SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form 10-K

 

 

☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017

 

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from _______ to _______

 

Commission file number: 001-36055

 

 

China Commercial Credit, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Delaware		45-4077653
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
No.1 Zhongying Commercial Plaza, Zhong Ying Road, Wujiang, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China		215200
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

 

Issuer’s telephone number: +86 512 63960022

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class		Name of exchange on which registered
Common stock, par value $.001		Nasdaq Capital Market

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐ No ☒

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☒

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files) Yes ☒ No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. Yes ☒ No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer	☐	Accelerated filer	☐
Non-accelerated filer	☐ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	Smaller reporting company	☒
		Emerging growth company	☒

 

If an emerging growth company, 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. ☒

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

 

As of June 30, 2017, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, the aggregate market value of the common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $57.68 million based on the closing price of $3.2031 for the registrant’s common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Capital Market.

 

As of April 11, 2018, there were 20,250,915 shares of the Company’s common stock issued and outstanding.

 

 

 

China Commercial Credit, Inc.

 

Annual Report on Form 10-K

 

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2017

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements		ii
PART I
Item 1.	Description of Business	1
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	23
Item 1B.	Unresolved Staff Comments	42
Item 2.	Description of Property	42
Item 3.	Legal Proceedings	43
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosure	44
PART II
Item 5.	Market for Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters	45
Item 6.	Selected Financial Data	47
Item 7.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	47
Item 7A.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	59
Item 8.	Financial Statements	59
Item 9.	Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure	59
Item 9A.	Controls and Procedures	59
Item 9B.	Other Information	60
PART III
Item 10.	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance	61
Item 11.	Executive Compensation	64
Item 12.	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters	67
Item 13.	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence	67
Item 14.	Principal Accountant Fees and Services	68
PART IV
Item 15.	Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules	69

 

 

All references to “we,” “us,” “our,” “CCC,” “Company,” “Registrant” or similar terms used in this report refer to China Commercial Credit, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“CCC”), including its consolidated subsidiaries and variable interest entities (“VIE”), unless the context otherwise indicates. We conduct our business through three operating entities, Wujiang Luxiang Rural Microcredit Co., Ltd., a PRC company with limited liability by stock   (“Wujiang Luxiang”), which is a VIE controlled by Wujiang Luxiang Information Technology Consulting Co., Ltd (“WFOE”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of ours, through a series of contractual arrangements, and Pride Financial Leasing (Suzhou) Co. Ltd (“PFL”), our wholly-owned indirect   subsidiary.

 

“PRC” or “China” refers to the People’s Republic of China, excluding, for the purpose of this report, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau. “RMB” or “Renminbi” refers to the legal currency of China and “$”, “US$” or “U.S. Dollars” refers to the legal currency of the United States.

 

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

The information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K includes some statements that are not purely historical and that are “forward-looking statements.” Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our company and our management’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future, including our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipates,” “believes,” “continue,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plans,” “possible,” “potential,” “predicts,” “projects,” “seeks,” “should,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions, or the negatives of such terms, may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking.

 

The forward-looking statements contained herein are based on current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and the potential effects on us. Future developments actually affecting us may not be those anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Examples are statements regarding future developments with respect to the following:

 

●	Our ability to improve internal controls and procedures;
●	Our ability to develop and market our microcredit lending and guarantee business in the future;
●	Our ability to collect from default borrowers;
●	Our ability to make timely adjustment to ensure adequate loan loss and financial guarantee provisions;
●	Inflation and fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates;
●	Our on-going ability to obtain all mandatory and voluntary government and other industry certifications, approvals, and/or licenses to conduct our business;
●	Development of a liquid trading market for our securities; and
●	Our plan to regain compliance with NASDAQ continue listing requirement

 

You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. The events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements may not be achieved or occur. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Moreover, neither we nor any other person assume responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason after the date of this report to conform these statements to actual results or to changes in our expectations.

 

We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements. The Company assumes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements for any reason, except as required by law.

 

 

PART I

 

Item 1.

Description of Business.

 

General

 

China Commercial Credit, Inc., is a financial services firm operating in China. Our mission is to fill the significant void in the market place by offering lending, financial guarantee and financial leasing products and services to a target market which has been significantly under-served by the traditional Chinese financial community. Our current operations consist of providing direct loans, loan guarantees and financial leasing services to small-to-medium sized businesses (“SMEs”), farmers and individuals in the city of Wujiang, Jiangsu Province.

 

Our loan and loan guarantee business is conducted through Wujiang Luxiang, a fully licensed microcredit company which we control through our subsidiaries and certain contractual arrangements. Our financial leasing business is conducted through PFL, our wholly owned subsidiary. Historically, many SMEs and farmers have been borrowing at high interest rates from unregulated and often illegal lenders, referred to as “underground” lenders, to finance their operations and growth, contrary to the preferences of Chinese banking authorities. Such high interest rate borrowing makes it difficult for businesses to grow, and also exacerbates China’s concerns about inflation. By operating through licensed and regulated businesses, we seek to bridge the gap between Chinese state-owned and commercial banks that have not traditionally served the capital needs of SMEs and higher interest rate “underground” lenders.

 

Jiangsu, which is an eastern coastal province, has among the highest population density in China and is home to many of the world’s leading exporters of electronic equipment, chemicals and textiles. As a result, the city of Wujiang ranks as one of the most economically successful cities in China. The SMEs, both in Jiangsu and other provinces in China, have historically been an under-served segment of the Chinese banking market.

 

Since Wujiang Luxiang’s inception in October 2008, it has developed a large number of borrowers in Wujiang City. All of our loans are made from our sole office, located in Wujiang City. As of December 31, 2017, we have built a $40.7 million portfolio of direct loans to 71 borrowers and a total of $11.6 million in loan guarantees for 14 borrowers.

 

During 2016 and 2017, the microcredit companies in Wujiang area went through the most difficult time since their inceptions in 2008. Twelve of fourteen microcredit companies in the Wujiang area went bankrupt while the remainder are struggling with high default rates due to the poor economic condition, especially the slow-down in the textile industry. The operations of Wujiang Luxiang were also affected. For the year ended December 31, 2017, we had a loss of $5,486,667 and a net loss of $10,699,740 compared to a revenue of $2,246,807 and net loss of $2,580,136 in 2016, a change of 344% and an increase of 315%, respectively. As a result of the deteriorating economic condition, we experienced a substantial increase in the amount of default loans in both our direct lending and guarantee business. The amount of underlying loans we guaranteed has been increased by 6.7% to $11.6 million as of December 31, 2017 compared to $10.9 million as of December 31, 2016. As the rate of fees and commissions generated from the guarantee business has been decreasing, the Company decided that the revenue does not justify the default risks involved in the guarantee business, and therefore expects to further reduce the traditional guarantee business and hold off on pursuing the guarantee business to be provided via the Kaixindai Financing Services Jiangsu Co. Ltd (“Kaixindai”) platform as previously planned. Management may actively resume the guarantee business in the future if economic conditions improve.

 

Our financial leasing services were previously expected to be provided to a diverse base of customers, including textile and other manufacturing companies, railroads, port facilities, local bus, and rail companies and municipal governments. Customers will include existing clients of Wujiang Luxiang in addition to new clients. PFL, our wholly owned subsidiary, planned to provide leases on both new and used manufacturing equipment, medical devices, transportation vehicles and industrial equipment, purchased both domestically and from foreign suppliers, to meet its customer’s needs. In 2015, PFL entered into two financial leasing agreements for an aggregate of $5.61 million in lease receivables. We do not currently have further funds to deploy in the financial leasing business and plan to hold off expansion of the leasing business until otherwise determined by the management based on the economic environment and other considerations.

 

On August 9, 2017, CCC entered into a share exchange agreement (the “Exchange Agreement”) with Sorghum Investment Holdings Ltd. (“Sorghum”). Pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Agreement, CCC would have acquired 100% of Sorghum through issuance of 152,587,000 of its common share. On December 29, 2017, CCC received a notice from Sorghum that the Exchange Agreement was terminated based on Sorghum’s allegation that the Company’s filing of the Current Report on Form 8-K on December 27, 2017 constituted a breach of the Exchange Agreement. CCC filed an arbitration demand with the American Arbitration Association against Sorghum in connection with Sorghum’s own breaches of the Exchange Agreement. The Company and Sorghum’s counsels are currently having initial conferences with the arbitrator. For more information refer to Item 3—Legal Proceedings.

 

 

Recent Development 

On February 28, 2018, the Company received a letter (the “Notification Letter”) from The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) notifying the Company that it is not in compliance with the minimum Market Value of Listed Securities (MVLS) requirement set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(2) for continued listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market. Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(2) requires listed securities to maintain a minimum MVLS of $35 million. Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(C) provides that a failure to meet a minimum MVLS exists if the deficiency continues for a period of 30 consecutive business days. Based upon Nasdaq’s review of the Company’s MVLS for the last 30 consecutive business days, the Company no longer meets the minimum MVLS requirement. The Nasdaq staff noted the Company also does not meet the requirements under Listing Rules 5550(b)(1) and 5550(b)(3). The Notification Letter does not impact the Company’s listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market at this time. In accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(C), the Company has been provided 180 calendar days, or until August 27, 2018, to regain compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(2). The Company has been evaluating options available to regain compliance.

On April 11, 2018, the Company closed a private placement to two non-affiliated individual investors in China for a gross proceeds of approximately US$500,000 at a per share price of US$0.77. The Company issued 649,350 shares of common stock. The net proceeds of the sale of the shares shall be used by the Company for working capital and general corporate purpose.  

 

On November 22, 2016, the Company entered into a Stipulation and Agreement of Settlement (the “Stipulation”) to settle the Securities Class Action. The Stipulation resolves the claims asserted against the Company and certain of its current and former officers and directors in the Securities Class Action without any admission or concession of wrongdoing or liability by the Company or the other defendants. The Stipulation resolved the claims asserted against the Company and certain of its current and former officers and directors in the Securities Class Action without any admission or concession of wrongdoing or liability by the Company or the other defendants. The Stipulation also provides, among other things, a settlement payment by the Company of $245,000 in cash and the issuance of 950,000 shares of its common stock (the “Settlement Shares”) to the plaintiff’s counsel and class members. The terms of the Stipulation were subject to approval by the Court following notice to all class members. The issuance of the Settlement Shares are exempt from registration pursuant to Section 3(a)(10) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. A fairness hearing was held on May 30, 2017, and the Court approved the settlement.

 

On June 1, 2017, following a final fairness hearing on May 30, 2017 regarding the proposed settlement, the Court entered a final judgment and order that: (i) dismisses with prejudice the claims asserted in the Securities Class Action against all named defendants in connection with the Securities Class Action, including the Company, and releases any claims that were or could have been asserted that arise from or relate to the facts alleged in the Securities Class Action, such that every member of the settlement class will be barred from asserting such claims in the future; and (ii) approves the payment of $245,000 in cash and the issuance of 950,000 shares of its common stock to members of the settlement class.  

 

On July 28, 2017, the Court amended the order that 1) Attorney’s Fees, Litigation Expenses, and Incentive Awards be paid out of the Settlement Fund; and 2) Levi & Korsinsky be awarded attorney’s fees in the amount of $55,000 in cash and 237,500 shares (Plaintiff Attorney Fee Shares). Thus, cash to be paid to the class shall be $190,000 (“Class Settlement Cash”) and shares to be issued to the class shall be 712,500 (“Class Settlement Shares”). 

 

On December 22, 2017, the Court entered a distribution order approving the distribution of the Settlement Stock to the class plaintiffs. The $245,000 cash portion of the settlement has been paid in full. The 712,500 Class Settlement Shares were issued on or about January 19, 2018. The settlement has been finalized, and that thereafter there are no remaining claims outstanding as against the Company with respect to this litigation. On April 10, 2018, the 237,500 of plaintiff attorney fee shares were issued to plaintiff’s attorney’s broker account.

 

As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company had no information regarding the shareholder list and share allocation to these shareholders.  

 

On December 1, 2017, the Company has entered into a securities purchase agreement with Mr. Yang Jie, a significant shareholder and Vice President of Finance of the Company and Mr. Long Yi, the Chief Financial Officer of the Company to sell 150,000 and 50,000 common shares, respectively, at a per share price of US$3.5, in the total amount of US$525,000 and US$175,000, respectively. As of the date of this report, the Company issued 50,000 shares of common stocks and related warrants to Mr. Long Yi with 150,000 shares of common stocks and related warrants unissued to Mr. Yang Jie. 

 

Going Concern 

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business are dependent on, among other things, the Company’s ability to operate profitably, to generate cash flows from operations, and to pursue financing arrangements to support its working capital requirements. 

 

The following includes conditions give rise to substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year from the financial statement issuance date and management’s plans to mitigate these adverse conditions:

 

1)

Limited funds necessary to maintain operations

 

The Company had an accumulated deficit of US$81,534,396 as of December 31, 2017. In addition, the Company had a negative net asset of US$5,272,461 as of December 31, 2017.  As of December 31, 2017, the Company had cash of US$2,498,194 and total liabilities other than accrual for financial guarantee services of $ 3,166,863. Caused by the limited funds, the management assessed that the Company was not able to keep the size of lending business within one year from the financial statement issuance date. 

 

The Company is actively seeking other strategic partners with experience in lending business.

 

 

2)

Recurring operating loss

 

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company incurred operating loss of US$10,699,740. Affected by the reduction of lending business and guarantee business and increased loss loans, the management was in the opinion that recurring operating losses would be made continue within one year from the financial statement issuance date. 

The Company continues to use its best effort to improve collection of loan receivable and interest receivable. Management engaged two PRC law firms to represent the Company in the legal proceedings against the borrowers and their counter guarantors.  

3)

Negative operating cash flow

 

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company incurred negative operating cash flow of US$1,184,630. Affected by significant balance of charged-off interest receivable, the management assessed the Company would continue to have negative operating cash flow within one year from the financial statement issuance date.

The Company continues to reduce the redundant headcount and entered into a new office lease with lower rent commitment since January 1, 2017 to improve operating cash flow.

 

4)

Downward industry

 

Most loan customers are from textile industry which has been facing downward pressure. Additionally adversely affected by emergence of internet finance entities, the Company was facing fierce competition. Considering the high risks from both customers and competitors, management assessed the Company would further reduced the loan business.

The Company is actively seeking other strategic partners with experience in lending business.

 

●

Financial Support

 

The Company has been actively seeking strategic investors with experience in lending business as well as financial investors. Management also invested in the Company during 2017.

 

On May 11, 2017 and June 21, 2017, the Company closed two private placements to third-party individual investors who purchased 60,000 and 625,000 shares of common stock, respectively, at a per share price of US$1.0 and US$0.8, for a total gross proceeds of US$60,000 and US$500,000, respectively. The net proceeds of the sale of the shares were used by the Company for working capital and general corporate purpose.

 

On September 29, 2017, the Company closed two private placements to two individual investors who purchased 552,486 shares of common stock at a per share price of US$1.81 with total gross proceeds of amount of US$1,000,000. One of the investors was the then Vice President of Finance of the Company. The net proceeds of the sale of the shares were used by the Company for working capital and general corporate purpose, payment of the transactional expenses related to the acquisition of all the outstanding issued shares of Sorghum Investment Holding Limited (“Sorghum”) from certain shareholders of Sorghum, and payments related to the securities class action and derivative action.

 

In December 2017, the Company sold an aggregate 200,000 registered shares of common stock at a purchase price of $3.50 per share to Long Yi, the Chief Financial Officer of the Company and Yang Jie, the then  VP of Finance of the Company pursuant to certain securities purchase agreement dated December 1, 2017. In connection with the purchase, Mr. Yi and Mr. Jie also receive warrants to purchase up to the number of shares of the Company’s common stock equal to 80,000 shares of common stock pursuant to the securities purchase agreement. The warrants have an exercise price of $4.20 per share. The warrants became exercisable on the date of issuance and shall expire five years from the date of issuance. The gross proceeds to the Company of approximately $700,000 and should be used for working capital and general corporate purpose. 

 

 

The Company plans to continue to seek financial as well as strategic investors for additional financing to regain compliance of the NASDAQ continued listing requirement.

 

On April 11, 2018, the Company closed a private placement to two individual investor in China for a gross proceeds of US$500,000 at a per share price of US$0.77. The net proceeds of the sale of the shares shall be used by the Company for working capital and general corporate purpose.

 

●

Plan to acquire new business or assets

 

Although we have continued to use our best effort to improve our collection of loan receivable and interest receivable by engaging local law firms in China, it has been very difficult for us to collect from the borrowers. As such, the Company has been actively seeking strategic acquisition of business or assets to improve our liquidity. Since the termination of the Exchange Agreement with Sorghum in last December, we have evaluated a few potential acquisition targets. As of now, the Company plans to acquire certain second-hand luxury cars dealership business assets or other appropriate business deemed to be appropriate by the board of directors. As of the date of this Annual Report, the Company has not entered into any letter of intent or definitive agreement for such acquisition and there can be no assurance that we will be able to locate any target or negotiate definitive agreements.

 

Though management had plans to mitigate the conditions or events that raise substantial doubt, there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year from the financial statements issuance date, as there is no assurance that the liquidity plan will be successfully implemented. Failure to successfully implement the plan will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial position, and will materially adversely affect its ability to continue as a going concern.

 

Emerging Growth Company Status

 

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, (the “JOBS Act”) and we are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting and financial disclosure requirements that are applicable to other public companies, that are not emerging growth companies, including, but not limited to, (1) presenting only two years of audited financial statements and only two years of related management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations in our initial public offering, (2) not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), (3) reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and (4) exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. We intend to take advantage of these exemptions. As a result, stockholders may have less information then they might otherwise have.

 

In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), for complying with new or revised accounting standards. As a result, an emerging growth company can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We elected to opt out of such extended transition period and acknowledge such election is irrevocable pursuant to Section 107 of the JOBS Act.

 

We could remain an emerging growth company for up to five years, or until the earliest of (1) the last day of the first fiscal year in which our annual gross revenues exceed $1.07 billion, (2) the date that we become a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act, which would occur if the market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter and we have been publicly reporting for at least 12 months, or (3) the date on which we have issued more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt during the preceding three-year period.

 

Corporate Structure

 

China Commercial Credit, Inc. is a holding company that was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware on December 19, 2011. The Company, through its indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, Wujiang Luxiang Information Technology Consulting Co. Ltd. (“WFOE”), a limited liability company formed under the laws of the PRC on September 26, 2012, controls Wujiang Luxiang, a company established under the laws of the PRC on October 21, 2008, through a series of contractual arrangements. CCC International Investment Ltd. (“CCC BVI”), a company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands (“BVI”) on August 21, 2012, is wholly owned by the Company. CCC BVI wholly owns CCC International Investment Holding Ltd. (“CCC HK”), a company incorporated under the laws of the Hong Kong S.A.R. of the PRC on September 4, 2012. WFOE is wholly owned by CCC HK. On September 5, 2013, CCC HK incorporated PFL a wholly owned subsidiary, to start our financial leasing business.

 

 

On April 11, 2015, WFOE delivered a notice of termination to Pride Information Technology Co. Ltd. (“Pride Online”), a domestic entity established on February 19, 2014 and 100% owned by Huichun Qin, a former officer and director of the Company, to terminate the VIE agreements by and among the parties. The Company entered into the VIE agreements with Pride Online in order to provide WFOE absolute control over the economic interest in Pride Online. As a result of the termination notice, the contractual arrangements by and among the Company, Mr. Qin and Pride Online terminated as of May 11, 2015 and WFOE no longer controls Pride Online.

 

The following diagram illustrates our corporate structure as of the date of this Annual Report:

 

 

 

(1) Pursuant to a series of contractual arrangements, WFOE effectively controls and manages the business activities of Wujiang Luxiang.

 

Contractual Arrangements between WFOE and Wujiang Luxiang

 

There are no PRC state, provincial or local laws, rules and regulations prohibiting or restricting direct foreign equity ownership in companies engaged in rural microcredit business. However, the provincial authorities regulate microcredit companies through strict licensing requirements and approval procedures. Direct controlling foreign ownership in a for-profit microcredit company has never been approved by competent Jiangsu government authorities. Based on the current position taken by the competent Jiangsu government authorities, direct foreign controlling ownership of a for-profit rural microcredit company will not be approved in the foreseeable future.

 

 

As such, neither we nor our subsidiaries own any equity interest in Wujiang Luxiang. Instead, we control and receive the economic benefits of Wujiang Luxiang’s business operation through a series of contractual arrangements. WFOE, Wujiang Luxiang and its shareholders entered into a series of contractual arrangements, also known as VIE Agreements, on September 26, 2012. The VIE Agreements are designed to provide WFOE with the power, rights and obligations equivalent in all material respects to those it would possess as the sole equity holder of Wujiang Luxiang, including absolute control rights and the rights to the assets, property and revenue of Wujiang Luxiang. Based on a legal opinion issued by Dacheng Law Offices to WFOE, the VIE Agreements constitute valid and binding obligations of the parties to such agreements, and are enforceable and valid in accordance with the laws of the PRC.

 

Each of the VIE Agreements is described in detail below:

 

Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement

 

Pursuant to the Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement between Wujiang Luxiang and WFOE, WFOE provides Wujiang Luxiang with technical support, consulting services and other management services relating to its day-to-day business operations and management, on an exclusive basis, utilizing its advantages in technology, human resources, and information. Additionally, Wujiang Luxiang granted an irrevocable and exclusive option to WFOE to purchase from Wujiang Luxiang, any or all of Wujiang Luxiang’s assets at the lowest purchase price permitted under the PRC laws. WFOE may exercise, at its sole discretion, the option to purchase equity interests of Wujiang Luxiang from all the 12 equity holders of Wujiang Luxiang (the “Wujiang Shareholders”) permitted by PRC laws. Should WFOE exercise such option, the parties shall enter into a separate asset transfer or similar agreement. For services rendered to Wujiang Luxiang by WFOE under this agreement, WFOE is entitled to collect a service fee calculated based on the time of services rendered multiplied by the corresponding rate, the plus amount of the services fees or ratio decided by the board of directors of WFOE based on the value of services rendered by WFOE and the actual income of Wujiang Luxiang from time to time, which is approximately equal to the net income of Wujiang Luxiang.

 

The Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement shall remain in effect for ten years unless it is terminated by WFOE with 30-day prior notice. Wujiang Luxiang does not have the right to terminate the agreement unilaterally. WFOE may unilaterally extend the term of this agreement with prior written notice.

 

The sole director and president of WFOE, Mr. Ling, is currently managing Wujiang Luxiang pursuant to the terms of the Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement. WFOE has absolute authority relating to the management of Wujiang Luxiang, including but not limited to decisions with regard to expenses, salary raises and bonuses, hiring, firing and other operational functions. The Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement does not prohibit related party transactions. The audit committee of CCC is required to review and approve in advance any related party transactions, including transactions involving WFOE or Wujiang Luxiang.

 

Share Pledge Agreement

 

Under the Share Pledge Agreement between the Wujiang Shareholders and WFOE, the Wujiang Shareholders pledged all of their equity interests in Wujiang Luxiang to WFOE to guarantee the performance of Wujiang Luxiang’s obligations under the Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, in the event that Wujiang Luxiang or its shareholders breach their respective contractual obligations under the Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement, WFOE, as pledgee, will be entitled to certain rights, including, but not limited to, the right to collect dividends generated by the pledged equity interests. The Wujiang Shareholders also agreed that upon occurrence of any event of default, as set forth in the Share Pledge Agreement, WFOE is entitled to dispose of the pledged equity interest in accordance with applicable PRC laws. The Wujiang Shareholders further agree not to dispose of the pledged equity interests or take any actions that would prejudice WFOE’s interest.

 

The Share Pledge Agreement shall be effective until all payments due under the Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement have been paid by Wujiang Luxiang. WFOE shall cancel or terminate the Share Pledge Agreement upon Wujiang Luxiang’s full payment of fees payable under the Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement.

 

 

Exclusive Option Agreement

 

Under the Exclusive Option Agreement, the Wujiang Shareholders irrevocably granted WFOE (or its designee) an exclusive option to purchase, to the extent permitted under PRC law, once or at multiple times, at any time, part or all of their equity interests in Wujiang Luxiang. The option price is equal to the capital paid in by the Wujiang Shareholders subject to any appraisal or restrictions required by applicable PRC laws and regulations. As of the date of this report, if WFOE exercised such option, the total option price that would be paid to all of the Wujiang Shareholders would be $51.2 million, which is the aggregate registered capital of Wujiang Luxiang. The option purchase price shall increase in the event that the Wujiang Shareholders make additional capital contributions to Wujiang Luxiang, including when the registered capital is increased upon Wujiang Luxiang receiving the proceeds from our initial public offering.

 

The agreement remains effective for a term of ten years and may be renewed at WFOE’s election.

 

Power of Attorney

 

Under the Power of Attorney, the Wujiang Shareholders authorize WFOE to act on their behalf as their exclusive agent and attorney with respect to all rights as shareholders, including but not limited to: (a) attending shareholders’ meetings; (b) exercising all the shareholder’s rights, including voting, that shareholders are entitled to under the laws of China and the Articles of Association of Wujiang Luxiang, including but not limited to the sale or transfer or pledge or disposition of shares in part or in whole; and (c) designating and appointing on behalf of shareholders the legal representative, the executive director, supervisor, the chief executive officer and other senior management members of Wujiang Luxiang.

 

Although it is not explicitly stipulated in the Power of Attorney, the term of the Power of Attorney shall be the same as the term of that of the Exclusive Option Agreement.

 

This Power of Attorney is coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable and continuously valid from the date of execution of this Power of Attorney, so long as the Wujiang Shareholder is a shareholder of Company.

 

Timely Reporting Agreement

 

To ensure Wujiang Luxiang promptly provides all of the information that WFOE and the Company need to file various reports with the SEC, a Timely Reporting Agreement was entered between Wujiang Luxiang and the Company.

 

Under the Timely Reporting Agreement, Wujiang Luxiang agrees that it is obligated to make its officers and directors available to the Company and promptly provide all information required by the Company so that the Company can file all necessary SEC and other regulatory reports as required.

 

Although it is not explicitly stipulated in the Timely Reporting Agreement, the parties agreed its term shall be the same as that of the Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement.

 

Our Business

 

General

 

We have three business lines, lending, guarantee and financial leasing.

 

For our lending and guarantee services, we generally provide direct loans and guarantee services, to borrowers located within City of Wujiang, Jiangsu Province of China. In our direct loan business, we provide short-term loans to the borrowers and generate interest income. In our guarantee business, we act as a guarantor to borrowers applying for short-term direct loans with other lenders and generate fee income. Our clients in both the direct loan and guarantee businesses are primarily SMEs, farmers and individuals who generally use the proceeds of the loans for business related purposes. We are not dependent on any one borrower in either our direct loan or guarantee business.

 

We fund our lending and guarantee operations by using our registered capital and using cash generated from our operations. As of December 31, 2017, we had repaid all outstanding bank loans and had US$nil balance of short-term loans. Currently there is $4.5 million (RMB 29 million) available under the line of credit. This line of credit was granted to Wujiang Luxiang since its inception in 2008 as a provincial government’s measure to support rural microcredit company’s operations. The total line of credit decreased from RMB 150 million to RMB 100 million during 2014 due to PBOC’s tightened monetary policy. Interest rates under this line of credit vary, but have been no more than 110% of the PBOC benchmark interest rate (the “PBOC Rate”).

 

 

On September 5, 2013, we formed PFL to start our financial leasing business. PFL is licensed by SAIC to provide leasing services in all of the Chinese provinces. PFL offers financial leases on machinery and equipment, public transportation vehicles, and medical devices to municipal government agencies, public transportation agencies, hospitals and SMEs in Jiangsu Province and other provinces. As of December 31, 2017, PFL incurred two finance lease transactions with total lease receivables of $5.61 million according to lease agreements.

 

Our Services

 

Direct Loans

 

We provide direct loans to borrowers with terms not exceeding one year. During 2017 and 2016 the average principal loan amount we provided was approximately $577,825 and $527,234, respectively. The interest rate we charge on a specific direct loan depends on a number of factors, including the type of borrower and whether the loan is secured or unsecured. We also take into account the quality of the collateral or guarantee given and the term of the loan.

 

Interest on our loans is usually payable monthly and averaged 10% and 12.68% for our direct loan portfolio for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Under certain Jiangsu banking regulations, since August 2012, we are allowed to charge an interest rate within the range of 0.9 time and 3 times PBOC Rate. As of December 31, 2017, the PBOC Rate was set at 4.75% per annum for one-year term loans and 4.35% for six-month term loans. During the fiscal year ended 2017 and 2016, the average interest rate we charged to SMEs was three times the PBOC Rate or 13.39% for one-year term loans and 11.61% for six-month term loans.

 

We offer both secured and unsecured direct loans. As of December 31, 2017, there were 71 direct loans outstanding, with a total aggregate outstanding balance of approximately $40.7 million and interest rates ranging from 9.6% to 19.44% and original terms of the loans ranging from 1 month to 12 months, none of which were unsecured loans. The following table sets forth a summary of our direct loan portfolio as of December 31, 2016 and 2017:

 

		Total Outstanding Balance as of 12/31/2016				Percentage of the Total Loan Portfolio as of 12/31/2016				Total Outstanding Balance as of 12/31/2017				Percentage of the Total Loan Portfolio as of 12/31/2017
Guarantee-backed loans			55,461,801				94.8	%			39,826,845				97.9	%
Collateral-backed loans			3,061,180				5.2	%			851,469				2.1	%
Total:			58,522,981				100	%			40,678,314				100	%

 

All our loans are secured. We offer three types of secured loans:

 

●	loans guaranteed by a third party, referred to in China as “guarantee-backed loans;”
●	loans secured by real property, referred to in China as “collateral-backed loans;” and

 

Guarantee-backed loans

 

In the case of guarantee-backed loans, the third party guarantor and the borrower are jointly and severally liable for the repayment of the loan. The third party guarantor, whether being an individual or legal entity, must be creditworthy. We do not require any asset from the borrower as collateral for such guarantee-backed loans.

 

Collateral-backed loans

 

In the case of collateral-backed loans, the borrowers provide land use rights or building ownership as collateral for the loan.

 

For loans secured by land use rights, the principal amount we grant is no more than 50-70% of the value of the land use rights. The percentage varies depending on the liquidity of the land use rights. For loans secured by building ownership, the principal amount we grant can be up to 100% of the value of the building. We engage independent appraisal firms to determine the value of the land use rights or the building.

 

 

Prior to funding a direct loan secured by land use rights or building ownership, we register our security interest in the collateral with the appropriate government authority. In the event the borrower defaults, we take legal actions including legal proceedings against the default borrower and enforcement action resulting in the court’s sale of the asset through an auction.

  

Guarantee Services

 

For a fee, we also provide guarantees to third party lenders on behalf of borrowers applying for loans with such other lenders. Our guarantee is a commitment by us to repay the loan to the lender if the borrower defaults. We, as the third party guarantor, are jointly and severally liable with the borrower for the repayment of the full amount of the loan.

 

In order for us to agree to act as a guarantor, a borrower must provide a counter-guarantor to us or acceptable collateral to the third party lender such as land use rights, building ownership, or a negotiable instrument. In addition, the borrower must deposit cash with us in an amount equal to the amount we are required to deposit with the third party lender which is usually 10% to 20% of the principal amount of the loan. If the borrower defaults and we pay the lender on the borrower’s behalf, we will first recover from the cash deposit the borrower provided us and then demand the counter-guarantor make payment to us or recover the payment from the sale proceeds of the collateral asset.

 

In exchange for our guarantee, the borrowers pay us guarantee fees. We charge a per annum guarantee fee ranging from 1.56% to 1.80% of the principal amount of the underlying loan. The guarantee fees are payable in full when the guarantee is made. The criteria in determining the guarantee fee paid by the borrower are summarized in the following table:

 

Types of Security Interest		New Client		Previous or Existing Client
Land Use Rights or Building Ownership		1.68% of the principal amount of the underlying loan multiplied by the number of years of the guarantee		1.56% of the principal amount of the underlying loan multiplied by the number of years of the guarantee
Counter-Guarantor		1.80 % of the principal amount of the underlying loan multiplied by the number of years of the guarantee		1.62 % of the principal amount of the underlying loan multiplied by the number of years of the guarantee

 

In addition to the fee income, we earn interest on the refundable cash deposits provided to us by the borrowers. Such cash deposits are required to be made to our bank account when we approve the guarantee application. After the expiration of the guarantee term, such cash deposits, without interest, will be refunded to the borrower once we receive a notice from the third party lender confirming termination of our guarantee obligation.

 

As of December 31, 2017, we have provided guarantees for a total of $11.6 million underlying loans to approximately 14 borrowers.

 

Due to impact of foreign exchange rates converting Renminbi yuan to US Dollar, the amount of underlying loans we guaranteed has been induced by 6.7% as of December 31, 2017 compared to as of December 31, 2016. As the rate of fees and commissions generated from the guarantee business has been decreasing, the Company has decided that the revenue does not justify the default risks involved, and therefore expects to further reduce the traditional guarantee business and hold off on pursuing the guarantee business to be provided via the Kaixindai platform as previously planned. Management may actively resume the guarantee business in the future if economic conditions improve.

 

Financial Leasing Services

 

On September 5, 2013, we formed PFL, a wholly owned subsidiary, to start our financial leasing business. PFL is licensed by SAIC to provide leasing services in all of the Chinese provinces. PFL plans to offer financial leases on machinery and equipment, public transportation vehicles, and medical devices to municipal government agencies, public transportation agencies, hospitals and SMEs in Jiangsu Province and other provinces. As of the date of this annual report, PFL entered into two financial leasing agreements for an aggregate of $5.61 million in loan receivables. We do not currently have further funds to deploy in the financial leasing business.

 

 

We had used substantially all of the net proceeds from the follow-on public offering closed in May 2014 to increase the registered capital of PFL and corresponding financing leasing capacity. Currently, PFL is approved to have a registered capital of $50 million. We were required to contribute 15% of the $50 million by December 4, 2013. In 2014, we orally obtained an extension from the relevant government authority to delay the initial contribution without any monetary penalty. In October 2014, approximately $5.7 million (RMB 30.7 million) of the net proceeds raised in our follow-on public offering closed in May 2014 was transferred to PFL to increase its registered capital.

 

Due to the short history of China’s financial leasing industry, there are certain gaps in relevant PRC law. There is no nation-wide uniform equipment title registration process and system in China and each municipality adopts different procedures. As such, our ownership interest on the leased property may be threatened. In addition, there is no guidance on the reserve requirement for financial leasing companies. Based on the past experience and expected customer default status of financial leasing services, the Company estimates the probable loss for financial leasing services to be approximately 100% of outstanding balance as of December 31, 2017. We believe such reserve should be sufficient to cover potential financial leasing loss of PFL’s operations. We may adjust these rates as we roll out our operations.

 

Loan/Guarantee Application, Review and Approval Process

 

We have a standard process with regard to how a loan or guarantee application is reviewed, processed and approved. The same process applies to both applications for direct loans and for guarantees.

 

The application process starts with an inquiry from potential borrowers to our Loan Officer. The Loan Officer has the discretion whether to accept the inquirer as an applicant. If accepted, the Loan Officer assists in the preparation of an application package and implements a field visit of the applicant.

 

The application package usually includes the following items in order for it to be considered:

 

●	Summary of the desired loan/guaranty: general description of the borrower, use of proceeds, amount, term of the loan, guarantee, collateral or counter-guarantee to be provided.
●	Identity information: if the borrower is a legal entity, we require articles of incorporation, business license, state and local tax registration certificates, copies of the personal identification cards of all the shareholders and the legal representative; if the borrower is an individual, we require copies of personal identification cards of all the borrowers.
●	Banking relationship documents: including loan application with banks or other lenders, permission to open bank accounts, and credit record.
●	Financial reports such as prior three years’ financial statements, interim financial reports, and recent tax returns.
●	Business operation documents including samples of sales contracts or customer contracts, and utility bills over the past few months.
●	Consents: if the borrower is an entity, board or shareholder consent for the loan.

 

 

The flow chart below summarizes the loan/guarantee application, review and approval process.

 

 

The reviews during steps 1, 2, 3 and 4 are deemed Level One review. The Loan Review Committee’s review is deemed Level Two review. The General Manager’s final review is the Level Three review. Typically it takes one to two weeks to complete our review.

 

Loan Extension and Renewal

 

In our direct loan business, if a borrower has difficulty repaying the principal amount and/or accrued interest in full at the maturity date due to a temporary situation, the borrower may choose to either apply for an extension of the term or a renewal of the loan. The extension or renewal applications are reviewed in accordance with the same loan application, review and approval process outlined above. In our guarantee business, we generally do not extend the guarantee period.

 

 

Loan Extension

 

We will generally approve loan extensions for borrowers who have made timely interest payments, are capable of paying the balance and have loans secured by sufficient collateral or guaranteed by an acceptable guarantor. The term of the loan extensions we grant is generally no longer than the term of the original loan and we only agree to extend a loan one time. If the loan extension application is not approved prior to the original maturity date of the loan, it will be transferred to the collection department and labeled as a default loan. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, extended loans constituted 0.00% and 0.00% of our total outstanding direct loan balance, respectively. During 2017, the Company did not approve any extensions to default customers after considering the payment ability and payment intentions.

 

Loan Renewal

 

Many of our borrowers repay their loans and re-borrow at a later date, being referred to as a “loan renewal”. We consider a renewed loan a new loan, not a loan extension, despite our previous relationship with the borrower. Prior to the maturity date of the loan, the borrower may choose to apply to renew the loan. In order for the loan renewal application to be approved, the borrower must agree to repay the existing loan’s principal amount and accrued interest in full before the renewal application is approved. Although we do not have a specific clean-up period policy, we do require that the period of time between repayment of the existing loan and the funding of the new loan to be 2-10 days. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, renewed loans constituted 2.5% and 0.00% of our total outstanding direct loan balance, respectively. During 2016, we did not approve any loan renewal.

 

Collection Procedure

 

We have standard collection procedures in our direct loan business. We call every borrower approximately 15 days prior to the maturity date to remind them that if we do not receive the repayment in full on the maturity date, we will send a written collection notice within 7 days after the maturity date. The Loan Officer will frequently call and make on-site visits to a borrower upon a loan going into default. Within 90 days after the default, our legal counsel will send warning letters to the default borrower. If the outstanding amount cannot be collected within 180 days after the maturity date and the parties could not reach an agreement on a specific repayment plan, we will initiate legal proceedings in the court.

 

We apply the same collection procedure in our guarantee business. The only difference is that we will collect from both the borrowers (including recovery from the cash deposit the borrowers deposit with us) and the counter-guarantor or pursue recovery from the collateral.

 

We will apply the same collection procedure in our financial leasing business.

 

Description of Our Financial Leasing Business

 

Target Customers

 

PFL plans to serve a diverse base of customers, including textile and other manufacturing companies, railroads, port facilities, local bus and rail companies and municipal governments. Customers will include existing clients of the Company in addition to new clients.

 

(1) Municipal Governments - Municipal governments throughout China have begun to realize the benefits of leasing equipment utilized to manage and run China’s large newly developed infrastructure. PFL believes this is an opportunity for substantial growth of its leasing business, especially as a result of the Company’s strong and long-term relationship with Wujiang and other Jiangsu municipal government agencies.

 

(2) Public Transportation Agencies - PFL plans to lease transportation vehicles to public transportation agencies which would replace existing municipally and regionally owned buses, subway cars, and trains. For example, PFL has been engaged in discussions with a local transportation authority to provide leases for the replacement of existing buses on several city bus routes.

 

 

(3) Hospitals - The Company has existing relationships with several local hospitals that are potential customers to lease medical devices, such as x-ray equipment. Since healthcare and medical technologies are constantly improving, frequently making existing medical technology and equipment obsolete, hospitals and other healthcare facilities are increasingly interested in leasing versus purchasing more modern equipment. The switch from one-time cash purchases to leasing will allow hospitals to preserve more of their working capital for other purposes, such as building upgrades, education and training programs and/or the leasing of additional equipment and devices.

 

(4) SMEs - PFL plans to lease a variety of industrial equipment and machinery to local SMEs in Jiangsu Province and beyond. Potential customers include local manufacturing businesses, mining companies, farmers and individuals. PFL initially targeted the Company’s existing SME lending clients since it has a relationship with these customers and understands their operational and credit history and financing needs.

 

As PFL’s business develops further, we expect to provide leases to customers in other sectors as opportunities arise. PFL, although not required by government mandate, will only lease to businesses that are within the sectors encouraged by the Chinese national industry development and planning policy and environmentally friendly businesses.

 

The two customers whom PFL provided financial leasing to during 2015 are local SMEs in the manufacturing industry. They are existing borrowers in our lending business. They paid off the outstanding principal and interest of their loans before the Company provided the financial leasing to them.

 

Leased Equipment

 

PFL plans to provide leases on both new and used manufacturing equipment, medical devices, transportation vehicles and industrial equipment, purchased both domestically and from foreign suppliers to meet its customer’s needs. PFL may attempt to import technologically advanced transportation vehicles, engines, other vehicular components, industrial equipment and machinery identified by its lessees. PFL anticipates its potential customers will have strong demand for imported technologically advanced equipment and machinery and expects to lease these to its customers at a significant premium due to the real and perceived technical and superior performance and durability characteristics of these imported products.

 

PFL leased manufacturing equipment to the two current customers.

 

Lease Underwriting

 

PFL underwrites the leases via a 3-step process:

 

(1) A potential customer applies to PFL for a lease on certain equipment that the customer has already identified from a seller;

 

(2) PFL performs a detailed legal and credit analysis to determine the potential customer’s creditworthiness and ability to make the lease payments; and

 

(3) If the application is approved, PFL will purchase the asset from the seller, take ownership of such asset, and then lease it to the customer/lessee. Sometimes PFL will require a third party guarantor, who must be pre-approved by PFL, who will guaranty the monthly payment obligations of the lessee.

