UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549



                                    FORM 11-K


              [ X ] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                   For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997
                                       OR
              [   ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
               For the transition period from             to   
                                               ----------    ----------
                          Commission file number 1-8993



A.   Full title of the plan and the address of the plan, if different
     from that of the issuer named below:

                   VALLEY GROUP EMPLOYEES' 401(K) SAVINGS PLAN
                          C/o: Valley Insurance Company
                              2450 14th Avenue S.E.
                                  P.O. Box 1119
                              Albany, Oregon 97321
                                 (541) 928-2344



B.   Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan
     and the address of its principal executive office:

                    FUND AMERICAN ENTERPRISES HOLDINGS, INC.
                              80 South Main Street
                        Hanover, New Hampshire 03755-2053
                                 (603) 643-1567




                                EXPLANATORY NOTE

       This Annual Report on Form 11-K is being filed pursuant to Section 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 with respect to Valley Group Employees'
401(k) Savings Plan (the "Plan") so that it may be incorporated by reference
into the Registration Statement on Form S-8 which Fund American Enterprises
Holdings, Inc. (the "Company") filed on June 27, 1997 with respect to its shares
of Common Stock, $1.00 par value per share, issuable under the Plan.

       As stated in a Form 8-K dated January 24, 1997, the Company's Board of
Directors, upon recommendation of its Audit Committee, appointed KPMG Peat
Marwick LLP ("KPMG") as its independent auditors for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 1997, to replace Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. ("Coopers & Lybrand") as
independent auditors, effective upon the date of their reports on such
consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 1996.

       In connection with the audit of the Plan for the year ended December 31,
1996, there were no disagreements with Coopers & Lybrand on any matter of
accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing
scope and procedures which, if not resolved to their satisfaction, would have
caused them to make reference in connection with their opinion to the subject
matter of the disagreement.

       The reports of KPMG and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for the Plan years
ended December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively, are included herein.
 

                                INFORMATION FILED

       The following financial statements and exhibits are filed with, and are
included in, this Report:

       A. Financial statements for the Plan consisting of:

       1.     Report of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP for the Plan year ended December
              31,1997

       2.     Report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for the Plan year ended
              December 31,1996

       3.     Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits as of December 31,
              1997 and 1996

       4.     Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits for the
              years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996

       5.     Notes to Financial Statements

       6.     Schedule of Assets held for Investment Purposes

       7.     Schedule of Reportable Transactions


       B. Exhibits:

       1.     Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

       2.     Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP







                                   SIGNATURES

       The Plan. Pursuant to the requirements of Section 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the trustees have duly caused this annual report to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


                                     VALLEY GROUP EMPLOYEES' 401(K)SAVINGS PLAN

Date:   July 17, 1998

                                     By: 
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                       /s/ STUART E. OLSON
                                       Trustee


                                      By:                   
                                        ---------------------------------------
                                        /s/ KENNETH R. HISEL
                                        Trustee

 
 
                                      By:                   
                                        ---------------------------------------
                                        /s/ CAREY D. BENSON
                                        Trustee




                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number

              A.     Financial statements for the Plan consisting of:


                     Report of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP for the Plan year ended
                     December 31,1997

                     Report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for the Plan year
                     ended December 31,1996

                     Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits as of
                     December 31, 1997 and 1996

                     Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for
                     Benefits for the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996

                     Notes to Financial Statements

                     Schedule of Assets held for Investment Purposes

                     Schedule of Reportable Transactions


              B.     Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

              C.     Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP







             VALLEY GROUP EMPLOYEES'                                 Exhibit A
             401(k) SAVINGS PLAN

             Financial Statements and Supplemental Schedules

             December 31, 1997 and 1996

             (With Independent Auditors' Report Thereon)














                                               INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT


Board of Directors
Valley Group Employees' 401(k) Savings Plan:


We have audited the accompanying statement of net assets available for benefits
of Valley Group Employees' 401(k) Savings Plan (the Plan) as of December 31,
1997, and the related statement of changes in net assets available for benefits
for the year 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 audit.

