10-K 1 mar0410k.htm March 2004 KEPCO Form 10-K

  

  
     

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003

 

OR

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from to

Commission File Number 333-25029

 

RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE GRANTOR TRUST (KEPCO) SERIES 1997

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

NEW YORK

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

(36-7233686)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

2201 Cooperative Way, Herndon, VA 20171-3025

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code, is 703-709-6700)

 

Securities Registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None.

 

 

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 90 days.

 

Yes X No __

 
The Registrant is not an accelerated filer.
 

The Registrant has no common or voting stock.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:

 

None.






   

Part I

  

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings

  

  

 

 

None.

  

  

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

  

  

  

 

None.

   

Part II

  

Item 5.

Market for the Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

      
 

a)

There is no established trading market for the certificates representing ownership of the beneficial interest in the Rural Electric Cooperative Grantor Trust (KEPCO) Series 1997 (the "Trust").

      
 

b)

As of December 31, 2003 there was one record holder of certificates representing ownership of the beneficial interest in the Trust.

    

Item 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

    
   

See attached audited financial statements.

    

Item 9.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

   
    On April 22, 2002, National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation ("CFC") as servicer for the Trust rescinded an earlier decision to retain Arthur Andersen LLP as independent public accountants for the audit of its fiscal year ending December 31, 2002. On April 16, 2002, CFC engaged Ernst & Young LLP as its independent public auditors for the year ended December 31, 2002. CFC's Board of Directors approved the dismissal of Arthur Andersen LLP.
    
    Arthur Andersen LLP's report on CFC's financial statements for fiscal year ended December 31, 2001 did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, nor was it qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.
    
    During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001 there were no disagreements with Arthur Andersen LLP on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure which, if not resolved to Arthur Andersen LLP's satisfaction, would have caused them to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in connection with their report on the Trust's financial statements for such year. During such period there also were no "reportable events" (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC), and the Trust did not (nor did anyone on its behalf) consult with Ernst & Young LLP with respect to the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Trust's financial statements, or any other matters or events set forth in item 304(a)(2)(i) or (ii) of Regulation S-K.
    
    The Trust provided Arthur Andersen LLP with a copy of the above disclosures. In a letter dated April 26, 2002, Arthur Andersen LLP confirmed its agreement with such statements.
    

  

2


   

  

Part III

 
     

Item 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

      
    

None.

  

Part IV

    

Item 15.

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K

    
 

The following documents are filed as part of this report:

  
 

1.

Financial Statements

 

 

Report of Independent Auditors

 

 

Report of Independent Public Accountants

 

 

Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2003 and 2002

 

 

Statements of Income and Expenses for the Years Ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

 

 

Statements of Changes in Deficit for the Years Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002

 

 

Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

 

 
 

2.

Financial Statement Schedules are omitted because they are inapplicable.

 

 

 
 

3.

Exhibits

     
 

Exhibit

   
 

Number

 

Description of Exhibit

        
 

4.1

 

Form of Trust Agreement, including the form of Rural Electric Cooperative Grantor Trust Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 [No. 333-25029]).

        
 

4.2

 

First Amendment to Trust Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 [No. 333-25029]).

        
 

10.1

 

Loan Agreement dated as of February 15, 1988 between CFC and the Cooperative (including form of Note and Guarantee) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 [No. 33-16789 filed on August 27, 1987]).

        
 

10.2

 

First Amendment to Loan Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 [No. 333-25029]).

        
 

10.3

 

Loan Guarantee and Servicing Agreement, dated as of February 15, 1988, among the Administrator of the RUS, the Cooperative, the Servicer, the Lender and the Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 [No. 33-16789 filed on August 27, 1987]).

        
 

10.4

 

First Amendment to Loan Guarantee and Servicing Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 [No. 333-25029]).

        
 

10.5

 

Remarketing Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 [No. 333-25029]).

        
 

10.6

 

Swap Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 [No. 333-25029]).

