC 606 effective January 1, 2018, pursuant to which we reallocated loan collection fees recorded previously
under other revenue to loan facilitation fees and post-facilitation fees. This was partially offset by an increase in management fees we received from
investment programs that invest in loans protected by the quality assurance fund.
2017 Compared to 2016. Other revenue increased by 188.4% from RMB170.4 million in 2016 to RMB491.4 million in 2017, primarily
attributable to an increase in collection fees due to increased amount of delinquent loans, which resulted from the substantial increase in the total amount
of loans facilitated on our platform.
87
Changes in expected discretionary payment to investors protected by investor reserve funds
Expected discretionary payment to investors protected by investor reserve funds represents a one-off voluntary provision we made in
December 2017 to compensate investors who invested in investment programs we offered before January 1, 2018 for potential differences between the
lower limits of estimated rates of return of the investment programs they invested in and the expected returns of the underlying loans corresponding to
those investment programs. In 2018, due the changes in the market environment, we experienced improved loan performance in investment programs
protected by investor reserve funds. As the actual default rate was lower than previously expected, RMB68.6 million of discretionary payment provision
was reversed to reflect expected future payout in 2018.
Net interest income and loan provision gains/(losses)
In 2018, we recorded RMB316.2 million (US$46.0 million) interest income, RMB60.1 million (US$8.7 million) interest expenses and
RMB192.7 million (US$28.0 million) loan provision losses, compared to RMB47.0 million interest income, RMB15.6 million interest expenses and
RMB46.6 million loan provision losses in 2017.
A substantial portion of our interest income, interest expenses and loan provision losses in 2018 was related to the trusts we set up for the
purpose of serving institutional funding partners. Since September 2016, as part of our efforts to develop new products offerings for institutional funding
partners, we have set up, either by ourselves or with other institutional funding partners, numerous trusts. Those trusts are administered by third-party
trust companies. We are considered the primary beneficiary of those trusts under U.S. GAAP. We have consolidated the financial results of those trusts
in our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In 2018, we recorded total interest income of RMB304.2 million (US$44.2
million), total interest expense of RMB57.7 million (US$8.4 million), and a total loan provision loss of RMB173.4 million (US$25.2 million) in relation
to those trusts. In 2017, we recorded total interest income of RMB45.0 million, total interest expense of RMB14.4 million, and a total loan provisions
loss of RMB44.4 million in relation to trusts. See note 4 of our consolidated financial statement attached hereto for more details of those trusts.
In 2017, we recorded RMB47.0 million interest income, RMB15.6 million interest expenses and RMB46.6 million loan provision losses,
compared to RMB60.0 million interest income, RMB18.2 million interest expenses and RMB34.7 million loan provision losses in 2016. A substantial
portion of our interest income, interest expenses and loan provision losses in 2017 was related to the trusts we set up for the purpose of serving
institutional funding partners. Since September 2016, as part of our efforts to develop new products offerings for institutional funding partners, we have
set up, either by ourselves or with other institutional funding partners, several trusts. Those trusts are administered by third-party trust companies. We
are considered the primary beneficiary of those trusts under U.S. GAAP. We have consolidated the financial results of those trusts in our consolidated
financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In 2017, we recorded total interest income of RMB45.0 million and a total loan provision loss of
RMB44.4 million in relation to those trusts. In 2016, we recorded total interest income of RMB1.1 million and a total loan provisions loss of
RMB1.1 million in relation to the first trust we set up in 2016. See note 4 of our consolidated financial statement attached hereto for more details of
those trusts.
To improve efficiency in loan facilitation, we used to invest in under-subscribed loans on our platform using our own funds in certain
circumstances, but gradually ceased this practice. As of the date of this annual report, all outstanding balance of such investments had been settled.
Interest income and interest expenses generated from and loan provision losses associated with such investments were reported in our consolidated
statements of comprehensive income/(loss) for the periods presented.
Operating Expenses
Our operating expenses consist of origination and servicing expenses, sales and marketing expenses and general and administrative
expenses. We expect our operating expenses to increase in absolute amount in the foreseeable future as our business grows.
Origination and servicing expenses
Origination and servicing expenses consist primarily of expenses for credit assessment, loan origination, salaries and benefits for the
personnel who work on credit checking, data processing and analysis, loan origination, customer service and loan collection.
2018 Compared to 2017. Our origination and servicing expenses increased by 1.1% to RMB985.6 million (US$143.3 million) in 2018 from
RMB974.5 million in 2017, primarily due to an increase in fees paid to third parties for loan collection services, which was largely offset by (i) a
decrease in salaries and benefits as a result of a decrease in headcount particularly for consumption loan products, and (ii) a decrease in referral fees paid
to third parties for successful loan originations. The origination and servicing expenses in 2017 and 2018 included fees of RMB84.4 million and
RMB109.7 million (US$16.0 million), respectively, that we paid to PPcredit Data Service (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., or PPcredit, a related party controlled by
our founders, for its data collection services. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—B. Related Party
Transactions—Transactions with PPcredit.”
88
2017 Compared to 2016. Our origination and servicing expenses increased by 151.1% from RMB388.1 million in 2016 to
RMB974.5 million in 2017, primarily due to the increase in salaries and benefits resulting from the increase in headcount particularly for our
consumption loan products and loan collection services. To a lesser extent, the increase in our origination and servicing expenses was also due to an
increase in referral fees paid to third parties for successful loan originations from RMB46.1 million in 2016 to RMB195.7 million in 2017. The
origination and servicing expenses in 2016 and 2017 included fees of RMB38.3 million and RMB84.4 million, respectively, that we paid to PPcredit
Data Service (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., or PPcredit, a related party controlled by our founders, for its data collection services. See “Item 7. Major
Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—B. Related Party Transactions—Transactions with PPcredit.”
Sales and marketing expenses
Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of advertising and online marketing promotion expenses.
2018 Compared to 2017. Our sales and marketing expenses decreased by 9.8% to RMB710.8 million (US$103.4 million) in 2018 from
RMB788.3 million in 2017, primarily due to a decline in online customer acquisition expenses from RMB482.6 million in 2017 to RMB430.2 million
(US$62.6 million) in 2018. Our online customer acquisition expenses primarily include expenses paid to internet marketing channels for online
advertising and search engine marketing as well as to certain websites that enable us to reach quality borrowers. The decline in expenses associated with
online customer acquisition was primarily due to the decrease in the number of new borrowers from 6.8 million in 2017 to approximately 3.9 million in
2018. Our sales and marketing expenses as a percentage of our total operating revenues decreased from 20.2% to 16.6% during the same period,
primarily attributable to the decline in online customer acquisition expenses and an increase in revenue contribution by existing borrowers.
2017 Compared to 2016. Our sales and marketing expenses increased by 123.3% from RMB353.0 million in 2016 to RMB788.3 million in
2017. The increase was primarily due to the increase in expenses associated with online customer acquisition, which expenses climbed from
RMB250.6 million in 2016 to RMB482.6 million in 2017. Our online borrower acquisition expenses primarily include expenses paid to internet
marketing channels for online advertising and search engine marketing as well as to certain websites that enable us to reach quality borrowers. The
increase in expenses associated with online borrower acquisition was primarily due to the increase in the number of new borrowers from 3.0 million in
2016 to approximately 6.8 million in 2017. When assessing the effectiveness of our sales and marketing programs, we generally consider borrower
acquisition costs as well as the loan default risk of borrowers acquired through these programs. To a lesser extent, the increase in the sales and
marketing expenses was due to the increased amount we paid to third-party online payment service providers for our investors and borrowers. Our sales
and marketing expenses as a percentage of our total operating revenues decreased from 29.2% to 20.2% during the same period, primarily attributable to
an increase in revenue contribution by existing borrowers.
General and administrative expenses
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and benefits related to management, research and development, finance
and administrative personnel, rental, professional service fees and other expenses.
2018 Compared to 2017. Our general and administrative expenses increased by 19.1% to RMB701.4 million (US$102.0 million) in 2018
from RMB588.7 million in 2017, primarily due to an increase in research and development costs as we continue to invest in technology. General and
administrative expenses for the period included share-based compensation of RMB50.3 million (US$7.3 million). Our general and administrative
expenses as a percentage of our total operating revenues increased from 15.1% to 16.4% during the same period, primarily because of an increase in
research and development costs.
2017 Compared to 2016. Our general and administrative expenses increased by 147.5% from RMB237.8 million in 2016 to
RMB588.7 million in 2017, primarily due to the increase in staff costs and recognition of share based compensation expenses of RMB106.2 million
related to employee options granted historically with a performance target contingent upon IPO and cancellation of the share based compensation plan
of a subsidiary company. Our general and administrative expenses as a percentage of our total operating revenues decreased from 19.7% to 15.1%
during the same period, primarily because of improved operation efficiency.
Other income
2018 Compared to 2017. We recorded other income of RMB774.1 million (US$112.6 million) in 2018, compared to a loss of
RMB171.5 million in 2017. We recorded other income in 2018 primarily because we had (i) a gain of RMB510.9 million (US$74.3 million) from
quality assurance commitment and quality assurance fund due to the growth of the loans facilitated by us that are protected by the quality assurance
commitment and quality assurance fund, and (ii) a gain of RMB272.1 million (US$39.6 million) from the fair value change of financial guarantee
derivatives due to an improvement in the default rate for the underlying loans of our investment programs protected by investor reserve funds, which
were partially offset by a realized loss of RMB157.2 million (US$22.9 million) from financial guarantee derivatives due to the maturity of certain
investment programs during the period.
89
2017 Compared to 2016. We recorded other expenses of RMB171.5 million in 2017, compared to other income of RMB312.9 million in
2016. We recorded other loss primarily because we had a negative RMB383.1 million fair value change of financial guarantee derivatives due to an
upward adjustment in the expected default rate for underlying loans investment programs protected by the investor reserve funds, which was partially
offset by (i) a gain of RMB5.9 million from the quality assurance commitment and quality assurance fund resulting from the growth in loans facilitated
by us that are protected by the quality assurance commitment and quality assurance fund, and (ii) a realized gain of RMB169.1 million from financial
guarantee derivatives due to the amount of investment programs maturing during the period.
Income tax expenses
2018 Compared to 2017. Our income tax expenses decreased from RMB274.7 million in 2017 to RMB151.2 million (US$22.0 million) in
2018, primarily due to the write-back of accrued income tax for 2017, amounting to RMB136.4 million, as one of our subsidiaries in China enjoyed a
preferential tax treatment in 2018 as a result of our “software enterprise” status recognized by relevant PRC government authorities.
2017 Compared to 2016. Our income tax expenses increased from RMB48.3 million in 2016 to RMB274.7 million in 2017, primarily due to
our improved profitability in 2017.
Net profit/(loss)
As a result of the foregoing, our net profit increased from RMB501.5 million in 2016, to RMB1,082.9 million in 2017, and further to
RMB2,469.5 million (US$359.2 million) in 2018.
Taxation
Cayman Islands
We are incorporated in the Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands currently have no income, corporation or capital gains tax and no estate
duty, inheritance tax or gift tax. The Cayman Islands does not impose a withholding tax on payments of dividends to shareholders.
Hong Kong
Our subsidiary incorporated in Hong Kong is subject to Hong Kong profit tax at a rate of 16.5%. No Hong Kong profit tax has been levied
as we did not have assessable profit that was earned in or derived from the Hong Kong subsidiary during the periods presented. Hong Kong does not
impose a withholding tax on dividends.
China
Generally, our PRC subsidiaries, variable interest entities and their respective subsidiaries, which are considered PRC resident enterprises
under PRC tax law, are subject to enterprise income tax on their worldwide taxable income as determined under PRC tax laws and accounting standards
at a rate of 25%. A “high and new technology enterprise” is entitled to a favorable statutory tax rate of 15% and such qualification is reassessed by
relevant governmental authorities every three years. Besides, a company is qualified as a “software enterprise,” that company is entitled to an exemption
of income tax for the first two fiscal years and a favorable tax rate of 12.5% from the third to the fifth year. Such qualification is reassessed by relevant
governmental authorities annually. In November 2013, one of our subsidiaries in China was qualified as a “high and new technology enterprise” and
thus was subject to a preferential statutory tax rate of 15% for 2013, 2014 and 2015. After a reassessment conducted by the relevant PRC governmental
authorities in 2016, it was confirmed that the subsidiary continued to be qualified as a “high and new technology enterprise” and therefore continued to
enjoy the preferential statutory tax rate of 15% from 2016 through 2018. Currently, the subsidiary is re-applying the “high and new technology
enterprise” status. In 2018, another subsidiary in China was recognized as a “software enterprise.” The qualification of “software company” is subject to
annual inspection which was completed in 2018. As such, we are entitled to enjoy an income tax exemption in 2017 and 2018 and a 50% reduction for
2019 through 2021.
We are subject to value added tax, or VAT, at a rate of 6% on the services we provide to borrowers and investors, less any deductible VAT
we have already paid or borne. We are also subject to surcharges on VAT payments in accordance with PRC law. VAT has been phased in since May
2012 to replace the business tax that was previously applicable to the services we provide. During the periods presented, we were not subject to business
tax on the services we provide.
90
Dividends paid by our wholly foreign-owned subsidiary in China to our intermediary holding company in Hong Kong will be subject to a
withholding tax rate of 10%, unless the relevant Hong Kong entity satisfies all the requirements under the Arrangement between the PRC and the Hong
Kong Special Administrative Region on the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income and
Capital and receives approval from the relevant tax authority. If our Hong Kong subsidiary satisfies all the requirements under the tax arrangement and
receives approval from the relevant tax authority, then the dividends paid to the Hong Kong subsidiary would be subject to withholding tax at the
standard rate of 5%. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—We rely on dividends and other
distributions on equity paid by our PRC subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have, and any limitation on the ability of our
PRC subsidiaries to make payments to us could have a material adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business.”
If our holding company in the Cayman Islands or any of our subsidiaries outside of China were deemed to be a “resident enterprise” under
the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, it would be subject to enterprise income tax on its worldwide income at a rate of 25%. See “Item 3. Key
Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—If we are classified as a PRC resident enterprise for PRC income tax
purposes, such classification could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders or ADS holders.”
Discussion of Certain Balance Sheet Items
The following table sets forth selected information from our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018. This
information should be read together with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this annual report.
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash
Short-term investments
Quality assurance receivable
Investments
Contract assets
Financial guarantee derivative assets
Total assets
Liabilities, mezzanine equity and shareholders’ equity/(deficit)
Liabilities:
Payable to platform customers
Quality assurance payable
Deferred Revenue
Provision for payment to investor reserve fund investor
Contract liabilities
Financial guarantee derivative liabilities
Total liabilities
Total mezzanine equity
Total shareholders’ equity/(deficit)
Cash and Cash Equivalents
2016
RMB
404,678
802,887
260,000
286,812
2,428
—
167,291
2,147,291
As of December 31,
2017
RMB
RMB
(in thousands)
2018
US$
1,891,131
2,392,573
1,958,910
1,152,769
12,234
—
—
8,603,663
1,616,164
3,677,557
1,694,660
2,064,366
167,501
112,103
56,287
13,142,467
235,061
534,878
246,478
300,250
24,362
16,305
8,187
1,911,494
1,113,966
421,659
2,062,844
473,704
265,094
162,896
107,660
—
—
—
215,770
—
4,921,475
1,375,069
1,210,645
—
(438,423) 3,682,188
905,034
3,819,379
—
—
165,469
—
7,156,729
—
5,985,738
131,632
555,506
—
—
24,066
—
1,040,903
—
870,591
Our cash and cash equivalents increased by 367.3% from RMB404.7 million as of December 31, 2016 to RMB1.9 billion as of
December 31, 2017, primarily due to an increase in operating cash flows resulting from our improved profitability in 2017 and also proceeds from our
IPO during the year. Our cash and cash equivalents decreased by 14.5% from RMB1.9 billion as of December 31, 2017 to RMB1.6 billion (US$235.1
million) as of December 31, 2018, primarily due to an increase in investments by us in newly established trusts during the period, funds used for share
repurchases in the open market, and reduced cash receipts from transaction fees due to the change in December 2017 from collection of transaction fees
upfront to collection in monthly installments.
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Restricted Cash
Restricted cash mainly included cash under the quality assurance commitment and in the quality assurance fund, cash in investor reserve
funds, cash received from investors and borrowers that has yet to be disbursed, cash received via consolidated trust that has not been distributed, cash
held as collateral for short-term borrowings and cash held in escrow accounts. The following table sets forth a breakdown of our restricted cash as of
December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018:
Restricted cash:
Quality assurance commitment and quality assurance fund
Investor reserve funds
Cash received from investors and borrowers
Cash received via consolidated trust that has not yet been distributed
Collateral for short-term borrowings
Escrow accounts
Total restricted cash
2016
RMB
As of December 31,
2017
RMB
RMB
(in thousands)
2018
US$
329,549
51,679
421,659
—
—
—
802,887
1,058,617
175,215
1,113,966
44,775
—
—
2,392,573
2,414,449
17,971
905,034
303,667
26,000
10,436
3,677,557
351,167
2,614
131,632
44,165
3,782
1,518
534,878
Restricted cash increased by 198.0% from RMB802.9 million as of December 31, 2016 to RMB2.4 billion as of December 31, 2017
primarily due to (i) an increase of RMB729.1 million in cash under quality assurance commitment and in the quality assurance fund resulting from the
significant growth of loans facilitated by us that are protected by quality assurance commitment and quality assurance fund in 2017, and (ii) an increase
of RMB692.3 million in cash received from investors and borrowers that has yet to be distributed due to a settlement time lag, which was attributable to
the significant growth in loans facilitated on our marketplace in 2017.
Restricted cash increased by 53.7% from RMB2.4 billion as of December 31, 2017 to RMB3.7 billion (US$534.9 million) as of
December 31, 2018, primarily due to an increase of RMB1.4 billion in cash under quality assurance commitment and in the quality assurance fund
resulting from the increase in loans facilitated by us that are protected by quality assurance commitment and quality assurance fund in 2018.
Short-term Investments
Short-term investments mainly consist of investments in time deposits placed with banks with original maturities between three months and
one year and investments in short-term wealth management products. Our short-term investments further increased by 653.4% from RMB260.0 million
as of December 31, 2016 to RMB2.0 billion as of December 31, 2017, primarily due to our increased investment in wealth management products. Our
short-term investments decreased by 13.5% from RMB2.0 billion as of December 31, 2017 to RMB1.7 billion as of December 31, 2018, primarily due
to the maturity of some of the wealth management products we purchased previously.
Quality Assurance Receivable
Quality assurance receivable increased by 301.9% from RMB286.8 million as of December 31, 2016 to RMB1.2 billion as of December 31,
2017 and further increased by 79.1% to RMB2.1 billion (US$300.3 million) as of December 31, 2018, primarily due to the growth of loans facilitated by
us that are protected by quality assurance commitment and quality assurance fund.
Provision for Payment to Investor Reserve Fund Investor
See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—A. Operating Results—Results of Operations—Revenues—Expected
Discretionary Payment to Investors Protected by Investor Reserve Funds.”
Financial Guarantee Derivative
We reported a financial guarantee derivative liability of RMB215.8 million as of December 31, 2017 primarily due to an upward adjustment
in expected default rates in the underlying loans of the investment programs that were protected by investor reserve funds, which led to a reduction of
our estimated rates of return of such investment programs to levels below the lower limit of expected investment returns to investors in such investment
programs.
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We recorded a financial guarantee derivative asset of RMB56.3 million (US$8.2 million) as of December 31, 2018 primarily due to
improvement in default rates in the underlying loans of the investment programs that were protected by investor reserve funds, and the maturity of such
investment programs.
Payable to Platform Customers
Payable to platform customers primarily represents the amount payable to investors or borrowers but was temporarily held by us due to a
settlement time lag. Payable to platform customers increased by 164.2% from RMB421.7 million as of December 31, 2016 to RMB1.1 billion as of
December 31, 2017, primarily due to the significant growth in loans facilitated on our platform and the increased investor and borrower activity on our
platform. Payable to platform customers decreased by 18.8% from RMB1.1 billion as of December 31, 2017 to RMB905.0 million (US$131.6 million)
as of December 31, 2018, primarily due to a decrease in loans facilitated on our platform.
Quality Assurance Payable
Quality assurance payable increased by 335.5% from RMB473.7 million as of December 31, 2016 to RMB2.1 billion as of December 31,
2017 and further increased by 85.2% to RMB3.8 billion (US$555.5 million) as of December 31, 2018, primarily due to the significant growth of loans
facilitated by us that are protected by quality assurance commitment and quality assurance fund.
Deferred Revenue
Deferred revenue increased from RMB162.9 million as of December 31, 2016 to RMB265.1 million as of December 31, 2017, primarily
due to the significant growth of loans facilitated by us. Deferred revenue was reclassified as contract liability under ASC 606, which we adopted on
January 1, 2018. As of December 31, 2018, we had contract liabilities of RMB165.5 million (US$24.1 million). Contract liabilities declined in 2018
primarily due to the change since December 2017 from collection of transaction fees upfront to collection in monthly installments.
Total Mezzanine Equity
Total mezzanine equity decreased from RMB1.2 billion as of December 31, 2016 to nil as of December 31, 2017, as our preferred shares
had been converted into ordinary shares upon our initial public offering. As of December 31, 2018, we recorded nil mezzanine equity due to the same
reason.
Critical Accounting Policies, Judgments and Estimates
We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which requires us to make judgments, estimates and
assumptions that affect (i) the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, (ii) disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the end of each reporting
period and (iii) the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during each reporting period. We continually evaluate these estimates and assumptions
based on historical experience, knowledge and assessment of current business and other conditions, expectations regarding the future based on available
information and reasonable assumptions, which together form a basis for making judgments about matters not readily apparent from other sources. The
use of estimates is an integral component of the financial reporting process, though actual results could differ from those estimates. Some of our
accounting policies require higher degrees of judgment than others in their application. We consider the policies discussed below to be critical to an
understanding of our financial statements as their application places the most significant demands on the judgment of our management.
Consolidation of Affiliated Entities
Foreign ownership of internet-based businesses is subject to significant restrictions under current PRC laws and regulations. The PRC
government regulates internet access, the distribution of online information and the conduct of online commerce through strict business licensing
requirements and other government regulations. These laws and regulations also include limitations on foreign ownership in PRC companies that
provide internet content distribution services.
To comply with PRC laws and regulations, we conduct our operations in China through a series of contractual arrangements entered into
between our PRC subsidiaries and our affiliated PRC entities and their respective shareholders. As a result of these contractual arrangements, we have
the ability to direct the activities of these PRC affiliates that most significantly impact their economic performance, and to obtain a majority of the
residual returns of these entities. We are considered the primary beneficiary of these entities, and accordingly these entities are our variable interest
entities under U.S. GAAP and we consolidate their results in our consolidated financial statements. Any changes in PRC laws and regulations that affect
our ability to control these entities might preclude us from consolidating these entities in the future.
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Revenue Recognition
On January 1, 2018, we adopted new revenue guidance ASC Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASC 606”), using the
modified retrospective transition approach under which our prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with
historic accounting under ASC Topic 605. The new standard did not change the presentation of our revenues. However, the timing of revenue
recognition changed under the new standard. Under ASC 605, the Company provides the loan facilitation services and post-facilitation services as
multiple derivable arrangements. Transaction fees collected in monthly instalments are considered contingent and, therefore, are not allocable to
different deliverables until the contingency is resolved (i.e. upon receipt of the monthly transaction fee). Upon adoption of ASC 606, revenue is
recognized upon successful matching of borrowers and investors using the total consideration estimated to be received and allocated to the different
performance obligations based upon their relative fair value. Other significant changes relate to timing of revenue recognition for the investment
management fee of certain investment programs. We begin to recognize revenue from investment management fee for certain types of investment
programs over the term of the investment programs, which is substantially within twelve months, rather than waiting until the maturity of the investment
program, generally twelve months after the date of issuance of the investment program. The table below sets forth the cumulative effect of the changes
made to the consolidated balance sheet as of January 1, 2018 due to the adoption of ASC Topic 606.
Assets
Accounts receivable
Deferred tax assets
Contract assets
Liabilities
Deferred revenue
Contract liabilities
Shareholders’ Deficit
Accumulated deficit
Balance at December
31, 2017
Adjustments due to
ASC Topic 606
(in thousands)
Balance at January
1, 2018
17,773
128,361
—
265,094
—
(2,398,984)
154,168
(33,303)
53,084
(265,094)
262,549
176,494
171,941
95,058
53,084
—
262,549
(2,222,490)
The table below sets forth the impact to the consolidated statement of comprehensive income as a result of adoption of ASC Topic 606:
Loan facilitation service fees
Post-facilitation service fees
Other Revenue
As reported
2,919,234
922,797
376,915
4,218,946
For the year ended December 31, 2018
Amounts without adoption
of ASC Topic 606
(in thousands)
2,141,565
773,116
793,188
3,707,869
Effect of change
777,669
149,681
(416,273)
511,077
We describe our revenue recognition policies in our consolidated financial statements.
Quality Assurance Payable and Receivable
In certain circumstances, borrowers of our online consumer finance marketplace may elect to or are required to make contributions to the
quality assurance fund. In other certain circumstances, we are required by our institutional funding partners to provide quality assurance commitment in
the event of the default of the borrowers referred by us. We record the quality assurance fund obligation and the quality assurance commitment provided
to institutional funding partners in accordance with ASC Topic 460, Guarantees. Accordingly, the liabilities are measured at their fair value at inception.
Subsequently, the liabilities are measured at the greater of the amount determined based on ASC Topic 460 and the amount determined based on ASC
Topic 450. As the risk of the quality assurance commitment and quality assurance fund liability is reduced, it is recognized into the income statement by
a systematic and rational amortization method within the “gain from quality assurance” line item of the income statement. For the years ended
December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, the amount of gains recorded were RMB100.0 million, RMB5.9 million and RMB510.9 million (US$74.3 million),
respectively.
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A quality assurance receivable is recognized at loan inception at its fair value on a loan-by-loan basis. At each reporting date, we estimate
the future cash flows and assesses whether there is any indicator of impairment to any individual underlying loan of the quality assurance receivable.
We describe our quality assurance payable and receivable policies in our consolidated financial statements.
Financial Guarantee Derivative
Historically, we provided credit enhancement to certain investors of certain investment programs through the investor reserve fund. The
investor reserve fund is accounted for in accordance with ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging. Derivative assets and liabilities within the scope of
ASC 815 are required to be recorded at fair value at inception and re-measured at fair value on an ongoing basis in accordance with ASC Topic 820,
Fair Value Measurement. We use a discounted cash flow method to determine the fair value of the derivative.
We describe our financial guarantee derivative policies in our consolidated financial statements.
Share-based Compensation
We account for various types of share-based awards granted to the employees and directors of our company in accordance with ASC Topic
718, Compensation — Stock Compensation. Under the fair value recognition provision of this guidance, compensation for share-based awards granted,
including share options and RSUs, is measured at the grant date, based on the fair value of the awards and is recognized as expense over the requisite
service period, which is generally the vesting period of the respective award.
Share-based compensation expense is recorded net of estimated forfeitures in our consolidated income statements. We estimate the
forfeiture rate based on historical forfeitures of share-based awards and adjust the rate to reflect changes when necessary.
Determining the fair value of share-based awards requires significant judgment. We estimate the fair value of share options using the
binomial option pricing model, which requires inputs such as the fair value of our ordinary shares, expected volatility, risk-free interest rate, exercise
multiple, expected dividend yield and expected term.
The fair value of RSUs is determined based on the fair value of our ordinary shares. The market price of our publicly traded ADSs is used as
an indicator of fair value for our ordinary shares.
Taxation
Current income taxes are provided on the basis of net income for financial reporting purposes, adjusted for income and expense items which
are not assessable or deductible for income tax purposes, in accordance with the regulations of the relevant tax jurisdictions. We follow the liability
method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the temporary differences
between the financial statements carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities by applying enacted statutory tax rates that will be in effect in
the period in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse. We record a valuation allowance to offset deferred tax assets if based on the
weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The effect on deferred
taxes of a change in tax rate is recognized in our consolidated financial statements in the period of change.
In accordance with the provisions of ASC 740, we recognize in our financial statements the benefit of a tax position if the tax position is
“more likely than not” to prevail based on the facts and technical merits of the position. Tax positions that meet the “more likely than not” recognition
threshold are measured at the largest amount of tax benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement. We estimate our
liability for unrecognized tax benefits which are periodically assessed and may be affected by changing interpretations of laws, rulings by tax
authorities, changes and/or developments with respect to tax audits, and expiration of the statute of limitations. The ultimate outcome for a particular tax
position may not be determined with certainty prior to the conclusion of a tax audit and, in some cases, appeal or litigation process. The actual benefits
ultimately realized may differ from our estimates. As each audit is concluded, adjustments, if any, are recorded in our financial statements in the period
in which the audit is concluded. Additionally, in future periods, changes in facts, circumstances and new information may require us to adjust the
recognition and measurement estimates with regard to individual tax positions. Changes in recognition and measurement estimates are recognized in the
period in which the changes occur. As of December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, we did not have any significant unrecognized uncertain tax positions.
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Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. We review on a periodic basis for doubtful accounts for
the outstanding trade receivable balances based on historical experience and information available. Additionally, we make specific bad debt provisions
based on (i) our specific assessment of the collectability of all significant accounts; and (ii) any specific knowledge we have acquired that might indicate
that an account is uncollectible. The facts and circumstances of each account may require us to use substantial judgment in assessing its collectability.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See note 2 to the consolidated financial statements on page F-1 for details on recent accounting pronouncements and our adoption of certain
accounting rules.
Inflation
Since our inception, inflation in China has not materially affected our results of operations. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of
China, the year-over-year percent changes in the consumer price index for December 2016, 2017 and 2018 were increases of 2.1%, 1.8% and 1.9%,
respectively. Although we have not been materially affected by inflation in the past, we may be affected if China experiences higher rates of inflation in
the future.
B.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash Flows and Working Capital
To date, we have financed our operations primarily through cash generated by operating activities. As of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and
2018, we had RMB404.7 million, RMB1.9 billion and RMB1.6 billion (US$235.1 million), respectively, in cash and cash equivalents. In
November 2017, we completed our initial public offering in which we issued and sold an aggregate of 17,000,000 ADSs, representing 85,000,000 class
A ordinary shares, resulting in net proceeds to us of approximately US$205.0 million. Concurrently with our initial public offering, we sold 19,230,769
ordinary shares to Sun Hung Kai & Co. Limited in a private placement, resulting in net proceeds to us of approximately US$49.5 million. Our cash and
cash equivalents primarily consist of cash on hand and short-term bank demand deposits. We believe that our current cash and cash equivalents and our
anticipated cash flows from operations will be sufficient to meet our anticipated working capital requirements and capital expenditures for the next 12
months. We may, however, need additional capital in the future to fund our continued operations. If we determine that our cash requirements exceed the
amount of cash and cash equivalents we have on hand at the time, we may seek to issue equity or debt securities or obtain credit facilities. The issuance
and sale of additional equity would result in further dilution to our shareholders. The incurrence of indebtedness would result in increased fixed
obligations and could result in operating covenants that might restrict our operations. We cannot assure you that financing will be available in amounts
or on terms acceptable to us, if at all.
Although we consolidate the results of Beijing Paipairongxin, one of our variable interest entities, and its subsidiaries, we only have access
to the assets or earnings of Beijing Paipairongxin and its subsidiaries through our contractual arrangements with Beijing Paipairongxin and its
shareholders. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—C. Organizational Structure.” For restrictions and limitations on liquidity and capital
resources as a result of our corporate structure, see “—Holding Company Structure.”
Substantially all of our future revenues are likely to continue to be in the form of RMB. Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations,
payments of current account items, including profit distributions, interest payments and trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, can be
made in foreign currencies without prior SAFE approval as long as certain routine procedural requirements are fulfilled. Therefore, our PRC subsidiary
is allowed to pay dividends in foreign currencies to us without prior SAFE approval by following certain routine procedural requirements. However,
current PRC regulations permit our PRC subsidiary to pay dividends to us only out of its accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with
Chinese accounting standards and regulations. Our PRC subsidiary is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits after making up previous
years’ accumulated losses each year, if any, to fund certain reserve funds until the total amount set aside reaches 50% of its registered capital. These
reserves are not distributable as cash dividends. Furthermore, capital account transactions, which include foreign direct investment and loans, must be
approved by and/or registered with SAFE and its local branches. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in
China—Governmental control of currency conversion may limit our ability to utilize our net revenues effectively and affect the price of our ADSs.”
96
On January 1, 2018, we adopted ASU 2016-18, which requires us to retrospectively restate the statement of cash flows to include restricted
cash and restricted cash equivalents. The following table sets forth a summary of our restated cash flows for the periods presented:
Summary Consolidated Cash Flows Data:
Net cash provided by operating activities
Net cash used in investing activities
Net cash provided by financing activities
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year
Operating Activities
For the Year Ended December 31,
2016
RMB
2017
RMB
2018
RMB
US$
(in thousands)
1,088,227
(684,112)
438,701
845,309
362,256
1,207,565
3,409,451
(2,450,800)
2,132,933
3,076,139
1,207,565
4,283,704
1,884,956
(1,447,013)
530,097
1,010,017
4,283,704
5,293,721
274,153
(210,460)
77,100
146,900
623,039
769,939
Net cash provided by operating activities was RMB1.9 billion (US$274.2 million) in 2018. In 2018, the difference between our net cash
provided by operating activities and our net profit of RMB2.5 billion (US$359.2 million) resulted mainly from an increase in quality assurance payable
of RMB1.8 billion (US$255.5 million), which was partially offset by an increase in quality assurance receivable of RMB911.6 million (US$132.6
million), an increase in accounts receivable of RMB746.8 million (US$108.6 million), an increase in financial guarantee derivative assets and
discretionary payment of RMB379.7 million (US$55.2 million), and a gain in investment in loans of RMB256.1 million (US$37.2 million). The
increases in quality assurance payable and receivable were primarily due to the growth of loans facilitated on our platform that are protected by the
quality assurance fund. The increase in accounts receivable was primarily due to the increase in receivables on transaction fees charged to borrowers as
we changed to collecting transaction fees on a monthly basis in late 2017 from an upfront collection model previously. The increase in financial
guarantee derivative assets was primarily due to improvement in default rates in the underlying loans of the investment programs that were protected by
investor reserve funds, and the maturity of such investment programs. The gain in investment in loans was primarily due to the interest income from
loans held by consolidated trusts.
Net cash provided by operating activities was RMB3.4 billion in 2017. In 2017, the difference between our net cash provided by operating
activities and our net profit of RMB1.1 billion resulted mainly from an increase in payable to platform customers of RMB692.3 million, an increase in
financial guarantee derivative assets and discretionary payment of RMB490.7 million, an increase in quality assurance payable of RMB1,589.1 million,
which was partially offset by an increase in quality assurance receivable of RMB866.0 million, an increase in taxes payable of RMB171.9 million, an
increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities of RMB108.4 million, share-based compensation of RMB106.2 million, and an increase in deferred
revenue of RMB102.2 million, which were partially offset by an increase in prepaid expenses and other assets of RMB70.7 million, and a decrease in
deferred tax assets of RMB112.6 million. The increase in financial guarantee derivative assets and discretionary payment was due to an upward
adjustment in the expected default rate for underlying loans of certain investment programs that are protected by the investor reserve funds and a one-off
voluntary provision we made in December 2017 to compensate investors who invested in investment programs that are protected by the investor reserve
funds we offered previously for potential difference between the lower limits of estimated rates of return of the investment programs they invested in
and the expected returns of the underlying loans corresponding to those investment programs. The increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities was
due to the increase in accrued marketing expenses. The share-based compensation was related to employee options granted historically with a
performance target contingent upon IPO and cancellation of the share based compensation plan of a subsidiary company. The increase in deferred
revenue was primarily due to the increase in fees related to post-facilitation services owing to the significant increase in loans facilitated on our
platform.
Net cash provided by operating activities was RMB1.1 billion in 2016. In 2016, the difference between our net cash provided by operating
activities and our net profit of RMB501.5 million resulted from an increase in quality assurance payable of RMB348.1 million, which was partially
offset by an increase in quality assurance receivable of RMB171.3 million, an increase in deferred revenue of RMB149.2 million, an increase in taxes
payable of RMB54.5 million, an increase in payroll and welfare payable of RMB49.9 million, an increase in payable to platform customers of
RMB245.5 million, a decrease in financial guarantee derivative assets and discretionary payment of RMB146.7 million, an increase in accounts
receivable of RMB43.8 million, provision for loan losses of RMB34.7 million, and an increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities of
RMB34.3 million. The increase in deferred revenue was primarily due to the increase in fees related to post-facilitation services owing to the significant
increase in loans facilitated on our platform.
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Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was RMB1.4 billion (US$210.5 million) in 2018, which was mainly attributable to cash paid for
purchase of short-term investments (mainly wealth management products) in an amount of RMB12.8 billion (US$1.9 billion), and cash paid for
investment in loans originated and held by us in an amount of RMB4.3 billion (US$630.0 million), which were partially offset by proceeds from short-
term investments in an amount of RMB13.1 billion (US$1.9 billion) from maturity of wealth management products.
Net cash used in investing activities was RMB2.5 billion in 2017, which was mainly attributable to cash paid for purchase of short-term
investments (mainly wealth management products) in an amount of RMB8.1 billion, and cash paid for investment in loans originated and held by us in
an amount of RMB1.0 billion, which were partially offset by proceeds from short-term investments in an amount of RMB6.5 billion from maturity of
wealth management products.
Net cash used in investing activities was RMB684.1 million in 2016, which was attributable to investments in loans facilitated on our
platform in an amount of RMB1.5 billion, cash paid for purchase of short-term investments in an amount of RMB292.8 million, mainly investments in
money market funds, and purchase of property, equipment and software in an amount of RMB29.8 million, which were partially offset by collection of
loans facilitated on our platform in an amount of RMB1.0 billion, and proceeds of short-term investments in an amount of RMB68.5 million from
maturity of money market funds.
Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities was RMB530.1 million (US$77.1 million) in 2018, which was mainly attributable to the
RMB1.2 billion (US$172.1 billion) cash we received from our institutional funding partners that invested in our consolidated trusts, which was partially
offset by proceeds used for the repurchase of our ADSs in an amount of RMB452.3 million (US$65.8 million).
Net cash provided by financing activities was RMB2.1 billion in 2017, which was mainly attributable to proceeds from issuance of ordinary
shares in an amount of RMB1.7 billion in connection with our IPO.
Net cash provided by financing activities was RMB438.7 million in 2016, which was attributable to cash received by our former subsidiary
Shanghai Hepai from its customers in the amount of RMB1.3 billion, partially offset by cash paid by Shanghai Hepai to its customers in the amount of
RMB822.2 million.
Capital Expenditures
We made capital expenditures of RMB29.8 million, RMB90.9 million and RMB83.6 million (US$12.2 million) in 2016, 2017 and 2018,
respectively. In these periods, our capital expenditures were mainly used for purchases of property, equipment and software. Our capital expenditures
for 2019 are expected to be approximately RMB100 million (US$14.5 million), consisting primarily of expenditures related to the expansion and
enhancement of our IT infrastructure. We will continue to make capital expenditures to meet the expected growth of our business.
Holding Company Structure
PPDAI Group Inc. is a holding company with no material operations of its own. We conduct our operations primarily through our
subsidiary, one variable interest entity and its subsidiaries in China. As a result, PPDAI Group Inc.’s ability to pay dividends depends upon dividends
paid by our PRC subsidiary. If our existing PRC subsidiary or any newly formed ones incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments
governing their debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends to us. In addition, our wholly foreign-owned subsidiary in China is permitted to pay
dividends to us only out of its retained earnings, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. Under PRC law,
each of our subsidiaries and variable interest entity is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund certain statutory
reserve funds until such reserve funds reach 50% of its registered capital. In addition, each of our subsidiaries may allocate a portion of its after-tax
profits based on PRC accounting standards to enterprise expansion funds and staff bonus and welfare funds at its discretion, and our variable interest
entity may allocate a portion of its after-tax profits based on PRC accounting standards to a discretionary surplus fund at its discretion. The statutory
reserve funds and the discretionary funds are not distributable as cash dividends. Remittance of dividends by a wholly foreign-owned company out of
China is subject to examination by the banks designated by SAFE. Our PRC subsidiaries have not paid dividends and will not be able to pay dividends
until they generate accumulated profits and meet the requirements for statutory reserve funds.
98
C.
Research and Development, Patents, and Licenses, etc.
See “Item 4. Information On the Company—B. Business Overview—Technology” and “Item 4. Information On the Company—B. Business
Overview—Intellectual Property.”
D.
Trend Information
Other than as disclosed elsewhere in this annual report, we are not aware of any trends, uncertainties, demands, commitments or events for
the year ended December 31, 2018 that are reasonably likely to have a material and adverse effect on our net revenues, income, profitability, liquidity or
capital resources, or that would cause the disclosed financial information to be not necessarily indicative of future results of operations or financial
conditions.
E. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
For the loans funded by our institutional funding partners, we provide cash deposit to certain institutional funding partners with our own
funds at an amount equal to a certain percentage of their total investment and, in some cases, are required to replenish such deposit from time to time to
compensate such investors’ potential loss due to potential loan delinquency. In addition, we are obligated under our agreements with institutional
funding partners to repay the full overdue amount to institutional funding partners if a borrower defaults. Under each of these arrangements, we bear
credit risks of the loans we facilitate and record quality assurance commitment liability accordingly. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B.
Business Overview—Investor Protection—Quality Assurance Commitment for Institutional Funding Partners” and “Item 5. Operating and Financial
Review and Prospects—A. Operating Results—Critical Accounting Policies, Judgments and Estimates—Quality assurance payable and receivable.”
We have not entered into any derivative contracts that are indexed to our shares and classified as shareholder’s equity or that are not
reflected in our consolidated financial statements. Furthermore, we do not have any retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to an
unconsolidated entity that serves as credit, liquidity or market risk support to such entity. We do not have any variable interest in any unconsolidated
entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit support to us or engages in leasing, hedging or product development services with us.
F.
Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations
The following table sets forth our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2018:
Total
2019
2020
2021
2022
RMB
US$
RMB
US$
RMB
RMB
US$
RMB
US$
After 2022
RMB US$
Operating lease obligations
159,170
23,150
58,406
8,495
45,077
40,221
5,850
14,826
2,156
640
93
US$
(in thousands)
6,556
Our operating lease obligations relate to our leases of office premises. We lease our office premises under non-cancelable operating lease
arrangements. Rental expenses under operating leases for 2017 and 2018 were RMB42.0 million and RMB62.1 million (US$9.0 million).
Other than those shown above, we did not have any significant capital and other commitments, long-term obligations, or guarantees as of
December 31, 2018.
G.
Safe Harbor
See “Forward-Looking Statements” on page 1 of this annual report.
99
ITEM 6.
DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
A.
Directors and Senior Management
The following table sets forth information regarding our directors and executive officers as of the date of this annual report.
Directors and Executive Officers
Jun Zhang
Tiezheng Li
Honghui Hu
Shaofeng Gu
Ronald Cao
Jimmy Y. Lai
Bing Xiang
Feng Zhang
Simon Tak Leung Ho
Jinqi Si
Yuxiang Wang
Ming Gu
Jiayuan Xu
Age
41
34
41
40
45
62
56
43
45
39
39
37
38
Position/Title
Chairman of the Board, Co-Chief Executive Officer
Vice Chairman of the Board, Chief Strategy Officer
Director, President
Director, Chief Innovation Officer
Director
Independent Director
Independent Director
Co-Chief Executive Officer
Chief Financial Officer
Chief Technology Officer
Chief Product Officer
Chief Data Officer and Chief Risk Officer
Senior Vice President for Finance
Mr. Jun Zhang is one of our four co-founders and has been serving as our co-chief executive officer since September 2018, a director since
September 2011 and chairman of our board of directors since December 2016. Mr. Zhang was our chief executive officer from January 2011 to
September 2018. Mr. Zhang served as the operation manager at Wicresoft, a provider of “Internet +” transition service jointly founded by Microsoft
Corporation and Shanghai Alliance Investment Limited, from October 2008 to July 2010. Prior to that, Mr. Zhang served as a technical lead of
Microsoft Global Technical Engineering Center since 2001. Prior to that, Mr. Zhang worked at Shanghai Online E-Biz Co., Ltd. as a coder and
programmer from 2000 to 2001. Mr. Zhang received his bachelor’s degree in communication science and engineering and master’s degree in industrial
engineering from Shanghai Jiaotong University in China.
Mr. Tiezheng Li is one of our four co-founders and has been serving as our vice chairman of the board since September 2018, a director
since March 2015, and our chief strategy officer since July 2017. Mr. Li also served as our chief operating officer from April 2015 to July 2017 and our
chief risk officer from January 2011 to April 2015. Prior to founding Paipaidai, Mr. Li served as a risk manager at China Minsheng Banking
Corporation Limited from 2006 to 2011. Mr. Li received his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Shanghai Jiaotong University in China and
FMBA degree from China Europe International Business School in China.
Mr. Honghui Hu is one of our four co-founders and has been serving as our president since January 2011 and director since September
2011. Prior to founding Paipaidai, Mr. Hu worked in the legal industry as a lawyer and a senior partner at several PRC law firms from 2001 to 2009.
From 2000 to 2001, Mr. Hu served as a loan officer in Shanghai Branch of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited. Mr. Hu received his
bachelor’s degree in economics from Shanghai Jiaotong University in China and master’s degree in economics from Fudan University in China.
Mr. Shaofeng Gu is one of our four co-founders and has been serving as our director since April 2009 and the chief innovation officer since
March 219. Mr. Gu served as our strategy adviser from December 2016 to March 2019, chief strategy officer from August 2014 to December 2016,
chief technology officer from January 2011 to August 2014 and chief executive officer from 2007 to 2011. Prior to founding Paipaidai, Mr. Gu was the
founder and the chief executive officer of Shanghai Jufei Internet Technology Co., Ltd. (Podlook), a startup running podcast aggregation business, from
2005 to 2007. Prior to founding Podlook, Mr. Gu served as a technical lead of Microsoft Corporation from 2000 to 2005. Mr. Gu received his bachelor’s
degree in communication science and engineering from Shanghai Jiaotong University in China.
Mr. Ronald Cao has been serving as our director since February 2014. Mr. Cao is the founder and managing director of Sky9 Capital, a
China-centric early-stage focused technology venture capital firm established in 2016. Mr. Cao also co-founded Lightspeed China Partners and has been
managing the investments and operations of Lightspeed China Partners I, L.P. and Lightspeed China Partners II, L.P. since November 2011. Prior to
founding Lightspeed China Partners, Mr. Cao served as the managing director of Lightspeed Venture Partners and as managing director of KLM
Capital, a cross-border US/China venture capital firm. Mr. Cao currently serves on the boards of privately owned portfolio companies and is also a
member of the Forum of Young Global Leaders by the World Economic Forum. Mr. Cao received his bachelor of science degree and master of
engineering degree in electrical engineering and computer science from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Mr. Cao has been named by Forbes
China as one of China’s top venture capitalist over multiple years.
100
Mr. Jimmy Y. Lai has been serving as our independent director since November 2017. Mr. Lai served as the chief financial officer of China
Online Education Group, a leading online education platform in China listed on the NYSE, from June 2015 to December 2018. Prior to joining China
Online Education Group in 2015, Mr. Lai served as the chief financial officer for several companies, including Chukong Technologies Corp., a leading
mobile entertainment platform company in China, from 2013 to 2015, Gamewave Corporation, a leading webgame company in China, from 2011 to
2013, Daqo New Energy Corp., an NYSE-listed company and a leading polysilicon manufacturer based in China, from 2009 to 2011, Linktone Ltd., a
NASDAQ-listed company and a leading provider of wireless interactive entertainment services to consumers in China, from 2008 to 2009 and Palm
Commerce Holdings, a leading information technology solution provider for the China lottery industry, from 2006 to 2008. Prior to that, Mr. Lai served
as an associate vice president of investor relations at Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation, a company listed on the NYSE and the
Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, from 2002 to 2006, and as a controller and director of financial planning at AMX Corporation from
1997 to 2001. Mr. Lai received his MBA from the University of Texas at Dallas and his bachelor’s degree in statistics from the National Cheng Kung
University in Taiwan. Mr. Lai is a certified public accountant licensed in the State of Texas.
Mr. Bing Xiang has been serving as our independent director since November 2017. Mr. Xiang currently serves as an independent director
of multiple public companies listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, including Asiasec Properties Limited, Sinolink Worldwide Holdings Limited
and Longfor Properties Co. Ltd. Mr. Xiang is the founding dean of the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business and has been a professor there since
2002. Prior to that, Mr. Xiang was a professor, a PhD advisor and the director of EMBA at Guanghua School of Management, Peking University, from
1999 to 2001. He has also taught at Chinese University of Hong Kong, China Europe International Business School, Hong Kong University of Science
and Technology and the University of Calgary. Mr. Xiang received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Xi’an Jiaotong University and
a PhD degree in finance and accounting from the University of Alberta.
Mr. Feng Zhang has been serving as our co-chief executive officer since September 2018. Mr. Zhang also served as our chief operating
officer from July 2017 to September 2018 and our chief risk officer from April 2015 to July 2017. Prior to joining us, Mr. Zhang held various positions
including analyst, senior analyst, manager, senior manager, head of yield management, and senior director at Capital One Financial Services, a
diversified bank that offers a broad array of financial products and services, from 2003 to 2015. Mr. Zhang received his bachelor’s degree in computer
science from Tsinghua University, master’s degree in computer science from Chinese Academy of Science, master’s degree in computer science from
Virginia Tech, and MBA degree from Duke University, The Fuqua School of Business.
Mr. Simon Tak Leung Ho has been serving as our chief financial officer since September 2016. Prior to joining us, Mr. Ho served various
positions at Citigroup Global Markets Asia Limited from 2008 to 2016 including managing director and head of Asian financials research. Mr. Ho
received his bachelor of engineering degree from Northwestern University, Illinois. Mr. Ho is also a Chartered Financial Analyst.
Mr. Jinqi Si joined us in September 2017 and has been serving as our chief technology officer since December 2017. Prior to joining us,
Mr. Si served as a vice president of technology at China Reading Limited of Tencent Group from November 2014 to September 2017. Mr. Si served as a
vice president of product and chief technology officer at Shanda Literature Limited from December 2006 to November 2014. Mr. Si received his
bachelor’s degree in computer science and technology from Lanzhou University of Technology in China.
Mr. Yuxiang Wang has been serving as our chief product officer since June 2015. Prior to joining us, Mr. Wang served as the vice president
of product at Opera Software ASA, a Norwegian software company, from 2013 to 2015. Mr. Wang worked at Baidu.com as a product head of Baidu
mobile browser from 2012 to 2013. Mr. Wang served as the product director at TeleNav, a company providing location-based services including
navigation, from 2009 to 2012. Prior to that, Mr. Wang served as a senior product manager at MiTAC Research (Shanghai) Ltd., an electronics
company, from 2002 to 2009. Mr. Wang received his bachelor’s degree in communication engineering from Jiangsu University in China and his
master’s degree in software engineering from Fudan University in China.
Mr. Ming Gu has been serving as our chief data officer since February 2017 and chief risk officer since July 2017. Mr. Gu joined us in April
2014 and served various positions before serving as our chief data officer. Prior to joining us, Mr. Gu worked at Opera Solutions, a company providing
big-data analytics and data services to clients in the financial sector, as an analytics manager from January 2010 to April 2014. Mr. Gu received his
bachelor’s degree in computer science from Grinnell College, Iowa and PhD degree in computation and neural systems from California Institute of
Technology.
Mr. Jiayuan Xu has been serving as our senior vice president for finance since March 2018. Mr. Xu served as the vice president for finance
from June 2016 to March 2018. Mr. Xu joined us as our financial controller in June 2015. Prior to joining us, Mr. Xu served as the head of financial
management department of Nanyang Commercial Bank (China) Co., Ltd. from 2008 to 2015. Mr. Xu was an audit manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers
Zhong Tian LLP from 2003 to 2008. Mr. Xu received his bachelor’s degree in international trade and finance from Shanghai Jiaotong University in
China and FMBA degree from China Europe International Business School. Mr. Xu is also a member of Chinese Institute of Certified Public
Accountants.
101
B.
Compensation
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, we paid an aggregate of approximately RMB26.2 million (US$3.8 million) in cash to our
directors and officers. We have not set aside or accrued any amount to provide pension, retirement or other similar benefits to our executive officers and
directors. Our PRC subsidiaries and our variable interest entities are required by law to make contributions equal to certain percentages of each
employee’s salary for his or her pension insurance, medical insurance, unemployment insurance and other statutory benefits and a housing provident
fund.
Employment Agreements and Indemnification Agreements
We have entered into employment agreements with each of our executive officers. Under these agreements, each of our executive officers is
employed for a specified time period. We may terminate employment for cause, at any time, without advance notice or remuneration, for certain acts of
the executive officer, such as conviction or plea of guilty to a felony or any crime involving moral turpitude, negligent or dishonest acts to our
detriment, or misconduct or a failure to perform agreed duties. We may also terminate an executive officer’s employment without cause upon three-
month advance written notice. In such case of termination by us, we will provide severance payments to the executive officer as expressly required by
applicable law of the jurisdiction where the executive officer is based. The executive officer may resign at any time with a three-month advance written
notice.
Each executive officer has agreed to hold, both during and after the termination or expiry of his or her employment agreement, in strict
confidence and not to use, except as required in the performance of his or her duties in connection with the employment or pursuant to applicable law,
any of our confidential information or trade secrets, any confidential information or trade secrets of our clients or prospective clients, or the confidential
or proprietary information of any third party received by us and for which we have confidential obligations. The executive officers have also agreed to
disclose in confidence to us all inventions, designs and trade secrets which they conceive, develop or reduce to practice during the executive officer’s
employment with us and to assign all right, title and interest in them to us, and assist us in obtaining and enforcing patents, copyrights and other legal
rights for these inventions, designs and trade secrets.
In addition, each executive officer has agreed to be bound by non-competition and non-solicitation restrictions during the term of his or her
employment and typically for one year following the last date of employment. Specifically, each executive officer has agreed not to (i) approach our
suppliers, clients, customers or contacts or other persons or entities introduced to the executive officer in his or her capacity as a representative of us for
the purpose of doing business with such persons or entities that will harm our business relationships with these persons or entities; (ii) assume
employment with or provide services to any of our competitors, or engage, whether as principal, partner, licensor or otherwise, any of our competitors,
without our express consent; or (iii) seek directly or indirectly, to solicit the services of any of our employees who is employed by us on or after the date
of the executive officer’s termination, or in the year preceding such termination, without our express consent.
We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers. Under these agreements, we may agree
to indemnify our directors and executive officers against certain liabilities and expenses incurred by such persons in connection with claims made by
reason of their being a director or officer of our company.
Share Incentive Plan
2013 Plan
In June 2013, our board of directors approved our stock option plan, as amended, or the 2013 Plan, to provide incentives to employees,
directors and consultants and promote the success of our business. The maximum number of ordinary shares that may be issued under the 2013 Plan is
221,917,800. As of the completion of our initial public offering, options to purchase 134,455,800 Class A ordinary shares had been granted and
outstanding but no ordinary shares underlying those options are issued and outstanding due to the exercisability restriction before the initial public
offering of our ordinary shares. As of March 31, 2019, options to purchase 131,063,150 Class A ordinary shares were granted and outstanding under the
2013 Plan and 91,877,050 Class A ordinary shares underlying those options were issued and outstanding.
The following paragraphs describe the principal terms of the 2013 Plan.
Type of Awards. The 2013 Plan permits the awards of options.
Plan Administration. The 2013 Plan will be administered by our board of directors or by the compensation committee, which will be
authorized by our board. The plan administrator has the power and authority to determine the persons who are eligible to receive awards, the number of
awards, as well as other terms and conditions of awards.
102
Award Agreement. Any award granted under the 2013 Plan is evidenced by an award agreement that sets forth terms, conditions and
limitations for such award, which may include the number of options awarded, the exercise price, the provisions applicable in the event of the grantee’s
employment or service terminates, among other provisions. The plan administrator may amend the terms of any award, prospectively or retroactively;
provided that no such amendment shall impair the rights of any participant without his or her consent.
Eligibility. We may grant awards to directors, officers, employees and consultants of our company or any of our subsidiaries.
Vesting Schedule. Except as otherwise approved by the plan administrator and subject to forfeiture and arrangement on termination of
employment or service, 25% of the shares subject to the option shall become vested on the first anniversary of the vesting commencement date, with the
remaining 75% to vest annually thereafter in three equal installments. If a change of control event occurs, such participant’s options will be immediately
vested and exercisable.
Exercise of Options. Vested options will become exercisable after an initial public offering of our ordinary shares, subject to other terms
and conditions provided in the relevant award agreements. Once all the preconditions are met, a participant may exercise options in whole or in part by
giving written notice of exercise to us specifying information such as the number of shares to be purchased, as well as making full payment of the
aggregate exercise price of the shares so purchased.
Term of Options. The plan administrator will determine the term of each option and provide it in the relevant award agreement, but no
option shall be exercisable more than five or six years after the grant date, as the case may be.
Transfer Restrictions. Except under the laws of descent and distribution or otherwise permitted by the plan administrator, the participant
will not be permitted to sell, transfer, pledge or assign any option. In principle, all options shall be exercisable only by the participants. However, a
participant may also transfer one or more options to a trust controlled by him or her for estate planning purposes.
