Qifu Technology, Inc.

7/F Lujiazui Finance Plaza

No. 1217 Dongfang Road

Pudong New Area, Shanghai 200122

People’s Republic of China

 

July 11, 2025

 

VIA EDGAR

 

Ms. Kathleen Collins 

Ms. Brittany Ebbertt 

Division of Corporation Finance 

Office of Technology 

Securities and Exchange Commission 

100 F Street, N.E. 

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Re:Qifu Technology, Inc. (the “Company”)
  Form 20-F for the Year Ended 2024
  Filed March 25, 2025
  File No. 001-38752

 

Dear Ms. Collins and Ms. Ebbertt:

 

This letter sets forth the Company’s response to the comment contained in the letter dated June 26, 2025 from the staff (the “Staff”) of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) regarding the Company’s Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 filed with the Commission on March 25, 2025 (the “2024 Form 20-F”). The Staff’s comment is repeated below in bold and is followed by the Company’s response thereto. All capitalized terms used but not defined in this letter shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the 2024 Form 20-F.

 

Form 20-F for the Year Ended 2024

Key Information

Financial Information Related to Our Consolidated Variable Interest Entities, page 11

 

1.Please revise the condensed consolidated financial schedules to address the following:

 

·Include a footnote to the column “primary beneficiaries of VIEs excluding the Company” to identify the primary beneficiaries. In this regard, it appears you only have one WFOE entity.

 

·Revise footnote (1) to remove the reference to using the equity method to consolidate the VIEs as you do not hold any equity interest in the VIEs. Additionally, clarify that you are the primary beneficiary of the VIEs for accounting purposes only.

 

 

 

 

Qifu Technology, Inc. 

July 11, 2025 

Page 2

  

·Present the service fee expense paid by the VIEs to the primary beneficiary separately from the other costs and expenses of the VIE. Relatedly, revise to present the service fee income received by the primary beneficiary from the VIEs separately from third-party revenue.

 

·Revise the “investments in subsidiaries and VIEs” line item in your results of operations schedule to present investment in subsidiaries separately from VIEs to distinguish income from your equity owned subsidiaries from the income from contractual arrangements with the VIEs.

 

·Similarly, revise the “investments in subsidiaries and VIEs” line item from your schedules of financial condition to present investment in subsidiaries separately from net assets of the VIEs.

 

·Revise to refer to these schedules as condensed consolidating schedules rather than consolidated schedules. Also, revise to refer to the VIEs rather than “our consolidated VIEs” as the latter implies you have ownership of or equity interest in the VIEs.

 

The Staff’s comment is duly noted.  In response to the Staff’s comment, the Company respectfully proposes to revise the referenced disclosure as follows (page reference is made to the 2024 Form 20-F to illustrate the approximate location of the disclosure) in its future Form 20-F filings (with deletions shown as strike-through and additions underlined), subject to updates and adjustments to be made in connection with any material development of the subject matter being disclosed:

 

Page 11

 

Financial Information Related to Our Consolidated Variable Interest Entities the VIEs and the VIEs’ subsidiaries

 

The following table presents the condensed consolidatedconsolidating schedules of financial position, results of operations and cash flow data for our company, our consolidated VIEs the VIEs and the VIEs’ subsidiaries, ourthe WFOE that is the primary beneficiary of the VIEs excluding our company and other subsidiaries as of the dates or for the years presented, as the case may be. For the purpose of this presentation, the financial statement amounts for our consolidated subsidiaries are prepared using same accounting policies as set out in the consolidated financial statements. We are the primary beneficiaries of the VIEs for accounting purposes only.

 

 

 

 

Qifu Technology, Inc. 

