NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
1.
|
ORGANIZATION
AND NATURE OF OPERATION
|
China
lending corporation (f.k.s DT Asia Investments Limited, “DT Asia”) the Company was a blank check company incorporated
on April 8, 2014, under the laws of the British Virgin Islands for the purpose of acquiring, engaging in a share exchange, share
reconstruction and amalgamation, purchasing all or substantially all of the assets of, entering into contractual arrangements,
or engaging in any other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities (an “Initial Business Combination”).
On
July 6, 2016, the Company consummated the Initial Business Combination with Adrie Global Holdings Limited (“Adrie”)
and its subsidiaries and variable interest entity by acquiring from the shareholders of Adrie, all outstanding interests of Adrie
and issued 20 million ordinary shares for a purchase price of US$200 million, with 8 million of such shares (the “Escrow
Shares”) being held in escrow and subject to forfeiture (1) should the post-combination Company fail to meet certain minimum
financial performance targets, or (2) as a result of indemnification claims by DT Asia Investments Limited. One-third of the Escrow
Shares shall be released upon the post-combination Company obtaining certain specified adjusted consolidated net income targets
in each of the calendar years 2016, 2017 and 2018.
In
May 2017, the company released one-third of the Escrow Shares. The targets of 2018 and 2017 were not achieved, as a result, the
two installments of one-third of the Escrow Shares were not be released.
The
transaction was accounted for as a “reverse acquisition” since, immediately following completion of the transaction,
the shareholders of Adrie effectuated control of the post-combination Company. For accounting purposes, Adrie was deemed to be
the accounting acquirer in the transaction and, consequently, the transaction is treated as a recapitalization of Adrie (i.e.,
a capital transaction involving the issuance of shares by the Company for the shares of Adrie). Accordingly, for accounting purpose,
the consolidated assets, liabilities and results of operations of Adrie became the historical financial statements of China Lending
Corporation and its subsidiaries, and the Company’s assets, liabilities and results of operations were consolidated with
Adrie beginning on the acquisition date. No step-up in basis or intangible assets or goodwill were recorded in this transaction.
After
the business acquisition, DT Asia was renamed as China Lending Corporation.
China
Lending Corporation (formerly known as “DT Asia”) (the “Company”, “we”, “us” and
“our”) changed its year from March 31 to December 31.
Adrie
was incorporated under the laws of British Virgin Islands on November 19, 2014. The Company, through its subsidiaries and variable
interest entity (“VIE”) engages in the business of providing loan facilities to micro, small and medium sized enterprises
and sole proprietors in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (“Xinjiang Province”) of the People’s Republic of
China (“PRC”).
On
February 11, 2015, Adrie incorporated China Feng Hui Financial Holding Group Co., Limited (“Feng Hui Holding”) in Hong
Kong with registered capital of HKD 1. Feng Hui Holding operates through two wholly-owned subsidiaries: Xinjiang Feng Hui Jing
Kai Direct Lending Limited (“Jing Kai”) and Feng Hui Ding Xin (Beijing) Financial Consulting Co., Limited (“Ding
Xin”).
On
May 14, 2015, Feng Hui Holding established Jing Kai under the laws of the PRC with registered capital of US$80,000,000. Jing Kai
has no operations of its own to date.
On
May 20, 2015, Feng Hui Holding established Ding Xin with registered capital of US$1,000,000. Ding Xin is engaged in the business
of financial consulting services.
Urumqi
Feng Hui Direct Lending Limited (“Feng Hui”) is a company established under the laws of the PRC on June 12, 2009,
and its shareholders as of December 31, 2016 consisted of nine PRC companies and seven PRC individuals. Feng Hui is a microcredit
company primarily engaged in providing direct loan services to small-to-medium sized enterprises, farmers and individuals in Xinjiang
Province, PRC.
CHINA LENDING CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
1.
|
ORGANIZATION
AND NATURE OF OPERATION (CONTINUED)
|
On
December 19, 2016, Feng Hui Holding established Ningbo Ding Tai Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. (“Ding Tai”) with registered
capital of US$30,000,000. Ding Tai is engaged in the business of financial leasing service. Ding Tai has no operations of its
own to date.
On January 24, 2017, Feng Hui Holding established
Xinjiang Xin Quan Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. (“Xin Quan”) with registered capital of US$30,000,000 and later increased
to US$50,000,000 during the year ended December 31, 2018. Xin Quan is engaged in the business of financial leasing service. Xin
Quan has no operations of its own to date.
On November 19, 2018, Ding Xin and a third
party company established Zhiyuan Factoring (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd. (“Zhiyuan”), with registered capital of RMB30,000,000,
Zhiyuan is 99% owned by Ding Xin and the remaining 1% owned by the third party company. As of December 31, 2018, the shareholders
has not paid in capital in Zhiyuan.
On November 29, 2018, Ding Tai and Ding
Xin acquired 98.04% and 1.96% equity interest in Hangzhou Zeshi Investment Partners (“Zeshi”), a limited partnership
with registered capital of RMB 51,000,000. Upon the closing of acquisition, Zhiyuan has not started any operations, nor it had
any identifiable net assets or paid-in capital. As a result, Zhiyuan was acquired at zero consideration. As of December 31, 2018,
the shareholders has not paid in capital in Zhiyuan.
Through Zhiyuan and Zeshi, the Company plans to launch new supply
chain financing services in the near future, including business factoring program, financing products design, related corporate
financing solutions, investments and asset management, etc. as part of its restructuring plan. As of December 31, 2018, Zhiyuan
disbursed loans of approximately US$64.7 million to four customers.
In
accordance with US GAAP, the primary beneficiary of a VIE is the variable interest holder (e.g., a contractual counterparty or
capital provider) deemed to have the controlling financial interest(s) in the VIE. The primary beneficiary is the reporting entity
(or member of a related party group) that has both of the following characteristics:
a)
The power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance; and
b)
The obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIE.
Currently,
Feng Hui is consolidated as a VIE of Ding Xin by a series of VIE Agreements with Ding Xin.
Contractual
Arrangements between Ding Xin, Feng Hui, and Feng Hui’s Shareholders
On
July 16, 2015, Ding Xin, Feng Hui and/or Feng Hui’s shareholders have executed the following agreements and instruments,
pursuant to which China Lending Group, through its subsidiary Ding Xin, controls Feng Hui: Share Pledge Agreement, Exclusive Business
Cooperation Agreement, Exclusive Option Agreement and Power of Attorney (“VIE Agreements”). Each of the VIE Agreements
is described below, and became effective upon their execution therein.
Exclusive
Business Cooperation Agreement
Pursuant
to the Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement between Feng Hui and Ding Xin, Ding Xin provides Feng Hui with comprehensive business
support, technical services and consulting services relating to its day-to-day business operations and management, on an exclusive
basis.
For
services rendered to Feng Hui by Ding Xin under this agreement, Ding Xin is entitled to collect a service fee calculated based
on the complexity, required time, contents and commercial value of the consulting services provided by Ding Xin. Ding Xin will
calculate and sum up the service fees and correspondingly issue a notice to Feng Hui. Feng Hui will pay such service fees to the
bank accounts as designated by Ding Xin within 10 working days from the receipt of such notice.
The
Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement shall remain in effect for five years, ending July 15, 2020, unless it is terminated by Ding Xin at its discretion
with 30-days prior notice. Feng Hui does not have the right to terminate the Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement unilaterally.
Ding Xin may at its discretion unilaterally extend the term of the Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement. This agreement grants
Ding Xin the position as the primary beneficiary who is entitled to absorb losses or to receive benefits that could potentially
be significant to Feng Hui.
CHINA LENDING CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
1.
|
ORGANIZATION
AND NATURE OF OPERATION (CONTINUED)
|
Contractual
Arrangements between Ding Xin, Feng Hui, and Feng Hui’s Shareholders (CONTINUED)
Share
Pledge Agreement
Under
the Share Pledge Agreement between the Feng Hui shareholders and Ding Xin, the 16 Feng Hui shareholders pledged all of their equity
interests in Feng Hui to Ding Xin to guarantee the secured indebtedness caused by failure of performance of Feng Hui’s and
the Feng Hui shareholders’ obligations under the Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement, Exclusive Option Agreement and
Power of Attorney. Under the terms of the Share Pledge Agreement, any dividend or bonus received by Feng Hui in respect of the
Pledged Equity shall be deposited into an account designated by Ding Xin. The Feng Hui shareholders also agreed that upon occurrence
of any event of default, as set forth in the Share Pledge Agreement, Ding Xin is entitled to dispose of the pledged equity interest
in accordance with applicable PRC laws. The Feng Hui shareholders further agreed not to dispose of the pledged equity interests
or take any actions that would prejudice Ding Xin’s interest.
The
Share Pledge Agreement shall be effective until all obligations under the other VIE Agreements have been performed by Feng Hui,
when the VIE Agreements are terminated or when the secured indebtedness has been satisfied in full. Under the terms of the agreement,
in the event that Feng Hui or its shareholders breach their respective contractual obligations under the Exclusive Business Cooperation
Agreement, Ding Xin, as pledgee, will be entitled to certain rights, including, but not limited to, the right to collect dividends
generated by the pledged equity interests and absorbs expected losses. This agreement grants Ding Xin the position as the primary
beneficiary who is entitled to absorb losses or to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to Feng Hui.
Risks
in relation to the VIE structure
There
are no consolidated VIEs’ assets that are collateral for the VIEs’ obligations and can only be used to settle the
VIEs’ obligations. There are no creditors (or beneficial interest holders) of the VIEs that have recourse to the general
credit of the Company or any of its consolidated subsidiaries. Conversely, liabilities recognized as a result of consolidating
this VIE do not have any recourse on the Company’s general assets. There are no terms in any arrangements, considering both
explicit arrangements and implicit variable interests, which require the Company or its subsidiaries to provide financial support
to the VIEs.
Exclusive
Option Agreement
Under
the Exclusive Option Agreement, the Feng Hui shareholders irrevocably granted Ding Xin (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 Feng Hui. The option price is equal to the lowest price permissible by PRC laws.
The
Exclusive Option Agreement will remain effective for a term of five years, ending July 15, 2020, and may be renewed at Ding Xin’s discretion.
CHINA LENDING CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
1.
|
ORGANIZATION
AND NATURE OF OPERATION (CONTINUED)
|
Contractual
Arrangements between Ding Xin, Feng Hui, and Feng Hui’s Shareholders (CONTINUED)
Power
of Attorney
Under
the Power of Attorney, each Feng Hui shareholder authorized Ding Xin to act on the shareholder’s behalf as his, her or its
exclusive agent and attorney with respect to all rights as a shareholder of Feng Hui, under PRC laws and the Articles of Association
of Feng Hui, including but not limited to attending shareholder meetings and voting to approve the sale or transfer or pledge
or disposition of shares in part or in whole or to designate and appoint the legal representative, directors, and supervisors
of Feng Hui. When Ding Xin executes such shareholders’ rights, it should obtain all the current Ding Xin directors’
approval by the resolution of board of directors.
The
Power of Attorney shall be continuously valid with respect to each Feng Hui shareholder from the date of execution of the Power
of Attorney, so long as such Feng Hui shareholder is a shareholder of Feng Hui. Ding Xin is entitled to terminate the Power of
Attorney unilaterally at its discretion by the written notice to Feng Hui.
