Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 20-F

(Mark One)

REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR 12(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, 20212023.

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: 001-38752

360 DigiTech,Qifu Technology, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

N/A

(Translation of Registrant’s Name Into English)

Cayman Islands

(Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)

7/F Lujiazui Finance Plaza

No. 1217 Dongfang Road

Pudong New Area, Shanghai 200122

People’s Republic of China

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

Alex Xu, Chief Financial Officer

7/F Lujiazui Finance Plaza

No. 1217 Dongfang Road

Pudong New Area, Shanghai 200122

People’s Republic of China

Phone: +86 1021 5244 76555835-7668

Email: alex_xu@360shuke.comir@360shuke.com

(Name, Telephone, Email 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

    

Trading Symbol (s)

    

Name of each exchange on which registered

American depositary shares, each
representing two Class A ordinary shares, par value US$0.00001 per share

QFIN

The Nasdaq Global Select Market

Class A ordinary shares, par value
US$0.00001 per share*share

3660

The Nasdaq Global Select Market*Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited

*Not for trading, but only in connection with the listing on the Nasdaq Global Select Market of American depositary shares.

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

(Title of Class)

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:

Table of Contents

None

(Title of Class)

Table of Contents

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report:

As of December 31, 2021,2023, there were 310,486,975315,226,128 class A ordinary shares issued and outstanding, par value US$0.00001 per share, being the sum of 270,666,389 class A ordinary shares (excluding 4,946,043 class A ordinary shares issued to the depositary bank and reserved for future exercise or vesting of share incentive awards) and 39,820,586 class B ordinary shares.share.

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

Yes  YesNo  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  YesNo  No

Note — Checking the box above will not relieve any registrant required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 from their obligations under those Sections.

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  YesNo  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  YesNo  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.

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 whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.

 Yes

If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements.

 No

Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b).

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  YesNo  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

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

INTRODUCTION

1

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

3

PART II..

4

ITEM 1 IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS

4

ITEM 2 OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

4

ITEM 3 KEY INFORMATION

4

ITEM 4 INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY

7176

ITEM 4A UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

103121

ITEM 5 OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS

103121

ITEM 6 DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES

125142

ITEM 7 MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

137153

ITEM 8 FINANCIAL INFORMATION

140156

ITEM 9 THE OFFER AND LISTING

141157

ITEM 10 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

142158

ITEM 11 QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

153172

ITEM 12 DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES

154172

PART IIII..

157177

ITEM 13 DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES

157177

ITEM 14 MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS

157177

ITEM 15 CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

157177

ITEM 16 [RESERVED]

178

ITEM 16A AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

158178

ITEM 16B CODE OF ETHICS

158178

ITEM 16C PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

159178

ITEM 16D EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES

159178

ITEM 16E PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS

159179

ITEM 16F CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT

159179

ITEM 16G CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

160180

ITEM 16H MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE

160180

ITEM 16I DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS

160180

ITEM 16J INSIDER TRADING POLICIES

180

ITEM 16K CYBERSECURITY

180

PART IIIIII..

161182

ITEM 17 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

161182

ITEM 18 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

161182

ITEM 19 EXHIBITS

161182

SIGNATURES

163184

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

Unless otherwise indicated and except where the context otherwise requires, references in this annual report to:

360 DigiTech,Qifu Technology,” “we,” “us,” “our” and “our company” and “our” are to 360 DigiTech,Qifu Technology, Inc. and its subsidiaries, and, in the context of describing our operations and consolidated financial information, ourthe VIEs in China and their respective subsidiaries;
“360 Group” are to 360 Security Technology Inc. and its controlled affiliates and predecessors;
“ADSs” are to our American depositary shares, each of which represents two of our class A ordinary shares;
“Shanghai Qibutianxia” are to Shanghai Qibutianxia Information Technology Co., Ltd., which was formerly known as Beijing Qibutianxia Technology Co., Ltd.;
“China” or the “PRC”“the PRC” are to the People’s Republic of China. Unless otherwise indicated, the policies, laws, regulations and interpretations adopted by the government of mainland China, excluding, for the purposes ofwhich are specifically referenced in this annual report, only,are not applicable to Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan. To the extent that mainland China laws and Taiwan;regulations are applied in Hong Kong, the legal and operational risks associated with operating in mainland China may also apply to our operations in Hong Kong;
“class A ordinary shares” are to our class A ordinary shares, par value US$0.00001 per share;
“class B ordinary shares” are to our class B ordinary shares, par value US$0.00001 per share;
“inception” are to the date of our inception, July 25, 2016;
“Fuzhou Financing Guarantee” are to Fuzhou 360 Financing Guarantee Co., Ltd.;
“Fuzhou Microcredit” are to Fuzhou 360 Online Microcredit Co., Ltd.;
ordinaryHK$” or “Hong Kong dollars” are to the legal currency of Hong Kong;
“shares,” or “ordinary shares” or “Ordinary Shares” are to our class A ordinary shares, and in the context of describing our share capital before March 31, 2023, also include our class B ordinary shares, par value US$0.00001 per share;share, as the context requires and as applicable;
“our VIEs” are to Shanghai Qiyu, Fuzhou Financing Guarantee and Shanghai Financing Guarantee;
“our WFOE” are to Shanghai Qiyue Information Technology Co., Ltd.;
“360 Group” are to 360 Security Technology Inc. and its controlled affiliates;
“RMB” andor “Renminbi” are to Renminbi, the legal currency of China;the PRC;
“Shanghai Financing Guarantee” are to Shanghai 360 Financing Guarantee Co., Ltd. (now known as Shanghai Qiyaoxin Technology Co., Ltd.);
“Shanghai Qibutianxia” are to Shanghai Qibutianxia Information Technology Co., Ltd. (formerly known as Beijing Qibutianxia Technology Co., Ltd.);
“Shanghai Qiyu” are to Shanghai Qiyu Information & Technology Co., Ltd.;
“US$” or “U.S. dollars” are to United States dollars, the lawful currency of the United States;
“U.S. GAAP” are to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States;
“variable interest entities,” “VIE” or “VIEs” are to Shanghai Qiyu, Fuzhou Financing Guarantee and Shanghai Financing Guarantee; and
US$,” “U.S. dollars,” “$” and “dollars”WFOE” or “Shanghai Qiyue” are to the legal currency of the United States.Shanghai Qiyue Information & Technology Co., Ltd.

1

Table of Contents

Unless otherwise stated, all translations from RMB to U.S. dollars and from U.S. dollars to RMB in this annual report were made at a rate of RMB7.0999 to US$1.00, the exchange rate on December 29, 2023 set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board.

In addition, unless the context indicates otherwise, for the discussion of our business references in this annual report to:

180 day+ vintage delinquency rate by vintage”rate” are to a percentage that is equal to (i) the total amount of principal for all loans we facilitated in a vintagefiscal quarter that become delinquent for more than 180 days, less (ii) the total amount of recovered past due principal for all loans we facilitated that were delinquent for more than 180 days in the same vintage, andfiscal quarter, divided by (iii)(ii) the total initial principal amount of loans we facilitated in such vintage;
“capital-light loans” are to loans facilitated under our capital-light loan facilitation model, for which we take no or limited credit risk;
“capital-heavy loans” are to loans originated or facilitated under credit-driven services, including off-balance-sheet capital heavy loans and on-balance-sheet loans, for which we take substantially all credit risk;

1

Table of Contents

“Credit-Tech” are to credit technology, which refers to advanced or innovative technologies, business models or operational solutions that empower and enhance credit services, such as loan facilitation services, by improving efficiency and quality.
“delinquent loan collection rate” are to a percentage, which is equal to the difference obtained by using one minus a fraction, the numerator of which is the ending balance of M2 loans of the given month and the denominator of which is the beginning balance of M1 loans of such month. M0, M1 and M2 loans here are defined as loans that are not delinquent, delinquent for one month and delinquent for two months, respectively;
“loan facilitation volume” or “loan origination volume” is to the total principal amount of loans facilitated or originated through our platform during the given period;
“90 day+ delinquency rate” is to the outstanding principal balance of on- and off-balance sheet loans that are 91 to 180 calendar days past due as a percentage of the total outstanding principal balance of on- and off-balance sheet loans across our platform as of a specific date. Loans that are charged-off andfiscal quarter; loans under “ICE”Intelligent Credit Engine and other technology solutions are not included in the delinquency rate calculation;
“30 day collection rate” are to a percentage that is equal to (i) the amount of principal that is repaid in one month among the total amount of principal that is overdue as of a specified date, divided by (ii) the total amount of principal that is overdue as of such specified date;
“90 day+ delinquency rate” are to a percentage that is equal to (i) the outstanding loan balance of on- and off-balance sheet loans we facilitated that are 91 to 180 calendar days past due, divided by (ii) the total outstanding loan balance of on- and off-balance sheet loans we facilitated across our platform as of a specific date; loans that are charged-off and loans under Intelligent Credit Engine and other technology solutions are not included in the delinquency rate calculation;
“capital-light model” are to a comprehensive suite of technology-enabled loan facilitation services spanning the loan lifecycle, from borrower acquisition, technology empowerment in credit assessment to post-facilitation services, under which we do not take any credit risk;
“capital-heavy loans” are to loans under which we bear credit risks;
“Credit-Tech” are to credit technology services, which refer to services using technology solutions to empower and enhance credit services;
“loan facilitation volume” are to the total principal amount of loans facilitated or originated by, as the context mandates, a Credit-Tech platform, a traditional financial institution or other market players in the credit industry; in the context of the volume of loans we facilitated or originated, the total principal amount of loans we facilitated or originated during the given period, including loan volume facilitated through Intelligence Credit Engine (ICE) and other technology solutions;
“outstanding loan balance” are to the total amount of principal outstanding for loans facilitated or originated through ourby a Credit-Tech platform, as the context mandates, a traditional financial institution or other market players in the credit industry at the end of each period; in the context of the outstanding balance of loans we facilitated or originated, the total amount of principal outstanding for loans we facilitated or originated at the end of each period, including loan balance for ICE and other technology solutions excluding loans delinquent for more than 180 days unless the content specifically provides otherwise;days;
“repeat borrower contribution” or “loan origination contributed by repeat borrowers” for a given period are to (i)a percentage, the numerator of which is the principal amount of loans borrowed during that period by borrowers who had historically made at least one successful drawdown, divided by (ii)and the denominator of which is the total loan facilitation volume through our platform during that period;
“SME” are to small- and micro-enterprises and owners of small- and micro-enterprises; and
“users with approved credit lines” are to the total number of users who hadhave submitted their credit applications and wereare approved with a credit line at the end of each period.

2

Table of Contents

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This annual report contains forward-looking statements that relate to our current expectations and views of future events. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. 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 goals and strategies;
our future business development, financial conditions and results of operations;
the expected growth of the Credit-Tech industry in China;
our expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of our Credit-Tech products;
our expectations regarding keeping and strengthening our relationships with borrowers, financial institution partners, data partners and other parties we collaborate with;
competition in our industry; and
relevant government policies and regulations relating to our industry.

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

You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. 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.

3

Table of Contents

PART I.

ITEM 1 IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS

Not applicable.

ITEM 2 OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

Not applicable.

ITEM 3 KEY INFORMATION

Our Holding Company Structure and Contractual Arrangements with our Consolidated Affiliated Entitiesthe VIEs and VIEs’ subsidiaries

360 DigiTech,Qifu Technology, Inc. is not a Chinese operating company but rather a Cayman Islands holding company that does not conduct business directly and has no equity ownership in its consolidated affiliated entities.the VIEs and VIEs’ subsidiaries. We conduct our operations in China through (i) our PRC subsidiaries and (ii) ourthe VIEs with which we have maintained contractual arrangements. PRC laws and regulations restrict and impose conditions on foreign investment in internet-based businesses, such as the distribution of online information. For example, foreign investors are generally not allowed to own more than 50% of the equity interests in a value-added telecommunications service provider in accordance with the Special Management Measures for the Access of Foreign Investment (Negative List) and other applicable laws and regulations. We are a Cayman Islands company and our PRC subsidiaries are considered foreign-invested enterprises. Accordingly, we operate certain of our businesses in China through ourthe VIEs, and rely on contractual arrangements among our PRC subsidiaries, ourthe VIEs and the nominee shareholders of ourthe VIEs to control the business operations of ourthe VIEs. Revenues contributed by ourthe VIEs accounted for 93%92%, 97%92% and 92%94% of our total net revenue for the years of 2019, 20202021, 2022 and 2021,2023, respectively. As used in this annual report, “we,” “us,” “our company,” “our,”“our” or “360 DigiTech,“Qifu Technology,” refers to 360 DigiTech,Qifu Technology, Inc., its subsidiaries, and, in the context of describing our operations and consolidated financial information, ourthe VIEs and their subsidiaries in China, including, but not limited to Shanghai Qiyu, Fuzhou Financing Guarantee, and Shanghai Financing Guarantee.Guarantee and Fuzhou Microcredit. Investors in our ADSs are not purchasing equity interest in ourthe VIEs in China but instead are purchasing equity interest in a holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands.

A series of contractual agreements, including (i) powers of attorney,voting proxy agreements, equity interest pledge agreements and loan agreements, which provide us with effective control over ourthe VIEs in China, (ii) exclusive consultation and servicebusiness cooperation agreements, which allow us to receive economic benefits from ourthe VIEs in China, and (iii) exclusive option agreements, which provide us with the option to purchase the equity interests in, and assets of, our VIEs.the VIEs (collectively, “contractual arrangements”). Terms contained in each set of contractual arrangements with ourthe VIEs and their respective shareholders are substantially similar. For more details of these contractual arrangements, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—C. Organizational Structure—Contractual Arrangements with ourthe VIEs and Their Shareholder.Shareholders.

However, the contractual arrangements may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing us with control over ourthe VIEs and we may incur substantial costs to enforce the terms of the arrangements. All of these contractual arrangements are governed by and interpreted in accordance with PRC law, and disputes arising from these contractual arrangements between us and ourthe VIEs will be resolved through arbitration in China. Accordingly, these contracts would be interpreted in accordance with PRC law and any disputes arising from these contracts would be resolved in accordance with PRC legal procedures. These arrangements have not been tested in arbitral tribunals or courts. The legal system in the PRC is not as developed as indifferent from the legal system of some other jurisdictions, such as the United States, and the uncertainties involved in it could limit our ability to enforce these contractual arrangements. Further, there are very few precedents and little formal guidance as to how contractual arrangements in the context of a VIE should be interpreted or enforced under PRC law. There remain significant uncertainties regarding the ultimate outcome of such arbitration should legal action become necessary. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure—We may rely on contractual arrangements with ourthe VIEs and the shareholders of ourthe VIEs for all of our business operations, which may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing operational control” and “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure—Any failure by ourthe VIEs or the shareholders of ourthe VIEs to perform their obligations under our contractual arrangements with them would have a material adverse effect on our business.”

4

Table of Contents

There are also substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current and future PRC laws, regulations and rules regarding the status of the rights of our Cayman Islands holding company with respect to its contractual arrangements with ourthe VIEs and its nominee shareholders. It is uncertain whether any new PRC laws or regulations relating to variable interest entity structures will be adopted or if adopted, what they would provide. If we or any of ourthe VIEs is found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws or regulations, or fail to obtain or maintain any of the required permits or approvals, the relevant PRC regulatory authorities would have broad discretion to take action in dealing with such violations or failures. If the PRC government deems that our contractual arrangements with ourthe VIEs do not comply with PRC regulatory restrictions on foreign investment in the relevant industries, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change or are interpreted differently in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations. Our holding company, our PRC subsidiaries and VIEs, and investors of our company face uncertainty about potential future actions by the PRC government that could affect the enforceability of the contractual arrangements with ourthe VIEs and, consequently, significantly affect the financial performance of our consolidated affiliated entitiesthe VIEs and VIEs’ subsidiaries and our company as a whole. For a detailed description of the risks associated with our corporate structure, please refer to risks disclosed under “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure.”

We face various risks and uncertainties related to doing business in China. Our business operations are primarily conducted in China, and we are subject to complex and evolving PRC laws and regulations. For example, we face risks associated with regulatory approvals on offshore offerings, anti-monopoly regulatory actions, and oversight on cybersecurity and data privacy, as well as the lack of inspection by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, or the PCAOB, on our auditors, which may impact our ability to conduct certain businesses, accept foreign investments, or list on a United States or other foreign exchange. These risks could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of our ADSs, significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to continue to offer securities to investors, or cause the value of such securities to significantly decline. On December 16, 2021, the PCAOB issued a reportPursuant to notify the SEC of its determination that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong. The PCAOB identified our auditor as one of the registered public accounting firms that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely. Under the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, or the HFCAA, if the SEC determines that we have filed audit reports issued by a registered public accounting firm that has not been subject to inspectioninspections by the PCAOB for threetwo consecutive years, beginning in 2021, the SEC shallwill prohibit our shares or the ADSs from being traded on a national securities exchange or in the over the counterover-the-counter trading market in the U.S. In addition, on June 22,United States. On December 16, 2021, the U.S. Senate passedPCAOB issued a bill which would reducereport to notify the numberSEC of consecutive non-inspection years required for triggeringits determination that the prohibitionsPCAOB was unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong, including our auditor. In May 2022, the SEC conclusively listed us as a Commission-Identified Issuer under the HFCAA from three years to two.following the filing of this annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. On February 4,December 15, 2022, the U.S. HousePCAOB issued a report that vacated its December 16, 2021 determination and removed mainland China and Hong Kong from the list of Representatives passedjurisdictions where it is unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms. For this reason, we were not identified as a bill which contained, among other things, an identical provision. If this provision is enacted into law, the number of consecutive non-inspection years required for triggering the prohibitionsCommission-Identified Issuer under the HFCAA after we filed our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 and do not expect to be identified so after we file this annual report on Form 20-F. Each year, the PCAOB will determine whether it can inspect and investigate completely audit firms in mainland China and Hong Kong, among other jurisdictions. If PCAOB determines in the future that it no longer has full access to inspect and investigate completely accounting firms in mainland China and Hong Kong and we continue to use an accounting firm headquartered in one of these jurisdictions to issue an audit report on our financial statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, we would be reducedidentified as a Commission-Identified Issuer following the filing of the annual report on Form 20-F for the relevant fiscal year. There can be no assurance that we would not be identified as a Commission-Identified Issuer for any future fiscal year, and if we were so identified for two consecutive years, we would become subject to the prohibition on trading under the HFCAA. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—The PCAOB had historically been unable to inspect our auditor in relation to their audit work performed for our financial statements and the inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections of our auditor in the past has deprived our investors with the benefits of such inspections” and “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Our ADSs may be prohibited from three yearstrading in the United States under the HFCAA in the future if the PCAOB is unable to two.inspect or investigate completely auditors located in China. The delisting of ourthe ADSs, or the threat of their being delisted, may materially and adversely affect the value of your investment. These risks could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of our ADSs, significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to continue to offer securities to investors, or cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or become worthless. For a detailed description of risks related to doing business in China, “Item 3.D. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China.

PRC government’s significant authority in regulating our operations and its oversight and control over offerings conducted offshore by, and foreign investment in, China-based issuers could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors. Implementation of industry-wide regulations in this nature may cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or become worthless. For more details, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—The PRC government’s significant oversight and discretion over our business operation and any failure to comply with PRC laws and regulations could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of ourthe ADSs.”

Risks and uncertainties arising from the legal system in China, including risks and uncertainties regarding the enforcement of laws and quickly evolving rules and regulations in China, could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of our ADSs. For more details, see “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.”

5

Table of Contents

Permissions Required from the PRC Government Authorities for Our Operations

We conduct our business primarily through our subsidiaries, ourthe VIEs and their subsidiaries in China. Our operations in China are governed by PRC laws and regulations. As of the date of this annual report, our PRC subsidiaries, ourthe VIEs or their subsidiaries have obtained the requisite licenses and permits from the PRC government authorities that are material for the business operations of our holding company, our PRC subsidiaries and ourthe VIEs in China, including, among others, financing guarantee business license owned by Fuzhou Financing Guarantee, and Shanghai Financing Guarantee, value-added telecommunications license owned by Shanghai Qiyu, and the incorporation approval of and the value-added telecommunications license owned by Fuzhou Microcredit. Given the uncertainties of interpretation and implementation of relevantthe laws and regulations and the enforcement practice by relevant government authorities, we may be required to obtain additional licenses, permits, filings or approvals for the functions and services of our platform in the future. For more detailed information, see “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.”

Furthermore, we and ourthe VIEs maywill be required to obtain permissions from or complete the filing procedures with the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or the CSRC, and may be required to go through cybersecurity review by the Cyberspace Administration of China, or the CAC, in case of any future issuance of securities to foreign investors. Any failure to obtain or delay in obtaining such approval or completing such procedures would subject us to sanctions by the CSRC, CAC or other PRC regulatory authorities. These regulatory authorities may impose fines and penalties on our operations in China, limit our ability to pay dividends outside of China, limit our operating privileges in China, delay or restrict the repatriation of the proceeds from our offshore offerings into China or take other actions that could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects, as well as the trading price of our ADSs. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—The PRC government’s significant oversight and discretion over our business operation and any failure to comply with PRC laws and regulations could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of our ADSs,”the ADSs” and “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—The approval of and filing with the CSRC or other PRC government authorities maywill be required if we conduct offshore offerings in the future, and if required, we cannot predict whether or for how long we will be able to obtain such approval or complete such filing.”

Cash and Asset Flows through Our Organization

360 DigiTech,Qifu Technology, Inc. is a holding company with no material operations of its own. We conduct our operations in China primarily through our subsidiaries and VIEs in China. As a result, although other means are available for us to obtain financing at the holding company level, 360 DigiTech,Qifu Technology, Inc.’s ability to pay dividends to the shareholders and to service any debt it may incur may depend upon dividends paid by our PRC subsidiaries and service fees paid by ourthe VIEs.

If any of our subsidiaries incurs debt on its own behalf in the future, the instruments governing such debt may restrict its ability to pay dividends to 360 DigiTech,Qifu Technology, Inc. In addition, our PRC subsidiaries are permitted to pay dividends to 360 DigiTech,Qifu Technology, Inc. only out of their retained earnings, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. Further, our PRC subsidiaries and consolidated variable interest entitiesthe VIEs are required to make appropriations to certain statutory reserve funds or may make appropriations to certain discretionary funds, which are not distributable as cash dividends except in the event of a solvent liquidation of the companies. For more details, see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—B. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Holding Company Structure.” For risks relating to the fund flows of our operations in China, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—We may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our PRC subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have, and any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to make payments to us could have a material adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business.”

6

Table of Contents

Under PRC laws and regulations, our PRC subsidiaries and consolidated variable interest entitiesthe VIEs are subject to certain restrictions with respect to paying dividends or otherwise transferring any of their net assets to us. Remittance of dividends by a wholly foreign-owned enterprise out of China is also subject to examination by the banks designated by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or the SAFE, and payment of withholding tax. As a result of these PRC laws and regulations, amounts restricted include paid-in capital, capital reserve and statutory reserves of our PRC subsidiaries and the PRC entities of our company’s which is RMB2,615.9VIEs totaled RMB8,283.6 million, RMB2,740.4RMB14,436.1 million and RMB8,283.6RMB16,233.7 million (US$1,299.92,286.5 million) as of December 31, 2019, 20202021, 2022 and 2021,2023, respectively.

6

Table of Contents

Our PRC subsidiaries, ourthe VIEs and their subsidiaries generate their revenue primarily in Renminbi, which is not freely convertible into other currencies. As a result, any restriction on currency exchange may limit the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to us. In addition, under the Enterprise Income Tax Law of the PRC or the EIT Law, and its implementation rules, profits of a FIEforeign investment enterprise generated in or after 2008 that are distributed to its immediate holding company outside Mainlandmainland China are subject to withholding tax at a rate of 10%, unless the foreign holding company’s jurisdiction of incorporation has a tax treaty with China that provides for a reduced rate of withholding tax. For example, a holding company in Hong Kong, subject to approval of the PRC local tax authority, will be eligible to a 5% withholding tax rate 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 if such holding company is considered to be a non-PRC resident enterprise and holds at least 25% of the equity interests in the PRC FIEforeign investment enterprise distributing the dividends. However, if the Hong Kong holding company is not considered to be the beneficial owner of such dividends under applicable PRC tax regulations, such dividend will remain subject to withholding tax at a rate of 10%. See also “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 cash balancenet revenue effectively and affect the value of your investment,”investment” and “Item 5. Operating Andand Financial Review Andand Prospects—B. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Holding Company Structure.” Our PRC subsidiaries have not paid dividends and will not be able to pay dividends until anyIn 2023, our WFOE made dividend payments of them generates accumulated profits and meets the requirements for statutory reserve funds.

Under PRC law, 360 DigiTech, Inc. may provide fundingRMB940.0 million (US$132.4 million) to our PRC subsidiaries only through capital contributions or loans, and to our VIEs only through loans, subject to satisfaction of applicable government registration and approval requirements. 360 DigiTech, Inc. has extended loans to our PRCHong Kong subsidiaries and VIEs since 2018. Thepaid related cash flows include: (i)withholding income tax of RMB94.0 million (US$13.2 million) accordingly. As of December 31, 2023, we recorded a net repaymentdeferred tax liability of RMB29.2RMB112.7 million and RMB67.2 million by PRC subsidiaries in 2019 and 2020, respectively, and a net funding of RMB51.7 million (US$8.115.9 million) to PRC subsidiaries in 2021; and (ii) a net repayment of RMB229.5 million, RMB3.6 million and RMB205.5 million (US$32.2 million) by VIEs in 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively.

Our VIEs may transfer cash to our relevant WFOE by paying service fees according to the exclusive consultation and service agreements. Our VIEs agree to pay our WFOE service fees, the amount of which are subject to adjustment at our WFOE’s sole discretion taking into consideration of the complexity of the services, the actual cost that may be incurred for providing such services, as well as the value and comparable price on the market of the service provided, among others. Our WFOE would have the exclusive ownership ofassociated with all the intellectual property rights created as a result of the performance of the exclusive consultation and service agreement, to the extent permitted by applicable PRC laws. In 2019, 2020 and 2021, service fees charged and paid to our WFOE by our VIEs in China amounted to RMB4.3 million, RMB89.7 million and RMB5,001.9 million (US$784.9 million), respectively. In 2019, 2020 and 2021, service fees charged and paid to our other PRC subsidiaries by our VIEs in China amounted to nil, RMB286.4 million and RMB616.5 million (US$96.7 million), respectively.

In 2019 and 2020, our VIEs in China extended loans to our PRC subsidiaries with a net cash outflow of RMB40.2 million and RMB20.0 million, respectively. In 2021, our PRC subsidiaries paid up the outstanding loans and started to extend loans to our VIEs in China with a net cash outflow of RMB3,658.3 million (US$574.0 million). In 2019, 2020 and 2021, the total amount of service fees charged and paid to our VIEs in China by our PRC subsidiaries under the shared service agreement was RMB4.6 million, RMB20.3 million and RMB258.2 million (US$40.5 million), respectively.

In 2019, 2020 and 2021, no assets other than cash flows discussed above were transferred through our organization.

7

Table of Contents

In November 2021, our board of directors approved a dividend of US$0.14 per ordinary share, or US$0.28 per ADS, for the third fiscal quarter of 2021, which has been paid on January 18, 2022 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on December 15, 2021. In March 2022, our board of directors approved a dividend of US$0.13 per ordinary share, or US$0.26 per ADS, for the fourth fiscal quarter of 2021, which will be paid on May 13, 2022 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on April 6, 2022. We intend to declare and distribute a recurring cash dividend every fiscal quarter, starting from the third fiscal quarter of 2021, at an amount equivalent to approximately 15% to 20% of our company’s net income after taxearnings expected to be distributed from mainland China subsidiaries to overseas for such quarter based upon our operationsdividend distribution and financial conditions, and other relevant factors, subject to adjustment and determination by the board of directors of 360 DigiTech, Inc. Since we currently have sufficient cash at 360 DigiTech, Inc. to pay dividends, we intend to reinvestshare repurchase. The remaining undistributed profits of mainland China subsidiaries as of December 31, 2023 would be indefinitely reinvested with unrecognized deferred tax liabilities of approximately RMB2,005.0 million (US$282.4 million). In 2023, our Hong Kong subsidiaries inmade dividend payments of RMB790.0 million (US$111.3 million) to our operations in China. See “Item 8. Financial Information—A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information—Dividend Policy.” For PRC and United States federal income tax considerations of an investment in our ADSs, see “Item 10. Additional Information—E. Taxation.”holding company, Qifu Technology, Inc.

For purposes of illustration, the following discussion reflects the hypothetical taxes that might be required to be paid within Mainlandmainland China, assuming that we determine to pay a dividend from PRCmainland China subsidiaries to overseas entities in the future:

    

Taxation Scenario(1)

 

(Statutory Tax and Standard Rates)

 

Hypothetical pre-tax earnings(2)

 

100

%

Tax on earnings at statutory rate of 25%(3)  

 

(25)

%

Net earnings available for distribution

 

75

%

Withholding tax at standard rate of 10%  

 

(7.5)

%

Net distribution to Parent/Shareholders

 

67.5

%

Notes:

(1)For purposes of this example, the tax calculation has been simplified. The hypothetical book pre-tax earnings amount, not considering book to tax adjustment, is assumed to equal taxable income in China.
(2)Assume all the profits of VIEs could be distributed to the PRCmainland China subsidiaries in a tax free manner.
(3)Certain of our subsidiaries and VIEs and their subsidiaries qualifies for a 15% preferential income tax rate in China. However, such rate is subject to qualification, is temporary in nature, and may not be available in a future period when distributions are paid. For purposes of this hypothetical example, the table above reflects a maximum tax scenario under which the full statutory rate would be effective.

Under PRC law, Qifu Technology, Inc. may provide funding to our mainland China subsidiaries only through capital contributions or loans, and to the VIEs only through loans, subject to satisfaction of applicable government registration and approval requirements.

The VIEs may transfer cash to our relevant WFOE by paying service fees according to the exclusive business cooperation agreements. The VIEs agree to pay our WFOE service fees, the amount of which are subject to adjustment at our WFOE’s sole discretion taking into consideration of the complexity of the services, the actual cost that may be incurred for providing such services, as well as the value and comparable price on the market of the service provided, among others. Our WFOE would have the exclusive ownership of all the intellectual property rights created as a result of the performance of the exclusive business cooperation agreement, to the extent permitted by applicable PRC laws.

7

Table of Contents

The following table sets forth the amount of the transfers for the years presented.

Years Ended December 31,

    

2021

    

2022

    

2023

(RMB in thousands)

Funds from Qifu Technology Inc. to our subsidiaries / (repayment by our subsidiaries to Qifu Technology Inc.)

 

(51,706)

 

7,698

 

(31,815)

Funds from Qifu Technology Inc. to the VIEs / (repayment by the VIEs to Qifu Technology Inc.)

 

205,484

 

(1,588,312)

 

(274,627)

Funds from our subsidiaries to the VIEs / (repayment by the VIEs to our subsidiaries)

 

3,658,491

 

859,935

 

628,014

Dividend from WOFE to our subsidiaries

 

 

 

(940,000)

Dividend from our subsidiaries to Qifu Technology Inc.

 

 

 

(790,000)

Service fees paid by our subsidiaries to the VIEs

 

258,246

 

103,094

 

209,033

Service fees paid by the VIEs to WFOE

 

5,001,870

 

420,290

 

1,306,173

Service fees paid by the VIEs to the other subsidiaries(1)

 

616,469

 

3,263

 

5,696

Note:

(1)Refers to our subsidiaries other than the WFOE.

In 2021, 2022 and 2023, no assets other than cash flows discussed above were transferred through our organization.

For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, dividends of nil, US$146.4 million and US$131.9 million were paid to shareholders of record as of designated record dates. We intend to declare and distribute a recurring cash dividend every six-month period, starting from the first half of 2023, at an amount equivalent to approximately 20% to 30% of our company’s net income after tax for the previous six-month period based upon our operations and financial conditions, and other factors, subject to adjustment and determination by the board of directors of Qifu Technology, Inc. See “Item 8. Financial Information—A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information—Dividend Policy.” For PRC and United States federal income tax considerations of an investment in our ADSs, see “Item 10. Additional Information—E. Taxation.”

Selected Financial Data

Our Selected Combined and Consolidated Financial Data

The following selected consolidated statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2019, 20202021, 2022 and 2021,2023, selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 20202022 and 20212023 and selected consolidated cash flow data for the years ended December 31, 2019, 20202021, 2022 and 20212023 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report. Our selected combined and consolidated balance sheets data as of December 31, 2017, 20182019, 2020 and 20192021 and the selected combined and consolidated statements of operations data and cash flow data for the yearyears ended December 31, 20172019 and 20182020 have been derived from our audited combined and consolidated financial statements not included in this annual report. Our combined and consolidated financial statements are prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

8

Table of Contents

You should read the summary combined and consolidated financial information in conjunction with our combined and consolidated financial statements and related notes and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” included elsewhere in this annual report. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of our results expected for future periods.

Years Ended December 31,

Years Ended December 31,

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

US$

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

US$

(in thousands, except for per share data)

Selected Combined and Consolidated Statements of Operations Data:

(in thousands, except for per share data)

Selected Consolidated Statements of Operations Data:

Net revenue

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Credit driven services(1)

703,747

4,170,271

8,013,391

11,403,675

10,189,167

1,598,902

8,013,391

11,403,675

10,189,167

11,586,251

11,738,560

1,653,342

Loan facilitation and servicing fees-capital heavy

 

647,350

3,807,242

6,273,131

 

4,596,555

 

2,326,027

 

365,004

6,273,131

 

4,596,555

 

2,326,027

2,086,414

1,667,119

 

234,809

Financing income

 

50,966

267,844

1,309,616

 

2,184,180

 

2,184,128

 

342,737

1,309,616

 

2,184,180

 

2,184,128

3,487,951

5,109,921

 

719,717

Revenue from releasing of guarantee liabilities

 

331

25,169

285,407

 

4,506,935

 

5,583,135

 

876,116

285,407

 

4,506,935

 

5,583,135

5,899,153

4,745,898

 

668,446

Other services fees

 

5,100

70,016

145,237

 

116,005

 

95,877

 

15,045

145,237

 

116,005

 

95,877

112,733

215,622

 

30,370

Platform services(1)

84,397

276,747

1,206,456

2,160,279

6,446,478

1,011,593

1,206,456

2,160,279

6,446,478

4,967,679

4,551,467

641,061

Loan facilitation and servicing fees-capital light

58,348

814,581

1,826,654

5,677,941

890,993

814,581

1,826,654

5,677,941

4,124,726

3,213,955

452,676

Referral services fees

84,397

211,087

375,551

265,300

620,317

97,341

375,551

265,300

620,317

561,372

950,016

133,807

Other services fees

��

7,312

16,324

68,325

148,220

23,259

16,324

68,325

148,220

281,581

387,496

54,578

Total net revenue

 

788,144

4,447,018

9,219,847

 

13,563,954

 

16,635,645

 

2,610,495

9,219,847

 

13,563,954

 

16,635,645

16,553,930

16,290,027

 

2,294,403

Operating costs and expenses:(2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Facilitation, origination and servicing

 

121,821

666,067

1,083,372

 

1,600,564

 

2,252,157

 

353,413

1,083,372

 

1,600,564

 

2,252,157

2,373,458

2,659,912

 

374,641

Funding costs

14,437

71,617

344,999

595,623

337,426

52,950

344,999

595,623

337,426

504,448

645,445

90,909

Sales and marketing

 

345,576

1,321,950

2,851,519

 

1,079,494

 

2,090,374

 

328,025

2,851,519

 

1,079,494

 

2,090,374

2,206,948

1,939,885

 

273,227

General and administrative

 

45,852

560,702

428,189

 

455,952

 

557,295

 

87,452

428,189

 

455,952

 

557,295

412,794

421,076

 

59,307

Provision for loans receivable

 

12,406

44,474

486,991

 

698,701

 

965,419

 

151,495

486,991

 

698,701

 

965,419

1,580,306

2,151,046

 

302,968

Provision for financial assets receivable

 

16,273

53,989

166,176

 

312,058

 

243,946

 

38,280

166,176

 

312,058

 

243,946

397,951

386,090

 

54,380

Provision for accounts receivable and contract assets

 

21,180

83,707

230,280

 

237,277

 

324,605

 

50,938

230,280

 

237,277

 

324,605

238,065

175,799

 

24,761

Provision for contingent liabilities

4,794,127

3,078,224

483,041

4,794,127

3,078,224

4,367,776

3,053,810

430,120

Expense on guarantee liabilities

734,730

734,730

Total operating costs and expenses

 

577,545

2,802,506

6,326,256

 

9,773,796

 

9,849,446

 

1,545,594

6,326,256

 

9,773,796

 

9,849,446

12,081,746

11,433,063

 

1,610,313

Income from operations

 

210,599

1,644,512

2,893,591

 

3,790,158

 

6,786,199

 

1,064,901

2,893,591

 

3,790,158

 

6,786,199

4,472,184

4,856,964

 

684,090

Interest income (expense), net

 

2,422

10,026

(41,707)

 

77,169

 

126,256

 

19,812

Interest (expense) income, net

(41,707)

 

77,169

 

126,256

182,301

217,307

 

30,607

Foreign exchange (loss) gain

 

(2,563)

(24,875)

 

101,534

 

35,549

 

5,578

(24,875)

 

101,534

 

35,549

(160,225)

2,356

 

332

Investment income

10,115

1,587

Investment income (loss)

10,115

(19,888)

(30,112)

(4,241)

Other income, net

 

22

7,696

140,278

 

112,884

 

64,590

 

10,136

140,278

 

112,884

 

64,590

268,000

230,936

 

32,527

Income before income tax expense

 

213,043

1,659,671

2,967,287

 

4,081,745

 

7,022,709

 

1,102,014

Income before income tax benefit

2,967,287

 

4,081,745

 

7,022,709

4,742,372

5,277,451

 

743,315

Income tax expense

 

(48,178)

(466,360)

(465,983)

 

(586,036)

 

(1,258,196)

 

(197,438)

(465,983)

 

(586,036)

 

(1,258,196)

(736,804)

(1,008,874)

 

(142,097)

Net income

 

164,865

1,193,311

2,501,304

 

3,495,709

 

5,764,513

 

904,576

2,501,304

 

3,495,709

 

5,764,513

4,005,568

4,268,577

 

601,218

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests

 

291

 

897

 

17,212

 

2,701

291

 

897

 

17,212

18,605

16,759

 

2,360

Deemed dividend

 

(3,097,733)

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders of the Company

164,865

(1,904,422)

2,501,595

3,496,606

5,781,725

907,277

Net income (loss) per ordinary share attributable to ordinary shareholders of 360 DigiTech, Inc.

 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders of the Company

2,501,595

3,496,606

5,781,725

4,024,173

4,285,336

603,578

Net income per ordinary share attributable to ordinary shareholders of Qifu Technology, Inc.

 

 

 

Basic

 

0.83

(9.39)

8.66

 

11.72

 

18.82

 

2.95

8.66

 

11.72

 

18.82

12.87

13.36

 

1.88

Diluted

 

0.83

(9.39)

8.31

 

11.40

 

17.99

 

2.82

8.31

 

11.40

 

17.99

12.50

13.04

 

1.84

Net income (loss) per ADSs attributable to ordinary shareholders of 360 DigiTech, Inc.

Net income per ADSs attributable to ordinary shareholders of Qifu Technology, Inc.

Basic

1.66

(18.78)

17.32

23.44

37.64

5.90

17.32

23.44

37.64

25.74

26.72

3.76

Diluted

1.66

(18.78)

16.62

22.80

35.98

5.64

16.62

22.80

35.98

25.00

26.08

3.68

Weighted average shares used in calculating net income (loss) per ordinary share

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares used in calculating net income per ordinary share

 

 

 

Basic

 

198,347,168

202,751,277

288,827,604

 

298,222,207

 

307,265,600

 

307,265,600

288,827,604

 

298,222,207

 

307,265,600

312,589,273

320,749,805

 

320,749,805

Diluted

 

198,347,168

202,751,277

300,938,470

 

306,665,099

 

321,397,753

 

321,397,753

300,938,470

 

306,665,099

 

321,397,753

322,018,510

328,508,945

 

328,508,945

Notes:

(1)Starting from 2019, we report revenue streams in two categories—credit driven services and platform services, to provide more relevant information. We also revised the comparative period presentation to conform to current period classification.

9

Table of Contents

(2)Share-based compensation expenses were allocated as follows:

Years Ended December 31,

Years Ended December 31,

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

US$

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

US$

(in thousands, except for per share data)

(in thousands)

Facilitation origination and servicing

150,177

55,601

72,192

75,209

11,802

55,601

72,192

75,209

73,945

75,152

10,585

Sales and marketing

15,700

6,805

 

8,164

 

12,340

 

1,936

6,805

 

8,164

 

12,340

 

4,328

(375)

 

(53)

General and administrative

441,504

188,022

 

220,805

 

166,373

 

26,108

188,022

 

220,805

 

166,373

 

121,464

110,827

 

15,610

Total

607,381

250,428

 

301,161

 

253,922

 

39,846

250,428

 

301,161

 

253,922

 

199,737

185,604

 

26,142

The following table presents our selected combined and consolidated balance sheet data as of the dates indicated.

Years Ended December 31,

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

RMB

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

US$

(in thousands)

Selected Combined and Consolidated Balance Sheets Data:

Current assets:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Cash and cash equivalents

468,547

 

1,445,802

2,108,123

 

4,418,416

 

6,116,360

 

959,790

Restricted cash

487,882

 

567,794

1,727,727

 

2,355,850

 

2,643,587

 

414,836

Security deposit prepaid to third-party guarantee companies

 

795,700

932,983

 

915,144

 

874,886

 

137,289

Accounts receivable and contract assets, net

327,103

 

1,791,745

2,332,364

 

2,394,528

 

3,097,254

 

486,027

Financial assets receivable, net

270,122

 

1,193,621

1,912,554

 

3,565,482

 

3,806,243

 

597,283

Loans receivable, net

1,192,307

 

811,433

9,239,565

 

7,500,629

 

9,844,481

 

1,544,814

Total current assets

3,017,566

 

7,342,019

19,503,488

 

21,876,042

 

27,757,223

 

4,355,712

Land use rights, net

1,018,908

159,889

Total non-current assets

81,792

 

7,716

852,113

 

2,511,263

 

5,747,772

 

901,951

Total assets

3,099,358

 

7,349,735

20,355,601

 

24,387,305

 

33,504,995

 

5,257,663

Current liabilities:

  

 

  

 

 

 

Payable to investors of the consolidated trusts-current

536,906

 

300,341

4,423,717

 

3,117,634

 

2,304,518

 

361,629

Guarantee liabilities-stand ready

300,942

 

1,399,174

2,212,125

 

4,173,497

 

4,818,144

 

756,072

Guarantee liabilities-contingent

734,730

3,543,454

3,285,081

515,501

Income tax payable

115,325

432,066

1,056,219

1,227,314

624,112

97,937

Total current liabilities

2,365,209

 

2,893,781

9,667,187

 

13,384,508

 

14,143,186

 

2,219,374

Payable to investors of the consolidated trusts-noncurrent

3,442,500

1,468,890

4,010,597

629,350

Total non-current liabilities

15,758

3,473,684

1,521,707

4,145,200

650,472

Total shareholder’s equity

734,149

 

4,440,196

7,214,730

 

9,481,090

 

15,216,609

 

2,387,817

Total liabilities and equity

3,099,358

 

7,349,735

20,355,601

 

24,387,305

 

33,504,995

 

5,257,663

As of December 31,

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

US$

(in thousands)

Selected Consolidated Balance Sheets Data:

Current assets:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Cash and cash equivalents

2,108,123

 

4,418,416

 

6,116,360

 

7,165,584

 

4,177,890

 

588,443

Restricted cash

1,727,727

 

2,355,850

 

2,643,587

 

3,346,779

 

3,381,107

 

476,219

Security deposit prepaid to third-party guarantee companies

932,983

 

915,144

 

874,886

 

396,699

 

207,071

 

29,165

Accounts receivable and contract assets, net

2,332,364

 

2,394,528

 

3,097,254

 

2,868,625

 

2,909,245

 

409,759

Financial assets receivable, net

1,912,554

 

3,565,482

 

3,806,243

 

2,982,076

 

2,522,543

 

355,293

Loans receivable, net

9,239,565

 

7,500,629

 

9,844,481

 

15,347,662

 

24,604,487

 

3,465,470

Total current assets

19,503,488

 

21,876,042

 

27,757,223

 

34,097,466

 

39,796,028

 

5,605,154

Land use rights, net

1,018,908

998,185

977,461

137,673

Total non-current assets

852,113

 

2,511,263

 

5,747,772

 

6,245,704

 

6,022,544

 

848,257

Total assets

20,355,601

 

24,387,305

 

33,504,995

 

40,343,170

 

45,818,572

 

6,453,411

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Payable to investors of the consolidated trusts-current

4,423,717

 

3,117,634

 

2,304,518

 

6,099,520

 

8,942,291

 

1,259,495

Guarantee liabilities-stand ready

2,212,125

 

4,173,497

 

4,818,144

 

4,120,346

 

3,949,601

 

556,290

Guarantee liabilities-contingent

734,730

3,543,454

3,285,081

3,418,391

3,207,264

451,734

Income tax payable

1,056,219

1,227,314

624,112

661,015

742,210

104,538

Total current liabilities

9,667,187

 

13,384,508

 

14,143,186

 

16,749,918

 

19,899,619

 

2,802,803

Payable to investors of the consolidated trusts-noncurrent

3,442,500

1,468,890

4,010,597

4,521,600

3,581,800

504,486

Total non-current liabilities

3,473,684

1,521,707

4,145,200

4,661,955

3,909,096

550,585

Total shareholder’s equity

7,214,730

 

9,481,090

 

15,216,609

 

18,931,297

 

22,009,857

 

3,100,023

Total liabilities and equity

20,355,601

 

24,387,305

 

33,504,995

 

40,343,170

 

45,818,572

 

6,453,411

Note:

(1)We adopted ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) and all subsequent ASUs that modified ASC 606 on a full retrospective basis in 2018, and the related balances as of December 31, 2017 have been restated accordingly.

10

Table of Contents

The following table presents our selected combined and consolidated cash flow data for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2021.2023.

Years Ended December 31,

Years Ended December 31,

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

US$

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

US$

(in thousands, except for per share data)

Summary Combined and Consolidated Cash Flow Data:

Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities

 

(110,974)

285,116

 

2,973,075

 

5,325,810

 

5,789,700

 

908,530

(in thousands)

Summary Consolidated Cash Flow Data:

Net cash provided by operating activities

2,973,075

 

5,325,810

 

5,789,700

 

5,922,515

 

7,118,350

 

1,002,598

Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities

 

(1,204,269)

327,649

 

(8,860,441)

 

892,770

 

(6,064,328)

 

(951,625)

(8,860,441)

 

892,770

 

(6,064,328)

 

(7,355,975)

 

(11,147,789)

 

(1,570,134)

Net cash provided/(used in) by financing activities

 

2,265,499

457,430

 

7,707,858

 

(3,282,400)

 

2,263,720

 

355,227

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

950,256

1,057,167

 

1,822,254

 

2,938,416

 

1,985,681

 

311,596

Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities

7,707,858

 

(3,282,400)

 

2,263,720

 

3,204,068

 

1,066,458

 

150,209

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

1,822,254

 

2,938,416

 

1,985,681

 

1,752,416

 

(2,953,366)

 

(415,973)

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at the beginning of year

 

6,173

956,429

 

2,013,596

 

3,835,850

 

6,774,266

 

1,063,030

2,013,596

 

3,835,850

 

6,774,266

 

8,759,947

 

10,512,363

 

1,480,635

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at the end of year

 

956,429

2,013,596

 

3,835,850

 

6,774,266

 

8,759,947

 

1,374,626

3,835,850

 

6,774,266

 

8,759,947

 

10,512,363

 

7,558,997

 

1,064,662

We present our financial results in RMB. We make no representation that any RMB or U.S. dollar amounts could have been, or could be, converted into U.S. dollars or RMB, as the case may be, at any particular rate, or at all. The RPC government imposes control over its foreign currency reserves in part through direct regulation of the conversion of RMB into foreign exchange and through restrictions on foreign trade. 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 a rate of RMB6.3726RMB7.0999 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate as of December 30, 2021.29, 2023.

Financial Information Related to Our Consolidated Variable Interest Entities

The following table presents the condensed consolidated schedule of financial position, results of operations and cash flow data for our Company,company, our consolidated VIEs, our primary beneficiaries of VIEs excluding our company and other subsidiaries as of the dates or for the periodsyears presented, as the case may be.

Selected Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income Information

    

For the Year Ended December 31, 2021

VIEs

    

The Company

    

Subsidiaries

    

Eliminations

    

Consolidated Total

(RMB in thousands)

Total net revenues

 

15,657,693

 

 

6,646,999

 

(5,669,047)

 

16,635,645

Total operating costs and expenses

 

14,025,365

 

51,233

 

1,187,973

 

(5,415,125)

 

9,849,446

Income (loss) from operations

 

1,632,328

 

(51,233)

 

5,459,026

 

(253,922)

 

6,786,199

Income (loss) before income tax expense

 

1,821,437

 

(56,749)

 

5,511,943

 

(253,922)

 

7,022,709

Net income (loss)

 

1,314,343

 

(56,749)

 

4,760,841

 

(253,922)

 

5,764,513

Net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders of the Company

 

1,331,597

 

(56,749)

 

4,760,799

 

(253,922)

 

5,781,725

    

For the Year Ended December 31, 2023

Primary

Beneficiaries

of VIEs

For the Year Ended December 31, 2020

excluding the

Other

VIEs

The Company

Subsidiaries

Eliminations

Consolidated Total

VIEs

    

The Company

    

Company(1)

    

Subsidiaries

    

Eliminations

    

Consolidated Total

    

(RMB in thousands)

(RMB in thousands)

Total net revenues

    

13,146,052

    

    

1,325,096

    

(907,194)

    

13,563,954

15,472,430

1,485,711

1,051,284

(1,719,398)

16,290,027

Total operating costs and expenses

 

10,080,665

 

16,453

 

282,711

 

(606,033)

 

9,773,796

12,346,061

25,517

338,912

441,971

(1,719,398)

11,433,063

Income (loss) from operations

 

3,065,387

 

(16,453)

 

1,042,385

 

(301,161)

 

3,790,158

3,126,369

(25,517)

1,146,799

609,313

4,856,964

Income (loss) before income tax expense

 

3,334,648

 

(4,030)

 

1,052,288

 

(301,161)

 

4,081,745

Income before income tax expense

3,364,788

20,536

1,258,871

633,256

5,277,451

Investments in subsidiaries and VIEs

4,264,800

3,395,894

3,903,935

(11,564,629)

Net income (loss)

 

2,848,966

 

(4,030)

 

951,934

 

(301,161)

 

3,495,709

2,798,640

4,285,336

4,484,430

4,264,800

(11,564,629)

4,268,577

Net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders of the Company

 

2,848,966

 

(4,030)

 

952,831

 

(301,161)

 

3,496,606

2,815,399

4,285,336

4,484,430

4,264,800

(11,564,629)

4,285,336

11

Table of Contents

    

For the Year Ended December 31, 2019

VIEs

    

The Company

    

Subsidiaries

    

Eliminations

    

Consolidated Total

(RMB in thousands)

Total net revenues

 

8,596,654

 

 

632,146

 

(8,953)

 

9,219,847

Total operating costs and expenses

 

5,810,090

 

12,922

 

261,770

 

241,474

 

6,326,256

Income (loss) from operations

 

2,786,564

 

(12,922)

 

370,376

 

(250,427)

 

2,893,591

Income (loss) before income tax expense

 

2,859,300

 

(12,248)

 

370,662

 

(250,427)

 

2,967,287

Net income (loss)

 

2,426,948

 

(12,248)

 

337,031

 

(250,427)

 

2,501,304

Net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders of the Company

 

2,426,948

 

(12,248)

 

337,322

 

(250,427)

 

2,501,595

For the Year Ended December 31, 2022

Primary

Beneficiaries

of VIEs

excluding the

Other

VIEs

    

The Company

    

Company(1)

    

Subsidiaries

    

Eliminations

    

Consolidated Total

    

(RMB in thousands)

Total net revenues

    

15,362,636

893,968

1,296,242

(998,916)

16,553,930

Total operating costs and expenses

 

11,681,635

 

17,468

 

421,181

960,378

 

(998,916)

 

12,081,746

Income (loss) from operations

 

3,681,001

 

(17,468)

 

472,787

335,864

 

 

4,472,184

Income (loss) before income tax expense

 

3,856,803

 

(34,045)

 

569,614

350,000

 

 

4,742,372

Investments in subsidiaries and VIEs

4,058,218

3,526,061

3,793,486

(11,377,765)

Net income (loss)

 

3,230,659

 

4,024,173

 

4,070,283

4,058,218

 

(11,377,765)

 

4,005,568

Net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders of the Company

 

3,249,264

 

4,024,173

 

4,070,283

4,058,218

 

(11,377,765)

 

4,024,173

Selected Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets Information

    

As of December 31, 2021

    

VIEs

    

The Company

    

Subsidiaries

    

Eliminations

    

Consolidated Total

(RMB in thousands)

Cash and cash equivalents

 

4,605,851

 

7,117

 

1,503,392

 

 

6,116,360

Restricted cash

 

2,643,587

 

 

 

 

2,643,587

Security deposit prepaid to third-party guarantee companies

 

874,886

 

 

 

 

874,886

Accounts receivable and contract assets, net

 

2,350,775

 

 

969,953

 

 

3,320,728

Financial assets receivable, net

 

4,404,208

 

 

 

 

4,404,208

Loans receivable, net

 

12,703,830

 

 

 

 

12,703,830

Land use rights, net

 

1,018,908

 

 

 

 

1,018,908

Intercompany receivables

 

2,493,660

 

1,711,633

 

4,823,879

 

(9,029,172)

 

Investments in subsidiaries and VIEs

 

 

14,032,928

 

1,399,998

 

(15,432,926)

 

Total assets

 

33,145,997

 

15,761,812

 

9,059,284

 

(24,462,098)

 

33,504,995

Payable to investors of the consolidated trusts-current

 

2,304,518

 

 

 

 

2,304,518

Guarantee liabilities-stand ready

 

4,818,144

 

 

 

 

4,818,144

Guarantee liabilities-contingent

 

3,285,081

 

3,285,081

 

  

 

  

 

  

Income tax payable

 

449,553

 

 

174,559

 

 

624,112

Payable to investors of the consolidated trusts-noncurrent

 

4,010,597

 

 

 

 

4,010,597

Intercompany payables

 

6,493,367

 

 

2,535,805

 

(9,029,172)

 

Total liabilities

 

23,790,132

 

557,949

 

2,969,477

 

(9,029,172)

 

18,288,386

Total equity

 

9,355,865

 

15,203,863

 

6,089,807

 

(15,432,926)

 

15,216,609

For the Year Ended December 31, 2021

Primary

Beneficiaries

of VIEs

excluding the

Other

    

VIEs

    

The Company

    

Company(1)

    

Subsidiaries

    

Eliminations

    

Consolidated Total

(RMB in thousands)

Total net revenues

 

15,657,693

 

 

5,069,424

1,577,575

 

(5,669,047)

 

16,635,645

Total operating costs and expenses

 

14,279,287

 

51,233

 

690,077

497,896

 

(5,669,047)

 

9,849,446

Income (loss) from operations

 

1,378,406

 

(51,233)

 

4,379,347

1,079,679

 

 

6,786,199

Income (loss) before income tax expense

 

1,567,515

 

(56,749)

 

4,397,700

1,114,243

 

 

7,022,709

Investments in subsidiaries and VIEs

5,838,474

1,849,259

4,779,980

(12,467,713)

Net income (loss)

 

1,060,421

 

5,781,725

 

5,551,564

5,838,516

 

(12,467,713)

 

5,764,513

Net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders of the Company

 

1,077,675

 

5,781,725

 

5,551,564

5,838,474

 

(12,467,713)

 

5,781,725

12

Table of Contents

    

As of December 31, 2020

    

VIEs

    

The Company

    

Subsidiaries

    

Eliminations

    

Consolidated Total

(RMB in thousands)

Cash and cash equivalents

3,709,740

 

19,560

 

689,116

 

 

4,418,416

Restricted cash

2,355,850

 

 

 

 

2,355,850

Security deposit prepaid to third-party guarantee companies

915,144

 

 

 

 

915,144

Accounts receivable and contract assets, net

2,624,294

 

 

78,171

 

 

2,702,465

Financial assets receivable, net

4,125,931

 

 

84,877

 

 

4,210,808

Loans receivable, net

7,553,042

 

 

35,272

 

 

7,588,314

Intercompany receivables

1,315,646

 

1,593,585

 

912,129

 

(3,821,360)

 

Investments in subsidiaries and VIEs

 

7,940,534

 

900,000

 

(8,840,534)

 

Total assets

24,615,835

 

9,564,894

 

2,868,470

 

(12,661,894)

 

24,387,305

Payable to investors of the consolidated trusts-current

3,117,634

 

 

 

 

3,117,634

Guarantee liabilities-stand ready

4,173,497

 

 

 

 

4,173,497

Guarantee liabilities-contingent

3,543,454

 

 

 

 

3,543,454

Income tax payable

1,151,275

 

 

76,039

 

 

1,227,314

Payable to investors of the consolidated trusts-noncurrent

1,468,890

 

 

 

 

1,468,890

Intercompany payables

2,411,185

 

 

1,410,175

 

(3,821,360)

 

Total liabilities

17,104,312

 

84,316

 

1,538,947

 

(3,821,360)

 

14,906,215

Total equity

7,511,523

 

9,480,578

 

1,329,523

 

(8,840,534)

 

9,481,090

    

As of December 31, 2019

VIEs

    

The Company

    

Subsidiaries

    

Eliminations

    

Consolidated Total

    

(RMB in thousands)

    

    

    

    

Cash and cash equivalents

 

1,829,395

 

6,905

 

271,823

 

 

2,108,123

Restricted cash

 

1,727,727

 

 

 

 

1,727,727

Security deposit prepaid to third-party guarantee companies

 

932,983

 

 

 

 

932,983

Accounts receivable and contract assets, net

 

2,133,339

 

 

218,533

 

 

2,351,872

Financial assets receivable, net

 

1,824,008

 

 

147,816

 

 

1,971,824

Loans receivable, net

 

9,238,242

 

 

1,323

 

 

9,239,565

Intercompany receivables

 

1,016,899

 

1,624,749

 

75,385

 

(2,717,033)

 

Investments in subsidiaries and VIEs

 

 

5,566,792

 

900,000

 

(6,466,792)

 

Total assets

 

20,755,954

 

7,219,025

 

1,564,447

 

(9,183,825)

 

20,355,601

Payable to investors of the consolidated trusts-current

 

4,423,717

 

 

 

 

4,423,717

Guarantee liabilities-stand ready

 

2,106,211

 

 

105,914

 

 

2,212,125

Guarantee liabilities-contingent

 

734,730

 

 

 

 

734,730

Income tax payable

 

1,035,887

 

 

20,332

 

 

1,056,219

Payable to investors of the consolidated trusts-noncurrent

 

3,442,500

 

 

 

 

3,442,500

Intercompany payables

 

1,670,984

 

 

1,046,049

 

(2,717,033)

 

Total liabilities

 

14,663,006

 

5,583

 

1,189,315

 

(2,717,033)

 

13,140,871

Total equity

 

6,092,948

 

7,213,442

 

375,132

 

(6,466,792)

 

7,214,730

Selected Condensed Consolidated Cash FlowsBalance Sheets Information

    

As of December 31, 2023

Primary

Beneficiaries

of VIEs

    

For the Year Ended December 31, 2021

excluding the

Other

VIEs

    

The Company

    

Subsidiaries

    

Eliminations

    

Consolidated Total

    

VIEs

    

The Company

    

Company(1)

    

Subsidiaries

    

Eliminations

    

Consolidated Total

(RMB in thousands)

    

    

    

    

    

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

1,273,002

 

(25,552)

 

4,542,250

 

 

5,789,700

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

 

(6,047,434)

 

(153,778)

 

(3,675,260)

 

3,812,144

 

(6,064,328)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

5,958,279

 

169,291

 

(51,706)

 

(3,812,144)

 

2,263,720

(RMB in thousands)

Cash and cash equivalents

4,037,256

2,636

114,897

23,101

4,177,890

Restricted cash

3,381,107

3,381,107

Security deposit prepaid to third-party guarantee companies

207,071

207,071

Accounts receivable and contract assets, net

2,417,490

638,750

3,056,240

Financial assets receivable, net

3,118,873

3,118,873

Loans receivable, net

27,502,492

27,502,492

Land use right, net

977,461

977,461

Intercompany receivables

2,559,164

1,571,102

2,728,150

(6,858,416)

Investments in subsidiaries and VIEs

21,933,951

22,921,727

18,841,758

(63,697,436)

Total assets

47,389,071

21,952,789

24,695,812

22,336,752

(70,555,852)

45,818,572

Payable to investors of the consolidated trusts-current

8,942,291

8,942,291

Guarantee liabilities-stand ready

3,949,601

3,949,601

Guarantee liabilities-contingent

3,207,264

3,207,264

Income tax payable

648,893

79,806

13,511

742,210

Payable to investors of the consolidated trusts-noncurrent

3,581,800

3,581,800

Intercompany payables

4,276,218

14,153

2,364,791

203,254

(6,858,416)

Total liabilities

27,597,272

15,306

2,651,752

402,801

(6,858,416)

23,808,715

Total equity

19,791,799

21,937,483

22,044,060

21,933,951

(63,697,436)

22,009,857

13

Table of Contents

    

For the Year Ended December 31, 2020

VIEs

    

The Company

    

Subsidiaries

    

Eliminations

    

Consolidated Total

(RMB in thousands)

    

    

    

    

    

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

4,935,904

 

(1,679)

 

391,585

 

 

5,325,810

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

932,141

 

(70,776)

 

(59,350)

 

90,755

 

892,770

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

 

(3,364,319)

 

86,305

 

86,369

 

(90,755)

 

(3,282,400)

    

As of December 31, 2022

Primary

Beneficiaries

of VIEs

    

For the Year Ended December 31, 2019

excluding the

Other

VIEs

    

The Company

    

Subsidiaries

    

Eliminations

    

Consolidated Total

    

VIEs

    

The Company

    

Company(1)

    

Subsidiaries

    

Eliminations

    

Consolidated Total

(RMB in thousands)

    

    

    

    

    

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

2,839,085

 

(33,600)

 

167,590

 

 

2,973,075

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

 

(8,899,002)

 

(294,330)

 

(1,654)

 

334,545

 

(8,860,441)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

7,940,466

 

(3,080)

 

105,017

 

(334,545)

 

7,707,858

(RMB in thousands)

Cash and cash equivalents

6,437,420

 

464,323

 

175,243

88,598

 

 

7,165,584

Restricted cash

3,346,779

 

 

 

 

3,346,779

Security deposit prepaid to third-party guarantee companies

396,699

 

 

 

 

396,699

Accounts receivable and contract assets, net

1,933,292

 

 

1,196,652

 

 

3,129,944

Financial assets receivable, net

3,670,919

 

 

 

 

3,670,919

Loans receivable, net

18,484,656

 

 

 

 

18,484,656

Land use right, net

998,185

 

 

 

 

998,185

Intercompany receivables

5,906,972

 

295,180

 

2,030,097

4,163,777

 

(12,396,026)

 

Investments in subsidiaries and VIEs

 

18,275,772

 

19,305,251

15,692,041

 

(53,273,064)

 

Total assets

44,093,493

 

19,041,600

 

21,535,086

21,342,081

 

(65,669,090)

 

40,343,170

Payable to investors of the consolidated trusts-current

6,099,520

 

 

 

 

6,099,520

Guarantee liabilities-stand ready

4,120,346

 

 

 

 

4,120,346

Guarantee liabilities-contingent

3,418,391

 

 

 

 

3,418,391

Income tax payable

614,687

 

 

33,295

13,033

 

 

661,015

Payable to investors of the consolidated trusts-noncurrent

4,521,600

 

 

 

 

4,521,600

Intercompany payables

6,327,635

 

 

3,038,297

3,030,094

 

(12,396,026)

 

Total liabilities

27,325,894

 

194,444

 

3,221,252

3,066,309

 

(12,396,026)

 

21,411,873

Total equity

16,767,599

18,847,156

18,313,834

18,275,772

(53,273,064)

18,931,297

14

Table of Contents

    

As of December 31, 2021

Primary

Beneficiaries

of VIEs

excluding the

Other

VIEs

    

The Company

    

Company(1)

    

Subsidiaries

    

Eliminations

    

Consolidated Total

    

(RMB in thousands)

Cash and cash equivalents

4,605,851

 

7,117

 

1,012,466

490,926

 

 

6,116,360

Restricted cash

2,643,587

 

 

 

 

2,643,587

Security deposit prepaid to third-party guarantee companies

874,886

 

 

 

 

874,886

Accounts receivable and contract assets, net

2,350,775

 

 

969,953

 

 

3,320,728

Financial assets receivable, net

4,404,208

 

 

 

 

4,404,208

Loans receivable, net

12,703,830

 

 

 

 

12,703,830

Land use right, net

1,018,908

 

 

 

 

1,018,908

Intercompany receivables

2,493,660

 

1,711,633

 

3,132,657

1,911,857

 

(9,249,807)

 

Investments in subsidiaries and VIEs

 

14,032,928

 

11,832,910

11,272,346

 

(37,138,184)

 

Total assets

33,145,997

 

15,761,812

 

15,619,129

15,366,048

 

(46,387,991)

 

33,504,995

Payable to investors of the consolidated trusts-current

2,304,518

 

 

 

 

2,304,518

Guarantee liabilities-stand ready

4,818,144

 

 

 

 

4,818,144

Guarantee liabilities-contingent

3,285,081

 

 

 

 

3,285,081

Income tax payable

449,553

 

 

98,518

76,041

 

 

624,112

Payable to investors of the consolidated trusts-noncurrent

4,010,597

 

 

 

 

4,010,597

Intercompany payables

6,493,367

 

 

1,466,073

1,290,367

 

(9,249,807)

 

Total liabilities

23,790,132

557,949

1,856,992

1,333,120

(9,249,807)

18,288,386

Total equity

9,355,865

 

15,203,863

 

13,762,137

14,032,928

 

(37,138,184)

 

15,216,609

Selected Condensed Consolidated Cash Flows Information

    

For the Year Ended December 31, 2023

Primary

Beneficiaries

of VIEs

excluding the

Other

VIEs

    

The Company

    

Company(1)

    

Subsidiaries

    

Eliminations

    

Consolidated Total

(RMB in thousands)

Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities

5,685,945

800,998

985,396

1,376,011

(1,730,000)

7,118,350

Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities

(11,065,537)

319,382

(105,735)

(618,160)

322,261

(11,147,789)

Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities

3,013,752

(1,593,907)

(940,000)

(821,126)

1,407,739

1,066,458

15

Table of Contents

    

For the Year Ended December 31, 2022

Primary

Beneficiaries

of VIEs

excluding the

Other

VIEs

    

The Company

    

Company(1)

    

Subsidiaries

    

Eliminations

    

Consolidated Total

(RMB in thousands)

Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities

6,378,135

 

(66,836)

 

491,296

(880,080)

 

 

5,922,515

Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities

(7,360,063)

 

1,583,956

 

(1,327,281)

468,077

 

(720,664)

 

(7,355,975)

Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities

3,516,690

 

(1,039,580)

 

(1,222)

7,516

 

720,664

 

3,204,068

    

For the Year Ended December 31, 2021

Primary

Beneficiaries

of VIEs

excluding the

Other

VIEs

    

The Company

    

Company(1)

    

Subsidiaries

    

Eliminations

    

Consolidated Total

(RMB in thousands)

Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities

1,273,002

 

(25,552)

 

3,293,455

1,248,795

 

 

5,789,700

Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities

(6,047,434)

 

(153,778)

 

(2,342,294)

(1,332,966)

 

3,812,144

 

(6,064,328)

Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities

5,958,279

 

169,291

 

(51,706)

 

(3,812,144)

 

2,263,720

Note:

(1)The financial statement amounts for our consolidated subsidiaries are prepared using same accounting policies as set out in the consolidated financial statements except that equity method has been used to account for investments in VIEs.

A.          [Reserved]

B.          Capitalization and Indebtedness

Not applicable.

C.          Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds

Not applicable.

D.          Risk Factors

Summary of Risk Factors

An investment in our ADSs involves significant risks. Below is a summary of material risks we face, organized under relevant headings. These risks are discussed more fully below in this Item“Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors.

16

Table of Contents

Risks Related to Our Business and Industry

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

The Credit-Tech industry is rapidly evolving, which makes it difficult to effectively assess our future prospects;
We have a limited operating history and are subject to credit cycles and the risk of deterioration of credit profiles of borrowers;
We are subject to uncertainties surrounding regulations and administrative measures of the loan facilitation business. If any of our business practices are deemed to be non-compliant with applicable laws and regulations, our business, financial condition and results of operations would be adversely affected;
We are subject to uncertainties surrounding regulations and administrative measures of microcreditmicro-lending business and financing guarantee business. If any of our business practices are deemed to be non-compliant with such laws and regulations, our business, financial condition and results of operations would be adversely affected;
We are subject to uncertainties surrounding regulations and administrative measures of credit reporting business. If any of our business practices areis deemed to be non-compliant with such laws and regulations, our business, financial condition and results of operations would be materially and adversely affected;
The pricing of loans originated or facilitated through our platform may be deemed to exceed interest rate limits imposed by regulations;
Our transaction process may result in misunderstanding among our borrowers;
We are subject to credit cycles and the risk of deterioration of credit profiles of borrowers;
Fraudulent activity on our platform could negatively impact our operating results, brand and reputation and cause the use of our loan products facilitated by us and our services to decrease;

14

Table of Contents

We rely on our proprietary risk managementcredit profiling model in assessing the creditworthiness of our borrowers and the risks associated with loans. If our model is flawed or ineffective, or if we otherwise fail or are perceived to fail to manage the default risks of loans originated or 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;
We rely on our risk management team to establish and execute our risk management policies. If our risk management team or key members of such team were unable or unwilling to continue in their present positions, our business may be severely disrupted;
If we are unable to protect the private information of our users and adapt to the relevant regulatory framework as to protection of such information, our business and operation may be adversely affected; and
Our business is subject to complex and evolving PRC laws and regulations regarding data privacy and cybersecurity, as such regulations and laws as newly promulgated, many of which are subject to change and uncertainfurther interpretation. Any changes in these laws and regulations have caused and could continue to cause changes to our business practices and increase costs of operations, and any security breaches or our actual or perceived failure to comply with such laws and regulations could result in claims, penalties, damages to our reputation and brand, declines in user growth or engagement, or otherwise harm our business, results of operations and financial condition;
If we are unable to maintain or increase the volume of loans originated or facilitated through our platform, our business and results of operations will be adversely affected; and
Our access to sufficient and sustainable funding at reasonable costs cannot be assured. If we fail to maintain collaboration with our financial institution partners or to maintain sufficient capacity to originate loans to our borrowers, our reputation, results of operations and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.condition.

17

Table of Contents

Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure

Risks and uncertainties related to our corporate structure include, but not limited to, the following:

We are a Cayman Islands holding company with no equity ownership in ourthe VIEs and we conduct our operations in China through (i) our PRC subsidiaries and (ii) ourthe VIEs, with which we have maintained contractual arrangements. Investors in our ADSs thus are not purchasing equity interest in ourthe VIEs in China but instead are purchasing equity interest in a Cayman Islands holding company. If the PRC government finds that the agreements that establish the structure for operating our business do not comply with PRC laws and regulations, or if these regulations or their interpretations change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations. Our holding company, our PRC subsidiaries, ourthe VIEs, and investors of our company face uncertainty about potential future actions by the PRC government that could affect the enforceability of the contractual arrangements with ourthe VIEs and, consequently, significantly affect the financial performance of ourthe VIEs and our company as a whole. The PRC regulatory authorities could disallow the VIEs structure pursuant to the new regulations promulgated by the PRC government, which would likely result in a material adverse change in our operations, and our Classclass A ordinary shares or our ADSs may decline significantly in value;
We rely on contractual arrangements with ourthe VIEs and the shareholders of ourthe VIEs for all of our business operations, which may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing operational control; and
Any failure by ourthe VIEs or the shareholders of ourthe VIEs to perform their obligations under our contractual arrangements with them would have a material adverse effect on our business;
The registered shareholders of our VIEs may have potential conflicts of interest with us, which may materially and adversely affect our business and financial condition;
Contractual arrangements in relation to our VIEs may be subject to scrutiny by the PRC tax authorities and they may determine that we or our VIEs owe additional taxes, which could negatively affect our financial condition and the value of your investment; and
We may lose the ability to use and enjoy assets held by our VIEs that are material to the operation of our business if the entity goes bankrupt or becomes subject to a dissolution or liquidation proceeding.business.

15

Table of Contents

Risks Related to Doing Business in China

We are also subject to risks and uncertainties relating to doing business in China in general, including, but not limited to, the following:

The PCAOB is currentlyhad historically been unable to inspect our auditor in relation to their audit work performed for our financial statements and the inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections overof our auditor deprivesin the past has deprived our investors with the benefits of such inspections;
Our ADSs willmay be prohibited from trading in the United States under the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, or the HFCAA in 2024the future if the PCAOB is unable to inspect or fully investigate completely auditors located in China, or as early as 2023 if proposed changes to the law are enacted.China. The delisting of ourthe ADSs, or the threat of their being delisted, may materially and adversely affect the value of your investment;
The PRC government’s significant oversight and discretion over our business operation and any failure to comply with PRC laws and regulations could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of ourthe ADSs; and
Uncertainties in the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws and regulations could limit the legal protections available to us;
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; and
The approval of and filing with the CSRC or other PRC government authorities may be required if we conduct offshore offerings in the future, and, if required, we cannot predict whether or for how long we will be able to obtain such approval or complete such filing.us.

Risks Related to the ADSs and our ADSsclass A ordinary shares

In addition to the risks described above, we are subject to general risks relating to our ADSs and Classclass A ordinary shares, including, but not limited to, the following:

The market price for our ADSs may be volatile;
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business,We adopt different practices as to certain matters as compared with many other companies listed on the market price for our ADSs and trading volume could decline;
Although we adopted regular quarterly dividend policy in 2021, we cannot assure you that our existing dividend policy will not change in the future or the amount of dividends that you may receive, neither can we guarantee that we will have sufficient profits, reserves set aside from profits or otherwise funds to justify and enable dividend declaration and payment in compliance with laws for any fiscal quarter and, therefore, you may need to rely on price appreciation of our ADSs as the sole source for return on your investment;Hong Kong Stock Exchange; and
Our dual class share structure will limit your abilityThe trading prices for our listed securities have been and are likely 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.continue to be volatile.

1618

Table of Contents

Risks Related to Our Business and Industry

The Credit-Tech industry is rapidly evolving, which makes it difficult to effectively assess our future prospects.

The Credit-Tech industry in the PRC is in a developing stage. The regulatory framework for this market is also evolving and may remain uncertain for the foreseeable future. In addition, the Credit-Tech industry in China has not witnessed a full credit cycle. The market players in the industry, including us, are inexperienced in respondingmay not be able to respond to the change of market situations effectively and maintainingmaintain steady business growth when the industry enters a different stage. In addition, we cannot assure you that a contraction in the availability of funds will not happen at later stages of the credit cycle. As such, we may not be able to sustain our historical growth rate in the future.

You should consider our business and prospects in light of the risks and challenges we encounter or may encounter given the rapidly evolving market in which we operate, along with our limited operating history. These risks and challenges include our ability to, among other things:

offer competitive products and services;
broaden our prospective borrower base;
increase the utilization of our products by existing borrowers as well as new borrowers;
maintain and enhance our relationship and business collaboration with our partners;
maintain low delinquency rates of loans facilitated or originated by us;we facilitated;
develop and maintain cooperative relationships with financial institution partners to secure sufficient, diversified, cost-efficient funding to the drawdown requests;
continue to develop, maintain and scale our platform and sustain our historical growth rates;
continue to develop and improve the effectiveness, accuracy and efficiency of our proprietary credit assessment and risk management technology;profiling technologies;
navigate through a complex and evolving regulatory environment;
improve our operational efficiency and profitability;
attract, retain and motivate talented employees to support our business growth;
enhance our technology infrastructure to support the growth of our business and maintain the security of our system and the confidentiality of the information provided and utilized across our system;
navigate through economic conditions and fluctuation;fluctuations; and
defend ourselves against legal and regulatory actions, such as actions involving intellectual property or privacy claims.

1719

Table of Contents

We have a limited operating history and are subject to credit cycles and the risk of deterioration of credit profiles of borrowers.

We were established in 2016 and officially launched our capital-light model in May 2018. Our business is subject to credit cycles associated with the volatility of the general economy and with the trends of the Credit-Tech industry in China. As we have a limited operating history, we have not experienced a full credit cycle in China.

As of December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, the 90 day+ delinquency rate for all loans facilitated through our platform, including those under credit-driven services and platform services, was 1.54%, 2.03% and 2.35%, respectively. The increase in 90 day+ delinquency rates was primarily due to soft consumer sentiment under the challenging macroenvironment following the pandemic. For more details, see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—A. Operating Results—Loan Performance Data—90 day+ delinquency rates.” To effectively manage credit risks, we have adopted a prudent approach to focus on improving the quality and profitability of our business through continued upgrade of our user base and optimize our asset portfolio. We also expect to continue focusing on enhancing our technology and credit assessment capabilities and fine-tuning our services and solutions to address financial institution partners’ evolving needs and risk preferences. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully manage our risk exposure in an effective manner.

If economic conditions deteriorate or any event beyond our control occurs to our operation, we may face an increased risk of default or delinquency of borrowers, which will result in lower returns or even losses. In the event that the creditworthiness of borrowers deteriorates, or we cannot track the deterioration of their creditworthiness, the criteria we use for the analysis of user credit profiles may be rendered inaccurate, and our credit profiling system may be subsequently rendered ineffective. This in turn may lead to higher default rates and adversely impact our results of operations.

In addition, deterioration in borrowers’ creditworthiness, or increase in our delinquency rate may discourage our financial institution partners from cooperating with us. If our financial institution partners choose to adopt a tight credit approval and drawdown funding policy, our ability to secure funding will be materially restricted.

We are subject to uncertainties surrounding regulations and administrative measures of the loan facilitation business. If any of our business practices are deemed to be non-compliant with applicable laws and regulations, our business, financial condition and results of operations would be adversely affected.

The lawlaws and regulations governing the loan facilitation business are evolving, and substantial uncertainties exist with respect to their interpretation and implementation. UncertaintiesIn addition, pursuant to the Plan on Reforming State Council Institutions approved by the National People’s Congress on March 10, 2023, the China National Financial Regulatory Administration was officially established on May 18, 2023, replacing the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission as the new financial regulatory authority in China. As a result, the local financial regulatory system underwent a deep reform, with the central financial management department’s local agencies acting as the main body. This restructuring may lead to changes and uncertainties in regulatory environmentrules and regulations applicable to our business, which may increase our cost of operation, limit our options of product offerings or even fundamentally change our business model fundamentally.model. We have experienced, and may from time to time be required to make adjustments to our operations in order to maintain compliance with changes in laws, regulations and policies. An example is the promulgation of the Notice on Regulating and Rectifying “Cash Loan” Business issued on December 1, 2017, or Circular 141, and related regulations. Circular 141 provides that aintroduces the regulating guidance on cash loan businesses including online micro-lending companies, P2P platforms and banking financial institution that offers cash loans through loan facilitation is prohibited from (i) accepting credit enhancement or other similar services from third parties that lack requisite licenses to provide guarantees; (ii) outsourcing credit assessment, risk management and other key functions to a loan facilitation operator; and (iii) allowing the loan facilitation operator to charge any interest or fees from the borrower.institutions. If a financial institution violates the aforementioned rules and provisions in Circular 141, the regulatory authorities may pursue compulsory enforcement, suspend its business, cancel its qualifications, or supervise the rectifications. In extremely serious circumstances, such financial institution’s business license may be revoked. For a discussion of Circular 141, please see “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulation—Regulation on Online Finance Services Industry—Regulations on the business of loansloan facilitation.”

On the basis of Circular 141, the Interim Measures for Administration of Internet Loans Issued by Commercial Banks, or the Internet Loans Interim Measures,among other requirements, provides for more comprehensive and specific provisions on the cooperation between a banking financial institution and a loan facilitation operator. In addition to prohibiting a banking financial institution from outsourcing its credit assessment and risk management functions, the Internet Loans Interim Measures also provide that “core risk management functions such as credit granting approval and contract conclusion shall be independently and effectively carried out by the commercial bank.” For a discussion of Internet Loans Interim Measures,the measures, please see “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulation—Regulation on Online Finance Services Industry—Regulations on the business of loansloan facilitation.”

Furthermore, on October 9, 2019, nine government authorities in China promulgated the Supplementary Provisions on the Supervision and Administration of Financing Guarantee Companies, or the Supplementary Financing Guarantee Provisions, which, as advised by our PRC legal counsel, for the first time, explicitly require that institutions providing services including customersuch as borrower recommendation and credit assessment for various lending institutions, including us as a Credit-Tech company, shall not provide, directly or in a disguised form, financing guarantee services without prior approval. For the companies engaging in financing guarantee business without the relevant financing guarantee license, the regulatory authorities shall cease such companies’ operation and properly make settlement for existing business contracts. For a discussion of the Supplementary Financing Guarantee Provisions, please see “ Item“Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulation—Regulations on Financing Guarantee.”

Before20

Table of Contents

In response to the regulatory changes since the promulgation of Circular 141, we followed the market practice in preparing agreements used in our loan originations and facilitations. In response to certain requirements under Circular 141 and the Internet Loans Interim Measures, we have made several adjustments to our collaboration model with certain financial institution partners. However, we may still be deemed to violate Circular 141, the Supplementary Financing Guarantee Provisions, the Internet Loans Interim Measuresnon-compliant with these regulations or other relevant rules in the following aspects of our business:

18

Table of Contents

Guarantee practice. We neither collectcollected guarantee fees through our non-licensed subsidiaries from our institutional fundingfinancial institution partners, nor taketook providing guarantees as our main operating business. Historically, certainbusiness through our non-licensed subsidiaries, while historically one of our PRC subsidiariesthe VIEs that had not obtained the financing guarantee license provided guarantees or other credit enhancement services to certain financial institution partners, whichpartners. Under such model, the non-licensed VIE could be deemed to violateas operating financing guarantee business and therefore non-compliant with Circular 141 and the Supplementary Financing Guarantee Provisions. We have completely ceased such practice and we did not provide any guaranteesthrough the non-licensed VIE since September 2020. Currently, third-party guarantee companies or the licensed VIE provides guarantee or other credit enhancement services to our financial institution partners that did not have the relevant guarantee license for loans facilitated through our platform in 2021. Currently,partners. We engage third-party guarantee companies or our own licensedto provide guarantee company provides guarantee service to our financial institution partners,services, and we, at the same time,under certain circumstances, provide back-to-back guarantees for external guarantee companies. We currently provide back-to-back guarantees only through the licensed VIE. As advised by our PRC legal counsel, the third-partyour back-to-back guarantee model is not prohibited by Circular 141, because we arehave not providingdirectly provided guarantee to banking financial institutions. We have also consulted with local authorities which have expressed the same opinion. However, in the absence of authoritative interpretation of Circular 141, we cannot assure you that all the PRC regulatory authorities will have the same view as our PRC legal counsel on this issue. Moreover, given the lack of further interpretations, the exact definition and scope of “providing financing guarantee business in a disguised form” under the Supplementary Financing Guarantee Provisions is unclear. Therefore, we cannot be certain that our newback-to-back guarantee model will not be determined to be in violation of the Supplementary Financing Guarantee Provisions. For additional information on potential risk related to compliance with the leverage ratio limits for financing guarantee business, please see “—We are subject to uncertainties surrounding regulations and administrative measures of microcreditmicro-lending business and financing guarantee business. If any of our business practices are deemed to be non-compliant with such laws and regulations, our business, financial condition and results of operations would be adversely affected.”
Payment. We have adopted a new payment flow model and applied it to our cooperation with all financial institution partners. Under the newour payment flow model, we do not charge interests to borrowers directly make payments tofor loans funded by our financial institution partners, who will then pay us ourpartners; instead, we charge service fee.fees to financial institutions. In certain cases, some financial institution partners further engage us and a third-party payment system service provider to together arrange payment clearance, pursuant to which borrowers first repay to a third-party payment system and we work together with the payment system service provider to split the total repayment amount, including principal, interest and service fees, to the portions that financial institution partners and we are each entitled to. The third-party payment service providers are engaged per our financial institution partners’ request and are mainly for the purpose of general payment processing and clearance. We do not charge any fees from borrowers under the newour payment flow model.model for loans funded by our financial institution partners. As advised by our PRC legal counsel, such new payment model does not violate Circular 141 or the Interim Measures for Administration of Internet Loans Interim Measures.Issued by Commercial Banks. However, in the absence of authoritative interpretation of Circular 141 and given substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current or future PRC laws and regulations, we cannot assure you that PRC regulatory authorities will ultimately take a view that is consistent with our PRC legal counsel.
Product pricing. In accordance with the evolution of regulatory environments, we have lowered the annual percentage rates, or APR, on loans that we facilitate, as well as our internal rate of return, or IRR, based on which the APR is calculated. We may further adjust the APR and IRR from time to time as a result of changes in regulations or our business strategies. If we are unable to keep up with the evolution of regulations and maintain compliance or are deemed to price loans at a rate that exceed the regulatory limits, we could be ordered to suspend, rectify or terminate our practices or operations, subject to cancellation of qualifications, or ordered to relinquish the excessive portion of the interest income. If any of these occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations and our cooperation with financial institution partners could be materially and adversely affected as a result. For additional information on potential risks associated with loan product pricing, please see “—The pricing of loans originated or facilitated through our platform may be deemed to exceed interest rate limits imposed by regulations.”share this view.

As advised by our PRC legal counsel, Circular 141 has nodoes not have retrospective effect on the loan facilitation business conducted prior to the issuance of Circular 141, as advised by our PRC legal counsel, and we believe that loans we originated or facilitated prior to the issuance of Circular 141 or under our existing collaboration agreements executed prior to the issuance of Circular 141 are not subject to its jurisdiction. However, we cannot rule out the possibility that government authorities would still consider our guarantee practice, payment model, product pricing or other aspects of our business practices to be in violation ofviolate Circular 141 and there can be no assurance that the PRC government authorities will ultimately take a view that is consistent with our PRC legal counsel. To the extent that any aspect of141. If our products or services is deemed to be non-compliant with any requirements of the relevant PRC laws and regulations, we may need to further adjust our current practices within a limited time period and as a result, our business operations may be negatively impacted.

19

Table of Contents

In addition, our risk management assistance to banks mainly depends on the evaluation of information regarding personal credit status, which may be deemed as a “data-driven risk management model,” a model that regulations such as Circular 141 demand to be adopted with care and caution. We may also be deemed to engage in credit reporting business or credit reporting function services by the PRC authorities, and may be required to obtain an individual credit reporting license or pursue other avenues to ensure compliance pursuant to the Credit Reporting Measures. If such assistance is prohibited, it may affect the subsequent collaboration between us and our financial institution partners. If we are prohibited from conducting our credit assessment, our operation will be adversely affected. See also “—We are subject to uncertainties surrounding regulations and administrative measures of the credit reporting business. If any of our business practices are deemed to be non-compliant, our business, financial condition and results of operations would be materially and adversely affected.”

Further, if our financial institution partners cease to fund the loans, either on a temporary basis to await more clarity on the new regulatory environment, or on a permanent basis for non-compliance concerns, our operation will be adversely impacted. If fewer financial institutions are willing to fund the loans, the competition for funding may become more intense, and the cost of funding may increase, which may adversely impact our results of operations.

Besides, in April 2021, we and 12 other major financial technology platforms were invited to meet with the People’s Bank of China, or the PBOC, China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission, or the CBIRC, the CSRC, the SAFE and other financial regulators to discuss the operations and compliance practice of these platfroms’platforms’ internet financial businesses in China. We have been making rectifications and adjustments to our operations to address the issues discussed during the meeting and results of our self-examination according to the guidance provided by the regulators. As of the date of this annual report, we have substantially completed the rectification measures based on our self-examination results according to the guidance provided by the relevant authorities. The regulatory authorities have reviewed our rectification measures in general. The regulatory authorities have moved on to the regular regulatory supervision status from the self-examination and rectification status with respect to regulating these major financial technology platforms, including us. Our rectification results remain subject to the regulators’ final review,regular supervision, and we cannot assure you that the measures we have taken and rectifications we have made will satisfy the requirements from the regulators. ToIf the extent thatregulators deem our rectification efforts are deemed not sufficientto be insufficient or unsatisfactory, to the regulators, we may face further rectification orders or other administrative actions, in which case our business and operations may be materially and negatively affected.

21

Table of Contents

We are subject to uncertainties surrounding regulations and administrative measures of microcreditmicro-lending business and financing guarantee business. If any of our business practices are deemed to be non-compliant with such laws and regulations, our business, financial condition and results of operations would be adversely affected.

A small portion of loans originatedfacilitated on our platform are funded by Fuzhou Microcredit, the subsidiary of Shanghai Qiyu, one of ourthe VIEs. We also provide financing guarantees to our financial institution partners through ourFuzhou Financing Guarantee and Shanghai Financing Guarantee (before its financing guarantee subsidiarieslicense was canceled upon its voluntary application), for some loans we facilitate. As a result, we are subject to a complex and evolving body of regulations in relation to these businesses.

On August 2, 2017, the PRC State Council promulgated the Regulations on the Supervision and Administration of Financing Guarantee Companies, which became effective on October 1, 2017. The regulations set forth that the outstanding guarantee liabilities of a financing guarantee company shall not exceed ten times its net assets, and that the balance of outstanding guarantee liabilities for the same guaranteed party shall not exceed 10% of a financing guarantee company’s net assets, while the balance of outstanding guarantee liabilities for the same guaranteed party and its affiliated parties shall not exceed 15% of a financing guarantee company’s net assets.

On September 16, 2020, the CBIRCChina Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission issued the Notice on Strengthening the Supervision and Management of MicrocreditMicro-Lending Companies, or Circular 86. Adopted to regulate the operations of microcreditmicro-lending companies, Circular 86 provides that the total funding amount obtained by a microcreditmicro-lending company through bank loans, shareholder loans and other non-standard financing instruments shall not exceed such company’s net assets. In addition, the total funding amount obtained by a microcreditmicro-lending company through the issuance of bonds, asset securitization products and other instruments of standardized debt assets shall not exceed four times of its net assets. Local financial regulatory authorities may further lower the leverage limits mentioned above.

20

Table of Contents

On November 2, 2020, the CBIRCChina Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission and the PBOCPeople’s Bank of China published the Interim Measures for the Administration of Online MicrocreditMicro-Lending Business (Draft for Comments), or the Online Microcredit Draft, adding new requirements to online microcreditmicro-lending business. In particular, the Online Microcredit Draft,draft, among other things, strengthens the condition for licensing and other approvals for conducting online microcreditmicro-lending business. Pursuant to the Online Microcredit Draft,draft, to the extent a microcreditmicro-lending company engages in online microcreditmicro-lending business, said business shall mainly be carried out within the provincial-level administrative region to which its place of registration belongs, and shall not operate beyond such region without the approval of the banking regulator under the State Council. On December 31, 2021, the PBOCPeople’s Bank of China issued the Regulations on Local Financial Supervision and Administration (Draft for Comments), which reaffirmsreaffirm that local financial organizations (including microcreditmicro-lending companies and financing guarantee companies) are required to operate business within the area approved by the local financial regulatory authority, and are not allowed to conduct business across provinces in principle.

Fuzhou Microcredit has obtained the approval to operate microcreditmicro-lending businesses from the competent supervising authority, which allows Fuzhou Microcredit to conduct microcreditmicro-lending businesses through the internet. As of the date of this annual report, Fuzhou Microcredit had increased its registered capital to RMB5 billion.billion, which has been fully paid. Currently, Fuzhou Microcredit can conduct cross-province business with its valid license. However, if the Interim Measures for the Administration of Online Microcredit DraftMicro-Lending Business (Draft for Comments) were to be adopted in its current form, Fuzhou Microcredit may need to obtain the legal approval of the banking regulator under the State Council in order to engage in online microcreditmicro-lending business across provincial-level administrative regions. The rules for licensing or approvals for cross-province online micro creditmicro-lending business isare yet to be formulated as of the date of this annual report. We cannot assure you that, if the authorities later promulgate such rules for micro-lending business or other rules imposing licensing or approval requirements on financing guarantee business, Fuzhou Microcredit Fuzhou Financing Guarantee or ShanghaiFuzhou Financing Guarantee will be qualified for such licenses or approvals in accordance with the requirements thereunder. If we fail to obtain the regulatory approvals to further increase the registered capital or to establish additional online micro-lending companies if needed, we may not be able to obtain sufficient funding to fulfill our future growth needs. From time to time, we may need additional licenses to operate our business. Failure to obtain, renew, or retain requisite licenses, permits or approvals may adversely affect our ability to conduct or expand our business.

22

Table of Contents

Furthermore, Fuzhou Microcredit is subject to the laws, regulations, policies and measures in Fuzhou in respect of registered capital and of loan-to-capital and other leverage ratios, among other things, and our financing guarantee companies are subject to the supervision of local financial authorities in Fuzhou, and Shanghai and other jurisdictions where their branch offices are located. While we have not been subject to any regulatory penalties as of(before the date of this annual report in connection with such microcredit and financing guarantee companies’ business practices, welicense of Shanghai Financing Guarantee was canceled upon its voluntary application) and Tianjin where the branch office of Fuzhou Financing Guarantee is located. We may be subject to regulatory warnings, correction orders, condemnation and fines and may be required to further adjust our business if any of our microcreditmicro-lending and financing guarantee companies is deemed to have violated national, provincial or local laws and regulations or regulatory orders and guidance.

We are subject to uncertainties surrounding regulations and administrative measures of credit reporting business. If any of our business practices is deemed to be non-compliant with such laws and regulations, our business, financial condition and results of operations would be materially and adversely affected.

The PRC government has adopted several regulations governing personal and enterprise credit reporting businesses. These regulations include the Regulation for the Administration of Credit Reporting Industry enacted by the State Council and became effective in March 2013, and the Management Rules on Credit Agencies issued by the People’s Bank of China, or the PBOC, in the same year. According to the Regulation for the Administration of Credit Reporting Industry, “credit reporting business” refers to the gathering, organizing, preserving and processing of credit information on organizations such as enterprises and public service units and individuals, as well as distribution of such information to information users, and a “credit reporting agency” refers to credit reporting entity established in accordance with law and mainly engaged in credit reporting business. Entities or individuals engaging in individual credit reporting business shall obtain a license from the PBOC. Entities engaged in personalpersonal/enterprise credit reporting business without such approvalapproval/completing filing formality may be subject to penalties, including suspension of business activities, confiscation of gains related to individual credit reporting business and the imposition of a fine of RMB50,000 to RMB500,000 or criminal liability.

21

Table of Contents

On September 27, 2021, the PBOC issuedIn addition, the Administrative Measures for Credit Reporting Business orissued by the Credit Reporting Measures, which took effectPeople’s Bank of China on September 27, 2021 and effective on January 1, 2022. The2022, or the Credit Reporting Measures, define “credit information” to include “basic information, borrowing and lending information and other relevant information legally collected in the offering of services of finance or other activities for purposes of identifying and judging the credit standing of businesses and individuals, as well as result of analysis and evaluation based on the aforesaid information,” and define “credit reporting business” as the collection, collation, keeping and processing of credit information and provision of such information to information users. The Credit Reporting Measures appliesapply to entities that carry out credit reporting business and “activities relating to credit reporting business” in China. Separately, entities providing “services of credit reporting function” in the name of “credit information service, credit service, credit evaluation, credit rating, credit repair, among others” are also subject to the Credit Reporting Measures. Credit Reporting Measures providesmeasures. The measures provide for an 18-month grace period from itstheir effectiveness date for organizations that engage in credit investigationreporting business to obtain the credit reporting business license and comply with its other provisions. TheFurthermore, on July 7, 2021, the Credit Reporting MeasuresInformation System Bureau of the People’s Bank of China further issued the Notice Relating to Disconnecting Direct Connection to 13 internet platforms including us, requiring the internet platforms to achieve a complete “disconnected direct connection” in terms of personal information with financial institutions, meaning that the direct flow of personal information from internet platforms that collect such information to financial institutions is new and significant uncertainties existprohibited.

Historically, we provided credit assessment assistance directly to commercial banks which mainly depended on the evaluation of information regarding personal credit status. Such practice may be deemed as engaging in credit reporting business or credit reporting function services by the PRC authorities. To comply with respect to its interpretation and implementation. For example, the Credit Reporting Measures does not directly denyand the legitimacy of existing data analytics or precision marketing service providers in the financial service industry, nor does it provide a clear guidance or implementation rules on how and when these providers, if deemedNotice Relating to be conductingDisconnecting Direct Connection, we have involved two licensed credit reporting institutions to ensure compliance and have substantially completed our business could apply for required licenses or otherwise complyadjustments within the 18-month grace period as of the date of this annual report. In particular, we have entered into collaboration agreements with two licensed credit reporting institutions to ensure the flow of personal information complies with the requirements of the Credit Reporting Measures and the Notice Relating to Disconnecting Direct Connection. However, there remain uncertainties with respect to the interpretation and implementation of the Credit Reporting Measures. Therefore, we cannot rule out the possibility that some aspects of our business may subsequently be deemed as incompliant and be required to be ceased or adjusted in a way that is adverse towill have a negative impact on our business and prospects. If our credit assessment assistance is prohibited, it may affect the collaboration between us and our financial institution partners. If we are prohibited from conducting our credit assessment, our operation will be adversely affected. The lack of clear guidance under, and the uncertainty associated with, the Credit Reporting Measures may also result in substantial compliance cost incurred by us.

In addition, on July 7, 2021,

23

Table of Contents

We will closely monitor the Credit Information System Bureau of PBOC further issuedregulatory requirements, seek guidance from regulatory authorities and take applicable measures in a notice, or the Notice Relating to Disconnecting Direct Connection, to 13 internet platforms including us, requiring the internet platforms to achieve a complete “disconnected direct connection” between personal information and financial institutions, meaning that the flow of personal information from internet platforms that collect such information to financial institutions is prohibited.

In order to meet the requirements of the Credit Reporting Measures and the Notice Relating to Disconnecting Direct Connection, we may be required to obtain an individual credit reporting business license or involve a third-party licensed institutiontimely manner to ensure our compliance whichwith the laws and regulations applicable to us. We may incur significant costs and expenses to address the requirementsensure compliance and to make necessary changes to our internal policies and practices including but not limited to obtaining an individual credit reporting business license, or collaboratingmaintain compliance with a licensed credit reporting agency.the laws and regulations applicable to us in the future. According to the Notice Relating to Disconnecting Direct Connection, the Credit Reporting Measures and other related laws and regulations, any failure or perceived failure by us to obtainmeet the license from PBOC for personal credit reporting businessrequirements may subject us to an order to cease business operation, confiscation of illegal gains, fines of up to RMB500,000,fine or even criminal liabilities,liability, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulation—Regulations On Credit Reporting Business” for details.

The pricing of loans originated or facilitated through our platform may be deemed to exceed interest rate limits imposed by regulations.

Circular 141 requires online platforms, microcreditmicro-lending companies and other entities to charge synthetic fund costs, including the interest and fees paid by the borrowers, in compliance with the rules provided by the Supreme People’s Court, and such costs shall be within the legally allowed annualized interest rate for private lending. According to the Provisions of the Supreme People’s Court on Several Issues concerning the Application of Law in the Trial of Private Lending Cases promulgated on September 1, 2015, in the event that the sum of the annualized interest that lenders charge and the fees we and our financial institution partners charge exceeds the 24% limit, and borrowers refused to pay the portion that exceeds the 24% limit, PRC courts would not uphold our request to demand the portion of the fees that exceeds the 24% limit from such borrowers. If the sum of the annual interest that lenders charge and the fees we and our financial institution partners charge exceeds 36%, the portion that exceeds the 36% limit is invalid. The Supreme People’s Court issued the Several Opinions on Further Strengthening the Judicial Work in the Finance Sector in August 2017, which provides that in the context of peer-to-peer lending, if an online lending information intermediary and a lender intentionally collude to evade the interest rate ceiling as set out by the law through disguising loan interest as loan facilitation service fees, then such arrangements shall be declared invalid. On July 22, 2020, the Supreme People’s Court and the National Commission of Development and Reform Commission, or the NDRC, jointly released the Opinions on Providing Judicial Services and Safeguards for Accelerating the Improvement of the Socialist Market Economic System for the New Era, or the Opinions.Era. The Opinionsopinions set out that if the interest and fees, including interest, compound interest, penalty interest, liquidated damages and other fees, claimed by one party to the loan contract exceed the upper limit under judicial protection, the claim will not be supported by the court, and if the parties to the loan disguise the financing cost in an attempt to circumvent the upper limit, the rights and obligations of all parties to the loan will be determined by the actual loan relationship.

22

Table of Contents

On August 20, 2020, the Supreme People’s Court issued the Decision on Amending the Provisions of the Supreme People’s Court on Several Issues Concerning the Application of Law in the Trial of Private Lending Cases, or the Judicial Interpretation Amendment, which was revised on January 1, 2021 and amended the upper limit of private lending interest rates under judicial protection. According to the Judicial Interpretation Amendment, if the service fees or other fees that we charge are deemed to be loan interest or fees related to loans (inclusive of any default rate and default penalty and any other fee), in the event that the sum of the annualized interest that lenders charge and fees we and our financial institution partners charge exceeds four times the one-year Loan Prime Rate at the time of the establishment of the agreement, orwhich we refer to as the Quadruple LPR Limit, borrowers may refuse to pay the portion that exceeds the Quadruple LPR Limit. In that case, PRC courts will not uphold our request to demand the payment of fees that exceed the Quadruple LPR Limit from such borrowers. If borrowers have paid the fees that exceed the Quadruple LPR Limit, such borrowers may request us to refund the portion exceeding the Quadruple LPR Limit and the PRC courts may uphold such requests. The aforementioned one-year Loan Prime Rate refers to the one-year loan market quoted interest rate issued by the National Bank Interbank Funding Center on the 20th of each month starting from August 20, 2019, and the one-year loan market quoted interest rate issued by the National Bank Interbank Funding Center on April 20, 202222, 2024 was 3.7%3.45%. We cannot assure you that the one-year loan market quoted interest rate and the Quadruple LPR Limit will not decrease further in the future.

On December 29, 2020, the Supreme People’s Court issued the Reply to Issues Concerning the Scope of Application of the New Judicial Interpretation on Private Lending, or the Supreme People’s Court Reply, which clarifiedclarifies that seven types of local financial organizations, including micro-creditmicro-lending companies, financing guarantee companies, regional equity markets, pawnshops, financing lease companies, commercial factoring companies and local asset management companies under the regulation of local financial regulatory authorities, are financial institutions established upon approval by financial regulatory authorities. The Judicial Interpretation Amendment is not applicable to disputes arising from their engagement in relevant financial businesses.

24

Table of Contents

Although the Judicial Interpretation Amendment and the Supreme People’s Court Reply to Issues Concerning the Scope of Application of the New Judicial Interpretation on Private Lending provide that they do not apply to licensed financial institutions, including micro-creditmicro-lending companies that conduct loan and Credit-Tech business, there remain uncertainties in the interpretation and implementation of the Judicial Interpretation Amendment,amendment, including whether licensed financial institutions may be subject to its jurisdiction under Circular 141 or in certain circumstances, the basis of the calculation formula used to determine the interest limit, the scope of inclusion of related fees and insurance premiums, as well as inconsistencies between the standard and level of enforcement by different PRC courts. We cannot assure you that there will not be interpretations of the Judicial Interpretation Amendment expanding its jurisdiction to cover licensed financial institutions, nor can we guarantee that there will not be any changes to the detailed calculation formula used to determine the interest limit, that our future fee rates will not be lowered as a result of the Quadruple LPR Limit, or that the Quadruple LPR Limit will not be applied to our historical and legacy products where the related dispute cases are accepted by PRC courts of first instance on or after August 20, 2020. In such cases, we and our financial institution partners may be required to repay certain borrowers if our historical and legacy loan products are deemed to have violated the applicable laws and regulations concerning the limit of lending interest and fee rates. Our business, results of operations and financial condition may therefore be materially and adversely affected by the implementation of the Judicial Interpretation Amendment.

In addition to rules, opinions and decisions issued by the PRC courts, we and our financial institution partners are also subject to regulatory agencies’ requirements, supervision or guidance. We have lowered the IRRpricing on loans we facilitate and may further adjust the IRRpricing from time to time as a result of changes in regulations or our business strategies. Currently, we adhere to the pricing policy that no loan should have an IRR exceeding 36%. As of December 31, 2021,2023, the IRRsIRR for all of loans arefacilitated by us was under 36%, and. As of the same date, the outstanding balance of loans with an IRR exceeding 24% amounted to RMB62.1 billionRMB102.4 million (US$9.7 billion)14.4 million), representing 43.7%which represented 0.1% of all the outstanding balance of our loans1 facilitated by us, compared to RMB61.0RMB4.7 billion and 66.2%3.8%, respectively, as of December 31, 2020.2022. If we are unable to keep up with the evolvement of regulations and maintain compliance or are deemed to price loans at a rate that exceeds the regulatory limits, we could be ordered to suspend, rectify or terminate our practices or operations, subject to cancellationcancelation of qualifications, or ordered to relinquish the excessive portion of the interest income. If any of these occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations and our cooperation with financial institution partners could be materially and adversely affected. See also “—We are subject to uncertainties surrounding regulations and administrative measures of the loan facilitation business. If any of our business practices are deemed to be non-compliant with applicable laws and regulations, our business, financial condition and results of operations would be adversely affected.”

23

Table of Contents

Our transaction process may result in misunderstanding among our borrowers.

Our paperless transaction process is facilitated primarily on our mobile platform. While such transaction process is streamlined and convenient, it involves certain inherent risks. Our borrowersBorrowers may not read the electronic agreements closely, which may result in misunderstanding of certain terms and conditions. Furthermore, information in our product promotion materials and our app may result in misunderstanding among our borrowers and be deemed misleading. For instance, we utilize the internal rate of return methodology to calculate the total interest and service fees to be paid by borrowers and to determine the APR on ourpricing of loan product.products facilitated by us. Despite the fact that we have disclosed our fee structure in the agreements with our borrowers and display on our mobile platform how service fees are calculated using the internal rate of return, and the annualized composite rate, they may overlook or misunderstand such service fees, interest rates and other fees, and calculate the APR, total interest and service fees utilizing a different methodology, which may result in misunderstanding of our fee structure. If the government authorities and the courts determine that the interest rate disclosed in our product promotion and our app is misleading, the courts may support the borrower’s request to rescind the agreement or determine a lower interest and service fee to be paid by the borrower, and we may be subject to fines and penalties by the courts and government authorities for the misleading promotion. In addition, such misunderstanding may arouse negative publicity and complaints among our borrowers, harm our brand name and reputation and in turn hurt our ability to retain and attract borrowers, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We are subject to credit cycles and the riskNote:

1

The IRR does not take into account loans facilitated under “ICE” and other technology solutions. “ICE” is an open platform on our “360 Jietiao” APP. We match borrowers and financial institutions through big data and cloud computing technology on “ICE,” and provide pre-loan investigation report of borrowers. Loans facilitated under other technology solutions are directly transacted between the financial institutions and borrowers.

25

Table of deterioration of credit profiles of borrowers.Contents

Our business is subject to credit cycles associated with the volatility of the general economy. If economic conditions deteriorate, we may face an increased risk of default or delinquency of borrowers, which will result in lower returns or even losses. In the event that the creditworthiness of our borrowers deteriorates or we cannot track the deterioration of their creditworthiness, the criteria we use for the analysis of borrower credit profiles may be rendered inaccurate, and our risk management system may be subsequently rendered ineffective. This in turn may lead to higher default rates and adversely impact our results of operations.

In addition, any deterioration in our borrowers’ creditworthiness, or any increase in our delinquency rate will also discourage our financial institution partners from cooperating with us. If our financial institution partners choose to adopt a tight credit approval and drawdown funding policy, our ability to secure funding will be materially restricted.

Fraudulent activity on our platform could negatively impact our operating results, brand and reputation and cause the use of our loan products facilitated by us and our services to decrease.

We are subject to the risk of fraudulent activity associated with prospective borrowers and parties handling borrowerinformation on borrowers or institutional funding partner information.financial institution partners. Our resources, technologies and fraud detection tools may be insufficient to accurately detect and prevent fraud. Even if we identify a fraudulent prospective borrower and reject his/her credit application, such prospective borrower may re-apply by using fraudulent information. We may fail to identify such behavior, despite our measures to verify personal identification information provided by prospective borrowers. Furthermore, we may not be able to recoup funds underlying transactions made in connection with fraudulent activities. A significant increase in fraudulent activities could negatively impact our brands and reputation, discourage financial institution partners from collaborating with us, reduce the number of transactions originated or facilitated from borrowers and lead us to take additional steps to reduce fraud risk, which could increase our costs. High profile fraudulent activity could even lead to regulatory intervention and may divert our management’s attention and cause us to incur additional expenses and costs.

We rely on our proprietary risk managementcredit profiling model in assessing the creditworthiness of our borrowers and the risks associated with loans. If our model is flawed or ineffective, or if we otherwise fail or are perceived to fail to manage the default risks of loans originated or 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 borrowersusers to, and build trust in, our platform is significantly dependent on our ability to effectively evaluate borrowers’users’ credit profiles and the likelihood of default based on our Argus Intelligent Risk Management Engine, or the AI-powered Argus Engine. This modelThe AI-powered tool may be flawed or ineffective in processing the immense data and providing an accurate report. It may not adjust itself to the changes in the data patterns or macroeconomic situations. In addition, it may be breached, manipulated or otherwise compromised.

If any of the foregoing were to occur in the future, our financial institution partners may try to rescind their affected investments or decide not to invest in loans, or borrowers may seek to revise the terms of their loans or reduce the use of our platform for financing.

24

Table of Contents

Meanwhile, as our Argus Engine becomes more familiar to the public and fraudulent borrowersusers become better educated regarding the industry practice, it is possible that despite the iterative development of our anti-fraud and credit-scoring algorithm, our model becomes outdated and ineffective in detecting new fraud schemes or making accurate credit assessments. If that happens, our ability to control our delinquency rate will become substantially limited, which will adversely impact our operationbusiness prospects and financial status.results.

We rely on our risk management team to establish and execute our risk management policies. If our risk management team or key members of such team were unable or unwilling to continue in their present positions, our business may be severely disrupted.

We rely on our risk management team to continuouslycontinually iterate and train our Argus Engine, which is the center of the establishment and execution of our risk managementcredit profiling policies. Although our Argus Engine is equipped with machine learning capability and conducts self-learning and self-development all based on the data we have, we still rely on our risk management team to spot and fix potential errors and flaws in our Argus Engine. Meanwhile, the Credit-Tech market changes quickly and we may need to adjust our risk managementcredit profiling principles from time to time to control our loss rate while maintaining the borrower base and securing a stable increase in our borrowers and satisfying returns for our financial institution partners. We rely on our risk management team to closely monitor the change in the market and our business, and update our risk managementcredit profiling principles accordingly, which will be then used to train our Argus Engine. If our risk management team or key members of such team were unable or unwilling to continue in their present positions, we may have to incur additional time and monetary cost to find a replacement to our risk management team that fits us, and our result of business operation and financial status may be adversely and severely impacted.

If we are unable to protect the private information of our users and adapt to the relevant regulatory framework as to protection of such information, our business and operation may be adversely affected.

Our platform collects, stores and processes certain personal information and other sensitive data from users for the purpose of providing our services. We have obtained the explicit consents from users to use their personal information within the scope of authorization and we have taken technical measures to protect the security of such personal information and prevent personal information from being divulged, damaged or lost. However, we face risks inherent in handling and protecting personal information. In particular, we face a number of challenges relating to data generated from transactions and other activities on our platform, including:

26

Table of Contents

protecting the data in and hosted on our system, including against attacks on our system by outside parties or fraudulent behavior or improper use by our employees;
addressing concerns related to privacy and sharing, safety, security and other factors; and
complying with applicable laws, rules and regulations relating to the collection, use, storage, transfer, disclosure and security of personal information, which are subject to change and new interpretations, including any requests from regulatory and government authorities relating to such data.

