Qudian, a financial firm that started as microlender Qufenqi, is sending signals of a possible 2017 IPO, according to Seeking Alpha; according to the reporting, Qudian has hired a foreign CFO and an investment bank, both typical developments for a company looking to go public within the next year; while the company originally focused on small student loans for items like computers or books, they now have broadened their scope and are a consumer lender; loan sizes are still small, about 1,000 yuan ($150) each, but they are on pace for close to $5.5 billion in total originations this year. Source
