ASSOCIATES FIRST CAPITAL CORP
8-K/A, 1998-10-14
PERSONAL CREDIT INSTITUTIONS
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<PAGE>





                    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                          Washington, D.C. 20549





                                 FORM 8-K/A
                              (Amendment No. 1)
                        AMENDMENT TO CURRENT REPORT

  Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

   Date of Report (Date of earliest event) October 13, 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>
Item 5.  Other Events.

     Associates First Capital Corporation announced its third quarter
earnings in a news release dated October 13, 1998.  A copy of the new release,
financial highlights and a quarterly financial supplement is attached  as an
Exhibit hereto and incorporated by reference herein.  The Company also
disclosed that it is currently comfortable with the range of analysts'
estimated earnings for 1999 of $4.00 to $4.10 per share (based on
approximately 348,000,000 shares outstanding), excluding the impact of
expenses relating to the previously announced acquisition of the assets of
Avco Financial Services, Inc.  The impact of such expenses will be determined
in part by the financing and integration plans for the acquisition, which have
not been finalized.  

From time to time the Company sells finance receivables through securitization
transactions and retains servicing responsibilities.  Finance charges,
interest expense and credit losses on the servicing portfolio are included in
investment and other income on the statement of earnings.  The pro forma
managed basis financial information included in the attached quarterly
financial supplement reclassifies these items from investment and other income
into line items on the financial statements on the same basis as if the
receivables had not been sold.  Management believes this presentation is
useful for evaluating the trends in financial information and key data.

This report contains certain forward-looking statements.  The factors which
may cause future results to differ materially from expectations are discussed
in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997, filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.  

Item 7.  Financial Statements and Exhibits

( C )  Exhibits

       20 -  News release by Associates First Capital Corporation dated
           October 13, 1998 with supporting financial schedules.

                                  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/ John F.  Stillo                
                                     -------------------------------------
                                     Senior Vice President and Comptroller


Date: October 14, 1998



<PAGE>
           THE ASSOCIATES: ANOTHER RECORD QUARTER
           Results based on execution of fundamentals


   DALLAS, Oct. 13, 1998   Associates First Capital Corporation (NYSE:
AFS) today announced that it achieved records in net earnings and
earnings per share for the third quarter and the first nine months of
the year. 

   Net earnings for the quarter reached $317.6 million, or 91 cents
per share (diluted), the best single quarter in the company's history
and a 17 percent improvement over the third quarter of 1997.  This was
the 95th consecutive quarter of improved earnings at The Associates. 
For the year to date, net earnings were $891.5 million, or $2.56 per
share, up 18 percent over the prior year.  Total managed assets
reached a record $70.6 billion, a year-to-year increase of 23 percent
driven primarily by strong receivables growth. 

   "Our ability to execute the fundamentals of our business, just as
we have done for more than two decades, has been the key factor in our
results for the quarter and the year," said Keith W. Hughes, chairman
and chief executive officer of The Associates.  "The fundamentals are
balanced growth, conservative business practices and a strong balance
sheet.  These elements, combined with our experienced management and
performance culture, are the keys to our track record of reliable,
predictable results.  

   "We do not deviate from these basic principles," Hughes continued. 
"As a result, we have demonstrated our ability to be successful in a
variety of economic conditions.  This ability distinguishes The
Associates and gives us confidence that we can achieve another year of
improved earnings." 
                 -more-<PAGE>
Page 2
                  
  Highlighting the quarter's activity were announcements of
two major acquisitions. 

  The company has agreed to purchase the assets of Avco
Financial Services, Inc., a consumer finance company that will
bring The Associates approximately $8.9 billion in assets,
8,000 employees, 1,265 branches, 2.5 million customers and
operations in eight new countries.  When completed, it will be
the largest acquisition in company history. 

  The Associates also announced its intention to purchase The Northland
Company, of Minneapolis, an insurance company with net written premiums of
$388 million and A+ ratings for all its insurance subsidiaries from A.M. Best. 
Northland will complement the existing insurance business of The Associates
and add to the company's distribution system. 

  Associates First Capital Corporation is a leading
diversified finance company providing consumer and commercial
finance, leasing and related services worldwide. 
Headquartered in Dallas, it is one of the nation's 100 largest
companies, based on total market capitalization. 