We face the risk of security breaches or similar disruptions. Due to the data assets we have, our platform is an attractive target and potentially vulnerable to cyberattacks, computer viruses, physical or electronic break-ins or similar disruptions. Because techniques used to sabotage or obtain unauthorized access to systems evolve continually and 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 counter-measures. In addition to advances in technology, an increased level of sophistication and diversity of our products and services, an increased level of expertise of hackers, new discoveries in the field of cryptography or other risks can result in the compromise or breach of our websites or our apps. 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, user data or personal information could be stolen or misused, which could expose us to penalties or other administrative actions, time-consuming and expensive litigation and negative publicity, materially and adversely affect our business and reputation and deter potential users from using our products and financial institution partners from cooperating with us, any of which would have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial condition and business prospects.

In addition, we expect that data security and data protection compliance will receive greater attention and focus from regulators, both domestically and globally, as well as continued or greater public scrutiny and attention going forward, which could increase our compliance costs and subject us to heightened risks and challenges associated with data security and protection. For details of risks relating to our compliance with relevant laws and regulations, see “—Our business is subject to complex and evolving PRC laws and regulations regarding data privacy and cybersecurity, as such regulations and laws as newly promulgated, many of which are subject to changefurther interpretation. Any changes in these laws and uncertainregulations have caused and could continue to cause changes to our business practices and increase costs of operations, and any security breaches or our actual or perceived failure to comply with such laws and regulations could result in claims, penalties, damages to our reputation and brand, declines in user growth or engagement, or otherwise harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.” If we are unable to manage these risks, or if we are accused of failing to comply with such laws and regulations, we could become subject to corrective orders, penalties, including fines, suspension of business, websites, or applications, and revocation of required licenses, and our reputation and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

Our business is subject to complex and evolving PRC laws and regulations regarding data privacy and cybersecurity, as such regulations and laws as newly promulgated, many of which are subject to further interpretation. Any changes in these laws and regulations have caused and could continue to cause changes to our business practices and increase costs of operations, and any security breaches or our actual or perceived failure to comply with such laws and regulations could result in claims, penalties, damages to our reputation and brand, declines in user growth or engagement, or otherwise harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our platform collects, stores and processes certain personal and other sensitive data from our borrowers for the purpose of providing our services, such as name, identity number and phone number. We have obtained the explicit consents from our borrowers to use their personal information within the scope of authorization and we have taken technical measures to protect the security of such personal information and prevent personal information from being divulged, damaged or lost. However, we face risks inherent in handling and protecting personal data. In particular, we face a number of challenges relating to data from transactions and other activities on our platform, including:

protecting the data in and hosted on our system, including against attacks on our system by outside parties or fraudulent behavior or improper use by our employees;
addressing concerns related to privacy and sharing, safety, security and other factors; and
complying with applicable laws, rules and regulations relating to the collection, use, storage, transfer, disclosure and security of personal information, which are subject to change and new interpretations, including any requests from regulatory and government authorities relating to such data.

In general, we expect that data security and data protection compliance will receive greater attention and focus from regulators, both domestically and globally, as well as continued or greater public scrutiny and attention going forward, which could increase our compliance costs and subject us to heightened risks and challenges associated with data security and protection. If we are unable to manage these risks, or if we are accused of failing to comply with such laws and regulations, we could become subject to corrective orders, penalties, including fines, suspension of business, websites, or applications, and revocation of required licenses, and our reputation and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

Recently, regulatoryRegulatory authorities in China have enhanced data protection and cybersecurity regulatory requirements and promulgated new laws and regulations, many of which are subject to changefurther interpretation, clarification and uncertain interpretation. These laws continue to develop, and the PRC government may adopt further rules, restrictions and clarifications in the future.revision. Moreover, different PRC regulatory bodies including the Standing Committee of the NPC, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, or the MIIT, the CAC, the Ministry of Public Security, or the MPS, and the State Administration for Market Regulation, or the SAMR, have enforced data privacy and protections laws and regulations with varying standards and applications. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulation—Regulations on Information Security and Privacy Protection.” The following are non-exhaustive examples of certain recent PRC regulatory activities in this area:

2527

Table of Contents

In December 2021, the CAC, together with other authorities, jointly promulgated the Measures for Cybersecurity Review (2021 Revision), which became effective on February 15, 2022 and replaces their predecessor regulation. Pursuant to the measures, critical information infrastructure operators that procure internet products and services or network platform operators that carry out data processing activities must be subject to a cybersecurity review if their activities affect or may affect national security. The measures further stipulate that network platform operators that hold personal information of over one million users shall apply with the Cybersecurity Review Office for a cybersecurity review before any public offering at a foreign stock exchange. As of the date of this annual report, no detailed rules or implementation rules regarding the recognition of the “critical information infrastructure” have been issued by any authority, and we have not been informed that we are a “critical information infrastructure operator” by any government authority. The Regulations on Protection of Critical Information Infrastructure stipulate that the respective supervision and administration departments of the important industries and sectors as mentioned above shall be responsible for the security protection of critical information infrastructures, and the departments shall be responsible for organizing the recognition of the “critical information infrastructure” within the industries and sectors according to the recognition rules, and shall inform the recognized “critical information infrastructure operator” accordingly. However, as of the date of this annual report, to our best knowledge, we are not aware of any published regulations for recognition for “critical information infrastructure.” Therefore, it is uncertain whether we would be deemed to be a “critical information infrastructure operator” under PRC law. If we are deemed a “critical information infrastructure operator” under the PRC cybersecurity laws and regulations, we may be subject to obligations in addition to those with which we are currently obligated to comply.

The PRC Cybersecurity Law, which became effective in June 2017, created China’s first national-level data protection framework for “network operators.” It is a relatively new law and subject to interpretations and clarifications

In July 7, 2022, the CAC published the Outbound Data Transfer Security Assessment Measures, which took effect on September 1, 2022 and specify that data processors who intend to provide important data and personal information that are collected and generated in the operation within the territory of the PRC to overseas shall be subject to security assessment with the CAC. Under the Outbound Data Transfer Security Assessment Measures, an entity must apply for a CAC security assessment if it processes personal information of over one million individuals and outbound transfers personal information, or if it has cumulatively outbound transferred personal information of more than 100,000 individuals or sensitive personal information of more than 10,000 individuals since January 1 of the previous year or if it conducts outbound transfers of important data. The Outbound Data Transfer Security Assessment Measures further stipulate the process and requirements for the security assessment. It is also unclear what constitutes “outbound data transfer.” These bring more uncertainties with respect to the application and enforcement of the newly published measures, and we may be subject to such outbound data security assessment with the CAC. In addition, on February 22, 2023, the Provisions on the Standard Contract on Cross-border Transfer of Personal Information were promulgated by the CAC and effective on June 1, 2023. The provisions include a standard contract for cross-border transfer of personal information that could be used to satisfy one of the conditions for cross-border transfer of personal information under Article 38 of the Personal Information Protection Law. On March 22, 2024, the CAC promulgated the Regulations on Promoting and Regulating Cross-border Data Flow, which further clarify the implementation and connection of the existing data outbound security assessment, personal information cross-border standard contract and personal information protection certification regarding data outbound. For details, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulation—Regulations on Information Security and Privacy Protection.” However, it remains uncertain how the PRC government authorities will assess outbound data transfers under such circumstances specifically. We will closely monitor and assess any relevant legislative and regulatory development and prepare for a security assessment when necessary.

In November 2021, the CAC released the Measures of Regulations on the regulator. It requires, among other things, that network operators take security measures to protect the network from unauthorized interference, damage and unauthorized access and to prevent data from being divulged, stolen or tampered with. Network operators are also required to collect and use personal information in compliance with the principles of legitimacy, properness and necessity, and strictly collect and use personal information within the scope of authorization by the subject of such personal information unless otherwise prescribed by laws or regulations. Significant financial, managerial and human resources are required to comply with such legal requirements, enhance information security and address any issues caused by security failures. Even if our security measures are in compliance, we nonetheless face the risk of security breaches or similar disruptions. Due to the data assets we have, our platform is an attractive target and potentially vulnerable to cyberattacks, computer viruses, physical or electronic break-ins or similar disruptions. Because techniques used to sabotage or obtain unauthorized access to systems evolve continuously and 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 counter-measures. In addition to advances in technology, an increased level of sophistication and diversity of our products and services, an increased level of expertise of hackers, new discoveries in the field of cryptography or other risks can result in the compromise or breach of our websites or our apps. 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, user data or personal information could be stolen or misused, which could expose us to penalties or other administrative actions, time-consuming and expensive litigation and negative publicity, materially and adversely affect our business and reputation and deter potential users from using our products and financial institution partners from cooperating with us, any of which would have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial condition and business prospects.

Data Security Administration (Draft for Comments) for public comments. The draft defines “data processors” as individuals or organizations that can make autonomous decisions regarding the purpose and the manner of their data processing activities such as data collection, storage, utilization, transmission, publication and deletion. In accordance with draft, data processors shall apply for a cybersecurity review for certain activities, including, among other things, (i) the listing abroad of data processors that process the personal information of more than one million users; (ii) merger, reorganization or division of internet platform operators that have acquired a large number of data resources related to national security, economic development or public interests affects or may affect national security; (iii) listing in Hong Kong which affects or may affect national security; or (iv) any data processing activity that affects or may affect national security. However, there have been no clarifications from the relevant authorities as of the date of this annual report as to the standards for determining whether an activity is one that “affects or may affect national security.” In addition, the draft requires that data processors that process “important data” or are listed overseas must conduct an annual data security assessment by itself or authorize a data security service provider to do so, and submit the assessment report of the preceding year to the municipal cybersecurity department by the end of January each year. As of the date of this annual report, the draft has not been formally adopted, and their respective provisions and anticipated adoption or effective date may be subject to change with substantial uncertainty. As advised by our PRC legal counsel, Commerce & Finance Law Offices, as of the date of this annual report, we, our PRC subsidiaries and the VIEs are not required to go through a cybersecurity review by the CAC for our previous issuance of securities to investors.

In June 2021, the Standing Committee of the NPC promulgated the Data Security Law, which took effect in September 2021. The Data Security Law, among other things, provides for security review procedure for data-related activities that may affect national security. It also introduces a data classification and hierarchical protection system based on the importance of data in terms of economic and social development, as well as the degree of harm it will cause to national security, public interests, or legitimate rights and interests of individuals or organizations when such data is tampered with, destroyed, leaked, or illegally acquired or used. Appropriate level of protection measures are required to be taken for each respective category of data. In addition, the Data Security Law also provides that any organization or individual within the territory of the PRC shall not provide any foreign judicial body or law enforcement body with any data stored within the territory of the PRC without the approval of the competent PRC government authorities. A series of regulations, guidelines and other measures have been and are expected to be adopted to implement the requirements created by the PRC Data Security Law. For example, in July 2021, the State Council promulgated the Regulations on Protection of Critical Information Infrastructure, which became effective on September 1, 2021. Pursuant to this regulation, a “critical information infrastructure” is defined as key network facilities or information systems of critical industries or sectors, such as public communication and information service, energy, transportation, water conservation, finance, public services, e-government affairs and national defense science, the damage, malfunction or data leakage of which may endanger national security, people’s livelihoods and the public interest. In December 2021, the CAC, together with other authorities, jointly promulgated the Cybersecurity Review Measures, which became effective on February 15, 2022 and replaces its predecessor regulation. Pursuant to the Cybersecurity Review Measures, critical information infrastructure operators that procure internet products and services or that carry out data processing activities must be subject to a cybersecurity review if their activities affect or may affect national security. The Cybersecurity Review Measures further stipulate that network platform operators that hold personal information of over one million users shall apply with the Cybersecurity Review Office for a cybersecurity review before any public offering at a foreign stock exchange. As of the date of this annual report, no detailed rules or implementation rules have been issued by any authority and we have not been informed that we are a “critical information infrastructure operator” by any government authority. However, the exact scope of “critical information infrastructure operators” under the current regulatory regime remains unclear, and the PRC government authorities may have wide discretion in the interpretation and enforcement of the applicable laws. Therefore, it is uncertain whether we would be deemed to be a “critical information infrastructure operator” under PRC law. If we are deemed a “critical information infrastructure operator” under the PRC cybersecurity laws and regulations, we may be subject to obligations in addition to those with which we are currently obligated to comply.

2628

Table of Contents

On October 29, 2021, the CAC published the Outbound Data Transfer Security Assessment Measures (Draft for Comments) (the “Draft Outbound Data Transfer Security Assessment Measures”), which specify that data processors who intend to provide important data and personal information that are collected and generated in the operation within the territory of the PRC to overseas shall be subject to security assessment with the CAC. Under the current Draft Outbound Data Transfer Security Assessment Measures, an entity must apply for a CAC security assessment if it processes personal information of over one million individuals and outbound transfers personal information, or if it has cumulatively outbound transferred personal information of more than 100,000 individuals or sensitive personal information of more than 10,000 individuals. The Draft Outbound Data Transfer Security Assessment Measures further stipulate the process and requirements for the security assessment. As of the date of this annual report, the Draft Outbound Data Transfer Security Assessment Measures has not been formally adopted. However, it remains uncertain how the PRC government authorities will regulate companies under such circumstances if the Draft Outbound Data Transfer Security Assessment Measures are fully implemented as-is. It is also unclear what constitutes “outbound data transfer”. These bring more uncertainties with respect to the application and enforcement of the draft measures, and we may be subject to such outbound data security assessment with the CAC. We will closely monitor and assess any relevant legislative and regulatory development and prepare for a security assessment when necessary.
In November 2021, the CAC released the Measures of Regulations on the Network Data Security Administration (Draft for Comments), or the Draft Regulations on Network Data Security. The Draft Regulations on Network Data Security define “data processors” as individuals or organizations that can make autonomous decisions regarding the purpose and the manner of their data processing activities such as data collection, storage, utilization, transmission, publication and deletion. In accordance with the Draft Regulations on Network Data Security, data processors shall apply for a cybersecurity review for certain activities, including, among other things, (i) the listing abroad of data processors that process the personal information of more than one million users; (ii) merger, reorganization or division of internet platform operators that have acquired a large number of data resources related to national security, economic development or public interests affects or may affect national security; (iii) listing in Hong Kong which affects or may affect national security; or (iv) any data processing activity that affects or may affect national security. However, there have been no clarifications from the relevant authorities as of the date of this annual report as to the standards for determining whether an activity is one that “affects or may affect national security.” In addition, the Draft Regulations on Network Data Security requires that data processors that process “important data” or are listed overseas must conduct an annual data security assessment by itself or authorize a data security service provider to do so, and submit the assessment report of the preceding year to the municipal cybersecurity department by the end of January each year. As of the date of this annual report, the Draft Regulations on Network Data Security has not been formally adopted, and their respective provisions and anticipated adoption or effective date may be subject to change with substantial uncertainty.

Personal InformationWe are constantly in the process of evaluating the potential impact of the laws, regulations and Privacy

The Anti-monopoly Guidelines for the Platform Economy Sector published by the Anti-monopoly Committee of the State Council, effective on February 7, 2021, prohibits collection of user information through coercive means by online platform operators.
In August 2021, the Standing Committee of the NPC promulgated the Personal Information Protection Law, which took effect on November 1, 2021. The Personal Information Protection Law provides the protection requirements for processing personal information, and specifies the rules for processing sensitive personal information, which refers to personal information that, once leaked or illegally used, may easily cause harm to the dignity of natural persons or cause harm to a person’s safety or property, including information on biometric characteristics, religious beliefs, specific identities, medical health, financial accounts, individual location tracking and others, as well as personal information of minors under the age of 14. It also enhances the punishment for illegal processing of personal information and consolidated various previously promulgated rules with respect to personal information rights and privacy protection. We update our privacy policies from time to time to meet the latest regulatory requirements of PRC government authorities and adopt technical measures to protect data and ensure cybersecurity in a systematic way. Nonetheless, the Personal Information Protection Law elevates the protection requirements for personal information processing, and many specific requirements of this law remain to be clarified by the CAC, other regulatory authorities, and courts in practice. We may be required to make further adjustments to our business practices to comply with the personal information protection laws and regulations and any changes in the enforcement or interpretation of such laws and regulations.

27

Tablepolicies relating to cybersecurity, privacy, data protection and information security on our current business practices. As of Contentsthe date of this annual report, based on the facts that (i) we are not involved in any investigations on cybersecurity review initiated by the CAC; (ii) we have adopted internal measures regarding data security and personal information protection to ensure compliance with the laws and regulations; (iii) we have not been subject to any penalties from any competent PRC regulatory authorities related to any effective regulations or policies issued by the CAC, our PRC legal counsel, Commerce & Finance Law Offices, is of the view and we believe that our business operations are compliant with the currently effective regulations and policies that have been issued by the CAC in all material respects.

On September 17, 2021, the CAC, together with eight other government authorities, jointly issued the Guidelines on Strengthening the Comprehensive Regulation of Algorithms for Internet Information Services. The guidelines provide that daily monitoring of data use, application scenarios, and effects of algorithms shall be carried out by relevant regulators, and such relevant regulators shall conduct security assessments of algorithms. The guidelines also provide that an algorithm filing system shall be established, and classified security management of algorithms shall be promoted. On December 31, 2021, the CAC, the MIIT, the Ministry of Public Security, and the SAMR jointly promulgated the Administrative Provisions on Internet Information Service Algorithm-Based Recommendation, which took effect on March 1, 2022. The Administrative Provisions on Internet Information Service Algorithm-Based Recommendation, among others, (i) implement classification and hierarchical management for algorithm-based recommendation service providers based on various criteria, (ii) require algorithm-based recommendation service providers to inform users of their provision of algorithm-based recommendation services in a conspicuous manner, and publicize the basic principles, purpose intentions, and main operating mechanisms of algorithm-based recommendation services in an appropriate manner, and (iii) require such service providers to provide users with options that are not specific to their personal profiles, or convenient options to cancel algorithmic recommendation services. We will closely monitor the regulatory development and adjust our business operations from time to time to comply with the regulations over algorithm-based recommendation.

ManyHowever, many of the data- and data privacy-related laws and regulations are relatively new and certain concepts thereunder remain subject to interpretation by the regulators. Ifregulators, and any data that we possess belongs to data categories that arefurther change or may become subject to heightened scrutiny, we may be required to adopt stricter measures for protection and managementinterpretation of such data.laws and regulations may impose additional obligations and liabilities on us. The Measures for Cybersecurity Review Measures(2021 Revision) and the DraftMeasures of Regulations on the Network Data Security Administration (Draft for Comments) remain unclear on whether the relevant requirements will be applicable to companies that, like us, are already listed in the United States. We cannot predict the impact of the Cybersecurity Review Measures and the Draft Regulations on Network Data Security,these regulations, if any, at this stage, and we will closely monitor and assess any developments in the rule-making process. If the Cybersecurity Review Measures and the enacted version of the Draft Regulations on Network Data Securitythey mandate clearance of cybersecurity review and other specific actions to be taken by issuers like us, we may face uncertainties as to whether these additional procedures can be completed by us timely, or at all, which may subject us to government enforcement actions and investigations, fines, penalties, suspension of our non-compliant operations, or removal of our app from the relevant application stores, and materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.  As of the date of this annual report, we have not been involved in any formal investigations on cybersecurity review made by the CAC on such basis.

In general, compliance with the existing PRC laws and regulations, as well as additional laws and regulations that PRC legislative and regulatory bodies may enact in the future, related to cybersecurity, data security and personal information protection, may be costly and result in additional expenses to us, and subject us to negative publicity, which could harm our reputation and business operations. There are also uncertainties with respect to how suchthe laws and regulations will be implemented and interpreted in practice. In light of the fact thatAs these laws and regulations on cybersecurity, data privacy and personal information protection are evolving and uncertainty remains with respect to their interpretation and implementation, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to maintain full compliance at all times, or that our existing user information protection system and technical measures will be considered sufficient. Any non-compliance or perceived non-compliance by us, our service providers or financial institutions partners with these laws, regulations or policies may lead to warnings, fines, investigations, lawsuits, confiscation of illegal gains, revocation of licenses, cancellationcancelation of filings or listings, closedown of websites, removal of apps and suspension of downloads, price drops in our securities or even criminal liabilities against us by government agencies or other individuals. For example, in July 2021, our 360 Jietiao app was temporarily taken offline by the CAC for the purpose of optimizing product design and offering enhanced user data privacy protection, during which period new downloads were suspended. Our 360 Jietiao app was restored to app stores for downloads in August 2021 after being tested and thisverified by the CAC. We believe the temporary suspensiontakedown of 360 Jietiao app did not result inand will not have a material adverse impact on our business operations. However, we cannot assure you that the authorities will not require further system and data privacy protection enhancements in the future as technologies, standards and regulatory environments continue to evolve, in which case our operations may be interrupted or adversely affected. In addition, our launch of new products or services or other actions that we take in the future may subject us to additional laws, regulations, or other government scrutiny. Furthermore, even if we do not commit any violation or breach of effective laws and regulations related to cybersecurity, data security or personal information protection, we may also be involved in inspections or investigations by regulatory authorities due to any unrelated third parties’ action or inaction, or as part of the routine supervision of the regulatory authorities. Such inspections or investigations may also have an adverse effect to our business.

2829

Table of Contents

Credit and other information that we receive from third parties about borrowers may be inaccurate or may not accurately reflect the borrower’s creditworthiness, which may compromise the accuracy of our credit assessment.

For the purpose of credit assessment, we obtain from prospective borrowers and third parties certain information of the prospective borrowers, which may not be complete, accurate or reliable. The credit score assigned to a borrower may not reflect that particular borrower’s actual creditworthiness because the credit score may be based on outdated, incomplete or inaccurate borrower information. We currently cannot reliably determine whether borrowers have outstanding loans through other online platforms at the time they obtain a loan from us even though we adopt certain investigation measures. This creates the risk that a borrower may borrow money through our platform in order to pay off loans on other online platforms and vice versa. If a borrower incurs additional debt before fully repaying any loan such borrower takes out on our platform, the additional debt may impair the ability of that borrower to make repayments on his or her loan. In addition, the additional debt may adversely affect the borrower’s creditworthiness generally and could result in the financial distress or insolvency of the borrower. Meanwhile, if the price of the quality data on which we run our algorithms increases, we may not get access to the quality information at the same cost in the future. We may be forced to run our algorithms on fewer quality data, iterate our algorithms or pay more for quality information in the future, eachany of which may adversely affectingaffect our results of operations.

If we are unable to maintain or increase the volume of loans originated or facilitated through our platform in the long run, our business and results of operations will be adversely affected.

The loan facilitation volume through our platform has grown rapidly since our inception, and the total amount of loans originated or facilitated through our platform was RMB930.3 billion (US$146.0 billion) asinception. As of December 31, 2021.2023, we had cumulatively facilitated loans amounting to approximately RMB1,818.5 billion (US$256.1 billion). In 2024, we expect to maintain a prudent approach in underwriting loans and focus our efforts on enhancing efficiency and profitability. However, we plan to continue our efforts to capture long-term growth opportunities. To maintain the high growth momentum of our platform in the long run, we must continuouslycontinually increase the loan facilitation volume by retaining current borrowers and attracting more borrowers, which in turn depends on our ability to acquire borrowersusers and to offer a diversified loan product portfolio at reasonable costcosts that addressesaddress the capital needs of consumers and micro- and small-business owners and other corporate borrowersSMEs in consumption and other life and business settings. We intend to continue to dedicate significantinvest resources to our borroweruser acquisition efforts in the long run, and develop and refine our loan products.products facilitated by us. If there are insufficient qualified loan requests, the loan facilitation volume through our platform may decrease, which may in turn negatively affect the growth of our business and our relationships with our financial institution partners may consider withdrawing from our collaboration or lowering their funding commitments to us. If there are insufficient funding commitments, borrowers may be unable to obtain capital through our platform and may turn to other sources for their borrowing needs.partners.

The overall volume may be affected by several factors, including our brand recognition and reputation, the interest rates offered to borrowers relative to the market rates, the efficiency of our credit underwritingassessment process, availability of our financial institution partners, the macroeconomic environment and other factors. In connection with the introduction of new products or response to general economic conditions, we may also impose more stringent borrower qualifications to ensure the quality of loans on our platform, which may negatively affect the growth of our loan originationfacilitation volume. If we are unable to attract qualified borrowers or if borrowers do not continue to participate in our platform at the current rates, we might be unable to increase our loan originationfacilitation volume and revenuesrevenue as we expect, and our business and results of operations may be adversely affected.

If our collaboration with 360 Group is terminated or otherwise becomes limited, restricted, curtailed, less effective or more expensive in any way, or if we cannot benefit from the brand recognition or business ecosystem or research and development capabilities of 360 Group as we do, our business may be adversely affected.

We have established a strategic partnership with 360 Group, one of our affiliates, and we collaborate across multiple areas of our business. This strategic partnership has contributed to the growth of our revenue, particularly in the early stage of our business, and we believe that it will continue to contribute to the growth of our revenue.growth. We have entered into a framework collaboration agreement with 360 Group, setting out the terms of collaboration, especially those related to researchcloud service and development,security, user traffic support, and trademark licensing. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—B. Related Party Transactions—Transactions with 360 Group.” In particular, we have been authorized by 360 Group to use its brand “360,” which allows us to benefit from 360 Group’s strong brand recognition in certain aspects of our business, such as borroweruser acquisition, at the early stage of our development. In addition, we have been able to collaborate with 360 Group in certain research and development initiatives, which to some extent shortens our technology development cycle. Further, as the strategic partner of 360 Group, we benefit from its business ecosystem as well. For example, our collaboration with Kincheng Bank of Tianjin Co., Ltd., or Kincheng Bank, whose largest shareholder is 360 Group, provides us with opportunity to explore and experimentintroduce innovative cooperation arrangements with potential financial institution partners.

2930

Table of Contents

We cannot assure you that we will continue to receivemaintain the same level of support fromcollaboration with 360 Group on the same or more favorable terms and conditions, or renew our collaboration agreements at all, upon expiration of the agreement terms, neither can we guarantee that our collaboration with 360 Group will not be terminated by 360 Group or otherwise become limited, less effective or more expensive, which are subject to many factors beyond our control, such as legal requirements and 360 Group’s business condition, plans and strategies. For example, as 360 Group is a public company listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in China, it is subject to relevant PRC regulations and exchange rules, which may impact its ability to collaborate with us pursuant to the terms we desire. It came to our attention that, in May 2020, The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) of the U.S. Department of Commerce amended the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) by adding twenty-four entities, including two affiliates ofQihoo 360 GroupTechnology Co., Ltd. and Qihoo 360 Technology Company to the Entity List. As a result, exports or reexports from the U.S. and in-country transfers in the U.S. to these two affiliates of 360 Groupentities will face additional license requirements, and the availability of most license exceptions is limited. Currently, the inclusion of these two affiliates of 360 Groupentities into the Entity List has not had a material adverse effect on our collaboration with 360 Group or on us and we have not had any dealings with these two entities. Additionally, it came to our attention that 360 Security Technology Inc. was named in the list of entities identified as “Chinese military companies” operating directly or indirectly in the United States in accordance with Section 1260H of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2021, which was released by the U.S. Department of Defense on October 5, 2022. Currently, such inclusion had not had any material adverse effect on our collaboration with 360 Group or on us. However, we cannot rule out the possibility that additional restrictions of different nature may be imposed on 360 Group or its affiliates in light of the changes in international trade policies and rising political tensions between the U.S. and China in the past few years. See also “Risks“—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Changes in international trade policies and rising political tensions, particularly between the U.S. and China, may adversely impact our business and operating results.” If we are unable to receivemaintain the same level of support from 360 Group, or our collaboration with 360 Group, is terminated or otherwise becomes limited, restricted, curtailed, less effective or more expensive in any way, or if we cannot benefit from the brand recognition or business ecosystem or research and development capabilities of 360 Group as we do, our business may be adversely affected, especially in the aspects of cost and efficiency of borroweruser acquisition.

Our access to sufficient and sustainable funding at reasonable costs cannot be assured.If we fail to maintain collaboration with our financial institution partners or to maintain sufficient capacity to originatefacilitate loans to our borrowers, our reputation, results of operations and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.

The growth and success of our future operations depend on the availability of adequate funding to meet borrowers’ demands for loans on our platform. To maintain sufficient and sustainable funding to meet borrower demands, we need to keep expanding the network and securing a stable stream of funds from our fundingfinancial institution partners.

The availability of funding from our financial institutional partners depends on many factors, some of which are beyond our control. Changes in the macroeconomic environment may impact the funding costs and the terms of our agreements with financial institution partners, and we may not be able to obtain sufficient and sustainable funding from them if the funding cost increases significantly. In addition, our competitors in the Credit-Tech industry may offer better terms to attract financial institutions away from us. We may not be able to maintain long-term business relationships with financial institution partners in this evolving market. For the year of 2021,ended December 31, 2023, our top five direct financial institution partners contributed around 45.5%30.7% of total funding for the loans we facilitated.originated and facilitated2. Our financial institution partners typically agree to provide funding to our borrowers who meet their predetermined criteria, subject to their credit approval process. These agreements have fixed terms of typically one year. In addition, while our borrowers’users’ loan requests are usually approved if they fall within the parameters set and agreed upon by us and our financial institution partners, our financial institution partners may implement additional requirements in their approval process outside of our monitoring and control. Thus, there is no assurance that our financial institution partners could provide reliable, sustainable and adequate funding, because they could either decline to fund borrower loans facilitated on our platform or decline to renew or renegotiate their participation in the funding programs.

Note:

2

Does not include loans facilitated under ICE or other technology solutions.

3031

Table of Contents

In addition, if PRC laws and regulations impose more restrictions on our collaboration with financial institution partners, these financial institution partners will become more selective in choosing collaboration partners, which may drive up the funding costs and the competition among online lending platforms to collaborate with a limited number of financial institution partners. Pursuant to the Interim Measures for Administration of Internet Loans Interim MeasuresIssued by Commercial Banks and the Circular of the General Office of the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission on Further Standardizing the Internet Loans Business of Commercial Banks, or the Internet Loans Circular, regional banks that carry out internetonline lending business shall serve local customers, and are not allowed to conduct the internetonline lending business beyond the local administrative area of their registered place, except those who have no physical business branch, conductingconduct business primarily online as well as meetingmeet the other conditions prescribed by the CBIRC. However, given the lack of exact definition regarding the regional banks in the existing lawsChina Banking and regulations, there are uncertainties as to how such laws, regulations and rules will be interpreted and implemented.Insurance Regulatory Commission. If regional banks are restricted from funding loans nationwide, our funding costs may increase as a result, and to the extent we fail to effectively match themregional banks with sufficient local borrowers, we may lose them as funding sources. In eachsources, in which case our results of operations and profitability could be materially and adversely impacted. Furthermore, if the PRC government issues any laws and regulations that restrict or prohibit our collaboration with our financial institution partners, our collaboration with our financial institution partners may have to be terminated or suspended, which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

For example, on December 31, 2021, the PBOCPeople’s Bank of China and six other departments jointly issued the Measures for Administration of Online Marketing of Financial Products (Draft for comments), which regulate online marketing of financial products by financial institutions or internet platform operators engagedentrusted by such financial institutions. Pursuant to this draft, financial institutions shall not engage other entities or individuals to carry out internet marketing of financial products unless otherwise provided or authorized by laws and regulations. The draft also prohibitsmeasures prohibit third-party online platform operators from being involved in the sale process of financial products or participating in the income sharing of financial business in a disguised way without the approval of financial regulatory authorities.authorities, including, but not limited to interactive consultation with consumers on financial products, suitability assessment of consumers of financial products, signing of sale contracts, transfer of funds and participation in the income sharing of financial business. Our PRC legal counsel is of the view that these measures have not been formally adopted and currently do not affect our business and operations. If these measures were to be adopted in the current form, we may no longer be able to display financial products in current format on our mobile app to conduct online marketing, which may have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations and future prospects. We will closely monitor the regulatory development and adjust our business operations from time to time to ensure our compliance.

While we have madeWe cannot assure you that our efforts to diversify funding sources we cannot assure you that such efforts would be successful or funding sources for the loans we facilitate will remain or become increasingly diversified in the future. If we become dependent on a small number of financial institution partners and any of them decide to not collaborate with us, change the commercial terms to the extent unacceptable to our borrowers or limit the funding available on our platform, such constraints may materially limit our ability to facilitate loans and adversely affect our borrower experience. Any of these occurrences could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.flows.

Furthermore, we partner with Kincheng Bank, whose largest shareholder is 360 Group, across a full spectrum of services. Our collaboration with Kincheng Bank provides us the opportunities to explore and experimentintroduce innovative cooperation arrangements with potential financial institution partners. As of December 31, 2021,2023, Kincheng Bank iswas our second largest fundingfinancial institution partner by outstanding loan balance.balance of loans facilitated through our platform. If Kincheng Bank is acquired by a third party not affiliated with us, or if its business, financial conditions or reputation deteriorates, we may not be able to maintain our current collaboration with it on reasonable terms or at all.

31

Table of Contents

If our business arrangements with certain financial institution partners were deemed to violate PRC laws and regulations, our business and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

We have secured certain funding from financial institution partners through the channel of trusts and asset management plans in collaboration with certain trust companies and asset management companies.

According to our cooperative arrangement with trust companies and asset management companies, each trust and asset management plan had a specified term. Institutional fundingFinancial institution partners invested in such trusts or asset management plans in the form of trust or asset management units, which entitled the institutional fundingfinancial institution partner to the return on investment with each unit. We were designated as the service provider for the trusts and asset management plans. If a credit application was approved, credit drawdown would be funded by the trusts or asset management plans to borrowers directly subject to the independent credit review of such trusts.trust companies or asset management companies. These trusts and asset management plans were identified as the lender under the loan agreements with our borrowers. The trust and asset management plan remitted to the financial institution partners investment returns pursuant to the terms of the trust and plan that reflected funds initially provided by the financial institution partners. The investment gains would be distributed to the trust or asset management plan based on the actual loan interest. The trust company or asset management company, as appropriate, was responsible for administering the trust and was paid a service fee.

32

Table of Contents

In 2021,2023, trusts and assets management plans with total assets of RMB8.8RMB13.8 billion (US$1.9 billion) were set up to invest solely in loans on our platform. For the majority of the trusts, we are considered the primary beneficiary of the trusts and thus consolidate such trusts’ assets, liabilities, results of operations and cash flows. Although we have not been part of the fund-raising process by the trusts, we cannot assure you that our provision of services to the trusts will not be viewed by the PRC regulators as violating any laws or regulations. If we are prohibited from cooperating with trust companies, our access to sustainable funding may be adversely impacted, which may further increase the funding cost of our loans facilitated by us and affect our results of operations.

If our attempts to explore alternative funding initiatives were deemed to violate PRC laws and regulations, our business could be materially and adversely affected.

We have and expect to continue exploring alternative funding initiatives, including through standardized capital instruments such as the issuance of asset-backed securities, or ABS. We haveABSs. As of December 31, 2023, we had cumulatively issued ABSs of RMB31.0 billion (US$4.4 billion). In addition, our shelf registration of ABSs with a total value of issuance amounting to RMB14.8 billion has been approved to list a total of RMB27 billion of ABS onby the Shanghai Stock Exchange and Shenzhen Stock Exchange and already issued RMB10.5 billion as of December 31, 2021.2023. Pursuant to the relevant PRCAdministrative Provisions on the Asset Securitization Business of Securities Companies and the Subsidiaries of Fund Management Companies and its supporting rules and other laws and regulations, an institution is entitled to establish an ABS schemeplan as a creditan originator for such scheme on the condition that it has legitimate ownership to the underlying transferred assets that are able to generate independent and predictable cash flowflows in compliance with relevantthe laws and regulations. However, the initiatorsissuance of any potential ABS scheme with whom we work are required to be financial institutions and they areABSs is subject to a variety of laws and regulations in the PRC,requirements under these provisions, such as Administrative Provisions on the Asset Securitization Businessmanagers are required to be a securities company or a subsidiary of Securities Companiesfund management company and the Subsidiariesassets of Fund Management Companies and Measures for the Supervision and AdministrationABS plan shall be placed under custody of Pilot Projects of Credit Asset Securitization of Financial Institutions.a commercial bank with the appropriate business qualifications, or an asset custodian organization recognized by the CSRC. The laws and regulations applicable to ABS are still developing, and it remains uncertain as to the application and interpretation of such laws and regulations, particularly relating to the rapidly evolving Credit-Tech industry in which we operate. In addition, we rely on trust companies and other parties we collaborate with to secure the successful issuance of the ABS.ABSs. If our collaboration with such parties is interrupted or affected, our ability to utilize the remaining approved quota of issuing such ABS may be materially limited. If our attempts to issue ABSABSs under the current quota is limited, or our attempts to seek further approval on additional quota in ABS is rejected, our capability to secure funding with lower comprehensive cost may be limited, and our business and financial condition may be adversely impacted.

32

Table of Contents

The subsidiary of our VIE that conducts online microcredit business may not be able to provide a sufficient amount to fund During the growth of our business. In addition, the regulatory regime and practice with respect to online microcredit companies are evolving and subject to uncertainty.

In March 2017, Fuzhou Microcredit, a subsidiary of our VIE, which is licensed to conduct microcredit business, was established. It has obtained the approvalvalidity period of the relevant competent local authorities to fund loans. However,ABS plan, if we may not be able to obtain the regulatory approvals to increase the authorized amounts or to establish additional online microcredit companies to fulfill our future growth needs.

Pursuant to the Online Microcredit Draft, if adopted in its current form, microcredit companies which engaged in online microcredit business with the approval of the competent regulators prior to the effectiveness of these measures and regulations shall fully meet the requirements of its various provisions within one year from the date of effectiveness of these measures and regulations. The regulators shall, in accordance with these measures and regulations, re-approve online microcredit business qualifications. Furthermore, Fuzhou Microcredit may need to increase the registered capital and obtain the legal approval of the banking regulator under the State Council in order to engage in online microcredit business across provincial level administrative regions. Failure to obtain, renew, or retain requisite licenses, permits or approvals may adversely affect our ability to conduct or expand our business.

Government authorities have issued certain laws and regulations to regulate the organization andcannot maintain reasonable support for normal business activities, and provide the requisite assurance for generation of online microcredit companies. However, due toindependent and predictable cash flows for the lack of a detailed interpretation of such laws and regulations and the fact that laws and regulations with respect to the online microcredit companies are in the flux and continually evolving, there are uncertainties as to how such laws and regulations will be interpreted and implemented and whether there will be new laws or regulations providing for additional requirements and restrictions on online microcredit companies. We cannot assure you that the existing practice of our microcredit company will be deemed to be in full compliance with all such laws and regulations that are currently in place or may be enacted or interpreted to apply to us in the future. If any of the practice of Fuzhou Microcredit is deemed incompliant or if any new laws or regulations are enacted or promulgated that provide for requirements different from our current practice, we may need to adjust the approach we conduct our business and incur additional compliance cost, whichunderlying transferred assets, it may have a negativesubstantial impact on our business, resultsthe investment value or price of operations and financial condition.ABSs.

If we fail to promote and maintain our brand in an effective and cost-efficient way, our business and results of operations may be harmed.

The Credit-Tech industry is still new to borrowers in China. Prospective borrowers may not be familiar with this market and may have difficulty distinguishing our products from those of our competitors. Convincing prospective borrowers of the value of our products is critical to increasing the number of transactions for borrowers and to the success of our business. We believe that developing and maintaining awareness of our brand effectively is critical to attracting and retaining prospective borrowers. This, in turn, depends largely on the effectiveness of our borroweruser acquisition strategy, our marketing efforts, our collaboration with financial institution partners and the success of the channels we use to promote our platform. If any of our current borrower acquisition strategies or marketing channels become less effective, more costly or no longer feasible, we may not be able to attract new borrowers in a cost-effective manner or convert potentialprospective borrowers into active borrowers. Our collaboration with market-leading channel partners is essential to our borroweruser acquisition efforts. If such collaboration ceases or becomes less effective, for reasons attributable either to us or to our channel partners, we may face instant borroweruser acquisition pressure, and may need to incur additional costs to replace such partners for borroweruser acquisition, if we could replace them at all. Besides, if some of our channel partners were acquired or controlled by the competitors of 360 Group, our collaboration with such channel partners may be limited or severely and adversely impacted. We may not find new partners to replace our original ones.

Our efforts to build our brand have caused us to incur expenses, and it is likely that our future marketing efforts will require us to incur additional expenses. These efforts may not result in increased operating revenue in the immediate future or any increases at all, and even if they do, any increases in operating revenue may not offset the expenses incurred. If we fail to successfully promote and maintain our brand cost-effectively, our results of operations and financial condition would be adversely affected, and our ability to grow our business may be impaired.

33

Table of Contents

If our financial institution partners fail to comply with applicable anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing laws and regulations, our business and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

In collaboration with our financial institution partners and payment companies, we have adopted various policies and procedures, such as internal controls and “know-your-customer” procedures, for anti-money laundering purposes. The Fintech Guidelines on Promoting the Healthy Growth of Internet Finance purport, among other things, to require internet financial service providers, including us, to comply with certain anti-money laundering requirements, including:

the establishment of a borrower identification program;
the monitoring and reporting of the suspicious transaction;
the preservation of borrower 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. There is no assurance that our anti-money laundering policies and procedures will protect us from being exploited for money laundering purposes or that we will be deemed to be in compliance with applicable anti-money laundering implementing rules, if and when adopted, in light of the anti-money laundering obligations proposed to be imposed on us by the guidelines. Any new requirement under anti-money laundering laws could increase our costs and may expose us to potential sanctions if we fail to comply.

There is no assurance that our anti-money laundering policies and procedures will protect us from being exploited for money laundering purposes or that we will be deemed to be in compliance with applicable anti-money laundering implementing rules, if and when adopted, in light of the anti-money laundering obligations proposed to be imposed on us by the Fintech Guidelines. Any new requirement under money laundering laws could increase our costs and may expose us to potential sanctions if we fail to comply.

In addition, we rely on our third-party service providers, in particular, payment companies that handle the transfer of the repayment, to have their own appropriate anti-money laundering policies and procedures. If any of our third-party service providers fails to comply with applicable anti-money laundering laws and regulations, our reputation could suffer and we could become subject to regulatory intervention, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

34

Table of Contents

We have not been subject to fines or other penalties, or suffered business or other reputational harm, as a result of actual or alleged money laundering or terrorist financing activities in the past. However, ourOur policies and procedures may not be completely effective in preventing other parties from using us, any of our financial institution partners or payment processors as a conduit for money laundering (including illegal cash operations) or terrorist financing without our knowledge. If we were to be associated with money laundering (including illegal cash operations) or terrorist financing, our reputation could suffer and we could become subject to regulatory fines, sanctions or legal enforcement, including being added to any “blacklists” that would prohibit certain parties from engaging in transactions with us, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Even if we, our financial institution partners and payment processors comply with the applicable anti-money laundering laws and regulations, we, our financial institution partners and payment processors may not be able to fully eliminate money laundering and other illegal or improper activities in light of the complexity and the secrecy of these activities. Any negative perception of the industry, such as that arises from any failure of other Credit-Tech service providers to detect or prevent money laundering activities, even if factually incorrect or based on isolated incidents, could compromise our image, undermine the trust and credibility we have established and negatively impact our financial condition and results of operations.

34

Table of Contents

We need to engage guarantee companies to provide credit enhancement or additional comfort to our financial institution partners, and we recognize guarantee liabilityliabilities for accounting purposes. If we fail to source and engage a guarantee company to our financial institution partners’ satisfaction at a reasonable price, our collaboration with our financial institution partners will deteriorate, and our results of operations may be adversely and severely impacted. If our guarantee liability recognition fails to address our current status, we may face unexpected changes to our financial conditions.

To comply with Circular 141 and the Supplementary Provisions on the Supervision and Administration of Financing Guarantee Companies, we have engaged guarantee companies to provide credit enhancement to our financial institution partners upon their request, and two of ourthe VIEs, Fuzhou Financing Guarantee and Shanghai Financing Guarantee, have obtained the license of conducting guarantee service.services in 2018 and 2019, respectively. In order to streamline and consolidate the operation of our financing guarantee business, we are phasing out financing guarantees provided by Shanghai Financing Guarantee, which has applied for and was approved by the PRC authority to cancel of its financing guarantee certificate. Even though we use licensed guarantee companies of our owncompany controlled by us to provide service to our financial institution partners, we may continue to engage third-party insurance companies or guarantee companies to satisfy the needs of our business. We cannot, however, assure you that the licensed guarantee company under our guarantee companiescontrol could provide satisfactory service to our financial institution partners from time to time, or that we will always be able to source and engage guarantee companies to our financial institution partners’ satisfaction. If we fail to source and engage guarantee companies to our financial institution partners’ satisfaction at a reasonable price, our collaboration with our financial institution partners will deteriorate or even be suspended, and our results of operations will be materially and adversely affected. It is also possible that we have to pay a service fee to the third-party guarantee company that exceeds the reasonable market price, which will materially and adversely affect our results of operations.

As we provide either guarantee depositservices through the licensed VIEs, Fuzhou Financing Guarantee and Shanghai Financing Guarantee (before its financing guarantee license was canceled upon its voluntary application), to our financial institution partners, or back-to-back guarantee to the third-party guarantee companies, we recognize guarantee liabilityliabilities at fair value from the accounting perspective, which incorporates the expectation of potential future payments under the guarantee and take into both non-contingent and contingent aspects of the guarantee. As of December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, we recorded guarantee liabilities-stand ready of RMB4,818 million, RMB4,120 million and RMB3,950 million (US$556 million), respectively. As of December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, we recorded guarantee liabilities-contingent of RMB3,285 million, RMB3,418 million and RMB3,207 million (US$452 million), respectively. We have established an evaluation process designed to determine the adequacy of our impairment allowances and guarantee liabilities. While this evaluation process uses historical and other objective information and we have engaged a third-party independent valuer for the task, it is also dependent on our subjective assessment based upon our estimates and judgment. Actual losses are difficult to forecast, especially if such losses stem from factors beyond our historical experience. Given that the Credit-Tech marketindustry is rapidly evolving, and is subject to various factors beyond our control, such as shifting trends in the market, regulatory framework, and overall economic conditions, we may not be able to accurately forecast the delinquency rate of our current target borroweruser base due to the lack of sufficient data. Therefore, our actual delinquency rate may be higher than we expected. If our credit risk assessment and expectations differ from actual circumstances or if the quality of the loans originated or facilitated by us deteriorates, our guarantee liabilities may be insufficient to absorb actual credit losses and we may need to set aside additional provisions, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

35

Table of Contents

We are subject to credit risks associated with our accounts receivable, contract assets, financial assets receivables and loans receivable.

We have a large balance of accounts receivable and contract assets as well as financial assets receivable and loans receivable. As of December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, the current portion of our accounts receivable and contract assets, net was RMB3,097 million, RMB2,869 million and RMB2,909 million (US$410 million), respectively, and the non-current portion was RMB223 million, RMB261 million and RMB147 million (US$21 million), respectively. As of the same dates, the current portion of our financial assets receivable, net was RMB3,806 million, RMB2,982 million and RMB2,523 million (US$355 million), respectively, and the non-current portion was RMB598 million, RMB689 million and RMB596 million (US$84 million), respectively. Also, as of the same dates, the current portion of our loans receivable, net was RMB9,844 million, RMB15,348 million and RMB24,604 million (US$3,465 million), respectively, and the non-current portion was RMB2,859 million, RMB3,137 million and RMB2,898 million (US$408 million), respectively. Such receivables and contract assets mainly arise from our on-balance sheet loans and off-balance sheet loans. See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—On- and Off-balance Sheet Treatment of Loans” for details of the risk taking arrangements for on- and off-balance sheet loans. We have established an allowance for uncollectible receivables and contract assets based on estimates, which incorporates historical delinquency rate by vintage and other factors surrounding the credit risk of specific underlying loan portfolio. We evaluate and adjust our allowance for uncollectible receivable and contract assets on a quarterly basis or more often as necessary. The related expenses are recorded as “provision for accounts receivable and contract assets,” “provision for financial assets receivable” and “provision for loans receivable.” While our allowance and provision take into account historical and other objective information, it is also dependent on our subjective assessment based upon our estimates and judgment. Actual credit risk is difficult to forecast, especially if such risks stem from factors beyond our historical experience, especially unforeseen risk with no historical comparable. If there is a significant rise in delinquency rate, which was impacted by a number of factors some of which are beyond our control, including the macroeconomic condition of China and the development of the Credit-Tech industry, or our provisions or allowances are insufficient to cover the credit loss, our business, results of operations and financial condition would be materially and adversely impacted.

If loan products facilitated by us do not achieve sufficient market acceptance, our financial results and competitive position will be harmed.

We have devoted significant resources to and will continue to put an emphasis on upgrading and marketing our existing loan products and enhancing itstheir market awareness. We may also incur expenses and expend resources up front to develop and market new loan products and financial services that incorporate additional features, improve functionality or otherwise make our platform more attractive to borrowers. New loan products and financial services must achieve high levels of market acceptance in order for us to recoup our investments in developing and marketing them. To achieve market acceptance, it is essential for us to maintain and enhance our ability to match and recommend suitable financial products for ourprospective borrowers, the effectiveness of our curation process and our ability to provide relevant and timely content to meet changing borrower needs. If we are unable to respond to changes in borrower preference and deliver satisfactory and distinguishable borrower experience, borrowers and prospective borrowers may switch to competing platforms or obtain financial products directly from their providers. As a result, borrower access to and borrower activity on our platform will decline, our services and solutions will be less attractive to financial service providers and our business, financial performance and prospects will be materially and adversely affected.

Our existing and new loan products and financial services could fail to attain sufficient market acceptance for many reasons, including:

prospective borrowers may not find the features of our loan products facilitated by us, such as the prices and credit limits, competitive or appealing;
we may fail to predict market demand accurately and provide loan products and services that meet this demand in a timely fashion;
borrowers and financial institution partners using our platforms may not like, find useful or agree with the changes we make;
there may be defects, errors or failures on our platforms;
there may be negative publicity about our loan products facilitated by us, or our platform’s performance or effectiveness;
regulatory authorities may take the view that the new products or platform changes do not comply with PRC laws, regulations or rules applicable to us; and

36

Table of Contents

there may be competing products or services introduced or anticipated to be introduced by our competitors.

If our existing and new loan products do not maintain or achieve adequate acceptance in the market, our competitive position, results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.

The AI-powered tools that we deploy may not generate accurate results and thereby may affect our collaboration with financial institution partners. Our deployment of the AI-powered tools is also subject to evolving PRC laws and regulations, and any noncompliance or perceived non-compliance of which may affect our brand, operations and financial positions.

We deploy AI-powered tools, such as Argus Engine, in our loan facilitation and post-loan facilitation services. Any inaccuracies in our credit scoring or risk modeling process due to the deployment of AI-powered tools may cause us not able to recommend prospective borrowers that best fit the financial institution partners’ risk preferences, which, as a result, may be used as a factor for the financial institution partners to evaluate the quality of our services. If that happens, our collaboration with financial institution partners and our business prospects and financial results may be adversely affected. Moreover, our deployment of AI-powered tools is subject to evolving PRC laws and regulations on data security, privacy and cybersecurity, among others. Any non-compliance or perceived non-compliance with the laws and regulations, including any potentially biased or inappropriate decisions made by our AI-powered tools, may subject us to negative publicity, lawsuits or administrative penalties that may adversely affect our brand, operations and financial positions.

We face increasing competition, and if we do not compete effectively, our operating results could be harmed.

The Credit-Tech industry in China is highly competitive and evolving. We primarily face competition from other onlineCredit-Tech platforms major internet players and traditional financial institutions.

that target the consumer Credit-Tech market. Our competitors operate with different business models, have different cost structures or participate selectively in different market segments. They may ultimately prove more successful or more adaptable to new regulatory, technological and other developments. Some of our current and potential competitors have significantly more financial, technical, marketing and other resources than we do, and may be able to devote greater resources to the development, promotion, sale and support of their platforms. Our competitors may also have longer operating histories, more extensive borrowers,user base, larger amounts of data, greater brand recognition and loyalty, and broader partner relationships than we do. For example, traditional financial institutions may invest in technology and enter into the consumer Credit-Tech industry.market. Experienced in financial product development and risk management, and being able to devote greater resource to the development, promotion, sale and technical support, they may gain an edge in the competition against us. Additionally, a current or potential competitor may acquire one or more of our existing competitors or form a strategic alliance with one or more of our competitors. Any of the foregoing could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and future growth.

36

Table of Contents

Our competitors may be better at developing new products, responding to new technologies, charging lower fees on loans and undertaking more extensive marketing campaigns. When new competitors seek to enter our target market, or when existing market participants seek to increase their market share, they sometimes undercut the pricing or terms prevalent in that market, which could adversely affect our market share or ability to exploit new market opportunities. Also, since the Credit-Tech industry in China is fast evolving, potentialprospective borrowers may not fully understand how our platform works. Our pricing and terms could deteriorate if we fail to act to meet these competitive challenges.

Furthermore, in response to more stringent PRC laws and regulations regarding cash loans, more online lendingCredit-Tech platforms may expand their services and products to scenario-based lending, including partnering with e-commerce platforms, which may drive up the competition among online lendingCredit-Tech platforms. Such intensified competition may increase our operating costs and adversely affect our results of operations and profitability. To the extent that our competitors are able to offer more attractive terms to our business partners, such business partners may choose to terminate their relationships with us or request us to accept terms matching our competitors’.

In addition, our competitors may implement certain procedures to reduce their fees in response to the current or potential PRC regulations on interest rates and fees charged by online lendingCredit-Tech platforms. Borrowers are generally interest sensitive with less brand loyalty. We may not succeed in utilizing the borrowermaintaining user stickiness if we fail to provide products with competitive prices. If we apply prices below the commercially reasonable level, our results of operations and financial conditions may be adversely impacted. If we are unable to compete with our competitors, or if we are forced to charge lower fees due to competitive pressures, we could experience reduced revenues or our platforms could fail to achieve market acceptance, any of which could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.

37

Table of Contents

If our ability to collect delinquent loans is impaired, or if there is actual or perceived misconduct in our collection efforts, our business and results of operations might be materially and adversely affected.

Our post-facilitation services primarily include collection services for our financial institution partners. We deploy a combination of measures to collect loan repayments, including text messages, mobile app push notices, AI initiated collection calls, human collection calls, emails or legal letters. We also engage certain third-party collection service providers from time to time, particularly after 60 days of delinquency. If either our or our third-party service providers’ collection methods, such as phone calls and text messages, are not effective or experience interruptions or failures technically or otherwise, and we fail to respond quickly and improve our collection methods, our delinquent loan collection rate may decrease.

While we have implemented and enforced policies and procedures relating to collection activities by us and third-party service providers, if those collection methods were to be viewed by the borrowers or regulatory authorities as harassments, threats or as other illegal 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 to be ineffective, we might not be able to maintain our delinquent loan collection rate, and the financial institution partners’ confidence in our platform may be negatively impacted. If any of the foregoing takes place and impairs our ability to collect delinquent loans, the loan originationfacilitation volume on our platform will decrease, and our business and the results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

If we cannot respond or adapt to the rapid technological development, our business, financial condition and results of operations would be materially and adversely affected.

The business environment in which we operate is characterized by rapidly changing technology, evolving industry standards and regulations, new mobile applications and protocols, new products and services, and changing user demands and trends. Our success will depend, in part, on our ability to identify, develop, acquire or license leading technologies useful for our business, and respond to technological development and evolving industry standards and regulations in a cost-effective and timely manner. As a result, we must continue to invest significant resources in technology infrastructure, and research and development to enhance our technology capabilities. We cannot assure you that we will be successful in adopting and implementing new technologies. If we are unable to respond or adapt in a cost-effective and timely manner to technological development, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

37

Table of Contents

Any harm to our brand or reputation or any damage to the reputation of the Credit-Tech industry may materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.

Enhancing the recognition and reputation of our brand is critical to our business and competitiveness. Factors that are vital to this objective include but are not limited to our ability to:

maintain the quality and reliability of our platform;
provide borrowersusers with a superior experience inon our platform;
enhance and improve our Argus Engine;
effectively manage and resolve borrowerusers complaints; and
effectively protect personal information and privacy of borrowers.users.

Any malicious or innocent negative allegation made by the media or other parties about our company, including, but not limited to our management, business, compliance with law, financial condition or prospects, whether with meritmeritless or not, could severely hurt our reputation and harm our business and operating results. As China’s Credit-Tech marketindustry is developing and the regulatory framework for this market is also evolving, negative publicity about this industry may arise from time to time. Negative publicity about China’s Credit-Tech industry in general may also have a negative impact on our reputation, regardless of whether we have engaged in any inappropriate activities.

38

Table of Contents

In addition, certain factors that may adversely affect our reputation are beyond our control. Negative publicity about our partners, outsourced service providers or other counterparties, such as negative publicity about their debt collection practices and any failure by them to adequately protect the information of borrowers, to comply with applicable laws and regulations or to otherwise meet required quality and service standards could harm our reputation. Furthermore, any negative development in the Credit-Tech industry, such as bankruptcies or failures of other platforms, and especially when such bankruptcies or failures affect a large number of such bankruptcies or failures,businesses, or negative perception of the industry as a whole, such as that arises from anythe alleged failure of other platforms to detect or prevent money laundering or other illegal activities, even if factually incorrect or based on isolated incidents, could compromise our image, undermine the trust and credibility we have established and impose a negativenegatively impact on our ability to attract new borrowers. For instance, on March 15, 2019, CCTV’s “315 Night,” an influentiala show on consumer rights protection, reported that certain financial products offered by third-party financial service providers on a financing platform contained inappropriate conducts that were suspected of infringement of consumer rights, which had an immediate adverse impact onallegedly infringed consumers’ recognitionrights. The media report may have affected consumers’ perception of the whole Credit-Tech industry, and this perception may, in turn, may adversely affect our business and results of operations. Negative developments in the Credit-Tech industry, such as widespread borrower defaults, fraudulent behavior or the closure of other online platforms, may also lead to tightened regulatory scrutiny of the sector and limit the scope of permissible business activities that may be conducted by online platforms like us.ours. As we are the strategic partner of 360 Group, any negative allegation about 360 Group may also have an adverse impact on us. For example, on March 15, 2021, CCTV’s “315 Night” reported certain allegedly false medical advertising that appeared on the 360 Browser which allegedly was committedthat were posted onto the platform by 360 Browser’s cooperating advertising agents. As 360 Browser is operated by our affiliate and we share the 360 brand, such an event and its future developmentfollow-on consequences may negatively impact our reputation and the public’s perception aboutof us. If anyFurthermore, our products may be deemed by regulators or consumers as infringing upon consumer rights, which may expose us to unfavorable risks such as administrative penalties, user complaints, and potential civil disputes. Any of the foregoing takes place,occurrences could significantly damage our brand and reputation, negatively impact the marketability of the relevant products or services, and materially and adversely affect our business and results of operationsoperations.

Misconduct by third-party collection service providers may adversely impact our brand, reputation and results of operations.

We adopt different collection channels, including text messages, mobile app push notices, AI-initiated collection calls, human collection calls, emails or legal letters during the collection process. We also outsource our collection to third-party collection service providers from time to time, particularly after 60 days of delinquency. To fulfill the compliance requirements, we have adopted and enforced comprehensive collection policies and procedures, including close monitoring our third-party service providers, to ensure that all our collection practices are in compliance with current laws and regulations. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Credit Assessment—Collection” for more details. However, we cannot assure you that we will be able to identify and deter misconduct by the third-party collection service providers at all times. If any of the third-party collection service providers with which we collaborate commit inappropriate conducts during the collection process, we could be materiallyliable for damages or subject to regulatory actions or penalties. Additionally, any misconduct or perceived misconduct in the collection activities by the third-party collection service providers, such as the perception that the collection activities are aggressive, may have a negative impact on our brand and adversely affected.reputation and thereby affect our results of operations.

3839

Table of Contents

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

We are exposed to many types of operational risks, including the risk of misconduct and errors by our employees and third-party service providers. Our business depends on our employees and third-party service providers to interact with prospective borrowers, process large numbers of transactions and support the loan collection process, all of which involve the use and disclosure of personal information. Although we have enforced a strict data protection policy by desensitizing all personal information of our customers and clients, weWe could be materially and 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. We could also be materially and adversely affected if our employees misappropriate or otherwise improperly utilize work products, sensitive data or confidential information that they received while they were working for other employers. In addition, it is not always possible to identify and deter misconduct or errors by employees or third-party service providers, and the precautions we take to detect and prevent this activity may not be effective in controlling unknown or unmanaged risks or losses. If any of our employees or third-party service providers take, convert or misuse funds, documents or data or fail to follow protocol when interacting with borrowers, such as during the collection process, we could be liable for damages and subject to regulatory actions and penalties. We could also be perceived to have originated or participated in the illegal misappropriation of funds, documents or data, or the failure to follow protocol, and therefore be subject to civil or criminal liability. See also “—If we are unable to protect the confidential information of our users and adapt to the relevant regulatory framework as to protection of such information, our business and operation may be adversely affected” and “—Our business is subject to complex and evolving PRC laws and regulations regarding data privacy and cybersecurity, as such regulations and laws as newly promulgated, many of which are subject to change and uncertainfurther interpretation. Any changes in these laws and regulations have caused and could continue to cause changes to our business practices and increased costincrease costs of operations, and any security breaches andor our actual or perceived failure to comply with such laws and regulations could result in claims, penalties, damages to our reputation and brand, declines in user growth or engagement, or otherwise harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.”

39

Table of Contents

In addition, the current regulatory regime for debt collection in the PRC remains unclear. Although we aim to ensure our collection efforts comply with the relevant laws and regulations in the PRC and we have established strict internal policies that our collections personnel do not engage in aggressive practices, weWe cannot assure you that suchthe collection personnel that we employ or collaborate with will not engage in any misconduct as part of their collection efforts. Any such misconduct by our collection personnel or the perception that our collection practices are considered to be aggressive and not compliant with the relevantPRC laws and regulations in the PRC may result in harm to our reputation and business, which could further reduce our ability to collect payments from borrowers, lead to a decrease in the willingness of prospective borrowers to apply for and utilize our credit or fines, penalties, administrative investigations or even criminal liabilities, imposed by the relevant regulatory authorities, any of which may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. See also “—Misconduct by third-party collection service providers may adversely impact our brand, reputation and results of operations.”

Furthermore, we rely on certain third-party service providers, such as borroweruser acquisition partners, marketing and brand promotion agencies, third-party payment platforms and collection service providers, to conduct our business. We enter into collaboration contracts with fixed terms with such service providers. However, we cannot assure you that we can renew such collaboration agreements once they expire, or that we can renew such agreements with the terms we desire. Such service providers may also be demanded by their investors not to work with us, or form alliances to seek better terms dealing with us. In addition, if these service providers failed to function properly or terminated the cooperation, we cannot assure you that we could 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, inability to attract borrowers, reputational damage, regulatory intervention and financial harm, which could negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In the meanwhile, we cannot assure you that third-party service providers would comply with our compliance requirements at all times and would not commit wrongdoings or misconduct especially in carrying out offline marketing and promotions, failure of which may result in us facing customeruser complaints, suffering brand and reputation damages and being subject to administrative actions. Neither can we guarantee that our borrowers would not commit wrongdoings or misconduct, which, if occurs, could cause harm to our brand and reputation.

Fluctuations in interest rates could negatively affect our loan origination volume.facilitation volume and profitability.

Most of the loans originated or facilitated through our platform are issued with fixed interest rates. Fluctuations in the interest rate environment may discourage financial institution partners to fund loan products facilitated through our platform, which may adversely affect our business. Meanwhile, if we fail to respond to the fluctuations in interest rates in a timely manner and reprice our loan products ourfacilitated by us, these loan products may become less attractive to borrowers. Additionally, if we reprice loan products facilitated by us to align with the market rate, our borrowers.results of operations may be adversely affected.

40

Table of Contents

We are subject to risk of recoverability of deferred tax assets.

As of December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, our deferred tax assets amounted to RMB835 million, RMB1,019 million and RMB1,068 million (US$150 million), respectively. We periodically assess the probability of the realization of deferred tax assets, using accounting judgments and estimates with respect to, among other things, historical operating results, expectations of future earnings and tax planning strategies. In particular, these deferred tax assets can only be recognized to the extent that it is probably that future taxable profits will be available, against which the deferred tax assets can be utilized. However, we cannot assure you that our expectation of future earnings will materialize, due to factors beyond our control such as general economic conditions, or, negative development of the regulatory environment, in which case we may not be able to recover our deferred tax assets, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

If we fail to complete, obtain or maintain the value-added telecommunications license, other requisite license, or approvals or filings in China, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

PRC regulations impose sanctions for engaging in internet information services of a commercial nature without having obtained an internet content provider license, or the ICP license, andLicense. PRC regulations also impose sanctions for engaging in the operation of online data processing and transaction processing without having obtained a value-added telecommunications service license, or the VATS license foran online data processing and transaction processing or ODPTP license (ICP License and ODPTPonline data processing and transaction processing license are both sub-sets of value-added telecommunications business)service license, or VATS License). These sanctions include corrective orders and warnings from the PRC telecommunication administration authority, fines and confiscation of illegal gains and, in the case of significant infringements, the suspension of relevant business and the websiteswebsite and mobile apps may be ordered to cease operation.app operations. Nevertheless, the interpretation of such regulations and PRC regulatory authorities’ enforcement of such regulations in the context of the Credit-Tech industry remains uncertain; it is unclear whether Credit-Tech service providers like us are required to obtain the ICP license or ODPTP licenses,License, or any other kind of VATS licenses.Licenses. Shanghai Qiyu obtained its ICP licenseLicense in April 2021.2021 and Fuzhou Microcredit obtained its ICP License in April 2023. If our past practice were deemed to be internet telecommunications business operations without VATS licensesLicenses or we were to be required to obtain additional VATS license,such licenses, the PRC governmentgovernmental authorities may levy fines up to five times of the illegal income or RMB1 million, confiscate our income, revoke our business licenses, or require us to discontinue our relevant business.

business, and our business, results of operations, financial condition, and prospects may be materially and adversely affected. Given the evolving regulatory environment of the Credit-Tech industry and value-added telecommunications business, we cannot rule out the possibility that the PRC government authorities will explicitly require any of ourthe VIEs or subsidiaries of ourthe VIEs to obtain additional ICP licenses, ODPTPLicenses, online data processing and transaction processing licenses or other VATS licenses,Licenses, or issue new regulatory requirements to institute a new licensing regime for our industry.

Furthermore, companies engaging in distribution of publicly-offered funds must obtain a license from the CSRC, and one of our subsidiaries has obtained a fund sales license. We must comply with regulatory requirements regarding fund sales activities, such as marketing and distribution of funds. These requirements include, but are not limited to, prohibition of any false records, misleading statements, material omissions, illegal earnings commitment, and exaggeration or other false advertising. Due to the evolving regulatory environment and significant uncertainties around the interpretation and specific enforcement of current and future PRC laws and regulations applicable to the fund sales industry, regulators may adopt new laws and regulations. If regulatory authorities impose more stringent requirements on fund sales activities, require additional licenses and permits for fund sales activities, or further scrutinize fund sales marketing activities on Internet platforms, our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects may be materially and adversely affected.

We could be found in violation of any future laws and regulations, or of the laws and regulations currently in effect due to changes in the relevant authorities, or interpretation of these laws and regulations. We cannot assure you that we would be able to obtain or maintain any required license, regulatory approvals or filings in a timely manner, or at all, which would subject us to sanctions, such as the imposition of fines and the discontinuation or restriction of our operations or other sanctions as stipulated in the new regulatory rules, and materially and adversely affect our business and impede our ability to continue our operations.

40

Table of Contents

Any significant disruption in service on our platform or in our computer systems, including events beyond our control, could prevent us from processing loans on our platform, reduce the attractiveness of our platform and result in a loss of borrowers.

In the event of a platform outage and physical data loss, the performance of our platform and solutions would be materially and adversely affected. The satisfactory performance, reliability and availability of our platform, solutions and underlying technology infrastructure are critical to our operations and reputation and our ability to retain existing and attract new users and financial service providers. Much of our system hardware is hosted in a leased facility located in Beijing. We also maintain a real-time backup system in the same facility and a remote backup system in a separate facility. Our operations depend on our ability to protect our systems against damage or interruption from natural disasters, power or telecommunications failures, air quality issues, environmental conditions, computer viruses or attempts to harm our systems, criminal acts, and similar events. If there is a lapse in service or damage to our leased facilities, we could experience interruptions and delays in our service and may incur additional expense in arranging new facilities.

41

Table of Contents

Any interruptions or delays in the availability of our platform or solutions, whether as a result of a third-party or our error, natural disasters or security breaches, whether accidental or willful, could harm our reputation and our relationships with users and financial service providers. Additionally, in the event of damage or interruption, we have no insurance policy to adequately compensate us for any losses that we may incur. Our disaster recovery plan has not been tested under actual disaster conditions, and we may not have sufficient capacity to recover all data and services in the event of an outage. These factors could damage our brand and reputation, divert our employees’ attention and subject us to liability, any of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our platform and internal systems rely on software that is highly technical, and if it contains undetected errors, our business could be adversely affected.

Our platform and internal systems rely on software that is highly technical and complex. In addition, our platform and internal systems depend on the ability of such software to store, retrieve, process and manage immense amounts of data. The software on which we rely 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 financial institution partners, delay introductions of new features or enhancements, result in errors or compromise our ability to protect borroweruser 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 financial institution partners, loss of revenue or liability for damages, any of which could adversely affect our business and financial results.

We may not be able to prevent others from unauthorized use of our intellectual property, which could harm our business and competitive position.

We regard our trademarks, domain names, software copyrights, know-how, proprietary technologies and similar intellectual property as critical to our success, and we rely on trademark and trade secret law and confidentiality, invention assignment and non-compete agreements with our employees and others to protect our proprietary rights. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Intellectual Properties” and “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulation—Laws and Regulations relating to Intellectual Property.” However, we cannot assure you that any of our intellectual property rights would not be challenged, invalidated or circumvented, or such intellectual property will be sufficient to provide us with competitive advantages. In addition, other parties may misappropriate our intellectual property rights, which would cause us to suffer economic or reputational damages. Because of the rapid pace of technological change, we cannot assure you that all of our proprietary technologies and similar intellectual property will be patented in a timely or cost-effective manner, or at all. Furthermore, parts of our business rely on technologies developed or licensed by other parties, or co-developed with other parties, and we may not be able to obtain or continue to obtain licenses and technologies from these other parties on reasonable terms, or at all.

41

Table of Contents

It is often difficult to register, maintain and enforce intellectual property rights in China. Statutory laws and regulations are subject to judicial interpretation and enforcement and may not be applied consistently due to the lack of clear guidance on statutory interpretation. Confidentiality, invention assignment and non-compete agreements may be breached by counterparties, and there may not be adequate remedies available to us for any such breach. Accordingly, we may not be able to effectively protect our intellectual property rights or to enforce our contractual rights in China. Preventing any unauthorized use of our intellectual property is difficult and costly, and the steps we take may be inadequate to prevent the misappropriation of our intellectual property. In the event that we resort to litigation to enforce our intellectual property rights, such litigation could result in substantial costs and in a diversion of our managerial and financial resources. We can provide no assurance that we will prevail in such litigation. In addition, our trade secrets may be leaked or otherwise become available to, or be independently discovered by, our competitors. To the extent that our employees or consultants use intellectual property owned by others in their work for us, disputes may arise as to the rights in related know-how and inventions. Any failure in protecting or enforcing our intellectual property rights could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

42

Table of Contents

Some aspects of our platform include open source software, and any failure to comply with the terms of one or more of these open source licenses could negatively affect our business.

Aspects of our platform include software covered by open source licenses. Open source license terms are often ambiguous, and there is little or no legal precedent governing the interpretation of many of the terms of certain of these licenses. Therefore, the potential impact of such terms on our business is somewhat unknown. If portions of our proprietary software are determined to be subject to an open source license, we could be required to publicly release the affected portions of our source code, re-engineer all or a portion of our technologies or otherwise be limited in the licensing of our technologies, each of which could reduce or eliminate the value of our technologies and loan products. There can be no assurance that efforts we take to monitor the use of open source software to avoid uses in a manner that would require us to disclose or grant licenses under our proprietary source code will be successful, and such use could inadvertently occur. This could harm our intellectual property position and have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flowflows and financial condition. In addition to risks related to license requirements, usage of open source software can lead to greater risks than use of third-party commercial software, as open source licensors generally do not provide warranties or controls on the origin of the software. Many of the risks associated with the use of open source software cannot be eliminated, and could adversely affect our business.

We may be subject to intellectual property infringement claims, which may be costly to defend and may disrupt our business and operations.

We cannot be certain that our operations or any aspects of our business do not or will not infringe upon or otherwise violate trademarks, copyrights, know-how, proprietary technologies or other intellectual property rights held by other parties. We may from time to time in the future become subject to legal proceedings and claims relating to the intellectual property rights of others. In addition, there may be other parties’ trademarks, copyrights, know-how, proprietary technologies or other intellectual property rights that are infringed by our products or other aspects of our business without our awareness. Holders of such intellectual property rights may seek to enforce such intellectual property rights against us in China, the United States or other jurisdictions. If any infringement claims are brought against us, we may be forced to divert management’s time and other resources from our business and operations to defend against these claims, regardless of their merits. If we are ruled against in any of these cases, we may be required to redesign or suspend our services, liable for substantial royalty or licensing fees or incur substantial amounts to satisfy judgments or settle claims or lawsuits. Any of the foregoing occurrences could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, reputation and the price of our securities. For example, the trademarks and trade names we use, – “360” –was“360,” was being challenged by a third party, which claimed that our use of the “360” trademark infringed its rights. In addition, the owner of the 360“360” trademarks, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of 360 Group, was involved in several legal proceedings, in which the effectiveness of the 360 trademarks was challenged. As of the date of this annual report, the case disputing our right to use the “360” trademarks and trade names has been settled by the parties involved, and the effectiveness of the relevant “360” trademarks registered by 360 Group has been upheld in courts. To prevent the potential disruptive impact these and similar disputes may have on our business and operations, 360 Group has also registered several new 360 trademarks for our use. However, we cannot guarantee that we or 360 Group will not face other proceedings or disputes in connection with the “360” trademarks and tradenamestrade names and their use in the future.

42

Table of Contents

Additionally, the application and interpretation of China’s intellectual property right laws and the procedures and standards for granting trademarks, copyrights, know-how, proprietary technologies or other intellectual property rights in China are still evolving and are uncertain, and we cannot assure you that PRC courts or regulatory authorities would agree with our analysis. If we were found to have violated the intellectual property rights of others, we may be subject to liability for our infringement activities or may be prohibited from using such intellectual property, and we may incur licensing fees or be forced to develop alternatives of our own. As a result, our business and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

Any failure to comply with PRC property laws and regulations regarding certain of our leased premises may negatively affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We have not registered our lease agreements with government authorities. Under PRC laws and regulations, we may be required to register and file with the government authority executed lease agreements. The failure to register the lease agreements for our leased properties will not affect the validity of these lease agreements, but the competent housing authorities may order us to register the lease agreements in a prescribed period of time and impose a fine ranging from RMB1,000 to RMB10,000 for each non-registered lease if we fail to complete the registration within the prescribed timeframe.

43

Table of Contents

Failure to comply with the PRC Social Insurance Law and the Regulation on the Administration of Housing Provident Funds may subject us to fines and other legal or administrative sanctions.

Companies registered and operating in China are required under the PRC Social Insurance Law (latest amended in 2018) and the Regulations on the Administration of Housing Funds (latest amended in 2019) to, apply for social insurance registration and housing fund deposit registration within 30 days of their establishment, and to pay for their employees different social insurance including pension insurance, medical insurance, work-related injury insurance, unemployment insurance and maternity insurance to the extent required by law. Historically, one of our PRC subsidiaries did not complete the housing provident fund registration in a timely manner and engaged a third-party human resources agency to pay social insurance premium and housing provident funds for certain of our employees. In August 2022, we completed the housing provident fund registration for such subsidiary. As the interpretation and implementation of labor-related laws and regulations are still evolving, our employment practices may be deemed to be noncompliant with such laws and regulations in China, which, if occurs, may subject us to obligations to provide additional compensation to our employees, labor disputes or government investigations. As a result, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected. There is no assurance that we will not be ordered by the competent labor authorities for rectification and failure to comply with such orders may subject us to administrative fines.

Some of the loans facilitated through our platform are funded by and disbursed indirectly through trusts under trust arrangements among financial institution partners, trust companies and us. If all or part of the funds in the trusts are not disbursed to borrowers as loans and the funds in the trusts do not generate the expected returns to the financial institution partners within a specified time frame, we could be obligated to make up the difference between the expected return and the actual return. As a result, our financial conditions may be adversely affected.

As mutually agreed upon by us and a small number of financial institution partners pursuant to their internal business requirements and procedures, some of the loans facilitated through our platform are funded by and disbursed indirectly through trusts, which also provide us with more flexibility to utilize the funds from the trusts for loan facilitation within the specified time frame and are in line with the industry norms. For such trust arrangements, we assume variable economic benefits or losses of the trusts. Because the financial institutions partners are typically entitled to receive repayment of the funds initially provided plus return from the trusts under the trust arrangements, if all or part of the funds in the trusts are not disbursed to borrowers as loans and do not generate the expected return to the financial institution partners within a specified time frame, we could be obligated to make up the difference between the expected return and the actual return to the financial institution partners. For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, there had been no such cases. However, we cannot assure you that we will not be obligated to make up any such difference in the future. If the foregoing occurs in the future, our financial conditions may be adversely affected.

Our business depends on the continued efforts of our management. If one or more of our key executives were unable or unwilling to continue in their present positions, our business may be severely disrupted.

Our business operations depend on the continued services of our management, particularly the executive officers named in this annual report and teams in charge of our risk management and product development, as well as collaboration with financial institution partners. While we have provided different incentives to our management, we cannot assure you that we can continue to retain their services. If one or more of our management were unable or unwilling to continue in their present positions, we may not be able to replace them easily or at all, our future growth may be constrained, our business may be severely disrupted and our financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected, and we may incur additional expenses to recruit, train and retain qualified personnel. In addition, although we have entered into confidentiality and non-competition agreements with our management, there is no assurance that no member of our management team will join our competitors or form a competing business, or disclose confidential information to the public. If any dispute arises between our current or former officers and us, we may have to incur substantial costs and expenses in order to enforce such agreements in China or we may be unable to enforce them at all.

From time to time we may evaluate and potentially consummate strategic investments or acquisitions, which could require significant management attention, disrupt our business and adversely affect our financial results.

We may evaluate and consider strategic investments, combinations, acquisitions or alliances to further increase the value of our platform. These transactions could be material to our financial condition and results of operations if consummated. If we are able to identify an appropriate business opportunity, we may not be able to successfully consummate the transaction, and even if we do consummate such a transaction, we may be unable to realize the envisaged benefits or avoid the difficulties and risks of such a transaction.

44

Table of Contents

Strategic investments or acquisitions will involve risks commonly encountered in business relationships, including:

difficulties in assimilating and integrating the operations, personnel, systems, data, technologies, rights, platforms, products and services of the acquired business;
the 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;
the diversion of management’s time and resources from our daily operations;
difficulties in maintaining uniform standards, controls, procedures and policies within the combined organizations;
difficulties in retaining relationships with borrowers, 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;
the 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 of liability;
the failure to successfully further develop the acquired technology;

43

Table of Contents

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. Even if we do, any such future investments or acquisitions may not be successful, may not benefit our business strategy, may not generate sufficient revenues to offset the associated acquisition costs or may not otherwise result in the intended benefits. In addition, we cannot assure you that any future investment in or acquisition of new businesses or technology will lead to the successful development of new or enhanced loan products and services or that any new or enhanced loan products and services, if developed, will achieve market acceptance or prove to be profitable.

If we fail to develop and maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we may be unable to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud.

The Securities and Exchange Commission, or 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 the company’s internal control over financial reporting in its annual report, which contains management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting. Our management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2021. See “Item 15. Controls and Procedures—Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.”2023. Our independent registered public accounting firm has issued an attestation report, which has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective in all material aspects as of December 31, 2021.2023. However, if we fail to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in the future, our management and our independent registered public accounting firm may not be able to conclude that we have effective internal control over financial reporting at a reasonable assurance level. This could in turn result in loss of investor confidence in the reliability of our financial statements and negatively impact the trading price of our class A ordinary shares and/or ADSs. Furthermore, we have incurred and anticipate that we will continue to incur considerable costs, management time and other resources in an effort to comply with Section 404 and other requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

45

Table of Contents

Our quarterly results may fluctuate and may not fully reflect the underlying performance of our business.

Our quarterly results of operations, including the levels of our net revenue, operating cost and expenses, net (loss)/income and other key metrics may vary in the future due to a variety of factors, some of which are beyond our control, and period-to-period comparisons of our operating results may not be meaningful, especially given our limited operating history. Accordingly, the results for any one quarter are not necessarily an indication of future performance. Fluctuations in quarterly results may adversely affect the price of our class A ordinary shares and/or ADSs.

In addition, we may experience seasonality in our business, reflecting seasonal fluctuations in internet usage and traditional personal consumptionconsumer borrowing patterns, as our borrowers typically use their borrowing proceeds to finance their personal consumption needs. While our rapid growth has somewhat masked this seasonality, our results of operations could be affected by such seasonality in the future.

Competition for employees is intense, and we may not be able to attract and retain the qualified and skilled employees needed to support our business.

We believe our success depends on the efforts and talent of our employees, including risk management, software engineering, financial and marketing personnel. Our future success depends on our continued ability to attract, develop, motivate and retain qualified and skilled employees. Competition for highly skilled technical, risk management and financial personnel is extremely intense. We may not be able to hire and retain such personnel at compensation levels consistent with our existing compensation and salary structure. Some of the companies with which we compete for experienced employees have greater resources than we have and may be able to offer more attractive terms of employment.

In addition, we invest significant time and expenses in training our employees, which increases their value to competitors who may seek to recruit them. If we fail to retain our employees, we could incur significant expenses in hiring and training their replacements, and our ability to operate our platform could diminish, resulting in a material adverse effect to our business.

44

Table of Contents

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, we expect the average wages in the PRC are expected to continue to increase. In addition, we are required by PRC laws and regulations to pay various statutory employee benefits, including pension, housing fund, medical insurance, work-related injury insurance, unemployment insurance and maternity insurance to designated government agencies for the benefit of our employees. The relevant governmentGovernment agencies may examine whether an employer has made adequate payments to the statutory employee benefits, and those employers who fail to make adequate payments may be subject to late payment fees, fines or other penalties. We expect that our labor costs, including wages and employee benefits, will continue to increase. Unless we are able to control our labor costs or pass on these increased labor costs to our users or financial institution partners by increasing the fees for our services, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.

We may not have sufficient business insurance coverage.

Insurance companies in China currently do not offer as extensive an array of insurance products as insurance companies in more developed economies. Currently, we do not have any business liability or disruption insurance to cover our operations. We have determined that the costs of insuring for these risks and the difficulties associated with acquiring such insurance on commercially reasonable terms make it impractical for us to have such insurance. Any uninsured business disruptions may result in our incurrence of substantial costs and the diversion of resources, which could have an adverse effect on business, our results of operations and financial condition.

46

Table of Contents

We and certain of our current and former directors or officers have beenwere, and in the future may be, named as defendants in a putative shareholder class action lawsuitlawsuits that could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operation, cash flows and reputation.

We and certain of our current and former directors or officers arewere named as defendants in a putative shareholder class action whichfiled in federal court, captioned In re 360 DigiTech, Inc. Securities Litigation, No. 1:21-cv-06013 (U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, amended complaint filed on January 14, 2022). This case was purportedly brought on behalf of a class of persons who purchased our securities between April 30, 2020 and July 8, 2021 and who allegedly suffered damages as a result of alleged misstatements and omissions in our public disclosure documents in connection with our compliance and data collection practices. On January 14, 2022, Lead Plaintiff filed an Amended Complaint. On March 15, 2022, we filed a motion to dismiss the Amended Complaint. Briefing on the motion to dismiss was completed on May 31, 2022. In July 2022, the Court granted our motion to dismiss the Amended Complaint without prejudice, and granted Plaintiffs leave to replead by September 26, 2022. On September 26, 2022, Lead Plaintiff notified the Court that he does not intend to file a Second Amended Complaint. The court entered an order of judgment in favor of Defendants in September 2022, and Plaintiff’s deadline to appeal the judgment has yetnow lapsed. We consider the case to effectively be resolved. We are currently unable to estimate the outcome of this lawsuit or any possible loss or range of loss, if any, associated with the resolution thereof. In the event that our initial defense of this case is unsuccessful, there can be no assurance that we will prevail in any appeal.closed. We may also face new legal proceedings, claims and investigations in the future. The existence of such cases and any adverse outcome of these cases, including any plaintiff’s appeal of a judgment, could have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows as well as the trading price of our class A ordinary shares and/or ADSs. Resolution of these matters may utilize a significant portion of our cash 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 investments in and capital supports to the joint venture company that we established for the construction of our regional headquarter and affiliated industrial park may occupy a portion of our working capital.

In October 2020, we established Shanghai 360 Changfeng Technology, Co.,Ltd., or 360 Changfeng, a joint venture company in Shanghai, China through Shanghai Qiyu, to build our regional headquarters and the affiliated industrial park for our future operations. Currently, we hold 70% of the equity interests in the joint venture360 Changfeng and are the controlling shareholder, with the remaining 30% held by an independent third party. We have consolidated the financial condition and results of operations of the joint venture company360 Changfeng on our financial statements beginning in the fiscal year of 2021 and it became our consolidated subsidiary. The construction project that the joint venture company operates is capital intensive. Pursuant to the joint venture agreement, the shareholders of the joint venture company will contribute initial funding for the acquisition of land use rights, while funds required for subsequent developments will be mainly supplied through external financings with any remaining shortfall funded by the shareholders ratably in proportion to their respective equity interest ownership. See also “Item 4. Information on the Company—D. Property, Plant and Equipment.” As of December 31, 2021,2023, a total of RMB1.0 billion were contributedprovided by the shareholders to acquire land use rights, of which RMB0.3 billion was funded by the independent third party. Additionally, 360 Changfeng obtainedhas entered into a syndicated loanfacility agreement with a principal amount of RMB1.0 billion from commercial banksbank in China in 2021 to finance its operations and the construction project.project, pursuant to which the commercial bank agreed to extend a loan facility in an aggregate amount of up to RMB1.0 billion, and required the subsidiary’s registered capital to be paid in the same proportion of the total facility used. Currently, our investments in and capital supports to 360 Changfeng hashave not had a material adverse impact on our working capital. However, if it360 Changfeng requires further capital contributions or funding from us in the future, our working capital position could be negatively impacted. In addition, if it360 Changfeng defaults in its repayment obligations in any debt financings, it may incur additional liabilities or be involved in legal proceedings, which may adversely affect our results of operations, cash flow positions and reputations.

4547

Table of Contents

Our operations have been impacted by the outbreak of COVID-19, which may continue and may adversely affect our financial performance.

Since its hit in early 2020, the COVID-19 has adversely impacted the economy of China and the economic condition of small and medium-sized businesses, especially offline businesses, and to a greater or lesser extent resulted in reduced spending, especially on discretionary consumption. We derive revenues from loan products facilitated through our platform. A reduction in discretionary consumption may adversely affect demand for personal and SME loan products. In addition, downturn in the economy and previous suspension of business activities across various sectors might cause an increase in default of the loans facilitated through our platform as they are likely to lead to a rise in unemployment and may weaken borrowers’ willingness and ability to repay their debts. The increased defaults could in turn result in enhanced risks and financial losses to our financial institution partners and us. As a result, we booked more provisions in 2020 to cope with the deterioration of asset quality of the loan portfolios due to COVID-19 and increased allowances to ensure sufficient coverage of potential defaults on loans facilitated on our platform. In addition, we curtailed our expenses, implemented stringent cost control measures and adopted more conservative customer acquisition strategies. The spread of COVID-19 had been substantially controlled in China in late 2020. However, since 2021, there has been a resurgence of COVID-19 cases caused by new variants such as Delta and Omicron in multiple cities in China, as well as across the world. Restrictions have been re-imposed in certain cities to combat such outbreaks and emerging variants of the virus. The long-term trajectory of COVID-19, both in terms of scope and intensity of the pandemic, in China as well as globally, together with its impact on the industry and the broader economy remain difficult to assess or predict and face significant uncertainties that will be difficult to quantify. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic impacts us and the Chinese economy as a whole in 2022 and beyond depends on its future developments, which are highly uncertain and unpredictable. If there is not a material recovery in the COVID-19 situation, or it further deteriorates in China or globally, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.

Increasing focus with respect to environmental, social and governance matters may impose additional costs on us or expose us to additional risks. Failure to adapt to or comply with the evolving expectations and standards on environmental, social and governance matters from investors and the PRC government may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operation.

The PRC government and public advocacy groups have been increasingly focused on environment, social and governance, or ESG, issues in recent years, making our business more sensitive to ESG issues and changes in governmental policies and laws and regulations associated with environment protection and other ESG-related matters. Investor advocacy groups, certain institutional investors, investment funds, and other influential investors are also increasingly focused on ESG practices and in recent years have placed increasing importance on the implications and social cost of their investments. Regardless of the industry, increased focus from investors and the PRC government on ESG and similar matters may hinder access to capital, as investors may decide to reallocate capital or to not commit capital as a result of their assessment of a company’s ESG practices. Any ESG concern or issue could increase our regulatory compliance costs. If we do not adapt to or comply with the evolving expectations and standards on ESG matters from investors and the PRC government or are perceived to have not responded appropriately to the growing concern for ESG issues, regardless of whether there is a legal requirement to do so, we may suffer from reputational damage and the business, financial condition, and the price of ourthe ADSs could be adversely effected.

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

In addition to the impact of COVID-19, ourOur business could also be adversely affected by other epidemics. In recent years, there have been outbreaks of epidemics, in China and globally. Our business operations could be disrupted if any of our employees are suspected of having contracted theincluding COVID-19, as well as having affected by other epidemics such as the Ebola virus disease, Zika virus disease, H1N1 flu, H7N9 flu, avian flu, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS, and other epidemics,epidemics. Our business operations could be disrupted if any of our employees are suspected of having contracted the any of the foregoing diseases, since it could require our employees to be quarantined 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 and the Credit-Tech industry in general. In recent years, there have been outbreaks of epidemics in China and globally. The COVID-19 pandemic adversely impacted the economic condition of small and micro-sized businesses, especially offline businesses, and to a greater or lesser extent resulted in reduced spending, especially on discretionary consumption. We derive revenue from loan products facilitated through our platform. A reduction in discretionary consumption may adversely affect demand for consumer and SME loan products. In addition, downturn in the economy and previous suspension of business activities across various sectors might cause an increase in default of the loans facilitated through our platform as they are likely to lead to a rise in unemployment and may weaken borrowers’ willingness and ability to repay their debts. The increased defaults could in turn result in elevated risks and financial losses to our financial institution partners and us. See also “—We have a limited operating history and are subject to credit cycles and the risk of deterioration of credit profiles of borrowers.”

Whether and to what extent to which COVID-19 may impact our results of operations going forward will depend on future developments which are highly uncertain and unpredictable, including the frequency, duration and extent of future outbreaks of COVID-19, the appearance of new variants with different characteristics, the effectiveness of efforts to contain or treat cases, and future actions that may be taken in response to these developments.

We are also vulnerable to natural disasters and other calamities. Fire, floods, typhoons, earthquakes, power loss,losses, telecommunications failures, break-ins, war,wars, 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 affecting our ability to provide products and services on our platform.

46

Table of Contents

Our headquarters isare located in Shanghai and many of our senior management reside in Beijing. Most of our system hardware and back-up systems are hosted in leased facilities located in Shanghai, Beijing and Beijing.Luoyang. Consequently, we are highly susceptible to factors adversely affecting Shanghai and Beijing. If any of the abovementioned natural disasters, health epidemics or other outbreaks were to occur or aggravate in Shanghai and Beijing, 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.

48

Table of Contents

Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure

If the PRC government deems that the contractual arrangements in relation to ourthe VIEs do not comply with PRC regulatory restrictions on foreign investment in the relevant industries, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations.

Foreign ownership of internet-based businesses, such as the distribution of online information, is subject to restrictions under current PRC laws and regulations. Although the Administrative Rules on the Foreign-invested Telecommunications Enterprises promulgated by the State Council in May 2022 lifted the prior requirement that the primary foreign investor in a foreign invested value-added telecommunications enterprise must have a good track record and operational experience in the value-added telecommunications industry, there remain restrictions on foreign investments in value-added telecommunication businesses. For example, foreign investors are generally not allowed to own more than 50% of the equity interests in a value-added telecommunications service provider in accordance with the Special Management Measures for the Access of Foreign Investment (Negative List) (2021 version), or the 2021 Negative List (2021), which became effective on January 1, 2022 and replaced the negative list in the Special Management Measures for the Access of Foreign Investment (2020 version), and other applicable laws and regulations.

We are a Cayman Islands holding company and our PRC subsidiaries are considered foreign-invested enterprises. Therefore, we operate our Credit-Tech businesses in China through ourthe VIEs and their subsidiaries, in which we have no ownership interest. Our PRC subsidiaries have entered into a series of contractual arrangements with ourthe VIEs and their respective shareholders, which enable us to (i) exercise effective control over ourthe VIEs, (ii) receive substantially all of the economic benefits of ourthe VIEs, and (iii) have an exclusive option to purchase all or part of the equity interests and assets in ourthe VIEs when and to the extent permitted by PRC law. As a result of these contractual arrangements, we have control over and are the primary beneficiary of ourthe VIEs and hence consolidate their financial results into our consolidated financial statements under U.S. GAAP. For a detailed description of these contractual arrangements, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—C. Organizational Structure.” One of ourThe VIEs Shanghai Qiyu, hashave been operating our Credit-Tech business, including, among others, operations of our 360 Jietiao, since its incorporation and hashave obtained and held the ICP licenseLicense according to relevant PRC laws and regulations. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulations—Regulation—Regulations on Foreign Investment Restrictions—Regulations on value-added telecommunications services.” The subsidiary of Shanghai Qiyu, Fuzhou Microcredit, which also provides loans through 360 Jietiao, has obtained a microcreditmicro-lending license from the relevant competent local authorities.authorities and an ICP License.

Investors in our class A ordinary shares or ADSs thus are not purchasing equity interest in ourthe VIEs in China but instead are purchasing equity interest in our Cayman Islands holding company. Our holding company in the Cayman Islands, ourthe VIEs and their subsidiaries, and investments in our Companycompany face uncertainty about potential future actions by the PRC government that could affect the enforceability of the contractual arrangements with ourthe VIEs and, consequently, the business, financial condition, and results of operations of ourthe VIEs and our Companycompany as a group.

In the opinion of our PRC legal counsel, Commerce & Finance Law Offices, based on its understanding of the relevantContractual Arrangements are in compliance with PRC laws and regulations each of the contracts amongcurrently in effect. However, our WFOE, our VIEs and their shareholders is valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with its terms. However, Commerce & Finance Law OfficesPRC legal counsel 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 legal counsel.

47

Table of Contents

It is uncertain whether any new PRC laws, regulations or rules relating to the “variable interest entity” structure will be adopted or if adopted, what they would provide. If the ownership structure, contractual arrangements and business of our company, our PRC subsidiaries or our variable interest entitythe VIEs are found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws or regulations, or we fail to obtain or maintain any of the required permits or approvals, the relevant government authorities would have broad discretion in dealing with such violation, including levying fines, confiscating our income or the income of ourthe VIEs, revoking the business licenses or operating licenses of our WFOE or ourthe VIEs, shutting down our servers or blocking our online platform, discontinuing or placing restrictions or onerous conditions on our operations, requiring us to undergo a costly and disruptive restructuring, restricting or prohibiting our use of proceeds from our offshore offering to finance our business and operations in China, and taking other regulatory or enforcement actions that could be harmful to our business. Any of these actions could cause significant disruption to our business operations and severely damage our reputation, which would in turn materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. If any of these occurrences result in our inability to direct the activities of ourthe VIEs, or our failure to receive economic benefits from ourthe VIEs, we may not be able to consolidate their results into our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and our class A ordinary shares or ADSs may decline in value or become worthless if we are unable to assert our contractual control rights over the assets of ourthe VIEs, which contributed 93%92%, 97%92% and 92%94% of our revenuestotal net revenue in 2019, 20202021, 2022 and 2021,2023, respectively.

49

Table of Contents

We rely on contractual arrangements with ourthe VIEs and the shareholders of ourthe VIEs for all of our business operations, which may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing operational control.

We have relied and expect to continue to rely on contractual arrangements with ourthe VIEs and the shareholders of ourthe VIEs, to operate our Credit-Tech businesses, including, among others, the operation of 360 Jietiao, 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 ourthe VIEs. For example, ourthe VIEs or the shareholders of ourthe VIEs may fail to fulfill their contractual obligations with us, such as failure to maintain our platform and use the domain names and trademarks in a manner as stipulated in the contractual arrangements, or taking other actions that are detrimental to our interests.

If we had direct ownership of ourthe VIEs, we would be able to exercise our rights as a shareholder to effect changes in the board of directors of ourthe VIEs, which in turn could implement changes, subject to any applicable fiduciary obligations, at the management and operational level. However, under the current contractual arrangements, we rely on the performance by ourthe VIEs and their shareholders of their obligations under the contractual arrangements to exercise control over ourthe VIEs. The shareholders of ourthe VIEs may not act in the best interests of our company or may not perform their obligations under these contracts. Such risks exist throughout the period in which we intend to operate our business through the contractual arrangements with ourthe VIEs and the shareholders of ourthe VIEs. Although we have the right, subject to a registration process with PRC government authorities, to replace Shanghai Qibutianxia as the registered shareholders of ourthe VIEs under the contractual arrangements, if it becomes uncooperative or any dispute relating to these contracts remains unresolved, we will have to enforce our rights under these contracts through the operations of PRC laws and arbitration, litigation and other legal proceedings, the outcome of which will be subject to uncertainties. See “—Any failure by ourthe VIEs or the shareholders of ourthe VIEs to perform their obligations under our contractual arrangements with them would have a material adverse effect on our business.” Therefore, our contractual arrangements with ourthe VIEs and the shareholders of ourthe VIEs may not be as effective in ensuring our control over the relevant portion of our business operations as direct ownership would be.

Any failure by ourthe VIEs or the shareholders of ourthe VIEs to perform their obligations under our contractual arrangements with them would have a material adverse effect on our business.

We have entered into a series of contractual arrangements with ourthe VIEs, and the shareholders of ourthe VIEs. For a description of these contractual arrangements, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—C. Organizational Structure.” If ourthe VIEs or the shareholders of ourthe VIEs fail to perform their respective obligations under the contractual arrangements, we may incur substantial costs and expend additional resources to enforce such arrangements. We may also have to rely on legal remedies under PRC laws, including seeking specific performance or injunctive relief, and claiming damages, which we cannot assure you will be effective under PRC laws. For example, if the shareholders of ourthe VIEs were to refuse to transfer their equity interests in ourthe VIEs 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.

4850

Table of Contents

All of these contractual arrangements are governed by and interpreted in accordance with PRC law, and disputes arising from these contractual arrangements between us and ourthe VIEs will be resolved through arbitration in China. For the sake of clarity, the arbitration provisions here relate to the claims arising from the contractual relationship created by the VIE agreements, rather than claims under the US federal securities laws, and they do not prevent our shareholders or ADS holders from pursuing claims under the US federal securities laws in the United States. The legal system in the PRC is not as developed as in some other jurisdictions, such asevolving rapidly. The interpretations of many laws, regulations, and rules may exhibit inconsistencies, and the United States.enforcement of these laws, regulations, and rules may also involve uncertainties. 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 ourthe VIEs, 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 us.”

The registered shareholders of ourthe VIEs may have potential conflicts of interest with us, which may materially and adversely affect our business and financial condition.

The registered shareholders of ourthe VIEs are beneficially owned by some of our shareholders. However, as we raise additional capital, and our shareholders sell the shares they hold in our company in the future, the interests of such registered shareholders of ourthe VIEs might become different from the interests of our company as a whole. Under the influence of its shareholders, such registered shareholders of ourthe VIEs may breach, or cause ourthe VIEs to breach, the existing contractual arrangements we have with them, which would have a material adverse effect on our ability to effectively control ourthe VIEs and receive economic benefits from them. For example, the registered shareholders of ourthe VIEs may be able to cause our agreements with ourthe VIEs to be performed in a manner adverse to us by, among other things, failing to remit payments due under the contractual arrangements to us on a timely basis. We cannot assure you that when conflicts of interest arise, the registered shareholders of ourthe VIEs 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 ourthe VIEs’ shareholders and our company, except that we could exercise our purchase option under the option agreement with such shareholders to request that they transfer all of their equity interests in ourthe VIEs to a PRC entity or individual designated by us, to the extent permitted by PRC laws. If we cannot resolve any conflict of interest or dispute between us and the shareholders of ourthe VIEs, we would have to rely on legal proceedings, which could result in the disruption of our business and subject us to substantial uncertainty as to the outcome of any such legal proceedings.

51

Table of Contents

Contractual arrangements in relation to ourthe VIEs may be subject to scrutiny by the PRC tax authorities and they may determine that we or ourthe VIEs owe additional taxes, which could negatively affect our financial condition and the value of your investment.

Under applicable PRC laws and regulations, arrangements and transactions among related parties may be subject to audit or challenge by the PRC tax authorities. The PRC enterprise income tax lawEnterprise Income Tax Law requires every enterprise in China to submit its annual enterprise income tax return together with a report on transactions with its related parties to the relevant tax authorities. The tax authorities may impose reasonable adjustments on taxation if they have identified any related party transactions that are inconsistent with arm’s length principles. We may face material and adverse tax consequences if the PRC tax authorities determine that the contractual arrangements between our WFOE, ourthe VIEs, and the shareholders of ourthe VIEs were not entered into on an arm’s length basis in such a way as to result in an impermissible reduction in taxes under applicable PRC laws, regulations and rules, and adjust ourthe VIEs’ income in the form of a transfer pricing adjustment. A transfer pricing adjustment could, among other things, result in a reduction of expense deductions recorded by ourthe VIEs for PRC tax purposes, which could in turn increase their tax liabilities. In addition, if our WFOE requests the shareholders of ourthe VIEs to transfer their equity interests in ourthe VIEs at nominal or no value pursuant to these contractual arrangements, such transfer could be viewed as a gift and subject our WFOE to PRC income tax. Furthermore, the PRC tax authorities may impose late payment fees and other penalties on ourthe VIEs for the adjusted but unpaid taxes according to the applicable regulations. Our financial position could be materially and adversely affected if ourthe VIEs’ tax liabilities increase or if they are required to pay late payment fees and other penalties.

49

Table of Contents

We may lose the ability to use and enjoy assets held by ourthe VIEs that are material to the operation of our business if the entity goes bankrupt or becomes subject to a dissolution or liquidation proceeding.

OurThe VIEs hold substantially all of our assets, some of which are material to our operation, including, among others, intellectual properties, hardware and software. Under contractual arrangements, ourthe VIEs may not, and the shareholders of ourthe VIEs may not cause them to, in any manner, sell, transfer, mortgage or dispose of their assets or their legal or beneficial interests in the business without our prior consent. However, in the event ourthe VIEs’ shareholders breach these contractual arrangements and voluntarily liquidate ourthe VIEs, or ourthe VIEs declare bankruptcy and all or part of their assets become subject to liens or rights of third-party creditors, or are otherwise disposed of without our consent, we may be unable to continue some or all of our business activities, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. If ourthe VIEs undergo a voluntary or involuntary liquidation proceeding, independent third-party creditors may claim rights to some or all of these assets, thereby hindering our ability to operate our business, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Divestitures of businesses and assets may have a material and adverse effect on our business and financial condition.

We may undertake in the future, partial or complete divestitures or other disposal transactions in connection with certain of our businesses and assets, particularly ones that are not closely related to our core focus areas or might require excessive resources or financial capital, to help our company meet its objectives. These decisions are largely based on our management’s assessment of the business models and likelihood of success of these businesses. However, our judgment could be inaccurate, and we may not achieve the desired strategic and financial benefits from these transactions. Our financial results could be adversely affected by the impact from the loss of earnings and corporate overhead contribution/allocation associated with divested businesses.

Dispositions may also involve continued financial involvement in the divested business, such as through guarantees, indemnities or other financial obligations. Under these arrangements, performance by the divested businesses or other conditions outside of our control could affect our future financial results. We may also be exposed to negative publicity as a result of the potential misconception that the divested business is still part of our consolidated group. On the other hand, we cannot assure you that the divesting business would not pursue opportunities to provide services to our competitors or other opportunities that would conflict with our interests. If any conflicts of interest that may arise between the divesting business and us cannot be resolved in our favor, our business, financial condition, results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

Furthermore, reducing or eliminating our ownership interests in these businesses might negatively affect our operations, prospects, or long-term value. We may lose access to resources or know-how that would have been useful in the development of our own business. Our ability to diversify or expand our existing businesses or to move into new areas of business may be reduced, and we may have to modify our business strategy to focus more exclusively on areas of business where we already possess the necessary expertise. We may sell our interests too early, and thus forego gains that we otherwise would have received had we not sold. Selecting businesses to dispose of or spin off, finding buyers for them (or the equity interests in them to be sold) and negotiating prices for what may be relatively illiquid ownership interests with no easily ascertainable fair market value will also require significant attention from our management and may divert resources from our existing business, which in turn could have an adverse effect on our business operations.

52

Table of Contents

The Hong Kong Stock Exchange has granted us a waiver from strict compliance with the requirements in Paragraph 3(b) of Practice Note 15 to the Hong Kong Listing Rules such that we are able to list a subsidiary entity on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange within three years of the listing. While we currently do not have any plan with respect to any spin-off listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, we may consider a spin-off listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange for one or more of our businesses within the three-year period subsequent to the listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

Risks Related to Doing Business in China

The PCAOB is currentlyhad historically been unable to inspect our auditor in relation to their audit work performed for our financial statements and the inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections overof our auditor deprivesin the past has deprived our investors with the benefits of such inspections.

Our auditor, the independent registered public accounting firm that issues the audit report included elsewhere in this annual report, as an auditor of companies that are traded publicly in the United States and a firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), or the PCAOB, is subject to laws in the United States pursuant to which the PCAOB conducts regular inspections to assess its compliance with the applicable professional standards. Since ourThe auditor is located in mainland China, a jurisdiction where the PCAOB has beenwas historically unable to conduct inspections without the approval of the Chinese authorities, our auditor is not currently inspected by the PCAOB.and investigations completely before 2022. As a result, we and investors in ourthe ADSs arewere deprived of the benefits of such PCAOB inspections. The inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections of auditors in China makesin the past has made it more difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of our independent registered public accounting firm’s audit procedures or quality control procedures as compared to auditors outside of China that are subject to the PCAOB inspections. On December 15, 2022, the PCAOB issued a report that vacated its December 16, 2021 determination and removed mainland China and Hong Kong from the list of jurisdictions where it is unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms. However, if the PCAOB determines in the future that it no longer has full access to inspect and investigate completely accounting firms in mainland China and Hong Kong, and we use an accounting firm headquartered in one of these jurisdictions to issue an audit report on our financial statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, we and investors in our ADSs would be deprived of the benefits of such PCAOB inspections again, which could cause investors and potential investors in ourthe ADSs to lose confidence in our audit procedures and reported financial information and the quality of our financial statements.

Our ADSs willmay be prohibited from trading in the United States under the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, or the HFCAA in 2024the future if the PCAOB is unable to inspect or fully investigate completely auditors located in China, or in 2023 if proposed changes to the law are enacted.China. The delisting of ourthe ADSs, or the threat of their being delisted, may materially and adversely affect the value of your investment.

The Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, orPursuant to the HFCAA, was signed into law on December 18, 2020. The HFCAA states if the SEC determines that we have filed audit reports issued by a registered public accounting firm that has not been subject to inspection forinspections by the PCAOB for threetwo consecutive years, beginning in 2021, the SEC shallwill prohibit our shares or ADSs from being traded on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter trading market in the United States. On December 2, 2021, the SEC adopted final amendments implementing the disclosure and submission requirements of the HFCAA, pursuant to which the SEC will identify an issuer as a “Commission Identified Issuer” if the issuer has filed an annual report containing an audit report issued by a registered public accounting firm that the PCAOB has determined it is unable to inspect or investigate completely, and will then impose a trading prohibition on an issuer after it is identified as a Commission-Identified Issuer for three consecutive years.

On December 16, 2021, the PCAOB issued a report to notify the SEC of its determination that the PCAOB iswas unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong. The PCAOB identifiedKong and our auditor was subject to that determination. In May 2022, the SEC conclusively listed us as onea Commission-Identified Issuer under the HFCAA following the filing of our annual report on Form 20-F for the registered public accounting firms thatfiscal year ended December 31, 2021. On December 15, 2022, the PCAOB removed mainland China and Hong Kong from the list of jurisdictions where it is unable to inspect or investigate completely. Therefore,completely registered public accounting firms. For this reason, we were not identified as a Commission-Identified Issuer under the HFCAA after we filed our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 and do not expect to be identified as a “Commission Identified Issuer” shortlyso after the filing ofwe file this annual report on Form 20-F.20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.

Whether53

Table of Contents

Each year, the PCAOB will be abledetermine whether it can inspect and investigate completely audit firms in mainland China and Hong Kong, among other jurisdictions. If the PCAOB determines in the future that it no longer has full access to conduct inspectionsinspect and investigate completely accounting firms in mainland China and Hong Kong and we use an accounting firm headquartered in one of our auditor before the issuance ofthese jurisdictions to issue an audit report on our financial statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, we would be identified as a Commission-Identified Issuer following the filing of the annual report on Form 20-F for the year ending December 31, 2023 which is due by April 30, 2024, or at all, is subject to substantial uncertainty and dependsrelevant fiscal year. In accordance with the HFCAA, our securities would be prohibited from being traded on a number of factors out ofnational securities exchange or in the over-the-counter trading market in the United States if we are identified as a Commission-Identified Issuer for two consecutive years in the future. Although our class A ordinary shares have been listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and the ADSs and class A ordinary shares are fully fungible, we cannot assure your that an active trading market for our auditor’s, control. Ifclass A ordinary shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange will be sustained or that the ADSs can be converted and traded with sufficient market recognition and liquidity, if our shares and ADSs are prohibited from trading in the United States, there is no certainty that we will beStates. A prohibition of being able to list on a non-U.S. exchange or that a market for our shares will develop outside oftrade in the United States. Such a prohibitionStates would substantially impair your ability to sell or purchase our ADSs when you wish to do so, and the risk and uncertainty associated with delisting would have a negative impact on the price of ourthe ADSs. Also, such a prohibition would significantly affect our ability to raise capital on terms acceptable to us, or at all, which would have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, and prospects.

50

Table of Contents

On June 22, 2021, the U.S. Senate passed a bill which would reduce the number of consecutive non-inspection years required for triggering the prohibitions under the HFCAA from three years to two. On February 4, 2022, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill which contained, among other things, an identical provision. If this provision is enacted into law and the number of consecutive non-inspection years required for triggering the prohibitions under the HFCAA is reduced from three years to two, then our ADSs could be prohibited from trading in the United States in 2023.

The PRC government’s significant oversight and discretion over our business operation and any failure to comply with PRC laws and regulations could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of ourthe ADSs.

We conduct our business primarily in China. Our operations in China are governed by PRC laws and regulations. TheIn accordance with applicable laws and regulations, the PRC government has significant oversight and discretion over the conduct of our business, and may intervene or influence our operations as the government deems appropriate to advance regulatory and societal goals and policy positions. The PRC government has recently published new policies that significantly affected certain industries and we cannot rule out the possibility that it will in the future release regulations or policies that directly or indirectly affect our industry or require us to seek additional permission to continue our operations, which could result in a material adverse change in our operation and/or the value of our class A ordinary shares and ADSs. Therefore, investors of our companyOur class A ordinary shares and our business face potential uncertainty from actions taken byADSs may significantly decline in value as a result. Also, the PRC government affectingmay promulgate certain regulations and rules to exert more oversight over offerings that are conducted overseas and foreign investment in mainland China-based issuers. In the event that we fail to comply with any legal and regulatory requirements of mainland China in relation to overseas securities issuance or foreign investment, our business.ability to continue to offer securities to investors could be significantly limited or completely hindered and the value of such securities could significantly decline.

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. The PRC legal system is evolving rapidly and PRC laws, regulations, and rules may change quickly with little advance notice. The interpretations of many PRC laws, regulations, and rules may contain inconsistencies, the enforcement of which involves uncertainties. For example, the PRC Foreign Investment Law, which took effect on January 1, 2020, replacesreplaced the trio of existing laws regulating foreign investment in China, together with their implementation rules and ancillary regulations. This PRC 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, substantial uncertainties exist with respect to the interpretation and implementation of the PRC Foreign Investment Law, its implementation rules and ancillary regulations, which may materially impact the viability of our current corporate structure, corporate governance and business operations. In addition, pursuant to the Plan on Reforming State Council Institutions approved by the National People’s Congress on March 10, 2023, the China National Financial Regulatory Administration was officially established on May 18, 2023, replacing the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission as the new financial regulatory authority in China. As a result, the local financial regulatory system underwent a deep reform, with the central financial management department’s local agencies acting as the main body. This restructuring may lead to changes and uncertainties in rules and regulations applicable to our business. Uncertainties and changes in regulatory environment may increase our cost of operation, limit our service offerings or even cause us to fundamentally change our business model. We cannot assure you that we will remain fully compliant with all new regulatory requirements or any future implementation rules on a timely basis, or at all. Any failure of us to fully comply with new regulatory requirements may significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer the class A ordinary shares and ADSs, cause significant disruption to our business operations, and severely damage our reputation, which would materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations and cause the class A ordinary shares and ADSs to significantly decline in value or become worthless.