We conducted our audit 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 audit provides 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 Valley Group
Employees' 401(k) Savings Plan as of December 31, 1997, and the changes in net
assets available for benefits for the year 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 Item 27(a)
- - schedule of assets held for investment purposes and Item 27(d) - schedule of
reportable transactions as of or for the year ended December 31, 1997 are
presented for the 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. These supplemental
schedules are the responsibility of the Plan's management. The fund information
in the statement of net assets available for benefits and the statement of
changes in net assets available for benefits is presented for purposes of
additional analysis rather than to present the net assets available for benefits
and changes in net assets available for benefits for each fund. The supplemental
schedules and fund information 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.

The supplemental schedules that accompany the Plan's financial statements do not
disclose the historical cost or the realized gain or loss of certain Plan
assets. Disclosure of this information is required by the Department of Labor's
Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974.






San Francisco, California                                 KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
July 14, 1998










                                               INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT




Board of Directors
Valley Group Employees' 401(k) Savings Plan
Albany, Oregon

We have audited the accompanying statement of net assets for benefits of the
Valley Group Employees' 401(k) Savings Plan as of December 31, 1996 and the
related statement of changes in net assets available for benefits for the year
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 audit.

We conducted our audit 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 audit provides 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 Valley Group
Employees' 401(k) Savings Plan as of December 31, 1996, and the changes in net
assets available for benefits for the year then ended in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles.






Portland, Oregon                                     PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
June 4, 1997





                VALLEY GROUP EMPLOYEES' 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN
               Statement of Net Assets Available for Benefits
                           December 31, 1997