The
effective period of the VIE agreements is from July 16, 2015 to July 15, 2020. The VIE agreements can be renewed by written confirmation
by Ding Xin to Feng Hui before their expiration. The extension length can be decided by Ding Xin solely. Once renewed, all the
aforesaid agreed terms shall be unconditionally accepted by Feng Hui. Each VIE agreement can only be terminated if all parties
thereto agree in writing to terminate the VIE agreement or if Ding Xin delivers to Feng Hui a notice of termination at least 30
days in advance of the termination effective date. Feng Hui has no right to terminate the VIE agreements unilaterally. Under this
agreement, Ding Xin processes the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the Feng Hui’s economic
performance.
Upon
a series of VIE Agreements, currently, substantially all of China Lending’s consolidated assets are held, and its consolidated
revenues and income are generated, by Feng Hui, its consolidated variable interest entity that is controlled by contractual arrangements.
Feng Hui is based in Urumqi, the capital city and business hub of Xinjiang Province, and most of Feng Hui’s lending activities
are to enterprises and individual proprietors based there. The consolidated VIE’s assets may be used as collateral for the
VIE’s obligation and the creditors of consolidated VIE have no recourse to the general credit of the primary beneficiary.
CHINA LENDING CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
1.
|
ORGANIZATION
AND NATURE OF OPERATION (CONTINUED)
|
As
of December 31, 2018, the group structure of the Company is as following:
Emerging
Growth Company
Section
102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting
standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective
or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial
accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a Company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with
the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such election to opt out is irrevocable. The Company has
elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different
application dates for public or private companies, the Company, as an emerging growth Company, can adopt the new or revised standard
at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard.
CHINA LENDING CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
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$136,620,068 as of December 31, 2018. In addition, the Company had a negative net asset of US$36,000,181 as of December 31,
2018. As of December 31, 2018, the Company had cash of US$1,311,749 and total liabilities of US$122,016,184. 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.
In November, the Company established Zhiyuan
and Zeshi, through which the Company plans to launch new supply chain financing services in the near future, including business
factoring program. financing products design, related corporate financing solutions, investments and asset management, etc. as
part of its restructuring plan. As of December 31, 2018, Zhiyuan disbursed loans of aggregating US$64.7 million to four customers.
2)
|
Recurring
operating loss
|
During the year ended December 31, 2018,
the Company incurred operating loss of US$94,126,307. Affected by the reduction of lending business and increased loans losses,
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, which
would result in reversal of provision for loan losses and recognition of interest income which was past due over 90 days and thus
an increase in net profit.
3)
|
Negative
operating cash flow
|
During the year ended December 31, 2018,
the Company incurred negative operating cash flow of US$2,199,042. However with the establishment of Zhiyuan and Zeshi, through
which the Company plans to launch new supply chain financing services in the near future, including business factoring program.
financing products design, related corporate financing solutions, investments and asset management, etc. as part of its restructuring
plan, the management assessed the Company would have a positive operating cash flow within one year from the financial statement
issuance date.
The
Company has been actively seeking strategic investors with experience in lending business as well as financial investors.
On July 10, 2018, the Company closed a
registered direct offering pursuant to a previously announced securities purchase agreement with certain institutional investors,
raising approximately US$1,690,000, net of issuance costs, from selling its ordinary shares at a price of US$2.60 per share. The
Company plans to continue to seek financial as well as strategic investors for additional financing.
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.
CHINA LENDING CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
3.
|
SUMMARY
OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
|
|
(a)
|
Basis
of presentation
|
The
consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries and VIE are prepared and presented in accordance with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
|
(b)
|
Basis
of consolidation
|
The
consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and include the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses
of all wholly owned subsidiary’s VIEs over which the Company exercises control and, when applicable, entities for which
the Company has a controlling financial interest or is the primary beneficiary. All inter-company accounts and transactions have
been eliminated in consolidation.
|
(c)
|
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
Cash
and cash equivalents consist of bank deposits with original maturities of three months or less, all of which are unrestricted
as to withdrawal and uninsured. Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist
of cash accounts in a financial institution, which at times, may exceed the U.S. Federal depository insurance coverage of $250,000,
or other limits of protection if held in financial institutions outside of the U.S., such as Government securities coverage of
HK$500,000. The Company has not experienced losses on these accounts and management believes the Company is not exposed to significant
risks on such accounts.
Loans
receivable primarily represent loan amounts due from customers. Loans receivable are recorded at unpaid principal balances net
of provision that reflects the Company’s best estimate of the amounts that will not be collected. The loans receivable portfolio
consists of business and personal loans (See Note 9).
|
(e)
|
Provision
for loan losses
|
The
provision 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 provision for loan losses is the netting effect of “reversal”
and “provision” for both business and personal loans. If the ending balance of the provision 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 provision for loan loss. The netting amount of the “reversal”
and the “provision” is presented in the statements of operations and comprehensive income.
The
provision consists of specific and general components. The specific component consists of the amount of impairment related to
loans that have been evaluated on an individual basis, and the general component consists of the amount of impairment related
to loans that have been evaluated on a collective basis. Loans are considered impaired when, based on current information and
events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts when due according to the contractual terms of the
loan agreement. Loans for which the terms have been modified resulting in a concession, and for which the borrower is experiencing
financial difficulties, are considered troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”).
CHINA LENDING CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
3.
|
SUMMARY
OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
|
|
(e)
|
Provision
for loan losses (continued)
|
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 nine months or when the court rules against the Company
to seize the collateral asset of the delinquent debt from either the guarantor or borrower. In addition, when the recoverability
of the delinquent debt is highly unlikely, the senior management team will go through a stringent procedure to approve a charge-off.
Management estimates the provision balance required using past loan loss experience, the nature and volume of the portfolio, information
about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, economic conditions, and other factors. Allocations of the
provision may be made for specific loans, but the entire provision is available for any loan that, in management’s judgment,
should be charged-off.
The
provision 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 provision is based on factors such as the size and current risk characteristics
of the portfolio, an assessment of individual loans and actual loss, delinquency, and/or risk rating record within the portfolio
(Note 10). The Company evaluates its provision for loan losses on a quarterly basis or more often as necessary.
|
(f)
|
Interest
and fee receivables
|
Interest
and fee receivables are accrued and credited to income as earned but not received. 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 interest or principal 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 interest or principal 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.
|
(g)
|
Cost
method investment
|
The
Company carries its cost method investments at cost, recognized income as any dividend declared from distributions of the investee’s
earnings if any and only adjusts for other-than-temporary impairment and distributions of earnings as the Company’s equity
interest in the investee is less than 20%. Management regularly evaluates the investment for impairment based on performance and
financial position of the investee as well as other evidence of market value. Such evaluation includes, but is not limited to,
reviewing the investee’s cash position, recent financing, projected and historical financial performance, cash flow forecasts
and financing needs.
For the years ended December 31, 2018,
2017 and 2016, the Company provided impairment losses of US$nil, US$3,698,868 and US$nil on cost method investments.
|
(h)
|
Property
and equipment
|
The
property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. The depreciation is computed on the straight-line method
over the estimated useful lives of the assets. 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 LENDING CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
3.
|
SUMMARY
OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
|
|
(i)
|
Impairment
of long-lived assets
|
The
Company’s definite long-lived assets are 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.
The Company tests long-lived assets, including
property and equipment and finite lived intangible assets, for impairment test when there is triggering event. Only indefinite
lived assets have to be tested 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 for the years ended
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.
Intangible
assets are amortized over their useful lives in a manner that best reflects their economic benefit, which may include straight
line or accelerated methods of amortization. Intangible assets are reviewed for impairment annually and whenever events or changes
in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. The Company does not have indefinite-lived
intangible assets.
In
connection with the issuances of common stocks, the Company may issue options or warrants to purchase common stock. In certain
circumstances, these options or warrants may be classified as liabilities, rather than as equity.
Warrants
classified as equity are initially recorded at fair value and subsequent changes in fair value are not recognized as long as the
warrants continue to be classified as equity. Warrants classified as liabilities are initially recorded at fair value with gains
and losses arising from changes in fair value recognized in the consolidated statements of operations during the period in which
such instruments are outstanding.
|
(l)
|
Fair
values of financial instruments
|
Disclosure
is required for 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. Certain
financial instruments and all nonfinancial assets and liabilities are excluded from 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.
|
CHINA LENDING CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
3.
|
SUMMARY
OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
|
|
(l)
|
Fair
values of financial instruments (continued)
|
The
fair value guidance describes three main approaches to measure the fair value of assets and liabilities: (1) market approach,
(2) income approach and (3) cost approach. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated from market
transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.
The
income approach uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts to a single present value amount. The measurement is based
on the value indicated by current market expectations about those future amounts. The cost approach is based on the amount that
would currently be required to replace an asset.
When
available, the Company uses quoted market prices to determine the fair value of an asset or liability. If quoted market prices
are not available, the Group will measure fair value using valuation techniques that use, when possible, current market-based
or independently sourced market parameters, such as interest rates and currency rates.
As
of December 31, 2018 and 2017, financial instruments of the Company were primarily comprised of cash, loans receivable, interest
and fees receivable, other receivables, short-term bank loans, loans from a cost investment investee, loan from a third party
and secured loans, taxes payable, convertible redeemable preferred shares, dividends payable, other payable and accrued expenses,
which were carried at cost on the balance sheets, which approximated their fair values because of their generally short maturities.
Warrant
liabilities
The
inputs used to measure the estimated fair value of warrant liabilities are classified as Level 3 fair value measurement due to
the significance of unobservable inputs using company-specific information. The valuation methodology used to estimate the fair
value of warrant liabilities is discussed in Note 8.
As of December 31, 2018, the Company’s
warrant liabilities was comprised of Series A Warrants relating to a private placement closed in July 2018, and the warrants issued
to the agent for the private placement (Note 8), at the fair value of $510,000 and US$40,800, respectively.
CHINA LENDING CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
3.
|
SUMMARY
OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
|
|
(m)
|
Foreign
currency translation and transactions
|
The
reporting currency of China Lending is United States Dollars (“$”), which is also the functional currency. The Feng
Hui Holding and PRC subsidiaries and VIE maintain their books and records in its local currency, the Hong Kong Dollars (“HKD”)
and Renminbi Yuan (“RMB”) respectively, which are their functional currencies as being the primary currency of the
economic environment in which these entities operate.
Transactions
in foreign currencies other than functional currencies are initially recorded at the functional currency rate ruling at the date
of transaction. Any differences between the initially recorded amount and the settlement amount are recorded as a gain or loss
on foreign currency transaction in the statements of income. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currency are
translated at the functional currency rate of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. Any differences are taken to profit or
loss as a gain or loss on foreign currency translation in the statements of income.
The
Company translated the assets and liabilities into US dollars using the rate of exchange prevailing at the applicable balance
sheet date and the statements of income and cash flows at an average rate during the reporting period, as set forth in the following
tables. Adjustments resulting from the translation are recorded in shareholders’ equity as part of accumulated other comprehensive
loss.
|
|
December 31, 2018
|
|
|
December 31, 2017
|
|
Balance sheet items, except for equity accounts
|
|
|
6.8776
|
|
|
|
6.5074
|
|
|
|
For the Years Ended
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2018
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2016
|
|
Items in the statements of operations and comprehensive (loss) income, and statements of cash flows
|
|
|
6.6163
|
|
|
|
6.7588
|
|
|
|
6.6441
|
|
The
PRC government imposes significant exchange restrictions on fund transfers out of the PRC that are not related to business operations.
These restrictions have not had a material impact on the Company because it has not engaged in any significant transactions that
are subject to the restrictions.
CHINA LENDING CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
3.
|
SUMMARY
OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
|
|
(n)
|
Use
of estimates and assumptions
|
The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. 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 provision for loan losses; (ii) accrual of estimated
liabilities; (iii) contingencies and litigation; (iv) assumptions impacting the valuation of ordinary shares, share option,
restricted shares and warrant liabilities, and (v) deferred tax
assets and liabilit
ies.
