WFS FINANCIAL 1996-C OWNER TRUST
10-K405, 1997-03-31
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES
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<PAGE>   1
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549
                                   -----------

                                    FORM 10-K

(MARK ONE)
|X|      ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
         EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 [FEE REQUIRED]

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996

                                       OR

|_|      TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
         EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 [NO FEE REQUIRED]

For the transition period from ______________ to _________________

                        Commission file number: 33-994242

                        WFS FINANCIAL 1996-C OWNER TRUST
                        --------------------------------
              EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

      CALIFORNIA                                               33-0149603
- ---------------------------------------------           ------------------------
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION                              (I.R.S. EMPLOYER  
 OF INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)                         IDENTIFICATION NO.) 
                                                                            

WFS FINANCIAL AUTO LOANS, INC.
23 PASTEUR ROAD
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA                                                   92618
- -----------------------------------------------                      -----
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)                           (ZIP CODE)

REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (714) 753-3000

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT: NONE.

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT: NONE.

         Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all
reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X  No
                                             ---    ---
         Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to
Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained,
to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K. [ X ]

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:  None.






<PAGE>   2



ITEM 1. BUSINESS

         Not applicable.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

On September 20, 1996 the Commission declared effective a Registration Statement
on Form S-1 (File No. 33-99424) (the "Registration Statement") under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), providing for the
issuance by the WFS Financial 1996-C Owner Trust (the "Trust") of the following
securities:

   $91,500,000 of 5.63% Money Market Auto Receivable Backed Notes, Class A-1,

         $160,000,000 of 6.20% Auto Receivable Backed Notes, Class A-2,

         $165,000,000 of 6.55% Auto Receivable Backed Notes, Class A-3,

         $75,700,000 of 6.80% Auto Receivable Backed Notes, Class A-4,
                                    
           $42,800,000 of 6.90% 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 September 26, 1996. 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.

Information as to the number of Contracts remaining in the Trust, the aggregate
unpaid principal balance thereof, the decrease therein, delinquencies on the
Contracts, collections of principal and interest made, fees paid to the Servicer
and the amount of the Policies are set forth in the exhibits incorporated herein
in response to Item 14, below.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Registrant knows of no material pending legal proceedings with respect to
the Trust involving the Trust, the Trustee, the Seller or the Servicer.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

No matter was submitted to a vote of the holders of the Certificates during the
fiscal year covered by this Report.

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

As of December 31, 1996, there was one holder of record of the Securities. See
also Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.
There was no principal market in which the Securities traded.

                                     Page 2

<PAGE>   3




ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

Omitted.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
        OF OPERATIONS

Omitted.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Omitted.

ITEM 9.  DISAGREEMENTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

Omitted.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Omitted.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table reflects certain information regarding holders of record
(i.e., participants in the DTC System for which Certificates are held of record
by Cede & Co.) which beneficially own more than 5% of the Certificates. The
Registrant does not have any information as to whether the persons listed below
hold such Certificates for their own account, partially for their own account
and partial for the account of others or solely for the account of others.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name and Address                                 Amount of Certificates                             Percent of Certificates
of Participant                                     Beneficially Owned                                  Beneficially Owned
- --------------                                     ------------------                                  ------------------
<S>                                                <C>                                                 <C>  
Banker of New York                                 24,880,000                                          58.7%
Bankers Trust Company                              14,572,000                                          34.4%
Chase Manhattan Bank                                2,920,000                                           6.9%
</TABLE>

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

There have not been any transactions or series of transactions since the start
of the Trusts last fiscal year between the Trust and any Certificateholder which
is the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Certificates, based upon the
outstanding balance of the certificates.

ITEM 14.  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K


                                     Page 3

<PAGE>   4



(a)      The following documents are filed as part of this Report:

         Exhibit Number     Description
         --------------     -----------
                            
             20.1           Current Report on Form 8-K for the for the 
                            December 20, 1996 Distribution Date (incorporated
                            herein by reference to the WFS Financial 1996-C
                            Owner Trust Form 8-K filed on January 2, 1997, file
                            number 33-99424)
                            
             20.2           Current Report on Form 8-K for the for the March 20,
                            1997 Distribution Date (incorporated herein by
                            reference to the WFS Financial 1996-C Owner Trust
                            Form 8-K filed on March 25, 1997, file number
                            33-99424)
                            
             20.3           Accountants' Report dated January 28, 1997
                            
             20.4           Annual Statement of Compliance by Master Servicer 
                            dated January 24, 1997
                            
             20.5           Annual Statements to Securityholders for the Service
                            Period 1996
                            
             20.6           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)
                            
             23             Written Consent of Coopers & Lybrand, LLP


(b)      Reports on Form 8-K:  All reports filed on Form 8-K required to be 
         disclosed are identified above in response to Item 14(a).