 

The underwriting process takes approximately 2 weeks.

 

Lease Terms

 

The terms and conditions of the lease will generally include following:

 

(1) A lease term ranging between 3 and 10 years.

 

(2) The lessee will be required to pay 30% of the purchase price to the seller and PFL will pay 70% of the purchase price (which will be the lease value) to the seller.

 

(3) The lessee will pay a deposit equal to 10% of the lease value to PFL and PFL will finance the remaining 90%.

 

(4) The lessee will pay a one-time servicing fee equal to 1% of the total lease value multiplied by the number of years of the lease (for example, a four-year lease requires a 4% service fee.

 

(5) The lessee will make amortized lease payments consisting of principal and interest (generally at the interest rate of 12%), which will be due monthly or quarterly.

 

 

(6) Lessees must (i) operate the leased equipment and perform minimum maintenance in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions during the entire term of the lease; (ii) insure the equipment against property and casualty loss; and (iii) make all scheduled lease and interest payment regardless of the performance of the equipment.

 

(7) At the end of the lease term, the lessee will have the option to purchase the leased asset for its residual value. We expect to enter into our boiler plate lease contracts with lessees. Pursuant to the terms of these lease agreements, lessee shall either pay RMB 1,000 (approximately $160) to acquire or automatically acquire the title of the leased assets at the end of the lease term. The buy-back purchase price of RMB 1,000 shall be paid along with the last installment of the rent.

 

Collateral and Default Assumptions

 

Some of PFL’s initial target customers are our direct loan customers. We are very familiar with these businesses and individuals and their growth prospects, credit worthiness, management teams, and profitability. We will take advantage of this knowledge and lease to creditworthy customers only, thereby potentially reducing defaults and bad debt expense. When evaluating potential customers with which we do not have a pre-existing relationship, we will utilize our prior experience in the risk assessment of lending clients to timely evaluate a new customer’s creditworthiness.

 

PFL may require a third party guarantor to reduce financial exposure in the event of a default. PFL may choose to work with a third party to assist with the repossession, storage and sale of the leased equipment in the event of lease defaults.

 

Risk Management

 

Credit Risk

 

As a microcredit lender, credit risk is the most significant risk for our business. In our direct loan business, we suffer financial loss when a borrower defaults and full collection cannot be achieved. In our guarantee business, in the event the borrower defaults in its payment obligation and we pay the lender on behalf of the borrower, we suffer financial loss when we cannot recover the full amount of the payment we paid to the lender (after collection from the cash deposit provided by the borrower) from the counter guarantor or the sale proceeds of the collateral. In our financial leasing business, we suffer financial loss when a lessee defaults while we are unable to lease the equipment at the same or better leasing terms in a timely manner.

 

Risk Assessment

 

We apply the same risk assessment approach and procedures for direct lending, guarantee as well as financial leasing activities. We have a dedicated Risk Department which assesses and evaluates the credit risks through in-house research and analysis. We follow the methodology and procedure outlined in our risk assessment guidelines. According to our risk assessment guidelines, the basic principle is that the bench mark ratio multiplied by the financial risk quotient and non-financial risk quotient and the result is the comprehensive risk ratio. The financial risk quotient takes into consideration 16 factors in three categories, i.e. leverage, profitability and growth. The non-financial risk quotient takes into consideration 12 factors in four categories, i.e. industry risk, enterprise risk, management risk and other risks. In summary, our Risk Department assesses the credit risks based on the payment ability of the underlying obligors, transaction structure as well as the industry of borrower and the general economic condition of the market in which we operate.

 

Risk Control

 

In our direct lending business, we assess, monitor and control the credit risks both before and after the loan is extended.

 

As discussed above, we assess the risks through the loan application, review and approval process. Our Risk Department quantifies the risks related to a loan application in a risk assessment report by classifying the loan into one of three categories. A loan with a score of less than 0.35 points is deemed to be a low-risk loan. A loan with a score of between 0.35 and 0.5 points is considered a medium-risk loan. A loan with a score higher than 0.5 points will be classified as a high-risk loan. We have higher requirements for the collateral and require the guarantor to be of higher payment capacity for loans labeled as higher risk.

 

 

After the loan or guarantee application is approved, we continue to monitor the credit risk. Our Loan Officers collect the borrower’s financial statements at the end of each quarter and conduct periodic field trips to the borrower’s facilities to observe its operation, sales, ability to make timely repayments, etc. Based on the Loan Officer’s report, the comprehensive risk ratio of each loan is reviewed on a quarterly basis and adjustments are made to the ratio as necessary, according to the borrower’s operational and financial position and other factors outlined above. We label each outstanding loan as “Good”, “Maintenance” or “Contraction”. For “Good” loans, we may extend further credit. For “Maintenance” loans, we will maintain the current credit level. For “Contraction” loans, we may reduce credit to the borrower.

 

We will apply the same risk control procedure for the financial leasing business.

 

Liquidity Risk

 

Liquidity risk is the risk to a bank’s earnings and capital arising from its inability to timely meet obligations when they come due without incurring unacceptable losses. As a microcredit company, we are prohibited by PRC banking regulations to accept deposits from the public. Our funding sources include our registered capital, draw-down ability from any lines of credit we have with state-owned or commercial banks as well as cash generated from our operations. Liquidity risk in our operation is therefore limited. We monitor the repayment of loans drawn from the line of credit with Agricultural Bank of China, the only line of credit we currently have.

 

Allowance for Loan Loss

 

Reserve for Direct Loan

 

In our direct loan business, we apply two loan loss reserve measurements:

  

●

Measurement 1 - The General Reserve:

 

General reserves are is based on total loan receivable balance and to be used to cover unidentified probable loan loss. The management assessed the General Reserve is required to be no less than 1% of total loan receivable balance..

 

●

Measurement 2 - Special Reserve

 

Special reserves are funds set aside covering losses due to risks related to a particular country, region, industry, company or type of loans. The reserve rate could be decided based on management estimate of loan collectability. The Loan portfolio did not include any loans outside of the PRC.

 

The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level considered adequate to provide for losses that can be reasonably anticipated. Management performs a quarterly evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance. The allowance is based on the Company’s past loan loss history, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, the estimated value of any underlying collateral, composition of the loan portfolio, current economic conditions and other relevant factors. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates that may be susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.

 

The allowance is calculated at portfolio-level since our loans portfolio is typically of smaller balance homogenous loans and is collectively evaluated for impairment. Additionally, the management also reviewed the portfolio on a loan by loan basis and individually evaluated for impairment if any.

 

For the purpose of calculating portfolio-level reserves, we have grouped our loans into two portfolio segments: Corporate and Personal. The allowance consists of the combination of a quantitative assessment component based on statistical models, a retrospective evaluation of actual loss information to loss forecasts, value of collaterals and could include a qualitative component based on management judgment.

 

In estimating the probable loss of the loan portfolio, the Company also considers qualitative factors such as current economic conditions and/or events in specific industries and geographical areas, including unemployment levels, trends in real estate values, peer comparisons, and other pertinent factors such as regulatory guidance. Finally, as appropriate, the Company also considers individual borrower circumstances and the condition and fair value of the loan collateral, if any. 

 

In December 2017, the Company revisited the classification of its loan portfolios within its rating system to test the adequacy of the allowances calculated thereby. As a result of such testing, the Company decided to reclassify certain loans into different categories. The Company reviewed the profile, financial condition and other relevant information and documents of each customer in the lending businesses. For customers with several loans with different due dates, if one loan was past due, the Company decided to reclassify all of this customer’s loans as past due (even the other loans that were not mature yet). For extended loans, the Company re-evaluated the customer’s repayment ability in a more cautions manner and reclassified the loans of customers without very strong financial condition into the past due category. These reclassifications affected numerous customer accounts.

 

 

As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the total outstanding balance of loan receivable was and $40,678,314 and $58,522,981 and the allowance for loan losses was $36,613,393 and $51,708,062, respectively. 

 

Reserve for the Guarantee Services.

 

A provision for possible loss to be absorbed by the Company for the financial guarantee it provides is recorded as an accrued liability when the guarantees are made and recorded as “Accrual for financial guarantee services” on the consolidated balance sheets. This liability represents probable losses and is increased or decreased by accruing a “(Provision)/ Reversal of provision for financial guarantee services” against the income of commissions and fees on guarantee services.

 

This is done throughout the life of the guarantee, as necessary when additional relevant information becomes available. The methodology used to estimate the liability for possible guarantee loss considers the guarantee contract amount and a variety of factors, which include, depending on the counterparty, latest financial position and performance of the borrowers, actual defaults, estimated future defaults, historical loss experience, estimated value of collaterals or guarantees the customers or third parties offered, and other economic conditions such as the economy trend of the area and the country. The estimates are based upon currently available information.

 

In December 2017, the Company revisited the classification of its guarantee portfolios within its rating system to test the adequacy of the allowances calculated thereby. As a result of such testing, the Company decided to reclassify certain guarantees into different categories. The Company reviewed the profile, financial condition and other relevant information and documents of each customer in the guarantee businesses. For customers with several guarantees with different due dates, if one guaranteed loan was past due, the Company decided to reclassify all of this customer’s guaranteed loans as past due (even the other loans that were not mature yet). These reclassifications affected numerous customer accounts. We engaged He-Partners Law Firm, one of the largest law firms in Suzhou City, to represent us in the legal proceedings against the borrowers and their counter guarantors, and expect to collect part of the outstanding balance in a period ranging from six months to one year upon adjudication by the court in favor of the Company. The timing of collection and ultimate amount of funds we can recover depend on a few factors, including the repayment ability of the borrower and their counter-guarantors, the execution time of the court, other obligations the borrowers have and priority over the claim for the Company.

 

As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the total outstanding balance we guaranteed was and $11,627,013 and $10,893,089 and the accrual for financial guarantee services was $9,270,882 and $6,005,608, respectively.

 

Reserve for the Financial Leasing Services

 

A provision for possible loss to be absorbed by the Company for the financial leasing services it provides is recorded as an allowance against investment in direct financing lease. This liability represents probable losses and is increased or decreased by accruing a “Reversal of provision for direct financing lease losses” against the interests and fees on loans and direct financing lease.

 

This is done throughout the life of the financial lease service, as necessary when additional relevant information becomes available. The methodology used to estimate the liability for possible financial lease loss considers the lease contract amount and a variety of factors, which include, depending on the counterparty, latest financial position and performance of the borrowers, actual defaults, estimated future defaults, historical loss experience, estimated value of leased asset, and other economic conditions such as the economy trend of the area and the country. The estimates are based upon currently available information.

 

As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the total outstanding balance we guaranteed was and $2,537,008 and $2,441,663 and the allowance for direct financing lease losses was $2,537,008 and $2,441,663, respectively. 

 

Business Strategy

 

As we anticipate the economic condition will remain challenging in the next 12 months, the Company plans to continue to aggressively collect the default loans and guarantees with all available legal remedies. 

 

 

Although we have continued to use our best effort to improve our collection of loan receivable and interest receivable by engaging local law firms in China, it has been very difficult for us to collect from the borrowers. As such, the Company has been actively seeking strategic acquisition of business or assets to improve our liquidity. Since the termination of the Exchange Agreement with Sorghum in last December, we have evaluated a few potential acquisition targets. As of now, the Company plans to acquire certain second-hand luxury cars dealer dealership business assets or other appropriate business deemed appropriate by the board of directors. As of the date of this Annual Report, the Company has not entered into any letter of intent or definitive agreement for such acquisition and there can be no assurance that we will be able to locate any target or negotiate definitive agreements with them.  

 

Competition for Our Lending and Guarantee Business

 

The number of microcredit companies in China has been decreasing recently. According to data compiled by PBOC and released on its website released on its website, as of December 2017, there were approximately 8,551 microcredit companies in China compared to 8,910 in 2016. In Jiangsu province, there are about 636 microcredit companies with total paid-in capital of $13.90 billion (RMB 89.6 billion) as of December 31, 2017 according to PBOC.

 

Due to the poor economic condition in the Wujiang area, especially the slow-down in the local textile industry, many microcredit companies including most of our competitors went bankrupt since 2015. We believe currently we have only one competitor in the Wujiang region.

 

Competitive Strengths for Our Lending and Guarantee Business  

 

We believe there are several key factors that will continue to differentiate us from other microcredit companies in the city of Wujiang.

 

●

Experienced Management Team. We have a senior management team that has time-tested, hands-on experience with a high degree of market knowledge and a thorough understanding of the lending industry in China. We believe that our management’s significant experience in the lending industry and our efficient underwriting process allow us to more carefully determine to whom to lend to and how to structure the loans.

 

●

Early Entrance and Good Reputation. We are one of the first microcredit companies approved in the city of Wujiang region. We have strong brand recognition among the small borrowers in the city of Wujiang, which we believe should create a steady flow of business from borrowers.

 

Competitive Weakness for Our Lending and Guarantee Business

 

We believe we are at a disadvantage to compete with peer-to-peer platforms and other online lending businesses. We are struggling with keeping with our borrower base in light of the sprouting online lending platforms which offer more diverse loan products with competitive prices. Such online platforms also have more efficient business models. Despite of the recent crackdown of these online platforms and tightened regulatory supervisions, we believe such online lending platforms pose serious threat to us.

  

Applicable Government Regulations

 

Our operations are subject to extensive and complex state, provincial and local laws, rules and regulations including but not limited:

 

●	PRC Company Law and its implementation rules;
●	Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise Law and its implementation rules;
●	Guidance on Microcredit Company Pilot (Yin Jian Fa [2008]23) (the “Circular 23”) issued by the CBRC and the PBOC on May 4, 2008 and effective on May 4, 2008;

 

 

●	Reply to Certain Issues on Microcredit Company Organization Yin Jian Fa [2006] 246 issued by the CBRC on September 20, 2006 and effective on September 20, 2006;
●	Guidance on Great Promotion to Rural Microcredit Business of the Banking Industry (Yin Jian Fa [2007] 67) issued by the CBRC on August 6, 2007 and effective on August 6, 2007;
●	Circular on Implementing the “Accounting Rule for Financial Enterprise” to Microcredit Company (Cai Jin [2008]185) issued by Ministry of Finance on December 24, 2008 and effective on December 24, 2008;
●	Circular on Relevant Policies for Rural Bank, Loan Company, Rural Mutual Cooperative and Microcredit Company (Yin Fa [2008]137) issued by the PBOC and the CBRC on April 24, 2008 and effective on April 24, 2008;
●	Opinions on the pilot work for developing the Rural Microcredit Company (Trial) (Su Zheng Ban Fa [2007]142) (the “Jiangsu Document No. 142”) issued by General Office of Jiangsu Province Government promulgated on November 24, 2007;
●	Opinions on Promoting Fast and Well Development of Rural Microcredit Company (Su Zheng Ban Fa [2009]132) (the “Jiangsu Document No. 132”) issued by General Office of Jiangsu Province Government promulgated on November 28, 2009;

 

●	Implementation Rules on Supervision and Regulation of Rural Microcredit Companies (Su Fu Ban [2010] 288) issued by General Office of Suzhou Government on October 26, 2010 and effective on November 1, 2010;
●	Opinions Regarding Further Pushing Forward the Reform of Rural Microcredit Company (Su Zheng Ban Fa [2011]8) (the “Jiangsu Document No. 8”) issued by General Office of Jiangsu Province Government on January 27, 2011 and effective on January 27, 2011;
●	Interim Measures for the Administration of Financing Guarantee(Yin Jian Hui Ling [2010] 3) issued by the CBRC, National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Ministry of Finance, MOFCOM, PBOC and State Administration for Industry and Commerce on March 8, 2010 and effective on March 8, 2010;
●	Provisional Supervision and Rating System for Rural Microcredit Companies (the “Jiangsu Document No. 53”) issued by Finance Office of Jiangsu Province Government on August 7, 2012;
●	Financial Practices of Rural Microcredit Companies issued by Finance Office of Jiangsu Province Government in 2009 and effective on January 1, 2010;
●	The Guidance on Provisioning for Loan Losses (the “Provision Guidance”) issued by PBOC in 2002 and effective on January 1, 2002;
●	PRC Contract Law, in particular the chapters with regard to lease contracts and financial leasing contracts;
●	Measures for the Administration of Foreign Investment in Leasing Industry issued by the MOFCOM effective on March 5, 2005;
●	Regulations promulgated by the Ministry of Commerce and State Administration of Industry and Commerce with regard to the formation, registered capital and leverage requirement and risk control of financial leasing companies; and
●	Accounting treatment and tax regulations and policy with regard to finance lease transactions.

 

We are supervised by many provincial and local government authorities, including Finance Office of Jiangsu Province Government, CBRC, PBOC, local tax bureaus, local government, local AIC, local Bureau of Finance, local Public Security Bureau and local rural employment department, etc.

 

Establishment

 

Wujiang Luxiang was established on October 21, 2008 pursuant to Circular No. 23, Jiangsu Document No. 142 and Jiangsu Document No. 132 which allowed for the establishment of a new type of financial vehicle that is permitted to lend to small-to-medium sized business, farmers and individuals. PFL was established on September 5, 2013 and is permitted to provide financial leasing services in China.

 

 

Source of Funds

 

Pursuant to the Circular 23, the main sources of funds are capital contributions paid by its shareholders, donated funds, and debt financings from no more than two banking financial institutions. Pursuant to Jiangsu Document No. 132, we believe the amount of debt financings we are allowed to obtain may be up to 100% of our net capital. Pursuant to the Foreign Investment in Leasing Industry Regulations, PFL is permitted to leverage up to 10 times its registered capital to finance its leases.

 

Direct Loans

 

Pursuant to Jiangsu Document No. 8, the maximum amount of our actual liabilities (including bank loans) is limited to 100% of our net capital. Pursuant to Jiangsu Document No. 142 and Circular 23, the aggregate loan balance amount to one borrower cannot exceed 10% of our registered capital and must be less than 5% of our net assets. Pursuant to Jiangsu Document No. 132, the aggregate microcredit loan balances as a percentage of our total outstanding loan balances, must be not less than 70%. The aggregate balances of operational loans of with terms longer than three months, as a percentage of total outstanding loan balances, must exceed 70%. The aggregate balances of loans made to agricultural or rural borrowers or farmers, as a percentage of our total outstanding loan balance must be no less than 70%. A loan equal or under the amount of $725,000 (RMB 4,500,000) is deemed a microcredit loan according to Implementation Rules on Supervision and Regulation of Rural Microcredit Companies (Su Fu Ban [2010] 288).

 

Prior to August 7, 2012, the maximum interest rate a microcredit lender was allowed to charge on microcredit loans was four times of the PBOC’s Benchmark Rate according to PBOC’s Notice on Cracking Down on the Underground Lenders and Lending at Excessive High Interest Rate promulgated by the PBOC and Several Opinion Regarding the Trial of Cases promulgated by the Supreme Court of PRC. On August 7, 2012, the Finance Office of Jiangsu Province implemented the Jiangsu Document No. 53. Microcredit companies are assessed and ranked according to Jiangsu Document No.53 and the microcredit companies in the highest ranking will, among other things, enjoy preferential treatments and government subsidies. As such, we have chosen to comply with the lower maximum interest rate requirement set forth in the Jiangsu Document No. 53. 

 

In accordance with the Provision Guidance and Jiang Su Financial Practice, we are required to set aside a loan loss reserve according to the following three measurements:

  

●

Measurement 1 - The General Reserve:

 

General reserves is based on total loan receivable balance and to be used to cover unidentified probable loan loss. The management assessed the General Reserve is required to be no less than 1% of total loan receivable balance.

 

●

Measurement 2 - Special Reserve

 

Special reserves are funds set aside covering losses due to risks related to a particular country, region, industry, company or type of loans. The reserve rate could be decided based on management estimate of loan collectability. The Loan portfolio did not include any loans outside of the PRC.

 

While management uses the best information available to make loan loss allowance evaluations, adjustments to the allowance may be necessary based on changes in economic and other conditions or changes in accounting guidance.

 

Guarantee Services

 

Pursuant to Jiangsu Document No. 8, the aggregate amount of liabilities we are allowed to be exposed to in our guarantee business shall not exceed 300% of our net capital. Pursuant to the Interim Measures for the Administration of Financing Guarantee, guarantees we are allowed to provide to a single borrower shall not exceed 10% of our net assets, and not exceed 15% of our net assets if the guarantee is provided to a single borrower and the person’s affiliated parties. We are prohibited to provide guarantees to our subsidiaries and/or parent company.

 

 

For our guarantee business, pursuant to Interim Measures for the Administration of Financing Guarantee, we are required to set aside reserves not less than 1% of the aggregate outstanding balance of loans we guaranteed at end of fiscal year and 50% of the income generated by our guarantee business during the fiscal year.

 

Financial Leasing Services

 

Pursuant to the Foreign Investment in Leasing Industry Regulations, PFL is permitted to leverage up to 10 times its registered capital to finance its leases.

 

We believe there is no clear guidance on the reserve requirement for financial leasing companies.

 

Summaries of Certain Key PRC Laws

 

Below are summaries of the material terms of Circular 23, Jiangsu Document No. 8, Jiangsu Document No. 132 and Jiangsu Document No. 142, which are essential to our business.

 

Circular 23

 

Circular 23 divides “microcredit companies” into two categories: a “company with limited liability” or a “company limited by shares” that consists of equity interests held by private parties, including individuals, corporate entities and other organizations. The shareholders of a microcredit company shall meet the minimum requirement set by applicable laws. A company with limited liability shall be established with capital contributions from no more than fifty (50) shareholders; while a company limited by shares shall have 2-200 promoters, more than 50% of whom shall domicile in the PRC. The promoters are the shareholders after the incorporation of the company. The source of registered capital of a microcredit company shall be true and legal. All the registered capital shall be fully paid in cash by the capital contributors or the promoters. The registered capital of a company with limited liability shall be no less than RMB 5,000,000 and the registered capital of a company limited by shares shall be no less than RMB 10,000,000. Any single individual, corporate entity or social organization (and their respective affiliates) shall not contribute more than 10% of the registered capital of a microcredit company. Circular 23 also provides that the sources of funds of a microcredit company shall be limited to the capital contributions paid by its shareholders, profit from operations, monetary donations, and loans provided by no more than two (2) banking financial institutions. Pursuant to applicable laws, administrative rules and regulations, the outstanding loans owed by a microcredit company to banking financial institutions shall not exceed 50% of its net registered capital. The interest rate and the terms for such loans shall be determined based on arms-length negotiations between the company and the financial institutions and such interest rate shall be determined using the “Shanghai inter-bank borrowing interest rate” for the same period as prime rate plus basis points. Circular 23 also states that a provincial government who is able to clearly specify an authority-in-charge (finance office or relevant government organs) to be in charge of the supervision and administration of microcredit companies and is willing to assume the liabilities for the risk management of microcredit companies, such provincial government may, within its own province, roll out the trial run for the establishment of microcredit companies. A microcredit company shall abide by all applicable laws and shall not conduct any illegal fund-raising in any form. In the event an illegal fund-raising activity is conducted within the provincial territory, it shall be handled by the local government at the provincial level. Other activities in violation of the laws or the administrative rules and regulations will be fined by local authorities or prosecuted in the event a criminal offense has been committed.

 

Wujiang Luxiang is a microcredit company limited by shares. There are currently 12 shareholders all of whom are domiciled in PRC. Except one entity shareholder, none of the shareholders owns more than 10% of Wujiang Luxiang’s registered capital. Pursuant to Administrative Measures of Microcredit Companies issued by Jiangsu provincial government on November 30, 2011, major promoters are permitted to hold more than 10% of the registered capital of a microcredit company. We believe the requirement that none of the shareholders shall own more than 10% of the registered capital of a microcredit company set forth in Circular No. 23, which is a pilot program giving guidance to the provincial government, has been superseded by the later Jiangsu provincial regulations. In addition, the current equity structure of Wujiang Luxiang has been approved by the Finance Office of Jiangsu, which is the governing authority of Wujiang Luxiang. We believe such approval is evidence of the Jiangsu government authority’s acknowledgement of such equity structure. Wujiang Luxiang’s current operations are in line with the other requirements set forth in Circular 23.

 

 

Jiangsu Document No. 8

 

Jiangsu Document 8 stresses the importance of encouraging the development of rural microcredit companies. The business scope of these companies approved by local authorities generally includes the following: providing loans to companies or individuals in agriculture industry located in rural areas, providing financial guarantees, and serving as agents for financial institutions. The aggregate outstanding balance of bank loans a rural microcredit company is allowed to obtain is up to 100% of the net capital of such company.

 

The business scope of Wujiang Luxiang is to provide small loans, guarantees, and other business approved by the provincial authority for agriculture related industry, which is in line with the Jiangsu Document No.8. As of December 31, 2017, Wujiang Luxiang’s net capital was approximately negative $51.2 million and its outstanding balance of bank loans was $nil million, which is line with the requirement set forth in the Jiangsu Document No. 8.

 

Jiangsu Document No. 132

 

Jiangsu Document No. 132 reflects the current developing status of rural microcredit companies. It empowers various local authorities to promote development of rural microcredit companies by facilitating access to capital markets and promoting good morals. The Document encourages establishment of rural microcredit companies in Jiangsu province. In each of the counties with economic importance, a local officer has been charged with responsibility to manage and oversee the establishment of the microcredit companies, including establishing pilot programs in certain territories. The number of pilot rural microcredit companies may be increased. Local governments at county level meeting certain criteria should, at the beginning of each year, provide a plan which sets forth an estimate of the number of newly established rural microcredit companies to be approved to do business during that year. Such plan will need to be reviewed first by the financial office at the municipal level and approved by the respective finance bureaus at the provincial level. A rural microcredit company that has been operating for more than one year, in good standing, with good financial conditions and risk management systems may be allowed to establish branch offices in various towns where there is no such rural microcredit company located in the same town as such company. Rural microcredit companies in southern Jiangsu region with capital of more than RMB 50 million can set up one additional branch for each additional RMB 30 million in excess of RMB 50 million; rural microcredit companies in central Jiangsu region with capital of more than RMB 30 million can set up one additional branch for each additional RMB 25 million exceeding RMB 30 million; rural microcredit companies in northern Jiangsu region with capital of more than RMB 20 million can set up one additional branch for each additional RMB 15 million exceeding RMB 20 million. The amount of debt financings a rural microcredit company serving the agriculture industry, with effective operations, good risk control and reasonable interest levels is allowed to obtain may be up to 100% of its registered capital. Sources of the funds for these companies may include: 1) loans or financing funding from commercial banks; 2) approved large-amount direct loans (mainly shareholders’ loans); 3) approved transfers and lending of funds between rural microcredit companies; and 4) explore the feasibility of loans from the government funds, the PBOC re-lending loans supporting agriculture, insurance funds and other funds which desire to play a role in servicing “agriculture, farmers and rural areas” through rural microcredit companies.

 

As of December 31, 2017, Wujiang Luxiang’s registered capital was approximately $51.2 million and its total debt financing was approximately $nil million, less than 50% of its registered capital, in line with the requirement set forth in Jiangsu Document No. 132. Wujiang Luxiang’s major source of financing has been loans from commercial banks.

 

Jiangsu Document No. 142

 

Jiangsu Document No. 142 provides for general rules with respect to the establishment of microcredit companies. It includes the following material terms:

 

1. Shareholder: In general, the shareholders of a rural microcredit organization shall be three to five individuals (excluding members or employees of the Communist Party, governmental organizations, financial organizations as well as state-owned public institutions) or enterprise legal persons. The number of shareholders shall not exceed ten. Shareholders shall comply with laws, with good credibility and have no civil or criminal record indicating violation of laws and serious discredit. The capital contributed by shareholders for equity interest shall be legitimate self-owned capital.

 

Wujiang Luxiang currently has 12 shareholders, which is more than the 10 shareholders requirement set forth in Jiangsu Document No. 42. However, Circular 23 permits up to 200 shareholders in a microcredit company limited by shares. We believe we will not be subject to any penalty by the Finance Office of Jiangsu Province, which is the governing authority of Wujiang Luxiang and the government body implementing the Jiangsu Document No. 42, since it approved the establishment of Wujiang Luxiang and its current shareholder structure.

 

2. Capital: The paid-up registered capital of a rural microcredit organization shall be no less than RMB 50 million for southern Jiangsu area, RMB 30 million for central Jiangsu area, and RMB 20 million for northern Jiangsu area. The registered capital shall be paid in cash.

 

 

As of December 31, 2017, Wujiang Luxiang’s registered capital was RMB 333 million which is more than the RMB 50 million required for Wujiang Luxiang as a microcredit company in the Southern Jiangsu area. 

 

3. Offices: A rural microcredit organization shall have fixed operating premises which comply with the safety standards required by the public security department and other departments and is situated below township levels (including township).

 

4. Employees: A rural microcredit organization shall have no fewer than five main employees, who shall comply with laws, with good credibility and have no civil or criminal record. Among them, the chief person in charge shall be less than 65 years old with at least Technical Secondary School and have been engaged in financial industry for more than 4 years or economic industry for more than 8 years (with at least 2 years working experience in the financial area); the person in charge of credit shall have been engaged in financial industry for more than 3 years or economic industry (with a focus on agriculture) for more than 5 years; each accounting staff shall hold an Accounting Certificate and have been engaged in accounting and financial industry for more than 3 years; other personnel shall have been engaged in other related economic industry for more than 3 years. All key employees shall participate in a professional training program held by the Provincial Financial Office. Qualified trainees will be issued a qualification certificate which is required for their employment.

 

We believe our management, accounting staff and other personnel meet the requirements set forth in the Jiangsu Document No. 142.

 

5. Articles of Association: Rural microcredit organizations shall adopt Articles of Association of the organizations in accordance with the Company Law of the People’s Republic of China and the provisions of these provisions in the Jiangsu Document No. 142, and carry out business and operating activities according to their Articles of Association.

 

Wujiang Luxiang has carried out its business and operations according to its Articles of Associations, as amended.

 

6. Market Exit: When a rural microcredit organization has any of the following activities, in addition to investigation and fine by law enforcement authorities, the provincial Rural Microcredit Organization Pilot Program Management Group may terminate its pilot program, report it to the local AIC to revoke its business license, or impose other punitive measures:

 

	1)	Violating the provisions in the Jiangsu Document No. 142 with respect of business scope and provision of loans;
	2)	Illegally solicit funding from the general public directly or indirectly;
	3)	Issuing loans with excessive interest rates in violation of relevant national provisions to make exorbitant profits;
	4)	Other behaviors deemed by the provincial and local Rural Microcredit Organization Pilot Program Management Groups as material violation of relevant laws and regulations and these provisions in the Jiangsu Document No. 142.

 

We believe we were not involved in any of the prohibited activities set forth in the sections above.

 

Employees

 

As of the date of this report, we have 20 employees all of which are full time. We have employment contracts with all of our employees in China and in U.S. in accordance with relevant PRC laws and U.S. laws. There are no collective bargaining contracts covering any of our employees. We believe our relationship with our employees is satisfactory.

 

We have made employee benefit contributions in accordance with relevant Chinese regulations, including retirement insurance, unemployment insurance, medical insurance, housing fund, work injury insurance and birth insurance. The Company recorded the contribution in the general administration expenses when incurred.

 

Intellectual Property

 

We do not own or have any significant intellectual property rights.

 

 

Item 1A.

RISK FACTORS

 

You should carefully consider the following material risk factors and other information in this report. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects for growth could be seriously impacted. As a result, the trading price, if any, of our Common Stock could decline and you could lose part or all of your investment.

 

Risks Relating to Our Lending and Guarantee Business

 

The substantial and continuing losses, and significant operating expenses incurred in the past few years may cause us to be unable to pursue all of our operational objectives if sufficient financing and/or additional cash from revenues is not realized.

 

We have an accumulated deficit of US$81,534,396 as of December 31, 2017 and a negative net asset of US$5,272,461 as of December 31, 2017. Although we have previously been able to attract financing as needed, such financing may not continue to be available at all, or if available, on reasonable terms as required. Further, the terms of such financing may be dilutive to existing shareholders or otherwise on terms not favorable to existing shareholders or us. If we are unable to secure additional financing, as circumstances require, or do not succeed in meeting our sales objectives, we may be required to change or significantly reduce our operations or ultimately may not be able to continue our operations.

 

Our independent registered public accounting firm’s report contains an explanatory paragraph that expresses substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a “going concern.”

 

Because of our historical accumulated deficit in working capital, among others, our independent auditor has raised substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements contained elsewhere in this Form 10K do not include any adjustments that might result from our inability to consummate this offering or our inability to continue as a going concern.

 

Our limited operating history makes it difficult to evaluate our business and prospects and we may not be able to adapt to the changing market condition.

 

Wujiang Luxiang commenced operations in October 2008. It is difficult to evaluate our prospects, as we may not have sufficient experience in addressing the risks to which companies operating in new and rapidly evolving markets such as the microcredit industry, may be exposed. We will continue to encounter risks and difficulties that companies at a similar stage of development frequently experience, including the potential failure to:

 

●	timely respond to the liquidity changes driven by PBOC’s policy and manage the credit risk inherent to our loan and guarantee business;
●	obtain sufficient working capital and increase our registered capital to support expansion of our loan and guarantee portfolios;

 

●	comply with any changes in the laws and regulations of the PRC or local province that may affect our lending operations;
●	expand our borrowers base;
●	collect from default borrowers;
●	maintain adequate control of default risks and expenses allowing us to realize anticipated revenue growth;
●	implement our customer development, risk management and acquisition strategies and adapt and modify them as needed;
●	integrate any future acquisitions; and
●	anticipate and adapt to changing conditions in the Chinese lending industry resulting from changes in government regulations, mergers and acquisitions involving our competitors, and other significant competitive and market dynamics.

 

As a matter of fact, for the year ended December 31, 2017, we had a loss of $5.5 million and a net loss of $10.7 million compared to a revenue of $2.2 million and net loss of $2.6 million in 2016, a change of 344% and an increase of 315%, respectively. If we are unable to address any or all of the foregoing risks, our business may be materially and adversely affected.

 

 

PRC regulation of loans to, and direct investments in, PRC entities by offshore holding companies and the unauthorized transfer of certain funds by our former chief executive officer have prevented us from using the entire proceeds from our initial public offering to increase the registered capital of Wujiang Luxiang. 

 

As an offshore holding company with PRC subsidiaries, we may transfer funds to our PRC subsidiaries or finance our operating entity by means of loans or capital contributions. Any loans to our PRC subsidiaries, which are foreign-invested enterprises, cannot exceed statutory limits based on the difference between the amount of our investments and registered capital in such subsidiaries, and shall be registered with SAFE, State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or its local counterparts. Furthermore, any capital increase contributions we make to our PRC subsidiaries, which are foreign-invested enterprises, shall be approved by MOFCOM, Ministry of Commerce, or its local counterparts. The majority of the net proceeds from our initial public offering completed in August 2013, approximately $7 million, is intended to increase the registered capital of Wujiang Luxiang and therefore its corresponding lending and guarantee capacity. Approximately $5.6 million of the net proceeds have already been contributed to Wujiang Luxiang and approved as an increase of the registered capital of Wujiang Luxiang. An additional $1.4 million was supposed to be transferred from WFOE to Wujiang Luxiang to further increase its registered capital. $1.5 million of the proceeds was initially transferred to WFOE to be used for the registered capital requirements of WFOE. Due to the subsequent reduction of WFOE’s registered capital requirement from $10 million to $100,000, $100,000 was supposed to remain at WFOE to satisfy its new registered capital requirement and the remaining $1.4 million was supposed to be used to further increase the registered capital of Wujiang Luxiang. However, as previously reported by the Company, RMB 7 million (approximately $1.1 million) was transferred from the bank account of WFOE to the personal account of Mr. Huichun Qin, the Company’s former CEO and Chairman of the Board. The Company has not been able to recover the missing funds. The delay and potential failure to use the remaining IPO proceeds to increase Wujiang Luxiang’s registered capital, currently prevents us from further expanding Wujiang Luxiang’s business.

  

Our current operations in China are geographically limited to the city of Wujiang.

 

In accordance with the PRC state and provincial laws and regulations with regard to microcredit companies, we are not allowed to make loans and provide guarantees to businesses and individuals located outside of the city of Wujiang. Our future growth opportunities depend on the growth and stability of the economy in the city of Wujiang. A downturn in the local economy or the implementation of local policies unfavorable to SMEs may cause a decrease in the demand for our loan or guarantee services and may negatively affect borrowers’ ability to repay their loans on a timely basis, both of which could have a negative impact on our profitability and business.

 

Changes in the interest rates and spread could have a negative impact on our revenues and results of operations.

 

Our revenues and financial condition are primarily dependent on interest income, which is the difference between interest earned from loans we provide and interest paid to the lines of credit we obtain from other financial institutions. A narrowing interest rate spread could adversely affect our earnings and financial conditions. If we are not able to control our funding costs or adjust our lending interest rate in a timely manner, our interest margin will decline. In addition, the interest rates we charge to the borrowers in our direct loan business are linked to the PBOC benchmark interest rate (the “PBOC Benchmark Rate”). The PBOC Benchmark Rate may fluctuate significantly due to changes in the PRC government’s monetary policy. Due to the restriction that our interest rate cannot be higher than three times the PBOC Benchmark Rate pursuant to certain Jiangsu banking regulations released in October 2012, if we have to reduce the interest rate we charge the borrowers to reflect the decrease of the PBOC Benchmark Rate, our interest rate spread will be negatively affected.

 

 

As a microcredit company, our business is subject to greater credit risks than larger lenders, which could adversely affect our results of operations.

 

There are inherent risks associated with our lending and guarantee activities, including credit risk, which is the risk that borrowers may not repay the outstanding loans balances in our direct loan business or that we may not recover the full amount of the payment we made to the lender in our guarantee business. As a microcredit company, we extend credits to SMEs, farmer and individuals. These borrowers generally have fewer financial resources in terms of capital or borrowing capacity than larger entities and may have fewer financial resources to weather a downturn in the economy. Such borrowers may expose us to greater credit risks than lenders lending to larger, better-capitalized state-owned businesses with longer operating histories. Conditions such as inflation, economic downturn, local policy change, adjustment of industrial structure and other factors beyond our control may increase our credit risk more than such events would affect larger lenders. In addition, since we are only permitted to provide financial services to borrowers located in the city of Wujiang, our ability to geographically diversify our economic risks is limited by the local markets and economies. Also, decreases in local real estate value could adversely affect the values of the real property used as collateral in our direct loan and guarantee business. Such adverse changes in the local economy may have a negative impact on the ability of borrowers to repay their loans and the value of our collateral and our results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected.

 

Our allowance for loan losses may not be sufficient to absorb future losses or prevent a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

 

Our risk assessment procedure uses historical information to estimate any potential losses based on our experience, judgment, and expectations regarding our borrowers and the economic environment in which we and our borrowers operate. The allowance for both loan losses and guarantee services were estimated based on 1% of the quarterly outstanding loan and guarantee portfolio balances. To the extent the mandatory loan loss reserve rate of 1% as required by PBOC differs from management’s estimates, the management elects to use the higher rate. We believe we are required to establish an allowance for loan losses pursuant to “The Guidance on Provisioning for Loan Losses” (the “Provision Guidance”) issued by PBOC and “Financial Practices of Rural Microcredit Companies of Jiangsu Province Pilot” (the “Jiangsu Financial Practices”) issued by Finance Office of Jiangsu Province in 2009. However, our implementation of the measurements set forth in the Provision Guidance and the Jiangsu Financial Practices, may be deemed not in compliance with the applicable banking regulations. Our loan loss reserves may not be sufficient to absorb future loan losses or prevent a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

 

Increases to the provision for loan losses and provision on financial guarantee services will cause our net income to decrease.

 

Our business is subject to fluctuations based on local economic conditions. These fluctuations are neither predictable nor within our control and may have a material adverse impact on our operations and financial condition. We may decide to increase our provision for loan losses and provision on financial guarantee services in light of the borrower’s repayment ability and/or the lack of clarity in the applicable banking regulations with regard to microcredit companies. The regulatory authority may also require an increase in the provision for loan losses and provision on financial guarantee services or the recognition of further loan charge-offs, based on judgments different from those of our management. Any increase in the provision for loan losses and provision on financial guarantee services will result in a decrease in net income and may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

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

 

Currently, our primary business activities include offering direct loans and providing guarantee services to our customers. If we are unable to maintain and grow the operating revenues from our business or develop additional revenue streams, our future revenues and earnings are not likely to grow and could decline. Our lack of significant product and business diversification could inhibit the opportunities for growth of our business, revenues and profits.

 

Competition in the microcredit industry is growing and could cause us to lose market share and revenues in the future.

 

We believe that the microcredit industry is an emerging market in China. We may face growing competition in the microcredit industry and we believe that the microcredit market is becoming more competitive as this industry matures and begins to consolidate. We currently compete with traditional financial institutions, other microcredit companies, and some cash-rich state-owned companies or individuals that lend to SMEs. Some of our competitors have larger and more established borrower bases and substantially greater financial, marketing and other resources than we do. As a result, we could lose market share and our revenues could decline, thereby adversely affecting our earnings and potential for growth.

 

 

If we fail to remediate the material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting that have been identified, we may be unable to accurately report our results of operations or prevent misstatements, and investor confidence and the market price of our Common Stock may be materially and adversely affected.

 

Our independent registered public accounting firm is not required to and has not conducted an audit or assessment of our internal control over financial reporting. As a result of the control deficiencies in the material weaknesses identified, the Company concluded its internal controls over financial reporting were not effective as of December 31, 2017. See Item 9A Controls and Procedures for a detailed discussion of the material weakness and the remediation measures the Company plans to take. Such material weaknesses may result in our inability to accurately report our financial results or prevent material misstatements. 