Termination and amendment of the 2013 Plan. Our board of directors may amend, alter or discontinue the 2013 Plan, but no amendment,
alteration or discontinuation shall be made if such amendment, alteration or discontinuation would impair the rights of a participant under any award
without such participant’s consent.
2017 Plan
In October 2017, we adopted our 2017 Share Incentive Plan, or the 2017 Plan, which allows us to offer a variety of share-based incentive
awards to employees, officers, directors and individual consultants who render services to us. The plan permits the grant of three types of awards:
options, restricted shares and restricted share units. The maximum number of our shares that may be issued pursuant to all awards under the 2017 Plan is
1,000,000,000 ordinary shares after giving effect to the 100-for-1 share split effected by us in October 2017. As of March 31, 2019, options to purchase
26,645,000 Class A ordinary shares had been granted and were outstanding under the 2017 Plan and 337,500 Class A ordinary shares underlying those
options were issued and outstanding. As of March 31, 2019, 14,493,600 restricted share units had been granted and 631,405 of these restricted share
units had been vested.
The following paragraphs summarize the terms of the 2017 Plan:
Plan Administration. Our board of directors, or a committee designated by our board of directors, will administer the plan. The committee
or the full board of directors, as appropriate, will determine the provisions and terms and conditions of each option grant.
Award Agreements. Options and other awards granted under the plan are evidenced by an award agreement that sets forth the terms,
conditions and limitations for each grant, which may include the term of the award and the provisions applicable in the event of the grantee’s
employment or service terminates. The exercise price of granted options may be amended or adjusted in the absolute discretion of our board of directors,
or a committee designated by our board of directors, without the approval of our shareholders or the recipients of the options.
Eligibility. We may grant awards to employees, directors and consultants of our company or any of our affiliates, which include our parent
company, subsidiaries and any entities in which our parent company or a subsidiary of our company holds a substantial ownership interest.
Vesting Schedule. In general, the plan administrator determines the vesting schedule, which is specified in the relevant award agreement.
103
Acceleration of Awards upon Change in Control. If a change-of-control corporate transaction occurs, the plan administrator may, in its
sole discretion, provide for (i) all awards outstanding to terminate at a specific time in the future and give each participant the right to exercise the vested
portion of such awards during a specific period of time, or (ii) the purchase of any award for an amount of cash equal to the amount that could have been
attained upon the exercise of such award, or (iii) the replacement of such award with other rights or property selected by the plan administrator in its
sole discretion, or (iv) payment of award in cash based on the value of ordinary shares on the date of the change-of-control corporate transaction plus
reasonable interest.
Term of the Options. The term of each option grant shall be stated in the award agreement, provided that the term shall not exceed ten years
from the date of the grant.
Transfer Restrictions. Subject to certain exceptions, awards may not be transferred by the recipient, except as otherwise provided by
applicable laws or the award agreement.
Termination of the Plan. Unless terminated earlier, the plan will terminate automatically in 2027. Our board of directors has the authority
to amend or terminate the plan subject to shareholder approval to the extent necessary to comply with applicable law. However, no such action may
impair the rights of any award recipient unless agreed by the recipient.
The following table summarizes, as of March 31, 2019, the outstanding options granted under the 2013 Plan and 2017 Plan to our directors,
executive officers and other grantees.
Name
Jun Zhang
Tiezheng Li
Honghui Hu
Shaofeng Gu
Simon Tak Leung Ho
Feng Zhang
Yuxiang Wang
Ming Gu
Jiayuan Xu
Jinqi Si
Ordinary Shares
Underlying Options
Awarded
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Exercise Price
(US$/Share)
0.007
0.030
0.126
0.320
1.4
0.007
0.030
0.126
1.4
0.654
0.007
0.126
0.126
0.126
1.4
0.028
0.126
0.320
1.4
0.654
0.030
0.126
0.320
1.4
0.654
0.0085
0.030
0.126
0.320
1.4
0.654
0.030
0.126
0.320
1.4
0.654
0.320
1.4
0.654
Other grantees as a group
66,058,150
From 0.0001 to 1.4
*
Less than 1% of our total outstanding shares.
104
Date of Grant
January 29, 2014
April 1, 2015
March 21, 2016
February 1, 2017
February 1, 2018
January 29, 2014
April 1, 2015
March 21, 2016
February 1, 2018
January 28, 2019
January 29, 2014
March 21, 2016
March 21, 2016
September 7, 2016
February 1, 2018
May 24, 2015
March 21, 2016
February 1, 2017
February 1, 2018
January 28, 2019
June 15, 2015
March 21, 2016
February 1, 2017
February 1, 2018
January 28, 2019
August 1, 2014
April 1, 2015
March 21, 2016
February 1, 2017
February 1, 2018
January 28, 2019
May 5, 2015
March 21, 2016
February 1, 2017
February 1, 2018
January 28, 2019
September 22, 2017
February 1, 2018
January 28, 2019
From July 1, 2012 to
January 28, 2019
Date of Expiration
January 28, 2019
March 31, 2020
March 20, 2021
January 31, 2022
January 31, 2028
January 28, 2019
March 31, 2020
March 20, 2021
January 31, 2028
January 27, 2029
January 28, 2019
March 20, 2021
March 20, 2021
September 6, 2021
January 31, 2028
May 23, 2020
March 20, 2021
January 31, 2022
January 31, 2028
January 27, 2029
June 14, 2020
March 20, 2021
January 31, 2022
January 31, 2028
January 27, 2029
July 31, 2019
March 31, 2020
March 20, 2021
January 31, 2022
January 31, 2028
January 27, 2029
May 4, 2020
March 20, 2021
January 31, 2022
January 31, 2028
January 27, 2029
September 21, 2027
January 31, 2028
January 27, 2029
From June 30, 2018 to
January 27, 2029
The following table summarizes, as of March 31, 2019, the restrict share units granted under the 2017 Plan to our grantees. As of March 31, 2019,
we did not grant any restricted share unit to our directors and executive officers.
Name
All grantees as a group
*
Less than 1% of our total outstanding shares.
C.
Board Practices
Class A Ordinary Shares
Underlying Restricted Share
Units Awarded
*
Date of Grant
From February 1, 2018 to
February 28, 2019
Date of Expiration
From January 31, 2028 to
February 27, 2029
Our board of directors consists of eight directors. A director is not required to hold any shares in our company to qualify to serve as a
director. A director may vote with respect to any contract, proposed contract or arrangement notwithstanding that he may be interested therein, and if he
does so his vote shall be counted and he may be counted in the quorum at any meeting of our directors at which any such contract or proposed contract
or arrangement is considered, provided (a) such director, if his interest (whether direct or indirect) in such contract or arrangement is material, has
declared the nature of his interest at the earliest meeting of the board at which it is practicable for him to do so, either specifically or by way of a general
notice and (b) if such contract or arrangement is a transaction with a related party, such transaction has been approved by the audit committee. The
directors may exercise all the powers of the company to borrow money, to mortgage or charge its undertaking, property and uncalled capital, and to
issue debentures or other securities whenever money is borrowed or as security for any debt, liability or obligation of the company or of any third party.
None of our non-executive directors has a service contract with us that provides for benefits upon termination of service.
Committees of the Board of Directors
We have established three committees under the board of directors: an audit committee, a compensation committee and a nominating and
corporate governance committee. We have adopted a charter for each of the three committees. Each committee’s members and functions are described
below.
Audit Committee. Our audit committee consists of Jimmy Y. Lai and Bing Xiang. Jimmy Y. Lai is the chairman of our audit committee. We
have determined that both Jimmy Y. Lai and Bing Xiang satisfy the “independence” requirements of Section 303A of the Corporate Governance Rules
of the New York Stock Exchange and Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. We rely on the exemption provided by Rule
10A-3(b)(1)(iv)(A) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which allows a minority of the members of our audit committee not to be independent
for one year from November 9, 2017, the date of effectiveness of our registration statement on Form F-1. We intend to have all three independent
directors in our audit committee within one year from the date of effectiveness of our registration statement on Form F-1. In addition, we have
determined that Jimmy Y. Lai qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert.” The audit committee oversees our accounting and financial reporting
processes and the audits of the financial statements of our company. The audit committee is responsible for, among other things:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
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.
105
Compensation Committee. Our compensation committee consists of Jimmy Y. Lai and Bing Xiang. Jimmy Y. Lai is the chairman of our
compensation committee. We have determined that Jimmy Y. Lai and Bing Xiang satisfy the “independence” requirements of Section 303A of the
Corporate Governance Rules of the New York Stock Exchange. The compensation committee assists the board in reviewing and approving the
compensation structure, including all forms of compensation, relating to our directors and executive officers. Our chief executive officer may not be
present at any committee meeting during which his compensation is deliberated. The compensation committee is responsible for, among other things:
•
•
•
•
reviewing and approving, or recommending to the board for its approval, the compensation for our chief executive officer and other
executive officers;
reviewing and recommending to the board for determination with respect to the compensation of our non-employee directors;
reviewing periodically and approving any incentive compensation or equity plans, programs or similar arrangements; and
selecting compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser only after taking into consideration all factors relevant to that
person’s independence from management.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Our nominating and corporate governance committee consists of Jimmy Y. Lai and
Bing Xiang. Jimmy Y. Lai is the chairperson of our nominating and corporate governance committee. We have determined that Jimmy Y. Lai and Bing
Xiang satisfy the “independence” requirements of Section 303A of the Corporate Governance Rules of the New York Stock Exchange. The nominating
and corporate governance committee assists 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 is responsible for, among other things:
•
•
•
•
selecting and recommending nominees for election by the shareholders or appointment by the board;
reviewing annually with the board the current composition of the board with regards to characteristics such as independence,
knowledge, skills, experience and diversity;
making recommendations on the frequency and structure of board meetings and monitoring the functioning of the committees of the
board; and
advising the board periodically with regards 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 the board on all matters of corporate
governance and on any remedial action to be taken.
Duties of Directors
Under Cayman Islands law, our directors owe fiduciary duties to our company, including a duty of loyalty, a duty to act honestly and a duty
to act in what they consider in good faith to be in our best interests. Our directors must also exercise their powers only for a proper purpose. Our
directors also have a duty to exercise the skill they actually possess and such care and diligence that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in
comparable circumstances. In fulfilling their duty of care to us, our directors must ensure compliance with our memorandum and articles of association,
as amended and restated from time to time, and the class rights vested thereunder in the holders of the shares. Our company has the right to seek
damages if a duty owed by our directors is breached. A shareholder may in certain limited exceptional circumstances have the right to seek damages in
our name if a duty owed by the directors is breached.
Our board of directors has all the powers necessary for managing, and for directing and supervising, our business affairs. The functions and
powers of our board of directors include, among others:
•
•
•
•
•
convening shareholders’ annual and extraordinary general meetings;
declaring dividends and distributions;
appointing officers and determining the term of office of the officers;
exercising the borrowing powers of our company and mortgaging the property of our company; and
approving the transfer of shares in our company, including the registration of such shares in our register of members.
106
Terms of Directors and Officers
Our directors may be elected by a resolution of our board of directors, or by a special resolution of our shareholders. Our directors are not
subject to a term of office (unless this is expressly set out in the director’s appointment) and hold office until such time as they are removed from office
by ordinary resolution of the shareholders. A director will cease to be a director if, among other things, the director (i) becomes bankrupt or makes any
arrangement or composition with his creditors; (ii) dies or is found by our company to be or becomes of unsound mind, (iii) resigns his office by notice
in writing to the company, or (iv) without special leave of absence from our board, is absent from three consecutive board meetings and our directors
resolve that his office be vacated. Our officers are elected by and serve at the discretion of the board of directors.
D.
Employees
We had 4,146 employees as of December 31, 2018. As of December 31, 2018, 2,066 of our employees were located in Shanghai, 532 in
Wuxi, 1,006 in Hefei, 54 in Beijing, 226 in Changsha, and 262 in Zhengzhou. The following table sets forth the numbers of our employees categorized
by function as of December 31, 2018.
Functions:
Operations
Risk Management
Research and Development
Sales and Marketing
General and Administration
Data Engineering
Total number of employees
As of December 31, 2018
Number of employees
% of total
1,278
1,940
369
237
177
145
4,146
30.8
46.8
8.9
5.7
4.3
3.5
100.0
As required by laws and regulations in China, we participate in various employee social security plans that are organized by municipal and
provincial governments, including, among other things, housing, pension, medical insurance and unemployment insurance. We are required under PRC
law to make contributions to employee benefit plans at specified percentages of the salaries, bonuses and certain allowances of our employees, up to a
maximum amount specified by the local government from time to time.
We typically enter into standard employment, confidentiality and non-compete agreements with our senior management and core personnel.
These contracts include a standard non-compete covenant that prohibits the employee from competing with us, directly or indirectly, during his or her
employment and for two year after the termination of his or her employment, provided that we pay compensation equal to 30% of the employee’s salary
during the restriction period.
We believe that we maintain a good working relationship with our employees, and we have not experienced any labor disputes. None of our
employees are represented by labor unions.
E.
Share Ownership
Except as specifically noted, the following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares as of
March 31, 2019 by:
•
•
each of our directors and executive officers; and
each of our principal shareholders who beneficially own more than 5% of our total outstanding ordinary shares.
We have adopted a dual class ordinary share structure. The calculations in the table below are based on 1,534,622,264 outstanding ordinary
shares (consisting of 883,622,264 Class A ordinary shares and 651,000,000 Class B ordinary shares) as of March 31, 2019.
107
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. In computing the number of shares beneficially
owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, we have included shares that the person has the right to acquire within 60 days. These
shares, however, are not included in the computation of the percentage ownership of any other person.
Directors and Executive Officers**:
Jun Zhang(1)
Tiezheng Li(2)
Honghui Hu(3)
Shaofeng Gu(4)
Ronald Cao(5)
Jimmy Y. Lai
Bing Xiang
Feng Zhang
Simon Tak Leung Ho
Jingqi Si
Yuxiang Wang
Ming Gu
Jiayuan Xu
All directors and executive officers as a group
Principal and Selling Shareholders:
PPD Investment Limited(6)
Sequoia Capital 2010 CV Holdco, Ltd.(7)
Lightspeed China Partner I, L.P. and its affiliate(8)
Oceanic Team Limited(9)
SIG China Investments Master Fund III, LLLP(10)
Maggie & Tony Limited(11)
Metallica Holding Limited(12)
Emma & Oliver Holding Limited(13)
Ordinary Shares Beneficially Owned as of March 31, 2019
Class A ordinary
shares
Class B ordinary
shares
Percentage of
total ordinary
shares†
Percentage of
aggregate voting
power††
13,216,000
8,816,105
3,750,000
3,750,000
101,418,870
—
—
*
*
*
*
*
*
156,361,430
3,750,000
144,728,520
101,418,870
90,747,300
80,471,100
10,250,000
9,900,000
3,750,000
77,009,800
27,987,900
74,883,400
394,818,900
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
574,700,000
394,818,900
—
—
—
—
76,300,000
77,009,800
74,883,400
5.9%
2.4%
5.1%
26.0%
6.6%
—
—
*
*
*
*
*
*
47.4%
26.0%
9.4%
6.6%
5.9%
5.2%
5.6%
5.9%
5.1%
11.2%
4.1%
10.8%
56.8%
0.7%
—
—
*
*
*
*
*
*
83.8%
56.8%
1.0%
0.7%
0.7%
0.6%
11.0%
11.2%
10.8%
*
**
†
††
(1)
(2)
Less than 1% of our total outstanding shares.
Except for Ronald Cao, Jimmy Y. Lai, and Bing Xiang, the business address for our directors and executive officers is Building G1, No. 999
Dangui Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai 201203, People’s Republic of China. The business address of Ronald Cao is 588 Dong Xu Lian
Lu, #42, Shanghai, China 201702. The business address of Jimmy Y. Lai is 4521 Turnberry Ct. Plano, Texas, 75024, USA. The business address
of Bing Xiang is Floor 20th, Tower East II, Dongfang Square, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China.
For each person and group included in this column, percentage ownership is calculated by dividing the number of shares beneficially owned by
such person or group by the sum of the total number of shares outstanding and the number of shares such person or group has the right to acquire
upon exercise of option, warrant or other right within 60 days after March 31, 2018. The total number of ordinary shares outstanding as of
March 31, 2019 is 1,534,622,264, consisting of (i) 883,622,264 Class A ordinary shares, and (ii) 651,000,000 Class B ordinary shares.
For each person and group included in this column, percentage of voting power is calculated by dividing the voting power beneficially owned by
such person or group by the voting power of all of our Class A and Class B ordinary shares as a single class. Each holder of Class A ordinary
shares is entitled to one vote per share and each holder of our Class B ordinary shares is entitled to twenty votes per share on all matters
submitted to them for vote. Our Class B ordinary shares are convertible at any time by the holder thereof into Class A ordinary shares on a
one-for-one basis.
Represents (i) 150,000 Class A ordinary shares that Metallica Holding Limited, a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, may
purchase upon exercise of options within 60 days after March 31, 2019, (ii) 2,613,200 ADSs, representing 13,066,000 Class A ordinary shares
directly held by Metallica Holding Limited, (iii) 77,009,800 Class B ordinary shares directly held by Metallica Holding Limited. Mr. Jun Zhang
is the sole shareholder and the sole director of Metallica Holding Limited. The registered office address of Metallica Holding Limited is Geneva
Place, Waterfront Drive, P.O. Box 3469, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands.
Represents (i) 27,987,900 Class B ordinary shares directly held by Happyariel Holding Limited, a company incorporated in the British Virgin
Islands, (ii) 1,728,221 ADSs, representing 8,641,105 Class A ordinary shares directly held by Happyariel Holding Limited, and (iii) 175,000
Class A ordinary shares that Happyariel Holding Limited may purchase upon exercise of options within 60 days after March 31, 2019.
Mr. Tiezheng Li is the sole shareholder and the sole director of Happyariel Holding Limited. The registered office address of Happyariel
Holding Limited is Geneva Place, Waterfront Drive, P.O. Box 3469, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands.
108
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
(10)
Represents (i) 74,883,400 Class B ordinary shares directly held by Emma & Oliver Holding Limited, a company incorporated in the British
Virgin Islands, and (ii) 750,000 ADSs, representing 3,750,000 Class A ordinary shares, directly held by Emma & Oliver Holding Limited.
Mr. Honghui Hu is the sole shareholder and the sole director of Emma & Oliver Holding Limited. The registered office address of Emma &
Oliver Holding Limited is Geneva Place, Waterfront Drive, P.O. Box 3469, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands.
Represents (i) 394,818,900 Class B ordinary shares directly held by PPD Investment Limited, a company incorporated in the British Virgin
Islands, and (ii) 750,000 ADSs, representing 3,750,000 Class A ordinary shares, directly held by PPD Investment Limited. Mr. Shaofeng Gu is
the sole shareholder and the sole director of PPD Investment Limited. Mr. Shaofeng Gu is the sole shareholder and the sole director of PPD
Investment Limited. The registered office address of PPD Investment Limited is Geneva Place, Waterfront Drive, P.O. Box 3469, Road Town,
Tortola, British Virgin Islands.
Represents (i) 89,218,150 Class A ordinary shares directly held by Lightspeed China Partner I, L.P. and (ii) 12,200,720 Class A ordinary shares
directly held by Lightspeed China Partner I-A, L.P. Lightspeed China Partner I, L.P. and Lightspeed China Partner I-A, L.P. are Cayman Island
limited partnerships. Lightspeed China Partners I GP, LLC, a Cayman limited liability company, is the general partner of both Lightspeed China
Partner I, L.P. and Lightspeed China Partner I-A, L.P. Ronald Cao and James Qun Mi each owns 50% of the ownership of Lightspeed China
Partners I GP, LLC. Both Ronald Cao and James Qun Mi disclaim beneficial ownership of their shares held by Lightspeed funds, except to the
extent of their pecuniary interest therein. The registered office address of Lightspeed China Partner I, L.P. and Lightspeed China Partner I-A,
L.P. is P.O. Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands.
Represents (i) 394,818,900 Class B ordinary shares directly held by PPD Investment Limited, a company incorporated in the British Virgin
Islands, and (ii) 750,000 ADSs, representing 3,750,000 Class A ordinary shares, directly held by PPD Investment Limited. Mr. Shaofeng Gu is
the sole shareholder and the sole director of PPD Investment Limited. Mr. Shaofeng Gu is the sole shareholder and the sole director of PPD
Investment Limited. The registered office address of PPD Investment Limited is Geneva Place, Waterfront Drive, P.O. Box 3469, Road Town,
Tortola, British Virgin Islands.
Represents 144,728,520 Class A ordinary shares directly held by Sequoia Capital 2010 CV Holdco, Ltd., a Cayman Islands limited liability
company. Sequoia Capital 2010 CV Holdco, Ltd. is wholly owned by Sequoia Capital China Venture 2010 Fund, L.P. The general partner of
Sequoia Capital China Venture 2010 Fund, L.P. is SC China Venture 2010 Management, L.P., the general partner of which is SC China Holding
Limited, a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands. SC China Holding Limited is wholly owned by SNP China Enterprises Limited, a
company wholly owned by Mr. Neil Nanpeng Shen. The address of Sequoia Capital 2010 CV Holdco, Ltd. is Cricket Square, Hutchins Drive,
PO Box 2681, Grand Cayman, KY1-1111, Cayman Islands.
Represents (i) 89,218,150 Class A ordinary shares directly held by Lightspeed China Partner I, L.P. and (ii) 12,200,720 Class A ordinary shares
directly held by Lightspeed China Partner I-A, L.P. Lightspeed China Partner I, L.P. and Lightspeed China Partner I-A, L.P. are Cayman Islands
limited partnerships. Lightspeed China Partners I GP, LLC, a limited liability company, is the general partner of both Lightspeed China Partner
I, L.P. and Lightspeed China Partner I-A, L.P. Ronald Cao and James Qun Mi each owns 50% of the ownership of Lightspeed China Partners I
GP, LLC. Both Ronald Cao and James Qun Mi disclaim beneficial ownership of their shares held by Lightspeed funds, except to the extent of
their pecuniary interest therein. The registered office address of Lightspeed China Partner I, L.P. and Lightspeed China Partner I-A, L.P. is P.O.
Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands.
Represents 90,747,300 Class A ordinary shares directly held by Oceanic Team Limited, a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands.
Oceanic Team Limited is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Union Wise Holdings Limited, a company incorporated in Hong Kong. Union Wise
Holdings Limited is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Beijing Junlian Maolin Equity Investment L.P., a limited partnership established in the
People’s Republic of China. The general partner of Beijing Junlian Maolin Equity Investment L.P. is Beijing Junlian Tongdao Investment
Consulting L.P., a limited partnership established in the People’s Republic of China. The general partner of Beijing Junlian Tongdao Investment
Consulting L.P. is Lhasa Junqi Enterprise Management Co., Ltd., a company incorporated in the People’s Republic of China. Lhasa Junqi
Enterprise Management Co., Ltd. is wholly-owned by Legend Capital Management Co., Ltd., a company incorporated in the People’s Republic
of China. Legend Capital Management Co., Ltd. is 80% owned by Beijing Junchenghezhong Investment Management L.P., a limited partnership
established in the People’s Republic of China and 20% owned by Legend Holdings Corporation, a joint-stock company established in the
People’s Republic of China and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (stock code: 3396.) The general partner of Beijing Junchenghezhong
Investment Management L.P. is Beijing Junqijiarui Enterprise Management Co., Ltd., a company incorporated in the People’s Republic of
China. Beijing Junqijiarui Enterprise Management Co., Ltd. is 20% owned by Mr. Linan Zhu, 40% owned by Mr. Hao Chen and 40% owned by
Mr. Nengguang Wang. The registered office address of Oceanic Team Limited is P.O. Box 957, Offshore Incorporations Centre, Road Town,
Tortola, British Virgin Islands.
Represents 80,471,100 Class A ordinary shares directly held by SIG China Investments Master Fund III, LLLP, a Delaware limited liability
partnership. SIG Asia Investment, LLLP, a Delaware limited liability limited partnership, is the investment manager for SIG China Investments
Master Fund III, LLLP pursuant to an investment management agreement and, as such, has discretionary authority to vote and dispose of the
80,471,100 Class A ordinary shares. In addition, Heights Capital Management, Inc., a Delaware corporation, is the investment manager for SIG
Asia Investment, LLLP pursuant to an investment management agreement and, as such, has discretionary authority to vote and dispose of the
80,471,100 Class A ordinary shares. Arthur Dantchik, in his capacity as the president of SIG Asia Investment, LLLP, and vice president of
Heights Capital Management, Inc. may also be deemed to have investment discretion over the shares held by SIG China Investments Master
Fund III, LLLP. Mr. Dantchik disclaims any such investment discretion or beneficiary ownership with respect to these shares. The registered
office address of SIG China Investments Master Fund III, LLLP is One Commerce Center, 1201 N. Orange Street, Suite 715 in the City of
Wilmington, State of Delaware, USA.
109
(11)
(12)
(13)
Represents (i) 76,300,000 Class B ordinary shares, (ii) 2,000,000 ADSs, representing 10,000,000 Class A ordinary shares, directly held by
Maggie & Tony Limited, a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, and (iii) 250,000 Class A ordinary shares Mr. Congliang Li may
purchase upon exercise of options within 60 days after March 31, 2019. Mr. Congliang Li’s wife, Ms. Wei Luo is the sole shareholder and the
sole director of Maggie & Tony Limited. The registered office address of Maggie & Tony Limited is Geneva Place, Waterfront Drive, P.O. Box
3469, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands.
Represents (i) 150,000 Class A ordinary shares that Metallica Holding Limited, a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, may
purchase upon exercise of options within 60 days after March 31, 2019, (ii) 2,613,200 ADSs, representing 13,066,000 Class A ordinary shares
directly held by Metallica Holding Limited, (iii) 77,009,800 Class B ordinary shares directly held by Metallica Holding Limited. Mr. Jun Zhang
is the sole shareholder and the sole director of Metallica Holding Limited. The registered office address of Metallica Holding Limited is Geneva
Place, Waterfront Drive, P.O. Box 3469, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands.
Represents (i) 74,883,400 Class B ordinary shares directly held by Emma & Oliver Holding Limited, a company incorporated in the British
Virgin Islands, and (ii) 750,000 ADSs, representing 3,750,000 Class A ordinary shares, directly held by Emma & Oliver Holding Limited.
Mr. Honghui Hu is the sole shareholder and the sole director of Emma & Oliver Holding Limited. The registered office address of Emma &
Oliver Holding Limited is Geneva Place, Waterfront Drive, P.O. Box 3469, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands.
As of March 31, 2019, a total of 80,471,000 Class A ordinary shares are held of record by one of our shareholders in the United States,
representing approximately 5.2% of our total outstanding shares. None of our outstanding Class B ordinary shares are held by record holders in the
United States. We are not aware of any arrangement that may, at a subsequent date, result in a change of control of our company.
110
ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
A. Major Shareholders
Please refer to “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—E. Share Ownership.”
B.
Related Party Transactions
Contractual Arrangements
PRC laws and regulations currently restrict foreign ownership and investment in value-added telecommunications services in China. As a
result, we operate our relevant business through Beijing Paipairongxin, Shanghai Zihe, Shanghai Nianqiao, and Shanghai Ledao, our variable interest
entities, and their subsidiaries based on series of contractual arrangements. For a description of these contractual arrangements, see “Item 4. Information
on the Company—C. Organizational Structure.”
Registration Right
We entered into our second amended and restated shareholders’ agreement on February 9, 2015 with our then shareholders, which provided
for certain shareholders’ rights, including registration rights. Upon the completion of our initial public offering, all the shareholders’ rights under the
shareholders agreement automatically terminated, except the registration rights. Set forth below is a description of those registration rights:
Demand Registration Rights. At any time after the earlier of (i) February 8, 2020 or (ii) the date that is twelve months after the completion
of our initial public offering, holders of 20% or more of the ordinary shares issued upon the conversion of the preferred shares have the right to request
us effect a registration for at least 20% of their shares or any lesser percentage if the anticipated gross proceeds from the offering exceed
US$5.0 million. Except for certain circumstanced where we are entitled to defer a filing, upon receiving a notice of demand registration, we should
promptly give a written notice to all other then preferred shareholders and make best efforts to register the shares requested to be registered. We shall
not be obligated to effect more than two demand registrations that have been declared and ordered effective.
Form F-3 Registration Rights. Any holders of ordinary shares issued upon the conversion of preferred shares may request us to file an
unlimited number of registration statements on Form F-3 so long as such registration offerings are in excess of US$0.5 million. Within 60 days of
receiving such request, we shall effect the registration of the securities on Form F-3. We shall not be obligated to effect more than two registrations that
have been declared and ordered effective within any twelve-month period.
Piggyback Registration Rights. If we propose to file a registration statement for a public offering of our securities, we must afford holders of
ordinary shares issued upon the conversion of preferred shares an opportunity to participate in that offering. We have the right to terminate or withdraw
any registration initiated by us under the piggyback registration rights prior to the effectiveness of such registration. In case of an underwritten offering,
the underwriters have the right to exclude up to 75% of the shares requested to be registered by the holders of piggyback registration rights, subject to
certain preconditions.
Employment Agreements and Indemnification Agreements
See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—B. Compensation—Employment Agreements and Indemnification
Agreements.”
Share Incentive Plan
See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—B. Compensation—Share Incentive Plan.”
Transactions with PPcredit
We use data collection services from PPcredit, a company controlled by our founders, based on arm’s length transaction terms and
conditions. In 2017 and 2018, we incurred RMB84.4 million and RMB109.7 million (US$16.0 million) expenses for such services.
In April and November 2016, Shanghai PPDai extended a one-year non-interest bearing loan of RMB6.0 million and RMB5.0 million,
respectively, to PPcredit for general corporate purposes, respectively. The loan was settled in January 2017.
111
In 2018, we entered into an agreement with PPcredit to provide PPcredit with human resources and accounting services based on arm’s
length transaction terms and conditions at a consideration of RMB3.3 million. As of December 31, 2018, we had received RMB2.3 million and the
remaining balance was RMB1.0 million.
C.
Interests of Experts and Counsel
Not applicable.
ITEM 8.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
A.
Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information
Consolidated Financial Statements
We have appended consolidated financial statements filed as part of this annual report.
Legal Proceedings
We may from time to time be subject to various legal or administrative claims and proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business.
Starting in September 2018, our company and certain of our current and former officers and directors, the underwriters of our company’s initial public
offering in November 2017, and our agent for the service of process in the U.S. have been named as defendants in putative securities class actions
captioned Yizhong Huang v. PPDAI Group Inc., et al., Case No. 654482/2018 (New York County of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, filed
on September 10, 2018) (the “Huang Case”); Ravindra Vora v. PPDAI Group Inc., et al., Case No. 654777/2018 (New York County of the Supreme
Court of the State of New York, filed on September 27, 2018) (the “Vora Case”); Lai v. PPDAI Group Inc., et al. Case No. 1:2018-cv-06716 (U.S.
District Court for the Eastern District of New York, filed on November 26, 2018) (the “Lai Case”); and Goyal v. PPDAI Group Inc., et al. Case No.
2:2019-cv-00168 (U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, filed on January 9, 2019) (the “Goyal Case”).
These actions allege that defendants made misstatements and omissions in connection with our initial public offering in November 2017 in
violation of the Securities Act of 1933. The Lai Case also advances claims under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. On October 16, 2018, the
Supreme Court of the State of New York consolidated the two state court lawsuits (the Huang Case and the Vora Case) under the caption In re PPDAI
Group Securities Litigation, No. 654482/2018 (the “New York State Action”). On December 17, 2018, the plaintiffs in the New York State Action filed
a consolidated amended complaint. On February 5, 2018, certain of the defendants filed a motion to stay all further proceedings in the New York State
Court Action, which motion remains pending before the Court. On February 21, 2019, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
consolidated the two federal court lawsuits (the Lai Case and the Goyal Case) under the caption In re PPDAI Group Inc. Securities Litigation, No.
18-cv-6716-FB-JO (the “Federal Court Action”), appointed lead plaintiffs of the Federal Court Action, and approved a scheduling stipulation for the
filing of the plaintiffs’ amended complaint and the defendants’ responsive pleadings. On April 22, 2019, plaintiffs in the Federal Court Action filed a
second amended complaint against our Company, certain of our current and former officers and directors, and the underwriters of our company’s initial
public offering in November 2017. Both the New York State Action and the Federal Court Action otherwise remain in their preliminary stages.
Litigation or any other legal or administrative proceeding, regardless of the outcome, is likely to result in substantial cost and diversion of
our resources, including our management’s time and attention.
Dividend Policy
Our board of directors declared a dividend in March 2019. We may continue to declare and pay dividends in the future if our operating
conditions allow. Our board of directors has discretion on whether to distribute dividends, subject to certain restrictions under Cayman Islands law,
namely that our company may only pay dividends out of profits or share premium, and provided always that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid
if this would result in our company being unable to pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. In addition, our shareholders may by
ordinary resolution declare a dividend, but no dividend may exceed the amount recommended by our board of directors. Even if our board of directors
decides to pay dividends, the form, frequency and amount will depend upon our future operations and earnings, capital requirements and surplus,
general financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors that the board of directors may deem relevant.
We are a holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands. We may rely on dividends from our subsidiaries in China for our cash
requirements, including any payment of dividends to our shareholders. PRC regulations may restrict the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends
to us. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulations—Regulations on Dividend Distribution” and “Item 10.
Additional Information—Taxation—People’s Republic of China Taxation.”
112
If we pay any dividends, we will pay our ADS holders to the same extent as holders of our ordinary shares, subject to the terms of the
deposit agreement, including the fees and expenses payable thereunder. See “Item 12. Description of Securities Other Than Equity
Securities—Description of American Depositary Shares.” Cash dividends on our ordinary shares, if any, will be paid in U.S. dollars.
B.
Significant Changes
Except as disclosed elsewhere in this annual report, we have not experienced any significant changes since the date of our audited
consolidated financial statements included in this annual report.
ITEM 9.
THE OFFER AND LISTING
A. Offer and Listing Details
Our ADSs, each representing five of our Class A ordinary shares, have been listed on the NYSE since November 10, 2017. Our ADSs trade
under the symbol “PPDF.”
B.
Plan of Distribution
Not applicable.
C. Markets
Our ADSs have been listed on the NYSE since November 10, 2017 under the symbol “PPDF.”
D.
Selling Shareholders
Not applicable.
E.
Dilution
Not applicable.
F.
Expenses of the Issue
Not applicable.
ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A.
Share Capital
Not applicable.
B. Memorandum and Articles of Association
We are a Cayman Islands exempted company with limited liability and our corporate affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles
of association, as amended from time to time and the Companies Law (2018 Revision) of the Cayman Islands, which we refer to as the Companies Law
below, and the common law of the Cayman Islands.
The following are summaries of material provisions of our currently effective memorandum and articles of association and of the
Companies Law, insofar as they relate to the material terms of our ordinary shares.
Objects of Our Company. Under our currently effective memorandum and articles of association, the objects of our company are
unrestricted and we have the full power and authority to carry out any object not prohibited by the law of the Cayman Islands.
Ordinary Shares. Our ordinary shares are issued in registered form and are issued when registered in our register of members. Our
shareholders who are non-residents of the Cayman Islands may freely hold and vote their shares.
Dividends. The holders of our ordinary shares are entitled to such dividends as may be declared by our board of directors. In addition, our
shareholders may by an ordinary resolution declare a dividend, but no dividend may exceed the amount recommended by our directors. Under Cayman
Islands law, our company may declare and pay a dividend only out of funds legally available therefor, namely out of either profit or our share premium
account, provided that in no circumstances may we pay a dividend if this would result in our company being unable to pay its debts as they fall due in
the ordinary course of business.
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Voting Rights. In respect of all matters subject to a shareholders’ vote, each holder of Class A ordinary share is entitled to one vote for each
Class A ordinary share registered in his or her name on our register of members, and each holder of Class B ordinary share is entitled to twenty votes for
each Class B ordinary share registered in his or her name on our register of members. Holders of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares
shall, at all times, vote together on all resolutions submitted to a vote of the members. Voting at any shareholders’ meeting is by show of hands unless a
poll is demanded. A poll may be demanded by the chairman of such meeting or any shareholders present in person or by proxy.
A quorum required for a meeting of shareholders consists of one or more shareholders present and holding shares which represent, in
aggregate, not less than one-third of the votes attaching to the issued and outstanding voting shares in our company. Shareholders may be present in
person or by proxy or, if the shareholder is a legal entity, by its duly authorized representative. Shareholders’ meetings may be convened by the
chairman of our board of directors or a majority of our directors or upon a request to the directors by shareholders holding shares which represent, in
aggregate, no less than one-third of the votes attaching to the issued and outstanding shares that as at the date of the deposit of the shareholder’s
requisition carry the right to vote at general meetings of our company. Advance notice of at least seven days is required for the convening of our annual
general shareholders’ meeting and any other general shareholders’ meeting.
An ordinary resolution to be passed at a meeting by the shareholders requires the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the votes attached
to the ordinary shares cast by those shareholders entitled to vote who are present in person or by proxy at a general meeting, while a special resolution
requires the affirmative vote of no less than two-thirds of the votes attached to the ordinary shares cast by those shareholders entitled to vote who are
present in person or by proxy at a general meeting. Both ordinary resolutions and special resolutions may also be passed by a unanimous written
resolution signed by all the shareholders of our company, as permitted by the Companies Law and our amended and restated memorandum and articles
of association. A special resolution will be required for important matters such as a change of name or making changes to our amended and restated
memorandum and articles of association. Holders of the ordinary shares may, among other things, divide or combine their shares by ordinary resolution.
Conversion. Each Class B ordinary share is convertible into one Class A ordinary share at any time by the holder thereof. Class A ordinary
shares are not convertible into Class B ordinary shares under any circumstances. Upon any sale, transfer, assignment or disposition of any Class B
ordinary share by a shareholder to any person who is not an affiliate of such shareholder, or upon a change of ultimate beneficial ownership of any
Class B ordinary share to any person who is not an affiliate of the registered shareholder of such share, such Class B ordinary shares shall be
automatically and immediately converted into the equivalent number of Class A ordinary shares.
Transfer of Ordinary Shares. Subject to the restrictions set out below, any of our shareholders may transfer all or any of his or her ordinary
shares by an instrument of transfer in the usual or common form or any other form approved by our board of directors.
Our board of directors may, in its absolute discretion, decline to register any transfer of any ordinary share which is not fully paid up or on
which we have a lien. Our board of directors may also decline to register any transfer of any ordinary share unless:
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the instrument of transfer is lodged with us, accompanied by the certificate for the ordinary shares to which it relates and such other
evidence as our board of directors may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer;
the instrument of transfer is in respect of only one class of shares;
the instrument of transfer is properly stamped, if required;
in the case of a transfer to joint holders, the number of joint holders to whom the ordinary share is to be transferred does not exceed
four; and
a fee of such maximum sum as the NYSE may determine to be payable or such lesser sum as our directors may from time to time
require is paid to us in respect thereof.
If our directors refuse to register a transfer they shall, within three months after the date on which the instrument of transfer was lodged,
send to each of the transferor and the transferee notice of such refusal.
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The registration of transfers may, after compliance with any notice required of the NYSE, be suspended and the register closed at such times
and for such periods as our board of directors may from time to time determine, provided, however, that the registration of transfers shall not be
suspended nor the register closed for more than 30 days in any year as our board may determine.
Liquidation. On a winding up of our company, if the assets available for distribution among our shareholders shall be more than sufficient to
repay the whole of the share capital at the commencement of the winding up, the surplus will be distributed among our shareholders in proportion to the
par value of the shares held by them at the commencement of the winding up, subject to a deduction from those shares in respect of which there are
monies due, of all monies payable to our company for unpaid calls or otherwise. If our assets available for distribution are insufficient to repay all of the
paid-up capital, the assets will be distributed so that the losses are borne by our shareholders in proportion to the par value of the shares held by them.
We are a “limited liability” company registered under the Companies Law, and under the Companies Law, the liability of our members is limited to the
amount, if any, unpaid on the shares respectively held by them. Our memorandum of association contains a declaration that the liability of our members
is so limited.
Calls on Shares and Forfeiture of Shares. Our board of directors may from time to time make calls upon shareholders for any amounts
unpaid on their shares in a notice served to such shareholders at least 14 days prior to the specified time and place of payment. The shares that have been
called upon and remain unpaid are subject to forfeiture.
Redemption, Repurchase and Surrender of Ordinary Shares. We may issue shares on terms that such shares are subject to redemption, at
our option or at the option of the holders thereof, on such terms and in such manner as may be determined, before the issue of such shares, by our board
of directors or by a special resolution of our shareholders. Our company may also repurchase any of our shares provided that the manner and terms of
such purchase have been approved by our board of directors or by ordinary resolution of our shareholders, or are otherwise authorized by our
memorandum and articles of association. Under the Companies Law, the redemption or repurchase of any share may be paid out of our company’s
profits or out of the proceeds of a fresh issue of shares made for the purpose of such redemption or repurchase, or out of capital (including share
premium account and capital redemption reserve) if the company can, immediately following such payment, pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary
course of business. In addition, under the Companies Law no such share may be redeemed or repurchased (a) unless it is fully paid up, (b) if such
redemption or repurchase would result in there being no shares outstanding, or (c) if the company has commenced liquidation. In addition, our company
may accept the surrender of any fully paid share for no consideration.
Variations of Rights of Shares. The rights conferred upon the holders of the shares of any class issued with preferred or other rights shall
not, unless otherwise expressly provided by the terms of issue of the shares of that class, be deemed to be varied by the creation or issue of further
shares ranking pari passu with such existing class of shares.
Issuance of Additional Shares. Our currently effective memorandum and articles of association authorizes our board of directors to issue
additional ordinary shares from time to time as our board of directors shall determine, to the extent of available authorized but unissued shares.
Our currently effective memorandum and articles of association also authorizes our board of directors to establish from time to time one or
more series of preferred shares and to determine, with respect to any series of preferred shares, the terms and rights of that series, including:
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the designation of the series;
the number of shares of the series;
the dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights, voting rights; and
the rights and terms of redemption and liquidation preferences.
Our board of directors may issue preferred shares without action by our shareholders to the extent authorized but unissued. Issuance of these
shares may dilute the voting power of holders of ordinary shares.
Inspection of Books and Records. Holders of our ordinary shares will have no general right under Cayman Islands law to inspect or obtain
copies of our list of shareholders or our corporate records. However, we will provide our shareholders with annual audited financial statements.
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Anti-Takeover Provisions. Some provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association may discourage, delay or
prevent a change of control of our company or management that shareholders may consider favorable, including provisions that:
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authorize our board of directors to issue preferred shares in one or more series and to designate the price, rights, preferences,
privileges and restrictions of such preferred shares without any further vote or action by our shareholders; and
limit the ability of shareholders to requisition and convene general meetings of shareholders.
However, under Cayman Islands law, our directors may only exercise the rights and powers granted to them under our amended and restated
memorandum and articles of association for a proper purpose and for what they believe in good faith to be in the best interests of our company.
General Meetings of Shareholders and Shareholder Proposals. Our shareholders’ general meetings may be held in such place within or
outside the Cayman Islands as our board of directors considers appropriate.
As a Cayman Islands exempted company, we are not obliged by the Companies Law to call shareholders’ annual general meetings. Our
currently effective memorandum and articles of association provide that we may (but are not obliged to) in each year hold a general meeting as our
annual general meeting.
Shareholders’ annual general meetings and any other general meetings of our shareholders may be convened by a majority of our board of
directors or our chairman. Advance notice of at least seven days is required for the convening of our annual general shareholders’ meeting and any other
general meeting of our shareholders. A quorum required for a general meeting of shareholders consists of at least one shareholder present or by proxy,
representing not less than one-third of the votes attaching to the issued and outstanding shares in our company entitled to vote at general meetings.
Cayman Islands law provides shareholders with only limited rights to requisition a general meeting, and does not provide shareholders with
any right to put any proposal before a general meeting. However, these rights may be provided in a company’s articles of association. Our currently
effective memorandum and articles of association allow our shareholders holding shares representing in aggregate not less than one-third of the votes
attaching to the issued and outstanding shares of our company entitled to vote at general meetings, to requisition an extraordinary general meeting of our
shareholders, in which case our directors are obliged to call such meeting and to put the resolutions so requisitioned to a vote at such meeting; however,
our currently effective memorandum and articles of association do not provide our shareholders with any right to put any proposals before annual
general meetings or extraordinary general meetings not called by such shareholders.
Election and Removal of Directors
Unless otherwise determined by our company in general meeting, our articles provide that our board will consist of not less than three
directors. There are no provisions relating to retirement of directors upon reaching any age limit.
The directors have the power to appoint any person as a director either to fill a casual vacancy on the board or as an addition to the existing
board. Our shareholders may also appoint any person to be a director by way of special resolution.
A director may be removed with or without cause by special resolution.
In addition, the office of any director shall be vacated if the director (i) becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or composition with
his creditors, (ii) dies or is found to be or becomes of unsound mind, (iii) resigns his office by notice in writing to our company, or (iv) without special
leave of absence from our board, is absent from three consecutive board meetings and our board resolves that his office be vacated.
Proceedings of Board of Directors
Our currently effective memorandum and articles of association provide that our business is to be managed and conducted by our board of
directors. The quorum necessary for board meetings may be fixed by the board and, unless so fixed at another number, will be a majority of the
directors.
Our currently effective memorandum and articles of association provide that the board may from exercise all the powers of our company to
borrow money, to mortgage or charge all or any part of the undertaking, property and uncalled capital of our company and to issue debentures and other
securities whenever money is borrowed, or as security for any debt, liability or obligation of our company or of any third party.
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Changes in Capital
Our shareholders may from time to time by ordinary resolution:
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increase our share capital by such sum, to be divided into shares of such classes and amount, as the resolution shall prescribe;
consolidate and divide all or any of our share capital into shares of a larger amount than our existing shares;
sub-divide our existing shares, or any of them into shares of a smaller amount, provided that in the subdivision the proportion
between the amount paid and the amount, if any, unpaid on each reduced share shall be the same as it was in case of the share from
which the reduced share is derived; or
cancel any shares which, at the date of the passing of the resolution, have not been taken or agreed to be taken by any person and
diminish the amount of our share capital by the amount of the shares so canceled.
Our shareholders may by special resolution, subject to confirmation by the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands on an application by our
company for an order confirming such reduction, reduce our share capital or any capital redemption reserve in any manner permitted by law.
Exempted Company. We are an exempted company with limited liability under the Companies Law. The Companies Law distinguishes
between ordinary resident companies and exempted companies. Any company that is registered in the Cayman Islands but conducts business mainly
outside of the Cayman Islands may apply to be registered as an exempted company. The requirements for an exempted company are essentially the
same as for an ordinary company except that an exempted company:
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does not have to file an annual return of its shareholders with the Registrar of Companies;
is not required to open its register of members for inspection;
does not have to hold an annual general meeting;
may issue negotiable or bearer shares or shares with no par value;
may obtain an undertaking against the imposition of any future taxation (such undertakings are usually given for 20 years in the first
instance);
may register by way of continuation in another jurisdiction and be deregistered in the Cayman Islands;
may register as a limited duration company; and
may register as a segregated portfolio company.
“Limited liability” means that the liability of each shareholder is limited to the amount unpaid by the shareholder on that shareholder’s
shares of the company (except in exceptional circumstances, such as involving fraud, the establishment of an agency relationship or an illegal or
improper purpose or other circumstances in which a court may be prepared to pierce or lift the corporate veil).
Register of Members. Under Cayman Islands law, we must keep a register of members and there should be entered therein:
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the names and addresses of the members, a statement of the shares held by each member, and of the amount paid or agreed to be
considered as paid, on the shares of each member;
the date on which the name of any person was entered on the register as a member; and
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the date on which any person ceased to be a member.
Under Cayman Islands law, the register of members of our company is prima facie evidence of the matters set out therein (i.e. the register of
members will raise a presumption of fact on the matters referred to above unless rebutted) and a member registered in the register of members should be
deemed as a matter of Cayman Islands law to have legal title to the shares as set against its name in the register of members. The shareholders recorded
in the register of members are deemed to have legal title to the shares set against their name in the register of members.
If the name of any person is incorrectly entered in or omitted from our register of members, or if there is any default or unnecessary delay in
entering on the register the fact of any person having ceased to be a member of our company, the person or member aggrieved (or any member of our
company or our company itself) may apply to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands for an order that the register be rectified, and the Court may either
refuse such application or it may, if satisfied of the justice of the case, make an order for the rectification of the register.
C. Material Contracts
We have not entered into any material contracts other than in the ordinary course of business and other than those described in “Item 4.
Information on the Company,” “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—B. Related Party Transactions,” or elsewhere in this
annual report on Form 20-F.
D.
Exchange Controls
See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulation—Regulations Relating to Foreign Exchange.”
E.
Taxation
The following summary of the material Cayman Islands, PRC and United States federal income tax consequences of an investment in our
ADSs or ordinary shares is based upon laws and relevant interpretations thereof in effect as of the date of this annual report, all of which are subject to
change. This summary does not deal with all possible tax consequences relating to an investment in our ADSs or ordinary shares, such as the tax
consequences under U.S. state and local tax laws or under the tax laws of jurisdictions other than the Cayman Islands, the People’s Republic of China
and the United States.
Cayman Islands Taxation
The Cayman Islands currently levies no taxes on individuals or corporations based upon profits, income, gains or appreciation and there is
no taxation in the nature of inheritance tax or estate duty. There are no other taxes likely to be material to us levied by the government of the Cayman
Islands except for stamp duties which may be applicable on instruments executed in, or, after execution, brought within the jurisdiction of the Cayman
Islands. The Cayman Islands is not party to any double tax treaties that are applicable to any payments made to or by our company. There are no
exchange control regulations or currency restrictions in the Cayman Islands.
Payments of dividends and capital in respect of the ADSs and ordinary shares will not be subject to taxation in the Cayman Islands and no
withholding will be required on the payment of a dividend or capital to any holder of the Shares, nor will gains derived from the disposal of the shares
be subject to Cayman Islands income or corporation tax.
People’s Republic of China Taxation
Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementation rules, an enterprise established outside of the PRC with a “de facto
management body” within the PRC is considered a resident enterprise and will be subject to the enterprise income tax at the rate of 25% on its global
income. The implementation rules define the term “de facto management body” as the body that exercises full and substantial control over and overall
management of the business, productions, personnel, accounts and properties of an enterprise. In April 2009, the State Administration of Taxation issued
a circular, known as Circular 82, which provides certain specific criteria for determining whether the “de facto management body” of a PRC-controlled
enterprise that is incorporated offshore is located in China. Although this circular only applies to offshore enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises or
PRC enterprise groups, not those controlled by PRC individuals or foreigners, the criteria set forth in the circular may reflect the State Administration of
Taxation’s general position on how the “de facto management body” test should be applied in determining the tax resident status of all offshore
enterprises. According to Circular 82, an offshore incorporated enterprise controlled by a PRC enterprise or a PRC enterprise group will be regarded as a
PRC tax resident by virtue of having its “de facto management body” in China only if all of the following conditions are met: (i) the primary location of
the day-to-day operational management is in the PRC; (ii) decisions relating to the enterprise’s financial and human resource matters are made or are
subject to approval by organizations or personnel in the PRC; (iii) the enterprise’s primary assets, accounting books and records, company seals, and
board and shareholder resolutions, are located or maintained in the PRC; and (iv) at least 50% of voting board members or senior executives habitually
reside in the PRC.
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We do not believe that PPDAI Group Inc. meets all of the conditions above. PPDAI Group Inc. is a company incorporated outside the PRC.
As a holding company, its key assets are its ownership interests in its subsidiaries, and its key assets are located, and its records (including the
resolutions of its board of directors and the resolutions of its shareholders) are maintained, outside the PRC. For the same reasons, we believe our other
entities outside of China are not PRC resident enterprises either. However, the tax resident status of an enterprise is subject to determination by the PRC
tax authorities and uncertainties remain with respect to the interpretation of the term “de facto management body.” There can be no assurance that the
PRC government will ultimately take a view that is consistent with ours.
However, if the PRC tax authorities determine that PPDAI Group Inc. is a PRC resident enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes, we
may be required to withhold a 10% withholding tax from dividends we pay to our shareholders that are non-resident enterprises, including the holders of
our ADSs. Such 10% tax rate could be reduced by applicable tax treaties or similar arrangements between China and the jurisdiction of our
shareholders. For example, for shareholders eligible for the benefits of the tax treaty between China and Hong Kong, the tax rate is reduced to 5% for
dividends if relevant conditions are met. In addition, non-resident enterprise shareholders (including our ADS holders) may be subject to a 10% PRC tax
on gains realized on the sale or other disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares, if such income is treated as sourced from within the PRC. It is unclear
whether our non-PRC individual shareholders (including our ADS holders) would be subject to any PRC tax on dividends or gains obtained by such
non-PRC individual shareholders in the event we are determined to be a PRC resident enterprise. If any PRC tax were to apply to such dividends or
gains, it would generally apply at a rate of 20% unless a reduced rate is available under an applicable tax treaty. However, it is also unclear whether
non-PRC shareholders of PPDAI Group Inc. would be able to claim the benefits of any tax treaties between their country of tax residence and the PRC
in the event that PPDAI Group Inc. is treated as a PRC resident enterprise.
Provided that our Cayman Islands holding company, PPDAI Group Inc., is not deemed to be a PRC resident enterprise, holders of our ADSs
and ordinary shares who are not PRC residents will not be subject to PRC income tax on dividends distributed by us or gains realized from the sale or
other disposition of our shares or ADSs. However, under SAT Circular 698 and SAT Public Notice 7, where a non-resident enterprise conducts an
“indirect transfer” by transferring taxable assets, including, in particular, equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise, indirectly by disposing of the
equity interests of an overseas holding company, the non-resident enterprise, being the transferor, or the transferee or the PRC entity which directly
owned such taxable assets may report to the relevant tax authority such indirect transfer. Using a “substance over form” principle, the PRC tax authority
may disregard the existence of the overseas holding company if it lacks a reasonable commercial purpose and was established for the purpose of
reducing, avoiding or deferring PRC tax. As a result, gains derived from such indirect transfer may be subject to PRC enterprise income tax, and the
transferor obligated to withhold the applicable taxes, currently at a rate of 10% for the transfer of equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise. We and
our non-PRC resident investors may be at risk of being required to file a return and being taxed under SAT Circular 698 and SAT Public Notice 7, and
we may be required to expend valuable resources to comply with SAT Circular 698 and SAT Public Notice 7, or to establish that we should not be taxed
under these circulars. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—We face uncertainty with respect to
indirect transfers of equity interests in PRC resident enterprises by their non-PRC holding companies.”
United States Federal Income Tax Considerations
The following discussion is a summary of United States federal income tax considerations generally applicable to the ownership and
disposition of our ADSs or ordinary shares by a U.S. holder (as defined below) that acquires our ADSs and holds our ADSs or ordinary shares as
“capital assets” (generally, property held for investment) under the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). This
discussion is based upon existing United States federal income tax law, which is subject to differing interpretations and may be changed, possibly with
retroactive effect. No ruling has been sought from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) with respect to any United States 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 does not address
all aspects of United States federal income taxation that may be important to particular investors in light of their individual circumstances, including
investors subject to special tax rules (for example, certain financial institutions, insurance companies, broker-dealers, traders in securities that have
elected the mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities, partnerships and their partners, regulated investment companies, real estate
investment trusts, and tax-exempt organizations (including private foundations)), investors who are not U.S. holders, investors who own (directly,
indirectly, or constructively) 10% or more of our stock (by vote or value), investors that will hold their ADSs or ordinary shares as part of a straddle,
hedge, conversion, constructive sale, or other integrated transaction for United States federal income tax purposes, investors required to accelerate the
recognition of any item of gross income with respect to our ADSs or ordinary shares as a result of such income being recognized on an applicable
financial statement or investors that have a functional currency other than the United States dollar, all of whom may be subject to tax rules that differ
significantly from those summarized below. In addition, this discussion does not discuss any non-United States, alternative minimum tax, state, or local
tax or any non-income tax (such as the U.S. federal gift or estate tax) considerations, or the Medicare tax on net investment income. Each U.S. holder is
urged to consult its tax advisor regarding the United States federal, state, local, and non-United States income and other tax considerations of an
investment in our ADSs or ordinary shares.
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General
For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. holder” is a beneficial owner of our ADSs or ordinary shares that is, for United States federal
income tax purposes, (i) an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for
United States federal income tax purposes) created in, or organized under the laws of, the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia,
(iii) an estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source, or (iv) a trust (A) the administration of
which is subject to the primary supervision of a United States court and which has one or more United States persons who have the authority to control
all substantial decisions of the trust or (B) that has otherwise elected to be treated as a United States person under applicable United States Treasury
regulations.
If a partnership (or other entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes) is a beneficial owner
of our ADSs or ordinary shares, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of
the partnership. Partnerships holding our ADSs or ordinary shares and partners in such partnerships are urged to consult their tax advisors as to the
particular United States federal income tax consequences of an investment in our ADSs or ordinary shares.
