Lufax Holding Ltd LU

SHANGHAI, May 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Lufax Holding Ltd ("Lufax" or the "Company") (NYSE: LU and HKEX: 6623), a leading financial services enabler for small business owners in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023.

First Quarter 2023 Financial Highlights

• Total income was RMB10,078 million (US$1,467 million) in the first quarter of 2023, compared to RMB17,316 million in the same period of 2022, representing a decrease of 41.8%.
• Net profit was RMB732 million (US$107 million) in the first quarter of 2023, compared to RMB5,290 million in the same period of 2022 and a net loss of RMB806 million in the fourth quarter of 2022.

First Quarter 2023 Operational Highlights

• Outstanding balance of loans enabled was RMB495.2 billion as of March 31, 2023, compared to RMB676.3 billion as of March 31, 2022, representing a decrease of 26.8%.
• Cumulative number of borrowers increased by 9.0% to approximately 19.4 million as of March 31, 2023 from approximately 17.8 million as of March 31, 2022.
• New loans enabled were RMB57.0 billion in the first quarter of 2023, compared to RMB164.3 billion in the same period of 2022, representing a decrease of 65.3%.
• During the first quarter of 2023, excluding the consumer finance subsidiary, the Company bore risk on 22.6% of its new loans enabled, up from 20.4% in the same period of 2022.
• As of March 31, 2023, including its consumer finance subsidiary, the Company bore risk on 24.5% of its outstanding balance, up from 19.4% as of March 31, 2022. Credit enhancement partners bore risk on 72.0% of outstanding balance, among which Ping An P&C accounted for a majority.
• For the first quarter of 2023, the Company's retail credit enablement business take rate^[1] based on loan balance was 7.3%, as compared to 9.7% for the first quarter of 2022.
• The C-M3 flow rate^[2] for the total loans the Company had enabled was 1.0% in the first quarter of 2023, remaining unchanged from the fourth quarter of 2022. Flow rates for the general unsecured loans and secured loans the Company had enabled were 1.2% and 0.5%, respectively, in the first quarter of 2023, as compared to 1.1% and 0.6%, respectively, in the fourth quarter of 2022.
• The days past due ("DPD") 30+ delinquency rate^[3] for the total loans the Company had enabled was 5.7% as of March 31, 2023, as compared to 4.6% as of December 31, 2022. The DPD 30+ delinquency rate for general unsecured loans was 6.4% as of March 31, 2023, as compared to 5.2% as of December 31, 2022. The DPD 30+ delinquency rate for secured loans was 3.2% as of March 31, 2023, as compared to 2.6% as of December 31, 2022.
• The DPD 90+ delinquency rate^[4] for the total loans the Company had enabled was 3.3% as of March 31, 2023, as compared to 2.6% as of December 31, 2022. The DPD 90+ delinquency rate for general unsecured loans was 3.7% as of March 31, 2023, as compared to 3.0% as of December 31, 2022. The DPD 90+ delinquency rate for secured loans was 1.9% as of March 31, 2023, as compared to 1.2% as of December 31, 2022.

Mr. YongSuk Cho, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lufax, commented, "Challenging economic and operating environments continued to impact our industry and our core SBO customers during the first quarter. Nevertheless, we observed some macro-level green shoots of recovery that leave us cautiously optimistic. Our own U-shaped recovery is also taking shape, with credit rating mix and credit quality for new loans improving, and our projections showing that credit charge-offs for risk-bearing loans will gradually decline in the second half of the year. Furthermore, our new loan growth became more concentrated in economically resilient geographies, creating a strong foundation for our future. To bolster this foundation, we enhanced our business model and increased our efficiencies by deploying new technology and optimizing our direct sales force. Meanwhile, we made promising progress in preparing our funding partners to utilize the model under which we provide the entire guarantee. Looking ahead, we will prioritize increasing the proportion of risk-bearing on new loans we enable. At the same time, we will better meet customer needs by further diversifying and cross-selling our products while continuing to augment our initiatives to recover past credit losses. Boosted by these efforts, a promising macro outlook, our Hong Kong listing, and the stable regulatory environment, we remain confident in our business model and that our U-shaped recovery is on track."