 

Our business depends on the continuing efforts of members of our management. If we lose their services, our business may be severely disrupted.

 

Our business operations depend on the continuing efforts of members of our management. If one or more of our management were unable or unwilling to continue their employment with us, we might not be able to replace them in a timely manner, or at all. We may incur additional expenses to recruit and retain qualified replacements. Our business may be severely disrupted and our financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected. In addition, members of our management team may join a competitor or form a competing company. We may not be able to successfully enforce any contractual rights we have with our management team, in particular in China, where all of these individuals reside and where our business is operated through Wujiang Luxiang through various VIE Agreements. As a result, our business may be negatively affected due to the loss of one or more members of our management.  

 

We require highly qualified personnel and if we are unable to hire or retain qualified personnel, we may not be able to grow effectively.

 

Our future success also depends upon our ability to attract and retain highly qualified personnel. Expansion of our business and our management will require additional managers and employees with industry experience, and our success will be highly dependent on our ability to attract and retain skilled management personnel and other employees. We may not be able to attract or retain highly qualified personnel. Competition for skilled personnel is significant in China. This competition may make it more difficult and expensive to attract, hire and retain qualified managers and employees.

 

We have no insurance coverage for our lending or guarantee business or our bank accounts, which could expose us to significant costs and business disruption.

 

Risks associated with our business and operations include, but are not limited to, borrowers’ failure to repay the outstanding principal and interest when due and our loss reserve is not sufficient to cover such failure, losses of key personnel, business interruption due to power shortages or network failure, and risks posed by natural disasters including storms, floods and earthquakes, any of which may result in significant costs or business disruption. We do not maintain any credit insurance, business interruption insurance, general third-party liability insurance, nor do we maintain key-man life insurance or any other insurance coverage except the mandatory social insurance for the employees of Wujiang Luxiang. If we incur any loss that is not covered by our loss reserve, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

 

 

We maintain our cash with various banks. Our cash accounts are not insured or otherwise protected. Should any bank or trust company holding our cash deposits become insolvent, or if we are otherwise unable to withdraw funds, we could lose the cash on deposit with that particular bank or trust company.

 

Risks Relating to Our Financial Leasing Business 

 

Our financial leasing business is currently on hold.

 

In February 2015, we signed two leasing contracts worth a total of total $4.88 million. We do not currently have further funds to deploy in the financial leasing business and plan to hold off expansion of the leasing business until otherwise determined by the management based on the economic environment and other considerations. Even if we decide to resume the financial leasing business, we may not be able to develop our financial leasing business as planned and generate significant revenues. The revenue and income potential of our proposed financial leasing business is unproven and the lack of operating history makes it difficult to evaluate the future prospects of this business.

 

We have no experience in the equipment leasing and financing business and our knowledge of the Chinese financial leasing market is limited.

 

None of the PFL management has any prior experience in the operation or management of equipment financing and leasing. Our knowledge of the Chinese financial leasing industry and market is very limited. Our perception of the potential customers’ needs and their acceptance of our financial leasing services may not be accurate. We may not be able to work with equipment providers to successfully purchase qualified equipment identified by our customers on terms acceptable to us. We may not be able to establish sound financial modeling in the calculation of the interest rate and residual value. Such inexperience and lack of active knowledge may lead to failure of our financial leasing business.

 

Lack of knowledge of financial leasing benefits among potential customers may make it difficult for us to market our services.

 

Currently, a high proportion of Chinese management, especially management of SMEs, still perceive leasing companies as a “second-class bank”, and very few recognize the flexibility and benefits that financial leasing provides. We may need to invest a tremendous amount of time and effort toward lease education so that potential customers can fully appreciate the flexibility leasing offers to deploy their assets. Failure in such education may make it difficult for us to market our financial leasing services.

 

A protracted economic downturn may cause an increase in defaults under our leases and lower demand for the commercial equipment we lease.

 

A protracted economic downturn, similar to the one China experienced in recent years, could result in a decline in the demand for some of the types of equipment or services we finance, which could lead to a decline in originations. A protracted economic downturn may slow the development and continued operation of small commercial businesses, which is one of the primary markets for the commercial equipment leased by us. In addition, a protracted downturn could result in an increase in delinquencies and defaults by our lessees and other obligors, which could have an adverse effect on our cash flow and earnings. These factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Our allowance for lease credit losses may prove to be inadequate to cover future credit losses.

 

We will maintain an allowance for credit losses on our leases, at an amount we believe is sufficient to provide adequate protection against losses on the leases. We cannot be sure that our allowance for credit losses will be adequate over time to cover losses caused by adverse economic factors, or unfavorable events affecting specific leases, industries or geographic areas. Losses in excess of our allowance for credit losses may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

 

We are vulnerable to changes in the demand for the types of equipment we plan on leasing or price reductions in such equipment.

 

Our leasing portfolio will be comprised of a wide variety of equipment including, but not limited to, public transportation vehicles such as subway cars, trains, buses, medical equipment, equipment used in textile production and agricultural equipment. Reduced demand for financing of the types of equipment we lease could adversely affect our lease origination volume, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Technological advances may lead to a decrease in the price of these types of equipment and a consequent decline in the need for financing of such equipment. These changes could reduce the need for outside financing sources that would reduce our lease financing opportunities and origination volume in such products. In the event that demand for financing the types of equipment that we lease declines, we will need to expand our efforts to provide lease financing for other products.

 

We may face growing competition, which could cause us to lower our lease rates, hurt our origination volume and strategic position and adversely affect our financial results.

 

The Chinese financial leasing industry is becoming competitive in recent years. We will compete for customers with a number of international, national, regional and local banks and finance companies and financial leasing companies. Our competitors also include equipment manufacturers that lease or finance the sale of their own products. Our competitors include larger, more established companies, some of which may possess substantially greater financial, marketing and operational resources than us, including lower cost of funds and access to capital markets and other funding sources which may be unavailable to us. If a competitor was to lower its lease rates, we could be forced to follow such trend or be unable to retain origination volume, either of which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

If PFL were to lose key personnel, its operating results may suffer.

 

The success of our financial leasing business depends to a large extent upon the abilities and continued efforts of senior management. The loss of the services of one or more of the key members of our senior management before we are able to attract and retain qualified replacement personnel could have a material adverse effect on the development and success of our financial leasing business.

 

Risks Relating to Doing Business in China

 

PRC regulation of loans to, and direct investments in, PRC entities by offshore holding companies may delay or prevent us from using proceeds from financing activities to make loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC operating subsidiaries.

 

As an offshore holding company with PRC subsidiaries, we may transfer funds to our PRC subsidiaries or finance our operating entity by means of loans or capital contributions. Any loans to our PRC subsidiaries, which are foreign-invested enterprises, cannot exceed statutory limits based on the difference between the amount of our investments and registered capital in such subsidiaries, and shall be registered with SAFE, or its local counterparts. Furthermore, any capital increase contributions we make to our PRC subsidiaries, which are foreign-invested enterprises, shall be approved by MOFCOM, or its local counterparts. We may not be able to obtain these government registrations or approvals on a timely basis, if at all. If we fail to receive such registrations or approvals, our ability to provide loans or capital to increase contributions to our PRC subsidiaries may be negatively affected, which could adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.

 

A slowdown of the Chinese economy or adverse changes in economic and political policies of the PRC government could negatively impact China’s overall economic growth, which could materially adversely affect our business.

 

We are a holding company and all of our operations are entirely conducted in the PRC. Although the PRC economy has grown in recent years, such growth may not continue. A slowdown in overall economic growth, an economic downturn or recession or other adverse economic developments in the PRC may materially reduce the demand for our direct lending, guarantee and financial leasing services and may have a materially adverse effect on our business.

 

 

China’s economy differs from the economies of most other countries in many respects, including the amount of government involvement in the economy, the general level of economic development, growth rates and government control of foreign exchange and the allocation of resources. While the PRC economy has grown significantly over the past few decades, this growth has remained uneven across different periods, regions and economic sectors.

 

The PRC government also exercises significant control over China’s economic growth by allocating resources, controlling the payment of foreign currency-denominated obligations, setting monetary policy and providing preferential treatment to particular industries or companies. Any actions and policies adopted by the PRC government could negatively impact the Chinese economy, which could materially adversely affect our business.

 

Substantial uncertainties and restrictions with respect to the political and economic policies of the PRC government and PRC laws and regulations could have a significant impact upon the business we may be able to conduct in the PRC and accordingly on the results of our operations and financial condition.

 

Our business operations may be adversely affected by the current and future political environment in the PRC. The Chinese government exerts substantial influence and control over the manner in which we must conduct our business activities. Our ability to operate in China may be adversely affected by changes in Chinese laws and regulations. Under the current government leadership, the government of the PRC has been pursuing economic reform policies that encourage private economic activities and greater economic decentralization. However, the government of the PRC may not continue to pursue these policies, or may significantly alter these policies from time to time without notice.

 

There are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of PRC laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, the laws and regulations governing our business, or the enforcement and performance of our arrangements with borrowers in the event of the imposition of statutory liens, death, bankruptcy or criminal proceedings. Only after 1979 did the Chinese government begin to promulgate a comprehensive system of laws that regulate economic affairs in general, deal with economic matters such as foreign investment, corporate organization and governance, commerce, taxation and trade, as well as encourage foreign investment in China. Although the influence of the law has been increasing, China has not developed a fully integrated legal system and recently enacted laws and regulations may not sufficiently cover all aspects of economic activities in China. Also, because these laws and regulations are relatively new, and because of the limited volume of published cases and their lack of force as precedents, interpretation and enforcement of these laws and regulations involve significant uncertainties. New laws and regulations that affect existing and proposed future businesses may also be applied retroactively. In addition, there have been constant changes and amendments of laws and regulations over the past 30 years in order to keep up with the rapidly changing society and economy in China. Because government agencies and courts provide interpretations of laws and regulations and decide contractual disputes and issues, their inexperience in adjudicating new business and new polices or regulations in certain less developed areas causes uncertainty and may affect our business. Consequently, we cannot clearly foresee the future direction of Chinese legislative activities with respect to either businesses with foreign investment or the effectiveness on enforcement of laws and regulations in China. The uncertainties, including new laws and regulations and changes of existing laws, as well as judicial interpretation by inexperienced officials in the agencies and courts in certain areas, may cause possible problems to foreign investors.

 

Our microcredit business is subject to extensive regulation and supervision by state, provincial and local government authorities, which may interfere with the way we conduct our business and may negatively impact our financial results.

 

We are subject to extensive and complex state, provincial and local laws, rules and regulations with regard to our loan and guarantee operations, capital structure, allowance for loan losses, among other things. These laws, rules and regulations are issued by different central government ministries and departments, provincial and local governments while enforced by different local authorities in the city of Wujiang. In addition, it is not clear whether microcredit companies are subject to certain banking regulations the state-owned and commercial banks are subject to, including the regulation with regard to loan loss reserves. Therefore, the interpretation and implementation of such laws, rules and regulations may not be clear and occasionally we have to depend on oral inquiries with local government authorities. As a result of the complexity, uncertainties and constant changes in these laws, rules and regulation, including changes in interpretation and implementation of such, our business activities and growth may be adversely affected if we do not respond to the changes in a timely manner or are found to be in violation of the applicable laws, regulations and policies as a result of a different position from ours taken by the competent authority in the interpretation of such applicable laws, regulations and policies. If we were found to be not in compliance with these laws and regulations, we may be subject to sanctions by regulatory authorities, monetary penalties and/or reputation damage, which could have a material adverse effect on our business operation and profitability.

 

 

Lack of financial leasing regulations could negatively impact our business.

 

Currently, there is no uniform equipment title registration process and system in China, as each municipality adopts different procedures. The pending China Financial Leasing Law is expected to unify the registration procedures and protect the lessor against a “good-faith” third-party claim if the leased assets are registered in the lessor’s name. In the absence of such central title registration system, the lessors’ ownership interest on the leased equipment may be threatened. Loss of ownership to the leased equipment will have a negative effect on our financial position.

 

We may be subject to administrative sanctions in the event we are found to have charged excessive interest rates on some of the historical direct loans we extended.

 

During 2010, 2011 and 2012, we provided certain financing consulting services to an aggregate of approximately 114 individuals and companies and generated consulting fees of approximately US$693,555(RMB 4.6 million). According to the consulting arrangements we had with these parties, we agreed to provide consulting services such as advising on the applicable lending rules and regulations, making recommendations about financing plans, assisting the parties to complete and submit financing applications and providing general guidance in the capital raising process. Some of these clients were also borrowers. We also charged additional consulting fees when such borrowers asked to expedite the review and approval process of their loan applications, as such expedited lendings require funds to be allocated from other positions at an additional cost to us. The maximum interest rate a microcredit lender is allowed to charge on microcredit loans was four times the PBOC’s Benchmark Rate, according to Circular 23 and Several Opinion Regarding the Trial of Cases promulgated by Supreme Court of PRC. Although none of these loans had interest rates higher than four times the PBOC Benchmark Rate, the aggregate amount of interest we charged such borrower plus the consulting fee would exceed four times the PBOC Benchmark Rate if the consulting fees paid by these borrowers were deemed as additional interest payments. We believe such consulting fees were compensation payments for the consulting services we provided. Also we have stopped providing such consulting services since July 31, 2012 and we do not anticipate engaging in such consulting service in the foreseeable future. However, in the event the competent government authority determines these historical consulting fees were de facto interest payments, we may be found to have charged excessive rates on these loans and, as a result, we may be subject to sanctions by the government authority, which may include return of the excessive interest to affected borrowers, confiscation of illegal gains, fine, suspension of operation and/or revocation of our business license.

 

We may be subject to administrative sanctions in the event the extension we obtained on contribution of PFL’s registered capital is reversed or determined to be not effective or if we are not able to contribute the remainder of the registered capital as required.

 

Pursuant to Foreign Wholly-Owned Enterprise Law and relevant implementation rules, 15% of the U.S. $50 million registered capital of PFL is required to be contributed within initial three months of PFL obtaining its business license on September 5, 2013 and the remainder to be contributed within two years after the business license is granted. We did not make any contributions within the three-month period since we expected to fund such contribution with the proceeds from the follow-on offering. Based on our oral inquiries with the local Commission of Commerce of Wujiang, we were told that the required initial installment would be reduced to 10% in 2014 and that the competent authority would refrain from taking specific administrative measures against us once the first installment of capital contribution is paid. In addition, we were told by Wujiang Economic and Technological Development Zone (“WETDZ”), where PFL is incorporated and located, that there will be no penalty for the delayed contribution of the first installment of the registered capital. In the event the orally granted extension or the advice we received from WETDZ is reversed or found to be not valid by a relevant authority, we may be subject to administrative sanctions, including monetary penalties ranging from 5% to 15% of the portion that has not been paid on time, or from $375,000 to $1,125,000 if none was contributed at the time of the sanction. In October 2014, we contributed substantially all of the net proceeds raised in the follow-on offering to the registered capital requirement of PFL.

 

In addition, the new PRC Company Law that became effective on March 1, 2014, radically changed the registered capital requirements, including deleting the requirement to contribute the registered capital within certain time frames and the minimum registered capital requirement. However, it is unclear whether PFL will be subject to the loosened registered capital requirements under the new PRC Company Law and, as a result, be exempted from contributing the remainder of the registered capital within two years after the business license is granted. If it is later determined that PFL cannot enjoy the loosened registered capital requirement set forth in the new Company Law, we would have to contribute 85% of the then registered capital of PFL prior to September 4, 2015. In the event we are not able to make such contribution, we may be subject to administrative sanctions, including monetary penalties ranging from 5% to 15% of the portion that has not been paid on time, or from $2,125,000 to $6,375,000 if none of the remaining 85% was contributed at the time of the sanction.

 

 

Since we conduct substantially all of our operations in China, and almost all of our officers and directors reside outside the United States, our stockholders may face difficulties in protecting their interests and exercising their rights as a stockholder of CCC.

 

Although we are incorporated in Delaware, we conduct substantially all of our operations in China through Wujiang Luxiang, our consolidated VIE in China and PFL. All of our current officers and almost all of our directors reside outside the United States and substantially all of the assets of those persons are located outside of the United States. It may be difficult for the stockholders to conduct due diligence on the Company or such directors in your election of the directors and attend shareholders meeting if the meeting is held in China. We plan to have one shareholder meeting each year at a location to be determined, potentially alternating between United States and China. As a result of all of the above, our public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests through actions against our management, directors or major shareholders than would shareholders of a corporation doing business entirely or predominantly within the United States.

 

Stockholders may experience difficulties in effecting service of legal process, enforcing foreign judgments or bringing original actions in China based upon United States laws, including the federal securities laws or other foreign laws against us or our management.

 

Substantially all of our operations are conducted in China, and all of our assets are located in China. A majority of our officers are nationals or residents of the PRC and a substantial portion of their assets are located outside the United States. As a result, Dacheng Law Firm, our counsel as to PRC law, advised us that it may be difficult for a shareholder to effect service of process within the United States upon these persons, or to enforce judgments against us which are 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.

 

Dacheng Law Firm further advised us that the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments are provided for under the PRC Civil Procedures Law. PRC courts may recognize and enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the requirements of the PRC Civil Procedures Law based either on treaties between China and the country where the judgment is made or on principles of reciprocity between jurisdictions. China does not have any treaties or other form of reciprocity with the United States that provide for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments. In addition, according to the PRC Civil Procedures Law, courts in the PRC will not enforce a foreign judgment against us or our directors and officers if they decide that the judgment violates the basic principles of PRC laws, national sovereignty, security or public interest. As a result, it is uncertain whether and on what basis a PRC court would enforce a judgment rendered by a court in the United States.

 

Dacheng Law Firm also advised us that in the event that shareholders originate an action against a company without domicile in China for disputes related to contracts or other property interests, the PRC courts may accept a course of action if (a) the disputed contract was concluded or performed in the PRC, or the disputed subject matter is located in the PRC, (b) the company (as defendant) has properties that can be seized within the PRC, (c) the company has a representative organization within the PRC, (d) the parties choose to submit to jurisdiction of the PRC courts in the contract, or (e) the contract is executed or performed within the PRC. The action may be initiated by the shareholder through filing a complaint with the PRC courts. The PRC courts will determine whether to accept the complaint in accordance with the PRC Civil Procedures Law. The shareholder may participate in the action by itself or entrust any other person or PRC legal counsel to participate on behalf of such shareholder. Foreign citizens and companies will have the same right as PRC citizens and companies in an action unless such foreign country restricts the rights of PRC citizens and companies.

 

We may have difficulty in establishing adequate management and financial controls in China.

 

The PRC has only recently begun to adopt the management and financial reporting concepts and practices that investors in the U.S. are familiar with. We may have difficulty in hiring and retaining employees in China who have the experience necessary to implement the kind of management and financial controls that are required of a U.S. public company. If we cannot establish such controls, or if we are unable to collect the financial data required for the preparation of our financial statements, or if we are unable to keep our books and accounts in accordance with the U.S. accounting standards for business, we may not be able to continue to file required reports with the SEC, which would likely have a material adverse effect on the performance of our shares of Common Stock.

 

 

WFOE’s ability to pay dividends to us may be restricted due to foreign exchange control and other regulations of China.

 

As an offshore holding company, we may rely principally on dividends from our subsidiaries in China, WFOE and PFL, for our cash requirements. Under the applicable PRC laws and regulations, foreign-invested enterprises in China may pay dividends only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, a foreign-invested enterprise in China is required to set aside a portion of its after-tax profit to fund specific reserve funds prior to payment of dividends. In particular, at least 10% of its after-tax profits based on PRC accounting standards each year is required to be set aside towards its general reserves until the accumulative amount of such reserves reach 50% of its registered capital. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends.

 

Furthermore, WFOE’s and PFL’s ability to pay dividends may be restricted due to foreign exchange control policies and the availability of its cash balance. Substantially all of our operations are conducted in China and all of our revenue received, by WFOE through VIE arrangement and by PFL, are denominated in RMB. RMB is subject to exchange control regulation in China, and, as a result, WFOE and PFL may be unable to distribute any dividends outside of China due to PRC exchange control regulations that restrict our ability to convert RMB into U.S. dollars.

 

The lack of dividends or other payments from WFOE may limit our ability to make investments or acquisitions that could be beneficial to our business, pay dividends or otherwise fund, and conduct our business. Our funds may not be readily available to us to satisfy obligations which have been incurred outside the PRC, which could adversely affect our business and prospects or our ability to meet our cash obligations. Accordingly, if we do not receive dividends from WFOE or PFL, our liquidity and financial condition will be materially and adversely affected.

 

There is uncertainty in the preferential tax treatment we currently enjoy and financial subsidy commitment we expect to enjoy. Any change in the preferential tax treatment we currently enjoy in the PRC may materially adversely impact our net income.

 

Effective January 1, 2008, the New Enterprise Income Tax Law of PRC stipulates that domestically owned enterprises and foreign invested enterprises (the “FIEs”) are subject to a uniform income tax rate of 25%. While the New Enterprise Income Tax Law equalizes the income tax rates for FIEs and domestically owned enterprises, preferential tax treatment may continue to be given to companies in certain encouraged sectors and to entities classified as high-technology companies, regardless of whether these are domestically-owned enterprises or FIEs. Pursuant to the Jiangsu Document No. 132 issued in November 2009, microcredit companies in Jiangsu Province are subject to a preferential tax rate of 12.5%. As a result, Wujiang Luxiang has been subject to the preferential income tax rate of 12.5% since its inception in 2008. The taxation practice implemented by the tax authority governing our business from 2008 through 2011 was that we paid enterprise income taxes at a rate of 25% on a quarterly basis, and upon annual tax settlement done by the Company and the tax authority within five (5) months after December 31, the tax authority refunded us the excess enterprise income taxes we paid beyond the rate of 12.5% in tax credit. In 2013and 2012 the tax authority allowed us to pay enterprise income tax, on a monthly basis, at 12.5% for our income generated from our direct loan business and at 25% for income generated from our guarantee business. During the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2013, we paid an aggregate $2,191,329 for income tax. We received a refund of $985,332 in April 2014. The refund is the difference between actual income tax prepayment, which is made at 25% for income generated from both our direct loan business and our guarantee business, and the income tax expense, which is calculated at 12.5% for direct loan and 25% for our guarantee business. In addition, Wujiang Luxiang has been subject to business tax at the preferential rate of 3% since its inception in 2008.

 

In April 2012 Wujiang Luxiang received a notice from local tax authority, informing us that only income generated from Wujiang Luxiang’s direct loan business was qualified to enjoy a preferential income tax rate of 12.5% and business tax of 3% under the Jiangsu Document No. 132, but its taxable income arising from Wujiang’s other business such as the guarantee business was still subject to a standard tax rate of 25% for income tax and 5% for business tax. The local tax authority required Wujiang Luxiang to implement the above-mentioned policy starting with the tax filing for 2011 which was filed in April 2012, and the policy applies to all years thereafter. The impact of the changed policy on the income tax provision on the issued financial statements of 2011 was $225,445. However, we believe the underpayment was comparatively minimal as it only accounted for less than 3% of net income of 2011, thus it recorded the underpayment of $225,445 in the financial statements for financial year of 2012. There was no underpayment penalty assessed. Furthermore, such tax policy change may be applied retroactively to financial year of 2008, 2009 and 2010. Although we have not received any notice from local tax authority to request Wujiang Luxiang to make any underpayment with surcharge, there is no assurance that the local tax authority will not do so in the future.

  

There is a risk that the competent tax authority may decide that Wujiang Luxiang will not be eligible for the preferential tax rates for the direct loan business in the future. Moreover, the PRC government could eliminate any of these preferential tax treatments before their scheduled expiration. Expiration, reduction or elimination of such preferential tax treatments will increase our income tax expenses and in turn decrease our net income.

 

 

There is uncertainty in the policy at the state and provincial levels as to how the direct loan and guarantee businesses carried out by the microcredit companies shall be treated with regard to income tax and business tax. If the tax authority determines that the income tax, business tax or other applicable tax we previously paid were less than what was required, we may be requested to make payment for the overdue tax and interest on the overdue payment.

 

In addition, pursuant to an agreement PFL has with the WETDZ, PFL expects to receive a financial award equal to 100% of the portion of the enterprise income tax proceeds contributed by PFL that is reserved by the WETDZ for the first five years following the date of its establishment, and will further receive a financial award equal to 50% of the portion of the enterprise income tax proceeds contributed by PFL that is reserved by the WETDZ for the following five years. PFL will receive a science and technology financial award from the WETDZ for up to approximately $325,000 (RMB 2 million) to be paid pro rata according to the actually contributed registered capital. In the event that the central government promulgates laws or regulations that expressly prohibit local governments from providing financial subsidies for enterprises’ income tax payment obligation, this agreement with WETDZ may be rendered illegal and/or unenforceable and therefore PFL’s business plan may be negatively affected.

 

Our global income may be subject to PRC taxes under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

 

Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, or the New EIT Law, and its implementation rules, which became effective in January 2008, an enterprise established outside of the PRC with a “de facto management body” located within the PRC is considered a PRC 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 bodies” as “establishments that carry out substantial and overall management and control over the manufacturing and business operations, personnel and human resources, finance and treasury, and acquisition and disposition of properties and other assets of an enterprise.” On April 22, 2009, the State Administration of Taxation (the “SAT”), issued a circular, or SAT Circular 82, which provides certain specific criteria for determining whether the “de facto management body” of a PRC-controlled enterprise that is incorporated offshore is located in China. Although the SAT Circular 82 only applies to offshore enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises or PRC enterprise groups, not those controlled by PRC individuals or foreigners, the determining criteria set forth in the SAT Circular 82 may reflect the SAT’s general position on how the “de facto management body” text should be applied in determining the resident status of all offshore enterprises for the purpose of PRC tax, regardless of whether they are controlled by PRC enterprises or individuals. Although we do not believe that our legal entities organized outside of the PRC constitute PRC resident enterprises, it is possible that the PRC tax authorities could reach a different conclusion. In such case, we may be considered a PRC resident enterprise and may therefore be subject to the 25% enterprise income tax on our global income. If we are considered a resident enterprise and earn income other than dividends from our PRC subsidiary, a 25% enterprise income tax on our global income could significantly increase our tax burden and materially and adversely affect our cash flow and profitability. In addition to the uncertainty regarding how the new PRC resident enterprise classification for tax purposes may apply, it is also possible that the rules may change in the future, possibly with retroactive effect.

 

Fluctuations in the foreign currency exchange rate between U.S. Dollars and Renminbi could adversely affect our financial condition.

 

The value of the RMB against the U.S. dollar and other currencies may fluctuate. Exchange rates are affected by, among other things, changes in political and economic conditions and the foreign exchange policy adopted by the PRC government. On July 21, 2005, the PRC government changed its policy of pegging the value of the RMB to the U.S. dollar. Under the new policy, the RMB is permitted to fluctuate within a narrow and managed band against a basket of foreign currencies. Following the removal of the U.S. dollar peg, the RMB appreciated more than 20% against the U.S. dollar over three years. From July 2008 until June 2010, however, the RMB traded stably within a narrow range against the U.S. dollar. There remains significant international pressure on the PRC government to adopt a more flexible currency policy, which could result in a further and more significant appreciation of the RMB against foreign currencies. On June 20, 2010, the PBOC announced that the PRC government would reform the RMB exchange rate regime and increase the flexibility of the exchange rate. We cannot predict how this new policy will impact the RMB exchange rate.

 

Our revenues and costs are mostly denominated in the RMB, and a significant portion of our financial assets are also denominated in the RMB. Any significant fluctuations in the exchange rate between the RMB and the U.S. dollar may materially adversely affect our cash flows, revenues, earnings and financial position, and the amount of and any dividends we may pay on our Common Stock in U.S. dollars. In addition, fluctuations in the exchange rate between the RMB and the U.S. dollar could also result in foreign currency translation losses for financial reporting purposes.

 

 

Future inflation in China may inhibit economic activity and adversely affect our operations.

 

The Chinese economy has experienced periods of rapid expansion in recent years which can lead to high rates of inflation or deflation. This has caused the PRC government to, from time to time, enact various corrective measures designed to restrict the availability of credit or regulate growth and contain inflation. High inflation may in the future cause the PRC government to once again impose controls on credit and/or prices, or to take other action, which could inhibit economic activity in China. Any action on the part of the PRC government that seeks to control credit and/or prices may adversely affect our business operations.

 

PRC laws and regulations have established more complex procedures for certain acquisitions of Chinese companies by foreign investors, which could make it more difficult for us to pursue growth through acquisitions in China.

 

Further to the Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the New M&A Rules, the Anti-monopoly Law of the PRC, the Rules of Ministry of Commerce on Implementation of Security Review System of Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors promulgated by MOFCOM or the MOFCOM Security Review Rules, was issued in August 2011, which established additional procedures and requirements that are expected to make merger and acquisition activities in China by foreign investors more time-consuming and complex, including requirements in some instances that MOFCOM be notified in advance of any change of control transaction in which a foreign investor takes control of a PRC enterprise, or that the approval from MOFCOM be obtained in circumstances where overseas companies established or controlled by PRC enterprises or residents acquire affiliated domestic companies. PRC laws and regulations also require certain merger and acquisition transactions to be subject to merger control review and or security review.

 

The MOFCOM Security Review Rules, effective from September 1, 2011, which implement the Notice of the General Office of the State Council on Establishing the Security Review System for Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors promulgated on February 3, 2011, further provide that, when deciding whether a specific merger or acquisition of a domestic enterprise by foreign investors is subject to the security review by MOFCOM, the principle of substance over form should be applied and foreign investors are prohibited from bypassing the security review requirement by structuring transactions through proxies, trusts, indirect investments, leases, loans, control through contractual arrangements or offshore transactions.

 

Further, if the business of any target company that we seek to acquire falls into the scope of security review, we may not be able to successfully acquire such company either by equity or asset acquisition, capital contribution or through any contractual arrangement. We may grow our business in part by acquiring other companies operating in our industry. Complying with the requirements of the relevant regulations to complete such transactions could be time consuming, and any required approval processes, including approval from MOFCOM, may delay or inhibit our ability to complete such transactions, which could affect our ability to maintain or expand our market share.

 

In addition, SAFE promulgated the Circular on the Relevant Operating Issues concerning Administration Improvement of Payment and Settlement of Foreign Currency Capital of Foreign-invested Enterprises, or Circular 142, on August 29, 2008. Its subsequent Supplementary Notice on Issues Relating to the Improvement of Business Operations over Payment and Settlement of Foreign Exchange Capital of Foreign-Invested Enterprises was promulgated by SAFE on July 18, 2011. Under Circular 142, registered capital of a foreign-invested company settled in RMB converted from foreign currencies may only be used within the business scope approved by the applicable governmental authority and may not be used for equity investments in the PRC. In addition, foreign-invested companies may not change how they use such capital without SAFE’s approval, and may not in any case use such capital to repay RMB loans if they have not used the proceeds of such loans according to the loan agreement. Furthermore, SAFE promulgated a circular on November 19, 2012, or Circular 59, which requires the authenticity of settlement of net proceeds from offshore offerings to be closely examined and the net proceeds to be settled in the manner described in the offering documents. Circular 142 and Circular 59 may significantly limit our ability to effectively use the proceeds from future financing activities as the WFOE may not convert the funds received from us in foreign currencies into RMB, which may adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business in the PRC.

 

Failure to comply with the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act could subject us to penalties and other adverse consequences.

 

As our ultimate holding Company is a Delaware corporation, we are subject to the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which generally prohibits United States companies from engaging in bribery or other prohibited payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. Foreign companies, including some that may compete with us, are not subject to these prohibitions. Corruption, extortion, bribery, pay-offs, theft and other fraudulent practices may occur from time-to-time in the PRC. Our employees or other agents may engage in such conduct for which we might be held responsible. If our employees or other agents are found to have engaged in such practices, we could suffer severe penalties and other consequences that may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

 

Recent SEC’s administrative proceedings against the China affiliates of the five multi-national accounting firms may lead to the deregistering of Chinese accounting firms by the PCAOB, which may affect our ability to engage qualified independent auditors.

 

The SEC recently commenced administrative proceedings against BDO China Dahua Co. Ltd., Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Certified Public Accountants Ltd., Ernst & Young Hua Ming LLP, KPMG Huazhen (Special General Fund) and PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian CPAs Limited for refusing to produce audit work papers and other documents related to PRC-based companies under investigation by the SEC for potential accounting fraud against U.S. investors. The SEC has launched an initiative to address concerns arising from reverse mergers and foreign issuers. The SEC charged these accounting firms with violations of the Securities Exchange Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which requires foreign public accounting firms to provide, upon the request of the SEC, audit work papers involving any company trading on U.S. markets. Under PRC law, auditors are not permitted to hand over audit work papers as books and records of Chinese companies are afforded protection of secrecy laws. We are not in a position to assess the outcome or ramifications of these ongoing proceedings and investigations. Unless the PRC government changes its secrecy laws, there are risks that the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) may deregister Chinese accounting firms whose audit work papers the PCAOB cannot inspect and such deregistering of Chinese accounting firms by the PCAOB would, in turn, make it difficult for us to engage qualified independent auditors.

 

If we become directly subject to the recent scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity involving U.S.-listed Chinese companies, we may have to expend significant resources to investigate and resolve the matter which could harm our business operations, and our reputation and could result in a loss to our stockholders, especially if such matter cannot be addressed and resolved favorably.

 

Recently, U.S. public companies that have substantially all of their operations in China, have been the subject of intense scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity by investors, financial commentators and regulatory agencies, such as the SEC. Much of the scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity has centered around financial and accounting irregularities, a lack of effective internal controls over financial accounting, inadequate corporate governance policies or a lack of adherence thereto and, in many cases, allegations of fraud. As a result of the scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity, the publicly traded stock of many U.S. listed Chinese companies has sharply decreased in value and, in some cases, has become virtually worthless. Many of these companies are now subject to shareholder lawsuits and SEC enforcement actions and are conducting internal and external investigations into the allegations. It is not clear what effect this sector-wide scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity will have on our company and our business. If we become the subject of any unfavorable allegations, whether such allegations are proven to be true or untrue, we will have to expend significant resources to investigate such allegations and/or defend the Company. This situation may be a major distraction to our management. If such allegations are not proven to be groundless, our company and business operations will be severely hampered and your investment in our stock could be rendered worthless.

 

The disclosures in our reports and other filings with the SEC and our other public pronouncements are not subject to the scrutiny of any regulatory bodies in the PRC.

 

Our reports and other filings with the SEC are subject to SEC review in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act. Our SEC filings and other disclosure and public pronouncements are not subject to the review or scrutiny of any PRC regulatory authority. For example, the disclosure in our SEC reports and other filings are not subject to the review by CSRC, a PRC regulator that is tasked with oversight of the capital markets in China. Accordingly, you should review our SEC reports, filings and our other public pronouncements with the understanding that no local regulator has done any review of our company, our SEC reports, other filings or any of our other public pronouncements.

  

Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure

 

We conduct our lending and guarantee business through Wujiang Luxiang by means of contractual arrangements. If the PRC courts or administrative authorities determines that these contractual arrangements do not comply with applicable regulations, we could be subject to severe penalties and our business could be adversely affected. In addition, changes in such Chinese laws and regulations may materially and adversely affect our business.

 

There are uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of PRC laws, rules and regulations, including but not limited to the laws, rules and regulations governing the validity and enforcement of the contractual arrangements between WFOE and each of Wujiang Luxiang. Although we were advised by our PRC counsel, Dacheng Law Offices, that based on their understanding of the current PRC laws, rules and regulations, the structure for operating our business in China (including our corporate structure and contractual arrangements with Wujiang Luxiang and its shareholders) comply with all applicable PRC laws, rules and regulations, and do not violate, breach, contravene or otherwise conflict with any applicable PRC laws, rules or regulations, the PRC courts or regulatory authorities may determine that our corporate structure and contractual arrangements violate PRC laws, rules or regulations. We are aware of a recent case involving Chinachem Financial Services where certain contractual arrangements for a Hong Kong Company to gain economic control over a PRC Company were declared to be void by the PRC Supreme People’s Court. If the PRC courts or regulatory authorities determine that our contractual arrangements are in violation of applicable PRC laws, rules or regulations, our contractual arrangements will become invalid or unenforceable.

 

 

If WFOE, Wujiang Luxiang or their ownership structure or the contractual arrangements, are determined to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws, rules or regulations, or WFOE, or Wujiang Luxiang fails to obtain or maintain any of the required governmental permits or approvals, the relevant PRC regulatory authorities would have broad discretion in dealing with such violations, including:

 

●	revoking the business and operating licenses of WFOE, or Wujiang Luxiang;
●	discontinuing or restricting the operations of WFOE or Wujiang Luxiang;
●	imposing conditions or requirements with which we, WFOE or Wujiang Luxiang may not be able to comply;
●	requiring us, WFOE or Wujiang Luxiang to restructure the relevant ownership structure or operations;
●	restricting or prohibiting our use of the proceeds from our initial public offering to finance our business and operations in China; or
●	imposing fines.

 

The imposition of any of these penalties would severely disrupt our ability to conduct business and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

 

On or around September 2011, various media sources reported that the China Securities Regulatory Commission (the “CSRC”) had prepared a report proposing pre-approval by a competent central government authority of offshore listings by China-based companies with variable interest entity structures, such as ours, that operate in industry sectors subject to foreign investment restrictions. However, it is unclear whether the CSRC officially issued or submitted such a report to a higher level government authority or what any such report provides, or whether any new PRC laws or regulations relating to variable interest entity structures will be adopted or what they would provide. If our ownership structure, contractual arrangements or businesses of Wujiang Luxiang are found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws or regulations, the relevant governmental authorities, including the CSRC, would have broad discretion in dealing with such violation, including levying fines, confiscating our income or the income of Wujiang Luxiang, revoking the business licenses or operating licenses of Wujiang Luxiang, 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 overseas financings 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.

 

Our contractual arrangements with Wujiang Luxiang may not be effective in providing control over Wujiang Luxiang.

 

All of our current revenue and net income is derived from Wujiang Luxiang. According to our inquiries with Jiangsu provincial authorities, provincial direct foreign controlling equity ownership in for-profit companies engaged in rural microcredit services in Jiangsu Province has never been approved and such position will not change in the foreseeable future. Therefore, we do not intend to have an equity ownership interest in Wujiang Luxiang but rely on contractual arrangements with Wujiang Luxiang to control and operate its business. However, these contractual arrangements may not be effective in providing us with the necessary control over Wujiang Luxiang and its operations. Any deficiency in these contractual arrangements may result in our loss of control over the management and operations of Wujiang Luxiang, which will result in a significant loss in the value of an investment in our company. Because of the practical restrictions on direct foreign equity ownership imposed by the Jiangsu provincial government authorities, we must rely on contractual rights through our VIE structure to effect control over and management of Wujiang Luxiang, which exposes us to the risk of potential breach of contract by the shareholders of Wujiang Luxiang. In addition, as Wujiang Luxiang is jointly owned by its shareholders, it may be difficult for us to change our corporate structure if such shareholders refuse to cooperate with us.

 

 

The failure to comply with PRC regulations relating to mergers and acquisitions of domestic enterprises by offshore special purpose vehicles may subject us to severe fines or penalties and create other regulatory uncertainties regarding our corporate structure.

 

On August 8, 2006, MOFCOM, joined by the CSRC, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, the SAT, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce (the “SAIC”), and SAFE, jointly promulgated regulations entitled the Provisions Regarding Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors (the “M&A Rules”), which took effect as of September 8, 2006, and as amended on June 22, 2009. This regulation, among other things, has certain provisions that require offshore special purpose vehicles formed for the purpose of acquiring PRC domestic companies and controlled directly or indirectly by PRC individuals and companies, to obtain the approval of MOFCOM prior to engaging in such acquisitions and to obtain the approval of the CSRC prior to publicly listing their securities on an overseas stock market. On September 21, 2006, the CSRC published on its official website a notice specifying the documents and materials that are required to be submitted for obtaining CSRC approval.

 

The application of the M&A Rules with respect to our corporate structure remains unclear, with no current consensus existing among leading PRC law firms regarding the scope and applicability of the M&A Rules. We believe that the MOFCOM and CSRC approvals under the M&A Rules were not required in the context of our share exchange transaction because at such time the share exchange was a foreign related transaction governed by foreign laws, not subject to the jurisdiction of PRC laws and regulations. However, we cannot be certain that the relevant PRC government agencies, including the CSRC and MOFCOM, would reach the same conclusion, and we cannot be certain that MOFCOM or the CSRC will not deem that the transactions effected by the share exchange circumvented the M&A Rules, and other rules and notices, or that prior MOFCOM or CSRC approval is required for overseas financing. Further, we cannot rule out the possibility that the relevant PRC government agencies, including MOFCOM, would deem that the M&A Rules required us or our entities in China to obtain approval from MOFCOM or other PRC regulatory agencies in connection with WFOE’s control of Wujiang Luxiang through contractual arrangements.

 

If the CSRC, MOFCOM, or another PRC regulatory agency subsequently determines that CSRC, MOFCOM or other approval was required for the share exchange transaction and/or the VIE arrangements between WFOE and Wujiang Luxiang, or if prior CSRC approval for overseas financings is required and not obtained, we may face severe regulatory actions or other sanctions from MOFCOM, the CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies. In such event, these regulatory agencies may impose fines or other penalties on our operations in the PRC, limit our operating privileges in the PRC, delay or restrict the repatriation of the proceeds from overseas financings into the PRC, restrict or prohibit payment or remittance of dividends to us or take other actions that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, reputation and prospects, as well as the trading price of our Common Stock. The CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies may also take actions requiring us, or making it advisable for us, to delay or cancel overseas financings, to restructure our current corporate structure, or to seek regulatory approvals that may be difficult or costly to obtain.