  This news release contains certain forward-looking statements.  The factors
which may cause future results to differ materially from expectations are
discussed in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997, filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission.
                            # # #
              Contact Information:
              
 Media:       (972) 652-4522                    
              www.theassociates.com
              
 Securities Analysts:             (972) 652-7294
             [email protected]
                  
 Shareholders:                             1-888-NYSE:AFS

              <PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        Three Months Ended or at
($ millions - except earnings per share) 9/30/98       9/30/97     %Change

<S>                                 <C>           <C>              <C>
Net earnings
     Amount                           $     317.6  $       270.9     17
     Return on average equity               18.68 %        18.34 %
     Return on average adjusted equity      20.94          21.74
     Return on average assets                1.97           2.01
     Return on average managed assets        1.84           1.91
Net earnings per diluted share        $      0.91  $        0.78     17

Key Data (Managed)
Total revenue                         $   2,524.4  $     2,167.6     16
Net interest margin (% avg. mgd. recs.)      8.90 %         9.02 %
Efficiency ratio                             43.9           44.0
Credit quality
     60+days contractual delinquency         2.39 %         2.28 %
     Credit loss ratio (% avg. mgd. recs)    2.38           2.37

Balance Sheet Information
Stockholders' equity
Allowance for losses                  $   1,865.0  $     1,891.4
    % of net receivables                     3.24 %         3.59 %
    Multiple to net losses <F1>              1.70 x         1.62 x
<FN>
   <F1> The current year quarter reflects a multiple of annualized
         second and third quarter losses.  The prior year quarter
         reflects a multiple of trailing 4 quarter losses. 
</FN>
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      
                                        Nine Months Ended or at
                                        9/30/98       9/30/97       % Change
<S>                                  <C>          <C>              <C>
Net earnings
     Amount                           $     891.5  $       753.7     18
     Return on average equity               18.05 %        17.65 %
     Return on average adjusted equity      20.45          21.08
     Return on average assets                1.93           1.94
     Return on average managed assets        1.81           1.85
Net earnings per diluted share        $      2.56  $        2.17     18

Managed receivables                   $  66,153.4  $    55,862.7     18
Total managed assets                  $  70,649.8  $    57,427.5     23

Key Data (Managed)
Total revenue                         $   7,244.9  $     6,229.6     16
Net interest margin (% avg. mgd. recs.)      8.88 %         9.12 %
Efficiency ratio                             43.5           43.0
Credit quality
     60+days contractual delinquency         2.39 %         2.28 %
     Credit loss ratio (% avg. 
      mgd. recs.)                            2.35           2.32

Balance Sheet Information
Stockholders' equity                  $   6,967.1  $     6,016.6     16
Allowance for losses                  $   1,865.0  $     1,891.4
    % of net receivables                     3.24 %         3.59 %
</TABLE>

            THE ASSOCIATES
 QUARTERLY FINANCIAL SUPPLEMENT

Pro Forma Managed Basis Income Statement and Key Data    
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       
                                      Three Months Ended or at             Change from Prior Year
($ millions)                           9/30/98      6/30/98     9/30/97       Amount     Percent
<S>                                <C>              <C>        <C>        <C>            <C>
Revenue
     Finance charges                $   2,330.8 $    2,257.7 $   2,004.5   $    326.3     16.3 %
     Insurance premiums                   110.0        104.1       105.5          4.5      4.3
     Investment and other income           83.6         70.4        57.6         26.0     45.1
                                        2,524.4      2,432.2     2,167.6        356.8     16.5

Expenses
     Interest expense                     882.6        855.4       761.7        120.9     15.9
     Operating expenses                   705.2        671.4       603.0        102.2     16.9
     Provision for losses                 397.9        410.0       335.1         62.8     18.7
     Insurance benefits paid 
      or provided                          34.2         30.5        34.7         (0.5)    (1.4)
                                        2,019.9      1,967.3     1,734.5        285.4     16.5

Earnings before provision for 
 income taxes                             504.5        464.9       433.1         71.4     16.5
Provision for income taxes                186.9        172.0       162.2         24.7     15.2
Net earnings                        $     317.6 $      292.9 $     270.9   $     46.7     17.2 %
Net earnings per diluted share 
 (whole $)                          $      0.91 $       0.84 $      0.78   $     0.13     17.3 %
Equivalent shares for diluted 
 EPS calculation (000's)                348,224      348,590     348,170           54

