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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 quarterly period ended March 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 0-29466
-------

National Research Corporation
----------------------------------------------------
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Wisconsin 47-0634000
--------- ----------
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)

1245 "Q" Street, Lincoln Nebraska 68508
-------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(402) 475-2525
--------------------------------------------------
(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 90 days. Yes X No
--- ---

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is an accelerated filer (as
defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes No X
--- ---

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Common Stock, $.001 par value, outstanding as of May 1, 2003: 7,254,802 shares
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------




NATIONAL RESEARCH CORPORATION

FORM 10-Q INDEX

For the Quarter Ended March 31, 2003


Page No.
--------

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets 3
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income 4
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows 5
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements 6-9

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations 9-12

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About
Market Risk 12

Item 4. Controls and Procedures 12

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 13

Signatures 14

Certifications 15-16

Exhibit Index 17



-2-


PART I - Financial Information

ITEM 1. Financial Statements
--------------------



NATIONAL RESEARCH CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
March 31, December 31,
2003 2002
---------------------- --------------------
(unaudited)
Assets

Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,257,424 $ 991,217
Investments in marketable debt securities 10,857,783 9,986,677
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful
accounts of $73,320 and $67,320 in 2003 and 2002, respectively 5,089,655 4,579,439
Unbilled revenues 1,460,793 1,933,415
Prepaid expenses and other 608,675 274,112
Income taxes recoverable 8,777 ---
Deferred income taxes 213,133 183,575
---------------------- --------------------

Total current assets 19,496,240 17,948,434
---------------------- --------------------

Net property and equipment 12,418,733 12,345,896
---------------------- --------------------

Customer lists, net of accumulated amortization 806,686 607,004
Goodwill, net of accumulated amortization 9,079,734 7,888,714
Other 46,946 41,923
---------------------- --------------------

Total assets $ 1,848,339 $ 38,831,971
====================== ====================

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Current portion of notes payable $ 133,484 $ 131,907
Accounts payable 590,878 565,540
Accrued wages, bonuses and profit sharing 757,092 632,837
Accrued expenses 435,281 366,943
Income taxes payable 431,525 55,558
Billings in excess of revenues earned 4,281,924 3,276,813
---------------------- --------------------

Total current liabilities 6,630,184 5,029,598

Notes payable, net of current portion 5,008,967 5,044,090
Deferred income taxes 818,198 740,008
Other long-term liabilities 407,820 ---
---------------------- --------------------

Total liabilities 12,865,169 10,813,696
---------------------- --------------------

Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; authorized 2,000,000 shares,
no shares issued and outstanding --- ---
Common stock, $.001 par value; authorized 20,000,000 shares,
issued 7,570,302 in 2003 and 7,560,610 in 2002, outstanding 7,254,802 in
2003 and 7,245,110 in 2002 7,570 7,561
Additional paid-in capital 18,171,188 18,123,603
Retained earnings 12,368,038 11,447,443
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes 32,077 35,371
Treasury stock, at cost; 315,500 shares in 2003 and 2002 (1,595,703) (1,595,703)
---------------------- --------------------

Total shareholders' equity 28,983,170 28,018,275
---------------------- --------------------

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 41,848,339 $ 38,831,971
====================== ====================

See accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.



-3-




NATIONAL RESEARCH CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)

Three months ended
March 31,
---------------------------------------
2003 2002
----------------- ------------------

Revenues $ 6,057,867 $ 4,048,627
---------------- ------------------
Operating expenses:
Direct expenses 2,815,695 1,794,604
Selling, general and administrative 1,284,183 1,273,541
Depreciation and amortization 445,696 404,678
----------------- ------------------

Total operating expenses 4,545,574 3,472,823
----------------- ------------------

Operating income 1,512,293 575,804

Other income (expense):
Interest income 68,828 63,790
Interest expense (106,525) (105,509)
Other, net 4,196 (66,443)
----------------- ------------------

Total other income (expense) (33,501) (108,162)
----------------- ------------------

Income before income taxes 1,478,792 467,642

Provision for income taxes 558,197 173,242
----------------- ------------------

Net income $ 920,595 $ 294,400
================= ==================

Net income per share--basic
and diluted $ 0.13 $ 0.04
================= ==================

Weighted average shares and share equivalents
outstanding--basic 7,249,017 7,099,436
================= ==================

Weighted average shares and share equivalents
outstanding--diluted 7,296,034 7,165,989
================= ==================

See accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.




-4-




NATIONAL RESEARCH CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)

Three months ended
March 31,
------------------------------
2003 2002
-------------- --------------

Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income $ 920,595 $ 294,400
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 445,696 404,678
Deferred income taxes 52,747 93,235
Loss on sale of other investments -- (18)
Net changes in assets and liabilities:
Trade accounts receivable (398,881) (147,771)
Unbilled revenues 472,622 (8,835)
Prepaid expenses and other (325,001) 57,392
Accounts payable (22,178) 53,906
Accrued expenses, wages, bonuses and profit sharing 63,271 158,216
Income taxes recoverable and payable 366,915 75,660
Billings in excess of revenues earned 1,019,268 (64,410)
-------------- --------------
Net cash provided by operating activities 2,595,054 916,453
-------------- --------------

Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment (505,440) (265,528)
Acquisition, net of cash acquired (961,634) --
Purchases of securities available-for-sale (2,694,863) (1,729,310)
Proceeds from the maturities of securities available-for-sale 1,819,042 1,212,769
-------------- --------------
Net cash used in investing activities (2,342,895) (782,069)
-------------- --------------

Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments on notes payable (33,546) (26,036)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options 47,594 44,167
-------------- --------------
Net cash provided by financing activities 14,048 18,131
-------------- --------------

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 266,207 152,515

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 991,217 1,080,053
-------------- --------------

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 1,257,424 $ 1,232,568
============== ==============

Supplemental disclosure of cash paid for:
Interest expense $ 106,525 $ 71,573
============== ==============

Income taxes $ 141,931 $ 2,953
============== =============

Supplemental disclosures of noncash activities:
Accounts payable included $210,335 in 2002 for purchases of property and equipment.
In connection with the Company's acquisition of a business in March 2003, the Company acquired current assets of
$165,769 and assumed current liabilities of $162,956

See accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.




-5-


NATIONAL RESEARCH CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. INTERIM FINANCIAL REPORTING

The consolidated condensed balance sheet of National Research Corporation (the
"Company") at December 31, 2002 was derived from the Company's audited balance
sheet as of that date. All other financial statements contained herein are
unaudited and, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments (consisting
only of normal recurring adjustments) the Company considers necessary for a fair
presentation of financial position, results of operations and cash flows in
accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America.

Information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements
prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America have been condensed or omitted. These consolidated
condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial
statements and notes thereto that are included in the Company's Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission in March 2003.

The consolidated condensed financial statements include the accounts of National
Research Corporation, and its wholly-owned subsidiaries National Research
Corporation Canada and Smaller World Communications Inc. All significant
intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

The functional currency of the Company's foreign subsidiaries are those
subsidiaries' local currencies. The Company translates the assets and
liabilities of foreign subsidiaries at the period-end rate of exchange, and
income statement items at the average rate prevailing during the period. The
Company records the resulting translation adjustment as a component of
shareholders' equity.

2. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Other than its net income, the Company's other sources of comprehensive income
(loss) are unrealized gains or losses on marketable debt securities and foreign
currency translation adjustments. Other comprehensive loss from marketable debt
securities and foreign currency translation adjustments was $3,294 and $20,071
for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

3. ACQUISITION

On March 17, 2003, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding common shares of
Smaller World Communications Inc. ("SWC"), based in Toronto, Canada. The results
of SWC's operations have been included in the consolidated condensed financial
statements since the effective date of March 1, 2003. SWC is a provider of
performance measurement services for healthcare organizations in Canada. As a
result of the acquisition, the Company is expected to be able to accelerate its
expansion in Canada. The aggregate minimum purchase price was $1,357,000, of
which $950,000 was paid at closing. The purchase price also includes two
additional scheduled payments in 2006 and 2008. The minimum aggregate payments
of $408,000 have been recorded

-6-


as other long-term liabilities, and the maximum aggregate payments could be
$1,171,000, based upon certain revenue goals. The Company estimates it direct
acquisition costs to be $54,000.

The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of the assets acquired
and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition. The Company is still in
process of finalizing the valuations of certain assets; thus, the allocation of
the purchase price is subject to refinement:


Fair Value
----------
Current assets $ 165,769
Customer list 217,863
Goodwill 1,191,020
----------
Total acquired assets 1,574,652
Less total liabilities 162,956
----------
Net assets acquired $1,411,696
----------

The customer list is being amortized over 5 years.