        

  

3


    
10.7 Liquidity Protection (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 [No. 333-25029]).
 

10.8

 

Form of Standby Certificate Purchase Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 [No. 333-25029]).

         
 

12

 

Computations of ratio of margin to fixed charges.

         
 

99

 

JP Morgan Chase & Co. (successor to Morgan Guaranty Trust Co. of NY) and Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York (Swap Counterparty) Financial Information.

 
 

31.1

 

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer required Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 
 

31.2

 

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer required by Section 302 of the Sarbnes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 
 

32.1

 

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

        
 

32.2

 

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

     
 

b)

Forms 8-K dated June 17, 2003 and December 16, 2003.

   

Semi-annual Reports to Certificateholders dated June 17, 2003 and December 16, 2003.

 

Supplemental information to be furnished with reports filed pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act by Registrants which have not registered securities pursuant to Section 12 of the Act.

        

No annual report, proxy statement, form of proxy or other proxy soliciting material has been sent to Certificateholders, and the Registrant does not presently contemplate sending any such material subsequent to the filing of this report.

  

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the County of Fairfax, Commonwealth of Virginia on the 29th day of March, 2004.

     

RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE GRANTOR TRUST (KEPCO) SERIES 1997

 

By:

NATIONAL RURAL UTILITIES COOPERATIVE

 

FINANCE CORPORATION as Servicer

    
    

By:

/s/ SHELDON C. PETERSEN

Sheldon C. Petersen, Governor and

 

          Chief Executive Officer

 
   

   

 

4




Report of Independent Auditors

  
  

To the Trustee of

   Rural Electric Cooperative Grantor Trust

      (KEPCO) SERIES 1997, and

  

To the Board of Directors of

   National Rural Utilities Cooperative

      Finance Corporation

  

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Rural Electric Cooperative Grantor Trust (KEPCO) SERIES 1997 (the "Trust") as of December 31, 2003 and 2002 and the related statements of income and expenses, changes in deficit and cash flows for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Trust's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. The statements of income and expenses, changes in deficit and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2001, were audited by other auditors who have ceased operations and whose report dated March 27, 2002 expressed an unqualified opinion on these statements.

  

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States. 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 financial position of Rural Electric Cooperative Grantor Trust (KEPCO) SERIES 1997 at December 31, 2003 and 2002 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

  

As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, the Trust changed its method of accounting for derivatives and hedging activities effective January 1, 2001.

  

Ernst & Young LLP

  

McLean, Virginia

March 19, 2004


  

5

  



This is a copy of the audit report previously issued by Arthur Andersen LLP in connection with the grantor trust's filing on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001. This audit report has not been reissued by Arthur Andersen LLP in connection with this filing on Form 10-K.

 
 

Report of Independent Public Accountants

  
  

To the Trustee of

   Rural Electric Cooperative Grantor Trust

      (KEPCO) SERIES 1997, and

  

To the Board of Directors of

   National Rural Utilities Cooperative

      Finance Corporation

  

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of Rural Electric Cooperative Grantor Trust (KEPCO) SERIES 1997 (the "Trust") as of December 31, 2001 and 2000, the related statements of income and expenses and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2001, and the statement of changes in equity for the year ended December 31, 2001. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Trust's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

  

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States. 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 financial position of Rural Electric Cooperative Grantor Trust (KEPCO) SERIES 1997 as of December 31, 2001 and 2000, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2001, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

  

As explained in Note 1 to the financial statements, effective January 1, 2001, the Trust changed its method of accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activities.

