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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

NOTE 3 SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

These accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect the application of certain significant accounting policies as described in this note and elsewhere in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes.

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of AGBA and its subsidiaries. A subsidiary is an entity (including a structured entity), directly or indirectly, controlled by the Company. The financial statements of the subsidiaries are prepared for the same reporting period as the Company, using consistent accounting policies. All intercompany transactions and balances between AGBA and its subsidiaries are eliminated upon consolidation.

 

Emerging Growth Company

 

The Company is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), and it may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.

 

Further, 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. This may make comparison of the Company’s consolidated financial statements with another public company, which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.

 

Use of Estimates and Assumptions

 

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the years presented. Significant accounting estimates reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements include the useful lives of property and equipment, impairment of long-lived assets, allowance for expected credit losses, notes receivable, share-based compensation, warrant liabilities, forward share purchase liability, provision for contingent liabilities, revenue recognition, leases, income tax provision, deferred taxes and uncertain tax position, and allocation of expenses from the holding company.

 

The inputs into the management’s judgments and estimates consider the geopolitical tension, inflationary and high interest rate environment and other macroeconomic factors on the Company’s critical and significant accounting estimates. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

 

Foreign Currency Translation and Transaction

 

Transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are translated into the functional currency at the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are translated into the functional currency using the applicable exchange rates at the balance sheet dates. The resulting exchange differences are recorded in the statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

 

The reporting currency of the Company is US$ and the accompanying consolidated financial statements have been expressed in US$. In addition, the Company and subsidiaries are operating in Hong Kong maintain their books and record in their local currency, Hong Kong dollars (“HK$”), which is a functional currency as being the primary currency of the economic environment in which their operations are conducted. In general, for consolidation purposes, assets and liabilities of its subsidiaries whose functional currency is not US$ are translated into US$, in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 830-30, Translation of Financial Statement, using the exchange rate on the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at average rates prevailing during the year. The gains and losses resulting from translation of financial statements of foreign subsidiaries are recorded as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive loss within the statements of changes in shareholders’ equity.

 

Translation of amounts from HK$ into US$ has been made at the following exchange rates for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:

 

   December 31,
2023
   December 31,
2022
 
Year-end HK$:US$ exchange rate   0.1281    0.1281 
Annual average HK$:US$ exchange rate   0.1277    0.1277 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

Cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of cash in readily available checking and saving accounts. They consist of highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to cash and that mature within three months or less from the date of purchase. The carrying amounts approximate fair value due to the short maturities of these instruments. The Company maintains most of its bank accounts in Hong Kong and Hong Kong is not protected by Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance. However, management does not believe there is a significant risk of loss.

 

Restricted Cash

 

Restricted cash consist of funds held in escrow accounts reflecting (i) the restricted cash and cash equivalents maintained in certain bank accounts that are held for the exclusive interest of the Company’s customers and (ii) the full obligation to an investor in connection with the Meteora Backstop Agreement (see Note 5 for the details of the Meteora Backstop Agreement).

 

The Company restricts the use of the assets underlying the funds held in escrow to meet with regulatory or contractual requirements and classifies the assets as current based on their purpose and availability to fulfill its direct obligation under current liabilities.

 

Accounts Receivable, net

 

Accounts receivable, net include trade accounts due from customers in insurance brokerage and asset management businesses, less the allowance for expected credit losses.

 

Accounts receivable, net are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest, which are due within contractual payment terms. The normal settlement terms of accounts receivable from insurance companies in the provision of brokerage agency services are within 30 days upon the execution of the insurance policies. Credit terms with the products providers of investment, unit and mutual funds and asset portfolio are mainly 90 days or a credit period mutually agreed between the contracting parties. The Company seeks to maintain strict control over its outstanding receivables to minimize credit risk. Overdue balances are reviewed regularly by senior management. Management reviews its receivables on a regular basis to determine if the allowance for expected credit losses is adequate and provides allowance when necessary.

 

The Company does not hold any collateral or other credit enhancements over its accounts receivable balances.

 

Loans Receivable, net

 

Loans receivable, net are related to residential mortgage loans that are carried at unpaid principal and interest balances, less the allowance for expected credit losses on loans receivable and charge-offs.