Mr. Gregory Gibb, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Lufax, commented, "Continuing macro headwinds impacted our performance during the first quarter. Responding to these challenges, we remained focused on executing our strategy of prioritizing higher-quality SBOs concentrated in more economically resilient geographies. As a result, the proportion of new unsecured loans enabled to R1 to R3 customers increased to 82%, average ticket size has grown, and the contribution from top- and middle-third regions reached 80%. While our retail credit model experienced a challenging quarter, our consumer finance business saw healthy growth, as the total outstanding balance of consumer finance loans grew to RMB29.6 billion. Furthermore, we continued implementing our shifting credit enhancement arrangements, helping to alleviate compressed take rates and increasing our risk-bearing by balance to 24.5% as of the end of first quarter. In addition, our SBO ecosystem has maintained its development momentum, with our value-added services platform, LuDianTong, reaching approximately 1.9 million registered customers. Looking ahead, we are cautiously optimistic for our U-shaped recovery, while being fully cognizant of the unevenness of the economic recovery."

Mr. David Choy, Chief Financial Officer of Lufax, commented, "Facing a challenging macro backdrop, we continued to enhance our business model and prudently optimize our expenses. Driven by these initiatives, we reduced our operating-related expenses by 22.8% on a year-over-year basis, and recorded a net profit of RMB732 million during the first quarter. On April 14, 2023, we successfully completed our listing in Hong Kong, widening our investor base and delivering more value for our shareholders. Our balance sheet remains solid, with our cash at bank balance increasing year over year to RMB51.3 billion. Furthermore, the leverage ratio for our guarantee subsidiary was 1.7x as of the end of the first quarter, well below the regulatory limit of 10x. In addition, liquid assets^[5] maturing in 90 days or less amounted to RMB40.2 billion as of the end of March 2023.While uncertainties remain in the macro environment, we remain confident in the resilience of our business model and our ability to deliver sustainable value and long-term growth for our shareholders."

First Quarter 2023 Financial Results

TOTAL INCOME

Total income was RMB10,078 million (US$1,467 million) in the first quarter of 2023, compared to RMB17,316 million in the same period of 2022, representing a decrease of 41.8%.

• Technology platform-based income was RMB5,010 million (US$730 million) in the first quarter of 2023, compared to RMB9,292 million in the same period of 2022, representing a decrease of 46.1%, due to 1) the decrease of retail credit service fees driven by the decrease in new loan sales and a lower take rate, and 2) the decrease of referral and other technology platform-based income driven by the decrease in transaction volume.
• Net interest income was RMB3,349 million (US$488 million) in the first quarter of 2023, compared to RMB4,984 million in the same period of 2022, representing a decrease of 32.8%, mainly due to the decrease in new loan sales and a lower take rate, partly offset by the increase of net interest income from the Company's consumer finance business.
• Guarantee income was RMB1,417 million (US$206 million) in the first quarter of 2023, compared to RMB1,902 million in the same period of 2022, representing a decrease of 25.5%, primarily due to the decrease in loan balance and a lower fee rate.
• Other income was RMB227 million (US$33 million) in the first quarter of 2023, compared to RMB704 million in the same period of 2022, mainly due to the decrease of fee structure that the Company charged to its primary credit enhancement partner.
• Investment income was RMB75 million (US$11 million) in the first quarter of 2023, compared to RMB435 million in the same period of 2022, mainly due to the decrease of fair value of risk assets and investment assets.

TOTAL EXPENSES

Total expenses decreased by 11.8% to RMB8,964 million (US$1,305 million) in the first quarter of 2023 from RMB10,163 million in the same period of 2022. This decrease was mainly driven by sales and marketing expenses, as sales and marketing expenses decreased by 32.4% to RMB3,030 million (US$441 million) in the first quarter of 2023 from RMB4,484 million in the same period of 2022. Total expenses excluding credit impairment losses, finance costs and other (gains)/losses decreased by 21.5% to RMB5,685 million (US$828 million) in the first quarter of 2023 from RMB7,247 million in the same period of 2022.

• Sales and marketing expenses decreased by 32.4% to RMB3,030 million (US$441 million) in the first quarter of 2023 from RMB4,484 million in the same period of 2022. The decrease was mainly due to 1) reductions in commissions driven by decreased new loan sales, 2) decreased investor acquisition and retention expenses and referral expenses from platform service driven by decreased transaction volume, and 3) decreased general sales and marketing expenses driven by the decrease in new loan sales.
• General and administrative expenses increased by 4.2% to RMB756 million (US$110 million) in the first quarter of 2023 from RMB726 million in the same period of 2022, mainly due to resilient fixed costs that are less impacted by decreased loan volume.
• Operation and servicing expenses decreased by 2.0% to RMB1,558 million (US$227 million) in the first quarter of 2023 from RMB1,590 million in the same period of 2022, primarily due to the Company's expense control measures and decrease of loan balance and new loan sales.
• Technology and analytics expenses decreased by 23.8% to RMB341 million (US$50 million) in the first quarter of 2023 from RMB448 million in the same period of 2022 as a result of the Company's improved efficiency.
• Credit impairment losses were RMB3,132 million (US$456 million) in the first quarter of 2023, compared to RMB2,824 million in the same period of 2022, representing an increase of 10.9%, mainly driven by the increase of indemnity losses as a result of worsening credit performance due in large part to the challenging macroeconomic environment, partly offset by the decrease in provision driven by the decreased loan balance.
• Finance costs decreased by 10.5% to RMB189 million (US$27 million) in the first quarter of 2023 from RMB211 million in the same period of 2022, mainly due to the increase of interest income from bank deposits, partly offset by the increase of interest expenses driven by increased interest rates.

NET PROFIT

Net profit was RMB732 million (US$107 million) in the first quarter of 2023, compared to RMB5,290 million in the same period of 2022, as a result of the aforementioned factors.

EARNINGS PER ADS

Basic and diluted earnings per American depositary share ("ADS") were both RMB0.30 (US$0.04) in the first quarter of 2023. Each two ADSs represents one ordinary share ("Share").

BALANCE SHEET

The Company had RMB51,303 million (US$7,470 million) in cash at bank as of March 31, 2023, as compared to RMB43,882 million as of December 31, 2022. Net assets of the Company amounted to RMB94,968 million (US$13,828 million) as of March 31, 2023, as compared to RMB94,787 million as of December 31, 2022.

Recent Developments­

Successful Listing on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong

On April 14, 2023, the Company announced that it had successfully listed, by way of introduction, its Shares on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the "HKEX"). The Shares are traded on the Main Board of the HKEX under the stock code "6623" in board lots of 100 Shares, and the stock short name is "LUFAX". The Company's ADSs will continue to be listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE"). The Shares listed on the Main Board of the HKEX are fully fungible with the Shares underlying the ADSs listed on the NYSE.

Conference Call Information

The Company's management will hold an earnings conference call at 9:00 P.M. U.S. Eastern Time on Monday, May 22, 2023 (9:00 A.M. Beijing Time on Tuesday, May 23, 2023) to discuss the financial results. For participants who wish to join the call, please complete online registration using the link provided below in advance of the conference call. Upon registering, each participant will receive a participant dial-in number, the Direct Event passcode, and a unique access PIN, which can be used to join the conference call.

Registration Link: https://www.netroadshow.com/events/login?show=518734ce&confId=51041

A replay of the conference call will be accessible through May 29, 2023 (dial-in numbers: +1 (866) 813-9403 or +1 (929) 458-6194; replay access code: 728031). A live and archived webcast of the conference call will also be available at the Company's investor relations website at https://ir.lufaxholding.com.

About Lufax

Lufax is a leading financial services enabler for small business owners in China. The Company offers financing products designed principally to address the needs of small business owners. In doing so, the Company has established relationships with over 550 financial institutions in China, many of which have worked with the Company for over three years. These financial institutions provide funding and credit enhancement for the loans the Company enables as well as other products to enrich the small business owner ecosystem that the Company is creating.

Exchange Rate Information

This announcement contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollars at a specified rate solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from RMB to U.S. dollars are made at a rate of RMB6.8676 to US$1.00, the rate in effect as of March 31, 2023, as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Lufax's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Lufax has based these forward-looking statements largely on its current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends, which involve known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company's control. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about Lufax's goals and strategies; Lufax's future business development, financial condition and results of operations; expected changes in Lufax's income, expenses or expenditures; expected growth of the retail credit enablement; Lufax's expectations regarding demand for, and market acceptance of, its services; Lufax's expectations regarding its relationship with borrowers, platform investors, funding sources, product providers and other business partners; general economic and business conditions; and government policies and regulations relating to the industry Lufax operates in. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Lufax's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and Lufax does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

Investor Relations Contact

Lufax Holding Ltd
Email: Investor_Relations@lu.com

ICR, LLC
Robin Yang
Tel: +1 (646) 308-0546
Email: lufax.ir@icrinc.com

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SOURCE Lufax Holding Ltd