股权变更后，海尔财务公司不再持有海尔消金股份，海尔消金的股东数量由5名降至4名。公司第一大股东海尔集团将合计持有海尔消金股份102410万股，且海尔集团对海尔消金的持股比例将进一步升至49%。其他股东的持股比例保持不变，分别是北京红星美凯龙国际家具建材广场有限公司持股25%；浙江逸荣投资有限公司持股16%；北京天同赛伯信息科技有限公司持股10%。①This corporate equity adjustment is to comply with the requirements in the 'Financial Management Measures for Corporate Financial Companies in Conglomerates' issued by the original China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission, which states 'financial companies are not allowed to issue bonds and invest in financial institutions and enterprises.' ②Some market views believe that the approval of this equity change may indicate that non-compliant stock consumer finance companies will need to rectify. However, several industry insiders interviewed also stated that such speculation is currently unfounded.
On November 15, Caixin reported (Reporter Guo Zishuo) that on November 15, the Qingdao Financial Regulatory Bureau issued an announcement approving Haier Group's acquisition of 397.1 million shares of Haier Consumer Finance Co., Ltd. by Haier Group Finance Co., Ltd., the first approval of equity changes for a consumer finance company since the official implementation of the 'Regulations on the Administration of Consumer Finance Companies'.
The number of shareholders decreased from 5 to 4 as Haier Finance Company exited.
After the equity change, Haier Finance Company no longer holds shares in Haier Consumer Finance, reducing the number of shareholders from 5 to 4. The largest shareholder, Haier Group, will collectively hold 1024.1 million shares of Haier Consumer Finance, and Haier Group's shareholding percentage in Haier Consumer Finance will further increase to 49%. The shareholding percentages of other shareholders remain unchanged, with Beijing Red Star Macalline International Furniture Building Materials Plaza Co., Ltd. holding 25%; Zhejiang Yirong Investment Co., Ltd. holding 16%; and Peking Tiantong Cyber Information Technology Co., Ltd. holding 10%.
Regarding this equity change, a person in charge of Haier Consumer Finance responded to Caixin reporters, 'This company's equity adjustment is to comply with the requirements of the original regulations issued by the former China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission in the 'Regulations on the Management of Financial Companies of Conglomerates', which state that 'financial companies are not allowed to issue bonds and invest in financial institutions and enterprises'. The company will strictly adhere to relevant laws and regulations to complete the equity change, which is conducive to further leveraging shareholder resources synergies, strengthening our strategic layout in the scenario finance field, and enhancing the level of financial consumption promotion.'
Established in December 2014, Haier Consumer Finance mainly relies on Haier Group's consumer scenarios to develop home appliance installment business. It is understood that Haier Consumer Finance has continued to increase its deployment in consumer scenarios this year, including home appliances, medical aesthetics, education, and other scenarios. On September 30, the Qingdao Financial Regulatory Bureau approved the increase of Haier Consumer Finance's registered capital from 1.5 billion yuan to 2.09 billion yuan. Currently, the National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System shows that Haier Consumer Finance's registered capital has been updated to 2.09 billion yuan.
The reasons for the adjustment continue to spark various speculations in the market.
However, Caixin reporters have noticed that although the direct reason for this equity adjustment is that the financial company is not allowed to invest in financial institutions, there are doubts within the industry regarding whether the shareholding ratios of major contributors in existing consumer finance companies need to be adjusted according to the 'Regulations on the Administration of Consumer Finance Companies'. Some market views on this news suggest that this could mean that non-compliant existing consumer finance companies may all need to make adjustments.
If the speculation is correct, then existing consumer finance companies will face a dual challenge of registered capital and shareholder holding ratios.
However, it is quite obvious that Haier Consumer Finance's response to Caixin reporters has refuted this speculation. Several industry insiders interviewed also indicated that the relevant speculation is currently unfounded.
An industry insider in North China told Caixin reporters, "It's not a mandatory requirement yet." Established consumer finance companies have not yet received guidance requiring "major investors to hold no less than 50% of the shares." Another consumer finance professional in East China also revealed to Caixin reporters that there is currently no mandatory requirement for existing consumer finance companies.