  

Arthur Andersen LLP

  

Vienna, Virginia

March 27, 2002


6

 


RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE GRANTOR TRUST (KEPCO) SERIES 1997

BALANCE SHEETS

DECEMBER 31, 2003 AND 2002

  
  

 

ASSETS

 

2003

     

2002

 
               

Interest receivable - KEPCO

$

286,783

   

$

295,656

 
               

Interest receivable - swap counterparty

 

55,229

     

56,534

 
               

Notes receivable

 

49,640,000

     

51,340,000

 
               

         Total Assets

$

49,982,012

   

$

51,692,190

 
               
 
 

LIABILITIES AND DEFICIT

             
               

Interest payable - Grantor Trust Certificates

$

55,229

   

$

56,534

 
               

Servicer fees payable

 

3,511

     

3,619

 
               

Interest payable - swap counterparty

 

283,272

     

292,037

 
               

Rural Electric Cooperative Grantor Trust Certificates

 

49,640,000

     

51,340,000

 
               

Derivative liability

 

10,336,842

     

12,564,364

 
               

          Total Liabilities

 

60,318,854

     

64,256,554

 
               

Deficit

             
               

Retained deficit

 

(13,747,596

)

   

(16,397,418

)

               

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

3,410,754

     

3,833,054

 
               

          Total Deficit

 

(10,336,842

)

   

(12,564,364

)

               

         Total Liabilities & Deficit

$

49,982,012

   

$

51,692,190

 
               
               
               

See accompanying notes.


7


  

RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE GRANTOR TRUST (KEPCO) SERIES 1997

STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND EXPENSES

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003, 2002 AND 2001

 
 

 

 

 

2003

     

2002

     

2001

 
                       

INCOME

                     
                       

Interest on note receivable

$

3,894,560

   

$

3,998,301

   

$

4,104,490

 
                       

Interest on swap agreement

 

617,143

     

968,217

     

2,182,800

 
                       

      Total Income

 

4,511,703

     

4,966,518

     

6,287,290

 
                       

EXPENSES

                     
                       

Interest to certificateholders

 

617,143

     

968,217

     

2,182,800

 
                       

Interest to swap counterparty

 

3,846,884

     

3,949,355

     

4,054,244

 
                       

Servicer fees

 

47,676

     

48,946

     

50,246

 
                       

      Total Expenses

 

4,511,703

     

4,966,518

     

6,287,290

 
                         

SFAS 133 forward value adjustment

 

2,649,822

     

(4,516,685

)

   

(11,880,733

)

                       

      Net income/(loss)

$

2,649,822

   

$

(4,516,685

)

 

$

(11,880,733

)

                       
                       
                       

 

 See accompanying notes.

 

8


  

RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE GRANTOR TRUST (KEPCO) SERIES 1997

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN DEFICIT

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003, 2002 AND 2001

 
     

Accumulated

         

Other

 

Retained

 

Comprehensive

 

Total

     
 

Deficit

 

Income

 

Deficit

     
                                 

Balance as of 12/31/00

$

-

   

$

-

   

$

-

           
                                  

Cumulative effect of change in

                               

     accounting principle

 

-

     

4,628,105

     

4,628,105

           
                                 

Amortization of SFAS 133

                               

     transition adjustment

 

-

     

(119,788

)

   

(119,788

)

         
                                 

Net loss

(11,880,733

)

-

(11,880,733

)

 

Total Comprehensive Income

(7,372,416

)

 

Balance as of 12/31/01

 

(11,880,733

)

   

4,508,317

     

(7,372,416

)

         
                                 
                                 

Amortization of SFAS 133

                               

    transition adjustment

 

-

     

(675,263

)

   

(675,263

)

         
                                 

Net loss

 

(4,516,685

)

   

-

     

(4,516,685

)

     

 
                                  
Total Comprehensive Income

(5,191,918

)
 

Balance as of 12/31/02

(16,397,418

)

 

3,833,054

   

(12,564,364

)

     

 
                                 

Amortization of SFAS 133

                               

     transition adjustment

 

-

     

(422,300

)

   

(422,300

)

         
                                 

Net income

 

2,649,822

     

-

     

2,649,822

           
 
Total Comprehensive Income

2,227,522

                                  

Balance as of 12/31/03

 $

(13,747,596

)

 

 $

3,410,754

   

 $

(10,336,842

)

         
                                 
                                 
                                 

  

See accompanying notes.