 

The M&A Rules, along with certain foreign exchange regulations discussed below, will be interpreted or implemented by the relevant government authorities in connection with our future offshore financings or acquisitions, and we cannot predict how they will affect our acquisition strategy. For example, Wujiang Luxiang’s ability to remit its profits to us, or to engage in foreign-currency-denominated borrowings, may be conditioned upon compliance with the SAFE registration requirements by such Chinese domestic residents, over whom we may have no control.

 

Regulations relating to offshore investment activities by PRC residents may limit our ability to acquire PRC companies and could adversely affect our business.

 

In July 2014, SAFE promulgated the Circular on Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Administration over the Overseas Investment and Financing and Roundtrip Investment by Domestic Residents via Special Purpose Vehicles, or Circular 37, which replaced Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Control on Domestic Residents’ Corporate Financing and Roundtrip Investment through Offshore Special Purpose Vehicles, or Circular 75. Circular 37 requires PRC residents to register with local branches of SAFE in connection with their direct establishment or indirect control of an offshore entity, referred to in Circular 37 as a “special purpose vehicle” for the purpose of holding domestic or offshore assets or interests. Circular 37 further requires amendment to a PRC resident’s registration in the event of any significant changes with respect to the special purpose vehicle, such as an increase or decrease in the capital contributed by PRC individuals, share transfer or exchange, merger, division or other material event. Under these regulations, PRC residents’ failure to comply with specified registration procedures may result in restrictions being imposed on the foreign exchange activities of the relevant PRC entity, including the payment of dividends and other distributions to its offshore parent, as well as restrictions on capital inflows from the offshore entity to the PRC entity, including restrictions on its ability to contribute additional capital to its PRC subsidiaries. Further, failure to comply with the SAFE registration requirements could result in penalties under PRC law for evasion of foreign exchange regulations.

 

 

As Circular 37 is newly-issued, it is unclear how these regulations will be interpreted and implemented. In addition, different local SAFE branches may have different views and procedures as to the interpretation and implementation of the SAFE regulations, and it may be difficult for our ultimate shareholders or beneficial owners who are PRC residents to provide sufficient supporting documents required by the SAFE or to complete the required registration with the SAFE in a timely manner, or at all. Any failure by any of our shareholders who is a PRC resident, or is controlled by a PRC resident, to comply with relevant requirements under these regulations could subject us to fines or sanctions imposed by the PRC government, including restrictions on WFOE’s ability to pay dividends or make distributions to us and on our ability to increase our investment in the WFOE.

 

Our agreements with Wujiang Luxiang are governed by the laws of the PRC and we may have difficulty in enforcing any rights we may have under these contractual arrangements.

 

As all of our contractual arrangements with Wujiang Luxiang are governed by the PRC laws and provide for the resolution of disputes through arbitration in the PRC, they would be interpreted in accordance with PRC law and any disputes would be resolved in accordance with PRC legal procedures. The legal environment in the PRC is not as developed as in the United States. As a result, uncertainties in the PRC legal system could further limit our ability to enforce these contractual arrangements. Furthermore, these contracts may not be enforceable in China if PRC government authorities or courts take a view that such contracts contravene PRC laws and regulations or are otherwise not enforceable for public policy reasons. In the event we are unable to enforce these contractual arrangements, we may not be able to exert effective control over Wujiang Luxiang, and our ability to conduct our business may be materially and adversely affected.

 

The Wujiang Luxiang Shareholders have potential conflicts of interest with us, which may adversely affect our business.

 

All ultimate individual shareholders of the 11 Chinese entities and Mr. Huichun Qin, which collectively own 100% of Wujiang Luxiang’s outstanding equity interests, or their representatives, are beneficial owners of shares of Common Stock of CCC through their BVI entities. Equity interests held by each of these shareholders in CCC is less than its interest in Wujiang Luxiang as a result of our introduction of outside investors as shareholders of CCC. In addition, such shareholders’ equity interest in our company will be further diluted as a result of any future offering of equity securities. As a result, conflicts of interest may arise as a result of such dual shareholding and governance structure.

 

If such conflicts arise, these shareholders may not act in our best interests and such conflicts of interest may not be resolved in our favor. In addition, these shareholders may breach or cause Wujiang Luxiang to breach or refuse to renew the VIE Agreements that allow us to exercise effective control over Wujiang Luxiang and to receive economic benefits from Wujiang Luxiang. Delaware law provides that directors owe a fiduciary duty to a company, which requires them to act in good faith and in the best interests of the company and not to use their positions for personal gain. If we cannot resolve any conflicts of interest or disputes between us and such shareholders or any future beneficial owners of Wujiang Luxiang, we would have to rely on arbitral or legal proceedings to remedy the situation. Such arbitral and legal proceedings may cost us substantial financial and other resources and result in disruption of our business, the outcome of which may adversely affect the Company.

 

If Wujiang Luxiang, or PFL fail to maintain the requisite registered capital, licenses and approvals required under PRC law, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

 

Foreign investment is highly regulated by the PRC government and the foreign investment in the lending industry is restricted by local authorities. Numerous regulatory authorities of the central PRC government, provincial and local authorities are empowered to issue and implement regulations governing various aspects of the lending industry. Foreign investment in the financial leasing industry is also subject to foreign investment regulations. Each of Wujiang Luxiang and PFL are required to obtain and maintain certain assets relevant to its business as well as applicable licenses or approvals from different regulatory authorities in order to provide their current services. These registered capital and licenses are essential to the operation of our business and are generally subject to annual review by the relevant governmental authorities. Furthermore, Wujiang Luxiang and PFL may be required to obtain additional licenses. If we fail to obtain or maintain any of the required registered capital, licenses or approvals, our continued business operations in the lending, and leasing industries may subject us to various penalties, such as confiscation of illegal net revenue, fines and the discontinuation or restriction of our operations. Any such disruption in the business operations of Wujiang Luxiang or PFL will materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

 

FINRA has commenced a review of the unusual trading of our common stock during December 2017, which is in the preliminary stage. We cannot predict the outcome of the investigation. Potential Negative outcomes could adversely affect our ability to raise future financing and the investigation itself could distract our management, both of which could increase the risk that you would suffer a loss on your investment.

 

We have been advised that the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) is conducting a review of trading in the Company surrounding the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on December 27, 2017 indicating on December 21, 2017, the Company notified Sorghum that certain recent actions of Sorghum constitute a breach of Sorghum’s covenants under the Exchange Agreement. We have been responding to FINRA’s request for information and intend to continue to cooperate in the investigation.

 

Although we cannot, at this time, assess either the duration or the likely outcome or consequences of this investigation, any FINRA action that adversely affects us could also adversely affect the trading price of our common stock. In addition, to the extent that the FINRA investigation distracts our management from pursuing our business plan, our results and the trading price of our common stock could be adversely affected.

  

Risks Relating to Our Securities

 

Our Common Stock may be thinly traded and our stockholders may be unable to sell at or near ask prices or at all if they need to sell their shares to raise money or otherwise desire to liquidate their shares.

 

Our Common Stock may be “thinly-traded”, meaning that the number of persons interested in purchasing our Common Stock at or near bid prices at any given time may be relatively small or non-existent. This situation may be attributable to a number of factors, including the fact that we are a small company which is relatively unknown to stock analysts, stock brokers, institutional investors and others in the investment community that generate or influence sales volume, and that even if we came to the attention of such persons, they tend to be risk-averse and might be reluctant to follow an unproven company such as ours or purchase or recommend the purchase of our shares until such time as we became more seasoned. As a consequence, there may be periods of several days or more when trading activity in our shares is minimal or non-existent, as compared to a seasoned issuer which has a large and steady volume of trading activity that will generally support continuous sales without an adverse effect on share price. Broad or active public trading market for our Common Stock may not develop or be sustained.

 

The market price for our Common Stock may be volatile.

 

The market price for our Common Stock may be volatile and subject to wide fluctuations due to factors such as:

 

●	the perception of U.S. investors and regulators of U.S. listed Chinese companies;
●	actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly operating results;
●	changes in financial estimates by securities research analysts;
●	negative publicity, studies or reports;
●	conditions in Chinese credit markets;
●	changes in the economic performance or market valuations of other microcredit companies;
●	announcements by us or our competitors of acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments;
●	addition or departure of key personnel;
●	fluctuations of exchange rates between RMB and the U.S. dollar; and
●	general economic or political conditions in China.

 

 

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

 

Volatility in our Common Stock price may subject us to securities litigation.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Our status as an “emerging growth company” under the JOBS Act may make it more difficult to raise capital when we need to do it.

 

Because of the exemptions from various reporting requirements provided to us as an “emerging growth company”, we may be less attractive to investors and it may be difficult for us to raise additional capital as and when we need it. If we are unable to raise additional capital as and when we need it, our financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

 

We will incur increased costs and demands upon management as a result of complying with the laws and regulations that affect public companies, which could materially adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition, business and prospects.

 

As a public company and particularly after we cease to be an “emerging growth company,” we will incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company, including costs associated with public company reporting and corporate governance requirements. These requirements include compliance with Section 404 and other provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, as well as Section 14 rules implemented by the SEC and NASDAQ. In addition, our management team will also have to adapt to the requirements of being a public company. We expect that compliance with these rules and regulations will substantially increase our legal and financial compliance costs and will make some activities more time-consuming and costly.

 

The increased costs associated with operating as a public company will decrease our net income or increase our net loss, and may require us to reduce costs in other areas of our business or increase the prices of our products or services. Additionally, if these requirements divert our management’s attention from other business concerns, they could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition, business and prospects.

 

We are obligated to develop and maintain proper and effective internal control over financial reporting. We may not complete our analysis of our internal control over financial reporting in a timely manner, or these internal controls may not be determined to be effective, which may adversely affect investor confidence in our company and, as a result, the value of our Common Stock.

 

We will be required, pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, to furnish a report by management on, among other things, the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting for fiscal 2014, the first fiscal year beginning after our initial public offering. This assessment will need to include disclosure of any material weaknesses identified by our management in our internal control over financial reporting and, after we cease to be an “emerging growth company,” a statement that our independent registered public accounting firm has issued an opinion on our internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

We are in the early stages of the costly and challenging process of compiling the system and processing documentation necessary to perform the evaluation needed to comply with Section 404. We may not be able to complete our evaluation, testing and any required remediation in a timely fashion. During the evaluation and testing process, if we identify one or more material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, we will be unable to assert that our internal controls are effective.

 

If we are unable to assert that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, or if, when required, our independent registered public accounting firm is unable to express an opinion on the effectiveness of our internal controls, we could lose investor confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, which would cause the price of our Common Stock to decline, and we may be subject to investigation or sanctions by the SEC.

 

We will be required to disclose changes made in our internal controls and procedures on a quarterly basis. However, our independent registered public accounting firm will not be required to formally attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 until the later of the year following our first annual report required to be filed with the SEC, or the date we are no longer an “emerging growth company” as defined in the JOBS Act, if we take advantage of the exemptions contained in the JOBS Act. We will remain an “emerging growth company” for up to five years. However, if the market value of our Common Stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of any July 31 before that time, our revenues exceed $1 billion, or we issue more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt in a three-year period, we would cease to be an “emerging growth company” as of the following January 31. To comply with the requirements of being a public company, we may need to undertake various actions, such as implementing new internal controls and procedures and hiring accounting or internal audit staff.

 

Our independent registered public accounting firm is not required to formally attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting until the later of the year following our first annual report required to be filed with the SEC, or the date we are no longer an “emerging growth company.” At such time, our independent registered public accounting firm may issue a report that is adverse in the event it is not satisfied with the level at which our controls are documented, designed or operating. Our remediation efforts may not enable us to avoid a material weakness in the future.

 

Provisions in our By-laws and Delaware laws might discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our company or changes in our management and, therefore, depress the trading price of our Common Stock.

 

Provisions of our by-laws and Delaware laws may discourage, delay or prevent a merger, acquisition or other change in control that stockholders may consider favorable, including transactions in which you might otherwise receive a premium for your shares of our Common Stock. These provisions may also prevent or frustrate attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our management. These provisions include:

 

●	the inability of stockholders to act by written consent or to call special meetings;
●	the ability of our board of directors to make, alter or repeal our by-laws; and
●	the ability of our board of directors to designate the terms of and issue new series of preferred stock without stockholder approval.

 

In addition, we are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which generally prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in any of a broad range of business combinations with an interested stockholder for a period of three years following the date on which the stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless such transactions are approved by our board of directors. The existence of the foregoing provisions and anti-takeover measures could limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our Common Stock. They could also deter potential acquirers of our company, thereby reducing the likelihood that you could receive a premium for your Common Stock in an acquisition.

 

 

The elimination of monetary liability against our directors, officers and employees under our certificate of incorporation and the existence of indemnification of our directors, officers and employees under Delaware law may result in substantial expenditures by us and may discourage lawsuits against our directors, officers and employees.

 

Our certificate of incorporation contains provisions which eliminate the liability of our directors for monetary damages to us and our stockholders to the maximum extent permitted under the corporate laws of Delaware. We may also provide contractual indemnification obligations under agreements with our directors, officers and employees. These indemnification obligations could result in our incurring substantial expenditures to cover the cost of settlement or damage awards against directors, officers and employees, which we may be unable to recoup. These provisions and resultant costs may also discourage us from bringing a lawsuit against directors, officers and employees for breach of their fiduciary duties, and may similarly discourage the filing of derivative litigation by our shareholders against our directors, officers and employees even though such actions, if successful, might otherwise benefit the Company and our shareholders.

  

The substantial and continuing losses, and significant operating expenses incurred in the past few years may cause us to be unable to pursue all of our operational objectives if sufficient financing and/or additional cash from revenues is not realized. This raises doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern.

 

The Company had an accumulated deficit of US$81,534,396 as of December 31, 2017. In addition, the Company had a negative net asset of US$5,272,461 as of December 31, 2017.

 

Although we have previously been able to attract financing as needed, such financing may not continue to be available at all, or if available, on reasonable terms as required. Further, the terms of such financing may be dilutive to existing shareholders or otherwise on terms not favorable to us or existing shareholders. If we are unable to secure additional financing, as circumstances require, or do not succeed in meeting our sales objectives, we may be required to change or significantly reduce our operations or ultimately may not be able to continue our operations. As a result of our historical accumulated deficit, these conditions raise substantial doubt as to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. 

 

If we fail to meet the requirements for continued listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market, our common stock could be delisted from trading, which would decrease the liquidity of our common stock and our ability to raise additional capital.

 

Our common stock is currently listed for quotation on the Nasdaq Capital Market. We are required to meet specified financial requirements in order to maintain our listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market. One such requirement is that we maintain a minimum a minimum market value for listed securities (“MVLS”) of $35 million. On February 28, 2018 we received a deficiency letter from the Listings Qualifications Department of the Nasdaq Stock Market notifying us that, for the last 30 consecutive business days, the Company’s MVLS was below the minimum $35 million requirement for continued inclusion on the MVLS. We have been provided an initial period of 180 calendar days, or until August 27, 2018, or the Compliance Date, to regain compliance with the MVLS rules. The Company intends to promptly evaluate options available to regain compliance and to timely submit a plan to regain compliance. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to regain compliance with the applicable Nasdaq listing requirements. Any potential delisting of our common stock from the Nasdaq Capital Market would make it more difficult for our stockholders to sell our stock in the public market and would likely result in decreased liquidity and increased volatility for our common stock.

  

Item 1B.

Unresolved Staff Comments.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 2.

Description of Property.

 

Our principal executive offices are located at No.1 Zhongying Commercial Plaza, Zhong Ying Road, Wujiang, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China, where we leased approximately 4236.24 square foot of office space pursuant to a lease agreement entered on December 15, 2016, whose term is from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019 with annual rents in the amount of RMB142,068 (approximately US$21,025) for the year of 2017, RMB164,039 (approximately US$24,277) for the year of 2018, and RMB174,039 (approximately US$25,757) for the year of 2019. As a result, from January 1, 2017, we have terminated the lease agreement previously entered on May 26, 2015 for our former principal office, which was to expire on May 31, 2021. No default penalty was paid for the early termination. We leased certain office space in New York, NY where we paid a monthly rent of US$3,200 from September to December 2016 and a monthly rent of US$3,600 during 2018. We do not own any real property or have any land use rights.

 

 

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings.

 

The Company is involved in various legal actions arising in the ordinary course of its business.

 

1) 2014 Class Action Litigation:

 

On August 6, 2014, a purported shareholder Andrew Dennison filed a putative class action complaint in the United States District Court District of New Jersey (the “N.J. district court”) relating to a July 25, 2014 press release about the Company’s progress in recovering a significant portion of the $5.4 million the Company paid in the first quarter of 2014 on behalf of loan guarantee customers. The action, Andrew Dennison v. China Commercial Credit, Inc., et al., Case No. 2:2014-cv-04956, alleges that the Company and its current and former officers and directors Huichun Qin, Long Yi, Jianming Yin, Jinggen Ling, Xiangdong Xiao, and John F. Levy violated the federal securities laws by misrepresenting in prior public filings certain material facts about the risks associated with its loan guarantee business. On October 2, 2014, purported shareholders Zhang Yun and Sanjiv Mehrotra (the “Yun Group”) asserted substantially similar claims against the same defendants in a putative class action captioned Zhang Yun v. China Commercial Credit, Inc., et al., Case No. 2:14-cv-06136 (D. N.J.). Neither complaint states the amount of damages sought. On or about October 6, 2014, Dennison, the Yun Group and another purported shareholder, Jason Stark, filed motions to consolidate the cases, be appointed as lead plaintiff and to have their respective counsel appointed as lead counsel. On October 31, 2014, the N.J. district court entered an order consolidating the cases under the caption “In re China Commercial Credit Inc. Securities Litigation” and appointing the Yun Group as lead plaintiff (“Class Plaintiff”) and the Yun Group’s counsel as lead counsel. On November 18, 2014, the Yun Group and the Company, which at that point was the only defendant served, entered into a stipulation to transfer of the case to the Southern District of New York. On December 18, 2014, Mr. Levy, who had by then been served, joined in the stipulation. On December 29, 2014, the N.J. district court entered an order transferring the action. The transfer was effected on January 22, 2015, and assigned docket number 1:15-cv-00557-ALC (S.D.N.Y.) (the “Securities Class Action”). Under the schedule stipulated by the parties, the Yun Group was to file an amended complaint within 60 days of the date that the transfer was effected, and the defendants’ date to answer or move was within 60 days of that filing. On April 7, 2015, the Class Plaintiff filed a Second Amended Class Action Complaint (the “CAC”). The CAC also asserts securities law claims against defendants Axiom Capital Management, Inc., Burnham Securities Inc. and ViewTrade Securities, Inc. (collectively, the “Underwriter Defendants”). The CAC alleges that the Company engaged in a fraudulent scheme by engaging in undisclosed and improper lending practices and made misleading representations regarding its underwriting policies, the loan portfolio quality, the loan loss allowance, compliance with U.S. GAAP and its internal control systems. In accordance with the Court’s procedures, the Company and Mr. Levy and the Underwriter Defendants requested a Pre-Motion Conference in anticipation of filing a motion to dismiss the CAC, which was held on June 25, 2015. At the conference, the Court adjourned the date to answer or move in order to provide the Class Plaintiff with time to serve certain overseas defendants. After the conference, the Class Plaintiff voluntarily dismissed Jianming Yin, Jinggen Ling and Xiangdong Xiao from the action, and Long Yi agreed to waive service, which left Huichun Qin as the sole remaining defendant to serve. On November 22, 2016, the Company entered into a Stipulation and Agreement of Settlement (the “Stipulation”) to settle the Securities Class Action. The Stipulation resolved the claims asserted against the Company and certain of its current and former officers and directors in the Securities Class Action without any admission or concession of wrongdoing or liability by the Company or the other defendants. The Stipulation also provides, among other things, a settlement payment by the Company of $245,000 in cash and the issuance of 950,000 shares of its common stock (the “Settlement Shares”) to the plaintiff’s counsel and class members. The terms of the Stipulation were subject to approval by the Court following notice to all class members . The issuance of the Settlement Shares are exempt from registration pursuant to Section 3(a)(10) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. A fairness hearing was held on May 30, 2017, and the Court approved the settlement. On December 22, 2017, the Court entered a distribution order approving the distribution of the Settlement Stock to the class plaintiffs. The $245,000 cash portion of the settlement has been paid in full. The 712,500 Class Settlement Shares were issued on or about January 19, 2018. The settlement has been finalized, and that thereafter there are no remaining claims outstanding as against the Company with respect to this litigation. On April 10, 2018, the 237,500 of plaintiff attorney fee shares were issued to plaintiff’s attorney’s broker account.

 

Two of the Underwriter Defendants, Axiom Capital Management, Inc., and ViewTrade Securities, Inc., have asserted their respective rights to indemnification under the Underwriting Agreements entered into in connection with the Company’s initial public offering and secondary offering. On or about March 16, 2016, CCCR entered into an Advance Funding and Escrow Agreement (“Advance Funding Agreement”), under which the CCCR agreed to deposit shares into escrow to fund the advancement obligation, with the initial deposit to be 637,592 shares which was valued at Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000), based upon 80% of the 30 day volume weighted average trading price for each of the 30 consecutive trading days prior to the date of the agreement. As of the completion of the settlement, an aggregate of 527,078 shares are unused in the escrow account and the Underwriter Defendants acknowledged there is no additional payment of fees and expenses owed to the Underwriter Defendants and the Advance Funding Agreement shall be terminated. The Company has instructed the transfer agent to cancel the 527,078 shares and return them to authorized shares. As of the date of this Annual Report, the Company is working with its counsel and the escrow agent to complete such cancelation.

 

 

2) Derivative Litigation:

 

On February 3, 2015, a purported shareholder Kiran Kodali filed a putative shareholder derivative complaint in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, captioned Kiran Kodali v. Huichun Qin, et al., Case No. 15-cv-806. The action alleges that the Company and its current and former officers and directors Huichun Qin, Long Yi, Jianming Yin, Jinggen Ling, Chunfang Shen, John F. Levy, Xiaofang Shen and Chunjiang Yu violated their fiduciary duties, grossly mismanaged the Company and were unjustly enriched based upon the transfer that was the subject of the Internal Review and other grounds substantially similar to those asserted in the class action complaints. Kodali did not serve a demand upon the Company and alleges that demand is excused. The Company and Mr. Levy are the only defendants who have been served. An amended derivative complaint was filed on April 20, 2015.

 

On May 29, 2015, the Court “so ordered” a stipulation among Kodali, the Company, and Mr. Levy staying all proceedings in the derivative case, except for service of process on individual defendants, until the earlier of thirty days of termination of the stipulation, dismissal of the class action with prejudice or the date any of the defendants in the class action file an answer to the CAC.

 

The Company intends to vigorously defend against it. At this stage of the proceedings, the Company is not able to estimate the probability of success or loss. The Court ordered CCCR to answer or otherwise move with respect to this action on or before November 13, 2017. Thereafter, CCCR and Mr. Levy submitted a pre-motion letter to the Court requesting permission to move to dismiss the derivative complaint; submission of this letter stayed the proceedings pending the Court’s review thereof. The Court held a hearing on this pre-motion letter on January 22, 2018, denying permission to file a motion to dismiss the complaint without prejudice and setting forth a schedule under which Kodali must serve the remaining defendants in the derivative litigation. The parties are due to file a joint status report on May 21, 2018. On behalf of the Company and Mr. Levy, this firm is engaged in active settlement discussions with counsel for Kodali, but the parties have not entered into a settlement agreement.

 

3) 2017 Class Action

 

The Company and its directors were party to a lawsuit filed on September 1, 2017, by certain a stockholder of the Company on behalf of himself and similarly situated stockholders of the Company CCC in the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware (the “Delaware Chancery Court”) (Case No. 2017-0633-JTL) (the “Action”), Plaintiff stockholders which sought injunctive relief, costs, and attorney’s fees. Plaintiff’s Verified Class Action Complaint (“Complaint”) alleged that the Company’s directors breached their fiduciary duties to the Company’s stockholders by failing to disclose all necessary material information relating to the Company’s entry into an the Exchange Agreement (“Exchange Agreement”) with Sorghum Investment Holdings Limited (“Sorghum”) on August 9, 2017, and preventing the Company’s stockholders from casting a fully informed vote on the Company’s acquisition of Sorghum, and other proposals contained in the Company’s preliminary proxy statement, dated August 14, 2017 (“Preliminary Proxy Statement).

 

On October 10, 2017, the Company filed Amendment No. 1 to its Preliminary Proxy Statement (the “Amended Preliminary Proxy”) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) in response to the Commission’s September 8, 2017 comment letter (“Comment Letter”). After reviewing the Amended Preliminary Proxy, Plaintiff determined that the Company’s Amended Preliminary Proxy rendered the claims asserted in Plaintiff’s Complaint moot and/or otherwise unsuitable for further pursuit. On October 19, 2017, the Company and Plaintiff entered into a stipulation (“Stipulation”) wherein Plaintiff agreed to voluntarily dismiss his claims against the Company, and its directors, with prejudice. The Delaware Chancery Court granted the Stipulation on October 20, 2017, and entered an Order dismissing the Action with prejudice. In accordance with the Order, the Company will advise the Delaware Chancery Court within fifteen (15) days of the earlier of (a) the stockholder vote on the Exchange Agreement relating to the proposals, or (b) the termination of the Exchange Agreement, and whether the parties to the Action have reached an agreement with respect to Plaintiff’s anticipated request for fees and expenses. Currently, no compensation in any form has passed from the Company, or its directors, to Plaintiff or Plaintiff’s attorneys in the Action, and the Company has not made a promise to give any such compensation. On or about November 6, 2017, the Company filed Amendment No. 2 to its Preliminary Proxy Statement with the Commission in further response to the Comment Letter. On December 29, 2017, the Company received notice from Sorghum notifying the Company that the Exchange Agreement is terminated. The Company advised Plaintiff of the termination of the Exchange Agreement on January 9, 2018.

 

4) 2017 Arbitration with Sorghum

 

On December 21, 2017, the Company delivered notice (“Notice”) to Sorghum notifying Sorghum that certain recent actions of Sorghum constituted breaches of Sorghum’s covenants under the Exchange Agreement. Specifically, we believe that Sorghum is in breach of Section 6.9 (a) and Section 6.11 (b) of the Exchange Agreement which required Sorghum to use commercially reasonable efforts and to cooperate fully with the other parties to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Exchange Agreement and to make its directors, officers and employees available in connection with responding in a timely manner to SEC comments. According to the terms of the Exchange Agreement, the Company is entitled to terminate the Exchange Agreement if the breach is not cured within twenty (20) days after the Notice is provided to Sorghum.

 

On January 25, 2018, the Company filed an arbitration demand (“Arbitration Demand”) with the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) against Sorghum in connection with Sorghum’s breach of the Exchange Agreement. The AAA has forwarded the Company’s Arbitration Demand to Sorghum, and Sorghum’s response to the Arbitration Demand was due on or before February 14, 2018. Sorghum has not provided a written response to the Company’s Arbitration Demand. In accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the AAA, Sorghum’s failure to respond is deemed as a general denial of the Company’s claims. On April 10, 2018, the AAA appointed Barbara Mentz, Esq. (“Arbitrator Mentz”) as arbitrator in accordance with the arbitration clause contained in the Exchange Agreement.  The Company and Sorghum’s counsels are currently having initial conferences with the Arbitrator Mentz. The Company intends to prosecute its claims vigorously.

  

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures.

 

Not applicable.

 

PART II

 

Item 5.

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

 

Market Information

 

Our common stock is currently listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “CCCR”. The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices as reported on the NASDAQ Capital Market. The quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission, and may not represent actual transactions.

 

FISCAL YEAR 2018		HIGH				LOW
January 1, 2018- March 27, 2018		$	1.89			$	1.21

 

 

FISCAL YEAR 2017		HIGH				LOW
First Quarter		$	1.58			$	1.00
Second Quarter		$	3.35			$	1.00
Third Quarter		$	3.36			$	2.41
Fourth Quarter		$	3.69			$	1.40

 

FISCAL YEAR 2016		HIGH				LOW
First Quarter		$	0.4			$	0.25
Second Quarter		$	2.27			$	0.3
Third Quarter		$	3.2			$	1.037
Fourth Quarter		$	2.09			$	1.01

 

The last reported sales price of our common stock on the NASDAQ Capital Market on March 27, 2018 was $1.21.

 

UNREGISTERED SALE OF SECURITIES

 

On March 2, 2017, the Company issued 185,750 restricted shares to two employees as part of the Company’s 2014 Equity Inventive Plan. All these shares are issued pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

 

On April 20, 2017, the Company issued 500,000 restricted shares to four individuals, all of whom are citizens of P.R.C, for their services provided to the Company. All these shares are issued pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Regulation S promulgated thereunder.

 

On May 11, 2017, the Company sold 60,000 restricted shares to 100 individuals at the purchase price $1.00 per share. All these shares are issued pursuant to Regulation S.

 

 

On June 21, 2017, the Company sold an aggregate of 625,000 restricted shares to two investors at the purchase price of $0.80 per share. All these shares are issued pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, Regulation S and/or Regulation D promulgated thereunder.

 

On August 10, 2017, the Company issued 4,500 and 5,500 restricted shares to Axiom Capital Management, Inc. and Michael S. Jacobs, respectively, as compensation for the issuance of a fairness opinion. All these shares are issued pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and/or Regulation D promulgated thereunder.

 

On September 14, 2017, the Company issued 460,000 restricted shares to certain advisors. All these shares are issued pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and/or Regulation S promulgated thereunder.

 

On September 27, 2017, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with certain accredited and sophisticated investors in connection with a private placement offering of 552,486 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company, for gross proceeds to the Company of one million dollars. The purchase price per share of the private placement offering is $1.81. In connection with the purchase of the shares, the purchasers received a warrant to purchase up to the number of shares of the Company’s common stock equal to 193,370 of the shares of common stock purchased by the Purchasers pursuant to the securities purchase agreement. The warrant has an exercise price of $2.26 per share and is exercisable on the date of issuance and expire five years form the date of issuance. The private placement offering closed on September 29, 2017. The shares of the Company’s common stock issued in the private placement offering are exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and/or Regulation D promulgated thereunder.

 

On November 9, 2017, the Company issued 220,000 restricted shares to director, officers and advisors, none of whom are U.S. Persons. All these shares are issued pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and/or Regulation S promulgated thereunder.

  

On December 1, 2017, the Company sold 200,000 restricted shares to two non-US investors at a purchase price of $3.50 per share. All these shares are issued pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, Regulation S and/or Regulation D promulgated thereunder.

 

On April 11, 2018 the Company sold 649,350 restricted shares to certain non-US investors at a purchase price of $0.77 per share. All these shares are issued pursuant to Regulation S.

 

Holders

 

We had 259 holders of record of our common stock as of March 27, 2018.

 

Dividends

 

We did not declare or pay any dividend in 2016 and do not plan to do so in the foreseeable future. Although we intend to retain our earnings, if any, to finance the growth of our business, our board of directors will have the discretion to declare and pay dividends in the future, subject to applicable PRC regulations and restrictions as described below. Payment of dividends in the future will depend upon our earnings, capital requirements, and other factors, which our board of directors may deem relevant.

 

In addition, due to various restrictions under PRC laws on the distribution of dividends by WFOE, we may not be able to pay dividends to our stockholders. The Wholly-Foreign Owned Enterprise Law (1986), as amended, and The Wholly-Foreign Owned Enterprise Law Implementing Rules (1990), as amended, and the Company Law of the PRC (2006), contain the principal regulations governing dividend distributions by wholly foreign owned enterprises. Under these regulations, wholly foreign owned enterprises may pay dividends only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. Additionally, such companies are required to set aside a certain amount of their accumulated profits each year, if any, to fund certain reserve funds until such time as the accumulated reserve funds reach and remain above 50% of the registered capital amount. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends except in the event of liquidation and cannot be used for working capital purposes. Furthermore, if our subsidiaries and affiliates in China incur debt on their own in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict its ability to pay dividends or make other payments. If we or our subsidiaries and affiliates are unable to receive all of the revenues from our operations through the current contractual arrangements, we may be unable to pay dividends on our common stock.

 

 

Item 6.

Selected Financial Data.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 7.

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

 

Overview

 

We are a financial services firm operating in China. Our current operations are mainly conducted through Wujiang Luxiang, a fully licensed microcredit company which we control through our subsidiaries and certain contractual arrangements, and consist of providing short-term direct loans and loan guarantees to small and medium enterprises (“SME”s) located in Wujiang City, Jiangsu Province of China. As of December 31, 2017, we have built a US$40.7 million portfolio of direct loans to 71 borrowers and a total of US$11.6 million in loan guarantees for 14 borrowers. Additionally, we accrued allowance for loan losses of $36.6 million and allowance for financial guarantee services of $9.3 million. We were established under the 2008 Guidance on the Small Loan Company Pilot of the China Banking Regulatory Commission and the People’s Bank of China (“PBOC”) (No.23) (“Circular No. 23”) to extend short term loans and loan guarantees to SMEs, a class of borrowers that we believe have been underserved in the Chinese lending market. The loans that we provide bridge the gap between Chinese-state run banks that have not traditionally served the capital needs of SMEs and high interest rate “underground” lenders, and our loans provide capital at more favorable terms and sustainable interest rates.

 

As the rate of fees and commissions generated from the guarantee business has been decreasing, the Company has decided that the revenue does not justify the default risks involved, and therefore expects to further reduce the traditional guarantee business and hold off on pursuing the guarantee business to be provided via the Kaixindai Financing Services Jiangsu Co. Ltd (“Kaixindai”) platform as previously planned. Management may actively resume the guarantee business if economic conditions improve in the future.

 

On September 5, 2013, our wholly owned subsidiary, CCC International Investment Holding Ltd. (“CCC HK”), established Pride Financial Leasing (Suzhou) Co. Ltd. (“PFL”) in Jiangsu Province, China. PFL was expected to offer financial leasing of machinery and equipment, transportation vehicles, and medical devices to municipal government agencies, hospitals and SMEs in Jiangsu Province and beyond. As of the date of this report, PFL entered into two financial leasing agreements for an aggregate lease receivable of US$5.61 million (one with a monthly principle and interest income approximating US$81,600 for the period during November 13, 2014 to May 12, 2015, and approximating US$80,000 for the period from May 13, 2015 and thereafter, and the other with a quarterly principle and interest income approximating US$342,800) did not provide continuous financial leasing services. We do not currently have further funds to deploy in the financial leasing business.

 

Key Factors Affecting Our Results of Operation

 

Our business and operating results are affected by China’s overall economic growth, local, economic condition, market interest rate and the borrowers’ repayment ability. Unfavorable changes could affect the demand for the services that we provide and could materially and adversely affect our results of operations. Our results of operations are also affected by the regulations and industry policies related to the microcredit industry in the PRC.

 

Our results of operations are also affected by the provision for loan losses and provision for financial guarantee loss which are noncash items and represents an assessment of the risk of future loan losses. Increases in the allowance for loan losses are achieved through provision for loan losses that are charged against net interest income.

 

Although we have generally benefited from China’s economic growth and the policies to encourage lending to farmers and SMEs, we are also affected by the complexity, uncertainties and changes in the PRC regulations governing the micro lending industry. Due to PRC legal restrictions on foreign equity ownership of and investment in the micro lending sector in China, we rely on contractual arrangements with Wujiang Luxiang, and its shareholders to conduct most of our current business in China. We face risks associated with our control over our variable interest entity, as our control is based upon contractual arrangements rather than equity ownership.

 

 

Results of Operations

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

 

		For the Years Ended December 31,								Change
		2017				2016				Amount				%
Interest income
Interests and fees on loans and direct financing lease		$	381,779			$	1,287,518				(905,739	)			-70	%
Interests on deposits with banks			22,683				3,535				19,148				542	%
Total interest and fee income			404,462				1,291,053				(886,591	)			-69	%
Interest expense
Interest expense on short-term bank loans			-				(29,588	)			29,588				-100	%
Net interest income			404,462				1,261,465				(857,003	)			-68	%
(Provision) Reversal of provision for loan losses			(3,122,113	)			426,475				(3,548,588	)			-832	%
Reversal of provision for direct financing lease losses			66,598				239,852				(173,254	)			-72	%
Net interest (loss) income after provision for loan losses and financing lease losses			(2,651,053	)			1,927,792				(4,578,845	)			-238	%
Commissions and fees on financial guarantee services			2,899				35,199				(32,300	)			-92	%
(Provision) Reversal of provision for financial guarantee services			(2,838,513	)			283,816				(3,122,329	)			-1100	%
Commission and fee (loss) income on guarantee services, net			(2,835,614	)			319,015				(3,154,629	)			-989	%
Net (Loss) Revenue			(5,486,667	)			2,246,807				(7,733,474	)			-344	%
Non-interest income
Other non-interest income			-				48,152				(48,152	)			-100	%
Total non-interest income			-				48,152				(48,152	)			-100	%
Non-interest expense
Salaries and employee surcharge			(958,651	)			(1,264,944	)			306,293				-24	%
Rental expenses			(58,233	)			(94,826	)			36,593				-39	%
Business taxes and surcharge			(5,555	)			(18,542	)			12,987				-70	%
Legal and consulting expenses relating to acquisition			(2,749,795	)			-				(2,749,795	)			>100	%
Litigation and settlement cost for the shareholders’ lawsuit			-				(1,641,500	)			1,641,500				-100	%
Changes in fair value of other noncurrent liabilities			(266,000	)			351,500				(617,500	)			175	%
Other operating expenses			(1,174,394	)			(2,207,690	)			1,033,296				-47	%
Total non-interest expense			(5,212,628	)			(4,876,002	)			(336,626	)			7	%
Foreign exchange (loss) gain			(445	)			907				(1,352	)			-149	%
Loss Before Income Taxes			(10,699,740	)			(2,580,136	)			(8,119,604	)			315	%
Income tax expense			-				-				-				0	%
Net Loss			(10,699,740	)			(2,580,136	)			(8,119,604	)			315	%
Other comprehensive loss
Foreign currency translation adjustment			(55,121	)			(167,365	)			112,244				-67	%
Comprehensive Loss		$	(10,754,861	)		$	(2,747,501	)			(8,007,360	)			291	%

 

 

The Company’s net loss for the year ended December 31, 2017 was US$10,699,740, representing an increase of US$8,119,604, or 315%, from net loss of US$2,580,136 for the year ended December 31, 2016. The change in net loss for the year ended December 31, 2017 was the net effect of the changes in the following components:

 

●	a decrease in net interest income of US$857,003;
●	a change in the provision for loan losses of US$3,548,588 from a reversal of provision of US$426,475 for the year ended December 31, 2016 to a provision of US$3,122,113 for the year ended December 31, 2017;
●	a decrease in the reversal of provision for direct financing lease losses of US$173,254 from US$239,852 for the year ended December 31, 2016 to US$66,598 for the year ended December 31, 2017;
●	a change in the provision for financial guarantee of US$3,122,329 from a reversal of provision of US$283,816 for the year ended December 31, 2016 to a provision of US$2,838,513 for the year ended December 31, 2017; and
●	an increase in total non-interest expense of US$336,626 from US$4,876,002 for the year ended December 31, 2016 to US$5,212,628 for the year ended December 31, 2017.

 

The following paragraphs discuss changes in the components of net loss in greater details during the year ended December 31, 2017, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2016.

 

Net Interest Income

 

Net interest income is equal to interest income we generated less interest expense on short-term bank loans. The Company’s net interest income decreased by US$857,003, or 68% to US$404,462 during the year ended December 31, 2017, as compared to net interest income of US$1,261,465 during the year ended December 31, 2016.

 

The interests and fees on loans, direct financing leases and deposits with banks decreased by US$886,591, or 69% from US$1,291,053 for the year ended December 31, 2016 to US$404,462 for the year ended December 31, 2017. The decrease is the combined effects of: (1) the decrease in the amount of monthly interest received from long-aged loans resulting from the existing customers’ deteriorating loan quality; and (2) Few new loans or renewal of loans during the year ended December 31, 2017, leading to a significant decrease in interest income.

 

As a traditional industry, the textile industry, which is the pillar industry in Wujiang area, as well as other industries, has been facing downward pressure. Additionally, the bank lenders usually require an old loan to be paid in full upon maturity before they approve a new loan to the same borrower. Some SMEs have to borrow from so-called “underground” lenders, or shadow banks to repay the loans due to the banks. Additionally, the banks denied to extend new loans to some SMEs even after they made the full repayment for the loans due and satisfied other conditions. Management is concerned that the borrowers may use the proceeds from the loans we grant to them as a means of repayment to the other banks or even to the underground lenders, instead of using them in operations. Therefore, management decided to grant new loans in a more cautious manner. During the year ended December 31, 2017, we granted one new loan and renew three existing loans. As of December 31, 2017, we had 71 loans with an average loan size of US$572,934. The loan balance of $36,613,393 was accrued of an allowance for uncollectibility which was equal to the loan balance. During the year ended December 31, 2017, loans of $4.56 million generated interests and fees on loan.

 

Due to the long-term nature of our restricted deposits with third party banks, we utilized these deposits as term deposits which in turn generated interest income on deposits with banks of US$22,683 during the year ended December 31, 2017 as compared to US$3,535 during the year ended December 31, 2016. Caused by the contraction of our traditional guarantee business with banks, we have closed several restricted deposit accounts with banks through which we provided guarantee services to our customers. As a result, the interest income on deposits with bank was insignificant during the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 

 

Provision for Loan Losses

 

The Company provided a provision for loan losses of US$3,122,113 and reversed a provision for loan losses of US$426,475 for year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The provision for loan losses was determined by comparing the beginning and ending balance of allowance for loan losses for business and personal loans. If the ending balance of the allowance of loan losses after any charge offs (net of recoveries) is less than the beginning balance, it will be recorded as a “reversal”; if it is larger, it will be recorded as a “provision” in the allowance for loan loss. The netting amount of “reversal” and “provision” is presented in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss and the components of the provision for loan losses were disclosed in Note 7 of financial statements.

