NORWEST FINANCIAL INC
10-Q, 1996-08-08
PERSONAL CREDIT INSTITUTIONS
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     <PAGE> 1
                            Form 10-Q


                SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                     Washington, D.C.  20549

                Quarterly Report Under Section 13
              of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934




For Quarter Ended       June 30, 1996       Commission file number  2-80466 




                          Norwest Financial, Inc.                            
      (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)




                Iowa                                    42 1186565           
     (State or other jurisdiction of                (I.R.S. Employer
      incorporation or organization)                 Identification No.)




   206 Eighth Street, Des Moines, Iowa                      50309           
(Address of principal executive offices)                   (Zip Code)



Registrant's telephone number, including area code    (515) 243-2131         



Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 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 the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date.  Common Stock (without par
value):  1,000 shares outstanding as of August 1, 1996.

The registrant meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction H(1)(a)
and (b) of Form 10-Q and is therefore filing this Form with the reduced
disclosure format.



<PAGE> 2
                  PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

                     NORWEST FINANCIAL, INC.

                   Consolidated Balance Sheets

                      (Thousands of Dollars)


                                             (Unaudited)
                                              June 30,      December 31,

         Assets                                 1996            1995

Cash and cash equivalents                    $   92,415      $   72,991

Marketable securities                           774,311         757,291



Finance receivables:
  Consumer:
    Loans                                     3,222,635       3,172,895
    Sales finance                             1,569,279       1,567,629
    Other                                       497,880         586,840
  Commercial                                    491,396         507,480

            Total finance receivables         5,781,190       5,834,844

  Less allowance for credit losses              163,532         158,618

            Finance receivables - net         5,617,658       5,676,226



Notes receivable - affiliates                   638,684         552,005



Property and equipment (at cost, less
  accumulated depreciation of $91,863 
  for 1996 and $94,334 for 1995)                 66,735          63,888

Deferred income taxes                            49,238          40,072

Other receivables from affiliate                                 31,643

Other assets                                    194,584         345,143


            Total assets                     $7,433,625      $7,539,259



See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

<PAGE> 3
                     NORWEST FINANCIAL, INC.

                   Consolidated Balance Sheets

                      (Thousands of Dollars)


                                            (Unaudited)
                                              June 30,      December 31,
            Liabilities and 
         Stockholder's Equity                   1996            1995

Loans payable - short-term:
  Commercial paper                          $1,745,946       $1,739,683
  Affiliates                                    24,560
  Other                                                         218,800
Unearned insurance premiums and commissions    136,099          140,020
Insurance claims and policy reserves            37,913           34,683
Accrued interest payable                        77,672           76,916
Other payables to affiliates                    74,254                 
Other liabilities                              242,997          210,029 

Long-term debt:  
  Senior                                     3,844,503        3,864,531
  Subordinated                                 197,000          217,000
  Subordinated - Affiliate                      50,000                 

            Total long-term debt             4,091,503        4,081,531

            Total liabilities                6,430,944        6,501,662





Stockholder's equity:
  Common stock without par value
    (authorized 1,000 shares,
     issued 1,000 shares)                        3,855            3,855 
  Additional paid in capital                    90,766           90,766
  Retained earnings (note 2)                   912,363          933,366
  Foreign currency translation adjustment       (5,346)          (5,393)
  Net unrealized holding gain   
    on marketable securities                     1,043           15,003 


            Total stockholder's equity       1,002,681        1,037,597

            Total liabilities and 
            stockholder's equity            $7,433,625       $7,539,259




See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

<PAGE> 4
                     NORWEST FINANCIAL, INC.

         Statements of Consolidated Earnings (Unaudited)

                      (Thousands of Dollars)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                Quarter Ended June 30,         Six Months Ended June 30,

                                                  1996         1995                1996           1995
<S>                                             <C>           <C>                 <C>           <C>
Income:

  Finance charges and interest                  $296,939      $275,351            $593,364      $543,426

  Insurance premiums and commissions              34,553        30,331              67,631        58,148

  Other income (note 3)                           46,618        46,428              91,443        74,692

         Total income                            378,110       352,110             752,438       676,266



Expenses:

  Operating expenses                             128,276       114,263             254,416       228,487

  Interest and debt expense                       92,703        90,664             187,407       171,976

  Provision for credit losses                     43,884        31,497              89,836        61,811

  Insurance losses and loss expenses              10,147         8,639              20,037        18,192

         Total expenses                          275,010       245,063             551,696       480,466 

         Earnings before income taxes            103,100       107,047             200,742       195,800

Income taxes                                      36,102        38,291              71,745        70,067

         Net earnings                           $ 66,998      $ 68,756            $128,997      $125,733


</TABLE>









See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE> 5
                       NORWEST FINANCIAL, INC.

           Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows (Unaudited)
           Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents

                        (Thousands of Dollars)

                                                  Six Months Ended June 30, 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     1996            1995

<S>                                              <C>             <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:  
  Net earnings                                   $  128,997      $  125,733
  Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to 
      net cash flows from operating activities:
      Provision for credit losses                    89,836          61,811
      Depreciation and amortization                  13,665          12,837
      Deferred income taxes                          (1,596)          2,540
      Other receivables from affiliate               31,643
      Other assets                                   20,270           5,866 
      Unearned insurance premiums 
        and commissions                              (3,921)          9,398 
      Insurance claims and policy reserves            3,230           2,159 
      Accrued interest payable                          756          18,616
      Other payables to affiliates                   74,254          (4,034)
      Other liabilities                              32,968           1,519 

Net cash flows from operating activities            390,102         236,445 

Cash flows from investing activities:   
  Finance receivables:
      Principal collected                         2,802,231       2,408,966
      Receivables originated or purchased        (2,833,499)     (2,660,637)
  Proceeds from sales of marketable securities       85,358          34,531 
  Proceeds from maturities of 
    marketable securities                            26,855          17,497
  Purchase of marketable securities                (150,763)        (96,025)
  Net additions to property and equipment           (10,658)        (11,584)
  Net increase in notes receivable - affiliates     (86,679)       (430,374)
  Contributed subsidiaries received, net of 
    cash and cash equivalents                                         2,477
  Other                                             124,314         124,520 

Net cash flows used for investing activities        (42,841)       (610,629)

Cash flows from financing activities:
  Net decrease in loans payable -
    short term                                     (187,977)       (207,273) 
  Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt:
    Senior                                                          779,411 
    Subordinated - affiliate                         50,000
  Repayments of long-term debt:                                       
    Senior                                          (19,860)         (5,438)
    Subordinated                                    (20,000)        (30,000)
  Dividends paid                                   (150,000)        (85,000)

Net cash flows from (used for)
  financing activities                             (327,837)        451,700

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents            19,424          77,516

Cash and cash equivalents beginning of period        72,991          63,496 

Cash and cash equivalents end of period          $   92,415      $  141,012
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE> 6
                    NORWEST FINANCIAL, INC.

      Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)


The accompanying unaudited financial statements and notes have been prepared
in accordance with the accounting policies set forth in Norwest Financial,
Inc.'s 1995 Annual Report on Form 10-K and should be read in conjunction with
the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements therein.  In the opinion of
management, all adjustments (none of which were other than normal recurring
accruals) necessary to present fairly the financial statements for the periods
presented have been included.


1.    Principles of Consolidation.  

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Norwest
Financial, Inc. (the "Company") and subsidiaries.  Intercompany accounts and
transactions are eliminated.  The Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Norwest Financial Services, Inc. which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Norwest
Corporation.  

2.    Dividend Restrictions.

Certain of the Company's bank credit agreements contain requirements as to
maintenance of net worth (as defined).  Approximately $52 million of
consolidated retained earnings was unrestricted at June 30, 1996.

3.    Other Income.

Income from affiliates was $13.6 million and $15.2 million for the quarters
ended June 30, 1996 and 1995, respectively, and $28.3 million and $17.1 million
for the six months ended June 30, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

Interest and dividends from marketable securities and cash equivalents were
$12.9 million and $13.0 million for the quarters ended June 30, 1996 and 1995,
respectively and $25.7 million and $24.6 million for the six months ended June
30, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

4.    Reclassifications.

Certain amounts in the 1995 financial statements have been reclassified to
conform to the presentation used in the 1996 financial statements.


<PAGE> 7
                     NORWEST FINANCIAL, INC.

               Management's Discussion and Analysis
         of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


Norwest Financial's performance for the second quarter of 1996 closely
paralleled performance for the first six months of 1996.  The discussion and
analysis that follows, therefore, is limited to a discussion of the first six
months as a whole and does not include a separate discussion of the second
quarter unless otherwise noted.

Norwest Financial's total income (revenue) increased 11% for the first six
months ($752.4 million in the first six months of 1996 compared with $676.3 
million in the first six months of 1995).  

Income from finance charges and interest increased 9% for the first six months
($593.4 million in the first six months of 1996 compared with $543.4  million
in the first six months of 1995).  Changes in income from finance charges and
interest result primarily from (1) changes in the amount of finance receivables
outstanding and (2) changes in the rate of charge on those receivables.  In
total, average finance receivables outstanding in the first six months of 1996
increased 11% from the first six months of 1995; average consumer receivables
outstanding increased 12% while average commercial receivables outstanding
remained the same.