The
Company adopted ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”) on January 1, 2018, using the modified
retrospective approach. ASC 606 establishes principles for reporting information about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty
of revenue and cash flows arising from the entity’s contracts to provide goods or services to customers. The core principle requires
an entity to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration
that it expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for those goods or services recognized as performance obligations are satisfied.
The
Company has assessed the impact of the guidance by reviewing its existing customer contracts and current accounting policies and
practices to identify differences that will result from applying the new requirements, including the evaluation of its performance
obligations, transaction price, customer payments, transfer of control and principal versus agent considerations. Based on the
assessment, the Company concluded that there was no change to the timing and pattern of revenue recognition for its current revenue
streams in scope of ASC 606 and therefore there was no material changes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements upon
adoption of ASC 606. Pursuant to ASC606-10-15-2, the interest income generated by the Company are scoped out of ASC606.
As
of December 31, 2018, the Company had outstanding interest and commission related contract amount US$988,981, which were expected
to be completed within 12 months after December 31, 2018.
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 penalties. Additionally, any previously accrued but uncollected
interest is reversed and accrual is 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.
Management
and assessment services on loans – Service fees for management and assessment services are paid by customers for the management
and assessment services provided during the loan period. The Company recognizes the revenue over the loan period using a time-based
measure of progress.
|
(p)
|
Non-interest
expenses
|
Non-interest
expenses primarily consist of salary and benefits for employees, traveling cost, entertainment expenses, depreciation of equipment,
office rental expenses, professional service fee, office supply, etc., and are expensed as incurred.
The full-time employees of the Company
are entitled to staff welfare benefits including medical care, housing fund, pension benefits, unemployment insurance and other
welfare, which are government mandated defined contribution plans. The Company is required to accrue for these benefits based
on certain percentages of the employees’ respective salaries, subject to certain ceilings, in accordance with the relevant
PRC regulations, and make cash contributions to the state-sponsored plans out of the amounts accrued. Total expenses for the plans
were US$82,186, US$145,554, and $
178,547 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
CHINA LENDING CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
3.
|
SUMMARY
OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
|
Basic
loss per share is computed by dividing loss available to stockholders by the weighted average shares of common stock outstanding
during the period. Diluted loss per share takes into account the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts
to issue common stock were exercised and converted into common stock. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, The number of Class A
convertible redeemable preferred shares, unit purchase option, convertible promissory note, non-vested restricted shares and warrants
are omitted excluded from the computation as the anti-dilutive effect.
The
Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with the U.S. GAAP for income taxes. Under the asset and liability method as required
by this accounting standard, the recognition of deferred income tax liabilities and assets for the expected future tax consequences
of temporary differences between the income tax basis and financial reporting basis of assets and liabilities. Provision for income
taxes consists of taxes currently due plus deferred taxes.
The
charge for taxation is based on the results for the year as adjusted for items which are non-assessable or disallowed. It is calculated
using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.
Deferred
tax is accounted for using the balance sheet liability method in respect of temporary differences arising from differences between
the carrying amount of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and the corresponding tax basis. Deferred tax assets
are recognized to the extent that it is probable that taxable income to be utilized with prior net operating loss carried forward.
Deferred tax is calculated using tax rates that are expected to apply to the period when the asset is realized or the liability
is settled. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the income statement, except when it is related to items credited or charged
directly to equity. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely
than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Current income taxes are provided for in accordance
with the laws of the relevant taxing authorities.
An
uncertain tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax position would
be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The amount recognized is the largest amount
of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized on examination. Penalties and interest incurred related to underpayment
of income tax are classified as income tax expense in the period incurred. The Company did not have unrecognized uncertain tax
positions or any unrecognized liabilities, interest or penalties associated with unrecognized tax benefit as of December 31, 2018
and 2017. As of December 31, 2018, income tax returns for the tax years ended December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2017 remain
open for statutory examination by PRC tax authorities.
CHINA LENDING CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
3.
|
SUMMARY
OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
|
Comprehensive
loss includes net loss and foreign currency adjustments. Comprehensive loss is reported in the statements of operations and comprehensive
loss.
Accumulated
other comprehensive loss, as presented on the consolidated balance sheets are the cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments.
|
(u)
|
Commitment
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. 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.
(v)
|
Noncontrolling
interests
|
For
the Company’s non-wholly owned subsidiaries, a noncontrolling interest is recognized to reflect portion of equity that is not
attributable, directly or indirectly, to the Company. The cumulative results of operations attributable to noncontrolling interests
are also recorded as noncontrolling interests in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of operations
and comprehensive loss. Cash flows related to transactions with noncontrolling interests are presented under financing activities
in the consolidated statements of cash flows.
(w)
|
Share-based
compensation
|
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 share options is determined
using the Black-Scholes valuation model and the fair value of restricted shares and restricted share units (“RSUs”)
is determined with reference to the fair value of the underlying shares. Share-based awards granted to non-employees are initially
measured at fair value on the grant date and remeasured at each reporting date through the vesting date. Such value is recognized
as expense over the respective service period, net of estimated forfeitures. Share-based compensation expense, when recognized,
is charged for the consolidated income statements with the corresponding entry to additional paid-in capital.
At
each date of measurement, the Company reviews internal and external sources of information to assist in the estimation of various
attributes to determine the fair value of the share-based awards granted by the Company, including but not limited to the fair
value of the underlying shares, expected life, expected volatility and expected forfeiture rates. The Company is required to consider
many factors and make certain assumptions during this assessment. If any of the assumptions used to determine the fair value of
the share-based awards changes significantly, share-based compensation expense may differ materially in the future from that recorded
in the current reporting period. The Company recognizes the impact of any revisions to the original forfeiture rate assumptions
in the consolidated income statements, with a corresponding adjustment to equity.
CHINA LENDING CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
3.
|
SUMMARY
OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
|
(x)
|
Recently
issued accounting standards
|
In
December 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update
(“ASU”) 2018-20, Leases (Topic 842): Narrow-Scope Improvements for Lessors. The amendments clarify or simplify
certain narrow aspects of ASC 842 for lessors. Specifically: 1) The amendments provide an accounting policy election whereby
lessors may choose not to evaluate whether certain sales taxes and other similar taxes are lessor costs or lessee costs.
Instead, lessors making the election will account for those costs as if they are lessee costs, i.e., through the balance
sheet instead of the income statement. 2) Lessors will exclude from variable payments, and therefore revenue, lessor costs
paid by lessees directly to third parties. Conversely, lessors will include in variable payments, and therefore revenue, such
costs that are paid by the lessor and reimbursed by the lessee, and 3) Regarding contracts with lease and nonlease
components, lessors will allocate certain variable payments to the lease and nonlease components when the changes in facts
and circumstances on which the variable payment is based occur. The amount of variable payments allocated to the lease
components will be recognized in profit or loss, while the amount of variable payments allocated to nonlease components will
be recognized in accordance with other GAAP. If an entity has not yet adopted the new leases standard, it must adopt ASU
2018-20 concurrently with the leases standard. If an entity has previously adopted the new leases standard, specific
transition requirements apply. T
he Company does not expect that the adoption of this guidance will have a material
impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In
October 2018, the FASB issued ASU2018-17, Consolidation (Topic 810): Targeted Improvements to Related Party Guidance for Variable
Interest Entities. ASU 2018-17 expands the accounting alternative that allows private companies the election not to apply the
variable interest entity guidance to qualifying common control leasing arrangements. ASU 2018-17 broadens the scope of the private
company alternative to include all common control arrangements that meet specific criteria (not just leasing arrangements). ASU
2018-17 also eliminates the requirement that entities consider indirect interests held through related parties under common control
in their entirety when assessing whether a decision-making fee is a variable interest. Instead, the reporting entity will consider
such indirect interests on a proportionate basis. The amendments are effective for public business entities for fiscal years ending
after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the timing and impact of adopting the
updated provisions to its consolidated financial statements.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13,
Fair Value Measurement - Disclosure Framework (Topic 820). The updated guidance improves the disclosure requirements on fair value
measurements. The updated guidance if effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after
December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for any removed or modified disclosures. The Company is currently assessing the
timing and impact of adopting the updated provisions to its consolidated financial statements.
In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-07,
which simplifies several aspects of the accounting for nonemployee share-based payment transactions resulting from expanding the
scope of Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation, to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services
from non-employees. Some of the areas for simplification apply only to nonpublic entities. The amendments specify that Topic 718
applies to all share-based payment transactions in which a grantor acquires goods or services to be used or consumed in a grantor’s
own operations by issuing share-based payment awards. The amendments also clarify that Topic 718 does not apply to share-based
payments used to effectively provide (1) financing to the issuer or (2) awards granted in conjunction with selling goods or services
to customers as part of a contract accounted for under Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The amendments in this
Update are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods
within that fiscal year. Early adoption is permitted. We do not plan to early adopt this ASU. The Company is currently evaluating
the potential impacts of this updated guidance, and do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on its
consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In March 2018, the Financial Accounting
Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-05:
“Income Taxes (Topic 805)”
to provide accounting
and disclosure guidance on accounting for income taxes under generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”).
This guidance addresses the recognition of taxes payable or refundable for the current year and the recognition of deferred tax
liabilities and deferred tax assets for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in an entity’s financial
statements or tax returns. ASC Topic 740 also addresses the accounting for income taxes upon a change in tax laws or tax rates.
The income tax accounting effect of a change in tax laws or tax rates includes, for example, adjusting (or re-measuring) deferred
tax liabilities and deferred tax assets, as well as evaluating whether a valuation allowance is needed for deferred tax assets.
The Company has accounted for the changes related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs act passed by Congress in 2017.
CHINA LENDING CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
3.
|
SUMMARY
OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
|
|
(x)
|
Recently
issued accounting standards (continued)
|
In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No.
2018-02, “Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income” (“ASU 2018-02”), which provides financial statement preparers with an
option to reclassify stranded tax effects within accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings in each period in
which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (or portion thereof)
is recorded. The amendments in this ASU are effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and
interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption of ASU 2018-02 is permitted, including adoption in any interim period
for the public business entities for reporting periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued. The amendments
in this ASU should be applied either in the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period (or periods) in which the effect
of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is recognized. The Company does not expect
that the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In July 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-11,
“Earnings Per Share (Topic 260); Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (Topic 480); Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815):
(Part I) Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Down Round Features, (Part II) Replacement of the Indefinite Deferral
for Mandatorily Redeemable Financial Instruments of Certain Nonpublic Entities and Certain Mandatorily Redeemable Non-controlling
Interests with a Scope Exception” (“ASU 2017-11”), which addresses the complexity of accounting for certain financial
instruments with down round features. Down round features are features of certain equity-linked instruments (or embedded features)
that result in the strike price being reduced on the basis of the pricing of future equity offerings. Current accounting guidance
creates cost and complexity for entities that issue financial instruments (such as warrants and convertible instruments) with down
round features that require fair value measurement of the entire instrument or conversion option. The amendments in Part I of this
ASU are effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after
December 15, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2017-11 on its consolidated financial
statements.
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 February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02,
Amendments to the ASC 842 Leases. This update requires the lessee to recognize the assets and liability (the lease liability) arising
from operating leases on the balance sheet for the lease term. When measuring assets and liabilities arising from a lease, a lessee
(and a lessor) should include payments to be made in optional periods only if the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise an option
to extend the lease or not to exercise an option to terminate the lease. Within twelve months or less lease term, a lessee is permitted
to make an accounting policy election not to recognize lease assets and liabilities. If a lessee makes this election, it should
recognize lease expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. In transition, this update will be effective for fiscal years
beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company does not expect that the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on its consolidated
financial statements.
