-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, WzLZPFu8mJsDO1zIwvo2gIeV1HRhzNlLDyWsb3b/lKO0Q35qw6KvIf/dDZULEJMO P3cbwyqQtAHqObw/1BtwhA== 0000912057-02-019871.txt : 20020513 0000912057-02-019871.hdr.sgml : 20020513 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000912057-02-019871 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20020513 ITEM INFORMATION: Changes in registrant's certifying accountant ITEM INFORMATION: Financial statements and exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20020513 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: FIRST INVESTORS FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000948034 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: PERSONAL CREDIT INSTITUTIONS [6141] IRS NUMBER: 760465087 STATE OF INCORPORATION: TX FISCAL YEAR END: 0430 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-26686 FILM NUMBER: 02643662 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 675 BERING DR STREET 2: STE 710 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77057 BUSINESS PHONE: 7139772600 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 675 BERING DR STREET 2: STE 710 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77057 8-K 1 a2079957z8-k.txt 8-K SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): MAY 13, 2002 FIRST INVESTORS FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC. (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter) TEXAS (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) 0-26686 76-0465087 (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification Number) 675 BERING DRIVE, SUITE 710, HOUSTON, TEXAS, 77057 (Address of Principal Executive Offices and Zip Code) (713) 977-2600 (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code) ITEM 4. CHANGES IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT. Arthur Andersen LLP served as the Registrant's independent public accountants for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2001. On May 8, 2002, upon the recommendation of the Registrant's Audit Committee, the Board of Directors of the Registrant resolved to dismiss Arthur Andersen as the Registrant's independent public accountant for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2002, and to retain Grant Thornton LLP. On May 13, 2002, the Registrant formally engaged Grant Thornton and notified Arthur Andersen of its dismissal and the subsequent engagement of Grant Thornton. The reports of Arthur Andersen on the Registrant's consolidated balance sheets of Registrant as of April 30, 2000 and 2001, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended April 30, 2001, included in the Registrant's annual report on Form 10-K filed July 24, 2001, contained no adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles. During such fiscal years, there have been no disagreements with Arthur Andersen on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements if not resolved to the satisfaction of Arthur Andersen would have caused them to make reference thereto in their report on the Registrant's consolidated financial statements for such periods. The Registrant has previously provided Arthur Andersen a copy of the disclosures contained in this report and has requested that Arthur Andersen furnish the Registrant a letter, addressed to the SEC, stating whether it agrees with the statements made in this report and, if not, stating the respects in which it does not agree. Arthur Andersen has provided the Registrant with a letter, dated May 13, 2002, stating that it agrees with the above statements. A copy of the letter is filed as Exhibit 16.1 to this Form 8-K. The Registrant did not consult with Grant Thornton on any accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue during the two fiscal years preceding the date of this report or any interim period. The Registrant has previously provided Grant Thornton with a copy of the disclosure contained in this report, has requested that it review the disclosure, and has requested that it provide the Registrant with a letter addressed to the SEC to the extent that it disagrees with any of the Registrant's statements or has any new or clarifying information to disclose. Grant Thornton has indicated to the Registrant that it does not disagree and has no new or clarifying information to report. ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS. (c) Exhibits. 16.1 Letter from Arthur Andersen LLP to the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding the change in the Registrant's certifying accountant. 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 hereunto duly authorized. First Investors Financial Services Group, Inc. (Registrant) Date: May 13, 2002 By: /s/ BENNIE H. DUCK ----------------------------------------- Bennie H. Duck, Chief Financial Officer EX-16.1 3 a2079957zex-16_1.txt EXHIBIT 16.1 EXHIBIT 16.1 OFFICE OF THE CHIEF ACCOUNTANT Securities and Exchange Commission 450 Fifth Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20549 May 13, 2002 Dear Sir/Madam: We have read paragraphs 1 through 3 of Item 4 included in the Form 8-K dated May 13, 2002 of First Investors Financial Services Group, Inc. to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and are in agreement with the statements contained therein. Very truly yours, /s/Arthur Andersen LLP - ----------------------------------- ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP cc: Mr. Bennie H. Duck, Chief Financial Officer, First Investors Financial Services Group, Inc. ------ -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----