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National Auto Credit Reports Third Quarter Results

15 December 1997

National Auto Credit Reports Third Quarter Results

    SOLON, Ohio, Dec. 15 -- National Auto Credit, Inc.
, a leading provider of cash advances to dealers in the used car
industry, today reported a net loss of $9,929,000, or $(.35) per share, for
the nine months ended October 31, 1997, and a net loss of $18,417,000, or
$(.65) per share, for the quarter then ended.  The reported loss resulted from
an increase in the non-cash provision for credit losses relating to dealer
advances.  The increase is primarily due to the recording of amounts to
reflect the results of the Company's evaluation of the collectability of its
portfolio utilizing enhanced static pool information applied on a
dealer-by-dealer basis.  Revenues for the three and nine month periods ended
October 31, 1997 were $17,590,000 and $55,203,000, respectively, compared with
revenues of $16,163,000 and $46,468,000, respectively, for the same periods in
1996.
    Based upon data collected from the enhanced static pool information, the
Company has established portfolio collection standards for all dealers.
Dealers falling below these standards have been eliminated from the program.
To date 229 dealers have been deleted, accounting for approximately 12% of the
contract volume during the last six months.
    In addition, the Company is in the process of reducing its bank debt and
plans to satisfy its bank debt completely by August 1998.  Under its credit
agreements, the Company must be in compliance with a fixed charge coverage
covenant in the agreements related to its borrowings.  The Company reported
that it has obtained waivers from its banks and holders of its senior notes
with respect to this fixed charge coverage covenant.  These waivers are in
effect for third quarter reporting requirements.
    Sam J. Frankino, Chairman of the Board and majority stockholder, stated,
"Consistent with recent updates in industry reporting, National Auto Credit
has taken certain strategic initiatives to identify and eliminate unprofitable
dealers in order to devote its efforts to pursuing growth opportunities while
maximizing shareholder value."
    The statements contained in this release that are not purely historical
are forward looking statements within the meaning of the Securities and
Exchange Act of 1934.  Among the factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those forward looking statements are the potential for
greater than anticipated non-performing contracts, the potential for lower
than anticipated recoverability of amounts advanced to the Company's member
dealers, availability with regards to the Company's financing arrangements,
and other factors as discussed in the Company's annual and quarterly reports
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


                NATIONAL AUTO CREDIT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
             (THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
                                (UNAUDITED)

                                   Three Months Ended       Nine Months Ended
                                       October 31,             October 31,
                                    1997       1996        1997        1996

    REVENUE
      Interest income             $16,201     $14,156     $49,988     $41,373
      Fee and other income          1,389       2,007       5,215       5,095
        Total                      17,590      16,163      55,203      46,468


    COSTS AND EXPENSES
      Provision for credit losses  41,741       2,642      57,555       7,031
      Operating                     1,482       1,489       4,760       4,151
      General and administrative    1,448       1,161       4,072       3,537
      Interest                      1,672         788       4,610       1,616
        Total                      46,343       6,080      70,997      16,335


    INCOME (LOSS) FROM
      CONTINUING OPERATIONS
      BEFORE INCOME TAXES         (28,753)     10,083     (15,794)     30,133

      Provision (benefit) for
        income taxes              (10,336)      3,419      (5,865)     10,637

    INCOME (LOSS) FROM
      CONTINUING OPERATIONS       (18,417)      6,664      (9,929)     19,496

    LOSS FROM DISCONTINUED
      OPERATIONS, NET OF TAX           --      (5,098)         --      (6,917)

    NET INCOME (LOSS)            $(18,417)     $1,566     $(9,929)    $12,579



    EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE
      Continuing operations        $(0.65)       $.23      $(0.35)       $.68
      Discontinued operations          --        (.18)         --        (.24)
        Total                      $(0.65)       $.05      $(0.35)      $. 44
    WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF
      SHARES OUTSTANDING (000's)   28,548      28,504      28,537      28,490



                    NATIONAL AUTO CREDIT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                            CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                  (THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

                                                   October 31,    January 31,
                                                      1997           1997
    ASSETS                                         (Unaudited)
    Cash and cash equivalents                        $1,791         $1,756
    Installments notes receivable, net              292,145        316,048
    Property and equipment, net of
       accumulated depreciation of $7,029 and
       $6,264, respectively                           8,757          9,224
    Other assets                                     12,209         11,741
    Deferred income taxes                            21,553         11,641
      Total                                        $336,455       $350,410

    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
    Liabilities
      Self-insurance claims                          $5,305        $13,787
      Notes payable                                  13,835         13,354
      Operating debt                                 78,365         66,846
      Income taxes payable                            4,406          6,777
      Other liabilities                              15,325         20,098
        Total                                       117,236        120,862

    Commitments and Contingencies                        --             --

    Stockholders' Equity
      Preferred stock - $.05 par value,
        authorized 2,000,000 shares, none
        issued                                           --             --
      Common stock - $.05 par value,
        authorized 40,000,000 shares, issued
        29,893,912 and 29,845,673 shares,
        respectively                                  1,495          1,492
      Additional paid-in capital                    166,011        165,605
      Retained earnings, including cumulative
        foreign currency translation loss of
        $1,398 and $1,070, respectively              63,816         74,073
        Treasury stock, at cost, 1,345,968 and
          1,298,568 shares, respectively            (12,103)       (11,622)
          Total                                     219,219        229,548
            Total                                  $336,455       $350,410


                    NATIONAL AUTO CREDIT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                               (THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
                                     (UNAUDITED)

                          INSTALLMENT NOTES RECEIVABLE, NET

    a.)  Period End Balances:
                                                 October 31,       January 31,
                                                    1997              1997
    Gross installment notes receivable            $511,224          $496,947
    Unearned income                                (70,552)          (72,475)
    Dealer holdbacks, net of advances              (73,674)          (74,967)
    Allowance for credit losses                    (74,853)          (33,457)
    Installment notes receivable, net             $292,145          $316,048

    b.)  Changes in Gross Installment
         Notes Receivable:
                                     Three Months Ended    Nine Months Ended
                                         October 31,          October 31,
                                      1997       1996       1997       1996

    Balance, beginning of period    $514,217   $426,030   $496,947   $354,012
    Contracts accepted                74,983     97,779    242,331    274,013
    Cash collected                   (44,302)   (44,002)  (145,442)  (124,192)
    Charge-offs against:
      Dealer holdbacks               (26,558)   (15,895)   (64,377)   (33,727)
      Unearned/Allowance              (7,116)    (4,683)   (18,235)   (10,877)
    Balance, end of period          $511,224   $459,229   $511,224   $459,229

    c.)  Dealer Holdbacks, Net of Advances:

                                           October 31,     January 31,
                                              1997            1997

    Dealers holdbacks                       $406,167        $392,733
    Advances                                (332,493)       (317,766)
    Dealer holdbacks, net of advances        $73,674         $74,967


    d.)  Changes in Allowance for
         Credit Losses:
                                     Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended
                                         October 31,           October 31,
                                       1997       1996       1997       1996
    Balance, beginning of period     $44,327    $28,078    $33,457    $23,284
    Advance reserve fees               5,524      1,356     12,178      2,691
    Provision for credit losses       41,741      2,642     57,555      7,031
    Net charge-offs and other        (16,739)    (2,055)   (28,337)    (2,985)
    Balance, end of period           $74,853    $30,021    $74,853    $30,021

SOURCE  National Auto Credit, Inc.