The Company does not believe other recently
issued but not yet effective accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect would have a material effect
on the consolidated financial position, statements of operations and cash flows.
CHINA LENDING CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
3.
|
SUMMARY
OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
|
|
(y)
|
Recently
adopted accounting standards
|
In
January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments — Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement
of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, to enhance the reporting model for financial instruments to provide users of financial
statements with more decision-useful information. The update requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the
equity method or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized
in net income. It eliminated the requirement for public entities to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to
estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet.
For public entities, the ASU is effective for the fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within
those fiscal years. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
On
November 22, 2017, the FASB ASU No. 2017-14, “Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220), Revenue
Recognition Topic 605), and Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to Staff
Accounting Bulletin No. 116 and SEC Release 33-10403.” The ASU amends various paragraphs in ASC 220, Income Statement —
Reporting Comprehensive Income; ASC 605, Revenue Recognition; and ASC 606, Revenue From Contracts With Customers, that contain
SEC guidance. The amendments include superseding ASC 605-10-S25-1 (SAB Topic 13) as a result of SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin
No. 116 and adding ASC 606-10-S25-1 as a result of SEC Release No. 33-10403. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material
impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
The Company has considered all new accounting
pronouncements and has concluded that there are no new pronouncements that may have a material impact on results of operations,
financial condition, or cash flows, based on current information.
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified
to conform to the current year presentation. The reclassifications have no effect on the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
The Company reclassified certain loans
receivable in its consolidated balance sheet and related interest and fees income in its consolidated statements of operations
and comprehensive income (loss). A third party company has been redesignated to a related party on the corresponding loans receivable
as of December 31, 2017. As a result, $2,109,780 of loans receivable as a third party was reclassified to related parties at December
31, 2016. The related interest and fees income of approximately $491,080 was also reclassified from third parties for the years
ended December 31, 2016.
CHINA LENDING CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Credit
risk is one of the most significant risks for the Company’s business and arise principally in lending activities.
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. The Company originates loans to customers located primarily in Urumqi City, Xinjiang Province. This geographic
concentration of credit exposes the Company to a higher degree of risk associated with this economic region.
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.
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.
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.
CHINA LENDING CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
4)
|
Industry
concentration risk
|
The
Company is exposed to concentration risk which is risk associated to over concentration on certain market, an excessive concentration
can give rise to market risk.
Analysis
for industry concentration over 10% as of December 31, 2018 (please refer to Note 25 for certain related parties acted as guarantors
for loans):
|
|
Loan receivable as of December 31, 2018
|
|
|
Interest income for the year ended December 31, 2018
|
|
Tire supply chain financing
|
|
$
|
79,604,804
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Trade and service
|
|
$
|
55,090,515
|
|
|
$
|
156,126
|
|
Construction and decoration
|
|
$
|
50,889,845
|
|
|
$
|
7,455
|
|
|
|
Percentage
|
|
|
Percentage
|
|
Tire supply chain financing
|
|
|
35.9
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
Trade and service
|
|
|
24.9
|
%
|
|
|
59.2
|
%
|
Construction and decoration
|
|
|
23.0
|
%
|
|
|
2.8
|
%
|
Analysis
for industry concentration over 10% as of December 31, 2017 (please refer to Note 25 for certain related parties acted as guarantors
for loans):
|
|
Loan receivable as of December 31, 2017
|
|
|
Interest income for the year ended December 31, 2017
|
|
Tire supply chain financing
|
|
$
|
84,133,590
|
|
|
$
|
7,767,344
|
|
Trade and service
|
|
$
|
57,927,749
|
|
|
$
|
6,231,634
|
|
Construction and decoration
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
|
Percentage
|
|
|
Percentage
|
|
Tire supply chain financing
|
|
|
46.3
|
%
|
|
|
47.0
|
%
|
Trade and service
|
|
|
31.9
|
%
|
|
|
37.7
|
%
|
Construction and decoration
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
CHINA LENDING CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
6.
|
REDEEMABLE
CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SHARES
|
On
July 6, 2016, the Company sold 715,000 Class A Preferred Shares at a price of US$12.00 per Class A Share with an annual dividend
of 8%. The Company received gross proceeds of US$8,580,000 from this private placement without issuance cost.
The
Class A Shares are mandatorily redeemable at a price US$12.00 per Class A Share (subject to equitable adjustments for stock splits,
stock dividends, recapitalizations and other similar adjustments), plus accrued dividends on the fifth anniversary of the original
issue date of the Class A Shares. Each Class A Share is convertible into one ordinary share (subject to equitable adjustments
for stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations and other similar adjustments) at shareholder’s option after the closing
of the Business Combination. The Class A preferred shares are automatically convertible on the date on which the average closing
price of the Company’s ordinary shares for three consecutive trading days, that is equal to or exceeds US$16.00, provided
that such date is after the closing of the Business Combination.
In
the event of a Reorganization Event occurring following the closing of the Business Combination (which includes certain business
combinations involving the Company or the Company having confirmed that at least 80% of the Class A Shares originally issued have
elected to been converted at the election of their holders), each Class A Share outstanding immediately prior to such Reorganization
Event shall be redeemed by the Company by making a redemption payment equal to the greater of the following (as reasonably determined
by the Company’s Board of Directors): (i) an amount in cash equal to the liquidation preference, plus an amount equal to
accumulated and unpaid dividends as of (but excluding) the date of the Reorganization Event, per Class A Share that is so redeemed,
or (ii) the kind of securities, cash and other property that the holder of Class A Shares holding such Class A Share would have
been entitled to receive if such holder had converted its Class A Shares into ordinary shares immediately prior to such Reorganization
Event.
The
Company did not recognize the beneficial conversion feature for the Class A Preferred shares since each Class A Share is convertible
into one ordinary share (subject to equitable adjustments for stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations and other similar
adjustments) at holder’s option. In accordance with ASC 480, redemption provisions not solely within the control of the
Company require the security to be classified outside of permanent equity. ASC 480-10-S99 notes that if a reporting entity issues
preferred shares that are conditionally redeemable (e.g., at the holder’s option or upon the occurrence of an uncertain
event not solely within the company’s control), the shares are not within the scope of ASC 480 because there is no unconditional
obligation to redeem the shares by transferring assets at a specified or determinable date or upon an event certain to occur.
If the uncertain event occurs, the condition is resolved, or the event becomes certain to occur, then the shares become mandatorily
redeemable under FAS 150 and would require reclassification to a liability. The Class A Preferred Shares have been classified
as mezzanine equity in the consolidated financial statement, presented below total liabilities but not included in the subtotal
for total equity as of December 31, 2018. The Class A Preferred Share is not deemed to be an embedded derivative instrument to
be bifurcated since it’s indexed to its own stock.
As
of December 31, 2018 and 2017, dividend of US$686,400 and US$686,400 was accrued for Convertible Redeemable Class A Preferred
Shares and the balance for Class A Preferred Shares was US$9,652,527 and US$8,966,127, respectively.
CHINA LENDING CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
On October 6, 2014, in its Public Offering,
the Company sold 6,000,000 Units at an offering price of $10.00 per Unit and on October 14, 2014 the Company sold an additional
860,063 Units upon the underwriters’ exercise of its Over-Allotment option. Each Unit consists of one ordinary share (“Share”),
one right (“Right(s)”), and one warrant (“Warrant”). Each Right entitles the holder to receive one-tenth
(1/10) of a Share upon consummation of an Initial Business Combination. Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one-half of
one ordinary share at a price of $12.00 per full share commencing on the later of the Company’s completion of its Initial
Business Combination or 12 months from December 31, 2014, the effective date of the registration statement relating to the Public
Offering (the “Effective Date”), and expiring five years from the completion of the Company’s Initial Business
Combination. As a result, shareholders must exercise Warrants in multiples of two Warrants, at a price of $12.00 per full share,
subject to adjustment, to validly exercise the Warrants. The Company may redeem the Warrants at a price of $0.01 per Warrant upon
30 days’ notice, only in the event that the last sale price of the ordinary shares is at least $18.00 per share for any 20
trading days within a 30-trading day period (“30-Day Trading Period”) ending on the third day prior to the date on
which notice of redemption is given, provided there is a current registration statement in effect with respect to the ordinary
shares underlying such Warrants commencing five business days prior to the 30-Day Trading Period and continuing each day thereafter
until the date of redemption. If the Company redeems the Warrants as described above, management will have the option to require
all holders that wish to exercise Warrants to do so on a “cashless basis.”
The Units sold in the Public Offering began
trading on October 1, 2014, the day after the Effective Date. Each of the Shares, Rights and Warrants were eligible to trade separately
effective as of October 22, 2014. Security holders now have the option to continue to hold Units or separate their Units into the
component pieces. Holders will need to have their brokers contact the Company’s transfer agent in order to separate the Units
into Shares, Rights and Warrants. On May 30, 2016 and July 6, 2016, 5,255,657 and 1,544,138 shares were redeemed respectively by
public shareholders. As of July 7, 2016, the Units have ceased trading. On December 21, 2016, all warrants were removed from listing.
On July 6, 2016, DT Asia Investments Limited
(the “Company”) closed its business combination with Adrie Global Holding Limited (“Adrie”). As a result,
Adrie became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.
Underwriting Agreement
The Company paid an underwriting discount
on Units sold in the Public Offering, of 3.25% of the Unit offering price, to the underwriters at the closing of the Public Offering
(or an aggregate of $2,229,520, including discounts for the Public Units sold in the Over-Allotment exercise). The Company also
sold to EBC and/or its designees, at the time of the closing of the Public Offering, for an aggregate of $100.00, an option (“Unit
Purchase Option” or “UPO”) to purchase 600,000 Units. The UPO will be exercisable at any time, in whole or in
part, during the period commencing on the later of the first anniversary of the Effective Date and the closing of the Company’s
Initial Business Combination and terminating on the fifth anniversary of the Effective Date (December 31, 2019) at a price per
Unit equal to $11.75. Accordingly, after the Initial Business Combination, the purchase option will be to purchase 660,000 ordinary
shares (which includes 60,000 ordinary shares to be issued for the rights included in the units) and 600,000 Warrants to purchase
300,000 ordinary shares. The Units issuable upon exercise of this option are identical to the Units in the Offering. On July 5,
2016, based on updated mutual agreement, the Company paid $1.5 million in cash, issued a $250,000 convertible promissory note (one
year no interest, convertible at $10 at EBC’s option) and issued 34,300 ordinary shares to EBC with a value of $343,000 at
$10 per share to settle the EBC advisory fee in full.
Accounting for UPO
The Company accounted for the fair value
of the UPO, inclusive of the receipt of a $100 cash payment, as an expense of the Offering resulting in a charge directly to shareholders’
equity. The Company estimated that the fair value of the unit purchase option when issued was approximately $1,669,000 (or $2.782
per unit) using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The fair value of the unit purchase option was estimated as of the date
of grant using the following assumptions: (1) expected volatility of 35%, (2) risk-free interest rate of 1.73% and (3) expected
life of five years. The UPO may be exercised for cash or on a “cashless” basis, at the holder’s option (except
in the case of a forced cashless exercise upon the Company’s redemption of the Warrants, as described above), such that the
holder may use the appreciated value of the UPO (the difference between the exercise prices of the UPO and the underlying Warrants
and the market price of the Units and underlying ordinary shares) to exercise the UPO without the payment of any cash. The Company
will have no obligation to net cash settle the exercise of the UPO or the Warrants underlying the UPO. The holder of the UPO will
not be entitled to exercise the UPO or the Warrants underlying the UPO unless a registration statement covering the securities
underlying the UPO is effective or an exemption from registration is available. If the holder is unable to exercise the UPO or
underlying Warrants, the UPO or Warrants, as applicable, will expire worthless.