Neuberger & 20th Century Group Berman Ultra Fidelity Annuity Guardian Fidelity Investors Dreyfus S&P Advisor High Contract Fund Puritan Fund Fund 500 Fund Yield Fund ---------- --------- --------- --------- -------- --------- Assets: Pooled separate accounts, at fair value (note 2) $ -- 1,026,330 573,360 861,117 755,997 150,877 Insurance contract, at contract value (note 3) 1,389,815 -- -- -- -- -- Common stock, at fair value (note 2) -- -- -- -- -- -- Money market account -- -- -- -- -- -- Participant loans -- -- -- -- -- -- ---------- --------- --------- --------- -------- --------- 1,389,815 1,026,330 573,360 861,117 755,997 150,877 ---------- --------- --------- --------- -------- --------- Contributions receivable: Participant 3,353 11,475 4,805 9,230 7,636 1,683 Employer 1,351 4,089 1,822 3,452 2,756 689 ---------- --------- --------- --------- -------- --------- 4,704 15,564 6,627 12,682 10,392 2,372 ---------- --------- --------- --------- -------- --------- Net assets available for benefits $1,394,519 1,041,894 579,987 873,799 766,389 153,249 ---------- --------- --------- --------- -------- --------- ---------- --------- --------- --------- -------- --------- Warburg Pincus Janus Fund Emerging Worldwide American Participant Janus Fund Growth Fund Fund Stock Loans Total ---------- ----------- --------- ---------- ----------- ------ Assets: Pooled separate accounts, at fair value (note 2) 494,402 395,562 944,953 -- -- 5,202,598 Insurance contract, at contract value (note 3) -- -- -- -- -- 1,389,815 Common stock, at fair value (note 2) -- -- -- 155,485 -- 155,485 Money market account -- -- -- 66,109 -- 66,109 Participant loans -- -- -- -- 62,989 62,989 ---------- --------- --------- --------- -------- --------- 494,402 395,562 944,953 221,594 62,989 6,876,996 ---------- --------- --------- --------- -------- --------- Contributions receivable: Participant 4,326 4,225 10,785 1,974 -- 59,492 Employer 1,530 1,655 4,177 993 -- 22,514 ---------- --------- --------- --------- -------- --------- 5,856 5,880 14,962 2,967 -- 82,006 ---------- --------- --------- --------- -------- --------- Net assets available for benefits 500,258 401,442 959,915 224,561 62,989 6,959,002 ---------- --------- --------- --------- -------- --------- ---------- --------- --------- --------- -------- ---------
See accompanying notes to financial statements. VALLEY GROUP EMPLOYEES' 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN Statement of Net Assets Available for Benefits December 31, 1996
Neuberger & 20th Century Group Berman Fidelity Ultra Annuity Guardian Magellan Fidelity Oppenheimer Investors Contract Fund Fund Puritan Fund Global Fund Fund ---------- ----------- -------- ------------ ----------- ------------ Assets: Pooled separate accounts, at fair value (note 2) $ -- 854,767 821,122 571,523 526,235 727,117 Insurance contract, at contract value (note 3) 1,292,953 -- -- -- -- -- Participant loans -- -- -- -- -- -- ---------- ----------- -------- ------------ ----------- ------------ 1,292,953 854,767 821,122 571,523 526,235 727,117 ---------- ----------- -------- ------------ ----------- ------------ Contributions receivable: Participant -- -- -- -- -- -- Employer -- -- -- -- -- -- ---------- ----------- -------- ------------ ----------- ------------ -- -- -- -- -- -- ---------- ----------- -------- ------------ ----------- ------------ Net assets available for benefits $1,292,953 854,767 821,122 571,523 526,235 727,117 ---------- ----------- -------- ------------ ----------- ------------ ---------- ----------- -------- ------------ ----------- ------------ Dreyfus A Bond Plus Participant Contributions Fund Loans Receivable Total ---------- ----------- -------------- ------------ Assets: Pooled separate accounts, at fair value (note 2) $ 63,963 -- -- 3,564,727 Insurance contract, at contract value (note 3) -- -- -- 1,292,953 Participant loans -- 43,457 -- 43,457 ---------- ----------- -------------- ------------ 63,963 43,457 -- 4,901,137 ---------- ----------- -------------- ------------ Contributions receivable: Participant -- -- 26,253 26,253 Employer -- -- 10,785 10,785 ---------- ----------- -------------- ------------ -- -- 37,038 37,038 ---------- ----------- -------------- ------------ Net assets available for benefits 63,963 43,457 37,038 4,938,175 ---------- ----------- -------------- ------------ ---------- ----------- -------------- ------------
See accompanying notes to financial statements. VALLEY GROUP EMPLOYEES' 401(K) SAVINGS PLAN Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits Yead ended December 31, 1997
Neuberger & 20th Century Group Berman Fidelity Fidelity Ultra Annuity Guardian Magelan Puritan Oppenheimer Investors Contract Fund Fund Fund Global Fund Fund ---------- --------- --------- --------- ----------- ------------ Additions to net assets attributable to: Investment income: Net appreciation (depreciation) in fair value of investments $ -- $134,427 26,204 107,442 15,756 150,767 Interest 87,587 -- -- -- -- -- Dividends -- -- -- -- -- -- ---------- --------- --------- --------- ----------- ------------ Total investment income 87,587 134,427 26,204 107,442 15,756 150,767 Contributions Participant 147,533 128,089 -- 74,400 -- 139,474 Employer 58,110 44,533 -- 27,553 -- 50,950 Rollover 66,078 25,269 892 7,194 -- 18,270 ---------- --------- --------- --------- ----------- ------------ Total contributions 271,721 197,891 892 109,147 -- 208,694 ---------- --------- --------- --------- ----------- ------------ Total additions 359,308 332,318 27,096 216,589 15,756 359,461 ---------- --------- --------- --------- ----------- ------------ Deductions from net assets attributed in: Distributions to participants 163,456 97,834 -- 62,218 -- 57,907 ---------- --------- --------- --------- ----------- ------------ Net increase (decrease) prior to interfund transfers $195,852 $234,484 27,096 154,371 15,756 301,554 Interfund transfers (94,286) (47,357) (848,218) (145,907) (541,991) (154,872) ---------- --------- --------- --------- ----------- ------------ Net increase (decrease) 101,566 187,127 (821,122) 8,464 (526,235) 146,682 Net assets available for benefits: Beginning of year $1,292,953 854,767 821,122 571,523 526,235 727,117 ---------- --------- --------- --------- ----------- ------------ End of year $1,394,519 1,041,894 -- 579,987 -- 873,799 ---------- --------- --------- --------- ----------- ------------ ---------- --------- --------- --------- ----------- ------------ Warburg Dreyfus A Fidelity Pinkus Bonds Plus Dreyfus S&P Advisors High Emerging Fund 500 Fund Yield Fund Janus Fund Growth Fund ---------- ------------ -------------- ---------- ----------- Additions to net assets attributable to: Investment income: Net appreciation (depreciation) in fair value of investments (287) 134,897 20,002 82,055 59,975 Interest -- -- -- -- -- Dividends -- -- -- -- -- ---------- ------------ -------------- ---------- ----------- Total investment income (287) 134,897 20,002 82,055 59,975 Contributions Participant -- 107,844 38,966 78,659 87,342 Employer -- 37,980 15,595 27,134 33,448 Rollover -- 22,049 -- 14,212 2,053 ---------- ------------ -------------- ---------- ---------- Total contributions -- 167,873 54,561 120,005 122,843 ---------- ------------ -------------- ---------- ---------- Total additions (287) 302,770 74,563 202,060 182,818 ---------- ------------ -------------- ---------- ---------- Deductions from net assets attributed in: Distributions to participants -- 19,884 23,528 33,142 14,849 ---------- ------------ -------------- ---------- ---------- Net increase (decrease) prior to interfund transfers (287) 282,886 51,035 168,918 167,969 Interfund transfers (63,676) 483,503 102,214 331,340 233,473 ---------- ------------ -------------- ---------- ----------- Net increase (decrease) (63,963) 766,389 153,249 500,258 401,442 Net assets available for benefits: Beginning of year 63,963 -- -- -- -- ---------- ------------ -------------- ---------- ----------- End of year -- 766,389 153,249 500,258 401,442 ---------- ------------ -------------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ------------ -------------- ---------- ----------- Janus Fund Worldwide American Participant Fund Stock Loans Other Total --------- --------- ---------- --------- ----------- Additions to net assets attributable to: Investment income: Net appreciation (depreciation) in fair value of investments 96,281 20,084 -- -- 847,603 Interest -- 586 5,006 -- 93,179 Dividends -- 528 -- 528 --------- --------- ---------- --------- ----------- Total investment income 96,281 21,198 5,006 -- 941,310 Contributions Participant 174,829 30,027 -- -- 1,007,163 Employer 66,184 14,815 -- -- 376,302 Rollover 27,512 4,297 -- -- 187,826 --------- --------- ---------- -------- ----------- Total contributions 268,525 49,139 -- -- 1,571,291 --------- --------- ---------- -------- ----------- Total additions 364,806 70,337 5,006 -- 2,512,601 --------- --------- ---------- -------- ----------- Deductions from net assets attributed in: Distributions to participants 14,032 -- 4,924 -- 491,774 --------- --------- ---------- -------- ----------- Net increase (decrease) prior to interfund transfers 350,774 70,337 82 -- 2,020,827 Interfund transfers 609,141 154,224 19,450 (37,038) -- --------- --------- ----------- -------- ----------- Net increase (decrease) 959,915 224,561 19,532 (37,038) 2,020,827 Net assets available for benefits: Beginning of year -- -- 43,457 37,038 4,938,175 --------- -------- ----------- -------- ----------- End of year 959,915 224,561 62,989 -- 6,959,002 ---------- --------- ----------- -------- ----------- ---------- --------- ----------- -------- -----------
