SEC FILE NUMBER
1-10176
CUSIP NUMBER
589395 10 2
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 12b-25
NOTIFICATION OF LATE FILING
(Check One) /X/ Form 10-K / / Form 20-F / / Form 11-K / / Form 10-Q
/ / Form N-SAR
For Period Ended: December 31, 1996
[ ] Transition Report on Form 10-K
[ ] Transition Report on Form 20-F
[ ] Transition Report on Form 11-K
[ ] Transition Report on Form 10-Q
[ ] Transition Report on Form N-SAR
For the Transition Period Ended: __________________________
Read Instruction (on back page) Before Preparing Form.
Please Print or Type.
Nothing in this form shall be construed to imply that the Commission
has verified any information contained herein.
If the notification relates to a portion of the filing checked above, identify
the Item(s) to which the notification relates: N/A
___________________________________________________________________________
PART I - REGISTRANT INFORMATION
Mercury Finance Company
Full Name of Registrant
Former Name if Applicable: N/A
100 Field Drive
Address of Principal Executive Office (Street and Number)
Lake Forest, IL 60045
City, State and Zip Code
PART II - RULES 12b-25(b) AND (c)
If the subject report could not be filed without unreasonable effort or expense
and the registrant seeks relief pursuant to Rule 12b-25(b), the following should
be completed. (Check box if appropriate)
/X/ (a) The reasons described in reasonable detail in Part III of this form
could not be eliminated without unreasonable effort or expense;
(b) The subject annual report, semi-annual report, transition report on
Form 10-K, Form 20-F, 11-K, Form N-SAR, or portion thereof, will be
filed on or before the fifteenth calendar day following the prescribed
due date; or the subject quarterly report or transition report on Form
10-Q, or portion thereof will be filed on or before the fifth calendar
day following the prescribed due date; and
(c) The accountant's statement or other exhibit required by Rule 12b-25(c)
has been attached if applicable.
PART III - NARRATIVE
State below in reasonable detail the reasons why the Form 10-K, 11-K, 10-Q, N-
SAR, or the transition report or portion thereof, could not be filed within the
prescribed time period. (Attach Extra Sheets if Needed)
The subject report on Form 10-K could not be filed within the prescribed
time period because information required for its completion and filing is not
yet available due to an inability of management to determine the required
information as a result of discovered accounting irregularities and related
matters previously described in the Registrant's Current Reports on Form 8-K on
January 29, 1997, and February 18, 1997. Although the Registrant will attempt
to file the Form 10-K on or before the fifteenth calendar day following the
prescribed due date, it is highly unlikely that the Form 10-K will be filed by
such date. The precise filing date remains uncertain.
PART IV - OTHER INFORMATION
(1) Name and telephone number of person to contact in regard to this
notification
Bradley S. Vallem (847) 295-8600
(Name) (Area Code) (Telephone Number)
(2) Have all other periodic reports required under Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or Section 30 of the Investment Company Act
of 1940 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter) period that
the registrant was required to file such reports) been filed? If answer is
no, identify report(s).
\X\ Yes \ \ No
______________________________________________________________________
(3) Is it anticipated that any significant change in results of operations from
the corresponding period for the last fiscal year will be reflected by the
earnings statements to be included in the subject report or portion
thereof?
\X\ Yes \ \ No
If so, attach an explanation of the anticipated change, both narratively
and quantitatively, and, if appropriate, state the reasons why a reasonable
estimate of the results cannot be made.
As previously described in the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K on
January 29, 1997, the Registrant expects that results of operations for fiscal
1996 will reflect a material decline in operating earnings from fiscal 1995
results. The precise amount of the decline is not yet known.
Mercury Finance Company
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
has caused this notification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
thereunto duly authorized.
Date: March 31, 1997 By: /s/ Bradley S. Vallem
Bradley S. Vallem
Assistant Vice President and
Treasurer