 

Loans are placed on nonaccrual status when they are past due 180 days or more as to contractual obligations or when other circumstances indicate that collection is not probable. When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, any interest accrued but not received is reversed against interest income. Payments received on a nonaccrual loan are either applied to protective advances, the outstanding principal balance or recorded as interest income, depending on an assessment of the ability to collect the loan. A nonaccrual loan may be restored to accrual status when principal and interest payments have been brought current and the loan has performed in accordance with its contractual terms for a reasonable period (generally six months).

 

If the Company determines that a loan is impaired, the Company next determines the amount of the impairment. The amount of impairment on collateral dependent loans is charged off within the given fiscal quarter. Generally the amount of the loan and negative escrow in excess of the appraised value less estimated selling costs, for the fair value of collateral valuation method, is charged off. For all other loans, impairment is measured as described below in “Allowance for Expected Credit Losses on Financial Instruments”.

 

Allowance for Expected Credit Losses on Financial Instruments

 

In accordance with ASC Topic 326 “Credit Losses – Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” (ASC Topic 326), the Company utilizes the current expected credit losses (“CECL”) model to determine an allowance that reflects its best estimate of the expected credit losses on accounts receivable, loans receivable, notes receivable, and deposits, prepayments and others receivable which is recorded as a liability to offset the receivables. The CECL model is prepared after considering historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable economic forecasts to estimate expected credit losses. Accounts receivable, loans receivable, notes receivable, and deposits, prepayments, and others receivable are written off when deemed uncollectible. Recoveries of receivables previously written off are recorded as a reduction of bad debt expense.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the aggregated allowance for expected credit losses on accounts receivable, loans receivable, notes receivable, and other receivables was $1,077,184 and $16,509, respectively.

 

Deposit, prepayments, and other receivables, net

 

Deposit, prepayments, and other receivables, net represented the deposit paid for technology systems and services, prepayments for various consultancy services and other operating expenses such as insurance premium less the allowance for expected credit losses. It is presented under the current assets of the consolidated balance sheets based on the expected collection date.

 

Rental deposit, net

 

Rental deposit, net represented the deposit paid for the long-term office leases, less the allowance for expected credit losses. It is presented under the non-current assets of the consolidated balance sheet based on the expected collection date.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company has evaluated the probable losses on the rental deposits and made an allowance for expected credit losses of $14,833 and nil, respectively.

 

Long-Term Investments, net

 

The Company invests in equity securities with readily determinable fair values and equity securities that do not have readily determinable fair values.

 

Equity securities with readily determinable fair values are carried at fair value with any unrealized gains or losses reported in earnings.

 

Equity securities that do not have readily determinable fair values mainly consist of investments in privately-held companies. They are accounted for, at cost, less any impairment, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or similar investment of the same issuer.

 

At each reporting period, the Company makes a qualitative assessment considering impairment indicators to evaluate whether the investment is impaired.

 

Property and Equipment, net

 

Property and equipment, net are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses, if any. Depreciation is calculated on the straight-line basis over the following expected useful lives from the date on which they become fully operational and after taking into account their estimated residual values, if any:

 

   Expected useful life
Land and building  Shorter of 50 years or lease term
Furniture, fixtures and equipment  5 years
Computer equipment  3 years
Motor vehicle  3 years

 

Expenditure for repairs and maintenance is expensed as incurred. When assets have retired or sold, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is recognized in the results of operations.

 

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

 

In accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 360, Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, all long-lived assets such as property and equipment owned and held by the Company are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is evaluated by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to its estimated future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amounts of the assets exceed the fair value of the assets. No impairment losses were recognized for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

 

Accounts Payable

 

Accounts payable represent commission payable to the Company’s financial advisors for the sale of investment funds, investment products, or insurance products. The carrying amount approximates fair value because of the short-term maturity.

 

Borrowings

 

Borrowings are recognized at fair value and repayable in the next twelve months. Interest expense is recognized on a fixed interest rate on the consolidated statements of operations.

 

Warrants Liabilities

 

The Company accounts for warrants as either equity-classified or liability-classified instruments based on an assessment of the warrant’s specific terms and applicable authoritative guidance in ASC Topic 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (“ASC 480”) and ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”). The assessment considers whether the warrants are freestanding financial instruments pursuant to ASC 480, meet the definition of a liability pursuant to ASC 480, and whether the warrants meet all of the requirements for equity classification under ASC 815, including whether the warrants are indexed to the Company’s own ordinary shares and whether the warrant holders could potentially require “net cash settlement” in a circumstance outside of the Company’s control, among other conditions for equity classification. This assessment, which requires the use of professional judgment, is conducted at the time of warrant issuance and as of each subsequent quarterly period end date while the warrants are outstanding.

