NORWEST FINANCIAL INC
10-Q, 1996-05-10
PERSONAL CREDIT INSTITUTIONS
Previous: SOUTHERN TIMBER PARTNERS 2, 10-Q, 1996-05-10
Next: ALFACELL CORP, 4, 1996-05-10



     <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       March 31, 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 May 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 (Unaudited)

                      (Thousands of Dollars)



                                              March 31,     December 31,

         Assets                                 1996            1995

Cash and cash equivalents                    $  105,289      $   72,991

Marketable securities                           762,294         757,291



Finance receivables:
  Consumer:
    Loans                                     3,142,736       3,172,895
    Sales finance                             1,508,997       1,567,629
    Other                                       560,843         586,840
  Commercial                                    493,869         507,480

            Total finance receivables         5,706,445       5,834,844

  Less allowance for credit losses              161,072         158,618

            Finance receivables - net         5,545,373       5,676,226



Notes receivable - affiliates                   529,109         552,005



Property and equipment (at cost, less
  accumulated depreciation of $97,482 
  for 1996 and $94,334 for 1995)                 64,399          63,888

Deferred income taxes                            50,372          40,072

Other receivables from affiliate                                 31,643

Other assets                                    181,806         345,143


            Total assets                     $7,238,642      $7,539,259



See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE 3>
                     NORWEST FINANCIAL, INC.

             Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

                      (Thousands of Dollars)



                                             March 31,      December 31,
            Liabilities and 
         Stockholder's Equity                   1996            1995

Loans payable - short-term:
  Commercial paper                          $1,683,609       $1,739,683
  Other                                                         218,800
Unearned insurance premiums and commissions    134,330          140,020
Insurance claims and policy reserves            35,367           34,683
Accrued interest payable                        78,608           76,916
Other payables to affiliates                     4,839                 
Other liabilities                              218,168          210,029 

Long-term debt:  
  Senior                                     3,850,519        3,864,531
  Subordinated                                 217,000          217,000

            Total long-term debt             4,067,519        4,081,531

            Total liabilities                6,222,440        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)                   920,365          933,366
  Foreign currency translation adjustment       (4,948)          (5,393)
  Net unrealized holding gain   
    on marketable securities                     6,164           15,003 


            Total stockholder's equity       1,016,202        1,037,597

            Total liabilities and 
            stockholder's equity            $7,238,642       $7,539,259




See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE 4>
                     NORWEST FINANCIAL, INC.

         Statements of Consolidated Earnings (Unaudited)

                      (Thousands of Dollars)




                                             Three Months Ended March 31,

                                                  1996          1995

Income:

  Finance charges and interest                  $296,425      $268,075

  Insurance premiums and commissions              33,078        27,817

  Other income (note 3)                           44,825        28,264

         Total income                            374,328       324,156


Expenses:

  Operating expenses                             126,140       114,224

  Interest and debt expense                       94,704        81,312

  Provision for credit losses                     45,952        30,314

  Insurance losses and loss expenses               9,890         9,553

         Total expenses                          276,686       235,403 

         Earnings before income taxes             97,642        88,753

Income taxes                                      35,643        31,776

         Net earnings                           $ 61,999      $ 56,977












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)

                                                 Three Months Ended March 31,  
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     1996            1995
<S>                                              <C>             <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:  
  Net earnings                                   $   61,999      $   56,977
  Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to 
      net cash flows from operating activities:
      Provision for credit losses                    45,952          30,314
      Depreciation and amortization                   6,773           6,364
      Deferred income taxes                          (5,396)          3,054
      Other receivables from affiliate               31,643
      Other assets                                   26,730           3,016 
      Unearned insurance premiums 
        and commissions                              (5,690)           (778)
      Insurance claims and policy reserves              684             970 
      Accrued interest payable                        1,692          12,197
      Other payables to affiliates                    4,839          18,564
      Other liabilities                               8,139         (32,228)

Net cash flows from operating activities            177,365          98,450 

Cash flows from investing activities:   
  Finance receivables:
      Principal collected                         1,393,407       1,208,168
      Receivables originated or purchased        (1,308,506)     (1,273,225)
  Proceeds from sales of marketable securities       49,825           8,612 
  Proceeds from maturities of 
    marketable securities                            14,461          12,375
  Purchase of marketable securities                 (83,032)        (37,422)
  Net additions to property and equipment            (4,343)         (3,004)
  Net decrease in note receivable - affiliates       22,896          51,197 
  Contributed subsidiaries received, net of 
    cash and cash equivalents                                         2,477
  Other                                             134,559         122,421 

Net cash flows used for investing activities        219,267          91,599 

Cash flows from financing activities:
  Net decrease in loans payable -
    short term                                     (274,874)       (546,923) 
  Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt-
    Senior                                                          450,000 
  Repayments of long-term debt-                                       
    Senior                                          (14,460)            (38)
  Dividends paid                                    (75,000)        (50,000)

Net cash flows used for financing activities       (364,334)       (146,961)

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents            32,298          43,088

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

Cash and cash equivalents end of period          $  105,289      $  106,584
</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 $58 million of
consolidated retained earnings was unrestricted at March 31, 1996.