                                               Six Months Ended June 30,

Rate of charge on finance receivables:             1996       1995

      Consumer                                     21.16%     21.60%
      Commercial                                   14.99      14.77
      Total                                        20.62      20.95

The increase in income from finance charges and interest was due to growth in
average finance receivables outstanding offset somewhat by the decline in the
rate of charge.  The increase in average finance receivables was due primarily
to regular business activity.  

Insurance premiums and commissions increased 16% ($67.6 million in the first
six months of 1996 compared with $58.1 million in the first six months of
1995).  Changes in insurance premiums and commissions generally correspond to 
changes in average consumer finance loans outstanding (those secured by real
estate and not secured by real estate).  Average consumer finance loans
outstanding increased 6% in the first six months of 1996 compared with the
first six months of 1995.  In addition, Norwest Financial began providing
credit insurance as part of the consumer finance business of several affiliates
in the second quarter of 1995 and a non-related company in the fourth quarter
of 1995.  Insurance premiums and commissions on these arrangements were $8.8
million in the first six months of 1996 compared with $1.4 million in the first
six months of 1995.  Insurance losses and loss expenses increased 10% ($20.0
million in the first six months of 1996 compared with $18.2 million in the
first six months of 1995).  Insurance losses and loss expenses  on the new
insurance arrangements noted above were $1.0 million in the first six months
of 1996 compared with $.1 million in the first six months of 1995.


<PAGE> 8
                     NORWEST FINANCIAL, INC.

               Management's Discussion and Analysis
   of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Continued


Other income increased 22% ($91.4 million in the first six months of 1996
compared with $74.7 million in the first six months of 1995).   Income from
affiliates was $28.3 million in the first six months of 1996 compared with
$17.1 million in the first six months of 1995.  Changes in income from
affiliates result from changes in notes receivable - affiliate combined with
management fees charged to affiliates.  Average notes receivable - affiliate
increased $255 million from the first six months of 1995.  Effective May 4,
1995, Norwest Financial, Inc. agreed to lend $500 million in term loans to an
affiliate, Island Finance Puerto Rico, Inc.  This debt has a weighted average
interest rate of 8.80% and matures in 2000.  Other income remained about the
same in the second quarter of 1996 compared with the second quarter of 1995
($46.6 million compared with $46.4 million).  Income from affiliates was $13.6
million in the second quarter of 1996 compared with $15.2 million in the second
quarter of 1995.

Operating expenses increased 11% ($254.4 million in the first six months of
1996 compared with $228.5 million in the first six months of 1995).  The
increase was due primarily to increases in employee compensation and benefits
and other costs resulting from business expansion.  At June 30, 1996, Norwest
Financial was operating 1,047 consumer finance branch offices compared with
1,024 at June 30, 1995.

Interest and debt expense increased 9% ($187.4 million in the first six months
of 1996 compared with $172.0 million in the first six months of 1995).  Changes
in interest and debt expense result primarily from (1) changes in the amount
of borrowings outstanding due to funding requirements for receivables,
dividends, and notes receivable - affiliates and (2) changes in the cost of
those borrowings.  Average total outstanding borrowings in the first six months
of 1996 increased 14% from the first six months of 1995.

                                               Six Months Ended June 30,

Costs of funds:                                    1996       1995

      Short-term                                   5.44%      6.31%
      Long-term                                    6.94       7.00 
      Total                                        6.50       6.79

Changes in average debt outstanding generally corresponds to changes in average
finance receivables outstanding combined with the change in notes receivable -
affiliates.  Average finance receivables increased 11% from the first six
months of 1995.  Average notes receivable - affiliates increased by $255
million from the first six months of 1995.  Interest and debt expense increased
2% in the second quarter of 1996 compared with the second quarter of 1995
($92.7 million compared with $90.7 million).  Average total outstanding
borrowings in the second quarter of 1996 increased 8% from the second quarter
of 1995.  The total cost of funds was 6.48% in the second quarter of 1996
compared with 6.83% in the second quarter of 1995.

Provision for credit losses increased 45% ($89.8 million in the first six
months of 1996 compared with $61.8 million in the first six months of 1995). 
Net write-offs as a percentage of average net receivables outstanding increased
to 1.51% in the first six months of 1996 compared with 1.12% in the first six
months of 1995. 
<PAGE> 9
                    NORWEST FINANCIAL, INC.