July 11, 2025 

Page 3

 

   For the Year Ended December 31, 2024 
           Primary             
           Beneficiary             
   The VIEs and       of VIEs             
   the VIEs’       excluding the   Other         
   subsidiaries   The Company   Company(1) The WFOE   Subsidiaries   Eliminations   Consolidated Total 
   (RMB in thousands) 
Total net revenues   16,415,359        5,020,162    962,412    (5,232,277)   17,165,656 
Service fee revenues of the primary beneficiary from the VIEs and the VIEs’ subsidiaries           5,003,073        (5,003,073)    
Other revenues   16,415,359        17,089    962,412    (229,204)   17,165,656 
Total operating costs and expenses   14,121,455    19,770    378,419    349,719    (5,232,277)   9,637,086 
Service fee expenses of the VIEs and the VIEs’ subsidiaries to the primary beneficiary   5,003,073                (5,003,073)    
Other operating costs and expenses   9,118,382    19,770    378,419    349,719    (229,204)   9,637,086 
Income (loss) from operations   2,293,904    (19,770)   4,641,743    612,693        7,528,570 
Income before income tax expense   2,465,141    20,861    4,712,203    694,217        7,892,422 
Investments in subsidiaries and VIEs       6,248,235    2,794,427    6,067,994    (15,110,656)    
Income from subsidiaries       6,248,235    592,234    6,067,994    (12,908,463)    
Income from contractual arrangements with the VIEs and the VIEs’ subsidiaries           2,202,193        (2,202,193)    
Net income   2,185,995    6,264,314    6,660,228    6,248,235    (15,110,656)   6,248,116 
Net (loss) income attributable to ordinary shareholders of the Company   2,202,193    6,264,314    6,660,228    6,248,235    (15,110,656)   6,264,314 

  

 

 

 

Qifu Technology, Inc. 

July 11, 2025 

Page 4

 

Page 12

 

   For the Year Ended December 31, 2023 
           Primary             
           Beneficiary             
   The VIEs and       of VIEs             
   the VIEs’       excluding the   Other         
   subsidiaries   The Company   Company(1) The WFOE   Subsidiaries   Eliminations   Consolidated Total 
   (RMB in thousands) 
Total net revenues   15,472,430        1,485,711    1,051,284    (1,719,398)   16,290,027 
Service fee revenues of the primary beneficiary from the VIEs and the VIEs’ subsidiaries           1,411,509        (1,411,509)    
Other revenues   15,472,430        74,202    1,051,284    (307,889)   16,290,027 
Total operating costs and expenses   12,346,061    25,517    338,912    441,971    (1,719,398)   11,433,063 
Service fee expenses of the VIEs and the VIEs’ subsidiaries to the primary beneficiary   1,411,509                (1,411,509)    
Other operating costs and expenses   10,934,552    25,517    338,912    441,971    (307,889)   11,433,063 
Income (loss) from operations   3,126,369    (25,517)   1,146,799    609,313        4,856,964 
Income before income tax expense   3,364,788    20,536    1,258,871    633,256        5,277,451 
Investments in subsidiaries and VIEs       4,264,800    3,395,894    3,903,935    (11,564,629)    
Income from subsidiaries       4,264,800    580,495    3,903,935    (8,749,230)    
Income from contractual arrangements with the VIEs and the VIEs’ subsidiaries           2,815,399        (2,815,399)    
Net income (loss)   2,798,640    4,285,336    4,484,430    4,264,800    (11,564,629)   4,268,577 
Net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders of the Company   2,815,399    4,285,336    4,484,430    4,264,800    (11,564,629)   4,285,336 

 

 

 

 

Qifu Technology, Inc. 

July 11, 2025 

Page 5

 

   For the Year Ended December 31, 2022 
           Primary             
           Beneficiary             
   The VIEs and       of VIEs             
   the VIEs’       excluding the   Other         
   subsidiaries   The Company   Company(1) The WFOE   Subsidiaries   Eliminations   Consolidated Total 
   (RMB in thousands) 
Total net revenues   15,362,636        893,968    1,296,242    (998,916)   16,553,930 
Service fee revenues of the primary beneficiary from the VIEs and the VIEs’ subsidiaries           392,759        (392,759)    
Other revenues   15,362,636        501,209    1,296,242    (606,157)   16,553,930 
Total operating costs and expenses   11,681,635    17,468    421,181    960,378    (998,916)   12,081,746 
Service fee expenses of the VIEs and the VIEs’ subsidiaries to the primary beneficiary   392,759                (392,759)    
Other operating costs and expenses   11,288,876    17,468    421,181    960,378    (606,157)   12,081,746 
Income (loss) from operations   3,681,001    (17,468)   472,787    335,864        4,472,184 
Income (loss) before income tax expense   3,856,803    (34,045)   569,614    350,000        4,742,372 
Investments in subsidiaries and VIEs       4,058,218    3,526,061    3,793,486    (11,377,765)    
Income from subsidiaries       4,058,218    276,797    3,793,486    (8,128,501)    
Income from contractual arrangements with the VIEs and the VIEs’ subsidiaries           3,249,264        (3,249,264)    
Net income (loss)   3,230,659    4,024,173    4,070,283    4,058,218    (11,377,765)   4,005,568 
Net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders of the Company   3,249,264    4,024,173    4,070,283    4,058,218    (11,377,765)   4,024,173 