Key Data ($ millions)
Net interest margin   (% avg. 
 mgd. recs.)                               8.90 %       8.92 %      9.02 %                     
Efficiency ratio  (managed)                43.9         43.4        44.0     
Net credit losses (as a % of avg. 
 mgd. recs.)                               2.38         2.37        2.37
Delinquency ratio (% of mgd. gross 
 recs.)                                    2.39         2.29        2.28

Managed Receivables
     End of period                  $  66,153.4 $   64,311.8 $  55,862.7   $ 10,290.7     18.4 %
     Average                           65,108.9     62,890.0    55,128.9      9,980.0     18.1
Managed Assets
     End of period                     70,649.8     68,132.1    57,427.5     13,222.3     23.0
     Average                           69,149.0     66,245.3    56,636.0     12,513.0     22.1


</TABLE>

















            THE ASSOCIATES
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL SUPPLEMENT

Managed Receivables ($ millions)                               

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      Change from Prior Year
Outstanding at End of Period (1) 9/30/98      6/30/98     9/30/97       Amount     Percent
<S>                          <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>
     Home equity              $  21,924.5 $   21,050.8 $  18,255.4   $  3,669.1       20.1 %
     Personal loans / retail 
      sales finance              10,499.4     10,365.2     8,581.2      1,918.2       22.4
     Credit card                  7,969.7      7,887.8     8,206.7       (237.0)      (2.9)
     Manufactured housing         4,822.0      4,423.9     3,174.2      1,647.8       51.9

     Truck and truck trailer     10,470.5     10,312.3     9,200.5      1,270.0       13.8
     Equipment                    5,813.8      5,790.9     5,027.9        785.9       15.6
     Recreational vehicles        1,988.6      1,881.8     1,592.7        395.9       24.9
     Fleet leasing                1,584.0      1,602.8     1,158.4        425.6       36.7
     Warehouse and other          1,080.9        996.3       665.7        415.2       62.4
        Total                 $  66,153.4 $   64,311.8 $  55,862.7   $ 10,290.7       18.4 %


                                                                     Change from Prior Year
Average Outstanding <F1>         9/30/98      6/30/98     9/30/97       Amount     Percent

     Home equity              $  21,442.0 $   20,480.9 $  17,890.6   $  3,551.4       19.9 %
     Personal loans / retail 
      sales finance              10,373.3     10,067.5     8,448.4      1,924.9       22.8
     Credit card                  7,931.2      7,882.9     8,224.7       (293.5)      (3.6)
     Manufactured housing         4,632.2      4,197.9     3,158.7      1,473.5       46.6

     Truck and truck trailer     10,386.1     10,160.3     9,120.2      1,265.9       13.9
     Equipment                    5,787.9      5,701.8     4,972.2        815.7       16.4
     Recreational vehicles        1,933.5      1,841.7     1,615.4        318.1       19.7
     Fleet leasing                1,597.0      1,593.4     1,165.4        431.6       37.0
     Warehouse and other          1,025.7        963.6       533.3        492.4       92.3
        Total                 $  65,108.9 $   62,890.0 $  55,128.9   $  9,980.0       18.1 %

<FN>
<F1>  Includes servicing portfolio and receivables held for sale.

</FN>


</TABLE>















<PAGE>
            THE ASSOCIATES
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL SUPPLEMENT
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Credit Quality                                                                                     
60+Days Contractual Delinquency      Three Months Ended or at               
 (as a % of Mgd. Gross  Receivables)  9/30/98      6/30/98     9/30/97                  
<S>                                  <C>          <C>         <C>

     Home equity                       2.63 %       2.40 %      2.28 %                       
     Personal loans / retail 
      sales finance                    3.90         3.62        3.40                 
     Credit card                       4.29         4.09        3.99                 
     Manufactured housing              1.34         1.36        1.21                 
     Truck and truck trailer           1.34         1.44        1.50                 
     Equipment                         0.91         0.97        1.30                 
     Recreational vehicles             0.06         0.07        0.06
     Fleet leasing                     0.53         0.74        0.70
              Total  (managed)         2.39 %       2.29 %      2.28 %                       

Net Credit Losses (as a % of Avg. Mgd. Receivables)