 

For issued or modified warrants that meet all of the criteria for equity classification, the warrants are required to be recorded as a component of equity at the time of issuance. For issued or modified warrants that do not meet all the criteria for equity classification, the warrants are required to be recorded as liabilities at their initial fair value on the date of issuance, and each balance sheet date thereafter. Changes in the estimated fair value of the warrants are recognized as a non-cash gain or loss on the consolidated statements of operations. The Company accounts for its Public Warrants as equity and the Private Warrants as liabilities.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

The Company earns and receives most of its non-interest income from contracts with customers, which are accounted for in accordance with Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“ASC Topic 606”).

 

ASC Topic 606 provided the following overview of how revenue is recognized from the Company’s contracts with customers: The Company recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.

 

Step 1: Identify the contract(s) with a customer.

 

Step 2: Identify the performance obligations in the contract.

 

Step 3: Determine the transaction price – The transaction price is the amount of consideration in a contract to which an entity expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring promised goods or services to a customer.

 

Step 4: Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract – Any entity typically allocates the transaction price to each performance obligation on the basis of the relative standalone selling prices of each distinct good or service promised in the contract.

 

Step 5: Recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation – An entity recognizes revenue when (or as) it satisfies a performance obligation by transferring a promised good or service to a customer (which is when the customer obtains control of that good or service). The amount of revenue recognized is the amount allocated to the satisfied performance obligation. A performance obligation may be satisfied at a point in time (typically for promises to transfer goods to a customer) or over time (typically for promises to transfer service to a customer).

 

Certain portion of the Company’s income is derived from contracts with customers, and as such, the revenue recognized depicts the transfer of promised goods or services to its customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The Company considers the terms of the contract and all relevant facts and circumstances when applying this guidance. The Company’s revenue recognition policies are in compliance with ASC Topic 606, as follows:

 

Commissions

 

The Company earns commissions from the sale of investment products to customers, who are insurance companies and fund houses. The Company enters into commission agreements with customers which specify the key terms and conditions of the arrangement. Commissions are separately negotiated for each transaction and generally do not include rights of return, credits or discounts, rebates, price protection or other similar privileges, and typically paid on or shortly after the transaction is completed. Upon the purchase of an investment product by customer, the Company earns a commission from customers, calculated as a fixed percentage of the investment products acquired by its customers. The Company defines the “purchase of an investment product” for its revenue recognition purpose as the time when the customers referred by the Company has entered into a subscription contract with the relevant product provider and, if required, the customer has transferred a deposit to an escrow account designated by the Company to complete the purchase of the investment products. After the contract is established, there are no significant judgments made when determining the commission price. Therefore, commissions are recorded at point in time when the investment product is purchased.

 

The Company also facilitates the arrangement between insurance providers and individuals or businesses by providing insurance placement services to the insured and is compensated in the form of commission from the respective insurance providers. The Company primarily facilitates the placement of life, general and MPF insurance products. The Company determines that insurance providers are the customers.

 

The Company primarily earns commission income arising from the facilitation of the placement of an effective insurance policy, which is recognized at a point in time when the performance obligation has been satisfied upon execution of the insurance policy as the Company has no future or ongoing obligation with respect to such policies. The commission fee rate, which is paid by the insurance providers, based on the terms specified in the service contract which are agreed between the Company and insurance providers for each insurance product being facilitated through the Company. The commission earned is equal to a percentage of the premium paid to the insurance provider. Commission from renewed policies is variable consideration and is recognized in subsequent periods when the uncertainty around variable consideration is subsequently resolved (e.g., when customer renews the policy).