54

Table of Contents

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.enjoy. 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.

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 mainland 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.

51

Table of Contents

The Chinese economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including, but not limited to the extent of government involvement, level of development, growth rate, control of foreign exchange and allocation of resources. Although the Chinese government has implemented measures emphasizing the utilization of market forces for economic reform, the reduction of state ownership of productive assets and the establishment of improved corporate governance in business enterprises, a substantial portion of productive assets in China is still owned by the Chinese government. In addition, the Chinese government continues to play a significant role in regulating industry development by imposing industrial policies. Further, the PRC government has significant authority to exert influence on the ability of a China-based company, such as us, to conduct its business. Therefore, investors of our company and our business face potential uncertainty from the PRC government. 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, there can be no assurance that the growth has been uneven, both geographically and among various sectors of the economy.would be maintained or equitable across sectors. 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 not have a negativethe same 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.

A downturn in the Chinese or global economy could reduce the demand for consumer loans or increase the default risk, which could materially and adversely affect our business and financial condition.

COVID-19 had a severe and negative impact on both the Chinese and the global economy. Whether this will lead to a prolonged downturn in the economy is still unknown. Even before the outbreak of COVID-19,from 2020 through 2022, and the global macroeconomic environment was facingstill faces numerous challenges. The growth rate of the Chinese economy has already been slowing since 2010. There is considerable uncertainty over2010 and the long-term effectsChinese population began to decline in 2022. The Federal Reserve and other central banks outside of China have raised interest rates. The Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Hamas-Israel conflict and the attacks on shipping in the Red Sea have heightened geopolitical tensions across the world. The impact of the expansionary monetary and fiscal policies which had been adopted by the central banks and financial authorities of some of the world’s leading economies, including the United States and China. TheRussia-Ukraine conflict on Ukraine food exports has contributed to increases in Ukraine and the imposition of broad economic sanctions on Russia could raise energyfood prices and disrupt global markets. Unrest, terrorist threats and the potential for war in the Middle East and elsewhere may increase market volatility across the globe.thus to inflation more generally. There have also been concerns about the relationship between China and other countries, including the surrounding Asian countries, which may potentially have economic effects. In particular, there is significant uncertainty about the future relationship between the United States and China with respect to trade policies, treaties, government regulations and tariffs. Economic conditions in China are sensitive to global economic conditions, as well as changes in domestic economic and political policies and the expected or perceived overall economic growth rate in China. AnyIn addition, our consumers and SMEs are vulnerable to changes in macroeconomic conditions. If macroeconomic conditions deteriorate, our consumers and SMEs may be directly hit, which in turn may lead to higher default rates or decreasing borrowings. As a result, any severe or prolonged slowdown in the global or Chinese economy may reduce the demand for consumer loansmaterially and have a negative impact onadversely affect 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.

55

Table of Contents

Changes in international trade policies and rising political tensions, particularly between the U.S. and China, may adversely impact our business and operating results.

There have been changes in international trade policies and rising political tensions, particularly between the U.S. and China, but also as a result of the conflict in Ukraine and sanctions on Russia. The U.S. government has made statements and taken certain actions that may lead to potential changes to U.S. and international trade policies towards many countries, including China. For example, export controls, economic and trade sanctions have been threatened and/or imposed by the U.S. government on a number of Chinese technology companies. The United States has also threatened to impose further export controls, sanctions, trade embargoes, and other heightened regulatory requirements on China and Chinese companies for alleged activities both inside and outside of China. Against this backdrop, China has implemented, and may further implement, measures in response to the changing trade policies, treaties, tariffs and sanctions and restrictions against Chinese companies initiated by the U.S. government. For example, the Ministry of Commerce of China published Rules on Counteracting Unjustified Extra-Territorial Application of Foreign Legislation and Other Measures in January 2021 to counter restrictions imposed by foreign countries on Chinese citizens and companies.

We are monitoring policies in the United States that are aimed at restriction U.S. persons from investing in certain Chinese companies and/or imposing sanctions on Chinese entities. The United States and various foreign governments have imposed controls, license requirements and restrictions on the import or export of technologies and products (or voiced the intention to do so). For instance, in October 2022, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) of the U.S. Department of Commerce issued rules aimed at restricting China’s ability to obtain advanced computing chips, develop and maintain supercomputers and manufacture advanced semiconductors. On August 9, 2023, the Biden administration released an executive order directing the Department of the Treasury to create an outbound FDI review program that will require reporting on or (in more narrow circumstances) will prohibit investments by U.S. persons involving “covered national security technologies and products,” which is defined to include “sensitive technologies and products in the semiconductors and microelectronics, quantum information technologies, and artificial intelligence (AI) sectors that are critical for the military, intelligence, surveillance, or cyber-enabled capabilities” of China (to include Hong Kong and Macau). On the same day, the Department of Treasury issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM), which provided a conceptual framework for outbound investment controls focused on China. As of the date of this annual report, the final rules implementing this executive order has not become effective yet, and the scope of the outbound FDI review program may be materially different from what is currently contemplated by the ANPRM. Therefore, there are substantial uncertainties on whether the outbound FDI review program will have a material impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition, and prospects.

Rising trade and political tensions could reduce levels of trade, investments, technological exchanges and other economic activities between China and other countries, which would have an adverse effect on global economic conditions, the stability of global financial markets, and international trade policies. It could also adversely affect the financial and economic conditions in the jurisdictions in which we operate, as well as our overseas expansion, our financial condition and results of operations.

52

Table of Contents

While cross-border business currently may not be an area of our focus, if we plan to expand our business internationally in the future, any unfavorable government policies on international trade or any restriction on Chinese companies may affect consumer demand for our products and service, impact our competitive position, or prevent us from being able to conduct business in certain countries. In addition, our results of operations could be adversely affected if any such tensions or unfavorable government trade policies harm the Chinese economy or the global economy in general.

56

Table of Contents

The approval of and filing with the CSRC or other PRC government authorities maywill be required if we conduct offshore offerings in the future, and if required, we cannot predict whether or for how long we will be able to obtain such approval or complete such filing.

The Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic CompaniesEnterprises by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rules, adopted by six PRC regulatory agencies in 2006 and amended in 2009 requiresrequire an overseas special purpose vehicle formed for listing purposes through acquisitions of PRC domestic companies and controlled by PRC persons or entities to obtain the approval of the CSRC prior to the listing and trading of such special purpose vehicle’s securities on an overseas stock exchange. The interpretation and application of the regulations remain unclear, and our offshore offerings may ultimately require approval of the CSRC. If the CSRC approval is required, it is uncertain whether we can or how long it will take us to obtain the approval and, even if we obtain such CSRC approval, the approval could be rescinded. Any failure to obtain or delay in obtaining the CSRC approval for any of our offshore offerings, or a rescission of such approval if obtained by us, would subject us to sanctions imposed by the CSRC or other PRC regulatory authorities, which could include fines and penalties on our operations in China, restrictions or limitations on our ability to pay dividends outside of China, and other forms of sanctions that may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

On July 6, 2021, the relevant PRC government authorities issued Opinions on Strictly Cracking Down Illegal Securities Activities in Accordance with the Law. These opinions emphasized the need to strengthen the administration over illegal securities activities and the supervision on overseas listings by China-based companies and proposed to take effective measures, such as promoting the construction of relevant regulatory systems to deal with the risks and incidents faced by China-based overseas-listed companies. As a follow-up, on December 24, 2021,February 17, 2023, the CSRC issued a draft of the Provisions of the State Council on the Administration Trial Measures of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies, or the Draft Provisions, and a draft of Administration Measures for the Filing of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies, or the Draft Administration Measures, for public comments.Companies.

The Draft Provisions and the Draft Administration Measuresmeasures propose to establish a new filing-based regime to regulate overseas offerings and listings by domestic companies. According to the Draft Provisions and the Draft Administration Measures,measures, an overseas offering of equity shares, depository receipts, convertible corporate bond or other equity-like securities, and the listing by a domestic company, whether directly or indirectly, shall be filed with the CSRC. Specifically, the examination and determination of an indirect offering and listing will be conducted on a substance-over-form basis, and an offering and listing shall be considered as an indirect overseas offering and listing by a domestic company if the issuer meets the following conditions: (i) the operating income, gross profit, total assets, or net assets of the domestic enterprise in the most recent fiscal year, any of which was more than 50% of the relevant line item in the issuer’s audited consolidated financial statement for that year; and (ii) the principle elements of operations are conducted within or the main places of operations are within the PRC, or senior management personnel responsible for business operations and management are mostly PRC citizens or are ordinarily resident in the PRC, or the main place of business is in the PRC or carried out in the PRC. According to the Draft Administration Measures,these measures, the issuer or its affiliated material domestic company, as the case may be, shall file with the CSRC and report the relevant information for its initial public offering, follow-on offshore offering and other equivalent offshore offering activities. Particularly, the issuer or its affiliated material domestic company shall submit the filing with respect to its initial public offering and listing within three business days after its initial filing of the listing application, and submit the filing with respect to its follow-on offshore offering on the same overseas market within three business days after completion of the follow-on offering. Failure to comply with the filing requirements may result in fines to the relevant domestic companies suspension of their businesses, revocation of their business licenses and operation permits and fines on the controlling shareholder, actual controllers, directors, supervisors, and senior managementdirectly responsible person in charge and other responsible persons. The Draft Administration Measurescontrolling shareholder or actual controllers of domestic company organize or instruct to engage in the illegal act or conceals relevant matters failing to comply with the filing requirements will be subject to fines. The measures also setsset forth certain regulatory circumstances where offshore offerings and listings by domestic enterprises shall beare prohibited.

53

Table of Contents

As of The measures also come with five guidelines on the date of this annual report, the Draft Provisionsinterpretation and the Draft Administration Measures have not been formally adopted. There are uncertainties as to whether the Draft Provisions and the Draft Administration Measures would be further amended, revised or updated. Substantial uncertainties exist with respect to the enactment timetable and final content of the Draft Provisions and the Draft Administration Measures. As the CSRC may formulate and publish guidelines for filings in the future, the Draft Administration Measures does not provide for detailed requirements of the substance and formapplication of the filing documents. requirements and procedures.

In a Q&A released on its official website, the respondent CSRC official indicated that the proposed new filing requirement will start with new companies and the existing companies seeking to carry out activities like follow-on offshore financing. As forExisting companies are not required to filed immediately, and the filings for the existing companies, the regulator will grant adequate transition period and apply separate arrangements.subsequent filing matters such as refinancing shall be filed as required. The Q&A also addressed the contractual arrangements and pointed out that ifthe filing management will adhere to the principles of marketization and legalization, and strengthen regulatory coordination, and the CSRC will seek the opinions of the relevant domestic laws and regulations have been observed, companies with compliant VIE structure may seekcompetent authorities for the overseas listing after completion of VIE-structured enterprises that meet the CSRC filings.compliance requirements to file, and support the development and growth of enterprises using two markets and two resources. Nevertheless, it does not specify what qualify as compliant VIE structures and what relevant domestic laws and regulations are required to be complied with. GivenThere are uncertainties with respect to the substantial uncertainties surroundingapplication and enforcement of the latestnewly published measures. We will closely monitor and assess any legislative and regulatory development and prepare for filing when necessary.

Furthermore, on February 24, 2023, the CSRC filing requirements at this stage, we cannot assure you that we will be ablereleased the Provisions on Strengthening Confidentiality and Archives Administration of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies, which came into effect on March 31, 2023. Pursuant to complete the filings and fully comply withprovisions, any future inspection or investigation conducted by overseas securities regulator or the relevant new rulescompetent authorities on a timely basis, if at all, if we conduct any offshore offering.our PRC domestic companies with respect to our overseas issuance and offering shall be carried out in the manner in compliance with PRC laws and regulations.

57

Table of Contents

Relatedly, on December 27, 2021, the NDRCNational Commission of Development and Reform and the Ministry of Finance or the MOC, jointly issued the 2021 Negative List (2021), which became effective on January 1, 2022. Pursuant to such Special Administrative Measures, if a domestic company engaging in the prohibited business stipulated in the 2021 Negative List (2021) seeks an overseas offering and listing, it shall obtain the approval from the competent government authorities. Besides, the foreign investors of the company shall not be involved in the company’s operation and management, and their shareholding percentage shall be subject, mutatis mutandis, to the relevant regulations on the domestic securities investments by foreign investors. As the 2021 Negative List (2021) is relatively new, there remain substantial uncertainties as to the interpretation and implementation of these new requirements, and it is unclear as to whether and to what extent listed companies like us will be subject to these new requirements. If we are required to comply with these requirements and fail to do so on a timely basis, if at all, our business operation, financial conditions and business prospect may be adversely and materially affected.

In addition, we cannot assure you that any new rules or regulations promulgated in the future will not impose additional requirements on us. If it is determined in the future that approval from and filing with the CSRC or other regulatory authorities or other procedures, including the cybersecurity review under the Measures for Cybersecurity Review and(2021 Revision), the DraftMeasures of Regulations on the Network Data Security as well asAdministration (Draft for Comments), and the filing requirements under the Draft ProvisionsAdministration Trial Measures of Overseas Securities Offering and the Draft Administration MeasuresListing by Domestic Companies, are required for anour offshore offerings, it is uncertain whether we can or how long it will take us to obtain such approval or complete such filing procedures and any such approval or filing could be rescinded or rejected if we ever conduct offshore offerings in the future.rejected. Any failure to obtain or delay in obtaining such approval or completing such filing procedures if we were to conductfor our offshore offerings, or a rescission of any such approval or filing if obtained by us, would subject us to sanctions by the CSRC or other PRC regulatory authorities. These regulatory authorities may impose fines and penalties on our operations in China, limit our ability to pay dividends outside of China, limit our operating privileges in China, delay or restrict the repatriation of the proceeds from our offshore offerings into China or take other actions that could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects, as well as the trading price of our class A ordinary shares and ADSs. The CSRC or other PRC regulatory authorities also may take actions requiring us, or making it advisable for us, to halt our offshore offerings before settlement and delivery of the class A ordinary shares offered. In addition, if the CSRC or other regulatory authorities later promulgate new rules or explanations requiring that we obtain their approvals or accomplish the required filing or other regulatory procedures for our prior offshore offerings, we may be unable to obtain a waiver of such approval requirements, if and when procedures are established to obtain such a waiver. Any uncertainties or negative publicity regarding such approval requirement could materially and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition, reputation, and the trading price of our class A ordinary shares and ADSs.

It may be difficult for overseas regulators to conduct investigation or collect evidence within China.

Shareholder claims or regulatory investigations that are common in the United States generally are difficult to pursue as a matter of law or practicality in China. For example, in China, there are significant legal and other obstacles to providing information needed for regulatory investigations or litigations initiated outside China. Although the authorities in China may establish a regulatory cooperation mechanism with the securities regulatory authorities of another country or region to implement cross-border supervision and administration, such cooperation with the securities regulatory authorities in the United States may not be efficient in the absence of mutual and practical cooperation mechanism. Furthermore, according to Article 177 of the PRC Securities Law, which became effective in March 2020, no overseas securities regulator is allowed to directly conduct an investigation or evidence collection activities within the PRC territory. While detailed interpretation of or implementation rules under Article 177 have yet to be promulgated, the inability of an overseas securities regulator to directly conduct an investigation or evidence collection activities within China may further increase the difficulties you face in protecting your interests. See also “-Risks“—Risks Related to the ADSs and Our ADSs-YouClass A Ordinary Shares—You may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through U.S. courts or Hong Kong courts may be limited, because we are incorporated under Cayman Islands law” for risks associated with investing in us as a Cayman Islands company.

54

Table of Contents

Substantial uncertainties exist with respect to the interpretation and implementation of the newly enacted Foreign Investment Law and how it may impact the viability of our current corporate structure, corporate governance and business operations.

On March 15, 2019, the PRC National People’s Congress approved the Foreign Investment Law, which came into effect on January 1, 2020 and replaces the trio of existing laws regulating foreign investment in the PRC, namely, the Sino-Foreign Equity Joint Venture Enterprise Law, the Sino-Foreign Cooperative Joint Venture Enterprise Law and the Wholly Foreign-Invested Enterprise Law, and has become the legal foundation for foreign investment in the PRC.

58

Table of Contents

The Foreign Investment Law sets out the basic regulatory framework for foreign investments and proposes to implement a system of pre-entry national treatment with a negative list for foreign investments, pursuant to which (i) foreign entities and individuals are prohibited from investing in certain areas that are not open to foreign investments, (ii) foreign investments in the restricted industries must satisfy certain requirements under the law, and (iii) foreign investments in business sectors outside of the negative list will be treated equally with domestic investments. The Foreign Investment Law also sets forth necessary mechanisms to facilitate, protect and manage foreign investments and proposes to establish a foreign investment information reporting system, through which foreign investors are required to submit information relating to their investments to the Ministry of Commerce or MOFCOM,of the PRC or its local branches.

However, since the Foreign Investment Law 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 activity 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 prescribed 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 may be adversely affected by the complexity, uncertainties and changes in PRC regulation of internet-related businesses and companies, and any lack of requisite approvals, licenses or permits applicable to our business may have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

The PRC government extensively regulates the internet industry, including foreign ownership of, and the licensing and permit requirements pertaining to, companies in the internet industry. These internet-related laws and regulations are relatively new and evolving, and their interpretation and enforcement involve significant uncertainties. As a result, in certain circumstances it may be difficult to determine what actions or omissions may be deemed to be in violation of applicable laws and regulations.

We only have contractual control over our website and mobile app platform. We do not directly own the website and mobile app platform due to the restriction on foreign investment in businesses providing value-added telecommunications services in China, including internet information provision services. This may significantly disrupt our business, subject us to sanctions, compromise enforceability of related contractual arrangements, or have other harmful effects on us.

The evolving PRC regulatory system for the internet industry may lead to the establishment of new regulatory agencies. For example, in May 2011, the State Council announced the establishment of a new department, the CAC (with the involvement of the State Council Information Office, the MIIT,Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and the MPS)Ministry of Public Security). The primary role of this new agency is to facilitate policy-making and legislative developments 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.

55

Table of Contents

According to relevant PRC laws and regulations, an enterprise must obtain a value-added telecommunication business license to operate a value-added telecommunication business. OurThe VIEs have obtained the required ICP License to operate our online platform, 360 Jietiao, operated by Shanghai Qiyu, one of our VIEs, obtained its ICP license in April 2021.Jietiao. Nevertheless, it is uncertain if Fuzhou Microcredit will be required to obtain a separate operating license with respect to our mobile appwe or website in addition to the VATS license or Shanghai QiyuVIEs may be required to obtain additional value-added telecommunications business licenses. See also “—If we fail to complete, obtain or maintain the value-added telecommunications license, other requisite license, or approvals or filings in China, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.”

59

Table of Contents

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 face uncertainties with respect to the interpretation and implementation of the Anti-monopoly Law.

According to the Anti-monopoly Law of the PRC, business operators that hold dominant market position shall not abuse their dominant market position to restrict trading counterparts to transact only with such business operators or only with designated business operators without a justifiable reason. Where a business operator has violated the Anti-monopoly Law of the PRC in abusing its dominant market position, the anti-monopoly enforcement agency may order the business operator to stop the illegal act and confiscate the illegal income. A fine of 1% to 10% of the sales amount of the preceding year shall be imposed.

We do not believe our business is in violation of the Anti-monopoly Law of the PRC, and as of the date of this annual report, we had not been subject to any administrative penalties or regulatory actions in connection with anti-monopoly. Recently, theThe SAMR imposed administrative penalties in a number of anti-monopoly cases in the internet industry, and the regulatory environment of anti-monopoly is tightening. Due to the uncertainties associated with the evolving legislative activities and varied local implementation practices of competition laws and regulations in China, we cannot assure you that we will not be required to adjust our business practice in order to comply with these laws, regulations, rules, guidelines and implementations, or be able to maintain full compliance. Any incompliance or associated inquiries, investigations and other governmental actions may divert significant management time and attention and our financial resources, bring negative publicity, subject us to liabilities or administrative penalties, and materially and adversely affect our financial condition, operations and business prospects.

We may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our PRC subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have, and any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to make payments to us could have a material 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 any of our PRC subsidiaries incurs debt on its own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict its ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to us. In addition, the PRC tax authorities may require our PRC subsidiaries to adjust its taxable income under the contractual arrangements it currently has in place with ourthe VIEs in a manner that would materially and adversely affect their ability to pay dividends and other distributions to us. See “—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure—Contractual arrangements in relation to ourthe VIEs may be subject to scrutiny by the PRC tax authorities and they may determine that we or ourthe VIEs owe additional taxes, which could negatively affect our financial condition and the value of your investment.”

Under PRC laws and regulations, our PRC subsidiaries, as wholly foreign-owned enterprises in China, may pay dividends only out of its accumulated after-tax profits as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, a wholly foreign-owned enterprise is required to set aside at least 10% of its accumulated after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund certain statutory reserve funds, until the aggregate amount of such funds reaches 50% of its registered capital. At its discretion, a wholly foreign-owned enterprise may allocate a portion of its after-tax profits based on PRC accounting standards to employee benefits and bonus funds. These reserve funds and employee benefits and bonus funds are not distributable as cash dividends.

5660

Table of Contents

The SAFE issued the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Further Improving and Adjusting the Policy for Foreign Exchange Control of Capital Accounts, or Circular 2, on May 12,January 10, 2014, which provides that offshore Renminbi loans provided by a domestic enterprise to offshore enterprises that it holds equity interests in shall not exceed 30% of such equity interests. Circular 2 may constrain our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to provide offshore loans to us. In addition, in response to the persistent capital outflow and the Renminbi’s depreciation against U.S. dollar in the fourth quarter of 2016, the People’s Bank of China and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, have implemented a series of capital control measures, including stricter vetting procedures for China-based companies to remit foreign currency for overseas acquisitions, dividend payments and shareholder loan repayments. The PRC government may continue to strengthen its capital controls and our PRC subsidiaries’ dividends and other distributions may be subject 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 “—We may not be able to obtain certain benefits under the relevant tax treaty on dividends paid by our PRC subsidiaries to us through our Hong Kong subsidiary.”

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 securities offerings 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 government 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 government 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) 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 Commission of Development and Reform Committee  and SAFE or its local branches. We may not complete such recording or registrations on a timely basis, if at all, with respect to future capital contributions or foreign loans by us to our PRC subsidiaries. If we fail to complete such recording or registration, our ability to use the proceeds of our securities offerings 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.

The Circular on Reforming the Management Approach Regarding the Foreign Exchange Capital Settlement of Foreign-Invested Enterprises, or SAFE Circular 19, and the Circular on Reforming and Standardizing the Administrative Provisions on Capital Account Foreign Exchange, or SAFE Circular 16, prohibit a foreign-invested enterprise from, among other things, using Renminbi funds converted from its foreign exchange capital for expenditure beyond its business scope, investment and financing (except for security investment or guarantee products issued by a bank), providing loans to non-affiliated enterprises, or constructing or purchasing real estate not for self-use.its own use. This restriction was relaxed, however, in October 2019 since which time non-investment foreign-funded enterprises can make domestic equity investments by converting their foreign exchange capital;capital, provided that such investments should be in compliance with the Negative List (2021) and other relevant PRC laws and regulations.

SAFE Circular 19, SAFE Circular 16 and other relevant rules and regulations may significantly limit our ability to transfer to and use in China the net proceeds from our securities offerings, 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 class A ordinary shares and ADSs.

The conversion of Renminbi into foreign currencies, including U.S. dollars, is based on rates set by the People’s Bank of China. The Renminbi has fluctuated against the U.S. dollar, at times significantly and unpredictably. The value of Renminbi against the U.S. dollar and other currencies is affected by changes in China’s political and economic conditions and by China’s foreign exchange policies, among other things. We cannot assure you that 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 Renminbi and the U.S. dollar in the future.

5761

Table of Contents

Any significant appreciation or depreciation of Renminbi may materially and adversely affect our revenues, earnings and financial position, and the value of, and any dividends payable on, our class A ordinary shares and ADSs in U.S. dollars. For example, to the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars we receive into Renminbi to pay our operating expenses, appreciation of Renminbi against the U.S. dollar would have an adverse effect on the RMB amount we would receive from the conversion. Conversely, a significant depreciation of Renminbi against the U.S. dollar may significantly reduce the U.S. dollar equivalent of our earnings, dividends and share repurchase amount, which in turn could adversely affect the price of our class A ordinary shares and ADSs.

Very limited hedging options are available in China to reduce our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations. To date, we have not entered into any hedging transactions in an effort to reduce our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk. While we may decide to enter into hedging transactions in the future, the availability and effectiveness of these hedges may be limited and we may not be able to adequately hedge our exposure or at all. In addition, our currency exchange losses may be magnified by PRC exchange control regulations that restrict our ability to convert Renminbi into foreign currency. As a result, fluctuations in exchange rates may have a material adverse effect on your investment.

Governmental control of currency conversion may limit our ability to utilize our net revenue effectively and affect the value of your investment.

The PRC government imposes controls on the convertibility of the Renminbi into foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the remittance of currency out of China. We receive substantially all of our net revenue in Renminbi. Under our current corporate structure, our company in the Cayman Islands relies on dividend payments from our PRC 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 shareholders of our company who are PRC residents. But approval from or registration with appropriate government authorities is required where Renminbi is to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of loans denominated in foreign currencies.

In light of the flood of capital outflow from China in 2016 due to the weakening Renminbi,recent years, 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 were 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 execute our share repurchase plan or pay dividends in foreign currencies to our shareholders, including holders of ourthe ADSs.

Failure to make adequate contributions to various employee benefit plans and withhold individual income tax on employees’ salaries as required by PRC regulations may subject us to penalties.

Companies operating in China are required to participate in various government sponsored employee benefit plans, including certain social insurance, housing funds and other welfare-oriented payment obligations, and contribute to the plans in amounts equal to certain percentages of salaries of our employees up to a maximum amount specified by the local government from time to time at locations where we operate our businesses. The requirement of employee benefit plans has not been implemented consistently by local governments in China given the different levels of economic development in different locations. Companies operating in China are also required to withhold individual income tax on employees’ salaries based on the actual salary of each employee upon payment. If we do not make adequate employee benefit payments, we may be required to make up the contributions for these plans as well as to pay late fees and fines; with respect to the underwithheld 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.

5862

Table of Contents

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 M&A Rules 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 MOFCOMMinistry of Commerce 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 MOFCOMMinistry of Commerce shall be notified in advance of any concentration of undertaking if certain thresholds are triggered. In addition, the security review rules issued by the MOFCOMMinistry of Commerce that became effective in September 2011 specify that mergers and acquisitions by foreign investors that raise “national defense and security” concerns and mergers and acquisitions through which foreign investors may acquire de facto control over domestic enterprises that raise “national security” concerns are subject to strict review by the MOFCOM,ministry, 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 MOFCOMMinistry of Commerce or its local counterparts, may delay or inhibit our ability to complete such transactions, which could affect our ability to expand our business or maintain our market share.

PRC regulations relating to offshore investment activities by PRC residents may limit our PRC 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.

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 was issued to replace the Circular on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Administration for PRC Residents Engaging in Financing and Roundtrip Investments through Overseas Special Purpose Vehicles.

If our shareholders who are PRC residents or entities do not complete their registration with the local SAFE branches, our PRC 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 SAFE registration described above could result in liability under PRC laws for evasion of applicable foreign exchange restrictions.

However, we may not be informed of the identities of all the PRC residents or entities holding direct or indirect interest in our company, nor can we compel our shareholders to comply with the requirements of SAFE Circular 37. As a result, we cannot assure you that all of our shareholders who are PRC residents or entities have complied with, and will in the future make or obtain any applicable registrations or approvals required by SAFE Circular 37. Failure by such shareholders to comply with SAFE Circular 37, or failure by us to amend the foreign exchange registrations of our PRC 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.

5963

Table of Contents

Any failure to comply with PRC regulations regarding the registration requirements for employee stock incentive plans may subject the PRC plan participants or us to fines and other legal or administrative sanctions.

Pursuant to SAFE Circular 37, PRC residents who participate in stock incentive plans in overseas non-publicly listed companies may submit applications to SAFE or its local branches for the foreign exchange registration with respect to offshore special purpose vehicles. In the meantime, our directors, executive officers and other employees who are PRC citizens, subject to limited exceptions, and who have been granted stock options by us, may follow the Notices on Issues Concerning the Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in Stock Incentive Plan of Overseas Publicly Listed Company, promulgated by SAFE in 2012, or the 2012 SAFE Notices.2012. Pursuant to the 2012 SAFE Notices,notices, PRC citizens and non-PRC citizens who reside in China for a continuous period of not less than one year 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 if they participate in any stock incentive plan of an overseas publicly traded company, unless certain exceptions are available. 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 non-PRC citizens living in the PRC for a continuous period of not less than one year and have been granted stock options are subject to these regulations. Failure to complete SAFE registrations may subject them to fines and legal sanctions, and may also limit our ability to contribute additional capital into our PRC 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 “Regulations—“Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulation—Regulations on Foreign Exchange—Regulations on stock incentive plans.”

The State Taxation Administration of Taxation, or SAT,the PRC 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 relevantPRC laws and regulations, we may face sanctions imposed by the tax authorities or other PRC government authorities. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulation—Regulations on Foreign Exchange—Regulations on stock incentive plans.”

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

Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementation rules, an enterprise established outside of the PRC with a “de facto management body” within the PRC is considered a resident 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 SATState Taxation Administration 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’sSTA’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, and operation management performs its duties 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.

6064

Table of Contents

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 we or any of our subsidiaries outside of China is a PRC resident enterprise for PRC enterprise income tax purposes, then we or such subsidiaries could be subject to PRC tax at a rate of 25% on its worldwide income, which could materially reduce our net income. In addition, we will also be subject to PRC enterprise income tax reporting obligations. Furthermore, if the PRC tax authorities determine that we are a PRC resident enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes, gains realized on the sale or other disposition of ourthe ADSs or ordinary shares may be subject to PRC tax, at a rate of 10% in the case of non-PRC enterprises or 20% in the case of non-PRC individuals (in each case, subject to the provisions of any applicable tax treaty), if such gains are deemed to be from PRC sources. It is unclear whether non-PRC shareholders of our company would be able to claim the benefits of any tax treaties between their country of tax residence and the PRC in the event that we are treated as a PRC resident enterprise. Any such tax may reduce the returns on your investment in the ADSs or ordinary shares.

We may not be able to obtain certain benefits under the 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,Statement Taxation Administration, 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,January 2020, the non-resident enterprises shall determine whether they are qualified to enjoy the preferential tax treatment under the tax treaties and file relevant reports 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 Tax Avoidance Arrangement with respect to dividends to be paid by our PRC subsidiaries to our Hong Kong subsidiary.

We face uncertainty with respect to indirect transfers of equity interests in PRC resident enterprises by their non-PRC holding companies.

We face uncertainties regarding the reporting on and consequences of previous private equity financing transactions involving the transfer and exchange of shares in our company by non-resident investors.

6165

Table of Contents

In February 2015, the SATState Taxation Administration issued the Bulletin on Issues of Enterprise Income Tax on Indirect Transfers of Assets by Non-PRC Resident Enterprises, or SATthe STA Bulletin 7, as amended in 2017. Pursuant to this bulletin, an “indirect transfer” of assets, including equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise, by non-PRC resident enterprises may be re-characterized and treated as a direct transfer of PRC taxable assets, if such arrangement does not have a reasonable commercial purpose and was established for the purpose of avoiding payment of PRC enterprise income tax. As a result, gains derived from such indirect transfer may be subject to PRC enterprise income tax. According to SATthe STA Bulletin 7, “PRC taxable assets” include assets attributed to an establishment in China, immovable properties located in China, and equity investments in PRC resident enterprises, in respect of which gains from their transfer by a direct holder, being a non-PRC resident enterprise, would be subject to PRC enterprise income taxes.tax. When determining whether there is a “reasonable commercial purpose” of the transaction arrangement, features to be taken into consideration include: whether the main value of the equity interest of the relevant offshore enterprise derives from PRC taxable assets; whether the assets of the relevant offshore enterprise mainly consist of direct or indirect investment in China or if its income mainly derives from China; whether the offshore enterprise and its subsidiaries directly or indirectly holding PRC taxable assets have a real commercial nature which is evidenced by their actual function and risk exposure; the duration of existence of the business model and organizational structure; the replicability of the transaction by direct transfer of PRC taxable assets; and the tax situation of such indirect transfer and applicable tax treaties or similar arrangements. In respect of an indirect offshore transfer of assets of a PRC establishment, the resulting gain is to be included with the enterprise income tax filing of the PRC establishment or place of business being transferred, and would consequently be subject to PRC enterprise income tax at a rate of 25%. Where the underlying transfer relates to the immovable properties located in China or to equity investments in a PRC resident enterprise, which is not related to a PRC establishment or place of business of a non-resident enterprise, a PRC enterprise income tax of 10% would apply, subject to available preferential tax treatment under applicable tax treaties or similar arrangements, and the party who is obligated to make the transfer payments has the withholding obligation. SATThe STA Bulletin 7 does not apply to transactions of sale of shares by investors through a public stock exchange where such shares were acquired from a transaction through a public stock exchange.

There is uncertainty as to the application of SATthe STA Bulletin 7. We face uncertainties as to the reporting and other implications of certain past and future transactions where PRC taxable assets are involved, such as offshore restructuring, sale of the shares in our offshore subsidiaries or investments. Our company may be subject to filing obligations or taxed if our company is transferor in such transactions, and may be subject to withholding obligations if our company is transferee in such transactions under SATthe STA Bulletin 7. For transfer of shares in our company by investors that are non-PRC resident enterprises, our PRC subsidiaries may be requested to assist in the filing under SATthe STA Bulletin 7. As a result, we may be required to expend valuable resources to comply with SATthe STA Bulletin 7 or to request the relevant transferors from whom we purchase taxable assets to comply with these circulars, or to establish that our company should not be taxed under these circulars, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Risks Related to the ADSs and Our ADSsClass A Ordinary Shares

We adopt different practices as to certain matters as compared with many other companies listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

We completed our global offering in Hong Kong in November 2022 and the trading of our class A ordinary shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange commenced on November 29, 2022 under the stock code “3660.” As a company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange pursuant to Chapter 19C of the Hong Kong Listing Rules, we are subject to certain provisions of the Hong Kong Listing Rules pursuant to Rule 19C.11, including, among others, rules on notifiable transactions, connected transactions, share option schemes, content of financial statements as well as certain other continuing obligations. In addition, in connection with the listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, we have applied for a number of waivers and/or exemptions from strict compliance with the Hong Kong Listing Rules, the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance, the Codes on Takeovers and Mergers and Share Buybacks issued by the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong and the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Chapter 571 of the Laws of Hong Kong). As a result, we currently adopt different practices as to those matters as compared with other companies listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange that do not enjoy those exemptions or waivers.

Furthermore, if 55% or more of the total worldwide trading volume, by dollar value, of our class A ordinary shares and ADSs over our most recent fiscal year takes place on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange will regard us as having a dual primary listing in Hong Kong and we will no longer enjoy certain of the exemptions or waivers mentioned above, which could result in us having to amend our corporate structure and memorandum and articles of association and our incurring of incremental compliance costs.

66

Table of Contents

The market pricetrading prices for our ADSs maylisted securities have been and are likely to continue to be volatile.

The trading prices of our ADSslisted securities have been and are likely to continue to be volatile and could fluctuate widely due to factors beyond our control. In 2023, the trading prices of the ADSs ranged from US$13.12 to US$25.49 per ADS and the trading price of our class A ordinary shares has ranged from HK$50.65 to HK$98.35 per share. 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 and/or in Hong Kong in recent years. The securities of some of these companies have experienced significant volatility since their initial public offerings, including, in some cases, substantial 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 and/or Hong Kong in general, which consequently may impact the trading performance of our class A ordinary shares and/or 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 class A ordinary shares and/or ADSs.

62

Table of Contents

In addition to the above factors, the price and trading volume of our ADSslisted securities may be highly volatile due to multiple factors, including the following:

regulatory developments affecting us, our users, or our industry;
any deterioration of the collaborationin our collaborative relationship with 360 Group;
conditions in the Credit-Tech industry;
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 Credit-Tech platforms;
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;
announcement, update or execution of our dividend policy and share repurchase plan;
fluctuations of exchange rates between Renminbi, the RenminbiHong Kong dollar 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 class A ordinary shares and/or ADSs and trading volume could decline.

The trading market for our class A ordinary shares and/or 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 class A ordinary shares and/or ADSs or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, the market price for our class A ordinary shares and/or 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 class A ordinary shares and/or ADSs to decline.

67

Table of Contents

Techniques employed by short sellers may drive down the market price of our class A ordinary shares or ADSs.

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

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

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

The different characteristics of the capital markets in Hong Kong and the United States may negatively affect the trading prices of our class A ordinary shares and/or ADSs.

We are subject to Hong Kong and United States regulatory requirements concurrently. The Hong Kong Stock Exchange and Nasdaq have different trading hours, trading characteristics (including trading volume and liquidity), trading and listing rules, and investor bases (including different levels of retail and institutional participation). As a result of these differences, the trading prices of our class A ordinary shares and the ADSs may not be the same, even allowing for currency differences. Fluctuations in the price of the ADSs due to circumstances peculiar to the U.S. capital markets could materially and adversely affect the price of our class A ordinary shares, or vice versa. Certain events having significant negative impact specifically on the U.S. capital markets may result in a decline in the trading price of our class A ordinary shares notwithstanding that such event may not impact the trading prices of securities listed in Hong Kong generally or to the same extent, or vice versa. Because of the different characteristics of the U.S. and Hong Kong capital markets, the historical market prices of the ADSs may not be indicative of the trading performance of our class A ordinary shares.

Exchange between our class A ordinary shares and the ADSs may adversely affect the liquidity and/or trading price of each other.

The ADSs are currently traded on Nasdaq. Subject to compliance with U.S. securities law and the terms of the Deposit Agreement, holders of our class A ordinary shares may deposit class A ordinary shares with the depositary in exchange for the issuance of the ADSs. Any holder of ADSs may also surrender ADSs and withdraw the underlying class A ordinary shares represented by the ADSs pursuant to the terms of the Deposit Agreement for trading on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. In the event that a substantial number of class A ordinary shares are deposited with the depositary in exchange for ADSs or vice versa, the liquidity and trading price of our class A ordinary shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and the ADSs on Nasdaq may be adversely affected.

The time required for the exchange between our class A ordinary shares and ADSs might be longer than expected and investors might not be able to settle or effect any sale of their securities during this period, and the exchange of class A ordinary shares into ADSs involves costs.

There is no direct trading or settlement between Nasdaq and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on which the ADSs and the class A ordinary shares are respectively traded. In addition, the time differences between Hong Kong and New York and unforeseen market circumstances or other factors may delay the deposit of class A ordinary shares in exchange for ADSs or the withdrawal of class A ordinary shares underlying the ADSs. Investors will be prevented from settling or effecting the sale of their securities during such periods of delay. In addition, there is no assurance that any exchange of class A ordinary shares into ADSs (and vice versa) will be completed in accordance with the timelines investors may anticipate.

68

Table of Contents

Furthermore, the depositary for the ADSs is entitled to charge holders fees for various services including for the issuance of ADSs upon deposit of class A ordinary shares, cancelation of ADSs, distributions of cash dividends or other cash distributions, distributions of ADSs pursuant to share dividends or other free share distributions, distributions of securities other than ADSs and annual service fees. As a result, shareholders who exchange class A ordinary shares into ADSs, and vice versa, may not achieve the level of economic return the shareholders may anticipate.

Although we have adopted regular quarterlya semi-annual cash dividend policy in 2021,since May 2023, we cannot assure you that our existing dividend policy will not change in the future or the amount of dividends that you may receive will not change in the future, neither can we guarantee that we will have sufficient profits, reserves set aside from profits or otherwise funds to justify and enable dividend declaration and payment in compliance with laws for any fiscal quarter and, therefore, you may need to rely on price appreciation of our class A ordinary shares and/or ADSs as the sole source for return on your investment.

On November 15, 2021,May 18, 2023, our board of directors approved the adoption of a semi-annual cash dividend policy to replace our previously approved quarterly cash dividend policy.policy in its entirety, with immediate effect. Under the semi-annual cash dividend policy, we willintend to declare and distribute a recurring cash dividend every fiscal quarter,on a semi-annual basis, starting from the third fiscal quarterfirst half of 2021,2023, at an amount equivalent to approximately 15%20% to 20%30% of our net income after tax for such quarter.the previous six-month period. The determination to make dividend distributions and the exact amount of such distributions in any particular quartersix-month period will be based upon our operations and financial conditions, and other relevant factors, and subject to adjustment and determination by theour board of directors.

63

Table of Contents

Despite a regular dividend policy being in place, before any dividend is declared and paid for any fiscal quarter,semi-annual period, we need to have enough profits to justify such declaration and payment, or we need to have sufficient reserves set aside from profits previously generated that our board of directors determines are no longer needed. In addition, we must be able to pay our debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business immediately following the dividend payment. We cannot assure you that we will be able to meet all of such conditions to enable dividend declaration and payment in compliance with laws. Even if our board of directors decides to declare and pay dividends, the timing and amount of future dividends, if any, will depend on, among other things, our future results of operations and cash flow,flows, our capital requirements and surplus, the amount of distributions, if any, received by us from our subsidiaries, our financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. Therefore, the amount of dividends that you may receive is uncertain and subject to change.

Furthermore, our regular dividend policy is subject to change at any time at the discretion of our board of directors, and there can be no assurance that we will not adjust or terminate our dividend policy in the future. Accordingly, you should not rely on your investment in our class A ordinary shares and/or ADSs as a source for any future dividend income and the future return on your investment in our class A ordinary shares and/or ADSs will likely depend entirely upon any future price appreciation of our class A ordinary shares and/or ADSs. There is no guarantee that our class A ordinary shares and/or ADSs will appreciate in value or even maintain the price at which you purchased the class A ordinary shares and/or ADSs. You may not realize a return on your investment in our class A ordinary shares and/or ADSs and you may even lose your entire investment in our ADSs.

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.

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, Mr. Hongyi Zhou, beneficially owned 75.1% of the aggregate voting power of our company as of February 28, 2022. As a result, he has considerable influence over matters such as electing directors and approving material mergers, acquisitions and/or other business combination transactions. Furthermore, given our dual-class shares structure, Mr. Zhou will have the ability to influence the outcome of all corporate governance matters so long as he beneficially owns at least 4.8% of our total issued and outstanding share capital in class B ordinary shares. This structure 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.

We are a “controlled company” as defined under the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules because Mr. Hongyi Zhou, the chairman of our board of directors, enjoys more than 50% of our total voting power. For so long as we remain a controlled company under that definition, we are permitted to elect to rely, and may rely, on certain exemptions from corporate governance rules, including an exemption from the rule that a majority of our board of directors must be independent directors or that we have to establish a nominating and corporate governance committee and a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors. As a result, you may not have the same protection afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to these corporate governance requirements.

The dual class structure of our ordinary shares may adversely affect the trading market for our ADSs.

S&P Dow Jones and FTSE Russell have announced changes to their eligibility criteria for inclusion of shares of public companies on certain indices, including the S&P 500, to exclude companies with multiple classes of shares and companies whose public shareholders hold no more than 5% of total voting power from being added to such indices. In addition, several shareholder advisory firms have announced their opposition to the use of multiple class structures. As a result, the dual class structure of our ordinary shares may prevent the inclusion of our ADSs, each representing two of our class A ordinary shares, in such indices and may cause shareholder advisory firms to publish negative commentary about our corporate governance practices or otherwise seek to cause us to change our capital structure. Any such exclusion from indices could result in a less active trading market for our ADSs. Any actions or publications by shareholder advisory firms critical of our corporate governance practices or capital structure could also adversely affect the value of our ADSs.

6469

Table of Contents

The voting rights of holdersHolders of ADSs are limited by the terms of the deposit agreement in terms of voting rights, and you may not be able to exercise yourtheir right to direct the voting of the underlying class A ordinary shares which are represented by yourtheir ADSs.

As a holderHolders 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. Youmeetings, and will only be able to exercise the voting rights which attach to the underlying class A ordinary shares which are represented by yourthe ADSs indirectly by giving voting instructions to the depositary in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement. Upon receipt of your voting instructions from the holders of ADSs, if we asked the depositary to solicit yoursuch instructions, the depositary will endeavor to vote the underlying class A ordinary shares represented by yourthe ADSs in accordance with yoursuch instructions. If we do not instruct the depositary to solicit, youthe holders of ADSs can still send voting instructions to the depositary and the depositary may, but it is not required, to endeavor to carry out those instructions. YouThe holders of ADSs will not be able to directly exercise any right to vote with respect to the underlying class A ordinary shares unless youthey withdraw the shares and become the registered holder of such shares prior to the record date for the general meeting. If we ask the depositary to solicit yourADS holders’ voting instructions in connection with a shareholders’ meeting, we have agreed to give the depositary notice of that meeting and details of the matters to be voted upon at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting. Under our memorandum and articles of association, the minimum notice period required to be given by our company to our registered shareholders for convening aan annual general meeting is ten (10) calendar days.not less than 21 days and 14 days for any other general meeting (including an extraordinary general meeting). When a general meeting is convened, youthere may not receivebe a sufficient advance notice to enable youthe holders of ADSs to withdraw the underlying class A ordinary shares which are represented by yourthe ADSs and become the registered holder of such shares prior to the record date for the general meeting to allow youthem 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 memorandum and articles of association, 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 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 youthe holders of ADSs from withdrawing the underlying class A ordinary shares which are represented by yourtheir ADSs and becoming the registered holder of such class A ordinary shares prior to the record date, so that youthe holders of ADSs 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 youthe holders of ADSs of the upcoming vote and to deliver our voting materials to you.the holders of ADSs. We cannot assure you that youthe holders of ADSs will receive the voting materials in time to ensure that youthey can instruct the depositary to vote the underlying class A ordinary shares which are represented by yourtheir 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 youthe holders of ADSs may not be able to exercise yourthe right to direct the voting of the underlying class A ordinary shares which are represented by yourthe ADSs, and youthe holders of ADSs may have no legal remedy if the underlying class A ordinary shares are not voted as you requested.

The depositary for ourthe ADSs may give us a discretionary proxy to vote our class A ordinary shares underlying yourrepresented by the ADSs if youthe holders of ADSs do not instruct the depositary how to vote such shares, which could adversely affect yourtheir interests.

Under the deposit agreement for ourthe ADSs, the depositary will give us (or our nominee) a discretionary proxy to vote the underlying class A ordinary shares represented by yourthe ADSs at shareholders’ meetings if youthe holders of ADSs do not give voting instructions to the depositary as to how to vote the underlying class A ordinary shares represented by yourtheir ADSs at a meeting and as to a matter, if:

we gave the depositary timely notice of the meeting and related voting materials;
we confirmed to the depositary that we wish a discretionary proxy to be given;
we confirmed to the depositary that we reasonably do not know of any substantial opposition as to a matter to be voted on at the meeting; and
we have confirmed to the depositary that the matter voted will not have material adverse impact on shareholders.

The effect of this discretionary proxy is that, if youthe holders of ADSs fail to give voting instructions to the depositary as to how to vote the underlying class A ordinary shares represented by yourtheir ADSs at any particular shareholders’ meeting, youthey cannot prevent such underlying class A ordinary shares represented by yourtheir ADSs from being voted at that meeting, provided the other conditions described above are satisfied, 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.

6570

Table of Contents

The deposit agreement may be amended or terminated without your consent.the consent from the holders of ADSs.

We and the depositary may agree to amend the deposit agreement without your consent.the consent from the holders of ADSs. If youthe holders of ADSs continue to hold yourtheir ADSs after an amendment to the deposit agreement, youthey agree to be bound by the deposit agreement as amended. See “Item 12. Description

The right of Securities Other than Equity Securities—D. American Depositary Shares” for more information.

Your rightADS holders to participate in any future rights offerings may be limited, which may cause dilution to yourtheir 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 youADS holders 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 youADS holders 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, youADS holders may be unable to participate in our rights offerings in the future and may experience dilution in yourtheir holdings.

YouHolders of ADSs 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.them.

The depositary has agreed to pay to youADS holders the cash dividends or other distributions it or the custodian receives on our class A ordinary shares or other deposited securities underlying ourthe ADSs, after deducting its fees and expenses. YouADS holders will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of class A ordinary shares yourthe ADSs represent. However, the depositary is not responsible if it decides that it is unlawful or impractical to make a distribution available to any holders of ADSs. For example, it would be unlawful to make a distribution to a holder of ADSs if it consists of securities that require registration under the Securities Act but that are not properly registered or distributed under an applicable exemption from registration. The depositary may also determine that it is not feasible to distribute certain property. Additionally, the value of certain distributions may be less than the cost of mailing them. In these cases, the depositary may determine not to distribute such property. We have no obligation to register under U.S. securities laws any ADSs, ordinary shares, rights or other securities received through such distributions. We also have no obligation to take any other action to permit the distribution of ADSs, ordinary shares, rights or anything else to holders of ADSs. This means that youADS holders 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.them. These restrictions may cause a material decline in the value of ourthe ADSs.

YouHolders of the ADSs may be subject to limitations on transfer of yourtheir ADSs.

YourThe ADSs are transferable on the books of the depositary. However, the depositary may close its transfer books at any time or from time to time when it deems expedient in connection with the performance of its duties. In addition, the depositary may refuse to deliver, transfer or register transfers of ADSs generally when our books or the books of the depositary are closed, or at any time if we or the depositary deems it advisable to do so because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental body, or under any provision of the deposit agreement, or for any other reason.

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

We are an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands with limited liability. We conduct substantially all of our operations in China and substantially all of our assets are located in China. In addition, a majority of our directors and executive officers reside within China, and most of the assets of these persons are located within China. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for you to effect service of process within the United States or Hong Kong upon these individuals, or to bring an action against us or against these individuals in the United States or Hong Kong in the event that you believe your rights have been infringed under the U.S. federal securities laws, Hong Kong 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.

ADS holders may not be entitled to a jury trial with respect to claims arising under the deposit agreement or relating to our ordinary shares or the ADSs, which could result in less favorable outcomes to the plaintiff(s) in any such action.

The deposit agreement governing the ADSs representing our class A ordinary shares provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, ADS holders waive the right to a jury trial of any claim they may have against us or the depositary arising out of or relating to our shares, the ADSs or the deposit agreement, including any claim under the U.S. federal securities laws.

6671

Table of Contents

If we or the depositary opposed a jury trial demand based on the waiver, the court would determine whether the waiver was enforceable based on the facts and circumstances of that case in accordance with the applicable state and federal law. To our knowledge, the enforceability of a contractual pre-dispute jury trial waiver in connection with claims arising under the federal securities laws has not been finally adjudicated by the United States Supreme Court. However, we believe that a contractual pre-dispute jury trial waiver provision is generally enforceable, including under the laws of the State of New York, which govern the deposit agreement, by a federal or state court in the City of New York, which has non-exclusivenonexclusive jurisdiction over matters arising under the deposit agreement. In determining whether to enforce a contractual pre-dispute jury trial waiver provision, courts will generally consider whether a party knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily waived the right to a jury trial. We believe that this is the case with respect to the deposit agreement and the ADSs. It is advisable that youholders of ADSs consult legal counsel regarding the jury waiver provision before entering into the deposit agreement.

If you or any other holders or beneficial owners of ADSs bring a claim against us or the depositary in connection with matters arising under the deposit agreement or the ADSs, including claims under federal securities laws, you or such other holder or beneficial owner may not be entitled to a jury trial with respect to such claims, which may have the effect of limiting and discouraging lawsuits against us or the depositary. If a lawsuit is brought against us or the depositary under the deposit agreement, it may be heard only by a judge or justice of the applicable trial court, which would be conducted according to different civil procedures and may result in different outcomes than a trial by jury would have had, including results that could be less favorable to the plaintiff(s) in any such action.

Nevertheless, if this jury trial waiver provision is not permitted by applicable law, an action could proceed under the terms of the deposit agreement with a jury trial. No condition, stipulation or provision of the deposit agreement or ADSs serves as a waiver by any holder or beneficial owner of ADSs or by us or the depositary of compliance with any substantive provision of the U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

You may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through U.S. courts or Hong Kong courts may be limited, because we are incorporated under Cayman Islands law.

We are an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands with limited liability. Our corporate affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands (the “Companies Act”) 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.States or Hong Kong. In particular, the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws than the United States.States or Hong Kong. Some U.S. states, such as Delaware, have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law than the Cayman Islands. In addition, with respect to Cayman Islands companies, plaintiffs may face special obstacles, including but not havelimited to those relating to jurisdiction and standing, in attempting to initiate a shareholderassert derivative actionclaims in astate or federal courtcourts of the United States.

Shareholders of Cayman Islands exempted companies like us have no general rights under Cayman Islands law to inspect corporate records (apart from our memorandum and articles of association, our register of mortgages and charges and special resolutions of our shareholders) or to obtain copies of lists of shareholders of these companies. Our directors have discretion under our 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. Our memorandum and articles of association also provides that any register of members held in Hong Kong shall during normal business hours (subject to such reasonable restrictions as the Board may impose) be open for inspection by a shareholder without charge, provided that we may be permitted to close the register of members in terms equivalent to section 632 of the Companies Ordinance of Hong Kong. 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.

States or Hong Kong.

6772

Table of Contents

Provisions of our rights agreement could delay or prevent an acquisition of our company, even if the acquisition would be beneficial to our shareholders.

In June 2022, we implemented a defense mechanism against potential hostile takeovers through a shareholder rights plan pursuant to a rights agreement. The shareholder rights plan will be accounted as dividend in our financial statements. Although the rights plan will not prevent a takeover, it is intended to encourage anyone seeking to acquire our company to negotiate with our board of directors prior to attempting a takeover by potentially significantly diluting an acquirer’s ownership interest in our outstanding shares. As the shareholder rights plan generally allows shareholders, except for the acquirer who triggers the exercise of Rights, to purchase additional shares at significantly discounted market price, the potential dilution effect is dependent on the number of shares purchased by the acquirer and other factors related to the acquisition, and may not be estimated at this time. In addition, the existence of the rights plan may also discourage transactions that otherwise could involve payment of a premium over prevailing market prices for the class A ordinary shares or ADSs.

Our memorandum and articles of association contains anti-takeover provisions that could discourage a third party from acquiring us and adversely affect the rights of holders of our class A ordinary shares andand/or ADSs.

Our memorandum and articles of association contains certain provisions that could limit the ability of others to acquire control of our company, including a provision that, subject to compliance with the Hong Kong Listing Rules, and provided that for as long as the prevailing Hong Kong Listing Rules restrict us from having a weight voting rights structure, no new class of shares with voting rights superior to those of class A ordinary shares shall be created, grants authority to our board of directors to issue from time to time one or more series of preferred shares without action by our shareholders and to determine, with respect to any series of preferred shares, the terms and rights of that series. These provisions could have the effect of depriving our shareholders and ADS holders of the opportunity to sell their shares or ADSs at a premium over the prevailing market price by discouraging third parties from seeking to obtain control of our company in a tender offer or similar transaction.

Certain existingWe cannot guarantee that any share repurchase plan will be fully consummated or that any share repurchase plan will enhance long-term shareholder has substantial influence over our companyvalue, and interestsshare repurchases could increase the volatility of such shareholder may not be aligned with the interestsprice of our other shareholders.securities and could diminish our cash reserves.

Mr. Hongyi Zhou, the chairman ofOn June 20, 2023, our board of directors influences 75.1%approved a share repurchase plan whereby we are authorized to repurchase our company’s class A ordinary shares or ADSs with an aggregate value of up to US$150 million over the next 12-month period through June 19, 2024. We refer to this plan as the 2023 Share Repurchase Plan. On March 12, 2024, our board of directors approved a share repurchase plan whereby we are authorized to repurchase our company’s class A ordinary shares or ADSs with an aggregate value of up to US$350 million starting from April 1, 2024 over the next 12-month period through March 31, 2025. We refer to this plan as the 2024 Share Repurchase Plan. The share repurchases may be made from time to time through legally permissible means, depending on market conditions and in accordance with applicable rules and regulations.

From June 20, 2023 to March 31, 2024, we purchased in aggregate approximately 9,348,543 ADSs in the open market for a total cost of approximately US$150 million (inclusive of commissions) at an average price of US$16.02 per ADS pursuant to the 2023 Share Repurchase Plan. We have commenced execution of the total voting power of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares as of February 28, 2022. As a result, he has substantial influence over our business, including significant corporate actions such as mergers, consolidations, sales of all or substantially all of our assets, election2024 Share Repurchase Plan since April 1, 2024.

Our board of directors and other significant corporate actions.

Mr. Zhou may take actions that are notalso has the discretion to authorize additional share repurchase plans in the best interestfuture. The share repurchase plans do not obligate us to repurchase any specific dollar amount or to acquire any specific number of us or our other shareholders. This concentration of beneficial ownership may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company, whichADSs. We cannot guarantee that any share repurchase plan will enhance long-term shareholder value. The share repurchase plans could deprive our shareholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their shares as part of a sale of our company and may reduceaffect the price of the ADSs. These actionsour securities and increase volatility and may be taken even if they are opposed by our other shareholders, including those who purchase ADSssuspended or terminated at any time, which may result in our public offerings. In addition, the significant concentration of beneficial ownership may adversely affecta decrease in the trading price of the ADSs due to investors’ perception that conflictsour securities. Furthermore, share repurchases could diminish our cash reserves.

73

Table of interest may exist or arise.Contents

We have granted, and may continue to grant, share incentive awards, which may cause shareholding dilution to our existing shareholders and result in increased share-based compensation expenses.

In May 2018 and November 2019, we adopted our 2018 Share Incentive Plan and 2019 Share Incentive Plan, respectively, for purposes of granting share-based compensation awards to employees, directors and consultants to incentivize their performance and align their interests with ours. The 2018 Share Incentive Plan was later amended in November 2019, and the 2019 Share Incentive Plan was later amended in August 2020. We account for compensation costs for all share options using a fair-value based method and recognize expenses in our combined and consolidated statements of comprehensive income in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Under the 2018 Share Incentive Plan and 2019 Share Incentive Plan, we are authorized to grant options to purchase ordinary shares of our company, restricted shares and restricted share units. The maximum aggregate number of ordinary shares that may be issued under the 2018 Share Incentive Plan is 25,336,096. The maximum aggregate number of ordinary shares that may be issued under the 2019 Share Incentive Plan is 17,547,567, and may increase annually by an amount up to 1.0% of the total number of ordinary shares then issued and outstanding commencing with the first fiscal year beginning January 1, 2021 for four consecutive fiscal years or such lesser amount as determined by our board of directors. As of February 28, 2022,29, 2024, class A ordinary shares underlying the options that have been granted and are outstanding under the 2018 Share Incentive Plan totaled 2,833,9581,275,436 and the class A ordinary shares underlying the options and restricted share units that have been granted and are outstanding under the 2019 Share Incentive Plan amounted to 17,048,330.8,402,556. For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, we incurred share-based compensation expenses of RMB254 million, RMB200 million and RMB186 million (US$26 million), respectively. 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. AsIssuance of class A ordinary shares with respect to such share-based payment may dilute the shareholding percentage of our existing shareholders. Expenses incurred with respect to such share-based payment may also increase our operating expenses and therefore have a result, our expenses associated with share-based compensation may increase, which may have anmaterial and adverse effect on our results of operations.financial performance.

The sale or availability for sale of substantial amounts of our class A ordinary shares and/or ADSs could adversely affect their market price.

Sales of substantial amounts of our class A ordinary shares and/or ADSs in the public market, or the perception that these sales could occur, could adversely affect the market price of our class A ordinary shares and/or ADSs and could materially impair our ability to raise capital through equity offerings in the future. The ADSs sold in our offeringor shares effectively registered with the SEC will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, and shares held by our existing shareholders or investors may also be sold in the public market in the future subject to the restrictions in Rule 144 and Rule 701 under the Securities Act and the applicable lock-uplockup agreements. In particular, a majority of our outstanding shares are held by venture capital or private equity fundinstitutional investors that are not our affiliates. These shareholders may have varying investment horizons, cash needs and repayment obligations under certain financing arrangements, including one entered into by certain beneficial owners of our shares, who were originally organized and capitalized for the purpose of the privatization transaction of Qihoo 360 Technology Co. Ltd., and may sell their class A ordinary shares in reliance on Rule 144 without volume limitation.

68

Table of Contents

Certain holders of our ordinary shares may cause us to register under the Securities Act the sale of their shares. 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 ourthe ADSs to decline.decline, which in turn may drive down the price of our class A ordinary shares.

We are a foreign private issuer within the meaning of the rules under the Exchange Act, and as such we are exempt from certain provisions applicable to U.S. domestic public companies.

Because we qualify as a foreign private issuer under the Exchange Act, we are exempt from certain provisions of the securities rules and regulations in the United States that are applicable to U.S. domestic issuers, including:

the rules under the Exchange Act requiring the filing with the SEC of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or current reports on Form 8-K;
the sections of the Exchange Act regulating the solicitation of proxies, consents, or authorizations in respect of a security registered under the Exchange Act;
the sections of the Exchange Act requiring insiders to file public reports of their stock ownership and trading activities and liability for insiders who profit from trades made in a short period of time; and

74

Table of Contents

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

We are required to file an annual report on Form 20-F within four months of the end of each fiscal year. In addition, we publish our results on a quarterly basis as press releases, distributed pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq Stock Market. Press releases relating to financial results and material events will also be furnished to the SEC on Form 6-K. However, the information we are required to file with or furnish to the SEC will be less extensive and less timely compared to that required to be filed with the SEC by U.S. domestic issuers. As a result, you may not be afforded the same protections or information that would be made available to you were you investing in a U.S. domestic issuer.

As an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands, we are permitted to adopt certain home country practices in relation to corporate governance matters that differ significantly from the Nasdaq listing standards; these practices may afford less protection to shareholders than they would enjoy if we complied fully with such corporate governance listing standards.

As a Cayman Islands exempted company listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market, we are subject to the Nasdaq listing standards. However, the Nasdaq Stock Market 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 Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards. For example, neither the Companies Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands nor our memorandum and articles of association requires a majority of our directors to be independent and we could include non-independent directors as members of our compensation committee and nominating committee, and our independent directors would not necessarily hold regularly scheduled meetings at which only independent directors are present. Currently, we rely on home country practice with respect to certain aspects of our corporate governance, including (i) the independence requirements for compensation committee and nomination committee, (ii) the requirement that a majority of the board must be independent, (iii) the requirement to hold annual general meeting, and (iv)(iii) the requirement to obtain shareholder approval prior to a plan or other equity compensation arrangement is established or materially amended. But given the other home country practice we follow, our shareholders may be afforded less protection than they otherwise would under the Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards applicable to U.S. domestic issuers.

69

Table of Contents

There can be no assurance thatWe believe we will not bewere a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for United States federal income tax purposes for anythe taxable year ended December 31, 2023, which could subject United States investors inU.S. holders of our ADSs or class A ordinary shares to significant adverse United States federal income tax consequences.

We will be classified as a PFIC for United States federal income tax purposes for any taxable year if either (a) 75% or more of our gross income for such year consists of certain types of “passive” income or (b) 50% or more of the value of our assets (generally determined on the basis of a quarterly average) 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 ourthe VIEs (including their respective subsidiaries, if any) as being owned by us for United States federal income tax purposes, not only because we exercise effective control over the operation of such entities but also because we are entitled to substantially all of their economic benefits, and, as a result, we consolidate their results of operations in our combined and consolidated financial statements.

AssumingBased upon the nature and composition of our assets (in particular, the retention of substantial amounts of cash and other passive assets), and the market price of our ADSs, we believe that we are the owner of our VIEs (including their respective subsidiaries, if any)were a PFIC for United StatesU.S. federal income tax purposes and based upon our current and expected income and assets, including goodwill and other unbooked intangibles not reflected on our balance sheet, we do not believe we were a PFIC for the taxable year ended December 31, 20212023, and we do not presently expect towill likely be a PFIC for theour current taxable year or the foreseeable future. However, no assurance can be given in this regard because the determination of whether we are or will become a PFIC is a fact-intensive inquiry made on an annual basis that depends, in part, upon the composition of our income and assets. Fluctuations inunless the market price of our ADSs may cause us to be increases and/or becomewe invest a PFICsubstantial amount of the cash and other passive assets we hold in assets that produce or are held for the current or future taxable years because the valueproduction of our assets for purposes of the asset test, including the value of our goodwill and unbooked intangibles, may be determined by reference to the market price of our ADSs from time to time (which may be volatile). The composition of our income and assets may also 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 VIEs for United States federal income tax purposes, our risk of being a PFIC may substantially increase. Because there are uncertainties in the application of the relevant rules and PFIC status is a factual determination made annually after the close of each taxable year, there can be no assurance that we will not be a PFIC for the current taxable year or any future taxable year. 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, 2021 or becoming a PFIC in one or more future taxable years.income.

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—General”Considerations”) may incur significantly increased United States income tax on gain recognized on the sale or other disposition of the ADSsclass A ordinary shares or ordinary sharesADSs and on the receipt of distributions on the ADSsclass A ordinary shares or ordinary sharesADSs 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 ADSsclass A ordinary shares or ordinary shares,ADSs, we generally will continue to be treated as a PFIC for all succeeding years during which such U.S. Holder holds our class A ordinary shares or ADSs, unless we were to cease to be a PFIC and the U.S. Holder were to make a “deemed sale” election with respect to the class A ordinary shares or ordinary shares. For more information seeADSs. See “Item 10. Additional Information—E. Taxation—United States Federal Income Tax Considerations—Passive foreign investment company considerations.considerations” and “Item 10. Additional Information—E. Taxation—United States Federal Income Tax Considerations—Passive foreign investment company rules.

We incur increased costs as a result of being a public company, particularly after we ceased 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 Nasdaq Stock Market, impose various requirements on the corporate governance practices of public companies. For example, as a result of becoming a public company, we increased the number of independent directors and adopted policies regarding internal controls and disclosure controls and procedures. We have also incurred additional costs in obtaining director and officer liability insurance. In addition, we incurred additional costs associated with our public company reporting requirements. It may also be more difficult for us to find qualified persons to serve on our board of directors or as executive officers. We are currently evaluating and monitoring developments with respect to these rules and regulations, and we cannot predict or estimate with any degree of certainty the amount of additional costs we may incur or the timing of such costs.

In addition, we have ceased to be an “emerging growth company” as of December 31, 2019, and therefore are no longer able to 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 the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. We have incurred significant expenses and devoted substantial management efforts, and expect to continue to do so to ensure compliance with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the other rules and regulations of the SEC.

7075

Table of Contents

We are named as a defendant in a putative shareholder class action lawsuit in the United States, and we may be involved in more class action lawsuits in the future. See “—We and certain of our current and former directors or officers have been named as defendants in a putative shareholder class action lawsuit that could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operation, cash flows and reputation.” Such lawsuits 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 lawsuits. 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

WeSince inception, our company has been operating the Credit-Tech platform in China which enables an effective match between credit demand and supply by offering Credit-Tech services. As a spin-off from the 360 Group, we started our operationoperating independently in July 2016, when Shanghai Qibutianxia (formerly known as Beijing Qibutianxia Technology Co., Ltd., which changed its name to Shanghai Qibutianxia Information Technology Co., Ltd. in 2021)) incorporated Shanghai Qiyu.

In March 2017, Fuzhou Microcredit was founded and later obtained the licenseapproval to conduct an online microcredit lendingmicro-lending business. In June 2018, Fuzhou Financing Guarantee was founded and obtained the license to provide financing guarantee services.

In April 2018, we were incorporated in the Cayman Islands as an offshore holding company under our former name, 360 Finance, Inc., to facilitate our financing and offshore listing.listing on Nasdaq. In May 2018, all shareholders of Shanghai Qibutianxia adopted a unanimous resolution to reorganize for offshore listing and determine to spin off the Credit-Tech service, microcredit lendingmicro-lending as well as related financing guarantee businesses, which were hostedoperated by Shanghai Qiyu, Fuzhou Microcredit and Fuzhou Financing Guarantee.Guarantee, all of which are VIEs. We conduct our business in the PRC through our subsidiaries and variable interest entities.

During the reorganization process we issued ordinary shares and preferred shares to the beneficial owners of Shanghai Qibutianxia in exchange for the contribution of Shanghai Qiyu, Fuzhou Microcredit and Fuzhou Financing Guarantee. We inIn addition, we have incorporated a wholly owned subsidiary, HK Qirui International Technology Company Limited, as our offshore holding company in Hong Kong. It hasKong and further incorporated a wholly owned subsidiary in China, Shanghai Qiyue, Information Technology Co., Ltd., which is also referred to as our WFOE in this annual report. Our WFOE has entered into a series of contractual arrangements with Shanghai Qiyu, Fuzhou Microcredit, and Fuzhou Financing Guarantee and their respective record shareholders. These contractual arrangements enable us to exercise effective control over ourthe VIEs; receive substantially all of the economic benefits of ourthe VIEs; and have an exclusive option to purchase all or part of the equity interests in and assets of them when and to the extent permitted by PRC law. For risks and uncertainties associated with this structure, please see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure.”

As a result of our direct ownership in our WFOE and the contractual arrangements with ourthe VIEs, we will be regarded as the primary beneficiary of ourthe VIEs, and may treat them as our consolidated affiliated entities under U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, we will be able to consolidate the financial results of ourthe VIEs in our combined and consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

OnIn May 2018, we officially launched our capital-light model.

In June 2018, Fuzhou Financing Guarantee was established and later obtained the license to provide financing guarantee services.

In September 10, 2018, we issued an aggregate of 24,937,695 series B preferred shares to several investors in a private placement transaction and raised US$203.5 million.

OnIn December 14, 2018, our ADSs commenced trading on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “QFIN.” We raised from our initial public offering approximately US$43.3 million in net proceeds after deducting underwriting commissions and discounts and the offering expenses payable by us.

OnIn January 2019, Shanghai Financing Guarantee obtained the license to conduct financing guarantee business. In order to streamline and consolidate the operation of our financing guarantee business, we plan to conduct all of our financing guarantee business through Fuzhou Financing Guarantee and are phasing out financing guarantees provided by Shanghai Financing Guarantee. Shanghai Financing Guarantee has been approved by the PRC authority to cancel its financing guarantee certificate, and such certificate has been returned to the PRC authority for cancellation.

In May 2019, we won the Achievement in Credit Risk Management Award given by the Asian Banker.

76

Table of Contents

In July 1, 2019, we completed a follow-on public offering of ADSs by certain selling shareholders. Through the follow-on offering the selling shareholders sold an aggregate of 9,609,000 ADSs at the price of US$10.00 per ADS. Net proceeds to the selling shareholders, after deducting underwriting commissions and before expenses, amounted to approximately US$92.7 million. We did not receive any proceeds from the sale of the ADSs by the selling shareholders.

On January 30,In August 2019, Shanghai Financing Guarantee, through which we providelaunched the guarantee to our borrowers for the loans provided by ourIntelligence Credit Engine (ICE), an open platform that offers financial institution partners intelligent marketing services.

In September 2019, we were approved by the People’s Bank of China to access the Credit Reference Center.

In October 2019, we were the first group to join the anti-fraud alert platform led by the Ministry of Public Security.

In June 2020, we were among the first group to pass the filing with National Internet Finance Association of China for mobile finance app.

In June 2020, we launched our innovative “embedded finance” model.

In August 2020, we changed our name to 360 DigiTech, to better reflect our focus on technology empowerment.

In November 2020, the ADSs were transferred from the Nasdaq Global Market to begin trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market.

In February 2021, we obtained the financing guaranteeISO/IEC 27001:2013 certificate grantedin recognition of our information security management system.

In July 2021, we were awarded “China’s Best Credit-Tech Services,” “China’s Best Implementation in Anti-Fraud Technology of the Year” and “China’s Best Technological Implementation in Risk Data and Analysis of the Year” at the China Country Awards 2021 by competent government authoritiesThe Asian Banker.

In November 2021, we were awarded “New Champions 2021 – Excellence in agile business governance” by the World Economic Forum, being Asia’s only award-winning corporation at the New Champion Awards 2021.

In January 2022, we obtained the ISO/IEC 27701:2019 certificate in recognition of our privacy information management system.

In November 2022, we completed our public offering in Hong Kong and the trading of our class A ordinary shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange commenced on November 29, 2022 under the stock code “3660.” Immediately upon the completion of our secondary listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, all the then-outstanding class B ordinary shares converted into class A ordinary shares on a one-for-one basis pursuant to conduct financing guarantee business.

the conversion notice delivered by Aerovane Company Limited to the company. No class B ordinary shares remained outstanding upon that conversion and we have not issued any further ones.

7177

Table of Contents

In June 2020, oneOn March 31, 2023, we held an extraordinary general meeting and (i) varied and amended our authorized share capital by (a) re-designating and re-classifying all authorized Class B ordinary shares as Class A ordinary shares each on a one-for-one basis and (b) re-designating and re-classifying all authorized and unissued shares of a par value of US$0.00001 each of such class or classes (however designated) as the board of directors of our affiliates 360 Group acquiredcompany may determine in accordance with the memorandum of association and articles of association of our company as Class A ordinary shares each on a 30% stake in Kincheng Bankone-for-one basis, (ii) adopted the third amended and restated memorandum and articles of Tianjin Co., Ltd., or Kincheng Bank.association, and (iii) changed our English name from “360 DigiTech, Inc.” to “Qifu Technology, Inc.” and adopted “奇富科技股份有限公司” as our dual foreign name. Previously, under our dual class voting structure, our share capital comprises class A ordinary shares and class B ordinary shares. Each class B ordinary share is entitled to 20 votes, and each class A ordinary share is entitled to one vote on all matters subject to vote at a general meeting of us. As a result of our varied and amended authorized share capital, we unwound our dual-class shareholding structure and all the transaction, 360 Group becameissued shares of our company (including the largest shareholderclass B ordinary shares with super-voting rights) were redesignated and reclassified into class A ordinary shares which entitle holders to one vote for each share.

In July 2023, we were awarded “Best Lending Implementation in China” at the China Awards Program 2023 by the Asian Banker.

In September 2023, the national standards for financial large language models in China were officially released, and we were one of the bank and has nominated the chairman of the board and president of the bank.  Kincheng bank is an internet bank well-positioned to provide safe and intelligent banking services to the general publicleading entities in China.

On September 15, 2020,collaboration with the approval by a special resolutionChina Academy of our shareholders, we changed our name from “360 Finance, Inc.” to “360 DigiTech, Inc.”

On November 19, 2020, our ADSs were transferred fromInformation and Communications Technology for the Nasdaq Global Market to, and began trading on, the Nasdaq Global Select Market.formulation of these standards.

Our principal executive offices are located at 7/F Lujiazui Finance Plaza, No. 1217 Dongfang Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 200122, People’s Republic of China. Our telephone number at this address is +86 21 5835-7668. Our registered office in the Cayman Islands is located at PO Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands. Our agent for service of process in the United States is Cogency Global Inc., located at 10 E. 40122 East 42nd Street, 10th18th Floor, New York, NY 10016.10168.

The SEC maintains an Internet websiteinformation that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding us thatwe have filed electronically with the SEC which can be accessed at http://www.sec.govwww.sec.gov.. Our annual reports, quarterly results, press release and other SEC filings can also be accessed via our investor relationship website at http:https://ir.360shuke.comir.qifu.tech..

B.          Business Overview

WeEstablished in 2016, we are a leading financial technologyCredit-Tech platform in China.China that provides a comprehensive suite of technology services to assist financial institutions and consumers and SMEs in the loan lifecycle, ranging from borrower acquisition, preliminary credit assessment, fund matching and post-facilitation services, with 360 Jietiao app as our primary user interface. We are dedicated to making financialcredit services more accessible and personalized to consumers and micro- and small-business owners, or SME owners,SMEs through technology empowermentsCredit-Tech services to financial institutions.institutions, whereby we deploy our technology solutions to help financial institutions identify the diversified needs of consumers and SMEs, effectively access prospective borrowers that are creditworthy through multi-channels, enhance credit assessment on prospective borrowers, and manage credit risks and improve collection strategies and efficiency, among others. With profound user insights distilled from long-term engagementsengagement with users across life and business scenarios enabled by AI and big data analytics, our technology solutions empower financial institutions across different stages of the credit cycleloan lifecycle, enabling them to extend the reach of services and satisfy the financing needs of consumers and SMEs, and deliver to users more accessible credit lines. From inceptionservices. In turn, we primarily derive service fees from our technology solutions to financial institutions. As of December 31, 2021,2023, we had cumulatively facilitated over RMB930.3approximately RMB1,818.5 billion (US$146.0256.1 billion) of loans to 24.330.4 million borrowers.

Drawing on our proprietary technology, we brought forth an intuitive, digital platform enabling financial institutions to offer borrowers revolving lines of credit with flexible loan tenors, available through convenient application process on our platform. A borrower is able to obtain a line of credit and select from our diversified loan product portfolio the one that best fits his or her needs typically within five minutes after the application is submitted. In this timeframe, our system on the backend is able to complete the credit profiling, fraud detection and initial credit screening on a given borrower, matching such borrower and our funding partners based on their risk appetites, as well as assisting our funding partners in advanced risk assessment and obtaining their final approval.

As a spin-off from 360 Group, we inherited from 360 Group genes of technology, innovation and security, which we will continue to leverage to facilitate the digitalization of the financial sector assame date, we had 50.9 million users with approved credit lines, accumulatively. We currently focus our operation on consumer Credit-Tech market while take a technology enablercautious view of expanding our services to achieve financial inclusion. While we initially started to tap into the market taking credit risk in a substantial portion of loans facilitated through our platform,  we have since gradually transitioned to a more technology-centric platform approach, deleveraging our business to a more healthy level and enhancing our platform’s scalability. As of December 31, 2021, our leverage ratio, which is defined as risk-bearing outstanding loan balance over net assets, was 4.3 times, compared to 6.6 times as of December 31, 2020. In the meantime, we continue to expand and diversify our funding sources into regional and national banks and consumer finance companies. In 2021, 100% of our funding was from financial institutions.SME Credit-Tech market.

72

Table of Contents

Our Services

We match underserved and unserved borrowersusers with credit demand to a diversified pool of financial institutions with credit to supply, through both credit-driven services and platform services.

78

Table of Contents

The following table presents our operating data related to credit-driven services and platform services for the years ended or as of December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023:

For the year ended/ As of December 31,

    

2021

2022

2023

Loan

    

    

    

    

Loan

    

    

    

    

Loan

    

    

    

facilitation

Ending

facilitation

Ending

facilitation

Ending

volume

%

balance

%

volume

%

balance

%

volume

%

balance

%

 

(in RMB millions, except for percentages)

Credit-driven services

    

162,878

    

45.6

    

64,720

    

45.6

    

181,230

    

43.9

    

66,907

    

40.9

    

204,811

    

43.0

    

72,002

    

38.6

Platform services

 

194,225

 

54.4

 

77,268

 

54.4

 

231,131

 

56.1

 

96,558

 

59.1

 

271,020

 

57.0

 

114,476

 

61.4

Total

 

357,103

 

100.0

 

141,987

 

100.0

 

412,361

 

100.0

 

163,465

 

100.0

 

475,831

 

100.0

 

186,478

 

100.0

Credit-driven services

Under the credit-driven services category, we match prospective borrowers with financial institution partners as well as leverage our technologies toinstitutions and empower our financial institution partners to conduct customerinstitutions in borrower acquisition, initial credit screening, advanced risk assessment, collectionfund matching and other post-facilitation services more effectively. Loans facilitatedservices. Loan products offered under this categoryline of services are eitherprimarily funded by our financial institution partners, orwith the remainder extended by Fuzhou Microcredit, which is licensed to conduct microcreditmicro-lending business in China. In both cases, we bear credit risks of the loans. For loans extended by our financial institution partners, we provide guarantees against potential defaults. Such contractual guarantee arrangement is underwritten either by our VIE that isthe licensed to provide financing guarantee services,VIEs, or third-party licensed guarantee companies or insurance companies, to which we may provide back-to-back guarantee at their request. With respect to loan facilitation services for loans funded by financial institution partners, we charge service fees directly from our financial institutional partners pursuant to pre-negotiated terms based on the contractual agreements that vary from case to case. Our service fee rate is typically the difference between the loan pricing rate, which is set by the financial institutions, and a fixed rate negotiated between us and the respective financial institutions. For loans funded by Fuzhou Microcredit, we charge borrowers interest fees, which reflects a number of factors including the credit profile of the borrowers, the availability of funding and the associated funding cost, and the tenor of loan products, among others.

Platform services

We do not take any credit risk for our platform services. Our platform services include loan facilitation and post-facilitation services through our capital-light model, intelligent marketing services to financial institution partners under Intelligence Credit Engine, (ICE), referral services and other technology solutions. We currently do not take credit risk management software-as-a-service (SaaS).under platform services. For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, loans facilitated under our platform services accounted for approximately 54.4%, 56.1% and 57.0% of our total loan facilitation volume respectively.

Capital-light model

We launched theour capital-light model in 2018 focusingwith the focus on implementing our strategic transition from a traditional risk bearing loan facilitator to a technology enabler. Under theour capital-light model, we facilitate transactions between prospective borrowers and our financial institution partners through a suite of technology-enabled services spanning across the credit life cycle,loan lifecycle, including borrower-financial institution partner matching,borrower acquisition, technology empowerment in preliminary and advanced riskcredit assessment, and post-facilitation services such as loan repayment, loan performance monitoring and assistanceloan collection. Under our capital-light model, we currently provide limited guarantee to certain collaborating insurance companies in loan collection.the event of bankruptcy and certain financial institution partners pursuant to their internal requirements. Given the nature of such guarantee arrangements and our assessment that the likelihood of bankruptcy to occur with respect to the insurance companies is remote, we believe that such credit risks that we may take under the platform services are negligible. For loans facilitated under theour capital-light model, we do not take credit risks and generate income through service fees charged to financial institution partners asaccording to pre-negotiated terms that vary from case to case. Our service fee rate is typically a pre-negotiatedcertain percentage of the interest accrued onpricing rate that is set by the loans. As of December 31, 2021, we had worked with 49 financial institution partners under capital-light model. Inon the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021, loans facilitated under capital-light model accounted for approximately 54.4% of our total loan facilitation volume.to borrowers.

Intelligence Credit Engine (ICE)

ICE is an open platform on our “360 Jietiao” app (“360借条” in Chinese, which means “360 notes”) that offers financial institution partners and other lending platforms intelligent marketing services. For loans facilitated through ICE, we match prospective borrowers with financial institution partners leveraging bigbased on comprehensive data analysis and cloud computing technologies, and assist financial institution partners with pre-loan assessmentpreliminary credit screening of borrowers, but do not provide advanced risk management assessment or post-facilitation services.credit assessment. We earn pre-negotiated service fees from financial institution partners and do not takebear credit risks. Our service fee rate is typically a certain percentage of the pricing rate that is set by the financial institution partners on the loans to borrowers, and the service fee rate is subject to negotiations with the financial institution partners and varies from case to case.

79

Table of Contents

Referral services

We also provide referral servicesBecause different financial institution partners prescribe different metrics assigned with various values in granting credit line approvals to other online lending companies, whereby we refer applicants whose risk profile do notprospective borrowers, some users fail to match the criteria of our financial institution partners to certainand are rejected by them. However, such borrowers may still be within the target borrower group of other online lending marketplaces,companies. To offer better user experience to our users and maximize the value of user traffic on our platform, we provide referral services primarily to other online lending companies in line with industry practice and earn referral fees. We consider referral services to be supplemental in nature to our loan facilitation services. The scale of this line of services is relatively small, and referral fees generated from it fluctuates significantly from period to period.

73

Table of Contents

Risk Management Software-as-a-service (SaaS)Other technology solutions

In 2020, we begunbegan to offer financial institutions on-premise deployed, modular risk management software as a service.SaaS. Since 2023, we started to offer end-to-end technology solutions to financial institutions based on on-premise deployment, SaaS or hybrid model. Integrated with our risk managementcredit assessment insights and algorithms as well as other proprietary technologies, our risk management SaaS helpstechnology solutions help financial institution partners acquire borrowers and improve initial credit screening and advanced risk assessment results. Under this model, we typically take subscriptiontechnology service fees or consulting fees for the corresponding technology solutions elected by the financial institutions.

The following table presents our operating data related toIn terms of accounting treatments, under credit-driven services, we either provide guarantees for loans funded by financial institution partners, which are recorded as off-balance sheet loans, or fund loans through trusts and ABSs or Fuzhou Microcredit, which are record as on-balance sheet loans. Under platform services, respectively, for 2021 orall loans facilitated through our platform are recorded as off-balance sheet loans. We have a large balance of guarantee liabilities during the years ended December 31, 2021:

Loan facilitation/origination volume

Ending balance

(in RMB millions)

Credit-driven services:

162,878

64,720

Platform services

194,225

77,268

Total

 

357,103

 

141,987

2021, 2022 and 2023, as we provide guarantees under credit-driven services. We also have a large balance of accounts receivable and contract assets as well as financial assets receivable during the same period, mainly arising from off-balance sheet loans, as well as loans receivable, mainly arising from on-balance sheet loans. We have established an evaluation process designed to determine the adequacy of our impairment allowances and guarantee liabilities, and an allowance for uncollectible receivables and contract assets based on estimates that incorporate historical delinquency rate by vintage and other factors surrounding the credit risk of specific underlying loan portfolio. However, actual losses and credit risks are difficult to forecast. For more details, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—We need to engage guarantee companies to provide credit enhancement or additional comfort to our financial institution partners, and we recognize guarantee liabilities for accounting purposes. If we fail to source and engage a guarantee company to our financial institution partners’ satisfaction at a reasonable price, our collaboration with our financial institution partners will deteriorate, and our results of operations may be adversely and severely impacted. If our guarantee liability recognition fails to address our current status, we may face unexpected changes to our financial conditions,” “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—We are subject to credit risks associated with our accounts receivable, contract assets, financial assets receivables and loans receivable” and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—On- and Off-balance Sheet Treatment of Loans.” In terms of revenue recognition, we recognize financing income from on-balance sheet loans over the lifetime of the loans using effective interest method. For the off-balance sheet loans funded by financial institution partners, we recognize revenue from loan facilitation services, revenue from post-facilitation services and revenue from guarantee services (only applicable to off-balance sheet loans facilitated under credit-driven services). Please refer to “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—On- and Off-Balance Sheet Treatment of Loans” and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Key Line Items And Specific Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations—Net revenue” for details.

Products offered to borrowersusers

Our core product offered to borrowersusers is an affordable, digital revolving line of credit allowing multiple loan drawdowns, with a convenient application process and flexible loan tenors. Our products are provided under the 360 Jietiao brand.

80

Table of Contents

Our engagement with prospective consumer borrowers begins with a credit application which typically takes less than fivea few minutes. Once approved by our financial institution partners, a prospective borrower is granted a line of credit, typically with a principal amount ranging from RMB1,000 to RMB200,000, for drawdowns based on specific needs with an amount typically between RMB500 and RMB200,000. BorrowersProspective borrowers with lower-riskgood credit profilesstanding may be granted a higher principal amountcredit line of up to RMB300,000 for different consumption needs. The average single drawdown amount in 20212023 was RMB6,220RMB8,790 (US$976)1,238). When an approved borrower makes a drawdown request, we perform preliminary riskcredit assessment on such borrowersborrower to ensure his or her continued qualification for drawdown before the request is transmitted to our financial institution partners for independent credit assessmentsfinal risk assessment and loan disbursement approval. Once a drawdown is approved, a borrower may elect a loan tenor best suited for his or her financial needs, in fixed terms of one month, three months, six months, twelve months, eighteen months, twenty-four months or twenty-fourthirty-six months, to be repaid in monthly installments. The average amount of approved credit line for each borrower in 2023 was approximately RMB14,248 (US$2,007). In the instance where we provide guarantee services, the guarantee services are provided throughout the loan tenor. We are also offering other payment terms such as repayment at any time with a fixed daily interest within one or two months. As of December 31, 2021,interest. There is no interest-free period, but we had facilitated credit lines for 38.5 million consumer borrowers cumulatively. The average amount of approved credit line for each borrowermay offer interest-free coupon in 2021 was approximately RMB11,421 (US$1,792).certain limited cases as promotional activities to promote borrowers’ interactions with our platform.

Aiming to serve businesscredit needs of small- and micro-sized enterprises owners, or SME owners,SMEs and address their unique risk profiles, we introduced 360 SME (“小微”) under the 360 Jietiao brand in late 2020. Currently, our 360 SME portfolio consists of three products, including e-commerce loans, enterpriseinvoice loans and invoicetax loans, among others, which offer a line of unsecured high-limit credit with high limit and flexible loan tenors aiming to servetargeting credit demands of SME ownersSMEs in different business settings and at different stagestages of business development. Once a drawdown is approved, a borrower may elect a loan tenor in fixed terms of one month, three months, six months, twelve months, eighteen months, twenty-four months or thirty-six months, to be repaid in monthly installments. In 2021,the instance where we facilitated new credit linesprovide guarantee services, the guarantee services are provided throughout the loan tenor. We are also offering other payment terms such as repayment at any time with a fixed daily interest. There is no interest-free period, but we may offer interest-free coupon in certain limited cases as promotional activities to SME owners in an amount totaling RMB30.2 billion (US$4.7 billion).promote borrowers’ interactions with our platform.

Total loan facilitation volume made through 360 Jietiaoour platform in 2021, 2022 and 2023 was RMB357.1 billion, RMB412.4 billion and RMB475.8 billion (US$56.067.0 billion)., respectively. The outstanding balance of all loans made through 360 Jietiaoour platform as of December 31, 20212023 was RMB142.0RMB186.5 billion (US$22.326.3 billion). The weighted average contractual tenor of loans originated orwe facilitated in 2021, 2022 and 2023 was 10.62 months.months, 11.69 months and 11.21 months, respectively.

Our Service Process and Operation Flow

With the focus on empowering financial institution partners and serving consumers and SMEs, our platform offers services covering the entire loan lifecycle. In particular, we set forth below the service process and operation flow for our end-to-end loan facilitation services under credit-driven services, as well as our capital-light model and ICE under platform services, which are the three primary models of services we offer. Credit-driven services and our capital-light model follow the same service process and operational flow from credit line approval to loan drawdown, and differ only in the post-facilitation stage, where under credit-driven services in which we bear credit risks, we make guarantee repayments to our financial institution partners if needed. For ICE, as we provide financial institution partners intelligent marketing services, we mainly conduct preliminary credit screening of prospective borrowers during the credit line approval stage, therefore participating in fewer steps in the loan lifecycle than we do under credit-driven services and our capital-light model.

Stage 1: Credit line approval

Step 1: Paperless credit application. For new users, our service journey begins with such users’ registration of an account on our platform by providing us with certain basic information and authorization to collect other information for fraud detection and credit assessment, among others. The credit application process typically takes a few minutes, after which we initiate a user portrait profiling, fraud detection and credit assessment process.

Step 2: Portrait profiling, fraud detection and credit assessment. We deploy the Argus Engine to build a prospective borrower profile for fraud detection and credit assessment. Drawing on our database, AI-enabled credit assessment system, Argus Engine, and understanding through interactions with a broad user base, we are able to develop a more accurate and comprehensive prospective borrower portrait. Once an applicant passes the fraud detection test, we initiate a comprehensive credit assessment and generate a proprietary credit score for the applicant under credit-driven services and our capital-light model, or conduct only preliminary credit screening under ICE. Under credit-driven services and our capital-light model, following credit assessment, our Cosmic Cube Pricing Model formulates initial pricing recommendation to be provided to financial institution partners based on the overall credit profile of prospective borrowers and other market factors. See “—Credit Assessment” for details of the credit assessment process.

81

Table of Contents

Step 3: Recommendation and matching. Through our workflow system CloudBank, under both credit-driven services and our capital-light model, we then recommend the prospective borrower’s profile along with pricing recommendation to our financial institution partners and share the results of our preliminary credit assessment with them to facilitate their final risk management and credit decision making including loan tenor, approved credit line, and other key terms of a loan product. For ICE, we only recommend prospective borrowers to financial institution partners based on the results of preliminary credit screening, and do not provide pricing recommendations.

Step 4: Final risk management and credit decision by financial institutions. The financial institution partners conduct final risk management and make their credit decisions based on their respective credit process and regulatory guidelines.

Step 5: Notice on credit line approval. Following their final risk management, each financial institution partner will respond to our workflow system indicating approval or rejection, and in the case of approval, their maximum level of credit exposure. Upon receiving the credit approval decision from financial institution partners, we pass such information to prospective borrowers through our platform.

The diagram below illustrates the step-by-step workflow and transaction process at the stage of credit line approval under the credit-driven service and our capital-light model.

Graphic

For ICE, as we only recommend prospective borrowers to financial institutions after preliminary credit screening, we do not participate in the credit line approval step, and financial institutions offer their own loan products and directly notify the borrowers of their credit approval decision. The diagram below illustrates the step-by-step workflow and transaction process at the stage of credit line approval under ICE.

Graphic

Stage 2: Loan drawdown

Once a credit line is granted, a prospective borrower may request a drawdown at any time, subject to the credit limit approved by the financial institution partner. Upon receipt of a drawdown request, the Argus Engine conducts a streamlined credit assessment to ensure the prospective borrower’s continued qualification for drawdown and notifies our financial institution partners of the drawdown request, which complete their final risk management and reach a drawdown decision. We undertake to notify the borrower the drawdown decision and the financial institution partner that is matched with the borrower will disburse loan to the borrower. Once the principal of the loan is transferred to the borrower, we recognize revenue from loan facilitation services for services provided to the financial institution partner.

82

Table of Contents

The diagram below illustrates the step-by-step workflow and transaction process at the stage of loan drawdown under the credit-driven service and our capital-light model.

Graphic

For ICE, although the prospective borrower’s drawdown application is made through our platform, the application is directly sent to our financial institution partner through the application programming interface (API) without us processing of the information in any way. The diagram below illustrates the step-by-step workflow and transaction process at the stage of loan drawdown under ICE.

Graphic

Stage 3: Post-facilitation services: continual credit profile monitoring and collection

Robust data analytics technologies have enabled us to continuously monitor the credit profiles of borrowers. After a borrower makes a loan drawdown, our Argus Engine tracks his or her borrowing and repayment activities, and automatically adjusts such borrower’s credit profile on an ongoing basis. Borrowers typically make repayments to our financial institution partners through third-party payment platforms rather than through our platform. We recognize revenues from post-facilitation services on a straight-line basis over the term of the underlying loans. We typically collect pre-negotiated service fees (inclusive of fees for loan facilitation services, post-facilitation services and guarantee service fees, if applicable) from financial institution partners on a monthly basis as borrowers make repayments over the term of the underlying loans. The diagram below illustrates the step-by-step workflow and transaction process at the stage of our post-facilitation services under credit-driven services and our capital-light model under platform services for cases where repayment is made on time.

Graphic

83

Table of Contents

If a loan is overdue, the Argus Engine, together with other robust data analytical algorithms, will automatically prescribe an initial collection approach based on borrower profiles. Based on the analysis results, we will first initiate an AI-driven, automated process, including AI-initiated calls and text messages, for collection of the outstanding amount. Thereafter, in-house human collection calls are typically made, along with other automated collection techniques, subject to adjustments. For details of our collection efforts, see “—Credit Assessment—Collection.” For loans under credit-driven services where we take credit risks, we will make guarantee repayments to the financial institution partners if a loan is past due for a certain period subject to the terms of the relevant agreements, after which we will retain any repayment made by the borrower. In the meantime, we will deploy continuous collection efforts, including outsourcing the collection to third-party collection service providers, to collect the delinquent amount, particularly after an extended period of loan delinquency. After notifying the borrower that fails to make repayment over a certain time frame, the financial institution partners would assign their claims to Fuzhou Financing Guarantee or Shanghai Financing Guarantee (before its financing guarantee license was canceled upon its voluntary application), and Fuzhou Financing Guarantee or Shanghai Financing Guarantee, as obligee, shall acquire the rights related to the claims. For loans under our capital-light model where we do not take credit risks, we, or the third-party collection service providers which are involved at a later stage, will continue to make collection efforts in accordance with agreements with the financial institution partners up to a predetermined point in time. Because we take credit risks and provide guarantee services under credit-driven services and currently do not take credit risks under platform services, the gross fees charged under credit-driven services are generally higher than the fees charged under platform services.

The following diagrams display the step-by-step workflow and transaction process of loan collection under the credit-driven services and our capital-light model.

Graphic

For loans facilitated under ICE, we also provided limited collection services to a small portion of financial institution partners based on their special requests.

Credit Demand - Our Borrowers

Borrower profileTarget user

In consumer creditCredit-Tech market, we target the large and growing Chinese population of young generation of borrowersusers who typically has stable income with promising growth potentials and has greater user lifetime values, but are underserved or unserved by the traditional financial institutions. OurProspective borrowers are generally drawn to our platform for supplemental credit solutions. Additionally, in late 2020, we launched a pilot program that targets

In the SME owners to address their funding demand for business development. Our programCredit-Tech market, our products mainly aimsaim to serve SME ownersSMEs with an annual operating revenue below RMB5 million, which are typically granted with credit line below RMB1 million. We believe this group of borrowersSMEs are unserved or underserved by traditional financial institutions, which typically focus on SME ownersenterprises with higher annual revenues.large-scale operations.

74

Table of Contents

We believe we are chosen by borrowersour users because of our reputation as a trusted and reliable platform and the convenient, fast, intuitive and transparent user experience that we offer onthrough our platform. To date, weWe have established a large base of loyal creditworthy borrowers.users. As of December 31, 2021,2023, we had 38.550.9 million cumulative users with approved credit lines in the aggregate, among which 63.4%62.0% had credit cards, mortgage loans or auto loans and 50.1%46.5% were between 25 to 35 years old. Our repeat borrower contribution was 88.1%91.6% for the year ended December 31, 2021, and our 90 day+ delinquency rate as2023.

84

Table of December 31, 2021 was approximately 1.54%.  Contents

BorrowerUser acquisition

We strive to diversify the network for borroweruser acquisition, which currently comprises online advertising on channels operated by leading internet companies, “embedded finance” cooperation with online platforms with heavy consumeruser traffic, 360 Group, offline promotions and borrower referral programs with other platforms.

Online advertising.advertising

We partner with leading internet traffic platforms to acquire borrowers via online advertising. We are improving our targeted marketing capabilities by leveraging big data analytics so that we can place advertisements to intended users who fit into our target borrower profile more effectively. We have also developed analytics algorithms in collaboration with channel partners based on the anonymous borroweruser information aggregated from such channel partners so that users of the channel partners with credit needs can be directed to our platform with improved precision and efficiency. We intend to continue optimizing our proprietary AI and big data analytics systems and expand the network of channel partners to improve borroweruser acquisition efficiency.

Embedded finance model.model

In 2020, we started cooperating with leading online platforms with heavy consumeruser traffic under “embedded finance” model. These platform partners include, among others, leading short-form video platform, e-commerce platforms, ride-hailing companies and smart phone companies. Under this model, we embed our risk management,credit assessment, data analytics and other proprietary technology solutions within the partnering internet platforms, enabling them to offer financingplatforms. Therefore, credit services toused by end users on their platform through usof our partnering platforms will be ultimately provided by us. Through “embedded finance,” we are able to reach more users effectively while empowering our partnering platforms to improve user experience and thereby further unleash the monetization value of their user base, while facilitating our borrower acquisition.base. We have become the Credit-Tech service partner of many leading online platforms, gaining access to a large number of internet users across consumption scenarios for potential conversion into our borrowers. As of December 31, 2021,2023, we had partnered with 3338 leading online platforms. Embeddedplatforms cumulatively and embedded finance has become a significant part of our customeran important user acquisition solutions.channel to us.

360 Group channels.channels

Historically, we collaborated with 360 Group in several aspects of borroweruser acquisition. Benefiting from the collaboration, which enabledenables our mobile app to be showcased on 360 Group’s products’ user interfaces, we werehave been able to connect with 360 Group’s user base for borrower acquisition.base. In recent years, however, customersprospective borrowers acquired from 360 Group has contributed significantly less to our business, as our customeruser acquisition channels continue to diversify.

Offline promotion and borrower referral programs.programs

In the meantime, we conduct offline sales and marketing activities to promote our products and services in specific regions and for specific products. In addition, we continue to acquire new customersusers through borrower referral programs.

Credit Supply - Our Funding

We have a stable and diversified base of funding partners. We primarily rely on our financial institution partners, including national and regional banks and consumer finance companies, to fund our credit products. From time to time, we also fund a small percentage of loans through Fuzhou Microcredit. With sufficient and strong funding commitment from our financial institution partners, we have the flexibility to recommend suitable products to borrowers with different combinations of funding sources depending on market conditions. For 2021,the year of 2023, financial institutions including Fuzhou Microcredit accounted for 100% of our total funding.

Financial Institutionsinstitutions

As of December 31, 2021, we had cooperated with a total of 119 financial institutions, including national and regional banks and consumer finance companies.

75

Table of Contents

Our financial institution partners are primarilymainly national and regional commercial banks with lower funding costs, more comprehensive compliance protocol and more stringent risk management infrastructures compared with other lenders. As of December 31, 2021, we had established partner relationship with our financial institution partners in 25 provinces and 62 cities in China.

In certain special cases and as required by a small number of financial institution partners, some of our loans are funded by and disbursed indirectly through trusts and asset management plans. We are considered the primary beneficiary of the trusts and asset management plans and therefore consolidate their assets and liabilities on our balance sheet.

consumer finance companies. The value we add to our financial institution partners includes efficient borrower acquisition through online and offline channels, risk managementcredit assessment technology empowerment, post-facilitation services and risk-adjusted returns throughout economic cycles, among others. Our technology infrastructure helps enhance financial institution partners’ risk management, providing them with a more seamless and real-time risk management experience.

85

Table of Contents

In certain special cases and as mutually agreed upon by us and a small number of financial institution partners pursuant to their internal business requirements and procedures, some of the loans facilitated through our platform are funded by and disbursed indirectly through trusts, which also provide us with more flexibility to utilize the funds from the trusts for loan facilitation within the specified time frame and are in line with the industry norms.

As of December 31, 2023, we had established partner relationship with a total of 157 financial institutions cumulatively, including national and regional banks and consumer finance companies, across 26 provinces and autonomous regions of provincial level and 68 cities in China.

Fuzhou Microcredit

In March 2017, Fuzhou Microcredit was established, which has obtained the regulatory approval and micro-lending license to originate loans. The sources of funding for the loans funded by Fuzhou Microcredit include its registered capital, profits from its operations, shareholder loans and bank loans. In 2023, RMB46.4 billion (US$6.5 billion) of credit drawdowns on our platform were initially funded by Fuzhou Microcredit, representing approximately 9.7% of our total funding during such period. All loans funded by Fuzhou Microcredit were recorded on our balance sheet. Currently, Fuzhou Microcredit has a registered capital of RMB5 billion, which has been fully paid.

Alternative funding initiatives

We have explored and expect to continue exploring alternative funding initiatives, which include standardized capital instruments such as the issuance of ABSs. We have been approved to listThe type of underlying assets in the asset backed special plans includes beneficial rights in trusts and loans receivable. As of December 31, 2023, we had cumulatively issued ABSs inof RMB31.0 billion (US$4.4 billion) with a comprehensive cost of funding of approximately 5%. In addition, our shelf registration of ABSs with a total value of RMB27issuance amounting to RMB14.8 billion onhas been approved by the Shanghai Stock Exchange and Shenzhen Stock Exchange. AsExchange as of December 31, 2021, we issued ABSs of RMB10.5 billion (US$1.6 billion) with a comprehensive cost of funding less than 6.0%.

Fuzhou Microcredit

In March 2017, Fuzhou Microcredit was established, which has obtained the regulatory approval and microcredit license to originate loans. In 2021, RMB6.8 billion (US$1.1 billion) of credit drawdowns on our platform were funded by our Fuzhou Microcredit, representing approximately 1.9% of the total principal amount of all loans originated or facilitated by us during such period. All loans funded by Fuzhou Microcredit were recorded on our balance sheet. Currently, Fuzhou Microcredit has a registered capital of RMB5 billion.  2023.

Risk ManagementCredit Assessment

We believe our industry-leading risk managementcredit assessment capabilities are a key competitive advantage allowing us to expand our business while maintaining consistently solid asset quality.quality of the loan portfolios. Our risk managementcredit assessment technology solutions are built upon a massive and comprehensive database, a sophisticated risk managementcredit profiling engine, and an efficient post-facilitation service process, with which we aim to help our financial institution partners improve risk management performance.process. With our technology empowerment, financial institutions conduct core risk management and credit approval independently to achieve better risk management.

Data assetsComprehensive database

Large volumesvolume of high-quality data areis a key factor differentiating Credit-Tech platforms. With users’ consent to our use of their data, we have developed a comprehensive database comprising a large volume of reliable information including, among others, a user’s credit history, credit lines granted by banks, consumption pattern and past repayment behavior, that are relevant to the assessment of a given user’s credit risk against future borrowing. We have gained a considerable competitive advantagedevelop our database and build user profile primarily with our proprietary data collection, processing,first-hand and analyzing capabilities. Historically, our collaboration with 360 Group also gave us a unique edge in some key elements of risk management relatedproprietary data. Meanwhile, we also partner with a wide range of third-party data providers to significantly enrich our database.database of credit information. For example, we have access to the Credit Reference Center of the People’s Bank of China,China’s credit reporting system, which allows us to downloadretrieve and submit data on borrowers’ credit profiles.

86

Table of Contents

Risk managementCredit assessment engine

The success of our business relies on the effectiveness of our risk managementcredit profiling systems. The “brain” of our risk managementcredit profiling systems is our Argus Engine. Our Argus Engine integrates a massive user database, AI-powered data analytics, and expert experience based on AI technologies, such as machine learning and deep learning, into comprehensive models. It allows us to effectively recognize and infer the patterns and relationships between information nodes and develop user profiles more accurately without substantial human intervention. For example, our Argus Engine is capable of automatically and continually training its algorithms with data in real life, and iterating and refining the precision of its profiling and decision making across the lifecycle of a comprehensive model.loan. In addition, we have equipped the Argus Engine with a number of cutting-edge technologies in the area of AI, including machine learning and deep learning, which enable a more effective screening of fraudulent application and a more precise profile buildup. For example, integrated with visual risk technology under deep learning, our Argus Engine is able to verify the identity of a prospective borrower, denying those applications completed with what it believes to be a false identify, allowing for another layer of effective protection from frauds. For another instance, we have programed large-scale social network (knowledge graph) into our Argus Engine for fraud detection, which empowers us to comprehensively map and reason about connections between our users, and therefore more effectively identify organizational fraudulent behaviors. Leveraging on its three core functions of anti-fraud, credit assessment and risk alert, Argus Engine has profiled over 188 million currenthelps us effectively build user profile, conduct overall credit assessment for each prospective borrower and potential borrowers.

76

Tabledetect frauds, thereby lowering the possibility of Contentsloan delinquency.

Behavior analysis and fraud detection

The Argus Engine is deployed to conduct fraud detection and initial credit screening of a prospective borrower, generating an F-Score which is a proprietary metric quantifying potential fraud risks of the borrower. Through our Argus Engine, we seamlessly combine data aggregation with fraud detection capabilities as follows. As of December 31, 2021, Argus Engine has generated profile for 188.2 million registered users.

Identity authentication. We use facial recognition technology and other tools and processes leveraging internal and external data sources to verify the identity of a prospective borrower, denying those applications completed with what we believe to be false identities.
Blacklist filtering. We maintain a real-time list of suspicious devices and accounts referred to as a blacklist and to which we have automated access. We refer to the blacklist as well as fraud records provided by third-party institutions to filter prospective borrowers with high fraud risks.
Telecommunication fraud prevention. Our anti-fraudanti-telecommunication fraud system integrates black or gray list, from 360 Group, AI powered source tracking technologies, as well as real time transaction and risk monitoring models. This system enables fraud prevention across the entire lending process, from pre-lending customerpre-facilitation borrower acquisition to post-facilitation services. Its telecommunication fraud prevention mechanism features fraud risk alert, fraud interception and post-fraud feedback.
Anti-fraud algorithms. We filter prospective borrowers through the use of anti-fraud algorithms based on machine learning:
we utilize supervised machine learning processes to learn from known fraud behavior patterns, training our algorithms to develop rules to identify similar patterns and deny suspicious applications;
we utilize unsupervised machine learning to run anomaly detection to detect individual and aggregated abnormal patterns for the purpose of identifying unknown fraud behaviors; and
we conduct a social network analysis, connecting seemingly unrelated factors to often detectdetected fraud schemes. For example, when a new user uses the same mobile device as that of users A and B to access our services, our social network analysis algorithm is able to automatically catch the high correlations that may exist between the new user and the existing users A and B. If users A and B have been flagged by our system due to previous collaborative fraudulent loan applications, and the same mobile device has been identified as owned by the leader of this fraudulent organization, the social network analysis algorithm is able to conclude that the new user is likely to be a member of the fraudulent organization and subsequently direct the new user for manual verification.

87

Table of Contents

Proprietary credit scoring and risk models

When a credit application is deemed to not represent a fraud risk, it is then subjected to the credit assessment module of our Argus Engine. This module will select and analyze variables associated with a given credit application. The variables that the Argus Engine analyzes are selected based on the perceived risk profiles of the borrowers.applicants. The Argus Engine ultimately generates an A-Score to quantify a borrower’san applicant’s credit profile. Prospective borrowers with higher A-Scores are typically grantedreceive recommendation for higher credit limits. The A-Score is then directed to the Cosmic Cube Pricing Model for pricing.

We continuously monitor the borrowers and conduct credit assessment each time a new borrower requests a drawdown. A-Score is the result of the initial credit assessment performed on an applicant based on his/her credit profile, considering various factors such as financial condition, education, past credit history and social behaviors. Different from A-Score, B-Score is applied to existing borrowers on our platform with more than three months of borrowing history, by monitoring borrower behaviors, such as account, drawdown, repayment, operating and recommendation behaviors.among others. The B-Score replaces the A-Score for the purpose of future credit assessment and re-evaluation. The B-Score is reevaluated each time the borrower applies for a drawdown and at the end of each month. Given that we have high repeat borrower contribution, we expect the B-Score, reflecting the latest borrower behavior, to playplays a relatively more prominent role in our overall risk management effort.credit assessment process.

Based on the B-Score assigned to borrowers, the system adjusts recommendation of their credit line both proactively and in response to the requests made by them. For a given borrower, the request for credit line adjustment can be done no more than once every three months. A typical 15% to 25% increase will be given to the credit line of the borrower if the underlying adjustment is approved.

77

Table of Contents

Real-time risk events monitoring

Leveraging the expansive and complicated relational network of a borrower’s financial connections, Argus Engine can extract the most important information from the massive dataset and determine the borrower’s credit profile. When a borrower makes an online credit drawdown or application, we need to conduct real-time risk monitoring,credit assessment, which necessitates the support of a powerful risk assessmentcredit profiling engine. Currently,As of December 31, 2023, the real-time graph engine iswas in the fourth generation with more than 22.4 billion nodes and 58164 billion edges. Compared to the third generation, its performance has improved by a factor of 20 times. It provides 120more than 110 million times online calculations daily, mapping first-degree connections in an average of 95 milliseconds, and second-degree connections in an average of 60040 milliseconds. Backed by powerful computation, our real-time screening net can accurately identify risks from group fraud, multiple platform borrowing and default, among others.

88

Table of Contents

Collection

We believe we optimize the collection process for delinquent loans based on the use of a C-Score we assign to each borrower in default using the Argus Engine. The C-Score processes data from historical collection efforts to automatically identify the most efficient channel for collection, including text messages, mobile app push notices, AI initiatedAI-initiated collection calls, human collection calls, emails or legal letters. We also outsource our collection to third-party collection service providers, particularly after 60 days of delinquency. To fulfill the compliance requirements, all the third-party collection will not only be completed through our internal collection system but also be subject to 100% real-time inspection by AI and our internal inspectors. Wewe have adopted and enforced comprehensive collection policies and procedures, including close monitoring of our third-party service providers, to ensure that all our collection practices, including in-house and third-party practices, are in compliance with current laws and regulations. In 2019,First of all, all collection operations, either conducted by our in-house collection team or through third-party agencies, must be processed on our proprietarily developed online operation platform and call-out platform so that we are able to track and perform full-angle inspection on the collection practices. Secondly, all borrower data are subject to a desensitization procedure before they are used for collection. Our system enables a close-loop monitoring over the process of the collection exercise, from case categorization and the desensitization of delinquent borrowers’ information to the dispatch of delinquency information to the collection team or third-party collection agencies, as the case may be, and the collection call initiation. It ensures that only the necessary and minimum amount of desensitized data are being used for collection and that no data are able to be saved locally. Thirdly, all manual collection calls, either initiated by our in-house collection team or by third-party agents, are recorded and transmitted to our inspection system for an “AI + manual” dual inspection procedure, where our AI models will perform automatic, preliminary analysis on the content of the collection conversation against the rules that we set, identifying the expressions that are suspected to be deviating from our rules, and our inspection team will then further strengthened data protectioninvestigate the cases and provide improvement advice. Fourthly, we maintain real-time inspection on all collection operations. Our system constantly analyzes the real-time recording of the collection calls for potential defects or violations. Once a defect or violation is identified, a notice will be promptly sent to the on-site collection supervisor for intervention, so that we are able to proactively de-escalate the situation, prevent violative collections and deliver better user experience. Last but not least, we stipulate into each service agreements with our collection servicesthird-party agencies obligations of such agencies to abide by desensitizing all personal contact information of our customerspolicies, comply with laws and clients.regulations, preserve confidentiality, refrain from using excessive or otherwise inappropriate measures.

We have built an AI-powered collection and borrower service system based on automatic speech recognition, text-to-speech and natural language processing technologies. In 2021,2023, the application of our AI-powered collection has covered approximately 75% manpower inhad handled 70% of our total collection services.volume. Our collection system can conduct automatic outbound calls in batches and interact with our borrowers. We assess the appropriateness of AI-driven communication, and will adjust the approach and tone of the system, based on the risk level and the type of collection. This assessment is conducted automatically and we leverage the capability for all early-stage notification, contact confirmation and basic collection negotiations, while focusing our collection team on complicated collection cases, or other challenging interactions as identified by our system, to increase our operational efficiency and reduce our collection costs. Our AI-powered collection system has achieved a 200% increase in the call-through rate and a 50% increase in effective communication time with 30% saving in manpower since its launch. As of December 31, 2021,In 2023, we have maintained a delinquent loan30 day collection rate of approximately 87%, even after we purposefully adjusted some of our loan collection methods in response to more stringent compliance requirements imposed by regulators in late 2019, which resulted in relatively less effective loan collection across the industry.86%.

Data andAnd Privacy Protection

We are dedicated to protecting our borrowers’users’ privacy, and we have implemented a data privacy and security system to ensure the security, confidentiality and integrity of data.

78

Table of Contents

We adopt policies to make sure we obtain users’ consent in collecting and using their data. We have promulgated a user privacy policy on our platform, setting forth our data use practices and how privacy works.protection protocols. When a user registers an account via our app, he or she must read through and agree to the privacy agreement before the registration can be completed. Besides, in certain phases of the loan utilizationapplication process that involve data collection or usage, such as activating facial recognition function to facilitate risk managementcredit assessment and transaction security, our users will be prompted again to read through and agree to separate authorization agreements on our data collection and use practices before they can proceed. We only collect and use the data for the stated purpose as authorized by the user of our app in connection with risk managementcredit assessment and as otherwise required by applicable laws and regulations.

All data which we collected and generated from our operations in the PRC are stored in the PRC territory and the data which we recognize as sensitive data are encrypted with the double encryption approach of data encryption and database encryption. We store user and borrower data in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, and we have adopted and implemented internal controls system and protocols focused on data security and personal information protection. Our core systems have all passed and been certified as the Level III Protection of the National Information System. We require all of our employees to comply with the protocols, respect the privacy of our users, and borrowers, and protect their information. In addition, we limit our employees’ access to de-identified information and the output of such credit analysis only (except for key data security personnel whose access is subject to stringent internal approval) for purposes of mitigating the possibility of data leakage and avoiding unnecessary privacy invasion as much as possible.

89

Table of Contents

With rigorous data privacy and security system, in June 2020, our fintech service application, 360 Jietiao, received both the app security certification and the app information security certification from the National Computer Virus Emergency Response Center, or the NCVERC, which is the official agency for anti-virus internet security and designated testing body for the “Special Crackdown on the Illegal Collection and Misuse of Personal Information by Apps” initiative by the MPS.Ministry of Public Security. In particular, 360 Jietiao received a level 3 rating for both app privacy and data security, the highest level granted by the NCVERC.center. Given the ongoing regulatory environment, the certifications granted to us recognize our core competency in privacy protection and security technology and further solidify our competitive advantage in terms of regulatory compliance.

Our commitment to protecting borrowers’users’ privacy also shapes the way we collaborate with others on data insight enhancement for the purpose of risk management.credit assessment. For example, we obtain consent from our users and borrowers to use their data insights obtained from 360 Groupthird-party sources for risk managementcredit assessment purposes at the registration stage. In addition, to better protect privacy and avoid unnecessary invasion, we offer 360 Group our artificial intelligence and other data tools to enable it to develop algorithms in this data insight enhancement collaboration, which translate complex user data into insights relating to a user’s financial status and creditworthiness. In this way, we can draw on 360 Group’s user data set by conducting query search without the need to directly access user data.

Technology & Security

We are a technology-driven company. The success of our business is dependent upon our technological capabilities, which deliver a superior borroweruser experience, protect information on our platform, increase operational efficiency and facilitate continued innovation. Our innovation efforts are driven by a strong research and development and risk management team,teams, which accounted for 46%36% of our total employees, as of December 31, 2021.2023.

Principal components of our technology infrastructure include:

Data science. Data science contributes to many elements of our business and operations, extending across an entire borrowerloan lifecycle. Our Argus Engine allows us to aggregate and assess thousands of data points to build a comprehensive profile for each borroweruser which guides fraud detection, credit assessment and general borrower behavior, useful in anticipating our borrowers’ needs. Our Cosmic Cube Pricing Model then applies similar data science strategies in establishing pricing. Our workflow system CloudBank is capable of processing millions of transactions every day and integrates with our financial institution partners’ systems in loan disbursements, credit decisions, and payment clearances. We have also developed our network relationship database with tens of billions of connecting points for fraud detection purpose. The algorithms powering the majority of our decision systems iterate in real-time through machine learning, allowing us to promptly identify and correct operational issues.
Artificial intelligence. We have identified specific applications for AI across our platform, notably around precision marketing, rapid underwriting and post-facilitation services. We consistently upgrade our capabilities through machine learning. For instance, our fraud detection and credit assessment capabilities are based on the self-learning of the Argus Engine, which consistently re-evaluates statistically significant variables and re-develops policies around borrower credit assessment. A key benefit of AI is the automation of many of our processes. We can generally process a credit application from submission through drawdown approval without material human intervention, and our internal preliminary credit decisionassessment mostly only takes less than a minute in accordance with recent IT records, achieving massive operational efficiency. For instance, our AI-powered voice system, which we apply to the collection of delinquent loans, has reduced our collections staff significantly and empowered the remaining staff to be more efficient and effective. Lastly, we are in the process of evaluating applications of blockchain across our business model.

79

Table of Contents

Security. We are committed to maintaining a secure online platform. Our platform benefits from the expertise of 360 Group’s platform as manyexpertise in the area of our employees, across all levels, came from 360 Group and contributed to building that business into China’s leading internet security platform.security. Our focus on security provides operational benefits asbecause we believe borrowers are more willing to share sensitive information with us we believe, because ofdue to our security reputation. Key features of our security featuressystem are as follows:

Our firewall monitors and controls incoming and outgoing traffic 24 hours per day, and the firewall is updated and trained periodically with mimic attacks from hackers to spot potential loopholes and protect our platform from malware, computer virus and hackings;
Our servers are managed by 360 Group’s private cloud service and as such are both physically and virtually isolated with intensive security protocols; and
Our firewall monitors and controls incoming and outgoing traffic 24 hours per day , and the firewall is updated and trained periodically with mimic attacks from hackers to spot potential loopholes and protect our platform from malware, computer virus and hackings;

Our servers are managed by 360 Group and as such are both physically and virtually isolated with the intensive security protocols; and

All transmission of borrower information is encrypted.

90

Table of borrower information is encrypted.Contents

We have also adopted a series of policies on internal controls over information systems and network access management. We maintain redundancy through a real-time multi-layer data backup system to prevent loss of data resulting from unforeseen circumstances. We conduct periodic reviews of our technology platform, identifying and correcting problems that may undermine our system security. Such efforts include having 360 Group’s software and mobile apps security team scan and reinforce our software and applications.

Stability. We operate on 360 Group’s private cloud. Our systemssystem infrastructure is hosted in data centers at three separate locations in Beijing and Shanghai. We maintain redundancy through a real-time multi-layer data backup system to ensure the reliability of our network. Our platform adopts a 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 a modular architecture, our platform can be easily expanded as data storage requirements and borroweruser visits increase. In addition, load balancing technology helps us improve the distribution of workloads across multiple computing components, optimizing resource utilization and minimizing response time. Meanwhile, we have built our system in a partner-friendly approach as we provide flexible options to our partners regarding the scope of the data to be provided as well as how the data is provided. With such flexibility, we can cut a considerable amount of time and monetary cost in synchronizing the systems of ours and our partners’. For instance, it typically takes one to two weeks for us to develop our system access to a new partner’s system, which is a key selling point when prospective financial institution partners evaluate joining our platform.

Marketing And Brand Awareness

We primarily employ and implement variable online sales and marketing methods, supplemented with traditional promotional activities and general brand and awareness building. We focus on building brand awareness through online marketing campaigns, including cooperating with leading online platforms for directing user traffic to our business and boosting public relations as well as other offline advertising. We invest in a series of marketing activities to further solidify our brand image and continue to grow our user base, including collaborating with leading social media, video and live streaming platforms to extend our brand to a broader potential user group.

Seasonality

We experience seasonality in our business, mainly correlating to the seasonal fluctuations in internet usage and traditional personal behavior patterns in China. For example, individual borrowers generally reduce their borrowings during national holidays in China, particularly during the Chinese New Year holiday season in the first quarter of each year. Furthermore, when e-commerce platforms hold special promotional campaigns, for example, on November 11 and December 12 each year, we typically observe an increase in borrowing proceeds immediately following these campaigns. However, the seasonal trends that we have experienced in the past may not apply to, or be indicative of, our future operating results.

Competition

We generallycurrently primarily target the consumer Credit-Tech market, and compete for customers, funding, databorrowers, financial institution partners and other third-party services with other Credit-Tech platforms including technology giantwith the similar market focus, which mainly include Credit-Tech platforms backed platformsby large internet companies, and independent Credit-Tech platforms that operate standalone platforms without support from traditional financial institutions or large internet finance platforms.companies. As the macro and regulatory environment evolve in recent years, we have observed dynamic changes in the market landscape. On the one hand, technology giant backed platforms are scaling back their over-leveraged operations, which creates opportunities for us to fulfill the “spillover” demand. On the other hand, asAs regulatory compliance becomes increasingly important, for independent platforms, smaller and weaker onesCredit-Tech platforms that lack capabilities to achieve profitability while maintaining compliance are naturally withdrawingexpected to gradually withdraw from the market, which in turn creates opportunities for us to further strengthen our leadershipmarket position.

In addition, many leading internet and technology companies that possess large user bases, substantial financial resources and high frequency consumption platform entered the consumer Credit-Tech market in the past few years. However, many of them have since scaled back their effort in developing Credit-Tech business by themselves due to lackluster performance.optimize their strategic priorities. Instead, they have chosensome leading internet and technology companies choose to partner with leading Credit-Tech platformplatforms like us to help them better monetize their user base with comprehensive financing solutions. We refer to suchSuch partnerships asare the basis for “embedded finance.”

91

Table of Contents

We believe that our data insights,deep understanding of users, robust risk management system, productive customercredit assessment systems, effective user acquisition channels, user-friendly product designs, and amplebroad and diversified funding sources form a substantial competitive advantage over many of our peers. Such competitive advantage, along with our consistent track record andof solid execution, also in turn helps us gain trust from financial institutions and strengthen our relationship with business partners. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—We face increasing competition, and if we do not compete effectively, our operating results could be harmed” for more information about the market where we operate and the competition we face.

80

Table of Contents

Intellectual Properties

We regard our trademarks, domain names, software copyrights, know-how, proprietary technologies and similar intellectual property as critical to our success, and we rely on a combination of patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret laws in China, as well as licensing agreements and other contractual protections, to protect our proprietary technology.

As of February 28, 2022,December 31, 2023, we had 35194 registered trademarks and 19168 trademarks pending approval in China, 50265 registered patents and 882713 patents pending approval in China. We have 64As of December 31, 2023, we had 86 registered software copyrights and threeseven copyrights of works in China. We are also the registered holder of 4165 domain names in China.

Despite our efforts to protect our proprietary rights, unauthorized parties may attempt to copy or otherwise obtain and use our technology. Monitoring unauthorized use of our technology is difficult and costly, and we cannot be certain that the steps we have taken will prevent misappropriation of our technology. From time to time, we may have to resort to litigation to enforce our intellectual property rights, which could result in substantial costs and diversion of our resources. In addition, third parties may initiate litigation against us alleging infringement of their proprietary rights or declaring their non-infringement of our intellectual property rights. In the event of a successful claim of infringement and our failure or inability to develop non-infringing technology or license the infringed or similar technology on a timely basis, our business could be harmed. Even if we are able to license the infringed or similar technology, license fees could be substantial and may adversely affect our results of operations. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—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 and Industry—We may be subject to intellectual property infringement claims, which may be costly to defend and may disrupt our business and operations.”

Regulation

This section sets forth a summary of the most significant rules and regulations that affect our business activities in China or our shareholders’ rights to receive dividends and other distributions from us.

Regulations on Foreign Investment Restrictions

The Company Law and The PRC Foreign Investment Law

Companies established and operating in the PRC shall be subject to the Company Law of the PRC, which was promulgated by the SCNPC on December 29, 1993, came into effect on July 1, 1994, and last revised on December 29, 2023 and will be effective on July 1, 2024. The Company Law provides for the establishment, corporate structure and corporate management of companies, which also applies to foreign-invested enterprises in the PRC. Unless otherwise provided in the PRC foreign investment laws, the provisions in the Company Law shall prevail. The main amendments in the PRC Company Law involve improving the company’s establishment and exit system, optimizing the company’s organizational structure, detailing exercise of shareholder rights, perfecting the company’s capital system and strengthening the responsibilities of controlling shareholders and management personnel, among others. The PRC Company Law provides for the establishment, corporate structure and corporate management of companies, which also applies to foreign-invested enterprises.

On March 15, 2019, the National People’s Congress approved the Foreign Investment Law, which came into effect on January 1, 2020, and replaces the trio of existing laws regulating foreign investment in the PRC, namely, the Sino-Foreign Equity Joint Venture Enterprise Law, the Sino-Foreign Cooperative Joint Venture Enterprise Law and the Wholly Foreign-Invested Enterprise Law, and has become the legal foundation for foreign investment in the PRC.

92

Table of Contents

The Foreign Investment Law sets out the basic regulatory framework for foreign investments and proposes to implement a system of pre-entry national treatment with a negative list for foreign investments, pursuant to which (i) foreign entities and individuals are prohibited from investing in the areas that are not open to foreign investments, (ii) foreign investments in the restricted industries must satisfy certain requirements under the law, and (iii) foreign investments in business sectors outside of the negative list will be treated equally with domestic investments. The Foreign Investment Law also sets forth necessary mechanisms to facilitate, protect and manage foreign investments and proposes to establish a foreign investment information report system, through which foreign investors are required to submit information relating to their investments to MOFCOMthe Ministry of Commerce or its local branches.

The Implementing Regulation for the Foreign Investment Law of the PRC (Decree No. 723 of the State Council), adopted at the 74th executive meeting of the State Council on December 12, 2019 which came into effectand effective on January 1, 2020, provides implementing measures and detailed rules to ensure the effective implementation of the Foreign Investment Law of the PRC.Law.

Regulations on foreign investment industries

The National Commission of Development and Reform Commission and the MOFCOMMinistry of Commerce issued the Guiding Catalog for Foreign Investment Industries (2017 Revision), in June 2017. In accordance with this catalog, foreign investment industries are divided into three categories: the “encouraged category,” the “restricted category” and the “prohibited category,category.The latter two categories were repealed pursuant to the Negative List (2021) promulgated by the commission and the ministry on December 27, 2021 and effective on January 1, 2022. Foreign investments in industries that are not mentioned in these threeunder the foregoing categories are generally deemed permitted. The Foreign Investment Catalog was most recently revised on January 27, 2021, and is subject to review and update by the Chinese government from time to time. Moreover, the NDRC and the MOFCOM promulgated the Special Management Measures (Negative List) for the Access of Foreign Investment (2021 version) (the “Negative List”) on December

81

Table of Contents

27, 2021, which has become effective as of January 1, 2022. The Negative List repeals the “restricted” and “prohibited” categories stipulated in the Foreign Investment Catalog.

On December 30, 2019, the Ministry of Commerce and the State Administration for Market RegulationSAMR jointly issued the Measures on Reporting of Foreign Investment Information, which replaced the existing filing and approval procedures regarding the establishment and change of foreign-invested companies.companies with new procedures. On December 31, 2019, the Ministry of Commerce issued the Announcement on Matters Relating to Foreign Investment Information Reporting which emphasizedemphasizes the information reporting requirements provided by the Measures on Reporting of Foreign Investment Information, and stipulatedstipulates the forms for information reporting.

Regulations on value-added telecommunications services

The Telecommunications Regulations of the PRC issued by the PRC State Council in September 2000, as most recently amended in February 2016, set out a regulatory framework for telecommunications service providers in the PRC. Under these regulations, telecommunications service providers are required to procure operating licenses for basic telecommunications services and licenses for value-added telecommunications services, or VATS License.services. In July 2017, the MIIT,Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued the Administrative Measures for the Telecommunications Business Operating Permit which took effect in September 2017 and invalidated the prior telecommunications permit measures issued in 2009. These measuresThe Administrative Measures for the Telecommunications Business Operating Permit regulate that a commercial operator of value-added telecommunications services must first obtain the VATS License and conduct its business in accordance with the specifications listed in the VATS License,license, thereby providing more detailed requirements and procedures for the value-added telecommunications services industry. In September 2000, the PRC State Council promulgated the Administrative Measures on Internet Information Services, which aswas amended became effective in January 2011.2011 and effective immediately. The measuresAdministrative Measures on Internet Information Services define “internet information services” as the services providing information through the internet to online users and further divide such services into “commercial internet information services” and “non-commercial internet information services.” internet content provider is considered as a sub-set of value-added telecommunications business. In accordance with the aforementioned regulations,Administrative Measures on Internet Information Services, commercial internet information services operators must obtain a VATS License with the business scope of Internet information service, namely, the ICP License from the competent government authorities before engaging in any commercial internet information services business in the PRC.

The Provisions on the Administration of Foreign-Invested Telecommunications Enterprises, issued by the PRC State Council in December 2001 and amended in September 2008, February 2016 and March 29, 2022, respectively, and the Circular on Lifting Restrictions on the Proportion of Foreign Equity in Online Data Processing and Transaction Processing Business (Operating E-commerce) issued by the MIITMinistry of Industry and Information Technology on June 19, 2015, clarify that foreign-invested value-added telecommunications enterprises may only be Sino-foreign equity joint ventures, whose foreign equity ownership may not exceed 50%, except for online data processing and transaction processing businesses (operating e-commerce businesses) which may be 100%wholly owned by foreign investors. Historically, foreign investors having equity ownership in those foreign-invested value-added telecommunications enterprises are required to have a good track record and operational experience in value-added telecommunications businesses. On March 29, 2022, the State Council promulgated the Decision of Thethe State Council on Amending or Abolishing Certain Administrative Regulations, which will come into effecteffective on May 1, 2022. According to2022, which stipulate that the regulations,requirements of the aforementioned operational experience and good track record requirements ofon foreign investors of a value-added telecommunications service provider are notno longer required.

93

Table of Contents

Additionally, in July 2006, the MIITMinistry of Industry and Information Technology issued the Circular on Strengthening the Administration of Foreign Investment in and Operation of Value-added Telecommunications Businesses, which regulatesstipulates that foreign investors can only operate telecommunications businesses in China through telecommunications enterprises with valid telecommunications business operation licenses and prohibits a domestic company that holds a VATS License from leasing, transferring or selling such license to foreign investors in any form, and from providing any assistance, including providing resources, sites or facilities to foreign investors that conduct a value-added telecommunications business illegally in China.

We provide commercial internet informationCredit-Tech services for which a VATS License is required throughrequired. Shanghai Qiyu, one of ourthe VIEs, which obtained its ICP licenseLicense, a type of VATS License, in April 2021. The subsidiary of Shanghai Qiyu, Fuzhou Microcredit, obtained an ICP License in April 2023.

Regulation on Online Finance Services Industry

General regulations on internet finance service

In July 2015, the Guidelines on Promoting the Healthy Growth of Internet Finance, were promulgated by ten PRC regulatory agencies, including the People’s Bank of China, or the PBOC, the MIITMinistry of Industry and Information Technology  and the China Banking Regulatory Commission, or the CBRC, definingand provide the definition of “online lending.” Online lending under the Fintech Guidelinesguidelines includes peer-to-peer online lending, meaning the direct loans transacted through the internet between investorsindividual lenders and borrowers, and online micro-lending, meaning the small-sum loans transacted through the internet and online microcredit, meaning the small-sum loans through the internetoffered by online microcreditmicro-lending companies.

82

Table of Contents

In April 2016, the General Office of the PRC State Council issued the Implementing Proposal for the Special Rectification of Internet Financial Risk, which emphasizes the goal to ensure legitimacy and compliance of the internet finance service industry and specifies the rectification measures for non-compliance regarding the operations of internet finance business and theby institutions engaged in the internet finance business.

Regulations on private lending

According to the PRC Civil Code, promulgated in May 2020 and effective as ofon January 1, 2021, the interest rates charged under a loan agreement must not violate applicable provisions of the PRC laws and regulations. The PRC Civil Code also provides that the interest on a loan shall not be deducted from the proceeds of the loanprincipal in advance, and if the interest is deducted from the proceedsprincipal in advance, the loan shall be repaid and the interest shall be calculated based onaccording to the actual amount of loan amount.provided.

In August 2015, the Supreme People’s Court issued the Provisions on Several Issues Concerning Laws Applicable to Trials of Private Lending Cases, or the Private Lending Judicial Interpretation, was issued by the Supreme People’s Court andwhich took effect in September 2015. The Private Lending Judicial Interpretation was2015 and most recently revised on December 29, 2020. It definesThe provisions define private lending as financing between and among individuals, legal entities and other organizations. The Private Lending Judicial Interpretation establishesThey establish that private lending contracts are to be upheld as valid in the absence of (i) relending of funds to a borrower who knew or should have known that the funds were fraudulently obtained from a financial institution; (ii) relending of funds to a borrower who knew or should have known that the funds were borrowed from other enterprises or raised by the company’s employees; (iii) lending of funds to a borrower wherein the investor knew or should have known that the borrower intended to use the borrowed funds for illegal or criminal purposes; (iv) violations of public orders or good morals; or (v) violations of mandatory provisions of laws or administrative regulations. In addition, pursuant to the Private Lending Judicial Interpretation,provisions, lending agreements between private lenders and borrowers with annual interest rates below 24% are valid and enforceable. As to the loans with annual interest rates between 24% (exclusive) and 36% (inclusive), if the interest on the loans has already been paid to the lender voluntarily, and so long as such payments have not damaged the interest of the state, the community and any third party, the courtsPeople’s Court will turn down the borrower’s request to demand the return of the excess interest payments. If the annual interest rate of a private loan is higher than 36%, the agreement on the excess part of the interest is invalid, and if the borrower requests the lender to return the part of interest exceeding 36% of the annual interest that has been paid, the courtsPeople’s Court will support such requests.

In addition, on August 4, 2017, the Supreme People’s Court issued the Circular of Several Suggestions on Further Strengthening the Judicial Practice Regarding Financial Cases, which provides that (i) the claim of the borrower under a financial loan agreement to adjust or cut down the part of interest exceeding 24% per annum on the basis that the aggregate amount of interest, compound interest, default interest, liquidated damages and other fees collectively claimed by the lender is obviously high shall be supported by the PRC courts and (ii) in the context of internet finance disputes, if the online lending information intermediaries and the lender evade the maximum interest rate protected under the law by charging an intermediary fee, the lender’s claim shall be determinedheld as invalid.

94

Table of Contents

On August 20, 2020, the Supreme People’s Court issued the Decision on Amending the Provisions of the Supreme People’s Court on Several Issues the Application of Law in the Trial of Private Lending Cases, or the Judicial Interpretation Amendment, which was revised on January 1, 2021 and amended several provisions of the 2015 Judicial Interpretation including the upper limit of judicial protection for private lending interest rates. The Judicial Interpretation Amendment provides that where the lender requests the borrower to pay interest in accordance with the interest rate agreed upon in the agreement, the people’s courtPeople’s Court shall support such request, except where the interest rate agreed by both parties exceeds four times of the one-year Loan Prime Rate at the time of the establishment of the agreement, or the Quadruple LPR Limit. The one-year Loan Prime Rate refers to the one-year loan market quoted interest rate issued by the National Bank Interbank Funding Center, which wasan institution authorized by the PBOC,People’s Bank of China, on the 20th of each month since August 20, 2019. According to the Judicial Interpretation Amendment,amendment, the upper limitlimits of interest rates of 24% and 36% provided in the 2015 Judicial Interpretation, are replaced by the Quadruple LPR Limit. Moreover, if the lender and the borrower agree on both the overdue interest rate and the liquidated damages or other fees, the lender may choose to claim any or all of them, but the portion in total exceedingexcess of the aggregate amount over the Quadruple LPR Limit shall not be supported by the people’s court.People’s Court. The Judicial Interpretation Amendment applies to new first-instance cases of private lending disputes acceptedreceived by the People’s Court after theits implementation of the Judicial Interpretation Amendment on August 20, 2020. If the lending activity occurred before August 20, 2019, the upper limit of the protected interest rate can be determined by referring toequals four times of the one-year Loan Prime Rate at the time of the plaintiff’s filing of lawsuit.

On December 29, 2020, the Supreme People’s Court issued the Supreme People’s Court Reply to Issues Concerning the Scope of Application of the New Judicial Interpretation on Private Lending, which clarifiedclarifies that seven types of local financial organizations, including microcreditmicro-lending companies, financing guarantee companies, regional equity markets, pawnshops, financing lease companies, commercial factoring companies and local asset management companies under the regulation of local financial regulatory authorities, are financial institutions established upon approval by financial regulatory authorities. The Judicial Interpretation Amendment is not applicable to disputes arising from their engagementforegoing organizations’ engagements in relevant financial service businesses.

83

Table of Contents

Although the Judicial Interpretation Amendment and the Supreme People’s Court Reply to Issues Concerning the Scope of Application of the New Judicial Interpretation on Private Lending provide that they do not apply to licensed financial institutions including microcreditmicro-lending companies that conduct loan and consumer finance business,Credit-Tech businesses, there remainare uncertainties in the interpretation and implementation of the Judicial Interpretation Amendment, including whether licensed financial institutions may be subject to its jurisdictionit pursuant to under Circular 141 or in certain circumstances, the basis of calculationthe formula used to determine the interest rate limit, the scope of inclusion of related fees and insurance premiums as well asand inconsistencies betweenin the standard applied and level of enforcement actions taken by different PRC courts.

We conduct loan facilitation services through our Credit-Tech platform. We charge service fees from financial institution partners for all loans originated or facilitatedfunded by them, and charge borrowers interest fees through our platformFuzhou Microcredit, which is a subsidiary of the VIEs and our institutional fundingis licensed to conduct micro-lending business in China, for loans funded by it. Our financial institution partners and Fuzhou Microcredit are entitledpermitted to charge the interests for the loans they fund.fund pursuant to PRC laws and regulations.

Regulations on illegal fund-raising

TheOn January 26, 2021, the State Council promulgated the Regulation on the Prevention and Disposition of Illegal Fund-raising Practices which came into effect on May 1, 2021 and replaces the Measure for the Banning of Illegal Financial Institution and Illegal Financial Business Operations promulgated by PRC State Council in July 1998 and amended in 2011, and the Circular on Relevant Issues Concerning the Penalty on Illegal Fund-Raising issued by the General Office of PRC State Council in July 2007, which explicitly prohibitprohibits illegal public fund-raising. In accordance with the aforementioned regulations, the following description is deemed to detail the key features of illegal public fund-raising: (i) soliciting and raising funds from the general public by means of issuing stocks, bonds, lotteries or other securities without the required approval, (ii) promising or guaranteeing a return of interest or profits or investment returns in cash, properties or other forms, or (iii) using a legitimate form to disguise the unlawful purpose. In December 2010, the Supreme People’s Court promulgated the Judicial Interpretations to Issues Concerning Applications of Laws for Trial of Criminal Cases on Illegal Fund-Raising which was amended on March 1, 2022 and sets upforth the criteria, criminal charges and the punishment on illegal fund-raising.

We act asoperate a Credit-Tech service platform to help facilitate loans between our borrowers and our financial institution partners, and we aredo not a party tofund the loans facilitated except forthrough our platform, other than the loans funded by Fuzhou Microcredit, thea subsidiary of our VIE, which isthe VIEs licensed to conduct microcreditmicro-lending business in China. We do not raise funds from our financial institution partners to provide loans to borrowers.

95

Table of Contents

Regulations on the business of loansloan facilitation

In April 2017, the P2P Online Lending Working Group issued the Notices on Cash Loans. The Notices on Cash Loans require that the local branches of the P2P Online Lending Working Group to conduct a comprehensive review and inspection of the cash loan business on online lending platforms and require such platforms to take necessary improvementimprovements and remediation measures within a specific period of time to comply with the relevant requirements under the applicable PRC laws and regulations. The Notices on Cash Loans aim to eliminate the non-compliance in the operations of online lending platforms, including fraudulent activities, loans with excessive interest rates, and forced loan collection practices.

Circular 141 issued by the Special Rectification of Internet Financial Risks Working Group and the P2P Credit Risks Rectification Working Group on December 1, 2017, introduces the regulating guidance on cash loan businesses including online microcreditmicro-lending companies, P2P platforms and banking financial institutions. According to Circular 141, activities offering cash loans, which are characterized by the lack of specific consumption scenarios, designated purposes, targeted users or mortgages, may be inspectedare subject to inspections and rectifiedrectifications to prohibit the issue of excessive borrowing and granting credits repeatedly ofto individual borrowers, collecting interests at abnormally high interest raterates and violating privacy. Circular 141 clarifies that no organization or individual shall start a loan business without the required qualifications and approved licenses. The synthetic fund cost charged by various institutions fromon borrowers in the form of interest rates and other fees must comply with the regulationrequirements of private lending ofby the Supreme People’s Court. The loan shall not be collected through violence, intimidation or insult. ItCircular 141 also sets out requirements and limitations for various entities involvinginvolved in internet finance serviceservices and banking financial institutions’ involvementinstitutions involved in cash loan operation.operations.

84

Table of Contents

Circular 141 further specifies that the core practice or business of therequires P2P lending information intermediaries shall not be outsourced, including, but not limited to outsource their core operations such as borrower information collection, discriminating and selecting borrowers,borrower selection, credit evaluation and accounts opening. The banking financefinancial institutions, in addition to observing the promulgationsrequirements set forth byin the Interim Measures on Administration of Personal Loans issued by the CBRC in February 2010, shall also comply with the regulations relating to cash loans, including: (i) not extending loan funded by its own capital and funding from unqualified institutions; (ii) not accepting the credit-granting service,outsourcing credit review and approval, risk management service or other core business service from third party;operations in the provision of credit services to third-party collaborators; including not accepting credit enhancement services, loss-bearing commitments or other credit enhancement services provided in a disguised form by any unqualified third party;party that does not have the qualifications to provide guarantees; (iii) making sure that the third party with which it cooperates will not charge any interestinterests or fees from borrowers; and (iv) not directly investing or investing in a disguised form in asset-backed securitization products or other products backed by cash loans, campus loans or down payment loans. In addition, according to Circular 141, all the relevant local authorities should submit the regulation plan and monthly working progress to the Special Rectification of Internet Financial Risks Working Group and the P2P Credit Risks Rectification Working Group, which indicates gradual rectification for compliance with Circular 141 is allowed.

The Interim Measures for Administration of Internet Loans Issued by Commercial Banks, or the Internet Loans Interim Measures, promulgated by the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission, came into effect on July 12, 2020 and was amended on June 21, 2021, which would affectapply to the institutions cooperating with Commercial Bankscommercial banks to develop internet loan businesses and their existing business models. Pursuant to the Internet Loans Interim Measures,these measures, commercial banks shall evaluate their cooperation agenciescooperating institutions and implement list management.processes to manage these institutions. Commercial banks shall not accept direct and disguised credit enhancement services from unqualified cooperation agencies, nor entrust third-party agencies with records of violent collection or other illegal records to collect loans. The Internet Loans Interim Measuresmeasures also provide that, except for cooperating institutions that jointly providecontribute funding to the loans, commercial banks shall not entrustcompletely delegate the cooperating institutions to perform keycore operations, such as loan issuance, loandisbursement, principal and interest recovery,collection, and stopping of loanstop payment. Pursuant to Internet Loans Interim Measures,the measures, commercial banks shall independently carry out risk assessment and credit approval for the loans they fund, and takeshall bear primary responsibility for post-loan management. Regional banks that carry out Internet lending business shall mainly serve local customers, prudently conduct business across administrative regions of registration, and effectively identify and monitor the development of business across administrative regions of registration. As we operate a Credit-Tech platform and collaborate with financial institution partners in the loan lifecycle, pursuant to the measures, we shall not participate in the independent risk management and credit approval processes for the loans funded by commercial banks. We are not involved in financial institutions’ independent credit review and approval and risk management operations. We assist in financial institutions’ post-loan management as instructed or delegated by them and the financial institutions still bear the primary responsibility, among others, in compliance with the measures.

96

Table of Contents

In accordance with the above measures, the Circular of the General Office of the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission on Further Standardizing the Internet Loans CircularBusiness of Commercial Banks was issued and took effect on February 19, 2021, setting detailed rules on strengthening risk management of the banking financefinancial institutions and strictly controlling of cross-regional operations. Furthermore, on July 12, 2022, the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission issued the Notice on Strengthening the Management of Commercial Banks’ Internet Loan Business and Improving the Quality and Efficiency of Financial Services, which further requires commercial banks to: (i) effectively conduct security assessments on the cooperating institutions which provide and process personal information; (ii) strengthen loan fund management, take effective measures to monitor loan usage, ensure safety of the loan funds, and prevent cooperating institutions from intercepting, pooling, or misappropriating fund; (iii) standardize the Internet loan cooperation business with third-party institutions, and restrict or refuse to cooperate with those that are in violation of the regulations on Internet loans; and (iv) strengthen the protection of consumer rights and interests, strengthen the compliance management of the marketing and publicity behaviors of cooperating institutions, and clearly stipulate prohibited behaviors in the cooperation agreement.

If institutions violateThe Notice on Strengthening the aforementioned provisions,Management of Commercial Banks’ Internet Loan Business and Improving the Quality and Efficiency of Financial Services mainly regulates the conducts of commercial banks. We will closely monitor the regulatory requirements, seek guidance from regulatory authorities may enforceand take applicable measures in a timely manner to maintain our cooperation with the commercial banks and ensure compliance with laws and regulations applicable to us.

On February 2, 2024, the China National Financial Regulatory Administration issued the Administrative Measures for Fixed Asset Loans, the Administrative Measures for Working Capital Loans, and the Administrative Measures for Personal Loans, which will come into effect on July 1, 2024. The Administrative Measures for Personal Loans further require banks and other financial institutions to strengthen their own channel construction and independent risk control: (i) the lender shall not entrust the core matters of risk control in the loan investigation involving the borrower’s true intention, income level, debt situation, source of own funds and access to external evaluation institutions to a third party; (ii) the lender can interview the borrower through video according to business suspensions, compulsory enforcements, cancellationneeds (excluding loans for personal housing purposes). The video interview shall be conducted on the lender’s own platform, and the image shall be recorded and saved; (iii) the lender shall require the borrower to sign the loan contract and other documents in person, or sign contracts and documents through electronic banking channels (excluding loans for personal housing purposes). The Administrative Measures for Personal Loans also regulate that where the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission stipulates otherwise on other special types of business qualifications or superviseloans such as Internet loans, such provisions shall prevail. As of the rectifications. Ifdate of this annual report, the circumstances are extremely serious, the business license mayabove three measures have not formally taken effect and it is uncertain how they will be revoked.enacted, interpreted and implemented.

We are not aware if any of our Credit-Tech service productsIn addition, we have been identified as cash loan products. However, we cannot assure that the government authorities would always share the same view with us as the interpretation and application of related regulations is still unclear. We have also taken considerablevarious measures to comply with Circular 141, Circular 56the Interim Measures for Administration of Internet Loans Issued by Commercial Banks and other recent regulations.laws and regulations that are applicable to our loan facilitation business operations. For example,details about the various measures we have been switchingtaken to a guarantee company model, adopted new payment models and make sure all IRRs of our product are below 36%. However, given that detailed regulations and guidance in the area of Credit-Tech industry are yet to be promulgated, we cannot be certain that our existing practices would not be deemed to violate any existing or future laws, regulations or rules. Pleasecomply with Circular 141, please refer to “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—We are subject to uncertainties surrounding regulations and administrative measures of the loan facilitation business. If any of our business practices are deemed to be non-compliant with applicable laws and regulations, our business, financial condition and results of operations would be adversely affected.”

85

TableGiven that the laws and regulations governing the loan facilitation business are evolving, and substantial uncertainties exist with respect to their interpretation and implementation, we cannot assure you that our existing practices would not be challenged by governmental authorities under any existing or future rules, laws and regulations. See also “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—We are subject to uncertainties surrounding regulations and administrative measures of Contentsthe loan facilitation business. If any of our business practices are deemed to be non-compliant with applicable laws and regulations, our business, financial condition and results of operations would be adversely affected.”

If institutions violate the aforementioned provisions, the regulatory authorities may impose business suspensions, compulsory enforcements or cancelation of business qualifications, or supervise the rectifications. If the circumstances are extremely serious, the business licenses of such institutions may be revoked.

Regulations on online lending information intermediaries

In August 2016, the CBRC, the MIIT,Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the MPS,Ministry of Public Security and the State Internet Information Office jointly issued the Interim Lending Measures on Administration of Business Activities of Online Lending Information Intermediaries, which introduced online lending information intermediaries as financing information enterprises specifically engaged in the business of lending information intermediation services connecting investors and borrowers. Pursuant to that, online lending information service providers must complete registration with local financial regulatory departments, apply for appropriate telecommunication business licenses in accordance with relevantthe rules issued by competent telecommunication authorities and coverspecify the “online lending information intermediary” in its business scope.

97

Table of Contents

In accordance with these measures, the CBRC, the MIITMinistry of Industry and Information Technology and the State Administration for Industry and Commerce jointly issued the Circular on Printing and Distribution the Guidelines on the Filing-based Administration of the Online Lending Information Intermediaries in NovemberOctober 2016, setting forth the rules on the filing-based administrative regime of online lending information intermediaries which requires local financial regulators to register, publicize and archive the basic information of online lending information intermediaries within their respective jurisdiction.jurisdictions.

In November 2019, the Special Rectification of Internet Financial Risks Working Group and the P2P Credit Risks Rectification Working Group issued the Guiding Opinions on the Transformation of Online Lending Information Intermediaries into Pilot MicrocreditMicro-Lending Companies, or the Circular 83. The Circular 83 allows qualified Online Lending Information Intermediariesonline lending information intermediaries to transform into Microcredit Companiesmicro-lending companies in order to proactively deal with and resolve the existing business risks of Online Lending Information Intermediariesonline lending information intermediaries industry. The Online Lending Information Intermediariesonline lending information intermediaries to be transformed must comply with certain requirements including strong shareholder backgroundbackgrounds and a registered capital of RMB50 million.

Regulations on online marketing of financial products

On December 31, 2021, the PBOCPeople’s Bank of China and six other departments jointly issued the Measures for Administration of Online Marketing of Financial Products (Draft for comments)Comments), which regulate online marketing of financial products by financial institutions or internet platform operators engagedentrusted by such financial institutions. Pursuant to this draft, financial institutions shall not engage other entities or individuals to carry out online marketing of financial products unless otherwise provided or authorized by laws and regulations. The draft also prohibitsmeasures prohibit third-party online platform operators from being involved in the salesales process of financial products in a disguised way without the approval of financial regulatory authorities, including, but not limited to interactive consultation with consumers on financial products, suitability evaluation of consumers of financial products, signing of sale contracts, transfer of funds and participation in the income sharing of financial business. Suitability evaluation of consumers of financial products means, according to the Guiding Opinions of General Office of the State Council on Strengthening the Protection of Rights and Interests of Financial Consumers promulgated on November 4, 2015, the system for evaluating the preference, cognition and tolerance of risks for consumers of financial product in order to provide financial products and services that fit such consumers. We do not conduct suitability evaluation of consumers of financial products. Instead, we utilize technologies to conduct preliminary credit assessment on prospective borrowers and match such prospective borrowers with financial institution partners. As of the date of this annual report, the above draft measures have not been formally adopted and it is uncertain when the final regulations will be issued and take effect, and how they will be interpreted and implemented.

As advised by our PRC legal counsel, considering the draft measures specifically provide that (i) third-party online platforms shall use the online marketing and publicity content reviewed and determined by financial institutions in promoting and recommending financial products to prospective borrowers, and (ii) financial institutions that entrust operators of third-party online platforms to carry out online marketing of financial products shall assume management responsibilities, the draft measures do not forbid third-party online platform operators entrusted by such financial institutions to carry out internet marketing activities of financial products. Therefore, as advised by our PRC legal counsel, under the draft measures, our online platform entrusted by financial institutions is allowed to conduct online marketing under our embedded financial model, intelligent marketing services or other platform services provided to financial institutions as long as (i) we are not involved in the aforementioned sale process of financial product and (ii) the operations of our online platform continue to be entrusted by financial institutions pursuant to the laws and regulations. Nevertheless, certain service fees we charge from financial institution partners are based on loan volume and interest rate, which may be recognized as participating in the income sharing of financial business in a disguised way. According to the draft measures, we may be required to adjust the way withoutwe charge financial institutions. If the approvaldraft measures take effect in its current form, we will consult and negotiate with our financial institution partners to make the necessary adjustments on cooperation agreements as required by the authorities and our financial institution partners to ensure compliance. Meanwhile, the draft measures provide a six-month grace period from its effectiveness date for companies to make adjustments and become compliant with the provisions therein. If they are adopted in their current form, we believe the adjustment of the service fee arrangement will not have a material adverse effect on the cooperation between the financial institutions and us or our revenues.

Based on our current assessment, we are of the view that such measures we may take will not cause any adverse impact on our business operation and financial condition. In addition, since the draft measures do not prohibit third-party online platform operators entrusted by financial institutions from carrying out internet marketing activities of financial products, we are allowed to use the proceeds to conduct further online marketing and collaborate with other online platform operators to the extent permitted by the laws and regulations. We will closely monitor the regulatory authorities.development and adjust our business operations from time to time to comply with laws and regulations applicable to us. See also “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—Our access to sufficient and sustainable funding at reasonable costs cannot be assured. If we fail to maintain collaboration with our financial institution partners or to maintain sufficient capacity to facilitate loans to borrowers, our reputation, results of operations and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.”

98

Table of Contents

Regulations on microcredit business

In May 2008, Guidance on the Pilot Establishment of MicrocreditMicro-Lending Companies was jointly promulgated by the CBRC and the PBOC,People’s Bank of China, authorizing provincial governments to approve the establishment of microcreditmicro-lending companies on a test basis. The establishment of a microcreditmicro-lending company is subject to the approval of the competent government authority at the provincial level. The major sources of funds for a microcreditmicro-lending company are limited to capital paid by shareholders, donated capital and capital borrowed from up to two financial institutions. Furthermore, the balance of the capital borrowed by a microcreditmicro-lending company from financial institutions must not exceed 50% of the net capital of such microcreditmicro-lending company. The interest rate and terms of the borrowed capital is required to be determined by the company with the banking financial institutions upon consultation, and the interest rate must be determined by using the Shanghai Inter-bank Offered Rate as the base rate. With respect to the grant of credit, microcreditmicro-lending companies are required to adhere to the principle of “small sum and decentralization.” The outstanding balance of the loans granted by a microcreditmicro-lending company to one borrower cannot exceed 5% of the net capital of such company. The interest ceiling used by a microcreditmicro-lending company may be determined by such companies but in no circumstance shall they exceed the restrictions prescribed by the judicatory authority. The interest floor is 0.9 times the base interest rate published by the PBOC. MicrocreditPeople’s Bank of China. Micro-lending companies have the flexibility to determine the specific interest rate within the range depending on certain market conditions. In addition, according to the aforementioned guidance, microcreditmicro-lending companies are required to establish and improve their corporate governance structures, the loan management systems, the financial accounting systems, the asset classification systems, the provision systems for accurate asset classification and their information disclosure systems, and such companies are required to make adequate provisions for impairment losses. MicrocreditMicro-lending companies are also required to accept public scrutiny supervision and are prohibited from carrying out illegal fund-raising in any form.

Based on this guidance, many provincial governments, including that of Fujian Province, promulgated local implementing rules on the administration of microcreditmicro-lending companies. In March 2012, Fujian Provincial People’s Government issued the Interim Administrative Measures on MicrocreditMicro-Lending Companies of Fujian, imposing the management duties upon the relevant regulatory authorities and specifies more detailed requirements on the microcreditmicro-lending companies. We operate online microcreditmicro-lending business through one of the subsidiaries of ourthe VIEs, Fuzhou Microcredit, which is approved by the local government authority.authority to conduct micro-lending business in China.

86

Table of Contents

In November 2017, the Online Finance Working Group issued the Notice on the Immediate Suspension of Approvals for the Establishment of Online MicrocreditMicro-Lending Companies, requiring all relevant regulatory authorities of microcreditmicro-lending companies to suspend the approval of the establishment of any online microcreditmicro-lending companies and the approval of any microcreditmicro-lending business conducted across provinces. Circular 141 further confirms to suspend the approval of the establishment of online microcreditmicro-lending companies and the approval of any microcreditmicro-lending business across provinces and enhanceenhances the regulation of online microcreditmicro-lending companies by stipulating that (i) the relevant regulatory authorities must suspend the approval for the establishment of any new online microcreditmicro-lending companies and the conduct of offline business of any microcreditmicro-lending companies across provinces (districts or cities); (ii) online microcreditmicro-lending companies must not extend loans to any borrowers without income, such as students; (iii) online microcreditmicro-lending companies must suspend the funding of online microcreditsmicro-lending with no specific consumption scenarios or specified uses of loan proceeds, and gradually reduce the volume of the existing business relating to such loans and take rectification measures in a period to be specified by authorities.

99

Table of Contents

On December 8, 2017, the P2P Credit Risks Rectification Working Group promulgated the Implementation Plan of Specific Rectification for Risks in MicrocreditMicro-Lending Companies Conducting Online MicrocreditMicro-Lending Business, or Circular 56. Pursuant to Circular 56, “online microcredits” aremicro-lending” is defined as microcreditsmicro-lending provided through the internet by online microcreditmicro-lending companies. Circular 56 emphasizes several material aspects forsubject to inspection and rectification, which include but not limited to (i) online microcreditmicro-lending companies must be approved by the competent authorities in accordance with the applicable regulations promulgated by the State Council, and approved online microcreditmicro-lending companies that actoperate in violation of any regulatory requirements must be re-examined; (ii) whether the qualification and funding source of the shareholders of online microcreditmicro-lending companies are in compliance with the applicable laws and regulations; (iii) whether the “integrated actual interest” (namely, the aggregated costs of borrowing costs charged to borrowers in the form of interest and various fees) are annualized and subject to the limit on interest rates of private lending set forth in the Provisions on Several Issues Concerning Laws Applicable to Trials of Private Lending Judicial InterpretationsCases and, whether any interest, handling fee, management fee or deposit are deducted from the principal of loans provided to the borrowers in advance; (iv) whether campus loans, or online microcreditsmicro-lending with no specific scenario or designated use of loan proceeds are granted; (v) with respect to the loan business conducted in collaboration with third-party institutions, whether microcreditmicro-lending companies cooperate with internet platform without website filing or telecommunications business license to lendprovide online microcredit,micro-lending, whether the online microcreditmicro-lending companies outsource their core business (including the credit assessment and risk management), or accept any credit enhancement service provided by any third-party institutions with no guarantee qualification; or whether any applicable third-party institution collects any interest or fee from the borrowers; and (vi) whether there are any entities conducting online microcreditmicro-lending business without relevantthe approval or license for lending business.

On September 16,7, 2020, the CBIRCChina Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission issued the Notice on Strengthening the Supervision and Management of MicrocreditMicro-Lending Companies, or Circular 86. Circular 86 aims to regulate the operation of microcreditmicro-lending companies, prevent and resolve relevant risks and promote the healthy growth of the microcreditmicro-lending industry. Circular 86 provides the following requirements with respect to microcreditmicro-lending companies, including. without limitation: (i) the financing balance of the microcreditmicro-lending company funding by bank loans, shareholder loans and other nonstandard financing instruments shall not exceed such company’s net assets; (ii) the financing balance of the microcreditmicro-lending company funding by issuance of bonds, asset securitization products and other instruments of standardized debt assets shall not exceed four times of its net assets; (iii) the balance of loans offered to one borrower shall not exceed 10% of the net assets of the microcreditmicro-lending company, and the balance of loans offered to one borrower and such borrower’s related parties shall not exceed 15% of the net assets of the microcreditmicro-lending company; (iv) microcreditmicro-lending companies are prohibited from upfront deduction of interest, commission fees, management fees or deposits from loans by microcreditmicro-lending companies before they are released to the borrowers, and if microcreditmicro-lending companies have deducted any upfront fees in violation of relevant rules and regulations, the borrower will only need to repay the actual loan amount after the exclusion of the interests and fees deducted, and the loan’s interest rate shall be calculated accordingly; (v) microcreditmicro-lending companies shall conduct business in the administrative area at the county level where the company is domiciled in principle, except as otherwise provided for the operation of online microcreditmicro-lending business; and (vi) the microcreditmicro-lending companies and third-party loan collection agencies entrusted shall not collect loans by violence, threats of violence, or other ways that intentionally cause harm, infringe personal freedom, illegally occupy property, or interfere with day-to-day life through insulting, slandering, harassing, or disseminating private personal information, or other illegal methods. The local financial regulatory authorities may further lower the ratio caps in (i) and (ii) in accordance with regulatory requirements.

87

Table of Contents

On November 2, 2020, the CBIRCChina Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission and the PBOCPeople’s Bank of China published the Interim Measures for the Administration of Online Microcredit DraftMicro-Lending Business (Draft for Comments), adding new requirements on Online MicrocreditMicro-Lending Business. In particular, the Online Microcredit Draft,draft interim measures, among other things, strengthens the legal approval, license and access conditions of Online Microcredit Business.online micro-lending business. Pursuant to the Online Microcredit Draft,draft interim measures, to the extent a microcreditmicro-lending company engages in online microcreditmicro-lending business, the said business shall mainly be carried out within the provincial-level administrative region to which its place of registration belongs, and shall be not operateoperated beyond such region without the approval of the banking regulator under the State Council. The Online Microcredit Draft providesdraft interim measures provide the following requirements with respect to microcreditmicro-lending companies that engage in online microcreditmicro-lending business, including, without limitation,limitation; the registered capital of a microcreditmicro-lending company which engages in online microcreditmicro-lending business shall not be less than RMB1 billion and shall be paid in lump-sum in the form of cash, andcash; the registered capital of a microcreditmicro-lending company which engages in online microcreditmicro-lending business across provincial-level administrative regions shall not be less than RMB5 billion and shall be paid in lump-sum in the form of cash. Andcash; and the Online Microcredit Draftcapital contribution of a micro-lending company’s controlling shareholder shall not be higher than 35% of its net assets in the previous fiscal year. The draft interim measures also providesprovide that the controlling shareholder of a microcreditmicro-lending company which engages in online microcreditmicro-lending business shall have a good financial position and be profitable consecutively in the last two fiscal years while having cumulative tax liabilities of not less than RMB12 million (as per the standard of consolidated accounting statement). In addition, according to the Online Microcredit Draft, the samean investor, its related parties and persons acting in concert shall not be the major shareholders inof more than two microcreditmicro-lending companies engagingthat engage in online microcreditmicro-lending business across provincial level administrative regions, or hold controlling interests in more than one microcreditmicro-lending company engagingthat engage in online microcreditmicro-lending business across provincial-level administrative regions. Fuzhou Microcredit complies with such requirement.

100

Table of Contents

Fuzhou Microcredit has obtained the approval to operate microcredit businesses as issued by thefrom a competent supervising authority which allowsto operate online micro-lending business. Currently, Fuzhou Microcredit can conduct cross-province business with its valid license. As of the date of this annual report, the draft interim measures are yet to conduct microcredit businesses throughbe formally promulgated and adopted and it is uncertain when the internet. However,final regulations will be issued and take effect and how they will be enacted, interpreted and implemented. If the draft interim measures take effect in its current form, Fuzhou Microcredit may need to obtain the legal approval of the banking regulator under the State Council in order to engage in online micro-lending business across provincial-level administrative regions. As of the date of this annual report, Fuzhou Microcredit has increased its registered capital to RMB5 billion, which has been fully paid, to meet the requirements as stated in the draft interim measures and would proactively apply for the license to engage in online micro-lending business across provincial-level administrative regions when the relevant rules are officially formulated. If we fail to obtain the license to engage in online micro-lending business across provincial-level administrative regions, we may not be able to obtain sufficient funding to fulfill our future growth needs. As the regulatory regime and practice with respect to online microcreditmicro-lending companies are evolving, there is uncertainty as to how the requirements in the above rules will be interpreted and implemented and whether there will be new rules issued which would establish further requirements and restrictions on online microcreditmicro-lending companies. We will closely monitor the regulatory development and adjust our business operations from time to time to comply with laws and regulations applicable to us. See also “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—We are subject to uncertainties surrounding regulations and administrative measures of micro-lending business and financing guarantee business. If any of our business practices are deemed to be non-compliant with such laws and regulations, our business, financial condition and results of operations would be adversely affected.”

Regulations on Financing Guarantee

In March 2010, seven government authorities, including the CBRC, the MOFCOMMinistry of Commerce and the Ministry of Finance, or MOF promulgated the Interim Administrative Measures for Financing Guarantee Companies which requiresrequire an entity or individual to obtain a prior approval from the relevant government authorityauthorities before engaging in the financing guarantee business. Financing guarantee is defined as an activity whereby the guarantor and the creditor, such as a financial institution in the banking sector, agree that the guarantor shall bear the guarantee obligations in the event that the secured party fails to perform its financing debt owed to the creditor.

On August 2, 2017, the PRC State Council promulgated the Regulations on the Supervision and Administration of Financing Guarantee Companies, which became effective on October 1, 2017. These regulationsThe Regulations on the Supervision and Administration of Financing Guarantee Companies define “financing guarantee” as a guarantee provided for the debt financing, including, but not limited to the extension of loans or issuance of bonds, and set out that the establishment of a financing guarantee company or engagement in the financing guarantee business without approval may result in several penalties, including, but not limited to an order to cease business operation, confiscation of illegal gains, fines of up to RMB1,000,000 and criminal liabilities. These regulationsThe Regulations on financing guaranteethe Supervision and Administration of Financing Guarantee Companies also set forthprovide that the outstanding guarantee liabilities of a financing guarantee company shall not exceed ten times of its net assets, and that the ratio of the balance amount of outstanding guarantee liabilities of a financing guarantee company for the same guaranteed party shall not exceed 10%, while the ratio of the balance amount of outstanding guarantee liabilities of a financing guarantee company for the same guaranteed party and its affiliated parties shall not exceed 15%.

On October 9, 2019, nine government authorities including the CBIRC,China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission, the NDRCNational Commission of Development and Reform and the MIITMinistry of Industry and Information Technology  promulgated the Supplementary Provisions on the Supervision and Administration of Financing Guarantee Provisions,Companies, which, requiresas advised by our PRC legal counsel, for the first time, explicitly require that institutions providing services asof customer recommendation and credit assessment forto various lending institutions, including us as a Credit-Tech company, shall not provide, directly or in a disguised form, financing guarantee services without approval.the approvals of relevant government authorities. For the companies withoutthat do not have the relevant financing guarantee licenselicenses but actually engagingengage in the financing guarantee business, the regulatory authorities shall ceasesuspend such companies’ operationoperations and cause these companies to properly make settlement forsettle the existing business contracts.

On July 14, 2020, the CBIRCChina Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission issued the Guidelines for Off-Site Supervision of Financing Guarantee Companies, or the Off-Site Supervision Guidelines, which took effect on September 1, 2020. The Off-Site Supervision Guidelinesguidelines stipulate the guidelines for the competent regulatory authorities to continuouslycontinually analyze and evaluate the risk of financing guarantee companies and the financing guarantee industry, by way of collecting report data and other internal and external data of the financing guarantee companies and by carrying out corresponding measures. Pursuant to the Off-Site Supervision Guidelines,these guidelines, financing guarantee companies shall establish and implement an off-site supervision information report system and submit related data and non-data information in accordance with the requirements of the competent regulatory authorities. The Off-Site Supervision Guidelinesguidelines note that the corporate governance, internal control, risk management capabilities, guarantee business, associated guarantee risks, asset quality, liquidity indicators and investment conditions of financing guarantee companies shall be the key areas for thesubject to off-site supervision.supervisions.

88101

Table of Contents

Fuzhou Financing Guarantee, through which we provide the guarantee to our borrowers for the loans provided by our financial institution partners, has obtained the financing guarantee certificate granted by relevant government authority to conduct financing guarantee business in June 2018. Shanghai Financing Guarantee, through which we provide the guarantee to our borrowers for the loans provided by our financial institution partners, has obtained the financing guarantee certificate granted by competent government authorities to conduct financing guarantee business in January 2019.

On December 31, 2021, the PBOCPeople’s Bank of China issued the Regulations on Local Financial Supervision and Administration (Draft for Comments), which regulate all types of local financial organizations including financing guarantee companies. Pursuant to this draft,the regulations, local financial organizations are required to operate business within the area approved by the local financial regulatory authority, and are not allowed to conduct business across provinces in principle. The rules for cross-province business carried out by local financial organizations shall be formulated by the State Council or by the financial regulatory department of the State Council as authorized by the State Council. The financial regulatory department of the State Council will specify a transition period for local financial organizations that have carried out businesses across provincial administrative regions to maintain compliance.

AlthoughFuzhou Financing Guarantee, through which we provide guarantee services to our Credit-Tech platform neither collects guarantee fees from our institutional fundingfinancial institution partners, nor take providing guarantees as our main operating business, our platform may be deemed to operatehas obtained the financing guarantee business and violate the Supplementary Financing Guarantee Provisionscertificate granted by the PRC regulatorycompetent government authorities since some of our PRC subsidiaries without the relevant financing guarantee license provided guarantees or other credit enhancement services to some of our institutional funding partners. Currently, we provide back-to-back guarantees for external guarantee companies. However, given the lack of further interpretations, the exact definition and scope of “providingconduct financing guarantee business in a disguised form” under the SupplementaryJune 2018. Shanghai Financing Guarantee Provisions is unclear, therefore(before its financing guarantee license was canceled upon its voluntary application), through which we cannot be certain thatprovide guarantee services to our new model will not be determinedfinancial institution partners, obtained the financing guarantee certificate granted by competent government authorities to violate the Supplementaryconduct financing guarantee business in January 2019. Shanghai Financing Guarantee Provisions.has applied, and permission has been granted by the PRC authority, to have its financing guarantee certificate canceled, and such certificate has been returned to the PRC authority for cancellation.

If the Regulations on Local Financial Supervision and Administration (Draft for Comments) were to be adopted in its current form, Fuzhou Financing Guarantee may need to obtain the legal approval of the financial regulatory department of the State Council in order to engage in Financing Guarantee business across provincial-level administrative regions. However, given the Regulations on Local Financial Supervision and Administration (Draft for Comments) have not come into effect as of the date of this annual report, there are uncertainties as to their interpretation, application and enforcement. We will closely monitor the legislative process, seek guidance from regulatory authorities and take applicable measures in a timely manner to ensure our compliance with laws and regulations applicable to us. See also “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—The Credit-Tech industry is rapidly evolving, which makes it difficultWe are subject to effectively assessuncertainties surrounding regulations and administrative measures of micro-lending business and financing guarantee business. If any of our future prospects.business practices are deemed to be non-compliant with such laws and regulations, our business, financial condition and results of operations would be adversely affected.

102

Table of Contents

Regulations On Credit Reporting Business

The PRC government has adopted several regulations governing personal and enterprise credit reporting businesses. These regulations include the Regulation for the Administration of Credit Reporting Industry, enacted by the State Council and effective in March 2013, and the Management Rules on Credit Agencies, issued by the PBOC,People’s Bank of China, in the same year.

The Regulation for the Administration of Credit Reporting Industry defines “credit reporting business” and “credit reporting agency” for the first time. According to the Regulation for the Administration of Credit Reporting Industry, “credit reporting business” means the activities of collecting, organizing, storing and processing “credit-related information” of individuals and enterprises, as well as providing such information to others, and a “credit reporting agency” refers to a duly established agency whose primary business is credit reporting. Besides, the Regulation for the Administration of Credit Reporting Industry and the Management Rules on Credit Agencies stipulate that the establishment of a credit reporting agency to engage in individual credit reporting business shall be subject to the approval of the PBOC,People’s Bank of China, and the requirements for such establishment. TheSuch requirements for such establishment include: (1) its(i) the credit reporting agency’s major shareholders shall have a good reputation and do not have any record of major violation of law or non-compliance in the past three years; (2) its(ii) the credit reporting agency’s registered capital shall not be less than RMB50 million; (3) it has(iii) the credit reporting agency shall have facilities, equipment, systems and measures in place for the protection of information security which comply with the provisions of the PBOC; (4)People’s Bank of China; (iv) the candidates for itsthe credit reporting agency’s director, supervisor and senior management positions shall be familiar with laws and regulations relating to credit reporting business, shall possess the work experience and management capabilities in the credit reporting business required for performance of their duties, shall not have any record of major violation or non-compliance during the past three years, and shall have obtained the appointment qualifications approved by the PBOC; (5) it hasPeople’s Bank of China; (v) the credit reporting agency shall have a proper organizational structure; (6) it has(vi) the credit reporting agency shall have proper internal control systems for, among others, business operation, information security management and compliance management; (7) its(vii) the credit reporting agency’s individual credit information system shall satisfy the standard of National Information System Security Level Protection Level 2 or above; and (8) it satisfies(viii) the credit reporting agency shall satisfy any other prudential requirements of the PBOC.People’s Bank of China. Establishment of a credit reporting agency to engage in enterprise credit reporting business shall complete filing with the responsible branch of the People’s Bank of China. To complete the filing, a company must submit to the People’s Bank of China (i) its business license; (ii) an explanation on equity structure and organization structure; (iii) a description of its scope of business, business rules and basic information on business system; and (iv) its information security and risk prevention measures. Entities engaged in individualindividual/enterprise credit reporting business without such approvalapproval/completing filing formality may be subject to penalties, including suspension of business, confiscation of revenues related to individual credit reporting business, fines of RMB50,000 to RMB500,000fine or criminal liabilities.

Given that the PBOCPeople’s Bank of China is a subordinate authority under the State Council, the Management Rules on Credit Agencies enacted by the PBOCPeople’s Bank of China is based on the Regulation for the Administration of Credit Reporting Industry, and further details the rules with respect to the administration for credit reporting agencies, including rules to establish, change and deregister a credit reporting agency and the rules for the daily operation of a credit reporting agency.

89

Table of Contents

On September 27, 2021, the PBOCPeople’s Bank of China issued the Administrative Measures for Credit Reporting Business, or the Credit Reporting Measures, which took effecteffective on January 1, 2022. The Credit Reporting Measures definesmeasures define “credit information” to include “basic information, borrowing and lending information and other relevant information collected pursuant to the law to provide services for financial and other activities for identifying and judging the credit standing of businesses and individuals, as well as analysis and evaluation formed based on the aforesaid information.”. It applies They apply to entities that carry out credit reporting business and “activities relating to credit reporting business” in China. Separately, entities providing “credit“services with credit reporting function services”function” in the name of “credit information service, credit service, credit evaluation, credit rating, credit repair and other services” are also subject to the Credit Reporting Measures. The Credit Reporting Measure requiresmeasures require that whoever engages in personal credit investigationreporting business shall obtain permit from the PBOC’sPeople’s Bank of China’s personal credit reporting agency and whoever engages in enterprise credit reporting business shall complete filing formalities pursuant to the law; whoever engages in business credit investigation business shall complete filings as a business credit reporting agency pursuant to the law;and whoever engages in credit rating business shall complete filings as a credit rating agency pursuant to the law. The Credit Reporting Measures providesprovide rules on credit reporting business and credit reporting agencies, including that (i) the credit reporting agencies shall collect credit information following the “minimum and necessary” principle and must not collect, compile, store and process credit information by unlawful means, and must not alter original data, (ii) information user shall not abuse credit information, and the credit reporting agencies shall comply with relevant business rules when they provide credit information for credit inquiry, credit evaluation, credit rating and anti-fraud services, (iii) credit reporting agencies shall take measures to ensure the credit information security, and establish an emergency and report system for incidents, and (iv) credit reporting agencies shall comply with related laws and regulations when providing credit information to overseas, and (v) information processors who collaborate with credit reporting agencies shall enter into cooperation agreements and file such cooperation agreements with the PBOC or its provincial counterparts. Credit Reporting Measuresoverseas. The measures provide an 18-month grace period from itstheir effectiveness date for organizations that engage in credit investigationreporting business to obtain the credit reporting business license and comply with its other provisions.

We have taken various measures to help navigate through the uncertainty103

Table of the rule making process ofContents

In addition, on July 7, 2021, the Credit Reporting Measures. We are inInformation System Bureau of People’s Bank of China further issued the process of formulating plansNotice Relating to diversify our cooperation withDisconnecting Direct Connection to 13 internet platforms including us, requiring the licensed credit reporting institutions, whereby we are ableinternet platforms to maintain compliance with the requirement with respect to disconnection ofachieve a complete “disconnected direct connection with financial institutionsconnection” in terms of personal information with financial institutions, meaning that the direct flow of personal information from internet platforms that collect such information to financial institutions is prohibited.

Historically, in order to serve our users, after users’ authorizations, we collected certain basic information and other necessary information of users for preliminary fraud detection and user credit assessment, and then recommended the prospective borrowers’ profiles to our financial institution partners to assist them to make their final risk assessment and credit decision independently. Pursuant to the Credit Reporting Measures and the Notice Relating to Disconnecting Direct Connection, the abovementioned operations may be deemed as operations of credit reporting business. To ensure compliance, we have involved two licensed credit reporting institutions and have substantially completed our business adjustments with respect to disconnecting direct connection for credit reporting as of the date of this annual report. In particular, we have entered into collaboration agreements with two licensed credit reporting institutions to ensure the flow of personal information complies with the requirements of the Credit Reporting Measures and the Notice Relating to Disconnecting Direct Connection. We will closely monitor the regulatory requirements, seek guidance from regulatory authorities and take applicable measures in a timely manner to ensure our compliance with laws and regulations applicable to us.

Regulations on Consumer Protections

The Law on Protection of Consumers’ Rights and Interests of the PRC, or the Consumer Protection Law, which was promulgated by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress on October 31, 1993 and last amended on October 25, 2013 and effective from March 15, 2014, sets out the obligations of business operators and the rights and interests of the consumers. Business operators must guarantee the quality, function, usage and term of validity of the goods or services they sell or provide. The consumers whose interests have been damaged due to their purchase of goods or acceptance of services on online platforms may claim damages from the sellers or service providers. Online platform operators may be subject to liabilities if the lawful rights and interests of consumers are infringed in connection with consumers’ purchase of goods or acceptance of services on online platforms, and the platform operators fail to provide consumers with authentic contact information of the sellers or service providers. In addition, platform operators may be jointly and severally liable with the sellers and service providers if they are aware or should be aware that the sellers or the service providers are using the online platform to infringe upon the lawful rights and interests of consumers and fail to take measures necessary to prevent or stop this activity. The Consumer Protection Law also provides principles of legality, appropriateness and necessity for collecting or using consumers’ personal data. In particular, businesses operators should disclose the purposes, methods and scopes of collecting and using personal data and obtain consumers’ consent. Business operators should also disclose the terms for its data collection and use and should not collect or use information in violation of laws, regulations or agreements with consumers. Businesses operators should maintain confidentiality of the personal data collected from consumers and should not leak or sell personal data and should not provide personal data in violation of laws to third parties. They should also adopt technical and other necessary measures to ensure security of personal data, and to safeguard against information leak and loss. In case of information leak or loss, remedial measures should be taken by the business operators.

On December 26, 2022, the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission issued the Measures for the Administration of the Protection of Consumer Rights and Interests by Banking and Insurance Institutions, which came into effect on March 1, 2023. These measures mainly require banking and insurance institutions to establish and improve systems and mechanisms for the protection of consumers’ rights and interests, including mechanisms for review, disclosure, consumer appropriateness management, traceability of sales practices, protection of consumers’ information, list-based management of partners and complaint processing, among others. These measures further require banking and insurance institutions: (i) to establish a list-based management mechanism for their partners, set the access and exit standards for partners for cooperation matters involving consumers’ rights and interests, and strengthen the continuous management of partners. The cooperation agreement shall specify the responsibilities and obligations of both parties concerning the protection of consumers’ rights and interests, including, but not limited to information security control, service price management, service continuity, information disclosure, dispute resolution mechanism, assumption of liability for breaches of contract and emergency response; (ii) not to allow a third-party partner to promote or sell products and services to consumers in the name of the banking or insurance institution at its business outlets or on the one hand, and enhance risk management and data insights,network platforms that it operates itself; (iii) to handle the personal information of consumers together with their partners on the basis of the authorization and consent of consumers, and the cooperation agreement shall stipulate clauses on data protection responsibility, confidentiality obligation, default liability, contract termination and emergency response; and (iv) to urge and regulate the Internet platform enterprises cooperating with them to protect the personal information of consumers effectively, and the personal information of consumers shall not be transmitted between different platforms without the consent of consumers, unless otherwise stipulated by laws and regulations. There are uncertainties with respect to the application and enforcement of the newly published measures. We will closely monitor the regulatory development and adjust our business operations from time to time to comply with the regulations over the course of our cooperation with banking institutions.

104

Table of Contents

On March 15, 2024, the State Council promulgated the Implementation Regulations on the PRC Consumer Rights and Interests Protection Law, which will take effect on July 1, 2024. These implementation regulations refine and supplement the provisions on operator obligations, and improve the provisions related to the online consumption. For example, (i) operators shall not use standard clauses to unreasonably exempt or reduce their liabilities, aggravate consumers’ liabilities, or restrict consumers’ rights to change or terminate contracts in accordance with the law, choose litigation or arbitration to resolve disputes, or choose goods or services from other hand.operators; (ii) operators shall not excessively collect consumers’ personal information, and shall not force or covertly force consumers to consent to the collection and use of personal information that is not directly related to business activities by means of a general authorization, default authorization, or other methods; (iii) without the consent of consumers, operators shall not send commercial information or make commercial phone calls to consumers; if consumers agree to receive such information or calls, operators shall provide clear and convenient cancellation methods; if consumers choose to cancel, operators shall immediately stop sending such information or making such calls; and (iv) operators shall use an easy-to-understand method to provide consumers with information related to goods or services truly and comprehensively, and shall not set different prices or charging standards for the same goods or services under the same conditions without the knowledge of consumers.

Regulations on Issuances of Asset-Backed Securities

According to the Administrative Measures on Asset Securitization of Securities Companies and Subsidiaries of Fund Management Companies and their supportive documents, Guidelines for Securities Companies and Subsidiaries of Fund Management Companies on Asset Securitization and Guidelines for Securities Companies and Subsidiaries of Fund Management Companies on Due Diligence for Asset Securitization all of which were adopted by the CSRC on November 19, 2014, asset securitization shall mean business activities of issuance of asset-backed securities paid and supported by cash flows generated by the underlying assets, and credit enhancement through structuring, among others. Underlying assets broadly refer to property rights such as an enterprise’s accounts receivable, creditor’s rights under a lease, credit assets and beneficial rights to a trust, immovable property or usufruct such as infrastructure and commercial properties, and other properties or property rights recognized by the CSRC. The assets of the ABS plan shall be placed under custody of a commercial bank with the appropriate business qualifications, or an asset custodian organization recognized by the CSRC. The issuer (originator) shall not encroach upon or cause damage to the underlying assets, and shall perform the following duties: (i) transfer underlying assets pursuant to the provisions of laws, administrative regulations, the company’s articles of association and the relevant agreement; (ii) cooperate with and support performance of duties by the manager, custodian and any other organization providing services for asset securitization; and (iii) any other duties agreed in the legal documents of the ABS plan.

Regulations on Anti-Money Laundering

The PRC Anti-Money Laundering Law, which was issued by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, or the NPC Standing Committee, in October, 2006 and became effective in January 2007, sets forth the principal anti-money laundering requirements applicable to financial institutions as well as nonfinancialnon-financial institutions with anti-money laundering obligations, including the adoption of precautionary and supervisory measures, the establishment of various systems for client identification, the retention of clients’ identification information and transactions records, and the reporting obligation on material transactions and suspicious transactions. The PBOCPeople’s Bank of China and other government authorities issued a series of administrative rules and regulations to specify the anti-money laundering obligations of financial institutions and certain non-financial institutions. However, PRC State Council has not promulgated the list of the non-financial institutions with anti-money laundering obligations.

The Fintech Guidelines as defined previously,on Promoting the Healthy Growth of Internet Finance clarify, among other things, internet financial service provider requirements to comply with certain anti-money laundering provisions, including the establishment of a customer identification program, the monitoring and reporting of suspicious transactions, the preservation of customer information and transaction records, and the provision of assistance to the public security department and judicial authority in investigations and proceedings in relation to anti-money laundering matters. The PBOCPeople’s Bank of China will formulate implementing rules to further specify the anti-money laundering obligations of internet financial service providers. On October 10, 2018, the PBOC, CBIRCPeople’s Bank of China, the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission and the CSRC jointly promulgated the Administrative Measures for Anti-money Laundering and Counter-terrorism Financing by Internet Finance Service Agencies (for Trial Implementation), effective as of January 1, 2019, which specify the anti-money laundering obligations of internet finance service agencies and regulate that the internet finance service agencies (i) shall adopt continuous customer identification measures; (ii) shall implement the system for reporting large-value or suspicious transactions; (iii) shall conduct real-time monitoring of the lists of terrorist organizations and terrorists; and (iv) shall properly keep the information, data and materials such as customer identification and transaction reports, etc.among others.

105

Table of Contents

Pursuant with the aforementioned regulations, we have implemented various policies and procedures, such as internal controls and “know-your-customer” procedures, for anti-money laundering purposes. However, our policies and procedures may not be completely effective in preventing other parties from using us for money laundering without our knowledge. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—If our financial institution partners fail to comply with applicable anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing laws and regulations, our business and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.”

90

Table of Contents

Regulations on Anti-monopoly

The Anti-Monopoly Law promulgated by the SCNPCStanding Committee of the National People’s Congress on August 30, 2007, which became effective on August 1, 2008 and was amended on June 24, 2022, and the Interim Provisions on the Review of Concentrations of Undertakings promulgated by the SAMR on October 23, 2020,March 10, 2023, which became effective on December 1, 2020,April 15, 2023 require that transactions which are deemed concentrations and involve parties with specified turnover thresholds must be cleared by the SAMR before they can be completed. Where the participation in concentration of undertakings by way of foreign-funded merger and acquisition of domestic enterprises or any other method which involves national security, the examination of concentration of undertakings shall be carried out pursuant to the provisions of this law and examination of national security shall be carried out pursuant to the relevant provisions of the State. On October 23, 2021, the SCNPC published for public comment theThe revised Anti-monopoly Law (Revised Draft), which provides, among others, that the market regulation department of the State Council shall be responsible for anti-monopoly law enforcement, and that business operators shall not abuseuse data, algorithms, technology, capital advantages and platform rules to exclude or limit competition. The draftcompetition, and also requires relevant government authorities to strengthen the examination of concentration of undertakings in areas such as finance, media, sciencerelated to national welfare and technology,people’s well-being, and enhances penalties for violation of the regulations regarding concentration of undertakings.

On February 7, 2021, the Anti-monopoly Commission of the State Council issued the Anti-Monopoly Guidelines for the Internet Platform Economy Sector, which specifies that any concentration of undertakings involving variable interest entities (VIE structure) shall fall within the scope of anti-monopoly review. If a concentration of undertakings meets the criteria for declaration as stipulated by the State Council, an operator shall report such concentration of undertakings to the anti-monopoly law enforcement agency under the State Council in advance.

Regulations on Information Security and Privacy Protection

In recent years, PRC government authorities have enacted laws and regulations on internet use to protect personal information from any unauthorized disclosure. Under the Several Provisions on Regulating the Market Order of Internet Information Services, issued by the MIITMinistry of Industry and Information Technology in December 2011 and effective as of March 2012, an internet information service provider may not collect any user personal information or provide any such information to third parties without the specific consent of the user. An internet information service provider must expressly inform the users of the method, content and purpose of the collection and processing of such user personal information, and may only collect such information necessary for the provision of its services.

In addition, pursuant to the Decision on Strengthening the Protection of Online Information issued by the NPC Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress in December 2012, which seeks to enhance the legal protection of information security and privacy on the internet, and the Order for the Protection of Telecommunication and Internet User Personal Information issued by the MIITMinistry of Industry and Information Technology in July 2013, which regulates the collection and use of users’ personal information in the provision of telecommunications services and internet information services in China, any collection and use of user personal information must be subject to the consent of the user, abide by the principles of legality, rationality and necessity and be within the specified purposes, methods and scopes.

The State Internet Information Office issued the Administrative Provisions on Mobile Internet App Information Services in June 2016, effective as ofon August 2016 and amended on June 14, 2022, to implement the regulations of the mobile app information services. Pursuant to such Provisions, a mobile internet app program providerThe provisions regulate the APP information service providers and the Internet application store service providers, while the CAC and local offices of cyberspace administration shall strictlybe responsible for the supervision and administration of nationwide or local APP information respectively. The APP information service providers shall acquire qualifications required by laws and regulations and implement the information security management rules, including, but not limited to (i) verifying a user’s mobile phone number, (ii) establishingresponsibilities strictly and improvingfulfill their obligations provided by the mechanism for the protection of users’ information, and (iii) protecting users’ right to know and to make choices when users are installing or using such apps. Meanwhile, collecting a user’s geographical location information, accessing user’s contact list and activating the camera or recorder of the user’s mobile smart device are prohibited unless the user has been notified and the user’s consent has been obtained.provisions.

In addition, the Fintech Guidelines on Promoting the Healthy Growth of Internet Finance require internet financial service providers, including Credit-Tech service providers, among other things, to improve technology security standards, and safeguard customer and transaction information; theyinformation. They also prohibit Credit-Tech service providers from illegally selling or disclosing customers’ personal information. The PBOCPeople’s Bank of China and other relevant regulatory authorities will jointly adopt the implementing rules and technology security standards.

106

Table of Contents

Pursuant to the Ninth Amendment to the Criminal Law issued by NPCthe Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, effective as of November 2015, any internet service provider that fails to fulfill the obligations related to internet information security administration as required by applicable laws and refuses to rectify upon administrative orders is subject to criminal penalty as a result of (i) any dissemination of illegal information on a large scale; (ii) any severe effect due to the leakage of customers’ information; (iii) any serious loss of criminal evidence; or (iv) other severe situation. Moreover.Moreover, any individual or entity that (i) sells or provides personal information to others in a way that violates applicable law, or (ii) steals or illegally obtains any personal information, is subject to criminal liabilities in severe situations.

91

Table of Contents

The Network Security Law is formulated to maintain network security, safeguard cyberspace sovereignty, national security and public interest, protect the lawful rights and interests of citizens, legal persons and other organizations, and requires that a network operator, which includes, among others, Internet information services providers, to take technical measures and other necessary measures in accordance with the provisions of applicable laws and regulations as well as the compulsory requirements of the national and industrial standards to safeguard the safe and stable operation of the networks, effectively respond to the network security incidents, prevent illegal and criminal activities, and maintain the integrity, confidentiality and availability of network data. The Network Security Law emphasizes that any individual and organization that uses networks is required to comply with the PRC Constitution and laws, abide by public order and cannot endanger network security or make use of networks to engage in unlawful activities such as endangering national security, economic order and social order, and infringing the reputation, privacy, intellectual property rights and other lawful rights and interests of other people. The Network Security Law reaffirms the basic principles and requirements as specified in other existing laws and regulations on personal information protections, such as the requirements on the collection, use, processing, storage and disclosure of personal information, and internet service providers being required to take technical and other necessary measures to ensure the security of the personal information they have collected and prevent personal information from being divulged, damaged or lost. Any violation of the provisions and requirements under the Network Security Law may subject the Internet service provider to warnings, fines, confiscation of illegal gains, revocation of licenses, cancellationcancelation of filings, closedown of websites or even criminal liabilities.

On December 29, 2017, the Information Security Technology Personal Information Security Specification (GB/T 35273-2017), or the Specification, was issued by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the PRC and the Standardization Administration and is replaced by the 2020 Specification issued by the SAMR and the Standardization Administration jointly, which came into effect on October 1, 2020. Pursuant to the Specification,specification, product and service providers should take technical and other necessary measures to ensure the safety of personal information, clearly demonstrate the purpose, approaches and scope of processing of the personal information to the individual and obtain the requisite authorization. In addition, according to the 2020 Specification, the original personal biometric information should not, in principle, be stored and, in any event, should be stored separately from personal identity information. It further requires that the privacy policy disclose the scope and rules of personal information collection and use by the personal information controller, which should not be regarded as a contract signed by the subject of personal information.

On January 23, 2019, the Office of the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission, the MPS,Ministry of Public Security, the SAMR and the MIITMinistry of Industry and Information Technology  jointly issued the Announcement of Launching Special Crackdown Against Illegal Collection and Use of Personal Information by Apps. According to the Announcement,announcement, from January to December 2019, the four aforementioned authorities would conduct a national widenationwide crackdown on the illegal collection and use of personal information. App operators shall strictly fulfill their obligations pursuant to the Cybersecurity Law of the PRC when collecting and using personal information, and shall be responsible for the security of personal information obtained and take effective measures to strengthen personal information protection. The App operators shall follow the principles of lawfulness, legitimacy and necessity, refrain from collecting personal information that is not related to the services provided; when collecting personal information, shall display the rules for the collection and use of personal information in an easy-to-understand, simple and clear manner, and personal information subjects shall independently choose consents; app operators shall not force users to provide authorization through the use of default setting, bundling and stopping installation and use, etc.,among others, and may not collect personal information in violation of laws and regulations or against the agreements with users. App operators are asked to provide users with the options of refusing to receive targeted pushes when app operators push news, current affairs and advertisements to targeted users.

On March 13, 2019, the SAMR and the Office of the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission jointly issued the Announcement on Launching the Security Certification of Apps, which encourages app operators to voluntarily pass the security certification of apps, and encourages operators of search engines and app stores to clearly identify and give priority to recommending those certified Apps. On November 28, 2019, the CAC and other three authorities jointly issued the Announcement on Identification Method of App Collecting and Using Personal Information in Violation of Laws and Regulations, which provides further guidance for determining conduct that qualifies as the unlawful collection and usage of personal information via Apps.

107

Table of Contents

On April 10, 2019, the Ministry of Public Security issued the Guide for Internet Personal Information Security Protection, which sets out the management mechanism, security technical measures and business processes for personal information security protection. This Guide is applicable to personal information holders in carrying out their security protection work during personal information life cycle processing. It is applicable to enterprises that provide services through the Internet, as well as to organizations or individuals who use a private or non-networked environment to control and process personal information.

92

Table of Contents

On February 13, 2020, the People’s Bank of China issued the Personal Financial Information Protection Technical Specification, which is an industry standard, specifying the security protection requirements for all aspects of personal financial information life cycle processing, including collection, transmission, storage, use, deletion and destruction. This standard is applicable to institutions in the financial industry institutions in the provision of financial products and services, and also provides guidance for security assessment agencies in conducting security inspections and assessments. Based on the potential impact caused by unauthorized viewing or unauthorized change of financial information, this standard classifies personal financial information into three categories of C3, C2, and C1 from high to low sensitivity, and different requirements apply to information classified under different categories.

On March 12, 2021, the CAC, MIIT,Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Public Security together withand the SAMR promulgated the Provisions on the Scope of Necessary Personal Information Required for Common Types of Mobile Internet Applications, which became effective on May 1, 2021. The provisionsProvisions on the Scope of Necessary Personal Information Required for Common Types of Mobile Internet Applications clarify the scope of necessary information required for certain common types of mobile apps and stipulate that mobile app operators shall not deny users’ access to basic functions and services of the app in the event that the users disagree with collection of unnecessary personal information.

On June 10, 2021, the NPC Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress promulgated the Data Security Law of the PRC, which came into effect on September 1, 2021. The Data Security Lawlaw introduces a data classification and hierarchical protection system based on the materiality of data in economic and social development, as well as the degree of harm to national security, public interests, or legitimate rights and interests of persons or entities if such data is tampered with, destroyed, divulged, or illegally acquired or used. It also provides for a security review procedure for the data activities that may affect national security. Violation of the Data Security Lawlaw may subject the relevant entities or individuals to warnings, fines, suspension of operations, revocation of permits or business licenses, or even criminal liabilities.

On August 20, 2021, the NPC Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress promulgated the Personal Information Protection Law of the PRC, which became effective on November 1, 2021. The Personal Information Protection Law stipulates certain important concepts with respect to personal information processing, including that: (i) “personal information” refers to all kinds of information relating to identified or identifiable natural persons recorded by electronic or other channel and methods, excluding information processed anonymously; (ii) “processing of personal information” includes the collection, storage, use, processing, transmission, provision, disclosure and deletion etc. of personal information; and (iii) “personal information processor” refers to an organization or individual that independently determines the purpose and method of processing personal information. Except as otherwise provided in the Personal Information Protection Law, a personal information processor may only process personal information under the circumstances where the relevant individuals’ consents have been obtained or where certain contractual arrangements, employment relationships, public emergencies, performance of statutory duties or obligations or publishing of press release for public interests so require.

108

Table of Contents

On September 17, 2021, the CAC, together with eight other government authorities, jointly issued the Guidelines on Strengthening the Comprehensive Regulation of Algorithms for Internet Information Services. On December 31, 2021, the CAC, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology , the Ministry of Public Security and the SAMR jointly promulgated the Administrative Provisions on Internet Information Service Algorithm-Based Recommendation, which took effect on March 1, 2022. The Administrative Provisions on Internet Information Service Algorithm-Based Recommendation, among others, (i) implement classification and hierarchical management for algorithm-based recommendation service providers based on various criteria, (ii) require algorithm-based recommendation service providers to inform users of their provision of algorithm-based recommendation services in a conspicuous manner, and publicize the basic principles, purpose intentions, and main operating mechanisms of algorithm-based recommendation services in an appropriate manner, and (iii) require such service providers to provide users with options that are not specific to their personal profiles, or convenient options to cancel algorithmic recommendation services. On November 25, 2022, the CAC passed the Provisions on the Administration of Deep Synthesis of Internet-based Information Services, which were released after being approved by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Ministry of Public Security, and came into force on January 10, 2023. The provisions require deep synthesis service providers to fulfill their principal responsibilities for information security, establish and improve management systems for, among other things, user registration, algorithm mechanism review, scientific and technological ethics review, information release review, data security, personal information protection, combating telecom and online fraud, and emergency response, and have safe and controllable technical support measures. The provisions enumerate the obligations of many deep synthesis service providers, such as formulating and disclosing management rules and platform conventions, authenticating deep synthesis service users’ real identity information, adopting technical or manual methods to examine the input data and synthesizing results of deep synthesis service users, establishing and improving a rumor-refuting mechanism, setting up convenient portals for user complaints and public complaints, and taking technical measures to add signs that do not affect users’ use to information generated or edited using their services. On July 10, 2023, the CAC, the National Commission of Development and Reform, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology , the Ministry of Public Security and the National Radio and Television Administration issued the Provisional Measures for the Administration of Generative Artificial Intelligence Services, which became effective on August 15, 2023. The provisional measures define the generative artificial intelligence technologies as the models and related technologies that can generate text, pictures, audio, video and other contents. Pursuant to the provisional measures, generative AI service providers shall (i) carry out pre-training, optimization training, and other training data processing activities in accordance with the law; (ii) use data and underlying models sourced from legitimate sources; (iii) not infringe upon the intellectual property rights involved that are owned by others in accordance with the law; (iv) where personal information is involved, obtain the consent of the personal information subject or take other actions in reliance on other laws or administrative regulations; (v) employ effective measures to improve the quality of training data and to enhance the authenticity, accuracy, objectivity, and diversity of training data; and (vi) comply with other relevant provisions of laws and administrative regulations such as the Cybersecurity Law of the PRC, the Data Security Law of the PRC and the Personal Information Protection Law of the PRC, as well as the regulatory requirements of relevant authorities. In addition, for the provision of generative artificial intelligence services that have public opinion attributes or social mobilization capabilities, safety evaluation shall be carried out in accordance with the regulations, and the procedures for algorithm filing, or modification or cancellation of filing shall be performed in accordance with the Provisions on the Administration of Algorithmic Recommendations for Internet Information Services.

On April 13, 2020, the Measures on Cybersecurity Review were issued, which took effect on June 1, 2020. They provide detailed rules regarding cyber security review, and further provide that any operator found in violation of the Measures shallmeasures will be penalized in accordance with Article 65 of the Cybersecurity Law.Law of the PRC. The Measuresmeasures for Cybersecurity Review (2021 Revision), which came into effect on February 15, 2022, provide that, to ensure the security of the supply chain of critical information infrastructure and safeguard national security, a cybersecurity review is required when national security has been or may be affected where critical information infrastructure operators purchase network product or service and network platform operators process data. When an operator in possession of personal information of over one million users applies for a listing abroad, it must apply to the CAC for a cybersecurity review. These measures further elaborate the factors to be considered when assessing national security risks, including, among others, (i) the risks of illegal control, interference or destruction of critical information infrastructure brought about by the use of products and services; (ii) the harm caused by supply interruption of products and services to the business continuity of critical information infrastructure; (iii) security, openness, transparency and diversity of sources of products and services, reliability of supply channels, and risks of supply interruption due to political, diplomatic, trade or other factors; (iv) information on compliance with Chinese laws, administrative regulations and departmental rules by product and service providers; (v) risks of theft, disclosure, damage, illegal use or cross-border transfer of core data, important data or large amounts of personal information; (vi) risks of influence, control or malicious use of critical information infrastructure, core data, important data or large amounts of personal information by foreign governments after listing on a foreign stock exchange; and (vii) other factors that may endanger critical information infrastructure security and national data security.

109

Table of Contents

On October 29, 2021,July 7, 2022, the CAC published Draft Outbound Data Transfer Security Assessment Measures that took effect on September 1, 2022 and outline the potential security assessment process for outbound data transfer. Under the October 2021 version of the Draft Outbound Data Transfer Security Assessment Measures, data processors that provide important data and personal information outbound data that are collected or produced through operations within the territory of the PRC, or personal information where a security assessment shall be conducted according to the law, shall conduct a security assessment accordingapply to the provisions of these Measures. Under the October 2021 version of the Draft Outbound Data Transfer Security Assessment Measures, data processors providing outbound data shall apply for outbound data transfer security assessment with the Cyberspace AdministrationCAC in any of the following circumstances: (i) when personal information andwhere a data processor provides important data are collected and produced byabroad; (ii) where a critical information infrastructure operators; (ii) when the outbound data transferred contains important data; (iii) when personal information processors with over one million users’ personal information under processing transfer personal information outbound; (iv) when theoperator or a data processor has cumulatively transferredprocessing the personal information of more than one million individuals provides personal information abroad; (iii) where a data processor has provided personal information of 100,000 users outboundindividuals or has transferred sensitive personal information of more than 10,000 users outbound; or (v) underindividuals in total abroad since January 1 of the previous year; and (iv) other circumstances thatprescribed by the CAC determines to be necessary.for which declaration for security assessment for outbound data transfers is required. The October 2021 version of the Draft Outbound Data Transfer Security Assessment Measures also provide procedures for security assessment and submissions, important factors to be considered in conducting assessment, and legal liabilities of a data processor for failure to apply for assessment.

93

Table In addition, on February 22, 2023, the CAC promulgated Measures for the Standard Contract for Outbound Transfer of ContentsPersonal Information, which came into effect on June 1, 2023. Pursuant to the measures, personal information processor transferring personal information abroad shall conclude a standard contract if all the following conditions are met: (i) the data processor who intends to transfer personal information abroad is not a critical information infrastructure operator; (ii) the data processor processes personal information of less than one million individuals; (iii) the data processor has cumulatively transferred abroad the personal information of less than 100,000 individuals since January 1 of the previous year; and (iv) the data processor has cumulatively transferred abroad the sensitive personal information of less than 10,000 individuals since January 1 of the previous year. On March 22, 2024, the CAC promulgated the Regulations on Promoting and Regulating Cross-border Data Flow, which further clarified the implementation and connection of the existing data outbound security assessment, personal information cross-border standard contract and personal information protection certification regarding data outbound activities. The regulations, among other things, provide relaxed conditions for cross-border data flow and narrowed scope of security assessment for data outbound activities. Among them, the two types of data outbound activity conditions that should be reported for data outbound security assessment are (i) the operator of critical information infrastructure provides personal information or important data overseas and (ii) data processors other than critical information infrastructure operators provide important data overseas, or provide personal information of more than 1 million people (excluding sensitive personal information) or more than 10,000 sensitive personal information overseas since January 1 of the year.

On November 14, 2021, the CAC released the DraftMeasures of Regulations on the Network Data Security. TheseSecurity Administration (Draft for Comments). The draft regulations definemeasures defines “data processors” as individuals or organizations that autonomously determine the purpose and the manner of data processing. The draft regulations setsets forth general guidelines, protection of personal information, security of important data, security management of cross-border data transfer, obligations of internet platform operators, supervision and management, and legal liabilities. Pursuant to suchthe draft, regulations, a cybersecurity review will be imposed on a data processor that (i) processes personal information of one million or more users and applies for listing in a foreign country; (ii) merger, reorganization or division of internet platform operators that have acquired a large number of data resources related to national security, economic development or public interests affects or may affect national security; (iii) applies for listing in Hong Kong and may impact national security, or (iv) engages in activities or transactions that may impact national security. Moreover, under such draft regulations, data processors dealing with important data or listing offshore should carry out an annual data security assessment and data security services before January 31 of each year. Under suchthis draft, regulations, data security assessment reports for the previous year shall be submitted to the municipal-level cyberspace administration department by January 31 of the following year.

On February 6, 2023, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology  promulgated the Notice on Further Improving the Service Capabilities of Mobile Internet Applications, effective on the same date. The notice stipulates that users shall be informed of personal information processing rules in a concise, clear and easy-to-understand way, and in case of changes, users shall be informed of the latest development in time. The data processors shall highlight the purpose, method and scope of sensitive personal information processing activities, and establish a list of personal information that has been collected, and should not induce users to agree to personal information processing rules with default check, small prints or lengthy texts.

On July 21, 2023, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued the Notice on Carrying out the Filing of Mobile Internet Applications, requiring App operators engaging in Internet information services within the territory of the PRC to complete filing procedures in accordance with the Anti-Telecommunications Network Fraud Law of the PRC and the Measures for the Administration of Internet Information Services. App operators shall complete filing procedures with the provincial-level communications administration bureau where they are domiciled, and their network access service providers and app distribution platforms (including the distribution platforms of mini programs, quick applications and others) shall submit such applications online for inspection and review through the “National Internet Basic Resources Management System.”

110

Table of Contents

In addition, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology promulgated the Measures for Data Security Management in the Industrial and Information Technology Sector (Trial) on December 8, 2022, which came into effect on January 1, 2023. The measures stipulate that industrial and telecoms data processors shall implement hierarchical management of industrial and telecoms data, which will be classified into three levels: general data, important data and core data. The measures also stipulate certain obligations of industrial and telecoms data processors in relation to the implementation of data security systems, key management, data collection, data storage, data usage, data transmission, data provision, data disclosure, data destruction, security audits and contingency planning. Industrial and telecoms data processors shall file their catalogues of important data and core data with the local industrial regulatory authorities for the record.

To ensure compliance with the above laws and regulations, in providing our Credit-Tech service, we collect certain personal information from our consumers and SMEs, and also are required to share the information with our institutional fundingfinancial institution partners for the purpose of facilitating credit to our consumers, as borrowers. We have obtained consent from borrowers for us to collect, use and share their personal information, and have also established information security systems to protect user information and to abide by other network security requirements under such laws and regulations. However, there is uncertainty as to the interpretation application and enforcement of such laws which may be interpreted and applied in a manner inconsistent with our current policies and practices or require changes to the features of our system. Any non-compliance or perceived non-compliance with these laws, regulations or policies may lead to warnings, fines, investigations, lawsuits, confiscation of illegal gains, revocation of licenses, cancellationcancelation of filings, closedown of websites or apps or even criminal liabilities against us by government agencies or other individuals.

While we have taken measures to protect the personal information to which we have access, our security measures could be breached, resulting in leaks of such confidential personal information. Security breaches or unauthorized access to confidential information could also expose us to liability related to the loss of the information, time-consuming and expensive litigation and negative publicity. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry— If we are unable to protect the confidential information of our users and adapt to the relevant regulatory framework as to protection of such information, our business and operations may be adversely affected.”

Regulations on Foreign Exchange

Pursuant to the Foreign Exchange Administration Regulations, as issued in January 1996 and amended in January 1997 and August 2008, Renminbi is freely convertible for current account items, including the trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, the distribution of dividends, interest payments but not for capital account items, such as direct investments, loans, repatriation of investments and investments in securities outside of China, unless prior approval from the SAFE is obtained and prior registration with the SAFE is made.

In June 2015, the SAFE promulgated the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming the Administration of Foreign Exchange Settlement of Capital of Foreign-invested Enterprises, or the SAFE Circular 19. The SAFE further promulgated the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming and the SAFE Circular 16 on June 9, 2016, which, among other things, amends certain provisions of SAFE Circular 19. Pursuant to SAFE Circular 19 and SAFE Circular 16, the flow and use of the Renminbi capital converted from foreign currency denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested company shall not be used for business beyond its business scope, or to provide loans to persons other than affiliates unless otherwise permitted under its business scope. Violations of SAFE Circular 19 or SAFE Circular 16 could result in administrative penalties.

In February 2015, the SAFE promulgated the Notice on Further Simplifying and Improving the Foreign Exchange Management Policies for Direct Investment, or the SAFE Circular 13, which took effect in June 2015. SAFE Circular 13 delegates the power to enforce the foreign exchange registration in connection with inbound and outbound direct investments under relevantthe SAFE rules from local branches of the SAFE to banks, thereby further simplifying the foreign exchange registration procedures for inbound and outbound direct investments.

94

Table of Contents

Regulations on dividend distribution

The principal regulations governing distribution of dividends of foreign-invested enterprises include PRC Company Law, PRC Wholly Foreign-owned Enterprise Law, and Implementation Rules of the PRC Wholly Foreign-owned Enterprise Law, , of which the Wholly Foreign-invested Enterprise Law together with its implementation regulations is replaced by 2019 PRC Foreign Investment Law from January 1, 2020. 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.

111

Table of Contents

Under our current corporate structure, our Cayman Islands holding company may rely on dividend payments from Shanghai Qiyue Information & Technology Co., Ltd., which is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise incorporated in China, to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have. Limitation on the ability of ourthe VIEs to make remittance to our wholly-foreignwholly foreign owned enterprise and on the ability of our wholly-foreignwholly foreign owned enterprise to pay dividends to us could limit our ability to access cash generated by the operations of those entities. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—We may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our PRC subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have, and any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to make payments to us could have a material adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business.”

Regulations on foreign exchange registration of overseas investment by PRC residents

In July 2014, the SAFE promulgated the SAFE Circular 37 in the replacement of Notice on Issues relating to Foreign Exchange Administration for Financing and Roundtrip Investments by Domestic Residents through Overseas Special-purpose Companies in October 2005, requiring PRC residents or entities to register with the SAFE or its local branch in connection with their establishment or control of an offshore entity established for the purpose of overseas investment or financing. In addition, such PRC residents or entities must update their SAFE registrations when the offshore special purpose vehicle undergoes material events relating to any change of basic information (including change of such PRC citizens or residents, name and operation term), increases or decreases in investment amount, transfers or exchanges of shares, or mergers or divisions.

The SAFE further enacted SAFE Circular 13, which allows PRC residents or entities to register with qualified banks in connection with their establishment or control of an offshore entity established for the purpose of overseas investment or financing. In the event that a PRC shareholder holding interests in a special purpose vehicle fails to fulfill the required SAFE registration, the PRC subsidiaries of that special purpose vehicle may be prohibited from distributing profits to the offshore parent and from carrying out subsequent cross-border foreign exchange activities. In addition, the special purpose vehicle may be restricted in its ability to contribute additional capital into its PRC subsidiaries. Moreover, failure to comply with the various SAFE registration requirements described above could result in liability under PRC law for evasion of foreign exchange controls.

These aforementioned regulations apply to our direct and indirect shareholders who are PRC residents and may apply to any offshore acquisitions and share transfer that we make in the future if our shares are issued to PRC residents. See “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.”

95

Table of Contents

Regulations on stock incentive plans

In February 2012, the SAFE promulgated the Notice on Foreign Exchange Administration of PRC Residents Participating in Share Incentive Plans of Offshore Listed Companies, replacing the previous rules issued by the SAFE in March 2007 and in January 2008. Under such stock option rules and other relevant rules and regulations, PRC residents who participate in a stock incentive plan in an overseas publicly listed company are required to register with the SAFE or its local branches and complete certain other procedures. Participants of a stock incentive plan who are PRC residents must retain a qualified PRC agent, which could be a PRC subsidiary of the overseas publicly listed company or another qualified institution selected by the PRC subsidiary, to conduct the SAFE registration and other procedures with respect to the stock incentive plan on behalf of its participants. The participants must also retain an overseas entrusted institution to handle matters in connection with their exercise of stock options, the purchase and sale of corresponding stocks or interests and fund transfers. In addition, the PRC agent is required to amend the SAFE registration with respect to the stock incentive plan if there is any material change to the stock incentive plan, the PRC agent or the overseas entrusted institution or other material changes. The PRC agents must, on behalf of the PRC residents who have the right to exercise the employee share options, apply to the SAFE or its local branches for an annual quota for the payment of foreign currencies in connection with the PRC residents’ exercise of the employee share options. The foreign exchange proceeds received by the PRC residents from the sale of shares under the stock incentive plans granted and dividends distributed by the overseas listed companies must be remitted into the bank accounts in the PRC opened by the PRC agents before distribution to such PRC residents.

112

Table of Contents

In addition, SAFE Circular 37 provides that PRC residents who participate in a share incentive plan of an overseas unlisted special purpose company may register with the SAFE or its local branches before exercising rights. If the PRC optionees fail to comply with the Individual Foreign Exchange Rule and the Stock Option Rules, we and our PRC optionees may be subject to fines and other legal sanctions. In May 2018 and November 2019, we adopted the 2018 Share Incentive Plan and the 2019 Share Incentive Plan, respectively, to attract and retain the best available personnel, provide additional incentives to employees, directors and consultants and promote the success of our business. See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—B. Compensation of Directors and Executive Officers—2018 Share Incentive Plan and 2019 Share Incentive Plan.” We will also advise the recipients of awards under our 2018 Share Incentive Plan to handle relevant foreign exchange matters in accordance with the 2012 SAFE Notices.Notices on Issues Concerning the Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in Stock Incentive Plan of Overseas Publicly Listed Company. However, we cannot guarantee that all employee awarded equity-based incentives can successfully register with SAFE in full compliance with the 2012 SAFE Notices.notices. 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” and “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.”

Laws and Regulations relating to Intellectual Property

Copyright and software products

The NPC Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress adopted PRC Copyright Law in 1990 and most recently amended in 2020, with its implementing rules adopted in 1991 and most recently amended in 2013 by PRC State Council, and the Regulations for the Protection of Computer Software promulgated by the PRC State Council in 2001 and most recently amended in 2013. These rules and regulations extend copyright protection to internet activities, products disseminated over the internet and software products. In addition, there is a voluntary registration system administered by the China Copyright Protection Center. According to the aforementioned laws and regulation, the term of protection for copyrighted software is fifty years.

96

Table of Contents

Trademarks

PRC Trademark Law was promulgated by the NPC Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress in August 1982 and most recently amended in April 2019, and the Implementation Regulations on the PRC Trademark Law was promulgated by PRC State Council in August 2002 and amended in April 2014. These laws and regulations provide the basic legal framework for the regulations of trademarks in the PRC. In the PRC, registered trademarks include commodity trademarks, service trademarks, collective trademarks and certificate trademarks. The Intellectual Property Office under the SAMR is responsible for the registration and administration of trademarks throughout the country. Trademarks are granted on a term of ten years. Applicants may apply for an extension 12 months prior to the expiration of the 10-year term.

Domain names

Internet domain name registration and related matters are primarily regulated by the Measures on Administration of Internet Domain Names, which replaced the Measures on Administration of Domain Names for the Chinese Internet in November 2004, issued by MIITMinistry of Industry and Information Technology and effective as of November 1, 2017, and the Implementing Rules on Registration of Domain Names issued by China Internet Network Information Center in May 2012. Domain name registrations are handled through domain name service agencies, established under the relevant regulations, and the applicants become domain name holders upon successful registration.

We have adopted necessary mechanisms to register, maintain and enforce intellectual property rights in China. However, we cannot assure you that we can prevent our intellectual property from all the unauthorized use by any third party, neither can we promise that none of our intellectual property rights would be challenged by any third party. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—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 and Industry—We may be subject to intellectual property infringement claims, which may be costly to defend and may disrupt our business and operations.”

113

Table of Contents

M&A Rules

In August 2006, six PRC governmental agencies jointly promulgated the Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rule,Rules as most recently amended in 2009. The M&A Rules establish procedures and requirements that could make certain acquisitions of PRC companies by foreign investors more time-consuming and complex, including requirements in some instances that MOFCOMthe Ministry of Commerce be notified in advance of any change-of-control transaction in which a foreign investor takes control of a PRC domestic enterprise.

According to the Provisional Measures on Administration of Filing for Establishment and Change of Foreign Investment Enterprises, the merger and acquisition of domestic non-foreign-invested enterprises by foreign investors shall, if not involving special access administrative measures and affiliated mergers and acquisitions, be subject to the record filing measures.

Furthermore, the MOFCOMMinistry of Commerce and the State Administration of Market Regulation issued the Measures for the Reporting of Foreign Investment Information on December 30, 2019, which came into effect on January 1, 2020 and replaced Provisional Measures on Administration of Filing for Establishment and Change of Foreign Investment Enterprises. Since January 1, 2020, for foreign investors carrying out investment activities directly or indirectly in China, the foreign investors or foreign-invested enterprises shall submit investment information to the commerce authorities pursuant to such measures.

For detailed analysis, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk“Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—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.”

Overseas Listings

On July 6, 2021, the relevant PRC government authorities issued Opinions on Strictly Cracking Down Illegal Securities Activities in Accordance with the Law. These opinions emphasize the need to strengthen the administration over illegal securities activities and the supervision on offshore listings by China-based companies and proposed to take effective measures, such as promoting the construction of relevant regulatory systems, to deal with the risks and incidents faced by China-based offshore-listed companies.

97

Table of Contents

On December 24, 2021,February 17, 2023, the CSRC issuedreleased the Provisions of the State Council on theTrial Administration Measures of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies, or the Draft Provisions, and a draft of Administration Measures for the Filing of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies, or the Draft Administration Measures.five supporting guidelines, which came into effect on March 31, 2023. The Draft Provisions and the Draft Administration Measures, if adopted in their current forms, willmeasures regulate both direct and indirect overseas offering and listing of PRC domestic companies’ securities by adopting a filing-based regulatory regime. According to the measures, companies in China will be required to submit the filing with respect to its overseas initial public offering and listing with the CSRC within 3 working days after submitting listing application materials to overseas regulators, and such filing shall be completed before the companies are permitted to be listed and offering securities overseas.

In addition, pursuant to these measures, an overseas offering and listing of a PRC company is prohibited under any of the following circumstances, if (i) such securities offering and listing is explicitly prohibited by provisions in laws, administrative regulations and state rules; (ii) the intended securities offering and listing may endanger national security as reviewed and determined by competent authorities under the State Council in accordance with law; (iii) the domestic company intending to make the securities offering and listing, or its controlling shareholder(s) and the actual controller, have committed crimes such as corruption, bribery, embezzlement, misappropriation of property or undermining the order of the socialist market economy during the latest three years; (iv) the domestic company intending to make the securities offering and listing is currently under investigations for suspicion of criminal offenses or major violations of laws and regulations, and no conclusion has yet been made thereof; or (v) there are material ownership disputes over equity held by the domestic company’s controlling shareholder(s) or by other shareholder(s) that are controlled by the controlling shareholder(s) and/or actual controller.

At a press conference held for these new regulations, officials from the CSRC clarified that the domestic companies that have already been listed overseas on or before the effective date of the measures (i.e., March 31, 2023) shall be deemed as existing issuers. Existing issuers are not required to complete the filling procedures immediately, and they shall be required to file with the CSRC when subsequent matters such as refinancing are involved.

114

Table of Contents

On February 24, 2023, the CSRC published the revised Provisions on Strengthening Confidentiality and Archives Administration of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies. The provisions require that, in relation to the overseas listing activities of domestic enterprises, such domestic enterprises, as well as securities companies and securities service institutions providing securities services, are required to strictly comply with the requirements on confidentiality and archives management, establish a sound confidentiality and archives system, and take necessary measures to implement their confidentiality and archives management responsibilities. According to the provisions, if during the course of an overseas offering and listing, if a PRC company needs to publicly disclose or provide to securities companies, accounting firms or other securities service providers and overseas regulators, any materials that contain state secrets or that have a sensitive impact, the PRC company should complete the relevant approval/filing and other regulatory procedures. However, there remain uncertainties regarding the further interpretation and implementation of the rules.

Laws and Regulations Relating to Labor

Pursuant to PRC Labor Law, promulgated by the NPC Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress in July 1994 and revised in August 2009 and December 2018, and the Labor Contract Law of PRC, promulgated by NPCthe Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress in June 2007 and amended in December 2012, and the Implementing Regulations of the Labor Contract Law, employers must execute written employment contracts with full-time employees. All employers must compensate their employees with wages equal to at least the local minimum wage. Violations of the Labor Law and the Labor Contract Law may result in fines and other administrative sanctions, and serious violations may result in criminal liabilities.

Under PRC laws, rules and regulations, including the PRC Social Insurance Law promulgated by the NPC Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress in October 2010, which became effective in July 2011 and amended in December 2018, the Interim Measures on the Collection and Payment of Social Security Funds in January 1999 and amended in March 2019, the Regulations on Work Injury Insurance issued by PRC State Council in April 2003, and amended in December 2010, the Regulations on Unemployment Insurance promulgated by PRC State Council in January 1999 and the Regulations on the Administration of Housing Accumulation Funds or the Regulations on Housing Fund released by PRC State Council in April 1999 and last amended in March 2019, employers are required to contribute, on behalf of their employees, to a number of social security funds and implement certain employee benefit plans, including funds for basic pension insurance, unemployment insurance, basic medical insurance, occupational injury insurance, maternity leave insurance and housing accumulation funds. These payments are made to local administrative authorities and any employer who fails to contribute may be fined and ordered to pay the deficit amount. According to the PRC Social Insurance Law, an employer that fails to make social insurance contributions may be ordered to rectify the non-compliance and pay the required contributions within a stipulated deadline and be subject to a late fee of 0.05% per day, as the case may be. If the employer still fails to rectify the failure to make social insurance contributions within the deadline, it may be subject to a fine ranging from one to three times the amount overdue. According to the Regulations on the Administration of Housing Fund,Accumulation Funds, an enterprise that fails to make housing fund contributions may be ordered to rectify the noncompliance and pay the required contributions within a stipulated deadline; otherwise, an application may be made to a local court for compulsory enforcement.

We have caused all of our full-time employees to enter into written employment contracts with us and have provided and currently provide our employees with proper welfare and employee benefits as required by the PRC laws and regulations.

Regulations related to Tax

Enterprise income tax

Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, or the EIT Law, effective in January 2008 and amended in February 2017 and December 2018, and its implementing rules, enterprises are classified as resident enterprises and non-resident enterprises. PRC resident enterprises typically pay an enterprise income tax at the rate of 25% while non-PRC resident enterprises without any branches in the PRC should pay an enterprise income tax in connection with their income from the PRC at the tax rate of 10%. An enterprise established outside of the PRC with its “de facto management bodies” located within the PRC is considered a “resident enterprise,” which means that it can be treated in a manner similar to a PRC domestic enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes. The implementing rules of the EIT Lawlaw define a de facto management body as a managing body that in practice exercises “substantial and overall management and control over the production and operations, personnel, accounting, and properties” of the enterprise.