  

Provision for loan losses increased by $3,548,588 for the year ended December 31, 2017, as compared to last year. Based on the management assessment over each individual loan in terms of the customers’ payment ability and payment intention, more “doubtful” loans rolled to “loss” loans during the year ended December 31, 2017 as compared to that during the year ended December 31, 2016. The fact led to more accrual of provision on loan losses during the year ended December 31, 2017 as compared to the year of 2016.

 

Since the beginning of 2014, the economic conditions in the eastern part of China, especially the Yangtze River Delta region, has been challenging due to the downturn of the general economic situation in China. Wujiang, which is in the heart of this region, has been significantly affected. The textile industry, which is the pillar industry in the Wujiang area, as well as other industries, has been facing downward pressure. As the local SMEs’ profitability and repayment ability deteriorates, “doubtful” and “loss” bank loans drastically increased. As such, our provision for loan losses substantially increased since 2014 and we had a significant allowance balance for loan losses as of December 31, 2017 and 2016.

 

In December 2017, the Company reviewed the classification of its loan portfolios within its rating system to test the adequacy of the allowances calculated thereby. As a result of such testing, the Company decided to reclassify certain loans into different categories. The Company reviewed the profile, financial condition and other relevant information and documents of each customer in the lending businesses. For customers with several loans with different due dates, if one of whose loans was past due, the Company decided to reclassify all loans of the customer’s as past due (even the other loans that were not mature yet). For extended loans, the Company re-evaluated the customer’s repayment ability in a more cautions manner and reclassified the loans of customers without very strong financial condition into the past due category. These reclassifications affected numerous customer accounts.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2017, management continued to assess the adequacy of the allowances in a cautious manner. Management assessed the collectability of loan receivable balances on an individual basis and concluded the collection from certain borrowers is remote. Therefore, management determined to charge off loan balances against allowances, in the amount of US$21.0 million, as these loans are deemed as uncollectible. Management concluded that these borrowers had neither ability nor intention to make repayment as (1) these charged loans are guarantee backed loans which are subordinated to asset backed loans these borrowers obtained from the banks, (2) most of our borrowers or their guarantors are in the textile industry and the majority of the textile businesses are struggling due to the continued and worsened downturn trend in China’s macro-economic environment during the year ended December 31, 2017 and quite a number of textile businesses went bankrupt and (3) management was advised by local counsels representing the Company in the collection lawsuits that the chances of collection is quite remote given the large scale defaults in both large and small businesses in Wujiang region.

 

 

Net Commission and Fees on Guarantee Business

 

The Company also generated net income by charging fees for financial guarantee services provided to our customers to help them obtain loans from other banks. We generally charge a one-time fee of 1.8% - 3.6% multiplied by the amount of loans being guaranteed, based on the nature of the guarantee and whether the customer is new or existing.

 

As of December 31, 2017, the off-balance-sheet financial guarantee amounted to US$11.6 million. The commissions and fees generated from our financial guarantee services decreased from US$35,199 for the year ended December 31, 2016 to US$2,899 for the year ended December 31, 2017, representing a decrease of US$32,300, or 92%. The reduction was due to the decreased number of guarantee transactions as management reduced the guarantee portfolio to control the default risk.

 

As of December 31, 2017, we have provided guarantees for a total of US$11.6 million underlying loans to approximately 14 financial guarantee service customers, as compared to a total of US$10.9 million as of December 31, 2016.

 

Provision on Financial Guarantee Services 

 

The provision for financial guarantee services changed from a reversal of provision of $283,816 for the year ended December 31, 2016, to a provision of $2,838,513 for the year ended December 31, 2017, representing a change of $3,122,329. The change was mainly attributable to accrual of provision approximating $1.1 million for long-aged balance of repayment on behalf of guarantee service customers and accrual of provision approximating $2.0 million for interest, penalty and other expenses arising from default of repayment of loans on which the Company provided financial guarantee services. 

 

The methodology the Company used to estimate the liability for probable guarantee loss considers the guarantee contract amount and a variety of factors, which include, dependence on the counterparty, latest financial position and performance of the customers, actual defaults, estimated future defaults, historical loss experience, estimated value of collaterals or guarantees the costumers or third parties offered, and other economic conditions such as the economic trend of the area and the country. The estimates are based upon currently available information. Based on the recent lawsuit results and repayment status by defaulted customers, the Company estimated approximately 100% and 50% of off-balance-sheet financial guarantee services may be subject to default and their repayment may be “not likely”.

 

We accrued specific provision on the balance of repayment on behalf of defaulted customers according to “Five-Tier” principal. The Specific Reserve is based on the level of loss of each loan after categorizing the loan according to their risk. According to the “Five-Tier Principle” set forth in the Provision Guidance, the guarantees are categorized as “special-mention”, “substandard”, “doubtful” or “loss”. Normally, the provision rate is 2% for “special-mention”, 25% for “substandard”, 50% for “doubtful” and 100% for “loss”.

 

Since the beginning of 2016, People’s Bank of China injected a significant amount of liquidity to the market to encourage the development of emerging industries such as online-game, filming and virtual reality, which has made it easier than previous two years for entities to gain access to capital. However, the bank lenders are still cautious with SMEs in traditional industries. The bank lenders usually require an old loan be paid in full upon maturity before they approve a new loan to the same borrower. Since the end of the year ended December 31, 2014, the banks denied to extend new loans to many SMEs even after they made the full repayment for the loans due and satisfied other conditions. As a result, some of the SME borrowers for which we provided the guarantees decided to default on the bank loans. Therefore the amount of repayment we made to the bank lenders substantially increased since the year ended December 31, 2014. We have brought collection actions against both the borrowers and their counter-guarantors. However, management was advised by counsel in the collection action that the chance of collection is remote given the large scale bad debt prevalent in Wujiang region. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the management charged off specific provision for 31 and 2 customers in the amount of US$10,440,156 and US$142,966, respectively.

 

In December 2017, the Company revisited the classification of its guarantee portfolios within its rating system to test the adequacy of the allowances calculated thereby.  As a result of such testing, the Company decided to reclassify certain guarantees into different categories. The Company reviewed the profile, financial condition and other relevant information and documents of each customer in the guarantee businesses. For customers with several guarantees with different due dates, if one guaranteed loan was past due, the Company decided to reclassify all of this customer’s guaranteed loans as past due (even the other loans that were not mature yet). These reclassifications affected numerous customer accounts. We engaged He-Partners Law Firm, one of the largest law firms in Suzhou City, to represent us in the legal proceedings against the borrowers and their counter guarantors, and expect to collect part of the outstanding balance in a period ranging from six twelve months to one and a half year upon adjudication by the court in favor of the Company. The timing of collection and ultimate amount of funds we can recover depend on a few factors, including the repayment ability of the borrower and their counter-guarantors, the execution time of the court, other obligations the borrowers have and priority over the claim for the Company.

 

 

Non-interest Expenses

 

Non-interest expenses increased from US$4,876,002 for the year ended December 31, 2016 to US$5,212,628 for the year ended December 31, 2017, representing an increase of US$336,626, or 7%. Non-interest expenses primarily consisted of salary and employee surcharge, office rental expense, business tax and surcharge, legal and consulting expenses relating to acquisition, litigation and settlement cost for the shareholders’ lawsuit, changes in fair value of other noncurrent liabilities, depreciation of equipment, travel expenses, entertainment expenses, professional service fees, and other office supplies. The increase was mainly attributable to net effects of a decrease of salaries and employee surcharge by US$306, 293, or 24%, a decrease of rental expenses by US$36,593, or 39% against a one-time increase of legal and consulting cost relating to a failed acquisition of Sorghum by $2,749,795 and against a decrease in litigation and settlement cost for the shareholders’ lawsuit by $1,641,500 netting off an increase in change of fair value of other noncurrent liabilities for settlement of shares for the shareholders’ lawsuit by 617,500.

 

Loan Portfolio Quality

 

One of our key objectives is to maintain a high level of loan portfolio quality. When a borrower fails to make a scheduled payment, we attempt to cure the deficiency by personally contacting the borrower. Initial contacts typically are made seven days after the date the payment is due, and warning letters are sent by our legal counsel approximately 90 days after the default. In most cases, deficiencies are promptly resolved. If the outstanding amount cannot be collected within 180 days after the maturity date and the parties could not reach an agreement on a specific repayment program, we will initiate legal proceedings.

 

We also keep the frequency of visits to our customers and observe their daily production on site from time to time to observe their operating condition and collect their financial information. Since most of our customers are in the Jiangsu area, it is also relatively easy to obtain information about our customers.

 

On loans where the collection of principal or interest payments is doubtful, the accrual of interest income ceases and become “non-accrual” loans. Except for loans that are sufficiently secured and in the process of collection, it is our policy to discontinue accruing additional interest and reverse any interest accrued on any loan which is 90 days or more past due.

 

We account for our impaired loans in accordance with U.S. GAAP. An impaired loan generally is one for which it is probable, based on current information, that the lender will not collect all the amounts due under the contractual terms of the loan. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment history and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. Impairment is measured on a loan by loan basis for business and personal loans by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateralized.

 

We allow a one-time loan extension with time duration up to the original loan term, which is usually within twelve months. In order to qualify, the borrower must be current with its interest payments. We do not grant concession to borrowers as the principal of the loan remains the same and interest rate is fixed at the current interest rate at the time of extension.

 

We use a comprehensive methodology to monitor credit quality and prudently manage credit concentration within our portfolio of loans. Currently our loan portfolio concentrates in the textile industry and during the year ended December 31, 2017, both the domestic and international demand for textile products have been decreasing. To maintain our loan portfolio quality, we have modified our loan policy to accept only textile companies with real estate as collateral or guaranteed by guarantee companies. During the year ended December 31, 2017, we assessed the loan portfolio quality and charged-off loan receivable balances of $21,011,593 as we were of the opinion that these balances were uncollectible.

 

In addition, we plan to minimize our risks by concentrating on smaller amount loans that are below US$461,000 (or approximately RMB 3.0 million).

 

Currently, the banking industry encourages SMEs to apply for loans as individuals with recourse so that when it is past due, both the SME and the responsible individual are both liable for the past due amount and the individual borrower carries personal liability.

 

Affected by above factors, as of December 31, 2017, our loan balance witnessed a decrease of US$16,518,819 in business loan and a decrease of US$1,325,848 in personal loan, as compared to that as of December 31, 2016.

 

 

The following table sets forth the classification of loans receivable as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively:

 

		December 31, 2017 Amount				Percent  of Total				December 31, 2016 Amount				Percent  of Total
Business loans		$	21,267,838				52.28	%		$	37,786,658				64.57	%
Personal loans			19,410,476				47.72	%			20,736,324				35.43	%
Total Loans receivable		$	40,678,314				100	%		$	58,522,982				100	%

 

Nonaccrual loans totaled US$36.81 million, or 90.48% of loans receivable as of December 31, 2017, as compared with US$56.58 million, or 96.68% of loans receivable, as of December 31, 2016. The allowance for loan losses was US$36.61 million, representing 90.00% of loans receivable and 99.48% of non-accrual loans as of December 31, 2017. As of December 31, 2016, the allowance for loan losses was US$51.71 million, representing 88.36% of loans receivable and 91.39% of non-accrual loans.

 

The following table sets forth information concerning our nonaccrual loans as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively:

 

		December 31, 2017				December 31, 2016
Nonaccrual loans		$	36,805,205			$	56,579,074
Allowance for loan losses		$	36,613,393			$	51,708,063
Loans receivable		$	40,678,314			$	58,522,982
Total assets		$	7,165,284			$	9,570,743
Nonaccrual loans to loans receivable			90.48	%			96.68	%
Nonperforming assets to total assets			513.66	%			591.17	%
Allowance for loan losses to loans receivable			90.00	%			88.36	%
Allowance for loan losses to non-accrual loans			99.48	%			91.39	%

 

As a traditional industry, the textile industry, which is the pillar industry in Wujiang area, as well as other industries, have been facing downward pressure. As the local SMEs’ profitability and repayment ability deteriorates, “special mentioned”, “substandard” and “doubtful’ bank loans drastically increased. As such, our provision for loan losses remained at a high level as of December 31, 2017.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2017, we reassessed the collectability of the loans and charged off allowance on loans against loan receivable in the amount of $21,011,593. A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due.

 

Cash Flows and Capital Resources

 

We have financed our operations primarily through shareholder contributions, cash flow from operations, and public offerings of securities. As a result of our total cash activities, net cash increased from US$768,501 as of December 31, 2016 to US$2,498,194 as of December 31, 2017.

 

Going Concern

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business are dependent on, among other things, the Company’s ability to operate profitably, to generate cash flows from operations, and to pursue financing arrangements to support its working capital requirements.

 

The following includes conditions give rise to substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year from the financial statement issuance date and management’s plans to mitigate these adverse conditions:

 

1)	Limited funds necessary to maintain operations

 

The Company had an accumulated deficit of US$81,534,396 as of December 31, 2017. In addition, the Company had a negative net asset of US$5,272,461 as of December 31, 2017.  As of December 31, 2017, the Company had cash of US$2,498,194 and total liabilities other than accrual for financial guarantee services of $3,166,863. Caused by the limited funds, the management assessed that the Company was not able to keep the size of lending business within one year from the financial statement issuance date.

 

The Company is actively seeking other strategic partners with experience in lending business.

 

 

2)	Recurring operating loss

 

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company incurred operating loss of US$10,699,740. Affected by the reduction of lending business and guarantee business and increased loss loans, the management was in the opinion that recurring operating losses would be made continue within one year from the financial statement issuance date.

 

The Company continues to use its best effort to improve collection of loan receivable and interest receivable. Management engaged two PRC law firms to represent the Company in the legal proceedings against the borrowers and their counter guarantors.

 

3)	Negative operating cash flow

 

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company incurred negative operating cash flow of US$1,184,630. Affected by significant balance of charged-off interest receivable, the management assessed the Company would continue to have negative operating cash flow within one year from the financial statement issuance of the filing date.

 

The Company continues to reduce the redundant headcount and entered into a new office lease with lower rent commitment since January 1, 2017 to improve operating cash flow.

 

4)	Downward industry

 

Most loan customers are from textile industry which has been facing downward pressure. Additionally adversely affected by emergence of internet finance entities, the Company was facing fierce competition. Considering the high risks from both customers and competitors, management assessed the Company would further reduced the loan business without strong financial support.

 

The Company is actively seeking other strategic partners with experience in lending business.

 

●

Financial Support

 

The Company has been actively seeking strategic investors with experience in lending business as well as financial investors. Management also invested in the Company during 2017.

 

On May 11, 2017 and June 21, 2017, the Company closed two private placements to third-party individual investors who purchased 60,000 and 625,000 shares of common stock, respectively, at a per share price of US$1.0 and US$0.8, for a total gross proceeds of US$60,000 and US$500,000, respectively. The net proceeds of the sale of the shares were used by the Company for working capital and general corporate purpose.

 

On September 29, 2017, the Company closed two private placements to two individual investors who purchased 552,486 shares of common stock at a per share price of US$1.81 with total gross proceeds of amount of US$1,000,000. One of the investors was the then Vice President of Finance of the Company. The net proceeds of the sale of the shares were used by the Company for working capital and general corporate purpose, payment of the transactional expenses related to the acquisition of all the outstanding issued shares of Sorghum Investment Holding Limited (“Sorghum”) from certain shareholders of Sorghum, and payments related to the securities class action and derivative action.

 

In December 2017, the Company sold an aggregate 200,000 registered shares of common stock at a purchase price of $3.50 per share to Long Yi, the Chief Financial Officer of the Company and Yang Jie, the then  VP of Finance of the Company pursuant to certain securities purchase agreement dated December 1, 2017. In connection with the purchase, Mr. Yi and Mr. Jie also receive warrants to purchase up to the number of shares of the Company’s common stock equal to 80,000 shares of common stock pursuant to the securities purchase agreement. The warrants have an exercise price of $4.20 per share. The warrants became exercisable on the date of issuance and shall expire five years from the date of issuance. The gross proceeds to the Company of approximately $700,000 and should be used for working capital and general corporate purpose. 

 

The Company plans to continue to seek financial as well as strategic investors for additional financing to regain compliance of the NASDAQ continued listing requirement.

 

On April 11, 2018, the Company closed a private placement to two individual investors in China for a gross proceeds of US$500,000 at a per share price of US$0.77. The net proceeds of the sale of the shares shall be used by the Company for working capital and general corporate purpose.

 

●

Plan to acquire new business or assets

 

Although we have continued to use our best effort to improve our collection of loan receivable and interest receivable by engaging local law firms in China, it has been very difficult for us to collect from the borrowers. As such, the Company has been actively seeking strategic acquisition of business or assets to improve our liquidity. Since the termination of the Exchange Agreement with Sorghum in last December, we have evaluated a few potential acquisition targets. As of now, the Company plans to acquire certain second-hand luxury cars dealership business assets or other appropriate business deemed to be appropriate by the board of directors. As of the date of this Annual Report, the Company has not entered into any letter of intent or definitive agreement for such acquisition and there can be no assurance that we will be able to locate any target or negotiate definitive agreements.

 

 

Though management had plans to mitigate the conditions or events that raise substantial doubt, there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year from the financial statements issuance date, as there is no assurance that the liquidity plan will be successfully implemented. Failure to successfully implement the plan will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial position, and may materially adversely affect its ability to continue as a going concern.

 

Statement of Cash Flows

 

The following table sets forth a summary of our cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively:

 

		For the year ended  December 31,
		2017				2016
Net cash used in by operating activities		$	(1,184,630	)		$	(383,691	)
Net cash provided by investing activities			610,160				2,412,415
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			2,259,974				(1,600,832	)
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash			44,189				34,208
Net cash inflow		$	1,729,693			$	462,100

 

Net Cash Used in Operating Activities

 

During the year ended December 31, 2017, we had a cash outflow from operating activities of US$1,184,630, an increase of US$800,939 from a cash inflow of US$383,691 for last year. We generated a net loss for the year ended December 31, 2017 of US$10,699,740, a change of US$8,119,604 from the year ended December 31, 2016, during which we incurred a net loss of US$2,580,136. In addition to the change in profitability, the decrease in net cash used in operating activities was the result of several factors, including:

 

●	A change of provision on loan losses of US$3,548,588. The Company made a provision for loan losses of US$3,122,113 for the year ended December 31, 2017, as compared to a reversal of a provision for loan losses of US$426,475 for the year ended December 31, 2016. The change of the loan provision is mainly due to the fact that far more “loss” loans incurred during the year ended December 31, 2017 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2016;
●	A change of provision on financial guarantee services of US$3,122,329. The Company made a provision for the financial guarantee services during the year ended December 31, 2017 due to further accrual of interest, penalty and other expenses on loans over which the Company provided financial guarantee services according to adjudications from the Court, as compared to a reversal of provision on financial guarantee services of US$283,816 was made during the year ended December 31, 2016; and
●	An increase in restricted shares issued to directors and professional service providers of US$877,956. The increase was mainly attributable to shares issued to directors and professional service providers for services committed in reverse acquisition transaction with Sorghum which was suspended in December

 

Net Cash Provided by Investing Activities 

 

Net cash provided by investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2017 was US$610,160 as compared to net cash provided by investing activities of US$2,412,415 for the year ended December 31, 2016. The cash provided by investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2017 was net effects of collection of US$429,185 from third party customers of financial guarantee services and collection from a related party of $482,463 against short-term investments in a financial institution of US$369,987. The cash provided by investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2016 was net effects of collection of principals of US$2,501,518 from third party customers of direct loan business, collection of US$2,018,889 from third party customers of financial guarantee services, and collection of principal of US$479,704 from direct financing lease customers, against loan disbursement to third party customers of US$1,986,725.

 

Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities

 

Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2017 totaled US$2,259,974 as compared to net cash used in financing activities of US$1,600,832 for the year ended December 31, 2016. The cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2017 was mainly from cash collection of US$2,259,974 from several private placements of 1,437,486 shares. The cash used in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2016 was mainly attributable the repayment of bank borrowing of US$2,600,832 and cash collection of US$1,000,000 from a private placement of 2,439,025 shares.

 

 

Contractual Obligations

 

As of December 31, 2017, the annual amounts of future minimum payments under certain of our contractual obligations were:

 

		Payment due by period
		Total				Less than  1 year				1-2 years				2-3 years				3-5 years				5 years  and after
Contractual obligations:
Operating lease (1) (2)		$	95,161			$	68,412			$	26,749				-				-				-
		$	95,161			$	68,412			$	26,749			$	-			$	-			$	-

 

(1)	Our prior lease for our office in Wujiang commenced on June 1, 2015 and would expire on May 31, 2021. In January 2017, we terminated this office lease as we leased a new office (see note 2). No penalty was paid for early termination.

 

(2)

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company leased its new office under a lease agreement from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019. The Company has the right to extend the lease before its expiration with a one-month’s prior written notice. We also leased certain office space in New York, NY where we paid a monthly rent of US$3,200 from September to December 2016 and a monthly rent of US$3,600 during 2018.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

These financial guarantee contracts consist of providing guarantees to banks on behalf of borrowers to help them obtain loans from banks. The contract amounts reflect the extent of involvement the Company has in the guarantee business and also represents the Company’s maximum exposure to credit loss.

 

The Company is party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its borrowers. Financial instruments whose contract amounts represent credit risk are as follows.

 

		December 31, 2017				December 31, 2016
Guarantee		$	11,627,013			$	10,893,089

 

The Company in involved in various legal actions arising from providing financial guarantee services to defaulted guarantees. As of December 31, 2017, eight cases against the Company was finally adjudicated by the Court, in which the Company was jointly liable, together with the defaulted customers and other guarantees, to repayment the principal, interest and penalties of $5.66 million. Additionally, six cases against the Company has not been adjudicated by the Company, in which the Company was jointly liable, together with the defaulted customers and other guarantees, to repayment the principal, interest and penalties of $4.99 million.

 

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

We prepare our financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP, which requires us to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect our reported amount of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, and reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. We continually evaluate these estimates and assumptions based on the most recently available information, our own historical experience and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Since the use of estimates is an integral component of the financial reporting process, actual results could differ from our expectations as a result of changes in our estimates.

 

An accounting policy is considered critical if it requires an accounting estimate to be made based on assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time such estimate is made and if different accounting estimates that reasonably could have been used, or changes in the accounting estimates that are reasonably likely to occur, could materially impact the condensed financial statements. We believe that the following accounting policies involve a higher degree of judgment and complexity in their application and require us to make significant accounting estimates. The following descriptions of critical accounting policies, judgments and estimates should be read in conjunction with our condensed financial statements and other disclosures included in this report.

 

Termination of VIE agreements with Pride Information

 

On April 11, 2015, WFOE delivered a notice of termination to Pride Information. As a result, the contractual arrangements between WFOE, Pride Information and Mr. Qin were terminated effective on May 11, 2015 and WFOE no longer controls Pride Information.

 

Pride Information operates an online portal (www.pridelendingclub.com) to match prospective borrowers with lenders. As of May 11, 2015, Pride Information was in the beginning stage of operation and had generated minimal revenue. The derecognition of Pride Information was accounted for as a deconsolidation.

 

Revenue recognition

 

Revenue is recognized when there are probable economic benefits to the Company and when the revenue can be measured reliably, on the following:

 

●

Interest income on loans. Interest on loan receivables is accrued monthly in accordance with their contractual terms and recorded in accrued interest receivable. The Company does not charge prepayment penalty from customers. Additionally, any previously accrued but uncollected interest is discontinued of accrual and reversed, when either (i) reasonable doubt exists as to the full, timely collection of interest or principal or (ii) when a loan becomes past due by more than 90 days.

 

●

Commission on guarantee service. The Company receives the commissions from guarantee services in full at inception and records as unearned income and are amortizing over the period of guarantee.

 

●	Income on direct financing lease. The financing agreements are classified as direct financing lease. Revenues representing the capitalized costs of the investment are recognized as income upon inception of the leases. The portion of revenues representing the difference between the gross investment in the lease (the sum of the minimum lease payments and the guaranteed residual value, if any) and the sum of the present value of the two components is recorded as unearned income and amortized over the lease term pursuant to the agreements.
	Taxes assessed by governmental authorities that are directly imposed on revenue-producing transactions between the Company and its customers (which may include, but are not limited to, sales, use, value added and some exercise taxes) are excluded from revenues.
	Lessees are responsible for all taxes, insurance and maintenance costs.

 

●

Non-interest income. Non-interest income mainly includes rental income from the sub-leasing of certain of the Company’s leased office space to third parties and income from disposal of property and equipment

 

Loans receivable

 

Loans receivable primarily represent loan amount due from customers. The management has the intent and ability to hold such receivable for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff. Loans receivable are recorded at unpaid principal balances, net of allowance for loan losses that reflects the Company’s best estimate of the amounts that will not be collected. Loan origination and commitment fees and certain direct loan origination costs collected from customers are directly recorded in current year interests and fees on loans. The loans receivable portfolio consists of corporate loans and personal loans (Note 6). The Company does not charge loan origination and commitment fees.

 

 

Allowance for loan losses and loan impairment

 

The allowance for loan losses is increased by charges to income and decreased by charge offs (net of recoveries). Recoveries represent subsequent collection of amounts previously charged-off. The increase in allowance for loan losses is the netting effect of “reversal” and “provision” for both business and personal loans. If the ending balance of the allowance for loan losses after any charge offs (net of recoveries) is less than the beginning balance, it will be recorded as a “reversal”; if it is larger, it will be recorded as a “provision” in the allowance for loan loss. The netting amount of the “reversal” and the “provision” is presented in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).

 

The Company recognizes a charge-off when management determines that full repayment of a loan is not probable. The primary factor in making that determination is the potential outcome of a lawsuit against the delinquent debtor. The Company will recognize a charge-off when the Company loses contact with the delinquent borrower for more than six months or when the court rules against the Company to seize the collateral asset of the delinquent debt from either the guarantor or borrower.

 

The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level believed to be reasonable by management to absorb probable losses inherent in the portfolio as of each balance sheet date. The allowance is based on factors such as the size and current risk characteristics of the portfolio, an assessment of individual loan and actual loss, delinquency, and/or risk rating record within the portfolio (Note 8). The Company evaluates its allowance for loan losses on a quarterly basis or more often as necessary.

 

The allowance is calculated at portfolio-level since our loans portfolio is typically of smaller balance homogenous loans and is collectively evaluated for impairment. Additionally, the management also reviewed the portfolio on a loan by loan basis and individually evaluated each loan for impairment if any.

 

For the purpose of calculating portfolio-level reserves, we have grouped our loans into two portfolio segments: Corporate and Personal. The allowance consists of the combination of a quantitative assessment component based on statistical models, a retrospective evaluation of actual loss information to loss forecasts, value of collaterals and could include a qualitative component based on management judgment.

 

In estimating the probable loss of the loan portfolio, the Company also considers qualitative factors such as current economic conditions and/or events in specific industries and geographical areas, including unemployment levels, trends in real estate values, peer comparisons, and other pertinent factors such as regulatory guidance. Finally, as appropriate, the Company also considers individual borrower circumstances and the condition and fair value of the loan collateral, if any.

 

In addition, the Company calculates the provision amount as below:

 

1. General Reserve - is based on total loan receivable balance and to be used to cover unidentified probable loan loss. According to management assessment, the General Reserve is required to be no less than 1% of total loan receivable balance.

 

2. Special Reserve - is fund set aside covering losses due to risks related to a particular country, region, industry, company or type of loans. The reserve rate could be decided based on management estimate of loan collectability. The Loan portfolio did not include any loans outside of the PRC.

 

While management uses the best information available to make loan loss allowance evaluations, adjustments to the allowance may be necessary based on changes in economic and other conditions or changes in accounting guidance.

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates applicable for the differences that are expected to affect taxable income.

 

Recently issued accounting standards 

 

Please refer to Note 3(w) of our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Form 10-K for details of our recently issued accounting standards. 

 

  

Item 7A.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

 

Our Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto and the report of Marcum Bernstein & Pinchuk LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, are set forth on pages F-1 through F-35 of this Report.

 

Item 9.

Changes In and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

 

None.

 

Item 9A.

Controls and Procedures.

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Based on an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act were not effective as of December 31, 2017 to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules and forms, and (ii) accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Inherent Limitations over Internal Controls

 

The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S GAAP. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting 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 the Company’s assets;
	ii)	provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and that the Company’s receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of the Company’s management and directors; and
	iii)	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.

 

Management, including the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, does not expect that the Company’s internal controls will prevent or detect all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of internal controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected. Also, any evaluation of the effectiveness of controls in future periods are subject to the risk that those internal controls may become inadequate because of changes in business conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

 

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, has assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act as of December 31, 2017. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO 2013) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework. Because of the material weaknesses described in the following paragraphs, management believes that, as of December 31, 2017, our internal control over financial reporting was not effective based on those criteria.

 

A “material weakness” is defined under the SEC rules as a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of a company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis by our internal controls. As a result of its review, management concluded that we had material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting process consisting of the following:

 

●	Certain personnel primarily responsible for the preparation of our financial statements require additional requisite levels of knowledge, experience and training in the application of U.S. GAAP commensurate with our financial reporting requirements.
●	The Company’s internal control over financial reporting require additional supervision.
●	The Company needs to further improve its allowance analysis system to timely respond to changing economic conditions and have additional qualified personnel to perform allowance analysis.
●	The Company needs to improve its system to better track the collection litigations.

 

Management Plan to Remediate Material Weaknesses

 

We expect to implement the following measures in 2018 to remediate the material weaknesses identified:

 

●	To continue providing applicable training for our financial and accounting staff to enhance their understanding of U.S. GAAP and internal control over financial reporting.
●	To expand involvement of qualified external consultants to supervise and review our financial reporting process.
●	To assess the effectiveness of the credit risk assessment standard which are carried out by the revised Loan Review Committee to improve the allowance analysis.
●	To engage outside consultants to assist in the allowance analysis.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of 2017 that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 9B.

Other Information.

 

None.

 

 

PART III

 

Item 10.

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.

 

Executive Officers, Key Employees and Directors

 

The following table sets forth certain information concerning our executive officers, key employees, and directors:

 

Name		Age		Position
Chenguang Kang		31		Chief Executive Officer, President and Director
Long Yi		41		Chief Financial Officer and Secretary and Director
Alex Lau		36		Chief Technology Officer
Kecen Liu		25		Director
Teck Chuan Yeo		50		Director
Boling Liu		32		Director
Mingjie Zhao*		54		Chief Executive Officer, President and Director (resigned as Chief Executive Officer, President and Director March 19, 2018)
Weiliang Jie*		29		Director (resigned February 9, 2018)

  

(*) Indicates former executive officer or director

 

The biographies of our current directors and officers are set forth below.

 

Mr. Chenguang Kang, was appointed as Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), President and as a director of CCC on March 19, 2018. Mr. Kang was the co-founder and the general manager of Beijing Supersfun Science and Technology Limited Company, a company in automotive financial services and loans service for small micro enterprises since July 2014. From Dec 2012 to June 2014, Mr. Kang served as the operating vice president in Beijing Covigor Science and Technology Limited Company, a company in live platform business. From August 2011 to November 2012, Mr. Kang served as a city manager at Nuomi.com. Mr. Kang holds a Bachelor degree in Vocal Music from Bohai University. Mr. Kang’s abundant internet auto financial platform operation experience, business aptitude and management ability qualified him for his position as our Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

 

Mr. Long Yi, was appointed as the Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) and Secretary of CCC on January 1, 2013. Mr. Yi acted as the interim Chief Executive Officer of CCC between August 21, 2014 and December 29, 2014. Mr. Yi was appointed to serve as a director on the Board effective June 12, 2015. Prior to joining CCC, Mr. Yi was the senior financial manager in Sutor Technology Group Ltd. (Nasdaq: SUTR) from 2008 to August 2012. He served as an accounting manager at Forterra Inc. in Canada from 2006 to 2008. He is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Illinois. Mr. Yi has a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Northeastern University and a Master’s degree in Accounting and Finance from University of Rotterdam. He also obtained a graduate diploma in accounting from McGill University.

 

Mr. Alex Lau, was appointed as the Chief Technology Officer (“CTO”) of CCC on February 20, 2018. Since 2015 to present, Mr. Lau has been working as a consultant for Ceph Distributed Filesystem for SUSE and as a Blockchain Consultant for WeBank and CyberMiles. From 2005 to 2011, he was the R&D Manager for SUSE Linux in Beijing and Taiwan. From 2011 to 2015, he served as the CTO for Symbio Mobile. From 1999 to 2001, he worked at Nortel Network, before moving to China. Mr. Lau received his Software Computer Science degree at University of North Texas in 1999.

 

Ms. Kecen Liu, was appointed as a director of CCC on February 12, 2018. She has served as a Program Coordinator at United Nations ICTY from June, 2016 to February 2017. Ms. Liu has served as Marketing Manager at Jiuding Capital from June, 2015 to October, 2015. She has also served as Brand Manager at Jumei.com from November, 2013 to October, 2014. Form October 2012 to June 2014, she served as a Campus Embassador at Hong Kong XINHUA Education International Group. Ms. Liu obtained a Master’s degree in International Business from Southwestern University of Finance and Economics in 2017.

 

Mr. Teck Chuan Yeo, age 50, has served as a director of CCC since September 2016. Mr. Yeo has been the audit partner of Rui Hua Certified Public Accountants LLP, Shanghai Office, since June 2015. From July 2007 to May 2015, Mr. Yeo served as the audit partner at Deloitte Hua Yong Certified Public Accountants LLP. From July 2002 to March 2007, Mr. Yeo served as the financial service director of South and South East Asia at BOC Asia Ltd. (Singapore). Mr. Yeo obtained a bachelor of accountancy at Nanyang Technological University.

 

Ms. Boling Liu. Ms. Liu, age 32, has served as a director of CCC since December 2016. Ms. Liu has been the vice president of Shenzhen Tianhe E-Commerce Limited Company since August 2010. From January 2010 to August 2010, Ms. Liu served as a manager of the sales department of Shenzhen Guantian Aeronautics. From April 2005 to January 2010, Ms. Liu served as the manager of customer service of Shanxi Datang Air Service Limited Company. Ms. Liu obtained a bachelor degree of Shanxi Normal University, computer information college.

 

 

Director Independence

 

Our Board reviewed the materiality of any relationship that each of our directors has with us, either directly or indirectly. Based on this review, it is determined that Kecen Liu, Teck Chuan Yeo and Boling Liu are “independent directors” as defined by NASDAQ.

 

Committees of the Board of Directors

 

We have established an audit committee, a compensation committee and a nominating and governance committee. Each of the committees of the Board has the composition and responsibilities described below.

 

Audit Committee

 

Mr. Yeo, Ms. Liu and Ms. Kecen Liu are members of our Audit Committee, where Mr. Yeo serves as the chairman. All members of our Audit Committee satisfy the independence standards promulgated by the SEC and by NASDAQ as such standards apply specifically to members of audit committees.

 

We have adopted and approved a charter for the Audit Committee. In accordance with our Audit Committee Charter, our Audit Committee shall perform several functions, including:

 

●	evaluates the independence and performance of, and assesses the qualifications of, our independent auditor, and engages such independent auditor;
●	approves the plan and fees for the annual audit, quarterly reviews, tax and other audit-related services, and approves in advance any non-audit service to be provided by the independent auditor;
●	monitors the independence of the independent auditor and the rotation of partners of the independent auditor on our engagement team as required by law;
●	reviews the financial statements to be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and reviews with management and the independent auditors the results of the annual audit and reviews of our quarterly financial statements;
●	oversees all aspects of our systems of internal accounting control and corporate governance functions on behalf of the Board;
●	reviews and approves in advance any proposed related-party transactions and reports to the full Board on any approved transactions; and
●	provides oversight assistance in connection with legal, ethical and risk management compliance programs established by management and the Board, including Sarbanes-Oxley Act implementation, and makes recommendations to the Board regarding corporate governance issues and policy decisions.

 

It is determined that Mr. Yeo possesses accounting or related financial management experience that qualifies him as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by the rules and regulations of the SEC.

 

Compensation Committee

 

Mr. Yeo, Ms. Liu and Ms. Kecen Liu are members of our Compensation Committee and Mr. Jie serves as the chairman. All members of our Compensation Committee are qualified as independent under the current definition promulgated by NASDAQ. We have adopted a charter for the Compensation Committee. In accordance with the Compensation Committee’s Charter, the Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing and making recommendations to the Board regarding the salaries and other compensation of our executive officers and general employees and providing assistance and recommendations with respect to our compensation policies and practices.

 

Nominating and Governance Committee

 

Mr. Yeo, Ms. Liu and Ms. Kecen Liu are the members of our Nominating and Governance Committee where Ms. Liu serves as the chairwoman. All members of our Nominating and Governance Committee are qualified as independent under the current definition promulgated by NASDAQ. Our Board adopted and approved a charter for the Nominating and Governance Committee. In accordance with the Nominating and Governance Committee’s Charter, the Nominating and Governance Committee is responsible to identify and propose new potential director nominees to the board of directors for consideration and review our corporate governance policies.

 

 

Code of Conduct and Ethics

 

We have adopted a code of conduct and ethics applicable to our directors, officers and employees in accordance with applicable federal securities laws and NASDAQ rules.

 

Significant Employees

 

Mr. Yang Jie resigned as Vice President of Finance of the Company on February 20, 2018

  

Section 16 Compliance

 

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, requires our directors, officers and persons who own more than 10% of our common stock to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of common stock and other of our equity securities. To our knowledge, based solely on review of the copies of such reports furnished to us, all Section 16(a) filings applicable to officers, directors and greater than 10% shareholders were timely made during fiscal year 2017 except as set forth below:

 

●	Mr. Yang Jie was late filing a Form 4 to report the issuance of 452,486 shares acquired. The form 4 was filed on September 7, 2017

 

Family Relationships

 

There are no family relationships by between or among the members of the Board or other executive officers of the Company.

 

Legal Proceedings Involving Officers and Directors

 

The Company is involved in various legal actions arising in the ordinary course of its business.

 

The Company and its directors were party to a lawsuit filed on September 1, 2017, by certain stockholders of the Company in the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware (the “Delaware Chancery Court”) (Case No. 2017-0633-JTL) (the “Action”), Plaintiff stockholders sought injunctive relief, costs, and attorney’s fees. Plaintiff’s Verified Class Action Complaint (“Complaint”) alleged that the Company’s directors breached their fiduciary duties to the Company’s. The stockholders sought injunctive relief, costs, and attorney’s fees. Plaintiff’s Verified Class Action Complaint (“Complaint”) alleged that the Company’s directors breached their fiduciary duties to the Company’s stockholders by failing to disclose all necessary material information relating to the Company’s entry into an Exchange Agreement (“Exchange Agreement”) with Sorghum Investment Holdings Limited (“Sorghum”) on August 9, 2017, and preventing the Company’s stockholders from casting a fully informed vote on the Company’s acquisition of Sorghum, and other proposals contained in the Company’s preliminary proxy statement, dated August 14, 2017 (“Preliminary Proxy Statement).

 

On October 10, 2017, the Company filed Amendment No. 1 to its Preliminary Proxy Statement (the “Amended Preliminary Proxy”) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) in response to the Commission’s September 8, 2017 comment letter (“Comment Letter”). After reviewing the Amended Preliminary Proxy, Plaintiff determined that the Company’s Amended Preliminary Proxy rendered the claims asserted in Plaintiff’s Complaint moot and/or otherwise unsuitable for further pursuit. On October 19, 2017, the Company and Plaintiff entered into a stipulation (“Stipulation”) wherein Plaintiff agreed to voluntarily dismiss his claims against the Company, and its directors, with prejudice. The Delaware Chancery Court granted the Stipulation on October 20, 2017, and entered an Order dismissing the Action with prejudice. Currently, no compensation in any form has passed from the Company, or its directors, to Plaintiff or Plaintiff’s attorneys in the Action, and the Company has not made a promise to give any such compensation. On or about November 6, 2017, the Company filed Amendment No. 2 to its Preliminary Proxy Statement with the Commission in further response to the Comment Letter.

 

 

On December 21, 2017, the Company delivered a notice (“Notice”) to Sorghum notifying Sorghum that certain recent actions of Sorghum constitute a breach of Sorghum’s covenants under the Exchange Agreement dated August 9, 2017 by and among the Company, Sorghum and shareholders of Sorghum(the “Exchange Agreement”). Specifically, we believe that Sorghum is in breach of Section 6.9 (a) and Section 6.11 (b) of the Exchange Agreement which required Sorghum to use commercially reasonable efforts and to cooperate fully with the other parties to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Exchange Agreement and to make its directors, officers and employees available in connection with responding in a timely manner to SEC comments. According to the terms of the Exchange Agreement, the Company is entitled to terminate the Exchange Agreement if the breach is not cured within twenty (20) days after the Notice is provided to Sorghum.

 

On January 25, 2018, the Company filed an arbitration demand (“Arbitration Demand”) with the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) against Sorghum in connection with Sorghum’s breach of the Exchange Agreement. The AAA has forwarded the Company’s Arbitration Demand to Sorghum, and Sorghum’s response to the Arbitration Demand was due on or before February 14, 2018. Sorghum has not provided a written response to the Company’s Arbitration Demand. In accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the AAA, Sorghum’s failure to respond is deemed as a general denial of the Company’s claims. The Company is currently awaiting the AAA’s appointment of a single arbitrator in accordance with the arbitration clause contained in the Exchange Agreement. The Company intends to prosecute its claims vigorously.