(c)      Omitted.
(d)      Omitted.


                                     Page 4

<PAGE>   5



                                   SIGNATURES

                  Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to
be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


                               WFS FINANCIAL 1996-C OWNER TRUST

                               BY: WFS FINANCIAL INC, as Master Servicer


Date: March 31, 1997           By: /S/ LEE A. WHATCOTT
                                   ----------------------------------------
                                   Lee A. Whatcott, Chief Financial Officer

                                     Page 5

<PAGE>   6



                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS
                                -----------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit No.                  Description                                             Page
- -----------                  -----------                                             ----
                                                                              
<S> <C>                                                        
    20.1     Current Report on Form 8-K for the for the December 20, 1996
             Distribution Date (incorporated herein by reference to the WFS
             Financial 1996-C Owner Trust Form 8-K filed on January 2, 1997,
             file number 33-99424)

    20.2     Current Report on Form 8-K for the for the March 20, 1997
             Distribution Date (incorporated herein by reference to the WFS
             Financial 1996-C Owner Trust Form 8-K filed on March 25, 1997, file
             number 33-99424)

    20.3     Accountants' Report dated January 28, 1997

    20.4     Annual Statement of Compliance by Master Servicer dated
             January 24, 1997

    20.5     Annual Statements to Securityholders for the Service Period 1996

    20.6     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)

    23       Written Consent of Coopers & Lybrand, LLP
</TABLE>



                                     Page 6


<PAGE>   1

                                                                   EXHIBIT 20.3

                         [ERNST & YOUNG LLP LETTERHEAD]


                         Report of Independent Auditors

Board of Directors
WFS Financial Inc


We have audited, in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, the
consolidated statement of financial condition of WFS Financial Inc and
Subsidiaries (WFS) as of December 31, 1996 and the related consolidated
statements of income, shareholders' equity and cash flows for the year then
ended, and have issued our report thereon dated January 28, 1997.

In connection with our audit nothing came to our attention that caused us to
believe that WFS failed to comply with the terms, covenants, provisions or
conditions of either the Pooling and Servicing Agreements for WFS Financial
Auto Loans, Inc. dated June 1, 1993, September 1, 1993, December 1, 1993, 
March 1, 1994, May 1, 1994, August 1, 1994, October 1, 1994, January 1, 1995, 
March 1, 1995, June 1, 1995, September 1, 1995 or December 1, 1995, or the Sale
and Servicing Agreements for WFS Financial Auto Loans, Inc. dated March 1,
1996, June 1, 1996, September 1, 1996 or December 1, 1996 between Bankers Trust
Company and WFS insofar as they relate to accounting and auditing matters.
However, it should be noted that our audit was not directed primarily toward
obtaining a knowledge of noncompliance.

This report is intended for the use and information of the Board of Directors,
management and Bankers Trust Company and should not be used for any other 
purpose.



                                      /S/  ERNST & YOUNG LLP

January 28, 1997



<PAGE>   1

                                                                   EXHIBIT 20.4

                           [WFS FINANCIAL LETTERHEAD]

January 24, 1997


Chase Manhattan Bank of Delaware              Standard & Poor's Ratings Services
1201 Market Street                            A division of McGraw-Hill, Inc.
Wilmington, Delaware  19801                   25 Broadway
                                              New York, NY  10004

Bankers Trust Company                         Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
4 Albany Street                               99 Church Street
New York, New York 10015                      New York, NY  10007

Financial Security Assurance Inc.
350 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10022


Re:        Annual Statement as to Compliance for
           WFS Financial 1996-C Owner Trust

Dear Sir or Madam:

                              OFFICERS' CERTIFICATE

Pursuant to Section 4.10 of the Sale and Servicing Agreement ("Agreement") dated
as of September 1, 1996, the undersigned officers of WFS Financial Inc (the
"Master Servicer") certify that:

           (i) a review of the activities of the Master Servicer since the
closing date and of its performance under this Agreement has been made under
such officers' supervision, and

           (ii) to the best of such officers' knowledge, based on such review,
the Master Servicer has fulfilled all its obligations under this Agreement
throughout such year and that no default under this Agreement has occurred.


/s/  LEE A. WHATCOTT                                /s/  MARK OLSON
- ----------------------------                        ----------------------------
     Lee A. Whatcott                                     Mark Olson
     Executive Vice President &                          Controller
     Chief Financial Officer                     

cc:        A. Katz, Esq.