VALLEY GROUP EMPLOYEES' 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits Year ended December 31, 1996
Neuberger & Group Berman Fidelity Annuity Guardian Magellan Fidelity Oppenheimer Contract Fund Fund Puritan Fund Global Fund -------- ---------- -------- ------------- ----------- Additions to net assets attributed to: Investment income: Net appreciation in fair value of investments $ -- 110,406 67,657 65,644 49,749 Interest 67,433 -- -- -- -- ----------- ---------- --------- ------- --------- Total investement income 67,433 110,406 67,657 65,644 49,749 ----------- ---------- --------- -------- --------- Contributions: Participant 126,824 128,604 153,151 80,425 64,452 Employer 52,495 47,083 59,556 29,097 25,241 Rollover 424,611 295,218 347,510 237,247 117,270 ----------- ---------- --------- -------- --------- Total contributions 603,930 470,905 560,217 346,769 206,963 ----------- ---------- --------- -------- --------- Total additions 671,363 581,311 627,874 412,413 256,712 ----------- ---------- --------- -------- --------- Deductions from net assets attributed to: Distributions to participants 71,409 79,965 36,973 62,831 12,895 ----------- ---------- --------- -------- --------- Net increase (decrease) prior to interfund transfers 599,954 501,346 509,901 349,582 243,817 Interfund transfers (56,090) (11,377) (97,595) (130,096) 156,913 ----------- ---------- --------- -------- --------- Net increase(decrease) 543,864 489,969 493,306 219,486 400,730 Net assets available for benefit: Beginning of year 749,089 364,798 327,816 352,037 125,505 ----------- ---------- --------- -------- --------- End of year $ 1,292,953 854,767 821,122 571,523 526,235 ----------- ---------- --------- -------- --------- ----------- ---------- --------- -------- --------- 20th Century Ultra Dreyfus A Investors BondsPlus Participant Fund Fund Loans Other Total ------------ ---------- ----------- ----- ------ Additions to net assets attributed to: Investment income: Net appreciation in fair value of investments 61,640 2,910 -- -- 358,006 Interest -- -- 3,428 -- 70,861 --------- --------- ---------- -------- ---------- Total investement income 61,640 2,910 3,428 -- 428,867 --------- --------- ---------- -------- ---------- Contributions: Participant 147,555 4,154 -- (8,864) 696,301 Employer 55,459 1,595 -- (3,271) 267,255 Rollover 200,768 13,866 24,388 -- 1,660,878 --------- --------- ---------- -------- ---------- Total contributions 403,782 19,615 24,388 (12,135) 2,624,434 --------- --------- ---------- -------- ---------- Total additions 465,422 22,525 27,816 (12,135) 3,053,301 --------- --------- ---------- -------- ---------- Deductions from net assets attributed to: Distributions to participants 24,780 -- 5,302 -- 294,155 --------- --------- ---------- -------- ---------- Net increase (decrease) prior to interfund transfers 440,642 22,525 22,514 (12,135) 2,759,146 Interfund transfers 91,234 41,438 5,585 (12) -- --------- --------- ---------- -------- ---------- Net increase(decrease) 531,876 63,963 28,009 (12,147) 2,759,146 Net assets available for benefit: Beginning of year 195,241 -- 15,358 49,185 2,179,029 --------- --------- ---------- -------- ---------- End of year 727,117 63,963 43,457 37,038 4,938,175 --------- --------- ---------- -------- ---------- --------- --------- ---------- -------- ----------
See accompanying notes to financial statements. VALLEY GROUP EMPLOYEES' 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN Notes to Financial Statements December 31, 1997 and 1996 (1) Description of the Plan The following description of the Valley Group Employees' 401(k) Savings Plan (the "Plan") provides only general information. Participants should refer to the Plan Document for a more complete description of the Plan's provisions. General The Plan is a defined contribution plan which was originally established on January 1, 1988 to provide retirement benefits for eligible employees of Valley Pacific, Inc. (the Company). Effective December 1, 1995, the Plan was amended to include the employees of The Charter Group, Inc. and the Plan's name was changed to the Valley Group Employees' 401(k) Savings Plan. Effective January 1, 1997, the Plan was amended to include the employees of Fund American Enterprises Holding, Inc., White Mountains Insurance Company, White Mountains Holdings, Inc., and The Upper Valley Company. Participants in the Plan include employees of the respective companies and are collectively referred to as the "Companies." The Plan is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA). Employees of the Companies