     Home equity                       1.11 %       1.07 %      1.02 %                       
     Personal loans / retail 
      sales finance                    5.43         5.65        5.47                 
     Credit card                       7.62         7.63        7.04                 
     Manufactured housing              1.39         0.84        1.00                 
     Truck and truck trailer           0.37         0.45        0.33                 
     Equipment                         0.33         0.25        0.36                 
     Recreational vehicles             0.19         0.28        0.34
     Fleet leasing                     0.05         0.08        0.22
              Total (managed)          2.38 %       2.37 %      2.37 %                       

Loss Coverage (on-balance sheet)
     Allowance for loss          $   1,865.0 $    1,848.7 $   1,891.4              
      % of net finance receivables     3.24 %       3.32 %      3.59 %
         Multiple to net losses (1)    1.70 x       1.51 x      1.62 x

   (1) The current year quarter reflects a multiple of annualized
         second and third quarter losses.  The prior quarter reflects
         a multiple of annualized second quarter losses and the
         prior year quarter reflects a multiple of trailing 4 quarter losses.
                                                                                             
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

            THE ASSOCIATES
 QUARTERLY FINANCIAL SUPPLEMENT

Income Statement and Balance Sheet Items   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>                                                        
                                         Three Months Ended or at               Change from Prior Year
Income Statement ($ millions)              9/30/98      6/30/98     9/30/97       Amount     Percent
<S>                                   <C>           <C>         <C>           <C>            <C>
Revenue
     Finance charges                   $     1,930.6 $   1,881.8 $   1,935.3   $     (4.7)     (0.2)%
     Insurance premiums                        110.0       104.1       105.5          4.5       4.3
     Investment and other income               264.1       309.2        77.3        186.8       N/M
                                             2,304.7     2,295.1     2,118.1        186.6       8.8

Expenses
     Interest expense                          807.3       785.5       718.8         88.5      12.3
     Operating expenses                        705.2       671.4       603.0        102.2      16.9
     Provision for losses                      253.5       342.8       328.5        (75.0)    (22.8)
     Insurance benefits paid or provided        34.2        30.5        34.7         (0.5)     (1.4)
                                             1,800.2     1,830.2     1,685.0        115.2       6.8
Earnings before taxes                          504.5       464.9       433.1         71.4      16.5
Provision for income taxes                     186.9       172.0       162.2         24.7      15.2
Net earnings                           $       317.6 $     292.9 $     270.9   $     46.7      17.2 %
Net earnings per diluted share 
 (whole $)                             $        0.91 $      0.84 $      0.78   $     0.13      17.3 %
Equivalent shares for diluted 
 EPS calculation (000's)                     348,224     348,590     348,170           54

Balance Sheet Items ($ millions)
Net Receivables
    End of period
       Home equity                     $    21,745.3 $  20,850.3 $  18,255.4   $  3,489.9      19.1 %
       Personal loans / retail 
        sales finance                       10,499.4    10,365.2     8,581.2      1,918.2      22.4
       Credit card                           2,749.7     2,632.5     8,094.7     (5,345.0)    (66.0)
       Manufactured housing                  3,194.9     2,714.8     1,246.9      1,948.0     156.2

       Truck and truck trailer              10,470.5    10,312.3     9,200.5      1,270.0      13.8
       Equipment                             5,813.8     5,790.9     5,027.9        785.9      15.6
       Recreational vehicles                   411.9       430.7       447.1        (35.2)     (7.9)
       Fleet leasing                         1,584.0     1,602.8     1,158.4        425.6      36.7
       Warehouse and other                   1,080.9       996.3       665.7        415.2      62.4
          Total                        $    57,550.4 $  55,695.8 $  52,677.8   $  4,872.6       9.2 %
    Average                            $    56,502.2 $  54,177.1 $  52,334.4   $  4,167.8       8.0 %

Total Assets
     End of period                     $    66,105.3 $  63,410.1 $  54,354.6   $ 11,750.7      21.6
     Average                                64,515.5    60,531.3    53,914.5     10,601.0      19.7
Debt                                        56,844.2    54,605.3    46,584.3     10,259.9      22.0
Stockholders' Equity
     End of period                     $     6,967.1 $   6,680.0 $   6,016.6
     Per share (whole $)                       20.12       19.29       17.37
     Average                                 6,802.9     6,576.9     5,906.4
     Debt-to-equity                             8.15 x      8.17 x      7.74 x
     Debt-to-adjusted equity                    9.01        9.06        8.85


</TABLE>


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