For United States federal income tax purposes, a U.S. holder of ADSs will generally be treated as the beneficial owner of the underlying
shares represented by the ADSs. The remainder of this discussion assumes that a U.S. holder of our ADSs will be treated as the beneficial owner of the
underlying shares represented by the ADSs. Accordingly, deposits or withdrawals of ordinary shares for ADSs will generally not be subject to United
States federal income tax.
Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations
A non-United States corporation, such as our company, will be a “passive foreign investment company,” or “PFIC,” for United States
federal income tax purposes, if, in any particular taxable year, either (i) 75% or more of its gross income for such year consists of certain types of
“passive” income or (ii) 50% or more of the average quarterly value of its assets (as determined on the basis of fair market value) during such year
produce or are held for the production of passive income. Cash is categorized as a passive asset and the company’s goodwill and other unbooked
intangibles associated with active business activities may generally be classified as active assets. Passive income generally includes, among other things,
dividends, interest, rents, royalties, and gains from the disposition of passive assets. We will be treated as owning a proportionate share of the assets and
earning a proportionate share of the income of any other corporation in which we own, directly or indirectly, at least 25% (by value) of the stock.
Although the law in this regard is unclear, we intend to treat our variable interest entities (including their subsidiaries) as being owned by us
for United States federal income tax purposes, and we treat them that way, not only because we exercise effective control over the operation of such
entities but also because we are entitled to substantially all of their economic benefits, and, as a result, we consolidate their results of operations in our
consolidated financial statements. Assuming that we are the owner of our variable interest entities (including their subsidiaries) for United States federal
income tax purposes, we do not believe that we were a PFIC for the taxable year ended December 31, 2018 and do not anticipate becoming a PFIC in
future taxable years.
While we do not believe that we were a PFIC for the taxable year ended December 31, 2018 and do not anticipate becoming a PFIC in the
foreseeable future, no assurance can be given with respect to our PFIC status for the current taxable year or any future taxable years because the
determination of whether we are or will become a PFIC will depend in part upon the value of our goodwill and other unbooked intangibles (which will
depend upon the market price of our ADSs from time-to-time, which may be volatile). In estimating the value of our goodwill and other unbooked
intangibles, we have taken into account our market capitalization. Among other matters, if our market capitalization subsequently declines, we may be
or become a PFIC for the current or future taxable years. It is also possible that the IRS may challenge our classification of certain income and assets as
non-passive, which may result in our company being a PFIC for the taxable year ended December 31, 2018 or becoming a PFIC for the current or one or
more future taxable years.
The determination of whether we will be or become a PFIC will also depend, in part, on the composition of our income and assets, which
may be affected by how, and how quickly, we use our liquid assets. If we determine not to deploy significant amounts of cash for active purposes or if
we were treated as not owning our variable interest entities for United States federal income tax purposes, our risk of being classified as a PFIC may
substantially increase. Because our PFIC status for any taxable year is a factual determination that can be made only after the close of a taxable year,
there can be no assurance that we will not be a PFIC for the current taxable year or any future taxable year. If we are a PFIC for any year during which a
U.S. holder holds our ADSs or ordinary shares, we generally will continue to be treated as a PFIC for all succeeding years during which such U.S.
holder holds our ADSs or ordinary shares.
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The discussion below under “Dividends” and “Sale or Other Disposition of ADSs or Ordinary Shares” is written on the basis that we will
not be or become a PFIC for United States federal income tax purposes. The United States federal income tax rules that apply if we are a PFIC for the
current taxable year or any subsequent taxable year are generally discussed below under “Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules.”
Dividends
Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, any cash distributions (including the amount of any tax withheld) paid on our ADSs or ordinary
shares out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under United States federal income tax principles, will generally be
includible in the gross income of a U.S. holder as dividend income on the day actually or constructively received by the U.S. holder, in the case of
ordinary shares, or by the depositary, in the case of ADSs. Because we do not intend to determine our earnings and profits on the basis of United States
federal income tax principles, any distribution paid will generally be reported as a dividend for United States federal income tax purposes. A
non-corporate recipient of dividend income from a “qualified foreign corporation” will generally be subject to tax at a reduced United States federal tax
rate rather than the marginal tax rates generally applicable to ordinary income provided that certain holding period and other requirements are met.
A non-United States corporation (other than a corporation that is a PFIC for the taxable year in which the dividend is paid or the preceding
taxable year) will generally be considered to be a qualified foreign corporation (a) if it is eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive tax treaty with the
United States which the Secretary of Treasury of the United States determines is satisfactory for purposes of this provision and which includes an
exchange of information program, or (b) with respect to any dividend it pays on stock (or ADSs in respect of such stock) which is readily tradable on an
established securities market in the United States. We expect our ADSs will be considered to be readily tradable on the NYSE, which is an established
securities market in the United States and that we will be a qualified foreign corporation with respect to dividends paid on the ADSs. Since we do not
expect that our ordinary shares will be listed on established securities markets, we do not believe that dividends that we pay on our ordinary shares that
are not backed by ADSs currently meet the conditions required for the reduced tax rate. There can be no assurance that our ADSs will continue to be
considered readily tradable on an established securities market in later years. In the event we are deemed to be a resident enterprise under the PRC
Enterprise Income Tax Law, we may be eligible for the benefits of the United States-PRC income tax treaty (which the U.S. Treasury Department has
determined is satisfactory for this purpose) and in that case we would be treated as a qualified foreign corporation with respect to dividends paid on our
ordinary shares or ADSs. Each non-corporate U.S. holder is advised to consult its tax advisors regarding the availability of the reduced tax rate
applicable to qualified dividend income for any dividends we pay with respect to our ADSs or ordinary shares. Dividends received on the ADSs or
ordinary shares will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporations.
Dividends will generally be treated as income from foreign sources for United States foreign tax credit purposes and will generally
constitute passive category income. In the event that we are deemed to be a PRC “resident enterprise” under the Enterprise Income Tax Law, a U.S.
holder may be subject to PRC withholding taxes on dividends paid on our ADSs or ordinary shares. See “Item 10. Additional Information—E.
Taxation—People’s Republic of China Taxation.” In that case, a U.S. holder may be eligible, subject to a number of complex limitations, to claim a
foreign tax credit in respect of any foreign withholding taxes imposed on dividends received on ADSs or ordinary shares. A U.S. holder who does not
elect to claim a foreign tax credit for foreign tax withheld may instead claim a deduction, for United States federal income tax purposes, in respect of
such withholdings, but only for a year in which such U.S. holder elects to do so for all creditable foreign income taxes. The rules governing the foreign
tax credit are complex. U.S. holders are advised to consult their tax advisors regarding the availability of the foreign tax credit under their particular
circumstances.
Sale or Other Disposition of ADSs or Ordinary Shares
Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, a U.S. holder will generally recognize capital gain or loss upon the sale or other disposition of
ADSs or ordinary shares in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized upon the disposition and the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis
in such ADSs or ordinary shares. Any capital gain or loss will be long-term if the ADSs or ordinary shares have been held for more than one year and
will generally be United States source gain or loss for United States foreign tax credit purposes. Long-term capital gain of non-corporate U.S. holders is
generally eligible for a reduced rate of taxation. The deductibility of a capital loss may be subject to limitations. In the event that we are treated as a
PRC “resident enterprise” under the Enterprise Income Tax Law and gain from the disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares is subject to tax in the
PRC, a U.S. holder that is eligible for the benefits of the income tax treaty between the United States and the PRC may elect to treat the gain as PRC
source income. U.S. holders are advised to consult their tax advisors regarding the tax consequences if a foreign tax is imposed on a disposition of our
ADSs or ordinary shares, including the availability of the foreign tax credit under their particular circumstances and the election to treat any gain as PRC
source.
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Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules
If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. holder holds our ADSs or ordinary shares, and unless the U.S. holder makes a
mark-to-market election (as described below), the U.S. holder will generally be subject to special tax rules that have a penalizing effect, regardless of
whether we remain a PFIC, for subsequent taxable years, on (i) any excess distribution that we make to the U.S. holder (which generally means any
distribution paid during a taxable year to a U.S. holder that is greater than 125% of the average annual distributions paid in the three preceding taxable
years or, if shorter, the U.S. holder’s holding period for the ADSs or ordinary shares), and (ii) any gain realized on the sale or other disposition,
including, under certain circumstances, a pledge, of ADSs or ordinary shares. Under the PFIC rules:
•
•
•
•
such excess distribution and/or gain will be allocated ratably over the U.S. holder’s holding period for the ADSs or ordinary shares;
such amount allocated to the current taxable year and any taxable years in the U.S. holder’s holding period prior to the first taxable
year in which we are a PFIC, or pre-PFIC year, will be taxable as ordinary income;
such amount allocated to each prior taxable year, other than a pre-PFIC year, will be subject to tax at the highest tax rate in effect for
that year; and
an interest charge generally applicable to underpayments of tax will be imposed on the tax attributable to each prior taxable year,
other than a pre-PFIC year.
If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. holder holds our ADSs or ordinary shares and any of our non-United States
subsidiaries is also a PFIC, such U.S. holder would be treated as owning a proportionate amount (by value) of the shares of the lower-tier PFIC for
purposes of the application of these rules. U.S. holders are advised to consult their tax advisors regarding the application of the PFIC rules to any of our
subsidiaries.
As an alternative to the foregoing rules, a U.S. holder of “marketable stock” in a PFIC may make a mark-to-market election with respect to
our ADSs, provided that the ADSs are regularly traded on the NYSE. Because a mark-to-market election cannot be made for any lower-tier PFICs that a
PFIC may own, a U.S. holder who makes a mark-to-market election with respect to our ADSs will generally continue to be subject to the foregoing
rules with respect to such U.S. holder’s indirect interest in any investments held by us that are treated as an equity interest in a PFIC for United States
federal income tax purposes.
If a mark-to-market election is made with respect to our ADSs, the U.S. holder will generally (i) include as ordinary income for each taxable
year that we are a PFIC the excess, if any, of the fair market value of ADSs held at the end of the taxable year over the adjusted tax basis of such ADSs
and (ii) deduct as an ordinary loss the excess, if any, of the adjusted tax basis of the ADSs over the fair market value of such ADSs held at the end of the
taxable year, but only to the extent of the net amount previously included in income as a result of the mark-to-market election. The U.S. holder’s
adjusted tax basis in the ADSs would be adjusted to reflect any income or loss resulting from the mark-to-market election. If a U.S. holder makes an
effective mark-to-market election, in each year that we are a PFIC any gain recognized upon the sale or other disposition of the ADSs will be treated as
ordinary income and loss will be treated as ordinary loss, but only to the extent of the net amount previously included in income as a result of the
mark-to-market election. If a U.S. holder makes a mark-to-market election it will be effective for the taxable year for which the election is made and all
subsequent taxable years unless the ADSs are no longer regularly traded on a qualified exchange or the IRS consents to the revocation of the election. It
should also be noted that it is intended that only the ADSs and not the ordinary shares will be listed on the NYSE. Consequently, if a U.S. holder holds
ordinary shares that are not represented by ADSs, such holder generally will not be eligible to make a mark-to-market election if we are or were to
become a PFIC.
If a U.S. holder makes a mark-to-market election in respect of a PFIC and such corporation ceases to be a PFIC, the U.S. holder will not be
required to take into account the mark-to-market gain or loss described above during any period that such corporation is not a PFIC.
We do not intend to provide information necessary for U.S. holders to make qualified electing fund elections, which, if available, would
result in tax treatment different from (and generally less adverse than) the general tax treatment for PFICs described above.
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As discussed above under “Dividends,” dividends that we pay on our ADSs or ordinary shares will not be eligible for the reduced tax rate
that applies to qualified dividend income if we are a PFIC for the taxable year in which the dividend is paid or the preceding taxable year. In addition, if
a U.S. holder owns our ADSs or ordinary shares during any taxable year that we are a PFIC, such holder would generally be required to file an annual
IRS Form 8621. Each U.S. holder is advised to consult its tax advisors regarding the potential tax consequences to such holder if we are or become a
PFIC, including the possibility of making a mark-to-market election.
F.
Dividends and Paying Agents
Not applicable.
G.
Statement by Experts
Not applicable.
H. Documents on Display
We are subject to periodic reporting and other informational requirements of the Exchange Act as applicable to foreign private issuers, and
are required to file reports and other information with the SEC. Specifically, we are required to file annually an annual report on Form 20-F within four
months after the end of each fiscal year, which is December 31. All information filed with the SEC can be obtained over the internet at the SEC’s
website at www.sec.gov or inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549.
You can request copies of documents, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to the SEC. As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the
rules under the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of quarterly reports and proxy statements, and officers, directors and principal
shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
We will furnish Citibank, N.A., the depositary of our ADSs, with our annual reports, which will include a review of operations and annual
audited consolidated financial statements prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP, and all notices of shareholders’ meetings and other reports and
communications that are made generally available to our shareholders. The depositary will make such notices, reports and communications available to
holders of ADSs and, upon our request, will mail to all record holders of ADSs the information contained in any notice of a shareholders’ meeting
received by the depositary from us.
I.
Subsidiary Information
Not applicable.
ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Foreign Exchange Risk
All of our revenues and substantially all of our expenses are denominated in RMB. Our exposure to foreign exchange risk primarily relates
to cash and cash equivalent denominated in U.S. dollars. Although we do not believe that we currently have any significant direct foreign exchange risk,
we entered into option and futures contracts in 2018 to hedge our exposure to foreign exchange risk against U.S. dollar. The total notional amount of the
hedging transactions we entered into in 2018 was US$240.0 million. As of the date of this annual report, we have no foreign exchange derivative
contracts outstanding. Although our exposure to foreign exchange risks should be limited in general, the value of your investment in our ADSs will be
affected by the exchange rate between U.S. dollar and RMB because the value of our business is effectively denominated in RMB, while our ADSs will
be traded in U.S. dollars.
The conversion of RMB into foreign currencies, including U.S. dollars, is based on rates set by the People’s Bank of China. The PRC
government allowed the RMB to appreciate by more than 20% against the U.S. dollar between July 2005 and July 2008. Between July 2008 and June
2010, this appreciation halted and the exchange rate between the RMB and the U.S. dollar remained within a narrow band. Between June 2010 and
August 2015, the PRC government has allowed the RMB to appreciate slowly against the U.S. dollar again. Since August 2015, the RMB has
significantly depreciated against the U.S. dollar. It is difficult to predict how market forces or PRC or U.S. government policy may impact the exchange
rate between the RMB and the U.S. dollar in the future.
To the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars into RMB for our operations, appreciation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar would have
an adverse effect on the RMB amount we receive from the conversion. Conversely, if we decide to convert RMB into U.S. dollars for the purpose of
making payments for dividends on our ordinary shares or ADSs or for other business purposes, appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the RMB would
have a negative effect on the U.S. dollar amounts available to us.
123
Interest Rate Risk
We have not been exposed to material risks due to changes in market interest rates, and we have not used any derivative financial
instruments to manage our interest risk exposure.
The fluctuation of interest rates may affect the demand for loan services on our platform. For example, a decrease in interest rates may cause
potential borrowers to seek lower-priced loans from other channels. A high interest rate environment may lead to an increase in competing investment
options and dampen investors’ desire to invest on our platform. We do not expect that the fluctuation of interest rates will have a material impact on our
financial condition. However, we cannot provide assurance that we will not be exposed to material risks due to changes in market interest rate in the
future. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—Fluctuations in interest rates could negatively affect
transaction volume facilitated through our platform.”
We may invest our cash in interest-earning instruments. Investments in both fixed rate and floating rate interest earning instruments carry a
degree of interest rate risk. Fixed rate securities may have their fair market value adversely impacted due to a rise in interest rates, while floating rate
securities may produce less income than expected if interest rates fall.
ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
A.
Debt Securities
Not applicable.
B. Warrants and Rights
Not applicable.
C. Other Securities
Not applicable.
D.
American Depositary Shares
Fees and Charges Our ADS holders May Have to Pay
As an ADS holder, you will be required to pay the following fees under the terms of the deposit agreement:
Service
• Issuance of ADSs (e.g., an issuance of ADS upon a deposit of Class A ordinary
shares, upon a change in the ADS(s)-to-Class A ordinary share(s) ratio, or for
any other reason), excluding ADS issuances as a result of distributions of
Class A ordinary shares
Fees
Up to U.S. 5¢ per ADS issued
• Cancelation of ADSs (e.g., a cancelation of ADSs for delivery of deposited
Up to U.S. 5¢ per ADS canceled
property, upon a change in the ADS(s)-to-Class A ordinary share(s) ratio, or for
any other reason)
• Distribution of cash dividends or other cash distributions (e.g., upon a sale of
Up to U.S. 5¢ per ADS held
rights and other entitlements)
• Distribution of ADSs pursuant to (i) stock dividends or other free stock
distributions, or (ii) exercise of rights to purchase additional ADSs
Up to U.S. 5¢ per ADS held
• Distribution of securities other than ADSs or rights to purchase additional ADSs
Up to U.S. 5¢ per ADS held
(e.g., upon a spin-off)
• ADS Services
Up to U.S. 5¢ per ADS held on the applicable record date(s)
established by the depositary bank
124
As an ADS holder you will also be responsible to pay certain charges such as:
•
•
•
•
•
•
taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) and other governmental charges;
the registration fees as may from time to time be in effect for the registration of Class A ordinary shares on the share register and
applicable to transfers of Class A ordinary shares to or from the name of the custodian, the depositary bank or any nominees upon
the making of deposits and withdrawals, respectively;
certain cable, telex and facsimile transmission and delivery expenses;
the expenses and charges incurred by the depositary bank in the conversion of foreign currency;
the fees and expenses incurred by the depositary bank in connection with compliance with exchange control regulations and other
regulatory requirements applicable to Class A ordinary shares, ADSs and ADRs; and
the fees and expenses incurred by the depositary bank, the custodian, or any nominee in connection with the servicing or delivery of
deposited property.
ADS fees and charges payable upon (i) the issuance of ADSs, and (ii) the cancelation of ADSs are charged to the person to whom the ADSs
are issued (in the case of ADS issuances) and to the person whose ADSs are canceled (in the case of ADS cancellations). In the case of ADSs issued by
the depositary bank into DTC, the ADS issuance and cancelation fees and charges may be deducted from distributions made through DTC, and may be
charged to the DTC participant(s) receiving the ADSs being issued or the DTC participant(s) holding the ADSs being canceled, as the case may be, on
behalf of the beneficial owner(s) and will be charged by the DTC participant(s) to the account of the applicable beneficial owner(s) in accordance with
the procedures and practices of the DTC participants as in effect at the time. ADS fees and charges in respect of distributions and the ADS service fee
are charged to the holders as of the applicable ADS record date. In the case of distributions of cash, the amount of the applicable ADS fees and charges
is deducted from the funds being distributed. In the case of (i) distributions other than cash and (ii) the ADS service fee, holders as of the ADS record
date will be invoiced for the amount of the ADS fees and charges and such ADS fees and charges may be deducted from distributions made to holders
of ADSs. For ADSs held through DTC, the ADS fees and charges for distributions other than cash and the ADS service fee may be deducted from
distributions made through DTC, and may be charged to the DTC participants in accordance with the procedures and practices prescribed by DTC and
the DTC participants in turn charge the amount of such ADS fees and charges to the beneficial owners for whom they hold ADSs.
In the event of refusal to pay the depositary bank fees, the depositary bank may, under the terms of the deposit agreement, refuse the
requested service until payment is received or may set off the amount of the depositary bank fees from any distribution to be made to the ADS holder.
Certain of the depositary fees and charges (such as the ADS services fee) may become payable shortly after the closing of the ADS offering. Note that
the fees and charges you may be required to pay may vary over time and may be changed by us and by the depositary bank. You will receive prior
notice of such changes. The depositary bank may reimburse us for certain expenses incurred by us in respect of the ADR program, by making available
a portion of the ADS fees charged in respect of the ADR program or otherwise, upon such terms and conditions as we and the depositary bank agree
from time to time.
Fees and Other Payments Made by the Depositary to Us
The depositary bank may reimburse us for certain expenses incurred by us in respect of the ADR program, by making available a portion of
the ADS fees charged in respect of the ADR program or otherwise, upon such terms and conditions as we and the depositary bank agree from time to
time. For the year ended December 31, 2018, received approximately US$1.4 million for such reimbursement from the depositary.
125
ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
None.
PART II
ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders
See “Item 10. Additional Information—B. Memorandum and Articles of Association—Ordinary Shares” for a description of the rights of
securities holders, which remain unchanged.
Use of Proceeds
The following “Use of Proceeds” information relates to the registration statement on Form F-1, as amended (File No. 333-220954) in
relation to our initial public offering, which was declared effective by the SEC on November 9, 2017. In November 2017, we completed our initial
public offering in which we issued and sold an aggregate of 17,000,000 ADSs, representing 85,000,000 Class A ordinary shares, resulting in net
proceeds to us of approximately US$202.8 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by
us. Concurrently with our initial public offering, we sold 19,230,769 Class A ordinary shares to a wholly owned subsidiary of Sun Hung Kai & Co.
Limited via a private placement, resulting in net proceeds to us of approximately US$49.5 million. Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and Citigroup
Global Markets Inc. were the representatives of the underwriters for our initial public offering.
For the period from November 9, 2017, the date that the registration statement on Form F-1 was declared effective by the SEC, to
December 31, 2017, the total expenses incurred for our company’s account in connection with our initial public offering was approximately
US$4.7 million, which included US$2.8 million in underwriting discounts and commissions for the initial public offering and approximately
US$1.9 million in other costs and expenses for our initial public offering. None of the transaction expenses included payments to directors or officers of
our company or their associates, persons owning more than 10% or more of our equity securities or our affiliates. None of the net proceeds from the
initial public offering were paid, directly or indirectly, to any of our directors or officers or their associates, persons owning 10% or more of our equity
securities or our affiliates.
For the period from November 9, 2017, the date that the registration statement on Form F-1 was declared effective by the SEC, to December 31,
2018, we used the net proceeds from our initial public offering for as follows:
•
•
•
Approximately US$65.8 million for share repurchases;
Approximately US$20.0 million for the acquisition of, and/or investment in, technologies, solutions and/or businesses that
complement our business; and
Approximately US$75.0 million for general corporate purposes.
We still intend to use the remainder of the proceeds from our initial public offering and the concurrent private placement as disclosed in our
registration statements on Form F-1. We may also use part of the proceeds to repurchase our ADSs.
ITEM 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, has performed an evaluation of the
effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by
this report, as required by Rule 13a-15(b) under the Exchange Act.
Based upon that evaluation, our management has concluded that, due to the outstanding material weakness described below, as of
December 31, 2018, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective in ensuring that the information required to be disclosed by us in the
reports that we file and furnish under the Exchange Act was recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the
SEC’s rules and forms, and that the information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is
accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, to allow timely decisions regarding
required disclosure.
126
Notwithstanding management’s assessment that our internal control over financial reporting was ineffective as of December 31, 2018 due to
the material weakness described below, we believe that the consolidated financial statements included in this annual report on Form 20-F correctly
present our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the fiscal years covered thereby in all material respects.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule
13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act.
In the course of auditing our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2018 and for the year ended December 2018, we and our
independent accountant identified one “material weakness” in our internal control over financial reporting, as defined in the standards established by the
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board of the United States, and other control deficiencies. A “material weakness” is a deficiency, or a
combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the
company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
The material weakness identified related to our lack of sufficient and competent financial reporting and accounting personnel with appropriate
knowledge of U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting requirements to formalize key controls over financial reporting and to prepare our consolidated financial
statements and related disclosures in accordance with U.S. GAAP and SEC financial reporting requirements. We have taken the following actions in
2018 to address the root cause of the material weakness:
(i)
We engaged another accounting firm as our control advisor to assist in preparing for Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act by
documenting our processes and internal controls and benchmarking against industry best practices;
(ii) We have implemented more controls around business processes as well as financial reporting as a result of the work performed by
our control advisor; and
(iii) We provided additional accounting and financial reporting training for our existing staff and sent them to lectures and seminars on
recent development of U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting.
We believe that the actions taken have improved our internal control over financial reporting, and we will continue to take additional
remedial steps, including but not limited to:
(i)
We will hire additional qualified accounting staff with appropriate U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting experience to cope with our
business expansion;
(ii) We will provide more training to our existing staff to enable them to be more familiar with the latest updates in U.S. GAAP and
SEC reporting requirements; and
(iii) We will prepare formal memorandums for accounting treatments of new business models or changes in business processes, timely
update our accounting manual to reflect these changes and circulate these memos and accounting manuals within finance department
or relevant business departments to help them better understand the reporting procedures and documentation requirements.
Our management evaluated the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, as required by Rule 13a-15(c) of the Exchange
Act, based on criteria established in the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, our management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting
was not effective as of December 31, 2018.
We are fully committed to continue to implement measures to remediate our material weakness, significant deficiency and other control
deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting. However, the implementation of these measures may not fully address the deficiencies in
our internal control over financial reporting. We are not able to estimate with reasonable certainty the costs that we will need to incur in implementing
these and other measures designed to improve our internal control over financial reporting. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks
Related to Our Business—If we fail to implement and maintain an effective system of internal controls over financial reporting, we may be unable to
accurately report our results of operations, meet our reporting obligations or prevent fraud.”
Attestation Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
This annual report does not include an attestation report of our company’s independent registered public accounting firm due to the
transition periods established by rules of the SEC for an Emerging Growth Company.
127
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Other than as described above, there were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the period
covered by this annual report on Form 20-F that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial
reporting.
ITEM 16A. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
Our board of directors has determined that Mr. Jimmy Y. Lai, an independent director (under the standards set forth under Section 303A of
the Corporate Governance Rules of the New York Stock Exchange and Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act) and a member of our audit committee, is
an “audit committee financial expert.”
ITEM 16B. CODE OF ETHICS
Our board of directors adopted a code of business conduct and ethics that applies to our directors, officers and employees in October 2017.
We have posted a copy of our code of business conduct and ethics on our website at http://ir.ppdai.com/.
ITEM 16C. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The following table sets forth the aggregate fees by categories specified below in connection with certain professional services rendered by
PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian LLP, our principal external auditors, for the periods indicated.
Audit fees(1)
Audit-related fees(2)
Tax fees(3)
All other fees(4)
2017
2018
(RMB’000)
11,130
504
400
—
(US$’000)*
1,619
73
58
—
(RMB’000)
7,800
—
2,614
—
(US$’000)*
1,134
—
380
—
*
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
The US$ amounts are translated from corresponding RMB amounts using a rate of RMB6.8755 = US$1.00, the noon buying rate on
December 31, 2018 set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board.
“Audit fees” means the aggregate fees billed for each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant
for the audit of the registrant’s annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory
and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years.
“Audit-related fees” means the aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for assurance and related services by the principal
accountant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the registrant’s financial statements and are not reported under
footnote (1) above.
“Tax fees” means the aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for
tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning.
“All other fees” means the aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for products and services provided by the principal
accountant, other than the services reported in footnotes (1) through (3).
The policy of our audit committee is to pre-approve all audit and non-audit services provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian LLP,
including audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services as described above, other than those for de minimis services which are
approved by the audit committee prior to the completion of the audit.
ITEM 16D. EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES
Not applicable.
ITEM 16E. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS
On March 21, 2018, our board of directors authorized a share repurchase program whereby our company was authorized to repurchase its
own Class A ordinary shares in the form of ADSs with an aggregate value of up to US$60 million during the next twelve-month period (the “Share
Repurchase Program”). The share repurchases may be effected on the open market at prevailing market prices, depending on a number of factors,
including, but not limited to, share price, trading volume and general market conditions, along with our company’s working capital requirements,
general business conditions, as well as other factors. The share repurchases will be carried out in a manner in compliance with Rule 10b-18 and/or Rule
10b5-1 under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, so as to qualify for the safe harbor provided therein. On August 21, 2018, our
board of directors approved an expansion of the Share Repurchase Program whereby the maximum aggregate value of the Class A ordinary shares in the
form of ADSs that can be repurchased under the Share Repurchase Program increased from US$60 million to US$120 million. Our board of directors
also approved an extension of the period of the Share Repurchase Program to August 20, 2019.
128
The following table summarizes the details of the repurchases made in accordance with the Share Repurchase Program as of the date of this
annual report.
Period
March 2018
April 2018
May 2018
June 2018
July 2018
August 2018
September 2018
October 2018
November 2018
December 2018
January 2019
February 2019
March 2019
April 2019
Total
Total number of
ADSs purchased
185,700
309,600
235,200
2,080,014
2,652,900
2,885,044
1,462,856
1,459,800
552,858
237,300
—
—
346,800
123,500
12,531,572
Average price
paid per ADS
7.43
7.21
7.38
6.44
4.78
5.01
5.97
5.69
5.84
4.94
—
—
3.87
3.89
—
Total number of ADSs
purchased as part of the
publicly announced plan
185,700
309,600
235,200
2,080,014
2,652,900
2,885,044
1,462,856
1,459,800
552,858
237,300
—
—
346,800
123,500
12,531,572
Approximate dollar value
of ADSs that may yet be
purchased under the plan
58,621,170
56,389,595
54,654,606
41,259,421
28,581,354
74,119,646
65,387,129
57,077,059
53,850,365
52,679,250
52,679,250
52,679,250
51,335,477
50,855,677
—
ITEM 16F. CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT
Not applicable.
ITEM 16G. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Section 303A.12(a) of the NYSE Listed Company Manual requires each listed company’s chief executive officer to certify to the NYSE
each year that he or she is not aware of any violation by the company of NYSE corporate governance listing standards. We are a Cayman Islands
exempted company, and our chief executive officer is not required under applicable Cayman Islands law to make such a certification. Pursuant to the
exceptions granted to foreign private issuers under Section 303A.00 of the NYSE Listed Company Manual, we have followed our home country practice
in this regard and have not in the past submitted the certification set forth in Section 303A.12(a) of the NYSE Listed Company Manual.
Section 303A.01 of the NYSE Listed Company Manual requires a listed company to have a majority of independent directors.
Section 303A.07(a) of the NYSE Listed Company Manual requires a listed company to have an audit committee composed a minimum of three
members. Section 303A.05(a) of the NYSE Listed Company Manual requires a listed company to have a compensation committee composed entirely of
independent directors. We are a Cayman Islands exempted company, and there are no requirements under applicable Cayman Islands law that
correspond to these sections of the NYSE Listed Company Manual. Pursuant to the exceptions granted to foreign private issuers under Section 303A.00
of the NYSE Listed Company Manual, we have followed our home country practice and are exempted from the requirements of Sections 303A.01,
303A.07(a) and 303A.05(a) of the NYSE Listed Company Manual.
Other than the requirements discussed above, there are no significant differences between our corporate governance practices and those
followed by domestic listed companies as required under the NYSE Listed Company Manual. Since we have chosen to follow our home country
practice, our shareholders may be afforded less protection than they otherwise would enjoy under the NYSE corporate governance listing standards
applicable to U.S. domestic issuers. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our ADSs—As a company incorporated in the
Cayman Islands, we are permitted to adopt certain home country practices in relation to corporate governance matters that differ significantly from the
NYSE corporate governance listing standards; these practices may afford less protection to shareholders than they would enjoy if we complied fully
with the NYSE corporate governance listing standards.”
ITEM 16H. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.
129
ITEM 17.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
We have elected to provide financial statements pursuant to Item 18.
PART III
ITEM 18.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The consolidated financial statements of PPDAI Group Inc., its subsidiaries and its consolidated variable interest entity are included at the
end of this annual report.
ITEM 19.
EXHIBITS
Exhibit
Number
1.1
2.1
2.2
2.3
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
Description of Document
Fourth Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Registrant (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2
to the registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-220954), as amended, initially filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on October 13, 2017)
Registrant’s Specimen American Depositary Receipt (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the registration statement on
Form F-1 (File No. 333-220954), as amended, initially filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 13, 2017)
Registrant’s Specimen Certificate for Ordinary Shares (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the registration statement on
Form F-1 (File No. 333-220954), as amended, initially filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 13, 2017)
Deposit Agreement dated November 14, 2017, among the Registrant, the depositary and holder of the American Depositary Receipts
(incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the registration statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-224011), filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on March 29, 2018)
The 2017 Share Incentive Plan of the Registrant (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the registration statement on Form F-1
(File No. 333-220954), as amended, initially filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 13, 2017)
The Third Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan of the Registrant (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the registration
statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-220954), as amended, initially filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 13,
2017)
Employment Agreement between the Registrant and its executive officers (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the
registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-220954), as amended, initially filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
October 13, 2017)
Indemnification Agreement between the Registrant and its directors and executive officers (incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 10.4 to the registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-220954), as amended, initially filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on October 13, 2017)
English translation of the Restated Equity Pledge agreement between Beijing Prosper and the shareholders of Beijing Paipairongxin dated
January 23, 2014 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-220954), as
amended, initially filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 13, 2017)
English translation of the Restated Business Operation Agreement among Beijing Prosper, Beijing Paipairongxin, and the shareholders of
Beijing Paipairongxin dated January 23, 2014 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the registration statement on Form F-1
(File No. 333-220954), as amended, initially filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 13, 2017)
English translation of the Power of Attorney granted by the shareholders of Beijing Paipairongxin dated January 23, 2014 (incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-220954), as amended, initially filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on October 13, 2017)
English translation of the Amended and Restated Exclusive Technology Consulting and Service Agreement among Beijing Prosper,
Shanghai PPDai, and Beijing Paipairongxin dated February 9, 2015 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the registration
statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-220954), as amended, initially filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 13,
2017)
130
Exhibit
Number
4.9
4.10
4.11
4.12
4.13
4.14
4.15
4.16
4.17
4.18
4.19
4.20
4.21
Description of Document
English translation of the Restated Option Agreement among Beijing Prosper, the shareholders of Beijing Paipairongxin, and Beijing
Paipairongxin dated January 23, 2014 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the registration statement on Form F-1 (File
No. 333-220954), as amended, initially filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 13, 2017)
English translation of the Equity Pledge Agreement among Shanghai Guangjian, Beijing Paipairongxin, Beijing Prosper and the
shareholders of Beijing Paipairongxin dated June 30, 2017 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the registration statement
on Form F-1 (File No. 333-220954), as amended, initially filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 13, 2017)
English translation of the Business Operation Agreement among Shanghai Guangjian, Shanghai Shanghu, Beijing Paipairongxin, Beijing
Prosper, and the shareholders of Beijing Paipairongxin dated June 30, 2017 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the
registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-220954), as amended, initially filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
October 13, 2017)
English translation of the Power of Attorney granted by the shareholders of Beijing Paipairongxin dated June 30, 2017 (incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-220954), as amended, initially filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on October 13, 2017)
English translation of the Exclusive Technology Consulting and Service Agreement among Shanghai Guangjian, Shanghai Shanghu,
Beijing Prosper, Shanghai PPDai, and Beijing Paipairongxin dated June 30, 2017 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the
registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-220954), as amended, initially filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
October 13, 2017)
English translation of the Option Agreement among Shanghai Guangjian, Beijing Prosper, Beijing Paipairongxin and the shareholders of
Beijing Paipairongxin dated June 30, 2017 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the registration statement on Form F-1 (File
No. 333-220954), as amended, initially filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 13, 2017)
Subscription Agreement between the Registrant and Sun Hung Kai & Co. (CP) Limited dated October 30, 2017 (incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-220954), as amended, initially filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on October 13, 2017)
English translation of the Loan Agreement between Shanghai Guangjian and the shareholders of Beijing Paipairongxin dated March 21,
2018 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.16 to the annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 001-38269), filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on April 27, 2017)
English translation of the Restated Equity Pledge Agreement among Shanghai Guangjian, Beijing Paipairongxin, Beijing Prosper and the
shareholders of Beijing Paipairongxin dated March 21, 2018 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.17 to the annual report on
Form 20-F (File No. 001-38269), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 27, 2017)
English translation of the Restated Business Operation Agreement among Shanghai Guangjian, Shanghai Shanghu, Beijing Paipairongxin,
Beijing Prosper, and the shareholders of Beijing Paipairongxin dated March 21, 2018 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.18
to the annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 001-38269), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 27, 2017)
English translation of the Restated Power of Attorney granted by the shareholders of Beijing Paipairongxin dated March 21, 2018
(incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.19 to the annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 001-38269), filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on April 27, 2017)
English translation of the Restated Exclusive Technology Consulting and Service Agreement among Shanghai Guangjian, Shanghai
Shanghu, Beijing Prosper, Shanghai PPDai, and Beijing Paipairongxin dated March 21, 2018 (incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 4.20 to the annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 001-38269), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 27,
2017)
English translation of the Restated Option Agreement among Shanghai Guangjian, Beijing Prosper, Beijing Paipairongxin and the
shareholders of Beijing Paipairongxin dated March 21, 2018 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.21 to the annual report on
Form 20-F (File No. 001-38269), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 27, 2017)
131
Exhibit
Number
4.22
4.23
4.24
4.25
4.26
4.27
Description of Document
English translation of the Loan Agreement between Shanghai Manyin and shareholders of Shanghai Zihe dated March 21, 2018
(incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.22 to the annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 001-38269), filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on April 27, 2017)
English translation of the Equity Pledge Agreement among Shanghai Manyin, Shanghai Zihe and the shareholders of Shanghai Zihe dated
March 21, 2018 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.23 to the annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 001-38269), filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on April 27, 2017)
English translation of the Business Operation Agreement among Shanghai Manyin, Shanghai Zihe and the shareholders of Shanghai Zihe
dated March 21, 2018 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.24 to the annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 001-38269), filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 27, 2017)
English translation of the Power of Attorney granted by the shareholders of Shanghai Zihe dated March 21, 2018 (incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 4.25 to the annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 001-38269), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
April 27, 2017)
English translation of the Exclusive Technology Consulting and Service Framework Agreement between Shanghai Manyin and Shanghai
Zihe dated March 21, 2018 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.26 to the annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 001-38269), filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 27, 2017)
English translation of the Exclusive Option Agreement among Shanghai Manyin, Shanghai Zihe and the shareholders of Shanghai Zihe
dated March 21, 2018 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.27 to the annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 001-38269), filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 27, 2017)
4.28*
English translation of the Loan Agreement between Shanghai Manyin and the shareholders of Shanghai Ledao dated January 14, 2019
4.29*
4.30*
English translation of the Equity Pledge Agreement among Shanghai Manyin, Shanghai Ledao and the shareholders of Shanghai Ledao
dated January 14, 2019
English translation of the Business Operation Agreement among Shanghai Manyin, Shanghai Ledao and the shareholders of Shanghai
Ledao dated January 14, 2019
4.31*
English translation of the Power of Attorney granted by the shareholders of Shanghai Ledao dated January 14, 2019
4.32*
4.33*
English translation of the Exclusive Technology Consulting and Service Framework Agreement between Shanghai Manyin and Shanghai
Ledao dated January 14, 2019
English translation of the Exclusive Option Agreement among Shanghai Manyin, Shanghai Ledao and the shareholders of Shanghai Ledao
dated January 14, 2019
4.34*
English translation of the Loan Agreement between Shanghai Manyin and the shareholders of Shanghai Nianqiao dated November 29, 2018
4.35*
4.36*
English translation of the Equity Pledge Agreement among Shanghai Manyin, Shanghai Nianqiao and the shareholders of Shanghai
Nianqiao dated November 29, 2018
English translation of the Business Operation Agreement among Shanghai Manyin, Shanghai Nianqiao and the shareholders of Shanghai
Nianqiao dated November 29, 2018
4.37*
English translation of the Power of Attorney granted by the shareholders of Shanghai Nianqiao dated November 29, 2018
4.38*
4.39*
English translation of the Exclusive Technology Consulting and Service Framework Agreement between Shanghai Manyin and Shanghai
Nianqiao dated November 29, 2018
English translation of the Exclusive Option Agreement among Shanghai Manyin, Shanghai Nianqiao and the shareholders of Shanghai
Nianqiao dated November 29, 2018
8.1*
Principal Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities of the Registrant
132
Exhibit
Number
11.1
12.1*
12.2*
12.3*
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics of the Registrant (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the registration statement on
Form F-1 (File No. 333-220954), as amended, initially filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 13, 2017)
Description of Document
Certification by Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Certification by Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Certification by Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
13.1**
Certification by Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
13.2**
Certification by Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
13.3**
Certification by Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
15.1*
15.2*
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm
Consent of Grandall Law Firm (Shanghai)
101.INS*
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
*
**
Filed herewith
Furnished herewith
133
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing its annual report on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and
authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.
SIGNATURES
PPDAI Group Inc.
/s/ Jun Zhang
By:
Name: Jun Zhang
Title: Chairman of the Board of Directors and Co-Chief
Executive Officer
Date: April 25, 2019
PPDAI GROUP INC.
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2017 and 2018
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Years Ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit) for the Years Ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
F-1
Page
F-2
F-3
F-5
F-7
F-10
F-12
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of PPDAI Group Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of PPDAI Group Inc. (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2018
and 2017, and the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss), of changes in shareholder’s equity (deficit) and of cash flows for
each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, including 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, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018 in
conformity with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Change in Accounting Principle
As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for revenues from contracts with
customers and the manner in which it presents consolidated statement of cash flow in 2018.
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 audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal
securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits of these consolidated financial statements 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 audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion
on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or
fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and
disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made
by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable
basis for our opinion.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian LLP
Shanghai, the People’s Republic of China
April 25, 2019
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2016.
F-2
PPDAI GROUP INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash (including restricted cash of the consolidated trusts of RMB44,775 and
RMB303,667 as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively)
Short-term investments
Accounts receivable, net of provision for doubtful accounts of RMB nil and RMB123,153 as of
December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively)
Quality assurance receivable
Property, equipment and software, net
Intangible assets
Goodwill
Loans receivable, net of provision for loan losses of RMB47,670 and RMB240,419 as of
December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively (including loans receivable, net of provision for loan
losses of the consolidated trusts of RMB647,793 and RMB2,290,082, respectively)
Financial guarantee derivative assets
Investments
Deferred tax assets
Due from related party
Contract assets
Prepaid expenses and other assets
Total assets
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity:
Note
2017
RMB
As of December 31,
2018
RMB
US$
Note 2(f)
2(h) 1,891,131
1,616,164
235,061
2(i)
2(j)
8
2(t)
6
7
2,392,573
1,958,910
3,677,557
1,694,660
534,878
246,478
17,773
1,152,769
108,248
63,760
50,411
812,042
2,064,366
144,002
68,880
50,411
118,107
300,250
20,944
10,018
7,332
4
2(u)
2(l)
12
11
8
5
681,794
—
12,234
128,361
—
—
145,699
8,603,663
2,331,108
56,287
167,501
122,763
2,830
112,103
221,793
13,142,467
339,046
8,187
24,362
17,855
412
16,305
32,259
1,911,494
Payable to platform customers (including payable to platform customers of the consolidated
variable interest entity (“VIE”) and VIE’s subsidiaries without recourse to the Company of
RMB1,113,966 and RMB905,034 as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively)
Quality assurance payable (including quality assurance payable of the consolidated VIE and VIE’s
subsidiaries without recourse to the Company of RMB2,062,844 and RMB3,819,379 as of
December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively)
Deferred revenue (including deferred revenue of the consolidated VIE and VIE’s subsidiaries
without recourse to the Company of RMB256,240 and RMB nil as of December 31, 2017 and
2018, respectively)
Payroll and welfare payable (including payroll and welfare payable of the consolidated VIE and
VIE’s subsidiaries without recourse to the Company of RMB130,533 and RMB129,809 as of
December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively)
Taxes payable (including taxes payable of the consolidated VIE and VIE’s subsidiaries without
recourse to the Company of RMB140,064 and RMB208,585 as of December 31, 2017 and 2018,
respectively)
Short-term borrowings (including short-term borrowings of the consolidated VIE and VIE’s
subsidiaries without recourse to the Company of RMB nil and RMB nil as of December 31,
2017 and 2018, respectively
Provision for payment to investor reserve fund investor (including provision for payment to
investor reserve fund of the consolidated VIE and VIE’s subsidiaries without recourse to the
Company of RMB107,660 and RMB nil as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively)
Financial guarantee derivative liabilities (including financial guarantee derivative liabilities of the
consolidated VIE and VIE’s subsidiaries without recourse to the Company of RMB215,770 and
RMB nil as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively)
Funds payable to investors of consolidated trusts (including funds payable to investors of
consolidated trusts of RMB502,641 and RMB1,505,909 as of December 31, 2017 and 2018
respectively)
Contract liabilities (including contract liabilities of the consolidated VIE and VIE’s subsidiaries
without recourse to the Company of RMB nil and RMB158,061 as of December 31, 2017 and
2018, respectively)
1,113,966
905,034
131,632
2(t)
2,062,844
3,819,379
555,506
2(v)
265,094
—
—
9
156,831
188,254
27,380
257,143
225,101
32,740
—
25,000
3,636
2(v)
107,660
—
—
2(u)
215,770
—
—
502,641
1,505,909
219,025
2(v)
—
165,469
24,066
The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-3
PPDAI GROUP INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018 (Continued)
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
Note
2017
RMB
As of December 31,
2018
RMB
US$
Note 2(f)
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity (Continued)
Due to related party (including due to related party of the consolidated VIE and VIE’s
subsidiaries without recourse to the Company of RMB11,972 and RMB nil as of
December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively)
Deferred tax liabilities (including deferred tax liabilities of the consolidated VIE and VIE’s
subsidiaries without recourse to the Company of RMB nil and RMB78,268 as of
December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities (including accrued expenses and other liabilities of the
consolidated VIE and VIE’s subsidiaries without recourse to the Company of RMB194,780
and RMB190,406 as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively)
Total liabilities
Commitments and contingencies
PPDAI Group Inc. Shareholders’ equity :
Class A ordinary shares (US$0.00001 par value; 10,000,000,000 shares authorized as of
December 31, 2017 and 2018; 842,071,169 and 874,071,169 issued as of December 31,
2017 and 2018; 842,071,169 and 827,770,169 outstanding as of December 31, 2017 and
2018)
Class B ordinary shares (US$0.00001 par value; 10,000,000,000 shares authorized as of
December 31, 2017 and 2018; 661,000,000 and 659,000,000 issued and outstanding as of
December 31, 2017 and 2018)
Additional paid-in capital
Treasury stock (nil and 46,301,000 shares as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively)
Statutory reserves
Accumulated other comprehensive income
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)
Total PPDAI Group Inc. shareholders’ equity
11
12
10
18
14
14
14
2(ag)
Non-controlling Interest
Total shareholders’ equity
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
11,972
—
—
15,940
100,064
14,554
211,614
4,921,475
222,519
7,156,729
32,364
1,040,903
56
58
8
44
5,951,044
—
55,090
14,917
(2,398,984)
3,622,167
60,021
3,682,188
8,603,663
44
5,896,017
(332,121)
256,006
58,210
45,668
5,923,882
61,856
5,985,738
13,142,467
7
857,540
(48,305)
37,235
8,466
6,643
861,594
8,997
870,591
1,911,494
The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-4
PPDAI GROUP INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2017 AND 2018
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
Operating revenue:
Loan facilitation service fees
Post-facilitation service fees
Other revenue
Changes in expected discretionary payment to IRF investors
Total operating revenues
Net interest income (expense) and loan provision losses
Net revenues
Operating expenses:
Origination and servicing expenses
Origination and servicing expenses-related party
Sales and marketing expenses
General and administrative expenses
Provision for doubtful accounts
Total operating expenses
Other income (expenses)
Gain from quality assurance
Realized gain (loss) from financial guarantee derivatives
Fair value change of financial guarantee derivatives
Gain from disposal of subsidiary
Other income, net
Profit before income tax expenses
Income tax expenses
Net profit
Less: Net profit (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest shareholders
Net profit attributable to PPDAI Group Inc.
Accretion on Series A convertible redeemable preferred shares to redemption
value
Accretion on Series B convertible redeemable preferred shares to redemption
value
Accretion on Series C convertible redeemable preferred shares to redemption
value
Net profit (loss) attributable to PPDAI Group Inc.’s ordinary shareholders
F-5
Note
2(v)
2(v)
2(v)
2(v)
2(o)
2(w)
2(w)
2(x)
2(y)
8
2(t)
2(u)
2(u)
13
2(ab), 2(j)
12
15
15
15
2016
RMB
911,448
126,823
170,403
—
1,208,674
7,084
1,215,758
For the Years Ended December 31,
2018
2017
RMB
RMB
2,843,287
668,819
491,400
(107,660)
3,895,846
(15,209)
3,880,637
2,919,234
922,797
376,915
68,619
4,287,565
63,359
4,350,924
US$
Note 2(f)
424,585
134,215
54,820
9,980
623,600
9,215
632,815
(349,852)
(38,297)
(352,952)
(237,808)
—
(890,160)
(84,362)
(788,291)
(588,664)
—
(978,909)
(2,351,477)
(875,905)
(109,666)
(710,754)
(701,353)
(106,652)
(2,504,330)
(127,395)
(15,950)
(103,375)
(102,008)
(15,512)
(364,240)
99,961
31,999
146,653
20,611
13,684
549,757
(48,267)
501,490
—
501,490
5,885
169,103
(383,061)
—
36,531
1,357,618
(274,711)
1,082,907
(76)
1,082,983
510,894
(157,244)
272,057
—
148,356
2,620,657
(151,206)
2,469,451
377
2,469,074
74,307
(22,870)
39,569
—
21,578
381,159
(21,992)
359,167
55
359,112
(236,662)
(1,237,274)
(171,106)
(905,861)
—
—
—
—
(154,254)
(60,532)
(930,336)
(1,990,488)
—
2,469,074
—
359,112
PPDAI GROUP INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2017 AND 2018 (Continued)
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
Net profit
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of nil tax
Total comprehensive income
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to non-controlling
interests shareholders
Total comprehensive income attributable to PPDAI Group Inc.
Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in computing net
income (loss) per share
Note
2016
2017
2018
For the Years Ended December 31,
RMB
501,490
(60,498)
440,992
RMB
1,082,907
99,934
1,182,841
—
440,992
(76)
1,182,917
RMB
2,469,451
43,293
2,512,744
377
2,512,367
US$
Note 2(f)
359,167
6,297
365,464
55
365,409
Basic
Diluted
Net income (loss) per share - Basic
Net income (loss) per share - Diluted
Net income (loss) per ADS - Basic
Net income (loss) per ADS - Diluted
665,000,000
665,000,000
779,804,270
779,804,270
(0.0910)
(0.0910)
(0.4551)
(0.4551)
(2.5525)
(2.5525)
(12.7627)
(12.7627)
1,498,780,165
1,599,592,231
1.6474
1.5436
8.2369
7.7178
1,498,780,165
1,599,592,231
0.2396
0.2245
1.1980
1.1225
The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-6
PPDAI GROUP INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2017 AND 2018
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
Note
Ordinary shares
Treasury stock
Share
Amount
RMB
Additional
paid-in
capital
RMB
Share Amount
RMB
Accumulated other
comprehensive
income (loss)
RMB
Statutory
reserves
RMB
Retained
earnings
(accumulated
deficit)
RMB
Non-controlling
interest
RMB
Total
shareholders’
equity (deficit)
RMB
Balance as of December 31,
2015
665,000,000 —
— — —
(24,519) —
(292,874)
—
(317,393)
Accretions to preferred
shares redemption value
Net profit
Foreign currency translation
adjustment
Appropriation to statutory
reserve
Balance as of December 31,
— —
— —
— — —
— — —
—
—
—
—
(562,022)
501,490
— —
— — —
(60,498) —
—
— —
— — —
—
15,662
(15,662)
—
—
—
—
(562,022)
501,490
(60,498)
—
2016
665,000,000 —
— — —
(85,017) 15,662
(369,068)
—
(438,423)
F-7
PPDAI GROUP INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2017 AND 2018 (Continued)
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
Note
Ordinary shares
Treasury stock
Share
Amount
RMB
Additional
paid-in
capital
RMB
Share Amount
RMB
Accumulated other
comprehensive
income (loss)
RMB
Statutory
reserves
RMB
Retained
earnings
(accumulated
deficit)
RMB
Non-controlling
interest
RMB
Total
shareholders’
equity (deficit)
RMB
Balance as of
December 31, 2016
665,000,000 —
— — —
(85,017) 15,662
(369,068)
—
(438,423)
Issuance of ordinary
shares upon Initial
Public Offering
(“IPO”) and
Concurrent Private
Placement (“CPP”),
net of expense
Accretions to preferred
shares redemption
value
Conversion of series A
preferred shares to
ordinary shares
Conversion of series B
preferred shares to
ordinary shares
Conversion of series C
preferred shares to
ordinary shares
Share-based
compensation
Cancellation of Share-
based compensation
plan of a subsidiary
Net profit
Foreign currency
translation adjustment
Business Combination
Appropriation to
statutory reserve
Balance as of
3
104,230,769
51 1,677,171 — —
—
—
—
—
1,677,222
— —
— — —
—
—
(3,073,471)
—
(3,073,471)
15
285,000,000
19 1,563,889 — —
—
—
—
—
1,563,908
15
214,285,700
14 1,212,281 — —
—
—
—
—
1,212,295
15
234,554,700
16 1,391,551 — —
— —
65,324 — —
— —
— —
40,828 — —
— — —
—
—
—
—
3
— —
— —
— — —
— — —
99,934
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
1,391,567
—
65,324
—
1,082,983
—
(76)
40,828
1,082,907
—
—
—
60,097
99,934
60,097
— —
— — —
—
39,428
(39,428)
—
—
December 31, 2017
1,503,071,169
100 5,951,044 — —
14,917
55,090 (2,398,984)
60,021
3,682,188
F-8
PPDAI GROUP INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2017 AND 2018 (Continued)
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
Note
Ordinary shares
Treasury stock
Share
Amount
RMB
Additional
paid-in
capital
RMB
Share
Amount
RMB
Accumulated other
comprehensive
income (loss)
RMB
Statutory
reserve
RMB
Retained
earnings
(accumulated
deficit)
RMB
Non-
controlling
interest
RMB
Total
shareholders’
equity (deficit)
RMB
1,503,071,169
100 5,951,044
—
—
14,917
55,090 (2,398,984)
60,021
3,682,188
14
30,000,000
2
—
(30,000,000)
(2)
Repurchase of
ordinary shares 14
— —
—
(60,306,360) (452,262)
2(v)
— —
—
— —
50,319
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(452,262)
—
176,494
—
—
—
—
176,494
50,319
— —
— —
(105,346) 44,005,360
—
—
120,143
—
—
—
—
—
—
2,469,074
—
377
14,797
2,469,451
— —
—
—
—
43,293
—
—
—
43,293
— —
—
—
—
—
—
—
1,458
1,458
— —
—
—
—
— 200,916
(200,916)
—
—
1,533,071,169
102 5,896,017
(46,301,000) (332,121)
58,210 256,006
45,668
61,856
5,985,738
The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-9
Balance as of
December 31,
2017
Issuance of
ordinary shares
for share-based
compensation
plans
Cumulative effect
of accounting
change
Share-based
compensation
Exercise of share-
based
compensation
plans
Net profit
Foreign currency
translation
adjustment
Capital injection
from
non-controlling
interest
Appropriation to
statutory
reserve
Balance as of
December 31,
2018
16
16
PPDAI GROUP INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2017 AND 2018
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net profit
Adjustments to reconcile net profit to net cash provided by (used in) operating
Note
For the Years Ended December 31,
2016
RMB
2017
RMB
2018
US$
Note 2(f)
RMB
501,490
1,082,907
2,469,451
359,167
activities:
Provision for loan losses
Provision for doubtful accounts
Depreciation and amortization
Change in fair value of short term investments
Change in fair value of investments
Gain from investment in loans
Share-based compensation
Gain from disposal of subsidiary
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Deferred revenue
Accounts receivable
Prepaid expenses and other assets
Due to related party
Due from related party
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
Payable to platform customers
Payroll and welfare payable
Taxes payable
Deferred tax assets
Deferred tax liabilities
Financial guarantee derivative assets and discretionary payment
Quality assurance receivable
Quality assurance payable
Contract assets
Contract liabilities
Net cash provided by operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities:
Collection of loans originated and held by the Group
Investment in loans originated and held by the Group
Short-term loan to related party
Purchase of property, equipment and software
Purchase of investments
Proceeds from short-term investments
Purchase of short-term investments
Proceeds from disposal of a subsidiary
Acquisition of intangible assets
Cash paid for business combinations, net of cash acquired
Net cash used in investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities:
Cash paid to investors - alternative investment product
Cash received from investors - alternative investment product
Cash received from investors - consolidated trusts
Cash paid to investors - consolidated trusts
Cash paid for repurchase of the consolidated trusts
Repayment of short-term borrowings
Cash received from short-term borrowings
Repurchase of ordinary shares
Proceeds from exercise of share-based compensation plans
Capital injection from non-controlling interest
Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares, net
3(b)
F-10
34,705
—
12,086
—
—
(41,789)
—
(20,611)
149,216
43,758
(3,685)
15,634
—
34,275
245,494
49,937
54,484
(16,839)
—
(146,653)
(171,328)
348,053
—
—
1,088,227
1,024,287
(1,454,890)
(11,010)
(29,804)
(2,428)
68,498
(292,765)
14,000
—
—
(684,112)
(822,202)
1,251,470
30,000
(567)
—
(20,000)
—
—
—
—
—
46,586
—
22,555
(3,875)
—
(31,377)
106,152
—
102,198
(3,578)
(70,703)
(3,539)
(123)
108,449
692,307
72,297
171,934
(112,583)
15,940
490,721
(865,957)
1,589,140
—
—
3,409,451
192,749
106,652
42,162
(16,460)
77
(256,108)
50,319
—
—
(746,753)
(115,017)
(11,972)
(2,830)
16,696
(208,932)
31,423
(32,042)
(27,705)
84,124
(379,717)
(911,597)
1,756,535
(59,019)
(97,080)
1,884,956
368,953
(1,022,937)
2,805,940
(4,331,811)
—
(90,871)
(9,953)
—
(83,584)
(155,286)
28,034
15,512
6,132
(2,394)
11
(37,249)
7,319
—
—
(108,611)
(16,729)
(1,741)
(412)
2,428
(30,388)
4,570
(4,660)
(4,030)
12,235
(55,228)
(132,586)
255,477
(8,584)
(14,120)
274,153
408,107
(630,036)
—
(12,157)
(22,585)
6,485,536
(8,147,450)
13,122,058
(12,799,210)
1,908,524
(1,861,568)
6,000
—
(40,078)
(2,450,800)
—
(5,120)
—
—
(745)
—
(1,447,013)
(210,460)
—
—
555,500
(68,539)
(31,250)
—
—
—
—
—
1,677,222
—
—
1,183,580
(192,840)
(47,173)
(63,685)
87,010
(452,262)
14,009
1,458
—
—
—
172,145
(28,047)
(6,861)
(9,263)
12,655
(65,779)
2,038
212
—
PPDAI GROUP INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2017 AND 2018
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
Net cash provided by financing activities
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year
Supplemental disclosure of cash investing and financing activities
Cash paid for interest including paid to investors of consolidated trusts
Cash paid for income taxes
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities
Accretion on convertible redeemable preferred shares to redemption value
Consideration receivable for disposal of a subsidiary
Payable for purchase of property, equipment and software
Note
2016
For the Years Ended December 31,
2018
2017
RMB
438,701
2,493
845,309
362,256
1,207,565
RMB
2,132,933
(15,445)
3,076,139
1,207,565
4,283,704
RMB
530,097
41,977
1,010,017
4,283,704
5,293,721
US$
Note 2(f)
77,100
6,107
146,900
623,039
769,939
(554)
—
(5,376)
216,060
(58,312)
180,233
(8,481)
26,214
562,022
6,000
—
3,073,471
—
6,585
—
—
917
—
—
133
The following presents cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash by category within the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash
As of December 31,
2018
2017
RMB
1,891,131
2,392,573
4,283,704
RMB
1,616,164
3,677,557
5,293,721
US$
Note 2(f)
235,061
534,878
769,939
The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-11
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
1. Principal activities and reorganization
(a) Principal activities
PPDAI Group Inc. (the “Company”) is an investment holding company and with its consolidated subsidiaries and variable interest entities
(“VIEs”) (collectively referred to as the “Group”) operates an online consumer finance marketplace through its platform (www.ppdai.com) registered in
the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC” or “China”).