  

Item 11.

Executive Compensation.

 

The following table provides disclosure concerning all compensation paid for services to CCC and Wujiang Luxiang in all capacities for our fiscal years ended 2017 and 2016 provided by (i) each person serving as our principal executive officer (“PEO”), (ii) each person serving as our principal financial officer (“PFO”) and (iii) our two most highly compensated executive officers other than our PEO and PFO whose total compensation exceeded $100,000 (collectively with the PEO, referred to as the “named executive officers” in this Executive Compensation section).

 

Summary Compensation Table

 

Name and Principal Position		Fiscal Year			Salary ($)				Bonus ($)				Stock Awards ($)				Option Awards ($)				Other Compensation ($)				Total ($)
Long Yi (1)		2017				50,000								257,161												307,161
(CFO)		2016				50,000				-				462,133				-				-				512,133
Chenguang Kang (2)		2017				-
(CEO)		2016				50,000				-				-				-				-				50,000
Mingjie Zhao (3)		2017				50,000				96,900																146,900
(Former CEO)		2016				50,000				-				-				-				-				-

  

(1)	Mr. Long Yi was appointed as the CFO of CCC on January 1, 2013. Mr. Yi was entitled to an annual base salary of $50,000 pursuant to the employment agreement he had with the Company.
(2)	Mr. Chenguang Kang was appointed as the CEO and President of the Company on March 19, 2018. Mr. Kang is entitled to an annual base salary of $50,000 pursuant to the employment agreement he had with the Company.
(3)	Mr. Mingjie Zhao was appointed as the CEO of the Company on June 21, 2016. Mr. Zhao was entitled to an annual base salary of $50,000 pursuant to the employment agreement he had with the Company. Mr. Zhao resigned on March 19, 2018.

 

Grants of Plan Based Awards in the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2017

 

We currently have a 2014 equity incentive plan pursuant to which 1,500,000 shares were authorized. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, an aggregate of 160,000 shares of common stock were granted to our officers and directors under the plan.

 

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

 

None.

 

 

Employment Contracts, Termination of Employment, Change-in-Control Arrangements

 

As of January 1, 2013, the Company entered into an employment agreement with our CFO, Mr. Long Yi, pursuant to which he shall receive an annual base salary of $50,000. Under his employment agreement, Mr. Yi is employed as our CFO for a term of two years, which automatically renews for additional one year terms unless previously terminated on three months written notice by either party. We may terminate the employment for cause, at any time, without notice or remuneration, for certain acts of the executive officer, such as conviction or plea of guilty to a felony or grossly negligent or dishonest acts to our detriment, or misconduct or a failure to perform agreed duties. In such case, the executive officer will not be entitled to receive payment of any severance benefits or other amounts by reason of the termination, and the executive officer’s right to all other benefits will terminate, except as required by any applicable law. We may also terminate an executive officer’s employment without cause upon one-month advance written notice. In such case of termination by us, we are required to provide compensation to the executive officer, including severance pay equal to 3 months of base salary. The executive officer may terminate the employment at any time with a one-month advance written notice if there is any significant change in the executive officer’s duties and responsibilities or a material reduction in the executive officer’s annual salary. In such case, the executive officer will be entitled to receive compensation equivalent to 12 months of the executive officer’s base salary.

 

On June 21, 2016, Mr. Jinggen Ling notified the Company of his resignation from the Board and as the Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company, effective immediately.

 

As of June 21, 2016, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Mingjie Zhao pursuant to which he shall be employed as the CEO of the Company and receive an annual base salary of $50,000. Under his employment agreement, Mr. Zhao is employed as our CEO for a term of five years, which automatically renews for additional one year terms unless previously terminated on three months written notice by either party. We may terminate the employment for cause, at any time, without notice or remuneration, for certain acts of the executive officer, such as conviction or plea of guilty to a felony or grossly negligent or dishonest acts to our detriment, or misconduct or a failure to perform agreed duties. In such case, the executive officer will not be entitled to receive payment of any severance benefits or other amounts by reason of the termination, and the executive officer’s right to all other benefits will terminate, except as required by any applicable law. We may also terminate an executive officer’s employment without cause upon one-month advance written notice. In such case of termination by us, we are required to provide compensation to the executive officer, including severance pay equal to 12 months of base salary. The executive officer may terminate the employment at any time with a one-month advance written notice if there is any significant change in the executive officer’s duties and responsibilities or a material reduction in the executive officer’s annual salary. In such case, the executive officer will be entitled to receive compensation equivalent to 12 months of the executive officer’s base salary. Mr. Zhao resigned as CEO on March 19, 2018 and is not entitled to any severance pay or any other payments or benefits from the Company.

 

As of February 20, 2018, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Alex Lau pursuant to which he shall be employed as the CTO of the Company and receive an annual base salary of 50,000 shares of common stock per year. Under his employment agreement, Mr. Lau is employed as our CTO for a term of three years, which automatically renews for additional one year terms unless previously terminated on three months written notice by either party. We may terminate the employment for cause, at any time, without notice or remuneration, for certain acts of the executive officer, such as conviction or plea of guilty to a felony or grossly negligent or dishonest acts to our detriment, or misconduct or a failure to perform agreed duties. In such case, the executive officer will not be entitled to receive payment of any severance benefits or other amounts by reason of the termination, and the executive officer’s right to all other benefits will terminate, except as required by any applicable law. We may also terminate an executive officer’s employment without cause upon one-month advance written notice. In such case of termination by us, we are required to provide compensation to the executive officer, including severance pay equal to 12 months of base salary. The executive officer may terminate the employment at any time with a one-month advance written notice if there is any significant change in the executive officer’s duties and responsibilities or a material reduction in the executive officer’s annual salary. In such case, the executive officer will be entitled to receive compensation equivalent to 12 months of the executive officer’s base salary.

 

 

As of February 22, 2018, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Chenguang Kang pursuant to which he shall be employed as the CEO and President of the Company and receive an annual base salary of $50,000 per year. Under his employment agreement, Mr. Kang is employed as our CEO and President for a term of two years, which automatically renews for additional one year terms unless previously terminated on three months written notice by either party. We may terminate the employment for cause, at any time, without notice or remuneration, for certain acts of the executive officer, such as conviction or plea of guilty to a felony or grossly negligent or dishonest acts to our detriment, or misconduct or a failure to perform agreed duties. In such case, the executive officer will not be entitled to receive payment of any severance benefits or other amounts by reason of the termination, and the executive officer’s right to all other benefits will terminate, except as required by any applicable law. We may also terminate an executive officer’s employment without cause upon one-month advance written notice. In such case of termination by us, we are required to provide compensation to the executive officer, including severance pay equal to 12 months of base salary. The executive officer may terminate the employment at any time with a one-month advance written notice if there is any significant change in the executive officer’s duties and responsibilities or a material reduction in the executive officer’s annual salary. In such case, the executive officer will be entitled to receive compensation equivalent to 12 months of the executive officer’s base salary.

 

Each executive officer has agreed to hold, both during and after the termination of his 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, any of our confidential information or proprietary information of any third party received by us and for which we have confidential obligations.

 

In addition, each executive officer has agreed to be bound by non-competition and non-solicitation restrictions during the term of his employment and for one year following termination of the employment.

 

Director Compensation

 

The following table represents compensation earned by our non-executive directors in 2017.

 

Name		Fees earned in cash ($)				Stock awards ($)				Option awards ($)				All other compensation ($)				Total ($)
Boling Liu (1)		$	0				32,300				-				-			$	32,300
Weiliang Jie (2)		$	0				32,300				-				-			$	32,300
Kecen Liu (3)		$	-				-												-
Teck Chuan Yeo (4)		$	20,000				32,300				-				-			$	52,300
		$	-																-

  

(1)	Ms. Liu was appointed as a director of the Company on December 22, 2016 and shall receive annual compensation at $20,000. During fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, Ms. Liu agreed to waive such compensation she was entitled to pursuant to the director offer letter.
(2)	Mr. Jie was appointed as a director of the Company on May 15, 2016 and shall receive no compensation. During fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, Mr. Jie agreed to waive such compensation he was entitled to pursuant to the director offer letter. Mr. Jie resigned on February 9, 2018.
(3)	Ms. Liu was appointed as a director of the Company on February 12, 2018 and shall receive $20,000 per year. During fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 Ms. Liu received no such compensation.
(4)	Mr. Yeo was appointed as a director of the Company on May 15, 2016 and shall receive annual compensation at $20,000 since January 1, 2017.

 

 

Item 12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.

 

The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of March 27, 2018 by our officers, directors and 5% or greater beneficial owners of common stock. There is no other person or group of affiliated persons, known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our common stock.

 

We have determined beneficial ownership in accordance with the rules of the SEC. These rules generally attribute beneficial ownership of securities to persons who possess sole or shared voting power or investment power with respect to those securities. The person is also deemed to be a beneficial owner of any security of which that person has a right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days. Unless otherwise indicated, the person identified in this table has sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares shown as beneficially owned by him, subject to applicable community property laws.

 

Name and address of Beneficial Owner (1)		Number of Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned				Percent of Class Beneficially Owned
5% stockholders:
Shuxiang Zhang (2)			2,549,322				12.77	%
Qun Ma (3)			1,764,915				8.84	%
Directors and Executive Officers:
Mingjie Zhao (4)			30,000				*
Long Yi			550,875					%
Boling Liu			10,000				*
Teck Chuan Yeo			10,000				*
Weiliang Jie (5)			10,000				*
Yang Jie			1,595,261
All officers and directors as a group (5 persons)			415,000				2.15	%

 

*

Less than 1%

(1)

Unless otherwise indicated the address of the beneficial owners are c/o

(2)

Floor 7 Building D, No.28 Chengfu Road,Haidian District, Beijing, China

(3)

Rongshangju, No.2 West Wudaokou Road Zhongguancun, Haidian District, Beijing, China

(4)

Mr. Zhao resigned as CEO and director of the Company on March 19, 2018

(5)

Mr. Jie resigned as a director of the Company on February 9, 2018

 

Item 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.

 

Contractual Arrangements between WFOE and Pride Online

 

On February 19, 2014, entered into certain contractual arrangements with Mr. Huichun Qin, Pride Online, a domestic entity established on February 19, 2014 and 100% owned by Mr. Qin and. Pursuant to these contractual arrangements, WFOE shall have the power, rights and obligations equivalent in all material respects to those it would possess if it were the sole equity holder of Pride Online, including absolute control rights and the rights to the assets, property and revenue of Pride Online and the receipt of approximately 100% of the net income of Pride Online as a service fee to WFOE. Mr. Qin did not receive any consideration in exchange for his agreement to give up his control over Pride Online. The contractual arrangements between WFOE, Pride Online and its sole stockholder, Mr. Huichun Qin, had substantially the same terms as those between WFOE and Wujiang Luxiang. Effective May 11, 2015, these contractual arrangements were terminated.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company made a loan of US$1,945,224 to Suzhou Rongshengda Investment Holding Co., Ltd., a company controlled by shareholders of Wujiang Luxiang. Due to the short-term borrowing, the Company did not charge any interest or fees. By December 31, 2017, the balance was collected. 

 

During the year ended December 31, 2017, Wujiang Xiaocun Shengda Founding Investment Co., Ltd. paid operating expenses of $384,786 on behalf of the Company.

 

On December 4, 2017, the Company entered into two private placement agreement with Jie Yang and Long Yi to issue a total of 200,000 common shares, respectively, at a per share price of US$3.5, in the total amount of US$700,000, respectively. The total amount was advanced as of December 31, 2017.

 

As of December 31, 2017, the Company provided financial guarantee service for Chunjia Textile to guarantee loans of US$209,207. The Company accrued allowance of US$209,207 and charged off all allowances on the outstanding balance as of December 31, 2017.

 

Huichun Qin transferred $1,098,197 (equivalent of RMB 7 million) to his personal account without proper authorization on July 2, 2014. As of December 31, 2017, Huichun Qin has not repaid the balance. The amount was recorded as a deduction of the Company’s equity as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 

 

The balance due to Wujiang Xiaocun Shengda Founding Investment Co., Ltd. represented operating expenses paid by the related party on behalf of the Company. The balance was payable on demand and free of interest.

 

The balances due to Jie Yang and Leo Yi mainly represented the amount advanced from the management for purchase of shares and warrants in the private placements closed in 2018.

 

Share Purchase Agreement with Related Parties

 

On December 1, 2017, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Long Yi, the Chief Financial Officer of the Company and Yang Jie, a significant shareholder and the then VP of Finance of the Company (the “Purchaser”) whereby the Company agreed to sell 200,000 shares of common stock (the “Shares”) at a purchase price of $3.50 per Share, for gross proceeds to the Company of approximately $700,000. In connection with the purchase of the Shares, the Purchaser will receive a warrant (the ’Warrants’) to purchase up to the number of shares of the Company’s common stock equal to 80,000 shares of common stock purchased by the Purchaser pursuant to the Purchase Agreement. The Warrants have an exercise price of $4.20 per share, become exercisable on the date of issuance and expire five years from the date of issuance. The offering closed on December 4, 2017.

 

Item 14.

Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

 

Audit Fees. The aggregate fees billed by Marcum Bernstein & Pinchuk LLP for professional services rendered for the audit of our annual financial statements, review of the financial information included in our Forms 10-Q for the respective periods and other required filings with the SEC for the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 totaled $106,000 and $105,957, respectively. The above amounts include interim procedures and audit fees, as well as attendance at audit committee meetings. 

 

All Other Fees. None

 

The Audit Committee of our board of directors has established its pre-approval policies and procedures, pursuant to which the Audit Committee approved the foregoing audit, tax and non-audit services provided by Marcum Bernstein & Pinchuk LLP in 2017. Consistent with the Audit Committee’s responsibility for engaging our independent auditors, all audit and permitted non-audit services require pre-approval by the Audit Committee. The full Audit Committee approves proposed services and fee estimates for these services. One or more independent directors serving on the Audit Committee may be delegated by the full Audit Committee to pre-approve any audit and non-audit services. Any such delegation shall be presented to the full Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. Pursuant to these procedures, the Audit Committee approved the foregoing audit services provided by Marcum Bernstein & Pinchuk LLP.

  

 

PART IV

 

Item 15.

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.

 

(1)	Financial Statements

 

Financial Statements and Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms are set forth on pages F-1 through F-35 of this report.

 

(2)	Financial Statement Schedules

 

Schedules are omitted because the required information is not present or is not present in amounts sufficient to require submission of the schedule or because the information required is given in the consolidated financial statements or the notes thereto.

 

(3)

Exhibits

 

Exhibit		Description
2.1		Form of Share Exchange Agreement, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the draft registration statement on Form DRS filed on February 14, 2013
2.2		Form of Amended Share Exchange Agreement, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.2 of the registration statement on Form S-1 filed on June 7, 2013
3.1		Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the draft registration statement on Form DRS filed on February 14, 2013
3.2		Bylaws of Registrant, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the draft registration statement on Form DRS filed on February 14, 2013
3.3		Articles of Association of Wujiang Luxiang Rural Microcredit Co. Ltd., incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.3 of the registration statement on Form S-1/A filed on June 27, 2013
3.4		Certificate of Approval of Wujiang Luxiang Rural Microcredit Co. Ltd., incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.4 of the registration statement on Form S-1 filed on June 7, 2013
3.5		Certificate of Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.5 of the registration statement on Form S-1/A filed on July 16, 2013
10.1		Form of Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement dated September 26, 2012, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the draft registration statement on Form DRS filed on February 14, 2013
10.2		Form of Share Pledge Agreement dated September 26, 2012, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the draft registration statement on Form DRS filed on February 14, 2013
10.3		Form of Exclusive Option Agreement dated September 26, 2012, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the draft registration statement on Form DRS filed on February 14, 2013
10.4		Form of Power of Attorney dated September 26, 2012, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the draft registration statement on Form DRS filed on February 14, 2013
10.5		Form of Timely Reporting Agreement dated September 26, 2012, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the draft registration statement on Form DRS filed on February 14, 2013
10.6		Form of Finance Agreement, dated October 29, 2015, between Wujiang Luxiang Rural Microcredit Co. Ltd. and Agriculture Bank of China, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 4, 2016.
10.7		Employment Agreement between China Commercial Credit, Inc. and Long Yi, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.10 of the registration statement on Form S-1 filed on June 7, 2013
10.8		Employment Agreement between China Commercial Credit, Inc. and Jingen Ling incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 31, 2014
10.9		Employment Agreement between China Commercial Credit, Inc. and Mingjie Zhao incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 23, 2016
10.10		Employment Agreement between China Commercial Credit, Inc. and Alex Lau incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 20, 2018
10.11		Employment Agreement between China Commercial Credit, Inc. and Chenguang Kang  incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 22, 2018
10.12		Stock Purchase Agreement dated May 26, 2016 incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 2, 2016
10.13		Form of Share Purchase Agreement  incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 7, 2017
10.14		Form of Warrant incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 29, 2017
10.15		Form of Securities Purchase Agreement incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-k filed on September 29, 2017
14.1		Code of Conduct and Ethics, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.6 to the registration statement on Form S-1/A filed on July 16, 2013
21.1*		Subsidiaries of Registrant
23.1*		Consent of Marcum Bernstein & Pinchuk LLP
31.1*		Certification by Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Sarbanes Oxley Section 302
31.2*		Certification by Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Sarbanes Oxley Section 302
32.1**		Certification by Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
32.2**		Certification by Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
101.INS *		XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH *		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL *		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF *		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB *		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document XBRL
101.PRE *		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

  

*	Filed herewith.
**	Furnished herewith.

 

Subsidiaries of Registrant

 

SIGNATURES

 

In accordance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

	CHINA COMMERCIAL CREDIT, INC.
Date: April 16, 2018	By:	/s/ Chenguang Kang
	Name:	Chenguang Kang
	Title:	Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
	By:	/s/ Long Yi
	Name:	Long Yi
	Title:	Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
		(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

  

In accordance with the Exchange Act, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature		Title		Date
/s/ Chenguang Kang		Chief Executive Officer and Director		April 16, 2018
Chenguang Kang		(Principal executive officer)
/s/ Long Yi		Chief Financial Officer and Director		April 16, 2018
Long Yi		(Principal financial officer and principal accounting officer)
/s/ Kecen Liu		Director		April 16, 2018
Kecen Liu
/s/ Boling Liu		Director		April 16, 2018
Boling Liu
/s/ Teck Chuan Yeo		Director		April 16, 2018
Teck Chuan Yeo

 

 

CHINA COMMERCIAL CREDIT, INC.

 

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of

China Commercial Credit, Inc.

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of China Commercial Credit, Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, changes in shareholders’ equity (deficit) and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes (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, 2017 and 2016, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2017, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Explanatory Paragraph – Going Concern

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As more fully described in Note 2, the Company has incurred significant losses and needs to raise additional funds to meet its obligations and sustain its operations. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regards to these matters are also described in Note 2. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

 

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 Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the 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.

 

/s/ Marcum Bernstein & Pinchuk llp

 

Marcum Bernstein & Pinchuk llp

 

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2012.

 

New York, New York

April 16, 2018

 

NEW YORK OFFICE • 7 Penn Plaza • Suite 830 • New York, New York • 10001

Phone 646.442.4845 • Fax 646.349.5200 • www.marcumbp.com

 

CHINA COMMERCIAL CREDIT, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

		December 31,				December 31,
		2017				2016
						(restated)
ASSETS
Cash		$	2,498,194			$	768,501
Restricted cash			9,841				9,163
Short-term investments			384,237				-
Notes receivable			147,547				107,995
Loans receivable, net of allowance for loan losses of $36,613,393 and $51,708,062 for December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively			4,064,921				6,814,919
Investment in direct financing lease, net of allowance for direct financing lease losses of $2,537,008 and $2,441,663 for December 31, 2017 and 2016,  respectively			-				871,159
Interest receivable			35,440				11,408
Due from a related party			-				469,418
Property and equipment, net			16,046				19,969
Guarantee paid on behalf of guarantee service customers, net of allowance for repayment on behalf of guarantee service customers losses of $2,073,282 and $11,543,868 for December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively			-				98,887
Guarantee paid on behalf of a related party, net of allowance for repayment on behalf of a related party losses of $nil and $98,000 for December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively			-				98,000
Other assets			9,058				301,324
Total Assets		$	7,165,284			$	9,570,743
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Liabilities
Deposits payable		$	261,281			$	748,765
Unearned income from financial guarantee services and finance lease services			-				20,819
Accrual for financial guarantee services			9,270,882				6,005,608
Other current liabilities			166,440				293,447
Subscription for private placements			699,974				-
Due to a related party			398,073				-
Income tax payable			330,095				169,226
Other noncurrent liabilities			1,311,000				1,045,000
Deferred tax liability			-				139,947
Total Liabilities			12,437,745				8,422,812
Shareholders’ (Deficit) Equity
Series A Preferred Stock (par value $0.001 per share, 1,000,000 shares authorized at  December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively; nil and nil shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively)		$	-			$	-
Series B Preferred Stock (par value $0.001 per share, 5,000,000 shares authorized at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively; nil and nil shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively)			-				-
Common stock (par value $0.001 per share, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 19,250,915 and 16,637,679 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively)			19,251				16,638
Subscription receivable			(1,062	)			(1,062	)
Additional paid-in capital			67,058,807				62,659,040
Statutory reserve			5,442,150				5,442,150
Due from a non-controlling shareholder			(1,075,864	)			(1,007,953	)
Accumulated deficit			(81,534,396	)			(70,834,656	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income			4,818,653				4,873,774
Total Shareholders’ (Deficit) Equity			(5,272,461	)			1,147,931
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ (Deficit) Equity		$	7,165,284			$	9,570,743

 

*	All of the VIEs’ assets can be used to settle obligations of their primary beneficiary. Liabilities recognized as a result of consolidating these VIEs do not represent additional claims on the Company’s general assets (Note 1).

 

See notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

 

CHINA COMMERCIAL CREDIT, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

 

		For the Years Ended December 31,
		2017				2016
						(restated)
Interest income
Interests and fees on loans and direct financing lease		$	381,779			$	1,287,518
Interests on deposits with banks			22,683				3,535
Total interest and fee income			404,462				1,291,053
Interest expense
Interest expense on short-term bank loans			-				(29,588	)
Net interest income			404,462				1,261,465
(Provision) Reversal of provision for loan losses			(3,122,113	)			426,475
Reversal of provision for direct financing lease losses			66,598				239,852
Net interest (loss) income after provision for loan losses and financing lease losses			(2,651,053	)			1,927,792
Commissions and fees on financial guarantee services			2,899				35,199
(Provision) Reversal of provision for financial guarantee services			(2,838,513	)			283,816
Commission and fee (loss)  income on guarantee services, net			(2,835,614	)			319,015
Net (Loss) Revenue			(5,486,667	)			2,246,807
Non-interest income
Other non-interest income			-				48,152
Total non-interest income			-				48,152
Non-interest expense
Salaries and employee surcharge			(958,651	)			(1,264,944	)
Rental expenses			(58,233	)			(94,826	)
Business taxes and surcharge			(5,555	)			(18,542	)
Legal and consulting expenses relating to acquisition			(2,749,795	)			-
Litigation and settlement cost for the shareholders’ lawsuit			-				(1,641,500	)
Changes in fair value of noncurrent liabilities			(266,000	)			351,500
Other operating expenses			(1,174,394	)			(2,207,690	)
Total non-interest expense			(5,212,628	)			(4,876,002	)
Foreign exchange (loss) gain			(445	)			907
Loss Before Income Taxes			(10,699,740	)			(2,580,136	)
Income tax expense			-				-
Net Loss		$	(10,699,740	)		$	(2,580,136	)
Loss per Share- Basic and Diluted			(0.598	)			(0.177	)
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding-Basic and Diluted			17,893,595				14,571,076
Net Loss		$	(10,699,740	)		$	(2,580,136	)
Other comprehensive loss
Foreign currency translation adjustment			(55,121	)			(167,365	)
Comprehensive Loss		$	(10,754,861	)		$	(2,747,501	)

  

See notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

 

CHINA COMMERCIAL CREDIT, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

 

		Preferred A								Preferred B								Common Stock								Additional Paid-in				Subscription				Statutory				Accumulated				Due from a non-controlling				Accumulated Other Comprehensive
		Shares				Amount				Shares				Amount				Shares				Amount				Capital				receivable				reserve				deficit				shareholder				income				Total
																										(restated)												(restated)												(restated)
Balance as of January 1, 2016			-			$	-				-			$	-				12,390,062			$	12,390			$	59,698,864			$	(1,062	)		$	5,442,150			$	(68,254,520	)		$	(1,078,300	)			5,041,139			$	860,661
Issuance of Common Stocks to three directors			-				-				-				-				371,000				371				213,250				-				-				-				-				-				213,621
Issuance of Common Stocks to two consultants			-				-				-				-				1,437,592				1,438				1,749,365				-				-				-				-				-				1,750,803
Issuance of Common Stocks pursuant to a private placement			-				-				-				-				2,439,025				2,439				997,561				-				-				-				-				-				1,000,000
Net loss for the year			-				-				-				-				-				-				-				-				-				(2,580,136	)			-				-				(2,580,136	)
Foreign currency translation loss			-				-				-				-				-				-				-				-				-				-				70,347				(167,365	)			(97,018	)
Balance as of December 31, 2016			-			$	-				-			$	-				16,637,679			$	16,638			$	62,659,040			$	(1,062	)		$	5,442,150			$	(70,834,656	)		$	(1,007,953	)		$	4,873,774			$	1,147,931
Issuance of Common Stocks to management			-				-				-				-				345,750				346				709,634				-				-				-				-				-				709,980
Issuance of Common Stocks to several consultants			-				-				-				-				1,030,000				1,030				2,131,370				-				-				-				-				-				2,132,400
Issuance of Common Stocks and warrants in connection with private placement			-				-				-				-				1,237,486				1,237				1,558,763				-				-				-				-				-				1,560,000
Net loss for the year			-				-				-				-				-				-				-				-				-				(10,699,740	)			-				-				(10,699,740	)
Foreign currency translation loss			-				-				-				-				-				-				-				-				-				-				(67,911	)			(55,121	)			(123,032	)
Balance as of December 31, 2017			-			$	-				-			$	-				19,250,915			$	19,251			$	67,058,807			$	(1,062	)		$	5,442,150			$	(81,534,396	)		$	(1,075,864	)		$	4,818,653			$	(5,272,461	)

 

See notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

 

CHINA COMMERCIAL CREDIT, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

		For the Years Ended December 31,
		2017				2016
						(restated)
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net loss			(10,699,740	)			(2,580,136	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization			6,714				59,208
Provision (Reversal of provision) for loan losses			3,122,113				(426,475	)
Reversal of provision for direct financing lease losses			(66,598	)			(239,852	)
Provision (Reversal of provision) for financial guarantee services			2,838,513				(283,816	)
Gain from disposal of property and equipment			-				(48,945	)
Loss from disposal of property and equipment			-				87,867
Shares issued to executive officers and consultants			2,842,380				1,964,424
Changes in fair value of noncurrent liabilities			266,000				(351,500	)
Income tax expenses			143,836				53,300
Deferred income tax expenses			(143,836	)			(53,300	)
Interest income arising from restricted cash			(59	)			-
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Interest receivable			(22,401	)			(11,924	)
Other assets			300,976				(28,485	)
Unearned income from guarantee services and finance lease services			(21,398	)			(38,134	)
Other current liabilities			(136,004	)			117,577
Other non-current liabilities			-				1,396,500
Income tax payable			143,924				53,000
Deferred tax liabilities			(143,836	)			(53,000	)
Due to a related party			384,786				-
Net Cash Used in Operating Activities			(1,184,630	)			(383,691	)
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Originated loans disbursement to third parties			(3,729,466	)			(1,986,725	)
Loans collection from third parties			3,755,207				2,501,518
Payment of loans on behalf of guarantees			-				(224,557	)
Collection from guarantees for loan paid on behalf of customers			44,399				2,018,889
Collection of principal of finance lease, in installments			429,185				479,704
Deposit released from banks for financial guarantee services			-				372,171
Deposit paid to banks for financial guarantee services			-				(265,687	)
Purchases of property and equipment and intangible asset			(1,641	)			(47,877	)
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment			-				55,640
Short-term loan disbursed to a related party			-				(490,661	)
Short-term loan collected from a related party			482,463				-
Short-term investments in financial institutions			(369,987	)			-
Net Cash Provided by Investing Activities			610,160				2,412,415
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock and warrants in connection with private placement			2,259,974				1,000,000
Repayment of short-term bank borrowings			-				(2,600,832	)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities			2,259,974				(1,600,832	)
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash			44,189				34,208
Net Increase in Cash			1,729,693				462,100
Cash at Beginning of Year			768,501				306,401
Cash at End of Year			2,498,194				768,501
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Cash paid for interest expense			-				30,057
Cash paid for income tax			-				-

 

See notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

 

CHINA COMMERCIAL CREDIT, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

  

1.	ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES

 

China Commercial Credit, Inc. (“CCC” or “the Company”) is a holding company that was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware on December 19, 2011.

 

VIE AGREEMENTS WITH WUJIANG LUXIANG

 

On September 26, 2012, the Company through its indirectly wholly owned subsidiary which was incorporated in China, Wujiang Luxiang Information Technology Consulting Co. Ltd. (“WFOE” ), entered into a series of VIE Agreements with Wujiang Luxiang Rural Microcredit Co., Ltd (“Wujiang Luxiang”) Wujiang Luxiang and the Wujiang Luxiang Shareholders. The purpose of the VIE Agreements is solely to give WFOE the exclusive control over Wujiang Luxiang’s management and operations.

 

The significant terms of the VIE Agreements are summarized below:

 

Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement

 

Pursuant to the Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement between Wujiang Luxiang and WFOE, WFOE provides Wujiang Luxiang with technical support, consulting services and other management services relating to its day-to-day business operations and management, on an exclusive basis, utilizing its advantages in technology, human resources, and information. Additionally, Wujiang Luxiang grants an irrevocable and exclusive option to WFOE to purchase from Wujiang Luxiang any or all of its assets at the lowest purchase price permitted under PRC laws. For services rendered to Wujiang Luxiang by WFOE under the Agreement, the service fee Wujiang Luxiang is obligated to pay shall be calculated based on the time of services rendered multiplied by the corresponding rate, which is approximately equal to the net income of Wujiang Luxiang.

 

The Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement shall remain in effect for ten years unless it is terminated by WFOE with 30-day prior notice. Wujiang Luxiang does not have the right to terminate the agreement unilaterally. WFOE may unilaterally extend the term of this agreement with prior written notice.

 

Share Pledge Agreement

 

Under the Share Pledge Agreement between the Wujiang Luxiang Shareholders and WFOE, the 12 Wujiang Luxiang Shareholders pledged all of their equity interests in Wujiang Luxiang to WFOE to guarantee the performance of Wujiang Luxiang’s obligations under the Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, in the event that Wujiang Luxiang or its shareholders breach their respective contractual obligations under the Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement, WFOE, as pledgee, will be entitled to certain rights, including, but not limited to, the right to collect dividends generated by the pledged equity interests. The Wujiang Luxiang Shareholders also agreed that upon occurrence of any event of default, as set forth in the Share Pledge Agreement, WFOE is entitled to dispose of the pledged equity interest in accordance with applicable PRC laws. The Wujiang Luxiang Shareholders further agree not to dispose of the pledged equity interests or take any actions that would prejudice WFOE’s interest.

 

Exclusive Option Agreement

 

Under the Exclusive Option Agreement, the Wujiang Luxiang Shareholders irrevocably granted WFOE (or its designee) an exclusive option to purchase, to the extent permitted under PRC law, once or at multiple times, at any time, part or all of their equity interests in Wujiang Luxiang. The option price is equal to the capital paid in by the Wujiang Luxiang Shareholders subject to any appraisal or restrictions required by applicable PRC laws and regulations.

 

Power of Attorney

 

Under the Power of Attorney, the Wujiang Luxiang Shareholders authorize WFOE to act on their behalf as their exclusive agent and attorney with respect to all rights as shareholders, including but not limited to: (a) attending shareholders’ meetings; (b) exercising all the shareholder’s rights, including voting, that shareholders are entitled to under the laws of China and the Articles of Association, including but not limited to the sale or transfer or pledge or disposition of shares in part or in whole; and (c) designating and appointing on behalf of shareholders the legal representative, the executive director, supervisor, the chief executive officer and other senior management members of Wujiang Luxiang. The Power of Attorney is coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable and continuously valid from the date of execution, so long as the Wujiang Shareholder is a shareholder of the Company.

 

 

CHINA COMMERCIAL CREDIT, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

 

1.	ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES (CONTINUED)

 

Timely Reporting Agreement

 

To ensure Wujiang Luxiang promptly provides all of the information that WFOE and the Company need to file various reports with the SEC, a Timely Reporting Agreement was entered between Wujiang Luxiang and the Company.

 

Under the Timely Reporting Agreement, Wujiang Luxiang agrees that it is obligated to make its officers and directors available to the Company and promptly provide all information required by the Company so that the Company can file all necessary SEC and other regulatory reports as required.

 

INCORPORATION OF PFL

 

On September 5, 2013, our wholly owned subsidiary, CCC International Investment Holding Ltd. (“CCC HK”), established Pride Financial Leasing (Suzhou) Co. Ltd. (“PFL”) in Jiangsu Province, China. PFL was expected to offer financial leasing of machinery and equipment, transportation vehicles, and medical devices to municipal government agencies, hospitals and SMEs in Jiangsu Province and beyond. As of December 31, 2017, PFL had no continuous financial lease transactions. 

 

2.	GOING CONCERN

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business are dependent on, among other things, the Company’s ability to operate profitably, to generate cash flows from operations, and to pursue financing arrangements to support its working capital requirements.

 

The following includes conditions give rise to substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year from the financial statement issuance date and management’s plans to mitigate these adverse conditions:

 

1)	Limited funds necessary to maintain operations

 

The Company had an accumulated deficit of US$81,534,396 as of December 31, 2017. In addition, the Company had a negative net asset of US$5,272,461 as of December 31, 2017.  As of December 31, 2017, the Company had cash of US$2,498,194 and total liabilities other than accrual for financial guarantee services of $3,166,863. Caused by the limited funds, the management assessed that the Company was not able to keep the size of lending business within one year from the financial statement issuance date.

 

The Company is actively seeking other strategic partners with experience in lending business.

 

2)

Recurring operating loss

 

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company incurred operating loss of US$10,699,740. Affected by the reduction of lending business and guarantee business and increased loss loans, the management was in the opinion that recurring operating losses would be made continue within one year from the financial statement issuance date.

 

The Company continues to use its best effort to improve collection of loan receivable and interest receivable. Management engaged two PRC law firms to represent the Company in the legal proceedings against the borrowers and their counter guarantors.

 

3)

Negative operating cash flow

 

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company incurred negative operating cash flow of US$1,184,630. Affected by significant balance of charged-off interest receivable, the management assessed the Company would continue to have negative operating cash flow within one year from the financial statement issuance date.

 

The Company continues to reduce the redundant headcount and entered into a new office lease with lower rent commitment since January 1, 2017 to improve operating cash flow.

 

4)

Downward industry

 

Most loan customers are from textile industry which has been facing downward pressure. Additionally adversely affected by emergence of internet finance entities, the Company was facing fierce competition. Considering the high risks from both customers and competitors, management assessed the Company would further reduced the loan business without strong financial support.

 

The Company is actively seeking other strategic partners with experience in lending business.

 

 

CHINA COMMERCIAL CREDIT, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

 

2.

GOING CONCERN (CONTINUED)

 

●

Financial Support

 

The Company has been actively seeking strategic investors with experience in lending business as well as financial investors. Management also invested in the Company during 2017.

 

On May 11, 2017 and June 21, 2017, the Company closed two private placements to third-party individual investors who purchased 60,000 and 625,000 shares of common stock, respectively, at a per share price of US$1.0 and US$0.8, for a total gross proceeds of US$60,000 and US$500,000, respectively. The net proceeds of the sale of the shares were used by the Company for working capital and general corporate purpose.

 

On September 29, 2017, the Company closed two private placements to two individual investors who purchased 552,486 shares of common stock at a per share price of US$1.81 with total gross proceeds of amount of US$1,000,000. One of the investors was the then Vice President of Finance of the Company. The net proceeds of the sale of the shares were used by the Company for working capital and general corporate purpose, payment of the transactional expenses related to the acquisition of all the outstanding issued shares of Sorghum Investment Holding Limited (“Sorghum”) from certain shareholders of Sorghum, and payments related to the securities class action and derivative action.

 

In December 2017, the Company sold an aggregate 200,000 registered shares of common stock at a purchase price of $3.50 per share to Long Yi, the Chief Financial Officer of the Company and Yang Jie, the then  VP of Finance of the Company pursuant to certain securities purchase agreement dated December 1, 2017. In connection with the purchase, Mr. Yi and Mr. Jie also receive warrants to purchase up to the number of shares of the Company’s common stock equal to 80,000 shares of common stock pursuant to the securities purchase agreement. The warrants have an exercise price of $4.20 per share. The warrants became exercisable on the date of issuance and shall expire five years from the date of issuance. The gross proceeds to the Company of approximately $700,000 and should be used for working capital and general corporate purpose. 

 

The Company plans to continue to seek financial as well as strategic investors for additional financing to regain compliance of the NASDAQ continued listing requirement.

 

On April 11, 2018, the Company closed a private placement to two individual investors in China for a gross proceeds of US$500,000 at a per share price of US$0.77. The net proceeds of the sale of the shares shall be used by the Company for working capital and general corporate purpose. 

 

●

Plan to acquire new business or assets

 

Although we have continued to use our best effort to improve our collection of loan receivable and interest receivable by engaging local law firms in China, it has been very difficult for us to collect from the borrowers. As such, the Company has been actively seeking strategic acquisition of business or assets to improve our liquidity. Since the termination of the Exchange Agreement with Sorghum in last December, we have evaluated a few potential acquisition targets. As of now, the Company plans to acquire certain second-hand luxury cars dealership business assets or other appropriate business deemed to be appropriate by the board of directors. As of the date of this Annual Report, the Company has not entered into any letter of intent or definitive agreement for such acquisition and there can be no assurance that we will be able to locate any target or negotiate definitive agreements with the.

 

Though management had plans to mitigate the conditions or events that raise substantial doubt, there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year from the financial statements issuance date, as there is no assurance that the liquidity plan will be successfully implemented. Failure to successfully implement the plan will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial position, and will materially adversely affect its ability to continue as a going concern.

 

3.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

(a)

Basis of presentation and principle of consolidation

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of CCC and its subsidiaries and VIEs have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

 

All significant inter-company accounts balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

(b)

Reportable segments

 

The Company operates in one reportable segment which is to provide financial services in the PRC domestic market, primarily in Wujiang City, Jiangsu Province and the Company’s chief operating decision-maker (“CODM”) assesses the Company’s financial performance and makes operating decision based on one single reportable segment. CODM has been identified as the Chief Executive Officer, who reviews operating results to make decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance for both the direct lending and guarantee business and the anticipated financial leasing business. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, there was no one customer that accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s revenue.

 

(c)

Cash

 

Cash consists cash on hand and cash at banks which are unrestricted as to withdrawal and use. The Company maintains accounts at banks and has not experienced any losses from such concentrations.

 

 

CHINA COMMERCIAL CREDIT, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

 

3.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

 

(d)

Restricted cash

 

Restricted cash represents cash pledged with banks as guarantor deposit for the guarantee business customers. The banks providing loans to the Company’s guarantee service customers generally require the Company, as the guarantor of the loans, to pledge a cash deposit of 10% to 20% of the guaranteed amount to an escrow account and is restricted from use. The deposits are released after the guaranteed bank loans are paid off and the Company’s guarantee obligation expires which is usually within 12 months.

 

(e)

Short-term investments

 

Short-term investments consist primarily of investments in fixed deposits with maturities between three months to one year and investments in money market funds or other investments whereby the Company has the intention to redeem within one year.  As of December 31, 2017, the short-term investments of $384,237 consisted primarily of investments in money market funds whereby we have intention to redeem within one year.

 

(f)

Notes receivable

 

The notes receivable were bank notes received from customers. The notes receivables were matured within 6 months with free-interest charges.

 

(g)

Loans receivable

 

Loans receivable primarily represent loan amount due from customers. The management has the intent and ability to hold such receivable for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff. Loans receivable are recorded at unpaid principal balances, net of allowance for loan losses that reflects the Company’s best estimate of the amounts that will not be collected. Loan origination and commitment fees and certain direct loan origination costs collected from customers are directly recorded in current year interests and fees on loans. The loans receivable portfolio consists of corporate loans and personal loans (Note 6). The Company does not charge loan origination and commitment fees.

 

(h)

Allowance for loan losses

 

The allowance for loan losses is increased by charges to income and decreased by charge offs (net of recoveries). Recoveries represent subsequent collection of amounts previously charged-off. The increase in allowance for loan losses is the netting effect of “reversal” and “provision” for both business and personal loans. If the ending balance of the allowance for loan losses after any charge offs (net of recoveries) is less than the beginning balance, it will be recorded as a “reversal”; if it is larger, it will be recorded as a “provision” in the allowance for loan loss. The netting amount of the “reversal” and the “provision” is presented in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).

 

The Company recognizes a charge-off when management determines that full repayment of a loan is not probable. The primary factor in making that determination is the potential outcome of a lawsuit against the delinquent debtor. The Company will recognize a charge-off when the Company loses contact with the delinquent borrower for more than six months or when the court rules against the Company to seize the collateral asset of the delinquent debt from either the guarantor or borrower.

