<PAGE>

                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549

                                   FORM 10-KSB


                 ANNUAL REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                   FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2000
                        COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: 333-80537


                        TRANSITION AUTO FINANCE III, INC.
               (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

<Table>
<S>                                                                     <C>
                         TEXAS                                                        75-2822804
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)          (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)


          8144 WALNUT HILL LANE., SUITE 680,
                     DALLAS, TEXAS                                                       75231
       (Address of principal executive offices)                                       (Zip code)
</Table>


         Issuer's telephone number, including area code: (214) 360-9966

           Securities registered pursuant to section 12(b) of the Act:

<Table>
<S>                                                                <C>
                 Title of Class:  NONE                             Name of each exchange on which registered:  NONE
</Table>

        Securities registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act: NONE

Check whether the issuer (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section
13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the past 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 [ ] No [X]

Check if there is no disclosure of delinquent filers in response to Item 405 of
Regulation S-B contained in this form, and no disclosure will be contained, to
the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy of information
statements incorporated by reference in Part 10-KSB or any amendment to this
Form 10KSB. [X]

State issuer's revenues for its most recent fiscal year: $838,906

State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held
by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the stock was
sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity as of a specified
date within the past 60 days: N/A

State the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common
equity, as of the latest practicable date: As of December 31, 2000, the issuer
had 1,000 shares of common stock outstanding.

Transitional Small Business Disclosure Format (Check one): Yes [ ] No [X]




<PAGE>



                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<Table>
<S>                                                                                                              <C>
PART I............................................................................................................3

Item 1. Description of Business...................................................................................3
Item 2. Description of Property...................................................................................4
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.........................................................................................4
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.......................................................4

PART II...........................................................................................................4

Item 5. Market for Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters..................................................4
Item 6. Management's Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operations................................................5
Item 7. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data...............................................................6
Item 8. Changes In and Disagreements With Accountants On Accounting and Financial Disclosure.....................19

PART III.........................................................................................................19

Item 9.  Directors, Executive Officers, Promoters and Control Persons; Compliance With Section 16(A) of the
         Exchange Act............................................................................................19
Item 10. Executive Compensation..................................................................................19
Item 11. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management Principal Stockholders...................20
Item 12. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions..........................................................21
Item 13. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K........................................................................22
</Table>

         In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary to a fair
statement of the results for interim periods presented have been reflected in
these financial statements.






                                       2
<PAGE>




                                     PART I

ITEM 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

         As of January 27, 2000, Transition Auto Finance III, Inc.'s (the
"Company") offering (the "Offering") of 11% Redeemable Secured Notes (the
"Notes") was declared effective by the United States Securities & Exchange
Commission (the "Commission"). As of December 31, 2000, the end of the period
covered by this Report, (i) the Company had sold Notes in an aggregate principal
amount of $6,491,000 and (ii) the Company's operating assets consisted of 216
leased vehicles and the lease contracts related thereto, and twelve vehicles
were held in inventory following repossession. Of the Company's 216 lease
contracts at December 31, 2000, all were leases newly originated by Transition
Leasing Management, Inc. ("Transition Leasing"). As of December 31, 2000 the
Company had 4 and 1 leases that were terminated early for repossession and early
payoff respectively. As of December 31, 2000, the Company had paid as and when
due all installment payments owed on the Notes since their issuance.

         The Company is a wholly-owned single-purpose corporate subsidiary of
Transition Leasing and is engaged in the business of purchasing new or
late-model vehicles and concurrently therewith entering into lease contracts of
such vehicles to customers.

         The Company was incorporated under the laws of the State of Texas on
June 8, 1999. The Company is a subsidiary of Transition Leasing.

         The Company was established for the sole purposes of purchasing
vehicles from third parties and leasing them to consumers pursuant to lease
contracts, collecting and servicing the lease contracts, obtaining capital
through borrowings or through sale of debt or equity securities to invest in
such lease contracts, remarketing the leased vehicles upon termination of their
lease contracts, and all related business activities. During the year ended
December 31, 2000, all vehicles and lease contracts acquired by the Company were
acquired by the Company directly from lease originations by Transition Leasing.

         The funds necessary to purchase the lease contracts or leased vehicles
were initially provided solely from the sale of the Notes in the Offering. In
addition to the proceeds of the Offering, subject to the prior payment of
interest due upon the Notes and payment of certain allowed expenses, the
collection proceeds from the lease contracts have and will continue to be used
by the Company to purchase or acquire additional lease contracts until the
Sinking Fund Trigger Date. The Sinking Fund Trigger Date will be no later than
December 31, 2002. While the Notes remain outstanding, the Company is prohibited
from engaging in any business other than the purchase and acquisition of the
leased vehicles and the lease contracts, the collection and servicing of the
lease contracts (including repossession and resale of the leased vehicles
collateral), remarketing of the leased vehicles upon termination of the lease
contracts, and from incurring any additional indebtedness other than the allowed
expenses permitted under the Indenture and any other amounts incurred in the
ordinary course of its business.

         The Contracts purchased or acquired by the Company relate primarily to
leased vehicles in the middle range of the new and late model automobile market,
where consumer retail prices typically range from $15,000 to $30,000. The
Company purchased most of the new lease contracts originated by Transition
Leasing. Transition Leasing originates automobile lease contracts through new
automobile franchise dealers, independent automobile dealers, independent
leasing companies, automobile auctions, and other sources. Transition Leasing
leases new and late model automobiles to individuals who do not have access to
other sources of consumer credit because they do not meet the credit standards
imposed by automobile retailers or banking institutions, generally because they
have past credit problems or non-prime credit ratings. Frequently, the reason
that such an individual may have a non-prime credit rating is that, at some time
in the past, he has defaulted on one or more financial obligations, or he has
filed for relief under the bankruptcy laws, or both.

         In originating the lease contracts, Transition Leasing takes a more
flexible approach and applies a more subjective analysis than those taken by
traditional automobile financing sources in determining an applicant's
suitability for loan approval. Transition Leasing endeavors to determine whether
the applicant's prior credit problems were a result of job displacement,
financial hardship beyond the applicant's control or other circumstances that
are not indicative of the applicant's current financial condition or payment
performance. In addition, Transition Leasing seeks customers that have stable
employment providing regular income and possess a strong need to acquire
transportation. The Company



                                       3
<PAGE>

only purchases or acquires lease contracts that satisfy the lease criteria
established in the Indenture and the lease Servicing Agreement between the
Company and Transition Leasing (as servicer), and believes that the quality and
performance of the lease contracts are enhanced through the consistent
application by Transition Leasing of predetermined purchasing, origination and
collection criteria established in the Indenture and the Servicing Agreement.

         Transition Leasing and the Company are required to obtain and maintain
certain licenses and qualifications to do business in Texas and other states.
Transition Leasing and the Company have obtained such licenses.

         There is substantial competition in the business of selling and leasing
motor vehicles and the financing thereof. In addition, a number of institutions,
including banks, have entered the automobile financing business with respect to
high risk, non-prime credit borrowers and compete against Transition Leasing and
the Company for the best high risk borrowers. The Company believes, however,
that it currently has few competitors in the leasing of new and late-model used
motor vehicles to individuals who have had prior credit problems. The Company
competes to some extent with providers of alternative financing services,
secondary finance companies such as used car dealer groups, or other firms with
greater financial and marketing resources than the Company.

         As of the end of the period covered by this Report the Company had, and
as of the date of this Report the Company has, no employees and its operations
are conducted through Transition Leasing, which services the vehicle leases
pursuant to which the Company leases and will lease vehicles.

ITEM 2. DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY

         As of December 31, 2000, the Company's principal executive offices have
been located within the offices of Transition Leasing at 8144 Walnut Hill Lane,
Suite 680, Dallas, Texas 75231, and its telephone number is (214) 360-9966. As
of December 31, 2000, the offices were in suitable condition for the performance
of normal and customary activities of the Company. The offices are leased by the
Company from Prentiss Properties, on a term of three years for $6,069.71 per
month.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

         The Company is not a party to any material legal proceedings, and no
material legal proceedings have been threatened by or, to the best of the
Company's knowledge, instituted against the Company.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

         No matters were submitted to a vote of the Company's sole stockholder
during the fourth quarter of 2000.

                                     PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.

         There is no market for the Company's common stock. All shares of the
common stock are owned by Transition Leasing. No cash dividends have ever been
declared with respect to the common stock. In accordance with the Trust
Indenture, no dividends are allowed.

         The company applied 90% of the gross proceeds from the sale of the
Notes to the purchase or acquisition of the Leased Vehicles and the contracts.
The Company paid to the Underwriter sales commissions of 6% of the principal
amount of the Notes sold by the Underwriter. Additionally, the Company
reimbursed the Underwriter for certain expenses incurred in connection with its
due diligence activities with regard to the Offering of 2% of the aggregate
principal amount of the Notes sold. The Company also used 2% of the gross
proceeds from the sale of the Notes to pay offering and organizational expenses,
including filing and registration fees, legal fees of the Company's counsel,
accounting fees, trustee's fees, escrow agent's fees, "blue sky" expenses and
printing expenses.


                                       4
<PAGE>


ITEM 6. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OR PLAN OF OPERATIONS.


         The following discussions and analysis relates to factors that have
affected the operating results of the Company for the year ended December 31,
2000. At December 31, 1999, the Company had no operations and had no leased
vehicles, consequently any comparisons between Fiscal 2000 and Fiscal 1999 would
be meaningless. The consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2000, as
presented, is derived from the audited statement at that date.

General.

         As of December 31, 2000, the Company had sold $6,491,000 of its 11%
Redeemable Secured Notes and had originated a total of 216 leases at a cost of
approximately $4,514,341. At year-end the Company had received monthly contract
lease payments of $608,793 and amortization of down payments of $230,113. An
additional $732,772 of down payments were carried as deferred revenue.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

                  During the twelve months ended December 31, 2000, the Company
utilized cash of $5,043,363 in its investing activities as compared to cash of
$5,828,219 provided by activities. The Company's only source of liquidity in the
future will be from its remaining proceeds from the sale of notes and its
monthly lease payments after interest and other allowed expenses.

Results of Operations

         For the year ended December 31, 2000, the Company had received monthly
contract lease payments of $608,793 and amortization of down payments of
$230,113.

         Operating cost including general and administrative expenses were
$687,702 for the year ended December 31, 2000.

         Depreciation and amortization was $583,081 for the year ended December
31, 2000.

         Loss on sale of inventory for the year ended December 31, 2000 was
$7,860.

         Investment income in Fiscal 2000, was $50,614.

         Interest expense for the twelve months ended December 31, 2000 was
$376,234.

         The net loss in fiscal 2000 was $765,319.

         The Company's portfolio, which consisted of 216 leases, included 5
leases which resulted in early terminations. The information on the Company's
experience with respect to early terminations is set forth below:

<Table>
<Caption>

                                                                   Vehicle                                   Total
                 # of    Gross Cost    Misc.     Total    Down       Sale    Sales Tax  Warranty Marketing   Amount    Profit
              Contracts  Of Vehicle  Expenses  Payments  Payment    Amount     Credit    Rebate   Fee Paid  Received   (Loss)
              ---------  ----------  --------  --------  --------  --------  ---------  --------  --------  --------  --------
<S>           <C>        <C>         <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Repossession          4  $  117,532  $  3,017  $ 10,116  $ 34,324  $ 80,050   $  4,127  $    949  $ 19,736  $109,830  $(10,719)
Early Payoff          1  $   16,308  $      0  $  5,689  $  4,656  $ 14,205   $    888  $      0  $  2,677  $ 22,761  $  6,453
              ---------  ----------  --------  --------  --------  --------   --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Total                 5  $  133,840  $  3,017  $ 15,805  $ 38,980  $ 94,255   $  5,015  $    949  $ 22,413  $132,591  $ (4,266)
</Table>

Note: The above results on early termination does not include any allowance for
      interest expense



                                       5
<PAGE>

         Early payoffs as of December 31, 2000, were 57 compared to 10 at
December 31, 1999, an increase of 47 or 470%. As a percent of total leases early
payoffs in 1999 were 2.8% and 11.3% in 2000. Although most early payoffs result
in a profit to the Company, a high percentage of early payoffs is not considered
a positive factor by the Company. Early payoffs take a performing lease off the
books and create cash, which until it is reinvested, is a minimal earning asset.

         The Company believes that early payoffs generally occur as a result of
the customer performing on his lease and consequently rebuilding his credit.
Many times his improved credit will allow him to refinance or finance a new car
through traditional sources by trading in his leased vehicle, payoff the lease
balance, and still have a more favorable payment than he currently has with his
leased vehicle with the Company.

This report contains various forward looking statements and information that are
based on management's belief as well as assumptions made by and information
currently available to management. Although the Company believes that the
expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can
give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Such
statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Should
one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying
assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those
expected. Among the key factors that may have a direct bearing on the Company's
operating results are fluctuations in the economy and in the level of activity
in the automobile and consumer finance industry, demand for the Company's
products, the impact of competition and interest rate fluctuations.


ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

         The financial statements of the Company are included beginning
immediately following the index to the financial statements.



                                       6
<PAGE>





                          INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

<Table>
<Caption>

                                                                                               PAGE
                                                                                               ----

<S>                                                                                            <C>
Independent Auditor's Report                                                                     9

Balance Sheets at December 31, 2000 and 1999                                                     10

Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2000 and 1999                              11

Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the years ended December 31, 2000 and 1999                12

Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2000 and 1999                          13

Notes to Financial Statements                                                                 14-18
</Table>






                                       7
<PAGE>








                        TRANSITION AUTO FINANCE III, INC.

                              FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                       AND
                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT

                           DECEMBER 31, 2000 AND 1999








                                       8
<PAGE>

Board of Directors
Transition Auto Finance III, Inc.



                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT


We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Transition Auto Finance III,
Inc. (the Company) as of December 31, 2000 and 1999, and the related statements
of income, stockholders' equity (deficit), and cash flows for the year ended
December 31, 2000 and the period June 8, 1999 (inception) through December 31,
1999. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits 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 the Company as of December 31,
2000 and 1999, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the
year ended December 31, 2000 and the period June 8, 1999 (inception) through
December 31, 1999 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.




SPROUSE & WINN, L.L.P.
Austin, Texas
February 2, 2001







                                       9
<PAGE>




                        TRANSITION AUTO FINANCE III, INC.

                                 BALANCE SHEETS

                           DECEMBER 31, 2000 and 1999


<Table>
<Caption>

                                     ASSETS
                                                                        2000             1999
                                                                    ------------     ------------
<S>                                                                 <C>              <C>
CURRENT ASSETS
  Cash and cash equivalents                                         $  1,314,761     $        897
  Accounts receivable, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts         156,729              -0-
     Of $20,000 and $-0-
  Vehicles held for sale                                                 536,354              -0-
                                                                    ------------     ------------
      Total Current Assets                                             2,007,844              897
                                                                    ------------     ------------

PROPERTY, at cost
  Vehicles leased                                                      4,494,590              -0-
  Less accumulated depreciation                                         (470,077)             -0-
                                                                    ------------     ------------
      Net Property                                                     4,024,513              -0-
                                                                    ------------     ------------

OTHER ASSETS
  Debt issuance costs, net of amortization of $108,446 and $0            634,828          110,218
                                                                    ------------     ------------

TOTAL ASSETS                                                        $  6,667,185     $    111,115
                                                                    ============     ============

                 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)

CURRENT LIABILITIES
  Accrued liabilities                                               $    127,343             $-0-
  Current portion of deferred revenue                                    283,331              -0-
                                                                    ------------     ------------
       Total Current Liabilities                                         410,674              -0-
                                                                    ------------     ------------

OTHER LIABILITIES
  Due to affiliate                                                        82,213          111,939
  Deferred revenue, net of current portion                               449,441              -0-
  Investor notes payable                                               6,491,000              -0-
                                                                    ------------     ------------
      Total Other Liabilities                                          7,022,654          111,939
                                                                    ------------     ------------

TOTAL LIABILITIES                                                      7,433,328          111,939
                                                                    ------------     ------------

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
   Common stock, $.10 par value, 1,000 shares authorized,                    100              100
      issued and outstanding
   Additional paid-in capital                                                900              900
   Retained earnings (deficit)                                          (767,143)          (1,824)
                                                                    ------------     ------------
       Total Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)                             (766,143)            (824)
                                                                    ------------     ------------

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
   (DEFICIT)                                                        $  6,667,185     $    111,115
                                                                    ============     ============
</Table>




                                       10
<PAGE>




                        TRANSITION AUTO FINANCE III, INC.

                              STATEMENTS OF INCOME


                    FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2000 AND
                       THE PERIOD JUNE 8, 1999 (INCEPTION)
                            THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 1999


<Table>
<Caption>

                                                                                                2000             1999
                                                                                            ------------     ------------
<S>                                                                                         <C>              <C>
REVENUES

   Vehicle monthly lease payments                                                           $    608,793     $        -0-
   Amortization of down payments                                                                 230,113              -0-
                                                                                            ------------     ------------

        Total Revenues                                                                           838,906              -0-
                                                                                            ------------     ------------

OPERATING EXPENSES

  Operating costs                                                                                648,694            1,824
  General and administrative                                                                      39,008              -0-
  Depreciation and amortization                                                                  583,081              -0-
        Total Operating Expenses                                                               1,270,783            1,824
                                                                                            ------------     ------------
                                                                                                (431,877)          (1,824)
                                                                                            ------------     ------------
Operating Loss

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

Investment income                                                                                 50,614              -0-
Other expense                                                                                         38              -0-
Interest expense                                                                                (376,234)             -0-
Loss on sale of inventory                                                                         (7,860)             -0-
                                                                                            ------------     ------------

        Total Other Income (Expense)                                                            (333,442)             -0-
                                                                                            ------------     ------------
                                                                                                     -0-              -0-
                                                                                            ------------     ------------
Provision for Federal Income Taxes
                                                                                            $   (765,319)    $     (1,824)
                                                                                            ============     ============
Net Loss

Loss per share (basic and diluted)                                                          $        765     $         18
</Table>




              SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO THESE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



                                       11
<PAGE>

                        TRANSITION AUTO FINANCE III, INC.

                  STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)

                    FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2000 AND
                       THE PERIOD JUNE 8, 1999 (INCEPTION)
                            THROUGH DECEMBER 31,1999

<Table>
<Caption>

                                                                                                        TOTAL
                                          COMMON STOCK             ADDITIONAL        RETAINED       STOCKHOLDERS'
                                 -----------------------------       PAID-IN          EARNINGS         EQUITY
                                    SHARES           AMOUNT          CAPITAL         (DEFICIT)        (DEFICIT)
                                 ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------    -------------
<S>                              <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>             <C>
Balance at June 8, 1999
    (Inception)                           -0-     $        -0-     $        -0-     $        -0-    $         -0-

   Issued 1,000 shares at $.10
       Par Value                         1000              100              900              -0-            1,000
   Net loss                               -0-              -0-              -0-           (1,824)          (1,824)
                                 ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
Balance at December 31, 1999            1,000              100              900           (1,824)            (824)
   Net loss                               -0-              -0-              -0-         (765,319)        (765,319)
                                 ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
Balance at December 31, 2000            1,000     $        100     $        900     $   (767,143)    $   (766,143)
                                 ============     ============     ============     ============     ============
</Table>









              SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO THESE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS




                                       12
<PAGE>




                        TRANSITION AUTO FINANCE III, INC.