As of December 31, 2018, the Company’s principal subsidiaries and consolidated VIEs are as follows:
Name
Subsidiaries
PPDAI (HK) LIMITED. (“PPDAI HK”)
Beijing Prosper Investment Consulting Co., Ltd. (“Beijing
Prosper”)
Shanghai Guangjian Information Technology Co., Ltd.
(“Shanghai Guangjian”)
Shanghai Shanghu Information Technology Co., Ltd.
(“Shanghai Shanghu”)
Shanghai Manyin Information Technology Co., Ltd.
(“Shanghai Manyin”)
Consolidated VIEs
Beijing Paipairongxin Investment Consulting Co., Ltd.
(“Beijing Paipairongxin”)
Shanghai Zihe Information Technology Co., Ltd.
(“Shanghai Zihe”)
Shanghai Nianqiao Technology Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai
Nianqiao”)
Consolidated VIEs’ principal subsidiaries
Shanghai PPDai Financial Information Services Co.,Ltd.
(“Shanghai PPDai”)
Shanghai Erxu Information Technology Co., Ltd.
(“Shanghai Erxu”)
Percentage
of
direct or
indirect
ownership
100%
100%
100%
Date of
incorporation
Place of
incorporation
June 12, 2012
Hong Kong, China
August 21, 2012
Beijing, China
June 5, 2017
Shanghai, China
100%
June 15, 2017
Shanghai, China
100%*
June 15, 2012
Beijing, China
100%*
March 21, 2018
Shanghai, China
100%*
November 29, 2018
Shanghai, China
100%*
January 18, 2011
Shanghai, China
100%*
April 28, 2018
Shanghai, China
* Controlled via contractual relationships
(b) Reorganization
Prior to 2012, the operation of the online consumer finance marketplace was carried out by Shanghai PPDAI and Beijing Paipairongxin, both of
which were owned by the original shareholders (the “Founders”) and an angel investor. To facilitate offshore financing, an offshore corporate structure
was formed in 2012 (the “Reorganization”), which was carried out as follows:
1)
2)
3)
4)
PPDAI Group Inc was incorporated in the Cayman Islands on June 6, 2012 by the Founders and angel investor.
On June 12, 2012, PPDAI HK was incorporated in Hong Kong as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.
On June 15, 2012, Beijing Prosper was incorporated in the PRC as a wholly owned subsidiary of PPDAI HK.
On August 21, 2012, Beijing Paipairongxin was incorporated in the PRC by the founders of Shanghai PPDAI.
F-12
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
1. Principal activities and reorganization (continued)
(b) Reorganization (continued)
By entering into a series of commercial agreements in 2012 to 2014 (the “VIE Agreements”) that included the founders. Beijing Prosper, Beijing
Paipairongxin and Shanghai PPai, (i) Shanghai PPDAI became a wholly owned subsidiary of Beijing Paipairongxin and (ii) Beijing Pairongxin became
a VIE whose primary beneficiary is Beijing Prosper. Upon entering into the agreements, the shareholders of Beijing Paipairongxin became the
“Nominee Shareholders” of Beijing Paipairongxin.
The Company further carried out the following reorganization activities in 2017:
1)
2)
On June 5, 2017, Shanghai Guangjian was incorporated in the PRC as a wholly owned subsidiary of PPDAI HK.
On June 15, 2017, Shanghai Shanghu was incorporated in PRC as a wholly owned subsidiary of Shanghai Guangjian.
In June, 2017, Shanghai Guangjian, Shanghai Shanghu, Beijing Prosper, Beijing Paipairongxin, Shanghai PPDAI and the shareholders of Beijing
Paipairongxin entered into a new set of contractual arrangements, including an equity pledge agreement, a business operation agreement, a power of
attorney, an option agreement and an exclusive technology consulting and service agreement, replacing the previous contractual agreements among
Beijing Prosper, Beijing Paipairongxin, Shanghai PPDai and the shareholders of Beijing Paipairongxin. The term of the new set of agreements do not
change from the previous ones. As a result, the Company continues to have control over Beijing Paipairongxin.
Shanghai Guangjian and Shanghai Manyin are collectively referred to as the WOFEs. Beijing Paipairongxin, Shanghai Zihe and Shanghai
Nianqiao are collectively referred to as the VIEs.
(c) Share split
On October 20, 2017, the Company effected a share split. Each of ordinary share and preferred share of the Company was subdivided into 100
shares at a par value of US$0.00001. All shares and per share amounts presented in these consolidated financial statements and notes have been revised
on a retroactive basis to reflect the effect of the share split. The par value per ordinary share has been retroactively revised as if it had been adjusted in
proportion to the share split.
2. Summary of significant accounting policies
(a) Basis of presentation
The Group’s consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. Actual results may differ
from those estimates.
(b) Principle of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, which include the WOFEs and
consolidated VIEs, for which the Company is the ultimate primary beneficiary. Subsidiaries are those entities in which the Company, directly or
indirectly, controls more than one half of the voting power; or has the power to govern the financial and operating policies, to appoint or remove the
majority of the members of the board of directors, or to cast a majority of votes at the meeting of directors.
Consolidated VIEs are entities in which the WOFEs through their respective contractual arrangements, bear the risks of, and enjoy the rewards
normally associated with, ownership of the entities, and therefore the Company is the primary beneficiary of these entities.
F-13
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
2. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
(b) Principle of consolidation (continued)
All transactions and balances among the Company, its subsidiaries, the VIEs and the VIEs’ subsidiaries have been eliminated upon consolidation.
Details of the typical structure of the Company’s significant VIEs are set forth below:
i) VIE Agreements that give the Company effective control of VIEs
Business Operation Agreement
Pursuant to the relevant business operation agreements, the shareholders of the VIEs agree that to the extent permitted by law, they will accept and
unconditionally execute the WOFEs’ instructions on business operations, such as appointment of directors and executive officers. They further agree
that, without the WOFEs’ prior written consent, the VIEs will not take any action that may have material adverse effects on their assets, businesses,
human resources, rights, obligations, or business operations. The shareholders of the VIEs agree to transfer any dividends or other similar income or
interests they receive as the shareholders of the VIEs, if any, immediately and unconditionally to the WOFEs. This agreement also requires each of the
shareholders of the VIEs to issue an irrevocable power of attorney authorizing the WOFEs or any person(s) designated by the WOFEs to execute
shareholders’ rights on behalf of such shareholder. Unless the WOFEs terminate this agreements in advance, the agreement will remain effective until
the VIEs are dissolved pursuant to PRC law.
Power of Attorney
Pursuant to each power of attorney, each shareholder of the VIEs have irrevocably appointed the WOFEs or any persons designated by the
WOFEs to act as such shareholder’s attorney-in-fact to exercise all shareholder rights under PRC law and the relevant articles of association, including
but not limited to, appointing directors, supervisors and officers of the VIEs as well as the right to sell, transfer, pledge and dispose all or a portion of the
shares held by Nominee Shareholder. The power of attorney will remain in force for ten years unless early terminated by the WOFEs. The term of the
power of attorney can be extended at the WOFEs’ option until the VIEs are dissolved in accordance with PRC law and regulation.
Exclusive Option Agreement
Pursuant to the exclusive option agreements, the Nominee Shareholders of the VIEs granted the WOFEs or any third party designated by the
WOFEs the exclusive and irrevocable right to purchase from the Nominee Shareholders, to the extent permitted by PRC law and regulations, all or part
of its respective equity interests in the VIEs for a purchase price equal to the registered capital. The Nominee Shareholders will then return the purchase
price to the WOFEs or any third party designated by the WOFEs after the option is exercised. The WOFEs may transfer all or part of its option to a third
party at its own option. The VIEs and the Nominee Shareholders agree that without prior written consent of the WOFEs, they may not transfer or
otherwise dispose the equity interests or declare any dividend. The exclusive option agreement will remain effective until the WOFEs or any third party
designated by the WOFEs acquire all equity interest of the VIEs.
F-14
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
2. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
(b) Principle of consolidation (continued)
i) VIE Agreements that give the Company effective control of VIEs (continued)
Equity Pledge Agreement
Pursuant to relevant equity pledge agreements, each shareholder of the VIEs has pledged all of his or her equity interest held in the VIEs to the
WOFEs to guarantee his or her obligations under the business operation agreement, the power of attorney, exclusive option agreement and the exclusive
technology consulting and service agreement. In the event that the VIEs breach any obligations under these agreements, the WOFEs as the pledgee, will
be entitled to request immediate disposal of the pledged equity interests and have priority to be compensated by the proceeds from the disposal of the
pledged equity. The Nominee Shareholders may not dispose of the equity interests or create or permit any pledges which may have an adverse effect on
the rights or benefits of the WOFEs without the prior written consent of the WOFEs. The relevant share pledge agreements will remain effective until
the VIEs and its Nominee Shareholders discharge all of their obligations under the VIE Agreements and the pledgee consents such discharge in writing.
ii) VIE Agreement that enables the Company to receive substantially all of the economic benefits from the VIEs
Exclusive technology consulting and service agreement
Pursuant to the exclusive technology consulting and service agreements, WOFEs have the exclusive right to provide the VIEs and their
subsidiaries (as designated in the agreement) with technical support, consulting services and other services. The WOFEs shall exclusively own any
intellectual property arising from the performance of the agreement. During the term of this agreement, the VIEs and their designated subsidiaries may
not accept any services covered by this agreement provided by any third party. The VIEs and their designated subsidiaries agree to pay service fees
equal to 100% of the net profit generated or otherwise determined by the WOFEs. Except by mutual agreement upon early termination by parties in
writing, the exclusive business cooperation agreement will remain effective until the VIEs and their designated subsidiaries are dissolved in accordance
with PRC law and regulation.
Based on these contractual agreements, the Company believes that the VIEs as described above should be considered as VIEs because the equity
holders do not have significant equity at risk nor do they have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest. Given that the Company, through the
WOFEs, is the primary beneficiary of these VIEs, the Company believes that these VIEs should be consolidated based on the structure as described
above.
F-15
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
2. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
(b) Principle of consolidation (continued)
The following table sets forth the assets, liabilities, results of operations and cash flows of the VIEs, which are included in the Group’s
consolidated financial statements. Transactions between the VIEs and their subsidiaries are eliminated in the balances presented below:
Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash
Short-term investments
Account receivable
Quality assurance receivable
Property, equipment and software, net
Financial guarantee derivative assets
Investments
Deferred tax assets
Contract assets
Prepaid expenses and other assets
Total assets
Payable to platform customers
Quality assurance payable
Deferred revenue
Payroll and welfare payable
Taxes payable
Provision for payment to investor reserve fund investor
Financial guarantee derivative liabilities
Contract liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities
Due to related parties
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
Total liabilities
F-16
As of December 31,
2017
RMB
377,470
2,347,799
1,623,656
3,287
1,152,769
83,802
—
290,168
127,542
—
141,321
6,147,814
1,113,966
2,062,844
256,240
130,533
140,064
107,660
215,770
—
—
700,137
194,780
4,921,994
2018
RMB
752,102
3,341,985
1,574,090
800,334
2,064,366
104,802
56,287
1,147,569
88,446
112,103
167,817
10,209,901
905,034
3,819,379
—
129,809
208,585
—
—
158,061
78,268
1,609,126
190,406
7,098,668
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
2. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
(b) Principle of consolidation (continued)
Net revenue
Net profit
Net cash provided by operating activities
Net cash used in investing activities
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year
For the Years Ended December 31,
2017
RMB
3,900,454
730,855
3,233,966
(1,642,454)
(31,250)
2016
RMB
1,216,971
314,300
1,164,122
(712,429)
379,835
831,528
333,479
1,165,007
1,560,262
1,165,007
2,725,269
2018
RMB
4,250,978
1,604,530
1,356,887
(1,031,968)
1,043,899
1,368,818
2,725,269
4,094,087
Under the VIE Arrangements, the Company has the power to direct activities of the VIEs and can have assets transferred out of the VIEs.
Therefore, the Company considers that there is no asset in the VIEs that can be used only to settle obligations of the VIEs, except for registered capital
and PRC statutory reserves, if any. As the VIEs are incorporated as limited liability company under the Company Law of the PRC, creditors of the VIEs
do not have recourse to the general credit of the Company for any of the liabilities of the VIEs.
Currently there is no contractual arrangement which requires the Company to provide additional financial support to the VIEs. However, as the
Company conducts its businesses primarily based on the licenses and approvals held by the VIEs and their subsidiaries, the Company has provided and
will continue to provide financial support to the VIEs.
(c) Business combinations and noncontrolling interests
The Company accounts for its business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with Accounting Standards
Codification (“ASC”) 805 “Business Combinations.” The cost of an acquisition is measured as the aggregate of the acquisition date fair values of the
assets transferred and liabilities incurred by the Company to the sellers and equity instruments issued. Transaction costs directly attributable to the
acquisition are expensed as incurred. Identifiable assets and liabilities acquired or assumed are measured separately at their fair values as of the
acquisition date, irrespective of the extent of any noncontrolling interests. The excess of (i) the total costs of acquisition, fair value of the noncontrolling
interests and acquisition date fair value of any previously held equity interest in the acquiree over (ii) the fair value of the identifiable net assets of the
acquiree is recorded as goodwill. If the cost of acquisition is less than the fair value of the net assets of the subsidiary acquired, the difference is
recognized directly in the consolidated income statements. During the measurement period, which can be up to one year from the acquisition date, the
Company may record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed with the corresponding offset to goodwill. Upon the conclusion of the
measurement period or final determination of the values of assets acquired or liabilities assumed, whichever comes first, any subsequent adjustments are
recorded to the consolidated statements of operations.
In a business combination achieved in stages, the Company re-measures the previously held equity interest in the acquiree immediately before
obtaining control at its acquisition-date fair value and the re-measurement gain or loss, if any, is recognized in the consolidated income statements.
F-17
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
2. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
(c) Business combinations and noncontrolling interests (continued)
When there is a change in ownership interests that result in a loss of control of a subsidiary, the Company deconsolidates the subsidiary from the
date control is lost. Any retained noncontrolling investment in the former subsidiary is measured at fair value and is included in the calculation of the
gain or loss upon deconsolidation of the subsidiary.
For the Company’s majority-owned subsidiaries and VIEs, a noncontrolling interest is recognized to reflect the portion of their equity which is not
attributable, directly or indirectly, to the Company. Consolidated net income (loss) on the consolidated income statements includes the net income (loss)
attributable to noncontrolling interests and mezzanine equity holders when applicable. Net income (loss) attributable to mezzanine equity holders is
included in net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests on the consolidated income statements, while it is excluded from the consolidated
statements of changes in shareholders’ equity. The cumulative results of operations attributable to noncontrolling interests, along with adjustments for
share-based compensation expense arising from outstanding share-based awards relating to subsidiaries’ shares, are also recorded as noncontrolling
interests in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Cash flows related to transactions with noncontrolling interests are presented under financing
activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows.
(d) Use of estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the amounts reported and disclosed in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes.
Financial statements amounts that reflect significant accounting estimates and assumptions include revenue recognition, fair value of quality
assurance liabilities, valuation allowance for deferred tax assets, allowance for doubtful accounts, allowance for loan losses, determination of uncertain
tax positions, accounting for convertible redeemable preferred shares, and valuation of share-based awards. Such accounting estimates are impacted
significantly by judgements and assumptions used in the preparation of the Group’s consolidated financial statements, and actual results could differ
materially from these estimates. Changes in estimates are recorded in the period they are identified.
(e) Foreign currency and foreign currency translation
The Group uses Renminbi (“RMB”) as its reporting currency. The US$ is the functional currency of the Group’s entities incorporated in
Cayman Islands and Hong Kong, and the RMB is the functional currency of the Group’s PRC subsidiaries.
Transactions denominated in other than the functional currencies are re-measured into the functional currency of the entity at the exchange rates
prevailing on the transaction dates. Financial assets and liabilities denominated in other than the functional currency are re-measured at the balance sheet
date exchange rate. The resulting exchange differences are recorded in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).
The financial statements of the Group are translated from the functional currency to the reporting currency, RMB. Assets and liabilities of the
subsidiaries are translated into RMB using the exchange rate in effect at each balance sheet date. Income and expenses items are generally translated at
the average exchange rates prevailing during the fiscal year. Foreign currency translation adjustments arising from these are accumulated as a separate
component of shareholders’ deficit on the consolidated financial statements. The exchange rates used for translation on December 31, 2017 and 2018
were US$1.00= RMB6.5342 and RMB6.8632, respectively, representing the index rates stipulated by the People’s Bank of China.
F-18
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
2. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
(f) Convenience translation
Translations of balances in the Group’s consolidated balance sheet, consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss) and
consolidated statement of cash flows from RMB into US$ as of and for year ended December 31, 2018 are solely for the convenience of the readers and
were calculated at the rate of US$1.00=RMB6.8755, representing the noon buying rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the U.S. Federal
Reserve Board on December 31, 2018. No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted, realized or settled into
US$ at that rate on December 31, 2018, or at any other rate.
(g) Certain risks and concentration
As of December 31, 2017 and 2018, substantially all of the Group’s cash, term deposit and cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term
investments were held in major financial institutions located in the PRC and in Hong Kong, which management considers to be of high credit quality.
Accounts receivable are generally unsecured and denominated in RMB, and are derived from revenues earned from operations arising primarily in the
PRC. No individual customer accounted for more than 10% of net revenues for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018. No individual
customer accounted for more than 10% of accounts receivable as of December 31, 2017 and 2018.
(h) Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents represent cash on hand, demand deposits and highly liquid investments placed with banks or other financial
institutions, which have original maturities less than three months.
(i) Restricted cash
Restricted cash represents:
(i)
Cash in quality assurance is cash managed by the Group through designated bank accounts and cash managed by China United SME
Guarantee Corporation (“Sino Guarantee”) under the new quality assurance program. There is no other use of these funds except for making
payments to investors for default loans that are subject to quality assurance protection. As of December 31, 2017 and 2018, the restricted
cash related to quality assurance amounted to RMB1,058,617 and RMB2,414,449, respectively.
(ii) Cash in investor reserve funds is cash managed by the Group through a designated bank account or third party payment company account.
There is no other use of these funds except for payments to protect relevant investors from potential losses resulting from delinquent loans
and or underperformance of the investment programs. As of December 31, 2017 and 2018, the restricted cash related to investor reserve
funds amounted to RMB175,215 and RMB17,971, respectively.
(iii) Cash received from investors and borrowers that has not yet been disbursed, due to a settlement time lag. As of December 31, 2017 and
2018, the restricted cash related to cash not yet disbursed amounted to RMB1,113,966 and RMB905,034, respectively.
(iv) Cash received via consolidated trusts that has not yet been distributed. As of December 31, 2017 and 2018, the restricted cash related to
cash not yet distributed amounted to RMB44,775 and RMB303,667, respectively.
(v) Cash held as collateral for short-term borrowings of a subsidiary of the Group. As of December 31, 2017 and 2018, the restricted cash held
as collateral amounted to RMB nil and RMB26,000, respectively.
(vi) Cash held in escrow accounts that is jointly managed by the Company and institutional funding partners. As of December 31, 2017 and
2018, the restricted cash managed by the Company and institutional funding partners amounted to RMB nil and RMB10,436, respectively.
F-19
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
2. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
(j) Short-term Investments
Short-term investments mainly consist of investments in wealth management products and investments in time deposits placed with banks with
original maturities between three months and one year. The wealth management products are certain deposits with variable interest rates or principal not
guaranteed with certain financial institutions.
Realized and unrealized gain related to the short-term investments is recorded as other income in the consolidated statements of comprehensive
income. RMB21,264, RMB35,516 and RMB96,061 was recognized for the year ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively.
(k) Accounts receivable, contract assets and allowance for doubtful accounts
Accounts receivable is related to the facilitation and post-facilitation service in relation to loans facilitated by the Group. Contract assets represent
the Group’s right to consideration in exchange for facilitation services that the Company has transferred to the customer before payment is due. The
Group only recognizes accounts receivable and contract assets to the extent that the Group believes it is probable that it will collect substantially all of
the consideration to which it will be entitled to in exchange for the services transferred to the customer.
Accounts receivable and contract assets is stated at the historical carrying amount net of write-offs and allowance for doubtful accounts. The
Group establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts based on estimates, historical default experience and other factors surrounding the credit risk of
borrowers. The Group evaluates and adjusts its allowance for accounts receivable and contract assets on a quarterly basis or more often as necessary.
Accounts receivable and contract assets is written off when a settlement is reached for an amount that is less than the outstanding historical balance or
when the Group has determined the balance will not be collected.
(l) Investments
Prior to January 1, 2018, the Group’s investments include equity method investments, cost method investments and available-for-sale investments.
The Group applies equity method in accounting for its investments in entities in which the Group has the ability to exercise significant influence
but does not have control and the investments are in either common stock or in-substance common stock. Unrealized gains on transactions between the
Group and an affiliated entity are eliminated to the extent of the Group’s interest in the affiliated entity, unrealized losses are also eliminated unless the
transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred. The Group accounts for private equity funds using the equity method of
accounting unless the Group’s interest is so minor that the Group may have virtually no influence over partnership operating and financial policies.
For equity investments that are not considered as debt securities or equity securities that have readily determinable fair values and over which the
Group has neither significant influence nor control through investments in common stock or in-substance common stock, the cost method of accounting
is used. Under the cost method, the Group carries the investment at cost and recognizes income to the extent of dividends received from the distribution
of the equity investee’s post-acquisition profits.
The Group has classified its investments in debt securities and equity securities with readily determinable fair value as available-for-sale
securities. These securities are recognized based on trade date and carried at estimated fair value with the aggregate unrealized gains and losses related
to these investments, net of taxes, reported through other comprehensive income. Realized gains or losses are charged to earnings during the period in
which the gains or losses are realized. Gain or losses are realized when such investments are sold or when dividends are declared or payments are
received or when other than temporarily impaired.
F-20
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
2. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
(l) Investments (continued)
The Group monitors its investments for other-than-temporary impairment by considering factors including, but not limited to, current economic
and market conditions, the operating performance of the companies including current earnings trends and other company-specific information.
On January 1, 2018, the Group adopted ASU 2016-01 using a modified retrospective approach. No material adjustment was made to the financial
position upon the initial adoption. As of December 31, 2018, the Group’s investment includes equity method investments and non-marketable equity
investments.
Non-marketable equity investments are investments in privately held companies without readily determinable market values. They’re measured at
cost minus impairments, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for identical or a similar
investment of the same issuer. The changes in the fair value of non-marketable equity investments are recognized in the consolidated statement of
comprehensive income. As of December 31, 2018, no material adjustments were made to the carrying amount because of observable price changes and
impairment charges.
The table below sets forth the investments the Group holds as of December 31, 2017 and 2018 respectively.
Equity method investments
Cost method investments
Available-for-sale securities
Non-marketable equity investments
As of December 31,
2018
2017
81,000
6,000
—
2,857
—
3,377
86,501
—
167,501
12,234
Equity method investments
For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, the Company completed the following investments which were accounted for as equity method
investments:
In October 2018, the Company made some investments in two third party private equity with the cash consideration of RMB50,000 and
RMB20,000 respectively. The Company accounted for these investments under equity methods. As of December 31, 2018, the carrying value of these
investments were RMB70,000 as the earnings of these two private funds were immaterial after the Group made its investments.
As of December 31, 2017 and 2018, the carrying value of the rest of equity investments were RMB6,000 and RMB11,000.
F-21
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
2. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
(l) Investments (continued)
Equity securities without readily determinable fair values
For the years ended December 31, 2018, the Company completed the following major investments which were accounted for as non-marketable
equity investments:
In September 2018, the Group acquired approximately 2.08% preferred share capital of Beijing Quantum Protection Technology Co., Ltd.
(“Beijing Quantum”) for a cash consideration of RMB10,000 and accounted for it as non-marketable equity investment using fair value measurements.
As of December 31, 2018, the carrying value of this equity investment was RMB10,000 because Beijing Quantum is a start-up company in its early
stage with no readily determinable fair value.
In October 2018, the Group acquired approximately 5% preferred share capital of Shanghai Yi Yang automobile service Co., Ltd. (“Yi Yang”) for
a cash consideration of RMB30,000 and accounted for it as non-marketable equity investment using fair value measurements. As of December 31, 2018,
the carrying value of its equity investment was RMB30,000 because Yi Yang is a start-up company in its early stage with no readily determinable fair
value.
In October 2018, the Group acquired approximately 2% preferred share capital of CDD Holding Limited (“CDD”) for a cash consideration of
USD2,000 and accounted for it as non-marketable equity investment using fair value measurements. As of December 31, 2018, the carrying value of its
equity investment was USD2,000 because CDD is a start-up company in its early stage with no readily determinable fair value.
In October 2018, the Group acquired approximately 3.99% preferred share capital of EMI Agriculture Technology Inc (“EMI”) for a cash
consideration of USD2,000 and accounted for it as non-marketable equity investment using fair value measurements. As of December 31, 2018, the
carrying value of its equity investment was USD2,000 respectively because EMI is a start-up company in its early stage with no readily determinable
fair value.
As of December 31, 2018, the carrying value of the rest of non-marketable equity investments were RMB19,049.
(m) Fair value measurement
Fair value is the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market
participants at the measurement date. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities required or permitted to be recorded at fair
value, the Group considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact and it considers assumptions that market participants
would use when pricing the asset or liability.
The established fair value hierarchy requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when
measuring fair value. A financial instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to
the fair value measurement.
The three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value include:
Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2: Observable, market-based inputs, other than quoted prices, in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
F-22
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
2. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
(m) Fair value measurement (continued)
Accounting guidance also describes three main approaches to measuring the fair value of assets and liabilities: (1) market approach; (2) income
approach and (3) cost approach. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated from market transactions involving identical
or comparable assets or liabilities. The income approach uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts to a single present value amount. The
measurement is based on the value indicated by current market expectations about those future amounts. The cost approach is based on the amount that
would currently be required to replace an asset.
The Group does not have any non-financial assets or liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a
recurring basis.
The Group’s financial instruments consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, short-term investments, quality assurance
receivable, loans receivable, accounts receivable, contract assets, financial guarantee derivative, payable to platform customers, quality assurance
payable, short-term borrowings and other liabilities. As of December 31, 2017 and 2018, the carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, restricted
cash, short-term investments, accounts receivable, payable to platform customers, short-term borrowings and other liabilities approximated their fair
values reported in the consolidated balance sheets due to the short term maturities of these instruments.
The quality assurance receivable is measured using the contractual amounts due from borrowers, taking into account an expected rate of default.
Due to the short term nature of the contributions, no discount factor was applied. Subsequently, the carrying value approximates fair value due to the
short term nature of the receivable.
The quality assurance payable is measured by taking into account the expected payout rate and incorporating a markup margin.
On a recurring basis, the Group measures its short-term investments, financial guarantee derivative and contract assets at fair value. Since the
contract assets net derivative asset does not have quoted price in active markets, they are valued using valuation model. Management is responsible for
determining the fair value.
F-23
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
2. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
(m) Fair value measurement (continued)
The following table sets forth the Group’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and are categorized using the
fair value hierarchy:
December 31, 2017
Assets
Short-term investments
—wealth management products
Investments
—available-for-sale securities
Total Assets
Financial guarantee derivative liabilities
Total Liabilities
December 31, 2018
Assets
Short-term investments
—wealth management products
Investments
—non-marketable equity investments
Financial guarantee derivative assets
Total Assets
Level 1 Inputs
RMB
Level 2 Inputs
RMB
Level 3 Inputs
RMB
Balance at Fair value
RMB
—
—
—
—
—
1,958,910
—
1,958,910
—
—
—
3,377
3,377
215,770
215,770
1,958,910
3,377
1,962,287
215,770
215,770
Level 1 Inputs
RMB
Level 2 Inputs
RMB
Level 3 Inputs
RMB
Balance at Fair value
RMB
—
—
—
—
1,694,660
—
—
1,694,660
—
86,501
56,287
142,788
1,694,660
86,501
56,287
1,837,448
The Group values its wealth management products held in certain bank accounts and some of its non-marketable equity investments using quoted
prices for securities with similar characteristics and other observable inputs, and accordingly, the Group classifies the valuation techniques that use these
inputs as Level 2.
The Company did not transfer any assets or liabilities in or out of level 3 during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018.
Changes in fair value measurement categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy are analyzed each period for changes in estimates or
assumptions.
F-24
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
2. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
(m) Fair value measurement (continued)
Level 3 Valuation Techniques
Level 3 financial assets and liabilities consist of financial guarantee derivatives, available-for-sale securities and non-marketable equity
investments for which determination of fair value requires significant judgment and estimation. Changes in fair value are recorded in the consolidated
statement of comprehensive income (loss).
The fair value of available-for-sale securities were measured using an income approach determined by the Company. As the investee is a private
company, the fair value is estimated based on significant inputs that market participants would consider, which mainly include revenue growth rate,
operating margin, discount rate and other factors that may affect such fair value estimation.
Non-marketable equity investments measured at cost minus impairments, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in
orderly transactions for identical or a similar investment of the same issuer. As most of the investees of the non-marketable equity investments are
start-up companies in very early stage, no fair value adjustment were made to non-marketable equity investments as of December 31, 2018 as there were
no observable price change.
The Group uses the discounted cash flow model to value financial guarantee derivatives at inception and subsequent valuation dates. The Group
analyzes the fair value of this derivative by first defining the cash flows associated with the derivative and then considers the assumptions used in
determining the cash flows from a market participant’s perspective. This discounted cash flow model incorporates assumptions such as the expected
default rates, discount rates, as well as early repayment rates. The expected default rate is determined based on the historical performance of loans with
similar tenure and of similar credit worthiness and adjusted by the inputs that other market participants would use. Aside from the expected default rate,
the Group has also considered the discount rate and early repayment rate in determining the fair value of the financial guarantee derivatives. As the term
of the loans are short and the market interest rate is relatively stable, the discount rate and early repayment rate assumptions does not have a significant
impact on the fair value of the derivative. Changes in the fair value are recorded in fair value change of financial guarantee derivatives in the Group’s
consolidated statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).
The following table sets forth the significant unobservable inputs used for fair value measurement of financial guarantee derivatives:
Expected default rate
As of December 31,
2017
2018
0.68% - 14.21%
0.46% - 12.37%
Please refer to Note 2(u) for the movement and gain of financial guarantee contracts and related derivatives.
(n) Loans receivable, net
Loans receivable represents loan originated by the Group and the consolidated trusts (Note 4), which is due from the borrowers. The Group has
the intent and the ability to hold such loans for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff. Loans receivable are recorded at unpaid principal
balances, net of allowance for loan losses that reflects the Company’s best estimate of the amounts that will not be collected. The loans receivable
portfolio consists of personal loans with the term period ranging from 1 month to 36 months.
The allowance for loan losses is determined at a level believed to be reasonable to absorb probable losses inherent in the portfolio as of each
balance sheet date. The allowance is provided based on an assessment performed on a portfolio basis. All loans are assessed collectively depending on
factors such as delinquency rate, size, and other risk characteristics of the portfolio.
The Group writes-off the loans receivable and the related allowance when management determines that full repayment of a loan is not probable.
The primary factor in making such determination is the potential recoverable amounts from the delinquent debtor.
F-25
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
2. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
(o) Interest income and interest expense related to the loans originated by the Group
The Group has originated and held loans. The majority of the loans originated and held by the Group in 2016 were held by Shanghai Hepai
Investment Management Co., Ltd (“Hepai”). Hepai was a subsidiary of Beijing Paipairongxin until it was disposed of on September 30, 2016. Prior to
its disposition, Hepai sold alternative investment products that paid investors expected rate of return for a specified period of time. Hepai used the funds
received from the sale of the alternative investment products to originate loans from the Group’s online consumer marketplace. Cash receipts from loan
repayment were used to pay the alternative investment products liability at maturity.
Subsequently, the Group, through consolidated trust plans (See Note 4), WOFEs and consolidated subsidiaries of VIEs, originate and hold loans.
Interest on loans receivable is accrued based on the contractual interest rates of the loan as earned. Accrual of interest is generally discontinued
when reasonable doubt exists as to the full, timely collection of interest or principal. When a loan is discontinued from interest accrual, the Group stops
accruing interest and reverses all accrued but unpaid interest as of such date.
As the primary beneficiary of the trusts, the Group incorporated the trust plans and recorded return of the other trust parties into interest expense.
The interest expense is accrued based on the expected rate of return during the contractual term of the alternative investment products and the trusts.
The interest income, interest expense, and loan provision losses in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income (loss) related to the loans
originated by the Group recorded for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018 are as follows:
Interest income
Less: Interest expense
Net interest income
Less: Provision for loan losses
Net interest income (expense) and provision for loan losses
(p) Property and equipment, net
For the Years Ended December 31,
2018
2017
2016
RMB
RMB
RMB
316,193
46,975
59,980
(60,085)
(15,598)
(18,191)
256,108
31,377
41,789
(192,749)
(46,586)
(34,705)
63,359
(15,209)
7,084
Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Property and equipment are depreciated over the
estimated useful lives of the assets using the straight-line method taking into account the estimated residual value, if any. The table below sets forth the
estimated useful life and residual value:
Category
Office furniture and equipment
Computer and electronic equipment
Leasehold improvements
Software
Estimated useful life
3-5 years
3-5 years
shorter of remaining lease period or estimated useful life
1-5 years
Residual value
5%
5%
Nil
Nil
Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Upon retirement or sale, the cost of assets disposed of and the related
accumulated depreciation amortization are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is recognized in consolidated statement of
comprehensive income (loss).
F-26
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
2. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
(q) Intangible assets
Intangible assets that have indefinite useful life primarily include micro-lending license, factoring license, financial leasing license and financing
guarantee license as of December 31, 2018. The Company evaluates indefinite-lived intangible assets each reporting period to determine whether events
and circumstances continue to support an indefinite useful life. If an intangible asset that is not being amortized is subsequently determined to have a
finite useful life, the asset is tested for impairment. No impairment on intangible assets with indefinite useful life was recognized for the years ended
December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively.
(r) Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase consideration over the fair value of the identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and
liabilities assumed of the acquired entity as a result of the Company’s acquisitions of interests in its subsidiaries and VIEs. Goodwill is not amortized
but is tested for impairment on an annual basis, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it might be impaired. The
Company first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test. In the
qualitative assessment, the Company considers primary factors such as industry and market considerations, overall financial performance of the
reporting unit, and other specific information related to the operations. Based on the qualitative assessment, if it is more likely than not that the fair
value of each reporting unit is less than the carrying amount, the quantitative impairment test is performed.
In performing the two-step quantitative impairment test, the first step compares the fair values of each reporting unit to its carrying amount,
including goodwill. If the fair value of each reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill is not considered to be impaired and the second step
will not be required. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step compares the implied fair value of goodwill to the
carrying value of a reporting unit’s goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in a manner similar to accounting for a business
combination with the allocation of the assessed fair value determined in the first step to the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit. The excess of the
fair value of the reporting unit over the amounts assigned to the assets and liabilities is the implied fair value of goodwill. This allocation process is only
performed for the purposes of evaluating goodwill impairment and does not result in an entry to adjust the value of any assets or liabilities. Application
of a goodwill impairment test requires significant management judgment, including the identification of reporting units, assigning assets, liabilities and
goodwill to reporting units, and determining the fair value of each reporting unit.
(s) Impairment of long-lived assets other than goodwill
The Group evaluates its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an
asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability is measured by comparison of the carrying amounts to the expected future undiscounted cash flows
attributable to these assets. If it is determined that an asset is not recoverable, an impairment loss is recorded in the amount by which the carrying
amount of the assets exceeds the expected discounted cash flows arising from those assets. No impairment of long-lived assets was recognized for the
years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
F-27
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
2. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
(t) Quality assurance payable and receivable
The Company provides quality assurance to investors of its online consumer finance platform and institutional funding partners in the form of
various quality assurance programs and, in the case of certain institutional funding partners, direct guarantee. Borrowers may elect to, or in certain
circumstances, are required to make contributions to the quality assurance programs, in addition to the transaction fee and payments of loan principal
and interest. The quality assurance contribution is maintained in a segregated restricted cash bank account or managed by Sino Guarantee. This
contribution, which is a certain percentage of the principal amount, is determined at the time of the loan application based on the borrower’s credit
score. The contribution does not change over time after the loan is matched and must be paid in its entirety even if the loan is pre-paid. If a borrower
who has contributed to the quality assurance programs is delinquent on an installment of principal and interest of a loan, the Group will withdraw an
amount from the quality assurance program to repay the delinquent installment of principal and interest to the corresponding investors. Investors can
decide if they want to invest in single loans that are protected by the quality assurance programs. The quality assurance contributions are not refundable,
including if there is no loan default. If the Group were to wind down its online consumer finance marketplace and there were no investors with
outstanding loans, the Company would be entitled to the remaining funds in the restricted cash account, if any.
The Group is required to record its obligation associated with all quality assurance obligation in accordance with ASC Topic 460, Guarantees.
Accordingly, the liabilities are measured at their fair value at inception. For quality assurance program, default payments to investors are capped at the
quality assurance account balance at any point in time. The Group is not obligated to pay default loans in the event no funds are available in the quality
assurance account. Once the investors are paid for a borrower’s default, any future principal and interests recovered are contributed into the quality
assurance account. For direct guarantee to institutional funding partners, default payments are not capped and the Group is obligated to compensate the
institutional funding partners in the event of any default.
The quality assurance obligations are comprised of two components: (i) ASC Topic 460 component; and (ii) ASC Topic 450 component. In
accordance with ASC 460-10-25-2 and ASC 460-10-30-3, the non-contingent and contingent aspect of the financial guarantee must both be considered
at initial measurement. Each institutional funding partner or individual investor has a contract with the Group that specifies its ability to collect from
either the Group or the quality assurance programs. Therefore, an individual contract is considered to be the unit of account for purposes of applying
ASC Topic 460. Therefore, the liability recorded based on ASC Topic 460 is determined on a loan by loan basis and is reduced as the Group is released
from the underlying risk, i.e., as the loan is repaid by the borrower or when the institutional funding partner or investor is compensated in the event of a
default. This component is a stand ready obligation which is not subject to the probable threshold used to record a contingent obligation. The other
component is a contingent liability determined based on historical default rates, representing the obligation to make future payouts from the Group itself
or quality assurance programs, measured using the guidance in ASC Topic 450, Contingencies. The ASC Topic 450 contingent component is
determined on a loan by loan basis, but considers the actual and expected performance of the pool when estimating the contingent liability. As each
guarantee is a separate unit of account that has a contingent component pursuant to ASC Topic 450, the contingent component pertains only to the loan
covered by the guarantee. However, the contingent liability recorded under ASC Topic 450 would take into consideration the performance of the overall
pooled loan basis, including the cap, if any, imposed on the specific pool, as such data will inform the likelihood of payout on an individual contract
basis.
Subsequent to initial recognition, the quality assurance obligations are measured at the greater of the amount determined based on ASC Topic 460
and the amount determined based on ASC Topic 450. ASC Topic 460 does not prescribe a method for subsequently measuring and recording the
non-contingent guarantee liability. As stated in ASC 460-10-35-1, the guarantee liability should generally be reduced by recording a credit to net income
as the guarantor is released from the guaranteed risk. As the risk is reduced as each payment is made, a systematic and rational amortization method
based on when the payments are made may be appropriate. If there is no difference between the ASC Topic 460 component and ASC Topic 450
component, no gain or loss is recorded.
As the risk of the guarantee liability is reduced, it is recognized into the income statement by a systematic and rational amortization method, e.g.
over the term of the loan, within the “gain from the quality assurance” line item of the income statement. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017
and 2018, the amount of gains recorded were RMB100.0 million, RMB5.9 million and RMB510.9 million (US$74.3 million), respectively.
F-28
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
2. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
(t) Quality assurance payable and receivable (continued)
A quality assurance receivable is recognized at loan inception at its fair value on a loan-by-loan basis. The fair value is estimated based on the
contractual amounts of quality assurance contribution from the borrowers, taking into account the expected default rate. The receivable is determined to
be collectible at loan inception because at this point in time, the borrower has committed to pay the full amount over the life of the loan, and is also
contractually obligated to pay the full amount even if he or she prepays the loan. By taking into account the risk of default in the fair value estimate, the
receivable the Group records is representative of what is deemed to be collectible. At each reporting date, the Group estimates the future cash flows and
assesses whether there is any indicator of impairment to any individual underlying loan of the quality assurance receivable. If the carrying amounts of
the quality assurance receivable exceeds the expected collections, an impairment loss is recorded for the quality assurance receivable not recoverable.
On a loan-by-loan basis, the Group determines the guarantee fee or quality assurance contributions required from a borrower based on the
estimated loss rate of the loans. In estimating the loss rate of the loans, the underlying risk profile and historical loss experience are taken into
consideration. The Group gathers information to assess each borrower’s risk profile and assigns a mirror grade, determined using the Group’s
proprietary Magic Mirror Model. These borrowers are then grouped based on Magic Mirror score for which the Group develops an estimated default
rate based on actual historical loss experience of each Magic Mirror score. An ultimate loss rate is estimated for each loan based on this method, with a
risk premium added based on different Magic Mirror score. The Group regularly reviews the borrower’s risk profile, actual loss rate of each product line
and Magic Mirror score and relevant market dynamics to ensure the ultimate loss rate is kept up-to-date.
Investors who invested in loans for which the borrower elected to participate in the quality assurance programs bear their own financial risk and
may suffer a loss if the restricted cash balance plus the subsequent quality assurance contributions are exhausted by quality assurance payments which
are made on a first-loss basis. Payouts from the quality assurance account are made to investors when a borrower delinquent in repaying an installment
of principal and interest in the order of default date until the restricted cash balance is reduced to nil, even though there may still be investors protected
by quality assurance programs. Amounts recovered from the defaulted borrower will be remitted to replenish the portion of the quality assurance
programs used to repay the investors. The following table sets forth the Group’s quality assurance obligations movement activities for the years ended
December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018:
Opening balance
Fair value of newly written quality assurance obligation
Release of quality assurance payable upon repayment
Contingent liability
Payouts during the year
Recoveries during the year
Ending balance
F-29
2016
125,651
634,899
(386,304)
293,269
(1,122,039)
928,228
473,704
For the years ended December 31,
2017
473,704
3,318,432
(2,506,141)
2,527,209
(4,812,797)
3,062,437
2,062,844
2018
2,062,844
5,313,489
(4,049,457)
3,380,930
(7,889,277)
5,000,850
3,819,379
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
2. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
(t) Quality assurance payable and receivable (continued)
The following table sets forth the Group’s quality assurance receivables movement activities for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and
2018:
Opening balance
Fair value of newly written quality assurance obligation
Quality assurance obligation contribution received from borrowers
Gain from quality assurance
Ending balance
For the years ended December 31,
2017
286,812
3,318,432
(2,479,428)
26,953
1,152,769
2016
115,484
634,899
(470,497)
6,926
286,812
2018
1,152,769
5,313,489
(4,244,259)
(157,633)
2,064,366
As of December 31, 2017 and 2018, the amounts of maximum potential future payment the Group would be required to make were
RMB1,220,980 and RMB2,780,797, respectively.
(u) Financial guarantee derivative
For investors who invest in loans without the quality assurance protection through certain Investment Programs (Note 2(v)) from which the
investors are entitled to an expected return, they participate in a separate investor reserve fund program. Investors subscribing to these investment
programs make contributions to the corresponding investor reserve funds. Under this type of investment program, any surplus gains, less 0.1% of the
principal amount invested, are contributed to the investor reserve funds, while the 0.1% of the principal amount invested is paid to the Group.
Similar to the quality assurance obligation, the Group maintains a separate dedicated restricted cash account for each of these investment
programs. Such funds are maintained solely for the benefit of the investors who invested in loans through the Investment Programs. In general, the
investor reserve fund covers underperformance to the extent there are available funds, i.e., it protects investors from not only loan defaults, but also an
investment program performing below its stated expected rate of return, which may be due to either a decline in market interest rates during the
program’s term, or an inability to timely match repayments with new loans. Payouts will be made from the corresponding investor reserve funds to
make up the gap between the actual return and the stated expected rate of return. The capital used for investment purposes in such programs is generated
with the cash flows from the borrowers’ monthly repayments of principal and interest. The investor reserve funds are maintained separately and are used
to compensate investors in the event of a program’s underperformance. The investor reserve funds are funded upon a program’s maturity, and are
capped at a certain percentage of the total funding of each investment program. If an individual investment program underperforms, the Group will use
the investor reserve fund to make up for the shortfall, which is paid out upon maturity of the program. An investor who participates in this program is
entitled to coverage by the investor reserve fund for the duration he or she participates in the program.
In order to determine the accounting method used, the Group considered the criteria of the scope exception under ASC 815-10-15-58. In order to
qualify for this scope exception, the financial guarantee contracts must meet all three of the following criteria: (a) provide for payments to be made
solely to reimburse the guaranteed party for failure of the debtor to satisfy its required payment obligations either at prescriptive payment dates or
accelerated payment dates as a result of the occurrence of an event of default or notice of acceleration being made to the debtor by the creditor;
(b) payment be made only if the debtor’s obligation to make payments as a result of conditions as described in (a) is past due; and (c) the guaranteed
party is, as a precondition in the contract for receiving payment of any claim under the guarantee, exposed to the risk of non-payment both at inception
and throughout its term either through direct legal ownership or through a back-to-back arrangement. However, as the investor reserve fund does not
solely reimburse investors for failure of the borrower to satisfy required payment obligations, but also to reimburse shortfalls due to underperformance
of the investment programs, the scope exception under ASC 815-10-15-58(a) is not met. Therefore, these contracts are accounted for as a derivative
under ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and should be recognized on the consolidated balance sheets as either assets or liabilities and recorded
at fair value.
F-30
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
2. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
(u) Financial guarantee derivative (continued)
Derivative assets and liabilities within the scope of ASC Topic 815 are required to be recorded at fair value at inception and re-measured at fair
value on an ongoing basis in accordance with ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement. Therefore, the financial guarantee derivative will be
subsequently marked to market at the end of each reporting period with gains and losses recognized as fair value change of financial guarantee
derivative. Based on the valuation methodology and the significant unobservable inputs used for fair value measurement described in Note 2(l), the
Group may have day one gain on the financial guarantee derivatives associated with the investor reserve funds program because the investors are willing
to pay a premium above the expected default rate for a guarantee return. The Group evaluate the financial guarantee derivatives on a portfolio basis
rather than individual basis, as the investor reserve fund are considered as a pool to make up the gap between the actual return and the stated expected
rate of return.
If there are changes to the expected defaults of loans and expected performance of the investment programs, the Group records these resulting
adjustments to the “fair value change of financial guarantee derivatives” line item within “other income (expense)” on the consolidated statement of
comprehensive income (loss). Upon the maturity of an investment program, any cumulative gain or loss will be reclassified to the “realized gain or loss
from financial guarantee derivatives” line item within “other income (expense).” That is, whenever cash flows occur upon maturity, the fair value
changes are reclassified within the income statement and recorded as realized gain or loss.
In October 2017, along with the termination of investment program with flexible investment periods, the remaining restricted cash amounting to
approximately RMB45,567 were transferred from restricted cash to cash and cash equivalents, as the company was released from the obligation to
compensate the investors should the flexible term investment programs under-perform.
The following table sets forth the Group’s financial guarantee derivative movement activities for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and
2018.
Opening balance
Initial recognition of and change in fair value of ongoing investor reserve arrangements
Settlement upon maturity of investor reserve arrangements
Ending balance
For the years ended December 31,
2017
167,291
(213,958)
(169,103)
(215,770)
2016
20,638
178,652
(31,999)
167,291
2018
(215,770)
114,813
157,244
56,287
As of December 31, 2017, given the deterioration of performance of investor reserve fund investment programs, the investor reserve fund is
expected to be dissolved upon maturity of the investment programs. The Group reverses all the gains recorded historically amounting to RMB213,958.
As the expected payout to compensate the investors exceeds the funds available in the investor reserve fund, additional provision outside the Group’s
obligation related to the investor reserve fund is recognized as a reduction of revenue amounting to RMB107,660. In 2018, the Group experienced
improved loan performance and the actual default rate was lower than previously expected. As a result, a reversal amounting to RMB68,619 was made
to the discretionary payment provision. Please refer to Note 2(v) for details.
(v) Revenue recognition
The Group engages primarily in operating an online consumer finance marketplace by providing an online platform which matches borrowers
with both individual investors, institutional funding partners and assisting facilitation of loans to investors on certain third-party online platforms
(collectively referred to as “investors”). The Group determines that it is not the legal lender and legal borrower in the above process. Therefore, the
Group does not record loan receivable and payable arising from the loans between investors and borrowers on its balance sheets. Revenue comprises the
fair value of the consideration received or receivable for the provision of services in the ordinary course of the Group’s activities and is recorded net of
value-added tax (“VAT”).
F-31
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
2. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
(v) Revenue recognition (continued)
On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted the revenue standard using the modified retrospective transition method to those contracts which were
not completed as of January 1, 2018. Results for periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under ASC Topic 606, while prior period
amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with historic accounting under ASC Topic 605.
Upon initial adoption, the Group recognized the cumulative effect of initially applying the revenue standard as an increase of approximately
RMB176.5 million, net of tax, to the opening balances of retained earnings. These adjustments primarily arose from the timing of revenue recognition
for transaction fees collected in monthly instalments related to our loan products being recognized earlier under ASC Topic 606. The table below sets
forth the cumulative effect of the changes made to the consolidated balance sheet as of January 1, 2018 due to the adoption of ASC Topic 606.
Assets
Accounts receivable
Deferred tax assets
Contract assets
Liabilities
Deferred revenue
Contract liabilities
Shareholders’ Deficit
Accumulated deficit
Balance at
December 31, 2017
Adjustments due to
ASC Topic 606
Balance at
January 1, 2018
17,773
128,361
—
265,094
—
154,168
(33,303)
53,084
(265,094)
262,549
171,941
95,058
53,084
—
262,549
(2,398,984)
176,494
(2,222,490)
The table below sets forth the impact to the consolidated statement of comprehensive income as a result of adoption of ASC Topic 606:
Loan facilitation service fees
Post-facilitation service fees
Other Revenue
For the year ended December 31, 2018
As reported
2,919,234
922,797
376,915
4,218,946
Amounts without
adoption of ASC Topic 606
2,141,565
773,116
793,188
3,707,869
Effect of change
777,669
149,681
(416,273)
511,077
Consistent with the criteria of ASC 606 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”, the Group recognizes revenue by applying the following five
steps:
(i)
identify the contract with a customer;
(ii)
identify the performance obligations in the contract;
(iii) determine the transaction price;
(iv)
allocate the transaction price to performance obligations in the contract; and
(v)
recognize revenue when (or as) performance obligations are satisfied.
F-32
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
2. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
(v) Revenue recognition (continued)
Revenue recognition policies for each type of services under ASC Topic 606 are discussed as follows:
Revenue from Single Loans
The Group determines its customers to be both investors and borrowers. In 2018, the Group charges a transaction fee as part of the borrowers’
monthly repayment. Under certain circumstances, in addition to the loan transaction fee, borrowers pay a monthly contribution to the quality assurance,
which provides a protection mechanism to investors who subscribe to these loans. In accordance with the relevant guidance in ASC Topic 606, the
amounts associated with the quality assurance is within the scope of ASC Topic 460 and should be accounted for in accordance with the provisions of
that Topic. The services not within the scope of other Topics should be accounted for in accordance with the remaining provisions of ASC Topic 606
and the applicable revenue recognition guidance. The Group considers loan facilitation services (covering matching of investors to borrowers and
facilitating the execution of loan agreement between investors and borrowers) and post-facilitation services (covering cash processing services and
collection services) as two distinctive performance obligations in accordance with ASC Topic 606. The transaction price is first allocate to the guarantee
and quality assurance program, if any, which is recorded at fair value in accordance with ASC Topic 460. Then the remaining considerations are
allocated to the loan facilitation and post-facilitation services using their relative standalone selling prices. The Group does not have observable
standalone selling price for the loan facilitation services or post-facilitation services because it does not provide loan facilitation services or post-
facilitation services on a standalone basis in similar circumstances to similar customers. There is no direct observable standalone selling price for similar
services in the market that is reasonably available to the Group. As a result, the estimation of standalone selling price involves significant judgment. The
Group uses an expected cost plus margin approach to estimate the standalone selling prices of loan facilitation services and post facilitation services as
the basis of revenue allocation. When estimating the selling prices, the Group considers the cost related to such services, profit margin, customer
demand, effect of competition on services, and other market factors.
The transaction price allocated to loan facilitation is recognized as revenue upon execution of loan agreements between investors and borrowers;
the consideration allocated to post-facilitation services is recognized over the period of the loan on a straight line method, which approximates the
pattern of when the underlying services are performed.
In additional to transaction fee, the Group also receives fees on future events, such as collection fees. For loans with no quality assurance
protection, collection is considered a separate performance obligation and therefore collection fee is allocated to this specific performance obligation.
For loans with quality assurance protection, as the quality assurance will compensate the investors should the borrowers are delinquent, the collection
fee is considered a variable consideration for the loan facilitation and post-facilitation performance obligations and therefore is included in the total
transaction price which is allocated to these two performance obligation based on their relative standalone selling price. The collection fee is only
probable of not reserving upon successful collection and as such is not included in the transaction price until then.
For certain loans facilitated by institutional funding partners, the processing and account management services are provided by the respective
institutional funding partners. As these loans are typically covered by quality assurance programs or are guaranteed directly by the Group, no substantial
post-facilitation services are provided. Therefore, the transaction price after consideration of the fair value of guarantee is allocated to the loan
facilitation performance obligation which is recognized upon successful matching.
F-33
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
2. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
(v) Revenue recognition (continued)
Revenue from Investment Programs
For investment programs that only fund loans protected by the quality assurance, the loan transaction fees and monthly contribution to the quality
assurance paid by the borrowers are the same as those discussed under “Revenue from Single Loans” above. In addition, the Group charges the surplus
gain, i.e., the actual rate of return exceeds the stated expected rate of return in the investment program agreement, as investment program management
fee. The investment program management fee is a separate fee charged to investors in a separate contract and therefore is allocate specifically to the
investment management performance obligation. The Group determines that the “probable of not reserving” threshold is met for surplus gain and
therefore surplus gain is included in the transaction price upon the effective of investment program. The Group estimates the surplus gain on a monthly
basis for the duration of an investment program to monitor the expected outcome of the portfolio and the amount is recognized over the term of the
investment program as the investor simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits provided by the Company’s performance throughout the term of
the investment program.
