<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: 33-97884
WFS FINANCIAL 1996-A OWNER TRUST
-----------------------------------------------------
EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
CALIFORNIA 33-0149603
--------------------------------------------- ----------------
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF INCORPORATION (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
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 March 22, 1996 the Commission declared effective a Registration Statement on
Form S-1 (File No. 33-97884) (the "Registration Statement") under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), providing for the issuance by
the WFS Financial 1996-A Owner Trust (the "Trust") of the following securities:
$72,500,000 of 5.35% Money Market Auto Receivable Backed Notes, Class A-1,
$145,000,000 of 5.70% Auto Receivable Backed Notes, Class A-2,
$115,000,000 of 6.05% Auto Receivable Backed Notes, Class A-3,
$90,000,000 of 6.15% Auto Receivable Backed Notes, Class A-4,
$28,550,000 of 6.375% Auto Receivable Backed Notes, Class A-5 and
$33,950,000 of 6.20% Auto Receivable Backed Certificates.
The Class A-1 Notes, Class A-2 Notes, Class A-3 Notes, Class A-4 Notes and Class
A-5 Notes (the "Notes" and together with the Certificates, the "Securities") and
the Certificates were issued by the Trust on March 28, 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
Page 2
<PAGE> 3
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.
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>
Chase/Chemical 18,618,500 55.0%
Citibank 15,000,000 45.0%
</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.
Page 3
<PAGE> 4
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(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 June 1, 1996
Distribution Date (incorporated herein by reference to
the WFS Financial 1996-A Owner Trust Form 8-K filed on
June 14, 1996, file number 33-97884)
20.2 Current Report on Form 8-K for the for the September 1,
1996 Distribution Date (incorporated herein by
reference to the WFS Financial 1996-A Owner Trust Form
8-K filed on September 6, 1996, file number 33-97884)
20.3 Current Report on Form 8-K for the for the December 1,
1996 Distribution Date (incorporated herein by
reference to the WFS Financial 1996-A Owner Trust Form
8-K filed on December 6, 1996, file number 33-97884)
20.4 Current Report on Form 8-K for the for the March 1,
1997 Distribution Date (incorporated herein by
reference to the WFS Financial 1996-A Owner Trust Form
8-K filed on March 12, 1997, file number 33-97884)
20.5 Accountants' Report dated January 28, 1997
20.6 Annual Statement of Compliance by Master Servicer dated
January 24, 1997
20.7 Annual Statements to Securityholders for the Service
Period 1996
20.8 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-A 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> <C>
20.1 Current Report on Form 8-K for the for the June 1, 1996
Distribution Date (incorporated herein by reference to the WFS
Financial 1996-A Owner Trust Form 8-K filed on June 14, 1996,
file number 33-97884)
20.2 Current Report on Form 8-K for the for the September 1, 1996
Distribution Date (incorporated herein by reference to the WFS
Financial 1996-A Owner Trust Form 8-K filed on September 6, 1996,
file number 33-97884)
20.3 Current Report on Form 8-K for the for the December 1, 1996
Distribution Date (incorporated herein by reference to the WFS
Financial 1996-A Owner Trust Form 8-K filed on December 6, 1996,
file number 33-97884)
20.4 Current Report on Form 8-K for the for the March 1, 1997
Distribution Date (incorporated herein by reference to the WFS
Financial 1996-A Owner Trust Form 8-K filed on March 12, 1997, file
number 33-97884)
20.5 Accountants' Report dated January 28, 1997
20.6 Annual Statement of Compliance by Master Servicer dated
January 24, 1997
20.7 Annual Statements to Securityholders for the Service Period 1996
20.8 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 20.5
[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 20.6
[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-A Owner Trust
Dear Sir or Madam:
OFFICERS' CERTIFICATE
Pursuant to Section 4.10 of the Sale and Servicing Agreement ("Agreement") dated
as of March 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 20.7
[WFS FINANCIAL LETTERHEAD]
OWNER TRUST 1996-A
ANNUAL STATEMENT TO SECURITY HOLDERS 5.07
FOR SERVICE PERIOD 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Disbursement Date
--------------------------------------------------------------------
March 1 June 1 September 1 December 1 Total
------- ------ ----------- ---------- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PART I. DISTRIBUTIONS
Interest Paid - Class A1 969,687.50 466,694.66 0.00 1,436,382.16
Interest Paid - Class A2 2,066,250.00 2,066,250.00 1,925,681.09 6,058,181.09
Interest Paid - Class A3 1,739,375.00 1,739,375.00 1,739,375.00 5,218,125.00
Interest Paid - Class A4 1,383,750.00 1,383,750.00 1,383,750.00 4,151,250.00
Interest Paid - Class A5 455,015.63 455,015.63 455,015.63 1,365,046.89
Interest Paid - Certificate 526,225.00 526,225.00 512,512.31 1,564,962.31
------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ -------------
Total Interest Paid 0.00 7,140,303.13 6,637,310.29 6,016,334.03 19,793,947.45
------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ -------------
Principal Paid - Class A1 37,606,941.24 34,893,058.76 0.00 72,500,000.00
Principal Paid - Class A2 0.00 9,864,484.72 40,599,375.23 50,463,859.95
Principal Paid - Class A3 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Principal Paid - Class A4 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Principal Paid - Class A5 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Principal Paid - Certificate 0.00 884,689.62 3,641,127.43 4,525,817.05
------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ -------------
Total Principal Paid 0.00 37,606,941.24 45,642,233.10 44,240,502.66 127,489,677.00
------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ -------------
PART II SERVICING FEES
Total Servicing Fees Paid 0.00 808,334.00 1,958,157.00 1,042,412.00 3,808,903.00
------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ -------------
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
Class A5 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
Class A5 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 March 1, 1996.
/s/ JIM DOWLAN
-----------------------------------
Jim Dowlan
Senior Executive Vice President
/s/ MARK OLSON
-----------------------------------
Mark Olson
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. 33-97884) of WFS Financial 1996-A 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