                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                    FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2000 AND
                       THE PERIOD JUNE 8, 1999 (INCEPTION)
                            THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 1999


<Table>
<Caption>

                                                                    2000              1999
                                                                ------------      ------------
<S>                                                             <C>               <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net loss                                                        $   (765,319)     $     (1,824)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
  Operating activities:
     Depreciation and amortization                                   583,081               -0-
     Amortization of down payments                                  (230,113)              -0-
     Provision for allowance for doubtful accounts                    20,000               -0-
     (Gain) loss on sale of property                                   7,860               -0-
Net changes in operating assets and liabilities:
     Accounts receivable                                            (176,729)              -0-
     Accrued liabilities                                             127,343               -0-
     Deferred revenue                                                962,885               -0-
                                                                ------------      ------------
NET CASH PROVIDED (USED) BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES                     529,008            (1,824)
                                                                ------------      ------------

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
   Purchase of fixed assets                                       (5,080,068)              -0-
   Cash proceeds from sale of property                                36,705               -0-
                                                                ------------      ------------
NET CASH (USED) BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES                           (5,043,363)              -0-
                                                                ------------      ------------

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
   Proceeds from issuance of common stock                                -0-             1,000
   Net advances (payments) to affiliates                             (29,726)          111,939
   Debt issuance costs                                              (633,055)         (110,218)
   Proceeds from notes payable                                     6,491,000               -0-
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES                          5,828,219             2,721
                                                                ------------      ------------

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS               1,313,864               897

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of year                             897               -0-
                                                                ------------      ------------

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of year                          $  1,314,761      $        897
                                                                ============      ============
CASH PAID DURING THE YEAR FOR
   Interest                                                     $    319,945      $        -0-
                                                                ============      ============
   Income taxes                                                 $        -0-      $        -0-
                                                                ============      ============
NON-CASH INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Vehicles purchased during 2000 with a net book value
  of $536,354 were reclassified from vehicles leased
  to vehicles held for sale at December 31, 2000.
</Table>




              SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO THESE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


                                       13
<PAGE>




                        TRANSITION AUTO FINANCE III, INC.

                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                           DECEMBER 31, 2000 AND 1999

NOTE 1:  BUSINESS ACTIVITY

         Transition Auto Finance III, Inc. (the Company) is a Texas corporation
         organized May 26, 1999. The Company was established to purchase motor
         vehicles and automobile lease contracts, collecting and servicing
         automobile lease contracts and remarketing motor vehicles upon
         termination of their leases. Transition Leasing Management, Inc.
         (Transition Leasing) owns 100% of the Company's common stock.

NOTE 2:  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

         CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

                  For purposes of the statement of cash flows, the Company
                  considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of
                  three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.

                  The Company maintains cash balances at financial institutions
                  in Dallas, Texas. Accounts at the institutions are insured by
                  the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to $100,000. The
                  Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and
                  believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk on
                  cash and cash equivalents.

         REVENUE

                  The vehicles are leased to individuals under leases with terms
                  ranging from thirty-six to forty-eight months. The leases are
                  considered to be operating leases. At the end of the lease
                  period, the lessee may purchase the equipment at the
                  contractual residual value plus any other outstanding items
                  due. Monthly lease payments are recognized as revenue in the
                  month that the payments are due. The vehicle leases require a
                  down payment from the lessee at the inception of the lease.

                  The down payments are initially recorded as deferred revenue
                  and then recognized as income over the term of the leases on a
                  straight-line basis.

         VEHICLES HELD FOR SALE

                  Vehicles held for sale are leased vehicles in which the lease
                  term has expired or that have been repossessed. Vehicles held
                  for sale are valued at the lower of book value or market
                  value. Generally these vehicles will be sold at auction by the
                  Company.





                                       14
<PAGE>




                        TRANSITION AUTO FINANCE III, INC.

                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (Continued)

                           DECEMBER 31, 2000 AND 1999


NOTE 2:  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
         (CONTINUED)

         EQUIPMENT AND LEASED VEHICLES

                  Equipment and leased vehicles are stated at cost less
                  accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided in amounts
                  sufficient to relate the cost of depreciable assets to
                  operations over their estimated service lives using the
                  straight-line-method. Leased vehicle depreciation is
                  calculated over the term of the vehicle lease, using the cost
                  of the vehicle less the estimated residual value of the
                  vehicle at the end of the lease. Present leases have terms
                  ranging from thirty-six to forty-eight months.


         OTHER ASSETS

                  Other assets include debt issuance costs incurred in
                  connection with the Company's offering of securities filed
                  with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These costs are
                  being amortized, on a straight-line basis, over the term of
                  the debt securities which mature on December 31, 2004.

         DEFERRED REVENUE

                  Deferred revenue consists of down payments made by lessees at
                  the inception of the lease. The down payments are amortized
                  over the lease term. Lease terms range from thirty-six to
                  forty-eight months.

         FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

                  Fair values of financial instruments are estimated to
                  approximate the related book value, unless otherwise
                  indicated, based on market information available to the
                  Company.

         USE OF ESTIMATES

                  In preparing the Company's financial statements, management is
                  required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the
                  reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of
                  contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
                  statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses
                  during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from
                  these estimates.




                                       15
<PAGE>




                        TRANSITION AUTO FINANCE III, INC.

                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (Continued)

                           DECEMBER 31, 2000 AND 1999


NOTE 2:  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
         (CONTINUED)

         CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK

                  A majority of the lessees are residents of the Dallas/Fort
                  Worth Metroplex. Vehicles are used as collateral for leases.