 

 

 

 

Qifu Technology, Inc. 

July 11, 2025 

Page 6

 

Page 13

 

Selected Condensed Consolidated Consolidating Balance Sheets Information

 

   As of December 31, 2024 
           Primary             
           Beneficiary             
   The VIEs and       of VIEs             
   the VIEs’       excluding the   Other         
   subsidiaries   The Company   Company(1) The WFOE   Subsidiaries   Eliminations   Consolidated Total 
   (RMB in thousands) 
Cash and cash equivalents   4,005,463    274,514    882    171,557        4,452,416 
Restricted cash   2,353,384                    2,353,384 
Security deposit prepaid to third-party guarantee companies   162,617                    162,617 
Short term investments   222    493,947    7,299    2,892,604         
Accounts receivable and contract assets, net   1,003,079            1,238,583        2,241,662 
Financial assets receivable, net   1,724,691                    1,724,691 
Loans receivable, net   29,252,177                    29,252,177 
Land use right, net   956,738                    956,738 
Intercompany receivables   9,121,175    3,016,777    2,483,739    2,490,196    (17,111,887)    
Investments in subsidiaries and VIEs       20,393,966    21,388,847    21,117,637    (62,900,450)    
Investment in subsidiaries       20,393,966    (688,464)   18,916,637    (38,622,139)    
Net assets of the VIEs and the VIEs’ subsidiaries           22,077,311    2,201,000    (24,278,311)    
Total assets   51,940,322    24,191,284    23,949,122    28,064,227    (80,012,337)   48,132,618 
Payable to investors of the consolidated trusts-current   10,389,454                (2,201,000)   8,188,454 
Guarantee liabilities-stand ready   2,383,202                    2,383,202 
Guarantee liabilities-contingent   1,820,350                    1,820,350 
Income tax payable   618,932        401,320    20,435        1,040,687 
Payable to investors of the consolidated trusts-noncurrent   5,719,600                    5,719,600 
Intercompany payables   4,897,887        4,826,527    7,387,474    (17,111,888)    
Total liabilities   29,806,836    1,241    5,720,949    7,670,261    (19,312,888)   23,886,399 
Total equity   22,133,486    24,190,043    18,228,173    20,393,966    (60,699,449)   24,246,219 

 

 

 

 

Qifu Technology, Inc.

July 11, 2025

Page 7

  

Page 14

 

   As of December 31, 2023 
           Primary             
           Beneficiary             
   The VIEs and       of VIEs             
   the VIEs’       excluding the   Other         
   subsidiaries   The Company   Company(1) The WFOE   Subsidiaries   Eliminations   Consolidated Total 
   (RMB in thousands) 
Cash and cash equivalents   4,037,256    2,636    114,897    23,101        4,177,890 
Restricted cash   3,381,107                    3,381,107 
Security deposit prepaid to third-party guarantee companies   207,071                    207,071 
Accounts receivable and contract assets, net   2,417,490            638,750        3,056,240 
Financial assets receivable, net   3,118,873                    3,118,873 
Loans receivable, net   27,502,492                    27,502,492 
Land use right, net   977,461                    977,461 
Intercompany receivables   2,559,164        1,571,102    2,728,150    (6,858,416)    
Investments in subsidiaries and VIEs       21,933,951    22,921,727    18,841,758    (63,697,436)    
Investment in subsidiaries       21,933,951    3,202,302    18,841,758    (43,978,011)    
Net assets of the VIEs and the VIEs’ subsidiaries           19,719,425        (19,719,425)    
Total assets   47,389,071    21,952,789    24,695,812    22,336,752    (70,555,852)   45,818,572 
Payable to investors of the consolidated trusts-current   8,942,291                    8,942,291 
Guarantee liabilities-stand ready   3,949,601                    3,949,601 
Guarantee liabilities-contingent   3,207,264                    3,207,264 
Income tax payable   648,893        79,806    13,511        742,210 
Payable to investors of the consolidated trusts-noncurrent   3,581,800                    3,581,800 
Intercompany payables   4,276,218    14,153    2,364,791    203,254    (6,858,416)    
Total liabilities   27,597,272    15,306    2,651,752    402,801    (6,858,416)   23,808,715 
Total equity   19,791,799    21,937,483    22,044,060    21,933,951    (63,697,436)   22,009,857 

