=============================================================================== UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-Q |X| Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 For the quarter ended September 30, 1998 |_| Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Commission file number 33-83524 MERIT SECURITIES CORPORATION (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Virginia 54-1736551 (State or other jurisdiction (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) of incorporation) 10900 Nuckols Road, 3rd Floor, Glen Allen, Virginia 23060 Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) (804) 217-5800 (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) 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 ninety days. |X| Yes |_| No As of October 31, 1998, the latest practicable date, there were 1,000 shares of Merit Securities Corporation common stock outstanding. The registrant meets the conditions set forth in General Instructions H(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and is therefore filing this Form 10-Q with the reduced disclosure format. =============================================================================== MERIT SECURITIES CORPORATION FORM 10-Q INDEX Page Number PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION Item 1. Financial Statements Balance Sheets at September 30, 1998 and December 31, 1997 3 Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997 4 Statement of Shareholder's Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 5 Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997 6 Notes to Unaudited Financial Statements 7 Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 9 PART II. OTHER INFORMATION Item 1. Legal Proceedings 10 Item 5. Other Information 10 Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 10 SIGNATURES 14 PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION Item 1. Financial Statements MERIT SECURITIES CORPORATION Balance Sheets (amounts in thousands except share data) September 30, December 31, 1998 1997 ----------------- ---------------- ASSETS: Collateral for collateralized bonds $ 3,836,438 $ 3,835,289 Prepaid shelf registration fees 406 334 Cash 10 10 ================= ================ $ 3,836,854 $ 3,835,633 ================= ================ LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY LIABILITIES: Non-recourse debt - collateralized bonds $ 3,634,691 $ 3,622,877 Due to affiliates 8,994 43,789 ----------------- ---------------- 3,643,685 3,666,666 ----------------- ---------------- SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY: Common stock, no par value, 10,000 shares authorized, 1,000 shares issued and outstanding 10 10 Additional paid-in capital 190,156 125,952 Accumulated other comprehensive income 26,591 64,707 Accumulated deficit (23,588) (21,702) ----------------- ---------------- 193,169 168,967 ================= ================ $ 3,836,854 $ 3,835,633 ================= ================ <FN> See notes to unaudited financial statements. </FN> MERIT SECURITIES CORPORATION Statements of Operations (amounts in thousands except share data) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, ------------------------------ ------------------------------ 1998 1997 1998 1997 -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------- Interest Income: Collateral for collateralized bonds $ 71,119 $ 51,097 $ 191,187 $ 133,260 -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------- Interest and related expense: Interest expense on collateralized bonds 68,066 49,577 191,051 126,161 Other collateralized bond expense 744 777 2,729 2,414 -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------- 68,810 50,354 193,780 128,575 -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------- Net interest margin before provision for losses 2,309 743 (2,593) 4,685 Provision for losses (1,686) (600) (4,550) (1,800) -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------- Net interest margin 623 143 (7,143) 2,885 Net gain on sale of securities and other income 6,122 - 7,247 - Interest on due to affiliate (636) (780) (1,990) (2,074) -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------- Net (loss) income $ 6,109 $ (637) $ (1,886) $ 811 ============== ============== ============== =============== <FN> See notes to unaudited financial statements. </FN> MERIT SECURITIES CORPORATION Statement of Shareholder's Equity (amounts in thousands except share data) Accumulated other Common Additional comprehensive Accumulated stock paid-in capital income deficit Total ------------ --------------- ------------------- --------------- --------------- Balance at December 31, 1997 $ 10 $ 125,952 $ 64,707 $ (21,702) $ 168,967 Comprehensive loss: Net loss - - - (1,886) (1,886) Change in net unrealized gain on investments available-for-sale - - (38,116) - (38,116) ------------ --------------- ------------------- --------------- --------------- Total comprehensive loss - - (38,116) (1,886) (40,002) Contributed capital - 64,204 - - 64,204 ------------ --------------- ------------------- --------------- --------------- Balance at September 30, 1998 $ 10 $ 190,156 $ 26,591 $ (23,588) $ 193,169 ============ =============== =================== =============== =============== <FN> See