 

In accordance with ASC Topic 606, Revenue Recognition: Principal Agent Considerations, the Company evaluates the terms in the agreements with its channels and independent contractors to determine whether or not the Company acts as the principal or as an agent in the arrangement with each party respectively. The determination of whether to record the revenue in a gross or net basis depends upon whether the Company has control over the services prior to transferring it. Control is demonstrated by the Company which is primarily responsible for fulfilling the provision of placement services through the Company’s licensed insurance brokers to provide agency services. The commissions from insurance providers are recorded on a gross basis and commission paid to independent contractors or channel costs are recorded as commission expense in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

 

The Company also offers the sale solicitation of real estate property to the final customers and is compensated in the form of commissions from the corresponding property developers pursuant to the service contracts. Commission income is recognized at a point of time upon the sale contracts of real estate property is signed and executed.

 

Recurring Asset Management Service Fees

 

The Company provides asset management services to investment funds or investment product providers in exchange for recurring asset management service fees. Recurring asset management service fees are determined based on the types of investment products the Company distributes and are calculated as a fixed percentage of the fair value of the total investment of the investment products, calculated daily. These customer contracts require the Company to provide investment management services, which represents a performance obligation that the Company satisfies over time. After the contract is established, there are no significant judgments made when determining the transaction price. As the Company provides these services throughout the contract term, for the method of calculating recurring asset management service fees, revenue is calculated on a daily basis over the contract term, quarterly billed and recognized. Recurring service agreements do not include rights of return, credits or discounts, rebates, price protection, performance component or other similar privileges and the circumstances under which the fixed percentage fees, before determined, could be not subject to clawback. Payment of recurring asset management service fees are normally on a regular basis (typically monthly or quarterly).

 

Interest Income

 

The Company offers money lending services from loan origination in form of mortgage and personal loans. Interest income is recognized monthly in accordance with their contractual terms and recorded as interest income in the consolidated statement of operations. The Company does not charge prepayment penalties from its customers. Interest income on mortgage and personal loans is recognized as it accrued using the effective interest method. Accrual of interest income on mortgage loans is suspended at the earlier of the time at which collection of an account becomes doubtful or the account becomes 180 days delinquent.

 

Disaggregation of Revenue

 

The Company has disaggregated its revenue from contracts with customers into categories based on the nature of the revenue. The following table presents the revenue streams by segments, with the presentation of revenue categories presented on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the years indicated:

 

   For the year ended December 31, 2023 
   Distribution Business   Platform Business     
   Insurance brokerage service   Asset management service   Money
lending
service
   Real estate agency
service
   Total 
                     
Interest income:                    
Loans  $
   $
   $157,190   $
   $157,190 
                          
Non-interest income:                         
Commissions   48,886,928    1,138,432    
    43,576    50,068,936 
Recurring asset management service fees   
    3,963,061    
    
    3,963,061 
                          
   $48,886,928   $5,101,493   $157,190   $43,576   $54,189,187 

 

   For the year ended December 31, 2022 
   Distribution Business   Platform Business     
   Insurance brokerage service   Asset management service   Money
lending
service
   Real estate agency
service
   Total 
                     
Interest income:                    
Loans  $
   $
   $176,175   $
   $176,175 
                          
Non-interest income:                         
Commissions   24,610,309    1,764,310    
    187,072    26,561,691 
Recurring asset management service fees   
    4,342,361    
    
    4,342,361 
                          
   $24,610,309   $6,106,671   $176,175   $187,072   $31,080,227 

 

Rental Income

 

Rental income represents monthly rental received from the Company’s tenants. The Company recognizes rental income on a straight-line basis over the lease term in accordance with the lease agreement.

 

Cost Allocation

 

Cost allocation includes allocation of certain general and administrative, sales and marketing expenses and other operating costs paid by the holding company. General and administrative expenses consist primarily of payroll and related expenses of senior management and the Company’s employees, shared management expenses, including accounting, consulting, legal support services, rent, and other expenses to provide operating support to the related businesses. Allocated sales and marketing expense was mainly marketing expenses. These allocations are made using a proportional cost allocation method by considering the proportion of revenues, headcounts as well as estimates of time spent on the provision of services attributable to the Company.

 

Sales and Marketing

 

Sales and marketing expenses include the costs of advertising, promotions, seminars, and other programs. In accordance with ASC Topic 720-35, Advertising Costs, advertising costs are expensed as incurred.

 

Research and Development

 

Research and development expenses include the costs of developing software for business purpose and costs to improve the business operation flow. All research and development costs are expensed as incurred.