The results of operations from this acquisition have been included in the
consolidated condensed statements of income from the date of the acquisition.
The following unaudited pro forma information for the Company has been prepared
as if this acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2002. The information is based
on the historical results of the separate companies, and may not necessarily be
indicative of the results that could have been achieved, or of results that may
occur in the future.

Three months ended March 31,
----------------------------
2003 2002
---- ----
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenues $6,321 $4,243
Net income $927 $282
Net income per share -
basic and diluted $0.13 $0.04

4. STOCK OPTION PLANS

The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense for its stock option
plans using the intrinsic value method prescribed by Accounting Principles Board
(APB) Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related
interpretations to account for its fixed-plan stock options. Under this method,
compensation expense is recorded on the date of grant only if the current market
price of the underlying stock exceeded the exercise price. Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation, established accounting and disclosure requirements using a
fair-value-based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation
plans. As allowed by SFAS No. 123, the Company has elected to continue to apply
the intrinsic-value-based method of accounting.

In December 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 148,
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation - Transition and Disclosure, an
amendment of FASB Statement No.

-7-


123. SFAS No. 148 amends SFAS No. 123 to provide alternative methods of
transition for a voluntary change to the fair value method of accounting for
stock-based employee compensation. In addition, SFAS No. 148 amends the
disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 123 to require prominent disclosures in both
annual and interim financial statements. The following table illustrates the
effect on net income if the fair-value-based method had been applied to all
outstanding and unvested awards in each period:



For three months ended March 31
-------------------------------
2003 2002
---- ----
(in thousands, except per
share amounts)

Pro forma:
Net income, as reported $921 $294
Net income, adjusted for the fair value method $901 $280
Income per share, as reported (1) $0.13 $0.04
Income per share, adjusted for the fair value method (1) $0.12 $0.04


(1) Amounts are the same for both basic and diluted income per share.

5. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill and other intangible assets consist of the following at March 31, 2003
and December 31, 2002:



2003 2002
---- ----

Customer lists $ 1,004,911 $ 787,048
Less accumulated amortization 198,225 180,044
------------- -------------
Net customer lists 806,686 607,004
------------- -------------

Goodwill 10,252,000 9,060,980
Less accumulated amortization 1,172,266 1,172,266
------------- -------------
Net goodwill 9,079,734 7,888,714
------------- -------------

Total net goodwill and intangible assets $ 9,886,420 $ 8,495,718
============= =============


The following represents a summary of changes in the Company's carrying amount
of goodwill for the three months ended March 31, 2003:

Balance as of January 1, 2003 $ 7,888,714
Impairment loss --
Additions 1,191,020
-----------
Balance as of March 31, 2003 $ 9,079,734
===========

-8-


6. SUBSEQUENT EVENT

In May 2003, the Company increased its reserve for bad debts by $100,000 to
reflect the current instability at, and changing payment practices of, one of
its customers. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating its
relationship with the customer, including taking steps so that the Company will
receive upfront payment for its services going forward.


7. EARNINGS PER SHARE

Net income per share has been calculated and presented for "basic" and "diluted"
data. "Basic" net income per share is computed by dividing net income by the
weighted average number of common shares outstanding, whereas "diluted" net
income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average
number of common shares outstanding adjusted for the dilutive effects of options
and common equivalent shares outstanding. At March 31, 2003 and 2002, -0- and
43,109 options, respectively, have been excluded from the diluted net income per
share computation because their exercise price exceeds the fair market value.


ITEM 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
---------------------------------------------------------------
Results of Operations
---------------------

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, selected financial
information derived from the Company's consolidated condensed financial
statements, expressed as a percentage of total revenues. The trends illustrated
in the following table may not necessarily be indicative of future results. The
discussion that follows the table should be read in conjunction with the
consolidated condensed financial statements.



Percentage of Total
Revenues
--------------------------------------
Three months ended
March 31,
-------------------------------------
2003 2002
-------------------------------------


Revenues: 100.0% 100.0%
-------------------------------------

Operating expenses:
Direct expenses 46.4 44.3
Selling, general and administrative 21.2 31.4
Depreciation and amortization 7.4 10.0
-------------------------------------
Total operating expenses: 75.0 85.7
-------------------------------------

Operating income 25.0% 14.3%
=====================================


-9-


THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2003 COMPARED TO THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2002

Total revenues. Total revenues for the three-month period ended March 31, 2003
were $6,058,000 compared to $4,049,000 in the three month period ended March 31,
2002. The first quarter revenue increased 49.6% compared to the prior year. The
increase was primarily due to the addition of new clients, including a major
contract signed in January 2002 with the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs,
which had minimal effect on revenue during the first quarter of 2002 but added
revenue of over $900,000 during 2003. The balance of the increase is a number of
annual contracts signed over the last twelve months.