The Company granted to the holders of the
UPO demand and “piggy back” registration rights for periods of five and seven years, respectively, from the Effective
Date, including securities directly and indirectly issuable upon exercise of the UPO.
Warrants
DeTiger Holdings Limited (the “Former
Sponsor”), agrees to transfer 1,000,000 warrants held by DeTiger in the amounts and to the transferee(s) as designated by
the Seller Representative, for a purchase price payable by each Transferee of $0.50 per Warrant (the “Purchase Price”).
The Purchase Price for each Warrant shall be payable by each Transferee only upon the exercise of each Warrant. As of December
31, 2018 and 2017, 9,280,323 and 9,280,323 shares of warrants were issued and outstanding, none of the warrants have been exercised.
CHINA LENDING CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Ordinary
Shares
The
Company is authorized to issue unlimited ordinary shares. Holders of the Company’s ordinary shares are entitled to one vote
for each share.
On
July 6, 2018, the Company and certain institutional investors entered into a securities purchase agreement (“Private Placement”),
pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell to such investors an aggregate of 769,232 ordinary shares together with Series A
warrants to purchase a total of 576,924 ordinary shares (the “Series A Warrants”), for gross proceeds of approximately
US$2.0 million. Each investor will receive a Series A Warrant to purchase a number of shares equal to 75% of the number of ordinary
shares the investor purchases in the offering with a warrant term of four (4) years. The purchase price for each ordinary share
and the related Series A Warrants is US$2.60. The Series A Warrants have an exercise price of US$2.60. In connection with the
offering, the investors also received Series B warrants with an initial face amount of 200,000 ordinary shares, which are subject
to adjustment not in excess of an aggregate of 462,843 ordinary shares (the “Series B Warrants”) for nominal consideration.
If on the 30th day after the closing date of the transaction (the “Adjustment Date”), the closing bid price of the
Company’s ordinary shares is less than US$2.60, the investors shall have the right to exercise the Series B Warrants and
the number of ordinary shares to be issued to the investors upon exercise of the Series B Warrants shall be adjusted (upward or
downward, as necessary) based on the closing bid price of the Company’s ordinary shares on such date. The closing of the offering took place on July 10, 2018. On August 9, 2018, the closing bid price of the Company’s ordinary shares was US$1.29, and
thus the Series B Warrant was exercised for 390,579 ordinary shares.
As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, there
were 25,288,003 and 23,758,817 ordinary shares issued and outstanding, respectively.
Ordinary
Shares Held in Escrow
Upon
consummation of the business combination between the Company and Adrie, an aggregate of 20 million ordinary shares were issued
and 8 million of the issued ordinary shares were deposited in escrow (the “Escrow Shares”). One-third of the Escrow
Shares (along with the related accrued dividends and distributions) shall be released upon the post-combination company obtaining
certain specified adjusted consolidated net income targets in each of calendar years 2016, 2017 and 2018.
The
target adjusted consolidated net income ranging in 2016 from US$20.2 million at the bottom to US$32.0 million at the top, in 2017
from US$22.6 million at the bottom to US$38.0 million at the top, and in 2018 from US$25.6 million at the bottom to US$44.0 million
at the top, and with the average adjusted consolidated net income target for the alternative earn-out payment ranging from US$23.3
million at the bottom to US$40.0 million at the top.
The
Company has achieved the earn-out payment requirement in 2016 thus one third of 8 million escrowed restricted shares were released
in 2017. However the Company has not achieved the earn-out payment requirement in both 2018 and 2017, thus the two thirds of 8
million escrowed restricted shares were not released.
CHINA LENDING CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
8.
|
SHAREHOLDERS’
EQUITY (CONTINUED)
|
Restricted
Shares
On September 23, 2016, the members of the
Compensation Committee of China Lending Corporation have determined to issue 2,700 shares of restricted shares to 19 employees
of the Company. In the event the employee’s services are terminated with the Company for any reason prior to vesting of the
shares, the non-vested shares shall be forfeited by the employee. As of December 31, 2016, no restricted shares were vested or
forfeited and the Company had 2,700 shares of granted and unvested restricted shares.
During fiscal 2017, the company has paid
common share dividends and issued 116 shares for existing shareholders. Half of the shares were vested on September 22, 2017 and
the remaining half of the shares were vested on September 22, 2018. On January 20, 2017, 200 shares of restricted shares to employees
were forfeited as a result of termination of services.
As
of December 31, 2017, the Company had 1,308 shares of granted and unvested restricted shares.
On
April 4, 2018, the Company forfeited 1,150 shares of restricted shares as the employees resigned from the Company.
On
September 18, 2018, the Company granted 370,525 shares of restricted shares to four employees and one independent director of
the Company for the services provided for the past one year. These shares are vested immediately upon grant. The fair value of
restricted shares is determined with reference to the fair value of the underlying shares on grant date and is recognized as expense
on the grant date. Share-based compensation expense, when recognized, is charged for the consolidated income statements with the
corresponding entry to additional paid-in capital.
A
summary of the changes in the restricted shares related to ordinary shares granted by the Company during the year ended December
31, 2018 is as follows:
|
|
Number of restricted shares
|
|
|
Weighted average grant date fair value
|
|
Granted and unvested as of December 31, 2016
|
|
|
2,700
|
|
|
$
|
7.90
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
116
|
|
|
|
7.90
|
|
Vested
|
|
|
(1,308
|
)
|
|
|
7.90
|
|
Forfeited
|
|
|
(200
|
)
|
|
|
7.90
|
|
Granted and unvested as of December 31, 2017
|
|
|
1,308
|
|
|
$
|
7.90
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
370,525
|
|
|
|
0.85
|
|
Vested
|
|
|
(370,683
|
)
|
|
|
0.85
|
|
Forfeited
|
|
|
(1,150
|
)
|
|
|
7.90
|
|
Granted and unvested as of December 31, 2018
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Preferred
Shares
The
Company is authorized to issue unlimited preferred shares, in one or more series, with such designations, voting and other rights
and preferences as may be determined from time to time by the board of directors. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, there were
715,000 preferred shares issued and outstanding.
Warrants
A summary
of warrants activity for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 is as follows:
|
|
Number
of
shares
|
|
|
Weighted
average life
|
|
|
Expiration
dates
|
Balance of warrants outstanding as of December
31, 2016
|
|
|
9,280,323
|
|
|
|
4.52
years
|
|
|
July 6, 2021
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance of warrants outstanding as of December 31, 2017
|
|
|
9,280,323
|
|
|
|
3.52
years
|
|
|
July 6, 2021
|
Grants of Series A Warrants
|
|
|
576,924
|
|
|
|
4
years
|
|
|
July 9, 2022
|
Grants of Placement Agent Warrant
|
|
|
46,154
|
|
|
|
4
years
|
|
|
July 9, 2022
|
Grants of Series B Warrants
|
|
|
390,579
|
|
|
|
0.08
years
|
|
|
August 9, 2018
|
Exercise of Series B Warrants
|
|
|
(390,579
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance of warrants outstanding as of December 31, 2018
|
|
|
9,903,401
|
|
|
|
2.58
years
|
|
|
|
CHINA LENDING CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
8.
|
SHAREHOLDERS’
EQUITY (CONTINUED)
|
Warrants
(continued)
Series
A Warrants
In connection with the private placement
closed on July 10, 2018, the Company issued Series A warrants to investors to purchase a total of 576,924 ordinary shares with
a warrant term of four (4) years. The Series A Warrants have an exercise price of US$2.60 per share.
The
Series A Warrants have customary anti-dilution protections including a “full ratchet” anti-dilution adjustment provision
which are triggered in the event the Company sells or grants any additional shares of common stock, options, warrants or other
securities that are convertible into common stock at a price lower than $2.60 per share. The anti-dilution adjustment provision
is not triggered by certain “exempt issuances” which among other issuances, includes the issuance of shares of common
stock, options or other securities to officers, employees, directors, consultants or service providers.
Based
on an evaluation as discussed in FASB ASC 815-15, “Embedded Derivatives” and FASB ASC 815-40-15, “Contracts in
Entity’s Own Equity – Scope and Scope Exceptions,” the Company determined that the Series A Warrants were not
considered indexed to its own stock because neither the occurrence of a sale of equity securities by the issuer at market nor the
issuance of another equity contract with a lower strike price is an input to the fair value of a fixed-for-fixed option or forward
on equity shares. As such, the Series A Warrants was classified as a liability.
Liability classification requires the warrant
to be re-measured to their fair value for each reporting period.
As of July 10, 2018 and December 31, 2018,
the Company estimated fair value of the Series A Warrants at US$1,202,310 and $510,000, respectively, using the Black-Scholes valuation
model, which took into consideration the underlying price of ordinary shares, a risk-free interest rate, expected term and expected
volatility. As a result, the valuation of the warrant was categorized as Level 3 in accordance with ASC 820, “Fair Value
Measurement”.
On the July 10, 2018 and December 31, 2018, the Company estimated the fair value of Series A Warrants
using the following assumption.
|
|
On July 10,
2018
|
|
|
On December 31,
2018
|
|
Terms of warrants
|
|
|
48 months
|
|
|
|
42 months
|
|
Exercise price
|
|
|
2.60
|
|
|
|
2.60
|
|
Risk free rate of interest
|
|
|
2.77
|
%
|
|
|
2.77
|
%
|
Dividend yield
|
|
|
0.00
|
%
|
|
|
0.00
|
%
|
Annualized volatility of underlying stock
|
|
|
2.03
|
|
|
|
2.29
|
|
Series
B Warrants
In
connection with the private placement closed on July 10, 2018, the investors also received Series B warrants with an initial face
amount of 200,000 ordinary shares, which are subject to adjustment not in excess of an aggregate of 462,843 ordinary shares (the
“Series B Warrants”) for nominal consideration. If on the 30th day after the closing date of the transaction (the
“Adjustment Date”), the closing bid price of the Company’s ordinary shares is less than US$2.60, the investors
shall have the right to exercise the Series B Warrants and the number of ordinary shares to be issued to the investors upon exercise
of the Series B Warrants shall be adjusted (upward or downward, as necessary) based on the closing bid price of the Company’s
ordinary shares on such date.
Based
on an evaluation as discussed in FASB ASC 815-40-15, “Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity – Scope and Scope Exceptions,”
the Company determined that the Series B Warrants were not considered indexed to its own stock because the settlement amount does
not equal the difference between the fair value of a fixed number of the Company’s shares and a fixed strike price.
Liability classification requires the warrant to be re-measured to their fair value for each reporting period.
CHINA LENDING CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
8.
|
SHAREHOLDERS’
EQUITY (CONTINUED)
|
The Company estimated its fair value of the Series B Warrants at US$504,499 using the Black-Scholes valuation
model on the July 10, 2018 using the following assumption.
|
|
On July 10, 2018
|
|
Terms of warrants
|
|
|
1 months
|
|
Exercise price
|
|
|
0.001
|
|
Risk free rate of interest
|
|
|
1.88
|
%
|
Dividend yield
|
|
|
0.00
|
%
|
Annualized volatility of underlying stock
|
|
|
0.87
|
|
On August 9, 2018, the closing bid price of the Company’s ordinary shares was US$1.29, and thus
the investors exercised the Series B Warrant for 390,579 ordinary shares at US$391. The carrying fair value of the warrant liabilities
on the exercise day was US$503,847, and the fair value change in warrant liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2018 was
US$652. The Company incurred a gain of US$652 upon exercise of the warrants.