 

The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level believed to be reasonable by management to absorb probable losses inherent in the portfolio as of each balance sheet date. The allowance is based on factors such as the size and current risk characteristics of the portfolio, an assessment of individual loan and actual loss, delinquency, and/or risk rating record within the portfolio (Note 7). The Company evaluates its allowance for loan losses on a quarterly basis or more often as necessary.

 

(i)

Interest receivable

 

Interest on loans receivable is accrued and credited to income as earned. The Company determines a loan 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 either (i) reasonable doubt exists as to the full, timely collection of interest or principal or (ii) when a loan becomes past due by more than 90 days. Additionally, any previously accrued but uncollected interest is reversed. Subsequent recognition of income occurs only to the extent payment is received, subject to management’s assessment of the collectability of the remaining interest and principal. Loans are generally restored to an accrual status when it is no longer delinquent and collectability of interest and principal is no longer in doubt and past due interest is recognized at that time.

 

During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, no interest was reversed as interests on aged loan receivables were reversed before the presented years.

 

(j)

Property and equipment

 

The property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. The depreciation is computed on a straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets with 5% salvage value. Estimated useful lives of property and equipment are stated in Note 12.

 

The Company eliminates the cost and related accumulated depreciation of assets sold or otherwise retired from the accounts and includes any gain or loss in the statement of income. The Company charges maintenance, repairs and minor renewals directly to expenses as incurred; major additions and betterment to equipment are capitalized.

  

CHINA COMMERCIAL CREDIT, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

 

3.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

 

The Company applies the provisions of ASC No. 360 Sub topic 10, “Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”(ASC 360- 10) issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”). ASC 360-10 requires that long-lived assets be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable through the estimated undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the assets. Whenever any such impairment exists, an impairment loss will be recognized for the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value.

 

(k)

Impairment of long-lived assets

 

The Company reviews its long-lived assets, including property and equipment and finite lived intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.   The Company tests long-lived assets, including property and equipment and finite lived intangible assets, for impairment at least annually or more frequently upon the occurrence of an event or when circumstances indicate that the net carrying amount is greater than its fair value. Assets are grouped and evaluated at the lowest level for their identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets. The Company considers historical performance and future estimated results in its evaluation of potential impairment and then compares the carrying amount of the asset to the future estimated cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset. If the carrying amount of the asset exceeds estimated expected undiscounted future cash flows, the Company measures the amount of impairment by comparing the carrying amount of the asset to its fair value. The estimation of fair value is generally measured by discounting expected future cash flows as the rate the Company utilizes to evaluate potential investments. The Company estimates fair value based on the information available in making whatever estimates, judgments and projections are considered necessary. There were no impairment losses in the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

 

(l)

Fair values of financial instruments

 

ASC Topic 825, Financial Instruments (“Topic 825”) requires disclosure of fair value information of financial instruments, whether or not recognized in the balance sheets, for which it is practicable to estimate that value. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques. Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. In that regard, the derived fair value estimates cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent markets and, in many cases, could not be realized in immediate settlement of the instruments. Topic 825 excludes certain financial instruments and all nonfinancial assets and liabilities from its disclosure requirements. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts do not represent the underlying value of the Company.

 

Level 1

inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets

 

Level 2

inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the assets or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instruments

 

Level 3

inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value.

 

As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, financial instruments of the Company primarily comprise of cash, restricted cash, short-term investments, notes receivable, loan receivables, interest receivable, and deposits payable, due to a related party and other current liabilities which were carried at cost on the consolidated balance sheets, and carrying amounts approximated their fair values because of their generally short maturities.

 

 

CHINA COMMERCIAL CREDIT, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

 

3.	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

 

(m)

Foreign currency translation

 

The reporting currency of the Company is United States Dollars (“US$”), which is also the Company’s functional currency. The PRC subsidiaries and VIEs maintain their books and records in its local currency, the Renminbi Yuan (“RMB”), which is their functional currencies as being the primary currency of the economic environment in which these entities operate.

 

For financial reporting purposes, the financial statements of the Company prepared using RMB, are translated into the Company’s reporting currency, US$, at the exchange rates quoted by www.oanda.com. Assets and liabilities are translated using the exchange rate at each balance sheet date. Revenue and expenses are translated using average rates prevailing during each reporting period, and shareholders’ equity is translated at historical exchange rates, except for the change in accumulated deficit during the year which is the result of the income statement translation process. Adjustments resulting from the translation are recorded as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity.

 

		December 31, 2017				December 31, 2016
Balance sheet items, except for equity accounts			6.5064				6.9448

 

		For the years ended December 31,
		2017				2016
Items in the statements of operations and comprehensive loss, and statements of cash flows			6.7570				6.6441

 

Transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are translated into prevailing functional currency at the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions. The resulting exchange differences are included in the consolidated statements of comprehensive loss.

 

(n)

Use of estimates

 

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. On an ongoing basis, management reviews these estimates using the currently available information. Changes in facts and circumstances may cause the Company to revise its estimates. Significant accounting estimates reflected in the financial statements include: (i) the allowance for loan losses; (ii) estimates of losses on unexpired loan contracts and guarantee service contracts; (iii) accrued expenses; (iv) useful lives of long-lived assets; (v) the impairment of long-lived assets; (vi) the valuation allowance of deferred tax assets; and (vii) contingencies and litigation.

 

(o)

Revenue recognition

 

Revenue is recognized when there are probable economic benefits to the Company and when the revenue can be measured reliably, on the following:

 

l

Interest income on loans. Interest on loan receivables is accrued monthly in accordance with their contractual terms and recorded in accrued interest receivable. The Company does not charge prepayment penalty from customers. Additionally, any previously accrued but uncollected interest is discontinued of accrual and reversed, when either (i) reasonable doubt exists as to the full, timely collection of interest or principal or (ii) when a loan becomes past due by more than 90 days.

 

l

Commission on guarantee service. The Company receives the commissions from guarantee services in full at inception and records as unearned income and are amortizing over the period of guarantee.

 

l

Income on direct financing lease. The financing agreements are classified as direct financing lease. Revenues representing the capitalized costs of the investment are recognized as income upon inception of the leases. The portion of revenues representing the difference between the gross investment in the lease (the sum of the minimum lease payments and the guaranteed residual value, if any) and the sum of the present value of the two components is recorded as unearned income and amortized over the lease term pursuant to the agreements.

 

before it throughout as prescribed by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB Codification”) Taxes assessed by governmental authorities that are directly imposed on revenue-producing transactions between the Company and its customers (which may include, but are not limited to, sales, use, value added and some exercise taxes) are excluded from revenues.

 

Lessees are responsible for all taxes, insurance and maintenance costs.

 

l

Non-interest income. Non-interest income mainly includes rental income from the sub-leasing of certain of the Company’s leased office space to third parties and income from disposal of property and equipment

 

 

CHINA COMMERCIAL CREDIT, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

 

3.	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

 

(p)

Financial guarantee service contract

 

Financial guarantee service contracts provide guarantee which protects the holder of a debt obligation against default. Pursuant to such guarantee, the Company makes payments if the obligor responsible for making payments fails to do so as scheduled.

 

The contract amounts reflect the extent of involvement the Company has in the guarantee transaction and also represent the Company’s maximum exposure to credit loss in its guarantee business.

 

The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. Financial instruments representing credit risk are as follows:

 

		December 31, 2017				December 31, 2016
Guarantee		$	11,627,013			$	10,893,089

 

A provision for possible loss to be absorbed by the Company for the financial guarantee it provides is recorded as an accrued liability when the guarantees are made and recorded as “Accrual for financial guarantee services” on the consolidated balance sheets. This liability represents probable losses and is increased or decreased by accruing a “(Provision)/ Reversal of provision for financial guarantee services” against the income of commissions and fees on guarantee services.

 

This is done throughout the life of the guarantee, as necessary when additional relevant information becomes available. The methodology used to estimate the liability for possible guarantee loss considers the guarantee contract amount and a variety of factors, which include, depending on the counterparty, latest financial position and performance of the borrowers, actual defaults, estimated future defaults, historical loss experience, estimated value of collaterals or guarantees the customers or third parties offered, and other economic conditions such as the economy trend of the area and the country. The estimates are based upon currently available information.

 

In addition, the Company accrued specific provisions for repayment on behalf of guarantee customers who defaulted on their loans. The Company reviews the provision on a quarterly basis. The allowance are detailed in following table:

 

		December 31, 2017				December 31, 2016
Allowance for immature financial guarantee services		$	9,270,882			$	6,005,608
Allowance for repayment on behalf of guarantee service customers losses			2,073,282				11,543,868
Allowance for repayment on behalf of a related party losses			-				98,000
Total allowance for repayment on behalf of guarantee customers losses		$	2,073,282			$	11,641,868

 

The Company recorded a provision of US$2,838,513 and a reversal of provision US$283,816 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 

As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the management charged off specific provision for 31 and 2 customers in the amount of US$10,440,156 and US$142,966, considering remote collectability from the customers. 

 

(q)

Non-interest expenses

 

Non-interest expenses primarily consist of Legal and consulting expenses relating to acquisition, litigation and settlement cost for the shareholders’ lawsuit, changes in fair value of other noncurrent liabilities, salary and benefits for employees, traveling cost, entertainment expenses, depreciation of equipment, office rental expenses, professional service fee, office supplies, etc.

 

The legal and consulting expenses relating to acquisition arose from failed transactions with Sorghum Investment Holdings Limited (“Sorghum”). The Company, on August 9, 2017, entered into Certain Share Exchange Agreement (“Exchange Agreement”) with the parent company of Sorghum. Pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Agreement, CCCR will acquire 100% of the outstanding shares of Sorghum through issuance of 152,587,000 of its common shares. The acquisition suspended on December 21, 2017. 

 

(r)

Income taxes

 

The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates applicable for the differences that are expected to affect taxable income.

 

CHINA COMMERCIAL CREDIT, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

 

3.	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

  

(s)

Comprehensive loss

 

Comprehensive loss includes net loss and other comprehensive foreign currency adjustments income. Comprehensive loss is reported in the statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income, as presented on the balance sheets are the cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments.

 

(t)

Share-based awards

 

We have various share-based awards pursuant to which the employees, consultants and directors of our company are granted share-based compensations.

 

Share-based awards granted to the Company’s employees are measured at fair value on grant date and share-based compensation expense is recognized (i) immediately at the grant date if no vesting conditions are required, or (ii) using the accelerated attribution method, net of estimated forfeitures, over the requisite service period. The fair value of restricted shares is determined with reference to the fair value of the underlying shares.

 

The Company accounts for share-based compensation issued to nonemployees in accordance with the provisions of ASC 505-50 “Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees” which codified SFAS 123 and the Emerging Issues Task Force consensus in Issue No. 9618, “Accounting for Equity Instruments that are Issued to Other Than Employees for Acquiring or in Conjunction with Selling, Goods or Services”. Measurement of share based payment transactions with non-employees shall be based on the fair value of whichever is more reliably measurable: (a) the goods or services received; or (b) the equity instruments issued. The fair value of the share based payment transaction should be determined at the earlier of performance commitment date or performance completion date.

 

(u)

Operating leases

 

The Company leases its principal office under a lease agreement that qualifies as an operating lease. The Company records the rental under the lease agreement in the operating expense when incurred.

 

(v)

Commitments and contingencies

 

In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to loss contingencies, such as legal proceedings and claims arising out of its business, that cover a wide range of matters, including, among others, government investigations and tax matters. In accordance with ASC No. 450 Sub topic 20, “Loss Contingencies”, the Company records accruals for such loss contingencies when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated.

 

(w)

Recently issued accounting standards

 

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU2018-02 to address the income tax accounting treatment of the tax effects within other comprehensive income due to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”). This guidance allows entities to elect to reclassify the tax effects of the change in the income tax rates from other comprehensive income to retained earnings. The guidance is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2018 although early adoption is permitted. The Company has currently evaluated the impact of the adoption of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements and does not expect that adopting this guidance will have material impacts on classifications of income taxes in its consolidated balance sheet.

 

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash.” ASU 2016-18 requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning and ending balances shown on the statement of cash flows. The guidance is effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2019 and early adoption is permitted. ASU 2016-18 must be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. The Company does not expect that adopting this guidance will have material impacts on presentation in its consolidated statements of cash is currently evaluating what impact the adoption of this update will have on our consolidated statements of cash flows.

 

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, “Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (Topic 230)”. ASU 2016-15 adds and clarifies guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows, reducing the existing diversity in practice that has resulted from the lack of consistent principles on this topic. ASU 2016-15 is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect that adopting this guidance will have material impacts on classifications in its consolidated statements of cash flows. 

 

CHINA COMMERCIAL CREDIT, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

 

3.	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

In June 2016, the FASB issued new accounting guidance ASU 2016-13 for recognition of credit losses on financial instruments, which is effective January 1, 2020, with early adoption permitted on January 1, 2019. The guidance introduces a new credit reserving model known as the Current Expected Credit Loss (CECL) model, which is based on expected losses, and differs significantly from the incurred loss approach used today. The CECL model requires measurement of expected credit losses not only based on historical experience and current conditions, but also by including reasonable and supportable forecasts incorporating forward-looking information and will likely result in earlier recognition of credit reserves. The Company does not intend to adopt the new standard early and is currently evaluating the impact the new guidance will have on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows; however, it is expected that the new CECL model will alter the assumptions used in calculating credit losses on loans, among other financial instruments, and may result in material changes to the Company’s credit reserves. 

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (ASU 2016-09). ASU 2016-09 changes how companies account for certain aspects of stock-based awards to employees, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification in the statement of cash flows. Current GAAP provides that excess tax benefits are recognized in additional paid-in capital whereas tax deficiencies are recognized either as an offset to accumulated excess tax benefit, if any, or in the income statement. Excess tax benefits are not recognized until the deduction reduces tax payable. Excess tax benefits must be separate from other income tax cash flows and classified as a financing activity. Under this amendment, all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies should be recognized as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement. The tax effects of exercised or vested awards should be treated as discrete items in the reporting period in which they incur. Excess tax benefits are recognized regardless of whether the benefit reduces taxes payable in the current period and classified along with other income tax cash flows as an operating activity. The Company adopted this amendments in the first quarter of fiscal year 2017. The Company hasn’t recognized excess tax benefits in additional paid-in capital or tax deficiencies as an offset to accumulated excess tax benefit in the prior periods. No reclassification of excess tax benefits from additional paid-in capital to retained earnings with in the equity section of the consolidated balance sheet as of January 1, 2017 was required. The Company elected to continue its method of forfeitures in determining its stock-based compensation expense throughout the year. The adoption of this new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). Under the new guidance, lessees will be required recognize the following for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) at the commencement date: 1) A lease liability, which is a lessee’s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and 2) A right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. The new lease guidance simplified the accounting for sale and leaseback transactions primarily because lessees must recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. Lessees will no longer be provided with a source of off-balance sheet financing. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those years. The Company is evaluating this ASU and has not determined the effect of this standard on its ongoing financial reporting.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “Financial Instruments — Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities,” which amends various aspects of the recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure for financial instruments. Under the new guidance, equity investments are required to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income, except for investments that do not have readily determinable fair values. The new guidance also simplifies the impairment assessment and enhances the disclosure requirements of equity investments. The new guidance is effective for the Company for the year ending December 31, 2018. Early adoption is permitted only for certain provisions. The Company adopted the financial instrument guidance beginning January 1, 2018. The adoption of this new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. 

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. This ASU requires all deferred tax assets and liabilities to be classified as non-current in the statement of financial position. The provisions of ASU 2015-17 are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company adopted as of December 31, 2017. The adoption did not have a material effect on the Consolidated Financial Statements. 

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which is effective January 1, 2018. The guidance clarifies that revenue from contracts with customers should be recognized in a manner that depicts the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In March 2016, the FASB issued an amendment (ASU 2016-08) to the new revenue recognition guidance clarifying how to determine if an entity is a principal or agent in a transaction. In April (ASU 2016-10), May (ASU 2016-12), and December (ASU 2016-20) of 2016, the FASB further amended the guidance to include performance obligation identification, licensing implementation, collectability assessment and other presentation and transition clarifications. The effective date and transition requirements for the amendments is the same as for ASU 2014-09. The Company adopted the revenue recognition guidance beginning January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method of adoption.

The Company has performed an assessment of revenue contracts and concluded that there will be no change to (1) the timing and pattern of revenue recognition for its current revenue streams in scope of Topic 606, which includes service fees on direct loans, (2) the presentation of revenue as gross versus net, or (3) the amount of capitalized contract costs upon adoption of Topic 606. Because there will be no change to the timing and pattern of revenue recognition, we believe there will be no material changes to the Company’s processes and internal controls. As part of our implementation process to date, we are evaluating new qualitative and quantitative disclosures, including disaggregation of revenues and descriptions of performance obligations. The Company will make such disclosures in the first quarter of 2018.  Pursuant to ASC606-10-15-2, the interest income generated by the Company which is in industry of national commercial bank and commission generated from financial guarantee services are scoped out of ASC606.

 

CHINA COMMERCIAL CREDIT, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

 

4.

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES AND OTHER CONSOLIDATION MATTERS

 

On February 19, 2014, WFOE entered into certain contractual arrangements, having substantially the same terms as those of the VIE Agreements with Pride Information and its sole shareholder, Mr. Huichun Qin. These VIE Agreements were terminated on May 11, 2015 and will be accounted for as a deconsolidation. Pride Information did not have any business since its inception.

 

As of December 31, 2017, the Company had only one VIE.

 

The significant terms of the VIE Agreements are summarized in Note 1.

 

VIEs are entities that have either a total equity investment that is insufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support, or whose equity investors lack the characteristics of a controlling financial interest, such as through voting rights, right to receive the expected residual returns of the entity or obligation to absorb the expected losses of the entity. The variable interest holder, if any, that has a controlling financial interest in a VIE is deemed to be the primary beneficiary and must consolidate the VIE. WFOE is deemed to have a controlling financial interest and be the primary beneficiary of the entities mentioned in Note 1 above, because it has both of the following characteristics:

 

1.

power to direct activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance, and

2.

obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE or right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIEs

 

In addition, as all of these contractual arrangements are governed by PRC law and provide for the resolution of disputes through either arbitration or litigation in the PRC, they would be interpreted in accordance with PRC law and any disputes would be resolved in accordance with PRC legal procedures. The legal environment in the PRC is not as developed as in other jurisdictions, such as the United States. As a result, uncertainties in the PRC legal system could further limit the Company’s ability to enforce these contractual arrangements. Furthermore, these contracts may not be enforceable in China if PRC government authorities or courts take a view that such contracts contravene PRC laws and regulations or are otherwise not enforceable for public policy reasons. In the event the Company is unable to enforce these contractual arrangements, it may not be able to exert effective control over Wujiang Luxiang and its ability to conduct its business may be materially and adversely affected.

 

All of the Company’s main current operations are conducted through Wujiang Luxiang. Current regulations in China permit Wujiang Luxiang to pay dividends to us only out of its accumulated distributable profits, if any, determined in accordance with their articles of association and PRC accounting standards and regulations. The ability of Wujiang Luxiang to make dividends and other payments to the Company may be restricted by factors including changes in applicable foreign exchange and other laws and regulations.

 

The following financial statement amounts and balances of the VIE were included in the audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 and for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016:

 

		December 31, 2017				December 31, 2016
Total assets		$	4,204,709			$	19,609,945
Total liabilities		$	10,818,223			$	19,654,760

 

		For the years ended December 31,
		2017				2016
Revenue		$	331,384			$	1,239,194
Net (loss) income		$	(6,322,174	)		$	905,618

 

All of the Company’s current revenue is generated in RMB. Any future restrictions on currency exchanges may limit our ability to use net revenues generated in RMB to make dividends or other payments in US$ or fund possible business activities outside China.

 

Foreign currency exchange regulation in China is primarily governed by the following rules:

 

●

Foreign Exchange Administration Rules (1996), as amended in August 2008, or the Exchange Rules;

 

●

Administration Rules of the Settlement, Sale and Payment of Foreign Exchange (1996), or the Administration Rules.

 

 

CHINA COMMERCIAL CREDIT, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

 

4.

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES AND OTHER CONSOLIDATION MATTERS (CONTINUED)

 

Under the Administration Rules, RMB is freely convertible for current account items, including the distribution of dividends, interest payments, trade and service related foreign exchange transactions, but not for capital account items, such as direct investments, loans, repatriation of investments and investments in securities outside of China, unless the prior approval of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (“SAFE”) is obtained and prior registration with the SAFE is made. Foreign-invested enterprises like WFOE that need foreign currency for the distribution of profits to their shareholders may validate payment from their foreign currency accounts or purchase and pay foreign currencies at the designated foreign exchange banks to their foreign shareholders by producing board resolutions for such profit distribution. Based on their needs, foreign invested enterprises are permitted to open foreign currency settlement accounts for current account receipts and payments of foreign exchange along with specialized accounts for capital account receipts and payments of foreign currency at certain designated foreign exchange banks.

 

5.

RISKS

 

(a)

Credit risk

 

Credit risk is one of the most significant risks for the Company’s business. Credit risk exposures arise principally in lending activities, finance lease and financial guarantee activities which is an off-balance sheet financial instrument.

 

Credit risk is controlled by the application of credit approvals, limits and monitoring procedures. The Company manages credit risk through in-house research and analysis of the Chinese economy and the underlying obligors and transaction structures. To minimize credit risk, the Company requires collateral in the form of rights to cash, securities or property and equipment.

 

The Company identifies credit risk collectively based on industry, geography and customer type. This information is monitored regularly by management.

 

1.1 Lending activities

 

In measuring the credit risk of lending loans to corporate customers, the Company mainly reflects the “probability of default” by the customer on its contractual obligations and considers the current financial position of the customer and the exposures to the customer and its likely future development. For individual customers, the Company uses standard approval procedures to manage credit risk for personal loans.

 

In addition, the Company calculates the provision amount as below:

 

1.

General Reserve - is based on total loan receivable balance and to be used to cover unidentified probable loan loss. According to management assessment, the General Reserve is required to be no less than 1% of total loan receivable balance.

 

2.

Special Reserve - is fund set aside covering losses due to risks related to a particular country, region, industry, company or type of loans. The reserve rate could be decided based on management estimate of loan collectability. The Loan portfolio did not include any loans outside of the PRC.

 

3.

Specific Reserve – is based on a loan by loan basis covering losses due to risks related to the ability and intension of repayment of each customer. The reserve rate was individually assessed based on management estimate of loan collectability

 

 

CHINA COMMERCIAL CREDIT, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

 

5.	RISKS (CONTINUED)

 

1.2 Guarantee activities

 

The off-balance sheet commitments arising from guarantee activities carry similar credit risk to loans and the Company takes a similar approach on risk management.

 

Off-balance sheet commitments with credit exposures are also assessed and categorized with reference to the Guideline and include additional amounts on a specific basis.

 

(b)

Liquidity risk

 

The Company is also exposed to liquidity risk which is risk that it is unable to provide sufficient capital resources and liquidity to meet its commitments and business needs. Liquidity risk is controlled by the application of financial position analysis and monitoring procedures. When necessary, the Company will turn to other financial institutions and the owners to obtain short-term funding to meet the liquidity shortage.

 

(c)

Foreign currency risk

 

A majority of the Company’s operating activities and a significant portion of the Company’s assets and liabilities are denominated in RMB, which is not freely convertible into foreign currencies. All foreign exchange transactions take place either through the Peoples’ Bank of China (“PBOC”) or other authorized financial institutions at exchange rates quoted by PBOC. Approval of foreign currency payments by the PBOC or other regulatory institutions requires submitting a payment application form together with suppliers’ invoices and signed contracts. The value of RMB is subject to changes in central government policies and to international economic and political developments affecting supply and demand in the China Foreign Exchange Trading System market.

 

(d)

Concentration risk

 

As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company held cash of US$2,498,194 and US$768,501, respectively, that is uninsured by the government authority.

 

To limit exposure to credit risk relating to deposits, the Company primarily places cash deposits only with large financial institutions in the PRC with acceptable credit ratings.

 

The Company’s operations are carried out in the PRC. Accordingly, the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations may be influenced by the political, economic and legal environments in the PRC as well as by the general state of the PRC’s economy. The business may be influenced by changes in governmental policies with respect to laws and regulations, anti-inflationary measures, currency conversion and remittance abroad, and rates and methods of taxation, among other things.

 

No customer accounted for more than 10% of total loan balance as of December 31, 2017 and 2016.

 

 

CHINA COMMERCIAL CREDIT, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

 

6.	LOANS RECEIVABLE, NET

 

The interest rates on loan issued ranged between 9.6%~ 19.44% and 9.6%~ 19.44% % for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 

6.1 Loans receivable consist of the following:

 

		December 31, 2017				December 31, 2016
Business loans		$	21,267,838			$	37,786,657
Personal loans			19,410,476				20,736,324
Total Loans receivable			40,678,314				58,522,981
Allowance for loan losses
Collectively assessed			(38,731	)			(50,481,240	)
Individually assessed			(36,574,662	)			(1,226,822	)
Allowance for loan losses			(36,613,393	)			(51,708,062	)
Loans receivable, net		$	4,064,921			$	6,814,919

 

The Company originates loans to customers located primarily in Wujiang City, Jiangsu Province. This geographic concentration of credit exposes the Company to a higher degree of risk associated with this economic region.

 

All loans are short-term loans that the Company has made to either business or individual customers. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company had 37 and 70 business loan customers, and 34 and 41 personal loan customers, respectively. Most loans are either guaranteed by a third party whose financial strength is assessed by the Company to be sufficient or secured by collateral. Allowance on loan losses are estimated loan by loan on a quarterly basis based on an assessment of specific evidence indicating doubtful collection, historical experience, loan balance aging and prevailing economic conditions. No allowance is made for loans subsequently received.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, a provision of US$3,122,113 and a reversal of provision of US$426,475 were charged to the consolidated statements of operation, respectively. Write-offs of $21,011,593 and $11,519 against allowances have occurred for the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

 

The following table presents nonaccrual loans with aging over 90 days by classes of loan portfolio as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively:

 

		December 31, 2017				December 31, 2016
Business loans		$	17,394,729			$	35,885,947
Personal loans			19,410,476				20,693,126
		$	36,805,205			$	56,579,073

 

 

CHINA COMMERCIAL CREDIT, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

 

6.	LOANS RECEIVABLE, NET (CONTINUED)

 

The following table represents the aging of loans as of December 31, 2017 by type of loan:

 

		1-89 Days Past Due			90 - 179 Days Past Due			180 - 365 Days Past Due			Over 1 year Past Due			Total Past Due			Current			Total Loans
Business loans		$	676,257		$	-		$	-		$	17,394,729		$	18,070,986		$	3,196,852		$	21,267,838
Personal loans			-			-			-			19,410,476			19,410,476			-			19,410,476
		$	676,257		$	-		$	-		$	36,805,205		$	37,481,462		$	3,196,852		$	40,678,314

 

The following table represents the aging of loans as of December 31, 2016 by type of loan:

 

		1-89 Days Past Due			90 - 179 Days Past Due			180 - 365 Days Past Due			Over 1 year Past Due			Total Past Due			Current			Total Loans
Business loans		$	-		$	10,992,518		$	5,585,728		$	19,307,701		$	35,885,947		$	1,900,710		$	37,786,657
Personal loans			43,198			6,234,908			428,956			14,029,262			20,736,324			-			20,736,324
		$	43,198		$	17,227,426		$	6,014,684		$	33,336,963		$	56,622,271		$	1,900,710		$	58,522,981

 

6.2 Analysis of loans by credit quality indicator

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s loan portfolio by credit quality indicator as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively:

 

Five Categories		December 31, 2017				%				December 31, 2016				%
Pass		$	3,873,110				9.5	%		$	1,900,710				3.2	%
Special mention			-				-				-				-
Substandard			-				-				-				-
Doubtful			-				-				9,866,430				16.9	%
Loss			36,805,204				90.5	%			46,755,841				79.9	%
Total		$	40,678,314				100	%		$	58,522,981				100	%

 

 

CHINA COMMERCIAL CREDIT, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

 

6.	LOANS RECEIVABLE, NET (CONTINUED)

 

6.3 Analysis of loans by collateral

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s loan portfolio by collateral as of December 31, 2017:

 

		December 31, 2017
		Business Loans				Personal Loans				Total
Guarantee backed loans		$	21,267,838			$	18,559,007			$	39,826,845
Collateral backed loans			-				851,469				851,469
		$	21,267,838			$	19,410,476			$	40,678,314

  

The following table summarizes the Company’s loan portfolio by collateral as of December 31, 2016:

 

		December 31, 2016
		Business Loans				Personal Loans				Total
Guarantee backed loans		$	35,557,758			$	19,904,043			$	55,461,801
Collateral backed loans			2,228,899				832,281				3,061,180
		$	37,786,657			$	20,736,324			$	58,522,981

 

Guarantee Backed Loans

 

A guaranteed loan is a loan guaranteed by a third party who is usually a corporation or high net worth individual. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, guaranteed loans make up 97.9% and 94.8% of our direct loan portfolio, respectively.

 

Collateral Backed Loans

 

A collateral backed loan is a loan in which the borrower puts up an asset under their ownership, possession or control, as collateral for the loan. An asset usually is land use rights, inventory, equipment or buildings. The loan is secured against the collateral and we do not take physical possession of the collateral at the time the loan is made. We will verify ownership of the collateral and then register the collateral with the appropriate government agencies to complete the secured transaction. In the event that the borrower defaults, we can then take possession of the collateral asset and sell it to recover the outstanding balance owed. If the sale proceed of the collateral asset is not sufficient to pay off the debt, we will file a lawsuit against the borrower and seek payment for the remaining balance.

 

 

CHINA COMMERCIAL CREDIT, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

 

7.	ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

 

The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level considered adequate to provide for losses that can be reasonably anticipated. Management performs a quarterly evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance. The allowance is based on the Company’s past loan loss history, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, the estimated value of any underlying collateral, composition of the loan portfolio, current economic conditions and other relevant factors. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates that may be susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.

 

The allowance is calculated at portfolio-level since our loans portfolio is typically of smaller balance homogenous loans and is collectively evaluated for impairment. Additionally, the management also reviewed the portfolio on a loan by loan basis and individually evaluated for impairment if any.

 

For the purpose of calculating portfolio-level reserves, we have grouped our loans into two portfolio segments: Corporate and Personal. The allowance consists of the combination of a quantitative assessment component based on statistical models, a retrospective evaluation of actual loss information to loss forecasts, value of collaterals and could include a qualitative component based on management judgment.

 

In estimating the probable loss of the loan portfolio, the Company also considers qualitative factors such as current economic conditions and/or events in specific industries and geographical areas, including unemployment levels, trends in real estate values, peer comparisons, and other pertinent factors such as regulatory guidance. Finally, as appropriate, the Company also considers individual borrower circumstances and the condition and fair value of the loan collateral, if any.

 

In addition, the Company calculates the provision amount as below:

 

1.

General Reserve - is based on total loan receivable balance and to be used to cover unidentified probable loan loss. The management assessed the General Reserve is required to be no less than 1% of total loan receivable balance.

 

2.

Special Reserve - is fund set aside covering losses due to risks related to a particular country, region, industry, company or type of loans. The reserve rate could be decided based on management estimate of loan collectability. The Loan portfolio did not include any loans outside of the PRC.

 

While management uses the best information available to make loan loss allowance evaluations, adjustments to the allowance may be necessary based on changes in economic and other conditions or changes in accounting guidance.

 

The following tables present the activity in the allowance for loan losses and related recorded investment in loans receivable by classes of the loans individually and collectively evaluated for impairment as of and for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016:

 

		Business Loans				Personal Loans				Total
For the year ended December 31, 2017
Beginning balance		$	32,356,953			$	19,351,109			$	51,708,062
Charged off			(18,661,585	)			(2,350,008	)			(21,011,593	)
Recoveries			(936,548	)			(486,559	)			(1,423,107	)
Provisions			3,128,910				1,416,310				4,545,220
Foreign exchange loss			1,545,730				1,249,081				2,794,811
Ending balance			17,433,460				19,179,933				36,613,393
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment			17,394,729				19,179,933				36,574,662
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment		$	38,731			$	-			$	38,731

 

		Business Loans				Personal Loans				Total
For the year ended December 31, 2016
Beginning balance		$	35,083,738			$	20,511,915			$	55,595,653
Charge-offs			(11,519	)			-				(11,519	)
Recoveries			(676,315	)			(162,204	)			(838,519	)
Provisions			230,580				347,602				578,182
Foreign exchange gain			(2,269,531	)			(1,346,204	)			(3,615,735	)
Ending balance			32,356,953				19,351,109				51,708,062
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment			254,868				971,954				1,226,822
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment		$	32,102,085			$	18,379,155			$	50,481,240

 

 

CHINA COMMERCIAL CREDIT, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

 

7.

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (CONTINUED)

 

The following table presents the classes of the loan portfolio summarized by the aggregate pass rating and the classified ratings of special mention, substandard, doubtful and loss within the Company’s internal risk rating system as of December 31, 2017:

 

		Pass				Special Mention				Substandard				Doubtful				Loss				Total
Business loans		$	3,873,110			$	-			$	-			$	-			$	17,394,728			$	21,267,838
Personal loans			-				-				-				-				19,410,476				19,410,476
		$	3,873,110			$	-			$	-			$	-			$	36,805,204			$	40,678,314

 

The following table presents the classes of the loan portfolio summarized by the aggregate pass rating and the classified ratings of special mention, substandard, doubtful and loss within the Company’s internal risk rating system as of December 31, 2016:

 

		Pass				Special Mention				Substandard				Doubtful				Loss				Total
Business loans		$	1,900,710			$	-			$	-			$	7,096,000			$	28,789,947			$	37,786,657
Personal loans			-				-				-				2,770,430				17,965,894				20,736,324
		$	1,900,710			$	-			$	-			$	9,866,430			$	46,755,841			$	58,522,981

 

8.

LOAN IMPAIRMENT

 

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. Impairment is measured on a loan by loan basis for corporate and personal loans by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.

 

An allowance for loan losses is established for an impaired loan if its carrying value exceeds its estimated fair value. Currently, estimated fair values of substantially all of the Company’s impaired loans are measured based on the estimated fair value of the loan’s collateral which approximates to the carrying value due to the short term nature of the loans.

 

Loans with modified terms are classified as troubled debt restructurings if the Company grants such borrowers concessions and it is deemed that those borrowers are experiencing financial difficulty. Concessions granted under a troubled debt restructuring generally involve a temporary below market rate reduction in interest rate or an extension of a loan’s stated maturity date. Non-accrual troubled debt restructurings are restored to accrual status if principal and interest payments, under the modified terms, are current for six consecutive months after modification. Loans classified as troubled debt restructurings are designated as impaired.

 

Even though the Company allows a one-time loan extension with a period up to the original loan period, which is usually twelve months. Such extension is not considered to be a troubled debt restructuring because the Company does not grant a concession to borrowers. The principal of the loan remains the same and the interest rate is fixed at the current interest rate at the time of extension. Therefore, there were no troubled debt restructurings during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 

 

CHINA COMMERCIAL CREDIT, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

 

9.	GUARANTEE PAID ON BEHALF OF GUARANTEE CUSTOMERS, NET

 

		December 31, 2017				December 31, 2016
Guarantee paid on behalf of guarantee service customers		$	2,073,282			$	11,642,755
Allowance for repayment on behalf of guarantee service customers losses			(2,073,282	)			(11,543,868	)
Guarantee paid on behalf of guarantee service customers, net		$	-			$	98,887
Guarantee paid on behalf of a related party			-				196,000
Allowance for repayment on behalf of a related party losses			-				(98,000	)
Total		$	-			$	98,000

 

As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, guarantee paid on behalf of guarantee service customers represents payment made by the Company to banks on behalf of thirty-one of its third-party guarantee service customers who defaulted on their loan repayments to the banks. Guarantee paid on behalf of a related party represents payment made by the Company to banks on behalf of one and one of its related party customers. Management performs an evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance. The allowance is based on the Company’s past loan loss history, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, the estimated value of any underlying collateral, composition of the loan portfolio, current economic conditions and other relevant factors.

 

As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company charged off allowance for repayment on behalf of customers for 31 and 2 customers in the amount of US$10,440,156 and US$142,966, considering remote collectability from the customers. The guarantee paid on behalf of customers were impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company would be unable to collect the outstanding balance when due according to the contractual terms of guarantee agreements. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include impairment status, payment ability and intention of counter-guarantee and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments.

 

10.

OTHER ASSETS

 

Other assets as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 consisted of:

 

		December 31, 2017				December 31, 2016
Other prepaid expense		$	3,037			$	20,456
Deposit for court filing fees and legal fees, net of allowance of $247,027 and $nil as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.			-				235,871
Other receivables			6,021				44,997
		$	9,058			$	301,324

 

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company accrued allowance for deposit for court filing fees and legal fees of $247,027, as the management assessed the collection is remote.

 

11.

NET INVESTMENT IN DIRECT FINANCING LEASE

 

On September 25, 2014, PFL entered into a finance lease agreement for the leasing of manufacturing equipment with a total lease receivable of US$2.73 million, with a lease term of 2 years. The lease bears an interest rate of 10.36% per annum.

 

 

CHINA COMMERCIAL CREDIT, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

 

11.

NET INVESTMENT IN DIRECT FINANCING LEASE (CONTINUED)

 

On October 13, 2014, PFL entered into another finance lease agreement for the leasing of manufacturing equipment with a total lease receivable of US$2.88 million, with a lease term of 3 years. The lease bears an interest rate of 11.11% per annum.

 

Future minimum lease receipts under non-cancellable finance lease arrangements are as follows:

 

		December 31, 2017				December 31, 2016
Within 1 year		$	2,843,355			$	3,599,831
2 years			-				-
3 years			-				-
Total minimum lease receipts			2,843,355				3,599,831
Less: amount representing interest			(306,347	)			(287,009	)
Present value of minimum lease receipts		$	2,537,008			$	3,312,822

 

Following is a summary of the components of the Company’s net investment in direct financing leases as of December 31, 2017 and 2016:

 

		December 31, 2017				December 31, 2016
Total minimum lease payments to be received		$	2,843,355			$	3,599,831
Less: Amounts representing estimated executory costs			-				-
Minimum lease payments receivable			2,843,355				3,599,831
Less Allowance for uncollectible			(2,537,008	)			(2,441,663	)
Net minimum lease payments receivable			306,347				1,158,168
Estimated residual value of leased property			-				-
Less: Unearned income			(306,347	)			(287,009	)
Net investment in direct financing lease		$	-			$	871,159

 

12.

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

 

The Company’s property and equipment used to conduct day-to-day business are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation expenses are calculated using straight-line method over the estimated useful life with 5% salvage value below:

 

Property and equipment consist of the following:

 

		Useful Life (years)			December 31, 2017				December 31, 2016
Furniture and fixtures		5			$	22,210			$	20,808
Electronic equipment		3				141,866				131,314
Leasehold improvement		3				-				159,662
Less: accumulated depreciation						(148,030	)			(291,815	)
Property and equipment, net					$	16,046			$	19,969

 

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company disposed of leasehold improvement of office with net book value of US$0 (original cost of US$170,419, accumulated depreciation of US$170,419).

 

During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company disposed of one vehicle with net book value of US$7,164 (original cost of US$143,288, accumulated depreciation of US$136,124). The Company generated non-interest income of US$48,945 from the disposal. In addition, the Company disposed of leasehold improvement of office with net book value of US$84,063 (original cost of US$126,138, accumulated depreciation of US$42,075). The Company incurred other operating expense of US$87,867 from the disposal.

 

Depreciation expense totaled US$6,714 and US$54,875 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 

13.

DEPOSITS PAYABLE

 

Deposits payable are security deposits required from customers in order to obtain loans and guarantees from the Company. The deposits are refundable to the customers when the customers fulfill their obligations under loan and guarantee contracts. 

 

 

CHINA COMMERCIAL CREDIT, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

 

14.

OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

Other current liabilities as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 consisted of:

 

		December 31, 2017				December 31, 2016
						(restated)
Accrued payroll		$	64,402			$	37,575
Accrued office rental expenses			36,887				34,558
Other tax recoverable			(35,760	)			(44,007	)
Accrued provision for cash settlement against legal proceedings (Note 15)			-				245,000
Other payable			100,911				20,321
		$	166,440			$	293,447

 

15.	OTHER NONCURRENT LIABILITIES

 

		December 31, 2017				December 31, 2016
						(restated)
Accrued provision for share settlement against legal proceedings		$	1,311,000			$	1,045,000
		$	1,311,000			$	1,045,000

 

On November 22, 2016, the Company entered into a Stipulation and Agreement of Settlement (the “Stipulation”) to settle the Securities Class Action. The Stipulation resolves the claims asserted against the Company and certain of its current and former officers and directors in the Securities Class Action without any admission or concession of wrongdoing or liability by the Company or the other defendants. The Stipulation resolved the claims asserted against the Company and certain of its current and former officers and directors in the Securities Class Action without any admission or concession of wrongdoing or liability by the Company or the other defendants. The Stipulation also provides, among other things, a settlement payment by the Company of $245,000 in cash and the issuance of 950,000 shares of its common stock (the “Settlement Shares”) to the plaintiff’s counsel and class members. The terms of the Stipulation were subject to approval by the Court following notice to all class members. The issuance of the Settlement Shares are exempt from registration pursuant to Section 3(a)(10) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. A fairness hearing was held on May 30, 2017, and the Court approved the settlement.

 

As of December 31, 2016, the Company accounted for the cash settlement of $245,000 as a current liability and the share settlement of 950,000 shares in the amount of US$1,045,000 (at market value of $1.1 per share as of December 30, 2016) as a noncurrent liability. Accordingly the Company recorded expenses of $1,641,500 (at market value of $1.47 per share as of November 22, 2016 for 950,000 shares and cash settlement of $245,000) for the year ended December 31, 2016, under the account of “Litigation and settlement cost for the shareholders’ lawsuit”, and expenses of $351,500 under “Changes in fair value of noncurrent liabilities).