115

Table of Contents

The EITEnterprise Income Tax Law and the implementation rules provide that an income tax rate of 10% will normally be applicable to dividends payable to investors that are “non-resident enterprises,” and gains derived by such investors, which (i) do not have an establishment or place of business in the PRC or (ii) have an establishment or place of business in the PRC, but the relevant income is not effectively connected with the establishment or place of business to the extent such dividends and gains are derived from sources within the PRC. Such income tax on the dividends may be reduced pursuant to a tax treaty between China and other jurisdictions. Pursuant to the Arrangement between the Mainland China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Tax Avoidance ArrangementEvasion on Income and other applicable PRC laws, if a Hong Kong resident enterprise is determined by the competent PRC tax authority to have satisfied the relevant conditions and requirements under such Double Tax Avoidance Arrangement and other applicable laws, the 10% withholding tax on the dividends the Hong Kong resident enterprise receives from a PRC resident enterprise may be reduced to 5% upon receiving approval from in-charge tax authority.

98

Table of Contents

However, based on the Notice on Certain Issues with Respect to the Enforcement of Dividend Provisions in Tax Treaties, issued in February 2009 by the SATState Taxation Administration if the relevant PRC tax authorities determine, in their discretion, that a company benefits from such reduced income tax rate due to a structure or arrangement that is primarily tax-driven, such PRC tax authorities may adjust the preferential tax treatment; and the Announcement on Issues concerning “Beneficial Owners” in Tax Treaties issued on February 3, 2018 by the SAT,State Taxation Administration, when determining the status of “beneficial owners,” a comprehensive analysis may be conducted through materials such as articles of association, financial statements, records of capital flows, minutes of board of directors, resolutions of board of directors, allocation of manpower and material resources, the relevant expenses, functions and risk assumption, loan contracts, royalty contracts or transfer contracts, patent registration certificates and copyright certificates, etc.among others. However, even if an applicant has the status as a “beneficiary owner”,owner,” the competent tax authority finds necessity to apply the principal purpose test clause in the tax treaties or the general anti-tax avoidance rules stipulated in domestic tax laws, the general anti-tax avoidance provisions shall apply.

The EITEnterprise Income Tax Law and its Implementation Rules permit certain “high and new technology enterprises strongly supported by the state” that hold independent ownership of core intellectual property and simultaneously meet a list of other criteria, financial or non-financial, as stipulated in the Implementation Rules and other regulations, to enjoy a reduced 15% enterprise income tax rate. The SAT,State Taxation Administration, the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Finance jointly issued the Administrative Measures on the Recognition for High and New Technology Enterprise delineating the specific criteria and procedures for the “high and new technology enterprises” certification in April 2008, which was amended in January 2016. Shanghai Qiyu was accredited as a “high and new technology enterprises” in 2018 and renewed in 2021, therefore it was entitled to a reduced 15% enterprise income tax rate from 2018 to 2023. In 2020, our WFOE obtained “high and new technology enterprises” status and was entitled to a reduced enterprise income tax rate of 15% from 2020 to 2022.2023.

We believe that we should not be treated as a “resident enterprise” for PRC tax purposes even if the standards for “de facto management body” are applicable to us. However, the tax resident status of an enterprise is subject to determination by the PRC tax authorities and uncertainties remain with respect to the interpretation of the term “de facto management body.” If our holding company in the Cayman Islands or any of our subsidiaries outside of China were deemed to be a “resident enterprise” under the EITEnterprise Income Tax Law, it would be subject to enterprise income tax on its worldwide income at a rate of 25%, which could materially reduce our net income. See “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.”

Value-added tax

According to the Interim Regulations on Value-added Tax, which was promulgated by PRC State Council in December 1993 and most recently amended in 2017, and the Implementing Rules of the Interim Regulations on Value-added Tax, promulgated by the MOFMinistry of Finance in December 2008 and most recently amended in October 2011 all taxpayers selling goods, providing processing, repairing or replacement services or importing goods within the PRC shall pay value-added tax.

116

Table of Contents

Since January 1, 2012, the MOFMinistry of Finance and the SATState Taxation Administration have implemented the Pilot Plan for Imposition of Value-Added Tax to Replace Business Tax, or the VAT Pilot Plan, which imposes VAT in lieu of business tax for certain “modern service industries” in certain regions and eventually expanded to nation-wide application. According to the implementation circulars released by the MOFMinistry of Finance and the SATState Taxation Administration on the VAT Pilot Plan, the “modern service industries” include research, development and technology services, information technology services, cultural innovation services, logistics support, lease of corporeal properties, attestation and consulting services. According to the Notice of the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation on Implementing the Pilot Program of Replacing Business Tax with Value-Added Tax in an All-round Manner which was issued in March 2016 and effective in May 2016 and most recently amended in March 2019, entities and individuals engaging in the sale of services, intangible assets or fixed assets within the territory of the PRC are required to pay value-added tax instead of business tax. Following the implementation of the VAT Pilot Plan, all of our PRC subsidiaries and affiliates have been subject to VAT, at a rate of 6% instead of business tax.

99

Table of Contents

C.          Organizational Structure

The following diagram illustrates our corporate structure, including our significant subsidiaries and consolidated variable interest entities of the Companyour company as of December 31,2021:31, 2023:

GraphicGraphic

(1)Each of Shanghai Qiyu and Fuzhou Financing Guarantee is wholly owned by Shanghai Qibutianxia, whose shareholders are beneficial owners of the shares of our company. Shanghai Financing Guarantee is owned by Beijing Zhongxin Baoxin Technology Co., Ltd. and Beijing Qicaitianxia Technology Co., Ltd., which are in turn wholly owned by Shanghai Qibutianxia.

Each of Shanghai Qiyu and Fuzhou Financing Guarantee is wholly owned by Shanghai Qibutianxia, which is a related party of our company.

100117

Table of Contents

Contractual Arrangements with ourthe VIEs and Their ShareholderShareholders

Agreements that provide us with effective control over ourthe VIEs

Powers of AttorneyVoting Proxy Agreements..   Pursuant to the powers of attorneyvoting proxy agreement entered into among our WFOE, Shanghai Qiyu and Shanghai Qibutianxia, Shanghai Qibutianxia would irrevocably authorize our WFOE or any person designated by our WFOE (including any director of its direct or indirect offshore parent company and liquidators exercising such directors’ powers or other successors) to act as its attorney-in-fact to exercise all of its rights as a shareholder of Shanghai Qiyu, including, but not limited to the right (i) to convene and attendparticipate in shareholders’ meetings votepursuant to the constitutional documents of Shanghai Qiyu in the capacity of a proxy of Shanghai Qibutianxia, and to sign any and all written resolutions and meeting minutes for and on behalf of Shanghai Qibutianxia; (ii) to exercise the voting rights pursuant to the PRC laws and regulations and the articles of Shanghai Qiyu, on behalf of Shanghai Qibutianxia, and adopt resolutions, including, but not limited to dividend rights, sale or transfer or pledge or disposal of part or all of Shanghai Qiyu’s equity, and the right to appoint directors; (iii) to sign or submit any resolution that requires a shareholder vote, such asrequired document to any company registry or other authorities; (iv) to nominate, designate or appoint and remove the appointment and removal oflegal representative, directors, supervisors and officers, as well as the sale, transfer and disposal of all or part of the equity interests owned by Shanghai Qibutianxia in Shanghai Qiyu. The power of attorney will remain effective for the duration of the existenceother senior management of Shanghai Qibutianxia.Qiyu pursuant to the constitutional documents of Shanghai Qiyu; and (v) to raise lawsuits or other legal proceedings against the directors, supervisors and senior management of Shanghai Qiyu when their behaviors harm the interest of Shanghai Qiyu or its shareholder; and to instruct the directors and senior officers to act in accordance with our attention.

Equity Interest Pledge AgreementsAgreements..   Pursuant to the equity interest pledge agreement entered into among our WFOE, Shanghai Qiyu and Shanghai Qibutianxia, Shanghai Qibutianxia willagreed to pledge 100%all of its equity interests in Shanghai Qiyu to our WFOE as a security interest to guarantee the performance byof contractual obligations and the payment of outstanding debts under the Contractual Arrangements. Under the equity interest pledge agreement, Shanghai Qiyu and Shanghai Qibutianxia represent and warrant to our WFOE that appropriate arrangements have been made to protect our WFOE’s interests in the event of bankruptcy or any other event which causes Shanghai Qibutianxia’s inability to exercise its obligations under the exclusive option agreement, the powersrights as a shareholder of attorney and the loan agreement, as well as the performance by Shanghai Qiyu to avoid any practical difficulties in enforcing the equity pledge agreement and shall procure or use its reasonable efforts to procure any successors of its obligations underShanghai Qibutianxia to comply with the exclusive option agreement,same undertakings as if they were parties to the powers of attorney and the exclusive consultation and service agreement (collectively, “Master Agreements”).equity interest pledge agreement. In the event of a breach by Shanghai Qiyu or Shanghai Qibutianxia of contractual obligations under the Master Agreements,Contractual Arrangements, our WFOE, as pledgee, will have the right to dispose of the pledged equity interests in Shanghai Qiyu. Shanghai Qibutianxia will also undertake that, without the prior written consent ofhas undertaken to our WFOE, it willamong other things, not dispose of,to transfer its equity interests in Shanghai Qiyu and not to create or allow any encumbrance onpledge thereon that may affect the pledged equity interests.rights and interest of our WFOE without its prior written consent.

We are in the process of registering the equity interest pledges described above with the competent office of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce in accordance with the PRC laws.

Loan Agreement.Agreements.    Pursuant to the loan agreement among our WFOE, Shanghai Qiyu and Shanghai Qibutianxia, the shareholder of Shanghai Qiyu, our WFOE is entitled to provide interest-free loans, to the extent permitted by laws, regulations and industry policies of China,PRC, from time to time at such time and amount as it deems appropriate to Shanghai Qibutianxia for the purpose of Shanghai Qiyu’s business operation and development.development, including, but not limited to directly injecting such funds to the registered capital of Shanghai Qiyu. Each of the loans made under this loan agreement has no fixed term, and unless otherwise agreed, our WFOE shall unilaterally decide when to withdraw the loans.loans, provided that our WFOE shall notify Shanghai Qibutianxia in writing one month in advance. The loan agreement shall remain in effect during Shanghai Qiyu’s term (and anyand the renewable term providedperiod stipulated by the laws of the PRC, law), and shall automatically terminate after our WFOE and/or other entities designated by our WFOE fully exercise all their rights under the exclusive option agreement.

118

Table of Contents

Agreement that allows us to receive economic benefits from ourthe VIEs

Exclusive Consultation and ServiceBusiness Cooperation Agreements.    Pursuant to the exclusive consultation and servicebusiness cooperation agreement entered into between our WFOE and Shanghai Qiyu, our WFOE will have the exclusive right to provide Shanghai Qiyu with the consulting and technical services required by Shanghai Qiyu’s business. Without our WFOE’s prior written consent, Shanghai Qiyu may not accept anyduring the term of the exclusive business cooperation agreement, with respect to the services subject to thisthe exclusive business cooperation agreement fromand other matters, Shanghai Qiyu and its subsidiaries shall not accept the same or any similar services provided by any third party and shall not establish cooperation relationships similar to that formed by the exclusive business cooperation agreement with any third party. Our WFOE may appoint other parties, who may enter into certain agreements with Shanghai Qiyu, will agree to payprovide Shanghai Qiyu with the services under the exclusive business cooperation agreement. Pursuant to the exclusive business cooperation agreement, in consideration of the services provided by our WFOE, Shanghai Qiyu shall pay services fees to our WFOE. The service fee atfees, without contravening PRC laws, are equal to the entirety of the total consolidated net profit of the Shanghai Qiyu and its subsidiaries, after the deduction of any accumulated deficit in respect of the preceding financial year(s) (if applicable), operating costs, expenses, taxes and other payments required by the laws and regulations to be reserved or withheld. Notwithstanding the foregoing, our WFOE may adjust the scope and amount which is adjusted at our WFOE’s soleof services fees in its discretion by considering,taking into account, among other things, the complexity of the services, the actual cost that may be incurred for providing suchexact content and business value of the services, as well as the value and comparablemarket price on the market of services of similar types. Unless otherwise agreed upon, the service provided. Ourfee shall be payable by Shanghai Qiyu within five working days after receiving the payment notice sent out by our WFOE. The exclusive business cooperation agreement also provides that our WFOE wouldwill have the exclusive ownership of all the intellectual property rights created as a result of the performance of the exclusive consultation and servicebusiness cooperation agreement to the extent permitted by applicable PRC laws. To guarantee Shanghai Qiyu’s performance of its obligations thereunder, Shanghai Qibutianxia would pledge its equity interests in Shanghai Qiyu to our WFOE pursuant to the equity interest pledge agreement. Unless our WFOE terminates this agreement in advance, this agreement will remain effective for 10 years and will be automatically renewed for a 10-year cycle unless such renewal was objected to by our WFOE in writing. Shanghai Qiyu may not terminate this agreement unilaterally unless our WFOE commits gross negligence, fraud or other violations of applicable laws or is bankrupt.

101

Table of Contents

Agreements that provide us with the option to purchase the equity interests in and assets of ourthe VIEs

Exclusive Option Agreements.    Pursuant to the exclusive option agreement entered into among our WFOE, Shanghai Qiyu and Shanghai Qibutianxia, Shanghai Qibutianxia will irrevocably grant our WFOE an exclusive option to purchase or designate one or more persons to purchase, all or part of its equity interests in Shanghai Qiyu, andQiyu. Further, Shanghai Qiyu will irrevocably grant our WFOE an exclusive option to purchase all or part of its assets, subject to applicable PRC laws. Our WFOE or its designated person may exercise such options at the lowest price permitted under applicable PRC laws.

Pursuant to the Exclusive Option Agreement, Shanghai Qibutianxia and Shanghai Qiyu will undertake that, have undertaken, amongst other things, that:

(i)without our WFOE’s prior written consent, they willshall not among other things, (i) createin any pledgemanner supplement, change or encumbrance on anyamend the constitutional documents of Shanghai Qiyu’s assets (ii) transferQiyu, increase or otherwise disposedecrease their registered capital, or change the structure of their registered capital in other manner;
(ii)they shall maintain Shanghai Qiyu’s assets, (iii) change Shanghai Qiyu’s registered capital, (iv) amend Shanghai Qiyu’s articles of association, (v) dispose of Shanghai Qiyu’s assets or beneficial interest or (vi) mergecorporate existence in accordance with good financial and business standards and practices, prudently and effectively operate its business and handle its affairs, procure Shanghai Qiyu with any other entity. In addition,to perform its obligations under the exclusive business cooperation agreement, and procure Shanghai Qibutianxia will undertake that, Qiyu to obtain and/or maintain all necessary licenses and permits;
(iii)without our WFOE’sthe prior written consent it willof our WFOE, they shall not among other things, createat any time following the signing of the exclusive option agreement, sell, transfer, pledge or encumbrance on its equity interests, or transfer or otherwise dispose of its equity interests in any manner any assets of Shanghai Qiyu. UnlessQiyu or interest in the business or revenues of Shanghai Qiyu, or allow the encumbrance thereon of any security interest;
(iv)unless otherwise mandatorily required by PRC laws, Shanghai Qiyu shall not be dissolved or liquidated without prior written consent by our WFOE;
(v)without the prior written consent of our WFOE, terminates this agreementShanghai Qiyu shall not incur, inherit, guarantee or assume any debt, except for (i) debts incurred in advance, this agreement will remain effective for 10 yearsthe ordinary course of business other than payables incurred by a loan and will be automatically renewed for in 10-year cycle unless such renewal was objected(ii) debts that have been disclosed to and consented to by our WFOE in writing. Other partieswriting;
(vi)they shall operate all of Shanghai Qiyu’s businesses during the ordinary course of business to this agreementmaintain its asset value and refrain from any action/omission that may adversely affect Shanghai Qiyu’s operating status and asset value;

119

Table of Contents

(vii)without the prior written consent of our WFOE, they shall not cause Shanghai Qiyu to execute any material contract, except the contracts executed in the ordinary course of business or with our WFOE, its direct or indirect offshore parent companies or their direct or indirect subsidiaries;
(viii)without the prior written consent of our WFOE, they shall not cause Shanghai Qiyu to provide any person with any loan, financial assistance, security, pledge or any other form of security, or permit any form of security to be created on its assets or equity interests, except those contracts executed in the ordinary and usual course of business;
(ix)they shall provide our WFOE with information on Shanghai Qiyu’s business operations and financial condition within 10 days after the end of each quarter or at the request of our WFOE;
(x)they shall procure and maintain insurance in respect of Shanghai Qiyu’s assets and business from an insurance carrier acceptable to our WFOE, at an amount and type of coverage typical for companies that operate similar businesses;
(xi)without the prior written consent of our WFOE, they shall not cause or permit Shanghai Qiyu to merge, consolidate with, acquire or invest in any person;
(xii)they shall immediately notify our WFOE of the occurrence or possible occurrence of any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings relating to Shanghai Qiyu’s assets, business or revenue, shall take all necessary actions pursuant to reasonable requests of our WFOE and shall only reach settlement in respect of such proceedings with the prior written consent of WFOE;
(xiii)to maintain the ownership by Shanghai Qiyu of all of its assets, they shall execute all necessary or appropriate documents, take all necessary or appropriate actions and file all necessary or appropriate complaints or raise necessary and appropriate defenses against all claims;
(xiv)without the prior written consent of our WFOE, Shanghai Qiyu shall not in any manner distribute dividends to its shareholder, provided that upon the written request of our WFOE, Shanghai Qiyu shall immediately distribute all distributable profits to its shareholders;
(xv)at the request of our WFOE, they shall appoint any persons designated by our WFOE as the directors, supervisors and/or senior management of Shanghai Qiyu or terminate this agreement unilaterally.

existing directors, supervisors and/or senior management of Shanghai Qiyu, and perform all relevant resolutions and filing procedures; and
(xvi)if Shanghai Qiyu or its shareholder fails to perform the tax obligations under applicable laws, and hence obstructs our WFOE in exercising its exclusive option right, Shanghai Qiyu or its shareholder shall pay the taxes or pay the same amount to our WFOE so our WFOE may pay the taxes on behalf of Shanghai Qiyu or its shareholder.

All our two other VIEs, namely Fuzhou Financing Guarantee and Shanghai Financing Guarantee, and their respective nominee shareholders, have each entered into a set of contractual arrangements, including Power of Attorney, Equity Interest Pledge Agreement, Loan Agreement, Exclusive Consultation and Service Agreements, Exclusive Option Agreement,the voting proxy agreement, equity interest pledge agreement, loan agreement, exclusive business cooperation agreement, exclusive option agreement, with our WFOE, in terms that are substantially similar to the agreements described above.

Our WFOE, Fuzhou Financing Guarantee and Qibutianxia have entered into an exclusive option agreement, and our WFOE, Shanghai Financing Guarantee, Beijing Zhongxin Baoxin Technology Co., Ltd. and Beijing Qicaitianxia Technology Co., Ltd. have entered into an exclusive option agreement, all of which terms are substantially similar to the exclusive option agreement described above.

On April 29, 2021, Shanghai Qibutianxia, the sole shareholder of Fuzhou Microcredit, transferred all of its equity interest in Fuzhou Microcredit to Shanghai Qiyu, and Shanghai Qiyu became the sole shareholder of Fuzhou Microcredit. On April 30, 2021, our WFOE, Fuzhou Microcredit and Shanghai Qibutianxia entered into a termination agreement, which terminated the contractual arrangements entered into among our WFOE, Fuzhou Microcredit and Shanghai Qibutianxia. Therefore, Fuzhou Microcredit ceased to be ourthe VIE, but a subsidiary of Shanghai Qiyu.

In the opinion of our PRC legal counsel, Commerce & Finance Law Offices, our PRC legal counsel:Offices:

the ownership structures of ourthe VIEs in China and our WFOE are not in violation of applicable PRC laws and regulations currently in effect; and
the proposed contractual arrangements between our company, our WFOE, ourthe VIEs and their shareholders governed by PRC law are valid, binding and enforceable under PRC law, and will not result in any violation of applicable PRC laws currently in effect.

102120

Table of Contents

However, our PRC legal counsel has also advised us that there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current and future PRC laws, regulations and rules. Accordingly, the PRC regulatory authorities may take a view that is contrary to the opinion of our PRC legal counsel. It is uncertain whether any new PRC laws or regulations relating to variable interest entity structures will be adopted or if adopted, what they would provide. If we or ourthe VIEs are found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws or regulations, or fail to obtain or maintain any of the required permits or approvals, the relevant PRC regulatory authorities would have broad discretion to take action in dealing with such violations or failures. See “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 ourthe VIEs do not comply with PRC regulatory restrictions on foreign investment in the relevant industries, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations” and “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.”

D.          Property, PlantPlants and Equipment

Our corporate headquarters is located in Shanghai, where we lease office space with an area of 9,88511,726 square meters as of December 31, 2021.2023. We also lease an area of 2,1723,596 square meters in Hefei, an area of 2,2951,410 square meters in Fuzhou, an area of 1,5002,762 square meters in Shenzhen, an area of 1,1501,000 square meters in Xi’an, an area of 1,855 square meters in Chengdu, an area of 797 square meters in Haikou, an area of 170 square meters in Hong Kong and an area of 3,0004,731 square meters in Beijing as of December 31, 2021.2023. The lease term varies from six monthsone year to three years. Our servers are primarily hosted at internet data centers owned by 360 Group and located in Beijing, Shanghai and Shanghai.Luoyang. We believe that our existing facilities are generally adequate to meet our current needs, but we expect to seek additional office space as needed to accommodate future growth.

In October 2020, we established 360 Changfeng, a joint venture company in Shanghai, China, through Shanghai Qiyu, together with Shanghai Changfeng Investment (Group) Co., Ltd., or Changfeng, an independent third party, and Shanghai Jiehu Internet Technology Co., Ltd., or Shanghai Jiehu, onea 360 Group entity, to develop and build our 360 East-China regional headquarters and the affiliated industrial park.park for our future operations. Once completed, the regional headquarters and industrial park will enable us to host all our facilities and employees across departments that currently work on premises in Shanghai to join in the same office space, which we believe will help us further save administrative costs and improve operating efficiency. Changfeng, Shanghai Jiehu and we held 30%, 30% and 40% of the equity interests of the entity, respectively. In December 2021, we, through Shanghai Qiyu, entered into an equity transfer agreement with Shanghai Jiehu, pursuant to which Shanghai Qiyu acquired all the 30% equity interests owned by Shanghai Jiehu in 360 Changfeng. Following the transfer, we and Changfeng hold 70% and 30%, respectively, of the equity interests in 360 Changfeng. As of February 28, 2022,December 31, 2023, shareholders of 360 Changfeng have investedprovided a total of RMB1.0 billion to acquire land use rights of the parcel of land on which our regional headquarters and affiliated industrial park stand and support the joint venture company’s operations, of which RMB0.3 billion was funded by Changfeng.

ITEM 4A UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 5 OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS

You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with our combined and consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this annual report on Form 20-F. This discussion may contain forward-looking statements based upon current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those set forth under “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors” or in other parts of this annual report on Form 20-F.

A.          Operating Results

Key Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations

Our results of operations and financial condition are affected by the general factors driving China’s economy and China’s Credit-Tech industry. These factors include per capita disposable income, consumer spending, SME business activities, the emergence of new technologies and other general economic conditions in China that affect consumption and business activities in general. In addition, we are affected by government policies and regulations that address all aspects of our operations, including data security and protection, among others.

121

Table of Contents

In particular, we believe our results of operations are more directly affected by the following major factors:

Ability to attract and retain borrowers

Our net revenue grew significantlyIn 2023, we facilitated RMB475.8 billion (US$67.0 billion) of loans, representing an increase from RMB412.4 billion in 2021 primarily as a result of growth2022 and RMB357.1 billion in 2021. Growth in our loan facilitation volume on our platform. In 2021, we facilitated RMB357.1 billion (US$56.0 billion) of loans.

Growth in our business has been primarily driven by the expansion of our borrower base.user base, as well as the increase in borrowing activities on our platform over the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2023. The number of users with approved credit lines grew from 24.738.5 million as of December 31, 20192021, to 30.944.5 million in 2020,as of December 31, 2022, and further to 38.550.9 million in 2021.as of December 31, 2023, respectively. We anticipate that, in the longer term, our future growth will continue to depend on our ability to increase our existing users’ engagement with our platform and attract new users to our platform.

103

Table of Contents

In addition, weWe believe repeat borrowings by our existing borrowers are important to our future growth. As we provide our users with revolving credit lines, we use repeat borrower contribution to monitor stickiness and loyalty of our users. Our repeat borrowersRepeat borrower contribution was 88.1%91.6% for the year ended December 31, 2021.2023. We believe this high and increasing repeatedrepeat borrower contribution is primarily due to our ability to address the credit needs of our targeted borroweruser cohort, the superior borroweruser experience on our platform and the competitiveness of loan pricing.product offerings.

Ability to effectively manage risks

Our ability to effectively segment borroweranalyze user risk profiles impacts our ability to attract prospective borrowers and retain existing borrowers, as well as our ability to offerempower financial institution partners to receive attractive risk-adjusted returns. We have developed and deployed the Argus Engine to conduct fraud detection and riskcredit assessment and to create personalized collectionprofiling strategy, which will scrutinize the data we collectedrelated to a prospective borrower in a highly automated approach and output credit scores to our Cosmic Cube Pricing Model to price each drawdown. Thanks toBenefiting from the strong machine learning and analyzing capability of our Argus Engine, we can draw credit profiles of our prospective borrowers and effectively prevent potential assetcredit losses.

104

TableSince late 2021, we started to optimize our user base aiming for lower overall credit risks, which was substantially completed by the end of Contents

Beginning from the fourth quarter of 2019, the PRC regulatory authorities imposed more stringent requirements on loan collection and stepped up scrutiny of consumer finance platforms’ compliance practice in this regard. We thus purposefully adjusted some of our collection methods to maintain compliance, which led to a lower delinquent loan collection rates in late 2019. To manage the risk associated with the relatively less effective loan collection, we adopted a more conservative approach in conducting risk assessment, borrower acquisition, and reserved more provision for our loan products.2022. In light of the industry-wide negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we further implemented a prudent risk managementcredit assessment strategy and enhanced our efforts in loan collection related regulationcollection-related regulatory compliance in early 2020. Such measures2022, which enabled us to passnavigate through the challenging macromacroeconomic environment relatively smoothly and consistently delivereddeliver solid operating and financial results.

As a resultIn 2023, as macroeconomic recovery momentum was weaker than expected, borrowers’ confidence and ability to repay on time was negatively impacted, leading to fluctuations in our risk metrics in the second half of the strong performance of our Argus Engine and our risk management measures, theyear. The 90 day+ delinquency rate for all our loans outstanding was approximately 1.54%2.35% as of December 31, 2021.2023. Please see “—Loan Performance Data” below for details of our credit profiling performance. However, we promptly made adjustments to our risk management by tightening credit standards, improving user risk identification and enhancing our collection strategies. With these measures, we strengthened our ability to effectively manage risks and stabilized our risk performance.

We intend to continue optimizing our fraud detection capabilities, improving the accuracy of our credit assessment models and enhancing our collection effectiveness through the combination of our big-datadata analytical capabilities and the increasing amount of data we accumulate through our operations.deepened insights into users.

Ability to maintain collaboration with quality financial institution partners and diversify funding sources

Maintaining a healthy collaborationcollaborative relationship with institutional funding partners is critical to our business. Within all types of funding partners, financial institutions are currently our main funding source. In 2021,2023, all loans facilitated through our platform were funded by financial institutions.institutions, including Fuzhou Microcredit. In addition, our ability to collaborate with quality financial institution partners also impacts our profitability and our ability to provide reasonably priced financing solutions to our borrowers.users.

We have established cooperative relationships with a wide array of financial institution partners, and are further diversifying the financial institution partner pool. As of December 31, 2021,2023, we have collaborated with 157 financial institutional partners, cumulatively.

Accumulatively, we had entered collaboration agreements with 119 financial institution partners.

We had also issued ABSABSs of RMB10.5RMB31.0 billion (US$4.4 billion) as of December 31, 2023 to further diversify our funding sources as of December 31, 2021.sources. The ABSABSs are listed and traded on the Shanghai Stock Exchange and the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.

122

Table of Contents

Ability to optimize our cost structure

Our ability to optimize our cost structure will impact future profitability. We incurred significant expenses following inception as we grew our business. In particular, we have invested significantly in borroweruser acquisition, IT infrastructure, and research and development, particularly around advanced analytics tools and models. We also adjusted our cost structure from time to time to reflect changing macro environment and our preferred risk exposure.

Continued optimization of our cost structure will depend on our ability to continue improving operational efficiency and maintaining consistent asset quality of the loan portfolios, while driving solid growth in overall scale.

Loan Performance Data

We primarily monitor the cumulative performance of our loans facilitated by us as of a given measurement date via 90 day+ delinquency rates, and evaluate the healthiness of our loans facilitated by us in each fiscal quarter through M6+180 day+ vintage delinquency rates.

105

Table of Contents

90 day+ delinquency rates

90 day+ delinquency rate refers to the principal balance of on- and off-balance sheet loans we facilitated that are 91 to 180 calendar days past due as a percentage of the total outstanding principalloan balance of on- and off-balance sheet loans we facilitated across our platform as of a specific date. Loans that are charged-off and loans under “ICE”Intelligent Credit Engine (ICE) and other technology solutions are not included in the delinquency rate calculation. The following table provides our 90 day+ delinquency rates as of December 31, 2019, 20202021, 2022 and 2021:

2023:

    

Delinquent for more
than 90 daysday+ delinquency rate

 

December 31, 20192021

1.31.54

%

December 31, 20202022

 

1.52.03

%

December 31, 20212023

 

1.52.35

%

The overall 90 day+ delinquency rate remained stable at 1.5%increased from 1.54% as of December 31, 20202021 to 2.03% as of December 31, 2022, and 2021.further to 2.35% as of December 31, 2023, primarily due to the soft macro economy in 2022 and 2023 that negatively impacted some borrowers’ ability to repay loans on time. The 90 day+ delinquency rate is a backward looking indicator as it reflects asset quality trend 90 days before.

M6+180 day + vintage delinquency rates

We refer to loans facilitated during a specified time period as a vintage, which in our case represents a given fiscal quarter, and define vintage delinquency rate as (i) the total amount of principal for all loans facilitated by us in a vintage that become delinquent, less the total amount of recovered past due principal for all loans facilitated by us in the same vintage, divided by (ii) the total initial principal amount of loans facilitated by us in such vintage. Loans under Intelligent Credit Engine and other technology solutions are not included in the vintage delinquency rate calculation. Our M6+180 day+ vintage delinquency rate data includes loans delinquent for more than 180 days.

123

Table of Contents

The following chart displays the historical cumulative M6+180 day+ delinquency rates by vintage for all loans facilitated through our platform:

180 day+ Delinquency Rates by Vintage

GraphicGraphic

106

Table of Contents

On-and Off-Balance Sheet Treatment of Loans

We have established cooperative relationships with various financial institution partners. Some of our financial institution partners fund and disburse loan principal to borrowers through their own accounts, while the others choose to fund and disburse loan principal to borrowers indirectly through trusts and asset management plans.trusts. In addition, we fund a portion of loans facilitated on our platform through Fuzhou Microcredit, thea subsidiary of ourthe VIE that is licensed to conduct microcreditmicro-lending business in China. The accounting treatment of assets, liabilities and revenues arising from the loans facilitated on our platform varies.varies:

On-balance sheet loans

For loans disbursed indirectly through trusts and assets management plans per the request of our fundingfinancial institution partners, we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of the majority of such trusts and asset management plans.trusts. We therefore consolidate thethese trusts and asset management plans and record the loans funded through these trusts, and asset management plans, along with those directly by our own funds through Fuzhou Microcredit, on our balance sheet. On-balance-sheetOn-balance sheet loans are recorded at amortized costs. Revenues from these loans are accounted as financing income, and we recorded allowance for loan loss. Services provided in connection with our on-balance sheet loans are categorized under credit-driven services.

124

Table of Contents

Off-balance sheet loans

Off-balance sheet loans refer to loans funded and disbursed directly by our financial institutionsinstitution partners and not consolidated on our balance sheet. For a portion of off-balance-sheetoff-balance sheet loans, we only provide platform services to financial institutions, and earn service fees. For the other portion, we not only provide loan facilitation and post-facilitation services but also guarantee the repayment either through our subsidiariesthe VIEs with financing guarantee license or third-party guarantee companies or insurance companies. As a result, we incur guarantee liabilities and take credit risks. Services provided in connection with this portion of loans are categorized under credit drivencredit-driven services.

As of December 31,

2019

2020

2021

Outstanding

Outstanding

Outstanding

    

Principle Balance

    

%

    

Principle Balance

    

%

    

Principle Balance

    

%

(RMB in millions, except for percentages)

On-balance sheet loan

    

9,394

    

13.0

    

7,893

    

8.6

    

13,349

    

9.4

through trust and asset management plans

9,236.8

12.8

6,606.4

7.2

10,476.3

7.4

through Fuzhou Microcredit

157.6

0.2

1,286.6

1.4

2,872.7

2.0

Off-balance sheet loan

 

62,761

 

86.6

 

82,171

 

89.2

 

121,599

 

85.6

Intelligence Credit Engine

358

0.4

2,011

2.2

7,040

5.0

Total

 

72,513

 

100.0

 

92,075

 

100.0

 

141,987

 

100.0

We recognize revenues from an on-balance sheet loan over For the lifetimeyears ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, the total balance of the loans using the effective interest method. In comparison, foroutstanding off-balance sheet loans a significant portion(excluding loans delinquent for more than 180 days) facilitated under credit-driven services amounted to RMB51.4 billion, RMB47.4 billion and RMB42.7 billion (US$6.0 billion), respectively. The table below sets forth details of revenues are relatedthe balance of outstanding on-balance sheet loans and off-balance sheet loans as of the dates indicated.

As of December 31,

2021

2022

2023

Outstanding

Outstanding

Outstanding

    

Loan Balance

    

%

    

Loan Balance

    

%

    

Loan Balance

    

%

(RMB in millions, except for percentages)

On-balance sheet loan

13,349

    

9.4

    

19,512

    

11.9

    

29,257

    

15.7

through trusts and ABSs(1)

10,802

7.6

13,545

8.3

19,414

10.4

through Fuzhou Microcredit

2,547

1.8

5,967

3.7

9,843

5.3

Off-balance sheet loan

128,639

90.6

143,953

88.1

157,221

84.3

Total

141,987

 

100.0

 

163,465

 

100.0

 

186,478

 

100

Note:

(1)

Including loans originated by Fuzhou Microcredit and subsequently transferred to the ABS plans as of December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively.

The outstanding loan balance of on-balance sheet loans increased from RMB13,349 million as of December 31, 2021 to RMB19,512 million as of December 31, 2022, and further to RMB29,257 million (US$4,121 million), primarily due to the increase in the loan facilitation services we provided, which are recognized when a loan is facilitated between the institutional funding partner and the borrower, and the remainder is related to collection and other services, which is recognized over the termvolume of the loan.

The outstanding principal balance of our on-balance-sheet loan increased in 2021 as funding contribution from ABS issuance and trusts increased.on-balance sheet loans.

107125

Table of Contents

Key Line Items and Specific Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations

Net revenue

We generate revenue mainly from providing financialCredit-Tech services through matching the credit demand of unserved and underserved borrowers with credit supply from our fundingfinancial institution partners. The following table sets forth the principal components of our net revenues in absolute amounts and as percentages of our total net revenues for the years presented:

Years Ended December 31,

 

For the Year Ended December 31,

2019

2020

2021

 

2021

2022

2023

    

RMB

    

%

    

RMB

    

%

    

RMB

    

US$

    

%

 

    

RMB

    

%

    

RMB

    

%

    

RMB

    

US$

    

%

(in thousands, except for percentages)

 

(in thousands, except for percentages)

Net revenue:

    

  

    

  

    

  

    

  

    

  

    

  

    

  

  

    

  

    

  

    

  

    

  

    

  

    

  

Credit driven services

8,013,391

86.9

11,403,675

84.1

10,189,167

1,598,902

61.2

Credit-driven services

10,189,167

61.2

11,586,251

70.0

11,738,560

1,653,342

72.0

Loan facilitation and servicing fees-capital heavy

6,273,131

68.0

4,596,555

33.9

2,326,027

365,004

14.0

2,326,027

14.0

2,086,414

12.6

1,667,119

234,809

10.2

Revenue from loan facilitation services

 

4,396,300

47.7

3,160,457

23.3

1,399,310

219,582

8.4

1,399,310

8.4

1,442,100

8.7

1,081,699

152,354

6.6

Revenue from post-facilitation services

 

1,876,831

20.3

1,436,098

10.6

926,717

145,422

5.6

926,717

5.6

644,314

3.9

585,420

82,455

3.6

Financing income

 

1,309,616

14.2

2,184,180

16.1

2,184,128

342,737

13.1

2,184,128

13.1

3,487,951

21.1

5,109,921

719,717

31.4

Revenue from releasing of guarantee liabilities

285,407

3.1

4,506,935

33.2

5,583,135

876,116

33.6

5,583,135

33.6

5,899,153

35.6

4,745,898

668,446

29.1

Other services fees

 

145,237

1.6

116,005

0.9

95,877

15,045

0.5

95,877

0.5

112,733

0.7

215,622

30,370

1.3

Platform services

1,206,456

13.1

2,160,279

15.9

6,446,478

1,011,593

38.8

6,446,478

38.8

4,967,679

30.0

4,551,467

641,061

28.0

Loan facilitation and servicing fees-capital light

814,581

8.8

1,826,654

13.5

5,677,941

890,993

34.2

5,677,941

34.2

4,124,726

24.9

3,213,955

452,676

19.8

Revenue from loan facilitation services

672,982

7.3

1,416,715

10.4

4,484,632

703,737

27.0

4,484,632

27.0

2,656,511

16.0

2,096,085

295,227

12.9

Revenue from post-facilitation services

141,599

1.5

409,939

3.1

1,193,309

187,256

7.2

1,193,309

7.2

1,468,215

8.9

1,117,870

157,449

6.9

Referral service fees

375,551

4.1

265,300

2.0

620,317

97,341

3.7

620,317

3.7

561,372

3.4

950,016

133,807

5.8

Other services fees

16,324

0.2

68,325

0.5

148,220

23,259

0.9

148,220

0.9

281,581

1.7

387,496

54,578

2.4

Total net revenue

 

9,219,847

100.0

13,563,954

100.0

16,635,645

2,610,495

100.0

16,635,645

100.0

16,553,930

100.0

16,290,027

2,294,403

100.0

We divide loans facilitated on our platform into two categories, namely credit drivencredit-driven services and platform services.

In capital-heavy loan facilitation transactions,providing credit-driven services, we either fund on-balance-sheeton-balance sheet loans or provide assuranceguarantee to financial institution partners for off-balance-sheetoff-balance sheet loans through our subsidiariesthe VIEs with financing guarantee license or third-party guarantee companies or insurance companies. Consequently, we take credit risk because of the on-balance-sheeton-balance sheet lending or the guarantee arrangement. By revenue nature, service fee incomerevenue from off-balance-sheetfacilitation and post-facilitation services for such off-balance sheet loans is recorded as loan facilitation and servicing fees-capital heavy, incomerevenue from guarantee services provided to financial institution partners for such off-balance sheet loans is recorded as revenue from releasing of guarantee liabilities, and revenue from our on-balance-sheeton-balance sheet lending is recorded as financing income.

On the other hand, in providing platform services, we primarilyprovide customized technology solutions at different stages of the loan lifecycle, such as borrower acquisition, credit assessment, fund matching and post-facilitation services. Specifically, we (i) provide to financial institution partners with borrower acquisition services as well as ainstitutions comprehensive suite of technology-enabled services spanning across the credit life cycle, including borrower-financial institution partner matching, technology empowerment in preliminary and advanced risk assessment,facilitation and post-facilitation services under our capital-light model, and earn technologycharge them service fees accordingly,based on pre-negotiated terms, which service fees are recorded as loan facilitation and servicing fees - capital light; (ii) provide intelligent marketing services to financial institution partners with borrower acquisition servicesinstitutions and assist financial institution partners with pre-loan investigations on borrowersother lending platforms under ICE and earn pre-negotiated service fees, andwhich are recorded under referral service fees; (iii) refer borrowersprovide referral services to certainother online lending marketplacescompanies and earn referral fees.fees, which are recorded under referral service fees; and (iv) offer financial institutions risk management SaaS or other technology solutions and take technology service fees or consulting fees for the corresponding technology solutions elected by the financial institutions, which service fees are recorded under other services fees, and as such service was introduced in 2020, it contributed a small fraction to our total net revenue in 2021, 2022 and 2023. We currently do not take credit risk under platform services.

126

Table of Contents

Set forth below is an elaboration on the nature of each of our revenue streams.

Loan facilitation and servicing fee revenues.fees.   We generate loan facilitation and servicing fees from financial institution partners in consideration of our facilitation and post-facilitation services for off-balance sheet loans. For each off-balance-sheetoff-balance sheet loan facilitated through our platform, we charge an overall fee at a certain percentage of loan principal. Starting from 2018, to follow the regulation change, particularly Circular 141 which came into effect in December 2017, we started to charge service fees directly from our fundingfinancial institution partners based on the contractual agreements.pre-negotiated terms. Loan facilitation and serviceservicing fees consist of revenues derived from both credit drivenfor off-balance sheet loans under credit-driven services are recorded as loan facilitation and servicing fees – capital heavy, and loan facilitation and servicing fees for off-balance sheet loans through our capital-light model under platform services.services are recorded as loan facilitation and servicing fees – capital light. See “—E. Critical Accounting Estimates—Revenue recognition.”

Financing income.   We generate financing income from on-balance-sheeton-balance sheet loans, which include loans from our fundingfinancial institution partners but disbursed indirectly to borrowers through our consolidated trusts, and asset management plans, as well as loans funded by Fuzhou Microcredit.

108

Table of Contents

Revenue from releasing of guarantee liabilities.   We provide guarantee serviceservices to our institutional fundingfinancial institution partners on the off-balance-sheetoff-balance sheet loans facilitated through our platform under the credit drivencredit-driven services. Prior to 2020, guarantee liabilities were reduced by repayments and only the remaining balance at the expiry of the guarantee term was recognized as revenues from guarantee services. With the adoption of new accounting standard in 2020, weWe recognized the stand-ready guarantee liabilityliabilities on a gross basis and amortize the entire amount into “revenue from releasing of guarantee liabilities” over the term of the guarantee. See “—E. Critical Accounting Policies—Estimates—Guarantee liabilities and financial assets receivable”liabilities” for more details.

Referral service income.fees.   We provide referral services to other platforms by referring to them the borrowers to them who havedo not passedfit our credit assessment.financial institution partners’ risk preference. We also provide referral services to the fundingfinancial institution partners also through our ICE model, by matching the borrowers and the fundingfinancial institution partners.

CostCosts and expenses

The table below sets forth our operating costs and expenses in absolute amounts and as a percentage of our total revenue for the years indicated.

Years Ended December 31,

For the Year Ended December 31,

2019

2020

2021

2021

2022

2023

RMB

    

%

    

RMB

    

%

    

RMB

    

US$

    

%

    

RMB

    

%

    

RMB

    

%

    

RMB

    

US$

    

%

(in thousands, except for percentages)

(in thousands, except for percentages)

Operating costs and expenses:

    

  

    

  

    

  

    

  

    

  

    

  

    

  

  

    

  

    

  

    

  

    

  

    

  

    

  

Facilitation, origination and servicing

 

1,083,372

11.8

1,600,564

11.8

2,252,157

353,413

13.5

2,252,157

13.5

2,373,458

14.3

2,659,912

374,641

16.3

Funding costs

344,999

3.7

595,623

4.4

337,426

52,950

2.0

337,426

2.0

504,448

3.0

645,445

90,909

4.0

Sales and marketing

 

2,851,519

30.9

1,079,494

8.0

2,090,374

328,025

12.6

2,090,374

12.6

2,206,948

13.3

1,939,885

273,227

11.9

General and administrative

 

428,189

4.6

455,952

3.4

557,295

87,452

3.4

557,295

3.4

412,794

2.5

421,076

59,307

2.6

Provision for loans receivable

 

486,991

5.3

698,701

5.2

965,419

151,495

5.8

965,419

5.8

1,580,306

9.5

2,151,046

302,968

13.2

Provision for financial assets receivable

 

166,176

1.8

312,058

2.3

243,946

38,280

1.5

243,946

1.5

397,951

2.4

386,090

54,380

2.4

Provision for accounts receivable and contract assets

 

230,280

2.5

237,277

1.7

324,605

50,938

2.0

324,605

2.0

238,065

1.4

175,799

24,761

1.1

Provision for contingent liabilities

4,794,127

35.3

3,078,224

483,041

18.5

3,078,224

18.5

4,367,776

26.4

3,053,810

430,120

18.7

Expense on guarantee liabilities

734,730

8.0

Total cost of revenues

 

6,326,256

68.6

9,773,796

72.1

9,849,446

1,545,594

59.3

9,849,446

59.3

12,081,746

72.8

11,433,063

1,610,313

70.2

Set forth below is an elaboration on the nature of each item of our costs and expenses.

Facilitation, origination and servicing.    Facilitation, origination and servicing expenses represent the costs incurred to facilitate, originate and service loans through our platform, including both off-balance-sheetoff-balance sheet loans where we earn loan facilitation service fees and post-facilitation service fees, as well as on-balance-sheeton-balance sheet loans where we earn financing income.

It mainly includes (i) salary and benefit expenses for personnel working in origination, credit assessment,facilitation and post-facilitation servicing functions, (ii) credit search expenses, (iii) collection expenses, (iv) payment transaction expenses and (v) expenses related to communications to borrowers.with users.

As a general trend, expenses related to credit search, collection, and payment transaction all change in proportion to the change of loan facilitation and origination volume or the number of loan applications on our platform; expenses related to communications to borrowers relate towith users were primarily driven by the number of registered users with approved credit lines.

127

Table of Contents

Funding costs.   Funding costs consist of interest expenses that we have granted credit lines.pay to financial institutions of our consolidated trusts and the investors of our asset backed securities, as well as costs relating to the set-up and operation of our consolidated trusts.

Sales and marketing.   Sales and marketing expenses include advertising and marketing related expenses to promote our brands and attract users to our platform, as well as salariessalary and benefitsbenefit expenses related to our sales and marketing personnel.

Advertising and marketing related expenses, particularly those used to attract users to our platform, isare largely a discretionary cost item. It is adjusted in light of our overall growth strategy and prediction of the overall credit environment in the market based on judgementour judgment on our riskcredit assessment ability, and funding capacity from our fundingfinancial institution partners. We consider it as an investment for future business growth.

General and administrative.    General and administrative expenses consist of payroll and related expenses for employees engaged in general corporate functions, professional services, costs associated with the use of facilities and equipment, such as rental and other general corporate related expenses.

109

Table of Contents

Funding costs.   Funding cost consists of interest expenses that we pay to institutional funding partners of our consolidated trusts and the investors of our asset backed securities, as well as relating to the set-up and operation of our consolidated trusts.

Expense on guarantee liabilities.   Before the adoption of ASC 326 on January 1, 2020, we evaluated and adjusted the probable loss in excess of stand-ready liability related to our guarantee service due to the re-measurement of the expected default rates of the underlying outstanding off-balance-sheet loans. We incur expenses on guarantee liabilities only if we believe the previous evaluation of the liabilities is not sufficient based on the situation at the time we record such expenses, whereas we do not reduce our guarantee liabilities if we believe our previous evaluation is sufficient or more than our current estimate of the guarantee liabilities.

Share-based compensation.   In 2019, 20202021, 2022 and 2021,2023, we granted options and restricted sharesshare units to our employees to reward their historical contribution to our development. Share-based compensation expenses are non-cash in nature. Share-based compensation expenses were allocated to our expense items for the years indicated as follows:

Years Ended December 31,

For the Year Ended December 31,

2019

2020

2021

2021

2022

2023

RMB

    

%

    

RMB

    

%

    

RMB

    

US$

    

%

RMB

    

%

    

RMB

    

%

    

RMB

    

US$

    

%

(in thousands)

Facilitation origination and servicing

    

55,601

22.2

72,192

24.0

75,209

11,802

29.6

Sales and marketing expenses

 

6,805

2.7

8,164

2.7

12,340

1,936

4.9

General and administrative expenses

 

188,022

75.1

220,805

73.3

166,373

26,108

65.5

(in thousands, except for percentages)

Facilitation, origination and servicing

    

75,209

29.6

73,945

37.0

75,152

10,585

40.5

Sales and marketing

 

12,340

4.9

4,328

2.2

(375)

(53)

(0.2)

General and administrative

 

166,373

65.5

121,464

60.8

110,827

15,610

59.7

Total

 

250,428

100.0

301,161

100.0

253,922

39,846

100.0

 

253,922

100.0

199,737

100.0

185,604

26,142

100.0

Provisions

We record the below four types of provisions related to our loan products.products facilitated by us. Provision for loan receivablesloans receivable relates to the loans on our balance sheet, provision for accounts receivable and contactcontract assets relates to our facilitation service,services for our off-balance sheet loans, and provision for financial assets receivable and provision for contingent liabilities relate to the guarantee services for some of our off-balance-sheet loans.off-balance sheet loans under credit-driven services.

Provision for loans receivable.receivable.   We evaluate the creditworthiness and collectability of loans on our balance sheet on a pooled basis. The provision for loans receivable is an assessment performed on a portfolio basis and factors such as delinquency rate, size, and other risk characteristics of the portfolio.

Provision for financial assets receivable.receivable.    We recognize financial assets receivable at the inception of the off-balance-sheetoff-balance sheet loans facilitated through our platform if we provide assuranceguarantee of repayments to our fundingfinancial institution partners. We recognize financial assets receivable equal to the stand-ready liabilityguarantee liabilities recorded at fair value and consider what premium would be required by us to issue the same guarantee service in a standalone arm’s length transaction. The financial assets receivable is accounted for as a financial asset, and reduced upon the receipt of the service fee payment from our fundingfinancial institution partners. At each reporting date, we estimate the future cash flows and assesses whether there is any indicator of impairment. If the carrying amountsamount of the financial assets receivable exceedexceeds the expected cash to be received, an impairment loss is recorded for the financial assets receivable that is not recoverable.

Provision for accounts receivable and contract assets.     We recognize accounts receivable and contract assets after we complete our facilitation services to fundingfinancial institution partners for the off-balance-sheetoff-balance sheet loans. We establishedestablish an allowance for uncollectible accounts receivable and contract assets based on estimates, which incorporate historical experience and other factors surrounding the credit risk of specific typetypes of customersborrowers, which is essentially the expected net default rate used in determining the fair value of guarantee liabilities. We evaluate and adjust our allowance for uncollectible accounts receivable and contract assets on a quarterly basis or more often as necessary.

128

Table of Contents

Provision for contingent liabilities.    We recognize a contingent guarantee liability with an allowance for credit losses under the current expected credit loss model, or the CECL model, at the inception of the guarantee due to our adoption of ASC 326, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses. See “Critical“—E. Critical Accounting Policies-Guarantee liabilities and financial assets receivable”Estimates—Guarantee liabilities” for details. The contingent guarantee is reduced by payouts made by the companyus to compensate the fundingfinancial institution partners upon borrowers’ default. We evaluate and adjust allowance for credit losses on a quarterly basis or more often as necessary.

110

Table of Contents

Taxation

Cayman Islands

We are an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands currently levies no taxes on individuals or corporations based upon profits, income, gains or appreciation and there is no taxation in the nature of inheritance tax or estate duty.appreciation.

There are no other taxes likely to be material to us levied by the government of the Cayman Islands except for stamp duties which may be applicable on instruments executed in, or brought within the jurisdiction of the Cayman Islands. In addition, the Cayman Islands does not impose withholding tax on dividend payments.

Hong Kong

Our subsidiary incorporated in Hong Kong is subject to Hong Kong profit tax at a rate of 16.5%. No Hong Kong profit tax has been levied as we did not have an assessable profit that was earned in or derived from the Hong Kong subsidiary during the periods presented. Hong Kong does not impose a withholding tax on dividends.

Mainland China

Generally, our PRC subsidiaries, variable interest entities and their subsidiaries, which are considered PRC resident enterprises under PRCmainland China 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%.

The consolidated trusts are subject to VAT at the rate of 3%, while our other entities are subject to VAT at the rate of 6% as general taxpayers, and related surcharges on revenue generated from providing services. The EITEnterprise Income Tax Law and its Implementation Rulesimplementation rules permit certain “high and new technology enterprises strongly supported by the state” that hold independent ownership of core intellectual property and simultaneously meet a list of other criteria, financial or non-financial, as stipulated in the Implementation Rules and other regulations, to enjoy a reduced 15% enterprise income tax rate. The SAT,STA, the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Finance jointly issued the Administrative Measures on the Recognition for High and New Technology Enterprise delineating the specific criteria and procedures for the “high and new technology enterprises” certification in April 2008, which was amended in January 2016. Shanghai Qiyu was accredited as a “high and new technology enterprises” in 2018, which was renewed in 2021. Therefore, it was entitled to a reduced 15% enterprise income tax rate from 2018 to 2023. In November 2020, ourOur WFOE obtained “high and new technology enterprises” status in 2020 and renewed it in 2023, and was entitled to a reduced enterprise income tax rate of 15% from 2020 to 2022. In August2025. Beihai Qicheng Information & Technology Co., Ltd., Beihai Qi’ang Information & Technology Co., Ltd. and another subsidiary benefit from a preferential tax rate of 15% as their operation falls within the encouraged industries catalogue in western China. The 40% of the enterprise income tax payables could be further reduced as they are located in an autonomous region of China. Therefore, Beihai Qicheng Information & Technology Co., Ltd. applied a preferential income tax rate of 9% from 2019 oneto 2023. Beihai Qi’ang Information & Technology Co., Ltd. and another subsidiary applied a preferential income tax rate of 9% from 2023 to 2027. Since 2021, two of our subsidiaries have benefited from a preferential tax rate of 15% as they are registered in Hainan and engaged in encouraged business activities. Since 2022, Beihai Borui Credit Service Co., Ltd. has benefitted from a preferential tax rate of 15% as it falls within the encouraged industries catalogue in western China. The 40%

129

Table of the enterprise income tax payables of the subsidiary could be further reduced as it is located in an autonomous region of China. In 2021, two of our subsidiaries benefited from a preferential tax rate of 15% as they were registered in Hainan Province and engaged in encouraged business activities.Contents

Dividends paid by our wholly foreign-owned subsidiaries in mainland China to our intermediary holding company in Hong Kong will be subject to a withholding tax rate of 10%, unless the relevant Hong Kong entity satisfies all the requirements under the Arrangement between Mainland China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Tax Evasion on Income with respect to Taxes on Income and Capital and receives approval from the relevant tax authority. If our Hong Kong subsidiary satisfies all the requirements under the tax arrangement and receives approval from the relevant tax authority, then the dividends paid to the Hong Kong subsidiary would be subject to withholding tax at the standard rate of 5%. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—We may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our PRC subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have, and any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to make payments to us could have a material adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business.”

If our holding company in the Cayman Islands or any of our subsidiaries outside of mainland 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.”

111

TableIn 2023, our WFOE made dividend payments of Contents

SinceRMB940.0 million (US$132.4 million) to our Hong Kong subsidiaries and paid related withholding income tax of RMB94.0 million (US$13.2 million) accordingly. As of December 31, 2023, we currently have sufficient cash at 360 DigiTech, Inc.recorded a deferred tax liability of RMB112.7 million associated with all of our earnings expected to pay dividends, we maintain our positionbe distributed from mainland China subsidiaries to reinvestoverseas for dividend distribution and share repurchase. The remaining undistributed profits earned from ourof mainland China subsidiaries and VIEs in our operations in China. Once the cash held by 360 DigiTech, Inc. is insufficient to pay dividend or we need to fund our cash demand through earnings repatriated from PRC subsidiaries and VIEs,as of December 31, 2023 would be indefinitely reinvested with unrecognized deferred tax liabilities of undistributed earnings to be repatriated will be recognized as Chinese withholding taxes will be levied on cash dividend through earnings by PRC subsidiaries.approximately RMB2,005.0 million (US$282.4 million).

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

A list of recently issued accounting pronouncements that are relevant to us is included in Note 2 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—Recent accounting pronouncements” to our combined and consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report.

130

Table of Contents

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth a summary of our combined and consolidated results of operations for the periodsyears presented, both in absolute amounts and as a percentage of our total net revenue for the periodsyears presented. This information should be read together with our combined and consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this annual report. Period-to-period comparisons of historical results of operations should not be relied upon as indicative of future performance.

Years Ended December 31,

For the Year Ended December 31,

2019

2020

2021

2021

2022

2023

RMB

    

%

    

RMB

    

%

    

RMB

    

US$

    

%

RMB

    

%

    

RMB

    

%

    

RMB

    

US$

    

%

(in thousands, except for percentages)

(in thousands, except for percentages)

Net revenue

    

  

    

  

    

  

    

  

    

  

    

  

    

  

    

  

    

  

    

  

    

  

    

  

    

  

    

  

Credit driven services

8,013,391

86.9

11,403,675

84.1

10,189,167

1,598,902

61.2

Credit-driven services

10,189,167

61.2

11,586,251

70.0

11,738,560

1,653,342

72.0

Loan facilitation and servicing fees-capital heavy

 

6,273,131

68.0

4,596,555

33.9

2,326,027

365,004

14.0

2,326,027

14.0

2,086,414

12.6

1,667,119

234,809

10.2

Financing income

 

1,309,616

14.2

2,184,180

16.1

2,184,128

342,737

13.1

2,184,128

13.1

3,487,951

21.1

5,109,921

719,717

31.4

Revenue from releasing of guarantee liabilities

 

285,407

3.1

4,506,935

33.2

5,583,135

876,116

33.6

5,583,135

33.6

5,899,153

35.6

4,745,898

668,446

29.1

Other services fees

 

145,237

1.6

116,005

0.9

95,877

15,045

0.5

95,877

0.5

112,733

0.7

215,622

30,370

1.3

Platform services

1,206,456

13.1

2,160,279

15.9

6,446,478

1,011,593

38.8

6,446,478

38.8

4,967,679

30.0

4,551,467

641,061

28.0

Loan facilitation and servicing fees-capital light

814,581

8.8

1,826,654

13.5

5,677,941

890,993

34.2

5,677,941

34.2

4,124,726

24.9

3,213,955

452,676

19.8

Referral services fees

375,551

4.1

265,300

2.0

620,317

97,341

3.7

620,317

3.7

561,372

3.4

950,016

133,807

5.8

Other services fees

16,324

0.2

68,325

0.5

148,220

23,259

0.9

148,220

0.9

281,581

1.7

387,496

54,578

2.4

Total net revenue

 

9,219,847

100.0

13,563,954

100.0

16,635,645

2,610,495

100.0

16,635,645

100.0

16,553,930

100.0

16,290,027

2,294,403

100.0

Operating costs and expenses(1)

 

Facilitation, origination and servicing

 

1,083,372

11.8

1,600,564

11.8

2,252,157

353,413

13.5

2,252,157

13.5

2,373,458

14.3

2,659,912

374,641

16.3

Funding costs

344,999

3.7

595,623

4.4

337,426

52,950

2.0

337,426

2.0

504,448

3.0

645,445

90,909

4.0

Sales and marketing

 

2,851,519

30.9

1,079,494

8.0

2,090,374

328,025

12.6

2,090,374

12.6

2,206,948

13.3

1,939,885

273,227

11.9

General and administrative

 

428,189

4.6

455,952

3.4

557,295

87,452

3.4

557,295

3.4

412,794

2.5

421,076

59,307

2.6

Provision for loans receivable

 

486,991

5.3

698,701

5.2

965,419

151,495

5.8

965,419

5.8

1,580,306

9.5

2,151,046

302,968

13.2

Provision for financial assets receivable

 

166,176

1.8

312,058

2.3

243,946

38,280

1.5

243,946

1.5

397,951

2.4

386,090

54,380

2.4

Provision for accounts receivable and contract assets

 

230,280

2.5

237,277

1.7

324,605

50,938

2.0

324,605

2.0

238,065

1.4

175,799

24,761

1.1

Provision for contingent liabilities

4,794,127

35.3

3,078,224

483,041

18.5

3,078,224

18.5

4,367,776

26.4

3,053,810

430,120

18.7

Expense on guarantee liabilities

734,730

8.0

Total operating costs and expenses

 

6,326,256

68.6

9,773,796

72.1

9,849,446

1,545,594

59.3

9,849,446

59.3

12,081,746

72.8

11,433,063

1,610,313

70.2

Income from operations

 

2,893,591

31.4

3,790,158

27.9

6,786,199

1,064,901

40.7

6,786,199

40.7

4,472,184

27.2

4,856,964

684,090

29.8

Interest (expense) income, net

 

(41,707)

(0.5)

77,169

0.6

126,256

19,812

0.8

Foreign exchange loss

 

(24,875)

(0.3)

101,534

0.7

35,549

5,578

0.2

Investment income

10,115

1,587

0.1

Interest income, net

126,256

0.8

182,301

1.1

217,307

30,607

1.30

Foreign exchange gain (loss)

35,549

0.2

(160,225)

(1.0)

2,356

332

0.0

Investment income (loss)

10,115

0.1

(19,888)

(0.1)

(30,112)

(4,241)

(0.20)

Other income, net

 

140,278

1.5

112,884

0.8

64,590

10,136

0.4

64,590

0.4

268,000

1.6

230,936

32,527

1.40

Income before income tax expense

 

2,967,287

32.2

4,081,745

30.1

7,022,709

1,102,014

42.2

7,022,709

42.2

4,742,372

28.8

5,277,451

743,315

32.30

Income tax expense

 

(465,983)

(5.1)

(586,036)

(4.3)

(1,258,196)

(197,438)

(7.6)

(1,258,196)

(7.6)

(736,804)

(4.5)

(1,008,874)

(142,097)

(6.20)

Net income

 

2,501,304

27.1

3,495,709

25.8

5,764,513

904,576

34.6

5,764,513

34.6

4,005,568

24.3

4,268,577

601,218

26.10

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

291

0.0

897

0.0

17,212

2,701

0.1

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests

17,212

0.1

18,605

0.1

16,759

2,360

0.10

Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders of the Company

 

2,501,595

27.1

3,496,606

25.8

5,781,725

907,277

34.7

5,781,725

34.7

4,024,173

24.4

4,285,336

603,578

26.20

112Note:

Table of Contents

(1)Share-based compensation expenses were allocated as follows:

Years Ended December 31,

2019

    

2020

    

2021

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

US$

(in thousands)

Facilitation origination and servicing

    

55,601

72,192

75,209

11,802

Sales and marketing expenses

 

6,805

8,164

12,340

1,936

General and administrative expenses

 

188,022

220,805

166,373

26,108

Total

 

250,428

301,161

253,922

39,846

131

Table of Contents

For the Year Ended December 31,

2021

    

2022

    

2023

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

US$

(in thousands)

Facilitation, origination and servicing

75,209

73,945

75,152

10,585

Sales and marketing

12,340

4,328

(375)

(53)

General and administrative

166,373

121,464

110,827

15,610

Total

253,922

199,737

185,604

26,142

Share-based compensation expenses are non-cash in nature.

Year Ended December 31, 20212023 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 20202022

Net revenue

Our total net revenue increaseddecreased by 22.6%1.6% from RMB13,564RMB16,554 million in 20202022 to RMB16,636RMB16,290 million (US$2,6102,294 million) in 2021 as a result of2023, primarily due to the rapid expansion of our Credit-Tech business.decline in off-balance-sheet capital-heavy and capital-light loan facilitation volume and shorter effective loan tenor. Within our total revenue, the amount derived from credit-driven services decreasedincreased by 10.7%1.3% from RMB11,404RMB11,586 million in 20202022 to RMB10,189RMB11,739 million (US$1,5991,653 million) in 2021,2023, and the amount derived from platform services increaseddecreased by 198.4%8.4% from RMB2,160RMB4,968 million in 20202022 to RMB6,446RMB4,551 million (US$1,012641 million) in 2021.2023.

Loan facilitation and servicing fee revenues.fees. Loan facilitation and servicing fee revenuesfees decreased under the credit-driven services from RMB4,597RMB2,086 million in 20202022 to RMB2,326RMB1,667 million (US$365235 million) in 2021. The decrease was2023, primarily due to lower average interest rates of thea decline in capital-heavy loan and a decrease in facilitation volume under the capital heavy model.and shorter effective loan tenor. Loan facilitation and servicing fee revenues increasedfees decreased under the platform services from RMB1,827RMB4,125 million in 20202022 to RMB5,678RMB3,214 million (US$891453 million) in 2021. The increase was2023, primarily due to growtha decline in loan facilitation volume under capital-light model. In 2021, loans under theour capital-light model accounted for 50% of totaland shorter effective loan facilitation and origination volume, an increase from 26% in 2020. The increase in the loan facilitation volume was primarily driven by the increase in the number of users with approved credit lines on our platform from approximately 29.3 million as of December 31, 2020 to approximately 38.5 million as of December 31, 2021.tenor.
Financing income. Financing income remained stable at RMB2,184increased from RMB3,488 million in 2022 to RMB5,110 million (US$343720 million) in 2021 and 2020. Contributions2023, primarily due to the growth in average outstanding on-balance-sheet loan balance.
Revenue from increasesreleasing of guarantee liabilities. Revenue from releasing of guarantee liabilities decreased from RMB5,899 million in on-balance2022 to RMB4,746 million (US$668 million) in 2023. This decrease reflected the change in average outstanding balance of off-balance-sheet capital-heavy loans were largely offset by lower average interest rates.during the period.
Referral services fees. Referral services fees increased from RMB561 million in 2022 to RMB950 million (US$134 million) in 2023, primarily due to an increase in the loan facilitation volume through ICE.

Operating costs and expenses

Operating costs and expenses decreased from RMB12,082 million in 2022 to RMB11,433 million (US$1,610 million) in 2023, primarily due to the decrease in provision for contingent liabilities.

Facilitation, origination and servicing. Facilitation, origination and servicing costs increased from RMB2,373 million in 2022 to RMB2,660 million (US$375 million) in 2023, primarily due to an increase of collection fee of RMB125 million (US$18 million) as a result of the growth in loan facilitation volume and balance and credit search fees of RMB68 million (US$10 million).
Sales and marketing. Sales and marketing expenses decreased from RMB2,207 million in 2022 to RMB1,940 million (US$273 million) in 2023, primarily due to a decrease of RMB236 million (US$33 million) in advertising and marketing-related expenses as a result of the improvement in marketing efficiency.
General and administrative. General and administrative expenses increased from RMB413 million in 2022 to RMB421 million (US$59 million) in 2023, primarily due to increase of RMB12 million (US$2 million) in professional service fees.

132

Table of Contents

Funding costs. Funding costs increased from RMB504 million in 2022 to RMB645 million (US$91 million) in 2023, mainly due to the growth in funding from ABSs as a result of the continued growth in on-balance-sheet loan balance, partially offset by the lower average cost of ABSs.
Provision for loans receivable. Provision for loans receivable increased from RMB1,580 million in 2022 to RMB2,151 million (US$303 million) in 2023, which was primarily due to the growth in loan origination volume of on-balance-sheet loans.
Provision for financial assets receivable. Provision for financial assets receivable decreased from RMB398 million in 2022 to RMB386 million (US$54 million) in 2023. The decrease reflected our consistent approach in assessing provisions commensurate with our underlying loan profile and the decline in capital-heavy loan facilitation volume.
Provision for accounts receivable and contract assets. Provision for accounts receivable and contract assets decreased from RMB238 million in 2022 to RMB176 million (US$25 million) in 2023. The decrease reflected our consistent approach in assessing provisions commensurate with our underlying loan profile and decreases in capital-heavy and capital-light loan facilitation volume.
Provision for contingent liabilities. Provision for contingent liabilities decreased from RMB4,368 million in 2022 to RMB3,054 million (US$430 million) in 2023, which reflected our consistent approach in assessing provisions commensurate with our underlying loan profile as well as a decline in capital-heavy loan facilitation volume.

Interest income, net

Interest income, net was RMB217 million (US$31 million) in 2023, compared to RMB182 million in 2022, mainly due to the increase in interest earned from bank deposits.

Other income, net

Other income decreased from RMB268 million in 2022 to RMB231 million (US$33 million) in 2023, mainly due to the decrease of government grants.

Income tax expense

Income tax expense was RMB1,009 million (US$142 million) in 2023, compared to RMB737 million in 2022. Excluding share-based compensation expense which is not tax deductible in China, the effective tax rate was 18.5% in 2023, compared to 14.9% in 2022. The increase in effective tax rate was mainly due to withholding taxes related to our company’s dividend and share repurchase plan.

Net income

Net income was RMB4,269 million (US$601 million) in 2023, compared to RMB4,006 million in 2022.

Year Ended December 31, 2022 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2021

Net revenue

Our total net revenue decreased by 0.5% from RMB16,636 million in 2021 to RMB16,554 million in 2022, primarily due to the decline in loan facilitation volume under our capital-light model. Within our total revenue, the amount derived from credit-driven services increased by 13.7% from RMB10,189 million in 2021 to RMB11,586 million in 2022, and the amount derived from platform services decreased by 22.9% from RMB6,446 million in 2021 to RMB4,968 million in 2022.

Loan facilitation and servicing fees. Loan facilitation and servicing fees decreased under the credit-driven services from RMB2,326 million in 2021 to RMB2,086 million in 2022, primarily due to a lower take rate as a result of a decline in average IRR of the loans. Loan facilitation and servicing fees decreased under the platform services from RMB5,678 million in 2021 to RMB4,125 million in 2022, primarily due to a decline in loan facilitation volume under our capital-light model as well as a decline in average IRR of the loans.

133

Table of Contents

Financing income. Financing income increased from RMB2,184 million in 2021 to RMB3,488 million in 2022, primarily due to the growth in average outstanding on-balance-sheet loan balance.
Revenue from releasing of guarantee liabilities. Revenue from releasing of guarantee liabilities increased from RMB4,507RMB5,583 million in 20202021 to RMB5,583RMB5,899 million (US$876 million) in 2021.2022. This increase was in line withreflected the increasechange in average outstanding balance of off-balance-sheet capital-heavy loans during the period.
Referral services fees. Referral services fees increaseddecreased from RMB265RMB620 million in 20202021 to RMB620RMB561 million (US$97 million) in 20212022, primarily due to facilitation volume growth through ICE.the decline in traffic from the referral services.

Operating costs and expenses

Operating costs and expenses increased from RMB9,774 million for 2020 to RMB9,849 million (US$1,546 million) forin 2021 to support the rapid growth of our business.

Facilitation, origination and servicing. Facilitation, origination and servicing costs increased from RMB1,601RMB12,082 million in 2020 to RMB2,252 million (US$353 million) in 2021,2022, primarily due to (i) salaries and benefit costs of RMB250the increase in provision for contingent liabilities.

Facilitation, origination and servicing. Facilitation, origination and servicing costs increased from RMB2,252 million in 2021 to RMB2,373 million in 2022, primarily due to an increase of collection fee of RMB156 million as a result of the growth in loan facilitation volume and balance.
Sales and marketing. Sales and marketing expenses increased substantially from RMB2,090 million in 2021 to RMB2,207 million in 2022, primarily due to an increase of RMB126 million in advertising and marketing-related expenses as a result of a higher average traffic cost throughout the challenging macro environment during 2022.
General and administrative. General and administrative expenses decreased from RMB557 million in 2021 to RMB413 million in 2022, primarily due to a decrease of RMB72 million in professional service fees and our continued effort to improve operational efficiency.
Funding costs. Funding costs increased from RMB337 million in 2021 to RMB504 million in 2022, mainly due to the growth in funding from ABSs and trusts.
Provision for loans receivable. Provision for loans receivable increased from RMB965 million in 2021 to RMB1,580 million in 2022, which was primarily due to the growth in outstanding on-balance sheet loans.
Provision for financial assets receivable. Provision for financial assets receivable increased from RMB244 million in 2021 to RMB398 million in 2022. The increase reflected challenging macro environment factors which are consistently applied in the estimation of default rate made as of December 31, 2022 for those vintages of loans in prior periods and at the inception of such loans.
Provision for accounts receivable and contract assets. Provision for accounts receivable and contract assets decreased from RMB325 million in 2021 to RMB238 million in 2022, primarily attributable to the decrease in loan facilitation volume under our capital-light model.
Provision for contingent liabilities. Provision for contingent liabilities increased from RMB3,078 million in 2021 to RMB4,368 million in 2022, which reflected challenging macro environment factors which are consistently applied in the estimation of default rate made as of December 31, 2022 for those vintages of loans in prior periods and at the inception of such loans.

Interest income, net

Interest income, net was RMB182 million (US$39 million) as a result of headcountin 2022, compared to RMB126 million in 2021, mainly due to the increase and (ii) payment transaction cost of RMB172 million (US$27 million), collection fee of RMB70 million (US$11 million) and credit search fee of RMB45 million (US$7 million) as a result of the growth in loan facilitation and origination volume.

net interest earned from bank deposits.

113134

Table of Contents

Sales and marketing. Sales and marketing expenses increased substantially from RMB1,079 million in 2020 to RMB2,090 million (US$328 million) in 2021, primarily attributable to an increase of RMB983 million (US$154 million) in advertising and marketing-related expenses as a result of a more proactive customer acquisition strategy, particularly related to acquiring large ticket-size customers.

General and administrative. General and administrative expenses increased from RMB456 million in 2020 to RMB557 million (US$87 million) in 2021, primarily due to expanded business operations, partially offset by our continued effort to improve operational efficiency.

Funding cost. Funding cost decreased from RMB596 million in 2020 to RMB337 million (US$53 million) in 2021. The decrease of funding cost was mainly due to increased funding contribution from ABS which has lower funding cost compared to trusts.

Provision for loans receivable. Provision for loans receivable increased from RMB699 million in 2020 to RMB965 million (US$151 million) in 2021, primarily due to the growth in outstanding on-balance sheet loans.

Provision for financial assets receivable. Provision for financial assets receivable decreased from RMB312 million in 2020 to RMB244 million (US$38 million) in 2021. The decrease was primarily attributable to decrease in loan facilitation volume under capital-heavy model.

Provision for accounts receivable and contract assets. Provision for accounts receivable and contract assets increased from RMB237 million in 2020 to RMB325 million (US$51 million) in 2021. The increase was primarily due to the growth in total loan facilitation volume under capital-heavy and capital-light models.

Provision for contingent liability. Provision for contingent liability was RMB3,078 million (US$483 million) in 2021, compared to RMB4,794 million in 2020. The decline was mainly due to a decrease in loan facilitation volume under the capital-heavy model and in part due to the fact that loans facilitated in the second and third quarters of 2021 performed better than expected.

Expense on guarantee liabilities. Expenses on guarantee liabilities was nil in 2020 and 2021.

Interest income (expense)

Interest income was RMB126 million (US$20 million) in 2021, compared to interest expense of RMB77 million in 2020, mainly because of the increase in net interest earned from bank deposits.

Other income, net

Other income decreasedincreased from RMB113RMB65 million in 20202021 to RMB65RMB268 million (US$10 million) in 2021,2022, mainly due to the decreaseincrease of government grants.

Income tax expense

Income tax expense was RMB737 million in 2022, compared to RMB1,258 million (US$197 million) in 2021, compared to RMB586 million in 2020.2021. Excluding share-based compensation expense which is not tax deductible in China, the effective tax rate was 14.9% in 2022, compared to 17.3% in 2021, compared to 13.4% in 2020.2021.

Net income

Net income was RMB4,006 million in 2022, compared to RMB5,765 million (US$905 million) in 2021, compared to a net income of RMB3,496 million in 2020.2021.

114

Table of Contents

Year Ended December 31, 2020 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2019

Net revenue

Our revenue increased by 47.1% from RMB9,220 million in 2019 to RMB13,564 million in 2020 as the result of the rapid expansion of our Credit-Tech business. Within our total revenue, the amount derived from credit-driven services increased by 42.3% from RMB8,013 million to RMB11,404 million, and the amount derived from platform services grew even faster by 79% from RMB1,206 million to RMB2,160 million.

Loan facilitation and servicing fee revenues. Loan facilitation and servicing fee revenues decreased under the credit-driven services from RMB6,273 million in 2019 to RMB4,597 million in 2020. The decrease was primarily due to lower average interest rates of the loans, a decrease in facilitation volume under a capital-heavy model, and the impact from early repayment since late 2019. Loan facilitation and servicing fee revenues increased under the platform services from RMB815 million in 2019 to RMB1,827 million in 2020. The increase was primarily due to growth in loan facilitation volume under capital-light model. In 2020, loans under the capital-light model accounted for 26% of total loan facilitation and origination volume, an increase from 14% in 2019. The increase in the loan facilitation volume was primarily driven by the increase in the number of users with approved credit lines on our platform from approximately 24.7 million as of December 31, 2019 to approximately 29.3 million as of December 31, 2020.
Financing income. Financing income increased from RMB1,310 million in 2019 to RMB2,184 million in 2020. The increase of financing income was mainly due to the increase in on-balance sheet loans.
Revenue from releasing of guarantee liabilities. Revenue from releasing of guarantee liabilities increased from RMB285 million in 2019 to RMB4,507 million in 2020. This increase was primarily attributable to the change of accounting standards at the beginning of 2020.
Referral services fees. Referral services fees decreased from RMB376 million in 2019 to RMB265 million in 2020 primarily due to a decrease in volume of referral business, partially offset by a larger contribution from ICE in late 2020.
Operating costs and expenses

Operating costs and expenses increased from RMB6,326 million for 2019 to RMB9,774 million for 2020 to support the rapid growth of our business.

Facilitation, origination and servicing. Facilitation, origination and servicing costs increased from RMB1,083 million in 2019 to RMB1,601 million in 2020, primarily due to (i) salaries and benefit costs of RMB184 million as a result of headcount increase, and (ii) collection fee of RMB257 million as we proactively expanded our collection operations early in 2020.

Sales and marketing. Sales and marketing expenses decreased substantially from RMB2,852 million in 2019 to RMB1,079 million in 2020, primarily attributable to a decrease of RMB1,866 million in advertising and marketing-related expenses as a result of more conservative customer acquisition strategy and more effective customer acquisition operations.

General and administrative. General and administrative expenses increased from RMB428 million in 2019 to RMB456 million in 2020 primarily due to an increase of RMB33 million in share-based compensation expenses, partially offset by our continued efforts to improve operational efficiency.

Funding cost. Funding cost increased significantly from RMB345 million in 2019 to RMB596 million in 2020. The increase of funding cost was mainly due to the growth in on-balance-sheet loans funded by ABS and the trust.

Provision for loans receivable. Provision for loans receivable increased from RMB487 million in 2019 to RMB699 million in 2020 primarily due to growth in loan origination volume of on-balance-sheet loans.

Provision for financial assets receivable. Provision for financial assets receivable increased from RMB166 million in 2019 to RMB312 million in 2020. The increase was primarily attributable to higher projected default rates in 2020 with COVID-19 impact early in the year.

115

Table of Contents

Provision for accounts receivable and contract assets. Provision for accounts receivable and contract assets increased from RMB230 million in 2019 to RMB237 million in 2020. The increase was primarily attributable to growth in loan facilitation volume under a capital-light model, partially offset by improving asset quality.

Provision for contingent liability. Provision for contingent liability was RMB4,794 million, compared to nil in 2019. The change resulted from the new accounting standards taking effect in 2020.

Expense on guarantee liabilities. Expenses on guarantee liabilities was RMB735 million in 2019, compared to nil in 2020, as a result of the new accounting standard taking effect in 2020.

Interest income (expense)

Interest income was RMB77 million in 2020, compared to interest expense of RMB42 million in 2019, mainly because of the increase in net interest earned from bank deposits.

Other income, net

Other income increased from RMB140 million in 2019 to RMB113 million in 2020, mainly due to the decrease of government grants.

Income tax expense

Income tax expense was RMB586 million in 2020, compared to RMB466 million in 2019. Excluding share-based compensation expense which is not tax deductible in China, the effective tax rate was 13.4% in 2020, compared to 14.5% in 2019.

Net income

Net income was RMB3,496 million in 2020, compared to a net income of RMB2,501 million in 2019.

Changes in Financial Position

The following table sets forth selected information from our consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2019, 20202021, 2022 and 2021.2023. This information should be read together with our combined and consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this annual report.

116

Table of Contents

As of December 31,

As of December 31,

2019

2020

2021

2021

    

2022

    

2023

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

US$

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

US$

(in thousands)

(in thousands)

Current assets:

    

  

    

  

    

  

    

  

  

    

  

    

  

    

  

Cash and cash equivalents

 

2,108,123

4,418,416

6,116,360

959,790

6,116,360

7,165,584

4,177,890

588,443

Restricted cash

 

1,727,727

2,355,850

2,643,587

414,836

2,643,587

3,346,779

3,381,107

476,219

Security deposit prepaid to third-party guarantee companies

 

932,983

915,144

874,886

137,289

874,886

396,699

207,071

29,165

Accounts receivable and contract assets, net

 

2,332,364

2,394,528

3,097,254

486,027

3,097,254

2,868,625

2,909,245

409,759

Financial assets receivable, net

 

1,912,554

3,565,482

3,806,243

597,283

3,806,243

2,982,076

2,522,543

355,293

Loans receivable, net

 

9,239,565

7,500,629

9,844,481

1,544,814

9,844,481

15,347,662

24,604,487

3,465,470

Non-current assets:

Accounts receivable and contract assets, net-noncurrent

19,508

307,937

223,474

35,068

223,474

261,319

146,995

20,704

Financial assets receivable, net-noncurrent

59,270

645,326

597,965

93,834

597,965

688,843

596,330

83,991

Loans receivable, net-noncurrent

87,685

2,859,349

448,694

2,859,349

3,136,994

2,898,005

408,175

Land use rights, net

1,018,908

159,889

1,018,908

998,185

977,461

137,673

Current liabilities:

 

Payable to investors of the consolidated trusts-current

 

4,423,717

3,117,634

2,304,518

361,629

2,304,518

6,099,520

8,942,291

1,259,495

Guarantee liabilities-stand ready

 

2,212,125

4,173,497

4,818,144

756,072

4,818,144

4,120,346

3,949,601

556,290

Guarantee liabilities-contingent

734,730

3,543,454

3,285,081

515,501

3,285,081

3,418,391

3,207,264

451,734

Non-current liabilities:

Payable to investors of the consolidated trusts-noncurrent

3,442,500

1,468,890

4,010,597

629,350

4,010,597

4,521,600

3,581,800

504,486

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of funds in banks, which are highly liquid and are unrestricted as to withdrawal or use.

Our cash and cash equivalents increaseddecreased from RMB4,418RMB7,166 million as of December 31, 20202022 to RMB6,116RMB4,178 million (US$960588 million) as of December 31, 2021,2023, due to an increasethe increased cash usage in cash inflow from operating activities.our on-balance sheet lending.

Restricted cash

Restricted cash mainly represents security deposits related to our loan facilitation services and cash held by our consolidated trusts and asset management plans through segregated bank accounts which can only be used to invest in loans or other securities as stipulated in the trust agreements. The trust hastrusts have a maximum operating period of twothree years. The cash in the trusttrusts is not available to fund our general liquidity needs.

135

Table of Contents

Our restricted cash increased from RMB2,356RMB3,347 million as of December 31, 20202022 to RMB2,644RMB3,381 million (US$415476 million) as of December 31, 2021,2023, primarily due to anthe increase of security deposits set aside for certain funding partners in case of borrowers’ defaultscash held by our consolidated trusts and asset management plans as a result of increased loan balance.the growth in funding from ABSs and trusts.

Security deposits prepaid to third-party guarantee companies

We have engaged with third-party licensed guarantee companies to provide assuranceguarantee to some fundingfinancial institution partners since 2019, and sometimes we prepay an amount as back-to-back guarantee to these guarantee companies. Such prepayment in the deposit account under the guarantee company’s name is recorded under this account. Our security deposit prepaid to third-party guarantee companies amounted to RMB875RMB207 million (US$13729 million) as of December 31, 2021.2023.

Accounts receivable and contract assets, net

Accounts receivable and contract assets increaseddecreased from RMB2,702RMB3,130 million as of December 31, 20202022 to RMB3,321RMB3,056 million (US$521430 million) as of December 31, 2021,2023, net of allowance of RMB256RMB315 million and RMB316RMB321 million (US$5045 million), respectively, mainly due to the increasedecrease in our loan facilitation volume.

117

Tableoutstanding balance of Contentsoff-balance sheet loans.

Financial assets receivable, net

Financial assets receivable increaseddecreased from RMB4,211RMB3,671 million as of December 31, 20202022 to RMB4,404RMB3,119 million (US$691439 million) as of December 31, 2021,2023, net of allowance of RMB391RMB554 million and RMB494RMB575 million (US$7781 million), respectively, mainly reflecting trendsdue to a decrease in average outstandingour loan facilitation volume of off balance of off-balance-sheet capital-heavysheet loans under credit-driven services during the period.

Loans receivable, net

Loans receivable represents loans on our balance sheet facilitated through our consolidated trusts, and asset management plans, as well as loans originatedfacilitated by Fuzhou Microcredit.

Loans receivable increased from RMB7,588RMB18,485 million as of December 31, 20202022 to RMB12,704RMB27,502 million (US$1,9943,874 million) as of December 31, 2021,2023, mainly due to the increase in our outstanding on-balance-sheeton-balance sheet loans balance.

Land use rights, net

Land use rights represent lease prepayments to the local government authorities and are recorded at cost less accumulated amortization.

In March 2021, our consolidated subsidiary, 360 Changfeng obtained the land use rights from local authorities to develop and build the regional headquarters and the affiliated industrial park for our future operations. As of December 31, 2021,2023, a total of RMB1.0 billion were contributed by its shareholders to acquire the land use rights, of which RMB0.7 billion was funded by Shanghai Qiyu.Qiyu and RMB0.3 billion was funded by 360 Changfeng, respectively.

118

Table of Contents

Payable to investors of the consolidated trusts

Some financial institution partners require us to disburse loans indirectly to borrowers through our consolidated trusts. Some beneficial rights in trusts and loans receivables are further transferred into asset management plans.backed special plans for the issuance of ABSs. Payable to investors of the consolidated trusts without recourse to us represents the investment returns of these financial institution partners require to be paid,trusts and ABS plans, and it increased from RMB4,587RMB10,621 million as of December 31, 20202022 to RMB6,315RMB12,524 million (US$9911,764 million) as of December 31, 2021,2023, mainly due to the increase in our on-balance-sheeton-balance sheet loan volume.

Guarantee liabilities-stand ready

Guarantee liabilities-stand ready increaseddecreased from RMB4,173RMB4,120 million as of December 31, 20202022 to RMB4,818RMB3,950 million (US$756556 million) as of December 31, 2021.2023. We recognize a stand-ready guarantee liability at the inception of an off-balance sheet loan for which we provide guarantee services. Stand-ready guarantee is released into guarantee revenue on a straight-line basis over the term of the guarantee.

136

Table of Contents

Guarantee liabilities-contingent

Guarantee liabilitiesliabilities-contingent decreased from RMB3,543RMB3,418 million as of December 31, 20202022 to RMB3,285RMB3,207 million (US$516452 million) as of December 31, 2021,2023, mainly due to the decrease in our outstanding off-balance-sheet loans balance in 2021.provision of contingent liabilities of RMB3,054 million (US$430 million), which was partially offset by the payout of RMB3,265 million (US$460 million). At the inception of an off-balance sheet loan, we also recognize a separate contingent guarantee liability with an allowance for credit losses following the CECL model. The contingent guarantee is reduced by the payouts made by us to compensate the financial institutions upon borrowers’ default. Allowance for credit losses under CECL model was included in “provision for contingent liabilities” and revalued at each period end to reflect updated estimation for future net pay-out.

B.           Liquidity and Capital Resources

To date, we have financed our operations primarily through cash generated by operating activities and historical equity financing activities. As of December 31, 2019, 20202021, 2022 and 2021,2023, we had cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash of RMB3.8RMB8.8 billion, RMB6.8RMB10.5 billion and RMB8.8RMB7.6 billion (US$1.41.1 billion), respectively. Our cash and cash equivalents primarily consist of funds in banks, which are highly liquid and are unrestricted as to withdrawal or use. We believe that our cash and cash equivalents and our anticipated cash flows from operations will be sufficient to meet our current and anticipated needs for general corporate purposes for at least the next 12 months.

Cash Flows

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

Years Ended December 31,

Years Ended December 31,

2019

2020

2021

2021

    

2022

    

2023

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

US$

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

US$

(in thousands)

(in thousands)

Summary Consolidated Cash Flow Data

    

  

    

  

    

  

    

  

  

    

  

    

  

    

  

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

2,973,075

5,325,810

5,789,700

908,530

5,789,700

5,922,515

7,118,350

1,002,598

Net cash (used in) / provided by investing activities

 

(8,860,441)

892,770

(6,064,328)

(951,625)

Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities

 

7,707,858

(3,282,400)

2,263,720

355,227

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

1,822,254

2,938,416

1,985,681

311,596

Net cash used in investing activities

(6,064,328)

(7,355,975)

(11,147,789)

(1,570,134)

Net cash provided by financing activities

2,263,720

3,204,068

1,066,458

150,209

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

1,985,681

1,752,416

(2,953,366)

(415,973)

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at the beginning of year

 

2,013,596

3,835,850

6,774,266

1,063,030

6,774,266

8,759,947

10,512,363

1,480,635

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at the end of year

 

3,835,850

6,774,266

8,759,947

1,374,626

8,759,947

10,512,363

7,558,997

1,064,662

Operating activities

Net cash provided by operating activities was RMB7,118 million (US$1,003 million) in 2023. The difference between net cash provided by operating activities and the net income of RMB4,269 million (US$601 million) mainly resulted from (i) adding back non-cash item share-based compensation of RMB186 million (US$26 million), (ii) adding back non-cash item provision for loan principal, financial assets receivables and other receivables of RMB2,713 million (US$382 million), and (iii) adding back non-cash item provision for contingent liabilities of RMB3,054 million (US$430 million), partially offset by additional RMB3,209 million (US$452 million) used for working capital. The change in cash used for working capital was mainly a result of a RMB3,436 million (US$484 million) decrease in guarantee liabilities. The change of these working capital items was in line with our business growth.

Net cash provided by operating activities was RMB5,923 million in 2022. The difference between net cash provided by operating activities and the net income of RMB4,006 million mainly resulted from (i) adding back non-cash item share-based compensation of RMB200 million, (ii) adding back non-cash item provision for loan principal, financial assets receivables and other receivables of RMB2,216 million, and (iii) adding back non-cash item provision for contingent liabilities of RMB4,368 million, partially offset by additional RMB5,119 million used for working capital. The change in cash used for working capital was mainly a result of a RMB4,932 million decrease in guarantee liabilities. The change of these working capital items was in line with our business growth.

119137

Table of Contents

Operating activities

Net cash provided by operating activities was RMB5,790 million (US$909 million) in 2021. The difference between net cash provided by operating activities and the net income of RMB5,765 million (US$905 million) mainly resulted from (i) adding back non-cash item share-based compensation of RMB254 million, (US$40 million), (ii) adding back non-cash item provision for loan principal, financial assets receivables and other receivables of RMB1,554 million (US$244 million) and (iii) adding back non-cash item provision for contingent liabilities of RMB3,078 million, (US$483 million), partially offset by additional RMB4,881 million (US$766 million) used for working capital. The change in cash used in working capital was mainly a result of a RMB820 million (US$129 million) increase in accounts receivable and contract assets, a RMB437 million (US$69 million) increase in financial assets receivables, a RMB2,691 million (US$422 million) increasedecrease in guarantee liabilities, and a RMB1,036 million (US$163 million) increase in land use rights, which was partially offset by RMB898 million (US$141 million) increase in accrued expenses and other current liabilities. The increase of these working capital items was the result of our rapid expansion of business.

Net cash provided by operating activities was RMB5,326 million in 2020. The difference between net cash provided by operating activities and the net income of RMB3,496 million mainly resulted from (i) adding back non-cash item share-based compensation of RMB301 million, (ii) adding back non-cash item provision for loan principal, financial assets receivables and other receivables of RMB1,248 million and (iii) adding back non-cash item provision for contingent liabilities of RMB4,794 million, partially offset by (iv) additional RMB4,448 million used for working capital. The change in cash used in working capital was mainly a result of a RMB513 million increase in accounts receivable and contract assets, a RMB2,465 million increase in financial assets receivables, and a RMB1,913 million increase in guarantee liabilities, and was partially offset by RMB171 million increase in income tax payable. The increase of these working capital items was the result of our rapid expansion of business.

120

Table of Contents

Net cash provided by operating activities was RMB2,973 million in 2019. The difference between net cash provided by operating activities and the net income of RMB2,501 million mainly resulted from (i) adding back non-cash item share-based compensation of RMB250 million, and (ii) adding back non-cash item provision for loan principal, financial assets receivables and other receivables of RMB883 million, partially offset by (iii) additional RMB670 million used for working capital. The change in cash used in working capital was mainly a result of a RMB755 million increase in accounts receivable and contract assets, a RMB929 million increase in financial assets receivables, a RMB536 million increase in prepaid expenses and other assets, a RMB137 million increase in security deposit prepaid to third-party guarantee companies, and a RMB713 million increase in deferred tax, and was partially offset by a RMB1,548 million increase in guarantee liabilities, a RMB624 million increase in income tax payable, and a RMB207 million increase in accrued expenses and other current liabilities. The increase of these working capital items was the result of our rapid expansion of business.

Investing activities

Net cash used in investing activities was RMB11,148 million (US$1,570 million) in 2023, which was primarily attributable to investment in loans receivable of RMB92,203 million (US$12,986 million), partially offset by the collection of investment in loans receivable of RMB81,132 million (US$11,427 million). The net outflow of loans investment mainly resulted from the growth of on-balance sheet lending.

Net cash used in investing activities was RMB7,356 million in 2022, which was primarily attributable to investment in loans receivable of RMB59,826 million, partially offset by the collection of investment in loans receivable of RMB52,557 million. The net outflow of loans investment mainly resulted from the growth of on-balance sheet lending.

Net cash used in investing activities was RMB6,064 million (US$952 million) in 2021, which was primarily attributable to investment in loans receivable of RMB40,169 million, (US$6,303 million), partially offset by the collection of investment in loans receivable of RMB34,131 million (US$5,356 million).million. The net outflow of loans investment mainly resulted from the growth of on-balance-sheet lending.

Net cash provided by investing activities was RMB893 million in 2020, which was primarily attributable to investment in loans receivable of RMB38,720 million, partially offset by the collection of investment in loans receivable of RMB39,629 million. The net inflow of loans investment was mainly the result of our on-balance-sheet collection.

Net cash used in investing activities was RMB8,860 million in 2019, which was primarily attributable to the investment in loans receivable of RMB26,339 million, partially offset by the collection of investment in loans receivable of RMB17,504 million. The net outflow of loans investment was mainly the result of our growing on-balance-sheeton-balance sheet lending.

Financing activities

Net cash provided by financing activities was RMB2,264RMB1,066 million (US$355150 million) in 2021,2023, which was primarily attributable to RMB5,929RMB10,410 million (US$9301,466 million) cash received from investors of the consolidated trusts and RMB825 million (US$116 million) received from short-term loans, partially offset by cash paid to investors of the consolidated trusts of RMB8,471 million (US$1,193 million), dividend paid to shareholders of RMB942 million (US$133 million) and ADSs repurchased in the open market of RMB636 million (US$90 million).

Net cash provided by financing activities was RMB3,204 million in 2022, which was primarily attributable to RMB8,571 million cash received from investors of the consolidated trusts, and RMB340 million received from short-term loans, and RMB239 million received from our Global Offering of class A ordinary shares in connection with the secondary listing on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, partially offset by cash paid to investors of the consolidated trusts of RMB4,325 million and dividend paid to shareholders of RMB989 million.

Net cash provided by financing activities was RMB2,264 million in 2021, which was primarily attributable to RMB5,929 million cash received from investors of the consolidated trusts, and RMB364 million (US$57 million) received from short-term loans, partially offset by cash paid to investors of the consolidated trusts of RMB4,193 million (US$658 million) and RMB150 million (US$24 million) repaid for short-term loans.

Net cash used in financing activities was RMB3,282 million in 2020, which was primarily attributable to cash paid to investors of the consolidated trusts of RMB6,360 million, RMB3,092 million cash received from investors of the consolidated trusts, and RMB187 million received from short-term loans, partially offset by RMB200 million repaid for short-term loans.

Net cash provided by financing activities was RMB7,708 million in 2019, which was primarily attributable to cash received from investors of the consolidated trusts of RMB8,360 million, and RMB1,700 million received from short-term loans, partially offset by RMB1,500 million repaid for short-term loans.

121

Table of Contents

Material Cash Requirement

Our material cash requirements as of December 31, 20212023 and any subsequent interim period primarily include our capital expenditures and contractual obligationsobligations.

Capital Expenditures

For the years ended December 2021, 2022 and capital commitments.

We incurred capital expenditures of RMB25.6 million, RMB15.3 million and RMB25.3 million (US$4.0 million) in 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively. In these periods,2023, our capital expenditures were mainly used for purchases of property, equipment and software. We incurred capital expenditures of RMB25.3 million, RMB27.0 million and RMB84.6 million (US$11.9 million) in 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively. Our capital expenditures for 2022 are expected to be approximately RMB111.4 million (US$17.5 million), consisting2023 consist primarily of expenditures related to the expansion and enhancement of our information technology infrastructure and the construction of our new office buildings in Shanghai. We will continue to incur capital expenditures to meet the expected growth of our business.

138

Table of Contents

We intend to fund our existing and future capital expenditures with our existing cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, short-term investments and other financing alternatives. We will continue to make cash commitments, including capital expenditures, to support the growth of our business.

Contractual Obligations

Our contractual obligations mainly represent operating lease obligations, which relate to our leases of office premises and our land use rights over the parcel of land that 360 Changfeng acquired to construct our regional headquarters and the affiliated industrial park for our future operations. We lease our office premises under non-cancelable operating lease arrangements. Rental expensesExpenses under operating leases for 2019, 20202021, 2022 and 20212023 were RMB20.1RMB51.6 million, RMB29.0RMB63.7 million and RMB51.6RMB61.0 million (US$8.18.6 million), respectively. Amortizationrespectively, which include amortization expenses of land use rights for 2019, 20202021, 2022 and 2021 amounted2023 amounting to nil, nilRMB17.3 million, RMB20.7 million and RMB17,270RMB20.7 million (US$2,710)2.9 million), respectively.

Our short-term loans obligations relate to bank borrowings obtained from domestic commercial banks. Our short-term loans obligations were RMB200RMB397.6 million, RMB186.8RMB150.0 million and RMB397.6RMB798.6 million (US$62.4112.5 million) in 2019, 2020as of December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively.

Our long-term loans obligations relate to mortgage loans for the specific use of construction of the regional headquarters and the affiliated industrial park, which were nil, RMB17.9 million and RMB90.6 million (US$12.8 million) as of December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively.

The following table sets forth our contractual obligations and short-term loans obligations as of December 31, 2021:2023:

    

    

Less

    

    

    

More

than

1 – 3

3 – 5

than

Less than

1 – 3

3 – 5

More than

Total

1 year

Years

Years

5 years

    

Total

    

1 year

    

Years

    

Years

    

5 years

(RMB in thousands)

(RMB in thousands)

Operating Leases Obligations

 

39,169

 

28,203

 

10,966

 

 

 

42,188

 

29,671

 

12,517

 

 

Short-term Loans Obligations

 

397,576

 

397,576

 

 

 

 

798,586

 

798,586

 

 

 

Long-term Loans Obligations

90,620

90,620

As of December 31, 2021,2023, we had the outstanding amount of short-term loans of RMB798.6 million (US$112.5 million), with the amount of RMB50.0 million (US$7.0 million) pledged with bank deposit of RMB15.0 million. As of the same date, we had outstanding amount of long-term mortgage loans of RMB90.6 million (US$12.8 million), which were secured by the land use right owned by Shanghai 360 Changfeng Technology, Co., Ltd. and were unguaranteed. As of December 31, 2023, we also had operating lease liabilities amounting to RMB42.2 million (US$5.9 million), all of which were secured by the rental deposits and unguaranteed. As of the same date, we had payable to shareholder of non-controlling interests of RMB230.9 million (US$32.5 million), which was unguaranteed and unsecured.

As of December 31, 2023, we have certain capital commitments that were primarily related to commitments for the construction of our regional headquarters and the affiliated industrial park. The total capital commitments contracted but has not been reflectedagreed in the financial statementspurchase contract for land use rights was not less than RMB500RMB500.0 million (US$78.570.4 million), and RMB204.0 million (US$28.7 million) has been invested and reflected as construction in progress under “Property and equipment, net” in our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2021.2023. All of thesethe remaining capital commitments will be fulfilled in the future based onaccording to the construction progress.

We intend to fund our existing and future material cash requirements with our existing cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, short-term investments and other financing alternatives. We will continue to make cash commitments, including capital expenditures, to support the growth of our business.

We have not entered into any financial guarantees or other commitments to guarantee the payment obligations of any unconsolidated third parties. In addition, we have not entered into any derivative contracts that are indexed to our shares and classified as shareholders’ equity or that are not reflected in our consolidated financial statements. Furthermore, we do not have any retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity that serves as credit, liquidity or market risk support to such entity. Moreover, we do not have any variable interest in any unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit support to us or engages in leasing, hedging or product development services with us.

Other than those shown above, and the obligations from on-balance sheet loans (presented as “payable to investors of the consolidated trusts,trusts-current and -noncurrent” in the consolidated balance sheets), which were unguaranteed and unsecured, and guarantees related to the loans we facilitated, we did not have any significant capital and other commitments and long-term obligations or guarantees as of December 31, 2021.

2023.

122139

Table of Contents

Holding Company Structure

360 DigiTech,Qifu Technology, Inc. is a holding company with no material operations of its own. We conduct our operations primarily through our subsidiaries, our variable interest entities and their subsidiaries in China. As a result, 360 DigiTech,Qifu Technology, Inc.’s ability to pay dividends dependsmay depend upon dividends paid by our PRC subsidiaries. If our existing PRC subsidiaries 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 subsidiaries in China are 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, our variable interest entities and their subsidiaries in China is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund certain statutory reserve funds until such reserve funds reach 50% of its registered capital. In addition, our wholly foreign-owned subsidiaries in China may allocate a portion of its after-tax profits based on PRC accounting standards to enterprise expansion funds and staff bonus and welfare funds at its discretion, and our variable interest entity may allocate a portion of its after-tax profits based on PRC accounting standards to a discretionary surplus fund at its discretion. The statutory reserve funds and the discretionary funds are not distributable as cash dividends. Remittance of dividends by a wholly foreign-owned company out of China is subject to examination by the banks designated by SAFE. Our PRC subsidiaries have not paid dividends and will not be able to pay dividends until it generates accumulated profits and meet the requirements for statutory reserve funds.

C.          Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, Etc.

See “Item 4. Information Onon the Company—B. Business Overview—Intellectual Property.Properties.

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 period since January 1, 20202024 that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our net revenues, income, profitability, liquidity or capital resources, or that caused the disclosed financial information to be not necessarily indicative of future operating results or financial conditions.

E.          Critical Accounting Estimates

Critical accounting estimates are those that are both most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results, and that require the management’s most difficult, subjective, and complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Our management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make judgments and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities in our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. We base our estimates on historical experience, known trends and events, and our beliefs of what could occur in the future considering available information. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our judgments and estimates in light of changes in circumstances, facts, and experience. The effects of material revisions in estimates, if any, are reflected in the consolidated financial statements prospectively from the date of change in estimates.

While our significant accounting policies are described in more detail in Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our consolidated financial statements appearing in Item 8 of this Annual Report, we believe the following critical accounting estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements require the most difficult, subjective and complex judgments and estimates and have had, or are reasonably likely to have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.

Revenue recognition

In accounting for revenue from facilitation of off-balance sheet loans, we considered the loan facilitation service, post-facilitation service and guarantee service (not applicable for certain capital light loans where we do not provide guarantee service) as three separate services. Revenues from loan facilitation services are recognized at the time a loan is originated and revenues from post-facilitation services are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the underlying loans. Revenues from guarantee services are recognized over the guarantee term.

Significant management judgment is applied to the determination and allocation of the transaction price, including:including (i) estimation of variable consideration, and (ii) determination of standalone selling price of each performance obligation.

123140

Table of Contents

We determined the total transaction price to be the service fees chargeable from the borrowers or the partner financial institutions, which includes variable considerations in the form of prepayment risk of borrowers and service fee rate based on future default rate of underlying loans facilitated under certain agreements under the capital light model. We estimate the prepayment risk of borrowers using an expected value approach on the basis of historical information and current trends of the early payment from borrowers. We use the service fee rate applicable to the estimated default rate of the underlying loans. See “Allowance for credit losses” for estimation of default rate.

The transaction price is allocated amongst the guarantee service, if any, and the other two performance obligations. We first allocate the transaction price to the guarantee liabilities, if any, in accordance with ASC Topic 460, Guarantees, which requires the guarantee to be measured initially at fair value based on the stand-ready obligation (See “Guarantee liabilities” for estimates and judgments involved therein). We use 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. In estimating our standalone selling price for the loan facilitation services and post-facilitation services, we consider the cost incurred to deliver such services, profit margin for similar arrangements, customer demand, effect of competitors on our services, and other market factors.

The estimate of prepayment risk of borrowers is subject to changes in our estimate of borrowers’ future repayment pattern. A decrease in the amount of loans to be repaid in advance or an increase in tenure of early repayment would result in a greater amount of total transaction price than initially expected and vice versa. Further, if the default rate of underlying loans decreases beyond a certain level, the service fee rates enjoyed by us so as the total transaction price would increase than initially expected and vice versa. Revenue recognizedadjustment for the year ended December 31, 2021 from2023 to performance obligations satisfied (or partially satisfied) in prior periods pertaining to adjustments tochanges in variable consideration resulting from such changes was RMB 211 million (US$33 million).not significant.

We estimate the standalone selling prices of loan facilitation services and post-facilitation services based on historical cost data adjusted by current service patterns such as tenure, which could change when our cost pattern and business mode changes. There has been no materialIf our estimates change with one percentage point increase/decrease in the portion of total transaction price allocated to the allocation ratio between the two performance obligationsour loan facilitation services, our loan facilitation service revenue would increase/decrease by approximately RMB52.3 million (US$7.4 million) for loans facilitated during the year ended December 31, 2021.2023.

Allowance for credit losses

We recognize an allowance for our financial assets, mainly loans receivable based on estimate of the expected credit losses over the contractual term of these financial assets. For loans facilitated with guarantee service provided, we recognize a separate contingent guarantee liability with an allowance for credit losses, which is an estimate of future net-payout by us upon borrowers’ default after the adoption of ASC 326 on January 1, 2020.

Allowances for the above-mentioned financial assets and contingent guarantee liability are driven by estimated default rate of respective underlying loans. We estimate the default rate based on historical net default rate of loans on a pool basis grouped by vintage of origination.origination with similar risk profiles. Internal and external correlation factors, such as CPI, money supply and delinquent loan collection rate are identified based on regular review of historical data and updated on a timely basis once we become aware of any new patterns. Future trend of the abovementioned correlation factors are then fed into our model to predict default rate for each loan portfolios. For external factors, we use projections commonly used within the industry. For internal factors, we make projections based on historical data adjusted by our current risk and business strategies which we think could have potential impacts into the future periods.

As of December 31, 2021,2023, allowance for loans receivable is RMB948RMB1,871.4 million (US$149263.6 million) and outstanding balance for contingent guarantee liability is RMB3,285RMB3,207.3 million (US$516451.7 million). If change in various factors constituting the estimate of default rate result in 0.5 percentage point increase/decrease in the overall estimate default rate, it would result in an increase/decrease of RMB66RMB315.6 million (US$1044.4 million) and RMB586RMB569.5 million (US$9280.2 million)for allowance for loans receivable and contingent guarantee liability respectively.

Guarantee liabilities

For off-balance sheet loans facilitated where we effectively take on the credit risk of the borrowers through providing guarantee directly or cooperating with third-party licensed vendors including financing guarantee companies and insurance companies to provide guarantee, we recognize a stand ready guarantee liability at fair value. The fair value of stand ready guarantee liability is estimated using discounted cash flow model based on expected net payouts by incorporating a markup margin. After the adoption of ASC 326 on January 1, 2020, the contingent guarantee liability is recognized separately based on estimate of future net-payout by us upon borrowers’ default, which is ultimately determined by the estimated default rate of underlying loans subject to guarantee.

141

Table of Contents

For detailed judgementsjudgments made in making the estimate of default rate of underlying loans subject to guarantee, please refer to the preceding part “Allowance for credit losses.”

124

Table of Contents

In addition to the various factors considered in estimating default rate, we use discount rate and service margin commonly used within similar industry. We believe the estimate is based on reasonable assumptions, which are inherently uncertain. The fair value of stand ready guarantee liabilities could also impact the amount of revenue to be recognized for guarantee service and those for loan facilitation and post-facilitation services by impacting the amount of total transaction price allocated to such services as discussed in the part of “Revenue recognition” discussed above.

Income taxes

Current income taxes are provided on the basis of net profit (loss) for financial reporting purposes, adjusted for income and expenses which are not assessable or deductible for income tax purposes, in accordance with the laws of the relevant tax jurisdictions.

Deferred income taxes are provided using assets and liabilities method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements.

Deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that these assets are more likely than not to be realized. In making such a determination, we consider all positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of projected future taxable income and results of recent operation. We establish a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets to the extent we believe that recovery is not likely.

In general, deferred tax assets represent future tax benefits to be received when certain expenses previously recognized in the consolidated statements of operations become deductible expenses under applicable income tax laws, or loss or credit carryforwards are utilized. As of December 31, 2021, major items that constitute our deferred tax assets include allowance for guarantee liabilities and loans receivable, which amount to RMB1,594 million (US$250 million) with no allowance accrued as we believe we have adequate future taxable income to realize such tax benefit.

As we estimate the allowance for deferred tax assets by considering if sufficient future taxable income will be generated to utilize the existing deferred tax assets, it can be altered if we change our forecasts of future profitability.

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

    

Age

    

Position/Title

Hongyi Zhou

5153

Chairman of the Board of Directors

Wei LiuHaisheng Wu

41

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Alex Xu

55

Chief Financial Officer and Director

Dan Zhao

44

Vice Chairman of the Board of DirectorsDirector

Haisheng WuJiao Jiao

39

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Eric Xiaohuan Chen

4043

Director

Dan ZhaoEric Xiaohuan Chen

42

Independent Director

Gang Xiao

4648

Independent Director

Yongjin Fu

51

Independent Director

Andrew Y Yan

6466

Independent Director

Alex XuFan Zhao

5369

Independent Director and Chief Financial Officer

Zhiqiang He

3941

Senior Vice President

Yan Zheng

3436

Chief Risk Officer

125

Table of Contents

Mr.Hongyi Zhouhas served as our director from our inception and in addition as our chairman of the board of directorsBoard since September 2018. Mr. Zhou has over 20 years of managerial and operational experience in China’s internet industry. Mr. Zhou co-founded thefounded Qihoo 360 Technology Co. Ltd. (NYSE: QIHU)(previously listed on the New York Stock Exchange), and has served as theits chairman of the board of Qihoo 360 Technology Co. Ltd. and the successor of its business, 360 Group,Chief Executive Officer, from its inception to September 2021.July 2016. Since February 2018, Mr. Zhou has been serving as the chairman of the board of directors and Chief Executive Officer of 360 Security Technology Inc (SH:Inc. (Shanghai Stock Exchange: 601360). Prior to founding Qihoo 360 Technology Co., Ltd., Mr. Zhou was a partner at IDG Ventures Capital since September 2005, a global network ofCapital. In more than thirty years, Mr. Zhou demonstrated his strong leadership both in venture capital funds, where he assisted small to medium-sized software companies in sourcing funding to support their growth. Mr. Zhou was the chief executive officer of Yahoo! China from January 2004 to August 2005. In 1998, Mr. Zhou founded www.3721.com, a company engaged in internet searchinvestment and online marketing business in China, and served as its chairman and chief executive officer until www.3721.com was acquired by Yahoo! China in January 2004. Mr. Zhou also serves as a director of a number of privately owned companies based in China.corporate management. Mr. Zhou received his bachelor’s degree in computer software and his master’s degree in system engineering from Xi’an Jiaotong University in 1992 and 1995, respectively.

