1 ================================================================================ UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 11-K --------------- (MARK ONE) [X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 [FEE REQUIRED] FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 OR [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 [NO FEE REQUIRED] FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO COMMISION FILE NUMBER 1-9910 WESTCORP EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP AND SALARY SAVINGS PLAN (FULL TITLE OF THE PLAN) ---------------- WESTCORP 23 PASTEUR IRVINE, CALIFORNIA 92718-3804 (NAME OF ISSUER OF THE SECURITIES HELD PURSUANT TO THE PLAN AND THE ADDRESS OF ITS PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICE) ================================================================================ 2 REQUIRED INFORMATION 1. Not Applicable. 2. Not Applicable. 3. Not Applicable. 4. Westcorp Employee Stock Ownership and Salary Savings Plan (the "Plan") is subject to the requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA"). Attached hereto is a copy of the most recent financial statements and schedules of the Plan prepared in accordance with the financial reporting requirements of ERISA. 2 3 SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Westcorp Employee Stock Ownership and Salary Savings Plan has duly caused this Annual Report to be signed by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. WESTCORP EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP AND SALARY SAVINGS PLAN By: /s/ LEE A. WHATCOTT ----------------------------------- Lee A. Whatcott, Committee Member June 27, 1997 3 4 Westcorp Employee Stock Ownership and Salary Savings Plan Audited Financial Statements and Other Financial Information Years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995 CONTENTS Report of Independent Auditors............................................... 1 Audited Financial Statements Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits.............................. 2 Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits................... 3 Notes to Financial Statements................................................ 4 Other Financial Information Schedule of Assets Held for Investment Purposes..............................13 Schedule of Reportable Transactions..........................................14 4 5 Report of Independent Auditors Plan Committee Westcorp Employee Stock Ownership and Salary Savings Plan We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits of Westcorp Employee Stock Ownership and Salary Savings Plan (the Plan) as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the related statements of changes in net assets available for benefits for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the Plan at December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the changes in its net assets available for benefits for the years then ended, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. Our audits were performed for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic financial statements taken as a whole. The supplemental schedules of Assets Held for Investment Purposes as of December 31, 1996, and Reportable Transactions for the year then ended are presented for purpose of additional analysis and are not a required part of the basic financial statements but are supplementary information required by the Department of Labor's Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. The supplemental schedules have been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audits of the basic financial statements and, in our opinion, are fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole. May 31, 1997 5 6 Westcorp Employee Stock Ownership and Salary Savings Plan Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits DECEMBER 31 1996 1995 ------------------------------ ASSETS Cash and short-term investments $ 1,338,903 $ 580,241 Investments at fair value: Common stock 23,030,613 17,059,646 Mutual funds 5,537,098 2,978,584 Government National Mortgage Association Securities 85,571 90,603 Unsettled investment transactions 211,288 - Loans to participants 61,217 - ------------------------------ Total investments 30,264,690 20,709,074 Interest receivable 1,923 32,071 Dividends receivable 4,748 - Employee deferrals receivable 88,338 53,469 Contribution receivable 3,380,204 2,366,846 ------------------------------ Total receivables 3,475,213 2,452,386 ------------------------------ Net assets available for benefits $33,739,903 $23,161,460 ============================== See accompanying notes. 6 7 Westcorp Employee Stock Ownership and Salary Savings Plan Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31 1996 1995 ------------------------------------ Additions to net assets attributed to: Investment income: Interest income $ 26,688 $ 49,589 Dividends 607,632 417,919 Net capital gains 377,478 16,785 Other gains 848,521 440,008 Contributions Employer: Cash 486,235 2,366,846 Noncash 2,893,969 - Employee 1,903,548 1,105,851 Rollovers: The Hammond Company, The Mortgage Bankers rollover contribution 1,942,828 - Other rollover contributions 154,527 125,078 Net unrealized appreciation in fair value of investments 3,759,801 9,096,209 ----------------------------------- Total additions 13,001,227 13,618,285 Deductions from net assets attributed to: Distributions and withdrawals paid to participants 2,421,704 1,874,721 Other 1,080 - ----------------------------------- Total deductions 2,422,784 1,874,721 ----------------------------------- Net increase 10,578,443 11,743,564 Net assets available for benefits at beginning of year 23,161,460 11,417,896 ----------------------------------- Net assets available for benefits at end of year $33,739,903 $23,161,460 =================================== See accompanying notes. 7 8 Westcorp Employee Stock Ownership and Salary Savings Plan Notes to Financial Statements December 31, 1996 1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of Presentation: The Westcorp Employee Stock Ownership and Salary Savings Plan (the Plan) is for the benefit of all eligible employees of Westcorp (the Company), its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Westran Services Corp., Westcorp Investments, Inc. and Western Financial Bank, F.S.B. (the Bank), and the Bank's subsidiaries. Contributions and Deductions: Contributions by Plan participants are recognized as additions to net assets when the deduction is made from the participants' wages at the end of each payroll period. Contributions from the Company are voluntary and are accrued in the year in which they become obligations of the Company by authorization of its Board of Directors. Benefits due to terminated participants and participant withdrawals are recorded on the date distributions are made. Investment Valuation and Income Recognition: The Plan's cash and investments are stated at fair value. The shares of registered investment companies are valued at quoted market prices which represent the net asset values of shares held by the Plan at year-end. The loans to participants are valued at cost which approximates fair value. Purchases and sales of securities are recorded on a trade-date basis. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. 2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN GENERAL The Westcorp Employee Stock Ownership and Salary Savings Plan is a defined contribution profit sharing plan that covers substantially all employees and provides for retirement benefits. It is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). 8 9 Westcorp Employee Stock Ownership and Salary Savings Plan Notes to Financial Statements December 31, 1996 2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN (CONTINUED) GENERAL (CONTINUED) The Company and its subsidiaries make contributions to the employee stock ownership portion of the Plan, as determined by the Company's Board of Directors, and within the guidelines of ERISA and the regulations of the Internal Revenue Service. VESTING Participants are immediately vested in their contributions plus actual earnings thereon. Vesting in the Company's matching and discretionary contribution portion of their accounts plus actual earnings thereon is based on years of service. A participant is 100% vested after seven years of service, or upon attainment of age 65 or in the event of a participant's death or total disability while still an employee of the Company. Forfeited balances of terminated participants' nonvested accounts are used to reduce future Company contributions. The amount of forfeited nonvested accounts was not material for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995. It is the intent of the Company to continue the Plan; however, the Plan may be terminated by the Company at any time. In the event the Plan terminates, the net assets of the Plan will be allocated. All participants will vest 100% immediately and will receive their credited balance as of the date of liquidation. Further information about the Plan agreement and the vesting and benefit provisions is contained in the pamphlet Westcorp Employee Stock Ownership and Salary Savings Plan Summary Plan Document. Copies of this pamphlet are available from the Plan Committee. CONTRIBUTIONS Employees may contribute up to 10% of annual earnings to the Plan through regular payroll deductions under the 401(k) provisions of the Plan. The Company may match up to 50% of employee elective contributions, not to exceed 6% of employee compensation. Forfeitures are credited to the employer and are used to reduce employer contributions. Plan participants have six investment options. A participant may invest in any combination of the following mutual fund options offered by American Funds and/or Westcorp common stock: 9 10 Westcorp Employee Stock Ownership and Salary Savings Plan Notes to Financial Statements December 31, 1996 2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN (CONTINUED) CONTRIBUTIONS (CONTINUED) o The Cash Management Trust of America - Funds are invested in shares of a registered investment company that primarily invests in various money market instruments. o U.S. Government Securities Fund - Funds are invested in shares of a registered investment company that primarily invests in securities on which the U.S. government guarantees the payment of principal and interest. o The Income Fund