<PAGE>   1

                                                                   EXHIBIT 20.5

                           [WFS FINANCIAL LETTERHEAD]





                               OWNER TRUST 1996-C

                   ANNUAL STATEMENT TO SECURITY HOLDERS 5.07
                            FOR SERVICE PERIOD 1996



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                Disbursement Date
                                                   --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   March 20    June 20    September 20        December 20            Total
                                                   --------    -------    ------------     ---------------    ---------------
PART I.    DISTRIBUTIONS                          
                                                  
<S>                                                  <C>        <C>         <C>             <C>               <C>         
            Interest Paid - Class A1                  0.00       0.00        0.00            1,559,744.58      1,559,744.58
            Interest Paid - Class A2                  0.00       0.00        0.00            3,003,555.56      3,003,555.56
            Interest Paid - Class A3                  0.00       0.00        0.00            3,272,270.83      3,272,270.83
            Interest Paid - Class A4                  0.00       0.00        0.00            1,558,578.89      1,558,578.89
            Interest Paid - Certificate               0.00       0.00        0.00              894,163.33        894,163.33
                                                      ----       ----        ----           -------------     -------------
                 Total Interest Paid                  0.00       0.00        0.00           10,288,313.19     10,288,313.19
                                                      ----       ----        ----           -------------     -------------
 
            Principal Paid - Class A1                 0.00       0.00        0.00           50,691,127.42     50,691,127.42
            Principal Paid - Class A2                 0.00       0.00        0.00                    0.00              0.00
            Principal Paid - Class A3                 0.00       0.00        0.00                    0.00              0.00
            Principal Paid - Class A4                 0.00       0.00        0.00                    0.00              0.00
            Principal Paid - Certificate              0.00       0.00        0.00                    0.00              0.00
                                                      ----       ----        ----           -------------     -------------
                 Total Principal Paid                 0.00       0.00        0.00           50,691,127.42     50,691,127.42
                                                      ----       ----        ----           -------------     -------------   
                                                  
PART II.    SERVICING FEES                        
                                                  
                 Total Servicing Fees Paid            0.00       0.00        0.00            1,337,499.00      1,337,499.00
                                                      ----       ----        ----           -------------     -------------  
                                                  
PART III.    SHORTFALLS                           
                                                  
            Class A1 Interest Shortfall               0.00       0.00        0.00                    0.00              0.00
            Class A2 Interest Shortfall               0.00       0.00        0.00                    0.00              0.00
            Class A3 Interest Shortfall               0.00       0.00        0.00                    0.00              0.00
            Class A4 Interest Shortfall               0.00       0.00        0.00                    0.00              0.00
            Certificate Class Interest Shortfall      0.00       0.00        0.00                    0.00              0.00
                                                      ----       ----        ----           -------------     -------------
                 Total Interest Shortfall             0.00       0.00        0.00                    0.00              0.00
                                                      ----       ----        ----           -------------     -------------     
            Class A1 Principal Shortfall              0.00       0.00        0.00                    0.00              0.00
            Class A2 Principal Shortfall              0.00       0.00        0.00                    0.00              0.00
            Class A3 Principal Shortfall              0.00       0.00        0.00                    0.00              0.00
            Class A4 Principal Shortfall              0.00       0.00        0.00                    0.00              0.00
            Certificate Class Principal Shortfall     0.00       0.00        0.00                    0.00              0.00
                                                      ----       ----        ----           -------------     -------------
                 Total  Principal Shortfall           0.00       0.00        0.00                    0.00              0.00
                                                      ----       ----        ----           -------------     -------------   
</TABLE>
                                                      
                                                   
PART IV.   OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE


All computations presented reflect accurate information for the calendar period
ended 1996 and were performed in conformity with the Sale and Servicing
Agreement dated September 1, 1996.

                                                   /s/  JIM DOWLAN
                                                   ---------------------------
                                                        Jim Dowlan
                                                        Senior Vice President
                                                   
                                                   
                                                   /s/  MARK OLSON
                                                   ---------------------------
                                                        Mark Olson
                                                        Vice President
                                                        Controller
                                                


<PAGE>   1
[COOPERS & LYBRAND LETTERHEAD]
                                                COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.

                                                a professional services firm

                       CONSENT of INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

                                   ----------

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this annual report on From 10-K
(File No. 33-994242) of WFS Financial 1996-C Owner Trust of our report dated
January 24, 1997, on our audits of the 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.


                                                COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.
                                                ----------------------------
                                                COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.

New York, New YORK
March 28, 1997

                                


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