Incentives
To expand its market presence, attract new investors and increase activity level on our platform, the Group will occasionally provide incentives to
potential investors at its sole discretion. The Group provides the following types of incentives:
•
•
When a loan is successfully matched during the relevant incentive program period, the investor receives a cash incentive, either
provided upfront as a one-time contribution to the loan investment amount (effectively reducing the amount an investor has to fund
in cash for a loan, while still being entitled to repayment of the entire stated principal balance) or on a monthly basis over the term of
the loan as additional interest. These cash incentives are considered a reduction of transaction price.
In certain other circumstances, the Group may provide a cash incentive to a new potential investor upon signing up as a new user on
the platform, without a requirement for the potential investor to fund a loan. This is considered a type of marketing expense to attract
potential investors to the platform, and is recorded as expense, rather than a reduction of transaction price.
Other revenue
Other than the collection fees charged for certain loans and investment management fee for investment programs, other revenue primarily includes
service fees charged to borrowers for transfer of loans on the secondary loan market.
F-34
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
2. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
(v) Revenue recognition (continued)
Revenue disaggregation analysis
The following table set forth the Group’s operating revenue from different service type:
Loan facilitation service fees
Post-facilitation service fees
Other revenue
- investment management fee
- others
Changes in expected discretionary payment to IRF investors
For the year ended December 31,
With quality
assurance
program
1,467,806
348,489
24,789
258,470
—
2,099,554
2017
Without quality
assurance
program
1,375,481
320,330
—
208,141
(107,660)
1,796,292
With quality
assurance
program
2,404,178
678,518
208,471
54,734
—
3,345,901
2018
Without quality
assurance
program
515,056
244,279
—
113,710
68,619
941,664
Contract balances
Contract assets represent the Group’s right to consideration in exchange for facilitation and post-facilitation service that the Company has
transferred to the customer before payment is due. Contract liabilities represent the Group’s obligation to transfer facilitation and post-facilitation
service to the customer due to received payment. The timing of revenue recognition, scheduled payments, and cash collections results in contract assets
and contract liability.
Practical expedient and exemptions
The Group generally expenses sales commission when incurred for loans with a term for one year or less. These costs are recorded within sales
and marketing expenses.
The Group does not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligation as most of the loans facilitated through its platform with an original
term of one year or less.
Expected discretionary payment to investor reserve fund investors
In relation to investor reserve fund, the Group records approximately RMB107,660 as of December 31, 2017 in provision for expected
discretionary payment to investors in investment programs protected by investor reserve fund investor as a reduction of revenue as such compensation is
deemed beyond its legal obligations. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Group made in total RMB39,041 payment under such provision. As of
December 31, 2018, considering the improved loan performance observed and decrease in expected default rate for remaining IRF investment programs,
the Group reversed the provision amounting to RMB68,619.
F-35
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
2. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
(v) Revenue recognition (continued)
Revenue Recognition Under ASC Topic 605
Consistent with the criteria of ASC 605 “Revenue Recognition” (“ASC 605”), the Group recognizes revenue when the following four revenue
recognition criteria are met:
(i)
Persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists;
(ii) Delivery has occurred or services have been provided;
(iii) The selling price is fixed or determinable; and,
(iv) Collectability is reasonably assured.
Revenue recognition policies for each type of service are discussed as follows:
Revenue from Single Loans
The Group charges fees at the inception of the loan, which are deducted from the amount that borrowers receive from investors, for facilitating
loan origination (covering matching of investors to borrowers and facilitating the execution of loan agreement between investors and borrowers) and for
providing ongoing monthly services (covering cash processing services and collection services) (“non-contingent fee”). The Group generally collects
the entire amount relating to loan facilitation and post-facilitation services as one combined fee, and these amounts are allocated to the two deliverables
based on their relative fair values.
The Group considers the loan facilitation services and post-facilitation services as multiple deliverable arrangements. Although the Group does
not sell these services separately, the Group determined that all deliverables have standalone value. Thus, all non-contingent fees are allocated among
loan facilitation services and post-facilitation services. The Group does not have vendor specific objective evidence of selling price for the loan
facilitation service and the post-facilitation service because the Group does not provide these services separately. Third-party evidence of selling price
does not exist either, as public information is not available regarding the amount of fees our competitors charge for these services. Since neither vendor-
specific objective evidence nor third-party evidence is available, the Group generally uses its best estimate of selling prices of the different deliverables
as the basis for allocation. When estimating the selling prices, the Group considers the cost related to such services, profit margin, customer demand,
effect of competition on services, and other market factors. The non-contingent fee allocated to loan facilitation is recognized as revenue upon execution
of loan agreements between investors and borrowers; the non-contingent fees allocated to post-origination services are deferred and amortized over the
period of the loan on a straight line method, which approximates the pattern of when the underlying services are performed. In instances where the loan
transaction fee is not collected entirely upfront but over time, the amount allocated to each deliverable is limited to the amount that is not contingent
upon the delivery of additional items or meeting other specified performance conditions. As the remaining portion of the loan transaction fee is collected
and becomes non-contingent, the Group will allocate the amount between the two deliverables.
In December 2017, to comply with a series of regulatory requirements, the Group discontinued upfront fee collection. Instead, the transaction fee
is collected in monthly installments. In accordance with ASC 605-30-5, The Group determines that the transaction fee is only allocable to the two
deliverables when the fee is collected.
In addition to the loan transaction fees, the Group also receives fees which are contingent on future events, such as loan collection fees and fees
related to loan transfers on the Group’s secondary loan market. These contingent fees are not recognized until the contingencies are resolved and the
fees become fixed and determined, which also coincide with when the services are performed and collectability is reasonably assured. These fees are
classified within Other Revenue in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income (loss).
F-36
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
2. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
(v) Revenue recognition (continued)
Revenue Recognition Under ASC Topic 605 (continued)
Revenue from Single Loans (continued)
Under certain circumstances, in addition to the loan transaction fee, borrowers pay a monthly contribution to the quality assurance fund, which
provides a protection mechanism to investors who subscribe to these loans. In accordance with the relevant guidance in ASC 605, Revenue Recognition,
the amounts associated with the quality assurance fund is within the scope of another Topic (ASC 460, Guarantees) and should be accounted for in
accordance with the provisions of that Topic. The deliverables not within the scope of other Topics should be accounted for in accordance with the
remaining provisions of ASC 605 and the applicable revenue recognition guidance. The fair value of the guarantee associated with the quality assurance
fund is recorded under ASC 460, with the remaining amount of consideration accounted for under ASC 605.
Revenue from Investment Programs
For investment programs that only fund loans that are protected by the quality assurance fund, the loan transaction fees and monthly contribution
to the quality assurance fund paid by the borrowers are the same as those discussed under “Revenue from Single Loans” above. In addition, under this
type of investment program, if there is any surplus gain, i.e., the actual rate of return exceeds the stated expected rate of return in the investment
program agreement, this is recognized as an investment program management fee in other revenue upon maturity of such program, when the amount
becomes fixed and determinable.
Incentives
To expand its market presence, attract new investors and increase activity level on our platform, the Group will occasionally provide incentives to
potential investors at its sole discretion. The Group provides the following types of incentives:
•
•
When a loan is successfully matched during the relevant incentive program period, the investor receives a cash incentive, either
provided upfront as a one-time contribution to the loan investment amount (effectively reducing the amount an investor has to fund
in cash for a loan, while still being entitled to repayment of the entire stated principal balance) or on a monthly basis over the term of
the loan as additional interest. These cash incentives are accounted for as reduction of revenue in accordance with ASC subtopic
605-50.
In certain other circumstances, the Group may provide a cash incentive to a new potential investor upon signing up as a new user on
the platform, without a requirement for the potential investor to fund a loan. This is considered a type of marketing expense to attract
potential investors to the platform, and is recorded as expense, rather than a reduction of revenue.
Other revenue
Other revenue includes collection fees charged to borrowers, management fees charged to investors for certain investment programs, service fees
charged to borrowers for transfer of loans on the secondary loan market and other fees charged to our customers.
Deferred revenue
Deferred revenues are derived from loan contracts with borrowers and contractual billings in excess of recognized revenue and payments received
in advance of revenue recognition, which are from the borrower advance of facilitation services fee Deferred revenues represent the unamortized
balance of facilitation service fee paid by borrowers, and the deferred revenues are amortized on a straight-line basis through the service period.
F-37
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
2. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
(w) Origination and servicing expenses
Origination and servicing expenses primarily consist of salaries and benefits of employees who facilitate loan origination, perform risk pricing,
debt-collection service, customer service, data processing and data analysis.
Origination and servicing expenses-related party consist of expenses for data collection service provided by PPcredit, a related party of the Group.
(See Note 11)
(x) Sales and marketing expenses
Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of advertising and online marketing promotion expenses. Advertising and online marketing
expenses, amounting to approximately RMB349,421, RMB779,737 and RMB702,508 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018,
respectively, are charged to the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) as incurred.
(y) General and administrative expenses
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and benefits for general management, finance and administrative personnel,
rental, professional service fees and other expenses. General and administrative expenses include research and development expenditures, amounting to
RMB114,648, RMB164,869 and RMB317,965 and share based compensation expenses, amounting to RMB nil, RMB106,152 and RMB50,319 for the
years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively.
(z) Share-based compensation
The Group follows ASC Topic 718, which requires all share-based payments to employees and directors, including grants of employee stock
options, to be recognized as compensation expense in the financial statements over the vesting period of the award based on the fair value of the award
determined at the grant date. Under ASC Topic 718, the number of share-based awards for which the service is not expected to be rendered for the
requisite period should be estimated, and the related compensation cost is not recorded for that number of awards.
F-38
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
2. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
(z) Share-based compensation (continued)
In accordance with ASC Topic 718, the Group recognize share-based compensation expenses, net of a forfeiture rate, using the straight-line
method for awards with services conditions only, and using the graded-vesting attribution method for awards with graded vesting features and
performance conditions. Compensation cost is accrued if it is probable that a performance condition will be achieved.
(aa) Operating leases
A lease for which substantially all the benefits and risks incidental to ownership remain with the lessor is classified as an operating lease. All
leases of the Group are currently classified as operating leases. When a lease contains rent holidays, the Group records the total expenses on a straight-
line basis over the lease term.
(ab) Government grants and subsidy income
The Group receives government grants and subsidies in the PRC from various levels of local governments from time to time which are granted for
general corporate purposes and to support its ongoing operations in the region. The grants are determined at the discretion of the relevant government
authority and there are no restrictions on their use. The government subsidies are recorded as other income in the consolidated statement of
comprehensive income (loss) in the period the cash is received. The government grants received by the Group amounting to RMB6,436, RMB1,682 and
RMB53,739 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively.
(ac) Taxation
Current income taxes are provided on the basis of net income for financial reporting purposes, adjusted for income and expense items which are
not assessable or deductible for income tax purposes, in accordance with the regulations of the relevant tax jurisdictions.
Deferred income taxes are recognized for temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the
consolidated financial statements, net operating loss carry forwards and credits. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the
opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Current income taxes are
provided in accordance with the laws of the relevant taxing authorities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted rates expected to
apply to taxable income in which temporary differences are expected to be received or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of changes
in tax rates is recognized in the statement of comprehensive income (loss) in the period of the enactment of the change.
The Group considers positive and negative evidence when determining whether a portion or all of its deferred tax assets will more likely than not
be realized. This assessment considers, among other matters, the nature, frequency and severity of current and cumulative losses, forecasts of future
profitability, the duration of statutory carry-forward periods, its experience with tax attributes expiring unused, and its tax planning strategies. The
ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon its ability to generate sufficient future taxable income within the carry-forward periods
provided for in the tax law and during the periods in which the temporary differences become deductible. When assessing the realization of deferred tax
assets, the Group has considered possible sources of taxable income including (i) future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, (ii) future
taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carry-forwards, (iii) future taxable income arising from implementing tax planning
strategies, and (iv) specific known trend of profits expected to be reflected within the industry.
F-39
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
2. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
(ac) Taxation (continued)
The Group recognizes a tax benefit associated with an uncertain tax position when, in its judgment, it is more likely than not that the position will
be sustained upon examination by a taxing authority. For a tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the Group initially and
subsequently measures the tax benefit as the largest amount that the Group judges to have a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate
settlement with a taxing authority. The Group’s liability associated with unrecognized tax benefits is adjusted periodically due to changing
circumstances, such as the progress of tax audits, case law developments and new or emerging legislation. Such adjustments are recognized entirely in
the period in which they are identified. The Group’s effective tax rate includes the net impact of changes in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits
and subsequent adjustments as considered appropriate by management. The Group classifies interest and penalties recognized on the liability for
unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expenses.
(ad) Earnings (loss) per share
Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of
ordinary shares outstanding during the period using the two-class method. Under the two-class method, net income is allocated between ordinary shares
and other participating securities based on their participating rights. Net loss is not allocated to other participating securities if based on their contractual
terms they are not obligated to share in the losses. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) attributable to ordinary
shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary and dilutive ordinary equivalent shares outstanding during the period. Ordinary equivalent
shares consist of shares issuable upon the conversion of the preferred shares using the if-converted method, and shares issuable upon the exercise of
share options using the treasury stock method. Ordinary equivalent shares are not included in the denominator of the diluted loss per share calculation
when inclusion of such shares would be anti-dilutive.
(ae) Segment reporting
The Group’s chief operating decision maker, the Chief Executive Officer, reviews the consolidated results when making decisions about
allocating resources and assessing performance of the Group as a whole and therefore, the Group only has one reportable segment. The Group does not
distinguish between markets or segments for the purpose of internal reporting. The Group’s long-lived assets are substantially all located in the PRC and
substantially all of the Group’s revenues are derived from within the PRC. Therefore, no geographical segments are presented.
(af) Treasury shares
The Company accounts for treasury shares using the cost method. Under this method, the cost incurred to purchase the shares is recorded in the
treasury shares account in the consolidated balance sheets. At retirement, the ordinary shares account is charged only for the aggregate par value of the
shares. The excess of the acquisition cost of treasury shares over the aggregate par value is allocated between additional paid-in capital (up to the
amount credited to the additional paid-in capital upon original issuance of the shares) and retained earnings. The treasury shares account includes nil and
46,301,000 ordinary shares mainly for the purpose of exercise of share-based compensation plans as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively.
(ag) Statutory reserves
In accordance with the relevant regulations and their articles of association, subsidiaries of the Company incorporated in the PRC are required to
allocate at least 10% of their after-tax profit determined based on the PRC accounting standards and regulations to the general reserve until such reserve
has reached 50% of the relevant subsidiary’s registered capital. These reserves can only be used for specific purposes and are not transferable to the
Company in the form of loans, advances or cash dividends. During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, appropriations to the general
reserve amounted to RMB15,662, RMB39,428 and RMB200,916, respectively.
F-40
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
2. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
(ah) Recently issued accounting standards
Adoption of new accounting standards
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which will be effective January 1, 2018. The
guidance clarifies that revenue from contracts with customers should be recognized in a manner that depicts both the likelihood of payment and the
timing of the related transfer of goods or performance of services. In March 2016, the FASB issued an amendment (ASU 2016-08) to the new revenue
recognition guidance clarifying how to determine if an entity is a principal or agent in a transaction. In April (ASU 2016-10), May (ASU 2016-12), and
December (ASU 2016-20) of 2016, the FASB further amended the guidance to include performance obligation identification, licensing implementation,
collectability assessment and other presentation and transition clarifications. The effective date and transition requirements for this amendment is the
same as those for the new revenue guidance. The Group adopted this guidance on January 1, 2018 using modified retrospective method. Please refer to
Note 2(v) for detail information.
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments-Overall (Subtopic 825-10)-Recognition and Measurement of Financial
Assets and Financial Liabilities (“ASU 2016-01”), which amends guidance related to certain aspects of the recognition, measurement, presentation, and
disclosure of financial instruments. The Group adopted this guidance on January 1, 2018 using modified retrospective method. Please refer to Note 2(l)
for detail information.
In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash, to address the diversity in the
classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash in the statement of cash flows, by requiring entities to combine the changes in cash and cash
equivalents and restricted cash in one line. As a result, entities will no longer present transfers between cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash in
the statement of cash flows. Additionally, if more than one line item is recorded on the balance sheet for cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, a
reconciliation between the statement of cash flows and balance sheet is required. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning on
or after December 15, 2017 using a retrospective transition method and early adoption is permitted. The Group adopted this guidance on January 1,
2018 using retrospective method to all periods presented in the consolidated statement of cash flows. Upon adoption the restricted cash balances are now
included within beginning and ending cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash in the Group’s consolidated statements of cash flows.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805)-Clarifying the Definition of a Business (“ASU 2017-01”),
which clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be
accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and early
adoption is permitted. The Group adopted this guidance on January 1, 2018 with no material impact on the consolidated financial statements
In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-05, Other Income—Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (“ASU
2017-05”), which clarifies that a financial asset is within the scope of Subtopic 610-20 if it meets the definition of an in substance nonfinancial asset.
The amendments in this update also clarify that nonfinancial assets within the scope of Subtopic 610-20 may include nonfinancial assets transferred
within a legal entity to a counterparty. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods
within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted but only as of fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting
periods within that reporting period. The Group adopted this guidance on January 1, 2018 with no material impact on the consolidated financial
statements.
In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, “Compensation—Stock compensation (Topic 718): Scope of modification accounting” to clarify
when to account for a change to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award as a modification. ASU 2017-09 is effective prospectively for
all companies for annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017, and early adoption is permitted. The Group adopted this guidance on
January 1, 2018 with no material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
F-41
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
2. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
(ah) Recently issued accounting standards (continued)
New accounting standards not yet adopted
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASU 2016-02”), which requires lessees to put most leases on their
balance sheets but recognize the expenses on their income statements in a manner similar to current practice. ASU 2016-02 states that a lessee would
recognize a lease liability for the obligation to make lease payments and a right-to-use asset for the right to use the underlying asset for the lease term.
The new standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and early adoption is permitted. In July 2018, the
FASB issued ASU 2018-10, “Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases” which clarifies the use of rate implicit in the lease and requirements of
lease reclassification reassessment. Further in July, 2018, FASB issued ASU 2018-11, “Leases (Topic 842): Targeted improvements” which provides
another transition method in addition to the existing transition method by allowing entities to initially apply the new leases standard at the adoption date
and recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. The Group will adopt this new
guidance in the first quarter of 2019. The Group does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a significant impact on its consolidated financial
statements and associated disclosure.
In June 2016, the FASB amended guidance related to impairment of financial instruments as part of ASU 2016-13 Financial Instruments-Credit
Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which will be effective January 1, 2020. The guidance replaces the
incurred loss impairment methodology with an expected credit loss model for which a Group recognizes an allowance based on the estimate of expected
credit loss. In November 2018, the FASB issued an amendment (ASU 2018-19): Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial
Instruments—Credit Losses, to align the implementation date for nonpublic entities’ annual fiscal statements with the implementation date for their
interim financial statements and clarify the scope of the guidance in the amendments in ASU 2016-13. The Group is currently evaluating the impact of
these guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): simplifying the test for goodwill impairment”,
the guidance removes Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test, which requires a hypothetical purchase price allocation. Goodwill impairment will now be
the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not the difference between the fair value and carrying amount of good will
which was the step 2 test before. The ASU should be adopted on a prospective basis for the annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests beginning
after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017.
The Group has not early adopted this guidance. The Group is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure framework – changes to the disclosure
requirements for fair value measurement” which modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820 Fair Value
Measurement. It also requires to add disclosures relating to changes in unrealized gains and losses for the period included in other comprehensive
income for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements held at the end of the reporting period and the range and weighted average of significant
unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 measurements. ASU 2018-13 is effective for all entities for fiscal years and interim periods within those
fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. The Group is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
F-42
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
3. Significant equity transactions and acquisitions
(a) Initial public offering
On November 10, 2017, the Company completed its initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “PPDF”. The
Company offered 17,000,000 American Depositary Shares (“ADS”). Each ADS represents five ordinary share and was sold to the public at US$13.00
per ADS. Also, the Company offered 3,846,154 ADS through concurrent private placement at US$13.00 per ADS. Net proceeds raised by the Company
from the initial public offering and private placement in total amounted to approximately US$253.0 million after deducting underwriting discounts and
commissions and other offering expenses.
Immediately prior to the completion of the initial public offering, all classes of preferred shares of the Company were converted and redesignated
as Class A ordinary shares on a one-for-one basis, all ordinary shares of the Company were redesignated as Class B ordinary share except for the
4,000,000 ordinary shares held by GF Sino Vest Fund SPC-Star 6 SP. (i.e. the ordinary shares held by four founders of the Company were converted to
Class B ordinary shares with the preferred ordinary shares held by the rest of the shareholders were converted into Class A ordinary shares.)
In respect of all matters subject to shareholders’ vote, each holder of Class A ordinary share is entitled to one and each holder of Class B ordinary
share is entitled to twenty votes. Class B ordinary share is convertible into one Class A ordinary share at any time by the holder thereof. Class A
ordinary shares are not convertible into Class B ordinary shares under any circumstances. Upon any sale, transfer, assignment or disposition of any
Class B ordinary share by the shareholder to any person who is not an affiliate of such shareholder, or upon a change of ultimate beneficial ownership of
any Class B ordinary share to any person who is not an affiliate of the registered shareholder of such share, such Class B ordinary shares shall be
automatically and immediately converted into the equivalent number of Class A ordinary shares.
(b) Acquisition of HB micro lending company
On August 31, 2017, the Group, through one of its subsidiaries, entered into a share purchase agreement to purchase 32% of the common shares
of HB micro lending company (“HB”) on National Equities Exchange and Quotations an equity exchange market in China for a total cash consideration
of RMB48.2 million. Further in October, the Group, through another subsidiary, entered into an equity pledge agreement with HB and paid cash
consideration of RMB42.0 million to acquire 28% of its restricted common shares. As of December 31, 2017, the Group was able to control 60% of the
voting rights of HB and has majority seats on the board of directors thus controlling HB.
In accordance with ASC Topic 805, the acquisition of HB had been accounted for as a business combination and the results of operations of HB
from the acquisition date, i.e. October 31, 2017, have been included in the Group’s consolidated financial statements. The Group made estimates and
judgments in determining the fair value of acquired assets and liabilities, based on an independent valuation report and management’s experiences with
similar assets and liabilities.
The allocation of the purchase price is as follows:
Identifiable assets acquired
Identifiable intangible asset
Cash
Other asset
Identifiable liabilities assumed
Deferred tax liability
Other liability
Goodwill
Non-controlling interest
Total purchase price
As of acquisition date
RMB
Amortization years
Indefinite
63,760
50,068
2,337
(15,940)
(393)
50,411
(60,097)
90,146
F-43
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
4. Loans receivable, net
Loans receivable originated and retained by the Group consist of the following:
Loans
Allowance for loan losses
Loans receivable, net
As of December 31,
2018
RMB
2,571,527
(240,419)
2,331,108
2017
RMB
729,464
(47,670)
681,794
The whole loans receivable balance represents the outstanding loans made to the borrowers from consolidated trusts and loans held by Shanghai
Guangjian and HB, subsidiaries of the Group, as of December 31, 2018. As part of the Group’s efforts to develop new product offerings for institutional
funding partners, the Group has established a series of trusts administrated by third-party trust companies. These trusts invest solely in loans on the
Company’s platform to provide returns to the beneficiaries. Since the trusts only invest in loans suggested by the Company, the Company has power to
direct the activities of the trusts. Also, the Company is either the sole beneficiary of some trusts or has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to
receive benefits from some trusts that could potentially be significant to these trusts. As a result, the Company is considered the primary beneficiary of
the trusts and their assets, liabilities, results of operations and cash flows are consolidated accordingly.
The following table sets forth the activity in the allowance for loan losses for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
Beginning balance
Current period provision
Current period reversal
Release upon derecognition of loans receivable associated with a disposed subsidiary
Release upon disposal of loans receivable
Ending balance
F-44
For the Years Ended December 31,
2017
RMB
1,084
65,299
(18,713)
—
—
47,670
2016
RMB
5,912
44,178
(9,473)
(23,250)
(16,283)
1,084
2018
RMB
47,670
204,442
(11,693)
—
—
240,419
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
4. Loans receivable, net (continued)
The following table sets forth the aging of loans as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2018:
December 31, 2017
December 31, 2018
1-89 days
past due
31,308
59,685
90 days or
more past due
8,381
191,990
Total past due
39,689
251,675
Current
689,775
2,319,852
Total loans
729,464
2,571,527
The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level considered adequate to provide for losses that can be reasonably anticipated. Management
performs a quarterly evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance. The allowance is based on the Group’s past loan loss history, known and inherent
risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, composition of the loan portfolio, current economic conditions
and other relevant factors. The allowance is calculated at portfolio-level since the loans portfolio is typically of smaller balance homogenous loans and
is collectively evaluated for impairment. In estimating the probable loss of the loan portfolio, the Group also considers qualitative factors such as current
economic conditions and or events in specific industries and geographical areas, including unemployment levels, trends in real estate values, peer
comparisons, and other pertinent factors such as regulatory guidance.
The following table sets forth the total assets, liabilities, results of operations and cash flows of the above trusts, which are included in the Group’s
consolidated financial statements.
Restricted cash
Accounts receivable
Loans receivable
Total assets
Funds payable to investors of consolidated trusts
Taxes payable
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
Total liabilities
Net revenue
Net loss
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
Net cash used in investing activities
Net cash provided by financing activities
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period
F-45
As of December 31,
2018
2017
RMB
RMB
303,667
44,775
10,000
—
2,507,878
647,793
2,811,545
702,568
2,808,506
736,963
3,039
—
10,000
—
2,811,545
746,963
2016
RMB
For the Years Ended December 31,
2018
RMB
(164,082)
2017
RMB
(28,372)
(44,396)
(673)
(743)
972
(29,289)
29,433
1,116
—
1,116
(16,024)
(615,971)
675,654
43,659
1,116
44,775
—
(18,008)
(1,624,784)
1,901,684
258,892
44,775
303,667
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
5. Prepaid expenses and other assets
Receivables, prepayments and other assets consist of the following:
Prepaid rental and deposits
Prepaid online marketing expenses
Advances
Interest receivables
Others
6. Property, equipment and software, net
Property, equipment and software, net consist of the following:
Computer and electronic equipment
Office furniture and equipment
Leasehold improvement
Software
Total
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization(1)
Property, equipment and software, net
As of December 31,
2018
2017
RMB
RMB
152,974
109,327
25,975
13,496
19,517
13,229
1,947
2,045
21,380
7,602
221,793
145,699
As of December 31,
2018
2017
RMB
RMB
126,842
81,059
13,843
12,498
55,575
45,268
28,069
7,588
224,329
146,413
(80,327)
(38,165)
144,002
108,248
(1) Depreciation and amortization expenses for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018 was RMB12,086, RMB22,555 and RMB42,162,
respectively.
7. Intangible assets
Intangible assets consist of the following:
Financing guarantee License*
Factoring License*
Financial Leasing License*
Micro-Lending License
Total
Less: Accumulated amortization and impairment
Intangible assets
As of December 31,
2018
2017
RMB
RMB
4,600
265
255
63,760
68,880
—
68,880
—
—
—
63,760
63,760
—
63,760
* The Group acquired Shenzhen Rongze Commerecial Co., Ltd, Zhongyu Financial Leasing and Zhongyisheng Financing Guarantee Co., Ltd in 2018.
The acquisitions met the “single or similar asset threshold” and are not considered as business combination in accordance with ASC Topic 805.
F-46
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
8. Accounts receivable and contract assets
The following table presents the accounts receivable as of December 31, 2017 and 2018:
Accounts receivable
Allowance for doubtful accounts
Accounts receivable, net
As of December 31,
2018
2017
RMB
RMB
935,195
17,773
(123,153)
—
812,042
17,773
The following table presents the aging of past-due accounts receivable as of December 31, 2017 and 2018:
December 31, 2017
December 31, 2018
1-89 days
past due
—
42,965
90 days or
more past due
Total
Current
—
102,100
17,773
935,195
17,773
790,130
The following table presents the movement of provision for accounts receivable as of December 31, 2017 and 2018 respectively:
Beginning balance
Impact due to adoption of new revenue standard
Current period accrual
Ending balance
The following table presents the contract assets as of December 31, 2017 and 2018:
Investment management fee for investment programs
Contract acquisition cost
F-47
For the Years Ended December 31,
2017
RMB
2018
RMB
—
—
—
—
—
16,501
106,652
123,153
As of December 31,
2017
RMB
—
—
—
2018
RMB
110,321
1,782
112,103
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
8. Accounts receivable and contract assets (continued)
The following table presents the movement of contract assets for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018:
Beginning balance
Impact due to adoption of new revenue standard
Recognition of investment management fee
Recognition of contract acquisition cost
Settlement upon maturity of investment programs
Settlement upon fulfilment of contract
Ending balance
For the Years Ended December 31,
2017
RMB
2018
RMB
—
—
—
—
—
53,084
208,471
4,186
(146,483)
(7,155)
112,103
9. Employee benefits
The full time employees of the Group are entitled to staff welfare benefits, including medical insurance, basic pensions, unemployment insurance,
work injury insurance, maternity insurance and housing funds. The Group is required to accrue for these benefits based on certain percentages of the
employees’ salaries in accordance with the relevant regulations and to make contribution to the state-sponsored pension and medical plans. The total
amounts charged to the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) for such employee benefits amounted to approximately RMB64,334,
RMB128,554 and RMB143,078 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively.
10. Accrued expenses and other liabilities
Accrued expenses and other liabilities consist of the following:
Accrued marketing expense
Accrued payment channel surcharges
Accrued professional service fee
Accrued technical services expense
Management fee payable to trust administrator
Payable for purchase of property, equipment and software
Others
F-48
As of December 31
2018
2017
RMB
RMB
113,568
105,544
25,728
26,053
31,446
21,333
16,510
16,854
—
10,000
6,585
917
34,350
25,245
222,519
211,614
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
11. Related party balances and transactions
Transaction with PPcredit
Amounts incurred by the Group
Data collection service expense (i) .
For the Years ended December 31,
2018
2017
2016
RMB
RMB
RMB
109,666
84,362
38,297
(i)
PPcredit Data Service (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (“PPcredit”) was founded in April 2016 by the founders of the Group to provide data collection
services. The Group mainly uses PPcredit as a data provider since PPcredit was established. The price for the service is determined based on the
price charged by other market participants.
Expenses paid on behalf of related party, for which the Group was reimbursed
PPcredit
Amounts due to related party
PPcredit
Amounts due from related party
PPcredit
For the Years Ended December 31,
2016
RMB
13,526
2017
RMB
—
2018
RMB
—
As of December 31,
2018
2017
RMB
RMB
—
11,972
As of December 31,
2018
2017
RMB
RMB
2,830
—
In April 2016, the Group entered into a loan agreement with PPcredit, pursuant to which the Group provided a general purpose loan of
RMB6 million to PPcredit, which bears no interest with a term of one year. In November 2016, another loan agreement of RMB5 million was signed
between the Group and PPcredit, also with no interest in a term of one year.
The Group entered into a contract with PPcredit in January 2017 that the RMB11 million loan extended to PPcredit during 2016 was offset with
the payable due to PPcredit.
The Group entered into a service contract with PPcredit of providing HR and accounting service amount to 3,286 in 2018 among which 1,000 was
outstanding as of December 31, 2018. The remaining balance of due from related party is related to prepayment data collection service fee amount to
1,830.
F-49
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
12. Taxation
Cayman Islands
Under the current laws of the Cayman Islands, the Company is not subject to tax on income or capital gain. Additionally, upon payments of
dividends to the shareholders, no Cayman Islands withholding tax will be imposed.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong profits tax rate is 16.5% for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017. No Hong Kong profits tax was provided for as there was
no estimated assessable profits tax during the relevant periods.
The PRC
On March 16, 2007, the National People’s Congress of the PRC enacted an Enterprise Income Tax Law (“EIT Law”), under which Foreign
Investment Enterprises (“FIEs”) and domestic companies would be subject to EIT at a uniform rate of 25%. The EIT law became effective on January 1,
2008. On April 14, 2008, relevant governmental regulatory authorities released qualification criteria, application procedures and assessment processes
for “high and new technology enterprises” (“HNTE”), which will be entitled to a favorable statutory tax rate of 15%. An enterprise’s qualification as a
HNTE is reassessed by the relevant PRC governmental authorities every three years. In November 2013, the local governments announced that a
subsidiary of the Group was qualified as HNTE and was subject to a preferential statutory tax rate of 15% for 2013, 2014 and 2015. In 2016, the
subsidiary re-applied for HNTE status and was approved the HNTE status in December 2016. Accordingly, the subsidiary continued to be taxed at a
15% rate for 2016, 2017 and 2018. Currently, the subsidiary is under process for renewal application. In January 2018, another subsidiary of the Group
was approved the Software Enterprise Status. In accordance with PRC EIT Law, the subsidiary is entitled to enjoy full exemption from EIT for two
years beginning with their first profitable year and a 50% reduction for the subsequent three years. The EIT law also provides for companies that
qualifies as small and micro entities are eligible to apply 20% tax rate and enjoy a 50% reduction of its taxable income.
The EIT Law also provides that an enterprise established under the laws of a foreign country or region but whose “de facto management body” is
located in the PRC be treated as a resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes and consequently be subject to the PRC income tax at the rate of 25% for its
global income. The Implementing Rules of the EIT Law merely define the location of the “de facto management body” as “the place where the
exercising, in substance, of the overall management and control of the production and business operation, personnel, accounting, properties, etc., of a
non-PRC company is located.” Based on a review of surrounding facts and circumstances, the Group does not believe that it is likely that its entities
registered outside of the PRC should be considered as resident enterprises for the PRC tax purposes.
The EIT Law also imposes a withholding income tax of 10% on dividends distributed by a FIE to its immediate holding company outside of
China, if such immediate holding company is considered as a non-resident enterprise without any establishment or place within China or if the received
dividends have no connection with the establishment or place of such immediate holding company within China, unless such immediate holding
company’s jurisdiction of incorporation has a tax treaty with China that provides for a different withholding arrangement. The Cayman Islands, where
the Company incorporated, does not have such tax treaty with China. According to the arrangement between the mainland China and Hong Kong
Special Administrative Region on the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion in August 2006, dividends paid by an FIE in
China to its immediate holding company in Hong Kong will be subject to withholding tax at a rate of no more than 5% (if the foreign investor owns
directly at least 25% of the shares of the FIE). In accordance with accounting guidance, all undistributed earnings are presumed to be transferred to the
parent company and are subject to the withholding taxes. All FIEs are subject to the withholding tax from January 1, 2008. Under U.S. GAAP,
undistributed earnings are presumed to be transferred to the parent company and are subject to the withholding taxes. The presumption may be
overcome if the Group has sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the undistributed dividends will be re-invested and the remittance of the dividends
will be postponed indefinitely. The Group did not record any dividend withholding tax for any of the periods presented.
F-50
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
12. Taxation (continued)
Composition of income tax expenses
The current and deferred portions of income tax expenses included in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) during the
years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018 are as follows:
Current income tax expenses
Deferred income tax benefit (expense)
Total
For the Years Ended December 31,
2018
2017
2016
RMB
RMB
RMB
94,787
371,354
65,106
56,419
(96,643)
(16,839)
151,206
274,711
48,267
Reconciliation of the differences between statutory tax rate and the effective tax rate
The Group did not identify significant unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018 and does not anticipate
any significant change in unrecognized tax benefits within 12 months from December 31, 2018.
Aggregate undistributed earnings of the Company’s subsidiaries and VIE located in the PRC that are available for distribution at December 31,
2018 are considered to be indefinitely reinvested and accordingly, no provision has been made for the Chinese dividend withholding taxes that would be
payable upon the distribution of those amounts to any entity within the Group that is outside the PRC.
The following table sets forth reconciliation between the computed expected tax expenses (benefit) rate and the effective income tax rate:
Statutory tax rate
Research and development tax credit
Effect of tax holiday*
Change in valuation allowance
Undeductable expenses
Others
Effective income tax rate
For the Years Ended December 31,
2017
RMB
2018
RMB
2016
RMB
25%
(2)%
(5)%
(9)%
—
—
9%
25%
(2)%
(6)%
—
2%
1%
20%
25%
(2)%
(19)%
—
2%
—
6%
* Although the subsidiary approved the Software Enterprise Status is entitled to enjoy full exemption from EIT for two years from 2017, it is also
subject to the annual tax inspection which was finally settled in 2018. As a result, the Group reversed a total of RMB268,051 tax expenses in the
fourth quarter of 2018 including RMB136,424 related to the tax expenses of 2017 and RMB131,627 related to the tax expenses for first three quarters
of 2018, which were recorded as tax payable in the balance sheet.
F-51
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
12. Taxation (continued)
The aggregate amount and per share effect of the tax holidays are as follows
Tax holiday effect
Net income per share effect
- Basic
- Diluted
Deferred tax assets
The following table sets forth the significant components of the deferred tax assets:
Deferred tax assets:
Contract liabilities
Allowance for doubtful accounts and loan provision
Net accumulated losses-carry forward
Payroll and welfare payable and other temporary difference
Deferred revenue
Quality assurance payable
Accounts receivable
Investor reserve fund
Less: valuation allowance
Total deferred tax assets
Deferred tax liabilities:
Intangible assets arisen from business combination
Contract assets
Investor reserve funds
Quality assurance payable
Change in fair value for short-term investment
Total deferred tax liabilities
Net deferred tax assets
F-52
For the Years Ended December 31,
2018
2017
2016
RMB
RMB
RMB
460,333
153,908
30,012
4.51
4.51
0.20
0.20
0.31
0.29
As of December 31,
2018
RMB
2017
RMB
—
819
18,530
5,988
38,436
35,947
34,030
16,149
63,733
52,207
38,851
5,988
—
2,127
—
—
(21,538)
128,361
(40,143)
122,763
(15,940)
—
—
—
—
(15,940)
112,421
(15,940)
(16,815)
(23,287)
(41,799)
(2,223)
(100,064)
22,699
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
12. Taxation (continued)
Movement of valuation allowances
At beginning of year
Current year additions
Current year reversals
At end of year
For the Years Ended December 31,
2018
2017
2016
RMB
RMB
RMB
21,538
2,906
49,877
22,585
18,688
1,037
(3,980)
(48,008)
40,143
2,906
21,538
(56)
Valuation allowances have been provided on deferred tax assets due to the uncertainty surrounding their realization. As of December 31, 2017 and
2018, valuation allowances on deferred tax assets mainly arising from tax loss carry forwards were provided because it was more likely than not that the
Group will not be able to utilize tax loss carry forwards and certain deductible expenses generated by certain unprofitable subsidiaries.
As of December 31, 2018, total tax loss carry forwards of the Company’s subsidiaries in the PRC of approximately RMB156,508, will expire if
not used between 2019 and 2023. The applicable carry-forward limitation period is 5 years under the PRC EIT law.
Uncertain tax positions
The Group evaluates the level of authority for each uncertain tax position (including the potential application of interest and penalties) based on
the technical merits, and measures the unrecognized benefits associated with the tax positions. As of December 31, 2017 and 2018, the Group did not
have any significant unrecognized uncertain tax positions.
F-53
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
13. Disposal of subsidiary
As a subsidiary of the Company, Shanghai Hepai Investment Management Co., Ltd. (“Hepai”) sourced funds from investors who were investing
in alternative investment product and used these funds to originate loans on the PPDAI platform. The funds received from the investors were recorded
as funds payable to investors within Accrued expenses and other liabilities. The interest due to investors or the alternative investment product was
accrued based on the expected rate of return using the effective interest rate method.
Interest due to investors on the alternative investment product, interest earned or the loans receivable from borrowers and the loan provision losses
are recorded in net interest income (expense) and loan provision losses in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income (loss).
On September 30, 2016, the following transactions were completed pursuant to a share purchase agreement among Beijing Paipairongxin and
third parties. Beijing Paipairongxin transferred 100% ownership interest in Hepai to the third parties in return for consideration of RMB20,000 in the
form of a note. As a result of the Group’s loss of control over Hepai on September 30, 2016, the Group derecognized the assets and liabilities and
recorded a gain of RMB20,611 on the disposal, which is the difference between the consideration of RMB20,000 and the carrying value of the
subsidiary, net liability of RMB611. The Group has received the first instalment of RMB14,000 in December 2016 and the remaining RMB6,000 was
received in February, 2017.
14. Ordinary shares and treasury stock
In June 2012, PPDAI Group Inc. was incorporated as Limited Liability Company with authorized share capital of US$50,000 divided into
5,000,000,000 shares, of which 4,266,159,600 shares are designated as ordinary shares at par value of US$0.00001 and 733,840,400 as preferred shares.
Immediately prior to the completion of the initial public offering, the Company adopted a dual class share structure. All classes of preferred shares
of the Company were converted and designated as Class A ordinary shares on a one-for-one basis and all the ordinary shares of our company were
redesignated as Class B ordinary shares on a one-for-one basis except for the 4,000,000 ordinary shares held by GF Sino Vest Fund SPC Star 6 SP,
which will be redesignated as Class A ordinary shares on a one-for-one basis.
On November 10, 2017, the Company successfully completed its initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange. The Company sold
85,000,000 Class A ordinary shares (equivalent to 17,000,000 ADS) at US$2.6 per share (equivalent to US$13.0 per ADS) for a total offering size of
approximately RMB1,464.8 million (US$221.0 million). Concurrently with the initial public offering, the Company also closed a private placement with
Sun Kung Kai & Co. (CP) Limited and sold 19,230,769 Class A ordinary shares at an aggregate investment amount of RMB331.4 million (US$50.0
million).
In May 2018, unanimously approved by the Board, the Company issued 30,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares to Citi Limited which converted into
6,000,000 ADSs for exercise of share-based compensation plans. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company also had repurchased
12,061,272 ADS, or 60,306,360 shares, for US$67,622(RMB452,262) on the open market at a weighted average price of US$5.61 per ADS for exercise
of share based compensation. These issued and repurchased shares are considered not outstanding and therefore were accounted for under the cost
method and includes such treasury stock as a component of the shareholder’s equity. As of December 31, 2018, a total of 44,005,360 treasury stock
were used for exercise of option with 46,301,000 shares not in use and not outstanding.
On December 17, 2018, Maggie & Tony Limited sold 2,000,000 Class B ordinary shares, or 400,000 ADS, on the open market which were
automatically transferred into Class A ordinary shares upon completion of the transaction. As of December 31, 2018, 1,533,071,169 ordinary shares
have been issued at par value of US$0.00001, including (i) 874,071,169 Class A ordinary shares and (ii) 659,000,000 Class B ordinary shares.
F-54
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
15. Redeemable convertible preferred shares
On September 13, 2012, the Company issued 2,850,000 shares of Series A convertible redeemable preferred shares (the “Series A Shares”) for
US$1.60 per share for cash of US$4,560. On February 13, 2014, the Company issued 2,142,857 shares of Series B convertible redeemable preferred
shares (the “Series B Shares”) for US$7.00 per share for cash of US$15,000. On February 9, 2015, the Company issued 2,345,547 shares of Series C
convertible redeemable preferred shares (the “Series C Shares”) for US$19.90 per share for cash of US$46,667. The Series A, Series B and Series C
shares are collectively referred to as the Preferred Shares.
On October 20, 2017, the Company effected a share split. Each of ordinary share and preferred share of the Company was subdivided into 100
shares at a par value of US$0.00001, such that Series A Shares, Series B Shares and Series C Shares were divided into 285,000,000 Series A Shares,
214,285,700 Series B Shares and 234,554,700 Series C Shares, respectively.
All of the preferred shares were converted to Class B ordinary shares immediately upon the completion of the Company’s initial public offering
on November 10, 2017. Prior to their conversion, the preferred shares were entitled to certain preference with respect to conversion, redemption,
dividends and liquidation.
The Company classified the Preferred Shares in the mezzanine section of the consolidated balance sheets because they were redeemable at the
holders’ option any time after a certain date and were contingently redeemable upon the occurrence of certain liquidation events outside of the
Company’s control.
The Company recognized accretion to the respective redemption value of the Preferred Shares over the period starting from issuance date to the
earliest redemption date. The Company recognized accretion of the Preferred Shares amounted to RMB562,022, RMB3,073,471 and RMB nil for the
years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018 respectively.
16. Share-based compensation
1) Share based compensation of PPDAI Group Inc.
The Company reserved a stock option pool of 221,917,800 ordinary shares for the issuance of incentive awards to employees, directors and
individual advisors who render services to the Company. In January 2016, PPDAI Group Inc. increased the stock option pool to 221,917,800 shares. All
of the Company’s outstanding options are granted to employees and are equity-classified.
Stock options granted to employees are vested upon satisfaction of service condition, which is generally satisfied over four years. Additionally,
employees can only exercise vested options upon the occurrence of initial public offering. Share-based compensation expense is recorded net of
estimated forfeitures using graded-vesting method, such that expenses are recorded only for those share-based awards that are expected to ultimately
vest. The options granted generally have a contractual term of five years and shall vest evenly in 4 equally installments over 4 years.
In October 2017, the company adopted 2017 Share Incentive Plan, or the 2017 plan, which allows the company to offer a variety of share-based
incentive awards to employees, officers, directors and individual consultants who render services to the company. The plan permits the grant of three
types of awards: options, restricted shares and restricted share units. The maximum number of the shares that may be issued pursuant to all awards under
the 2017 Plan is 1,000,000,000 ordinary shares after giving effect to the 100-for-1 share split effected by the company in October 2017. As of
December 31, 2018, 7,670,000 shares options and 7,822,280 RSUs are issued under 2017 plan respectively. Share options and RSUs granted are
generally subject to a four-year vesting schedule as determined by the administrator of the plans.
F-55
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
16. Share-based compensation (continued)
Share Options
The following table sets forth the stock option shares activities under all the option plans for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018 is
presented below after share split:
Outstanding at December 31, 2015
Granted
Forfeited
Outstanding at December 31, 2016
Granted
Forfeited
Outstanding at December 31, 2017
Granted
Forfeited
Expired
Exercised
Outstanding at December 31, 2018
Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2018
Exercisable as of December 31, 2018
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
US$
0.0201
0.1260
0.0464
0.0650
0.3020
0.0967
0.1108
0.8942
0.1930
0.0040
0.0543
0.2214
0.2213
0.0919
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
3.66
—
—
3.37
—
—
2.69
—
—
—
—
2.17
2.17
1.49
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
US$
6,766
—
—
22,688
—
—
172,618
—
—
—
—
47,689
47,245
26,938
Options
Outstanding
66,860,000
49,170,000
(3,460,000)
112,570,000
26,610,000
(7,538,200)
131,641,800
12,039,050
(3,722,285)
(300,000)
(44,005,360)
95,653,205
94,736,802
42,887,580
F-56
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
16. Share-based compensation (continued)
1) Share based compensation of PPDAI Group Inc. (continued)
The Company did not recognize the share-based compensation expenses for the options exercisable upon the occurrence of initial public offering.
Immediately upon the completion of the Company’s initial public offering, share-based compensation expenses amounting to RMB61,544 were
recognized. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, total share-based compensation expenses recognized were nil , RMB65,324 and
RMB44,490, respectively. As of December 31, 2018, the unrecognized compensation cost was RMB45,044. These amounts are expected to be
recognized over a weighted average period of 2.17 years. Total compensation cost may be adjusted for future changes in estimated forfeitures.
The aggregate intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the exercise prices of the options and the per-share fair value of ordinary
shares of the Company of US$0.2671, US$1.422 and US$0.7200 as of December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively.
The weighted average grant-date per-share fair value of options granted during the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2018 was US$0.2599 and
US$0.7595, respectively.
The fair value of each option granted under the Company’s Incentive Shares plan was estimated on the date of grant using the binomial model that
uses the assumption noted in the following table:
Options Granted
in 2016
RMB
Options Granted
in 2017
RMB
Options Granted
in 2018
RMB
Risk-free interest rate
Expected life (in years)
Expected dividend yield
Expected volatility
Exercise multiple
RSUs
1.27%~1.35% 1.97%~2.04%
5
0%
2.52%-2.75%
5
0%
43.3%~44.0% 39.0%~41.9% 37.74%-38.74%
2.2-2.8
5
0%
2.8
2.8
The following table summarized the Company’s RSUs activities under all incentive plans (in US$, except shares):
Restricted shares
Unvested at December 31, 2017
Granted
Vested
Forfeited
Unvested at December 31, 2018
Number of RSUs
—
—
7,822,280
—
(270,800)
7,551,480
Weighted- average
grant date fair
value
US$
—
—
1.4375
—
1.3233
1.4416
Total share-based compensation cost for the RSUs amounted to RMB nil, nil and RMB 5,829 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and
2018, respectively. As of December 31, 2018, there was RMB 63.4 million unrecognized compensation cost, net of estimated forfeitures, related to
unvested restricted shares, which are to be recognized over a weighted average vesting period of 4.4 years. Total unrecognized compensation cost may
be adjusted for future changes in estimated forfeitures. The Company determined the fair value of RSUs based on its stock price on the date of grant.
F-57
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
16. Share-based compensation (continued)
2) Share based compensation of Shanghai Paifenle Internet Technology Co., Ltd. (“Paifenle”)
In April, 2017, the Group authorized a share based compensation plan (the “Paifenle Plan”) that provides for the issuance of up to 15,000,000
ordinary shares of its subsidiary, Paifenle. Under the Paifenle Plan, the administrator of the plan may, at their discretion grant any officers and
employees of Paifenle (i) up to 11,650,000 units of options to subscribe for ordinary shares and (ii) up to 3,350,000 units RSUs.
In December, 2017, the Board of Directors decided to cancel the Paifenle Plan since Paifenle has discontinued most of its operations. The share-
based compensation expenses for the remaining periods were recognized immediately to the current period totaling at RMB40,828.
17. Net income (loss) per share
Basic earnings per share is computed using the weighted average number of the ordinary shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings
per share (‘‘EPS’’) is computed using the weighted average number of ordinary shares and potential ordinary shares outstanding during the period under
the treasury stock method. For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, stock options to purchase ordinary shares and restricted share units that
were anti-dilutive and excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share of the Company were nil, 11,302,024 on a weighted average basis,
respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, the Series A, Series B and Series C Preference Shares convertible into ordinary shares
that were anti-dilutive and excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share of the Company were 733,840,400 and 631,303,796 on a weighted
average basis, respectively.
Basic earnings (loss) per share and diluted earnings (loss) per share have been calculated in accordance with ASC Topic 260 on computation of
earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018 as follows:
Numerator:
Net profit attributable to PPDAI Group Inc.
Accretion on Series A convertible redeemable preferred shares redemption
value
Accretion on Series B convertible redeemable preferred shares redemption
value
Accretion on Series C convertible redeemable preferred shares redemption
value
Net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders-Basic and diluted
Denominator:
Denominator for basic and diluted loss per share Weighted-average
ordinary shares outstanding
Basic
Diluted
Net income (loss) per share - Basic
Net income (loss) per share - Diluted
Net income (loss) per ADS - Basic
Net income (loss) per ADS - Diluted
F-58
For the years ended December 31,
2017
RMB
2018
RMB
2016
RMB
501,490
1,082,983
2,469,074
(236,662)
(1,237,274)
(171,106)
(905,861)
—
—
(154,254)
(60,532)
(930,336)
(1,990,488)
—
2,469,074
665,000,000
779,804,270
1,498,780,165
665,000,000
779,804,270
(0.0910)
(0.0910)
(0.4551)
(0.4551)
(2.5525)
(2.5525)
(12.7627)
(12.7627)
1,599,592,231
1.6474
1.5436
8.2369
7.7178
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
18. Commitments and contingencies
(a) Operating lease
The Company and its subsidiaries have entered into non-cancellable operating leases covering various facilities. Future minimum lease payments
under these non-cancellable leases as follows:
2019
2020
2021
2022
Thereafter
Total
As of December 31,
2018
RMB
58,406
45,077
40,221
14,826
640
159,170
The Group recorded rental expense of RMB18,923, RMB41,951 and RMB62,143 in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income (loss)
during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively.
(b) Capital and other commitments
The Group did not have capital and other significant commitments, long-term obligations, or guarantees as of December 31, 2017 and
December 31, 2018.
(c) Contingencies
From time to time, the Group is involved in claims and legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. Based on currently
available information, management does not believe that the ultimate outcome of these unresolved matters, individually and in the aggregate, is likely to
have a material adverse effect on the Group’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows. However, litigation is subject to inherent
uncertainties and the Group’s view of these matters may change in the future. If an unfavorable outcome were to occur, there exists the possibility of a
material adverse impact on the Group’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods in which the unfavorable outcome occurs.
The Group accounts for loss contingencies in accordance with ASC Topic 450 “Contingencies” and other related guidance. Set forth below is a
description of certain loss contingencies as well as the opinion of management as to the likelihood of loss.
Current PRC laws and regulations include limitations on foreign ownership in PRC companies that conduct online business. Specifically, foreign
investors are not allowed to own any equity interests in any entity conducting online business. Since the Company is incorporated in the Cayman
Islands, neither the Company nor its PRC subsidiary is eligible to conduct online business in China. To comply with PRC laws and regulations, the
Company conducts its operations in China through a series of contractual arrangements entered into among its wholly owned PRC subsidiaries, the
WOFEs, its affiliated PRC entities, the VIEs and the VIEs’ shareholders.
F-59
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
18. Commitments and contingencies (continued)
(c) Contingencies (continued)
i)
VIE Arrangements
The VIEs and their subsidiaries hold the licenses that are essential to the operation of the Group’s business. In the opinion of management and the
Company’s PRC legal counsel, (i) the ownership structure of the Company, the WOFE and the VIEs are in compliance with existing PRC laws and
regulations;(ii) the contractual arrangements with the VIEs and their shareholders are valid and binding, and will not result in any violation of PRC laws
or regulations currently in effect; and (iii) the Group’s business operations are in compliance with existing PRC laws and regulations in all material
respects. However, there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current and future PRC laws and regulations.
Accordingly, the Company cannot be assured that PRC regulatory authorities will not ultimately take a contrary view to its opinion. If the current
ownership structure of the Company and its contractual arrangements with the VIEs were found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws
and regulations, the Company may be required to restructure its ownership structure and operations in the PRC to comply with the changing and new
PRC laws and regulations.
Under PRC Ministry of Commerce (“MOFCOM”) security review rules promulgated in September 2011, a national security review is required for
certain mergers and acquisitions by foreign investors raising concerns regarding national defense and security. Foreign investors are prohibited from
circumventing the national security review requirements by structuring transactions through proxies, trusts, indirect investment, leases, loans, control
through contractual arrangements, or offshore transactions. Management, in conjunction with its PRC legal counsel, has concluded there is no need to
submit the existing contractual arrangements with its consolidated VIEs and its shareholders to the MOFCOM for national security review based upon
analysis of the rules. However, there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of the MOFCOM security review rules,
and any new laws, rules, regulations or detailed implementation measures in any form relating to such rules. Therefore, the Company cannot be assured
that the relevant PRC regulatory authorities, such as the MOFCOM, would not ultimately take a contrary view to the opinion of management and the
Company’s PRC legal counsel. If the MOFCOM or other PRC regulatory authority determines that the Company needs to submit the existing
contractual arrangements with the VIEs and its shareholders for national security review, the Company may face sanctions by the MOFCOM or other
PRC regulatory authority, which may include, among others, requiring the Company to restructure its ownership structure, discontinuation or restriction
of operations in the PRC, or invalidation of the agreements that the VIEs have entered into with the VIEs and its shareholders.
In such case, the Company may not be able to operate or control business in the same manner as it currently does, and therefore, may not be able
to consolidate the VIEs and their subsidiaries. In addition, the relevant regulatory authorities would have broad discretion in dealing with such violations
which may adversely impact the financial statements, operations and cash flows of the Company (including restrictions on the Company to carry out
business).
If the VIEs and their respective shareholders fail to perform their respective obligations under the current contractual arrangements, the Company
may have to incur substantial costs and expend significant resources to enforce those arrangements and rely on legal remedies under PRC laws. The
PRC laws, rules and regulations are relatively new, and because of the limited volume of published decisions and their non-binding nature, the
interpretation and enforcement of these laws, rules and regulations involve substantial uncertainties. These uncertainties may impede the ability of the
Company to enforce these contractual arrangements, or suffer significant delay or other obstacles in the process of enforcing these contractual
arrangements and may materially and adversely affect the results of operations and the financial position of the Company.
In the opinion of management, the likelihood of loss in respect of the Company’s current ownership structure or the contractual arrangements with
the VIEs is remote.
F-60
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
18. Commitments and contingencies (continued)
(c) Contingencies (continued)
In accordance with the Interim Measures on Administration of Business Activities of Online Lending Information Intermediaries (Interim
Measures) jointly issued by China Banking Regulatory Commission, or the CBRC, together with three other PRC regulatory agencies in August, 2016, a
record-filing and licensing regime is introduced. It requires online lending information intermediaries to register with the local financial regulatory
authority, update their industrial and commercial registration with the local commercial registration authority to include “online lending information
intermediary” in their business scope, and obtain telecommunication business license from the relevant telecommunication regulatory authority. As of
the date of this report, the local financial regulatory authorities are still in the process of making detailed implementation rules regarding the filing
procedures and the Company has not been permitted to submit such filing application.
ii)
Class Action
Starting in September 2018, the Company and certain of its current and former officers and directors, the underwriters of the Company’s initial
public offering in November 2017, and the Company’s agent for the service of process in the U.S. have been named as defendants in putative securities
class actions captioned Yizhong Huang v. PPDAI Group Inc., et al., Case No. 654482/2018 (New York County of the Supreme Court of the State of
New York, filed on September 10, 2018) (the “Huang Case”); Ravindra Vora v. PPDAI Group Inc., et al., Case No. 654777/2018 (New York County of
the Supreme Court of the State of New York, filed on September 27, 2018) (the “Vora Case”); Lai v. PPDAI Group Inc., et al. Case No.