notes to unaudited financial statements. </FN> MERIT SECURITIES CORPORATION Statements of Cash Flows (amounts in thousands) Nine Months Ended September 30, 1998 1997 ------------------- ------------------ Operating activities: Net (loss) income $ (1,886) $ 811 Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities: Gain on sale of assets (7,247) - Provision for losses 4,550 1,800 Amortization, net 28,525 14,487 (Increase) decrease in prepaid shelf registration fees (72) 313 Other (560) 699 ------------------- ------------------ Net cash provided by operating activities 23,310 18,110 ------------------- ------------------ Investing activities: Collateral for collateralized bonds: Purchase of loans subsequently securitized (1,692,780) (1,027,684) Principal payments on collateral 1,588,220 619,061 Proceeds from sale of collateralized bonds 43,425 - Net increase in accrued interest receivable and funds held by trustee 1,219 (1,629) ------------------- ------------------ Net cash used for investing activities (59,916) (410,252) ------------------- ------------------ Financing activities: Collateralized bonds: Proceeds from issuance of collateralized bonds 1,589,272 989,797 Principal payments on collateralized bonds (1,581,640) (621,503) Increase in accrued interest payable (435) 237 (Decrease) increase in due to affiliate (34,795) 968 Proceeds from capital contributions 64,204 22,643 ------------------- ------------------ Net cash provided by financing activities 36,606 392,142 ------------------- ------------------ Net change in cash - - Cash at beginning of period 10 10 ------------------- ------------------ Cash at end of period $ 10 $ 10 =================== ================== Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: Cash paid for interest $ 188,460 $ 126,473 =================== ================== <FN> See notes to unaudited financial statements. </FN> MERIT SECURITIES CORPORATION Notes to Unaudited Financial Statements September 30, 1998 (amounts in thousands except share data) NOTE 1--SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and do not include all of the information and notes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. The financial statements include the accounts of Merit Securities Corporation (the "Company"). The Company is a wholly-owned, limited-purpose finance subsidiary of Issuer Holding Corporation ("IHC"). IHC was formed on September 4, 1996 to acquire all of the outstanding stock of the Company and certain other affiliates of Dynex Capital, Inc. ("Dynex") a New York Stock Exchange listed financial services company (symbol: DX). IHC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dynex. The Company was organized to facilitate the securitization of securities secured by loans through the issuance and sale of collateralized bonds (the "Bonds"). In the opinion of management, all material adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, considered necessary for a fair presentation of the financial statements have been included. The Balance Sheet at September 30, 1998, the Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997, the Statement of Shareholder's Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 1998, the Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997, and the related notes to financial statements are unaudited. Operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 1998. For further information, refer to the audited financial statements and footnotes included in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997. Certain amounts for 1997 have been reclassified to conform to the presentation for 1998. NOTE 2-COLLATERAL FOR COLLATERALIZED BONDS In accordance with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, the Company has classified collateral for collateralized bonds as available-for-sale. The following table summarizes the Company's amortized cost basis and fair value of collateral for collateralized bonds at September 30, 1998 and December 31, 1997, and the related average effective interest rates (calculated for the month ended September 30, 1998 and December 31, 1997, and excluding unrealized gains and losses): - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- September 30, 1998 December 31, 1997 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Effective Effective Fair Value Interest Rate Fair Value Interest Rate - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Collateral for collateralized bonds: Amortized cost $ 3,828,334 7.3% $ 3,795,393 7.2% Allowance for losses (18,487) (24,811) - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amortized cost, net 3,809,847 3,770,582 Gross unrealized gains 47,503 77,973 Gross unrealized losses (20,912) (13,266) - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 3,836,438 $ 3,835,289 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Collateral for collateralized bonds consists of debt securities backed primarily by adjustable-rate and fixed-rate mortgage loans secured by first liens on single family and multifamily residential housing properties and commercial properties, manufactured housing installment loans secured by either a UCC filing or a motor vehicle title, and property tax receivables. All collateral for collateralized bonds is pledged to secure repayment of the related collateralized bonds. All principal and interest (less servicing-related fees) on the collateral is remitted to a trustee and is available for payment on the collateralized bonds. The Company's exposure to credit losses on collateral for collateralized bonds is generally limited to the principal amount of collateral pledged in excess of the related collateralized bonds issued, as the collateralized bonds issued by the limited-purpose finance subsidiaries are non-recourse to the Company. During the nine months ended September 30, 1998, the Company securitized $1.7 billion of collateral, through one series of collateralized bonds. The collateral securitized was primarily single-family mortgage loans and manufactured housing loans. Under SFAS No. 125, if an entity retains a call provision on the bonds in excess of a "clean-up" call, usually defined as 10% of the initial principal amount of the bond, the entity is precluded from accounting for the securitization of the collateral and the issuance of the bonds as a sale. The call provision is considered individually for each bond issued. On all but one class of bonds issued in this securitzation, the Company retained call rights which allow the Company to call the bonds at the earlier of the time that the outstanding principal reaches 35% of the aggregate initial principal amount of the bonds, or on May 28, 2000. For the one class of bonds with an original principal amount totaling $55,007, the Company retained only a clean-up call provision of 10%. The Company therefore treated the issuance of this class as a sale and recognized a gain of $7,534 in connection with the sale of that class of bonds. The issuance of the remaining classes of bonds was considered a secured financing transaction. Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Merit Securities Corporation (the "Company") was incorporated in Virginia on August 19, 1994 as a wholly-owned, limited-purpose finance subsidiary of Dynex Capital, Inc. ("Dynex") a New York Stock Exchange listed financial services company (symbol: DX). On September 4, 1996, Issuer Holding Corporation, Inc. ("IHC"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dynex, acquired all of the outstanding stock of the Company and certain other affiliates of Dynex. The Company was organized to facilitate the securitization of securities secured by loans through the issuance and sale of collateralized bonds (the "Bonds"). The Bonds will be secured primarily by: (i) mortgage loans secured by first or second liens on residential property, (ii) Federal National Mortgage Association Mortgage-Backed Certificates, (iii) Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Mortgage-Backed Certificates, (iv) Government National Mortgage Association Mortgage-Backed Certificates, (v) other mortgage pass-through certificates or mortgage-collateralized obligations, (vi) property tax receivables and (vii) consumer installment loans (collectively, the "Collateral"). In the future, the Company may also securitize other types of loans. After payment of the expenses of an offering and certain administrative expenses, the net proceeds from an offering of Bonds will be used to purchase Collateral from IHC or various third parties. IHC can be expected to use the proceeds to reduce indebtedness incurred to obtain such loans or to acquire additional Collateral. After the issuance of a series of Bonds, the Company may sell the Collateral securing that series of Bonds, subject to the lien of the Bonds. During the nine months ended September 30, 1998, the Company issued one (1) series of bonds totaling approximately $1.6 billion aggregate principal amount. As of September 30, 1998, the Company had eight (8) series of collateralized bonds outstanding totaling approximately $3.6 billion, compared to $3.6 billion at December 31, 1997, and $2.7 billion at September 30, 1997. Interest income on the Collateral increased $57.9 million to $191.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 compared to $133.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1997, primarily as a result of the increased amount of outstanding collateral. Interest expense on the Bonds increased $64.9 million from $126.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 to $191.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1998, primarily due to the additional series outstanding. Net interest margin for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 decreased to a negative $7.1 million from a positive $2.9 million for the same period for 1997. This decrease was primarily the result of higher premium amortization caused by higher prepayments during the nine months ended September 30, 1998 than during the same period in 1997. In addition, the Company securitized lower coupon collateral, principally A+ quality single-family ARM loans during 1997. The most recent securitization included loan premium of 0.34% of the total collateral. With collateralized bond structures, the Company retains credit risk relative to the amount of overcollateralization required in conjunction with the bond insurance. Losses are generally first applied to the overcollateralized amount, with any losses in excess of that amount borne by the bond insurer or the holders of