 

9


RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE GRANTOR TRUST (KEPCO) SERIES 1997

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003, 2002 AND 2001

 
 
 

 

   

2003

     

2002

     

2001

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

                     
                       

   Net Income/(Loss)

$

2,649,822

 

$

(4,516,685

)

 

$

(11,880,733

)

                       

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:

                     
                       

     Decrease in swap counterparty interest receivable

 

1,305

     

23,968

     

181,966

 

     Decrease in Kepco interest receivable

 

8,873

     

7,808

     

16,142

     SFAS 133 forward value adjustment

 

(2,649,822

)

   

4,516,685

     

11,880,733

 

     (Decrease) in Kepco interest payable

 

(1,305

)

   

(23,968

)

   

(181,966

)

     (Decrease) increase in swap counterparty interest payable

(8,765

)

(7,712

)

(15,944

)

     (Decrease) increase in servicer fees payable

 

(108

)

   

(96

)

   

(198

)

     Principal received on note receivable

 

1,700,000

     

1,350,000

     

1,400,000

 

     Principal payment to certificateholders

 

(1,700,000

)

   

(1,350,000

)

   

(1,400,000

)

                       

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

-

     

-

     

-

 
                        

CASH, beginning of year

 

-

     

-

     

-

 
                        

CASH, end of year

$

-

   

$

-

   

$

-

 
                        

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF

                     

      CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

                     
 

Cash paid during the year for interest expense on certificates 

$

617,143

   

$

968,217

   

$

2,182,800

 
                       
                       

 

See accompanying notes. 

 

 

10

 


RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE GRANTOR TRUST (KEPCO) SERIES 1997

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2003 AND 2002

  
  
 

 

1.

ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS

     
 

Rural Electric Cooperative Grantor Trust (KEPCO) SERIES 1997 (the "Trust") was formed under a Trust Agreement dated December 20, 1996 among National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation ("CFC"), Kansas Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. (the "Cooperative") and Bank One, formerly The First National Bank of Chicago (the "Trustee"). The assets of the Trust consist of lender loan notes (the "1997 Note") bearing interest at 7.597% and maturing in 2017. In addition, the Trust also holds certain rights under an interest rate swap agreement (the "Swap Agreement").

    
 

Rural Electric Cooperative Grantor Trust (KEPCO) Trusts K-1 and K-2 were created on February 15, 1988 resulting from a refinancing of loans from the Federal Financing Bank ("FFB") which were guaranteed by the Rural Electrification Administration, as predecessor in intent to the Rural Utilities Service ("RUS"). The FFB loans were refinanced through CFC and in exchange the Cooperative executed lender loan notes (the "Notes") to CFC. CFC then deposited the Notes into separate Trusts. In turn, the Trusts issued to CFC, as depositor of the Trusts, two certificates: Rural Electric Cooperative Grantor Trust (KEPCO) 9.23% Certificates, due 2002 and Rural Electric Cooperative Grantor Trust (KEPCO) 9.73% Certificates, due 2017 (the "Certificates") in the amounts of $11,075,000 and $51,340,000, respectively. The Certificates were not subject to full redemption prior to December 15, 1997. On December 18, 1997, the Notes were refinanced, the outstanding Certificates were redeemed, and Trusts K-1 and K-2 were terminated. The Notes in the outstanding principal amount of $57,390,000 were then deposited into the Trust. The Note is guaranteed (the "Guarantee") as to timely payment of principal and interest by the United States of America, acting through the Administrator of RUS. The General Counsel of the USDA has issued an opinion that the Guarantee is supported by the full faith and credit of the United States of America. The Trust issued Certificates of beneficial interest (the "Series 1997 Certificates") which bear interest at a variable rate and mature in 2017.