               Management's Discussion and Analysis
   of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Concluded


Federal and state income taxes increased 2% ($71.7 million in the first six
months of 1996 compared with $70.1 million in the first six months of 1995). 
The increase was due primarily to the increase in earnings before income taxes. 
The effective tax rate was 35.7% for the first six months of 1996 and 35.8% for
the first six months of 1995.  Federal and state income taxes decreased 6% in
the second quarter of 1996 compared with the second quarter of 1995 ($36.1
million compared with $38.3 million).  The effective tax rate was 35.0% for the
second quarter of 1996 and 35.8% for the second quarter of 1995.

The Company and one of its Canadian subsidiaries maintain bank lines of credit
and revolving credit agreements to provide an alternative source of liquidity
to support the commercial paper borrowings.  At June 30, 1996, lines of credit
and revolving credit agreements totaling $1,328 million were being maintained
at 32 unaffiliated banks.  None of this credit was in use at the time.

The Company and one of its Canadian subsidiaries obtain long-term debt capital
primarily from (i) the issuance of debt securities to the public through
underwriters on a firm-commitment basis, (ii) the issuance of debt securities
to institutional investors, and (iii) term borrowings from commercial banks. 
The Company also obtains long-term debt from the issuance of medium-term notes 
(which may have maturities ranging from nine months to 30 years) through
underwriters (acting as agent or principal).

Norwest Financial anticipates the continued availability of borrowed funds, at
prevailing interest rates, to provide for Norwest Financial's growth in the
foreseeable future.  Funds are also generated internally from payments of
principal and interest received on Norwest Financial's finance receivables.

<PAGE> 10
                   PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

                     NORWEST FINANCIAL, INC.


Item 5.  Other Information.

               RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

The following table sets forth the ratios of earnings to fixed charges of
Norwest Financial, Inc. and its subsidiaries for the periods indicated:

        Six Months Ended                      Years Ended December 31,       
          June 30, 1996                  1995    1994    1993    1992    1991 

             2.04                        2.13    2.26    2.22    2.02    1.74


The ratios of earnings to fixed charges have been computed by dividing net
earnings plus fixed charges and income taxes by fixed charges.  Fixed charges
consist of interest and debt expense plus one-third of rentals (which is deemed
representative of the interest factor).

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.

(a) Exhibits:

    Exhibit (12)    Computation of ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the
                    years ended December 31, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992 and 1991
                    and the six months ended June 30, 1996.

(b) Reports on 8-K.

    No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the quarter for which this report
    is filed.  


                       S I G N A T U R E S

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 thereunto duly authorized.

                                  NORWEST FINANCIAL, INC.

Date: August 1, 1996


                                  By  \S\ Robert W. Bettle             
                                              Robert W. Bettle
                                        Vice President and Controller
                                        (Principal Accounting Officer)

                     NORWEST FINANCIAL, INC.

        COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

                           Exhibit (12)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          Six 
                         Months 
                         Ended
                        June 30,
                          1996                         Years Ended December 31,               

                                                        (Thousands of Dollars)

                                         1995        1994        1993       1992       1991
<S>                     <C>            <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>      
Net earnings            $128,997       $267,941    $223,340    $203,297   $164,204   $130,880


Add:

  Fixed charges:

  Interest including
  amortization of 
  debt expense           187,407        359,079     259,605     242,440    236,337    255,075

  One-third of
  rentals*                 5,357         10,317       9,747      10,146      8,207      7,209

  Total fixed 
  charges                192,764        369,396     269,352     252,586    244,544    262,284

  Provision for
  income taxes            71,745        147,873     116,900     104,228     84,334     63,985


Total net earnings,
  fixed charges and
  income taxes - 
  "Earnings"            $393,506       $785,210    $609,592    $560,111   $493,082   $457,149


Ratio of earnings
  to fixed charges          2.04           2.13        2.26        2.22       2.02       1.74

</TABLE>

*One-third of rentals is deemed representative of the interest factor.

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM NORWEST
FINANCIAL INC AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                          92,415
<SECURITIES>                                   774,311
<RECEIVABLES>                                5,781,190
<ALLOWANCES>                                   163,532
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0<F1>
<PP&E>                                         158,598
<DEPRECIATION>                                  91,863
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               7,433,625
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0<F1>
<BONDS>                                      5,862,009<F2>
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                         3,855
<OTHER-SE>                                     998,826
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 7,433,625
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               752,438
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               274,453
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                89,836
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             187,407
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                200,742
<INCOME-TAX>                                    71,745
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   128,997
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<FN>
<F1>NORWEST FINANCIAL INC HAS A NON-CLASSIFIED BALANCE SHEET
SO THIS INFORMATION IS UNAVAILABLE.
<F2>INCLUDES $1.8 BILLION OF SHORT-TERM LOANS
</FN>
        

</TABLE>


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