1:2018-cv-06716 (U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, filed on November 26, 2018) (the “Lai Case”); and Goyal v. PPDAI Group
Inc., et al. Case No. 2:2019-cv-00168 (U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, filed on January 9, 2019) (the “Goyal Case”).
These actions allege that defendants made misstatements and omissions in connection with the Company’s initial public offering in November
2017 in violation of the Securities Act of 1933. The Lai Case also advances claims under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. On October 16, 2018, the
Supreme Court of the State of New York consolidated the two state court lawsuits (the Huang Case and the Vora Case) under the caption In re PPDAI
Group Securities Litigation, No. 654482/2018 (the “New York State Action”). On December 17, 2018, the plaintiffs in the New York State Action filed
a consolidated amended complaint. On February 5, 2018, certain of the defendants filed a motion to stay all further proceedings in the New York State
Court Action, which motion remains pending before the Court. On February 21, 2019, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
consolidated the two federal court lawsuits (the Lai Case and the Goyal Case) under the caption In re PPDAI Group Inc. Securities Litigation, No.
18-cv-6716-FB-JO (the “Federal Court Action”), appointed lead plaintiffs of the Federal Court Action, and approved a scheduling stipulation for the
filing of the plaintiffs’ amended complaint and the defendants’ responsive pleadings. On April 22, 2019, plaintiffs in the Federal Court Action filed a
second amended complaint against the Company, certain of its current and former officers and directors and the underwriter of the Company’s initial
public offerings in November 2017. Both the New York State Action and the Federal Court Action otherwise remain in their preliminary stages. As
such, the Company is currently not in a position to estimate the possible loss or possible range of loss, if any, associated with the resolution of the
lawsuits.
19. Restricted net assets
Relevant PRC laws and regulations permit PRC companies to pay dividends only out of their retained earnings, if any, as determined in
accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. Additionally, the Company’s PRC subsidiaries can only distribute dividends upon approval
of the shareholders after they have met the PRC requirements for appropriation to statutory reserves. The statutory general reserve fund requires annual
appropriations of 10% of net after-tax income prior to payment of any dividends. Furthermore, registered share capital and capital reserve accounts are
also restricted from distribution. As a result of these and other restrictions under PRC laws and regulations, the PRC subsidiaries and affiliates are
restricted in their ability to transfer a portion of their net assets to the Company either in the form of dividends, loans or advances, which restricted
portion amounted to approximately RMB3,634,673, or 60.7 % of the consolidated net assets of the Group as of December 31, 2018. Even though the
Company currently does not require any such dividends, loans or advances from the PRC subsidiaries and affiliates for working capital and other
funding purposes, the Company may in the future require additional cash resources from our PRC subsidiaries and affiliates due to changes in business
conditions, to fund future acquisitions and developments, or merely declare and pay dividends or distributions to the Company’s shareholders.
F-61
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
20. Condensed financial information of the parent company
The Company performed a test on the restricted net assets of consolidated subsidiaries in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission
Regulation S-X Rule 4-08 (e) (3), “General Notes to Financial Statements’ and concluded that it was applicable for the Company to disclose the
financial statements for the parent company.
The subsidiaries did not pay any dividend to the Company for the year presented. For the purpose of presenting parent only financial information,
the Company records its investments in its subsidiaries under the equity method of accounting. Such investments are presented on the separate
condensed balance sheets of the Company as “Investments in subsidiaries” and the profit (loss) of the subsidiaries is presented as “share of profit (loss)
of subsidiaries”. Certain information and footnote disclosures generally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have
been condensed and omitted. These statements should be read in conjunction with the notes to the consolidated financial statements of the Company.
The Company did not have significant capital and other commitments, long-term obligations, or guarantees as of December 31, 2017 and 2018.
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Prepaid expenses and other assets
Investment in and advances to subsidiaries
Total assets
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
Total liabilities
Shareholders’ equity :
Class A ordinary shares (US$0.00001 par value; 10,000,000,000 shares authorized as of
December 31, 2017 and 2018; 842,071,169 and 874,071,169 issued as of December 31,
2017 and 2018; 842,071,169 and 827,770,169 outstanding as of December 31, 2017 and
2018)
Class B ordinary shares (US$0.00001 par value; 10,000,000,000 shares authorized as of
December 31, 2017 and 2018; 661,000,000 and 659,000,000 issued and outstanding as of
December 31, 2017 and 2018)
Additional paid-in capital
Treasury stock (nil and 46,301,000 shares as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively)
Non-controlling Interest
Statutory reserves
Accumulated other comprehensive income
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)
Total shareholders’ equity
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
F-62
2017
RMB
934,758
10,350
2,687,270
3,632,378
As of December 31,
2018
RMB
461,054
4,798
5,476,363
5,942,215
US$
Note2(f)
67,058
698
796,504
864,260
10,211
10,211
18,333
18,333
2,666
2,666
56
58
8
44
5,951,044
—
44
5,896,017
(332,121)
55,090
14,917
(2,398,984)
3,622,167
3,632,378
256,006
58,210
45,668
5,923,882
5,942,215
7
857,540
(48,305)
—
37,235
8,466
6,643
861,594
864,260
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
20. Condensed financial information of the parent company (continued)
Statements of comprehensive loss
Operating expenses
Sales and marketing expenses
General and administrative expenses
Profits from operations
Other income, net
Share of profit of subsidiaries
Net profit
Accretion on Series A convertible redeemable preferred shares to redemption
value
Accretion on Series B convertible redeemable preferred shares to redemption
value
Accretion on Series C convertible redeemable preferred shares to redemption
value
Net profit (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders
Statements of cash flows
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
Net cash used in investing activities
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash-beginning of year
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash-end of year
F-63
For the Years Ended December 31,
2016
RMB
2017
RMB
2018
RMB
US$
Note 2(f)
—
(8,605)
—
(71,189)
(2)
(57,448)
—
(8,355)
8
510,087
501,490
2,515
1,151,657
1,082,983
21,183
2,505,341
2,469,074
3,081
364,386
359,112
(236,662)
(1,237,274)
(171,106)
(905,861)
—
—
—
—
(154,254)
(60,532)
(930,336)
(1,990,488)
—
2,469,074
—
359,112
2016
RMB
40
—
—
—
40
3,380
3,420
For the Years Ended December 31,
2018
2017
RMB
(12,178)
(720,259)
1,677,222
(13,447)
931,338
3,420
934,758
RMB
12,111
(69,660)
(438,253)
22,098
(473,704)
934,758
461,054
US$
Note 2(f)
1,761
(10,132)
(63,741)
3,215
(68,897)
135,955
67,058
PPDAI GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts in thousands, except share data, or otherwise noted)
21. Subsequent events
On March 14, 2019, the Board of Directors of the Company unanimously approved a cash dividend of US$ 0.19 per ADS, payable around
April 26, 2019 to shareholders of record as of the close of business April 5, 2019.
In March 2019, unanimously approved by the Board, the Company issued 17,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares to Citi Limited which converted
into 3,400,000 ADSs for exercise of share-based compensation plans.
F-64
THIS AGREEMENT is made in Shanghai, the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC”, and, for purpose of this Agreement, excluding Hong Kong
Special Administrative Region, Macau Special Administrative Region and Taiwan) as of this 14th day of January, 2019 by and among:
LOAN AGREEMENT
Exhibit 4.28
Party A: Shanghai Manyin Information Technology Co., Ltd.
Registered address: Building 6, No. 20, Lane 999, Dangui Road, China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone
Party B:
Name: CHEN Lizhong
ID Card No.: ********************
Residential address: ***, Economic and Technology Development District, Weihai City, Shandong Province
Name: JIANG Yejun
ID Card No.: ********************
Residential address: ***, Hongkou District, Shanghai
WHEREAS:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Party A is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise duly established and validly existing under the laws of the PRC;
Each of Party B is a PRC citizen, and each of CHEN Lizhong and JIANG Yejun holds 50% of the equities of Shanghai Ledao Technology Co.,
Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Shanghai Ledao”);
Party A, Party B and Shanghai Ledao entered into an Exclusive Call Option Agreement on the 14th day of January, 2019 (the “Option
Agreement”), and Party B will transfer their equity interests in Shanghai Ledao to Party A in circumstances then permitted by the PRC laws and
regulations;
Party A, Party B and Shanghai Ledao entered into an Exclusive Technology Consulting and Service Framework Agreement and a Business
Operation Agreement on the 14th day of January, 2019, and, on the same day, an Equity Pledge Agreement was executed by and among such
parties (the “Equity Pledge Agreement”), whereby Party B agreed to pledge all of their equity interests in Shanghai Ledao to Party A as security
for the performance of obligations under the foresaid Exclusive Technology Consulting and Service Framework Agreement, Business Operation
Agreement, Option Agreement and this Agreement; and
1
(5)
Party B needs to borrow money from Party A for their contribution of registered capital to Shanghai Ledao, and Party A agrees to provide Party B
with a loan on terms and conditions of this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, upon friendly consultation, the Parties hereby agree as follows:
CHAPTER 1 LOAN
Article 1
Purpose of the Loan
Party B agrees that all loan proceeds received hereunder shall be solely used to pay capital contributions to Shanghai Ledao. Without
Party A’s prior written consent, Party B shall not use the loan proceeds for any other purpose.
Article 2
Loan Amount: RMB 50,000,000 (Renminbi Fifty Million Yuan).
Article 3
Term of the Loan: the term of the loan shall commence on the execution date of this Agreement and expire on the day when Party B has
completed its obligations in a way specified in Article 9 hereof.
Article 4
Prior to Party A’s advance of the loan to Party B, the following conditions must be satisfied:
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
Party A shall have received a written notice for advance of loan from Party B as set out in Article 5(1) of this Agreement;
at the same time of the execution of this Agreement, the Parties shall have entered into the Equity Pledge Agreement, pursuant
to which Party B agrees to pledge all of its equity interests in Shanghai Ledao to Party A as security for the performance of its
obligations hereunder;
Party A, Party B and Shanghai Ledao shall have entered into the Option Agreement, whereby Party B grants Party A with an
irrevocable option to purchase all equity interests of Party B in Shanghai Ledao at any time, to the extent permitted by the
PRC law, within the valid term of the Option Agreement;
the Equity Pledge Agreement and Option Agreement shall remain valid, none of the parties thereto is in any material breach of
the terms and conditions thereunder, all the necessary approvals, consents, authorizations and registrations required by such
two agreements shall have been duly completed, and amendments to such agreements (if any) shall have been confirmed by
the parties thereto;
all representations and warranties in Chapter 3 hereof shall remain true and accurate on the day when the notice of advancing
the loan is delivered to Party A and the advance date of the loan; and
2
4.6
no material breach of any terms and conditions of this Agreement has been committed by Party B.
Article 5
Advance of Loan Proceeds
5.1
5.2
Upon execution of this Agreement, Party B may send a notice to Party A for advance of the loan either on one-time basis or,
according to business needs of Shanghai Ledao, by stages.
Party A shall, within ten (10) banking days, advance the sum specified in the loan advance notice to Party B’s designated
account on a lump-sum basis and by means permitted by laws and regulations, and deliver a scan document of remittance to
Party B.
Article 6
For the purpose of supporting the business operation of Shanghai Ledao and in turn facilitate the development of Party A, the interest
rate of the loan shall be zero (0%).
CHAPTER 2 INTEREST RATE
Article 7
Party A hereby represents and warrants to Party B that:
CHAPTER 3 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4
Party A is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise duly established and validly existing under the laws of the PRC;
according to Party A’s articles of association and other constitutional documents, it has full right, power and all necessary
approvals and authority to execute and perform this Agreement;
the execution and performance of this Agreement will not result in a violation or breach of any laws and regulations applicable
to Party A or any contractual restrictions by which Party A may be bound or affected; and
this Agreement, after it comes into effect, shall constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligations of Party A and be
enforceable against Party A in accordance with its terms.
Article 8
Party B hereby represents and warrants to Party A that:
8.1
Shanghai Ledao is a limited liability company duly established and validly existing under the laws of the PRC, and, among
Party B, each of CHEN Lizhong and JIANG Yejun holds 50% of the equities of Shanghai Ledao;
3
8.2
8.3
8.4
8.5
8.6
without Party A’s prior written consent, Party B shall not transfer or pledge any of its interests in Shanghai Ledao to any third
party;
Party B has full rights, power and all necessary and appropriate approvals and authority to execute and perform this
Agreement;
the execution and performance of this Agreement will not result in a violation or breach of any laws or regulations applicable
to Party B or any contractual restrictions by which Party B may be bound or affected;
this Agreement, after it comes into effect, shall constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligations of Party B and be
enforceable against Party B in accordance with its terms; and
as of the execution date of this Agreement, there is no pending or threatened legal or other proceedings against Party B by or
in any court, tribunal or other regulatory authority.
Article 9
Method of Repayment
CHAPTER 4 REPAYMENT
9.1
9.2
9.3
The Parties agree and acknowledge that only the following methods of repayment will be taken by Party B and accepted by
Party A: to the extent permitted by the PRC laws and regulations then in effect, Party B shall, according to requirements
specified in Party A’s written notice, transfer its equity interests in Shanghai Ledao to Party A on the terms and conditions of
the Option Agreement, and use the proceeds that it may receive from such equity transfer to repay the loan hereunder.
The Parties agree and acknowledge that, if, with Party A’s consent, Party B transfers all or part of its equity interests in
Shanghai Ledao to any third party other than Party A, all the proceeds obtained by Party B from such transfer shall be paid to
Party A in priority, irrespective of whether the amount of such proceeds is higher than the loan amount hereunder.
The Parties agree and acknowledge that, where Party B transfers its equity interests in Shanghai Ledao on terms and
conditions of the Option Agreement, if the actual price for such equity transfer is higher than the loan amount hereunder due
to requirements of the PRC laws and regulations then applicable or any other reasons, the portion of such transfer price
exceeding the principal amount of the loan hereunder shall, to the extent permitted by laws, be deemed as occupation cost and
paid to Party A along with the principle amount of the loan.
4
Article 10
Early Repayment
If Party A or its designated assignee is able to lawfully purchase all equities of Shanghai Ledao owned by Party B in accordance with
laws and Party A selects to exercise its right to accept the transfer of all equities of Shanghai Ledao pursuant to the terms of the Option
Agreement, Party B shall repay the loan, irrespective of whether the loan is mature or not.
CHAPTER 5 SECURITY
Article 11
Party B pledges all of its equity interests in Shanghai Ledao as security for its obligations hereunder. If Party B fails to repay the loan to
Party A when it becomes due, Party A shall have the right to dispose such pledged equities in accordance with the provisions of laws and
regulations.
Article 12
Party B undertakes that it will repay the loan in the manner specified in Article 9 hereof.
Article 13
Within the term of this Agreement, Party A undertakes that it will not initiatively request Party B to repay the loan in advance and will
release the pledge on the equity of Shanghai Ledao upon full repayment of the loan by Party B pursuant to Clause 9 above.
Article 14
Confidentiality
CHAPTER 6 CONFIDENTIALITY
The Parties acknowledge and confirm that any oral or written information exchanged between them in connection with this Agreement is
confidential information. The Parties shall protect and maintain the confidentiality of all such confidential data and information, and not
disclose them to any third party without the other parties written consent, except for data and information which (a) is in the public
domain, is subsequently released, or becomes generally available to the public, without disclosure by the receiving Party, (b) is required
to be disclosed pursuant to relevant laws or regulations, and (c) is required to be disclosed to the legal or financial advisors of a Party
who are also bound by confidentiality obligations similar to those under this Article. Any improper disclosure of confidential data or
information by any legal or financial advisor of a Party shall be deemed as an improper disclosure by such Party, and such Party shall be
liable for breach of this Agreement.
5
CHAPTER 7 DEFAULT AND DAMAGES
Article 15
Within the term of this Agreement, any of the following events shall be deemed as a breach of agreement by Party A:
15.1
15.2
15.3
Party A disposes the equities pledged by Party B without Party B’s authorization within the term of this Agreement;
Party A fails to transfer corresponding loan proceeds into Party B’s designated account within ten (10) banking days upon
receipt of the notice of advancing loan from Party B; or
without Party B’s consent, Party A requests Party B to make any early repayment of the loan except as specified in Article 10
hereof.
Article 16
Within the term of this Agreement, any of the following events shall be deemed as a breach of agreement by Party B:
16.1
16.2
during the term of this Agreement, Party B disposes the equities already pledged to Party A without Party A’s consent; or
upon expiration of this Agreement, Party B is unable to repay the loan through the method specified in Article 9.
Article 17
Termination and Liability for Breach of Agreement
A breach of any provisions of this Agreement by a Party shall constitute a breach of this Agreement. The breaching Party shall fully and
adequately indemnify the non-breaching Party. The non-breaching Party shall have the right to decide whether to continue the
performance of or terminate this Agreement.
Article 18
Dispute Resolution
If any dispute between the Parties cannot be resolved through negotiation, either Party may submit the dispute to Shanghai International
Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission for settlement through arbitration in accordance with its arbitration rules then in effect. The
arbitration shall be conducted in Shanghai, and the arbitration proceeding shall be in Chinese. The arbitration award shall be final and
binding upon the Parties.
Article 19
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the PRC.
Article 20
The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity and enforceability of any other
provisions of this Agreement
6
Article 21
This Agreement shall be executed in three originals, and each Party hold one original hereof.
(THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE HAS BEEN INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)
7
(Signature Page)
Party A: Shanghai Manyin Information Technology Co., Ltd. (Seal)
/s/ GU Yafen
Legal or Authorized Representative:
/s/ Seal of Shanghai Manyin Information Technology Co., Ltd.
Party B:
/s/ CHEN Lizhong
/s/ JIANG Yejun
8
EQUITY PLEDGE AGREEMENT
Exhibit 4.29
THIS EQUITY PLEDGE AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made as of the 14th day of January, 2019 in Pudong New Area, Shanghai, the People’s
Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as the “PRC”) by and among the following parties:
Party A: Shanghai Manyin Information Technology Co., Ltd.
Registered address: Building 6, No. 20, Lane 999, Dangui Road, China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone
Legal representative: GU Yafen
(hereinafter referred to as the “Pledgee”)
Party B (each a “Pledgor” and together the “Pledgors”):
Name: CHEN Lizhong
ID Card No.: ******************
Residential address: ***, Economic and Technology Development District, Weihai City, Shandong Province
Name: JIANG Yejun
ID Card No.: ******************
Residential address: ***, Hongkou District, Shanghai
Party C: Shanghai Ledao Technology Co., Ltd.
Registered address: Room 203, Floor 2, Building 10, Lane 999 Dangui Road, China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone
Legal representative: JIANG Yejun
(Party A, Party B and Party C are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Parties” and individually a “Party”.)
WHEREAS:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Party A is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise duly established and validly existing within the PRC;
Party C is a limited liability company duly established and validly existing within the PRC;
The Pledgors own equity interests in Party C and the ratio of their respective equity interest in Party C is as follows: each of CHEN Lizhong
and JIANG Yejun respectively holds 50% equity interest in Party C;
For the purpose of establishing and developing Party C, the Pledgors entered into a Loan Agreement with Party A on the 14th day of January,
2019 to borrow an aggregate sum of RMB50,000,000 (Fifty Million Renminbi Yuan) from Party A for contribution of their committed capital
to Party C (hereinafter referred to as the “Loan”);
1
(5)
(6)
(7)
Party A, Party C and the Pledgors entered into an Exclusive Call Option Agreement on the 14th day of January, 2019 (the “Option
Agreement”);
Party A, Party C and the Pledgors entered into a Business Operation Agreement on the 14th day of January, 2019, and Party A and Party C
executed an Exclusive Technology Consulting and Service Framework Agreement on the 14th day of January, 2019; and
In order to secure repayments under the Loan Agreement, ensure Party A may receive service fee from Party C under the Exclusive
Technology Consulting and Service Framework Agreement, and to assure the performance by the Pledgors and Party C of their respective
obligations under the Option Agreement and Business Operation Agreement (the “Contractual Obligations”), the Pledgors pledge all of their
equity interests in Party C as security for the performance of the foresaid Contractual Obligations in favor of Party A.
NOW, THEREFORE, on basis of friendly consultation and principles of equality and mutual benefit, the Parties hereby agree as follows:
1.
Definition
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
2.
2.1
Unless otherwise specified in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
“Pledge” refers to all contents set out in Clause 2 of this Agreement;
“Equity” means the 100% equity interests lawfully held by the Pledgors in Party C, and any and all existing and future rights and interests in
or to such equity interests;
“Transaction Agreements” mean, collectively, the Loan Agreement dated 14th of January, 2019 between the Pledgors and Party A, the Option
Agreement dated 14th of January, 2019 between the Pledgors and Party C, the Exclusive Technology Consulting and Service Framework
Agreement dated 14th of January, 2019 between Party A and Party C, and the Business Operation Agreement dated 14th of January, 2019
among Party A, Party C and the Pledgors;
“Default Event” means any of the events set out in Clause 7 of this Agreement; and
“Default Notice” means any notice sent by Party A pursuant to this Agreement claiming a Default Event.
Pledge
The Pledgors pledge all the Equity in Party C owned by them to Party A as security for Party A’s rights and interests under the Transaction
Agreements.
2
2.2
2.3
2.4
3.
3.1
3.2
4.
4.1
The scope of security covered by the pledge of Equity hereunder shall include all fees (including legal fees), costs, losses, interests, liquidated
damages, indemnities, and costs or expenses for enforcement of any creditor’s right, to be paid or assumed by Party C and/or the Pledgors to
Party A under the Transaction Agreements, as well as any liabilities of Party C and the Pledgors to Party A in the event that all or any part of
the Transaction Agreements is invalid due to any reason.
The Pledge under this Agreement shall mean Party A’s priority right to receive preferential repayment from any amount derived from
disposition, auction or sale of the Equities pledged to Party A by the Pledgors.
Unless otherwise expressly agreed by Party A in writing, after this Agreement comes into force, the Pledge contemplated hereunder may not be
released unless and until Party C and the Pledgors have duly performed all of their obligations under the Agreements and Party A recognizes
such complete performance in writing. If Party C or the Pledgors fail to fully perform all or any part of their obligations or duties hereunder by
the end of the respective given periods specified in the Transaction Agreements, Party A shall remain entitled to the Pledge hereunder until
such obligations and duties have been fully performed in a way reasonably satisfactory to Party A.
Effectiveness and Term
This Agreement shall come into effect on the day when it is signed by the Parties and affixed with their respective official seals. The Pledge
shall be created and become effective on the day when the registration of the Equity pledge with the administration of industry and commerce
having jurisdiction over Party C is completed.
During the period of the Equity Pledge, if Party C fails to pay the service fee under the Exclusive Technology Consulting and Service
Framework Agreement, or if Party C and/or the Pledgors fail to pay any costs or expenses to Party A on terms of the Transaction Agreements,
or if Party C and/or the Pledgors fail to perform any of the Contractual Obligations under the Transaction Agreements, Party A shall have the
right to exercise the Pledge in accordance with terms of this Agreement upon reasonable notices.
Possession and Custody of the Pledge Certificate
The Pledgors shall, within ten (10) business days from the execution date of this Agreement or at any earlier time mutually agreed by the
Parties, deliver their capital contribution certificate (original copy) of Party C into Party A’s custody, provide Party A with the proof
evidencing that the Pledge hereunder has been duly registered in Party C’s register of shareholders, and effect all approval, registration and
filing procedures required by laws and regulations of the PRC, and deliver the certificate evidencing the registration of the Pledge with
competent administration of industry and commerce. Please refer to exhibits of this Agreement for forms of the capital contribution certificate
and shareholders’ register of Party C.
3
4.2
4.3
4.4
If any change of registration is required by law due to change of any recorded matter of the Pledge, Party A, Party B and Party C shall, within
five (5) business days following the change of such recorded matter, make registration change in respect thereof and submit documents in
connection with such registration change.
Without Party A’s prior written consent, the Pledgors shall instruct Party C not to distribute any dividend or bonus during the pledge of Equity.
As long as the Equity is under pledge, if a Pledgor subscribes for any new registered capital of Party C or acquires any Equity of Party C held
by another Pledgor (the “Additional Equity”), such Additional Equity shall automatically become the Equity pledged hereunder, and the
Pledgors shall complete all procedures required to create Pledge over the Additional Equity within ten (10) business days from their acquisition
of such Additional Equity. If the Pledgors fail to complete relevant procedures as specified in the preceding sentence, Party A may immediately
enforce the Pledge pursuant to Clause 8 of this Agreement.
5.
Representations and Warranties of the Pledgors
At the time of executing this Agreement, the Pledgors represent and warrant to the Pledgee the following and acknowledge that Party A’s
execution and performance of this Agreement is in reliance on such representations and warranties:
the Pledgors lawfully own the Equity hereunder and have the right to pledge the Equity for the benefit of Party A as security;
no claim or intervention will be made by any other party against Party A at any time once Party A is entitled to exercise its rights or enforce the
Pledge pursuant to this Agreement;
Party A has the right to enforce the Pledge in a way specified by the laws, regulations and this Agreement;
each of the Pledgors has obtained all corporate authorization or approvals necessary for its execution and performance of this Agreement, and
such execution and performance does not violate the provisions of any applicable laws, regulations and articles of association;
the Equity held by the Pledgors is free from any other encumbrance or any third-party security interest of any form (including but not limited to
pledge);
there is no pending or threatened civil, administrative or criminal litigation, administrative penalty or arbitration in connection with the Equity;
no tax, fee or expense in connection with the Equity is due but remains unpaid, or no required legal procedures or formalities remain
uncompleted in respect of the Equity; and
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7
4
5.8
the terms of this Agreement represent the true intention of the Pledgors and are legally binding upon them.
6.
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
6.5
Undertakings of the Pledgors
During the existence of this Agreement, the Pledgors undertake to Party A that the Pledgors shall:
6.1.1
6.1.2
6.1.3
without Party A’s prior written consent, not transfer the Equity (except for the transfer of Equity to Party A or its designated
person at the request of Party A), or create or allow the existence of any other encumbrance or any type of third-party security
interest which may affect Party A’s rights and interests;
comply with and implement all applicable laws and regulations, and, upon receipt of any notice, instruction or advice from any
competent regulatory authority in respect of the Pledge, present such notice, instruction or advice to Party A within five
(5) business days and act in accordance with Party A’s reasonable instruction; and
promptly notify Party A of (i) any event that may affect the Equity or any portion thereof, or the Pledgors’ performance of any of
their obligations, representations, warranties or undertakings hereunder, or (ii) the Pledgors’ receipt of any notice in relation
thereto, and shall act in accordance with Party A’s reasonable instruction;
The Pledgors agree that Party A’s enforcement of the Pledge pursuant to this Agreement shall not be interrupted or interfered with by the
Pledgors, their successors or authorized persons, or any other person.
The Pledgors warrant to Party A that, in order to protect or perfect the security for performance of the payment/repayment obligations and
other obligations of the Pledgors and/or Party C under the Transaction Agreements, the Pledgors shall cause Party C to make all necessary
amendments to its articles of association (if applicable), execute in good faith and cause any other party interested in the Pledge to execute all
such title certificates and agreements as may be requested by Party A, and/or take and cause such other interested party to take all actions
requested by Party A, facilitate Party A’s exercise of the Pledge, execute all documents in connection with change of the share certificate with
Party A or any third party designated by it, and provide Party A with all documents in relation to the Pledge as Party A may deem necessary
within a reasonable period of time.
In the event of a transfer of any Equity arising from Party A’s exercise of the Pledge pursuant to Clause 8 hereof, the Pledgors hereby jointly
and severally undertake to waive their respective preemptive right / right of first refusal thereon.
The Pledgors warrant to Party A that, for the benefits of Party A, the Pledgors shall comply with and perform all of their warranties,
undertakings, agreements and representations. If the Pledgors fail to perform or fully perform their warranties, undertakings, agreements or
representations, the Pledgors shall indemnify Party A against all losses suffered by Party A as a result thereof.
5
7.
7.1
Default Event
A Default Event shall be deemed to have occurred if:
7.1.1
7.1.2
7.1.3
7.1.4
7.1.5
7.1.6
7.1.7
7.1.8
7.1.9
any of Party C, the Pledgors, or their respective successor or assignee, fails to perform any of its obligations under the Loan
Agreement, Option Agreement, Business Operation Agreement and/or Excusive Technology Consulting and Service Framework
Agreement;
any of the representations, warranties or undertakings made by the Pledgors under Clauses 5 and 6 hereof is materially
misleading or erroneous, and/or there is any other breach of the representations, warranties or undertakings made in Clauses 5
and 6 hereof;
the Pledgors materially breach any term of this Agreement;
Other than specified in Clause 6.1.1 of this Agreement, the Pledgors renounce, transfer or dispose of the pledged Equity without
Party A’s written consent;
the Pledgors are required to repay or perform in advance, or unable to repay or perform on time, any of their loans, security,
indemnifications, undertakings or other liabilities due to a breach or default, which gives rise to Party A’s reasonable belief that
the Pledgors’ ability to perform their obligations hereunder has been affected and thus Party A’s interests are affected
accordingly;
the Pledgors are unable to repay general debt or other liabilities, which in turn affects Party A’s interests;
this Agreement becomes illegal or the Pledgors are unable to continue to perform their obligations hereunder due to promulgation
of any applicable law;
any governmental consent, permit, approval or authorization necessary for the enforceability, legality or validity of this
Agreement is revoked, suspended, expired or materially changed;
Party A believes the Pledgors’ ability to perform their obligations hereunder has been affected due to any adverse change to the
properties owned by the Pledgors; or
7.1.10
other circumstances where Party A is unable to exercise or dispose of the Pledge pursuant to applicable laws.
6
7.2
7.3
8.
8.1
8.2
8.3
8.4
9.
9.1
9.2
9.3
9.4
If the Pledgors is or becomes aware of the occurrence of any event described under Clause 7.1 or any circumstance which may give rise to an
event described under Clause 7.1, the Pledgors shall immediately notify Party A thereof in writing.
Unless a Default Event set out in Clause 7.1 has been resolved in a way satisfactory to Party A, Party A may deliver a written Default Notice to
the Pledgors upon or at any time after occurrence of the Default Event, requesting the Pledgors to repay the Loan immediately, or enforce the
Pledge in accordance with Clause 8 hereof.
Enforcement of the Pledge
If Party A enforces the Pledge due to the Pledgors’ breach of agreement, Party A shall send a Default Notice to the Pledgors.
Subject to Clause 7.3, Party A may enforce the Pledge at any time after sending the Default Notice in accordance with Clause 7.3.
The Pledgee shall be entitled to preferential repayment from any amount derived from the disposal, auction or sale of all or any part of the
Equity pursuant to statutory procedures until the Pledgors has repaid the Loan in full and fully paid all debts, fees, liabilities, unpaid service
fees and all other payable sums involved in the Contractual Obligations under the Transaction Agreements.
When Party A enforces the Pledge in accordance with this Agreement, the Pledgors shall not impose any obstacle and shall provide necessary
support to enable Party A to enforce the Pledge.
Assignment
Without Party A’s prior written consent, the Pledgors shall not assign any of their rights and/or obligations hereunder to any third party.
This Agreement shall bind upon the Pledgors and their successors and inure to Party A and its successor or assignee.
Party A may at any time assign all or any of its rights and obligations hereunder to any third party designated by it, in which case the assignee
shall have Party A’s rights and obligations hereunder. When Party A assigns its rights and obligations this Agreement, at the request of Party
A, the Pledgors shall execute relevant agreements and/or documents in respect of such assignment.
If the pledgee is changed due to such assignment, the parties to the new pledge shall enter into a new pledge agreement and the Pledgors shall
be responsible to effect all relevant registration procedures.
7
10.
10.1
11.
11.1
11.2
12.
12.1
12.2
Handling Charges and Other Expenses
All costs and actual expenses in connection with this Agreement, including but not limited to legal fee, cost of production, stamp duty and any
other tax and expenses, shall be equally borne by Party A and the Pledgors.
Force Majeure
If the performance of this Agreement is delayed or hindered by a Force Majeure Event, only with respect to the performance so delayed or
hindered thereby, the Party affected by the Force Majeure Event shall be excused from any liability hereunder in respect thereof. A “Force
Majeure Event” means any event that is beyond the reasonable control of a Party and cannot be avoided even with the reasonable care of the
affected Party, including but not limited to any government act, acts of God, fire, explosion, geographic change, storm, flood, earthquake, tide,
lightning or war; provided, however, that any insufficiency of credit, capital or financing shall not be deemed as an event beyond the
reasonable control of a Party. A Party seeking exemption from its obligations under this Agreement or any term of this Agreement by virtue of
a Force Majeure Event shall as soon as possible notify the other Parties of such exemption event as well as the steps to be taken for completion
of its performance.
The Party affected by a Force Majeure Event shall not be responsible for any liability hereunder, provided, however, that the affected Party
shall not be excused from its liability unless and until it has made every possible efforts to perform the Agreement and such exemption shall be
limited to the extent where the performance of relevant obligations is delayed or prevented by the Force Majeure Event. Once the cause for
such exemption of liability is cured or remedied, the Parties hereto agree to make their best efforts to resume the performance of this
Agreement.
Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
The execution, validity, performance and interpretation of this Agreement and the resolution of dispute arising therefrom or in connection
therewith shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the PRC.
In the case of any dispute arising among the Parties in respect of the interpretation or performance of this Agreement, the Parties shall resolve
such dispute through friendly negotiation. If no agreement can be reached through such negotiation, any Party may submit the dispute to
Shanghai International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission for arbitration in accordance with its arbitration rules then in effect. The
arbitration shall be conducted in Shanghai and the arbitration proceeding shall be in Chinese. The arbitration award shall be final and binding
on the Parties.
12.3
Except for the matters in dispute, the Parties shall continue to perform their respective obligations hereunder in good faith pursuant to terms of
this Agreement.
8
13.
13.1
Notice
Any and all notices given by the Parties for exercise of their rights and performance of their obligations hereunder shall be made in writing and
shall be delivered by person or sent by registered mail, postage-prepaid mail, recognized courier service or facsimile to the following addresses
of relevant Party or Parties:
If to Party A:
Shanghai Manyin Information Technology Co., Ltd.
Domicile: Building 6, No. 20, Lane 999, Dangui Road,
China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone
If to Party B:
CHEN Lizhong
Address: ***, Economic and Technology Development District, Weihai City,
Shandong Province
JIANG Yejun
Address: ***, Hongkou District, Shanghai
If to Party C:
Shanghai Ledao Technology Co., Ltd.
Domicile: Room 203, Floor 2, Building 10, Lane 999 Dangui Road,
China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone
13.2
A notice and other correspondence shall be deemed to have been duly served:
on the date shown on the transmission report if sent by facsimile, or on the next business day if the facsimile arrives later than
5:00 pm or on a non-business day of the place of arrival;
if sent by personal delivery (including courier service), on the day when the receipt thereof has been duly signed for;
on the fifteenth (15th) day after the date shown on the acknowledgement of receipt if sent by a registered mail.
13.2.1
13.2.2
13.2.3
14.
Exhibits
The exhibits attached hereto shall be an integral part of this Agreement.
15.
Waiver
Any failure to exercise or delay in exercising any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder by Party A shall not be deemed as a waiver
thereof, nor shall any specific or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege by Party A preclude Party A’s exercise of any other
rights, remedies, powers or privileges. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges set out hereunder are cumulative and shall not preclude any
right, remedy, power and privilege applicable under any laws.
9
16.
16.1
16.2
16.3
16.4
Miscellaneous
No amendment, supplement or variation of this Agreement shall be effective unless it is made in writing and has been signed and sealed (if
applicable) by the Parties.
The Parties hereby acknowledge that this Agreement is a fair and reasonable agreement entered into by and among them on basis of equality
and mutual benefit. If any term of this Agreement becomes invalid or unenforceable due to violation of any applicable laws, such term shall be
invalid or unenforceable only to the extent governed by such laws, and the validity and enforceability of other terms of this Agreement shall
not be affected.
Party B undertakes that, irrespective of any change that may occur to the ratio of their respective equity interests in Party C, the terms of this
Agreement shall remain legally binding upon Party B and apply to all equity interests then held by them in Party C.
This Agreement is made in Chinese and shall be executed in four (4) counterparts. Party A, Party B and Party C shall respectively hold one
counterpart, two counterparts and one counterpart of this Agreement.
(THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE HAS BEEN INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)
10
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have cause their respective duly authorized representatives to sign this Agreement as of the date first above
written.
Party A: Shanghai Manyin Information Technology Co., Ltd. (Seal)
/s/ GU Yafen
Legal or Authorized representative
/s/ Seal of Shanghai Manyin Information Technology Co., Ltd.
Party B:
/s/ CHEN Lizhong
/s/ JIANG Yejun
Party C: Shanghai Ledao Technology Co., Ltd. (Seal)
/s/ JIANG Yejun
Legal or Authorized representative
/s/ Seal of Shanghai Ledao Technology Co., Ltd.
11
BUSINESS OPERATION AGREEMENT
Exhibit 4.30
THIS BUSINESS OPERATION AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made as of the 14th day of January, 2019 in Pudong New Area, Shanghai, the
People’s Republic of China (the “PRC”) by and among:
Party A: Shanghai Manyin Information Technology Co., Ltd.
Registered address: Building 6, No. 20, Lane 999, Dangui Road, China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone
Legal representative: GU Yafen
Party B: Shanghai Ledao Technology Co., Ltd.
Registered address: Room 203, Floor 2, Building 10, Lane 999 Dangui Road, China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone
Legal representative: JIANG Yejun
Party C:
Party C-1: CHEN Lizhong
ID Card No.: ********************
Residential address: ***, Economic and Technology Development District, Weihai City, Shandong Province
Party C-2: Name: JIANG Yejun
ID Card No.: ********************
Residential address: ***, Hongkou District, Shanghai
(Above Party C-1 and Party C-2are hereinafter collectively referred to as “Party C”; and Party A, Party B and Party C are hereinafter collectively
referred to as the “Parties” and individually a “Party”.)
WHEREAS:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Party A is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise duly established and validly existing within the PRC;
Party B is a limited liability company duly established within the PRC;
Each of Party C is a shareholder of Party B (each a “Shareholder”, and collectively the “Shareholders”) and respectively holds 50% equities
of Party C;
Party A and Party B have established business relation by execution of an Exclusive Technology Consulting and Service Framework
Agreement and other relevant agreement (the “Business Agreements”). Pursuant to the Exclusive Technology Consulting and Service
Framework Agreement, Party B shall pay relevant service fee to Party A thereunder, and Party B’s daily business operation shall have material
effect on its ability to make such payment to Party A; and
1
(5)
The Parties agree to further specify the matters in relation to the operation of Party B on terms of this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, on basis of friendly negotiation and principles of equality and mutual benefit, the Parties hereby agree as follows:
1.
Obligations of Shareholders
In order to ensure Party B’s performance of the Business Agreements executed with Party A and its obligations to Party A, the Shareholders
hereby acknowledge and agree that, unless with prior written consent of Party A or any other party designated by it, Party B will not engage in
any transaction which may have material effect on its assets, business, employees, obligations, rights or business operations, including but not
limited to:
carrying out any activity beyond its ordinary business scope, or conducting its business in a way inconsistent with its past practice;
borrowing any sum from or undertaking any liability to any third party, except for those occurred in its ordinary business course;
changing or removing any of its directors, or replacing any member of its senior management;
selling to or acquire from any third party or otherwise dispose any assets or rights of an amount exceeding RMB100, 000, including but not
limited to any intellectual properties;
offering guarantee or any other forms of security to any third party by use of its assets or intellectual properties, or create any other
encumbrance on its assets;
amending its articles of association, or changing its business scope;
changing its ordinary business procedures, or amending any of its material internal rules, regulations or policies;
assigning its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any third party;
making any substantial adjustment to its business model, marketing strategies, operation policies or client relations; or
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
1.7
1.8
1.9
1.10
declare or distribute any profit or dividend.
2
2.
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
3.
3.1
3.2
Operation Management
Party B and the Shareholders hereby agree to accept and strictly follow the advices provided by Party A and its designated subsidiaries from
time to time in connection with the appointment and dismissal of employees, daily operation management and financial management system of
the company.
Party B and the Shareholders hereby agree that the Shareholders will, in accordance with the procedures provided by the laws and regulations
of the PRC and articles of association of the company, appoint Party A’s designated persons to serve as directors of Party B and assure that the
person designated by Party A will be the chairman of the board or executive director of Party B, and will appoint persons designated by Party
A to serve as the general manager, chief financial officer and other senior management personnel of Party B.
If any of such directors or senior management personnel designated by Party A as set out above leaves Party A, whether by voluntary
resignation or termination of employment by Party A, such person shall simultaneously become unqualified to hold any position in Party B. In
such case, the Shareholders shall immediately or cause Party B to immediately remove such person from his/her position in Party B, and
immediately elect and appoint another person additionally designated by Party A to take such position.
For the purpose of Clause 2.3 above, the Shareholders shall, in accordance with the provisions of laws, articles of association of the company
and this Agreement, take all necessary corporate actions to complete above removal and appointment procedures
Each of the Shareholders hereby agrees that, at the same time when this Agreement is executed, to respectively issue a Power of Attorney to
Party A in the form and substance of Exhibit 1 hereto, whereby the Shareholder will irrevocably authorize Party A or its designated person to
exercise shareholders’ rights on his/her behalf and to exercise all of his/her voting rights at Party B’s shareholders’ meeting in the name of such
Shareholder.
Other Agreements
If any of the agreements between Party A and Party B terminates or expires, Party A shall have the right (but shall not be obliged) to terminate
all the agreements between Party A and Party B, including but not limited to the Exclusive Technology Consulting and Service Framework
Agreement.
Whereas, Party A and Party B have established certain business relation by execution of the Exclusive Technology Consulting and Service
Framework Agreement and other relevant agreements, and Party B’s daily business activities will materially affect its ability to make
corresponding payments to Party A. The Shareholders agree that, subject to Clause 1 of this Agreement, any bonus or dividend distribution or
any other similar revenue or benefit (in any form whatsoever) received from Party B in the capacity of a shareholder of Party B, shall be
unconditionally paid or transferred to Party A without consideration at the time when the same is realized, and the Shareholders shall deliver all
necessary documents or take all necessary actions to effect such payment or transfer according to Party A’s request.
3
4.
Amendment
No amendment or supplement to this Agreement shall be effective unless and until it is made by a written instrument duly signed by the
Parties. Any amendment and supplement to this Agreement duly signed by the Parties shall form a part of this Agreement and shall have the
same legal effect as that of this Agreement.
5.
Governing Law
The execution, validity, performance and interpretation of and resolution of dispute under this Agreement shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the laws of the People’s Republic of China.
6.
6.1
6.2
7.
7.1
Dispute Resolution
In the case of any dispute arising between the Parties in respect of the interpretation or performance hereof, the Parties shall resolve such
dispute through friendly negotiation. If no agreement can be reached through such negotiation, any Party may submit the dispute to Shanghai
International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission for arbitration in accordance with its arbitration rules then in effect. The arbitration
shall be conducted in Shanghai and the arbitration proceeding shall be in Chinese. The arbitration award shall be final and binding on the
Parties.
Except for the matters in dispute, the Parties shall continue to perform their respective obligations hereunder in good faith pursuant to the terms
of this Agreement.
Notice
Notices given by any of the Parties for exercise of its rights and performance of its obligations hereunder shall be made in writing and shall be
delivered by person or sent by registered mail, postage-prepaid mail, recognized courier service or facsimile to the following addresses of
relevant Party or Parties:
If to Party A:
Shanghai Manyin Information Technology Co., Ltd.
Domicile: Building 6, No. 20, Lane 999, Dangui Road,
China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone
If to Party B:
Shanghai Ledao Technology Co., Ltd.
Domicile: Room 203, Floor 2, Building 10, Lane 999 Dangui Road,
China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone
4
If to Party C:
Party C-1: CHEN Lizhong
Address: ***, Economic and Technology Development District, Weihai City, Shandong Province
Party C-2: JIANG Yejun
Address: ***, Lane 57 Huimin Road, Hongkou District, Shanghai
7.2
A notice and other correspondence shall be deemed to have been duly served:
7.2.1
7.2.2
7.2.3
on the date shown on the transmission report if sent by facsimile, or on the next business day if the facsimile arrives later than
5:00 pm or on a non-business day of the place of arrival;
if sent by personal delivery (including courier service), on the day when the receipt thereof has been duly signed for;
on the fifteenth (15th) day after the date shown on the acknowledgement of receipt if sent by a registered mail.
8.
8.1
8.2
8.3
8.4
Effectiveness, Term and Miscellaneous
Any written consent, advice, appointment in connection with Party A contemplated hereunder and any decision having material effect on Party
B’s ordinary business operation shall be made by the board of directors (or, if no such board of directors, the executive director) of Party A.
This Agreement shall be executed and come into effect on the day first above written. Except for early termination by Party A, this Agreement
shall be valid for thirty (30) years commencing from the execution date hereof. If Party A requests in writing prior to the expiration of this
Agreement, the Parties shall extend the valid term hereof as per Party A’s request.
Within the valid term of this Agreement, none of Party B and the Shareholders shall terminate this Agreement before its expiration. Party A
shall have the right to terminate this Agreement at any time by a 30-day prior written notice to Party B.
The Parties hereby acknowledge that this Agreement is a fair and reasonable agreement entered into by and among them on basis of equality
and mutual benefit. If any term or provision of this Agreement is held illegal or unenforceable under applicable laws, it shall be deemed to
have been deleted from this Agreement and become void, but the remaining terms and provisions of this Agreement shall remain valid as if
such illegal or unenforceable terms or provisions were not included in this Agreement from the beginning. The Parties shall enter into
negotiation for a legal and valid term or provision acceptable to all of the Parties to substitute such terms or provisions deemed to have been
deleted.
8.5
The failure of any Party to exercise any right, power or privilege hereunder by any Party shall not be operated as a waiver thereof, nor shall any
single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege preclude the exercise of any other rights, powers or privileges.
5
8.6
This Agreement is made in Chinese and shall be executed in four (4) counterparts. Party A, Party B and Party C shall respectively hold one
counterpart, one counterpart and two counterparts of this Agreement.
(THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE HAS BEEN INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)
6
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have cause their respective duly authorized representatives to sign this Agreement as of the date first above
written.
Party A: Shanghai Manyin Information Technology Co., Ltd (Seal)
/s/ GU Yafen
Legal or Authorized Representative:
/s/ Seal of Shanghai Manyin Information Technology Co., Ltd.
Party B: Shanghai Ledao Technology Co., Ltd. (Seal)
/s/ JIANG Yejun
Legal or Authorized Representative:
/s/ Seal of Shanghai Ledao Technology Co., Ltd.
Party C:
/s/ CHEN Lizhong
/s/ JIANG Yejun
7
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Exhibit 4.31
I, CHEN Lizhong, a citizen of the People’s Republic of China (ID Card No.: ****************), owner of 50% equities (the “Equity”) of Shanghai
Ledao Technology Co., Ltd. (the “Company”), hereby irrevocably authorize Shanghai Manyin Information Technology Co., Ltd. (the “Authorized
Person”) to exercise the following rights in respect of the Equity within the term of this Power of Attorney:
I hereby authorize the Authorized Person with full power and authority to act individually and independently in my name to exercise all rights in respect
of the Equity in accordance with the provisions of laws of the People’s Republic of China and the articles of association of the Company, including but
not limited to: (1) to propose the convention of and attend shareholders’ meeting and sign any resolution of the shareholders’ meeting in my name; (2) to
exercise all rights to which a shareholder of the Company is entitled under the laws and the Company’s constitutional documents; and (3) to nominate
and appoint, as my authorized representative, the legal representative, director, supervisor, general manager, chief financial officer and other senior
management personnel of the Company.
I hereby confirms that I will ratify and recognize any act or omission and decision to be made by the Authorized Person in connection with the Equity
within the valid term and scope of authority of this Power of attorney. All such act, omission and decision shall be binding on me, and I will not raise
any objection of any nature whatsoever in respect of such act, omission or decision in any way. All legal consequence that may arise out of such act,
omission or decision will be borne by myself.
If, by any reason, any document is required to be signed by myself for the conduct, implementation or performance of such act or decision, I will sign
the relevant documents according to the Authorized Person’s instruction.
The Authorized Person may designated or authorize any other person or entity to exercise the rights granted by the authorizer hereunder without
delivery of notice to or obtaining of consent from me.
The valid term of this Power of Attorney shall commence from the day when it has been duly signed, and shall remain valid and cannot be revoked as
long as I am a shareholder of the Company.
Authorized by: CHEN Lizhong
/s/ CHEN Lizhong
Dated this 14th day of January, 2019
1
POWER OF ATTORNEY
I, JIANG Yejun, a citizen of the People’s Republic of China (ID Card No.: ****************), owner of 50% equities (the “Equity”) of Shanghai
Ledao Technology Co., Ltd. (the “Company”), hereby irrevocably authorize Shanghai Manyin Information Technology Co., Ltd. (the “Authorized
Person”) to exercise the following rights in respect of the Equity within the term of this Power of Attorney:
I hereby authorize the Authorized Person with full power and authority to act individually and independently in my name to exercise all rights in respect
of the Equity in accordance with the provisions of laws of the People’s Republic of China and the articles of association of the Company, including but
not limited to: (1) to propose the convention of and attend shareholders’ meeting and sign any resolution of the shareholders’ meeting in my name; (2) to
exercise all rights to which a shareholder of the Company is entitled under the laws and the Company’s constitutional documents; and (3) to nominate
and appoint, as my authorized representative, the legal representative, director, supervisor, general manager, chief financial officer and other senior
management personnel of the Company.
I hereby confirms that I will ratify and recognize any act or omission and decision to be made by the Authorized Person in connection with the Equity
within the valid term and scope of authority of this Power of attorney. All such act, omission and decision shall be binding on me, and I will not raise
any objection of any nature whatsoever in respect of such act, omission or decision in any way. All legal consequence that may arise out of such act,
omission or decision will be borne by myself.
If, by any reason, any document is required to be signed by myself for the conduct, implementation or performance of such act or decision, I will sign
the relevant documents according to the Authorized Person’s instruction.
The Authorized Person may designated or authorize any other person or entity to exercise the rights granted by the authorizer hereunder without
delivery of notice to or obtaining of consent from me.
The valid term of this Power of Attorney shall commence from the day when it has been duly signed, and shall remain valid and cannot be revoked as
long as I am a shareholder of the Company.
Authorized by: JIANG Yejun
/s/ JIANG Yejun
Dated this 14th day of January, 2019
2
EXCLUSIVE TECHNOLOGY CONSULTING AND SERVICE
FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT
Exhibit 4.32
THIS EXCLUSIVE TECHNOLOGY CONSULTING AND SERVICE FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT (the “Framework Agreement”) is made as of
this 14th day of January, 2019 in Pudong New Area, Shanghai, the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC”) by and between:
Party A:
Shanghai Manyin Information Technology Co., Ltd.
Address: Floor 6, No. 20, Lane 999, Dangui Road, China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone
Party B:
Shanghai Ledao Technology Co., Ltd.
Address: Room 203, Floor 2, Building 10, Lane 999, Dangui Road,, China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone
(Party A and Party B are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Parties” and individually a “Party”.)
WHEREAS:
(1)
(2)
(3)
Party A is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise duly established and validly existing within the PRC; Party A and its designated subsidiaries own
the resources for technology consulting and service;
Party B is a limited liability company duly established within the PRC; and
Party A and its designated subsidiaries agree to provide Party B and its affiliates with, and Party B agrees to accept from Party A and its
designated subsidiaries, technology consulting and services on terms of this Framework Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, on basis of friendly negotiation and principles of equality and mutual benefit, the Parties hereby agree as follows:
1.
1.1
Technology Consulting and Service
The Parties agree that Party A and its designated subsidiaries will provide Party B and its affiliates with relevant exclusive technology
consulting and service on terms and conditions of this Framework Agreement, including but not limited to development, optimization,
operation and maintenance of computer software, hardware and system, network security, technical support and technology transfer service.
For purpose of this Framework Agreement, the term “affiliate” or “affiliates” in respect of Party B shall refer to those entities in which Party B
owns 50% or more voting rights.
1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
2.
2.1
Party B agrees to accept such exclusive technology consulting and service to be rendered by Party A and its designated subsidiaries during the
term of this Framework Agreement. Party B further agrees and warrants that, without Party A’s prior written consent, neither Party B nor any
of its affiliates will accept any technology consulting or service in respect of the business scope involved herein from any third party (other
than a third party designated by Party A) within the term of this Framework Agreement.
Party A and its designated subsidiaries shall be the sole and exclusive owner of any and all intellectual properties arising from the performance
of this Framework Agreement (including but not limited to copyright, patent, know-how, trade secret, etc.), whether developed by Party A
and/or its designated subsidiaries either independently or on basis of any intellectual property or proprietary technology or information
provided by Party B and/or its affiliates, or by Party B and/or its affiliates on basis of any intellectual property or service of Party A and/or its
designated subsidiaries. Party B warrants that neither itself nor any of its affiliates will claim any rights or interests in respect of such
intellectual property against Party A and its designated subsidiaries. Party B further warrants that none of the intellectual properties or
proprietary technology or information provided by it or any of its affiliates will infringe any third-party rights, otherwise Party B and its
affiliates shall jointly and severally indemnify and hold Party A and its designated subsidiaries harmless from any loss arising therefrom or any
liability for damages to be borne by Party A and its designated subsidiaries to any third party as a result thereof.
In view of the good cooperation relation between the Parties, Party B undertakes that, if Party B or any of its affiliates intends to enter into any
business cooperation with a third party, which is identical or similar to the technology consulting service hereunder, it must obtain Party A’s
prior written consent.
The Parties agree that, within the effective term of this Framework Agreement, Party A and its designated subsidiaries and Party B or any of its
affiliates may, from time to time and on basis of its actual needs, enter into separate written agreement in respect of any specific matter, project
or program that is subject to the technology consulting and service (the “Specific Agreement”). The Parties acknowledge that the Specific
Agreement, once executed, shall constitute an integral part of this Framework Agreement. None of the Specific Agreements shall prejudice or
impair the validity hereof or the respective rights and obligations of the Parties hereunder to any extent.
Service Fee
The Parties agree that the fee for the technology consulting and service hereunder (the “Service Fee”) may be additionally determined in a
Specific Agreement as per the technical difficulty and complexity of the specific matter, project and program requiring technology consulting
and service, the time spent by Party A, its designated subsidiaries and its employees for rendering technology consulting and service, the
specific scope and commercial value of technology consulting and service, the revenues generated by Party B and its affiliates as a result of
such service, and other relevant factors.
2
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
3.
3.1
Unless otherwise specified in a Specific Agreement, the amount of the Service Fee to be paid by Party B and/or its affiliates shall be subject to
the amount shown on the billing statement of service fee issued by Party A and its designated subsidiaries. Party B and/or its affiliates shall pay
the Service Fee to the bank account designated by Party A within ten (10) business days upon its receipt of such fee statement from Party A
and its designated subsidiaries. Party B shall, within ten (10) business days from its remittance of relevant payment, send a photocopy of the
remittance proof to Party A by facsimile or mail system. If Party B and/or any of its affiliates fails to pay the Service Fee and other expenses as
specified in this Framework Agreement, Party B and/or such affiliate shall additionally pay penalty to Party A as per 0.05% of the unpaid sums
per day.
Party A and its designated subsidiaries shall have the right to, at its own costs, designate its employee or a certified public accountant registered
in the PRC or other countries (hereinafter referred to as “Party A’s Authorized Representative”) to check the accounts of Party B and/or its
affiliates, so as to review the amount and calculation method of the Service Fee. For this purpose, Party B shall ensure that it will provide Party
A’s Authorized Representative with the documents, accounts, records, data and other information required by him/her to enable Party A’s
Authorized Representative to audit Party B’s accounts and determine the amount of the Service Fee. Unless there is a substantial error or
mistake, the amount of the Service Fee shall be the sum determined by Party A’s Authorized Representative. Party A shall have the right to
issue a bill to Party B at any time after an audit report is issued by Party A’s Authorized Representative, and request Party B and/or its affiliates
to pay any Service Fee which is due and unpaid. Party B and/or its affiliates shall pay such bill within seven (7) business days following the
receipt thereof.
Unless otherwise agreed by the Parties, the Service Fee to be paid by Party B and/or its affiliates hereunder to Party A and its designated
subsidiaries shall not be deducted or offset for any reason.
In addition to the Service Fee, Party B and/or its affiliates shall also pay the out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Party A and its designated
subsidiaries in connection with the provision of technology consulting and service hereunder, including but not limited to any and all costs and
expenses in relation to travel, transportation, printing, and others.
All Service Fee to be paid by Party B and its affiliates to Party A and its designated subsidiaries shall be a sum net of taxes, banking charges
and any other expenses.