 

 

 

 

Qifu Technology, Inc. 

July 11, 2025 

Page 8

 

Page 15

 

   As of December 31, 2022 
           Primary             
           Beneficiarys             
   The VIEs and       of VIEs             
   the VIEs’       excluding the   Other         
   subsidiaries   The Company   Company(1) The WFOE   Subsidiaries   Eliminations   Consolidated Total 
   (RMB in thousands) 
Cash and cash equivalents   6,437,420    464,323    175,243    88,598        7,165,584 
Restricted cash   3,346,779                    3,346,779 
Security deposit prepaid to third-party guarantee companies   396,699                    396,699 
Accounts receivable and contract assets, net   1,933,292            1,196,652        3,129,944 
Financial assets receivable, net   3,670,919                    3,670,919 
Loans receivable, net   18,484,656                    18,484,656 
Land use right, net   998,185                    998,185 
Intercompany receivables   5,906,972    295,180    2,030,097    4,163,777    (12,396,026)    
Investments in subsidiaries and VIEs       18,275,772    19,305,251    15,692,041    (53,273,064)    
Investment in subsidiaries       18,275,772    2,621,793    15,692,041    (36,589,606)    
Net assets of the VIEs and the VIEs’ subsidiaries           16,683,458        (16,683,458)    
Total assets   44,093,493    19,041,600    21,535,086    21,342,081    (65,669,090)   40,343,170 
Payable to investors of the consolidated trusts-current   6,099,520                    6,099,520 
Guarantee liabilities-stand ready   4,120,346                    4,120,346 
Guarantee liabilities-contingent   3,418,391                    3,418,391 
Income tax payable   614,687        33,295    13,033        661,015 
Payable to investors of the consolidated trusts-noncurrent   4,521,600                    4,521,600 
Intercompany payables   6,327,635        3,038,297    3,030,094    (12,396,026)    
Total liabilities   27,325,894    194,444    3,221,252    3,066,309    (12,396,026)   21,411,873 
Total equity   16,767,599    18,847,156    18,313,834    18,275,772    (53,273,064)   18,931,297 

 

Selected Condensed Consolidated Consolidating Cash Flows Information

 

Page 16

 

Note:

 

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

 

The Company undertakes to refer to the VIEs and the VIEs’ subsidiaries collectively as “VIEs and VIEs’ subsidiaries,” rather than as “consolidated VIEs” or “consolidated variable interest entities” in all relevant sections of future Form 20-F filings.

 

 

 

 

Qifu Technology, Inc. 

July 11, 2025 

Page 9

 

Risk Factors

Changes in China's economic, political or social conditions or government policies could have a material adverse effect..., page 54

 

2.We note changes you made to this risk factor disclosure relating to legal and operational risks associated with operating in China and PRC regulations. It is unclear to us that there have been changes in the regulatory environment in the PRC since the filing of your prior Form 20-F on April 26, 2024 that would warrant revised disclosure to mitigate the challenges you face and related disclosures. For additional guidance, refer to the Division of Corporation Finance’s Sample Letter to China-Based Companies, issued December 2021 and July 2023. In future filings, please restore your disclosure.