 

Comprehensive Loss

 

ASC Topic 220, Comprehensive Income, establishes standards for reporting and display of comprehensive income, its components and accumulated balances. Comprehensive (loss) income as defined includes all changes in equity during a period from non-owner sources. Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, as presented in the accompanying consolidated statements of changes in shareholders’ equity, consists of changes in unrealized gains and losses on foreign currency translation. This comprehensive (loss) income is not included in the computation of income tax expense or benefit.

 

Employee Benefits

 

Full time employees of the Hong Kong subsidiaries participate in a defined contribution Mandatory Provident Fund retirement benefit scheme under the Hong Kong Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance. Contributions are made by both the employer and the employee at the rate of 5% on the employee’s relevant salary, subject to a salary cap of $3,846 (HK$30,000).

 

Income Taxes

 

Income taxes are determined in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes (“ASC Topic 740”). Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted income tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Any effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

 

ASC Topic 740 prescribes a comprehensive model for how companies should recognize, measure, present, and disclose in their financial statements uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return. Under ASC Topic 740, tax positions must initially be recognized in the financial statements when it is more likely than not the position will be sustained upon examination by the tax authorities. Such tax positions must initially and subsequently be measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the tax authority assuming full knowledge of the position and relevant facts.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company did not have any interest and penalties associated with tax positions. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company did not have any significant unrecognized uncertain tax positions.

 

The Company is subject to tax in local and foreign jurisdiction. As a result of its business activities, the Company files tax returns that are subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities.

 

Share-Based Compensation

 

The Company accounts for share-based compensation in accordance with the fair value recognition provision of ASC Topic 718, Stock Compensation. The Company grants share awards, including ordinary shares and restricted share units, to eligible participants. Share-based compensation expense for share awards is measured at fair value on the grant date. The fair value of restricted stock with either solely a service requirement or with the combination of service and performance requirements is based on the closing fair market value of the ordinary shares on the date of grant.  Share-based compensation expense is recognized over the awards requisite service period. For awards with graded vesting that are subject only to a service condition, the expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the service period for the entire award.

 

Net Loss Per Share

 

The Company computes earnings per share (“EPS”) in accordance with ASC Topic 260, Earnings per Share (“ASC Topic 260”). ASC Topic 260 requires companies to present basic and diluted EPS. Basic EPS is measured as net loss divided by the weighted average ordinary share outstanding for the year. Diluted EPS presents the dilutive effect on a per share basis of the potential ordinary shares (e.g., convertible securities, options and warrants) as if they had been converted at the beginning of the periods presented, or issuance date, if later. Potential ordinary shares that have an anti-dilutive effect (i.e., those that increase income per share or decrease loss per share) are excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, there were no dilution impact.

 

Segment Reporting

 

ASC Topic 280, Segment Reporting, establishes standards for reporting information about operating segments on a basis consistent with the Company’s internal organizational structure as well as information about geographical areas, business segments and major customers in financial statements for details on the Company’s business segments.

 

The Company uses the management approach to determine reportable operating segments. The management approach considers the internal organization and reporting used by the Company’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) for making decisions, allocating resources and assessing performance. The Company’s CODM has been identified as the CEO, who reviews consolidated results when making decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance of the Company. Based on management’s assessment, the Company determined that it has the following operating segments:

 

Segments   Scope of Service   Business Activities
         
Distribution Business   Insurance Brokerage Service Facilitating the placement of insurance, investment, real estate and other financial products and services to our customers, through licensed brokers, in exchange for initial and ongoing commissions received from product providers, including insurance companies, fund houses and other product specialists.
         
Platform Business - Asset Management Service - Providing access to financial products and services to licensed brokers.
      - Providing operational support for the submission and processing of product applications.
      - Providing supporting tools for commission calculations, customer engagement, sales team management, customer conversion, etc.
      - Providing training resources and materials.
      - Facilitating the placement of investment products for the fund and/or product provider, in exchange for the fund management services
         
  - Money Lending Service   Providing the lending services whereby the Company makes secured and/or unsecured loans to creditworthy customers
         
  - Real Estate Agency Service   Solicitation of real estate sales for the developers, in exchange for commissions
         
Fintech Business   Investment Holding   Managing an ensemble of fintech investments
         
Healthcare Business   Investment Holding   Managing an ensemble of healthcare-related investments

 

All of the Company’s revenues were generated in Hong Kong for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 and all of the Company’s non-current assets were located in Hong Kong as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.

 

Leases

 

The Company follows ASC Topic 842, Leases (“ASC Topic 842”), utilizing the modified retrospective transition method with no adjustments to comparative periods presented. On February 25, 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (ASC Topic 842), to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing transactions. ASC Topic 842 requires that lessees recognize right-of-use asset and lease liabilities calculated based on the present value of lease payments for all lease agreements with terms that are greater than twelve months. It requires for leases longer than one year, a lessee to recognize in the statement of financial condition a right-of-use asset, representing the right to use the underlying asset for the lease term, and a lease liability, representing the liability to make lease payments. ASC Topic 842 distinguishes leases as either a finance lease or an operating lease that affects how the leases are measured and presented in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss and statements of cash flows. ASC Topic 842 supersedes nearly all existing lease accounting guidance under GAAP issued by the FASB including ASC Topic 840, Leases.

 

When determining the lease term, the Company includes options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that it will exercise that option, if any. As the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company used an incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The Company has elected to adopt the following lease policies in conjunction with the adoption of ASU 2016-02: (i) for leases that have lease terms of 12 months or less and does not include a purchase option that is reasonably certain to exercise, the Company elected not to apply ASC 842 recognition requirements; and (ii) the Company elected to apply the package of practical expedients for existing arrangements entered into prior to January 1, 2021 to not reassess (a) whether an arrangement is or contains a lease, (b) the lease classification applied to existing leases, and (c) initial direct costs. The Company has not entered any lease agreements with lease terms of 12 months or less during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. The Company elected not to separate non-lease components from lease components; therefore, it will account for lease component and the non-lease components as a single lease component when there is only one vendor in the lease contract for the office leases. Lease payments are fixed.

 

The accounting update also requires that for operating leases, a lessee recognize interest expense on the lease liability and the amortization of the right-of-use asset as a combined expense. In addition, this accounting update requires expanded disclosures about the nature and terms of lease agreements.

 

Related Parties

 

The Company follows the ASC Topic 850-10, Related Party for the identification of related parties and disclosure of related party transactions.

 

Pursuant to section 850-10-20, the related parties include: a) affiliates of the Company; b) entities for which investments in their equity securities would be required, absent the election of the fair value option under the Fair Value Option Subsection of section 825–10–15, to be accounted for by the equity method by the investing entity; c) trusts for the benefit of employees, such as pension and income-sharing trusts that are managed by or under the trusteeship of management; d) principal owners of the Company; e) management of the Company; f) other parties with which the Company may deal if one party controls or can significantly influence the management or operating policies of the other to an extent that one of the transacting parties might be prevented from fully pursuing its own separate interests; and g) other parties that can significantly influence the management or operating policies of the transacting parties or that have an ownership interest in one of the transacting parties and can significantly influence the other to an extent that one or more of the transacting parties might be prevented from fully pursuing its own separate interests.

 

The consolidated financial statements shall include disclosures of material related party transactions, other than compensation arrangements, expense allowances, and other similar items in the ordinary course of business. However, disclosure of transactions that are eliminated in the preparation of consolidated financial statements is not required in those statements. The disclosures shall include: a) the nature of the relationship(s) involved; b) a description of the transactions, including transactions to which no amounts or nominal amounts were ascribed, for each of the periods for which statements of operations are presented, and such other information deemed necessary to an understanding of the effects of the transactions on the consolidated financial statements; c) the dollar amounts of transactions for each of the periods for which statements of operations are presented and the effects of any change in the method of establishing the terms from that used in the preceding period; and d) amount due from or to related parties as of the date of each balance sheet presented and, if not otherwise apparent, the terms and manner of settlement.

 

Commitments and Contingencies

 

The Company follows the ASC Topic 450-20, Commitments to report accounting for contingencies. Certain conditions may exist as of the date the consolidated financial statements are issued, which may result in a loss to the Company but which will only be resolved when one or more future events occur or fail to occur. The Company assesses such contingent liabilities, and such assessment inherently involves an exercise of judgment. In assessing loss contingencies related to legal proceedings that are pending against the Company or un-asserted claims that may result in such proceedings, the Company evaluates the perceived merits of any legal proceedings or un-asserted claims as well as the perceived merits of the amount of relief sought or expected to be sought therein.