Mr. Wei Liu has served as our director since September 2018 and the vice chairman of our board of directors since March 27, 2020. He currently is also serving as the chairman of the board of directors of Shanghai Qibutianxia Information Technology Co., Ltd. (formerly known as Beijing Qibutianxia Technology Co., Ltd.) and Kincheng Bank of Tianjin Co., Ltd. From 2018 to 2020, Mr. Liu worked with 360 Group as senior vice president. Between 2015 and 2018, Mr. Liu served as chairman and CEO of Shanghai Qibutianxia Information Technology Co., Ltd. (formerly known as Beijing Qibutianxia Technology Co., Ltd.), an affiliate of 360 Group. During this period, he, together with our current management team, co-built and developed the Company’s business. From 2014 to 2015, Mr. Liu worked with 360 Group as a vice president. Prior to joining 360 Group, Mr. Liu worked with Ping An Ventures, a venture capital fund under Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd., as the general manager from 2011 to 2014. From 2008 to 2011, Mr. Liu worked with the investment department of Shengda Group as an investment director. Prior to that, Mr. Liu worked with the investment department of Fosun Capital as an investment director. Mr. Liu received his bachelor’s degree in international trade from Shanghai University of International Business and Economics in 2000.

Mr. Haisheng Wu has served as our chief executive officer and our director since August 2019. Before that, Mr. Wu had served as our president since our inception. Mr. Wu served ashas also been a director of Shanghai Qibutianxia Information Technology Co., Ltd. (formerly known as Beijing Qibutianxia Technology Co., Ltd.) from April 2020 to April 2021. Before working on the establishment of our business, Mr. Wu worked as a product director at the 360 Group start page department from March 2011, in charge of 360 Start Page, 360kan and 360 Mobile Browser. Prior to that, Mr. Wu worked with the user product department of Baidu, Inc. (NASDAQ: BIDU)BIDU; HKEX: 9888), as a product manager leading the management of Baidu Space, Baidu Map and Baidu LBS from JuneJuly 2008. Mr. Wu received his bachelor’s degree in media economics (media economics management) from Communication University of China and master’s degree in communication studies from Peking University in 2005 and 2008, respectively.

Mr. Eric Xiaohuan Chen has served as our director since November 2019. Mr. Chen also serves as a director of a number of privately owned companies based in China. Mr. Chen is currently serving as a partner of Twin Peaks Capital. Prior to co-founding Twin Peaks Capital. Mr. Chen served as the managing director and head of business and financial services of FountainVest Partners from 2008 to 2021. Before joining FountainVest Partners in 2008, Mr. Chen had worked in the investment banking department of Lehman Brothers and Citigroup since 2006. From 2004 to 2006, Mr. Chen worked with Micron Technology. Mr. Chen received his Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from National University of Singapore in 2004 and his EMBA degree from China Europe International Business School in 2018.

Mr. Dan Zhao hasserved as our director since May 2020 and is currently the vice president of 360 Group. Mr. Zhao has also been a non-executive director of 360 Ludashi Holdings Limited (HK: 3601) since July 2020, a director of Beijing Huafang Technology Co., Ltd. since August 2020, and a director of Kincheng Bank of Tianjin Co., Ltd. since February 2022. Before joining 360 Group in January 2013, Mr. Zhao served as a senior manager of internal audit in Alibaba Group (NYSE: BABA) from November 2007. From September 2006 to November 2007, Mr. Zhao worked for KPMG Huazhen LLP as an associate manager. Mr. Zhao received his bachelor’s degree in international enterprise management from the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology in 2002, and his master’s degree in international business and economics from the University of Konstanz in 2004.

Mr. Gang Xiao has served as our independent director since September 2018. From July 2017, Mr. Xiao served as the chairman of the board of Gongqingcheng Qihoo Zhongcai Investment Co., Ltd. Prior to that, Mr. Xiao worked with Zhongcai Financial Holding Investment Ltd. as the general manager. From December 2007 to January 2009, Mr. Xiao served as a deputy county mayor of Suichuan County of Jiangxi Province. Prior to that, Mr. Xiao worked with China Financial & Economic Publishing House Accounting Branch as an editor. From December 1999 to September 2003, Mr. Xiao worked with the governmental procurement center of Tianjin Municipal People’s Government. Mr. Xiao received his bachelor’s degree in computer science, his master’s degree in Chinese literature and his doctoral degree in public finance from Dongbei University of Finance and Economics in 1999, 2003 and 2006, respectively.

126

Table of Contents

Mr. Yongjin Fu has served as our independent director since September 2018. Mr. Fu has also been the chairman of the board of directors of Huarui Insurance Sales Co., Ltd since September 2019. Mr. Fu worked with Guohua Life Insurance Co., Ltd. as the executive director and general manager from December 2007. From August 2003 to May 2007, Mr. Fu served as a director, the vice chairman of the board of directors and the general manager of Hubei Biocause Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (SZ: 000627). Prior to that, Mr. Fu worked with Haikou Agriculture & Industry & Trade (LUONIUSHAN) Co., Ltd., now known as Luoniushan Co., Ltd., as the manager of the financial department, the assistant to the general manager, the deputy general manager and the vice chairman of the board of directors successively from April 1996. Mr. Fu received his bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and doctoral degree in administration from Tianjin University in 1993, 1996 and 2003, respectively.

Mr. Andrew Y Yan has served as our independent director since July 2019. Mr. Yan is the founding managing partner of SAIF Partners IV, III and SB Asia Investment Fund II L.P., and president and executive managing director of Softbank Asia Infrastructure Fund. Before joining Softbank Asia Infrastructure Fund in 2001, Mr. Yan was a managing director and the head of the Hong Kong office of Emerging Markets Partnership, the management company of AIG Asian Infrastructure Funds from 1994 to 2001. Mr. Yan is currently an independent non-executive director of China Resources Land Limited and South China Airlines Co Ltd., and a director of ATA Creativity Global. He is also a director of China PE/VC Association Board, and a trustee member of Peking University Endowment. Mr. Yan received a master of arts degree from Princeton University in 1989, and a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the Nanjing Aeronautic Institute in 1982.

Mr. Alex Xuhas served as our director since March 2021, as our chief financial officer since July 2020 and as our senior advisor since October 2019. Mr. Xu has extensive experiences in capital market, corporate finance and business management. Prior to joining us, Mr. Xu served as the Chief Financial Officer of Shenzhen Qianhai Dashu Financial Services Co., Ltd. from September 2018.2018 and a director of Qihoo 360 Technology Co. Ltd. from September 2017 to April 2019. He was a Co-Chief Financial Officer of Qihoo 360 (NYSE: QIHU)(previously listed on the New York Stock Exchange) from February 2011 to August 2016. Prior to that, Mr. Xu was a Managing Director at Cowen & Company, LLC. He also served as the Chief Financial Officer of Yeecare Holdings in 2010, and from May 2008 to March 2010, as the Chief Strategy Officer of China Finance Online Co., Ltd. Mr. Xu was a Senior Vice President at Brean Murray, Carret & Co from 2007 to 2008. He was part of a top-ranked research teaman associate at BancBank of America Securities, LLC from 2003 to 2007, and worked at investment research department of UBS AG from 2002 to 2003. Mr. Xu received his bachelor’s degree in Applied Physics from Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications and an M.B.A. degree from Cornell University. Mr. Xu is a CFA charter holder.

142

Table of Contents

Mr. Dan Zhao has served as our director since May 2020 and is currently the vice president of 360 Group. Mr. Zhao has also been a non-executive director of 360 Ludashi Holdings Limited (HKEX: 3601) since June 2020, and a director of Beijing Huafang Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing Mijing Hefeng Technology Co., Ltd., Huafang Group Inc. and Kincheng Bank of Tianjin Co., Ltd. since August 2020, September 2020, July 2021 and February 2022, respectively. Before joining 360 Group in January 2013, Mr. Zhao served as a senior manager in Alibaba Group (NYSE: BABA; HKEX: 9988) from November 2007. From September 2006 to November 2007, Mr. Zhao worked for KPMG Huazhen LLP as an associate manager. Mr. Zhao received his bachelor’s degree in international enterprise management from the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology in 2002, and his master’s degree in international business economics from the University of Konstanz in 2004. Mr. Zhao was accredited as a certified internal auditor by the Institute of Internal Auditors in November 2008.

Ms. Jiao Jiao has served as our director since November 2022. Ms. Jiao has been serving as a director of 360 Group since May 2022, where she has also been serving as a vice president and the head of the legal department since September 2021. From July 2019 to August 2021, Ms. Jiao served as the general counsel of Future VIPKID Limited. Ms. Jiao served as a vice president and the head of the legal department of JD.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: JD; HKEX: 9618) from June 2014 to April 2019. Prior to that, she was a lawyer at JunHe LLP from June 2005 to May 2014. Ms. Jiao received her bachelor of laws and master of laws in 2002 and 2005, respectively, from Peking University.

Mr. Eric Xiaohuan Chen has served as our director since November 2019 and has been redesignated as our independent director since 2024. Mr. Chen also serves as a director of several privately owned companies based in China. Mr. Chen is currently a partner at Twin Peaks Capital. Prior to co-founding Twin Peaks Capital, Mr. Chen served as the managing director and head of business and financial services at FountainVest Partners, where he has worked from 2008 to 2021. Before joining FountainVest Partners, Mr. Chen had worked in the investment banking department of Lehman Brothers and Citigroup since 2006. From 2004 to 2006, Mr. Chen worked at Micron Technology. Mr. Chen received his Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from National University of Singapore in 2004 and his EMBA degree from China Europe International Business School in 2018.

Mr. Gang Xiao has served as our independent director since September 2018. Mr. Xiao served as the general manager of Zhongcai Financial Holding Investment Ltd. from its inception to September 2022. Prior to that, Mr. Xiao worked at China Financial & Economic Publishing House Accounting Branch as an editor from August 2006 to December 2010, during which he served as a deputy county mayor of Suichuan County of Jiangxi Province from December 2007 to December 2008. Prior to that, Mr. Xiao worked at the then Tianjin Government Procurement Center, which was later merged into Tianjin Public Resource Exchange Center in December 2019, from March 2000 to February 2004. Mr. Xiao received his bachelor’s degree in electronic data processing accounting from Dongbei University of Finance and Economics, his master’s degree in Chinese literature from Yanbian University and his doctoral degree in public finance from Dongbei University of Finance and Economics in 1999, 2003 and 2008, respectively.

Mr. Andrew Y Yan has served as our independent director since July 2019. Mr. Yan is the founding managing partner of SAIF Partners IV since 2001. Prior to that, he was a managing director and head of the Hong Kong office of Emerging Markets Partnership, the management company of AIG Asian Infrastructure Funds. Mr. Yan is currently an independent director of ATA Creativity Global (NASDAQ: AACG) and Guoyuan Securities Co., Ltd (Shenzhen Stock Exchange: 000728). He is also a member of the Investment Committee of Peking University Education Foundation and the vice chairman of the Asset Management Association of China. In addition, Mr. Yan previously served as a director of Shenzhen Appotronics Corporation Ltd. (STAR Market of the Shanghai Stock Exchange: 688007), Shanghai Welltech Automation Co., Ltd (Shenzhen Stock Exchange: 002058), Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd (HKEX: 6690), Huize Holding Limited (NASDAQ: HUIZ) and Zhejiang Merit Interactive Network Technology Co., Ltd (Shenzhen Stock Exchange: 300766). Mr. Yan also previously served as a non-executive director at Guodian Technology & Environment Group Corporation Limited, a company previously listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX: 1296) and privatized in May 2022, an independent director at TCL Corporation (Shenzhen Stock Exchange: 000100) and BlueFocus Intelligent Communications Group Co., Ltd. (Shenzhen Stock Exchange: 300058), and an independent non-executive director of China Southern Airlines Company Limited (HKEX: 1055; Shanghai Stock Exchange: 600029) and China Resources Land (HKEX: 1109). Mr. Yan received a master of Arts degree from Princeton University in 1989, and a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, formerly known as Nanjing Aeronautic Institute, in 1982.

Mr. Fan Zhao has served as our independent director since January 2023. Mr. Zhao founded and has served as the chairman of the board of directors of Beijing Fengye Fanda Investment Advisory Co., Ltd. since 2000. He has served as a director of Heintzman Piano Company Limited since 2004. He founded and served as a director of Sunbridge International Holdings Limited from 2002 to 2018. From 2000 to 2004, Mr. Zhao was an independent director of www.3721.com. Mr. Fan Zhao was the president of Hebei Bada Group from 1993 to 1999. Mr. Fan Zhao received a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture in 1982 and an MBA degree from Lawrence Technological University in 2002, respectively.

143

Table of Contents

Mr. Zhiqiang Hehas served as our senior vice president since July 2020. Prior to that, Mr. He served as our vice president. Mr. He was the co-founder and vice president of Ningbo Siyinjia Investment Management Co. Ltd. Prior to establishing Ningbo Siyinjia Investment Management Co. Ltd., Mr. He worked as a senior consultant in the financial industry department at McKinsey & Company from July 2013 to July 2015. Mr. He acted as the assistant to the president of Xueda Education Group (NYSE: XUE) from May 2010 to July 2011. Before joining Xueda Education Group, Mr. He worked as a consultant at McKinsey & Company from October 2007. Mr. He received his bachelor’s degree in thermal and power engineering and master’s degree in corporate strategy and policiesbusiness administration from Tsinghua University in 2003 and 2007, respectively. Mr. He received his MBA degree from Sloan Business School of Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2013.

Mr. Yan Zhenghas served as our chief risk officer since July 2020. Prior to that, Mr. Zheng served as our vice president from February 2017. Mr. Zheng has 13 years of experience in consumer finance risk management. Before joining us, Mr. Zheng co-founded Shenzhen Samoyed Internet Finance Service Co. Ltd. in May 2015, and was in charge of its product risk management. Prior to that, Mr. Zheng worked onat the establishmentrisk division of Merchants Union Consumer Finance Company Limited as a risk management head leading the establishment offrom April to May 2015, and the risk management systemdepartment at the headquarter of non-scenario-based online loan productsChina Merchants Bank (Shanghai Stock Exchange: 600036) from December 2013.November 2014 to April 2015. Prior to that, Mr. Zheng worked forat the risk management department of the Credit Card Center of China MerchantMerchants Bank (SHA: 600036) from July 2008 as a senior analyst, handling policy managementto October 2014, primarily responsible for the credit policies of installment products.corporate businesses and credit limits. Mr. Zheng received his bachelor’s degree in quantitative economics (Chinese-foreign) from Shanghai University of Finance and Economics in 2008.

Employment Agreements and Indemnification Agreements

We have entered into employment agreements with each of our executive officers. Under these agreements, each of our executive officers is employed for a specified time period. We may terminate employment for cause, for certain acts of the executive officer, such as continued failure to satisfactorily perform his or her duties, willful misconduct or gross negligence in the performance of his or her duties, conviction or entry of a guilty or nolo contendere plea for any felony or any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, or dishonest acts to our detriment. We may also terminate an executive officer’s employment without cause upon 30 days’ advance written notice. In such case of termination by us, we will provide severance payments to the executive officer as may be agreed between the executive officers and us. The executive officer may resign at any time with 30 days’ advance written notice.

127

Table of Contents

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 rights, title and interest in them to us, and assist us in obtaining and enforcing patents, copyrights and other legal rights for these inventions, designs and trade secrets.

In addition, each executive officer has agreed to be bound by non-competition and non-solicitation restrictions during the term of his or her employment and typically for one year following the last date of employment. Specifically, each executive officer has agreed not to (i) approach our suppliers, clients, customers or contacts or other persons or entities introduced to the executive officer in his or her capacity as a representative of us for the purpose of doing business with such persons or entities that will harm our business relationships with these persons or entities; (ii) assume employment with or provide services to any of our competitors, or engage, whether as principal, partner, licensor or otherwise, any of our competitors, without our express consent; (iii) seek, directly or indirectly, to solicit the services of, or hire or engage, any person who is known to be employed or engaged by us; or (iv) otherwise interfere with our business.

We have also entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers.directors. Under these agreements, we agree to indemnify our directors and executive officers against certain liabilities and expenses incurred by such persons in connection with claims made by reason of their being a director or officer of our company.

B.          Compensation of Directors and Executive Officers

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021,2023, we paid an aggregate of approximately RMB19.3RMB18.9 million (US$3.02.7 million) in cash to our directors and executive officers. We have not set aside or accrued any amount to provide pension, retirement or other similar benefits to our directors and executive officers. Our PRC subsidiaries and VIEVIEs 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. Other than the above-mentioned statutory contributions mandated by applicable PRC laws and regulations, we have not set aside or accrued any amount to provide pension, retirement or other similar benefits to our directors and executive officers.

144

Table of Contents

2018 Share Incentive Plan

In May 2018, weWe adopted the 2018 Share Incentive Plan in May 2018 and amended it in November 2019. Under the amended plan, the maximum aggregate number of ordinary shares that may be issued pursuant to all awards under the 2018 Share Incentive Plan is 25,336,096 ordinary shares. As of February 28, 2022, Class29, 2024, class A ordinary shares underlying options and restricted share units that have been granted and are outstanding under the 2018 Share Incentive Plan totaled 2,833,958,1,275,436, excluding awards that were forfeited or cancelledcanceled after the relevant grant dates.

The following paragraphs summarize the terms of the 2018 Share Incentive Plan.

Types of awards.   The 2018 Share Incentive Plan permits the awards of options, restricted shares and restricted share units or other rights or benefits.

Plan administration.   The board of directors or a committee designated by the board of directors acts as the plan administrator. The plan administrator will determine the participants who are to receive awards, the type or types of awards to be granted, the number of awards to be granted, and the terms and conditions of each award grant. The plan administrator can amend outstanding awards and interpret the terms of the 2018 Share Incentive Plan and any award agreement.

Award agreement.agreement.  Awards granted under the 2018 Share Incentive Plan are evidenced by an award agreement that sets forth the terms and conditions for each grant.

Exercise price.   The exercise price of an award will be determined by the plan administrator. In certain circumstances, such as a recapitalization, a spin-off, reorganization, merger, separation and split-up, the plan administrator may adjust the exercise price of outstanding options and share appreciation rights.

128

Table of Contents

Eligibility.    We may grant awards to our employees, consultants, and all members of our board of directors.

Term of the awards.    The term of each share award granted under the 2018 Share Incentive Plan may not exceed ten years after the date of grant.

Vesting schedule.    In general, the plan administrator determines the vesting schedule, which is set forth in the relevant award agreement.

Transfer restrictions.    Awards may not be transferred in any manner by the recipient other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, except as otherwise provided by the plan administrator.

Termination.    The plan shall terminate in May 2028, provided that our board of directors may terminate the plan at any time and for any reason.

2019 Share Incentive Plan

We adopted the 2019 Share Incentive Plan in November, 2019 and amended it in August 2020 to attract and retain the best available personnel, provide additional incentives to employees, directors and consultants and promote the success of our business. Under the amended plan, the maximum aggregate number of ordinary shares that may be issued pursuant to all awards under the 2019 Share Incentive Plan is 17,547,567 ordinary shares, and an annual increase on the first day of each of the four consecutive fiscal years of the Companycompany commencing with the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2021, by (i) an amount equal to 1.0% of the total number of the then issued and outstanding shares or (ii) such fewer number of Sharesclass A ordinary shares as may be determined by our board of directors. As of February 28, 2022,29, 2024, options and restricted share units representing 17,048,3308,402,556 class A ordinary shares have been granted and are outstanding under the 2019 Share Incentive Plan, as amended, excluding awards that were forfeited or cancelledcanceled after the relevant grant dates.

The following paragraphs summarize the terms of the 2019 Share Incentive Plan.

Types of awards.   The 2019 Share Incentive Plan permits the awards of options, restricted shares and restricted share units or other rights or benefits.

145

Table of Contents

Plan administration.   The board of directors or a committee designated by the board of directors acts as the plan administrator. The plan administrator will determine the participants who are to receive awards, the type or types of awards to be granted, the number of awards to be granted, and the terms and conditions of each award grant. The plan administrator can amend outstanding awards and interpret the terms of the 2019 Share Incentive Plan and any award agreement.

Award agreement.agreement.   Awards granted under the 2019 Share Incentive Plan are evidenced by an award agreement that sets forth the terms and conditions for each grant.

Exercise price.    The exercise price of an award will be determined by the plan administrator. In certain circumstances, such as a recapitalization, a spin-off, reorganization, merger, separation and split-up, the plan administrator may adjust the exercise price of outstanding options and share appreciation rights.

Eligibility.   We may grant awards to our employees, consultants, and all members of our board of directors.

Term of the awards.   The term of each share award granted under the 2019 Share Incentive Plan may not exceed ten years after the date of grant.

Vesting schedule.    In general, the plan administrator determines the vesting schedule, which is set forth in the relevant award agreement.

Transfer restrictions.    Awards may not be transferred in any manner by the recipient other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, except as otherwise provided by the plan administrator.

Termination.    The plan shall terminate in November 2029, provided that our board of directors may terminate the plan at any time and for any reason.

129

Table of Contents

The following table summarizes, as of February 28, 2022,29, 2024, the awards granted and are outstanding under the 2018 Share Incentive Plan and 2019 Share Incentive Plan to several of our existing directors and executive officers, excluding awards that were forfeited or cancelledcanceled after the relevant grant dates.

    

Ordinary Shares

    

Exercise Price

    

    

    

Ordinary Shares

    

Exercise Price

    

    

Underlying Awards

(US$/Share)

Date of Grant

Date of Expiration

Underlying Awards

(US$/Share)

Date of Grant

Date of Expiration

Haisheng Wu

 

3,766,862

 

0.00001

 

May 20, 2018

 

May 19, 2028

3,766,862

 

0.00001

 

May 20, 2018

 

May 19, 2028

Haisheng Wu

 

*

 

 

February 20, 2020

 

February 19, 2030

*

 

 

February 20, 2020

 

February 19, 2030

Haisheng Wu

 

3,520,000

 

 

November 20,2020

 

November 19,2030

3,520,000

 

0.00001

 

November 20,2020

 

November 19,2030

Wei Liu

 

4,103,125

 

0.00001

 

May 20, 2018

 

May 19, 2028

Wei Liu

 

*

 

 

November 20,2020

 

November 19,2030

Zhiqiang He

 

*

 

0.00001

 

May 20, 2018

 

May 19, 2028

*

 

0.00001

 

May 20, 2018

 

May 19, 2028

Zhiqiang He

*

November 20,2020

November 19,2030

*

 

0.00001

 

November 20,2020

 

November 19,2030

Yan Zheng

*

0.00001

May 20, 2018

May 19, 2028

*

 

0.00001

 

May 20, 2018

 

May 19, 2028

Yan Zheng

*

November 20,2020

November 19,2030

*

0.00001

November 20,2020

November 19,2030

Alex Xu

 

*

 

 

November 20,2019

 

November 19,2029

*

November 20,2019

November 19,2029

Alex Xu

*

November 20,2021

November 19,2031

*

November 20,2021

November 19,2031

*

Less than one percent of our total outstanding shares.

*             Less than one percent of our total outstanding shares.

As of February 28, 2022,29, 2024, other employees as a group held outstanding options and restricted share units representing 10,375,6885,477,778 class A ordinary shares of our company under the 2018 Share Incentive Plan and 2019 Share Incentive Plan.

146

Table of Contents

C.          Board Practices

Our board of directors consists of nine directors. A director is not required to hold any shares in our company by way of qualification. A director who is in any way, whether directly or indirectly, interested in a contract or transaction or proposed contract or transaction with the company shall declare the nature of his interest at a meeting of the directors. A general notice given to the directors by any Directordirector to the effect that he is a member of any specified company or firm and is to be regarded as interested in any contract or transaction which may thereafter be made with that company or firm shall be deemed a sufficient declaration of interest in regard to any contract so made or transaction so consummated. Subject to relevant Nasdaq Stock Market Rules and disqualification by the chairman of the relevant meeting of the directors, a director may vote in respect of any contract or transaction or proposed contract or transaction notwithstanding that he may be interested therein and if he does so his vote shall be counted and he may be counted in the quorum at any meeting of the directors at which any such contract or transaction or proposed contract or transaction shall come before the meeting for consideration. The directors may exercise all the powers of the company to raise or borrow money and to mortgage or charge its undertaking, property and assets (present and future) and uncalled capital or any part thereof, and to issue debentures, debenture stock, bonds, and other securities whether outright or as collateral security for any debt, liability or obligation of the company or of any third party. None of our non-executive directors have a service contract with us that provides for benefits upon termination of service.

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.

130

Table of Contents

Audit Committee. Our audit committee consists of Yongjin Fu, Gang Xiao, and Andrew Y Yan. Yongjin FuYan and Fan Zhao. Gang Xiao is the chairman of our audit committee. We have determined that Gang Xiao, Yongjin Fu and Andrew Y Yan and Fan Zhao satisfy the “independence” requirements of Rule 5605(c)(2) of the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules and Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. We have determined that Yongjin FuGang Xiao 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.

Compensation Committee.   Our compensation committee consists of Andrew Y Yan, Hongyi Zhou and Haisheng Wu. Andrew Y Yan is the chairman of our compensation committee. We have determined that Andrew Y Yan satisfysatisfies the “independence” requirements of Rule 5605(a)(2) of the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules. 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;

147

Table of Contents

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 Hongyi Zhou, Andrew Y Yan and Wei Liu.Jiao Jiao. Hongyi Zhou is the chairperson of our nominating and corporate governance committee. Andrew Y Yan satisfies the “independence” requirements of Rule 5605(a)(2) of the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules. 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 to the board 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

131

Table of Contents

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 owe to our company a duty to exercise skills they actually possess and such care and diligence that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances. It was previously considered that a director need not exhibit in the performance of his duties a greater degree of skill than may reasonably be expected from a person of his knowledge and experience. However, English and Commonwealth courts have moved towardtowards an objective standard with regard to the required skill and care and these authorities are likely to be followed in the Cayman Islands. In fulfilling their duty of care to us, our directors must ensure compliance with our memorandum and articles of association, as amended and restated from time to time. Our company has the right to seek damages if a duty owed by our directors is breached. In certain limited exceptional circumstances, a shareholder may have the right to seek damages in our name if a duty owed by our directors is breached.

Our board of directors has all the powers necessary for managing, and for directing and supervising, our business affairs. The functions and powers of our board of directors include, among others:

convening shareholders’ annual and extraordinary general meetings and reporting its work to shareholders at such 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 share register.

132148

Table of Contents

Terms of Directors and Officers

Our officers are elected by and serve at the discretion of the board of directors. Our directors are not subject to a term of office, unless expressly specified in a written agreement between the company and the director or otherwise, and hold office until such time as they are removed from office by ordinary resolution of the shareholders or by the board. A director will be removed from office automatically if, the director (i) becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or composition with his creditors; (ii) dies or is found to be or becomes of unsound mind; (iii) resigns his office by notice in writing to the company; (iv) without special leave of absence from the board of directors, is absent from meetings of the board of directors for three consecutive meetings and the board of directors resolves that his office be vacated; or (v) is removed from office pursuant to any other provision of the company’s memorandum and articles of association.

Board Diversity Matrix

The board diversity matrix below sets forth the information on each director’s voluntary self-identified characteristics pursuant to Rule 5606 of the Listing Rules of Nasdaq.

Board Diversity Matrix

As of February 28, 2022

Country of Principal Executive Offices:

PRC

Foreign Private Issuer

Yes

Disclosure Prohibited Under Home Country Law

No

Total Number of Directors

9

Female

Male

Non-Binary

Did Not Disclose Gender

Part I: Gender Identity

9

Part II: Demographic Background

Underrepresented Individual in Home Country Jurisdiction

LGBTQ+

Did Not Disclose Demographic Background

Board Diversity Matrix

As of February 29, 2024

Country of Principal Executive Offices:

PRC

Foreign Private Issuer

Yes

Disclosure Prohibited Under Home Country Law

No

Total Number of Directors

9

Female

Male

Non-Binary

Did Not Disclose Gender

Part I: Gender Identity

1

8

Part II: Demographic Background

Underrepresented Individual in Home Country Jurisdiction

LGBTQ+

Did Not Disclose Demographic Background

1

D.           Employees

We had 1,891, 1,643 and 2,129 employees as of December 31, 2019, 20202021, 2,199 as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.3,121 as of December 31, 2023. The following table sets forth the numbersnumber of our employees categorized by function as of December 31, 2021:2023:

    

As of December 31, 20212023

Function:

 

  

General and administrative

 

197244

Operations

 

567899

Products

 

188124

Research and development

 

805680

Risk management

 

177447

Sales and marketing

 

195256

Offline sales and promotion

471

Total

 

2,1293,121

As of December 31, 2021,2023, we had 1,1011,021 employees in Shanghai, 426378 employees in Beijing, 268305 employees in Shenzhen and the rest in differentother cities and special administrative region in China.

As required by laws and regulations in China, we participate in various employee social security plans that are organized by municipal and provincial governments, including housing funds, pension, medical insurance and unemployment insurance. We are required under Chinese law to make contributions to employee benefit plans at specified percentages of the salaries, bonuses and certain allowances of our employees, up to a maximum amount specified by the local government from time to time.

149

Table of Contents

We enter into standard confidentiality and employment agreements with our employees. The contracts with our key personnel typically include a standard non-compete covenant that prohibits the employee from competing with us, directly or indirectly, during his or her employment and for up totypically two years after the termination of his or her employment. In consideration of our employees’ non-compete

133

Table of Contents

covenant, we pay compensation to our employees at a rate of not less than 30%20% of the average monthly compensation of the prior 12 months prior to the termination of their employment, during the restriction period, provided that, to the extent our rate becomes lower than the minimum standard required by the local government, we will pay in accordance with such standard.

We believe that we maintain a good working relationship with our employees, and we have not experienced any major labor disputes. None of our employees are represented by labor unions.

134

Table of Contents

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 February 28, 202229, 2024 by:

each of our directors and executive officers; and
each of our principal shareholders who beneficially own 5% or more of our total outstanding shares on an as-converted basis.shares.

The calculations in the table below are based on 310,517,615310,508,950 class A ordinary shares as of February 28, 202229, 2024 (excluding 4,915,403 Class4,340,936 class A ordinary shares that were issued to our depositary bank and reserved for future grants under our share incentive plans). No class B ordinary shares were issued and outstanding as of February 29, 2024. As a result, no shareholder had different voting rights from other shareholders.

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 and voting power of that person, we have included shares that the person has the right to acquire within 60 days, including through the exercise of any option, warrant or other right or the conversion of any other security. These shares, however, are not included in the computation of the percentage ownership of any other person.

Ordinary Shares Beneficially Owned

 

Percentage

 

of

Percentage of

aggregate

Ordinary Shares Beneficially Owned

Class A

Class B

Total ordinary

total ordinary

voting

 

Total ordinary

Percentage of total

    

ordinary shares

    

ordinary shares

    

shares

    

shares

    

power

    

shares

    

ordinary shares

Directors and Executive Officers:**

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Hongyi Zhou(1)

 

4,948,714

39,820,586

44,769,300

14.4

%  

75.1

%

42,990,384

13.8

%

Wei Liu(2)

 

3,593,964

 

 

3,593,964

 

1.2

%

*

Haisheng Wu(3)

 

*

 

 

*

 

*

*

Eric Xiaohuan Chen

 

 

 

 

 

Haisheng Wu(2)

*

 

*

 

Alex Xu(3)

*

 

*

Dan Zhao

 

Jiao Jiao

 

 

Gang Xiao

 

 

 

 

 

Yongjin Fu

 

 

 

 

 

Andrew Y Yan(4)

 

*

 

 

*

 

*

 

*

*

 

*

 

Alex Xu(5)

 

*

 

 

*

 

*

 

*

Eric Xiaohuan Chen(5)

*

 

*

 

Fan Zhao

 

 

Zhiqiang He(6)

 

*

 

 

*

 

*

 

*

*

 

*

 

Yan Zheng(7)

 

*

 

 

*

 

*

 

*

*

 

*

 

All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group

 

13,579,918

 

39,820,586

 

53,400,504

 

17.1

%  

75.8

%

49,842,532

 

16.1

%

Principal Shareholders:

 

Aerovane Company Limited(1)

 

39,820,586

39,820,586

12.8

%  

74.6

%

FountainVest(8)

23,432,634

23,432,634

7.5

%  

2.2

%

Morgan Stanley(9)

16,847,902

16,847,902

5.4

%

1.6

%

Principal Shareholders

 

Aerovane Company Limited(8)

42,990,384

13.8

%

OLP Capital Management Limited(9)

25,838,814

8.3

%

Aspex Management(10)

17,261,530

5.6

%

Notes:

*            Less than 1% of our total outstanding shares.

**          Except as indicated otherwise below, the business address of our directors and executive officers is Building 2, No. 6 Jiuxianqiao Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100015, People’s Republic of China.

†            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 ordinary shares and class B ordinary shares as a single class. Each class A ordinary share is entitled to one vote per share and each class B ordinary share is entitled to twenty votes per share on all matters submitted to them for a vote. Our class A ordinary shares and class B ordinary shares vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of our shareholders, except as may otherwise be required by law. 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.

Less than 1% of our total outstanding shares.

**

Except as indicated otherwise below, the business address of our directors and executive officers is Building A, Building 2, Yard 6 (electronics city) Jiuxianqiao Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100015, People’s Republic of China.

135150

Table of Contents

(1)

Represents (i)42,990,384 class A ordinary shares to the company’s knowledge that are beneficially owned by Mr. Hongyi Zhou, the chairman of our board of directors, including 39,820,586 class BA ordinary shares and 3,169,798 class A ordinary shares in the form of ADSs directly held by Aerovane Company Limited, a British Virgin Islands company, which is in turn wholly owned by Mr. Henry Zhiheng Zhou and Ms. Risa Ruoshan Zhou, children of Mr. Hongyi Zhou, the chairman of our board of directors; (ii) 1,212,000 class A ordinary shares in the form of ADSs held by Mr. Hongyi Zhou’s spouse; (iii) 1,018,192 class A ordinary shares in the form of ADSs held by Global Pro B Limited, an entity wholly owned by Mr. Hongyi Zhou’s spouse; (iv) 434,344 class A ordinary shares in the form of ADSs in which an entity controlled by Mr. Hongyi Zhou had economic interests (but without voting power or the power to direct the disposition) through a financial arrangement; and (v) 2,284,178 Class A Ordinary Shares in the form of ADSs, in which an entity controlled by Mr. Hongyi Zhou had the sole voting power and the sole power to direct the disposition of such ADSs through a financial arrangement.Zhou. Because of the immediate family relationship, the amended and restated memorandum and association & articles of association of Aerovane Company Limited, and a letter agreement betweenamong Mr. Henry Zhiheng Zhou, Ms. Risa Ruoshan Zhou and Mr. Hongyi Zhou, Mr. Hongyi Zhou is entitled to shared voting and dispositive power together with his children relating to the 39,820,586 class BA ordinary shares and 3,169,798 class A ordinary shares in the form of ADSs held by Aerovane Company Limited, and therefore may be deemed to beneficially own these shares according to Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The registered address of Aerovane Company Limited is Start Chambers, Wickham’s Cay II, P. O. Box 2221, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. For the 2,664,662 class A ordinary shares in the form of ADSs described in clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv) of this note, although Mr. Hongyi Zhou may be deemed to have shared investment power with respect to these 2,664,662 class A ordinary shares under Rule 13d-3(a), Mr. Zhou disclaims the beneficial ownership to these ADSs except to the extent his pecuniary interests therein. The number of the ordinary shares is as reported in a Schedule 13D/A filed by Mr. Hongyi Zhou on January 4, 2022.

(2)

Represents (i) class A ordinary shares in the form of ADSs collectively held by Mr. Wei Liu and Splendid Tiger Limited, a British Virgin Islands company wholly owned by a trust established for the benefit of Mr. Wei Liu and his family, to which Mr. Liu is also the settlor, and (ii) class A ordinary shares in the form of ADSs that Mr. Wei Liu has the right to acquire upon the exercise of options within 60 days after February 28, 2022.

(3)

Represents (i) the class A ordinary shares in the form of ADSs collectively held by Mr. Haisheng Wu and Holy Vanguard Limited, a British Virgin Islands company wholly owned by a trust established for the benefit of Mr. Haisheng Wu and his family, to which Mr. Wu is also the settlor, and (ii)settlor.

(3)

Represents the class A ordinary shares in the form of ADSs thatheld by Mr. Wu has the right to acquire upon the exercise of options within 60 days after February 28, 2022.Alex Xu.

(4)

Represents the class A ordinary shares in the form of ADSs held by Morning Star Resources Ltd. Morning Star Resources Ltd is a British Virgin Islands company wholly owned by a trust established for the benefit of Mr. Andrew Y Yan, to which Mr. Yan is also the settlor.

(5)

Represents the class A ordinary shares in the form of ADSs held by Mr. Alex Xu.Eric Xiaohuan Chen.

(6)

Represents (i) class A ordinary shares in the form of ADSs collectively held by Mr. Zhiqiang He and True Warrior Limited, a British Virgin Islands company wholly owned by a trust established for the benefit of Mr. Zhiqiang He, to which Mr. He is also the settlor, and (ii) class A ordinary shares in the form of ADSs that Mr. He has the right to acquire upon the exercise of options within 60 days after February 28, 2022.He.

(7)

Represents (i) class A ordinary shares in the form of ADSs collectively held by Mr. Yan Zheng and Smart Defender Limited, a British Virgin Islands company wholly owned by a trust established for the benefit of Mr. Yan Zheng and his family, to which Mr. Zheng is also the settlor, and (ii)settlor.

(8)

Aerovane Company Limited is described in footnote 1 above.

(9)

Represents 25,838,814 class A ordinary shares in the form of ADSs that Mr. Zheng has the right to acquire upon exercise of options within 60 days after February 28, 2022.

(8)

Represents (i) 23,432,634 class A ordinary shares in the form of 11,716,317 ADSs held by Ruby Finance Holdings Ltd. Ruby Finance Holdings Ltd., is a Cayman Islands company controlled by FountainVest Chinavarious investment vehicles for which OLP Capital Partners GP3 Ltd. The number of the class A ordinary shares isManagement Limited serves as reported in a Schedule 13D/A jointly filed by Ruby Finance Investment Ltd., Ruby Finance Holdings Ltd. and FountainVest China Capital Partners GP3 Ltd. on January 4, 2022.

(9)

Represents 16,847,902 class A ordinary shares in the form of ADSs beneficially owned by Morgan Stanley, a company incorporated in the State of Delaware of the United States.investment manager. The number of class A ordinary shares is as reported in a Schedule 13G jointly filed by Morgan Stanley asOLP Capital Management Limited, Richard Li and Di Fan Shen on February 14, 2024. OLP Capital Management Limited is a parent holdingprivate company jointly with Morgan Stanley Investment Management Company, a corporation incorporated under the laws of Singapore, and Morgan Stanley Investment Funds – Asia Opportunity Fund, a corporation organized under the laws of Luxembourg,Hong Kong. As reported in a Schedule 13G filed by OceanLink Partners Fund LP on February 11, 2022.14, 2024, OceanLink Partners Fund LP, a limited partnership organized under the laws of Delaware, beneficially owned 16,750,222 class A ordinary shares in the forms of ADS. According to the shareholder disclosures on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange made by OLP Capital Management Limited on March 7, 2024, OceanLink Partners Fund LP is controlled by OLP Capital Management Limited.

136

Table of Contents

According to the financing arrangement entered into between financing parties and certain beneficial owners of our shares, who were originally organized and capitalized for the purpose of the privatization transaction of Qihoo 360 Technology Co. Ltd., all proceeds received by such beneficial owners through the disposal of our shares shall be paid to an escrow account first for the purpose of paying the relevant amount under such financing arrangement subject to certain terms and conditions.

(10)

Represents 17,261,530 class A ordinary shares in the form of ADSs beneficially owned by Aspex Management (HK) Ltd, a Hong Kong company, Aspex Master Fund, a Cayman Islands company, and Li, Ho Kei, a Hong Kong citizen. The number of class A ordinary shares is as reported in a Schedule 13G/A jointly filed by Aspex Management (HK) Ltd, Aspex Master Fund and Li, Ho Kei on March 4, 2024.

To our knowledge, as of February 28, 2022, 268,022,41629, 2024, 285,915,558 of our class A ordinary shares were held by one record holder in the United States, which is the depositary of our ADS program. As of February 28, 2022, none of ourSuch class BA ordinary shares areincluded shares issued for bulk issuance of ADSs reserved for future issuances upon the exercise or vesting of awards granted under our share incentive plans and the class A ordinary shares held by U.S. record holders. Thein our Hong Kong register of members.The number of beneficial owners of our ADSs in the United States is likely to be much larger than the number of record holders of our ordinary shares 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.

151

Table of Contents

On March 31, 2023, we held an extraordinary general meeting and, among other things, varied and amended our authorized share capital by (a) re-designating and re-classifying all authorized Class B ordinary shares as Class A ordinary shares each on a one-for-one basis and (b) re-designating and re-classifying all authorized and unissued shares of a par value of US$0.00001 each of such class or classes (however designated) as the board of directors of our company may determine in accordance with the memorandum of association and articles of association of our company as Class A ordinary shares each on a one-for-one basis. As a result, we unwound our dual-class shareholding structure and all the issued shares of our company (including the class B ordinary shares with super-voting rights) were redesignated and reclassified into class A ordinary shares which entitle holders to one vote for each share. As of the date of this annual report, our authorized share capital is US$50,000 divided into 5,000,000,000 class A ordinary shares, which entitle holders to one vote for each share.

Enforceability of Civil Liabilities

Our business operations are primarily conducted in mainland China, and substantially all of our assets are located in mainland China. A majority of our directors and executive officers reside within China for a significant portion of the time and most of them are PRC nationals as of the date of this annual report. As a result, it may be difficult for a shareholder to effect service of process within the United States upon these individuals, to bring an action against us or these individuals in the United States, or to enforce against us or them judgments obtained in United States courts, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States.

We have been informed by Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP, our Cayman Islands counsel, that the United States and the Cayman Islands do not have a treaty providing for reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments of U.S. courts in civil and commercial matters and the courts of the Cayman Islands and that the courts of the Cayman Islands are unlikely (i) to recognize and enforce judgments of U.S. courts obtained against us or our directors or officers that are predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States or the securities laws of any state in the United States, and (ii) in original actions brought in the Cayman Islands to impose liabilities against us or our directors or officers that are predicated upon the civil liability provisions of federal securities laws of the United States or the securities laws of any state in the United States so far as the liabilities imposed by those provisions are penal in nature.

We have also been advised by our Cayman Islands counsel that, notwithstanding the above, a final and conclusive judgment obtained in U.S. federal or state courts under which a definite sum of money is payable as compensatory damages and not in respect of laws that are penal in nature (i.e., not being a sum claimed by a revenue authority for taxes or other charges of a similar nature by a government authority, or in respect of a fine or penalty or multiple or punitive damages) 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 that:

the court that gave the judgment was competent to hear the action in accordance with private international law principles as applied by the courts in the Cayman Islands and the parties subject to such judgment either submitted to such jurisdiction or were resident or carrying on business within such jurisdiction and were duly served with process;
the judgment given by the foreign court was not in respect of penalties, taxes, fines or similar fiscal or revenue obligations;
the judgment was final and conclusive and for a liquidated sum;
the judgment was not obtained by fraud; and
the judgment was not obtained in a manner and is not of a kind the enforcement of which is contrary to natural justice or public policy in the Cayman Islands.

152

Table of Contents

Our PRC legal counsel, Commerce & Finance Law Offices, has advised us that the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments are provided for under the PRC Civil Procedures Law. The courts of mainland China may recognize and enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the requirements of the PRC Civil Procedures Law and other applicable laws and regulations based either on treaties between mainland China and the country where the judgment is made or on principles of reciprocity between jurisdictions. Mainland China does not have any treaties or other form of reciprocity with the United States or the Cayman Islands that provide for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments. As such, the courts of mainland China will review and determine the applicability of the reciprocity principle on a case-by-case basis. In addition, according to the PRC Civil Procedures Law, the courts of mainland China will not enforce a foreign judgment against us or our directors and officers if they decide that the judgment violates the basic principles of PRC law or national sovereignty, security or public interest. Under the PRC Civil Procedures Law, foreign shareholders may originate actions based on PRC law against a company in mainland China for disputes if they can establish sufficient nexus to mainland China for a court of mainland China to have jurisdiction and meet other procedural requirements. It will be, however, difficult for U.S. shareholders to originate actions against us in mainland China in accordance with PRC laws because we are incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands and it will be difficult for U.S. shareholders, by virtue only of holding the ADSs or ordinary shares, to establish a connection with mainland China for a court of mainland China to have the jurisdiction required under the PRC Civil Procedures Law.

Furthermore, the United States and Hong Kong do not have a bilateral treaty or multilateral convention in force on reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments, and the statutory registration scheme for foreign judgments in Hong Kong does not extend to United States judgments. As a result, any United States judgment is enforceable in Hong Kong pursuant to the common law regime in Hong Kong for recognizing and enforcing foreign judgments, which provides that a foreign judgment is enforceable if the judgment (i) is final and conclusive on the merits, (ii) has been rendered by a court of competent jurisdiction, and (iii) is for a fixed sum of money, unless the relevant proceeding in the United States offends against natural justice, the judgment was obtained by fraud or the enforcement of the judgment is contrary to public policy.

F.Disclosure of A Registrant’s Action to Recover Erroneously Awarded Compensation

Not applicable.

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 with our Variable Interest Entity and its Shareholders

See “Item 4. Information on the Company—C. Organizational Structure.”

Shareholders Agreement

We entered into our shareholders agreement on September 10, 2018 with our shareholders, which consist of holders of ordinary shares and preferred shares. The shareholders agreement provides for certain special rights, including right of first refusal, co-sale rights, preemptive rights and contains provisions governing the board of directors and other corporate governance matters. Those special rights, as well as the corporate governance provisions, have automatically terminate upon the completion of our initial public offering.

Registration rights

We have granted certain registration rights to our shareholders pursuant to the shareholders agreement. Set forth below is a description of the registration rights granted under the agreement.

Demand registration rights.    Holders of at least 20% or more of the registrable securities then outstanding have the right to demand that we file a registration statement covering at least 20% or more of the registrable securities. We have the right to defer filing of a registration statement for a period of not more than 90 days after the receipt of the request of the initiating holders if we furnish to the holders requesting registration a certificate signed by our president or chief executive officer stating that in the good faith judgment of our board of directors, it would be materially detrimental to us and our shareholders for such registration statement to be filed at such time. However, we cannot exercise the deferral right more than once in any 12-month period. We are obligated to effect no more than one registration other than piggyback registration for every 5% of our outstanding share capital on a fully-diluted (by treasury method) basis held by the holders, such percentage to be calculated as of the date immediately following the date of our shareholders agreement.

Piggyback registration rights.    If we propose to file a registration statement for a public offering of our securities, we must offer our shareholders an opportunity to include in the registration all or any part of the registrable securities held by such holders. If the managing underwriters of any underwritten offering determine in good faith that marketing factors require a limitation of the number of shares to be underwritten, the number of shares that may be included in the registration and the underwriting shall be allocated first to us, second to each of such holders requesting for the inclusion of their registrable securities on a pro rata basis, and third to holders of other securities of ours.

Form F-3 registration rights.    Holders of at least 20% or more of the registrable securities then outstanding may request us in writing to file an unlimited number of registration statements on Form F-3. We shall effect the registration of the securities on Form F-3 as soon as practicable, except in certain circumstances.

137

Table of Contents

Expenses of registration.    We will bear all registration expenses, other than the underwriting discounts, selling commissions and ADS issuance fees applicable to the sale of registrable securities.

Termination of obligations.    We have no obligation to effect any demand, piggyback or Form F-3 or Form S-3 registration immediately after (i) the second anniversary after the occurrence of our initial public offering as defined in the shareholders agreement, or (ii) if, in the opinion of counsel to us, all such registrable securities proposed to be sold may then be sold without registration in any 90-day period pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.

Employment Agreements and Indemnification Agreements

See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—A. Directors and Senior Management—Employment Agreements and Indemnification Agreements.”

Share Incentive Plan

See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—B. Compensation of Directors and Executive Officers—Compensation—2018 Share Incentive Plan” and “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—B. Compensation of Directors and Executive Officers—Compensation—2019 Share Incentive Plan.”

153

Table of Contents

Transactions with 360 Group

360 Group is our most important business partner. It is considered our related party as it is controlled by Mr. Hongyi Zhou, the chairman of our board of directors and principal shareholder. We transacted with several entities of 360 Group during the fiscal years 2019, 2020of 2021, 2022 and 2021.2023. 360 Group is one of our most important borrower acquisition channels,authorizes us to use its brand “360” and it provideshas historically provided advertising services to promote our products and general brand through its matrix of mobile applications and services, such as 360 Browser and 360 Mobile Assistant. Advertising services are calculated and charged to us under different formula depending on the form of advertisements, including cost per time (CPT), cost per click (CPC), cost per thousand impression (CPM), cost per action (CPA) and cost per sale (CPS).

In addition, we also display advertisement2023, services provided by 360 Group entities were RMB236.3 million (US$33.3 million). As of December 31, 2023, RMB77.3 million (US$10.9 million) was due to 360 Group’s productsGroup entities, and RMB2.2 million (US$0.3 million) was due from them.

In 2022, services on our own platformprovided by 360 Group entities were RMB196.4 million. As of December 31, 2022, RMB110.6 million was due to 360 Group entities, and earn an advertising service fee.RMB1.8 million was due from them.

In 2021, services provided by 360 Group entities were RMB168.4 million (US$26.4 million).million. As of December 31, 2021, RMB163.1 million (US$25.6 million) was due to 360 Group entities, and RMB1.8 million (US$0.3 million) was due from them.

In 2020, services provided by 360 Group entities were RMB115 million. As of December 31, 2020, RMB32 million was due to 360 Group entities, and RMB3 million was due from them.

In 2019, services provided by 360 Group entities were RMB103 million. As of December 31, 2019, RMB41 million was due to 360 Group entities, and RMB1 million was due from them.

In September 2020, one 360 Group entity transferred to us part of its equity interest in Hangzhou Qifei Huachuang Technology Co, Ltd, or Hangzhou Qifei,Co., Ltd., a joint venture company it established with an independent third party. After the equity transfer, we and the 360 Group entity hold 25% and 26% of the equity interest in Hangzhou Qifei,the joint venture entity, respectively. As part of the arrangement, we are responsible for assisting Hangzhou Qifeithe joint venture entity in achieving certain performance targets but are not obligated to make whole the loss of Hangzhou Qifei.targets. We accounted for the equity investment using alternative measurement,measurement. We provided capital contribution of nil, RMB9.0 million and RMB20.3 million to Hangzhou Qifei for the carrying amountyears ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively. In addition, we have accrued RMB20.7 million (US$2.9 million) for the remaining unpaid share of registered capital. Considering the business forecast of the investee as of December 31, 2020 and 2021 was nil.2023, we fully impaired the investment. In February 2024, we sold the entirety of our equity interest in the joint venture company to an independent third party.

In October 2020, we established 360 Changfeng, a joint venture company in Shanghai, China through Shanghai Qiyu together with one of 360 Group entityentities and an independent third party, to develop and build the regional headquarters and the affiliated industrial park for our future operations.360 Group. The 360 Group entity and we hold 30% and 40% of the equity interests of 360 Changfeng,the joint venture, respectively. In December 2021, we, through Shanghai Qiyu, entered into an equity transfer agreement with the 360 Group entity, pursuant to which Shanghai Qiyu acquired all the 30% equity interests owned by the 360 Group entity in 360 Changfeng.the joint venture entity. Following the completion of the transactions, we hold 70% of the equity interests in 360 Changfengthe joint venture entity and became theits controlling shareholder of 360 Changfeng.shareholder. Pursuant to the joint venture agreement, the shareholders will contribute initial funding for acquisition of land use rights and funds required for subsequent developments will be mainly financed by external financings with any remaining shortfall funded by the shareholders ratably in proportion to their respective equity interest ownership. We accounted for the investment using equity method. As of December 31, 2021,2023, a total of RMB1.0 billion were contributed(US$0.1 billion) was provided by the shareholders to acquire land use rights, of which RMB0.3 billion (US$42.3 million) was funded by non-controlling shareholder.

138

Table of Contents

Framework Collaboration Agreement

We have entered into a framework collaboration agreement with 360 Group in July 2018, pursuant to which:

we and 360 Group will collaborate in depth on research and development of cloud computing and artificial intelligence, as well as big data analysis and application.
we and 360 Group collaborate on user traffic.
360 Group will provide traffic supportlicenses certain trademarks to our services.us. We and 360 Group entered into a Trademark Licensing Agreement in January 2023 to govern the license of certain trademarks by 360 Group to us, with a licensing term of one year from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023. In addition, we and 360 Group entered into a Trademark Licensing Agreement in December 2023 to govern the license of certain trademarks by 360 Group to us, with a licensing term of three years from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2026.
360 Group will license certain trademarks to us.
360 Group agrees not to conduct any credit underwriting or loan origination services that directly or indirectly compete with us.
360 Group agrees that price terms of licensing as well as advertising and promotion it charges to us will be the most favorable within its business partners.

154

Table of Contents

The framework collaboration agreement will remain effective forhas an initial term of five years and will be automatically extendedwith automatic extensions for successive one year thereafter unless 360 Group or we decide to terminate the collaboration.

Transactions with Shanghai Qibutianxia

Shanghai Qibutianxia and its subsidiaries are related parties to us, as we and Shanghai Qibutianxia are both under the controlis an affiliate of Mr. Hongyi Zhou, the chairman of our board of directors.

We transacted with Shanghai Qibutianxia and its subsidiaries during the fiscal years 2019, 20202021, 2022 and 2021,2023, including receiving loans from Shanghai Qibutianxia, allocating expenses for certain corporate functions historically provided by Shanghai Qibutianxia, receiving financing service from Youdaojingwei Assets Management Co. Ltd.,and providing borrower referral services to Beijing Qicaitianxia Technology Co., Ltd., and receiving employee benefit management service from Ningbo Siyinjia Investment Management Co. Ltd.

In 2021,September 2023, we acquired from Shanghai Qibutianxia the equity interests in certain of its subsidiaries that provide wealth management services provided byand offline sales and promotion services with a total consideration of RMB81.8 million.

The following table sets forth the transaction amounts and outstanding balances for the transactions between Shanghai Qibutianxia and its subsidiaries were RMB354.7  million (US$55.7 million), and services provided by us were RMB1.4 million (US$0.2 million). As of December 31, 2021, RMB40.7 million (US$6.4 million) was due to Shanghai Qibutianxia and its subsidiaries, and RMB0.2 million (US$0.0 million) was due from them. As of December 31, 2021, loans with an outstanding balance of RMB11.8 billion were under joint back-to-back guarantee arrangement with Shanghai Qibutianxia.

In 2020, services provided by Shanghai Qibutianxia and its subsidiaries were RMB29.3 million, and services provided by us were RMB126.0 million. As of December 31, 2020, RMB37.9 million was due to Shanghai Qibutianxia and its subsidiaries, and RMB6.6 million was due from them. As of December 31, 2020, loans with an outstanding balance of RMB19.3 billion were under joint back-to-back guarantee arrangement with Shanghai Qibutianxia.

In 2019, services provided by Shanghai Qibutianxia and its subsidiaries was RMB25.9 million, and services provided by us was RMB929.8 million. As of December 31, 2019, RMB15.1 million was due to Shanghai Qibutianxia and its subsidiaries, and RMB405.5 million was due from them. Shanghai Qibutianxia provided joint back-to-back guarantee to certain third-party guarantee companies for loans facilitated by us. As of December 31, 2019, loans with the outstanding balance of RMB22.8 billion were under such arrangement.years presented.

For the year ended/As of December 31,

2021

2022

2023

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

US$

 

(in millions)

For services provided by Shanghai Qibutianxia and its subsidiaries to us

    

354.7

    

355.8

    

119.7

    

16.9

For services provided by us to Shanghai Qibutianxia and its subsidiaries

 

1.4

 

 

0.1

 

0.0

Amounts due from Shanghai Qibutianxia and its subsidiaries to us

 

0.2

 

24.3

 

0.2

 

0.0

Amounts due from us to Shanghai Qibutianxia and its subsidiaries

 

40.7

 

3.1

 

3.1

 

0.4

Outstanding loan under joint back-to-back guarantee arrangement with Shanghai Qibutianxia

 

11,803.5

 

3,575.9

 

5,239.0

 

737.9

139

Table of Contents

Transactions with Jinshang Consumer Finance Co., Ltd.

Jinshang Consumer Finance Co., Ltd., or Jinshang, was a related party of ours, as Jinshang was an affiliate of Mr. Hongyi Zhou, the chairman of our board of directors, for the fiscal years 2021 and 2022. In January 2023, Mr. Hongyi Zhou ceased to directly or indirectly have equity interests in Jinshang and as a result, Jinshang subsequently ceased to be a related party of ours.

We transacted with Jinshang during the fiscal years 2019, 20202021 and 20212022 as we provide loan facilitation services and post-facilitation services to Jinshang and charge service fees. Historically, we directly collected payments from borrowers and charged no service fees to Jinshang.borrowers. Starting in 2018, we contractually changed our payment flow model by collecting service fee payments from Jinshang directly. In addition, we provided deposit to

The following table sets forth the transaction amounts and outstanding balances for the transactions between Jinshang to secureand us for the timely repaymentyears presented.

For the year ended/As of December 31,

    

2021

    

2022

    

2023

RMB

RMB

RMB

    

US$

 

(in millions)

For services provided by us to Jinshang

288.9

205.1

Amounts due from Jinshang to us

 

194.1

(1)

162.8

(2)

Notes:

(1)Among which the amounts due from Jinshang related to loan facilitation and post-facilitation services were RMB135.4 million, net of allowance of RMB15.7 million.
(2)Among which the amounts due from Jinshang related to loan facilitation and post-facilitation services were RMB121.6 million, net of allowance of RMB22.7 million.

155

Table of loans facilitated by us before the change of payment flow model in 2018.Contents

In 2021, services provided by us were RMB288.9 million (US$45.3 million). As of December 31, 2021, RMB194.1 million (US$30.5 million) was due form Jinshang, among which the amounts due from Jinshang related to loan facilitation and post-facilitation services were RMB135.4 million (US$21.2 million), net of allowance of RMB15.7 million (US$2.5 million).

In 2020, services provided by us were RMB198.6 million. As of December 31, 2020, RMB158.7 million was due form Jinshang, among which the amounts due from Jinshang related to loan facilitation and post-facilitation services were RMB66.0 million, net of allowance of RMB6.3 million.

In 2019, services provided by us were RMB103.3 million. As of December 31, 2019, RMB50.7 million was due form Jinshang, among which the amounts due from Jinshang related to loan facilitation and post-facilitation services were RMB32.5 million, net of allowance of RMB18.8 million.

Transactions with Kincheng Bank of Tianjin Co., Ltd.

Kincheng Bank is a related party of ours, as Kincheng Bank is an affiliate of Mr. Hongyi Zhou, the chairman of our board of directors.

We transacted with Kincheng Bank during the fiscal year 2020years 2021, 2022 and 20212023 as we provide loan facilitationcredit-driven services and post-facilitationplatform services to Kincheng Bank and charge service fees.

The following table sets forth the transaction amounts and outstanding balances for the transactions between Kincheng Bank and us for the years presented.

For the year ended/As of December 31, 

 

    

2021

    

2022

    

2023

 

RMB

RMB

RMB

    

US$

 

 

(in millions)

For services provided by us to Kincheng Bank

1,880.5

991.7

301.6

42.5

Amounts due from Kincheng Bank to us

 

771.3

(1)

239.3

(2)

47.2

(3)

6.6

(3)

In 2021, services provided by us was RMB1,880.5 million (US$295.1 million). As of December 31, 2021, RMB771.3 million (US$121.0 million) was due from Kincheng, which represented loan facilitation and post-facilitation services of RMB823.6 million (US$129.2 million), net of allowance of RMB106.3 million (US$16.7 million).Notes:

In 2020, services provided by us was RMB15.7 million. As of December 31, 2020, RMB13.5 million was due from Kincheng, among which the amounts due from Kincheng related to loan facilitation and post-facilitation services was RMB15.1 million, net of allowance of RMB1.1
(1)Among which the amounts of loan facilitation and post-facilitation services of RMB823.6 million, net of allowance of RMB106.3 million.
(2)Among which the amounts of loan facilitation and post-facilitation services of RMB271.1 million, net of allowance of RMB81.7 million.
(3)Among which the amounts of loan facilitation and post-facilitation services of RMB61.0 million (US$8.6 million), net of allowance of RMB25.8 million (US$3.6 million).

*

We have held bank deposit with Kincheng Bank, which amounted to RMB3,020.2 million and RMB3,006.4 million (US$423.4 million) as of December 31, 2022 and 2023, respectively. The related interest income was RMB98.9 million and RMB145.7 million (US$20.5 million) for the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2023, respectively, and interest receivable as of December 31, 2022 and 2023 was RMB11.3 million and RMB15.3 million (US$2.2 million), respectively.

C.          Interests of Experts and Counsel

Not applicable.

ITEM 8 FINANCIAL INFORMATION

B.

A.

Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information

We have appended consolidated financial statements filed as part of this annual report.

Legal Proceedings

We have been and may from time to time be subject to various legal or administrative claims and proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. Litigation or any other legal or administrative proceeding, regardless of the outcome, is likely to result in substantial cost and diversion of our resources, including our management’s time and attention.

We and certain of our current and former officers and directors are named as defendants in a putative securities class action filed in federal court, captioned In re 360 DigiTech, Inc. Securities Litigation, No. 1:21-cv-06013 (U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, filed on July 13, 2021) . This case was purportedly brought on behalf of a class of persons who purchased our securities between April 30, 2020 and July 8, 2021 and who allegedly suffered damages as a result of alleged misstatements and omissions in our public disclosure documents in connection with our compliance and data collection practices. On January 14, 2022, Lead Plaintiff filed an Amended Complaint. On March 15, 2022, we filed a motion to dismiss the Amended Complaint.

140

Table of Contents

This case is in its preliminary stage. We believe this case is without merit and intend to defend our position vigorously to the extent this case remains active, including any appeal of such lawsuit 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 this lawsuit despite our belief that it is meritless. In the event that our initial defense is unsuccessful, we cannot assure you that we will prevail in any appeal. Any adverse outcome of this case, including any plaintiff’s appeal of a judgment, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and reputation. The litigation process may be costly and divert management’s attention from the day-to-day operations, all of which could harm our business. For risks and uncertainties relating to the pending casespast and future lawsuits against us, please see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry —WeIndustry—We and certain of our current and former directors or officers have beenwere, and in the future may be, named as defendants in a putative shareholder class action lawsuitlawsuits that could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operation, cash flows and reputation.”

156

Table of Contents

Dividend Policy

On November 15, 2021,May 18, 2023, our board of directors approved a semi-annual cash dividend policy to replace the previously approved quarterly cash dividend policy.policy in its entirety, with immediate effect. Under the policy, we willintend to declare and distribute a recurring cash dividend every fiscal quarter, starting from the third fiscal quarter of 2021,semi-annually at an amount equivalent to approximately 15%20% to 20%30% of our net income after tax for such quarter.the previous six-month period. As of the date of this annual report, we have paid a dividend for the first half of 2023 and declared a dividend for the second half of 2024 under this policy. Despite having a dividend policy in place, theour determination whether to make dividend distributions and the exact amount of such distributions in any particular quartersix-month period will be based upon our operations and financial conditions, and other relevant factors, and subject to adjustment and determination by the board of directors.

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 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—We may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our PRC subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have, and any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to make payments to us could have a material adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business.” See also “Item 3. Key Information—D. Regulations—B. Business Overview—Regulation—Regulations on Foreign Exchange—Regulations on dividend distribution.”

IfFor ADS holders, if we pay any dividends on our class A ordinary shares, we will pay those dividends which are payable in respect of the class A ordinary shares underlying ourthe ADSs to the depositary, as the registered holder of such class A ordinary shares, and the depositary then will pay such amounts to ourthe ADS holders in proportion to class A ordinary shares underlying the ADSs held by such ADS holders, subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, including the fees and expenses payable thereunder. See “Item 12. Description of Securities other than Equity Securities—Description ofD. American Depositary Shares.” Cash dividends on our class A 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 combined and consolidated financial statements included in this annual report.

ITEM 9 THE OFFER AND LISTING

A.          Offering and Listing Details

See “C. Markets.”

B.          Plan of Distribution

Not applicable.

C.           Markets

Our ADSs, each representing two class A ordinary shares of ours, were listed on the Nasdaq Global Market from December 14, 2018 to November 18, 2020, and have been transferred to, and begun tradinglisted on the Nasdaq Global Select Market since November 19, 2020. Our ADSs trade under the symbol “QFIN.”

Our class A ordinary shares have been listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange since November 29, 2022 under the stock code “3660.”

D.          Selling Shareholders

Not applicable.

141

Table of Contents

E.          Dilution

Not applicable.

F.          Expenses of the Issue

Not applicable.

157

Table of Contents

ITEM 10 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A.          Share Capital

Not applicable.

B.           Memorandum and Articles of Association

The following are summaries of material provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and of the Companies Act, insofar as they relate to the material terms of our ordinary shares.

Objects of our company.Under our memorandum and articles of association, the objects of our company are unrestricted and we have the full power and authority to carry out any object not prohibited by the Cayman Islands law.

OrdinaryClass A ordinary shares.    Our authorized share capital is US$50,000 divided into 5,000,000,000 shares, comprising (i) 4,900,000,000 class A ordinary shares with a par value of US$0.00001 each, (ii) 50,000,000 class B ordinary shares, with a par value of US$0.00001 each, and (iii) 50,000,000 shares with a par value of US$0.00001 each of such class or classes (however designated) as the board of directors may determine in accordance with Article 9 of our memorandum and articles of association. Holders of class A ordinary shares and class B ordinary shares will have the same rights except for voting and conversion rights.shares. All of our issued and outstanding class A ordinary shares are fully paid and non-assessable. Certificates representing the class A ordinary shares are issued in registered form. Our shareholders who are non-residents of the Cayman Islands may freely hold and vote their class A ordinary shares.

Dividends.    The holders of our class A ordinary shares are entitled to such dividends as may be declared by our board of directors, subject to our memorandum and articles of association. In addition, our shareholders may by an ordinary resolution declare a dividend, but no dividend may exceed the amount recommended by our directors. Our memorandum and articles of association provide that our directors may, before recommending or declaring any dividend, set aside out of the funds legally available for distribution such sums as they think proper as a reserve or reserves which shall, in the absolute discretion of our directors, be applicable for meeting contingencies or for equalizing dividends or for any other purpose to which those funds may be properly applied. Under the laws of the Cayman Islands, our company may pay a dividend out of either profits or share premium account, provided that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid if this would result in our company being unable to pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business.

Voting rights.    Voting at any shareholders’ meeting is by show of hands unless a poll is (before(on or before the declaration of the result of the show of hands) demanded. A poll may be demanded by the chairman of such meeting or any shareholder present in person or by proxy at the meeting. In respect of all matters subject to a shareholders’ vote, each class A ordinary share shall, on a poll, entitle the holder thereof to one vote, and each class B ordinary share shall entitle the holder thereof to 20 votes, voting together as one class.vote.

An ordinary resolution to be passed at a meeting by the shareholders requires the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the votes cast by such shareholders as, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy or, in the case of corporations, by their duly authorized representatives, at such meeting. A special resolution requires the affirmative vote of no less than two-thirdsthree-fourths of the votes cast by such shareholders as, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy or, in the case of corporations, by their duly authorized representatives, at such meeting. A special resolution will be required for important matters such as a change of name or making changes to our memorandum and articles of association. The Companycompany may, among other things, subdivide or consolidate its share capital by ordinary resolution.

142

Table of Contents

Conversion.    Each class B ordinary share is convertible into one class A ordinary share at any time by the holder thereof. Class A ordinary shares are not convertible into class B ordinary shares under any circumstances. Upon any sale, transfer, assignment or disposition of any class B ordinary shares by a holder thereof to any person or entity other than his or her or its affiliates, or upon a change of ultimate beneficial ownership of any class B ordinary share to any person or entity who is not an affiliate of the registered holder of such class B ordinary share, such class B ordinary share shall be automatically and immediately converted into one class A ordinary share.

General meetings of shareholders.    As a Cayman Islands exempted company, we are not obliged by the Companies Act to call shareholders’ annual general meetings.    Our memorandum and articles of association provide that we may (but are not obliged to)shall in each financial year hold a general meeting as ourits annual general meeting in which case weand shall specify the meeting as such in the notices calling it, and theit. The annual general meeting shall be held at such time and place as may be determined by our directors.the Directors.

Shareholders’ general meetings may be convened by the chairman of the board or a majority of our directors. Advance notice of at least ten calendar21 days is required for the convening of our annual general shareholders’ meeting (if any) and advance notice of at least 14 days is required for the convening of any other general meeting of our shareholders.shareholders (including extraordinary general meetings). A quorum required for any general meeting of shareholders consists of one or more shareholders present in person or by proxy, representing not less than one-third of all votes attaching to all of our shares in issue and entitled to vote at such general meetings.

158

Table of Contents

The Companies Act 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 memorandum and articles of association provide that upon the requisition of shareholders representing in aggregate not less than one-third10% of all votes, on a one vote per share basis, attaching to all issued and outstanding shares of our company entitled to vote at general meetings as at the date of the deposit of the requisition, our board will convene an extraordinary general meeting and put the resolutions so requisitioned to a vote at such meeting. However, our 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.

Transfer of ordinary shares.    Subject to the restrictions set out in our memorandum and articles of association as set out below, any of our shareholders may transfer all or any of its class A 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 class A 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 class A ordinary share unless:

the instrument of transfer is lodged with us, accompanied by the certificate for the class A 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 class A ordinary 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 class A ordinary share is to be transferred does not exceed four; and
a fee of such maximum sum as the Nasdaq Stock Market 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 calendar months after the date on which the instrument of transfer was lodged, send to each of the transferor and the transferee notice of such refusal.

143

Table of Contents

The registration of transfers may, on ten calendar days’ notice being given by advertisement in such one or more newspapers, by electronic means or by any other means in accordance with the requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market, be suspended and the register closed at such times and for such periods as our board of directors may from time to time determine, provided, however, that the registration of transfers shall not be suspended nor the register closed for more than 30 calendar days in any calendar year.

Liquidation.    On the winding up of our company, if the assets available for distribution amongst our shareholders shall be more than sufficient to repay the whole of the share capital at the commencement of the winding up, the surplus shall be distributed amongst our shareholders in proportion to the par value of the shares held by them at the commencement of the winding up, subject to a deduction from those shares in respect of which there are monies due, of all monies payable to our company for unpaid calls or otherwise. If our assets available for distribution amongst our shareholders are insufficient to repay the whole of the share capital, the assets will be distributed so that, as nearly as may be, the losses are borne by our shareholders in proportion to the par value of the shares held by them.

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

Redemption, repurchase and surrender of shares.    We may issue shares on terms that such shares are subject to redemption, at our option or at the option of the holders of these shares, on such terms and in such manner as may be determined by our board of directors. Our Companycompany may also repurchase any of our shares (including redeemable shares) on such terms and in such manner as have been approved by our board of directors or by an ordinary resolution of our shareholders. Under the Companies Act, the redemption or repurchase of any share may be paid out of our Company’scompany’s profits or out of the proceeds of a new issue of shares made for the purpose of such redemption or repurchase, or out of capital (including share premium account and capital redemption reserve) if our company can, immediately following such payment, pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. In addition, under the Companies Act 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.

159

Table of Contents

Variations of rights of shares.    If at any time, our share capital is divided into different classes of shares, the rights attached to any class of shares (subject to any rights or restrictions for the time being attached to any class) may only be materially adversely varied with the consent in writing of the holders of two-thirdsnot less than three-fourths in the nominal value of the issued shares of that class or with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a separate meeting of the holders of the shares of the class. The rights conferred upon the holders of the shares of any class issued shall not, subject to any rights or restrictions for the time being attached to the shares of that class, be deemed to be materially adversely varied by, inter alia, the redemption or purchase of any shares of any class by our company, the creation or issue of further shares ranking pari passu with or subsequent to them or with preferred or other rights including, without limitation, the creation of shares with enhanced or weighted voting rights.them.

Issuance of additional shares.    Our 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.

144

TableSubject to the Hong Kong Listing Rules and other applicable laws or regulations, on the conditions that, for as long as the prevailing Hong Kong Listing Rules restrict us from having a weighted voting rights structure, (i) no new class of Contents

Ourshares with voting rights superior to those of class A ordinary shares shall be created; and (ii) any variations in the relative rights as between the different classes of shares shall not result in the creation of a new class of shares with voting rights superior to those of class A ordinary shares, our memorandum and articles of association also authorizes our board of directors to issue from time to time, out of the authorized share capital of the Companycompany (other than the authorized but unissued Ordinary Shares)class A ordinary shares), one or more series of preferencepreferred shares in their absolute discretion and without approval of the shareholders;shareholders, provided, however, before any preferred shares of any such series are issued, the directors shall by resolution of directors determine, with respect to any series of preferencepreferred shares, the terms and rights of that series, including, but not limited to:

the designation of the series;
the number of shares of the series;
the dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights, and voting rights; and
the rights and terms of redemption and liquidation preferences.

Our board of directors may issue preferencepreferred shares without action by our shareholders to the extent authorized but unissued. Issuance of these shares may dilute the voting power of holders of class A ordinary shares.

Inspection of books and records.Holders of our class A 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 (other than our memorandum and articles of association, our register of mortgages and charges and special resolutions of our shareholders). However, we will provide our shareholders with annual audited financial statements.

Our memorandum and articles of association also provides that any register of members held in Hong Kong shall during normal business hours (subject to such reasonable restrictions as the Board may impose) be open for inspection by a shareholder without charge, provided that we may be permitted to close the register of members in terms equivalent to section 632 of the Companies Ordinance of Hong Kong.

Anti-takeover provisions.    Some provisions of our 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:that, subject to the Hong Kong Listing Rules and other applicable laws or regulations, on the conditions that, for as long as the prevailing Hong Kong Listing Rules restrict us from having a weighted voting rights structure, (i) no new class of shares with voting rights superior to those of class A ordinary shares shall be created; and (ii) any variations in the relative rights as between the different classes of shares shall not result in the creation of a new class of shares with voting rights superior to those of class A ordinary shares:

authorize our board of directors to issue preferencepreferred shares in one or more series and to designate the price, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of such preferencepreferred 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 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.

160

Table of Contents

Exempted Company.company.   We are an exempted company with limited liability under the Companies Act. The Companies Act distinguishes between ordinary resident companies and exempted companies.

145

Table of Contents

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:

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)up to 30 years);
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 the shares of the company (except in exceptional circumstances, such as involving fraud, the establishment of an agency relationship or an illegal or improper purpose or other circumstances in which a court may be prepared to pierce or lift the corporate veil).

Differences in Corporate Law

The Companies Act is derived, to a large extent, from the older Companies Acts of England but does not follow recent English statutory enactments and accordingly there are significant differences between the Companies Act and the current Companies Act of England. In addition, the Companies Act differs from laws applicable to U.S. corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a summary of certain significant differences between the provisions of the Companies Act applicable to us and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders.

Mergers and Similar Arrangements. The Companies Act permits mergers and consolidations between Cayman Islands companies and between Cayman Islands companies and non-Cayman Islands companies. For these purposes, (i) “merger” means the merging of two or more constituent companies and the vesting of their undertaking, property and liabilities in one of such companies as the surviving company, and (ii) a “consolidation” means the combination of two or more constituent companies into a consolidated company and the vesting of the undertaking, property and liabilities of such companies to the consolidated company. In order to effect such a merger or consolidation, the directors of each constituent company must approve a written plan of merger or consolidation, which must then be authorized by (a) a special resolution of the shareholders of each constituent company, and (b) such other authorization, if any, as may be specified in such constituent company’s articles of association. The written plan of merger or consolidation must be filed with the Registrar of Companies of the Cayman Islands together with a declaration as to the solvency of the consolidated or surviving company, a list of the assets and liabilities of each constituent company and an undertaking that a copy of the certificate of merger or consolidation will be given to the members and creditors of each constituent company and that notification of the merger or consolidation will be published in the Cayman Islands Gazette. Court approval is not required for a merger or consolidation which is effected in compliance with these statutory procedures.

A merger between a Cayman parent company and its Cayman subsidiary or subsidiaries does not require authorization by a resolution of shareholders of that Cayman subsidiary if a copy of the plan of merger is given to every member of that Cayman subsidiary to be merged unless that member agrees otherwise. For this purpose a company is a “parent” of a subsidiary if it holds issued shares that together represent at least ninety percent (90%) of the votes at a general meeting of the subsidiary.

The consent of each holder of a fixed or floating security interest over a constituent company is required unless this requirement is waived by a court in the Cayman Islands.

161

Table of Contents

Save in certain limited circumstances, a shareholder of a Cayman constituent company who dissents from the merger or consolidation is entitled to payment of the fair value of his shares (which, if not agreed between the parties, will be determined by the Cayman Islands court) upon dissenting to the merger or consolidation, provided that the dissenting shareholder complies strictly with the procedures set out in the Companies Act. The exercise of dissenter rights will preclude the exercise by the dissenting shareholder of any other rights to which he or she might otherwise be entitled by virtue of holding shares, save for the right to seek relief on the grounds that the merger or consolidation is void or unlawful.

Separate from the statutory provisions relating to mergers and consolidations, the Companies Act also contains statutory provisions that facilitate the reconstruction and amalgamation of companies by way of schemes of arrangement, provided that the arrangement is approved by (a) 75% in value of the shareholders or class of shareholders, as the case may be, or (b) a majority in number representing 75% in value of the creditors or each class of creditors, as the case may be, with whom the arrangement is to be made, that are, in each case, present and voting either in person or by proxy at a meeting, or meetings, convened for that purpose. The convening of the meetings and subsequently the arrangement must be sanctioned by the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands. While a dissenting shareholder has the right to express to the court the view that the transaction ought not to be approved, the court can be expected to approve the arrangement if it determines that:

the statutory provisions as to the required majority vote have been met;
the shareholders have been fairly represented at the meeting in question and the statutory majority are acting bona fide without coercion of the minority to promote interests adverse to those of the class;
the arrangement is such that may be reasonably approved by an intelligent and honest man of that class acting in respect of his interest; and
the arrangement is not one that would more properly be sanctioned under some other provision of the Companies Act.

The Companies Act also contains a statutory power of compulsory acquisition which may facilitate the “squeeze out” of dissentient minority shareholder upon a tender offer. When a tender offer is made and accepted by holders of 90% of the shares affected within four months, the offeror may, within a two-month period commencing on the expiration of such four-month period, require the holders of the remaining shares to transfer such shares to the offeror on the terms of the offer. An objection can be made to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands but this is unlikely to succeed in the case of an offer which has been so approved unless there is evidence of fraud, bad faith or collusion.

If an arrangement and reconstruction by way of scheme of arrangement is thus approved and sanctioned, or if a tender offer is made and accepted, in accordance with the foregoing statutory procedures, a dissenting shareholder would have no rights comparable to appraisal rights, which would otherwise ordinarily be available to dissenting shareholders of Delaware corporations, providing rights to receive payment in cash for the judicially determined value of the shares.

Shareholders’ Suits. In principle, we will normally be the proper plaintiff to sue for a wrong done to us as a company, and as a general rule a derivative action may not be brought by a minority shareholder. However, based on English authorities, which would in all likelihood be of persuasive authority in the Cayman Islands, the Cayman Islands court can be expected to follow and apply the common law principles (namely the rule in Foss v. Harbottle and the exceptions thereto) so that a non-controlling shareholder may be permitted to commence a class action against or derivative actions in the name of our company to challenge actions where:

a company acts or proposes to act illegally or ultra vires;
the act complained of, although not ultra vires, could only be effected duly if authorized by more than a simple majority vote that has not been obtained; and
those who control the company are perpetrating a “fraud on the minority.”

162

Table of Contents

Indemnification of Directors and Executive Officers and Limitation of Liability. Cayman Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company’s memorandum and articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. Our currently effective memorandum and articles of association provide that we shall indemnify and secure harmless our officers and directors against all actions, proceedings, costs, charges, expenses, losses, damages or liabilities incurred or sustained by such directors or officer, other than by reason of such person’s own dishonesty, willful default or fraud, in or about the conduct of our company’s business or affairs or in the execution or discharge of his duties, powers, authorities or discretions, including without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, any costs, expenses, losses or liabilities incurred by such director or officer in defending (whether successfully or otherwise) any civil proceedings concerning our company or its affairs in any court whether in the Cayman Islands or elsewhere. This standard of conduct is generally the same as permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Law for a Delaware corporation.

In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers that provide such persons with additional indemnification beyond that provided in our currently effective memorandum and articles of association.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers or persons controlling us under the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

Directors’ Fiduciary Duties. Under Delaware corporate law, a director of a Delaware corporation has a fiduciary duty to the corporation and its shareholders. This duty has two components: the duty of care and the duty of loyalty. The duty of care requires that a director act in good faith, with the care that an ordinarily prudent person would exercise under similar circumstances. Under this duty, a director must inform himself of, and disclose to shareholders, all material information reasonably available regarding a significant transaction. The duty of loyalty requires that a director acts in a manner he reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the corporation. He must not use his corporate position for personal gain or advantage. This duty prohibits self-dealing by a director and mandates that the best interest of the corporation and its shareholders take precedence over any interest possessed by a director, officer or controlling shareholder and not shared by the shareholders generally. In general, actions of a director are presumed to have been made on an informed basis, in good faith and in the honest belief that the action taken was in the best interests of the corporation. However, this presumption may be rebutted by evidence of a breach of one of the fiduciary duties. Should such evidence be presented concerning a transaction by a director, the director must prove the procedural fairness of the transaction, and that the transaction was of fair value to the corporation.

As a matter of Cayman Islands law, a director of a Cayman Islands company is in the position of a fiduciary with respect to the company and therefore it is considered that he owes the following duties to the company—a duty to act bona fide in the best interests of the company, a duty not to make a profit based on his position as director (unless the company permits him to do so), a duty not to put himself in a position where the interests of the company conflict with his personal interest or his duty to a third-party, and a duty to exercise powers for the purpose for which such powers were intended. A director of a Cayman Islands company owes to the company a duty to act with skill and care. It was previously considered that a director need not exhibit in the performance of his duties a greater degree of skill than may reasonably be expected from a person of his knowledge and experience. However, English and Commonwealth courts have moved towards an objective standard with regard to the required skill and care and these authorities are likely to be followed in the Cayman Islands.

Shareholder Action by Written Consent. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may eliminate the right of shareholders to act by written consent by amendment to its certificate of incorporation. Cayman Islands law and our currently effective memorandum and articles of association provide that our shareholders may approve corporate matters by way of a unanimous written resolution signed by or on behalf of each shareholder who would have been entitled to vote on such matter at a general meeting without a meeting being held.

Shareholder Proposals. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a shareholder has the right to put any proposal before the annual meeting of shareholders, provided that it complies with the notice provisions in the governing documents. A special meeting may be called by the board of directors or any other person authorized to do so in the governing documents, but shareholders may be precluded from calling special meetings.

163

Table of Contents

The Companies Act 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 any one or more of our shareholders who together hold shares which carry in aggregate not less than 10% of all votes, on a one vote per share basis, attaching to all issued and outstanding shares of our company entitled to vote at general meetings to requisition an extraordinary general meeting of our shareholders, in which case our board of directors is obliged to convene an extraordinary general meeting and to put the resolutions so requisitioned to a vote at such meeting, and such shareholders may also add resolutions to the agenda of any of our general meeting. Except for the aforementioned, 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, save only in the circumstances that after the publication of the notice of a general meeting by our company, if a shareholder wishes to propose a person for election as a director of our company at the general meeting, such a shareholder may deposit the Notice with the company secretary. The period for lodgment of the Notice will commence no earlier than the day after the dispatch of the notice of the general meeting and end no later than ten (10) business days prior to the date of such meeting. As a Cayman Islands exempted company, we are not obliged by the Companies Act to call shareholders’ annual general meetings. Our currently effective memorandum and articles of association provide that we shall in each financial year hold a general meeting as its annual general meeting and shall specify the meeting as such in the notices calling it. The annual general meeting shall be held at such time and place as may be determined by the directors.

Cumulative Voting. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, cumulative voting for elections of directors is not permitted unless the corporation’s certificate of incorporation specifically provides for it. Cumulative voting potentially facilitates the representation of minority shareholders on a board of directors since it permits the minority shareholder to cast all the votes to which the shareholder is entitled on a single director, which increases the shareholder’s voting power with respect to electing such director. There are no prohibitions in relation to cumulative voting under the laws of the Cayman Islands but our currently effective memorandum and articles of association do not provide for cumulative voting. As a result, our shareholders are not afforded any less protections or rights on this issue than shareholders of a Delaware corporation.

Removal of Directors. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a director of a corporation with a classified board may be removed only for cause with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under our currently effective memorandum and articles of association, directors may be removed with or without cause, by an ordinary resolution of our shareholders.

Transactions with Interested Shareholders. The Delaware General Corporation Law contains a business combination statute applicable to Delaware corporations whereby, unless the corporation has specifically elected not to be governed by such statute by amendment to its certificate of incorporation, it is prohibited from engaging in certain business combinations with an “interested shareholder” for three years following the date that such person becomes an interested shareholder. An interested shareholder generally is a person or a group who or which owns or owned 15% or more of the target’s outstanding voting share within the past three years. This has the effect of limiting the ability of a potential acquirer to make a two-tiered bid for the target in which all shareholders would not be treated equally. The statute does not apply if, among other things, prior to the date on which such shareholder becomes an interested shareholder, the board of directors approves either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the person becoming an interested shareholder. This encourages any potential acquirer of a Delaware corporation to negotiate the terms of any acquisition transaction with the target’s board of directors.

Cayman Islands law has no comparable statute. As a result, we cannot avail ourselves of the types of protections afforded by the Delaware business combination statute. However, although Cayman Islands law does not regulate transactions between a company and its significant shareholders, it does provide that such transactions must be entered into bona fide in the best interests of the company and not with the effect of constituting a fraud on the minority shareholders.

Restructuring. A company may present a petition to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands for the appointment of a restructuring officer on the grounds that the company:

is or is likely to become unable to pay its debts; and
intends to present a compromise or arrangement to its creditors (or classes thereof) either pursuant to the Companies Act, the law of a foreign country or by way of a consensual restructuring.

164

Table of Contents

The Grand Court may, among other things, make an order appointing a restructuring officer upon hearing of such petition, with such powers and to carry out such functions as the court may order. At any time (i) after the presentation of a petition for the appointment of a restructuring officer but before an order for the appointment of a restructuring officer has been made, and (ii) when an order for the appointment of a restructuring officer is made, until such order has been discharged, no suit, action or other proceedings (other than criminal proceedings) shall be proceeded with or commenced against the company, no resolution to wind up the company shall be passed, and no winding up petition may be presented against the company, except with the leave of the court. However, notwithstanding the presentation of a petition for the appointment of a restructuring officer or the appointment of a restructuring officer, a creditor who has security over the whole or part of the assets of the company is entitled to enforce the security without the leave of the court and without reference to the restructuring officer appointed.

Dissolution; Winding up. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, unless the board of directors approves the proposal to dissolve, dissolution must be approved by shareholders holding 100% of the total voting power of the corporation. Only if the dissolution is initiated by the board of directors may it be approved by a simple majority of the corporation’s outstanding shares.

Delaware law allows a Delaware corporation to include in its certificate of incorporation a supermajority voting requirement in connection with dissolutions initiated by the board.

Under Cayman Islands law, a company may be wound up by either an order of the courts of the Cayman Islands or by a special resolution of its members or, if the company is unable to pay its debts as they fall due, by an ordinary resolution of its members. The court has authority to order winding up in a number of specified circumstances including where it is, in the opinion of the court, just and equitable to do so.

Variation of Rights of Shares. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may vary the rights of a class of shares with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares of such class, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under our currently effective memorandum and articles of association, whenever the capital of our company is divided into different classes, the rights attached to any such class may, subject to any rights or restrictions for the time being attached to any class, only be materially adversely varied with the consent in writing of the holders of not less than three-fourths in nominal value of the issued shares of that class or with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a separate meeting of the holders of the shares of that class.

Amendment of Governing Documents. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation’s governing documents may be amended with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under the Companies Act and our currently effective memorandum and articles of association, our memorandum and articles of association may only be amended by a special resolution of our shareholders.

Rights of Non-resident or Foreign Shareholders. There are no limitations imposed by our currently effective memorandum and articles of association on the rights of non-resident or foreign shareholders to hold or exercise voting rights on our shares. In addition, there are no provisions in our currently effective memorandum and articles of association that require our company to disclose shareholder ownership above any particular ownership threshold.

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,” in this “Item 10. Additional Information—C. Material Contracts” 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 on Foreign Exchange.”

E.          Taxation

The following summary of the material Cayman Islands, PRC and U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in our ADSs or class A 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 class A 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.

165

Table of Contents

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 usholders of our ADSs or ordinary shares levied by the government of the Cayman Islands except for stamp duties which may be applicable on instruments executed in, or, after execution, brought within the jurisdiction of the Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands is not party to any double tax treaties that are applicable to any payments made to or by our company. There are no exchange control regulations or currency restrictions in the Cayman Islands.

Payments of dividends and capital in respect of our class A ordinary shares will not be subject to taxation in the Cayman Islands and no withholding will be required on the payment of a dividend or capital to any holder of our class A ordinary shares, nor will gains derived from the disposal of our class A ordinary shares be subject to Cayman Islands income or corporation tax.

146

Table of Contents

People’s Republic ofMainland China Taxation

Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementation rules, an enterprise established outside of the PRC with a “de facto management body” within the PRC is considered a resident enterprise and will be subject to the enterprise income tax at the rate of 25% on its global income. The implementation rules define the term “de facto management body” as the body that exercises full and substantial control over and overall management of the business, productions, personnel, accounts and properties of an enterprise. In April 2009, the State Administration of Taxation issued a circular, known as Circular 82, which provides certain specific criteria for determining whether the “de facto management body” of a PRC-controlled enterprise that is incorporated offshore is located in China. Although this circular only applies to offshore enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises or PRC enterprise groups, not those controlled by PRC individuals or foreigners, the criteria set forth in the circular may reflect the State Administration of Taxation’s general position on how the “de facto management body” test should be applied in determining the tax resident status of all offshore enterprises. According to Circular 82, an offshore incorporated enterprise controlled by a PRC enterprise or a PRC enterprise group will be regarded as a PRC tax resident by virtue of having its “de facto management body” in China only if all of the following conditions are met: (i) the primary location of the day-to-day operational management is in the PRC; (ii) decisions relating to the enterprise’s financial and human resource matters are made or are subject to approval by organizations or personnel in the PRC; (iii) the enterprise’s primary assets, accounting books and records, company seals, and board and shareholder resolutions, are located or maintained in the PRC; and (iv) at least 50% of voting board members or senior executives habitually reside in the PRC.

We believe that 360 DigiTech,Qifu Technology, Inc. is not a PRC resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes. 360 DigiTech,Qifu Technology, Inc. is not controlled by a PRC enterprise or PRC enterprise group and we do not believe that 360 DigiTech,Qifu Technology, Inc. meets all of the conditions above. 360 DigiTech,Qifu Technology, 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 us.

If the PRC tax authorities determine that 360 DigiTech,Qifu Technology, Inc. is a PRC resident enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes, we may be required to withhold a 10% withholding tax from dividends we pay to our shareholders that are non-resident enterprises, including the holders of our ADSs. In addition, non-PRC enterprise shareholders (including our ADS holders) may be subject to a 10% enterprise income tax on gains realized on the sale or other disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares, if such income is treated as sourced from within the PRC. Our non-PRC individual shareholders (including our ADS holders) may be subject to a 20% individual income tax on dividends or gains realized on the sale or other disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares, if such income is treated as sourced from within the PRC unless a reduced rate is available under an applicable tax treaty. It is unclear whether non-PRC shareholders of 360 DigiTech,Qifu Technology, Inc. would be able to claim the benefits of any tax treaties between their country of tax residence and the PRC in the event that 360 DigiTech,Qifu Technology, Inc. is treated as a PRC resident enterprise.

166

Table of Contents

Provided that our Cayman Islands holding company, 360 DigiTech,Qifu Technology, 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 SATthe State Bulletin on Issues of Enterprise Income Tax on Indirect Transfers of Assets by Non-PRC Resident Enterprises issued by the State Taxation Administration, or the STA Bulletin 7, where a non-resident enterprise conducts an “indirect transfer” by transferring taxable assets, including, in particular, equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise, indirectly by disposing of the equity interests of an overseas holding company, the non-resident enterprise, being the transferor, or the transferee or the PRC entity which directly owned such taxable assets may report to the relevant tax authority such indirect transfer. Using a “substance over form” principle, the PRC tax authority may disregard the existence of the overseas holding company if it lacks a reasonable commercial purpose and was established for the purpose of reducing, avoiding or deferring PRC tax. As a result, gains derived from such indirect transfer may be subject to PRC enterprise income tax, and the transferee or other person who is obligated to pay for the transfer is obligated to withhold the applicable taxes, currently at a rate of 10% for the transfer of equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise. We and our non-PRC resident investors may be at risk of being required to file a return and being taxed under SATthe STA Bulletin 7, and we may be required to expend valuable resources to comply with SATthe STA Bulletin 7, or to establish that we should not be taxed under this circular. 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.”

147

Table of Contents

United States Federal Income Tax Considerations

The following discussion is a summary of U.S. federal income tax considerations generally applicable to the ownership and disposition of our ADSs or ordinary shares by a U.S. Holder (as defined below) that holds our ADSs or ordinary shares as “capital assets” (generally, property held for investment) under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). This discussion is based upon existing U.S. federal tax law, which is subject to differing interpretations or change, possibly with retroactive effect. There can be no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, or a court will not take a contrary position. This discussion, moreover, does not address the U.S. federal estate, gift, Medicare, and alternative minimum tax considerations, any withholding or information reporting requirements, or any state, local and non-U.S. tax considerations, relating to the ownership or disposition of our ADSs or ordinary shares.

The following summary does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be important to particular investors in light of their individual circumstances or to persons in special tax situations such as:

banks and other financial institutions;
insurance companies;
pension plans;
cooperatives;
regulated investment companies;
real estate investment trusts;
broker-dealers;
traders that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting;
certain former U.S. citizens or long-term residents;
tax-exempt entities (including private foundations);
persons liable for alternative minimum tax;
persons who acquire their ADSs or ordinary shares pursuant to any employee share option or otherwise as compensation;
investors that will hold their ADSs or ordinary shares as part of a straddle, hedge, conversion, constructive sale or other integrated transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes;
investors that have a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar;
persons that actually or constructively own ADSs or ordinary shares representing 10% or more of our stock (by vote or value); or

167

Table of Contents

partnerships or other entities taxable as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes, or persons holding ADSs or ordinary shares through such entities;

all of whom may be subject to tax rules that differ significantly from those discussed below.

Each U.S. Holder is urged to consult its tax advisor regarding the application of U.S. federal taxation to its particular circumstances, and the state, local, non-U.S. and other tax considerations of the ownership and disposition of our ADSs or ordinary shares.

148

Table of Contents

General

For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of our ADSs or ordinary shares that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;
a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created in, or organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia;
an estate the income of which is includible in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source; or
a trust (A) the administration of which is subject to the primary supervision of a U.S. court and which has one or more U.S. persons who have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (B) that has otherwise validly elected to be treated as a U.S. person under the Code.

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

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, a U.S. Holder of ADSs will generally be treated as the beneficial owner of the underlying shares represented by the ADSs. The remainder of this discussion assumes that a U.S. Holder of our ADSs will be treated in this manner. Accordingly, deposits or withdrawals of ordinary shares for ADSs will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income tax.

Passive foreign investment company considerations

A non-U.S. corporation, such as our company, will be classified as a PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes for any taxable year, if either (i) 75% or more of its gross income for such year consists of certain types of “passive” income or (ii) 50% or more of the value of its assets (generally determined on the basis of a quarterly average) during such year is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income (the “asset test”). For this purpose, cash and assets readily convertible into cash are categorized as passive assets and the company’s goodwill and other unbooked intangibles not reflected on its balance sheet are taken into account. Passive income generally includes, among other things, dividends, interest, rents, royalties, and gains from the disposition of passive assets. We will be treated as owning a proportionate share of the assets and earning a proportionate share of the income of any other corporation in which we own, directly or indirectly, 25% or more (by value) of the stock.

Although the law in this regard is unclear, we treat our consolidated VIEs as being owned by us for U.S. federal income tax purposes because we control itstheir management decisions and are entitled to substantially all of the economic benefits associated with it,them, and, as a result, we consolidate their results of operations in our consolidated U.S. GAAP financial statements. If it were determined, however,

Based upon the nature and composition of our assets (in particular, the retention of substantial amounts of cash and other passive assets), and the market price of our ADSs, we believe that we are not the owner of the consolidated VIEswere a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes for the composition of our income and assets would changetaxable year ended December 31, 2023, and we maywill likely be treated as a PFIC for theour current taxable year unless the market price of our ADSs increases and/or we invest a substantial amount of the cash and any subsequent taxable year.other passive assets we hold in assets that produce or are held for the production of active income.

149168

Table of Contents

Assuming that we are the owner of the VIEs for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and based upon our current income and assets, we do not believe we were a PFIC for the taxable year ended December 31, 2021 and we do not expect to be a PFIC for the current taxable year or the foreseeable future. However, no assurance can be given in this regard because the determination of whether we are or will become a PFIC is a factual determination made annually that will depend, in part, upon the composition and classification of our income and assets. Because there are uncertainties in the application of the relevant rules, it is possible that the IRS may challenge our classification of certain income and assets as non-passive which may result in our being or becoming a PFIC in the current or subsequent years. Furthermore, fluctuations in the market price of our ADSs may cause us to be classified as a PFIC for the current or future taxable years because the value of our assets for purposes of the asset test, including the value of our goodwill and other unbooked intangibles, may be determined by reference to the market price of our ADSs from time to time (which may be volatile). The composition of our income and assets may also be affected by how, and how quickly, we use our liquid assets. Under circumstances where our revenue from activities that produce passive income significantly increases relative to our revenue from activities that produce non-passive income, or where we determine not to deploy significant amounts of cash for active purposes, our risk of becoming classified as a PFIC may substantially increase.

If we are a PFIC for any year during which a U.S. Holder holds our ADSs or ordinary shares, we generally will continue to be treated as a PFIC for all succeeding years during which such U.S. Holder holds our ADSs or ordinary shares, unless we were to cease to be a PFIC and the U.S. Holder makes a “deemed sale” election with respect to the ADSs or ordinary shares.

The discussion However, if we cease to be a PFIC, provided that a U.S. Holder has not made a mark-to-market election, as described below, such U.S. Holder may avoid some of the adverse effects of the PFIC regime by making a “deemed sale” election with respect to the ADSs or ordinary shares, as applicable. If such election is made, such U.S. Holder will be deemed to have sold our ADSs or ordinary shares such U.S. Holder holds at their fair market value and any gain from such deemed sale would be subject to the rules described below under “—Dividends” and “—Sale or other disposition” is written on the basis that we are not and will not be or become classified as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The U.S. federal income tax rules that apply generally if we are treated as a PFIC are discussed below under “—Passive“Passive foreign investment company rules.” After the deemed sale election, so long as we do not become a PFIC in a subsequent taxable year, the ADSs or ordinary shares with respect to which such election was made will not be treated as shares in a PFIC and such U.S. Holder will not be subject to the rules described below with respect to any “excess distribution” such U.S. Holder receives from us or any gain from an actual sale or other disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares. The rules dealing with deemed sale elections are very complex. Each U.S. Holder should consult its tax advisors regarding the possibility and considerations of making a deemed sale election.

Dividends

TheSubject to the discussion below under “Passive foreign investment company rules,” the gross amount of any distributions paid on our ADSs or ordinary shares (including the amount of any PRC tax withheld) out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles, will generally be includible in the gross income of a U.S. Holder as dividend income on the day actually or constructively received by the U.S. Holder, in the case of ordinary shares, or by the depositary, in the case of ADSs. Because we do not intend to determine our earnings and profits on the basis of U.S. federal income tax principles, any distribution we pay will generally be treated as a “dividend” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Dividends received on our ADSs or ordinary shares will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporations in respect of dividends received from U.S. corporations.

Individuals and other non-corporate U.S. Holders will be subject to tax on any such dividends at the lower capital gain tax rate applicable to “qualified dividend income,” provided that certain conditions are satisfied, including that (1) our ADSs or ordinary shares on which the dividends are paid are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States, or, in the event that we are deemed to be a PRC resident enterprise under the PRC tax law, we are eligible for the benefit of the U.S.-PRC income tax treaty (the “Treaty”), (2) we are neither a PFIC nor treated as such with respect to a U.S. Holder (as discussed below) for the taxable year in which the dividend is paid and the preceding taxable year, and (3) certain holding period requirements are met. For this purpose, ADSs listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market will generally be considered to be readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. Since we do not expect that our ordinary shares will be listed on an established securities market in the United States, we do not believe that dividends that we pay on our ordinary shares that are not represented by ADSs will meet the conditions required for the reduced tax rate. There can be no assurance that our ADSs will continue to be considered readily tradeable on an established securities market in later years. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the availability of the lower rate for dividends paid with respect to our ADSs or ordinary shares.

In the event that we are deemed to be a PRC resident enterprise under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law (see “—People’s Republic of China Taxation”), we may be eligible for the benefits of the Treaty. If we are eligible for such benefits, dividends we pay on our ordinary shares, regardless of whether such shares are represented by the ADSs, and regardless of whether our ADSs are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States, would be eligible for the reduced rates of taxation described in the preceding paragraph.

150

Table of Contents

For U.S. foreign tax credit purposes, dividends paid on our ADSs or ordinary shares generally will be treated as income from foreign sources and generally will constitute passive category income. In the event that we are deemed to be a PRC resident enterprise under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, a U.S. Holder may be subject to PRC withholding taxes on dividends paid on our ADSs or ordinary shares (see “—People’s Republic of China Taxation”). Depending on the U.S. Holder’s particular facts and circumstances and subject to a number of complex conditions and limitations, PRC withholding taxes on dividends that are non-refundable under the Treaty may be treated as foreign taxes eligible for credit against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability. A U.S. Holder who does not elect to claim a foreign tax credit for foreign tax withheld may instead claim a deduction for U.S. federal income tax purposes, in respect of such withholding, but only for a year in which such holder elects to do so for all creditable foreign income taxes. The rules governing the foreign tax credit are complex and U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the availability of the foreign tax credit under their particular circumstances.

169

Table of Contents

As discussed above, we believe that we were a PFIC for the taxable year ended December 31, 2023, and we will likely be classified as a PFIC for our current taxable year. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the availability of the reduced rate of taxation on dividends with respect to our ADSs or ordinary shares under their particular circumstances.

Sale or other disposition

ASubject to the discussion below under “Passive foreign investment company rules,” a U.S. Holder will generally recognize gain or loss upon the sale or other disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized upon the disposition and the holder’s adjusted tax basis in such ADSs or ordinary shares. The gain or loss will generally be capital gain or loss. Any capital gain or loss will be long-term if the ADSs or ordinary shares have been held for more than one year and will generally be eligible for reduced tax rates. The deductibility of a capital loss may be subject to limitations. Any such gain or loss that the U.S. Holder recognizes will generally be treated as U.S. source income or loss for foreign tax credit limitation purposes, which will generally limit the availability of foreign tax credits. However,

As described in the event“—People’s Republic of China Taxation,” if we are deemed to be a PRC resident enterprise under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, we may be eligible for the benefits of the Treaty. In such event, if PRC tax were to be imposed on any gaingains from the disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares may be subject to PRC income tax and will generally be U.S. source, which may limit the ability to receive a foreign tax credit. If a U.S. Holder that is eligible for the benefits of the Treaty, such holder may be able to elect to treat such gain as PRC source income for foreign tax credit purposes.under the Treaty. Pursuant to recently issued Treasury Regulations, however, if a U.S. Holder is not eligible for the benefits of the Treaty or does not elect to apply the Treaty, then such holder may not be able to claim a foreign tax credit arising from any PRC tax imposed on the disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares. EachThe rules regarding foreign tax credits and deduction of foreign taxes are complex. U.S. Holder is advised toHolders should consult itstheir tax advisoradvisors regarding the tax consequences if a foreign tax is imposed on a disposition of our ADSs or ordinary shares, including the availability of thea foreign tax credit or deduction under itsin light of their particular circumstances, their eligibility for benefits under the Treaty, and the potential impact of the recently issuedU.S. Treasury Regulations.

As discussed above, we believe that we were a PFIC for the taxable year ended December 31, 2023, and we will likely be classified as a PFIC for our current taxable year. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the tax considerations of the sale or other disposition of our ADSs or ordinary shares under their particular circumstances.

Passive foreign investment company rules

As discussed above, we believe that we were a PFIC for the taxable year ended December 31, 2023, and we will likely be classified as a PFIC for our current taxable year. If we are classified as a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder holds our ADSs or ordinary shares, and unless the U.S. Holder makes a mark-to-market election (as described below), the U.S. Holder will generally be subject to special tax rules on (i) any excess distribution that we make to the U.S. Holder (which generally means any distribution paid during a taxable year to a U.S. Holder that is greater than 125 percent of the average annual distributions paid to the U.S. Holder in the three preceding taxable years or, if shorter, the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the ADSs or ordinary shares), and (ii) any gain recognized on the sale or other disposition (including, under certain circumstances, a pledge) of ADSs or ordinary shares. Under the PFIC rules:

the excess distribution or gain will be allocated ratably over the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the ADSs or ordinary shares;
the amount allocated to the taxable year of the distribution or gain and any taxable years in the U.S. Holder’s holding period prior to the first taxable year in which we are classified as a PFIC (each, a “pre-PFIC year”), will be taxable as ordinary income; and
the 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 individuals or corporations, as appropriate, for that year, increased by an additional tax equal to the interest on the resulting tax deemed deferred with respect to each such taxable year.

If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder holds our ADSs or ordinary shares and any of our subsidiaries, ourthe VIEs or any of the subsidiaries of ourthe VIEs is also a PFIC, such U.S. Holder would be treated as owning a proportionate amount (by value) of the shares of the lower-tier PFIC for purposes of the application of these rules. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the application of the PFIC rules to any of our subsidiaries, ourthe VIEs or any of the subsidiaries of ourthe VIEs.

151170

Table of Contents

As an alternative to the foregoing rules, a U.S. Holder of “marketable stock” (as defined below) in a PFIC may make a mark-to-market election with respect to such stock. If a U.S. Holder makes this election with respect to our ADSs or ordinary shares, the holder will generally (i) include as ordinary income for each taxable year that we are a PFIC the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the ADSs or ordinary shares held at the end of the taxable year over the adjusted tax basis of such ADSs or ordinary shares and (ii) deduct as an ordinary loss the excess, if any, of the adjusted tax basis of the ADSs or ordinary shares over the fair market value of such ADSs or ordinary shares held at the end of the taxable year, but such deduction will only be allowed to the extent of the net amount previously included in income as a result of the mark-to-market election. The U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the ADSs or ordinary shares would be adjusted to reflect any income or loss resulting from the mark-to-market election. If a U.S. Holder makes a mark-to-market election in respect of our ADSs or ordinary shares and we cease to be classified as a PFIC, the holder will not be required to take into account the gain or loss described above during any period that we are not classified as a PFIC. If a U.S. Holder makes a mark-to-market election, any gain such U.S. Holder recognizes upon the sale or other disposition of our ADSs or ordinary shares in a year when we are a PFIC will be treated as ordinary income and any loss will be treated as ordinary loss, but such loss will only be treated as ordinary loss to the extent of the net amount previously included in income as a result of the mark-to-market election.

The mark-to-market election is available only for “marketable stock,” which is stock that is regularly traded on a qualified exchange or other market, as defined in applicable United States Treasury regulations.Regulations. Our ADSs are listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market, which is a qualified exchange. We expect the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, on which our ordinary shares are listed, to be a qualified exchange but there can be no assurance in this regard because the IRS has not identified specific non-U.S. exchanges as qualified for these purposes. We anticipate that our ADSs and ordinary shares should qualify as being regularly traded, but no assurances may be given in this regard.

Because a mark-to-market election cannot technically be made for any lower-tier PFICs that we may own, a U.S. Holder may continue to be subject to the PFIC rules with respect to such U.S. Holder’s indirect interest in any investments held by us that are treated as an equity interest in a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

We do not intend to provide information necessary for U.S. Holders to make qualified electing fund elections which, if available, would result in tax treatment different from (and generally less adverse than) the general tax treatment for PFICs described above.

If a U.S. Holder owns our ADSs or ordinary shares during any taxable year that we are a PFIC, the holder must generally file an annual IRS Form 8621. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the reporting requirements that may apply and the U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing of our ADSs or ordinary shares if we are or become a PFIC.PFIC, including the possibility of making a mark-to-market election and the unavailability of the election to treat us as a qualified electing fund.

F.          Dividends and Paying Agents

Not applicable.

G.           Statement by Experts

Not applicable.

152

Table of Contents

H.          Documents on Display

We are subject to the periodic reporting and other informational requirements of the Exchange Act. Under the Exchange Act, we are required to file reports and other information with the SEC. Specifically, we are required to file annually a Form 20-F no later than four months after the close of each fiscal year. Copies of reports and otherAll information when so filed, may be inspected without charge and may be obtained at prescribed rates at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information regarding the Washington, D.C. Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains a web site at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding registrants that make electronic filingswe file with the SEC using its EDGAR system.can be obtained over the internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. 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 Bank of New York Mellon, 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.

171

Table of Contents

I.          Subsidiary Information

Not applicable.

J.Annual Report to Security Holders

Not applicable.

ItemITEM 11 QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Inflation

To date, inflation in China has not materially impacted our results of operations. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, the consumer price index in China increased by 2.9%, 2.5% and 0.9% in 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively. Although we have not been materially affected by inflation in the past, we can provide no assurance that we will not be affected by higher rates of inflation in China in the future.

Market Risks

Foreign exchange risk

Substantially all of our revenues and expenses are denominated in Renminbi. We do not believe thatWhen considered appropriate, we currently have any significant direct foreignenter into hedging activities with regard to exchange rate risk, andwhich have not usedhad any derivativematerial impact on our financial instruments to hedge exposure to such risk.condition. Although our exposure to foreign exchange risks should be limited in general, the value of your investment in ourthe ADSs will be affected by the exchange rate between U.S. dollar and Renminbi because the value of our business is effectively denominated in Renminbi, while ourthe ADSs will be traded in U.S. dollars.

The conversion of Renminbi into foreign currencies, including U.S. dollars, is based on rates set by the People’s Bank of China. The Renminbi has fluctuated against the U.S. dollar, at times significantly and unpredictably. It is difficult to predict how market forces or PRC or U.S. government policy may impact the exchange rate between Renminbi and the U.S. dollar in the future.

To the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars into Renminbi for our operations, appreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar would have an adverse effect on the Renminbi amount we receive from the conversion. Conversely, if we decide to convert Renminbi into U.S. dollars for the purpose of making payments for dividends on our ordinary shares or ADSs or for other business purposes, appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the Renminbi would have a negative effect on the U.S. dollar amounts available to us.

153

Table of Contents

As of December 31, 2021,2023, we had U.S. dollar-denominated cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of US$3.82.9 million. Assuming we had converted US$3.82.9 million into Renminbi at the exchange rate of RMB6.3726RMB7.0999 for US$1.00 as of December 31, 2021,29, 2023, the Renminbi cash balance of such U.S. dollar-denominated assets would have been RMB24.5RMB20.6 million. If the Renminbi had depreciated by 10% against the U.S. dollar, the Renminbi cash balance of such U.S. dollar-denominated assets would have been RMB27.0RMB22.7 million instead. In addition, we did not have U.S. dollar-denominated short-term loans as of December 31, 2023.

Interest rate risk

We have not been exposed to material risks due to changes in market interest rates, and we have not used any derivative financial instruments to manage our interest risk exposure. The fluctuation of interest rates may affect the demand for loan services on our platform. For example, a decrease in interest rates may cause prospective borrowers to seek lower-priced loans from other channels. A high interest rate environment may lead to an increase in competingcompetition for investment options and dampen our financial institution partners’ desire to fund loans on our platform. We do not expect that the fluctuation of interest rates will have a material impact on our financial condition. However, we cannot provide assurance that we will not be exposed to material risks due to changes in market interest rate in the future. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—Fluctuations in interest rates could negatively affect our loan originationfacilitation volume.”

We may invest the net proceeds we receive from our securities offerings 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.

172

Table of Contents

B.          Warrants and Rights

Not applicable.

C.          Other Securities

Not applicable.

