Core Viewpoint - Ant Group's consumer finance arm, Ant Consumer Finance, has achieved significant revenue and profit growth in 2024, but faces serious challenges including rising bad debts, compliance risks, and issues with collection practices [2][4][6]. Performance Summary - In 2024, Ant Consumer Finance reported an operating income of 15.213 billion yuan and a net profit of 3.051 billion yuan, making it the most profitable company in the industry with total assets of 313.751 billion yuan [2]. - The company's net profit has fluctuated significantly since its establishment in 2021, with a loss of 1.17 billion yuan in 2021, a profit of 841 million yuan in 2022, and a sharp decline to 152 million yuan in 2023 before the surge in 2024 [2]. Bad Debt Issues - The company has increasingly faced bad debt problems, transferring non-performing assets totaling approximately 1.778 billion yuan in 2024 alone, affecting nearly 200,000 borrowers [3]. - In 2025, the situation has not improved, with two rounds of non-performing asset transfers already announced, totaling approximately 581 million yuan and 603 million yuan, respectively [3]. Compliance Challenges - Ant Consumer Finance has encountered compliance issues, receiving a fine of 1.4 million yuan from the regulatory authority due to inadequate corporate governance and risk management practices [4]. - The company has faced significant public complaints regarding aggressive collection practices, with nearly 200,000 complaints related to harassment and privacy violations reported on consumer platforms [4]. Technological Solutions - The company has attempted to address these issues through technology, launching the "Little Red Flower" intelligent risk control system to monitor borrower behavior dynamically [5]. - However, the effectiveness of these technological solutions in resolving bad debt and compliance issues remains questionable, indicating a need for a more robust risk management and compliance framework [5]. Comparison with Competitors - Compared to its competitor, Zhaolian Consumer Finance, Ant Consumer Finance has shown higher profitability in 2024 but lacks stability and compliance in its operations [6]. - Zhaolian Consumer Finance has established a more comprehensive risk management and compliance system over its longer operational history, which allows it to better adapt to market changes and regulatory requirements [6]. Future Outlook - For sustainable development, Ant Consumer Finance must enhance its risk management and compliance practices, leveraging technology while ensuring robust operational frameworks [6].