NOTE 3:  INCOME TAXES

         The Company is a corporation subject to federal and state income taxes.
         The Company and its parent intend to file a consolidated tax return.
         Each company in the consolidated group determines its taxable income or
         loss, on a separate company basis, and the consolidated tax liability
         is allocated to each company with taxable income in proportion to the
         total of the taxable income amounts.

         The Company has a deferred tax asset as of December 31, 2000 (primarily
         from net operating loss carryforward), which has been completely offset
         by recognition of a valuation allowance.

         The Company has a net operating loss (NOL) carryforward of
         approximately $382,000 and $1,800 for the year ended December 31, 2000
         and 1999 respectively. The Company's NOL carryforward expires on
         December 31, 2020.

NOTE 4:  INVESTOR NOTES PAYABLE

         The Company has issued $6,491,000 of fixed rate redeemable asset-backed
         notes (Investor Notes) as of December 31,2000.

         These Investor Notes were issued pursuant to a public offering on Form
         SB-2 under the Securities Act of 1933. The Investor Notes bear interest
         at the rate of 11%. Interest is payable monthly on the 15th day of each
         month.

         The Investor Notes were issued at various times during 2000, however
         the maturity date for all of the Investor Notes is December 31, 2004.
         The Investor Notes are collateralized by the following:

                  1.       Automobile contracts for the leasing of new or late
                           model automobiles.

                  2.       The leased vehicles.





                                       16
<PAGE>





                        TRANSITION AUTO FINANCE III, INC.

                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (Continued)

                           DECEMBER 31, 2000 AND 1999



NOTE 4:  INVESTOR NOTES PAYABLE (CONTINUED)

         The following table represents Investor Notes outstanding at December
31, 2000:


<Table>
<Caption>

Origination Date         Number of Notes           Note Amount
----------------        -----------------        --------------
<S>                     <C>                      <C>
February 2000                 53                 $      827,000
March 2000                   136                      1,453,000
April 2000                    57                        622,000
May 2000                      35                        354,000
June 2000                     37                        427,000
July 2000                     53                        722,000
August 2000                   40                        332,000
September 2000                28                        290,000
October 2000                  33                        311,000
November 2000                 59                        509,000
December 2000                 72                        644,000
                                                 --------------
                                                 $    6,491,000
                                                 ==============
</Table>



NOTE 5:  RELATED PARTIES

         The Company has entered into a Servicing Agreement with TLMI. TLMI will
         be entitled to a servicing fee of $20 per month per contract and a
         payment of $150 per contract purchased. TLMI will receive, as a
         marketing fee, 57.5% of the down payment made by the customers with
         respect to contracts it originates. TLMI will receive from the Company
         a Releasing Fee of 57.5% of the down payment with respect to a new
         contract following repossession of a leased vehicle. The Company paid
         Transition Leasing $621,606 in 2000 and $0 in 1999 for servicing,
         documentation and marketing fees. The Company also has a payable to
         Transition Leasing for $83,922 and $111,939 as of December 31, 2000 and
         1999, respectively. The Company has a receivable from an affiliate for
         $1,799 as of December 31, 2000.







                                       17
<PAGE>




                        TRANSITION AUTO FINANCE III, INC.

                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (Continued)

                           DECEMBER 31, 2000 AND 1999



NOTE 6:  DEFERRED REVENUE

Current year deferred revenue is as follows:

<Table>
<S>                                                      <C>
Deferred revenues as of January 1, 2000                  $        -0-
   Down payments received                                     962,885
   Amortization of down payments and forfeitures             (230,113)
                                                         ------------
Deferred revenue as of December 31, 2000                      732,772
Less current portion                                         (283,331)
                                                         ------------
  Deferred revenue, net of current portion               $    449,441
                                                         ============
</Table>





















                                       18
<PAGE>






ITEM 8. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
        FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

         Not Applicable.

                                    PART III

ITEM 9. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, PROMOTERS AND CONTROL PERSONS;
        COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(A) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT

         The following table sets forth information concerning the directors and
executive officers of the Company and their age and position with the Company.
Each director holds office until the next annual stockholders' meeting and
thereafter until the individual's successor is elected and qualified. Officers
serve at the pleasure of the board of directors.

         The names, ages, backgrounds and principal occupations of the directors
and executive officers of the Company as of December 31, 2000 are set forth
below:

         Kenneth C. "Ken" Lowe, age 66, has served as our sole director,
President and Secretary since our inception. Mr. Lowe has served as a director,
Vice President and Secretary of Transition Leasing from October 1994 until July
1996 and as a director, President and Secretary of Transition Leasing since July
1996. Since 1993, Mr. Lowe has been Vice President of Young & Lowe, Inc., a
private investment banking firm. From 1990 to 1992, Mr. Lowe was President of
Custom Data Services, a company that specialized in financial data processing
and from 1988 to 1990, Mr. Lowe was President of Westside Communications, which
provided telephone equipment service to commercial customers. Mr. Lowe has a
Master's of Business Administration from Southern Methodist University and over
20 years of experience in investment banking.