    
 

In order to mitigate the interest rate risk inherent in the Trust, which hoelds a fixed rate asset (the 1997 Note) and a variable rate obligation, the Cooperative assigned to the Trust certain rights under athe Swap Agreement in 1997. The counterparty to the Swap Agreement is JP Morgan Chase & Co. (successor to Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York) ("Morgan"). Pursuant to the Swap Agreement, the Trust pays to Morgan a fixed rate of interest on the outstanding notional amount, and Morgan pays the Trust a variable rate of interest on the outstanding notional amount. The structure is designed such that the interest amounts paid by the Cooperative to the Trust are the same amounts paid to Morgan, pursuant to the Swap Agreement, plus the amounts payable to CFC, as servicer. The amounts Morgan pays to the Trust under the Swap Agreement are the same amounts as the interest payable by the Trust to the Certificateholders.

    
 

The notional amount of the Swap Agreement (which is not included on the Trust's Balance Sheet) was established at $57,390,000 and declines in amount over time such that the outstanding notional amount is always equal to the outstanding balance of the Series 1997 Notes and the Series 1997 Certificates. The Swap Agreement terminates in 2017, but is subject to early termination upon the early redemption of the Certificates.

    
 

Derivative Financial Instruments

    
 

The Trust is neither a dealer nor a trader in derivative financial instruments. The Trust uses derivatives to manage its interest rate risk.

    
 

On January 1, 2001, the Trust implemented Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. On January 1, 2001, as a transition adjustment, the Trust recorded a derivative asset of $4,628,105 with a corresponding credit to other comprehensive income to place the interest rate swap agreement on the balance sheet at its fair value. The interest rate swap agreement was not designated as a hedge on January 1, 2001 and has not been designated as a hedge since that date. Therefore, in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 133, all changes in the swap agreement's fair value subsequent to January 1, 2002 have been recorded through earnings as a SFAS 133 forward value adjustment.

 

11


  

 

The swap agreement had a negative fair value of $10,336,842 and $12,564,364 and is reflected on the balance sheet as a derivative liability as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively, the Trust recorded mark-to-market adjustments on the swap agreement of $2,227,522, ($5,191,948) and ($7,372,416) which increased or decreased income and are reflected in the statements of income and expenses as SFAS 133 forward value adjustments. Also included in the SFAS 133 forward value adjustment amounts is amortization of $422,300, $675,263, and ($119,788) of the transition adjustment from other comprehensive income to earnings for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. A total of $398,883 is expected to be amortized over the next twelve months. The transition adjustment will continue to be amortized over the life of the interest rate swap agreement, which matures on December 4, 2017.

 
Consistent with the pass-through substance of the Trust, all amounts that the Trust receives and pays related to the swap agreement are included at gross amounts in the statements of income and expenses as interest on swap agreement and interest to swap counterparty, respectively. All interest receivable and payable on the swap agreement are included in the balance sheet as interest receivable - swap counterparty and interest payable - swap counterparty, respectively.
     
 

Grantor Trust Certificates

     
 

Principal payments on the Certificates began in 1998 and will extend over a period of twenty years. The principal payments over the next 5 years and thereafter are as follows:

   

 

2004

$ 1,900,000

 

2005

2,100,000

 

2006

2,300,000

 

2007

2,500,000

 

2008

2,800,000

 

Thereafter

38,040,000

 

   

Total

$49,640,000

 


 

The Certificates are subject to redemption at any time at the remaining principal amount plus accrued interest. The principal payments received on the Note from the Cooperative coincide with the payments due to the certificateholders.

    
 

Each Certificate represents an undivided fractional interest in the Trust. CFC is the depositor of the Trust and acts as servicer of the Note.

    

2.

TAX STATUS OF THE TRUST

    
 

Vinson & Elkins, Counsel to the Cooperative, has advised CFC with respect to the Trust that, in its opinion, (i) the Trust will not be classified as an association taxable as a corporation, but will be classified as a grantor trust and (ii) each certificateholder will be treated for Federal income tax purposes as the owner of an undivided fractional interest in each of the assets held by the Trust.

    
 

It is expected that the Trust will not have any liability for Federal or state income taxes for the current or future years.

    

3.

NOTE RECEIVABLE, INTEREST AND SERVICER FEE ACCOUNTING

    
The Trust accounts for its note receivable at cost. No allowance for loan losses has been recorded due to the guarantee provided by the United States of America.
 
 

The Trust records interest income as it is earned and accrues interest expense and servicer fees as they are incurred. Servicer fees represent .093% of the outstanding principal balance of the Note.

     

4.

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

    
 

Comprehensive income (loss) includes other comprehensive income related to the transition adjustment recorded when SFAS 133 was adopted in 2001 and the Trust's net loss other than amortization of the transition adjustment from accumulated other comprehensive income to earnings.

    


12


  

  

 

Comprehensive income/(loss) for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 is calculated as follows:

  

     

2003

     

2002

     

2001

   
  Net income/ (loss)

$

2,649,822

   

$

(4,516,685

)

 

$

(11,880,733

)

 
  Amortization of SFAS 133 transition adjustment  

(422,300

)

   

(675,263

)

   

(119,788

)

 
  Cumulative change in accounting principle  

-

     

-

     

4,628,105

   
  Comprehensive income/(loss)

$

2,227,522

   

$

(5,191,948

)

 

$

(7,372,416

)

 

  

5.

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

     
 

Use of Estimates

     
 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reported period. The estimates involve judgments with respect to, among other things, various future factors which are difficult to predict and are beyond the control of the Trust. With regards to the fair values below, actual amounts could differ from these estimates.

     
 

The following disclosure of the estimated fair value of financial instruments is made in accordance with SFAS No. 107, "Disclosure about Fair Value of Financial Instruments." Whenever possible, the estimated fair value amounts have been determined using quoted market information as of December 31, 2003 and 2002 along with other valuation methodologies. Below is a summary of significant methodologies used in estimating fair value amounts and a schedule of fair values at December 31, 2003 and 2002.

     
 

The carrying amounts reported for interest receivable, interest payable, and servicer fees payable approximate fair values due to the short-term maturity of these instruments.

     
 

Note Receivable

     
 

Fair value is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities.

     
 

Rural Electric Cooperative Grantor Trust Certificates

     
 

The trust certificates pay a variable rate of interest that is reset weekly, and as such are considered to be carried at fair value.


13

 


 

 

Swap Agreement

   
 

The fair market value is provided by the swap counterparty and is estimated taking into account the current market rate of interest.

   
 

The carrying and estimated fair values of the Trust's financial instruments as of December 31, 2003 and 2002 are as follows:

  

   

2003

     

2002

 
   

Carrying

     

Fair

     

Carrying

     

Fair

 
   

Value

     

Value

     

Value

     

Value

 

Assets:

                             

Interest receivable - KEPCO

$

286,783

   

$

286,783

   

$

295,656

   

$

295,656

 

Interest receivable - swap counterparty

 

55,229

     

55,229

     

56,534

     

56,534

 

Note receivable

 

49,640,000

     

58,511,408

     

51,340,000

     

61,852,741

 
                               

Liabilities:

                             

Interest payable - Grantor

                             

   Trust Certificates

 

55,229

     

55,229

     

56,534

     

56,534

 

Servicer fees payable

 

3,511

     

3,511

     

3,619

     

3,619

 

Interest payable - swap counterparty

 

283,272

     

283,272

     

292,037

     

292,037

 

Rural Electric Cooperative

                             

   Grantor Trust Certificates

 

49,640,000

     

49,640,000

     

51,340,000

     

51,340,000

 
                               

Derivative Instruments:

                             

   Interest rate swap agreement

$

(10,336,842

)

$

(10,336,842

)

$

(12,564,364

)

$

(12,564,364

)

  

              

14


  

RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE GRANTOR TRUST (KEPCO) SERIES 1997

 

Exhibit Index

      

Exhibit

    

Number

 

Description of Exhibit

       

12

 

Computations of ratio of income/(loss) to fixed charges.

       

99

 

JP Morgan Chase & Co. (Swap Counterparty) Financial Information.

        
31.1 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
31.2 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   

32.1

 

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

       

32.2

 

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

    
          

  

15