Placement
Agent Warrants
On April 6, 2018, the Company entered into
a letter agreement with FT Global Capital, Inc., as exclusive placement agent (the “Placement Agent”), pursuant to
which the Placement Agent has agreed to act as placement agent on a best efforts basis in connection with the above offering. In
addition to the cash payments, the Company has also agreed to issue to the Placement Agent a warrant to purchase a number of ordinary
shares equal to 6.0% of the aggregate number of ordinary shares sold in this offering, which warrant will have the same term as
Series A Warrants, including exercise price, vesting period, antidilution terms and etc.
As
such, same as the classification of Series A Warrants, the Placement Agent Warrants were classified as a liability, which r
equires
the warrant to be re-measured to their fair value for each reporting period.
As of July 10, 2018 and December 31,
2018, the Company estimated fair value of the
Placement Agent Warrants
at US$96,185
and US$40,800, respectively, using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The assumptions used to estimate the fair value of
the warrants were the same as those used for Series A Warrants.
Allocation of Issuance Costs
In connection with the Private Placement
closed on July 10, 2018, the Company incurred direct and incremental issuance costs of US$310,000. These costs were allocated to
common stock, Series A Warrants and Series B Warrants in proportion to the allocation of proceeds. The issuance costs allocated
to common stock were accounted for as a reduction of proceeds of the common stocks, while the issuance costs allocated to warrants
were accounted for as non-operating expenses.
The interest rates on loans issued ranged between 4% ~24% for
the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, and ranged between 17.28% ~ 24% for the year ended December 31, 2016.
As
of December 31, 2018 and 2017, loan receivable, net consisted of the following:
|
|
December 31, 2018
|
|
|
December 31, 2017
|
|
Loan receivable, gross
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Business loans
|
|
$
|
108,913,922
|
|
|
$
|
56,215,822
|
|
Personal loans
|
|
|
112,594,344
|
|
|
|
125,340,963
|
|
|
|
|
221,508,266
|
|
|
|
181,556,785
|
|
Provision for loan losses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Collectively assessed
|
|
|
(23,264
|
)
|
|
|
(99,563
|
)
|
Individually assessed
|
|
|
(128,904,336
|
)
|
|
|
(64,195,127
|
)
|
|
|
|
(128,927,600
|
)
|
|
|
(64,294,690
|
)
|
Loan receivable, net
|
|
$
|
92,580,666
|
|
|
$
|
117,262,095
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loan receivable – related parties, net
|
|
$
|
490,724
|
|
|
$
|
1,244,739
|
|
Loan receivable – third parties, net
|
|
$
|
92,089,942
|
|
|
$
|
116,017,356
|
|
CHINA LENDING CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
9.
|
LOAN
RECEIVABLE, NET (CONTINUED)
|
Before
the establishment of Zhiyuan and Zeshi in November 2018, the Company originated loans to customers located primarily in Urumqi
City, Xinjiang Province. While thereafter the Company originates loans to customers located primarily in Urumqi City, Xinjiang
Province, and Hangzhou, Zhejiang 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, 2018 and 2017, the Company had 75 and 59 business
loan customers, and 159 and 174 personal loan customers, respectively. Most loans are either guaranteed by a third party or related
parties (please refer to Note 25) whose financial strength is assessed by the Company to be sufficient or secured by collateral.
Provision for loan losses is estimated on a quarterly basis based on an assessment of specific evidence indicating doubtful collection,
historical experience, loan balance aging and prevailing economic conditions.
For the years ended December 31, 2018,
2017 and 2016, a provision of US$85,715,748, US$55,299,749 and US$
4,650,887 were charged for the
consolidated statements of operations, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, write-offs of US$14,365,469,
US$nil and US$91,812 were charged against provisions, respectively.
Interest
on loans receivable is accrued and credited to income as earned. The Company determines a loan’s past due status by the number
of days that have elapsed since a borrower has failed to make a contractual loan payment. Accrual of interest is generally discontinued
when 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.
The
following table represents the aging of loans as of December 31, 2018 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
|
|
$
|
1,856,751
|
|
|
$
|
1,129,755
|
|
|
$
|
27,739,900
|
|
|
$
|
12,248,816
|
|
|
$
|
42,975,222
|
|
|
$
|
65,938,700
|
|
|
$
|
108,913,922
|
|
Personal loans
|
|
|
174,480
|
|
|
|
14,292,196
|
|
|
|
40,137,089
|
|
|
|
56,827,383
|
|
|
|
111,431,148
|
|
|
|
1,163,196
|
|
|
|
112,594,344
|
|
|
|
$
|
2,031,231
|
|
|
$
|
15,421,951
|
|
|
$
|
67,876,989
|
|
|
$
|
69,076,199
|
|
|
$
|
154,406,370
|
|
|
$
|
67,101,896
|
|
|
$
|
221,508,266
|
|
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
|
|
$
|
9,976,350
|
|
|
$
|
4,368,880
|
|
|
$
|
507,116
|
|
|
$
|
6,925,968
|
|
|
$
|
21,778,314
|
|
|
$
|
34,437,508
|
|
|
$
|
56,215,822
|
|
Personal loans
|
|
|
28,303,969
|
|
|
|
30,824,416
|
|
|
|
3,777,245
|
|
|
|
940,469
|
|
|
|
63,846,099
|
|
|
|
61,494,864
|
|
|
|
125,340,963
|
|
|
|
$
|
38,280,319
|
|
|
$
|
35,193,296
|
|
|
$
|
4,284,361
|
|
|
$
|
7,866,437
|
|
|
$
|
85,624,413
|
|
|
$
|
95,932,372
|
|
|
$
|
181,556,785
|
|
Analysis
of loans by collateral
The
following table summarizes the Company’s loan portfolio by collateral as of December 31, 2018:
|
|
Business
loans
|
|
|
Personal
loans
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Guarantee backed loans
|
|
$
|
29,176,804
|
|
|
$
|
36,135,657
|
|
|
$
|
65,312,461
|
|
Pledged assets backed loans
|
|
|
75,665,930
|
|
|
|
74,774,960
|
|
|
|
150,440,890
|
|
Collateral backed loans
|
|
|
4,071,188
|
|
|
|
1,683,727
|
|
|
|
5,754,915
|
|
|
|
$
|
108,913,922
|
|
|
$
|
112,594,344
|
|
|
$
|
221,508,266
|
|
CHINA LENDING CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
9.
|
LOAN
RECEIVABLE, NET (CONTINUED)
|
Analysis
of loans by collateral (continued)
The
following table summarizes the Company’s loan portfolio by collateral as of December 31, 2017:
|
|
Business
loans
|
|
|
Personal
loans
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Guarantee backed loans
|
|
$
|
36,515,140
|
|
|
$
|
43,953,134
|
|
|
$
|
80,468,274
|
|
Pledged assets backed loans
|
|
|
13,861,166
|
|
|
|
79,028,972
|
|
|
|
92,890,138
|
|
Collateral backed loans
|
|
|
5,839,516
|
|
|
|
2,358,857
|
|
|
|
8,198,373
|
|
|
|
$
|
56,215,822
|
|
|
$
|
125,340,963
|
|
|
$
|
181,556,785
|
|
Guarantee
Backed Loans
A
guaranteed loan is a loan guaranteed by a corporation or high net worth individual which includes related parties (refer to Note
25). As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, guaranteed loans make up 29.5% and 44.3% of our direct loan portfolio, respectively.
Pledged
Asset Backed Loans
Pledged
assets backed loans are loans with pledged assets. Lenders has rights of access to the pledged assets at the time the loan is
made and do not need to register them with government entities to secure the loan. If the borrower defaults, we can
sell the assets to recover the outstanding balance owed. For the supply chain financing involved for tire industry, the borrowers
pledged with inventory and the whole sellers (certain are related parties) guarantee the repayment of loan if the borrowers defaults.
Both
collateral loans and pledged loans are considered secured loans. The amount of a loan that lenders provide depends on the value
of the collateral pledged.
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, equity shares, 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 entities 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 proceeds of the collateral asset is not sufficient to pay off the loan in full, we will file a lawsuit
against the borrower and seek judgment for the remaining balance.
As
of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company pledged US$4,966,849 and US$5,310,886 loans receivable for secured loans the Company
borrowed from China Great Wall Assets Management Co. Ltd. and related parties, loan-to-pledge ratios were 292% and 289% (See Note
18), which consisted of the following:
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2018
|
|
|
2017
|
|
Business loans
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Personal loans
|
|
|
4,966,849
|
|
|
|
5,310,886
|
|
Total pledged loans receivable
|
|
$
|
4,966,849
|
|
|
$
|
5,310,886
|
|
CHINA LENDING CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
10.
|
PROVISION
FOR LOAN LOSSES
|
The
provision 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 provision. The provision 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
provision is calculated at portfolio-level since our loans portfolio is generally comprised of smaller balance homogenous loans
and is collectively evaluated for impairment.
For
the purpose of calculating portfolio-level reserves, we have grouped our loans into two portfolio types: Business and Personal.
The provision 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 collateral 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 - this reserve covers potential losses due to risks related to the region of China, industry, company or types of
loan. The reserve rate is determined by total loan receivable balance and to be used to cover unidentified probable loan loss.
|
|
|
2.
|
Special Reserve
- is fund set aside covering losses due to risks related to the region of China, 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.
|
Generally,
the primary factors for the evaluation of provision for loan losses consist of business performance, financial position, cash
flow and other operational performance of the debtors. Among these, cash flow of the debtors is the primary funding source for
repayment for determining the provision for loan losses and any collateral, pledged asset or guarantee is considered as a secondary
funding source for repayment.
Besides
the repayment ability and willingness to repay, the Company evaluates the provision for loan losses of collateral backed loans
based on whether the fair value of the collateral if the repayment is expected to be provided by the collateral is sufficient
or not. For loans with pledged assets, the net realizable value of pledged assets for pledged backed loans will be estimated to
see if they have sufficient coverage on the loans. For the guarantee backed loans, the Company evaluates the provision for loan
losses based on the combination of the guarantee, including the fair value and net realizable value of guarantor’s financial
position, credibility, liquidity and cash flow.
As
of December 31, 2018, the percentage of guarantee back loans, pledged asset backed loans, and collateral backed loans were 29.5%,
67.9% and 2.6% respectively. As of December 31, 2017, the percentage of guarantee back loans, pledged asset backed loans, and
collateral backed loans were 44.3%, 51.2% and 4.5% respectively.
The
valuation assessment of collateral and pledged assets was based on the valuation report issued by a valuation firm or the Company’s
internal risk control department. The assets values were generally 50% to 60% of the fair value of collateral and pledged assets.
The valuation will be updated for the loan period over one year in case of renewals and repeat customers. However, China Lending
Group’s average loan term is less than 9 months, the value of the collateral and pledged assets, and guarantee backing the
loans will be reviewed and monitored on a monthly basis through site visits.
CHINA LENDING CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
10.
|
PROVISION
FOR LOAN LOSSES (CONTINUED)
|
China Lending Group issues guarantee-backed
loans in accordance with its loan management policy, and each guarantee-backed loan will undergo standard assessment procedures
for willingness and ability of the guarantor to perform under its guarantee. China Lending Group accepts guarantees provided by
three types of guarantors: professional guarantee companies, corporations and individuals which includes related parties (see
note 25).