3.    Other Income.

Income from affiliates was $14.7 million and $1.9 million for the three months
ended March 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

Interest and dividends from marketable securities and cash equivalents were
$12.7 million and $11.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 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 total income (revenue) increased 15% for the first three
months ($374.3 million in the first three months of 1996 compared with $324.2 
million in the first three months of 1995).  

Income from finance charges and interest increased 11% for the first three
months ($296.4 million in the first three months of 1996 compared with $268.1 
million in the first three 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
three months of 1996 increased 13% from the first three months of 1995; average
consumer receivables outstanding increased 14% while average commercial
receivables outstanding increased 1%.

                                              Three Months Ended March 31,

Rate of charge on finance receivables:             1996       1995

      Consumer                                     21.00%     21.47%
      Commercial                                   14.87      14.85
      Total                                        20.47      20.83

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 19% ($33.1 million in the first
three months of 1996 compared with $27.8 million in the first three 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 7% in the first three months of 1996 compared with the
first three 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 $4.3
million in the first three months of 1996.  Insurance losses and loss expenses
increased 4% ($9.9 million in the first three months of 1996 compared with $9.6
million in the first three months of 1995).  Insurance losses and loss expenses
on the new insurance arrangements noted above were $.4 million in the first
three months of 1996.


<PAGE 8>
                     NORWEST FINANCIAL, INC.

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


Other income increased 59% ($44.8 million in the first three months of 1996
compared with $28.3 million in the first three months of 1995).   Income from
affiliates was $14.7 million in the first three months of 1996 compared with
$1.9 million in the first three 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 $347 million from the first three 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.

Operating expenses increased 10% ($126.1 million in the first three months of
1996 compared with $114.2 million in the first three months of 1995).  The
increase was due primarily to increases in employee compensation and benefits
and other costs resulting from business expansion.  At March 31, 1996, Norwest
Financial was operating 1,024 consumer finance branch offices compared with
1,003 at March 31, 1995.

Interest and debt expense increased 16% ($94.7 million in the first three
months of 1996 compared with $81.3 million in the first three 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 three
months of 1996 increased 20% from the first three months of 1995.

                                             Three Months Ended March 31,

Costs of funds:                                    1996       1995

      Short-term                                   5.51%      6.27%
      Long-term                                    6.94       6.96 
      Total                                        6.52       6.75

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 13% from the first three
months of 1995.  Average notes receivable - affiliates increased by $347
million from the first three months of 1995.

Provision for credit losses increased 52% ($46.0 million in the first three
months of 1996 compared with $30.3 million in the first three months of 1995). 
Net write-offs as a percentage of average net receivables outstanding increased
to .77% in the first three months of 1996 compared with .57% in the first three
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 12% ($35.6 million in the first three
months of 1996 compared with $31.8 million in the first three months of 1995). 
The increase was due primarily to the increase in earnings before income taxes. 
The effective tax rate was 36.5% for the first three months of 1996 and 35.8%
for the first three months 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 March 31, 1996, lines of credit
and revolving credit agreements totaling $1,329 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:

       Three Months Ended                    Years Ended December 31,        
          March 31, 1996                 1995    1994    1993    1992    1991 

             2.00                        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 three months ended March 31, 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: May 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>
                          Three
                          Months 
                          Ended
                        March 31,
                          1996                         Years Ended December 31,               

                                                        (Thousands of Dollars)

                                         1995        1994        1993       1992       1991
<S>                     <C>            <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>
Net earnings            $ 61,999       $267,941    $223,340    $203,297   $164,204   $130,880


Add:

  Fixed charges:

  Interest including
  amortization of 
  debt expense            94,704        359,079     259,605     242,440    236,337    255,075

  One-third of
  rentals*                 2,605         10,317       9,747      10,146      8,207      7,209

  Total fixed 
  charges                 97,309        369,396     269,352     252,586    244,544    262,284

  Provision for
  income taxes            35,643        147,873     116,900     104,228     84,334     63,985


Total net earnings,
  fixed charges and
  income taxes - 
  "Earnings"            $194,951       $785,210    $609,592    $560,111   $493,082   $457,149


Ratio of earnings
  to fixed charges          2.00           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>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                         105,289
<SECURITIES>                                   762,294
<RECEIVABLES>                                5,706,445
<ALLOWANCES>                                   161,072
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0<F1>
<PP&E>                                         161,881
<DEPRECIATION>                                  97,482
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               7,238,642
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0<F1>
<BONDS>                                      5,751,128<F2>
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                         3,855
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,012,347
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 7,238,642
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               374,328
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               136,030
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                45,952
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              94,704
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 97,642
<INCOME-TAX>                                    35,643
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    61,999
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<FN>
<F1>NORWEST FINANCIAL INC HAS A NON-CLASSIFIED BALANCE SHEET
SO THIS INFORMATION IS UNAVAILABLE.
<F2>INCLUDES $1.7 BILLION OF SHORT-TERM LOANS
</FN>
        

</TABLE>


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission