<PAGE> 1
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event) March 19, 1998
ASSOCIATES FIRST CAPITAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 06-0876639
(State or other jurisdiction (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation) Identification Number)
2-44197
(Commission File Number)
250 E. Carpenter Freeway, Irving, Texas 75062-2729
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (972) 652-4000
<PAGE> 2
Item 5. Other Events.
On March 19, 1998, Associates First Capital Corporation (the "Registrant")
announced it had entered into an agreement in principle to acquire DIC Finance
Co., Ltd., a Japanese consumer finance company. A copy of the news release dated
March 19, 1998 issued by the Registrant is attached as Exhibit 20 and
incorporated by reference herein.
Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(c) Exhibits.
20 - News Release by Associates First Capital Corporation
dated March 19, 1998
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
ASSOCIATES FIRST CAPITAL CORPORATION
By: /s/ Michael J. Forde
------------------
Michael J. Forde
Assistant Secretary
Date: March 19, 1998
<PAGE> 3
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
- ------- -----------
20 News release by Associates First Capital Corporation
dated March 19, 1998
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 20
[LOGO] THE ASSOCIATES
NEWS
Media Contact: Joe Stroop FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
972-652-4743
[email protected]
THE ASSOCIATES ANNOUNCES JAPANESE ACQUISITION
DALLAS (March 19, 1998)-- Associates First Capital Corporation today announced
that it has agreed in principle to purchase DIC Finance, the ninth-largest
consumer finance company in Japan, from the Daiei Group. The acquisition is
expected to close in the second quarter of 1998.
DIC Finance has 204 branches and 1,100 employees throughout Japan. After the
purchase, it will continue to operate under its current name and management.
The acquisition will strengthen The Associates consumer lending position in
Japan, where it has had a presence since 1979, according to Keith W. Hughes, the
company's chairman and chief executive officer.
"DIC has an extensive branch distribution network, augmented by
automated teller and contract machines, that will complement our
existing operations in Japan," Mr. Hughes said. "DIC also has
experienced management and excellent employees. We are pleased to
welcome them to our organization."
Through its subsidiary, AIC Corporation, The Associates is the largest
foreign-owned consumer finance company in Japan. The combined operation will
position The Associates as Japan's sixth- largest finance company, based on
total receivables.
The Associates will have a total presence of over 3,000 employees, more than 600
locations and (Y)530 billion (approximately US$4 billion) in net receivables.
Associates First Capital Corporation (NYSE: AFS) is the largest publicly traded
finance company in the United States, providing consumer and commercial finance,
leasing and related services through 2,265 offices in the U.S. and
internationally. Based in Dallas, it is a majority-owned subsidiary of Ford
Motor Company. Ford has announced plans to spin off its remaining shares in The
Associates on April 7, 1998, to Ford shareholders of record on March 12, 1998.
###
Investor Contacts
Institutional Investors:
Dianne Douglas, (972) 652-7294
[email protected]
Shareholders:
Call 1-888-NYSE-AFS