the collateralized bonds. The Company only incurs credit losses to the extent that losses are incurred in the repossession, foreclosure and sale of the underlying collateral. Such losses generally equal the excess of the principal amount outstanding, less any proceeds from mortgage or hazard insurance, over the liquidation value of the collateral. To compensate the Company for retaining this loss exposure, the Company generally receives an excess yield on the collateralized securities relative to the yield on the collateralized bonds. At September 30, 1998, the Company retained $174.5 million in aggregate principal amount of overcollateralization, and had reserves, or otherwise had provided coverage on $48.8 million of this potential credit loss exposure. $30.3 million of this reserve amount is in the form of a loss reimbursement guarantee from an A rated third-party. At September 30, 1998, the Company had securities of approximately $329 million remaining for issuance under a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company anticipates issuing additional Bonds in the future. The Company competes in a national market with other private conduits and various financial services companies. Economic conditions, interest rates, regulatory changes and market dynamics all influence the mortgage securities market. PART II. OTHER INFORMATION Item 1. Legal Proceedings: None Item 5. Other Information: None Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K: (a) Exhibits 3.1 Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant (Incorporated herein by reference to the Exhibits to Registrant's Registration Statement No. 33-83524 on Form S-3 filed August 31, 1994). 3.2 Bylaws of the Registrant (Incorporated herein by reference to the Exhibits to Registrant's Registration Statement No. 33-83524 on Form S-3 filed August 31, 1994). 3.3 Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant, effective April 19, 1995 (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed April 21, 1995). 4.1 Indenture between Registrant and Trustee, dated as of August 1, 1994 (Incorporated herein by reference to the Exhibits to Registrant's Registration Statement No. 33-83524 on Form S-3 filed August 31, 1994). 4.2 Form of Supplement Indenture between Registrant and Trustee (Incorporated herein by reference to the Exhibits to Registrant's Registration Statement No. 33-83524 on Form S-3 filed August 31, 1994). 4.3 Copy of the Indenture, dated as of November 1, 1994, by and between the Registrant and Texas Commerce Bank National Association, as Trustee (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 19, 1994). 4.4 Copy of the Series 1 Indenture Supplement, dated as of November 1, 1994, by and between the Registrant and Texas Commerce Bank National Association, as Trustee (including schedules and exhibits) (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 19, 1994). 4.5 Copy of the Series 2 Indenture Supplement, dated as of February 1, 1995, by and between the Registrant and Texas Commerce Bank National Association, as Trustee (including schedules and exhibits) (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed March 8, 1995). 4.6 Copy of the Series 3 Indenture Supplement, dated as of March 1, 1995, by and between the Registrant and Texas Commerce Bank National Association, as Trustee (including schedules and exhibits) (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed April 21, 1995). 4.7 Copy of the Series 4 Indenture Supplement, dated as of June 1, 1995, by and between the Registrant and Texas Commerce Bank National Association, as Trustee (including schedules and exhibits) (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed July 10, 1995). 4.8 Copy of the Series 5 Indenture Supplement, dated as of October 1, 1995, to Indenture, dated as of November 1, 1994, by and between the Registrant and Texas Commerce Bank National Association, as Trustee (related exhibits available upon request to the Trustee). (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed November 15, 1995). 4.9 Copy of the Series 6 Indenture Supplement, dated as of March 1, 1996, by and between the Registrant and Texas Commerce Bank National Association, as Trustee (including schedules and exhibits) (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed March 21, 1996). 4.10 Copy of the Series 7 Indenture Supplement, dated as of May 1, 1996, by and between the Registrant and Texas Commerce Bank National Association, as Trustee (related schedules and exhibits available upon request of the Trustee). (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit to Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 19, 1996). 4.11 Copy of the Series 8 Indenture Supplement, dated as of September 1, 1996, by and between the Registrant and Texas Commerce Bank National Association, as Trustee (related schedules and exhibits available upon request of the Trustee). (Incorporates herein by reference to Exhibit of Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed October 9, 1996). 4.12 Copy of the Series 9 Indenture Supplement, dated as of June 1, 1997, by and between the Registrant and Texas Commerce Bank National Association, as Trustee (related schedules and exhibits available upon request of the Trustee). (Incorporates herein by reference to Exhibit of Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed July 11, 1997). 4.13 Copy of the Series 10 Indenture Supplement, dated as of December 1, 1997, by and between the Registrant and Texas Commerce Bank National Association, as Trustee (related schedules and exhibits available upon request of the Trustee). (Incorporates herein by reference to Exhibit of Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed January 6, 1998). 4.14 Copy of the Series 11 Indenture Supplement, dated as of March 1, 1998, by and between the Registrant and Texas Commerce Bank National Association, as Trustee (related schedules and exhibits available upon request of the Trustee). (Incorporates herein by reference to Exhibit of Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 12, 1998). 99.1 Standard Provisions to Servicing Agreement (Incorporated herein by reference to the Exhibits to Registrant's Registration Statement No. 33-83524 on Form S-3 filed August 31, 1994). 99.2 Form of Servicing Agreement (Incorporated herein by reference to the Exhibits to Registrant's Registration Statement No. 33-83524 on Form S-3 filed August 31, 1994). 99.3 Standard Terms to Master Servicing Agreement (Incorporated herein by reference to the Exhibits to Registrant's Registration Statement No. 33-83524 on Form S-3 filed August 31, 1994). 99.4 Form of Master Servicing Agreement (Incorporated herein by reference to the Exhibits to Registrant's Registration Statement No. 33-83524 on Form S-3 filed August 31, 1994). 99.5 Form of Prospectus Supplement of Bonds secured by adjustable-rate mortgage loans (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibits to Registrant's Pre-Effective Amendment No. 4 to Registration Statement No. 33-83524 on Form S-3 filed December 5, 1994). 99.6 Form of Financial Guaranty Assurance Policy (Incorporated herein by reference to the Exhibits to Registrant's Registration Statement No. 33-83524 on Form S-3 filed August 31, 1994). 99.7 Form of GEMICO Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy (Incorporated herein by reference to the Exhibits to Registrant's Registration Statement No. 33-83524 on Form S-3 filed August 31, 1994). 99.8 Form of PMI Mortgage Insurance Co. Pool Insurance Policy (Incorporated herein by reference to the Exhibits to Registrant's Registration Statement No. 33-83524 on Form S-3 filed August 31, 1994). 99.9 Form of Prospectus Supplement of Bonds secured by fixed-rate mortgage loans (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibits to Registrant's Pre-Effective Amendment No. 4 to Registration Statement No. 33-83524 on Form S-3 filed December 5, 1994). 99.10 Copy of Financial Guaranty Insurance Policy No. 50331-N issued by Financial Security Assurance Inc., dated December 7, 1994, with respect to the Series 1 Bonds (Incorporated herein by reference to the Exhibit to Registrant's 1994 Form 10-K, dated and filed March 31, 1995). 99.11 Copy of Financial Guaranty Insurance Policy No. 95010074 issued by Financial Guaranty Insurance Company, dated February 23, 1995, with respect to the Series 2 Bonds (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed March 8, 1995). 99.12 Copy of the Saxon Mortgage Funding Corporation Servicing Guide for Credit Sensitive Loans, February 1, 1995 Edition (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed March 8, 1995). 99.13 Copy of Financial Guaranty Insurance Policy No. 50364-N issued by Financial Guaranty Assurance Inc., dated April 7, 1995, with respect to the Series 3 Bonds (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed April 21, 1995). 99.14 Copy of Financial Guaranty Insurance Policy No. 50382-N issued by Financial Guaranty Assurance Inc., dated June 29, 1995, with respect to the Series 4 Bonds (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed July 10, 1995). 99.15 Copy of the Standard Terms to Master Servicing Agreement, June 1, 1995 Edition (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed July 10, 1995). 99.16 Copy of Financial Guaranty Insurance Policy No. 19804 issued by MBIA Insurance Corporation (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed November 15, 1995). 99.17 Copy of Financial Guaranty Insurance Policy No. 20596 issued by MBIA Insurance Corporation (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed March 21, 1996). 99.18 Copy of Financial Guaranty Insurance Policy No. 21296 issued by MBIA Insurance Corporation (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 19, 1996). (b) Reports on Form 8-K Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Commission on September 3, 1998, relating to the Registrant's Series 6 Bonds. Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Commission on September 3, 1998, relating to the Registrant's Series 8 Bonds. Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Commission on September 3, 1998, relating to the Registrant's Series 8 Bonds. Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Commission on September 23, 1998, relating to the Registrant's Series 11 Bonds. SIGNATURES 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. MERIT SECURITIES CORPORATION By: /s/ Lynn K. Geurin Lynn K. Geurin (Principal Executive Officer) /s/ Stephen J. Benedetti Stephen J. Benedetti (Principal Financial & Accounting Officer) Dated: November 13, 1998