         Randall K. Lowe, age 32, has served as our Vice President since our
inception and Vice President of Transition Leasing since July 1998. Prior to
joining us and since 1994, Mr. Lowe served as a credit analyst for Bank One in
New Orleans, Louisiana and Dallas, Texas. From 1991 to 1994 Mr. Lowe was a
credit analyst and branch office manager for Whitney National Bank, N.A. in New
Orleans. Mr. Lowe holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Tulane University.
Randall Lowe is the son of Ken Lowe.

         William H. Dreger, age 55, joined us in September 1999 and serves as
our Controller and Chief Accounting Officer. Prior to joining the Company, Mr.
Dreger was Chief Financial Officer and Chief Information Officer for Down to
Earth, Inc. in Garland, Texas from 1994 to 1999. From 1985 to 1992, Mr. Dreger
was President of Stephenson Financial Services, Inc. in North Hollywood,
California. Mr. Dreger has a Bachelor of Business Administration from the
University of North Texas at Denton, is a Certified Public Accountant and has
over 25 years of experience in accounting and systems.

         Kevin Kane, age 33, joined us in May 1999 as a Vice President and
branch office manager of our office in New Orleans, Louisiana which opened in
July 1999. From 1993 to 1997, Mr. Kane was with Merrill Lynch and Company in New
York in their Litigation and Compliance Department. Mr. Kane is a graduate of
Tulane University and Loyola Law School and is a member of the New York State
Bar.

         None of the directors or the executive officers receives any
compensation from the Company, other than reimbursement of their expenses
incurred on behalf of the Company. All the officers and directors are paid by
Transition Leasing.

         Except as disclosed above, there are no family relationships among the
directors and any of the executive officers of the Company. The Company's
directors do not hold any directorship in any company with a class of securities
registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act or subject to the
requirements of Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act or any company registered as
an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
Except for the officers set forth above, there are no employees of the Company.

ITEM 10. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

         The executive officers and sole director of the Company receive no
compensation, cash or otherwise, from the Company. The executive officers and
sole director of the Company are employed by Transition Leasing.


                                       19
<PAGE>

ITEM 11. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
         PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

         The following table sets forth information, as of December 31, 2000,
relating to the beneficial ownership of the Company's Common Stock by any person
or "group," as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), known to the Company to own
beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, and known to
the Company to be owned by each director of the Company and by all officers and
directors of the Company as a group. Except as otherwise indicated, each of the
persons named below is believed by the Company to possess sole voting and
investment power with respect to the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned
by such person.

<Table>
<Caption>

                                                         Shares of Common Stock            Percentage of Common
                Name of Shareholder                                (1)                             Stock
                -------------------                      ----------------------            --------------------
<S>                                                      <C>                               <C>
Transition Leasing Management, Inc.                                 1000                             100%
8144 Walnut Hill Lane
Suite 680
Dallas, Texas 75231

Kenneth C. Lowe                                                        0(2)                            0
Randall K. Lowe                                                        0                               0
William H. Dreger                                                      0                               0
Kevin Kane                                                             0                               0

Total                                                               1000                             100%

All officers and directors as a group                                  0                             100%
</Table>

(1)   The information as to beneficial ownership of Common Stock has been
      furnished by the respective shareholders, directors and officers of the
      Company.

(2)   The directors of Transition Leasing could be deemed to share voting and
      investment powers over the shares of Common Stock owned of record by
      Transition Leasing. The sole director of Transition Leasing is Kenneth C.
      Lowe. The sole owners of the common stock of Transition Leasing are
      Kenneth C. Lowe and Randall K. Lowe. Transition Leasing has a number of
      preferred shareholders, who have limited voting rights and who may convert
      their preferred shares into shares of Transition Leasing common stock. The
      preferred shareholders, on a fully diluted basis, will not own more than
      20% of Transition Leasing's voting securities.





                                       20
<PAGE>




ITEM 12. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

         Transition Leasing owns 100% of our Common Stock. Our officers are also
officers of Transition Leasing. Mr. Kenneth Lowe is President and Secretary and
a director of Transition Leasing and a director, the President, Chief Financial
Officer and Secretary of our company and Transition Auto Finance II. These
officers will devote as much of their time to our business as, in their
judgment, is reasonably required. We have real and ongoing conflicts of interest
with Transition Auto Finance II and Transition Leasing in allocating management
time, services, overhead and functions among ourselves, Transition Auto Finance
II and Transition Leasing. Management of Transition Auto Finance II and
Transition Leasing intends to resolve any such conflicts in a manner that is
fair and equitable to us. However, there can be no assurance that Transition
Leasing will not form additional subsidiaries engaged in the same business as
Transition Auto Finance III or that any particular conflict may be resolved in a
manner that does not adversely affect the noteholders. Neither Transition Auto
Finance II nor Transition Leasing has guaranteed or is otherwise liable for the
debts and liabilities of the Company.

