Third Quarter 2019 Financial Results
Operating revenues for the third quarter of 2019 increased by 35.0% to RMB1,512.4 million (US$211.6 million) from RMB1,120.4 million in the same period of 2018, primarily due to the increase in loan facilitation service fees, post-facilitation service fees and net interest income from loans invested mainly through trusts.
Loan facilitation service fees increased by 26.3% to RMB893.6 million (US$125.0 million) for the third quarter of 2019 from RMB707.7 million in the same period of 2018, primarily due to the increase in loan origination volume.
Post-facilitation service fees increased by 25.3% to RMB300.7 million (US$42.1 million) for the third quarter of 2019 from RMB239.9 million in the same period of 2018, primarily due to the increase in loan origination volume and the rolling impact of deferred transaction fees.
Net interest income and loan provision losses were an income of RMB264.9 million (US$37.1 million) for the third quarter of 2019, compared to an income of RMB16.1 million in the same period of 2018, primarily due to increased interest income from the expansion in the outstanding loan balances of consolidated trusts.
Other revenue decreased by 52.5% to RMB53.2 million (US$7.4 million) for the third quarter of 2019 from RMB112.1 million in the same period of 2018, primarily due to a decrease in management fees from investment programs that invest in loans protected by the quality assurance fund.
Origination and servicing expenses increased by 46.8% to RMB332.1 million (US$46.5 million) for the third quarter of 2019 from RMB226.2 million in the same period of 2018, primarily due to an increase in fees paid to third party providers for loan collection services and an increase in salaries and benefits.
Sales and marketing expenses increased by 24.2% to RMB229.2 million (US$32.1 million) for the third quarter of 2019 from RMB184.5 million in the same period of 2018, primarily due to the increase in online customer acquisition expenses.
General and administrative expenses increased by 24.2% to RMB124.8 million (US$17.5 million) for the third quarter of 2019 from RMB100.5 million in the same period of 2018, primarily due to an increase in fees paid to third parties for trust management. General and administrative expenses for the period included share-based compensation of RMB8.9 million (US$1.2 million).
Research and development expenses increased by 31.7% to RMB108.2 million (US$15.1 million) for the third quarter of 2019 from RMB82.1 million in the same period of 2018, primarily due to increased investments in technology.
Provision for doubtful accounts was RMB69.2 million (US$9.7 million) for the third quarter of 2019, compared with RMB36.4 million in the same period of 2018 due to the increase in loan origination volume.