of America - Funds are invested in shares of a registered investment company that invests in a broadly diversified portfolio of securities including stocks and bonds. o The Growth Fund of America - Funds are invested in shares of a registered investment company that invests primarily in common stocks. o Washington Mutual Investors Fund - Funds are invested in shares of a registered investment company that invests primarily in common stocks. o Westcorp Stock Fund - Funds are invested in common stock of Westcorp. LOANS TO PARTICIPANTS Loans to participants are not permitted under the Plan, however, loans to participants which were outstanding under the Hammond Plan (see Note 6 for discussion) were merged into the Plan during 1996. These loans are required to be repaid in accordance with their existing terms. Repayments of loan amounts are used to reduce the outstanding principal balance of the loan. Such principal reductions are then allocated among the six investment options in the same proportion in which the individual employee's elective contributions are allocated at the time of loan repayment. 10 11 Westcorp Employee Stock Ownership and Salary Savings Plan Notes to Financial Statements December 31, 1996 3. BENEFITS PAYABLE Vested benefits payable to participants of $671,024 and $171,092 at December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively, are not reflected as a deduction from net assets available for benefits in the Plan's financial statements, which creates a difference from the Plan's Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 5500, "Annual Return/Report of Employee Benefit Plan," which has recorded the vested benefits as a liability. 4. INVESTMENTS The Plan's investments, including investments bought during the year, increased in fair value by $3,759,801 during 1996. Investment income of $1,860,319 was realized in relation to these investments during 1996. INCREASE (DECREASE) IN FAIR VALUE FAIR VALUE AT DURING YEAR END OF YEAR -------------------------------------- Year ended December 31, 1996: Fair value as determined by quoted market price: Short-term investments $ - $ 1,338,903 Westcorp common stock 3,454,948 23,030,613* Government National Mortgage Association Securities (1,081) 85,571 Mutual funds 305,934 5,537,098* Unsettled transactions - 211,288 Loans to participants - 61,217 ------------ ------------ $ 3,759,801 $ 30,264,690 ============ ============ * Represent more than 5% of the fair value of net assets available for benefits. 5. INCOME TAX STATUS The IRS has issued a determination letter dated August 8, 1995, that the Plan qualifies, in form, under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), and, the underlying trust is, therefore, exempt from federal income taxes under Section 501(a) of the Code. The Plan is required to operate in accordance with the Code to maintain its tax qualification. The Plan administrator is not aware of any course of actions or series of events that have occurred which might adversely affect the Plan's qualified status. 11 12 Westcorp Employee Stock Ownership and Salary Savings Plan Notes to Financial Statements December 31, 1996 6. ACQUISITION OF THE HAMMOND COMPANY SAVINGS & PROFIT SHARING PLAN During December 1995, the Bank acquired The Hammond Company, The Mortgage Bankers. On July 10, 1996 The Hammond Company Savings & Profit Sharing Plan (the Hammond Plan) was merged into the Plan. Under the terms of the merger, each employee selected investment options offered under the Plan and rolled over their participant balances from the Hammond Plan into the Plan. Upon the merger all participants under the Hammond Plan became 100% vested in the Plan. The rollover contribution from the acquisition of the Hammond Plan totaled $1,942,828. 7. ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS The Company has agreed to voluntarily pay the Plan's administrative expenses of approximately $96,290 in 1996. This agreement to pay the administrative costs can be canceled at any time. 8. EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS The Company's Board of Directors elected to provide a contribution in 1996 of $3,380,204 for both the employee stock ownership (ESOP) and salary savings portions of the Plan. The contribution consisted of Westcorp common stock with a fair value on the date of transfer of $2,893,969 and cash of $486,235. The contribution expense was allocated to the Company and its subsidiaries based upon the relative participation of the employees of the Company and its subsidiaries in the Plan. 9. ESOP PARTICIPANT ALLOCATION The Plan allocates contributions, investment changes and forfeitures to participants' accounts as follows: Contributions: Each participant is credited with one unit for each $100 of eligible compensation plus an additional unit for each full year of service. 