         Due to excessive cost, and oftentimes dealer fraud, the Company no
longer purchases extended warranties from dealers who refer customers to the
Company when used cars are involved. The Company now purchases extended
warranties from Newcastle Services, Inc. where the cost of the warranty is
substantially less and the potential for dealer fraud is eliminated. Dealer
fraud is a common problem on extended warranties. The Company does not
anticipate that extended warranties will be purchased in large quantities since
the majority of its leases involve new vehicles that are covered by the stated
manufacturers warranty. Newcastle Services, Inc. is owned by Ken Lowe, the
majority owner of Transition Leasing Management, Inc., who owns 100% of the
stock of the Company.

         Under the terms of the Servicing Agreement and the Purchasing
Agreement, Transition Leasing will be paid various fees and be entitled to
reimbursement for its expenses incurred in connection with the repossession,
remarketing, repair and resale of vehicles out of the proceeds from such
resales. The terms of the Servicing Agreement and the Purchasing Agreement were
not negotiated at arm's-length but were determined unilaterally by the
management of Transition Leasing. Thus, there are real and ongoing conflicts of
interest with respect to these agreements. We did not and do not intend to seek
competitive bids from other providers of lease purchasing, administration and
collection services. There has been no independent determination of the fairness
and reasonableness of the terms of these transactions and relationships. Thus,
there is no assurance that such services could not have been obtained from an
unaffiliated third party in arm's-length negotiations on terms more favorable to
us.

         In addition, the terms of the lease contracts to be originated by
Transition Leasing will not have been negotiated at arm's-length but will be
determined unilaterally by Transition Leasing. Transition Leasing will receive
57.5% of each customer's down payment as a marketing fee.

         Transition Leasing currently provides purchase and collection services
for Transition Auto Finance II, Inc., but does not provide such services to any
other party, including affiliates. Transition Leasing, however, may agree in the
future, to purchase and service lease contracts for itself, its affiliates and
other

         The Company used 2% or $129,820 of the gross proceeds from the Offering
to reimburse Transition Leasing, the Company's parent, for offering and
organizational expenses paid by it.

         The Company has joined in a Tax Sharing Agreement with Transition
Leasing. In general, under the terms of this agreement, Transition Leasing is
responsible for making all payments of federal income taxes due with respect to
the Affiliated Group to the Internal Revenue Service and all payments of state
and local consolidated, combined and unitary income taxes due with respect to
the Affiliated Group to the applicable state and local authorities. Under
applicable federal tax laws; however, if Transition Leasing fails to make such
payments of tax, the other members of the Affiliated Group, including the
Company, would be responsible for making such payments. The Company has a net
operating loss (NOL) carryforward of approximately $382,000 and $1,800 for the
year ended December 31, 2000 and the period ended December 31, 1999,
respectively. The Company's NOL carryforward expires on December 31, 2020.



                                       21
<PAGE>






ITEM 13. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a)    Financial Statements

       The following financial statements are filed as a part of this Form
10-KSB:

             The Index to Financial Statements is set out in Item 7 herein.

       Exhibits

       The following exhibits are filed as exhibits to this report on Form
10-KSB:

             The information required is set forth in the Index to Exhibits
accompanying this Form 10-KSB.

(b)    Reports on Form 8-K

       No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the last quarter of 2000.

                                   SIGNATURES

         In accordance with section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

                             (Registrant) Transition Auto Finance III, Inc.


                             By   /s/ Kenneth C. Lowe
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                   Kenneth C. Lowe, President/Chief Executive
                                    Officer

                             Date  March 19, 2002
                                   -----------------------------

         In accordance with the Exchange Act, this report has been signed below
by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and
on the dates indicated.


                             By   /s/ Kenneth C. Lowe
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                   Kenneth C. Lowe, President/Chief Financial
                                    Officer

                             Date  March 19, 2002
                                   -----------------------------


                             By   /s/ Kenneth C. Lowe
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                   Kenneth C. Lowe, Director

                             Date  March 19, 2002
                                   -----------------------------



                                       22
<PAGE>





                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS

<Table>
<Caption>

EXHIBIT
NUMBER                               DESCRIPTION
------                               -----------
<S>           <C>

3.1           Articles of Incorporation of Transition Auto Finance III, Inc.*

3.2           Bylaws of Transition Auto Finance III, Inc.*

4.1           Form of Indenture between Transition Auto Finance III, Inc. and
              Trust Management, Inc., as Trustee***

4.2           Form of Secured Note Due December 31, 2004 (included in Article
              Two of Indenture filed as Exhibit 4.1)

10.1          Form of Master Contract Purchase Agreement between Transition Auto
              Finance III, Inc. and Transition Leasing Management, Inc.**

10.2          Form of Servicing Agreement between Transition Leasing Management,
              Inc. and Transition Auto Finance III, Inc.**

</Table>




*      Incorporated by reference from Registration Statement on Form SB-2 of
       Transition Auto Finance III, Inc. Registration No. 333-80537, filed
       January 24, 2000.

**     Incorporated by reference from Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement
       on Form SB-2 of Transition Auto Finance III, Inc., Registration No.
       333-80537, filed January 24, 2000.

***    Incorporated by reference from Amendment No. 3 to Registration Statement
       on Form SB-2 of Transition Auto Finance III, Inc., Registration No.
       333-80537, filed January 24, 2000.





                                       23