Peak Fintech Begins Acquisition Process of Banking AI Software Provider Zhongke with Transfer of IP Following Successful Pilot

Rhea-AI Summary

Peak Fintech Group Inc. (CSE: PKK) (OTCQX: PKKFF) has announced significant progress in its acquisition of Zhongke Software Intelligence Ltd., a banking AI software provider. Following a successful pilot program where Zhongke's software assisted 329 restaurants in Sihong County with short-term loans, the intellectual property has been transferred to a Peak-controlled subsidiary, Weilian Technology Services Ltd. Peak plans to allocate up to CAD$4M for R&D and expansion of Weilian's services, aimed at tapping into underserved micro-loan markets in China.

Positive

• Successful pilot program with 329 restaurants generating 2.5M RMB (approx. CAD$480,000) in transactions.
• Planned investment of up to CAD$4M for integration and expansion, indicating strong growth potential.
• Entry into the underserved micro-loan market presents new business opportunities.

Negative

• Potential dependency on Zhongke's technology could pose risks if integration challenges arise.
• Initial retention of 49% stake by Zhongke may complicate future acquisition efforts.

MONTREAL, July 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Peak Fintech Group Inc. (CSE: PKK) (OTCQX: PKKFF) ("Peak" or the "Company"), an innovative Fintech service provider to the Chinese commercial lending sector, today announced a major step in its pending acquisition of banking artificial intelligence software provider Zhongke Software Intelligence Ltd. ("Zhongke") with the transfer of Zhongke IP to a Peak-controlled subsidiary.

Peak originally announced its intention to acquire Zhongke back in December 2020 with the signing of a memorandum of understanding ("MOU"). The signing of the MOU was followed by a pilot financing program where Zhongke's software, paired with elements of Peak's Lending Hub, was used by one of Zhongke's banking clients to provide capital to help restaurant owners in Sihong County manage their short-term cash flow. The pilot project was conducted under a newly created entity called Weilian Technology Services Ltd. (http://weelian.com.cn/) ("Weilian"). From the beginning of April through the end of June 2021, 123 suppliers provided food, products and related services to 329 restaurants in 675 separate transactions totalling roughly 2.5M RMB (about CAD$480,000), all financed by Jiangsu Sihong Rural Commercial Bank (http://www.shnsyh.com/) through the pilot.

Deeming the pilot successful, Zhongke transferred the IP used to create the services to Weilian. Peak, in turn, will allocate up to CAD$1M in R&D for the integration of the services to its Lending Hub ecosystem and for the continued development of synergies between Zhongke's applications and its own. Peak will also contribute an additional CAD$3M in working capital and marketing budget related to the expansion of Weilian's service offerings to other industries. Weilian's services will continue to focus primarily on short-term micro loans (typically less than CAD$1,000), another under-served market where the Company sees an opportunity to attract more business to its ecosystem. Zhongke initially retained a 49% stake in Weilian, while Peak has a 51% controlling interest in the company until Peak either acquires Zhongke itself or the 49% stake owned by Zhongke.

Zhongke's analytics and AI software is used by banks and financial institutions in China to process, manage and make decisions on loan and credit applications. In addition to Jiangsu Sihong Rural Commercial Bank, two of the other 42 banks who currently use Zhongke's software have already signed up for the financing program operated by Weilian. The others are expected to be added over time and all will be presented with other lending opportunities as part of the Lending Hub membership, which will further expand the ecosystem's lending capacity.

About Peak Fintech Group Inc.:
Peak Fintech Group Inc. is the parent company of a group of innovative financial technology (Fintech) subsidiaries operating in China's commercial lending industry. Peak's subsidiaries use technology, analytics and artificial intelligence to create an ecosystem of lenders, borrowers and other participants in China's commercial lending space where lending operations are conducted rapidly, safely, efficiently and with the utmost transparency. For more information: http://www.peakfintechgroup.com

For more information, please contact:
CHF Capital Markets	MZ Group – MZ North America	Peak Fintech Group
Cathy Hume, CEO	Mark Schwalenberg, CFA	Barry Ellison, Director of Marketing and Communications
416-868-1079 ext.: 251	1-312-261-6430	514-340-7775 ext.: 521
cathy@chfir.com	PEAK@mzgroup.us	bellison@peakfintechgroup.com

Follow Peak Fintech Group Inc. on social media:

Twitter: @peakfintech
Facebook: @peakfintech
LinkedIn: Peak Fintech
YouTube: Peak Fintech

Forward-Looking Statements / Information:
This news release may include certain forward-looking information, including statements relating to business and operating strategies, plans and prospects for revenue growth, using words including "anticipate", "believe", "could", "expect", "intend", "may", "plan", "potential", "project", "seek", "should", "will", "would" and similar expressions, which are intended to identify a number of these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information reflects current views with respect to current events and is not a guarantee of future performance and is subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking information contained in this news release, except as may be required by applicable laws, rules and regulations. Readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating any forward-looking information.

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SOURCE Peak Fintech Group Inc.

FAQ

What is the significance of Peak Fintech's acquisition of Zhongke Software Intelligence?

The acquisition enhances Peak's technology capabilities in the commercial lending space, allowing for better service offerings.

How much funding is Peak Fintech allocating for the acquisition and expansion?

Peak plans to invest CAD$4M, including CAD$1M for R&D and CAD$3M for marketing and working capital.

What market does Peak Fintech aim to penetrate through this acquisition?

Peak aims to expand into the micro-loan market in China, which is currently underserved.

When did Peak Fintech initially announce the intention to acquire Zhongke?

The initial announcement was made in December 2020.

What was the outcome of the pilot program conducted with Zhongke's software?

The pilot program was deemed successful, facilitating 675 transactions for restaurants.