In
assessing the willingness and ability of a professional guarantee company to perform under a guarantee, the Company consider factors
including its guarantee licenses, size of registered capital, corporate governance, internal audit system, risk management and
compensation system, risk reserve, length of operation history especially cooperation history with China Lending Group, its default
costs and other pertinent factors such as the loan size backed by guarantee over its net assets.
In
assessing the willingness and ability of a corporate guarantor to perform under a guarantee, the Company consider factors including
nature of its businesses, size of registered capital, annual revenues, continuous profitability in the past three years, stability
and adequacy of income and cash flows, clean credit history, current liabilities, willingness to accept credit monitoring by China
Lending Group, its default costs and other pertinent factors such as the loan size backed by guarantee over its net assets.
In
assessing the willingness and ability of an individual guarantor to perform under a guarantee, the Company consider factors including
their residency, whether being able to provide permanent residential addresses, marital status, occupations, legitimacy and stability
of incomes, assets and liabilities, clean credit history, no criminal history, their default costs and other pertinent factors
such as the loan size backed by guarantee over their net assets.
As
of December 31, 2018 and 2017, loan receivable of US$128,904,336 and US$64,195,127 were charged of specific reserve with specific
provision rates ranging between 50%-100% and 10%-100%, respectively.
While
management uses the best information available to make loan loss provision evaluations, adjustments to the provision may be necessary
based on changes in economic and other conditions or changes in accounting guidance.
The following tables present the activity
in the provision 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, 2018, 2017 and 2016:
Provision
for loan losses for the year ended December 31, 2018
|
|
Business
loans
|
|
|
Personal
loans
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Provision for loan losses beginning balance
|
|
$
|
22,365,076
|
|
|
$
|
41,929,614
|
|
|
$
|
64,294,690
|
|
Charge-offs
|
|
|
(9,053,190
|
)
|
|
|
(5,312,279
|
)
|
|
|
(14,365,469
|
)
|
Provisions
|
|
|
25,739,061
|
|
|
|
62,117,991
|
|
|
|
87,857,052
|
|
Reversals
|
|
|
(1,571,499
|
)
|
|
|
(569,805
|
)
|
|
|
(2,141,304
|
)
|
Foreign currency translation adjustment
|
|
|
(2,123,526
|
)
|
|
|
(4,593,843
|
)
|
|
|
(6,717,369
|
)
|
Provision for loan losses ending balance
|
|
$
|
35,355,922
|
|
|
$
|
93,571,678
|
|
|
$
|
128,927,600
|
|
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
|
|
$
|
35,343,563
|
|
|
$
|
93,560,773
|
|
|
$
|
128,904,336
|
|
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
|
|
$
|
12,359
|
|
|
$
|
10,905
|
|
|
$
|
23,264
|
|
CHINA LENDING CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
10.
|
PROVISION
FOR LOAN LOSSES (CONTINUED)
|
Provision
for loan losses for the year ended December 31, 2017
|
|
Business
loans
|
|
|
Personal
loans
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Provision for loan losses beginning balance
|
|
$
|
4,238,133
|
|
|
$
|
2,188,174
|
|
|
$
|
6,426,307
|
|
Charge-offs
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Provisions
|
|
|
17,178,340
|
|
|
|
38,121,409
|
|
|
|
55,299,749
|
|
Foreign currency translation adjustment
|
|
|
948,603
|
|
|
|
1,620,031
|
|
|
|
2,568,634
|
|
Provision for loan losses ending balance
|
|
$
|
22,365,076
|
|
|
$
|
41,929,614
|
|
|
$
|
64,294,690
|
|
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
|
|
$
|
22,308,497
|
|
|
$
|
41,886,630
|
|
|
$
|
64,195,127
|
|
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
|
|
$
|
56,579
|
|
|
$
|
42,984
|
|
|
$
|
99,563
|
|
Provision
for loan losses for the year ended December 31, 2016
|
|
Business
loans
|
|
|
Personal
loans
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Provision for loan losses beginning balance
|
|
$1,053,579
|
|
|
$1,155,129
|
|
|
$2,208,708
|
|
Charge-offs
|
|
|
(91,812
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(91,812
|
)
|
Provisions
|
|
|
3,492,322
|
|
|
|
1,158,565
|
|
|
|
4,650,887
|
|
Foreign currency translation adjustment
|
|
|
(215,956
|
)
|
|
|
(125,520
|
)
|
|
|
(341,476
|
)
|
Provision for loan losses ending balance
|
|
$
|
4,238,133
|
|
|
$
|
2,188,174
|
|
|
$
|
6,426,307
|
|
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
|
|
$
|
3,728,072
|
|
|
$
|
1,292,699
|
|
|
$
|
5,020,771
|
|
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
|
|
$
|
510,061
|
|
|
$
|
895,475
|
|
|
$
|
1,405,536
|
|
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.
CECL adoption
will have broad impact on the financial statements of financial services firms, which will affect key profitability and solvency
measures. Some of the more notable expected changes include:
|
-
|
Higher loan loss reserve levels and related deferred tax assets. While different asset types will
be impacted differently, the expectation is that reserve levels will generally increase across the board for all financial firms.
|
|
-
|
Increased reserve levels may lead to a reduction in capital levels.
|
|
-
|
As a result of higher reserving levels, the expectation is that CECL will reduce cyclicality in
financial firms’ results, as higher reserving in “good times” will mean that less dramatic reserve increases
will be loan related income (which will continue to be recognized on a periodic basis based on the effective interest method) and
the related credit losses (which will be recognized up front at origination). This will make periods of loan expansion seem less
profitable due to the immediate recognition of expected credit losses. Periods of stable or declining loan levels will look comparatively
profitable as the income trickles in for loans, where losses had been previously recognized.
|
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.
CHINA LENDING CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
11.
|
Loan
impairment (CONTINUED)
|
Provision 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. Due to the nature of the Company’s
operation and the interest concessions granted, the troubled debt restructuring designation will not be removed until the loan
is paid-off or otherwise disposed of. As of December 31, 2018, the Company charged off US$14,365,469 for the trouble debt restructuring
loans.
The
Company allows a one-time loan extension based on an ancillary company policy with a period up to the original loan period, which
is usually within twelve months. According to the Company’s loan management policy, granting initial one-time extension
requires a new underwriting and credit evaluation. Borrowers are required to submit extension application 10 days before
expiration of the original loan. Then the Company’s loan service department will investigate whether material changes have
happened to the borrower’s business which may impact its repayment ability. The Company’s risk management department
will reevaluate the loan. If the Company decides to grant one-time extension, an extension agreement will be executed between
the borrower and the Company, plus commitment letter from guarantor to agree the loan extension and extend the guarantee
duration. In evaluating the extension and underwriting new loans, China Lending Group will request that borrowers obtain guarantees
from state-owned or public guarantee companies. Even though the Company allows a one-time loan extension with a period up to the
original loan period, which is usually within 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. For the year ended December 31, 2017, 37 loans aggregating US$32.4
million were granted one-time extension, which accounted for 16.8% of total loans originated during the year ended December 31,
2017. For the year ended December 31, 2018, no loans were granted one-time extension.
A
loan is considered to be a troubled debt restructuring loan when that is restructured or modified for economic or legal reasons,
where these conditions are present: 1) The Company grants a concession that it otherwise would not consider and 2) The borrower
is having financial difficulties. Under unusual circumstance, in order to reduce the potential losses on troubled debt, the Company
may consider granting concession to borrowers with financial difficulties which has significant delay or significant shortfall
in amount of payments. In order to deter troubled debt restructurings, stringent scrutiny and approval from the Company’s
Loan Review Committee is required prior to the granting of concession on troubled debt.
The
troubled debt restructuring amounts of personal loans and business loans were US$45,252,182 and US$11,336,725 as of December 31,
2017, after providing provision for loan loss amounting to US$15,397,550 and US$6,768,841, respectively. As of December 31, 2018,
The troubled debt restructuring amounts of personal loans and business loans were US$nil and US$nil, after providing provision
for loan loss amounting to US$nil and US$1,424,916, respectively. The sharp decrease is due to the charge off trouble debt restructuring
loans as the management assessed the collection is remote.
As
of December 31, 2018 and 2017, there were no receivables derecognized for the real estate related investment obtained from collateral.
CHINA LENDING CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
12.
|
PROPERTY
AND EQUIPEMENT, NET
|
The
Company’s property and equipment used to conduct day-to-day business are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation.
Depreciation expense is calculated using straight-line method over the estimated useful life below:
|
|
Useful Life
Years
|
|
December 31, 2018
|
|
|
December 31, 2017
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Furniture and fixtures
|
|
5
|
|
$
|
14,908
|
|
|
$
|
15,755
|
|
Vehicles
|
|
3
|
|
|
29,080
|
|
|
|
30,734
|
|
Electronic equipment
|
|
3
|
|
|
22,304
|
|
|
|
23,573
|
|
Less: accumulated depreciation
|
|
|
|
|
(37,746
|
)
|
|
|
(23,728
|
)
|
Property and equipment, net
|
|
|
|
$
|
28,546
|
|
|
$
|
46,334
|
|
Depreciation expenses totaled US$15,897,
US$37,084 and US$37,448 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
|
13.
|
INTANGIBLE
ASSETS, NET
|
The Company’s intangible assets
used to conduct day-to-day business are recorded at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization expense is calculated using
straight-line method over the estimated useful life below:
|
|
Useful Life
Years
|
|
December 31, 2018
|
|
|
December 31, 2017
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Credit rating system
|
|
10
|
|
$
|
54,868
|
|
|
$
|
57,988
|
|
Software license
|
|
10
|
|
|
5,021
|
|
|
|
5,306
|
|
Loan platform
|
|
10
|
|
|
28,233
|
|
|
|
29,839
|
|
Less: Accumulated amortization
|
|
|
|
|
(20,551
|
)
|
|
|
(12,406
|
)
|
Intangible assets, net
|
|
|
|
$
|
67,571
|
|
|
$
|
80,729
|
|
Amortization expense totaled US$9,160,
US$8,009 and US$4,003 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
The following table sets forth the Company’s
amortization expenses for the twelve months ending December 31 of the following years:
|
|
Amortization expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
Twelve months ending December 31, 2019
|
|
$
|
8,812
|
|
Twelve months ending December 31, 2020
|
|
|
8,812
|
|
Twelve months ending December 31, 2021
|
|
|
8,812
|
|
Twelve months ending December 31, 2022
|
|
|
8,812
|
|
Twelve months ending December 31, 2023 and thereafter
|
|
|
32,323
|
|
|
|
$
|
67,571
|
|
14. COST METHOD INVESTMENT
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2018
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost method investment
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
In January 2015, the Company made a commitment
to invest 5% of the paid-in capital in Xinjiang Microcredit Refinancing Co., Ltd. (“Microcredit Refinancing”). Microcredit
Refinancing was a newly formed micro refinancing company in the PRC with total registered capital of RMB 1,000,000,000 (approximately
$153,671,465). Such investment was accounted for under the cost method as the Company did not have significant influence over Microcredit
Refinancing. On November 2017, the Company restructured its debts due to Microcredit Refinancing by offsetting its investment in
Microcredit Refinancing and partial loans payable. As of the filing date, Microcredit Refinancing is not able to transfer the 5%
of equity investment in Microcredit Refinancing owned by the Company to Xinjiang Kai Di Investment Co in accordance with the offset
agreement due to the Company’s investment in Microcredit Refinance was pledged to a third party who has filed petition to
freeze the Company’s investment in Microcredit Refinancing (see Note 16) as a guarantee for the debt owed by Ms. Qi Wen (see
Note 25). As a result, the Company has determined to fully impair the cost investment at Microcredit Refinancing as of December
31, 2017 because of the uncertainty associated with the investment in Microcredit Refinancing.