must complete ninety days of service and have attained the age of 21 to become eligible for participation in the Plan. During 1996, employees of The Charter Group, Inc. (Charter) that participated in the Skandia Direct Operations Employee 401(k) Plan and the Skandia Direct Operations Retirement Plan were given the option to rollover their account balances to the Plan or any other qualified retirement plan. In addition, Valley Pacific Inc. employees who participated in the Skandia Direct Operations Retirement Plan were also given the option to rollover their account balances to the Plan or any other qualified retirement plan. Rollovers from these retirement plans totaled approximately $1.1 million in 1996. Contributions Each year participants may elect to defer up to 15 percent of pretax annual compensation, as defined by the Plan. The Companies contribute 50 percent of the first 6 percent of compensation that a participant contributes to the Plan. The Companies may also choose to make an additional discretionary contribution to the Plan. No discretionary contributions were made for the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996. Participant Accounts Each participant's account is credited with the participant's contribution and allocations of (a) the Companies contribution and, (b) Plan earnings. Allocations are based on participant earnings or account balances, as defined. The benefit to which a participant is entitled is the benefit that can be provided from the participant's vested account. VALLEY GROUP EMPLOYEES' 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN Notes to Financial Statements, Continued Vesting Participants are immediately vested in their contributions plus actual earnings thereon. The Plan provides for full (100%) vesting of the Companies contributions from the first day of participation if employed prior to December 1, 1995. If employed after December 1, 1995, participants become vested in the Companies contributions based on years of service as follows:
Years of Service Percentage ---------------- ---------- 1 20% 2 40 3 60 4 80 5 100
Investments The Plan provides for participant-directed investment programs with Employers Life Insurance Company of Wausau. Effective January 1, 1997, the Plan was amended to increase the investment options available to Plan participants. The Janus Fund, Warburg Pincus Emerging Growth Fund, Janus Worldwide Fund, Fidelity Advisor High Yield Fund and Dreyfus S&P 500 Index Fund were added to the list of participant-directed investment options available to the Plan participants. The amendment also removed the Dreyfus A Bond Plus Fund, Fidelity Magellan Fund, and Oppenheimer Global Fund from the list of participant-directed investment options available to Plan participants. In addition, during 1997, the stock of Fund American Enterprises Holdings, Inc. was added to the list of participant-directed investment options. Participant Loans Participants may borrow from their fund accounts a minimum of $1,000 up to a maximum equal to the lesser of $50,000 or 50% of their account balance. Loan transactions are treated as a transfer to (from) the investment fund from (to) the Participant Loan fund. Loan terms range from 1-5 years or up to 30 years for the purchase of a primary residence. The loans are secured by the balance in the participant's account and bear interest at the prime rate +3%. Interest rates range from 9.75% to 11.75%. Principal and interest is paid ratably through payroll deductions. Payment of Benefits On termination of service due to death, long-term disability or normal retirement, a participant may elect to receive either a lump-sum amount equal to the value of the participant's interest in his or her account, an annuity, or installments over a fixed period of years up to the legal maximum. For termination of service due to other reasons, a participant may receive the value of the vested interest in his or her account as a lump-sum distribution. Forfeited Accounts At December 31, 1997, forfeited nonvested accounts totaled $702. At December 31, 1996 there were no forfeited nonvested accounts. These accounts will be used to reduce future employer contributions. VALLEY GROUP EMPLOYEES' 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN Notes to Financial Statements, Continued (2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Accounting The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting. Use of Estimates The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principals requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, and changes therein, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Investment Valuation and Income Recognition The Plan's investments are stated at fair value except for its investment in the Group Annuity Contract which is valued at contract value, which approximates fair value. Contract value represents contributions made under the contract, plus interest earned, less funds withdrawn. The contract is included in the financial statements at contract value because it is fully benefit responsive. For example, participants may ordinarily direct the withdrawal or transfer of all or a portion of their investment in the investment contract. Guaranteed interest rates were 6.4% in 1997 and 1996. The contract investments are high quality intermediate term corporate bonds and mortgages. Pooled Separate Accounts are valued based on quoted market prices which represent the net asset values of the underlying investments held by the Plan in the Pooled Seperate Accounts at year-end. Payment of Benefits Benefits are recorded when paid. Reclassifications Certain reclassifications have been made to the 1996 financial statements to conform to the 1997 presentation. (3) Plan Termination Although it has not expressed any intent to do so, the Companies have the right under the Plan to suspend, terminate or completely discontinue contributions at any time and to terminate the Plan subject to the provisions of ERISA. (4) Administrative Expenses Administrative expenses associated with the Plan are paid by the Companies. (5) Related Party Transactions Certain Plan investments are units of pooled separate accounts managed by Employers Life Insurance Company of Wausau and Nationwide Life Insurance Company, the custodians; therefore, these transactions VALLEY GROUP EMPLOYEES' 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN Notes to Financial Statements, Continued qualify as party-in-interest. Fund American Enterprises Holdings, Inc. stock transactions involving the Plan also qualify as exempt party-in-interest transactions. (6) Tax Status The Internal Revenue Service has determined and informed the Company by a letter dated June 12, 1995, that the Plan and related trust are designed in accordance with applicable sections of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). The Plan has been amended since receiving the determination letter. However, the Plan administrator believes that the Plan is designed and is currently being operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of the IRC. (7) Reconciliation of Financial Statements to Form 5500 The following is a reconciliation of net assets available for benefits per the financial statements to the Form 5500 at December 31:
1997 1996 ---------------- ---------------- Net assets available for plan benefits per financial statements $ 6,959,002 4,938,175 Less: Contributions receivable at December 31 (82,006) (37,038) ---------------- ---------------- Net assets available for benefits per the Form 5500 $ 6,876,996 4,901,137 ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ----------------
The following is a reconciliation of contributions and investment income per the financial statements to the Form 5500 for the year ended December 31:
1997 1996 ---------------- ---------------- Total contributions per financial statements $ 1,571,291 2,624,434 Add: Prior contributions receivable 37,038 49,185 Less: Current year contributions receivable (82,006) (37,038) Classification difference included in investment income -- (64) ---------------- ---------------- Total contributions per Form 5500 $ 1,526,323 2,636,517 ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ----------------
(7) Subsequent Events Subsequent to year end, it was discovered that 119 shares of Fund American Enterprises Holdings, Inc. stock (stock) were not purchased by a third-party trust department as requested by the Plan Trustees and Plan Administrator but was invested in a money market account. The stock price has increased between the discovery and the time it was rectified by Valley Pacific, Inc., a subsidiary of Valley Group, Inc., on behalf of the Plan. The cost to the Plan has been estimated at approximately $17,600 and was paid to the Plan by Valley Pacific, Inc. in June 1998. The Company is currently negotiating with the third-party trust department and Plan Administrator for reimbursement. Schedule 1 VALLEY GROUP EMPLOYEES' 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN ITEM 27(A) -- SCHEDULE OF ASSETS HELD FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES December 31, 1997
DESCRIPTION NUMBER OF OF UNITS OR CURRENT ISSUER INVESTMENT SHARES COST VALUE - ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------- ------------ ---------- ----------- Employers Life Insurance Group Annuity Contract -- Company of Wausau* #01054 1,389,815 $1,389,815 1,389,815 Nationwide Life Insurance Neuberger & Berman Guardian Company* Fund -- Pooled Separate Account 564,249 (1) 1,026,330 Nationwide Life Insurance Fidelity Puritan Fund -- Pooled Company* Separate Account 249,352 (1) 573,360 Nationwide Life Insurance Twentieth Century Ultra Company* Investors Fund -- Pooled Separate Account 330,735 (1) 861,117 Nationwide Life Insurance Dreyfus S&P 500 Fund -- Company* Pooled Separate Account 263,909 (1) 755,997 Nationwide Life Insurance Fidelity Advisor High Yield Company* Fund -- Pooled Separate Account 114,235 (1) 150,877 Nationwide Life Insurance Janus Fund -- Pooled Separate Company* Account 327,588 (1) 494,402 Nationwide Life Insurance Warburg Pincus Emerging Company* Growth Fund -- Pooled Separate Account 281,009 (1) 395,562 Nationwide Life Insurance Janus Worldwide Fund -- Company* Pooled Separate Account 762,352 (1) 944,953 Fund American Enterprises Common Stock Holdings, Inc.* 1,285 (1) 155,485 Wells Fargo Bank* Money Market Account 66,109 66,109 66,109 Participants* Participant loans (Interest rate: range: 9.75% to 11.75%) 22 62,989 62,989 ---------- Total assets held for investment purposes $6,876,996 ---------- ----------
- ------------------------ * Party-in-interest (1) Information not available See accompanying independent auditors' report. Schedule 2 VALLEY GROUP EMPLOYEES' 401(K) SAVINGS PLAN ITEM 27(d) -- SCHEDULE OF REPORTABLE TRANSACTIONS Year Ended December 31, 1997
NUMBER NET OF PURCHASE SALES COST GAIN/ ISSUER DESCRIPTION TRANSACTIONS PRICE PRICE OF ASSET (LOSS) - -------------------------- ----------------------------- ------------ ---------- ---------- ---------- ------ Employers Life Insurance Company of Wausau Group Annuity Contract Various $2,202,660 -- $2,202,660 -- Various -- 2,103,175 2,103,175 -- Nationwide Life Insurance Neuberger & Berman Company Guardian Fund -- Various 303,068 -- 303,068 -- Pooled Separate Account Various 265,933 (1) (1) Nationwide Life Insurance Fidelity Magellan Fund-- Various 12,649 -- 12,649 -- Company Pooled Separate Account Various -- 859,975 (1) (1) Nationwide Life Insurance Fidelity Puritan Fund-- Various 134,398 -- 134,398 -- Company Pooled Separate Account Various -- 240,003 (1) (1) Nationwide Life Insurance Oppenheimer Global Fund-- Various 6,754 -- 6,754 -- Company Pooled Separate Account Various -- 548,745 (1) (1) Nationwide Life Insurance Twentieth Century Ultra Company Investors Fund-- Various 248,846 -- 248,846 -- Pooled Separate Account Various -- 265,613 (1) (1) Nationwide Life Insurance Dreyfus S&P 500 Fund-- Various 646,322 -- 646,322 (1) Company Pooled Separate Account Various -- 25,222 (1) (1) Nationwide Life Insurance Fidelity Advisor High Yield Company Fund-- Various 203,004 -- 203,004 -- Pooled Separate Account Various -- 72,129 (1) (1) Nationwide Life Insurance Janus Fund-- Various 549,221 -- 549,221 -- Company Pooled Separate Account(1) Various -- 136,874 (1) (1) Nationwide Life Insurance Warburg Pincus Emerging Various 368,730 -- 368,730 -- Company Growth Fund-- Various -- 33,143 (1) (1) Pooled Separate Account Nationwide Life Insurance Janus Worldwide Fund-- Various 899,020 -- 899,020 -- Company Pooled Separate Account Various -- 69,296 (1) (1) Nationwide Life Insurance Nationwide Money Market Various 1,473,055 -- 1,473,523 -- Company Various -- 1,473,055 1,473,523 --
- ------------------------ (1) Information not available Exhibit B Consent of Independent Auditors ------------------------------- The Board of Directors Valley Group Employees' 401(k) Savings Plan: We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement No. 333-30233 on Form S-8 of Fund American Enterprises Holdings, Inc. of our report dated July 14, 1998, relating to the statement of net assets available for benefits of Valley Group Employees' 401(k) Savings Plan as of December 31, 1997, and the related statement of changes in net assets available for benefits for the year then ended, which report appears in the December 31, 1997 annual report on Form 11-K of Valley Group Employees' 401(k) Savings Plan. Our report refers to the supplemental schedules required by the Department of Labor's Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. With respect to the supplemental schedules of assets held for investment purposes and reportable transactions, our report contains an explanatory paragraph that states that the schedules do not disclose the historical cost or the realized gain or loss of certain Plan assets. San Francisco, California KPMG Peat Marwick LLP July 14, 1998 Exhibit C Consent ------- We consent to the inclusion in this Annual Report on Form 11-K of our report dated June 4, 1997, on our audit of the financial statements of the Valley Group Employees' 401(k) Savings Plan as of December 31, 1996 and for the year then ended. New York, New York PricewaterhouseCoopers July 16, 1998