Representations and Warranties
Party A hereby represents and warrants that:
3.1.1
it is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise duly established and validly existing under the laws of the PRC;
3
3.1.2
3.1.3
it has full corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Framework Agreement and all other documents in connection
with the transaction contemplated hereunder, and to consummate the transaction contemplated hereunder; Party A has obtained
all consents and approvals (if any) from third parties and governmental authorities; and the execution and performance of this
Framework Agreement will not violate any laws or other restrictions applicable to it; and
this Framework Agreement, once executed, will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of Party A, enforceable against
it in accordance with their respective terms.
3.2
Party B hereby represents and warrants that:
3.2.1
3.2.2
3.2.3
each of Party B and its affiliates is a limited liability company duly established and validly existing under the laws of the PRC;
it has full corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Framework Agreement and all other documents in connection
with the transaction contemplated hereunder, and to consummate the transaction contemplated hereunder; Party B has obtained
all consents and approvals (if any) from third parties and governmental authorities; and the execution and performance of this
Framework Agreement will not violate any laws or other restrictions applicable to it;
this Framework Agreement, once executed, will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of Party B, enforceable against
it in accordance with their respective terms; and
3.2.4
each of the affiliates of Party B has expressly agreed to be bound by this Framework Agreement.
4.
4.1
4.2
Confidentiality
A Party shall keep (i) trade secrets, know-hows and client information of the other Party received or to which it have access to as a result of
execution and performance of this Framework Agreement and (ii) client information and other non-public information jointly owned by it and
the other Party (collectively, the “Confidential Information”) in confidence and use such Confidential Information for the sole purpose of the
performance of this Framework Agreement. Without prior written consent of the disclosing Party, neither Party may disclose any Confidential
Information to any third party, otherwise it shall be liable to the disclosing Party for breach of agreement and indemnify its losses.
Upon termination of this Framework Agreement, a Party shall return any and all documents, data or software containing any Confidential
Information to the owner or disclosing Party of such Confidential Information, or, with the consent of such owner or disclosing Party, destroy it
(including deleting any Confidential Information from any memory devices) or otherwise dispose it and cease to use such Confidential
Information.
4
4.3
A Party shall take necessary measures to disclose the Confidential Information only to the respective employees, agents or professional
advisors of Party B and/or its affiliates on a need-to-know basis, and cause such employees, agents or professional advisors of Party B and/or
its affiliates to comply with the confidentiality obligations hereunder. Party A shall execute specific confidentiality agreements with the
respective employees, agents or professional advisors of Party B and/or its affiliates.
4.4
The above restrictions shall not apply to the information which:
4.2.1
4.2.2
4.2.3
4.2.4
is generally available to the public at the time of disclosure;
becomes generally available to the public after disclosure not due to a fault on the part of the receiving Party of the Confidential
Information;
has been in the possession of the receiving Party of the Confidential Information prior to the disclosure and was not obtained
directly or indirectly from the disclosing Party, both of which can be proved by the receiving Party; or
is required to be disclosed by the receiving Party of the Confidential Information to the relevant governmental authority, stock
exchange and other organizations under applicable laws, or to its legal or financial advisor under the normal business needs of the
receiving Party.
4.5
The Parties agree that this Clause shall survive from any amendment, termination or expiration of this Framework Agreement.
5.
5.1
5.2
Liability for Breach of Agreement
If a Party hereto breaches this Framework Agreement or any of its representations or warranties hereunder, the non-breaching Party may by
written notice request the breaching Party to cure such breach within ten (10) days upon receipt of such notice, take corresponding measures to
avoid the occurrence of any damage, and to continue to perform this Framework Agreement. In the case of any damage arising from such
breach, the breach Party shall indemnify the non-breaching Party to cause the non-breaching Party to obtain all the benefits it would have
obtained had the Framework Agreement been duly performed.
If the breaching Party fails to cure its breach within ten (10) days upon receipt of the notice as set out in above Clause 5.1, the non-breaching
Party shall have the right to request the breaching Party to indemnify any expenses, liabilities or losses incurred by the non-breaching Party as
a result of such breach (including but not limited to loss of interests and attorney’s fee).
5
5.3
5.4
5.5
6.
6.1
6.2
7.
7.1
7.2
7.3
The breaching Party shall indemnify the non-breaching Party against any expenses, liabilities or losses (including but not limited to any loss on
company profit) suffered by other Parties hereto as a result of the breach of this Framework Agreement by the breaching Party’s breach of this
Framework Agreement (including but not limited to interests and attorney’s fees paid or lost due to such breach). The aggregate amount to be
paid under such indemnity shall be equal to the amount of the losses arising from such breach, and such indemnity shall include the benefits the
non-breaching Party would have obtained had this Framework Agreement been duly performed by the Parties; provided that such indemnity
shall not exceed the possible loss reasonably expected by the Parties to occur due to a breach hereof at the time of execution of this Framework
Agreement.
Party B shall be solely liable for any claim made by any third party arising from Party B’s failure to conduct its business as instructed by Party
A, its improper use of Party A’s intellectual property, or any improper technical operations by Party B. If Party B is aware of any unauthorized
use of Party A’s intellectual property by a third party, Party B shall immediately notify Party A thereof and cooperate in any act that may be
taken by Party A.
If both Parties hereto are in breach of this Framework Agreement, the amount of indemnity payable by each Party shall be determined on basis
of the severity of their respective breach.
Effectiveness, Performance and Term
This Framework Agreement shall be executed and come into effect on the day first above written.
Except for early termination by Party A or its designated subsidiaries, this Framework Agreement shall be valid for thirty (30) years
commencing from the execution date hereof. If Party A requests in writing prior to the expiration of this Framework Agreement, the Parties
shall extend the valid term hereof as per Party A’s request.
Termination
Within the valid term hereof, Party B shall not terminate this Framework Agreement before its expiration. If Party B terminates this
Framework Agreement without reason, it shall indemnify Party A for all losses arising therefrom and immediately pay Party A the Service Fee
for services already completed as of such termination. Party A shall have the right to terminate this Framework Agreement at any time by
30-day prior written notice to Party B without any liability. If Party A terminates this Framework Agreement before its expiration due to a
breach of agreement by Party B, Party B shall indemnify Party A for all losses arising therefrom and immediately pay Party A the Service Fee
for services already completed as of such termination.
This Framework Agreement may be terminated by the Parties upon mutual agreement.
Upon termination of this Framework Agreement, the rights and obligations of the Parties under Clauses 4 and 5 shall survive.
6
8.
8.1
8.2
9.
9.1
9.2
10.
10.1
Dispute Resolution
In the case of any dispute arising between the Parties in respect of the interpretation or performance hereof, the Parties shall resolve such
dispute through friendly negotiation. If no agreement can be reached through such negotiation, either Party may submit the dispute to Shanghai
International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission for arbitration in accordance with its arbitration rules then in effect. The arbitration
shall be conducted in Shanghai and the arbitration proceeding shall be in Chinese. The arbitration award shall be final and binding on the
Parties. This Clause shall survive from any termination or rescinding of this Framework Agreement.
Except for the matters in dispute, the Parties shall continue to perform their respective obligations hereunder in good faith pursuant to terms of
this Framework Agreement.
Force Majeure
A “Force Majeure Event” means any event that is beyond the reasonable control of a Party and cannot be avoided even with the reasonable
care of the affected Party, including but not limited to any government act, acts of God, fire, explosion, storm, flood, earthquake, tide, lightning
or war; provided, however, that any insufficiency credit, capital or financing shall not be deemed as an event beyond the reasonable control of
a Party. A Party seeking to be exempted from the performance of any of its obligations hereunder by virtue of a Force Majeure Event shall as
soon as possible notify the other Party of such event and as the steps to be taken for completion of its performance.
If the performance of this Framework Agreement is delayed or hindered due to a Force Majeure Event defined above, the affected Party shall
be excused from any liability hereunder to the extent so delayed or hindered by such event. The affected Party shall take appropriate measures
to mitigate or eliminate the effects of the Force Majeure Event and make efforts to resume the performance of the obligations so delayed or
hindered. Once the Force Majeure Event ends, the Parties agree to make their best efforts to resume the performance of this Framework
Agreement.
Notice
Any notices given by the Parties for exercise of their rights and performance of their obligations hereunder shall be made in writing and shall
be delivered by person or sent by registered mail, postage-prepaid mail, recognized courier service or facsimile to the following addresses of
relevant Party or Parties:
If to Party A:
Shanghai Manyin Information Technology Co., Ltd.
Domicile: Building 6, No. 20, Lane 999, Dangui Road,
China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone
7
If to Party B:
Shanghai Ledao Technology Co., Ltd.
Domicile: Room 203, Floor 2, Building 10, Lane 999 Dangui Road,
China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone
10.2
A notice and other correspondence shall be deemed to have been duly served:
10.2.1
10.2.2
10.2.3
on the date shown on the transmission report if sent by facsimile, or on the next business day if the facsimile arrives later than
5:00 pm or on a non-business day of the place of arrival;
if sent by personal delivery (including courier service), on the day when the receipt thereof has been duly signed for;
on the fifteenth (15th) day after the date shown on the acknowledgement of receipt if sent by a registered mail.
11.
Assignment
Without Party A and its designated subsidiaries’ prior written consent, Party B shall not transfer or assign any of its rights and interests
hereunder to any third party. Party A and its designated subsidiaries may, without Party B’s consent, transfer or assign its rights and obligations
hereunder to any of its affiliates, provided that a notice shall be sent to Party B in respect of such transfer or assignment. For purpose of this
Framework Agreement, the “affiliates” referred in the preceding sentence shall mean any third-party entity controlling, controlled by or under
common control with Party A. For purpose of this Clause, the term “control” shall mean the power of an entity to directly or indirectly decides
and/or influence the operation and management of another entity, whether by ownership of equity interests in or contractual arrangement with
such controlled entity.
12.
Severability
If any term of this Framework Agreement becomes invalid or unenforceable due to violation of any applicable laws, such term shall be invalid
or unenforceable only to the extent governed by such laws, and the validity and enforceability of other terms of this Framework Agreement
shall not be affected.
13.
Amendment and Supplement
The Parties shall amend and supplement this Framework Agreement in writing. Any amendment and supplement to this Framework Agreement
duly signed by the Parties shall form a part of this Framework Agreement and shall have the same legal effect as that hereof.
8
14.
Governing Law
The execution, validity, performance and interpretation of and resolution of dispute under this Framework Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the PRC.
15.
Counterpart
This Framework Agreement is made in Chinese and shall be executed in two (2) counterparts. Each Party shall respectively hold one
(1) counterpart hereof.
(THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)
9
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have cause their respective duly authorized representatives to sign this Framework Agreement as of the date
first above written.
Party A: Shanghai Manyin Information Technology Co., Ltd. (Seal)
/s/ GU Yafen
Legal or Authorized Representative:
/s/ Seal of Shanghai Manyin Information Technology Co., Ltd.
Party B: Shanghai Ledao Technology Co., Ltd. (Seal)
/s/ JIANG Yejun
Legal or Authorized Representative:
/s/ Seal of Shanghai Ledao Technology Co., Ltd.
10
EXCLUSIVE CALL OPTION AGREEMENT
Exhibit 4.33
THIS EXCLUSIVE CALL OPTION AGREEMENT (hereinafter referred to as the “Agreement”) is made as of the 14th day of January, 2019 in Pudong
New Area, Shanghai, the People’s Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as the “PRC”) by and among the following parties:
Party A: Shanghai Manyin Information Technology Co., Ltd.
Registered address: Building 6, No. 20, Lane 999, Dangui Road, China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone
Legal representative: GU Yafen
Party B (hereinafter referred to as the “Grantors”):
Name: CHEN Lizhong
ID Card No.: ******************
Residential address: ***, Economic and Technology Development District, Weihai City, Shandong Province
Name: JIANG Yejun
ID Card No.: ******************
Residential address: ***, Hongkou District, Shanghai
Party C: Shanghai Ledao Technology Co., Ltd.
Registered address: Room 203, Floor 2, Building 10, Lane 999 Dangui Road, China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone
Legal representative: JIANG Yejun
(Party A, Party B and Party C are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Parties” and individually a “Party”.)
WHEREAS:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Party A is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise duly established and validly existing in the PRC;
Party C is a limited liability company duly established under the laws of the PRC;
For the benefit of Party A’s business and operation, the parties forming Party B established Party C on January 10, 2019 in accordance with the
laws of the PRC; and all constituent persons of Party B jointly own all registered capital of Party C (hereinafter referred to as the “Equity
Interests”);
For the purpose of establishing and developing Party C, the constituent persons of Party B have entered into a loan agreement with Party A
respectively in 2019 to borrow an aggregate sum of RMB 50,000,000 (Fifty Million Renminbi Yuan) from Party A for contribution of their
committed capital to Party C; and, on the execution date of this Agreement, Party A has already lent RMB50,000,000 (Fifty Million Renminbi
Yuan) in total to Party B (hereinafter referred to as the “Loan”); and
1
(5)
Party A wishes to have an exclusive option to purchase the Equity Interests from one or all constituent persons of Party B, and each constituent
person of Party B (hereinafter referred to as a “Grantor” and, collectively, the “Grantors”) agrees to grant Party A with an exclusive option to
purchase the Equity Interests.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties hereby agree as follows:
1.
1.1
Grant of Option
Grant
The Grantors hereby agree to jointly and severally grant Party A with an exclusive option (the “Option”) to purchase on terms of this
Agreement all of the Equity Interests held by the Grantors in Party C at the lowest price permitted by the PRC laws at the time of such exercise
of Option. The Option shall be granted to Party A immediately upon the execution and effectiveness of this Agreement, and, once the Option is
so granted, it shall be irrevocable and unchangeable throughout the term of this Agreement (including any extension or renewal of this
Agreement as specified in Clause 1.2 below).
1.2
Term
This Agreement shall be executed and come into effect as of the date first written above. This Agreement shall be valid for thirty years (the
“Effective Term”) commencing from the effective date hereof. At the request of Party A prior to expiration of the Effective Term, the Parties
shall extend the term of this Agreement for a period so requested by Party A and execute a separate exclusive call option agreement or continue
to perform this Agreement according to Party A’s request.
2.
2.1
Exercise of Option and Closing
Time of Exercise
2.1.1
2.1.2
2.1.3
The Grantors unanimously agree that, to the extent permitted by the PRC laws, Party A may exercise the Option hereunder in whole
or in part at any time after the execution and effectiveness of this Agreement.
The Grantors unanimously agree that Party A may exercise the Option for unlimited number of times unless and until all Equity
Interests in Party C have been purchased and held by Party A or its designated third party.
The Grantors unanimously agree that Party A may designate a third party to exercise the Option hereunder on its behalf, provided
that Party A shall send a prior written notice to the Grantors in respect of such designation.
2
2.2
Disposition of Exercise Price
The Grantors unanimously agree that, as at the exercise of Option by Party A, the full amount of the exercise price received by the Grantors in
connection therewith shall be given to Party A or any third party designated by it.
2.3
Transfer
The Grantors unanimously agree that the Option hereunder may be transferred in whole or in part to a third party without additional prior
approval of the Grantors. Such third party shall be deemed as a party hereto, and may exercise the Option on terms and conditions of this
Agreement, and shall have the rights and obligations of Party A hereunder.
2.4
Exercise Notice
If Party A intends to exercise the Option, it shall serve a written notice to the Grantors ten (10) business days before the Closing Date (as
defined below), and such notice shall specify the following:
2.4.1
2.4.2
2.4.3
2.4.4
2.4.5
the effective closing date of the Equity Interests after exercise of the Option (the “Closing Date”);
the name to be registered as holder of the Equity Interests after exercise of the Option;
the respective number and percentage of Equity Interests to be purchased from the Grantor or Grantors;
exercise price and method of its payment; and
power of attorney (if the Option is exercised by a third party designated by Party A on its behalf).
2.5
Transfer of Equity Interest
Upon each exercise of Option by Party A, the Grantors shall, within ten (10) business days after receipt of the exercise notice sent by Party A
as set out in Clause 2.4 hereof:
(1)
(2)
cause Party C to timely convene a shareholders’ meeting, at which a resolution shall be adopted to approve the transfer of the equity
interests by the Grantors to Party A and/or its designated third party;
execute an equity transfer agreement with Party A (or, if applicable, a third party designated by Party A) on substantially the same
terms as those of the Equity Transfer Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A;
3
(3)
(4)
respectively sign a waiver to waive their respective preemptive right in respect of the Equity Interests so purchased by Party A;
execute all such contracts, agreements or documents, obtain all such governmental approvals and consents, and take all such actions,
that are necessary to (i) transfer to Party A and/or its designated third party the effective ownership of the equity interest to be
purchased by Party A free of any security interest, (ii) assure Party A and/or its designated third party become the registered owner
as registered with competent industrial and commercial authority, and (iii) deliver to Party A or its designated third party the latest
business license, articles of association, certificate of approval (if applicable) and other relevant documents which may be issued by
or filed with relevant PRC authorities and reflect any change in the shareholding structure, directors or legal representative of Party
C.
3.
3.1
Representations and Warranties
Each of the Grantors hereby represent and warrant as follows:
3.1.1
3.1.2
3.1.3
3.1.4
3.1.5
3.1.6
3.1.7
3.1.8
it has full rights and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement;
the performance of this Agreement and its obligations hereunder will not result in any violation or breach of any laws or regulations
binding on it, nor require any approval or authorization of any governmental authorities;
there is no pending or threatened litigation, arbitration or other judicial or administrative proceeding that may have material
influence on the performance of this Agreement;
all circumstances that may have material adverse effect on the performance of this Agreement have been disclosed to Party A
already;
it is not declared bankruptcy and is in good financial condition;
other than the Equity Pledge Agreement between the Grantors and Party A, it will not create any pledge, liabilities or other third-
party encumbrances on any of its equity interests in Party C, nor will it transfer, grant or otherwise dispose of any of its equity
interests in Party C to any third person other than the Parties hereto;
the Option granted to Party A hereunder shall be exclusive, and it will not grant any person other than Party A or its designated third
party with the Option or a similar right in any other manner;
during the Effective Term of this Agreement, business operations of Party C shall comply with the applicable laws, regulations,
rules and other regulatory provisions and guidance promulgated by government authorities, and there is no breach of any of the
foregoing provisions that may result in material adverse effect on the business or assets of Party C;
4
3.1.9
it will follow good financial and commercial standards and practices to maintain the valid existence of Party C, diligently and
effectively carry out Party C’s business and deal with its matters, use best efforts to procure Party C to obtain and maintain such
permits, licenses and approvals as may be necessary for its business operation, and make sure that such permits, licenses and
approvals will not be canceled, withdrawn or declared invalid;
3.1.10
it will provide Party A with all materials relating to Party C’s operations and financial matters upon Party A’s request;
3.1.11
before Party A (or its designated third party) has exercised the Option and acquired the Equity Interests of Party C, except with a
written consent from Party A (or its designated third party), Party C shall not:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
sell, transfer, mortgage or otherwise dispose of any of its assets, business or revenue, or permit the creation of any other
security interest thereon (other than those arising in the ordinary or day-to-day course of business, or which have been
disclosed to Party A and obtained the prior express written consent of Party A);
enter into any transaction that will or may have material adverse effect on its assets, liabilities, operations, equities and
other lawful rights (other than those arising in the ordinary or day-to-day course of business, or which have been disclosed
to Party A and obtained the prior express written consent of Party A);
distribute any dividend or bonus to any of its shareholders in any manner;
incur, inherit, guarantee or allow the existence of any debt, except for debts which (i) are incurred in its ordinary or daily
course of business, or (ii) have been disclosed to Party A and obtained Party A’s prior express written consent;
enter into any material contract, other than those executed in the ordinary course of business (for purpose of this paragraph,
a contract with a value exceeding RMB100,000 shall be deemed as a material contract);
adopt a shareholders’ resolution to increase or decrease Party C’s registered capital, or otherwise change the structure of its
registered capital;
(g)
supplement, change or amend Party C’s articles of association in any manner; or
5
(h)
merge or form alliance with, or acquire or invest in, any person;
3.1.12
before Party A (or its designated third party) has exercised the Option and acquired all Equity Interests or assets of Party C, except
with a express written consent from Party A (or its designated third party), the Grantors shall not jointly or severally:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
supplement, change or amend the articles of association of Party C in any way that may have material adverse effect on the
assets, liabilities, operations, equities and other lawful rights of Party C or may affect the effective performance of this
Agreement and such other agreements as may be entered into by and among Party A, the Grantors and Party C;
cause Party C to enter into any transaction that will or may have material adverse effect on the assets, liabilities, operations,
equities and other lawful rights of Party C (other than those arising in the ordinary or daily course of business, or which
have been disclosed to Party A and obtained the prior express written consent of Party A);
cause the shareholders’ meeting of Party C to pass a resolution for distribution of dividend or bonus;
at any time following the effective date hereof, sell, transfer, mortgage or otherwise dispose of the legal or beneficial
interests of any Equity Interest in Party C, or permit the creation of any other security interest thereon;
cause the shareholders’ meeting of Party C to approve the sale, transfer, mortgage or other disposal of the legal or
beneficial interests of any Equity Interest, or the permission of creation of any other security interest thereon;
cause the shareholders’ meeting of Party C to approve merger or consolidation with, or acquisition of or investment in any
person, or any other form of reorganization; or
(g)
voluntarily wind up, liquidate or dissolve Party C.
3.1.13
before Party A (or its designated third party) has exercised the Option and acquired all Equity Interests or assets of Party C, each of
the Grantors undertakes to:
(a)
immediately notify Party A in writing of any existing or threatened litigation, arbitration or administrative proceeding
relating to the Equity Interest or any circumstance that may have any adverse effect on such Equity Interest;
6
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
cause the shareholders’ meeting of Party C to discuss and approve the transfer of the purchased Equity Interest
contemplated hereunder, and cause Party C to amend its articles of association to reflect the transfer of Equity Interest from
the Grantors to Party A and/or its designated third party and other changes contemplated hereunder, and immediately apply
to competent PRC authorities for approval (if required by the PRC laws) and handling of the change registration, and to
cause Party C to pass a shareholders’ resolution to approve the appointment of persons nominated by Party A and/or its
designated third party as directors and legal representative of Party C;
execute all such documents, take all such actions, and make all such claims or defenses as may be necessary or appropriate
to maintain the Grantors’ legal and valid ownership of the relevant Equity Interests;
upon the request of Party A at any time, unconditionally transfer the Equity Interests owned by it to the third party
designated by Party A; and
strictly comply with the terms of this Agreement and other agreements executed by the Grantors jointly or severally with
Party A, diligently perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder, and refrain from making any act or omission that
suffices to affect the validity and enforceability of such agreements.
3.1.14
the Grantors shall be jointly or severally liable for performance of their respective obligations hereunder.
3.2
Undertakings
The Grantors undertakes to Party A that they will bear all costs and expenses arising from the transfer of Equity Interests, and handle all
procedures which may be necessary to enable Party A or its designated third party to become a shareholder of Party C, including but not
limited to assisting Party A in obtaining necessary approvals from relevant governmental authority for the transfer of Equity Interests, and
submitting all relevant necessary documents to the competent administration for industry and commerce.
3.3
Each of the Grantors hereby represents and warrants to Party A on and as of the execution date of this Agreement and each Closing Date that:
(1)
it has the power, right and capacity to execute and deliver this Agreement and any equity transfer agreement executed in respect of
each transfer of the purchased Equity Interest contemplated hereunder to which it is a party (“Equity Transfer Agreement”), and
perform its obligations under this Agreement and any such Equity Transfer Agreement;
7
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
neither the execution or delivery of this Agreement or any Equity Transfer Agreement, nor the performance of its obligations
hereunder or thereunder, will (i) result in a violation of any applicable laws or regulations of the PRC; (ii) be in conflict with the
articles of association or other constitutional documents of such Grantor; (iii) result in a breach of any contract or instruments to
which it is a party or by which it is bound, or constitute a default thereunder; (iv) result in a breach of any terms or conditions of any
permit or approval issued to it by relevant authority and/or its constant effectiveness; or (v) cause any of the permits or approvals
issued to it by relevant authority to be suspended, cancelled or imposed with additional conditions;
it has good and marketable ownership of all of its Equity Interests in Party C and has not created any security interest thereon;
Party C has no outstanding debt, except for those (i) incurred in its ordinary business course, and (ii) disclosed to and obtained prior
express written consent from Party A;
Party C complies with all applicable laws and regulations in respect of equity interests and asset purchase; and
currently, there is no ongoing, pending or threatened litigations, arbitrations or administrative proceedings in connection with the
Equity Interests, Party C or assets of Party C.
4.
Special Covenants
The Grantors undertake that, irrespective of any change that may occur to the ratio of equity interests held by the Grantors in Party C, the terms
of this Agreement shall remain binding upon the Grantors and apply to all equity interests held by them in Party C at that time.
5.
Taxes
Each Party shall bear their own taxes that may arise out of the performance of this Agreement.
6.
6.1
Liabilities for Breach of Agreement
If Party B or Party C breaches this Agreement or any of its representations or warranties made by it hereunder, Party A may by written notice
request the defaulting Party to cure such breach, take corresponding measures to prevent the occurrence of any damages and to continue the
performance of this Agreement within ten (10) days upon its receipt of such notice. In the case of any damage, the defaulting Party shall
indemnify Party A to enable Party A to obtain all benefits that it would have received had the Agreement been duly performed.
8
6.2
7.
7.1
If Party B or Party C fails to cure its breach within ten (10) days upon receipt of the notice as set out in Clause 6.1 above, Party A shall be
entitled to request the defaulting Party to indemnify any costs, expenses, liabilities or losses (including but not limited to loss of interests and
attorney fee) suffered by Party A as a result of the breach committed by the defaulting Party.
Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
Governing Law
This Agreement (including but not limited the execution, performance, validity and interpretation of this Agreement) shall be governed by the
laws of the PRC.
7.2
Friendly Negotiation
Any dispute arising out of or in connection with the interpretation or performance of this Agreement shall be resolved by the Parties through
friendly negotiation, or a mediation conducted via a neutral third party. If the dispute cannot be resolved through such method, it shall, within
thirty (30) days from commencement of the foresaid discussion, be submitted to an arbitration commission for settlement through arbitration.
7.3
Arbitration
Any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be submitted to Shanghai International Economic and Trade Arbitration
Commission for arbitration in accordance with its arbitration rules then in force. The arbitration shall take place in Shanghai. The arbitration
award shall be final and binding upon the Parties.
8.
8.1
Confidentiality
Confidential Information
No Party shall disclose any information in relation to the other Party or Parties which it receives in performance of this Agreement to any third
party, unless a prior written consent has been obtained from all the Parties hereto. This Clause 8.1 shall survive the termination of this
Agreement.
8.2
Exception
No disclosure of confidential information made as required by law, court judgments, arbitration awards and decisions of governmental
authorities shall be deemed as a breach of the above Clause 8.1.
9
9.
9.1
Other Provisions
Entire Agreement
The Parties hereby acknowledge that this Agreement is a fair and reasonable agreement entered into by and among them on basis of equality
and mutual benefit. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the Parties with respect to the subject matters hereof. If there is
any discrepancy between this Agreement and any and all prior discussions, negotiations or agreements, this Agreement shall prevail. This
Agreement shall be amended by the Parties in writing. The exhibit hereto forms an integral part of this Agreement and shall have the same
effect as that of this Agreement.
9.2
Notice
9.2.1
Any and all notices given by the Parties in connection with exercise of their respective rights and performance of their respective
obligations hereunder shall be made in writing, and shall be delivered by hand or sent by registered mail, postage prepaid mail,
generally accepted courier service or facsimile to the following addresses of the relevant Party or Parties:
If to Party A:
Shanghai Manyin Information Technology Co., Ltd.
Address: Building 6, No. 20,
Lane 999, Dangui Road,
China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone
If to Party B:
CHEN Lizhong
Address: ***, Economic and Technology Development District, Weihai
City, Shandong Province
JIANG Yejun
Address: ***, Hongkou District, Shanghai
If to Party C:
Shanghai Ledao Technology Co., Ltd.
Address: Room 203, Floor 2, Building 10, Lane 999 Dangui Road, China
(Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone
9.2.2
A notice and other correspondence shall be deemed to have been duly served:
(a)
(b)
on the date shown on the transmission report if sent by facsimile, or on the next business day if the facsimile arrives later
than 5:00 pm or on a non-business day of the place of arrival;
if sent by personal delivery (including courier service), on the day when the receipt thereof has been duly signed for;
10
(c)
on the fifteenth (15th) day after the date shown on the acknowledgement of receipt if sent by a registered mail.
9.2.3
Binding Effect
This Agreement shall be binding on all the Parties.
9.3
Language
This Agreement is executed in four (4) counterparts, and Party A, Party B and Party C shall respectively hold one counterpart, two counterparts
and one counterpart of this Agreement. This Agreement is made in Chinese.
9.4
Day and Business day
A “day” mentioned herein shall mean a calendar day, and a “business day” used herein shall mean any day from Monday to Friday.
9.5
Headings
Headings contained in this Agreement are for the purpose of easy-reading only, and shall not be used to interpret this Agreement.
9.6
Miscellaneous
The Grantors shall be jointly and severally liable for their respective obligations, undertakings and responsibilities to Party A hereunder. As for
Party A, a breach by any of the Grantors shall automatically constitute a breach on the part of the Grantors.
9.7
Uncovered Matters
Anything not covered by this Agreement shall be resolved by the Parties through amicable consultations in accordance with the PRC laws.
(THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE HAS BEEN INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)
11
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have cause their respective duly authorized representatives to sign this Agreement as of the date first above
written.
Party A: Shanghai Manyin Information Technology Co., Ltd. (Seal)
/s/ GU Yafen
Legal or Authorized Representative
/s/ Seal of Shanghai Manyin Information Technology Co., Ltd.
Party B:
/s/ CHEN Lizhong
/s/ JIANG Yejun
Party C: Shanghai Ledao Technology Co., Ltd. (Seal)
/s/ JIANG Yejun
Legal or Authorized Representative
/s/ Seal of Shanghai Ledao Technology Co., Ltd.
12
LOAN AGREEMENT
Exhibit 4.34
THIS AGREEMENT is made in Shanghai, the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC”, and, for purpose of this Agreement, excluding Hong Kong
Special Administrative Region, Macau Special Administrative Region and Taiwan) as of this 29th day of November by and among:
Party A: Shanghai Manyin Information Technology Co., Ltd.
Registered address: Building 6, No. 20, Lane 999, Dangui Road, China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone
Party B:
Name: GU Zhouhao
ID Card No.: ********************
Residential address: ***, Pudong District, Shanghai
Name: CHEN Xiumen
ID Card No.: ********************
Residential address: ***, Changning District, Shanghai
WHEREAS:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Party A is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise duly established and validly existing under the laws of the PRC;
Each of Party B is a PRC citizen, and each of GU Zhouhao and CHEN Xiumeng holds 50% of the equities of Shanghai Nianqiao Technology Co.,
Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Shanghai Nianqiao”);
Party A, Party B and Shanghai Nianqiao entered into an Exclusive Call Option Agreement on the 29th day of November, 2018 (the “Option
Agreement”), and Party B will transfer their equity interests in Shanghai Nianqiao to Party A in circumstances then permitted by the PRC laws
and regulations;
Party A, Party B and Shanghai Nianqiao entered into an Exclusive Technology Consulting and Service Framework Agreement and a Business
Operation Agreement on the 29th day of November, 2018, and, on the same day, an Equity Pledge Agreement was executed by and among such
parties (the “Equity Pledge Agreement”), whereby Party B agreed to pledge all of their equity interests in Shanghai Nianqiao to Party A as
security for the performance of obligations under the foresaid Exclusive Technology Consulting and Service Framework Agreement, Business
Operation Agreement, Option Agreement and this Agreement; and
1
(5)
Party B needs to borrow money from Party A for their contribution of registered capital to Shanghai Nianqiao, and Party A agrees to provide Party
B with a loan on terms and conditions of this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, upon friendly consultation, the Parties hereby agree as follows:
CHAPTER 1 LOAN
Article 1
Purpose of the Loan
Party B agrees that all loan proceeds received hereunder shall be solely used to pay capital contributions to Shanghai Nianqiao. Without
Party A’s prior written consent, Party B shall not use the loan proceeds for any other purpose.
Article 2
Loan Amount: RMB 50,000,000 (Renminbi Fifty Million Yuan).
Article 3
Term of the Loan: the term of the loan shall commence on the execution date of this Agreement and expire on the day when Party B has
completed its obligations in a way specified in Article 9 hereof.
Article 4
Prior to Party A’s advance of the loan to Party B, the following conditions must be satisfied:
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
Party A shall have received a written notice for advance of loan from Party B as set out in Article 5(1) of this Agreement;
at the same time of the execution of this Agreement, the Parties shall have entered into the Equity Pledge Agreement, pursuant
to which Party B agrees to pledge all of its equity interests in Shanghai Nianqiao to Party A as security for the performance of
its obligations hereunder;
Party A, Party B and Shanghai Nianqiao shall have entered into the Option Agreement, whereby Party B grants Party A with
an irrevocable option to purchase all equity interests of Party B in Shanghai Nianqiao at any time, to the extent permitted by
the PRC law, within the valid term of the Option Agreement;
the Equity Pledge Agreement and Option Agreement shall remain valid, none of the parties thereto is in any material breach of
the terms and conditions thereunder, all the necessary approvals, consents, authorizations and registrations required by such
two agreements shall have been duly completed, and amendments to such agreements (if any) shall have been confirmed by
the parties thereto;
2
4.5
4.6
all representations and warranties in Chapter 3 hereof shall remain true and accurate on the day when the notice of advancing
the loan is delivered to Party A and the advance date of the loan; and
no material breach of any terms and conditions of this Agreement has been committed by Party B.
Article 5
Advance of Loan Proceeds
5.1
5.2
Upon execution of this Agreement, Party B may send a notice to Party A for advance of the loan either on one-time basis or,
according to business needs of Shanghai Nianqiao, by stages.
Party A shall, within ten (10) banking days, advance the sum specified in the loan advance notice to Party B’s designated
account on a lump-sum basis and by means permitted by laws and regulations, and deliver a scan document of remittance to
Party B.
Article 6
For the purpose of supporting the business operation of Shanghai Nianqiao and in turn facilitate the development of Party A, the interest
rate of the loan shall be zero (0%).
CHAPTER 2 INTEREST RATE
Article 7
Party A hereby represents and warrants to Party B that:
CHAPTER 3 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4
Party A is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise duly established and validly existing under the laws of the PRC;
according to Party A’s articles of association and other constitutional documents, it has full right, power and all necessary
approvals and authority to execute and perform this Agreement;
the execution and performance of this Agreement will not result in a violation or breach of any laws and regulations applicable
to Party A or any contractual restrictions by which Party A may be bound or affected; and
this Agreement, after it comes into effect, shall constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligations of Party A and be
enforceable against Party A in accordance with its terms.
3
Article 8
Party B hereby represents and warrants to Party A that:
8.1
8.2
8.3
8.4
8.5
8.6
Shanghai Nianqiao is a limited liability company duly established and validly existing under the laws of the PRC, and, among
Party B, each of GU Zhouhao and CHEN Xiumeng holds 50% of the equities of Shanghai Nianqiao;
without Party A’s prior written consent, Party B shall not transfer or pledge any of its interests in Shanghai Nianqiao to any
third party;
Party B has full rights, power and all necessary and appropriate approvals and authority to execute and perform this
Agreement;
the execution and performance of this Agreement will not result in a violation or breach of any laws or regulations applicable
to Party B or any contractual restrictions by which Party B may be bound or affected;
this Agreement, after it comes into effect, shall constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligations of Party B and be
enforceable against Party B in accordance with its terms; and
as of the execution date of this Agreement, there is no pending or threatened legal or other proceedings against Party B by or
in any court, tribunal or other regulatory authority.
Article 9
Method of Repayment
CHAPTER 4 REPAYMENT
9.1
9.2
9.3
The Parties agree and acknowledge that only the following methods of repayment will be taken by Party B and accepted by
Party A: to the extent permitted by the PRC laws and regulations then in effect, Party B shall, according to requirements
specified in Party A’s written notice, transfer its equity interests in Shanghai Nianqiao to Party A on the terms and conditions
of the Option Agreement, and use the proceeds that it may receive from such equity transfer to repay the loan hereunder.
The Parties agree and acknowledge that, if, with Party A’s consent, Party B transfers all or part of its equity interests in
Shanghai Nianqiao to any third party other than Party A, all the proceeds obtained by Party B from such transfer shall be paid
to Party A in priority, irrespective of whether the amount of such proceeds is higher than the loan amount hereunder.
The Parties agree and acknowledge that, where Party B transfers its equity interests in Shanghai Nianqiao on terms and
conditions of the Option Agreement, if the actual price for such equity transfer is higher than the loan amount hereunder due
to requirements of the PRC laws and regulations then applicable or any other reasons, the portion of such transfer price
exceeding the principal amount of the loan hereunder shall, to the extent permitted by laws, be deemed as occupation cost and
paid to Party A along with the principle amount of the loan.
4
Article 10
Early Repayment
If Party A or its designated assignee is able to lawfully purchase all equities of Shanghai Nianqiao owned by Party B in accordance with
laws and Party A selects to exercise its right to accept the transfer of all equities of Shanghai Nianqiao pursuant to the terms of the
Option Agreement, Party B shall repay the loan, irrespective of whether the loan is mature or not.
CHAPTER 5 SECURITY
Article 11
Party B pledges all of its equity interests in Shanghai Nianqiao as security for its obligations hereunder. If Party B fails to repay the loan
to Party A when it becomes due, Party A shall have the right to dispose such pledged equities in accordance with the provisions of laws
and regulations.
Article 12
Party B undertakes that it will repay the loan in the manner specified in Article 9 hereof.
Article 13
Within the term of this Agreement, Party A undertakes that it will not initiatively request Party B to repay the loan in advance and will
release the pledge on the equity of Shanghai Nianqiao upon full repayment of the loan by Party B pursuant to Clause 9 above.
Article 14
Confidentiality
CHAPTER 6 CONFIDENTIALITY
The Parties acknowledge and confirm that any oral or written information exchanged between them in connection with this Agreement is
confidential information. The Parties shall protect and maintain the confidentiality of all such confidential data and information, and not
disclose them to any third party without the other parties written consent, except for data and information which (a) is in the public
domain, is subsequently released, or becomes generally available to the public, without disclosure by the receiving Party, (b) is required
to be disclosed pursuant to relevant laws or regulations, and (c) is required to be disclosed to the legal or financial advisors of a Party
who are also bound by confidentiality obligations similar to those under this Article. Any improper disclosure of confidential data or
information by any legal or financial advisor of a Party shall be deemed as an improper disclosure by such Party, and such Party shall be
liable for breach of this Agreement.
5
CHAPTER 7 DEFAULT AND DAMAGES
Article 15
Within the term of this Agreement, any of the following events shall be deemed as a breach of agreement by Party A:
15.1
15.2
15.3
Party A disposes the equities pledged by Party B without Party B’s authorization within the term of this Agreement;
Party A fails to transfer corresponding loan proceeds into Party B’s designated account within ten (10) banking days upon
receipt of the notice of advancing loan from Party B; or
without Party B’s consent, Party A requests Party B to make any early repayment of the loan except as specified in Article 10
hereof.
Article 16
Within the term of this Agreement, any of the following events shall be deemed as a breach of agreement by Party B:
16.1
16.2
during the term of this Agreement, Party B disposes the equities already pledged to Party A without Party A’s consent; or
upon expiration of this Agreement, Party B is unable to repay the loan through the method specified in Article 9.
Article 17
Termination and Liability for Breach of Agreement
A breach of any provisions of this Agreement by a Party shall constitute a breach of this Agreement. The breaching Party shall fully and
adequately indemnify the non-breaching Party. The non-breaching Party shall have the right to decide whether to continue the
performance of or terminate this Agreement.
Article 18
Dispute Resolution
If any dispute between the Parties cannot be resolved through negotiation, either Party may submit the dispute to Shanghai International
Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission for settlement through arbitration in accordance with its arbitration rules then in effect. The
arbitration shall be conducted in Shanghai, and the arbitration proceeding shall be in Chinese. The arbitration award shall be final and
binding upon the Parties.
Article 19
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the PRC.
Article 20
The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity and enforceability of any other
provisions of this Agreement
6
Article 21
This Agreement shall be executed in three originals, and each Party hold one original hereof.
(THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE HAS BEEN INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)
7
(Signature Page)
Party A: Shanghai Manyin Information Technology Co., Ltd. (Seal)
/s/ GU Yafen
Legal or Authorized Representative:
/s/ Seal of Shanghai Manyin Information Technology Co., Ltd.
Party B:
/s/ GU Zhouhao
/s/ CHEN Xiumeng
8
EQUITY PLEDGE AGREEMENT
Exhibit 4.35
THIS EQUITY PLEDGE AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made as of the 29th day of November, 2018 in Pudong New Area, Shanghai, the
People’s Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as the “PRC”) by and among the following parties:
Party A: Shanghai Manyin Information Technology Co., Ltd.
Registered address: Building 6, No. 20, Lane 999, Dangui Road, China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone
Legal representative: GU Yafen
(hereinafter referred to as the “Pledgee”)
Party B (each a “Pledgor” and together the “Pledgors”):
Name: GU Zhouhao
ID Card No.: ******************
Residential address: ***, Pudong District, Shanghai
Name: CHEN Xiumen
ID Card No.: ******************
Residential address: ***, Changning District, Shanghai
Party C: Shanghai Nianqiao Technology Co., Ltd.
Registered address: Room 202, Floor 2, Building 10, Lane 999 Dangui Road, China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone
Legal representative: GU Zhouhao
(Party A, Party B and Party C are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Parties” and individually a “Party”.)
WHEREAS:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Party A is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise duly established and validly existing within the PRC;
Party C is a limited liability company duly established and validly existing within the PRC;
The Pledgors own equity interests in Party C and the ratio of their respective equity interest in Party C is as follows: each of GU Zhouhao and
CHEN Xiumeng respectively holds 50% equity interest in Party C;
For the purpose of establishing and developing Party C, the Pledgors entered into a Loan Agreement with Party A on the 29th day of
November, 2018 to borrow an aggregate sum of RMB50,000,000 (Fifty Million Renminbi Yuan) from Party A for contribution of their
committed capital to Party C (hereinafter referred to as the “Loan”);
1
(5)
(6)
(7)
Party A, Party C and the Pledgors entered into an Exclusive Call Option Agreement on the 29th day of November, 2018 (the “Option
Agreement”);
Party A, Party C and the Pledgors entered into a Business Operation Agreement on the 29th day of November, 2018, and Party A and Party C
executed an Exclusive Technology Consulting and Service Framework Agreement on the 29th day of November, 2018; and
In order to secure repayments under the Loan Agreement, ensure Party A may receive service fee from Party C under the Exclusive
Technology Consulting and Service Framework Agreement, and to assure the performance by the Pledgors and Party C of their respective
obligations under the Option Agreement and Business Operation Agreement (the “Contractual Obligations”), the Pledgors pledge all of their
equity interests in Party C as security for the performance of the foresaid Contractual Obligations in favor of Party A.
NOW, THEREFORE, on basis of friendly consultation and principles of equality and mutual benefit, the Parties hereby agree as follows:
1.
Definition
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
2.
2.1
Unless otherwise specified in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
“Pledge” refers to all contents set out in Clause 2 of this Agreement;
“Equity” means the 100% equity interests lawfully held by the Pledgors in Party C, and any and all existing and future rights and interests in
or to such equity interests;
“Transaction Agreements” mean, collectively, the Loan Agreement dated 29th day of November, 2018 between the Pledgors and Party A, the
Option Agreement dated 29th day of November, 2018 between the Pledgors and Party C, the Exclusive Technology Consulting and Service
Framework Agreement dated 29th day of November, 2018 between Party A and Party C, and the Business Operation Agreement dated 29th day
of November, 2018 among Party A, Party C and the Pledgors;
“Default Event” means any of the events set out in Clause 7 of this Agreement; and
“Default Notice” means any notice sent by Party A pursuant to this Agreement claiming a Default Event.
Pledge
The Pledgors pledge all the Equity in Party C owned by them to Party A as security for Party A’s rights and interests under the Transaction
Agreements.
2
2.2
2.3
2.4
3.
3.1
3.2
4.
4.1
The scope of security covered by the pledge of Equity hereunder shall include all fees (including legal fees), costs, losses, interests, liquidated
damages, indemnities, and costs or expenses for enforcement of any creditor’s right, to be paid or assumed by Party C and/or the Pledgors to
Party A under the Transaction Agreements, as well as any liabilities of Party C and the Pledgors to Party A in the event that all or any part of
the Transaction Agreements is invalid due to any reason.
The Pledge under this Agreement shall mean Party A’s priority right to receive preferential repayment from any amount derived from
disposition, auction or sale of the Equities pledged to Party A by the Pledgors.
Unless otherwise expressly agreed by Party A in writing, after this Agreement comes into force, the Pledge contemplated hereunder may not be
released unless and until Party C and the Pledgors have duly performed all of their obligations under the Agreements and Party A recognizes
such complete performance in writing. If Party C or the Pledgors fail to fully perform all or any part of their obligations or duties hereunder by
the end of the respective given periods specified in the Transaction Agreements, Party A shall remain entitled to the Pledge hereunder until
such obligations and duties have been fully performed in a way reasonably satisfactory to Party A.
Effectiveness and Term
This Agreement shall come into effect on the day when it signed by the Parties and affixed with their respective official seals. The Pledge shall
be created and become effective on the day when the registration of the Equity pledge with the administration of industry and commerce
having jurisdiction over Party C is completed.
During the period of the Equity Pledge, if Party C fails to pay the service fee under the Exclusive Technology Consulting and Service
Framework Agreement, or if Party C and/or the Pledgors fail to pay any costs or expenses to Party A on terms of the Transaction Agreements,
or if Party C and/or the Pledgors fail to perform any of the Contractual Obligations under the Transaction Agreements, Party A shall have the
right to exercise the Pledge in accordance with terms of this Agreement upon reasonable notices.
Possession and Custody of the Pledge Certificate
The Pledgors shall, within ten (10) business days from the execution date of this Agreement or at any earlier time mutually agreed by the
Parties, deliver their capital contribution certificate (original copy) of Party C into Party A’s custody, provide Party A with the proof
evidencing that the Pledge hereunder has been duly registered in Party C’s register of shareholders, and effect all approval, registration and
filing procedures required by laws and regulations of the PRC, and deliver the certificate evidencing the registration of the Pledge with
competent administration of industry and commerce. Please refer to exhibits of this Agreement for forms of the capital contribution certificate
and shareholders’ register of Party C.
3
4.2
4.3
4.4
If any change of registration is required by law due to change of any recorded matter of the Pledge, Party A, Party B and Party C shall, within
five (5) business days following the change of such recorded matter, make registration change in respect thereof and submit documents in
connection with such registration change.
Without Party A’s prior written consent, the Pledgors shall instruct Party C not to distribute any dividend or bonus during the pledge of Equity.
As long as the Equity is under pledge, if a Pledgor subscribes for any new registered capital of Party C or acquires any Equity of Party C held
by another Pledgor (the “Additional Equity”), such Additional Equity shall automatically become the Equity pledged hereunder, and the
Pledgors shall complete all procedures required to create Pledge over the Additional Equity within ten (10) business days from their acquisition
of such Additional Equity. If the Pledgors fail to complete relevant procedures as specified in the preceding sentence, Party A may immediately
enforce the Pledge pursuant to Clause 8 of this Agreement.
5.
Representations and Warranties of the Pledgors
At the time of executing this Agreement, the Pledgors represent and warrant to the Pledgee the following and acknowledge that Party A’s
execution and performance of this Agreement is in reliance on such representations and warranties:
the Pledgors lawfully own the Equity hereunder and have the right to pledge the Equity for the benefit of Party A as security;
no claim or intervention will be made by any other party against Party A at any time once Party A is entitled to exercise its rights or enforce the
Pledge pursuant to this Agreement;
Party A has the right to enforce the Pledge in a way specified by the laws, regulations and this Agreement;
each of the Pledgors has obtained all corporate authorization or approvals necessary for its execution and performance of this Agreement, and
such execution and performance does not violate the provisions of any applicable laws, regulations and articles of association;
the Equity held by the Pledgors is free from any other encumbrance or any third-party security interest of any form (including but not limited to
pledge);
there is no pending or threatened civil, administrative or criminal litigation, administrative penalty or arbitration in connection with the Equity;
no tax, fee or expense in connection with the Equity is due but remains unpaid, or no required legal procedures or formalities remain
uncompleted in respect of the Equity; and
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7
4
5.8
the terms of this Agreement represent the true intention of the Pledgors and are legally binding upon them.
6.
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
6.5
Undertakings of the Pledgors
During the existence of this Agreement, the Pledgors undertake to Party A that the Pledgors shall:
6.1.1
6.1.2
6.1.3
without Party A’s prior written consent, not transfer the Equity (except for the transfer of Equity to Party A or its designated person
at the request of Party A), or create or allow the existence of any other encumbrance or any type of third-party security interest
which may affect Party A’s rights and interests;
comply with and implement all applicable laws and regulations, and, upon receipt of any notice, instruction or advice from any
competent regulatory authority in respect of the Pledge, present such notice, instruction or advice to Party A within five (5) business
days and act in accordance with Party A’s reasonable instruction; and
promptly notify Party A of (i) any event that may affect the Equity or any portion thereof, or the Pledgors’ performance of any of
their obligations, representations, warranties or undertakings hereunder, or (ii) the Pledgors’ receipt of any notice in relation thereto,
and shall act in accordance with Party A’s reasonable instruction;
The Pledgors agree that Party A’s enforcement of the Pledge pursuant to this Agreement shall not be interrupted or interfered with by the
Pledgors, their successors or authorized persons, or any other person.
The Pledgors warrant to Party A that, in order to protect or perfect the security for performance of the payment/repayment obligations and
other obligations of the Pledgors and/or Party C under the Transaction Agreements, the Pledgors shall cause Party C to make all necessary
amendments to its articles of association (if applicable), execute in good faith and cause any other party interested in the Pledge to execute all
such title certificates and agreements as may be requested by Party A, and/or take and cause such other interested party to take all actions
requested by Party A, facilitate Party A’s exercise of the Pledge, execute all documents in connection with change of the share certificate with
Party A or any third party designated by it, and provide Party A with all documents in relation to the Pledge as Party A may deem necessary
within a reasonable period of time.
In the event of a transfer of any Equity arising from Party A’s exercise of the Pledge pursuant to Clause 8 hereof, the Pledgors hereby jointly
and severally undertake to waive their respective preemptive right / right of first refusal thereon.
The Pledgors warrant to Party A that, for the benefits of Party A, the Pledgors shall comply with and perform all of their warranties,
undertakings, agreements and representations. If the Pledgors fail to perform or fully perform their warranties, undertakings, agreements or
representations, the Pledgors shall indemnify Party A against all losses suffered by Party A as a result thereof.
5
7.
7.1
Default Event
A Default Event shall be deemed to have occurred if:
7.1.1
7.1.2
7.1.3
7.1.4
7.1.5
7.1.6
7.1.7
7.1.8
7.1.9
any of Party C, the Pledgors, or their respective successor or assignee, fails to perform any of its obligations under the Loan
Agreement, Option Agreement, Business Operation Agreement and/or Excusive Technology Consulting and Service Framework
Agreement;
any of the representations, warranties or undertakings made by the Pledgors under Clauses 5 and 6 hereof is materially misleading or
erroneous, and/or there is any other breach of the representations, warranties or undertakings made in Clauses 5 and 6 hereof;
the Pledgors materially breach any term of this Agreement;
Other than specified in Clause 6.1.1 of this Agreement, the Pledgors renounce, transfer or dispose of the pledged Equity without
Party A’s written consent;
the Pledgors are required to repay or perform in advance, or unable to repay or perform on time, any of their loans, security,
indemnifications, undertakings or other liabilities due to a breach or default, which gives rise to Party A’s reasonable belief that the
Pledgors’ ability to perform their obligations hereunder has been affected and thus Party A’s interests are affected accordingly;
the Pledgors are unable to repay general debt or other liabilities, which in turn affects Party A’s interests;
this Agreement becomes illegal or the Pledgors are unable to continue to perform their obligations hereunder due to promulgation of
any applicable law;
any governmental consent, permit, approval or authorization necessary for the enforceability, legality or validity of this Agreement
is revoked, suspended, expired or materially changed;
Party A believes the Pledgors’ ability to perform their obligations hereunder has been affected due to any adverse change to the
properties owned by the Pledgors; or
7.1.10
other circumstances where Party A is unable to exercise or dispose of the Pledge pursuant to applicable laws.
7.2
If the Pledgors is or becomes aware of the occurrence of any event described under Clause 7.1 or any circumstance which may give rise to an
event described under Clause 7.1, the Pledgors shall immediately notify Party A thereof in writing.
6
7.3
8.
8.1
8.2
8.3
8.4
9.
9.1
9.2
9.3
9.4
Unless a Default Event set out in Clause 7.1 has been resolved in a way satisfactory to Party A, Party A may deliver a written Default Notice to
the Pledgors upon or at any time after occurrence of the Default Event, requesting the Pledgors to repay the Loan immediately, or enforce the
Pledge in accordance with Clause 8 hereof.
Enforcement of the Pledge
If Party A enforces the Pledge due to the Pledgors’ breach of agreement, Party A shall send a Default Notice to the Pledgors.
Subject to Clause 7.3, Party A may enforce the Pledge at any time after sending the Default Notice in accordance with Clause 7.3.
The Pledgee shall be entitled to preferential repayment from any amount derived from the disposal, auction or sale of all or any part of the
Equity pursuant to statutory procedures until the Pledgors has repaid the Loan in full and fully paid all debts, fees, liabilities, unpaid service
fees and all other payable sums involved in the Contractual Obligations under the Transaction Agreements.
When Party A enforces the Pledge in accordance with this Agreement, the Pledgors shall not impose any obstacle and shall provide necessary
support to enable Party A to enforce the Pledge.
Assignment
Without Party A’s prior written consent, the Pledgors shall not assign any of their rights and/or obligations hereunder to any third party.
This Agreement shall bind upon the Pledgors and their successors and inure to Party A and its successor or assignee.
Party A may at any time assign all or any of its rights and obligations hereunder to any third party designated by it, in which case the assignee
shall have Party A’s rights and obligations hereunder. When Party A assigns its rights and obligations this Agreement, at the request of Party
A, the Pledgors shall execute relevant agreements and/or documents in respect of such assignment.
If the pledgee is changed due to such assignment, the parties to the new pledge shall enter into a new pledge agreement and the Pledgors shall
be responsible to effect all relevant registration procedures.
7
10.
10.1
11.
11.1
11.2
12.
12.1
12.2
Handling Charges and Other Expenses
All costs and actual expenses in connection with this Agreement, including but not limited to legal fee, cost of production, stamp duty and any
other tax and expenses, shall be equally borne by Party A and the Pledgors.
Force Majeure
If the performance of this Agreement is delayed or hindered by a Force Majeure Event, only with respect to the performance so delayed or
hindered thereby, the Party affected by the Force Majeure Event shall be excused from any liability hereunder in respect thereof. A “Force
Majeure Event” means any event that is beyond the reasonable control of a Party and cannot be avoided even with the reasonable care of the
affected Party, including but not limited to any government act, acts of God, fire, explosion, geographic change, storm, flood, earthquake, tide,
lightning or war; provided, however, that any insufficiency of credit, capital or financing shall not be deemed as an event beyond the
reasonable control of a Party. A Party seeking exemption from its obligations under this Agreement or any term of this Agreement by virtue of
a Force Majeure Event shall as soon as possible notify the other Parties of such exemption event as well as the steps to be taken for completion
of its performance.
The Party affected by a Force Majeure Event shall not be responsible for any liability hereunder, provided, however, that the affected Party
shall not be excused from its liability unless and until it has made every possible efforts to perform the Agreement and such exemption shall be
limited to the extent where the performance of relevant obligations is delayed or prevented by the Force Majeure Event. Once the cause for
such exemption of liability is cured or remedied, the Parties hereto agree to make their best efforts to resume the performance of this
Agreement.
Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
The execution, validity, performance and interpretation of this Agreement and the resolution of dispute arising therefrom or in connection
therewith shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the PRC.
In the case of any dispute arising among the Parties in respect of the interpretation or performance of this Agreement, the Parties shall resolve
such dispute through friendly negotiation. If no agreement can be reached through such negotiation, any Party may submit the dispute to
Shanghai International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission for arbitration in accordance with its arbitration rules then in effect. The
arbitration shall be conducted in Shanghai and the arbitration proceeding shall be in Chinese. The arbitration award shall be final and binding
on the Parties.
12.3
Except for the matters in dispute, the Parties shall continue to perform their respective obligations hereunder in good faith pursuant to terms of
this Agreement.
8
13.
13.1
Notice
Any and all notices given by the Parties for exercise of their rights and performance of their obligations hereunder shall be made in writing and
shall be delivered by person or sent by registered mail, postage-prepaid mail, recognized courier service or facsimile to the following addresses
of relevant Party or Parties:
If to Party A:
Shanghai Manyin Information Technology Co., Ltd.
Domicile: Building 6, No. 20, Lane 999, Dangui Road,
China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone
If to Party B:
GU Zhouhao
Address: ***, Pudong District, Shanghai
CHEN Xiumeng
Address: ***, Changning District, Shanghai
If to Party C:
Shanghai Nianqiao Technology Co., Ltd.