12 13 Westcorp Employee Stock Ownership and Salary Savings Plan Notes to Financial Statements December 31, 1996 9. ESOP PARTICIPANT ALLOCATION (CONTINUED) Investment Changes: Each participant account is allocated the amount of investment changes on an annual basis in the same proportion that the cash or shares of each participant's account bears to the total accounts of all participants in the same investment option at the time of the valuation. Forfeitures: Forfeitures are allocated to participants who did not have a break in service during the current year based on the proportion of each participant's compensation to the total compensation of all such participants during the year. 13 14 Westcorp Employee Stock Ownership and Salary Savings Plan Notes to Financial Statements December 31, 1996 10. SEPARATE CONTRIBUTION PROGRAMS The Salary Savings Plan maintains six investment programs. Participants individually elect how to allocate their contributions among the programs. The following table summarizes the activity for each of the programs and the Employee Stock Ownership Plan: THE CASH U.S. THE MANAGEMENT GOVERNMENT INCOME THE GROWTH TRUST OF SECURITIES FUND OF FUND OF AMERICA FUND AMERICA AMERICA ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net assets available for benefits, January 1, 1996 $ 433,570 $ 337,730 $ 801,110 $ 944,364 Contributions: Employer: Cash 26,232 25,210 95,243 180,439 Noncash - - - - Employee 68,986 68,874 229,567 467,053 Rollovers: The Hammond Company, The Mortgage Bankers rollover contribution 1,042,809 37,127 93,105 333,216 Other rollover contributions 7,741 6,549 28,048 33,095 Loan repayments 1,395 769 5,640 5,224 Interest income 1,159 201 1,006 1,261 Dividends 39,788 22,400 62,684 19,620 Capital gains - - 67,752 153,464 Other gains (losses) - (1,979) 3,352 6,446 Distributions and withdrawals paid to participants (397,537) (82,897) (128,347) (53,964) Net unrealized (depreciation) appreciation in fair value of investments - (9,797) 33,414 243,238 Transfer of funds (42,353) (16,815) 111,011 (48,657) Other (79) (13) (46) (81) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net assets available for benefits, December 31, 1996 $ 1,181,711 $ 387,359 $ 1,403,539 $ 2,284,718 =============================================================================== 14 15 Westcorp Employee Stock Ownership and Salary Savings Plan Notes to Financial Statements December 31, 1996 WASHINGTON MUTUAL WESTCORP LOANS TO INVESTORS FUND STOCK FUND PARTICIPANTS ESOP TOTAL - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 1,190,706 $ 5,818,050 $ -- $ 13,635,930 $ 23,161,460 159,111 -- -- -- 486,235 -- 294,117 -- 2,599,852 2,893,969 371,388 697,680 -- -- 1,903,548 183,419 174,402 78,750 -- 1,942,828 40,306 38,788 -- -- 154,527 2,878 1,627 (17,533) -- -- 1,206 6,641 -- 15,214 26,688 43,055 129,713 -- 290,372 607,632 156,262 -- -- -- 377,478 1,243 119,771 -- 719,688 848,521 (229,983) (536,791) -- (992,185) (2,421,704) 39,079 1,264,261 -- 2,189,606 3,759,801 245,263 (248,449) -- -- -- (70) (448) -- (343) (1,080) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 2,203,863 $ 7,759,362 $ 61,217 $ 18,458,134 $ 33,739,903 ==================================================================================== 15 16 Westcorp Employee Stock Ownership and Salary Savings Plan Notes to Financial Statements (continued) 11. HOLDINGS OF PARTIES-IN-INTEREST CURRENT VALUE OF ASSET AT DECEMBER 31 1996 --------------- Westcorp common stock (1,052,828 shares in 1996) $ 23,030,613 ============= 16 17 Other Financial Information 17 18 Westcorp Employee Stock Ownership and Salary Savings Plan Schedule of Assets Held for Investment Purposes December 31, 1996 DESCRIPTION OF INVESTMENT, INCLUDING MATURITY DATE, CURRENT RATE OF INTEREST, PAR VALUE IDENTITY OF ISSUER OR BORROWER OR MATURITY VALUE COST OF ASSET - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Westcorp common stock 1,052,828 shares $ 8,841,434 $ 23,030,613 American Funds consists of: 1,447,268 shares 5,985,302 6,679,142 Washington Mutual Investors Fund The Growth Fund of America The Income Fund of America U.S. Government Securities Fund The Cash Management Trust of America Treasury Trust Fund: Trust for Federal Securities 196,859 shares 196,859 196,859 Government National GNMA Pool #168962 Mortgage Association Single Family Pool at 11% pass through certificate maturing July 15, 2016 77,328 85,571 Loans to participants 61,217 61,217 Unsettled Transactions 211,288 units 211,288 211,288 ----------------------------- $ 15,373,428 $ 30,264,690 ============================= 18 19 Westcorp Employee Stock Ownership and Salary Savings Plan Schedule of Reportable Transactions Year ended December 31, 1996 CURRENT VALUE OF ASSET ON NET COST OF TRANSACTION GAIN DESCRIPTION OF ASSETS ASSET DATE (LOSS) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Category (i) - single transactions in excess of 5% of plan assets - ----------------------------------------------------------------- Trust for Federal Securities $(1,864,079) $(1,864,079) $ -- Trust for Federal Securities 1,864,079 1,864,079 -- Money Market Premium Account (1,184,159) (1,184,159) -- Money Market Premium Account 1,184,159 1,184,159 -- Category (iii) - series of transactions in excess of 5% of plan assets - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Trust for Federal Securities $ 8,774,159 $ 8,774,159 $ -- Trust for Federal Securities (8,693,088) (8,693,088) -- Westcorp common stock 1,863,514 1,863,514 -- Westcorp common stock (465,158) (1,304,619) 839,461 There were no Category (ii) or (iv) reportable transactions during 1996. 19