Direct expenses. Direct expenses increased 56.8% to $2,816,000 in the
three-month period ended March 31, 2003 from $1,795,000 in the same period
during 2002. The increase in direct expenses in the 2003 period was primarily
due the increase in revenue to serve additional customers. The increases were in
printing and postage expenses of $553,000, fieldwork and fees of $347,000, and
in labor and payroll expenses of $116,000. Direct expenses increased as a
percentage of total revenues to 46.4% in the three month period ended March 31,
2003 from 44.3% during the same period of 2002 due partially to the increase in
fieldwork expenses. For the balance of 2003, direct expenses as a percentage of
total revenues are expected to remain at levels similar to 2002.

Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and
administrative expenses remained flat at $1,284,000 for the three-month period
ended March 31, 2003 compared to $1,274,000 for the same period in 2002. The net
increase was primarily due to increases in marketing expenses of $134,000,
salary and benefit expenses of $37,000, and utilities of $17,000. These
increases were partially offset by a decrease in legal and consulting fees of
$184,000 relating to the resolution of a lawsuit in the first quarter of 2002.
Selling, general, and administrative expenses decreased as a percentage of total
revenues to 21.2% for the three month period ended March 31, 2003 from 31.4% for
the same period in 2002 due mainly to the reduction in legal and consulting
fees. For the balance of 2003, selling, general, and administrative expenses as
a percentage of total revenues are expected to remain at similar levels to the
first quarter of 2003, which are consistent with the results for the full year
of 2002.

Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization expenses increased
to $446,000 in the three-month period ended March 31, 2003 from $405,000 in the
same period of 2002. Depreciation and amortization expenses as a percentage of
total revenues decreased to 7.4% in the three-month period ended March 31, 2003,
from 10.0% in the same period of 2002. The depreciation as a percentage of
revenue should decrease slightly during 2003.

Other income (expense). Other income (expense) was ($34,000) in the three-month
period ended March 31, 2003 compared to ($108,000) in the same period of 2002.
The change was due to the recording in 2002 of $64,000 of prejudgment interest
related to the lawsuit resolved during the first quarter of 2002. Other income
(expense) should trend to the first quarter of 2003 amounts for the balance of
the year.

Provision for income taxes. The provision for income taxes totaled $558,000
(37.7% effective tax rate) for the three-month period ended March 31, 2003 as
compared to $173,000 (37.0% effective tax rate) for the same period in 2002. The
effective tax rate was lower in 2002 due to differences

-10-


in state income taxes. The effective tax rate for the rest of 2003 is expected
to remain at a level similar to its first quarter 2003 level.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company's principal source of funds historically has been cash flow from its
operations. The Company's cash flow has been sufficient to provide funds for
working capital and capital expenditures, other than expenditures related to the
Company's building, which were paid, in part, from the proceeds of borrowings
and the sale of securities available-for-sale.

As of March 31, 2003, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $1.3 million
and working capital of $12.9 million.

During the three months ended March 31, 2003, the Company generated $2.6 million
of net cash from operating activities as compared to $916,000 of net cash
generated during the same period in the prior year. The increase in cash flow
was mainly due to a higher net income and partially due to increases in billings
in excess of revenues earned and decreases in unbilled revenues, totaling $1.5
million, offset by net increases in trade accounts receivables. Also, the
increase in cash flows was partially generated by an increase in accounts
payable and accrued expenses, offset by increases in prepaid expenses.

For the three months ended March 31, 2003, net cash used in investing activities
was $2.3 million as compared to $782,000 during the same period in the prior
year. The 2003 increase in cash used in investing activities was primarily due
to the $962,000 acquisition in March 2003 of Smaller World Communications Inc.,
a Toronto, Canada based company. In addition, cash used in investing activities
increased due to an increase of purchases of property and equipment by $240,000
and by an increase of the net of purchases of securities available-for-sale over
the proceeds from the maturities of securities of $359,000.

Net cash provided by financing activities was $14,000 for the three months ended
March 31, 2003, as compared to $18,000 for the three months ended March 31,
2002. The decrease in cash provided by financing activities during 2003 was
primarily due to an increase in the amount of payments on notes payable.