 

If the assessment of a contingency indicates that it is probable that a material loss has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be estimated, then the estimated liability would be accrued in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. If the assessment indicates that a potentially material loss contingency is not probable but is reasonably possible, or is probable but cannot be estimated, then the nature of the contingent liability, and an estimate of the range of possible losses, if determinable and material, would be disclosed.

 

Loss contingencies considered remote are generally not disclosed unless they involve guarantees, in which case the guarantees would be disclosed. Management does not believe, based upon information available at this time that these matters will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows. However, there is no assurance that such matters will not materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, financial position, and results of operations or cash flows.

 

Fair Value Measurement

 

The Company follows the guidance of the ASC Topic 820-10, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC Topic 820-10”), with respect to financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value. ASC Topic 820-10 establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:

 

Level 1 : Inputs are based upon unadjusted quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets;

 

  Level 2 : Inputs are based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuation techniques (e.g. Black-Scholes Option-Pricing model) for which all significant inputs are observable in the market or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. Where applicable, these models project future cash flows and discount the future amounts to a present value using market-based observable inputs; and

 

  Level 3 : Inputs are generally unobservable and typically reflect management’s estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. The fair values are therefore determined using model-based techniques, including option pricing models and discounted cash flow models.

 

The carrying value of the Company’s financial instruments: cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, loans and notes receivable, deposits, prepayments and other receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, escrow liabilities, borrowings and amounts due to the holding company approximate at their fair values because of the short-term nature of these financial instruments.

 

Management believes, based on the current market prices or interest rates for similar debt instruments, the fair value of loans receivable approximates the carrying amount. The Company accounts for loans receivable at cost, subject to expected credit losses assessment.

 

The following table presents information about the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques the Company utilized to determine such fair value.

 

   As of
December 31,
   Quoted Prices
in Active Markets
   Significant Other
Observable
Inputs
   Significant Other
Unobservable
Inputs
 
Description  2023   (Level 1)   (Level 2)   (Level 3) 
                 
Assets:                    
Marketable equity securities  $595   $595   $
     —
   $
      —
 

 

   As of December 31,   Quoted Prices
in Active Markets
   Significant Other
Observable
Inputs
   Significant Other
Unobservable
Inputs
 
Description  2022   (Level 1)   (Level 2)   (Level 3) 
                 
Assets:                
Marketable equity securities  $2,443,593   $2,443,593   $
     —
   $
 
                     
Liabilities:                    
Forward share purchase liability  $13,491,606   $
   $
   $13,491,606 
Warrant liabilities   4,548    
    
    4,548 
Total  $13,496,154   $
   $
   $13,496,154 

 

Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time based on relevant market information about the financial instruments. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and, therefore, cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the FASB or other standard setting bodies and adopted by the Company as of the specified effective date. Unless otherwise discussed, the Company believes that the impact of recently issued standards that are not yet effective will not have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations upon adoption.

 

Recently adopted accounting standards

 

In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016 - 13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016 - 13”). ASU 2016 - 13 added a new impairment model (known as the CECL model) that is based on expected losses rather than incurred losses. Under the new guidance, an entity recognizes as an allowance its estimate of expected credit losses. The CECL model applies to most debt instruments, accounts receivables, notes receivables, loans receivable, financial guarantee contracts, and other loan commitments. The CECL model does not have a minimum threshold for recognition of impairment losses and entities will need to measure expected credit losses on assets that have a low risk of loss. As an emerging growth company, the Company was permitted to adopt the new standard for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company has adopted the new standard effective January 1, 2023, which didn’t have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

 

New accounting standards not yet adopted

 

In November 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280), Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. The purpose of the update was to improve financial reporting by requiring disclosures of incremental segment information on an annual and interim basis for all public entities to enable investors to develop more decision-useful financial analyses. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted and requires retrospective application to all periods presented in the consolidated financial statements. Management is evaluating the impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (ASU 2023-09), which requires disclosure of incremental income tax information within the rate reconciliation and expanded disclosures of income taxes paid, among other disclosure requirements. ASU 2023-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The Company’s management does not believe the adoption of ASU 2023-09 will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

 

Except for the above-mentioned pronouncements, there are no new recent issued accounting standards that will have a material impact on the consolidated balance sheets, statements of operations and comprehensive loss and cash flows.