154

Table of Contents

D.          American Depositary Shares

Charges Our ADS Holders May Have to Pay

Fees and Expenses

Persons depositing, withdrawing or withdrawingsurrendering shares or ADS
holders must pay:

    

ForFor::

$US$5.00 (or less) per 100 ADSs (or portion of 100 ADSs)thereof)

Issuance of ADSs, including issuances resulting from a distribution of shares or rights or other property

Cancellation of ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal, including if the deposit agreement terminates

$US$.05 (or less) per ADS (or portion thereof)

Any cash distribution to ADS holders

A fee equivalent to the fee that would be payable if securities distributed to ADS holders had been shares and the shares had been deposited for issuance of ADSs

Distribution of securities distributed to holders of deposited securities (including rights) that are distributed by the depositary to ADS holders

$US$.05 (or less) per ADS (or portion thereof) per calendar year

Depositary services

Registration or transfer fees

Transfer and registration of shares on our share register to or from the name of the depositary or its agent when ADS holders deposit or withdraw shares

Expenses of the depositary

Cable and facsimile transmissionstransmission fees (when expressly provided in the deposit agreement)

Converting foreign currency to U.S. dollars

Taxes and other governmental charges the depositary or the custodian hashave to pay on any ADSs or shares underlying ADSs, such as stock transfer taxes, stamp duty or withholding taxes

As necessary

Any other charges incurred by the depositary or its agents for servicing the deposited securities

As necessary

The depositary collects its fees for delivery and surrender of ADSs directly from investors depositing shares or surrendering ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal or from intermediaries acting for them. The depositary collects fees for making distributions to investors by deducting those fees from the amounts distributed or by selling a portion of distributable property to pay the fees. The depositary may collect its annual fee for depositary services by deduction from cash distributions or by directly billing investors or by charging the book-entry system accounts of participants acting for them. The depositary may collect any of its fees by deduction from any cash distribution payable (or by selling a portion of securities or other property distributable) to ADS holders that are obligated to pay those fees. The depositary may generally refuse to provide fee-attracting services until its fees for those services are paid.

173

Table of Contents

From time to time, the depositary may make payments to us to reimburse us for costs and expenses generally arising out of establishment and maintenance of the ADS program, waive fees and expenses for services provided to us by the depositary or share revenue from the fees collected from ADS holders. In performing its duties under the deposit agreement, the depositary may use brokers, dealers, foreign currency dealers or other service providers that are owned by or affiliated with the depositary and that may earn or share fees, spreads or commissions.

155

Table of Contents

The depositary may convert currency itself or through any of its affiliates and, in those cases, acts as principal for its own account and not as agent, advisor, broker or fiduciary on behalf of any other person and earnearns revenue, including, without limitation, transaction spreads, that it will retain for its own account. The revenue is based on, among other things, the difference between the exchange rate assigned to the currency conversion made under the deposit agreement and the rate that the depositary or its affiliate receives when buying or selling foreign currency for its own account. The depositary makes no representation that the exchange rate used or obtained in any currency conversion under the deposit agreement will be the most favorable rate that could be obtained at the time or that the method by which that rate will be determined will be the most favorable to ADS holders, subject to the depositary’s obligations under the deposit agreement. The methodology used to determine exchange rates used in currency conversions is available upon request.

Payment of Taxes

ADS holders will be responsible for any taxes or other governmental charges payable on the ADSs or on the deposited securities represented by any of the ADSs. The depositary may refuse to register any transfer of the ADSs or allow ADS holders to withdraw the deposited securities represented by the ADSs until those taxes or other charges are paid. It may apply payments owed to ADS holders or sell deposited securities represented by the American depositary shares to pay any taxes owed and ADS holders will remain liable for any deficiency. If the depositary sells deposited securities, it will, if appropriate, reduce the number of ADSs to reflect the sale and pay to ADS holders any proceeds, or send to ADS holders any property, remaining after it has paid the taxes.

Fees and Other Payments Made by the Depositary to Us

Our depositary anticipates to reimburse us for certain expenses we incur that are related to establishment and maintenance of the ADR program upon such terms and conditions as we and the depositary may agree from time to time. The depositary may make available to us a set amount or a portion of the issuance fees, depositary servicing fees and cash dividend fees charged in respect of the ADR program or otherwise upon such terms and conditions as we and the depositary may agree from time to time. For the year ended December 31, 2021,In 2023, we did not receivereceived approximately US$4.6 million reimbursement from the depositary.

Dealings and Settlement of Class A Ordinary Shares in Hong Kong

Our class A ordinary shares will trade on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in board lots of 50 ordinary shares. Dealings in our class A ordinary shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange will be conducted in Hong Kong dollars.

The transaction costs of dealings in our class A ordinary shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange include:

Hong Kong Stock Exchange trading fee of 0.00565% of the consideration of the transaction, charged to each of the buyer and seller;
SFC transaction levy of 0.0027% of the consideration of the transaction, charged to each of the buyer and seller;
AFRC transaction levy of 0.00015% of the consideration of the transaction, charged to each of the buyer and seller;
transfer deed stamp duty of HK$5.00 per transfer deed (if applicable), payable by the seller;
ad valorem stamp duty at a total rate of 0.2% of the value of the transaction, with 0.1% payable by each of the buyer and the seller;
stock settlement fee, which is currently 0.002% of the gross transaction value, subject to a minimum fee of HK$2.00 and a maximum fee of HK$100.00 per side per trade;
brokerage commission, which is freely negotiable with the broker; and

174

Table of Contents

the Hong Kong share registrar will charge between HK$2.50 to HK$20, depending on the speed of service (or such higher fee as may from time to time be permitted under the Hong Kong Listing Rules), for each transfer of ordinary shares from one registered owner to another, each share certificate canceled or issued by it and any applicable fee as stated in the share transfer forms used in Hong Kong.

Investors must settle their trades executed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange through their brokers directly or through custodians. For an investor who has deposited his or her class A ordinary shares in his or her stock account or in his or her designated CCASS participant’s stock account maintained with CCASS, settlement will be effected in CCASS in accordance with the General Rules of CCASS and CCASS Operational Procedures in effect from time to time. For an investor who holds the physical certificates, settlement certificates and the duly executed transfer forms must be delivered to his or her broker or custodian before the settlement date.

Conversion Between Class A Ordinary Shares Trading in Hong Kong and ADSs

In connection with the initial public offering of our class A ordinary shares in Hong Kong, or the Hong Kong Public Offering, we have established a branch register of members in Hong Kong, or the Hong Kong share register, which are maintained by our Hong Kong share registrar, Computershare Hong Kong Investor Services Limited. Our principal register of members, or the Cayman share register, continues to be maintained by our Principal Share Registrar, Maples Fund Services (Cayman) Limited in the Cayman Islands.

All class A ordinary shares offered in the Hong Kong public offering and the international offering have been registered on the Hong Kong share register in order to be traded on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. As described in further detail below, holders of class A ordinary shares registered on the Hong Kong share register will be able to convert these shares into ADSs, and vice versa.

Converting Class A Ordinary Shares Trading in Hong Kong into ADSs

An investor who holds class A ordinary shares registered in Hong Kong and who intends to deposit them for delivery of ADSs to trade on Nasdaq must deposit or have his or her broker deposit the class A ordinary shares with the depositary’s Hong Kong custodian, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, or the custodian, in exchange for ADSs.

A deposit of class A ordinary shares trading in Hong Kong in exchange for ADSs involves the following procedures:

If class A ordinary shares have been deposited with CCASS, the investor must transfer ordinary shares to the depositary’s account with the custodian within CCASS by following the CCASS procedures for transfer and submit and deliver a duly completed and signed letter of transmittal to the custodian via his or her broker.
If class A ordinary shares are held outside CCASS, the investor must arrange to deposit his or her class A ordinary shares into CCASS for delivery to the depositary’s account with the custodian within CCASS, submit and deliver a duly completed and signed letter of transmittal to the custodian.
Upon payment of its fees and expenses and of any taxes or charges, such as stamp taxes or stock transfer taxes or fees, if applicable, and subject in all cases to the terms of the deposit agreement, the depositary will register the corresponding number of ADSs in the name(s) requested by an investor and will deliver the ADSs as instructed by the depositing investor or his or her broker.

For class A ordinary shares deposited in CCASS, under normal circumstances, the above steps generally require two business days. For class A ordinary shares held outside CCASS in physical form, the above steps may take 14 business days, or more, to complete. Temporary delays may arise. For example, the transfer books of the depositary may from time to time be closed to ADS issuances. The investor will be unable to trade the ADSs until the procedures are completed.

Converting ADSs into Class A Ordinary Shares Trading in Hong Kong

An investor who holds ADSs and who intends to surrender his/her ADSs for delivery of class A ordinary shares to trade on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange must cancel the ADSs the investor holds and withdraw class A ordinary shares from the ADS program and cause his or her broker or other financial institution to trade such class A ordinary shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

175

Table of Contents

An investor that holds ADSs indirectly through a broker should follow the broker’s procedure and instruct the broker to arrange for cancelation of the ADSs, and transfer of the underlying class A ordinary shares from the depositary’s account with the custodian within the CCASS system to the investor’s Hong Kong stock account.

For investors holding ADSs directly, the following steps must be taken:

To withdraw class A ordinary shares from the ADS program, an investor who holds ADSs may turn in such ADSs at the office of the depositary (and the applicable ADR(s) if the ADSs are held in certificated form), and send an instruction to cancel such ADSs to the depositary.
Upon payment or net of its fees and expenses and of any taxes or charges, such as stamp taxes or stock transfer taxes or fees, if applicable, and subject in all cases to the terms of the deposit agreement, the depositary will instruct the custodian to deliver class A ordinary shares underlying the canceled ADSs to the CCASS account designated by an investor.
If an investor prefers to receive class A ordinary shares outside CCASS, he or she must receive ordinary shares in CCASS first and then arrange for withdrawal from CCASS. Investors can then obtain a transfer form signed by HKSCC Nominees Limited (as the transferor) and register class A ordinary shares in their own names with the Hong Kong share registrar.

For class A ordinary shares to be received in CCASS, under normal circumstances, the above steps generally require two business days. For class A ordinary shares to be received outside CCASS in physical form, the above steps may take 14 business days, or more, to complete. The investor will be unable to trade the class A ordinary shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange until the procedures are completed.

Temporary delays may arise. For example, the transfer books of the depositary may from time to time be closed to ADS cancelations. In addition, completion of the above steps and procedures is subject to there being a sufficient number of class A ordinary shares on the Hong Kong share registrar to facilitate a withdrawal from the ADS program directly into the CCASS system. We are not under any obligation to maintain or increase the number of class A ordinary shares on the Hong Kong share register to facilitate such withdrawals.

Depositary Requirements

Before the depositary delivers ADSs or permits withdrawal of class A ordinary shares, the depositary may require:

production of satisfactory proof of the identity and genuineness of any signature or other information it deems necessary; and
compliance with procedures it may establish, from time to time, consistent with the deposit agreement, including, but not limited to, presentation of transfer documents.

The depositary may refuse to deliver, transfer, or register issuances, transfers and cancelations of ADSs generally when the transfer books of the depositary or our Hong Kong or Cayman share registrar are closed or at any time if the depositary or we determine it advisable to do so, subject to such refusal complying with U.S. federal securities laws.

All costs attributable to the transfer of ordinary shares to effect a withdrawal from or deposit of class A ordinary shares into the ADS program will be borne by the investor requesting the transfer. In particular, holders of ordinary shares and ADSs should note that the Hong Kong share registrar will charge between HK$2.50 to HK$20, depending on the speed of service (or such higher fee as may from time to time be permitted under the Hong Kong Listing Rules), for each transfer of class A ordinary shares from one registered owner to another, each share certificate canceled or issued by it and any applicable fee as stated in the share transfer forms used in Hong Kong. In addition, holders of ordinary shares and ADSs must pay up to US$5.00 (or less) per 100 ADSs for each issuance of ADSs and each cancelation of ADSs, as the case may be, in connection with the deposit of class A ordinary shares into, or withdrawal of ordinary shares from, the ADS program.

156176

Table of Contents

PART II.

ITEM 13 DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES

None.

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”Information” 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 Number 333-228020 ) (the “F-1 Registration Statement”) in relation to our initial public offering of 3,100,000 ADSs representing 6,200,000 class A ordinary shares, at an initial offering price of US$16.50 per ADS. Our initial public offering closed in December 2018. Citigroup Global Markets Inc. was the representatives of the underwriters for our initial public offering.

The F-1 Registration Statement was declared effective by the SEC on December 13, 2018. The total expenses incurred for our company’s account in connection with our initial public offering was approximately US$7.9 million, which included US$3.6 million in underwriting discounts and commissions for the initial public offering and approximately US$4.3 million in other costs and expenses for our initial public offering. We received net proceeds of approximately US$43.3 million from 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.

We filed another registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-232259), as amended, in relation to the sale of 9,609,000 ADSs, representing 19,218,000 class A ordinary shares by certain shareholders in a follow-on public offering. The follow-on offering closed in July 2019, and we did not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of ADSs by the selling shareholders in the follow-on offering; neither did we incur any expenses for our company’s account.

We have used all of the net proceeds from our initial public offering for purposes disclosed in our F-1 Registration Statement.Not applicable.

ITEM 15 CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our chief executive officer and our chief financial officer, we carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, which is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act, as of December 31, 2021.2023. Based upon that evaluation, our management, with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, has concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this annual report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

157

Table of Contents

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. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP and includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of a company’s assets, (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that a company’s receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of a company’s management and directors, and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of a company’s assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements. Our management evaluated the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 20212023 based on 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 effective as of December 31, 2021.2023.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, any evaluation of effectiveness as to future periods is subject to the risks that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Attestation Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 20212023 has been audited by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Certified Public Accountants LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in its report included on page F-4 of this annual report.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this annual report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

177

Table of Contents

ITEM 16 [RESERVED]

ITEM 16A AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

Our board of directors has determined that Yongjin Fu,Gang Xiao, a member of our audit committee and an independent director (under the standards set forth in Rule 5605(c)(2) of the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules and Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act), is an audit committee financial expert.

ITEM 16B CODE OF ETHICS

Our board of directors adopted aan amended and restated code of business conduct and ethics in March 2024 that applies to our directors, officers and employeesemployees. The amended and restated code of business conduct and ethics mainly clarifies that in October 2018.cases where more stringent and/or detailed policies concerning conflicts of interest have been established, those policies will supersede any less stringent and/or detailed policies. We have posted a copy of our code of business conduct and ethics on our website at https://ir.360shuke.com/ir.qifu.tech.

158

Table of Contents

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 Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Certified Public Accountants LLP (PCAOB ID No. 1113), our principal external auditor, for the periodsyears indicated. We did not pay any other fees to our auditor during the periods indicated below.

For the Year Ended December 31,

For the Years Ended December 31,

    

2020

    

2021

    

2022

    

2023

(in thousands of RMB)

(in thousands of RMB)

Audit fees(1)

    

15,622.5

19,651.7

28,480.7

19,392.8

Audit-related fees(2)

5,688.8

2,862.4

559.1

Tax fees(3)

252.8

481.1

135.2

295.0

Notes:

(1)

“Audit fees” means the aggregate fees billed in each of the fiscal years listed for professional services rendered by our principal auditor for the audit or review of our annual financial statements or quarterly financial information and review of documents filed with the SEC. The audit refers to financial statement audit and audit pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. In addition, it includes the fees billed for the professional services provided in relation to the Global Offering in 2022.

(2)

“Audit-related fees” means the aggregate fees billed in each of the fiscal years for assurance and related services by our principal accountant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements and are not reported under “Audit fees”.fees.”

(3)

“Tax fees” means the aggregate fees incurred in each of the fiscal years listed for professional services rendered by our principal auditors for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning.

The policy of our audit committee is to pre-approve all audit and other service provided by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Certified Public Accountants LLP 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

None.

178

Table of Contents

ITEM 16E PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS

On August 18, 2021, our board of directors approved a share repurchase plan whereby we are authorized to repurchase up to US$200 million worth of our company’s Classclass A ordinary shares in the form of ADSADSs over the next twelve-month period till August 17, 2022. The share repurchase plan was publicly announced on August 19, 2021. As of February 28, 2022, we hadWe did not repurchasedpurchase any of our ADSs under thethis plan.

On June 20, 2023, our board of directors approved a share repurchase plan.plan whereby we are authorized to repurchase our company’s class A ordinary shares or ADSs with aggregate value of up to US$150 million from June 20, 2023 through June 19, 2024. We refer to this plan as the 2023 Share Repurchase Plan. This plan was publicly announced on June 20, 2023. From June 20, 2023 to March 31, 2024, we purchased in aggregate approximately 9,348,543 ADSs in the open market for a total cost of approximately US$150 million (inclusive of commissions) at an average price of US$16.02 per ADS pursuant to the 2023 Share Repurchase Plan. The table below is a summary of the ADSs we repurchased in 2023 and the first three months of 2024. All ADSs were repurchased in the open market pursuant to the 2023 Share Repurchase Plan.

Total

Approximate

Number of

Dollar Value

ADSs Purchased

of ADSs

Total

Average

as Part of the

that May

Number

Price Paid

Publicly

Yet Be

of ADSs

Per

Announced

Purchased Under

Period

    

Purchased

    

ADS (US$)

    

Plan

    

the Plan* (US$)

June 20, 2023-June 30, 2023

 

119,826

 

16.45

 

119,826

 

148,027,054

July 1, 2023-July 31, 2023

 

1,040,892

 

18.50

 

1,040,892

 

128,746,996

August 1, 2023-August 31, 2023

 

504,862

 

17.06

 

504,862

 

120,124,190

September 1, 2023-September 30, 2023

 

1,494,624

 

15.40

 

1,494,624

 

97,072,678

October 1, 2023-October 31, 2023

 

1,180,972

 

15.24

 

1,180,972

 

79,052,886

November 1, 2023-November 30, 2023

 

704,909

 

15.66

 

704,909

 

68,002,617

December 1, 2023-December 31, 2023

 

510,000

 

14.95

 

510,000

 

60,366,260

January 1, 2024-January 31, 2024

 

1,134,128

 

14.64

 

1,134,128

 

43,738,648

February 1, 2024-February 29, 2024

 

1,256,931

 

14.96

 

1,256,931

 

24,913,621

March 1, 2024-March 31, 2024

 

1,401,399

 

17.74

 

1,401,399

 

20,196

Total

 

9,348,543

 

16.02

 

9,348,543

 

20,196

Note:

*

The dollar value in this column is based on US$150 million pursuant to the 2023 Share Repurchase Plan.

On March 12, 2024, our board of directors approved a share repurchase plan whereby we are authorized to repurchase our company’s class A ordinary shares or ADSs with aggregate value of up to US$350 million starting from April 1, 2024 through March 31, 2025. This plan was publicly announced on March 12, 2024. We refer to this plan as the 2024 Share Repurchase Plan. We have commenced execution of the 2024 Share Repurchase Plan since April 1, 2024.

ITEM 16F CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT

Not applicable.

159179

Table of Contents

ITEM 16G CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

As a Cayman Islands exempted company listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market, we are subject to the Nasdaq listing standards. However, the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules permit a foreign private issuer like us to follow the corporate governance practices of its home country. We have utilized the exemption afforded by Nasdaq Listing Rule 5615(a)(3) to follow home country practice in lieu of certain requirements, including (i) the independence requirements for compensation committee and nomination committee as provided in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(d) and (e), (ii) the requirement that a majority of the board must be independent as provided in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5615(b)(1), (iii) the requirement to hold annual general meeting as provided in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5620(a), and (iv)(iii) the requirement to obtain shareholder approval prior to a plan or other equity compensation arrangement is established or materially amended as provided in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c). Our shareholders may be afforded less protection than they would otherwise enjoy under the Nasdaq listing standards applicable to U.S. domestic issuers given our reliance on the home country practice exception.

See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to the ADSs and Our ADSs—Class A Ordinary Shares—As an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands, we are permitted to adopt certain home country practices in relation to corporate governance matters that differ significantly from the Nasdaq listing standards; these practices may afford less protection to shareholders than they would enjoy if we complied fully with such corporate governance listing standards.”

ITEM 16H MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE

Not applicable.

ITEM 16I DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS.INSPECTIONS

Not applicable.

ITEM 16J INSIDER TRADING POLICIES

Not applicable.

ITEM 16KCYBERSECURITY

Risk Management and Strategy

We have implemented comprehensive cybersecurity management and security emergency response management policies that are integrated into our overall risk management system. These procedures aim to ensure our overall network security, protect our data transmission system and prevent data leakage and other cybersecurity incidents. We have a strong in-house cybersecurity management working group, led by our cybersecurity officer, that consists of the information security department, the IT foundational service department, and the system operation and maintenance department. Working together, these departments identify, assess, and manage cybersecurity risks on a daily basis. We have established a sound responding mechanism for external security attacks and violations and safeguarded the confidentiality of information and data of our company, employees and users. More specifically, we have established a strict data control system, taking a series of measures including data encryption, network firewall, network monitoring, and access control to ensure data security. In this way, we strive to ensure that information and data can only be obtained and used when necessary. We also regularly conduct inspections, cleaning, data backup of our databases, equipment, and network supporting facilities. In order to implement cybersecurity awareness to every grassroots position, we have provided training programs to ensure that our employees have full access to the basic knowledge and principles of information security and promulgated data governance policies such as the QiFu Technology Cybersecurity Management System, the QiFu Technology Data Classification and Grading Management System, and the QiFu Technology Personal Information Protection and Data Governance Basic Policy to regulate the data and network usage within our company.

160180

Table of Contents

To address cybersecurity emergencies, we have designed and implemented the QiFu Technology Emergency Response Management Regulations. Under these regulations, we established a cybersecurity emergency management team, which consists of the emergency response leadership group, the emergency response cybersecurity assurance group, the emergency response technical process group and the emergency response information notification group. Under the guidance of the regulations, these groups maintain a cybersecurity risk detection system, operate a multi-layer data protection regime, conduct regular risk assessments of our network and business infrastructures and carry out regular cybersecurity drills. These measures help us promptly identify cybersecurity risks and incidents. The QiFu Technology Emergency Response Management Regulations also serve to standardize and strengthen our emergency response procedures. They form a step-by-step cybersecurity response plan, covering a wide range of topics, including incident notification, impact assessment, response initiation, department coordination, data restoration, case analysis and outcome disclosure. When a cybersecurity incident occurs, we evaluate the type and impact of the incident, report and notify working parties and affected individuals, and carry out appropriate plans that we prepare in advance.

Besides, we engage law firms and auditors to conduct thorough due diligence of data compliance and assessments of our information system annually. We also work closely with third-party service providers to ensure their compliance with our cybersecurity standards and to assess risks arising from our engagements with them. We strive to provide the highest standards of data protection and information security for our consumers and SMEs and maintain and enhance the reliability, stability and scalability of our network infrastructure. In addition, we regularly conduct IT audits. Internally, we regularly conduct security audits of network configuration changes, sensitive authority accounts and operation log audits. Externally, we regularly accept IT audits, ISO certification audits, equal assurance inspections and ESG assessments from third-party audit teams to fully protect our information, network, and data security. To ensure the smooth and secure operations of our business during peak traffic, we intend to continue to conduct regular maintenance of our security system, closely monitor the development of information technology and security technologies used in the industry and make necessary upgrades to enhance our information technology systems.

As of the date of this annual report, we have not experienced any material cybersecurity incidents or identified any material cybersecurity threats that have affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect us, our business strategy, results of operations or financial condition.

Governance

The cybersecurity officer of our company is responsible for coordinating our internal cybersecurity planning and construction, and assessing, identifying, managing and responding to cybersecurity incidents. The officer is also responsible for reviewing and evaluating whether cybersecurity threats create material risks and whether such risks have or are reasonably likely to have a major impact on our company. In addition, the officer is responsible for the decision-making and reporting of major cybersecurity matters. Our cybersecurity officer has over 15 years of experience in the field. The officer reports and provides regular updates to our Chief Executive Officer on any material cybersecurity incidents or risks. In the event of a major cybersecurity incident, our Chief Executive Officer reports to the board of directors, which bears the ultimate responsibility for the company’s cybersecurity risks.

181

Table of Contents

PART III.

ITEM 1.

ITEM 17 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

We have elected to provide combined and consolidated financial statements pursuant to Item 18.

ITEM 18 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The consolidated financial statements of 360 DigiTech,Qifu Technology, Inc. are included at the end of this annual report.

ITEM 19 EXHIBITS

Exhibit

Number

    

Description of Document

1.1

SecondThird Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Registrant, effective December 13, 2018March 31, 2023 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.21.1 to the Form F-120-F filed on October 26, 2018April 27, 2023 (File No. 333-228020)001-38752))

1.2

Certificate of Incorporation on Change of Name (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1.2 to the Form 20-F filed on April 21, 202127, 2023 (File No. 001-38752))

2.1

Registrant’s Specimen American Depositary Receipt (included in Exhibit 2.3) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Form F-1 filed on October 26, 2018 (File No. 333-228020))

2.2

Registrant’s Specimen Certificate for Class A Ordinary Shares (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.22.2 to the Form F-1/A20-F filed on December 6, 2018April 27, 2023 (File No. 333-228020)001-38752))

2.3

Deposit Agreement, 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 filed on June 3, 2019 (File No. 333-231892))

2.4

Shareholders Agreement between the Registrant and other parties thereto dated September 10, 2018 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Form F-1 filed on October 26, 2018 (File No. 333-228020))

2.5

Description of Securities (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.5 to the Form 20-F filed on April 30, 202027, 2023 (File No. 001-38752))

4.1

2018 Share Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Form 20-F filed on April 30, 2020 (File No. 001-38752))

4.2

2019 Share Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Form S-8 filed on December 13, 2019 (File No. 333-235488) and Exhibit 10.2 to the post-effective amendment No. 1 to Form S-8 filed on October 13, 2020 (File No. 333-235488))

4.3

Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Registrant and its directors and executive officers (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Form F-1 filed on October 26, 2018 (File No. 333-228020))

4.4

Form of Employment Agreement between the Registrant and its executive officers (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Form F-1 filed on October 26, 2018 (File No. 333-228020))

4.5

English translation of the executed form of Power of AttorneyVoting Proxy Agreement regarding a VIE of the Registrant, between its shareholder and the WFOE of the Registrant as currently in effect, and a schedule of all executed Powers of AttorneyVoting Proxy Agreement adopting the same form in respect of each of the VIEs of the Registrant (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.4 of4.5 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 26, 2019)27, 2023 (File No. 001-38752))

4.6

English translation of the executed form of Equity Interest Pledge Agreement among a VIE of the Registrant, its shareholder, and the WFOE of the Registrant, as currently in effect, and a schedule of all executed Equity Interest Pledge Agreements adopting the same form in respect of each of the VIEs of the Registrant (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.5 of4.6 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 26, 2019)27, 2023 (File No. 001-38752))

4.7

English translation of the executed form of Exclusive Consultation and ServicesBusiness Cooperation Agreement between a VIE and the WFOE of the Registrant, as currently in effect, and a schedule of all executed the Exclusive Consultation and ServicesBusiness Cooperation Agreements adopting the same form in respect of each of the VIEs of the Registrant (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.6 of4.7 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 26, 2019)27, 2023 (File No. 001-38752))

4.8

English translation of the executed form of Exclusive Option Agreement among a VIE of the Registrant, its shareholder, and the WFOE of the Registrant, as currently in effect, and a schedule of all executed the Exclusive Option Agreements adopting the same form in respect of each of the VIEs of the Registrant (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the Form 20-F filed on April 27, 2023 (File No. 001-38752))

161182

Table of Contents

Exhibit

Number

    

Description of Document

Option Agreements adopting the same form in respect of each of the VIEs of the Registrant  (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.7 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 26, 2019)

4.9

English translation of the executed form of Loan Agreement among a VIE of the Registrant, its shareholder, and the WFOE of the Registrant, as currently in effect, and a schedule of all executed the Loan Agreements adopting the same form in respect of each of the VIEs of the Registrant (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.8 of4.9 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 26, 2019)27, 2023 (File No. 001-38752))

4.10

English Translation of the Framework Collaboration Agreement between Beijing Qihu Technology Co., Ltd., wholly owned subsidiary of 360 Group, and Shanghai Qiyu, dated July 24, 2018 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Form F-1 filed on October 26, 2018 (File No. 333-228020))

4.11

English Translation of the Joint Venture Agreement entered into in October 2020 by and between Shanghai Qiyu, Shanghai Jiehu Internet Technology Co., Ltd. and Shanghai Changfeng Investment (Group) Co., Ltd. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.11 of the Form 20-F filed on April 21, 2021 (File No. 001-38752))

4.12*4.12

English Translation of the Equity Transfer Agreement entered into in December 2021 by and between Shanghai Qiyu and Shanghai Jiehu Internet Technology Co., Ltd. (Filed as Exhibit 4.12 to the company’s annual report on Form 20-F, Registration No. 001-38752, filed on April 28, 2022, and incorporated herein by reference)

4.13*4.13

English Translation of the Novation Agreement entered into in December 2021 by and between Shanghai Qiyu, Shanghai Jiehu Internet Technology Co., Ltd. and Shanghai Changfeng Investment (Group) Co., Ltd. in connection with rights and obligations of Shanghai Jiehu Internet Technology Co., Ltd. under the Joint Venture Agreement entered into in October 2020 (Filed as Exhibit 4.13 to the company’s annual report on Form 20-F, Registration No. 001-38752, filed on April 28, 2022, and incorporated herein by reference)

4.14*4.14

English Translation of the Termination Agreement on the control documents in connection with Fuzhou Microcredit entered into in April 2021 by and between Fuzhou Microcredit, shareholders of Fuzhou Microcredit and our WFOE (Filed as Exhibit 4.14 to the company’s annual report on Form 20-F, Registration No. 001-38752, filed on April 28, 2022, and incorporated herein by reference)

4.15*4.15

English Translation of the Equity Transfer Agreement entered into in April 2021 by and between shareholders of Fuzhou Microcredit and Shanghai Qiyu (Filed as Exhibit 4.15 to the company’s annual report on Form 20-F, Registration No. 001-38752, filed on April 28, 2022, and incorporated herein by reference)

4.16

English translation of the executed form of Agreement on the Termination of the VIE Agreements among a VIE of the Registrant, its shareholder, and the WFOE of the Registrant, as currently in effect, and a schedule of all executed the Agreement on the Termination of the VIE Agreements adopting the same form in respect of each of the VIEs of the Registrant (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.16 to the Form 20-F filed on April 27, 2023 (File No. 001-38752))

4.17*†

English translation of the Trademark Licensing Agreement between Beijing Qihu Technology Co., Ltd., wholly owned subsidiary of 360 Group, and Shanghai Qiyu, dated December 29, 2023

8.1*

Significant subsidiaries and consolidated affiliatedvariable interest entities of the Registrant

11.111.1*

Amended and Restated Code of Business Conduct and Ethics of the Registrant (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Form F-1 filed on October 26, 2018 (File No. 333-228020))

12.1*

CEO Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

12.2*

CFO Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

13.1**

CEO Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

13.2**

CFO Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

15.1*

Consent of Commerce & Finance Law Offices

15.2*

Consent of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Certified Public Accountants LLP

15.3*

Consent of Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP

97*

Clawback Policy

101.INS*

Inline XBRL Instance Document - this instance document does not appear on the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are not embedded within the Inline XBRL document

101.SCH*

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Scheme Document

101.CAL*

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF*

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB*

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE*

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

104*

Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

*

Filed with this Annual Report on Form 20-F.

**

Furnished with this Annual Report on Form 20-F.

Certain portions of the exhibit have been omitted.

162183

Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.

360 DigiTech,Qifu Technology, Inc.

By:

/s/ Haisheng Wu

Name:

Haisheng Wu

Title:

Chief Executive Officer

Date: April 28, 202226, 2024

163184

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH,QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

PAGE(S)

Audited Financial Statements of 360 DigiTech,Qifu Technology, Inc.

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID: 1113)

F-2 - F-4

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 20202022 and 20212023

F-5

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2019, 20202021, 2022 and 20212023

F-6

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2019, 20202021, 2022 and 20212023

F-7

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the years ended December 31, 2019, 20202021, 2022 and 20212023

F-8

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2019, 20202021, 2022 and 20212023

F-9

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the years ended December 31, 2019, 20202021, 2022 and 20212023

F-10 – F-53- F-54

Additional Information - Financial Statement Schedule I

F-54 –F-55 - F 5758

F-1

Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of 360 DigiTech,Qifu Technology, Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of 360 DigiTech,Qifu Technology, Inc. (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries (the “Company”, previously known as “360 Finance, Inc.”) as of December 31, 20202022 and 2021,2023, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021,2023, and the related notes and the financial statement listed in schedule I (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 20202022 and 2021,2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021,2023, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021,2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated April 28, 2022,26, 2024, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Change in Accounting Principle

As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, the Company has changed its method of accounting for financial guarantee upon adoption of Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-03, as amended, on January 1, 2020.

Convenience Translation

Our audits also comprehended the translation of Renminbi amounts into United States dollar amounts and, in our opinion, such translation has been made in conformity with the basis stated in Note 2. Such United States dollar amounts are presented solely for the convenience of the readers in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the 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 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 financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

F-2

Table of Contents

Critical Audit Matter

The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.

F-2

Table of Contents

Management’s estimate of expected default rate primarily used in accounts of guarantee liabilities and allowance for loans receivable

Critical Audit Matter Description

The Company estimates the fair value of stand-ready guarantee liabilities using a discounted cash flow model and the fair value of contingent guarantee liabilities using an expected credit loss model, both of which are based on expected default rate of underlying loans subject to guarantee. The Company also applies expected credit loss model to provide allowance for loans receivable, which is ultimately based on expected default rate of the underlying loans. The Company estimates the expected default rate on a pool basis according to the historical net default rate by vintage, adjusted by specific risk characteristics for loans within each vintage, correlated industrial and macro-economic factors, and other pertinent information in assessing future performance of the loan portfolio.

We identified the estimate of expected default rate as a critical audit matter because of the significant judgment required by management when developing the estimation and the limited historical data.estimation. This required a high degree of auditor judgment and an increased extent of effort, including the need to involve our fair value specialists, when performing audit procedures to evaluate the reasonableness of management’s estimate of expected default rate.

How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit

Our audit procedures related to expected default rate included the following, among others:

We tested the effectiveness of controls over the guarantee liabilities and allowance for loans receivable,estimation of the expected default rate, including management’s controls over accurate capture of the historical delinquency and collection data at individual loan level andthat are used in the estimation of the expected default rate.process.
We evaluated the adjustments applied by management to arrive at the estimated default rate by assessing the pertinent information used, and corroborating the adjustments with supportive operating data or industrial trend, with the assistance of our specialists, where applicable.
We tested the accuracy of the historical net default rate by vintage, delinquent loan collection rate and specific risk indicators used as an input to the model by comparing it with original data retrieved from the operating system.
With the assistance of our specialists, we evaluated the reasonableness of the (1) valuation models, (2) assumptions including correlated industrial and macro-economic factors used in the model, and tested the computational accuracy of the model.
We evaluateevaluated observable data close to the report issue date to evaluate whether the assumptions used by management are appropriate.

/s/Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Certified Public Accountants LLP

Shanghai, China

April 28, 202226, 2024

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2018.

F-3

Table of Contents

REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of 360 DigiTech,Qifu Technology, Inc.

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of 360 DigiTech,Qifu Technology, Inc. (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2021,2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021,2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 20212023 of the Company and our report dated April 28, 2022,26, 2024 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and included (1) an emphasis paragraph referring to the change in accounting principle, and (2) an explanatory paragraph regarding the convenience translation.

Basis for Opinion

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed 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. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Certified Public Accountants LLP

Shanghai, China

April 28, 202226, 2024

F-4

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH,QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

As of December 31, 

As of December 31, 

    

2020

    

2021

    

2021

    

2022

    

2023

    

2023

RMB

RMB

USD

RMB

RMB

USD

(Note 2)

(Note 2)

ASSETS

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Current assets:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Cash and cash equivalents

 

4,418,416

 

6,116,360

 

959,790

 

7,165,584

 

4,177,890

 

588,443

Restricted cash (including RMB 348,976 and RMB 657,075 from the consolidated trusts as of December 31, 2020 and 2021, respectively)

 

2,355,850

 

2,643,587

 

414,836

Restricted cash (including RMB1,018,106 and RMB 1,232,804 from the consolidated trusts as of December 31, 2022 and 2023, respectively)

 

3,346,779

 

3,381,107

 

476,219

Short term investments

57,000

15,000

2,113

Security deposit prepaid to third-party guarantee companies

915,144

874,886

137,289

396,699

207,071

29,165

Funds receivable from third party payment service providers

 

131,464

 

153,151

 

24,033

 

1,158,781

 

1,603,419

 

225,837

Accounts receivable and contract assets, net (net of allowance of RMB 217,306 and RMB 287,538 as of December 31, 2020 and 2021, respectively)

2,394,528

3,097,254

486,027

Financial assets receivable, net (net of allowance of RMB 322,094 and RMB 432,658 as of December 31, 2020 and 2021, respectively)

 

3,565,482

 

3,806,243

 

597,283

Amounts due from related parties (net of allowance of RMB 10,333 and RMB 99,962 as of December 31, 2020 and 2021, respectively)

 

193,305

 

837,324

 

131,394

Loans receivable, net (including RMB 6,447,233 and RMB 8,646,950 from the consolidated trusts as of December 31, 2020 and 2021, respectively)

 

7,500,629

 

9,844,481

 

1,544,814

Prepaid expenses and other assets (including RMB 101,729 and RMB 104,515 from the consolidated trusts as of December 31, 2020 and 2021, respectively)

 

401,224

 

383,937

 

60,246

Accounts receivable and contract assets, net (net of allowance of RMB273,705 and RMB299,265 as of December 31, 2022 and 2023, respectively)

2,868,625

2,909,245

409,759

Financial assets receivable, net (net of allowance of RMB457,080 and RMB462,709 as of December 31, 2022 and 2023, respectively)

 

2,982,076

 

2,522,543

 

355,293

Amounts due from related parties (net of allowance of RMB93,873 and RMB25,150 as of December 31, 2022 and 2023, respectively)

 

394,872

 

45,346

 

6,387

Loans receivable, net (including RMB9,942,696 and RMB9,318,315 from the consolidated trusts as of December 31, 2022 and 2023, respectively)

 

15,347,662

 

24,604,487

 

3,465,470

Prepaid expenses and other assets (including RMB117,516 and RMB 92,287 from the consolidated trusts as of December 31, 2022and 2023, respectively)

 

379,388

 

329,920

 

46,468

Total current assets

 

21,876,042

 

27,757,223

 

4,355,712

 

34,097,466

 

39,796,028

 

5,605,154

Non-current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable and contract assets, net-noncurrent (net of allowance of RMB 38,521 and RMB 28,374 as of December 31, 2020 and 2021, respectively)

307,937

223,474

35,068

Financial assets receivable, net-noncurrent (net of allowance of RMB 68,740 and RMB 60,988 as of December 31, 2020 and 2021, respectively)

645,326

597,965

93,834

Amounts due from related parties (net of allowance of RMB NaN and RMB 22,055 as of December 31, 2020 and 2021, respectively)

140,851

22,103

Loans receivable, net-noncurrent (including RMB 37,157 and RMB 1,829,804 from the consolidated trusts as of December 31, 2020 and 2021)

87,685

2,859,349

448,694

Accounts receivable and contract assets, net-noncurrent (net of allowance of RMB41,261 and RMB21,411 as of December 31, 2022 and 2023, respectively)

261,319

146,995

20,704

Financial assets receivable, net-noncurrent (net of allowance of RMB97,015 and RMB112,687 as of December 31, 2022 and 2023, respectively)

688,843

596,330

83,991

Amounts due from related parties, non-current (net of allowance of RMB4,382 and RMB630 as of December 31, 2022 and 2023, respectively)

33,236

4,240

597

Loans receivable, net-noncurrent (including RMB511,843 and RMB268,215 from the consolidated trusts as of December 31, 2022 and 2023, respectively)

3,136,994

2,898,005

408,175

Property and equipment, net

 

19,360

 

24,941

 

3,914

 

47,602

 

231,221

 

32,567

Land use rights, net

1,018,908

159,889

998,185

977,461

137,673

Intangible assets

 

3,403

 

4,961

 

778

 

4,696

 

13,443

 

1,893

Goodwill

41,210

5,804

Deferred tax assets

 

1,398,562

 

834,717

 

130,985

 

1,019,171

 

1,067,738

 

150,388

Other non-current assets

48,990

42,606

6,686

55,658

45,901

6,465

Total non-current assets

 

2,511,263

 

5,747,772

 

901,951

 

6,245,704

 

6,022,544

 

848,257

TOTAL ASSETS

 

24,387,305

 

33,504,995

 

5,257,663

 

40,343,170

 

45,818,572

 

6,453,411

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

LIABILITIES

Liabilities including amounts of the consolidated VIEs and trusts without recourse to the Company (Note 2):

 

  

 

  

 

  

Liabilities including amounts of the consolidated VIEs and trusts without recourse to the Company (Note 1 and 2):

 

  

 

  

 

  

Current liabilities:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Payable to investors of the consolidated trusts-current

 

3,117,634

 

2,304,518

 

361,629

 

6,099,520

 

8,942,291

 

1,259,495

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

809,761

 

2,258,329

 

354,381

 

2,004,551

 

2,016,039

 

283,953

Amounts due to related parties

 

71,562

 

214,057

 

33,590

 

113,697

 

80,376

 

11,321

Short term loans

186,800

397,576

62,388

150,000

798,586

112,478

Guarantee liabilities-stand ready

 

4,173,497

 

4,818,144

 

756,072

 

4,120,346

 

3,949,601

 

556,290

Guarantee liabilities-contingent

3,543,454

3,285,081

515,501

3,418,391

3,207,264

451,734

Income tax payable

 

1,227,314

 

624,112

 

97,937

 

661,015

 

742,210

 

104,538

Other tax payable

 

254,486

 

241,369

 

37,876

 

182,398

 

163,252

 

22,994

Total current liabilities

 

13,384,508

 

14,143,186

 

2,219,374

 

16,749,918

 

19,899,619

 

2,802,803

Non-current liabilities:

Deferred tax liabilities

37,843

121,426

19,054

100,835

224,823

31,666

Payable to investors of the consolidated trusts-noncurrent

1,468,890

4,010,597

629,350

4,521,600

3,581,800

504,486

Other long-term liabilities

14,974

13,177

2,068

39,520

102,473

14,433

Total non-current liabilities

1,521,707

4,145,200

650,472

4,661,955

3,909,096

550,585

TOTAL LIABILITIES

 

14,906,215

 

18,288,386

 

2,869,846

 

21,411,873

 

23,808,715

 

3,353,388

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 17)

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 18)

 

 

 

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Ordinary shares ($0.00001 par value per share 5,000,000,000 shares authorized, 309,833,035 shares issued and 304,453,780 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2020, and 315,433,018 shares issued and 310,486,975 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2021, respectively)

21

22

3

Ordinary shares (USD0.00001 par value per share 5,000,000,000 shares authorized, 325,591,776 shares issued and 322,792,063 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2022, and 326,552,504 shares issued and 315,226,128 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2023, respectively)

22

22

3

Treasury stock

 

 

(384,637)

 

(54,175)

Additional paid-in capital

5,417,406

5,672,267

890,102

6,095,225

6,059,439

853,454

Retained earnings

 

4,137,542

 

9,642,506

 

1,513,120

 

12,803,684

 

16,297,316

 

2,295,429

Other comprehensive loss

(74,391)

(110,932)

(17,408)

(51,775)

(34,657)

(4,882)

TOTAL 360 DIGITECH INC EQUITY

9,480,578

15,203,863

2,385,817

TOTAL QIFU TECHNOLOGY INC EQUITY

18,847,156

21,937,483

3,089,829

Non-controlling interests

512

12,746

2,000

84,141

72,374

10,194

TOTAL EQUITY

 

9,481,090

 

15,216,609

 

2,387,817

 

18,931,297

 

22,009,857

 

3,100,023

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 

24,387,305

 

33,504,995

 

5,257,663

 

40,343,170

 

45,818,572

 

6,453,411

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-5

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH,QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

    

2019

    

2020

    

2021

    

2021

    

2021

    

2022

    

2023

    

2023

RMB

RMB

RMB

USD

RMB

RMB

RMB

USD

(Note 2)

(Note 2)

Revenue, net of value-added tax and related surcharges:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Credit driven services

8,013,391

11,403,675

10,189,167

1,598,902

10,189,167

11,586,251

11,738,560

1,653,342

Loan facilitation and servicing fees-capital heavy (including revenue from related parties of RMB 791,482, RMB121,933 and RMB 93 for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively)

6,273,131

 

4,596,555

 

2,326,027

365,004

Loan facilitation and servicing fees-capital heavy (including revenue from related parties of RMB93, RMB13,266 and RMB5,931 for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively)

2,326,027

 

2,086,414

 

1,667,119

234,809

Financing income

1,309,616

 

2,184,180

 

2,184,128

342,737

2,184,128

 

3,487,951

 

5,109,921

719,717

Revenue from releasing of guarantee liabilities

285,407

4,506,935

5,583,135

876,116

Revenue from releasing of guarantee liabilities(including revenue from related parties of nil, RMB8,843 and RMB42,499 for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively)

5,583,135

5,899,153

4,745,898

668,446

Other services fees

145,237

116,005

95,877

15,045

95,877

112,733

215,622

30,370

Platform services

1,206,456

2,160,279

6,446,478

1,011,593

6,446,478

4,967,679

4,551,467

641,061

Loan facilitation and servicing fees-capital light (including revenue from related parties of RMB 48,747, RMB 214,296 and RMB 2,160,856 for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively)

814,581

1,826,654

5,677,941

890,993

Referral services fees (including revenue from related parties of RMB 197,018, RMB 10,149 and RMB 7,670 for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively)

375,551

265,300

620,317

97,341

Other services fees (including revenue from related parties of RMB NaN, RMB NaN and RMB 8,571 for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively)

16,324

68,325

148,220

23,259

Loan facilitation and servicing fees-capital light (including revenue from related parties of RMB2,160,856, RMB1,009,170 and RMB199,185 for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively)

5,677,941

4,124,726

3,213,955

452,676

Referral services fees (including revenue from related parties of RMB 7,670, RMB109,469 and RMB 8,601 for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively)

620,317

561,372

950,016

133,807

Other services fees (including revenue from related parties of RMB8,571, RMB58,490 and RMB 45,552 for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively)

148,220

281,581

387,496

54,578

Total net revenue

9,219,847

 

13,563,954

 

16,635,645

 

2,610,495

16,635,645

 

16,553,930

 

16,290,027

 

2,294,403

Operating costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Facilitation, origination and servicing (including costs charged by related parties of RMB 47,203, RMB 93,178 and RMB 142,325 for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively)

1,083,372

 

1,600,564

 

2,252,157

 

353,413

Facilitation, origination and servicing (including costs charged by related parties of RMB142,325, RMB129,173 and RMB118,849 for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively)

2,252,157

 

2,373,458

 

2,659,912

 

374,641

Funding costs

344,999

595,623

337,426

52,950

337,426

504,448

645,445

90,909

Sales and marketing (including expenses charged by related parties of RMB 57,319, RMB 40,030 and RMB 367,320 for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively)

2,851,519

 

1,079,494

 

2,090,374

 

328,025

General and administrative (including expenses charged by related parties of RMB 24,540, RMB 10,673 and RMB 13,409 for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively)

428,189

 

455,952

 

557,295

 

87,452

Sales and marketing (including expenses charged by related parties of, RMB367,320, RMB406,096 and RMB223,627 for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively)

2,090,374

 

2,206,948

 

1,939,885

 

273,227

General and administrative (including expenses charged by related parties of RMB13,409, RMB16,937 and RMB13,610 for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively)

557,295

 

412,794

 

421,076

 

59,307

Provision for loans receivable

486,991

 

698,701

 

965,419

 

151,495

965,419

1,580,306

2,151,046

302,968

Provision for financial assets receivable (including provision generated from related parties of RMB 15,236, RMB 26,337 and RMB 807 for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively)

166,176

312,058

243,946

38,280

Provision for accounts receivable and contract assets (including provision charged by related parties of RMB 35,276, RMB 75,070 and RMB 124,095 for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively)

230,280

237,277

324,605

50,938

Provision for financial assets receivable (including provision generated from related parties of RMB807, RMB2,662 and RMB633 for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively)

243,946

 

397,951

 

386,090

 

54,380

Provision for accounts receivable and contract assets (including provision charged by related parties of RMB124,095, RMB14,123 and RMB (10,197) for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively)

324,605

238,065

175,799

24,761

Provision for contingent liabilities

4,794,127

3,078,224

483,041

3,078,224

4,367,776

3,053,810

430,120

Expense on guarantee liabilities (including provision charged by related parties of RMB 67,587 for the year ended December 31, 2019)

734,730

Total operating costs and expenses

6,326,256

 

9,773,796

 

9,849,446

 

1,545,594

9,849,446

 

12,081,746

 

11,433,063

 

1,610,313

Income from operations

2,893,591

 

3,790,158

 

6,786,199

 

1,064,901

6,786,199

 

4,472,184

 

4,856,964

 

684,090

Interest (expense) income, net

(41,707)

 

77,169

 

126,256

 

19,812

Foreign exchange (loss) gain

(24,875)

101,534

35,549

5,578

Investment income

10,115

1,587

Interest income, net

126,256

 

182,301

 

217,307

 

30,607

Foreign exchange gain (loss)

35,549

(160,225)

2,356

332

Investment income (loss)

10,115

(19,888)

(30,112)

(4,241)

Other income, net

140,278

 

112,884

 

64,590

 

10,136

64,590

 

268,000

 

230,936

 

32,527

Income before income tax expense

2,967,287

 

4,081,745

 

7,022,709

 

1,102,014

7,022,709

 

4,742,372

 

5,277,451

 

743,315

Income tax expense

(465,983)

 

(586,036)

 

(1,258,196)

 

(197,438)

(1,258,196)

 

(736,804)

 

(1,008,874)

 

(142,097)

Net income

2,501,304

 

3,495,709

 

5,764,513

 

904,576

5,764,513

 

4,005,568

 

4,268,577

 

601,218

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests

291

897

17,212

2,701

17,212

18,605

16,759

2,360

Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders of the Company

2,501,595

 

3,496,606

 

5,781,725

 

907,277

5,781,725

 

4,024,173

 

4,285,336

 

603,578

Net income per ordinary share attributable to ordinary shareholders of 360 DigiTech, Inc.

Net income per ordinary share attributable to ordinary shareholders of Qifu Technology, Inc.

Basic

8.66

 

11.72

 

18.82

 

2.95

18.82

 

12.87

 

13.36

 

1.88

Diluted

8.31

 

11.40

 

17.99

 

2.82

17.99

 

12.50

 

13.04

 

1.84

Weighted average shares used in calculating net income per ordinary share

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

288,827,604

 

298,222,207

 

307,265,600

 

307,265,600

307,265,600

 

312,589,273

 

320,749,805

 

320,749,805

Diluted

300,938,470

 

306,665,099

 

321,397,753

 

321,397,753

321,397,753

 

322,018,510

 

328,508,945

 

328,508,945

Net income per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders of 360 DigiTech, Inc.(1)

Net income per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders of Qifu Technology, Inc.(1)

Basic

17.32

23.44

37.64

5.90

37.64

25.74

26.72

3.76

Diluted

16.62

22.80

35.98

5.64

35.98

25.00

26.08

3.68

(1)Based on ADS ratio of 1 ADS to 2 ordinary shares.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-6

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH,QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME OR LOSS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

    

2019

    

2020

    

2021

    

2021

    

2021

    

2022

    

2023

    

2023

RMB

RMB

RMB

USD

RMB

RMB

RMB

USD

(Note 2)

(Note 2)

Net income

 

2,501,304

3,495,709

 

5,764,513

 

904,576

 

5,764,513

4,005,568

 

4,268,577

 

601,218

Other comprehensive income, net of tax of NaN:

Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax of nil:

Foreign currency translation adjustment

21,223

(99,297)

(36,541)

(5,734)

(36,541)

59,157

17,118

2,411

Other comprehensive income(loss)

 

21,223

(99,297)

 

(36,541)

 

(5,734)

Other comprehensive (loss) income

 

(36,541)

59,157

 

17,118

 

2,411

Total comprehensive income

 

2,522,527

3,396,412

 

5,727,972

 

898,842

 

5,727,972

4,064,725

 

4,285,695

 

603,629

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests

291

897

17,212

2,701

Comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interests

17,212

18,605

16,759

2,360

Comprehensive income attributable to ordinary shareholders

 

2,522,818

3,397,309

 

5,745,184

 

901,543

 

5,745,184

4,083,330

 

4,302,454

 

605,989

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-7

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH,QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

    

    

    

    

Accumulated

    

    

    

Additional

(deficit)

Other

Non-

Total 

Number

Ordinary

Paid-in

/Retained

Comprehensive

controlling

(deficit)

of shares

shares

capital

earnings

Income(loss)

interests

equity

RMB (1)

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

Balance as of December 31, 2018

287,652,707

20

4,866,756

(430,263)

3,683

4,440,196

Issuance of ordinary shares

5,768,093

Share-based compensation

250,428

250,428

Other comprehensive income

21,223

21,223

Net income (loss)

2,501,595

(291)

2,501,304

Contribution by non-controlling interests

1,579

1,579

Balance as of December 31, 2019

293,420,800

20

5,117,184

2,071,332

24,906

1,288

7,214,730

Adoption of ASC 326

(1,430,396)

(1,430,396)

Issuance of ordinary shares

11,032,980

1

1

Share-based compensation

301,161

301,161

Other comprehensive loss

(99,297)

(99,297)

Net income (loss)

3,496,606

(897)

3,495,709

Contribution by non-controlling interests

129

129

Acquisition of non-controlling interests

(939)

(8)

(947)

Balance as of December 31, 2020

304,453,780

21

5,417,406

4,137,542

(74,391)

512

9,481,090

Issuance of ordinary shares

6,033,212

1

1

Cancellation of ordinary shares

(17)

Share-based compensation

253,922

253,922

Dividends to shareholders

(276,761)

(276,761)

Other comprehensive loss

(36,541)

(36,541)

Net income (loss)

5,781,725

(17,212)

5,764,513

Disposal of a subsidiary

939

(554)

385

Contribution by non-controlling interests holders to a subsidiary

30,000

30,000

Balance as of December 31, 2021

310,486,975

22

5,672,267

9,642,506

(110,932)

12,746

15,216,609

Additional

Accumulated

Other

Non-

Number

Ordinary

Paid-in

Treasury

Retained

Comprehensive

controlling

Total 

of shares

shares

Capital

stock

Earnings

(loss)Income

interests

Equity

    

    

RMB (1)

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

RMB

Balance as of December 31, 2020

304,453,780

21

5,417,406

4,137,542

(74,391)

512

9,481,090

Issuance of ordinary shares – exercise of options and vesting of restricted shares

6,033,212

1

1

Cancellation of ordinary shares

(17)

Share-based compensation

253,922

253,922

Dividends to shareholders

(276,761)

(276,761)

Other comprehensive loss

(36,541)

(36,541)

Net income (loss)

5,781,725

(17,212)

5,764,513

Disposal of a subsidiary

939

(554)

385

Contribution by non-controlling interests holders to a subsidiary

30,000

30,000

Balance as of December 31, 2021

310,486,975

22

5,672,267

9,642,506

(110,932)

12,746

15,216,609

Issuance of ordinary shares – exercise of options and vesting of restricted shares

5,935,088

Issuance of ordinary shares – global offering, net of issuance costs of RMB31,695

6,370,000

223,221

223,221

Share-based compensation

199,737

199,737

Dividends to shareholders

(862,995)

(862,995)

Other comprehensive income

59,157

59,157

Net income (loss)

4,024,173

(18,605)

4,005,568

Contribution by non-controlling interests holders to a subsidiary

90,000

90,000

Balance as of December 31, 2022

322,792,063

22

6,095,225

12,803,684

(51,775)

84,141

18,931,297

Issuance of ordinary shares – exercise of options and vesting of restricted shares

3,306,235

Repurchase and retirement of ordinary shares

(10,872,170)

(221,390)

(384,637)

(30,152)

(636,179)

Share-based compensation

185,604

185,604

Dividends to shareholders

(761,552)

(761,552)

Other comprehensive income

17,118

17,118

Acqusition of a subsidiary

4,992

4,992

Net income (loss)

4,285,336

(16,759)

4,268,577

Balance as of December 31, 2023

315,226,128

22

6,059,439

(384,637)

16,297,316

(34,657)

72,374

22,009,857

(1)The amount less than RMB 1RMB1 is rounded to zero.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-8

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH,QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

    

2019

    

2020

    

2021

    

2021

RMB

RMB

RMB

USD

(Note 2)

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

 

  

 

  

 

  

Net income

 

2,501,304

3,495,709

 

5,764,513

904,576

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

Depreciation, amortization and reduction in right-of-use assets

 

7,642

36,063

 

65,973

10,353

Share-based compensation

250,428

301,161

253,922

39,846

Gain on disposal of investment

 

 

(10,115)

(1,587)

Provision for loan principal, financial assets receivables and other receivables

883,447

1,248,036

1,553,970

243,852

Provision for contingent liabilities

4,794,127

3,078,225

483,041

Foreign exchange (gain) loss

 

19,461

(101,534)

 

(35,550)

(5,579)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

 

 

Funds receivable from third party payment service providers

23,762

(12,604)

(21,687)

(3,403)

Accounts receivable and contract assets

 

(755,132)

(512,799)

 

(819,931)

(128,665)

Financial assets receivable

 

(929,143)

(2,464,534)

 

(436,538)

(68,502)

Prepaid expenses and other assets

(536,940)

253,185

11,378

1,785

Security deposit prepaid to third-party guarantee companies

 

(137,283)

17,839

 

40,258

6,317

Deferred tax

(713,106)

(326,542)

647,429

101,596

Other non-current assets

 

(55,362)

(18,423)

 

(27,846)

(4,370)

Amounts due (from) to related parties

 

(68,138)

199,995

 

(776,431)

(121,839)

Guarantee liabilities

 

1,547,680

(1,912,852)

 

(2,691,248)

(422,316)

Income tax payable

 

624,153

171,095

 

(603,202)

(94,656)

Other tax payable

 

99,378

52,056

 

(13,117)

(2,058)

Land use rights, net

(1,036,178)

(162,599)

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

206,801

88,842

897,670

140,865

Other long-term liabilities

 

31,184

(16,210)

 

(1,799)

(282)

Interest receivable/ payable

 

(27,061)

33,200

 

(49,996)

 

(7,845)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

2,973,075

5,325,810

 

5,789,700

 

908,530

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

 

 

 

Purchase of property and equipment and intangible assets

 

(25,558)

(15,272)

 

(25,307)

 

(3,971)

Loans provided to related parties

 

 

(50,000)

 

(7,846)

Repayment of loans provided to related parties

 

 

50,000

 

7,846

Investment in loans receivable

(26,339,327)

(38,720,482)

(40,168,794)

(6,303,360)

Collection of investment in loans receivable

17,504,444

39,628,524

34,131,231

5,355,935

Disposal of subsidiaries and other business units, net of cash received

 

 

(1,458)

 

(229)

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

(8,860,441)

892,770

(6,064,328)

(951,625)

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

 

 

 

Repayment of short term loans

(1,500,000)

(200,000)

(150,000)

(23,538)

Proceeds from short-term loans

1,700,000

186,800

364,053

57,128

Loans from Qibutianxia

300,000

Loans payment to Qibutianxia

(300,000)

 

 

Cash received from investors of the consolidated trusts

 

8,360,230

3,092,101

 

5,928,773

 

930,354

Cash paid to investors of the consolidated trusts

 

(847,534)

(6,360,483)

 

(4,193,425)

 

(658,040)

Contribution from non-controlling interests

129

30,000

4,708

Acquisition of non-controlling interests

(947)

Loans received from non-controlling interests

344,487

54,058

Loans payment to non-controlling interests

 

 

(60,168)

 

(9,443)

Cash received from a related party for investment

354,667

55,655

Cash repayment to a related party

 

 

(354,667)

 

(55,655)

Payment of IPO costs

 

(4,838)

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

7,707,858

(3,282,400)

 

2,263,720

 

355,227

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes

 

1,762

2,236

 

(3,411)

 

(536)

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

1,822,254

2,938,416

1,985,681

311,596

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of year

2,013,596

3,835,850

6,774,266

1,063,030

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of year

3,835,850

6,774,266

8,759,947

1,374,626

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

Income taxes paid

(557,295)

(741,490)

(1,213,913)

(190,489)

Interest paid (not including interest paid to investors of consolidated trusts)

 

(65,776)

(5,728)

 

(13,757)

 

(2,159)

Supplemental disclosure of significant non-cash investing and financing activities:

Payables for dividends:

276,991

43,466

Reconciliation to amounts on consolidated balance sheets:

Cash and cash equivalents

 

2,108,123

4,418,416

 

6,116,360

 

959,790

Restricted cash

 

1,727,727

2,355,850

 

2,643,587

 

414,836

Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash

3,835,850

6,774,266

 

8,759,947

 

1,374,626

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

    

2021

    

2022

    

2023

    

2023

RMB

RMB

RMB

USD

(Note 2)

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

 

  

 

  

 

  

Net income

 

5,764,513

4,005,568

 

4,268,577

601,218

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

Depreciation, amortization and reduction in right-of-use assets

 

65,973

76,983

 

73,762

10,389

Share-based compensation

253,922

199,737

185,604

26,142

Gain on disposal of investment

 

(10,115)

 

Investment loss

19,888

30,112

4,241

Provision for loan principal, financial assets receivables and other receivables

1,553,970

2,216,322

2,712,936

382,109

Provision for contingent liabilities

3,078,225

4,367,776

3,053,810

430,120

Foreign exchange (gain) loss

 

(35,550)

160,225

 

(2,356)

(332)

Fair value change of foreign exchange options

(4,704)

4,527

638

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

 

 

Funds receivable from third party payment service providers

(21,687)

(1,005,630)

(444,638)

(62,626)

Accounts receivable and contract assets

 

(819,931)

(33,157)

 

(123,379)

(17,378)

Financial assets receivable

 

(436,538)

338,000

 

143,463

20,206

Prepaid expenses and other assets

11,378

987

58,265

8,206

Security deposit prepaid to third-party guarantee companies

 

40,258

478,187

 

189,628

26,709

Deferred tax

647,429

(205,044)

78,097

11,000

Other non-current assets

 

(27,846)

(53,002)

 

(28,011)

(3,945)

Amounts due (from) to related parties

 

(776,431)

443,103

 

355,262

50,038

Guarantee liabilities

 

(2,691,248)

(4,932,263)

 

(3,435,682)

(483,906)

Income tax payable

 

(603,202)

36,903

 

76,333

10,751

Other tax payable

 

(13,117)

(58,971)

 

13,038

1,836

Land use rights, net

(1,036,178)

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

897,670

(105,634)

52,626

7,412

Other long-term liabilities

 

(1,799)

8,556

 

(7,269)

(1,024)

Interest receivable/ payable

 

(49,996)

(31,315)

 

(136,355)

 

(19,206)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

5,789,700

5,922,515

 

7,118,350

 

1,002,598

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

 

Purchase of property and equipment and intangible assets

 

(25,307)

(26,973)

(84,554)

(11,909)

Loans provided to related parties

 

(50,000)

Repayment of loans provided to related parties

 

50,000

Investment in loans receivable

(40,168,794)

(59,826,361)

(92,202,671)

(12,986,475)

Collection of investment in loans receivable

34,131,231

52,556,851

81,131,580

11,427,144

Capital injection to investees

(9,182)

(20,845)

(2,936)

Purchase of short-term investments

(57,000)

(248,361)

(34,981)

Purchase of foreign exchange options

(14,549)

Proceeds from disposal of short-term investments

17,890

303,301

42,719

Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash received

(26,239)

(3,696)

Disposal of subsidiaries and other business units, net of cash received

 

(1,458)

3,349

Net cash used in investing activities

(6,064,328)

(7,355,975)

(11,147,789)

(1,570,134)

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

 

Proceeds from issuance of ordinary share upon Secondary Listing net of issuance cost of RMB31,695

254,916

Payment of Secondary Listing costs

(15,791)

(16,023)

(2,257)

Repayment of short term loans

(150,000)

(642,952)

(176,000)

(24,789)

Proceeds from short-term loans

364,053

340,179

824,586

116,141

Proceeds from long-term loans

17,854

72,767

10,249

Cash received from investors of the consolidated trusts

 

5,928,773

8,570,920

 

10,410,300

 

1,466,261

Cash paid to investors of the consolidated trusts

 

(4,193,425)

(4,325,292)

 

(8,471,288)

 

(1,193,156)

Contribution from non-controlling interests

30,000

90,000

Stock repurchase

(636,179)

(89,604)

Dividend to shareholders

(988,586)

(941,705)

(132,636)

Loans received from non-controlling interests

344,487

3,000

Loans payment to non-controlling interests

 

(60,168)

(90,000)

 

 

Cash received from a related party for investment

354,667

Cash repayment to a related party

 

(354,667)

(10,180)

 

 

Net cash from provided by financing activities

 

2,263,720

3,204,068

 

1,066,458

 

150,209

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes

 

(3,411)

(18,192)

 

9,615

 

1,354

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

1,985,681

1,752,416

(2,953,366)

(415,973)

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of year

6,774,266

8,759,947

10,512,363

1,480,635

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of year

8,759,947

10,512,363

7,558,997

1,064,662

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

Income taxes paid

(1,213,913)

(904,947)

(852,562)

(120,081)

Interest paid (not including interest paid to investors of consolidated trusts)

 

(13,757)

(10,862)

 

(12,868)

 

(1,812)

Supplemental disclosure of significant non-cash investing and financing activities:

Payables for dividends:

177,518

177,518

Payables for capitalized issuance costs

15,904

Reconciliation to amounts on consolidated balance sheets:

Cash and cash equivalents

 

6,116,360

7,165,584

 

4,177,890

 

588,443

Restricted cash

 

2,643,587

3,346,779

 

3,381,107

 

476,219

Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash

8,759,947

10,512,363

 

7,558,997

 

1,064,662

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-9

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH,QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

1.ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES

360 DigiTech,Qifu Technology, Inc. (the “Company”, previously known as “360 Finance, Inc.”) was incorporated in Cayman Islands with limited liability on April 27, 2018. The Company, its subsidiaries, its consolidated variable interest entities (“VIEs”) (collectively(together, the “Group”) are engaged in matching individual borrowers with credit demand to a diversified pool of financial institutions with credit to supply through a financial technology platform.

The Company’s significant subsidiaries and its consolidated VIEsVariable Interest Entities as of December 31, 20212023 are as follows:

    

Date of

    

Place of

Incorporation

Incorporation

Subsidiaries

HK Qirui International Technology Company Limited (“HK Qirui”)

 

June 14, 2018

 

Hong Kong

Shanghai Qiyue Information & Technology Co., Ltd. (“Qiyue”)

 

August 7, 2018

 

PRC

Shanghai Qidi Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“Qidi”)

June 27, 2019

PRC

Beihai QichengQi’ang Information & Technology Co., Ltd. (“Qicheng”Qi’ang”)

August 6, 2019December 27, 2022

PRC

VIEs and VIEs Subsidiaries

 

  

 

  

Shanghai Qiyu Information & Technology Co., Ltd. (“Qiyu”)

 

July 25, 2016

 

PRC

Fuzhou 360 Online Microcredit Co., Ltd. (“Fuzhou Microcredit”)

 

March 30, 2017

 

PRC

Fuzhou 360 Financing Guarantee Co., Ltd. (“Fuzhou Guarantee”)

 

June 29, 2018

 

PRC

Shanghai 360 Financing Guarantee Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai Guarantee”)

May 20, 2019

PRC

History of the Group and reorganization under identical common ownership

The Group started its business in 2016 through Qiyu, a limited liability company in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”). In 2018, the Company undertook a series of transactions to redomicile its business from the PRC to the Cayman Islands and established intermediary companies of HK Qirui and Qiyue (“WFOE”) for the purpose of establishing a VIE structure of the Group. The WFOE entered into VIE agreements which effectively provided control to the WFOE over the operations of the VIEs.

The VIE arrangement

PRC laws and regulations prohibit or restrict foreign control of companies involved in provision of internet content and certain finance business. To comply with these foreign ownership restrictions, the Company operates substantially all of its service through its VIEs in the PRC.

The VIEs hold leases and other assets necessary to provide services and generate the majority of the Company’s revenues. To provide the Company effective control over the VIEs and the ability to receive substantially all of the economic benefits of the VIEs, a series of contractual arrangements were entered into amongst WFOE,Qiyue (“WFOE”), VIEs and their beneficial shareholders.

Agreements that In June 2022, the set of VIE agreements were entered to provideterminated and replaced by a set of new VIE agreements signed by the Company effective control over the VIEs

Powers of Attorney

Pursuant to these powers of attorney, Shanghai Qibutianxia Information Technology Co., Ltd. (formerly known as Beijing Qibutianxia Technology Co., Ltd., “Qibutianxia”), the shareholder of Qiyu, authorized the WFOE or any person it designates to act as its attorney-in-fact to exercise all of its rights as a shareholder of Qiyu, including, but not limitedsame parties, with no material changes to the right to convene and attend shareholders’ meetings, vote on any resolution that requires a shareholder vote, such as the appointment and removal of directors, supervisors and officers, as well as the sale, transfer and disposal of all or part of the equity interests owned by Qibutianxia in Qiyu. The power of attorney will remain effective for the duration of the existence of Qibutianxia.major terms.

F-10

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH,QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

1.ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES - continued

The VIE arrangement - continued

Voting Proxy Agreement

Pursuant to the voting proxy agreement entered into among WFOE, Qiyu and Shanghai Qibutianxia Information Technology Co., Ltd. (formerly known as Beijing Qibutianxia Technology Co., Ltd. “Qibutianxia”), the sole Registered Shareholder of Qiyu, Qibutianxia would irrevocably authorize the WFOE or any person designates by the WFOE to act as its attorney-in-fact to exercise all of its rights as a shareholder of Qiyu, including, but not limited to, the right: (i) to convene and participate in shareholders’ meetings pursuant to the constitutional documents of Qiyu in the capacity of a proxy of Qibutianxia; (ii) to exercise the voting rights pursuant to the relevant PRC laws and regulations and the articles of Qiyu, on behalf of Qibutianxia, and adopt resolutions, including but not limited to dividend rights, sale or transfer or pledge or disposal of part or all of Qiyu’s equity; (iii) to nominate, designate or appoint and remove the legal representative, directors, supervisors and other senior management of Qiyu pursuant to the constitutional documents of Qiyu.

The Voting Proxy Agreement has an indefinite term and will be terminated in the event that (i) it is unilaterally terminated by the WFOE, or (ii) it is legally permissible for the WFOE, the Company or any of the subsidiaries to hold equity interests directly or indirectly in Qiyu and the WFOE or its designated person is registered to be the sole shareholder of Qiyu.

Equity Interest Pledge Agreement

Pursuant to the equity interest pledge agreement, Qibutianxia agreed to pledge all of its equity interests in Qiyu to the WFOE as a security interest to guarantee the performance of contractual obligations and the payment of outstanding debts under the VIE arrangements. In the event of a breach by Qiyu or Qibutianxia of contractual obligations under the VIE Agreements, the WFOE, as pledgee, will have the right to dispose of the pledged equity interests in Qiyu. Qibutianxia has undertaken to the WFOE, among other things, not to transfer its equity interests in Qiyu and not to create or allow any pledge thereon that may affect the rights and interest of the WFOE without its prior written consent.

Exclusive Option Agreement

Pursuant to the exclusive option agreement entered into among WFOE, Qiyu and Qibutianxia.Qibutianxia, Qibutianxia irrevocably grants the WFOE an exclusive option to purchase or designate one or more persons to purchase, all or part of its equity interests in Qiyu, and Qiyu irrevocably grants the WFOE an exclusive option to purchase all or part of its assets, subject to applicable PRC laws. The WFOE or its designated person may exercise such options at the lowest price permitted under applicable PRC laws. Qibutianxia and Qiyu will undertakehave undertaken that, among other things, without the WFOE’s prior written consent, including but not limited to:(i) they willshall not amongin any manner supplement, change or amend the constitutional documents of Qiyu, increase or decrease their registered capital, or change the structure of their registered capital in other things, (i) createmanner; (ii) they shall not at any time following the signing of the Exclusive Option Agreement, sell, transfer, pledge or encumbrance on any of Qiyu’s assets (ii) transfer or otherwise dispose of Qiyu’sin any manner any assets of Qiyu or interest in the business or revenues of Qiyu, or allow the encumbrance thereon of any security interest; (iii) change Qiyu’s registered capital,they shall not cause or permit Qiyu to merge, consolidate with, acquire or invest in any person; (iv) amend Qiyu’s articles of association, (v) dispose of Qiyu’s assets or beneficial interest or (vi) merge Qiyu with any other entity. Unless WFOE terminates this agreement in advance, this agreement will remain effective for 10 years and will be automatically renewed for in a 10-year cycle unless such renewal was objected by the WFOE in writing. Other parties to this agreement may not terminate this agreement unilaterally.

Agreements that were entered to transfer economic benefits to the Company

Exclusive Consultation and Services Agreement

Pursuant to the exclusive consultation and services agreement between the WFOE and Qiyu, the WFOE has the exclusive right to provide Qiyu with the consulting and technical services required by Qiyu’s business. Qiyu shall paynot in any manner distribute dividends to its shareholder, provided that upon the WFOE service fee at the amount which is adjusted at the WFOE’s sole discretion. To guarantee Qiyu’s performancewritten request of its obligations thereunder, Qibutianxia would pledge its equity interests in Qiyu to the WFOE pursuant to the equity interest pledge agreement. Unless the WFOE terminates this agreement in advance, this agreement will remain effective for 10 years and will be automatically renewed for in a 10-year cycle unless such renewal was objected by the WFOE in writing.

Loan Agreement

Pursuant to the loan agreement among the WFOE, Qiyu and Qibutianxia,shall immediately distribute all distributable profits to its shareholders; (v) at the request of the WFOE, is entitled to provide interest-free loans from time to time to Qibutianxia for the purpose of Qiyu’s business operation and development. Each of the loans made under this loan agreement has no fixed term, and unless otherwise agreed, the WFOEthey shall unilaterally decide when to withdraw the loans, provided that a one month notice is given. The loan agreement shall remain in effect during Qiyu’s term (andappoint any renewable term provided by the PRC law), and shall automatically terminate after the WFOE and/or other entitiespersons designated by the WFOE fully exercise all their rights under the exclusive option agreement.

Equity Pledge Agreement

Pursuant to the equity pledge agreement, Qibutianxia shall pledge 100% equity interests in Qiyu to the WFOE to guarantee the performance by Qibutianxia of its obligations under the exclusive option agreement and the powers of attorney, as well as the performance by Qiyudirectors, supervisors and/or senior management of its obligations under the exclusive option agreement, the powers of attorney and the exclusive consultation and service agreement (collectively, “Master Agreements”). In the event of a breach by Qiyu or Qibutianxiaterminate existing directors, supervisors and/or senior management of contractual obligations under the Master Agreements, the WFOE, as pledgee, will have the right to dispose of the pledged equity interests in Qiyu. Qibutianxia will also undertake that, without the prior written consent of the WFOE, it will not dispose of, create or allow any encumbrance on the pledged equity interests.

The Company also has some other sets of VIE contractual arrangements. The arrangements with its significant VIEs include 1) the arrangement among the WFOE, Fuzhou GuaranteeShanghai Qiyu, and two fully owned subsidiaries of Qibutianxia,perform all relevant resolutions and 2) the arrangement among the WFOE, Shanghai Guarantee and two fully owned subsidiaries of Qibutianxia. These sets of the contractual agreements are substantially similar to the set with Qiyu as described above.filing procedures.

F-11

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH,QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

1.ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES – continued

The VIE arrangement – continued

Exclusive Option Agreementcontinued

The Exclusive Option Agreement has an indefinite term commencing from its date of signing unless and until all the equity interests and assets subject to the agreement have been transferred to the WFOE and/or its designated person and the WFOE and its subsidiaries or affiliates can legally operate the business of Qiyu, whereby the exclusive option agreement shall terminate. WFOE is entitled to unilaterally terminate the Exclusive Option Agreement while other parties to the Exclusive Option Agreement may not terminate the Exclusive Option Agreement unilaterally, unless otherwise provided under PRC laws.

Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement

Pursuant to the exclusive business cooperation agreement between the WFOE and Qiyu, the WFOE will have the exclusive right to provide Qiyu with the consulting and technical services required by Qiyu’s business. In consideration of the services provided by the WFOE, Qiyu shall pay services fees to the WFOE without contravening PRC laws, equal to the entirety of the total consolidated net profit of the Qiyu and its subsidiaries, after the deduction of any accumulated deficit in respect of the preceding financial year(s) (if applicable), operating costs, expenses, taxes and other payments required by the relevant laws and regulations to be reserved or withheld. The WFOE may also adjust the scope and amount of services fees in its discretion taking into account factors including but not limited to: (i) the complexity of the services provided by the WFOE; (ii) the exact content and business value of the services; and (iii) the market price of services of similar types. In addition, absent the prior written consent of the WFOE, during the term of the exclusive business cooperation agreement, with respect to the services subject to the exclusive business cooperation agreement and other matters, Qiyu and its subsidiaries shall not accept the same or any similar services provided by any third party and shall not establish cooperation relationships similar to that formed by the exclusive business cooperation agreement with any third party. The WFOE would have the exclusive ownership of all the intellectual property rights created as a result of the performance of the exclusive business cooperation agreement to the extent permitted by applicable PRC laws. The Company considers that the arrangement will ensure the economic benefits generated from the operations of the consolidated affiliated entities flow to the WFOE and hence, the Group as a whole.

The exclusive business cooperation agreement has an indefinite term. The exclusive business cooperation agreement may be terminated by the WFOE: (i) when Qiyu becomes insolvent, bankrupt or subject to liquidation or dissolution procedures; (ii) upon the transfer of the entire equity interests in and the transfer of all assets of Qiyu to the WFOE or its designated person pursuant to the exclusive option agreement entered into between the WFOE, Qiyu and Qibutianxia; (iii) when it is legally permissible for the WFOE to hold equity interests directly or indirectly in Qiyu and the WFOE or its designated person is registered to be the shareholder of Qiyu; (iv) when relevant government authorities refuse to renew the expired operating period of Qiyu or the WFOE; (v) by giving Qiyu a 30 days’ prior written notice of termination; or (vi) Qiyu breaches the exclusive business cooperation agreement. Qiyu is not contractually entitled to unilaterally terminate the exclusive business cooperation agreement with the WFOE.

F-12

Table of Contents

QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

1.ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES – continued

The VIE arrangement – continued

Loan Agreement

Pursuant to the loan agreement among the WFOE, Qiyu and Qibutianxia, the WFOE is entitled to provide interest-free loans, to the extent permitted by laws, regulations and industry policies of the PRC from time to time at such time and amount as it deems appropriate to Qibutianxia for the purpose of Qiyu’s business operation and development, including but not limited to directly injecting such funds to the registered capital of Qiyu. Each of the loans made under this loan agreement has no fixed term, and unless otherwise agreed, the WFOE shall unilaterally decide when to withdraw the loans, provided that the WFOE shall notify Qibutianxia in writing one month in advance. The loan agreement shall remain in effect during Qiyu’s term (and the renewable period stipulated by the laws of the PRC), and shall automatically terminate after the WFOE and/or other entities designated by the WFOE fully exercise all their rights under the exclusive option agreement.

The Company also has some other sets of VIE contractual arrangements. The arrangements with its significant VIEs include the arrangement among the WFOE, Fuzhou Guarantee and Qibutianxia, which are substantially similar to the set with Qiyu as described above. In April 2021, the contractual arrangements amongst WFOE, Fuzhou Microcredit and Qibutianxia were terminated and Qibutianxia transferred all of its equity interest in Fuzhou Microcredit to Qiyu. As a result, Fuzhou Microcredit became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Qiyu. This transaction had no impact to the consolidated financial statements.

Risks in relation to VIE structure

The Company believes that the contractual arrangements with Qiyu, Fuzhou Guarantee, Shanghai Guarantee and their shareholders, Qibutianxia, are in compliance with existing PRC laws and regulations and are valid, binding and enforceable and will not result in any violation of applicable PRC laws or regulations andregulations. However, the PRC regulatory authorities may take a contrary view. If the legalownership structure and contractual arrangements were found to be in violation of any existing PRC laws and regulations, the regulatory authorities may exercise their discretion and:

revoke the business and operating licenses of the Company’s PRC subsidiariesWFOE or consolidated affiliated entities;
restrict the rights to collect revenues from any of the Company’s PRC subsidiaries;
discontinue or restrict the operations of any related-party transactions among the Company’s PRC subsidiaries or consolidated affiliated entities;
require the Company’s PRC subsidiaries or consolidated affiliated entities to restructure the relevant ownership structure or operations;
restrict or prohibit the use of proceeds from offshore offering to finance business and operations in PRC;
take other regulatory or enforcement action is, including levying fines that could be harmful to the Company’s business; or
impose additional conditions or requirements with which the Company may not be able to comply.

The imposition of any of these penalties may result in a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to conduct its business. In addition, if the imposition of any of these penalties causes the Company to lose the rights to direct the activities of the VIEs or the right to receive substantially all of their economic benefits, the Company would no longer be able to consolidate the financial results of the VIEs.

These contractual arrangements allow the Company to effectively control Qiyu, Fuzhou Guarantee, and Shanghai Guarantee, and to derive substantially all of the economic benefits from them. Accordingly, the Company treats Qiyu, Fuzhou Guarantee and Shanghai Guarantee as VIEs. Because the Company is the primary beneficiary, the Company has consolidated the financial results of the VIEs.

F-12F-13

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH,QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

1.ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES – continued

The VIE arrangement - continued

Risks in relation to VIE structure – continued

The following financial statement amounts and balances of the VIEs were included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements after elimination of intercompany transactions and balances. The table below does not include the financial information of the consolidated trusts (see note 2 “Consolidated Trusts”):

    

December 31, 

    

December 31, 

2020

2021

RMB

RMB

ASSETS

 

  

 

  

Cash and cash equivalents

 

3,709,740

 

4,605,851

Restricted cash

 

2,006,874

 

1,986,512

Security deposit prepaid to third-party guarantee companies

915,144

874,886

Funds receivable from third party payment service providers

 

131,464

 

153,151

Accounts receivable and contract assets, net

2,316,357

2,133,477

Financial assets receivable, net

 

3,480,605

 

3,806,243

Amounts due from related parties

 

178,791

 

608,924

Loans receivable, net

 

1,018,124

 

1,197,532

Prepaid expenses and other assets

 

202,070

 

235,780

Accounts receivable and contract assets, net-non current

307,937

217,298

Financial assets receivable, net-non current

645,326

597,965

Amounts due from related parties, non-current

121,855

Loans receivable, net-non current

50,528

1,029,545

Property and equipment, net

 

15,370

 

15,074

Land use rights, net

1,018,908

Intangible assets

 

1,802

 

3,972

Deferred tax assets

 

1,353,420

 

779,291

Other non-current assets

31,539

27,729

Total Assets

 

16,365,091

 

19,413,993

LIABILITIES

 

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

771,562

 

1,820,609

Amounts due to related parties

 

71,562

 

94,057

Short term loans

105,238

150,000

Guarantee liabilities

 

7,724,841

 

8,103,225

Income tax payable

1,151,275

449,553

Other tax payable

215,906

218,017

Deferred tax liabilities

37,843

65,542

Other long-term liabilities

6,806

10,271

Total liabilities

 

10,085,033

 

10,911,274

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

    

December 31, 

    

December 31, 

    

December 31, 2019

    

December 31, 2020

    

December 31, 2021

2022

2023

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

Net revenue

 

7,318,362

11,062,032

 

13,674,223

Net income

 

1,707,839

2,541,386

 

5,462,150

ASSETS

 

  

 

  

Cash and cash equivalents

 

6,437,420

 

4,037,256

Restricted cash

 

2,328,673

 

2,148,303

Short term investments

57,000

15,000

Security deposit prepaid to third-party guarantee companies

396,699

207,071

Funds receivable from third party payment service providers

 

1,158,781

 

1,603,419

Accounts receivable and contract assets, net

1,672,232

2,282,190

Financial assets receivable, net

 

2,982,076

 

2,522,543

Amounts due from related parties

 

280,199

 

13,056

Loans receivable, net

 

5,404,966

 

15,286,172

Prepaid expenses and other assets

 

239,522

 

216,087

Accounts receivable and contract assets, net-noncurrent

261,060

135,300

Financial assets receivable, net-non current

688,843

596,330

Amounts due from related parties, non-current

32,529

4,178

Loans receivable, net-noncurrent

2,625,150

2,629,790

Property and equipment, net

 

39,840

 

211,041

Land use rights, net

998,185

977,461

Intangible assets

 

4,087

 

4,096

Deferred tax assets

 

951,258

 

1,005,666

Other non-current assets

37,839

23,327

Total Assets

 

26,596,359

 

33,918,286

LIABILITIES

 

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

1,655,653

 

1,805,929

Amounts due to related parties

 

113,697

 

80,376

Short term loans

150,000

798,586

Guarantee liabilities-stand ready

 

4,120,346

 

3,949,601

Guarantee liabilities-contingent

3,418,391

3,207,264

Income tax payable

614,687

648,893

Other tax payable

149,570

126,765

Deferred tax liabilities

77,942

69,477

Other long-term liabilities

32,708

95,638

Total liabilities

 

10,332,994

 

10,782,529

F-13F-14

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH,QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

1.ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES – continued

The VIE arrangement - continued

Risks in relation to VIE structure – continued

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

    

December 31, 2021

    

December 31, 2022

    

December 31, 2023

RMB

RMB

RMB

Net revenue

 

13,674,223

12,983,458

 

12,902,396

Net income

 

5,462,150

2,443,983

 

3,178,907

    

    

    

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

December 31, 2019

December 31, 2020

    

December 31, 2021

RMB

RMB

RMB

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

2,010,741

3,715,112

 

5,431,654

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

134,286

(1,012,415)

 

(1,427,958)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

198,242

(94,762)

 

359,082

    

    

    

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

December 31, 2021

December 31, 2022

    

December 31, 2023

RMB

RMB

RMB

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

5,431,654

3,891,528

 

4,406,482

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(1,427,958)

(6,750,277)

 

(11,176,472)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

359,082

(578)

 

721,352

The consolidated VIEs contributed 79%82%, 82%78% and 82%79% of the Group’s consolidated revenue for the years ended December 31, 2019, 20202021, 2022 and 2021,2023, respectively. As of December 31, 20202022 and 2021,2023, the consolidated VIEs accounted for an aggregate of 67%66% and 58%74%, respectively, of the consolidated total assets, and 68%48% and 60%45%, respectively, of the consolidated total liabilities.

There are no consolidated assets of the VIEs that are collateral for the obligations of the VIEs and their subsidiaries and can only be used to settle the obligations of the VIEs and their subsidiaries. There are no terms in any arrangements, considering both explicit arrangements and implicit variable interests that require the Company or its subsidiaries to provide financial support to the VIEs. However, if the VIEs ever need financial support, the Company or its subsidiaries may, at its option and subject to statutory limits and restrictions, provide financial support to its VIEs through loans to the shareholder of the VIEs.

Relevant PRC laws and regulations restrict the VIEs from transferring a portion of their net assets, equivalent to the balance of its statutory reserve and its share capital, to the Company in the form of loans and advances or cash dividends. Please refer to Note 14 for disclosure of restricted net assets.

2.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“USU.S. GAAP”).

Basis of consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company, its subsidiaries, and consolidated VIEs. All inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated.

F-15

Table of Contents

QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

2.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – continued

Consolidated Trusts

Loans funded by the fundingfinancial institution partners in the Group’s loan facilitation business are typically disbursed to the borrowers directly from such partners. However, due toUpon the need of certain fundingfinancial institution partners, loans from such financial institutionalinstitution partners are funded and disbursed indirectly through trusts. Some trusts were specifically set up for the purpose of assets backed securities (“ABS”) issuance to the asset backed special plans (the “ABS plans”). The Group also transferred part of the loans receivable funded by Fuzhou Microcredit to the ABS plans. The consolidated trusts and asset managementABS plans (collectively the “Trusts”). Since November 2017, several Trusts were formed by third-party trust companies and asset management companies, who administer the Trusts.

F-14

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

2.           SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

Consolidated Trusts - continuedare referred to as “the consolidated trusts” collectively.

The Truststrusts fund loans facilitated by the Group using the funds received from its beneficiaries to the borrowers. The Truststrusts provide the returns to its beneficiaries through interest payments made by the borrowers. The borrowers are charged with the interests by the Trusts.trusts. For the majority of trust,trusts, the Group is either entitled to the residual profit in the Truststrusts or the Group has provided guarantee to the Truststrusts by agreeing to repurchase any loans that are delinquent for 30 to 90 days from which the Group absorbs the credit risk of the Truststrusts resulting from borrowers’ delinquencies.delinquencies,or both. The Group determined that the residual profit or the guarantee represents a variable interest in the Truststrusts through which the Group has the right to receive benefits or the obligation to absorb losses from the Truststrusts that could potentially be significant to the Trusts.trusts. Since the Truststrusts only invest in the loans facilitated by the Group and the Group continues to service the loans through a service agreement post origination and has the ability to direct default mitigation activities, the Group has the power to direct the activities of the Truststrusts that most significantly impact the economic performance of the Trusts.trusts. As a result, the Group is considered the primary beneficiary of the Truststrusts and consolidated the Trusts’trusts’ assets, liabilities, results of operations and cash flows. For the ABS plans set up to invest in the loans funded by Fuzhou Microcredit, the Group held the whole subordinated tranche securities to provide credit enhancement. Such subordinate rights represented a variable interest in the ABS plans through which the Group has the right to receive benefits or the obligation to absorb losses that could potentially be significant to the ABS plans. As Fuzhou Microcredit continues to service the loans and has the ability to direct default mitigation activities, it has the power to direct the activities of the the ABS plans that most significantly impact the economic performance. As a result, the Group is considered the primary beneficiary of the ABS plans and consolidated the the ABS plans’ assets, liabilities, results of operations and cash flows.

In 2019,2021, the Group received letter of approval for listing and transferring assets based securities (“ABS”)ABS on both Shanghai Stock Exchange and Shenzhen Stock Exchange within the issue scale of RMB 5RMB8 billion for each,and RMB4 billion, respectively. In 2020,2022, the Group also received letter of approval for listing and transferring assets based securities (“ABS”)ABS on Shanghai Stock Exchange and Shenzhen Stock Exchange within the issue scale of RMB 10 billion.RMB2.9 billion and RMB2.5 billion, respectively. In 2021,2023, the Group also received letter of approval for listing and transferring assets based securities (“ABS”)ABS on Shanghai Stock Exchange and Shenzhen Stock Exchange within the issue scale of RMB 87.0 billion and RMB 45.5 billion, respectively. After proceeds are collected from ABS issuances, the trust beneficial rights, or the loans receivable, were transferred, as underlying assets, to the ABS plans. The beneficial rights and loans receivable of RMB 2.3RMB6.5 billion, 1.7RMB5.4 billion and 4.7RMB 6.9 billion in trusts were transferred to trust beneficial right asset backed specialthe ABS plans (the “ABS plans”) for the years ended December 31, 2019, 20202021, 2022 and 2021.2023, respectively. The loans receivable of RMB0.3 billion, RMB2.6 billion and RMB 5.6 billion in Fuzhou Microcredit were transferred to the ABS plans for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively. The ABS plans were securitized and listed on Shanghai Stock Exchange and Shenzhen Stock Exchange, with terms of one or two years. As of December 31, 2021,2023, the Group held the whole subordinated tranche securities to provide credit enhancement and senior tranche securities with the balance of RMB 602,000 and RMB 794,380, respectively.enhancement. The underlying trusts were continued to be consolidated by the Group. SeniorGroup and senior tranche securities held by external fundingfinancial institution partners were recorded as “payable to investors of the consolidated trusts – current” with the balance of RMB 1,765,175RMB4,603,886 and RMB 2,139,063RMB5,043,700 as of December 31, 20202022 and 2021,2023, respectively and “payable to investors of the consolidated trusts – noncurrent” with the balance of RMB 1,468,890RMB2,519,600 and RMB 3,903,597RMB1,403,800 as of December 31, 20202022 and 2021,2023, respectively on the consolidated balance sheet. Loans receivable remains on balance sheet of Fuzhou Microcredit and the senior tranche securities of the ABS plans held by external financial institution partners were recorded as “payable to investors of the consolidated trusts – current” with the balance of RMB445,000 and RMB3,838,800 as of December 31, 2022 and 2023, respectively and “payable to investors of the consolidated trusts – noncurrent” with the balance of RMB1,802,000 and RMB2,178,000 as of December 31, 2022 and 2023, respectively on the consolidated balance sheet.

F-16

Table of Contents

QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

2.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – continued

Consolidated Trusts – continued

As of December 31, 20202022 and 2021,2023, the balance of delinquent loans repurchased by the Group from the consolidated trusts are RMB 831,203RMB1,498,233 and RMB 904,586,1,161,868, respectively. As of December 31, 20202022 and 2021,2023, the balance of performing loans upon liquidation of certain consolidated trusts repurchased by the Group from the consolidated trusts per the contracts agreed with the counterparty are RMB 17,185RMB52,104 and RMB 12,686,11,914, respectively.

For the years ended December 31, 2019, 20202021, 2022 and 2021,2023, the provision for loan losses of RMB 464,379, RMB 595,047RMB661,402, RMB673,382 and RMB 661,402766,551 were charged to the consolidated statements of comprehensive income,operations, respectively. There were RMB 142,882, RMB 603,758Loans receivable of RMB267,322, RMB714,630 and RMB 1,033,228RMB759,223 of loansare written off for the years ended December 31, 2019, 20202021, 2022 and 2021,2023, respectively.

Interest on loans receivable is accrued and credited to income as earned. The Group determines a loan’s past due status by the number of days that have elapsed since a borrower has failed to make a contractual loan payment. Accrual of interest is generally discontinued when the loan principal and interest are deemed to be uncollectible. In general, loans receivable is identified as uncollectible when it is determined to be not probable that the balance can be collected.

The following financial statement amounts and balances of the consolidated trusts were included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements after elimination of intercompany transactions and balances:

    

December 31, 2022

    

December 31, 2023

RMB

RMB

ASSETS

 

 

Restricted cash

 

1,018,106

 

1,232,804

Loans receivable, net

 

9,942,696

 

9,318,315

Prepaid expenses and other assets

117,516

92,287

Loans receivable, net-noncurrent

511,843

268,215

Total Assets

 

11,590,161

 

10,911,621

    

December 31, 2022

    

December 31, 2023

RMB

RMB

LIABILITIES

 

  

 

  

Payable to investors of the consolidated trusts-current

 

6,099,520

 

8,942,291

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

8,378

 

10,120

Other tax payable

35,766

4,314

Payable to investors of the consolidated trusts-noncurrent

4,521,600

3,581,800

Total liabilities

 

10,665,264

 

12,538,525

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

    

2021

    

2022

    

2023

RMB

RMB

RMB

Net revenue

 

1,704,267

2,275,833

 

2,350,404

Net income

 

708,908

1,101,477

 

948,139

F-15F-17

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH,QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

2.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

Consolidated Trusts - continued

The following financial statement amounts and balances of the consolidated trusts were included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements after elimination of intercompany transactions and balances:

    

December 31, 2020

    

December 31, 2021

RMB

RMB

ASSETS

 

  

 

  

Restricted cash

 

348,976

 

657,075

Loans receivable, net

 

6,447,233

 

8,646,950

Prepaid expenses and other assets

101,729

104,515

Loans receivable, net-noncurrent

37,157

1,829,804

Total Assets

 

6,935,095

 

11,238,344

    

December 31, 2020

    

December 31, 2021

RMB

RMB

LIABILITIES

 

  

 

  

Payable to investors of the consolidated trusts-current

 

3,117,634

 

2,304,518

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

9,608

 

5,928

Other tax payable

27,694

34,448

Payable to investors of the consolidated trusts-noncurrent

1,468,890

4,010,597

Total liabilities

 

4,623,826

 

6,355,491

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

    

2019

    

2020

    

2021

RMB

RMB

RMB

Net revenue

 

1,279,203

2,089,679

 

1,704,267

Net income

 

469,825

899,010

 

708,908

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

    

2019

    

2020

    

2021

    

2021

    

2022

    

2023

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

382,620

(674,291)

 

1,329,554

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

 

(8,989,137)

1,964,538

 

(4,619,696)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

7,512,696

(3,268,383)

 

1,735,348

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

1,329,554

1,784,344

 

1,664,700

Net cash (used in)/ provided by investing activities

 

(4,619,696)

(609,509)

 

110,926

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

1,735,348

4,245,628

 

1,939,011

The consolidated trusts contributed 14%10%, 15%14% and 10%14% of the Group’s consolidated revenue for the years ended 2019, 2020December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2021,2023 respectively. As of December 31, 20202022 and December 31, 2021,2023, the consolidated trusts accounted for an aggregate of 28%29% and 34%24%, respectively, of the consolidated total assets, and 31%50% and 35%53% respectively, of the consolidated total liabilities.

There are no terms in any arrangements, considering both explicit arrangements and implicit variable interests that require the Company to provide financial support to the consolidated trusts.

The Group believes that the assets of the consolidated trusts could only be used to settle the obligations of the consolidated trusts.

F-16

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

2.           SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

Use of estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with USU.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from such estimates. Significant accounting estimates reflected in the Group’s financial statements include revenue recognition, financial assets receivable, guarantee liabilities, allowance for loans receivable, allowance for uncollectible accounts receivable and contract assets, allowance for financial assets receivable, and valuation allowance for deferred tax assets.

Revenue recognition

Through cooperating with channel partners to direct users with credit needs to its app, and channel partners, the Group provides services through its facilitation of loan transactions between the borrowers and the fundingfinancial institution partners through the use of 2two business models.

The first business model involves the Group providing credit driven services through facilitating loans that are guaranteed by the Group directly or through third-party guarantee companies and insurance companies (referred to as “off-balance capital heavy loans” hereafter), or providing loans through the Consolidated Trusts and Fuzhou Microcredit. In either cases, the Group ultimately bears all the credit risks when the borrowers default.

The second business model involves the Group providing platform services through facilitating loans with no or partial guarantee provided by the Group (referred to as “capital light loans” hereafter) and referral services. In these cases, the Group bears limited credit risks when the borrowers default.

The loans facilitated under both models are with terms

F-18

Table of 1~36months (the majority are within the termsContents

QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of 1~12 months)Renminbi (“RMB”) and with principalU.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of up to RMB500.shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

2.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – continued

Revenue recognition – continued

Loan facilitation and servicing fees

The Group earns loan facilitation and serviceservicing fees from both off-balance capital heavy loans and capital light loans. The Group’s services mainly consist of:

1)Performing customer acquisition, initial and credit screening and advanced risk assessment on the borrowers on its mobile platform and matching the fundingfinancial institution partners to potential qualified borrowers and facilitating the execution of loan agreements between the parties, referred to as “Loan Facilitation Services” and;
2)Providing collection and other repayment processing services for the fundingfinancial institution partners over the loan term, referred to as “Post Facilitation Services”;

Based on the agreements entered into between the Group’s fundingfinancial institution partners and borrowers, the Group determined that it is not the legal lender or borrower in the loan origination and repayment process. Accordingly, the Group does not record loans receivable and payable arising from the loan between the funding partnerfinancial institution partners and the borrowers.

The Group charges service fees directly from financial institutional partnerinstitution partners based on the contractual agreements. In 2019, theThe Group started cooperatingcooperates with insurance companies and financing guarantee companies to provide guarantee for the loans between the borrowers and fundingfinancial institution partners. TheUnder this cooperation, the Group charges guarantee fees from the borrower, including insurance premium collected on behalf of the insurance company.

F-17

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

2.           SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – continued

Revenue recognition - continued

Loan facilitation and servicing fees – continued

For the loans the Group is entitled to the full service fee regardless of whether the borrowers choose to early repay or not, the Group has the unconditional right to the consideration. For the loans facilitated with borrowers who have the option of early repayment and upon termination they do not have the obligation to pay the remaining monthly service fees or not have to pay the excessive portion if the total fees are more than 36%24% of the origination principal on an annualized basis, the Group’s right to consideration for the service fees of facilitation service is conditional on whether or not the borrowers repay in advance.

For off-balance capital heavy loans, the Group enjoys a fixed rate of service fees. For capital light loans, the Group enjoys a fixed rate of service fees, while in certain cases, the service fee rate the Group entitled to is subject to adjustment based on the actual default rate of the underlying loans.

Under the off-balance capital heavy loans, the Group also provides a guarantee service to its fundingfinancial institution partners whereas in the event of default, the fundingfinancial institution partners are entitled to receive unpaid interest and principal from the Group. Given that the Group effectively takes on all of the credit risk of the borrowers and are compensated by the service fees charged, the guarantee is deemed as a service and the guarantee exposure is recognized as a stand-ready obligation in accordance with ASC Topic 460, Guarantees (see accounting policy for Guarantee Liabilities). Under the capital light model, the Group either provides no guarantee or partial guarantee service. Under the partial guarantee scenario, the Group agrees with each institutional fundingfinancial institution partner a fixed upper limit of guarantee amount the Group is liable of. If the accumulated defaulted loan amount exceeds the agreed upper limit, the excess portion is borne by the institutional funding partner.financial institution partners. The Company ceased to provide guarantee for the capital light model in 2023.

The Group recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Group expects to be entitled in exchange for those services. To achieve that core principle, the Group applies the following steps:

Step 1: Identify the contract (s) with a customer
Step 2: Identify the performance obligations in the contract
Step 3: Determine the transaction price
Step 4: Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract
Step 5: Recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation

F-19

Table of Contents

QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

2.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – continued

Revenue recognition – continued

Loan facilitation and servicing fees – continued

The Group determines that both the fundingfinancial institution partners and the borrowers are its customers because they both receive services provided by the Group pursuant to the contractual terms among the Group, the borrowers and the fundingfinancial institution partners. For each loan facilitated on the platform, the Group considers the loan facilitation service, post facilitation service and guarantee service (not applicable for arrangements where the Group does not provide guarantee service) as 3three separate services. Of which, the guarantee service is accounted for in accordance with ASC Topic 460, Guarantees, at fair value. Revenue from the guarantee services is recognized once the Group is released from the underlying risk. Starting from 2020, theThe Group recognized the stand-ready guarantee liability at the inception of each loan, and it was amortized to “revenue from releasing of guarantee liabilities” over the term of the guarantee (see accounting policy for Guarantee Liabilities).While the post- facilitationpost-origination service is within the scope of ASC Topic 860, the ASC Topic 606 revenue recognition model is applied due to the lack of definitive guidance in ASC Topic 860. The loan facilitation service and post- facilitationpost-origination service are 2two separate performance obligations under ASC 606, as these two deliverables are distinct in that customers can benefit from each service on its own and the Group’s promises to deliver the services are separately identifiable from each other in the contract.

F-18

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

2.           SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

Revenue recognition - continued

Loan facilitation and servicing fees - continued

The Group determines the total transaction price to be the service fees chargeable from the borrowers or the fundingfinancial institution partners. The Group’s transaction price includes variable considerations in the form of prepayment risk of the borrowers and service fee allocation rate under capital light model under certain agreements. The Group estimates the prepayment risk of borrowers using the expected value approach on the basis of historical information and current trends of the collection percentage of the borrowers. The service fee allocated to the Group under capital light model would be fluctuated along with the actual default rate of the loans facilitated. The Group uses the service fee allocation rate applicable to the estimated default rate of the underlying loans. The transaction price is allocated amongst the guarantee service, if any, and the other two performance obligations.

The Group first allocates the transaction price to the guarantee liabilities, if any, in accordance with ASC Topic 460, Guarantees which requires the guarantee to be measured initially at fair value based on the stand-ready obligation. Then the remaining considerations are allocated to the loan facilitation services and post facilitation services using their relative standalone selling prices consistent with the guidance in ASC 606. The Group does not have observable standalone selling price information 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. There is no direct observable standalone selling price for similar services in the market reasonably available to the Group. As a result, the estimation of standalone selling price involves significant judgment. The Group uses 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. In estimating its standalone selling price for the loan facilitation services and post facilitation services, the Group considers the cost incurred to deliver such services, profit margin for similar arrangements, customer demand, effect of competitors on the Group’s services, and other market factors.

For each type of service, the Group recognizes revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies the service/ performance obligation by transferring the promised service (that is, an asset) to customers. Revenues from loan facilitation services are recognized at the time a loan is originated between the fundingfinancial institution partners and the borrowers and the principal loan balance is transferred to the borrowers, at which time the facilitation service is considered completed. Revenues from post facilitation services are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the underlying loans as the post- facilitation services are a series of distinct services that are substantially the same and that have the same pattern of transfer to the fundingfinancial institution partners.

F-20

Table of Contents

QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

2.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – continued

Revenue recognition – continued

Revenue from releasing of guarantee liabilities

Prior to 2020, guarantee liabilities were reduced by repayments for defaults and only the remaining balance at the expiry of the guarantee term was recognized as revenues from guarantee services. With the adoption of ASC 326 in 2020, the stand-ready guarantee liabilities are released into guarantee revenue over the term of the guarantee (see accounting policy for Guarantee Liabilities). For the years ended December 2019, 202031, 2021, 2022 and 2021,2023, revenue from guarantee liabilities were RMB 285,407, RMB 4,506,935RMB5,583,135, RMB5,899,153 and RMB 5,583,135,4,745,898, respectively.

Incentives

The Group provides incentives to the borrowers by providing coupons which can only be used as a reduction of repayment and ultimately reduced the service fees received by the Group. Because the borrower does not enter into any enforceable commitment by picking up the coupons, no contract arises from the coupons. Therefore the Group records the incentives as a deduction to revenue upon redemption.

Financing income

The Group provides loans through the Consolidated Trusts and Fuzhou Microcredit. The interest rate charged to the borrowers are fixed. The Group recognized revenue under “financing income” the fees and interests charged to the borrowers over the lifetime of the loans using the effective interest method.

Referral service fees

The Group provides the referral services to other platforms, by referring to them the borrowers who have not passed the credit assessment. Specifically, the Group receives a fixed rate of referral fee from the platforms once the borrowers are accepted by the other funding providers on those platforms. The revenue is recognized once the referral is completed as confirmed by those platforms.

The Group provides the referral services to the financial institution partner and other lending companies also through the Group’s Intelligence Credit Engine platform, by matching the borrowers and the financial institution partner and other lending companies. For loans originated through the platform, the Group typically charges the financial institution partner and other lending companies mainly a fixed rate of service fees. The revenue is recognized upon receipt of confirmation by the financial institution partner and other lending companies of loan facilitation at which time the referral service is deemed completed.

For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, RMB620,317, RMB561,372 and RMB950,016 were generated from the referral service, respectively.

F-19F-21

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH,QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

2.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

Revenue recognition - continued

Referral service fees

The Group provides the referral services to other platforms, by referring to them the borrowers who have not passed the Group’s credit assessment. Specifically, the Group receives a fixed rate of referral fee from the platforms once the borrowers are accepted by the other funding providers on those platforms. The revenue is recognized once the referral is completed as confirmed by those platforms.

The Group provides the referral services to the financial institutional partner also through the Group’s Intelligence Credit Engine platform, by matching the borrowers and the financial institutional partner. For loans originated through the platform, the Group charges the financial institutional partner a fixed rate of service fees. The revenue is recognized upon receipt of confirmation by the financial institutional partner of loan facilitation at which time the referral service is deemed completed.

For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, RMB 375,551, RMB 265,300 and RMB 620,317 were generated from the referral service, respectively.

Other service fees

Other service fees mainly pertain to the revenue from late fees from borrowers under off-balance capital heavy loans and capital light loans.

The following table presents the disaggregation of revenue for the years ended December 31, 2019, 20202021, 2022 and 2021:2023:

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

December

December

December

December

    

31, 2019

    

31, 2020

    

31, 2021

    

31, 2021

RMB

RMB

RMB

USD

Credit driven services

 

8,013,391

 

11,403,675

 

10,189,167

 

1,598,902

Loan facilitation and servicing fees-capital heavy

 

6,273,131

 

4,596,555

 

2,326,027

 

365,004

Revenue from loan facilitation services

4,396,300

3,160,457

1,399,310

219,582

Revenue from post-facilitation services

1,876,831

1,436,098

926,717

145,422

Financing income

 

1,309,616

 

2,184,180

 

2,184,128

 

342,737

Revenue from releasing of guarantee liabilities

285,407

4,506,935

5,583,135

876,116

Other services fees

145,237

116,005

95,877

15,045

Platform services

1,206,456

2,160,279

6,446,478

1,011,593

Loan facilitation and servicing fees-capital light

 

814,581

 

1,826,654

 

5,677,941

 

890,993

Revenue from loan facilitation services

672,982

1,416,715

4,484,632

703,737

Revenue from post-facilitation services

141,599

409,939

1,193,309

187,256

Referral services fees

375,551

265,300

620,317

97,341

Other services fees

 

16,324

 

68,325

 

148,220

 

23,259

Total net revenue

 

9,219,847

 

13,563,954

 

16,635,645

 

2,610,495

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

December

December

December

    

31, 2021

    

31, 2022

    

31, 2023

RMB

RMB

RMB

Credit driven services

 

10,189,167

 

11,586,251

 

11,738,560

Loan facilitation and servicing fees-capital heavy

 

2,326,027

 

2,086,414

 

1,667,119

Revenue from loan facilitation services

At a point in time

1,399,310

1,442,100

1,081,699

Revenue from post-facilitation services

Overtime

926,717

644,314

585,420

Financing income

Overtime

 

2,184,128

 

3,487,951

 

5,109,921

Revenue from releasing of guarantee liabilities

Overtime

5,583,135

5,899,153

4,745,898

Other services fees

At a point in time

95,877

112,733

215,622

Platform services

6,446,478

4,967,679

4,551,467

Loan facilitation and servicing fees-capital light

 

5,677,941

 

4,124,726

 

3,213,955

Revenue from loan facilitation services

At a point in time

4,484,632

2,656,511

2,096,085

Revenue from post-facilitation services

Overtime

1,193,309

1,468,215

1,117,870

Referral services fees

At a point in time

620,317

561,372

950,016

Other services fees

At a point in time/Overtime

 

148,220

 

281,581

 

387,496

Total net revenue

 

16,635,645

 

16,553,930

 

16,290,027

Total revenue recognized at a point in time is RMB6,688 million, RMB4,940 million and RMB4,485 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023. Total revenue recognized over time is RMB9,947 million, RMB11,614 million and RMB11,805 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023.

F-20F-22

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH,QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

2.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

Revenue recognition - continued

Accounts receivable and Contract Assets, net

For the loans the Group is entitled to the full service fee regardless of whether the borrowers choose to early repay or not, the Group has the unconditional right to the consideration and an accounts receivable is recorded for the monthly service fees allocated to loan facilitation service that have already been delivered in relation to loans facilitated on the Group’s platform when recognizing revenue from loan facilitation service. For the loans facilitated with borrowers who have the option of early repayment and upon termination they do not have the obligation to pay the remaining monthly service fees or do not have to pay the excessive portion if the total fees are more than 36%24% of the origination principal on an annualized basis, the Group’s right to consideration for the service fees of facilitation service is conditional on whether or not the borrowers repay in advance. In these instances, the Group records a corresponding contract asset when recognizing revenue from loan facilitation service.

Accounts receivable and contract assets are stated at the historical carrying amount net of write-offs and allowance for collectability in accordance with ASC Topic 310, and from January 1, 2020 ASC Topic 326. The Group established an allowance for uncollectible accounts receivable and contract assets based on estimates, which incorporate historical experience and other factors surrounding the credit risk of specific type of customers which is essentially the expected net default rates used in determining the fair value of guarantee liabilities. The Group evaluates and adjusts its allowance for uncollectible accounts receivable and contract assets on a quarterly basis or more often as necessary.

Uncollectible accounts receivable and contract assets are written off when the consideration entitled to be received by the Group is due and 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. Contract assets and accounts receivable are identified as uncollectible when the underlying loan is determined to be not probable that the balance can be collected. The Group will write off contract assets and accounts receivable and the corresponding provisions if the underlying loan is deemed uncollectible.

The Group did not recognize any contract liabilities during the periods presented. The amount of the transaction price allocated to performance obligations that are unsatisfied as of December 31, 20202022 and 20212023 are RMB 1,195,945RMB1,525,972 and RMB 1,637,484,RMB1,138,557, respectively, all of which pertain to post- facilitationorigination service. Remaining unsatisfied performance obligations that will be recognized as revenue by the Group within the following 12 months are 88%80% and 88%87% of the remaining performance obligations as of December 31, 20202022 and 20212023 respectively, with the remainder recognized thereafter.

The Group determines that acquisition cost paid for financial institutional partnerinstitution partners based on the amount of loans facilitated represents costs to obtain a contract qualifying for capitalization since these payments are directly related to sales achieved during a period. Such cost was not material during the periods presented.