The Company typically bills clients for performance tracking and custom research
projects before they have been completed. Billed amounts are recorded as
billings in excess of revenues earned or deferred revenue on the Company's
financial statements and are recognized as income when earned. As of March 31,
2003 and December 31, 2002, the Company had $4.3 million and $3.3 million of
deferred revenues, respectively. In addition, when work is performed in advance
of billing, the Company records this work as revenues earned in excess of
billings, or unbilled revenue. At March 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002, the
Company had $1.5 million and $1.9 million of unbilled revenue, respectively.
Substantially all deferred revenues earned and unbilled revenues will be earned
and billed, respectively, within 12 months of the respective period ends.

-11-


STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM

In April 1999, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized the repurchase
of 150,000 shares of Common Stock in the open market or in privately negotiated
transactions. As of May 1, 2003, 70,500 shares have been repurchased under that
authorization.

ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In April 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 149, "Amendment of Statement 133 on
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" (SFAS No. 149). SFAS No. 149
amends and clarifies financial accounting and reporting for derivative
instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other
contracts and for hedging activities under SFAS No. 133, Accounting for
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (SFAS No. 133). Except for the
provisions of SFAS No. 149 that relate to SFAS No. 133 implementation issues
that have been effective for fiscal quarters that began prior to June 15, 2003,
SFAS No. 149 is effective for contracts entered into or modified after June 30,
2003 and for hedging relationships designated after June 30, 2003. The adoption
of SFAS No. 149 is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's
financial statements.

RECENT DEVELOPMENT

In May 2003, the Company increased its reserve for bad debts by $100,000 to
reflect the current instability at, and changing payment practices of, one of
its customers. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating its
relationship with the customer, including taking steps so that the Company will
receive upfront payment for its services going forward.

ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
----------------------------------------------------------

The Company has not experienced any material changes in its market risk
exposures since December 31, 2002.

ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures
-----------------------

(a) Based on their evaluation as of a date within 90 days of the filing of this
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Company's principal executive officer and
principal financial officer have concluded that the Company's disclosure
controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-14(c) and 15 d-14 (c) under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act")) are effective to ensure
that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it
files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and
reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission
rules and forms.

(b) No significant changes were made in the Company's internal controls or in
other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the
date of their evaluation.


-12-


PART II - Other Information

ITEM 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
--------------------------------

(a) Exhibits
--------

(99.1) Certification of the President and Chief Executive Officer
pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

(99.2) Certification of the Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary
and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section
1350

(b) Reports on Form 8-K
-------------------

The Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K, dated March 19,
2003, reporting (under Items 7 and 9) that it issued a press
release announcing its acquisition of Smaller World
Communications Inc. on March 17, 2003.



-13-


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.


NATIONAL RESEARCH CORPORATION



Date: May 15, 2003 By: /s/ Michael D. Hays
-------------------------------------
Michael D. Hays
President and Chief Executive Officer



Date: May 15, 2003 By: /s/ Patrick E. Beans
-------------------------------------
Patrick E. Beans
Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and
Chief Financial Officer (Principal
Financial and Accounting Officer)



-14-


Certifications

I, Michael D. Hays, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of National Research
Corporation;

2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make
the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements
were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly
report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial
information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material
respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the
registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for
establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in
Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:

(a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that
material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated
subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities,
particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being
prepared;

(b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and
procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this
quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and

(c) presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our
evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

5. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our
most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of
registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent
functions):

(a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal
controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record,
process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the
registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

(b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other
employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal
controls; and

6. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this
quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal
controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls
subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective
actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

Date: May 15, 2003 /s/ Michael D. Hays
-----------------------------------------
Michael D. Hays
President and Chief Executive Officer



-15-


I, Patrick E. Beans, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of National Research
Corporation;

2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make
the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements
were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly
report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial
information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material
respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the
registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for
establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in
Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:

(a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that
material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated
subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities,
particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being
prepared;

(b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and
procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this
quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and

(c) presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our
evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

5. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our
most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of
registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent
functions):

(a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal
controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record,
process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the
registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

(b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other
employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal
controls; and

6. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this
quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal
controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls
subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective
actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

Date: May 15, 2003 /s/ Patrick E. Beans
------------------------------------------
Patrick E. Beans
Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary
and Chief Financial Officer


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NATIONAL RESEARCH CORPORATION

EXHIBIT INDEX TO QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
For the Quarterly Period ended March 31, 2003

Exhibit
-------

(99.1) Certification of the President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18
U.S.C. Section 1350

(99.2) Certification of the Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and Chief
Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350



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