 

The Staff’s comment is duly noted. In response to the Staff’s comment, the Company respectfully proposes to revise the referenced disclosure as follows (page reference is made to the 2024 Form 20-F to illustrate the approximate location of the disclosure) in its future Form 20-F filings (with deletions shown as strike-through and additions underlined), subject to updates and adjustments to be made in connection with any material development of the subject matter being disclosed:

 

Page 54

 

Changes in China’s economic, political or social conditions or government policies could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

 

Substantially all of our operations are located in mainland China. Accordingly, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations may be influenced to a significant degree by political, economic and social conditions in China generally and by continued economic growth in China as a whole.

 

The Chinese economy differs from the economies of other countries in many respects, including, but not limited to the extent of government involvement, stage of development, growth rate, foreign exchange controls and strategic allocation of resources. While the Chinese government continues to advance market-oriented reforms, the authorities also maintain an active role through government investment and policy guidance. State-owned enterprises continue to operate in key sectors of the economy. In addition, the Chinese government continues to play a significant role in regulating industry development by imposing industrial policies. The Chinese government also exercises influence over China’s economic growth through guiding resources allocation, regulating payment of foreign currency-denominated obligations, setting monetary policy, and providing targeted support to certain industries.

 

While the Chinese economy has experienced significant growth over the past decades, there can be no assurance that the growth would be maintained or equitable across sectors. The Chinese government has implemented various measures to encourage economic growth and guide the allocation of resources. Some of these measures may benefit the overall Chinese economy, but may not have the same effect on us. For example, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected by government control over capital investments or changes in tax regulations.

 

 

 

 

Qifu Technology, Inc. 

July 11, 2025 

Page 10

  

The Company respectfully advises the Staff that the proposed revisions to the risk factor disclosure, as compared to the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2022 (the “2022 20-F”), are intended to streamline the language, avoid repetition, and more clearly reflect the current economic and regulatory conditions in the PRC. In accordance with the Division of Corporation Finance’s Sample Letter to China-Based Companies, issued December 2021 and July 2023, the risks relating to doing business in China have been prominently disclosed under the heading “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—The PRC government’s significant oversight and discretion over our business operation and any failure to comply with PRC laws and regulations could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of the ADSs” in the 2024 20-F filed on March 25, 2025. The Company will continue to monitor developments in the PRC regulatory and economic environment and will update its disclosure as appropriate in future filings.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Segment reporting, page F-32

 

3.We note the CODM uses consolidated net income to measure segment profit or loss, allocate resources and assess performance. Please revise to discuss how the CODM uses this measure in assessing segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources. Refer to 280-10-50-29(f) and the example at 280-10-55-54(c).

 

The Staff’s comment is duly noted.  In response to the Staff’s comment, the Company respectfully proposes to revise the referenced disclosure as follows (page reference is made to the 2024 Form 20-F to illustrate the approximate location of the disclosure) in its future Form 20-F filings (with deletions shown as strike-through and additions underlined), subject to updates and adjustments to be made in connection with any material development of the subject matter being disclosed:

 

Page F-32

 

The Group’s CODM has been identified as the Chief Executive Officer who reviews the consolidated results of operations when making decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance of the Group. The Group’s CODM manages the Company’s business activities as a single operating and reportable segment at the consolidated level. Accordingly, the Group’s CODM uses consolidated net income to measure segment profit or loss, allocate resources and assess performance. The CODM assesses performance for the segment by comparing actual versus budget results, and such results are used to decide whether to reinvest profits into the segment or to pay dividends. Significant segment expenses are the same as these presented under the operating costs and expenses in the consolidated statements of operations, and the difference between net revenue less the significant segment expenses and consolidated net income are the other segment items.

  

*       *       *

 

 

 

 

If you have any additional questions or comments regarding the 2024 Form 20-F, please contact the Company’s U.S. counsel, Haiping Li of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, at +86 21 6193 8210 or via e-mail at haiping.li@skadden.com or the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, Alex Xu, via e-mail at ir@qfin.com.

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  /s/ Alex Xu
  Alex Xu
  Chief Financial Officer

 

cc:Haisheng Wu, Chief Executive Officer and Director, Qifu Technology, Inc.
 Haiping Li, Esq., Partner, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP