<PAGE> 1
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
----------
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) of the
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date earliest event reported): September 20, 1997
WFS Financial 1997-A Owner Trust
--------------------------------------------------
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
California 33-99420 33-0149603
- ---------------------------- ----------- -------------
(State or other jurisdiction (Commission (IRS employer
of incorporation) file number) identification no.)
WFS Financial Auto Loans, Inc. (as Originator)
23 Pasteur Road
Irvine, California 92618
- ---------------------------------------- ----------
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (714) 753-3000
<PAGE> 2
ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS
On March 21, 1997 the Commission declared effective a Registration Statement on
Form S-1 (File No. 33-99420) (the "Registration Statement") under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), providing for the issuance by
the WFS Financial 1997-A Owner Trust (the "Trust") of the following securities:
$105,000,000 of 5.63% Auto Receivable Backed Notes, Class A-1,
$115,000,000 of 6.15% Auto Receivable Backed Notes, Class A-2,
$180,000,000 of 6.50% Auto Receivable Backed Notes, Class A-3,
$55,000,000 of 6.75% Auto Receivable Backed Notes, Class A-4,
$45,000,000 of 6.85% Auto Receivable Backed Certificates.
The Class A-1 Notes, Class A-2 Notes, Class A-3 Notes and Class A-4 Notes (the
"Notes" and together with the Certificates, the "Securities") and the
Certificates were issued by the Trust on March 27, 1997. The Notes are secured
by the assets of the Trust, while the Certificates evidence undivided fractional
interests in the assets of the Trust. The Notes and the Certificates were issued
in fully-registered form in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples
thereof. As more fully described in the Registration Statement, the assets of
the Trust will include (i) a pool of retail installment contracts secured by
liens on new and used automobiles and light trucks ("Contracts"), (ii) a
financial guaranty insurance policy issued by Financial Security Assurance Inc.
(the "Insurer"), and (iii) certain accounts maintained by the Trustee on behalf
of the Trust, including all investments held thereby and all income from the
investment of funds therein and all proceeds therefrom.
Pursuant to the Sale and Servicing Agreement ("Agreement") entered into by and
among the Trust, WFS Financial Inc (the "Master Servicer") and WFS Financial
Auto Loans, Inc. (the originator of the Trust), the Indenture Trustee will
deliver to each Noteholder and the Owner Trustee will deliver to each
Certificateholder with respect to each quarterly distribution to holders of the
Securities a statement (the "Statement to Securityholders") setting forth
certain current information required by the Agreement. In addition, and also as
required by the Agreement, the Master Servicer is required to provide to both
the Indenture Trustee and the Owner Trustee a report regarding the assets of the
Trust and the proceeds received by it therefrom as to the quarterly reporting
period preceding each Distribution Date (the "Distribution Date Statement").
Copies of the Statement to Securityholders and the Distribution Date Statement
with respect to the June 20, 1997 Distribution Date is filed herewith as
Exhibits 21.1 and 21.2, respectively, and are incorporated herein by this
reference. Pursuant to the Agreement, proceeds of the Contracts in the amount of
$57,080,066.37 were invested by the Indenture Trustee during the Due Period with
respect to the current Distribution Date in the Reinvestment Contract entered
into between Western Financial Bank, F.S.B. and the Indenture Trustee, and
$57,080,066.37 was distributed from the RIC to the Indenture Trustee for
distribution to the holders of the Securities on the current Distribution Date.
Page 2
<PAGE> 3
No matters occurred within the period as to which this Current Report on Form
8-K relates that would be reportable under Items 1 through 5 of Part II of Form
10-Q.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS
(c) Exhibits
The exhibits listed on the Exhibit Index on page 5 of this Form 8-K are filed
herewith.
Page 3
<PAGE> 4
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
WFS FINANCIAL 1997-A OWNER TRUST
By: WFS Financial Inc
as Master Servicer
Date: September 23, 1997 By: /S/ LEE A. WHATCOTT
----------------------------------------
Lee A. Whatcott, Chief Financial Officer
Page 4
<PAGE> 5
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit No. Description Page
<S> <C> <C>
21.1 Statement to Securityholders as to the -------
September 20, 1997 Distribution Date
21.2 Distribution Date Statement dated as of -------
August 31, 1997 for the September 20, 1997 Distribution Date
21.3 Consolidated financial statements of Financial -------
Security Assurance Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December
31, 1996 and 1995, and for each of the three years in the
period ended December 31, 1996 (Incorporate by reference
from the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Financial Security
Assurance Holdings Inc. for the year ended December 31,
1996 (file # 1- 12644) as filed on or about March 24,
1997)
21.4 Condensed consolidated financial statements of -------
Financial Security Assurance Inc. for the six month period
ended June 30, 1997 (Incorporated by reference from the
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Financial Security
Assurance Holdings Inc. for the quarter ended June 30,
1997 (file # 1-12644) as filed on or about August 14,
1997)
</TABLE>
Page 5
<PAGE> 1
WFS FINANCIAL 1997-A OWNER TRUST
Statement to Securityholders
for Master Service Report Date of August 31, 1997
for Distribution Date of September 20, 1997
Class A-1
Original Principal Balance 105,000,000.00
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PER $1000
ORIG PRIN
AGGREGATE BALANCES: TOTALS BALANCE
<S> <C> <C>
Aggregate Unpaid Principal Balance as of Prior Distribution Date 55,296,284.38 526.631280
Aggregate Unpaid Principal Balance as of Current Distribution Date 8,984,476.97 85.566447
Pool Factor 0.085566
PRINCIPAL DISTRIBUTABLE AMOUNT:
Principal Distributable Amount 44,121,782.42 420.207452
Accelerated Principal Portion 2,190,024.99 20.857381
Plus: Prior Principal Carryover Shortfall 0.00 0.000000
Less: Current Principal Carryover Shortfall 0.00 0.000000
------------- ------------- -------------
Total Principal Distributable Amount 46,311,807.41 441.064832
INTEREST DISTRIBUTABLE AMOUNT:
Interest Distributable Amount 812,886.10 7.741772
Plus: Prior Interest Carryover Shortfall 0.00 0.000000
Less: Current Interest Carryover Shortfall 0.00 0.000000
-------------
Total Interest Distributable Amount 812,886.10 7.741772
PER $1000
AGGREGATE
AGGREGATE SECURITY RELATED INFORMATION: ORIG PRIN BAL
<S> <C> <C>
Aggregate Scheduled Balance 403,984,476.97 807.968954
Servicing Fee 1,095,013.00 2.190026
Spread Account 23,448,482.99 46.896966
Net Change in Spread Account 4,297,215.56 n/a
Note Percentage 100.00% n/a
Certificate Percentage 0.00% n/a
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 2
WFS FINANCIAL 1997-A OWNER TRUST
Statement to Securityholders
for Master Service Report Date of August 31, 1997
for Distribution Date of September 20, 1997
Class A-2
Original Principal Balance 115,000,000.00
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PER $1000
ORIG PRIN
AGGREGATE BALANCES: TOTALS BALANCE
<S> <C> <C>
Aggregate Unpaid Principal Balance as of Prior Distribution Date 115,000,000.00 1000.000000
Aggregate Unpaid Principal Balance as of Current Distribution Date 115,000,000.00 1000.000000
Pool Factor 1.000000
PRINCIPAL DISTRIBUTABLE AMOUNT:
Principal Distributable Amount 0.00 0.000000
Accelerated Principal Portion 0.00 0.000000
Plus: Prior Principal Carryover Shortfall 0.00 0.000000
Less: Current Principal Carryover Shortfall 0.00 0.000000
-------------
Total Principal Distributable Amount 0.00 0.000000
INTEREST DISTRIBUTABLE AMOUNT:
Interest Distributable Amount 1,768,125.00 15.375000
Plus: Prior Interest Carryover Shortfall 0.00 0.000000
Less: Current Interest Carryover Shortfall 0.00 0.000000
-------------
Total Interest Distributable Amount 1,768,125.00 15.375000
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PER $1000
AGGREGATE
AGGREGATE SECURITY RELATED INFORMATION: ORIG PRIN BAL
<S> <C> <C>
Aggregate Scheduled Balance 403,984,476.97 807.968954
Servicing Fee 1,095,013.00 2.190026
Spread Account 23,448,482.99 46.896966
Net Change in Spread Account 4,297,215.56 n/a
Note Percentage 100.00% n/a
Certificate Percentage 0.00% n/a
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 3
WFS FINANCIAL 1997-A OWNER TRUST
Statement to Securityholders
for Master Service Report Date of August 31, 1997
for Distribution Date of September 20, 1997
Class A-3
Original Principal Balance 180,000,000.00
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PER $1000
ORIG PRIN
AGGREGATE BALANCES: TOTALS BALANCE
<S> <C> <C>
Aggregate Unpaid Principal Balance as of Prior Distribution Date 180,000,000.00 1000.000000
Aggregate Unpaid Principal Balance as of Current Distribution Date 180,000,000.00 1000.000000
Pool Factor 1.000000
PRINCIPAL DISTRIBUTABLE AMOUNT:
Principal Distributable Amount 0.00 0.000000
Accelerated Principal Portion 0.00 0.000000
Plus: Prior Principal Carryover Shortfall 0.00 0.000000
Less: Current Principal Carryover Shortfall 0.00 0.000000
Total Principal Distributable Amount 0.00 0.000000
INTEREST DISTRIBUTABLE AMOUNT:
Interest Distributable Amount 2,925,000.00 16.250000
Plus: Prior Interest Carryover Shortfall 0.00 0.000000
Less: Current Interest Carryover Shortfall 0.00 0.000000
Total Interest Distributable Amount 2,925,000.00 16.250000
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PER $1000
AGGREGATE
AGGREGATE SECURITY RELATED INFORMATION: ORIG PRIN BAL
<S> <C> <C>
Aggregate Scheduled Balance 403,984,476.97 807.968954
Servicing Fee 1,095,013.00 2.190026
Spread Account 23,448,482.99 46.896966
Net Change in Spread Account 4,297,215.56 n/a
Note Percentage 100.00% n/a
Certificate Percentage 0.00% n/a
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 4
WFS FINANCIAL 1997-A OWNER TRUST
Statement to Securityholders
for Master Service Report Date of August 31, 1997
for Distribution Date of September 20, 1997
Class A-4
Original Principal Balance 55,000,000.00
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PER $1000
ORIG PRIN
AGGREGATE BALANCES: TOTALS BALANCE
<S> <C> <C>
Aggregate Unpaid Principal Balance as of Prior Distribution Date 55,000,000.00 1000.000000
Aggregate Unpaid Principal Balance as of Current Distribution Date 55,000,000.00 1000.000000
Pool Factor 1.000000
PRINCIPAL DISTRIBUTABLE AMOUNT:
Principal Distributable Amount 0.00 0.000000
Accelerated Principal Portion 0.00 0.000000
Plus: Prior Principal Carryover Shortfall 0.00 0.000000
Less: Current Principal Carryover Shortfall 0.00 0.000000
-------------
Total Principal Distributable Amount 0.00 0.000000
INTEREST DISTRIBUTABLE AMOUNT:
Interest Distributable Amount 928,125.00 16.875000
Plus: Prior Interest Carryover Shortfall 0.00 0.000000
Less: Current Interest Carryover Shortfall 0.00 0.000000
-------------
Total Interest Distributable Amount 928,125.00 16.875000
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PER $1000
AGGREGATE
AGGREGATE SECURITY RELATED INFORMATION: ORIG PRIN BAL
<S> <C> <C>
Aggregate Scheduled Balance 403,984,476.97 807.968954
Servicing Fee 1,095,013.00 2.190026
Spread Account 23,448,482.99 46.896966
Net Change in Spread Account 4,297,215.56 n/a
Note Percentage 100.00% n/a
Certificate Percentage 0.00% n/a
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 5
WFS FINANCIAL 1997-A OWNER TRUST
Statement to Securityholders
for Master Service Report Date of August 31, 1997
for Distribution Date of September 20, 1997
Certificate
Original Principal Balance 45,000,000.00
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PER $1000
ORIG PRIN
AGGREGATE BALANCES: TOTALS BALANCE
<S> <C> <C>
Aggregate Unpaid Principal Balance as of prior Distribution Date 45,000,000.00 1000.000000
Aggregate Unpaid Principal Balance as of current Distribution Date 45,000,000.00 1000.000000
Pool Factor 1.000000
PRINCIPAL DISTRIBUTABLE AMOUNT:
Principal Distributable Amount 0.00 0.000000
Accelerated Principal Portion 0.00 0.000000
Plus: Prior Principal Carryover Shortfall 0.00 0.000000
Less: Current Principal Carryover Shortfall 0.00 0.000000
-------------
Total Principal Distributable Amount 0.00 0.000000
INTEREST DISTRIBUTABLE AMOUNT:
Interest Distributable Amount 770,625.00 17.125000
Plus: Prior Interest Carryover Shortfall 0.00 0.000000
Less: Current Interest Carryover Shortfall 0.00 0.000000
-------------
Total Interest Distributable Amount 770,625.00 17.125000
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PER $1000
AGGREGATE
AGGREGATE SECURITY RELATED INFORMATION: ORIG PRIN BAL
<S> <C> <C>
Aggregate Scheduled Balance 403,984,476.97 807.968954
Servicing Fee 1,095,013.00 2.190026
Spread Account 23,448,482.99 46.896966
Net Change in Spread Account 4,297,215.56 n/a
Note Percentage 100.00% n/a
Certificate Percentage 0.00% n/a
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 1
WFS FINANCIAL 1997-A OWNER TRUST
Distribution Date Statement
for Master Service Report Date of August 31, 1997
for Distribution Date of September 20, 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COLLECTIONS
DOLLARS
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Payments received 56,435,891.33
Plus:
Servicer Advances 1,799,537.01
Reimbursement of holds 723,794.22
------------- -------------
2,523,331.23
Less:
Reimbursement Advances (1,128,386.50)
Funds deposited in Holds Account (750,769.69)
-------------
(1,879,156.19)
-------------
Total Funds Available for Distribution 57,080,066.37
=============
DISTRIBUTIONS
Servicing Fee 1,095,013.00
Trustee and Other Fees 179,938.51
Other Miscellaneous Payments 208,331.25
-------------
1,483,282.76
Note Interest Distributable Amount - Class A-1 812,886.10
Note Interest Distributable Amount - Class A-2 1,768,125.00
Note Interest Distributable Amount - Class A-3 2,925,000.00
Note Interest Distributable Amount - Class A-4 928,125.00
-------------
Total Note Interest Distributable Amount 6,434,136.10
Certificate Interest Distributable Amount 770,625.00
-------------
Total Interest Distribution 7,204,761.10
Note Principal Distributable Amount - Class A-1 thru A-3 46,311,807.41
Note Principal Distributable Amount - Class A-4 0.00
Certificate Principal Distributable Amount 0.00
-------------
Total Principal Distribution 46,311,807.41
-------------
Total Principal and Interest Distribution 53,516,568.51
Spread Account Deposit 2,080,215.10
Total Distributions 57,080,066.37
=============
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 2
WFS FINANCIAL 1997-A OWNER TRUST
Distribution Date Statement
for Master Service Report Date of August 31, 1997
for Distribution Date of September 20, 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PORTFOLIO DATA:
<S> <C> <C> <C>
# of loans
Beginning Security Balance 41,393 450,296,284.38
Less: Scheduled Principal Balance 0 18,854,009.90
Accelerated Principal Portion 0 2,190,024.99
Full Prepayments 1,986 18,112,960.00
Partial Prepayments 0 0.00
Liquidations 687 7,154,812.52
---------------
46,311,807.41
---------------
Ending Security Balance 38,720 403,984,476.97
OTHER RELATED INFORMATION:
Modified Accounts:
Principal Balance 0.00% 0.00
Scheduled Balance 0.00% 0.00
Servicer Advances
Beginning Unreimbursed Advances: 1,283,429.98
New Advances 1,799,537.01
Advances Reimbursed (1,128,386.50)
---------------
Ending Unreimbursed Advances: 1,954,580.49
Holding Account:
Beginning Balance 806,608.82
Funds Deposited 750,769.69
Withdrawal to Collection Account (723,794.22)
---------------
Ending Balance 833,584.29
Net Charge-Off Data: # of loans
Charge-Offs 889 4,991,367.11
Recoveries 377 759,240.33
---------------
Net Charge-Offs 512 4,232,126.78
Delinquencies (P&I): # of loans
30-59 Days 505 5,050,820.74
60-89 Days 179 1,827,216.77
90-119 Days 77 826,744.23
120-149 Days 0 0.00
150 days and over 0 0.00
Repossessions 137 900,407.32
Contracts Repurchased (pursuant to Sect. 3.02, 4.07, or 9.01
of the Sale and Servicing Agreement) 0 0.00
Charge-Off Percentage 3.68%
Delinquency Percentage 0.74%
WAC 15.4835%
WAM 51.823
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 3
WFS FINANCIAL 1997-A OWNER TRUST
Distribution Date Statement
for Master Service Report Date of August 31, 1997
for Distribution Date of September 20, 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SPREAD ACCOUNT
<S> <C> <C>
Funded Amount:
Beginning Balance 15,930,482.11
Deposits 2,080,215.10
Reductions 0.00
----------------
Ending Balance 18,010,697.21
Overcollateralization Amount:
Beginning Balance 2,414,176.50
Additions 2,190,024.99
----------------
Ending Balance 4,604,201.49
Current Holding Account Balance 833,584.29
Total Overcollateralization Amount 5,437,785.78
Total Spread Account 23,448,482.99
Spread Account Initial Deposit:
Beginning Balance 15,000,000.00
Repayments 0.00
----------------
Ending Balance 15,000,000.00
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 4
WFS FINANCIAL 1997-A OWNER TRUST
Distribution Date Statement
for Master Service Report Date of August 31, 1997
for Distribution Date of September 20, 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
================================================================================================================================--
BEGINNING PRIOR CURRENT
ORIGINAL OUTSTANDING ACCELERATED PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL CARRYOVER CARRYOVER PRINCIPAL
CLASSES BALANCE BALANCE DISTRIBUTABLE PORTION SHORTFALL SHORTFALL DISTRIBUTION
================================================================================================================================--
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
A-1 105,000,000.00 55,296,284.38 44,121,782.42 2,190,024.99 0.00 0.00 46,311,807.41
A-2 115,000,000.00 115,000,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
A-3 180,000,000.00 180,000,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
A-4 55,000,000.00 55,000,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Certificate 45,000,000.00 45,000,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
================================================================================================================================--
TOTAL 500,000,000.00 450,296,284.38 44,121,782.42 2,190,024.99 0.00 0.00 46,311,807.41
================================================================================================================================--
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
====================================================
REMAINING TOTAL
OUTSTANDING PRINCIPAL
PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST
BALANCE DISTRIBUTION
====================================================
<S> <C>
8,984,476.97 47,124,693.51
115,000,000.00 1,768,125.00
180,000,000.00 2,925,000.00
55,000,000.00 928,125.00
45,000,000.00 770,625.00
====================================================
TOTAL 403,984,476.97 53,516,568.51
====================================================
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
===================================================================================================================================
PRIOR CURRENT
INTEREST INTEREST DEFICIENCY POLICY
NOTE INTEREST CALCULATED CARRYOVER CARRYOVER INTEREST CLAIM CLAIM
CLASSES RATE INTEREST SHORTFALL SHORTFALL DISTRIBUTION AMOUNT AMOUNT
===================================================================================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
A-1 5.50% 812,886.10 0.00 0.00 812,886.10 0.00 0.00
A-2 5.80% 1,768,125.00 0.00 0.00 1,768,125.00 0.00 0.00
A-3 6.05% 2,925,000.00 0.00 0.00 2,925,000.00 0.00 0.00
A-4 6.30% 928,125.00 0.00 0.00 928,125.00 0.00 0.00
Certificate 6.40% 770,625.00 0.00 0.00 770,625.00 0.00 0.00
0.00 0.00
Note Percentage 100.00%
Certificate Percentage 0.00%
===================================================================================================================================
TOTAL 7,204,761.10 0.00 0.00 7,204,761.10
===================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 5
WFS FINANCIAL 1997-A OWNER TRUST
Officer's Certificate
for Master Service Report Date of August 31, 1997
for Distribution Date of September 20, 1997
Detailed Reporting
See Schedule F
WFS Financial Inc, as Master Servicer, certifies that all computations presented
reflect accurate information as of August 31, 1997 and were performed in
conformity with the Sale and Servicing Agreement dated March 1, 1997.
/s/ LEE A. WHATCOTT
--------------------------------------
Lee A. Whatcott
Executive Vice President
Chief Financial Officer
/s/ MARK OLSON
--------------------------------------
Mark Olson
Senior Vice President
Controller