Revenue recognized for year ended December 31, 2019 fromadjustments to performance obligations satisfied (or partially satisfied) in prior periods pertainingprimarily due to adjustments tochanges in variable consideration duewere RMB210,818 and RMB330,351 for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively. There is no significant adjustment related to this aspect for the change of estimated prepayment rate and service fee allocation rate was immaterial, and for year ended December 31, 2020 and 2021 was RMB 73,394 and RMB 210,818, respectively.2023.

The Group is subject to value-added tax and other surcharges including education surtax and urban maintenance and construction tax, on the services provided in the PRC. The Group has made an accounting policy election to exclude from the measurement of the transaction price all taxes assessed by the governmental authority. Such taxes excluded from revenues are RMB 547,344, RMB 795,388RMB795,388, RMB653,023 and RMB 995,060,RMB991,176, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2019, 20202021, 2022 and 2021.2023.

F-21F-23

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH,QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

2.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

Allowance for credit losses

On January 1, 2020, the Group adopted ASC 326, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses, which requires recognition of allowances upon origination or acquisition of financial assets at an estimate of expected credit losses over the contractual term of the financial assets (the current expected credit loss or the “CECL” model).

The Group’s financial assets subject to the CECL model mainly include: loans receivable, accounts receivable, contract assets and financial assets receivable, and the allowance for these financial assets is driven by estimated default rate of underlying loans. The Group does not assign internal risk ratings to loans facilitated as they are of small balance and homogeneous. The Group estimates the default rate of loans on a pool basis by taking into consideration the historical delinquency rate by vintage, adjusted by specific risks for loans within each vintage, correlated industrial and macro-economic factors, and other pertinent information such as CPI and delinquent loan collection rate in assessing future performance of the loan portfolio. The Group monitors the delinquency status by vintage of origination and write off delinquent loans timely when the loans become uncollectible.

The adoption of CECL model does not change the Group’s method used to estimate loan losses. The allowance for loans receivable is calculated based on estimated default rate of loans facilitated through the Consolidated Trusts or Fuzhou Microcredit. The allowance for accounts receivable, contract assets, financial assets receivable and accounts receivable, contract assets and financial assets receivablereceivables from related parties (recorded as “amounts due from related parties”) is assessed in accordance with the estimated default rate of the underlying off-balance loans facilitated. Since the allowance is recorded at loan inception based on the estimated collectability over the entire loan tenure and adjusted in each subsequent reporting period based on update of relevant information, the adoption of the CECL model does not have material impact on the timing and amount of allowance recognized for these financial assets.

Other financial receivables subject to the CECL model mainly include security deposit prepaid to third party guarantee companies, funds receivable from third party payment service providers, other receivables from related parties (recorded as “amounts due from related parties”) and other security deposit paid to insurance companies,(recorded as “prepaid expenses and other assets”), which are of short term and shows no historical default record. The Group determines no allowance is needed for these receivables, except for receivables from related parties as fundingfinancial institution partners, which are based on the estimated default rate of underlying loans as discussed above.

The adoption of ASC 326 also requires the Group to record financial guarantee on a gross basis. As such, the Group recognized a separate contingent guarantee liability with an allowance for credit losses following the CECL model at the inception of loans facilitated with guarantee services provided (see accounting policy for Guarantee Liabilities). The allowance is an estimate of future net-payout by the Group upon borrowers’ default, which is ultimately based on the same estimated default rate of loans facilitated as discussed above.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents mainly consist of funds in banks, which are highly liquid and are unrestricted as to withdrawal or use.

Restricted cash

Restricted cash represents:

(i)Deposit to funding banks which is used to secure timely loan repayment. As of December 31, 20202022 and 2021,2023, the amount of restricted cash related to deposit to the funding banks is RMB 2,006,874RMB2,328,673 and RMB 1,986,512,RMB2,148,303, respectively.
(ii)Cash held by the trusts and assets managementABS plans through segregated bank accounts which can only be used to invest in loans or other securities as stipulated in the trust agreement. Theagreement and ABS plan. Substantially all trusts and ABS plans have a maximum operating period of twothree years. The cash in the trusts and ABS plans is not available to fund the general liquidity needs of the Group.

F-22F-24

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH,QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

2.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

Security deposit prepaid to third-party guarantee companies

Security deposit prepaid to third-party guarantee companies mainly represents deposit prepaid to licensed third-party vendors the Group cooperates with to provide guarantee to secure timely loan repayment for fundingfinancial institution partners.

Funds receivable from third party payment service providers

The Group opened accounts with third party online payment service providers to collect and transfer the loan funds and interest to financial institutional partnerinstitution partners or borrowers. The Group also uses such accounts to collect the transaction fee and service fee, and repay and collect the default loan principal and interest. The balance of funds receivable from third party payment service providers mainly includesincludes:

(a)Funds provided by Fuzhou Microcredit but not yet transferred to the borrowers by third party payment service providers due to the settlement time lag;
(b)Repayment of loan principal and interest amounts received from the borrowers but not yet transferred to the investors by third party payment service providers due to the settlement time lag; and
(c)Accumulated amounts of transaction fee, service fee received, payment and collection of default loan and interest at the balance sheet date.

Fair value

Fair value is considered to be the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities required or permitted to be recorded at fair value, the Group considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact and considers assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability.

Authoritative literature provides a fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. The level in the hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement as follows:

Level 1 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets with insufficient volume or infrequent transactions (less active markets); or model-derived valuations in which significant inputs are observable or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.

Level 3 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

The carrying values of financial instruments, which consist of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, short-term investments, security deposits, accounts receivable and contract assets, financial assets receivable, funds receivable from third party payment service providers, loans receivable, short term loan,short-term loans, payable to investors of the consolidated trusts, and amounts due from/to related parties are recorded at cost which approximates their fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.

F-23F-25

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH,QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

2.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

Fair value - continued

As of December 31, 2021,2022 and 2023, the Group’s long-term financial instruments that are not reported at fair value on balance sheet include loans receivable, payable to investors of the consolidated trusts, accounts receivable and contract assets and financial assets receivable. Fair values of these financial instruments are estimated using a discounted cash flow model based on contractual cash flows. The fair values of loans receivable, accounts receivable and contract assets, financial assets receivable are classified as Level 3 fair value measurement due to the significant unobservable inputs concerning the estimation of default rate. The fair value of payable to investors of the consolidated trusts is classified as Level 2 fair value measurement.

As of December 31, 2021,2022 and 2023, the differences between fair values and carrying amount for loans receivable and payable to investors are due to the discount factor or interests in future periods, and the fair value approximates the carrying amount. For accounts receivable and contract assets, financial assets receivable, the differences are due to the discount factor solely and the fair value approximates the carrying amount.

TheAs of December 31, 2022, the Group does not have any assets or liabilitieshas foreign exchange options that are recorded at fair value subsequent to initial recognition on a recurring or non-recurringbasis. The fair value of such options amount to RMB4,758, which is estimated based on interbank market quoted price and is classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. As of December 31, 2023, the Group has no financial instruments that are recorded at fair value subsequent to initial recognition on a recurring basis. Fair value measurement on a nonrecurring basis duringfor the periods presented.years ended December 31, 2022 and 2023 included that used in impairment of an equity investment which was classified as a Level 3 fair value measurement.

Loans receivable

Loans receivable represents loans facilitated through the consolidated trusts and Fuzhou Microcredit. Loans receivable are recorded as receivable, reduced by a valuation allowance estimated as of the balance sheet date.

The allowance for loan losses is determined at a level believed to be reasonable to absorb probable losses inherent in the portfolio as of each balance sheet date. The allowance is provided based on an assessment performed on a portfolio basis. All loans are assessed collectively depending on factors such as delinquency rate, size, and other risk characteristics of the portfolio.About adoption ofdate in accordance with ASC 326 see(see accounting policy of “Allowance for credit losses”).

The Group charges off loans receivable as a reduction to the allowance for loans receivable when the loan principal and interest are deemed to be uncollectible. In general, loans receivable is identified as uncollectible when it is determined to be not probable that the balance can be collected.

Property and equipment, net

FurnitureProperty and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the following estimated useful lives:

Leasehold improvements

    

Over the shorter of the lease term or expected useful lives

Electronic equipment and software

 

53-10 years

Furniture and office equipment and others

 

53-5 years

Gains and losses from the disposal of furniture and equipment are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations.

Construction in progress represents property under construction and is stated at cost. Cost comprises original cost of property and equipment, installation, construction and other direct costs. Construction in progress is transferred to buildings and depreciation commences when the asset is ready for its intended use.

Depreciation expense on property and equipment for the years ended December 31, 2019, 20202021, 2022 and 20212023 were RMB 6,837, RMB 10,439RMB13,483, RMB14,256 and RMB 13,483,RMB15,426, respectively.

F-24F-26

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH,QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

2.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

Land use rights, net

Land use rights represent lease prepayments to the local government authorities and are recorded at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization is provided on a straight-line basis over the term of the agreement, which is 50 years. Under ASC 842, land use rights were identified as operating lease right-of-use assets, which is separately disclosed as “Land use rights, net” in the Group’s consolidated balance sheets.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase consideration over the acquisition date amounts of the identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed from the acquired entity as a result of the Company’s business acquisitions. 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. In accordance with ASC 350, the Company first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test. In the qualitative assessment, the Company considers factors such as macroeconomic conditions, 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 a reporting unit is less than the carrying amount, the quantitative impairment test is performed. As of December 31, 2023, goodwill related to the reporting unit was not impaired and therefore no impairment loss was recognized.

Guarantee liabilities

For the loans facilitated through the loan facilitation business, the Group provides a guarantee service to its financial institutional partnerinstitution partners whereas in the event of default, the fundingfinancial institution partners are entitled to receive unpaid interest and principal from the Group. In general, any unpaid interest and principal are paid when the borrower does not repay as scheduled.

From February 2018, to follow the recent regulation change, particularly the Circular 141 which came into effect in December 2017, the Group began to involve third-party licensed vendors including financing guarantee companies and insurance companies to provide guarantee for new loans facilitated for certain financial institutional partner.institution partners. Under the cooperation with financing guarantee companies, these guarantee companies initially reimburses the loan principal and interest to the fundingfinancial institution partners upon borrower’s default. Although the Group does not have direct contractual obligation to the fundingfinancial institution partners for defaulted principal and interest, the Group provides back to back guarantee to the licensed guarantee companies. As agreed in the back to back guarantee contract, the Group would pay the licensed guarantee companies for actual losses incurred based on defaulted principal and interest. Under the cooperation with insurance companies, the CompanyGroup is obligated to provide funding in the form of security deposit with the insurance companies which is used to compensate the fundingfinancial institution partners for borrowers’ default. Given that the Group effectively takes on all of the credit risk of the borrowers, the Group recognizes a stand ready obligation for its guarantee exposure in accordance with ASC Topic 460.

Under capital light model, in the condition of no guarantee service provided, the Group does not take any credit risk and not record any guarantee liabilities associated with those loans. Besides, in the condition of partial guarantee, the amount of guarantee exposure is immaterial for the years ended December 31, 20202022 and 2021.2023.

At the inception of each loan, the Group recognizes the guarantee liability at fair value in accordance with ASC 460-10, which incorporates the expectation of potential future payments under the guarantee and takes into both non-contingent and contingent aspects of the guarantee. Subsequent to the loan’s inception, the guarantee liability is composed of two components: (i) ASC Topic 460 component; and (ii) ASC Topic 450 component. The liability recorded based on ASC Topic 460 is determined on a loan by loan basis and it is reduced when the Group is released from the underlying risk, i.e. as the loan is repaid by the borrower or when the investor is compensated in the event of a default. This component is a stand ready obligation which is not subject to the probable threshold used to record a contingent obligation. When the Group is released from the stand ready liability upon expiration of the underlying loan, the Group records a corresponding amount as “Revenue from releasing of guarantee liabilities” in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. The other component is a contingent liability determined based on probable loss considering the actual historical performance and current conditions, representing the obligation to make future payouts under the guarantee liability in excess of the stand-ready liability, measured using the guidance in ASC Topic 450. The ASC Topic 450 contingent component is determined on a collective basis and loans with similar risk characteristics are pooled into cohorts for purposes of measuring incurred losses. The ASC 450 contingent component is recognized as part of expense on guarantee liabilities in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. At all times the recognized liability (including the stand ready liability and contingent liability) is at least equal to the probable estimated losses of the guarantee portfolio.

F-25

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

2.           SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

Guarantee liabilities - continued

On January 1, 2020, the Group adopted ASC 326, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses, which requires gross accounting for guarantee liability. As a result, at inception of the guarantee, the Group will recognize both a stand-ready guarantee liability under ASC 460 with an associated financial assets receivable, and a contingent guarantee liability with an allowance for credit losses under Current expected credit loss (“CECL”) model. Subsequent to the initial recognition, the ASC 460 stand-ready guarantee is released into guarantee revenue on a straight-line basis over the term of the guarantee, while the contingent guarantee is reduced by the payouts made by the Group to compensate the investors upon borrowers’ default. Allowance for credit losses under CECL model was included in “Provision for contingent liabilities” and revalued at each period end to reflect updated estimation for future net pay-out. Upon adoption, the Group recognized the cumulative effect of approximately RMB1.43 billion as a decrease to the opening balances of retained earnings, as of January 1, 2020, net of tax effect.

The following table sets forth the cumulative effect of the changes on the Group’s consolidated balance sheet as of January 1, 2020 due to the adoption of ASC 326:F-27

Adjustments

As of

due to

As of

 

December

 

the Adoption

 

January

    

31, 2019

    

of ASC 326

    

01, 2020

ASSETS

 

  

 

  

 

  

Financial assets receivable

 

1,971,824

 

117,321

 

2,089,145

Deferred tax assets

 

697,348

 

336,830

 

1,034,178

LIABILITIES

 

  

 

  

 

  

Guarantee liabilities-stand ready

 

2,212,125

 

(63,723)

 

2,148,402

Guarantee liabilities-contingent

734,730

1,952,545

2,687,275

Other tax payable

 

263,856

 

(4,275)

 

259,581

SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY

 

  

 

  

 

  

Retained earnings

 

2,071,332

 

(1,430,396)

 

640,936

Table of Contents

QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

2.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – continued

Financial assets receivable

Financial assets receivable is recognized at loan inception which is equal to the stand-ready liability recorded at fair value in accordance with ASC 460-10-30-2(b) and considers what premium would be required by the Group to issue the same guarantee service in a standalone arm’s-length transaction.

The fair value recognized at loan inception is estimated using a discounted cash flow model based on the expected net payouts by incorporating a markup margin. The Group estimates its expected net payouts according to the product mix, default rates, loan terms and discount rate. The financial assets receivable is accounted for as a financial asset, and reduced upon the receipt of the service fee payment from the borrowers. At each reporting date, the Group estimates the future cash flows and assesses whether there is any indicator of impairment. If the carrying amounts of the financial assets receivable exceed the expected cash to be received, an impairment loss is recorded for the financial assets receivable not recoverable and is recorded in the consolidated income statement. About adoptionstatements of ASC 326, seeoperations (see accounting policy of “Allowance for credit losses”). Impairment losses of RMB 150,940, RMB 285,720RMB243,139, RMB395,289 and RMB 243,139RMB408,585 were recorded in the consolidated statements of operations during the years ended December 31, 2019, 20202021, 2022 and 2021.

F-26

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

2.           SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued2023, respectively.

Facilitation, origination and servicing

Facilitation, origination and servicing expense represents cost of services which consists primarily of variablevarious expenses and vendor costs, and costs related to risk management, credit assessment, borrower and system support, payment processing services and third-party collection agencies with facilitating and servicing loans.

Facilitation and origination expense includes expense related to the Group’s borrower referral program under which the Group provides cash incentives to existing borrowers who have successfully referred a new borrower/borrowers to the Group. Such cash reward is offered when the new borrower makes a drawdown. As the cash reward is directly associated with the new borrower acquisition, the Group accounted for it as origination expense to facilitate the loans. The Group recorded RMB 14.7RMB23.9 million, RMB 13.1RMB19.9 million and RMB 23.912.2 million of cash reward for the years ended December 31, 2019, 20202021, 2022 and 2021,2023, respectively.

Sales and marketing expenses

Sales and marketing expenses primarily consist of variablevarious marketing and promotional expenses and general brand and awareness building, including fees paid to channel partners for directing user traffic to the Group. Salaries and benefits expenses related to the Group’s sales and marketing personnel and other expenses related to the Group’s sales and marketing team are also included in the sales and marketing expenses. For the years ended December 31, 2019, 20202021, 2022 and 2021,2023, the advertising and marketing related expenses were RMB 2,725,812, RMB 859,386RMB1,803,243, RMB1,929,186 and RMB 1,803,243,1,693,585, respectively.

Funding costs

Funding cost consists of interest expense the Group pays to fundingfinancial institution partners of the Consolidated Trustsconsolidated trusts, and the asset backed securities, trust issuance and costs incurred by the consolidated trusts.

Government grant

Government grants are primarily referred to the amounts received from various levels of local governments from time to time which are granted for general corporate purposes and to support its ongoing operations in the region. The grants are determined at the discretion of the relevant government authority and there are no restrictions on their use. The government subsidies are recorded as other income in the period the cash is received.received and it is probable that the underlying requirements if any, will be met. The government grants received by the Group is RMB 128,147, RMB 74,449RMB17,783, RMB231,568 and RMB 17,783RMB189,930 for the years ended December 31, 2019, 20202021, 2022 and 2021,2023, respectively.

F-28

Table of Contents

QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

2.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – continued

Income taxes

Current income taxes are provided on the basis of net profit (loss) for financial reporting purposes, adjusted for income and expenses which are not assessable or deductible for income tax purposes, in accordance with the laws of the relevant tax jurisdictions.

Deferred income taxes are provided using assets and liabilities method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined on the basis of the differences between financial statements and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse.

Deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that these assets are more likely than not to be realized. In making such a determination, the management consider all positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of projected future taxable income and results of recent operation.

F-27

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

2.            SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

Income taxes - continued

In order to assess uncertain tax positions, the Group applies a more likely than not threshold and a two-step approach for the tax position measurement and financial statement recognition. Under the two-step approach, the first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement. The Group recognizes interest and penalties, if any, under accrued expenses and other current liabilities on its consolidated balance sheetsheets and under other expenses in its consolidated statementstatements of comprehensive loss.operations. The Group did not have any significant unrecognized uncertain tax positions as of and for the years ended December 31, 20202022 and 2021.2023.

Value added taxes (“VAT”)

The consolidated trusts are subject to VAT at the rate of 3%, while the other entities under the Group are subject to VAT at the rate of 6% as general taxpayers, and related surcharges on revenue generated from providing services. Entities that are VAT general taxpayers are allowed to offset qualified input VAT paid to suppliers against their output VAT liabilities. Net VAT balance between input VAT and output VAT is recorded in the line item of other tax payable on the consolidated balance sheet.sheets.

Certain risks and concentrations

As of December 31, 2019, 20202021, 2022 and 2021,2023, substantially all of the Group’s cash and cash equivalents as well as restricted cash were held in major financial institutions located in the PRC, which management considers to be of high credit quality.

Detail ofFor the major funding partners that account for 10% or more of total revenues for the yearsyear ended December 31, 2019, 20202021, financial institution partner A and 2021 are as follows:B funded loans generated greater than 10% of the total revenues. For the year ended December 31, 2022, there was no financial institution partner funded loans which generated greater than 10% of the total revenues. For the year ended December 31, 2023, financial institution partner C funded loans which generated greater than 10% of the total revenues.

    

the years ended December 31

 

funding partners

   

2019

    

2020

    

2021

 

A

 

*

16.4

%  

B

 

*

14.3

%  

C

11.3

%  

10.8

%  

*

D

15.7

%  

10.2

%  

*

E

10.6

%  

  

 

  

Share-based compensation

Share-based payment transactions with employees, such as stock options and restricted shares are measured based on the grant date fair value of the awards, with the resulting expense generally recognized on a straight-line basis in the consolidated statements of operations over the period during which the employee is required to perform service in exchange for the award. The Group has elected to account for forfeitures as they occur.

The share-based compensation expense related to the award which contains both service-based and performance-based vesting condition will be recognized when it is probable that the performance-based condition will be met, using the graded vesting method. The probability of the performance condition to be met is not reflected when determining the fair value of the award.

F-29

Table of Contents

QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

2.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – continued

Foreign currency translation

The reporting currency of the Group is the Renminbi (“RMB”).The Group’s operations are principally conducted through the companies located in the PRC where the RMB is the functional currency. The functional currency of the other major entities incorporated outside of PRC is the United States dollar (“USD”).

F-28

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

2.           SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

Foreign currency translation - continued

Transactions denominated in foreign currencies are translated into the functional currency at the exchange rates prevailing on the transaction dates. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than functional currency are translated into functional currency at the exchange rates prevailing at the balance sheet date. Transactions in currencies other than functional currency during the year are converted into the functional currency at the applicable rates of exchange prevailing on the transaction date. Transaction gains and losses are included in earnings as foreign exchange gaingains (loss).

The consolidated financial statementsFinancial Statements of the Group are translated from the functional currency into reporting currency. Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated using the applicable exchange rates at the balance sheet date. Equity accounts other than earnings generated in current period are translated at the appropriate historical rates. Revenues, expenses, gains and losses are translated using the periodic average exchange rates. The resulting foreign currency translation adjustment are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss).

Convenience translation

The Group’s business is primarily conducted in China and all of the revenues are denominated in RMB. The financial statements of the Group are stated in RMB. Translations of balances in the consolidated balance sheets, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’changes in equity and cash flows from RMB into US dollars as of and for the year ended December 31, 20212023 are solely for the convenience of the readers and were calculated at the rate of USD1.00=RMB 6.3726,RMB7.0999, representing the noon buying rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board on December 30, 2021.29, 2023. No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted, realized or settled into USD at that rate or at any other rate.

Employee defined contribution plan

Full time employees of the Group in the PRC participate in a government mandated multi-employer defined contribution plan pursuant to which certain pension benefits, medical care, unemployment insurance, employee housing fund and other welfare benefits are provided to employees. Chinese labor regulations require that the Group makes contributions to the government for these benefits based on a certain percentage of the employee’s salaries. The Group has no legal obligation for the benefits beyond the contributions.contributions, and the Group cannot utilize the contributed amount for future obligations if employee left the Group. The total amount that was expensed as incurred was RMB 71,433, RMB 72,632RMB146,426, RMB179,859 and RMB 146,426198,459 for the years ended December 31, 2019, 20202021, 2022 and 2021,2023, respectively.

Income per share

Basic income per ordinary share is computed by dividing net income attributable to the ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period assuming the ordinary shares were issued and outstanding from the earliest period presented.

Diluted income per ordinary share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities were exercised or converted into ordinary shares. Ordinary share equivalents are excluded from the computation in income periods should their effects be anti-dilutive. The Group had restricted shares and share options, which could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in the future.

F-29F-30

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH,QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

2.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

Dividends

Dividends of the Company are recognized when declared.

Treasury stock

The Company accounts for treasury stock using the cost method. Under this method, the cost incurred to purchase the shares is recorded in the treasury stock account on the consolidated balance sheets. At retirement of the treasury stock, the ordinary shares account is charged only for the aggregate par value of the shares. The excess of the acquisition cost of treasury stock over the aggregate par value is allocated first to the corresponding additional paid-in capital of the repurchased shares with the remaining to retained earnings.

Segment reporting

The Group uses management approach to determine operation segment. The management approach considers the internal organization and reporting used by the Group’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) for making decisions, allocation of resource and assessing performance.

The Group’s CODM has been identified as the Chief Executive Officer who reviews the consolidated results of operations when making decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance of the Group. The Group operates and manages its business as a single operating segment.

Substantially all of the Group’s long-lived assets are located in the PRC and substantially all of the Group’s revenues are derived from within the PRC. Therefore, no geographical segments are presented.

Operating leases

The Group accounts for operating leases in accordance with ASC 842, Leases (“ASC 842”) after the adoption on January 1, 2019. The Group determines if a contract contains a lease based on whether it has the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from the use of an identified asset and whether it has the right to direct the use of an identified asset in exchange for consideration, which relates to an asset the Group does not own. As part of the lease agreements, the Group may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Group will exercise those options. Right of use (“ROU”) assets represent the Group’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Group’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets are initially measured based on the lease liability, adjusted for any initial direct costs, any lease payments made prior to lease commencement and for any lease incentives, and are included in other assets (long term) on the Group’s consolidated balance sheets. Lease liabilities are recognized at the present value of the future lease payments at the lease commencement date, and are included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities (short term) and other long-term liabilities on the Group’s consolidated balance sheets. The discount rate used to determine the present value of the future lease payments is the Group’s incremental borrowing rate, because the interest rate implicit in most of the Group’s leases is not readily determinable. The Group’s incremental borrowing rate represents the rate would be incurred to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term for an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment. Operating lease expense is recorded on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company does not possess any leases that have variable lease payments or residual value guarantees.

Recent accounting pronouncements

Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, a new accounting standard update to simplify the accounting for income taxes. The new guidance removes certain exceptions for recognizing deferred taxes for investments, performing intra period allocation and calculating income taxes in interim periods. It also adds guidance to reduce complexity in certain areas, including recognizing deferred taxes for tax goodwill and allocating taxes to members of a consolidated group. The new standard was adopted by the Company on January 1, 2021 and did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Recent Accounting Guidance Not Yet Adopted

No new accounting pronouncements issued but not yet adopted are expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

F-30F-31

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH,QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

2.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – continued

Recent accounting pronouncements

Recent Accounting Guidance Not Yet Adopted

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07 “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures” (“ASU 2023-07”). ASU 2023-07 intends to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements, enhance interim disclosure requirements and provide new segment disclosure requirements for entities with a single reportable segment. ASU 2023-07 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and for interim periods with fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. ASU 2023-07 is to be adopted retrospectively to all prior periods presented. The Company is currently assessing the impact this guidance will have on the Group’s consolidated financial statements.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09 “Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures” (“ASU 2023-09”). ASU 2023-09 intends to improve the transparency of income tax disclosures. ASU 2023-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024 and is to be adopted on a prospective basis with the option to apply retrospectively. The Company is assessing the impact of this guidance, however, it is not expected to have a material impact to the Group’s consolidated financial statements.

3.ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND CONTRACT ASSETS, NET

The Group’s accounts receivable as of December 31, 20202022 and 20212023 are as follows:

    

    

Allowance for

    

    

    

Allowance for

    

Accounts

uncollectible

Accounts

Accounts

uncollectible

Accounts

As of December 31, 2020

receivable

Accounts receivable

receivable, net

Accounts receivable from loan facilitation service

 

151,004

(17,462)

133,542

Accounts receivable from post facilitation service

 

21,170

(3,958)

17,212

As of December 31, 2022

receivable

Accounts receivable

receivable, net

Accounts receivable from referral services

12,180

(1,836)

10,344

9,176

9,176

Total

 

184,354

(23,256)

 

161,098

 

9,176

 

9,176

Allowance for

Allowance for

Accounts

uncollectible

Accounts

Accounts

uncollectible

Accounts

As of December 31, 2021

    

receivable

    

Accounts receivable

    

receivable, net

Accounts receivable from loan facilitation service

 

502

 

(375)

 

127

Accounts receivable from post facilitation service

 

5,825

 

(1,683)

 

4,142

As of December 31, 2023

    

receivable

    

Accounts receivable

    

receivable, net

Accounts receivable from referral services

10,797

10,797

10,754

10,754

Total

 

17,124

 

(2,058)

 

15,066

 

10,754

 

 

10,754

The movement of allowance for uncollectible accounts receivables for the years ended December 31, 2019, 20202021, 2022 and 20212023 are as follows:

Opening

Ending

Opening

Current

Ending

balance as of

Current

Write off in

balance as of

balance as of

year net

Write off in

balance as of

January 1,

year net

the current

December 31,

January 1,

(reverse)

the current

December 31, 

    

2019

    

provision

    

year

    

2019

    

2021

    

provision

    

year

    

2021

Accounts receivable from loan facilitation service

 

77,152

 

171,602

(64,329)

184,425

 

17,462

 

(11,309)

(5,778)

375

Accounts receivable from post facilitation service

 

4,184

 

12,779

(16,690)

273

3,958

1,732

(4,007)

1,683

Accounts receivable from referral services

 

1,836

 

(1,836)

Total

 

81,336

 

184,381

(81,019)

184,698

 

23,256

 

(9,577)

(11,621)

2,058

Opening 

Ending 

balance as of

Current

Write off in

balance as of

January 1,

year net

the current

December 31,

    

2020

    

provision

    

year

    

2020

Accounts receivable from loan facilitation service

 

184,425

 

(102,832)

 

(64,131)

 

17,462

Accounts receivable from post facilitation service

 

273

 

33,241

 

(29,556)

 

3,958

Accounts receivable from referral services

1,836

1,836

Total

 

184,698

 

(67,755)

 

(93,687)

 

23,256

Opening

Ending

balance as of

Current

Write off in

balance as of

January 1,

year net

the current

December 31,

    

2021

    

provision

    

year

    

2021

Accounts receivable from loan facilitation service

 

17,462

 

(11,309)

 

(5,778)

 

375

Accounts receivable from post facilitation service

 

3,958

 

1,732

 

(4,007)

 

1,683

Accounts receivable from referral services

1,836

(1,836)

Total

 

23,256

 

(9,577)

 

(11,621)

 

2,058

Opening 

Ending 

balance as of

Current

Write off in

balance as of

January 1,

year net

the current

December 31, 

    

2022

    

provision

    

year

    

2022

Accounts receivable from loan facilitation service

 

375

 

 

(375)

 

Accounts receivable from post facilitation service

1,683

(1,683)

Total

 

2,058

 

 

(2,058)

 

F-31F-32

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH,QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

3.           ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND CONTRACT ASSETS, NET - continued

The Group’s contract assets as of December 31, 2020 and 2021 are as follows:

Allowance for

Uncollectible

Contract assets,

As of December 31, 2020

    

Contract assets

    

Contract assets

    

net

Contract assets from loan facilitation service

 

2,714,861

 

(222,526)

 

2,492,335

Contract assets from post facilitation service

 

29,259

 

(10,045)

 

19,214

Contract assets from referral services

29,818

29,818

Total

 

2,773,938

 

(232,571)

 

2,541,367

Allowance for

Uncollectible

Contract assets,

As of December 31, 2021

    

Contract assets

    

Contract assets

    

net

Contract assets from loan facilitation service

 

3,097,872

 

(287,397)

 

2,810,475

Contract assets from post facilitation service

 

282,767

 

(26,457)

 

256,310

Contract assets from referral services

238,877

238,877

Total

 

3,619,516

 

(313,854)

 

3,305,662

The movement of allowance for uncollectible contract assets for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021 are as follows:

    

Opening

    

    

    

Ending

balance as of

Current

Write off in

balance as of

January 1,

year net

the current

December 31,

2019

provision

year

2019

Contract assets from loan facilitation service

 

758

 

8,895

 

(2,991)

 

6,662

Contract assets from post facilitation service

 

421

 

1,728

 

(1,918)

 

231

Total

 

1,179

 

10,623

 

(4,909)

 

6,893

    

Opening

    

    

    

Ending

balance as of

Current

Write off in

balance as of

January 1,

year net

the current

December 31,

2020

provision

year

2020

Contract assets from loan facilitation service

 

6,662

 

220,582

(4,718)

222,526

Contract assets from post facilitation service

 

231

 

11,217

(1,403)

10,045

Total

 

6,893

 

231,799

(6,121)

232,571

Opening

Ending

balance as of

Current

Write off in

balance as of

 

January 1,

 

year net

 

the current

 

December 31, 

    

2021

    

provision

    

year

    

2021

Contract assets from loan facilitation service

 

222,526

 

157,708

 

(92,837)

 

287,397

Contract assets from post facilitation service

 

10,045

 

52,379

 

(35,967)

 

26,457

Total

 

232,571

 

210,087

 

(128,804)

 

313,854

F-32

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

3.ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND CONTRACT ASSETS, NET – continued

- continued

Opening

Ending

balance as of

Current

Write off in

balance as of

January 1,

year net

the current

December 31, 

    

2023

    

provision

    

year

    

2023

Accounts receivable from loan facilitation service

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable from post facilitation service

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

The Group’s accounts receivable and contract assets generated from related parties and recorded in amounts due from related parties as of December 31, 20202022 and 20212023 are as follows:

Allowance for

Uncollectible

Contract assets,

As of December 31, 2022

    

Contract assets

    

Contract assets

    

net

Contract assets from loan facilitation service

 

2,951,326

 

(288,365)

 

2,662,961

Contract assets from post facilitation service

 

321,477

 

(26,601)

 

294,876

Contract assets from referral services

162,931

162,931

Total

 

3,435,734

 

(314,966)

 

3,120,768

    

Accounts

    

Allowance for

    

Accounts

Allowance for

receivable

uncollectible

receivable

Uncollectible

Contract assets,

and contract

accounts receivable

and contract

As of December 31, 2020

assets

and contract assets

Assets, net

Accounts receivable from loan facilitation service

 

 

 

Accounts receivable from post facilitation service

 

 

 

Accounts receivable from referral services

1,004

1,004

As of December 31, 2023

    

Contract assets

    

Contract assets

    

net

Contract assets from loan facilitation service

 

82,528

 

(8,072)

 

74,456

 

2,561,082

 

(276,307)

 

2,284,775

Contract assets from post facilitation service

 

951

 

(227)

 

724

 

312,438

 

(44,369)

 

268,069

Contract assets from referral services

492,642

492,642

Total

 

84,483

 

(8,299)

 

76,184

 

3,366,162

 

(320,676)

 

3,045,486

    

Accounts

    

Allowance for

    

Accounts

receivable

uncollectible

receivable

and contract

accounts receivable

and contract

As of December 31, 2021

assets

and contract assets

Assets, net

Accounts receivable from loan facilitation service

 

 

 

Accounts receivable from post facilitation service

 

 

 

Accounts receivable from referral services

Contract assets from loan facilitation service

 

953,846

 

(120,208)

 

833,638

Contract assets from post facilitation service

 

5,178

 

(1,809)

 

3,369

Total

 

959,024

 

(122,017)

 

837,007

The movement of allowance for uncollectible contract assets for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023 are as follows:

    

Opening

    

    

    

Ending

balance as of

Current

Write off in

balance as of

January 1,

year net

the current

December 31, 

2021

provision

year

2021

Contract assets from loan facilitation service

 

222,526

157,708

(92,837)

287,397

Contract assets from post facilitation service

 

10,045

52,379

(35,967)

26,457

Total

 

232,571

210,087

(128,804)

313,854

    

Opening

    

    

    

Ending

balance as of

Current

Write off in

balance as of

January 1,

year net

the current

December 31, 

2022

provision

year

2022

Contract assets from loan facilitation service

 

287,397

158,696

(157,728)

288,365

Contract assets from post facilitation service

 

26,457

65,247

(65,103)

26,601

Total

 

313,854

223,943

(222,831)

314,966

Opening

Ending

balance as of

Current

Write off in

balance as of

 

January 1,

 

 

year net

 

the current

 

December 31, 

    

2023

    

Reclassification(1)

    

provision

    

year

    

2023

Contract assets from loan facilitation service

288,365

19,619

123,001

(154,678)

276,307

Contract assets from post facilitation service

26,601

3,123

74,155

(59,510)

44,369

Total

314,966

22,742

197,156

(214,188)

320,676

F-33

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH,QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

3.ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND CONTRACT ASSETS, NET – continued

The Group’s contract assets generated from related parties and recorded in amounts due from related parties as of December 31, 2022 and 2023 are as follows:

- continued

    

Accounts

    

Allowance for

    

Accounts

receivable

uncollectible

receivable

and contract

accounts receivable

and contract

As of December 31, 2022

assets

and contract assets

Assets, net

Contract assets from loan facilitation service

 

331,457

(88,348)

243,109

Contract assets from post facilitation service

 

20,907

(7,259)

13,648

Contract assets from referral services

(8,555)

(8,555)

Total

 

343,809

(95,607)

248,202

    

Accounts

    

Allowance for

    

Accounts

receivable

uncollectible

receivable

and contract

accounts receivable

and contract

As of December 31, 2023

assets

and contract assets

Assets, net

Contract assets from loan facilitation service

 

41,809

(18,542)

23,267

Contract assets from post facilitation service

6,428

(4,326)

2,102

Contract assets from referral services

 

(1,360)

(1,360)

Total

 

46,877

(22,868)

24,009

The movement of allowance for uncollectible accounts receivables and contract assets generated from related parties and recorded in amounts due from related parties for the yearyears ended December 31, 20202021, 2022 and 20212023 are as follows:

    

Opening

    

    

    

    

Ending

    

Opening

    

    

    

    

Ending

balance as of

Current

Write off in

balance as of

balance as of

Current

Write off in

balance as of

January 1,

year net

the current

December 31, 

January 1,

year net

the current

December 31, 

2020

provision

year

2020

2021

provision

year

2021

Accounts receivable from loan facilitation service

 

9,648

 

30,215

 

(39,863)

 

Accounts receivable from post facilitation service

 

481

 

14,533

 

(15,014)

 

Contract assets from loan facilitation service

 

2,062

 

22,683

 

(16,673)

 

8,072

 

8,072

 

117,613

 

(5,477)

 

120,208

Contract assets from post facilitation service

 

144

 

7,639

 

(7,556)

 

227

 

227

 

6,482

 

(4,900)

 

1,809

Total

 

12,335

 

75,070

 

(79,106)

 

8,299

 

8,299

 

124,095

 

(10,377)

 

122,017

    

Opening

    

    

    

    

Ending

    

Opening

    

Current

    

    

    

Ending

balance as of

Current

Write off in

balance as of

balance as of

year net

Write off in

balance as of

January 1,

year net

the current

December 31, 

January 1,

(reverse)

the current

December 31, 

2021

provision

year

2021

2022

provision

year

2022

Accounts receivable from loan facilitation service

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable from post facilitation service

 

 

 

 

Contract assets from loan facilitation service

 

8,072

 

117,613

 

(5,477)

 

120,208

 

120,208

 

(4,334)

 

(27,526)

 

88,348

Contract assets from post facilitation service

 

227

 

6,482

 

(4,900)

 

1,809

 

1,809

 

18,457

 

(13,007)

 

7,259

Total

 

8,299

 

124,095

 

(10,377)

 

122,017

 

122,017

 

14,123

 

(40,533)

 

95,607

The principal of accounts receivable and contract assets by year of origination:

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

    

Total

As of December 31, 2021

  

  

  

  

Loan facilitation service

 

2,708,137

 

390,236

 

 

3,098,373

Post facilitation service

 

249,726

 

38,867

 

 

288,593

Referral Service

 

249,674

 

 

 

249,674

Total

 

3,207,537

 

429,103

 

 

3,636,640

    

Opening

    

    

Current

    

    

    

Ending

balance as of

year net

Write off in

balance as of

January 1,

(reverse)

the current

December 31,

2023

Reclassification(1)

provision

year

2023

Contract assets from loan facilitation service

 

88,348

(19,619)

(22,554)

(27,633)

18,542

Contract assets from post facilitation service

 

7,259

(3,123)

11,745

(11,555)

4,326

Total

 

95,607

(22,742)

(10,809)

(39,188)

22,868

F-34

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH,QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

3.ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND CONTRACT ASSETS, NET – continued

The principal of accounts receivable and contract assets by year of origination:

    

2022

    

2021

    

2020

    

Total

As of December 31, 2022

  

  

  

Loan facilitation service

 

2,723,311

223,233

4,781

2,951,325

Post facilitation service

 

299,197

18,170

4,110

321,477

Referral Service

 

172,108

172,108

Total

 

3,194,616

241,403

8,891

3,444,910

    

2023

    

2022

    

2021

    

Total

As of December 31, 2023

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Loan facilitation service

 

2,260,534

300,405

143

2,561,082

Post facilitation service

 

273,753

38,684

1

312,438

Referral Service

 

502,516

880

503,396

Total

 

3,036,803

339,969

144

3,376,916

(1)

Jinshang ceased to be a related party of the Company in 2023 and therefore outstanding balance with Jinshang is reclassified from amount due from related parties into accounts receivable and contract assets. See Note 11 Related party balances and transactions.

4.FINANCIAL ASSETS RECEIVABLE, NET

The Group’s financial assets receivable as of December 31, 2022 and 2023 are as follows:

    

December 31, 

    

December 31, 

2022

2023

RMB

RMB

Financial assets receivable

 

4,225,014

 

3,694,269

Allowance for uncollectible receivables

 

(554,095)

 

(575,396)

Financial assets receivable, net

 

3,670,919

 

3,118,873

The movement of financial assets receivable for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023 is as follows:

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

    

December 31, 2021

    

December 31, 2022

    

December 31, 2023

RMB

RMB

RMB

Balance at beginning of year

 

4,601,642

4,897,854

 

4,225,014

Addition in the current year

 

6,626,322

5,582,287

 

4,906,586

Collection in the current year

(6,189,783)

(5,920,287)

(5,050,047)

Write-off

 

(140,327)

(334,840)

 

(387,284)

Balance at end of year

 

4,897,854

4,225,014

 

3,694,269

F-35

Table of Contents

QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

4.FINANCIAL ASSETS RECEIVABLE,

The Group’s financial assets receivable as of December 31, 2020 and 2021 are as follows:

    

December 31, 

    

December 31, 

2020

2021

RMB

RMB

Financial assets receivable

 

4,601,642

 

4,897,854

Allowance for uncollectible receivables

 

(390,834)

 

(493,646)

Financial assets receivable, net

 

4,210,808

 

4,404,208

The movement of financial assets receivable for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021 is as follows:

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

    

December 31, 2019

    

December 31, 2020

    

December 31, 2021

RMB

RMB

RMB

Balance at beginning of year

 

1,250,277

2,142,627

 

4,601,642

Adoption of ASC 326

117,321

Addition in the current year

 

3,650,311

6,885,976

 

6,626,322

Collection in the current year

(2,721,168)

(4,478,593)

(6,189,783)

Write-off

 

(36,793)

(65,689)

 

(140,327)

Balance at end of year

 

2,142,627

4,601,642

 

4,897,854

NET – continued

The movement of allowance for uncollectible receivables for the years ended December 31, 2019, 20202021, 2022 and 20212023 is as follows:

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

    

December 31, 2019

    

December 31, 2020

    

December 31, 2021

    

December 31, 2021

    

December 31, 2022

    

December 31, 2023

RMB

 

RMB

 

RMB

RMB

 

RMB

 

RMB

Balance at beginning of year

 

56,656

 

170,803

 

390,834

 

390,834

 

493,646

 

554,095

Current year net provision

 

150,940

 

285,720

 

243,139

 

243,139

 

395,289

 

408,585

Write-off

 

(36,793)

 

(65,689)

 

(140,327)

 

(140,327)

 

(334,840)

 

(387,284)

Balance at end of year

 

170,803

 

390,834

 

493,646

 

493,646

 

554,095

 

575,396

The Group’s financial assets receivable generated from related parties and recorded in amounts due from related parties as of December 31, 20202022 and 20212023 are as follows:

    

December 31, 

    

December 31, 

    

December 31, 

    

December 31, 

2020

2021

2022

2023

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

Financial assets receivable

 

3,149

 

 

42,724

 

12,717

Allowance for uncollectible receivables

 

(2,033)

 

 

(2,648)

 

(2,912)

Financial assets receivable, net

 

1,116

 

 

40,076

 

9,805

The movement of financial assets receivable generated from related parties and recorded in amounts due from related parties for the years ended December 31, 2021,2022 and 2023 is as follows:

    

Year ended

Year ended

    

Year ended

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

2021

    

2022

2023

RMB

RMB

RMB

Balance at beginning of year

 

3,149

 

42,724

Addition in the current year

 

51,417

 

19,981

Collection in the current year

 

(309)

(8,679)

 

(49,581)

Write-off

 

(2,840)

(14)

 

(407)

Balance at end of year

 

42,724

 

12,717

F-35F-36

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH,QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

4.FINANCIAL ASSETS RECEIVABLE, NET - continued

The movement of financial assets receivable generated from related parties and recorded in amounts due from related parties for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2021 is as follows:

    

Year ended

    

Year ended

December 31, 

December 31, 

2020

2021

RMB

RMB

Balance at beginning of year

 

130,765

 

3,149

Addition in the current year

 

35,151

 

Collection in the current year

 

(124,830)

 

(309)

Write-off

 

(37,937)

 

(2,840)

Balance at end of year

 

3,149

 

The movement of allowance for uncollectible receivables generated from related parties and recorded in amounts due from related parties for the years ended December 31, 20202021,2022 and 20212023 is as follows:

    

Year ended

    

Year ended

    

Year ended

Year ended

    

Year ended

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

2020

2021

2021

    

2022

    

2023

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

Balance at beginning of year

 

13,633

 

2,033

 

2,033

 

2,648

Current year net provision

 

26,337

 

807

 

807

2,662

 

671

Write-off

 

(37,937)

 

(2,840)

 

(2,840)

(14)

 

(407)

Balance at end of year

 

2,033

 

 

2,648

 

2,912

The following table summarizes the aging of the Group’s financial assets receivable.

31-60

over 60

Total

31-60

over 60

Total

0-30 days

days

days

financial

0-30 days

days

days

financial

 

past

 

past

 

past

 

assets

 

past

 

past

 

past

 

assets

    

due

    

due

    

due

    

Current

    

receivable

    

due

    

due

    

due

    

Current

    

receivable

December 31, 2020

15,673

9,572

4,576,397

4,601,642

December 31, 2021

 

15,594

 

12,038

 

 

4,870,222

 

4,897,854

December 31, 2022

32,964

 

38,059

 

 

4,153,991

 

4,225,014

December 31, 2023

 

43,370

45,332

3,605,567

3,694,269

The principal of financial assets receivable by year of origination :origination:

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

    

Total

    

2022

    

2021

    

Total

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

December 31, 2021

4,078,249

819,605

4,897,854

December 31, 2022

3,304,756

920,258

4,225,014

    

2023

    

2022

    

2021

    

Total

December 31, 2023

 

3,021,956

 

636,652

 

35,661

 

3,694,269

5.LOANS RECEIVABLE, NET

Loans receivable consists of the following:

    

December 31, 

    

December 31, 

2022

2023

RMB

RMB

Loans receivable

 

19,942,075

 

29,373,923

Less allowance for loan losses

 

(1,457,419)

 

(1,871,431)

Loans receivable, net

 

18,484,656

 

27,502,492

F-36F-37

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH,QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

5.LOANS RECEIVABLE, NET - continued

As of December 31, 2022 and 2023, the accrued interest receivables are RMB177,767 and RMB 275,557 (net of allowance RMB12,992 and RMB 17,556, respectively), which is recorded under loans receivable.

The following table presents the aging of loans as of December 31, 2022 and 2023:

    

0-30 days

    

31-60 days

    

over 60 days

    

Total amount

    

    

 past due

past due

 past due

past due

Current

Total loans

December 31, 2022 (RMB)

 

171,636

126,801

 

298,437

 

19,643,638

 

19,942,075

December 31, 2023 (RMB)

 

271,957

221,148

 

493,105

 

28,880,818

 

29,373,923

The Group has not recorded any financing income on an accrual basis for the loans that are past due for more than 60 days in 2023 (60 days in 2022). Loans are returned to accrual status if they are brought to non-delinquent status or have performed in accordance with the contractual terms for a reasonable period of time and, in the Group’s judgment, will continue to make periodic principal and interest payments as scheduled. For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, the Group has charged off loans receivable of RMB475,352, RMB1,102,422 and RMB1,844,349, respectively.

Movement of allowance for loan losses is as follows:

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

    

2021

    

2022

    

2023

RMB

RMB

RMB

Balance at beginning of year

 

421,767

948,893

 

1,457,419

Provision for loan losses

 

965,419

1,580,306

 

2,151,046

Gross write-off

 

(475,352)

(1,102,422)

 

(1,844,349)

Recoveries

37,059

30,642

107,315

Balance at end of year

 

948,893

1,457,419

 

1,871,431

The principal of loans receivable as of December 31, 2023 by year of origination is as follows:

    

2023

    

2022

    

2021

    

Total loans

Loans receivable

 

28,701,071

 

672,425

 

427

 

29,373,923

The principal of loans receivable as of December 31, 2022 by year of origination is as follows:

    

2022

    

2021

    

2020

    

Total loans

Loans receivable

 

19,062,058

 

879,975

 

42

19,942,075

F-38

Table of Contents

QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

5.           LOANS RECEIVABLE, NET

Loans receivable consists of the following:

    

December 31, 

    

December 31, 

2020

2021

RMB

RMB

Loans receivable

 

8,010,081

 

13,652,723

Less allowance for loan losses

 

(421,767)

 

(948,893)

Loans receivable, net

 

7,588,314

 

12,703,830

As of December 31, 2020 and 2021, the accrued interest receivables are RMB 87,278 and RMB 86,144 ( net of allowance RMB 3,200 and RMB 5,987, respectively ), which is recorded under loans receivable.

The following table presents the aging of loans as of December 31, 2020 and 2021:

    

0-30 days

    

31-60 days

    

over 60 days

    

Total amount

    

    

 past due

past due

 past due

past due

Current

Total loans

December 31, 2020 (RMB)

 

43,766

 

32,038

 

75,804

 

7,934,277

 

8,010,081

December 31, 2021 (RMB)

 

113,771

87,171

 

200,942

 

13,451,781

 

13,652,723

The Group has not recorded any financing income on an accrual basis for the loans that are past due for more than 60 days in 2021 (60 days in 2020). Loans are returned to accrual status if they are brought to non-delinquent status or have performed in accordance with the contractual terms for a reasonable period of time and, in the Group’s judgment, will continue to make periodic principal and interest payments as scheduled. For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, the Group has charged off loans receivable of RMB 162 million, RMB 637 million and RMB 475 million, respectively.

Movement of allowance for loan losses is as follows:

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

    

2019

    

2020

    

2021

RMB

RMB

RMB

Balance at beginning of year

 

25,895

351,639

 

421,767

Provision for loan losses

 

486,991

698,701

 

965,419

Gross write-off

 

(161,976)

(636,766)

 

(475,352)

Recoveries

729

8,193

37,059

Balance at end of year

 

351,639

421,767

 

948,893

The Group’s nonaccrual loans are NaN as of December 31, 2019 and 2020.

The principal of loans receivable as of December 31, 2021 by year of origination is as follows:

    

2021

    

2020

    

Total loans

Loans receivable

 

13,614,369

 

38,354

 

13,652,723

The principal of loans receivable as of December 31, 2020 by year of origination is as follows:

    

2020

    

2019

    

Total loans

Loans receivable

 

7,987,657

 

22,424

 

8,010,081

F-37

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

6.LAND USE RIGHTS, NET

Land use rights represent acquired right to use the parcel of land on which the Group’s regional headquarters and affiliated industrial park stand. In 2021, the Group acquired the land use rights in Shanghai from the local authorities. Amortization of the land use right is made over the remaining term of the land use right period from the date when the land was made available for use by the Group. The land use rights are summarized as follows:

    

Year ended

    

Year ended

December 31, 

December 31, 

 

2022

 

2023

 

RMB

 

RMB

Cost

 

1,036,178

 

1,036,178

Accumulated amortization

 

(37,993)

 

(58,717)

Land use rights, net

 

998,185

 

977,461

The total amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2023 amounted to RMB20,723 and RMB20,724 respectively.

7.SHORT-TERM LOANS

Short-term loans as of December 31, 2022 represents bank borrowings of RMB150,000 obtained from domestic commercial banks. The weighted average interest rate for the outstanding borrowings as of December 31, 2022 was 3.30%, respectively. There is one financial covenant stipulating that Qiyu shall not make dividend distribution before the loans, interest and other payable due under the contract are paid.

Short-term loans as of December 31, 2023 represents bank borrowings of RMB 798,586 obtained from domestic commercial banks. The weighted average interest rate for the outstanding borrowings as of December 31, 2023 was 3.21%, respectively. Loan amount of RMB50,000 is pledged with bank deposit of RMB15,000.

The unused lines of credit for general loans per contractual arrangements are RMB374,106 as of December 31, 2023 which are revolving and effective within one year from their respective grant dates.

F-39

Table of Contents

QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

8.LONG-TERM LOANS

In June 2022, Shanghai 360 Changfeng Technology, Co., Ltd. (“360 Changfeng”), one of the Group’s subsidiary, signed a mortgage loan agreement of RMB1 billion with tenure of 25 years. The interest rate is based on prevailing market price quote for loans with tenure of more than five years at the time of drawdown minus 136bps (“basepoints”). The loan is guaranteed by the land use rights owned by 360 Changfeng and is for the specific use of construction of the regional headquarters and the affiliated industrial park. The mortgage loan agreement requires the 360 Changfeng’s registered capital to be paid in the same proportion of the total facility used. In September, the registered capital was fully paid. As of December 31, 2022 and 2023, the outstanding balance of the mortgage loan was RMB17,854 and RMB90,620, which is included in other long-term liabilities.

9.ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

    

December 31, 

    

December 31, 

2022

2023

RMB

RMB

User traffic direction fees

 

269,446

348,629

Payable to financial institution partners (1)

 

475,203

248,251

Accrued payroll and welfare

 

402,647

464,699

Payable for third-party service fee

298,019

307,501

Payable to shareholder of non-controlling interests (2)

221,323

230,881

Dividend payable

 

177,518

Lease liability

30,704

29,143

Accruals for purchase of property and equipment

9,901

118,144

Others

119,790

268,791

Total

2,004,551

2,016,039

(1)

Payable to financial institution partners mainly include amounts collected from the borrowers but have not been transferred to the financial institution partners due to holiday breaks.

(2)

Payable to shareholder of non-controlling interests mainly includes loans from non-controlling shareholder Shanghai Changfeng Investment (Group) Co., Ltd.( “Changfeng”) to acquire land use right.

10.GUARANTEE LIABILITIES

The movement of guarantee liabilities during 2022 and 2023 is as follows:

Guarantee liabilities-stand ready

    

Year endedRMB

As of January 1, 2022

December 31, 4,818,144

Provision at the inception of new loans

5,633,704

Released into revenue

(6,331,502)

As of December 31, 2022

 

2021

RMB4,120,346

CostAs of January 1, 2023

4,120,346

Provision at the inception of new loans

 

1,036,1784,926,567

Accumulated amortizationReleased into revenue

(17,270)(5,097,312)

Land use rights, netAs of December 31, 2023

1,018,9083,949,601

The total amortization expense for the year ended December 31, 2021 amounted to RMB17,270.

7.            SHORT-TERM LOANS

Short-term loans as of December 31, 2021 represents bank borrowings of USD 38,850 and RMB 150,000 obtained from domestic commercial banks. The short-term loan of USD 38,850 bears interest rates of London InterBank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 300bps for the year ended December 31, 2021. The loan of RMB 150,000 applying a fixed rate . The weighted average interest rate for the outstanding borrowings as of December 31, 2020 and 2021 was 3.65% and 3.46%, respectively. There are no financial covenants associated with such loans.

8.           ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

    

December 31, 

    

December 31, 

2020

2021

RMB

RMB

User traffic direction fees

 

201,041

472,269

Payable to funding partners (1)

 

163,234

422,423

Accrued payroll and welfare

 

144,784

409,216

Payable for third-party service fee

196,718

298,411

Payable to shareholder of non-controlling interests (2)

296,617

Dividend payable(3)

 

276,991

Lease liability

28,528

25,779

Others

75,456

56,623

Total

809,761

2,258,329

(1)Payable to funding partners mainly include amounts collected from the borrowers but have not been transferred to the funding partners due to holiday breaks.
(2)Payable to shareholder of non-controlling interests mainly includes loans from non-controlling shareholder of Shanghai Changfeng Investment (Group) Co., Ltd.( “Changfeng”) to acquire land use right.
(3)All dividends has been paid in January 2022.

F-38F-40

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH,QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

9.            10.GUARANTEE LIABILITIES

The movement of guarantee liabilities during 2020 and 2021 is as follows:continued

Guarantee liabilities-stand readyliabilities-contingent

    

RMB

As of January 1, 20202022

 

2,148,4023,285,081

Provision at the inception of new loansfor contingent liabilities

 

6,921,1274,367,776

Released into revenueNet payout (1)

(4,896,032)(4,234,466)

As of December 31, 20202022

 

4,173,4973,418,391

As of January 1, 2021

4,173,497

Provision at the inception of new loans

6,626,322

Released into revenue

(5,981,675)

As of December 31, 2021

4,818,144

Guarantee liabilities-contingent

RMB

As of January 1, 20202023

 

2,687,2753,418,391

Provision for contingent liabilities

 

4,794,1273,053,810

Net payout (1)

(3,937,948)(3,264,937)

As of December 31, 2020

3,543,454

As of January 1, 20212023

 

3,543,454

Provision for contingent liabilities

3,078,224

Net payout (1)

(3,336,597)

As of December 31, 2021

3,285,0813,207,264

(1)Net payout represents the amount paid upon borrowers’ default net of subsequent recoveries from the borrowers during a given period.

The following table summarizes the aging of the Group’s contractual amounts of the outstanding loans subject to guarantee:

31-60

61-90

Over 90

31-60

61-90

Over 90

0-30 days

days

days

days

0-30 days

days

days

days

past

past

past

past

past

past

past

past

    

due

    

due

    

due

    

due

    

Current

    

Total loans

    

due

    

due

    

due

    

due

    

Current

    

Total loans

 

 

December 31, 2020 (RMB):

355,252

158,048

68,919

55,019,645

 

55,601,864

December 31, 2021 (RMB):

446,780

235,769

57,526

49,117,630

 

49,857,705

December 31, 2022 (RMB):

491,648

254,927

19,294

44,900,311

 

45,666,180

December 31, 2023 (RMB):

468,704

231,464

19,366

40,423,833

41,143,367

As of December 31, 20202022 and 2021,2023, the contractual amounts of the outstanding loans subject to guarantee by the Group is estimated to be RMB 55,601,864RMB45,666,180 and RMB 49,857,705,RMB41,143,367, respectively. The approximate term of guarantee compensation service ranged from 1 month to 24 months and 1 month to 36 months as of December 31, 20202022 and 2021,2023, respectively. As of December 31, 20202022 and 2021,2023, the contractual amounts of the outstanding loans (excluding loans that are written off) notthat have been compensated by the Group and therefore no longer subject to guarantee by the Group were estimated to be RMB 2,402,825and RMB 3,129,264,RMB4,018,140 and RMB3,981,711, respectively.

F-39F-41

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH,QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

10.          11.RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS

The table below sets forth the major related parties and their relationships with the Group, with which the Group entered into transactions during the years ended December 31, 2019, 20202021, 2022 and 2021:2023:

Name of related parties

    

Relationship with the group

360 Security Technology Inc. (“360 Group”)

Entity controlled by Mr. Zhou, the Chairman of the Group

Beijing Qifutong Technology Co., Ltd. (“Qifutong”)

An affiliate of 360 Group, ultimately controlled by Mr. Zhou, the Chairman of the Group

Shanghai Qibutianxia Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“Qibutianxia”)

Entity controlled by Mr. Zhou, the Chairman of the Group

Beijing Qicaitianxia Technology Co., Ltd. (“Qicaitianxia”)

Entity controlled by Mr. Zhou, the Chairman of the Group

Beijing Qihu Technology Co., Ltd. (“Qihu”)

An affiliate of 360 Group, ultimatelyEntity controlled by Mr. Zhou, the Chairman of the Group

Jinshang Consumer Finance Co.,Ltd. (“Jinshang”)(1)

An affiliate of an entity controlled by Mr. Zhou, the Chairman of the Group

Beijing Zixuan Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“Beijing Zixuan”)

Entity controlled by Mr. Zhou, the Chairman of the Group

Xixian New Area Financial Asset Exchange Co., Ltd (“Xixian”)

Entity controlled by Mr. Zhou, the Chairman of the Group

Beijing Qifei Xiangyi Consultation Co., Ltd (“ Beijing Qifei”)

Entity controlled by Mr. Zhou, the Chairman of the Group

Hangzhou Qifei Huachuang Technology Co, Ltd (“Hangzhou Qifei ”)Qifei”)

Investee of the Group

Shanghai Jiehu Internet Technology Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai Jiehu”)

An affiliate of 360 Group, ultimately controlled by Mr. Zhou, the Chairman of the Group

Kincheng Bank of Tianjin Co., Ltd. (“Kincheng”Kincheng Bank”)

An affiliate of an entity controlled by Mr. Zhou, the Chairman of the Group

Tianjin Yujie Technology Co., Ltd. (Yujie)(“Yujie”) (2)

Entity controlled by Mr. Zhou, the Chairman of the Group

Beijing Hongying Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“Hongying”)

EntityAn affiliate of 360 Group, ultimately controlled by Mr. Zhou, the Chairman of the Group

Shareholders

Shareholders of the Group

Others

Entities controlled by Mr. Zhou, the Chairman of the Group

(1)

In January 2023, Mr. Zhou ceased to directly or indirectly have equity interests in Jinshang and as a result, Jinshang subsequently ceased to be a related party to the Company.

(2)

In September 2023, the Company acquired 100% equity interest in Yujie, and Yujie became a consolidated subsidiary of the Company.

The Group entered into the following transactions with its related parties:

For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, services provided by the related parties were RMB523,054, RMB552,206 and RMB356,086, respectively.

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

    

2021

    

2022

    

2023

RMB

RMB

RMB

Referral service fee charged by Yujie

347,585

355,803

119,737

Bandwidth service fee charged by Qihu

108,743

128,607

117,983

Brand fees charged by Qihu

23,585

47,168

94,340

Referral service fee charged by Qihu

19,789

2,423

9,550

Rental expenses charged by Beijing Qifei

Rental expenses charged by Hongying

11,899

13,655

11,815

Corporate expenses allocated from Qibutianxia

7,075

Others

 

4,378

4,550

 

2,661

Total

 

523,054

552,206

 

356,086

F-40F-42

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH,QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

10.          11.RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS - continued

The Group entered into the following transactions with its related parties:

For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, services provided by the related parties were RMB 129,061, RMB 143,881 and RMB 523,054, respectively.

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

    

2019

    

2020

    

2021

RMB

RMB

RMB

Referral service fee charged by Yujie

15,152

347,585

Bandwidth service fee charged by Qihu

46,191

80,514

108,743

Brand fees charged by Qihu

23,585

Referral service fee charged by Qihu

47,640

24,507

19,789

Rental expenses charged by Beijing Qifei

5,074

7,137

Rental expenses charged by Hongying

11,899

Corporate expenses allocated from Qibutianxia

3,230

11,321

7,075

Labor cost charged by Xixian

10,657

2,130

Referral service fee charged by Qifutong

 

7,905

 

Others

 

8,364

3,120

 

4,378

Total

 

129,061

143,881

 

523,054

For the years ended December 31, 2019, 20202021, 2022 and 2021,2023, services provided to the related parties were RMB 1,037,480, RMB 346,378RMB2,178,561, RMB1,199,238 and RMB 2,178,561,RMB301,768, respectively.

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

    

2019

    

2020

    

2021

    

2021

    

2022

    

2023

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

Referral service fee charged from Qicaitianxia

 

197,018

3,558

 

Loan facilitation services fee charged from Kincheng

15,254

1,574,456

Referral service fee charged from Kincheng Bank

109,469

8,601

Loan facilitation services fee charged from Kincheng Bank

1,574,456

382,496

65,903

Loan facilitation services fee charged from Jinshang

59,871

150,515

219,513

219,513

137,118

Loan facilitation services fee charged from Beijing Zixuan

517,776

47,516

37

37

Post-facilitation services fee charged from Kincheng

433

297,489

Post-facilitation services fee charged from Kincheng Bank

297,489

434,886

139,213

Post-facilitation services fee charged from Jinshang

43,497

48,094

69,398

69,398

67,936

Post-facilitation services fee charged from Beijing Zixuan

215,019

74,417

56

56

Revenue from releasing of guarantee liabilities from Kincheng Bank

8,843

42,499

Others

 

4,299

6,591

 

17,612

 

17,612

58,490

 

45,552

Total

 

1,037,480

346,378

 

2,178,561

 

2,178,561

1,199,238

 

301,768

Beijing Zixuan is the subsidiary of Qibutianxia which is ultimately controlled by Mr. Zhou. Beijing Zixuan runs a P2P platform, referring individual investors as the financial institutional partner to the Group’s platform. Jinshang is an affiliate of an entity controlled by Mr. Zhou and provides funds to the borrowers through the Group’s platform. Kincheng Bank is an affiliate of an entity controlled by Mr. Zhou and provides funds to the borrowers through the Group’s platform. The Group collected service fees from Beijing Zixuan, Jinshang and Kincheng.The amounts from Beijing Zixuan, Jinshang and Kincheng representBank.

As of December 31, 2022 and 2023, amounts due from related parties were RMB428,108 and RMB49,586 respectively, and details are as follows:

    

December 31, 

    

December 31, 

2022

2023

RMB

RMB

Kincheng Bank

 

239,270

 

47,172

Jinshang

162,784

Others

 

26,054

 

2,414

Total

 

428,108

 

49,586

As of December 31, 2022 and 2023, amounts due to related parties were RMB113,697 and RMB80,376 respectively, and details are as follows:

    

December 31, 

    

December 31, 

2022

2023

RMB

RMB

Qibutianxia

 

1,656

 

1,656

Qihu

103,868

63,562

Others

 

8,173

 

15,158

Total

 

113,697

 

80,376

Other than the loan facilitation servicetransactions disclosed above, the Company has held bank deposit with Kincheng Bank which amounted to RMB3,020,245 and post- facilitation service fees charged from them.RMB3,006,400 as of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2023. The related interest income was RMB98,856 and RMB145,731 for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2023, respectively and interest receivable as of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2023 was RMB11,318 and RMB15,265, respectively.

F-41F-43

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH,QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

1011.RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS - continued

AsIn September 2023, the Company has acquired 100% equity interest in Yujie for nil consideration based on the fair value of December 31, 2020the assets acquired and 2021, amounts due fromthe liabilities assumed. In addition, the Company also acquired the equity interest of certain related parties were RMB 193,305that engage in wealth management business with a total consideration of RMB81,780, which was fully paid in 2023. Upon the completion of the transactions, the Company consolidated financial statements of such related party entities and RMB 978,175, respectively, and details are as follows:

    

December 31, 

    

December 31, 

2020

2021

RMB

RMB

Kincheng

 

13,505

 

771,335

Jinshang

158,655

194,123

Shareholders(1)

11,100

10,158

Beijing Zixuan

5,608

Others

 

4,437

 

2,559

Total

 

193,305

 

978,175

(1)The balance as of December 31, 2021 represents the ADS registration fees incurred on behalf of certain shareholders that are to be reimbursed from them.

Asrecognized goodwill of December 31, 2020 and 2021, amounts due to related parties were RMB 71,562 and RMB 214,057 respectively, and details are as follows:

    

December 31, 

    

December 31, 

2020

2021

RMB

RMB

Qibutianxia

 

13,656

 

9,156

Qihu

24,624

144,999

Yujie

16,061

30,165

Others

 

17,221

 

29,737

Total

 

71,562

 

214,057

RMB41,210 in total in the its consolidated balance sheets.

Qibutianxia provided joint back to back guarantee to certain third party guarantee companies for the loans facilitated by the Group. The amounts of loans under such arrangement are RMB 19,346,618RMB3,575,884 and RMB 11,803,492RMB5,239,031 as of December 31, 20202022 and 20212023 respectively.

In September 2020, Beijing Qifei transferred to the Group part of its interest in Hangzhou Qifei, a joint venture company established by Beijing Qifei and an independent third party. After the transfer, Beijing Qifei and the Group hold 26% and 25% of the equity interest in the investee, respectively. As part of the arrangement, the Group is responsible to assist Hangzhou Qifei in meeting certain performance targets but is not obligated to fund the loss of the investee. The Group accounted for the equity investment using alternative measurement,measurement. The Company provided capital contribution of nil, RMB8,996 and RMB20,349 to Hangzhou Qifei for the carrying amountyears ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively. In addition, the Company has accrued RMB20,655 for the remaining unpaid share of registered capital. Considering the business forecast of the investee as of December 31, 2020 and 2021 was NaN, respectively.

F-42

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

10.         RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS - continued

In October 2020,2023, the Group established a joint venture company, Shanghai 360 Changfeng Technology, Co.,Ltd. (“360 Changfeng”) in Shanghai, China through Qiyu together with Shanghai Jiehu and an independent third party, Changfeng, to develop and build regional headquarter and the affiliated industrial park in Shanghai. Changfeng, Shanghai Jiehu and the Group each holds 30%, 30% and 40% of the equity interests of the joint venture, respectively.fully impaired this investment.

In December 2021, the GroupCompany acquired the 30% equity interest of 360 Changfeng held by Shanghai Jiehu and became the controlling shareholderowned 70% of 360 Changfeng. The transaction is a business acquisition under common control and has been retrospectively reflected in the consolidated financial statements of the Company for all periods presented. The impact to prior year financials was inconsequential.

Pursuant to the joint venture agreement, the shareholders will contribute initial funding for acquisition of land use rights and funds required for subsequent developments will be mainly financed by external financings with any remaining shortfall funded by the shareholders ratably in proportion to their respectiveChangfeng’s equity interest ownership.in total.

As of December 31, 2020, 0 capital contribution was made and carrying amount of the investment was 0. As of December 31, 2021, shareholders of the joint venture company have invested a total of RMB1.0 billion, of which RMB0.3 billion was funded by the non-controlling shareholder

11.          12.INCOME TAXES

PRC

Under the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Enterprise Income Tax (“EIT Law”), domestically-owned enterprises and foreign-invested enterprises are subject to a uniform tax rate of 25%. Qiyu received its “high and new technology enterprises” status in 2018 and renewed it in 2021 and was entitled for a preferential income tax rate of 15% from 2018 to 2023. In November 2020, Qiyue received its “high and new technology enterprises” status in 2020 and renewed it in 2023 and was entitled to a reduced EIT rate of 15% from 2020 to 2022. From August 2019,2025. Beihai Qicheng benefitsInformation & Technology Co., Ltd. (“Qicheng”), Qi’ang and a certain other subsidiary benefited from a preferential tax rate of 15% as ittheir operation falls within the encouraged industries catalogue in western China. The 40% of the EITenterprise income tax payables of Qicheng could be further reduced as it isthey are located in Autonomous Regionan autonomous region of China. Therefore, Qicheng applied a preferential income tax rate of 9% from 2019 to 2023. Qi’ang and the certain other subsidiary applied a preferential income tax rate of 9% from 2023 to 2027. From 2021, two of the Company’s subsidiaries benefitbenefited from a preferential tax rate of 15% as they are registered in Hainan and engaged in encouraged business activities. From 2022, Beihai Borui Credit Service Co., Ltd. benefited from a preferential tax rate of 15% as it falls within the encouraged industries catalogue in western China.

Cayman Islands

Under the current laws of the Cayman Islands, the Company is not subject to tax on its income or capital gains. In addition, the Cayman Islands do not impose withholding tax on dividend payments.

Hong Kong

Under the current Hong Kong Inland Revenue Ordinance, the Company’s subsidiaries domiciled in Hong Kong has introduced a two-tiered profits tax rate regime which is applicable to any year of assessment commencing on or after April 1, 2018. The profits tax rate for the first HK$2 million of profits of corporations will be lowered to 8.25%, while profits above that amount will continue to be subject to the tax rate of 16.5%. Additionally, payments of dividends by the subsidiary incorporated in Hong Kong to the Company are not subject to any Hong Kong withholding tax.

F-43F-44

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH,QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

11.          12.INCOME TAXES - continued

The current and deferred portion of income tax expenses included in the consolidated statements of operations, which were all attributable to the Group is as follows:

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

    

2019

    

2020

    

2021

    

2021

    

2022

    

2023

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

Current tax

 

1,179,089

1,355,651

 

1,053,979

 

1,053,979

945,305

 

935,897

Deferred tax

 

(713,106)

(769,615)

 

204,217

 

204,217

(208,501)

 

72,977

Total

 

465,983

586,036

 

1,258,196

 

1,258,196

736,804

 

1,008,874

Reconciliation between the income tax at PRC statutory tax rate and income tax expense is as follows:

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

 

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

 

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

 

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

 

    

2019

    

2020

    

2021

 

    

2021

    

2022

    

2023

 

RMB

RMB

    

RMB

 

RMB

RMB

    

RMB

 

Income before income tax benefit

 

2,967,287

4,081,745

 

7,022,709

Income before income tax expenses

 

7,022,709

4,742,372

 

5,277,451

Statutory tax rate in the PRC

 

25

%

25

%

25

%

 

25

%

25

%

25

%

Income tax at statutory tax rate

 

741,822

1,020,436

 

1,755,677

 

1,755,677

1,185,593

 

1,319,363

Effect of different tax rate of subsidiary operation in other jurisdiction

3,875

3,728

11,708

11,708

7,236

(4,016)

Effect of non-deductible expenses

 

63,070

75,881

 

64,841

 

64,841

57,364

 

47,467

Effect of preferential tax rate and tax exemption

(202,095)

(452,033)

(487,655)

(487,655)

(418,997)

(488,462)

Effect of enacted tax rate change of deferred tax assets/liabilities

(95,048)

248

1,125

1,125

Effect of research and development super-deduction

 

(47,846)

(69,802)

 

(106,515)

 

(106,515)

(115,374)

 

(98,914)

Effect of withholding income tax

206,721

Effect of valuation allowance movement of deferred tax assets

2,205

7,578

19,015

19,015

20,982

26,715

Income tax expense

 

465,983

586,036

 

1,258,196

 

1,258,196

736,804

 

1,008,874

The effect of the preferential tax rates on the income per share is as follows:

 

Years Ended December 31, 

 

Year Ended December 31, 

 

(Amounts in Thousands Except Per Share Data)

 

(Amounts in Thousands Except Per Share Data)

 

2019

 

2020

2021

 

2021

 

2022

2023

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

RMB

Tax saving amount due to preferential tax rates

 

297,143

    

451,785

    

486,530

 

486,530

    

418,997

    

488,462

Income per share effect-basic

 

1.03

1.51

1.58

 

1.58

1.34

1.52

Income per share effect-diluted

 

0.99

1.47

1.51

 

1.51

1.30

1.49

F-44F-45

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH,QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

11.          12.INCOME TAXES – continued

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. The components of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are as follows:

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

    

2020

    

2021

    

2022

    

2023

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

Deferred tax assets

Guarantee liabilities

1,628,214

1,263,699

1,909,361

2,111,910

Provision for accounts receivable and contract assets and financial assets receivable

34,889

34,889

34,889

29,255

Provision for loan losses

186,462

330,684

678,636

1,132,843

Depreciation of land use rights

14,162

29,317

42,417

Net operating loss carry forwards

 

22,785

 

37,376

 

33,237

 

76,638

Others

17,500

Gross deferred tax assets

 

1,872,350

 

1,680,810

 

2,685,440

 

3,410,563

Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets

(9,783)

(28,798)

(49,780)

(107,302)

Total deferred tax assets

1,862,567

1,652,012

2,635,660

3,303,261

Uncollected revenues

 

(501,848)

 

(938,721)

 

(1,717,324)

 

(2,345,550)

Withholding income tax

(112,721)

Others

(2,075)

Total deferred tax liabilities

(501,848)

(938,721)

(1,717,324)

(2,460,346)

Net deferred tax assets

 

1,360,719

 

713,291

 

918,336

 

842,915

Management assesses the available positive and negative evidence to estimate if sufficient future taxable income will be generated to utilize the existing deferred tax assets. This assessment considers, among other matters, the nature, frequency and severity of recent losses, forecasts of future profitability, the duration of statutory carryforward periods, the Company’s experience with tax attributes expiring unused and tax planning alternatives. Considering all the above factors, as of December 31, 20202022 and 2021,2023, the Group recorded an allowance of RMB 9,783RMB49,780 and RMB 28,798RMB107,302 respectively for deferred tax assets which are not more likely than not to be realized.

As of December 31, 2021,2023, the Group had net operating loss carryforwards in PRC entities of RMB 110,338,RMB253,054, which will expire from 20232024 to 2026.2028.

The authoritative guidance requires that the Group recognizes the impact of a tax position in the financial statements if that position is more likely than not of being sustained upon audit by the tax authority, based on the technical merits of the position. Under PRC laws and regulations, arrangements and transactions among related parties may be subject to examination by the PRC tax authorities. If the PRC tax authorities determine that the contractual arrangements among related companies do not represent a price under normal commercial terms, they may make adjustments to the companies’ income and expenses. A transfer pricing adjustment could result in additional tax liabilities.

According to PRC Tax Administration and Collection Law, the statute of limitations is three years if the underpayment of taxes is due to computational errors made by the taxpayer or withholding agent. The statute of limitations will be extended five years under special circumstances, which are not clearly defined (but an underpayment of tax liability exceeding RMB 0.1RMB0.1 million is specifically listed as a special circumstance). In the case of a related party transaction, the statute of limitations is ten years. There is no statute of limitations in the case of tax evasion.

F-45F-46

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH,QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

11.          12.INCOME TAXES – continued

Aggregate undistributed earnings of the Group’s PRC subsidiaries and VIEs and VIEs’ subsidiaries that are available for distribution was RMB 5,964,686 and RMB 13,225,574 as of December 31, 2020 and 2021, respectively.

In accordance with the EIT Law, dividends, which arise from profits of foreign invested enterprises (“FIEs”) earned after January 1, 2008, are subject to a 10% withholding income tax. In addition, under tax treaty between the PRC and Hong Kong, if the foreign investor is incorporated in Hong Kong and qualifies as the beneficial owner, the applicable withholding tax rate is reduced to 5%, if the investor holds at least 25% in the FIE, or 10%, if the investor holds less than 25% in the FIE. A

For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Group has repatriated a portion of its earnings from its PRC subsidiaries to overseas for dividend distribution and share repurchase and paid related withholding income tax of RMB94,000 accordingly. The Company recorded a deferred tax liability shouldof RMB112,721 as of December 31, 2023 associated with all of its earnings expected to be recognized for the undistributed profits ofdistributed from its PRC subsidiaries unless the Company has sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the undistributed dividends will be reinvested and the remittance of the dividends will be postponed indefinitely.overseas. The Group plans to indefinitely reinvest undistributed profits earned from its China subsidiaries in its operations in the PRC. Therefore, 0 withholding income taxes forremaining undistributed profits of the Group’sCompany’s PRC subsidiaries have been provided as of December 31, 2020 and 2021.2023 would be indefinitely reinvested with unrecognized deferred tax liabilities of approximately RMB2,005,048 if calculated at the tax rate of 10%.

Under applicable accounting principles, a deferred tax liability should be recorded for taxable temporary differences attributable to the excess of financial reporting basis over tax basis in a domestic subsidiary. However, recognition is not required in situations where the tax law provides a means by which the reported amount of that investment can be recovered tax-free and the enterprise expects that it will ultimately use that means. The Group completed its feasibility analysis on a method, which the Group will ultimately execute if necessary to repatriate the undistributed earnings of the VIE without significant tax costs. As such, the Group does not accrue deferred tax liabilities on the earnings of the VIE given that the Group will ultimately use the means.

12.         13.SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

Share incentive plan

In May 2018, the shareholders and board of directors of the Company adopted the Share Incentive Plan (the “2018 plan”) for the granting of share options and restricted shares to employees, directors and consultants to reward them for services to the Company and to provide incentives for future service.service, and the 2018 plan was later amended in November 2019. Under the 2018 plan, the maximum aggregate number of shares which may be issued is 25,336,096 ordinary shares, plus an annual increase equal to 1.0% of the total number of the then issued and outstanding shares. TheThose share options expire expired 10 years from the date of grant.grant date.

The Company’s board of directors and shareholders approved the 2019 Share Incentive Plan (the “2019 Plan”) and amended it in August 2020, for the granting of share options and restricted shares to employees, directors and consultants to reward them for services to the Company and to provide incentives for future service. Under the 2019 plan, the maximum aggregate number of shares which may be issued is 17,547,567 ordinary shares, and may increase annually by an amount up to 1.0% of the total number of ordinary shares then issued and outstanding commencing with the first fiscal year beginning January 1, 2021 or such fewer amount as determined by the board of directors. The share options and restricted shares expire 10 years from the date of grant.

Stock options

On May 20 and November 20, 2018, and May 20, 2020, and November 20, 2021, the Company granted 24,627,493, 690,023, 3,514 and 2,400 stock options respectively, with an exercises price of US$0.00001 per share to certain employees, directors and officers. The grant date fair value per option was RMB64.46. The stock options shall vest over a period from immediate to 4four years. On February 20, 2023, the Company granted 47,300 stock options with an exercises price of US$0.00001 per share, which contains contractual schedules within three years and vesting condition related to the grantee’s individual performance. The weighted average grant date fair value per option was RMB 48.64, RMB 60.77 and RMB 64.46, respectively.54.93.

On November 2021 and August 2022, the compensation committee of the board of directors of the Company approved to convert the form of 10,264,366 and 2,816,000 outstanding restricted shares respectively into stock options to purchase the same number of shares as represented by the restricted share with an exercises price of US$0.00001 per share. This conversion did not affect the fair value of the awards immediately before and after the modification as the exercise price is nominal. In addition, there were no other changes to the awards including the vesting conditions and classification. Accordingly, modification accounting is not required and the cost will continue to be recognized based on the grant-date fair-value-based measure.

F-46F-47

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH,QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

12.          13.SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION – continued

Share incentive plan - continued

Stock options - continued

The GroupCompany used the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of the options granted within 2021 and 2023 using the following assumptions used.closing sales price of the shares on the grant date.

The fair value per option was estimated at the date of grant using the following assumptions:

    

Year ended ,

December 31, 20212023

RMB

Risk-free rate of interest

 

2.76%4.13%

Estimated volatility rate

 

67.27%76.20%

Dividend yield

 

5.10%4.70%

Expected life (years)

 

5.005.78

Exercise price

 

USD 0.00001

The risk-free rate of interest is based on the yield to maturity of China government bonds with a maturity period close to the expected termof US Treasury Strip Bond as of the options.valuation date. The expected volatility of the underlying ordinary shares during the life of the options was estimated based on the historical share price volatility of comparable companies over a period comparable to the expected term of the options. The dividend yield was estimated by the Group based on its expected dividend policy over the expected term of the options. The Group did not have sufficient historical share option exercise experience, it estimated the expected term average based on a consideration of factors including contractual term and vesting period. The closing market price of the ordinary shares of the Company as of the grant date was used as the fair value of the ordinary shares on that date.

A summary of option activity during period from January 1, 20212023 to December 31, 2021 is2023 was as follows:

Weighted 

 

 

Weighted 

 

Average 

 

Number of 

 

Average 

 

Remaining

Aggregate 

    

Options

    

Exercise Price

    

Contract Life

    

Intrinsic Value

 

USD

 

Years

 

RMB

Options outstanding at January 1, 2021

 

7,611,387

 

0.00001

 

6.20

 

292,734

Options granted in 2021

 

2,400

 

0.00001

 

9.64

 

175

Options converted in 2021

10,264,366

0.00001

8.89

749,915

Options forfeited in 2021

(348,236)

0.00001

5.84

(25,442)

Options exercised in 2021

 

(4,584,580)

 

0.00001

 

4.94

 

(334,949)

Options outstanding at December 31, 2021

 

12,945,337

 

0.00001

 

8.03

 

945,786

Options exercisable at December 31, 2021

 

4,051,903

 

0.00001

 

7.01

 

296,032

Options vested or expected to be vested at December 31, 2021

 

12,945,337

 

0.00001

 

8.03

 

945,786

Weighted 

Weighted

 

 

Weighted 

 

Average 

 

Average

Number of 

 

Average 

 

Remaining

Aggregate 

Grant-date

    

Options

    

Exercise Price

    

Contract Life

    

Intrinsic Value

    

Fair value

 

USD

 

Years

RMB

 

RMB

Options outstanding at December 31, 2022

 

10,164,931

0.00001

7.34

736,653

42.51

Options granted in 2023

47,300

0.00001

9.15

2,656

54.93

Options exercised in 2023

 

(2,210,001)

 

0.00001

 

6.56

(124,114)

 

41.16

Options forfeited in 2023

(94,400)

0.00001

6.82

(5,302)

41.01

Options outstanding at December 31, 2023

 

7,907,830

 

0.00001

 

6.29

444,104

 

42.98

Options exercisable at December 31, 2023

 

2,953,360

 

0.00001

 

5.89

226,345

 

44.93

Options vested or expected to be vested at December 31, 2023

 

7,907,830

 

0.00001

 

6.29

444,104

 

42.98

For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, the Company recognized share-based compensation expense related to share options of RMB90,812, RMB108,526 and RMB123,981, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, the total fair values of options vested on their respective vesting dates were RMB206,174, RMB136,955 and RMB157,879, respectively The aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised and converted during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023 was RMB414,966, RMB145,549 and RMB124,114 respectively. Total outstanding options not yet exercisable as of December 31, 2023 includes 3,846,510 which will become exercisable based solely on fulfilling a service condition and 30,960 for which an additional performance condition must be met to become exercisable. As of December 31, 2021,2023, there was RMB 288,945RMB84,039 of unrecognized compensation cost related to share options that are expected to be recognized over a weighted-average vesting period of 1.430.49 years.

F-47F-48

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH,QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

12.          13.SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION - continued

Share incentive plan - continued

Restricted Shares

A summary of the restricted shares for the year ended December 31, 20212023 was stated below:

Weighted-Average

Weighted-Average

Number of

Grant-Date

Number of

Grant-Date

    

Restricted Shares

    

Fair Value

    

Restricted Shares

    

Fair Value

Outstanding at January 1, 2021

16,321,820

40.07

Outstanding at December 31, 2022

3,155,594

56.99

Granted

 

3,102,418

68.45

 

579,240

51.43

Converted

(10,264,366)

40.84

Vested

 

(1,089,684)

55.41

Forfeited

 

(749,794)

38.39

 

(659,182)

61.91

Vested

 

(1,448,632)

37.06

Outstanding at December 31, 2021

 

6,961,446

52.38

Outstanding at December 31, 2023

 

1,985,968

54.62

The restricted shares granted shall vest in accordance with contractual schedules over a period from three to fivefour years. In 2022 and 2023, the Company granted 388,900 and 579,240 restricted shares to its employees with the contractual life of 10 years, which contains contractual schedules within four years and vesting condition related to the grantee’s individual performance. The fair value of the restricted shares was determined by the closing sales price of the shares on the grant date, adjusted by the present value of expected dividends to be paid during the vesting period. The weighted-average grant-date fair value per restricted share was RMB68.45, RMB42.73 and RMB 51.43 for the year ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively. The total fair value of the restricted shares vested was RMB53,686, RMB63,974 and RMB60,376 for the years ended December 31, 2021, was RMB 53,680.2022 and 2023. For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, the Company recognized share-based compensation expense related to restricted shares of RMB163,110, RMB91,211 and RMB61,622, respectively. Total outstanding restricted shares as of December 31, 2023 includes 1,112,196 which will become exercisable based solely on fulfilling a service condition and 873,772 for which an addtional performance condition must be met to become exercisable. As of December 31, 2021,2023, there was RMB 312,247RMB81,313 of unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted shares that are expected to be recognized over a weighted-average vesting period of 1.581.35 years.

The Company recognizes the compensation costs on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award, which is generally the vesting period. Total share-based compensation expense of share-based awards granted to employees and directors was as follows:

Year ended,

    

Year ended,

    

Year ended,

    

Year ended,

    

Year ended,

December 31, 2020

December 31, 2021

December 31, 2021

December 31, 2022

December 31, 2023

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

Facilitation, origination and servicing expenses

72,192

 

75,209

75,209

73,945

 

75,152

Sales and marketing expenses

8,164

 

12,340

12,340

4,328

 

(375)

General and administrative expenses

220,805

 

166,373

166,373

121,464

 

110,827

Total

301,161

 

253,922

253,922

199,737

 

185,604

F-48F-49

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH,QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

13.         14.ORDINARY SHARES

5,000,000,000 shares was authorized at par value of USD 0.00001USD0.00001 per share. The ordinary shares include Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares. Each Class A ordinary share is entitled to one vote and each Class B ordinary share is entitled to twenty votes on all matters that are subject to shareholder vote. All classes of ordinary shares are entitled to the same dividend right. Class B ordinary shares could be converted into Class A ordinary shares, at the option of the holders, on one-for-one basis. All Class B ordinary shares are beneficially owned by Mr. Zhou, the Chairman of the Company.

As of December 31, 2020, there were 304,453,780 ordinary shares outstanding, with par value of $0.00001 per share, consisting of 264,633,194 Class A ordinary shares and 39,820,586 Class B ordinary shares. As of December 31, 2021, there were 310,486,975 ordinary shares outstanding, with par value of $0.00001USD0.00001 per share, consisting of 270,666,389 Class A ordinary shares and 39,820,586 Class B ordinary shares.

On November 29, 2022, the Company completed its global offering of 5,540,000 Class A ordinary shares, which comprises a Hong Kong public offering of initially 560,000 Class A ordinary shares and an international offering of initially 4,980,000 Class A ordinary shares, and listing of the Company’s Class A ordinary shares on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the “Hong Kong Stock Exchange”). On December 6, 2022, the Company sell another 830,000 Class A ordinary shares under the over-allotment option to international underwriters.

Upon the completion of the secondary listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, all the class B ordinary shares were converted into class A ordinary shares on a one-for-one basis. As a result, no class B ordinary shares of the Company was issued or outstanding. As of December 31, 2022, there were 322,792,063 ordinary shares outstanding, with par value of USD0.00001 per share.

In August 2021,June 2023, the Company announced that its board of directors of the Company hashad approved a share repurchase program wherebyplan, under which the Company is authorized tomay repurchase up to US$200150 million worth of its American depositary shares or Class A ordinary shares in the form of American depositary shares over the next twelve-month period. 12 months starting from June 20, 2023 (the “2023 Share Repurchase Plan”). From the launch of the share repurchase plan to December 31, 2023, the Company in aggregate purchased 10,872,170 ordinary shares in the open market at an aggregate cost of RMB636,179. The repurchased shares were recorded at their historical cost and 3,961,160 ordinary shares were retired in 2023, resulting a decrease of RMB221,390 in additional paid-in capital and RMB30,152 in retained earnings.

The Company’s proposed repurchases may be made from time to time in the open market at prevailing market prices, in privately negotiated transactions, in block trades and/or through other legally permissible means, depending on market conditions and in accordance with applicable rules and regulations. The Company expects to fund the repurchase out of its existing cash balance. As of December 31, 2021, the Company did not repurchase any share.

14.         15.STATUTORY RESERVES AND RESTRICTED NET ASSETS

In accordance with the PRC laws and regulations, the PRC entities of the Group are required to make appropriation to certain statutory reserves, namely general reserve, industry specific reserve, enterprise expansion reserve, and staff welfare and bonus reserve, all of which are appropriated from net profit as reported in their PRC statutory accounts. The PRC entities of the Group are required to appropriate at least 10% of their after-tax profits to the general reserve until such reserve has reached 50% of their respective registered capital.

Appropriations to the enterprise expansion reserve and the staff welfare and bonus reserve are to be made at the discretion of the board of directors of the PRC entities of the Group. There are 0no appropriations to these reserves by the PRC entities of the Group for the years ended December 31, 20202022 and 2021.2023.

As a result of PRC laws and regulations and the requirement that distributions by the PRC entities of the Group can only be paid out of distributable profits computed in accordance with the PRC GAAP, the PRC entities of the Group restricted from transferring a portion of their net assets to the Group. Amounts restricted include paid-in capital, capital reserve and statutory reserves of the PRC entities of the Group. As of December 31, 20202022 and 2021,2023, the aggregated amounts of paid-in capital, capital reserve and statutory reserves represented the amount of net assets of the relevant entity in the Group not available for distribution amounted to RMB 2,740,408RMB14,436,140 and RMB 8,283,560,RMB16,233,665, respectively (including the statutory reserve fund of RMB 125,389RMB218,082 and RMB 168,541RMB583,287 as of December 31, 20202022 and 2021,2023, respectively).

F-49F-50

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH,QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

15.         16.DIVIDENDS

Quarterly Dividend Policy

On November 15, 2021, the Boardboard of Directorsdirectors of the Company approved a quarterly cash dividend policy. Under the policy, the Company will declare and distribute a recurring cash dividend every fiscal quarter, starting from the third fiscal quarter of 2021, at an amount equivalent to approximately 15% to 20% of the Company’s net income after tax for such quarter. The determination to make dividend distributions and the exact amount of such distributions in any particular quarter will be based upon the Company’s operations and financial conditions, and other relevant factors, and subject to adjustment and determination by the board of directors.

Semi-Annual Dividend Policy

On May 18, 2023, the board of directors of the Company approved the adoption of a semi-annual cash dividend policy (the “New Dividend Policy”) to replace previous quarter cash dividend policy. Under the New Dividend Policy, the Company will declare and distribute a recurring cash dividend semi-annually, starting from the first half of 2023, at an amount equivalent to approximately 20% to 30% of the Company’s net income after tax for the previous six-month period. The determination to make dividend distributions and the exact amount of such distributions in any particular six-month period will be based upon the Company’s operations and financial conditions, and other relevant factors, and subject to adjustment and determination by the board of directors. In light of the adoption of the New Dividend Policy, no quarterly dividend was declared by the Board for the first fiscal quarter of Directors2023.

In 2022, the board of directors of the Company has approved a dividend of US$0.14 per ordinary share, or US$0.28 per ADS,dividends for the thirdfourth fiscal quarter of 2021 and for the first three quarters of 2022 in accordance with the Company’s dividend policy which is paid on January 18, 2022 to shareholderswith the total amount of record asRMB862,995. In 2023, the board of directors of the closeCompany has approved dividends for the fourth quarter of business on December 15, 2021.2022 and for the first half of 2023 in accordance with the Company’s dividend policy with the total amount of RMB761,552.

16.         17.LEASE

Operating lease as lessee

The Group enters into operating leases primarily for general office space. The Group’s leases typically have original terms not exceeding 5 years. These leases have remaining lease terms of 1 year to 3 years, some of which include options to extend the leases for up to 5 years, and some of which include options to terminate the leases within 1 year.

Lease costs are included in general and administrative expenses. Operating lease expenses were RMB 20,139, RMB 28,999RMB51,608, RMB63,667 and RMB 51,608RMB61,034 for the years ended December 31, 2019, 20202021, 2022 and 2021,2023, respectively, includedincluding amortization expenses of land use rights of NaN, NaNRMB17,270, RMB20,723 and RMB 17,270RMB20,724 for the years ended December 31, 2019, 20202021, 2022 and 2021,2023, respectively. Under ASC 842, land use rights agreements are also considered as operating lease contracts. See Note 6 for separate disclosures related to land use right.rights.

Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows:

    

Year ended,

    

Year ended,

December 31, 2020

December 31, 2021

RMB

RMB

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:

 

  

 

  

Operating cash flows from operating leases

30,536

33,252

Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:

 

 

Operating leases

36,236

25,349

    

Year ended,

    

Year ended,

December 31, 2022

December 31, 2023

RMB

RMB

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:

 

  

 

  

Operating cash flows from operating leases

42,488

40,107

Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:

 

 

Operating leases

56,031

23,959

F-50F-51

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH,QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

16.         17.LEASE - continued

Operating lease as lessee – continued

The following table shows ROU assets(“Right of Use assets”) and lease liabilities as of December 31, 20202022 and 20212023 (except lease term and discount rate):

    

Year ended,

    

Year ended,

    

Year ended,

    

Year ended,

December 31, 2020

December 31, 2021

December 31, 2022

December 31, 2023

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

Right-of-use assets

 

48,990

 

42,606

 

55,471

 

45,393

Operating lease liabilities-current

28,528

25,779

30,704

29,143

Operating lease liabilities-non current

 

14,974

 

13,177

 

21,664

 

11,853

    

Year ended,

    

Year ended,

    

Year ended,

    

Year ended,

December 31, 2020

December 31, 2021

December 31, 2022

December 31, 2023

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB

Weighted-average remaining lease term

 

1.69

 

2.09

 

1.95

 

1.60

Weighted-average discount rate

 

6.16

%

6.22

%

 

4.65

%

4.06

%

The maturities of operating lease liabilities as of December 31, 20202022 and 20212023 are as follows:

Year ended,

Year ended,

December 31, 2020

December 31, 2022

    

RMB

    

RMB

2021

32,255

2022

 

13,582

2023

 

710

 

31,212

2024

 

 

19,841

2025 and thereafter

2025

 

3,306

2026 and thereafter

Total undiscounted lease payments

46,547

54,359

Imputed interest

(3,045)

(1,991)

Total lease liabilities

 

43,502

 

52,368

The maturities of operating lease liabilities as of December 31, 2020 and 2021 are as follows: - continued

Year ended,

Year ended,

December 31, 2021

December 31, 2023

    

RMB

    

RMB

2022

28,203

2023

 

7,034

2024

 

3,550

29,671

2025

 

382

 

12,164

2026 and thereafter

2026

 

353

2027 and thereafter

Total undiscounted lease payments

39,169

42,188

Imputed interest

(213)

(1,192)

Total lease liabilities

 

38,956

 

40,996

F-51F-52

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH,QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

17.          18.COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Contingencies

Historically the Group has provided guarantees to certain funding partners through a subsidiary that does not hold a financing guarantee license. In October 2019, The China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission, promulgated a new regulation pursuant to which this structure, may not deemed appropriate. The Group has ceased the business in 2020, and for existing loans, the Group will execute the contract until the expiration of the loans. The new regulation is silent with respect to any grace period that may be permitted to undertake the restructuring. Management has concluded, with the advice of the Group’s legal counsel, that it is not reasonably possible to estimate any potential financial exposure the group may have as a result of operating the business during this intermediate time period, due to the substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of the relevant laws and regulations. As of December 31, 2021, the outstanding loan balance under this guarantee model amounted to RMB 0.51 billion, constituting 0.36% of total outstanding loan balance facilitated by the Group (excluding loans delinquent for more than 180 days).

In July 2020 and in February 2021, the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission (“CBIRC”)CBIRC promulgated two regulations stating that regional banks that carry out internet lending business shall mainly serve local customers, and are not allowed to conduct the internet lending business beyond the local administrative area of their registered place, except those who have no physical business branch, conducting business primarily online as well as meeting the other conditions prescribed by the CBIRC. A significant amount ofThe Company has changed its distribution strategy so that only local borrowers would be matched to regional banks for new loans facilitated by the Company are funded by regional banks.starting from January 1, 2022. The Company believed that, as advised by its PRC legal counsel, given the lack of exact definition regarding the regional banks in the existing laws and regulations, there are uncertainties as to how the regulation will be interpreted and implemented, therefore the impact to the Company’s current business operations cannot be reasonably estimated.

In September 2021, the People’s Bank of China (“PBOC”) issued a new regulation stating that organizations that engage in credit investigationreporting business should obtain the credit reporting business license and comply with its other provisions within an 18 month18-month grace period from its effectiveness date of January 1, 2022. Given that there remain uncertainties in the interpretation and implementation of the rule does not specify the legitimacy of existing data analytics or precision marketing service providers in the financial service industry,as advised by its PRC legal counsel, the Company has concluded, as advised by its external legal counsel, that it is not reasonably possible to estimate its impact on the Company’s current business operations for credit assessment on borrowers and the potential penalties incurred by the Company thereof.

The Company and its certain current and former officers and directors are named as defendants in a putative securities class action brought by investors who purchased the Company’s securities between April 30, 2020 and July 8, 2021 and who allegedly suffered damages as a result of alleged misstatements and omissions in the Company’s public disclosure documents in connection with its compliance and data collection practices. On January 14, 2022, Lead Plaintiff filed an Amended Complaint. On March 16, 2022, the Company filed a motion to dismiss the Amended Complaint. Given the case is in its preliminary stage, the Company has concluded, as advised by its external legal counsel, that the outcome of the case and the potential loss cannot be reasonably estimated.

Commitments

As of December 31, 2021,2023, the Group has certain capital commitments that primarily related to commitments for construction of the regional headquarters and the affiliated industrial park. The total capital commitments contracted but not yet reflectedagreed in the financial statements waspurchase contract for land use rightswas to invest not less than RMB500 million (US$78.5 million)and RMB204 million has been invested and reflected as construction in progress under “Property and equipment, net” in the financial statements as of December 31, 2021.2023. All of thesethe remaining capital commitments will be fulfilled in the future according to the construction progress.

19.NET INCOME PER SHARE

Basic and diluted net income per share for each of the periods presented were calculated as follows:

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

2021

2022

2023

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

RMB

Numerator:

 

  

 

  

Net income attributable to shareholders of the Company

5,781,725

4,024,173

4,285,336

Denominator:

 

 

 

Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding used in computing basic income per ordinary share

 

307,265,600

 

312,589,273

 

320,749,805

Plus: incremental weighted average ordinary shares from assumed exercise of stock options and restricted shares using the treasury stock method

 

14,132,153

 

9,429,237

 

7,759,140

Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding used in computing diluted income per ordinary share

 

321,397,753

 

322,018,510

 

328,508,945

Basic net income per share

 

18.82

 

12.87

 

13.36

Diluted net income per share

 

17.99

 

12.50

 

13.04

For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022, no options or restricted shares were excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per share due to the anti-dilutive effect. For the year ended December 31, 2023, 370,590 options or restricted shares were excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per share due to the anti-dilutive effect.

F-52F-53

Table of Contents

360 DIGITECH,QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)

except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)

18. NET INCOME PER SHARE

Basic and diluted net income per share for each of the periods presented were calculated as follows:

20.

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

2019

2020

2021

    

RMB

    

RMB

    

RMB

Numerator:

 

  

 

  

Net income attributable to shareholders of the Company

2,501,595

3,496,606

5,781,725

Denominator:

 

 

 

Weighted average Class A and Class B ordinary shares outstanding used in computing basic income per ordinary share

 

288,827,604

 

298,222,207

 

307,265,600

Plus: incremental weighted average ordinary shares from assumed exercise of stock options and restricted shares using the treasury stock method

 

12,110,866

 

8,442,892

 

14,132,153

Weighted average Class A and Class B ordinary shares outstanding used in computing diluted income per ordinary share

 

300,938,470

 

306,665,099

 

321,397,753

Basic net income per share

 

8.66

 

11.72

 

18.82

Diluted net income per share

 

8.31

 

11.40

 

17.99

For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, 0 options or RSUs were excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS due to the anti-dilutive effect.

19.         SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On March 10, 2022,12, 2024, the Boardboard of Directorsdirectors of the Company (the “Board”) has approved a dividend of US$0.130.29 per Class A ordinary share, or US$0.260.58 per ADS for the fourth fiscal quartersecond half of 2021 in accordance with the Company’s dividend policy, which is expected2023 to be paid on May 13, 2022 to shareholdersholders of record of Class A ordinary shares and ADSs as of the close of business on April 6, 2022.15, 2024 Hong Kong Time and New York Time, respectively, in accordance with the Company’s dividend policy.

On March 12, 2024, the Board re-affirmed the Company’s existing semi-annual cash dividend policy, which was previously approved by the Board on May 18, 2023.

On March 12, 2024, the Board approved a new share repurchase plan, under which the Company may repurchase up to US$350 million worth of its American depositary shares or Class A ordinary shares over the next 12 months starting from April 1, 2024.

F-53F-54

360 DIGITECH,QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE I

The following Schedule I has been provided pursuant to the requirements of Rules 12-04(a) and 5-04(c) of Regulation S-X, which require condensed financial information as to the financial position, changes in financial position and results of operations of a parent company as of the same dates and for the same periods for which audited consolidated financial statements have been presented as the restricted net assets of the Company’s PRC subsidiaries and VIEs which may not be transferred to the Company in the forms of loans, advances or cash dividends without the consent of PRC government authorities as of December 31, 2021,2023, was more than 25% of the Company’s consolidated net assets as of December 31, 2021.2023.

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”))

    

2020

    

2021

    

2021

    

2022

    

2023

    

2023

RMB

RMB

USD

RMB

RMB

USD

(Note 2)

(Note 2)

ASSETS

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Cash and cash equivalents

 

19,560

 

7,117

 

1,117

 

464,323

 

2,636

 

371

Amount due from related parties

 

 

10,134

 

1,590

Prepaid expenses and other assets

6,325

16,202

2,282

Amount due from subsidiaries and VIEs

 

1,632,772

 

1,711,633

 

268,593

 

295,180

 

 

Investments in subsidiaries and VIEs

7,940,533

 

14,032,928

 

2,202,071

18,275,772

 

21,933,951

 

3,089,332

TOTAL ASSETS

 

9,592,865

 

15,761,812

 

2,473,371

 

19,041,600

 

21,952,789

 

3,091,985

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

2,751

 

310,373

 

48,704

 

194,444

 

1,153

 

163

Amount due to subsidiaries

27,973

Short term loans

81,563

247,576

38,850

Amount due to a subsidiary

14,153

1,993

TOTAL LIABILITIES

 

112,287

 

557,949

 

87,554

 

194,444

 

15,306

 

2,156

EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ordinary shares ($0.00001 par value per share 5,000,000,000 shares authorized, 309,833,035 shares issued and 304,453,780 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2020, and 315,433,018 shares issued and 310,486,975 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2021, respectively)

 

21

 

22

 

3

Ordinary shares (USD0.00001 par value per share 5,000,000,000 shares authorized, 325,591,776 shares issued and 322,792,063 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2022 and 326,552,504 shares issued and 315,226,128 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2023, respectively)

 

22

 

22

 

3

Treasury stock

(384,637)

(54,175)

Additional paid-in capital

 

5,417,406

 

5,672,267

 

890,102

 

6,095,225

 

6,059,439

 

853,454

Retained earnings

 

4,137,542

 

9,642,506

 

1,513,120

 

12,803,684

 

16,297,316

 

2,295,429

Other comprehensive loss

 

(74,391)

 

(110,932)

 

(17,408)

 

(51,775)

 

(34,657)

 

(4,882)

TOTAL EQUITY

 

9,480,578

 

15,203,863

 

2,385,817

 

18,847,156

 

21,937,483

 

3,089,829

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 

9,592,865

 

15,761,812

 

2,473,371

 

19,041,600

 

21,952,789

 

3,091,985

F-54F-55

360 DIGITECH,QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE I

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”))

 

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

 

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

    

2019

    

2020

    

2021

    

2021

    

2021

    

2022

    

2023

    

2023

RMB

RMB

RMB

USD

RMB

RMB

RMB

USD

(Note 2)

(Note 2)

Operating costs and expenses

 

(12,922)

(16,453)

 

(51,233)

 

(8,040)

 

(51,233)

(17,288)

 

(25,517)

 

(3,594)

Interest income (loss)

712

(2,349)

(5,383)

(845)

Interest (expense) income, net

(5,383)

(16,258)

17,316

2,439

Foreign exchange losses

 

(491)

(376)

 

(133)

 

(21)

 

(133)

(8,173)

 

(574)

 

(81)

Other income, net

453

15,148

7,674

29,311

4,128

Net loss before taxes and income from equity in subsidiaries and VIEs

(12,248)

(4,030)

(56,749)

(8,906)

(56,749)

(34,045)

20,536

2,892

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries and VIEs

 

2,513,843

3,500,636

 

5,838,474

 

916,183

 

5,838,474

4,058,218

 

4,264,800

 

600,686

Net income before taxes

 

2,501,595

3,496,606

 

5,781,725

 

907,277

 

5,781,725

4,024,173

 

4,285,336

 

603,578

Income tax expenses

Net income attributable to shareholders of the Company

 

2,501,595

3,496,606

 

5,781,725

 

907,277

 

5,781,725

4,024,173

 

4,285,336

 

603,578

Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders of the Company

2,501,595

3,496,606

5,781,725

907,277

5,781,725

4,024,173

4,285,336

603,578

F-55F-56

360 DIGITECH,QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE I

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME OR LOSS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”))

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

 

December 31, 

 

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

 

December 31, 

 

December 31, 

December 31, 

December 31, 

    

2019

    

2020

    

2021

    

2021

    

2021

    

2022

    

2023

    

2023

 

RMB

 

RMB

RMB

 

USD

 

RMB

 

RMB

RMB

 

USD

 

(Note 2)

 

(Note 2)

Net income attributable to shareholders of the Company

 

2,501,595

3,496,606

5,781,725

 

907,277

 

5,781,725

4,024,173

4,285,336

 

603,578

Other comprehensive income, net of tax of NaN:

 

 

Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax of nil:

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

21,223

(99,297)

(36,541)

 

(5,734)

 

(36,541)

59,157

17,118

 

2,411

Other comprehensive income (loss)

21,223

(99,297)

(36,541)

(5,734)

Other comprehensive (loss) income

(36,541)

59,157

17,118

2,411

Total comprehensive income

 

2,522,818

3,397,309

5,745,184

 

901,543

 

5,745,184

4,083,330

4,302,454

 

605,989

Comprehensive income attributable to ordinary shareholders

2,522,818

3,397,309

5,745,184

901,543

5,745,184

4,083,330

4,302,454

605,989

F-56F-57

360 DIGITECH,QIFU TECHNOLOGY, INC.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE I

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”))

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

Year ended

 

December 31, 

 

December 31, 

December 31, 

 

December 31, 

 

December 31, 

 

December 31, 

December 31, 

 

December 31, 

    

2019

    

2020

    

2021

    

2021

    

2021

    

2022

    

2023

    

2023

 

RMB

 

RMB

RMB

 

USD

 

RMB

 

RMB

RMB

 

USD

(Note 2)

(Note 2)

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

 

  

 

  

  

 

  

 

  

  

Net income attributable to shareholders of the Company

 

2,501,595

3,496,606

5,781,725

907,277

 

5,781,725

4,024,173

4,285,336

603,578

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:

 

  

  

  

 

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries and VIEs

 

(2,513,843)

(3,500,636)

(5,838,474)

(916,183)

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries and VIEs, net of dividends

 

(5,838,474)

(4,058,218)

(3,474,800)

(489,417)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

 

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

(3,070)

(2,625)

31,197

4,896

 

31,197

(31,896)

2,282

321

Amounts due from subsidiaries and VIEs

 

(276,960)

(65,801)

Net cash used in operating activities

 

(292,278)

(72,456)

(25,552)

(4,010)

Prepaid expenses and other assets

 

(6,325)

(17,667)

(2,488)

Amounts due from related parties

 

10,134

Interest receivable/payable

1,320

186

Fair value change of foreign exchange options

 

(4,704)

4,527

638

Net Cash (used in) provided by Operating Activities

 

(25,552)

(66,836)

800,998

112,818

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

 

 

Investments in subsidiaries

 

(35,652)

Loans payment to subsidiaries and VIEs

(153,778)

(24,131)

Net cash used in Investing Activities

 

(35,652)

(153,778)

(24,131)

Repayment of loans provided to subsidiaries and VIEs

 

185,204

2,672,543

378,148

53,261

Loans provided to subsidiaries and VIEs

(338,982)

(1,091,928)

(71,706)

(10,100)

Purchase of foreign exchange options

(14,549)

Proceeds from disposal of short-term investments

17,890

216,301

30,465

Purchase of short-term investments

(203,361)

(28,643)

Net Cash (used in) provided by Investing Activities

 

(153,778)

1,583,956

319,382

44,983

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

 

 

Payment of IPO costs

 

(3,080)

Proceeds from issuance of ordinary share upon Secondary Listing

 

254,916

Payment of Secondary Listing costs

 

(3,137)

(16,023)

(2,257)

Dividends to shareholders

(988,586)

(941,705)

(132,636)

Repayments of short-term loans

(492,952)

Proceeds from short-term loans

 

86,305

169,291

26,565

 

169,291

190,179

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

 

(3,080)

86,305

169,291

26,565

Stock repurchase

(636,179)

(89,604)

Net Cash provided by (used in) Financing Activities

 

169,291

(1,039,580)

(1,593,907)

(224,497)

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes

 

1,761

(1,194)

(2,404)

(376)

 

(2,404)

(20,334)

11,840

1,668

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

(329,249)

12,655

(12,443)

(1,952)

 

(12,443)

457,206

(461,687)

(65,028)

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of year

 

336,154

6,905

19,560

3,069

 

19,560

7,117

464,323

65,399

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of year

 

6,905

19,560

7,117

1,117

 

7,117

464,323

2,636

371

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

Payables for dividends:

    

    

    

276,991

    

43,466

Payables for dividends:

    

276,991

    

177,518

    

    

Payables for capitalized issuance costs

15,454

Notes to condensed financial statements

1.The condensed financial statements of 360 DigiTech,Qifu Technology, Inc. have been prepared using the same accounting policies as set out in the consolidated financial statementsFinancial Statements except that the equity method has been used to account for investments in subsidiaries and VIEs. Such investment in subsidiaries and VIEs are presented on the balance sheets as interests in subsidiaries and VIEs and the profit of the subsidiaries and VIEs is presented as equity in earnings of subsidiaries and VIEs on the statement of operations.
2.As of December 31, 2019, 20202021, 2022 and 2021,2023, there were no material contingencies, significant provisions of long-term obligations of the Company, except for those which have been separately disclosed in the consolidated financial statements.Financial Statements.
3.Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted. The footnote disclosure certain supplemental information relating to the operations of the Company and, as such, these statements should be read in conjunction with the notes to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.

F-57F-58