CHINA LENDING CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
15.
|
SHORT-TERM
BANK LOANS, NET
|
The
following is a summary of the principal and balance of the Company’s short-term bank loans as of December 31, 2018 and 2017:
|
|
Entrust Bank
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
Lender
Name
|
|
name
|
|
Interest rate
|
|
Term
|
|
2018
|
|
|
2017
|
|
Urumqi Changhe Financing Guarantee Co., Ltd. (“Changhe”)
|
|
Tianshan Rural Commercial Bank
|
|
Fixed annual rate of 10.0%
|
|
From August 9, 2016 to August 8, 2017
|
|
|
1,447,930
|
|
|
|
1,534,914
|
|
Urumqi Changhe Financing Guarantee Co., Ltd.
|
|
Bank of Urumqi Co., Ltd
|
|
Fixed annual rate of 10.0%
|
|
From July 13, 2016 to July 13, 2017
|
|
|
1,453,996
|
|
|
|
1,536,715
|
|
Shanghai Pudong Development Bank
|
|
Shanghai Pudong Development Bank
|
|
Fixed annual rate of 7.0%
|
|
From December 22, 2016 to December 21, 2017
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
3,534,444
|
|
Urumqi Economic Development Zone Zhengxin Financing Guarantee Co., Ltd (“Zhengxin”)
|
|
Tianshan Rural Commercial Bank
|
|
Fixed annual rate of 10%
|
|
From January 4, 2017 to September 3, 2017
|
|
|
1,452,542
|
|
|
|
1,535,178
|
|
Urumqi Economic Development Zone Zhengxin Financing Guarantee Co., Ltd
|
|
Tianshan Rural Commercial Bank
|
|
Fixed annual rate of 10%
|
|
From January 5, 2017 to September 4, 2017
|
|
|
725,544
|
|
|
|
766,821
|
|
Urumqi Changhe Financing Guarantee Co., Ltd.
|
|
Tianshan Rural Commercial Bank
|
|
Fixed annual rate of 10%
|
|
From January 11, 2017 to January 10, 2018
|
|
|
1,453,996
|
|
|
|
1,536,715
|
|
Urumqi Economic Development Zone Zhengxin Financing Guarantee Co., Ltd
|
|
Tianshan Rural Commercial Bank
|
|
Fixed annual rate of 10%
|
|
From April 11, 2017 to December 10, 2017
|
|
|
581,598
|
|
|
|
614,686
|
|
Urumqi Economic Development Zone Zhengxin Financing Guarantee Co., Ltd
|
|
Tianshan Rural Commercial Bank
|
|
Fixed annual rate of 10%
|
|
From April 11, 2017 to April 10, 2018
|
|
|
868,034
|
|
|
|
922,029
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,983,640
|
|
|
|
11,981,502
|
|
Less unamortized financing cost
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(11,526
|
)
|
Short-term bank loans less unamortized financing cost
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
7,983,640
|
|
|
$
|
11,969,976
|
|
Accrued interest expense charged for the
short-term bank loans was US$1,241,463, US$1,115,329 and US
$580,843 for the years ended December
31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Amortization expenses for the financing cost was US$nil, US$468,162, and US
$134,692
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The loans were guaranteed by certain shareholders in
Feng Hui and related parties. (See Note 25)
During the year ended December 31, 2018,
Changhe and Urumuqi National Economic Financing and Guarantee Co., Ltd. (“Urumuqi National Economic”) repaid on behalf
of the Company the overdue bank loans of US$2,179,539 and US$1,132,663, respectively, due to Shanghai Pudong Development Bank.
As a result, the Company had a balance of loan from a third party as of December 31, 2018 (see Note 17). As of December 31, 2018,
all short-term bank loans from Tianshan Rural Commercial Bank and from Bank of Urumuqi Co., were overdue. The Company and the
lenders are working to extend the overdue loans for one year.
CHINA LENDING CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
16.
|
loans
FROM a related party, A COST METHOD INVESTEE
|
The
following is a summary of the Company’s loans from Xinjiang Microcredit Refinancing Co. Ltd., which is a cost method investee
of the Company, as of December 31, 2018 and 2017:
Lender name
|
|
Interest rate
|
|
Term
|
|
December 31, 2018
|
|
|
December 31, 2017
|
|
Xinjiang Microcredit Refinancing Co. Ltd.
|
|
Fixed annual rate of 12.0%
|
|
From August 23, 2016 to August 22, 2017
|
|
$
|
3,634,989
|
|
|
$
|
3,841,787
|
|
Xinjiang Microcredit Refinancing Co. Ltd.
|
|
Fixed annual rate of 12.0%
|
|
From August 30, 2016 to November 29, 2017
|
|
|
2,180,993
|
|
|
|
2,305,072
|
|
Xinjiang Microcredit Refinancing Co. Ltd.
|
|
Fixed annual rate of 12.0%
|
|
From September 1, 2016 to November 30, 2017
|
|
|
1,453,996
|
|
|
|
1,536,715
|
|
Xinjiang Microcredit Refinancing Co. Ltd.
|
|
Fixed annual rate of 12.0%
|
|
From September 19, 2016 to March 18, 2018
|
|
|
7,269,978
|
|
|
|
7,683,572
|
|
Total loans from a cost method investee
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
14,539,956
|
|
|
$
|
15,367,146
|
|
Accrued interest expense charged for the
loans from the cost method investee were US$191,447, US$1,647,722, and US
$1,818,656 for the years
ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Penalties for default payment of principal and interest were US$2,448,498,
US$882,864 and US$nil for the years end December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, Fenghui
pledged loans receivable aggregating US$21.14 million and US$22.35 million for these loans, and Fenghui shareholder provided guarantee
for these loans. (see Note 25)
On August 10, 2017, Xinjiang Microcredit
Refinancing Co., Ltd (or “Microcredit Refinance”) transferred the loan receivable of RMB 25,000,000 (approximately
US$3,744,196) due from Feng Hui to Xinjiang Kai Di Investment Co., Ltd (or “Kai Di”). On November 17, 2017, Feng Hui
entered into an agreement with Kai Di, pursuant to which Feng Hui would transfer its investment in Xinjiang Microcredit Refinancing
Co., Ltd. to Kai Di, as a settlement of the loan payable of RMB 25,000,000. However due to the petitions filed by Li Yuqin and
Microcredit Refinancing Co., Ltd (see Note 27), the Company’s equity investment in Microcredit Refinance was frozen by the
Court and thus neither the Company’s transfer of equity investment to Kai Di nor Microcredit Refinance’s transfer
of loan receivable to Kai Di was completed.
CHINA LENDING CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
17.
|
LOANS
FROM THIRD PARTIES
|
Lender name
|
|
Interest rate
|
|
Term
|
|
December 31, 2018
|
|
|
December 31, 2017
|
|
Urumqi Changhe Financing Guarantee Co., Ltd.
|
|
Fixed annual rate of 7.0%
|
|
Repayment on demand
|
|
$
|
2,179,539
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Urumuqi National Economic Financing and Guarantee Co., Ltd.
|
|
Fixed annual rate of 7.0%
|
|
Repayment on demand
|
|
|
1,132,663
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
3,312,202
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
During the year ended December 31, 2018,
Changhe and Urumuqi National Economic repaid on behalf of the Company the bank loans of US$2,179,539 and US$1,132,663 due to Shanghai
Pudong Development Bank (“SPDB”). Accordingly the Company settled the bank loans due to SPDB and recorded a loan due
to Changhe and Urumuqi National Economic, respectively. The loan was charged of interest expenses at an interest rate of 7% per
annum and was repaid on demand. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the interest expenses charged on the loan due to Changhe
and Urumuqi National Economic was US$238,040 and US$124,805, respectively.
During the year ended December 31, 2018,
Zhiyuan borrowed loans aggregating US$64,702,803 from Hangzhou Jingyuan, a third party to support its loan services. The loans
were charged of interest expenses at an interest rate of ranging between 1.29% and 6% per annum. For the year ended December 31,
2018, the interest expenses charged on the loan due to Jingyuan was US$25,118.
As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, there
were 25,288,003 and 23,758,817 ordinary shares issued and outstanding. Dividends payable on ordinary share as of December 31,
2018 and 2017 were US$480,000 and US$480,000, respectively.
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, 2018, 2017 and 2016,
the Company had no unrecognized tax benefits.
During the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, there were no income taxes attributable to the operations
in Jing Kai, Ding Xin, Ding Tai and Feng Hui. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards
of US$5,137,726 and US$nil, respectively, which will expire in 2023. The Company reviews deferred tax assets for a valuation allowance
based upon whether it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will be fully realized. At December 31, 2018 and 2017,
full valuation allowance is provided against the deferred tax assets based upon management’s assessment as to their realization.
The effective tax rates for the years ended December
31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 were (0.0)%, (5.3)% and 19.3%, respectively. The reconciliation between the effective income tax rate
and the PRC statutory income tax rate of 25% is as follows:
The following table sets forth the computation
of basic and diluted (loss) earnings per common share for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively:
Basic loss per share to the ordinary shareholders
are computed by dividing the net loss attributable to the ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of common
shares outstanding during the year. 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, 2018 and 2017. The number of warrants, Class A preferred shares are omitted excluded
from the computation as the anti-dilutive effect.
Diluted earnings per share includes the
weighted average dilutive effect of Class A Convertible Redeemable Preferred Shares, Unit Purchase Option, Convertible Promissory
Note and Non-vested Restricted Shares to employees for the year ended December 31, 2016. The effect of potential release of escrowed
2,666,667 shares has been included in the calculation of diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding based on the Company’s
estimate on the fact that the Company could meet the earned-out target for the year December 31, 2016.
Interest income derived from the
above loans to related parties were US$nil, US$293,395, US$491,080 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016,
respectively. These loans were made in the normal course of the Company’s lending operation. The interest rates on the
above loans ranged between 12%-17.4% for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, and ranged between 17.4%~24% for the
year ended December 31, 2016. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, a provision for loan losses of
US$714,145, US$2,322,898 and US$nil was provided for the loans receivable from related parties.
Interest expenses charged for the loans
from the cost method investee were US$191,447, US$1,647,722 and US$
1,818,656 for the years ended
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Penalties for default payment of principal and interest were US$2,448,498, US$882,864
and US$nil for the years end December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.
For the year ended December 31, 2018,
the Company was involved in five lawsuits with its loan customers for the aggregated claim of delinquent balances of US$2.95 million,
and in which the Company is a defendant. The amount which the Company is being sued for delinquent balances owned to two third
parties is approximately US$4.64 million (RMB 30.7 million).
Pursuant to such framework agreement, the
Company will acquire up to 80.4592% of equity interest in Lixin from six selling shareholders of Lixin by issuing new shares and/or
using cash on hand.
The proposed transaction is expected to
be consummated through multiple closings with the first closing by June 30, 2019, subject to further review and approval of the
Company’s Board of Directors and/or shareholders, if needed, as well as other customary closing conditions. There is no guarantee
that the transaction contemplated under the framework agreement will be consummated as planned or at all. The Company expects
that the acquisition of equity interests in Lixin, if consummated, has the potential of transforming the Company into a profitable
and well diversified financial services company with geographical outreach well beyond the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
In April 2019, the Board of Directors unanimously
approved the disposition of Xin Quan. As of the date of disposition, Xin Quan was not engaged in any operations, nor it had any
net assets.