Domicile: Room 202, Floor 2, Building 10, Lane 999 Dangui Road,
China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone
13.2
A notice and other correspondence shall be deemed to have been duly served:
13.2.1
on the date shown on the transmission report if sent by facsimile, or on the next business day if the facsimile arrives later than 5:00
pm or on a non-business day of the place of arrival;
13.2.2
if sent by personal delivery (including courier service), on the day when the receipt thereof has been duly signed for;
13.2.3
on the fifteenth (15th) day after the date shown on the acknowledgement of receipt if sent by a registered mail.
14.
Exhibits
The exhibits attached hereto shall be an integral part of this Agreement.
15.
Waiver
Any failure to exercise or delay in exercising any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder by Party A shall not be deemed as a waiver
thereof, nor shall any specific or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege by Party A preclude Party A’s exercise of any other
rights, remedies, powers or privileges. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges set out hereunder are cumulative and shall not preclude any
right, remedy, power and privilege applicable under any laws.
9
16.
16.1
16.2
16.3
16.4
Miscellaneous
No amendment, supplement or variation of this Agreement shall be effective unless it is made in writing and has been signed and sealed (if
applicable) by the Parties.
The Parties hereby acknowledge that this Agreement is a fair and reasonable agreement entered into by and among them on basis of equality
and mutual benefit. If any term of this Agreement becomes invalid or unenforceable due to violation of any applicable laws, such term shall be
invalid or unenforceable only to the extent governed by such laws, and the validity and enforceability of other terms of this Agreement shall
not be affected.
Party B undertakes that, irrespective of any change that may occur to the ratio of their respective equity interests in Party C, the terms of this
Agreement shall remain legally binding upon Party B and apply to all equity interests then held by them in Party C.
This Agreement is made in Chinese and shall be executed in four (4) counterparts. Party A, Party B and Party C shall respectively hold one
counterpart, two counterparts and one counterpart of this Agreement.
(THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE HAS BEEN INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)
10
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have cause their respective duly authorized representatives to sign this Agreement as of the date first above
written.
Party A: Shanghai Manyin Information Technology Co., Ltd. (Seal)
/s/ GU Yafen
Legal or Authorized representative
/s/ Seal of Shanghai Manyin Information Technology Co., Ltd.
Party B:
/s/ GU Zhouhao
/s/ CHEN Xiumeng
Party C: Shanghai Nianqiao Technology Co., Ltd. (Seal)
/s/ GU Zhouhao
Legal or Authorized representative
/s/ Seal of Shanghai Nianqiao Technology Co., Ltd.
11
BUSINESS OPERATION AGREEMENT
Exhibit 4.36
THIS BUSINESS OPERATION AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made as of the 29th day of November, 2018 in Pudong New Area, Shanghai, the
People’s Republic of China (the “PRC”) by and among:
Party A: Shanghai Manyin Information Technology Co., Ltd.
Registered address: Building 6, No. 20, Lane 999, Dangui Road, China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone
Legal representative: GU Yafen
Party B: Shanghai Nianqiao Technology Co., Ltd.
Registered address: Room 202, Floor 2, Building 10, Lane 999 Dangui Road, China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone
Legal representative: GU Zhouhao
Party C:
Party C-1: GU Zhouhao
ID Card No.: ********************
Residential address: ***, Pudong District, Shanghai
Party C-2: Name: CHEN Xiumeng
ID Card No.: ********************
Residential address: ***, Changning District, Shanghai
(Above Party C-1 and Party C-2are hereinafter collectively referred to as “Party C”; and Party A, Party B and Party C are hereinafter collectively
referred to as the “Parties” and individually a “Party”.)
WHEREAS:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Party A is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise duly established and validly existing within the PRC;
Party B is a limited liability company duly established within the PRC;
Each of Party C is a shareholder of Party B (each a “Shareholder”, and collectively the “Shareholders”) and respectively holds 50% equities of
Party C;
Party A and Party B have established business relation by execution of an Exclusive Technology Consulting and Service Framework Agreement
and other relevant agreement (the “Business Agreements”). Pursuant to the Exclusive Technology Consulting and Service Framework
Agreement, Party B shall pay relevant service fee to Party A thereunder, and Party B’s daily business operation shall have material effect on its
ability to make such payment to Party A; and
1
(5)
The Parties agree to further specify the matters in relation to the operation of Party B on terms of this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, on basis of friendly negotiation and principles of equality and mutual benefit, the Parties hereby agree as follows:
1.
Obligations of Shareholders
In order to ensure Party B’s performance of the Business Agreements executed with Party A and its obligations to Party A, the Shareholders
hereby acknowledge and agree that, unless with prior written consent of Party A or any other party designated by it, Party B will not engage in
any transaction which may have material effect on its assets, business, employees, obligations, rights or business operations, including but not
limited to:
carrying out any activity beyond its ordinary business scope, or conducting its business in a way inconsistent with its past practice;
borrowing any sum from or undertaking any liability to any third party, except for those occurred in its ordinary business course;
changing or removing any of its directors, or replacing any member of its senior management;
selling to or acquire from any third party or otherwise dispose any assets or rights of an amount exceeding RMB100, 000, including but not
limited to any intellectual properties;
offering guarantee or any other forms of security to any third party by use of its assets or intellectual properties, or create any other encumbrance
on its assets;
amending its articles of association, or changing its business scope;
changing its ordinary business procedures, or amending any of its material internal rules, regulations or policies;
assigning its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any third party;
making any substantial adjustment to its business model, marketing strategies, operation policies or client relations; or
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
1.7
1.8
1.9
1.10
declare or distribute any profit or dividend.
2
2.
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
3.
3.1
Operation Management
Party B and the Shareholders hereby agree to accept and strictly follow the advices provided by Party A and its designated subsidiaries from
time to time in connection with the appointment and dismissal of employees, daily operation management and financial management system of
the company.
Party B and the Shareholders hereby agree that the Shareholders will, in accordance with the procedures provided by the laws and regulations of
the PRC and articles of association of the company, appoint Party A’s designated persons to serve as directors of Party B and assure that the
person designated by Party A will be the chairman of the board or executive director of Party B, and will appoint persons designated by Party A
to serve as the general manager, chief financial officer and other senior management personnel of Party B.
If any of such directors or senior management personnel designated by Party A as set out above leaves Party A, whether by voluntary resignation
or termination of employment by Party A, such person shall simultaneously become unqualified to hold any position in Party B. In such case, the
Shareholders shall immediately or cause Party B to immediately remove such person from his/her position in Party B, and immediately elect and
appoint another person additionally designated by Party A to take such position.
For the purpose of Clause 2.3 above, the Shareholders shall, in accordance with the provisions of laws, articles of association of the company
and this Agreement, take all necessary corporate actions to complete above removal and appointment procedures
Each of the Shareholders hereby agrees that, at the same time when this Agreement is executed, to respectively issue a Power of Attorney to
Party A in the form and substance of Exhibit 1 hereto, whereby the Shareholder will irrevocably authorize Party A or its designated person to
exercise shareholders’ rights on his/her behalf and to exercise all of his/her voting rights at Party B’s shareholders’ meeting in the name of such
Shareholder.
Other Agreements
If any of the agreements between Party A and Party B terminates or expires, Party A shall have the right (but shall not be obliged) to terminate
all the agreements between Party A and Party B, including but not limited to the Exclusive Technology Consulting and Service Framework
Agreement.
3.2 Whereas, Party A and Party B have established certain business relation by execution of the Exclusive Technology Consulting and Service
Framework Agreement and other relevant agreements, and Party B’s daily business activities will materially affect its ability to make
corresponding payments to Party A. The Shareholders agree that, subject to Clause 1 of this Agreement, any bonus or dividend distribution or
any other similar revenue or benefit (in any form whatsoever) received from Party B in the capacity of a shareholder of Party B, shall be
unconditionally paid or transferred to Party A without consideration at the time when the same is realized, and the Shareholders shall deliver all
necessary documents or take all necessary actions to effect such payment or transfer according to Party A’s request.
3
4.
Amendment
No amendment or supplement to this Agreement shall be effective unless and until it is made by a written instrument duly signed by the Parties.
Any amendment and supplement to this Agreement duly signed by the Parties shall form a part of this Agreement and shall have the same legal
effect as that of this Agreement.
5.
Governing Law
The execution, validity, performance and interpretation of and resolution of dispute under this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the People’s Republic of China.
6.
6.1
6.2
7.
7.1
Dispute Resolution
In the case of any dispute arising between the Parties in respect of the interpretation or performance hereof, the Parties shall resolve such dispute
through friendly negotiation. If no agreement can be reached through such negotiation, any Party may submit the dispute to Shanghai
International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission for arbitration in accordance with its arbitration rules then in effect. The arbitration
shall be conducted in Shanghai and the arbitration proceeding shall be in Chinese. The arbitration award shall be final and binding on the Parties.
Except for the matters in dispute, the Parties shall continue to perform their respective obligations hereunder in good faith pursuant to the terms
of this Agreement.
Notice
Notices given by any of the Parties for exercise of its rights and performance of its obligations hereunder shall be made in writing and shall be
delivered by person or sent by registered mail, postage-prepaid mail, recognized courier service or facsimile to the following addresses of
relevant Party or Parties:
If to Party A:
Shanghai Manyin Information Technology Co., Ltd.
Domicile: Building 6, No. 20, Lane 999, Dangui Road,
China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone
If to Party B:
Shanghai Nianqiao Technology Co., Ltd.
Domicile: Room 202, Floor 2, Building 10, Lane 999 Dangui Road,
China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone
If to Party C:
Party C-1: GU Zhouhao
Address: ***, Pudong District, Shanghai
Party C-2: CHEN Xiumeng
Address: ***, Changning District, Shanghai
4
7.2
A notice and other correspondence shall be deemed to have been duly served:
7.2.1
on the date shown on the transmission report if sent by facsimile, or on the next business day if the facsimile arrives later than 5:00 pm or
on a non-business day of the place of arrival;
7.2.2
if sent by personal delivery (including courier service), on the day when the receipt thereof has been duly signed for;
7.2.3
on the fifteenth (15th) day after the date shown on the acknowledgement of receipt if sent by a registered mail.
8.
8.1
8.2
Effectiveness, Term and Miscellaneous
Any written consent, advice, appointment in connection with Party A contemplated hereunder and any decision having material effect on Party
B’s ordinary business operation shall be made by the board of directors (or, if no such board of directors, the executive director) of Party A.
This Agreement shall be executed and come into effect on the day first above written. Except for early termination by Party A, this Agreement
shall be valid for thirty (30) years commencing from the execution date hereof. If Party A requests in writing prior to the expiration of this
Agreement, the Parties shall extend the valid term hereof as per Party A’s request.
8.3 Within the valid term of this Agreement, none of Party B and the Shareholders shall terminate this Agreement before its expiration. Party A shall
have the right to terminate this Agreement at any time by a 30-day prior written notice to Party B.
8.4
The Parties hereby acknowledge that this Agreement is a fair and reasonable agreement entered into by and among them on basis of equality and
mutual benefit. If any term or provision of this Agreement is held illegal or unenforceable under applicable laws, it shall be deemed to have been
deleted from this Agreement and become void, but the remaining terms and provisions of this Agreement shall remain valid as if such illegal or
unenforceable terms or provisions were not included in this Agreement from the beginning. The Parties shall enter into negotiation for a legal
and valid term or provision acceptable to all of the Parties to substitute such terms or provisions deemed to have been deleted.
8.5
The failure of any Party to exercise any right, power or privilege hereunder by any Party shall not be operated as a waiver thereof, nor shall any
single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege preclude the exercise of any other rights, powers or privileges.
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8.6
This Agreement is made in Chinese and shall be executed in four (4) counterparts. Party A, Party B and Party C shall respectively hold one
counterpart, one counterpart and two counterparts of this Agreement.
(THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE HAS BEEN INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)
6
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have cause their respective duly authorized representatives to sign this Agreement as of the date first above
written.
Party A: Shanghai Manyin Information Technology Co., Ltd. (Seal)
/s/ GU Yafen
Legal or Authorized Representative:
/s/ Seal of Shanghai Manyin Information Technology Co., Ltd.
Party B: Shanghai Nianqiao Technology Co., Ltd. (official seal)
/s/ GU Zhouhao
Legal or Authorized Representative:
/s/ Seal of Shanghai Nianqiao Technology Co., Ltd.
Party C:
/s/ GU Zhouhao
/s/ CHEN Xiumeng
7
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Exhibit 4.37
I, GU Zhouhao, a citizen of the People’s Republic of China (ID Card No.: ****************), owner of 50% equities (the “Equity”) of Shanghai
Nianqiao Technology Co., Ltd. (the “Company”), hereby irrevocably authorize Shanghai Manyin Information Technology Co., Ltd. (the “Authorized
Person”) to exercise the following rights in respect of the Equity within the term of this Power of Attorney:
I hereby authorize the Authorized Person with full power and authority to act individually and independently in my name to exercise all rights in respect
of the Equity in accordance with the provisions of laws of the People’s Republic of China and the articles of association of the Company, including but
not limited to: (1) to propose the convention of and attend shareholders’ meeting and sign any resolution of the shareholders’ meeting in my name; (2) to
exercise all rights to which a shareholder of the Company is entitled under the laws and the Company’s constitutional documents; and (3) to nominate
and appoint, as my authorized representative, the legal representative, director, supervisor, general manager, chief financial officer and other senior
management personnel of the Company.
I hereby confirms that I will ratify and recognize any act or omission and decision to be made by the Authorized Person in connection with the Equity
within the valid term and scope of authority of this Power of attorney. All such act, omission and decision shall be binding on me, and I will not raise
any objection of any nature whatsoever in respect of such act, omission or decision in any way. All legal consequence that may arise out of such act,
omission or decision will be borne by myself.
If, by any reason, any document is required to be signed by myself for the conduct, implementation or performance of such act or decision, I will sign
the relevant documents according to the Authorized Person’s instruction.
The Authorized Person may designated or authorize any other person or entity to exercise the rights granted by the authorizer hereunder without
delivery of notice to or obtaining of consent from me.
The valid term of this Power of Attorney shall commence from the day when it has been duly signed, and shall remain valid and cannot be revoked as
long as I am a shareholder of the Company.
Authorized by: GU Zhouhao
/s/ GU Zhouhao
Dated this 29th day of November, 2018
1
POWER OF ATTORNEY
I, CHEN Xiumeng, a citizen of the People’s Republic of China (ID Card No.: ****************), owner of 50% equities (the “Equity”) of Shanghai
Nianqiao Technology Co., Ltd. (the “Company”), hereby irrevocably authorize Shanghai Manyin Information Technology Co., Ltd. (the “Authorized
Person”) to exercise the following rights in respect of the Equity within the term of this Power of Attorney:
I hereby authorize the Authorized Person with full power and authority to act individually and independently in my name to exercise all rights in respect
of the Equity in accordance with the provisions of laws of the People’s Republic of China and the articles of association of the Company, including but
not limited to: (1) to propose the convention of and attend shareholders’ meeting and sign any resolution of the shareholders’ meeting in my name; (2) to
exercise all rights to which a shareholder of the Company is entitled under the laws and the Company’s constitutional documents; and (3) to nominate
and appoint, as my authorized representative, the legal representative, director, supervisor, general manager, chief financial officer and other senior
management personnel of the Company.
I hereby confirms that I will ratify and recognize any act or omission and decision to be made by the Authorized Person in connection with the Equity
within the valid term and scope of authority of this Power of attorney. All such act, omission and decision shall be binding on me, and I will not raise
any objection of any nature whatsoever in respect of such act, omission or decision in any way. All legal consequence that may arise out of such act,
omission or decision will be borne by myself.
If, by any reason, any document is required to be signed by myself for the conduct, implementation or performance of such act or decision, I will sign
the relevant documents according to the Authorized Person’s instruction.
The Authorized Person may designated or authorize any other person or entity to exercise the rights granted by the authorizer hereunder without
delivery of notice to or obtaining of consent from me.
The valid term of this Power of Attorney shall commence from the day when it has been duly signed, and shall remain valid and cannot be revoked as
long as I am a shareholder of the Company.
Authorized by: CHEN Xiumeng
/s/ CHEN Xiumeng
Dated this 29th day of November, 2018
2
EXCLUSIVE TECHNOLOGY CONSULTING AND SERVICE
FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT
Exhibit 4.38
THIS EXCLUSIVE TECHNOLOGY CONSULTING AND SERVICE FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT (the “Framework Agreement”) is made as of
this 29th day of November, 2018 in Pudong New Area, Shanghai, the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC”) by and between:
Party A:
Shanghai Manyin Information Technology Co., Ltd.
Address: Floor 6, No. 20, Lane 999, Dangui Road, China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone
Party B:
Shanghai Nianqiao Technology Co., Ltd.
Address: Room 202, Floor 2, Building 10, Lane 999, Dangui Road,, China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone
(Party A and Party B are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Parties” and individually a “Party”.)
WHEREAS:
(1)
(2)
(3)
Party A is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise duly established and validly existing within the PRC; Party A and its designated subsidiaries own
the resources for technology consulting and service;
Party B is a limited liability company duly established within the PRC; and
Party A and its designated subsidiaries agree to provide Party B and its affiliates with, and Party B agrees to accept from Party A and its
designated subsidiaries, technology consulting and services on terms of this Framework Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, on basis of friendly negotiation and principles of equality and mutual benefit, the Parties hereby agree as follows:
1.
1.1
Technology Consulting and Service
The Parties agree that Party A and its designated subsidiaries will provide Party B and its affiliates with relevant exclusive technology consulting
and service on terms and conditions of this Framework Agreement, including but not limited to development, optimization, operation and
maintenance of computer software, hardware and system, network security, technical support and technology transfer service. For purpose of
this Framework Agreement, the term “affiliate” or “affiliates” in respect of Party B shall refer to those entities in which Party B owns 50% or
more voting rights.
1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
2.
2.1
Party B agrees to accept such exclusive technology consulting and service to be rendered by Party A and its designated subsidiaries during the
term of this Framework Agreement. Party B further agrees and warrants that, without Party A’s prior written consent, neither Party B nor any of
its affiliates will accept any technology consulting or service in respect of the business scope involved herein from any third party (other than a
third party designated by Party A) within the term of this Framework Agreement.
Party A and its designated subsidiaries shall be the sole and exclusive owner of any and all intellectual properties arising from the performance
of this Framework Agreement (including but not limited to copyright, patent, know-how, trade secret, etc.), whether developed by Party A
and/or its designated subsidiaries either independently or on basis of any intellectual property or proprietary technology or information provided
by Party B and/or its affiliates, or by Party B and/or its affiliates on basis of any intellectual property or service of Party A and/or its designated
subsidiaries. Party B warrants that neither itself nor any of its affiliates will claim any rights or interests in respect of such intellectual property
against Party A and its designated subsidiaries. Party B further warrants that none of the intellectual properties or proprietary technology or
information provided by it or any of its affiliates will infringe any third-party rights, otherwise Party B and its affiliates shall jointly and
severally indemnify and hold Party A and its designated subsidiaries harmless from any loss arising therefrom or any liability for damages to be
borne by Party A and its designated subsidiaries to any third party as a result thereof.
In view of the good cooperation relation between the Parties, Party B undertakes that, if Party B or any of its affiliates intends to enter into any
business cooperation with a third party, which is identical or similar to the technology consulting service hereunder, it must obtain Party A’s
prior written consent.
The Parties agree that, within the effective term of this Framework Agreement, Party A and its designated subsidiaries and Party B or any of its
affiliates may, from time to time and on basis of its actual needs, enter into separate written agreement in respect of any specific matter, project
or program that is subject to the technology consulting and service (the “Specific Agreement”). The Parties acknowledge that the Specific
Agreement, once executed, shall constitute an integral part of this Framework Agreement. None of the Specific Agreements shall prejudice or
impair the validity hereof or the respective rights and obligations of the Parties hereunder to any extent.
Service Fee
The Parties agree that the fee for the technology consulting and service hereunder (the “Service Fee”) may be additionally determined in a
Specific Agreement as per the technical difficulty and complexity of the specific matter, project and program requiring technology consulting
and service, the time spent by Party A, its designated subsidiaries and its employees for rendering technology consulting and service, the specific
scope and commercial value of technology consulting and service, the revenues generated by Party B and its affiliates as a result of such service,
and other relevant factors.
2
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
3.
3.1
Unless otherwise specified in a Specific Agreement, the amount of the Service Fee to be paid by Party B and/or its affiliates shall be subject to
the amount shown on the billing statement of service fee issued by Party A and its designated subsidiaries. Party B and/or its affiliates shall pay
the Service Fee to the bank account designated by Party A within ten (10) business days upon its receipt of such fee statement from Party A and
its designated subsidiaries. Party B shall, within ten (10) business days from its remittance of relevant payment, send a photocopy of the
remittance proof to Party A by facsimile or mail system. If Party B and/or any of its affiliates fails to pay the Service Fee and other expenses as
specified in this Framework Agreement, Party B and/or such affiliate shall additionally pay penalty to Party A as per 0.05% of the unpaid sums
per day.
Party A and its designated subsidiaries shall have the right to, at its own costs, designate its employee or a certified public accountant registered
in the PRC or other countries (hereinafter referred to as “Party A’s Authorized Representative”) to check the accounts of Party B and/or its
affiliates, so as to review the amount and calculation method of the Service Fee. For this purpose, Party B shall ensure that it will provide Party
A’s Authorized Representative with the documents, accounts, records, data and other information required by him/her to enable Party A’s
Authorized Representative to audit Party B’s accounts and determine the amount of the Service Fee. Unless there is a substantial error or
mistake, the amount of the Service Fee shall be the sum determined by Party A’s Authorized Representative. Party A shall have the right to issue
a bill to Party B at any time after an audit report is issued by Party A’s Authorized Representative, and request Party B and/or its affiliates to pay
any Service Fee which is due and unpaid. Party B and/or its affiliates shall pay such bill within seven (7) business days following the receipt
thereof.
Unless otherwise agreed by the Parties, the Service Fee to be paid by Party B and/or its affiliates hereunder to Party A and its designated
subsidiaries shall not be deducted or offset for any reason.
In addition to the Service Fee, Party B and/or its affiliates shall also pay the out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Party A and its designated
subsidiaries in connection with the provision of technology consulting and service hereunder, including but not limited to any and all costs and
expenses in relation to travel, transportation, printing, and others.
All Service Fee to be paid by Party B and its affiliates to Party A and its designated subsidiaries shall be a sum net of taxes, banking charges and
any other expenses.
Representations and Warranties
Party A hereby represents and warrants that:
3.1.1
it is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise duly established and validly existing under the laws of the PRC;
3
3.1.2
it has full corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Framework Agreement and all other documents in connection
with the transaction contemplated hereunder, and to consummate the transaction contemplated hereunder; Party A has obtained all
consents and approvals (if any) from third parties and governmental authorities; and the execution and performance of this
Framework Agreement will not violate any laws or other restrictions applicable to it; and
3.1.3
this Framework Agreement, once executed, will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of Party A, enforceable against it in
accordance with their respective terms.
3.2
Party B hereby represents and warrants that:
3.2.1
3.2.2
each of Party B and its affiliates is a limited liability company duly established and validly existing under the laws of the PRC;
it has full corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Framework Agreement and all other documents in connection
with the transaction contemplated hereunder, and to consummate the transaction contemplated hereunder; Party B has obtained all
consents and approvals (if any) from third parties and governmental authorities; and the execution and performance of this
Framework Agreement will not violate any laws or other restrictions applicable to it;
3.2.3
this Framework Agreement, once executed, will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of Party B, enforceable against it in
accordance with their respective terms; and
3.2.4
each of the affiliates of Party B has expressly agreed to be bound by this Framework Agreement.
4.
4.1
4.2
Confidentiality
A Party shall keep (i) trade secrets, know-hows and client information of the other Party received or to which it have access to as a result of
execution and performance of this Framework Agreement and (ii) client information and other non-public information jointly owned by it and
the other Party (collectively, the “Confidential Information”) in confidence and use such Confidential Information for the sole purpose of the
performance of this Framework Agreement. Without prior written consent of the disclosing Party, neither Party may disclose any Confidential
Information to any third party, otherwise it shall be liable to the disclosing Party for breach of agreement and indemnify its losses.
Upon termination of this Framework Agreement, a Party shall return any and all documents, data or software containing any Confidential
Information to the owner or disclosing Party of such Confidential Information, or, with the consent of such owner or disclosing Party, destroy it
(including deleting any Confidential Information from any memory devices) or otherwise dispose it and cease to use such Confidential
Information.
4
4.3
A Party shall take necessary measures to disclose the Confidential Information only to the respective employees, agents or professional advisors
of Party B and/or its affiliates on a need-to-know basis, and cause such employees, agents or professional advisors of Party B and/or its affiliates
to comply with the confidentiality obligations hereunder. Party A shall execute specific confidentiality agreements with the respective
employees, agents or professional advisors of Party B and/or its affiliates.
4.4
The above restrictions shall not apply to the information which:
4.2.1
4.2.2
4.2.3
4.2.4
is generally available to the public at the time of disclosure;
becomes generally available to the public after disclosure not due to a fault on the part of the receiving Party of the Confidential
Information;
has been in the possession of the receiving Party of the Confidential Information prior to the disclosure and was not obtained directly
or indirectly from the disclosing Party, both of which can be proved by the receiving Party; or
is required to be disclosed by the receiving Party of the Confidential Information to the relevant governmental authority, stock
exchange and other organizations under applicable laws, or to its legal or financial advisor under the normal business needs of the
receiving Party.
4.5
The Parties agree that this Clause shall survive from any amendment, termination or expiration of this Framework Agreement.
5.
5.1
5.2
Liability for Breach of Agreement
If a Party hereto breaches this Framework Agreement or any of its representations or warranties hereunder, the non-breaching Party may by
written notice request the breaching Party to cure such breach within ten (10) days upon receipt of such notice, take corresponding measures to
avoid the occurrence of any damage, and to continue to perform this Framework Agreement. In the case of any damage arising from such
breach, the breach Party shall indemnify the non-breaching Party to cause the non-breaching Party to obtain all the benefits it would have
obtained had the Framework Agreement been duly performed.
If the breaching Party fails to cure its breach within ten (10) days upon receipt of the notice as set out in above Clause 5.1, the non-breaching
Party shall have the right to request the breaching Party to indemnify any expenses, liabilities or losses incurred by the non-breaching Party as a
result of such breach (including but not limited to loss of interests and attorney’s fee).
5
5.3
5.4
5.5
6.
6.1
6.2
The breaching Party shall indemnify the non-breaching Party against any expenses, liabilities or losses (including but not limited to any loss on
company profit) suffered by other Parties hereto as a result of the breach of this Framework Agreement by the breaching Party’s breach of this
Framework Agreement (including but not limited to interests and attorney’s fees paid or lost due to such breach). The aggregate amount to be
paid under such indemnity shall be equal to the amount of the losses arising from such breach, and such indemnity shall include the benefits the
non-breaching Party would have obtained had this Framework Agreement been duly performed by the Parties; provided that such indemnity
shall not exceed the possible loss reasonably expected by the Parties to occur due to a breach hereof at the time of execution of this Framework
Agreement.
Party B shall be solely liable for any claim made by any third party arising from Party B’s failure to conduct its business as instructed by Party
A, its improper use of Party A’s intellectual property, or any improper technical operations by Party B. If Party B is aware of any unauthorized
use of Party A’s intellectual property by a third party, Party B shall immediately notify Party A thereof and cooperate in any act that may be
taken by Party A.
If both Parties hereto are in breach of this Framework Agreement, the amount of indemnity payable by each Party shall be determined on basis
of the severity of their respective breach.
Effectiveness, Performance and Term
This Framework Agreement shall be executed and come into effect on the day first above written.
Except for early termination by Party A or its designated subsidiaries, this Framework Agreement shall be valid for thirty (30) years
commencing from the execution date hereof. If Party A requests in writing prior to the expiration of this Framework Agreement, the Parties shall
extend the valid term hereof as per Party A’s request.
7.
Termination
7.1 Within the valid term hereof, Party B shall not terminate this Framework Agreement before its expiration. If Party B terminates this Framework
Agreement without reason, it shall indemnify Party A for all losses arising therefrom and immediately pay Party A the Service Fee for services
already completed as of such termination. Party A shall have the right to terminate this Framework Agreement at any time by 30-day prior
written notice to Party B without any liability. If Party A terminates this Framework Agreement before its expiration due to a breach of
agreement by Party B, Party B shall indemnify Party A for all losses arising therefrom and immediately pay Party A the Service Fee for services
already completed as of such termination.
7.2
7.3
This Framework Agreement may be terminated by the Parties upon mutual agreement.
Upon termination of this Framework Agreement, the rights and obligations of the Parties under Clauses 4 and 5 shall survive.
6
8.
8.1
8.2
9.
9.1
9.2
Dispute Resolution
In the case of any dispute arising between the Parties in respect of the interpretation or performance hereof, the Parties shall resolve such dispute
through friendly negotiation. If no agreement can be reached through such negotiation, either Party may submit the dispute to Shanghai
International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission for arbitration in accordance with its arbitration rules then in effect. The arbitration
shall be conducted in Shanghai and the arbitration proceeding shall be in Chinese. The arbitration award shall be final and binding on the Parties.
This Clause shall survive from any termination or rescinding of this Framework Agreement.
Except for the matters in dispute, the Parties shall continue to perform their respective obligations hereunder in good faith pursuant to terms of
this Framework Agreement.
Force Majeure
A “Force Majeure Event” means any event that is beyond the reasonable control of a Party and cannot be avoided even with the reasonable care
of the affected Party, including but not limited to any government act, acts of God, fire, explosion, storm, flood, earthquake, tide, lightning or
war; provided, however, that any insufficiency credit, capital or financing shall not be deemed as an event beyond the reasonable control of a
Party. A Party seeking to be exempted from the performance of any of its obligations hereunder by virtue of a Force Majeure Event shall as soon
as possible notify the other Party of such event and as the steps to be taken for completion of its performance.
If the performance of this Framework Agreement is delayed or hindered due to a Force Majeure Event defined above, the affected Party shall be
excused from any liability hereunder to the extent so delayed or hindered by such event. The affected Party shall take appropriate measures to
mitigate or eliminate the effects of the Force Majeure Event and make efforts to resume the performance of the obligations so delayed or
hindered. Once the Force Majeure Event ends, the Parties agree to make their best efforts to resume the performance of this Framework
Agreement.
10.
Notice
10.1 Any notices given by the Parties for exercise of their rights and performance of their obligations hereunder shall be made in writing and shall be
delivered by person or sent by registered mail, postage-prepaid mail, recognized courier service or facsimile to the following addresses of
relevant Party or Parties:
If to Party A:
Shanghai Manyin Information Technology Co., Ltd.
Domicile: Building 6, No. 20, Lane 999, Dangui Road,
China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone
7
If to Party B:
Shanghai Nianqiao Technology Co., Ltd.
Domicile: Room 202, Floor 2, Building 10, Lane 999 Dangui Road,
China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone
10.2 A notice and other correspondence shall be deemed to have been duly served:
10.2.1
on the date shown on the transmission report if sent by facsimile, or on the next business day if the facsimile arrives later than 5:00
pm or on a non-business day of the place of arrival;
10.2.2
if sent by personal delivery (including courier service), on the day when the receipt thereof has been duly signed for;
10.2.3
on the fifteenth (15th) day after the date shown on the acknowledgement of receipt if sent by a registered mail.
11.
Assignment
Without Party A and its designated subsidiaries’ prior written consent, Party B shall not transfer or assign any of its rights and interests
hereunder to any third party. Party A and its designated subsidiaries may, without Party B’s consent, transfer or assign its rights and obligations
hereunder to any of its affiliates, provided that a notice shall be sent to Party B in respect of such transfer or assignment. For purpose of this
Framework Agreement, the “affiliates” referred in the preceding sentence shall mean any third-party entity controlling, controlled by or under
common control with Party A. For purpose of this Clause, the term “control” shall mean the power of an entity to directly or indirectly decides
and/or influence the operation and management of another entity, whether by ownership of equity interests in or contractual arrangement with
such controlled entity.
12.
Severability
If any term of this Framework Agreement becomes invalid or unenforceable due to violation of any applicable laws, such term shall be invalid
or unenforceable only to the extent governed by such laws, and the validity and enforceability of other terms of this Framework Agreement shall
not be affected.
13.
Amendment and Supplement
The Parties shall amend and supplement this Framework Agreement in writing. Any amendment and supplement to this Framework Agreement
duly signed by the Parties shall form a part of this Framework Agreement and shall have the same legal effect as that hereof.
8
14.
Governing Law
The execution, validity, performance and interpretation of and resolution of dispute under this Framework Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the PRC.
15.
Counterpart
This Framework Agreement is made in Chinese and shall be executed in two (2) counterparts. Each Party shall respectively hold one
(1) counterpart hereof.
(THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)
9
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have cause their respective duly authorized representatives to sign this Framework Agreement as of the date
first above written.
Party A: Shanghai Manyin Information Technology Co., Ltd. (Seal)
/s/ GU Yafen
Legal or Authorized Representative:
/s/ Seal of Shanghai Manyin Information Technology Co., Ltd.
Party B: Shanghai Nianqiao Technology Co., Ltd. (Seal)
/s/ GU Zhouhao
Legal or Authorized Representative:
/s/ Seal of Shanghai Nianqiao Technology Co., Ltd.
10
EXCLUSIVE CALL OPTION AGREEMENT
Exhibit 4.39
THIS EXCLUSIVE CALL OPTION AGREEMENT (hereinafter referred to as the “Agreement”) is made as of the 29th day of November, 2018 in
Pudong New Area, Shanghai, the People’s Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as the “PRC”) by and among the following parties:
Party A: Shanghai Manyin Information Technology Co., Ltd.
Registered address: Building 6, No. 20, Lane 999, Dangui Road, China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone
Legal representative: GU Yafen
Party B (hereinafter referred to as the “Grantors”):
Name: GU Zhouhao
ID Card No.: ******************
Residential address: ***, Pudong District, Shanghai
Name: CHEN Xiumeng
ID Card No.: ******************
Residential address: ***, Changning District, Shanghai
Party C: Shanghai Nianqiao Technology Co., Ltd.
Registered address: Room 202, Floor 2, Building 10, Lane 999 Dangui Road, China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone
Legal representative: GU Zhouhao
(Party A, Party B and Party C are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Parties” and individually a “Party”.)
WHEREAS:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Party A is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise duly established and validly existing in the PRC;
Party C is a limited liability company duly established under the laws of the PRC;
For the benefit of Party A’s business and operation, the parties forming Party B established Party C on August 8, 2018 in accordance with the
laws of the PRC; and all constituent persons of Party B jointly own all registered capital of Party C (hereinafter referred to as the “Equity
Interests”);
For the purpose of establishing and developing Party C, the constituent persons of Party B have entered into a loan agreement with Party A
respectively in 2018 to borrow an aggregate sum of RMB 50,000,000 (Fifty Million Renminbi Yuan) from Party A for contribution of their
committed capital to Party C; and, on the execution date of this Agreement, Party A has already lent RMB50,000,000 (Fifty Million Renminbi
Yuan) in total to Party B (hereinafter referred to as the “Loan”); and
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(5)
Party A wishes to have an exclusive option to purchase the Equity Interests from one or all constituent persons of Party B, and each constituent
person of Party B (hereinafter referred to as a “Grantor” and, collectively, the “Grantors”) agrees to grant Party A with an exclusive option to
purchase the Equity Interests.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties hereby agree as follows:
1.
1.1
Grant of Option
Grant
The Grantors hereby agree to jointly and severally grant Party A with an exclusive option (the “Option”) to purchase on terms of this
Agreement all of the Equity Interests held by the Grantors in Party C at the lowest price permitted by the PRC laws at the time of such exercise
of Option. The Option shall be granted to Party A immediately upon the execution and effectiveness of this Agreement, and, once the Option is
so granted, it shall be irrevocable and unchangeable throughout the term of this Agreement (including any extension or renewal of this
Agreement as specified in Clause 1.2 below).
1.2
Term
This Agreement shall be executed and come into effect as of the date first written above. This Agreement shall be valid for thirty years (the
“Effective Term”) commencing from the effective date hereof. At the request of Party A prior to expiration of the Effective Term, the Parties
shall extend the term of this Agreement for a period so requested by Party A and execute a separate exclusive call option agreement or continue
to perform this Agreement according to Party A’s request.
2.
2.1
Exercise of Option and Closing
Time of Exercise
2.1.1
2.1.2
2.1.3
The Grantors unanimously agree that, to the extent permitted by the PRC laws, Party A may exercise the Option hereunder in whole
or in part at any time after the execution and effectiveness of this Agreement.
The Grantors unanimously agree that Party A may exercise the Option for unlimited number of times unless and until all Equity
Interests in Party C have been purchased and held by Party A or its designated third party.
The Grantors unanimously agree that Party A may designate a third party to exercise the Option hereunder on its behalf, provided
that Party A shall send a prior written notice to the Grantors in respect of such designation.
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2.2
Disposition of Exercise Price
The Grantors unanimously agree that, as at the exercise of Option by Party A, the full amount of the exercise price received by the Grantors in
connection therewith shall be given to Party A or any third party designated by it.
2.3
Transfer
The Grantors unanimously agree that the Option hereunder may be transferred in whole or in part to a third party without additional prior
approval of the Grantors. Such third party shall be deemed as a party hereto, and may exercise the Option on terms and conditions of this
Agreement, and shall have the rights and obligations of Party A hereunder.
2.4
Exercise Notice
If Party A intends to exercise the Option, it shall serve a written notice to the Grantors ten (10) business days before the Closing Date (as
defined below), and such notice shall specify the following:
2.4.1
2.4.2
2.4.3
2.4.4
2.4.5
the effective closing date of the Equity Interests after exercise of the Option (the “Closing Date”);
the name to be registered as holder of the Equity Interests after exercise of the Option;
the respective number and percentage of Equity Interests to be purchased from the Grantor or Grantors;
exercise price and method of its payment; and
power of attorney (if the Option is exercised by a third party designated by Party A on its behalf).
2.5
Transfer of Equity Interest
Upon each exercise of Option by Party A, the Grantors shall, within ten (10) business days after receipt of the exercise notice sent by Party A
as set out in Clause 2.4 hereof:
(1)
(2)
cause Party C to timely convene a shareholders’ meeting, at which a resolution shall be adopted to approve the transfer of the equity
interests by the Grantors to Party A and/or its designated third party;
execute an equity transfer agreement with Party A (or, if applicable, a third party designated by Party A) on substantially the same
terms as those of the Equity Transfer Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A;
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(3)
(4)
respectively sign a waiver to waive their respective preemptive right in respect of the Equity Interests so purchased by Party A;
execute all such contracts, agreements or documents, obtain all such governmental approvals and consents, and take all such actions,
that are necessary to (i) transfer to Party A and/or its designated third party the effective ownership of the equity interest to be
purchased by Party A free of any security interest, (ii) assure Party A and/or its designated third party become the registered owner
as registered with competent industrial and commercial authority, and (iii) deliver to Party A or its designated third party the latest
business license, articles of association, certificate of approval (if applicable) and other relevant documents which may be issued by
or filed with relevant PRC authorities and reflect any change in the shareholding structure, directors or legal representative of Party
C.
3.
3.1
Representations and Warranties
Each of the Grantors hereby represent and warrant as follows:
3.1.1
3.1.2
3.1.3
3.1.4
3.1.5
3.1.6
3.1.7
3.1.8
it has full rights and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement;
the performance of this Agreement and its obligations hereunder will not result in any violation or breach of any laws or regulations
binding on it, nor require any approval or authorization of any governmental authorities;
there is no pending or threatened litigation, arbitration or other judicial or administrative proceeding that may have material
influence on the performance of this Agreement;
all circumstances that may have material adverse effect on the performance of this Agreement have been disclosed to Party A
already;
it is not declared bankruptcy and is in good financial condition;
other than the Equity Pledge Agreement between the Grantors and Party A, it will not create any pledge, liabilities or other third-
party encumbrances on any of its equity interests in Party C, nor will it transfer, grant or otherwise dispose of any of its equity
interests in Party C to any third person other than the Parties hereto;
the Option granted to Party A hereunder shall be exclusive, and it will not grant any person other than Party A or its designated third
party with the Option or a similar right in any other manner;
during the Effective Term of this Agreement, business operations of Party C shall comply with the applicable laws, regulations,
rules and other regulatory provisions and guidance promulgated by government authorities, and there is no breach of any of the
foregoing provisions that may result in material adverse effect on the business or assets of Party C;
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3.1.9
it will follow good financial and commercial standards and practices to maintain the valid existence of Party C, diligently and
effectively carry out Party C’s business and deal with its matters, use best efforts to procure Party C to obtain and maintain such
permits, licenses and approvals as may be necessary for its business operation, and make sure that such permits, licenses and
approvals will not be canceled, withdrawn or declared invalid;
3.1.10
it will provide Party A with all materials relating to Party C’s operations and financial matters upon Party A’s request;
3.1.11
before Party A (or its designated third party) has exercised the Option and acquired the Equity Interests of Party C, except with a
written consent from Party A (or its designated third party), Party C shall not:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
sell, transfer, mortgage or otherwise dispose of any of its assets, business or revenue, or permit the creation of any other
security interest thereon (other than those arising in the ordinary or day-to-day course of business, or which have been
disclosed to Party A and obtained the prior express written consent of Party A);
enter into any transaction that will or may have material adverse effect on its assets, liabilities, operations, equities and
other lawful rights (other than those arising in the ordinary or day-to-day course of business, or which have been disclosed
to Party A and obtained the prior express written consent of Party A);
distribute any dividend or bonus to any of its shareholders in any manner;
incur, inherit, guarantee or allow the existence of any debt, except for debts which (i) are incurred in its ordinary or daily
course of business, or (ii) have been disclosed to Party A and obtained Party A’s prior express written consent;
enter into any material contract, other than those executed in the ordinary course of business (for purpose of this paragraph,
a contract with a value exceeding RMB100,000 shall be deemed as a material contract);
adopt a shareholders’ resolution to increase or decrease Party C’s registered capital, or otherwise change the structure of its
registered capital;
supplement, change or amend Party C’s articles of association in any manner; or
merge or form alliance with, or acquire or invest in, any person;
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3.1.12
before Party A (or its designated third party) has exercised the Option and acquired all Equity Interests or assets of Party C, except
with a express written consent from Party A (or its designated third party), the Grantors shall not jointly or severally:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
supplement, change or amend the articles of association of Party C in any way that may have material adverse effect on the
assets, liabilities, operations, equities and other lawful rights of Party C or may affect the effective performance of this
Agreement and such other agreements as may be entered into by and among Party A, the Grantors and Party C;
cause Party C to enter into any transaction that will or may have material adverse effect on the assets, liabilities, operations,
equities and other lawful rights of Party C (other than those arising in the ordinary or daily course of business, or which
have been disclosed to Party A and obtained the prior express written consent of Party A);
cause the shareholders’ meeting of Party C to pass a resolution for distribution of dividend or bonus;
at any time following the effective date hereof, sell, transfer, mortgage or otherwise dispose of the legal or beneficial
interests of any Equity Interest in Party C, or permit the creation of any other security interest thereon;
cause the shareholders’ meeting of Party C to approve the sale, transfer, mortgage or other disposal of the legal or
beneficial interests of any Equity Interest, or the permission of creation of any other security interest thereon;
cause the shareholders’ meeting of Party C to approve merger or consolidation with, or acquisition of or investment in any
person, or any other form of reorganization; or
(g)
voluntarily wind up, liquidate or dissolve Party C.
3.1.13
before Party A (or its designated third party) has exercised the Option and acquired all Equity Interests or assets of Party C, each of
the Grantors undertakes to:
(a)
immediately notify Party A in writing of any existing or threatened litigation, arbitration or administrative proceeding
relating to the Equity Interest or any circumstance that may have any adverse effect on such Equity Interest;
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(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
cause the shareholders’ meeting of Party C to discuss and approve the transfer of the purchased Equity Interest
contemplated hereunder, and cause Party C to amend its articles of association to reflect the transfer of Equity Interest from
the Grantors to Party A and/or its designated third party and other changes contemplated hereunder, and immediately apply
to competent PRC authorities for approval (if required by the PRC laws) and handling of the change registration, and to
cause Party C to pass a shareholders’ resolution to approve the appointment of persons nominated by Party A and/or its
designated third party as directors and legal representative of Party C;
execute all such documents, take all such actions, and make all such claims or defenses as may be necessary or appropriate
to maintain the Grantors’ legal and valid ownership of the relevant Equity Interests;
upon the request of Party A at any time, unconditionally transfer the Equity Interests owned by it to the third party
designated by Party A; and
strictly comply with the terms of this Agreement and other agreements executed by the Grantors jointly or severally with
Party A, diligently perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder, and refrain from making any act or omission that
suffices to affect the validity and enforceability of such agreements.
3.1.14
the Grantors shall be jointly or severally liable for performance of their respective obligations hereunde.
3.2
Undertakings
The Grantors undertakes to Party A that they will bear all costs and expenses arising from the transfer of Equity Interests, and handle all
procedures which may be necessary to enable Party A or its designated third party to become a shareholder of Party C, including but not
limited to assisting Party A in obtaining necessary approvals from relevant governmental authority for the transfer of Equity Interests, and
submitting all relevant necessary documents to the competent administration for industry and commerce.
3.3
Each of the Grantors hereby represents and warrants to Party A on and as of the execution date of this Agreement and each Closing Date that:
(1)
it has the power, right and capacity to execute and deliver this Agreement and any equity transfer agreement executed in respect of
each transfer of the purchased Equity Interest contemplated hereunder to which it is a party (“Equity Transfer Agreement”), and
perform its obligations under this Agreement and any such Equity Transfer Agreement;
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(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
neither the execution or delivery of this Agreement or any Equity Transfer Agreement, nor the performance of its obligations
hereunder or thereunder, will (i) result in a violation of any applicable laws or regulations of the PRC; (ii) be in conflict with the
articles of association or other constitutional documents of such Grantor; (iii) result in a breach of any contract or instruments to
which it is a party or by which it is bound, or constitute a default thereunder; (iv) result in a breach of any terms or conditions of any
permit or approval issued to it by relevant authority and/or its constant effectiveness; or (v) cause any of the permits or approvals
issued to it by relevant authority to be suspended, cancelled or imposed with additional conditions;
it has good and marketable ownership of all of its Equity Interests in Party C and has not created any security interest thereon;
Party C has no outstanding debt, except for those (i) incurred in its ordinary business course, and (ii) disclosed to and obtained prior
express written consent from Party A;
Party C complies with all applicable laws and regulations in respect of equity interests and asset purchase; and
currently, there is no ongoing, pending or threatened litigations, arbitrations or administrative proceedings in connection with the
Equity Interests, Party C or assets of Party C.
4.
Special Covenants
The Grantors undertake that, irrespective of any change that may occur to the ratio of equity interests held by the Grantors in Party C, the terms
of this Agreement shall remain binding upon the Grantors and apply to all equity interests held by them in Party C at that time.
5.
Taxes
Each Party shall bear their own taxes that may arise out of the performance of this Agreement.
6.
6.1
Liabilities for Breach of Agreement
If Party B or Party C breaches this Agreement or any of its representations or warranties made by it hereunder, Party A may by written notice
request the defaulting Party to cure such breach, take corresponding measures to prevent the occurrence of any damages and to continue the
performance of this Agreement within ten (10) days upon its receipt of such notice. In the case of any damage, the defaulting Party shall
indemnify Party A to enable Party A to obtain all benefits that it would have received had the Agreement been duly performed.
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6.2
7.
7.1
If Party B or Party C fails to cure its breach within ten (10) days upon receipt of the notice as set out in Clause 6.1 above, Party A shall be
entitled to request the defaulting Party to indemnify any costs, expenses, liabilities or losses (including but not limited to loss of interests and
attorney fee) suffered by Party A as a result of the breach committed by the defaulting Party.
Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
Governing Law
This Agreement (including but not limited the execution, performance, validity and interpretation of this Agreement) shall be governed by the
laws of the PRC.
7.2
Friendly Negotiation
Any dispute arising out of or in connection with the interpretation or performance of this Agreement shall be resolved by the Parties through
friendly negotiation, or a mediation conducted via a neutral third party. If the dispute cannot be resolved through such method, it shall, within
thirty (30) days from commencement of the foresaid discussion, be submitted to an arbitration commission for settlement through arbitration.
7.3
Arbitration
Any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be submitted to Shanghai International Economic and Trade Arbitration
Commission for arbitration in accordance with its arbitration rules then in force. The arbitration shall take place in Shanghai. The arbitration
award shall be final and binding upon the Parties.
8.
8.1
Confidentiality
Confidential Information
No Party shall disclose any information in relation to the other Party or Parties which it receives in performance of this Agreement to any third
party, unless a prior written consent has been obtained from all the Parties hereto. This Clause 8.1 shall survive the termination of this
Agreement.
8.2
Exception
No disclosure of confidential information made as required by law, court judgments, arbitration awards and decisions of governmental
authorities shall be deemed as a breach of the above Clause 8.1.
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9.
9.1
Other Provisions
Entire Agreement
The Parties hereby acknowledge that this Agreement is a fair and reasonable agreement entered into by and among them on basis of equality
and mutual benefit. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the Parties with respect to the subject matters hereof. If there is
any discrepancy between this Agreement and any and all prior discussions, negotiations or agreements, this Agreement shall prevail. This
Agreement shall be amended by the Parties in writing. The exhibit hereto forms an integral part of this Agreement and shall have the same
effect as that of this Agreement.
9.2
Notice
9.2.1
Any and all notices given by the Parties in connection with exercise of their respective rights and performance of their respective
obligations hereunder shall be made in writing, and shall be delivered by hand or sent by registered mail, postage prepaid mail,
generally accepted courier service or facsimile to the following addresses of the relevant Party or Parties:
If to Party A:
Shanghai Manyin Information Technology Co., Ltd.
Address: Building 6, No. 20,
Lane 999, Dangui Road,
China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone
If to Party B:
GU Zhouhao
Address: ***, Pudong District, Shanghai
CHEN Xiumeng
Address: ***, Changning District, Shanghai
If to Party C:
Shanghai Nianqiao Technology Co., Ltd.
Address: Room 202, Floor 2, Building 10, Lane 999 Dangui Road,
China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone
9.2.2
A notice and other correspondence shall be deemed to have been duly served:
(a)
(b)
(c)
on the date shown on the transmission report if sent by facsimile, or on the next business day if the facsimile arrives later
than 5:00 pm or on a non-business day of the place of arrival;
if sent by personal delivery (including courier service), on the day when the receipt thereof has been duly signed for;
on the fifteenth (15th) day after the date shown on the acknowledgement of receipt if sent by a registered mail.
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9.2.3
Binding Effect
This Agreement shall be binding on all the Parties.
9.3
Language
This Agreement is executed in four (4) counterparts, and Party A, Party B and Party C shall respectively hold one counterpart, two counterparts
and one counterpart of this Agreement. This Agreement is made in Chinese.
9.4
Day and Business day
A “day” mentioned herein shall mean a calendar day, and a “business day” used herein shall mean any day from Monday to Friday.
9.5
Headings
Headings contained in this Agreement are for the purpose of easy-reading only, and shall not be used to interpret this Agreement.
9.6
Miscellaneous
The Grantors shall be jointly and severally liable for their respective obligations, undertakings and responsibilities to Party A hereunder. As for
Party A, a breach by any of the Grantors shall automatically constitute a breach on the part of the Grantors.
9.7
Uncovered Matters
Anything not covered by this Agreement shall be resolved by the Parties through amicable consultations in accordance with the PRC laws.
(THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE HAS BEEN INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have cause their respective duly authorized representatives to sign this Agreement as of the date first above
written.
Party A: Shanghai Manyin Information Technology Co., Ltd. (Seal)
/s/ GU Yafen
Legal or Authorized Representative
/s/ Seal of Shanghai Manyin Information Technology Co., Ltd.
Party B:
/s/ GU Zhouhao
/s/ CHEN Xiumeng
Party C: Shanghai Nianqiao Technology Co., Ltd. (Seal)
/s/ GU Zhouhao
Legal or Authorized Representative
/s/ Seal of Shanghai Nianqiao Technology Co., Ltd.
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Principal Subsidiaries, Consolidated Affiliated Entities and Subsidiaries of Consolidated Affiliated Entities
Exhibit 8.1
Principal Subsidiaries:
PPDAI (HK) LIMITED, a Hong Kong company
Bluebottle Limited, a Hong Kong company
Beijing Prosper Investment Consulting Co., Ltd., a PRC company
Shanghai Guangjian Information Technology Co., Ltd., a PRC company
Shanghai Shanghu Information Technology Co., Ltd., a PRC company
Shanghai Manyin Information Technology Co., Ltd., a PRC company
Consolidated Affiliated Entities:
Beijing Paipairongxin Investment Consulting Co., Ltd., a PRC company
Shanghai Zihe Information Technology Co., Ltd., a PRC company
Shanghai Ledao Technology Co., Ltd., a PRC company
Shanghai Nianqiao Technology Co., Ltd., a PRC company
Subsidiaries of Consolidated Affiliated Entities:
Shanghai PPDai Financial Information Services Co., Ltd., a PRC company
Wuxi PPDai Financial Information Service Co., Ltd., a PRC company
Shanghai Paifenle Internet Technology Co., Ltd., a PRC company
Hefei PPDai Information Technology Co., Ltd., a PRC company
Exhibit 12.1
Certification by the Principal Executive Officer
Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
I, Jun Zhang, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of PPDAI Group Inc.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make
the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this
report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects
the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The company’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined
in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and
15d-15(f)) for the company and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our
supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within
those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under
our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external
purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered
by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the company’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The company’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting,
to the company’s auditors and the audit committee of the company’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are
reasonably likely to adversely affect the company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the company’s
internal control over financial reporting.
Date: April 25, 2019
By: /s/ Jun Zhang
Name: Jun Zhang
Title: Co-Chief Executive Officer
Exhibit 12.2
Certification by the Principal Executive Officer
Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
I, Feng Zhang, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of PPDAI Group Inc.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make
the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this
report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects
the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The company’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined
in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and
15d-15(f)) for the company and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our
supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within
those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under
our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external
purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered
by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the company’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The company’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting,
to the company’s auditors and the audit committee of the company’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are
reasonably likely to adversely affect the company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the company’s
internal control over financial reporting.
Date: April 25, 2019
By: /s/ Feng Zhang
Name: Feng Zhang
Title: Co-Chief Executive Officer
Exhibit 12.3
Certification by the Principal Financial Officer
Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
I, Simon Tak Leung Ho, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of PPDAI Group Inc.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make
the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this
report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects
the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The company’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined
in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and
15d-15(f)) for the company and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our
supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within
those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under
our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external
purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered
by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the company’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The company’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting,
to the company’s auditors and the audit committee of the company’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are
reasonably likely to adversely affect the company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the company’s
internal control over financial reporting.
Date: April 25, 2019
By: /s/ Simon Tak Leung Ho
Name: Simon Tak Leung Ho
Title: Chief Financial Officer
Certification by the Principal Executive Officer
Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Exhibit 13.1
In connection with the annual report of PPDAI Group Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2018 as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Jun Zhang, a Co-Chief Executive Officer of the Company, hereby certify,
pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:
(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the
Company.
Date: April 25, 2019
By: /s/ Jun Zhang
Name: Jun Zhang
Title: Co-Chief Executive Officer
Certification by the Principal Executive Officer
Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Exhibit 13.2
In connection with the annual report of PPDAI Group Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2018 as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Feng Zhang, a Co-Chief Executive Officer of the Company, hereby certify,
pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:
(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the
Company.
Date: April 25, 2019
By: /s/ Feng Zhang
Name: Feng Zhang
Title: Co-Chief Executive Officer
Certification by the Principal Financial Officer
Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Exhibit 13.3
In connection with the annual report of PPDAI Group Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2018 as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Simon Tak Leung Ho, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, hereby
certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:
(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the
Company.
Date: April 25, 2019
By: /s/ Simon Tak Leung Ho
Name: Simon Tak Leung Ho
Title: Chief Financial Officer
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-224011) of PPDAI Group Inc. of our
report dated April 25, 2019 relating to the financial statements, which appears in this Form 20-F.
Exhibit 15.1
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian LLP
PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian LLP
Shanghai, The People’s Republic of China
April 25, 2019
Exhibit 15.2
April 25, 2019
PPDAI Group Inc.
Building G1, No. 999 Dangui Road
Pudong New District
Shanghai 201203
People’s Republic of China
Dear Sir or Madam,
Re: The Annual Report of PPDAI Group Inc.
We hereby consent to the use of our name under the Sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Organizational Structure” included in the Annual Report on
Form 20-F (“the Annual Report”), originally filed by PPDAI Group Inc. on April 25, 2019, with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and further consent to the incorporation by reference of the summaries of our opinions under these headings into
PPDAI Group Inc.’s registration statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-224011) that was filed on March 29, 2018. We also consent to the filing of this
consent as an exhibit to the Annual Report. In giving this consent, we do not hereby admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is
required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the regulations promulgated thereunder.
Sincerely yours,
/s/ Grandall Law Firm (Shanghai)
Grandall Law Firm (Shanghai)