 

On June 1, 2017, following a final fairness hearing on May 30, 2017 regarding the proposed settlement, the Court entered a final judgment and order that: (i) dismisses with prejudice the claims asserted in the Securities Class Action against all named defendants in connection with the Securities Class Action, including the Company, and releases any claims that were or could have been asserted that arise from or relate to the facts alleged in the Securities Class Action, such that every member of the settlement class will be barred from asserting such claims in the future; and (ii) approves the payment of $245,000 in cash and the issuance of 950,000 shares of its common stock to members of the settlement class.  

 

On July 28, 2017, the Court amended the order that 1) Attorney’s Fees, Litigation Expenses, and Incentive Awards be paid out of the Settlement Fund; and 2) Levi & Korsinsky be awarded attorney’s fees in the amount of $55,000 in cash and 237,500 shares (Plaintiff Attorney Fee Shares). Thus, cash to be paid to the class shall be $190,000 (“Class Settlement Cash”) and shares to be issued to the class shall be 712,500 (“Class Settlement Shares”). 

 

On December 22, 2017, the Court entered a distribution order approving the distribution of the Settlement Stock to the class plaintiffs. The $245,000 cash portion of the settlement has been paid in full. The 712,500 Class Settlement Shares were issued on or about January 19, 2018. The settlement has been finalized, and that thereafter there are no remaining claims outstanding as against the Company with respect to this litigation. On April 10, 2018, the 237,500 of plaintiff attorney fee shares were issued to plaintiff’s attorney’s broker account.

 

On or about January 19, 2018, the Company issued 712,500 shares common stocks as the share settlement of 950,000 shares. On April 10, 2018, the remaining 237,500 shares of common stocks was issued to Levi & Korsinsky. The $245,000 cash portion of the settlement has been paid in full. The $245,000 cash portion of the settlement has been paid in full.

 

As of December 31, 2017, the $245,000 cash portion of the settlement was paid in 2017 while the shares were yet to be issued. The Company accounted for the share settlement of 950,000 shares in the amount of US$1,311,000 (at market value of $1.38 per share on December 29, 2017) as noncurrent liability. Accordingly the Company recorded expenses of $266,000 for the years ended December 31, 2017 under the account of “Changes in fair value of noncurrent liabilities”.

 

CHINA COMMERCIAL CREDIT, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

 

16.	OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES

 

Other operating expenses for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 consisted of:

 

		For the years ended
		December 31,
		2017				2016
Depreciation and amortization		$	6,714			$	59,208
Travel expenses			29,640				15,089
Entertainment expenses			16,146				16,370
Legal and consulting expenses			584,945				1,802,480
Car expenses			15,495				25,263
Bank charges			2,982				3,400
Audit-related expense			189,594				105,957
Other expenses			328,878				179,923
Total		$	1,174,394			$	2,207,690

 

17.

CAPITAL TRANSACTION

 

Common Stock

 

The Company is authorized to issue up to 100,000,000 shares of Common Stock.

 

On May 11, 2017 and June 21, 2017, the Company closed two private placements to third party individual investors to issue 60,000 and 625,000 common shares, respectively, at a per share price of US$1.0 and US$0.8, in the total amount of US$60,000 and US$500,000, respectively. The shares shall be authorized for listing on the NASDAQ capital market before closing, and the net proceeds of the sale of the shares shall be used by the Company for working capital and general corporate purpose.

 

On September 29, 2017, the Company closed two private placements to two individual investors to issue 452,486 and 100,000 common shares, respectively, at a per share price of US$1.81, in the total amount of US$1,000,000. Among the two individuals, one of them is the Vice President of Finance of the Company (Note 19 (2)). The net proceeds of the sale of the shares shall be used by the Company for working capital and general corporate purpose, payment of the transactional expenses related to the acquisition of all the outstanding issued shares of Sorghum Investment Holding Limited (“Sorghum”) from certain shareholders of Sorghum, and payments related to the securities class action and derivative action disclosed in Note 22(3).

 

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company issued an aggregation of 1,030,000 unregistered shares to 13 professional service providers for legal and consulting services provided to the Company. The common shares were issued as compensations for the services provided to the Company. The fair value of the services provided was in in the total amount of US$2,132,400, at a per share price at the market price of the issuance dates.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company issued an aggregation of 345,750 unregistered shares to 6 managements for services provided to the Company. The fair value of the services provided was in in the total amount of US$709,980, at a per share price at the market price of the issuance dates.

 

As of December 31, 2017, there were 19,250,915 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding.

 

Warrants

 

As of December 31, 2016, the Company had outstanding warrants to purchase 1,223,400 shares. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the outstanding warrants to purchase 1,223,400 shares expired. 

 

On September 29, 2017, the Company issued warrants to purchase 158,370 and 35,000 shares to two investors, respectively, as part of the private placements mentioned above. The warrant has an exercise price of $2.26 per share and is exercisable on the date of issuance and expire five years from the date of issuance. The fair value of the warrants aggregated $186,268, estimated by using the Black-Scholes valuation model. 

 

As of December 31, 2017, the Company had outstanding warrants to purchase 193,370 shares.

 

Preferred Stocks

 

The Company is authorized to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, of which 1,000,000 shares are designated as Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series A Stock”) and 5,000,000 shares are designated as Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series B Stock”).

 

 

CHINA COMMERCIAL CREDIT, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

 

17.

CAPITAL TRANSACTION (CONTINUED)

 

The Series A Stock ranked (i) prior to the Common Stock and to all other classes and series of equity securities of the Company which by their terms do not rank senior to the Series A Stock, and (ii) junior to any class or series of equity securities which by its terms ranked senior to the Series A Stock. The Series A Stocks was subordinate to and ranked junior to all indebtedness of the Company. Each share of the Series A Stock was on the day on which the Company consummated its IPO, automatically and without any action on the part of the holder thereof converted into issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by a consultant who received the shares on December 19, 2011. The number of shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion of the Series A Stock was equal to the purchase price of the Series A Stock divided by a per share conversion price of 50% of the price of a share of Common Stock in the IPO. No new shares were issued by the Company at the conversion. In addition, the holders were not permitted to convert their preferred stock prior to consummation of the IPO.

 

The Series B Preferred Stock ranked (i) prior to the Common Stock and to all other classes and series of equity securities of the Company which by their terms do not rank senior to the Series B Preferred Stock and (ii) junior to any class or series of equity securities which by its terms ranked senior to the Series B Preferred Stock. The Series B Stock was subordinate to and ranked junior to all indebtedness of the Company. Each share of the Series B Stock was on the day on which the Company consummated its IPO, automatically and without any action on the part of the holder thereof converted into issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by a consultant who received the shares on December 19, 2011. The number of shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion of the Series B Stock was equal to the purchase price of the Series B Stock divided by a per share conversion price of 25% of the price of a share of Common Stock in the IPO. No new shares were issued by the Company at the conversion. In addition, the holders were not permitted to convert their preferred stock prior to consummation of the IPO.

 

Between January 1, 2012 and April 1, 2013, the Company issued a total of 745 shares of Series A Stock to an aggregate of 11 investors pursuant to certain subscription agreements. We received gross proceeds of $372,500 and incurred costs associated with this private placement of $93,125.

 

Between October 12, 2012 and May 8, 2013, the Company issued a total of 760 shares of Series B Stock to an aggregate of 44 investors pursuant to certain subscription agreements. We received gross proceeds of $380,000 and incurred costs associated with this private placement of $95,000.

 

On August 16, 2013 when the Company closed its IPO, all outstanding shares of the Series A Stock and Series B Stock were converted into an aggregate of 348,462 shares of already issued and outstanding Common Stock beneficially owned by a consultant who received our shares on December 19, 2011, automatically and without any action on the part of the holder thereof. The per share conversion price of Series A Stock and Series B Stock was equal to $3.25 and $1.63, respectively.

 

The discount on the Series A and B Stock was accounted for as a beneficial conversion feature upon conversion. The total amount of discount was $752,500, which was accounted for as a reduction to retained earnings and an offsetting increase to additional paid in capital in the Company’s financial statements.

 

18.

STATUTORY RESERVE

 

In accordance with the PRC Regulations on Enterprises with Foreign Investment and the articles of association of the Company’s PRC subsidiaries, a foreign-invested enterprise established in the PRC is required to provide statutory reserve, which is appropriated from net profit as reported in the enterprise’s PRC statutory accounts. A foreign-invested enterprise is required to allocate at least 10% of its annual after-tax profit to the general reserve until such reserve has reached 50% of its respective registered capital based on the enterprise’s PRC statutory accounts. The Company allocates 15% of its annual after-tax profit to the statutory reserve. The statutory reserve can only be used for specific purposes and are not distributable as cash dividends. WFOE was established as a foreign-invested enterprise and, therefore, is subject to the above mandated restrictions on distributable profits. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company did not accrue the statutory reserve due to accumulated deficit.

 

19.

LOSS PER COMMON SHARE

 

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively:

 

		For the Years Ended
		December 31,
		2017				2016
Net loss attributable to the common shareholders		$	(10,699,740	)		$	(2,580,136	)
Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding			17,893,595				14,571,076
Effect of dilutive securities			-				-
Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding			17,893,595				14,571,076
Loss per share:
Basic		$	(0.598	)		$	(0.177	)
Diluted		$	(0.598	)		$	(0.177	)

  

Basic loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted loss per share is the same as basic loss per share due to the lack of dilutive items in the Company for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. The number of warrants is omitted excluded from the computation as the anti-dilutive effect.

 

CHINA COMMERCIAL CREDIT, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

 

20.

INCOME TAXES

 

Effective January 1, 2008, the New Taxation Law of PRC stipulates that domestic enterprises and foreign invested enterprises (the “FIEs”) are subject to a uniform tax rate of 25%. A preferential income tax rate of 12.5% is provided to micro-credit companies that are located in Jiangsu Province. Thus, the Company’s loan business segment located in Jiangsu Province benefits from the preferential enterprise income tax rate of 12.5%. Under the PRC tax law, companies are required to make quarterly estimate payments based on 25% tax rate; companies that received preferential tax rates are also required to use a 25% tax rate for their installment tax payments. The overpayment, however, will not be refunded and can only be used to offset future tax liabilities.

 

The Company evaluates the level of authority for each uncertain tax position (including the potential application of interest and penalties) based on the technical merits, and measures the unrecognized benefits associated with the tax positions. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company had no unrecognized tax benefits. As of December 31, 2017, the Company has carry forward net operating losses of US$75,418,163, which will begin to expire as of December 31, 2019. The Company recognized deferred tax assets of US$14,239,645 as of December 31, 2017. However, due to uncertainties surrounding future utilization, the Company estimates there will not be sufficient future income to realize the deferred tax assets. The Company maintains a full valuation allowance on its net deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2017. The Company increased its valuation allowance on deferred tax assets by $3,021,938 from $11,217,707 as of December 31, 2016 to $14,239,645 as of December 31, 2017.

 

The Company does not anticipate any significant increase to its liability for unrecognized tax benefit within the next 12 months. The Company will classify interest and penalties related to income tax matters, if any, in income tax expense.

 

The principal components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows:

 

		December 31, 2017				December 31, 2016
Allowance for guarantees		$	2,543,166			$	4,080,949
Net operating loss carryforwards			11,696,479				7,136,758
Valuation allowance			(14,239,645	)			(11,217,707	)
Deferred tax assets, net			-				-

 

The Company does not have any current and deferred tax expenses for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

 

The reconciliation between the effective income tax rate and the PRC statutory income tax rate is as follows:

 

		For the Years Ended
		December 31,
		2017				2016
PRC statutory tax rate			25.00	%			25.00	%
Effect of preferential income tax rate on loan business			-4.07	%			3.88	%
Impact of different income tax rates in other jurisdictions			3.75	%			-38.18	%
Other non-deductible expenses			-7.06	%			-12.95	%
Change in valuation allowances			-17.62	%			22.25	%
Net effective income tax rate			0.00	%			0.00	%

 

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. enacted the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA” or the “Act”). The Act significantly changes U.S. corporate income tax laws by, among other things, reducing the U.S. corporate income tax rate to 21% and imposing a one-time mandatory tax on previously deferred foreign earnings.

 

On December 22, 2017, the Securities and Exchange Commission staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”), which provides guidance on accounting for the tax effects of the Tax Act. SAB 118 provides a measurement period that should not extend beyond one year from the Tax Act enactment date for companies to complete the accounting under ASC 740, Income Taxes. In accordance with SAB 118, a company must reflect the income tax effects of those aspects of the Tax Act for which the accounting under ASC 740 is complete. To the extent that a company’s accounting for certain income tax effects of the Tax Act is incomplete but it is able to determine a reasonable estimate, it must record a provisional estimate in the financial statements.

 

 

CHINA COMMERCIAL CREDIT, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

 

20.

INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)

 

We have completed our determination of the accounting implications of the 2017 Tax Act, the Company remeasured certain deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the new tax rate that is expected to be in effect at the time the tax deduction will be reported in the Company’s tax return. In addition, there is no impact to current or deferred taxes related to the one-time deemed repatriation, as our foreign subsidiaries do not have cumulative positive earnings and profits.

 

The Company accounts for uncertainty in income taxes using a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions. 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 on audit, 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. Interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions are recognized and recorded as necessary in the provision for income taxes. The Company is subject to income taxes in the PRC. According to the 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 the withholding agent. The statute of limitations is extended to five years under special circumstances, where the underpayment of taxes is more than RMB 100,000. In the case of transfer pricing issues, the statute of limitation is ten years. There is no statute of limitation in the case of tax evasion. There were no uncertain tax positions as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 and the Company does not believe that its unrecognized tax benefits will change over the next twelve months.

 

21.

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS AND BALANCES

 

1)

Nature of relationships with related parties

 

Name		Relationship with the Company
Wujiang Chunjia Textile Trading Co., Ltd (“Chunjia Textile”)		Controlled by Huichun Qin
Suzhou Rongshengda Investment Holding Co., Ltd.		Controlled by shareholders of Wujiang Luxiang
Wujiang Xiaocun Shengda Founding Investment Co., Ltd.		Controlled by shareholders of Wujiang Luxiang
Yang Jie		A significant shareholder and Vice President of Finance of the Company
Long Yi		Chief Finance Officer of the Company
Huichun Qin		Non-controlling shareholder and former CEO and chairman of board of directors

 

2)

Related party transactions

 

During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company made a loan of US$1,945,224 to Suzhou Rongshengda Investment Holding Co., Ltd., a company controlled by shareholders of Wujiang Luxiang. Due to the short-term borrowing, the Company did not charge any interest or fees. By December 31, 2017, the balance was collected. 

 

During the year ended December 31, 2017, Wujiang Xiaocun Shengda Founding Investment Co., Ltd. paid operating expenses of $384,786 on behalf of the Company.

 

On September 29, 2017, the Company closed a private placement to Mr. Yang Jie to issue 452,486 common shares, at a per share price of US$1.81, in the total amount of US$819,000. The net proceeds of the sale of the shares shall be used by the Company for working capital and general corporate purpose, payment of the transactional expenses related to the acquisition of all the outstanding issued shares of Sorghum Investment Holding Limited (“Sorghum”) from certain shareholders of Sorghum, and payments related to the securities class action and derivative action disclosed in Note 22(3).

 

On December 1, 2017, the Company has entered into a securities purchase agreement with Mr. Yang Jie and Mr. Long Yi to sell 150,000 and 50,000 shares of common stocks, respectively, at a per share price of US$3.5, in the total amount of US$525,000 and US$175,000, respectively. The total amount was received as of December 31, 2017. As of the financial statements issuance date, the Company has issued 50,000 shares of common stocks to Long Yi. The shares of common stocks have not been issued to Jie Yang as of the financial statement issuance date.

 

3)	Related party balances

 

Amount due from related parties were as follows:

 

		December 31, 2017				December 31, 2016
Suzhou Rongshengda Investment Holding Co., Ltd.		$	-			$	469,418
Chunjia Textile			-				196,001
Huichun Qin		$	1,075,864			$	1,007,953

 

As of December 31, 2017, the Company provided financial guarantee service for Chunjia Textile to guarantee loans of US$209,207. The Company accrued recorded an allowance of US$209,207 and charged off all allowances on against the outstanding balance as of December 31, 2017.

 

 

CHINA COMMERCIAL CREDIT, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

 

21.

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS AND BALANCES (CONTINUED)

 

3)	Related party balances (continued)

 

Huichun Qin transferred $1,098,197 (equivalent of RMB 7 million) to his personal account without proper authorization on July 2, 2014. As of December 31, 2017, Huichun Qin has not repaid the balance. The amount was recorded as a deduction of the Company’s equity as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.  The management is making efforts to collect the outstanding balance from Huichun Qin’s family and was in the opinion that the collection is probable.

 

Amount due to related parties were as follows:

 

		December 31, 2017				December 31, 2016
Wujiang Xiaocun Shengda Founding Investment Co., Ltd.		$	398,073			$	-
Yang Jie			525,000				-
Long Yi			174,974				-

 

The balance due to Wujiang Xiaocun Shengda Founding Investment Co., Ltd. represented operating expenses paid by this related party on behalf of the Company. The balance was payable on demand and free of interest.

 

The balances due to Yang Jie and Long Yi mainly represented the amount advanced from the management cash received from them for purchase of shares and warrants in the private placements closed in 2018 as disclosed in Note 24(2). As of the financial statements issuance date, the Company has issued 50,000 shares of common stocks and 20,000 shares of warrants to Long Yi. The shares of common stocks and warrants have not been issued to Jie Yang as of the financial statement issuance date.

 

22.	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

1)

Lease Commitments

 

During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company leased its new office under a lease agreement from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019. As a result, in January 2017, the Company terminated the lease agreement for its former principal office which agreement was to expire on May 31, 2021. No default penalty was paid for the earlier termination. We leased certain office space in New York, NY where we paid a monthly rent of US$3,200 from September to December 2016 and a monthly rent of US$3,600 during 2018. The following table sets forth the Company’s contractual obligations as of December 31, 2017 in future periods: 

 

		Rental payments
Year ending December 31, 2018		$	68,412
Year ending December 31, 2019			26,749
Total		$	95,161

 

2)

Guarantee Commitments

 

The guarantees will terminate upon payment and/or cancellation of the obligation; however, payments by the Company would be triggered by failure of the guaranteed party to fulfill its obligation covered by the guarantee. Generally, the average guarantee expiration terms ranged within 12 to 24 months and the average percentage of the guarantee amount as security deposit is 10% ~ 20%. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the loan amount guaranteed by the Company was US$11,627,013 and US$10,893,089, respectively, for its financial guarantee service customers. 

 

The Company is involved in various legal actions arising from providing financial guarantee services to defaulted guarantees. As of December 31, 2017, eight cases against the Company was finally adjudicated by the Court, in which the Company was jointly liable, together with the defaulted customers and other guarantees, to repayment the principal, interest and penalties of $5.66 million. Additionally, six cases against the Company has not been adjudicated by the Company, in which the Company was jointly liable, together with the defaulted customers and other guarantees, to repayment the principal, interest and penalties of $4.99 million.

 

 

CHINA COMMERCIAL CREDIT, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

 

22.	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED)

 

3)

Contingencies

 

The Company is involved in various legal actions arising in the ordinary course of its business to collect delinquent balances from borrowers and guarantees. As of December 31, 2017, 4 cases with an aggregated claim of US$2.3 million have not been finally adjudicated by the Court. At this stage of the proceedings, the Company is not able to estimate the probability of success or loss.

 

a)	2014 Class Action litigation

 

On August 6, 2014, a purported shareholder Andrew Dennison filed a putative class action complaint in the United States District Court District of New Jersey (the “N.J. district court”) relating to a July 25, 2014 press release about the Company’s progress in recovering a significant portion of the $5.4 million the Company paid in the first quarter of 2014 on behalf of loan guarantee customers. The action, Andrew Dennison v. China Commercial Credit, Inc., et al., Case No. 2:2014-cv-04956, alleges that the Company and its current and former officers and directors Huichun Qin, Long Yi, Jianming Yin, Jinggen Ling, Xiangdong Xiao, and John F. Levy violated the federal securities laws by misrepresenting in prior public filings certain material facts about the risks associated with its loan guarantee business. On October 2, 2014, purported shareholders Zhang Yun and Sanjiv Mehrotra (the “Yun Group”) asserted substantially similar claims against the same defendants in a putative class action captioned Zhang Yun v. China Commercial Credit, Inc., et al., Case No. 2:14-cv-06136 (D. N.J.). Neither complaint states the amount of damages sought.

 

On or about October 6, 2014, Dennison, the Yun Group and another purported shareholder, Jason Stark, filed motions to consolidate the cases, be appointed as lead plaintiff and to have their respective counsel appointed as lead counsel. On October 31, 2014, the N.J. district court entered an order consolidating the cases under the caption “In re China Commercial Credit Inc. Securities Litigation” and appointing the Yun Group as lead plaintiff (“Class Plaintiff”) and the Yun Group’s counsel as lead counsel.

 

On November 18, 2014, the Yun Group and the Company, which at that point was the only defendant served, entered into a stipulation to transfer of the case to the Southern District of New York. On December 18, 2014, Mr. Levy, who had by then been served, joined in the stipulation. On December 29, 2014, the N.J. district court entered an order transferring the action. The transfer was effected on January 22, 2015, and assigned docket number 1:15-cv-00557-ALC (S.D.N.Y.). (the “Securities Class Action”)

 

Under the schedule stipulated by the parties, the Yun Group was to file an amended complaint within 60 days of the date that the transfer was effected, and the defendants’ date to answer or move was within 60 days of that filing. On April 7, 2015, the Class Plaintiff filed a Second Amended Class Action Complaint (the “CAC”). The CAC also asserts securities law claims against defendants Axiom Capital Management, Inc., Burnham Securities Inc. and ViewTrade Securities, Inc. (collectively, the “Underwriter Defendants”). The CAC alleges that the Company engaged in a fraudulent scheme by engaging in undisclosed and improper lending practices and made misleading representations regarding its underwriting policies, the loan portfolio quality, the loan loss allowance, compliance with U.S. GAAP and its internal control systems.

 

In accordance with the Court’s procedures, the Company and Mr. Levy and the Underwriter Defendants requested a Pre-Motion Conference in anticipation of filing a motion to dismiss the CAC, which was held on June 25, 2015. At the conference, the Court adjourned the date to answer or move in order to provide the Class Plaintiff with time to serve certain overseas defendants. After the conference, the Class Plaintiff voluntarily dismissed Jianming Yin, Jinggen Ling and Xiangdong Xiao from the action, and Long Yi agreed to waive service, which left Huichun Qin as the sole remaining defendant to serve.

 

On November 22, 2016, the Company entered into a Stipulation and Agreement of Settlement (the “Stipulation”) to settle the Securities Class Action. The Stipulation resolves the claims asserted against the Company and certain of its current and former officers and directors in the Securities Class Action without any admission or concession of wrongdoing or liability by the Company or the other defendants. The Stipulation also provides, among other things, a settlement payment by the Company of $245,000 in cash and the issuance of 950,000 shares of its common stock (the “Settlement Shares”) to the plaintiff’s counsel and class members. The terms of the Stipulation were subject to approval by the Court following notice to all class members. The issuance of the Settlement Shares are exempt from registration pursuant to Section 3(a)(10) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. A fairness hearing was held on May 30, 2017, and the Court approved the settlement. On December 22, 2017, the Court entered a distribution order approving the distribution of the Settlement Stock to the class plaintiffs. The $245,000 cash portion of the settlement has been paid in full. The 712,500 Class Settlement Shares were issued on or about January 19, 2018. The settlement has been finalized, and that thereafter there are no remaining claims outstanding as against the Company with respect to this litigation. On April 10, 2018, the 237,500 of plaintiff attorney fee shares were issued to plaintiff’s attorney’s broker account. 

 

Two of the Underwriter Defendants, Axiom Capital Management, Inc., and ViewTrade Securities, Inc., have asserted their respective rights to indemnification under the Underwriting Agreements entered into in connection with the Company’s initial public offering and secondary offering. On or about March 16, 2016, CCCR entered into an Advance Funding and Escrow Agreement (“Advance Funding Agreement”), under which the CCCR agreed to deposit shares into escrow to fund the advancement obligation, with the initial deposit to be 637,592 shares which was valued at Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000), based upon 80% of the 30 day volume weighted average trading price for each of the 30 consecutive trading days prior to the date of the agreement. As of the completion of the settlement, an aggregate of 527,078 shares are unused in the escrow account and the Underwriter Defendants acknowledged there is no additional payment of fees and expenses owed to the Underwriter Defendants and the Advance Funding Agreement shall be terminated. The Company has instructed the transfer agent to cancel the 527,078 shares and return them to authorized shares. As of the date of this Annual Report, the Company is working with its counsel and the escrow agent to complete such cancelation.

CHINA COMMERCIAL CREDIT, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

 

22.	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED)

 

3)	Contingencies (continued)

 

b)	2015 Derivative action

 

On February 3, 2015, a purported shareholder KiramKodali filed a putative shareholder derivative complaint in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, captioned KiranKodali v. Huichun Qin, et al., Case No. 15-cv-806. The action alleges that the Company and its current and former officers and directors Huichun Qin, Long Yi, Jianming Yin, Jinggen Ling, Chunfang Shen, John F. Levy, Xiaofang Shen and Chunjiang Yu violated their fiduciary duties, grossly mismanaged the Company and were unjustly enriched based upon the transfer that was the subject of the Internal Review and other grounds substantially similar to those asserted in the class action complaints. Kodali did not serve a demand upon the Company and alleges that demand is excused. The Company and Mr. Levy are the only defendants who have been served. An amended derivative complaint was filed on April 20, 2015. 

 

On May 29, 2015, the Court “so ordered” a stipulation among Kodali, the Company and Mr. Levy staying all proceedings in the derivative case, except for service of process on individual defendants, until the earlier of thirty days of termination of the stipulation, dismissal of the class action with prejudice or the date any of the defendants in the class action file an answer to the CAC. 

 

The Company intends to vigorously defend against it. At this stage of the proceedings, the Company is not able to estimate the probability of success or loss. The Court ordered CCCR to answer or otherwise move with respect to this action on or before November 13, 2017. Thereafter, CCCR and Mr. Levy submitted a pre-motion letter to the Court requesting permission to move to dismiss the derivative complaint; submission of this letter stayed the proceedings pending the Court’s review thereof. The Court held a hearing on this pre-motion letter on January 22, 2018, denying permission to file a motion to dismiss the complaint without prejudice and setting forth a schedule under which Kodali must serve the remaining defendants in the derivative litigation. The parties are due to file a joint status report on May 21, 2018. On behalf of the Company and Mr. Levy, this firm is engaged in active settlement discussions with counsel for Kodali, but the parties have not entered into a settlement agreement. 

 

c)	2017 Class action

 

The Company and its directors were party to a lawsuit filed on September 1, 2017, by certain a stockholder of the Company on behalf of himself and similarly situated stockholders of the Company CCC in the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware (the “Delaware Chancery Court”) (Case No. 2017-0633-JTL) (the “Action”), Plaintiff stockholders which sought injunctive relief, costs, and attorney’s fees. Plaintiff’s Verified Class Action Complaint (“Complaint”) alleged that the Company’s directors breached their fiduciary duties to the Company’s stockholders by failing to disclose all necessary material information relating to the Company’s entry into an the Exchange Agreement (“Exchange Agreement”) with Sorghum Investment Holdings Limited (“Sorghum”) on August 9, 2017, and preventing the Company’s stockholders from casting a fully informed vote on the Company’s acquisition of Sorghum, and other proposals contained in the Company’s preliminary proxy statement, dated August 14, 2017 (“Preliminary Proxy Statement).

 

On October 10, 2017, the Company filed Amendment No. 1 to its Preliminary Proxy Statement (the “Amended Preliminary Proxy”) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) in response to the Commission’s September 8, 2017 comment letter (“Comment Letter”). After reviewing the Amended Preliminary Proxy, Plaintiff determined that the Company’s Amended Preliminary Proxy rendered the claims asserted in Plaintiff’s Complaint moot and/or otherwise unsuitable for further pursuit. On October 19, 2017, the Company and Plaintiff entered into a stipulation (“Stipulation”) wherein Plaintiff agreed to voluntarily dismiss his claims against the Company, and its directors, with prejudice. The Delaware Chancery Court granted the Stipulation on October 20, 2017, and entered an Order dismissing the Action with prejudice. In accordance with the Order, the Company will advise the Delaware Chancery Court within fifteen (15) days of the earlier of (a) the stockholder vote on the Exchange Agreement relating to the proposals, or (b) the termination of the Exchange Agreement, and whether the parties to the Action have reached an agreement with respect to Plaintiff’s anticipated request for fees and expenses. Currently, no compensation in any form has passed from the Company, or its directors, to Plaintiff or Plaintiff’s attorneys in the Action, and the Company has not made a promise to give any such compensation. On or about November 6, 2017, the Company filed Amendment No. 2 to its Preliminary Proxy Statement with the Commission in further response to the Comment Letter. On December 29, 2017, the Company received notice from Sorghum notifying the Company that the Exchange Agreement is terminated. The Company advised Plaintiff of the termination of the Exchange Agreement on January 9, 2018.

 

d)	2017 Arbitration with Sorghum

 

On December 21, 2017, the Company delivered notice (“Notice”) to Sorghum notifying Sorghum that certain recent actions of Sorghum constituted breaches of Sorghum’s covenants under the Exchange Agreement. Specifically, we believe that Sorghum is in breach of Section 6.9 (a) and Section 6.11 (b) of the Exchange Agreement which required Sorghum to use commercially reasonable efforts and to cooperate fully with the other parties to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Exchange Agreement and to make its directors, officers and employees available in connection with responding in a timely manner to SEC comments. According to the terms of the Exchange Agreement, the Company is entitled to terminate the Exchange Agreement if the breach is not cured within twenty (20) days after the Notice is provided to Sorghum.

 

On January 25, 2018, the Company filed an arbitration demand (“Arbitration Demand”) with the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) against Sorghum in connection with Sorghum’s breach of the Exchange Agreement. The AAA has forwarded the Company’s Arbitration Demand to Sorghum, and Sorghum’s response to the Arbitration Demand was due on or before February 14, 2018. Sorghum has not provided a written response to the Company’s Arbitration Demand. In accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the AAA, Sorghum’s failure to respond is deemed as a general denial of the Company’s claims. On April 10, 2018, the AAA appointed Barbara Mentz, Esq. (“Arbitrator Mentz”) as arbitrator in accordance with the arbitration clause contained in the Exchange Agreement. The Company and Sorghum’s counsels are currently having initial conferences with the Arbitrator Mentz. The Company intends to prosecute its claims vigorously.

 

 

CHINA COMMERCIAL CREDIT, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016 

 

22.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED)

 

3)

Contingencies (continued)

 

On May 18, 2015, WFOE filed a civil complaint against Huichun Qin with the Wujiang Region Suzhou City People’s Court claiming Mr. Qin’s misappropriation of RMB 7 million in July 2014. The complaint was rejected due to a procedural issue. The Company has since learned that Mr. Qin has been convicted and sentenced to a term of incarceration of approximately five years. In view of this information, the Company is evaluating its strategic options.  

We have been advised that the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) (formerly, the NASD) is conducting a review of trading in the Company surrounding the December 27, 2017 Form 8-K filing report, that on December 21, 2017, the company notified Sorghum Investment Holdings, Ltd. that certain recent actions of Sorghum constitute a breach of Sorghum’s covenants under the Share Exchange Agreement dated August 9, 2017 (the “corporate disclosure”). We have been responding to FINRA’s request for information and intend to continue to cooperate in the investigation. Although we cannot, at this time, assess either the duration or the likely outcome or consequences of this investigation, FINRA has the authority to impose sanctions on our Company that could adversely affect its effectiveness in that capacity.

23.	CORRECTION OF ERROR

 

During the course of preparing the 2017 consolidated financial statements, certain errors to the previously issued 2016 consolidated financial statements appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 filed with SEC on April 6, 2017, were discovered by management. The errors related to the accounting of the settlement shares agreed upon per the Stipulation (See Note 15). These settlement shares have not been issued until 2018. These settlement shares should be recorded in accordance ASC 450-20, Loss Contingencies, and as a result the share settlement should be also accounted for as a liability measured at market value of share price rather than accounting for contracts to be settled with the Company’s own equity. After the errors have been quantified, the previously-issued financial statements have been evaluated to determine whether they are materially misstated in accordance with guidance provided in SAB Topic 99 and the Company has concluded the previously-issued 2016 consolidated financial statements are not materially misstated and the errors will be corrected prospectively.  As a result, the Company made the corrections to the 2016 consolidated financial statements contained in this Form 10K.

The effects of the restatement on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2016 are as follows: 

		As at December 31, 2016
		As Previously
		Reported				Adjustments				As Restated
Other noncurrent liabilities		$	273,447			$	20,000			$	293,000
Other noncurrent liabilities			-				1,045,000				1,045,000
Total Liabilities			7,357,812				1,065,000				8,422,812
Additional paid-in capital			63,124,040				(465,000	)			62,659,040
Accumulated deficit			(70,234,656	)			(600,000	)			(70,834,656	)
Total Shareholders’ (Deficit) Equity		$	2,212,931			$	(1,065,000	)		$	1,147,931

The effects of the restatement on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss and earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2016 are as follows:

		For The Year Ended December 31, 2016
		As Previously Reported				Adjustments				As Restated
Litigation and settlement cost for the shareholders’ lawsuit		$	(690,000	)		$	(951,500	)		$	(1,641,500	)
Changes in fair value of other noncurrent liabilities			-				351,500				351,500
Total non-interest expense			(4,276,000	)			(600,000	)			(4,876,002	)
Loss Before Income Taxes			(1,980,136	)			(600,000	)			(2,580,136	)
Net Loss			(1,980,136	)			(600,000	)			(2,580,136	)
Loss per Share- Basic and Diluted			(0.136	)			(0.04	)			(0.177	)
Net Loss			(1,980,136	)			(600,000	)			(2,580,136	)
Other comprehensive loss		$	(2,147,501	)		$	(600,000	)		$	(2,747,501	)

The effects of the restatement on the Company’s consolidated statements of changes in shareholders’ equity for the year ended December 31, 2016 are as follows:

		Additional Paid-in Capital as Reported				Additional Paid-in Capital as Restated				Accumulated deficit as Reported				Accumulated deficit as Restated				Total equity as reported				Total equity as Restated
Share settlement against legal proceedings		$	465,000			$	-			$	-			$	-			$	465,000			$	-
Net loss for the year		$	-			$	-			$	(1,980,136	)		$	(2,580,136	)		$	(1,980,136	)		$	(2,580,136	)
Balance as of December 31, 2016		$	63,124,040			$	62,659,040			$	(70,234,656	)		$	(70,834,656	)		$	2,212,931			$	1,147,931

 

CHINA COMMERCIAL CREDIT, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016 

 

23.	CORRECTION OF ERROR (CONTINUED)

 

The effects of the restatement on the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows for the year ended for the year ended December 31, 2016 are as follows:

 

		For The Year Ended December 31, 2016
		As Previously Reported				Adjustments				As Restated
Net loss		$	(1,980,136	)		$	(600,000	)		$	(2,580,136	)
Changes in fair value of other noncurrent liabilities			465,000				(816,500	)			(351,500	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Other current liabilities		$	97,577			$	20,000			$	117,577
Other noncurrent liabilities			-				1,396,500				1,396,500

 

24.

SUBSEQUENT EVENT

 

1)	Charged-off loans

 

During the period from January 1, 2018 to the date of this report, the Company assessed the charged-off loan and guarantee balances recorded as of December 31, 2017 and was of the opinion that these balances were uncollectible. In addition, the Company assessed the remaining balances of loan receivable and financial guarantee and was of the opinion that it was not necessary to charge-off these balances.

 

2)	Private placement with management

 

On December 1, 2017, the Company has entered into a securities purchase agreement with Mr. Yang Jie, a significant shareholder and Vice President of Finance of the Company and Mr. Long Yi, the Chief Financial Officer of the Company to sell 150,000 and 50,000 common shares, respectively, at a per share price of US$3.5, in the total amount of US$525,000 and US$175,000, respectively. The net proceeds of the sale of the shares shall be used by the Company for general corporate purpose, to fund the transactional expenses related to the acquisition of all of the outstanding issued shares of Sorghum Investment Holding Limited (“Sorghum”) from certain shareholders of Sorghum; and settlement payment related to the securities class action and derivative action disclosed in Note 22(3).

 

In connection with the purchase of the shares, warrants to initially purchase 80,000 shares of common stock will be offered. Each warrant may be exercised at any time on or after the date of issuance until the fifth anniversary of the issuance of the warrants. Warrants to be offered to investors shall have an exercise price of $4.20 per share of common stock.

 

The total amount of private placement was advanced received as of December 31, 2017. As of the date of this report, the Company issued 50,000 shares of common stocks and related warrants to Mr. Long Yi with 150,000 shares of common stocks and related warrants unissued to Mr. Yang Jie.

 

3)	Issuance of common stocks

 

On or about January 19, 2018, the Company issued 712,500 shares common stocks as the share settlement of 950,000 shares as disclosed in Note 15. On April 10, 2018, the remaining 237,500 shares of common stocks were issued to Levi & Korsinsky. Besides the Company sold 649,350 shares of newly issued common stocks to certain individual investors in exchange of $500,000.

 

4)	Receipt of NASDAQ Deficiency Notice

 

On February 28, 2018, the company received a letter (the ” Notification Letter “) from The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (” Nasdaq “) notifying the Company that it is not in compliance with the minimum Market Value of Listed Securities (MVLS) requirement set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(2) for continued listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market. Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(2) requires listed securities to maintain a minimum MVLS of $35 million. Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(C) provides that a failure to meet a minimum MVLS exists if the deficiency continues for a period of 30 consecutive business days. Based upon Nasdaq’s review of the Company’s MVLS for the last 30 consecutive business days, the Company no longer meets the minimum MVLS requirement. The Nasdaq staff noted the Company also does not meet the requirements under Listing Rules 5550(b)(1) and 5550(b)(3). The Notification Letter does not impact the Company’s listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market at this time. In accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(C), the Company has been provided 180 calendar days, or until August 27, 2018, to regain compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(2). The Company has been evaluating options available to regain compliance and to timely submit a plan to regain compliance. There can be no assurance that the Company’s plan will be accepted or that, if it is, the Company will be able to regain compliance with the applicable Nasdaq listing requirements.

 

 

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit		Description
2.1		Form of Share Exchange Agreement, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the draft registration statement on Form DRS filed on February 14, 2013
2.2		Form of Amended Share Exchange Agreement, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.2 of the registration statement on Form S-1 filed on June 7, 2013
3.1		Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the draft registration statement on Form DRS filed on February 14, 2013
3.2		Bylaws of Registrant, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the draft registration statement on Form DRS filed on February 14, 2013
3.3		Articles of Association of Wujiang Luxiang Rural Microcredit Co. Ltd., incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.3 of the registration statement on Form S-1/A filed on June 27, 2013
3.4		Certificate of Approval of Wujiang Luxiang Rural Microcredit Co. Ltd., incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.4 of the registration statement on Form S-1 filed on June 7, 2013
3.5		Certificate of Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.5 of the registration statement on Form S-1/A filed on July 16, 2013
10.1		Form of Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement dated September 26, 2012, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the draft registration statement on Form DRS filed on February 14, 2013
10.2		Form of Share Pledge Agreement dated September 26, 2012, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the draft registration statement on Form DRS filed on February 14, 2013
10.3		Form of Exclusive Option Agreement dated September 26, 2012, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the draft registration statement on Form DRS filed on February 14, 2013
10.4		Form of Power of Attorney dated September 26, 2012, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the draft registration statement on Form DRS filed on February 14, 2013
10.5		Form of Timely Reporting Agreement dated September 26, 2012, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the draft registration statement on Form DRS filed on February 14, 2013
10.6		Form of Finance Agreement, dated October 29, 2015, between Wujiang Luxiang Rural Microcredit Co. Ltd. and Agriculture Bank of China, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 4, 2016.
10.7		Employment Agreement between China Commercial Credit, Inc. and Long Yi, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.10 of the registration statement on Form S-1 filed on June 7, 2013
10.8		Employment Agreement between China Commercial Credit, Inc. and Jingen Ling incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 31, 2014
10.9		Employment Agreement between China Commercial Credit, Inc. and Mingjie Zhao incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 23, 2016
10.10		Employment Agreement between China Commercial Credit, Inc. and Alex Lau incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 20, 2018
10.11		Employment Agreement between China Commercial Credit, Inc. and Chenguang Kang  incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 22, 2018
10.12		Stock Purchase Agreement dated May 26, 2016 incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 2, 2016
10.13		Form of Share Purchase Agreement  incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 7, 2017
10.14		Form of Warrant incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 29, 2017
10.15		Form of Securities Purchase Agreement incorporate by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-k filed on September 29, 2017
14.1		Code of Conduct and Ethics, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.6 to the registration statement on Form S-1/A filed on July 16, 2013
21.1*		Subsidiaries of Registrant
23.1*		Consent of Marcum Bernstein & Pinchuk LLP
31.1*		Certification by Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Sarbanes Oxley Section 302
31.2*		Certification by Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Sarbanes Oxley Section 302
32.1**		Certification by Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
32.2**		Certification by Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
101.INS *		XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH *		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL *		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF *		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB *		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document XBRL
101.PRE *		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

  

*	Filed herewith.
**	Furnished herewith.

 

 

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